I spent ten whole years with Marcus, going from absolutely nothing to carving out a place in high society. During our toughest times, he’d say: “You went through hell and back with me, Hazel. I, Marcus, will never let you down. I love you, only you.” But later, it was the same Marcus who told his friends: “I’ve been with Hazel for ten years. I’ve wanted a divorce for ages, but I couldn’t bear to leave the kid. There’s no such thing as young love anymore, we couldn’t stand the sight of each other.” He even got into a massive brawl over a struggling college student caught in a messy situation, making a scene that couldn’t be controlled. I showed up with the bail money and got him out of the precinct. But he retorted, his voice tinged with anger, “Hazel, have you forgotten? You’re someone who clawed their way out of the mud yourself. How can you look down on her now?” I gave a small, bitter laugh. “Now I not only look down on her, Marcus, I look down on you too. Let’s get a divorce.”

“Is this Ms. Hazel? This is the city police department. Your husband, Marcus, has been detained for fighting, and we need you to come handle it.” After hanging up, my mind went blank. The silence around me was only broken by the frantic thumping of my own heart. Driving from home to the city police department usually took about ten minutes, but now, I didn’t want to drive. I settled Lily with Mrs. Gable, slipped into soft, comfortable sneakers, and spent a full half-hour walking there. With each step, I measured the distance that had grown between Marcus and me. Inside the police station, Marcus was handcuffed, with a wild, aggressive look in his eyes, radiating hostility. He wasn’t badly hurt, just a minor scrape on his forehead. But the other guy he’d beaten was bruised and swollen, clearly Marcus had really gone for it, like he meant to cause serious damage. I’d only seen Marcus like this once before, back in his teenage years. In middle school, I got a fever, and the doctor gave me a penicillin shot, which triggered an anaphylactic shock. No skin test was performed, which was medical malpractice. The clinic doctor knew he was in the wrong and offered to treat me for free. My mother didn’t hesitate for a second. She just abandoned me at that private little clinic. The doctor used the excuse of a physical exam to pull my school uniform up to my chest. His eyes lingered, assessing, then his hands clamped down on me. “I’ll give you a massage to ease your palpitations. It’ll help you breathe better.” He pressed down on me hard. I wanted to fight back, but I had no strength, only tears streaming down my face. I thought, this time, I surely wouldn’t survive. Just as despair set in, Marcus kicked open the clinic door. He doused the doctor’s head with scalding soup, then lunged at him. Marcus was tall, over six feet, but skinny, barely 130 pounds. Yet his eyes were bloodshot, and he laid into the doctor with murderous intent. Punch after punch landed. When the doctor collapsed, I ripped the IV needle from my arm, grabbed Marcus, and we ran out. “Don’t stop me! I’m going to kill that animal!” I hugged Marcus, my voice trembling. “Please, don’t do anything rash, Marcus. I only have you.” He gently ran his fingers through my hair, his nose streaming with blood. “Hazel, don’t be scared. I’ll always protect you.” I remember Marcus, with his slender shoulders, protecting me countless times. When my mother beat me with a leather strap, he held me tight, shielding me, taking the heaviest blows himself. When I was bullied, cornered in an alley by a few thugs from outside school, he’d charge in, brandishing a knife, ready to take on five guys by himself, just to keep me safe. Even if he got beaten black and blue, he’d use his blood-stained hands to gently wipe away my tears. “Hazel, don’t be scared. As long as I’m here, no one can hurt you.” Marcus was like a beam of light, illuminating my dark, suffocating world and warming me for so long. He once told me, “In this life, I’ll only protect you.” But now, he was fighting for another girl. A raw ache in my chest, a prickling pain that took my breath away.

The other guy’s constant yelling snapped me back to reality. “He *must* apologize and pay compensation, or he’s going to jail!” Marcus pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, his eyes sharp as blades. “You keep running your mouth, and I’ll send you straight to hell!” If he hadn’t been handcuffed, he’d surely have lunged at them again. I calmly negotiated the compensation with the other party. Marcus paced back and forth inside like a caged beast, visibly agitated. I successfully settled the matter for a hundred thousand dollars, securing their agreement. Once everything was handled, Marcus’s handcuffs were removed, and he was released. Before I could even speak, a girl in a uniform from a local club rushed out of the interrogation room. She ran to Marcus, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m so sorry, I got you into this mess. You shouldn’t have bothered with me.” I recognized this girl. Her name was Willow, a college student Marcus had been sponsoring. Last year, I noticed their chats becoming more frequent. At first, Marcus didn’t pay much attention to this poor student; he simply had his secretary wire her money on time. Later, Willow managed to get Marcus’s contact information and started sharing her daily life with him. Willow would be overjoyed by a delicious piece of cake, happily snapping photos to show Marcus – not just the cake, but also her radiant smile. Marcus would glance at them coldly, a look of disdain on his face. “It’s just a piece of cake. Why be so happy about it? I found her so fake.” Willow would also send photos of herself in a dazzling outfit, gracefully dancing on stage during school cultural performances. Marcus responded for the first time then, but when he faced me, he feigned indifference. “Kids nowadays are so lucky to go to college. If you could’ve gone to college, Hazel, you’d have guys lining up around the block, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.” But he didn’t even realize that as he spoke to me, his eyes kept returning to the photos on his phone. In fact, every time he mentioned Willow, he was smiling. Most of the time, Willow had an intense desire to share everything with Marcus, and she’d always subtly ask him little questions, hoping for the older brother’s patient answers. Marcus would grumble, yet he’d always respond to her without fail. How could I not see through a young girl’s little schemes? I snatched Marcus’s phone, my voice full of annoyance. “Can you please stop talking about Willow in front of me?” He grinned playfully, flashing his charming canine teeth, and asked, “My sweet Hazel, are you getting jealous?” He teased me while deleting Willow’s contact information. It wasn’t until a few days later that I saw Willow’s social media post. “Who says a crush is a moth to a flame? Our feelings are mutual, a destined path. You opened your arms, and I stumbled towards you.” The caption was accompanied by a photo of intertwined hands. That mole, starkly visible on the hand, burned my eyes. It was Marcus’s right hand. My left hand had an identical mole. Marcus used to say it was proof of our love. Forever and always. But he lied. I thought, this time, Marcus had truly fallen for Willow.

Marcus grew impatient. “Didn’t I tell you not to work there? I’m spending so much money sending you to college, and you’re putting yourself in such a dangerous situation?” Willow lowered her head, biting her thin lip. “My mom is sick and needs a lot of money. But I didn’t want to ask you for it, I was afraid you’d misunderstand, think I was only approaching you for your money. I… I just want to earn money myself to pay for my mom’s treatment.” She grew more agitated, beginning to sob. When she looked up, her face was streaked with tears. As soon as she cried, Marcus’s heart softened. His voice softened, and he gently ruffled her hair. “But did you ever think, in that kind of situation, if I hadn’t shown up in time, you could have been taken advantage of?” “But you did come, didn’t you? I knew you couldn’t leave me alone.” Willow sounded a little smug. I couldn’t listen anymore. Fighting back my discomfort, I slowly spoke. “Marcus, let’s go home. Lily is waiting for you.” Marcus’s eyes darkened. Before he could speak, Willow hooked her arm through his and pleaded, “Please stay with me today, okay? I told my mom I’d bring my boyfriend to see her today. Just pretend with me, please. She doesn’t have many days left.” Then, she turned to me, her voice almost begging. “Hazel, you understand, don’t you?” I didn’t look at her. Instead, I asked Marcus again, despite my efforts to stay calm, my voice trembled. “Come home with me, please?” Marcus frowned. “Didn’t you hear Willow say her mom is dying? Can’t you stop being so petty and jealous? Have some sympathy, please?” “Just listen to me, go home first, be a good girl.” Willow stood by, a faint smile playing on her lips. I couldn’t take it anymore. “Marcus, how long are you going to keep helping her? You’re paying her tuition, showering her with concern, and now you’re going to pretend to be her boyfriend? How far exactly are you willing to go?” “She has so many male classmates, why does she only ask *you*? Are you two planning to turn this fake relationship into a real one? Or have you already?” Marcus froze, apparently not expecting me to say that. He’d thought he’d hidden it well enough. “Hazel, don’t make a scene. Willow is going through so much alone. Why can’t you try to understand her? I remember you weren’t like this before, you used to be so kind.” I gave a cold laugh. “Yes, I was kind. But I wasn’t so kind that I’d hand over my husband to another woman.” “I’m so sorry, Hazel. Don’t blame Marcus. I won’t let him go, okay? Don’t be angry with him, he looks so pathetic when you yell at him.” Willow pouted, with big, teary eyes that looked utterly heartbroken. Just one glance, and Marcus’s face softened with concern. He frowned deeply, shielding her behind him. My tears were invisible to him, but Willow’s tears landed right on his heart. I scoffed, my voice laced with mockery. “Oh, the classic ‘dead dad, dying mom, poor helpless me’ routine? Her tragic backstory just keeps stacking up, it’s a masterclass in manipulation, and you’re too blind to see it.” “Marcus, are you really going to throw away our ten years of shared history for a girl like that?” Marcus froze, then retorted angrily, “Hazel, have you forgotten? You’re someone who clawed their way out of the mud yourself. How can you look down on her now?” I gave a small, bitter laugh. “Now I not only look down on her, Marcus, I look down on you too. Let’s get a divorce.” Marcus’s voice was hoarse. “Hazel, don’t make a scene. Just go home and wait for me, okay?” I stood there, coldly watching him. He practically shoved Willow into his car, then drove off without a backward glance.

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Just an hour ago, I’d rushed home, exhausted, to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. Now, sitting at the dining table, staring at a spread of vibrant, colorful dishes, I couldn’t help but sigh. “Chloe, you know I can’t eat chili…” I’ve never been a picky eater. But there wasn’t a single dish on that table I could touch. I’m allergic to chili, a fact my wife, Chloe Spencer, knew well. That’s why, for all these years, the meals I’d prepared were usually mild. But this time, every single dish Chloe ordered was heavy, spicy Sichuan food. She pushed the only chili-free bowl of tomato egg soup toward me, her voice edged with annoyance. “You know how busy I am with work. I don’t have time for these little things. This huge company relies on me. I finally carved out some time to have dinner with you tonight, so don’t make a big deal out of nothing! Besides, that bowl of tomato egg soup isn’t spicy, is it?” Even though I knew her heart had changed, or rather, that Chloe had never truly cared for me, I never expected her to be so cruel, completely disregarding our five years together. And on our fifth wedding anniversary, with a table of twelve dishes, I was only “allowed” to eat one. I was about to speak when Chloe’s phone rang, interrupting me. She glanced at her phone, then instantly broke into a delighted smile. Muttering words of welcome, she went to the kitchen, grabbed an extra set of silverware, and placed it beside her seat. Only after she hung up did she look at me and “ask”: “Leo’s home alone, and the power’s out, so he has nowhere to go. I invited him over for dinner. You don’t mind, do you, Adam?” It was supposed to be a question, but Chloe delivered it like a statement. I forced a bitter smile. Chloe had gone this far, even setting out the silverware. What good would refusing do now? “Oh, right, Adam, what were you about to say?” Chloe suddenly remembered I’d been about to speak, interrupted by the call, and now she actually asked. Today was our fifth wedding anniversary. I cherished this rare opportunity for us to have dinner alone, and naturally, I didn’t want anyone else to intrude. I knew saying this would displease Chloe, but after some thought, I said it anyway. “Chloe, it’s our fifth anniversary today. I just wanted it to be the two of us, to talk properly, and have dinner…” Sure enough, I hadn’t even finished my sentence when Chloe cut me off. She frowned, slamming her silverware down with an angry thud. “I know it’s our fifth anniversary. You don’t need to buzz like a fly, constantly reminding me.” “There are so many dishes; you can’t possibly eat them all yourself anyway. That young man has been running errands for me all day and must be starving. This is practically a bonus meal for him.” Seeing Chloe’s resolute tone, I could only lower my head. I didn’t say anything more, just bowed my head and started eating the bowl of tomato egg soup in front of me. My eyes welled up without me realizing. Tears silently dropped into my soup, and I swallowed them, along with my pain. So many dishes, I really couldn’t eat them all myself. Not even if I ate until I died. I quickly spooned down the tomato egg soup. When I looked up again, I seemed normal. Only the slight redness and puffiness around my eyes would give me away if Chloe looked closely. “Chloe, why don’t we get a divorce?” Chloe, sitting opposite me, had her eyes glued to her phone. She seemed absent-minded, a slight smile playing on her lips. She didn’t seem to have heard me, didn’t even lift her head, just gave a questioning “Huh?” My face was expressionless, but a bitter ache slowly welled up in my heart. I took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of hurt. I was about to repeat myself when Chloe cut me off again. “Oh, Leo’s here. Whatever you have to say, save it for later tonight.” My mouth was still open, words caught in my throat. But Chloe didn’t even wait for me to utter a single word, hurrying out of the room. Watching her decisive back disappear, I forced a wry smile. I tapped a few times on my phone screen and sent a message. “I’ll meet you at the law firm later.” From now on, Chloe wouldn’t have to worry about me interfering with her relationships with other men. The five-year term was up. Mrs. Spencer’s dying wish, which had led to our marriage, ultimately wasn’t fulfilled, but I genuinely couldn’t wait any longer. **Chapter 2** Not long after, Chloe reappeared in the house with a young man. I recognized him. The young man was Leo Miller. We were actually colleagues at the same company. Chloe was the company CEO, and Leo was her personal assistant. And I was the company’s CFO. However, to keep things professional, no one in the entire company knew about our relationship. Even coming and going from work each day, Chloe would deliberately adjust her schedule to avoid me. “Adam! You’re here too! I thought Ms. Spencer was just kidding.” Leo walked right up and grabbed my arm. His tone sounded friendly, but it was laced with an underlying cunning. “Adam, tell me quietly, what exactly is your relationship with Ms. Spencer?” I uncomfortably pulled my arm away, about to tell Leo the truth about Chloe and me. But Chloe, standing nearby, spoke first, her tone affectionate and slightly exasperated. “Adam and I are just colleagues. I was going over the company’s finances, and you just happened to walk in on us. Not everyone gets to lounge on the couch watching TV after work like you do, Leo.” Chloe casually dismissed our relationship as mere colleagues. I stood opposite her, staring for a long time, my whole body growing stiff. Even though we always addressed each other as colleagues at the office, hearing Chloe say those words, one by one, felt like daggers piercing my heart. I gritted my teeth, full of resentment, and began, “Chloe, we clearly are…” “Shut up!” Chloe cut me off before I could finish, giving me a cold, emotionless glance. “Don’t say what shouldn’t be said. I believe I still have the right to decide this matter.” I shook my head in disappointment, the last flicker of hope deep in my eyes slowly dying out. Leo, meanwhile, smiled sweetly. Hearing that Chloe and I were just colleagues, he unhesitatingly sat down at the dining table beside Chloe, his voice brimming with delight. “Wow, it’s all my favorites! You’re so good to me, Chloe.” With that, Leo leaned in and pecked Chloe on the cheek. Chloe froze for a moment. When she recovered, she cautiously glanced in my direction out of the corner of her eye. Only when she saw that I seemed to be looking down the entire time, as if I hadn’t noticed, did she finally relax. “Eat up. I know you like these; I ordered them all for you.” Leo, his mouth full of food, mumbled, his tone laced with a hint of dissatisfaction. “Chloe, you love teasing me. You knew the power would be out at my apartment today, but you didn’t tell me in advance. I almost slipped and fell while showering!” “Oh no! Are you hurt? My fault, I didn’t think it would happen so coincidentally.” “Heh heh, I was just kidding. I’d already finished showering when the power went out.” “This was a surprise I prepared for you today. Do you like it?” … The two chatted away, oblivious to my presence. I hadn’t realized their conversations were so intimate, so boundary-less. It wasn’t until Chloe filled Leo’s bowl with food that I belatedly realized: every single dish on that table was Leo’s favorite. Our much-anticipated fifth wedding anniversary… I was just a supporting character in Leo’s meal. Chloe coming home early today and arranging this feast wasn’t for me at all. In that instant, I felt like I knew exactly when Chloe’s heart had changed. The terrifying realization pressed on my chest like a giant stone, suffocating me. I stood up, a bitter taste in my mouth, preparing to leave. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out.” Leo remained seated. “Adam, aren’t you going to eat something before you leave?” “No, it’s fine. It’s not appropriate.” “Then let me see you out.” Leo started to stand up, as if he were the man of the house. But Chloe pressed him back down onto the chair. “He knows the way; you don’t need to see him out.” That was the last thing Chloe said as I left the villa. Not a single word of retention. Standing outside the villa, listening to the laughter and joyful voices inside, I dialed my lawyer’s number: “Mr. Henderson, can you draft my divorce agreement for me today?” On the other end, the lawyer sighed. “Mr. Thompson, let’s discuss it in person.” **Chapter 3** I went directly to a law firm. I took the elevator, familiar with the route, to the law office. Clearly, it wasn’t my first visit. “Mr. Henderson, can my divorce agreement be drafted today? Do you need any more documents?” The lawyer, sitting opposite me, frowned, flipping through old records. “It’s already halfway done. If I work overtime today, it should be ready.” “However, looking at your previous requests, you were planning to file for divorce next month. Why the rush now?” I gave a faint smile. “Better a sharp pain than a lingering one, right? It’s bound to happen sooner or later.” I stayed at the law firm until late into the night. When I left, I carried a black folder in my hand. Since leaving the law firm, my brow hadn’t unfurrowed. “This divorce agreement requires both parties to sign.” I had already signed my name the first chance I got. But the next, most crucial step was getting Chloe to sign hers. Suddenly, my phone rang, breaking my train of thought. It was Chloe. “Where are you? Why aren’t you home so late? Give me your address; I’ll come pick you up.” After a moment’s thought, I gave Chloe an address. “Alright, come pick me up. I also have something to tell you.” I thought that if Chloe truly came to pick me up this time, I would confront her directly, openly discuss everything, including my intention to divorce. But one hour, then two hours, slowly passed. I still didn’t hear from Chloe. When I opened my phone to call her, I saw a new photo on SnapChat. It was a picture of Leo’s apartment, completely dark, lit only by a single candle. The faint candlelight illuminated Chloe’s left hand. Although it was too dark to see her face, I knew it was her. I couldn’t possibly mistake the wedding ring on her finger. [Power outage at home is so dark, the boss is spending a candlelight evening with me!] I stared blankly for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh. No wonder Chloe hadn’t come; she was occupied elsewhere. I “liked” Leo’s SnapChat story and walked home, step by step. I returned home, showered, and lay in bed. It wasn’t until I was half-asleep that Chloe finally came back. She got into bed and, quite naturally, grabbed my hand. Chloe forcefully pressed herself against my chest, pulling my hand to her waist. Her cold, thin lips brushed against my neck. “Adam, it’s been a while since we’ve been intimate…” The moment Chloe spoke, A scent of men’s cologne I didn’t recognize made me involuntarily sneeze. Coincidentally, it was the exact same cologne Leo wore. It made me feel a little sick. Tiredly, I pushed Chloe’s embrace away, my voice calm. “Not tonight, I don’t feel well.” This was the first time I had ever refused her. A flicker of surprise crossed Chloe’s eyes. However, after I sneezed several more times, Chloe remembered her broken promise from earlier, and a look of guilt crossed her face. “Adam, are you catching a cold? I should take you to the hospital.” “I’m so sorry, Adam. I broke my promise today. Something came up at the company; I was going to pick you up, but then I got too busy and couldn’t make it.” I closed my eyes, nodded, and said, “No need,” then fell silent. The woman I had shared a bed with for five years no longer spoke a single truth to me. Any lingering guilt I had about secretly drafting the divorce agreement vanished. **Chapter 4** The next morning, we both left the villa one after another for the company. As I arrived downstairs at the office building, I saw Chloe getting out of her car with Leo. Chloe would explain her relationship with me to everyone, but she never bothered to hide her intimacy with Leo. In her words, she was “acting with integrity,” and their relationship was “pure and innocent, nothing to hide.” Meanwhile, her relationship with me was like something stolen, meant to be kept in the dark. Seeing me, Leo jogged over and handed me a bag of bagels. “Adam, what a coincidence! These are for you, a thank-you for liking my SnapChat post yesterday.” Chloe, who had been following behind Leo, heard this and grew curious. “What SnapChat post?” Leo then pulled out his phone, showing my “like” on his story from yesterday. Chloe’s pupils contracted. Perhaps she remembered her lie from yesterday; her expression grew flustered as she looked at me. However, seeing me calmly accept the bagels from Leo, she visibly relaxed. Chloe reassured herself. Maybe I hadn’t connected all the dots. I took the bagels, said “Thanks” with a smile, and squeezed into the elevator. Chloe frowned as I left. She felt something was off about me today, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Once Chloe arrived at her office, she called someone from the finance department to inquire about my recent work performance. “I saw Mr. Thompson at Mr. Henderson’s law firm last night. I wonder if there’s a family issue he needs to deal with.” Those words immediately piqued Chloe’s interest. She and I were family, so she would naturally know if I had any need for a lawyer. Chloe harbored a growing suspicion. She remembered the address I’d given her yesterday was right near the law firm. She was about to call me in for questioning. Unexpectedly, I knocked on her office door first. “Ms. Spencer, here’s the employee salary disbursement report for last month. It needs your signature.” I took a black folder from my bag and handed it to Chloe. Every page that required a signature had been marked by me. “Ms. Spencer, the pages that need your signature are right here…” “I know, I’ll just take a quick look.” I don’t know what went wrong. Chloe, who usually didn’t examine things too closely, was unusually meticulous this time. “I heard you went to a law firm yesterday?” Chloe’s sudden question made my heart leap. If Chloe knew this was a divorce agreement, would she sign it? I didn’t dare risk that chance. All I wanted now was to get away from Chloe as quickly as possible. “You know the company is about to sign a big project. I asked the lawyer to check the contract for any loopholes.” Perhaps my calm demeanor dispelled Chloe’s doubts. She turned to the last page that needed a signature and quickly frowned again. “What kind of contract is this? Why is there only one page?” There wasn’t much information on it, just the usual boilerplate legal jargon about “three copies” or “standard procedures.” But I had prepared for this. My face was impassive, but my voice carried a slight urgency. “I just found an error in this contract this morning, so I took it to be corrected. Please sign it quickly; this contract is urgent.” Chloe looked up at me. She trusted me not to lie to her, but she still felt something was off. Unbeknownst to her, as Chloe hesitated, my relaxed heart tightened again. Although the contract content was minimal, a closer look would reveal the faint words “Law Firm Divorce Agreement” in the top left corner. “Chloe, I think Leo just fell outside.” I used Leo to distract Chloe. Just then, a faint noise came from outside the door, unsettling Chloe. She didn’t have time to inspect or question the contract further, hastily signing it. I breathed a sigh of relief, satisfied, and left. Before I left, I saw Chloe carefully, repeatedly checking Leo’s body. It was just a spilled water glass, but she reacted as if her beloved treasure had been hurt. This time, I felt profoundly calm. The moment I decided to divorce, I had already let Chloe go. **Chapter 5** That afternoon, I immediately contacted Mr. Henderson. “Once the divorce agreement is signed, there’s nothing else. However, there’s a thirty-day cooling-off period. During this time, if either party disagrees, you’ll have to continue negotiating.” I was already well aware of these divorce regulations. Back at Chloe’s villa, I immediately started packing my bags. I decided to keep it a secret from Chloe. Living in this villa for five years, at first glance, there were traces of my life everywhere. But as I packed my belongings, I found I had surprisingly few things. It made me realize once again how reluctant Chloe must have been to marry me. Otherwise, our five-year marriage wouldn’t have been filled only with resignation and no happiness. When Chloe returned, I was smiling bitterly as I placed a towel into my suitcase. She frowned. “Adam, are you packing? Where are you going?” I hadn’t expected Chloe to come home so early today. But I remained composed, calmly continuing to pack. “Nowhere special. Some clothes have gotten moldy or old, so I’m just going to donate them.” “Donate them? Why?” I looked up, smiling. “Didn’t I tell you? I actually grew up in a…” I hadn’t finished my sentence when Chloe cut me off. A phone call, ringing at that moment, diverted Chloe’s attention, leaving her no time to investigate further. The instant Chloe picked up the phone, I saw the caller ID and name: [My Leo]. A unique nickname, affectionate and intimate. Unlike me, whose contact name in Chloe’s phone was simply “Adam Thompson.” “I’m home. You wait patiently there; I’ll be right over.” With that, Chloe smiled and hung up. She looked up, realizing I had overheard the entire conversation. “Leo’s looking for you?” I asked. Chloe immediately became flustered, trying to explain. “Adam, don’t misunderstand. It’s just that Leo’s apartment suddenly had another power outage, and I don’t feel safe being alone at home. If I accidentally trip and fall, it wouldn’t be good, so I…” I quickly cut off Chloe’s rambling. I smiled and said I understood. But the more I did this, the more uneasy Chloe became. My odd behavior these past few days made her increasingly frustrated. It was like a sheet of paper in front of her, ready to tear with a gentle touch. But she couldn’t quite touch it; she couldn’t find the answer. She watched me finish packing my suitcase, then looked around. The entire house seemed to be exactly as it was, unchanged. My clothes for daily wear were ironed and neatly arranged. Even the jewelry to match each dress was meticulously placed beside it. Chloe couldn’t find an answer and suspected she was too busy lately and imagining things about me. “Oh, right, Adam, what were you about to say? How about we go to Leo’s place together?” I was silent for a moment. I had actually been about to tell Chloe that I grew up in an orphanage. My occasional departures over the years were to return to that orphanage, to visit the director and the children. But now, it seemed, there was no need to say any of that. As for going to Leo’s place together, I quickly refused. I patted the suitcase I had just packed. “I won’t go. I still need to find a place to donate these clothes.” My excuse once again left Chloe with no grounds for suspicion. This time, however, she didn’t drop the subject. “Then I’ll go with you. It’ll be easier with the car.” She looked at me intently, as if trying to read my thoughts. But this time, I lowered my head and didn’t refuse. I understood Chloe well. I knew she had already sensed that something was wrong. With only thirty days left, I didn’t want all my efforts to be in vain. We got into the car, one after the other. Just as I was racking my brain to find a way to get rid of Chloe, A message from Leo called Chloe away. Chloe looked at me with an apologetic expression. “Adam, I’m so sorry. I can’t go with you to donate clothes this time. Something at the company needs my attention.” I nodded with a smile, agreeing. Chloe always thought she was keeping her secrets perfectly. Just as she was about to get out of the car, I suddenly asked her, “If I hadn’t saved Mrs. Spencer six years ago, would you have married me?” My question didn’t seem to catch Chloe’s attention. Her mind was entirely focused on Leo, wishing she had wings to fly to his side. “Of course, not! We got married because I loved you.” “Just like that?” “Just like that!” I suddenly laughed. I chose to let go of Chloe, whose mind was already elsewhere. To let go of this person who spoke to me with such obvious perfunctory indifference. It wasn’t until Chloe’s car disappeared around the bend that I allowed my red-rimmed eyes to shed tears, whispering, “Liar.” **Chapter 6** Speaking of how Chloe and I first met, it was quite a coincidence. When I first arrived in this city, after much searching, I ended up renting Mrs. Spencer’s house. On my very first day there, Mrs. Spencer collapsed due to a sudden illness, falling unconscious. Thankfully, I discovered her in time and rushed her to the hospital. Later, Mrs. Spencer’s surgery was successful, but her health had deteriorated. She required long-term care. Coincidentally, having just arrived in the city, I didn’t have a job. So, at Mrs. Spencer and Chloe’s urging, I took on the job of caring for Mrs. Spencer. Sadly, due to her severe illness, Mrs. Spencer passed away a year later. And Chloe, following her mother’s dying wish, married me. Five years had flown by since then. Filled with youthful ambition, I always believed that one day I could warm Chloe’s cold heart. But after five years, I was tired. I couldn’t fight anymore. I slowly pulled my suitcase back to the villa and made a call. “Dave, could you please help me find a rental? Nothing too big, just enough for one person, and ideally, I can move in next month.” Dave’s puzzled voice came through the phone. “Rent a place? Adam, you have a few properties listed for sale, why are you looking to rent?” Dave was the real estate agent who helped me find Mrs. Spencer’s house back then. All the properties I’d accumulated over the years had been managed by Dave. He was one of the few friends I could truly talk to in this city. “If you don’t have a place to stay, and want to clear your head, you can always go to Mrs. Spencer’s old house.” “It’s quiet, the environment is nice, and it’s not far from your workplace…” Of course, I wouldn’t agree to Dave’s suggestion. I wanted to draw a clear line between Chloe and me. Why would I stay anywhere connected to Chloe? “Dave, please find me a place elsewhere!” My tone was calm but firm. On the other end of the line, Dave seemed to sense my intentions, sighed, and said no more. Just then, Chloe’s voice came from behind me. “Adam, who are you talking to?” I flinched. I quickly said goodbye on the phone and hung up. I looked at Chloe, my face unreadable. “Just catching up with Dave. We’re planning to grab dinner this weekend.” My words were half-truths, making Chloe frown. She knew Dave was one of my few friends and we’d occasionally keep in touch. But I was a reserved person; I never had much enthusiasm for going out. In these five years, the number of times I’d gone out with others was countable on one hand. “Why the sudden urge to have dinner?” Chloe took off her coat, turned, and looked at me, sitting on the couch without moving, her frown deepening. In the past, whenever she came home, I would always greet her immediately, taking her coat and hanging it on the coat rack myself. But recently, she hadn’t received that treatment. This time, Chloe’s heart began to flutter with unease. “You’ve always disliked going out, haven’t you?” I looked down at my phone. “I just donated all my old clothes, and the weather’s changing, so I need a couple of new pieces. Figured I’d catch up with Dave while I’m at it.” Chloe stared at me intently, as if trying to find a flaw in my words. This feeling of knowing something was off but being unable to pinpoint it made Chloe uncomfortable. “I should have time this weekend. How about I go with you? It’s been ages since we went shopping together.” I finally looked up at Chloe, a flicker of wariness in my eyes. After a moment, I spoke, my voice laced with a hint of petulance. “You’re too busy with work. Let’s not. After all, such a big company, so many people are waiting for you to lead the charge, to support all of us.” These were the exact words Chloe had often used to refuse me in the past. Hearing them from me now, Chloe seemed to relax. Chloe smiled and linked her arm through mine. “Are you still mad?” “I know I’ve been too busy lately and neglected your feelings. I promise I’ll spend quality time with you this weekend.” But Chloe didn’t see the disappointment that flickered in my lowered eyes. I silently thought to myself. Soon. Soon, I’ll be free of you, Chloe. **Chapter 7** The weekend arrived in a flash. Only twenty-four days remained until the divorce was finalized. These past few days, Chloe had been spending noticeably more time at the villa. But she was also increasingly distracted. Under my careful concealment, She hadn’t noticed anything even slightly amiss in the entire villa. The suitcase, full of clothes, leaning by the villa door, had sat there for a whole week, untouched and unnoticed. Today, Dave and I had planned to look at houses. Chloe followed me closely, as if she intended to keep her promise. I had no choice but to take Chloe to the mall. The mall was bustling with activity, yet neither of us was truly engaged. I was focused on escaping, while Chloe’s mind was preoccupied with browsing trendy clothes that only young people would wear. “Chloe, how about we invite Leo to come shopping too?” At my words, Chloe’s eyes seemed to light up. “Really? Is that okay? I said I’d spend the whole day with you, no work talk.” I sighed inwardly. Chloe already had her phone out, preparing to make the call. So why had she bothered to pretend reluctance, to deceive herself just now? Leo arrived quickly, in less than ten minutes. I wasn’t naive; I could guess Leo had probably been waiting in the mall all along. The person who notified him was obvious. This was exactly the kind of thing Chloe would do. A trio outing, where only two people truly enjoyed themselves. Suddenly, the fire alarm blared through the mall. Fire! Thick black smoke billowed, and the crowd in front rapidly retreated. Chloe tightly shielded Leo. Meanwhile, I was jostled and pushed in the surging crowd, nearly falling to the ground. I turned back, and my gaze met Chloe’s across the chaos. Chloe’s face was anxious, wanting to move forward, but with Leo’s continuous urging, she hardened her heart and turned away. “Adam, wait for me! I’ll get Leo out, and I’ll be right back to save you!” My face was expressionless. I calmly watched as Chloe and Leo disappeared into the crowd. Using the panicked crowd as a cover, I quietly left the mall. I met up with Dave, and we went to several places to look at apartments. By the time I returned home, it was late at night. I hadn’t expected Chloe to still be waiting for me. Seeing me enter the house, Chloe rushed over. After only half a day apart, Chloe’s face looked much worse. “Adam, where were you? Your phone was off; I was so worried about you.” Chloe grabbed my arm, checking it repeatedly until she noticed a faint red mark on my neck. She suddenly slapped herself across the face. The sharp sound made me momentarily lose my composure, though it quickly turned into a pang of regret. “I’m sorry, Adam. Today was all my fault, all my fault…” I gave a hollow laugh. I didn’t feel any emotion; I just felt a profound lack of interest. “I’m fine. I just wasn’t paying attention while shopping with Dave, and my phone died.” Then, I suddenly stepped forward, avoiding Chloe’s attempt to take my hand. “I’m a bit tired today. I’ll go rest in my room.” Chloe stood there, somewhat flustered. She suddenly felt me drifting further and further away, slipping through her fingers. **Chapter 8** In the following days, I stayed quietly at home. To avoid raising Chloe’s suspicion. I didn’t go anywhere, just waited for time to pass. The apartment I planned to move into had already been settled. But on the last day before signing the contract, the landlord backed out. Dave called me, “The landlord said a woman named Spencer, with a young man named Miller, offered a higher price and rented the place on the spot.” I understood my relationship with Chloe. Coupled with my strange behavior lately, I had my suspicions. I didn’t say much, just asked Dave to find another apartment. That evening, I deliberately tested Chloe. “I heard you rented an apartment for Leo?” I didn’t have any ulterior motives for saying this. I just wanted to confirm it so I could specifically avoid that area in the future. Chloe, however, seemed flustered, her hands nervously fidgeting. “Adam, don’t misunderstand. You know Leo’s previous rental had terrible conditions; the power would go out every other day.” “I just considered that Leo is a company employee, and this counts as an employee benefit.” I nodded, indicating understanding. I didn’t argue or raise my voice, even sharing a couple of jokes with Chloe. Chloe looked at me, seeing my unusually calm demeanor, and a hint of fear suddenly appeared in her eyes. “Adam, are you hiding something from me?” The hand I was playing with on my phone paused slightly, but quickly resumed its calm motion. I looked up, smiling. “No, why would you say that?” Chloe remained silent. She always felt I was hiding something from her. But she couldn’t find any evidence, so she forced a smile and said, “Nothing.” In the following days, with Dave’s help, I found an apartment far from that area. Once it was confirmed, I immediately moved all my belongings from the villa into the new place. In Chloe’s villa, I didn’t leave behind a single towel or a pair of slippers. That night was my last in Chloe’s villa. I had messaged Chloe earlier, planning to tell her everything that night. I cooked a table full of dishes, considering it our last dinner before the divorce. Unfortunately, Chloe still stood me up. As the clock struck ten at night, Chloe still hadn’t come home. I took out my phone and saw a SnapChat story of Chloe celebrating with Leo. That’s when I realized it was also Leo’s first day moving into his new apartment. I watched it all calmly. Not even willing to spare a little time for me, for Leo? All the dishes on the table were dumped into the trash can. Chloe, if you knew that after today, our thirty-day divorce cooling-off period would be over… Would you regret standing me up again today? I left a letter for Chloe. But then I thought, we were already getting a divorce; there was no need to bring up old matters. I tore the letter into shreds and threw it into the trash, leaving only a photocopy of the divorce agreement. And my wedding ring. I erased every trace of my existence from the villa. Finally, I closed the door and left. It wasn’t until I had gone that Chloe finally arrived, fashionably late. She habitually tidied her makeup, checked herself over, and then put on an apologetic smile. Pushing open the door, she immediately began to apologize. “I’m so sorry, Adam. I was just about to come home when I ran into Mr. Zhang, a major client, and we ended up chatting over dinner for a bit.” But this time, in the empty house, there was no sound other than her own echo. Chloe called my name several more times. The house remained silent. Her face quickly changed, becoming somewhat distorted with fear. A cold draft swept through the house, Flipping over the divorce agreement and a resignation letter on the coffee table. The scattered divorce agreement revealed her signature. **Chapter 9** Chloe’s pupils widened instantly, and she murmured to herself, “Impossible! This must be fake! I never signed anything like this!”

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I stared at the invitation to Julian Vance’s IPO celebration party, almost laughing out loud. Ms. Dawson, our project director, stood beside me, her voice dripping with sycophancy, like she was trying too hard. “Sarah Hayes, you truly are our company’s most outstanding employee! The Vance & Miller Group is such a massive project, about to ring the Nasdaq bell. Mr. Vance personally requested us to handle all pre-IPO public relations risks. Land this project, and the partner position at year-end is yours, no question.” I ran my fingers over the cardstock. Its edge was sharp, like a blade. Three years ago, I was Evelyn Reed, the golden girl from one of the city’s most prominent families. And Julian Vance was my fiancé. He’d whispered sweet nothings, swearing he loved me. Then, behind my back, he’d teamed up with outsiders, using meticulously planned financial leverage to bleed my father’s life’s work dry, leaving nothing but dust. My father suffered a sudden heart attack and died in his office the day after signing the equity transfer agreement. I plunged from the clouds straight into hell. Meanwhile, Julian, stepping over the ashes of my family’s legacy, flew off into the sunset with my supposed best friend, Celeste Miller. They founded the “Vance & Miller Group.” Vance for Julian. Miller for Celeste. How ironic. Now, he was about to take this blood-soaked “love child” public. And he needed a top-tier PR consultant to whitewash his past, erase every inconvenient trace. He found me. Or rather, he found “Sarah Hayes.” A rising star in the industry, a gold-standard crisis management consultant with a spotless record, ruthless methods, and a mysterious background.

Ms. Dawson noticed my prolonged silence and grew a little anxious. “Sarah? This is a huge deal, and Mr. Vance is incredibly generous.” I looked up and smiled. “Don’t worry, Ms. Dawson. I’m taking this case.” I wouldn’t just take it; I’d make it the most perfect masterpiece of my life. I would personally help him build the highest tower, then, the moment he reached the top, I’d yank out every foundation stone and watch him crash into a pathetic puddle.

The project kick-off meeting was scheduled in the penthouse conference room of the Vance & Miller Group. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city’s financial district stretched out, traffic flowing like silent, iron-colored blood. Julian Vance sat at the head of the table, impeccably dressed in a bespoke suit, his eyes behind designer glasses still holding that same gentle, yet completely controlled, expression. Celeste Miller sat beside him, a slight baby bump visible beneath her hand as she tenderly caressed it, her face glowing with the soft radiance of a happily married woman. She saw me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, quickly replaced by the scrutinizing gaze of someone in power. Of course, she didn’t recognize me. After three years off the grid, I’d lost twenty pounds, cut my long hair, put on black-rimmed glasses, and even changed my speaking cadence. Now, I was just “Sarah Hayes,” an overly calm, almost sharp professional woman. Julian glanced at me, his tone strictly business. “Ms. Hayes, my requirements are simple. The Vance & Miller Group’s past must be a blank slate. Any old news, any rumors that could cause controversy, I need them completely gone before the IPO.” I pushed up my glasses and opened my laptop. “Mr. Vance, PR isn’t magic. It’s science. To make the public forget, the best method isn’t deletion, it’s saturation. We need to craft a new, unbreakable ‘persona’ and ‘story’ for you and the Vance & Miller Group. A rags-to-riches tale of a genius financier and his devoted wife, weathering all storms together to build a business empire. The more perfect this story, the better it will conceal those ‘imperfections’ of the past.” My voice was perfectly even, devoid of any emotion. Julian’s lips curved into a subtle, approving smile. “Ms. Hayes, you’re certainly a professional. We’ll do as you suggest.” He paused, as if remembering something, then added in a condescending tone: “Especially regarding… my former fiancée. I don’t want her resurfacing, rehashing old issues, and damaging the company’s reputation.” Celeste immediately hooked her arm through his, softly saying, “Julian, it’s all in the past. Evelyn was just confused back then, let’s not blame her.” I lowered my eyes, staring at the blinking cursor on my screen. My stomach twisted into knots. Ha. Not blame me? She didn’t deserve to utter those words. I wanted nothing more than to smash my laptop into her sanctimonious face. But I held back. My fingers typed a line on the keyboard: [Phase one objective: Gain absolute trust. Become the blade that will slay the dragon.] The meeting ended, and as I was about to leave, a voice called out to me. “Ms. Hayes.” It was Julian Vance. He walked over and handed me a business card. “This is my private number. If you have any issues during the project, you can contact me directly.” I took the card. The moment my fingertips brushed his, he paused slightly. I sneered inwardly, my face maintaining its professional detachment. “Understood, Mr. Vance.” As I turned, I heard Celeste ask in a sweet, cooing voice: “Julian, why are you being so polite to her? She’s just a PR consultant, right?” Julian’s voice was low, but I still caught it. “This woman isn’t simple. Keep her close. She’s useful.” Oh, useful. Julian Vance, you’ll soon find out just how “not simple” I truly am.

The first step of my plan was to make him dependent on me. I pulled every string, leveraging every resource to brand him as the city’s newest “business prodigy.” I arranged interviews for him with top financial magazines, portraying him as a visionary investment genius. Anonymously, I planted meticulously crafted stories on various forums and social media platforms: a deeply devoted man who, after his fiancée’s ruthless betrayal, endured hardship and, with his current wife, built a commercial empire from the ground up, creating a miracle. In no time, the love story of Julian Vance and Celeste Miller became a celebrated tale in the city’s elite circles. The Vance & Miller Group’s reputation soared to unprecedented heights. Julian grew increasingly satisfied, increasingly reliant on me. He’d call me in the middle of the night because a headline wasn’t “impactful” enough, or immediately seek my advice over a competitor’s minor negative news. He started inviting me to dinner, and the conversations weren’t always strictly business. He’d talk about his future plans, his market insights, even his ridiculous “philosophical musings.” The look in his eyes, which had initially been one of scrutiny, gradually became tinged with curiosity and… interest. Once, in a private room at a club, he’d had too much to drink and suddenly grabbed my hand. “Sarah, you remind me a lot of someone I used to know.” My heart lurched, but I calmly pulled my hand away, my expression unchanged. “Really? The world is full of similar people.” “No.” He shook his head, his eyes slightly unfocused. “It’s a feeling… an unyielding fire. Too bad she wasn’t as smart as you.” I picked up my glass and took a sip of the icy liquid. “You flatter me, Mr. Vance. I’m just an employee.” Damn him. I truly wanted to splash that drink in his conceited face. Evelyn Reed wasn’t smart? If I hadn’t been smart, I would’ve jumped from a tall building three years ago, instead of standing here now, listening to his garbage. The web of evidence I was secretly collecting was tightening around him. I needed an accomplice, someone who could transform this evidence into a bullet aimed straight at Julian’s heart at the most crucial moment. I found Marcus Thorne. The Editor-in-Chief of ‘Market Watch’. A man known for his uncompromising integrity in the industry, from humble beginnings, unafraid of power or influence. Julian Vance had once used his capital to suppress Marcus after he investigated a financial fraud case. I arranged to meet him at an unassuming cafe. I pushed an anonymous tip-off package across the table to him. Inside were preliminary leads on Julian Vance’s early insider trading activities. Marcus read it, then looked up, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s. “Who are you? What do you want?” “Someone who wants to see justice served.” I met his eyes. “These are just appetizers. I have the real evidence, enough to put him behind bars. But I need the right timing, and a platform that can make this explode across the entire internet instantly.” He was silent for a long time, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. “Why should I trust you?” “Because we share a common enemy.” I stared directly into his eyes. “And because of ‘Market Watch’s’ reputation, Mr. Thorne. You wouldn’t want to miss the biggest financial scandal of the century, would you?” His eyes lit up. “Tell me your plan.” Our alliance was forged.

As the IPO date approached, Julian Vance’s ambitions grew exponentially. I used my position to access the Vance & Miller Group’s core financial data. And what I found… it was worse than I ever imagined. The company’s financial reports were crafted to perfection, like a beautifully wrapped gift. But as I peeled back layer after layer of disguise, what I saw was a horrifying black hole. Massive amounts of funds had been transferred to offshore shell corporations through complex cross-border transactions. The so-called “high-tech projects” were nothing more than fronts to scam government subsidies and investor funds. Julian Vance wasn’t interested in building a commercial empire. He was setting up a scheme. A colossal financial scam. He planned to dump his shares at the peak of the company’s IPO, cash out, steal all the investors’ money, then run off with Celeste and disappear without a trace. If this scam succeeded, tens of thousands of families would lose everything. They would be bled dry, just like my father three years ago. I shared my investigation results with Marcus Thorne. On the phone, his voice was grave. “This isn’t just commercial fraud anymore, it’s draining the lifeblood from the entire market. Ms. Reed, are you… sure you want to do this alone? It’s incredibly dangerous.” Ms. Reed. He knew my identity. I wasn’t surprised. With his capabilities, uncovering “Sarah Hayes’s” past was only a matter of time. “Mr. Thorne.” I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the city lights below. “Three years ago, I lost everything. Now, I can’t stand by and watch him destroy thousands of other families.” “This isn’t just my revenge.” “It’s my responsibility.” I hung up and turned back to the mountains of documents piled in my office. These were Julian Vance’s death warrant. And I was going to be the one to ring his death knell. The day before the celebration party, Julian Vance called me to his office. He handed me a velvet box. “Sarah, you’ve worked incredibly hard these past few months. This is your reward.” I opened it. Inside was an expensive diamond necklace. “After tomorrow, we’ll usher in a new era.” He was beaming with triumph as he walked closer to me, his voice dropping, tinged with a suggestive暧昧 tone. “Interested in joining me to pioneer this new era?” He thought I could be bought with money and status. He thought all women were like Celeste, easily manipulated by him. I closed the box and pushed it back to him. “Mr. Vance, I’m just a consultant. My work will be complete after tomorrow’s celebration.” The smile on his face froze. “You’re rejecting me?” “No.” I looked at him, enunciating each word. “I’m telling you that tomorrow, you absolutely must give me an opportunity to give my final work report on stage. I’ll present you and all the guests with a real ‘surprise’.” His eyes became complex, filled with confusion, curiosity, but mostly, offended arrogance. He hadn’t understood my hint. But it didn’t matter. The game was almost over. He would understand soon enough.

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I seduced Asher Blackwood ninety-nine times. After getting him drunk, I finally got him into my bed, then used the scandal to force a marriage between our families. His first love, Celeste, took my place in an arranged family alliance. She ended her own life not long after. For over a thousand nights after our wedding, he never laid a hand on me. He dated countless women, spent nights with them, but never once entered my bedroom. But when a tsunami struck, He held my wrist tightly, pushing me towards the last lifeboat. “Chloe Carter, I’m giving you the chance to live. In another life, promise me you’ll let Celeste and me find our happiness?” My heart felt like it was being sliced open. Asher Blackwood had never forgotten her. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day my father chose the alliance candidate. I pressed a dagger to my throat, threatening him. “Dad, I’ll marry that living demon from the Vance family!” “Let Asher Blackwood and Celeste Carter finally be together.” This time, I only wished to never see him again.

Dad’s face turned ashen, his eyes red. It wasn’t until a bodyguard quickly disarmed me that he spoke, his voice trembling. “Are you crazy! Do you know what kind of place the Vance family is? Do you want to be the next Mrs. Vance to die there?” Our company’s finances collapsed, and the Vance family injected a hundred million dollars. Our family sending a daughter was an open secret among our circles. And that chosen one had always been Dad’s adopted daughter, my dear sister Celeste. No one would believe that I, who’d always had a fierce rivalry with Celeste, would be willing to leap into hell for her. My knees buckled, and I sank directly before Dad, my gaze still stubborn. “Dad, I understand everything, but I *will* marry into that family!” The astonishment on Dad’s face turned into helplessness, finally settling into a long sigh. The Vance family, titans of real estate in the Northern Quarter. Their young master, Julian Vance, suffered severe anger management issues after crippling his leg in a car accident. When it flared, he’d spare no one. His two previous wives were driven to suicide, cutting their wrists. In my previous life, Celeste didn’t survive three months in the Vance household. This time, no matter how Dad tried to sway me with Asher Blackwood, I remained unwavering. Celeste Carter would marry Asher Blackwood as she wished. Outside the Blackwood Estate, I lingered for a long time, but eventually walked in. Asher Blackwood was on his knees, crying like a child before Grandpa Blackwood, who was on the sofa. “Grandpa! I’m begging you!” “Save Celeste! Please save her!” His face was streaked with tears and despair. “I don’t want anything! The Blackwood inheritance, I don’t want it!” “I only want Celeste!” This very day, in my previous life, was just the same. He got completely drunk for Celeste, and I seized the opportunity to get him into my bed in the guest room. Then, I used our family names to force him to marry me. My appearance instantly drew their attention. Asher Blackwood sharply looked up. The moment he saw me, a terrifying hatred erupted from his bloodshot eyes. He stumbled to his feet, lunging at me like a madman, his hands gripping my shoulders. The force was so great, it felt like my bones would shatter. “Why do you have to be my fiancée *now*?!” “It’s you! You’re the reason I can’t even protect Celeste!” Sharp pain shot through my shoulders, but I held back, not letting my tears fall. “Asher Blackwood, you’ll be happy.” He seemed not to hear, his hand already at my slender throat. Suffocation instantly seized me. I staggered, my body swaying uncontrollably. “You scoundrel!” Grandpa Blackwood struck Asher Blackwood’s back hard with his cane, finally snapping the nearly uncontrollable man out of it. Asher Blackwood slid to the floor, his face contorted with the same agony as in my last life. “Don’t you know Celeste will die if she marries him?! She’s only twenty-five, how can you all be so cruel?!” I wanted to tell him that the marriage candidate had changed to me. But the words caught in my throat, a bitter ache in my chest making me change my mind. “This marriage alliance, it’s either her or me.” Asher Blackwood’s sobs abruptly ceased. He looked up blankly, staring at me. I forced a smile that was more like a grimace. “She’ll die if she marries him, but what about me?” The entire living room fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even Grandpa Blackwood clutched his cane, looking at me in shock. “Asher Blackwood, I’m only twenty-two.” “Do I deserve to die?” ### CUTOFF POINT ### The silence was absolute. 2. Asher Blackwood stared at me, as if truly considering the question for the first time. After a long moment, Grandpa Blackwood broke the deadlock. “Chloe, our Blackwood family has always favored you. This boy, he’s a scoundrel…” I bent down, bowing deeply to Grandpa Blackwood, interrupting his next words. “Thank you, Grandpa Blackwood.” I turned and left. Asher Blackwood, the life I owed you, Now, I can finally repay it. From now on, you and your beloved can be happy together, forever. I spent the entire night awake. The marriage alliance had switched to me, meaning my death was only a matter of time. As dawn broke, I went to my usual diner. The owner placed a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup in front of me. I had just picked up my spoon, when the diner door was kicked open from outside. A tall figure, enveloped in a chilling aura, stormed in. The familiar scent of his expensive cologne. It was Asher Blackwood. His eyes were bloodshot, like a cornered beast, staring fixedly at me. The other customers were startled and all turned to look. He strode over to my table in a few steps. “Crash!” He swept the scalding bowl of soup off my table. The hot liquid splashed entirely onto my bare legs! “Ah!” I cried out in pain. My skin instantly blazed red, the agony piercing. “Young man, what are you doing!” The owner shrieked, rushing over. Asher Blackwood ignored her, grabbing my wrist with a force that felt like it would shatter my bones. “Chloe Carter!” He snarled through gritted teeth, his voice filled with venomous hatred. “Your sister is about to be ruined because of you, and you’re still here eating soup?!” I struggled in pain, but he squeezed my wrist tighter. “Let go of me!” An old man at the next table couldn’t stand it anymore. “Talk it out properly! Let the young lady go first! She’s been burned!” But Asher Blackwood’s rage burned even hotter. He leaned in, his face almost touching mine. “Chloe Carter, why don’t you just die?” His voice wasn’t loud, but it pierced my heart like an ice pick. “If it were *you* who died at Julian Vance’s hands, how perfect would that be!” “A wicked woman like you deserves to be tortured to death by that madman!” I froze, stopping my struggle. He had said the same thing in my previous life. Exactly the same. A hot tear unexpectedly fell, landing precisely on the back of his hand. Asher Blackwood flinched violently, as if scalded. Seeing my tear-streaked face, the cruelty in his eyes faded, replaced by a flicker of regret. “I…” He released my hand. A glaring red mark already stood out on my wrist, and my leg, splashed with soup, burned fiercely. “Wait here for me. I’ll buy you some medicine…” I knew his concern wasn’t because of love. It was simply because we’d known each other since childhood, and he saw me as nothing more than a younger sister. His heart, his thoughts, were always for Celeste Carter. For Celeste, let alone my leg, he’d sacrifice my very life without a second thought. This time, I didn’t foolishly wait for him to return as I had in my previous life. The moment he turned, I turned too, limping out of the diner. Asher Blackwood, Last life, I threw myself at you, head over heels. This life, I won’t. 3. The wedding was scheduled for a week later. Asher Blackwood practically lived at my house. In the music room, he and Celeste played a piano duet, notes flowing like water, the soft light enveloping them. Their silhouettes were as perfectly matched as a beautifully framed painting. I stood outside the door, watching their fingers intertwine, watching Celeste lean gently into his embrace. She curled her lips at me, giving a victor’s smile. My heart felt like it was being brutally squeezed by an invisible hand. I turned and left, making no sound. Deep into the night, I turned off the lights and curled up under my duvet. A knock sounded at the door. “Chloe.” Asher Blackwood’s voice came through the door, low and restrained. “What happened at the diner… I was wrong.” “I bought the best burn cream.” He paused, “Open the door, let me see your injury.” I bit my lip hard, staying silent. Silence fell outside the door. One second, two seconds… Until a soft sigh. Then, footsteps, receding without hesitation. I closed my eyes, my nails digging deep into my palms. Asher Blackwood, stop pitying me. You and Celeste were always meant to be. On the eve of the wedding, as dusk fell, I knelt in the garden, meticulously trimming the branches and leaves of the sunflowers with gardening shears. They were the only things my mother had left me. The crunch of high heels on the dirt sounded unusually harsh. Celeste Carter had arrived. She stood with her arms crossed, looking at me as if I were something dirty. “Chloe Carter, the esteemed Miss Carter, constantly dealing with dirt. Isn’t that embarrassing?” In the sunlight, her brand-new designer bag gleamed. My fingernails, however, were full of fresh soil. I didn’t even lift my head. “These are my mother’s flowers. There’s no shame in taking care of them.” She scoffed, then also crouched down, her designer dress pooling on the ground. “Sunflowers?” She extended her fingers, painted scarlet, and plucked a petal. “You’re marrying that madman tomorrow, why pretend to be so innocent and good?” The shears cut deep into my palm, but I continued to trim in silence. Celeste’s smile suddenly turned vicious. She pinched the flower stem, and bright yellow petals fluttered down. “I’ll make you suffer!” Her sharp heel stomped down hard on the flower head, sap splattering onto her expensive shoes. Once, twice, until the bright yellow was completely crushed into the black mud. My eyes burned, a metallic taste rising in my throat. “Celeste Carter! That’s enough!” She looked up, her foot still on the trampled flower, her lips curved like a bloodied blade: “So, you care *that* much?” “What good were your mother’s useless plants? A worthless short-life who couldn’t even dodge a small car accident!” I couldn’t hold back anymore, my voice trembling. “You don’t deserve to speak of my mother!” “If she hadn’t gone to save *you* from being kidnapped, she wouldn’t have been in that car crash!” “Save me?” She burst into laughter as if she’d heard the funniest joke, covering her mouth. “Chloe Carter, are you an idiot?” “I’ll tell you the truth.” “That day, I was never kidnapped.” She leaned close to me, lowering her voice, every word like poisoned ice. “That day, Asher Blackwood and I were shopping, buying the latest version of the dress you’re wearing now.” “It was your precious mother, stupid beyond belief.” “I just made up an excuse and made a call, and she actually drove over to her death.” Boom. My entire world exploded. 4. I gripped her collar tightly, my knuckles white. “What… did… you… say?” She looked at my distorted face, her smile growing even more triumphant. “I said, *you* killed your mother!” “Everyone who’s good to you, and not good to me, deserves to die!” The string of my sanity snapped. I lunged at her with the shears. “Celeste Carter! You’ll pay for this!” But she was taller, and crueler. My finger stung, the shears snatched from my hand, the blade carving a crimson arc across my wrist. The next second, She fell backward, hitting the ground hard. “Celeste!” Asher Blackwood’s voice ripped through the twilight. The way he rushed forward reminded me of the tsunami in my previous life. Only this time, he wasn’t running to me. He gently helped Celeste to her feet, his face etched with worry and tenderness. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He checked her meticulously, as if Celeste was some rare treasure. Only after confirming she was unharmed did he finally spare a glance for me. That look, it was like he was looking at garbage. “Chloe Carter! Are you insane?!” He roared, pointing his finger at my nose. “She’s your sister! You actually tried to kill her.” I opened my mouth, my voice shattered. Blood still dripped from my wrist, drop by drop, soaking into the dirt. “Asher Blackwood, it wasn’t me…” “Slap!” A sharp, stinging slap landed hard across my face. Asher Blackwood’s chest heaved, his eyes bloodshot. “I saw everything! How dare you deny it!” “You’re utterly malicious!” Yes. I was malicious. I looked at him and suddenly laughed. My temples throbbed, tears mixed with blood from the corner of my mouth. “Asher Blackwood, is it so hard to believe me just once?” He seemed to freeze, finally noticing my bleeding wrist. But I just felt so tired. Everything spun before my eyes, and the distant sounds were the house staff’s panicked shouts. “Miss Carter is bleeding so much!” “Call an ambulance!” Our house staff later told me that, for once, Asher Blackwood hadn’t gone to Celeste, but had stayed by my bedside for an entire day and night. When I woke, he was muttering disjointedly: “Don’t marry him.” But I knew the person in his dream was no longer me. Sure enough, the moment I was fully conscious, he left without looking back. His vigil had only been out of obligation. I wanted to see Asher Blackwood more, but the Vance family’s wedding convoy wouldn’t give me that chance. The next day, I wore the designer gown sent by the Vance family. As I left the house, Asher Blackwood’s voice came from behind me. His voice sounded urgent, as if he’d rushed to get there. I secretly hoped, if only for a moment, he might be worried about me. “Celeste! I’m sorry, I can’t take you away right now.” “But don’t worry, I’ll come to the Northern Quarter to get you, even if it costs me everything!” My eyelashes fluttered, unable to hold back the weight of my tears. I choked out. “But Asher Blackwood, I’m Chloe Carter.” I stopped clinging to him and got into the Vance family car. Asher Blackwood seemed to stand there for a long time. But fate decreed that we were meant to go our separate ways. At the Vance family wedding banquet, the young master, Julian Vance, who supposedly had severe anger management issues and walked with a limp, actually looked quite refined and handsome. He felt so familiar, like I’d seen him somewhere before. Back at the Vance family mansion, helping Julian up the stairs to his room, he suddenly stood upright. Seeing my shocked expression, he simply said, calmly. “I’m not crippled. It was an act.” “It’s you. I’m very happy.” My mind went blank, buzzing. What did he mean?

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That year, my stepbrother Liam Hayes, took eighteen knife wounds to protect me from a group of thugs who were bullying me. It felt like the purest love. When I was twenty-three, my father wanted to marry me off to a wealthy, elderly businessman for the sake of our family’s business. Liam got one of his legs broken and knelt in the rain for a day and a night, all to make my father change his mind. On the wedding day, he dragged his injured leg and whisked me away, right from the ceremony. Five years after Liam and I secretly got together, I gave birth to a pair of stillborn twins. But when I, still weak, went to find Liam, I overheard a conversation between him and his friend. “Liam, your method really worked. Ever since we used those two kids as foundation stakes, our project has been running so smoothly.” “You’re one cold son of a bitch, you know that? Those were *your* kids. How could you just… give them up? Didn’t Harper throw a fit when she found out?” Liam scoffed, downing the rest of his red wine in one gulp. “If her mother hadn’t destroyed my parents’ marriage, my mom wouldn’t have died.” “A lowlife like her, giving birth to lowlife offspring, that’s all the use they ever had.” “Once I marry Chloe this time, she won’t be in my life anymore.” I stood by the door of the recovery room, feeling utterly frozen. So, what I thought was five years of true love, the heroic protection he once offered… It was all just Liam Hayes’ elaborate plan for revenge.

“You’re really something, aren’t you? Still obsessed with Chloe Walsh since middle school.” “It’s just tough for your stepsister, Harper Gray. You slept with her for years, and now two of her kids are dead. Your family sure has a knack for ‘true love’.” Liam looked displeased by Jax Carter’s words, his voice deep as he retorted, “I’ve told you countless times, that piece of trash brought by a homewrecker isn’t my sister. Don’t call us family.” “She *wanted* to sleep with me, that’s not ‘true love’. She’s probably just like her gold-digger mom, hoping to leech off my father and me. But I’m not my dad. They won’t fool me.” Jax was silent for a couple of seconds before replying, “This time, to be honest, we messed up. She carried those babies for nine arduous months, only for us to trick her and sacrifice them. Even *I*, heartless as I am, had nightmares for two nights.” Liam scoffed. “Nightmares? For what? I *had* to marry Chloe. If Harper’s two children weren’t dealt with, were we supposed to let them live and be an eyesore for Chloe?” Liam’s voice, still so magnetic, resonated in my ears. But now, every single word felt like a knife twisting in my heart. Sacrifice. It wasn’t an uncommon term in the construction industry. Rumors claimed that when a project stalled, some heartless bosses would grab a pair of children. They’d mix them alive into concrete and pour them into the foundations. The children’s vengeful spirits would become guardian spirits, ensuring the project’s smooth completion. But in our modern, lawful society, this method was only ever whispered about; no one had actually dared to do it. And yet, today, I had witnessed a living sacrifice. Liam Hayes had taken the twins I birthed and killed them! My babies weren’t stillborn at all; they were alive! The scene from my delivery day was still vivid. I’d been in labor for almost twenty agonizing hours. Eventually, I collapsed from exhaustion, and the midwives had to use forceps to pull the babies out. The nurses told me it was a severe and complicated labor, and when the babies were born, their little faces were a dusky blue-purple. That’s why, when Liam told me both children hadn’t made it, I was heartbroken but didn’t doubt him. But I never imagined those two children were born alive! It was Liam. He took our babies and sent them to the Hayes construction site for sacrifice! Why… why would he do this? A fierce, dull pain erupted in my chest, and the undeniable ache in my lower abdomen grew more pronounced. I looked down to see my shorts soaked red with blood, slowly trickling down my legs. I suddenly remembered the first time Liam coaxed me into bed; I’d also bled a lot that day. But that day, he had called me by my pet name so gently, promising he’d protect me and stay with me forever. He said when I grew up, we’d tell our families. He said he’d marry me, and we’d build our own little home together. But five years passed, I waited from eighteen to twenty-eight, only to find he had personally killed our children! He even claimed he’d loved Chloe Walsh for over a decade, and I was just a hindrance to their happy marriage. How laughable. I placed the purple plushie I was holding on the ground, turned, and walked away. Three days ago. Liam said he wanted that purple plushie, so despite my weak body after the miscarriage, I dragged myself through a full forty-two-kilometer marathon. I was so foolish before. I always felt the Hayes family had sheltered my mother and me, giving us a stable life during our hardest times. That gratitude and dependence on the Hayes family had taken root deep within me. But now I had personally heard Liam speak with such contempt and disdain, calling my mother a gold-digging homewrecker. He spoke of how my mother and I had schemingly tried to trick his family out of their fortune. I finally realized that all promises and reliance were hollow. Trying to buy love with endless sacrifice was utterly laughable. I pulled out my phone and pre-booked my visa application. Now that I knew I was in the way, why wait for someone to kick me out? I would leave on my own terms.

The moment I reached the door of my hospital room, I collapsed, unable to stand. The nurses at the reception desk panicked, scrambling to lift me onto a gurney and rushing me to the emergency room. Half-awake, half-dreaming, I felt my soul floating in the air. In a haze, I saw myself at thirteen, joining the Hayes family with my mother. The clothes my mother and I wore combined couldn’t buy Liam’s little bowtie. Liam’s mother had passed away years ago from an illness. To make up for the motherly love Liam had missed, my mother cared for and accompanied him with utmost dedication. Longevity noodles on his birthday, reward gifts after exams, a lucky charm she personally sought out for his special days… Liam’s attitude toward my mother and me had always been polite. He would respectfully call my mother “Eleanor,” and he’d stand up for me when anyone bullied me at school. I once believed Liam, like his father, Mr. Hayes, was one of the kindest and best people in the world. But I never imagined his heart harbored so much resentment. So much hatred that he wished we would disappear from his world forever. But Liam, if you hated me so much, why did you actively pursue me? What did I do wrong to make you go to such great lengths to get revenge on me? Dreaming of the past in my unconscious state, two lines of tears involuntarily streamed down my face. A large hand gently touched my cheek, wiping away my tears. I opened my eyes and saw Liam’s face by my bedside! He was dressed in a black trench coat, staring at me with an unreadable, profound gaze. Standing beside Liam was an elegant and dignified woman. In her hand, she held the purple plushie I had run forty kilometers to get. This must be Chloe Walsh, the heiress Liam had pursued since middle school. As I stared blankly at the perfectly matched pair, the doctor standing on the other side of the room adjusted his glasses and spoke: “Harper, I’m so sorry. Because you participated in extreme sports before your postpartum body had fully recovered, you experienced severe hemorrhage. We couldn’t save your uterus…” “…What does that mean? It means I can never have children again?” I was stunned, my already pale face turning ashen. Liam suddenly gripped my cold hand, his voice filled with an unspeakable sorrow. “Harper, don’t be too sad. It’s okay even if you can’t have children. I’ll take care of you, sis.” Chloe Walsh also spoke gently, “That’s right, sister. Don’t worry. Even though your biological father was a gambling addict, and your birth mother was a gold-digging homewrecker, and now you’ve been messing around and ruined your uterus, so it’ll probably be hard for any man to want to marry you…” “But it’s okay. Regardless, you’re Liam’s sister by name. Even if you never find anyone, we’ll naturally take care of you for life.” My gaze involuntarily followed Chloe’s hand protectively placed on her abdomen, noticing her slightly bulging belly: “Ms. Walsh… you’re not here just to see me, are you?” Chloe smiled sweetly, linking her arm through Liam’s, and nodded, “I’m pregnant with Liam’s baby. Just over three weeks along. He insisted on coming to the hospital with me for a check-up, saying I’m precious and he’s worried about me and the baby.” “Speaking of which, it’s a good thing Liam and I had already set the wedding date. Otherwise, this baby would have really messed up our plans.”

Chloe smiled faintly, pulling a wedding invitation from her bag and handing it to me. “But now, this baby is just perfect! We’ll have the wedding, then the baby, and then our family of three can be together forever and ever.” “Liam’s mother left him very early, and he never really felt the warmth of a family. But now, the baby and I will give him a warm home!” With that, Chloe flashed a pure, innocent smile, looking warmly at Liam. Every sweet word she spoke was like a living blade, seemingly crafted to wound me. Yet, Chloe’s smile was so sweet and warm, as if her hurtful words were merely accidental. As if her true intention was only to comfort me, this “poor woman with a bad background and a lost uterus.” I opened the invitation to see Liam Hayes and Chloe Walsh’s wedding date, set for next month. The date written on the invitation was the very day I “gave birth to stillborns.” No wonder. No wonder Liam said he would never let those two children hinder his marriage to Chloe Walsh. No wonder he could so unhesitatingly kill my children with his own hands. It turned out Chloe Walsh’s child came at just the right time, while my children were destined to be obstacles. I couldn’t help but let out a cynical laugh: “Oh, the wedding is next month? So you’re pregnant before marriage? Will you be wearing a wedding dress with a baby bump then?” “Tsk, tsk. I really didn’t expect a ‘precious’ woman like Ms. Walsh to do something like get pregnant before marriage. I thought people from your background had very strict upbringings. Guess you’re not so different from us uncultured low-class people, after all.” Chloe’s face instantly darkened. Before she could speak, Liam, frowning, reprimanded me: “Harper! How dare you speak to Chloe like that? She’s genuinely trying to be kind to you, and you’re so ungrateful! Apologize to Chloe.” I ignored him, closing my eyes and pretending to sleep. Never, in all my life, had I been so assertive with Liam. This clearly enraged him. Liam grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to sit up in the hospital bed. His large hand clamped my jaw, making me look directly at Chloe, whose eyes were red and brimming with tears. Liam’s cold voice rang out again. “Harper, apologize.” I sneered, rolling my eyes at him. “By what authority are you ordering me? As a brother? But you clearly never considered me family, did you? Besides, why should I apologize? Because Chloe Walsh is subtly calling me low-class and unwanted?” Liam’s hand stiffened for a moment. I seized the opportunity of his moment of distraction and forcefully pushed him away, continuing: “Chloe Walsh saying I’m low-class might be true, but what’s wrong with me saying she’s pregnant before marriage? They’re both facts, why should I apologize?” This time, Liam regained his composure, his face flushed with what seemed like shame and anger, and he slapped me hard across the face. His eyes held deep disappointment. “Harper, I can’t believe you’ve become like this. If she truly wanted to humiliate you, why would she promise to take care of you for life? You and I aren’t blood relatives, and you have even less connection to Chloe. Whatever your life turns out to be, it has nothing to do with Chloe.” “Harper, I think *you’re* the truly malicious one. I’ll say it again, apologize to Chloe right now!”

A clear red five-finger mark bloomed on my already pale cheek. But compared to the excruciating pain in my heart, this physical sting was almost negligible. I said nothing, just lifted my hand and pressed the nurse’s call button by my bed. The hurried nurses escorted the unwanted people out of the room. I slid back under the covers, feeling a loneliness I’d never experienced before. “Hello, Mom.” I dialed my mother’s number. In that moment, I desperately craved a shred of warmth. My mother’s voice, seemingly cheerful, rang out from the other end: “Harper, my dear, you haven’t been home in ages. When are you coming back? I’ll make you your favorite brown sugar cake.” “Oh, right, look at my memory. Your brother called the other day and said you’re going to be a bridesmaid at his wedding, right? You must be very busy these days. Ms. Walsh seems like the type with high demands for a wedding, doesn’t she?” My throat constricted. “Liam Hayes still wants me to be a bridesmaid for his wife?” My mother, sensing the change in my tone, quickly asked: “What’s wrong? Did you and your brother argue? Harper, don’t be scared. If you’re unhappy out there, come home. We don’t have to suffer, okay?” A shuffling sound came from the other end of the phone, and then it suddenly grew quiet. Clearly, my mother had moved to a private spot. Then she began to tell me about the money she had saved over the years, saying she had actually been doing side jobs. During the day, she’d arrange flowers at a florist, and in her spare time, she’d even design floral arrangements online for people. Little by little, she had managed to save over a hundred thousand. “…So, Harper, if your relationship with your brother really isn’t good, don’t be afraid. If worst comes to worst, Mom will take you away. I can support you now, you know?” My mother’s voice was as gentle as ever. But the gentler she was, the more I recalled the grievances she had suffered in the Hayes family all these years. Because of her impoverished background and my biological father, who had accumulated huge gambling debts, my mother had always felt inferior in the Hayes family. Not only did she have to care for the disabled Mr. Hayes, but she also endured gossip and scorn from the household staff. Outwardly, everyone respectfully called her Mrs. Hayes, but in reality, even Liam, who received most of her care, looked down on her, convinced she had ulterior motives. I wiped away my tears, unable to bear burdening my mother with my problems any further. “It’s fine, Mom. I’m doing great. Liam is very good to me, and Ms. Walsh is beautiful. Today she even personally came to deliver their wedding invitation to me. Mom, don’t worry about me. Just take good care of yourself.” My mother asked a couple more questions, and only after my perfunctory urging did she reluctantly hang up. “Ding-dong—” A transfer notification popped up on my phone. “Your bank account has received $6,600. Memo: Mom’s gift for brown sugar cake.” I finally couldn’t hold back, and in the empty hospital room, I burst into tears. To keep my mother from worrying, I still attended Liam Hayes and Chloe Walsh’s wedding. Liam rented a castle, adorned with pink handmade lace and pure white satin ribbons. The floors were covered with wool carpets, and the guests’ chairs were studded with diamond crystals. Not to mention Chloe Walsh’s custom-made wedding dress, valued at over a hundred million. Everything declared Liam’s affection and importance for his beloved. And I, the bridesmaid personally chosen by Chloe Walsh, wore a rough, curtain-like slip dress. I stood by Chloe’s side like a servant, holding her bag. Every guest who came to the wedding gave me a mocking, confused look. As if asking, “How did this shabby-looking nobody get into an event like this?” The elders, at least, maintained their decorum and didn’t voice their thoughts directly. Only Jax Carter, completely tactless, dared to ask outright, “Wow, Harper Gray, you’re really shameless. Liam is getting married today, and you’re still clinging on? And dressed so ugly. Chloe Walsh is really generous to allow you to be here.” I took the envelope of cash he handed me, expressionlessly stuffing it into my handbag. His taunts went unheard. But Chloe Walsh clearly wasn’t going to let me off the hook that easily. Her beautiful face wrinkled in a frown as she stared at my leather bag, asking suspiciously: “Hmm, I remember we should have received almost ten million in wedding gifts today, and several elders gave us bank cards. But your bag only has a few red envelopes? You didn’t pocket some yourself, did you?”

Ten minutes earlier, Chloe Walsh had asked me to accompany her to the restroom. Inside the bathroom, she then used the excuse of reapplying her makeup to take the bag and hold it herself. After getting the bag back, I noticed the weight felt off. But at the time, I thought Chloe Walsh might have taken out some makeup, so the weight had changed, and I didn’t ask further. I never expected Chloe Walsh to now accuse me of theft! The wedding, naturally, was most lively where the bride and groom were. As more and more guests gathered, Liam’s expression also turned grim. He clearly didn’t believe me; he was infuriated that I, as a bridesmaid representing the Hayes family today, would do something so shameful and low. Jax Carter, who loved to watch drama unfold, immediately started to egg things on, not caring about the consequences: “Harper Gray, I can’t believe you’d steal even this much money! Like a rat’s child digs holes, what good could possibly come from a gambler’s offspring? Who knows how many things you’ve stolen from the Hayes family all these years!” Other guests chimed in with their sarcasm, “Exactly, how could she steal the wedding gifts? Doesn’t she fear karma?” “Oh, my, these people from humble backgrounds are just like that. You wouldn’t believe her mother; I heard she even sold herself to pay off a few million in gambling debts for the Hayes family. People with no self-respect, no shame, what wouldn’t they do for money?” “Besides, my cousin who works at the hospital told me Harper Gray can’t even have children anymore! Apparently, she was gang-raped, gave birth to a pair of stillborns, was completely ruined, and even had her uterus removed! She’ll probably never find a man willing to marry her, so she obviously doesn’t fear karma.” Seeing the murmurs around me growing louder, Chloe Walsh finally said with satisfaction, “Harper, dear, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but the amount is too large. If you can’t prove your innocence, I’ll have to call the police.” “You choose: do you want me to search you, or do you want to go to jail? But I must warn you, the Hayes family has had a good name for generations. Do you really want to ruin it as a stepdaughter? Don’t forget all the favors the Hayes family has done for you since you were little. Can you really just stand by and watch the Hayes family be shamed because of you?” The crowd surrounded me, every gaze fixed on my rough bridesmaid dress. The women watched for entertainment. The men, however, had leering, predatory eyes, each wishing they could undress me with their gaze. I couldn’t help but look at Liam Hayes for help, hoping he would stand up and say something for me. But in the end, what Liam said was, “Harper, someone like you doesn’t deserve the Hayes name.” Someone like me, doesn’t deserve the Hayes name? But the year I first arrived at the Hayes family home, when someone at school bullied me, calling me a bastard. It was Liam who shielded me, personally telling everyone I wasn’t some unwanted stray, but his sister. That year, his tall figure, illuminated by the sun, seemed almost sacred. He said: “Harper Gray shares the Hayes name with me. Does anyone have a problem with that?” Snapping back to reality, I was met with Liam Hayes’ face, cold as frost. Liam said, “Harper, you better explain all of this clearly.” “No need for anyone else to search. I’ll take it off myself.” Without another word, I tore off the two flimsy straps of my already-sagging slip dress. Chloe Walsh had ill intentions; the dress she’d prepared for me was not only ugly and made of terrible material but also of poor quality. I had to keep tugging at it just to maintain some semblance of modesty. Now, with a gentle tug, the entire dress slid to the floor. Revealing my underwear and safety shorts—and, the obvious, grotesque scar on my abdomen. “Is that enough?” My legs trembled uncontrollably as I looked up at Liam. “You and your wife, open your eyes and look closely. Is there anywhere on my body I could hide wedding gifts? Could I have *eaten* the money?” Liam’s expression clearly froze when he saw the scar on my abdomen; he instinctively reached to take off his suit jacket to cover me. However, his movement was stopped by Chloe Walsh, who said with a mocking tone, “You haven’t undressed completely. Who knows if you’re hiding it in your underwear? If you’re so brave, strip naked for everyone to see. Then we can really prove your innocence.” “Enough!” Liam suddenly roared. He ignored Chloe Walsh’s resistance, taking two steps in one stride. He quickly came forward, wrapping me in his large suit jacket, and whispered in my ear: “I’ll take you home.” But I pushed him away, throwing his jacket to the ground and stomping on it twice. Then I picked up the rough dress and wrapped it around my trembling body again. “Liam Hayes, I only hope to never have anything to do with you again in this life.”

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It was the fourth year of my marriage to Brandon Hayes when a car accident stole his memory. Three years later, swayed by Chloe Davis’s lies, Brandon personally forced me to terminate our child. “Riley Maxwell, if you’re so determined not to have my children, then none of them will stay!” Watching the cold, resolute gaze in Brandon’s eyes, I finally gave up on our marriage. But just as I turned to walk away, another accident jolted all his memories back. It was the seventh year of our marriage when Brandon finally forced me to terminate our child. All because three years prior, I had miscarried our first child. “Brandon Hayes, is this what you wanted?” Pale and weak, I lay on the hospital bed, my eyes vacant as I stared at the ceiling. “No, Riley Maxwell, this is what *you* wanted.” “Back then, wasn’t this the decision *you* made?” As he spoke, Brandon’s eyes began to redden at the corners, but his gaze remained chillingly cold. He reached out, his fingers brutally clenching my jaw. “Riley Maxwell, if you’re so determined not to have my children, then none of them will stay!” Brandon’s eyes blazed with fury, yet tears welled in their depths. Staring into his enraged eyes, I parted my lips, but in the end, I uttered not a single word. What was there to say? Should I tell him that our first child was lost due to *his* mistake? But what was done was done. Even if I said it now, what would it change? I’d hidden the truth back then only because I didn’t want him to be too heartbroken. Now, it seemed there was no need for him to know the truth at all. At this thought, my hand, which had been resting on my lower abdomen, clenched into a tight fist. Brandon and I were classmates, always swapping between first and second place in our grades. Through studying together, our connection deepened, and we naturally fell in love. Not long after graduation, Brandon proposed to me. For four years, our relationship was solid, our only regret being the absence of a child. We tried many methods, even three rounds of IVF, but still, I couldn’t conceive. Then, three years ago, I became pregnant by accident! Brandon was so thrilled, he immediately decided to take me on a trip. But who knew? On the way, Brandon mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. A car accident. We lost the baby, and Brandon lost his memory. When he woke up, however, Brandon believed the lies of Chloe Davis, who had always secretly loved him. She told him I had terminated our child for a dead ex-boyfriend, and that his accident happened because he was too eager to drive me to the clinic. So he hated me. Hated me so much he wouldn’t let me go. I had wanted to explain, but the words would just get stuck in my throat. I loved him; how could I bear to hurt him with the truth? But then, Brandon hurt me, again and again. I wasn’t without thoughts of divorce, but ten years of history – how could it just vanish? Still, I never imagined Brandon’s hatred would drive him to terminate our second child. The moment I touched my lower abdomen, the last flicker of love I held for Brandon vanished completely. “Brandon, what’s wrong?” Just then, the hospital room door burst open again, and Chloe rushed in, her face etched with anxiety. Hearing Chloe’s voice, Brandon released my jaw. He turned to look at Chloe, his eyes softened with tenderness. “Nothing’s wrong, just missed you a little!” With that, Brandon walked over to Chloe, wrapped his arm around her waist, and playfully tapped her nose. “Haven’t seen you in days, did you miss me too?” “Brandon…” Leaning into Brandon’s embrace, Chloe’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, right, that necklace I promised you the other day? I’ve already picked it out. Let’s go see if you like it!” “Okay, thank you, Brandon!” Chloe then lightly pecked Brandon’s lips. But her gaze flickered to me, still lying on the hospital bed, a smirk she couldn’t quite hide curving her lips. Brandon held Chloe tighter, his icy stare meeting my empty eyes. Without another word, he turned and left the room with Chloe. Watching Brandon and Chloe walk away, clinging to each other, my tears finally fell. Perhaps, it was truly time for me to let go. I pulled out my phone, sent a text to Liam Henderson, then booked a flight to Europe for two weeks later.

After Brandon left with Chloe, he never came back. I handled my own discharge from the hospital, all by myself. Once I’d packed everything, I returned to Brandon’s family mansion. The moment I opened the door, I saw Chloe stepping out of the bathroom, wrapped only in a towel. “Oh, Riley, back so early?” Chloe’s voice wasn’t loud, but it pierced my ears like a shriek. “Riley, I’m so sorry, my clothes got dirty, so Brandon told me to wash up here!” Chloe’s face, flushed from the steam, showed a hint of shy seduction. “Why are you telling her so much?” Just then, Brandon emerged from the bedroom. His eyes, filled with affection, gazed at Chloe. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder. “Sweetheart, you smell wonderful!” Watching Brandon and Chloe’s intimate display, my heart twisted in pain. I couldn’t help but clench my jaw, my hands trembling as I balled them into fists. Once, his tenderness was exclusively mine. But now, all he had for me was hatred. Suddenly, the dazzling necklace around Chloe’s neck made my pupils constrict. That “Sunrise Mountain” necklace, I had designed it myself, and Brandon had personally crafted it. He’d given it to me as a wedding gift during our ceremony. It was the beginning of our love story. But now, Brandon had personally given it to someone else. Fighting back the pain in my heart, I pulled the divorce papers from my bag. “Brandon Hayes, let’s get a divorce!” Those words made Brandon freeze. He released Chloe and strode towards me. His eyes, meeting my wounded gaze, flickered for a moment before hardening into an icy stare. “Riley Maxwell, what did you say?” “Brandon Hayes, let’s get a divorce,” I repeated, my voice steady. For years, I had waited, waited for Brandon to regain his memory, waited for Brandon to say he loved me. But now, I didn’t want to wait anymore. Love or not, the wounds I’d suffered could never truly heal. “Heh, Riley Maxwell, divorce? Don’t even think about it.” With that, Brandon seized my wrist, his grip like a vice. His eyes were dark, unreadable, but his trembling hands betrayed his rage. “Riley Maxwell, are you planning to divorce me to go find that ex-boyfriend of yours who’s long dead?” “Riley Maxwell, I’m telling you, it’s impossible. You belong to Brandon Hayes in life, and you’ll be his ghost in death. I’ll keep you by my side just to torment you.” “Riley Maxwell, this is your retribution, you deserve it.” Then, Brandon lowered himself, kissing my lips with a frantic intensity. Brandon’s kiss was possessive, demanding, and brooked no refusal. I struggled for a long time, but couldn’t break free from his embrace. Suddenly, Brandon let out a cry of pain, then released me. “Riley Maxwell, are you insane?” Brandon wiped the blood from his lip, then glanced at the blood on my own. He frowned deeply. “Brandon Hayes, I’ve left the divorce agreement here. I’ll be staying at my studio during this time.” With that, I placed the divorce agreement on the table, then walked into the bedroom and retrieved my suitcase. I didn’t have much to pack, so I quickly finished. But as I was leaving the house, Brandon called out to me again. “Riley Maxwell, dreaming of divorce? You wish.” Then, Brandon angrily picked up the divorce agreement from the table and tore it into shreds. Watching the torn pieces of the agreement scatter across the floor felt like watching my own shattered heart, never to be whole again. Without turning around, I simply said, “As you wish,” then dragged my suitcase out of the mansion.

After leaving the mansion, I went straight to my studio. I quickly cleared out a small room, put my things away, and immediately began working on my new designs. The “Starlight” competition that weekend was an international fashion design event, and I’d signed up a month ago. If Brandon hadn’t dragged me to the clinic, my design draft would have been finished ages ago. I picked up my pen and sketched on the paper until late into the night before finally putting it down. Looking at the finished design, I rubbed my tired eyes. I carefully put the drawing away and walked into the bedroom. But what I never expected was to wake up the next morning to find my studio looking as if it had been ransacked, everything in disarray. My design sketches were torn into pieces and scattered everywhere, and the clothes I’d been working on had been cut to shreds with scissors. Seeing the havoc, I clenched my hands. I knew this had to be Chloe. She had pulled stunts like this more than once or twice. I just hadn’t expected that even after I changed the locks, Chloe would still find a way in to destroy my things. Just then, the culprit swaggered in from outside the studio, a triumphant look on her face. “Oh dear, Riley, what… happened here?” Chloe feigned surprise, then covered her mouth and chuckled. “Riley, even if you’re fighting with Brandon, you shouldn’t take it out on your own work!” With that, Chloe squatted down, daintily picking up a torn sketch with her fingertips. “Look, just look at this! Such beautiful work, tsk tsk tsk, ruined. What a shame.” “What are you doing here?” Watching Chloe’s smug expression, my hands clenched tighter and tighter. “Me? Oh, I just wanted to see what you, a discarded woman, could possibly do after leaving the Hayes family.” Chloe tossed the crumpled sketch she held, then dismissively brushed her hands together. She then pulled out the “Sunrise Mountain” necklace from her bag. “Yesterday, when you looked at this necklace, it seemed quite important to you, didn’t it?” “But…” Chloe then let go. The necklace, losing its support, dropped straight to the floor with a crisp clatter. “But to me, it’s just trash.” Having said that, Chloe stepped on the necklace with one foot. “Oh, and by the way, let me tell you another secret.” Seeing my rising fury, Chloe’s smile widened. She lifted her foot, slowly walked over to me, bent down, and whispered softly in my ear: “Riley, do you know? That car accident three years ago? I was behind it!” That single, soft sentence made my pupils constrict instantly. “You… what did you say?” My voice trembled as I stared at Chloe in disbelief. “Surprised?” Chloe chuckled. “I just paid someone to tamper with the brakes.” “This is all your fault. Why did you get pregnant with Brandon’s child?” “If it weren’t for you, Brandon wouldn’t have been in that car accident. Riley Maxwell, it’s all your fault.” As Chloe lightly chuckled, my heart felt like it was being ripped apart by a thousand knives. If not for that accident, Brandon and I would be a happy family of three now. And now, she was telling me it was a human act, not fate. Unable to hold back any longer, I raised my hand, already clenched into a fist. Just then, Chloe suddenly seized my hand mid-air. “Riley, don’t, don’t do this! This is a gift from Brandon, don’t ruin it…” Immediately after, before I could react, Chloe deliberately fell heavily to the ground. At the same time, Brandon’s icy voice echoed from behind me. “What are you doing?”

“Brandon, w-w-w-why… Brandon, you’re finally here…” Seeing Brandon walk over with a grim expression, Chloe quickly scrambled to her feet, her face tear-streaked. “Brandon, I just wanted to persuade Riley not to be so impulsive, not to insist on a divorce.” “But, but the moment I arrived, I saw Riley cut all these things up…” “I tried to stop her, but Riley tore off my necklace the moment she saw it…” “She, she said that if it’s trash she doesn’t want, then I shouldn’t have it either…” “Brandon, this… this is the necklace you gave me, how could it be trash she doesn’t want…” Chloe then opened her palm, revealing the necklace. But seeing the necklace broken in two in her hand, Chloe’s tears flowed even more fiercely. “This, this, how did it break… Boo hoo hoo… Brandon, I’m sorry… It’s my fault, I didn’t protect the necklace you gave me… I’m sorry…” With that, Chloe clutched the necklace, sobbing uncontrollably in Brandon’s arms. “Trash she doesn’t want?” Listening to Chloe’s fragmented words, Brandon’s eyes darkened. He took the necklace from Chloe’s palm and walked towards me, step by step. “You said it’s trash?” Brandon’s voice was low, his eyes dark and unreadable as he stared at me. “I…” Meeting Brandon’s angry gaze, I bit my lip and said nothing. What did it matter if it was trash or not? He had already given it to Chloe, which meant, in his heart, the necklace no longer held its original meaning. So why bother caring if I had said such a thing? “Hmph.” Suddenly, Brandon let out a cold scoff. He tightly clenched the necklace in his hand and suddenly flung it upwards. The necklace cut an arc through the air, then fell directly to the floor with a sharp clang. “If it’s trash, then we don’t need it.” Without waiting for me to speak, Brandon turned, took Chloe’s hand, and walked out of the studio. Watching Brandon’s retreating back and the broken necklace on the floor, my heart had already gone numb from the pain. I cleaned up the mess on the floor, throwing all the cut and torn items into the trash. That included the broken necklace. Then, I grabbed my bag and left. With the competition approaching, I had no time, nor did I want to waste it on these things. Chloe had ruined many of my materials, and I still needed to finish the outfits before the competition. The next few days, Chloe didn’t bother me. I immersed myself in the studio, focusing solely on my work. The weekend quickly arrived. Early in the morning, I packed my things, ready to head to the venue. But just as I stepped out of the studio, Brandon’s silver Porsche appeared conspicuously at the entrance. “Get in.” Brandon’s cold voice startled me, then I felt a wave of resignation. Right. I was his wife, the Hayes family’s daughter-in-law. Whether it was seven years ago or after the accident, we were always the affectionate, model couple in public. For an international competition like “Starlight,” where Brandon was a special guest, it was only natural for us, as husband and wife, to attend together. But, since I had already decided to divorce him, why should I care about the Hayes family’s reputation or Brandon’s “face”? At this thought, I turned and started walking in the opposite direction. “I told you to get in the car, are you deaf?” Seeing me turn away, Brandon frowned tightly. He quickly opened the car door, rushed after me, and grabbed my wrist. “Brandon Hayes, why should I listen to you?” I looked up, meeting Brandon’s icy gaze. Brandon froze. He had never expected me to resist him. The hand gripping my wrist trembled involuntarily, then a hint of anger entered his eyes. “Riley Maxwell, you’re my wife. If you don’t listen to me, who will you listen to?” With that, without waiting for my reply, Brandon forcefully shoved me into the car.

What I didn’t expect was that the moment I sat in the passenger seat, Chloe, in the back, greeted me with a wide smile. “Good morning, Riley!” “I’m also participating in the competition, so Brandon offered to give me a ride too!” Chloe then lifted her hand, deliberately fiddling with a new necklace Brandon had given her. I glanced indifferently at Chloe. The necklace didn’t capture my attention, but Chloe’s dress surprised me. We were both wearing the same dress. The only difference was that mine was pure white, while Chloe’s was a dazzling wine red. “Riley, you don’t mind, do you?” Hearing Chloe’s words, I didn’t want to engage her. I simply closed my eyes in the passenger seat. Beside me, Brandon drove, his face grim. Neither of us noticed the jealous, fierce glare in Chloe’s eyes from the backseat. Soon, the car arrived at the venue. Reporters had already swarmed the entrance, blocking it completely. Brandon opened the car door and, ever the gentleman, helped me out. Under the flashing cameras, we remained that loving couple. Brandon led me into the competition venue. He held my hand, fingers intertwined, all the way to the backstage area, where he left me with a tender kiss on my forehead before leaving. The whole world envied me for marrying the heir to the Hayes fortune. But only I knew that all of it was just an act. In love, happiness is something only you truly know. Shaking off those thoughts, I turned and immersed myself in the intense competition. The event proceeded smoothly until my and Chloe’s designs were revealed, causing an uproar. Our two creations were identical! “How… how could this be?” Chloe was the first to speak, staring at the two identical dresses on stage. “This… this is my design that I worked so hard on for over two weeks, how could this happen?” “So, you’re implying that Mrs. Hayes plagiarized your work?” Just then, someone from the crowd spoke, eliciting laughter from the audience. “Exactly! Mrs. Hayes wouldn’t stoop to plagiarizing your stuff.” “Hahahaha, who is this person? Doesn’t she know her place? Dares to compete like this, hahahaha, so overconfident.” “No, that’s not right. If the designs are identical, she definitely plagiarized Mrs. Hayes! People who plagiarize others’ work should be thrown out…” “Yeah, throw her out, throw her out…” The scene quickly spiraled out of control until the organizers sent staff to restore order. “I didn’t, I really didn’t… This truly is the design I spent over two weeks creating… I even have my drafts here.” With that, Chloe pulled out her design sketches from her bag. “If you still don’t believe me, you can ask Brandon. He watched me draw every line and sew every stitch…” Having said that, Chloe cast a pleading look at Brandon. Hearing Chloe’s words, the entire venue fell silent. Everyone’s gaze shifted to Brandon, who sat in the special guest section. “Hm.” Brandon didn’t deny it. His single, faint affirmation, however, pushed me directly into the storm. “Wow, what did I just hear? Mrs. Hayes, Riley Maxwell, plagiarized an unknown designer, Chloe Davis? And Brandon Hayes himself confirmed it?!” “Wow, I absolutely *have* to get the scoop on this today! Tomorrow’s headlines are mine!” “No, this is insane! Miss Maxwell, do you have any explanation for this plagiarism?” “Miss Maxwell, do we have reason to suspect your previous works might also have been plagiarized?” In an instant, all the accusations turned on me.

Watching all the reporters turn their cameras towards me, I felt a sudden rush of helplessness. I hadn’t expected Brandon to speak up for Chloe in public. Even more, I hadn’t expected Brandon to actually admit that I had plagiarized. Through the crowd, I saw the mockery in Brandon’s dark eyes. He was waiting for me. Waiting for me to beg him. As long as I asked, he would clarify everything. But I didn’t say a word to him. I clenched my hands, looked at the reporters surrounding me, making it impossible to leave, then closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I opened them again, I had a composed look on my face. “I did not plagiarize.” “You say you didn’t plagiarize, but why are your designs identical to Miss Davis’s?” “Miss Davis has Mr. Hayes as a witness, and you have nothing. How can we believe you?” “I believe her.” Just then, a resolute, magnetic male voice echoed from the venue entrance. Following the sound, Liam Henderson stood there, impeccably dressed in a suit. He walked through the crowd, directly to me, and gently took my hand. “I believe Miss Maxwell did not plagiarize.” Liam’s appearance caused another huge stir. “Is that… is that Liam Henderson, the legendary CEO of ‘Dream Horse’ Group?” “I can’t believe he’s so young.” “Right, he’s never shown his face publicly in this country before. I thought he’d be some old man in his seventies or eighties, but he’s so young and handsome!” All cameras swiveled to Liam Henderson. In an instant, he became the focal point of the entire venue. “Miss Maxwell and I grew up together. I’ve seen all her work, and I trust her character. She wouldn’t do something like plagiarism.” Liam looked at me, his eyes sparkling. “If there’s no plagiarism, then what about the identical dresses on stage?” At this, some of the instigators in the crowd spoke up again. “Mr. Henderson, even if you grew up with her, people change. Don’t be fooled by her.” As these words were spoken, many in the crowd started to agree. Hearing the comments from the audience, I clearly felt the anger rising from Liam beside me. I gently squeezed his hand, then calmly looked at the cameras. “I have proof.” With that, I pulled out a USB drive from my bag. Chloe didn’t know that besides the main door, I had also installed a hidden camera in the small room where I usually sketched my designs. That night, when Chloe came to wreck the studio, she also took my original drafts. Even without the drafts, the finished product was already etched in my mind. Seeing the evidence, the entire venue erupted in murmurs. Eventually, all the accusations turned back to Chloe. “How could this be?” “No, I didn’t…” At this point, Chloe’s explanations sounded weak and pathetic. She once again cast a pleading look at Brandon. “Brandon… Brandon…” But Brandon just stood there, his face dark, his gaze fixed on my hand, still intertwined with Liam’s. After a long silence, the sudden sound of a microphone falling to the ground broke the clamor. Brandon rose from the special guest section, his face expressionless. His gaze swept over everyone in the room, finally resting on me. After a long moment, he turned and left the venue. “Brandon… Brandon…” Watching Brandon leave, Chloe also panicked. She tried to break free from the crowd and chase after him, but ended up tripping and falling to the ground. The competition ultimately did not have a satisfactory conclusion. I didn’t win a prize, but Chloe was banned for life.

“Liam, why are you back in the country?” In the high-end restaurant, I looked at Liam. I had no idea he was back. “I was also a special guest at this competition, but my flight was delayed, so I arrived late.” Liam paused, looking at me, then continued. “Riley, are you really sure about coming back to work at the company?” Seeing my slightly haggard appearance, Liam’s heart ached. “Yes,” I nodded, then reached out to gently ruffle his hair. “Don’t worry, I won’t be trying to take over the company from you. Just arrange for me to be a junior designer, where I can sketch my designs and create the clothes I love. All the management stuff and social obligations, those are still yours.” “That’s not what I meant…” Liam looked at me, his eyes showing a hint of hurt. He never thought I’d return to the company to fight for inheritance. Even if it was for the company, if I asked, he’d hand it over without hesitation. After all, the company should have originally been mine. My parents had adopted him because they couldn’t conceive. Then, unexpectedly, they became pregnant with me. He thought his parents would send him back, but they didn’t; they wanted both children. However, later, my parents’ relationship fractured. He went abroad with my father, and I took my mother’s surname. After that, they didn’t see each other for many years. A few years ago, his father passed away from illness, and he took over the company. “By the way, how long are you staying this time?” “I’m leaving tomorrow night. Riley, do you want to come back with me?” Seeing Liam’s expectant gaze, I nodded. I had to leave sooner or later; whether it was a week from now or the day after tomorrow, the outcome would be the same. After a pleasant dinner, Liam drove me back to my studio, then turned to deal with company matters. Back at the studio, the moment I opened the door, a pungent smell of alcohol hit me, making me frown. I switched on the light. Brandon was sitting on the sofa, holding a glass of whiskey, half-empty, and squinting at me. “Who was he?” Brandon’s voice was cold, devoid of any discernible emotion. He had seen it earlier—that man at the competition, bringing me back to the studio. “None of your business.” Not wanting to deal with Brandon, I turned and walked into the smaller room of the studio. Since I was leaving, I should probably pack my things. “I asked you, who. was. he?” Seeing me turn away and ignore him, Brandon stood up and strode to my front. But when he saw me packing my things, his pupils constricted. “You’re leaving? With him?” Brandon gripped my wrist tightly, making me wince in pain. “Who he is, or where I go, what does it have to do with you?” I met Brandon’s dark gaze. I had loved this man, but now, I no longer wanted to. “I forbid you to leave.” With that, Brandon reached out and pressed down on my suitcase, his eyes filled with suppressed fury. “Brandon Hayes, we’re already divorced. Where I go is my freedom.” I tried to pry Brandon’s hand off the suitcase, but his grip was too strong. I couldn’t move it no matter how hard I tried. “Brandon Hayes, what exactly do you want?” “I told you, I won’t sign the divorce papers. You’re mine in life, and my ghost in death, Riley Maxwell. You’ll never escape my grasp in this lifetime.” With a sudden forceful move, Brandon lifted me bridal style and tossed me onto the bed in the small room.

“Brandon Hayes, let me go…” “Let go?” Brandon’s body was already pressing down on mine. His eyes were narrowed, desire and anger intertwined, making it impossible to tell what he was truly thinking. “Riley Maxwell, should I let go so you can go on a date with other men?” Brandon pinned my hands above my head to the bed, pressing his body further down. “Brandon Hayes, you bastard…” I struggled, but it was futile. Tears immediately streamed down my face. Seeing my tears, Brandon paused, then a cold smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I’m a bastard? Riley Maxwell, you’re cheating on me, aren’t you the bastard?” With that, Brandon’s grip on my hands tightened, his drunken eyes filled with a thirst for revenge. Without another thought, Brandon reached out with his free hand and slowly unbuttoned my clothes. “Hiss…” Just as Brandon was about to remove my last layer of clothing, my pained gasp made him stop. Looking at the faint bloodstains on the bedsheet, Brandon frowned tightly. “Damn it!” How could he forget? I had just had an abortion a few days ago. Thinking of this, Brandon looked up at my stubborn face, then got up and left the studio. Watching Brandon leave, I finally let out a sigh of relief from my tears. After a long while, when the pain below intensified, I finally got up and dressed. I went to the hospital alone. When the doctor told me everything was fine with my body, the weight in my heart finally lifted. The next morning, I timed Brandon’s departure for work, then returned to his family mansion. To spite me, Brandon had fired all the household staff and the driver three years ago, so the house was empty. I went back to my room, packed all my belongings, and then called a delivery service for pickup. I opened my laptop and scheduled an audio recording from my phone to be sent to Brandon. As I pulled out my wedding photos with Brandon, I felt a slight daze. Back then, we had just gotten married, Brandon hadn’t lost his memory, and we were still in love. At that time, I was very happy. But now, everything had changed. I gathered all the wedding photos and, along with all the things Brandon had given me, lit a fire in the courtyard. Let it be this way. Let our past, along with my love for him, turn to ashes in this world. Watching everything burn to ashes with my own eyes. I dragged my suitcase and got into Liam Henderson’s car. The sun was just right in the sky. Everything would start anew. At Hayes Group headquarters, Brandon was in a meeting when the family’s security guard burst in, flustered. “Sir, bad news! Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes left with her luggage, and she lit a fire at home!” “What did you say?” The documents Brandon held fell from his hands. Under the astonished gaze of everyone, Brandon pushed past the security guard and rushed to the parking lot. Sure enough, for that man outside, she chose to leave him! But how could he let her go so easily? Her atonement wasn’t complete yet. Brandon drove as fast as he could, the panic in his heart a confusing mix of hatred and reluctance. “Beep…” A car horn pierced the sky. A truck collided with the silver Porsche. Brandon felt a huge impact, then countless memories flashed through his mind like a movie: our acquaintance, our love, our marriage, the joy of discovering I was pregnant, and of course, the car accident that changed everything. Everything rushed into his mind like a flood. In his last moments of consciousness, Brandon saw my lost gaze and my resolute retreating back.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298892”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

When I received the alumni reunion invitation, I was pretty confused. They said the reunion was only for prominent figures across various industries. But I’m just a working-class gal who’d been to jail; I hardly qualify, right? After much deliberation, I still put on a white shirt paired with dark green dress pants and arrived at the venue, looking as neat as I could. The moment I stepped into the hall, the opulent luxury of the place hit me. Even the air smelled of money. A wave of regret washed over me. I definitely shouldn’t have come. But then I remembered I’d soon see the person I’d longed for, and all my anxiety morphed into pure yearning. I looked up, and there he was—Julian Thorne, wearing his glasses. His tailored suit made him look even more composed, the boyish innocence of a few years ago replaced by a sophisticated maturity. He radiated the polished confidence of a highly successful executive. My heart pounded instantly, a bitter ache, sharp and familiar, spread from the core of my being. It took me a long moment to force my gaze away. I stood there, torn and nervous, wanting to approach him but too afraid. I only dared to steal glances now and then. The next second, a classmate nearby yanked me over: “Look who it is! Isn’t this Vivian Hayes, our high school queen bee? Where have you been all these years? You just vanished!” “We asked everyone, but no one knew which college you ended up at…” “Or did you just settle down and become a full-time homemaker?” My classmates barraged me with questions, but I couldn’t utter a word. The crowd around us turned, their gazes sharpened, dissecting me as if I were a public spectacle. My faded shirt, those threadbare slacks, the scuffed, peeling shoes. Over the years, I’d learned to accept this scorn and disdain. The only thing I couldn’t bear was Julian’s gaze, sharp as an icicle, cutting through me, as if he wanted to pierce my very soul. A slight curve of his lips, a blatant sneer. “Seriously, Harvard is a prestigious university. How did a tramp like her get in?” “Did you get that from a thrift store? Don’t you worry about sullying the floor with your presence?” “Everyone invited to this alumni event is famous. Your invitation couldn’t have been stolen, could it?” Serena Vance, standing next to Julian, sounded like she wanted to rip into me. We used to be in the same class, ignoring me would have been bad enough. I didn’t understand why Serena was so hell-bent on tearing me apart like a rabid dog. As I stood there stunned, Julian scoffed. “I’m here today to see old classmates. Unrelated people shouldn’t try to crash the party. After all, I don’t want to catch whatever bad luck she’s carrying.” As he spoke, he cautiously took a few steps back, as if a mere glance from me could infect him with some disease. Our former classmates looked on, bewildered. They couldn’t understand why two people who used to be inseparable had suddenly become so distant and repulsed by each other. Back then, they were known as the school’s golden couple. I lowered my eyes, silent for a long time. My hands were clenched tightly behind my back, and my ears filled with murmurs and whispers: “If I were Julian, I’d choose Serena too. A wealthy heiress, and a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Even an idiot would know who to pick.” “She used to be the high school beauty queen, but look at her now, she’s living like dirt. Her shoes are practically falling apart.” “If I were her, I’d become a sugar baby for some rich guy. With a face like that, she could easily rake in a fortune… It might not be pretty, but it’s fast cash.” “That was then! Now she’s got a record, involved in a death. Who’d want her now?” The buzz around me grew to a roar. Suddenly, it felt like I was stripped naked, utterly exposed to everyone’s judgmental stares. Their words, like venomous spit, poured into my ears, filled with the coldness and contempt I should have been accustomed to. My face paled. Just as I was about to turn and leave, someone grabbed my arm. I turned my head. Serena Vance stood before me, holding a glass of wine, smiling triumphantly. “Tsk, tsk! How pathetic! You’re like a cockroach now, so wretched even *I* pity you.” “Stop pretending. Your goal has been achieved,” I said, lifting my eyelids. “Why are you still here? Are you a masochist?” Serena gloated. Then, as if struck by an idea, she raised an eyebrow and sneered, “Could it be you’re trying to play the victim card, hoping Julian will pity you? Dream on! He’s mine now!” She took a step forward in her heels, leaning in with a malicious grin: “Ha! He always helped you before. This time, who do you think he’ll help?” **Chapter 2** With that, she dramatically slapped her thigh, let out a piercing shriek, then clutched her face and recoiled, acting as if she’d just been slapped across the face. Even with my extensive experience in prison, where I’d seen all sorts of conniving people, I couldn’t help but acknowledge Serena Vance’s stellar performance. Before I could say anything, Julian rushed over, his cool gaze instantly melted into a look of panicked concern. His eyes trembling, he softened his voice, “Serena, who hit you? Are you hurt?” Serena didn’t speak, but her eyes brimmed with tears, and she shot me an accusatory glance. Following her line of sight, Julian’s expression hardened, and his voice turned to ice: “Vivian, what the hell are you doing?” “Don’t think I’ll look at you twice just because you pull stunts like this.” “I must have been blind back then. Now, you’re not even fit to clean my shoes!” “I’m warning you! Get one step closer to Serena, and you’ll regret it!” People truly are fickle. One moment he was full of concern for Serena, the next he was glaring at me with fury. But I hadn’t done a thing. If he just looked closely, he’d see her face was perfectly pale, with no redness or slap marks. But he didn’t. Without a word, he’d already convicted me. I habitually picked at my cuticles, a small comfort to ease the gnawing ache in my chest. Six years ago, Julian’s trust was mine. Six years later, his trust was given to someone else. I smiled silently and nodded faintly. My submissiveness seemed to catch Julian off guard. A few seconds later, a flicker of realization crossed his face, and his brows furrowed even deeper. “Don’t think I’ll believe you if you put on that act.” “You’re a master of manipulation, sweet on the surface but vicious underneath. You can fool others, but not me. If you dare harm her again, I’ll break your hand.” The surrounding sounds seemed to fade away, leaving only his cruel, heartless words, mixed with the onlookers’ gloating expressions. It felt like a whip lash across my face, leaving a hot, searing pain. Before, if I even grazed my knee on a bike, he’d scold me for half an hour. Now, over a baseless accusation, he threatened to break my hand. It seemed six years could truly change everything. I wasn’t a golden girl anymore. And he had finally become the man he always wanted to be. Serena Vance was utterly delighted by Julian’s reaction. Still clutching her face and whimpering in pain, she continued to provoke me with her eyes. When I first got out of prison, I thought nothing could ever hurt me again. Today, I realized how wrong I was. The only person who could hurt me was the man standing right in front of me. The one I had thought of for six years, day and night, whose face I traced in my mind whenever I couldn’t sleep, whose college notes I reread until the edges of the pages were tattered and worn from constant touch. I had imagined many ways we might reunite, but never this. I met his gaze directly, a faint smile on my lips. “Message received, Mr. Thorne. Don’t worry, as long as your dog doesn’t bite, no one’s foolish enough to go looking for trouble.” “What do you mean? Are you calling me a dog?!” Serena screamed, enraged, dropping her hand from her face in her haste. “I didn’t say it was you, but I can’t stop you from volunteering! Some people, even in human skin, aren’t necessarily human.” “You—” “Enough!” Serena was about to retort further when Julian cut her off with a sharp word. He sighed, a soft, indulgent sound. “Alright, Serena. Let’s not waste our time here. The principal is looking for me… I’ll make it up to you tonight.” His deliberately lowered tone and a gaze heavy with unspoken desire made Serena’s face flush. She melted into his arms, leaning against him. They walked past me, arms around each other, heading towards the principal’s office. Some familiar classmates approached to greet me. I smiled and responded as usual, but as I turned away, the smile slowly faded from my face. Just then, my best friend Chloe Miller called. The moment I answered, her excited voice filled my ear: “Did you see Julian? Did you explain everything to him face-to-face?” “Don’t overthink it. Given how much he cared about you before, I’m sure once the misunderstanding is cleared up, you two will get back together…” Outside, the daylight was blindingly bright. I shielded my eyes, feeling a pang of nausea. I didn’t know how to tell Chloe. “Vivian, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything?” “Listen to me, go find him and tell him everything. Whatever the outcome, we can’t have regrets…” My steps faltered. This was precisely why I had come, despite knowing the invitation was suspicious. But now, was there even a point in finding him? I wasn’t sure, but my feet seemed to have a mind of their own, guiding me directly towards the office. **Chapter 3** As I approached, I lightened my steps. The principal’s booming voice carried through the door: “Julian, the next time we meet, it’ll be for your wedding to Serena. I hear you’re throwing a wedding of the century for me. The alumni network is buzzing about it! I wish you a long and happy marriage, and a beautiful family!” “Whatever makes Serena happy is fine. Principal, you absolutely must come and have a drink at the wedding!” “Principal, you really have to be there!” Julian’s voice was as calm as ever, but Serena’s was filled with the sweetness of a new bride. Hearing this, I felt that the misunderstanding from six years ago no longer mattered. The cicadas outside chirped incessantly, making my head spin. I had to lean against the corridor wall to walk steadily. As I walked, something dropped from my face. One after another, splashing into the air. I reached up and wiped them away, realizing my hands were wet with tears. I had never intended to start a young romance in high school. Just staying alive had consumed all my energy, but then I met Julian. For three years, as my deskmate, he brought a ray of light into my dark world with his meticulous care. I was surprised, I was scared. Afraid that happiness would be too fleeting. Until that blood-red summer after the college entrance exams, when the beautiful dream was shattered by reality. My drunken stepfather attempted to assault me. In the struggle, my mother was knocked out cold. Julian, who arrived just then, accidentally plunged a knife into my stepfather’s body. He tried his best to hide his panic then: “Vivian, my family has connections abroad. We can leave, and no one will find us. My mom can make this disappear…” My eyes were full of tears. I looked at the boy’s thin but resilient back, filled with despair. I softly soothed him, “Okay! Okay! I promise. We’ll go!” After a long moment, I forced myself to compose and calmly instructed him: “Julian, go quickly and get your passport, pack your bags, book your flight. We’ll meet at the airport later.” Julian, unsuspecting, turned and left. Behind his back, where he couldn’t see me, I called Eleanor Thorne: “Mrs. Thorne, you’re right. Julian and I aren’t suited for each other…” Later, Julian waited at the airport until nightfall, but I never showed up. Only a few words from me: “Julian, I don’t want to go abroad and live a hard life with you. You go on your own.” Just as he was about to turn back and look for me, his family forced him onto the plane. That same night, I was sent to prison. Dazed, I walked out of the school gates, only for the nursing home to call: “Ms. Hayes, your mother’s medical bill for this month is due. It’s already five days late…” “Okay! I’ll pay it as soon as possible. Please give me a few more days…” I said such pleading words almost every month, and the nurses at the facility were practically numb to them. The money Eleanor Thorne had initially given had all gone to the medical facility during my time in prison. My mother’s body was kept alive daily by expensive medications. No matter the cost, I never considered giving up. I had lost everything. I couldn’t lose my mother too. Two years ago, after I was released from prison, it was hard to find work because I had a criminal record and no college education. I could only work as a guesthouse manager and take on a few odd jobs, but even that was barely enough. I gave a self-deprecating laugh. I wasn’t sure if I was mocking my own uselessness or the hopes I’d harbored before coming here. My gaze swept over a large billboard by the road, and I stopped, staring at it for a long time. A moment later, I pushed down all my internal struggles and dialed the number displayed on the poster. That night, I started working as a waitress at this nightclub, relying on my decent looks. Half an hour later, seeing Julian Thorne and his group in their suits, a wave of regret washed over me again. Anyone else could look down on me. But I never wanted him to. Perhaps it was a final hurrah before the wedding, but Serena Vance was dressed provocatively, sitting directly on Julian’s lap, her slender fingers tracing circles on his chest. The bar lights were dim, obscuring their expressions. Whether it was the air conditioning being too warm or something else, Julian uncomfortably loosened his tie, his other hand pressed firmly against Serena’s waist. Even from a distance, I could hear Serena kissing his neck, her voice cooing childishly: “Only two days until we get married. How do you want to play tonight?” Julian didn’t reply immediately. He seemed to notice he was being watched, and coldly glared at the bar. I glanced over, then quickly lowered my head. But my hand slipped, and a glass clattered, shattering into pieces. The next second, Serena, with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms, walked up to me, still wearing that haughty expression. “Just today, a classmate suggested you become a streetwalker, and here you are already? “So eager you couldn’t even wait one night?” **Chapter 4** At that moment, the few people behind me also gathered around, casually asking: “Serena, who is this person? Do you know her?” Serena glanced at Julian. Seeing his face was unchanged, she replied with a cold laugh: “Know her? Of course I do! This, everyone, is our Julian’s high school sweetheart!” “You’re all insiders, so you might as well get acquainted!” Everyone burst into laughter, one after another. I ignored them, my eyes downcast as I squatted, picking up glass shards from the floor. “I’m talking to you, why aren’t you speaking?” Serena didn’t like being ignored, especially by *me*. In a fit of anger, she suddenly pushed me. Half-squatting, I was knocked backward by the force, my palms landing directly on the shattered glass. “Ah—” Sharp pain pierced through me, and I couldn’t help but cry out. Bright red blood dripped onto the floor. Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly, a strange glint flashing across them before settling back into an unreadable coldness. The bar was noisy, but the mocking and ridiculing voices still pierced my ears, every single word. “She’s so impatient because she’s desperate for money, right? Why don’t you be generous, Serena, and give her a little something?” “Then people will say you’re a kind and generous fiancée!” At that, everyone laughed even harder, doubling over. Streams of contemptuous glances, mixed with the dim light, pricked me like needles. Serena didn’t respond, but the triumphant smirk on her lips was impossible to hide. Julian tilted his head, as if something had just occurred to him, and suddenly spoke: “You said you didn’t want to go abroad and suffer with me. Was it all just to live ‘the good life’ here?” His voice grew heavy on the last three words, specifically emphasizing “the good life.” Before I could respond, Julian added, “This life might not be ‘good,’ but it certainly suits you. After all, your mom used to wait tables in a bar too…” The bar instantly fell silent, only to resume its clamor moments later. “No wonder she’s so pathetic; like mother, like daughter…” “How could Julian have ever fallen for a woman like that? She must have burned eight lifetimes of incense for that luck.” “But this slut didn’t cherish it and dumped Julian. Now she’s like this, serves her right!” The words “pathetic,” “slut,” and “whore” echoed endlessly in my ears, but my world seemed to have muted, I only heard Julian’s last remark. I lifted my eyes in disbelief, my gaunt face dominated by wide eyes, with a clear redness under my lower lids. At this point, I couldn’t tell if my trembling was from his words or the pain in my palms. Six years ago, he was the boy who carried me through a downpour for thirty minutes, crying and begging me not to die from a high fever. Six years later, he stood with his fiancée, stripping me of my dignity, leaving me exposed and raw for their humiliation. In a daze, icy liquid mixed with ice cubes rained down on me. Cup after cup, red as blood, splashed onto me, turning into flying glass shards. The metallic smell of blood mixed with the rich aroma of alcohol, like a net, suffocating me. Pain spread through my heart. I gasped for breath, my chest heaving rapidly, as if I was back in prison, being bullied for the first time. The difference was, back then, others hurt me, but I still had my guiding light. Now, that guiding light was the one hurting me, fading away in my heart. I remained silent, my pale lips bitten raw. I slowly stood up, leaning on the bar. A flicker of grim satisfaction crossed Julian’s eyes, and his lips curved upwards. “You used to be so talkative. Why are you quiet now?” “Because…” I looked directly at him. “My time is precious, and if you want to talk to me, it’s going to cost you extra.” Serena scoffed, and a chorus of derisive whistles erupted around us. Julian’s eyes darkened, and he nodded slowly. “Alright! If you kneel and clean everyone’s shoes, I’ll give you a million dollars.” **Chapter 5** With that, he flung his arm, and a black card slapped against my face, a sharp sting spreading across my skin. But compared to the pain in my heart, it was nothing. “Come on. I keep my word. Clean the shoes, and a million is yours!” His face glowed with a triumphant, malicious smile, a stark contrast to my trembling paleness. I wanted to ask, *Julian, do you hate me that much?* But my gaze fell on the blood-stained black card, and then I thought of the crushing weight of those medical bills for my mother. The words caught in my throat. Let it be. As long as he was happy. Everyone in that section of the bar had fallen silent, craning their necks, eager to watch the show. “Mr. Thorne, then you’ll need to sign a written agreement stating that the money on this card is mine, and you won’t reclaim it by any means later.” My voice was flat, devoid of emotion. Julian’s anger turned to a smile, but it was a cold, bitter one, his eyes filled with icy fury. After a long moment, he gritted his teeth, squeezing out a word: “Fine!” With that, I limped over to him and knelt directly. I picked up a dry cloth and began to clean his shoes. In the extraordinary silence, the sound of blood dripping seemed amplified. Drip by drip, it splattered on the floor, each drop blossoming like a tiny, crimson flower. It was as if I’d forgotten the wound on my hand, forgotten the pain. I just mechanically repeated the motion of cleaning shoes. Everyone lined up. I didn’t even need to stand; I just stayed on my knees and moved my hands. One after another, the bright red blood gradually turned a dark purple. Everyone’s faces were plastered with mocking smiles, but Julian’s face was a thundercloud, dark and unreadable. Another person stepped forward. Just as I was about to bend down again, he couldn’t help but stop me. “Stop cleaning! The money on the card is yours!” I acted as if I hadn’t heard him, my face blank, ignoring him. Julian suddenly exploded, his eyes turning bloodshot with rage: “I said! Stop cleaning! Are you deaf?!” Looking at his face, contorted with shock and anger, I felt a strange confusion. He was the one who forced me to my knees. Why was he unhappy now? I suddenly smiled and replied, “I have to clean them! I need the money.” The man furiously threw me to the ground, and he bellowed, his eyes blazing with fury: “Money! Money! Is that all you care about?!” My body felt like it was falling apart, my knees scraped and bleeding. I mocked myself silently, thinking that this money truly wasn’t easy to earn. Still, I slowly picked myself up. Just as I was about to kneel again, Julian looked like a man possessed, his facial muscles twitching as he let out a primal roar: “Get out! Take the card! Get out of here!” I shakily got up, glanced at the distraught man, and carefully tucked the blood-stained black card into my pocket. Before I passed out, I saw Chloe’s anxious, tear-streaked face. When I next awoke, I was in a hospital. The wounds on my knees and palms had been properly treated. Chloe, her eyes swollen and red, sat beside me, arranging the bedsheets. Seeing me open my eyes, her first reaction was delight, but then her pretty face clouded over: “Vivian, if you needed money, you could have told me. How could you…” “They were so cruel…” Before she could finish, Chloe’s voice caught in her throat, and her shoulders began to tremble with suppressed sobs. My lips moved slightly, and I sighed inwardly. I knew my mother’s nursing home expenses would be a bottomless pit. My life was already hopeless, but I couldn’t drag down my only friend. Chloe had already helped me enough. I raised my bandaged hand and wiped away her tears, forcing a weak smile: “Chloe, I’m okay…” “Look, I have Mom’s medical fees for the next two years now. The nursing home won’t rush us anymore…” “There’s even a little left over, enough for a beautiful wedding dress for you…” As I spoke the last words, my pale lips slowly fell silent, and my eyes held a shattered look. Seeing me bruised and wounded, trying to smile through my tears, Chloe felt even more heartbroken, but she dared not cry openly in front of me. She pretended something was in her eye, turned away, and silently wiped her tears. I didn’t expose her, just waited quietly. After a moment, Chloe composed herself and turned back. “Chloe, could you do me a favor and go to the nursing home? The nurses there must be getting impatient.” I handed her the black card. Chloe didn’t take the card immediately. Instead, she asked, “You didn’t tell Julian, did you?” I gave a bitter smile. “At this point, it doesn’t matter whether I tell him or not. Chloe, he and I are truly over…” “Why! If you just tell him! He’ll understand! He’ll love you again!” Chloe’s eyes reddened with urgency, and her knuckles turned white from clenching her hands. “But I don’t want him to.” I slowly turned my head, a fire burning in my eyes. Even though my voice was dry and hoarse, my tone was resolute. “I don’t want his guilt, I don’t want his compensation, and I certainly don’t want his pity.” “Everything between us ended last night.” **Chapter 6** “But…” Chloe started to say more. But I cut her off, “Chloe, I’m hungry… I really want some of your soup. Please, feed me.” My pale, weak, and pitiful expression tugged at Chloe’s heartstrings. She immediately called the supermarket to buy ingredients. As Chloe’s figure gradually disappeared, the smile on my face slowly faded. A moment later, a nurse instructed me to go upstairs to pick up my test results. I had barely taken two steps when I heard a familiar male voice from a room: “Serena, are you feeling better? If this hospital isn’t good enough, I’ll take you somewhere else.” Julian tenderly held her close, his stubbled chin constantly caressing her cheek. His face wore an expression of indulgence that was both familiar and strange to me. Familiar because he had shown me such tenderness six years ago. Strange because I had never felt such deep, possessive affection from him. Even though I had made my decision, even though I had said I would give up, seeing this scene twisted my heart. My entire body throbbed with pain. I slowly placed a hand over my chest, biting my lip tightly. “Julian, did we play too hard last night? It’s all my fault for being mischievous. I’ll apologize to her later, okay?” Serena said this, but her eyes were fixed on Julian, taking in every nuance of his expression. Julian frowned, somewhat puzzled: “Why would you apologize? She deserved it!” “Besides, I already gave her the money.” “That million dollars, she wouldn’t earn it even if she let countless men touch her!” The corridor was noisy, filled with footsteps, but the man’s voice cut through everything, reaching my ears. Every casual tone was perfectly clear. Tears welled in my eyes, and finally, unable to hold them back, they streamed down my face. The hand I had clutched to my chest moved to cover my mouth, the veins on its back bulging, an uncontrollable tremor visible. This answer seemed to please Serena Vance. She gave a loud smack, kissing Julian on the corner of his lips. Soon after, the woman’s low moans of “More, more” and the man’s heavy breathing filled the hospital room. Vivian Hayes closed her eyes, stumbling away from the wall. That afternoon, when the doctor said there were no other major issues, I took advantage of Chloe’s trip to the nursing home and discharged myself. As I walked through the corridor with my luggage, I overheard the nurses at the station discussing: “That Mr. Thorne is a true knight in shining armor! For Ms. Vance, he not only booked the entire floor but also put billions in business aside to stay by her bedside every day, feeding her fruit and washing her feet!” “Exactly! What’s even crazier is that Ms. Vance has no serious problems; she just threw up last night…” “Speaking of which, poor Ms. Hayes on the floor below was brought in covered in wounds, and she had no one with her…” I gave a bitter laugh. My chest felt clogged with a bitter herb, heavy and suffocating. Stepping out of the hospital, I looked intently at the floor Julian Thorne had booked. My eyes flickered with a mix of emotions, finally settling into a soft sigh, and then I decisively turned away. As soon as I returned to my rented apartment, the smell of lotus root and pork rib soup filled the air. The chill I felt seemed to be suppressed by the sunshine and warmth of the room. I put down my luggage and quickly heated the soup in the kitchen. Then, I went to the bedroom and pulled out an old, cloth-covered cardboard box from under the bed. After staring at it for a long time, I finally uncovered it and took out the contents one by one. The first was a collection of错了题集 (wrongly answered questions) that Julian had personally copied. Back then, my stepfather always caused trouble at home, distracting me, and my test scores suffered. Julian had frantically tutored me. The second was a thermos lunchbox Julian had given me. School meals were expensive, so I never ate at school, bringing homemade food every day. He specially gave me the lunchbox, hoping I could eat something warm. The third was a white dress Julian had given me. That summer, he said he wanted to see me in a white dress, but I always had bruises and couldn’t wear it. He thought I was shy and even got angry. The fourth… The items were placed into a brazier one by one, turning to ashes under the licking flames, along with the unforgettable past and the agonizing devotion that had tormented me day and night. When Chloe returned home, she found only ashes on the floor and an empty cardboard box. As dusk settled, Chloe found me huddled in a corner, my knees drawn to my chest, the cramped room eerily silent. Chloe pressed her lips together, asking nothing. She just wrapped her arms around me, murmuring, “It’ll be okay.” **Chapter 7** With the financial pressure temporarily relieved, I returned to the guesthouse after my wounds healed. One day, the manager called, saying several VIP guests had booked the entire place, and I needed to quickly get everyone to clean up. I didn’t dare to delay. After a flurry of activity, the continuous rumble of car engines reached us from outside the guesthouse. I looked up, and Julian Thorne, with Serena Vance in tow, strode in grandly. Seeing me, Serena gave a flippant smile: “Why are you always haunting us? Are you saying you knew Julian was going to propose to me and deliberately followed us?” Julian didn’t speak, but he tilted his head, scrutinizing me. I didn’t want to cause any trouble, nor did I want to lose this job that kept me afloat. I forced myself to speak in a low voice: “Ms. Vance, you’re joking. I’m the manager here. I wish you both a long and happy life together.” Serena laughed outright at my words. Julian, on the other hand, looked displeased, his dark eyes unreadable. “Julian? You were too rough last night, I can barely stand today… No matter what, you have to massage me later…” Serena’s slender fingers provocatively traced circles on his chest, but her eyes were fixed on me. Julian scoffed, pulled her tighter, and squeezed her butt hard with his fingers. He leaned close to my ear, his breath warm: “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely pamper you senseless later…” Their blatant flirting made a few waitstaff secretly blush, and even the friends accompanying them couldn’t help but tease. “Julian really knows how to have fun! He and Serena have different tricks every day. I hear he’s all swollen down there…” “You wouldn’t know it, but young love is platonic. Adult love is pure lust.” “They’ve broken several beds at home…” After that, the friend turned to me and specifically instructed: “Waitstaff, make a note: Mr. Thorne’s reserved room needs a specially reinforced king-size bed!” Seeing my obedient nod, he gave a sarcastic smile and walked away. A few married waitstaff immediately gathered, whispering: “Mr. Thorne looks so refined, is he really that wild?” “Who knows? Ms. Vance has a round, perky butt. They must be wild in bed…” The whispers continued behind me, but I acted as if I didn’t notice. I just lowered my head and sorted the group’s luggage. That night, the guesthouse was brightly lit, adorned with fireworks and balloons. Champagne and red wine covered the tables. Julian, in front of everyone, knelt on one knee, gazing at Serena Vance with deep affection. “Serena, thank you for overlooking my past and pulling me out of my darkest time. Will you spend the rest of your life growing old with me?” Serena covered her mouth with both hands, too emotional to speak, only nodding repeatedly. A chorus of shouts erupted: “Kiss her, kiss her!” Julian smiled and stood up, ready to take out the wedding ring. The next second, his smile froze, and his face darkened. Serena whispered, “Julian, what’s wrong?” He shook his head, looking frustrated: “The custom-made ring is gone…” Everyone’s expressions changed, and they quickly bent down to help search. Just then, Serena looked at me with ill intent. “It’s her, isn’t it?” “You acted like you didn’t care all day, but you secretly stole our engagement ring?” I instinctively retorted, “I didn’t! Don’t you dare falsely accuse me!” “Ridiculous! I’m a wealthy heiress; why would I frame a waitress like you? Search her!” Seeing the crowd closing in, my face changed. Images of being humiliated in prison flashed through my mind. I frantically turned, staring desperately at my colleagues. But they all recoiled, taking a step back, refusing to meet my gaze. Even the manager piped up, “Vivian, maybe you should just let them search you? It’ll be over faster.” At that, someone snickered in the crowd. A huge sense of absurdity welled up. My heart hammered against my ribs, threatening to burst. I struggled violently, a coppery taste of blood filled my mouth, and my vision blurred. “Stop!” Julian’s voice was low. Serena’s face subtly changed, a flicker of resentment crossing her features, but she still signaled the others to stop. A faint flicker of hope sparked in my deadened eyes. Just as I was about to thank him. Julian had already paced closer, his eyes were dark and unreadable, and then he spoke: “I’ll search her!” My breath hitched. The light that had just appeared in my eyes instantly dimmed. I took a step back, hissing, “Don’t touch me!” **Chapter 8** Then, I raised an eyebrow, my eyes blazing, and looked at Serena Vance: “You search me!” Julian’s thin lips pressed into a tight line, his eyes churning with fury. Serena, a malicious smile playing on her lips, slowly walked towards me. Under the guise of searching, she pinched, prodded, and poked me, enjoying every humiliating second. I bit down hard, enduring it all, but the tremors running through my body and the glistening in my eyes betrayed my fear. I stood defiantly, refusing to lower my head, my eyes fixed straight ahead. Time ticked by, and a few people in the crowd began to feel a pang of pity. After a long while, Serena, having had her fun, finally spoke with a smile: “The ring must be hidden somewhere. Lock her up for the night, and she’ll confess tomorrow!” At this, a friend, worried things were going too far, quickly advised: “Forget it, let’s call the police. She doesn’t look like a thief.” “What do you know! She’s been to jail; she has a record…” With that, I turned to Julian, feigning composure. “Julian, what do you say?” Julian’s face was complex, his eyes flickering with indecision, disappointment, and contempt. Finally, all his emotions coalesced into a sigh: “Since she could steal once, she could steal again. Lock her up for now.” “You have no right to—” Before I could finish, someone clamped a hand over my mouth and dragged me, shoving me roughly into a dark storage room. Before they left, they deliberately smashed the light bulb. “Let me out! I’m not a thief!” The door slammed shut, and the last thing I saw was Julian’s cold, contemptuous face. I pounded on the door with both hands, my knuckles bleeding from splinters, but I felt nothing. Julian’s emotionless voice came from outside the door: “Whenever you admit it, that’s when we’ll let you out.” The footsteps gradually faded. I heard my colleagues whispering: “Manager, is it true Vivian’s been to jail? I can’t believe she’s a thief…” “Whether she’s a thief or not is uncertain, but it’s true she’s been to jail…” I fumbled my way to a corner and slowly leaned against the wall. The tears I had held back for so long began to fall in the darkness, one by one, seeping into the cracks. My heart felt like it was ablaze, a furious inferno consuming every fiber of my being. I was in agony, I was in despair, but I couldn’t utter a single word. My mother’s words echoed repeatedly in my mind: “Vivian, this is our fate…” I shook my head violently, muttering incoherently, “No! I won’t accept my fate! I won’t…” For a long time, the room was filled with muffled sobs, like a dying animal’s last, desperate cry. I don’t know how much time passed, but my phone suddenly vibrated, waking me from a daze. I glanced at the number and instantly sobered up. When I answered, the nurse’s voice came through: “Ms. Hayes, your mother is in good spirits today and wants to video call with you.” Since my mother suffered a head injury from my stepfather that night, she had been mostly confused and rarely lucid. Hearing this, I immediately agreed, “Yes! Yes!” Then, I quickly got up and pounded on the door, shouting loudly, “Let me out! Let me out!” The only response was the bone-chilling cold air. When the video call came, I quickly turned on my phone’s flashlight and answered. Through the screen, my mother’s thin face appeared: “Child, why is it so dark where you are? My eyes aren’t good; I can’t see you.” I forced a smile, enduring the lump in my throat, and said, “Mom, the power’s out here, but it’s okay. I’m doing fine…” “Good! As long as you’re doing well, you’re my biggest worry…” “I’m really fine. I even got a bonus this month…” We talked through the screen, one pretending to comfort, the other pretending to be cheerful. After a long while, after hanging up, the smile slowly faded from my face. The next day, just as I was about to use my last 1% battery to call the police, Chloe’s call came in. The moment I answered, her heartbroken sobs filled my ear: “Vivian! Auntie’s gone…!” “Gone?! What do you mean?” I shrieked back. “She jumped off the building!” **Chapter 9** The next second, my phone died and slid from my palm, crashing to the floor. In that instant, my only support shattered. I felt like I’d lost my soul, collapsing to the ground, utterly drained. Remembering my mother’s thin, pale face, I forced my body to move, kicking and pounding on the door. “Let me out! Please!” I knelt on the floor, turning my fingers into claws, scratching desperately, my voice filled with pleading and despair. But outside the door, there was no movement, no sign of it opening. Large, hot tears rolled down my gaunt face, falling into my pale lips. I cried hysterically. “Ah—” “Open the door!” “Open the door now!” Just then, Serena Vance’s mocking voice came from outside: “Want to get out? Fine! Tell the truth, did you steal the ring?” “Just say it, and I’ll let you go!” My body froze. After a few seconds, I suppressed the surging blood in my body, gritted my teeth, and said each word distinctly: “I stole the ring. I stole it! Alright, I’ll admit to whatever you say! Please… let me out!” At that, a thunderous mocking laugh erupted from outside the door. “Since you’ve admitted to being a thief, then just wait quietly to go to jail!” Serena picked up her phone and directly called the police: “Hello, Officer, we have a thief here who stole my million-dollar ring. The address is…” The conversation outside the door clearly reached my ears. I stood there stunned, slowly sliding down with my back against the door. My face was streaked with tears of despair. I don’t know how long passed, but the door opened, and several police officers appeared. I knelt directly, desperately kowtowing to them, crying and pleading: “My mom is gone… please…” My voice was hoarse from long weeping; I could barely speak. One female officer helped me up, gently comforting me. “Don’t rush, take your time.” I clutched the woman’s hands tightly, choked, and spoke with almost all my strength. “My mom… she’s gone. Please, let me see her first…” The officers’ faces hardened. They exchanged glances, then helped me into the car. Serena let out a surprised “Hey!” wanting to stop them: “Shouldn’t you take her statement first?” “Ms. Vance, what happens next is our business. You don’t need to worry.” Serena was about to say more, but Julian, who had just come downstairs, pulled her aside. “What’s wrong? Why all the commotion?” A quick-mouthed friend in the crowd blurted out: “The thief’s mom died. She was making a fuss to get out, and now Ms. Vance called the police to take her away.” Julian paused in adjusting his sleeves. He turned, his face filled with shock. “Her mom died?” Serena tried to cover it up, but it was too late. The friend had already spoken. “Yes! She was crying and making a scene all morning!” Julian’s face instantly turned ashen. Without even tidying his jacket, he rushed out like a whirlwind. All the way, I wept silently, an aura of death clinging to me. After an unknown amount of time, the car stopped at the nursing home entrance. Before it had even fully stopped, the door opened, and I leaped out. The ground was slick from the heavy rain. I stumbled and fell a few times before rushing into the nursing home. When I burst into her room, it was empty. I turned and ran towards the nursing home’s morgue, only to be stopped by Chloe at the door. I fell to my knees, my voice hoarse, wailing in despair: “Mom! Mom! I’m here… I’ve come to see you!” Chloe embraced me, and we collapsed to the ground together, her hot tears soaking my neck. They were scalding, yet chilling to the bone. My eyes grew even more hollow. My lips trembled, and I cried silently, uncontrollably. My voice seemed to disappear in an instant; only tears streamed down my face. Footsteps approached, neither light nor heavy. Julian Thorne looked at my swollen face and bloodshot eyes, his heart aching. Emotions churned in his eyes, and his words, tinged with clear regret, finally escaped: “I’m sorry…” I slowly lifted my eyes, looking at him through my tear-blurred vision. My lips parted and closed, forming only one sentence: “Julian Thorne, get out! I never want to see you again!” **Chapter 10** When the police officers took me away, I said nothing, offered no defense, asked no questions. Like a lifeless zombie…

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In my past life, my best friend wanted to marry my grandfather. I fiercely opposed it, and she didn’t succeed. Later, my grandfather married a woman close to her age, and they had a lavish wedding. My best friend harbored deep resentment. She lured me hiking, then on the mountain peak, she stabbed me 18 times before pushing me off a cliff. “This is all your fault for stopping me from marrying into the Thorne family! Everything should have been mine!” Reborn, I smiled as I sent her off to marry my grandfather. What she didn’t know was that in the past decade, my grandfather had married eight other brides. She was the ninth, and the previous eight had all met untimely ends. Since she was so desperate to marry him, I would grant her wish. “I saw your grandfather at the charity gala yesterday. He even complimented me, saying I reminded him of his first love when he was young.” Genevieve said, clutching her coffee cup, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She grabbed my hand, her gaze filled with calculation. “I want to pursue your grandfather.” I was utterly stunned. “Are you insane? He’s forty years older than you!” “Age is just a number! Besides, he doesn’t look a day over forty, not even close to his sixties.” In my last life, this was where I stopped her, sternly warning her to stay away from my grandfather. She’d flashed a twisted smile. “Cassidy Thorne, who do you think you are? Why are you blocking my path?” Later, my grandfather married someone around our age, and they had a grand wedding. Full of hatred, Genevieve pushed me off a cliff. “This is all your fault for stopping me from marrying into the Thorne family! Everything should have been mine!” But now, I just watched her, silently observing the undisguised greed in her eyes. My grandfather, Sterling Thorne, was the patriarch of Thorne Enterprises, worth billions. “You don’t object?” Genevieve seemed surprised by my silence. I picked up my coffee, a meaningful smile playing on my lips. “Why would I object?” “Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, and love shouldn’t be limited by age, right?” Her eyes lit up; she clearly hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly. Genevieve excitedly hugged me. “That’s great! I knew you’d understand me!” “Don’t worry, once I become your grandmother, I won’t treat you unfairly!” Where she couldn’t see, my smile completely vanished. I softly murmured, “I wish you success.” Grandfather had already married eight other women in the past ten years, and she was about to become the ninth. Only, she didn’t know that all eight previous brides had met untimely ends. As I stepped out of the coffee shop, I stood by the curb, waiting for my driver. A black Mercedes-Benz pulled up slowly in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Mr. Jenkins, the butler. “Miss Cassidy, Mr. Thorne requests your presence for dinner tonight.” “Alright.” I opened the car door and slid inside. “Mr. Jenkins,” I suddenly said, “How has Grandfather’s health been lately?” The old butler glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Mr. Thorne is in excellent health. Last week’s check-up showed all his vital signs were twenty years younger than his actual age.” My fists clenched. In my last life, I had never doubted my grandfather. Now, looking back, many things seemed highly suspicious. The most unsettling part was that whenever a bride died, Grandfather was always away on a business trip, with a perfect alibi. He always seemed strangely indifferent after their deaths. During dinner, I observed Grandfather. He did indeed look much younger than his actual age. “I heard you met the Miller girl today?” My body tensed. How did Grandfather know? Unless he had been monitoring me, or Genevieve. “Yes, Genevieve, she’s my best friend.” A slight smile played on Grandfather’s lips. “She’s a very vibrant girl. My birthday celebration is in two days. You can invite her to come over tomorrow and stay until the party ends.” In my last life, I had tried everything to keep Genevieve away from Grandfather, so she never received a formal invitation from the Thorne family. “Of course,” I replied sweetly. After dinner, Grandfather always took a stroll in the garden. I used this opportunity to find the secret compartment in his study. My mother had told me about it before she died, but I had never opened it. Behind a copy of the Bible on the third shelf, there was a hidden button. Pressing it revealed a small secret room. On a desk inside the room lay a notebook and a safe. My hands trembling, I opened the notebook. What I saw almost made me scream.

It was a list, neatly recording eight names, along with their wedding and death dates. Each name had a photo attached, and to my horror, I noticed that these women shared certain similarities. The shape of their eyes, the curve of their lips, especially the last three—they were almost like replicas of the same type. On the last page was the ninth name: Genevieve. A red question mark was drawn next to it, and the date column was blank. My gaze was drawn to the safe. My gut told me it held an even more terrifying secret. But the safe required both a fingerprint and a password, so I couldn’t open it. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching the door. I hastily closed the notebook and ducked behind the curtains. The study door opened, and Grandfather and the butler walked in. “The ninth one should be the most suitable,” Grandfather’s voice was low and calm. “Her birth attributes match perfectly.” “We’ll finally have all nine. Bring that Genevieve to me tomorrow.” “Yes, Mr. Thorne.” After they left, I collapsed onto the floor, my back drenched in cold sweat. Grandfather knew Genevieve, and it seemed he was actively planning something. Even more terrifying, he appeared to be performing some kind of… ritual that required nine brides? The next day, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Genevieve. “Cassidy! Amazing news! I received a formal invitation from the Thorne family! Can I come over to your place today?” I stared at the screen, a cold smile slowly spreading across my face. “Of course, you’re more than welcome.” Genevieve spent two days at Thorne Manor, and I did my best to create opportunities for her and Grandfather to be alone. On the day of the birthday celebration, all the prominent figures in the city were present. I stood in a corner, watching with detached eyes as Genevieve clung to Grandfather’s arm, smiling flirtatiously. Things were progressing quickly between them. It seemed both were quite eager. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Grandfather, Sterling Thorne, stood on the grand staircase, gently patting Genevieve’s hand. His voice was steady and authoritative. “Thank you all for coming to my birthday celebration. Today, I have some joyous news to announce.” The entire hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on them. “Genevieve and I have found a deep connection and decided to get married.” “The wedding will be in three days, and everyone is welcome to attend our ceremony.” Though I had anticipated it, hearing the words aloud made my heart involuntarily tremble. The guests were briefly stunned, then erupted into a chorus of insincere congratulations. After all, a sixty-year-old business magnate marrying a woman in her twenties wasn’t uncommon in high society. As long as there was enough money, age was never an issue. Genevieve wore a triumphant smile, her gaze sweeping through the crowd before finally landing on me. Was she flaunting it? I calmly took a sip of champagne, a slight smile on my lips, and even walked forward. I spoke softly, “Congratulations, Grandfather. Congratulations, Genevieve.” Grandfather nodded in satisfaction, while Genevieve narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly surprised by my composure. And so, she eagerly bared her claws.

“Oh, by the way, Cassidy.” She feigned intimacy, taking my hand, but her voice was deliberately loud enough for everyone around to hear. “Since I’m now the future mistress of Thorne Manor, there are some things I need to handle for you.” “Oh? What things?” She stared at me, enunciating each word. “Your engagement with young Master Miller? It’s time to call it off.” The Millers—long-standing family friends of the Thornes. Declan Miller, the only son of the Miller family, and I had been engaged since childhood. Though it was an arranged marriage, Declan had always treated me incredibly well. And now, Genevieve wanted to force me to break off the engagement? Before I could speak, Grandfather actually nodded. “Genevieve is right. The Millers’ business has been struggling lately, not fitting our family’s standing. Cassidy, this engagement? It’s over.” My breath hitched. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Declan standing nearby, his wine glass almost shattering in his hand. “Grandfather,” I heard my voice tremble, “My engagement with Declan was arranged by our ancestors…” “That was all in the past.” Grandfather waved a dismissive hand, and an attendant immediately offered him a cigar. He took a deep puff. “What’s the Miller family’s situation now? Do they even deserve to be associated with us?” Whispers started to spread through the banquet hall. I saw Declan’s face turn ashen, while Genevieve smirked at me triumphantly. “Grandfather!” I dropped to my knees before him. “Please reconsider. While the Miller family might be struggling now, Declan—” *Smash!* Genevieve suddenly threw her hand up, knocking over a tray of red wine a server was carrying. The red wine poured down over my head. Guests exchanged glances, some snickering softly, others looking on with pity. “Oops, my hand slipped.” She feigned surprise, covering her mouth, but then leaned down and whispered in my ear, in a voice only I could hear. “You think begging on your knees will work? Let me tell you, after tonight, you won’t even have the right to kneel.” I looked up at her, astonished. “Enough!” Grandfather pulled his hand away from me. “This matter is settled!” Declan crushed his wine glass, glaring intensely at Genevieve. As I went upstairs to change, I saw Declan and Genevieve embracing in the hallway corner. “Genevieve, how was my acting? She even knelt for me.” “Constantly parading around as your fiancée, it’s irritating.” My heart ached. I hadn’t realized they were already involved. My judgment of people was truly terrible. “You disgusting cheats!” I swore. Declan chuckled softly. “Watching you beg like a fool, thinking we’d actually get married.” Genevieve giggled, leaning into his arms. “Your man has been mine for ages.” They were both sickening. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Grandfather?” “Go ahead!” Genevieve taunted, unafraid. “See who he believes—you, or me.” “Once the old man dies, everything at Thorne Manor will be ours.” Declan fantasized, his arm around her waist. “I thought we were best friends.” Genevieve sneered. “Hmph, friends. Don’t play innocent. In your eyes, I was just a dog. You’d throw me scraps when you pitied me. I’m sick of it!” “Now I’m above you, and you’ll dance to my tune!” I remembered how, back in college, Genevieve couldn’t afford tuition, so I paid for it. When she ran out of living expenses, I shared everything I had. Later, when her mother fell critically ill, I immediately arranged for her to be admitted to the best hospital. And in her eyes, all that was just pity? I should have let her starve! I was so angry, I laughed. “Then consider everything I ever did for you wasted.” I wasn’t in a hurry, because soon enough, they would both get what they deserved.

After the birthday celebration, Genevieve officially moved into Thorne Manor as the future Mrs. Thorne. The first thing she did was take my room. “Cassidy, this room has the best light, it’s perfect for me,” she said, leaning against the doorframe. “You’ll be moving out soon anyway, why not get used to it beforehand?” I stood in the hallway, calmly looking at her. “If you like it, it’s yours.” She narrowed her eyes, seemingly displeased by my compliance, then sneered. “Oh, by the way, Sterling said your allowance will be handled by me from now on. After all, you’re not a child anymore, you should learn to be frugal.” She pulled a card from her designer purse and handed it to me. “Five thousand a month. Enough?” Five thousand. It wasn’t even enough for a single bracelet I used to buy on a whim. I reached out and took the card, offering a small smile. “Thank you, Grandma.” Her expression froze for a moment, clearly stung by the address, but she quickly reverted to her arrogant demeanor. “Such a good girl.” I turned and went to the guest room. But the next day, Genevieve dragged me to her walk-in closet. “Cassidy, look, isn’t my wedding dress beautiful?” She unfurled a pure white wedding gown, its skirt adorned with countless tiny diamonds, shimmering brilliantly under the light. I nodded. “It’s very pretty.” She suddenly sighed, feigning regret. “Actually, I originally wanted to choose your mother’s antique wedding gown from back then, but Sterling said it was bad luck.” My blood instantly ran cold. How dare she mention my mother?! In my last life, my mother had died in Thorne Manor, her cause of death a mystery. And her wedding gown had been sealed in the Thorne family vault, a place even I couldn’t easily access. Genevieve tilted her head, enjoying my instantly pale face. “But it’s fine, my wedding dress is much more expensive than your mother’s, wouldn’t you say?” I dug my nails into my palms, barely managing to maintain a calm expression. “Yes,” I said softly. “I hope you get to live many days wearing it.” She paused, then burst into laughter. “Cassidy Thorne, you’re not actually thinking about revenge, are you?” She leaned closer to me. “Don’t forget, now the entire Thorne family is mine.” On the wedding day, Thorne Manor was decorated with extravagant luxury. The wedding march began, and Genevieve, arm in arm with Grandfather, slowly walked towards the officiant. Guests applauded their congratulations, while I stood in a corner, quietly watching it all unfold. When the officiant opened his book and solemnly asked if they were willing, Grandfather slowly looked up. His eyes, however, weren’t their usual gentle self; instead, they held a peculiar coldness. “I do.” When it was time to exchange rings, Mr. Jenkins, the butler, stepped forward, holding a delicate velvet box. Inside lay two rings, each set with a blood-red gemstone. They placed them on each other’s fingers, completing the ceremony. I saw Grandfather slowly exhale a long breath. The next day, the butler frantically sought me out. “Bad news, Mrs. Thorne… something’s happened.” “Mr. Thorne left on a business trip abroad last night…”

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I was getting my car serviced at my cousin Daniel Miller’s auto club. Once they were done, I told the staff, “Charge it to my cousin’s account.” A staff member nodded, ready to process, but a strange female manager stepped in and stopped him. “We don’t do tabs here. Payment must be settled on the spot.” With that, she *slapped* the bill down in front of me. Supreme Fine Diagnostic Fee: $80,000 Exhaust System Acoustic Enhancement: $100,000 Engine Spiritual Balance Calibration: $100,000 Total: $280,000. I almost burst out laughing. When did my cousin start running a scam operation? The female manager, Vanessa Reed, folded her arms across her chest, scrutinizing me with disdain. “I’ve seen plenty of freeloaders like you, always trying to exploit family connections. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not if you don’t have the money.” Without a word, I pulled out my phone and dialed my cousin. “You have ten minutes to get her out of here, or your club won’t be in business much longer.”

“Alex, is there… some kind of misunderstanding?” On the other end, Daniel Miller’s voice was laced with guilt and panic. “Misunderstanding?” My voice instantly chilled. “Do I look like an idiot to you? I’m not calling to discuss, I’m calling to inform you. Deal with your staff, immediately!” Daniel seemed stunned by my tone. He quickly tried to smooth things over: “Alex, don’t get mad. Just put Vanessa Reed on the phone. I’ll personally ask her what’s going on.” I snorted and handed the phone to Vanessa. She pouted, reluctantly taking the call. “Didn’t I tell you already? You need to cut ties with these poor relatives. They just use your name to line their pockets. This time, it’s even worse; he wants to skip out on the bill after a full service.” Daniel seemed to be explaining something on the phone, but Vanessa didn’t give him a chance to finish. “Alright, stop. I know you’re soft-hearted and worried about family ties, always hesitant. But today, I’ll be the bad guy!” She hung up, tossing the phone back to me, her chin held high. “Hear that? Danny’s too busy for your pathetic drama. Stop stalling. It’s $280,500 total, but I’ll round it down for you. Just $280,000!” “Cash, card, or bank transfer? Hurry up, or I’ll call security to escort you out!” Vanessa deliberately emphasized “escort,” her threat clear. Vanessa’s audacity and stupidity almost made me laugh again. In all these years, no one had dared to be so arrogant in front of me. Just then, the VIP room door swung open, and Daniel rushed in. He jogged over, a fake smile plastered on his face. “Oh, Alex, what a mess this is. Vanessa, you know, she just takes things too seriously. Don’t take it personally.” Before I could speak, Vanessa exploded, as if I’d just stepped on her tail. “Danny, wasn’t I doing this for your own good? Are you happy letting some broke wannabe use your name to take advantage and ruin your business?” Vanessa shook Daniel’s arm, not forgetting to shoot me a provocative look. Seeing this, I’d be an idiot not to understand. I wondered why a mere manager like Vanessa Reed dared to be so arrogant; turns out she had a backer. As if to confirm my suspicions, Daniel forced a smile and started playing the victim. “Alex, Vanessa is my girlfriend. We’re getting engaged next month. We’ll be family soon, we’ll always be seeing each other, so how about I just pay for this?” “No need!” I refused coldly. Daniel’s attitude chilled me to the bone. If I hadn’t taken pity on him because we were family, he’d still be struggling to find a stable job. The design, renovation, operational plans, network resources, even the initial capital for this auto club—I provided all of it from behind the scenes. I just didn’t step forward personally back then, out of consideration for his ego, so he had no idea I was the real boss. But now, for this brainless, malicious woman, he was actually going to argue with me. If that’s how it was, I had no reason to hold back.

$280,000? That’s less than what I spend on an average day. What truly infuriated me wasn’t the money, but Daniel’s revolting ingratitude! “The money, I can pay!” The moment I spoke, Vanessa’s face lit up with a triumphant, victorious smile. Daniel visibly relaxed, as if the matter was finally over. “But…” I sharply changed my tone, my voice suddenly rising. “You’ll have to explain this $280,000 bill clearly, item by item, every single charge!” Vanessa immediately pulled out a pre-prepared bill and read it aloud with a tone of boastful sarcasm. “First, the Supreme Fine Diagnostic Fee. Our club uses genuine German imported analyzers, and our experts, all with ‘International Artisan Certifications,’ spend three hours on each inspection. The diagnostic fee is naturally charged at international standards.” “Also, your car’s exhaust system had an anomaly affecting its acoustic aesthetics. We performed an ‘Italian Opera Tenor Resonating Chamber’ style upgrade, making the exhaust sound like Pavarotti’s voice—rich, powerful, and significantly enhancing its value.” I almost thought I misheard her. The three business partners who accompanied me twitched their mouths in disbelief. Even Daniel awkwardly lowered his head. Yet, she wasn’t finished. Vanessa’s claims grew even more preposterous. “Finally, our technicians discovered your car’s turbocharger lacked dynamic balance. This isn’t a common issue; it required a Swiss vacuum-environment precision calibrator, with remote guidance from headquarters experts, for a spiritual dynamic balance calibration to ensure perfect soul-level synergy between the turbo and engine.” “What is this called? It’s called exclusive, top-tier service, understand?” “In short, at the Haitian Auto Club, our prices are clearly marked, and we never scam anyone. It’s simply that you’re too unsophisticated, too sheltered, and that’s why you’re making such a fuss!” Her last sentence was dripping with obvious contempt and humiliation. My friend Mr. Jenkins couldn’t take it anymore. He stood up, trying to defuse the tension. “Mr. Thorne, it’s getting late. Why don’t we leave first? I’ll cover the bill.” I raised a hand, firmly stopping him. What had transpired wasn’t about money anymore. I had brought my business partners here to introduce Daniel to my network and get my car serviced. Who knew I’d be publicly humiliated by Vanessa? Forcing down my rage, I turned to my three business partners and apologized sincerely. “My deepest apologies for making you witness such a ridiculous scene and ruining your evening. To make amends, I’ll book out ‘The Zenith Club’ this Saturday and host a new banquet for all of you.” Almost immediately after I finished speaking, my friends’ phones chimed, receiving booking confirmations and notifications from “The Zenith Club.” Mr. Jenkins, who had just offered to pay my bill, now had a look of shock and excitement plastered on his face. Although they were all successful business owners, they weren’t exactly top-tier players in the truly exclusive circles. “The Zenith Club” was a legendary, private club where big bosses gathered, never open to the public. You couldn’t get in with money alone; you needed serious connections. And I had just secured it with a single message. In that moment, any lingering doubt they had about me completely vanished. Their eyes, as they looked at me, now held a clear sense of respect. I walked my friends to the club’s main entrance and watched their cars drive away. It wasn’t until their taillights disappeared that the smile vanished from my face, replaced by an icy coldness. I turned around, ready to go back and clean house. But Vanessa Reed, with two tall security guards, blocked the lobby entrance. “Stop right there!” Vanessa shrieked, pointing her finger at my nose and cursing. “Trying to sneak away? Not a chance! You’re not taking another step out that door until you pay up!” The two security guards moved forward in response, menacingly surrounding me. I stopped, silently watching this absurd scene. At the entrance of my own establishment, I was being blocked and demanded to pay a debt that shouldn’t even exist. It was utterly laughable.

At the club’s entrance, Vanessa’s shrill voice attracted numerous customers in the lobby, who stopped to watch. They peered curiously, their looks of disdain undisguised as they fell upon me. It was as if I truly were a scoundrel trying to skip out on a bill. “Someone trying to skip out at Haitian Auto Club? Must have a death wish!” “Tsk, tsk, dressed so nicely, but doing something so disgraceful…” “If you can’t afford Haitian, don’t come. How embarrassing.” Being publicly shamed like this, having fingers pointed at me, sent a surge of fury straight to my head. Daniel, standing nearby, was pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead. “Vanessa… maybe we should just drop it…” He tugged at Vanessa’s sleeve, his voice weak, seemingly trying to persuade her not to push things too far. Vanessa glared at him, her eyes wide. “Daniel, can’t you grow a spine? The money’s almost in our hands, and you want to give it back? Should we keep teaching these poor relatives a lesson again and again?” Daniel trembled, swallowed the words he was about to say, and shrank back, daring not to speak again. His spineless demeanor ignited my anger further, cementing my complete disappointment in him. With a cold expression, I pulled out my phone and called my assistant. “Chris, grab fifty thousand in cash from the car and bring it to the main entrance immediately.” Before long, Chris, my assistant, swiftly approached, carrying a heavy silver suitcase. I motioned for him to open it. With a *click*, the lid sprang open, revealing stacks of hundred-dollar bills neatly arranged inside—a powerful visual impact. A collective gasp instantly rose from the crowd, and all chatter ceased. Vanessa’s eyes went wide! She clearly hadn’t expected that I, her so-called “poor relative,” could so casually produce $500,000 in cash. “I should’ve said a million! What a missed opportunity!” Vanessa mumbled, her eyes darting around, as if she’d missed out on millions. Gazing at the cash in the suitcase, Vanessa unconsciously swallowed, her breathing quickening. She reached out, intending to close the case. “Consider yourself smart. $280,000 here will settle the maintenance service. The extra $220,000 is for the severe damage you’ve done to our club’s reputation—consider it a compensation for emotional distress!” “Wait.” I placed my hand on the lid, stopping her. Vanessa instantly grew wary: “What? Trying to back out?” “You can take the money.” I stared at her, my gaze sharp. “But you have to sign a receipt, clear in black and white.” Daniel, beside her, suddenly jolted, finally realizing that the situation had spiraled beyond his control. He frantically stepped forward, grabbing Vanessa’s arm, his voice pleading: “Vanessa, you can’t sign it! We can’t take this money! Give it back to Alex!” “Get lost, you pathetic excuse for a man!” Vanessa flung him away, glaring at him with disgust. “Money in hand, and you want to spit it out? Why would I give it back? He owes it! I’ll sign it, so no one can deny it. It’s settled, cash for services.” She was blinded by greed, completely deaf to any advice. Snatching a pen and paper from a nearby staff member, she signed “Vanessa Reed” with a flourish without a second thought, even pressing her red fingerprint. “Here!” She threw the receipt at me, then eagerly snapped the case shut and clutched it tightly. “Honey, see? I told you I had skills! $500,000! This money is all mine for my personal stash! I’ve been eyeing that limited edition Hermès bag, but I never splurged. Now I can finally get it!” Vanessa gushed, linking arms with Daniel, her voice sickeningly sweet. She was completely immersed in the euphoria of undeserved wealth and the anticipation of luxury goods, her face radiant with happiness. Just as Vanessa was pulling Daniel away, the screech of tires echoed from outside the entrance. Three pure black business vans, emblazoned with the Haitian Group emblem, pulled up to the entrance.

The doors swiftly opened. Seven or eight grim-faced men and women in dark suits stepped out, their movements precise and confident as they strode toward the showroom entrance. Each wore a subtle, elegant badge on their lapel – the exclusive emblem of the Haitian Group. Leading them was a stern-faced middle-aged man with sharp eyes, radiating an unquestionable aura of authority. This was Director Thompson, Head of the Inspection Department. Director Thompson’s appearance made the onlookers and employees in the showroom instantly sober up, their faces paling. Employees instinctively straightened their postures. An invisible tension and suppression filled the air. Director Thompson ignored everyone in his path. His gaze swept quickly across the showroom, finally locking onto me. He swiftly moved through the crowd, heading directly to me, and bowed slightly. “Mr. Thorne, Director Thompson, Head of the Haitian Group’s Inspection Department, reporting for duty with my team.” “Mr. Thor… Mr. Thorne?!” A collective gasp filled the air. Daniel heard the title, then saw Director Thompson’s utterly deferential attitude. His mind buzzed, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. Vanessa also froze, her mind unable to process it. She angrily pointed at Director Thompson and shrieked: “Who are you people? Who let you in?!” Director Thompson paid no attention to the flailing Vanessa. He turned to face the entire room, his voice loud and clear. “By the highest directive from Haitian Group Headquarters, effective immediately, we are initiating a Level One Audit and Operations Compliance Raid on the Jiangcheng branch of the Haitian Auto Club!” “All accounts, systems, and vehicles are to be sealed for investigation. All relevant personnel, please cooperate with our inquiry!” Highest directive! Level One Audit! Surprise Inspection! Every word hit Daniel like a heavy hammer to his chest. His legs turned to jelly; he could barely stand. Cold sweat instantly drenched his back. Why would Headquarters suddenly conduct an audit? Vanessa, at this point, still hadn’t grasped the severity of the situation. She sneered. “What a load of rubbish, ‘Inspection Department.’ Don’t pretend to be important. I bet Mr. Thorne hired you actors! You’re pretty good at it, but you won’t scare me!” She dramatically yelled, trying to assert control. “This isn’t a place for your nonsense. Security! Security! Are you all dead? Get them out of here!” However, the security guards behind her exchanged glances, their feet rooted to the spot. Their faces showed hesitation and awe. They had seen Headquarters’ inspection team before. Director Thompson had even visited once during the opening. Although he was always polite during previous inspections and training, his unspoken authority had deeply impressed them. This time, the Inspection Department clearly meant business. Who would dare lay a hand on them? Vanessa saw that she couldn’t even command the security guards and instantly became furious. “You useless good-for-nothings! What do I pay you for? Move it now! I’ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!” Daniel was terrified. He yanked Vanessa’s arm, his voice trembling. “Stop yelling! They’re really from Headquarters’ Inspection Department! This has really blown up now!” Vanessa flinched, the rest of her words catching in her throat. At that moment, she finally realized the situation was far more serious than she’d imagined. But, like an arrow shot from a bow, there was no turning back. Even so, she still forced herself to act calm, sticking her neck out. “Che… inspection? What right do you have to inspect? Do you have a document? Let me see it!” Director Thompson scoffed, took a document from his assistant, and displayed it directly in front of Vanessa and Daniel. It was clearly an investigation letter issued by the Group CEO’s office, with a distinct red seal. “Before the full audit begins, Manager Reed, we need to discuss the legality of the $500,000 you currently hold.” Director Thompson waved his hand, and an assistant brought over a tablet. The screen displayed a scanned copy of the receipt Vanessa had signed. “Ms. Reed, according to the payment confirmation form you personally signed, you collected $500,000 cash from Mr. Thorne, under the names of Supreme Fine Diagnostic Fee, Exhaust System Acoustic Enhancement, Engine Spiritual Balance Calibration, and compensation for emotional distress.”

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“Ms. Winters, are you absolutely certain you want to donate your corneas to Mr. Harrington?” “I am.” I forced a smile, but even the brightest grin couldn’t hide my pale complexion. “The corneas are for him. Once I’m gone, I want my body donated for medical research.” Just a few days ago, I was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. The doctors told me the chances of successful surgery were incredibly low. So, I decided to forgo treatment. “Since you’ve made up your mind, please sign this donor form.” I scrawled my name, then added, “Please keep this a secret from my husband.” Leaving the hospital, I sat in the taxi, staring down at Julian’s SnapChat messages. The driver chimed in, “Hey there, miss, it’s pouring out. Why aren’t you heading home? Where are you off to?” I finally looked out at the torrential rain, a small smile touching my lips. A thrill of anticipation buzzed beneath my skin. “I’m going to pick up my husband.” The driver chuckled, saying my husband was a lucky man, and a warmth spread through my chest. Julian had been unusually communicative today. Could it be because he was finally getting his cornea transplant next month? I didn’t dare waste a second. I hopped out of the cab, sprinted into the rain, and hurried toward the bar. My thin cover-up was almost drenched. I dabbed myself dry with paper towels in the restroom before heading to his VIP room. “Julian, I’m here to pick you up.” “Pffft, hahaha——” “She actually came? In this downpour!” A wave of mocking laughter crashed over me. I steadied myself, my eyes adjusting to the smoke-filled room. It was packed with Julian’s usual crowd of privileged friends. Julian sat regally in the center of the chaos, his crisp white shirt a stark contrast to the smoky room, yet a cigarette still dangled from his fingertips. He tilted his head, a cruel smirk playing on his lips, his eyes unfocused. “Aria Winters, I just tossed you a random location, and you came running like a damn dog.” “How pathetic are you?” The room erupted in laughter again. The dull ache in my chest twisted into a sharp, agonizing stab, stealing my breath. Still, I managed a fragile smile. “Julian, let’s go home.” Julian acted as if he hadn’t heard me, raising his drink to his lips. I stumbled closer and snatched the glass from his hand. “Julian, you have surgery next month. You can’t drink.” “Who are you to tell me what to do?” Was it just my imagination, or did I see cold indifference and mockery in his vacant eyes? “Julian, you’ll be able to live a normal life next month. Aren’t you happy?” He stayed silent. I took a deep breath, struggling to speak again. “I heard Serena Davies is back…” “You don’t even deserve to utter Serena’s name!” At that name, Julian, who had been lazily mocking me, exploded in a sudden rage. He grabbed an ashtray from the coffee table and hurled it at me. I couldn’t dodge in time. A gash opened on my forehead, instantly oozing blood. The room fell silent. His friends hesitated, exchanged glances, then quietly slipped out. Leaving the space for the warring couple. “If it weren’t for you, how would Serena have left New York City? How would I have gone blind?” His voice was a venomous growl, his face contorted with a searing hatred. “Why don’t you just die! A vicious, manipulative woman like you – why are you even still alive?!” My face was ashen at his words, my heart twisting in agony. Yet, I forced a bitter laugh. “Julian, even if you hate me, I’ve never regretted taking you from Serena Davies. I simply…” “Enough!” My words were cut short by Julian’s sharp roar. “You’re not worthy to speak Serena’s name!” He then fumbled, trying to stand. Ignoring the throbbing pain, I scrambled forward, reaching out to help him. Julian’s hand shot out. Before I could feel a flicker of hope that he wasn’t rejecting me this time, my breath hitched. His fingers were clamped around my throat. Veins bulged on his hand, and he squeezed without mercy. My face flushed crimson. “The thought of seeing your pathetic face after my surgery next month makes me sick! Get out of my life permanently. Don’t ever appear before me again.” *** Chapter 2 “Get out!” Just as my vision blurred and black spots danced before my eyes, Julian suddenly released me. I lost all balance, falling backward with a thud against the floor, completely drained of strength. I coughed violently, my lungs burning as if they’d be torn out. Julian heard the sound, but only wiped the back of his hand with a handkerchief, a look of disgust on his face. My nose burned. The next second, dark crimson blood gushed out, accompanied by a piercing, needle-like pain in my head. I touched it, and my hand came away covered in blood. Terrified Julian would notice, I stumbled into the VIP room’s bathroom. I rinsed my face endlessly until the bleeding finally stopped. When I emerged, the room was empty. A sad smile touched my lips. I laughed, but tears streamed down my face. It was still pouring outside. Julian had left, clearly with no intention of taking me with him, and I couldn’t get a cab. Left with no choice, I called Eleanor, Julian’s mother. Eleanor was frantic when she heard I was stranded at the bar and immediately dispatched their family driver. I waited at the entrance. My head suddenly spun, and I collapsed, losing consciousness. When I opened my eyes again, Eleanor and Richard’s worried faces were hovering over me. “Aria, you have a fever. Do you feel any better?” I nodded weakly, still feeling the world spin. A wave of nausea hit me, and I clutched my chest, dry heaving a couple of times. Eleanor and Richard exchanged glances, then tentatively asked, “Aria, are you… pregnant?” I froze for a moment, then shook my head with a bitter smile. I desperately wanted to have Julian’s child, but I couldn’t get pregnant. From the moment I married Julian, he forced me to get an IUD. And whenever we were intimate, he always used protection, and made me take birth control pills afterward just in case. How could I possibly be pregnant? Eleanor gently stroked my hair, her eyes filled with such warmth and motherly affection. “Julian, that scoundrel, leaving you alone like that! I’m going to give him a piece of my mind.” Just then, Julian pushed open the door and entered. He frowned, reaching out to feel my forehead. His hand met scalding skin and the bandage wrapped around my head. His heart tightened. He’d forgotten. The ashtray must have hit me. Richard couldn’t help but scold him. “If you cared about Aria, why would you leave her out there alone?” Julian’s expression shifted, and his hand, now clenched into a fist, dropped away. “Alright, that’s enough.” “You two talk. We’ll step out.” Eleanor shot a look at Richard, and they headed for the door. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to add, “Julian, be gentle with Aria. The sooner you two patch things up, the sooner we can have grandchildren.” “Aria Winters, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?” The tender concern in his gaze vanished, replaced by a harsh accusation. Julian was convinced I’d engineered this. “You called my parents to send a driver, then deliberately collapsed, faking illness, just to play the victim in front of them, didn’t you!” He scoffed, his expression growing even more contemptuous. “What’s your game? Trying to get pregnant? Pulling the sympathy card with my parents – how utterly manipulative and cunning you are!” “No… I didn’t.” Julian didn’t give me a chance to defend myself, immediately passing judgment. “I’m telling you, I’d rather die childless than let someone as disgusting as you carry my offspring.” His tone was utterly disgusted, as if I were something vile and unclean. “And I’d never touch someone like you.” I had no words to argue. Not only did the wound on my forehead ache, and the tumor in my brain throb, but my entire being felt crushed. My heart hurt so much I could barely breathe. “Julian, I didn’t. I never thought that.” “You better not have!” Julian sneered, then reached out and yanked me up. “Now get home.” Richard and Eleanor couldn’t stop him. Julian gripped my wrist tightly, his hold unyielding. He dragged me along like that, and I nearly stumbled several times. *** Chapter 3 The ride home was silent. I sat in the passenger seat with the driver, while Julian sat alone in the back, the curtains drawn. He never allowed me to sit beside him, always claiming I made him feel dirty. But I always made sure to be impeccably clean, and even wore his favorite perfume scent every time. I hung my head, fidgeting with my fingers like a scolded child. The car pulled into the driveway, and I scurried to help Julian out. “I’m not some helpless invalid. Get away from me.” Julian roughly shook off my hand, as if I’d shocked him, quickly recoiling. Unprepared, my hand slammed into the car door. My skin instantly reddened, a large, angry mark blooming across my pale hand. Tears stung my eyes, and a sharp throb shot through my delicate, pale hand. “Julian, I’m back.” A sickly sweet, soft female voice suddenly sounded behind us. I froze, as if struck by lightning. “Serena!” The usually aloof and arrogant man instantly lost his composure, turning anxiously towards the sound, a hint of desperation in his vacant eyes. “Is that you, Serena?” “It’s me, Julian.” Serena Davies’s exquisite face was alight with smiles. She sauntered towards him on high heels. I watched, stunned, as Serena approached, my mind reeling back two years. She was just as beautiful as she’d been then, time barely leaving a trace on her face. A bitter, sickening wave washed over me, a surge of grief and indignation choking my chest. I was about to die, so why did Serena have to come back now? Serena stopped in front of Julian. Completely oblivious to my presence, she tenderly placed her delicate hand on his cheek. “Julian, after all these years, have you been well?” Her voice held a slight tremor, as if genuinely worried about him. A wave of anger swelled inside me. I clenched my fists at my sides. If she truly cared about him, how could she have left the country and married another man almost immediately? The scene from two years ago abroad flashed before my eyes again: Serena in a white wedding gown, her expression cold and indifferent. I had begged her to return, offered to give Julian back to her, only asking that she treat him well and stay by his side. But what had Serena said? Facing my almost pleading stance, she had simply brushed off my hand with a cold sneer: “I won’t marry a blind man. I certainly won’t waste the rest of my life taking care of him.” Serena was the one who abandoned Julian, so why is she back now, practically throwing herself at him? The thought drained all color from my face, and my still-recovering body trembled violently. The two of them had already clasped hands, beginning to pour out their hearts to each other. Just as Julian was about to pull Serena into a hug, she suddenly pushed him away. “Julian, no, you’re someone else’s husband now.” “I only came back to see how you were doing. I don’t want to disturb your life. I have to go.” “Serena, wait.” Julian’s hand reached out, grasping at empty air. I reacted instantly, grabbing Julian’s arm, terrified he would actually leave with her. “Julian, let’s go home.” “Get lost!” Julian violently shook off my arm, took a few steps, and pulled Serena tightly into his embrace. Serena willingly leaned into him, then shot me a triumphant, challenging glance. My breath hitched. The sight stung my eyes, a fresh wound opening in my heart. I rushed forward like a woman possessed, tearing them apart, my voice a desperate whisper: “I’m your legal wife! Make this woman leave!” Julian, already feeling vulnerable and insecure facing his former lover while blind, was utterly humiliated by my outburst. He brought his hand down, a heavy slap connecting with my face. “Are you out of your mind?!” The blow made my head spin, snapping my head to the side. At the same time, the piercing headache returned. I groaned in pain, clutching my head tightly. Serena feigned alarm, pressed a quick kiss to Julian’s cheek, then reluctantly stepped out of his embrace. “Julian, I’ll see you another time.” Julian made no move to stop her, nor did he pay any attention to me, sobbing in pain on the ground. He tried to walk past me into the house, but I grabbed his pant leg. My face was stark white, my lips bitten until they bled. My chest heaved violently, and a faint twitch pulled at the corner of my mouth. My voice was a raw, hoarse whisper, as if squeezed from my very soul. “Julian Harrington, spend one last week with me, like real husband and wife, and I’ll sign the divorce papers.” Uttering those words drained every ounce of my energy, all the fight leaving me. My limbs felt like they were being torn apart by a leopard, the pain so intense I could barely breathe. “If you don’t agree, I’ll die before I ever give up the title of Mrs. Harrington.” Julian froze, seemingly pondering the reason behind my words. After a moment, he said in a low, grave tone, “Alright.” “One week from now, we’ll have nothing to do with each other.” Nothing to do with each other, huh? I smiled. I would give him exactly what he wanted. *** Chapter 4 Lying alone on the big bed in the bedroom, my mind was consumed by the scene from two years ago. When our two families arranged the marriage, I had no idea Julian already had a girlfriend he loved. As soon as the engagement was announced, Serena left the country. Julian, rushing to the airport to chase after her, got into a car accident and had been blind ever since. Watching Julian lying unconscious in the hospital bed, a flood of grief washed over me, completely drowning me. So, I frantically pursued her abroad, only to witness Serena’s wedding. I begged and pleaded, but Serena refused, her eyes devoid of any emotion. “He’s blind now. How could I possibly go back?” Her cruel, unfeeling face was still vivid in my memory. Why was she suddenly back now, and what was her purpose? I rolled over. Seeing the time, I got up to prepare Julian’s medication. As I stood by the study door, I overheard him talking to his childhood friend, Sam Jensen. “Serena’s back. Are you going to get a divorce?” Julian scoffed, tapping a rhythm on the desk. “Of course, I’m getting a divorce.” “My surgery is in three days. I’ll have a new lease on life.” He let out a long breath, as if anticipating sweet relief. Even after being tormented by him so many times, his attitude still hurt me. Sam sighed, shaking his head in confusion. “You could have cured your eyes with medication. Why drag it out until now?” He looked at Julian with frustration, as if he wanted to slap some sense into him. “Do you know how much more Aria suffered because you insisted on being blind?” Julian chuckled dismissively, his tone nonchalant. “I didn’t want to see her disgusting face. She doesn’t deserve a healthy husband either.” “I want her to live in guilt forever, begging for my forgiveness, never knowing happiness.” An unexpected, sharp pain struck my chest, as if a heavy weight had slammed into my heart. He deliberately gave up the chance to heal his eyes, all to torment me for two years. For two years, though I got to stay by Julian’s side, I lived in constant guilt, struggling to sleep every night. Even after finally falling asleep with melatonin, I would dream of Julian, tears of blood streaming from his blind eyes. He’d grab my throat like an enraged lion, the calluses on his fingers pressing until I couldn’t breathe. “You deserve to die!” I always woke up in tears. But now, I realized it could all have been avoided. My wrist trembled, and the glass I was holding slipped, shattering into pieces. “Who’s out there?” Julian, blinded, had developed heightened hearing. He quickly noticed the sound. Sam opened the door and greeted me. I awkwardly stepped back, struggling to explain. “Julian, I came to bring you your medicine, but I accidentally dropped it.” “Clumsy. You can’t do anything right.” Julian’s voice was icy, devoid of any warmth. “Call Brenda to clean it up.” Brenda was the housekeeper. “No need.” I felt the tears welling up, no longer able to suppress them. I knelt to pick up the glass shards. My nose started bleeding again. My vision swam, my knees buckled, and I collapsed forward. Before I completely lost consciousness, I thought I heard Sam’s terrified shout. When I opened my eyes again, Julian’s tense face was directly above me. “Julian…” “What happened to you? Sam said you lost a lot of blood.” Perhaps it was the fear of being so close to death, but the old straightforwardness had left me. I was scared. Scared of losing Julian. “I… I’m sick.” “Sick with what?” Julian frowned, a flicker of genuine concern in his eyes. “I…” Before I could speak again, Julian’s phone rang, a special ringtone for a special person. Julian answered without a second thought. Serena Davies’s sobbing voice echoed clearly in the quiet room. “Julian, I need surgery. Aria met me at a restaurant today and pushed me down the stairs.” “My lower back is bleeding a lot, and the doctor says I need a kidney transplant. I’m so scared…” *** Chapter 5 But Serena was the one who asked to meet me. I recalled the events of the day: we sat face to face in a downtown café. A hint of darkness flashed across Serena’s sweet face, her smile like a venomous trap. “Aria, it’s been two years. Now that I’m back, it’s time you gave Julian back to me.” She scrutinized my face, trying to gauge my thoughts. “Did you get divorced?” Serena’s expression changed, immediately confirming my suspicions. “You wouldn’t come back with me back then. Why are you back now?” Serena’s face was cold. She had no intention of telling me the truth. Then Serena left first, and I hadn’t thought much of it. My face grew even paler. I forced myself to sit up, kneeling on the bed in a pleading posture, my fingers gently tugging at his arm. “Julian, believe me, I didn’t do anything.” “Serena asked to meet me. We just had coffee and then she left.” Julian remained silent, his vacant eyes fixed on me, his lips pressed into a thin line, his handsome face tense. He forcefully pried my hand away, his voice edged with fury. “Faking illness? Is that to cover up what you did to Serena, isn’t it?!” “I really didn’t…” I cried, shaking my head, tears streaming uncontrollably. “We can check the security footage. I didn’t do anything like that.” Julian took a deep breath, barely suppressing his rage. “Alright, let’s see the evidence.” He dialed David, his assistant. “David, pull up the security footage from the staircase of the downtown café today. Let’s see what really happened.” “What’s going on?” Sam Jensen, hearing the commotion, pushed open the door and entered. I briefly explained what happened. Sam sighed when he heard it. He clapped Julian’s shoulder, saying earnestly, “Julian, Aria isn’t that kind of person.” In the two years Julian had been blind, his personality had changed a lot, but I had always treated him the same. Sam had seen how much I cared for him and how much I suffered. The girl who cradled her marriage certificate, kissing it reverently again and again, wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone. A moment later, David sent over the security video. Julian played David’s voice message. David’s voice was hesitant. “Mr. Harrington, looking at the footage, it does appear that Ms. Winters pushed Ms. Davies down.” “How is that possible?!” I rushed forward in disbelief and clicked on the video. Sam and I leaned in to watch. In the stairwell corner of the café, a woman dressed in clothes identical to mine mercilessly pushed another woman down the stairs. It really did look like I had pushed Serena. But how could that be? My head throbbed, my eyes bloodshot. I watched the video over and over, desperate to find a flaw. “Julian, this video is fake! It has to be edited! You can’t…” *“Slap— ”* Julian’s palm cracked against my cheek, the sharp sound echoing through the room. My delicate face instantly swelled, blood oozing from the corner of my mouth. He had clearly used his full force. Sam was startled. “Julian, what are you doing?!” The coldness in Julian’s eyes solidified into a glacial stare, and his entire being radiated a chilling, almost lethal hostility. He grabbed my wrist forcefully, dragging me towards him with considerable strength. He didn’t say another word, simply pulled me through the door, down the stairs, and straight towards the main entrance. Julian, accustomed to the dark, moved with practiced ease, utterly oblivious to my stumbling over every protruding step. By the time we reached the front door, my arms and calves were already bruised. Julian shoved me into the car, barking orders at the driver. “To the hospital!” *** Chapter 6 Serena lay pale in the hospital bed, blood seeping through the bandages wrapped around her lower back. The doctor spoke gravely. “The patient’s condition is very poor. Kidney damage has led to severe internal bleeding. She needs an immediate kidney transplant!” “Check if hers is a match. If it is— ” Julian mercilessly shoved me forward, his aura radiating cold fury. “Use her kidney!” Then, ignoring my frantic struggles, Julian had the bodyguards who came with him drag me into the lab. When the blood test results came back, the doctor looked at the report with delight. “It’s a match! The patient can be saved!” “Use hers. I am her husband; I will sign the consent form.” I never thought the first time Julian would publicly acknowledge our relationship would be to make me donate a kidney to another woman! “No! I won’t give my kidney to Serena Davies! I won’t give it to her of all people!” After a violent struggle and being forcibly restrained, I, already gravely ill, had no more strength left to fight. But I still gritted my teeth and spat out the words. I wouldn’t just hand over a kidney to such a fickle and malicious woman! Driven to my limit, I bit back the words and decided to tell Julian the truth. Before, I always feared hurting him, but now, there was no need to hide it any longer. “Julian, I went to find Serena abroad, but she wouldn’t come back because you were blind! She even married a foreigner right away! She never loved you that much!” Every word was a desperate shriek, I screamed it with every fiber of my being, hoping to awaken his genuine feelings. But the words that parted his lips chilled me to the bone. “So what?” “For her, I’ll do anything.” “As for you, everything you do disgusts me.” My mind rang with a deafening *“嗡”*, as if I’d been struck hard inside a giant bell. My body trembled uncontrollably, I could hear nothing, and all hope vanished. Julian’s bodyguards restrained me, forced me into a hospital gown, and locked me in a private room to await the surgery three days later. My phone was confiscated. I had no last chance to call for help. I lay in the room in a daze for two days. The night before the surgery, Serena slipped into my room. “Tomorrow is also your cornea transplant surgery for Julian, isn’t it?” Serena stood at the doorway, radiant with triumph, her challenging eyes gleaming. There was no trace of the weakness she’d shown days earlier. “How did you know?” I pushed myself up, my mind a tangled mess. “You’re not actually sick, are you? So why do you need my kidney?” Serena tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, replying nonchalantly. “Oh, I am sick. Uremia. Framing you was just a convenient way to get your kidney.” My body shook with rage, my eyes burning with an inferno of hatred. “Aren’t you curious how I knew you planned to donate your corneas to Julian?” Serena giggled, leaning closer, her fingertips brushing my cheek. “I had already done my own tissue typing abroad. Once you signed that organ donation form, your information was right there in the database. Isn’t it such a coincidence? My kidney matched yours perfectly.” I gritted my teeth, my eyes wide with fury, as if trying to see through her. The disgust and hatred in my heart roared like wildfire. “So…” My voice was hoarse when I spoke again. “So,” Serena finished my sentence. “I only came back for you. To get your kidney and prolong my life.” She laughed, tilting my chin up. “And I had an unexpected bonus: a lover who’d regain his sight! Honestly, foreign men are no match for Julian. He’s still the man who loves me most.” “You had the audacity to throw yourself down the stairs, just to frame me?” This gravely ill woman truly disregarded her own body. “Who said it was me who fell?” *** Chapter 7 Finally, everything became clear. All my suspicions were confirmed. I couldn’t hold back my fury any longer. I lunged forward and slapped Serena twice. My body trembled with rage, my fingernails digging deeply into my palms. “So, Julian and I were both just pawns in your game?” Serena pushed me back forcefully. I felt a sudden wetness in my lower body. I looked down, and my lower half was soaked in blood. The bodyguards at the door quickly separated us and rushed me away for an examination. The elderly doctor pushed up his reading glasses, frowning as he looked at me. “Young lady, why are you so careless with your body? You’re three weeks pregnant!” Joy suddenly replaced the sorrow in my chest. I hadn’t thought I could get pregnant. A powerful urge to live surged through me. I couldn’t donate my kidney to Serena. I was carrying Julian’s child. I ran out with the pregnancy report, only to see Serena nestled in Julian’s arms, her face a mask of tearful innocence, her voice dripping with feigned hurt. “Julian, don’t let Aria donate her kidney to me. She was hitting me like crazy just now. And…” She paused, then spoke again, her voice thick with tears. “Aria… she’s pregnant with your child.” Julian’s heart plummeted. His voice immediately rose, several notches louder, laced with raw fury. He pointed a furious finger at my face, his other arm protectively wrapped around Serena’s shoulder. “I was so careful. You still managed to set this up and get pregnant.” “No, it’s not true!” I rushed to explain, accidentally aggravating the wound in my lower body. The pain made tears well up in my eyes. “Serena just told me! She wasn’t pushed down the stairs; she has uremia and wants my kidney!” Julian’s expression softened slightly. Just as I thought I was saved, a mocking smirk twisted his lips. “Uremia? You’re quite the storyteller.” “It’s true! You can just check her again, you’ll see…” “Enough!” Julian cut me off sharply, his face clouded with frost. “Even if it’s true, you still owe Serena a kidney.” With no more reasons to fight, the pregnancy report slipped from my numb fingers. “Alright, I’ll donate.” “And the divorce papers? I’ll sign them too.” Julian didn’t understand what game I was playing, but he simply ordered his assistant to hand me the divorce papers. I gasped for air, closing my eyes, and flashing through the absurdity of the past two years. Being his wife had been a beautiful dream I’d stolen. Now, the dream was over, and it was time to let go. “Julian Harrington, goodbye.” I signed the papers decisively, then turned and walked back to my room, my steps heavy with exhaustion. Julian’s heart gave an unexpected, painful clench. He instinctively pressed a hand to his chest. What was this unsettling feeling? Why did he suddenly feel such sadness and unease? Julian suppressed the strange emotions, forcing himself to stop thinking. The next day, the surgeries proceeded as scheduled. Three surgeries, all taking place in the same hospital. I donated my corneas to Julian, and one of my kidneys to Serena Davies. I lay on the cold operating table, my heart bleeding from countless wounds. I couldn’t stop thinking: if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t love Julian anymore. Loving him hurt too much, and it was too exhausting. I couldn’t take it anymore. Before the surgery, I contacted my friend, Taylor Miller, and asked her to take me away from this hospital. Even if I died, I didn’t want to see any of them again. Outside the operating room, David, the assistant, looked at the two sterile containers brought from my room. One was a kidney, the other, corneas. His heart hammered. All the fragmented suspicions suddenly clicked into place. The person who donated corneas to Mr. Harrington was indeed Ms. Winters. He stumbled to the floor, breathing raggedly, frozen in shock by the sudden, terrible realization. After the surgery, Julian slowly opened his eyes. The blurred landscape gradually sharpened, and after two years, he could see again. “David.” David, still dazed, walked over, head bowed, and reported, “Mr. Harrington, both your and Ms. Davies’s surgeries were successful.” Julian felt a wave of irritation. He unexpectedly found himself wanting to know about me. “Where’s Aria Winters?” David bit his lip, no longer able to suppress his emotions. He fell to his knees, his voice choked with desperate sobs. “Mr. Harrington, it was Ms. Winters who donated her corneas to you!” The usually composed and dignified man instantly panicked. He tore the IV from his hand, rushed down, and gripped David’s shoulders tightly. “What did you say?!” “Where is Aria Winters?!” *** Chapter 8 David, wiping away tears, spilled everything he knew. “Mr. Harrington, the corneas used in your surgery were taken from Ms. Winters’ operating room.” “Ms. Winters has already been taken away by a girl named Taylor Miller.”

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