At a high-level executive meeting, Ethan Fu’s newly hired assistant threw a whole cup of bubble tea in my face. “You, the slacker who just hides in the office playing video games all day, dare to question my proposal?” “I hereby announce you’re fired. Get out!” I calmly stood up, wiped the liquid from my face, and looked at Ethan Fu. He frowned, deliberately avoiding my gaze, choosing silence. I smiled, pulled out my phone. “Dad, did you hear that?” “They told me to scram.” Chapter 1 1 It was Monday, and I was deep in a gaming session when the office door suddenly knocked. “Ms. Lynn, Assistant Winnie is calling all managers to the main conference room in ten minutes.” Jess, from Administration, stood at the doorway, sounding rushed. I didn’t look up, my fingers flying over the keyboard. “Nope. Not going. No time.” In the six months since I joined the company, I hadn’t attended a single meeting. Not because I didn’t have to, but because I didn’t want to. “But…” Jess hesitated. “Assistant Winnie specifically said no one can be absent today. She said it was Mr. Fu’s order.” My fingers paused. My game character was instantly killed by the BOSS. As the screen went gray, I cursed silently and closed my laptop. When I arrived at the conference room, it was already packed. Several people gave me strange looks, whispering to each other. “Why is Manager Lynn here?” “Doesn’t she skip every meeting?” “Who knows? Assistant Winnie must have insisted.” “Winnie’s always been picking fights with her. I bet there’s drama today.” … I ignored the gossip, picked the seat furthest in the corner, and pulled out my phone to continue the game. Ethan Fu and Winnie Mian-mian finally arrived thirty minutes late. Winnie was clutching a stack of files, a smug, satisfied smile on her face. “Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this meeting.” Ethan Fu scanned the room. His gaze landed on me for less than a second before moving on. “Today, Assistant Winnie has an important proposal to announce to everyone.” Winnie cleared her throat and began droning on about her “revolutionary” marketing plan. I played my game, half-listening, and the more I heard, the more ridiculous it sounded. The budget was insane, and the plan didn’t match our company’s market positioning at all. “…Therefore, I believe we should immediately invest eighty million dollars to dominate the high-end market in three months!” Winnie concluded passionately. A sparse round of applause filled the room. I couldn’t hold back. Without looking up from my phone, I said, “Spending eighty million on meaningless exposure? You might as well throw the money off the company roof. That would generate more buzz and traffic.” The conference room went silent. Ethan Fu frowned. “What did you say?” Winnie’s voice spiked. I finally looked up and said slowly. “I said your plan is full of holes.” “First, the target customer group is wrong.” “Second, the distribution channel is inappropriate.” “Finally, the ROI calculation method is fundamentally flawed.” “That twenty million you plan to spend is basically flushing cash down the toilet.” “No, wait. Flushing cash makes a noise, at least.” Winnie’s face turned scarlet. She grabbed the bubble tea on the table and rushed over to me. “You, the slacker who just hides in the office playing video games all day, dare to question my proposal?” She practically screamed it. Then. Splash! The entire cup of bubble tea hit my face. The liquid streamed down my cheeks, staining my white dress brown. The conference room was dead silent. Everyone held their breath. “Skye Lin! I, as the CEO’s assistant, announce you are fired! Get out!” Chapter 2 2 Winnie looked down at me from above. I slowly stood up, pulled out a handkerchief, and methodically wiped the mess from my face. Then I looked at Ethan Fu. He frowned, then avoided my gaze, choosing silence. I suddenly smiled. I spoke into my phone, which was on speakerphone: “Dad, did you hear that?” “They told me to scram.” The other end was silent for two seconds. Then a low, powerful voice answered. “Got it. I’ll make the arrangements.” The reason I took this job was entirely because of a marriage contract signed by my grandfather. Ethan Fu was my fiancé. I hate arranged marriages, but my dad guilt-tripped me, practically using filial piety as a weapon. I had no choice but to agree. To deepen our relationship, my dad insisted I join Fu Corp. In the six months I worked for my fiancé, even though I played games all day, looking like a total slacker. Behind the scenes, I was leveraging my own resources to make the company’s performance soar, even pushing for its IPO. Fu Corp became a star company overnight, and Ethan Fu made the city’s rich list. Despite helping him immensely, we rarely talked. In our few mandatory dates, I learned that he only knew I was his arranged fiancée. He had no idea who I truly was. …… I sat back down in my chair, picked up my phone, and resumed the game that was interrupted. My fingers flew across the screen. I acted as if the tension in the conference room had nothing to do with me. Winnie’s face went from red to green. She clearly didn’t expect me to ignore her authority. She slammed her hand on the table. Her voice was sharp. “Skye Lin! What do you think this is?” “Everyone here is focused on the meeting, and you’re playing a game?” I sneered, “I’ve already hit my annual performance goal. Why can’t I play a game?” “If you don’t get out now, I’m calling security!” I didn’t even look up. “Go ahead.” The other executives exchanged uneasy glances. Some pretended to check files; others secretly watched Ethan Fu, waiting for his reaction. Ethan Fu finally stood up. He was dressed in a sharp black suit. His expression was cold and stern. He looked at me, his eyes filled with impatience and indifference. “Skye Lin, your performance is good.” His voice was calm but carried undeniable authority. “But this is the company, not your home.” “Please leave the conference room immediately and stop disrupting the meeting.” My fingers paused. My character died again. I looked up, met his gaze, and curved my lips into a playful smile. “Mr. Fu, are you sure you want to kick me out?” Ethan Fu frowned, his tone even colder. “I won’t repeat myself. If you have any professional ethics, you should know where the line is.” “What if I don’t want to leave?” “Then don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Seeing Ethan Fu on her side, Winnie grew bolder. She rushed over and slapped my phone from my hand. “Smash!” The phone hit the floor, the screen shattering into a spiderweb pattern. “Skye Lin, stop pushing your luck!” She grabbed my collar and yanked me up. “Mr. Fu told you to leave. What are you doing still sitting here? Get out!” From the day she became the assistant, Winnie had hated me. Once, when I passed the CEO’s office, I heard her pontificating, “Mr. Fu, the company isn’t a charity. It’s unfair to the other employees to spend so much money on a slacker who just plays games all day.” Her voice was low, but loud enough for me to hear outside. Ethan Fu didn’t reply. But through the window, I saw him pause while flipping a file. After that, Winnie only got worse. She started “casually” mentioning my “great achievements” in department meetings. “Some people get a huge salary but don’t even attend meetings. I wonder if they’re here to work or on vacation.” Gossip about me spread through the company. Some said I was a spoiled rich girl who used connections. Others said I slept in my office all day. Some even started betting on when I’d be fired. I knew all of it. I just didn’t care. Chapter 3 3 But the more I ignored her, the more entitled she became. This time, she seized the opportunity and acted completely unhinged. I wasn’t going to tolerate it. I grabbed her wrist and twisted hard. “Ah!” Winnie cried out in pain and instinctively released my collar. As she pulled away, her arm slammed into the edge of the conference table. Her expensive watch hit the solid wood with a sharp clink. She stumbled back, looked down, and her face went white. The face of her pricey Patek Philippe watch had a clear scratch, glaring under the light. “You… you…” She raised her trembling wrist, her eyes blazing with fury. “Skye Lin, do you know how much this watch is?” “It was a birthday gift from Mr. Fu! It cost eight hundred thousand dollars!” I slowly straightened my wrinkled collar. “You stumbled. Whose fault is that?” “Skye Lin!” Ethan Fu finally roared. “That’s enough!” “You’re disrupting the meeting, and now you’ve deliberately damaged someone else’s property.” “As the CEO, I officially inform you that you are fired.” “Now, collect your things and leave the company immediately!” Winnie screamed, “Mr. Fu, don’t let her off the hook! She has to pay for the watch!” The conference room was silent. Everyone looked at me with pity or schadenfreude, waiting for the show to begin. “Fine, I’ll pay.” “Eight hundred thousand, right?” I bent down to pick up my broken phone. The screen was cracked, but it still worked. I dialed a number, about to speak, when Winnie sneered, “Eight hundred thousand? It’s eight million!” I paused and looked at her. “Are you sure?” “I’m absolutely sure!” Winnie said haughtily. “A gift from Mr. Fu is priceless! Saying eight million is already letting you off easy!” “Tell everyone I’m right!” Winnie was determined to pin this on me. She knew my salary couldn’t cover that. She just wanted to humiliate me. The other executives chimed in immediately. “Yes, how can you put a price on a gift from Mr. Fu?” The finance director adjusted his glasses. “Manager Lynn, you should just admit your fault.” “The company isn’t a charity. If you break something, you pay for it.” The marketing director scoffed. “But with Manager Lynn’s salary, she’ll be paying until retirement, right?” Everyone laughed, their eyes full of mockery. They had always disliked me, the slacker. Now that I was in trouble, they were happy to kick me down. Ethan Fu stood by, frowning, but didn’t stop them. I ignored their sarcasm and looked up at Winnie. “Eight million. You won’t add any more zeros, right?” Winnie froze, then sneered. “Skye Lin, why are you pretending? You’re broke!” “You make barely anything. How are you going to pay eight million?” I ignored her, picking up my phone. “Prepare eight million in cash and deliver it to the Fu Corp conference room. ASAP.” Winnie looked disdainful. “Tch. Who are you trying to fool? You think you can call someone and magically get cash?” I didn’t answer, just waited quietly. Less than ten minutes later, the conference room door opened. A man in a sharp suit walked in. Behind him were three bank employees, each carrying a case. He walked straight to me and bowed respectfully: “Ms. Shen, here is the eight million you requested.” I nodded. “Thank you. Just put it here.” As the three cases were opened, the neatly stacked hundred-dollar bills shone under the lights. The conference room was silent. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the cash. The air seemed sucked out of the room. Even breathing was subdued. Winnie’s face was pale, and she couldn’t utter a single word. She stared hard at the cash, then looked up at the man in the suit. Suddenly, the finance director’s face went white. “Lu… President Lu?!” Chapter 4 4 Lu Ming-yuan, the CEO of the City Bank’s main branch. A powerful figure who was rarely seen. Even Ethan Fu’s grandfather would have trouble getting an audience. Yet, he was standing here, respectfully calling me “Ms. Shen.” Ethan Fu paused for a few seconds, then quickly stepped forward, offering his hand. “President Lu, why did you come personally?” “My grandfather often speaks of you. He would love to see you again.” Lu Ming-yuan didn’t even look at him. He simply nodded and addressed me. “Ms. Shen, if you need anything else, just say the word.” With that, he turned and left with his team. Quick and decisive, as if staying a second longer was a waste of time. Ethan Fu’s hand was frozen in mid-air. His face flushed with embarrassment. Winnie’s arrogance was long gone. Her legs were shaking. She was barely standing, her forehead covered in cold sweat. I slowly pulled a stack of bills from a case and gently patted her cheek. “Assistant Winnie, eight million. Not a penny less.” “Now, this watch is mine.” I ripped the Patek Philippe off her wrist and tossed it into the trash can in front of her. “You!” Winnie was livid. I turned to Ethan Fu and smiled faintly. “Mr. Fu, I paid for the watch.” “Now, let’s discuss compensation for my phone.” Winnie stared blankly, then sneered, as if I’d said the most hilarious thing. She crossed her arms, mockery in her tone. “How much could a Huawei possibly be worth?” I held up one finger. “It’s cheap, actually. Only about one hundred million dollars.” The room gasped, then burst into laughter. The marketing director dramatically slammed his hand on the table. “One hundred million? Manager Lynn, did the bubble tea fry your brain?” The finance director adjusted his glasses, mockingly serious. “According to company policy, damaged items are compensated at market price.” “Manager Shen, the market price for your phone is probably less than the interest on that sum.” Winnie was smug, seeing everyone agree with her. She walked up to me, smiling. “How about this? I’ll be generous and contact a psychiatric hospital for you.” “Delusions are a disease, after all. You need treatment.” Ethan Fu stood by, his brow furrowed, but remained silent. I remained calm amidst the mockery. “You’re right. A regular Huawei phone isn’t worth much.” Winnie sneered. “Glad you know. Stop making a fool of yourself!” “Too bad this isn’t a regular Huawei.” Just as I finished speaking, the conference room door opened again. This time, a middle-aged man in a gray jacket walked in, followed by eight bodyguards. Hank Huo, Senior VP of the Huawei Group. He only appeared at major press conferences. Ethan Fu’s expression changed instantly. He rushed forward. “Mr. Huo? What brings you here?”

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The villain was a total chatterbox, and I was a mute. To keep up his cool, detached image, the villain only ever opened his mouth around me. The more he talked, the more uninhibited he became. “Got asked out again today. The girl complimented me so much I was dizzy, didn’t know which way was up.” “Why aren’t you saying anything? Jealous?” “I was totally indifferent to you at first, but the way you ignore me is honestly captivating. I’m in love, I’m in love.” “You love me, I love you, Sweetheart Ice Cream, so sweet, so smooth~” (A localized take on a jingle) “Alright, since we’re clearly crazy about each other, let’s get married right after graduation.” My eyes went wide. I forced out a croaking sound. “I don’t—” The villain clapped a hand over my mouth. “Mumbling something? Come here and give me a kiss, quick.” 1. The Big Reveal Jack and I stared at each other, eyes locked. It took him a good long while to finally remove his hand from my mouth. “Wait… you can talk?” I nodded, then shook my head. “I can… but it hurts.” Because of an injury when I was a kid, I could only manage two or three words at a time. And every time, a stabbing pain shot through my throat. Over time, I just stopped talking, becoming the “mute” everyone knew. I’d been sitting next to Jack for so long, and this was the first time I’d ever spoken. I had simply been pushed too far. 2. The Backseat Life I’d known since I was little that I was living inside a novel. My drunk dad, my timid mom, my rebellious little brother, and me, the damaged one. But I wasn’t the main character, Mia—I was just a side character, a wallflower. I figured I’d have no connection to the main cast. That changed in senior year when I was sorted into their class and ended up as the desk partner of the “villain,” Jack Coleman. Jack was a rich punk. Aloof, aggressive, and ready to throw down at the drop of a hat. At first, I was terrified, walking on eggshells, worried he’d clock me if I upset him. Maybe it was because I didn’t speak, and Jack had a strange soft spot for the “disabled,” but we actually got along okay. No matter how much of a villain Jack was supposed to be, right now, he was just an eighteen-year-old kid. Cocky, loved to show off, obsessed with air-shooting hoops. And, a complete motor-mouth. But to maintain his cool exterior, he only talked around me. Since I was the “mute,” I wouldn’t spill his secrets. So, I was forced to learn the color of Jack’s boxers every day. I heard about his mom’s three-ring circus fighting off the mistress. I was even privy to the steamy affair between the school janitor and the cafeteria lady. I knew way too much I shouldn’t know. I desperately wanted to fight back, to tell Jack, “I’m a mute, not deaf!” But I didn’t dare. Little by little, Jack became more and more unhinged. He stopped getting into fights, stopped sleeping in class. The moment his eyes opened, he started talking. Even when I pretended to sleep, he’d lean into my ear and whisper endlessly. Finally, I snapped. I pinched his lips between two fingers and used my other hand to make a “shush” sign on my own mouth. Jack’s face immediately flushed beet red, like a traffic light turning to stop. Scared, I quickly let go. To my surprise, Jack didn’t punch me. He just stayed red for half the class, stole glances at me all afternoon, and occasionally let out a weird, muffled chuckle. From that day on, Jack changed. He went from being a chatterbox to a chatterbox who seemed to like me. 3. A Box of Mints Jack was in a slump. It had been three days since I rejected him, and he hadn’t said a single word to me. I peeked up, stealing a glance. Jack was frowning, reading a book, only giving me his profile. I had to admit, Jack was better looking than the main hero, Ethan Miller. Chiseled nose, thin lips, sharp jawline. But shouldn’t he be fighting Ethan for Mia, the main girl? Why would he like me, the mute? Sensing my gaze, Jack snorted coldly. “In love with me now?” I quickly shook my head and yanked my eyes away. The truth was, I was afraid of losing Jack as a friend. Since I couldn’t speak, I had no friends. No one wanted to talk to a mute. Except for Jack. He could gossip non-stop for an entire day and never get bored. I didn’t want to lose that. The more I thought about it, the sadder I got, and a tear silently dripped. “Ugh.” A soft sigh came from beside me. A box of lozenges was pushed in front of me. Jack pulled his hand back, leaning lazily against the window. “Good for your throat.” I sniffled, unwrapped one, and popped it in my mouth. Minty. 【Are we still friends?】I wrote on a sticky note. Jack didn’t answer. He just said, “I’m taking you to the doctor this weekend.” I looked at him instinctively. He added, “And don’t even think about saying no.” 4. The Male Lead’s Interruption My voice couldn’t be fixed. I could speak before I was five. Then, my mom had my little brother, and my dad started hating the sight of me. One night, drunk, he choked and beat me. When I woke up, my mom was crying, saying my vocal cords were damaged and wouldn’t heal. Since then, I hadn’t spoken a full sentence. So, when the doctor looked troubled, I didn’t feel much. But Jack asked, over and over, “She can get out two or three words. Maybe there’s still a chance?” “She can vocalize? What does she say?” the doctor asked. Jack, his face dark, replied, ” ‘I don’t.’” The doctor and Jack talked for a long time. I don’t know the details; Jack told me to wait in the hallway. A full hour passed, and he didn’t come out. Someone at the end of the hall suddenly called my name. I looked up. It was Ethan Miller, the main hero. Ethan was our class president and my neighbor. Though for the past eighteen years, we had barely known each other. We had zero contact, really. I was wondering why Ethan would call out to me. He walked over, crouched down to my level, and asked, “What are you doing at the hospital? Are you hurt?” I shook my head and pointed to my throat. “Here for your voice?” he asked. I nodded. Ethan glanced at the closed office door. “Who brought you?” Even if Ethan and I weren’t close, we were neighbors for eighteen years. He knew my parents wouldn’t bring me to a doctor. I opened my mouth. “…Jack.” Just then, the office door opened. Jack, holding a bag of medication, stood backlit. Seeing Ethan, his face instantly soured. Ethan spoke first. “Her voice can’t be fixed.” He was, of course, talking about me. I lowered my head, silently twisting my fingers. “None of your business,” Jack snapped impatiently. “Did you take her to a doctor? Did a doctor give you that diagnosis? Stop being a know-it-all.” Jack grabbed my arm and pulled me away. I twisted my head back to see Ethan still standing there, unmoving. “What are you looking at?” Jack’s voice was sharp with annoyance. He didn’t wait for my reply, launching into a rant. “We’ve been desk partners this whole time, and you only managed a few words for me. But Ethan asks you a question, and suddenly you can talk?” “But hey, at least you said my name.” “Otherwise…” Otherwise, what? I asked Jack with my eyes. He huffed. “Otherwise, I’d be jealous.” The boy’s eyes were sparkling, making my heart flutter. I scribbled on a notepad: 【What did the doctor say?】 “It can be fixed.” I stared at him in disbelief, my voice raspy. “…It can?” Jack nodded confidently, giving me a wide, mischievous grin. “Well… the process is gonna be a little complicated.” 5. Therapy Via Sass I soon learned just how “complicated” Jack’s process was. Jack talked more than ever before. “The cafeteria lady’s husband found out the janitor was the other man. Guess how he found out?” I shook my head, my eyes prompting Jack to continue. Jack smiled mysteriously. “You guess first.” He was clearly not going to speak until I did. I struggled to speak. “You told him.” Jack looked genuinely surprised. “No way! You really are my girl! Such a perfect guess! Come here and give me a kiss!” I blushed and pushed his hand away. Jack, the “villain,” loved chaos. He’d definitely be happy to tattle. “Also,” his face turned serious. “You won’t answer your phone or texts. Our baby has a fever of 105°F, and I walked 24 hours carrying them over a mountain pass to get to a clinic.” “And you’re still sitting here doing math problems. I seriously don’t know what the point of this marriage is.” I looked at the math homework on my desk and slowly raised a questioning eyebrow. “Honey, unless you give me an explanation today, I am not letting this go!” Jack continued. The person in front of us shot us a look of confused but profound shock. I quickly blurted out. “No…” “No what?” Jack grabbed my hand and gave me a playful wink. I was silent for a long time. “…Sorry.” Jack grinned. “My love is so good. Let’s kiss again!” “Stop…” “Are you rejecting me again?” Jack’s face fell. “I already swore on a stack of Bibles I wouldn’t give you the silent treatment or play mind games. We’re adults, let’s talk things out. Keeping things bottled up is bad for both of us. If you keep this up, I might just stop talking to you.” Jack said he might stop talking to me. I panicked. “Don’t… ignore me.” “Then do you accept a military marriage?” he asked. I looked up at Jack, his mouth twitching with suppressed laughter. “I… I’m a psycho-soldier, hahahaha.” Jack had gone nuts. Everyone in class thought I’d driven him crazy. Because I wouldn’t talk, they thought I was constantly giving Jack the cold shoulder, which made him lose his mind, like a concubine locked away in a cold palace. Soon, everyone was looking at me weirdly. Ethan even pulled me aside privately. “Do you want to switch seats? I’ll talk to the teacher.” “No…” I refused. I knew the truth: Jack was pushing me to talk more. I had gone from only simple words to being able to squeeze out full sentences. Jack deserved all the credit. He was helping me, I knew it. Besides forcing me to speak with his constant chatter, Jack also taught me how to articulate properly. He bought flashcards used for kindergarteners learning phonics and patiently coached me. “Big open mouth, A as in apple. Roaring like a lion, O as in orange. The big white goose, E as in egg…” “Got it?” I opened my mouth wide. “I… learned-it.” (A play on words implying I’ve “abandoned” the learning process, similar to “feigned” learning). Seeing the results were slow, Jack changed tactics. He placed my fingers on his mouth, letting me feel the vibrations of his speech. “I,” Jack said, instructing me to follow. His warm breath sprayed my fingers, and I unconsciously curled them. “…I.” “Like.” “Like.” “You.” “You.” The afternoon sun fell across Jack’s face. In the shifting light, he raised an eyebrow. “Why did you stop following along?” I pulled my fingers back, my voice muffled. “You’re…” “…an idiot.” The smile on Jack’s face froze.

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I caught Ethan talking softly on the phone late one night. His voice was intimate, laced with a tenderness I’d never known. “Sleep tight, honey. Don’t cry. I’ll be there as soon as I wrap up.” He refused to divorce me, choosing instead to torture me with his infidelity. What for? I decided to turn up the heat. I found my old college friend, Ryan, to play the part of my own ‘fling.’ We made sure to be seen in the areas where Ethan frequented. I figured, with both of us cheating, and the marriage already this rotten, he’d finally agree to a divorce. 1 It was four in the morning. I was heading downstairs for a glass of water when I heard Ethan on the balcony, his voice deliberately low. In the dead of night, his deep, tender whispers pierced the darkness. “Sleep tight, honey. Don’t cry. I’ll be there as soon as I wrap up.” A sharp pang of pain hit my chest, and my drowsiness vanished instantly. I quickly ducked down, hiding behind the stair railing. I heard him lock his phone, walk back into the master bedroom, and close the door. Only then did I exhale, concluding— He was cheating. They say when a man cheats, his wife is often divinely inspired—running into him at the most coincidental, yet inevitable, moment. Look at me: I just happened to get thirsty at this exact hour; the water in my room just happened to be gone; and I just happened to run into him making that call. If that’s not divine intervention, I don’t know what is. Ethan is nine years older than me. Back then, my dad’s company was facing bankruptcy and desperately needed cash flow. Ethan generously invested three hundred million dollars, pulling my dad out of a tight spot. Dad knew Ethan didn’t do business for charity, so he asked what return Ethan wanted. Ethan leaned back on the leather sofa, just smiling at my father. After several proposed payback plans were turned down, Dad thought of trading his daughter. “My daughter, Chloe, is gentle and beautiful. A fortune teller once said she’s a home-blessing, husband-prospering charm. Might Mr. Grant need a wife?” Ethan stopped smiling and said solemnly, “Then I’ll leave it to you, Dad.” I was nineteen, a freshman in college. Dad persuaded me, “Mr. Grant is handsome, steady, and sharp. You won’t lose out marrying him, Chloe.” A year later, Ethan and I were married. On our wedding day, I overheard his staff gossiping. They said he had a ‘one that got away,’ a first love, but since she was married, he just settled for someone else. After the wedding, I moved into Ethan’s secluded villa in the Lakeside district. For three years, I lived upstairs, and he lived downstairs. We were like neighbors, like roommates, but not like husband and wife. He was always busy. I could count the number of times we ate together on one hand. In the corporate world, he was a jack-of-all-trades: cool-headed, decisive, with impeccable foresight and sharp execution. Headlines were always showing his photos, where he looked handsome, composed, and controlled. To promote a new line of men’s clothing, he even did a personal photoshoot on the green campus of State University, where I was studying. Nearing forty, he stood quietly under the trees, blending maturity and youth, holding a perfect balance between restraint and flair. The photos caused a stir at State U. Those pictures moved my heart, too. But so what? He didn’t love me. He hadn’t touched me in three years. I was in the prime of my youth, watching my classmates cuddling and being mushy with their boyfriends. I felt a sudden sense of loss, like my spring was being nipped in the bud. The culprit was Ethan, who gambled my whole life away for some ridiculous payback. I’d brought up divorce before, two or three times every year. The first year, he replied, “Your father’s company is still shaky. Pulling out the investment now… have you thought this through?” The second year, when Dad’s company started turning a steady profit, I brought it up again. He replied, “Mrs. Grant, a marriage license isn’t a joke. It’s a lifelong commitment. Think about it some more.” The third year, he said, “It seems you haven’t made up your mind. You need to keep considering it.” It was always the cold, clinical ‘consideration,’ mixed up with family interests. To be fair, I hadn’t had a solid reason, and he had helped my family. But now it was different. He was cheating. I felt a little sad, but secretly, a little thrilled. 2 I reached out to Ryan Carter, a guy I’d recently met in a college leadership program. Ryan was sunny, handsome, the Student Body President, and a part-time race car driver. I heard he was every girl’s dream guy on campus. Once, I saw him working at a convenience store, realizing he was short on cash, so I proposed a deal. “You just need to pretend to be my boyfriend. Three thousand dollars per meeting, paid in cash. What do you say?” Ryan frowned, looking confused. “Isn’t your husband good to you? Why go through all this to get a divorce?” I didn’t want to explain, just said, “Can you handle this, Ryan? It’s a bit tricky. My husband has some serious connections, and there might be some personal danger.” Ryan gave a slight smile. “I’m only worried about your reputation, Chloe.” “You don’t have to worry. My husband is cheating, too. If he dares expose my secret, I’ll expose his. I have nothing to lose.” Ryan looked momentarily speechless, probably intimidated by the adult world. But after a moment, he took the job with interest. “Alright, I’m in.” My second step was hiring a private investigator to look into Ethan. The results came back quickly. Ethan’s ‘one that got away’ was his childhood friend, Jenny Moore, who had moved to New Zealand. She was currently going through a rough divorce. His four a.m. call was likely to her. One in the US and one abroad—it was probably just an emotional affair, but that was just as unforgivable. I instructed the P.I. to stick close to Ethan. Then, I started my own ‘cheating’ plan. Ryan and I agreed to meet in the commercial area below Ethan’s company building. The P.I. had mentioned Ethan often went to a specific Cantonese restaurant to talk business. So, I took Ryan there. I saw Ethan escorting two people into a private room called the ‘Serene Garden.’ A moment later, I caught sight of Ethan striding out. He stopped short, almost stumbling, when he saw Ryan and me conspicuously seated in the main dining hall. I pretended not to see him, laughing and chatting with Ryan, and even deliberately picked up a piece of jasmine rice and fed it to him. Then, I pulled out a napkin and gently wiped his lips. Ryan had his back to Ethan, smiling broadly at me. He was handsome, his eyes were full of playful affection, and his ears were actually red. Man, Ryan is a great actor, I thought. I needed to keep up with his pace. So, when Ryan fed me, I returned the favor with a look of pure, sweet adoration. Ethan must have been absolutely furious, ready to sign the divorce papers on the spot. He’d want to save face after the public humiliation I was putting him through. Sure enough, less than ten seconds later, my phone flashed with a text from Ethan: 【Where are you?】 I had to play the part convincingly. I glanced around nervously, acting out the guilty, stolen feel of an affair to perfection. I actually hoped he’d show up and confront me, but he seemed to have retreated. I didn’t reply right away. After a forty-minute dinner, while I was letting the food settle, I casually picked up my phone to text Ethan back: 【At the school cafeteria.】 You’ve been openly lied to by your wife. You should be blowing up! Burn, Mr. Grant, burn in the fiery pits of your rage! However, the dialogue box just kept showing ‘Ethan is typing…’ About ten minutes later, a message finally popped up: 【Hm, the food at the cafeteria can’t be good. Starting tomorrow, I’ll have the housekeeper pack you lunch and send it over.】 Me: 【No, thanks! I’m happy eating with my friends.】 Ethan: 【Be a good girl, don’t argue. Or I’ll have to personally deliver it.】 Me: 【Oh, okay. The housekeeper can do it, then.】 “…” Why isn’t he storming over to catch us red-handed? He should be signing the divorce papers in a fit of rage, so he can finally marry his ‘one that got away’ and live happily ever after! The P.I.’s report that day said: Ethan quickly ended his restaurant meeting and rushed back to the company to meet with his executive team. He wore a dark expression the entire time, snapping at anyone who dared to speak out of turn. Also, he hired someone to follow me. 3 The war had begun, and I was on high alert. That night, I purposely came home late. The villa was pitch black and silent. I thought Ethan hadn’t returned yet. The moment I stepped into the living room, I noticed a figure in the sofa’s shadow. I jumped and quickly turned on the light. Ethan looked up at me, his face drawn and weary—the kind of exhaustion that comes after a major outburst. His resentful gaze lasted two seconds, quickly masked by a forced calm. “You’re home. How was school lately?” His voice was low, all emotion carefully constrained. I replied cheerfully, “Everything’s great. And you, Mr. Grant?” “Mhm, all good.” It was as if nothing had happened. His sharp, deep-set eyes fell on my handbag, specifically the new charm dangling from it— A heart-shaped charm of two black and white swans entwined. A symbol of love. The hand resting on the sofa instinctively began to scratch at the leather. I felt like any second, he’d charge over, rip off the charm, and throw it in the trash. After five seconds of tension, he unclenched his hand, forcing an ugly smile. “What’s that?” “Just a little charm. A friend bought it for me.” I actually bought it myself, just to needle him. He nodded impassively, then offered a strained, polite compliment: “It’s nice.” My only assessment of his calm reaction: He’s a slippery snake. Time to turn up the heat again. That night, I paced between the living room, the kitchen island, and the second floor several times. I was humming a cheerful pop song: “It’s four a.m., I see the begonia blooms still awake. Perhaps a crush is hidden within the tears…” “It’s five a.m., trying to lull this longing to sleep…” His call was at four a.m., wasn’t it? Such an obvious hint—what would he think? Since the ‘cheating’ plan started, I’d changed my look. I usually went bare-faced, but now I wore light makeup. I ditched the cartoon cotton pajamas for a sleek, sexy silk nightgown. Eighty percent of my ‘college student’ innocence instantly vanished. Ethan stayed seated on the living room sofa, furiously typing on his laptop. But the corner of his eye was wrapped around my movements like a vine. He was a careful and cautious man. If he found me annoying, he could easily face the floor-to-ceiling windows. The villa sat halfway up a hill, and the view from the windows offered a stunning panorama of the city lights. He always faced the windows before. But tonight, he insisted on sitting where he could face the stairs, the island, and the entire living room. Suddenly, he asked, “What song are you singing?” “It’s a viral track, ‘Forbidden Love: The CEO’s Secret Marriage Trap.’” “Hm.” After a moment of silence, he asked, “Do you like silk nightgowns?” “Ah, haha, well…” I paused dramatically, pretending to search for a cover-up. “Lately, I just feel like they make me feel more… womanly.” The hand resting on his keyboard tensed into a fist, then slowly relaxed, and the tight line of his jaw eased slightly. Then, with a hint of dark humor, he let out a chuckle. “In that case, I should thank whoever inspired you. How considerate of them.” He slammed his laptop shut, covered the distance in a few steps, and loomed over me with intense pressure. I instinctively backed up, but he kept advancing until my back hit the wall. Then, a strong hand grabbed both my wrists and pinned them against the wall. The aggressive, dominant move forced my body flush against his. The heat of his chest seeped through the thin fabric of my nightgown, making my throat go dry. I thought he was finally going to exercise his rights as a husband. After all, his gaze was hotter than I’d ever seen, suppressing a torrent of complex emotions. “Then I absolutely must try out this damn good ‘hand feel.’” He practically bit the words out. Immediately, his warm palm traced my lower back, rubbing slowly. A wild look entered his eyes. But then he let me go, saying unconvincingly, “I tried it. It’s not good at all. Don’t wear it again.” “Some people will lie to you to get what they want. You’re still young, and you can’t tell the difference. You’ll get hurt.” His words left me one-third confused and two-thirds angry. I felt like my intelligence was being insulted. Also, I was practically advertising my cheating, and he didn’t care? Only a lack of love could produce such generosity. Or maybe, he was terrified of bringing his reputation into question. Husband and wife both cheating—this marriage was completely trashed. Yet, he could endure it all, like a ninja turtle, just to protect his image. I started drafting the divorce agreement while re-evaluating: The fire isn’t hot enough yet. 4 I woke up the next morning to music blaring from Ethan’s room: “It’s four a.m., I see the begonia blooms still awake…” After breakfast, he insisted on driving me to school, a first. I begrudgingly sat in the passenger seat. And in the car, it was again: “It’s four a.m.…” I was going insane. Was he challenging me? Was he trying to make sure I knew he was pining for Jenny? Just you wait, Ethan. Today, I’m giving you a real reason to leave! I slammed the car door shut and immediately went to find Ryan. I spotted a figure quickly dodging behind a column. A small smirk played on my lips. I wrapped my arms around Ryan’s neck and jumped up, wrapping my legs around his waist. Ryan had to quickly put his hands on my rear to support me. I admit, it was a little much, but Ethan forced my hand. Since I was already doing it, I might as well make it realistic. I planted a light kiss on Ryan’s cheek. Ryan’s acting was truly superb. He immediately flushed crimson, stammering in a low voice: “C-Chloe, is this… okay?” I behaved like a giddy freshman girl lost in the throes of romantic love, smiling like a kid who’d just been given candy. “It’s just acting. Don’t take it seriously.” A flicker of disappointment crossed Ryan’s eyes, but he quickly smiled and nodded. Ryan took the day off from his classes and spent the day dedicated to our performance. We held hands, ate, shopped, played arcade games, and watched a movie… We did everything a young couple would do. Beyond the acting, Ryan was a great companion; he made everything fun. I had a genuinely great time. That evening, before leaving campus, Ryan and I stood under the cherry blossom trees to say goodbye. I transferred his pay, plus an extra two thousand dollars. I added, “You gave me your first kiss. This is only fair.” Under the cherry blossom tree, bathed in the soft, yellow street light, Ryan was radiating a beautiful, youthful haze. He was a picture. He put a hand to his forehead and laughed out loud. Then, he cupped my face and dipped his head, gently pecking my lips. “Chloe, this is a first kiss. I took the money, so I have to deliver the service.” His voice was low and seductive. I was momentarily stunned. Then, I heard the sound of someone falling into the bushes behind us. Got him. Ryan, the drama master, was truly something.

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I’m a born actress. I only ever wanted the big bucks and the fancy life—not an ounce of genuine affection. I went from being a nameless orphan to the daughter of a billionaire. But before my butt could even warm the seat, the Grant family supposedly went bust. I was packing my bags, ready to bail, when I overheard the doctor tell my ‘dad,’ “Aren’t you afraid of breaking the kid’s heart…” Without a second thought, I spun around and rushed into the room, hugging my ‘mom.’ “Mom, I don’t care if we’re poor. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you both.” Poor for a while versus poor forever—I, Clara Reed, know how to run the numbers. I glanced at the expensive watch under Dad’s cheap shirt sleeve—a watch that could buy half the block—and offered a silent, shallow smile. 1 I dragged my leaden legs back to the dumpy little rental apartment. Clutching the hundred dollars in sweat-soaked cash from my extra work, I raced to the pharmacy for Dad’s imported meds. Then, I detoured to that ridiculously upscale French patisserie and bought Mom’s favorite raspberry tart. That tiny thing cost me hours of background acting pay. I pushed the door open. Dad was slumped on the sofa, his face ashen, the collar of his cheap cotton tee stretched out. Mom sat beside him, her eyes vacant. I handed over the medicine and the fancy little box, forcing my most demure smile. “Dad, your meds. Mom, your favorite.” “Clara, you…” Mom looked at my sweaty, haggard appearance, then at the nasty scratch on my arm. Her eyes instantly welled up. “It’s nothing, Mom.” I waved it off, making my voice sound deliberately tired and hoarse. “I rushed back. Didn’t want you guys to worry.” I quickly poured water for Dad to take his pill. In the process, the wound on my arm accidentally scraped the corner of the table, making me hiss in pain. “Oh, honey! You’re hurt that badly, and you didn’t say anything!” Mom jumped up in a panic. Dad struggled to sit up. “Quick, take care of it!” I pulled away. “Honestly, it’s fine. Just a scratch. If you two are okay, I’m relieved.” Out of the corner of my eye, I perfectly caught the sight of that expensive watch—a watch that could buy half the neighborhood—peeking out from beneath Dad’s threadbare sleeve. I lowered my gaze, hiding the brief, fleeting smile on my lips. Broke? Yep. This is a massive setup. 2 I, Clara Reed, am a born actress. I only seek wealth and glory, not a single shred of true feeling. When I was five, the first old woman who found me wanted me to be a child bride for her simple-minded grandson in exchange for scraps of spoiled food. At her worst, she even grabbed a stick, threatening to break my hand and throw me out to beg. I used my brilliant acting to lull her into a false sense of security, called the police, and identified her as a trafficker. Watching her get handcuffed, I felt nothing. Then, I was sent to the orphanage. Director Chen acted like a saint but was a monster behind closed doors. When the whip came down, I didn’t cry or fight. Instead, I became her most ‘loyal’ little shadow. I knew that in a place like that, you had to cling to the most powerful person just to breathe. When the big-shot officials came to inspect, the rebellious kids who usually got the worst beatings were locked in a pitch-black storage room. I followed the Director everywhere, pouring tea and water, smiling sweetly and timidly. While pouring, I ‘accidentally’ hiked up my washed-out, old sleeve, revealing the crisscrossing scars of old lashings. A sharp-eyed official asked what happened. I immediately yanked my sleeve down, shaking my head like a bobblehead, my voice trembling just right. “N-Nothing. I fell. Mother Director… Mother Director is so good to us!” The officials exchanged glances, their eyes filled with pity: This child is clearly too terrified to speak. I subtly let my eyes drift, guiding them to the tightly locked storage room… The day the police took Director Chen away, the entire orphanage felt like Christmas. A bully named Terry apologized to me, red-faced, saying he’d misunderstood me. I rubbed my arm where he used to shove me and smiled radiantly. “Apologize for what? I’m not a good person, you know.” They burst into laughter, swarming me. “Clara is joking again!” See? My acting is so good that when I tell the truth, no one believes me. I somehow became the ‘light’ in their hearts. Later, the news coverage of the ‘uncovering’ of the abuse featured my wide-eyed, terrified, bare face. A scout noticed me, and I stepped into show business. The money wasn’t great, but at least I wasn’t worried about my next meal. That is, until the billionaire Grant family tracked me down and brought me home. The father-daughter bonding act had barely started when Dad burst into tears and announced bankruptcy, immediately ‘fainting.’ Heh. My acting skills must be hereditary. 3 In the luxurious walk-in closet, I deftly slipped the last diamond necklace into my bag. I never got to enjoy this wealth. Why should I stick around to suffer with them? My attendance is excused. I crept past the study. Through the crack in the door, Dad’s voice sounded weak, yet laced with an unidentifiable undertone. His doctor friend, who was always on call, was there too. The doctor sighed. “Aren’t you afraid of breaking the kid’s heart…” The rest of the conversation was fragmented, but that sentence hit me hard. My steps suddenly froze. My mind instantly replayed Dad’s overly dramatic hand-to-the-chest gesture before he ‘fainted.’ In a flash, one thought became crystal clear—A test! This was their test for me! Authentic human emotion might fail a test like this, but my acting? My acting is flawless. Grant Family Method Acting. Show time! I decisively kicked the packed bag into a corner and spun toward the master bedroom. Mom was staring out the window, her back looking desolate. “Mom!” I rushed over, my voice hoarse, as if from crying, and hugged her tightly. “I’m not leaving! I’m not going anywhere. No matter how bad things get, I’ll stay with you. I don’t care if we’re poor, I’ll take care of you and Dad!” The tears came on command, scalding her silk nightgown. I looked up, my eyes filled with reckless determination. Mom’s body stiffened, then began to tremble violently. She hugged me back, sobbing uncontrollably, a flash of reluctance in her eyes. “Clara… my Clara…” I felt the warmth of her embrace, and with my face buried in her shoulder, my lips curled up infinitesimally—a movement unseen by anyone. Poor for a while versus poor forever. I, Clara Reed, knew exactly which was the better deal. 4 Back in the rental apartment, Mom was still choked up, moved by the fact that I’d bought her the dessert despite being broke. I casually walked to the large window and pulled back a corner of the heavy curtain. Downstairs, a few burly men in black T-shirts had gathered. But the man leading them stood out. Lean but clearly muscled, he wore a nice, dark, casual suit. His eyes were calm like a deep pool, lacking any menace, yet commanding a silent control. That air of calculated certainty only made the atmosphere more tense. A layered test, huh? They even hired ‘debt collectors’? So realistic! “Mom,” I whispered, “Someone seems to be outside… it doesn’t sound good. Don’t make a sound.” Mom’s face went white. She nodded frantically. The knocking soon turned into brutal pounding. “BANG! BANG! BANG!” The rental apartment door groaned under the assault. “Who is it?!” Mom finally cried out, trying to stop it. Too late! The moment the door splintered open, I ‘just happened’ to be standing right behind it, ‘frantically’ trying to brace it with my body! A massive force slammed the door! “CRASH!” A dull, sickening thud. The door hit me square on. A sharp, explosive pain shot through my nose! A warm liquid instantly gushed out. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. The door was completely broken open. A tall, aloof man strode in first. He didn’t spare a glance for me, who was clutching my nose with blood seeping through my fingers. His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept past my terrified mother. His voice was cold enough to form ice. “Mom, are you okay?!” “Ethan!” Mom rushed forward, shielding me. The pain in my nose made my vision swim, and tears streamed out—a purely physical reaction. Worth it. This self-inflicted misery act is completely worth it.

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When I woke up again, I was the real daughter kicked out of the house. My biological family called me a wicked failure and showered the fake daughter with love. My foster mother took my hand and brought me home. Everyone expected me to self-destruct, to fall apart. But I didn’t. I loved this era where women could hold up half the sky. Here, there would be no female scholar wrongfully executed. No endless condemnation or hateful public torture just because of my gender. In this life, I would stand tall on the world stage. 1 “Skylar Hayes, I don’t have a vicious daughter like you!” “You have repeatedly harmed Brooke Sutton. Our family won’t tolerate a person with such a wicked heart!” “Here are your bags. Go live your life!” I rubbed my head and sat up in a daze. I saw several people in front of me, dressed in strange, modern clothes, looking at me with expressions ranging from disgust to smug satisfaction. “Who are you…” Before I could finish my question, they turned and walked away. They acted as if I were something dirty, something they couldn’t stand to look at for another second. The ornate iron gate slammed shut. I looked around blankly. Unfamiliar buildings, unfamiliar streets, unfamiliar air. Wasn’t I dead? Disguising myself as a man! Treason against the Emperor! Death by a thousand cuts! Why was I here again? A cold wind blew, and I clutched my thin clothes tighter. A shadow fell over me, and a rough hand pulled me up. I looked up and saw a woman with salt-and-pepper hair. She was very thin, her face gaunt, not someone who immediately looked kind. “Daughter, come home with me.” That’s what she said. I followed her home, absorbing the original owner’s memories along the way. I had time-traveled. This body was also named Skylar Hayes. At birth, a nurse’s mistake led to me being switched with Brooke Sutton. A cliché ‘real vs. fake daughter’ drama. Brooke was raised in the wealthy Sutton family, a spoiled little princess. Skylar, meanwhile, was taken back to a cramped apartment by Amelia Reed, who had given birth alone. Amelia’s husband died in a construction accident when Skylar was five. Because the contractor and the boss shifted blame, they only received meager compensation. The mother and daughter relied on Amelia working odd jobs. Skylar grew up in poverty and low self-esteem until she was seventeen. That’s when the Sutton family showed up. The original Skylar, tired of her poor and insecure life, decisively followed them back to the Suttons. Amelia, the foster mother, had come to the door to protest. But neither her biological nor her adopted daughter wanted to return with her. She finally left in solitude. She didn’t take a penny of the massive compensation the Suttons offered. The original Skylar was only home for half a year, clashing constantly with Brooke. Skylar always lost. She ended up being kicked out of the house. “We’re home. It’ll just be the two of us again. They don’t want you, but Mom wants you.” I looked up and saw the gentleness in Amelia’s eyes. Actually, the situation wasn’t so bad. 2 Amelia’s apartment was a rented two-bedroom. The room with the best sunlight was always reserved for Skylar. I walked into the room, seeing all the familiar items of the original owner. The Suttons favored Brooke. But Amelia clearly favored Skylar. Regardless of wealth, motherly love was equally precious. I flipped through a stack of books on the desk, my heart warming slightly. In my past life, I was a farm girl. I learned by listening outside the classroom window while I tended the cows. I went through countless hardships, borrowing someone else’s identity to take the Imperial Examinations. I had a photographic memory, a true prodigy. My only failure was being born a woman. In my past life, even when I topped the exams, I was disguised as a man. In this life, I could finally study openly. I will make my name, Skylar Hayes, legitimately top the charts. No matter the obstacles ahead, I will master every single book. Nothing will stop my ascent to the summit. 3 The next day, I took the bus to school, following my memory. As soon as I arrived, I was called to the office. “Skylar Hayes, you have the brain of a slug! You’re a scholarship student, but you scored like that? You must have gotten lucky in the midterms!” “Look at your grades! Seven hundred fifty is a perfect score, and you got three hundred. You’re twenty-eighth from the bottom!” “Even if I had a pig take the test, it would do better than you!” “Our Class 1 is the ‘Rocket Class,’ not a place for every waste of space!” “I’ve already reported this to the grade level dean. Get out of Class 1 right now!” “Go to Class 11. That’s the trash bin where garbage like you belongs!” I looked up at the Class 1 homeroom teacher, Ms. Williams. “Heh! That’s not what you said when you were taking the check from the Suttons.” Ms. Williams didn’t expect me to talk back. Her lips trembled, ready to unleash a torrent of insults. I reached out and motioned for her to keep quiet. “Shh! I’m just a poor student now. I have nothing to lose.” Ms. Williams’ face shifted several times, but she ultimately kept her mouth shut. Under her gloomy glare, I slowly walked away. At the same time, I had already guessed the reason for her actions. The Sutton family must have put in a word. Did they think this would crush me into the dirt, preventing me from ever getting back up? They severely underestimated me. In my previous life, I gained knowledge by listening outside a classroom window while tending cattle. This life was already so much better. It was just a change of classroom. To me, this was an insignificant distraction. And the Sutton family would eventually regret their actions today. I wasn’t in a hurry. I had a long life ahead of me. They could just wait and see. 4 I went to Class 1 first to move my books and supplies to Class 11. Brooke Sutton stood with her arms crossed, leaning against a desk at the back, looking at me smugly. She was surrounded by a circle of admirers, the center of attention. Before she could speak, someone next to her started attacking me. “Well, well, look who it is! Isn’t this our scholarship star? What happened?” “I heard the scholarship star only scored three hundred points. Kicked out to the loser class!” “A failure like this dares to challenge Brooke? She should look in the mirror and see her low-life poverty!” I looked at each of the speakers. One beautiful girl sitting next to Brooke lifted her chin arrogantly. “What are you looking at? Look again, and I’ll gouge your eyes out, peasant.” She meant it. She was totally capable of it. This was Cassidy Stone, the sister of Brooke’s fiancé. Thanks to Brooke’s instigation, she had bullied the original Skylar relentlessly at school. She was arrogant and cruel. When the original Skylar told the Suttons, they always told her to look inward, never bothering Cassidy. That was because Cassidy’s father was a big deal. The Suttons depended on the Stones. Since Brooke was favored by the Stones, she was naturally the Suttons’ darling. In contrast, the original Skylar, the biological daughter, was disposable trash. I knew Cassidy’s biggest obsession was her grades. She had been the top student for two consecutive years. Any student who had surpassed her mysteriously ended up dropping out. “I’m taking your first place.” Cassidy froze, then burst into roaring laughter. “Oh my God, the three-hundred-point loser wants my top spot? I’m so scared!” Everyone around her laughed too. No one took my words seriously. I didn’t argue. The results would be the best counter-attack. Amidst the laughter, I walked out of the Rocket Class. Ahead was the battlefield that belonged to me.

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I can hear my dog’s inner thoughts. While walking him, I suddenly heard: “Mom! Mom! Mom! Say the dog’s name quickly!” I yelled, “Buddy!” Buddy turned around to look at me. And turning with him was a gorgeous blonde guy. 01 At the beginning of the year, I visited a pet-friendly temple to pray for wealth. The monk suddenly grabbed my arm. “Miss, you don’t need to pray for money. Your fortune has already arrived.” I cleaned out my ear, utterly skeptical. The monk explained, “You are destined for romance, and that romance is your wealth.” Twenty-five years of being single. I always thought I was the main character, the lone wolf. So I bowed to the monk and said, “No, thanks. I prefer to believe I control my own destiny, not fate.” After leaving the temple, something even stranger happened. A voice, seemingly from nowhere, echoed in my mind. “Mom won’t date, and Mom won’t find the dog a girlfriend either. But Mom gives the dog food, so Mom is good and bad at the same time.” I looked down. Sure enough, Buddy was looking at me suspiciously. I tentatively held my phone to my ear and asked, “Oh, they want me to take Buddy to be neutered? Today?” Buddy always resisted going to the vet. Even now, hearing the word ‘vet’ would send him running away from me. This time was no exception. Even on a leash, Buddy lunged forward desperately. “Mom must not take the dog to lose his balls! The dog still needs to sniff little Belle’s butt next door!” After confirming that I could actually hear Buddy’s thoughts, I bowed again toward the temple. Then, unable to argue with Buddy, I let him pull me along. It was hard to tell who was walking whom. After a few minutes of running, Buddy suddenly stopped. I heard again: “Mom! Mom! Mom! Say the dog’s name quickly!” I didn’t understand, but I did as I was told. “Buddy.” “Mom, louder! The dog can’t hear you.” … Ugh! This little menace! Furious, I yelled out, “BUDDY!” Buddy finally turned around. And turning with him was a blonde heartthrob up ahead. When I saw his face, I was slightly stunned. He saw me, a look of surprise flashing across his face. He actually walked toward me. His voice was intense: “I don’t know how you found out my nickname, but you’d better not tell anyone.” “If I find out one other person knows I’m called Buddy, I’ll make you regret it.” Buddy chimed in: “The dog knows, but the dog isn’t a person.” I looked at the handsome man, slightly embarrassed. “Maybe you should get up first? Stop kneeling on the sidewalk.” I had no idea what happened, but he had just suddenly dropped to his knees. After much persuasion, he finally stood up. Then, to ensure my silence, he added me on social media. Was all that really necessary? His retreating steps were a little clumsy. Maybe he’d been kneeling for too long. For some reason, he looked vaguely familiar. A gentle panting sigh reached my ear again. “Mom, the dog told you, if you ask someone for help, you need the right attitude. The dog used its head to hit his knees. The dog is awesome and protected Mom.” Huh? I finally realized. It wasn’t that he wanted to kneel; he was physically forced. 02 When I got home after walking the dog, it was dinner time. Mrs. Lee and Mr. Perry from next door invited me to eat with them. It wasn’t the first time. I took the fruit I’d just bought and headed over. But the door opened surprisingly fast today. I heard Buddy’s voice again, sounding absolutely lecherous: “Little Belle.” “Little Belle, tee hee, Buddy the big brother is here to see you~” Sometimes, I really want to smack him. If I’d known my dog was a lecherous old man inside, I still probably would have chosen him. I’m a sucker for a pretty face (or snout). And then. I keenly caught a murmured thought: “Little Belle says her daddy is home today.” Daddy? Mr. Perry? He’s always home, isn’t he? I was completely zoning out when a snap of fingers brought me back to reality. Standing in front of me was the blonde heartthrob who had knelt before me earlier. He was wearing an apron, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He had total “husband material” energy. I swallowed. Buddy next to me barked aggressively: “It’s Daddy,” Huh? He continued: “It’s Little Belle’s daddy. He’s Little Belle’s daddy!” I blurted out. “Daddy?” Our eyes locked. The handsome guy froze, a faint blush staining his cheeks. Mr. Perry, who had just arrived at the door, paused and cleared his throat awkwardly, looking at both of us. “You two know each other?” More barks came from below—it was Little Belle’s voice. “Daddy!” “It’s my daddy!” She wagged her tail excitedly. I looked at the handsome guy, then at Little Belle, desperate to turn and run. Mrs. Lee quickly pushed Mr. Perry forward. Luckily, Mr. Perry reacted fast, grabbing my hand. “Good job, good job! I’ve always wanted a daughter.” I sniffled and followed them inside. I almost left their biological son outside the door. 03 At the dinner table. I chatted enthusiastically with Mrs. Lee and Mr. Perry. Mrs. Lee frequently instructed her son to serve me food. “The tenderest piece goes to Hannah.” “Go on, don’t just stand there. Get my good daughter another bowl of soup.” “Here, grab a slice of meat. Hannah likes the marbled kind.” By the end of the meal, I realized I had so many preferences I hadn’t even known about. I couldn’t help but admire Mrs. Lee’s keen observation skills. As for her son? He was practically a robot. When Mrs. Lee pulled out the photo album after dinner to reminisce, I never would have guessed that the little chubby kid in the pictures had turned into the striking blonde guy sitting across from me. In the photo, I was graduating from high school. The chubby kid was Ethan Perry. He had just finished middle school, and his parents were sending him abroad for school. In my memory, Ethan was a small, pale, chubby boy, a head shorter than me, and usually quiet. Even taking the photo was awkward. Mrs. Lee had to push him forward: “Ethan, hurry up and pose with your big sister.” Our two families had known each other for over ten years. I heard his parents say that Ethan might not come back after finishing his studies. I felt a little down and threw an arm around his shoulder. Looking back at the frozen moment now, Ethan looked utterly helpless, his face full of embarrassment. Just like now. “Mom, why are you bringing out these pictures?” Ethan complained, his expression sour. His cheek looked bruised, slightly caved in. He thought no one was looking, but his palm was pressed down on a photo. I had already seen it. It was a picture of him in diapers. Tiny. And very cute. I couldn’t help but chuckle. He caught my eye, turned, and glared at me. “Stop staring.” “Stare one more time, and I’ll take your eyes out.” His voice was slightly louder when he said this, causing Buddy to immediately start growling and mumbling insults. “Who do you think you’re talking to, you punk?” “Dare to threaten my mom? You’re asking for trouble. The dog is only three, but it has plenty of strength and tricks up its sleeve!” Barking, he latched onto Ethan’s pant leg. Protecting the mother at all costs. Little Belle whined, putting a paw on Buddy, trying to mediate: “Forget it, forget it. It’s tough for everyone.” “Don’t bite my daddy~” Seeing Buddy wasn’t letting go, I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and scolded, “Buddy, apologize immediately!” I deliberately emphasized my distaste for such aggressive behavior. The next second, the man in front of me spoke first. “I’m sorry.” I stared blankly at the man, who quickly turned his head away after speaking. Wait, is this right? I felt like a circuit breaker had tripped in my head. Ethan sighed, knelt down, and rubbed Buddy’s head. “I didn’t mean to yell at your mom.” “But you did the right thing. Next time, your big brother will buy you treats, okay?” Buddy bared his teeth, reminding him, “Not big brother, Uncle.” I looked in the mirror and saw the hair on top of my head had been ruffled into a garlic bulb shape. I secretly barked low: “Mommy-Sauce, speak up for me! Speak up for me!” I wanted to say something, extending my hand to signal Ethan to stand up, but he misinterpreted it as me wanting to pull him up and took my hand. His palm was warm. He didn’t rush to stand. Suddenly, he raised his beautiful eyes to look at me, his tone shifting. “I already apologized. What else do you want?” I honestly didn’t expect things to progress like this. I was flustered, my cheeks burning. My mouth was a mess of words. “No.” “I was just calling Buddy… I wasn’t talking about you.” “I was just calling Buddy,” he said, sounding a little wronged. Forget it. The more I explained, the messier it got. 04 Actually, the name Buddy and I have a long history. The day I dropped Ethan off at the airport, I was actually quite sad, but I couldn’t cry. It might be hard to imagine. But when a little white marshmallow of a boy is in front of you, snot running down his face, throwing a tantrum, you can’t help but stifle a laugh. He was bossy even at that young age, sobbing as he waved goodbye: “I’m Sister’s only Buddy, right?” I stroked his head and affirmed repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes.” But he didn’t know I was a people-pleaser. After seven, eight, nine, ten dinners, Ethan finally started acting like Mrs. Lee and Mr. Perry’s son! Well, not entirely. Today, I was shopping with him at the supermarket. The lady on the first floor recognized me. “Isn’t that Hannah?” Seeing Ethan next to me, she was both surprised and delighted, her eyes sparkling with gossip. “Your boyfriend?” Without waiting for me to confirm or deny, the lady immediately started gushing. “No wonder I haven’t seen you dating anyone! You were waiting for this tall, handsome young man. Our Hannah has good taste!” I looked at the man next to me, who acted completely indifferent, and sighed loudly. Trust a man, and the sun rises in the west. I quickly waved my hands. “Auntie, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s Mr. Perry’s son.” “The real, biological son.” Ethan was slightly nudged by my words and slowly confirmed with an “Mmm.” But the lady was thrilled, grabbing both of our hands. “That’s even better!” “Making it a family affair!” What on earth is she talking about!? She even stacked our hands together. I chuckled awkwardly. “Auntie, the discount section is starting soon. Aren’t you going to check it out?” Auntie looked reluctant but bolted away. Our hands were still stacked together. I quietly pulled my hand away. A moment later, he said abruptly, “Thank you.” I was completely confused. I simply replied, “You’re welcome.” Later, as he was grabbing some groceries, his hand, resting on the shopping cart, accidentally touched mine. I tried to pull my hand away, but this kid had the strength of an ox. I couldn’t get it back no matter how hard I tried. Finally, I ‘casually’ stepped on his foot. Only then did he casually notice, saying sarcastically, “Oh, was your hand down there the whole time? It’s small, cold, and hard. I didn’t notice.” I didn’t notice~ Ugh. So. I stepped on his foot again. 05 Ethan’s cooking skills were genuinely excellent, leading me to suspect he didn’t study art abroad but culinary arts. I went to help him in the kitchen. At first, neither of us spoke. The atmosphere was incredibly awkward. I started making forced small talk. “Little Brother, how long are you planning to stay in the country?” Ethan glanced at me, poker-faced. “Depends on my mood.” He added, “Big Sister!” “Oh.” “Did you date anyone abroad? I heard there are a lot of beautiful women at your school.” As if annoyed by the question, he stopped washing dishes and looked straight at me. “What about you? You never met anyone suitable? I heard a lot of guys at your school were asking about you.” Aggressive. I scratched my head. “How do you know that?” I had only told Mrs. Lee. He went silent again. After a moment, Ethan bossed me around naturally. “Big Sister, hand me that plate.” “Where is it?” I followed his gaze and saw a plate left on top of the fridge. It was a bit high. I couldn’t reach it. I tried harder. Still couldn’t reach it. Suddenly, an arm reached over me from behind. It was Ethan, using his height advantage to easily grab the plate. I instinctively turned my head, my breath catching. Ethan’s lips were barely an inch from my eye. His breath was hot. “Still… still haven’t gotten it?” A low murmur brushed past my ear. “Mmm.” I froze in place. When people are flustered, they often blurt out nonsense. “All the students at my school are on vacation now.” “Oh.” “They’re not serving teachers at the school cafeteria anymore.” “Is that so?” “What do you think I should eat tomorrow?” “Up to you.” Completely unhelpful. During the conversation, I heard Buddy’s faint barks: “Mommy.” “Mommy.” “Baby tummy…” They quickly faded away. I almost thought I was hallucinating.

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The secret to my family’s wealth was the river running right outside our door. Whenever an outsider came by, my father would fake a drowning, then pull the good Samaritan who tried to save him under the water and drown them instead. He’d call my Uncle Frank to ‘recover the body’ later. Frank would strap the corpse to the boat and demand a hefty reward from the victim’s family. It wasn’t just the perfect crime; the profits were incredible. Until one day, the body Uncle Frank fished out was my father’s. Just like every person my dad had drowned, his death was ruled an accident. My mother was inconsolable with grief, but Uncle Frank and the others looked strangely tense. Later, Frank told me my dad’s death wasn’t right. After Dad died, Frank still received a text message from his phone. 1 After my dad’s funeral, Grandpa called all the men in the family together. That included my Uncle Frank, my two older cousins—Jimmy and Scott—and me, Alex. Frank started by laying out the facts he knew. The police estimated my dad, the youngest son, had died around seven or eight p.m. But Frank didn’t receive a text from Dad until after midnight. That’s why he took Jimmy and Scott out on the boat to retrieve the body. Sure enough, they brought one up. But they never expected it to be Dad. Dad definitely didn’t drown by accident. It had to be murder. He was an expert swimmer. He could easily drag someone under the water and sneak away. He could even go home, change clothes, and come back to the riverbank to pretend he was helping with the rescue once a crowd gathered. So, the question was, who killed my dad? “It shouldn’t be an outsider. Dad, look at the message the youngest sent.” He handed his phone, screen lit up, to Grandpa. The three of us cousins leaned in to look. It was a text message: “A little bird has fallen into the water.” The sender was my dad, and the time was after midnight, hours after his estimated death. The problem was, this was our code. It meant someone had drowned and it was time to go fish out the body. Frank argued: “Who else besides family would know that code?” Grandpa frowned, turning to look at the three of us. We exchanged glances. That was my own father, and their uncle. How could we possibly do something like that? Even if we could, what was the motive? Grandpa realized it was unlikely and roared at Frank: “What are you saying? Don’t talk nonsense!” Frank quickly explained: “No, I’m not saying the boys would do something like that… I want to know if anyone accidentally told our code to an outsider?” The moment he said that, Jimmy, standing next to me, suddenly stiffened. 2 Frank noticed. He instantly exploded with anger and shouted: “You little punk! Spit it out! Was it you?” Jimmy’s face changed dramatically. He stammered: “Dad, I… I didn’t mean to. I just… I…” Frank jumped up, raising his hand to strike Jimmy. Scott and I flinched away, scared. Luckily, Grandpa interrupted Frank in time, shouting: “Frank, stop! What’s the point of hitting him? You idiot!” Then he beckoned to Jimmy: “Come here, Jimmy. Tell Grandpa… who did you tell?” Jimmy ran trembling to Grandpa and finally confessed: “It was my friend… Old Man Miller’s son, Tom Miller, from down the street…” He then explained, near tears: “I didn’t mean to. I was just drunk, and I accidentally… I just said it once…” Frank stomped his foot in a fit of rage. But Grandpa reassured him: “He already said it. What’s done is done. Let’s focus on figuring out what happened…” Since Grandpa had spoken, Frank’s outburst was useless. But Grandpa looked specifically at me. I had to say something: “If Tom really did it, I’ll kill his whole damn family.” After all, it was my dad who died. Though I genuinely had no affection for him, since he had none for me. And having seen countless people die in front of me since childhood, I didn’t feel much grief over his death. To me, death was normal. Grandpa’s brow furrowed again. He muttered to himself: “But… Tom doesn’t have any beef with our family…” He turned to Frank and instructed: “Frank, tomorrow you go set up a meeting with Tom’s dad. I’ll talk to him first, test the waters… see if the grudge was just between him and the youngest… or if it’s targeted at all of us…” But Frank didn’t answer. He had been furious moments ago, but now he was standing completely still, his expression blank. He was looking at his phone. Grandpa got angry again and scolded him: “What are you looking at your phone for! Did you hear me?” Frank finally reacted, quickly turning the screen toward Grandpa: “No, Dad, look at this!” On the screen was a newly received text message. The content was: “A little bird has fallen into the water.” Suddenly, even Grandpa fell silent. 3 Finally, it was Jimmy who broke the silence: “That number… that number looks like Tom’s!” After saying that, he frantically pulled out his own phone. After checking for a few seconds, he confirmed: “It is! That’s his number!” Grandpa’s frown deepened. Frank paused, then carefully asked: “Dad… should we, should we take the boat out to check?” Grandpa pondered for a good while before instructing: “You go, but be careful… whether you find a body or not, no matter whose body you find… don’t make a sound, and don’t call the police. Come back and we’ll discuss it.” Frank quickly nodded. Then he motioned for the three of us cousins to get the boat ready. Retrieving bodies has its tricks. The river isn’t still water; bodies won’t stay in one place. But we were experienced. We knew there were a few spots downstream that were excellent for recovery. Those places were full of rocks and reefs, where bodies usually got snagged. However, there was no bank there; the river was flanked by thorny thickets, so we had to approach by boat. Luckily, we knew the route by heart. Soon, we reached the spot. We couldn’t risk the boat hitting the rocks, so we stopped and prepared for manual retrieval. Jimmy and Scott tied on safety ropes, ready to jump in and search the rocks. I looked at the murky, black river water. The searchlight only illuminated a small surface area, and I felt a knot of anxiety. So, I suggested to Frank: “Uncle Frank, I’m not good at retrieval, and my swimming isn’t strong enough… maybe I can stay on the boat and assist you with signals?” Frank seemed to sense my fear and waved his hand. “It’s fine, you don’t have to go in. Your brothers are seasoned pros; let them do it… but you do need to practice your swimming… you’ll be taking over your dad’s role someday…” I breathed a sigh of relief. Frank didn’t go into the water either. Jimmy and Scott, wearing searchlights on their heads, calmly jumped in. Bodies don’t float quickly. Even if they’re caught on a reef, they’re likely snagged underwater. Sure enough, after a short time, someone surfaced and signaled with their searchlight. Frank quickly motored the boat over. Getting closer, we saw it was Jimmy. He shouted: “Found him! Throw down the rope!” Frank quickly threw down the rope from the winch, and Jimmy submerged again to work. Soon, the other end of the rope was tied to a body. Frank started turning the winch. The body slowly rose toward the boat until it was lifted close to the bow… Jimmy shone his light on the body’s face and yelled: “Holy crap! It really is Tom!” Frank locked the winch, but his brow furrowed. He looked around, then asked Jimmy, who was still in the water: “Where’s your brother?” It hit me too— Scott hadn’t surfaced yet. Jimmy froze. “Pull the safety rope! Hurry!” 4 When Scott was pulled up, he was completely unconscious. Luckily, Frank reacted quickly. Otherwise, he would have drowned. Once on the boat, Scott was coughing uncontrollably. Frank immediately cleared the mud, sand, and water weeds from his mouth and nose. Then, using the “head-tilt, chin-lift” technique, he tilted Scott’s head back to keep his airway open. Finally, after throwing up a large amount of filthy water, Scott was able to breathe deeply. But he was still disoriented. We quickly rushed Scott home. Aunt Jane was terrified and immediately rushed out to care for him. I didn’t dare alarm my mother, as she still hadn’t recovered. Grandpa was also surprised. Scott was an excellent swimmer, even better than Jimmy. He had been in that exact spot hundreds of times. How could he possibly drown? Scott was still woozy, but seemed out of danger. Since Aunt Jane was caring for him, Grandpa told us to hurry up and dispose of Tom’s body. “The youngest died just two days ago, and now he’s dead too… If the police see such frequent deaths, they’ll suspect something. Go bury him… hurry…” Frank, Jimmy, and I drove out late that night, found a spot, and buried Tom. When we got back, Scott had recovered significantly. He could at least open his eyes and speak a little. Seeing us return, Grandpa told Aunt Jane to rest. The main goal was for all of us to hear why Scott had almost drowned. When the subject came up, Scott’s face was full of terror. He started shaking. His trembling lips could only force out one sentence: “A head… a human head! The eyes… the eyes were glowing…!” 5 Scott stammered through his account for a long time before we understood what happened underwater. He had submerged, searching the rocks for the body as usual. He even checked the patches of water weeds. But for a moment, he thought something other than water weeds had brushed his arm. He swept his searchlight around and discovered— A human head, silently suspended in the shadow of a nearby rock. And what had touched his arm wasn’t water weeds. It was the long hair floating off the head. It drifted silently, like dense water weeds, obscuring its face. At that moment, Scott wasn’t terrified yet. He had seen too many bodies. This was clearly one, too, though he didn’t understand why it was only a head. And since Tom was a man, this long-haired head was clearly a woman’s. He reached out, intending to grab the hair and pull the head out. But just then, something strange happened. Scott finally saw the head’s face. It was swollen and rotting, the skin peeling away from being waterlogged. There were many signs of having been smashed, and the skin was drifting away from those damaged areas. Most incredibly, the eyes— The deep, massive, rounded eyes suddenly erupted with an eerie blue light. That sight terrified Scott nearly to unconsciousness. Naturally, he forgot to hold his breath and forgot to surface. The salty, foul-smelling river water instantly flooded his mouth, choking him… After hearing Scott’s story, everyone was speechless. Even Grandpa frowned, falling into silence. But Frank suddenly erupted in rage, viciously slapping Jimmy across the face! We were all stunned, and even Grandpa looked confused. Until Frank gritted his teeth and roared: “You animal! Why did you tell Tom our code? What kind of dirty business were you two doing together?!”

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The System told me to babysit the gloomy male lead. After the female lead left, everyone steered clear of the lunatic, Ethan Blackwood, but I stepped up to the challenge. Ethan was afraid of the dark and demanded I sleep next to him. Yet, he would brutally shove me off the bed, fracturing my hip. For over a thousand nights, he only allowed me to curl up on the cold floor beside his bed, leaving me with chronic pain. He craved classic dumplings from an old shop. I brought them back at 3 a.m., and in his haste, the boiling soup spilled, searing the back of my hand. He barely glanced at it: “The soup is ruined. Feed it to the dog.” In our circle, they all laughed, calling me Ethan Blackwood’s collared dog—the one he couldn’t chase away. I never denied it. Finally, the female lead returned. They laughed, saying I was a ‘simp’ who got nothing in the end. But they didn’t know that on this day, the System was about to grant my wish. 1 Ethan’s ‘one that got away,’ Clara Hayes, was back in the country. Everyone was waiting to see the downfall of the ‘simp,’ me. I, however, was celebrating that the mission was finally complete. Hearing the news, I immediately typed up my resignation letter. Just as I raised my hand to knock, I heard Ethan talking to his assistant. “Mr. Blackwood, I’ve confirmed. Ms. Hayes lands at Southfield Airport at 7 p.m. tonight.” “Good. Pack that aquamarine necklace for me.” “But didn’t you order that for Miss Alexa? ” Ethan’s knuckles rapped against the desk, the sound sharp in the empty office. “Order her something else. I decide what happens to things in my possession.” “Don’t forget to put 99 yellow roses in the car.” I knocked and walked straight in. The two men snapped their heads up. Ethan’s deep eyes focused on me. His perfectly tailored suit outlined his powerful physique. Assistant Carl looked at me with pity and sympathy. I smiled and nodded at him. I had personally hired him. He was one of the few who understood my situation. I placed the resignation letter on the desk. The document went directly under Ethan’s gaze. “Mr. Blackwood, I need your signature on this file.” Ethan scoffed, giving Carl a look. Carl wisely retreated. “Don’t play games, Alexa. Don’t try the ‘hard to get’ routine.” “I don’t have time for your drama today.” He stood up. His imposing figure created a strong pressure as he closed the distance between us. He leaned in, his breath hitting my cheek, sending a chill through me. “Know your place. Where else can you go if you leave Blackwood Corp? You clawed your way up and cling to me for a reason you know well.” My face remained expressionless. I kept up my professional smile. Ethan suddenly gripped my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his scrutinizing gaze, his tone laced with mockery and certainty. “You’ve been doing a great job for the past three years, haven’t you?” “You’ve always been rational. Don’t do anything foolish. It won’t benefit a person like you.” With that, he released my chin, leaving immediate red marks on my pale skin. He tore up my resignation letter. The shredded pieces landed behind me. “Mr. Blackwood, I have only professional respect, not affection, for you. Besides, employee turnover is normal.” My voice was swallowed by the sound of his door slamming shut. ________________________________________ 2 Back at the Blackwood mansion, I immediately started packing my suitcase and checking flights out of the country. In three years, I hadn’t accumulated much. One suitcase held everything. A knock sounded. I opened the door to see Ethan’s sister, Layla. She saw the suitcase, her eyes widening. She spoke hesitantly. “Alexa, did you find out Clara Hayes is back…?” Three years ago, Ethan crashed his car while chasing Clara. He was in a coma for three months. The company fell into chaos. Clara never looked back, disappearing overseas, leaving Ethan to wake up and rage domestically. Layla was only fifteen then. She couldn’t handle the external pressure and hid in her room, covering her ears to escape Ethan’s hysterical shouts. Just as she was about to break, I appeared. As per the System’s arrangement, I became the granddaughter of Mr. Blackwood Sr.’s late mentor. I presented Mr. Blackwood Sr.’s last will, appointing me as his business consultant, and parachuted into Blackwood Corp. Everyone thought I was an incompetent outsider, waiting for me to fail. But I calmed Layla, stabilized the company’s shareholders, and personally oversaw Ethan’s recovery. I made everything appear to be back on track. Layla was looking at me, breathing heavily, terrified that I might show any sign of anger. Realizing this, Layla frantically called her brother. “Ethan! Where are you? Come home now!” “What is it?” Ethan’s cold voice betrayed slight impatience, mixed with the sound of airport announcements on the other end. “It’s…” Layla glanced at me, then continued, “It’s Alexa’s birthday today! We promised to celebrate with her! The day isn’t over yet, there’s still time!” Ethan paused briefly. He had clearly forgotten. “Tell her I’ll make it up to her with a gift.” “If you don’t come back now, Alexa is going to leave!” Layla’s voice became tearful. “Did she brainwash you too? Layla, are you helping her lie to me? Don’t forget whose sister you are.” Layla called again, but the line was busy. She turned to me, frustrated. “Sister Alexa, I’m sorry… my brother doesn’t mean it.” “Layla, you should listen to your brother. Your brother and I just have an employer-employee relationship. Ms. Hayes is the one meant to be with Mr. Blackwood.” I smiled faintly and advised her. “No way! You’re as stubborn as my brother.” Layla gave me a look of exasperation, her cheeks puffed out. She was genuinely frustrated on my behalf. I guided Layla back to her room. “It’s late. You need to sleep.” Finally, Layla was settled. I heard the System broadcast. $$Host, Clara Hayes has returned. Congratulations on completing the mission. Your wish is about to be granted.$$ I let out a breath of relief. I pulled my suitcase out of the Blackwood mansion. Taking one last look at the place I’d endured for three years. ________________________________________ 3 It was late. I arrived at a two-story house in the suburbs. I had purchased this property a year ago. The former owner was a kind, honest middle-aged woman. It was raining heavily that day, a cold, damp winter evening. Ethan had thrown me out onto a muddy street. “Go home yourself if you dare.” The cold seeped into my bones, giving me chronic pain. When the weather changed, I couldn’t even stand straight. Ethan, however, believed it was just a ploy for his sympathy. He sat in his car, enjoying my miserable, desperate state, then drove away as I pleaded. My phone was dead. I had to walk back, holding my aching hip, in the pouring rain. I collapsed on the roadside shortly after and was found by the homeowner. Learning her son was sick, and she needed to sell the house quickly for his treatment. I bought the house for twenty thousand dollars above the market price. Thinking back, I didn’t even have a room of my own at the Blackwood mansion. After purchasing it, I renovated the house to match the simple, elegant style of Liam Chen, with plenty of green plants. The rightmost room was filled with gifts I had prepared for Liam. Three years ago, Liam fell into a coma after an attack, becoming vegetative. After running across the country for doctors proved futile, the System found me. It promised to grant me one wish upon completion of the mission. It gave me hope. Sleeping in a soft bed, I had my first good dream in three years. In the dream, Liam woke up, and we were just as happy as before. I checked my phone. People who enjoyed my misery had texted me. $$Alexa, Ethan posted on his social media. Stop dreaming of replacing Clara Hayes as Mrs. Blackwood. When are you finally going to leave?$$ Ethan had posted his first social media update in three years. The content was just one picture. In the photo, Clara was sitting sideways. Ethan was gazing at her pale profile, his eyes possessive, filled with overwhelming love. Below were rows of congratulations, and naturally, people publicly mocking me. Half the messages in my phone were pity, half were glee. I ignored them all. I didn’t care before, and I certainly didn’t care now. There was only one person I cared about from the beginning to the end. Thinking of the elegant, gentle, and refined Liam Chen, my eyes felt hot and moist. I clutched the clothes over my chest, suppressing the turbulent, bittersweet emotions. I couldn’t rush back to him just yet. I had to ensure the mission reward was successfully granted. ________________________________________ 4 I showed up at the company as usual to handle the handover procedures. Most of the current Blackwood Corp management were people I had promoted, so they naturally didn’t make things difficult for me. But I didn’t expect Clara Hayes to show up at the company. I smiled and nodded at her, ready to leave. But she quickly walked over to me. Onlookers quietly gathered to watch the drama. “Hilarious! The white moonlight is back. The schemer needs to step aside! Look at her aura; Alexa can’t compete with that!” “She simped for three years and got nothing in the end. Why bother?” “Why bother? If she had succeeded, she would have been the owner of Blackwood Corp. I would have simped too!” Clara looked surprised, her eyes twinkling. “You must be Miss Alexa? I’ve heard about you from many friends. You’re so beautiful. Thank you for taking care of Ethan for me all these years. I don’t know how to repay you.” I put on a polite smile. “You’re too kind, Ms. Hayes. It was just part of my job. Mr. Blackwood paid generously.” “I heard it was your birthday yesterday, Miss Alexa? I’m so sorry, but I felt sick after traveling, and I had to keep Ethan busy all night.” With that, she lightly touched the aquamarine necklace on her neck, a provocative glint in her eyes. “Not at all. Mr. Blackwood’s care for you is expected. I have to go now.” She stopped me. “Miss Alexa, since you’re leaving, make a clean break, alright?” The onlookers’ eyes widened. They didn’t expect the first confrontation between these two to be so dramatic. I smiled faintly at her. “Ms. Hayes, are you that insecure? Don’t worry, I have no interest in a man like him.” But as soon as I got downstairs, Ethan sent me a few texts. One was a photo of Clara and me standing together. In the picture, she stood with red-rimmed eyes, facing me, while I had my back to the camera. It made me look arrogant, perfectly framing me as the bully. “Can your tactics be any more despicable? Get out of the mansion tonight. Don’t stay in the Blackwood house.” I didn’t reply, simply turning off the screen. My pleasure. 5 Things quieted down around me for a while. Until late one night, just as I finished organizing and sending out all my files. As I was getting ready for bed, I received a call from an unknown number. Ethan’s voice was tired and hoarse. He said, “Alexa, come here. I can’t sleep.” “Mr. Blackwood, I have already resigned.” His voice held a hint of anger. “I won’t say it a second time. Get over here.” I hung up. The phone rang again instantly. I blocked the number. After sleeping for less than two hours, a knocking sound came from downstairs. I peered through the peephole and saw Ethan. His face was dark, emitting a cold aura. He looked furious. As if sensing my presence, he leaned into the peephole, a mocking smile on his lips. “Open the door.” I silently opened the door, the usual gentle look replaced by indifference and disgust. “Can I help you?” Seeing this, Ethan irritably tugged at his tie. His eyes were shadowed with sleeplessness. He tried to walk past me, but I blocked him. He scanned the room and scoffed. “You can only live in a place like this after leaving me? Come back with me now.” “Don’t make me say it a second time, Alexa. My patience is wearing thin.” Seeing I was still unmoved, anger flared in Ethan’s dark eyes. He forcefully grabbed my arm, trying to drag me to his car. I pulled out the paring knife I had hidden in my sleeve and slashed the back of his hand. He yelped in pain and let go, looking shocked and disbelieving. “You stabbed me?”

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As Hugh Sullivan’s intended wife, the title of “Mrs. Sullivan” was the last thing I ever wanted. On our wedding day, standing outside the dressing room, I overheard a conversation between my father and Hugh. “Hugh, are you truly willing to marry Elara for Celia’s sake?” “If you have second thoughts now, I can still find someone else to take her place.” A heavy sigh from Hugh. “I’m the only one who can tie Elara down, make her give up her claim on the inheritance. Everything I’m doing… it’s all for Celia.” A slow, silent smile spread across my lips. Oh, Father. You’ve grown so foolish in your old age. Did you really think marrying me off would be enough to neutralize me? That it would clear the way for you to welcome your illegitimate children into the family and hand them the Vance family’s billion-dollar fortune? And Hugh… he gave himself far too much credit. The only reason I agreed to this union, the only reason I gave him a second glance, was because he was the man Celia Vance had her heart set on. And what could be more satisfying than stealing the one thing your enemy cherishes, using him completely, and then casting him aside? After all, my mother taught me from a young age: what is yours, you take back, by any means necessary. 1 My father clapped Hugh on the shoulder, his voice heavy with meaning. “I appreciate your devotion to Celia. After the wedding, I’ll transfer five percent of Vance Enterprises’ stock to you as compensation.” But Hugh refused flatly. “I don’t want compensation. When Celia gets back from her trip, I just want to be the one to explain this to her, to make it right.” Celia. Always the precious jewel they cradled in their hands. To avoid upsetting her, my father had conveniently sent her on an overseas vacation right before my wedding. I’d expected this, of course, but hearing the words spoken aloud still sent a familiar pang through my chest. I pursed my lips and turned away, quietly signaling my makeup artist to fetch the wedding ring I’d “forgotten.” What isn’t mine, I don’t want. But what is rightfully mine… you will never take from me. The ceremony reached its peak. With a perfect, demure smile, I linked my arm through my father’s and walked toward Hugh. He placed my hand solemnly into Hugh’s, patting our joined hands with a look of fatherly affection and concern. “Elara, you only just returned home… and with your mother gone so early, and me so busy with work… I haven’t been able to care for you properly. Now that you’re marrying Hugh, I can finally rest easy, knowing he’ll look after you.” I dug my nails into my own thigh, hard, until the sting brought tears to my eyes. I let out a choked sob and threw myself into my father’s arms. Peeking over his shoulder at Hugh, I whispered in a trembling, childish voice, “Daddy, what if… what if Hugh isn’t good to me?” Hugh’s body went rigid, his brow furrowing in a flicker of irritation. “Elara, I’ll be good to you for the rest of our lives.” A pathetic performance. I scoffed internally, ignoring him completely. Clinging to my father’s arm, I rocked it gently. “Daddy, do you remember when I was eight and threw a tantrum because I wanted a little brother to protect me?” “You spun me around and around, and you told me I was your one and only precious pearl, and that you would protect me forever.” My father’s smile faltered. He knew where this was going. But I pressed on, my voice dripping with manufactured innocence. “It was only later that I learned Mommy couldn’t have any more children after she had me. But you never cared about the rumors, about people saying you needed a son to be the ‘pillar of the family.’ You always took such good care of us.” “Even after Mom passed away five years ago, you never remarried or had other children. Daddy, thank you. Thank you for giving all your love to just me and Mom.” Coming from anyone else, such words would have melted a father’s heart. But my father had a secret mistress and two secret children tucked away in the shadows. He had always treated me like a naive little princess, assuming I was clueless about his affair, about the second family he’d raised behind our backs. His plan was to use this very reception to bring his mistress and illegitimate children out into the open, to force me to accept them. I wouldn’t give him the chance. Before he could muster a response, the guests began to murmur their approval. “Harrison Vance is famous for doting on his wife and daughter. He’s a true role model in our circle.” “A man of such high moral character, it’s no wonder he’s built such an empire. He’s an inspiration to us all.” My father prized his public image above all else. The praise from his peers sealed his lips shut. His face was a mask of strained discomfort as he instinctively glanced toward the audience, where I knew Madeline and her son, Caleb, were sitting. Their faces were tight, their fists clenched. Their long-planned ambush had been effortlessly dismantled by my “innocent” little speech, and now they were all squirming, trapped in the spotlight. I kept my expression pure and deeply moved, but inside, I was fighting back a triumphant laugh. My father sighed heavily, but I wasn’t done yet. I decided to turn up the heat. “Daddy,” I said, my voice clear and loud. “Even though I’m getting married, I’ll still be your only child, right? Your most precious pearl, forever and ever?” 2 A sharp, audible gasp from my father. I beamed, my eyes wide with expectation, locking him in place. If he admitted it, here, in front of everyone, that I was his only child, then Celia and Caleb would be condemned to the shadows forever. If he denied it, all the praise he’d just accepted would turn into a hail of scorn, branding him a hypocrite. Down in the audience, Madeline’s fist was clenched so tight her knuckles were white. This man, so decisive and ruthless in the boardroom, was now paralyzed by the simplest of questions. The loving smile vanished from his face, replaced by a storm of conflict. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Hugh shot a panicked look from my father to me, his expression twisting into one of pure disgust. “Elara, don’t push him. Can we please just continue the ceremony?” So, they were allowed to plot against me, but my fighting back was an inconvenience? I turned my head away petulantly. “No. Daddy hasn’t answered my question yet. I spent so many years alone overseas… I feel so insecure. I just need his promise. I need to know that whether I’m married or not, I’ll always be his only child, that he’ll never abandon me.” Perhaps it was guilt over my mother’s death. Perhaps it was the social blade held to his neck. Whatever the reason, my father finally broke. “Elara, don’t overthink things,” he conceded, the words tasting like ash in his mouth. “How could I ever abandon you? You will always be my only child.” Victory. I threw my arms around him again. “Daddy, I love you so much!” The hall erupted in applause. In my peripheral vision, I saw Madeline and Caleb rise from their seats, their faces black with rage, and storm out of the room. The look Hugh was giving me now wasn’t just disgust; it was pure hatred. I, however, savored it. I loved seeing him despise me while being forced to play the part of the doting husband. Amidst the cheers and applause, Hugh and I exchanged rings. When it came time for the groom to kiss the bride, he hesitated, his lips pressed into a thin, resistant line. I just smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him closer. Just then, the grand doors of the hall were thrown open with a crash. Celia stormed in, her face a mask of fury. She marched right up to me and slapped me hard across the face. Her eyes were bloodshot. “You little homewrecker! You stole my boyfriend!” I didn’t feel anger. I felt a flicker of amusement. After all, I was the one who’d secretly leaked the wedding details to her. Celia turned to Hugh, tears streaming down her face, her voice a pathetic wail. “Hugh, why? Why would you marry this woman?!” Hugh shoved me away instinctively. He took a step toward her, then froze, his fists clenching at his sides, his eyes filled with pain. The guests broke into a frenzy of whispers. “Who is that? Does she have a death wish, trying to steal Harrison Vance’s son-in-law?” “Seriously, they’re already married. To make a scene like this… how shameless.” Even under the weight of their scorn, Celia held her head high with an air of defiant arrogance. I looked at Hugh, my voice trembling with practiced vulnerability. “Who is this girl? Hugh, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?” A vein throbbed in Hugh’s temple, but he remained silent. “Hugh,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Now that we’re married, you need to get your affairs in order. Please don’t let people like her humiliate me like this. It… it scares me.” Perhaps I played the part of the fragile victim too well. They both underestimated me completely. Hugh finally spoke, his voice low and placating. “Celia, it’s not what you think. Go home for now. I’ll explain everything later, okay?” Celia looked like she was about to strike me again, but my father, ever conscious of the situation, boomed, “Enough!” She shot me one last hateful glare before spinning on her heel and leaving. I watched her go, a deep, cold hatred churning in the pit of my stomach. My mother’s death was not an accident, and I knew she and her family were involved. I was back now. And I was taking everything: the inheritance, the company, and the truth. 3 After that fiasco, neither my father nor Hugh had any appetite for entertaining guests. This gave me the perfect opportunity to mingle, making my face known to the titans of industry present. As things stood, I was, undeniably, the sole heir to Vance Enterprises. These corporate sharks, seeing how “malleable” I appeared, were all too eager to offer their support, their eyes gleaming with greed and calculation. My informant inside the Vance mansion told me that my father had postponed his plan to publicly announce his other family. Predictably, this led to a tearful, dramatic scene. It took hours of placating from my father to calm Madeline and her two children. Even Hugh, my brand-new husband who should have been with me, rushed over on the pretext of an “urgent business matter.” I can only imagine what new scheme they concocted to pacify the trio. In the end, Hugh was seen escorting Celia to her room. He didn’t emerge for two hours. He finally returned home at three in the morning and went straight to the study to sleep. The next day, Madeline, who had been my father’s executive assistant, was inexplicably promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Caleb went from a bottom-rung position at the main office to being appointed President of a subsidiary. Celia received the deed to a luxurious waterfront villa. And me? His legitimate daughter? To this day, I had never even set foot inside the corporate headquarters. It didn’t matter. I didn’t need to be there. My people—or rather, my mother’s people—were already inside. I also heard my father was establishing a new charity, “The Crestwood Foundation.” A thinly veiled attempt at legitimacy. Anyone with half a brain could see it was a fund for Caleb and Celia. The moment Hugh left for work, I made a call. “It’s time. And one more thing. Caleb is at the subsidiary now. He’s an incompetent, greedy, lecherous fool. Give him enough rope to hang himself. I want him to create the biggest disaster possible.” I had just hung up when I heard a key in the front door. I assumed it was Hugh, having forgotten something. But it was Celia. And behind her stood three menacing thugs. My eyes darted around the living room, taking in the evidence of my “work” from the previous night. I instinctively shrank back, my body trembling as I retreated further into the room. “What… what are you doing here? How do you have a key to my house?” “This is breaking and entering! It’s illegal!” My hands shook as I fumbled for my phone to call the police, but Celia swatted it out of my hand with a contemptuous slap. A vicious kick sent me sprawling to the floor. She grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my head back. “Look at you, you pathetic little coward. How dare you steal my father? How dare you steal my Hugh?!” “You should have followed your dead mother’s example and gone straight to hell!” 4 I grabbed her wrist, struggling with all my might. “Who are you?! Don’t you dare insult my mother!” Celia sneered, striking me twice more across the face. “Listen up, you little bitch. My name is Celia Vance. Harrison Vance is my father, and I am his most beloved daughter!” “You’re nothing but a burden he dumped overseas, a nuisance who crawled her way back!” “It’s all your fault! Because of you, my family can’t be together openly!” My eyes widened in feigned disbelief, my voice quivering. “You’re lying! My father would never have another daughter!” Celia roared with laughter, only stopping after she’d beaten me until blood trickled from my nose and mouth. She looked down at me like I was trash. “A daughter is nothing,” she mocked. “I have a brother, too. And he is the true heir to the Vance fortune!” “I’m here to give you a warning. Get out of the country, or you’ll end up worse than your mother.” “And to think I brought all these guys to deal with you. You’re just as useless as that dead bitch you call a mother!” Something inside me snapped. “You can say whatever you want about me,” I screamed, “but you do not talk about my mother!” Fueled by rage, I lunged forward and sank my teeth into her wrist. Celia shrieked in pain. The three thugs immediately swarmed me, their fists and feet raining down on my body. Each dull thud was punctuated by Celia’s furious screams. “Little bitch! You dare bite me? Beat her! Beat her to death!” Someone stomped on my hand, grinding their heel into my knuckles. I felt a rib crack under a savage kick. I bit down hard, the taste of blood flooding my mouth. The world spun, and then everything went black. When I woke up, it was evening. I was in a VIP room at a private hospital, my body a symphony of pain. My father and Hugh were sitting by my bed. Seeing my eyes open, my father gripped my hand, his face etched with guilt. “Elara, you’re finally awake. You had me so worried.” I winced, my voice a weak rasp. “Dad… is it true? What she said? Do you really have another son and daughter?” He looked down, sighing heavily. It was a long moment before he spoke. “Elara, I’ve done you a great wrong. But Celia… she’s a sweet, kind-hearted girl. Once you get to know her, I’m sure you’ll grow to love her.” Tears of cold fury slid down my temples. “Dad, she beat me like this, and you’re telling me she’s kind?” Hugh quickly jumped to her defense. “Celia isn’t like that. There must have been some kind of misunderstanding.” I had wanted to give them one last chance, but their loyalties were clear. There was no point in wasting any more words. Just then, my father’s assistant burst into the room, his face pale with terror. “Mr. Vance, it’s terrible! The news… it’s leaked. About your mistress and… and the two children…” My father shot up from his chair, his voice cracking. “What did you say?!” The assistant held out his phone, his hand trembling. “It’s a top trending story. I… I don’t think we can contain this…” The battle-hardened businessman lost his composure. “How did this happen?!” he roared. “This is a complete humiliation!” “It seems… it seems Miss Celia let it slip…” the assistant stammered. At that moment, Hugh’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered immediately. Celia’s terrified shriek echoed from the speaker. “Hugh, help me!” The color drained from Hugh’s face. “Celia, don’t be afraid! I’m on my way!” He snapped his phone shut and bolted from the room. My father was frantic. “What’s wrong with Celia?!” No one answered. He chased after Hugh, not sparing me a second glance. Watching them scramble away, I felt no disappointment. Only a rising tide of dark satisfaction. I had played their game for long enough. Now, the real show was about to begin.

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The awards ceremony ended, and so did we. I broke up with Liam Walker, Crestwood PD’s golden boy. “All this because I gave the commendation for the serial killer case to Lily?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips. “Yes.” “Fine,” he said, the smirk never wavering. “Just don’t come crying back to me.” From the academy to the city precinct, we had been partners for a decade. Everyone said we were a perfect match. He was convinced that without him, I was nothing. So he ignored me, again and again. Betrayed me, again and again. He chose a junior colleague over me and stole the honor that should have been mine. But the commendation was just an excuse. The truth was, my transfer orders had come in yesterday. I was leaving Crestwood for Veridian City, a world away from him. This time, I was truly done with him. From now on, our paths would never cross again. 1. “I’m the one who ended it. I won’t have any regrets.” “Do you even remember how many times you’ve said that?” He leaned back in his chair, the picture of nonchalance. “Was it the 97th time? 98th? Or 99th?” He was right. I’d lost count of how many times I’d used breaking up as a threat. But even so, he and Lily Evans never stopped their little dance. A colleague nearby chuckled. “Come on, Claire, what’s the drama? You can’t live without Liam.” I ignored them all, silently packing the belongings on my desk. “Claire, stop the theatrics. You’re not going to quit your job over this, are you?” When I didn’t respond, he strode over, grabbing my arm so hard I stumbled. Just then, Lily’s cheerful voice cut through the tension. “Liam, my parents want to take a trip down south. You have so much experience, could you help them plan an itinerary?” The old me would have exploded right then and there, calling him out for his lack of boundaries and her for her shameless advances. But what was the point? Nearly a hundred arguments had only pushed them closer together. Seeing that neither of us was paying her any attention, the smile finally fell from Lily’s face. Her eyes reddened, and she began to sob. “Liam… Claire… please don’t fight because of me.” She wiped at her tears, her voice choked. “This commendation… I begged him for it. My family… we’re going through a hard time, and I really needed the bonus and the honor. He only gave it to me because he felt sorry for me. Claire, please don’t blame him. It’s all my fault.” It was a masterful performance, painting her as a pitiful victim of circumstance. If I pressed the issue now, I would look like a bully. Liam, his heartstrings thoroughly tugged, handed her a tissue. Watching his tender gesture, the eight years of frustration and hurt I had suppressed erupted all at once. “Do you two really take me for a fool? Liam, the night you didn’t come home, it was Lily who answered your phone. She said you were in the shower.” “That black jacket you’re wearing—that’s Lily’s, isn’t it? And the white shirt she wore two days ago? That was the birthday gift I gave you. The embroidery on the cuff took me two weeks.” The office fell silent. Everyone stared at me, shocked. In their eyes, I had always been the gentle, good-tempered Claire Reed. They had never seen me this furious. “You two are disgusting,” I spat. Liam stared at me, his face a mask of disbelief. “Claire, have you lost your mind? How could you say that about Lily? How could you try to ruin a young girl’s reputation?” Seeing him leap to her defense, righteous and indignant, I suddenly found it all laughable. Without another word, I turned and walked away. All night, my phone buzzed incessantly. Notifications from Liam. Restaurant reservation successful. Hotel room confirmed. Your takeout order is on its way. Your Durex delivery has been dispatched. He was just trying to provoke me. The old me would have already called him, begging him to come back. But this time, I truly didn’t care. 2. Just as the sky began to lighten, I saw Lily’s new social media post. A photo of an elegant Western-style breakfast, captioned: “A new day starts with a beautiful breakfast.” In the corner of the photo was a man’s hand, knuckles well-defined. On his ring finger was a ring. The one I had saved up for three months to have custom-made. The only one of its kind in the world. I commented directly below the picture: “A whore and a dog, till death do you part.” Not long after I posted it, my doorbell rang. Standing at the door was a bouquet of vibrant red roses. I froze for a second, then remembered. Today was my three-year anniversary with Liam. After eight years together, he still didn’t remember that I hated red roses. That I loved lilies. An image of his smug face flashed in my mind—ordering flowers for me after a night with her. The thought was sickening. My phone lit up with a message from him: “Happy Anniversary.” How ironic. I kicked the offensive bouquet across the hallway and, without a moment’s hesitation, blocked and deleted his number. A cake delivery guy, just stepping out of the elevator, stared at the mess in shock. He was holding a mango layer cake. A shame. I was allergic to mango. “It’s yours,” I said, slamming the door shut. The “thud” was the only sound before the tears started streaming down my face. What had I been to him for these past eight years? Less than a pet dog. For him, I had given up a prestigious position with the Forensics Unit in Veridian City to stay in this small town. Looking back, the regret was overwhelming. A man like him was never worth sacrificing my future for. Blocked, Liam sent a message from an unknown number: “Don’t be angry. You’re talented enough to get a commendation on the next big case. Don’t be so petty.” He still didn’t get it. It was never about the damn commendation. It was about the betrayal. Shaking off the thoughts, I started packing. The apartment was filled with his things; mine were few and far between. Suddenly, I remembered I’d left the autopsy report for the serial killer case at the office. After some hesitation, I went back to the Crestwood PD. As I passed the squad room, I heard familiar voices. “Captain Walker, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. So she blocked you? She’ll unblock you eventually.” “This is the first time she’s ever blocked me,” he said with a wry, careless laugh. “What did you do to make our ice queen so mad?” a colleague joked. “It was just about the commendation.” “That’s it? Does our top ME really need one more commendation? It was good to give it to Lily. Poor kid’s been living in Claire’s shadow. If it wasn’t for you, she probably would’ve never gotten one in her life.” I walked straight past them. The noisy room fell instantly silent, broken only by a few awkward coughs. So, they did feel embarrassed when caught gossiping. Liam rushed over and grabbed my wrist, his brow furrowed. “Claire, what is this really about? Can’t we just talk?” But I had no time for him. Because inside the forensics lab, Lily was flipping through my autopsy report, a strange smile on her face. “Let go of me!” I yanked my arm free from Liam’s grip, stormed into the lab, and slapped Lily hard across the face. She clutched her cheek, staring at me in shock. “Are you sick? Do you just get off on stealing other people’s things?” I bent down, snatched my report off the floor, and glared at her. “Stealing my man wasn’t enough? Then you tried to get my job right after graduation, manipulated Liam into stealing my commendation, and now you’re putting your hands on my case files?” “Claire! How could you hit her!” Liam burst in, immediately pulling Lily into his arms. Burrowing into his chest, Lily started her waterworks. “I… I wasn’t trying to steal it. I just admire you so much, Claire. I wanted to see what one of your reports looked like… I didn’t mean any harm…” I knew she would play the victim whether I hit her or not. I might as well get the satisfaction. “Admire me? Lily, you have a strange way of showing it. Admiring me so much you have to take everything that’s mine.” 3. “Claire, have you made enough of a scene?” Liam’s voice was tight with anger as he held Lily even closer. “This is between us. Leave her out of it!” I strode forward. Before he could react, I swung my arm and landed another loud, stinging slap squarely across his face. His eyes blazed with fury, but I knew he wouldn’t dare hit me back here, at the precinct, in front of everyone. Just as I predicted, he clenched his jaw, forcing his anger down. “Claire Reed,” he said through gritted teeth, “you have just assaulted a colleague. I will be reporting this to Internal Affairs.” As they walked away, Lily clinging to him, I called out after them, my voice loud and clear. “Good. I’ll be reporting Captain Walker and Dr. Evans for their inappropriate relationship and for bringing disgrace to this department. Let’s see who goes down first!” Liam’s steps faltered for a moment before he hurried Lily away even faster. My colleagues from the forensics unit gathered around me, offering clumsy words of comfort. “Claire, calm down. Captain Walker is just confused right now…” “Yeah, you two have been through so much. This will all blow over in a few days.” “That Lily, honestly… don’t let her get to you.” I straightened the report in my hands. “It’s fine,” I said coolly. “I’m not upset. We’ve already broken up, anyway.” The air froze. “I don’t believe you” was written on every single face. Of course, they didn’t believe it. No one would believe that I could ever leave Liam Walker. Back at the academy, we had been the light in each other’s lives, the ones who saved each other. We were the campus’s golden couple. Everyone knew how much he doted on me—enough to pluck the stars from the sky, enough to cut ties with his own family for my sake. He’d even used his entire life’s savings right after graduation to pay off the massive gambling debts my parents had left behind. Everyone said he had saved me. But he always told them, “We saved each other. If I hadn’t met Claire, I might not have had the courage to keep living.” From the moment I pulled him back from that rooftop ledge, we became each other’s anchor. Everyone said Claire Reed was madly in love, that she couldn’t survive without Liam Walker. All of that began to curdle the day Lily, our junior, appeared. Our world of two suddenly had a third. She was always there, chirping “Liam” this and “Claire” that, her familiarity feeling both natural and intrusive. At a class reunion, someone joked that we looked like a “happy little family of three.” But I knew. She was after Liam. From the first moment that fragile-looking junior timidly called me “Claire,” I knew our story was about to change. I first met her at the precinct entrance. It was her first day as a forensic intern, and she arrived in Liam’s car. When she got out of the passenger’s side, she was holding a half-eaten bag of spicy chips. That seat. Liam had once sworn to me, “This is Queen Claire’s throne. No one else is allowed to sit here.” The smell of artificial spice hit me, and I saw greasy fingerprints all over the limited-edition action figure on the dashboard. My brow tightened, and anger flared inside me. But Liam just placated me. “She’s my professor’s niece, Claire. She’s young and doesn’t know any better. Don’t stoop to her level.” That night, we had the biggest fight of our lives. And that night, for the very first time, I said the word “breakup.” The second time I saw her was at the restaurant where Liam and I had our first date. The two of them were laughing together. Liam was rambling about how I didn’t know how to dress, how Lily was so much more vibrant. The moment he saw me, he rushed to explain. “I was just about to call you! My professor asked me to show Lily around, and she chose this place.” Lily stood up timidly. “Claire… I’m so sorry. I didn’t know this restaurant was special to you and Liam…” I looked at the food already on their table and my anger boiled over. I calmly suggested we break up again, then grabbed my stunned best friend’s arm and stormed out. Incidents like these became more and more frequent. He made too many exceptions for her. I fought back, again and again, and the only result was that they grew closer. I couldn’t bear to throw away all our years together. After every fight, all it took was for him to soften his tone, to murmur a few sweet words, and I would forgive him. I gave him a hundred chances. Until the awards ceremony, when he gave the commendation that was rightfully mine to Lily. In that moment, he used up his very last chance. 4. The day I went to the precinct to pick up my transfer papers, I ran into Liam and Lily. It was no surprise. They were wearing matching jackets, like a couple. I remembered asking him to wear matching outfits with me, and he’d always called me childish. Now, here he was, doing it willingly. When he saw me walk past him without a glance, Liam hurried to catch up. “Do you have to be like this? Are you really going to throw away our entire future over one commendation?” Lily rushed over too, her eyes red and tearful. “Claire, please don’t blame Liam. It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, you two wouldn’t have…” Her words were cut short by a sudden commotion. A man with a twisted expression, looking completely unhinged, was charging toward us, brandishing a gleaming dagger. “Look out!” Liam yelled instinctively. In that instant, time seemed to crawl. His eyes darted between me and Lily. In that split second, without a shred of hesitation, he spun around and threw his body over the crying girl, shielding her completely. The dagger, fueled by a madman’s hatred, came straight for me. I wasn’t defenseless, but his choice—his instant, unthinking choice to protect her—stunned me. My reaction was half a second too slow. Darkness swarmed my vision as my colleagues surged forward and subdued the attacker. Liam, still holding the terrified Lily, looked back at me. His handsome face was a canvas of panic… and guilt. He started to move toward me, but Lily clung to him, her grip like a vise. I woke up in the hospital. “Where’s Liam?” “He took Lily home. He said she was terrified and needed someone with her.” I closed my eyes and said nothing more. A little while later, I saw Lily’s new post. He was at the mall with her. Shopping. I stared at the picture for a long, long time. The wound on my arm throbbed, but my heart was calm. I felt no ripples, no waves. So this is what it feels like for a heart to die. No tears, no drama. Not pain, not even an ache. Just… nothing. Soon, a message from him arrived. “Claire, get some rest. I have to go out of town for an assignment. Be good and wait for me to come home, okay?” He must have thought that because I’d unblocked him, I had forgiven him, just like all the other times. He was wrong. I had only unblocked him to tell him about my transfer. But now, it seemed, there was no need. I blocked him again and boarded the plane to Veridian City. 5. When Liam Walker saw he’d been blocked again, his brow furrowed in irritation. But the notice for an urgent assignment quickly pushed the thought from his mind. He told himself Claire was just throwing another tantrum. He’d go back and smooth things over, just like he always did. Beside him, Lily saw the look on his face and gently took his arm. “Liam, what’s wrong? Are you tired? Let me get you some coffee.” He allowed her to fuss over him, temporarily shelving his annoyance with Claire. It wasn’t until a regional conference that he overheard a conversation from the forensics table. “Did you hear Claire Reed put in for a transfer to Veridian City? Such a shame, she’s a brilliant ME.” “Yeah, I heard it’s already finalized. She’s already gone.” A strange sense of dread coiled in Liam’s stomach.

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