Everyone said Damien Thorne was crazy in love with me. To force me to be with him, he chopped off my fiancé’s legs and sent them to me as a birthday gift, neatly packaged in a box. I retaliated by kidnapping him. I severed one of his Achilles tendons and gouged out one of his eyes. He didn’t get angry. Instead, he just smiled at me. “See? I told you, we’re two of a kind. A match made in hell, darling.” I smiled back, surprised to find myself agreeing with him. Eight years we spent together, navigating a storm of blood and chaos. Then, a woman appeared by his side. Pure as snow, untouched and ethereal. She tracked me down, her long white dress making her look like an angel. “Damien said you’re too dirty for him. Only I am fit to stand by his side.” I shrugged, unimpressed. I nodded, then carved a knife across her beautiful face. “An angel, huh? I wonder if there’s such a thing as a disfigured angel?” Her screams, so utterly exquisite, were music to my ears. I took a picture of her bleeding face and sent it to Damien. “Your dog. Take her away.”

Ten minutes later, Damien Thorne arrived, a gun tucked into his waistband. “What did you do?” “I took care of your disobedient dog. Shouldn’t you be thanking me?” Damien’s brow furrowed. His blind eye glinted with an unsettling red light as he gritted his teeth. “Scarlett, you don’t just hit a dog without considering its owner. You’re way out of line!” Annoyed, I lit a cigarette and rubbed my ear. “What’s that barking? Can’t hear a word. Say it again.” “Scarlett, you—” Piper, still in his arms, clutched her face, sobbing hysterically. “Damien, kill her! Help me kill her!” “She ruined my face! She’s just jealous you like me!” Damien pushed her hands away. The moment he saw her bloodied face, his eyes turned crimson. He pulled out his gun and pressed it against my forehead. The click of the chamber was deafening, but his voice was colder than the barrel. “Scarlett, you’ve gone too far.” “She’s just a young girl! She’s not like us!” I smiled, casually nudged the gun barrel aside, and blew a smoke ring into his face. “So what? You’re going to kill me for her revenge?” “Or…?” My voice dripped with playful menace. “Are you going to ruin my face too, just to make her feel better?” “You know I’m not that idiot. You should be aware of the consequences.” As I spoke, a dagger was already pressed against his lower abdomen. Damien’s men, who had come with him, instantly surrounded me. The blade’s tip pushed in deeper, drawing a faint line of blood. Damien hissed. After a long moment, he looked at me, then suddenly smiled, raising his hand. “Stand down! I didn’t tell you to interfere. All of you, get out!” “Scarlett Hayes, you are something else.” “Same to you. You taught me well, didn’t you, Damien?” To turn me into someone like him, he’d cut off my fiancé’s legs as a gift. To force me to marry him, he’d guided my hand, plunging a knife into my fiancé’s heart. He’d said: “As long as you become as dirty as me, only I will be fit to be with you.” He dragged me from grace, plummeted me into the dust. Now this once-white gardenia was stained with blood, with no turning back. And now he claimed to like pure women? How utterly laughable. “What’s wrong, Damien? Don’t you like my gift? Oh, right, you always preferred to sever limbs. I suppose I’m still a little too kind compared to you. I’ll be sure to adjust next time.” Piper, fuming, tugged at Damien, demanding he avenge her. Damien stared at me for a long time before finally leaving with his people. “Scarlett Hayes, mark my words, this won’t end well.” The consequences arrived sooner than I expected. That very night, Damien summoned every doctor in his syndicate to treat Piper. He threatened their lives, ordering them to ensure not a single scar remained on her beautiful face. The news reached me as I was feeding the sharks in my private aquarium, a low whistle escaping my lips. “Haven’t had meat in a while, have you, little fish? Getting angry?” “Don’t worry, I’ll feed you soon.” Charles stood beside me, his face filled with indignation, as he draped a coat over my shoulders. “Mr. Thorne has truly gone too far this time. It’s the first time he’s ever turned against you for a woman.” “If it weren’t for you, Miss Hayes, how would the syndicate have fallen into his hands?” I shook my head, my voice laced with amusement. “Just a toy. Let him play his games. When he’s done, I’ll clean up the mess.” I pressed a finger against Charles’s lips, a hint of annoyance in my tone. “Remember, there’s no syndicate anymore. We’re a legitimate corporation now.” I turned, gazing at the fish Damien had carefully bred in the tank. “Go on, dump them in. Anything useless isn’t worth keeping.” Over a hundred small fish frantically darted through the water, but they couldn’t escape the shark’s gaping jaws. I watched, amused, and snapped a photo to send to Damien. “Fun, isn’t it? Just too few. Not enough to eat. Raise more next time.” Damien didn’t reply but initiated a FaceTime call. When I answered, it was Piper’s triumphant face. “What’s wrong? Disappointed to see me?” “Too bad, Damien didn’t abandon me for being disfigured. He even swore he’d make you pay, that he’d get revenge for me. All your family doctors have been called over. I heard you need injections every night to sleep. I wonder if you’ll have sweet dreams tonight?” She leaned forward provocatively, revealing the hickey on her chest, her voice sickeningly sweet. “Scarlett, you’re so dirty. You’re disgusting.” “But I’m not like you. My hands are clean.” I curled my lips into a smile. “Really? What a shame. Clean people don’t last long in the Thorne family.” The call ended. Charles came in with some documents. “Miss Hayes, the items you asked me to find have been located. They’ll be at tomorrow night’s auction.” Finally, some good news. “Eight years I’ve searched. They’ve finally appeared. Prepare five hundred million. Tomorrow, I’m bringing them home.” At the auction, I ran into Damien and Piper. Piper, clinging to his arm, smirked. “Miss Hayes, what a coincidence. Is there something you fancy tonight too?” “Damien said everything tonight belongs to me, as compensation.” Noticing my gaze, Damien soothingly patted her hand. “She’s right. I said it.” “You went too far last time. This is my apology.” “Scarlett, don’t be childish.” I found it mildly amusing. When I dealt with his enemies, dozens of people died. He just saw the bodies and praised me for a job well done. Now, because of Piper, I was being childish? I stared at him, my voice soft. “Didn’t you see the pictures last night?” “I guess not. Otherwise, why would you be in the mood to go out, Damien?” Damien’s expression froze. He looked at Piper. She stammered for a moment before admitting I’d sent photos of the fish being devoured. “I thought they were just some useless fish. Didn’t seem important, so I deleted them for you.” Damien’s breathing instantly hitched. “Who told you to take matters into your own hands?” The moment Piper teared up, his reprimand died on his lips. “Forget it. Let’s just watch the auction for now. We’ll talk about it later.” The auction began. Damien didn’t even look at the items; he just declared everything off-limits. Gasps rippled through the room. My face hardened completely. One by one, the items were hammered down. When the last three pieces came up, I abruptly stood. My mother’s jade bracelet, the Buddha statue my father had commissioned from a temple, and the antique artifact my grandfather left me. I called over an auction staff member. “These must be reserved for me, no matter the price.” The person’s face went pale. They stammered, “Miss Hayes, you know the rules when Mr. Thorne claims everything. Please don’t make it difficult for us low-level employees. Perhaps you could speak to Mr. Thorne yourself?” I made my way to Damien’s private box. Just as I started to ask for the items, Piper pointed at the final lots on stage. “Damien, I love these three the most. I want them too.” Damien’s expression stiffened. “Didn’t you just say they were too common?” “But now I want them, darling. Aren’t you going to give them to me? The baby and I will be upset. When he’s born, I’ll tell him his daddy is stingy!” My breath caught. I stared at her still-flat stomach. So that’s why she was so bold as to show up at my doorstep. She was carrying his child. Damien’s face turned cold. “Scarlett, these are for Piper. I promised them to her. If you like them, I can find similar ones for you later.” “You know what these things mean to me!” Eight years ago, the syndicate was ravaged by enemies, and those items went missing. I killed hundreds of their men, but their leader, seeking revenge, refused to speak. In the end, Damien tortured them for a month before I got my answers. Damien’s voice was laced with suppressed fury. “Why are you so obsessed with dead people’s belongings?” “I told you, I’ll compensate you later. This time, they’re for Piper. You owe her.” Piper stepped forward, smiling. “That’s right, Miss Hayes. Your parents are dead. Won’t keeping their things just make you sadder?” “Do you think… maybe they died so horribly because you caused too much trouble? Like karma catching up?” “I heard they were dismembered and sewn into dolls. I was terrified when I first heard!” Her words pierced my heart, tearing me to shreds. I slammed her onto the table, drawing a dagger from my thigh and pressing it against her wrist. “Too much talk.” “The items, or your hand. Choose!” Damien abruptly stood, kicking away the knife. I pulled out my gun and pressed it against Piper’s belly. “Scarlett! Let her go!” “Piper was just stating facts. You’ve killed so many people, can’t you even stand a little truth?” “If your parents hadn’t offended so many people, would they have died so horribly? Look at you now. I barely recognize you!” The gun in my hand trembled, nearly misfiring. My whole body shook uncontrollably. He knew perfectly well why my parents died. Those vengeful enemies were coming for *him*. They’d kidnapped all three of us, demanding I make a choice. Choose my parents, and he would die. Choose him, and my parents wouldn’t live. My parents, in their final moments, looked at me and said they were old, unable to protect me anymore. They said the Hayes family should be entrusted to Damien. They hadn’t been murdered; they’d taken their own lives, all to spare me further torment. After their deaths, the enemy released Damien but took my parents’ bodies. When I finally hunted them down for revenge, the place was empty, leaving only two putrid dolls. I dug a grave for them with my bare hands, my fingertips raw and bloody. As long as I dug, Damien knelt beside me. He swore before their graves, his forehead bruised and bleeding, that he would protect me with his life. That night, he carved my name into his heart with a dagger. “Scarlett Hayes is my heart. From this day forward, where I am, you are.” “You are my life.” I ground my cigarette butt behind Piper’s ear, a savage smile on my face. Then, I slowly released her. “You’re right. They wouldn’t like what I’ve become.” Piper cried, collapsing into Damien’s arms. “She’s a psycho!” Damien just stared at me, his gaze fixed. My hand dipped into my pocket. He immediately tensed. It was only when he saw me pull out a men’s ring that his guard finally dropped. “This is a gift I prepared for you. Shall I put it on you myself, darling?” Damien released Piper, walked towards me, and obediently extended his hand. The next second, his ring finger was severed by my dagger, falling to the floor. My laughter was unrestrained. “Damien Thorne, this is a debt you owe me!” “I’ll collect it, piece by piece, slowly!” I toyed with the dagger, leaning closer to Piper. Damien, who hadn’t made a sound when his finger was cut off, instantly panicked, lunging to shield her. “Don’t touch her!” “Scarlett, don’t make me risk everything!” That familiar expression, that familiar tone, dragged me back to a bloody night five years ago. When the enemies showed up, the villa was engulfed in flames, all ten bodyguards dead, leaving only Damien and me. His eyes red, he shielded me behind him, fiercely confronting the gang. Then he turned, gently covering my eyes. He’d said the same words. “Don’t open your eyes. I’m going to risk everything for you.” “Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged new documents for you. If I die, you’ll leave this place and start fresh.” The blood from his finger dripped rhythmically, echoing in my ears. He tore a strip from his shirt, skillfully binding the wound. “Scarlett, don’t force me to hate you.” The scene overlapped with eight years ago. When he severed my fiancé’s legs, he’d smiled and told me, “Scarlett, hate me. If you can’t love me, hate will at least make you remember me.” “I want to stay in your heart, no matter how.” Perhaps that’s when our relationship became twisted. A wrong beginning, destined for a terrible end. Piper pulled the gun from Damien’s waistband and aimed it at me, her hands trembling uncontrollably. “If you dare hurt Damien, I won’t let you get away with it!” Too bad this fool didn’t even know how to pull the trigger. I advanced, step by step. She screamed wildly. In a flash, I struck her wrist, snatching the gun from her hand, then pointed it at her forehead. *Thwack!* Piper crumpled like a rag doll, screaming before she clutched her head and cowered. I scoffed. “If you want revenge, at least know your place.” “Damien, your taste is terrible.” I took the three auction items with me. But Damien didn’t come home. I supposed he never would again. Overnight, rumors spread that I had fallen from grace, that the ruthless fiend who lived on the edge of a blade had found a new love. He was reportedly turning over a new leaf for Piper, going to prison to apologize to everyone he’d ever harmed. Then he changed the company’s business, completely severing ties with the past. I knew the only person he wanted to cut ties with was me. He bought Piper millions of dollars worth of jewels without blinking. He spent a fortune building a temple at her whim. He claimed it was to give a Buddha statue a new golden body. When I heard the news, I laughed until tears streamed down my face. “Charles, do you think a deity would dare accept a golden body from a man like him?” Charles remained silent. But I knew we were long beyond any god’s protection. Destined to live out our lives in the shadowy, bloody underworld. He did so much for Piper. I simply pretended not to see. Until Piper sent a taunting message from Damien’s phone. “So what if you can kill? You still can’t keep a man.” “Scarlett, you lost. You lost everything.” I showed the message on my phone to Charles. “Isn’t this interesting?” “When this is all over, maybe I’ll get a dog too.” Charles handed me their wedding invitation. “He’s not even divorced from you yet, and he wants to marry that wretched woman. Miss Hayes, you’re far too patient.” “No,” I wagged my finger. “I’ve been waiting for their wedding.” On the wedding day, the hall was packed. The same people, many of whom had also attended my wedding to Damien. On the screen, Damien projected images of his and Piper’s journey of love. At the end, three prenatal scans.

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The day before our wedding anniversary, my husband, Derek Stone, sweet-talked me into transferring him fifty-two million dollars. I was about to agree when, mid-auction, the custom-designed necklace from the British Royal Collection I was bidding on suddenly had its ‘Lights Out’ clause triggered. Someone daring to challenge me in New York City was truly rare. Seething, I immediately upped my bid by another hundred million, vowing to make them crash and burn. Just then, the door to my private box burst open. Several fierce-looking men stormed in, pressing me against the table. “You really don’t know what’s good for you! No one in this city dares to challenge Mr. Stone!” I actually laughed. I marched straight to the open door of the box they mentioned, wanting to see who had such a big mouth. That’s when I saw my husband, Derek Stone, who was supposed to be in Miami celebrating his friend’s birthday. My husband, who had just been whispering sweet nothings to me, was now holding my intern assistant, Chloe Miller, teasing her. “My darling, this necklace is for your mother’s birthday. Happy now?” The black-suited man who had followed them over sneered, “Our Mr. Stone triggered the ‘Lights Out’ clause! No matter how high you bid, he’s going all the way!” I immediately turned back, grabbing the microphone on the spot. “Another hundred million!” … I stared at my phone, the call already disconnected. A SnapChat message popped up immediately after, a photo of my husband playing billiards with his friend, Mike Ross. “Can’t chat now, crucial last shot. Remember to send me the money, my dearest wife.” The next second, in the half-open private box opposite me, Derek lifted his hand, cupping Chloe Miller’s neck, and pressed her lips to his. From my vantage point, I could even see the thin strands of saliva stretching between their lips. All the sweetness and happiness we once shared became a sickening joke in that instant. The double betrayal—my husband and the assistant I had personally promoted—ignited a furious fire within me. Chloe Miller, despite being an intern, received all the benefits and perks of a full-time employee, specially approved by me. She also enjoyed lifetime access to a luxury apartment and a new Audi A6. As a young woman from a small, struggling town, I had saved her decades of struggle. I never imagined that this promising talent, who always seemed so respectful and devoted, had the audacity to cuckold me so brazenly! The auctioneer was stunned by my actions. The long-held tradition of this auction house stated that once a ‘Lights Out’ bid was made, if the opposing party failed to match it, it was a high-stakes deal that could have… serious ramifications. “Ma’am… Madam, are you certain you wish to raise the bid after the ‘Lights Out’ clause has been invoked?” I scoffed. “Absolutely. From this moment on, no matter how much they bid, I will match them to the very end!” Through the sound-proof divider of their box, Derek couldn’t recognize my voice. Hearing my words, he shot up, his face instantly darkening. The main floor erupted in murmurs, dozens of people craned their necks, trying to see who was foolish enough to openly challenge Mr. Stone. In New York’s exclusive circles, everyone knows everyone, and there’s an unspoken rule to always leave an opponent an out. Once someone triggered the ‘Lights Out’ clause, apart from extreme circumstances, no one would dare to bid further. It was an unwritten code of conduct. My actions were an undeniable public slap in his face. Chloe also stood up, lowering her head meekly. “Derek, it’s my fault. You’re being humiliated and provoked because of me.” “Never mind, I don’t want the necklace. My mom’s just a simple woman from a small town, she wouldn’t even be able to wear something so grand.” Her act completely triggered Derek’s protective instincts. He shoved the auction assistant aside and raised his paddle himself. “One hundred fifty-two million!” A chorus of cheers and sycophantic applause rose from below. “Wow, only Mr. Stone! Such a grand gesture for his mistress’s mother’s birthday. We could only dream of that!” “Exactly! The person opposite must be some hayseed who just escaped the psych ward, doesn’t know anyone, just trying to make a scene. She’s going to get her legs broken and be thrown out; it’ll serve her right.” “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. Doesn’t everyone know Mr. Stone has his wealthy wife backing him? She’s the Sterling Corporation heiress, a power player who knows how to operate on both sides of the law. I’m just waiting to see this woman thrown into the ocean to feed the sharks.” I remained perfectly still, unbothered. I continued, “Two hundred million!” At that, Derek’s face turned completely black. His knuckles were white, and a vein throbbed in his forehead. It took Chloe quite a bit of coaxing and sweet-talking to barely quell his rage. He slammed his hand on the table, his voice cracking. “Two hundred fifty-two million!” The entire room fell silent, everyone holding their breath, not daring to make a sound. They all stared towards my box, waiting for my next bid. I chuckled softly. Losing his cool so quickly? This was only the beginning. Then, I casually uttered a few words: “Two hundred seventy-four million, eight hundred thousand.” “Whoa!” A collective gasp rippled through the floor. The room erupted. “Why not three hundred million? Is she losing steam so quickly? Not so tough after all!” “No, that doesn’t sound right. Her calculations are too clear; she doesn’t seem crazy. Maybe she heard us talking, realized Mr. Stone’s power, got scared but can’t back down now, so she’s reducing her bids little by little?” Laughter echoed, but then an unsettling voice pierced through the crowd. “Two hundred seventy-four million, eight hundred thousand? That’s not just a bid; that’s a carefully calculated slap in the face! It’s practically telling them to drop dead!” The room froze for three seconds. Then, an even wilder uproar of jeering broke out. “This is getting good! Telling Mr. Stone to drop dead? This person has a death wish!” Before anyone could make sense of it, the auctioneer pounded his gavel on the podium several times. “Silence! Please, quiet down! And the ‘Last Call’ box, please continue your bid!” After their excitement died down, everyone finally remembered the main event. This war for Mr. Stone’s dignity wasn’t over. “This is heading straight for three hundred million! Just for his mistress’s mother’s birthday? Is it worth such a massive出血?” “If this much money goes through, Anya Sterling can’t possibly not know, right? Are they playing such wild games? What’s the difference between this and telling the whole world Mrs. Sterling is being cuckolded?” “Who knows, maybe it’s just their thing as a couple, getting off on playing with others. Some people have weird fetishes.” A wave of lewd laughter followed, and the looks in the crowd’s eyes grew even more vulgar. I listened to their disgusting remarks, my expression utterly unfazed. Derek, across from me, was not so composed. His eyes were dark and icy, his lips pressed into a thin, grim line. He was on the verge of losing it. Chloe, beside him, watched him tremble, not daring to utter a single word. I knew very well that beyond this price, Derek could no longer make decisions on his own. So, his next choice would be crucial. The auctioneer’s gaze remained fixed on Derek’s box, waiting to see if he would bid again. If he chose not to, it would mean he had failed the ‘Lights Out’ clause, not only losing the item but also being forced into the Penal Chamber, and forever losing his standing in New York City. The air seemed to solidify. “Two hundred seventy-four million, eight hundred thousand… going once.” “Two hundred seventy-four… million…” At that moment, the curtains of Derek’s box were completely pulled back. His hands gripped the railing tightly, and he spoke, word by word: “Three hundred million!” The words had barely left his lips when, without giving him a second to breathe, I blurted out. “Three hundred fifty-two million.” This time, the entire room fell into a dead silence.

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I was changing my younger son, Leo, when he suddenly asked, “Mom, are you the other woman?” My brows furrowed instantly, my hands freezing mid-button. “Sweetheart, who told you your mom is the other woman?” “Before preschool ended this afternoon, the teacher said it. She said I’m the other woman’s son. But I’m your child, Mom, so… are you?” “Does my little man know what ‘the other woman’ means?” Pure, innocent eyes stared back at me. “No.” I composed myself, forcing a smile for Leo. “Of course not, darling. You’re also Daddy’s child. How about we ask Daddy about it when he gets home for dinner?” “Okay!” Watching the innocent smile spread across Leo’s face, my heart sank. It seemed someone couldn’t keep her composure after returning to the country. I placed Leo on the carpet in his playroom and asked Maria, our nanny, to keep an eye on him. I went back to the living room, sat on the sofa, and started texting the preschool director while waiting for Adrian Knight to come home. I had just finished drafting a message when I heard the front door open. It was Ryder, my elder son, back from school. I put my phone down and walked to the door, reaching out to take the tote bag from his hand. “Ryder, you’re back? What did you buy?” My hand grasped the strap of the tote bag, but his hand didn’t let go. We stood there, frozen in the entryway. He opened his mouth, as if unsure how to speak. I probably understood. I let go of the bag and broke the deadlock myself. “Was it from… your mom? I wasn’t thinking. You keep it.” He looked down, muttering, “She’s not…” I didn’t quite catch what he said, so I questioned, “Huh? What did you say?” “I said, she’s not my mom. You are my mom.” I froze in place. He then shoved the bag into my hands. “Mom, can you get rid of this for me? She forced it on me. I didn’t want it.” With that, he hurried upstairs, leaving me stunned in the entryway. Was that child just shy?

Watching his retreating back, I fell into a flashback… The Knight family and the Vance family had a multi-billion dollar project to collaborate on. Though the two families were very close, to be safe, each needed to provide one person for a marriage alliance. In the main branch of the Vance family, I was the only girl. My older brothers were already married, so I was the sole candidate. The Knights were also ready, choosing Adrian Knight, the third son. I was only a sophomore in college at the time. I proposed finishing my studies before getting married, so we only had an engagement ceremony. Later, I went abroad to complete my degree, paying little attention to news back home. Adrian, on the other hand, diligently fulfilled his duties as a fiancé. He bought me gifts for holidays, and when I came home for breaks, he’d make time to travel with me around the world. Gradually, I started to develop feelings for him. He was handsome, knowledgeable, gentle, and considerate, always thinking of me and respecting women. He seemed like a great husband. Even my best friend, Chloe, said, “Selena Vance, you hit the jackpot! Such a good match for an alliance. Not like me, stuck marrying a complete dud.” Afterward, she sweetly left a voice message to routinely check on her fiancé, reminding him to drive safely. That’s how it always was in our circle: only alliances of interest, no love.

That New Year’s Eve, Adrian said he had company business and couldn’t be with me. I ate a two-person steak alone in my apartment. I’d specifically learned to cook it, carefully preparing it just for him. Now, I was eating it alone. Lying in bed that night, my phone suddenly rang. It was Adrian. The intimate sounds of their passion on the other end of the line blocked all my words. I quietly hit record. “Adrian, you’ll marry me, right?” “Of course, I only love you.” “Then when will you break off your engagement with her?” “Tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll tell my family I’m breaking off the engagement.” The rest were the unmistakable sounds of their intimacy, so I hung up. A moment later, a photo was sent via SnapChat. I first started a screen recording, then took a screenshot, determined not to miss any evidence. I opened the message; it was a photo of him and that woman. I slowly sat up, saved the photo, zoomed in, and carefully examined every detail. Adrian’s hand was wrapped around the woman’s waist; they were embracing. He was asleep, but the smile on his face was one I had never seen when he was with me. Does being with this woman make you that happy? Just then, another message alert. The sender withdrew the photo. I knew then that it was a good thing I’d saved the evidence. Then another message came: “He loves me. I advise you to break off the engagement sooner rather than later.” Then she withdrew that one too, and sent another: “The one who isn’t truly loved is the real outsider.” I simply replied, “Understood.” I spent half an hour composing myself, then booked a flight back home. Some things are better clarified face-to-face.

As soon as I landed, I received a text: “He and I truly love each other. You’re the one who’s in the way. He’s only with you because of family pressure.” I scoffed, watching her clamor like a clown. The more she tried to deny it, the more I wanted to expose her lies. Sitting in the car on the way home, I called my elder brother, Julian. “Julian, I remember you’ve always been in charge of the project with Knight Industries. How’s the project coming along?” “It’s wrapping up. We’re already discussing the next big project, and I’m overseeing that too. Why the sudden interest?” “Adrian cheated on me. He even promised that woman he’d break off our engagement.” “How dare he? So now what are you…” “I’m on my way home, Julian. This is a rare opportunity, isn’t it? Get ready.” “Have you told Dad?” I softly replied, “This will benefit the Vance family. Dad won’t object. Besides, Adrian is dead set on breaking the engagement. If he won’t marry me, forcing him will only lead to a lose-lose situation. It’s better to secure some real benefits for the Vance family, and for me, without completely burning bridges. After all, both families still need to collaborate.” “Alright.” Next, I called Dad. “Dad, I’m back. I have something to discuss tonight. Please gather everyone. We’ll have dinner with the Knight family. I’ll invite the Knights myself.” Then it was time to invite the Knight family. “Mr. Knight, it’s Selena. I’m back. School’s out, so I’d like to invite you and Mrs. Knight out for dinner. My parents will be there. Yes, I’ll inform Adrian. Okay, mm-hmm.” The final step: text Adrian. “Darling Adrian, dinner tonight at seven, with both our parents, in the penthouse suite at The Crescent.” “Okay, I actually have something I want to say too.” The mere thought of calling him ‘darling’ made my stomach churn, but thinking about the benefits it would bring our family, and the clothes and jewelry my parents and Adrian’s would compensate me with out of guilt, I endured it. 6. Dinner was exceptionally enjoyable. Top-tier ingredients, harmonious relations, a collaboration on the verge of being sealed. At the dinner table, Mrs. Knight kept trying to get Adrian to offer me more food. He was unmoved, but secretly, I wished he wouldn’t. Still, I had to act understanding, to pave the way for my performance. “It’s fine, Mrs. Knight. Darling Adrian is probably just tired.” Oh, the irony! I was making excuses for him. What a considerate fiancée I was. After dinner, Mrs. Knight pulled me along to the restroom to touch up her makeup. On the way back, I saw someone who shouldn’t have been there — Blair Adams, Adrian’s mistress. This was getting interesting. I watched her glancing around, knowing she was looking for us. A members-only restaurant wouldn’t let a stranger in, which meant Adrian must have brought her here before. I should thank her; another piece of evidence for Adrian’s infidelity. I deliberately pretended not to see her, loudly praising Mrs. Knight’s new necklace. “Mrs. Knight, your necklace is absolutely gorgeous. When did you get it?” “Isn’t it? When we go home, I’ll have someone custom-make one for you too.” “Oh, Mrs. Knight, I couldn’t possibly accept!” “Why ever not? You’re going to be our Knight family daughter-in-law. It’s what you deserve.” 7. As we turned the corner, I quietly looked back. Blair had indeed followed us. When I entered the private dining suite, I deliberately left the door ajar. The show was about to begin. As soon as I sat down, I heard Mr. Knight suggest that Adrian and I finalize our wedding plans soon, quickly circling back to the families’ collaborative project. Dad, holding a wine glass, chuckled, “Let the young ones decide their own affairs. I’ve already handed this project over to Julian.” Then, he raised a hand to my elder brother. “Julian, come, have a chat with Mr. Knight about the project…” Julian deliberately replied loudly, “I don’t think that’s necessary. Whether these two families will even collaborate is still up in the air, wouldn’t you say, Adrian?” The harmonious atmosphere at the table shattered. Everyone looked at Adrian, trying to get a reasonable explanation from him. Adrian opened his mouth, then closed it. I could sense his struggle; his hands beneath the table must have been clenched so tight they were bleeding. Julian pressed on, “What? Not going to introduce us to your new girlfriend?” I quickly played the understanding fiancée, “Julian, what are you saying? Don’t tease Adrian. I’m his girlfriend. We’re doing great. We’ll get married after I graduate…” Sarah Knight, Adrian’s sister-in-law, chimed in, “That’s right, what could be wrong with these two lovebirds? Just recently I saw Adrian ordering a ring from a luxury jeweler. The diamond was so dazzling, I was jealous. Adrian, quickly show it to Selena!” Hmm? He and Blair had already reached the proposal stage? That was fast. I decided to add more fuel to the fire. “Really, Adrian? Selena is so excited to see it.” I sat there, looking at him with hopeful eyes, while mentally cursing him: You dog, you can’t produce it, can you? I glimpsed it earlier, sparkling on Blair’s hand. The dinner table fell silent for two minutes as Adrian failed to produce the gift. I glanced at Dad’s face; he was visibly angry, but still within control. Was he truly angry because he felt sorry for me? I think that was only part of it. The other part was Adrian’s disrespect towards me, which was a disrespect towards my family. Dad felt humiliated by a junior. Julian scoffed, “Adrian, that ring wasn’t for your little mistress, was it?” “No, I… I didn’t bring it with me.” Everyone at the table was sharp; they understood what that really meant. The Knights’ faces changed. Our family had always been the leading force in our collaborations. Without the Knights, there were still the Sterling family, the Thompson family. So, compared to us, the Knights needed this marriage alliance more. 8. Still not catching fire? I’ll push harder. I pretended to change the subject, but in fact, I cut straight to the chase: “Darling Adrian, you mentioned on the phone that you had something to announce. What was it? Is it about our wedding?”

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The year I turned eighteen, I gave up my acceptance letter to a top-tier university, deciding instead to work and help my family pay off our debts. Just as I excitedly told Mom I’d found a job paying $4,000 a month, I saw my dad on the financial news playing on the bus TV. The simple blue-collar worker I knew transformed into the sharp-suited CEO of a multi-billion dollar conglomerate. “I announce that Maya Evans’ trial has failed. The group will be inherited by Valerie Evans.” I walked home in a daze. The acceptance letter in my hand, which I’d torn up then painstakingly taped back together and treasured, now felt scorching hot. My mom, usually so disheveled, was now dressed in the elegant attire of a high-society woman. She gently set down her white porcelain cup, then looked up at me. “Maya, you didn’t pass your trial.” “You’ve disappointed us deeply.” … I opened my mouth, but my throat felt choked, unable to utter a single sound. Our home had changed. Yesterday, the walls were peeling and cracked; today, they were covered in a fine, grey wallpaper I didn’t recognize. The old, creaking sofa was gone, replaced by a sleek, leather set. The air was filled with a strange mix of leather and some expensive fragrance. Everything felt like a cruel mockery of my eighteen years of life. “Mom, what are you talking about…” I finally found my voice, struggling to keep it from shaking. “What trial? What inheritance? Didn’t we owe over a hundred thousand dollars? Dad, he…” “Your father, Richard Evans, is the CEO of EvansCorp.” Eleanor Evans, the woman I’d called “Mom” for eighteen years, cut me off. She sat primly on the expensive sofa, her posture elegant, utterly devoid of the warmth she’d shown me for eighteen years. “We mapped out the optimal path for you. But what did you do? You arbitrarily gave up your full scholarship and abandoned your studies to work. This is classic shortsightedness, a total lack of strategic vision, and a refusal to follow the family’s arrangements.” My blood rushed to my head, and my whole body trembled. “I gave up my studies because Dad’s back was bad! I didn’t want him to work so hard anymore! I went to work to pay off our debts sooner…” I thought she’d be moved, or at least show a hint of guilt. But she didn’t. She merely set her teacup down gently, the crisp sound of glass clinking sending a shiver through my heart. “Ah, the self-indulgent martyr, lost in her own little world of pointless sacrifice.” Her tone was icy, tinged with a hint of disappointment. “Maya Evans, the heir to EvansCorp, requires unwavering execution and long-term vision. You, on the other hand, give up halfway and are shortsighted.” My world suddenly went dark, as if countless steel needles pierced my heart. I’d spent eighteen years saving every penny, never buying a cold drink in summer, wearing old, patched-up clothes through winter, even recycling anything I could get my hands on, all to help ease our burden… I thought we were a family, relying on each other, poor but happy. Turns out, it was just my solo act. Turns out, I was just an experiment, a subject under observation. “Mom…” I fought back tears, wanting to approach her but held rooted to the spot by her chilling unfamiliarity. “Don’t call me Mom! You’ve disappointed me too much.” Eleanor Evans took a delicate sip of tea, then spoke a name I’d never heard before. “Valerie Evans has done far better than you. She’s the more qualified heir.” Valerie Evans. That name in the news headline, the one meant to replace me. I clenched my fists, the sharp sting of my fingernails barely keeping me upright. “So, these eighteen years of mother-daughter affection, that was fake too?” I asked my last question, my voice weak, carrying a plea I hadn’t even realized was there. Eleanor Evans finally looked up, meeting my gaze directly. “Maya, you must understand, though I am your mother, I am also the examiner for this trial. I must be responsible for its outcome.” My beliefs completely crumbled. I thought, at least there was still this bond of family, but it turned out even mother-daughter affection was just my own wishful thinking. I stood there, saying nothing more. I didn’t approve of their methods; I didn’t agree with this absurd life. The roar of an engine echoed from downstairs. A black Maybach, completely out of place, pulled up to our dilapidated building entrance. The car door opened, and out stepped Richard Evans, my nominal father. His exquisite suit was perfectly unwrinkled, identical to his image on TV. Then, a girl stepped out from the other side. She was around my age, dressed in a white dress, exuding an elegant aura, like an ethereal princess, as if untouched by the mundane world. She was Valerie Evans. “Mommy! Val misses you so much!” She ran past me, holding up her dress, and pounced into Mom’s arms like a kitten. “Val, come let Mommy give you a hug~” Their intimate gestures made me, standing rooted to the spot, feel like an outsider, an intruder disrupting their reunion. My heart died at that moment. My mother of eighteen years, seemed like nothing but a dream. Valerie Evans stood up from my mother’s embrace, looking toward my father, as if only just noticing I was standing there. “Oh, Dad, is this my sister?” Richard Evans’ gaze finally pulled away from his wife and Valerie and landed on me, as if I had been transparent air moments before. He spoke to Valerie in a tone I’d never heard—so gentle. “Val, this is your sister. She’s the one who failed this trial.” Valerie looked at me, her gaze a mix of pity and superiority, like she was looking at a clueless child. “Maya, don’t blame Dad. I’ve always felt bad for you, honestly. Giving up your studies to work—how irrational is that? Knowledge and vision are the real wealth. Trading your physical labor for meager pay at your age? That’s so shortsighted. It’s a shame you never understood that.” Every word she spoke was couched in “good intentions for me,” yet every single one was a sharp blade, stabbing my heart. Everything I had done was for the shared future of my father, my mother, and me. In her eyes, I was just a clueless, shortsighted failure, only capable of reacting to immediate circumstances. “I don’t need you to lecture me!” I yelled back. Richard Evans frowned, apparently displeased by my loss of control. “Enough.” Richard Evans’ face was filled with disappointment, his voice tinged with anger. “All your actions are based on base emotions, not absolute rationality. You are merely a failure; we are very disappointed in you.” “Failure.” I repeated the words. My eighteen years of life had only been seen as a test to choose an heir. “Yes, we had great expectations for you. We spent eighteen years accompanying you in this environment, honing you, only for you to return such a report. I hope you stop creating a fuss; at least you are still my daughter, Richard Evans’ daughter.” That last sentence, carrying a veiled threat, actually affirmed that I was his daughter. I held out my hands, palms up, before them. They were rough, calloused hands from years of washing vegetables, cooking, moving goods, and mending clothes. Then I looked at Valerie Evans’ hands, perfectly manicured, her nails gleaming beautifully. In that moment, for the first time, I felt the absurdity and collapse of my world. “So, because of all this, you’re going to deny everything about me?” “This isn’t denial, it’s an evaluation.” Richard Evans corrected me, his voice cold and emotionless. “According to the trial rules, you, Maya Evans, as the failed subject, will be stripped of the inheritance rights to EvansCorp.” He paused, as if announcing a great act of mercy. “Of course, the family won’t abandon you completely. We’ll send you to a university abroad, for a fresh start. This is our final act of kindness towards you.” Kindness. Ha ha ha, kindness. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Tears and laughter burst forth on my face simultaneously. Valerie Evans saw my state and, as if looking at a madwoman, pulled her father back half a step. “Dad, let’s not talk to her anymore. I don’t want to see her; she’s not well.” Richard Evans just patted her head. In his eyes, as he looked at me, I saw only indifference. At this moment, I cast aside all my illusions. I wiped away my tears and offered a smile. My smile stunned them too. They probably expected me to cry, throw a tantrum, shriek curses, or beg on my knees. What they didn’t expect was for me to quietly smile. “I’m not going.” I looked at Richard Evans, speaking each word distinctly. “And I don’t want your kindness. I’m staying here, to live on my own.” Richard Evans seemed to find my words utterly laughable. “On your own? Maya Evans, what can you do besides a few inconsequential chores? The card I gave you, I’ve already had my assistant freeze it.” The moment he finished speaking, my phone received a bank alert. [Dear customer, your savings card ending in xxxx has been frozen. Current available balance: $0.00.] The money in that card was what I had saved working day and night. “Is this another punishment for my defiance?” I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “No, this is to make you face reality.” Richard Evans said, then snapped his fingers. A van pulled up downstairs, and a team of uniformed cleanup personnel emerged. They were expressionless as they walked straight into the house I had lived in for eighteen years. They began to clear out everything. My secondhand books, bought with my meager savings, were tossed into bins marked for recycling. My handicrafts, made from aluminum cans, were crushed flat. The small potted plant I’d nurtured for three years on the windowsill was uprooted and thrown into a black garbage bag. “What are you doing!” I rushed in, trying to stop them. But I was heartlessly blocked and met with a cold statement. “Ms. Evans, all items here are assets of EvansCorp. The corporation reserves the right to reclaim and destroy them.” My existence, the traces of my life—all merely corporate assets. I saw the photo frame in the corner, our only family photo. I lunged, clutching it tightly. “You can’t take this!” A cleanup crew member tried to snatch it from my hands. In the struggle, the frame clattered to the floor, the glass shattering. Valerie Evans walked over elegantly, bending down to pick up the photo. She examined it for a moment, then let out a soft laugh. “Huh, so it’s just a photo. Maya, you don’t seriously think keeping this is useful, do you?” Valerie Evans tore it into pieces right in front of me. In that instant, I lost all my strength. Even the memory of that “father” who had once smiled kindly at me was snatched away. As I stood there in a daze, my phone rang. It was my only good friend, Chloe Hayes. “Maya, you… you know everything?” Her voice sounded anxious. “Maya, don’t be foolish, just listen to your parents. They’re doing this for your own good. Going abroad is great, don’t be stubborn. You can’t fight them.” I hadn’t even had a chance to speak before she cut me off. In that moment, I understood everything. My friend, my confidante, was just an observer planted by their side. I hung up the phone, feeling everyone drifting away from me. Just then, Eleanor Evans walked over and slipped an envelope into my hand. “Here’s seven thousand dollars, consider it your severance. Make it last.” Her tone was like dismissing a housekeeper who had worked for years. “Also, I’m informing you, this building will be demolished tomorrow morning. After all, it no longer has any value.” She finished speaking, turned, and left without another glance at me. I was completely expelled from that family. Eighteen years of existence, wiped clean by them. I stood before the building, about to be torn down, unable to move. The seven thousand dollars severance in the envelope was crushed in my trembling hand. Richard Evans, Eleanor Evans, and Valerie Evans were getting into the car, preparing to leave. A surge of courage, from I knew not where, made me rush forward and block their car. “Richard Evans!” For the first time, I called him by his full name. “I just have one last question. These eighteen years, did you ever feel a single ounce of genuine affection for me?” I stared intently at him, trying to find a trace of humanity on his face. I pointed to my right lower leg, where a hideous scar lay, which I always covered with long pants, even in summer. “Ten years ago, when I was eight. To save a puppy hit by a car, my leg was crushed. I remember it clearly: you held me and ran through the hospital corridor, telling me, ‘Maya is Daddy’s good girl, so responsible.’ I was in so much pain I nearly fainted, but hearing those words, I felt it was all worth it.” My tears finally broke free, my voice trembling uncontrollably. “That pain, that feeling of being affirmed by you, was that fake too?!” It was the most profound warmth in my memory, the lesson where I learned the meaning of “responsibility,” the cornerstone of my life’s beliefs. If even that was fake, then… I truly had nothing left. Richard Evans fell silent. The air in the car seemed to freeze. Just as I thought I had finally touched even a flicker of emotion in him, he calmly spoke to his assistant beside him. “Give her that report.” The assistant quickly retrieved a document from his briefcase and handed it to me. The title of the document shattered my last shred of composure. *Responsibility Cultivation Program*. Richard Evans’ voice sounded again, horrifyingly calm. “You’re right. That accident was also carefully designed. The driver who hit the dog, the dying puppy, even the old woman on the roadside who yelled for you to save it—they were all professional actors we hired.” I opened the report, my hands shaking so much I could barely hold it. The permanent scar on my leg was merely recorded in this report as an accidental injury due to my physical inadequacy. My trembling hands could no longer grip the report, letting it fall to the ground. Finally, he rolled down the car window and, in a tone almost of condescension, spoke his last words to me. “Maya, you must understand that all the suffering we inflicted upon you was meant to make you stronger. You just failed to grasp our intentions and instead veered into defiance.” “Telling you the full truth now is so you understand you are not entirely worthless. All those so-called excellent qualities you possess were actually bestowed by us.” With that, they drove away, leaving me alone. I slowly crouched down in front of the old building, soon to be a ruin. With trembling hands, I traced the ugly scar on my leg again and again. My world, in that moment, completely collapsed into a wasteland. But I had to forge a new path for myself. I sat in front of the ruins all night. The sky transformed from pitch black, pierced by the first rays of dawn. My spirit went through a tsunami. From breakdown to numbness. I didn’t cry. Tears, to them, were just a sign of my weakness. From now on, I would have no connection to them. I began to calmly review, to replay, my ridiculous, carefully designed eighteen years. They simply didn’t understand what humanity was, what life was. True life isn’t designed; it pushes its way up from the dirt, from cracks in the rock, from the bottom up. The qualities they discarded in me were precisely what he and the perfect Valerie Evans lacked. Those were the things that truly belonged to me. Daylight broke. I walked through the pile of debris left by the cleanup crew. Pushing aside the broken items that held eighteen years of my life, I found a small, worn-out ledger. It was my personal record of our daily life, which they had discarded as useless. I opened it. It contained not only daily fluctuations in vegetable prices but also my notes on every little detail. “Mrs. Davis’s tofu is the freshest, but she’s a bit grumpy, always needs to weigh it in front of you.” “Mr. Peterson’s pork is never watered down; his son got into college last week, so I should go congratulate him.” “The couple at the fruit stand on the corner seems to be arguing a lot lately; their business is suffering.” This was their evidence that I lacked “strategic vision.” But now, in my eyes, it was no longer just a ledger; it was proof of my living, breathing existence. I clutched this ledger tightly, and the seven thousand dollars severance in my pocket. I needed to use them to create a new life for myself. I stood up, dusted myself off, and walked toward the local market I knew so well. With that money, I rented the cheapest, most out-of-the-way stall near the market. I wanted to start a business, but not just be a street vendor. What I wanted was to build a successful career without their interference. My first employee was quickly found. It was Ms. Anya, the cleaning lady responsible for this area. When she needed help most, I did something extra in my father’s eyes—I helped her. When I found her, she didn’t say a word, just tucked her half-eaten bun into her pocket and grasped my hand with her rough ones. “ Honey, if you trust me, I’ll follow you with my life!” My rebellion officially began here. I would create a world of my own, despite their constant dismissal. My small restaurant, “Maya’s Kitchen,” opened. No firecrackers, no flower baskets, just Ms. Anya and me, and the steam rising from a large pot. Thanks to the records in my ledger, my catering business was well-organized. I sent rich, braised pork to Mr. Peterson’s son, congratulating him on his academic success. It was tender and not greasy. I brought spicy and sour fish soup to the quarreling couple at the fruit stand, telling them that life always has its arguments, but you need to eat well to have the energy to keep going. Soon, I became the most famous, most down-to-earth restaurant around. I introduced a more community-friendly model. Nearby vendors could sell me their unsold fresh vegetables at cost price. I’d cook them into meals and sell them at below-market prices to sanitation workers and day laborers who needed extra food. The small stall somehow formed a warm, economic cycle. One day, a flashy luxury car pulled up to the old alley, a stark contrast to the surroundings. Valerie Evans, dressed in opulent clothing and wearing wine-red high heels, walked over, assisted by her personal assistant, wrinkling her nose and covering her mouth with a silk scarf in disdain. “Maya, I’m so happy for you, really. You’ve finally found a career suited to your… limited scope.” Her words were dripping with aggression. “Look at this oil and smoke smell, how full of life it is. Much warmer than the cold air at our corporate headquarters, isn’t it?” I was busy packing a meal for an old man who pulled a rickshaw and didn’t look up. “It is. After all, people are alive and need to eat, unlike some things that only need money.” Valerie Evans’ face stiffened. “You’re still so sharp-tongued, so disobedient. Dad heard about your antics here and is very angry.” She put on an expression of deep sorrow. “He said that by choosing not to pursue higher education and instead making a scene here, you’re disgracing the Evans family. This is self-degradation, an insult to our family.” I handed the packed meal to the old man and took his five dollars. “The Evans family’s honor? Is it that report that treated their own daughter as an experiment, or that hypocritical face printed on the financial front page?” “You!” Valerie Evans was so furious she couldn’t speak. Not long after she left, trouble arrived. A team of uniformed men burst into my small shop. The leader held a notebook, his face stern. “We received a report that your hygiene standards are severely subpar and you’re operating illegally on public property. You’ll have to come with us.” I sneered inwardly. Valerie Evans’ tactics were still so crude and simple. I didn’t panic. I just quietly pulled out my phone and started a live stream. “Hey everyone, live from the scene! Let’s see how hard it is for an ordinary person to start a business.” I aimed my camera at the lead man. “Officer, you say my hygiene is subpar—where exactly? You say I’m illegally occupying public space, but my shop door opens inward. Which space am I occupying? Is it the road to your house?” The man was flustered by my actions, clearly not expecting such a move. He pointed to an innocent green onion on my cutting board. “This… this piece of meat! Its placement here doesn’t meet hygiene standards! This is irresponsible to diners! A fine of five hundred dollars!” I zoomed the camera in, giving that innocent piece of meat a big close-up. “Folks, come see, this piece of meat, worth five hundred dollars! What high crime has it committed? Is it because it grew too well, offending the eyes of certain important people?” The comments section exploded instantly. “Holy cow! I could laugh for a year at that excuse!” “They’re bullying her to no end!” “Her five-dollar lunch box is cleaner than my own kitchen, and it has meat! This lady truly has a heart of gold!” Just then, Mrs. Davis, returning from grocery shopping, Mr. Peterson, passing by on his delivery route, and all the neighbors gathered around. “Ms. Maya’s place is cleaner than my own kitchen!” “They’re just jealous of a young girl’s good business!” “We eat here every day! If there were a problem, we’d be the first to complain!” The voices of the crowd, united, were deafening. The uniformed men, surrounded, turned beet red then ghostly pale, and slunk away. I ended the live stream, watching the soaring number of viewers on my phone. Richard Evans, Valerie Evans. You think the path to success means discarding what you deem unimportant. But you don’t understand that true power accumulates from the most insignificant places. The next day, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. “Ms. Evans? Hello, my name is Daniel Miller, I’m a reporter for an independent media outlet. Your live stream… it went viral.” I wiped flour from my hands. “I know.” “We’d like to do an in-depth interview with you. Not about the scandalous family drama, just about your story with these honest working people. Would that be okay?” “Yes.” This was exactly what I wanted. I didn’t hesitate to agree. EvansCorp’s PR department clearly noticed the public outcry. They quickly took action, simple and crude—with money. Chloe Hayes, my once best “friend,” called me again. “Maya, I heard. Can you stop this? They spent three million dollars to take down the trending topics, but the hashtag ‘EvansCorpBullying’ actually shot to the top! You’re part of the Evans family too; do you want to destroy them?” Listening to her anxious tone, I found it laughable. “Really? Then they should reflect on why three million dollars can’t buy public sentiment.” I hung up. The fire of public opinion burned hotter and hotter. My story of being sensible but labeled rebellious by a wealthy family garnered immense attention and empathy. Under pressure, EvansCorp’s perfect heir, Valerie Evans, was forced to give an interview to a mainstream financial media outlet. In the video, she wore a perfectly tailored business suit, her makeup flawless, her performance impeccable. “Regarding some of the recent false claims circulating online, I am deeply regretful.” “EvansCorp has always been committed to social responsibility, and we respect every hardworking individual.” But the reporter posed a sharp question. “Ms. Evans, how do you view your sister, Ms. Maya Evans, giving up her studies to open a small restaurant near the local market? Is this also a form of hard work?” Valerie Evans smiled elegantly, but in that smile, her inherent sense of superiority towards me was instinctively revealed. “Of course, I’m happy for my sister’s independence. But frankly, I believe choice is more important than effort. She wasn’t without options, and I respect her decision.” She continued, as if she were the most successful person in everyone’s eyes. “I deeply understand everyone’s difficulties. However, if they just strive to improve their awareness and broaden their horizons, they can absolutely escape their current situation. Our corporation also provides many free learning opportunities, but unfortunately, many people don’t seize them.” This interview became the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Her condescension, her “let them eat cake” attitude, and her highly utilitarian nature were screenshotted by netizens, turned into memes, and spread across the entire internet. Her meticulously crafted image as the perfect heir vanished into thin air at that moment. *** Two days later, the *Community Watch* exclusive interview video was released. The camera showed me wearing a simple apron, sitting at the entrance of my small shop. No tears, no accusations. The reporter asked me: “Do you hate your family?”

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After a year of working abroad, I secretly returned, planning to surprise my wife. Arriving at the front door of our mansion, I confidently entered the smart lock’s code. Strangely, it kept displaying “incorrect password,” even after dozens of attempts. Just as I was about to call Serena to ask if the smart lock was broken, a sharp voice pierced the air behind me. A dark-skinned middle-aged woman, Mrs. Rodriguez, grabbed my collar without a word. “Hey, you little thief! You dare to act in broad daylight? Are you picking on Caleb Reed because he’s young?” Her spit splattered all over my face. My mind reeled with confusion. Caleb Reed? Who was that? This was *my* house, the one I’d paid for in full! This woman was acting like she’d just escaped from a bizarre reality TV show. I tried to explain, over and over again, that I was the owner of this mansion. But the more I explained, the more she stared at me with an expression that screamed, “I knew it!” “You picked the wrong day to show up here. I live right next door, and I’ve seen the man of this house countless times,” she declared. “If you’re going to be a thief, at least be smart. You should have come up with a decent excuse, like being a relative or a friend.” The man of the house? This mansion was the home Serena and I had bought together when we got married. How could there be another man coming and going? As I stood there bewildered, Mrs. Rodriguez pulled out her phone, ready to dial 91

“Alright, alright, no more excuses! Save it for the police!” Her relentless accusations left me no room for deeper thought at the moment. All I wanted was to shove the deed in her face and prove I was telling the truth. As we stood there in a deadlock, the commotion outside must have woken the person inside. The door I couldn’t open slowly creaked inward. Mrs. Rodriguez, hands on her hips, pointed at the handsome, curly-haired man who emerged. “See? How are you going to argue now? The man of the house is right here!” I looked over, and through the partially open door, I saw him. He was wearing silk pajamas that I’d paid a fortune for, asking a friend to buy them for me from abroad. His face was fair and striking. He seemed to have just woken up, looking annoyed at being disturbed. He sneered, sizing me up, and then let out a lazy yawn. “I’ve seen plenty of people like you. Trying to use these pathetic methods to latch onto someone wealthy? You’ve got it all wrong.” “You think a pretty face can give you a shortcut? It’s time you paid the price and learned your place.” Then he pointed a finger at me. “Mrs. Rodriguez, I don’t know this person. He’s trespassing. Call the police.” 2 Being called an “intruder” by my own wife was a truly bizarre sensation. But standing there, watching my wife pour out syrupy tenderness and concern for another man? That feeling was beyond words. Caleb looked at her, his eyes brimming with tears, playing the part of the poor, wronged victim. He shook his head, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek. Only when she was absolutely certain he was unharmed did Serena let out a relieved breath. She tenderly stroked his hair, a soft smile on her face. “You rest here. I promise I’ll make that intruder pay for what he’s done…” She vowed, her voice dripping with conviction. But when she turned and her eyes met mine, her words caught in her throat. A faint tremor, one she hadn’t even noticed herself, laced her voice. I curved my lips into a cold smile, watching her calmly. “Ah, Serena Vance, the famous attorney. You certainly have the right to make such grand boasts.” “But even if you’re renowned in the legal world, shouldn’t justice be based on complete evidence and fair judgment? Or do you just make up facts as you go along?” She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the police officer who had just finished verifying my information. Once they confirmed I was the mansion’s owner, I was released without charge. As I walked out, Serena grabbed my arm, her voice urgent. “Julian, please don’t misunderstand. Caleb is a new intern at my firm. Fresh out of college, his meager salary wouldn’t even cover a decent place in Veridia City. I was worried about him being alone in a new city, so I let him stay at our place temporarily.” “He’s young, so he can be a bit reckless. Just try not to hold it against him, Julian.” My gaze swept calmly over both of them, finally settling on Serena’s pale face. I didn’t answer. I just turned and walked away. The moment I got into a taxi, I dialed my best friend, Blake Carter. Blake and Serena were considered Veridia City’s legal powerhouses, their skills equally matched. His casual, teasing drawl answered. “Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Busy-Man himself. What makes you finally reach out?” My voice was chillingly calm. “Blake, I need you to dig into Serena and a guy named Caleb Reed. Everything from the past year I was abroad. And I need it fast.” Blake muttered a few sarcastic remarks, then hung up. About an hour later, the taxi pulled up to my mansion. Almost as soon as I stepped out, Serena and Caleb followed close behind. Serena hurried forward, taking my hand. “You must be exhausted after a thirteen-hour flight. I know this amazing restaurant. Let’s invite our friends and have a welcome-home dinner for you.” She pulled me forward, but I paused, glancing back at Caleb. “You should come too.” Caleb immediately plastered a bright smile on his face. Fresh out of college, he exuded a youthful charm, and just a curve of his lips was enough to make people stare. He was incredibly bold, joining us without a care, despite the animosity between us just moments ago. As we walked into the bar, I lagged slightly behind. Blake called, saying Serena had invited him to a gathering, and he was already waiting in the private room. He scoffed. “You finally finish a huge project and come home, and she can’t even give you a proper welcome home or stay home with you? What kind of stupid party is this? Seriously…” I didn’t answer. Serena pushed open the door to the private room. Cheers erupted inside. “Well, well, Serena! You usually hide him away like he’s your most precious treasure. What makes you bring Mr. Julian to a bar tonight? Didn’t you say he couldn’t stand smoke or alcohol?” The speaker was one of Serena’s good friends. I was a step behind them, still on the phone with Blake. The people in the room only saw Serena and Caleb. From behind, I saw Serena’s body stiffen. Her face turned cold as she snapped at him, “Are you drunk? What nonsense are you spouting?” “This is my assistant! My husband is Julian Hayes!” 3 Anyone who made it in Veridia City was sharp, and the friend immediately realized his mistake. “My apologies, Serena! The lights in here are so blinding, I couldn’t make out faces.” He quickly stood up, walked to the door, and offered me an apology. I smiled, but the warmth didn’t reach my eyes. With the “misunderstanding” cleared, Serena pulled me to a seat. Caleb, sensing the mood, found an inconspicuous corner to sit in. Blake gave me a knowing look from across the room. I checked my phone and, sure enough, found a message from him. “You need to see this, man. Serena is truly something else!” It was thirty gigabytes of videos and files. I took a couple sips of my drink and left the room. As I scrolled through the screen, the coldness in my eyes deepened. Serena had moved Caleb into *my* mansion not long after I’d left the country. There were videos of them frequently entering and leaving hotels, bank statements showing over ten million spent on Caleb, and their Ins accounts, full of flirtatious posts. “My little Roo is so cute. I wish you were here with me right now.” This post was from two months ago. I’d initially thought Serena was referring to the actual kangaroos I’d seen on my business trip, subtly telling me she missed me. I’d worked day and night, compressing six months of work into two, just to surprise her. Now, looking at Caleb’s Ins, I knew. Roo was *their* dog. After seeing how Caleb and Serena first met, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. No wonder Caleb’s first reaction, when I couldn’t open the door, was to assume I was some gold-digger trying to scam a wealthy person. That’s exactly how *he* had gotten close to Serena. Back in the private room, Serena put her arm around my waist, asking intimately, “Where did you go?” My brow furrowed, and I tried to shrug her hand off, but just then, Caleb walked over with a drink. He bent slightly. His fair skin, glimpsed from beneath his collar, was so pale and delicate, almost feminine, that it made you want to look twice. And those two glances froze me completely. I couldn’t maintain my composure any longer. I tore the engraved silver locket from Caleb’s neck with such force that it left a striking red mark. Everyone in the room was stunned by my furious expression. I was known in our circle for being incredibly even-tempered; no one had ever seen me lose control like this. I gripped the locket tightly, my fingers tracing the familiar inscription carved into my heart. Then I turned, my voice a dangerous growl, and demanded of Serena, “This was Grandma’s last possession, her final gift to me. I kept it carefully in her memorial shrine. Serena, explain to me why this locket is on Caleb Reed’s neck!” Serena stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence. Finally, under my relentless glare, she lost her composure. “It’s just a locket! So what? I’ll buy you a new one. Caleb’s been feeling unsettled lately; a spiritualist said he might have picked up something negative, so I lent it to him for protection. Why are you reacting so dramatically?” Our friends chimed in, trying to calm me. “Julian, I didn’t realize you were into lockets. Look, I have a friend who specializes in antiques. If you like, I can have him bring you ten or twenty of them. You can pick whatever you want.” “It’s just a piece of jewelry, Julian. No need to get upset with Serena over such a small thing…” Their chattering faded into background noise. My mind was fixated on Serena’s words: *something negative*? My thoughts immediately flew to the small memorial shrine I’d set up for Grandma in the mansion. 4 Ignoring everyone’s pleas and attempts to stop me, I hailed a taxi and sped towards home. Outside, a sudden, fierce rainstorm broke, coming down hard and fast.

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Anya, the untouched beauty of our circle. That sentence had been circulating in high society for six years. Because she had been married to Julian, the unattainable legal prodigy, for three years, and their marriage remained unconsummated. Julian had germaphobia, to an infuriating degree. Three years of dating, three years of marriage, he rejected all physical contact. No hugs, no kisses, and certainly no shared bed. I used to refuse to believe it was impossible. A thousand attempts to entice him, a thousand failures. I thought that was just Julian – aloof and refined, seemingly untouched by the world’s grime. But today, I finally understood. The ice prince could come down from his pedestal. And his germaphobia? It could have exceptions too. … In the upscale restaurant, Anya’s fingers, wrapped around her glass, trembled slightly. Through the glass window, she clearly saw Julian kneeling, gently massaging the aching ankle of the woman opposite him. His long, elegant fingers cradled her fair ankle, moving with a tenderness usually reserved for precious treasures. There wasn’t a hint of disgust or discomfort on his face. Was this truly the Julian who would sanitize his hands three times if he accidentally brushed hers? Anya’s hands shook as she snapped a picture, sending it to Julian’s best friend: **”Who is she?”** Liam quickly replied: **”How do you know Chloe?”** Chloe… Anya stared, fixated on the name: **”So, who is she?”** Liam hesitated for a moment, but eventually confessed: **”Julian’s first love.”** **”He gave up inheriting his family business to become a lawyer for her. He got into a fight with hooligans for her, almost lost his life and ended up in the hospital. He was a complete wreck for two years before he finally pulled himself together…”** Anya listened in silence, her mind a blank. Liam tried to comfort her: **”That’s all in the past. He married you, so you’re definitely the one he loves now.”** Was she? Anya chuckled, tears welling up. She still remembered her sophomore year, the first time she saw Julian at Columbia University. He stood at the entrance of the law school, his white shirt ruffled by the wind, as cold and ethereal as a watercolor painting. She was Anya, the heiress of the powerful Anya family, bright and flamboyant, always getting whatever she wanted since childhood. But that day, when she went up to ask for his contact information and was rejected, she learned for the first time that there were indeed some things in this world she couldn’t have. And so began her two years of relentless pursuit: She’d stake out his building every morning with breakfast, and he’d just toss it in the nearest trash can; She’d prepare thoughtful gifts, and he’d discard them without a glance, sometimes even leaving them for stray dogs on the roadside; If she so much as brushed against his sleeve, he’d rip off the shirt and toss it on the spot. But his rejection only fueled her resolve, refusing to give up. Finally, on a rainy night, when she was soaked to the bone at the library entrance, Julian, for the first time in forever, offered her an umbrella. **”Give it a try,”** he said, his voice as cold as ice. She thought she had won. After all, he finally became her boyfriend, and later, her husband. But three years of dating, three years of marriage, he’d still sanitize his hands three times if he accidentally brushed hers. She wanted to hug him, he’d step back; she wanted to kiss, he’d evade; on their wedding night, he slept in his study. Everyone said: **”That’s just Julian. He has severe germaphobia.”** Anya gradually accepted this explanation. After all, he was like that with everyone, wasn’t he? But today, she saw him kneeling to massage another woman’s ankle, his gaze unbelievably tender. It dawned on her, with crystal clarity, that someone *could* be an exception in his heart! How ridiculous. Anya. She had the looks, the figure. The men who chased her could line up from one end of the city to the other. Yet she had debased herself for eight whole years for a man who didn’t love her. If he wouldn’t touch her, plenty of others would. If he wouldn’t love her, plenty of others would. If that was the case, then she would divorce him, completely setting him free to be with his precious first love! With a steel resolve, Anya wiped away her tears and grabbed her bag, striding out of the restaurant. She was in a hurry, and accidentally bumped into Chloe, who was just leaving. The moment their eyes met, the signboard above them suddenly loosened, crashing down heavily towards them. Anya instinctively pushed Chloe away, but she herself was struck on the back by the heavy sign, instantly gushing blood. Blinding pain made her kneel, her vision blurring. Through the haze, she saw Julian sprinting from the parking lot. He practically scooped Chloe into his arms, anxiously checking her for injuries, oblivious to the dirt smudging his expensive suit. Only after confirming Chloe was unharmed did he finally notice Anya lying in a pool of her own blood. **”Why are you here?”** Julian shielded Chloe behind him, his gaze cold and sharp. **”Are you seriously stalking me now, even when I’m meeting friends?”** Anya was in too much pain to speak, feeling her heart ache more than her physical wounds. **”No, the billboard just fell, and this lady saved me…”** Chloe finally regained her composure and began to explain. Julian froze, then slowly turned to me. **”You two… know each other?”** Chloe asked cautiously. Anya couldn’t speak from the pain, only watching as Julian’s expression shifted. **”Yeah, she’s just… someone who’s been relentlessly pursuing me,”** Julian said indifferently, his gaze sweeping over Anya’s pale face. **”She’s been bothering me for a long time.”** The words were like a dagger twisting in Anya’s heart. A choked laugh escaped her, tears mixing with the blood as they streamed down her face. Eight years. And to him, she was just a “pursuer”? Chloe saw Anya’s blood pooling on the ground and worriedly said: **”Julian, you should take her to the hospital. She’s badly hurt.”** But Julian stood rooted to the spot, his voice chillingly clear: **”She’s covered in blood, it’s… unhygienic.”** **”I have germaphobia. I can’t touch her.”** **”Just call 911.”** Anya lay on the cold ground, blood seeping from her forehead, making her face appear even paler. She listened to Julian’s words, her heart feeling as if an invisible hand had clamped down on it, so tight she could barely breathe. The siren of an ambulance grew louder, approaching quickly. Medical personnel rushed over, and just as they were about to lift Anya onto the stretcher, Chloe suddenly swayed, her face draining of all color. **”Chloe!”** Julian lunged forward, catching her steadily before she hit the ground. His usually composed voice was laced with pure panic for the first time. He sharply looked up and told the medical personnel coldly: **”Put her down, take Chloe to the hospital first!”** The nurse looked troubled: **”But Ms. Anya has lost too much blood, she’s already unconscious. Waiting for the next ambulance might be life-threatening…”** **”I called the ambulance,”** Julian cut her off coldly, carefully placing Chloe on the stretcher, his voice brooking no argument. **”I decide who gets priority!”** He finished speaking, then got into the ambulance without looking back. He never spared Anya a single glance the entire time. Anya watched the ambulance drive away, her heart aching to numbness, finally passing out. … When Anya woke up, the blinding white light made her squint uncomfortably. **”You’re finally awake!”** The nurse sighed in relief. **”A kind stranger brought you to the hospital. You need to notify your family to take care of you.”** Anya gently shook her head, her voice weak: **”No, thank you. I’m… alone.”** The nurse was surprised: **”But your records show you’ve been married for three years, with a husband and no children.”** **”I’ll be divorced very soon,”** she said, her voice soft, but filled with a quiet determination. Just as the words left her lips, the hospital room door was pushed open— **”Divorced?”** Julian walked in, his face grim. **”Who’s getting divorced?”** **”A friend of mine,”** Anya lied without batting an eye, her fingertips subtly clutching the edge of the blanket. Julian nodded indifferently: **”She can come to me, I’ll represent her pro bono.”** **”No need for all that trouble,”** she forced a smile, the warmth not reaching her eyes. **”Both parties want it. Just draft the agreement for me.”** Julian didn’t suspect a thing, raising a hand to signal Ryan, his assistant, to prepare it. Once the hospital room door closed, the air suddenly grew suffocatingly quiet. **”Yesterday, Chloe and I were just having dinner as old friends,”** Julian suddenly spoke. **”Don’t get any ideas, and don’t cause any trouble for her.”** Anya suddenly laughed. She was spoiled and willful, but never unreasonable. If he had been honest about having someone in his heart from the beginning, she would never have clung to him for so many years. A sharp pain lanced through her heart. She suppressed her emotions, looking up at him: **”Did you just come here to tell me *that*?”** **”And…”** his tone softened a bit, **”thank you for saving Chloe. She has a clotting disorder, it would have been very serious if she got injured.”** **”As compensation, you can name anything you want.”** Anya stared at him: **”You love her *that* much? Enough to pay *your wife* compensation for her?”** Julian didn’t hear clearly, frowning slightly: **”What?”** Just then, Ryan pushed the door open and handed Anya the drafted divorce agreement. She silently took it, flipping directly to the husband’s signature line and pushing it towards Julian: **”Sign here.”** **”Wrong,”** his long, elegant finger stopped above the page. **”This is the husband’s signature line for the divorce. I’m a lawyer, I should sign on the witness page.”** He was about to turn the page when his phone suddenly rang. The name “Chloe” on his screen burned into Anya’s eyes. **”Turn to the next page,”** he gestured to Anya, turning to answer the call. His voice instantly melted as he spoke: **”What’s wrong?”** Anya didn’t move, her pen still poised over the spot. **”…Okay, I’ll be right there.”** He hung up, then signed without even looking. The moment his pen touched the paper, Anya’s suspended heart finally plunged into an ice abyss. **”Urgent matter at the firm. I’m leaving first.”** His retreating figure was so decisive, he didn’t even realize he’d signed in the wrong place. Anya watched him go, then, trembling, signed her own name in the other column. Once the thirty-day waiting period before the divorce was finalized was over, they’d be truly done. … During that week in the hospital, Anya’s bedside remained empty. She learned to change her own dressings, gritted her teeth through the pain of turning over, and called the nurses herself when her IV needed attention. Julian only appeared, belatedly, on the day she was discharged. **”I’ve been working overtime recently,”** he stood at the hospital room door, his suit pristine, a faint, almost imperceptible jasmine scent clinging to him. Chloe’s perfume. Anya lowered her gaze, arranging her belongings, not bothering to expose his lie. To her surprise, Julian didn’t take her straight home. Instead, he drove her to a newly opened shopping mall. **”What do you want to eat?”** He stood in the elevator, his long, elegant finger scrolling through his phone, asking with a rare patience. **”The shrimp dumplings at this Cantonese restaurant are very authentic.”** From lunch to a movie, he meticulously planned everything. He’d pull out her chair before she sat down, remind her to be careful of the hot soup, and drape his suit jacket over her shoulders when the cinema air conditioning was too strong. **”Is the AC too cold?”** **”Is your seat comfortable?”** **”Does this dish suit your taste?”** This thoughtfulness left Anya in a daze. Eight years. It was our first date that felt even remotely normal. **”Don’t you have germaphobia? And you hate crowded places the most?”** In the dim light of the cinema, she finally couldn’t help but ask. Julian’s movement of adjusting his cuff paused. **”You’ve been cooped up. I’m making an exception.”** His voice was so gentle, uncharacteristically so for Julian. This strange dissonance peaked when he dropped her off, claiming he had to **”go back to the office to work late.”** As if by instinct, Anya hailed a cab and followed him. The shopping mall was brightly lit under the night sky. She saw Julian pick up Chloe, then take her along the same route they had taken that day. The same restaurant, the same cinema hall, they even bought the same dress at the same store! **”I haven’t been back in the States for ages, I don’t know my way around anymore,”** Chloe said, hooking her arm through his, pouting playfully. **”Good thing I have you with me.”** She suddenly tilted her head: **”But I remember you used to despise shopping. You’d rather walk around the mall than through it. How do you know which place has the best dim sum, the comfiest theater seats, the perfect dress for me? Did you secretly do your research?”** Julian’s face remained impassive. The man who recoiled from even accidental touches, now, as Chloe turned to try on a dress, effortlessly took the handbag she offered. “Yeah, I did my homework.” Through the display window, Anya’s heart lurched, a sharp, icy pain lancing through her, each beat a fresh torture, every breath a struggle. A mere tool, used to impress his precious first love! She trembled all over, wanting to flee, but Chloe spotted her with sharp eyes.

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The biggest bombshell of the year at Northwood University? A video of Aurora Thompson, an art student, losing her virginity was leaked to the campus group chat on SnapChat. The video was filmed in a five-star hotel’s presidential suite. Aurora was completely naked, pressed against the floor-to-ceiling windows by a man a head taller than her. The rhythmic sounds of their activity filled the suite. When it was over, the man whispered in her ear, “Such a good girl.” Those two short words hit like a heavy bomb, stirring up a storm of shock and outrage in the chat. “That voice… isn’t that Asher Kingston?” “Aurora really knows how to play her cards! She actually landed one of the university’s Board Members! No wonder the people who used to bully her suddenly went quiet.” “I always thought Aurora was some innocent lamb, but she’s a manipulative user! No wonder, she’s a mistress’s daughter after all!” The news reached my ears while I was in my dorm room, knitting a scarf for Asher. My roommate, Chloe, had the video sound cranked up, passing her phone around with a sneer, deliberately drawing out her words. “Aurora, you sound so… practiced. You must have gotten a lot of practice, huh?” Laughter erupted around me. My face went chalk-white, frozen in place. The half-knitted scarf slipped from my trembling hands. I bolted out the door. I stumbled and ran towards Asher’s office, desperate to ask him what the video was all about. But just as I reached the door, I heard mocking voices from inside. “Asher, you really didn’t leave Aurora any room to breathe, did you? You made sure her face was so clear in the video, she won’t even have a chance to clear her name.” At their words, my mind exploded, and an icy dread instantly permeated my entire being. “Well, she only has herself to blame. She messed with the woman Asher loves most, so she deserved what she got.” “It’s Asher who suffered though, not only having to spread rumors that Aurora’s mother was a mistress, but also having to play the savior, dealing with her bullies and acting all sweet and devoted in front of her.” “Oh, and Asher, when are you planning to tell her the truth? If that girl knew the person she’s liked for so long is actually her future brother-in-law, she’d probably collapse in tears right on the spot, hahaha…” Asher sat casually on the sofa, picking at the edge of an ashtray with the hand holding his cigarette, his expression unreadable. His friend next to him, seeing his silence, quickly asked, “Feeling guilty? She went to great lengths to get Seraphina exiled abroad for two whole years, making her suffer over there. You can’t just let her off the hook like that!” At the mention of Seraphina’s name, Asher finally reacted. He stubbed out his cigarette, his voice flat. “When Seraphina comes back home.” “That day also happens to be a special anniversary Aurora’s been looking forward to for a long time. I’ll give her a ‘surprise’ that day, making her pay back everything she owes Seraphina.” My breath hitched. My gaze drifted through the smoke to Asher’s cold, handsome face. A gaping wound tore through my chest, and everything went black. So, all those rumors defaming my mother were spread by Asher! Asher pursuing me, protecting me… it was all just a scheme for revenge. The person he truly loved was my half-sister, Seraphina Thompson. I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. I turned and fled in a panic. But I hadn’t taken more than a few steps before several girls blocked my path. “Well, well, if it isn’t the star of the viral video!” “Just coming out of the office? Did you rush over to offer yourself up again?” My face was pale. I tried to escape, but they shoved me back and forth. Just then, Asher’s chilling voice came from behind me. “Trying to lay a hand on Aurora under my nose? Do you have a death wish?” Asher had left the office without me noticing, his tall, imposing figure striding towards us. The girls saw Asher and immediately scattered like startled birds. Asher came to my side, raising a hand to smooth my disheveled hair. As he leaned down to meet my eyes, his thumb gently caressed my cheek. “Didn’t I tell you? If anyone bothers you again, just tell them my name.” The familiar scent of tobacco filled my nostrils, making my eyes sting. The Asher before me, overlapping with countless memories of him protecting me, felt like a distant dream. Years ago, after my mother took her own life and my father rekindled his old flame with his first love, I lived a life worse than an orphan’s. Then, rumors started swirling at school that my mother was a mistress, and that Seraphina was the legitimate daughter of the Thompson family. As the “mistress’s daughter,” I couldn’t escape the bullying. It was Asher who saved me, effortlessly creating a warm sanctuary for me using his influence as a Board Member. Yesterday was Asher’s birthday. Fueled by the alcohol, one thing led to another. He shed his usual elegant and reserved demeanor, forcefully pressing me against the exposed floor-to-ceiling windows, admiring my body as it trembled with extreme nervousness. When Asher claimed me, I felt like a bird adrift for too long, finally finding its way home. Little did I know, that safe haven was built on layers of calculated deception. A wave of dizziness washed over me. When I came back to my senses, Asher was leading me out of the office building and into the passenger seat of his car. Asher leaned over to buckle my seatbelt, just like always. Seeing my red-rimmed eyes, he gently comforted me, “The video was an accident. I’ll have someone handle it. You’re not doing well today, so I’ll take you home to rest.” I pursed my lips slightly, remembering his words in the office. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Asher paused, raising a hand to wipe my tears. Then, as if remembering something, he opened the car door. “Wait here for a moment. I need to buy something.” When the car door closed, I realized Asher had taken the wrong phone. His phone lay in the compartment next to the armrest. As if compelled by some strange impulse, I picked it up and entered Seraphina’s birthday. The phone unlocked successfully. Seraphina’s name was pinned at the top of his SnapChat. In their most recent chat, Seraphina asked if he could cut ties with me before she returned home. Asher replied: “She’s just a plaything. I was never really with her.” My heart constricted sharply. I suppressed the burning in my nose and scrolled further up. During the two years Seraphina was abroad, Asher called her without fail every day, always around 8 PM. This was also the time he claimed to have Board meetings and told me not to disturb him, no matter what. Besides that, he transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to Seraphina every month, swift and direct, without even an accompanying message. Seraphina was also very good at flirting, often sending selfies for compliments. Asher would reply with adorable pet GIFs, reminding her not to wear too little and to be careful not to catch a cold. Looking at these chat logs, I finally understood that I never knew Asher at all. His apparent tenderness and thoughtfulness were merely the tip of an iceberg of his overwhelming love for Seraphina. When Asher returned to the car, he held a box of emergency contraception. He gently stroked my head, his voice soft as silk. “Last night was too rushed, I didn’t think of it. Take this, just in case.” I clutched the pill box tightly, my lips almost bitten raw. If I hadn’t overheard him with my own ears, I would still be foolishly believing Asher genuinely cared for me. Now, I was completely clear-headed. After the car stopped in front of the mansion, Asher habitually leaned in for a goodbye kiss. But I dodged his kiss, fumbling to unbuckle my seatbelt. Asher’s eyes darkened. He forcefully pulled me into his embrace. “Still upset about the video?” “…” “I didn’t record the video, and the hotel manager has already been fired.” Asher lifted my chin. “Aurora, I never wanted to hurt you, and I never will. Our anniversary is coming up soon; I’ll make it up to you then.” More than the truth, lies disguised as kindness often hurt the most. My nose stung. I pushed Asher away. “I’m going back inside.” I practically ran into the mansion. As soon as I entered, I collided with Mr. Thompson. His face was grim. Before I could even speak, he raised his hand and slapped me hard. “Aurora, I really underestimated you. Dating is one thing, but making such indecent videos? You’ve completely disgraced me!” “No wonder everyone at your university targets you. It’s because you’re dirty and rotten, attracting all these flies!” My father finished his tirade and threw a plane ticket at my feet. “I’ve booked your flight for seven days from now. Get as far away as possible and never come back!” I picked up the ticket, my fingers trembling slightly, as if it were a verdict condemning me to be abandoned by this world forever. My father was ashamed of me and wanted me gone. Good. I didn’t want to stay either. “I’ll go,” I said, my voice calm. “And I’ll listen to you, I’ll never come back.” Mr. Thompson paused, as if he hadn’t heard correctly. Years ago, he’d arranged for Seraphina to study abroad and tried to persuade me to go with her, but I refused, adamantly. After much questioning, he learned I was in love, hopelessly so. He had expected me to refuse again. But this time, I agreed so readily. Mr. Thompson’s anger softened slightly. He said coldly, “Seraphina is coming home this weekend. I’m hosting a welcome dinner for her. You’ll attend.” “The video has already spread. If you don’t show up, it’ll only confirm those rumors.” I nodded. “Understood.” … I requested three days off from Northwood University. I spent those three days packing up everything Asher had ever given me, listing them online for their original price. Three days later, Seraphina returned home. Mr. Thompson hosted a welcome dinner for her at the biggest hotel in the city, inviting all the influential figures in the business world. Asher was among them. I hadn’t expected to see Asher in such a setting. As I turned to leave, he caught my wrist and dragged me to a secluded spot. Asher pinned me against the wall, his hands firmly braced on either side of my head, his hot breath fanning my ear. “You haven’t been to Northwood these past few days, you haven’t replied to my messages, and there’s been no word about our anniversary.” “Aurora, do you know how worried I’ve been about you?” His eyes were locked on me, clearly displeased by my silence. I pursed my lips, gathering the courage to meet Asher’s gaze. “Does Mr. Kingston worry about an insignificant bedmate?” My sudden defiance, uncharacteristic for my usual docile self, surprised Asher. A surge of irritation clearly washed over him. He yanked me closer, his arm tightly encircling my waist. “Bedmate?” “Once in two years? You call that a bedmate relationship?” I didn’t know what had suddenly set Asher off. He pinched my chin, about to kiss me. Just then, a voice called out, “Asher, there you are! Seraphina’s looking for you.” Asher frowned slightly. He released me and told the person, “Got it. I’ll be right there.” I feigned surprise, asking Asher, “You know my sister?” “Know her? Their relationship is more exciting than you can imagine, Aurora.” Asher’s friend grinned mischievously. “Just wait, you’re in for a shock.” After they walked away, a hint of mockery flashed in my eyes. They still thought I was in the dark, planning to stage a grand humiliation for me tonight. But they didn’t know I had already composed myself, ready to cut ties with Asher for good. As the evening banquet was in full swing, the lights suddenly dimmed. A spotlight instantly shot towards the stage. Asher, impeccably dressed in a suit, appeared with Seraphina, who was wearing a white gown, before everyone’s eyes. Mr. Thompson, his face beaming, raised his hand to signal for silence, then announced loudly, “Today, I’ve invited you all for two reasons: first, to welcome Seraphina, who has returned home after completing her studies; and second, to announce some wonderful news.” “The Kingston and Thompson families have been close for generations, and Asher and Seraphina were engaged many years ago.” “Now that they are deeply in love, their engagement party is set for the end of the month. We hope you will all join us to witness the children’s happiness!” After Mr. Thompson finished speaking, Asher’s friends all looked at me, waiting to see me break down. But I simply stood quietly in the crowd, my expression serene, as if everything happening on stage had nothing to do with me. Asher frowned slightly. In his mind, Aurora would lose control when she found out about his relationship with Seraphina. But now, she was alarmingly calm. A sudden irritation welled up in Asher. Seraphina, keenly sensing his discomfort, quickly asked, “Asher, what’s wrong?” Asher subtly averted his gaze. “Nothing, I just zoned out for a moment.” He was certain that Aurora, being so deeply in love with him, couldn’t be completely unfazed. She was just putting on a brave face. … I splashed cold water on my face in the restroom. Recalling my past infatuation with Asher, I felt utterly foolish. No wonder he had only touched me once in two years. It wasn’t out of珍惜; it was because he disdained touching me at all. And my virginity, which I had always cherished, was to him merely excellent material to ruin my reputation. As soon as I returned to the banquet hall, Mr. Thompson called me over. “Aurora, come and say hello to your brother-in-law.” I walked up to Asher, a perfectly measured smile on my lips. “Hello, brother-in-law.” At the words “brother-in-law,” Asher’s face tightened. Seraphina, however, was oblivious, smiling radiantly. “Oh, Aurora, I just heard Asher is on the Board at Northwood. What a coincidence! If you ever run into any trouble, just ask your brother-in-law for help. After all, we’re family.” I clenched my jaw, enunciating each word. “I won’t trouble my brother-in-law.” I didn’t look at Asher’s expression, but I could feel his gaze, sharp as an arctic wind, making me shiver. After a brief exchange, I prepared to leave. But Seraphina stepped forward and linked her arm through mine, feigning intimacy. “Aurora, we haven’t seen each other in so long. I have so much to tell you.” She dragged me, without argument, into a private lounge. The moment the door closed, Seraphina dropped her smile, her expression turning cold and sinister. “Aurora, I heard you slept with Asher, and the video is everywhere. Do you really think you can hold onto his heart with such cheap tactics?” “Let me tell you the truth: he doesn’t like you at all. Not only does he not like you, he utterly despises you!” “I made him spread those rumors about your mother being a mistress. And I instructed him to pursue you. I just wanted to watch you fall in love with him little by little, only to be destroyed by his own hand!” “Why?” I asked. “Why? Because you have no self-awareness, that’s why! Your mother died years ago, and you’re still clinging to the Thompson family’s wealth?” “All of that was originally mine! What right do you, a mistress’s daughter, have to enjoy the Thompson family’s glory and riches?!” I could endure anything, but I couldn’t stand my mother being insulted. I lunged at Seraphina, my voice strained through clenched teeth. “My mother was not a mistress. When she married my father, she had no idea you or your mother existed.” “It was you two who slowly pushed her to her death!” Seraphina hadn’t expected me to talk back. She raised her hand to strike me. Just then, the lounge door was suddenly pushed open. Catching sight of Asher out of the corner of her eye, Seraphina quickly grabbed the bowl of nuts and snacks from the table and stuffed them into her mouth. The next second, her body went limp, and she collapsed, mumbling incoherently, “Aurora, why are you forcing me to eat this? I’m allergic to nuts…” Asher rushed to Seraphina, pushing me aside. I stumbled backward, my back hitting the nearby coffee table with a harsh clang. “Crash!” The cups on the table shattered, and my hands were cut and bleeding from the glass shards. Asher didn’t even glance at me. He quickly crouched down and pulled Seraphina into his arms. “Seraphina, are you okay?” Tears welled in Seraphina’s eyes. She helplessly grabbed Asher’s arm. “I just wanted to catch up with Aurora. I don’t know how I offended her, but she suddenly forced me to eat those snacks…” “Look at me, Asher, am I breaking out in a rash?” Asher looked down and saw large red hives appearing rapidly on Seraphina’s skin. “What do I do? The banquet isn’t over, I can’t embarrass you! My makeup… right, I need to cover it with makeup!” Asher gripped Seraphina’s wrist firmly. “What are you thinking about at a time like this? Come on, I’m taking you to the hospital.” Asher picked up Seraphina. Before leaving, he shot me a cold, piercing glance. I endured the sharp pain and struggled to my feet. Blood gushed from my hands, staining my dress red in an instant. But I felt no pain. It was as if, after falling into a bottomless abyss, all my senses had been stripped away. I called a server to bring a first aid kit. My hands trembling, I clumsily and laboriously bandaged my wounds. After all that, I was exhausted. I dragged my heavy feet, preparing to leave. As I entered the hallway, several figures suddenly darted out, dragging me without a word into a nearby storage room. Then, a large hand clamped over my jaw, forcing my head up. High-concentration pepper spray was immediately poured into my mouth. My eyes widened in terror. Like Seraphina, I had severe allergies; I was naturally allergic to chili peppers. This much pepper spray could kill me! “Mmph… Let…” I struggled desperately. But the men gave me no chance to resist, pouring cup after cup of pepper spray down my throat. I choked, my face turning crimson, my body convulsing uncontrollably. My injured hands clawed weakly at the floor, making a chilling sound. Seeing my pathetic state, the men not only didn’t stop, but escalated their insults: “Seraphina is the woman Asher holds dearest. You dared to lay a hand on her? Don’t you know your place?” “I heard you were bullied a lot at Northwood. You’ve probably been passed around by countless men. How could Asher, a man with such high standards, want a dirty woman who’s been passed around by countless men?” “Drink all this pepper spray obediently, consider it an apology to Seraphina, or else you’ll be in for it!” My vision blurred, and my consciousness began to fade. With the last of my strength, I almost unconsciously whispered his name, “Asher…” The moment the name left my lips, piercing laughter erupted above me. “Hahahaha! You’re not still hoping Asher will save you, are you?” “He’s the one who told us to pour this pepper spray down your throat! You hurt Seraphina, he’d be thrilled if you just died!” “Come on, let’s rip her clothes off, take some photos, and send them to Asher. Let him blow off some steam!” Several men swarmed me, tearing my dress to shreds in an instant. They frantically took photos of my dying, disheveled body until I could no longer hold on, and completely passed out. When I next woke up, I was in a hospital bed. Asher sat by the bedside, working on his laptop. As if sensing my gaze, he looked up at me. Our eyes met. Asher subtly exhaled, but his tone remained as cold as ever: “Does it feel good to be bullied?”

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My boyfriend’s childhood friend found out I was allergic to cilantro, then put cilantro juice in every single dish. After I accidentally ate it, red rashes immediately erupted all over my body. I reached for my pocket, pulled out a box of allergy meds, and popped a pill into my mouth. But the next second, my eyes went wide in horror. The allergy medicine had been swapped out for strawberry gummies by my boyfriend. Seeing my face covered in rashes, Liam’s childhood friend burst out laughing. “Hahaha, surprise! I specifically asked Liam to swap them out!” “You’re such a drama queen, how can you be allergic to cilantro?” I looked at Liam, struggling to catch my breath. “Liam, if you don’t get me the medicine, I’m actually going to die!” Liam frowned slightly. “You really think you’re some fragile princess, huh? I’ve never heard of anyone dying from cilantro.” “Chloe’s right, you’re just being over-the-top, playing the delicate act!” I stopped trying to explain and directly pressed the family emergency beacon.

Liam glanced at me, completely unconcerned. “What did you just press? You didn’t call the cops for something so trivial, did you?” He yanked the little bear pendant from my neck, staring at it closely for a moment. Finding nothing suspicious, he tossed it on the floor and crushed it with his foot. I reached for it, but my throat began to swell, and my movements became sluggish. “I’m having an allergic reaction, hurry, give me the medicine!” Chloe watched me, arms crossed, perfectly at ease. “Stella, the princess, are you really that uncomfortable? Or are you just trying to get Liam’s attention?” “It’s one thing when you usually find excuses to get Liam’s attention, but today’s Liam’s birthday. Can you please stop causing drama?” It felt like someone was choking me, and I stared weakly at Chloe. She and Liam were childhood sweethearts; they always called each other brother and sister. Liam, worried I’d misunderstand, even explained to me, “I just see her as a sister. If there was anything between us, wouldn’t we have been together ages ago?” Chloe, wanting to prove their innocence, even teased, “Only Stella would want an oblivious guy like Liam.” I truly believed them, thinking their friendship was purely platonic. But gradually, I started to notice things were off. At every get-together, whenever Liam and I talked, she’d always subtly interrupt. Then she’d switch to a topic only they understood, completely excluding me. I’d just sit there, listening silently, unable to get a word in. Then, she’d suddenly chime in, “Stella, you’re not upset that Liam and I are having such a good time, are you?” “Girl, we grew up together like siblings, don’t be so sensitive, okay?” After realizing her malicious intent, I even brought it up to Liam. But Liam just laughed, calling me petty. Now, her blatant hostility was practically etched on her face. “You’re all about the princess drama, but where’s your crown? Do you feel miserable if Liam isn’t fawning over you for even a day?” “And now you’re deliberately faking an allergy to get Liam’s sympathy?” Liam’s friends snickered mockingly. “I’m genuinely allergic to cilantro, please, give me the medicine!” I screamed, my voice raw. The private room fell silent for a second, then a fresh wave of booming laughter erupted. Amidst the chorus of jeers, Chloe’s voice was the loudest. Her every word dripped with malice. “Hahaha, she’s really getting into it now! Your acting deserves an award!” “Liam, you’re not actually feeling sorry for her, are you?” Before Liam could reply, his friends chimed in, mocking him. “Oh no, pitying women brings bad luck for life, buddy!” “Dude, don’t tell me this drama queen actually got to you? You can’t spoil a woman like that!” Liam, provoked, completely abandoned any thought of intervening. He tilted his head back, nose in the air. “Who’s feeling sorry for her? I think she got off too easy!” He kicked my leg. “Stop faking it, or I’m seriously done with you!” Seeing no reaction from me, he hesitated for a moment. Just as he was about to step forward, Chloe stopped him. “I told you she’s an incredible actress, Liam! You almost fell for it! Who gets a purple face from an allergy?” I struggled to lift my head, desperately squeezing out a few words from my throat. “The medicine… quick…” Before I could finish, Chloe pressed my head down, then forcefully slapped my face twice. Instantly, my face swelled up, turning crimson. “Are you looking for this?” She pulled out a small bottle of pills, poured the white tablets into her palm, and then playfully tossed them up and down. My gaze followed the pills’ every movement. “Give them… to me… now.” My breath was weak, and I struggled to reach out and grab them. But just as my fingers brushed the pills, Chloe suddenly pulled her arm back, stepping a few paces away. I collapsed onto the nearby sofa, watching helplessly as Chloe dumped all the pills from her hand into an ashtray. Then she poured some beer into it. The white pills mixed with the murky liquid, swirling together, dark bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass. I couldn’t help but dry heave a few times.

“Oh, look at that! What did I tell you? She’s still grossed out, doesn’t look allergic to me!” Chloe looked at me impatiently. Liam’s face was grim, his eyes filled with annoyance. “Stella, stop making a scene, can I please have a normal birthday?” One of Chloe’s friends rolled her eyes. “Seriously, your little tricks are old news, we used to do that in middle school. Can’t you come up with something new?” My entire body began to spasm, each breath feeling like a knife tearing through me. “No… I’m really allergic…” How I wished someone would save me, but in the entire private room, not a single person made a move. Chloe pulled Liam to a nearby sofa. “Forget about her, let’s cut the cake. If no one pays attention to her, she’ll be fine.” After Liam cut the cake, Whether by accident or on purpose, Chloe’s hand slipped, and a large dollop of cream splattered all over her chest. Everyone started to tease and egg them on. “Chloe, are you giving us a new show?” “Forget paper, why doesn’t Liam just lick it off?” “That’s not a punishment, that’s a reward! Hahahaha!” “Liam’s girlfriend isn’t going to get jealous, is she?” “She’s too busy faking an allergy, she wouldn’t notice!” They giggled and laughed, a chorus of mockery. My vision was blurry, but I felt Liam glance in my direction, then lower his head to Chloe’s chest. Amidst the rising cheers, I saw their two figures intertwined. It felt like a thousand ants were gnawing at me, every part of my body pricked with needles. I struggled to get up, wanting to crawl out, but as soon as I lifted my head, my strength vanished. In my despair, I suddenly remembered that a few days ago, a pill had popped out of its box and into my pocket. I frantically fumbled for it. The moment my fingers touched the pill, my breath hitched. I clutched the pill tightly in my hand, slowly pulling it out of my pocket. With the pill almost to my mouth, my heart hammered with excitement. But my hand trembled uncontrollably, and I lost my grip. The white pill rolled onto the floor. As I reached out, a leather shoe stomped down on it. Chloe stood on her tiptoes, grinding her heel hard onto my swollen, sausage-like finger. The piercing pain stole even my ability to scream. “Why?” Why are you doing this to me? Chloe squatted slightly, her eyes level with mine. “I hear your family is pretty wealthy, and you’re an only child. What if you died? Wouldn’t your parents give all their assets to your devoted fiancé?” “And then, if I married your fiancé, wouldn’t all that wealth end up in my hands?” My rage surged, making me want to kill this monster. She never intended for me to live! But her hopes were dashed. Even though my parents only had me as a daughter, ours was a family business, and the Harrisons had several cousins in the extended family. Even if I died, other Harrison family members would take my place as the new heir. My eyes burned with fury. But to Chloe, my anger made me look like a clown. Chloe curved her lips into a smile, like a demon straight from hell. “You’re really tough to kill, aren’t you? How about I give you a little push?”

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During our camping trip, my mom and I were suddenly engulfed by a wildfire. My husband, Brendan, didn’t hesitate. He plunged into the flames and saved my mom. When I woke up, the first thing I did was ask him for a divorce. Brendan looked utterly bewildered. “Are you really divorcing me just because I saved your mother first?” I remained perfectly calm, nodding decisively. My mom rushed into my hospital room, falling to her knees by my bed. Her eyes were red and swollen, tears streaming down her face as she clutched my hand, pleading desperately. “Cassie, please don’t be mad at Brendan because of me.” “It’s all my fault, every single bit of it. I’ll die if it means you won’t divorce him, okay?” I was unmoved. “Then go ahead and die.” The relatives present immediately started pointing fingers, calling me an ungrateful wretch, a useless burden. Even the nurses passing by looked at me with disgust. Brendan stepped in front of the relatives, then turned to me, his voice cracking with despair. “Cassandra Reynolds, are you even human? That’s your mother!” “Was I wrong to save her?!” I just sneered. “Yes, you were wrong!” ………… When I received the divorce papers, Brendan stormed into my hospital room, his face a thundercloud. “Cassie, there’s a limit to how much you can throw a tantrum!” “Your mom almost burned alive, and now she’s in the hospital, sobbing herself unconscious because of you. She’s still there, you know.” “This is all because you filed for divorce. Don’t you feel any guilt?” I simply gazed at him, my expression perfectly serene, saying nothing. Seeing my silence, Brendan’s brow softened slightly. “I know, as a woman, you might be jealous that I didn’t get to you first, and that’s understandable. But that’s your mother.” “She’s so heartbroken because of you, she’s been on a hunger strike, begging for your forgiveness.” “Go with me now. Apologize properly.” While he spoke, I casually scrolled through my phone. I posted some good news on Ins, celebrating my upcoming single status. After hitting send, I slowly looked up, a faint smile playing on my lips. “What does my mom’s hunger strike have to do with me?” “I’m not a chef. You should look for the reason in the food, not come to me.” Brendan froze, dumbfounded. It took him a long time to recover, finally shaking with rage as he spat, “You’re utterly unreasonable!” With that, Brendan turned and stormed out of the room. Later that day, when I went to check out, I was surrounded by a mob of relatives who had come to visit. They grabbed me, a chorus of angry voices barraging me with accusations. “You really are a heartless, ungrateful viper! Your mom wasted all her love on you!” “You look respectable, but you’re rotten to the core! Your husband must have been cursed from birth to marry a drama queen like you!” “Divorcing over such a minor incident? You’re a total embarrassment!” I listened to their onslaught with cold indifference. Finally, my patience snapped. “Can you move? I need to check out.” Just then, Brendan walked past, holding a payment receipt. Seeing me, he spoke softly, “Cassie, your mom misses you. Why don’t you go see her?” I remained noncommittal. “Just sign the divorce papers already.” Brendan’s eyes immediately reddened at the corners. “The situation was urgent back then, I could only save your mom, who was closest.” “If you’re still holding a grudge, I’m truly sorry, okay?” He then looked at me, full of desperate hope. “I just beg you, please go see your mom. She hasn’t had a drop of water since yesterday.” “Just one glance, even one glance would be enough.” Before I could refuse, my relatives dragged me to my mom’s bedside. Seeing me, a flicker of joy crossed my mom’s eyes, quickly replaced by a cautious vulnerability. She spoke timidly, “Cassie, please don’t be mad at Mom.” “Mom will kneel and apologize to you. Just don’t divorce Brendan.” With that, she struggled out of bed and dropped to her knees in front of me with a thud. She repeatedly bowed her head to the floor, murmuring “I was wrong,” and “I’m sorry” over and over again. I stood there, completely unmoved. Brendan quickly intervened, stopping my mom. “Cassandra Reynolds, do you have any conscience left?!” “Your mom is on her knees, and you’re unaffected? Your mom is bowing to you, and you just accept it? Aren’t you afraid of facing divine retribution?” I slanted a cold glance at my mom. “Did I force her to kneel?” “If you truly can’t stand me, then sign the divorce papers.” Brendan glared at me, speechless for a long moment. Just then, my dad, Richard, burst in, slapping me without hesitation. “How could I have such a heartless, vicious daughter?!” “Are you really going to divorce over something so trivial?!” “If you still consider me your father, pack your things and go home now! Stop embarrassing us out here!” I clutched my red, tingling face, my voice sharp. “Then I can pretend I don’t have a father!” “Ungrateful child! Ungrateful child! Are you trying to kill me?!” My dad clutched his chest, pointing a trembling finger at me, his face a mask of grief and fury. My expression remained blank. “No matter what you say, I’m divorcing him!” A few older women among the relatives couldn’t stand it anymore and rushed forward, punching and kicking me. “She’s not human, damn it!” “This inhumane monster disowns her own parents! Today, I’m going to make sure she can’t walk away!” My mom rushed to pull them away, but it was useless. So she knelt in front of them, tears streaming down her face, begging them to let me go. “Don’t hit my daughter, please!” “Hit me instead! I deserve it, it’s all my fault!” Brendan’s eyes were red-rimmed. He spread his arms, shielding me, saying all sorts of kind words on my behalf. “Aunts, please don’t hit Cassie. She’s just confused right now.” “I believe Cassie will come to her senses once she cools down. Please, let her go.” Thanks to my mom and Brendan, the blows stopped. But I felt no gratitude whatsoever. Instead, I pushed him away with disgust. “Sign the divorce papers already.” Brendan froze, then his eyes turned red with anger. “What do you want me to do? Is this small issue really worth divorcing over?” The aunts, who had just been calmed down, were enraged again by my words. They rushed forward, grabbed my hair, and started dragging me out. I gasped in pain but couldn’t break free. I was dragged out of the hospital room like dead weight, attracting curious onlookers. The women dragged me, shouting. “Everyone, come and see! This is Cassandra Reynolds, the most famous PhD from Pacific Crest University, but secretly she’s a total scumbag!” “She’s so ungrateful! Her mom and husband always treated her well, but because her husband chose to save her mom, who was closer during a fire, this heartless wretch is demanding a divorce!” “Everyone, judge for yourselves! Does a woman like this deserve to be called human?!” Hearing this, the onlookers also became furious and started cursing at me. Even a three-year-old, at the urging of an adult, threw trash at me. “Die, you wicked woman!” Amidst the venomous words, in the chaos, someone pushed me, and I passed out. When I woke up, I found that the video of me being dragged had been posted online. Many netizens traced the video back to my private accounts, spewing all sorts of insults and personal attacks. Even worse, they went to my alma mater and workplace, causing trouble, splashing chicken blood and dog blood. My university expelled me overnight, and my company announced they had fired me and would never re-employ me. My former close colleagues were now standing by my bedside. “Cassie, what were you thinking? Divorcing for your own selfish reasons? You’re almost thirty, not some greenhorn fresh out of college, sister!” “Hmph, I think some people are just good at pretending, and now they don’t even bother to pretend anymore.” “Maybe there’s some big secret she’s afraid of, that’s why she’s purposely making a scene to get a divorce?” I merely looked down, fiddling with my fingers, completely unfazed. Seeing this, my colleagues rolled their eyes in exasperation. “Do you really think you’re so special? Your alma mater expelled you!” “I don’t know how a woman like you even survives. In ancient times, such an unfilial daughter would be executed!” Brendan burst in then, physically separating them. He said righteously, “Please don’t treat my wife this way. She used to be good to me.” “Please don’t speak ill of my wife without knowing the facts.” Then, Brendan cautiously turned to me. “Cassie, are you okay?” “I’m sorry, I was paying the bills just now. I promise next time, I’ll be the first person you see when you wake up.” My gaze was icy. “Brendan Sterling, I want a divorce.” Brendan looked at me with sorrowful eyes. “Wife, please don’t say such things.” “Whatever you’re unhappy with, I’ll change it.” “I swear, from now on, no matter what happens, you’ll be my priority.” I averted my gaze in disgust. At that moment, Melody Lane, an influencer known as “The Gossip Queen,” aimed her phone screen at me and aggressively challenged me. “Cassandra Reynolds, what are your thoughts on being expelled by your alma mater and your company announcing they’ll never re-employ you?” “Is it true that you’re jealous because Mr. Sterling saved your mother, and that’s why you’re pushing for a divorce?” “There are rumors online that you’re pregnant with your sugar daddy’s child and are deliberately using this incident as a pretext to maintain some semblance of dignity. Is this true?” I nodded indifferently. “I believe justice is in the hearts of the people.” “Yes, you’re right. I am jealous, but I still won’t change my decision.” “No matter what, I will get a divorce.” This live stream once again sent several topics trending. #In A Traffic Accident, Would You Give The Hope Of Life to A Stranger Near by Or A Distant Relative?# Eventually,it evolved into #Perfect Husband And Mother Harassed By Vicious Ungrateful Daughter#. Even when I was discharged, the topic’s popularity only grew. A week later, my divorce lawsuit went to trial. On the day of the public hearing, due to immense public pressure, the court, with my permission, streamed the proceedings live. Brendan stared at me, eyes full of desperate longing. “Cassie, can you really bear to throw away our six years together?” “Didn’t you always say that if we made it past the seven-year itch, we’d truly become each other’s family?” “But now, we’re only a month and eight days away from the seven-year itch. How can you be so heartless and abandon me?” Six years of a relationship wasn’t easy to cut ties with. Especially since, when Brendan and I first got together, I supported his startup through seven failures. He was deep in debt then, and our backgrounds were vastly different. When my dad found out, he absolutely refused to let me be with him. He even confiscated all my identification documents. I threw tantrums, went on a hunger strike, even threatened suicide, but couldn’t change my dad’s mind. “Honey, he’s nearly a million in debt. What kind of life will you have if you marry him?!” Later, I pretended to compromise, then secretly took my documents and escaped with him to another city to work. Only after he had cleared his debts and his company showed significant success did he bring me back to this city. At that time, all our relatives praised my dad for his keen judgment of character. And I became my dad’s pride and joy. I genuinely believed my marriage was a happy one. A loving couple, treating each other with respect. Until… My thoughts snapped back to the present, and I sighed softly. “Brendan, I’m giving you one last chance.” “Agree to divorce empty-handed, and I’ll drop the lawsuit.” Brendan’s eyes reddened in disbelief. “Cassie, we’re almost family. You know I can’t live without you.” “And you’re taking me to court over such a small matter.” He looked at me with deep disappointment. “Cassie, I’ll say it one last time. Come home with me.” “I know you have your tantrums, and I’m happy to indulge you.” “As for the false rumors online, I’ll clear them up for you.” Seeing his stubborn refusal, my frown deepened. “Since you’ve already said we’re almost family,” “Then you should also know that I never fight a battle I’m not prepared for.” With that, I pulled out my briefcase. Brendan had shared a bed with me for years, so he knew me well. Seeing my resolute attitude, he paused, then his expression softened into one of deep affection. “Family shame shouldn’t be aired in public. Whatever divorce drama you want to cause, do it at home.” “Withdraw the lawsuit now, and we’ll go home and talk this through properly.” “Wife, you know how important you are to me. Divorcing me is like forcing me to die, isn’t it?” I was nauseated by his sappy declaration. I took a laptop out of my briefcase. My expression remained unchanged. “Brendan, did you really think that by destroying those paper documents, I wouldn’t have any strong evidence left?” “What?” A flicker of panic crossed Brendan’s eyes. “Wife, I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” “Let’s go home, okay? I’ll listen to whatever you say.” Seeing he was utterly unresponsive, I sneered and decisively unlocked the laptop.

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The day before year-end bonuses were due, Mr. Sterling, the GM, called me in for a chat. He told me my salary was disproportionately high, causing friction among the team and undermining morale. He wanted to cut my salary specifically and reallocate my year-end bonus to Brittany, our new hire who got the job through connections. I readily agreed, then decided to fully check out. The next day, the client suddenly put a hold on their payment. The entire company couldn’t afford a single cent of year-end bonuses. Mr. Sterling desperately called me that night, begging me to help recover the payment. I simply replied: “Me taking on too much of the payment recovery myself? That’s not good for team morale. We should really spread that responsibility around.” “Cassidy, management wants you to lead the way with this salary adjustment. You have the highest salary in your team, and it’s causing a lot of resentment among your colleagues. It’s not good for team cohesion.” Year-end bonuses were supposed to be issued tomorrow, but Rob Jenkins, my direct superior, had just called me in to tell me my salary was being cut. I was completely stunned. I’m the team leader and a core technical expert. Isn’t it normal for me to have the highest salary? “When did the company make salaries public? Aren’t we not supposed to discuss pay? How would other colleagues even know about the difference in our salaries?” I questioned, snapping back to reality. “Well… secrets don’t stay buried forever, do they?” Rob’s eyes darted away. He quickly added, “Your year-end bonus has been ‘balanced’ by leadership. It’s been reallocated to Brittany, the new hire. Younger talent needs more encouragement to grow faster.” “Fine by me, no problem.” I considered it for only three seconds. Rob seemed speechless, clearly surprised by how quickly I agreed. “Great! You’re really seeing the bigger picture. I’ve got high hopes for you!” It was laughable. I’d worked my butt off all year. During crunch times, I was practically living and breathing the project, working around the clock. Now, instead of a reward, I was being punished. Back at my desk, Brittany was sitting in my chair. My data hard drive was plugged into my computer tower, and all my other belongings were gone. “Cassidy, I find my old desk too chilly because of the AC, so I asked Mr. Sterling if I could sit here. You don’t mind switching with me, do you?” “Where are my things?” I asked calmly. “Oh, Cassidy, you’re not mad, are you? If you’re upset, I can totally switch back. Your stuff is all at my old desk, nothing’s missing.” I glanced at my team members around us. Usually, they’d be joking around with me, but now they were all hunched over, pretending to be busy. “No need. You can sit there all you want. You can be the team leader too, for all I care.” I threw out the line and walked over to Brittany’s old desk. “Cassidy, are you serious?” Brittany actually ran with my words. “Mr. Sterling just talked to me too. He said us young people need to be brave and take on more responsibility, to help you out. I was worried you’d be annoyed.” The moment she finished speaking, Mr. Sterling walked over and announced to everyone, “Starting this year, we’ll be implementing a rotating team leader system. Brittany has two years of experience studying overseas. Her technical skills are certainly not an issue, and she has a language advantage. So, from today, she is our new team leader, and she’ll also take over as project lead for the LL account. Cassidy, you’ve been busy all year, so you can take this opportunity to rest a bit.” Everyone was stunned by the news. The office fell silent instantly. Everyone knew Brittany was Mr. Sterling’s niece. She essentially bought a degree overseas, and her English was so bad it sounded like she was butchering the language, let alone understanding any tech. Now, they weren’t even pretending anymore; they were just openly pushing her into the position. “Congrats, Team Leader Brittany! Lead us to new glories!” I started clapping, and soon, scattered applause followed. After Mr. Sterling left, I turned and walked to the stairwell, pulling out my phone to call the client. “Uncle, please don’t send that payment to our company just yet. My boss says too much money could undermine team cohesion.”

My uncle burst out laughing at my words, but then, realizing the situation, he swore, “Your company is bullying you?! I told you long ago to come back to our company and enjoy being the client, but you wouldn’t listen, insisting on doing that grueling, thankless tech work for a vendor. Regretting it now? Come back and help me manage this whole operation.” “I regret it, but it’s not time to leave yet.” Cutting only my salary, suddenly removing me from my team leader position, and giving my entire bonus to Brittany – it all pointed to one truth: they wanted to force me to quit without paying a single cent of severance. In recent years, the real estate market has been tough, dragging the construction industry down with it. The design sector has been struggling more each day. I’ve seen it countless times at design firms over the years: unscrupulous management’s go-to method for layoffs. Instead of paying the standard severance package, they’d cut salaries or only pay minimum wage, while drastically increasing workload to grueling, burnout-inducing hours, essentially forcing you to quit. That way, the company wouldn’t owe you a dime, because *you* couldn’t handle it and left. Our company had forced out many core talents this way. I hadn’t been treated like this before, perhaps because they still needed me for projects, or maybe my turn just hadn’t come yet. Our company was a well-known architectural firm in the industry. But with business shrinking to only post-service for old projects and new business failing to grow, the company began to push its operational pressures down to the production staff. They called it “everyone is a business owner,” and back then, as a team leader, I was burdened with millions in contract pressure. My mom saw how exhausted I was from constantly running around, so she directly arranged for my uncle to entrust our company with the design project for LL Group’s new international five-star hotel chain—our family business. The total design fee alone was ten million. So, the biggest client for my current company was actually my family’s business. According to the contract, this was the first year of our collaboration, so the full payment wasn’t due by year-end. In fact, given unofficial industry practice, payment delays of several years are quite common. But my uncle, worried I wouldn’t get my year-end bonus and would be upset, specifically instructed his finance department to pay our company half of the design fees in advance. I’ve always been low-key, just focusing on design and site visits. They had no idea about my connection to our client. After confirming that the client would make the payment tomorrow, they were so afraid that I, as the project lead, would get the lion’s share of the bonus that they rushed to remove me from my position. Too bad for them. This time, the person they tried to get rid of was the company’s financial lifeblood. Even if they wanted to lay me off, I would have accepted a legal severance package. But using such dirty tactics against an employee who’d worked for eight years? No way was I going to stand for it. I decided to fully check out, and enjoy watching them celebrate their year-end bonuses.

It was almost noon, so I leisurely went to the mall downstairs for lunch, then came back and took a nap in my car. Before, to meet project deadlines, I’d just grab a quick bite in the cafeteria and rush back to work, racing against the clock. Now? Well, it wasn’t my problem anymore. Life without a client breathing down your neck really was different. At precisely 2 PM, I walked into the office right on time. My desk was still in the messy state Brittany had left it, piled high with stuff, the computer tower not even plugged in. I glanced at it, grabbed some tissues, and headed to the restroom. “Cassidy… Cassidy, send me the revised optimization design drawings for the hotel’s executive floor. The client’s project manager is hounding us.” Brittany spotted me like a lifesaver, rushing over in her high heels. “We can talk about whatever later, I need to use the restroom first.” I brushed her off and headed straight to the bathroom. I put my phone on do not disturb, played a couple of rounds of a game, then caught up on a show for a bit. My legs were getting a little numb, so I stood up, planning to scroll through some TikToks. Suddenly, I heard Brittany screaming like a banshee from the doorway, “Cassidy, did you fall into the toilet? I called you a dozen times and you didn’t answer! The client is hounding us, didn’t you hear?” I waited for her to finish her tirade before slowly emerging. “Oh, my phone accidentally got put on do not disturb. I’ve had a bit of an upset stomach today.” She often used the excuse of an upset stomach when she was slacking off. I was just learning from the best. Brittany was frantic, too agitated to be angry. She dragged me directly to my desk. “Stop messing around, just start drawing the plans!” “I can’t. My computer isn’t even set up yet. How can I draw?” “Go use my computer! Dustin, help her set up her computer!” “No, I’m not used to other people’s computers.” “…” Brittany was speechless. Realizing I was doing this on purpose, she completely lost her temper. “If you don’t want to draw, then don’t! Dustin, you optimize this drawing! I refuse to believe this company can’t function without her!” Dustin mumbled, saying his previous proposals had been rejected multiple times. Brittany asked around, and everyone confirmed that Marcus Lee, the project manager, was a professional, picky, and not easily fooled. No one but me could satisfy him. Brittany had only been in our department for a short time and didn’t really understand the situation. “It’s just a design optimization, it’s much simpler than applying for art school abroad,” Brittany said, pushing Dustin aside and sitting at the computer herself. “I’ll do it myself.” “Yeah, with a ‘returnee’ talent like Team Leader Brittany personally on the case, the client is sure to be amazed,” I said, pulling out my phone and opening a puzzle game. Brittany scoffed, then opened the CAD software. Five minutes later, she asked Dustin, “Which button do I click to copy a graphic?” I’d just taken a sip of tea and nearly choked. She cleared her throat, clearly flustered. “We used Apple systems overseas. I’m just not used to this outdated system.” Fine, whatever makes you happy. Hopefully, you can convince the client to switch to the same computer system as you. Brittany fumbled around for ages, clearly struggling. She eventually pulled Dustin over and sat beside him, verbally directing while Dustin operated the mouse. The two of them struggled all afternoon and still couldn’t get it right. Brittany had already called Marcus Lee several times, sweetly apologizing. At 5:29 PM, I stood by the time clock. The moment it hit 5:30, I scanned my face and vanished from the office. I hadn’t even driven out of the parking lot when Mr. Sterling’s call came in.

“Cassidy! Everyone else is busy revising drawings, where are you? The client has been hounding us all afternoon, are you deaf or blind? Get back here and work overtime immediately! The drawings must be submitted by midnight tonight!” Mr. Sterling roared into the phone. “Huh? The client didn’t call me,” I replied calmly. “Besides, with Team Leader Brittany personally on the case, the client will surely be handled with ease. I won’t cause any more trouble, I’m just heading home.” “She just started, she’s not as familiar with the client’s preferences as you are. Get back here now, this is a direct order! Do you even want your year-end bonus?!” “Year-end bonus? Didn’t mine all get given to Brittany? She can help me with the overtime too then.” “Fine, you can forget about getting a single penny!” Mr. Sterling fumed, hanging up. I casually switched my phone to do not disturb and went to dinner with my best friend, Chloe. Life without overtime was truly wonderful. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a proper get-together with friends, all because of work. This past year, I’d been leaving the office at 9 or 10 PM almost every day, and all-nighters were a common occurrence. Upper management at the company thought our poor performance was due to insufficient workload. But the drastic decrease in business wasn’t the employees’ fault. The operations department wasn’t expanding the market, yet they blamed the production department for not having enough work? Pure corporate genius. The next day at 9 AM, I clocked in on time, planning to slowly eat my breakfast delivery after. Absolutely no personal errands during work hours. Walking into the office, I found my entire team asleep at their desks. As soon as Dustin saw me, he rushed over like he’d found his savior. “Cassidy, you’re finally here! We couldn’t reach you at all last night. We’ve been revising like crazy, and the client just won’t approve anything! Mr. Sterling made us all work overtime and wouldn’t let us go home.” I looked at them, remembering the countless nights we’d fought side-by-side to conquer various projects. Yet yesterday, when I was removed from my position, not a single person stood up for me or even offered a word of comfort. It’s hard to find a job these days, and everyone has their difficulties. I understood, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t bothered. “Team Leader Brittany is a high-level returnee talent. With her, I’m sure everything will be fine,” I said dismissively. “Of course, with me on the case, it’s a sure thing. Otherwise, why would I be the team leader, and those with less ability just do grunt work?” Brittany strode in, looking spirited, a stark contrast to her frazzled state from yesterday’s revisions. She didn’t even look like she’d pulled an all-nighter. Up close, she looked refreshed, even a little flirty, better than her usual self. Mr. Sterling followed close behind, a triumphant look on his face. “Cassidy, I told you young people have stronger abilities and broader ideas. Did you think the client wouldn’t approve the drawings without you? Surprise! Brittany handled the client overnight.” I was a little surprised. Last night, Marcus Lee, the project manager, called me late, asking why our company had suddenly changed project leads. I told him the truth, and he said if it affected the project, he would hold our company legally responsible. Marcus had always been very responsible; it was impossible he’d be so easygoing and just change his mind. Unexpectedly, Mr. Sterling continued to instruct, “You all continue working today. Brittany already talked to the client yesterday, and they agreed the drawings can be submitted by midnight tonight. Cassidy, I’ve had someone set up your computer. No more excuses not to revise the drawings, right?” Oh, so “handling the client” just meant getting one more day to submit the drawings. “Alright, I’ll definitely work diligently on it during my work hours,” I readily agreed. “Good, that’s the right attitude. As long as the client is satisfied, once the payment clears this afternoon, I’ll even ask finance to give you a few hundred extra for your year-end bonus.” Mr. Sterling and Brittany, seeing my “submission,” laughed and walked away. As Brittany left, she gave Dustin a look, clearly telling him to keep an eye on me.

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