For five years into my marriage with Dominic, I discovered he was secretly preparing to divorce me for some girl. I still loved him. Just as he was about to drop the divorce bombshell, I preemptively presented him with my pregnancy test results. That night, Dominic stood on the balcony, smoking an entire pack. After that, he broke things off with that girl. It wasn’t until I was six months pregnant that the girl herself showed up at our house, delivering her wedding invitation. “Mr. Vance, my wedding is tomorrow. If you tell me to stay, I’ll cancel it for you.” With those words, she placed the invitation down and burst into tears, running out the door. Dominic stood up, ready to chase after her. Watching his retreating back, I clutched my aching stomach and called out to him. “Dominic, if you dare to leave today, I’ll go to the hospital and terminate this pregnancy.” Dominic froze for a second, but in the end, he walked out the door. 1 I found out Dominic was planning to divorce me because the company’s legal team kept asking me to sign documents. Changing the corporate legal representative, changing the company’s official accounts. Even our family home, Dominic was trying to sell at a low price. And the company’s cash flow—it had been profitable just six months ago, but this year it had been losing money for several months straight. On top of that, Dominic was frequently away on business, often for more than half a month at a time. Whenever I asked, he’d say the company was facing problems, and he was trying to turn things around. I didn’t expose his lies, nor did I tell him. That video clip of him intimately kissing his beloved girl at a trending pop concert had even gone viral as a scandalous CEO affair on social media. And the only reason I tolerated all this was because I still had feelings for him. Five years of dating, five years of marriage—the end of such a long relationship couldn’t be simply severed by an affair. So, even when he occasionally came home with hickeys. Even when he sometimes came home reeking of a sweet, cloying perfume, the kind young women favored. Even when he chose to sleep in his study, separating from me, unwilling to even touch me, I pretended not to know. But I didn’t want a divorce, yet Dominic did. It just so happened that the lawyer he hired to draft the divorce papers was from a law firm I had secretly invested in. So I not only knew how conflicted and agitated he was during this period of deciding on a divorce. I even knew when he would hand me the divorce papers. To save this marriage, I went to the clinic first and underwent IVF. The night before he planned to propose a divorce, I even specifically FaceTimed him to call him home. Dominic was extremely impatient about me calling him home. That day, the meal I personally cooked for him was reheated three times by Mrs. Gable before he finally arrived home. But he didn’t even glance at the food on the table. Seeing me sitting on the sofa, he just gave me a cold nod and headed straight to his study. After showering and dragging his feet for two hours, he finally emerged. “Didn’t you have something to tell me? Well, what is it?” Dominic’s tone was cold and hard, just like how he spoke to his employees. I didn’t say a word, just calmly handed him the prenatal report. “I’m pregnant. Two weeks.” Dominic’s breath hitched, the veins on the back of his hand, clutching the report, bulged. I knew why he was so emotional. My mother had died during a difficult childbirth, giving birth to my younger brother. I had seen too many women compromise for the sake of marriage. So, from the early days of my relationship with Dominic, I had told him I was firmly child-free and would never have children. Dominic, blinded by love at the time, agreed without a second thought. But after we got married, as he grew older, Dominic would occasionally bring up wanting children. Each time, I refused, and I’d vehemently accuse him of breaking his promise. Yet now, I was presenting him with a prenatal report. He took several deep breaths, as if trying to regain his composure. “Thank you, for being willing to compromise and have a child for me.” He quickly grabbed the pregnancy report and stood up, almost stumbling. He even hit his knee hard on the table leg from the force of it. “Sorry, this news just… it’s too much of a surprise. I need a moment to calm down.” With that, he hurriedly retreated to his study again, slamming the door shut. It wasn’t until the sound of the slammed door in the living room faded that I noticed. The fruit knife I was clutching had already pierced my palm, and blood was dripping into the glass of water beside me. 2 That night, I only smelled smoke in the house. But I knew Dominic must have smoked all night. Even though our rooms were separate, the windows were far apart, and the scent of smoke was so thick, he must have smoked a lot. The next day, I was informed by HR that Dominic’s new secretary had resigned. And the company, which had been offloading some business, was now operating again. The day I received this news, I caressed my still-flat stomach and cried until my pillow was soaked. In the end, I hadn’t let what was once a beautiful love story conclude with calculation and coldness. After that, Dominic reverted to the loving husband he had been during our blissful times. He would accompany me to every prenatal appointment. He meticulously chose and re-chose the best recovery center for my postpartum care. He bought endless piles of baby supplies, enough for the child until they were ten years old. He did everything a father should do. But he still stayed in his study, never moving back into the master bedroom, and never initiating any physical intimacy with me. I even secretly caught him pleasuring himself to that girl’s photos and videos. It was almost laughable, yet utterly sickening. And now, here she was again, brazenly at the villa. After provocatively delivering her wedding invitation and spouting a bunch of nonsensical things before fleeing. Dominic didn’t choose to explain himself to me. Instead, he desperately wanted to chase after that girl. Even when I called out, forbidding him to leave. He turned, tormented and hysterical, and roared at me: “Isabelle, I’ve already come back to our family for you. What more do you want from me?” “She’s getting married tomorrow! Can’t I even say goodbye to her?” I looked at his furrowed brow and the disgust he couldn’t hide in his expression. I wiped away the tears that involuntarily streamed down my face. “No, you can’t, Dominic. If you go after that girl today, I will terminate the baby in my womb.” Dominic’s entire body went rigid. He stared at my face for what felt like an eternity before finally snapping, annoyance and hatred lacing his voice: “Isabelle, you are truly evil.” Hearing his accusation, my chest ached, suffocating and numb. Was I evil? But for this marriage, to keep him, I pretended to be blind. I went against my own wishes, enduring painful injections that left my belly bruised, all to carry his child. Yet I tried so hard to keep him. So why, in his eyes, had I become evil? Tears poured down my face like a waterfall. But my tears and the baby in my belly still couldn’t keep Dominic. Annoyed and impatient, he angrily kicked the sofa. “Fine, go to the hospital. Terminate the pregnancy! Today, no matter what, I’m going to find her!” Then Dominic, like a reckless twenty-year-old, frantically chased after the girl’s fleeing figure. Watching his departing back, my fingers trembled as I dialed 91

Yes, since Dominic had made his choice. Then I, too, should make mine. To terminate the child Dominic had longed for, and to utterly destroy his reputation. 3 That day, I was rushed to the hospital by the paramedics. I had originally intended to go for an abortion. But the ambulance had barely driven halfway when I started bleeding heavily. I wasn’t surprised by this. After all, when I first became pregnant, the doctor had repeatedly warned me. I was over thirty-five, my health wasn’t great, and pregnancy put me at high risk for miscarriage. They stressed that I must keep my emotions stable. For these six months of pregnancy, I had endured and endured, meditating daily, practicing mindfulness, anything to keep my emotions steady. But Dominic’s girlfriend, Chloe, had been relentless. Not only did she send me daily bed photos of her and Dominic, but she also cursed at me with the vilest language. She called me an old hag. She called the baby in my belly a bastard. She even sent me disturbing videos of deformed babies. Now, she even came to my house with a fake wedding invitation, just to provoke me. And Dominic? A few tears from that girl, and his heart was gone. He wouldn’t even stay home, even when I threatened him with the baby. Maybe it was better the baby was gone. After all, her father didn’t love her. My chest ached with tremors. In the five days I was hospitalized, Dominic didn’t call me once. He didn’t even know I’d lost the baby. Instead, his SnapChat profile picture changed to a couple’s photo with that girl. And a million dollars was suddenly withdrawn from our bank account. I didn’t know why Dominic had suddenly become so reckless until Mr. Hayes, my lawyer, came to my hospital room. Then I found out: Chloe was pregnant. Looking at the photos Mr. Hayes showed me, I let out another cynical laugh. There were at least a hundred photos, each one showing Dominic holding Chloe’s hand, his expression doting. There he was, accompanying her to prenatal appointments. There he was, going with her to the supermarket to buy groceries. In some photos, I even saw Dominic and Chloe wearing matching wedding rings. A suffocating pain seized my chest again, and my eyes welled up with tears. After all, Dominic had once looked at *me* with such doting affection. But now, his eyes were filled only with that girl. Seeing me cry again, Mr. Hayes immediately tried to comfort me. “Isabelle, don’t be sad. It’s just a divorce…” I wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes. Yes, just a divorce. It’s nothing major. Besides, I had more important things to do now. Masking my choked voice, I looked up at Mr. Hayes. “Do we have enough evidence for a bigamy charge yet?” Mr. Hayes nodded immediately. “Yes, I’ve compiled it all.” “And the evidence of Dominic’s tax evasion over the years? Is the team prepared?” “Fully prepared. Six months ago, the information might have been insufficient, but now we have enough.” “And the evidence of Dominic’s bribery?” “That’s all together too.” I clenched the photos of Dominic and Chloe in my hand again. “So, according to your estimate, if these evidences are submitted to the prosecutors, how many years will Dominic have to serve?” Mr. Hayes consulted his file. “Around eight years.” My eyes welled up again. “That’s not enough time. He should at least get twenty years.” After all, Dominic had once sworn to take care of me for a lifetime. Trading twenty years of his imprisonment for a lifetime of his freedom. Dominic loved Chloe so much, he’d surely be willing. Mr. Hayes nodded immediately. “Alright, Isabelle. I’ll make the arrangements.” With that, Mr. Hayes turned and left. And I, watching the flock of birds flying outside the window, shed tears once more. Indeed, one should never trust men. Dominic had ultimately become just like his father.

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The night before the company’s IPO, Victoria Sterling was buzzing with excitement. She hosted a lavish celebration party and had her secretary hand out double year-end bonuses in cash. Blake Harrison, her secretary, grinned, handing everyone a carefully wrapped stack of crisp bills. But when he got to me, he shoved me aside. “Get out of the way, you’re blocking the path!” Confused, I asked him what he meant. He just sneered and slapped a termination letter on my face: “You lowlife player, how dare you even show your face for a bonus? Get out of here, you’re a disgrace!” With a flick of his wrist, a barrage of intimate photos of me and various high-profile clients flashed across the screen. The last image was a bonus roster. The numbers on the screen burned my eyes. Everyone else had at least a six-figure bonus, but my column was marked with a stark, red zero. I clenched my fists and looked up at Victoria Sterling, standing not far away: “Are you serious about firing me, tonight?” On the screen, photo after photo of me and the clients continued to scroll. In them, I was either walking side-by-side with these women, or clinking glasses with them. One shot even showed a woman with her arm around my waist, leading me into a hotel. Hearing my question, Victoria averted her gaze from the screen and stared at me, coldly, without a word. “Are you serious about firing me, tonight?” I asked again. Everyone’s eyes turned to her, filled with a mixture of sympathy and pity. She ignored their stares and slowly walked up to me, her face dripping with disdain: “Leo Maxwell, what right do you have to be here? Every achievement this company has made is thanks to everyone’s hard work. You’re the only exception!” “Did I ever lack your money or your love for you to humiliate me like this?” “Don’t tell me these women are the reason you absolutely refused to let me manage our top clients!” She abruptly pulled a stack of photos from her pocket and violently threw them at my face. The sharp edges of the photos grazed my cheek and scattered across the floor. A stinging pain flared, and I lifted my hand, feeling a patch of warm, sticky blood. “This company’s IPO is my lifelong dream. I won’t allow a parasite like you to corrupt it, not even if you’re my fiancé!” Looking at the elegant, sophisticated woman before me, I assumed she had simply misunderstood because of the photos. I patiently explained: “Victoria, if others won’t believe me, won’t you? My achievements, I fought for them myself. They have nothing to do with those photos!” “Fought for them yourself?” Blake Harrison suddenly cut in, his voice laced with mockery: “What exactly did you ‘fight’ for? Your bedroom skills? We’ve all heard how ‘deep’ your collaborations with the clients were!” A ripple of laughter swept through the room, and someone murmured in agreement: “Exactly. Who knows how many beds he had to warm to get those results? And to think we used to admire him so much, even secretly trying to learn from him!” They were all kicking me when I was down. I never thought my colleagues, whom I thought I had a decent relationship with, would be so quick to stab me in the back. I gritted my teeth, trying desperately to stay calm: “Those photos don’t prove anything. My interactions with them were purely professional!” “Professional interactions in bed, perhaps?” “Then explain this photo!” Blake Harrison picked up the photo of me being embraced by a woman as we entered a hotel: “This is a high-definition video screenshot. Want me to play the full video for everyone to see?” I stared at the photo and suddenly broke into a relieved smile. The woman in the photo was my own sister. That night, I was drunk and had intended to call Victoria to pick me up, but I ended up calling my sister instead. Coincidentally, my sister had just rushed in from back home in the capital, acting as our parents’ envoy, hoping to convince me to stop sulking with the family. She arrived just in time to rescue me from a group of women trying to take advantage. Who would have thought that my sister bringing me to a hotel to rest would be captured by someone with ulterior motives? No wonder, ever since that night, Victoria’s attitude towards me had been so erratic, blowing hot and cold. She was remarkably patient, holding it all in until I secured various major clients for her and secretly leveraged my family’s influence to get her company ready for its IPO. Only then did she choose tonight to make her move. Though her lack of trust deeply disappointed me, she was the first woman I’d ever truly fallen for. I didn’t want us to miss out on each other because of a misunderstanding. And I certainly didn’t want my parents to know that my first head-over-heels love affair had ended so abruptly. Because I had fled back home from the capital specifically to escape an arranged marriage my parents had set up. I wanted to choose my own partner, to walk alongside her as equals, not enter into a loveless business arrangement. I had never told anyone about any of this, not even Victoria. I was afraid that if she found out I was the heir to the powerful Maxwell dynasty, she’d feel insecure, anxious, and overwhelmed by the pressure. From a young age, the women around me had always been drawn to me because of my status. I loathed those calculating attempts to please me. What I cherished was the sparkle in Victoria’s eyes when she looked at me. The memories of our past made me chuckle involuntarily. “What are you laughing at?” Victoria frowned, her voice filled with disgust: “At a time like this, you can still laugh?” I looked up, directly into Victoria’s eyes: “Do you really think I’m some kind of gigolo who climbs his way up by sleeping around?” “Otherwise?” She sneered: “What else makes you think I’d give you a second glance?” My chest tightened as if an invisible hand had clenched my heart, making it hard to breathe. I took a deep breath and slowly said: “The woman in that photo, she’s my sister.” “Your sister?” Blake Harrison burst into laughter: “Do you think we’re fools? Calling some random woman your ‘sister’? Do you call every woman you sleep with ‘sister’? Honestly, it sounds like quite the kinky little game!” The laughter around me grew even more piercing, someone even whistled. Victoria’s eyes were full of contempt: “Enough! Don’t make a fool of yourself here. Take your termination letter and get out! From this moment on, you and I are nothing!” I clutched the termination letter, my heart turning to ice. For five years, I had hidden my identity, working as an ordinary employee to pave the way for her company to grow and flourish. But now, after I had personally helped her reach the pinnacle of her career, she was using me and then throwing me away. I wasn’t a sore loser; I just considered those five years of my youth wasted on a dog! “Victoria, you’re going to regret this.” Victoria heard my soft murmur and reacted as if I’d told the biggest joke. “Regret?” She scoffed: “My only regret is ever knowing a scumbag like you who sleeps around!” With that, she extended her hand to Blake Harrison, who stood beside her. They exchanged a knowing smile and walked hand-in-hand to the center of the banquet hall. Only then did I notice that Blake Harrison’s custom-tailored suit and her low-cut evening gown were a custom-made matching couple’s outfit. Victoria raised their intertwined hands, her voice sweet and confident: “Tomorrow, we will usher in the most important moment in our company’s history – our IPO! None of this would be possible without the hard work of every single one of you! May we continue to work together to create more brilliance!” A thunderous applause erupted, followed by cheers. Flattering remarks about her and Blake Harrison being a picture-perfect couple clearly reached my ears. Victoria’s gaze swept over me but didn’t linger, as if I were just an irrelevant stranger. Looking at the woman I had loved for five years, I finally understood why my parents always said I had terrible judgment. It was clear I was completely blind, not realizing that Blake Harrison, her secretary, had been involved with Victoria for ages. But as the heir of the Maxwell family, being blind didn’t mean I was incompetent. I could lift her to the top, and I could also send her plummeting from the clouds! Without me, I’d like to see how long this company can survive after its IPO. I clutched the termination letter and turned to leave this suffocating place. However, as soon as I took a step, Mr. Miller, the HR manager, blocked my path, a fake smile plastered on his face. “Leo Maxwell, don’t be in such a hurry to leave.” He adjusted his glasses, his voice carrying an undeniable forcefulness: “Company policy states that before resigning, you need to sign a declaration confirming that all your actions during your employment are unrelated to the company. Additionally, you’ll need to sign a non-compete agreement to prevent you from using underhanded tactics to poach our clients after you leave.” Before this, everyone knew I was Victoria Sterling’s fiancé, and I consistently secured major clients for the company. Everyone treated me with respect. Especially Mr. Miller. Back then, to curry favor with me, he would always meekly call me ‘boss’. Now, he looked down his nose at me, his eyebrows arched in disdain, as if trying to reclaim some sense of superiority. I looked at his petty display and said coldly: “A declaration? A non-compete agreement? What makes you think I’ll sign them?” Mr. Miller’s smile vanished instantly, and his voice turned sharp: “What makes us think? Because of your shady dealings! The company has been benevolent enough not to pursue legal action. Don’t push your luck!” I scoffed in response: “Shady dealings? Do you have any evidence? Based on a few out-of-context photos?” “Evidence?” Blake Harrison walked over, pointing at my phone: “Isn’t the evidence right there in your phone? Who knows how many client contacts you’ve saved? You’re probably planning to hook up with them all once you walk out that door, looking for a new livelihood!” As he finished speaking, Mr. Miller lunged for my phone. I was caught off guard, and my phone was snatched away: “Give it back!” Blake Harrison, however, took the phone from Mr. Miller and quickly retreated: “Look how nervous you are! Must be plenty of dirty secrets on that phone!” He asked Victoria for my password, but they found that neither my birthday, Victoria’s birthday, nor our anniversary could unlock it. Victoria, losing patience, snatched the phone and ordered the security guards to hold me still. She tried to use facial recognition to unlock it. But the phone, after several failed unlock attempts, could only be opened with a password. “What’s the password?” Ever since we started dating, my phone password had been the date I first confessed my feelings to her. It was laughable that she had forgotten. But then again, perhaps not surprising. Victoria’s inability to unlock my phone made her feel increasingly humiliated in front of her employees. Her face turned as dark as a pot bottom. “Leo Maxwell, you keep saying those photos are a misunderstanding. Then why did you secretly change your password behind my back?” Her accusation struck me as incredibly dull. “It’s the date I first told you I loved you.” She froze for a long moment, unable to recall the date, her face a kaleidoscope of emotions. I forcefully broke free from the security guard’s grip and snatched my phone back from her. She watched me unlock the phone, her lips moving, her eyes filled with a complicated expression. The next second, she snatched my phone again, trying to find proof of my infidelity. When she saw a close-up selfie of me and my sister, she completely lost her temper: “Leo Maxwell, you really are something else! The evidence is undeniable, what do you have to say now?” “I told you, she’s my sister!” “Give me back my phone!” “This is robbery! This is slander! This is an invasion of my privacy!” Victoria raised her hand and slapped me across the face, then violently smashed my phone on the floor. The screen instantly shattered, fragments scattering everywhere. I clutched my burning cheek, furious, and raised my hand to push her, but the security guards quickly restrained me again. Victoria, provoked by my intense reaction, spoke coldly: “Leo Maxwell, don’t try to play innocent. If you hadn’t been fawning over those women, how could you have achieved those ‘glorious’ results? Don’t even try to tell me you offered yourself to them for my sake. That’s disgusting!” I looked up at her, my eyes filled with disappointment: “Victoria, do you really have to humiliate me like this?” She laughed nonchalantly: “Humiliate you? You’re not even worth it.” Faced with her distrust and humiliation, I felt utterly wronged. “Fine. Since you won’t be reasonable, then let’s call the police. We’ll see who’s spreading rumors and who’s truly indecent!” “Call the police?” She looked at me coldly: “You think you still have a chance? You might be shameless, but I’m not!” “I’m so glad I only got engaged to you, not married. Otherwise, you’d be the biggest disgrace of my life!” I stared at my shattered phone on the floor, and the anger in my heart finally erupted: “Victoria, if you dare treat me like this, then forget about tomorrow’s IPO!” “Hahaha…” A burst of laughter echoed around the room. “Leo Maxwell, have you gone crazy?” Blake Harrison clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he doubled over: “Who do you think you are? You think you can stop a company’s IPO?” Victoria also looked at me mockingly: “Do you think you’re some kind of heir to a powerful dynasty who can just cancel my IPO plans with a single word?” I looked up, meeting her gaze directly, and spoke each word clearly: “That’s right. I *am* the heir to a powerful dynasty. And the woman in those photos? That’s my sister, Isabelle Maxwell.” The laughter grew even louder. “Leo Maxwell, have you been so shocked you’ve lost your mind?” Mr. Miller slapped the table, laughing: “If you’re an heir to a powerful dynasty, then I’m Richard Maxwell, CEO of Horizon Corp!” “Yeah, right!” Others chimed in: “If you’re an heir to a powerful dynasty, we’ll eat dirt for you!” I looked at them coldly, a sarcastic smile playing on my lips: “Richard Maxwell is my father, you ignorant fools!”

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My multi-millionaire foster dad finally found his long-lost biological daughter. But the same morning he announced I was adopted, my fiancé wanted to call off our engagement. “Sera Price, so you’re not your dad’s real daughter after all. In that case, you’re simply not good enough for me anymore.” I just laughed. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but my real dad? He’s a *billionaire*.” 0My dad’s long-lost daughter was finally found, and he brought her home, publicly announcing that I was only his adopted child. My fiancé, Brandon Miller, heard the news and immediately dragged me to see his mom. Brandon and I had just gotten engaged and were busy planning our wedding. I had a sinking feeling something was off. But after two years with Brandon, he’d been so attentive, treating me like a princess. I still had faith in our relationship. As we stepped inside, Mrs. Miller sat on the sofa, slowly peeling an orange, acting as if I wasn’t even there. Usually, she’d be standing at the door, greeting me with her usual beaming smile before I even reached the house. “Mrs. Miller,” I said, holding out a basket of gourmet treats and expensive wellness products I’d bought on the way. “These are some health supplements I picked up for you. To keep you healthy.” I also had a bespoke designer gown, carefully packaged in a gift box, for her to wear to my wedding with Brandon. Mrs. Miller finally finished her orange, glancing at me. “Sera, Brandon and I heard about your family. We just wanted to hear from you directly what’s going on.” “It’s true, I’m my dad’s adopted daughter. His biological daughter’s name is Chloe Price,” I explained, forcing a smile. “What? So it’s real?” Mrs. Miller’s eyes widened, staring at me. “Sera, you’ve been to our house so many times. Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” “Uh, I didn’t know myself. Dad only told me this morning.” The news was sudden, even for me. I hadn’t expected it either. “Oh, I see,” Mrs. Miller said dismissively, popping an orange segment into her mouth. “What are you planning to do now? Do you have a job?” “I’ve already told Dad I don’t want any of his property; it all belongs to Chloe. I’m planning to move out on my own. Currently, I work at my dad’s company, I…” Before I could finish, Brandon anxiously cut me off: “Sera Price, are you crazy? Even as an adopted daughter, your dad would still give you some assets! How can you just say you don’t want anything?” Mrs. Miller’s face soured, stretching a mile long. “Sera, you’re not Mr. Price’s biological daughter anymore, so he won’t let you inherit the family business. If you move out of the Price family, you’ll have nothing. Our family has a house in Rosewood City, and Brandon has a stable corporate job. You, on the other hand, don’t have a ‘proper’ job, just working at a company for a few thousand dollars a month. Where will you two live after you get married? You’re from completely different worlds now. The gap between you two is just too wide.” I sighed, looking at Brandon’s fifty-square-meter apartment. It was indeed quite small, barely enough for one person. Brandon and I definitely couldn’t live here after we got married. So, working at a company wasn’t a ‘proper’ job? I was the CFO of my dad’s company and a minor shareholder. Was Brandon’s mom just worried sick? “I understand, Mrs. Miller, I’ll do my best at work, I…” Before I could finish, Mrs. Miller cut me off again: “Sera, how about you two just don’t bother with the wedding plans? You’re not a good match anymore; you won’t have a good life if you get married.” I choked on my words. I had wanted to say that I not only had houses in Rosewood City but also mansions, and I’d already prepared a huge apartment for us as a wedding home, expecting Brandon and her to move in with me. I’d bought a new place near the company that was currently being renovated, which was why I was planning to rent an apartment temporarily. But this woman gave me no chance, changing her tune faster than flipping a page. “Ma’am.” Brandon’s mom seemed momentarily flustered by my sudden shift back to the more formal address. “Are you refusing to let me marry Brandon?” I asked her directly. Brandon’s mom tapped her finger on the table. “How can you get married? How? Your meager salary wouldn’t even cover the down payment on a broom closet! If Brandon marries you, our family’s quality of life will plummet.” “Come back when you can actually make some money and are worthy of my son.” I looked at Brandon, who stood silently beside her, his eyes wide, a look of utter disappointment, like I was failing him. I had planned to surprise Brandon that afternoon with five six-figure custom wedding gowns. I wanted to try them on one by one for him, but now, I saw no point. “Ma’am, I’m leaving then. We won’t be getting married.” “Go on, go on.” Brandon’s mom waved her hand dismissively. I stood up to leave. “Wait,” she called out. “I won’t be wearing this dress. You don’t make much money, so keep it for yourself.” Heh. She thought my few thousands a month couldn’t afford her a nice dress. A five-figure designer dress, and you don’t want it? Fine, I’ll take it back. Walking out of Brandon’s apartment complex, he roughly yanked his hand away and snarled at me. “Sera Price, you’re so stupid! Your dad raised you for so many years, even a stray cat would show more loyalty! He’d definitely take care of you and leave you something. How could you just refuse it?” Passersby stared at me curiously, as if I were a child being scolded by her mom for a mistake. My mind went completely blank. Was this really the Brandon I used to know? He used to be so polite, speaking softly to me, so gentle and considerate. He’d never once lost his temper in front of me; even if I yelled at him, he’d just playfully try to win me over. “Come on, babe,” Brandon said, seeing my dazed expression, and stroked my head. “Go talk to Mr. Price. Don’t give up your rightful share! We’re getting married soon and we still need to buy a wedding house.” I was bewildered. Was that what I should ask for? My foster dad had raised me for so many years; I hadn’t even had a chance to repay him. Now that he’d found his biological daughter, I couldn’t bring myself to ask for anything. “Brandon, I’ve already made it clear to Mr. Price. And I’m just his adopted daughter. I won’t bring this up to him again.” “Then in your current situation, my mom won’t support me marrying you. We can’t get married.” “Brandon, I’m marrying *you*, not your mom,” I said, a bitter laugh escaping me. “If your mom disagrees, then you won’t marry me, is that it?” Seeing Brandon stand there silently, I turned and walked away. “Hey, Sera!” Brandon called out from behind me. “Are you not coming to my place tonight?” “No.” Tears welled up in my eyes; I didn’t want him to see me cry. I went alone to a Michelin-starred restaurant for dinner. It seemed only good food could soothe my current mood. Brandon and I met at my birthday party. My best friend had invited a few guys to celebrate with me. Brandon, tall and slender, stood out in his trench coat among the other guys. His gaze seemed fixed on me the entire time. After the birthday dinner, he pursued me for three whole months. He treated my roommates and me to dinner, sent me flowers, and practically tripped over himself to bring us our packages every day. When I was sick, he stayed by my side day and night. That’s how I fell for his relentless charm offensive. We dated for two years. I bought him clothes and changed his hairstyle. Gradually, he became trendier and more handsome. More and more women were throwing themselves at him, but he never looked at anyone else, always boasting to others that I was his personal glow-up specialist. We were already engaged, and I still felt a little attached to him. I wandered the streets alone, unknowingly ending up near Brandon’s current apartment. Under the streetlights, a tall, slender figure was holding a girl’s hand, clutching a woman’s designer handbag. “Babe, my shoelace is untied.” The girl extended her foot. The tall, slender figure immediately knelt down to tie it for her, saying, “Sweetheart, let me tie this other one for you too. Wouldn’t want you to fall and hurt yourself; it would break my heart.” I don’t remember Brandon ever kneeling down to tie my shoelace. I saw Brandon stand up and kiss the girl’s forehead. She linked her arm through his, and they laughed happily. Brandon was renting in an old, rundown complex, with only a small path connecting it to the main road. I couldn’t avoid them. When Brandon turned around, he met my indignant gaze. The two bubble teas I held in my hands felt awkwardly exposed. “Sera, I thought you said you weren’t coming tonight,” he said, looking surprised. “So, I’m not coming means you can find a new girlfriend, does it?” “Sera, don’t overthink it. She was introduced to me by my mom’s friend.” He paused, as if finally gathering courage. “You’re nothing now, and you refuse to ask your foster dad for money to buy a house. My mom also disapproves of our marriage. I can’t just hang myself on one tree, can I?” I looked at the girl—no, woman, I should say. I estimated she was at least thirty; no amount of makeup could hide the years. The vintage Chanel bag she was holding? It was the one I’d given to Brandon’s mom, a special order, a limited edition. Right in front of me, Brandon took the woman’s hand. “Monica’s family is quite well-off. She even bought a hundred-square-meter apartment. You know how much pressure there is in big cities these days; people are very practical. I had no reason to refuse her, did I?” Oh, wow. A single apartment was enough for Brandon to fall for a woman significantly older than him. Brandon had once again successfully lowered my opinion of him. I must have been blind to agree to date him. “Brandon, who is she?” The woman pointed at me, looking annoyed. “She’s my ex-girlfriend, just a pathetic nobody. My mom didn’t approve of us getting married, but she still won’t let go.” Brandon’s gaze on my face grew arrogant. “Well, well, well,” the woman said, wiggling her ‘snake-like’ waist, sizing me up lazily. “Her own mother doesn’t want you two to get married, so why are you, little girl, still shamelessly clinging to Brandon?” My blood ran cold. Can a person change so quickly and be so shameless? Fine. His mom was right; he and I were indeed not from the same circle anymore. “Brandon, who said I was clinging to you? If anyone’s doing the breaking up, it’s me, Sera Price. Listen closely: I, Sera Price, am dumping you, starting today.” With that, I turned around and tossed the two bubble teas in my hand into a nearby trash can. I called my driver, then got into my Rolls-Royce, heading back to my sprawling mansion. “Mom, big sis is home!” my younger brother shouted excitedly towards the house. Mom instantly rushed out. “Oh, Sera, you haven’t been home in so long, I missed you terribly!” “After you were taken from us, your dad and I searched for you for twenty years until we finally found you. Can’t you come home every day to see Mom and your brother?” My nose stung, and I hugged Mom, feeling tears well up. “Mom, I’ll come home every day from now on.” “Good, you should. Your dad’s away on a business trip, but when he gets back, he’ll announce the return of the Kensington Group’s only daughter and hold a formal welcome ceremony for you.” “Yeah, sis, Dad’s been calling every day, making sure I’m getting everything ready,” Leo chimed in, circling us. It suddenly dawned on me that after my parents found me and we reconnected, I’d still been spending most of my time with Brandon, rarely coming home. I’d neglected them. I didn’t dare tell my parents about Brandon and me; I didn’t want them to worry about me so soon after finding me. “Leo, tomorrow, let’s go to Free Restaurant,” I said, hoping to soothe my empty heart with good food. “Sounds good!” It was the weekend, and even high-end restaurants were packed. Leo and I walked straight in. The hostess skipped the waiting line and led us directly to a private table by the window. My butt hadn’t even warmed the seat when a sharp voice pierced my ears: “Excuse me, why do *they* get a window seat? Why couldn’t we sit there earlier?” Holy crap, the person pointing at us was the ‘snake-waisted’ woman from yesterday, and across from her sat Brandon. Brandon saw me too, and he saw Leo next to me. He frowned, then snapped at the waiter, “Excuse me, how did those two get in without waiting in line? They must have snuck in, didn’t they? They’re not following the rules; you should kick them out!” He deliberately shouted loudly, and the entire restaurant fell silent, customers craning their necks to look at him. I was speechless. Seriously, did I have some kind of vendetta with him? I couldn’t even eat in peace. “Asshole,” Leo muttered under his breath. The waiter quickly walked over. “Sir, it’s like this: the customers you’re referring to are our Premium VIPs. Premium VIPs don’t need to queue.” The hand pointing at us abruptly retracted, and Brandon immediately shrank back. The ‘snake-waisted’ woman beside him asked, “How do you get a Premium VIP membership? Let’s get one too.” “A Premium VIP membership requires over a million in spending within six months, or five million annually. Sir, would you like to apply for one?” the waiter asked Brandon, bowing slightly. The ‘snake-waisted’ woman tugged on his arm, looking at him expectantly. “Honey, should we get one too?” Brandon froze for a long moment, not daring to speak. “Sir? Sir, would you still like to apply for the card?”

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When Derek, the R&D Director, publicly ranted again about me trying to hook up with him and trick him into being a step-dad to my kid, I didn’t vehemently deny it and defend my innocence like I used to. Instead, I calmly returned to my desk and quietly rejected the procurement request he had just submitted. “The petty cash is gone; the process can’t be approved.” As expected, he stormed over, fuming. “This month’s petty cash just came in ten minutes ago! How could it be gone? Where’s the money?!” I ignored him, turning to take an admin assistant’s purchase order and process its payment right in front of him. Only his request was rejected, again and again. He was furious, immediately marching off to find Mr. Stone, the CEO, to complain. “Just because I don’t want to be her kid’s dad, she’s trying to sabotage me like this?” “Our R&D project is worth hundreds of millions in market share! If we delay any longer, the whole thing will completely go south!” “If every woman in this company acts like her, how are we supposed to get any work done? I’m putting it out there right now: either she goes, or I go!” In the stalemate, I calmly pulled out the resignation letter I’d prepared long ago. Derek instantly flashed a smug, triumphant grin. But when I then handed Mr. Stone a stack of R&D project quotations, his face fell.

Perhaps he felt my earlier indifference had challenged the R&D Director’s authority. Derek snatched the file from my hand and tossed it into the air. The office fell silent instantly. Eyes accompanied by whispers rapidly converged on me. “Did your husband take your brain with him when he divorced you? How dare you reject my procurement request?” “I’d like to know, how is the petty cash, which just came in, already gone? I bet someone’s using company funds to buy baby formula!” Derek leaned casually against my desk, looking like a thug, his index finger tapping loudly on my desktop. He made sure everyone could hear the words “using company funds to buy baby formula.” I remained unperturbed, bending down to pick up the loose page he had stomped on. I said calmly, “The R&D department’s petty cash is indeed gone.” “I can’t process it on my end. If you’re in a hurry, you can go to Mr. Stone for special approval.” Derek froze, choked by my words. He glared at the curious colleagues around us, his voice laced with menace. “Ava Stone, right? I’m giving you one last chance! Think carefully before you speak!” I slowly stood up, a faint smile on my lips. “Mr. Stone, my name is Ava Stone.” “And no matter how many chances you give me, the answer will be the same. No money, no approval.” He hadn’t expected me to talk back directly. His face instantly changed. He pointed at my nose and started yelling. “You’re just procurement staff, what gives you the right to act so superior?!” “Our department gets a hundred thousand every month for petty cash! It only hit the account ten minutes ago!” “You say it’s gone, and it’s gone? If you can do the job, do it. If not, then get the hell out!” His voice grew louder and louder. The surrounding colleagues didn’t dare to breathe. I remained silent throughout, turning to take an admin assistant’s purchase order. I submitted the payment process right in front of him. Less than three minutes later, I received the payment confirmation from finance. This move completely infuriated Derek. “Ava Stone, what the hell is wrong with you? You said there was no petty cash! How come the admin’s order gets approved but mine doesn’t?!” “I work day and night for this company’s products! Who the hell do you think you are, throwing your weight around with a speck of authority and tripping me up?” “You’d better give me a reasonable explanation, or don’t blame me for getting nasty.” Seeing Derek grow more agitated, his little lackeys immediately jumped in to smooth things over. “Calm down, Derek. They say ‘baby brain’ really makes some women lose their marbles. Don’t let a woman like her get to you; it’s bad luck.” A few colleagues who usually interacted with me also chimed in. “Some people have unhappy lives, divorced with kids, and think the whole world owes them something!” “Does she think she’s an eighteen-year-old girl looking for a sugar daddy?” “Exactly! If she failed to hook up with him and is now using her position for personal revenge, she shouldn’t drag us down with her! If the project is delayed, we won’t even be able to pay rent…” I quietly sorted the pages I had picked up earlier, tapping away on my calculator. Only after entering the last number did I look up at Derek. My tone remained calm. “Derek, the admin department’s purchasing prices are all below market average, and they used their department’s petty cash balance from last month. According to protocol, it can be directly approved.” “However, the orders submitted by the R&D department aren’t just eighty percent overpriced; your petty cash was already overdrawn last month.” “So, not only this month but this entire quarter, your department’s purchasing requests will be rejected.” I held up his signed purchase order, my voice neither humble nor arrogant. The colleagues who had been watching the drama instantly busied themselves. The only sound in the entire office was the rapid clicking of keyboards. No one would have thought that I, a divorced mom with no connections or seniority, would dare to stand up to an arrogant R&D Director who looked down on everyone. After all, everyone knew that the R&D department always lorded over all other departments in the company. Derek, as the R&D Director, was Mr. Stone’s favorite, looking down on everyone except the CEO himself. He naturally hadn’t expected to be put in such an awkward position by a new mom he couldn’t even remember the name of. Seeing that I no longer paid him any attention, he shot me a vicious glare and stomped away in a huff.

The executive office door slammed shut with a bang that echoed through the building. Downstairs, colleagues exchanged worried glances. A few colleagues who Derek had previously given a hard time, and who I sometimes talked to, sent me messages on SnapChat, advising me to let it go, saying jobs were hard to find now, and since I had a child, I should apologize to Derek. Why should I apologize? Yes, I was on maternity leave and divorced, and it was only two months ago that I transferred to the procurement department after my leave ended. But ever since I took over R&D project procurement, I realized it was a complete mess. When I first started, they took advantage of my inexperience, even including toilet paper for the department’s restrooms in their purchase orders. I got yelled at a lot for it. Later, they would cite the urgency of R&D projects and ask me to front the money for purchases. At first, they were polite, playing on my emotions. “Ava, this project is really urgent, we just need this one thing. Could you help us out and pay for it? We’ll reimburse you from the R&D petty cash next month after I sign off.” My heart softened, and I believed them. After all, why would a dignified R&D Director make things difficult for a divorced mom raising a child? But when I took the reimbursement receipts to him for a signature, he refused to acknowledge the money I’d paid out of pocket. After several attempts, I finally saw his true colors. Later, when people from his department asked me to front funds, I flat-out refused. Then he started threatening me subtly with performance reviews. “Ava, raising a kid on your own must be tough financially, right? Work hard, and I’ll put in a good word for you with Mr. Stone for a promotion and raise.” “But if the project is delayed, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Pay out of pocket when needed, and you won’t lose a penny once the project funds are in.” He said it nicely, but he still hasn’t reimbursed me for even a mere three hundred bucks worth of consumables. Just yesterday, I went to him again for reimbursement. He not only cursed at me in front of the entire office but also turned around and accused me of trying to seduce him. “You were the one who eagerly volunteered to pay for me, right?” “I felt your intentions weren’t pure back then, but for the project, I just put up with it.” “But you? Always looking for shortcuts, if you put the same effort you put into pestering me for three or five hundred bucks into your work, maybe you wouldn’t have gotten divorced right after having a baby?” I trembled with rage. I couldn’t believe a supposedly dignified R&D Director could be so utterly shameless. As of today, I’ve paid over ten thousand dollars for the R&D department, even some paid for with my credit card. And my salary was cut in half because he reassigned me after my maternity leave. I’m at that age with elderly parents and young children to support. My child’s baby formula was almost empty, my mortgage was three months overdue, and if I didn’t get that money, my whole family would starve. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Overnight, I reviewed all historical purchasing contracts and organized a list of procurement items handled by Derek for R&D projects. It was shocking. The contracts and invoices clearly showed exorbitant overpricing everywhere. Even many materials were replaced with cheaper substitutes. I then compared the delivery details against the purchase records. It turned out the R&D project was far more corrupt than I had imagined. Derek thought I was just an ignorant mom, unable to do anything to him. He even spread rumors in the company that I was deliberately pestering him with such tricks because I failed to hook up with him. So, when he came in this morning, he felt no guilt about owing me money. Instead, he was even more arrogant. At this moment, his thunderous roars and whining complaints to Mr. Stone echoed from the executive office upstairs. Everyone whispered, as if waiting for a big show. And I was waiting too. Waiting for Derek to blow things up. Waiting for him to play with fire and dig his own grave.

The fawning phone calls from upstairs came one after another. Everyone knew what was happening. Derek would win this undisputed conflict effortlessly. The office atmosphere subtly shifted. Colleagues who used to eat with me in the cafeteria now declined my invitations, citing overtime, only for me to see them later, animatedly chatting with the new R&D intern in the cafeteria. Every meal, I’d quietly stand at the very end of the line. Just as it was almost my turn, R&D engineers would cut in front of me. “So jealous of some people who get to eat on time. Unlike us, born workhorses, we have to rush even for a meal.” “Oh well, she has to feed her baby, if she doesn’t eat on time, she won’t have milk!” After that, a few of them looked at my chest and let out undisguised, lewd laughs. I clenched my lips, remaining silent. By the time I finally reached the front, there was nothing left but some watery scraps. As soon as I sat down, Maria, the cleaning lady, shooed me away. She looked down at me, her oily rag wiping relentlessly near my plate. A cold snort from her nostrils slammed directly into my ears. And this was just the prelude from Derek and his crew. When I returned to my desk, my workspace was piled high with various procurement request forms, both urgent and non-urgent. Kyle, the intern, also approached with a thick stack of files, looking arrogant. “Ava, Derek said all products purchased in the last three years need a supplier qualification report organized by the end of today. He needs it for a meeting tomorrow.” Colleagues around me whispered and chuckled at my expense. Day after day, the vulgar insults didn’t stop because of my silence; instead, they escalated. In just a week, I went from being a divorced mom to being called a “slut” and “easy” — someone so desperate she’d throw herself at anyone. They started openly scrutinizing and commenting on me. “How can she eat so much? Does she think she’s a milk-producing sow?” “Oh, you don’t get it. How else would she use pumping as an excuse to slack off? She closes the door and disappears for half the day; who knows what she’s doing in there?” “Look at those saggy, empty breasts. No wonder her husband left her; who wouldn’t be disgusted by that?” Not only that. My desk started accumulating disgusting fruit peels and trash. Even walking down a wide aisle, someone would “accidentally” bump into me. Meetings about my work modules became more frequent, and the absurd demands from various departments grew increasingly outlandish. My direct line would ring with all sorts of calls, asking ‘300 a night, wanna hook up?’ Derek thought this would force me to leave, but I continued to play dumb. The more he tried to make things difficult for me, the more flawlessly I performed my work. And the calmer I remained, the angrier he became. Finally, after another week passed without receiving my resignation letter, he couldn’t take it anymore. Mr. Stone, who had been on a business trip, had barely returned when Derek, laptop in hand, immediately dove into his office. The storm was finally coming.

Sure enough, half an hour later, Derek emerged from Mr. Stone’s office like a triumphant rooster. He then announced an urgent company-wide meeting, requiring full attendance. I happened to be at the front desk picking up a supplier invoice delivery and missed the message. When I rushed in, everyone’s eyes turned to me. Before Mr. Stone could speak, Derek launched into a tirade. “Mr. Stone, look! She usually neglects the R&D department’s work, but now she’s even late for your meeting, dragging her feet for half an hour!” “The company’s preferential policies for female employees, she’s just exploiting them to slack off!” Mr. Stone toyed with his bead bracelet, his brows furrowed. “Ava Stone, is it?” His slightly angered voice was very low. I didn’t answer. “Why does buying anything for the R&D department become so complicated as soon as it goes through you?” “Our ongoing projects are stalled because we can’t get the materials! Our engineers are about to quit because they’re not getting their project bonuses!” “The market is only so big; every day you delay gives our competitors another advantage!” He slammed his bracelet onto the table, beads scattering and clattering onto the floor. The sound was deafening. “The company pays everyone for eight hours a day. I haven’t shortchanged anyone a single penny in all these years, have I?” “Are we just going to let the market share our frontline employees fought so hard to win be handed over to others because of some internal ‘procedures’ or ‘budgets’?” “Are you all elementary school kids fresh out of school? Do I have to emphasize something this basic?” He didn’t mention me by name once, but every word was aimed at me. Across the room, Derek knelt reverently, picking up the beads, a look of vengeful triumph in his eyes as he glanced my way. Suddenly, I found it utterly meaningless. A company where everyone’s decisions were driven by their own pockets had truly rotted to this extent. The “frontline engineers” he claimed were working themselves to death for project bonuses had long since hollowed out the company like parasites. And I, who upheld my principles, was being cursed out. Fine. I sighed softly, answering calmly. “Understood, Mr. Stone. I know what to do.” My apparent obedience greatly pleased him. He softened his tone. “It’s good for young people to be driven, but you should learn from Derek in the future and pay more attention to tact in your dealings.” I nodded numbly, turning to leave. This long-planned drama was finally about to conclude with my silent endurance. But then, Derek called out to me. “Wait! Based on the negative impact you’ve caused us, I demand you apologize to our team publicly!” “Apologize?” For a moment, I thought I’d misheard him. But then I saw Mr. Stone nod in silent agreement. The office instantly erupted in chatter. Scornful and mocking voices almost drowned me out. The people who bullied me, isolated me, insulted me, and spread malicious rumors about me now wanted *me* to apologize to *them*. I clenched my hands tightly, forcing myself to calm down. Seeing that I remained unmoving, Derek feigned extreme distress. “Mr. Stone, just because I don’t want to be her kid’s dad, she’s trying to sabotage me like this? Is it too much to ask her for an apology?” “I’m only being lenient because I feel sorry for her. An apology would be enough, but look at her attitude.” “I’m putting it out there right now: she *must* apologize, or either she goes, or I go!” In the stalemate, I calmly pulled out the resignation letter I’d prepared long ago.

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**Chapter 1** I sat in the hospital, listening to the doctor’s question. “Ms. Hayes, are you certain you want to donate all your organs?” “Yes, I am.” The words slipped out, followed by a faint smile, a sense of pure liberation. The doctor paused, then urged again, “Even though the cancer is in its mid-to-late stages, active treatment might prolong your life.” My smile deepened. I shook my head without hesitation. “No need, Doctor. I’ve been wishing for death every single day. I probably only have about a month left. When that day comes, I’ll notify the hospital in advance. Please donate all my organs to help more people. Thank you.” Still smiling, I rose and left. The doctor watched me go, his face full of surprise. He had never seen a patient so actively seeking death. As I stepped out of the hospital, Damon Blackwood’s call came through. His cold voice, tinged with a low rumble, asked, “Where did you take a day off to today?” My fingers, clutching the phone, stiffened slightly. I didn’t tell him the truth. “Just a cold.” The person on the other end clearly wasn’t genuinely concerned. “VIP room 314 at the Riverbend Club. Come over.” I didn’t argue. I rushed there immediately. Entering the private room, I found many of Damon’s business partners. “Ah, Assistant Scarlett is here! We’ve heard so much about you. They say you can drink anyone under the table?” “We heard you’ve closed quite a few deals just by drinking. You have to show us your skills today!” “If you can finish these ninety-nine shots on the table, today’s deal is sealed!” From the nearby sofa, Damon’s lips curved into an unreadable smile. He spoke nonchalantly, “Don’t disappoint me.” Everyone watched expectantly, and I didn’t decline. I smiled, picking up a shot glass. “Alright, here goes nothing.” One shot after another went down. A searing pain quickly spread through my stomach. For someone with stomach cancer, the pain was amplified tenfold. My face was ashen, my hands trembling. But I didn’t stop, drinking glass after glass. Damon, from start to finish, merely watched me with cold indifference. Finally, under everyone’s astonished gaze, all ninety-nine shots were gone. I finished the last one. The room erupted in applause. “Incredible! Truly incredible!” Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, but I managed a strained smile. One of the partners seemed very interested in me. “Assistant Scarlett, you’re wasting your talent with Mr. Blackwood. Look at how he treats you, no consideration for a lady. Why don’t you switch to my company?” I smiled faintly, softly declining. “Thank you for the kind offer, but Mr. Blackwood is a good boss.” “I’ll offer you triple the salary!” Yet, I shook my head, unwavering. Everyone looked puzzled. “Why won’t you leave?” My smile faded slightly. “I’m staying here to pay a debt.” The partner, assuming I owed money to the Blackwood Corporation, sighed in regret and dropped the matter. In the end, the deal was closed. The gathering dispersed, and night had fallen. The driver pulled up from a distance to pick us up. I instinctively got into the passenger seat. Damon never liked me sitting beside him. The car stopped outside my apartment building. I quietly thanked the driver and stepped out, exhausted. I was so tired that I didn’t notice Damon had followed me. He watched my stumbling steps, his dark eyes deepening. I remained oblivious until I reached my floor and fumbled with my keys at the door. Suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist, spun me around, and pinned me against the wall. The motion-activated light in the hallway flickered on. The next second, Damon seized my chin and kissed me. The kiss was intense and prolonged, leaving me breathless. After a long moment, he finally let go. He was the one who forced the kiss, yet the corners of his eyes were red, his voice trembling. “Always putting on this act, are you trying to make me feel sorry for you? Why didn’t you leave when others tried to poach you, Scarlett? Why won’t you go!” I gasped for air, trying desperately to compose myself. “I need to stay and pay for my sins.” That statement enraged Damon even further. He slammed his fist into the wall. The hatred in his eyes was like sharp blades, tearing me apart. “Then why don’t you just die? Go on, die!” I gave a bitter laugh. *As you wish. I’m already dying.* Just as I was about to speak, Damon’s phone rang. I looked down and saw the name on the screen: Serena. His current fiancée. Seeing Serena’s call, Damon’s breathing hitched. He turned his back, seemingly composing himself. When he answered, his voice was deep and gentle, as if he had reverted to the refined Mr. Blackwood everyone knew. “Serena.” I don’t know what she said, but his expression shifted. The next second, he released me, said nothing, and walked away. I leaned against the wall, and once his silhouette vanished, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I unlocked the door, rushed into the bathroom, and began to vomit violently. I vomited until I felt faint, and when I finally looked up, the toilet bowl was filled with my own blood. Large, dark patches… a horrifying red. Numbly, I flushed the toilet. I tried to stand but collapsed from exhaustion, passing out completely. I had a dream. I dreamt of college, under the sycamore trees, walking with Damon and Cassie. Cassie tugged at my arm, whining, “Scarlett, my department has a mixer with the law faculty this weekend. Will you come with me?” Damon’s face darkened slightly. He immediately pulled me closer. “Cassie, did I say you could borrow my girlfriend?” “Oh, come on, big brother, you’re so stingy!” Those were… such beautiful times. I was an orphan from a young age. I met Cassie in college, and we became best friends. Damon was Cassie’s older brother, the notoriously unattainable heartthrob of the school, distant, elegant, and famously aloof. He’d toss out stacks of love letters every day. At first, I was even afraid to talk to him. But Damon always seemed to appear in my sight. He’d organize my notes, accompany me to the library, and drive me home. Once, he braved a heavy rainstorm to pick me up when I didn’t have an umbrella. Standing together under a single umbrella, I finally couldn’t help but ask, “Damon, are you only this nice to me because of Cassie?” The young man, his face stern, cornered me against the wall. “Scarlett, you’re incredibly dense. I’ll tell you right now why I’m so good to you!” With that, he cupped the back of my head and kissed me. After that day, we were together. Until five years ago, right before our wedding. Cassie and I went to see a movie. It was late, and we walked down an alley, where we ran into a few drunk thugs. They were clearly intoxicated, spouting obscene words, and blocked our way, refusing to let us leave. We were just two young girls, trembling with fear. Finally, Cassie used all her strength to hold back the thugs, screaming, “Scarlett, run! Run!” I knew we were no match for those drunkards, so I ran. I ran to the street across to call for help. But when I returned with people, the alley was eerily silent. The drunkards had long gone, leaving behind a chaotic scene. Cassie lay on the ground, brutally assaulted, covered in blood, and no longer breathing. When Damon arrived, he saw his sister’s mangled body. In that state, anyone could tell what kind of torment she had endured. His mind went blank. He grabbed my hands, his voice filled with pain and despair, “Why did you run? Why did you leave her alone? Scarlett, why did you run!” I couldn’t answer. I hated myself more than anyone. Later, the Blackwood family refused to forgive me. I lost my best friend and turned the man I loved into an enemy. Thankfully, now I’m dying. I can go and personally apologize to Cassie, and Damon can finally be free. **Chapter 2** “No! Cassie! Run!” I woke up, my face drenched in tears, to find myself lying in my own bed. My blood-stained clothes had been changed. Someone was sitting by the bed – it was Ryan Thompson. Ryan was my college classmate. He had been in love with me for years, but with Damon in the picture, he never dared to confess his feelings, quietly taking care of me instead. Now, he held my crumpled lab report, reading each word over and over. Ryan was a doctor; he knew what that test result meant. His eyes were red, and he asked tremblingly, “You have stomach cancer?” I emerged from the abyss, gradually regaining my composure. I took a deep breath, slowly wiped away my tears, and nodded. Ryan abruptly stood up. “Then why were you still drinking? Damon forced you, didn’t he?” I lowered my gaze, remaining silent. But Ryan could easily guess. His heart ached. He immediately grabbed my hand. “You can’t go on like this. You have to leave him now and get admitted for treatment!” However, I pulled my hand back. I forced a smile. “It’s not that serious. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself.” “Do you know this is cancer…” “I don’t want to be hospitalized, Ryan. Just let me decide for myself.” Seeing my determined expression, Ryan knew he couldn’t persuade me. He also knew that Cassie’s death five years ago was a hurdle I couldn’t overcome. That’s why I became Damon’s personal assistant as a form of atonement. That’s why, no matter what Damon did to me, I wouldn’t refuse. Ryan couldn’t change my mind. He stayed to take care of me all night, returning to the hospital early the next morning. I, too, hurried to work. Today, I was to accompany Damon to an important event. But I wasn’t his date; I was just his assistant. Serena was his date. Seeing me, Serena’s face was full of scorn. “Scarlett, I truly admire you. How can you still shamelessly cling to Damon’s side?” Serena was their high school classmate, and she had liked Damon since childhood. But she lost to me, someone with nothing. Serena had always been jealous of me. After becoming Damon’s fiancée, she could finally torment me without restraint. I didn’t argue, simply standing quietly to the side. At that moment, Damon walked over. Serena intimately hooked her arm through his. “Damon.” Damon didn’t resist, but when he looked at me, his eyes turned colder. “Who told you to come into the ballroom? Go wait outside.” Silverwood City had already entered winter. There was no heating outside, only the biting cold wind. Yet, I merely nodded. “Alright.” I turned and walked out of the ballroom. Outside was an open-air garden, without even a single tile for shelter. I stood in the cold wind, my thin, frail body trembling. A server, taking pity, asked if I wanted to rest in the lounge. I silently shook my head. I stood there until dark, until the event ended. Serena walked out, wrapped in Damon’s jacket. Both saw me still standing outside. His throat moved, his voice somehow hoarse. “What are you doing standing here? Let’s go.” He led Serena away, and I followed behind them. As we passed the artificial lake in the garden, Serena’s lips curled into a smile. She stumbled a few steps forward, acting as if she’d been pushed. “Oh no! My bracelet fell into the lake!” She turned to me, furious. “Who told you to push me!” I instinctively retorted, “I didn’t…” “Still denying it!” Serena clung to Damon, whining, “Damon, that was my favorite bracelet.” Damon’s gaze fell on me. After several seconds, he said in a low voice, “Jump in and get it.” Without even asking, he had already condemned me. I glanced at the lake, a chilling cold permeating from its surface. But I silently entered the water anyway. The lake wasn’t deep, reaching just above my knees. But the winter water was bone-chilling. Every step felt like walking barefoot on razor-sharp ice. I was already weak, and as I searched, my body began to sway violently. Damon watched for only a few seconds before turning his back, leaving me with a single sentence: “If you can’t find it, don’t bother coming in tomorrow.” With that, he took Serena and left. **Chapter 3** I stood alone in the lake, an indescribable desolation welling up inside me. I bent over, searching the entire night, until I finally found that bracelet. At dawn, I trembled as I stood, my whole body already frozen purple. But I couldn’t care less about that. I rushed back to the Blackwood Corporation building with the bracelet. Serena was in Damon’s office. She took the bracelet, but only glanced at it with disgust. “It’s all muddy, completely dirty! I don’t want it anymore!” With that, she broke the bracelet and threw it into the trash can. Damon merely swept his gaze over it, saying nonchalantly, “If you don’t like it, then don’t keep it. I’ll buy you a new one.” Serena smiled brightly. “You’re so good to me.” I walked out, looking utterly disheveled. The employees in the executive office were already used to seeing me like this; I had endured countless hardships over the past few years. They all wondered why I still insisted on staying. I didn’t even take a single day off. I simply took two flu pills and then accompanied Damon on another inspection tour. It was already evening by the time the inspection finished. Serena came to meet Damon for dinner. “Scarlett, you join us too,” she said, feigning enthusiasm. But it wasn’t until the food was served that I understood why she had invited me. The table was almost entirely covered with spicy dishes. The only dessert was mango ice cream, but I was allergic to mangoes. In the past, if there was even a hint of chili in the food, Damon would meticulously pick it out for me. But now, he seemed to have completely forgotten. Damon didn’t even glance at me, instead, he poured water and served food for Serena the entire time. Serena intentionally asked me, “Scarlett, why aren’t you eating?” Damon also looked up at me, a flicker of coldness in his brows. “Why are you sitting here if you’re not eating?” I had no choice but to pick up my fork, take a piece of spicy chicken, and put it into my mouth. After I finished, Damon left with Serena. I went back alone, my forehead sweating from the spiciness, my stomach churning with excruciating pain. I lay numbly on the bed. No matter how much it hurt, my eyes were dry, unable to shed a single tear. All the suffering these years was atonement for Cassie. Every extra bit of pain felt like a mountain lifting off my chest, allowing me a brief moment of respite. I was in so much pain that my consciousness blurred, yet a silent smile still graced my lips. … A few days later. Because I hadn’t been undergoing treatment and regularly irritating my stomach with alcohol, my condition worsened significantly. Yet, each time, I just hastily took two pills to cope. This day was a weekend. I lay on the sofa, in too much pain to even move. Just then, Damon’s call came. “Serena wants some savory dumplings from the famous little dumpling place. Go get her a serving.” As Damon’s assistant, I never had a day off. Whenever he needed something, I had to be at work immediately. But today, I was genuinely too weak to get up. “Could Assistant Mike go today? I…” But before I could finish, Damon coldly cut me off. “Scarlett, did I give you a choice?” My breath hitched. I couldn’t say another word. “Either go, or never show up again.” With that, he hung up. I could only force myself to get up, swaying, and head out the door, suppressing the pain. The famous little dumpling place was on a very secluded street, yet it was incredibly popular. I queued for a full three hours before finally buying a single serving. But by the time I rushed to Damon’s place and handed him the dumplings, Serena’s face had turned cold. “Who told you to put chili in it?” I was in so much pain that breathing was difficult. “Don’t you like spicy food?” Serena angrily dumped the dumplings out. “I don’t like spicy food anymore.” Damon looked at me, his gaze heavy. “Go buy another one.” I could only rush out again. The second time I returned, Serena complained it had shrimp. Damon seemed to not notice she was deliberately tormenting me, merely stating blandly, “Go buy it again.” And so, I ran back and forth several times. By the time I returned with the last batch, it was already dark. I held the packaged dumplings, weakly hurrying back. A sharp pain tore through my stomach, and my steps were unsteady. My head was dizzy, and I didn’t see the road ahead clearly. Suddenly, a piercing horn blared in my ears— A van sped toward me, slamming into me! *Bang!!!* I was violently knocked to the ground, rolling several times. Under the impact, I couldn’t hold back, and a large mouthful of fresh blood gushed out. The scent of the spilled dumplings wafted up to my nose. Everything before my eyes turned into a chaotic blur. *Finally… I can die. Can I go see Cassie now?* A tear of relief escaped the corner of my eye, and then I completely lost consciousness. The hospital. Ryan saw the person being wheeled in on the ambulance, and his eyes widened in shock – it was me! “Scarlett! Scarlett!” He called out several times, but the person on the bed showed no response. But I kept spitting up blood. Even the chief physician was alarmed. “Could it be organ rupture?” Ryan’s expression was horrified. “She has stomach cancer!” The doctor’s face instantly changed. He quickly rushed me into the operating room for emergency treatment. Hours later, the surgery ended, but it was only to stop the bleeding from my accident injuries. All the instruments showed my vital signs dropping! Ryan was frantic. “Professor, what’s wrong with her!” The professor shook his head. “Late-stage stomach cancer. Her body was already very weak, and the car accident triggered premature organ failure.” On the hospital bed, I hadn’t woken up. I was just coughing up blood, unconsciously repeating a name. “Damon… Damon Blackwood…” I looked like I was about to breathe my last. Ryan’s eyes were bloodshot as he gripped my hand, his voice choked. “Scarlett, hold on, please hold on.” “I’ll go get him to see you. Just wait a little longer, a little longer!” With that, he tremblingly pulled out my phone. He dialed Damon’s number. When the call connected, Damon’s cold voice came through. “Scarlett, I asked you to buy some dumplings. Are you not coming back?” Ryan clenched his hands. “It’s me, Ryan.” The person on the other end fell silent. After a few seconds, he spoke in a deep voice, “Why do you have her phone?” Ryan looked at the heart rate on the cardiac monitor, slowly flatlining, and said, his voice trembling, each word heavy: “Come to the hospital. See Scarlett one last time.”

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The affluent Albright family had three daughters, one after another, while my mother gave birth to just me, her only son. The day I was born, Mrs. Albright was incredibly envious. She even declared that she absolutely had to be my future mother-in-law. When I was seven, my parents tragically passed away, and I was taken in by the Albright family. The three Albright daughters fought fiercely over who would be my bride. Reluctantly, I agreed to choose one of them as my husband-to-be when I turned twenty-two. But on my twenty-second birthday, these three women, who had doted on me since childhood, had fallen for the nanny’s son. They clustered around him daily, shamelessly bullying me. On my twenty-second birthday, I stood alone at the courthouse entrance. No one remembered it was supposed to be our wedding day. Embarrassed and furious, I impulsively found a beautiful stranger on the street and went to the courthouse to marry her. At the time, I had no idea that this stranger was among the top ten on the Forbes Billionaires list. And when the three Albright daughters had finally broken my heart completely, and I left, they started to cry, desperately trying to win me back. **Chapter One** Walking out of the courthouse, I stared at the red marriage certificate in my hand, momentarily stunned. Was I really married? To a complete stranger I’d only just met? The marriage certificate was still warm. The name on it was “Aurora Vance,” and beyond that, I knew absolutely nothing about her. “When’s the wedding? I’m in a bit of a hurry.” The coolly elegant woman stood beside me, her gaze fixed intently on me. I thought for a moment. “In half a month, I guess. Give me some time to prepare.” Aurora Vance’s lips curved slightly, and a hint of warmth flickered in her deep, dark eyes. “Alright. You don’t need to worry about anything for the wedding. Just be there on time to pick me up on the day.” I smiled faintly and nodded. “I’m staying at the Albright residence in Grandview Heights. I’ll be waiting to pick you up from there.” Her red lips parted as if she wanted to say something more, but then a call came in, and a Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of us. “Apologies, I have to leave now.” After receiving my understanding nod, Aurora Vance got into the car and drove away. Her car gradually sped off, eventually shrinking to a black dot and disappearing. Immediately after, three luxury cars, each distinctly different in style, pulled up in front of me. The doors opened, and the three sisters, different in personality but equally stunning, stepped out. Eleanor Albright, the eldest, was the first to get out. Her long legs strode towards me as she casually adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses. “Liam had a fever, and I was busy taking care of him. That’s why I didn’t make it to register our marriage as planned.” Seraphina Albright, the second sister, followed closely behind, tall and graceful in a black trench coat. “You’ve always been indecisive about which of us three to choose, haven’t you? It’s fine that we missed it. We can talk about marriage next year.” Cassidy Albright, the third sister, was unrestrained and flamboyant. “Forget next year. Let’s postpone it for a few more years. Give him plenty of time to think.” I merely shook my head, pulling the marriage certificate from my bag with a faint smile. “I won’t be choosing between you. Because… I’m already married.” The three of them froze, a flicker of shock in their eyes. Their first reaction was disbelief. Eleanor’s cool gaze narrowed slightly, her brows furrowed. “Julian, are you trying to scare us because we were busy with Liam and missed our appointment?” Seraphina’s smile instantly vanished, replaced by a cold expression. “Liam saved our lives in that car accident, that’s why we’re taking extra care of him. You know we only love you. Can’t you, Mr. Knight, just be a little understanding?” Cassidy tugged at her collar, a hint of ruthlessness flashing across her delicate face. “Everyone in the city knows you’re the man we three sisters love. Besides us, who would dare marry you? Are they asking for trouble? Julian, when did you learn to forge marriage certificates?” With that, she snatched the marriage certificate from my hand. A few tearing sounds later, the little red booklet was in shreds. She tossed the fragments into the air, and they drifted down to the ground. I stared at her, disbelieving, about to speak, but forced myself to hold back my emotions. Today was supposed to be my wedding day, a happy occasion. I couldn’t lose my temper. Besides, it was just a marriage certificate; I could always get a replacement. So I simply looked at them, my expression calm. “Even if you tear up the marriage certificate, the marriage still exists. My wedding is in half a month. You’re all welcome to attend.” The three sisters exchanged glances, clearly seeing the disbelief in each other’s eyes. They were truly sisters, sharing the same thought: they believed I was doing this deliberately to gain more control over them. Seraphina stepped forward, her voice icy. “This game isn’t fun when you play it too much.” “I’m not playing.” “Alright, fine, you’re not playing, happy now?” Cassidy replied dismissively. “You even lied about being married. I’d like to see how you pull this off in half a month.” Eleanor frowned, about to speak, when her phone rang urgently. When she answered, Liam’s weak, tearful voice reached their ears. “Eleanor, Seraphina, Cassidy, where did you all go? I feel so awful…” Hearing this, the three sisters’ expressions instantly changed, their faces showing obvious panic. Eleanor’s voice softened immediately. “Liam, I just went out to buy your favorite porridge. I’ll be right back to be with you.” “Liam, don’t be scared, I’m coming right back.” “Liam, wait for me.” As soon as the call ended, the three of them rushed into their cars and drove off towards home, one after another. Not a single one remembered to take me with them. I was left standing there, utterly abandoned. The cold wind swept my hair across my forehead, blurring my vision. Watching the three cars speed away, I curved my lips, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss. Even now, I couldn’t understand how the three sisters and I had come to this point. When I was seven, my parents died in an accident, and I was taken in by the Albright family, old friends with whom I had an arranged marriage. That day, dressed in a perfectly tailored little suit, looking every bit the elegant young gentleman, I made my first appearance at the Albright house and immediately captured the attention of all three sisters. The sisters argued ceaselessly over me, fighting from the very first moment about who would be my wife. Mr. and Mrs. Albright initially thought it was just childish whims, but the three sisters continued to fight over me from childhood into adulthood. They cherished me, holding me gently for fear I’d break, keeping me close for fear I’d melt away. If any other girl dared to approach me or give me a love letter, all three of them would fiercely confront her. As they grew older, Eleanor became the family heir, Seraphina became a globally renowned movie star, and Cassidy became a gaming sensation adored by millions. Our personalities were all distinct, yet their fierce love for me was unwavering, none of them willing to give up. The elders, helpless, eventually made an agreement: on my twenty-second birthday, I would choose one of them to marry. Today was my twenty-second birthday. I was there, but the three sisters who once swore they couldn’t live without me, all broke their promise. All because of that man named Liam Jenkins. He was the son of the Albright family’s new nanny. From the moment he moved into the Albright house, his intentions were impure. He spent his days devising various ways to engineer “chance” encounters and curry favor with the three Albright sisters. Things like baking them cookies, reminding them to eat on time, or rushing to bring them stomach medicine on a rainy day. However, the three sisters, having seen too many such tricks, were not impressed. Just like they had rejected other boys before, they coldly called him insincere and manipulative, avoiding him at all costs. Until that sudden car accident. Liam Jenkins, without hesitation, shielded all three of them. They emerged unharmed, but he was struck by the car, nearly losing his life. From then on, the sisters’ attitudes underwent a drastic change. Their hearts gradually turned towards Liam Jenkins, and for his sake, they began to hurt me repeatedly. When Liam twisted his ankle, they rushed off, leaving me alone on a mountain swarming with snakes and rodents. When Liam casually mentioned wanting to go to an amusement park, they cruelly abandoned me, burning with a 104-degree fever, to fulfill his wish first. When Liam and I both fell into the water, all three of them chose to save Liam. Countless incidents like these occurred. Even today, the day we were supposed to register our marriage, they all stood me up. The three who once swore they would only marry me, who would die without me, not one of them showed up. For years, the three Albright sisters had openly expressed their love for me; everyone in our elite circle knew. Now, having been abandoned by them, if word got out, it would bring immense shame to the Knight family. To save face, I impulsively married a stranger. Now that our engagement is broken, I will have no further connection with these three sisters! **Chapter Two** I picked up the shredded marriage certificate from the ground and hailed a cab back to the Albright house. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw Eleanor, Seraphina, and Cassidy all gathered around Liam Jenkins’ room. The three tall, elegant women stood by the bed, instantly making the spacious room feel cramped. I watched them, faces etched with tension and worry, as they attended to Liam, and I forced a bitter smile. This room, once mine, was the best and closest to theirs. They had put so much effort into making it incredibly cozy. Anything delicious or fun they found, they’d pile it all into my room. Back then, they’d say, full of love, “Julian is our most beloved little prince; he naturally deserves the very best of everything.” I believed them. But ever since Liam Jenkins shielded them in that car accident, they used his poor health and need for recovery as an excuse to move me into a guest room. From that moment, I knew I was no longer the most important prince in their hearts. I managed a strained smile and retreated to the guest room to rest. Early the next morning, a continuous burst of celebratory fireworks erupted downstairs, shaking the house. Woken by the noise, I went downstairs to find the entire living room overflowing with beautifully wrapped gift boxes. Liam Jenkins was surrounded by the three women, his face beaming with smiles. Eleanor’s eyes were soft as she presented a sports car key. “Liam, congratulations on recovering from your cold. This is that car you said looked nice; I bought it for you.” Seraphina pulled out a good luck charm. “I specifically went to St. Anne’s Monastery for this. It was really crowded that day, and I ran into a lot of fans, but I still got it. They say it’s very effective.” Cassidy, with a confident grin, held up a trophy. “See? I won the competition and came straight here to give it to you. Liam, if luck and safety could be transferred, I’d give you all of mine. May your life be filled with peace and joy.” The three of them piled the gifts into Liam Jenkins’ arms; he could barely hold them all, tears of excitement welling in his eyes. “Why are you all giving me gifts for such small things? You care about me too much; I don’t know what to do!” His smile was unstoppable. Then he suddenly noticed me coming down the stairs and, feigning innocence, asked, “Mr. Knight, it was your birthday yesterday, wasn’t it? What gifts did Eleanor and the others give you? I’m so curious; can I see them?” I instinctively clenched my fists, remaining silent. It was only then that Eleanor, Seraphina, and Cassidy belatedly remembered that it had been my twenty-second birthday yesterday, and they had prepared nothing. Eleanor stepped forward and offered a bank card. “Liam had a fever yesterday, that’s why we forgot. I’ll make it up to you next time. You can go pick out whatever you like.” The other two also offered their cards. I didn’t reach for them, simply refusing in a calm voice. “No need. A gift that’s missed doesn’t need to be made up for.” At my words, the three of them looked somewhat surprised. They had been ready to appease me, but my calm, indifferent demeanor inexplicably left them at a loss. However, they quickly recalled my lie about getting married yesterday and instantly understood this was just another one of my petty acts. “If you don’t want it, then we won’t make it up. Don’t regret it.” They said, scrutinizing my reaction. I remained perfectly calm, my expression unperturbed. “Don’t worry, I won’t regret it.” In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Albright returned from their business trip abroad. At the family dinner, Liam Jenkins, as the nanny’s son, was initially expected to help his mother in the kitchen. But Cassidy grabbed his hand and pressed his shoulder, making him sit beside her. “There are plenty of people in the kitchen. Just relax and eat with us.” Liam Jenkins, still feeling awkward, tried to stand up, but Eleanor and Seraphina both gently held his hands, gesturing for him to stay seated. Seeing this, Mr. and Mrs. Albright’s expressions soured slightly, their displeasure evident, but they said nothing. Mrs. Albright deliberately bypassed her three daughters and looked at me with a warm expression: “Julian, it was your birthday yesterday. Who did you finally choose to marry? I’ve already scouted wedding venues. This kind of happy event should be celebrated grandly; we mustn’t let you be wronged.” At her words, the three sisters fell silent. The dinner table was plunged into a dead quiet. Then, Eleanor’s deep, magnetic voice broke the silence, reaching everyone’s ears: “Liam had a fever yesterday, so I didn’t go.” “I was busy taking care of Liam, so I didn’t go either.” Seraphina’s voice was languid, dismissing the matter. Cassidy chimed in, “I didn’t have time either. Anyway, Julian hasn’t chosen yet, so we can talk about marriage later!” Their words, one after another, ignited Mr. and Mrs. Albright’s anger. Just as they were about to explode, I received a photo of a ring from Aurora Vance. “Is this wedding ring acceptable? If you don’t like it, I’ll take you to pick out others.” The ring in the photo featured a heart-shaped pink diamond, surrounded by countless tiny diamonds, sparkling brilliantly and exquisitely. **Chapter Three** I smiled faintly and handed my phone to Mr. and Mrs. Albright. “Mr. and Mrs. Albright, I’m already married. The wedding is set for half a month from now. Look, this is the wedding ring my fiancée sent me. I really like it.” At my words, the entire room’s atmosphere solidified. For a moment, everyone stared in disbelief. Mr. and Mrs. Albright were so shocked they couldn’t utter a complete sentence for a long time. After a while, Mr. Albright stammered, “Julian, is this… real or fake?” I was about to blurt out “real,” but Eleanor, her face grim, coldly cut me off. “Enough! It’s one thing for you to mess around with us, but are you going to joke like this in front of Mom and Dad now?” Seraphina’s usual smile also vanished instantly. “Julian, making the same joke over and over again gets boring.” Cassidy impatiently put down her forks. “You’ve said you’re married twice now, but how is that possible? There’s still a love letter in your drawer! It’s for…” Hearing this, Eleanor and Seraphina’s expressions instantly changed, losing their composure as they anxiously grabbed Cassidy. “What love letter? Who is it for?” Cassidy struggled free, averted her gaze, and said somewhat awkwardly, “I haven’t opened it or even dared to look. How would I know?” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. I had indeed written a love letter before. And among those three, there had indeed been someone I liked. Even before going to register the marriage yesterday, I had already made my choice. But now, there was no need to say it. I forced a smile, about to speak, when Liam Jenkins, who had been silent at the table, suddenly gasped. “Mr. Knight, that ring… you just found the picture online, didn’t you?” “I saw that diamond ring in a magazine. It’s the only one of its kind in the world, priceless. Who did you marry to get something like that?” I was also stunned, my mind a little blank. I hadn’t realized this diamond ring was so expensive. As for Aurora Vance’s identity, I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t know how to explain. Just as I was about to speak, Mrs. Jenkins suddenly brought out a pot of hot soup. After exchanging a subtle glance with Liam, she imperceptibly nodded. Then, she feigned a clumsy slip, and the entire pot of hot soup spilled out. “Watch out!” Eleanor, Seraphina, and Cassidy all immediately shielded Liam Jenkins, terrified that even a drop of hot soup might scald him. Not a single one protected me. “Ah—” The scalding chicken soup drenched me completely. I gasped sharply, my skin turning fiery red and stinging so badly that tears welled up in my eyes. Seeing the triumph in Mrs. Jenkins’ eyes, I instantly realized what had happened and, trembling, asked: “You did that on purpose?” Mrs. Jenkins froze for a moment, then tears streamed down her face. “Mr. Knight, what are you saying? How could I do that on purpose? I know it’s my fault that you got scalded, but you can’t accuse me like that.” Seeing his mother humiliated, Liam Jenkins quickly emerged from the sisters’ protective circle, bravely shielding Mrs. Jenkins, tears shimmering in his eyes. “Mr. Knight, my mother and I may be poor, but we have our dignity and integrity. You cannot insult us like this!” “If that’s what you think, then we’ll just leave!” He turned, took his mother’s hand, and the mother and son walked out together. Watching them leave, Eleanor’s eyes were filled with displeasure as she angrily chastised me. “Julian Knight, Mrs. Jenkins works tirelessly, and she just accidentally spilled some soup, and you’re saying she did it on purpose! Can’t you stop being so unreasonable?” Seraphina’s brows were tightly furrowed, and she looked at me with disappointment. “Liam is so kind, and Mrs. Jenkins is just like him. How could she do such a thing?” “Exactly! Besides, even if Mrs. Jenkins did it on purpose, what then? It was just a bit of hot soup. Do you have to make everyone so upset that they leave before you’re satisfied?” Cassidy roared, her disapproval evident. Hearing these words, a torrent of emotions overwhelmed me, and tears instantly flooded my eyes. The three sisters, however, paid no attention to my emotions. They simply gave me a cold glance, then rushed out the door, chasing after Liam Jenkins. It wasn’t until they had left that I belatedly felt the pain on my body. A large area of my skin burned. I tried to stand up but was too weak from the pain and collapsed to the floor. “Julian!” Mr. and Mrs. Albright quickly helped me up and immediately called a driver to take me to the hospital. When I awoke, the first thing I saw was Mr. and Mrs. Albright by my bedside. Seeing me awake, Mrs. Albright wiped away tears of relief, gripping my hand tightly and quickly apologizing. “Julian, we watched the security footage. Mrs. Jenkins truly did it on purpose. We knew that mother and son were sly, but we never expected them to be so cunning.” “Don’t worry, I will make sure our three girls give you an explanation, and that they see Liam Jenkins’ true colors!” “Good boy, don’t say you’re married just to make us angry.” I just shook my head. “Mrs. Albright, those aren’t angry words. I really am married.” Then, I took a bank card and an emerald necklace from my bag and placed them in Mrs. Albright’s hand. “Mrs. Albright, this is the money I’ve saved over the years. Consider it repayment for all my expenses while living in the Albright house.” “And this is the Albright family heirloom you gave me before, saying it was only for a future daughter-in-law. But now, it doesn’t belong to me. You should take it back.” Seeing these things, Mr. and Mrs. Albright realized I was serious. Mr. Albright repeatedly asked, “Julian, are you really married? Don’t lie to us.” Each time, I nodded firmly. “Yes, I really am married!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299026”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

**Chapter 1** At six in the evening, I cooked six dishes and one soup, all to Vivian’s exact preferences. At seven in the evening, I ran her bath, carefully placing her favorite roses and aromatherapy candles nearby. At eight in the evening, I set out Vivian’s slippers at the entrance. At nine in the evening, the front door was pushed open. Vivian walked in, and I stepped forward, taking her coat while placing her slippers neatly in front of her. After hanging the coat in the closet, I asked if she wanted to bathe or eat first. “Shower first,” she said absently, her eyes glued to her phone. The clock on the wall spun half a circle. Vivian emerged from the bathroom, toweling her hair, still in her robe. I quickly handed her pajamas, and while she changed, I hurried back to the kitchen to serve the freshly reheated meal. Vivian was long accustomed to all this. She seemed to be in a good mood today, still absorbed in her phone, apparently chatting with someone. As I placed the plates and cutlery, I brushed past her, catching a glimpse of her bright screen. At the very top, the name “Julian” stared back at me. My gaze flickered away, a dull ache in my chest, and I turned back to the kitchen. My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out; the screen displayed “Mrs. Caldwell.” The moment I answered, Mrs. Caldwell’s voice came through. “Liam, are you really going to divorce Vivian?” I looked out the window. A cluster of night-blooming cereus was quietly unfurling under the wall lamp. After a long silence, I finally spoke softly, “Mrs. Caldwell, you know that our marriage was just an arrangement. The agreement has expired, and Julian has returned home after his divorce. Vivian has been very happy lately; she doesn’t need me anymore.” On the other end, Mrs. Caldwell sighed deeply, her voice filled with regret. “I’m sorry for all these years, for what you’ve endured. I thought your devotion would make her fall in love with you after so long, but… never mind. Julian is back now, so I don’t have to worry about her. Five years ago, you gave up your study abroad opportunity for Vivian. If you still want to go, I can help you with the arrangements.” I stared at the fully bloomed cereus, my eyes lost for a moment. For five years, because of Vivian, my life had been on hold for too long. It was time to move forward. So, I nodded, “Thank you, Mrs. Caldwell. Please arrange it for me. I want to leave as soon as possible.” After the call ended, the cluster of cereus outside the window quietly withered, just as my five-year marriage was about to end completely. I came from a humble background. Caldwell Industries sponsored my education, allowing me to achieve academic success and even secure the only study abroad scholarship at my university. Before I left, I specifically went to the Caldwell mansion to express my gratitude. I wasn’t the only one Caldwell Industries sponsored, but I was the first to show up and thank them. This made Mrs. Caldwell, who had intended to brush me off with a few polite words, look at me twice. After hearing my intention, she remained silent for a while before speaking. “If you truly want to repay your debt, do me a favor.” From Mrs. Caldwell, I learned about Vivian and Julian’s story. Vivian and Julian were both successful, born into prominent, affluent families. They had grown up together. Everyone could see Vivian was deeply in love with Julian, but because Julian once said he wanted a slow, lasting love, she had always protected him silently. Finally, when they graduated from college, Vivian felt the time was right and prepared to confess her feelings. But Julian suddenly got a girlfriend and went abroad with her. Disbelieving, Vivian chased him to the airport that very night but got into a car accident on the way. And by the time she woke up after surgery, Julian had already impulsively married that woman abroad. After that, Vivian stayed home all day, binge-drinking, a successful woman reduced to a wreck. It was then that I came knocking, and Mrs. Caldwell decided to have me help her move past that relationship. So, to repay my debt, I gave up my chance to study abroad for a master’s degree and signed a five-year agreement with Mrs. Caldwell. At a party, I deliberately “accidentally” met Vivian, feigning love at first sight, and began to pursue her relentlessly. From then on, everyone in their social circle knew that Vivian had a man who loved her madly. Vivian gradually grew accustomed to my kindness but never took that final step with me. Until one night, she and her friends made a bet during a yacht party: whoever’s date could jump into the ocean to find a lost ring would get that valuable property development downtown. I knew she hadn’t slept for nights, desperate to secure that property. While everyone else hesitated, frightened by the raging waves, I jumped into the sea without a second thought. That was the first time Vivian lost her composure over me. She hugged me tightly when I was pulled out, her voice trembling with fear. “Liam Xu, let’s get married. I’ll try to love you.” But later, I found out she agreed to marry me that night only because Julian had posted a photo on Ins of him passionately kissing his wife under the aurora borealis. Even so, to fulfill the agreement and remove Julian from her heart, I desperately tried to be good to Vivian. I cooked for her, diligently managed the household. When I learned her childhood wish was to see a meteor shower, but her parents were too busy with work to ever take her, I spent six months finding the perfect mountaintop for stargazing. But that night, I waited all night, and Vivian never showed up. Later, I found out she had gone to Julian. Julian’s marriage was already on the rocks then. From that day on, she went abroad once a week, each time preparing all sorts of novel and interesting gifts, delivering them to Julian’s doorstep to cheer him up, but without letting him know. The day Julian returned to the US, she got into a car accident while driving recklessly, desperate to see him first. I stayed by her side for three sleepless nights, but in her unconscious state, she whispered Julian’s name countless times from her hospital bed. In that moment, I finally understood that the task Mrs. Caldwell gave me was impossible to complete. Luckily, the agreement was expiring, and Julian had divorced and returned home. Vivian had realized her wish and had the man she loved back, and it was my time to leave. From now on, both of us could start new lives. **Chapter 2** “Who were you talking to on the phone?” Seeing me take so long, Vivian got up and came to the kitchen, finding me staring blankly at my phone. I snapped out of it, saying calmly, “No one.” Late at night, listening to Vivian’s soft breathing beside me, I stared at the ceiling with wide-open eyes, unable to sleep. The next morning, Vivian frowned at the Western-style breakfast before her. “You know I don’t like Western food. Why did you make this today?” I lowered my gaze, speared a piece of steak with my fork, and chewed slowly. “This is all that was left in the fridge.” It wasn’t true. I was preparing for studying abroad, so I thought I’d start getting used to the taste. Fortunately, the woman opposite me didn’t dwell on it. She placed her phone on the table, her eyes constantly checking it, as if waiting for a message from someone. Without asking, I knew who she was waiting for. Suddenly, her phone vibrated, and she quickly picked it up. Julian must have sent something, making her beam with joy, her usually cool lips curving slightly upwards. I watched her for a moment before taking out the divorce papers I had already prepared. From the moment I signed that agreement, I had been preparing for this day. Now, I was finally free. “Vivian Caldwell, let’s get divorced.” I spoke calmly, my tone as flat as if discussing the weather. Vivian was completely engrossed in her chat with Julian, barely hearing what I said, and simply gave a perfunctory, “Mm-hmm.” I wasn’t surprised in the slightest. For five years, she had always been this way with me, keeping me at arm’s length. Now that Julian was back, she had withdrawn the last bit of attention she had for me. I flipped the agreement to the last page, handing it to her along with a pen, pointing to the signature line. “Sign here.” “Mm-hmm.” She was too busy chatting to even look up. With one hand, she took the pen and signed her name where my finger pointed, while her other hand continued typing on her phone. I put away the signed agreement and continued, “Vivian, in a month, once the divorce is finalized, I’m leaving.” Vivian still just hummed in response, then put down her knife and fork and started to get up. Watching her walk away, I finally couldn’t help but call out to her. “Vivian Caldwell, do you know what I just said?” She paused, turning back to look at me, confused. “Isn’t it about sending supplies to the orphanage? And the contract you just made me sign, wasn’t that for it? You mentioned it a few days ago. What’s wrong?” I chuckled mockingly to myself. I had already had her sign the supply contract last month. She truly didn’t care about me, and she truly hadn’t listened to my words. But it didn’t matter anymore. Let it be. Vivian, just like this, live well with Julian from now on. So I smiled. “Nothing.” In the afternoon, I drove, following the delivery truck to St. Jude’s Orphanage. After finishing up, I went to Director Jenkins’ office to say goodbye. “Director Jenkins, I’m going abroad for my master’s degree.” Director Jenkins was delighted for me. I had always been a talented art student, and she had regretted for a long time that I had given up my study abroad opportunity back then. “Liam, that’s truly wonderful!” Director Jenkins clasped my hand, beaming. Then, as if remembering something, a worried look crossed her face. “But if you go abroad, won’t you and Vivian be in a long-distance relationship? Those are so hard.” I looked at the children playing and running in the distance and shook my head. “It’s not long-distance. Vivian and I are divorcing.” Director Jenkins paused, then sighed. “Indeed, I was right all along. Your marriage wouldn’t last. If she truly loved you, why would she never have come back here with you all these years? It’s better this way, you’re better off.” I patted her hand gently, comforting her. I hugged Director Jenkins back, smiling. Yes, it was truly better this way. **Chapter 3** After returning from the orphanage, I went straight upstairs, into the walk-in closet, and began to pack my belongings. It was only then that I realized how few clothes I owned. Just a few suits Mrs. Caldwell had given me when I first married. My wife of five years had never once thought to buy me a single item of clothing. After packing my clothes, I gathered all the gifts I had given Vivian over the years and sold them for scrap. All these years, to win her affection, I had meticulously prepared countless birthday gifts for her. She had never even glanced at them. Those gifts had been thrown aside, accumulating a thick layer of dust. Watching the recycling truck drive away, I was about to head back into the mansion when a car horn blared behind me. I turned to see a Maybach parked in front of me. A woman in a red dress stepped out of the car. It was my sister-in-law, Tiffany. Tiffany scoffed, watching the recycling truck disappear, then turned and looked me up and down. “Still scrambling for every penny, aren’t we? Just what you’d expect from someone with a modest background.” I ignored her, turning to leave. Tiffany’s mocking smile vanished. She lunged forward, trying to grab me. “Liam Xu!” Ever since I entered the Caldwell family, I had always humble-heartedly tried to please them, never once showing them a cold shoulder. Now, facing such dismissiveness, a surge of anger flared in Tiffany’s chest. “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me talking to you?” I turned, pulling her hand away, a flicker of irritation in my eyes. Tiffany had always disliked me, believing someone of my background was completely unworthy of marrying into the Caldwell family. So, for five years after we married, she constantly targeted me, either dumping the breakfast I made or dirtying the clothes I had just washed. Now that I was finally about to be free, I had no desire to humble myself and please her anymore. Tiffany was about to erupt further, but then, as if remembering something, she looked at me with a smirk. “It’s good that someone like you is selling used boxes. You don’t know, do you? My sister’s beloved is back. You, the intruder, are finally getting out.” As soon as she finished speaking, a man in a white shirt stepped out from behind her. This was the first time I had ever seen Julian. He had captivating, slightly upturned eyes, a gentle charm about him. His dark, tousled hair fell casually, and his skin was porcelain white. He wore a simple white shirt with no accessories, yet he exuded a mysterious, almost ethereal aura. Five years of a turbulent marriage had left no trace on him. No wonder Vivian had been so obsessed with him for so many years. Hearing Tiffany’s words, Julian stepped forward and gently tugged her arm, his voice soft. “Tiffany, don’t talk about Mr. Xu like that. He’s still your brother-in-law.” “Brother-in-law? Julian, I told you in the car, my sister has always loved you, and she’s been obsessed with you all these years. She went abroad once a week to find you, and all those gifts were from her. Can’t you see how much she cares for you?” Tiffany finished, then commanded me, “What are you standing there for? Go get Julian’s luggage. My sister already agreed to let Julian stay here.” I glanced at the luggage, ignored her completely, and walked straight into the mansion. Tiffany stomped her foot in anger behind me. In the end, it was the driver who carried the luggage inside. Tiffany was about to angrily continue her tirade when Vivian rushed in from outside. Her gaze fell on Julian, who was comfortably seated on the sofa, and she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Then, she spoke to me, on the other side of the room. “Julian’s apartment hasn’t been lived in for years and needs renovations, so he’ll be staying with us for a few days.” I said nothing. In the tense silence, Julian stood up, looking crestfallen, his face filled with unease. “Vivian, maybe I should just leave. This is your marital home, and Mr. Xu seems a little unhappy…” Vivian immediately reached out to stop him. “Don’t go. He’s always very understanding; he won’t get upset over something so minor.” Quietly watching the scene, I finally spoke, a faint smile on my lips. “I certainly won’t get upset over something so minor, Mr. Julian. Please, make yourself at home.” After all, this house would belong to Julian sooner or later. **Chapter 4** As if afraid Julian might still leave, Vivian immediately instructed the housekeeper to move his luggage into the largest guest room. Tiffany instantly turned to me, her face smug. “What are you still standing around for? Go make dinner. Oh, and Julian can’t eat spicy food, so make it bland.” In this household, even with housekeepers, I was always the one who cooked. Simply because Vivian had high standards and was a picky eater; she wouldn’t even touch what Michelin-starred chefs made, finding only my cooking barely palatable. Yet, no matter how much effort I put in, Vivian would only eat a few bites casually. Occasionally, Tiffany would join us, but she would always complain while eating. Now, I calmly shook my head, uttering four words that surprised everyone. “I can’t cook.” Hearing my refusal, Vivian instinctively looked at me. In her memory, I had never defied anyone in her family; this was my first refusal. She was about to speak when Julian’s captivating eyes suddenly reddened. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have moved in. After all, I’m just an outsider; it’s not right to make Mr. Xu cook for me.” With that, he made to turn and go upstairs to pack his bags, but Vivian quickly grabbed his arm from behind. “It has nothing to do with you.” Then she looked at me, her tone slightly colder. “Didn’t you say you weren’t upset? What is the meaning of this now?” I calmly raised my hand, my index and ring fingers adorned with bandages. “I’m injured. I can’t get my hands wet for a while.” In truth, I wasn’t injured at all. The agreement was over, and I didn’t want to waste any more thought on Vivian, so I deliberately put on a few bandages, using my “injury” as an excuse to refuse cooking. The atmosphere instantly froze. In the past, I alone handled the household chores, so the housekeepers in the villa would leave by a certain time. Now, besides me, no one in the house knew how to cook. Even if we were to call the housekeepers back, it was too late. Tiffany frowned in displeasure, her voice full of complaint. “Why didn’t you say you were injured sooner? Are you deliberately trying to starve us?” She was about to go on, but Julian quickly pulled her back. “Tiffany, don’t be like that.” Julian looked at Vivian. “Vivian, I’ve been abroad for so long, and I’ve been thinking about that Italian restaurant near our high school. Remember how we used to go there after evening classes? How about we go for Italian tonight?” Vivian, of course, wouldn’t refuse Julian’s request. Her voice softened. “Okay, I’ll take you.” As they left, they also brought me along. Throughout the drive, Vivian chatted casually with the two in the backseat. They reminisced about their high school days. Julian grew more and more cheerful, and Tiffany occasionally chimed in. At a particularly funny moment, all three burst into laughter. Mid-laugh, Julian suddenly seemed to remember something, and he smiled at me in the passenger seat. “Mr. Xu, I’m sorry, we’re not deliberately ignoring you, it’s just that you weren’t a part of those memories.” Not just those memories, but I wouldn’t be a part of their future either. I simply hummed in response, quietly closing my eyes. Vivian spared me a rare glance. After parking, I excused myself to the restroom. Splashing cold water on my face, I looked up at my reflection in the mirror. My features were delicate, my skin fair, but the weariness in my brows was undeniable. Both of us had been in a five-year marriage. Julian’s eyes were full of youthful vigor, while mine were etched with exhaustion. Just a little longer, and I would be completely free. I told myself. When I returned to the private dining room, the three of them had already ordered. “Julian doesn’t eat meat, so bring more vegetables, excluding cilantro.” Vivian instructed the waiter while looking at the menu. Even after all these years, she remembered Julian’s preferences so clearly. “Liam, do you have any dietary restrictions?” Five years. This was the first time she had ever asked about my preferences. I sat on the other side, pulling a napkin to wipe my plate and cutlery. “Anything is fine, except seafood.” Throughout the dinner, Vivian only paid attention to Julian beside her. She barely ate herself, instead constantly refilling his plate. Halfway through the meal, an argument suddenly broke out at the next table. It grew increasingly heated, eventually escalating to physical blows. Other diners rushed forward, trying to intervene. But unexpectedly, one of the hot-headed individuals suddenly grabbed a pot of boiling soup and threw it at the other person. The target quickly dodged. Due to the unfortunate angle, the soup splattered directly towards our table! Amidst a chorus of screams, Vivian instinctively turned sideways, pulling Julian into her arms to shield him. I couldn’t react in time, watching helplessly as a large pot of boiling Italian soup base cascaded towards me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299025”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

When Jake Miller called off our engagement, everyone said my life was over. I’d spent five years with him, and my reputation was already in tatters from trying to keep up with his lifestyle. No one wanted anything to do with a woman like me anymore. When Jake found a new girlfriend, everyone around me expected me to come crawling back, begging him to take me back like a lost puppy. But what they didn’t know was that I’d voluntarily agreed to an arranged marriage in Silverport, substituting for my younger sister. Before I left, I returned the keepsake box Jake had given me when he pursued me, along with the blank promise card he’d hand-delivered to me years ago. I left with nothing. It wasn’t until the day before Jake’s engagement that he suddenly asked, “She’s been quiet for so long. Is Lana Reed dead?” Meanwhile, I, who had almost fainted moments ago, was being kissed awake by my new husband. “Be a good girl, Lana. We agreed on four times, not one less…” ——————————– The day Jake suddenly said he wanted to get married. I hadn’t seen him in three months. The last time we met, I’d overheard him telling his friends he was bored with me. The entire room had erupted in laughter. They laughed at how I’d followed him for five years, compromising my standing just to please him, only to end up abandoned. Life at the Reed household had been hell for the past three months. A few days ago, my father, Mr. Reed, had been especially violent in his drunken fits, and the bruises on my back still throbbed. So, when Jake suddenly called me today, a flicker of hope ignited in my chest. I specifically wore the emerald bracelets he’d given me when we got engaged and rushed over. By the time I arrived at his villa, Jake was already a little tipsy. He was lying back with his eyes closed, his head resting on a young girl’s lap. She looked like she was still in college, incredibly innocent. Seeing me enter, the girl who was massaging Jake’s head scrambled to get up, flustered. But Jake grabbed her wrist. “Stay where you are.” He didn’t even open his eyes, just tightened his grip. She was pulled closer to him. Then, she docilely lowered her head, letting him kiss her deeply. He released her hand, then pinched her chin. The kiss was deep, and the sound was unmistakable. I stood by the entrance, clutching my purse, feeling utterly helpless for a moment. I finally managed to compose myself, feigning indifference, and looked out the window. “I’ll just stroll in the garden for a bit and come back later.” As soon as the words left my mouth, Jake sneered. The girl beside him, sensing the shift, quickly stood up. “Maybe I should go out first, and let Miss Reed come over.” This time, Jake didn’t stop her. He held her hand, playing with it for a moment, then reluctantly let go. “It’s cold outside. Don’t get chilled.” The girl smiled sweetly, nodded, and her long, dark hair fell, covering most of her blushing face. As she passed me, she politely greeted me as “sister” and asked how I was. I nodded back, offering a faint smile. She was so young, with clear, shy eyes, much like my younger sister, Chloe. “Lana Reed, come here.” Jake leaned back on the sofa, patting the empty space beside him. The intricate, ornate crystal chandelier cast colorful light, highlighting his chiseled face and striking features. The light and shadow made him seem almost ethereal. I felt a momentary trance, mixed with an indescribable ache. Jake’s charming, ‘peach blossom’ eyes were shimmering, and the alcohol had flushed the corners of his eyes a faint red. Kiss marks dotted his collarbone and the side of his neck, visible through his loosened shirt. “That girl you just saw is Amber Stone.” I nodded. “Yes, I know.” “What do you think of her?” I thought for a moment, then answered earnestly. “Very innocent, very pure, very well-behaved.” Jake nodded. “Doesn’t she remind you of how you were five years ago?” I froze.

Five years ago, I had just started college. As Jake put it when he was pursuing me, I was “so innocent it almost hurt.” He genuinely loved me back then. And he spoiled me rotten. He cherished me as if I might melt in his mouth. I was even his longest relationship. We got engaged before I even graduated from college. Too bad. Now, my personality and style were completely different from before, and my reputation was in tatters. Everyone in Newport City knew it. They knew how many shameful things I’d done to hold onto my incredibly wealthy boyfriend. Back then, he’d told me he was tired of my purity and innocence. To please him, I forced myself to change, to fit into his sordid circle. I indulged his twisted desires. He wanted sophistication and sex appeal, loved passion and daring. I endured the humiliation and satisfied every whim. But my efforts to please him ultimately earned me only his scornful remarks. “Lana Reed, you’re so cheap.” “Even a streetwalker isn’t as uninhibited in bed as you.” “Look at you now. Is there even an ounce of refinement or grace left?” He broke up with me. My father, Mr. Reed, then used my young siblings, Chloe and Caleb, to threaten me. To get him back, I’d cut my wrists, taken pills—I’d done it all. And now, he was telling the completely changed me that he loved Amber. He loved that she was so much like the me from five years ago. I wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t. “I really do love her. I want to give her a proper commitment.” “She’s not like you; she’s incredibly shy and innocent. I have to be responsible.” I wanted to say something, but my lips felt glued together. Not a sound escaped. After a long moment, I forced out a weak smile. “Okay, I understand.” “I can put in a good word for you with your family, the Reeds.” “No, thank you. I’ll figure it out myself.” “Suit yourself.” He swayed as he stood, pulling something from his pocket. It clattered onto the coffee table. My eyelid twitched violently. It was the ring we’d exchanged during our engagement, a relic from my birth mother. What Jake had given me was an heirloom from his mother: a pair of emerald bracelets. The very ones on my wrist now. “Take off the bracelets.” “Our engagement is off.” I looked up at him. His usually charming ‘peach blossom’ eyes were now as cold as frost. So, when he said he wanted to get married, he hadn’t meant to me. Five years of companionship meant less than a few days of thrilling novelty with someone new. I thought I’d break down, feel devastated. But I didn’t shed a single tear. I just calmly removed the emerald bracelets and returned them to him. Jake raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. But he took them, then turned and walked away without a backward glance.

News of Jake Miller breaking off our engagement spread quickly. The expected beating from my father didn’t come. However, I lost contact with my younger brother and sister, who were studying abroad, once again. I knew this was my father’s usual way of venting his rage. He and my stepmother, Brenda, began frantically searching the city for a suitable husband. They wanted to marry me off to maintain the Reed family’s wealth and status. But soon, vile rumors started circulating. They said that over the years, to please Jake, I’d done anything and everything, that I was “used up,” even infertile. No one in Newport City would ever accept a woman like me. My father’s temper grew worse. My days became increasingly unbearable. Two months after Jake broke off our engagement, another explosive piece of news about him spread through our social circle. He was getting engaged again—to Amber Stone. Jake had even defied his parents for her. The usual crowd, always looking for a spectacle, made sure the news reached me. I knew what they wanted to see. They were bored, and probably missed the drama I, their former clown, used to provide. “Lana, I actually think Jake still likes you.” “Your life must be tough now, right? Why don’t you go beg him?” “He’s soft-hearted. If you cry a bit, or even pretend to be suicidal, he might change his mind.” “Amber can’t compare to you, Lana. You’re much prettier than she is.” I saw those messages but didn’t reply to any of them. Instead, I focused on preparing for my own wedding. Just a week prior, I had knelt for an entire night. Finally, my father relented, agreeing to let me, instead of my newly adult younger sister, marry into the Sterling family in Silverport as part of a strategic alliance. I’d heard that Dax Sterling, the eldest son of the powerful Sterling family in Silverport, was ruthless and held immense power, being the head of Silverport’s most influential family. But because of a leg injury, he was also supposedly volatile and cruel. Yet, I wasn’t scared at all. If it meant escaping the Reed family, if it meant my siblings could be free, I was more than willing. Besides, I couldn’t stand to stay in Newport City any longer. Silverport might just offer me a lifeline.

Before I left, I met my best friend, Sarah, for lunch. On my way to the restroom, I unexpectedly ran into Amber Stone. She looked completely different from before. She wore sophisticated makeup and Dior’s classic little black dress, looking slender, elegant, and quite alluring. A delicate lady’s cigarette was held between her vibrant lips. “Miss Reed, I’m sure you’ve heard the news.” Amber looked at me, a provocative smile playing on her lips. “Jake Miller and I are getting engaged.” I looked at her, suddenly remembering how innocent and shy she had appeared when I first saw her. For some reason, a wave of melancholy washed over me. “Yes, I heard.” Amber’s smile deepened. “Miss Reed, are you very jealous?” “I heard you had three miscarriages for him, and over the years, you’d do anything low to keep him, to marry him.” She leaned against the window, her smile laced with disdain and contempt. I glanced at her calmly. “Miss Stone, you just said you ‘heard.’ ” “We’re both women; there’s no need to spread such vicious, fabricated gossip.” Amber instantly scoffed. “It’s all over Newport City. How is it gossip?” I didn’t want to waste my breath on her and turned to leave. But Amber suddenly spoke in a passive-aggressive tone, “Miss Reed, not all girls are the same. Didn’t your mother ever teach you self-respect?” My steps abruptly halted. Hearing the word ‘mother,’ a rush of blood instantly surged to my head. I didn’t have time to think, couldn’t be rational. I spun around and slapped her across the face. “Miss Reed…” Amber paused, then immediately covered her face and burst into tears, feigning distress. “I know it hurts that Jake and I are getting engaged, but you shouldn’t hit people…” “I understand you’re angry, but you can’t force feelings.” “Jake doesn’t like loose women like you. It’s not my fault…” She sobbed, sounding wronged and pathetic, but every word she uttered felt like a dagger to my heart. “I know your mother died young and you didn’t have anyone to guide you, but Miss Reed, I won’t hold this against you this time…” I gritted my teeth, my jaw aching, and raised my hand to slap her again. But my arm was seized firmly by Jake Miller. “Lana Reed, apologize to Amber.” “I won’t apologize.” I stood ramrod straight, my face pale, my lips colorless. But my eyes were blazing red, strikingly intense.

Jake seemed surprised. Over the years, he had seen me as docile and pure. He had seen me as obedient and submissive. He had also seen me as hysterical, crying, and clinging. I had been naive, alluring, cried, laughed, and made scenes in front of him. But I had never been as calm and distant as I was at this moment. He pushed Amber aside and walked in front of me, expressionless. “Lana Reed, I’m only saying this one last time: apologize to Amber.” I stared steadily at him, then suddenly laughed. A desperate, all-or-nothing laugh. “Jake Miller, I told you, I won’t apologize. Not even if I die…” The sharp sound of a slap suddenly echoed in the empty corridor. Jake seemed stunned for a moment after delivering that blow. Amber, covering her face, widened her eyes, equally shocked and disbelieving. Only I slowly raised my hand to my stinging cheek, my eyes slowly welling up. “Lana Reed…” Jake instinctively took a step forward. But I immediately recoiled. His hand, which had been about to reach out, suddenly dropped, and his face hardened. “Lana Reed, you brought this on yourself.” “If you had just apologized, I wouldn’t have laid a hand on you.” Jake’s voice was low and somewhat hoarse. “You know I never hit women.” “We’ve been together for so many years, and I’ve never touched a hair on your head.” “You shouldn’t have put your hands on Amber today. I like her; it’s not her fault.” “Lana Reed, stop making a scene. Save some dignity for yourself.” He was usually a man of few words, never rambling on like this. But I didn’t hear a single word. My reddened eyes uncontrollably filled with tears. I tried desperately to hold them back, but I couldn’t. My tear ducts ached fiercely, and tears streamed down my face, seemingly endless. Jake had somehow clenched his hands tightly, his brows furrowed. Amber walked to his side and said sweetly, “Jake, it’s okay. Let’s just go.” Jake took her hand, his gaze still fixed on my face. “Lana Reed, don’t try to cause trouble for Amber again.” “And don’t ever appear in front of Amber and me again.” “This is my final warning.” He finished, but didn’t leave with Amber. Instead, he stared at me, as if waiting for my reply. But I said nothing, just lowered my head slightly. It felt as if I wanted to shed all the tears I had for this lifetime. After about thirty seconds, Jake finally left with Amber. As he turned to go, I suddenly spoke in a low voice. “Okay.” “I swear, I will never appear in front of you and Amber again.” Jake’s tall back stiffened abruptly. But he quickly pulled Amber forward again, without once looking back. Amber, however, looked back at me. Her eyes still held tears, but the corners of her mouth curled up in a triumphant smirk. I slowly lowered my hand. *Good*, I thought to myself. Five years of entanglement, that almost deeply rooted love and hate for Jake Miller. At this moment, it was finally dug out by the roots, completely severed. I could focus now, with no regrets, and leave forever.

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**Chapter 1** My fiancée posted a video clip on SnapChat, and forgot to mute the sound. From the background, I heard a man call her name: “Would you ever use your hand to help him with his needs?” Chloe answered, “No.” “I earn a seven-figure salary; he’s just a lapdog I keep around.” I forced a bitter smile, tossing the pink diamond ring I held. I messaged my dad: “Dad, I’ll agree to the arranged marriage. Fire Chloe from the company.” Then I called the wedding planner. “Hello, for the wedding ten days from now, the bride’s name needs to be changed. Yes, we’re swapping her out.” ………… “Mmm, we’ll discuss the details when we meet.” I hung up, and Chloe emerged from the bathroom. Her hair was half-dry, steam rising from her bathrobe. Normally, she took half an hour to shower, but today she’d taken a full hour. She glanced at the laptop on the table, still open, and quickly snapped it shut. Frowning, she asked me: “Who were you just on the phone with?” I told her truthfully it was the wedding planner. Chloe visibly relaxed, certain I hadn’t seen her chat history. Otherwise, knowing my temper, I would have caused a huge scene, forcing her to fire Brandon, just like I used to. Brandon, Chloe’s new assistant hired about a year ago. A fresh-faced grad, full of youthful charm. He was humorous, lively, and cute. Chloe really liked him, taking him along for overtime and business trips. I’d get jealous, and we’d often argue about it. She’d only agreed to marry me out of exasperation. “The wedding’s still ten days away; you don’t need to be so meticulous.” Chloe said, her tone flat, betraying no hint of joy. She probably thought I was just calling to remind the wedding planner about details. After all, for five years we’d been together, every holiday and anniversary, I’d personally planned everything down to the last detail, just to make her happy. “Yeah.” No need to be meticulous now, since the person I was marrying was even more meticulous than I was. The thought brought a bitter smile to my lips. Chloe impatiently flipped her damp hair. “My hair’s still wet!” Before, every time she finished showering, I’d patiently help her blow-dry her hair. But now, I didn’t want to. “Sorry, I have something important to do. You’ll have to dry it yourself.” Chloe froze, her voice turning sharp: “What could a house husband like you possibly be busy with?!” “Your main job is to take care of me! You said that yourself, have you forgotten?” A sharp, stinging pain bloomed in my chest. Five years ago, I did say I would take good care of her, but now, I didn’t want to. “I don’t want to take care of you anymore, Chloe.” With that, I grabbed my jacket and walked out the door without looking back. Back home, I fell to my knees before my parents, full of regret. “Mom, Dad, I was wrong! I’ll agree to the family alliance. The wedding date stays, but the bride changes!” My parents exchanged surprised glances, immediately asking what happened. To be with Chloe, I’d cut ties with them and moved out five years ago. A few months ago, when they learned I was going to marry Chloe, they finally couldn’t stand it anymore. They found me, saying they’d found a suitable match for me—the heiress of the Sterling Group, and my childhood friend. She was clearly better than Chloe in every way. I’d refused them, insisting Chloe was my true love. Turns out, Chloe had slapped me hard in the face, and shattered my heart. “Son, are you really agreeing to the arranged marriage? Shouldn’t you at least meet her first?” My mom helped me up, her heart aching. “No need. I trust your choice.” At least, I wouldn’t be left brokenhearted by love again. Late that night, Chloe called. “Liam, my hair didn’t dry properly earlier, and now I’ve caught a cold. Could you come home with some medicine?” Her voice was soft and sweet, clearly trying to smooth things over. After every argument, if she softened her tone, I’d always give in. But not this time. “Don’t you have an assistant? Just have him bring you the medicine. I’m busy. Gotta go.” Chloe’s voice suddenly rose, sharp and shrill: “What’s wrong with you?! Why are you bringing someone else up out of nowhere?! You’re my husband; of course, you should be the one to take care of me!” I remained silent. For five years, Chloe had always bossed me around like this. She trampled on my sincerity, constantly giving others a chance, but I was too foolish. Blinded by love, I clung to the belief that she just had a bad temper but still loved me. It wasn’t until I personally saw her comparing me to Brandon, saying I was boring and he was exciting, that I finally understood: she only loved herself. “I told you I’m busy. You figure it out yourself.” I hung up, and my parents breathed a sigh of relief. The next morning, I went home to pack my things. Opening the door, I found Chloe lying on the sofa, looking at me with a wronged expression. “You finally decided to come back.” Her face was pale, clutching her stomach, she spoke plaintively. I sighed. She must have been very upset yesterday. She had stomach problems; her stomach would hurt whenever her emotions fluctuated. Even though I was determined to leave, seeing her like this still made me feel a pang of pity. I found the medicine cabinet, got some cold medicine, and then poured a glass of water, bringing it to her. “There’s medicine in the cabinet. Couldn’t you have found it yourself?” She took the medicine, but before she could speak, a man’s voice called out. “Chloe, should I put sugar in the porridge?” Brandon, wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen. The moment he saw me, he paused, then chuckled: “Liam, you’re here?” He looked exactly like the man of the house greeting a guest. The next second, he seemed to realize his mistake and quickly corrected himself: “Oh, you’re back, Liam! Chloe has been running a fever and her stomach has been hurting. She said you were busy, so she could only call me to bring medicine.” Only then did I notice a pharmacy bag on the coffee table. I couldn’t help but smile. Looks like I worried for nothing again. Chloe tilted her head back, swallowed the medicine, and took several gulps of the water I’d poured. “Honey, your medicine is still the most effective.” “Don’t be mad, I waited for you all night, but you never came. This morning, I felt so awful I just had to call my assistant.” She leaned her head on my shoulder, weakly saying: “The moment I saw you, I felt so much better.” “Brandon, you can go back to work now.” She waved her hand, dismissing Brandon. After he left, Chloe took my hand and said earnestly: “Honey, I was wrong yesterday. I shouldn’t have talked to you like that.” “Can you forgive me?” She rarely called me ‘honey,’ and this was the first time she’d chosen me over Brandon in front of him. She clearly knew how to make me feel secure. But she was never willing to do it. Now, it was too late. I gently pulled my hand from hers, stood up, and said: “You should get some rest. Don’t overthink things.” Entering the kitchen, I saw two sets of dishes and forks in the sink, and my heart sank to rock bottom. Brandon had been here since last night. Chloe had lied to me again. **Chapter 2** I pulled out my phone and saw Brandon’s SnapChat post from last night. Still visible only to me. [Boss is so hardworking, she’s still working overtime and sick before the wedding! I brought her medicine and a late-night snack.] The accompanying photo showed him giving a peace sign next to Chloe’s sleeping face. Well, if he wanted to take my place so badly, I’d let him have it. I went to the wedding planner’s office to discuss the details of changing the bride. I had overseen all the wedding arrangements; Chloe had never even shown up. So, it was easy to sort out. Back home, the wedding photos in the living room seemed to burn my eyes. I took them down, along with all our photos from over the years, packed them into a box, and prepared to throw them away. A pink card fell out of an album. It read: [Chloe will always love Liam]. She wrote that when she confessed her feelings to me five years ago. Recalling the past five years, I realized that Chloe didn’t actually love me. She only loved everything *she* loved. Her love had no respect. My clothes, my skincare products—they all had to be brands she liked. The apartment we rented also had to be decorated to her taste. Even our wedding home, though I supervised the renovations, the design drafts and furniture were all chosen by Chloe. I didn’t actually like the French chic style. But because Chloe liked it, I forced myself to like it too. For five years, I compromised again and again for love, becoming someone I wasn’t, only to be met with disdain. I crumpled the card into a ball and tossed it into the trash. “What are you doing?” Chloe’s voice came from behind me. I looked up at the clock, realizing it was already seven in the evening. It was Chloe’s usual time to get off work. Today, she hadn’t worked overtime or had any social engagements; she’d come home early. I was a little surprised. I gently closed the box. “Just tidying up some trash.” She looked around, seeming to notice something missing from the living room. “Where are our wedding photos?” “I gave them to the wedding planner to use as a reference for the display board,” I said casually, without looking up. “Oh.” Chloe didn’t ask further. She held up a box in her hand and said to me: “Don’t be busy yet. I brought you your favorite shrimp buns. Come and eat.” I opened the box. Inside were shrimp buns. Seeing me not pick up my forks, Chloe frowned and asked: “What’s wrong?” “I’m allergic to shrimp.” She knew that, but she’d forgotten. Chloe’s expression faltered, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. “Oh, sorry, I completely forgot! I’ll go buy you something else right now!” She grabbed the box and went back out. I pulled out my phone and, sure enough, saw Brandon’s SnapChat post. [Yay! Boss brought me my favorite shrimp king buns for my overtime dinner!] So that was it. It was just Brandon’s favorite, and she’d simply grabbed one for me too. Chloe returned an hour later. This time, she bought my favorite crab buns. Seeing me still busy, she set down the takeout box and said softly: “You don’t have to rush packing. We’ll move into our new home together after the wedding, and I’ll help you organize then.” “Yeah, I just want to get rid of some useless stuff beforehand,” I replied dismissively. “Didn’t you always say you wanted to see the Northern Lights in Iceland? I took a month off for our honeymoon trip so I can go with you.” Chloe, seeing my lack of enthusiasm, volunteered. If it were before, I’d have been thrilled, hugging her and spinning her around. But now, I knew we wouldn’t be going together. “Mmm.” Seeing me staring intently at the ripped-off calendar on the table, Chloe finally frowned and asked: “When did you buy that countdown calendar?” A bold red “5” was marked on it. “I bought it yesterday. Five days from now is the most important day of my life, so I’m keeping track.” My tone was flat, but Chloe’s eyes lit up. “Oh, right! Five days from now is our wedding day! You’re so thoughtful!” She hugged my face and kissed me, but then her phone rang. After just one glance, her expression changed. “Honey, something came up at the office. I need to go back for overtime.” I nodded, then stood up and started moving the box outside. “I’ll take out the trash. You don’t need to go down; it’s cold outside.” Chloe eagerly took the box and walked out. She only needed to open it and look inside to know that the “trash” I was throwing away was our wedding photos, our couple’s albums, and the confession card she had personally written. If she had seen it, she would have realized I was leaving. If she had realized, she would have come back, desperately trying to keep me. Unfortunately, she never found out. **Chapter 3** Late at night, I scrolled through Brandon’s SnapChat. [Suddenly got diarrhea during overtime, good thing my boss is taking care of me! So happy!] In the picture, Chloe, with her sleeves rolled up, was holding medicine and water. Looks like the shrimp king buns were to blame. Good thing I didn’t eat any. I went to meet my old friends and had a good, long drink with them. Before, Chloe wouldn’t let me drink and didn’t like me having my own social life. Now, I was finally free. I woke up from my hangover late the next afternoon. Chloe walked in and habitually said: “I worked too late yesterday, so I just slept at the office.” She wearily took off her coat, sniffed the air, and frowned. “Where’s that smell of alcohol coming from?” “I drank too much with friends yesterday. Just open the window to air it out.” She frowned unhappily, but after glancing at my face, she ultimately said nothing. Right, she could spend the entire night taking care of her assistant and lying to me. What right did she have to control me? Glancing at the bold red “4” on the calendar on the table, she seemed to remember something. “Oh, by the way, your birthday is in two days. Do you want anything?” She reminded me, and only then did I remember my birthday was coming up. “No, thanks. I don’t want to celebrate my birthday.” I echoed her own words from a past occasion. On her birthday that day, I had prepared a table full of dishes, waiting for her, only to be scolded: “My work is very busy, and I don’t want to celebrate my birthday. You don’t have to wait for me.” Later, I discovered on Brandon’s SnapChat that Chloe was closing her eyes and making a wish over a cake. Turns out, she didn’t *not* want to celebrate her birthday; she just didn’t want to celebrate it with me. We had a huge fight that day. I yelled, asking her who she was thinking of when she made her wish. She said I was petty, and that her colleagues had forced her to celebrate her birthday, and she couldn’t refuse. She seemed to recall that incident, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. “No way, that’s your last birthday before we get married! I have to make sure you celebrate it properly!” She put her arm around my shoulder and lightly kissed my cheek. “Huh? Where’s the watch I gave you last year? You’re not wearing it.” That watch, the moment she walked out the door yesterday, I threw it in the trash. “I put it away,” I said blandly. Chloe just said “Oh” and didn’t ask further. She had stayed up all night taking care of Brandon, then worked all day, so she was exhausted. After a shower, she went to bed early. The moment the clock struck midnight, I tore off a page from the calendar, “3.” Three more days, and I would be completely free of Chloe. I called the wedding planner and told them to go to the new bride’s address to take her measurements and help her choose a wedding dress. My parents also called, urging me to meet her beforehand. “It’s not like I haven’t seen her before. Meeting her at the wedding is fine.” “Meeting who?” Chloe had overheard my words. “My parents. They said they wanted to see their future daughter-in-law before the wedding, but I turned them down,” I replied casually. Chloe looked a bit displeased. “Speaking of which, I haven’t met your parents in five years. Why did you refuse for me?” The daughter-in-law they want to see isn’t you. I opened my mouth, but in the end, I was too lazy to say it. Chloe opened the closet, surprised. “Where are all your clothes?” “I packed them away. It’ll be easier to move them directly to the new house when the time comes,” I replied calmly. Chloe took out her coat, then turned and hugged me. “I took tomorrow off. Let’s celebrate your birthday at home!” It was one of her few proactive gestures of goodwill. “Okay.” Good. We got together on my birthday five years ago. Let’s end it on this day. It’s my birthday. The countdown shows “1.”

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My boyfriend and brother didn’t know that after they hurt me for their charity beneficiary exactly 100 times, I would leave them for good and never look back. All the love and privileges I once had, they now showered on that girl they sponsored. I, on the other hand, was discarded like trash. The 94th time they hurt me, I called Captain Miller: “Please arrange a faked death for me. I’m ready to execute the police mission immediately.” ### At the National Heroes’ Memorial, tombstones stood solemn and dignified under the sunlight. I placed the flowers I held, tears welling up in my eyes as I looked at the black-and-white photos of my parents. Captain Miller of the Veridian City Police Department, looking at his fallen comrades’ orphaned daughter, wore a colder, more serious expression than usual. “Eleanor, are you sure you want to rejoin the force? Your parents were heroes who sacrificed for their country; they died with honor. But as parents, they would never have wanted you to follow the same path. Besides, your brother and boyfriend would never agree.” “Captain Miller, I understand better than anyone the importance of putting duty and community before personal desires. You know I’ve always looked up to my parents, vowing to contribute to my country and society. You even helped me choose which police academy to attend; you should know me best.” My voice was firm, my face set with an unshakeable resolve as I spoke. After a long pause, Captain Miller sighed. “Since your mind is made up, I won’t try to dissuade you. Undercover narcotics officers must conceal their identities. All your current information can no longer be used. I will quickly arrange a faked death, making Eleanor Evans’s identity disappear completely from the world. Prepare yourself and await my notification.” With my wish granted, a heavy weight lifted from my heart. I bowed to the esteemed elder and slowly walked away. When I arrived home, the usually quiet living room was unusually tense today. My brother, Marcus Evans, and my boyfriend, Liam Carter, sat on the sofa, their faces incredibly grim. Beside them, Chloe, with her messy, bird’s nest hair, was crying, sobbing out her complaints. “Mr. Evans, Mr. Carter, please don’t blame Miss Evans. I know she didn’t mean to cut my hair like this. It’s all my fault; I made her angry, and she took all her frustration out on me.” Seeing her put on such a pitiful, aggrieved act, Liam’s eyes grew darker, his voice filled with anger. “You don’t need to make excuses for her. Marcus and I know her entitled attitude all too well.” “I’ve spoiled her rotten over the years! Don’t worry, we’ll get justice for you today.” Marcus chimed in, then shot me a cold glare, his tone severe. “Eleanor, look at what you’ve done! Apologize to Chloe immediately!” Catching the fleeting glimpse of triumph on Chloe’s face, I remained silent, my expression cold. I hadn’t seen Chloe in days, so how could I have suddenly cut her hair? It was clearly just another one of Chloe’s staged setups. But I didn’t bother to explain, because I knew that no matter how clumsy the accusation, if Chloe said it, my brother and my boyfriend would believe it. Just as I expected, seeing my indifferent demeanor, Marcus’s anger flared even more. “You’re completely out of line. Liam, hold her down for me!” I stared at them in disbelief. Before I could say anything, Liam had already pinned me down, making me immobile, while Marcus picked up a pair of scissors and, without hesitation, harshly snipped my waist-length hair. Watching strands of black silk flutter to the ground, my heart instantly clenched in pain. I remembered when Marcus, as a child, clumsily tried to tie my ponytail, taking ages to get it right. And Liam’s favorite thing was to buy me all sorts of cute hair clips, placing them in my hair himself. After Mom and Dad were killed in the line of duty, our family was just the two of us siblings. My brother, Marcus, built his empire from the ground up, raising me alone, spoiling me rotten to the best of his ability. When I was fifteen, he introduced me to his best friend, Liam Carter. Liam fell for me at first sight and couldn’t wait until I was an adult to confess his feelings, becoming my official boyfriend. From then on, I had two men who doted on me unconditionally. They indulged my every whim, except for one thing: they feared I’d follow in our parents’ footsteps and ultimately sacrifice myself, so they forbade me from applying to police academy. But I secretly enrolled without their knowledge, carefully studying for four years, only dreaming of the day I could pick up my parents’ badge. Now that I had graduated, I still didn’t know how to tell them about joining the force. Until Chloe appeared, and I realized there was no longer any need to say goodbye to them. Chloe was a scholarship recipient sponsored by the Evans Corporation. The corporation sponsored hundreds, even thousands, of students every year, but Chloe was the only one who showed up in person to thank us. Not only that, but she also found a way to get a job at the Evans Corporation, growing closer to Marcus and Liam. The moment I first saw Chloe, I disliked her, sensing she was incredibly manipulative. Chloe’s subsequent actions only confirmed this. She not only loved to play the victim and feign innocence, framing me countless times for hurting her, but even, a year ago during that major earthquake, she stole credit for my actions. Marcus and Liam both believed it was Chloe who had bravely saved them, disregarding her own safety, and that’s why they’d doted on her ever since. But it was *me* whose legs were chafed raw by mud and whose fingers were broken by rocks that day, all to save them. After pulling them out, I collapsed from exhaustion, only for Chloe to take all the credit. Time and again, being falsely accused had turned my heart to ice, so I hadn’t even planned on telling them about rejoining the force. Yet, I never imagined they would be so heartless as to cut off my long hair just because of a few casual accusations from Chloe. After my long hair fell to the floor, Liam released me, and Marcus threw down the scissors. Then, they both fawned over Chloe, taking her to dinner. They never looked at me once the entire time. Watching them walk away, I slumped amidst a pile of my chopped hair, letting out a bitter laugh. The next morning, as I opened my bedroom door, I saw Marcus and Liam waiting outside, frowning at me. “Eleanor, don’t throw such entitled tantrums anymore. Chloe is our family’s savior; you should treat her kindly.” “You’re still the one we love most. Being good to her is just our way of repaying a debt. Don’t be jealous of her.” I had grown sick and tired of hearing these words over the past year. My thin lips parted, and I spoke a single number. “95.” The two men exchanged a look, then spoke in unison: “What 95?” I looked at them, my voice as still as stagnant water. “Marcus Evans, Liam Carter. This is the 95th time you’ve hurt me for Chloe. By the 100th time, I, the one you claim to love most, will be gone for good!” ###

Liam and Marcus’s faces instantly darkened. “Eleanor, don’t make such a jinxed joke.” I chuckled lightly, my voice remarkably sincere. “I’m not joking.” Marcus, still thinking I was throwing a tantrum, frowned slightly. “Liam and I are protecting you so well right now. Who would dare touch you? What could possibly happen?” “Where did you go yesterday? Why did you come back so late?” Liam, sensing something amiss, pressed me. My eyelashes fluttered. I was about to speak when my phone rang. Seeing it was Chloe, Marcus quickly answered. Soon, her voice, thick with tears, came through. “Mr. Evans, I’ve tried everything to make Miss Evans happy, but she still can’t stand me. Since that’s the case, I have no choice but to leave. My resignation notice is on your desk. I’m going back home today. Goodbye.” Hearing this, both men couldn’t sit still and rushed out to the company. Watching their hurried figures disappear through the doorway, I gave a self-deprecating smile and quietly returned to my room. I packed up all my belongings, sorting them and then discarding them one by one into the trash. Gifts Marcus had bought me, couple’s keepsakes from Liam, photos of the three of us… I left nothing behind. After a day of tidying, by evening, Liam and Marcus returned with Chloe. The moment they saw me, their faces hardened, and they began to scold me. “Eleanor, why did you instruct someone to vandalize Chloe’s place? She has nowhere to stay and was forced to resign! If Liam and I hadn’t gone to great lengths to persuade her to come back, she would have truly left.” “How much more trouble do you intend to cause? You used to be so obedient and sensible. How did you become so jealous after Chloe appeared?” Had *I* changed? Or was it them? Looking at their indignant faces, my eyes held a deep weariness. I no longer wanted to make futile explanations. My silence, to them, was an admission of guilt. Marcus, suppressing his anger, said coldly, “Chloe’s apartment is uninhabitable because of you, so she’ll be staying with us for a while.” “Since you caused this, as punishment, you’ll give your room to Chloe. It’s the best one.” I glanced at him, having no desire to argue. I simply placed my key on the table, without delay. It worked out perfectly, anyway. I was leaving soon. Next, Liam frowned and added, “Chloe has a pollen allergy, so no more fresh flowers in the house.” I gave him a look, then called the housekeeper, instructing him to uproot the entire rose garden in the backyard overnight. Liam had planted that vast rose garden because I loved roses. Now, I was planning to break up with him anyway, and those symbols of our love were already slated for removal. Even after all this, the two men weren’t satisfied. They continued, “Chloe is a light sleeper and can’t stand any noise. Whiskers is too loud; you can’t let her out anymore.” Whiskers was the cat they’d given me years ago to cheer me up, and she’d been my companion for so long. Two hours later, staff from the pet agency arrived, and I sent my cat of five years into foster care. Seeing my compliant attitude, agreeing to every demand, Liam and Marcus sensed something was off. I offered no explanation and went upstairs alone. Looking at the empty new room, I felt a strange sense of relief. I was leaving soon anyway; these things were meant to be cleared out. I didn’t want to leave any trace of myself behind. Late at night, a continuous knocking broke the silence. Waking up, I opened the door to see Chloe. She held up her arm, revealing a glistening sapphire pendant on her wrist, her face radiating triumph. “Miss Evans, Mr. Evans gave me this this morning, but I don’t know much about antique jewelry. Can you tell me what you think of its quality? How much is it worth?” During this period of waiting to leave, I wanted no interaction with her. So, the moment I opened the door and saw her, I immediately intended to close it. But that pendant made my eyes widen in shock. It was my parents’ last memento to Marcus and me! Why would Marcus give it to an outsider?! “How could he possibly give you this pendant? Give it back!” My expression changed drastically, and I instinctively reached out to take the pendant back. Seeing me reach, Chloe’s face broke into a triumphant smile, and she turned and ran. I chased after her, about to call out, when I saw her give me a smug smile, then deliberately threw her arms out and tumbled down the stairs. A loud thud instantly alerted Liam and Marcus, who were discussing work in the study. Both men were horrified to see Chloe lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Liam rushed downstairs, scooped her into his arms. “Chloe! Wake up, wake up!” Marcus, even more enraged, grabbed my hand, demanding sharply, “I knew you were just feigning obedience yesterday! The moment our backs were turned, you tried every way to bully Chloe! Eleanor, you disappoint me so much!” Chloe’s injuries were severe and couldn’t be delayed. Both men quickly drove her to the hospital, but not before forcefully dragging me along, demanding I apologize to Chloe immediately. Just as Chloe was wheeled into the operating room, a nurse rushed out anxiously. “The patient has lost too much blood. Who here has Rh-negative blood?” Almost instantly, Marcus and Liam grabbed my hands. “She does!” My chest tightened with suppressed rage, and I violently yanked my hands away. “I won’t donate! Why should I donate blood to her? Her fall was entirely her own doing!” Both men were furious. Marcus took off the sapphire pendant, held it high, and threatened, “Eleanor, you won’t go? Then I’ll smash this pendant! Consider it an apology to Chloe!” “If you don’t go, and anything happens to Chloe, we’ll call off the engagement!” They spoke in unison, unleashing their anger for a woman who had framed me. I felt like a lightning bolt had hit me. My chest felt tight with suppressed rage, a burning ache that threatened to explode. I stared fixedly at Marcus, choking out, “So, Mom and Dad’s heirloom, you really gave it to her?” Then, I looked at Liam, my eyes terrifyingly red. “So, in your heart, all these years of our relationship mean less than Chloe?” My words stunned both men. Before they could speak, I violently snatched the pendant from Marcus’s hand, enunciating each word: “Remember this. This is the 96th time.” ###

In the end, I had 600cc of blood drawn in one go. After a long rest, my legs were still weak when I left the room, needing someone to support me. Marcus and Liam still wouldn’t let me go, insisting I wait until Chloe woke up. It wasn’t until the next morning that I finally left the hospital. I slowly descended the stairs, holding the handrail. Just as I reached the intersection, I received a message from Chloe. “How does it feel to be falsely accused and unable to explain yourself? Eleanor Evans, you’ll never win against me!” “They’re all against you, you must be heartbroken, right? Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a surprise for you. Be sure to check it out.” A surprise? Recalling all the pranks and schemes she’d concocted in the past, my heart sank. I touched the needle mark on my hand, about to hail a cab, when a speeding car suddenly swerved directly towards me. I didn’t have time to dodge. My body was flung several yards like a ragdoll, then crashed heavily to the ground. Blood flowed out, pooling into a terrifying crimson puddle. The pain from all over my body made me feel like I was being torn apart, and my mind grew foggy. In a haze, I felt someone taking me to the operating room. A cacophony of voices surrounded me. “Miss Carter clearly woke up yesterday and is perfectly fine, but she keeps complaining about discomfort and pain, which made Mr. Evans and Mr. Carter demand all available doctors be diverted to her examinations. Now, Miss Evans has suddenly been in a car accident, and there isn’t a single surgeon available for her. What are we going to do?” “Go ask quickly, see if we can get even one doctor to do the surgery!” Ten minutes later, someone ran back, their voice filled with helplessness. “They won’t agree! They insist we transfer the injured patient, even saying they’ll cover all the costs!” “Transfer?! She’s so badly injured, how can she survive a transfer! So Miss Carter’s life matters, but no one else’s does?!” The clamor of arguments filled my ears, but I felt like I couldn’t hear anything clearly. My vision blurred with tears, and for a moment, I saw the past. Back then, if I even caught a cold, Marcus would be incredibly worried, calling in many doctors. Liam would stay by my side, never leaving, drinking any medicine with me, just to cheer me up. But that was all a long, long time ago. Now, I was on the brink of death, alone, without even a single doctor. My eyelids grew heavy as if filled with lead, and the willpower that had sustained me slowly dissipated. Before losing consciousness completely, I managed only a vague, delirious murmur. “The, the 97th time…” When I next woke up, I saw two faces filled with guilt. Marcus tucked in my blanket, his voice apologetic. “Eleanor, I’m so sorry. We didn’t know you were in a car accident.” Liam brought a cup of hot water, wanting to help me drink, his eyes overflowing with anguish. “You were fine when you left this morning. How did you get hit?” Recalling the messages I’d received just before the accident, I averted my gaze, my voice hoarse. “Ask Chloe.” Meaning, Chloe was behind everything. Marcus and Liam’s expressions froze, instantly turning grim. “Eleanor, why are you still slandering Chloe? She’s just a girl from a modest background; how could she possibly plan something like this?” “Yeah, Chloe is still in the hospital. How would she have time to hurt you!” Seeing their certainty, I didn’t want to waste any more words. I closed my eyes, my voice filled with weariness. “I’m tired. Please, both of you, just leave.” The two men, who had more to explain, saw my pale face and finally held their tongues. They left the room, one after the other. A few minutes later, my phone on the table rang. “Eleanor, everything’s arranged on my end. We should be leaving in about a week.” “Understood. I follow orders, ready to leave anytime…” My words were cut short as the door was pushed open. Marcus and Liam walked in, their brows furrowed, looking at me with suspicion. “What departure? Where are you going?” I calmly hung up the phone. “I was asking about being discharged. Why are you two back?” Liam picked up his forgotten car keys, still wanting to ask more, but was interrupted by a hurried nurse. “Mr. Evans, Mr. Carter, Miss Carter just threw up…” Watching their rushed departure, I smiled silently.

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