My husband’s mistress sent me her year-end performance review. She asked for a bonus. The day before New Year’s, a file landed in my inbox: My Annual Performance Review with Your Husband. Item One. Total times I had sex with your husband this year: 150. Exceeded KPI. Item Two. Got your husband to buy me a villa and a luxury car. Goal achieved. Item Three. Got your son to call me “Mom” every day. Goal achieved. Item Four. Bravely stood before you to fight for my happiness. Mission accomplished! Mrs. Thorne, I’ve taken care of your husband and your son. So, are you going to give me a year-end bonus, or just file for divorce? Attached was a photo. There, Marcus Thorne had his arm around her waist, and my seven-year-old son, Leo, stood in front of them. This woman was my son’s piano teacher. Marcus came home just in time to see that special year-end review. He looked nervous and told me, “Don’t you dare go after her! I was the one who fell for her first. She’s innocent. I can give you anything you want as compensation.” I just said, coldly, “I only want you to go back to how you were.” Back to the penniless, unloved nobody you were. He misunderstood, though, and visibly relaxed. “Since you know about Tiffany and me, why don’t we have her celebrate New Year’s Eve with us this year?” He said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I couldn’t believe this was the man I’d loved for fifteen years. How could he be so incredibly brazen? Marcus gently raised his hand, as if to lovingly ruffle my hair like he used to. I flinched, taking a step back, my eyes stinging. “Whatever you want. I have an important experiment to run anyway.” From now on, Marcus and Leo wouldn’t be in my life for any New Year’s Eve. I turned and went upstairs. Behind me, I heard Marcus grumbling, “You always put your experiments first. I’m always second to your lab work. Were you actually hoping I’d cheat?” I glanced back at him. “If I asked you to break up with her, would you?” The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a serious expression. “Do you want the truth or a lie?” “The truth.” He didn’t hesitate. “I won’t leave her, just like you’d never abandon your experiments.” He paused, a hint of regret in his eyes. “If you hadn’t poured all your energy and time into your research, neglecting my needs, Tiffany would never have come between us.” I scoffed. So, his cheating was my fault? I practically lived in that lab, developing new products for his pharmaceutical company, making him a titan in the industry. He wasn’t grateful? Instead, he blamed me? He’s forgotten the road he traveled to get here. Fine. I’ll personally send him right back down it! I immediately sent a message to my lawyer. “Prepare the divorce papers. Also, all my patents and research findings are off-limits to Thorne Pharmaceuticals.” Just then, his phone rang. He lowered his voice, but I could still tell it was Tiffany Hayes. He was soothing her. “It’s fine, she’s just mad. Her mind is always on her experiments anyway, she barely pays attention to me.” “Just don’t send anything like that again.” “Come over for New Year’s Eve. I’ll make sure you’re happy. Couch, bed…your pick.!”

My hands were shaking, but no matter how awful I felt, I didn’t cry. My lawyer messaged me back. “I’ll need seven business days.” Seven days. In the lab, seven days could change the course of a breakthrough. Now, every second dragged. I studied my bleached hands, my strained eyes, the tinnitus that never quite left. All that striving, all that giving-it all felt like a joke now. And I was the punchline. I suddenly remembered ten years ago, when his company was just starting. He couldn’t afford to buy patents, couldn’t produce medicines, and he was so anxious his hair was turning gray. I buried myself in the lab day and night, ensuring he had drugs to produce, which ultimately led to the pharmaceutical empire he had today. He told me I was the most precious gift heaven had given him! It made me laugh bitterly now. Later that night, I went to the lab and terminated all the ongoing projects for his company. Looking at the empty lab, I felt a mix of emotions. My phone buzzed with a provocative message from Tiffany. The photo showed her and Marcus, half-naked in bed, Marcus sound asleep. “Mrs. Thorne, I’m ‘taking care’ of your husband again.” “Marcus told me you’re okay with us being together. So, how about that year-end bonus?” “After all, taking care of him is really hard work. Marcus was so insatiable. We went at it three times tonight.” My blood boiled, but I used another phone to record the video and save it as evidence, sending it straight to my lawyer. My silence, in Tiffany’s eyes, was cowardice. Then, my son, Leo, suddenly came down with a fever and was hospitalized. When I rushed to the hospital, Tiffany was opening a steaming bowl of mushroom soup. She was telling Leo, “Good boy, Leo, eat a little, even if you don’t have an appetite. You’ll get better faster.” Marcus stood nearby, hands casually in his pockets, his gaze, full of doting affection, shifting from Tiffany to Leo. “See, your mommy loves you so much.” My heart felt like it was being twisted. We weren’t even divorced, and he was letting our son call another woman “Mommy.” “Yeah, Mommy loves me the most!” Leo’s joyful voice was a fatal blow, piercing my very soul. My blood ran cold. Hearing my son call Tiffany “Mommy” with my own ears stole the air from my lungs. Tiffany saw me. Her eyes flashed with defiance, then she put on a saccharine sweet smile. “Eleanor. You’re here. Why don’t you feed Leo?” Leo didn’t spare me a glance. He whined to Tiffany, “Tiffany, I want you to feed me! I like it when you feed me.” He then looked at me, a hint of disdain in his voice. “His mom just knows experiments; she doesn’t know how to take care of anyone. Dad and I both like you.” My face hardened. I stared at Leo. “What did you just call her?” Tiffany, feigning understanding, provoked me. “Eleanor, don’t be so hard on Leo. He’s just a six-year-old.”

Marcus stepped between Leo and me, trying to mediate. “Leo is sick, so don’t make him feel worse.” He reached for my back, guiding me out of the room. “Just go back to your lab. Tiffany’s got this. You don’t need to worry.” My stomach churned with disgust. I shoved Marcus’s arm away. “Don’t touch me!” Leo, startled by my outburst, burst into tears. Tiffany, feigning concern, said, “Eleanor, you scared Leo. If you’re angry, take it out on me, not him. The child is innocent, okay? Don’t hurt him.” I had only one thought, one obsession. I stared at the crying Leo and asked him, “Did you just call her Mommy?” I thought, if he said he wouldn’t call Tiffany “Mommy,” I would forgive him, and I would take him with me when I divorced. But what I heard was Leo crying and accusing me. “You’re my mom, but Tiffany is my mom too! I like her, she’s good to me, she takes care of me, she teaches me piano. You’re nothing like her, you only care about your experiments. She’s just better than you!” The words hit me like a lightning bolt, and tears streamed down my face, uncontrolled. Marcus dragged me outside, scolding, “Why are you taking your anger out on our son! You don’t need to worry about anything here. Go back to your lab!” With that, he turned and went back into the hospital room, locking the door to prevent me from going back in and making a scene. That night, Evelyn Thorne, my mother-in-law, came to talk to me. “Eleanor, you’re a good woman. I’ve always respected you.” She took my hand, patting it gently, her voice softening. “Men, they all stray a little, don’t they? Tiffany can help you with Marcus, and with Leo too.” “Honestly, if you just relax a little, you’ll see this is a blessing in disguise.” “You won’t have to ‘serve’ your husband, or bother with your son. You can just focus on your experiments. Isn’t that ideal?” My heart was colder than ice, devoid of any emotion. I quietly pulled my hand away. “Yes, I won’t interfere with them anymore.” Evelyn’s eyes lit up with delight, thinking she had convinced me. She smiled again. “Then I’ll have the staff prepare the bedroom right next to yours for Tiffany. That way, she can live at home, make it easier for Leo to learn piano, and help you take care of them both.” Seeing my silence, Evelyn assumed I agreed. She clapped my back, beaming. “I knew it! I said you were a sensible, good woman!” Delighted, she immediately told the housekeeper to clean the bedroom next to mine. She didn’t hesitate to call Tiffany. “Tiffany, you can move in tonight. The room’s all ready. Move in early so you can keep me company shopping and keep me entertained!”

When Marcus brought Tiffany back, I was about to leave. Seeing my glum face, Tiffany feigned embarrassment and a pitiful look. “Eleanor seems a little upset. Maybe I shouldn’t move in after all.” I said coldly, “This is the Thorne family home. You can stay as long as you want. I won’t interfere.” With that, I quickened my pace. Marcus caught up and grabbed my wrist. “Are you really okay with this? If you mind, Tiffany and I can stay somewhere else.” I pulled my hand away, my heart dead, my voice eerily calm. “I just have some work to take care of. I really don’t have an opinion about you and Tiffany.” He sighed in relief, his voice softening. “Okay, you go handle your work. Call me when you’re done, and I’ll come pick you up.” After leaving the Thorne house, I never went back. On December 31st, Marcus’s company held a gala. He informed everyone, except me. Coincidentally, I was passing by the hotel where they were hosting the event that day. I happened to see Marcus holding Tiffany’s hand, and Tiffany holding my son’s hand, as they went on stage to give a speech. In everyone’s eyes, they were a picture of a happy family of three. Marcus held the microphone, his voice cheerful and sincere. “This year, I’ve gained so much. I want to thank my wife, for all her support and warmth.” My eyes felt like they were being pricked by needles. The microphone was handed to Leo. He smiled innocently and happily at Tiffany. “The person I want to thank most is my mommy. Thank you, Mommy, for giving me so much love. I love you.” With that, Leo spontaneously hugged Tiffany. The audience erupted in applause. Tiffany, on stage, saw me. As I turned to leave the banquet hall, she rushed out alone, stopping in front of me to provoke me. “Eleanor, you’re incredibly patient, aren’t you? I know you’re scared to make a scene because you’re terrified of leaving the Thorne family and losing this opulent lifestyle. But do you really think you can keep your place as Mrs. Thorne just by enduring?” I sneered at her. “We’ll see about that.” She smiled scornfully, full of confidence. “We’ll see! Your son, your husband, they’ve both declared my place to the world! What do you have left to fight me with?” I ignored her, quickening my steps. She’d soon realize that what she’d so desperately fought for was nothing but a worthless pile of garbage! On New Year’s Eve, the Thorne house was decorated brightly, full of festive cheer. Every year, I personally prepared the New Year’s Eve dinner. Marcus finally remembered to call me, but he tried several times and no one picked up. He felt an inexplicable anxiety. Tiffany, ever so understanding, said, “Marcus, it’s my first New Year’s Eve at home. Let me make dinner. Eleanor is probably busy in the lab again. After I’m done, you can call her back for dinner.” Marcus’s expression remained normal, but he felt a strange panic in his heart. When Tiffany finished dinner, Marcus still hadn’t gotten through to me. Mr. Jenkins, the butler, brought him a package. “This is from Mrs. Thorne, sir.” Marcus opened the package. The words “DIVORCE AGREEMENT” blazed up at him, striking with the force of a physical blow. His phone rang. It was Jamie, his assistant, voice tight with panic. “Mr. Thorne, emergency! Mrs. Thorne has revoked all patent licenses. The company can’t operate!”

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Chloe, Noah’s childhood friend, used witchcraft to exchange ten years of her life for my Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam passing qualification. She quickly became a top-tier real estate broker, pulling in over a million dollars a year. Meanwhile, I was reported for cheating, blacklisted from the entire industry, and ended up homeless. I turned to Noah for help, but he looked at me with disbelief. “You’re useless and couldn’t pass on your own, and now you’re slandering Chloe? I never thought you’d be this kind of person!” I had no way to defend myself. Chloe sued me for defamation, and Noah even testified against me in court. I was ultimately sentenced to ten years. Noah and Chloe promptly announced their engagement on social media. They were just waiting for their honeymoon to end before starting their new jobs. In a daze, I fell into a river and drowned. When I opened my eyes again, I was back one week before the Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam. I tossed my admission ticket into the trash with a flick of my wrist, then signed up for the janitorial staff training test instead. If Chloe wants to trade ten years of her life for my Certified Senior Real Estate Broker qualification, then let her go for it!

“Today, I’m announcing my exam category to everyone! It’s the Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam! This is my 23rd day of studying, and the exam is just one week away!” My body tensed as those familiar words echoed from the live stream on my phone. I instantly realized: I’d been reborn. When Chloe revealed her exam choice, the live chat exploded. “OMG! Isn’t that exam notorious for its ridiculously low pass rate? Like, one percent?” “The streamer’s lost her mind! People who’ve prepped for years wouldn’t dare take that, and she thinks she’s ready after a month?” “Subscribed! Can’t wait for the meltdown when she posts her results.” Most of the comments were skeptical, mocking Chloe for being overconfident. “Seriously? What’s wrong with these people, hating on Chloe like this?” Noah, my boyfriend, was fuming, frantically reporting every single comment that trashed Chloe. “They just don’t know how smart Chloe is!” I couldn’t help but sneer. Anyone who’d ever studied for it knew. No matter how brilliant you were, passing the Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam with only 30 days of study was impossible. In my past life, Chloe was a travel blogger who never really took off. Riding the wave of the booming real estate market, she loudly declared online that she was determined to pass the lowest-pass-rate Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam after just 30 days of studying. It definitely drew a ton of attention, but just like now, it was almost all hate. But when the results came out, Chloe–who’d been traveling the whole time–actually passed the exam on her first try and got her license. It caused a sensation! She gained millions of followers. Meanwhile, I, the one whose qualification she’d swapped, ended up in prison for exam fraud. I pleaded my innocence everywhere, only to be met with sneers like, “You’re just desperate to pass!” Lost in thought, Chloe approached me after ending her stream, asking curiously about the exam category I’d signed up for. Before I could even speak, Noah jumped in to answer. Chloe feigned surprise. “Cassie, we actually signed up for the same Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam!” “You’ve been preparing for a year, and you even aced the mock tests. You’re definitely going to pass and land a great job earning a million a year!” Noah said, his face full of adoration. “That’s not necessarily true. Chloe, you’re naturally smart and pick things up fast. Who passes first is still up in the air.” Chloe covered her mouth, giggling delicately. I clenched my fists. In my last life, I was so stupid, I didn’t even notice their secret affair. Chloe pulled a set of practice questions from her bag and handed them to me. “Oh, Cassie, these are practice questions for the Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam. Study hard, and you’ll definitely be fine.” Noah’s eyes were filled with admiration. “Chloe, you’re seriously too kind! You’re rivals, yet you’re willing to share. Cassie, aren’t you going to thank Chloe properly? You’re getting such a good deal.” I was getting a good deal? Chloe just wanted to make sure I passed the exam smoothly, to ensure her plan went off without a hitch. I saw right through her. I sneered. “I don’t need them.” Chloe stood there awkwardly. Noah, unable to stand Chloe being upset, immediately snapped at me. “Chloe was kind enough to share her materials with you, and that’s your attitude?!” “Apologize to her right now!” Chloe’s eyes welled up as she explained. “Cassie, are you upset because Noah is going with me on a trip to another state tomorrow? It’s okay, I can go by myself.” Noah instinctively frowned and retorted. “No way! You’re a girl traveling alone; how could I be at ease?” I almost forgot about this. In my previous life, during the week leading up to the exam, Chloe didn’t study. Instead, she took advantage of her growing follower count to film videos everywhere. Noah, ever the ‘protector,’ insisted on accompanying her. Worried about affecting Noah’s study routine, I pulled out all the stops to stop him from going, making sure he focused on studying. In the end, Noah passed the exam and got his license, while I was left with nothing but resentment. Now, if he’s so determined to ruin himself, why should I stop him? “But…” Chloe hesitated, glancing at me, feigning difficulty. “Perfect, I’m actually planning to go out too,” I said calmly. Noah looked at me, annoyed. “You’re going to tag along with us? Cassie, don’t be so pathetic! Chloe and I have known each other for over a decade. If anything was going to happen between us, do you really think it would have waited for you?” I tore up my Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam admission ticket with a swift motion and tossed it into the trash, a smile playing on my lips. “Don’t get the wrong idea. Whatever you two do has nothing to do with me. I’m going out on my own.”

“No way!” Chloe shrieked instinctively. Realizing her reaction was too strong, Chloe forced a strained laugh. “The exam is in just one week. Cassie, you should really stay and study hard. How else will you pass?” I shot back, mercilessly. “Why are you so invested in my grades?” Noah frowned, looking at me. “Chloe was giving you kind advice, and that’s wrong?” I was completely speechless. “Who cares? You should worry about yourself.” I turned to leave. Chloe, her eyes red, grabbed my arm. “Cassie, it’s all my fault, please don’t be angry…” I instinctively pulled my hand away, and Chloe stumbled, collapsing onto the ground. Noah instantly exploded with rage, shoving me to the ground. I landed hard, a sharp pain shooting through my knees. For a moment, I couldn’t get back up. Noah looked flustered for a second, but then quickly recomposed himself, speaking coldly. “Consider that a lesson. You need to seriously reflect on your behavior!” “I’m laying it out now: if you don’t pass this exam, don’t even think about being my girlfriend anymore!” With that, Noah grabbed Chloe and stormed off. I stared intensely at their retreating backs. Go ahead, enjoy your smugness for a few more days. We’ll see who really needs to reflect. I went home, packed my things, and left. Having prepped for a year, I knew the immense pressure of the competition; I’d never relaxed for a moment. It was a rare chance to really let loose and have some fun. I lay on the beach, soaking up the sun, occasionally checking my phone. Chloe was always live-streaming. Every time I tuned in, Noah was right there by Chloe’s side. They were having a blast, squeezing in all sorts of couple challenges. Chloe spent her days filming travel videos and live-streaming. Only at 10 PM would she transform into a ‘study influencer,’ pretending to study for an hour, always on the same page of her textbook. I didn’t head home until the day before the exam. The next morning, I spotted them from a distance at the exam venue entrance. Both of them looked completely drained. Chloe was in flip-flops, yawning. Noah didn’t look much better, sporting massive dark circles under his eyes. I knew exactly why. Last night, Chloe had streamed about finding a balance between work and play, saying she needed to relax before the exam, and dragged Noah into an all-night gaming session. This time, I was just waiting to see what ‘miracle’ they’d pull off. After the exam, I blocked Noah and didn’t unblock him until the day the results were released. Noah stormed over to my place, furious. “Where the hell have you been?! I’ve been going crazy looking for you! Why wouldn’t you answer my calls?!” I brushed him off casually, and Noah immediately pressed me for my score. I pulled out the screenshot I’d already photoshopped and said blandly. “99.” The moment the words left my mouth, Chloe’s face lit up with barely contained excitement. Noah was ecstatic. He rushed over and hugged me, exclaiming excitedly. “That high?! You must be the top scorer on the Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam!” “I knew you could do it!” I instinctively took two steps back, making an excuse that I needed to prepare for upcoming company interviews before leaving. That evening, Chloe couldn’t resist going live. “Guess what score I got on the exam?” The chat immediately blew up with all sorts of guesses. Chloe shook her head mysteriously, a smile she couldn’t hide spreading across her face. “It’s a 99! The highest score on the Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam so far!” Netizens weren’t stupid. Aside from a few congratulatory messages, most people were skeptical. “No screenshot, no proof? Big talker!” “Every other high-scoring Certified Senior Real Estate Broker influencer studies ten hours a day! But I saw the streamer just playing around constantly.” “The streamer is seriously overselling herself! Do you even know what it means to pass with zero experience after 30 days? If it’s true, I’ll eat dirt on live stream.” Facing the skepticism, Chloe didn’t bother to argue much, full of confidence. “I achieved this score through my own genuine effort. Besides, what century are we in? Who still studies rigidly?” “My unique ‘happy learning’ method lets you pass exams while having fun. After I land that million-dollar-a-year real estate manager job at a top company, I’ll come back and share my joy with all of you.” The Certified Senior Real Estate Broker qualification was just the first hurdle; next came the company interviews. I raised an eyebrow. This time, I was eager to see how she’d pull it off!

In the days that followed, I set myself a rigorous schedule. I woke up at five in the morning and kept doing practice questions, studying until the early hours. On the very day my interviews concluded, Noah’s call came through impatiently, asking about them. After I gave him a positive answer, Noah’s barely contained excitement was palpable through the phone. Ten days later, the interview results from the industry-leading company were announced. At the same time, I received a text message on my phone, reporting for a temporary janitorial position. I immediately posted a social media update visible only to Chloe. “After a year of preparation, I finally passed the exam and company interviews. A new beginning.” The post included a picture of my score and the text message notifying me of my new job. The next day, as I went to my room to pack, Noah, with a grim face, blocked my way. Noah gnashed his teeth, seething with rage. “Cassie, do you have any shame?! You didn’t even attend the company interviews, so how dare you pretend you got a job?!” My heart tightened. How did he know? Just as I grew tense, Noah continued. “And don’t think I don’t know this: Chloe was the one who scored 99! How dare you pass off her achievement as your own?!” I quickly pulled out my phone to check. Sure enough, the job notification text I’d received yesterday was gone. It seemed Chloe had already used her dark ritual, exchanging ten years of her life to swap my janitorial position. I couldn’t help but curve my lips into a smile. Seeing this, Noah became even more enraged. “You dare smile? You’re absolutely shameless!” I sneered. “We’re breaking up right now! You can be with Chloe!” Noah hadn’t expected this reaction from me and panicked. “Fine! If you want to break up, then break up! Don’t come crying back!” I watched him leave with cold eyes. That evening, just as expected, Chloe eagerly announced her Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam pass on her live stream, even showing the acceptance text message from the industry-leading company. “Holy crap, she actually passed!” “OMG, please share your secret! I’d pay 9999 dollars for it!” The chat was filled with praise for Chloe. Her live stream’s popularity skyrocketed, hitting number one in trending. Chloe clearly perked up at the mention of money. She cleared her throat. “I’m not doing this for the money. I mainly want to help more students pass the exam. I’ll share my study methods with everyone when I get a chance.” “I’m starting my new job next week. I’ll do a live stream from there on my first day. No one can doubt me then, right?!” In a flash, it was my reporting day. I put on a suit, tied my hair into a high ponytail, and set off, feeling invigorated. Just as I reached the company entrance, I heard a furious shout. “You seriously don’t give up! You actually followed me here.”

I couldn’t even be bothered to lift an eyelid. “First, who’d be chasing you? I’m here to report for work.” “Second, did you pass the Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam and interview for this company?” This time around, without my supervision, Noah had been playing around with Chloe constantly, living carefree. Unsurprisingly, he scored the lowest possible mark and didn’t get his certificate. “You!” Annoyance flashed across Noah’s face. “Report for what?” “Are you delusional because you failed the exam?” Chloe apologized somewhat meekly. “Cassie, I’m sorry. I know you worked incredibly hard preparing for a year. I just sort of tried it out, and somehow, I passed everything…” Noah pulled Chloe into his arms, glaring at me. “Enough! You’re useless yourself, and you’re still trying to play dirty! What did Chloe do wrong? Was it her fault for being too smart?” I watched the two of them calmly. Chloe was taking this seriously, even bringing a dedicated assistant to help her live stream and edit videos. Chloe turned back and started explaining to her live audience. “Everyone, please don’t blame her. She studied for a year and didn’t pass, so she’s just a bit upset. She really did try her best.” Chloe said not to criticize me, all while subtly directing her live camera toward me. Noah scoffed. “Effort? You call studying for a year and getting 38 points ‘effort’? That’s a new one.” “And you only got that 38 by cheating!” 38 points? Exam fraud? That was Chloe’s score in my past life. It seemed Chloe had not only swapped my score but also dumped her own abysmal score on me, even pinning a cheating accusation on top of it. I bowed my head, desperately trying to suppress my laughter. The live chat exploded with frantic messages. “She cheated and only got 38 points?” “Studying for a year and getting that score? If that were me, I’d just walk into traffic. What’s the point of living?” “How can someone be such trash, and still have the nerve to claim this job is hers? She doesn’t even have half the brains the streamer does.” A flicker of triumph crossed Chloe’s eyes as she feigned regret. “It seems the Certified Senior Real Estate Broker Exam truly depends on natural talent. I never expected to pass after just 30 days. It’s a shame you studied for a year and got this result.” “But no matter what, you shouldn’t have cheated! That’s a permanent stain on your record!” I stared steadily at her. “You know in your heart, this score isn’t mine. I didn’t cheat.” Noah lost his temper completely. “No matter how much you try to argue, it’s useless! Once the investigation results are out, you’ll be permanently banned from taking any exams!” Just then, a staff member poked their head out of an office, asking curiously. “Who among you is here to report for duty today?” “Me!” Chloe and I answered simultaneously. The staff member glanced at the form in their hand, frowning as they spoke. “How are there two of you? The form only lists one person, named…” “Chloe.” Chloe answered loudly, her face beaming with triumph. As she passed me, she lowered her voice. “Truth is, what good was your year of hard work? I just had to pay the price to make it mine.” “You might as well just accept your 38-point score and the consequences of cheating.” I said calmly. “Admit what? That score isn’t mine.” Chloe looked at me with pity. “Even if you don’t admit it, who’s going to believe you? People will just think you’re making excuses…” I looked utterly innocent. “But I didn’t even take the exam!” “What?” Chloe’s eyes widened, and a bad feeling instantly washed over her. “No way, then this position…” A slight smirk played on my lips. “Congratulations, you finally paid a huge price to get this janitorial position that only lasts for three months.”

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My daughter was a jinx. The first word she ever spoke, as a toddler, was “die.” No one took it seriously at the time, but the very next day, her grandpa was hit by a truck and killed. When my daughter started kindergarten, her second sentence was: “The snow by the door is red.” Her grandma went downstairs for a walk and was instantly killed by a flowerpot falling from an upstairs window. Blood spilled everywhere, staining the white snow crimson. My husband was distraught; he wanted to get rid of our daughter. My daughter then uttered her third sentence: “Daddy, watch out for cars.” My husband was terrified, not daring to step out of the house. But he tripped on a toy car in the living room, suffered a brain hemorrhage, and died on the spot. I cried, begging my daughter to shut up, to stop cursing her own family. But her expression remained cold, devoid of any remorse. “Mommy, don’t go near fire.” I completely broke down. On Christmas Eve, I climbed onto the rooftop. I didn’t want to burn to death, so I chose my own way to die. But as I jumped, someone below was setting off fireworks. The brilliant fireworks exploded, hitting me, and I plummeted to my death amidst the shocked screams of onlookers. My daughter stood on the rooftop, watching me, her face utterly expressionless. Even in death, I couldn’t understand why the daughter I had cared for so meticulously would curse our entire family. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day my daughter first learned to speak. This time, I finally understood what was going on with my daughter’s jinx!

The moment I opened my eyes, I saw my one-year-old daughter pointing at her grandpa and saying, “Die.” At first, no one reacted. Grandpa was still affectionately teasing her: “What is my sweet little Lily saying? Call me Grandpa, and Grandpa will give you candy!” But Lily’s small face remained cold, and she repeated, “Die.” A wave of fear and anger surged through me. I quickly clapped my hand over her mouth. “Don’t say that word! How can you wish for Grandpa to die?” Lily struggled, muffled by my hand, and began to wail, her face turning red from holding her breath. My father-in-law, Arthur, quickly intervened, “She’s just learning to talk, Sarah. Why are you getting so upset?” I pressed my lips together, my body trembling uncontrollably. “She’s cursing you!” Arthur paused, then laughed. “What are you talking about? She’s so young, how could she possibly know what ‘die’ means?” I didn’t know how to explain, so I could only tell Arthur to be careful when he went out these days. Especially to watch out for cars on the road. Arthur said he understood, but he didn’t take it seriously at all. I repeated the warning to my husband, David, who also laughed at me, saying I was overreacting. He looked at Lily tenderly, saying our daughter was anything but a jinx. He even tried to comfort me: “Sarah, are you having postpartum anxiety? Maybe you should take a break, and let my parents take care of Lily for a while?” A sudden chill ran through me. I immediately shook my head. No, absolutely not. What if Lily cursed someone else when I wasn’t around? But a sliver of hope remained in my mind—what if the previous incidents were just accidents? I hadn’t let Arthur leave the house for days, and I’d even put away all the toy cars. I was terrified of a repeat of what happened to David in my previous memory. After a few days at home, Arthur got bored. “I’m just going for a walk in the garden downstairs, don’t you worry about it!” I warned him repeatedly not to go anywhere near cars. But Arthur still had an accident.

He missed a step while going down the stairs, tumbling all the way down. His head landed precisely on a protruding nail. Arthur died on the spot. When the ambulance arrived, they immediately called the funeral home. My mother-in-law, Martha, knelt beside Arthur, sobbing uncontrollably: “How could this happen!” But her usually kind husband was gone forever, unable to hear her cries. David rushed back from work, his eyes immediately red with tears. Yet, he calmly contacted relatives and friends, preparing Arthur’s funeral. I held my innocent daughter, overwhelmed by guilt and self-blame. But Lily remained perfectly innocent, as if nothing had happened. I pinched her cheek, making her look at me: “Lily, tell Mommy? Why did you say that word?” “Why did you have to curse Grandpa?” But my daughter couldn’t answer. She cried even harder, distressed by my grip on her face. David heard her cries and quickly took her from me. He frowned, glaring at me: “This was just an accident, it has nothing to do with Lily!” My nose stung. How I wished it had nothing to do with my daughter. But Arthur was dead! From then on, I stopped talking to my daughter, and forbade everyone else from speaking to her. David incomprehensibly asked if I was having a mental breakdown, and Martha held Lily, condemning me. “Sarah, Arthur’s death was just an accident. How can you blame a child?” Lily played with her plush toy, flashing me an innocent smile. But I couldn’t help but shiver. I didn’t know how to avoid my daughter’s curses, so I could only warn my family members again and again. For these past few years, things had been quiet, and I had almost forgotten about the curse. Until that day, my daughter watched TV and spoke her second sentence: “The snow by the door is red.” My heart pounded. I immediately rushed downstairs and swept the snow by the door clean. Now, let’s see how that curse can possibly come true! But David’s urgent call came through. His voice was choked with tears: “Get to the neighborhood entrance, my mom had an accident!” My hands trembled as I locked Lily inside the house. When I sprinted to the entrance, I found Martha lying on the ground, covered in blood. The bag of salt she’d just bought was scattered across the ground, glinting like fresh snow under the sun… My daughter’s curse had come true again! Martha had been hit and killed by a car that ran a red light. But I was beyond caring about the driver’s apologies. I couldn’t let my daughter curse any more family members. I clutched the item in my pocket and turned back home.

Lily sat like a statue watching TV. When she heard me call her name, she rigidly turned her head. “Your grandma is dead. Don’t you have anything to say?” My daughter shook her head, neither crying nor making a fuss. But all I felt was a chill. Martha had lovingly raised her, and now the old woman was dead, and Lily felt nothing! I furiously grabbed her shoulders and demanded, “What exactly do you want?” “Why do you have to curse your own family?” Lily pouted, then started to cry: “Mommy, you’re hurting me!” I froze for a moment, then released her. It was then that I felt a flicker of humanity from my daughter. Otherwise, I would have thought she truly was a demon come to claim our lives. “Lily, promise me you’ll never curse your family again, okay?” But Lily’s gaze went past me, looking behind me. David, his face pale and drawn from taking Martha to the funeral home, walked in. My daughter spoke again: “Daddy, you also need to watch out for cars.” I gasped, then became furious. I slapped her across the face. “Why do you have to curse our family? Are you trying to kill Daddy and Mommy?” Lily had never been hit by me before. She immediately covered her face and wailed uncontrollably. David was heartbroken. He scooped Lily up and roared at me, “Sarah, can you please make things easier for me? What can a small child possibly do?” A lump formed in my throat. “Fine. If you don’t believe me, then don’t take it seriously!” David grabbed a few clothes, preparing to drive out and buy a burial plot. But as he headed to the garage, I regretted it. Now that Arthur and Martha were gone, I didn’t want David to die too! David must still have been angry; he didn’t answer my calls at all. I called for half an hour before finally getting through. David’s terrified voice came from the other end: “I was wrong! Our daughter really is a jinx! My brakes failed, Sarah, hurry and save me!” By the time I rushed there and got David to the hospital, the doctor told me he needed an amputation to save his life. I immediately agreed. As long as he was alive, that’s all that mattered. But Lily showed no emotion when she saw her dad lying in the hospital bed. Her coldness even chilled David to the bone. I blamed her in my heart, thinking this child was selfish, only caring about herself, only crying for herself. I even secretly found a child psychologist for Lily. The doctor, however, said Lily was fine and that we should simply interact with her less. Even doctors couldn’t find anything wrong. So I thought of the occult. But all the psychics I consulted looked terrified of Lily, saying they couldn’t help. After much deliberation, I decided to put that thing into Lily’s water cup. That night, Lily indeed cried out in pain.

I listened from the next room, tears streaming down my face with heartache. But I knew I had to do this. Otherwise, next time, it might be me who died. The next morning, I opened the door to Lily’s room. The walls were covered with her scratch marks. She was scratching her own neck like a trapped animal, her eyes red, staring at me with hatred. I cried and hugged her: “Forgive Mommy, Mommy didn’t want to do this.” After I gave her the silencing concoction, my daughter became mute. We had gone from a happy family to this. But this was still much better than everyone dying, as in my previous memory. I worked diligently, wanting to take care of everyone in the family. But ever since David became disabled, his personality had grown strange. Every time I came home from work, I’d see his sullen face. If the food I cooked wasn’t to his liking, he’d suddenly throw the utensils. “Sarah, let’s get a divorce!” I was stunned for a long time, then frantically asked if I had done something wrong. He pointed at Lily and me, cursing, “If it weren’t for you two, my parents wouldn’t be dead, and I wouldn’t be a cripple!” I was consumed by guilt, begging him not to leave us, mother and daughter. I pulled Lily over, wanting her to apologize too. But Lily immediately shook off my hand and ran back to her room. I cried and hugged David, “I only have you, please don’t leave us, okay?” David was silent for a moment, then hugged me back, suppressing a low growl: “Why? What did we ever do to her?” I also didn’t know why my daughter would curse us. What had we done wrong? Lily treated David and me like enemies. But I had forgotten one thing: she couldn’t speak, but she could write. While cleaning Lily’s room, I found her writings in a diary. ‘Daddy and Mommy, don’t go near fire, watch out for burning to death!’

I clutched that piece of paper, feeling as if all my strength had drained away. I didn’t understand why my daughter would curse us. In my previous memory, even when she killed my whole family, I didn’t blame her. Was it really karma from my previous life? Was she here to take revenge on me? David wheeled himself in. When he saw the diary in my hand, his face immediately turned white. Lily came home from school. Seeing us looking at her diary, she angrily snatched it and tore it up. David’s face turned red with rage. He pointed at his legs and yelled, “Isn’t it enough that you crippled me? What else do you want to do, burn your own parents to death?” Lily looked at us with hatred, then pointed to her throat. My heart tightened, and I guiltily said, “Lily, Mommy did it for the family’s well-being, I had to…” “Why are you explaining to her? You’re right, she’s a demon sent from heaven to torment us!” “If I could choose, I’d rather not have this daughter!” Lily scoffed, turned, and walked out the door. I worriedly wanted to chase after her, but David called me back. His hands tightly gripped the armrests of his wheelchair as he snarled, “How long do you plan to indulge her? Will you only be satisfied when she kills us all?!” I stammered, lowering my head: “After all, she’s our child! What can I do?” A cruel glint flashed in David’s eyes. “Sarah, we can have other children, but this demon will kill us eventually!” For some reason, my heart felt empty, a sharp ache. David continued, “I’ve secretly asked a psychic, and there’s only one way to break the curse.” David swallowed hard: “That is to give the curse back to her!” I almost lost my balance, directly knocking over the glass of water on the table. The clatter startled me. I instinctively objected, “This is our daughter! How could I burn her alive?” David grabbed my hand, soothingly, “Sarah, do you want her to kill you? Even if she kills our whole family, fine, but what if she goes out into society and harms others?” This made me hesitate. I didn’t know if my daughter was truly a legendary sociopath. I didn’t even know how she was cursing us. But I didn’t want more innocent people to die because of her. Finally, I reluctantly agreed to David’s suggestion. After Lily returned, I gave her a sleeping pill. I quietly turned on the gas stove in the kitchen and sealed all the doors and windows. David was in the room packing suitcases, his face unable to hide his joy. “We finally don’t have to live in fear anymore!” I forced a smile and helped him pack. Until I saw a family photo. I froze on the spot, trembling violently. I understood. I finally understood why my daughter cursed our entire family!

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After my best friend, Ashley, got hooked on gambling, she suddenly got super excited and said she wanted to take me to a high-stakes casino city. “I just won big, I’m treating you to a luxury hotel stay!” But once the plane landed, she dragged me straight into a private room deep inside a casino. “Look, I actually lost fifty million dollars, and if I can’t pay it back, they’re going to sell me to human traffickers.” “But the casino owner is looking for a woman with a crescent moon birthmark, and if I can help him find her, all my debts will be wiped clean!” “I saw you had one on your stomach when you showered! I’m so sorry, Maya, but I really don’t want to die!” I was pinned to the sofa by four burly men when my eyes landed on a child’s drawing hanging on the wall. It was a doodle I’d made for my dad before I was kidnapped. He cherished it, saying he’d keep it forever. Turns out, this casino owner… was my long-lost father! By the time I realized something was terribly wrong and tried to leave, it was already too late. “Maya, fifty million dollars, I just can’t pay it back! I brought you here to help me clear my debt!” I sucked in a sharp breath, my throat tightening with fear, I even forgot how to breathe. “Ashley, you sold me out?” “We’ve known each other for over ten years, you’re my best friend, and you sold me for fifty million?!” My accusation made her stumble back, shaking her head. “Don’t look at me like that… This casino owner is insanely wealthy, and the only thing he really likes is women with a crescent moon birthmark. For a woman like that, he’d wipe away any amount of gambling debt…” “He has this unusual preference, and you happen to have that birthmark. So, me bringing you here… it’s for your own good, really. What if he picks you? You’d be his mistress, loaded for life!” The image of a creepy old man flashed through my mind. I shivered, pushing her away and trying to leave. “If you want to be his mistress, go ahead. I’m going home!” But before I could even touch the doorknob, a heavy blow landed on the back of my head. “Maya, you forced my hand!” My head reeled, stars burst behind my eyes, and I stumbled a few steps before collapsing to the floor. She leaned over, snatching the pink bead from my pocket. “Don’t think I don’t know. You came with me not for a vacation, but to find your biological parents.” “Now that you’re here, if you help me with this debt, I’ll help you find your parents. But if you dare to run… you can forget about a family reunion for the rest of your life.” The pain in the back of my head was excruciating. I struggled to move my lips, my heart sinking into despair. I was kidnapped when I was five. The traffickers, afraid of exposure, immediately changed my clothes, shaved my head, and threw away everything I had. Only this bead, carved with my childhood nickname, Lark, had been hidden under my tongue. For sixteen years, I’d forgotten the way home. My memories from before I was five had faded a lot. This bead was the only thing I had left that connected me to my parents. Now the bead was gone, and with it, all hope. “Smart move.” Ashley had just finished speaking when the private room door opened. Several fierce-looking men walked in. “Ashley, right? Heard you brought something to clear your debt?” Ashley quickly pointed at me and nodded. “Gage, isn’t the boss looking for a woman with a crescent moon birthmark? This is my best friend, Maya, and she has one on her stomach!” “You see, I brought her here, so my fifty million…” The man in charge didn’t even lift an eyelid. He pulled out a chair and sat down. “What’s the rush? Let’s verify the goods first.” His subordinates immediately pounced, dragging me and pressing me onto the sofa. In a flash, they stripped off my jacket. One man reached for my T-shirt, and I kicked his shin with all my might. “Get off me! Don’t touch me!” “You bitch, you dare to kick me?” The man spat, then raised his hand and slapped my face twice. Stars burst behind my eyes, and before I could speak, a terrifying gunshot echoed through the room. The man screamed, clutching his leg as he fell backward, a bullet wound blooming on his shin. Gage stood there, gun in hand, his face expressionless. “You lay hands on her before I’m done verifying? You got a death wish?” “Get him out of here. Don’t stain the boss’s carpet.” The others, still shaken, mumbled in agreement and quickly dragged the man away. I was no longer restrained, but I was stiff with terror, afraid to move a muscle. They had guns. If I struggled again, I’d be next to get shot. In the corner, Ashley was terrified too, but a flicker of determination hardened her eyes. “Gage, she really does have a crescent moon birthmark on her stomach, the exact kind the boss wants!” Gage shot her a cold glance, and she instantly trembled, lowering her head. “You guys, go on. Make it quick, don’t waste my time.” Four more men lunged at me. I struggled backward, shrinking into the sofa, when suddenly I saw a familiar crayon drawing on the wall. It depicted a family of three flying a kite, and on the head of the little girl with pigtails in the middle, was a name I could never forget, even in death. “Lark.” I’d drawn that just before I was kidnapped. My mom adored it, and my dad had smiled, saying he’d keep it forever. It’s Dad! All these years, he’d been looking for me too! Overwhelmed with emotion, I pushed myself up on the sofa. “Is your boss’s last name…?” “So many questions. Ten to one, she’s just trying something sneaky.” Gage impatiently cut me off, aiming his gun at my forehead. “You, shut up.” “You guys, take her clothes off. Verify the goods.”

A cold dread washed over me instantly. He’d shot his own man, let alone me! Ashley trembled, whispering, trying to persuade me. “Maya, just cooperate. Once they’re done verifying, I can leave. If you keep this up, I’ll end up dead too…” Even now, she was only thinking of herself! I looked at the drawing again, deciding to play it cool for now. If Dad came after the verification, we could reunite, and all these problems would be solved. Gritting my teeth, I endured the humiliation, letting them pull up my T-shirt. Below my navel, the crescent moon birthmark was clearly visible. “Gage, this one looks real!” Gage immediately strode over. A flicker of surprise crossed his face when he saw the birthmark, and he murmured softly. “It really is exactly like the one the boss drew…” Ashley knew things were settled, and she simpered, trying to please him. “Gage, now that the goods have been verified, about my fifty million…” Gage stared at my birthmark, waving his right hand. “Cleared. Now get lost.” “Okay, okay, I’m going right now!” Ashley nodded vigorously, turning to run. But my bead was still with her! I quickly jumped off the sofa, reaching out to grab her clothes. “Ashley, you can’t leave…” “Don’t let her run!” Gage barked, and the nearest subordinate kicked me in the stomach. I couldn’t dodge in time and fell backward, my head hitting the corner of a table. Gage exploded in anger. “You looking for trouble? How many times have I said not to touch her before confirmation!” The spot where Ashley had hit me still throbbed, and now something was oozing out. I leaned against the table, raising a hand to touch it. My hand came away covered in blood. My vision slowly blurred. I felt my consciousness slipping away, my limbs starting to disobey me. Can’t faint… I haven’t seen Dad yet… “Damn it, Gage, she’s bleeding!” Someone shouted, pointing at me in a panic. Gage’s brows furrowed. “You two, go find a doctor. You two, go find the boss. Tell him this birthmark looks very similar and have him come take a look.” “The rest of you, be careful. If she really is the woman the boss wants, if you upset her now, and she complains to the boss later, we’ll all be in deep trouble!” Several subordinates scattered, running into Ashley who was standing by the door. She looked stunned. After a while, she asked, trembling. “Gage… doesn’t the boss just want a mistress? Is a mistress that important?” Gage’s harsh gaze swept over her. “Of course. Otherwise, why would the boss be so generous? Anyone who brings her in gets their debt cleared?” “But not just anyone can clear their debt this way.” “Before, people brought women with crescent moon birthmarks, but they didn’t know exactly where the boss wanted the birthmark to be. They just tattooed one on randomly and brought them over.” “And they were all… dealt with by the boss.” Ashley shivered, hearing Gage’s final words. “You’re lucky, though. This woman’s crescent moon is exactly where the boss wants it, not an inch off.” “Just wait. If she really is the woman the boss wants, not only will your fifty million be waived, but your best friend will also treat you to the high life, and you’ll enjoy every luxury together.” Ashley’s eyes darted around, her expression changing. I had a bad feeling, and with my remaining consciousness, I opened my mouth. “I, I am…” “Gage, I’m sorry!” Ashley suddenly lunged at me, her sharp nails digging into my thigh. “Her birthmark is fake!” “I can’t lie to the boss. I’ll pay back the fifty million, I’m not clearing my debt this way!”

Gage immediately roared in anger. “Ashley, you’ve got a death wish!” “No! She forced me to come here!” The gun was aimed at her, and she dropped to her knees with a thud. “She found out where the birthmark should be from somewhere, went to a tattoo parlor, and forced me to bring her here.” “She said she wanted to hook up with the boss and live a life of luxury!” “It’s true, she threatened me! If I didn’t bring her, she’d kill my parents!” Ashley pleaded incessantly, tears streaming down her face. I gasped for air beside her, shaking my head vigorously. “I didn’t… I am…” “Maya, stop lying! You can fool him for a while, but not forever. If the boss finds out your birthmark is fake, you’ll die an even worse death!” Gage looked down at me, his sharp eyes scrutinizing my exposed crescent moon birthmark, as if trying to discern which of us was telling the truth. But he didn’t seem to know that my father was looking for his daughter, not a mistress. If he had looked at my face more closely, he might have noticed the resemblance between Dad and me… Suddenly, shouts came from outside. “Gage, those guys are causing trouble in the main hall again!” Gage grabbed his gun and headed out. “You guys, guard the door. Don’t let either of them leave. I’ll be right back.” The private room door closed, leaving only Ashley and me. Ashley lowered her voice. “I can’t believe the casino owner’s obsession is so intense. If the birthmark matches, you get to be the boss’s lady!” I struggled to stay conscious, but my body kept sliding down. The blood from the back of my head was increasing, and I probably couldn’t last much longer. “What… what do you want…?” A wild look flashed across her face, her chest heaving as she spoke. “I was wrong. I thought he just wanted a mistress to sleep with… No, I can’t let you become the boss’s lady.” “Otherwise, you’d never let me off the hook… just like I won’t let you off!” I gasped, shaking my head. “We’re best friends. If you let me go, I’ll let bygones be bygones.” “Impossible. You must hate my guts!” “Really… Think about it, without me, how will you pay back that fifty million? They’ll sell you to human traffickers, and that’s worse than death!” Ashley froze for a moment, then looked down, her eyes darting around rapidly. Seeing a glimmer of hope, I continued. “Let me go, I swear I won’t say anything. I’ll make sure you live the high life, and that fifty million… I’ll pay it for you.” Her expression finally shifted. She licked her dry lips. I secretly sighed in relief. But before I could exhale completely, she suddenly clenched her fist. “No, you’re so stubborn, you never gave up searching for your biological parents for over ten years. How could you let me off the hook?” “I can figure out another way for the fifty million, but you can’t be left alive!” With that, she found a small knife, and its tip plunged directly into my crescent moon birthmark! “Ah—” I shrieked in agony, only for her to clap a hand over my mouth. She traced a line along the crescent moon, then pulled out a small bottle of clear liquid, forcing it down my throat. A bitter taste seared my throat, and I immediately felt something was terribly wrong. “Don’t be scared. This anesthetic takes effect in twenty minutes. After that, you’ll pass out. No matter what happens, you won’t feel a thing.” She tossed the empty bottle and knife under the table, whispering frantically in my ear. “I’m sorry, Maya. If only one of us can survive, it has to be me!”

The anesthetic spread through my body. I felt all my strength drain away, and I slid to the floor, feeling as if I could pass out any second. Just then, Gage returned. Seeing the scene, his brows furrowed as he looked at Ashley. “What happened?” Ashley, tears streaming down her face, pointed at me. “Gage, she was afraid of the pain when she got the tattoo, and she ran off before the last part was colored in.” “Now the wound has reopened… she’s in too much pain, saying she’s dizzy…” Gage’s eyes dropped, and he saw a thin line, indeed bleeding, at the top of my crescent moon. “It really is fake…” “Go tell the boss not to waste his time coming over. This one’s fake too.” A shadow fell over me, and a cold touch pressed against my stomach. “You almost got me killed with your trick.” “You like crescent moons, don’t you? Then I’ll cut this piece of skin off and sew it onto your face!” What… The knife tip pierced deeper into the wound. My dying consciousness was jolted, and I struggled, trying to scream. “No—I’m the person the boss is looking for!” “He’s not looking for a mistress, he’s looking for his daughter! I’m his daughter!” A moment of dead silence fell over the private room. Gage gave a cold laugh. “No wonder you dared to get a tattoo and send yourself to your death, you’ve got guts. You’d say anything.” “Our boss doesn’t even have a wife. How dare you impersonate his daughter?” The knife tip deepened by another inch, and the anesthetic took full effect. I couldn’t feel the pain, but I couldn’t speak either. Through the haze, someone nearby reminded Gage. “Gage, this is the boss’s favorite carpet…” The knife was immediately pulled out. Gage stood up. “Take her away. Get someone to clean the carpet.” “Gage, should we just sell her to human traffickers?” My heart tightened. I watched him wipe the knife with a handkerchief, his eyes venomous. “Take her to the VIP section. Let the guests have their fun with her, then sell her when they’re tired.” “What about that woman…?” Ashley immediately fell to her knees, wringing her hands and begging. “Gage, just give me five more days! I promise I’ll pay back the fifty million. If I don’t, you can do whatever you want with me!” Gage frowned in thought for a moment, then held up three fingers. “Three days.” “Okay, three days it is! I’ll go raise the money right now!” I was lifted up, tried to struggle, but had no strength. I could only watch Ashley rush out of the room like a madwoman, without a single glance back. Two minutes later, I was thrown into the noisy VIP section. Countless men and women gathered around. Someone shouted. “Hey, isn’t that the crescent moon birthmark Mr. Thorne likes so much?” Everyone laughed. “Another one trying to gamble with Mr. Thorne.” “Normal, if you actually win that bet, you become the owner’s wife, living the ultimate high life.” “Too bad, this young girl lost her bet. Looks like she’ll have to find another country to live in.” Some pulled at my T-shirt, some grabbed my ankles, others, disgusted by my blood-soaked state, walked away, pinching their noses. I was like a discarded rag, unable to move or struggle. I could only stare up at the gilded ceiling, a deep sense of injustice churning inside me. I was just one step away from reuniting with Dad… Suddenly, the entire hall fell silent. A steady set of footsteps approached. “Boss, Gage said this one definitely isn’t it, so he told us to just toss her here.” “Hmm, you handle it.” It was Dad’s voice, just as I remembered! The footsteps turned, moving in the opposite direction. I panicked. I didn’t know where the strength came from, but I croaked out a desperate cry. “I’m Lark!” The footsteps abruptly stopped. That gaze, intense and piercing, turned directly towards me.

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My dad scheduled a physical for me. When the nurse was drawing my blood, I heard her ask, “Is this for a bone marrow match sample?” I froze. That wasn’t listed on my physical exam form at all. And why would I need a match anyway? The lab slip in the nurse’s hand accidentally fluttered to the floor. As I bent to pick it up, a few lines of text jumped out at me: Patient: Chloe Davis. Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Guardian Signature: Robert Anderson. Robert Anderson was my father, but who the hell was Chloe Davis? I called my dad right away: “Dad, why does my physical need a bone marrow match?” His voice wavered, sounding a little flustered. “Must be a hospital mix-up, right? But it’s just another test—can’t hurt to do one more.” I smiled and said okay. After hanging up, I went straight to the patient room listed on the lab slip. Walking into the room, I saw a girl lying in bed. Her face was pale, her body frail. Her eyes and eyebrows looked almost exactly like my dad’s. My heart dropped. I clenched my hands and walked over, asking, “Are you Chloe Davis?” She looked up at me, startled. Before she could speak, a woman’s voice came from behind her. I turned. It was her mom. She looked to be in her early thirties—pretty young—simply dressed, with a gentle, motherly vibe. She seemed flustered, her face pale, her hands shaking a little. “You must be one of Chloe’s classmates, right?” Her voice was urgent and shaking. She rushed forward and grabbed my arm. “She needs to rest. Could you step out for a minute? I need to talk to you.” I didn’t refuse and followed her out of the room. In the hallway, she visibly relaxed, then hesitated before speaking. “You’re…” I held up my medical form, cutting straight to the point. “Why is my father’s name on your daughter’s guardian signature line?” “Ma’am, what’s your relationship with my dad?” The hospital hallway was busy with people, and some who knew her walked by. She hadn’t expected me to confront her directly. Her expression got even tenser, but she forced a smile and greeted her acquaintances. Then, with a strained smile, she tried to explain to me: “That signature… my daughter is sick, and a generous charity is providing funding. The person in charge happened to be there when I was filling out paperwork, so they just signed casually.” Her words were gentle, meant to calm my suspicions. But her eyes, fixed on me, held a hint of malice and a greedy glint. I met her gaze, staring right back. She looked a little guilty, instinctively running a hand through her hair. I noticed the diamond ring on her hand. It looked familiar—a designer piece. It was from my mom’s favorite designer. This designer, who rarely releases new pieces, had recently launched a new collection that got a lot of industry attention. It happened to coincide with my parents’ wedding anniversary. I’d even secretly suggested to my dad that he should try to get this diamond ring as an anniversary gift for my mom. He agreed, telling me to keep it a secret, saying he had a surprise planned for Mom. But on the anniversary, what he gave her was a generic, mass-produced design you could find anywhere. Even the stones were cubic zirconia. My dad explained that he’d been at a cross-country meeting with a time difference, mixed up the date, and couldn’t get the limited edition. He said he’d use a regular designer piece for now and later contact the designer for a custom piece for Mom. Turns out, he hadn’t “missed out”—he’d given it to this other woman. And fobbed my mom off with a lousy substitute. I gritted my teeth, holding back a surge of anger. Staring at Summer’s awkward expression, my smile didn’t reach my eyes. “Ma’am, your ring is beautiful, isn’t it? A limited edition designer piece?” “My mom waited forever but couldn’t get one.” She probably hadn’t expected a kid like me to recognize it. She froze up instantly, her face turning ugly. She quickly pulled her hair forward, trying to cover a necklace, and stammered out a defense: “What designer piece…? I don’t know anything about that. My daughter just bought this for me—it’s nothing expensive.” “I need to go take care of my daughter now, so I should get back.” “Oh, and please don’t mention today to anyone, so we don’t cause any misunderstandings at home.” With that, she turned in a panic and hurried back into the room. Watching her flee like that, I scoffed to myself. Spineless coward. Without another look, I turned and left the hospital. Sitting in the car, I immediately called Mr. Davison, my grandfather’s assistant: “Could you help me look into any unusual activity my dad’s been up to lately, especially his travel plans and financial transactions?” “Be quick, but be careful not to tip him off.” “Any evidence you find, save it right away.”

When I got home, my mom, Eleanor, was in the kitchen making soup. When my dad was younger, he was busy with work, had an irregular diet, and developed serious stomach problems—he even had two stomach surgeries. My mom felt bad for him. A woman who’d never even boiled an egg started cooking just for him. She made slow-cooked soups, healing porridges, and medicinal dishes… She carefully nursed his stomach back to almost full health—about 80%. For as long as I could remember, that had been going on for nearly ten years. In two days, it would be Mom and Dad’s 20th wedding anniversary. Yet this was when I found out my dad was cheating. Watching her busy in the kitchen, my anger turned to deep sadness, and I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. She was in her forties but kept her figure well, with firm skin that made her look closer to thirty. Only her hands told a different story—slightly enlarged knuckles, thin calluses on her palms, and a few faint white scars on the backs of her hands. She used to love getting manicures, but later, she found it got in the way of cooking, so she quit altogether. I walked into the kitchen and gently hugged her from behind. She jumped, then smiled and teased me: “You’re home? You’re almost in high school, acting like a little kid.” “Come on, get out of here. It’s smoky, and I’m busy.” When I didn’t move, she sensed something was wrong. She turned around and immediately saw my tear-streaked face, her expression instantly tensing up. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Didn’t you go for your physical? Didn’t Dad go with you? Let me ask him…” She started to reach for her phone. I grabbed her wrist, shaking my head hard. “Don’t call him!” Mom froze, looking at me anxiously, waiting for me to explain. I squeezed my eyes shut, my throat tight. “Dad… he’s cheating.” “Her name is Summer Davis. She used to be his secretary.” I moved stiffly, my fingers shaking a little as I pulled my tablet out of my bag. The screen lit up, showing the information Mr. Davison, my grandfather’s assistant, had helped me dig up. The screen light made Mom’s face look pale. I swiped through the pages, showing her everything one by one. “She and Dad started seeing each other not long after she joined the company. That was… right when you got pregnant with me.” “Less than six months later, she left the company because she was pregnant. Dad bought her a luxury penthouse in a high-end building near our house, and it’s in her name.” “While you were swollen and struggling to sleep in your third trimester, he was making her special prenatal meals over there; while you were fighting for your life during a difficult labor in the hospital, he was massaging her, walking with her to ease her pain.” “While you were recovering from your C-section in the hospital, he was at that woman’s prenatal appointments, even telling her to walk more so she wouldn’t have to go through a C-section later.” “Mom, that other daughter is only six months younger than me. He cheated on you *while you were pregnant*.” I cried as I spoke, tears splashing onto the tablet screen, leaving small wet streaks. Mom stared blankly at the words and photos, her eyes slowly reddening with tears. “How could this be…?” “Twenty years… dating, marriage, twenty years. How could he…?” I hugged her tightly, took a deep breath, and kept going. “Mom, remember when I was little, the house fire?” She nodded, her voice getting even hoarser. “Of course I remember. I was on a business trip then. Your dad was juggling work while taking care of you, and when he turned around, you’d set the curtains on fire… He risked his life to save you. He was terrified afterward, watching over you in the hospital, saying if anything happened to you, he wouldn’t want to live either.” “After you got out of the ICU, he was so anxious. He followed you everywhere, often waking up in the middle of the night to check on you. He kept telling me it was all his fault… Back then, I thought he really loved you and cared about our family.” As she spoke, there was a bitter edge to her words. I kept scrolling, pausing my finger on a section of the investigation report. “What if I told you that fire wasn’t an accident at all?” “He thought I was asleep and was rushing to see them—Summer and Chloe. He threw an unextinguished cigarette butt into the trash can.” “The window was open, the wind blew the curtain in, and it caught fire. He locked me in the room… I couldn’t save myself.” “He didn’t save me either. A neighbor noticed the fire and called the police. Firefighters broke down the door, carried me out, and took me to the hospital. He… only showed up much later.” “I was only a few years old then, and I was drifting in and out of consciousness, so I couldn’t remember exactly what happened.” “Did you think he stayed by my side that whole time because he loved me? He was scared I might suddenly remember and tell you the truth… scared you’d get mad and he’d lose access to Grandpa Harrison’s resources and connections.” My eyes stung, burning with a mix of injustice and fury. All the happiness I thought I’d had was actually a carefully constructed lie. The built-up unfairness hit its breaking point, turning into pure anger. I hated him for lying to Mom, and even more for giving me this fake love all these years like it was some kind of charity. What were we to him, really? But looking at Mom’s face, only heartache was left. She was the one who’d been hurt the most. I wanted to say more, but my phone suddenly rang. It was the hospital. “Hello, is this Hazel Anderson? Some of your physical exam results need retesting. Please have a parent bring you back to the hospital for a detailed examination as soon as possible.” I paused, trying to keep my voice steady. “Okay, I understand.” As soon as I hung up, both my mom’s and my phones vibrated almost at the same time. The message to me said: [The hospital called, said you need a recheck. Dad will take you the day after tomorrow.] The message to Mom said: [Honey, that French designer you like is having a private collection exhibit next week. A friend gave me two invitation-only tickets. It’s the day after tomorrow afternoon. You should go, clear your head.] The day after tomorrow was exactly when I was supposed to have my recheck at the hospital. He’d deliberately sent Mom away, planning to take me alone… Mom and I exchanged a look. Neither of us said anything. I really wanted to see his face when his elaborate scheme fell apart.

On the day of the recheck, my dad and I went to the hospital together. While waiting at a red light, he picked up his phone and sent a voice message to my mom. “Honey, have you gotten to the art exhibition center? Is parking easy there?” He was checking up on her. Soon, Mom replied with a message. “Just got here, waiting in line to get in. Parking was a bit far, had to walk a ways.” She also attached a photo. A selfie of her and a friend at the exhibition center. My dad tapped to enlarge it, then kept driving. “I heard the ‘Morning Mist’ piece is on display this time. Have you seen it? I remember you really liked that painter.” A few minutes later, Mom sent a photo from inside the exhibition hall. “Saw it, it’s even more amazing than in the catalog. It’s pretty crowded, talk later.” My dad seemed to let out a relieved sigh. He turned to me with a perfect smile. “Your mom finally gets to relax a little.” Hypocrite. I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. At the hospital, he played the part of the good father perfectly. Follow-up appointments, tests, checking in… He even kindly covered my eyes when they drew my blood. If I hadn’t found out about his affair and that he had another daughter… I probably would’ve leaned into that tenderness, snuggled in his arms and whined like a kid, just like before. The whole process went quickly. After getting the blood draw receipt, he checked his watch and spoke casually. “Hazel, wait here for a minute, don’t go anywhere. Dad’s going to the bathroom, I’ll be right back.” “Okay,” I whispered, looking down. He was heading toward the hematology ward. After a little while, I stood up and quietly followed him. The ward door was slightly open. I stood outside, peeking through the gap. My dad was sitting beside Chloe’s bed, feeding her medicine. The girl leaned against him, looking completely dependent, her voice tearful. “Daddy, I’m scared…” “Am I going to die? I don’t want to leave you and Mom…” My dad gently wiped her tears, his voice incredibly soft. “Silly girl, don’t talk like that.” “Daddy got you the best doctors in the country and the best medicine. See, Daddy’s always here with you, right? You’re so brave, you’re going to get better.” Summer also leaned over, gently brushing her daughter’s cheek. “Don’t be scared, Mommy and Daddy are here. Your dad has put off so much work for you, coming to the hospital every day, talking to all these experts and professors… Remember when you had that midnight fever last month? Daddy was at a conference overseas, but he got on the next flight home and stayed up with you for two whole nights. With Daddy here, you don’t have to fear anything.” The three of them looked like the perfect little family. Meanwhile, I stood outside the door feeling like a fool. I remembered when I was eight, I had pneumonia so bad my fever hit 104 degrees, coughing so hard I thought my lungs would split. Mom rushed me to the ER, her hands shaking she was so scared. She called him over and over, but all he sent was a text: “With important clients, can’t leave. Thanks for handling it.” That whole night, Mom sat with me alone in the emergency room until morning, watching the IV drip. Later I found out Chloe had been throwing a fit that night, didn’t want him to leave. His “important clients” were just Summer and her. I dug my nails into my palms so hard they almost broke, but I didn’t feel a thing. Suddenly an arm wrapped around my shoulders. It was Mom. She gave me a little nod, like she was saying “I’ve got you.” Just then, the doctor came out smiling: “Don’t worry, you two. Chloe’s numbers have fluctuated a bit lately, but they’re manageable overall. With parents as dedicated as you supporting her, the child’s positive attitude is crucial for treatment. Our team has gone over the bone marrow transplant plan thoroughly—we just need the donor ready, and we can move forward with surgery.” “I’d do anything to save Chloe,” my dad said, looking at her with a determined voice. Anything to save Chloe. What about me? Me, being treated like a walking donor. Didn’t my wishes, my health, matter at all? A dull, heavy ache spread through my chest. My dad turned to the doctor, his voice steady. “I’ve got the donor all set up. We can get all the paperwork done today.” “Please do whatever you can to schedule the surgery as soon as possible.” A senior doctor next to him nodded in agreement. “Robert Anderson, always so efficient—and so dedicated to his daughter.” “Don’t worry, we have the OR ready. Once the donor completes pre-op checks, we can start. A father as connected and involved as you—this child is truly lucky.” The head nurse joined in: “Yes, Robert Anderson’s here practically every day—we all notice. It’s rare to find a successful man who’s also so family-focused and responsible.” Another doctor added: “I heard Robert Anderson not only works tirelessly for his daughter but also started a personal assistance fund to help other families facing similar struggles. That kind of generosity really earns our respect.” The hospital room filled with praise and admiration. He was being hailed as the perfect father and a generous man. Their voices trailed off, and someone even started clapping. The mood was upbeat and positive. Mom squeezed my hand, then pushed open the door, her voice sharp as ice: “Robert Anderson, that ‘recheck’ you mentioned… was it just a trick to turn my daughter into a donor for your love child?”

The room went dead silent. All the congratulatory smiles froze on their faces. Doctors, nurses, and the specialist all gaped at our sudden entrance, then at my dad and Summer, whose faces had gone white as sheets. My dad jumped up like he’d been burned, knocking over a water glass. “El-Eleanor? Hazel? What are you doing here…?” “Wondering why we’re not at the art exhibit?” Mom let go of my hand and stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over the girl in the bed who looked just like my dad, finally landing on his face. “If I hadn’t come, how else would I get to see my husband being so loving with his ‘important client’s’ daughter?” “Mrs. Anderson, please let me explain—this…” Summer tried to step forward but froze under Mom’s icy stare. “Explain what?” My voice shook—not from fear, but from anger so intense it felt cold. “Explain why you’re wearing what was supposed to be my mom’s anniversary gift? Explain why my dad is listed as your charity’s representative and your daughter’s legal guardian?” “Robert Anderson,” Mom didn’t even glance at Summer and Chloe, fixing her eyes on my dad, each word sharp as ice. “While I was swollen and exhausted during pregnancy, you were cooking for her. When I was fighting for my life during childbirth, you were out walking with her. When Hazel’s room caught fire as a kid, you didn’t even try to save her – you were rushing to see them, flicking a cigarette butt that nearly killed her! You only stuck around later because you were scared she’d remember, scared of losing my family’s money!” “Twenty years… Robert Anderson, twenty years married to you, just to get your carefully planned betrayal. And today, you tricked my daughter into being a donor for your love child?” Mom’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word cut through the silent hospital room, setting off a murmur of shock. The doctors and nurses who’d just been praising my dad now wore stunned expressions, whispering and exchanging looks. Oh my God, is that his wife? That sick girl is his mistress’s kid? Only six months younger than his real daughter? He cheated while his wife was pregnant! They were just calling him a great dad and philanthropist, but he’s using his wife’s family money to support his mistress! No wonder he was so pushy about the donor – he was plotting against his own daughter… My dad’s face turned red then white, veins bulging in his forehead. He tried to sound calm. “What are you talking about?! Let’s discuss this at home! This is a hospital, the child is sick – don’t cause a scene here!” “Making a scene?” Mom scoffed like she’d heard something ridiculous. She held up her phone, showing screenshots of evidence Mr. Davison had sent. “Robert Anderson, should I show these ‘angels in white’ your property deeds, bank transfers, and vacation photos with them? Let them see how this ‘generous’ Mr. Robert has been living off my family’s money while treating us like garbage!” “You!” My dad snapped, lunging to grab her phone. “What, gonna get violent?” Mom stood her ground. “With all these witnesses? Where was your shame when you were doing those disgusting things?!” Chloe, who’d been quiet, suddenly screamed: “Who are you people? Why are you yelling at my daddy! Daddy’s mine! He’s not yours!” She tried to struggle out of bed. Summer quickly hugged her, tears streaming, begging Mom: “Mrs. Anderson, it was all my fault. Please don’t involve the child—she’s so sick, she can’t handle this… Robert was just confused, trying to save his daughter. Hazel is Chloe’s biological sister after all. If they match, saving her sister’s life is the right thing to do…” I finally let out a bitter laugh. “Sister? My mom only had me. Saving her would be a choice, not an obligation. You tricked me into blood tests without consent—that’s illegal! And Dad, you said ‘anything to save Chloe.’ So if it means taking my bone marrow and hurting me, that’s still ‘worth it’?” My dad looked away, his lips trembling. He couldn’t speak. “Good. Real good.” Mom nodded, the last warmth leaving her eyes. She ignored my dad’s pathetic excuses, pulling out her phone and dialing a number on speaker. “Dad, you heard all that, right?” The door opened again. My grandfather, Mr. Harrison, walked in with his cane, accompanied by Mr. Davison. He wore a sharp tailored suit, his face grim, eyes like steel. They swept over my dad’s crumpled figure, then fixed on Summer and Chloe with cold scrutiny. “Robert Anderson,” Mr. Harrison’s voice carried the quiet authority of a lifetime in charge, silencing the room. “Effective immediately, you’re terminated from all company positions. Any assets funded or guaranteed by the Harrison family will be frozen and liquidated.” “Dad! Mr. Harrison!” My dad panicked, trying to rush forward but blocked by Mr. Davison. “You can’t do this! I built this company…” “Built it with what?” Mr. Harrison cut him off sharply. “Without Harrison capital, connections, and my daughter managing your life all these years, your little shop would’ve failed. Lawyers are already investigating your embezzlement to fund your mistress. For Hazel’s sake, I’ll offer this: walk away with nothing, or face criminal charges.” Summer shrieked: “How dare you! Those are Robert’s earnings!” Mr. Harrison didn’t spare her a glance, addressing my dad directly: “Your choice: sign the divorce papers, surrender what’s not yours, or we’ll see you in court. And we can add child endangerment charges for trying to coerce Hazel into medical procedures without consent.” My dad went pale as a ghost, staggering back into the hospital bed. Mr. Harrison turned, his expression softening as he looked at Mom and me. “Eleanor, Hazel, let’s go home.” As we headed for the door, Chloe suddenly grabbed a water cup from her nightstand and threw it at me. “You’re the bad guys! You ruined my daddy! You ruined everything!” Mom pulled me behind her just as the cup shattered against the wall. Mom paused, turning back to Summer and Chloe. “Remember this: We didn’t ruin anything. Your mother and my husband built their life on lies and betrayal—it was always going to fall apart.” Stepping into the hallway, the sunlight was almost blinding. Hysterical crying and shouting echoed behind us. Mom squeezed my hand tightly—her palm was cold but trembling. I squeezed back, trying to share some warmth.

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There was this guy at the office who lived for spreading rumors about female coworkers. When one woman wore a bodycon dress, he’d joke she was “definitely into kinky stuff after hours.” When another got promoted with a raise, he’d claim she “slept her way to the top” with the boss. When he saw me leaving work in a Bentley, jealousy ate him alive. He started telling people I had three sugar daddies. He even followed me and cut me off in traffic. “Driving so fast, you got a sugar daddy waiting?” I just snarled back: “You’re wasting my time, and you’ll regret this!” Turns out, I was speeding because there was a pregnant woman in labor in my backseat. And that woman? His wife. On the way to the hospital, some guy in a Volkswagen cut me off three times on purpose. I was in a rush, so I let it go. But my patience only egged him on. BANG. He forced me to a complete stop. When I rolled down my window and got a good look at his face, I realized it was Dylan Pierce—that guy from work who loved labeling everyone. He had a cigarette hanging from his mouth as he swaggered out of his car, looking all smug and mocking. “Driving so fast, you got a sugar daddy to service?” A luxury car getting cut off downtown quickly drew a crowd. “This is wild. Some dude in a beat-up VW picking a fight with a Bentley? He must have a death wish.” I’d had enough. I pushed open my door and stepped out. “Dylan, there’s an emergency. Move out of my way before you regret it.” But he didn’t care. He glanced at the Bentley logo and sneered. “Emergency?” He raised his voice, making sure everyone around could hear. “Your emergency’s meeting your sugar daddy, right? Can’t wait to service your client—hope you can keep up with his demands.” “Makes sense. How else would a regular employee afford a Bentley unless she’s selling herself?” His words lit up the crowd. “See? Told you. No office worker drives a Bentley. She’s definitely a sugar baby.” “Gross. Stay back—might catch something.” The crowd’s admiring looks at the luxury car turned to daggers aimed at me. I let out a bitter laugh. What, rich families don’t have daughters? But right then, the pregnant woman in the backseat—Pearl Anderson—was clutching her heavily pregnant belly, face ashen with pain. If I didn’t get her to the hospital soon, someone could die! Seeing me stay quiet, Dylan got bolder. He stepped closer, spittle flying as he talked. “Cat got your tongue? Feeling guilty?” “Hey princess, why not share your secrets for landing a Bentley?” “I’m sure everyone here would love to know.” The crowd snickered and nodded along. Their judgmental stares burned into me. I felt suffocated. I clenched my fists, jaw tight enough to crack. “Whether my money’s clean or not is none of your business.” “Your wife is in the car, she is in labor. If something happens because of your games, you’ll regret it forever.” Dylan laughed like I’d told the funniest joke ever. “Please, my wife’s due date isn’t for weeks! You think I’ll fall for that?” “Iris, you’re so desperate to meet your sugar daddy you’re using my wife as leverage?” Then a twisted idea crossed his face. “Fine. If you, Iris Bennett, publicly admit you’re a prostitute, I’ll move.” He turned to the crowd again. “Listen up! This woman’s nothing but a gold-digging whore!” “Remember her face! If you’re dating, steer clear—she’ll drain your bank account!” The crowd erupted in laughter. People pulled out phones to record me. I trembled with rage, chest heaving. “Dylan, you say I’m selling myself, do you got any proof?” “If not, that’s slander. I’ll call the cops right now and sue you for defamation.”

He froze for a second, then lost it completely. “Iris, don’t push me!” “I’m doing you a favor! Trying to help you see sense! If you escalate this, you’ll be the one humiliated!” I stayed calm, face steady. “I’ve got nothing to hide. Why would I be ashamed?” “But you are spreading lies about me? I’ll make sure you pay for this.” Dylan’s face turned purple with rage. “Fine! If you want to humiliate yourself, be my guest!” He fumbled for his phone, held it up high, and yelled. “Everyone, look! Here’s the proof!” The crowd leaned in. People nearby craned their necks, then gasped. “There it is. Let’s see her explain this!” On his screen was a video of a woman linking arms with some middle-aged guy, walking into a fancy hotel… And the woman’s build and hair looked exactly like mine. According to this video, Dylan was telling the truth. I was the liar. “That’s definitely her! Case closed!” “Wow, she looks so innocent—but she’s a total gold digger!” “No question—she’s definitely a sugar baby!” Dylan smugly put his phone away and smirked at me. “Cat got your tongue? Weren’t you tough a minute ago?” “You wanted proof? Is this video enough?” “Admit you’re a escort, get on your knees and apologize, and I’ll let you go. Deal?” My mind raced, looking for holes in his story. He thought a deepfake video would take me down? He really underestimated me—he had no idea I was set to inherit a company. But I didn’t call him out right away. Instead, I put on a devastated expression, eyes watering as I grabbed Dylan’s hand. “I was wrong earlier. Thank you.” Everyone—including Dylan—looked shocked. “Thank me for what?” I kept going. “Thank you for showing me I was violated without even knowing it.” “Please send me that video. I need to report that creep immediately!” He froze, yanking his hand back and scowling. “Iris, what are you talking about?” “You obviously did this willingly. Stop playing the victim!” I ignored him and started sobbing in front of everyone. My cries were loud and desperate. “If that monster hadn’t drugged me, this never would’ve happened!” “If no one believes me, I’ll end my life to prove I’m innocent!” I made a dramatic move like I was going to hurt myself. The crowd, clearly moved, rushed to stop me. Then I wiped my tears and spoke firmly. “I’m calling the cops. And the media!” Dylan’s face went white. “Are you crazy? You can’t go public with this! Do you want everyone to know? You’ll embarrass the whole company!” I stared him down. “Why shouldn’t I call the police? You’re the one who just accused me of being drugged and assaulted, remember?” “I just want the police to get me justice. Is that so wrong?” Dylan’s face turned purple. He kicked his car in rage. “Iris, I’m warning you—you’re not calling the cops today!” “As a company employee, I won’t let you ruin our reputation!” I let out a bitter laugh. Now he suddenly cares about company reputation? I had no intention of actually calling the police. I just needed to scare him. After all, the pregnant woman in the car couldn’t wait much longer. I needed to wrap this up fast. Ignoring Dylan’s yelling, I pulled out my phone and made a call. “Mr. Harrison, I need you to come down. I have a video that needs authentication.” Within ten minutes, a black sedan pulled up. A middle-aged man in a suit carrying professional equipment got out. This was Mr. Harrison—one of the top AI forensics experts in the field. After hearing the situation, he connected his equipment to Dylan’s phone. Within minutes, he had his answer. “This video was created using AI face-swapping and motion synthesis technology.” The crowd exploded. This time, their anger was directed at Dylan.

“He faked the video to slander her! What a scumbag! That’s messed up!” “I knew something was fishy. No way a nice girl would do that. He totally set her up!” “He must be jealous she drives a Bentley, so he tried to ruin her reputation! What a creep!” Dylan turned white as a sheet. He stammered, unable to get words out. I walked up to him, voice dripping with disdain. “So I wasn’t drugged after all. Just slandered with a deepfake video.” “Dylan, you really can’t stand seeing others succeed? You can’t get promoted, so you assume every successful woman slept her way up? See someone with a nice car and you turn green with envy?” “Your small-mindedness is sad and laughable.” The crowd started pointing and whispering about Dylan. Dylan’s eyes turned dark with hatred as he glared at me. “Iris!” “You just wait!” Remembering the pregnant woman in the car, I didn’t waste another second. “Dylan, your Volkswagen can’t outrun my Bentley, can it?” “If you want your wife to be okay, move out of my way!” He scoffed. “Someone like you doesn’t deserve to say my wife’s name.” I ignored him and got back in the car. The engine roared to life as I started it. In the rearview mirror, I saw Dylan frozen, eyes blazing with anger. My heart skipped a beat. I worried he might do something desperate. I was about to tell Pearl to hold on. But before I could speak, I heard screeching brakes and a crash behind me. BANG! A massive jolt hit the back of the car, sending it lurching forward. My forehead nearly hit the steering wheel. From the back seat, Pearl cried out, clutching her stomach tighter. I looked back. Dylan’s car was smashed into my Bentley’s rear bumper. His bumper was totaled. He was slumped over his steering wheel, eyes bloodshot, glaring at me like a rabid animal. “Iris! How dare you show off your fancy car! How dare you flaunt your money!” “I’ll teach you a lesson for crossing me!” Another crash. He rammed me again. The car shot forward half a meter. My forehead slammed into the steering wheel. Everything went black. From the back seat came Pearl’s scream of agony. “Ahh! My belly, my baby…” “It hurts so bad…” Ignoring my throbbing head, I spun around. Pearl was curled up in the back seat. Her white dress was soaked in blood. “The baby… my baby… please be okay…” Cold sweat broke out across my forehead. I fumbled for my phone to call 911. Then someone started kicking my car door. Dylan stormed out of his car, face contorted with rage. “Iris! You can’t even drive?!” “Typical woman driver!” “You caused this crash! You’re paying for my car!” “Or I’ll make sure you get fired!” I laughed in disbelief. “Dylan, you’ve got some nerve twisting this around.” He kept ranting, demanding I get out of the car. But the situation was critical. I just needed the ambulance to hurry. Pearl’s breathing was getting weaker. The blood stain on the seat kept spreading. Looking at Dylan’s smug face, I ground my teeth. “Dylan, shut up. Someone in this car is dying.” “Dying? What’s that to me?” Dylan sneered and kicked the door again. “Quit making excuses! You’re just avoiding the bill!” “You drive a Bentley and act so high and mighty? Pay up!” “Or you’ll be sorry!” He kept rambling, spewing the same insults. I bit my lip and tried one last time, as calmly as possible. “Dylan, the person in this car is your wife!” “She’s in critical condition because of you!” “Dylan, you bastard! You’ll regret this!” That made him even angrier. “You bitch, how dare you drag my wife into this? You want to die?” “Fine! I’ll grant your wish!” He grabbed the door handle, trying to yank it open. But the second he saw who was in the back seat, his face went ghostly white… He froze like he’d been struck by lightning, lips trembling. “Honey? Why… why are you here?” “How did you end up in this car?”

His eyes turned red. He frantically tugged at the door handle, fumbling for what felt like forever. Finally, I hit the unlock button and he stumbled inside. Pearl’s dress was completely soaked in blood now. Her eyes were half-open, barely breathing as she looked at him. “Dylan… our baby…” “Is he… leaving us?” “No, no, he’s not!” Dylan reached for Pearl but hesitated, afraid to hurt her. His hand hovered, shaking. He looked up at me, voice cracking. “Iris, why the hell didn’t you tell me sooner?! Hurry, get her to the hospital!” I almost laughed. “Dylan, I did warn you. You just didn’t listen.” “And your car’s totaled because you crashed it. How am I supposed to drive now?” Watching him panic, I felt nothing but bitter irony. I said flatly, “I already called an ambulance. It’s on the way.” Before long, the ambulance arrived. As paramedics lifted Pearl onto the stretcher, Dylan tried to follow, but I blocked him. “Dylan, let’s be clear. You faked that video to slander me and deliberately crashed into my car. This isn’t over.” Dylan pushed me aside and climbed into the ambulance, calling Pearl’s name frantically. I followed them to the hospital. Outside the ER, Dylan crouched in the hallway, clutching his hair, voice trembling with fear. “How did this happen?” “Pearl’s due date was still three months away. How…?” He looked nothing like the arrogant man who’d rammed my car—just pathetic. I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. “Your wife went into premature labor…” “Dylan, if it weren’t for your paranoia and spite, Pearl wouldn’t be here. I could’ve gotten her to the hospital safely!” “You did this to her!” That set him off. He pointed a finger at my face and started cursing. “No! It wasn’t me!” “It’s you! You evil woman! You did this on purpose!” After what felt like hours, the ER doors finally opened. A doctor stepped out, and Dylan rushed over. “How’s my wife? What happened?” The doctor pulled off his mask and shook his head. “I’m sorry. We did everything we could. The patient had severe hemorrhaging from the impact. We couldn’t save the baby. She’s stable now, but she needs rest.” “Gone?” “That’s impossible!” “You’re all lying to me!” Dylan’s eyes turned bloodshot. He suddenly turned to me, all rationality gone. “This is your fault! All of it! If it weren’t for you, my wife wouldn’t have lost our baby!” “You were driving her! Why didn’t you protect her?!” He lunged at me like a wild animal and slapped me hard across the face. The sharp *crack* echoed through the quiet hallway. My cheek burned. My head snapped sideways, and I tasted blood in my mouth. But I didn’t let him get away with it. I mustered all my strength and slapped him back. “If you hadn’t deliberately crashed into my car, would Pearl have lost the baby?” “And now you’re hitting me instead of taking responsibility? You make me sick!” Dylan flew into a rage and tried to hit me again, but a nurse nearby held him back. He struggled and shouted, “No! This is your fault! You bitch!” Just then, police officers arrived. “Sir, calm down!” An officer put a hand on Dylan’s shoulder, speaking firmly. “You created a fake video to defame someone, deliberately damaged property, and now you’ve assaulted someone. You’ve broken multiple laws. If you don’t calm down, you’ll face serious charges.” Dylan looked at the officer’s serious face and finally deflated. He collapsed to the floor, covering his face as he sobbed. “Why me? This isn’t fair!” Even now, he refused to take responsibility. “Is Iris Bennett here?” “The patient wants to see you.”

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The night before my wedding, I found out my mafia boss fiancé had a child outside of our relationship. He was sorting through the invitations, his voice calm, almost detached: “It was a mistake from my youth. The child is born, I have to take responsibility. She had nowhere else to go, so she’s staying at the estate with Leo.” My entire body stiffened, a cold dread seizing me. It took me a long time to find my voice: “So, these three years we’ve been together… what was all that?” “I wronged you. Whether we get married or not, that’s your call.” My hand instinctively pressed against my lower abdomen. There, a secret was hidden, one I had planned to tell him today. My chest ached with a dull, suffocating pain. “So, for three years, every holiday when you said you had urgent business to handle—” “I was seeing them.” He cut in, his tone flat. “Anya is good with the boy, and Leo is well-behaved.” Three years. He could have told me sooner, but he kept it a secret. A subtle cramp twisted in my lower abdomen. I instinctively covered the spot. Dante’s eyes dropped to my hand, and his brow furrowed. “You look unwell.” He stepped forward, reaching for my forehead. I recoiled abruptly, my spine hitting the cold tile wall. “Don’t touch me.” Just then, his phone rang. From the other end came a woman’s muffled sobs, laced with a faint accent: “Dante, Leo has a fever. Can you please come see him?” Dante rubbed his temples. “Alright, I’ll send a doctor over.” Hanging up, he looked at me: “The boy’s quite fragile.” I laughed, tears streaming down my face: “Take me to them.” He was silent for a long moment. His phone vibrated again. This time, it was my dad, Richard. “Chloe, I’ve sent out all the wedding invitations! Everyone’s saying Dante is powerful, and that you have good taste!” I choked back my sobs: “Dad, I’m busy. I have to hang up!” After I hung up, Dante said: “The invitations are out, the hotel’s booked. I’ve given you the grand wedding you wanted.” I looked up at him: “Are you trying to threaten me with this?” “I said, you can choose whether or not to go through with it! You just need to think clearly.” I choked on my words, then let out a mocking, hollow laugh. “Get out.” Dante paused. “Chloe…” “I said, GET OUT!” I grabbed a glass nearby and hurled it at him! He didn’t dodge. “You’re too emotional right now. I’ll come back when you’ve calmed down.” The door softly clicked shut. I slid down the wall, collapsing to the floor. My phone vibrated. It was Uncle Mike. I took a deep breath before answering: “Uncle Mike?” Uncle Mike sighed: “Chloe, your dad has late-stage cancer. He doesn’t have much time left. He kept it from you, hoping to see you get married, to build a family.” My phone slipped from my grasp, falling to the floor as silent tears ran down my face. After a long time contemplating, I called Dante. “Tomorrow’s wedding? It’s on as scheduled!”

Before the wedding, I insisted on seeing the woman and her child. Dante agreed. The car drove towards a heavily guarded mansion in the city’s outskirts. My heart sank with every passing mile. The estate looked incredibly expensive. Then, I saw the mistress. She was stunning. “This is Chloe King.” Dante’s introduction was curt. The woman greeted me: “Hello, Ms. King, I’m Anya!” I looked behind her. A thirteen-year-old boy stood in the shadows, his features eerily similar to Dante’s, watching me with cold, disdainful eyes. Dante waved him over: “Leo, come here.” The boy slowly walked closer, calling out without expression: “Dad.” Dante instructed the maid: “Bring Mrs. King’s slippers.” The maid brought the slippers, but it was Dante who knelt and helped Anya put them on. I froze. He just called her Mrs. King! Less than three minutes into the meeting, I stood up and said: “I need to go.” Anya walked me to the door: “I heard your father sent out invitations everywhere. How ridiculous. You’re just a mistress, and your family has the nerve to brag.” Without hesitation, I slapped her. Her face quickly swelled and reddened: “You hit me?!” I stepped closer, glaring at her, “Dare to mention my father one more time, and I’ll tear your mouth off.” Dante rushed over at the sound. Seeing Anya’s swollen face, his brow furrowed: “Chloe, you promised not to cause trouble for her.” I met his gaze, “Ask her what she just said.” Anya’s voice was thin and trembling, laced with tears: “Dante!” But young Leo suddenly looked up, glaring at me and shouting: “How dare you hit my mom?!” I looked coldly at the mother and son, not willing to indulge them, and stated directly: “Dante, she just called my father a pimp, saying he sold me off to you as a mistress!” Dante took a deep breath. “Even if she said something inappropriate, you shouldn’t have resorted to violence. When did you become so utterly unreasonable?” Unreasonable? I watched as he subtly shielded Anya and Leo behind him, and my anger turned to a dull ache of despair. I lifted my head, forcing back the tears. I used to crave a grand wedding so much. Now, I just wanted it to be over. On the wedding day, the sun shone brightly. Everything went smoothly until the moment before we were to exchange rings. The banquet hall doors burst open, and Anya rushed in. “Dante… Leo’s gone missing!” Before she finished speaking, she collapsed to the floor. My heart instantly clenched. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my father’s strained smile. I forcefully suppressed all the surging emotions within me. I saw Dante instinctively about to rush off the stage. I grabbed his hand tightly, pleading pathetically: “Dante, the ceremony is just twenty minutes from being finished. Please, can you just play along with me? My dad is watching us.” I tried to force a smile, one that looked uglier than any cry. Dante’s brow was tightly furrowed, and he challenged me: “Anya has collapsed, and Leo is missing. You still want me to stay here and finish this twenty-minute charade with you? Is your ‘ceremony’ more important than a human life?” The next second, I was violently thrown off by him, my mind in a daze, knocking over the champagne tower behind me. And he, to the shock of all the guests, strode quickly towards the unconscious Anya. “Dante!” I screamed with all my might to stop him, “If you leave now, I’m breaking up with you for good!” The entire hall fell silent. But he just turned his head, throwing back a cold, harsh remark: “You look so… unfamiliar to me right now.” Then he gestured for his men to help Anya up, and left without looking back. The wedding host stood awkwardly on the stage. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the cold floor. The sharp pain in my lower abdomen intensified. Until my pristine white gown was stained red…

Shortly after the car started, Anya slowly regained consciousness in Dante’s arms. She leaned weakly on his shoulder, murmuring things like “I didn’t mean to, I was just so scared when I couldn’t find Leo.” Dante absentmindedly hummed in response. Suddenly, Chloe’s final look at him flashed before his eyes. A strange pang hit his heart, but it was quickly replaced by impatience. Women were such a hassle. They made a huge fuss over every little thing. Was his personal safety so trivial in her eyes? His phone suddenly vibrated. He answered, his tone impatient: “Speak.” On the other end, his trusted subordinate Jax’s voice was unusually panicked: “Mr. King, something big happened with Ms. King…” Dante rubbed his throbbing temples. “What happened?” “I don’t know, but they say Chloe was covered in blood!” Dante just froze for a moment, then let out a scoff, “She’s really playing the victim, isn’t she?” “Just yesterday you were saying she’s too proud, that she’d never tolerate Anya and Leo’s presence, right?” His voice was firm and derisive. “She just wants to blow things up, force me to make a public statement, and completely ditch Anya. Isn’t that always how women try to manipulate things?” “But this time it just feels… off! Did Chloe have a miscarriage? They say her father collapsed right there! The whole place was chaos!” The stress of the past few days and the current confusion pushed Dante’s irritation to its peak. “Alright, Jax.” Dante cut him off. “You know how much I’ve wanted a child with her all these years. She never got pregnant.” Jax tried to say something else, but Dante’s voice came again: “I’ve just spoiled her too much, that’s why she thinks she can manipulate me like this.” “But…” “Enough. I know what I’m doing. I’ll hang up now; I’ll deal with this when I’m done here.” Dante hung up without further discussion, tossing his phone aside. He told the driver to drive carefully, then adjusted his posture slightly to make Anya more comfortable in his arms. His fingertips brushed away the sweat-dampened strands of hair from her forehead. See. Anya was so simple, so obedient, needing his complete protection and control. And Chloe… His eyes darkened. When did she become so cunning, resorting to such methods to compete? He felt a pang of disappointment. He’d thought they were soulmates. He chose to be honest before the wedding because he believed their bond was strong enough. But she needed to know there were some lines she couldn’t cross. Upon arriving at the mansion, after much coaxing, Leo locked himself in his room, and Anya took a sedative and fell asleep. Dante sat in his study, an unexplainable frustration simmering within him. At this moment, he clearly realized that his carefully planned wedding had been ruined. It could have gone so smoothly… Anya timidly knocked on the study door: “Dante, I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to. I didn’t know the wedding was today, and Leo was just having a tantrum and hid. I just panicked and wanted to see you, I never thought it would turn out like this.” “Did I… cause you and Ms. King trouble again?” Looking at her fragile, helpless demeanor, Dante’s irritation finally dissipated. He sighed, his tone softening slightly: “It’s fine now. Just keep a closer eye on Leo from now on, don’t let him run off. You should rest too.” As he turned to handle some business, his encrypted phone rang. It was one of his men at the hospital. The man’s voice was urgent as he relayed a few sentences. Dante’s face instantly changed. His steps halted for a second, then he clenched his fist violently. Something truly terrible had happened at the wedding. Chloe had been rushed to the hospital with severe bleeding, and her father had died on the spot…

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Two years ago, my close friend Marcus’s restaurant was on the verge of bankruptcy. I put my neck on the line and gave him the entire corporate catering contract for my company. A million dollars in annual food service fees. I thought he’d be grateful. Until someone sent me a recording. Marcus’s wife Vanessa said: “He has no idea how much she’s skimming off the top in kickbacks. Acting like such a saint.” I listened to it and laughed. But I didn’t confront him. Instead, I gave the contract directly to his competitor. Two years ago, Marcus’s restaurant was hemorrhaging money. He couldn’t make payroll for months and was about to shut down. He came to me with red-rimmed eyes. A man pushing thirty, crying in front of me. “Nora, please help me. This restaurant is my father’s life’s work. I can’t let it die like this.” We grew up together. I couldn’t watch his restaurant go under. During that period, I fought against everyone’s resistance at the company. I literally pounded my fist on the conference table in front of several senior board members. I put my position as Operations Director and my personal reputation on the line, guaranteeing his restaurant could provide the highest quality food service. In the end, I secured the exclusive catering contract for the company cafeteria. A steady million dollars a year in revenue. Enough to bring him back from the dead. The day we signed the contract, Marcus grabbed my hand. He cried even harder than before. He said: “Nora, I’ll remember this favor for the rest of my life.” “From now on, my life belongs to you.” Vanessa, standing beside him, completely changed from her usual cold distance. She was all bows and smiles, her face plastered with flattery. She poured me water, massaged my shoulders, calling me “hon” with every other breath, closer than an actual sister. “Hon, you’re our family’s savior. We’ll do anything for you from now on.” The more sincere those remembered smiles were, the more vicious the voices in that recording sounded. Two years. Just two years. The friendship I’d protected with everything I had was nothing more than a transaction they could brag about and trash-talk in their eyes. What I thought was a lifeline had become their story about my “greedy kickbacks.” A wave of physical nausea rolled up from my stomach. I didn’t do what they probably imagined—call them in a rage to demand answers, to argue my case. There was no point. Arguing with backstabbers who’d never appreciate you would only dirty my mouth. I saved that recording along with the email, carefully filing it away in an encrypted folder. Then I closed my email like nothing had happened. I opened the company’s supplier database and typed in: Flavors Haven. Marcus’s competitor’s restaurant. I calmly finished my work, then left the office.

The next day was Saturday. I didn’t have to go into the office. But my internal clock still woke me up at seven sharp. Outside the window, the sky was gray and overcast, like it might rain. I didn’t stay in bed. I got up, washed up, and made myself a simple breakfast. My phone buzzed. A small company group chat was lighting up. A few colleagues from different departments I was on decent terms with were chatting. “Oh my God, did you guys eat yesterday afternoon’s food? I almost threw up that steak.” “I seriously think their kitchen knocked over the salt shaker. It was so salty it tasted bitter.” “It’s been two months now, right? The cafeteria food keeps getting worse. Either too salty or too greasy, and there were bugs in the vegetables.” “Shh, keep it down. After all, they’re Nora’s relatives. We shouldn’t say too much.” “What relatives? I heard they’re friends. Really close ones.” “Still, they should at least be worth what we’re paying, right? The quality—even fast food takeout is better than this.” That one phrase, “Nora’s relatives,” was like a tiny thorn stabbing into my eye. I put down my sandwich. Instantly lost my appetite. Because of Marcus, my professionalism had already been discounted in my colleagues’ eyes. I’d become the person who played favorites, who sacrificed employee benefits to take care of her “connections.” I opened Ins and scrolled down out of habit. Vanessa’s profile picture popped up in the latest posts. A carefully edited selfie with a brand-new red sports car steering wheel in the background. The logo in the center of the wheel gleamed. On her hand was a just-purchased luxury brand bag, latest collection. The caption read: “My husband works so hard. All our effort deserves the best rewards!” Every word dripped with undisguised pride and showing off. I clicked on the image and zoomed in. Blinding. I laughed coldly. So this “effort” meant talking behind my back, painting me as a greedy bloodsucker? Meant cutting corners on employee meal standards over and over, skimming costs to fund your luxury lifestyle? Under the post, Marcus’s comment was pinned at the top. A heart emoji followed by: “As long as you’re happy, babe.” So loving. So harmonious. My finger unconsciously scrolled up, flipping through their Ins from the past two years. From cautious at first to completely shameless later. New car today, new house tomorrow, European vacation the day after. Vanessa’s Ins was basically a nouveau riche flexing documentary. And me? I looked down at my phone that I’d been using for nearly three years. The screen edges already had some scratches. These past two years, to help balance their restaurant’s books, to get them back on track as quickly as possible, I’d even proactively suggested shortening their payment terms from quarterly to monthly. That meant how much extra communication and reporting I had to do. How many times I had to go back and forth with the finance department. Had they forgotten all that? No. They hadn’t forgotten. They just thought it was all perfectly natural. That it was what I should do. The suppressed fire in my chest finally found an outlet and blazed up. I wasn’t running a charity. My kindness and loyalty weren’t cheap goods they could squander and trample on however they wanted. I exited Ins and found a number in my contacts I’d barely ever called. The name read: Rachel. I dialed her number. “Hello?” A crisp, capable woman’s voice came through. “Hi, this is Nora.” My voice was so calm it didn’t ripple at all. “I’d like to meet with you to discuss our company cafeteria catering contract. Do you have time tomorrow?”

Rachel and I met at a café in the city center. She arrived before me. When I walked in, she was sitting by the window with a laptop in front of her, fingers flying across the keyboard. She wore a well-fitted beige suit, hair pulled back in a neat bun. Her whole presence radiated professionalism and competence. Seeing me, she immediately closed her laptop, stood up, and extended her hand. “Nora, pleasure to finally meet you.” Her hand was warm and firm, her gaze open and bright. “Rachel, likewise.” We sat across from each other. No unnecessary small talk. Rachel pulled out a thick stack of documents from her briefcase and pushed them toward me. “Nora, this is the preliminary catering proposal and quote we’ve prepared specifically for your company.” I picked it up and flipped through. The proposal was incredibly detailed. From nutritionally balanced menu combinations to a full week of non-repeating daily menus. Even customized meals for special occasions—everything was thoroughly considered. Every ingredient’s source and inspection report was attached. Most importantly, her quote—while guaranteeing higher quality—was actually ten percent cheaper than Marcus’s restaurant. I looked up at her. Rachel met my gaze squarely. “Nora, I won’t hide this from you. Vanessa and I have history.” She wasn’t lying, just calmly stating facts. “My previous head chef got poached by her with triple the salary. He also took several of our signature recipe formulas with him.” “After that, she spread rumors everywhere that our ingredients weren’t fresh and our hygiene didn’t meet standards.” I listened quietly without interrupting. I’d heard whispers about these restaurant industry feuds, but hearing it from someone directly involved hit differently. Rachel’s face showed no resentment, only a businessperson’s cool composure and honesty. “So if your company is willing to give me this opportunity—” She paused, her tone absolutely certain, “I’m willing to cut another two percent from this base, and personally, I’ll sign an unlimited joint liability food safety guarantee with the company.” “I need this contract. Not just for profit, but to prove my restaurant is better than theirs.” In her eyes flickered an unyielding, vibrant ambition. This contrasted so sharply with Marcus’s pathetic weakness and Vanessa’s petty vanity. I appreciated her. A reliable adult, a trustworthy business partner—this was exactly what that should look like. “Rachel.” I closed the proposal, leaned forward slightly, and looked into her eyes. “Your professionalism and honesty have impressed me.” “No need for the additional discount. Let’s go with this quote.” “I only have one requirement. From day one of our partnership, I want my colleagues eating the best work meals in the entire city.” Rachel’s eyes lit up instantly. She nodded emphatically: “Nora, you have my word. I stake my reputation on it.” We drafted a letter of intent on the spot. As we shook hands goodbye, Rachel said: “Nora, thank you.” I smiled. “You should thank your own professionalism.” Back at the empty office, I sat at my desk and opened my computer. First, I drafted a formal report on terminating the catering service partnership with Marcus’s restaurant. The report contained zero personal emotion. Just facts. I attached screenshots from the past three months from the company’s internal forum and anonymous feedback channels—all the complaints about poor cafeteria food quality and questionable hygiene, along with negative satisfaction statistics. Employee satisfaction had dropped from ninety percent two years ago to barely thirty percent now. Shocking. Next, I drafted a second report proposing an open bidding process to bring in a new cafeteria vendor. In the proposal, I created a clear comparison chart between Rachel’s proposal and pricing versus Marcus’s restaurant’s current service and costs. Which was superior was obvious at a glance. All documents ready. I saved them on my desktop, naming the folder “Final Solution.” Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened. I stared at the cold text on my computer screen, feeling completely calm inside. Everything was in place. Tomorrow would be a very interesting day. Monday morning, nine o’clock. The company’s internal bulletin board and every employee’s inbox simultaneously received a notice from the Operations Department. “Announcement Regarding Change of Cafeteria Catering Service Provider.” Black and white text, official wording—but like a depth charge dropped into a calm lake. The entire company exploded. Break rooms and office areas instantly flooded with cheers. One colleague even posted on Ins: “Best thing that happened today—finally don’t have to eat slop anymore!” Ten-thirty AM. Marcus’s restaurant delivery truck rolled up to the company building as usual. Then got stopped by security. “Sorry, starting today our company’s switching catering providers. Your truck can’t enter the garage anymore.” The driver was Marcus’s cousin. He was completely stunned. He immediately called Marcus. When Marcus got the call, he probably thought it was a mistake too. He hung up and started frantically calling me.

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In the building’s WhatsApp group, Marcus Stone, the property manager, suddenly posted several messages: 【”Beauty Chic Rent-Free Offer”】 【All single female residents in this building are eligible for full rent waiver with this voucher.】 【Terms: Must perform all household duties for male residents, including but not limited to hand-washing undergarments.】 【Must keep bedroom doors unlocked overnight to facilitate “emotional connections” with male residents.】 【In the event of unintended pregnancy, all male residents will crowdfund baby formula and assist with childcare.】 The messages were followed by repulsive comments from male tenants: 【Marcus is such a legend—this’ll help the ladies save up for those designer purses.】 【Girls these days are too lazy to do chores anyway—this’ll be good exercise for ’em.】 An agreement treating women like communal property and posted openly in the group chat? I screenshotted everything and immediately called 91 I never expected that right after the police left, Marcus’s goons would kick in my door. “Think you’re better than everyone else? Ruining the building’s vibe, huh?” My belongings were scattered everywhere. My undergarments were kicked all the way down the hallway. “Since you refuse to cooperate, you’re the new janitor! Get your ass to the storage closet. Every toilet in this building is your responsibility to scrub!” After I’d dutifully cleaned the toilets for weeks, the property manager came crawling back, begging me to move back into a proper unit. 1. “Claire Bennett, I’m offering you a second chance.” He blew smoke rings in my face. “The storage closet doesn’t have windows, but at least it’s private. I’ll waive your rent if you keep the bathrooms spotless daily.” The male tenants nearby snickered and catcalled. “Marcus is such a stand-up guy, still letting her crash here.” “Women like her who don’t know when to keep their mouths shut deserve to be homeless.” The speaker was Derek Walsh from apartment 302. His leering gaze always made my skin crawl. I crouched down and picked up my belongings one by one. My hand brushed against the shattered perfume bottle. Blood started oozing from the cut. I didn’t make a sound. I didn’t shed a tear. Showing vulnerability now would only egg them on more. “What’s the matter? Got something to say?” Seeing me stay silent, Marcus kicked over my storage bin. My underwear spilled across the floor. Derek picked up a lace bra, held it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. “Fancy brand too. Smells just like a little slut.” “Give that back to me!” I lunged forward to grab it back. Derek tossed the bra to the guy behind him. They tossed my intimate clothes around like a game, cracking crude jokes the whole time. “Want it back? Beg for it.” Marcus blocked my way. “Marcus, this is an illegal eviction.” I locked eyes with him. “I have a signed lease agreement. It’s legally binding. I still have six months left on it.” “Agreement?” Marcus pulled my lease out of his pocket and ripped it to pieces. “In this building, I make the rules.” “Either you move into that storage closet, or get the hell out with your garbage right now.” “But let me warn you—no security deposit refund. And I’ll make sure every landlord in this neighborhood knows you’re a destructive tenant who trashed the unit.” I work as an auditor. This is crunch time for my current project. I can’t afford to hunt for a new place right now—it would derail my work completely. If I leave now, both my professional reputation and career could be ruined. “Fine. I’ll take the storage closet.” Marcus looked surprised that I caved so easily. “Should’ve just cooperated from the start.” “Everyone clear out. Let our new cleaning lady tidy this mess properly.” They left snickering, leaving total chaos in their wake. I gathered my trampled clothes and walked toward the storage closet at the end of the hallway. The door had no lock—just a rusted latch. Inside were stacks of discarded cardboard boxes. The air smelled like mildew and rot. This was going to be my “home.” I pulled out my phone and stared at a familiar profile picture. Ryan Cooper. We went to college together. He lives in this building too. Earlier, he’d stood at the back of the crowd, saying absolutely nothing. I texted him: 【Why didn’t you say anything?】 After a long while, he finally responded: 【Claire, you overreacted. Marcus was just messing around. You had to call the cops and make everything awkward for everyone.】 I didn’t bother replying. I turned off my phone and tried to sleep.

The storage closet had no windows. I couldn’t tell if it was day or night. I woke up to someone pounding on the door. “What time do you call this? Still sleeping? The bathroom stinks so bad nobody can use it!” It was Marcus’s voice. I checked my phone. It was only 6 AM. I forced the door open. Marcus kicked a filthy bucket toward my feet. “Go clean it! If you mess up our morning routine, you’ll regret it.” I picked up the bucket and headed to the shared bathroom on the second floor. Before I even stepped inside, the pungent smell of urine hit me. The toilet seat was covered in yellow stains. Cigarette butts and used tissues littered the floor. There was dried white residue on the sink. These assholes did this on purpose. Before, everyone at least tried to keep things somewhat clean. Now they were dumping all their filth here just to humiliate me. I put on rubber gloves and grabbed the toilet brush. “Well, look who it is—our fancy auditor.” Derek walked in wearing nothing but his boxers. He stood at the urinal, completely unashamed, and unzipped right in front of me. The sound of him peeing echoed, accompanied by his intentional whistling. I turned my back to him and scrubbed the inside of the toilet bowl vigorously. “Claire, why do you have to make this so hard?” Derek finished, zipped up, and walked over. He leaned against the doorframe, checking me out from behind. “Just sign that ‘Beauty Rent-Free Agreement.’ You won’t have to do this crap work, and you’ll get free rent too.” “We might be a little rough around the edges, but we’ve all got skills. We’d definitely make you feel good.” I tightened my grip on the toilet brush. “Get out.” “Bitch, quit acting like you’re pure.” Derek sneered and spat a thick glob of phlegm onto the sink I’d just cleaned. “I’m waiting for the day you get on your knees and beg me.” He strutted out. I turned on the faucet and washed his spit down the drain. After cleaning three bathrooms, my back was killing me. Back in the storage closet, I was about to change clothes when the door pushed open again. It was Ryan Cooper this time. He was wearing a suit, looking like some corporate hotshot. Too bad looks are deceiving. Deep down, he was just another asshole. “Claire, I brought you breakfast.” He handed me a couple pieces of dry toast. “I don’t want it.” “Don’t be like that.” Ryan set the toast on a cardboard box. “I know you feel wronged, but if you’re going to live here, you need to go along with them.” “Marcus is actually a decent guy. He just cares about his reputation. You calling the cops yesterday embarrassed him.” The man I once had a crush on could actually say something like this. “That was sexual harassment! It was degrading!” I kept my voice down. “What sexual harassment? It was just a joke.” Ryan scowled. “I saw that post in the group too. It was just a joke to lighten things up.” “Besides, that rent-free thing? If you don’t want to sign it, don’t sign it. Who’s forcing you?” “Now look what you did. Everyone treats you like the enemy. I’m embarrassed by association.” I let out a bitter laugh. “You’re embarrassed? What do you have to be embarrassed about?” “I’m the one who told you about this place. Now you’ve created this mess, and Marcus is giving me grief because of it.” Ryan self-righteously pointed the finger at me. “Claire, you’re so selfish. You never think about how your actions affect others.” “If you really want to fix this, buy a couple bottles of wine tonight and apologize to Marcus.” Looking at Ryan’s hypocritical face made me realize how blind I’d been. This was the “nice guy.” This was supposed to be “looking out for me.” When push came to shove, he had the backbone of a wet noodle. “Take your toast and get out.” Ryan’s expression soured. “Claire, don’t be ungrateful! I came here to help you as a friend.” “If you want to play janitor so badly, don’t come crying to me later!” He grabbed the toast, threw it on the floor, and stormed off. I checked my phone. My supervisor had messaged me in the work group: 【Claire Bennett, where’s today’s report? Do you still want this job?】 I took a deep breath and replied: 【Sending it now.】

That evening when I got back to the apartment, the vibe was even more hostile. In the first-floor lobby, several guys were sitting around drinking. When they saw me walk in, the noise died down. Marcus held up a bottle, his face flushed. He was clearly drunk. Next to him sat a woman in skimpy clothes, draped in his arms. “Marcus, is this the chick who talked back to you?” “She’s not even that hot. Not like me.” “That’s right, nobody’s as hot and compliant as you.” Marcus squeezed the woman’s butt, making her giggle. “Babe, tell her the perks of signing the agreement.” The woman smugly tilted her chin and dangled her room key. “My rent’s completely free, and Marcus even bought me a new designer bag.” “We’re all adults here. It’s a win-win. Why act so prissy?” So someone actually signed that disgusting agreement. This woman was Marcus’s “poster girl.” “You hear that, Claire?” Derek spoke up from the side. “Jasmine here knows how to play ball.” “It’s not too late to change your mind. Just come over, chug this bottle, let us kiss you a little, and we’ll waive your rent too.” He pointed at the whiskey bottle on the table, eyeing me with ill intent. I ignored them and headed for the storage closet. “Hold it right there!” Marcus slammed the bottle on the table. “I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” I stopped and turned to face him. “I’m only here to clean, not to drink with you guys.” “Still got that attitude, huh?” Marcus stood up unsteadily and staggered toward me. “Cleaning? Perfect timing. The toilet’s clogged. Go fix it.” “Now?” “Duh! Right now!” Marcus pushed me. “Don’t even think about sleeping until it’s fixed!” I clenched my jaw and headed to the bathroom. The second I opened the door, I nearly gagged. The toilet was stuffed with toilet paper, and sewage had overflowed everywhere. This wasn’t an accident. It was intentional. They’d crammed entire rolls of toilet paper in there and dumped leftover food. “Look at her face!” Derek and Ryan were laughing outside the door. They stood in the hallway, holding up their phones to record me. “Claire, do a good job. If this video goes viral, you’ll be famous.” Ryan said maliciously. “I already got the title: ‘High-Class Career Woman Unclogs Toilets at Night – What a contrast!’” I picked up the plunger and got to work. Sewage splashed onto my pants, but I was beyond caring. No matter how I fought back, they just saw it as entertainment. They got off on trampling my dignity. If that’s how they want to play it, they asked for what’s coming next. Half an hour later, the toilet was finally unclogged. I stood up straight and looked at my sorry reflection in the mirror. The laughter outside continued. There were even sounds of… things I can’t describe. That woman Jasmine and Marcus had gone into a room and left the door wide open on purpose. The noises were loud enough for the whole hallway to hear. This was their way of showing me what happens when you follow the “agreement.” I splashed water on my face, which helped clear my head. Back in the storage closet, I noticed the door latch had been messed with. It was just a simple latch, but it was definitely out of place. My heart dropped. I immediately checked my things. Someone had stepped on my blanket—there were clear footprints on it. Cigarette butts were floating in my water cup. My laptop, which I’d left under my pillow, was gone. It had the audit report I needed to submit soon, plus lots of important client data. “Where’s my laptop?” I rushed to the lobby and shouted at Derek, who was drinking. “What laptop? Didn’t see it.” Derek spread his hands, looking like a total jerk. “Quit playing dumb! It was there when I left!” “You didn’t keep an eye on your stuff. How is that our problem?” Marcus stuck his head out of the bedroom, his clothes all messed up. “Maybe you’re broke and sold it yourself to pay rent.” “Yeah, trying to frame us?” Ryan chimed in. Suddenly, I heard running water from the laundry sink in the backyard. I ran over and found my laptop submerged in the laundry sink. There was even a rock weighing it down. It was all over. My report. My data. My career. Completely ruined by these assholes. “Oops, my bad.” Derek stood behind me. “I was doing laundry earlier. Didn’t notice there was a laptop in there. Just tossed it in, I guess.” “But don’t sweat it. You’re a janitor now anyway. Why do you need a laptop?” “Maybe you should beg Marcus to buy you a new one.” I stood there, staring at the laptop in the water. My anger hit a boiling point, then suddenly turned ice cold. I wanted to scream, to fight, to destroy something. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t take them all on alone. You want me to be a janitor? Fine. I’ll be the best damn janitor this place has ever seen. I turned and gave Derek a cold smile. “It’s cool.” “Out with the old, in with the new, right?” Derek looked confused. He clearly expected me to lose it. “Are you nuts?” I ignored him and headed back to the bathroom. This time, I didn’t pick up the toilet brush. My eyes landed on the sink counter, on that row of colorful toothbrushes. I knew exactly whose each one was. I grabbed Marcus’s blue toothbrush and walked over to the toilet I’d just unclogged, still stained with filth.

The next day was Saturday—their so-called “party day.” Marcus announced they were throwing a cocktail party tonight to celebrate the building’s “new policy initiative.” All tenants had to attend. And of course, I was the server. First thing in the morning, they put me to work. They’d bought tons of burger patties, sausages, and cocktail ingredients for me to prep. “Claire, get these glasses spotless. If there’s even a smudge, you’ll be licking them clean.” Derek dumped nearly a hundred glasses in front of me. “Got it.” After last night, they thought I’d finally broken. That false sense of victory made them drop their guard around me. I knelt by the sink, washing glass after glass. Ryan walked past and stopped. “Claire, that’s better.” He sighed dramatically. “Women shouldn’t try to be so tough. See how much nicer things are now? Everyone’s getting along.” “If you play your cards right tonight, I’ll talk to Marcus about moving you back to your real room.” I looked up at him. “Thanks, Ryan.” He nodded approvingly and reached to pat my head. I ducked and picked up another glass. “Ryan, I don’t need your help. Go enjoy the party.” Ryan awkwardly pulled his hand back and forced a smile. “Alright then. Such a hard worker.” That evening, the party got underway. On the rooftop, the air reeked of smoke. Guys were shirtless, yelling and hooting. Jasmine and the other girls who’d signed the agreement wore skimpy outfits, moving between the men, pouring drinks and feeding them snacks. I brought up a tray of mixed drinks. Marcus grabbed my wrist. “C’mon Claire, dance for us.” “I don’t know how.” I pulled my hand free and set down the tray. “Don’t know how? Then what are you good for?” Marcus reeked of booze, his eyes glassy. “Oh right, you’re good for scrubbing toilets.” The whole rooftop erupted in laughter. “To reward our star cleaner, here’s a cocktail just for you.” Derek picked up a strong-looking cocktail and forced it toward my mouth. The straight whiskey burned my throat. “Drink up!” he yelled in my ear. I had to take a sip. The bitter taste hit my tongue hard. “Taste good?” Derek slapped my cheek. “It’s good.” I swallowed, fighting back the nausea. “Atta girl.” Derek seemed satisfied and turned to grab another bottle. Then Marcus suddenly shouted, “Hold up!” Everyone turned to look at him. He stumbled onto the table, holding up his bottle. “Tonight’s been great.” “To celebrate the success of our beauty rent-free program, I’ve got a special reward for Claire.” He pointed at me with an evil grin. “Starting today, Claire isn’t just cleaning. She’s also doing our laundry—including underwear!” “Hand wash only! I’ll check every morning!” “If they’re not spotless, or if even one goes missing, you’ll pay a $500 fine!” The crowd went wild again. Ryan joined in: “Claire, this is a privilege. Not everyone gets this chance.” I stood in the middle of the crowd, being watched and humiliated. Their twisted faces looked even more grotesque in the firelight. Was I angry? Absolutely. “Sure.” I lifted my head. “I’ll make sure they’re extra clean.” Marcus didn’t catch the sarcasm in my voice. He just thought I’d finally accepted my fate. “Now you’re getting it!” He hopped off the table and went to make out with Jasmine in the corner. The party lasted until the early hours. They got completely wasted. Some passed out on the floor. Others stumbled back to their rooms to keep partying. And I got stuck cleaning up the mess. I picked up the bottles one by one and bagged the trash. Finally, I made my way to the second-floor bathroom. Their dirty laundry was piled up there. Underwear formed a small mountain, reeking horribly. I looked at the pile and smiled coldly, taking photos with my phone. I put on gloves and picked up Marcus’s underwear. But I didn’t head for the sink. I walked over to the toilet that countless people had just vomited in. I threw the underwear in and used the brush that had scrubbed who knows how many layers of filth to stir it around. Once. Twice. Watching the underwear swirl around in the yellow sewage, soaking up all that filth. The tightness in my chest eased a little. But this wasn’t enough. Not even close. My eyes went back to the sink. They’d drunk so many cocktails and eaten so much food tonight. Their teeth must be full of gunk. Tomorrow morning, they’d brush extra carefully. I grabbed Marcus’s toothbrush and scrubbed it hard against that sewage-soaked underwear. The bristles worked their way into the fabric, picking up invisible bacteria and viruses. Then I stuck the toothbrush deep into the toilet bowl and scraped it against the thick layer of grime. When I was done, I put the toothbrush back where I found it. Then Derek’s. Ryan’s… Every single one got the same special “treatment.” Moonlight streamed through the window, hitting those colorful toothbrushes. They looked so clean. So innocent. Who would ever guess they were covered in their owners’ own filth? “Enjoy.”

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The night of my father’s funeral, I was kidnapped. They forced me to film an eight-hour sex video. The next day, that video spread through the entire town. My fiancé Ryan immediately canceled our wedding. The girls’ academy also terminated my teaching position. When I was drowning in despair, my fiancé’s uncle, Marcus, proposed to me. I grabbed onto that single ray of light in the darkness. Until six months after the wedding, one night I overheard Marcus talking with his friend: “Marcus, it was you who hired those men to kidnap Claire six months ago, wasn’t it? For Lily’s sake, don’t you think you went too far?” “I had no choice. Only by destroying Claire’s reputation could Lily get Ryan and secure the teaching job at the academy. I can’t protect Lily for her entire life, so I could only clear the obstacles in her path.” “You have no idea how the men in this town look at Claire now. They want to assault her right on the spot.” “Don’t worry about it!” Marcus said. His friend gasped in shock: “Marcus, have you lost your mind?! Have you even watched that video?! Claire was tortured by three men for eight hours straight. She was covered in blood!” “Enough! Don’t you think I know how much Claire is suffering? But that’s all in the past now. These are just rumors and gossip.” A chill seeped from my ears into every crack of my bones. I pressed my hand tightly over my mouth and stumbled away from the scene. The moment I stepped out of the hotel entrance, someone grabbed my waist. A group of drunk men leered at me with disgusting smiles: “Isn’t this the slut from the video? She looks so proper and uptight usually, who knew she was such a whore in private?!” One of the drunks even started tearing at my clothes right there in public. “Name your price!” I fought desperately to break free, but how could I resist a group of men? Soon, my outer shirt was ripped apart. The crowd erupted in waves of lewd laughter again. The terror from six months ago swept over me once more. Just when I thought the nightmare was about to repeat itself, Marcus’s familiar voice suddenly came from behind me. “You bastards! How dare you touch my woman?! Do you have a death wish?!” As soon as he finished speaking, a group of bodyguards surged forward from behind Marcus. They beat those drunks until they were wailing on the ground. I trembled and shrank into the corner, watching this man who had once again saved me from hell. But aside from fear, there was no warmth left in my heart. Marcus saw me huddled in the corner. He came over and draped his coat over my shoulders, his eyes full of heartache. “I’m sorry, Claire. I shouldn’t have let you come pick me up so late. This is my fault. Trust me, time will heal everything. People will gradually forget about that video. I’ll stay by your side every step of the way…” On the way back, Marcus held my hand and wouldn’t let go. After a long while, perhaps thinking I had fallen asleep, Vincent, who was driving, let out a long sigh. “Marcus, you need to find someone else to do these things in the future. I really can’t bring myself to do it anymore. If you had come out two minutes later, her clothes would have been stripped off in public!” Vincent’s words struck me like a thunderbolt. So those drunks at the hotel entrance were also planted there by Marcus in advance. Marcus gently moved me aside, then grabbed Vincent by the throat and growled in a hoarse voice, “Shut your mouth! If you let Claire find out, your wife and kids will die!” Vincent frantically apologized. Marcus gently pulled me back into his arms, planted a soft kiss on my forehead, and murmured to himself: “Claire, just bear with it a little longer. I’ll make it up to you for the rest of our lives…” But this inhuman torture— I really couldn’t endure it anymore. That night when we got home, after watching Marcus fall asleep, I secretly went to the study and wrote a letter to my aunt, who taught at the drama academy.

Early the next morning, as soon as I woke up, I heard Marcus instructing Vincent: “Today is the opening ceremony at the girls’ academy. After Claire wakes up, do whatever it takes to get her to go.” “But she doesn’t like crowds, and there will be so many people at the opening ceremony—” “It’s not your place to tell me what to do!” Marcus snapped. A few minutes later, the bedroom door was pushed open from outside. A pair of familiar hands ruffled my hair. “Claire, today is the opening ceremony at the girls’ academy. Our family foundation sponsored many students, so I need to attend. You rest well at home.” I forced a smile and agreed. Not long after Marcus left, Vincent looked at me eating breakfast and stammered, “Mrs. Marcus, my son said when you substitute taught at their school, lots of kids really liked you. Today is the opening ceremony. The children would definitely love to see you…” “I’ll go, Vincent. Let’s get ready and leave.” When I arrived at the venue and saw Lily’s provocative gaze, I knew why Marcus had insisted I come. When it came time for the new teacher representative to speak, Lily took the microphone and looked at me like a dagger. “Today, my speech topic is self-respect and dignity. Now I’ll play a educational video for everyone…” As soon as Lily finished speaking, my piercing scream echoed across the entire campus. On the giant screen that Marcus had just donated to the girls’ academy—three stories high— the video of my assault was now playing. Three long whips struck my naked body in turns. The messy, blood-stained bed made it clear to anyone what had happened. That piercing pain swept over me again. Before I could recover, a slap landed on my left cheek. A student’s mother next to me pointed at my nose and cursed: “How dare a woman like you show your face at a girls’ academy?! Look at how slutty you are in that video! Absolutely disgusting!” Then my hair was grabbed forcefully. I was dragged from my chair to the ground. Angry curses rang out above my head. “Your dad gave his life to secure this job for you, and you threw it away because you’re a slut! Your mom was so shocked she died clutching your dad’s ashes. How do you still have the face to live in this world! You should have died with them!” “A whore who sleeps with everyone! You’re the shame of our town! You should be tortured to death by men!” I collapsed on the ground, letting countless fists and feet rain down on me. “Claire, I’m so sorry. I don’t know how this happened. That video must have been swapped…” Lily stumbled toward me, helping block people’s attacks while apologizing non-stop. But beneath her guilt-ridden eyes was clearly the triumph of a plan well-executed. The Lily family was a wealthy household known throughout town. With such status, plus being a teacher at the academy, naturally no one dared provoke her. After they stopped, Marcus came running over in a panic from behind. Seeing me, he immediately embraced me. “Claire, why did you come? Didn’t I tell you to stay home and wait for me?” Marcus was such a good actor. If I hadn’t heard those words with my own ears, I would have fallen for his tenderness again and again.

Everything I experienced at the school made me break down again. My eyes were empty, unconsciously rejecting anyone’s touch. Marcus looked at me with heartache written all over his face. Eventually I was injected with a sedative and taken away in an ambulance. When I woke up again, it was completely dark outside. The pungent smell of disinfectant made me realize I was still in the hospital. My whole body was bound with restraints. In a daze, I heard Marcus’s familiar voice outside the hospital room. “Lily, seeing Claire like this, are you satisfied now?” “I am. Ryan dated her for eight years. If I didn’t use extreme measures, I was afraid they’d rekindle their old flame. It’s just hard on you, having to spend your life with such a woman. Every time I think about it, my heart aches for you. In this life, because of my family situation, I can’t marry you…” Through the foggy glass door of the hospital room, I saw Marcus pull Lily into his arms. His hoarse voice carried the bitterness of unrequited love: “No… Lily, you don’t owe me anything… I’m doing all this willingly for you. Now that you’re carrying my baby, that’s already the greatest blessing for me. Besides, Claire treats me well. You don’t need to feel guilty…” The man and woman outside the room kissed passionately. Mixed with their desire was the man’s low, choked voice. He really loved her so much. They even had a child together. Old wounds tore at my heart, sending waves of piercing pain. Large tears fell from my eyes. So from beginning to end, I was the one who was unnecessary… I forced myself not to listen to the intimate sounds from outside the door, but those sounds wrapped around me like a curse, driving me mad. I buried my head in the blanket, my teeth biting the corner so hard they left traces of blood. I lost track of how much time passed. The hospital room door was slowly pushed open from outside. A wave of perfume hit my nostrils. Before I could react, a pair of slender hands pinched my chin. “Claire, don’t be nervous. It’s me, Lily…” Hearing the woman’s name, I struggled desperately in the darkness, trying to break free. She laughed softly and helped untie the restraints binding my body. “Claire, who seemed so proud and unyielding, turns out to be such a pathetic waste after all. Of the two men in the Marcus family, with just a flick of my finger, either one would abandon you and run to me. Especially Marcus—he’s truly sacrificed so much for me…” “Such an upright man, yet to give me the teaching position at the academy, to fulfill my marriage, he personally drove his mentor to death, and personally sent his mentor’s daughter into other men’s arms. Tell me, what kind of love is that?” “When your dad died, he stupidly begged Marcus to take good care of you. And your pathetic mom probably still thought Marcus was your family’s savior! So foolish! Your dad’s ashes were scattered by Marcus’s own hands!” Lily’s words struck me like lightning. I had always thought my father committed suicide because he couldn’t cope. I never imagined it was Marcus who drove him to death. My father was Marcus’s mentor, who gave everything to teach him all his life’s knowledge. How could he bring himself to do it… I used all my strength to spring up from the hospital bed, gripping Lily’s throat tightly. But before I could apply pressure, the hospital room door was violently pushed open from outside. Seeing it was Marcus, Lily immediately ran to him crying. “Marcus, I just felt sorry for Claire and wanted to help untie her restraints so she could move around. But she insisted I stole everything from her and tried to strangle me like a madwoman!” Before I could explain, Marcus came forward and slapped me across the face. “Claire! Everyone around you has been good enough to you! What the hell are you making a fuss about?! You failed to grasp everything yourself—why blame Lily?! Crazy woman!” After saying this, he ignored me collapsed on the floor and left with Lily in his arms. The moment the hospital room door closed, Lily turned back and smiled at me with contempt. She was right to mock me—I was worthless. But they seemed to forget one thing: Even a cornered rabbit will bite…

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “348478”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn