I spent three years as Robert’s ghost artist, getting him accepted into Parsons and nominated for prestigious industry awards. Everyone thought I was just a desperate hanger-on, untalented, yet foolishly trying to ride the coattails of a genius. The day he received his award, he kicked me out of the studio in front of everyone, claiming my aesthetic was outdated and I was only fit to be a grunt for truly gifted women. No one knew I endured all his insults and exploitation because his mother had paid off my father’s staggering eight-million-dollar high-interest loans. The moment the debt was settled, I immediately resigned, blocked him, and left the country. Three years later, I returned to the States as the Creative Director for Dior North America, overseeing the opening of its flagship store. And he? He was stuck beyond the velvet ropes, not even cleared to enter. During the opening ceremony, my gambling-addict parents burst in, causing a scene and accusing me on a live stream of being an “ungrateful daughter” and “sleeping my way to the top.” Standing in the crowd, Robert learned the truth for the first time. All those “masterpieces” he’d spent years boasting about? Every single one had been painted by me.

Vivian POV I’d built up Robert’s career, even though he was useless. The entire design world believed I was just his little sidekick, madly pursuing him. Robert stood in front of the poster celebrating his CFDA Award nomination, informing me that my services were no longer needed. “Vivian, your taste is too old-fashioned. It just can’t keep up with my current style.” “You’ve put in three years of hard work, I’ll give you that. But the person I need now is someone with true talent, like Ashley, not some useless little assistant.” I said nothing, glancing at my phone. A notification from my banking app clearly showed the loan had been fully repaid. “Alright, congratulations, Robert, on going solo.” No one knew I’d endured his endless criticisms and truly awful taste purely because his mother had paid off my father’s massive high-interest gambling debt. With the slate wiped clean, I was reclaiming my talent. “Is she really not even going to cry or beg to stay?” “Without Robert’s studio behind her, she won’t even land a layout job at some ad agency.” The studio interns whispered among themselves. The moment they saw Robert approach, his arm linked with Ashley in her designer attire, their expressions shifted instantly. “Vivian, that hick, really doesn’t fit the studio’s international vibe anymore.” “I bet she’ll be back in three days, begging for any job, even scrubbing floors.” Robert adjusted his cuff, a smug smile spreading across his face as he listened to their remarks. “If she truly repents, I might consider letting her come back to clean the studio and order sandwiches.” I took one last look at them, then walked through the hallway lined with Robert’s works, and left. The mocking laughter behind me fell on deaf ears. All I ever wanted was to break free from that expensive garbage heap and create something truly my own.

Vivian POV The air tasted of freedom the moment I left Robert’s studio. A memory flashed: forty-eight hours straight at his graduation piece, until I collapsed against the easel. All Robert cared about then was whether the canvas had been damaged. From now on, every brushstroke would be mine alone. My phone buzzed. It was my father. The moment I answered, a torrent of abuse erupted. “Vivian! Why hasn’t this month’s allowance come through yet? Are you slacking off at Robert’s studio?” I held the phone away from my ear, my voice flat. “Your gambling debts are paid, I’ve quit, and you’re not getting another dime from me.” A second of silence, then my mother’s shrill scream pierced through the phone. “Go beg his mom to get you another job! Even if it’s just being a housekeeper, you have to stay with them!” “I’ve been paying your gambling debts for three years. Legally, I have no obligation to keep filling that bottomless pit.” I hung up immediately and blocked their number. If my father hadn’t been a compulsive gambler, piling up massive high-interest debts, with loan sharks dousing our apartment with paint and threatening to cut off his hands… If the chairwoman of their family’s massive conglomerate-Robert’s mother-hadn’t made an offer: she’d clear our debts if I became Robert’s ghost artist, ensuring his admission to Parsons School of Design and his eventual fame… I wouldn’t have spent three years as a soulless hand, chewing up my inspiration and feeding it to that talentless hack, all while publicly flattering him and playing the part of his devoted sidekick. It was all just for survival. Back in my tiny ten-square-meter apartment, I began the final cleanup. The room was cluttered with discarded sketches-those Robert had deemed too profound, not commercial enough, and tossed aside. I fed all these drawings into the shredder. The machine’s roar swallowed the unsigned works. I wasn’t going to end up doing layouts for an ad agency, as they’d predicted. My portfolio was strong enough that I’d already received a full scholarship acceptance letter from Central Saint Martins in London. My parents wouldn’t let me go easily. A famous designer daughter, in their eyes, was a walking ATM. I had to get away. While packing my suitcase, I found a Montblanc pen. Robert’s mother had casually given it to me that first year I helped him win the Newcomer Award. Robert’s initials were still engraved on the barrel. I tossed the pen into the trash. Things that didn’t belong to me, no matter how expensive, were still just garbage. Just before the cabin doors closed on my flight to London, my phone vibrated. It was a text from Robert. He sent a voice message, his tone filled with entitled questions. “Why did you leave the work group chat? Where are the old color swatches?” Seeing no reply, he sent a text. “Vivian, stop playing games. Even if I have a new muse, you’re still my assistant. Stop messing around. I have a Vogue interview next week, you need to help me prepare the sketches.” I looked at the screen, a cold smile playing on my lips. He was so convinced I couldn’t survive outside his shadow, so entitled that he took my continued ghost-painting for granted. Just as I had for three years, he assumed I’d obediently send him the sketches he needed. On screen, “Typing…” flashed persistently. I stared at his profile picture: a posed photo at a gallery, with my painting The Drowner displayed as his backdrop.

Vivian POV I pulled out my domestic SIM card, snapped it in two. Along with the ID badge that read “Robert’s Studio Assistant,” I tossed them both into the airport trash. The plane soared into the clouds. The city lights below transformed into flowing ribbons of light, and the place that had buried three years of my youth vanished completely. From this moment on, no one would know I was a gambler’s daughter, no one would know I was Robert’s shadow. I was just Vivian. I put on my eye mask and fell into the most peaceful sleep I’d had in three years. A few years flew by quickly. Later, I heard that Robert went from being certain I’d return to becoming increasingly irritable, and his work’s quality plummeted. Publicly, he claimed it was an exploratory transitional period, subtly hinting on social media that his former assistant was “ungrateful.” Meanwhile, I started anew in London as a free artist, studying under a renowned master jewelry designer. Fueled by sweat and talent, my “Aurora” collection shone brightly at the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show, winning the Golden Design Award and landing me the role of Creative Director for Dior North America. My return to the States was because Dior was set for a major upgrade in the North American market, and headquarters sent me back to oversee the opening of their first flagship store and a haute couture exhibition. Before my return, backstage at my graduation show at Central Saint Martins in London, I was fluently directing models to adjust their jewelry. My gaze was sharp, confident, no longer that timid Cinderella. When my mentor announced that my work had received the highest honor, I stood center stage on the runway, basking in applause that was entirely my own. This time, no hiding backstage, no giving my name to someone else. At Dior headquarters, the global CEO pushed an appointment letter across the table to me, hoping I’d return to the States to expand the market. He also mentioned the fierce competition there, including the influence of a local prodigy named Robert. Hearing the word “prodigy,” I couldn’t suppress a laugh-the kind of laugh reserved for a joke. The CEO looked a bit puzzled. “Vivian, you know him? I hear he’s the most outstanding rising talent of his generation.” I picked up the pen, a playful glint in my eyes. “You could say I know him… But I’m confident I can show Dior what a true genius is, and what a manufactured fraud looks like.” On the flight back, I flipped through a fashion magazine. Robert and Ashley were on the cover, with the sensational headline: “The Power Couple of Design: Robert’s New Inspiration from His Beloved.” Inside, the so-called new works were a vulgar mishmash of piled-up elements. Without my input, his inspiration had clearly dried up like a desert. Ashley’s ‘muse’ effect wasn’t cutting it. Just before the plane landed, I received a gossipy text from a headhunter. “Director Vivian, be careful when you get back. I hear a brand called ‘Ashley Jewelry’ has been constantly issuing press releases, claiming Dior’s designs are copying theirs…” I turned off my phone, watching the city skyline grow clearer outside the window. Classic hypocrisy. Ashley Jewelry, Ashley… A few years gone, and your audacity has grown as thick as your skin. The plane touched down. I was back home.

Vivian POV At the site for Dior’s flagship store, the mall manager gushed with sales pitch, pointing at blueprints and pushing a remote spot. “Director Vivian, this location might not be on the main thoroughfare, but it’s spacious, and we guarantee foot traffic…” I didn’t look at the blueprints. I pointed directly at the light fixtures on the ceiling. “The natural light refraction angle here is thirty-five degrees. After 3 PM, the jewelry will produce glare. Plus, the customer flow was a dead end.” I looked at him, my voice very even. “Are you trying to pull one over on me?” Cold sweat broke out on the manager’s forehead, and he stammered, unable to speak. “I want the spot in Section C, directly facing the main entrance.” I retracted my gaze, an unyielding tone in my voice. “Also, inform the engineering department. I’ll be adjusting the lighting myself. I don’t want my creations ruined by cheap lighting.” While inspecting the mall, I passed a store under renovation. A huge poster on the hoarding showed Ashley wearing an exaggerated necklace, with the tagline: Ashley Jewelry – Redefining Luxury. The design elements of that necklace, twisted vines, were a crude imitation of one of my discarded university sketches. Robert had picked up my old trash sketches and cobbled them together for Ashley? It was disgusting. It felt like watching someone eat their own vomit. I looked away and instructed my assistant. “From now on, within a hundred meters of any Dior store, I don’t want to see these low-end knock-offs.” On my first day back, I ran into Jessica, an old high school classmate, at a cafe in the trendy gallery district. “Vivian? Is that really you?” I turned around. She was staring wide-eyed, openly appraising me from head to toe. I was wearing a sharply tailored black suit, its brand indiscernible but the quality exquisite. Gone were the paint-splattered messiness and the deliberate blandness of high school. Time and refined taste had given me a minimalist yet sharply assertive edge. Jessica dramatically covered her mouth. “Oh my god, I thought you were still overseas, hiding from debts… Oh no, I mean, studying. You’re dressed so… plainly. Are you selling art at some gallery?” I sipped my black coffee, saying nothing, looking at her as if she were an idiot. My gaze seemed to sting her, and her tone turned even more bitter. “It really is you! What a coincidence! There’s a class reunion tonight, just upstairs, and Robert will be there! He’s the headlining guest now, putting on a solo exhibition!” Robert? I was about to politely decline, citing work. But then I considered Dior’s upcoming collection; there seemed to be a certain thematic overlap with this exhibition. I was curious to see what he could draw without my hand. “Alright.” I pulled out my phone and sent a message to my assistant. “Cancel the brand reception scheduled for next week. Contact the media directly. I’ll be appearing at the Emerging Artists Joint Exhibition in the gallery district tonight, and bring that intellectual property infringement report with me.” Since we were meeting, I might as well bring a big gift. In the evening, I went directly to the exhibition party in my all-black work attire. It was a Dior haute couture suit from the current season, yet to be released. I was too busy to change, but it fit the occasion perfectly. The elevator doors opened. The entrance to the exhibition hall was overflowing with flower baskets from Ashley-a gaudy, unbearably tacky display of red and green. I walked in, dressed in minimalist black, looking out of place, yet exceptionally striking amidst the crowd. Good taste, it seems, truly is innate.

Vivian POV I entered the exhibition hall, not rushing to find anyone. Paintings lined the walls. I stopped in front of the central piece, titled “Rebirth.” It was Robert’s showcase work. The technique was ostentatious, the composition haphazard, a mere pile of paint trying to convey emotion. It was truly difficult for him. Without my help to refine it, his real skill was like exposing his artistic nakedness. Pushing open the minimalist glass door of the VIP lounge, the crisp clinking of champagne glasses washed over me. I scanned the room, my gaze settling on the main display area. Robert was giving a media interview. He looked more like an artist than he did in high school, with a carefully trimmed beard, wearing a linen designer shirt, striking affected poses. A woman with garish clothes and plastered with logos, as if price tags were stuck to her forehead, was clinging to his arm. It wasn’t the popular girl from back then. It seemed his taste had deteriorated even more than I’d imagined. Through the crowd, I heard Robert speak into the microphone, his voice full of feigned emotion. “The inspiration for this painting comes from the most painful severance deep within my heart. I lost a… very important assistant. But it was precisely this pain that shaped who I am today.” I almost laughed out loud. To present being dumped by me in such a pristine way-he really was a true theatrical personality. “Oh my god! Look! Robert! Your little sidekick, Vivian, is here!” A sharp-eyed male classmate suddenly shouted. The refined atmosphere of the exhibition hall instantly crumbled. All eyes, filled with surprise and schadenfreude, swiveled to focus on me. Robert spun around, his champagne glass shaking slightly. That profound, artistic demeanor instantly collapsed, replaced by ghost-struck shock and the uneasy feeling of being exposed. The woman beside him, sensing his sudden stiffness, dug her fingers into his arm. She looked at me with a gaze as if scrutinizing a counterfeit, then spat out my name. “Vivian?” I ignored the whispers and walked directly to a sofa in the exhibition’s lounge area, casually picking up an exhibition catalog to flip through. I remained perfectly composed, as if what I was reading wasn’t people’s mockery, but the beautifully printed garbage in my hands. Jessica was the first to approach. She looked me up and down, her gaze lingering on my black suit. “Vivian? Is that really you? That gloomy black outfit, did you get it from a discount store? It doesn’t even have a brand label. Look at us, we’re all wearing designer brands today.” I turned a page in the catalog, not bothering to look up. “It’s my work uniform. Easy to keep clean.” It was indeed my work uniform, a Dior haute couture utility suit from the current, unreleased season. A male classmate nearby burst into laughter, his voice dripping with humiliation. “Work uniform? Looks like being an overseas returnee means you’re doing manual labor. Are you moving art at some gallery, or a wall painter? My renovation company happens to need someone to paint murals; we pay by the hour. Interested?” Jessica covered her mouth, feigning sympathy. “Oh, don’t say that. Vivian, if you’re really struggling, I can give you some of my old season clothes to help you look presentable. The talented girl from back then, now so down on her luck she can’t even afford a brand label. It’s quite heartbreaking to see.” Amidst the chorus of mockery, I looked up at Robert. He didn’t join in the mockery, but he didn’t stop it either. He was staring intently at my hand as I flipped through the catalog, his eyes shifting nervously. In his gaze, beyond arrogance, there was a new layer of fear. He was afraid I would publicly critique his work and embarrass him. I closed the catalog and returned his gaze with a knowing smile.

Vivian POV The air was thick with sycophantic praise for Ashley. Ashley deliberately twirled her wrist, showing off her brand’s new bracelet. My gaze swept over the jewelry-the prongs were too long, completely obscuring the main stone’s fire, and there were obvious solder marks at the metal joints, typical of mass-produced factory work. That such shoddy pieces could be called independent designs truly meant the bar for the domestic market had lowered. Seeing such garbage pollute my vision filled me with a sense of the absurd. Ashley scoffed, looking down at me. “Vivian, do you remember those days when you used to clean Robert’s brushes and run errands for coffee?” She linked her arm through Robert’s, her tone boastful. “Now Robert is a master designer, and I’ve founded my own jewelry brand, ‘Ashley Jewelry,’ and we’re in talks to enter top-tier malls. We’re the perfect blend of art and commerce.” Everyone around nodded in agreement. Ashley looked at me as if offering alms to a beggar. “If you’re truly starving, you can come work as a setter at my factory. It’s hard work, but at least you’d be dealing with jewelry, which is better than doing odd jobs out there.” “No, thank you. I’m allergic to lab-grown cubic zirconia.” Ashley’s cheek twitched, and she instinctively covered the main stone on her bracelet with her other hand. Her movement was too quick, fueled by guilt. So you knew it was fake. Seeing that she hadn’t managed to humiliate me, Ashley shot me a disdainful glance and threw out a bigger bait. “I understand, after all, people at your level don’t get to rub shoulders with the truly elite. Do you know who I’m collaborating with next? Dior’s new Creative Director!” The room instantly fell silent. Ashley reveled in everyone’s attention. “That director is young and brilliant, a visionary in the design world, incredibly hard to get an appointment with. But, I’ve already secured an invitation to her private viewing through internal connections.” She turned to me, her voice laced with both threat and a false promise. “Once Dior and I finalize our collaboration, perhaps I can ask her to give you a few pointers. That would be a blessing you couldn’t earn in a lifetime.” A gasp of admiration went through the crowd. “Oh my god, a Dior executive!” “Ashley, your connections are out of this world! You’re even connected with a top luxury brand like that!” A bystander asked curiously, “Who exactly is this Creative Director?” Ashley tilted her chin, lying without a flicker of hesitation. “She’s a very distinctive talent, and we’ve had some very engaging chats via email.” I closed my book, leaning slightly forward, watching her with interest. “You two are very close then? Did she ever mention what her least favorite design element is?” Ashley froze for a moment. Then, she brazenly fabricated, “Of course it’s… mediocrity! Like your kind of mediocrity!” I said nothing, just smiled at her. Ashley seemed flustered and turned to Robert for affirmation. “Robert, you also think we can collaborate, right?” Robert looked embarrassed, his gaze still fixed on my face. “I hope we can collaborate.” I looked at the crudely imitated necklace around Ashley’s neck, my expression undisturbed. Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the exhibition hall entrance. David, Dior’s PR director, hurried in clutching an urgent document. “Excuse me, please… I have an urgent matter that requires the director’s signature.” He was impeccably suited, a folder stamped with the Dior gold logo in hand, his expression tense and deferential. The moment Robert saw him, his gaze shifted. I knew he’d noticed it-the haute couture brooch on David’s lapel. This was no junior staff member. Robert’s palms grew damp. He took a subtle step forward, an instinctive move toward proximity and influence. But David’s attention never drifted toward Ashley. It remained, intently, on me.

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On the way to the bridal shop, my best friend Chloe sent me a video. There was my fiancé, Liam Miller, in a nightclub, his eyes locked on several strippers and clearly enthralled. One even trailed her hand suggestively between his legs. Tonight was supposed to be our appointment to choose my wedding dress. No wonder he had claimed a late night at the office. “Which club?” I texted Chloe. Then I drove straight there. To everyone else, Liam was the quiet, dependable type, a reserved programmer. In our relationship, I was usually the one to take the lead, even in bed. Now I was going to see exactly what kind of wild side this honest man had been hiding. By the time I reached the nightclub, the music was deafening. Chloe stammered when she saw me. “Honestly, Audrey, guys look…it happens! But Liam? I never would’ve guessed. The man used to blush just talking to a woman.” A wave of nausea rolled through me. “Then there’s no wedding,” I said flatly. It wasn’t an overreaction. Liam, to me, had never been “other men.” We were high school sweethearts. Back then, he was unassuming-most girls even found him nerdy and unattractive. But to me, he was brilliant, kind, and loyal. After graduation, that once-awkward nerd quickly climbed the ranks to become an executive at a top tech firm. My friends all envied me, saying I had excellent taste. “A guy like your fiancé, rich and faithful? That’s practically a unicorn these days. You’re so lucky!” I couldn’t stomach the thought that the man I’d loved for so many years was just like every other jerk out there. Chloe, not wanting to get involved in my personal drama, made an excuse and left. I found a quiet corner and silently watched Liam. Not long after, a song ended. A beautiful girl in sequined thong walked directly off the stage and sat right on Liam’s lap. She wrapped her arms around Liam’s neck, tilted her head, and whispered something to him. Then, I watched Liam smile, a wide, joyful grin, as he looked at her. My hands shaking, I recorded the whole thing. Perhaps he sensed something. Liam suddenly glanced in my direction. The next second, his expression changed, and he started walking toward me. “Audrey, what are you doing here?!” I sneered. “Am I interrupting something?” He lowered his head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have lied to you. I promise you, Skylar and I haven’t done anything inappropriate or crossed any lines.”

I lifted my head, meeting Liam’s eyes. “Skylar? The stripper who was just sitting on your lap?” Before Liam could answer, I continued, “You lied to me, refused to go wedding dress shopping, just to watch her dance. If that’s not ‘crossing a line,’ then what would you consider it?” A flicker of annoyance crossed Liam’s eyes. He rubbed his temples, sighing. “I swear, I wasn’t planning on doing anything.” Liam glanced in Skylar’s direction, then said, “Let’s talk somewhere else.” With that, Liam didn’t wait for my refusal. He simply gestured for me to follow him. I hesitated for a few seconds. But in the end, I followed him. My eyebrows lifted when Liam walked into the ice cream shop. “I thought you hated ice cream?” “Tried it once. Wasn’t bad.” He shrugged. “Remembered you liked it.” “You tried it once… with Skylar?” A flash of surprise crossed his face. “Yeah, but don’t read into it. I did her a small favor. She insisted on buying me one as thanks.” I  laughed. But the laugh turned hollow, and a quiet wave of sadness pulled under it. “Sophomore year, I waited in line and bought two. You took one bite and threw yours away.” Liam looked blank for a second, then recollection dawned, tinged with a shallow apology. “Sorry. I didn’t…appreciate the gesture back then.” I remembered fighting with him over it. To me, it was pure disrespect. To him, I was just being difficult. After we sat down in the ice cream shop, I looked straight at Liam. “Tell me,” I said, my voice deceptively calm. “How long have you known that stripper?” I was desperate to know what made her so special, what had changed Liam. “She’s not that kind of woman, really!” Liam immediately defended her. “Skylar works as a dancer to pay for her college tuition. I offered to sponsor her, but she said she wanted to do it on her own. And she only dances; she never crosses lines with clients.” Seeing my silence, he continued, “To Skylar, I’m just a regular client. Audrey, I really haven’t cheated on you.” I scoffed. Hadn’t cheated, or just hadn’t gotten the chance? “She told you she didn’t need your help, so why do you keep seeing her?” I retorted, sarcastically. “I decided to come on my own. Skylar doesn’t know anything, you shouldn’t talk about her like that!” he explained.

I’d never imagined Liam, the man I’d envisioned a lifetime with, would one day defend another woman right in front of me. It wasn’t until Liam’s hand touched my cheek that I realized I was crying. I fiercely pulled away, wiping my eyes haphazardly. “Liam, I’m not the type to cling on. If you have other feelings, just tell me now, before we’re married!” Liam grabbed my hand, this time not giving me a chance to pull away. “Audrey, I really don’t have other feelings, I just…” He looked frustrated again. I waited for Liam to continue. But a long time passed, and he said nothing more. Taking advantage of Liam’s grip loosening slightly, I tugged my hand free. “Let’s both cool off.” Just as I was about to stand up and leave, a female voice came from behind me. “Liam, I SnapChatted you, but you didn’t reply. So this is where you are!” As she spoke, Skylar walked up beside us. “Hi there!” Skylar’s vibrant smile momentarily stunned me. By the time I reacted, I’d instinctively replied, “Hello.” Skylar then turned to Liam. “Liam, you promised you’d come to dinner tonight. You wouldn’t flake on us, would you?” Liam looked at me, clearly uncomfortable. “Do you have plans tonight, Audrey? Do you want to join us? The more, the merrier!” Skylar’s demeanor was so open, so natural. It seemed she truly saw Liam as just a friend. But that didn’t mean he didn’t have other thoughts. I picked up my bag and stood. “I’ll pass. Have fun, you two!” With that, I turned and walked away. Under my watchful eye, Liam chose another woman. I don’t know how I made it home. The moment I stepped through the door, my two little cats rushed to greet me. I scooped them both into my arms. Feeling their warm, furry bodies, I belatedly registered the sharp ache and suffocating tightness in my chest. I don’t know how long I’d been sitting on the couch when my phone rang. It was my mother. The moment I answered, her voice bubbled with excitement. “How were the photos? How much longer?” I drew a slow breath, holding back the pressure behind my eyes. “We didn’t take them. Something came up for Liam. He canceled.” Mom paused, only slightly thrown. “Liam’s a busy man, sweetheart. You have to be patient. Did you reschedule? That photographer is impossible to book. If you postpone again, will it still be in time for the wedding? We could always find someone else, I suppose.” My mind was a complete mess. Afraid she’d hear the fracture in my voice, I made an excuse and ended the call. I opened my SnapChat conversation with Liam. In the three hours since we’d parted ways at the ice cream shop, he’d sent me two messages. One asked if I’d gotten home safely. The other said he would give me an explanation. I thought about Liam’s hesitation earlier, the way he kept almost saying something. I thought about his repeated assurances that he hadn’t done anything to betray me. As I slowly calmed down, a seed of doubt began to grow. Just as I was debating whether to confront Liam, a message from an unknown number arrived with a photo. Though it only showed a forearm, I recognized the mole on Liam’s wrist. Glancing at the location tagged below the photo, I grabbed my bag and left.

The location indicated a private club, not somewhere just anyone could go. With a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me, I parked my car in the club’s lot. Liam had a regular private room there. I stood at the door to the room, took a moment to compose myself, then slowly pushed it open. “Are you insane? Do you even remember you’re getting married?” Hearing that, I instinctively held my breath, stopping my movement. “I am insane. The moment I saw Audrey at the club, I regretted it, but what good is regret? I can’t control my feelings!” “What do you mean you can’t control it? You just want to have your cake and eat it too! If you’ve fallen for that girl, then be honest with Audrey!” “I can’t picture my life without Audrey…but Skylar pulls at me. Lately I keep wondering, what if I’d never gotten together with Audrey? Would everything be different? I’m so tired. Skylar makes me feel…alive.” I listened at the door for a long time. Liam said that I was “suitable” for him, a “habit.” He didn’t know when, but our love had morphed into something akin to family affection. And Skylar, she made him feel a long-lost joy. … When the conversation inside the room shifted to other topics, my hands trembling, I saved the recording. Sitting back in my car, I couldn’t hold back my emotions any longer. I sobbed, head buried in the steering wheel, for what felt like an eternity. By the time I finally calmed down, it was past midnight. Another message from Liam had appeared on my phone. He said he’d rescheduled the photography session for three days later. He also promised he would absolutely keep his word on everything he told me in the future, and he’d never abandon me again. I drove to my parents’ house. They were already asleep. Afraid to make any noise and wake them, I lay on the couch all night. The next morning, when my parents woke up, I told them directly why I’d come home in the middle of the night. “I don’t want to marry Liam anymore. Please, arrange some blind dates for me.” My parents were stunned. I didn’t want to explain too much, so I simply played the recording for them. Dad hadn’t even heard half the story before he exploded. “That two-timing bastard! Who does he think he is?!” Seeing his rage, I kept my voice steady. “It’s a good thing I found out before the wedding. Dad, I know our family and the Millers have joint ventures. Calling off the engagement will hit the company hard. So I’ll do it. Arrange a marriage with someone who can help us through this. I’ll marry whoever can secure our family’s position.” I owed my parents this much. Their unwavering support was the reason I’d lived such a sheltered life all these years. Liam was my choice. But facts proved my judgment was terrible. So, I was willing to accept my family’s arrangements and contribute to the company’s development. Mom’s eyes welled up with tears, her heart aching for me. Dad was silent for a long time before finally saying, his voice hoarse, “If the engagement is called off, our family’s impact will indeed be greater than the Millers’. Since you’ve decided to break up with Liam, I’ll find you a good match.” With that, Dad looked up at me. It was then I noticed the tear stains in his eyes too. “Audrey, you’ve grown up so much. It’s my fault. I failed to protect you from this.” To prevent the Millers from causing further trouble after the engagement was called off, Dad worked quickly, making arrangements and setting a time for me to meet my blind date. Coincidentally, the rescheduled photoshoot with Liam was on the same day. The day before my blind date, Dad informed the Miller family that the engagement was off. Soon after, my phone buzzed with countless calls and messages from Liam and his parents. I didn’t reply to any of them, blocking them all in one go. On the day of the blind date, I arrived at the café half an hour early. My date had arrived even earlier. After introductions, Noah Sterling and I laid out our situations. We were in the middle of a surprisingly easy conversation when a hand closed around my arm and hauled me to my feet. “Audrey! What are you doing?” I glanced at the unwanted guest beside me. Rubbing the spot he’d gripped, I kept my voice cold. “If your eyes work, you can see I’m on a date.”

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My childhood best friend gave up his offer from a top university abroad for a scholarship student he liked. Half an hour before the submission deadline, his Instagram updated. In the soft glow of candlelight, he was gently placing a birthday crown on her head. The caption read: “Some choices are more important than your future.” My best friend, Chloe, called me: “Lily, are you still going to help him submit his university application? You have three minutes left.” I closed the page and watched the countdown. “No, I’m not. This is it. I’m only paying for my own future.” At exactly 6 PM, the Stanford application system automatically closed. Chloe sighed with relief on the other end of the phone: “You finally came to your senses! Now I can come visit you in California during spring break next year!” Just as she was speaking, the familiar chime of the smart lock echoed from the door. Noah walked in with Sarah, as if they owned the place. “Lily, you submitted your grad school application, right?” “I told Sarah that staying here for grad school is the most practical path for her, given her situation. But she was still worried, so she insisted I come confirm with you.” “See? She’s even more concerned about your plans than I am.” He said, ruffling the hair of the girl beside him with a helpless smile. After deciding not to stay here with Noah, many of my emotions actually calmed down. I no longer felt a lump form in my throat when I saw Sarah hold his arm. I nodded: “Yes, it’s all submitted. Do you guys need something?” Noah frowned, looking at my flat expression. “Lily, what’s been going on with you lately?” Sarah subtly tugged at his sleeve and spoke softly: “Lily, you know my family’s situation…” “Going abroad is just too expensive. Even with a full scholarship, I can’t afford the living expenses or plane tickets.” “My grades are just average, so it’s better for me to stay here and work on projects with a professor. I might even get a small stipend.” “It’s all because of me that Noah gave up going abroad.” “Don’t be mad at him. He’s been helping me contact professors all afternoon, so he didn’t have time to tell you in person…” Listening to her timid, almost fragile explanation, I asked directly: “Didn’t you know about these difficulties at the beginning of the application process?” “Why did you wait until now to say something?” Sarah seemed startled, and her eyes instantly welled up. “I… I discussed it with Noah a long time ago. It’s just that we only finalized the decision today…” Discussed it a long time ago? I lowered my gaze. So while I was pulling all-nighters with him, planning our future and acing practice tests, dreaming of watching sunsets on the West Coast together, he was already mapping out a different future with Sarah. Seeing my silence, Sarah’s voice grew softer, tinged with a sob. Noah placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone turning cold: “Enough, Lily.” “When I made the final decision, didn’t I send you a message?” “There’s no need to be so aggressive.” His words hit me like a bucket of ice water, snapping me back to reality. I looked at his familiar yet suddenly strange face, then shifted my gaze away: “I’m not angry. I just wanted to know why.” Now I understood, and finally, I could let go. Noah and I grew up together. After my father passed away, my mother was often abroad, managing the international branch of her company. She came home less than twice a year. Most of the time, it was just me and my grandmother at home. Some relatives always gossiped, subtly criticizing my mom for being a “career woman” who was “never home,” or hinting that our family was “missing a strong male presence.” I didn’t want my grandmother to be sad, so I’d often hide under the tree in the backyard and cry. That’s when Noah would crouch down in front of me. He’d stand up for me against those relatives, and later, he’d bring me a slice of cake every day after school. From then on, I became his shadow. We went to school together, studied for exams together, and in countless late nights, we cheered each other on for our dreams. We promised to go to America together, apply to the best schools, take a road trip on Route 66, and watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Once we got there, we’d officially start dating. Until last year, when Sarah appeared. She was a scholarship student from a disadvantaged background, sponsored by Noah’s mother. Because her old high school was struggling, she’d received a special transfer to our high school and was temporarily staying with Noah’s family.

At first, Noah wasn’t thrilled about her. He was quiet at home and kept his distance at school. But Sarah would quietly follow him, organize his study notes, save him a seat in the cafeteria every day, and even collect his lab reports. Her cautious demeanor sometimes reminded me of my old self. So, back then, I often told Noah to be nicer to her. But he’d just brush it off. Later, we got into the same university. Sarah, wanting to be with him, applied to the Sociology program, known for having the lowest admission requirements that year. Then one day, we went to the department office to submit some paperwork, and we saw Sarah alone in the corner of a lecture hall, discreetly wiping away tears during an English listening practice. Noah’s expression at that moment was complicated. There was surprise, guilt, pity. Perhaps even a hint of an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher. From then on, everything changed. He would cancel our weekend dates to help Sarah with her English. He would accompany her to her general education classes because Sarah’s roommates were giving her a hard time. This afternoon, he texted me, saying he decided to give up going abroad and pursue his Ph.D. here at home alongside Sarah. I froze for a long time, but more than anything, I felt a sense of relief. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Noah was so sure I’d follow his lead and stay. He didn’t even ask about my choice before leaving with Sarah. That evening, at a group dinner, they were already there when I arrived. I picked a seat furthest from Noah. But he kept staring at me, his eyes full of complex emotions. One of the guys at the table chuckled, teasing: “Lily, why are you sitting so far away?” “You better keep a closer eye on him, or someone else will snatch Noah away!” Everyone at the table knew exactly who that “someone” was. Sarah didn’t deny it; instead, she blushed and glanced at Noah. A classmate spoke up for me: “Don’t talk nonsense. Didn’t Noah and Lily promise to study abroad together?” Before I could speak, Sarah softly interjected: “Noah didn’t accept the overseas offer.” “He was worried I wouldn’t adjust well abroad, so he decided to stay here with me instead.” There was a subtle, almost imperceptible hint of triumph in her voice. The table fell silent for a moment. Someone asked me: “Lily, really? You don’t mind? You two started preparing since sophomore year, right?” I looked at Sarah’s slightly upturned lips and calmly said: “No, I don’t mind.” “Everyone has their own path to follow.” Just like Noah chose Sarah. And I chose my own way. Halfway through dinner, I stepped out to take a call. When I returned, I found Noah and Sarah had moved to the seats next to me. Noah, his cheeks flushed and slightly tipsy, leaned closer: “Lily, I know you’re upset that I decided to stay here for grad school.” “But you know Sarah’s situation. Going abroad would be too much pressure for her.” “Staying here, she can continue receiving her scholarship, and also be close to her ailing mother.” “She’s so soft-spoken and has never traveled far. You wouldn’t want her to be alone abroad, right?” “Sarah said if you want to travel overseas, we can save up after graduation and go together.” “Don’t be so stubborn, okay?” I pushed his leaning shoulder away: “I said, I’m not angry.” “But, isn’t Sarah struggling with basic living expenses? How can she afford to plan an international trip?” *Clatter!* Sarah’s glass clattered onto the table. She bit her lip, her eyes instantly red: “Lily, I know your family is well-off, and you’ve always looked down on me.” “I plan to save up for the trip by working as a tutor, and I’ll pay Noah back.” “Do only people like you have the right to see the world?” “Do people like me deserve to be stuck here forever?” “I don’t steal or cheat. Every penny I earn is my own.” “Please stop talking down to me like that.”

The classmates started whispering: “Lily went a bit too far with that…” “She’s capable, but sometimes she can be a bit overbearing.” “If it were me, I’d also choose someone gentle like Sarah.” Sarah’s tears began to fall. Noah’s gaze turned completely cold: “Lily, apologize to Sarah.” Chloe couldn’t help but retort: “But wasn’t she the one constantly crying about being poor?” “Lily just asked a question, following her lead. Why should she apologize?” “She had three months of summer break. She could have interned or gone home to help her family.” “But now she’s not working, she’s not home, she’s just following you around everywhere, *and* she’s planning a trip? Who else would Lily be talking about?” Sarah cried even harder. Watching the scene unfold, I just felt exhausted. I pulled Chloe up, ready to leave. Noah grabbed my wrist, his voice laced with anger: “Lily, apologize.” “Otherwise, you won’t be coming on the graduation trip.” My wrist was clutched so tightly it hurt. I pried his fingers open one by one, then looked up at him: “Noah, you and Sarah can go wherever you want.” “Please don’t drag me into your affairs.” “And from now on, don’t come looking for me again.” With that, I turned and left. That night, Sarah posted on Instagram. The photo showed her and Noah at an amusement park. Caption: “Meeting you was the best luck.” I glanced at it, feeling a strange calm. I continued packing my bags, preparing to vacation in the city where my mother lived and worked. After my plane landed, my phone was flooded with messages. All from Noah. “Lily, Sarah and I are planning a graduation trip to California. It’s not too late to apologize and book tickets with us.” “There’s nothing going on between Sarah and me. She just posted that Instagram to say thanks.” “Lily, I really don’t understand you.” “How incredible this domestic Ph.D. opportunity is, what’s so bad about it?” “You’ve already secured your spot, why are you being so stubborn?” I scrolled past the messages, leaving them unanswered. Noah had thought of everything for Sarah, covering all her bases. But he never considered that my father had passed away years ago, my mother’s career was overseas, and my grandmother needed to be moved to a warmer climate down south for better care. Staying here wasn’t the best option for me. When I arrived home, a tall, well-built young man was sitting in the living room. He stood up and took my suitcase: “Do you remember me? I’m Ryan.” Ryan, the son of my mother’s friend, two years older than me, was pursuing his Ph.D. in California. Learning of my decision to go abroad, he’d made a special trip to help me get acquainted with everything beforehand. For two full weeks, Noah didn’t contact me again. His Instagram was updated daily with travel photos of him and Sarah. Meanwhile, with Ryan’s help, I familiarized myself with the courses, found an apartment, and got used to life across the ocean. Only after all the paperwork was done did I return home again. This time, it was mainly to handle the sale of my old family home. My mom was worried, so she asked Ryan to come with me. As soon as we entered the neighborhood, we ran into Noah’s mother, returning from grocery shopping. She warmly insisted we come over for dinner. Unable to refuse, and hearing that Noah and Sarah weren’t home, we went upstairs. Noah’s mother chattered as she cooked: “Lily, that Noah, he’s infuriating.” “He secretly turned down his overseas offer without telling anyone. I only found out when the university’s confirmation email landed in my inbox.” “Thankfully, he said you also decided to stay, otherwise, I’d have given him an earful.” “When you two are doing your Ph.D.s here, you’ll have to help me keep an eye on him.”

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My roommate used my name to date a billionaire online, but sent him her own beautiful photos. So when the billionaire discovered I was just a 200-pound fat girl, he furiously destroyed my family’s company. My parents jumped from a building in despair, and I followed them down. My roommate came to my grave wearing a huge diamond ring, her face full of grievance: “Rosalie, he proposed to me! It’s such a shame you jumped so early. Otherwise, with your 200-pound body as my bridesmaid, you would’ve made me look absolutely stunning by comparison.” “I only used your name to date him online because I felt sorry for you—fat as a pig and obviously never having experienced love. Who knew that the moment he saw you, he’d be so disgusted he’d bankrupt your family? I hope you’ll be happy in your next life.” Fortunately, I was reborn. Now, there are still three months before Adrian sees me. In this life, I’ll make her understand that using someone else’s name requires repaying with your life.

“WHAT?!?!” “You ordered me a limited-edition Ferrari?!” A piercing shriek shattered the dorm room’s peace. The two roommates scrolling on their phones immediately looked over. Kimberly Shaw had already bounced up to sitting position on her bed, her face filled with uncontrollable joy and showing off. “Adrian, you’re not kidding, right?” She glanced at me, deliberately pressing the speakerphone button. Billionaire Adrian Chase’s indulgent chuckle echoed clearly through the small dorm room: “Baby, it’s just a car. Why would I kid about that?” “I saw it in France and thought the red would suit you perfectly.” “Wait three months for me to return home—the import paperwork will be done by then too. I’ll personally deliver the car to your dorm.” The call ended. After a few seconds of silence came the envious squeals from the other two roommates. “Kimberly! Adrian really bought you a Ferrari?” “Oh my god… you’re so lucky!” Kimberly climbed down from her bed amid the amazed exclamations, walked over to me, and shook my arm coquettishly: “Rosalie, will you come with me to meet Adrian when the time comes?” “This is my first online relationship. I’m so scared of being catfished.” I looked up, my gaze landing on that face written with innocence. In my last life, I was fooled by exactly this act. My heart softened, and I nodded. In the end, I paid for it with three lives from my family. Kimberly transferred into our dorm during junior year. At that time, she had just been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. This disease required long-term high-dose steroids and supplements. Not only was the treatment expensive, but the medication’s side effects would cause crazy weight gain, swelling people up like balloons. And Kimberly’s family situation—forget medication costs, they couldn’t even scrape together her living expenses for next month. When her illness flared up, she could only hide in the dorm and cry. Back then I felt sorry for her, so I went home and begged my parents. The Connor family not only funded all her university expenses but also let her use Connor Pharmaceuticals’ new drug early. This medication had minimal side effects and didn’t cause obesity, but it hadn’t officially launched yet. At my repeated requests, my parents specially approved access, providing this new drug to Kimberly as “compassionate use medication.” This preserved her prized beauty and slender figure.

But my kindness only fed a viper. Senior year, she secretly used my name to hook up with billionaire Adrian Chase. She claimed to be the Connor Group heiress but sent him her own heavily edited beautiful photos. In my last life, also today, she received Adrian’s call about delivering the car and asked me to accompany her to meet him just like this. I agreed. Three months later. Adrian really showed up at the school gate driving that Ferrari. Kimberly linked arms with me and excitedly went up to greet him. But when Adrian called out “Rosalie” to the carefully dressed-up her, Kimberly acted like a startled rabbit, pretending not to know Adrian at all, her face blank and innocent as she pointed at 200-pound me: “You… you must have the wrong person. She’s Rosalie Connor.” Adrian’s face instantly darkened. He thought I had stolen Kimberly’s photos to deceive his feelings. In his rage, he used his power to destroy my family. And after my parents and I jumped to our deaths in despair, Kimberly finally found Adrian with tears streaming down her face, crying out her “difficulties”: “Adrian, the person who dated you online was actually me.” “I was too insecure. Your family background is so good, and I’m just a poor student with nothing. I was afraid you wouldn’t even look at me, so I used Rosalie Connor’s name…” “That day at the school gate when I pretended not to know you, I wanted to know whether you liked me as a person or just the identity…” Adrian lovingly pulled Kimberly into his arms and immediately proposed. “From now on, you don’t need to borrow anyone else’s name.” “Because in this world, there’s no more prestigious name than Mrs. Chase.” What a touching love story. Too bad it was built on the corpses of my family of three. “Rosalie, are you not answering because you don’t want to come with me?” Kimberly’s voice pulled me back to reality. I pulled my hand back expressionlessly, avoiding her touch. “Yeah, I don’t want to.” Her expression changed instantly. She leaned close to me, using a volume only we could hear, gently stabbing with her words: “Jealous?” “Jealous that I have Adrian? Jealous that he casually gifts me a Ferrari while you can’t even get a boyfriend?” Malice gleamed in her eyes as she smiled. “Before, you threw money at me and watched me be grateful—felt pretty good, didn’t it?” “Now it’s my turn to rise up. Rosalie Connor, that pitiful sense of superiority you had is completely shattered, isn’t it?” “Done talking?” I asked. Kimberly was momentarily stunned by my flat reaction. She was about to continue when I already had my phone out, dialing the butler. “James, immediately stop all assistance to Kimberly Shaw.” “Including her monthly specialized medication.” The butler’s voice came through the phone steadily: “Miss Connor, effective immediately?” “Miss Shaw’s medication for next month was supposed to be delivered tomorrow.” “Of course, effective immediately.” I looked at Kimberly’s face gradually losing all color, my voice calm: “From this moment on, the Connor family won’t spend another cent on her.” “And won’t provide another pill.”

After I hung up, the dorm fell deathly silent. The other two roommates looked at me, then at Kimberly, not daring to breathe. Kimberly froze for two seconds, then forced out a stiff, dismissive laugh: “Fine, cut me off! Who are you trying to scare?” “Your family’s sketchy drugs—who knows if they’re even safe? For all I know, you were using me as a test subject! I didn’t want to use them anymore anyway!” “Once my boyfriend comes back, what medication can’t I afford?” I put away my phone, my tone utterly flat. “Fine. Then you just wait.” Kimberly had no idea that without the Connor family’s specialized medication, switching to those ordinary steroid medications on the market, what awaited her. Buffalo hump, pockmarked face, central obesity, purple stretch marks… The beauty she prided herself on. Would deteriorate day by day, swelling, bloating, decaying. I was waiting too. Waiting for three months later, when Adrian saw with his own eyes that his “dream girl” from the photos had become a grotesquely bloated monster—what expression would he have? That scene would definitely be interesting. I didn’t look at Kimberly’s face struggling to maintain composure anymore. I turned and started packing my luggage. “You’re moving out?” a roommate asked quietly. “Yeah.” I stuffed several thick medical textbooks into my suitcase. “Need some peace and quiet.” I needed an undisturbed environment. Because I was going to execute the plan that Kimberly had interrupted in my last life. I studied medicine, and my focus was specifically on metabolism and weight management. Many people found it laughable. A 200-pound fat girl researching weight loss? They didn’t know that this body of flesh was “voluntarily” put on. Freshman year, I had modified a pharmaceutical formula based on pharmacology. Significant weight loss with virtually no side effects. My father was excited and wanted to open a new product line under Connor Pharmaceuticals. But those old fossils on the board of directors scoffed. “Something a kid came up with, and you dare claim no side effects?” “Miss Connor, how old are you? With this kind of credentials, who would believe it?” “Want to prove it? Fine, try it yourself first!” Their challenge actually inspired me. So, with my father’s tacit permission and support, I began my “self-experimentation” plan. I spent nearly two years gaining a hundred pounds through special diet and pharmaceutical assistance. In my last life, just as I was about to start a livestream documenting my entire weight loss journey— Kimberly dragged me to meet Adrian. After that came earth-shattering devastation and family destruction. All my hard work and plans, along with my life, turned to ashes. With this second chance, I couldn’t wait anymore. I zipped up my suitcase. The girl in the mirror was still bloated, but in her eyes, that flame that had been dormant for two lifetimes finally reignited. In my last life, more than one person said that when I was thin, I had a face that could make people forget to breathe. Well then, in this life, I’ll reclaim that dazzling life I should have had, along with the debt they owe me!

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The first time I met the college girl Liam had been sponsoring, I had just chased down a client’s Bentley in my heels to get a contract signed. Watching the sweat beading on my face, Chloe looked me up and down with a critical gaze, then pouted and whined in a sickeningly sweet voice, “Babe~ Is this your top-tier executive assistant? She looks like she just rolled out of someone’s bed. Did she use her body to land this deal?” My professional composure faced an unprecedented challenge. My calm expression almost cracked. Even the dogs digging through trash cans at dawn would call me a workaholic. Headhunters had offered me eight-figure salaries to poach me, and yet someone actually thought I slept my way to the top! I immediately pulled out my phone. “Dad, I’m done with this training period. Once I wrap up this current project, I’m coming home to take over the company.” Before I could even open my mouth to explain, Chloe fumed, “You definitely slept your way into being an executive assistant!” “Liam, get rid of her! Keeping trash like her in the company is just ruining our image!” Liam frowned, soothing her with a helpless tone, “Chloe, you’ve misunderstood.” “Harper is a high-level hire. Her professional skills are on par with my own.” His usually sharp mind seemed completely blinded by love, failing to notice Chloe’s blatant hostility towards me. “Harper has been my executive assistant for three years. Her abilities are impeccable. She’ll be interning you, so learn from her.” Chloe tilted her chin up, looking at me with disdain, “I graduated from a prestigious university. Which garbage school did she go to? Does she even qualify to teach me?” The air froze instantly, but she looked smug, thinking I was too scared to speak. It was Liam who finally broke the silence, “Harper has a Ph.D. from MIT, Chloe. You should learn to be humble.” Chloe’s fair face flushed red, and she mumbled stubbornly, “Who knows if that’s even true…” She shook Liam’s arm, batting her eyelashes playfully, “Well, I’ll have to keep an eye on her then, so she doesn’t get a chance to tempt you!” She saw herself as Cinderella from a fairy tale. And I was just the wicked sidekick, obstructing her love story. Liam rubbed his temples, looking at me with a mix of apology and a plea for help. I instantly understood. Solving my boss’s problems was part of my job. I maintained my smile and said softly to Chloe, “Chloe, you’ve misunderstood. Mr. Davies and I have a strictly professional relationship.” “If you don’t believe me, I can pull up our SnapChat history for you.” Liam seized the moment to placate her, “Chloe, stop messing around. Go wait for me in the break room, I’ll be there after I sign this contract.” Only then did Chloe reluctantly allow herself to be persuaded, glaring fiercely at me before she left. Liam called out to me, his tone somewhat complex, “Thank you for dealing with this. Your salary will be doubled starting this month.” As I stepped out of the office, Chloe gave me a disgusted look and declared loudly, “Harper, you need to change that trashy outfit! Dressed so indecently, who are you trying to seduce?” I looked down at my conservatively styled dress, utterly confused. Before I could even speak, she continued to accuse me, “Your chest is so big, and you deliberately wear curve-hugging clothes. You’re probably just begging people to touch you.” This dress was my standard client-ready outfit; it was nothing like the way she described it! Seeing that Chloe refused to back down, Liam sighed helplessly, “Harper, from tomorrow, please wear a pantsuit to work.” I glanced at the scorching sun outside and nodded expressionlessly. It would be a lie to say I didn’t feel a pang of bitterness. When I was younger, I was dazed with grief after my mother passed away and almost drowned. He saved me. That’s why, when I needed to gain experience before taking over the family business, I chose to come to his company. Even when Davies Corp was on the verge of collapse, I stood by Liam, helping him navigate the tough times and bring the company back from the brink. We were boss and employee, but also the closest of friends. He even used to joke that if we weren’t married by thirty, he’d give me a grand wedding. I never took him seriously. But now, I suddenly felt that he wasn’t the exceptional man I remembered.

Liam Davies invited the CEO of StarCorp Group to a gala at an elite club. As the key project manager, I was also invited to attend. But to my surprise, Chloe Miller was there too. She was wearing an inappropriately short dress, clinging sweetly to Liam. As I was discussing project details, Liam nodded in agreement. Chloe probably felt ignored, so she interjected with a syrupy sweet voice, “Harper is so impressive! She can help Liam close such a huge deal.” “You didn’t happen to get it by flashing your assets at the boss’s house, did you? Thank you for sacrificing so much for our company.” The moment she finished speaking, the private room fell silent. I calmly replied, “Chloe, you’re joking. This project’s progress is thanks to Mr. Davies’ and the other CEOs’ decisive judgment, as well as our team’s professional proposal.” Chloe flashed a suggestive smirk, “I don’t believe it! Harper is so good at everything, her skills in bed must be just as impressive, right?” She was making explicit jokes without any inhibition, which wasn’t just childish, it was utterly foolish! Liam’s brows furrowed. “Chloe, stop messing around.” She playfully stomped her foot, then picked up a glass and held it out to me, “Liam, do you like her? You’re defending her so much!” As she spoke, she “accidentally” fumbled, spilling the entire contents of the glass down my front. The chilled liquid instantly soaked through my dress, revealing the blurred outlines beneath. She gasped dramatically, her malicious smirk barely suppressed, “Harper, I’m so clumsy, I’m really sorry.” “Anyway, you’re going to be entertaining guests with drinks later, so a little wetness just livens things up, right?” Her sarcasm and slander, dripping from every word, were especially grating, as if I were some kind of hostess for hire. Everyone thought Liam and I were more than friends, but not quite lovers. But only I knew that I truly considered him a trusted companion, someone I could depend on. I had pulled all-nighters for months when the company’s cash flow was tight, drinking until my stomach bled to secure an investment. And he had once traveled against the crowd into an earthquake zone to find me when I was on a business trip. Even my dad was surprised that someone as naturally suspicious as me could trust another person so completely. But now, he hadn’t once stopped Chloe’s disgraceful antics. I looked down at the mess on my chest, my gaze turning icy. A few of the partners stepped in to smooth things over, “Chloe, that joke went too far. Harper is a crucial business partner, not a hostess.” “Mr. Davies, your company’s people need to be reined in.” “Harper is a talent we’d kill to poach, Mr. Davies. You should really appreciate her.” Chloe’s expected mockery didn’t materialize; instead, everyone acknowledged my professionalism. I met Chloe’s gaze, chuckling softly, “Since you’re so eager to drink, Chloe, I’m happy to oblige.” Her face instantly fell.

I immediately asked the server for two large glasses and filled them with high-proof whiskey. Seeing me swallow a full glass of whiskey without flinching, Chloe’s face was a mask of shock. I pushed the other glass toward her. “I’m done. You’re not scared now, are you, Chloe?” When I was three, I snuck into my dad’s wine cellar in our French estate and drained a whole bottle of Lafite. This whiskey was nothing. Liam shot me an annoyed glance and said in a low voice, “Harper, stop joking around. Who doesn’t get drunk when they drink like that?” The moment he spoke, I knew he was defending Chloe. I put down my glass, nodded to the other executives, and said politely, “Excuse me, I’m just going to touch up my makeup.” Chloe, however, followed me in. “Harper, do you hate me? You’ve been with Liam for so long, and you never won his heart. You’re just a broken plaything to satisfy his urges!” Seeing that I was too annoyed to respond, Chloe frantically tried to shove me. I instinctively dodged, and she missed, actually slapping herself across the face! I was stunned, watching as Chloe, tears streaming down her face, rushed out. I mumbled a silent “oh no” and followed her back to the private room, where she had already buried her face in Liam’s chest. “Liam, Harper hit me.” “I only wanted to apologize to her in the restroom, but she called me your mistress and said I wasn’t worthy of you.” Liam froze, looking at me with shock and disbelief. She cried so pitifully, yet her words twisted the truth completely. Liam’s brows were tightly furrowed. He looked at the tear-stained Chloe in his arms and asked uncertainly, “Harper, what exactly happened?” I laughed sardonically and sighed. “Mr. Davies, do you really believe such a clumsy setup?” “We weren’t the only two in the restroom just now. Mrs. Thompson from GrandCorp was also there. Why don’t you ask her?” Chloe’s crying stopped abruptly, and she turned pale, making a scene. “Liam, women understand women best. She’s approaching you with ill intentions!” “Harper looks down on me. She wants to be your wife!” Liam was irritated by her crying and looked at me with a mix of scrutiny and disappointment. “Chloe is still young and naive. Even if she said something wrong, you shouldn’t have resorted to violence.” Once, during a business war, a rival company bribed someone to frame me. Back then, Liam stood by me without hesitation, unequivocally stating that he would always believe in me. Now, it seemed even the most unshakable business relationship couldn’t withstand him being blinded by hormones. Seeing me remain silent, Liam still chose to calm things down. He wrapped an arm around Chloe’s shoulder comfortingly, his voice tired, “Harper, it’s a small matter. Do you really have to make such a scene in front of everyone?” “You’re my employee; you should know your place, stick to your duties, and stop dreaming of things that aren’t yours!” “This matter ends here today. You’ll write me a disciplinary report tomorrow!” With that, he put his arm around the still-sobbing Chloe and walked away.

I stood there, watching their retreating backs, and sighed heavily. Mr. Miller, a familiar contact, handed me a hangover tea, saying meaningfully, “Someone of your talent, why endure such baseless accusations? StarCorp Group always has an open door for you.” For some reason, my mind flashed back to Liam Davies at twenty. Young and flamboyant, he faced a failing company without fear. His eyes were determined as he pointed to the tallest skyscraper in New York and said, “Harper, I will definitely bring Davies Corp back to prominence.” But now he had achieved it, yet he had also become a stranger to me. He couldn’t tell right from wrong, and he was no longer qualified to be my business partner. I pulled out my phone and sent my dad a text: [Cancel the partnership with Davies Corp next week. I’ll announce it myself at the press conference.] The signing ceremony with StarCorp Group was held in the company’s conference room, with media cameras pointed at the stage. I meticulously checked the process and contract details, ensuring everything was flawless. This was my last project at Davies Corp, and I had to end it properly. Liam Davies and Chloe Miller appeared together. Chloe was dressed especially elaborately today, in an expensive designer outfit, practically screaming “I’m the lady of the house.” The signing ceremony proceeded smoothly until the final step, which required projecting the final contract for signature onto a large screen. Chloe eagerly volunteered to run the presentation. But the next second, a series of indecent photos appeared on the screen! The woman in the photos had my exact face, naked and entangled with different men in lascivious poses. The conference room was enveloped in a pin-drop silence, followed by an outbreak of gasps. Chloe whimpered in feigned panic, “Oh, I accidentally pressed the wrong button, Ms. Hayes, I’m so sorry.” “I had no idea your computer had so many private photos stored on it!” She seemed to be apologizing, but in reality, she was defaming me, confirming that these photos were indeed mine! And to top it off, she even displayed a forged medical report. The report clearly showed my name, with a diagnosis of an unmentionable STD! Chloe gasped dramatically, “Ms. Hayes, I’d heard your private life was extremely promiscuous, but I never imagined it was true. You wouldn’t infect the entire business community, would you?” She actually used such despicable tactics to ruin my reputation! I was overwhelmed with a crushing sense of humiliation. Liam’s face was pale with fury as he told a staff member to shut off the screen. But the whispers and contemptuous stares from the attendees pierced me like knives. “I can’t believe Harper is so open behind closed doors; her figure is really good.” “No wonder she climbed the ranks so fast; turns out she had special methods.” “Mr. Davies and the company’s reputation are completely ruined. She really is a slut who slept her way to the top.” The signing ceremony ended abruptly. I straightened my spine and walked back to my office amidst the murmurs. I didn’t have many personal items, mostly files and work notebooks. I calmly packed them into a box; there was nothing left to cling to here. The office door was pushed open. Chloe swaggered in, her chin held high in triumph. “So you’re packing up to clear out already? Enjoying the taste of public disgrace?” Her finger traced the prized trophy on my desk. It was the Emerging Entrepreneur Award Liam and I had won together when we pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. He had insisted my name be engraved on it, saying I deserved half the credit. Chloe picked up the crystal trophy, a nasty grin on her face, “Still keeping this old junk? You’re not actually hoping to make Liam feel sentimental, are you?” With that, she made to smash it on the floor! My eyes widened, and I instinctively stepped forward to stop her, “Put that down! Liam and I are just colleagues…”

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A female coworker who’d only been at the company for a month asked to borrow $400,000 from me. I said no. She called me a loser to my face. “A guy in his thirties who doesn’t even have $400k? That’s pathetic if I’ve ever heard it. If I were you, I wouldn’t even want to show my face in public!” She started spreading rumors around the office that I must be a gambling addict. Otherwise, why else would I be broke? What she didn’t realize was my family owns eight rental properties—including the very office building where she works. The second I walked into the office, I could feel everyone staring. Their looks were weird and uncomfortable—people were whispering and pointing. I’d barely sat down when Madison, the new office clerk, let out a bitter laugh. “No wonder you’re flat broke. You can’t even get to work on time. What were you up to last night?” “Probably blew all his cash gambling again. Total degenerate.” I froze and turned to Madison. “Who are you talking about?” Madison rolled her eyes. “Take a guess.” She settled into her desk chair. “Some loser who can’t even scrape together $400k. Just looking at you gives me secondhand embarrassment.” That’s when it clicked. A few days back, Madison had come up to me awkwardly, saying she needed to borrow money to “get by.” I was willing to help with a small amount, but then she hit me with the $400,000 request. And we’d only known each other less than a month. I asked her what the money was for. Madison acted like it was the most normal thing in the world. “Don’t worry about what I need it for. You’re in your thirties—you must have at least $400k saved, right?” “If you lend it to me, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded.” Her finger traced suggestively along my shoulder. I felt a wave of disgust. “I don’t have that kind of money. Ask someone else.” I brushed her hand off and walked away. Madison looked shocked by my refusal. Her expression instantly turned ugly. “You’re pathetic! You don’t even have $400k?” “The boss pays you good money every month, and you haven’t saved a cent? I bet you gambled it all away.” “I’ve seen plenty of addicts like you. You’ll get what’s coming to you.” Before I could respond, Madison stormed off in her tight skirt. Days later, Madison was still bitter about me refusing to lend her money. I frowned, about to say something, when the boss called me into his office. Within two minutes, Madison walked in too. She shot me a dirty look, then deliberately stomped on my foot with her high heel. I winced in pain and instinctively lifted my foot. Madison immediately wobbled and fell to the floor, hitting her forehead on the corner of the desk. The boss jumped up, quickly calling for someone to bandage her up. That’s when Madison pointed at me in front of everyone in the office, sobbing loudly. “Ryan! Why did you trip me? Just because I told everyone the truth, you’re getting back at me?” I was stunned, still trying to process what had just happened. Derek, Madison’s loyal little follower, immediately stepped forward and pointed at me. “Ryan, what’s your problem? Are you even a man? Picking on a woman like that!” I frowned. “I didn’t trip her. Believe what you want.” Derek scoffed, glaring at me. “Bullshit! You expect us to believe Madison tripped and hit her head all by herself?” “You’re just a petty little man who did this on purpose.” That’s when Madison suddenly burst into dramatic tears. “I might as well tell everyone. A few days ago, Ryan came on to me, but I rejected him. I guess he’s been holding a grudge ever since.”

Derek went ballistic, practically jumping out of his skin. His chubby finger nearly poked my nose. “Ryan, you’re delusional! Who do you think you are, hitting on her? Take a good look in the mirror, loser!” Everyone in the office knew Derek had a thing for Madison—he’d been chasing her nonstop. Hearing I’d supposedly hit on her pushed him over the edge. “I like her? Are you kidding me?” I frowned and shot back. Madison looked shocked, then her eyes welled up with tears. She gave the boss a pitiful look. The boss’s face turned stormy. He slammed his hand on the desk, cutting me off. “Enough! Everyone be quiet! Ryan, seriously? Arguing with a woman?” His voice dripped with impatience, like I was the one being unreasonable. Madison shot me a smug grin, her eyes full of contempt and mockery. She and Derek left the office one after the other, trailing a sickly sweet perfume that made my stomach turn. The boss walked over to me. “Ryan, the company’s already struggling. We don’t need this drama. Just let it drop.” He patted my shoulder lightly, but it felt more like an insult than reassurance. His words made me feel suffocated. Just because I’m a guy, I deserve to be bullied, falsely accused, and humiliated? I clenched my jaw, swallowed my anger, and nodded. “Fine.” I turned and headed back to my desk. When I got there, what I saw made my blood boil. My workspace was a disaster—coffee stains and water everywhere. Disgusting. The keyboard was sticky and smelled revolting. Worst of all, the project materials I’d spent a month collecting were soaked in coffee. The papers were wrinkled and stuck together—completely ruined! That was a month of my hard work! “Who did this?” I couldn’t hold back my anger anymore. Several female coworkers who always hung around Madison started snickering. “Oh no, who made Ryan all upset?” “Who else? He got rejected and now he’s embarrassed!” “Tsk tsk, hitting on her and then framing her when she said no. Serves him right!” I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. I knew getting angry would only make things worse. My eyes landed on the security office in the corner. I walked over and knocked. “Come in.” The boss’s voice came from inside, still irritated. I pushed the door open and got straight to the point. “Boss, I need to see the security footage.” “Someone destroyed a month’s worth of my work. They need to be held accountable.” But the boss just frowned and gave me a dirty look. “Ryan, are you ever going to drop this? It’s such a small thing. Is this really necessary?” “It’s just some documents. You can collect them again.” “You’re a grown man. Why are you being so petty? Get out. I’m busy.” When I left the office, Madison gave me a smug look, her eyes full of obvious mockery. She looked at me and spat out one word: “Loser.”

As I packed my things, the gossipy coworkers nearby started whispering again. “Tsk, he really thinks he’s something special. Just a pathetic guy who got rejected.” “Exactly. Look at him, thinking he has a shot with Madison? Total delusion.” Every word reached my ears. I didn’t bother responding. I just packed my stuff and left. Actually, the boss and I went to the same college. He was a few years ahead of me, technically my senior. Back in school, he’d started an internet project and was looking for investors. My dad happened to be expanding his investment portfolio at the time, so I helped connect them. Later, when the boss started his company, I wanted to experience normal work life, so I took a random position here. Over the years, the boss never knew my background, but he’d always treated me decently. But this time, even though he knew I’d been wronged, he chose to side with Madison just to keep the peace. Just because I’m a guy, I deserve to be bullied? The next day, I’d barely arrived at the company when the boss called me into his office. Madison stood next to him, looking at me smugly. The boss’s face was grim. “Ryan, I’ve looked into what happened yesterday.” “Apologize to Madison publicly and cover her medical bills. Then we can put this behind us.” I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity. Madison spread lies about me, and now I have to apologize to her? “Why should I?” The boss’s expression turned even darker. “Ryan! Can’t you be reasonable? The company is in a critical phase right now. Do you have to stir up trouble?” “I’m trying to save you from embarrassment. Otherwise, word gets out that you hit on her, got rejected, and pushed her down? How would that look?” “Besides, Madison’s being generous by not making a bigger deal out of this. Otherwise, you’d be the laughingstock around here.” I laughed bitterly. If I apologized, I’d be confessing to something I didn’t do. “Fine. If that’s how you see it, I won’t apologize, and I won’t pay a cent.” When the boss realized I was serious about quitting, he panicked. “Ryan! Don’t get cocky just because you closed a few deals!” “You think that’s because of your skills? It’s because of our company’s reputation!” “Go ahead and quit! Let’s see if you can land any projects without us!” He pointed at my face, practically yelling. Madison tugged at the boss’s sleeve innocently. “Boss, don’t be angry.” “If Ryan doesn’t want to apologize, it’s okay. I can handle a little injustice.” “Please don’t fire him in anger. That wouldn’t be good for the company.” Her fake concern only made the boss angrier. His face turned red as he shouted, “You think I’m scared of you, Ryan? You think this company can’t survive without you?” “Who do you think you are? Get out of my office!” I frowned, looking at this unrecognizable version of my boss. I was completely disappointed. All these years, I’d considered him a friend. That’s the only reason I’d stayed in such a low-level position for so long. And this is how he repay me. He probably forgot that more than half the company’s projects came through me. They were doing business because of my dad’s connections, not his. Without me, I’d like to see where he’d find new business. “Fine. I quit!” It wouldn’t be long before he came crawling back.

I went back to my desk and started packing. The male coworkers who usually orbited around Madison were like rabid dogs, pointing at me and mocking me. “Ryan, karma’s finally caught up with you! Thinking you had a shot with Madison? Look in the mirror!” “Exactly! Did you really think you were somebody? Without this company, you’re nothing!” “Ryan, let me tell you, open your eyes from now on. Not everyone is in your league to chase!” Derek looked smug, acting like he’d already won Madison over. I glanced at him and smirked internally. This guy would wag his tail for days if Madison so much as looked at him. “What, you got a problem?” Derek saw I wasn’t responding and got bolder. “Want me to teach you what self-awareness means?” He walked toward me, looking like he wanted to pick a fight. I’d been training in Muay Thai since I was a kid. Dealing with jerks like him was easy. Before he got close, I kicked him. “Ahhh!” Derek screamed and collapsed, curling up like a shrimp on the ground. “You… you hit me? You’re dead! I won’t let you get away with this!” He was still talking tough from the floor. I looked down at him with contempt. “You? You think you’re worth my time?” I finished packing and left without looking back. As I reached the door, Madison actually chased after me. “Ryan, stop right there!” She blocked my path. “It’s not too late to regret this. If you get on your knees and apologize, I’ll forgive you!” She smiled smugly, acting like she had me cornered. I found her laughable. This woman really thought she was something special. I rolled my eyes. “I don’t hit women, but you better get out of my way.” “You…” Madison glared at me furiously. “We’ll see how you survive without a job. I’ll make sure Blake blacklists you across the entire industry.” I turned and walked away, ignoring that lunatic. When I got home, I called our business partners to pay them a visit and inform them of my resignation. Sure enough, they all expressed interest in terminating their contracts. A few days later, Blake called me, absolutely furious. “Ryan! Did you do this on purpose?!” His roar nearly burst my eardrum the moment I answered. “Do what on purpose?” I asked coldly. “Don’t play dumb with me! Did you say something to those partners? Why are they all terminating their contracts?!” He was practically yelling. “Heh.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Weren’t you the one who said I was useless and would be nothing without the company? What’s wrong? Now that they’re pulling out, you’re panicking?” “You!” He was speechless. “Who was it that said I was useless? Now you want to beg me? Too late!” I let out all the frustration I’d been holding in. “Ryan, don’t push it! I’m telling you, if you come back now, I’ll pretend nothing happened!” He was still being stubborn. “Dream on!” I hung up. Come back? In his dreams. After this whole mess, I finally saw things clearly. He never cared about me as a friend. If that’s the case, I didn’t need to coddle him anymore.

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All because I happened to save the heir to the Hayes fortune, I found myself forced into an engagement with him. I even gave up my spot at a top university after graduation to become his wife. But after we married, Julian would rather stay at a hotel than so much as glance in my direction. Foolishly, I thought I might win his heart someday. Then three years later, my best friend Serena showed up holding a child who looked just like Julian. I caught my breath. That’s when it hit me—he wasn’t coming home because he was with his mistress. I went to confront him, only to get hit by a truck right outside. Before I died, I made one last phone call, begging him to help me. But I heard him say: “You’ve been taking Serena’s rightful place all these years. It’s time you stepped aside.” “Quit bothering me.” When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Julian had his heart attack. Looking at the man collapsed on the ground, I shouted for my best friend Serena in the crowd. Julian’s eyes fluttered open in discomfort, his chest heaving. He croaked, “Get lost.” Then he froze, finally recognizing the woman in front of him. “Serena? What are *you* doing here?” He scanned the crowd and spotted me standing in the corner. In my past life, I was the one who rushed over immediately, giving him CPR without hesitation. But the first thing he did when he woke up was push me away, his eyes filled with disgust. In front of everyone, he used all his strength to prop himself up, like he’d just been touched by something he utterly detested. But not anymore. “Julian, thank goodness you’re okay! I…” Serena dropped to her knees beside him. When she saw he was awake, she threw her arms around him and burst into tears. Julian gently patted her back to comfort her. Then he let Serena help him to his feet and leave, without so much as a second glance my way. I knew Julian’s heart attack had been caused by someone secretly switching his medication. In my past life, he’d figured out who was behind it quickly enough, so there was no need for me to go out of my way to warn him. The emergency had left me drained. Back in the classroom, I collapsed onto my desk to catch my breath. During the break, Julian walked over to my desk and gave me a dismissive look. “Aubrey, what game are you playing now?” I was confused. “What?” Julian sneered coldly. “Deliberately calling Serena to save me in front of everyone? Are you that desperate to push me to her? Or are you trying to make everyone see you as some kind of ‘savior’?” My chest tightened. “Think whatever you want. I’m not feeling well.” Julian probably thought I was faking it. He smirked. “Playing hard to get now? You’ve certainly got a lot of tricks up your sleeve.” He walked off, and the room filled with whispers and snickers. Everyone in our social circle knew I was head over heels for Julian—my love was both desperate and unshakable. He once said he liked girls with long, soft hair, so I never cut mine. He also mentioned light-colored clothes looked nice on girls, so my closet never saw anything dark again. He preferred quiet, elegant girls, so I turned down friends’ invitations and stayed home to diligently study various arts. It was only after the lessons of my previous life that I understood: Serena met all the criteria he mentioned because she was the one he truly liked. No matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t even worth a second of his attention. Soon, word spread throughout the grade about Serena saving Julian and his taunts during the break. During the last class of the afternoon, the Dean of Students and two security guards entered the classroom. “Aubrey Miller, please come with us for questioning.” The whole class turned to look at me. I pushed myself up from my desk. “Questioning about what?” The Dean looked serious. “You were the first to discover Julian Hayes’s condition. His parents have asked the school to conduct a thorough investigation and rule out all possibilities.” I froze. Julian suspected me? “I was clearly trying to help him.” “That’s exactly what we need to clarify,” the Dean said, his tone leaving no room for argument. They led me to a dusty storage room behind the gym, filled with old equipment. “You’ll need to stay here temporarily until the investigation is complete. This is Mr. Hayes’s request.” “You can’t do this!” I tried to break free, but I was weak from fever. The security guards pushed me into the storage room and locked the door. “Mr. Hayes will take responsibility. You’ll be released once the investigation clears you.” The room was thick with dust. I slid down the wall to the floor, dizzy and disoriented. I don’t know how long I was locked in there. Darkness fell. Before I completely lost consciousness, I vaguely heard the lock click, and then a pair of arms lifted me.

When I woke up again, I was home. I still don’t know who saved me. I heard Julian’s family had already handled the situation. After the annual celebration, he personally walked Serena home. He also publicly announced to everyone, “Serena saved my life. The Hayes family must repay this debt of gratitude. Let the engagement be arranged.” Even though I’d resolved to completely let go of Julian in this life, hearing those words still stung. He believed Serena had saved his life. But if I had been the one, he would’ve just accused me of being manipulative and having hidden agendas. Last time, it was only because the story of me saving him went viral online that Julian reluctantly agreed to our engagement. I went downstairs, only to find Serena and Julian at my house. When she saw me, Serena put on a troubled expression. “Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Julian is the one Aubrey likes. I can’t agree to the engagement—it would break my best friend’s heart.” My parents didn’t even get a chance to speak. Julian stepped in front of me, blocking my path with his tall frame. “Since you heard everything, I’ll be straightforward.” “Aubrey, I don’t like you. No matter how hard you try, it won’t change anything. We should both accept that.” I replied softly, “Okay, don’t worry about it.” “I won’t bother you and Serena anymore. I wish you both the best.” Julian narrowed his eyes, studying me intensely. From behind, I heard my mom’s relieved voice: “It’s good you’ve come to terms with this. Now focus on your future.” I tried to ignore Julian’s questioning stare, smiling and nodding. “I will.” After the engagement was announced, Julian started showing up around my house frequently, since Serena often came to visit me. Before, seeing him was practically impossible. I had to ask his friends for his whereabouts, and I couldn’t even get mad when they made fun of me for being a pathetic tag-along. Now, with college application season wrapping up, I’ve seen him more in the last two weeks than I did all of last year. But it didn’t make me happy at all. Serena, pretending to be kind while actually showing off, would say to me, “Aubrey, Julian got me this SAT prep book. Want to take a look?” “Julian also had someone get me these insider materials from an Ivy League summer program. Do you want to borrow them to copy? He found so many for me.” Yet in my past life, even our engagement ceremony had to be pushed by my parents. Just as I was spacing out, Serena accidentally knocked over an ink bottle, staining the limited-edition autographed jersey Julian had just given her. “Julian!” She cried out, rushing to him, then glancing at me. “Aubrey must have done it by accident. Please don’t blame her. It’s my fault for not putting away your gift properly…” Julian’s expression darkened. “Aubrey, you act so reasonable and understanding in front of your parents, but privately you’re still targeting Serena?” “You’ve been picking on Serena since we were kids. Haven’t you had enough by now?” A bitter taste filled my mouth. I said, slowly and clearly, “I didn’t.” Serena immediately hung her head. “Julian, it’s all my fault, completely my fault. I’m so clumsy.” Julian stepped in front of her, his tone clearly warning me off. “I couldn’t say much about your past behavior, but now Serena is my fiancée.” “I’ll be around a lot during this time, until your parents feel reassured.” In my old life, I would’ve been thrilled to have more interactions with him. Seeing me stay quiet, Julian paused, then warned, “Watch yourself. Keep your distance so Serena doesn’t get the wrong idea.” That evening, Serena batted her eyes and asked Julian to help with homework, then deliberately sent me Snapchat photos of them together. I didn’t react much. The next day, as I rushed out clutching my textbooks, Julian blocked my path. “Trying to get my attention with this act?”

“No, you’re overcomplicating things.” Even without last night’s nonsense, I’d long decided to focus all my energy on studying. Julian clearly didn’t believe me, looking me up and down. “You should know I don’t like messy girls. Trying to get my attention with this trick is just dumb.” I ignored him, walking straight back to my room to change into my comfiest hoodie and jeans, pulling my long hair up in a casual ponytail. The simple, fresh look made me feel incredibly at ease. Julian stood on the stairs, giving me a cold, indifferent look, but his hand on the railing was clenched tight. Veins stood out on his hand. Just then, Serena wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Julian, Aubrey’s changed so much lately. Is she still upset about us getting engaged?” Julian looked away. “Let her throw her little fit.” “Once she realizes this act isn’t working, she’ll go back to her old self.” I left without looking back and headed to the city library. To prepare for a crucial academic decathlon, I asked Liam—the top student who always aced everything in our class—for help. It should’ve been our first real conversation, but it felt like we were old friends. We talked about everything, and there was an amazing connection between us. Walking out of the library that evening, I hummed a happy tune, still replaying different ways to solve a problem in my mind. As I passed through the small garden behind the school gym, I unexpectedly saw Julian sitting alone on a stone bench in the path, hunched over slightly with his hand pressed to his stomach. His face looked pale under the dim streetlights. Having been married to him for three years in my past life, I knew he had serious stomach issues. At this hour, he probably didn’t want Serena to see him like this, so he was suffering alone. I originally didn’t plan to get involved, already walking past him. But I was in a good mood today, and I also didn’t want anything to happen to him at school—especially after the recent emergency. More drama wouldn’t be good for anyone. After hesitating for a moment, I stopped a few feet away and said in a flat voice, “The nurse’s office should still be open now.” Julian looked up sharply, and our eyes met. He probably expected me to rush over all concerned like I used to—even take him to the nurse’s office. A faint sneer appeared on his lips. “What, Aubrey? Trying to use this to remind me of the ‘debt’ I owe you again?” He hadn’t even finished speaking before I looked away, turning and walking straight toward the school gate. I didn’t notice the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth or the increasingly intense gaze following me as I walked away. Things stayed quiet for a few days after that. Until one day after class, by the lockers, Julian suddenly appeared looking furious. He slapped a folded piece of paper onto my locker door just as I was about to close it. “Aubrey, how could you be so shameless?” I was confused. I froze, instinctively unfolding the paper. It was covered in delicate handwriting expressing admiration and longing for Julian, with a big heart drawn at the end… “Wh-what is this?” Julian scoffed, lowering his voice in the busy hallway but dripping with sarcasm. “I almost thought you were really over me. Guess you were just playing hard to get this whole time.” “Acting all indifferent, but secretly writing this cringy stuff and shoving it in my locker? Can’t let go that badly? What are you trying to prove with these childish games?” I hurried to explain, “I didn’t write this! I never—” “Save the excuses, Aubrey,” he cut me off, his eyes showing obvious disappointment. “You really let me down.” He stopped looking at me, turning to Serena who was waiting nearby. He took her hand and walked off without hesitation. Only a final, cold warning floated back on the breeze: “Next time, know your place.” Their wedding date was officially announced. Serena didn’t have many friends in town, so my parents asked me to help with the upcoming school anniversary gala. They came by on gala day, taking my hand and saying earnestly, “It’s good you’ve moved on. Now focus on your college applications.” I touched the encouragement bracelet Liam had given me on my right wrist, my cheeks flushing slightly. “Yeah… I have a friend I’m working hard with now.” My mom looked surprised. “Where’d that come from? You always said you weren’t close with anyone in class.” Me: “Huh?!” So who exactly have I been doing homework with every day? Julian, overhearing our conversation, smirked. He probably didn’t take it seriously, thinking I was lying. But seeing how sure I was, his brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of irritation flashed in his eyes. When no one was around, he cornered me by the side exit of the auditorium, leaning close to my ear and whispering: “As long as you’re sensible and don’t hold onto unrealistic fantasies, I’ll still treat you like a little sister and spend some time with you.” I said earnestly, “I have my own goals now. I won’t bother you anymore.” Julian scoffed, grabbing my wrist. “Then tell me, why does your bracelet look a lot like mine?” “Coincidence.” Not far away, Serena watched jealously, her eyes filled with resentment. Before the gala started, backstage suddenly erupted into chaos. Serena’s performance dress had been slashed, leaving a huge hole. On the dressing room mirror, “DIE” was scrawled in lipstick. Serena cried hysterically. When everyone gathered to comfort her, her gaze fixed directly on me. “Aubrey, I know you’ve liked Julian for almost ten years, but you can’t blame me for winning him over.” “You clearly agreed when the engagement was announced that day, so why are you trying to ruin my long-awaited performance now?” The whole room erupted in murmurs. Everyone knew about my intense crush on Julian, so I was obviously the prime suspect. When Julian arrived, Serena buried herself in his arms, sobbing, “Julian, maybe I should just give you back to Aubrey. Otherwise, I can’t imagine what other crazy things she might do…” Slap! A hard slap hit my face. Julian had publicly humiliated me before, but this was the first time he’d actually hit me. I looked at his angry face, my eyes going blank. “Julian, won’t you believe me even once?” “Do you even deserve to be believed?” He watched coldly as I fell to the floor, speaking cruelly and without emotion: “If you’re going to be this shameless, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” “I’ll talk to your parents myself. Someone, do it.” He told his friends to grab my jacket and scrawl “SLUT” across it with a marker. He said he was going to punish me the same way I “bullied” Serena. I kept crying and struggling. Until someone shouted, “Stop!” A familiar pair of hands helped me up. I buried my face against the person’s shoulder. I faintly heard Julian’s voice drop sharply, with a hint of annoyed confusion: “Who are you? What’s your deal with Aubrey?”

My jacket was torn and messy. Liam quickly took off his school jacket and draped it over me. He then dipped a tissue in water and carefully wiped the words off my clothes. Only then did he look at Julian. “Does that even need to be asked?” “Can’t you tell? I’m Aubrey’s friend.” Julian secretly clenched his fist, his gaze fixed on Liam’s arm protectively around me. On his wrist was a bracelet similar to mine. Two seconds later, he suddenly relaxed his tense muscles. A look like he saw through everything crossed his face. “Aubrey, you’re pretty clever, aren’t you? Finding someone to help you put on a show.” “Where’d you find this guy? He’s quite the actor.” Noticing Julian’s attention had shifted, Serena started whining and crying again: “Aubrey, since you have other friends now, you should really let go of your feelings for Julian. Why make such a scene? Are you trying to play both guys?” “Even if my performance is ruined today, do you still hope to get close to Julian again?” Julian scoffed, “Delusional!” My parents must have heard what happened and came over from the front row. My parents, still confused about what was going on, only saw me being protected by Liam. They exchanged a confused look, asking blankly: “Liam… you and Aubrey…?” As soon as they spoke, Julian froze, his expression changing. He mumbled, “Liam… Liam…” He finally recognized Liam’s powerful family background, and an unfamiliar unease came over him. But he still kept a calm front, chin slightly raised. He let out a faint scoff: “I didn’t realize Liam had so much free time.” “Shouldn’t he be preparing for his own competitions instead of getting involved in this drama? Is he just playing some ‘friend’ game with her?” Liam ignored him, politely answering my parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Aubrey and I are study partners. I’ll explain more to you later.” “The priority right now is to sort this out.” At this point, my parents also noticed Serena hiding behind Julian, her eyes red and teary. “Serena, why are you crying?” “What happened? Did someone bully you?” Serena choked back a sob, then gave me a fearful glance. “No, no one bullied me.” She was clearly trying to look like she was suffering in silence. “Serena is too kind to upset your parents,” Julian said, his voice deceptively casual. “I’ll be direct. Out of jealousy, Aubrey ruined Serena’s performance outfit and told her to die. Her intentions were really malicious.” “So I just taught her a small lesson.” Hearing him speak so confidently, my parents looked at me in disbelief. “Is that true, Aubrey? Didn’t you promise me you didn’t like Julian anymore? Why would you do something like this?” “Speak up, Aubrey! Don’t run from this! If it was you, admit it. If not, explain yourself!” My tears soaked Liam’s shirt, and I felt his arm tighten around me. Being misunderstood by Julian just made me angry and upset. But if even my parents didn’t trust me, I was truly heartbroken. I lifted my face. When they saw the smudged marks on my clothes, they gasped. “Dad, Mom, I didn’t do it.” “They framed me. They didn’t even give me a chance to explain.” My dad’s angry gaze turned to Julian, his voice shaking with fury: “So you just accused my daughter without any proof and then dared to treat her like that!” “Is that what you call ‘a small lesson’?!” Julian met his gaze without backing down. “The security footage was deleted.” “Aubrey is the most likely suspect. There’s no one else.” “Deleted footage?” Liam suddenly raised an eyebrow. “Funny, data recovery happens to be my specialty.” All the color drained from Serena’s face.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “349767”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

A decade after my abduction, my parents exhausted every resource searching for me. To cope with their grief, they adopted a young girl named Mara. The day I was rescued and brought home, our house overflowed with my childhood photos. Only Mara huddled in the corner, voice trembling as she asked: “Now that she’s back… are you going to send me away?” That night, Dad reprimanded her sharply for the first time. Mom held me sobbing, vowing to make amends for all those years of suffering. But when I tried integrating into the family, I accidentally broke one of Mara’s hair clips. Suddenly, Mom flew into a rage and slapped me. “How can you be so cruel? Are you trying to kill your sister?” “She was there for us in our darkest moments! How dare you hurt her?” “If I had known you were this kind of person, I would never have brought you back!” She tossed all my clothes off the balcony, then pulled Mara inside and locked the door behind them. I stood in the pouring rain, staring at the door I’d fantasized about for so long. Whatever family bond I’d imagined shattered completely in that moment.

Cold rain pelted my face, mixing with the stinging slap mark on my cheek. I lifted my hand to knock, but it fell limply back to my side. From inside, Mom’s soft, comforting voice drifted out: “Don’t cry, Mara. Mommy’s here.” “No one’s going to hurt you. Daddy brought that hair clip all the way from Europe just for you.” “It breaks my heart that it got ruined.” I was only wearing a thin nightgown. The rain soaked through to my skin instantly, and the cold seeped into my bones. I curled up in the corner by the door, trying to leach some warmth from the icy wall. My head grew heavy. My eyelids felt like weights. Footsteps echoed in the hallway. I summoned every last bit of strength to lift my head and reach toward him. My lips moved. I whispered weakly, “Dad…” He saw me. His steps hesitated for a second, then he walked around me with a scowling expression. He pulled out his keys and unlocked the door. Glancing back at me, he said: “Your mother’s upset. Just stay out here and think about what you did. Don’t make her any angrier.” “Mara’s not feeling well. Don’t fright her.” The door slammed shut in my face. My outstretched hand froze mid-air. Then slowly, I pulled it back and hugged my freezing knees to my chest. Before I slipped fully into unconsciousness, I heard Mara’s laughter from inside. When I opened my eyes again, the harsh white of a hospital room greeted me. A nurse walked in. When she saw I was awake, she picked up the nearby phone. “Hello, is this Stella Lane’s family? She’s awake now. Her fever has broken.” Mom’s voice came through the phone: “Got it. We’re tied up right now. We’ll swing by later.” The nurse hung up and poured me a cup of water, muttering under her breath: “What kind of parents are these? Their kid’s fever hit 104 degrees, and they can’t even bother to come?” I gripped the cup. Warmth slowly returned to my fingertips, but my heart plummeted to my stomach. They were busy. Busy comforting Mara, who’d suffered such a terrible injustice over a hair clip. And me? Their biological daughter who’d been kidnapped for ten years and was now hospitalized with a high fever? I was just an inconvenience. I threw off the blanket and got out of bed. I made my way to the billing desk alone. I only had a hundred dollars in my pocket—money a police officer had given me. I pushed it through the window. “Ma’am, I don’t have enough money. Can I pay the rest later? I promise I’ll pay it back.” The woman at the window looked up at me and pushed the money back. “Forget it, kid. Keep the money and buy yourself something to eat.” I walked out of the hospital. Sunlight hit me, but it offered no warmth. I didn’t know where to go. The place they called home no longer had room for me.

I wandered the streets aimlessly until nightfall. My stomach growled with hunger. That’s when I remembered the hundred dollars in my pocket. I went into a convenience store and bought a loaf of bread and a bottle of water. I squatted on the steps outside the store, nibbling slowly on the dry, crusty bread. A black car pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Mom’s face. “Get in! Haven’t you embarrassed us enough already?” I clutched the bread in my hand and silently climbed into the back seat. Mom hit the gas. The car lurched forward violently. She stared at me through the rearview mirror with icy eyes. “Stella Lane, you really have some nerve, don’t you?” “Running away from home now? Do you have any idea what the neighbors are saying behind our backs?” “They’re accusing us of abusing you!” I looked down and said nothing. Mom’s voice sharpened. “And you’re still eating? Your sister was so worried she couldn’t even touch her food!” “We spent all day looking for you, and what were you doing? Having a grand old time out here by yourself!” I finally couldn’t take it anymore. I looked up and met her gaze. “You locked me out. I had a fever. Dad saw me too.” “But he didn’t care.” Mom slammed on the brakes. The car screeched to a stop. She whipped around, eyes bloodshot, and screamed at me: “How dare you talk back? You broke her hair clip and now you’re throwing a fit like we’re the bad guys?” “We raised Mara for ten years. She’s our whole world!” “You broke her things and you think you’re justified? She was with us through the hardest ten years of our lives.” “And you? What have you ever done for this family?” I opened my mouth, but no words came out. She was right. What had I done for this family? All I’d done was drain their finances. And Mara? She was the medicine that healed their pain. Now that I—the real source of their suffering—had returned, of course they found me repulsive. The car started moving again. It drove all the way back to the neighborhood I both recognized and felt like a stranger in. The lights were on at home. Dad and Mara sat on the couch watching TV. When they heard the door open, Mara immediately jumped off the couch and threw herself into Mom’s arms. “Mom, you’re finally back. I missed you so much. Did you find her?” She looked up and saw me standing at the door. She shrank back timidly behind Mom. Dad walked over. With a stern expression, he pulled me inside. He pointed to a beautifully wrapped cake box on the coffee table and said: “Go apologize to your sister. She won first place in her piano competition today.” I looked at Mara’s tear-streaked face and suddenly found it absurdly funny. So that was it. I’d been locked outside in the rain and developed a fever because I’d ruined their celebration. I looked at Dad firmly. “I didn’t do anything wrong. She pushed me first.” Dad’s face turned pale. He raised his hand as if to hit me. Mara grabbed his arm just in time, crying and shaking her head as she pleaded: “Dad, don’t! It’s not her fault. It’s mine. I shouldn’t have fought with her over things.” Mom pulled Mara into her arms and shot me a venomous glare. “Look what you’ve done to your sister! You’re nothing but trouble!” “This family was fine until you came back and ruined everything!” She shoved me into a corner. “Stand here and think about what you’ve done! You don’t eat until you figure it out!” Then she pulled Mara along, and the three of them—a happy family—cut the cake together. They lit candles and sang a celebration song, even though it wasn’t anyone’s birthday. Mara made a wish under their adoring stares, a blissful smile on her face. I stood in the corner watching them, my stomach churning with pain. For ten years, I’d endured unimaginable horrors. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of coming home. But I never imagined that home wouldn’t be mine anymore.

That night, I stood in the corner until midnight. My legs went numb and lost all feeling. They ate their cake, watched TV, and went to their rooms to sleep. Not one of them glanced my way again. The living room light clicked off. I felt my way back to the room they’d assigned me—a tiny storage closet converted into a bedroom. It was crammed with junk. There was only a narrow cot inside. I lay on the bed, listening to laughter coming from the next room. It was Mom reading Mara a bedtime story. “And so, the prince found Cinderella.” Mara’s voice was drowsy. “Mom, what about her? Is she a princess too?” Mom was silent for a moment. Then she sighed softly. “No, she’s not. She’s just a lost child.” “She’ll find her own way and leave soon enough.” “You’re our only princess, Mara. No one can take that away from you.” I buried my head in the musty blanket. So that’s what I was to them. A temporary visitor who’d leave any day now. The next morning, I woke to the sound of arguing in the living room. I quietly cracked the door open. Mom was holding a report card, her face dark with anger. “Mara, what is this? Why did your grades drop so much this month?” Mara hung her head, wringing her fingers pitifully. “It’s all her fault. Ever since she came back, you two stopped caring about me.” Dad immediately stepped in front of Mara, frowning at Mom. “Why are you yelling at her? Mara’s been stressed lately. She’ll do better next time.” He turned toward my room, his voice growing cold. “This is all Stella’s fault. If she hadn’t come back, none of this would’ve happened.” Mom slammed the report card on the table, her chest heaving. “No! For Mara’s future, we can’t let her stay here anymore.” “I’m calling someone today. We’re sending her away. Back to where she belongs.” My whole body went rigid. My heart skipped a beat. Send me away? Where were they planning to send me? Back to the traffickers? Dad hesitated. “That’s… not really appropriate, is it? She is our biological daughter, after all.” Mom sneered. “Biological? What has she done besides cause trouble since she got back?” “Did you forget what the doctor said? Mara can’t handle emotional stress.” “Are we really going to sacrifice our Mara’s life for this useless waste of space?” Dad said nothing. I leaned against the door, sliding down to the floor. My whole body felt frozen. So Mara had a heart condition. So my existence was a threat to her life. No wonder. No wonder they treated me so cruelly. Everything made sense now. At noon, Mom cooked a whole table of dishes—all of Mara’s favorites. For the first time, she served me a piece of braised pork. “Stella, eat more.” I stared at the greasy meat in my bowl. My stomach turned. Dad joined in. “You probably didn’t get to eat well out there. Now that you’re home, things will be better.” I lifted my eyes and watched their little performance. It made me sick. They’d already arranged to get rid of me. Now they were putting on one last show of warmth? Mara sat across from me, eating her meal while shooting me smug, taunting looks. After the meal, Mom brought over a bowl of soup and placed it in front of me herself. “Stella, I made this chicken soup especially for you. Drink it while it’s hot. It’ll help you recover.” The bowl had a few red dates and goji berries floating in it. It looked nourishing. But I caught a faint, strange medicinal smell. My heart sank.

I held the bowl of soup. My fingers turned white from gripping it so hard. Mom urged me, “Why aren’t you drinking? It won’t taste good once it gets cold.” Mara added fuel to the fire. “Does she not appreciate it? Mom spent so long making it.” I lifted my eyes slowly, scanning the faces of all three of them. Dad was looking down at a newspaper—but he was holding it upside down. Mom’s smile was stiff. Mara had a smug little grin on her face. Suddenly, I understood. This soup was their parting gift to me. They weren’t planning to send me away. They were planning to make me disappear permanently. I picked up the spoon and scooped up some soup. Under their expectant stares, I slowly brought it to my lips. Then I tilted my hand. The entire bowl of soup spilled onto the floor. “Oops. My hand slipped.” I said casually, then looked up at Mom. Mom’s face went deathly pale. Then rage exploded across it. She lunged at me, hand raised to strike. “You little bitch! You did that on purpose!” I didn’t flinch. I just stared at her coldly and asked, word by word: “What did you put in the soup?” Mom froze mid-motion. Panic flashed through her eyes. Dad threw down his newspaper and stood up, yelling at me: “What are you talking about? Your mother made that soup out of the kindness of her heart!” I let out a cold laugh. I bent down and dabbed a bit of the spilled soup from the floor, bringing it to my nose. “Sleeping pills, right? A very large dose.” I’d seen this trick before with the traffickers. That’s how they dealt with children who didn’t obey. They’d put them to “sleep.” Or they’d never wake up again. Mom and Dad’s faces changed completely. Mara’s smug expression vanished too. She shrank back behind Dad, looking scared. I straightened up, my gaze sweeping over their horrified faces. “You’re not my real parents, are you?” Mom and Dad’s expressions froze. Shock filled their eyes. I kept going, my voice calm but clear. “I was old enough to remember things when I was taken.” “I remember my real parents. And they weren’t like you.” I pulled out a crumpled photograph from my pocket. I’d found it in an old box in the storage room. It was a family photo. The little girl in it wore a silver locket around her neck. “I remember this locket. It had my name engraved on it.” “My name is Stella. Not Stella Lane.” I looked up, my gaze burning into theirs. “Who are you people? Why did you bring me back?” “Were you afraid the police would find me and I’d expose your secrets?” Mom’s lips began to tremble. She couldn’t say a word. Sweat beaded on Dad’s forehead. He forced himself to stay calm and yelled: “You’ve lost your mind! We’re your biological parents! That fever must’ve fried your brain!” I ignored his outburst. Instead, I turned my gaze toward a wooden box in the corner. It was my old toy box from when I was little. I remembered it clearly. “If you’re really my parents, then why don’t you open that box?” “Inside, there’s proof of my real birthmark. And photos of me with my real family.” As soon as I finished speaking, the entire living room fell deathly silent. Mom and Dad stared at the box. I walked toward it, step by step. “Too scared? Then I’ll do it for you.” Just as my hand was about to touch the box, Mom suddenly screamed. “Don’t touch it! Don’t you dare touch it!” She rushed over and shoved me to the ground. Then she grabbed Dad’s hand, trembling. “Honey! She remembers! She remembers everything!” Dad lunged at me, snatched the photo from my hand, and tore it to shreds. Then he grabbed me by the hair and dragged me into the dark storage room. “You’re staying in here! And you’re not going anywhere!” The door slammed shut. I heard the lock click into place.

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As the New Year drew near, I, the top sales manager at my company, closed a massive deal. To celebrate the $3 million annual bonus that was about to hit my account, a colleague suggested we treat ourselves to a $9 manicure at the salon downstairs from the office. But when I arrived home excitedly, ready to share the good news with my husband Mark, his expression soured the second he noticed my nails. “You just have money to burn or what? How are you supposed to do housework with those things?” Mark’s sister, Tiffany, shrieked in protest. “Sarah, how much did Mark pay for that manicure? You’re such a wasteful spender!” I just laughed it off. Fine, whatever. If that’s how it’s going to be. Then I’m done being your unpaid maid! The minute I walked through the front door, Tiffany’s complaining voice echoed through the house. “Sarah, why are you home so late? Hurry up and make dinner—I’m starving!” My husband Mark Miller came over, planning to check the groceries I’d bought. But his eyes immediately locked onto my new manicure, and his face turned dark. “You were late because you went to get your nails done, weren’t you?” “Where do you get off wasting money like that? It’ll ruin your ability to do housework!” Hearing Mark’s accusations, I instinctively defended myself. “It wasn’t expensive. This manicure only cost $9.” My mother-in-law Brenda Miller, who was sitting on the couch munching snacks, dramatically stood up and pointed at me, launching into a rant. “Are your fingers made of gold? Wasting all that money… do you realize how many household things $9 could buy?” “My son works so hard for his money, and you’re just throwing it away like this!” Tiffany grabbed my hand, scowling as she chimed in with Brenda. “Sarah just loves wasting money. What’s even the point of that stupid manicure? You should save up and buy me a new designer purse instead.” Brenda snorted. “I’ve lived this long and never splurged on something so pricey for my nails.” “Besides, if you cook with those things on, aren’t you going to poison the whole family?” After saying that, Brenda grabbed my hand, ready to drag me back to the nail salon to get the manicure removed and get our nine dollars back. I pulled away, growing irritated. “That money can’t be refunded.” “Besides, I didn’t spend Mark’s money. I have my own salary, and today I even…” Before I could finish, Mark suddenly cut me off. “Aren’t your earnings our money too?” “All you do is fool around with these silly things, and you can’t even take care of your husband or respect your mother-in-law. Go ask around—no one has a daughter-in-law like you!” I always thought I was a good wife. After we got married, Mark moved his mom and sister from their hometown to live in the house I bought. Over the years, his monthly salary was barely over a thousand dollars, and I covered all the household expenses. Tiffany never got a job after college, and I gave her monthly allowance—not to mention her constant demands for money to buy designer bags and luxury items. Even Brenda, who gambled every day, would hit me up for money whether she won or lost. Yet Tiffany carried the designer bags I bought her, Mark wore the clothes I purchased for him, and Brenda flaunted the bracelet I gifted her. And this family had the audacity to call me wasteful over a $9 manicure. When Brenda realized she couldn’t get the manicure money back, she threw a fit. “I don’t care! One way or another, you need to get that stuff off your nails.” Only when I told her removing the manicure would cost extra did Brenda back off, but she immediately started in again about how wasteful I was with money. Brenda glanced around, then put on a fake conciliatory tone. “Here’s a compromise—hand over your debit card. I’ll hold onto it from now on so you don’t go wasting money again.” Tiffany snickered and joined in: “Exactly, you can’t be trusted with your debit card anymore.” “Today it’s a manicure, tomorrow it’s your eyebrows, and who knows? Next thing you’ll be all dolled up flirting with other men.” Mark was insecure and not the sharpest tool in the shed. At Tiffany’s words, he immediately reached for my purse. “Hand over the debit card—now!”

Mark was strong, and he quickly tore my purse open. But my debit card wasn’t inside. No matter how much he searched, he couldn’t find it. Brenda saw brute force wasn’t working, so she softened her tone and tried to reason with me. “Sarah, I won’t spend your money if I hold onto your debit card. I’m just keeping it safe for you.” “You’re young and can’t manage money. I’m doing this for your own good. Just give me the card, and I’ll drop the manicure thing.” Brenda gave Mark a look, and he caught on right away. He tried to put his arm around my shoulders, but I stepped back. “Honey, you heard Mom. She’s doing this for our own good. Once we save up enough, we can even get a bigger house.” “You, as a woman, having all this money and spending it recklessly… what if you actually… you need to think about me, right?” “No.” I refused without hesitation. Before Mark could get angry, I spoke first. “It’s not that I don’t want to give it to you. It’s just that all my money is temporarily invested in a new company project. It’ll double in returns.” Brenda and Mark hesitated, clearly tempted by the promise of double returns. Only Tiffany spoke up sarcastically, “How do we know you’re not just lying to us?” Tiffany was right—I hadn’t invested anything. I just didn’t want to hand my money over to their family. Seeing I wouldn’t budge, Brenda started again, saying it didn’t matter if the card had money or not—she just wanted to hold onto it. In the middle of the argument, my phone rang. My dad’s trembling, tearful voice came through the receiver. “Sarah, your mom… something happened. You need to come home right away and take her to the hospital…” Before I could ask what happened, Brenda snatched my phone and started yelling at my dad on the other end. “How did you two raise your daughter?” “Sarah not only wastes money and flirts with men all day, but she also acts like she owns the place and disrespected her elders at home! She’s completely out of line!” My dad was silent for a moment, then I heard strangers shouting in the background. “Help! Someone just passed out here!” The call cut off abruptly. I was both furious and terrified, desperate to get to my parents. But Brenda, seeing me try to leave, grabbed my arm and blocked the doorway. “You can leave, but you have to hand over your debit card. Otherwise, who knows what you’ll do with that money!” Enraged, I pushed Brenda away. “Get out of my way!” Brenda stumbled back and fell to the side. But as I ran downstairs, I noticed Mark and Tiffany chasing after me. “Sarah, how dare you talk to my mom like that? Get back inside and apologize to her!” Mark blocked my path, and he and Tiffany cornered me at the building entrance. It was rush hour, and neighbors, hearing the commotion, gathered to see what was going on. I didn’t want to get stuck arguing. I just told them I had to leave and to stop blocking me. Brenda also came downstairs. Seeing the crowd, she suddenly plopped down on the steps and started sobbing loudly. “This is a nightmare! How did we ever end up with a daughter-in-law like Sarah!” “She’s a spendthrift who’s wasted all my son’s money, and now she even has the nerve to hit me! Everyone, please tell me if this is right!” I couldn’t take it anymore. I shook off Brenda’s hand, which was grabbing my pant leg. Then, ignoring the accusations and curses behind me, I rushed to my parents’ house.

Thankfully, I arrived just in time. My parents had already been taken to the hospital by kind neighbors, avoiding a real tragedy. My mom had accidentally fractured her leg, and my dad had fainted from stress and shock. To keep them from worrying, I only mentioned there’d been a small disagreement at Mark’s house. But the next morning, Mark showed up at my parents’ hospital room with a whole group of relatives, barging in without hesitation. “Sarah, you hit my mom and think you can just run off? Do you think our family has no backbone?!” Tiffany shouted angrily, and Mark’s relatives immediately joined in with their accusations. “You wasteful gold-digger! Your mother-in-law says a few words, and you lay hands on her? Unbelievable!” “Sarah, you shameless woman, assaulting someone in public! Dozens of people saw it!” “Mark’s too soft on you. If I had a disrespectful, wasteful wife like you, I would’ve taught you a lesson long ago.” “Sarah, you owe us an explanation today!” My parents woke up, shocked and scared by the chaos. I had to hold back my anger and told Mark, “My parents are still in the hospital. Don’t make a scene here. If you have something to say, we’ll go outside.” But Brenda started shrieking again. “Oh no you don’t! I need to let your parents see what a disrespectful daughter they raised!” Brenda tried to get to my parents, but I stepped in front of her. My voice shook as I spoke. “What exactly do you people want?” Mark had clearly been waiting for that question. He threw a document in front of me and said arrogantly, “You bullied my mom, so you need to kneel and apologize to her. After that, sign this agreement.” I read through the agreement, barely able to believe what I was seeing. The document stated I had to hand over all future income—salary, bonuses, everything—to Mark, and get his permission for every single purchase. That’s when the ugly truth about this family finally hit me. When Mark and I first started dating, he seemed so caring that I willingly supported his family. But I never imagined they’d try to completely control me over something as small as a manicure. They ate my food, spent my money, and now they wanted to bleed me dry? Not a chance. I scoffed inwardly. Mark thought I was about to cave, but then he added another demand. “Tiffany’s seeing this rich guy now, and you need to buy her new clothes and jewelry to help her make a good impression.” Tiffany jumped in: “You also need to buy me a house. I found this villa downtown, only $10 million. That shouldn’t be too hard for you, right?” “Of course, I’ll throw you a bone in return,” Tiffany said condescendingly. “Once I marry into that rich family, you can stay home and take good care of my brother and mom. Maybe if I’m feeling generous, I’ll have my husband help you out.” Looking at this family, still delusional that I’d bow down and妥协, I simply said coldly, “Dream on.” “Mark, I want a divorce.” The word “divorce” made Mark, Brenda, and Tiffany freeze—like they never saw it coming. The relatives behind them were the first to recover. “Sarah, you won’t apologize AND you have the nerve to ask for a divorce?” “You think divorce will make this go away? Think again!”

Mark’s relatives acted like they were morally superior, treating me like some kind of criminal. Seeing my parents looking worried again, I called hospital security and had everyone escorted out. The hospital room finally quieted down. My mom seemed like she wanted to ask something, but I gave her a reassuring look. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone push me around.” Meanwhile, my annual bonus had come through. After covering my parents’ hospital bills and other expenses, I still had $3 million left. I planned to use the money to take my parents on a world trip and hired a lawyer to draw up divorce papers. Mark called several times, saying they’d forgive me if I came back, apologized, and agreed to their demands. I scoffed, but I still went back. Not to back down, but to cut all ties with their family for good. Mark wasn’t home when I arrived. Brenda and Tiffany were on the couch, munching snacks with trash all over the floor. When they saw me, Brenda spoke sarcastically. “Oh, you finally decided to come back? Hurry up and sweep the floor and clean the kitchen.” I ignored her and went into the bedroom. While packing my suitcase, I could hear their conversation from the living room—obviously meant for me to hear. “It’s all my brother’s fault for being too soft. He’s spoiled Sarah rotten.” “But since she’s back, at least she knows her place. This time we need to teach her a lesson so she never forgets who’s in charge.” I didn’t respond. Tiffany had come to stand beside me at some point. “What’s this?” Tiffany reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out three airline ticket confirmations. When she saw the destination was Sanya, Tiffany started laughing. “Looks like you’re planning a family trip to apologize, huh? At least you have some sense.” “But why only three tickets? Guess you know you don’t deserve to come. When we get back from Sanya, I expect that villa to be bought already.” Tiffany kept rambling, even calculating how much money she should ask for new clothes. I ignored her and went into her room. Tiffany’s room was full of designer clothes, bags, and makeup—all things I’d bought for her. Since we were getting divorced, I was definitely taking all this stuff back. Tiffany looked confused until she saw me packing up her things. Then she rushed over to block me. “Sarah, are you crazy? What do you think you’re doing with my stuff?” “Your stuff?” I scoffed. “I bought all this.” Tiffany stared at me defiantly with her head held high. “So what if you bought them? They’re with me now, so they’re mine! Don’t touch my things, or my brother will deal with you when he gets home!” I pulled the divorce papers from my bag without expression. “Fine.” “I’m waiting for him to get back so we can get divorced.” Brenda heard the noise and ran in. When she saw the divorce papers, her face showed pure disbelief. “Sarah, have you lost your mind? You actually want a divorce!” I looked at the two of them, their faces showing different expressions, and said clearly, “Yes, I’m getting a divorce, and I’m taking back everything that belongs to me.” “And those three tickets are for me and my parents.” “You people… don’t deserve to go!” After that, I ignored Brenda and Tiffany, dropped the divorce papers, and dragged my suitcase out. As I left, I could still hear Brenda and Tiffany shouting hysterically. “You’ll regret this!” “Sarah, my brother won’t let you get away with this!”

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The day I gave birth to our daughter, my husband, Julian Blackwood, threw a fake paternity test showing no blood relation in my face. “Harper, I’ve been so good to you. How could you cheat on me? We’re getting a divorce! Take this bastard child and leave with nothing. I never want to see either of you again!” I held my sleeping newborn daughter in my arms and calmly nodded. Just last night, I’d overheard them at the delivery room door. Julian’s adoptive sister, Stella Blackwood, was clinging to his arm, whining: “Julian, my dying wish is to spend a year alone with you, to relive our childhood affection. Can’t Harper just take the baby and leave for a year, please?” Julian’s face was full of doting affection. “Silly girl, don’t say such unlucky things. Just be a good girl and have your appendectomy. The next year, I’ll only be with you.” Lying on the operating table, tears silently streamed down my temples. He had no idea. The man who’d waited ten years for me would come to pick me up tomorrow. Not just for a year, but for this entire lifetime. I wouldn’t be coming back.

Stella and Julian weren’t blood-related. She had a twisted, possessive obsession with him. Right now, Stella was pointing at my daughter, covering her mouth in a dramatic gasp: “Bro, no wonder this kid rubbed me the wrong way. Turns out she’s a bastard!” She practically shrieked, her long, sharp nail poking an indent into Lily’s delicate skin. “So ugly, all wrinkled up like a tiny old man. They say daughters look like their dads, Harper, you really aren’t picky, are you? You’ll eat anything.” Julian’s expression was distant and cold. “Harper, since this isn’t a Blackwood child, she doesn’t deserve this VIP room. Take the baby and get out, now.” I looked up at Stella, whose face was alight with smug triumph. Dressed in Chanel couture, a single diamond on her high heels could buy a hundred VIP rooms. Then I thought of myself, emerging from the delivery room, alone with my daughter, not even a nurse to help me. I laughed bitterly. It turned out that my daughter and I together weren’t worth Stella, his adoptive sister’s, whimsical little tantrum. Cradling Lily, I struggled to drag my legs. With every slight movement, a hot gush of blood surged from beneath me, staining the bed. Stella shrieked, “Ugh—that’s disgusting! So much filthy blood, it’s ugly and smells awful. I’m going to have nightmares tonight!” She screamed and burrowed into Julian’s arms, One hand forcefully yanking the blanket off me. Cold air rushed into the bed, exposing my body, clad only in a hospital diaper. An eight-centimeter incision on my stomach was trickling blood, which mingled with the postpartum discharge below, dripping onto the floor. The open hospital room door revealed people passing by. I was utterly humiliated, feeling as exposed as if I’d been stripped naked and left on the street. “Cover me up.” My voice trembled with shame. Julian’s face tightened uncomfortably. He turned his body to block the view from outside, reaching out to pull the blanket back. “Alright, alright. Going out looking like this, people will think the Blackwoods did something to you.” He glanced at the bodyguards. “Go, get a wheelchair. Take her to a regular room.” Stella immediately protested. “Julian, this is the wicked woman who cheated on you! She deserves to walk out like this, so everyone in the hospital can see what a shameless woman looks like and what kind of price you pay for infidelity!” “But…” “Julian! At a time like this, are you still going to protect this woman and her bastard child?” Stella’s eyes instantly welled up, her voice sharp and shrill with accusation. Seeing her like this, Julian sighed, his eyes filled with doting helplessness. “Fine, fine. You’re the Blackwood family’s precious gem, my only sweetheart. Whatever you say goes.” Stella hummed in satisfaction, And swaggered out ahead of me, clapping her hands and loudly broadcasting my “cheating scandal.” “Everyone, come see! This is the shameless woman who cheated and then tried to trick my brother into raising her bastard! She’s a filthy tramp, everyone needs to keep their eyes peeled, or she might seduce your men too!” The gazes of the people around me were like razor-sharp knives, piercing me from all directions. Someone, enraged, grabbed a thermos and threw a container of rice porridge all over me. The hot porridge scalded my exposed skin, instantly raising blisters. Julian didn’t even spare me a glance. He stayed by Stella’s side, silently kicking away tiny pebbles from her path, Doing everything he could to clear her way. Watching this scene, my chest felt like it was crushed by waterlogged cotton, so heavy I could barely breathe. I bit my lip and made it to the regular room, my legs like jelly. Powerless, I lay on the bed, Curling up with my daughter. Lily, you don’t have a father anymore, But it’s okay. After tonight, we’ll both have a new life.

That night, Lily suddenly burst into loud cries, her body burning with fever. I struggled to get up, carrying her to the door, Only to be blocked by bodyguards. “Ms. Harper, I apologize, but without Mr. Blackwood’s or Ms. Stella’s orders, you cannot leave the room.” I clutched my daughter close, yelling at the bodyguards, “Let me through! My daughter has a high fever, she needs medical attention immediately!” The bodyguards stood impassively in front of me. “We apologize. Until you repay the wedding gifts worth eight hundred and eighty thousand, you are not permitted to leave the room. If you run, Mr. Blackwood will hold us accountable for the money. Please don’t make this difficult for us.” My whole body went cold. Something in my mind seemed to explode in an instant. Eight hundred and eighty thousand in wedding gifts? Everyone said marrying Julian was like a sparrow flying into a gilded cage, Becoming a high-society wife, with endless riches and glory for life. But no one knew. Because of Stella’s comment: “Julian, if Harper truly loves you, she wouldn’t spend a penny of your money. Otherwise, how is she any different from those gold-diggers eyeing the Blackwood family’s power?” From our wedding day until now, None of my living expenses were included in the Blackwood family’s daily budget. The designer gowns and expensive jewelry for events, Even the luxury car we rode in together, Would have its “fare” demanded by Stella after the event. My short three years as Mrs. Blackwood. I’d already drained all my life’s savings from my previous job. My account didn’t even have a hundred dollars left. Where was I supposed to get eight hundred and eighty thousand to give Julian? My daughter, distressed by the fever, was crying herself hoarse in my arms. I looked at the bodyguards with desperate eyes, my voice humbled to the dust. “I’ll find a way to repay the money.” “Please, just this once. She’s a premature baby. It’s already dangerous that she wasn’t kept in an incubator. If her fever keeps rising, she’ll die…” Three days ago, Stella had an appendicitis attack. The doctor had scheduled her surgery three months from now, at the same time as my due date. Stella cried until she was sobbing. “Julian, if my surgery clashes with Harper’s delivery, you’ll definitely abandon me to take care of Harper, won’t you?” Julian tried to comfort her, But Stella cried even harder. “Julian! You’ve changed! The old you would never let me suffer from appendicitis! Now that you have Harper, you don’t love me anymore, your whole heart is with her. I’m going to go underground and tell Mom and Dad you’re bullying me!” She then plunged herself into the swimming pool. And I was forcibly given an induction shot. Julian wiped the tears from my eyes. “Harper, she’s my only sister. She’s young and prone to jealousy, I need to reassure her. You understand me, right?” “Once the baby is born, I’ll make it up to you and Lily.” “Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.” But what I got in return was, A forged paternity test, A crude, melodramatic charade played out for my daughter and me. The two bodyguards looked pained, but still stood firm at the door. “We’re sorry, ma’am. Mr. Blackwood instructed before he left that you couldn’t leave until the money was repaid.” In just a few minutes, Lily in my arms was burning up like a furnace, her cries growing faint. Just as I was about to threaten the bodyguards with a knife to my throat to make way, Julian arrived, his brows furrowed. His face was terribly grim. “Harper, this is a hospital, not a marketplace. Shouting like this, have you forgotten all your class, Mrs. Blackwood? You’ve disturbed Stella’s finger dressing.” I followed his gaze and saw the Hello Kitty band-aid on Stella’s fingertip, And the twenty-odd doctors trailing behind her. My heart felt like it had been pierced through. No wonder I’d been calling for a doctor for so long and none came. Julian had called them all to treat Stella’s finger. I swallowed the bitterness, took a few steps forward with Lily, and choked out, “Lily has a fever, please call a doctor.” Julian’s brows tightened further, his foot about to shift. Stella suddenly bent over, clutching her lower abdomen, and cried out weakly in pain, “Julian, I hurt so much, I feel awful. Am I going to die…?” Julian’s gaze instantly fixated on Stella. Sweeping her into his arms, he yelled at the cluster of doctors, “Prepare for surgery immediately!” I reached out and grabbed Julian, looking at him urgently. “Our daughter…” Stella wrapped her arms around Julian’s neck, burying her head in his shoulder. “Julian, I’m so scared. This surgery will cut out a piece of me, I won’t die of pain, will I?” “Can you make all the doctors do my surgery, please? More doctors mean more assurance. My biggest regret in life is not being able to properly repay you, Julian. I don’t want to die just yet.” Her voice was soft and clingy. Julian was utterly charmed, his heart melting into cotton. “Okay, I’ll not only have all the hospital doctors on standby for you, but the elite medical team I arranged will also arrive in ten minutes. I won’t let anything happen to you.” “What about our daughter?”

My knuckles were white as I held Lily, my lips bitten until they bled. All doctors on standby for Stella, who would save our daughter? Julian glanced at the baby in my arms, a look of impatience on his face, then turned to a doctor. “Who’s a pediatrician? Stay and take a look.” “Julian, hospitals charge for consultations, and Harper still owes us eight hundred and eighty thousand. How would she even have money?” Stella snuggled in Julian’s arms, giving me a malicious smile. “But out of three years of goodwill, I can condescend to help her,” “If I lose a piece of flesh, she has to pay too.” Stella gestured to a bodyguard, who kicked over a medical waste bin. Needles scattered across the floor, glinting coldly. She looked down at me, chin raised. “Find all of them, and I’ll cover this consultation fee for you.” Julian cast a fleeting glance at me and instructed his assistant, “Do as Ms. Stella says.” He then carried Stella away in a rush to the operating room, without a single backward glance. I knelt on the floor, using my bare hands to scrape and search. Soon, my ten fingers were covered in needle pricks, Bloody and raw. Not a single piece of clean skin. Later, hearing Lily’s even fainter cries, I had no choice but to use my tongue to lick for them. Half an hour later, I held a pile of needles, looking at the doctor. Blood continuously welled up in my mouth as I spoke. “They’re all here. Please save my daughter…” Having said that, I could no longer hold on and completely fainted. When I woke again, my nostrils were filled with the smell of disinfectant. I instinctively reached out, but didn’t touch the soft warmth I expected. “Lily…” I stumbled out of the room and saw my daughter in the doctor’s office. The female doctor who had treated her last night was gently rocking her, feeding her milk, Her eyes full of sympathy. “Sigh, what a tragedy. She was born a little princess, but because of a family squabble, she can’t even drink her mother’s milk. It’s so pitiful.” Her colleague whispered, “Isn’t that the truth? And Mr. Blackwood personally supervised the forging of the paternity test. He said he’d blame the hospital a year later, claiming we messed up the test, surely able to coax the mother and daughter back. Spending millions to have the whole hospital put on an act – rich people sure play their games.” “That’s not all. I also heard that Stella is just an adoptive daughter. Anyone with eyes can see she’s got a thing for her brother. Last night, during rounds, I personally saw that adoptive sister kiss Mr. Blackwood on the lips while he was asleep. He woke up five minutes later and didn’t say a word.” The two exchanged knowing glances, pursing their lips in unspoken understanding. I leaned against the wall, my eyes aching. Stella was an adoptive daughter of the Blackwood family. Because they were siblings in name, My jealousy would be seen as destroying their sibling bond, as irrational tantrums in the eyes of outsiders. As long as Julian uttered, “If it were as messed up as you think, I’d have married her long ago. Would it even be your turn?” I would be speechless. Yes, He was the heir to a powerful fortune, high above everyone else, Of course, he wasn’t a match for an ordinary working woman like me, who worked nine to five. But why did he send me tens of thousands of roses, patiently guide me through the dark period after my family’s passing, teach my boss a lesson for making inappropriate comments to me… And even shield me during a car accident, ending up in the ICU himself? I still remembered him swearing on our wedding day, “Harper, in this life, I will always love and respect you, and never let you down.” But hearts change in an instant, and “forever” was just an embellishment. Looking up again, Julian stood before me. Meeting my bloodshot eyes, he uncharacteristically showed concern. “You just gave birth, why aren’t you resting?” A waft of Stella’s usual perfume drifted over, Making me dizzy and nauseous. Avoiding his touch, I stepped back a few paces, “Aren’t we getting divorced? Sign it now.” Julian froze for a few seconds, his face darkening, a cold sneer forming on his lips. “Harper, don’t play games. You’re penniless. Leave me, and you’ll be sleeping on the streets with your child tonight.” I met his gaze, my voice cold. “The child isn’t yours, why are you worrying?” This taunt enraged Julian. Taking the divorce papers from his assistant, his signature pressed hard through the paper. Before I could even pick up the last pen stroke, Julian snatched the agreement, pointed towards the hospital entrance, veins bulging on his neck, “Ungrateful woman, get out of my hospital immediately!” I held my daughter and walked out. Seeing the dark sedan across the street, I quickened my pace. However, before I could take a few steps, two bodyguards suddenly appeared and forcibly dragged me back.

“Did you see the trending news? Mrs. Blackwood forced to divorce, all because of that adoptive daughter.” “She’s truly evil. If it were me, I’d expose her online too.” All through the hospital, people were discussing the same thing. This was clearly Stella’s doing. I didn’t understand her purpose in putting herself in the spotlight. Until Julian slapped me, without bothering to distinguish right from wrong, “Harper, I never imagined you could be so vicious. No wonder you were so eager to sign the divorce papers earlier. You had already planned to deal with Stella, didn’t you? Using a post-delivery divorce to gain sympathy, even roping me into your schemes. You’re truly malicious.” “The media will be here any minute, you must publicly apologize to Stella. Do you know how awful the insults online are? Stella is still so young; if I hadn’t arrived in time, she would have been provoked into slitting her wrists!” On the hospital bed, Stella sat perfectly fine, Whole and unharmed, not even a red mark on her wrist. A person pretending to sleep won’t wake up, no matter how much you call. Besides, someone else was waiting for me. “No need for all that trouble.” I handed Lily to a nurse who had followed us, pulled out my phone, and started a live stream. I bowed deeply to Stella. “Ms. Stella, I’m sorry. Regarding the false rumors online, I sincerely apologize to you. You are not a manipulative, wicked sister. It was I who was too malicious, getting irrationally jealous of your sibling bond with your brother, intentionally divorcing him, posting online to gain sympathy, and hiring trolls to attack you.” Then, I bowed to her again. “Ms. Stella, you and Mr. Blackwood have always been completely innocent, merely a normal brother-sister relationship. It was my jealousy that led me to use unscrupulous means to frame you. Please forgive me.” I spoke each word clearly and forcefully. With every sentence, Julian’s and Stella’s faces turned paler. Stella, because I had forever nailed them to the pillar of sibling shame. Julian, who looked at me with complex eyes, a flicker of uneasy panic in his heart. Stella glared at me hatefully, Then suddenly, she tugged at her hair, her voice trembling like a sieve. “I’m not a bad woman, I’m not a bad woman! It was Harper who cheated, she cuckolded my brother. She didn’t cherish him, so I will. If this is called depraved and shameless, then let me die…” Her sudden outburst broke the fleeting panic that had just surfaced in Julian. Julian pulled her into his embrace. “Stella, we’re not blood siblings. In fact, there was even talk of us marrying when we were children. Even if you truly like me, you’ve done nothing wrong.” As his words fell, countless rose emojis erupted in the live stream, The screen filled with “999+” messages. They stung my eyes. A large group of reporters pushed through the door, pointing cameras at my face, snapping furiously. “Mrs. Blackwood, does this mean you were the other woman all along?” “Mrs. Blackwood, you were just an ordinary person. To marry into such a wealthy family, you must have used some underhanded tactics, no? Could you tell us about them?” “Don’t you feel guilty for breaking up a golden couple just to marry into wealth?” Flashbulbs popped wildly in my face, They wanted to brand me with every humiliating word imaginable: “homewrecker,” “low-class,” “slut”… Amidst the shoving, I saw the wicked smile on Stella’s face. She subtly tilted her head, and a reporter caught the signal, Sharply turning his lens towards Lily in the nurse’s arms, snapping away. “Damn, is that the bastard child? She looks like a monster, Mrs. Blackwood really isn’t picky.” “Like mother, like daughter. You can tell they’re morally corrupt just by looking. Take more photos, they’ll be useful for future footage. Let’s call it ‘Homewrecker’s Legacy,’ it’s bound to hit headlines.” My fury boiled over, and I slapped the reporter who said those words. I didn’t hit him hard, but he suddenly collapsed to the ground, unmoving. “Oh no, Mr. Davis has a heart condition, you can’t touch him!” “Ah! He’s not breathing! You murderer!” A reporter pointed at me, his eyes filled with hatred, as if he wanted to devour me. “Don’t touch her, any problems, talk to my lawyer.” No sooner had Julian spoken than Stella again clutched her lower abdomen, looking distressed, “Julian, I got too emotional just now, my incision feels like it’s split open…” I held Lily, looking helplessly at Julian. Julian gave us a deep look, then bent down to pick up Stella, saying to me, “Wait for me.” Then his back disappeared down the corridor. And I was surrounded by enraged reporters, handcuffed with cold metal. … Three months later, at the courthouse, “This court rules that Ms. Harper Rhodes is sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of three million dollars for involuntary manslaughter.”

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