I’m the adopted daughter of the Taylor Family, and I’ve admired Declan Taylor since I was young. One accident changed everything. I lost my sight while saving him and became blind. He cried, promising to love me forever. But on the day I regained my sight, I discovered him having an affair with my best friend in the bedroom. I gave a bitter smile; it was time to leave. 1 In my life, I can’t tell day from night anymore. It’s always dark. A year ago, Declan was kidnapped. I got severely injured trying to save him, which led to my blindness. But I have no regrets. After all, it was him who chose me from the orphanage twenty years ago. Day by day, my love for him has become a part of me. I’ll never forget the day he held me in his arms, crying, and awkwardly responding to my love. “Phoebe, thank you for saving me. If you can’t see, I’ll be your eyes. We’ll be together forever.” Thinking about it still stirs my heart. I just hope my eyes heal soon, so I can see the one I long for. I felt around the bed, carefully got down, and opened the curtains. Warm sunlight poured in, and suddenly I felt a hint of brightness. This excited me immensely. But I didn’t want to disappoint those who love me. I planned to wait until I fully regained my sight to tell him the good news. I was immersed in the joy of recovery, but then I heard an eerie breathing sound. Since losing my sight, my hearing has become sharp. This sound filled me with inexplicable fear. “Declan, is that you?” No one answered. The breathing continued, and I realized it was more than one person. Various scenarios of home invasion flashed in my mind, making me anxious. I groped along the wall, heading out of the bedroom. “Declan, are you in the living room?” After a while, I finally heard a familiar voice from the living room, and I sighed in relief. “Phoebe, it’s me. Cora Green is here too.” I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination, but after he mentioned Cora’s name, there was a faint groan. “Phoebe, I wanted to check on you. I happened to meet Declan downstairs. The elevator was broken, and we climbed sixteen floors. It was exhausting.” She spoke, pretending to be breathless to convince me. Despite my doubts, I couldn’t bring myself to suspect them. But my heart felt heavy, as if shrouded in fog, leaving me lost. If Declan was my most beloved man, then Cora was my best friend. We were college roommates. After graduation, she joined my company, becoming my right-hand. I didn’t dare use dirty thoughts to suspect them. I couldn’t imagine the blow if they both betrayed me. That day, I didn’t ask further. Declan was as attentive as ever, and Cora acted as if nothing happened, raising a toast with me like usual. 2 Until the next morning, when I opened my eyes again, the brightness stung them. The room’s layout was clear before me. I was momentarily stunned, then immense joy surged through me—I could see again. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to tell Declan right away, but through the bedroom door, I saw the living room in disarray! The two were intertwined on the couch, clothes scattered everywhere. “Baby, aren’t you worried she’ll find out about us?” “She’s just a blind person. What can she find out? Besides, doesn’t this make it more exciting?” My heart felt like it was breaking. Tears streamed down endlessly, wishing time could reverse, erasing my hearing entirely! “Declan, do you even care about that blind girl? When you agreed to be with her, it broke my heart.” Cora whispered against Declan’s lips, her words filled with a coquettish tone, but they were a betrayal of my years of trust in her. But Declan’s words hurt me even more. He held the woman in front of him, a disdainful smile on his lips. “Ha, we actually had an engagement. Bringing her from the orphanage was to raise a child bride.” “Still, Phoebe Johnson is just a tool for the Taylor Family. If it wasn’t for the project she’s handling, I wouldn’t bother with her.” “Besides, my parents have agreed. As long as I secure the project, they’ll let me break the engagement.” Pain spread densely from my heart, making me catch my breath. So, this is how he always saw me. Ha, in his eyes, I’m just a tool for the Taylor Family! At this moment, I suddenly remembered the strange breathing sounds from yesterday. My worst fear had come true. I forced myself to suppress the anger within, unwilling to show my most vulnerable side, preserving the last shred of dignity. Then, I picked up the glass on the bedside table and threw it in frustration. The shattering sound was crisp and clear. The intimate sounds from the living room ceased immediately. After a while, Declan, clothes disheveled, walked into the room, cautiously asking, “Phoebe, you’re awake?” I tried to suppress my inner pain, pretending as if nothing had happened, and replied in a low voice, “Yeah, I accidentally knocked over the glass, sorry.” Looking at Declan casually draped in a coat, his expression impatient, but his voice still gentle, “It’s okay, I’ll clean it up. Phoebe, just rest, don’t get hurt.” In the past, such words would warm my heart, making me think my years of effort had finally paid off. But now, I felt cold all over. Seeing his dismissive gaze and the faint hickey on his neck, I realized all my efforts were a joke. I understood all my efforts were one-sided. Even if Declan didn’t love me, I had no complaints. But why promise me only to betray me? I opened my mouth, but my throat felt choked, and I couldn’t reveal that I had regained my sight. The Taylor Family raised me lavishly. Out of gratitude, I couldn’t let things get too ugly with Declan. Besides, my decade-long pursuit of Declan made that love deep-rooted. I needed time to let go. 3 “Declan, let’s visit the old house after breakfast tomorrow. I have something to discuss with Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.” Declan looked wary, repeatedly asking why we needed to go back. But after my reassurances, he agreed. Maybe he was confident, thinking I’d always be around to serve him. The next morning, I mechanically shoveled food into my mouth, trying hard not to let them notice anything off. In front of me, the two interacted intimately, as if this was a routine. They must have had numerous trysts while I was blind. Declan’s face showed a gentleness I’d never seen before. He always seemed distant, like a moon high in the sky. I never imagined he could show such a doting expression. My hand trembled slightly, gripping the spoon. Fooled by Declan’s illusory love for three years, loving him became a habit. From now on, that habit would cease to exist! 4 After breakfast, the three of us returned to the old house. As soon as I stepped inside, the Taylor Parents’ gaze on me was complex, perhaps with pity, but mixed with disdain. Meanwhile, Cora, staying close to Declan, was ingratiating herself with the Taylor Parents. This harmonious scene was quite glaring. I cleared my throat, intending to get straight to the point. “Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, I have something to discuss with you.” “I don’t know if my eyes will ever get better. In this state, I’m unworthy of Declan, so please cancel our engagement.” Initially, they seemed displeased at my interruption, especially Declan. But when they heard I wanted to break the engagement, he froze. Everyone had their own thoughts, their expressions varying. Luckily, they thought I was blind, or they wouldn’t have hidden their expressions so well. “Phoebe Johnson, what are you talking about? Are you out of your mind?” Declan looked surprised, questioning harshly. “Declan, speak properly!” Mr. Taylor scolded, walking over to pat my shoulder. “Phoebe, I know you’re doing this for Declan. But didn’t the doctor say your eyes could recover? Stay positive.” If I hadn’t noticed the disdain in his eyes, I might have believed his words. They raised me, but since I turned eighteen, I’ve been involved in the company, loyal to the Taylors, contributing greatly to their financial gain. Now, the only reason they haven’t discarded me is that the doctor said my eyes could recover. All the dirty and hard work in this house would fall on me once I recovered. Ignoring the ache in my heart, I forced a bitter smile, staring blankly ahead. “Mr. Taylor, I actually went to see the doctor again later. He said my eyes will never recover.” Beside me, Cora’s face lit up with joy, as if she saw her chance to rise, quickly moving to comfort the Taylor Parents. The only reason they haven’t tossed me aside like an expendable piece is because the doctor said my eyes might still heal. Once I’m better, I’ll have to handle all the hard and thankless tasks around here. I ignored the dull ache in my chest, forced a slightly bitter smile, and stared vacantly ahead. “Mr. Taylor, I actually went back to see the doctor. He said my eyes will never recover.” Nearby, Cora Green’s face lit up, as if she thought her moment to shine had finally come. She quickly went over to the Taylor Parents, pretending to offer comfort. “Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, there’s no need to be upset. Phoebe has always been sensible. She made this decision hoping you’d respect her wishes.” “Besides, she personally trained me. Even if she leaves, you’ll still have me.” Cora Green, my supposed best friend, couldn’t contain her eagerness. I had only mentioned ending the engagement, yet she seemed bent on pushing me out of Taylor Corporation altogether. After all, she can only advance if I step aside. “Phoebe Johnson, you think you can just break off our engagement at will? I won’t agree to that.” Declan Taylor sat on the sofa, his gaze lingering on me. But I know him too well. He refuses to break the engagement likely because it’s the first time I’ve taken a stand against him. I took a deep breath and spoke slowly. “Declan, I’m willing to hand my projects over to you. I know I’m not suited for you. In the future, I just want to live quietly as an ordinary person.” Hearing this, the joy on the faces of the Taylor Parents was unmistakable, and my heart grew heavier. These are the Taylor Family Members who raised me. Each of them wants to squeeze every last bit of value out of me. Of course, this is likely because I still bear the Johnson name. They constantly remind me that I’m just an orphan they took in. At this moment, Mr. Taylor sighed dramatically, feigning regret, and said, “Phoebe, since you’re so determined, we won’t force you.” Cora Green’s hand reached for Declan’s leg, and when she glanced at me, there was an unmistakable hint of smugness. She fawned over the Taylor Parents, her sycophantic behavior truly repulsing me. Declan, on the other hand, was unusually silent, though his eyes occasionally drifted toward me, his expression somber. I looked at everything before me with a rare sense of calm and turned to leave the old Taylor family home. To my surprise, Declan actually followed me out. “Phoebe Johnson, I don’t understand what’s gotten into you today. Didn’t you love me? Why are you initiating the breakup?” His face was full of confusion, as if he’d come out just to hear the truth. I forced a smile more painful than tears, my voice low and devoid of emotion. “Declan, your outfit today looks great. The light blue is like the clouds in the sky, just like when you chose me at the orphanage.” With that, I watched Declan’s eyes widen in shock, frozen in place. I turned and disappeared into the night. I’m sorry, it seems there’s no specific text provided for translation. Could you please provide the text you need translated? 6 The night sky was dazzling with stars. Alone, I returned to my apartment, sitting by the window, watching the city lights below. For the first time in three years, I spent a night without Declan Taylor by my side. The room felt hauntingly quiet. The red wine in my hand seemed especially vivid against the night, and I quietly reflected on the past, feeling a heavy heart. My love for Declan, steadfast for over a decade, had me dreaming just yesterday of our future—imagining him in a suit, marrying me. Unfortunately, reality is always harsh.

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Even though we’re twins, other families seem to manage balancing their love between their children. But in my family, the balance is always off. Mom and Dad favor my brother because he’s been frail since childhood, earning their special care and affection. However, this love is a double-edged sword, spoiling him excessively. Ultimately, his future may not turn out as they hope. “Smack…” A sharp sound echoed as I received a solid slap from my brother, Asher. “Jude, do you think I’m joking? How dare you ignore me?” Asher shouted, pointing at me. “Asher, are you out of your mind? Adeline is my girlfriend. How can you, as my brother, bully your own brother’s girlfriend? What kind of person are you?” I couldn’t hold it in any longer, no longer caring if he was my brother. “You’ve really turned against me now, speaking to me like this.” Asher said, stepping forward to slap me again. I couldn’t take it anymore and immediately fought back, slapping Asher. Asher was furious. Since childhood, he had always bullied me, never once being on the receiving end, and he would never allow such a situation. We started wrestling with each other. Adeline tried to pull us apart, but as a woman, she was unable to handle two enraged men. Out of options, she grabbed my phone and called my dad. Adeline was our neighbor back home, and we grew up together, very close since childhood. Later, when we went to college, we moved to the city together and attended the same university. Over the years, we took care of each other. When I confessed during college, everything naturally fell into place. But my brother has always liked to take what I have, especially things that belong to me. So, he came to us and said something so outrageous, actually asking me to give him my girlfriend. Other things I might tolerate, but she was my childhood sweetheart, the woman I intended to marry. He was going too far. We fought for a long time until my mom shouted, “Stop it, both of you, stop it now!” Only then did we let go of each other. “Ah… my heart hurts so much, I can’t breathe!” Asher suddenly collapsed, clutching his chest and crying out.

“Son, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” My mom immediately rushed to Asher, her face filled with concern and worry, as if she’d forgotten about me, her other son. My dad stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face. “You worthless kid, how dare you hit your brother! You’re completely out of control. You’ve been a curse to your brother since you were little, causing him to end up like this. Do you want to kill him now? How did I end up with such a vicious child?” My dad scolded me, as if not satisfied, he even pulled out a belt and started whipping me. “Dad, why don’t you ask what happened first? Why are you always so biased?” I dodged as I questioned him. But my dad wouldn’t listen, continuing to beat me without pause. “I really regret having such an ungrateful son like you. Your brother’s heart isn’t good, and I should’ve given him yours.” He berated me while striking me. My mom yelled from the side, “Honey, Asher is in pain, we need to take him to the hospital!” My dad finally stopped the beating, dropping the belt and lifting my brother to leave. My mom, seemingly not over it, came forward, slapped me across the face, cursed, and hurriedly left with them. I sat on the ground, feeling utterly desolate. Adeline knelt down, trying to comfort me. But I couldn’t hear anything, my heart felt like it was in ashes. I didn’t know what I did wrong to deserve such treatment. Asher and I are twin brothers, but he was born with a weak heart, almost not making it, while I was completely healthy. Luckily, Asher was saved but was left with congenital heart disease, relying on medication. The doctor said he could have a heart attack at any time, so they kept emergency heart pills on hand. Our parents sacrificed a lot for the both of us.

Our family lived in the countryside, not very wealthy, bearing the cost of Asher’s medical bills made them anxious and exhausted. Sometimes, they couldn’t even afford his medication, leaving them at their wits’ end. Desperate, they turned to superstitions, burning incense, praying, and even consulting fortune tellers. The fortune teller revealed something that would haunt me for life. He said that as twins, we should have similar conditions, but I was healthy while Asher had a heart condition because we were born to clash. I supposedly took Asher’s luck and health, causing his frailty and illness. To protect Asher, we had to be separated, or I’d doom him. My parents believed the fortune teller, and from then on, they saw me as a demon. Other families rejoiced over healthy twins, but not ours. One had heart disease while the other didn’t, just as the fortune teller said — one cursed the other. When I was three, my parents sent me to live with Grandma in the countryside, while they took Asher to the city for treatment and work. Grandma had trouble walking, yet she had to care for a three-year-old. I was ignorant and always asked Grandma to carry me, and we often fell, bruising ourselves. When I reached school age, I studied in the village, while Asher went to school in the city, enjoying better conditions. Ironically, my grades were always better. I consistently ranked in the top three, while Asher was always last. Yet, my parents didn’t discipline him or guide him. They blamed me for taking his luck, making him dumb with poor grades. I was speechless. Isn’t studying about effort, not luck? I remember when I got into high school, scoring first in the entrance exam, but Asher had no school willing to take him, so they had to buy a spot. That was when my parents were at their worst. They stormed into the countryside and, without listening, started beating me with sticks. Scared, I ran and cried, but they wouldn’t stop. Finally, perhaps from exhaustion, they stopped. Only then did they reveal why they beat me. They believed I was a devil, stealing Asher’s luck. I got first place, while he was last, even with no school accepting him, all because of me, the jinx. My brother was sick, now with poor grades and no school, how would he find a job to support himself? My dad had finally settled, barely achieving a modest living, but it wasn’t enough for Asher’s needs. So, all the blame fell on me, the jinx. They beat me, scolded me, and almost killed me. At that moment, I even considered dying.

Thankfully, Grandma returned and stopped their abuse, driving them away. That day, I cried for a long time, unable to sleep, waking up from nightmares. The next morning, Grandma found me burning with fever. She quickly called the village doctor, busying herself with my care, looking both heartbroken and worried. I asked Grandma why, when Asher was sick, Mom and Dad were always there, but now I was sick, and they weren’t here for me. Grandma comforted me, but tears streamed down her face. After that, I rarely saw my parents again. Until three years later, when I got into college and moved to the city. Adeline went to the same university, and she was the only light in my life besides Grandma. She was there during my most painful days, and we had a great relationship. When I went to the city for school, Grandma couldn’t afford the tuition or rent, so I had to rely on my parents. I didn’t want to, but with no money, I had no choice. When I saw my parents again, they didn’t even look at me. Over the years, my dad seemed to earn more, buying an apartment in the city. I’d never lived in such a nice place, never even seen one, and it was my first time in an elevator. Perhaps because I was older, seventeen or eighteen, and much taller than them, they didn’t hit or scold me anymore. They paid for tuition and let me stay, but I had to do all the housework. I had no choice but to agree. For me, doing chores was easy. I’d been doing them all my life in the countryside. But Asher was the biggest problem. He was my brother in name only. Other than looking older, in everything else, he was inferior to me. But he was the most troublesome. Whenever I cleaned, he’d throw trash around, making me sweep several times. After I washed dishes and dried them, he’d pour oil on them. If I washed clothes, he’d stomp on them. He did all this openly, making it a habit. It’s not that I didn’t fight back; I did. However, the one who gives me the biggest headache is Asher. He’s technically my brother, but aside from looking obviously older, he’s lacking in every other aspect. Yet, he’s the biggest troublemaker. Whenever he’s at home, if I sweep the floor, he intentionally throws trash around, making me sweep multiple times. When I wash dishes, he spills oil on them before I can put them in the sterilizer. Even the clothes I’ve washed, he deliberately steps on. He does all this so blatantly, as if it’s just the norm. It’s not that I didn’t fight back. I did try to stand up for myself. I remember the first time he tried to dirty my freshly washed clothes, I gently pushed him away. He pretended to fall, clutching his chest and claiming it hurt. My parents rushed over when they heard the commotion. Before I could explain, he accused me of being careless with chores, saying he just casually mentioned it and I hit him, pushing him hard. Without hearing my side, my dad slapped me twice, scolding me for being ruthless, even bullying my seriously ill brother. I was already aware of and deeply felt my parents’ bias and unfairness. So from then on, I tried to control myself and endure as much as I could. I stopped explaining myself. All I could do was swallow my anger, hoping to get through college. Once I started working, I’d be financially independent and move out, never to see them again. But despite my hopes for peace, trouble kept coming. My brother didn’t get into a university; he went to a subpar associate degree program. He skips class all the time, hanging out with some unsavory classmates. My parents indulge him because he’s supposedly sick. But he crossed the line when he came to my school. Asher, with some delinquent classmates, came near our school because it’s a prestigious university with a lively surrounding area. They came to eat crawfish. During their conversation, Asher bragged that he had a brother who would come at his beck and call, asking me to serve them by peeling crawfish. Egged on by his friends, he actually called me. I didn’t want to deal with him and hung up. But as luck would have it, Adeline and I happened to pass by the crawfish shop, and Asher saw us. He immediately came out, kicked me, and ordered me to peel crawfish for his friends. I refused, and just as he was about to hit me again, Adeline stopped him. “Is it you, Asher? You can’t bully Jude.” They had met as kids, but since moving to the city, Asher never returned to our hometown and didn’t recognize Adeline. Seeing how pretty Adeline was, Asher became interested. After a brief chat and realizing her connection to me, he became displeased. “How come the younger brother has a girlfriend when the elder doesn’t? There has to be an order!” he said, as if it were only right. I asked what he wanted, and shamelessly, Asher said I should give Adeline to him. I might be submissive, but everyone has a limit. I can tolerate you hurting me, but I won’t let you harm the people closest to me, especially the innocent ones. So, I firmly refused. Asher wouldn’t have it, especially with his friends watching. He felt humiliated. So, he tried to grab her. I quickly pulled Adeline behind me, and he slapped me hard. That’s how we ended up fighting. But he repeated his trick, pretending to have a heart attack when my parents arrived, and I got scolded again. At that moment, my heart was completely shattered. No amount of sincerity can revive a love that’s dead. Maybe I shouldn’t have expected anything. I packed a few things and left resolutely. I found a work-study job at a restaurant that provided room and board, allowing me to earn a bit. This way, I wouldn’t have to live under someone else’s roof anymore. While studying and working, Adeline stopped visiting as often. I texted her, asking if she was upset because I was busy with my part-time job and couldn’t spend time with her. She said she wasn’t mad and even laughed, saying she was busy with her studies. I naively believed her. But what I didn’t expect was that one day, while delivering food at a hotel, Adeline opened the door. We were both shocked. Then, a man’s voice came from inside: “Adeline, hurry up and bring the food in, I’m starving.” Hearing that voice, I was even more shocked. It was clearly Asher’s voice. I couldn’t hold back and rushed in. Adeline tried to stop me but couldn’t. Sure enough, inside, I saw Asher lying in bed, naked. I was petrified. In the next second, I screamed. All my grievances and humiliation surged through me. “Not happy, are you? Angry, right? Jude, this is the gap between you and me.” I looked at Adeline, furiously asking, “Why? Why did you betray me too?” Caught in the act, Adeline dropped the act. She took a couple of steps forward and sat on Asher’s lap. “I fell in love with Asher at first sight.” I tearfully asked, “Love at first sight with him? What about our ten-plus years of relationship?” Adeline shook her head. “Jude, that was just childish ignorance. We grew up together, but it was just a playmate relationship, nothing more. You deluded yourself into thinking it was a childhood romance. I couldn’t help it.” “But I confessed, and you agreed. You’re my girlfriend.” Adeline shook her head again. “I agreed because of our long friendship. I couldn’t think of a reason to reject you and didn’t want to hurt you. But now that I’m with Asher, I won’t betray him. Jude, we’re breaking up now. You’ll find someone better.” Asher laughed loudly, “He’ll find someone better? Look at him, looking all pauper-like. How could he possibly find someone better? Unlike me, I have money. Dad said all of the family assets will go to me. Did you know? Dad got a big contract recently. Once it’s done, our family will be worth billions. Hillbilly, you’ve probably never even seen ten thousand dollars in your life. Do you know what a billion means? The gap between us will only widen. I can spend lavishly on Adeline, but you? You can only afford to buy her cheap breakfast with your measly salary. But I can buy her jewelry and high-end cosmetics. I won’t need to work for the rest of my life. Even living off my parents, I’ll be wealthy. And you? You’re destined to be a mere worker. What do you have to compete with me? How can you give Adeline happiness?” I furiously threw the food I was holding to the ground and ran out. I’m sorry, but it looks like the text you’re requesting for translation is missing. Could you please provide the Chinese text that you would like me to translate? 7 At that moment, I couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into tears. Why does everyone dislike and betray me? Was I born just to be treated this way? Even though I’ve left that family, I still carry all the pain. Why is that? If they didn’t want me, why did they bring me into this world?

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I am the daughter of a billionaire, returning home to take over the family business. Little did I know that simply attending a gala on my brother’s arm would lead to such disaster. Finn’s sickly girlfriend, Charlotte, mistook me for the other woman. In my previous life, she cut off both my hands and had thugs torture me for three days and nights. “My boyfriend comes from a noble family. A slut like you has no right to pursue him. Know your place and rot in the gutter where you belong!” Charlotte had sneered. Dr. Young, my doctor, begged my brother on his knees to avenge me, but Finn remained unmoved. “Even if she is my sister, if her death makes Charlotte happy, then so be it,” Finn had said coldly. To cover up Charlotte’s crime, he even ran over the doctor with his car when the man tried to seek justice for me at the police station. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back at the moment Charlotte was about to cut off my hands. This time, I ignored the call from my heartless brother and dialed my father instead. “Dad, make sure none of our hospitals treat Charlotte for her illness,” I said firmly. “Also, cancel all of Finn’s inheritance rights and kick him out of the family.” I wanted to see who would end up rotting in the gutter this time.

“You dare seduce my boyfriend while I’m sick? Aria Lynn, you shameless slut!” “You like holding other people’s boyfriends’ hands, do you? Well, let me help you with that. I want to see how you’ll seduce men after I’ve ruined your hands!” Accompanied by the familiar voice, I felt something sharp pierce my wrist. The acute pain jolted my foggy mind awake. Opening my eyes, I saw Charlotte’s vicious grin as she twisted a scalpel in my wrist. Seeing this familiar scene, I instantly realized I had been given a second chance at life. I had traveled back in time to the day Charlotte kidnapped me and cut off my hands in an abandoned factory. The Bluetooth earpiece hidden by my messy hair transmitted Finn’s cold voice: “Stop pretending, Aria. How could fragile Charlotte possibly kidnap you?” “Even if you’re jealous of Charlotte, don’t stoop to such despicable methods to frame her. She’s my future wife. It’s not worth dirtying your hands over her, understand?” As I felt my right hand gradually going numb, I closed my eyes, not uttering a single word to beg Finn for help. I recalled how in my previous life, I had frantically tried to explain to Finn that I wasn’t jealous of Charlotte. I had cried and begged him to save me, abandoning all dignity. But Finn had remained coldly indifferent. My unusual behavior had also alerted Charlotte. As a result, she had smashed the phone I had hidden, destroying my only hope of rescue. Charlotte yanked the scalpel out of my wrist and slapped me hard across the face. “You bitch, still pretending? Let’s see how long you can keep this act up!” With that slap, half my face went numb. I felt warm liquid trickling down my face. I was certain my face was now disfigured. Charlotte seemed pleased with my wretched state as she turned to leave. But I knew this wasn’t Charlotte letting me off the hook. She was going to fetch the same group of thugs who had violated me in my previous life. I watched Charlotte’s retreating figure disappear completely before using my teeth to gnaw through the ropes binding my hands. I pulled out the phone hidden in my clothes and didn’t hesitate to hang up on Finn, dialing my father instead. Just as the call connected, I heard Charlotte’s shrill scream behind me. “Aria Lynn, what are you doing?!” My heart raced wildly. I instinctively wanted to run, but the phone connected at that moment. Seeing Charlotte approaching with three menacing men, memories of my previous life’s nightmare came flooding back. I froze in place, using my last ounce of strength to say into the phone: “Dad, save me.” The next second, Charlotte had rushed over. My phone was violently smashed to the ground. But this time, I wasn’t worried. I knew my dad would definitely come to save me. I was the only biological daughter of Frederick Lynn, the Lynn family patriarch and richest man in the country. I was the child his most beloved wife had died giving birth to. Since childhood, I had been strictly protected by the family. Anyone who dared to harbor ill intentions towards me met a miserable end. If Dad found out I had been hurt like this, he would surely be furious. He would make those who dared harm me pay a thousand, no, ten thousand times over. Charlotte shoved me to the ground, grinding her heel into the wound on my hand. She pointed at the three thugs behind her and snarled at me viciously: “I knew you wouldn’t behave. Looks like three men aren’t enough. A slut like you deserves to be ridden by a thousand men!” At Charlotte’s signal, the three men approached me with evil grins on their faces. I closed my eyes in despair, tears involuntarily sliding down my cheeks. However, at that moment, the sound of a scuffle suddenly rang out. I opened my eyes to see Dr. Samuel Young, who in my previous life had sought justice for me only to be run over by Finn.

“I’ll hold them off. Run, Aria!” Dr. Young shouted. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, nor did I have time to wonder why he was here. I shook my head at him weakly. “No, you should go. Don’t worry about me.” I was severely injured and had lost too much blood. Even if I managed to stand up, I wouldn’t get far. I had already caused his death in my previous life. I couldn’t let him die for me again. But it was too late. Dr. Young was kicked to the ground by the three thugs, their fists raining down on him like hailstones. My heart clenched painfully. I tried desperately to tell them to stop, but to no avail. Charlotte grabbed my hair, her tone vicious: “Aria Lynn, I didn’t expect your lapdog to be so devoted, actually daring to come save you.” “Well then, I’ll grant your wish. You can die together!” Blood loss was making my vision blur, but I still glared at Charlotte with all my might. “I advise you to release Dr. Young and me immediately. You can’t afford the consequences of hurting me!” Hearing my words clearly, Charlotte burst into derisive laughter. She slapped me across the face again without hesitation, her tone mocking: “Who do you think you are? Finn is the son of the richest man in the country. Don’t you believe that even if I killed you, the police wouldn’t dare touch me?” “I’ll record a video of you being defiled and post it online. Let’s see if you’re still so tough then, Aria Lynn!” Hearing this, the three thugs walked towards me again, lewd smiles on their faces. Dr. Young used his last ounce of strength to try and grab their legs, but they mercilessly stomped on his arm. I heard the clear sound of bones breaking. Trembling with rage, I could no longer hold back from revealing my identity. “Enough! Finn is just an adopted son taken in by my dad. I am the real and only daughter of the richest man in the country!” “One word from me and Finn will be kicked out of the Lynn family. If you don’t stop now, I promise your fate will be a thousand, no, ten thousand times worse than mine today!” Charlotte froze for a moment. When she understood my words, she laughed even louder. “Aria Lynn, have you gone mad from failing to seduce Finn?” “Everyone knows the current richest man’s surname is Lynn, and he doesn’t have a daughter at all. You didn’t even do your research before lying.” My heart sank. The Lynn family had protected me too well. At the most extreme, even stray dogs passing by my side would be thoroughly investigated. As a result, my information had never appeared in public. Additionally, I had taken my late mother’s surname. At age five, I had fallen seriously ill and gone abroad for treatment. Even now, the outside world was unaware that the richest man had a daughter surnamed Lynn. I gritted my teeth through the searing pain in my wrist, glaring at Charlotte. “What I’m saying is true. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Finn!” Although I knew Finn wouldn’t help me, I could say this now. I just needed to stall until my dad’s people arrived… “Lies upon lies. You think I’d believe you?!” Charlotte slapped me twice across the face and yanked me up by my hair. She gripped my face, gesturing for two thugs to hold down my arms while the third picked up an axe from the corner. I instantly understood what she intended to do. I struggled violently, desperately headbutting Charlotte. Caught off guard, Charlotte’s nose was struck. Enraged, she turned and slapped me hard across the face several times. My face stung fiercely, but my entire body had gone cold with fear. Was I destined to lose my hands even in this second chance at life? I fell into despair. Just as the axe was about to fall on my hands, the factory doors were smashed open with a thunderous crash. An SUV charged in at full speed, ramming into the thug holding the axe over me. The two thugs holding me down were startled and instinctively released me. Seeing the situation turn against her, Charlotte tried to flee but was immediately pinned down by bodyguards who jumped out of the vehicle. My father’s secretary hurriedly got out of the car, calling for people to take Dr. Young and me to the Lynn family’s private hospital.

I had just finished getting bandaged and was sent to the VIP ward when my father called. Answering the phone, I briefly explained what had just happened. Thinking of how Dr. Young had selflessly tried to protect me, I couldn’t help but feel touched. After hearing my account, my father could no longer sit still. “What did you say?! That Charlotte actually tried to cripple your hands? She clearly has no idea of the Lynn family’s methods!” “And that bastard Finn – I’ll make them regret ever being born into this world.” I nodded in agreement. “Dad, I want you to cancel all of Finn’s inheritance rights and kick him out of the Lynn family.” “Also, Dr. Young – if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have escaped. I’d like to introduce him to you sometime.” My father made a solemn promise: “Don’t worry. From the moment he dared to hurt you, Finn was no longer part of the Lynn family.” “My secretary is coming to pick me up now. Wait for Dad to come back and support you!” Hanging up the phone, my anxious heart finally settled. I wanted to go to the next room to check on Dr. Young. Just as I got out of bed, the door was pushed open from outside. Looking up, I saw Finn walk in with a group of bodyguards. Without a word, he kicked me in the stomach. “Who gave you the guts to bully Charlotte?” he snarled. I was kicked to the ground, in too much pain to speak. I couldn’t understand what gave Finn the right to hit me. He was nothing but an orphan adopted by my parents. If not for my family, he’d probably still be fighting stray dogs for scraps in the garbage. Before I went abroad at age five, I had treated him extremely well, regarding him as my own brother. Even after I returned, I had suggested to Dad that Finn and I inherit the family business together in the future. My family had given him a new life, yet he personally pushed me into hell. Charlotte, who should have been locked up awaiting my judgment, emerged from behind Finn. Looking at my wretched state on the ground, she spoke in a sarcastic tone: “Forget it, Finn. Aria claims to be the richest man’s only daughter. We can’t afford to offend her…” Finn let out a cold laugh, looking at me with disdain. “The Lynn family does have a daughter, but it’s not you, you slut who seduced my father to become his goddaughter.” “I’ve grown up in the Lynn family. How could I not recognize who the real Lynn family daughter is?” Finn’s words left me somewhat confused, but I was absolutely certain I was the real Lynn family daughter. At this moment, a middle-aged man stepped out from behind Finn. I recognized him as Gary Lee, my father’s deputy. My heart lifted with a glimmer of hope. Just as I was about to cast a pleading look at Gary, he suddenly stomped on my freshly bandaged wrist. “Where did this shameless slut come from, seducing the master and now trying to seduce the young master? You even dare to impersonate our young miss.” “Let me teach you a lesson since you clearly don’t know your place!” He ground his foot into my hand, fresh blood seeping through the bandages from reopened wounds. I stared at Gary in disbelief, my eyes reddening with pain. “Have you gone mad? I am the Lynn family daughter, the real Lynn family daughter!” But Gary just sneered. “I’ve been with the Lynn family for over a decade. You claim to be the Lynn family daughter, so why have I only ever seen Young Master Finn and never you?” He grabbed my hair and yanked me up, his tone contemptuous. “The Lynn family’s daughter is the apple of everyone’s eye. If you were really the Lynn family daughter, why has Mr. Lynn never mentioned you?” “No need to explain. Young Master Finn has already told me everything.” “You’re nothing but a scheming woman who used your body to force the master to accept you as a goddaughter. The master detests you, so now you’re trying to seduce Young Master Finn.” With a few sentences, Gary had branded me a conniving seductress. I tried to explain through the pain that Dad had hidden my existence to protect me. To avoid me being targeted, he always pretended to be indifferent when seeing me. I never imagined this would become their evidence to condemn me. But before I could open my mouth, Charlotte interjected pitifully: “I just wanted to advise Aria not to be a homewrecker. I didn’t expect her to be so aggressive, directly claiming to be the Lynn family daughter. Won’t someone like her tarnish the Lynn family’s reputation?”

Gary’s eyes darted around calculatingly. He directed the bodyguards to surround and restrain me. “Miss Charlotte is right. We must teach you a good lesson today to show you that the Lynn family is not to be trifled with!” I tried to struggle, but Gary slapped me hard across the face, reopening wounds that had just stopped bleeding. In the past, no one had dared to hit me. I was the Lynn family’s treasured jewel, protected in the palm of their hand. But today alone, I had been slapped more times than I could count. This was no longer just physical pain, but a mental humiliation. My heart was filled with resentment. Seeing this, Charlotte sauntered over to me and crouched down, her face full of malice. “The Lynn family’s dignity cannot be violated. As the future daughter-in-law of the richest man, I must punish you properly for your lies.” She shoved the scalpel into my mouth and twisted it around. Blood instantly filled my throat, the pain nearly unbearable. My vision gradually blurred. I recalled the feeling of being on the brink of death in my previous life. Just as I was about to despair, I suddenly heard the door being pushed open. Then my father’s voice rang out: “What’s going on here?”

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On the eve of our wedding, a sudden car accident took away the child in my womb. Ethan Lewis rushed me to the hospital, seemingly anxious and worried. Through the haze of anesthesia, I heard the doctor’s whisper to him: “The fetus was already fully formed. Such a pity.” “What’s there to pity? It’s just a lump of flesh,” Ethan’s voice was cold and heartless. “The accident has caused severe damage to Ms. Sullivan. I’m afraid she might not be able to conceive again…” “It doesn’t matter. She can take care of Tommy, my child with Olivia. Losing her ability to have children might make her cherish Tommy even more.” Lying on the hospital bed, tears silently rolled down my face. So, the man I deeply loved was this cold-blooded. The wedding I had been looking forward to turned out to be a death trap for my child. If that’s the case, I’ll make them pay the price. “Mr. Lewis, the baby is healthy. It’s a boy. Would you like to take a look?” The doctor’s inquiry came from behind the curtain. “No need. Dispose of it as medical waste. Also, don’t preserve her reproductive organs. Make it clean.” Ethan’s tone was chillingly calm. “After she recovers, I’ll take her to adopt Tommy from the orphanage. Without the ability to have children, she’ll love this child wholeheartedly.” The doctor glanced at me hesitantly, “But Ms. Sullivan’s injuries are severe, her uterus is already damaged. If you still want to do this… it will ruin her life.” “Your child with Ms. Parker is already so big, you can’t keep it a secret for long. If she finds out this accident was arranged by you…” “She will never know,” Ethan interrupted the doctor. “I promised Olivia that although I can’t give her official status, I would give her a perfect wedding.” He gently held my hand, slipping a sparkling diamond ring onto my finger. “I’ll make it up to her for the rest of our days.” In the hospital room, Ethan carefully wiped my forehead and lightly kissed my lips. “Lily, I specifically requested the best sutures. There won’t be any scars.” “The anesthesia is strong. Rest well, don’t worry about anything.” He didn’t know that I had already regained consciousness and was just holding back my tears. Five years of love, a meticulously prepared wedding, turned out to be an elaborately designed deception. He already had a child with someone else, yet claimed Olivia Parker was just a distant cousin. The man I deeply loved, the father of my child, turned out to be the murderer of our baby. After Ethan left, I finally broke down in tears. The wound on my abdomen was painful, but far less than the wound in my heart. I gently caressed the site of the surgery, where our child had once been growing. I opened a video sent by a friend, showing the beachside wedding venue I had spent half a year planning. “Today, the private wedding of tech rising star Ethan Lewis is taking place, and the bride’s identity is finally revealed…” Against the backdrop of blue sky and sea, Ethan embraced Olivia from behind. White doves flew, creating a picturesque scene. “Olivia, this wedding is the surprise I prepared for you. Do you like it?” “I know you don’t like complicated ceremonies. Today it’s just the two of us, no outsiders to disturb us.” Olivia smiled sweetly and kissed his cheek: “Thank you, Ethan. You’re always so thoughtful.” The couple embraced lovingly, a heartbreaking scene. Tears blurred the screen and my vision. The wedding I had been eagerly anticipating turned out to have someone else as the leading lady. For three years of marriage, I had taken care of his family, willingly being his hidden wife. Yet he gave all the romance to his mistress, leaving only responsibility and shackles for me.

Ethan didn’t come home that night. The next morning, before I fully woke up, I heard him on the phone. “…Have all the news about the wedding been taken care of? Lily absolutely cannot find out.” When I opened my eyes, he was already sitting by the bed, full of concern. “You’re awake? How do you feel?” “Our child is gone,” I said, my voice trembling, my eyes hollow. He hugged me tightly: “Don’t worry. Even if you can’t have children, you’ll always be the one I love most, a part of the Lewis family.” “I love you. That will never change.” If I hadn’t already known the truth, I might have believed these sweet words. Now, I only felt waves of nausea. I quickly withdrew my hand, pushing him away. Ethan was stunned for a moment but quickly regained his gentle demeanor. “I’ve contacted an orphanage. Didn’t you always want a child? We can adopt one.” He finally revealed his true intentions impatiently. I regretted being so blind before, unable to see through his disguise. If that’s the case, I’ll play along with his game. On the day of discharge, Ethan carefully carried me to the car, appearing loving to onlookers. At the orphanage, a little boy ran towards us energetically, innocently saying to Ethan: “Uncle Ethan, are you here to take me home? Will the new mom like Tommy? I’ll be very, very good!” “See how adorable Tommy is,” Ethan said gently. “Shall we take him home?” The boy’s features resembled Ethan’s, with traces of Olivia as well. “Of course,” I smiled faintly. Ethan visibly relaxed, crouching down to hold Tommy’s hand: “From today on, this is your new mom.” I looked directly into Ethan’s eyes. Those eyes that once made my heart flutter now held only hypocrisy. I recalled the conversation I had overheard on the hospital bed, and a chill ran through me. Thinking back to Ethan and Olivia’s conspiracy, to the child they had mercilessly killed, I excused myself to the restroom to escape the scene. Outside, I overheard staff members talking: “Mr. Lewis really went to great lengths. To bring his own son home legitimately, he came up with this plan.” “Indeed, willing to sacrifice his wife’s child to protect the one born by his mistress.” “We rehearsed with Tommy many times for this performance. Thankfully, it went perfectly…” I turned on the faucet, using the sound of water to mask my sobs. Leaving the restroom, I saw Olivia already standing beside Ethan. The family of three looked blissful. Tommy boasted proudly: “Dad, did I act well?” “As long as we fool Aunt Lily, you can spend more time with me and mom, right?” Ethan lovingly tapped his nose: “Our Tommy is so clever.” He then smiled at Olivia: “What does Mom think of Tommy’s performance?” Noticing me approaching, Ethan hurriedly stood up: “Lily, don’t misunderstand. Olivia often visits Tommy at the orphanage. He’s used to calling her mom and hasn’t broken the habit yet.” Olivia also put on a pitiful expression: “Sister-in-law, please don’t think too much. I just came to help my brother check on the child. This boy is really lovable. He’ll surely be filial to you both.” I suddenly felt absurdly amused. To have their child call me “mom” and enter the Lewis family openly, they didn’t hesitate to kill my child and deprive me of my ability to have children. After doing all these terrible things, they still pretend to be innocent in front of me? I shook my head slightly: “It’s fine. I won’t overthink it. Let’s go handle the paperwork. I agree to bring this child into our family.”

It was late when we got home. Ethan went to take a shower, and Tommy was already asleep. I noticed Ethan’s tablet on the bedside table, which he had forgotten to lock. I gently tapped it open. There was a hidden album full of photos of Ethan with Olivia and their son. He had attended every one of Tommy’s birthdays, from age one to three, never missing a single one. He had taken Olivia and Tommy to amusement parks, making wishes under fireworks. The three of them posed for photos in high-end restaurants, Ethan with his arm around Olivia, looking like a real family. In the last video clip, Tommy and Olivia kissed Ethan’s cheeks. Tommy sweetly said, “Happy birthday, Dad!” Olivia said lovingly, “Happy birthday, darling.” I remembered Ethan’s birthday this year. I had prepared recipes a month in advance and carefully cooked a table full of delicacies. Ethan lied about working overtime, saying he’d come back later to be with me. I waited until late at night, reheating the dishes over and over, but he never returned. So he was celebrating with his mistress and illegitimate son. When Ethan came out of the shower, I was already facing away, pretending to be asleep. He lay down and held me, his breath on the back of my neck. He said in a low voice, “Lily, I’m sorry. You already have the title of Mrs. Lewis. Olivia has nothing. I’ll give her and Tommy half of the company shares.” “As for the harm you’ve suffered, I’ll make it up to you for the rest of my life.” My eyelashes trembled violently as I struggled to contain the fury in my heart. This man I had lived with day and night had become so unfamiliar. Five years of love had vanished in the face of this enormous betrayal. Love and hate became blurred at this moment. The next morning, the doorbell rang. Ethan’s parents arrived with Olivia. “We heard you adopted a child, so we came specially to see,” his mother said with a beaming smile. Olivia lowered her head with a slight smile: “As his aunt, I also wanted to come see Tommy.” His mother’s gaze passed over me, landing directly on Tommy playing in the living room. His father’s eyes reddened: “He looks so much like… so much…” His mother smiled from ear to ear: “My dear grandson, we’ve finally met you.” Seeing how affectionate his parents were, I suddenly realized they had known about Tommy’s existence all along. From the very beginning, I was the only one kept in the dark. I quietly retreated to the kitchen. At the dining table, his parents kept piling food onto Tommy’s plate, completely ignoring my presence. Ethan seemed to sense something amiss and asked me in a low voice: “Lily, why aren’t you eating?” I looked up with a smile: “I’m not very hungry.” I watched this harmonious family scene, feeling nothing but irony. This home I once thought was my haven had long been filled with lies. Passing by the study, I overheard his mother saying disdainfully to Ethan: “Look at her, can’t even have a child, always playing the victim. If it weren’t for the Sullivan family’s influence, I would have told you to find a new wife long ago.” She then held Olivia’s hand, “Olivia, dear, you’re so understanding. Once you have a child, I’ll kick that wife out and let you officially enter our family.” Olivia pretended to be shy: “Auntie, as long as Ethan and I can be together, I don’t care about status. I believe one day I’ll be able to give you a grandchild of your own.” I shook my head with a bitter smile. So in this family, I had always been an outsider. After the meal, I excused myself, saying I wasn’t feeling well, and returned to the bedroom. Sitting by the window, I watched his parents playing with Tommy in the yard. The sun was bright, but it couldn’t shine into my heart. My phone vibrated. It was a message from the investigation company I had hired: “Ms. Sullivan, the investigation results are out. Ethan Lewis and Olivia Parker were indeed college sweethearts. Tommy’s birth date matches the information you provided…” I silently saved the evidence, my heart turning to ashes. Even though I had already decided to leave, seeing this evidence still made my heart ache unbearably. It was time to end this nightmare. It was time to wake up from this marriage woven with lies.

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I am the illegitimate daughter of a fallen wealthy family. I married the bipolar grandson of a billionaire in my sister’s place, and now she regrets it. She wore my nightgown and threw herself coquettishly into Lucas’s arms. As for me, my body sank into the cold ocean. My soul floated in mid-air, watching her slowly take my place step by step. She thought she could live the life of a wealthy socialite from now on. Little did she know that she had already stepped into the threshold of hell. 0 When Lucas returned from his business trip, my sister Evelyn was waiting at the door. I floated in mid-air, watching Evelyn gently and attentively remove his suit jacket. “Lucas, I’ve missed you so much.” She spoke in a slightly high-pitched voice, her tone rising slightly. Her way of speaking was identical to mine. When I was struggling to breathe during an asthma attack, she stepped on my inhaler. Her face, identical to mine, twisted in a vicious expression: “Do you know how I’ve lived these past two years abroad? I had to constantly study you, learn your every move, your way of speaking. I never imagined that one day I’d have to learn from you, you little bitch! Everything you have in the Gray family should have been mine!” She had indeed learned well; it was truly convincing. At least Lucas didn’t notice anything amiss. His expression remained indifferent as he allowed her to help him remove his suit jacket. As Evelyn tried to get closer, an unfamiliar fragrance wafted into Lucas’s nose. His eyes darkened slightly as he asked, “Did you change your perfume?” Evelyn hesitated for a moment, then lowered her eyes coyly, “Yes, I bought it while shopping today. Do you like it?” She didn’t get the romantic encounter she had fantasized about. Because in the next second, Lucas had already gripped her slender neck and pinned her against the wall. Her back slammed hard against the wall, causing Evelyn’s face to turn pale with pain. She looked at Lucas, who had suddenly turned violent, with shock and fear, struggling desperately. But Lucas’s eyes were bloodshot, as if he had lost his mind. His grip tightened, almost breaking her neck. “Help… me…” Evelyn’s face had already turned red from suffocation, as if she might lose consciousness at any moment. Watching this scene, I felt a sense of satisfaction. Evelyn, you saw how glamorous my life seemed and took my place at the cost of my life. Did you ever imagine what kind of soul lurked beneath Lucas’s cold and noble exterior? Just as Evelyn was about to roll her eyes back, Lucas suddenly released his grip. Evelyn collapsed to the floor, clutching her throat and gasping for air. Tears and mucus smeared her face, making her look quite ridiculous. Lucas pressed his forehead painfully and crouched down. Evelyn was so frightened that she trembled, wanting to run away but finding her legs too weak to stand. “Aria, I’m sorry…” Lucas’s dark eyes had already regained their calmness. He looked at the purple bruises on Evelyn’s neck with a hint of regret and reached out to caress them. Evelyn reflexively avoided his hand, wanting to speak but finding her voice too hoarse to utter a word. Seeing Evelyn’s rejection, Lucas’s hand fell on her hair, gently stroking it. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Perhaps I was triggered by your new perfume. I couldn’t control myself for a moment and hurt you.” He pulled the trembling Evelyn into his arms to comfort her: “Don’t be afraid of me, don’t leave me, Aria.” Evelyn sat there dumbfounded, her eyes full of fear. She was scared and regretful. But what right did Evelyn have to regret? I was already dead, and she couldn’t afford to offend the Gray family’s power. She had no choice but to continue playing the role of Lucas’s wife. Seeing that Evelyn still looked lost, Lucas took out a black card from his pocket and handed it to her: “As compensation, go buy something you like.” Evelyn’s eyes moved slightly. I saw the familiar greed in her downcast eyes. Lucas, seeing she didn’t move, actively placed the black card in her hand and gently kissed her cheek: “Aria, I’m going to take a shower. As for your perfume, switch back to the old one, okay? I’m afraid I might lose control and hurt you again.” After Lucas left, Evelyn let out a sigh of relief. She touched her neck fearfully, then caressed the black card in her hand. Finally, as if she had made some decision, she stood up. I heard her mutter to herself: “What’s done is done. If that bitch could win him over, I’m sure I can do it too.” Evelyn followed Lucas into the bedroom. I knew what she was thinking. She wanted to quickly consummate the marriage with Lucas, bear a child for the Gray family, and then gain status through the child. 0

I had no feelings for Lucas, but he had an extreme desire to control me. On our wedding night, he pinned me to the bed, his eyes dark: “You’re bound by this arranged marriage, married to a sick man like me. Do you hate me?” I shook my head trembling: “No, how could I hate you.” He smiled with a sneer: “That’s good. Remember, since you married me, you’re mine in life and in death. Never think about leaving me.” That night, I cried until my voice was hoarse, every bone in my body felt as if it had been crushed. Afterwards, Lucas lit a cigarette. In the hazy smoke, he apologized to me. His cold and restrained demeanor made me feel for a moment that the wildness in bed had been just a nightmare. Later, when he almost choked me to death during an episode, I remembered the question he had asked me as I was losing consciousness. Did I hate him? Indeed, I didn’t. Without him, I don’t know where I would have been sold off to. The one who originally had the marriage agreement with the Gray family was the eldest daughter of the Thompson family, Evelyn. As for me, I was just the result of Mr. Thompson’s youthful indiscretion. Evelyn had never met Lucas, only knowing that he suffered from bipolar disorder. People in their social circle all said that Lucas was antisocial and gloomy, often losing control of his emotions and going crazy, which was terrifying. Evelyn became increasingly distressed, constantly crying out that she wouldn’t marry him. But given the Gray family’s status in the business world, if the Thompson family backed out of the engagement today, they would likely go bankrupt tomorrow. It was at this time that my mother, who owed a huge gambling debt, brought me back to the Thompson family to be acknowledged. She had originally planned that if the Thompson family didn’t accept me, she would sell me to pay off her debts. Mr. Thompson gave my mother a sum of money and secretly kept me, spending a year to transform me into Evelyn’s likeness. A year later, he sent the real Evelyn abroad and sent me to the Gray family. It was a win-win situation for them. In the bedroom. Lucas had finished his shower and was drying his hair. As Evelyn plucked up the courage to approach Lucas, he suddenly spoke: “You went back to the Thompson house a few days ago?” Evelyn flinched reflexively when she heard his voice. She bit her lower lip, looking pitiful as she nodded: “Yes, my mother was sick, so I went to see her.” I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly to myself. Half a month ago, Mr. Thompson had found my mother and asked her to pretend to be sick to lure me back to the Thompson house. Then, they locked me in an attic full of willow catkins, triggering my asthma. They took advantage of my illness to take my life. Lucas heard this and simply said “Oh,” then gently asked: “Do you want me to go back with you to check on her?” I was slightly taken aback. He rarely spoke with such emotion. After we got married, he never offered to accompany me back to the Thompson house. Seeing his gentle expression, Evelyn’s heart, which had been on edge, finally settled down. She thought that Lucas’s earlier violence must have been just a momentary lapse due to his condition. He was actually very gentle and considerate when he was normal. Evelyn’s face flushed slightly as she said softly: “Alright.” Then, very naturally, she put her hand on Lucas’s shoulder and tilted her head up to kiss him. Just then, the phone on the bedside table suddenly rang. Lucas immediately pushed her hand away and answered the call. There was a problem with a company project. “I won’t be coming home tonight. Go to bed early,” he said. With that, Lucas changed his clothes and left without looking back. Watching Lucas’s retreating figure, Evelyn stomped her foot in frustration. But recalling her interaction with Lucas earlier, she couldn’t help but blush again and called her mother, Mrs. Thompson. “Mom, I’ve got Lucas under control. He doesn’t suspect a thing.” She looked extremely pleased with herself. Mrs. Thompson on the other end of the phone was also very happy when she heard this. Marrying Lucas meant securing a life of wealth and status. 0

Mrs. Thompson asked: “How is Lucas treating you? Is he bullying you?” Evelyn rolled her eyes and didn’t mention being choked by Lucas. She just complained: “It’s all because of those rumors before, saying Lucas had bipolar disorder, was weird and antisocial, and would beat people! It was all nonsense. Lucas is gentle and considerate, and very generous too. He just gave me a black card. That little bitch Aria really lucked out before.” “Mom, it was all her fault for stealing my identity. I couldn’t even use my own name for these three years. I want to find a psychic to curse her so she can never find peace even in death.” I looked at my semi-transparent body and couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Wasn’t this already a state of unrest? Three years ago, when I married Lucas, Evelyn had her name changed and was sent abroad to lay low. Originally, it was said that she had married a foreigner, but later that man ran away owing huge gambling debts, leaving her to pay them off. Evelyn raised her eyebrows and smiled: “Anyway, Lucas and the Gray family were supposed to be mine. It’s just returning to the rightful owner. Aria, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Returning to the rightful owner. How ridiculous. When Evelyn refused to marry Lucas, I was pinned to the operating table, feeling the cold surgical knife moving across my face, gradually removing all traces of Aria. Later, when Evelyn was burdened with huge debts and saw me appearing in public with Lucas in the news media, she regretted her decision. She admired the cold and noble Lucas, while also hating me for having her face. That night, Evelyn, who had finally gotten what she wanted, slept soundly. Early the next morning, she carefully dressed up and prepared a sumptuous meal to take to Lucas’s company. Before leaving, she sprayed my perfume heavily. The receptionist only took a few minutes to announce her arrival before Lucas came out to greet her personally. He seemed to be in a good mood and asked gently: “Why did you come?” Evelyn took his arm and smiled sweetly: “Because I missed you. I brought you lunch, let’s eat together.” Lucas hummed in agreement and didn’t push her hand away. The two walked arm in arm into the office. I felt a twinge of jealousy. Lucas didn’t like me coming to the company. I came once at the request of Mr. Gray, but I accidentally broke a cup in his office. He pinned me to the desk with a gloomy face and tore my dress. After venting, he said to me, who was completely exhausted: “Aria, know your place. Don’t yearn for things you can’t have.” I fled in a panic, wrapped in a shawl, and never came back. How is it that when Evelyn came, he became so gentle? Evelyn opened the thermal container and laid out the dishes layer by layer, then handed chopsticks to Lucas. Lucas took the chopsticks and tasted each dish: “It’s delicious.” Receiving his praise, Evelyn’s eyes curved in happiness as she started eating herself. Seeing her eating happily, a complex expression flashed in Lucas’s eyes: “I remember you said you weren’t feeling well before I left on my business trip, feeling nauseous. Are you better now?” Evelyn hesitated for a moment and explained: “I’m fine now, it was just a bit of gastroenteritis before…” Lucas pursed his lips and didn’t continue this topic. Instead, he had his assistant bring in a gown and said to Evelyn: “Put this on, I’ll take you to an auction later.” An auction? I suddenly understood. Every time Lucas hurt me during an episode, he would try to make it up to me. He probably wanted to buy Evelyn some jewelry to compensate for choking her last night. The camera flashes at the entrance were almost blinding as the CEO of Gray Corporation arrived with his beloved wife for the charity auction. Evelyn, wearing a haute couture gown and holding Lucas’s arm, smiled sweetly at the cameras. This was the life she had always dreamed of, and she finally got it. Lucas took Evelyn to a private box on the second floor. They stood on the balcony of the box, looking towards the central stage. Jade jewelry, antique paintings, it was dazzling. Under the dim yellow lights, Lucas’s expression seemed particularly gentle. He held Evelyn’s waist and placed a restrained kiss on her crimson lips, his eyes soft and affectionate: “Aria, choose something you like for the baby. Don’t hide it from me anymore, I know everything.” Evelyn was stunned. I was stunned too. She had a moment of confusion: “Know what? What baby?” Lucas reached out to touch her abdomen: “I haven’t touched you lately because I was afraid of hurting the baby. Don’t worry, I won’t let you get rid of it. Will you keep the baby for me?” Evelyn’s face turned a bit pale. She almost instinctively, in disbelief, said: “You mean she… I’m pregnant?”

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It’s been ten years since my death, and Rachel, the fiancée I abandoned, has returned to the country as a scam kingpin to expand her operations. Her first target is my family. After swindling my family out of their property, cutting off their limbs to pay debts, and handing my sister over to a sadist, she’s disappointed that I still haven’t come to arrest her. Furious, she thinks I must be hiding somewhere again. Just as she’s considering whether to leak photos of my family online to force me out, one of her subordinates informs her, “Boss, he died ten years ago.” “He was caught for dereliction of duty and killed in prison by criminals he’d previously arrested.” “His body is still there. Do you want us to dig it up and desecrate it?” The luxurious office is dead silent. A bird perched on a branch curiously peers at the figure inside but is startled away by a sudden sound. The hunched figure slowly kneels down, while Rachel sits in her chair, looking down at his movements with disdain. “Rachel, please, uncle knows you’re capable. Give the money back to uncle, I’m begging you,” the man pleads. Rachel casually blows on her perfectly manicured nails. “Uncle, weren’t you quite wealthy before? You could throw around $10,000 to hurt people, but now you can’t even come up with a few thousand? What happened?” she asks with malicious intent. “Did you spend all the money you made from selling me out? Look at you now, reduced to begging on your knees.” Watching my father kneel on the ground, kowtowing to someone else, I feel a piercing pain in my heart. I reach out to stop him, to make him get up. My father, always so proud, how could he kneel and kowtow to someone else? But my outstretched hand passes through his body. That’s right, I’m dead. It’s been ten years, and I still haven’t gotten used to it. I laugh bitterly, helpless to do anything but watch as my father kowtows until his forehead bleeds. He can barely speak clearly but still hopes Rachel will return the money. “Please, I’m begging you, please…” Rachel smirks contemptuously and deliberately takes out a few $10 bills, slapping them on his face. “Fine, consider this my charity to you.” “Tell your son I’m back, and this is what he owes me.” “I’ll collect this debt bit by bit.” “Now get out.” I watch as the man who had been proud and strong all his life lowers his head, picking up those humiliating bills, and then says, “Can you give a little more?” My tears fall instantly. Watching him stumble away, the pain of helplessness envelops me, leaving me breathless. I look at Rachel. She’s changed, become more unfamiliar.

I follow Rachel back to her home. For some reason, I can’t leave her side, forced to go wherever she goes. There’s a noise inside the house. Rachel becomes alert. The next moment, a familiar face emerges from the kitchen carrying a plate. My gaze sharpens. It’s Derek, the scam kingpin, my old nemesis. Seeing him, Rachel instantly drops all her defenses. Like a swallow returning to its nest, she throws herself into his arms with complete dependence. “Derek, why are you here?” Derek smiles indulgently, “You’re back in the country, of course I had to come see you. I still have food on the stove.” “No, I won’t let go,” Rachel pouts, her eyes shining with a light reserved only for those she trusts most. She used to look at me like that too. We were childhood sweethearts, and I was the person she trusted most. Back then, I was the only one in her eyes. My heart aches with a dense, gnawing pain, as if being eaten by ants. Derek helplessly moves to the dining table in this position, casually bringing up, “I heard you went to see someone?” Rachel grins proudly, “Yes, Jack’s father came begging me. I even threw money in his face to humiliate him.” Derek’s smile falters slightly before returning to normal. “Do you still remember Jack?” Rachel puffs up angrily, “Back then, their whole family ruined me so badly, I won’t let them off, especially that Jack. I’ll make him lose everything.” I look at Rachel. She’s still as grudge-holding as she was when we were young. Probably even if someone told her I was dead now, she wouldn’t believe it. She’d likely think it was another of my tricks to deceive her. That’s fair. I did deceive her. She trusted me so much; it’s right for her to hate me.

Rachel waited for a few days but found that no one came looking for her. Getting angrier the more she thought about it, she stormed over to my house with a group of people. But only my mother, now half-paralyzed, was at home. Apart from an old wooden bed and some simple odds and ends, there was nothing else in this small room, let alone a place to hide someone. “What’s the point of having a son like this? It’s no different from not having one at all. Your mom is half-paralyzed in bed, your dad has become a cripple, and he still doesn’t come back.” Rachel looks at the run-down room with disgust, pinching her nose against the odor, and launches into a barrage of mockery. “We treated you like our own daughter since you were little. When Jack wasn’t around, you were the one who kept us company. How did you become like this?” my mother, with half of her body immobile, struggles to sit up on the bed, trying to grab Rachel’s clothes, her voice choked with emotion as she asks why. Rachel rudely slaps away her hand. “Don’t touch me with your dirty hands. I should thank your son for what I’ve become!” “If he hadn’t sold me out, I wouldn’t be as rich as I am today. Being rich really does feel good. No wonder you liked to throw money around to hurt people.” “If you have any way to contact your son, go ahead and do it. Doesn’t he hate criminals the most? I’ll face him head-on!” My mother hesitates for a moment but remains silent. Rachel, however, takes this as her having nothing to say and becomes even angrier. “Trash the place!” she orders. The people she brought with her start smashing the few remaining broken bowls, chopsticks, tables, and chairs in the house. My mother, wrapped in tattered quilts, tries desperately to stop them but can’t move far. Seeing this miserable scene, I feel a lump in my throat. It’s my fault. Years ago, Rachel was brainwashed by a scam organization, firmly believing she could make big money. She even invited us to join. My father threw $10,000 at her, telling her never to come to our house again. My mother remained silent. In the end, persuaded by Rachel, I joined the organization. She trusted me completely and told me everything. So when I personally led the team to arrest her, she couldn’t believe it. The last glance I saw as she left was filled with venomous hatred. I knew she would come back, but I didn’t expect her hatred to be so intense. Ten years hadn’t made her forget; instead, she remembered even more deeply. Rachel, seeing the already shabby room become even more wrecked, felt some of her anger dissipate. “Tell your son to come back quickly. Otherwise, your whole family won’t have peace. Let’s go,” she says. My mother presses her lips tightly, glaring hatefully as Rachel leaves. Rachel casually kicks away some debris blocking her path and struts out in her high heels. I kneel beside my mother, wanting to hug her, begging her not to be so stubborn anymore. But she can’t hear me. She takes out a yellowed photograph from under her pillow and mumbles, “Jack, she wants to know, but we won’t tell her. That’s what she gets for becoming so evil.” Tears blur my vision. I’m not a good son. I don’t deserve this. I thought they had long forgotten about me.

Rachel is no longer the kind-hearted person she once was. The scam organization is not a good place; it’s a living hell. She has sunk deeper and deeper, even her heart has grown cold and hard. She doesn’t care if my mother is paralyzed in bed or if my father is disabled. She only wants money. When she swings the knife to cut off my parents’ limbs, I am completely devastated. Rachel watches the people lying in pools of blood with an expressionless face. She waves her hand to call her subordinates, “Find a back-alley doctor to give them a couple of shots. As long as they don’t die, it’s fine.” I keep shouting in rage, passing through her body. I want to strangle her. She’s not human anymore. I’m the one who did wrong, why do my parents have to bear the consequences? Watching my parents being carelessly given a couple of shots to stop the bleeding and then left there, I break down. I wish I could be the one lying there, hovering between life and death. No matter how cruel, as long as my parents are okay. “Boss, this needle was just used by a drug addict. Is that okay?” the shady doctor rubs his hands, looking a bit embarrassed. I rush over to punch that shameless face. Our family can’t afford to treat AIDS now. He’s going to kill my parents. Rachel smiles, “It’s fine. They’re old anyway. Without hands and feet, they won’t live for many more years.” She takes a drag on her cigarette. “Whatever medicine you use, make sure they live for at least a year.” I know why she says this. Because in the past, I would see her at least once a year. After failing to get into the police academy, she thought I was working outside. But that wasn’t true. I was undercover. So she never knew my real identity. Actually, I wish I had really failed back then. Then I wouldn’t have had to watch her go down the wrong path. I really made a mistake. I betrayed her for myself, and then betrayed my oath for her. In the end, I lost everything. This must be my retribution. Looking at my parents’ pale faces from blood loss and the empty spaces where their hands and feet should be, I desperately pound my head. I’m not a good son. I wish they had never given birth to me. Then they wouldn’t have to suffer such a cruel fate in their old age. I don’t know how long it’s been, but my father regains consciousness. Seeing Rachel, he trembles with anger, unable to utter a word. “What’s wrong, uncle? Did you have a stroke in your old age?” Rachel asks mockingly. “That’s too bad. Do you have money for treatment? I’m afraid you can only wait for death now.” She laughs wildly, then covers her mouth in mock surprise. “Oh my, I forgot to tell you, uncle. The needle used for the injection might have been used by a drug addict before. Who knows if you’ll get sick?” “Isn’t that terrible? It seems you can’t afford treatment anyway.” Rachel shakes her head in feigned pity. My father’s eyes bulge with rage. He wants to fight her to the death but can’t move an inch. He can only stare at her fiercely, but when he sees my mother beside him, tears start to fall. I’ve never seen my father cry before. This is the first time. He struggles to move his body closer to my mother, leaning against her and silently weeping. Tears fall from his aged face, his already graying hair now even whiter. Rachel narrows her eyes, “Uncle, don’t blame me for being heartless. How about this? If you apologize for what happened before, I’ll give you a dose of preventive medicine. How about that?” She stands still, clearly wanting my father to crawl to her feet. I’ve seen through her now. She’s a complete psychopath, a cold-blooded monster. No matter how much I want to help my father, I can only helplessly pass through him. Watching him struggle to get off the bed, falling heavily to the ground, only able to slowly crawl towards Rachel’s feet with his remaining limbs, leaving a long trail of blood. “I beg you, please…” “Uncle, your voice is too soft. I can’t hear you. Why don’t you lift your head?” Rachel says maliciously. My father trembles as he lifts his head, in a ridiculous posture. But my mother can’t laugh. Already weak, seeing her husband in such a humiliating state, coupled with the massive blood loss, she faints. My father turns back to see this and lets out a heart-wrenching cry, trying to rush over to her. Rachel impatiently covers her ears, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you screaming so horribly? Hey, don’t let them die.” The doctor who had been watching from the side goes over to save them. Rachel purses her lips in boredom and walks out in her high heels.

She drives to the seaside and lights a cigarette. In the sea breeze, the smoke is hazy, dispersing with the wind. I don’t understand why she still looks so melancholic when she’s already done such extreme things. She stubs out the burnt-out cigarette and takes out a photo from her phone case. It’s a picture of me and her. I thought she had thrown it away long ago. After all, it’s been ten years. The photo shows signs of being torn apart before, but it has been pieced back together. She smokes and cries, cursing my name at the sea. “Jack, you’re a dog, an ungrateful bastard, a fool who doesn’t know how to make money.” “Be a loser for life, you’ll die in some godforsaken corner with no one to bury you. All you know is how to be a cop, too cowardly to show your face, you coward!” I sit beside her, listening to her grievances. I owe her a lot. As she wished, I’m dead. I don’t know if anyone buried me. Maybe I’ve been dismembered. After all, those criminals hated me to the bone, wishing I’d die without a proper burial. Rachel sits there for a long time until her phone rings with a text message. “Is my gift ready?” I’m a bit curious. Is she going to attend a birthday party? Rachel starts the car and heads in a direction. As the road becomes more and more familiar, I finally realize—she’s going to find Emily! I desperately try to stop her, not wanting her to find Emily. Emily is an orphan I used to support. She has intellectual disabilities and has always lived in the orphanage. When she arrives, Emily has just finished class and is playing in the yard. Seeing Rachel, she happily rushes over to hug her, “Rachel, big sister!” Although it’s been ten years since they last met, Emily still remembers her. “Jack, where’s big brother?” Emily curiously looks behind Rachel. Rachel looks at her with complex emotions, “He’s not here. Do you want to leave with me?” Emily happily nods and skips off to find the orphanage director. “She’s yours now.” Rachel releases Emily’s hand and pushes her towards the man in front of her. The man gropes Emily up and down, a look of satisfaction on his face. “Rachel, big sister…” Emily struggles desperately, but is slapped by the man, leaving a clear handprint on her face. Rachel coldly watches this scene, “Don’t blame me. Blame that brother of yours. This is what happens when you’re associated with him.” “Since he still hasn’t shown up, I’ll force him out.” After saying this, she calls her subordinates to set up cameras. “Remember, full coverage, no blind spots. I want that man to know the consequences of offending me.” She slowly adds, “Do whatever you want with her, just one thing—record everything.” Thinking about how Jack will be heartbroken watching the video, Rachel’s eyes curve in a smile, feeling somewhat happy. The broken scenes cause me pain. Emily is like my daughter, the child of my comrade. I couldn’t save my comrade, and now I can’t even protect his child. I close my eyes, wanting to escape, but Emily’s painful cries pierce my ears. It’s my fault. I’ve been dead for ten years, but death is no excuse for me to escape. This is my retribution. My heart is like dead wood, already numb.

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I am Ethan Fuller’s girlfriend, the heir to a wealthy family. Ethan is bold and handsome; I am shy and demure. Everyone thinks I’m not good enough for him and is waiting for us to break up. I feel the same way and have long been prepared to leave. Recently, his beautiful and accomplished ex-girlfriend has returned from abroad, Yet he proposed to me… It was already 11:30 at night when I finished getting ready for bed. Just then, I received a call from Ethan’s friend: “Tina, Ethan’s drunk. Can you come pick him up?” Before I could respond, he hung up. They were so sure I would come. And they were right. As soon as the call ended, I quickly changed and headed out to the bar to pick him up. But remembering the content of Ethan’s friends’ social media posts, my heart ached a little. [Welcome back, Rosalyn! Congrats on completing your studies abroad!] [Did she come back for her old flame? — Yes, she did!] [Can’t believe we’re about to witness the reunion of a perfect couple!] All these posts, so lively and excited, were just showcasing Rosalyn’s excellence and how well-matched she and Ethan were. Even though they knew I was Ethan’s girlfriend, and that I could see all of this. But they didn’t care, because it was Rosalyn! Ethan’s ex-girlfriend, the beauty queen of A University, and the heiress of the Lin Group. I was also a student at A University, and I had heard all about their passionate love story. Now that she’s back, should I step aside?

When I arrived at the bar, Ethan was already lying on the couch, half-asleep. When everyone saw me, they casually said, “Tina’s here. We were having a good time, and Ethan had a bit too much to drink.” “Of course we’re happy. Rosalyn’s back, and I heard she’s going to work at Ethan’s company…” Someone nudged the person who was speaking. That person shrugged carelessly, looking at me with a hint of challenge in his eyes, completely disregarding me as Ethan’s girlfriend. Ethan’s friends had never liked me, I knew that from the first time we met. Because I was just too ordinary and well-behaved. I smiled faintly, pretending not to care. I walked over to Ethan and gently patted his cheek. Ethan opened his eyes groggily, and seeing it was me, he sat up with a silly grin and hugged me, nuzzling against me. “Oh, my little wifey is here! My wife came to pick me up!” Drunk Ethan was burning hot, and the alcohol on his breath made me a bit uncomfortable. I skillfully took out the thermos I always carried and unscrewed the cap, handing it to him. “Have some honey water.” Ethan held my hand as he took a sip. “Sweet, so sweet, but not as sweet as my wife!” I blushed at his straightforward words. Even after three years together, I still wasn’t used to his outgoing personality. The others laughed along, “Sister-in-law is so thoughtful!” They only called me “sister-in-law” in front of Ethan. Ethan hugged me proudly, showing off, “Are you jealous?” “I… haha… wouldn’t dare.” It was clearly a forced laugh. They weren’t jealous at all. They disliked boring girls like me the most. I had heard Ethan’s friends complain more than once: “I really don’t know what Ethan likes about Tina. She’s just average-looking, with a dull personality. She can’t compare to Rosalyn at all.” “Yeah, Tina is just too obedient and well-behaved, like plain water. If I were with her, I’d be bored in three days.” “Maybe Ethan just got bored and found a little housekeeper for fun. But I have to say, Tina does take good care of Ethan.” “Of course she does. If she couldn’t even be a good housekeeper, what right would she have to stay by Ethan’s side?” “Hahaha… that’s true.” … I tugged at Ethan’s sleeve. “It’s late, let’s go home!” “Okay, whatever my wife says!” I supported the stumbling Ethan as we stood up. As we reached the door, he suddenly turned around and announced with a grin, “You guys all have to come to my wedding!” “Sure, sure…” Still just polite small talk. I also knew that his friends had a betting pool going on when we would break up. Some bet on one month, others on three months, with the longest bet not exceeding six months. Now, three years have passed. Not only have Ethan and I not broken up, but he proposed to me three days ago. However, today, Ethan’s ex-girlfriend Rosalyn arrived in the city. I don’t know if our wedding will still happen as planned.

I was driving Ethan home. My car was a top-of-the-line Volvo, but the high-performance SUV moved like a snail in my hands. Ethan, who had been drowsy at the bar, was now sitting in the passenger seat, staring intently at me. I felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze. “Why are you staring at me?” “It’s my right to look at my wife however I want.” I pouted, feeling a bit frustrated. “If you think I’m driving too slow, just say so.” “I don’t mind. Slow is fine, safety first! We’re taking our relationship slow anyway, step by step. You’re off tomorrow, so we’re not in a hurry.” Ethan patted my thigh. “I just feel really safe sitting in your car.” During a red light, I turned to look at Ethan. He was truly handsome, the most good-looking man I’d seen in my 27 years of life. Ethan had deep-set eyes, dark pupils, and long, delicate eyelashes. Looking into his eyes was like being drawn into an endless wilderness. Seeing me staring at him, Ethan smiled mischievously. “What, are you mesmerized by your husband’s good looks?” I calmly asked, “Why were you so happy today?” “I’m getting married to my little wife, of course I’m happy.” Is that so? But Rosalyn came back today, isn’t that worth being happy about too? I stared at him intently. “Ethan, are you sure? About marrying me?” “Of course! What, are you having second thoughts?” I smiled bitterly. “I’m afraid you’ll regret it.” Ethan suddenly sat up straight, looking at me with sincere eyes: “Tina, you have no idea how happy I am to marry you!” I smiled slightly, meeting his hazy, drunken gaze. I couldn’t quite make out the depth of emotion in his eyes.

I’m not good enough for Ethan. That’s everyone’s unanimous opinion. Ethan is the heir to the Fuller Group, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s bold and unrestrained, with an unyielding spirit. Because of his background, he’s always been the center of attention wherever he goes. Ethan is also very good-looking, with sharp features, a high nose bridge, and a chiseled jawline. His deep-set eyes and thin lips would not be out of place even among the handsome actors in the entertainment industry. As for me, I’m just an ordinary girl from a middle-class family. I followed the usual path of going to school and finding a stable job after graduation, just like most people. My looks are also average. Among the beautiful women in the circle of wealthy heirs, I could at best be described as demure and gentle. Compared to those stunning beauties, I’m really not much to look at. If I had to say what my strong point is, it would be that I’m obedient and well-behaved. That’s why everyone disapproves of my relationship with Ethan. After all, Ethan’s ex-girlfriend Rosalyn was truly stunning, and the difference between us is obvious. My meeting with Ethan was completely accidental. My mother runs a small convenience store near A University. During that time, my mother wasn’t feeling well, so I helped out at the store in the evenings. That night, Ethan came to buy cigarettes. He was wearing a hat and a mask, so I didn’t recognize him. I was getting him some water when suddenly a crazed man rushed in, holding a knife to me and fiercely demanding, “Give me the money!” It was my first time encountering a robbery, and I was terrified. I trembled as I tried to explain, “Sir, please calm down. We use mobile payments now, we don’t have…” “Shut up!” The man was clearly mentally unstable and lunged at me with the knife. At that moment, Ethan suddenly intervened, grabbing the knife with one hand and kicking the attacker away. Ethan swiftly subdued the frenzied man. Then, I immediately called the police and gave my statement. It was only when answering the police’s questions that I realized he was the famous Ethan Fuller. The campus heartthrob of A University, a prominent figure, and the heir to a wealthy family. After the police left, I saw his bloody palm and felt terrible. After all, he got hurt while saving me. I clumsily bandaged his hand, repeatedly thanking him. Perhaps seeing me being so polite, Ethan jokingly said, “If you’re so grateful, why don’t you marry me?” “Huh?” I must have looked really dumb at that moment because Ethan’s smile was dazzlingly bright. That’s how Ethan and I met. Later, on a certain day, he very seriously asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. I think I must have liked Ethan. He was excellent, attentive, and never showed the arrogance of a rich heir in front of me. He respected me and cared for me. If it weren’t for the various filters placed on him by campus legends and his wealthy background, Ethan would really be a great boyfriend. I thought, even if we were destined to break up in the future, it wouldn’t be a loss to have dated someone like him. I agreed. If there was a second time in my life when I was brave and willful, it was becoming Ethan’s girlfriend. Unexpectedly, three years have passed in the blink of an eye. I glanced at the sleeping man beside me. He unconsciously wrapped his arm around my waist, seemingly lost in a sweet dream, smacking his lips and snuggling closer to me. I told myself: It’s okay, Tina. Even if we break up, it’s okay. It never belonged to you in the first place, so losing it is inevitable.

My body clock was very stable. No matter what time I went to bed the night before, I would always wake up on time the next morning. I moved Ethan’s arm from my waist, got up to wash, and made breakfast. I was just putting the hot soy milk on the table when I heard Ethan’s voice from the bedroom. “Okay, okay… I got it, I’ll be back at noon.” “Alright, I’ll bring her.” “Fine, fine, please don’t interfere.” “Mom, I’m serious…” I peeked into the room, craning my neck. I saw Ethan hang up the phone, toss it aside, and rub his hair in frustration. He looked up and met my curious eyes, beckoning to me like he was calling a puppy. “Come here.” I obediently shuffled over. He suddenly hugged me, turned me sideways, and pressed me onto the bed, showering me with kisses and pinches. I panicked and tried to dodge, stammering, “You… haven’t… brushed your teeth!” “You’re disgusted by me!” I grumbled unhappily. He didn’t care and bit me again, “Alright, I’ll listen to my wife. I’ll go wash up.” I stared at Ethan’s back as he hummed while brushing his teeth and washing his face, lost in thought. Setting aside others’ judgments and simply examining our relationship, he seemed to truly love me. After washing up, Ethan looked refreshed. A few drops of water still clung to his jaw, flowing down his neck, over his prominent Adam’s apple, leaving a faint water trail… “Are you mesmerized by your husband’s good looks?” I turned away shyly and poured him a glass of soy milk. “Freshly made this morning, no sugar added.” “Even without sugar, anything my wife makes is super sweet.” Such a smooth talker. We sat down to eat breakfast, and Ethan suddenly said, “Come home with me at noon today.” “Huh?” I was a bit reluctant. Ethan laughed, “What are you afraid of? The ugly bride has to meet the in-laws eventually.” “I know, it’s just…” I was just a bit afraid of Ethan’s mother. Ethan held my hand, reassuring me, “Don’t be scared. I’m the one marrying you, not my mom. We won’t be living together anyway, we’ll just have dinner together on holidays. As long as we can maintain a cordial relationship, don’t feel too pressured.” I forced a smile but sighed inwardly. He had no idea of my worries.

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My younger sister became infatuated with stories about real and fake heiresses after finishing college. She convinced herself that she was the lost daughter of a Noble Aristocrat, living a life of luxury. She acted like an heiress, treating our mother as her maid, our father as her chauffeur, and using me as her emotional outlet. She even went to great lengths to prove that she wasn’t biologically part of the Johnson Family. Later, she heard that a Noble Aristocrat family was searching for their daughter, missing for eighteen years. She forged her ID and household registration, managing to pose as a twenty-year-old college student despite being twenty-four. She wept her way to their doorstep but was immediately exposed as a fraud and thrown out. Soon afterward, at the recognition banquet for the Aristocrat’s daughter, my sister disguised herself as a server and attacked the true heiress. To reduce her sentence, our family sold the house and cars, drained our savings, only for her to give us a bottle of cyanide upon her release.

As my parents and I clutched our stomachs and collapsed in our thirty-square-meter rental, my sister laughed gleefully. Mom struggled over to her, clutching her pant leg, and asked why. She kicked Mom away, throwing the food on the table at us. Her eyes were wild and threatening. “You bunch of losers! It’s your fault I’m stuck as a nobody while others are born into wealth! If you weren’t holding me back, I’d already be a billionaire’s heiress. If you all just died, no one could say I’m a Johnson!” We died in disappointment and resentment. When I opened my eyes again, my sister was complaining about Mom’s Seafood Medley Porridge not meeting her standards. “I told you I want Seafood Medley Porridge. You’re an adult, yet you can’t even cook properly. Aren’t you afraid I’ll starve?” Since graduating college and struggling to find a job, she got hooked on those fake heiress novels. She read so much, she started fantasizing about being a lost daughter of a Noble Aristocrat, dreaming that some wealthy tycoon would recognize her one day. Over time, she got so deeply absorbed in this fantasy that she couldn’t pull herself out. She behaved like an heiress every day, ordering mom to make extravagant dishes. “You don’t get it, heiresses eat like this. If you can’t cook it, learn!” Whenever she wanted to go out, regardless of the time, one call and Dad had to be waiting with the car. “No sense of time. If you make me late, I’ll never ride with you again!” If she was in a bad mood, I would bear the brunt of it. “How can you be so oblivious? See me upset and not know to give gifts and sweet talk to cheer me up? I can’t have such a clueless sister!” I couldn’t take it, wanted to yell back, but Mom always stopped me. “Nora, Phoebe is under a lot of pressure because she can’t find a job. She’s just being harsh. She’s still young, give it time, she’ll come around.” So I waited and waited. Waited for the day she tried to claim kinship with a billionaire! Waited for the day she attacked someone! Waited for the day she put cyanide in our food! This ungrateful creature doesn’t deserve to live! If she’s so picky about Mom’s porridge, then she shouldn’t eat it! I was about to throw her bowl into the trash in front of our parents when Mom, usually so mild, beat me to it. She smashed my sister’s bowl and chopsticks, then slapped her across the face. “If you’re not cooking, keep quiet. Be grateful you have food! Twenty-four and still living off us? Have some shame!” “I’m telling you, from now on, you eat what I make, no bargaining! Eat it or starve.” My sister was stunned, a bright red handprint on her face. She shakily pointed at me. “Why say I’m mooching? She’s thirty and still living here. Doesn’t she mooch more than me?” Mom snorted, hands on hips, like she owned the place. “How can you compare to Nora? This new house you live in, she paid the down payment and she’s paying the mortgage. You’re being generous calling her ungrateful!” My sister was speechless at Mom’s rebuttal. She looked left and right, seeing Dad and I had no intention of speaking up for her, finally broke. “You… you dare treat me this way? When my Noble parents find me, I’ll have them get back at you!” Then she cried and stomped out. Dad slammed the door behind her. We three exchanged glances, then all asked at once, “You… you all came back to life too?”

Even though breakfast was just a simple shrimp porridge, it was the happiest meal I’d had in two lifetimes. I went to work in high spirits, Mom went off to meet friends, Dad went fishing, lively as ever. But our joy was short-lived; the Police Station called. The Police said someone accused us of human trafficking! My parents and I all rushed to the Police Station, exchanging knowing looks when we met at the entrance. We knew Phoebe Johnson could cause trouble, but not to this extent. In the past life, she tried to prove she wasn’t biologically our parents’ with her physical traits. She’d say she had a mole none of us did or claim she had Type O blood while we were all Type A. She insisted her high intelligence meant she wasn’t a Johnson. “I’m telling you, Johnson is too common a surname for me. My real name must be Parker or Green, and at worst, it’s Quinn!” I thought she was just out of her mind from reading too many novels! Her crazed image, etched in my mind through life and death, fueled my dislike for her. The Police looked at Dad, then at my sister, who looked just like him, and frowned. “Phoebe Johnson, didn’t you say the Johnson Family trafficked you? Do you have any evidence?” My sister, oblivious to the Police’s doubt, sat down arrogantly. “Evidence? Isn’t it your job to find evidence?” “You’re taking taxpayer money but not doing your job. If you delay my recognition, I’ll report you!” The Police were unfazed, turning to us instead. Mom took out the birth certificate, household registration, and photos from the hospital after giving birth to my sister, speaking softly to the Police. “Oh, the misfortune! My perfectly fine daughter, after graduation, got stressed from job hunting and started saying she’s a Noble Aristocrat.” Dad sighed too. “Given how we look, no one would believe we aren’t her real parents!” My parents were known for their good looks in their youth. I inherited Mom’s oval face and widow’s peak, while my sister got Dad’s refined features. Her height of 5’8″ did give her a certain heiress-like vibe. But looking the part doesn’t mean being the part. My sister, hearing our parents refuse to back her up, began shouting. “You bad people, you just want to keep me here to extort my wealthy parents!” “I’m telling you, losers will always be losers, no matter what you do! I’ll make sure you all end up in jail!” The Police were stunned at my sister’s outburst. Meanwhile, my parents and I were used to it, ignoring her completely. I tapped my head, apologizing softly to the Police. “Officer, my sister has some mental issues, please don’t mind her.” In the end, with Mom’s ample evidence, the Police scolded my sister and sent us all out. My sister pouted, shouting at us. “I can’t possibly be related to you! Look at your loser vibes, how can you even compare to me?” “And this crappy car worth only twenty grand? I’m embarrassed to ride it!” My parents exchanged a glance, hurriedly got in the car, and locked the doors before she could get in. “If it’s embarrassing, find your own way back!” And with Mom’s urging, I slipped into the driver’s seat, buckled up, and followed Dad, speeding off. My sister was so mad she nearly flew off the ground.

The Police Station was a bit far from our home. My sister canceled over ten ride requests for not being fancy enough, eventually getting blacklisted by the app. By the time she came home, looking like she’d been through a lawsuit, Mom hadn’t saved her any dinner. She clutched her growling stomach, rummaged through the fridge three times, then stormed downstairs to buy a box of instant noodles. After sulking in her room for days, she suddenly got all dressed up, looking like a peacock, and rushed out. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to throw down a threat: “Just wait, soon I’ll uncover my true identity. When I become a Noble Aristocrat, I’ll expose how you’ve mistreated me!” I glanced at my phone’s date; it was the exact time the billionaire had put out a missing person notice in the past life. Everywhere—the phone, TV, newspapers—buzzed with news about the Golden River Billionaire’s precious daughter who went missing at two years old, offering a reward for any leads. She had been holed up in her room for days, but suddenly she emerged, all dressed up and excitedly rushed out the door. As she left, she hurled a parting shot at us, “Just wait, soon I’ll uncover my true lineage. Once I become part of the Blueblood Aristocracy, I’ll make sure everyone knows how you’ve mistreated me!” I checked the date on my phone. It coincided exactly with when the Billionaire had issued a missing person notice in my previous life. Across phones, television, and newspapers, every platform was reporting that the Golden River Billionaire’s beloved daughter had gone missing at the age of two, with a reward offered for any information. In my past life, my sister’s eyes lit up when she saw this news. I thought she was just looking to make some quick cash from the reward. Unexpectedly, she fancied herself the lost Blueblood Aristocrat. Even when Mom and Dad showed her the paternity test results, she refused to believe them. “How could you be so selfish? You even forged a paternity test to keep me here. I have no respect for you!” She was truly obstinate, refusing to see the truth! The Blueblood Green Family from Golden River isn’t naive; there’s no way they’d let her in. Just like before, my sister didn’t even meet anyone from the Green Family before she was turned away. There was no chance; their daughter went missing at two, and eighteen years have passed, so she’d only be twenty now. But my sister is already twenty-four, turning twenty-five in half a month. So, the person handling the initial screening saw the birthdate on her ID and didn’t bother to look at her before dismissing her. Her morning makeover was entirely wasted. She was furious but had no choice. After all, they were looking for their biological daughter, not a daughter-in-law. No matter how good-looking, it was irrelevant. At this point, any normal person would accept reality and return to their life. But my sister isn’t normal. She believes she has a hidden, superior identity. She took all the New Year’s money Mom had saved for her and used it to forge an ID and household registration. Confidently, she prepared to go to the Green Family again to claim her kinship. That evening, she reverted to acting like an Heiress, demanding that Mom buy her luxury items. A designer bag, a luxury watch, a limited edition dress—everything had to be included. “This is your last chance to gain my favor. When I return to the Green Family, I’ll repay you tenfold for these!” Mom looked at her as if she were foolish, then pulled out her phone to transfer money. My sister’s eyes lit up immediately. “Fine then! Transfer the money to me, and I’ll buy it myself so I won’t waste your time.” As she finished speaking, my phone chimed. Fifty thousand dollars were transferred to my bank account—the entirety of our family’s savings. Mom intended to save it for my sister’s and my dowry, but now it was all given to me. “Nora, I see you’ve been struggling with the mortgage. This savings can help pay some off, lightening your burden. Go pay it right now!” she said, pushing me out the door. Realizing what was happening, my sister rushed over to stop me, grabbing my wrist and yelling at Mom. “Why did you give her all the money?” “I’m part of this family, so half of that savings should be mine. Give it back to me right now!” “I’m telling you, I’ll soon reunite with my biological parents. If they find out about your abuse, they won’t let you get away with it!” Seeing Mom not wanting to pay her any attention, my sister, who always tried to outshine me, now saw me as an enemy and tried to scratch my face. Swiftly, I pushed her away. “Phoebe, are you out of your mind? Acting like this, you don’t deserve to be Mom and Dad’s daughter!” With reddened eyes, she clutched her stomach and tried to advance, but Mom slapped her from behind. “Ungrateful girl! What right do you have to demand money? That savings—some of it is from your Dad’s and my lifelong savings, and some of it is your sister’s filial contribution. It has nothing to do with you!” “You’re an adult now, and since you don’t want to be our daughter, you should move out today!” Dad, who once couldn’t bear to say a harsh word to her, now silently stood behind me, signaling his agreement with Mom’s decision. Although we can’t compare to an Aristocratic family, Mom and Dad have always indulged my sister in everything. Food, clothing, and necessities—they provided her with everything. I was grateful to have a blood-related sibling, so I spoiled her unconditionally too. Even my favorite things, if she wanted them, I’d give them to her.

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Rocky Mountains expedition met with severe weather. In a life-and-death situation, my boyfriend Nolan and my best friend Adeline took my gear and supplies, leaving me to survive on my own. Just when I was isolated and desperate, Adeline’s uncle Asher arrived by helicopter to save me. My frostbitten fingers required amputation, and he tenderly cared for me as I healed. As we spent time together, our connection deepened, leading to marriage. In the fourth year of our marriage, I unexpectedly overheard a conversation between Asher and his Trusted Assistant. “Keep investigating if Madam has any evidence against Adeline.” “Mr. Fu, Madam has been in the Fu family for a long time now; she even has a child. Miss Adeline is already the Orchestra’s Principal Violinist. Do we still need to be cautious of her?” “Of course, marrying her was to prevent the Rocky Mountains incident from coming to light. I’ve put up with those amputated fingers of hers for so long, I can’t afford to slip up.” Asher’s expression was one of tenderness I had never seen before: “I absolutely cannot let Adeline face any risk of disgrace. Even if the world disapproves, I will protect her for life.” 1 My world seemed to crumble all at once. I never imagined that my proud and happy marriage had been built on lies from the very beginning. What I thought was my lifeline, a true love by my side, was actually filled with deceit. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen, the bond between mother and child. Instinctively, I bit my incomplete hand, stifling a groan of pain. In the office, Asher gently caressed Adeline’s face in a family photo. “Since my love can’t be publicly declared, clearing obstacles for her is the only thing I can do. As for Cora… I’ll ensure her life is comfortable, that should be enough…” The assistant hesitated: “Mr. Fu, you tricked Madam into believing her frostbitten hand needed amputation so that Miss Adeline could become Principal. Aren’t you afraid Madam will leave if she finds out?” Asher paused, then let out a mocking laugh. “Then I’ll keep it from her forever.” “Besides, where can a disabled person go if she leaves me? Once the child is born, she’ll be even more bound to me.” The assistant looked uneasy: “But Miss Adeline and Mr. Nolan’s actions on the Rocky Mountains were premeditated murder, and you’re covering for her—” “Enough!” Asher interrupted angrily. “You’re too bold! I don’t want to hear this again! Adeline and I grew up together; I know her better than anyone. She wouldn’t harm an ant, let alone intentionally hurt Cora.” “I’ve already sacrificed my life for her, what more does she need to be content with?” The assistant sighed and took his leave. “Mr. Fu, Madam doesn’t know that Miss Adeline is not related to you by blood. She hasn’t targeted Miss Adeline because she doesn’t want to trouble you. She loves you deeply; don’t wait until it’s too late to regret it!” Tears blurred my vision. Despite my limited mobility, I managed to put on a nonchalant smile. The assistant left awkwardly. When Asher saw me at the door, his expression froze. He quickly got up and walked to my side. “Cora, why are you here? How long have you been here? Why didn’t you come in?” His gaze fell on my incomplete hand, a flash of disgust crossing his face before he put his arm around my shoulder. I quietly hid my hand in my sleeve. “I just got here. I came to pick you up after my Prenatal Checkup.” “Don’t push yourself next time. You’re pregnant; what if you get bumped into while running around?” He said, then pressed his lips to mine, kissing intently. His lips were warm, but my heart was cold. The truth poured over me, and I realized how laughable I was. Caught in the web of his gentle lies, mistaking the bait he threw as love. Asher helped me sit on the couch, offering my favorite snacks. “By the way, Adeline is returning from her Tour soon. With Nolan gone and our Eldest Brother and Sister-in-Law on a World Tour, it’s unsafe for her to be home alone. I wanted to discuss having her stay with us.” “I know you still have reservations about what happened back then. I’ve explained many times; Adeline was misled by Nolan. I know her true nature—” “Mm, I know,” I interrupted Asher, “We’re family.” Asher seemed pleased, his smile more genuine. “Tonight, I’m hosting a welcome party for Adeline at the Clubhouse. Everyone will be there. If you don’t come, people will say you’re not on good terms…” I nodded perfunctorily. Lowering my eyes to hide the bitterness and despair. 2 Asher wanted the driver to take me to the Clubhouse, while he went to the airport to pick up Adeline himself. The guests had all arrived by the time they showed up. I watched as Asher and Adeline held hands tightly, looking down at my own incomplete fingers. Asher treated me well but never touched my hand. I used to think he was avoiding making me feel self-conscious, but now I realized it was disdain. Adeline wore a white gown, like a proud white swan. She dragged Asher to me, her smile pure but her eyes challenging: “Aunt Cora, Asher insisted on throwing such a grand party for me. You didn’t stop him?” I suppressed my emotions, barely managing a polite smile. She never called Asher “Uncle,” only affectionately “Asher.” Asher affectionately ruffled her hair. “I just wanted to show off. I want everyone to know the world’s best violinist is right at home!” Others chimed in: “Yes, indeed, a great artist! It’s hard to get tickets to your Orchestra’s concerts. Give us a taste of your art!” Like a scene from a drama. Even the ballroom lights seemed to focus on them. Asher wore a gentle, proud smile. He carefully led Adeline to the stage. Standing in the center, he bent slightly, adjusting her violin with practiced ease. As if he’d done it a thousand times before. As the music played, guests whispered around me: “Adeline truly deserves to be Principal Violinist, talented and beautiful! If she wasn’t Mr. Fu’s niece, I’d think she and Mr. Fu were meant to be. Don’t know why Mr. Fu would marry that disabled wife of his.” “This Mrs. Fu was the original Orchestra Principal. A few years ago, she lost a couple of fingers; what a pity… Why would a man like Mr. Fu marry such a woman?” “Maybe she’s something in bed.” Their words pierced my ears, making me paler. Over the years, I had grown immune to such irrelevant remarks. But today, I felt uncomfortable. Just as Adeline finished playing, applause erupted. Asher hugged her tightly, pride evident in his eyes. Unable to bear it, I grabbed my bag and left. Asher, just offstage with Adeline, saw me and followed, grabbing my arm. “Cora, where are you going?” “I don’t feel well. I want to go home.” I bit my lip, holding back my feelings of injustice. Asher frowned, suppressing his temper: “Cora, don’t be unreasonable. This is the Fu family’s event. Leaving now looks bad.” “I’m really not feeling well.” He turned dark, losing patience. “If you want to leave, go. You’re spoiled. I think you just feel sick seeing Adeline…” He let go of me, turning back to the party. 3 Stepping out of the Clubhouse, rain was falling. The fine rain soaked me instantly. Coldness seeped in, tears silently falling. I called a familiar attorney, asking him to draft divorce papers. I also scheduled an Abortion Procedure on my phone. Returning home, I washed away the rain, opening Asher’s computer. The password was Adeline’s birthday. A folder on the desktop was like a sharp knife, piercing my heart. Asher had meticulously kept every concert ticket of Adeline’s. He lied about business trips, attending every stop on her Tour. Sitting front row, capturing her brightest moments. Tears flowed uncontrollably. I hated Asher and hated my own stupidity. I never questioned his flimsy excuses. Like a fool, I was played. Leaving was my final dignity. After the party, Asher and Adeline returned home together. They stumbled into Adeline’s room, not coming out all night. I put on earplugs, forcing myself not to hear or think about what might happen in that room. The next morning, I found Asher making breakfast. In all our years of marriage, even when I had a 104-degree fever, he’d never cooked. It was clear who this low-fat, loving breakfast was for. Seeing me, he seemed to forget last night’s unhappiness. He came over to kiss me. “Love, I was wrong last night. Let me make it up to you. You’re kind, don’t hold it against me.” His scent was steeped in Adeline’s perfume. I felt nauseous, pushing him away to retch into the trash can. “Love, you’re four or five months in. Why is the morning sickness still so bad?” Asher knelt beside me, patting my back and offering water, overly attentive. But all I felt was chilling disgust. Once the truth was revealed, no amount of tenderness could mask the lies. Adeline, in a lace nightgown, gracefully descended the stairs, placing Asher’s Wedding Ring on the table. “Asher, your ring was on my bed.” One night was enough for Nolan to be engulfed in Adeline’s perfume. The intensity of the scent made me feel sick, and I pushed him away to retch into the trash can. “Asher, I’m four or five months pregnant, yet my morning sickness persists,” I muttered as Asher knelt beside me, patting my back and offering me water with genuine concern. But all I felt was a chilling emptiness inside. Once the truth is unveiled, even the kindest gestures feel hollow. Adeline descended the stairs in a lace nightgown, placing Asher’s wedding ring on the dining table. “Asher, you left your ring in my bed,” she said to him, but her eyes provocatively lingered on me. I let out a dry laugh and slammed my water cup down over the ring with a loud clatter. Asher awkwardly explained, “Cora, please don’t misunderstand… Adeline was scared of the thunder, so I stayed in her room to comfort her.” “Misunderstand? You’re both married adults. Is it really appropriate to share a room?” I retorted. “What’s inappropriate?” Adeline smirked. “Asher and I grew up together. We are the closest to each other. What’s the big deal about sharing a room?” Asher added, “Yeah, Cora, don’t be petty… we’re family. Besides, I was just sitting by her bed to keep her company.” In the past, I might have believed their excuses. But now… I really wanted to drag them to look in the mirror. Fresh red scratches on Asher’s neck. Kiss marks on Adeline’s chest and fingerprints on her thighs. Who’s really being indecent here? Using family ties as a cover to do despicable things. I didn’t argue anymore. I went upstairs, printed out the Divorce Agreement, and signed my name. The scheduled Abortion Procedure is tomorrow. After that, I will completely disappear. Three’s a crowd in love, let alone four. — Adeline flaunted the breakfast Asher made on Facebook. Nolan, who was on a business trip, was upset and called to argue. After hanging up, Adeline felt wronged and lay on Asher’s lap, complaining. Asher’s expression turned cold. “That Nolan, not very capable, but quite the temper. The Fu family doesn’t need him bossing around.” Adeline smiled sweetly and wrapped her arms around Asher’s neck. “Yeah, he’s so annoying! You’re the best to me. How about I divorce him and become your wife?” Asher was startled, pulling her arm down and helping her sit properly. “Don’t say such things. I’m your uncle. If Cora hears, she’ll overthink.” Seeing her pout in dissatisfaction, he coaxed her, “Alright, eat some dragon fruit.” Adeline arrogantly instructed, “I don’t want those tiny black seeds. You have to pick them out for me.” Asher couldn’t refuse her and indulgently agreed. When I came downstairs for water, I saw Asher, who never lifted a finger, using tweezers to pick out each black seed for Adeline. Seeing me, Asher casually asked, “Cora, what fruit do you want? I’ll have Auntie wash it.” Before I could refuse, Adeline playfully nudged Asher with her toe. “You should personally wash it for your wife, or she’ll think you favor me.” Asher always listened to Adeline, immediately getting up to go to the kitchen. I never understood why Asher thought that after the Rocky Mountains incident and him taking my boyfriend, I should still welcome Adeline with open arms. Now I finally understood. It’s because Asher never cared about the harm I suffered. His heart was always with Adeline. With Asher gone, Adeline dropped her facade, quickly switching to another persona. “Cora, weren’t you always proud? Look at you now, as ridiculous as a toad.” She covered her mouth, snickering, deliberately showing off the pink diamond ring on her finger. “You should recognize this ring, right? Asher bought it at an auction. There’s only one in the world. Isn’t it beautiful?” Adeline’s lips curled up, her tone full of bragging. She deliberately shook her hand to make the ring more conspicuous. “Did Asher ever give you a ring? Is your wedding ring this flashy? Oh, I forgot, your finger was amputated. How could Asher give you a ring!” My heart clenched tightly, as if being mercilessly squeezed. I tried to maintain composure but unconsciously hid my hand behind my back. Adeline leaned forward, laughing provocatively. “Cora, Nolan is so boring. How did you ever fall for him? If it weren’t for competing with you, I wouldn’t have seduced him…” “Should I dump him and be with Asher? Oh, and you probably don’t know, Asher and I aren’t related by blood… Here’s a secret only Asher and I know, we dated secretly for a long time, shared all our firsts…” “Asher married you because he was afraid you’d expose the Rocky Mountains incident… You must be so angry now! But so what? It’s been years, and you have no proof!” “Cora, you’re truly pathetic. The two men you loved both love me. You’ll always be my defeated opponent.” My hand trembled slightly. The hand hidden behind my back had already started recording as soon as Adeline opened her mouth. My gaze fell on her smug face. I deliberately provoked her: “So what? Whether Asher loves me or not, I’m the legitimate Mrs. Fu. And you? You’ll always be his niece. If it weren’t for my finger injury, you’d never become the Orchestra’s Principal Violinist. You’re just my replacement!” Adeline’s sore spot hit, she flew into a rage. She stood up and slapped me hard. She used all her strength, and my face quickly swelled red. “You wretched woman! I hate your arrogant face! You think your hand froze and died in the Rocky Mountains, and you had to amputate it?” “Haha! Let me tell you, your hand was fine! I whispered to Asher in bed, saying you always flaunted your skills in front of me. Asher didn’t hesitate to vent for me, amputating your finger!” Adeline’s mockery cut into my nerves like a sharp knife. Seeing her arrogant, mocking face, the fury buried deep in my heart could no longer be contained. Like a long-restrained volcano, it erupted instantly. I stepped forward, full of anger and disgust, and slapped her across the face. Adeline’s face was slapped to one side. She covered it with wide eyes, changing to a pitiful and incredulous expression. “Aunt Cora, why did you suddenly hit me?” I shook my numb hand but hadn’t reacted yet. A shadow rushed out from behind, knocking me aside. My stomach hit the edge of the sofa hard, sending a sharp pain through me. Asher’s eyes were full of anger as he looked at me. “Cora! Are you crazy!” Adeline cried pitifully, sniffling as she explained: “Asher, I don’t know why Aunt Cora hit me. I just wanted to clear up the misunderstanding from back then. I meant to call for help after getting out. I just didn’t explain it clearly…” “Cora, apologize to Adeline! How many times have I told you, Adeline didn’t do it on purpose! Why do you keep holding on!” His gaze was fierce, looking at me with only cold contempt, not even bothering to disguise it. I curled up on the sofa, clutching my belly, even though a bright red handprint was on my face. Asher chose to ignore it. I laughed coldly at him: “Asher, I lost the most precious fingers of a violinist. Don’t I deserve an explanation?” Asher frowned, a hint of panic in his eyes. “What explanation? It was frostbite. If the fingers weren’t amputated, you’d lose your whole hand!” Before I could speak, Adeline raised her hand to cling to his shoulder. “Asher, my head hurts…” Asher didn’t spare me another glance, scooping Adeline up and anxiously heading out. “Don’t worry, Adeline, I’m taking you to the hospital!” All I got was a parting line: “Cora, if anything happens to Adeline, I won’t forgive you.” Watching them leave, the pain surged like a tide, overwhelming me completely. The world before me began to blur, my consciousness fading. But I could still feel my baby slipping away inside me. Maybe my child knew I didn’t want her and chose to leave. Tears flowed uncontrollably, sliding down my cheeks. I called an ambulance for myself. At this moment, all ties between me and Asher were completely severed. The Abortion Procedure went smoothly. After the procedure, I lay weakly on the hospital bed, listening to the nurses gossiping. “Did you see that man with his niece? Over a slap, they did a full-body check-up and booked a whole floor of rooms.” “I saw them. The uncle and niece are so close. If not told, I’d think they were a couple.” I listened, indifferent, and called the nanny at home to give them all a break. I also hired a team of organizers online to pack my belongings and donate them to charity. As for the mementos and photos from my years with Asher, I asked them to destroy them all. Changing into clean clothes sent by a brand, I rescheduled my flight, originally set for tomorrow night, and left the hospital. In the elevator, I impulsively pressed the floor where Adeline stayed. At the door of the only lit room, through the glass, I saw Adeline hugging Asher’s neck, sobbing while kissing his chin, throat. “Asher, please want me… You clearly love me. I’ll stop being a Fu family daughter.” Asher dodged, looking hesitant. As for the keepsakes and photos from my years with Asher, I asked for everything to be destroyed. I changed into the clean clothes provided by the brand, rescheduled my flight originally planned for tomorrow night, and called a car to leave the hospital. On an impulse, I pressed the button for the floor where Adeline was staying. It was the only room with a light on at the end of the hallway. Through the glass on the door, I saw Adeline clinging to Asher’s neck, sobbing and repeatedly kissing his chin and throat. “Asher, please, be with me… You clearly love me. If it comes to it, I won’t be a daughter of the Fu family anymore…” Asher looked evasive, his expression uncertain. “Adeline, don’t do this—aren’t we fine the way we are now? Saying things like that would hurt Eldest Brother and Sister-in-Law, and I swore I’d make it up to Cora for a lifetime.” Adeline shook her head, crying. “This isn’t good at all! I’m no longer satisfied just being with you in secret…” She took Asher’s hand and placed it on her chest. Asher tried to pull his hand away, but eventually couldn’t resist. He tightened his fingers and leaned down to kiss her lips. I touched my now flat stomach, feeling suffocated by the pain engulfing me. I leaned against the wall and turned to leave. Walking out of the hospital, I got into an Uber heading to the airport. After sending one last email to Asher, I canceled my phone number and deleted all my social media accounts. I’m sorry, it looks like you’ve provided placeholder text instead of the specific content you want translated. 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The news spread throughout the company that the CEO’s fiancée, whom I risked my life to save, is going to marry her idealized love due to her pregnancy. Everyone assumed that I, as the fiancé, would be furious over her marrying someone else. But even after their child was born, I stayed composed and didn’t cause any trouble. Instead, I took initiative and focused on projects to support the struggling company. The fiancée believed I had finally accepted my role as just a tool to help her manage the company. With a condescending air of self-satisfaction, she promised me, “Since you’re so considerate in earning money for me and the baby, I’ll reluctantly let you stay in the company and give you a chance to continue taking care of us.” However, she was sorely mistaken. I am not working for her and the child; I’m preparing to take over the company next week. From now on, I won’t compromise and be her supportive partner behind the scenes. I’ll replace her and become the new CEO! 1 I had just wrapped up a project discussion with a client and stepped out of the meeting room when I saw Jasper at my desk changing his and Josephine’s baby’s diaper. “Assistant Jiang, you’re really juggling a lot, working and taking care of the baby. Once CEO Shen finishes her postpartum recovery and returns, you definitely deserve a big promotion and raise!” “Yeah, babies born in the Year of the Snake are considered destined for greatness. When they grow up, they’ll surely be exceptional individuals and company pillars, just like Assistant Jiang.” The small five-square-meter room was packed with project team colleagues. This used to be my office, but now it was filled with baby supplies and had become Jasper’s nursery at the company. Even the awards I earned for the company that were on the wall had been replaced with photos of the baby from birth to the first month. Actually, due to layoffs, there have been plenty of empty rooms in the company these years. But Jasper claimed that a master advised him that only my office was suitable for the child’s growth. Everyone could tell it was just an excuse Jasper made up to squeeze me out. Yet Josephine, who usually has a firm belief in materialism, believed it. She even wanted me to move to the small desk by the restroom to block some negative energy for her and Jasper’s child. There was no hint of remorse for breaking the engagement she had with me long ago and marrying Jasper and having his child. Coming back to the present, Jasper noticed the contract I had just signed in my hand and approached me with a smile: “Really sorry, Director Ye.” “I’ve been busy with the baby lately, and Josephine still needs a few more days to finish her postpartum recovery. I’ve been troubling you to run the business, but I’ll definitely tell Josephine about your contributions later!” Although Jasper was polite, his right hand tried to snatch the signed contract from me. Since Jasper joined the company a year ago, taking advantage of Josephine’s favoritism towards him, he had often stolen projects and achievements from me. Before, I always compromised and indulged him because of my feelings for Josephine. But now that Josephine had married him, I had no reason to tolerate it any longer and directly slapped his hand away. “Jasper, you took my fiancée, and now you want the contract I closed?” Before Jasper could respond, our colleagues rushed to defend him: “What do you mean by ‘took’? Director Ye, your words are too harsh!” “Exactly, Assistant Jiang was just too busy with the baby and had to hand over the project he brought in to you. You got an easy win and still complain. You’re just a freeloader with no right to bark here!” I only found it ironic. Yes, Jasper did bring in this project. But to prove himself, he exaggerated the project proposal’s price to 60% of the original during a drinking session with the client. He secured the business without considering its feasibility. In the end, I had to work overtime, optimize the technology, and even use my own money to smooth things over with suppliers to barely reduce the costs. Yet, the credit went to Jasper. Seeing my firm stance, Jasper smiled and said earning money for the company was all that mattered. But when no one was looking, he pinched the baby in his arms. The next moment, the baby started wailing, and poop and pee splattered all over me. Even the contract I had just signed was stained and ruined. “Oh dear, Director Ye, my apologies. It’s my first time being a dad, I’m inexperienced. My hand slipped, please forgive me.” Noticing my dark expression, the nearby colleagues wouldn’t miss the chance to impress Jasper and chimed in: “Ezra, are you seriously arguing with a baby just a month old? Have some shame.” “With that bad temper, no wonder CEO Shen broke off the engagement. You can’t compare to Assistant Jiang’s gentlemanly demeanor.” Hearing them mention the broken engagement, I couldn’t help but laugh coldly. Josephine and I had been together for seven years, engaged, and were about to get married. But a year ago, her ex, Jasper, suddenly appeared. Josephine brought him into the company unusually, and before long, she hurriedly sent me on an overseas trip. When I returned, I heard the news of their shotgun wedding. Rather than a gentleman, “beast in a suit” suits him better. But now I had more pressing matters and no time to bicker with them. I calmly took a file from my drawer and threw the diaper Jasper had intentionally left on my desk back at him. “Sorry, I’ve been working overtime a lot, and my eyes are blurry. I meant to throw it in the trash. My hand slipped too, forgive me.” For a moment, a foul stench rose from Jasper’s expensive suit. His face turned green, but I didn’t give them a chance to criticize me and left with my files, driving to the business registration office to hand the file to a staff member. “Please register the shareholder information update for me.” This was the share transfer agreement Josephine personally signed six months ago before I went abroad for negotiations. It transferred all her shares back to me. Actually, I had founded the company myself, with all the funds and technology being mine, so naturally, the shares were initially mine too. A few years ago, when the company began to succeed, I gave her 51% of the shares to compensate for the hardships she endured with me, fulfilling her dream of being a boss. During these tough times, I intended to take back all the shares to bear the risks myself and not let Josephine fall into debt. I thought it would be difficult and prepared many excuses to persuade her, fearing she’d misunderstand my intentions. But the day before I went abroad, when I approached Josephine, she signed without even looking and urged me to leave the country quickly. At that time, I asked her if she wasn’t afraid I’d con her. But she just smiled while packing my luggage, saying we were about to get married and were one family, so why differentiate between mine and yours. Back then, I thought Josephine loved me deeply and left that night, determined to secure the deal and save the company. After successfully securing the order and returning, I found she had married Jasper and even had a big baby boy with him. Only then did I realize she hadn’t trusted me but was pregnant and eager to marry Jasper, fearing I’d discover her secret, hence the rush to sign and send me away. But now it’s just right; at least the company is still in my hands. After confirming the agreement, the staff suddenly asked: “Mr. Ye, shareholder transfers are significant. Why didn’t Miss Shen come with you?” I calmly shook my head: “She’s still in the postpartum recovery period.” Hearing this, the staff was initially stunned, then congratulated me on becoming a dad and happily proceeded with the shareholder transfer procedures. But I couldn’t smile. Because I’m not the child’s father, nor am I her husband. While waiting for approval and lost in thought, my phone suddenly rang. It was Josephine calling. As soon as I answered, a roar came from the other end. “Jasper just dirtied the contract. Can’t you ask the client to sign again? Why are you acting up at work and scaring the baby?” Before she could finish, the staff handed me the paperwork to sign. “Signing?” “Ezra, it’s work hours. Where are you instead of being at the company?” After signing, I explained: “I’m signing an agreement.” On the other end, Josephine paused, then her tone softened considerably. “That’s more like it. Seeing how eager you are to make money for me and the baby, I’ll reluctantly keep you in the company and give you a chance to take care of us.” But I wasn’t listening to her words. Looking at the new shareholder list, with me holding 91%, making me the true CEO of the company, I couldn’t help but laugh. Josephine, on the other end, misunderstood, thinking I was grateful to her, and smugly said: “Look at you, all smug. Work hard, and when I return from the postpartum care center, I might consider promoting and giving you a raise.” After a few more words, Josephine laughed and hung up. But she didn’t know that in two days, once the review period was over, I’d be the new CEO of the company. I wonder if she’ll still be able to smile then. 2 Having firmly regained my company, I felt a huge relief and went home first, planning to pack my things and completely end things with Josephine. But as soon as I opened the door, a musty smell hit me. Josephine had been in the hospital for prenatal care, then went straight to the postpartum care center after delivery, and I had been away on business trips. This home hadn’t been tended to for nearly half a year. I intended to open the windows to air it out, but as I walked into the living room, I tripped over something. I found a large photo frame on the floor. Lifting it, I realized it was the wedding photo Josephine and I had taken. After our engagement, Josephine had insisted we go to the studio for a photo shoot. She had me try on dozens of suits, never quite satisfied, and it took an entire afternoon to choose a white suit she liked. Though it wasn’t my style, knowing she had spent the whole afternoon choosing it for me, I accepted it willingly. Her serious gaze from that time remains vivid in my memory. Coming back to reality, I dusted off the frame, feeling puzzled. I had always kept the wedding photo in the bedroom. Why was it thrown in the living room? Entering the bedroom, I immediately understood the reason. Above the head of the bed now hung a photo of Josephine and Jasper from their wedding. In the photo, Josephine, with her pregnant belly, was nestled in Jasper’s arms, smiling like a girl who had just won the world. Although it wasn’t my style, knowing Josephine spent an entire afternoon choosing it for me made me accept it with a smile. Her earnest look from that day is still vivid in my memory. Bringing myself back to the present, I wiped dust off the photo frame, feeling puzzled. I always hung our wedding photo in the bedroom, so why was it tossed on the living room floor? It wasn’t until I walked into the bedroom that everything became clear. Above the headboard was a wedding photo of Josephine and Jasper. In the picture, Josephine, with her pregnant belly, was in Jasper’s arms, smiling like a girl who had the whole world in her grasp. They wore the very same wedding dress and suit Josephine had meticulously chosen that day. It hit me why Josephine wasn’t satisfied after trying all afternoon and eventually picked a white suit that didn’t suit me at all. It was never meant for me. Over the years, my skin had tanned due to long business trips outdoors. Josephine chose a pure white suit for me, which naturally looked odd against my complexion. However, Jasper, who always stayed in the company assisting Josephine, was fair-skinned and refined. The white suit made him look like a storybook prince. I chuckled sarcastically, planning to pack my things and sell the house. This house was originally prepared by my parents as a marital home for me. Since the marriage isn’t happening, there’s no reason to keep it; it might as well be sold to alleviate the company’s financial strain. But when I opened the wardrobe, my fists clenched. All my belongings were gone, replaced by Jasper’s frequently worn shirts. I immediately messaged Josephine, demanding to know where my clothes were. It wasn’t until half an hour later that Josephine replied: “Of course, I threw them away. Jasper’s rental is too far from the company, so I let him move in directly.” “Your stuff doesn’t suit his cleanliness, so I tossed it all.” “Besides, you used my salary to buy these things, so technically it’s my money. I can do whatever I want with it, and I don’t need your permission, do I?” I have to admit, Josephine has always been skilled at twisting logic. Seeing that I had no response, Josephine sent another message: “What, feeling sorry for your junk?” “I heard about the company situation this morning. If you hand over the project to Jasper, I’ll get you some high-end stuff and even leave you a storage room to rest.” “No need.” Before Josephine could finish typing, I blocked her on SnapChat and called a junk removal service to clear everything out of the house. Then I contacted a real estate agency to list the house for sale and went to a hotel to rest. The next morning, the junk removal service transferred the money to me. Although it was collected at a low rate as scrap, I still made quite a bit of cash. It showed how much Josephine cared about Jasper, eager to give him the world. Just as I was about to freshen up and get out of bed, Josephine suddenly called. “Ezra, who allowed you to sell the marital home? Where are Jasper and the baby supposed to live now?!” “And what about his designer suits and game console? Where did you throw them?” On the other end, Josephine was so furious she could barely breathe. I found it ironic. My belongings could be casually thrown away, but Jasper’s things were treasures. I replied calmly: “You do realize that was our marital home, right? Since you’re married to Jasper now, what’s wrong with me selling it?” “As for the stuff in the house, I sold it all as scrap.” Josephine was speechless with anger, but soon she let out a disdainful laugh. “Ezra, do you think selling the house is going to stop me?” “Don’t think I don’t know you’re trying to play hard to get, using these little tricks to get my attention.” “Know your place. You’re just a tool working for me, don’t delude yourself with thoughts you shouldn’t have!” With that, Josephine hung up. Almost simultaneously, Jasper updated his Facebook status. It was a photo of him signing a real estate contract with an agency. He even captioned it: “Finally got my own place in this city.” Jasper’s position at the company was just an assistant role, and his monthly salary wasn’t much. Plus, he was a big spender, so buying a house was out of the question. Clearly, Josephine paid for it and bought back the house I just listed for sale. And Jasper intentionally posted on Facebook, obviously to flaunt it to me. But instead of being angry, I almost couldn’t hold back my laughter. Although property prices had dropped over the years, I had bought the place early on, so overall, I still made a profit. Josephine, on the other hand, basically handed me the money the company made over the past two years for a depreciating house that Jasper now treasures like gold. To celebrate, I treated myself to a rare feast. The business registration office also sent a message notifying me that the shareholder information update had been approved. I was ready to return to the company and take over. But as soon as I walked through the door, I ran into Josephine. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to…” Before I could finish, Josephine, with a cold expression, slapped me. “Ezra, as a senior employee, is this how you set an example?” “Absent for two days, you’re nothing but a disruptive influence!” “I didn’t work hard to run this company so you could slack off and draw a salary!” “Starting tomorrow, your performance for the next year is wiped clean. You’re no longer a director; go assist Jasper and learn how to be a proper person.” Hearing Josephine’s punishment, my colleagues around me didn’t even try to hide their mockery. After all, the company wasn’t that big, and with Jasper’s embellishments, I had long become the target of ridicule. However, the absence Josephine mentioned was pure nonsense. I had applied for a week of fieldwork a month ago and didn’t need to clock in. Josephine herself had approved it. It was clear she was just finding excuses to vent Jasper’s anger. Seeing me remain silent, Josephine frowned: “Ezra, I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” “Don’t you see the baby soiled his diaper? Hurry up and help Jasper clean it, or do you want to stink up the entire company?” Still, I didn’t move. After all, I’m the owner of this company now. Before I could speak, Jasper was quick to play the good guy. “Josephine, don’t be mad. Ezra must be exhausted from running errands the past two days.” “I’m young and energetic; I can manage work and childcare.” But before he could do anything, Josephine stopped him with concern: “No need, you’ve been busy with paternity leave and childcare, and you’ve lost weight.” “Plus, you just got promoted and the project is yours now. Focus on preparing your speech for the release event.” “As for him, if he wants to stay in the company, let him do some hard labor. It’ll teach him not to be lazy and help him realize how hard you’ve had it with the baby.” Watching Josephine’s concern for Jasper, I found it absurd. Jasper was all talk. At work, he’d dump childcare and tasks onto colleagues who fawned over him, while he hid away eating fried chicken and gaming. Meanwhile, due to poor business performance, I frequently had to go out and hustle. I even prioritized a contract meeting over hospital care after a car accident, impressing clients with my dedication. Yet, in her eyes, I was a lazy freeloader. Love or the lack thereof was painfully obvious. Bringing myself back, I looked straight at Josephine, speaking steadily: “I recall the company’s manual clearly states that infants aren’t allowed to disrupt the office.” “Moreover, I applied for fieldwork in advance, so I don’t need to clock in. You have no grounds to penalize me.” In seven years, this was probably the first time I openly defied Josephine. She was stunned but quickly sneered: “Ezra, I’ll admit, you’ve gotten my attention, but you’re going about it the wrong way.” “I’m the CEO of this company. If I say you’re absent, then you’re absent!” “I’ve already backed up all the projects and client info you have. Do you really think you’re irreplaceable?” “HR, prepare the termination papers and notify all our partner enterprises to add him to the employment blacklist.” Before HR could make a move, I stopped them: “No need. I’ve already prepared resignation letters.” Jasper was overjoyed but pretended to be regretful: “Ezra, why put yourself through this?” “Why not apologize to Josephine? She’s kind-hearted; considering you cared for her for several years, she’d surely give you a break and let you clean toilets and unclog drains.” Next to him, Josephine, seeing me stop HR, raised her chin arrogantly. “Didn’t expect you to have some self-awareness.” “Tell you what, since you’ve been a useful tool, if you willingly give up…” Before Josephine could finish, I interrupted, tossing resignation letters to her and Jasper. “Enough, no need for small talk. You’re both dismissed.” Looking at her own resignation letter, Josephine was momentarily stunned, then scoffed. “What right does an employee have to fire me?” I smiled calmly and handed over the shareholder transfer notice. “Miss Josephine, you’ve forgotten something important.” “I’m the CEO of this company now.” “Alright, since you’re nothing but a convenient lackey, if you voluntarily give up…” Before Josephine could finish, I cut her off and tossed two termination letters to her and Jasper. “Enough of the pointless chatter. You both can get out now.” Holding her termination letter, Josephine was momentarily stunned, then sneered with disdain. “What right do you, just an employee, have to fire me?” I smiled dismissively and presented the formal notice of shareholder transfer. “Miss Shen—oh wait, no, Miss Josephine—your esteemed status seems to have made you forgetful.” “Take a good look, I’m the CEO of the company now.” “As for you and Jasper, you’re both fired immediately for violating company policy, disrupting workplace order, and stealing company project secrets.” I’m sorry, but it appears that the specific text you need translated is missing. Could you please provide the text you would like me to translate? “`plaintext 4 As Josephine read the shareholder information update on the notice, her face turned pale.

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