The real Hayes daughter was back. Scarlett’s contract marriage was finally over. She had intended a graceful exit. Instead, she watched Asher Sterling, the man she had loved for ten years, hold another woman. His voice was cold and mocking. “You were merely a tool for our corporate alliance. Never fool yourself into thinking I could have feelings for you.” Asher permitted Blair to humiliate Scarlett. He allowed her, still feverish, to be forced into ice water. He left her in a burning ballroom, indifferent to her survival. It was only when Asher personally handed Scarlett over to a group of predatory men that her heart finally died. She disappeared into a quiet coastal town, changed her name, and vanished from his world. When Asher realized the woman beside him was not the same, he finally lost control and descended into a frantic search. But when he finally found her, all he saw was Scarlett standing beside another man. Her gaze was calm. She did not look back. As Asher’s wife for thirty-three months, Scarlett got the call. “The real Miss Hayes has fully recovered. heiress has recovered. She returns in fourteen days to reclaim her position. You will ensure a seamless transition. The agreed fifty million will be transferred to your account in full.” The call ended, leaving Scarlett’s hand trembling slightly. She could actually leave the Sterling mansion ahead of schedule. Three years ago, the powerful Hayes and Sterling corporations formed a high-stakes alliance, and their marriage was the talk of the town. At the crucial moment, the Hayes heiress suddenly suddenly fell gravely ill. The Hayes family moved quickly to suppress the news and tracked Scarlett down to a small foster home where she was volunteering. “This collaboration between our two families is vital. If you didn’t look so much like my daughter, do you think an opportunity like this would ever fall to you?” Mrs. Hayes scoffed, her eyes brimming with disdain. “A three-year contract. Once the time is up, you take the money and leave.” Scarlett never wanted to get entangled in this mess, but she had no choice. The night before the wedding, Scarlett stayed up, committing every detail of Asher’s preferences to memory. Afterward, she devoted herself to pleasing him and preserving the fragile alliance between their families. Knowing he often skipped meals while working, she sourced the freshest ingredients herself, preparing and delivering new dishes to his office each day. Aware of his late business dinners, she would wait for hours in the cold outside the restaurant, ready to drive him home the moment he appeared. Everyone said she was madly in love with Asher. He heard it all, yet his expression remained as cold as ice. Then Blair appeared. Rumor had it she championed charity worldwide, ate only vegetarian food, and exuded a gentle, angelic glow. Asher was utterly captivated by this glow. Overnight, it was as if Blair had stolen his soul. From then on, he had eyes only for her. He diverted substantial company funds into Blair’s pet charity projects. He even postponed critical board meetings, ignoring all opposition, just to drive her around the city in his luxury car, rescuing stray cats. To ensure Blair slept soundly, Asher did not return home for three solid months. Whispers began circulating within their circle: Blair was the real Mrs. Sterling. But Scarlett didn’t care. She just wanted to endure these two weeks. Then she would take her money and start a new life. … No sooner had the Hayes’ call ended than another incoming call flashed on her screen. Scarlett’s finger paused, but she answered it anyway. “Send some supper to the office. Cook it yourself.” Asher’s voice was detached, his command habitual. Scarlett, clutching a thermometer, steadied herself. “But we’re out of ingredients at home. How about I order from that place you love…” “If you’re out, go buy some.” Asher cut her off coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Blair’s stomach is sensitive; she can’t eat outside food.” Hearing Blair’s name, Scarlett understood instantly. When it came to anything about Blair, Asher was uncompromising, leaving no room for “discussion.” “Okay.” Scarlett didn’t argue, simply agreeing. After having the ingredients delivered, she spent two painstaking hours cooking Blair’s favorite dishes. The nanny, Martha, couldn’t help but feel indignant for Scarlett. “Oh, why would a sick wife be made to cook supper for another woman in the middle of the night?” “Mrs. Sterling, don’t you feel wronged?” Scarlett paused in her packing, then smiled faintly and shook her head. Compared to the freedom and money that awaited her, this was nothing. The late autumn wind was particularly biting. Being feverish, Scarlett made sure to wear an extra coat when she left. Urged by Asher, she reached his office as fast as she could. But she never expected it. The moment Scarlett pushed open the door, a bucket of ice-cold water splashed right over her. SPLASH! The freezing water rushed down her collar, and she began to shiver uncontrollably. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Scarlett. I didn’t realize you were right outside the door.” Blair spoke with an apology, but her eyes showed no genuine remorse. Scarlett had just wiped the cold water from her face when she heard Asher’s chilling voice from inside. “Alright, what are you waiting for? Get in here.” She bit down hard, walking straight in. Asher opened the food container, gently taking out the food, then carefully brought it to Blair’s lips. The tenderness in his eyes was almost overflowing. Blair smiled shyly, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at him. Scarlett stood by like a puppet, expressionless, still dripping wet. She watched Blair finish the food bite by bite, feeling the cold seep deeper into her clothes. As she collected the empty food containers and turned to leave, Asher’s voice stopped her. “Wait. I’ll have Michael take you to change.” Scarlett paused. “And have him stop at a pharmacy on the way back. Pick up some cold medicine for Blair. She might catch cold dressed like that.” A faint, wry smile touched her lips at his words. Why would Asher ever care about her? It was just a casual act of charity, nothing more.
After Blair drank the cold medicine, Asher took her home to the Sterling mansion, bringing Scarlett along too. Scarlett got out of the car, dragging her weary steps toward the front door, thinking she could finally get some rest. But Asher merely flicked his fingers. A towering bodyguard immediately blocked the entrance. “Blair had an argument with her family tonight and ran away. If we don’t take her in, she’ll have nowhere to go.” Scarlett nodded, indicating no objection. Yet the bodyguard remained firmly in place, showing no sign of moving. She looked up, a hint of confusion in her eyes, and met Asher’s chilling gaze. “Tonight, you’ll sleep in the yard.” Scarlett instantly sobered up, freezing on the spot. “Asher, it’s alright, let Scarlett stay… She is your wife, after all.” Blair gently held Asher’s arm, feigning concern. “Wife? Does she even deserve that title?” Asher sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. “I told you, our marriage is just a business arrangement. The only one I truly care about is you.” As he spoke, he stared intently at Blair. He wouldn’t spare Scarlett even a fleeting glance. Scarlett instinctively clenched her fists, her nails digging deeply into her flesh. The faint smile on her face had long since vanished. But remembering the Hayes family’s warning, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath. She silently told herself that she absolutely could not cause any trouble before she left. “Okay.” Scarlett lowered her gaze and nodded submissively. After Asher and Blair went inside, she found a relatively clean spot and lay down. Overwhelmed by exhaustion, she eventually fell into a deep sleep. In the middle of the night, heavy rain suddenly began to fall. The rainwater quickly soaked her clothes, and the cold penetrated to her bones. Scarlett was instantly jolted awake. “Boom!” A clap of thunder made her shiver, and she instinctively looked up. She vaguely saw the reflection of the second-floor bedroom. Asher was soothing a thunder-startled Blair, oblivious to the drenched Scarlett below. The next morning, he stormed in and found her shivering in the yard. “The bedding you sent,” he accused, voice cold. “Blair had an allergic reaction.” She forced herself to stand, shaking her head. “I didn’t send any bedsheets, and I don’t know what she’s allergic to.” “Don’t try to deny it!” Asher grabbed her wrist, his face completely dark. “You manage everything in this house; how could it not be you who sent them!” “So all your past indifference was just an act, waiting for me to lower my guard so you could seize this chance to get at Blair, wasn’t it?!” “It really wasn’t me…” Scarlett tried desperately to explain. But Asher waved his hand, ordering someone to forcibly drag her to the dining table. “Someone, make her drink these ten glasses of milk! Every last drop!” Scarlett’s face instantly turned ashen. She was severely allergic to milk; even a single drop would cause a rash, let alone this much… Scarlett struggled to stand, but two maids held her down firmly in the chair. Glass after glass of milk was poured into her mouth. A burning pain shot through her throat, making it almost impossible to breathe. After being forced to finish the ten glasses, Scarlett collapsed weakly against the table, immobilized by the pain tearing through her. Then, Asher’s icy voice reached her. “I’ve told you, the only woman I love is Blair. Remember that. Don’t fool yourself into thinking there could ever be anything between us.” With great effort, Scarlett forced her swollen eyes open. She managed one faint movement of her fingertips before darkness finally claimed her. She knew. She had always known Asher didn’t love her. And so, she had never allowed herself to yearn for his affection. But once, there had been a flicker of hope in her heart. Now, it seemed, that too was just a delusion.
After passing out, Scarlett had a very long dream. In her dream, someone gently wiped her forehead and carefully gave her cold medicine until the nameless fever in her heart was completely soothed. It reminded her of her grandmother, long deceased. She couldn’t help but murmur. “Grandma, don’t worry, I can leave soon…” “Leave?” A sudden male voice interrupted her. Scarlett’s eyes snapped open. It was Asher. Seeing Scarlett wake up, he immediately dropped the towel in his hand, his gaze as cold as ever. “Leave what?” His sharp eyes fixed on her. She forced herself to remain calm and explained, “I dreamed of being hospitalized a lot when I was little. I meant I wanted to leave the hospital.” Asher looked at her suspiciously but didn’t dwell on it. He tossed her a medical report. “The doctor says you’re fine.” Then, he pulled out an invitation. “Blair said she felt bad about you being out in the rain all night and invited you to her charity auction.” Scarlett lowered her eyes, recalling the Hayes family’s instructions, and obediently nodded. It didn’t matter. Only 7 days left, then she could leave. After changing into her evening gown, Scarlett went downstairs alone and saw Asher intently discussing details with Michael. Scarlett moved closer, only then realizing what they were talking about. Apparently, to surprise Blair, he had meticulously planned a grand fireworks display. As if sensing Scarlett’s approach, Asher dismissed Michael, then gave her a cold glance. “Let’s go.” After the rain, the city seemed even colder. The car sped along, and Scarlett instinctively pulled her coat tighter. Upon arriving at the auction, Asher directly took a seat in the front row. Blair, in a magnificent pink gown, stood on stage and smiled shyly at him. Their eyes met for a long moment, completely ignoring Scarlett standing nearby. The auction quickly began. Blair eloquently introduced each item, striving to instill the concept of “charitable giving” deep into everyone’s hearts. Asher stared intently at her graceful figure on stage, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if admiring a rare treasure. Two hours later, Blair finished her thank-you speech on stage. A burst of fireworks suddenly erupted above the outdoor auction. Not only did Blair’s name appear in the sky, but several dynamically changing hearts surrounded it. She gazed at the sky in surprise, then walked step by step toward Asher. “Asher, thank you for the surprise you prepared for me. I really love it.” Asher tightly held Blair’s hand, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes. “As long as you like it, everything I do is worth it.” With that, they embraced tightly, accepting the blessings of everyone present. “Miss Blair is truly blessed to have such a handsome, wealthy, and loving husband!” someone in the crowd exclaimed. Asher shook his head, looking directly into Blair’s eyes as he seriously replied, “It should be me who is blessed.” The crowd instantly erupted into louder cheers. Blair shyly lowered her head, but then unexpectedly caught sight of Scarlett in the corner, her expression subtly shifting. “Asher, Scarlett is still here. You shouldn’t say such things.” “She might… be upset.” Hearing this, Asher’s dark eyes immediately turned cold. “Why should I care about her?” Blair’s lips curved into a smile as she shot a covert, triumphant look toward Scarlett. Scarlett’s expression remained unchanged as she continued to sit quietly in her chair. He was right. There was no need to mind her. Because she, from the very start, had not minded either.
Dazzling fireworks danced in the deep night sky, as splendid as shooting stars. But an accident suddenly occurred. A firework, unexpectedly, fell onto the stage and violently exploded! The flames spread rapidly. All the electronic equipment was incinerated, and the entire venue instantly suffered a violent explosion! Guests screamed and scattered in all directions. Asher gritted his teeth, fiercely shielding Blair in his arms, completely oblivious to Scarlett nearby. The three were quickly surrounded by fire. Asher dampened his jacket with mineral water, tightly wrapped it around Blair, and moved toward the weakest point of the blaze. Scarlett looked around, then took a step, intending to follow. Suddenly, a metal frame behind her collapsed. Scarlett sped up, but a sharp pain shot through her back, forcing a muffled groan from her lips. She slowly reached out a hand, weakly calling out, “Asher.” But he didn’t look back. Instead, he scooped up Blair and rushed out of the fire as fast as he could. The smoke grew thicker, the fire raged stronger. Her last shred of hope was completely extinguished. Trapped under heavy debris, Scarlett remained motionless, slowly losing consciousness in the dense smoke. When she next awoke, the strong scent of disinfectant stung her senses. Scarlett instinctively opened her eyes. “You’re awake?” Following the sound, she saw Asher standing at the doorway, his voice detached. “Blair loves the lemon pie from 15th Street the most. Go buy some now.” “She was terrified last night, and I can’t leave her side for a moment.” With that, before Scarlett could even reply, he impatiently rushed back to Blair’s hospital room. Scarlett forced herself out of bed. Her face was pale, and the wound on her back still throbbed faintly. As she left, a nurse nearby couldn’t help but caution her. “Miss Scarlett, your wound hasn’t healed yet. Going out now could easily cause an infection!” Scarlett merely shook her head, insisting on leaning against the wall and walking out alone. Three hours later, Asher took the lemon pie, his brows instantly furrowed. “Why is it broken in half?” “Scarlett, are you deliberately trying to provoke Blair again?!” His face completely darkened, and he grabbed her wrist. Scarlett instinctively defended herself. “I didn’t. I was very careful, but I didn’t expect…” “Enough.” Asher’s face tightened, the anger in his eyes darkening. “Stop making excuses.” His voice was ice. He was about to speak again when Blair’s delicate call floated in from the hallway. “Asher, where are you?” Asher released her at once, shoving her back as he turned and strode out the door. Scarlett stumbled backward against the doorframe. The impact tore her wound open again, and blood bloomed across her white shirt. She bit her lip, enduring the pain in silence. After a moment, she pushed herself up and limped toward the infirmary. After calming Blair, Asher stepped out for her medicine and overheard two orderlies. “15th Street is a two-hour drive from here, and that place has a line out the door!” The other orderly shook her head. “Who would go that far? Mrs. Sterling must really adore her husband, going all the way there in her condition.” Asher froze, a slight frown on his face. A strange, unfamiliar feeling stirred inside him. Something he could neither grasp nor name.
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