I’m a forensic pathologist. While shopping at the grocery store, I discovered human flesh displayed at the butcher counter. After reporting it to the police, I immediately contacted my niece to warn her to be careful. A friend reminded me that I should also be concerned about my daughter. I angrily cursed: “It would be better if she died out there. I never want to see her again.” But what I didn’t know was that she had already seen me. I failed to recognize that the pile of flesh in front of me, waiting for my examination, was my own daughter. In the trash bin behind the butcher counter at the grocery store, there was a pile of yellowish fatty tissue that turned out to be human remains. Detective Johnson rushed to the scene as soon as he received the report. I felt relieved when I saw my old partner arrive. “Johnson, this is a serious situation,” I said. Detective Johnson nodded with a frown. Finding dismembered body parts at a grocery store butcher counter – any part of that phrase was enough to send the whole city into a panic. To avoid causing public alarm, Detective Johnson sealed off all the meat counters in the entire store. He asked me, “How long will it take you to examine all these samples?” I had a grave expression. As a dedicated and responsible forensic pathologist, I replied, “At least two days.” I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With my mother’s skills, she would surely be able to help catch the real culprit quickly. Detective Johnson’s brow relaxed a bit. “Make arrangements at home. You should stay at the station for the next few days.” I nodded and pulled out my phone. The moment the call connected, the normally serious and professional female pathologist became gentle and affectionate. “Emma, sweetie, Mom has to work overtime for the next few days. Be good and stay at home. Don’t go out. If anything happens, contact Mr. Wilson next door, okay?” After giving detailed instructions, I hung up the phone feeling reassured. As I turned to get in the car, Detective Johnson called out to stop me. “Shouldn’t you call Abby too? Tell her to be extra careful.” My face instantly darkened: “It would be better if she died out there. I never want to see her again.” I smiled bitterly to myself. Who knew that even souls could feel pain! Mom said she never wanted to see me again, but I was already right in front of her. Many of the samples she was intently focused on examining came from my own body. She just hadn’t recognized me yet.

After two sleepless days and nights of hard work, I finally managed to separate the human tissue from the animal tissue. The results shocked everyone. Detective Johnson looked at me in disbelief: “You’re saying only a quarter of this is human?” I nodded coldly: “That’s right.” Everyone’s faces were grim. They had originally thought only the head was missing, but now it turned out so much of the body was gone too. If human tissue had made its way onto citizens’ dinner tables, it would cause huge waves of panic across the city. The higher-ups were taking this very seriously. The situation was becoming more and more difficult to handle. Detective Johnson’s gaze swept over the display rack nearby, landing on one of the tissue samples. He took down the sample and handed it to me: “What’s this?” My soul began to get excited. They were finally going to discover it was me. I believed that as soon as Mom realized the victim was me, she would surely be able to find the real killer. I had a serious expression: “I was just about to tell you about this. It’s currently our only lead.” “There’s a scar on the victim’s ankle. DNA comparison will take time, but this clue can effectively shorten the comparison process.” Detective Johnson’s brow furrowed slightly: “Doesn’t Abby have a scar on her ankle too? I remember…” Detective Johnson wasn’t just my parents’ old partner, he had also been our neighbor for over 20 years. The scar on my ankle was from when I was riding on the back of his bicycle and got caught in the wheel. He still remembered that incident! Before Detective Johnson could finish speaking, Mom angrily interrupted him. “Johnson, stop it. I know you’re trying to improve my relationship with Abby and get me to show more concern for her. But whenever I think of her, I’m reminded of my husband’s death. I can never forgive Abby.” “She’s the one who caused my husband’s death.” My heart was suddenly pierced with pain, my soul trembling. After all these years, Mom still couldn’t forgive me. I was the one who caused Dad’s death. I deserved to die! Years ago, my aunt and uncle died in an accident, leaving my cousin Emma an orphan. Dad felt sorry for Emma having no one to rely on, so he took her in to raise. But Emma and I didn’t get along well, and we often argued over trivial things. Three years ago on a rainy night, Emma and I had a huge fight and she angrily ran out of the house. Dad drove out to look for Emma. He got into an accident on the way and died at the scene. Mom cursed me as a murderer, saying I had caused Dad’s death. She kicked me out of the house and stopped taking care of me. Mom said Emma was the only blood relative left in the Su family, and she treated Emma like her own daughter. Now, I had been killed in the most cruel way. I, the “murderer”, had received the harshest punishment! Could Mom forgive me now?

As we left the police station, Mom’s phone rang. My grandmother’s anxious voice came through the speaker: “Olivia, Abby is missing.” The moment I heard Grandma’s voice, my heart clenched. If she found out about my death, that kind old lady would be heartbroken. Ever since Mom kicked me out of the house, Grandma had taken me in. Grandma and Mom’s relationship wasn’t good to begin with. After taking me in, they completely cut off contact. Mom snorted disdainfully: “She’s pulling this childish stunt again. Does she think she’s still three years old?” Grandma said worriedly: “But I haven’t been able to reach her for three days…” Before Grandma could finish, Mom angrily scolded her. “I’ve told you before, don’t talk to me about that troublemaker anymore.” Mom hung up the phone and blocked Grandma’s number. After returning home from the police station, Mom immediately went to Emma’s room. “Emma, Mom’s home,” she called out in a gentle, affectionate voice. The kind of loving voice all doting mothers use. I once had that kind of love too, but now it no longer belonged to me. She was only Emma’s mom now. Emma got up and threw herself into Mom’s arms, acting coy. “Mom, you work too hard. I’ve missed you so much these past few days.” Mom stroked her head lovingly: “Don’t worry, once Mom finishes the case I’m working on, I’ll take some vacation days and bring you to see the capital.” The capital! The place I had always dreamed of visiting to see the flag-raising ceremony. Now, all those wonderful things were given to Emma instead. Emma nodded with a smile, then casually asked: “Is this dismemberment case Mom’s working on very troublesome? Will they catch the killer?” With her professional instincts, Mom immediately picked up on the key point. “Emma, how do you know it’s a dismemberment case?” My heart leapt. If they pursued this lead from Emma, they might be able to find the killer quickly. Emma paused for a second, but reacted quickly, snuggling into Mom’s arms. “That day when you called me, I was worried something had happened to you. I know the rules at the station so I didn’t dare ask directly. I just searched online myself and heard about the dismemberment case.” Although Detective Johnson had quickly suppressed the news, we’re in an era of rapid information spread. There were still plenty of rumors circulating. Mom’s brow immediately relaxed. She hugged Emma tightly. “Don’t worry, nothing will happen to Mom.” I shrank dejectedly into the corner. This lead had been cut off too!

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My dad called me at the classified government agency where I work, telling me to go back home for an arranged date. The potential match seemed great on paper – not only was he handsome, but also a renowned entrepreneur in the area. Before I left, my boss specifically instructed the airline to keep my identity confidential. I boarded the plane at the scheduled time and was about to take my seat when someone suddenly shoved me from behind. Before I could react, the person arrogantly pulled out a wad of cash. “I want this seat. Take the money and get lost.” I suppressed my anger and retorted, “This is clearly the seat I reserved in advance. What gives you the right to kick me out?” Faced with my questioning, the woman looked at me with disdain. “What gives me the right? I’m Mr. Smith’s personal assistant. In Bay City, even the birds in the sky have to answer to the Smith family, got it?” I was stunned for a few seconds, then took out my phone and called my potential fiancé. “I heard from your company that the Smith family can do whatever they want in Bay City. Is that true?” 0

If it weren’t for my dad’s sake, I wouldn’t have even bothered making this call. Stealing my reserved seat wasn’t something that could be resolved just by throwing money at it. If the person had a decent attitude about it, I might have been willing to let it slide. “I’m busy. What do you want?” The voice on the phone sounded very impatient. “Mr. Smith, I think you should ask your personal assistant what she’s trying to do,” I said, about to hand the phone over. But the call abruptly ended. I was dumbfounded. Is this how all rich people behave? Seeing this, the woman who stole my seat had a smug grin plastered across her face. “Oh my, I thought you were so impressive. Turns out Mr. Smith can’t even be bothered to talk to you!” Seeing I was only in my early 20s and dressed simply, she clearly didn’t take me seriously at all. “Miss, do you have any sense of decency left?” I asked. “You stole my seat, and I haven’t even made a fuss about it. How dare you mock me on top of that?” I pointed to a flight attendant nearby. “There are air marshals on board. If you keep causing trouble, don’t blame me for calling security!” When she heard me mention security, she became even more brazen. “Listen here you little brat, save your breath. This airline is owned by the Smith family. Do you really think anyone will help you?” She got more and more worked up as she spoke, spittle flying onto my face. I clenched my fists, instinctively taking a step back. “You keep going on about Mr. Smith this, the Smith family that. So tell me, what exactly is your relationship to the Smiths?” As soon as I finished speaking, she shoved me hard. “My relationship with the Smiths is none of your damn business. Now get lost!” “If you don’t leave right now, I’ll make sure you never get off this plane!” Having spent years in a government agency with minimal outside contact, I had no idea how to deal with this kind of shrew. Seeing her arrogant attitude, my anger levels were rapidly rising. “You steal my seat and now you’re threatening me? Who do you think you are, the Queen of England?” As soon as I said that, the other passengers on the plane gasped in shock. “Holy crap, this girl’s got some nerve! Daring to insult Ms. Zhang like that, she must have a death wish!” “It’s just a seat, what’s the big deal about giving it up? If she really offends them, she’ll be the one to suffer.” “Man, talk about bad luck. Of all people to run into, it had to be Yasmin Zhang. She’s Mr. Smith’s right-hand woman!” As the murmurs from the crowd grew louder, Ms. Zhang’s expression became even more smug. “You little bitch, how dare you insult me! Do you have a death wish?” Faced with her threats, I couldn’t care less. In fact, I found it almost amusing. “Ms. Zhang, I suggest you watch your language.” “If you really piss me off, not even your boss will be able to deal with the consequences.” “Watch my ass!” After cursing at me some more, she seemed to feel it wasn’t enough. She rolled up her sleeves and charged at me again. “What, Ms. Zhang? Resorting to violence at the drop of a hat, are we?” She swung at me several times but couldn’t even touch the hem of my clothes. She instantly became furious. “You little brat, try dodging one more time!” “I’ll call Mr. Smith right now, just you wait!” I didn’t fight back against the secretary’s repeated provocations, only dodging. It wasn’t because I was afraid of her, but because before I left the agency, my boss had repeatedly instructed me: “Your every word and action represents the image of our agency. When you’re out there, don’t get into conflicts with others no matter what.” Besides, I didn’t know how to fight. Either I don’t act at all, or I go for the kill in one strike! Seeing that I wasn’t saying anything, Ms. Zhang thought I had chickened out. She raised her hand and charged at me again. At the critical moment, a roar came from behind: “Stop right there!” 0

“Yasmin Zhang, you’re my personal assistant. How can you casually start fights in public?” A tall, muscular young man, surrounded by bodyguards, strode quickly to where we were standing. “Are you William Smith?” I asked. I carefully examined the man in front of me. I had to admit, my dad did have good taste. He was wearing a tailored suit, with sharp, chiseled features. If I had to find any flaw, it would be the cold look in his eyes as he gazed at me. “Mr. Smith, since this is our first meeting, please allow me to briefly introduce myself.” “My surname is Chen, given name Jessica. I’m from…” “No need!” William impatiently waved his hand to cut me off before I could finish. “We’ve met now. We’re not compatible. Get off the plane.” At that moment, I almost thought there was something wrong with my ears. I had gone through layers of approval from my agency superiors to take even half a day off. We had barely met, and he wouldn’t even let me finish introducing myself before telling me to leave? He was clearly treating me like an idiot! Thinking about this, my temper immediately flared up. “You must be William Smith, the man my dad set me up with for this arranged date, right?” “Isn’t it a bit rude to not even let me finish speaking before asking me to leave?” Hearing my words, William let out a derisive laugh. “Manners? Why don’t you take a look in the mirror – do you really think you’re worthy of me?” He glanced at me disdainfully. “I don’t know what my dad was thinking, wanting me to marry some trophy wife like you.” With those words, the crowd erupted once again. “What? This girl is actually Mr. Smith’s fiancée? This is unbelievable!” “A country bumpkin like her who’s never seen the world, dreaming of marrying into a rich family? She should take a good look at herself and see if she’s worthy.” “Mr. Smith is the most eligible bachelor in Bay City. I, Lily Roberts, will be the first to object to this marriage!” As the murmurs from the crowd grew louder, I was a bit bewildered. When did I ever say I wanted to marry him? Even if I did want to, it would still require approval from my superiors! “Alright, alright. I’m a trophy wife, you’re the young master. Happy now?” I said. “Since Mr. Smith isn’t interested in me, I’ll just leave. However…” I suddenly changed my tone. “This first class seat was reserved in advance by my agency. It’s not something just anyone can sit in.” I had barely finished speaking when Yasmin immediately stepped forward. “You little bitch, trying to act high and mighty in front of Mr. Smith, huh?” “The entire plane belongs to the Smith family. What right do you have to refuse?” Seeing this scene, I finally understood the true meaning of the word “bootlicker”. “Ms. Zhang, I just want to sit in my own seat. What does it matter who owns the plane?” As soon as I finished speaking, William immediately became displeased and took out his phone. “It’s just a first class ticket. I’ll pay ten times the price!” “I’ll give you $100,000. Now disappear and don’t let me see you again!” I curled my lips into a smile. “Well, since Mr. Smith is being so sincere, I suppose I’ll have to reluctantly accept.” Just as I was about to turn around, Ms. Zhang suddenly shouted at me. “Stop right there, you little bitch!” I paused mid-step and slowly turned back. “What’s the matter? Has Ms. Zhang changed her mind?” Yasmin gave me a sinister smile and whispered something in William’s ear. The next second, this so-called youngest billionaire in Bay City exploded in anger. “You Chen, how dare you lay hands on my people?” 0

From Yasmin’s expression, I guessed she must have said quite a few bad things about me to William. I have to say, her tactic of using others to attack me was flawless. Based on the first impression William had of me, I knew that no amount of explanation would work. I simply couldn’t be bothered to waste my breath. “Whether I laid hands on her or not doesn’t matter anymore. Just tell me what you want to do about it.” William seemed surprised that I was so unapologetic. There was a hint of astonishment in his eyes. “What else can be done? You need to apologize of course!” I raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile on my lips. “An apology is definitely not happening. Why don’t you come up with another solution?” “One million dollars!” Yasmin exclaimed gleefully, stepping forward. “As Mr. Smith’s personal assistant, I handle multi-million dollar deals in minutes.” “Just because you pushed me earlier, I’m feeling unwell now. You have to take responsibility!” Hearing Yasmin’s words, the onlookers around us gasped in shock. Even William himself seemed surprised. “Ms. Zhang, isn’t a million dollars a bit much?” he asked. “Even if you went to the hospital for a full body check-up, it wouldn’t cost nearly that much.” Yasmin immediately waved her hand. “No, no, no, Mr. Smith. You’re thinking too narrowly.” “As your personal assistant, I was assaulted on your family’s own plane. It’s not just my face that’s been lost!” “Asking for just a million in compensation is already being merciful to her.” William pondered for a moment, feeling there was some logic to it, and nodded slightly. “Fine! A million it is. I’ll pay it!” I didn’t give them time to reconsider and immediately agreed. “Alright, I accept.” With those words, the eyes of everyone on the plane focused on me. Some thought I was putting on airs. Some suspected I was playing dumb to catch them off guard. The rest were just gloating. But these opinions didn’t matter much to me. What mattered was that someone was trying to steal my seat. Although they offered over ten times the price, their attitude really pissed me off. “Now that we’ve settled the pushing incident, shall we discuss the seat issue?” I asked. Suddenly changing tack, I couldn’t help but smirk. “My itinerary was reported to the airline. Did you think just anyone could sit here?” As soon as I finished speaking, laughter erupted around us. “Has this girl lost her mind? It’s just a first class seat, who needs to report that to anyone?” “Exactly! The entire airline belongs to the Smith family. Who else could she possibly report to?” I coldly swept my gaze across the crowd before slowly speaking. “Everyone seems to think the Smith family is so wealthy and powerful that they can buy out an entire airline, right?” “Well then, I’d like to know – can Mr. Smith make the plane stop?” I grinned. “He can’t… but I can!”

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I was Ryan White’s sidekick. And the only girl by his side. Until the transfer student showed up. The White family intervened, sending him and me abroad. In a foreign country, sparks flew unexpectedly. After sobering up, Ryan was silent for a long time, regretfully saying he would take responsibility. This relationship lasted until we returned home. When Ryan once again abandoned me for the transfer student, I breathed a sigh of relief. The White family sent me abroad and arranged a job for me. I didn’t even know how to bring up breaking up. I only wanted to have some fun in the first place. Ryan White had a handsome face, broad shoulders, narrow waist, and a nice butt. He came from money too. When he talked to me, those eyes that looked at even dogs with deep affection and his bobbing Adam’s apple made my heart race involuntarily. He was truly a rare specimen. I had been eyeing him for a long time. I was a poor student sponsored by the White family. After my mom gave birth to my little brother, she basically packed me up and sent me to the White family as a foster child. Mrs. White was kind-hearted and took me in. But I knew my place. I could never be more than a helper in their household. I glanced at the White family’s maid’s quarters, which were bigger than the master bedroom in my old home. And so, I followed Ryan White all the way from elementary school to high school. When he skipped class, I covered for him. When he slept, I did his homework for him. I watched as Ryan’s desk drawer filled up with love letters. Ryan didn’t seem interested in any girl. But when someone teased him about me, saying: “Ryan White, you change girlfriends so often, won’t your little foster sister get jealous?” “What foster sister, she’s just a maid to keep Ryan company when he’s bored, right?” Ryan immediately got physical. That was the first time Ryan ever hit someone. He ha hit someone. He had learned some martial arts, and he beat the guy mercilessly. In that moment, I felt like I was special to Ryan. I was a bit smug about this. Until. Olivia Lee transferred to our school.

The pretty and pure-looking girl introduced herself at the front of the classroom. Almost all the boys were staring at her. Except for Ryan White. He was napping on his desk, barely lifting an eyelid to glance at her, his expression unchanged. The teacher assigned Olivia to sit next to a chubby boy who was leering at her. Olivia clutched her backpack and walked towards the empty seat next to Ryan, saying softly: “Excuse me, can I sit here?” Someone gasped. The last girl who tried to sit next to Ryan was pursuing him. Ryan had sneered at her then, spitting out one word: “Scram.” But now. Under Olivia’s pleading gaze. Ryan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he said lazily: “Whatever.” Olivia breathed a sigh of relief and carefully sat down. I sat right in front of Ryan. All day long. I listened as Olivia actively tried to befriend Ryan, showing him her notes, sharing snacks with him. Ryan went from initially rejecting her in annoyance to gradually allowing it. I suddenly had a bad feeling. Day after day I listened to the interactions behind me. Even when studying, I couldn’t help but be distracted. Olivia said to Ryan: “This chapter is really important, don’t fall asleep!” I thought Ryan would refuse, but a few seconds later, I heard him say: “If it’s so important, then explain it to me.” My hand trembled. The pen tip left a deep mark. Ruining the study notes I had taken all day. When Ryan asked me to buy two breakfasts instead of one, I wasn’t too surprised. I only had a sense that it was inevitable. Ryan formally asked a girl out for the first time. Someone said: “Is all this really necessary? Is there any girl who could refuse our Ryan?” “Our Ryan just has to crook his finger and the transfer student would come running.” Ryan kicked him, saying seriously: “She’s different.” She really was different. Because she rejected Ryan White. She said: “Ryan, we’re students, we should focus on our studies.” Ryan’s face darkened. But then, Olivia added: “After the SATs, I’ll seriously consider your confession.” Ryan’s expression immediately brightened: “Alright, I’ll hold you to that.” From then on, Ryan really buckled down and started studying hard. Delayed gratification makes people anticipate things more. Though they weren’t officially together, the tension between them was palpable. He would call Olivia “little pear” and she would glare at him coyly. He used his allowance to buy Olivia’s three meals a day. When Olivia tried to refuse, he said it would go to waste otherwise. He would frequently give Olivia all kinds of gifts, and she repaid him by tutoring him. They were so close, just short of officially dating. I listened to their interactions behind me every day, gradually becoming numb to it. The SATs came quickly. But right at that crucial time, something happened with Olivia’s family. Her father somehow heard about her and Ryan, beat her up, and tried to extort money from Ryan. Ryan got Olivia’s call and left 10 minutes before the exam started. The result was – Ryan missed the SATs to protect Olivia, and even broke his leg. With things blowing up like that, when Mrs. White asked me, I could only tell her the truth. Ryan was confined to the house. When I went to bring him food, he lifted the soup bowl and poured it over my head. “Lily Spring, you didn’t really think you were my foster sister, did you? Going to tattle to my mom like that.” “You disgust me.” The soup dripped down steadily. I stood there covered in vegetables, silently looking at Ryan. My birth name was Xue Panmei. Mrs. White was the one who took me to change it to Lily. Mrs. White had shown me kindness. I didn’t mind taking the fall for the sake of her relationship with her son. The day the SAT scores came out. The White family decided to send Ryan abroad. Mrs. White looked at me: “Lily, do you want to go abroad with Ryan?” “I know you did well on your SATs, but studying abroad is an option too. You two can look out for each other.” Look out for each other? From childhood, I was always the one taking care of Ryan. I heard the hidden meaning in Mrs. White’s words. Under Mrs. White’s expectant gaze. I said: “Okay.” Ryan sneered and went back to his room. While packing, he passed by me and said: “Lily Spring, you really are shameless, insisting on following me.” I denied it, saying I just wanted to experience life abroad too.

Ryan didn’t believe my explanation. The night before leaving. I overheard Ryan on the phone with Olivia saying: “I don’t blame you, I’ve never blamed you, it wasn’t your fault.” “Little pear, you can’t choose what family you’re born into.” The crying on the other end of the line wouldn’t stop. Soon, I watched him sneak out over the wall, his figure disappearing into the night. Mrs. White heard a noise and came out, asking if someone had opened the door. She was about to go check Ryan’s room when I came out from around the corner, saying: “It was me, Mrs. White. I got up to get some water.” Early the next morning. Ryan still hadn’t returned. I called him several times but got no answer, then his phone was turned off. Things were about to be discovered. I could only put on a poor acting performance, bursting into tears on the spot. I cried about my fears of going abroad. Mrs. White’s attention was indeed drawn to me. She comforted me saying: “It’s alright, Lily. You’ll have Ryan with you.” “You’ve always liked him, haven’t you?” “Maybe this is a chance for you two to get together.” So Mrs. White had seen through me long ago. I nodded obediently, my mind still on buying time. But just then, I heard a scornful laugh. Ryan had returned at some point, standing there looking at me with disdain.

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On the morning of our planned destination wedding, my fiancée Evelyn finally rushed to the airport from her company. But just before boarding, she suddenly received an urgent message from her male secretary. “I’m so sorry, honey. The company just got a huge project that needs my approval,” she said. “Why don’t you go on the trip first? I’ll join you in a few days once I’ve dealt with all the work stuff.” Though disappointed, I understood the importance of her work and agreed. After Evelyn left, I tore up my plane ticket. I decided to go back and see which clueless company dared to discuss a major project with my wife’s company – which I had just fully reclaimed that very morning – bypassing me, the current CEO, to find her, a mere figurehead shareholder. I followed her all the way to the billion-dollar wedding venue hotel I had gifted her when we first started dating. The welcome sign nearly blinded me with its giant letters: [Congratulations on the marriage of Miss Evelyn Bridges & Mr. Lucas Gray] On the carefully edited wedding photo beside it, Evelyn was beaming in a wedding dress, Embracing a man who wasn’t me – her supposed destination wedding groom – But Lucas Gray, her male secretary who had just messaged about the “huge project”. It all made sense now. No wonder when we discussed getting married, she said she was tired of putting on a show at work and didn’t want to go through all those empty formalities. She just wanted a quiet destination wedding with me. Turns out she had someone else in mind for the wedding photos, ceremony, and marriage license. Before entering the hotel, I made a phone call. I had just settled into the seat with the best view when I saw Evelyn’s father walking her down the aisle under the officiant’s direction. They slowly made their way to where I was sitting. Lucas also walked down from the other end of the aisle, solemnly extending his hand to Evelyn. Just as Evelyn’s dad was about to place her hand in Lucas’, I decisively kicked Evelyn hard in the shin, sending her face-planting onto the floor. Her veil fell off and her bouquet scattered everywhere. Lucas was also knocked down by her fall. Evelyn, sprawled at my feet, was about to curse loudly, But she only raised her head to look at me once before all the blood seemed to freeze in her body. Lucas kept calling for Evelyn to help him up, but she didn’t even dare to look at him. I looked down at the panicked Evelyn, who still hadn’t managed to get up, and asked: “Why the grand gesture? Are you asking me for a wedding gift?” Suddenly hearing my voice, Lucas turned to look at me in disbelief, his face turning pale with fright. He instinctively tried to hide behind Evelyn, but was grabbed by her father. Evelyn’s dad put on a shrewd expression. He arrogantly pointed at me and shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear: “You shameless homewrecker! You just won’t give up, will you?” “Didn’t I already chase you away outside the hotel? How did you get in here?” As soon as he finished speaking, all eyes in the room focused on me. “No wonder he looks so shifty. Turns out he’s a homewrecker.” “Evelyn is the most dedicated girl. She’s utterly devoted to Lucas. Anyone who has designs on her is just wasting their time.” “Evelyn and Lucas have known each other since they were in diapers. They started dating in middle school. As soon as Evelyn graduated and made it big, she immediately brought Lucas to the city to enjoy the good life. She even made him a boss to help manage her company. Who do you think you are? Take a good look at yourself in the mirror before trying to come between them.” Childhood sweethearts. Together since middle school. Well, well. I nodded along as I listened. Evelyn had pursued me relentlessly since we started college. It wasn’t until our senior year that I was finally moved by her persistence and decided to be with her. Up until today – the day of our destination wedding. I had been forced to be the “other man” for 3 years. While she and Lucas were actually in love all along, why did she pursue me in the first place? The answer was obvious – it could only be for my identity as the son of a billionaire and pop diva, and my endless wealth. This was just perfect. I kicked Evelyn over again. “So you think I’m the ‘other man’ too?” Evelyn’s face was full of guilt as she kept shaking her head at me. Just as she was about to explain something, Lucas suddenly screamed and pounced on her. “Evelyn, are you okay?!” He hugged her tightly, desperately trying to signal her with his eyes. Evelyn met his gaze for a moment, slowly calming down as a calculating look flashed in her eyes. Seeing Evelyn get hit, all the guests were indignant. “Who do you think you are, hitting people?!” A man nearby rolled up his sleeves, raising his fist as if he was about to punch me in the face any second. “Wait.” Evelyn’s demeanor changed completely from her previous cowering. “Ryan Shaw, you’ve been pestering me for years. I’ve already clearly rejected you and told you my heart belongs to someone else.” “Today is my and Lucas’ happiest day. I absolutely cannot allow anyone to ruin the wedding I’ve so carefully prepared for him.” “You need to leave now. Don’t make me call security to throw you out.” I met her gaze with a cold smirk. “Evelyn Bridges, don’t forget where this hotel came from. What right do you have to throw me out?” “Or do you think that as long as I leave, no one will ever find out about all your dirty secrets?” Lucas stepped forward, still holding Evelyn’s hand. “Brother Ryan, I know you’ve always liked Evelyn and it hurts to see her marry me.” “But Evelyn has always loved me. You can’t force these things.” “We’re already married now. I hope you won’t come bother her anymore in the future.” I wasn’t actually surprised by Evelyn and Lucas’ relationship. It was precisely because I discovered their affair that I decisively took back the company I had funded, staffed, and worked tirelessly to help Evelyn establish and grow. And I had kept all of this from Evelyn until now. Originally, I was afraid my actions were too harsh and wanted to give her one last chance. Now it seems I had thought too much of her. I was about to throw the proof of reclaiming the company in Evelyn’s face, When her father’s eyes suddenly lit up and he deliberately raised his voice: “Oh I get it now, you must be that male secretary Evelyn told me about before – the one who had designs on her at the company!”

I wanted to laugh hearing that. I nudged Evelyn’s foot with my shoe tip. “What status do you have and what status do I have? Me, be your secretary?” “How come your dad doesn’t even know what his own son-in-law does for work?” Before I finished speaking, a man eating sunflower seeds nearby spat a mouthful of shells in my face. The whole room burst into laughter. “You gold-digging homewrecker, you didn’t even bother to find out how wealthy your target is?” “Do you know who Evelyn is? She’s a billionaire boss and CEO, with mountains of companies under her, not to mention countless luxury cars and mansions.” “See this hotel? This huge, luxurious wedding venue – it all belongs to our Evelyn!” “And Lucas is even more impressive.” “Not only does he help Evelyn manage all those companies under her, he’s also closed I don’t know how many major deals for her, increasing the value of Evelyn’s company by hundreds of millions in one go, directly propelling it into the ranks of the world’s top 100.” Lucas helps Evelyn manage the company, Closes deals for her, Increases her company’s value, pushing it into the world’s top 100? When in reality it was me who invested hundreds of millions of my own pocket money into her company time and time again, It was me who leveraged my parents’ connections to build her network everywhere, It was me who endured countless wine-soaked business dinners to negotiate one deal after another for her, It was me who stayed up countless nights guiding her step by step, and even had to personally take over and complete work that should have been hers due to her extremely narrow vision and utter lack of experience. Without my help, how many generations would it take for Evelyn – a poor country girl who couldn’t even afford college tuition – to achieve today’s success through talent and hard work alone? Someone who couldn’t stand my arrogant attitude advised Evelyn: “If you ask me, you’re just too lenient with your employees. What kind of secretary has the guts to come cause trouble at your wedding?” “If I were you, I’d fire him on the spot to teach him a lesson about overreaching.” Voices of agreement rang out across the banquet hall. Evelyn looked at me as if she really was reprimanding her subordinate. “After causing such a scene, there’s no way I can keep you on as my secretary.” “But considering you’ve worked for the company for so many years, even if you haven’t made major contributions, you’ve at least put in the effort. I’ll transfer you to a branch office instead of completely ruining your livelihood.” “If you still don’t know what’s good for you, don’t blame me for firing you.” Her actions won a round of applause. “Evelyn really lives up to her reputation as a big boss. She’s so magnanimous, willing to give even this kind of man a chance.” But I was not grateful at all. I even let out a cold laugh. “Fire me?” “Why don’t you try firing just me then? I’d like to see how you fire me.” Someone immediately mocked me sarcastically. “I guess someone like him wouldn’t be afraid of getting fired.” “Even if he gets fired, he can still go sell himself. How much money can he make as a secretary anyway?” As soon as those words were spoken, everyone had meaningful expressions on their faces. The shirtless, greasy man looked at me lustfully, almost drooling. “Not bad body, little brother. Are you up for anything? How much for one time?” “Uncle can’t give you as much as those bosses, but at least give me a discount since I’m a friend of the Bridges family, yeah?” I glared at Evelyn, my expression terrifyingly dark. “Evelyn Bridges, are you really going to keep hiding our relationship to the bitter end, just watching them humiliate me like this?” Evelyn paused for a moment, but ultimately turned away. “Lucas is my husband. I have a clear conscience when it comes to him.” “As long as you leave now, we can let bygones be bygones.” Lucas had a smug look on his face. “Brother Ryan, I know you’re upset that after causing such a scene, you’ve ruined your own reputation but gained nothing.” “Normally, someone as magnanimous as Evelyn probably wouldn’t mind if you tried to blackmail her for some money. But you really shouldn’t have come to make trouble on our wedding day.” “Even though you’ve slandered Evelyn like this, she still hasn’t fired you. Hasn’t she been kind enough to you? Don’t you have any conscience?” As he spoke, Lucas shed tears of distress for Evelyn. Evelyn quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe his tears. I was furious watching them put on this act. I raised my foot and kicked Lucas hard in the lower back. Lucas cried out in shock, falling straight into Evelyn’s arms. “Ryan Shaw, have you gone mad?!” Seeing Lucas get hit, Evelyn’s eyes blazed with fury. She lunged forward and slapped me hard across the face. I collapsed onto the dining table, not only getting covered in soup and grease, but also suffering large patches of scalding burns due to my light summer clothing. Evelyn not only ignored this, but pulled Lucas into her arms and yelled at me harshly: “Apologize to Lucas right now, or this isn’t over!” Lucas’ eyes were full of smugness. I endured the excruciating pain, barely managing to prop myself up with my arms. On my exposed arms, the red, grotesque burns seemed like a gaping bloody maw, silently yet viciously mocking my so-called love of these past few years. The burning sensation from the wounds intensified, but my voice grew increasingly cold: “Evelyn Bridges, you hid your relationship with Lucas Gray and dated me for three years; then on the day of our destination wedding, you married him at the hotel I gave you; now you’re even making me apologize to him?” “Is it because I’ve given you everything you wanted all these years that you think you can walk all over me and step on my head? Do you believe I can’t make you lose everything in an instant?”

Evelyn was momentarily stunned by my words. Hearing what I said, people at the tables kept whispering to each other. “This guy just said he dated Evelyn for three years and today was supposed to be their wedding day. He even said this hotel was a gift from him to Evelyn. Could any of that be true?” “It’s obviously fake. Anyone can make up stories. We’ve all watched Evelyn grow up, we know what kind of person she is.” “He even claimed the hotel is his. Why doesn’t he just say Evelyn’s whole company was started by him?” Just then, a faint female voice spoke up: “But I saw the brand of clothes he’s wearing online. It seems to be a super expensive designer label that even Lucas doesn’t wear…” Lucas immediately glared at the girl angrily. “This is your first time even coming to the city. What do you know about what’s good or not?” “I can’t believe someone from our village would take a stranger’s side like this!” The girl shrank back, not daring to say anything more. Evelyn looked satisfied as she turned away. She raised Lucas’ hand high in the air, showing off the dazzling matching rings on their ring fingers to everyone. She looked down at me condescendingly, as if I was already a complete loser. “Ryan Shaw, you say today was supposed to be our wedding day. Do you have any proof?” “My parents and all our relatives are here, but not a single person has ever seen you before. If I was really going to marry you, wouldn’t I introduce you to my family first?” “Besides, did I get a marriage license with you? Did I take wedding photos with you? Did I give you any wedding gifts?” “You need evidence when you speak. I prepared all of those things for my Lucas.” Lucas nestled against her shoulder, smiling triumphantly. “That’s right, Brother Ryan. You can take medicine recklessly, but you can’t speak recklessly.” Evelyn’s words completely confirmed my guilt, because I had no way to refute them. It’s true, when I agreed to marry Evelyn, I was stupid enough not to ask for anything. At the time, I happened to love her and happened to want for nothing. I never imagined that one day, this love would become a knife stabbing straight into my heart. Everyone in the hotel was pointing and whispering about me. “Homewrecker who tried to come between a couple. What do you have to say for yourself now?” “We can’t just let him off like this. We need to teach him a lesson!” Someone grabbed my hair and forcefully dragged me to the ground. Lucas’ father gave a look to the shirtless, greasy man. The greasy man immediately understood, bending down with a lecherous grin and grabbing my abs. “Little brother, being a homewrecker is immoral. Uncle is going to teach you a good lesson today.” I let out a piercing scream, desperately twisting my body to try to escape his evil clutches, but my limbs were firmly pinned down. Fear swept through my entire body. I shouted Evelyn’s name loudly, hoping she would have a change of heart and make these people stop. Evelyn’s pupils constricted. She was about to intervene, But Lucas pulled her back. “They ruined our wedding. I’m not happy about it and want to teach him a small lesson.” Evelyn hesitated. “But…” “It’s just a small lesson. You know the guys from our village, they know their limits.” “Besides, we’re right here watching. What could happen?” So Evelyn said nothing more. Lucas embraced her. Evelyn absently stroked his back as she watched more and more men and women grope me. “Let go of me! This is sexual assault, you’ll go to jail for this!” But the next second, someone’s slap sent me seeing stars. “What right does a homewrecking slut like you have to accuse us? This isn’t assault, this is justice!” Countless vulgar insults instantly drowned me. Just when I had completely given up hope, a voice suddenly came from the doorway: “I’m so sorry everyone, I’m late…” But upon seeing my face clearly, that voice abruptly turned to horror: “Stop! What are you doing?!”

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I was in the midst of fighting for our company’s overseas expansion when my husband volunteered to take my autistic brother out for some fresh air. Worried, I decided to check on them at the secluded forest resort Lucas had mentioned. Upon arrival, I discovered that all the familiar staff assigned to care for my brother had been replaced by strangers. In a panic, I learned that my brother was being held captive deep in the primeval forest. When I finally reached him, Henry was barely clothed and covered in wounds, surrounded by poisonous insects and wild animals. The brother we had so carefully protected was left to die in the dense jungle by these people. Remembering my husband’s sinister expression when he heard that the company shares would be transferred to my brother’s name, a chill ran through my heart. How dare he lay hands on my family? He must have a death wish. … While I was away on a business trip for the company’s overseas operations, my husband Lucas called to say he wanted to take my brother out for some fresh air. My brother Henry suffers from severe autism. Lucas suggested that exposure to nature might help, so he wanted to take him to a secluded forest resort to try it out. I was pleased that Lucas was considering my brother’s condition and readily agreed. But Henry has always been extremely dependent on familiar environments and people. I couldn’t help but worry, constantly concerned that others wouldn’t be able to care for him properly. So a few days later, when my work reached a stopping point, I immediately boarded a private jet to the secluded forest resort. After all, I hadn’t inspected this resort invested in by our family yet. It would be good to take a break there as well. When the resort manager saw me arrive, he immediately came over with a smile: “Miss Yates? What brings you here so suddenly?” “I’m here to see my husband and brother,” I replied casually, though an uneasy feeling was growing in my heart. The smile on the manager’s face suddenly froze: “Well, you see, Miss Yates, Mr. Martin has arranged a very cutting-edge immersive nature therapy for Mr. Henry. The treatment process can’t be disturbed by any outside interference, so… why don’t I arrange a meeting for tomorrow?” What nature therapy? Lucas hadn’t mentioned anything like that to me. I frowned and looked around. The resort was very quiet and the scenery was beautiful, but something felt off. In this huge resort, there was only this slick manager in front of me and a few unfriendly-looking unfamiliar security guards in the distance. The trusted staff and medical team originally responsible for taking care of my brother were nowhere to be seen. “Where are my people?” My voice turned cold. The manager wiped his sweat, his eyes shifty. “Mr. Martin said they weren’t professional enough and their ideas were outdated, so… he sent them back.” The team members responsible for my brother’s care were all top experts headhunted from around the world at great expense. How could they be unprofessional? My unease grew stronger. My instincts told me that something was definitely being hidden from me. Asking this man in front of me was clearly useless, so I pretended to nod: “Alright, I’m tired too. Why don’t you arrange a room for me first, and I’ll see them tomorrow.” Hearing me say this, the manager visibly relaxed and showed me to a room. After dismissing everyone, I made an excuse about taking a walk and quietly went outside the resort. A few tanned locals were squatting in the shade, chatting idly. “Those new city folks are so cruel. How can anyone survive in that forest?” “It’s such a sin a sin, tying up that poor young man in the Devil’s Grove.” “Devil’s Grove… that place is full of dangerous beasts at night. Someone could easily die there!” My blood seemed to freeze instantly. The unease in my heart was almost overwhelming. I walked over quickly, pulling out a wad of cash and slapping it down in front of one of the locals. “Take me to Devil’s Grove.” The guide was startled by the money in my hand and the expression on my face. He hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. We plunged into the depths of the primeval forest that the locals considered forbidden territory. After walking for who knows how long, he stopped and pointed to a huge, vine-covered ancient banyan tree in the distance. “That’s… the place.” I pushed aside the last giant fern blocking our path. The sight before me made me feel like I’d fallen into an icy pit. My brother was tightly bound to the giant banyan tree known as “Devil’s Grove” with a coarse hemp rope. His shirt was torn to shreds, barely covering his body. His once fair and delicate skin was covered in scratches and swollen bumps from insect bites. Some areas had even started to fester and rot, a horrific sight. His eyes were unfocused and dull. When I rushed over, he didn’t even recognize me at first.

“Henry!” I scrambled over on all fours to untie those damned ropes from his body. The hemp ropes had cut deep into his flesh, leaving dark red, almost black, bloody marks. I couldn’t bear to imagine how long he had been tied up in this terrifying place. As soon as the ropes were undone, he collapsed into my arms. He looked at me helplessly, his eyes full of uncontrollable anxiety and fear, but unable to speak. He whimpered weakly, tears falling in large drops. I held him tightly, my heart aching unbearably. After comforting him for a while, I lifted my brother onto my back, desperate to leave this green hell immediately. When we finally made it back to the resort, I found it completely deserted. Thinking of that lying manager, I wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces. But the most important thing now was to treat Henry’s wounds. I would settle this score later, without fail. Under the remote guidance of a doctor, I treated my brother’s wounds and then soothed him to sleep. Watching his haggard little face finally calm down, my heart settled back a bit. But soon, an overwhelming tidal wave of fury swept through my entire body. My brother had been tortured like this, and Lucas couldn’t be innocent. He had promised to take good care of Henry, so why had he allowed this to happen? If it was his responsibility, I wouldn’t let him off easy either. I walked out of the room, determined to find him and demand an explanation no matter what. Not paying attention, I almost collided head-on with an impeccably made-up woman. It was Charlotte Chen, Lucas’s personal secretary. I had long heard rumors about her and Lucas. But Lucas always explained things away perfectly, and I chose to believe him every time. Charlotte looked shocked to see me, but quickly changed to undisguised provocation. “Samantha? You really are like a ghost that won’t stay away. I can’t believe you found your way here.” She looked me up and down. “Well, that saves me the trouble of having to send someone to notify you.” As she spoke, she gently stroked her still-flat belly, a victorious smile on her face. “I’m pregnant with Lucas’s child.” “You barren hen, don’t think you can hold onto the title of Mrs. Martin any longer.” Looking at her arrogant face, I felt nothing but disgust. To spare Lucas’s ego, I had never revealed my true identity in any public setting. I helped him register the company, using all of the Yates family’s connections and resources to pave a smooth road for him. But in the eyes of his employees, I was just an ordinary housewife who had married into a wealthy family. “Was it you who did this to my brother?” My voice was ice cold. Charlotte snorted with laughter, crossing her arms over her chest. “We just let the idiot get close to nature. What’s the big deal?” “Aren’t you just upset that you can’t have children yourself, so you want to trick the Martin family’s fortune away for that fool brother of yours?” “Too bad, now that I’m pregnant, your little scheme is going to fall apart!” I glared at her, struggling to contain my anger. “Say one more word, and I swear I’ll tear that lying mouth of yours to shreds!” She seemed startled by my expression for a moment. “Lucas was right, you really are a complete sister-obsessed lunatic!” I almost laughed from anger. So that husband who was so caring and gentle to my face had shamelessly fabricated this image of himself as the real CEO. And my beloved brother had become a so-called tool for coveting Lucas Martin’s pathetic fortune. Which of Lucas’s possessions wasn’t obtained through me? “Take me to Lucas right now! I’m tired of wasting words with you.” A flash of undisguised viciousness passed through her eyes. “You think seeing him will change anything? Get it through your head, you’re the cast-off shoe about to be abandoned now.” “If I were you, I’d go enjoy nature with your precious brother.” Her shameless and vicious words made me laugh out loud from anger. “You may have been mistaken about one thing from the very beginning. Everything Lucas has, I gave him.” “The one who’s going to be abandoned is him.” “I am the sole legal heir to Yates Corporation in the city.” Charlotte’s expression became complicated as she looked at me suspiciously. “You’re talking nonsense. You must be upset about me being pregnant and lashing out!” I looked contemptuously at her slightly bulging belly. “What you’re carrying is nothing but a worthless dog’s spawn.”

Charlotte was stunned for a good ten seconds. Then she dramatically clutched her stomach and burst out laughing. “Hahaha! Samantha, have you gone mad from the shock?” The security guards behind her joined in the raucous laughter. “The boss warned us that his ex-wife had some mental problems, severe delusions.” “Yeah, she played the CEO’s wife for a few years and now really thinks she’s the daughter of a billionaire? Talk about getting too into character!” “I think she’s watched too many TV dramas and her brain’s fried!” The mockery and ridicule of the crowd washed over me like a tidal wave. The smug look on Charlotte’s face grew even stronger, as if my “crazy talk” further proved her victory and my pitiful state. She seemed to have gained tremendous confidence and gave a signal with her eyes. Those burly security guards immediately understood and barged into the room behind me. Henry, who had just fallen asleep under the effects of a sedative, was roughly dragged out of bed. “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me, I don’t want to go to the forest!” My brother struggled and cried out in terror at this sudden turn of events. I stumbled, trying to stand up, but was forcefully held down by someone nearby. Charlotte walked over leisurely and gently patted Henry’s pale little face. “Poor little fool, don’t be afraid.” Her voice made my brother’s fear instantly reach its peak. “Ahhh!” He screamed and broke free from the security guard’s grip, then began frantically banging his head against the wall and violently punching himself. This was the self-harming behavior he only exhibited when extremely frightened and in pain. “Henry! No!” My heart felt like it was about to shatter. I rushed over without hesitation and held him in my arms. “Don’t be scared, Henry. Don’t be scared. Your sister is here!” I looked at the group of beasts around us with sneering faces, my lips almost bitten through. “I swear, you’ll all regret ever being born into this world!” Charlotte curled her lip in disdain, her eyes full of contempt. “The crazy woman still dares to talk tough.” “Looks like we need to use some special methods on you two lunatic siblings.” She waved her hand elegantly, and several henchmen immediately surrounded us. “I think you just need to be taught a lesson! The boss was too soft-hearted because of your marriage, but I’m not so kind.” “Take them both back to Devil’s Grove.” I angrily tried to resist but was firmly pinned down by two tall security guards, unable to move. Charlotte personally searched out my phone, playing with it smugly in her hand. “Let’s see who can save you this time.” My brother and I were dragged out of the resort. Just as I was at my wit’s end, a piercing screech of brakes rang out. A black SUV stopped in front of us. A figure I knew all too well stepped out. It was Robert Zhang. One of the board members of my father’s company, an elder with close ties to our family. “Uncle Robert?” The moment I saw him, it was like seeing a lifeline. Robert Zhang’s face was also filled with shock when he saw me restrained. “Samantha? What’s going on? Why are you here?” Before I could respond, Charlotte immediately went over and linked arms with Robert, whispering in his ear. I stared intently at Robert’s face, watching his expression change from shock to hesitation, and finally to viciousness. The whole process took no more than ten or fifteen seconds. The look in his eyes when he turned back to me no longer held any of the kindness from before, only ice-cold murderous intent. “Do as she says,” he ordered coldly to the security guards who were still hesitating. The guards hesitated a bit. After all, my identity was what it was. They couldn’t help but be somewhat wary. Robert saw through their thoughts and immediately added a strong incentive. “Five million dollars each when it’s done.” “If anything goes wrong, I, Robert Zhang, will take full responsibility.” Where there are great rewards, there will be brave people – and no conscience or scruples left. The last trace of hesitation in their eyes was completely replaced by naked greed. My brother and I were roughly grabbed by the neck and pushed step by step towards the entrance of the primeval forest. My heart sank like a stone, completely numb. Looking up, I saw Lucas impatiently swatting away mosquitoes at the entrance. He glanced at me, clearly already knowing everything, or rather, orchestrating it all. He stared at me with a half-smile, still pretending to be the perfect husband. “Darling, why are you being so disobedient?” His voice was gentle, but it sent chills down my spine. “We only needed your idiot brother to return to nature.” He walked towards me step by step, the smile on his face gradually twisting as he shed all pretense. That handsome face I had kissed countless times was now exceptionally hideous. “Since you’re seeking death, I’m afraid you’ll have to accompany him on his journey.” I stared at him coldly. “Lucas, do you know what you’re doing? Stop this immediately!” He shook his head contemptuously. “Samantha, no one will know what happened here.” “The lives of you and your brother will end with a casually explained accident.” I looked at this beast in human skin before me, my heart turning to ash. I knew he would never let me go. I suppose this outcome was inevitable from the moment he learned that most of the family shares would go to my brother. I looked at my poor brother, my heart filled with sorrow. It was all my fault for not seeing through this scumbag’s true nature sooner. I never imagined my brother would be implicated as well. “Lucas, I’m begging you, let Henry go. He’s just a child! He doesn’t know anything!” “Take my portion, it’s enough for you to live lavishly for the rest of your life.” Lucas burst into hysterical laughter. “Let him go?” “What would I get if I let him go?!” His eyes flashed with extreme malice. “Samantha Yates, why should you get billions handed to you with the snap of a finger?” “I’ve been wagging my tail and begging like a dog, watching how everyone in your Yates family looks at me!” He grabbed my hair roughly. “Now it’s finally my turn. I’m not stupid enough to give up such a good opportunity!” “Once you’re dead, Robert will work with the board to put me in charge. I want it all, dammit!” He pushed me away in disgust. We were taken back into the depths of the primeval forest by the group of security guards. This time, my brother and I were tied together to that eerie Devil’s Grove tree. The hard bark dug painfully into my back. The coarse rope cut into our flesh, bringing searing pain. Looking at the group conspiring nearby, I couldn’t help but shout angrily. “Lucas! How has my family wronged you? Henry trusted you so much, how can you bear to do this?” “I turned you from a penniless nobody into a CEO worth hundreds of millions. Wasn’t that enough?” He viciously cut off my words. “Enough? It will never be enough!” “I’ve been slaving away for your Yates family all these years. I thought I’d at least get a chance to enter Yates Corporation!” “But just because you can’t have children, that old geezer in your family wants to transfer over 50% of the shares to this idiot behind you who doesn’t even know what money is!” He roared, pointing at my trembling brother. “Why?! I refuse to accept this!” Robert Zhang behind him also chimed in ominously. “Mr. Martin is right, Samantha. You can’t blame us.” “The old man’s decision has left the board very disheartened…” “As long as we sacrifice you two siblings, we’ll all have good days ahead!”

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I had been married to Charles Foster for ten years, believing we were a loving couple. But I accidentally witnessed him in our bedroom with Rebecca, his childhood sweetheart, boasting about my suffering. “Her parents should have died long ago. I arranged that car accident to make sure they died without any pain. Wasn’t that considerate of me?” Charles sneered. “That bitch giving birth to my child? In the past ten years, she’s been pregnant eight times, and I made her miscarry eight times. Each time she felt so guilty, thinking it was her fault for not taking good care of herself. You should have seen her face,” he laughed cruelly. “She deserves all of this! Ten years ago, she embarrassed you in front of everyone by correcting your table manners. For these ten years, I’ve made her our slave, to pay for her sins!” My world spun as I burst in to confront them. But they pushed me into a fire, burning me alive. When I opened my eyes again, I was back ten years ago, on the day my parents asked me to choose who to marry. In my previous life, I had stubbornly chosen Charles Foster, the illegitimate son no one liked, against my parents’ wishes. This time… 0

“Lily, have you really made up your mind? You’re choosing… Charles Foster?” My father asked, his brow furrowed with concern. I looked at my parents’ young faces, their eyes filled with worry and care for me. It felt like a lifetime ago. In my previous life, I had stood right here, ignoring their objections and stubbornly choosing Charles. Then, my parents died in a car crash on their way to the hospital when I was pregnant for the first time. The truck that hit them seemed to have lost control. Unable to bear the shock, I miscarried. Charles held me as I lay weak and vulnerable, tenderly vowing to take care of me for life. Then he smoothly took over the Davis family business. Over the next ten years, I miscarried eight times. Until I caught him with Rebecca Lee in our bedroom, gleefully savoring my pain. Only then did I learn that my parents’ car accident was arranged by him, and he was behind my eight miscarriages. They even had a ten-year-old son together. He had married me only for revenge. Revenge for my one comment years ago, when I corrected Rebecca’s table manners, embarrassing her in front of others. I confronted them, but he and the woman I hated most pushed me into a raging fire. The agony of being burned alive – I would never forget it. “I won’t choose him,” I heard myself say, my voice unnaturally calm. My parents were stunned, their faces full of disbelief. After all, everyone in high society knew that I, Lily Davis, loved Charles Foster to the point of being pathetic. Some even said I was like a dog he kept. I met their gaze and enunciated each word clearly: “The person I want to marry is Charles’s uncle, Alexander Foster.” Alexander Foster was five years older than Charles but was the true power holder in the Foster family. In my previous life, by the time I died, he had become a legendary figure in the financial news, leading the Foster family to unprecedented heights. My parents’ surprise quickly turned to joy. “Good, good! Alexander is steady and capable, so much better than that illegitimate son Charles!” “An older man is better, he’ll know how to treat you well.” They happily went off to contact the Foster family about changing the marriage arrangement. I walked out of the mansion alone, wanting some fresh air. At the door, I ran into the last couple I wanted to see. Charles, and Rebecca Lee by his side. The moment he saw me, his eyes flashed with intense disgust. He walked straight towards me. A loud slap landed on my face. “Lily Davis, you’ve got some nerve, making me wait outside for so long!” Charles snarled. I held my stinging cheek, the pain sharp and hot. At this point in my previous life, Charles was just an illegitimate son relying on my family’s influence. He wouldn’t have dared to even raise his voice at me, only sweet-talking me in a low voice. He definitely wouldn’t have dared to hit me. I raised my head and looked into his cold, hateful eyes. In an instant, I realized – he had been reborn too. 0

Charles probably thought I would cry and beg him not to hate me, like I did in my previous life. Unfortunately for him, I wouldn’t do that anymore. I raised my hand and, using all my strength, slapped him back hard. “Smack!” The sound was louder and crisper than when he had hit me. Charles was stunned by the blow, five finger marks quickly appearing on his handsome face. Rebecca Lee beside him hadn’t even had time to hide her smug smile before it froze on her face. I didn’t give her time to react, immediately following up with another slap to her face. Then I shook my stinging hand, looking at them like they were two filthy cockroaches. I coldly ordered the butler: “Take these two out and slap their mouths eighty times each.” The butler was stunned for a moment but quickly bowed and complied. “Lily Davis! Have you gone mad? How dare you treat me like this?” Charles struggled, his face contorted as he howled. “Don’t you believe I’ll call off the engagement right now? When the Davis family becomes a laughingstock, let’s see if you’ll kneel and beg me!” I laughed. I didn’t even have the interest to look at him again. Two security guards dragged him away, and the crisp sound of slaps soon echoed outside the mansion. Hearing those punishing sounds, the resentment I had harbored for ten years finally began to dissipate a little. He still thought he was the powerful Mr. Foster who could do whatever he wanted, forgetting that now he was just an illegitimate son who could barely survive without the Foster family and us Davises. Without me, Lily Davis, Charles Foster was nothing. Thank God for giving me a chance to start over. This time, I would protect my family and make this pair of scumbags pay dearly. The next day, as I was pruning roses in the garden, Rebecca Lee showed up at our door. Her cheeks were swollen high, thick makeup unable to hide the marks. Her eyes were full of venom as she looked at me. “Lily Davis, you’ve got some nerve. You were pushed into a fire and burned to a crisp, yet somehow you managed to be reborn,” she spat. I paused in cutting a rose in full bloom. So, she had been reborn too. “What does it matter if you’re reborn?” She proudly patted her belly. “I’m already carrying Charles’s child. He loves me. You, you bitch, are only fit to be my servant!” In my previous life, hearing these words would have made me feel like I couldn’t breathe from the pain. But now, I just found it laughable. Had she forgotten that she was now just a poor girl working a minimum wage job, with less than $500 to her name? I couldn’t be bothered to waste words on her. I dropped the pruning shears and pushed past her to leave. She screamed dramatically as if hit by a train, falling backwards. The next second, Charles’s figure rushed out from around the corner with a roar: “Lily Davis!” He tenderly helped Rebecca up, holding her in his arms, then warned me with an icy glare. “I’m warning you, if you dare touch a hair on Rebecca’s head again, our engagement is off!” I really wanted to laugh out loud. How blind was I in my previous life to fall for such an idiot? “Charles, don’t you know yet?” I said coldly. “The Davis family’s marriage partner this time isn’t you, the illegitimate son.” “It’s your uncle, Alexander Foster.” The anger and tenderness on his face instantly froze, turning to extreme shock. “…What did you say? Lily Davis, what new trick are you playing!” 0

I couldn’t be bothered to say another word to him. The news about the change in marriage partner would soon reach him from the Foster family. Unable to marry into the Davis family, his already precarious position as an ignored illegitimate son would likely become even more difficult. Over the next few days, my phone was nearly blown up by calls from Charles. From initial questioning to later fury, and finally to cursing. I didn’t answer a single call or reply to any message. Finally annoyed, I simply blocked him. I never imagined he would dare to kidnap me. That day, as I was leaving the mall after shopping, I took a shortcut and was ambushed by Charles at the entrance of an alley. The two bodyguards with me, assigned by my family, stood motionless on Charles’s side. Charles sneered at them contemptuously, making grand promises. “I’ll be the master of the Davis family in the future. If you know what’s good for you, don’t get in my way. Otherwise, when I control the Davis family, you’ll suffer the consequences.” They believed him so easily. After all, in my previous life, my love for Charles was well-known. They probably thought I was just throwing a tantrum. I was roughly shoved into a car by Charles’s men and taken to a place I would never forget for the rest of my life. That abandoned factory, where I had been pushed into the fire in my previous life. The air seemed to still be filled with the smell of burning flesh, a nightmare etched deep into my soul. My whole body went cold, trembling uncontrollably. Charles dragged me out of the car, looking down at me with a pitying expression. “Lily, stop pretending. I know you’re just playing hard to get.” “Now, kowtow to me three times, then announce our engagement to the world, and I’ll forgive your willfulness this time.” Looking at his smug face, I felt utterly disgusted. “Who do you think you are?” Enraged by my words, he slapped me hard across the face. “Lily Davis, don’t push your luck!” He lost patience, his face showing the viciousness I was most familiar with from my previous life. “I’ve already told your parents about your disappearance. They’re on their way here now.” “I’ll arrange another car accident, just like last time, to make them die the same way again.” My mind went blank with a roar. The scene of my parents’ tragic death from my previous life replayed in my mind. I could no longer stand, collapsing to the ground, shaking violently. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Charles stood there, savoring my desperate and painful expression with satisfaction. Just then, several blinding headlights suddenly illuminated the entire alley. Alexander Foster got out of a car with his men. With just one look from him, the men behind him quickly subdued Charles and his accomplices, forcefully pushing them into the cars. I was still in shock, clutching Alexander’s sleeve tightly. “My parents? What happened to my parents?” He took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders, looking at me with those deep eyes, his voice steady and reassuring. “Don’t be afraid. I arranged protection in advance. Your parents are safe.” My nerves, stretched to the limit, finally snapped at hearing these words. My vision went black, and I knew no more.

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My Fiancée’s Beloved Twins Have Turned Off Their Phones Again This time, her way of coaxing them back is to postpone our wedding once more. They never seem to tire of this game – using me to win back their lovers. I’ve questioned her, begged her, even ran away from home. But each time, I’m no match for those twins turning off their phones. And all she gives me in compensation is a bouquet of roses. Olivia Shaw looked at the ninety-eight bouquets of roses piled in the corner of the room and said with a smile: “Now we have ninety-nine bouquets. When we reach nine hundred and ninety-nine, we’ll have our wedding. How romantic is that?” “You’re a man, you should understand my feelings, right? I only have a desire to conquer them. Once I win them over, I’ll come back and marry you, and we’ll live happily ever after.” I took the roses she handed me, nodded, then turned and dialed a number. “I have a ready-made wedding here, just missing a bride. Want to come?” I took the roses Olivia handed me and nodded. Seeing me nod, she confidently stuffed the roses into my arms and turned to call the twins. Her voice was gentler than I’d ever heard, with a hint of eager pleasing. The staff present couldn’t help but look at me, their eyes filled with undisguised sympathy. To appease those lovers, our wedding had been postponed countless times. I was used to it by now. After the call, Olivia walked back, her face smug with the satisfaction of winning back her lovers. She took two boxes from her pocket and handed them to me. “Gifts for you. Don’t be upset anymore.” I opened them to find an exquisite pair of cufflinks and a watch. Three days ago, Lucas and Lily Wright, her precious twins, had both turned off their phones and gone cold on her. But they had specifically sent word that they wanted the matching pair of cufflinks and watch I was wearing. However, these were custom-made for me, one of a kind in the world. The siblings were insistent, so she took them while I was asleep to win a smile from her lovers. When I asked Olivia about it, she frowned and accused me: “How could you be so careless with such valuable items?” “If they’re lost, they’re lost. I’ll buy you new ones.” I looked at Olivia without saying a word. She seemed a bit guilty and averted her gaze. I didn’t expose her lie. Suddenly, a familiar cramping pain shot through my stomach. Seeing my face turn pale, Olivia showed a rare hint of concern and insisted on taking me to the hospital. Getting into her car, I realized the interior had been completely remodeled. The pink decor that Olivia used to love was now replaced by half yellow and half purple colors. Even the huge pink plush toy hanging from the rearview mirror was gone. “Lucas likes yellow, and Lily loves purple. They argued so much, I had to split it half and half,” she explained casually while driving, her words tinged with sweet helplessness. In the past, I had reminded her more than once that the hanging toy was too big and would obstruct her view, posing a safety hazard. She had called me old-fashioned then, saying I was interfering with her freedom, that I didn’t understand her girlish heart, and refused to change it. Now, this “girlish heart” she once treasured was easily erased by Lucas’s single statement of “liking yellow.” Even though it was her most hated color combination. I looked at the rapidly receding streetscape outside the window, the pain in my stomach intensifying. Suddenly, her phone rang. Olivia immediately put on her earphones to answer. The next second, she slammed on the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road. “Lily cut her finger while chopping vegetables. It’s bleeding a lot. I need to go check on her right away.” “You can take a taxi to the hospital yourself. I have to go.” She didn’t even spare me a glance before turning the car around and leaving. I was left on the noisy roadside, like carelessly discarded trash. My phone pinged with a message. [I redesigned the wedding venue layout. Take a look and see if you like it.] Looking at that message, I finally snapped out of my numbness. I took a taxi to the hospital, slowly inching forward in the long queue. Suddenly, a strong force came from behind, nearly knocking me over. I turned to see Olivia’s bodyguards rudely pushing through the crowd, clearing a path for her. Olivia carefully accompanied Lily, quickly passing by me. Lily had a band-aid on her index finger, her face wearing an expression of having suffered a great injustice. And in Olivia’s hands was a large bouquet of vibrant saffron flowers. That bouquet was a thousand times more eye-catching than the roses she gave me. My roses were just a free gift. They swept past towards the emergency room, drawing curious glances from passersby. “Oh my god, if I’m not mistaken, are they the kind of relationship I’m thinking of?” “Definitely. Such a big fuss over a small cut on the finger. That’s true pampering.” “This must be true love. Love really knows no gender.” “That cut would have scabbed over on its own if they’d waited any longer to come in…” The surrounding discussions reached my ears word for word. I lowered my head, smiling self-mockingly. But the nurse recognized that it was my fiancée and asked in confusion: “Sir, you’ve been here many times before. If I’m not mistaken, isn’t that your girlfriend?” I opened my mouth, but my throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton. In the past, even if I just forgot to eat a meal, Olivia would anxiously drag me to the hospital for a full checkup. Now, she was accompanying her “true love” with a band-aid on her finger. I was at a loss for words, but my phone vibrated. [Lily’s hand injury is very serious. I need to stay with her tonight, so I won’t be coming home.] [Take care of yourself and remember to take your medication on time.] I looked up at Lily, who was surrounded by a large group of people not far away. She was nestled in Olivia’s arms, acting coy, showing no signs of injury at all. I replied “okay” with a blank expression. Just as I put down my phone, a call came in. Her voice was crisp, with a hint of excitement. “I’ve changed the wedding theme to ‘Deep Sea Lost Dream.’ What do you think?”

The next day, I took out the suitcase I had prepared long ago and started packing. Just as I was about to leave with my suitcase, the villa’s front door was suddenly pushed open. Olivia rushed in, her face filled with rage. Without a word, she raised her hand and slapped me hard. “Gabriel, I never thought you were this kind of person!” “Lucas and Lily received an anonymous package. Guess what was inside? A dead rat!” “Lily was so scared she broke down crying and now she’s running a high fever!” “If you have any grievances, come at me! Using such vicious methods against a girl, are you even a man?” I looked at Olivia’s face, twisted with anger, feeling utterly unfamiliar. “I didn’t do it,” I said, my voice hoarse. “If it wasn’t you, who else could it be? I’ve told you before, I’m just playing around with them.” Olivia didn’t believe me at all. The contempt and disappointment in her eyes hurt more than the slap. “When I get bored of them, I’ll naturally come back to you! Why can’t you be more generous?” “You agreed so nicely on the surface, but behind my back, you pull these dirty tricks! Gabriel, you’re nothing but a hypocrite!” Her words became increasingly harsh, even starting to speak recklessly. “For someone of my status, isn’t it normal to have a few lovers? Even your mom…” She suddenly realized she had said something wrong and abruptly stopped. My eyes instantly turned red. How dare she mention my mom. Yes, she had long lost all trust in me. From the moment she first met those twins, trust was gradually consumed. The Olivia who once passionately pursued me for five whole years, Would postpone our wedding for the first time because Lily had menstrual cramps, leaving me alone at the wedding venue. Would force me to kneel and apologize in front of all company employees because of Lucas’s false accusation. Even my mother, who had treated her like her own daughter, was pushed down the stairs by the twins working together, dying with resentment. Yet they brushed it off with a casual “accident.” And Olivia chose to believe them. Thinking of this, my heart felt like it was being tightly squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe. Seeing my reddened eyes, Olivia seemed to feel a bit guilty. She softened her tone and said, “Forget it. Lucas and Lily said they’re very forgiving and won’t hold it against you.” “But they really like this villa. You move out for a while, consider it compensation for them.” She used a patronizing tone to decide my fate. Before I could open my mouth to argue, a pitiful mewing suddenly came from outside. It was Mochi! The cat my mom left me! My heart tightened, and I rushed out. In the yard, the flowers and plants my mom had cherished most in life were trampled into a mess. By the pool, Lucas was grinning maliciously, repeatedly dunking Mochi’s tiny body into the water. Lily stood nearby, clapping her hands and laughing hysterically. I charged over and punched Lucas hard in the face. The next moment, another heavy slap landed on my face.

Lily immediately threw herself into Olivia’s arms, her voice tinged with tears: “Olivia, look at him! He’s a violent maniac! He just started hitting people!” Olivia supported Lily and, seeing the injury on Lucas’s face, even wanted to hit me again. I ignored them and ran frantically to the poolside, pulling the motionless Mochi out of the cold water. Her tiny body was already stiff, her wet fur clinging to her skin. She had stopped breathing completely. Lucas covered his bleeding mouth corner and snarled preemptively. “Olivia! Is this your idea of a sincere apology?” Olivia’s face turned ashen. She looked at me and commanded coldly, “Gabriel, apologize to them!” “Apologize?” I raised my head, my eyes bloodshot. “They destroyed my mom’s flowers and killed my cat! And you want me to apologize to them?” “It was this beast that tried to bite me! My brother was just teaching it a lesson!” Lily hid behind Olivia, distorting the facts. “Besides, this villa is ours now. We can do whatever we want with the flowers and plants here. It’s none of your business!” Olivia looked at the dead Mochi in my arms, a flash of heartache crossing her eyes. But Lucas’s exaggerated cries of pain quickly drew all her attention. “Olivia, you must give me an explanation for the dead rat incident and this punch today!” Lucas insisted. “You can’t always be so biased towards him! How can we siblings trust you in the future?” Lily chimed in: “That’s right, Olivia. The way he treats us, just making him move out is too lenient.” Olivia looked at her helplessly, her voice indulgent: “Then what do you want?” Hearing this, Lily’s gaze fell on Mochi in my arms. “This cat almost bit me. Just dying like this isn’t enough. It should be dismembered and thrown in the trash.” I shuddered, then heard Lucas say leisurely: “And Gabriel should do it himself. Doesn’t he cherish this cat? Then let him send it off one last time.” I turned to Olivia, my voice tinged with pleading: “Olivia, please don’t… This is what Mom left me…” Olivia was flanked by the two, listening to their “grievances,” her expression growing colder. She finally ordered her bodyguards: “Go, bring a knife.” The bodyguards’ faces flashed with hesitation. “Hmph, even the dogs you keep are biased towards him. How can you expect us to trust you in the future?” Seeing this, Olivia angrily scolded: “What? Are my words no longer effective?” Under her angry rebuke, the bodyguard still brought a knife. I was firmly held down by two bodyguards, a dull knife forced into my hand. I closed my eyes tightly, feeling the flesh under the knife being repeatedly cut and ground, While Lily’s laughter rang in my ears. I don’t know how I managed to do it, only feeling my movements becoming increasingly numb. Finally, my vision went black, and I passed out completely.

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The moment I took my last breath, he was holding another woman in his arms. I vowed to make him remember the pain I brought for the rest of his life.] “Miss Avery, here’s your medication. Please take it.” I took the white pill bottle, muttering a quick thank you. With these sleeping pills, I could finally get some decent sleep tonight. From now on, I was going to change everything. Sitting in the taxi, I thought about the message Liam had just sent: “Got a business dinner tonight, won’t be home.” I knew exactly who that “business dinner” was for – Scarlett was back. That woman was something else. Just one year with Liam, and she had him completely wrapped around her finger. I’d been with Liam from when he was twenty-one to twenty-seven, a solid six years, but it couldn’t compare to a single tear from Scarlett. I had actually died once. The end result was Liam marrying Scarlett. And at their wedding, I had a complete mental breakdown and jumped. I gained absolutely nothing. How could I possibly accept that? So, in this life, I returned to when Liam was nineteen. According to fate’s original trajectory, I would meet him at twenty-one, just as he was starting his business. I’d become his most capable assistant. My family always undervalued me, focusing all their attention on my brother. His family, on the other hand, was already a shattered mess. We relied on each other, finding comfort in our shared pain. For six long years, we even talked about marriage. But then, everything changed at a party – Scarlett returned. She not only came back to the country but openly confessed her undying feelings for Liam right there at the event. They quickly rekindled their old flame, and my six years of youth were just tossed aside. Nineteen-year-old Liam was still the epitome of a rich heir, having everything, wanting for nothing. At that time, his romance with the beautiful Scarlett was in full bloom. At twenty, his family fortune crumbled. Scarlett went abroad, and his life plummeted. I remembered everything. So, I entered his world early this time. I didn’t interrupt his relationship with Scarlett because that love was destined to become a sharp blade. The very period Liam cherished as the most important in his life would be the target of my revenge. I watched Liam and Scarlett hold hands, embrace, and kiss. Those sweet nothings he used to whisper only to me now played out right before my eyes. For an entire year, my heart was steeped in their sickeningly sweet romance, rotting away into nothingness. I kept my poker face on, waiting, just waiting for that day to come. When Scarlett left, flying overseas, I approached a broken Liam with my deepest sincerity, filling the void during his entire period of emptiness and despair. How stubborn was twenty-year-old Liam? Childish, biased, pushing me away again and again, yet foolishly waiting for Scarlett. There’s a saying, companionship is worth more than a thousand eloquent words. Ultimately, he still chose me. We endured the hardest days together. Then, everything slowly unfolded according to my memories. He climbed step by step from an unknown nobody to the peak of his career. Our relationship evolved from hesitant glances to planning a future. Until – this party. “Miss, we’re here.” The driver’s voice pulled me back to reality. I glanced down at my phone, the screen showing my message history with Liam. Last message sent: 11:35 PM “Do you want me to pick you up?” “Don’t drink too much, I’m worried about you.” He hadn’t replied. I got out of the car, doing something I’d never dared to do before. This time, I would turn the tables with my own hands.

The bar’s lights were a chaotic, blinding mess. My eyes immediately landed on the person sitting with his back to the entrance. He was wearing a suit, standing out in the crowd, almost out of place. Next to him was Scarlett, her black dress outlining her perfect figure, also out of sync with the noisy crowd, yet somehow, she and Liam looked perfectly matched. I knew all the people sitting around them – Liam’s so-called “brothers” from his rich heir days. I stood there for a long time, not expecting much. Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted nearby. They seemed to be egging someone on, having a great time. Then, Scarlett stood up and lightly pressed a kiss onto Liam’s lips. I raised my phone and captured the moment, zooming in until the image froze. Though I couldn’t make out Liam’s expression, the satisfied smile on Scarlett’s face was impossible to hide. My phone trembled in my palm, my heart aching as if pierced by needles. Turns out, the intimate moments I thought hadn’t happened were secretly playing out without my knowledge. As if feeling my gaze, Liam suddenly turned and looked outside. I quickly pulled down my hat to cover my face and turned to leave. He still didn’t see me. Back home, it was empty and silent. This place was supposed to be my warmest refuge, but now it felt even colder. After showering, I sat on the couch, staring intently at the pendulum. At 1:28 AM, the sound of the door finally broke the silence. I opened my eyes and rushed towards Liam as he stepped in, clinging tightly to him. He caught me, gently stroking my hair. He murmured, “Aren’t you cold, walking around barefoot?” I placed my hand on his cheek, tracing the spot where Scarlett had just kissed him, my voice muffled: “Where were you? So late, and you didn’t reply to my messages.” He paused, but didn’t answer. Instead, he simply carried me to the couch, sat me down, and helped me put on my socks. I playfully kicked him a couple of times, feeling a bit sulky. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” He ruffled my hair, sighing, his tone weary: “It was an important client. I didn’t drink. My phone was off, so I didn’t see your messages.” I looked at him, my eyes filled only with the face of the man I loved most. Liam, you’re lying to me. But I didn’t ask anything else. I just nestled into his arms, clinging to him in the way I knew best. 2 Early the next morning, Liam left for work. After he was gone, I sat up in bed and went to the study. The room was filled with documents and classic books. Among them, I found my diary. I pulled it out and flipped through the pages, filled with past emotions, from the day I met Liam until now. During the years Scarlett was gone, I felt a care and affection I’d never experienced before. Perhaps it was because I stayed by Liam’s side during his lowest point that he always treated me differently. Though I always knew his heart belonged to Scarlett. Sometimes, I’d wonder if this time would be different. But then I’d think about those six years I spent by his side, only for Scarlett to reappear, wearing the wedding dress I’d personally ordered for myself. And on that very day, they’d be kissing and celebrating my absence in each other’s arms. Thinking about these things, my heart twisted with a hatred that felt like madness. Liam, you must suffer as I did, living every single second in a hell of emotions. Tears blurred the pages, my fingers tracing the photo I’d secretly taken that night. Replaying it again and again, it felt like my heart was being repeatedly sliced open. I thought it wouldn’t hurt anymore. “I went to pick up Liam, and saw a girl kiss him. She was so happy, but I felt so sad.” These shaky words were scrawled across a new page. My emotions were both agitated and suppressed, a tangled mess. It was a contradictory feeling, yet there was a strange thrill to it. I closed the diary and put it back in its place. I put on light makeup and changed into a white dress. The girl in the mirror looked quiet and gentle. Completely unlike Scarlett’s flamboyant and passionate style. A smile touched my lips, and the girl in the mirror mirrored the action. My faint dimples seemed to hold all the sweetness in the world. Liam had complimented my smile several times, saying it was beautiful. But now, I no longer loved to smile, not after being reborn. I preferred to cry. Only truly released emotions made me feel alive, gave me a strong sense of reality, made me feel like a normal human being. Crying made me remember: I remembered Liam’s cold gaze, and Scarlett’s mocking smiles, time and time again.

After leaving the house, I went straight to Liam’s company. Most of his employees recognized me, but their eyes seemed to flit away, as if they were hiding something. I had a pretty good idea what it was. Sure enough, before I even reached his office, I heard female laughter inside. Peeking through the glass, I saw them both sitting at a table, eating. Scarlett picked up a piece of carrot, about to feed it to Liam. Liam frowned slightly, but still opened his mouth and bit the carrot. He actually hated carrots. I froze for a few seconds, standing at the door before I reacted, unable to stop myself from kicking the door open and rushing in, my hand already flying to slap Scarlett across the face. “Don’t you know he has a girlfriend?! How dare you be so unreasonable! Get out, now!” Her eyes widened, looking at me in shock after I hit her. Tears instantly welled up, and she stammered, defending herself: “I didn’t, I really didn’t know who his girlfriend was. We’re just friends. Avery, you must have misunderstood, right, Liam?” I looked at Liam, who remained silent. He paused for a few seconds before slowly speaking. “Avery, why are you so impulsive? Scarlett is an old friend of mine. You shouldn’t just hit people without reason. Apologize to her.” I held the lunchbox in my hand, my whole body trembling. Liam, you’re lying again. The atmosphere grew tense. Scarlett’s cries were like a knife, slowly chipping away at Liam’s dwindling patience. “Avery, you’ve gone too far today. You hit someone, you need to apologize! Apologize to Scarlett now!” He frowned, his fingers tapping on the table, the rhythm quick and agitated. It had been a long time since I’d seen that expression on him. Suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind: Liam when he was twenty. I tried everything to please him, but he was so stubborn, repeatedly telling me, “Avery, I’ll never like you. Just give up.” His face now was exactly the same as it was then. —Everything, it was all for Scarlett. Memories churned, and tears blurred my vision once more. I forced out two words. “I’m sorry.” Hearing me, Liam’s frown slowly eased, a faint smile gracing his lips. “Avery, you should sit down and eat with us too.” Scarlett, nearby, quickly echoed him, her tone soft but tinged with triumph. “Yes, Avery, join us. I specially bought this lunch for Liam; it’s from his favorite restaurant.” She looked at me, a hint of disdain and gloating in her eyes. I said nothing more, suppressing the raging storm in my chest. Liam, on the other hand, looked pleased. I put the lunchbox I was holding back on the table, and he seemed to remember something, freezing. I knew what he was thinking. I prepared his lunch every day; it had become our unspoken agreement, even a habit. And today, he had accepted food from someone else. I smiled subtly. “I brought you lunch. Since you’ve already eaten, I’ll just take it back.” Liam opened his mouth, and after a long pause, only one word escaped. “Okay.” I didn’t linger, turning and leaving without looking back. Once I was far enough away that I couldn’t see him anymore, the delayed surge of hurt finally spilled out. The employees standing outside the office were all looking at me with strange expressions, but I pretended not to notice, walking out with a smile. Even as I left, I faintly heard their hushed discussions. “How could this happen? The CEO’s current girlfriend can’t even compete with his ex.” “Shh, be careful what you say. I went to college with the CEO. That woman in the office is actually his ex-girlfriend. They used to have a great relationship, quite famous on campus.” “Oh, I see. So, who will the CEO end up with?” “Who knows. Anyway, his current girlfriend is really pitiful.” Yes, I really was pitiful. I gave a bitter smile, then walked briskly away from Liam’s company.

The sunlight was blinding. I shielded my eyes with my hand. “Excuse me, miss, would you like to see this?” Lowering my hand, I looked up to see a mascot bear standing in front of me. Its round body waddled clumsily towards me, looking a bit comical. He handed me a flyer, an advertisement for a new coffee shop. “I’ll check it out, thank you.” A memory flashed through my mind – the days I spent handing out flyers with Liam. The streets then were like a giant oven, and we were baking inside it. I nodded at the mascot bear, and just as I was about to turn and leave, I heard a cheerful voice say: “Miss, you look really beautiful when you smile.” My body stiffened, his words echoing in my ears. *Avery, you’re so beautiful when you smile.* “Really?” I didn’t even know why I said that. He raised his furry paw and gently touched my cheek, a slightly clumsy but very soft movement. “You’d be even prettier if you didn’t cry.” “Don’t be sad, Miss.” I reached up to touch my eyes, my fingertips feeling damp. I was crying again. I shouldn’t be sad anymore. I paused, and a smile slowly returned to my face. I gave the mascot bear a hug, and he accepted it. “Thank you.” Maybe I was being a bit silly. I just sat there, watching him hand out flyers, greeting everyone he saw. He advised me to go home early. I didn’t listen, shaking my head to refuse. He wasn’t impatient either. He just stood there in his heavy costume, blocking the sun for me. This feeling of being cared for, it was so warm. Evening came, and the sky was painted with a red glow. He took off the mascot suit and sat next to me. Beside him was a bottle of water he had specially bought. The weather was really hot; his hair was stuck to his forehead, making him look a bit disheveled. I pulled out a tissue and handed it to him. He took it, wiped the sweat from his face and neck, and casually pushed a few strands of hair back from his forehead. That fleeting moment, he looked so handsome. Completely different from the steady, quiet Liam. I kept looking at him. He suddenly raised his hand and waved it in front of my eyes, smiling, “Miss, am I super handsome? You were spacing out just now.” His goofy face made me laugh. I waved his hand away and stood up, saying, “Don’t flatter yourself.” “I’m going home now. You should head back early too.” My ride’s horn had honked a few times, reminding me. I waved to him and got into the car. In the rearview mirror, I saw him holding the mascot suit, smiling with the setting sun behind him, waving vigorously at me. I hadn’t told anyone, but his smile was truly radiant too. Memories from a few years ago surfaced – back then, the one wearing the mascot suit and blocking the sun for others was me. It was stifling hot inside the mascot suit, like an oven, making it hard to breathe. I remembered my complaints and Liam’s arrogant temper back then. What was I doing? Perhaps I just wanted to know what it felt like to have someone clumsily care for me like that. Why was I thinking of him again? I touched the corner of my eye again – this time, nothing. Back home, the empty feeling was as usual. Scarlett somehow added me on SnapChat. I had accepted her friend request, but she still hadn’t said anything. I knew exactly what her little game was. I opened her profile on Ins, and sure enough, there was a playful caption and a photo: “Dinner for two was so delightful, even the lemon water tasted sweet~” The picture showed two yellow drinks, with an array of rich, exquisite dishes on the table. The most crucial detail was a man’s hand – no doubt, it was Liam’s. He was pretty smart; he’d specifically taken off the watch I’d given him. I opened my diary again and wrote: “Today, Liam forgot about the lunch I’d prepared and ate with another girl. That girl even fed him carrots, which he hates. I was so upset that I slapped her. But Liam defended her and made me apologize. I’m so heartbroken.” After that day, Liam barely came home. I often suffered from insomnia; even the sleeping pills stopped working. Sometimes, I’d finally fall asleep, only to wake up with a jolt.

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After my rebirth, I handed in my resignation, left the production department, and broke ties with the Knight family who had raised me. I became known as an ungrateful traitor. All because, in my previous life, Chloe Davis – the supposed gifted musician and the apple of Mason Knight’s eye, the CEO’s only son – died in an accident during a signing selection. And I married him, becoming Mrs. Knight’s daughter-in-law. After our marriage, Mason and I worked side-by-side for twenty years, weathering every storm. I composed hit songs, he sang them to life, and Stellar Entertainment’s entire fifty-year backlog of unsold albums became phenomenal successes under our touch. But Mason Knight, my supposed soulmate, publicly exposed me at my own awards ceremony, accusing me of fraud and deception. He claimed all the key arrangements in my award-winning albums, the very ones that earned me recognition, were based on manuscripts Chloe Davis had recorded with her ‘innate musicality’ before her death. “Scarlett Hayes, you stole the life that rightfully belonged to Chloe Davis.” Even my own students, whom I’d personally mentored, looked at me with open disdain. “Teacher, I never thought a top-tier producer like you would rely on plagiarism to get to the top.” As I saw their scornful gazes, I collapsed right outside Stellar Entertainment’s doors. Every single one of my works was rigorously investigated. Mason dug into my every oversight, leading to my imprisonment for plagiarism and copyright infringement. Behind bars, I was relentlessly attacked online by inmates who held grudges against me, and I eventually took my own life out of despair. When I opened my eyes again, I was back at Stellar Entertainment, on the day they were deciding producers for a new album.

Mr. Knight sat in his office, his expression heavy. “Mason, for this new album, who should we pick as producer? Scarlett or Chloe?” Colleagues around us chuckled. “Is that even a question? Mason and Scarlett are childhood sweethearts! Who else would he pick?” I had grown up in the Knight family, and they had long since unofficially decided I would be their daughter-in-law. The position of producer for this new album was, naturally, assumed to be mine. But this time, Mason Knight abruptly interrupted his father. “Dad, let’s keep personal matters separate. Selecting a producer should be fair. I shouldn’t be making that decision.” It clicked instantly. He had been reborn too. Since he was so fixated on his unrequited love for Chloe Davis last time, I decided this time, I’d make sure they got their happy ending. “Mr. Knight, I honestly don’t think my abilities are sufficient. I’m not a good match for Mason, nor do I think I belong in the core production team.” I grabbed a blank sheet of paper and swiftly wrote out the words, “RESIGNATION LETTER.” Seeing my actions, Mason Knight didn’t say a word. He just turned and bolted from the office. At this exact time in my last life, Chloe Davis had been cornered by furious haters who didn’t want her signed. In the chaos, a deranged hater injured her wrist, making it impossible for her to hold a microphone again. Now that he had a second chance, he was clearly going to protect Chloe from that fate. Mr. Knight exploded in fury, pushing my resignation letter back across the desk. “Scarlett Hayes, what nonsense is this? I taught you everything you know, and now you want to resign?” Mr. Knight, who had raised me like his own daughter, now looked at me with utter disappointment. I met his gaze, wanting to explain, but in the end, I simply bowed deeply. “Mr. Knight, I’m truly sorry. I’ll leave the Knight family. I’ll find a way to repay your kindness in the future.” “Mason’s heart belongs to someone else. You can’t force love, Mr. Knight. Please, let them be together. Mason and I are simply not meant to be.” Mr. Knight wanted to argue, but then he remembered the rumors he’d heard about his son and Chloe Davis. He swallowed all his words. I packed my belongings and moved out of the Knight household for good. The day I left, Mason Knight stood in the yard, casting a distant glance in my direction. Twenty years of shared history from our last life had ended here. Once I finished handing over my work at Stellar Entertainment, I wouldn’t have to see them again. News of their signing and engagement spread throughout Stellar Entertainment. Red, eye-catching contracts were laid out on every colleague’s desk. People in the hallway constantly snuck glances at me, whispering. Everyone knew I had chased Mason Knight for over a decade, from a shy girl to a seasoned producer. They all thought I’d be the one walking down the aisle. But I simply gave the gilded contracts a dismissive glance and returned to my composition report. Chloe Davis often spoke loudly in the recording studio these days, deliberately raising her voice as if afraid no one would hear her. “Mason bought me another necklace yesterday. He said it’s to match my debut outfit.” “He also said once we’re done with promotions, he’ll let me take on bigger projects.” I ignored her boasting, focusing intently on my composition report. Until that day, I overheard Mason Knight and Mr. Knight arguing in the CEO’s office. “Dad, Chloe should be in charge of the new album. You’ve seen her capabilities.” Mr. Knight’s voice was displeased: “Mason, Scarlett has been working on this album for a long time. Replacing her now would cause problems. Besides, Chloe just signed; she doesn’t have enough experience.” Mason Knight was insistent: “But Chloe has her unique talent, she can do this album! Dad, you can’t just favor Scarlett because of personal feelings, can you?” I clearly remembered that in my previous life, I had used subtle clues in the composition to piece together the album’s entire structure, ultimately producing a city-wide sensation. Stellar Entertainment earned major accolades because of it, and I became famous overnight with that album. The title of ‘Top Producer’ echoed through the entertainment industry, and my career skyrocketed. Mason Knight, having been reborn, surely knew all of this. He simply wanted Chloe Davis to gain fame through this project in this life. With that thought, I pushed open the office door and handed over all my composition documents. “Mr. Knight, here are all the materials and reports.” Mr. Knight looked at my calm demeanor, his eyes unreadable. After much hesitation, he took the reports from my hand. “Scarlett, it’s Mr. Knight and the Knight family who owe you an apology.” My voice was calm. “It’s alright, Mr. Knight. You raised me, so consider this my way of repaying your kindness.” Mr. Knight looked up, his eyes filled with guilt. He had nurtured me like a daughter for many years. But ultimately, I couldn’t compare to his own son. The scales still tipped in Mason Knight’s favor.

The moment I voluntarily handed over the reports, a flicker of obvious shock crossed Mason Knight’s face. He probably expected me to argue, maybe even cry hysterically, but I had been surprisingly decisive. These documents were the result of countless sleepless nights, each page filled with my hard work and professional judgment. He clearly hadn’t expected me to let go so easily. “Scarlett Hayes, don’t think this reverse psychology will get my attention.” Mason Knight quickly regained his cold expression, his tone dripping with disdain. “You’ll never measure up to Chloe. You should have realized that a long time ago.” Right. He always believed in Chloe Davis’s casually mentioned ‘innate musicality.’ To my dying day, I never knew what he’d written in his notebook that made him so certain I’d only succeeded by riding on Chloe Davis’s coattails. Mason Knight, standing before me, shoved the thick reports into Chloe Davis’s hands. Chloe took the documents, eager to flip through them, but her face grew increasingly distraught with each page she read. “Mason, why are there only records of the composition process and no final product?” She asked, somewhat flustered. I let out a soft laugh, a hint of sarcasm in my voice: “The finished product? That shouldn’t be a problem for Chloe, right? Especially with your unique talent.” Picking up on the sarcasm, Mason Knight and Chloe Davis both snorted and turned to leave the office. I watched them go, shaking my head with a smile. Chloe Davis was nothing but a rookie who had never even done an independent composition. How could she possibly analyze complex clues and draw conclusions? I was eager to see how Mason Knight would elevate his beloved to fame. At the new album recording studio, just as I expected, Chloe Davis made a fool of herself in front of everyone. “Ms. Davis, could you please hand me the mixer?” But Chloe Davis picked up a metronome and handed it to my old partner, Gary. “Not that one! Ms. Davis, you can’t even tell the difference between a mixer and a metronome? That’s basic stuff!” Chloe Davis’s voice, full of grievance, piped up: “I… I’m just not very familiar with the equipment here.” Mason Knight’s voice immediately cut in, full of protective indignation: “Gary, do you have to be so aggressive? Chloe just started. You were all Scarlett Hayes’s old colleagues, so naturally, you’re biased towards her. You haven’t even seen Chloe’s real capabilities.” Gary scoffed, as if he’d heard the biggest joke. “Capabilities? What capabilities? Is Mr. Knight saying she can produce music with some fake talent? Innate musicality? I’ll believe it when she brings a deceased artist back to sing a few notes!” Several other producers began whispering, skepticism etched on their faces. Seeing the tension escalate, I pushed open the door and calmly interrupted them. “Gary, I’m just here to pack my things.” The office instantly fell silent, all eyes on me. I packed my desk items one by one. Chloe Davis, standing beside me, looked increasingly upset. When I picked up a photo of me with the Knight family, she lunged and knocked over my box. “Scarlett Hayes, are you gloating now?!” The cardboard box crashed to the floor with a loud bang, and the only photo of me with the Knight family shattered into pieces. The piano model Mason Knight had given me for my eighteenth birthday was also smashed to smithereens. The sharp edge of the box cut Chloe Davis’s finger, and blood immediately welled up. Mason Knight’s face instantly changed. He carefully blew on her finger, his voice filled with tenderness: “Chloe, are you okay? Let me see! Don’t move, I’ll take you to get that wound treated!” “Scarlett Hayes, can’t you face reality? You have nothing to do with us, the Knight family, or Stellar Entertainment anymore!”

I looked at the fragments on the floor, the remnants of my entire youth. The last bit of bitterness in my heart vanished. These things, I didn’t need them anyway. As I was about to leave with my few belongings, Chloe Davis grabbed my arm. “Since you’re no longer part of the Knight family, shouldn’t you leave all of Mason’s things behind?” “Mason, isn’t that right?” I looked at the two of them standing side-by-side behind me. Chloe Davis’s face was smug with petty triumph, and Mason Knight, without waiting for me to speak, immediately defended her. “Chloe’s right. Our family’s things, you should leave them.” Their shamelessness made me laugh, a bitter, sarcastic sound. It was true, the clothes I was wearing had all been bought by Mrs. Knight. “Mason Knight, what exactly do you want me to leave behind? Are you suggesting I strip naked and walk out of Stellar Entertainment today?” Mr. Knight, who had rushed over, slapped Mason across the face. “You insolent fool! Even if Scarlett isn’t your wife, she’s still your sister. Is this how you treat her?!” I saw the disgust in Mason Knight’s eyes as he looked at me, and I suddenly smiled. “Mr. Knight, they’re right. We should settle things.” I slowly raised my hand, pointing at Mason Knight from head to toe. “This watch on your wrist? I bought it for you with my first bonus, remember? You said you loved it.” “The cufflinks on your shirt? I specifically tracked them down for you when I was on exchange in Germany. A global limited edition.” “And this necklace on your chest? I ran to every counter in the city to find this specific color for you.” “From head to toe, which one of these items wasn’t bought with my own salary?” Mason Knight’s face instantly darkened. He clenched his jaw. He actually started unbuttoning his shirt, taking off his watch, and removing his necklace, throwing them all on the floor. Seeing this, Chloe Davis immediately pointed at me triumphantly: “Then what about your things? Shouldn’t they be returned to the Knight family too? This dress, those earrings, and the ring on your finger—which of them wasn’t bought with the Knight family’s money?” I ignored her taunts, not even bothering to look down at those items. My gaze remained fixed on Mason Knight, my voice calm yet heavy with unspoken power. “Three years ago, with the New Century Artist contract termination case, I endured immense pressure, working ten sleepless days to piece together the artist’s identity from a pile of terminated contracts, ensuring he could continue his career. That’s how Mr. Knight was exceptionally promoted to his current position as CEO.” “Two years ago, if I hadn’t returned from my business trip early, Mrs. Knight would have… from carbon monoxide poisoning.” I took a step forward, meeting his gaze directly. “Mason Knight, I saved your mother’s career. I helped expand your father’s business empire. How do you intend to repay those debts?” “Now, do you still want me to take off these so-called ‘Knight family possessions’?” Mason Knight was visibly cornered by my questions. His eyes darted away, unable to meet my gaze. After a long silence, he finally squeezed out a reply through gritted teeth: “That’s a separate issue.” I burst out laughing, laughing at the Knight family’s so-called kindness, laughing at my own foolishness in the previous life. From this day forward, I was done with the Knight family, a clean break, no more ties. Chloe Davis saw that Mason Knight was speechless because of me and immediately jumped in to defend him: “Scarlett Hayes, stop with your manipulative words! Take off the Knight family’s clothes immediately!” One by one, I began to remove my necklace, earrings, and bracelet. They hit the floor with crisp clinks, just like my once-shattered heart. All my clothes were neatly placed on my workstation. I changed into my faded, yellowed old work uniform. I thought two lives would have made me strong enough. But looking at his familiar face, the tears still flowed without my permission. I wiped my tears, turning my back and walking towards the door without a second glance. As soon as I stepped out, the whispers of those around me reached my ears: “I heard Producer Hayes wasn’t just resigning, she was fired.” “Tsk, tsk, for a chief producer to fall this low.” “Mr. Knight’s son is ruthless enough to turn on his childhood sweetheart.” My steps faltered slightly, but I didn’t stop. Just as I was about to walk out of Stellar Entertainment’s main entrance, Mason Knight’s voice came from behind me: “Scarlett Hayes.” I paused, but didn’t turn around. “I’ve already spoken to everyone. There’s no place in the entire entertainment industry that will let you continue as a producer.” So, he not only wanted to ruin my reputation but also destroy my future. How cruel, Mason Knight. I strode forward, disappearing from his sight. Turning the corner, I saw a business van. I opened the door and got in. “Ms. Albright, congratulations on finally getting what you wanted.” She smiled, turning and taking my hand. “Scarlett Hayes, it’s a pleasure to work with you.” I quickly moved to the Capital City, joined Galaxy Music, and was appointed Chief Producer. Galaxy Music’s office was decorated festively, with a banner that read, “WARMEST WELCOME TO CHIEF PRODUCER SCARLETT HAYES TO GALAXY MUSIC.”

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My fiancé Lucas never missed a chance to criticize dark-skinned models, saying they’d always be at the bottom of the modeling world. No matter how stunning Giselle’s runway performance was, Lucas would never let her wear his designs. “Darling, my clothes are all designed for you. She’s not worthy of them!” he’d say. I thought this was his way of expressing love for me. Until at the international fashion week, Giselle dazzled the crowd wearing the wedding dress Lucas had designed for me. Lucas knelt on the spot, proposing to her with eyes full of passion. I rushed onto the stage in a frenzy to confront them, only to be labeled as the other woman and face online backlash. Wandering the foreign streets in a daze, I was ultimately assaulted by a group of drunk thugs and left to drown in a filthy gutter. When I opened my eyes again, Lucas was discussing his new collection’s model choices with me. “Aria, who do you think should be the lead model for this new collection?” Lucas’s gentle voice reached my ears. Looking at his hypocritical face, the pain and humiliation from my past life surged through me like a tidal wave. It was this very face that had showered me with sweet nothings. “Aria, my designs are all born for you.” “That Giselle, her skin is as rough as sandpaper. It’s an insult to even let her touch my work.” But in the end, he embraced Giselle, had me dragged off stage by security, and left me to die in a foreign land. Thinking of this, I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. The sharp pain kept me focused. I couldn’t act rashly. I suppressed the hatred bubbling up inside me and forced a smile onto my face. “Lucas, I actually have an idea. Would you like to hear it?” Lucas immediately put on a loving expression and held my hand. “Of course, your ideas are always the best.” His touch made me nauseous, but I endured it. I pulled my hand away and picked up the model profiles on the table, flipping to Giselle’s page. In the photo, she exuded confidence and wild beauty. “I think this Giselle isn’t bad.” Lucas’s pupils constricted sharply, and he quickly put on a look of disgust, just as I remembered. “Her? Aria, are you joking?” “My designs are so noble. How could we let her showcase them? She’d only lower our brand’s standards.” I shook my head thoughtfully, pretending to have given it deep consideration for his sake. “Lucas, listen to me. The fashion world is all about diversity now. Wouldn’t going against the grain give us more buzz?” I looked at him with sincere eyes. “Think about it. You’ve always claimed your designs are only for the classical beauty of Eastern women.” “If we suddenly use a black model with a completely different style, it’s called reverse marketing. The media will explode.” The disgust in Lucas’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by a glimmer of excitement. He pretended to ponder for a moment, furrowing his brow as if making a difficult decision. “But I’m worried about hurting you,” he said, looking at me with concern. “A little discomfort for the sake of your career is nothing,” I smiled graciously. “Let’s do it. I’ll go talk to her.” Lucas finally stopped protesting. He hugged me joyfully and kissed my forehead. “Aria, you’re truly my better half! I love you so much!” I stiffened in his embrace, my stomach churning.

Lucas accepted my suggestion and put me in charge of liaising with Giselle. Using the Snow family’s connections, I quickly got in touch with Giselle. On the phone, her tone was haughty, but as soon as she heard it was Lucas Reed’s brand inviting her to be the lead model, she immediately agreed. The next day, I accompanied Lucas to the studio to wait for her. For this act, I deliberately wore the white dress Lucas had custom-made for me last season. It was the piece that won him the national design award, supposedly inspired by me. Giselle strode into the studio doorway in 4-inch heels, right on time, exuding a powerful aura. When she saw me, a flash of contempt crossed her eyes. Her gaze lingered on my dress for a moment, her lips curling into a mocking smile. Lucas immediately went to greet her, but with a cold expression on his face. He deliberately spoke loudly: “Miss Giselle, Aria should have explained all the terms of cooperation to you.” “This collaboration is purely business. I hope you don’t have any other ideas.” Giselle crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Rest assured, Mr. Reed. I’m only interested in your designs, not you personally.” The two went back and forth, acting as if it were all real. I sat quietly on the sofa, watching their hypocritical performance. When it came time for the fitting, Lucas took out the main piece of the new collection, a sleek black gown, and handed it to Giselle. “Try it on. The size is based on standard model measurements, so it should fit.” Giselle walked into the changing room. I stood up and walked to the rack holding the new collection, my eyes falling on a champagne-colored gown. Lucas had shown me the design for this gown a few days ago, saying it was to be my birthday gift, with every detail crafted for me. I reached out my hand, wanting to feel the fabric. But Lucas suddenly came over and grabbed my hand. “Aria, don’t touch. These are all samples. The fabric is delicate, and it would be bad if they got damaged.” I grew suspicious but kept my face neutral, obediently withdrawing my hand. Just then, the changing room door opened. Giselle walked out wearing the black gown. In that moment, even I had to admit her presence was truly stunning. The dress seemed to come alive on her body, every line flowing smoothly and powerfully. Lucas’s eyes instantly lit up with undisguised amazement and fascination. But he quickly caught himself, schooling his features into a critical expression. He walked up to Giselle, adjusting her shoulder straps. His fingertips deliberately brushed against Giselle’s exposed collarbone. Their eyes met briefly in the mirror, the atmosphere suddenly turning ambiguous. I watched all of this with cold eyes. “Well?” Giselle asked lazily, looking at herself in the mirror. Lucas cleared his throat and spoke in a businesslike tone: “It’s alright, but something seems to be missing.” He suddenly turned to look at me, frowning. “Aria, come try it on.” I was taken aback. “Put it on. I want to compare the effect.”

I walked into the changing room and put on the same black gown. The me in the mirror was beautiful too. But the cut of this dress was clearly not suited to my figure. The waistline was too low, and the chest area was loose and baggy. When I walked out, Lucas and Giselle were standing side by side. Lucas looked me up and down, shook his head, and turned to Giselle: “Ah, it’s still you after all.” “Aria is too thin. Her figure isn’t as curvy as yours. She can’t bring out the soul of this dress.” Giselle let out a smug chuckle, her eyes full of challenge as she looked at me. I said nothing and returned to the changing room to change back. From that day on, the ambiguity between Lucas and Giselle grew increasingly obvious. Lucas would use adjusting clothes as an excuse to keep his hands on Giselle’s waist for far too long. Giselle would wear revealing outfits and deliberately bend over in front of Lucas, showing off her proud curves. And I, always wearing a proper smile, would serve them tea and water, even thoughtfully offering band-aids when Giselle complained about her high heels hurting her feet. My compliance and magnanimity made Lucas increasingly brazen. He would praise Giselle right in front of me, without any restraint. “Giselle, you have a natural camera presence. You’ve brought this dress to life.” “Your skin tone paired with this bright yellow is simply perfect, like the sun on the African savannah.” While to me, he grew increasingly impatient. “Aria, don’t always hang around the studio. You don’t understand anything, you’ll affect my creativity.” “How many times have I told you, coffee without sugar? Why can’t you ever remember?” Giselle’s provocations towards me also became more direct. One day, I went to the studio as usual to deliver afternoon tea. When I pushed open the door, I found it empty. I was puzzled until I heard muffled, ambiguous gasps coming from the direction of the changing room. I silently walked to the changing room door. It was slightly ajar. Through the crack, I saw Lucas pressing Giselle against the mirror. They were entangled together, clothes disheveled, their faces reflected in the mirror showing ecstasy and frenzy. Giselle, while responding to Lucas’s movements, caught sight of me outside the door in the mirror. Far from panicking, she flashed a provocative smile and deliberately increased her volume. Lucas, stimulated by her, became even more frenzied, completely unaware of my presence. I turned away expressionlessly, preparing to leave this filthy place. Just as I reached the door, Giselle chased after me. She had already tidied her clothes, her face still flushed, her eyes full of mockery. “Miss Snow, saw everything, did you?” I looked at her without a word. “It’s good that you did.” “Some things aren’t yours, so don’t try to grab them. Men are like clothes, they prefer curves.” She chuckled and leaned in close to my ear, speaking in a voice only we could hear: “You’re just a vase with no appeal. What do you have besides your family background?” “Lucas said being with you is like hugging a wooden board, no fun at all.” I listened quietly, looking at her smug face, and slowly spoke. “Are you done?” My calmness took her aback. “If you’re done, move aside. You’re in my way.” I walked around her, heading straight for the fabric area to find the silk I needed. I didn’t look at her again, nor at Lucas as he emerged from the changing room. I completely treated Lucas and Giselle as if they were air. I stopped asking about any of their fashion week affairs and stopped footing their bills. Lucas hinted several times that the budget was tight, but I brushed him off, saying, “Father’s been auditing the accounts lately, he’s keeping a tight rein on things.” Without the Snow family’s financial support, Lucas’s face grew darker by the day. But he still put on a brave face, relying on his previously accumulated fame and loans to maintain the Paris show’s grandeur. I didn’t interfere and continued doing my own thing. While tidying up the office, I stumbled upon a fashion magazine from twenty years ago. It featured Quincy Yan’s gold award-winning work from the “Rising Star” competition back then. The stunning design and unique style left me momentarily stunned. I immediately rushed back to my own studio and pulled out all of Lucas’s designs from over the years. As I compared them one by one, my hands began to tremble uncontrollably. They were exact replicas, blatant plagiarism!

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