Ten days before the SAT, my grades that should have gotten me into an Ivy League school suddenly plummeted. My mind felt foggy. I couldn’t solve even the simplest formulas. I thought it was just too much pressure, until I accidentally opened my dad’s phone search history. “How to make your daughter fail an exam?” “Where to buy a colorless, odorless drug that makes people stupid?” In that moment, I felt like I’d fallen into a freezing abyss. It turned out that to keep me tethered to them forever, my control-freak parents were working together to poison me. My grades had always been stable in the top three of my class. My teacher said that as long as I maintained this performance, I should be able to get into Stanford. But just two weeks before the SAT, something strange happened at home. That weekend, both my parents were out. A delivery person knocked on the door and handed me a small black package with no sender information. Only my dad’s name written on it. The package felt soft when I squeezed it, like some kind of powder. I didn’t think much of it and casually placed it on the living room table. My dad’s old phone happened to be on the couch charging, its screen lit up with a browser notification. For some reason, I glanced at it. Just one glance, and my blood instantly froze. It was a webpage from a secret forum. My dad’s account was still logged in. In the search box were several alarming entries in the history: “What if my daughter does too well on her exam and leaves us? Who will take care of us when we’re old?” “How to make my daughter fail her exam without it being obvious?” “Where can I buy a real colorless, odorless drug that makes people stupid?” I stared at the screen, breathing rapidly. Below was a highly upvoted response from a user with the ID “Strange Doctor.” “Making her lose her ID is too obvious. It’ll make her hate you forever. The best method is to drug her and make her brain sluggish so she underperforms.” “After she fails, you can brainwash her. Tell her she can’t handle the pressure. Tell her she’s disappointed her parents who worked so hard for her.” “Make her feel guilty for life, willingly stay local working minimum wage, and take care of you.” “I have a special drug here, colorless and odorless. If you’re interested, DM me.” And my dad’s reply under this post was: “Already DM’d you. Looking to buy. Money is not an issue.” I whipped my head around to look at the black unmarked package on the table. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. How could this be possible? They were my parents! I desperately tried to reassure myself that this might just be junk advertising pushed by algorithms, or maybe my dad accidentally clicked on the wrong webpage. What parents in the world would scheme against their own flesh and blood like this? I forced myself to calm down, put the phone back where it was, and pretended nothing had happened. But once the seed of suspicion was planted, it began to grow wildly.

A few days later, a test at school completely shattered all my wishful thinking. Sitting in the exam room, as soon as I got the math paper, I felt dizzy and disoriented. My head was foggy, my vision blurred. The solid geometry problems that I could usually solve at a glance now looked like gibberish to me. My brain felt like it had been filled with lead. Every thought was incredibly difficult. My hand holding the pen trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat soaked through my uniform. That exam, I essentially turned in a blank paper. When the results came out, the whole class was in an uproar. My scores were not even enough for a decent state school! My homeroom teacher, Mr. Lee, called me to his office, his brow furrowed into a knot. “Summer, what’s been going on with you lately? Is something wrong at home? Too much pressure?” I looked at the glaring numbers on the grade report, my lips trembling, unable to speak for a long time. That feeling of my brain being forcibly locked up, that sluggishness. It was too real. This wasn’t just pre-exam anxiety. I’d really been drugged. When I brought the grade report home, I was met with a storm. My dad slammed the table so hard the water glasses rattled. “This is your score? How can you face us!” My mom sneered from the side, her eyes full of contempt. “She just can’t handle pressure! Looks like she studies hard normally, but fails at critical moments!” “I’ve said it before. Just because you want to climb higher doesn’t mean you have the brains for it!” “Tell the truth. Did you cheat on all those tests before?” Listening to their coordinated accusations, I stood there, chilled to the bone. The content from that secret forum post surfaced clearly in my mind again. “Take the opportunity to brainwash her…” “Tell her she can’t handle pressure…” “Make her feel guilty for life…” Every word perfectly matched the faces of my parents before me!

If this had been before, hearing these words would have made me ashamed beyond belief. I would have desperately reflected on myself, feeling like I’d let down my parents’ efforts in raising me. Because from childhood on, they’d been manipulating me with emotional abuse. When they made roast chicken at home, my mom would deliberately put the drumsticks on my plate. Then she’d eat only salad herself, sighing and saying, “Summer, I can’t bear to eat it. I save all the good stuff for you. You’d better repay us well in the future.” Back then I was so moved I cried, swearing I’d make something of myself. But the reality? Last month, when our house in the small town was demolished for a resort development, they got three hundred thousand dollars in compensation. They turned around and bought my cousin Luke a new apartment downtown! Didn’t leave me a single cent! When I asked about it, my dad said matter-of-factly, “Luke is the heir to the family. You’re a girl. Your job is to find a good man and get married.” My high school tuition came from scholarships I earned myself. The money for my study materials came from working summer jobs at fast food restaurants. Besides giving me food to eat and a place to sleep, what exactly had they sacrificed? Thinking of this, I felt nothing but absurdity and disgust. I looked coldly at my ranting parents, my voice so calm it even scared me. “I didn’t cheat. I did poorly on this test because I wasn’t feeling well. I was dizzy.” “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to my room to study.” With that, I ignored their stunned expressions, turned, and walked into my bedroom, locking the door behind me. Outside the door came my dad’s furious cursing. “Unbelievable! How dare you give us attitude!” I leaned against the door, gasping for breath. I pulled out my phone again and secretly logged into that secret forum. Found that post. Just half an hour ago, my dad’s account had posted a new reply: “Thanks, Strange Doctor. This drug is amazing!” “I tested it out during this exam. Just used a tiny bit and she dropped almost three hundred points!” “She originally wanted to go to an Ivy League school. Now with a brain like that, even community college would be a stretch!” People below were chiming in. “Congratulations! That’s the way to do it. Girls don’t need college.” “Girls who read too much get crazy ideas. Then they’re hard to find a husband!” “Keep her around working for money, taking care of you in old age. So much better!” Reading these comments, my stomach churned and I rushed to the bathroom to dry heave.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. “Summer, open up. I’m coming in.” I quickly splashed cold water on my face, took a deep breath, and opened the door. My mom walked in carrying a steaming cup of milk. The anger had completely vanished from her face, replaced by a chillingly fake kindness. “Your dad was just upset earlier and spoke harshly. Don’t take it to heart.” She walked to my desk and handed me the milk. “Mom knows you’re under a lot of pressure. Here, drink this hot milk. It’s good for calming nerves and nourishing the brain. Drink it and get some sleep early.” The pungent smell of milk hit my nostrils. I stared at the yellowish milk, my scalp tingling. “Mom, it’s too hot. I’ll let it cool down first.” My mom’s smile froze for a moment, her eyes instantly turning sharp. “Hot? What hot? It’s only effective when you drink it warm. Hurry up. Mom’s watching you drink it.” She moved closer, clearly not leaving until I drank it. My heart pounded like a drum, my brain racing. “Mom, my stomach suddenly hurts really bad. I need to use the bathroom…” I clutched my stomach, pretending to be in pain, and bolted out. “Hey! You stubborn girl…” When I dawdled in the bathroom for ten minutes and came back, my mom was no longer in the room. That cup of milk was still on the desk. Without hesitation, I picked up the cup, walked to the window, and poured all the milk into the flower bed below. Then I put the empty cup back where it was. In the middle of the night, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I quietly got up, wanting to get some water from the kitchen. Passing by the master bedroom, the door wasn’t fully closed, showing a crack. Inside came my parents’ hushed whispers. “Did she drink it?” It was my dad’s voice. “She did. The cup’s empty.” My mom laughed smugly. “This drug is amazing. Seeing her looking so dazed and confused today, I almost couldn’t help laughing.” “Good. The SAT is in a few days. Tomorrow I’ll contact that seller again and increase the dosage! We have to make absolutely sure there are no slip-ups. We absolutely cannot let her test out of here!” “Don’t worry. Once she fails, I’ll have someone find her a job at an electronics factory. Her salary goes straight to my card every month. In a few years, we’ll have her buy a car for Luke.” Hearing this, I bit my lip hard until I tasted blood. I trembled all over, backing up step by step to my room. Tears silently hit the floor. So in their eyes, I wasn’t even a person. I was just an object whose intelligence could be stripped away and whose value could be drained at will!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “385789”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

After my fiancé Bridges was stolen by my sister Gina, I forced myself on him and got pregnant. Although Bridges had a terrible temper, he was handsome, so I decided to give birth to this superior offspring. Bridges was furious, saying he’d make me wish I was dead when he found me. I lived in fear and hid for five years. Until one day I went to pick up my son from school, and there was a crowd of people at the gate saying someone was fighting. I eagerly pushed through the crowd, ready to watch the show. In the open space at the school entrance, two figures were grappling with each other. The tall one wore a black trench coat, his back straight as a pine tree. The short one wore an elementary school uniform, his little legs kicking rapidly, fists small but every punch landing on vital points. I rubbed my eyes, staring at these two people who looked remarkably similar. This was a disaster. What was wrong with this father and son? They’d never even met before—how could they be fighting?

Bridges turned his head. He dodged my son Isaac’s punch, the corners of his eyes slightly upturned with careless roguishness. That face—it haunted my nightmares. I took a deep breath, then another deep breath, then one more deep breath. Isaac had told me he was very well-behaved at school. Looking at his practiced fighting stance, he seemed more like someone who frequently caused trouble and got into brawls. That left hook was fierce, the angle tricky, and he even knew to feint before throwing the real punch. A circle of parents had already gathered around. Some were holding up their phones filming, others were cheering them on. “Whose kid is this? Pretty impressive!” “Go for it, little guy!” I covered my face, wishing I could find a hole to crawl into. Isaac stood with his hands on his hips, head tilted back. “You’re blocking my way.” Bridges glanced down at him and snorted. “Did your family build this road?” “It’s not my family’s, but you’re blocking the school gate and affecting my classmates getting out of school.” Bridges actually laughed at his audacity. “Who’s your mother? How’d she raise such a little tyrant?” I rubbed my forehead. This child had completely inherited both my and Bridges’ bad tempers. Everyone knew that whenever Bridges and I met, we’d fight, and our fights always drew blood. The day I found out I was the child the Gibbs family had mistakenly raised, Bridges was the first to come watch the drama unfold. “Lewis, so you’re a fake. No wonder you have no manners.” I lunged at him directly and bit down hard on his neck. He used all his strength but couldn’t push me off. Blood seeped through my teeth. He groaned in pain and looked at me in shock, his eyes full of disbelief. “Are you a dog?!” Only then did I release my mouth and licked the blood from the corner of my lips. I just hadn’t expected he wouldn’t get along with Isaac either. Bridges reached out and grabbed Isaac by the back of his neck. “Come on, let’s find your parent. I want to see what kind of parent could raise a little demon like you.” My throat tightened, and I prepared to make my escape. Just then, an angry shout came from the school gate. The homeroom teacher, clicking along in high heels, charged over with fury on her face. “Which class are you from? Bullying our students?” Bridges looked unusually embarrassed. Just as he was about to speak, a woman in a beige trench coat emerged gracefully from the crowd. She naturally hooked her arm through Bridges’ and smiled slightly at Ms. Anderson. “Hello, teacher. I’m sorry, we were presumptuous.” “We’re investors in this school. We happened to be passing by today and wanted to see the school environment. My husband doesn’t really know how to interact with children. If he’s offended your student, I apologize on his behalf.” As she spoke, she bowed slightly, her manner elegant and proper. Ms. Anderson’s anger dissipated by more than half. “Oh, investors… well, you still can’t get physical with students…” Gina turned to look at Bridges, her tone carrying a hint of reproach. “Bridges, really, why are you being so serious with a child?” I looked at their linked arms and clicked my tongue in wonder. After Gina was taken back to her real family, she targeted me at every turn. “Bridges is mine too, Lewis. You’re not going to try to take him as well, are you?” I was shaking with rage. Since she said I was a cuckoo in the nest, I’d show her just how much I could take. That very night, I drugged Bridges and slept with him, then fled overnight. I pressed down the brim of my hat. As long as I wasn’t recognized, everything would be fine. Just then, the homeroom teacher suddenly called out to me. “Hey, Ms. Lewis, you’re here? I was just about to call you.” My steps halted.

Bridges’ gaze was sweeping in this direction. Ms. Anderson walked up to me, holding Isaac’s hand. “Isaac and that gentleman just had a little misunderstanding. I wanted to explain the situation to you…” I turned my back to Bridges, keeping my voice very low. “I have an emergency right now, a really urgent one. Can I contact you later?” Ms. Anderson paused, looking at my expression, then glancing behind me. “But…” I made up an excuse on the spot, bent down and scooped up Isaac. Isaac obediently put his arms around my neck, looking confused. I turned and darted into a nearby alley, quickly taking him home. Isaac slid down from my arms and looked up at me. “That uncle kept staring at you just now. When you left, he watched your back for a long time.” I didn’t say anything. Just as I was about to close the door, a hand pressed against it from outside. Gina stood in the doorway, smiling triumphantly and falsely. “Lewis, it really is you. It’s been so long.” “No wonder Bridges didn’t recognize you. You don’t look anything like that arrogant person you used to be.” Isaac poked half his face out from behind my legs, his little face tense, glaring at her. Gina noticed his gaze, looked down, and smiled. “Which man did you have this one with?” I rolled my eyes dramatically and cut her off. “Are you done?” The smile on her face froze for a moment. She pulled a gold-embossed invitation from her bag and held it out. “Lewis, tomorrow is my and Bridges’ wedding. Mom and Dad said that even though you’re not their biological daughter, they raised you for twenty years and still hope you can come.” Gina shoved the invitation into my hand and leaned close to my ear. “Oh, and I still have those paintings of yours.” I raised an eyebrow. Gina stepped back half a step, a dignified and proper smile on her face, but her eyes were vicious. “You left in such a hurry back then. That kraft paper bag had about twenty-something paintings in it, all from when you were in high school.” Gina tilted her head, smiling sweetly. “I heard you were originally going to apply to art school? What a shame. I was the one who had Mom and Dad cut off all your financial support, which kept you from going to college.” “I’ve looked through those paintings a few times. They’re all large-scale photos of Bridges, aren’t they?” I narrowed my eyes at her. “What do you want? I’ve already left the Gibbs family. After all these years, you still won’t let me go?” She let out a triumphant laugh. “Lewis, you stole so many years of my life. This is nothing.” “The wedding is next Saturday. If you come, I’ll return those paintings to you in front of everyone. If you don’t come, I’ll make them public at the wedding and let everyone see how disgusting you are.” I snorted with laughter. “Fine, then make them public. Let everyone see his nude photos.” Gina froze for a moment, then her face turned bright red. “You’re shameless!” I smiled and pulled out my phone, waving it. “Oh, and if you don’t think that’s sensational enough, I have more here. From when he and I… you know. Want to see those too?” I didn’t actually have anything, but I was used to playing dirty. Gina’s face turned ashen. “Lewis, you’re despicable!” I tilted my head, smiling brightly. “If you don’t show everyone my paintings, you’re a dog.” She was shaking with rage, pointing her finger at me, unable to get a word out for a long time. “You were spoiled rotten by the Gibbs family. You’ve been kicked out for so many years and you still haven’t learned to control your temper. Just you wait.” She glared at me furiously through gritted teeth, then turned and left. I called after her, “I’ll definitely be there tomorrow. If you don’t release them, you’re not human!” Isaac poked his head out from behind the door. “Mom, what did you paint?” I pinched his little face. “Tomorrow Mom’s taking you to a party.”

The next day, I went to the Gibbs house as promised. When Gina walked over in her trailing wedding dress, I was squatting in a corner fixing Isaac’s little suit. “Lewis, you came. Perfect, there’s something I’d like your help with.” I raised an eyebrow, wondering what trick she was pulling. She clapped her hands, and two bodyguards in black emerged from behind her, grabbing my arms on either side. “The kitchen is short-handed today. The dishwashing lady ran off at the last minute. Lewis, you’re not doing anything anyway, so go help out.” I frowned. “Gina, you invited me to your wedding just to have me wash dishes?” She looked me up and down, her gaze full of condescension. “Kitchen work isn’t hard. Washing plates, wiping floors—you can’t tell me you can’t even do that? You’re not the pampered daughter living in luxury at the Gibbs house anymore.” The two bodyguards dragged me toward the kitchen. Isaac rushed over and hugged my leg. “Don’t touch my mom!” She gestured to the bodyguards, and another one came forward, grabbed Isaac by the back of his collar, and lifted him away from me. “Gina!” I struggled and shouted. “Let go of my son!” “Relax, I’m not going to do anything to him.” She adjusted her veil, her tone light and airy. “When you finish your work in the kitchen, I promise your son will be returned to you safe and sound.” She paused, then leaned close to my ear and lowered her voice. “Of course, that’s assuming you do the job well. If you break even one plate, you and your son will have to go home naked today.” The bodyguards dragged me into the kitchen and threw me in front of a pile of greasy plates. “Finish washing before you can leave.” The door locked from the outside. I took a deep breath, rolled up my sleeves, and started washing. I washed for almost an hour, my hands turning pale and wrinkled. Just then, a commotion suddenly came from the distance. Then came Gina’s scream: “How is that possible? I was wearing it on my hand! That diamond ring cost fifty million!” “How could it disappear!” My heart sank with an inexplicable sense of foreboding. I looked out through the crack in the door. The next second, I heard Gina continue speculating: “Just now… just now a child got pretty close to me. He even bumped into me, and then my ring disappeared.” Before Gina finished speaking, bodyguards walked out with Isaac in tow. Isaac was still holding half a macaron, his cheeks puffed out, looking a bit confused by the sudden attention. “I didn’t!” “What are you doing? Let me go!” Isaac began struggling violently. Gina stepped forward quickly, apologizing with false concern: “Isaac, I’m sorry.” “This ring is really too valuable. I can’t afford to lose it. I just want to make sure—just to check if you have it on you. If you don’t, I’ll have them let you go immediately!” Under the gaze of everyone present, the ring was pulled out of Isaac’s pocket. The entire banquet hall instantly erupted in an uproar. Contemptuous and scornful looks came from all directions.

Several people friendly with the Gibbs family were already frowning, pointing at Isaac. “Clearly has no upbringing, charging around recklessly at this kind of occasion.” “Where’s the parent? The child caused trouble—the parent should at least come out and explain.” Isaac’s little face slowly turned red as he loudly protested: “I didn’t! I didn’t bump into her! I didn’t take her ring either!” But his childish voice seemed pale and helpless amid the noisy discussions. I pounded on the door, my palms aching, but the door didn’t budge. Just then, police and on-site security arrived. The evidence was ironclad, witnessed by all. The police crouched down and asked: “Little friend, where are your mom and dad? Who told you to steal?” That question was like a needle, puncturing Isaac’s forced composure. He blinked, moisture gathering on his lashes, but he quickly held it back forcefully. “I don’t know.” Gina nestled against Cameron, who had rushed over after hearing the news, crying piteously. “Mom, that ring… was Bridges’ token to me.” “This is Lewis’s son from outside. We kindly let them come to the wedding, and we didn’t expect him to have such sticky fingers.” The murmurs around grew louder. “Oh, it’s her, that fake…” “No wonder he steals!” Isaac bit his lip hard, not letting his tears fall. Just then, a low commotion came from the banquet hall entrance. The crowd automatically parted to make way. Bridges, wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, walked in expressionlessly. Gina wiped her tears, her tone becoming businesslike. “Officer, there’s one more thing.” She pulled out her phone from her handbag, brought up several photos, and handed it to the police. “These are paintings Lewis made. The content… it’s all photos she secretly took of my husband, then painted as nude portraits.” She paused, her face slightly flushed, as if too embarrassed to continue. “My husband is Bridges, heir to Bridges Group. These paintings seriously violate his right to his image, and the content of the paintings is very… indecent.” The police took the phone, frowning. “Where are these paintings now?” “They were with me originally. Lewis came to the wedding today wanting to get the paintings back. But I think this kind of behavior shouldn’t be tolerated. So I want to pursue her legal responsibility.” She turned to look at Bridges, her voice softening. “Bridges, don’t you think so?” Bridges looked up, walked to the police, and scooped up Isaac. “I’m the child’s father.” “Those photos were also taken when I was scantily dressed, trying to seduce her, begging her to paint them.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “385788”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

I work as an online late-night sleep therapist, specializing in treating male sexual dysfunction anxiety. I have succubus bloodline and can directly enter clients’ minds, customizing the wildest erotic dreams for them. They regain their vigor in dreams, while I secretly feed on the overflow of dopamine to stay eternally young. If I encounter a drop-dead gorgeous guy, I don’t mind personally joining him in the dream for some mind-blowing sex. “Thanks for your business. Remember to leave a five-star review when you wake up!” I rubbed my aching lower back, having just kicked an extremely handsome client out of the dreamscape. Before I could catch my breath, my phone suddenly vibrated. “Do you take urgent orders? I seem to have lost interest in all women.” Hearing the voice on the other end, I jumped in shock. It was actually my uncle, the one I’ve loved but could never have. I disguised my voice and immediately accepted this big job. “Don’t worry, I guarantee your satisfaction~” Rodriguez was an orphan adopted by my grandfather, the current head of the Bruno family. And I, a granddaughter of the Bruno family, had fallen in love with this uncle. Since he delivered himself to my doorstep tonight, I wasn’t going to hold back. I rolled out of bed, lit the dream-inducing incense, and locked my psychic power onto Rodriguez’s brainwaves. Once I entered the dreamscape, I would transform into the woman his subconscious most desired. No way he wouldn’t get it up. After the sensation of weightlessness passed, I landed steadily. Opening my eyes, I found myself in an underground parking garage. Who would’ve thought Rodriguez’s subconscious space would be this wild. I followed the sound of heavy breathing. Rodriguez was leaning against a car door, his eyes flushed red. Wearing a slip dress, I walked over and trapped him between me and the car door. “Mr. Rodriguez, were you waiting for me?” I hooked his tie and wound it around my finger, forcing him to lower his head. My other hand tore open his shirt, fingertips tracing circles on his chest muscles. Rodriguez’s whole body tensed. He didn’t push me away. He just stared at me, Adam’s apple bobbing, body rigid. “Why so quiet?” I pressed closer, my thigh brushing against his pants. “You’re pretty intimidating at the office normally, aren’t you?” “But now… you don’t even dare touch me?” “Don’t play with fire.” His voice was hoarse. He raised his hand and gripped my wrist, not forcefully, as if suppressing himself. “What if I do? What can you do about it?” I stood on tiptoe and bit his earlobe with my teeth, tongue trailing down his neck. My palm roamed across his back, leaving several red marks with my nails. This feeling of taking advantage of him with full justification excited me tremendously. Rodriguez gasped, fists clenched, back pressed against the car door. He closed his eyes, letting me cling to him and ignite the fire, tilting his head back, muffled groans escaping his throat as he endured this torturous pleasure. I was waiting, waiting for his body’s response. But five seconds passed, ten seconds passed. Sweat dripped down from his temples as I teased him. But where our bodies pressed together, there was dead silence, no reaction whatsoever. No way, right? He was this aroused, but down there was truly out of commission? Not believing it, my hand continued downward along his V-line. The instant my fingertips touched the bottom line, Rodriguez’s eyes snapped open. “Get lost!” He shoved me away and I fell onto the concrete floor, scraping my palm. The dreamscape began to shake as his emotions collapsed. He was forcibly waking himself up. I cursed and cut the connection, retreating. Bouncing up from bed, I gasped for air, clutching my bruised arm. Rodriguez was psychologically enjoying the teasing, but physiologically showed no response at all. How severe was this psychological barrier? My phone lit up with a Twitter message from Rodriguez: “Didn’t feel anything.” I stared at those three words, anger surging. I worked so hard in the dream, he enjoyed it with his eyes closed, and now he says he didn’t feel anything? Clearly, it’s you who can’t perform! I replied through gritted teeth. “Don’t worry, Mr. Rodriguez. Tonight I’ll give you stronger medicine. I guarantee it’ll cure your condition.”

After the first treatment failed, I spent all day reviewing what went wrong. Physiological dysfunction stems from subconscious defensiveness. An oppressive space like an underground parking garage would make him vigilant. What if I switched to somewhere he’s most familiar with? The next day, I timed my entry into the dream perfectly. The scene was set in his actual bedroom, at the Bruno estate. I opened his closet, picked out a white shirt and put it on, then sat leaning on his bed. The door opened and Rodriguez walked in carrying a glass of water. When he saw me sitting on the bed, his footsteps froze. He stared at my exposed legs, Adam’s apple bobbing. “Come here.” His voice was hoarse. I walked in front of him. Smirking, I took the glass from his hand. Then I tilted my head back and poured the water down my own neck! The water soaked through the white shirt, exposing my body’s spring scenery completely. Rodriguez’s pupils contracted sharply. I pushed him down onto the bed! “Tonight, I’ll take good care of you.” I straddled him on the bed, dripping wet, hands braced on either side of his waist, looking at him. The excitement of freely touching my beloved made my fingertips tremble. I leaned down and pressed against his lips. Then I moved downward, kissing past his Adam’s apple and collarbone. I used my teeth to grip the buttons of his shirt and pulled them open one by one. His chest muscles were exposed. I pressed my lips against them, tongue tracing the lines of his abs. Throughout it all, Rodriguez lay face up, hands tightly gripping the sheets beneath him, veins bulging on the backs of his hands. He remained passively receiving, with only increasingly heavy breathing. I was so excited I was nearly going crazy. When my lips stopped at his belt buckle, I felt his abdomen instantly stiffen. I opened my mouth to bite open his final line of defense. Then a hand grabbed me. Rodriguez suddenly turned the tables, flipping me over and pinning me beneath him on the bed! “Had enough fun yet?!” He roared, yanking off his tie and binding my hands to the headboard. “Rod… Mr. Rodriguez…” I was even more excited by this turn of events. Rodriguez’s hands, through the soaked shirt, caressed my body. Everywhere his palms touched, my skin burned. Being touched by my beloved, excitement and desire made me arch my back in response. Soon, as long as he breaks through his psychological barrier… I closed my eyes, waiting for that final penetration. But he stopped right at the edge of losing control. Rodriguez buried his face in my neck. His body pressed tightly against mine as he deeply inhaled my scent. Then the bedroom around us began to melt away. He was forcing himself awake, dispelling this intimate moment. I snapped my eyes open and punched the pillow. So close! Why would he rather bury his face in my neck sniffing than just go for it?! The next morning, I woke up with dark circles under my eyes and decided to go to his house to investigate. As soon as I entered the living room, I saw Rodriguez sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. And beside him, pressed close to him, was his fiancée, Vivian. “Well, if it isn’t Natalie.” Vivian glanced at me and rolled her eyes. “Coming over to mooch breakfast first thing in the morning. Really treating this place like your own home.” I glanced at her, too lazy to engage. But Rodriguez suddenly put down his newspaper. “Pour me a glass of water.” No choice. I walked to the coffee table to pour water. As I bent down, I felt a gaze land on me, full of aggression. I followed my intuition and looked over. Rodriguez’s eyes were fixed on my exposed collarbone and legs. That look was exactly the same as last night! My heart jumped. I steeled myself and handed him the water. The instant we exchanged the glass, his fingertip brushed across the back of my hand. My whole body trembled. Vivian sensed something was wrong, her expression darkening. Just as she was about to explode. “Your hand is so cold.” Rodriguez dropped this comment and went upstairs with the glass. Vivian remained in place, trembling with anger. I lowered my head, staring at the back of my hand. Something was off. Had he recognized me?!

After returning home from his place, my mom called. “Hurry up, change your clothes and come downstairs! Today’s blind date is the heir to the Edgar Group. “Stop pining after Rodriguez. You two are absolutely impossible!” My head throbbed. Ever since graduating college, my mom had been forcing me on blind dates. She’d seen through my feelings for Rodriguez and feared I would ruin the Bruno family’s reputation. I threw on a t-shirt and went out, meeting the man at a restaurant. “Miss Natalie, even though your uncle is running your family now, you’re still one of the heirs. After we get married and have a son, won’t the Bruno family assets return to your hands?” The man said this while reaching out to touch me. Disgusted, I grabbed the water glass on the table, ready to smash it in his face. A hand suddenly reached over and clamped down on his wrist. He screamed and slid from his chair to the floor on his knees. I looked up in shock. Rodriguez was already standing beside me, his face dark. “Mr. Rodriguez…” The man’s face went pale with fear. “Get lost.” Rodriguez growled, and the blind date scrambled away. Rodriguez turned his head and stared at me. “Miss Natalie has such low standards she’d even consider this kind of trash?” He dropped this line and turned to leave. I stood there, eyes stinging, fists clenched. Fine. You think I’m desperate, is that it? Tonight, I’ll make you taste what it’s like to want something you can’t have! Third dream entry. I set the scene in his CEO office. I wore a fitted pencil skirt, white blouse, black stockings and heels. This mature woman outfit would drive him crazy. Rodriguez pushed the door open. When he saw me, his breathing clearly deepened. I didn’t pounce on him directly like the previous two times. I stood up and walked in front of him. Extending my fingertip, I lifted his tie, traced circles along his chest, then slid inside his jacket, caressing his waist. Rodriguez’s eyes darkened. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he raised his hand, wanting to pull me into his arms. I stepped back half a step, slapped his hand away, expression turning cold. “Mr. Rodriguez, please restrain yourself. This is an office.” Rodriguez’s hand froze in midair, eyes rimmed red. “You…” He gritted his teeth. Ignoring him, I turned and walked to the filing cabinet, pretending to organize. When he approached, I suddenly turned and lightly licked his Adam’s apple with my tongue. “Hiss~” He sucked in a sharp breath, whole body tense, eyes locked on me as he again reached out to press me against the desk. “Smack.” I slapped his hand away again, pulling back distance, adjusting my glasses. “Mr. Rodriguez, there are still two contracts that need your signature. Please focus on your work.” I turned and walked to the office desk, facing away from him, hands braced on the edge. I bent my upper body down. The pencil skirt hugged my waist and hip curves with the movement, black-stockinged legs gleaming under the lights. I heard gasping behind me. Rodriguez pressed up against me, his hand reaching for the top of my thigh! I quickly dodged sideways, slipping away from in front of him, retreating to the other side of the desk. I raised my chin, speaking coolly: “Mr. Rodriguez, your self-control seems rather poor.” “If you can’t even maintain professional conduct, I don’t think our meeting tonight needs to continue.” Finally, Rodriguez’s veins bulged and his rationality completely snapped. “Fuck the work!” He grabbed my collar and pinned me against the floor-to-ceiling window! Ignoring my resistance, his large hand yanked and the shirt buttons instantly flew off. His palm slid down along my waistline and ripped open the black stockings. I was pressed hard against the glass, our bodies tightly joined. In that instant, I clearly felt it! That place that had been dead silent finally showed signs of rising! That massive presence was pressing against my body. I clutched his shoulders and in the heat of passion blurted out: “Uncle…” Rodriguez’s whole body jerked to a halt. “What did you call me?!” He released me and stepped back two paces. The rising trend instantly softened after that word “uncle.” He gasped heavily, bit down on his own lip, and blood welled up. He stared at me intently. “Why… why does it have to be you…” He murmured these words. Then the dreamscape collapsed and I was ejected back to reality. Damn it! Just one final step away, and my stupid mouth, why did I have to call him uncle at the most critical moment?!

I didn’t sleep well all night. I’d planned to rest and battle Rodriguez again tonight. But tonight was the Bruno Group’s tenth anniversary gala, which I had to attend. My mom dragged me along, probing about my progress with Edgar. I answered evasively, but my peripheral vision stayed locked on Rodriguez. Rodriguez had been forced to drink quite a bit tonight. Looking slightly fatigued, he was helped into the private lounge by his assistant. I excused myself to the restroom and secretly slipped inside. Rodriguez was lying back on the sofa, eyes closed, already drunk and sound asleep. I walked to the coffee table and picked up his fallen phone. My fingertips trembling, I entered my own birthday. The screen unlocked! I opened the photo album. Inside was only one photo of me sleeping at home. So he’d had feelings for me in reality all along! Trembling with excitement, I looked at Rodriguez lying on the sofa. Since we always fell short in dreams, and now he was completely defenseless, why not strike while the iron’s hot? I put down the phone and walked to the sofa, half-kneeling on the floor. I extended my finger, trailing down from his Adam’s apple. My fingertip unbuttoned his shirt, palm pressed against his lower abdomen, following the lines of his abs, going directly downward, slipping my hand inside to play freely. I felt the muscles beneath my hand tighten. Rodriguez’s breathing grew heavier, and that place was rapidly awakening. I licked my lips, about to lower my head and go further when— My mom’s voice suddenly came from outside the door. “Where did Natalie run off to? She was just here.” “Don’t worry, Rodriguez is resting here. She probably went to find Rodriguez.” Vivian was there too. Footsteps grew closer, stopping right at the lounge door! I startled and quickly withdrew my hand. Before I could stand up to find somewhere to hide, Rodriguez, who had been on the sofa, opened his eyes! He grabbed my wrist and dragged me into the adjacent storage closet. Rodriguez locked the closet door behind him. From outside came the sound of the door opening and conversation. “Strange, Rodriguez isn’t here. Where’s Natalie?” On this side of the wall, I was pinned against the door by Rodriguez. It was very narrow here. Our bodies pressed tightly together. My phone vibrated violently in my pocket—my mom calling. But Rodriguez’s hand explored over, lifting my skirt inch by inch. Right here, I clearly felt— It was rapidly growing larger, pressing hard against me! I stared wide-eyed in shock, pressing down on his hand, frantically shaking my head at him. Rodriguez lowered his head, whispering in my ear. “You played so wild in the dreams—soaking wet, black stockings, office… trying every trick on me.” “In reality, how come you’re scared?” My brain completely crashed, my consciousness becoming hazy. Rodriguez suddenly tightened his arms around my waist and thrust his hips! “Mmph!” My whole body went soft, pupils contracting sharply. I could only desperately cover my mouth, forcing the moan back down my throat. Outside the door, my mom was knocking on the storage closet. “Why is this door locked? Is anyone in there?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “385787”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

During a live-streamed talk show, the host asked if I had a boyfriend. I said I used to have one. The host pressed on, “So what about you two now?” With a touch of melancholy, I replied, “He went to heaven.” Ten minutes later, the heir to a New York real estate empire crashed the live stream: “Damn it, how did I not know I was dead?” 01 My dad is a business tycoon, my mom is an Oscar-winning actress, and my brother is an A-list pop star. But the three of them combined couldn’t make me famous. So, after struggling in Hollywood for three years, I finally gave up and prepared to obediently go back to inherit my dad’s empire and become a female tycoon. But unexpectedly, right before I retired from the industry, I was grabbed to fill in for a missing guest on a live-streamed talk show. Since I was quitting anyway, I didn’t bother pretending to be the innocent, sweet girl anymore. I put on my sunglasses, shoved my hands in my pockets, and stepped out of the RV. But I never expected that as soon as I stepped out, I would run into my mortal enemy, Chloe Sterling. I debuted at the same time as her, and we both cultivated the “innocent sweetheart” persona. So, she constantly used me as a stepping stone to elevate herself, and our fanbases frequently clashed. Over time, just seeing her annoyed me, so I tried to avoid attending the same events. I didn’t expect to run into her here. In stark contrast to my aloofness, Chloe wore a sweet smile and greeted the live-stream audience cheerfully. I just gave the camera a faint nod and prepared to take my seat. Before sitting down, I noticed someone in the live chat asking Chloe if the rumors about her and Julian Hayes, the heir to a New York real estate empire, were true. Seeing this, I paused. Julian Hayes? The guy who loved making me rich, slow-cooked bone broth? The ex-boyfriend who would yell “That’s unhealthy!” every time I ate BBQ or fried chicken, and then chase me around trying to force-feed me bitter, sugar-free herbal detox tea? After he and I broke up, he got together with my mortal enemy? “Um… how am I supposed to answer that!” Chloe didn’t answer directly, but her coy demeanor effectively confirmed the rumors. Seeing this, my face twisted into an expression of sheer disbelief. Then she must really be able to endure hardship if she can swallow that bitter detox tea. When I broke up with Julian, it was because that detox tea was just too unbearably bitter. I didn’t want to drink something so awful for the rest of my life, so I resolutely broke up with him. I felt pity for Chloe, but I didn’t expect my expression to be interpreted by her fans as: I was green with envy and jealousy towards Chloe. [Ew, look how sour Maya is. Look at that jealous expression on her face.] [Haha, be jealous of our Chloe. She’s beautiful, has a sweet voice, and a super rich boyfriend!] [Ahhh! So Chloe is the future Mrs. Hayes!] [Boohoo, my idol is actually going to be a real estate mogul’s wife!] [People upstairs, are you crazy? If you want to hype yourselves up, please don’t drag our Maya into it, thanks.] [Hahaha, ‘future Mrs. Hayes,’ are you Chloe fans all this delusional?] [You just won’t admit it, Maya is just jealous!] … The live chat was a chaotic mess of arguing, and our show began. This live-streamed talk show was called “Sisterhood Chit-Chat.” Each episode had a theme, and the guests would chat around that theme. Besides me and Chloe, the other guests were actress Lily Evans, influencer Riley, and the host was Sarah. The theme of this episode was how to balance career and love in the entertainment industry. After we sat down, the host, Sarah, started cueing the guests to answer questions. Unsurprisingly, the first person cued was Chloe. Sarah asked her gossip-style if the rumors about her and Julian were true. “Um…” Chloe shyly bit her lip and said softly, “Everyone, please stop asking me about this. Right now, I still want to focus on my career, and he respects my decision.” Chloe’s sickly-sweet voice gave me goosebumps all over. I silently rubbed my arms. And my unintentional action made the live chat fight even harder. [Holy crap, the ship I’m sailing is actually real!] [What is Maya doing? Does she have to be so fake!] [Fake what? Her voice is disgusting, am I not allowed to rub my goosebumps?] [I think Maya is just suffering from sour grapes because she can’t get him.] [Boohoo, my Chloe is so career-driven, muah~] … Chloe’s ambiguous words directly confirmed the rumors about her and Julian. And the host, seeing there was gossip to dig up, kept chatting with her. “So who usually cooks at home?” Sarah asked. “We don’t cook at home. He doesn’t know how to cook, and he can’t bear to let me cook, so we usually go eat at five-star hotels,” Chloe said playfully. Hearing this, a question mark slowly popped up in my mind. Julian… doesn’t know how to cook? I thought of all the various pots and pans in the kitchen of his mansion, and subconsciously blurted out, “So, have you ever drank the detox tea he brews?” He couldn’t have just tortured me alone, right?! “What detox tea?” Chloe looked confused, then spoke to me with a hint of sarcasm, “We never drink any detox tea. Who drinks detox tea in the dead of winter?” Hearing this, I got even angrier. Julian really just singled me out to torture! I remembered that winter, on New Year’s Eve, he came to my house. With a doting look on his face, he pulled a thermos from his coat and said to me, “Eating hotpot is unhealthy. Remember to drink this detox tea after you’re done.” Yes, he came to find me on New Year’s Eve just to deliver detox tea! Thinking of this, I was so furious I just sat there and stopped talking. When I don’t smile, I look very aloof, so the live chat exploded again. [What’s going on? Why do I feel like Maya might have had some history with Julian?] [Person upstairs, are you crazy? How could Julian possibly know Maya, let alone have a history with her!] [Yeah, exactly. Maya leeching off our Chloe isn’t enough, now she wants to leech off Julian? So disgusting!] [Why is a scheming woman like this allowed to be on the same show as our Chloe?] [Could it be she has a sugar daddy? Maya seems to always get good gigs, but she just can’t seem to get famous.] [Person upstairs, don’t say it, you really might be onto something! I bet she definitely has a sugar daddy!] [Who says we don’t drink detox tea in the dead of winter? We drink detox tea regardless of the season! If we eat unhealthy food, we drink it!] … Sarah chatted with Chloe for almost half an hour. During this time, Chloe showed off her affection in various ways, hinting that they were getting close to tying the knot. After a while, the producer reminded Sarah to control the time, and Sarah finally turned the conversation to me. “So, Maya, have you ever been in a relationship?” Sarah still seemed lingeringly immersed in her chat with Chloe, and her conversation with me felt a bit less attentive. “I had one.” I was looking down at my phone, replying casually. This Julian guy, I don’t know what crazy spell he was under, but he was frantically trying to add me on WhatsApp. When we broke up, I blocked all his contact info. Now he was frantically trying to add me. I rejected him time and time again, but he was relentlessly persistent. “Oh~” Sarah asked with a gossipy look on her face, “So what about you guys now?” Hearing this, I clicked ‘decline’ while looking up and sneering, “He went to heaven.” “Ah—” Sarah looked apologetic and was just about to comfort me when she noticed the live chat had exploded. Julian: [Damn it, how did I not know I was dead?] Julian: [Damn it, how did I not know I was dead?] Julian: [Damn it, how did I not know I was dead?] After Julian posted three comments in a row, he seemed unsatisfied and posted another: “Maya, accept my friend request right now!” Julian spammed several more messages, desperately wanting me to accept his friend request. But after seeing the chat, I sneered, shook my head, and slowly raised my middle finger at the camera. [Am I going crazy and hallucinating? Is this Julian?!] [No way, isn’t Julian Chloe’s boyfriend? Why is he frantically cueing Maya right now? What is going on?] [I know! Maya definitely seduced Julian!] [Yes, yes, I can testify! I saw with my own eyes Maya trying to slip Julian her number, but Julian rejected her and went home with our Chloe!] … Seeing the live chat getting more and more ridiculous, Julian simply dropped one sentence: [Just you wait!] and then started spamming expensive virtual gifts to clear the screen. And Chloe, upon seeing Julian’s words, clearly paled, looking incredibly restless. Seeing this, Sarah asked Chloe, looking confused: “Chloe, is this ID ‘Julian’ your Julian?” Hearing this, Chloe hesitated for a moment, then said firmly: “How is that possible! Our Julian is so busy, how could he have time to watch a live stream! It must be some crazy fan of Maya pretending to be him.” Chloe looked at me pointedly, as if I had orchestrated this whole thing. “True, these days, there are a lot of people pretending to be others.” Sarah looked completely convinced and started cueing Riley. The show continued, and Chloe’s complexion returned to normal. But gradually, her face started looking a bit off again. Because the virtual gifts hadn’t stopped! With such a massive display of wealth, who else could it be but the real Julian, the heir to the New York real estate empire? Just as Sarah was about to ask Chloe again, the roar of a helicopter echoed from the sky. Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a helicopter landing on the grassy clearing not far away. Then, Julian jumped out of the helicopter, looking incredibly handsome and sharp! Everyone on the scene, except for me and Chloe, looked excited. The live chat exploded even more. [Ahhhh! The New York real estate heir Julian is chasing love on set! My Julian-Chloe ship!] [So sweet! Chloe just said Julian was busy and wouldn’t come, and Julian literally drops from the sky to surprise Chloe! A helicopter!] [Ahhhh! Where is the courthouse! You guys are grown up now, you need to learn to walk over here yourselves!] [Where did all of Maya’s fans go? Why aren’t they saying anything haha!] [Getting slapped in the face, obviously! ‘Picks nose’] [No, I’m telling you, can you Chloe fans stop being so delusional? Did you not read the chat just now? Julian is here for our Maya!] [I don’t even want to bother cursing at you Chloe fans, I’m afraid you’ll enjoy it.] … Seeing the live chat arguing like this, Chloe’s face paled even more. And Sarah, seeing Julian arrive, said excitedly to Chloe: “Chloe, your boyfriend is here!” Hearing this, Chloe could barely manage a smile. She no longer had the proud look from when she was showing off her affection earlier; instead, she looked somewhat panicked. Sarah didn’t notice Chloe’s distress and went up to greet him enthusiastically. After shaking hands with Julian, she glanced at the silent Chloe. Looking like a total shipper, she asked Julian excitedly with a smile: “Mr. Hayes, you dropped in on our live stream. Did you come for your girlfriend?” Hearing this, Julian didn’t deny it. Instead, he glanced at me and said bluntly: “I came for her.” Hearing this, the live chat exploded. [Holy crap, what’s going on?! Julian came for Maya?!] [Is Julian really Maya’s ex-boyfriend?!] [Did you guys notice that ever since Julian appeared, Chloe’s complexion has been terrible?] [Boohoo, poor Chloe, she must be so sad to look this pale. It’s all Maya’s fault! Why did she date Julian! Maya, go die!] [Person upstairs, don’t be sad! Julian is definitely here to slap Maya in the face! He will protect our Chloe because our Chloe is the best girl in the world!] [You Chloe fans are really too much! From getting off the helicopter to now, has Julian given you guys even a single glance? His eyes have clearly been fixed on our Maya the whole time, okay! Stop being so delusional!] … Julian walked up to me, pulled a thermos from his coat, and said gently: “Chamomile tea. You drank so much boba tea just now, it’s unhealthy.” I glanced at the familiar thermos in his hand, remembered that New Year’s Eve, looked at my empty boba cup, twitched my lips, and didn’t take it. Instead, I looked at Chloe and sneered at him: “Mr. Hayes, your girlfriend is over there.” Stupid man, we’re broken up and he still won’t let me go! Hearing this, Chloe’s face instantly went stark white. Julian, seeing I didn’t take the thermos, simply shoved it into my hands, flicked my forehead, and said in an annoyed tone: “What nonsense are you talking about? I’ve only ever dated you.” Hearing this, the live chat instantly exploded! [Did I hear that right?! Julian and Maya dated??] [Person in front, you heard right, not only did Julian date Maya, but he ONLY dated Maya!] [Scumbag! If you say that, then what is our Chloe?!] [Consider our Maya unlucky to meet a delusional person haha.] [Ahhhh! Maya-Julian ship!] The live chat started frantically shipping me and Julian. Seeing this, Chloe’s fans couldn’t sit still. [What is going on! Is this playing our Chloe? Does the New York real estate heir think he can be this disgusting!] [Look, Chloe’s face is so pale, boohoo my heart aches.] [Julian, right? Sisters, what does his family sell? Let’s boycott him!] [Person upstairs, Julian’s family sells real estate, they’re known as the biggest landlords in New York. Don’t bother boycotting, you can’t afford it hahaha!] … The live chat was fighting fiercely, but Julian ignored it all. He walked straight over and sat on the sofa next to me, crossing his long legs. At this point, Sarah also realized what was happening: “You came for Maya? Then what about you and Chloe…” Hearing this, Julian looked at Chloe with a half-smile, and said to the camera: “Let me clarify three points. “One, I did not go to heaven. “Two, I have only ever dated Maya. Because she doesn’t like drinking chamomile tea, she dumped me, but I have been actively trying to get back together. “Three, Ms. Chloe, it seems we’ve only met once, right? That day after my business dinner, Ms. Chloe suddenly lunged at me. I pushed you away immediately. You can all watch this video for the details.” Julian pulled out his phone and played a piece of security footage for the camera. In the video, Julian was calmly listening to another person speak when Chloe slowly approached him, her shoulder half-exposed, and suddenly fell towards Julian. And Julian, without any hesitation, shoved her away. Caught off guard, Chloe fell to the ground after being pushed by Julian, rolled a bit, and suffered a minor wardrobe malfunction. Then, the footage showed Chloe and her manager being thrown out of the banquet hall by Julian’s bodyguards. The entire audience was in an uproar. Sarah’s mouth twitched, not knowing what to say for a moment, while the other two guests gave Chloe meaningful looks. “So please explain, how did I become your boyfriend?” Julian logically refuted Chloe, incidentally telling everyone that in his relationship with me, I was the one calling the shots. Hearing this, Chloe’s eyes quickly teared up. She stood up, her body swaying unsteadily, looking as if she were about to burst into tears. She looked at me and said: “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have said that. Maya, I’m sorry.” Chloe suddenly apologized to me. I was caught off guard, looking at her, just feeling something wasn’t right. Chloe rolled her eyes back and fainted right in front of me, falling stiffly towards us. I was so startled I instantly sprang up, executing a nimble maneuver to dodge her. So Chloe ended up falling towards Julian. “You—” Julian, not caring to argue with me, also shoved Chloe away. Then Chloe collapsed onto the sofa all by herself. [Holy crap! Chloe fainted!] [What is going on with Julian and Maya? Don’t they know to catch Chloe?] [Do you guys feel like Chloe’s apology just now felt forced? I think this whole thing isn’t just Chloe’s imagination, she got played by a scumbag!] [No, are you guys toxic? There’s video proof! From beginning to end, Chloe has been spreading rumors all by herself, and you’re still defending her?] [What does a video prove? We don’t even know when it’s from. What if Julian confessed to Chloe after the video?] [Poor Chloe, being bullied by capital!] [Crazy, crazy, they can twist the truth like this. The world has finally gone completely mad.] … Due to Chloe’s sudden fainting, the live broadcast was forced to end prematurely. 02 “Here, take this back.” After Chloe was taken away by the ambulance, I returned the thermos to Julian. Even though there was nothing between him and Chloe, I really didn’t want to drink chamomile tea anymore! “It’s chamomile tea, it’s really not bitter, I swear!” Julian unscrewed the thermos lid, coaxing me, “Take one sip and try it.” I remained unmoved and sneered: “On New Year’s Eve, you said the exact same thing to me.” And the result? The result was that after I took a huge gulp without any defenses, it was so bitter I was howling in tears. In a fit of anger, I broke up with Julian. But Julian wouldn’t give up. He tried to stay relevant in my life in various ways, throwing massive resources my way. Every time I started to soften, I would remember the bitter tea, so I firmly rejected him. “Really, really, this one is fragrant and sweet. If I’m lying to you, I’ll never appear in front of you again!” Julian swore to the heavens. I took a skeptical sip. It was indeed not bitter, fragrant and sweet. “No, if there’s such good-tasting tea, why did you insist on giving me that bitter, sugar-free one!” Thinking about it, I got even angrier! “Because my mom used to brew that super bitter tea for my dad when she was chasing him.” Julian scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed, “I thought it was the same.” I: “…” His dad sure has unique tastes. I ignored Julian and walked toward the RV. And Julian followed behind me, blabbering: “Then can we get back together? I’ll brew tea for you for the rest of your life.” Hearing this, I stopped walking, really couldn’t hold back: “I’ll only get back together if you don’t brew tea!” Hearing this, Julian’s eyes instantly lit up: “I won’t brew it, I won’t brew it.” He threw his arm around my shoulder like a loyal puppy, smiling and saying: “Whatever you say, my boss lady.” 03 The incident of Chloe fainting during the live stream was hung up on the trending topics. [Breaking] Maya’s Backing Capital [Hot] Maya Bullies Chloe and Forces Public Apology [Boiling] Chloe Oppressed by Maya … On the trending topics, the narrative was uniformly marketing Chloe as pitiful, me as malicious, and how I forced her to apologize publicly. “Go sell that ghost story somewhere else.” I looked at the trending topics, my forehead full of dark lines. What does it mean I forced Chloe to apologize publicly? She clearly apologized to me out of nowhere, and then turned around to paint herself as the victim. She really knows how to brew a good cup of green tea! Julian looked at the trending topics and angrily called his secretary to have them taken down, and also prepared to blacklist Chloe directly. But his secretary said, sounding conflicted: “Boss, taking down the trending topics is no problem, but rumor has it Chloe is the little princess of the Sterling Group. Blacklisting her might not be very easy.” Hearing this, Julian looked bewildered. He turned to me and asked: “Baby, doesn’t your family only have you and your brother? How did another Sterling Group little princess pop up?” I, who was currently eating the gourmet meal Julian had personally cooked for me: “?” 04 The topics on Twitter regarding Julian and Chloe decreased, and instead, there was more marketing about Chloe being the little princess of the Sterling Group. “When did Mom and Dad create an alt account?” My brother, Alex Sterling, called me and asked. “How should I know? I can’t reach Mom and Dad’s phones!” I replied helplessly. My mom went to the Northwest to film a movie, and she was often unreachable. My dad is a total wife-guy. If he doesn’t see his wife for a day, he loses his appetite and can’t sleep, so he happily followed her to the Northwest. So these two are often unreachable. “Forget it, I’ll have the group issue an official statement to clarify.” On the other end of the phone, I heard my brother impatiently flipping through documents and signing them. He said: “That punk from the Hayes family is still chasing you around, right? You hurry up and bring him home. It’d be best if you have a kid, and I’ll train the kid to be the heir to the Sterling Group. I really don’t want to take over the family business! It’s so annoying.” Neither my brother nor I wanted to take over the family business. Especially him, his career in the entertainment industry was booming. I, unfortunately, couldn’t get famous no matter how hard I tried. I was just about to tell my brother that I was already planning to retire from the industry and go home to take over the family business. Julian, upon hearing my brother tell me to bring him home, his eyes sparkled. He looked like he couldn’t wait to be on my family’s registry right now. “We can talk about this later.” I was stared at by Julian’s burning gaze until my face flushed. I looked away and said to my brother, “Hold off on issuing the statement. I want to handle this matter personally.” Chloe, this professional scammer, scamming everywhere, and she even targeted my family, maliciously spreading rumors about me. I wasn’t just going to let this go. Doesn’t she like talking nonsense on live streams? Then I’ll make her socially dead on a live stream! Last time she faked fainting to escape, this time I have no intention of letting her off the hook so easily! “Alright, handle it however you see fit. If you need anything, just call the company.” Hanging up the phone, holding my phone and about to agree to the live interview my manager mentioned, out of the corner of my eye I saw Julian holding his ID, looking shy and saying: “Maya, when are you going to give me an official title?” I: “…” How am I seeing my dad version 2.0? 05 The live interview my manager booked for me only had me and Chloe being interviewed. Before the live stream started, Chloe looked at me, completely lacking her usual gentle and weak on-camera persona. She scoffed, looking at me condescendingly and saying: “You think because you hooked up with Julian, that New York real estate heir, you’re really royalty now? Let me tell you, relying on a man will never be as good as relying on yourself. It’s a pity, though, that you don’t have a family background as good as mine.” Chloe’s tone revealed the superiority she felt as the little princess of the Sterling Group. I expressed my agreement. Relying on a man is indeed not as stable as relying on oneself, but… are you really the little princess of the Sterling Group? I perfunctorily murmured a few agreements in response to Chloe. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to hold back my laughter. Yesterday, after I checked, I found out that Chloe’s distant cousin’s sister-in-law’s brother’s neighbor was my dad’s driver. With such a ridiculously distant connection, she could still market herself as the little princess of the Sterling Group. It seems she’s really quite sick. Does she really think rich people are idiots and won’t clarify? These past few days I specifically held back, not letting the group issue an official clarification statement. I didn’t expect Chloe to think the Sterling family didn’t pay attention to the entertainment industry, so she overwhelmingly marketed her identity as the little princess of the Sterling Group. But this is fine too. The higher you climb, the harder you fall.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “422581”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On my commute to work via the subway, I overheard an old lady bragging to another older woman. “Girls these days are so easy,” she scoffed. “I just taught my son to put in a tiny bit of effort—like making them a cup of hot cocoa when they’re on their period, or bringing them an umbrella when it rains. And boom, these shameless women throw themselves at him, one after another. Thanks to my methods, my son is juggling eight girlfriends right now.” I was hiding behind the crowd, listening to her, and feeling physically sick. I mentally took eight seconds of silence for those eight poor “sisters.” I never expected that the very next day, I’d be going to meet the parents of my boyfriend of three years. Unless I was suddenly blind, the old lady standing in front of me was the exact same woman who had been bragging on the subway about her son’s eight girlfriends. And I? I was apparently one of those “shameless women with interchangeable parts” she had sneered about. 1 Because my car was unexpectedly in the shop for maintenance, I took the subway that day so I wouldn’t be late for work. On the train, an old lady was loudly bragging to another older woman. “Girls these days are so easy. I just taught my son to put in a tiny bit of effort—like making them a cup of hot cocoa when they’re on their period, or bringing them an umbrella when it rains. And boom, these shameless women throw themselves at him, one after another. Thanks to my methods, my son is juggling eight girlfriends right now.” “Let me tell you, raising a son is all about strategy,” she continued. “Whenever my son doesn’t listen to me, I warn him, ‘I’m the one who got you all these women. If you don’t listen, I’ll stop helping you.’ He gets so scared he does whatever I say. I always tell him, every woman has the same parts anyway, so he’ll definitely find one he likes.” I was hiding behind the crowd, listening to her, and feeling physically sick. I mentally took eight seconds of silence for those eight poor “sisters.” I never expected that the very next day, I’d be going to meet the parents of Jason, my boyfriend of three years. The moment I stepped through the door, I was startled by the old lady standing in front of me. Unless I was suddenly blind, the old lady standing in front of me was the exact same woman who had been bragging on the subway about her son’s eight girlfriends. And I had become one of those “shameless women with interchangeable parts” she had sneered about. 2 As soon as I stepped into the home of Jason, my boyfriend of three years, his mother pulled out a pair of fuzzy slippers and insisted on putting them on my feet herself. “You must be Chloe. You’re so beautiful.” I quickly took two steps back, dodging the old woman’s hands. Feigning calmness, I greeted her: “Hello, Mrs. Miller.” Jason’s mother beamed instantly, looking extremely satisfied with me. The moment I sat down on the sofa, the old woman was bustling about, bringing me fruit and handing me a cup of milk tea. “I heard you young people love drinking this stuff. I thought the store-bought ones were unsanitary, so I looked up a tutorial online and made it myself. Try it quickly and see how it tastes.” I looked at the kind, amiable old lady in front of me, completely unable to reconcile her with the bitter, mean woman from the subway. I even started to doubt if I had seen the right person. Or maybe the old woman was just trying to show off in front of her friend and made it all up. After lunch, Jason’s mother pulled out a worn, dark-looking bank passbook and placed it in my hand. “Chloe, there’s ten thousand dollars in here. I know your family has plenty of properties and you probably don’t care about one or two more, but the money in this passbook is my entire life savings. Now, I want you to take it and go buy a house with Jason so you two can get married.” I looked at the passbook placed in my hand, momentarily at a loss for words. First of all, the amount was too small; it wouldn’t even cover the down payment on a decent house here in Seattle. But if this passbook truly held her “coffin money,” as the old lady claimed, its weight far exceeded its monetary value. If it hadn’t been for that scene on the subway, I probably would have declined the money immediately, perhaps even comforting the old lady that she didn’t need to worry about a house because my family had it covered. But with that subway scene stuck in my head, something felt off. I don’t know if my silence dragged on too long, or if the old lady sensed my mood, but she suddenly grabbed my hand and tearfully pleaded: “Chloe, I know it’s not a lot of money and it won’t buy a house. But you know Jason’s father passed away early. I’ve worked myself to the bone all these years just to put Jason through his Master’s degree. Even though he’s working at a big tech company now, he’s only been there for a few years, and his salary is entry-level. It’s incredibly hard to buy a house in Seattle on his own.” “How about this: you ask your parents to chip in a little first, so you guys can buy a house and get married. Don’t worry, once Jason starts making more money, I’ll have him pay your parents back.” Jason’s mother’s words sounded very considerate, but maybe I was just being sensitive. I felt like something about this whole situation stank. I looked at the old woman with feigned innocence. “Mrs. Miller, whose names will be on the deed?” The old lady smiled and patted my hand. “Well, that goes without saying. It will obviously have both your names on it.” “Don’t worry, once you buy the house, I promise I won’t bother you two.” Those four words, “both your names,” sent a jolt through my body. First of all, the cheapest decent house in Seattle starts at least around eight hundred thousand dollars. Given how much my dad dotes on me, if I were getting married, he definitely wouldn’t buy a small starter home. A million-plus was the minimum. Coupled with the scene on the subway, I had my suspicions that whether it was Jason’s mother’s tears or this worn-out passbook, it was all a calculated trap set for me. 3 Although I was suspicious at Jason’s house, considering we had a three-year relationship, I still didn’t quite believe he was that kind of person. But from that day on, I started closely observing Jason’s schedule. For instance, I noticed that every time he came to my place, he smelled faintly of dampness, like he had just taken a shower. For instance, if he worked late and then came to my place, he generally had no interest in intimacy, acting exhausted. For instance, he frequently got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, and would spend an hour in there scrolling on his phone. I had never scrutinized Jason’s schedule before. I believed in mutual respect and maintaining independent space in a relationship. But what if Jason was using that time to juggle other girlfriends? Finally, one night, while Jason was in the shower, I couldn’t resist checking his phone. His text messages were very clean, with my name pinned at the top. The other contacts were either coworkers or friends, some of whom I recognized or had even met. This gave me some comfort. The only anomaly was his chat history with his mother—it was completely empty. But they had seemed so close that day. What exactly were Jason and his mother talking about that required clearing the chat history? I was just about to put the phone down when I suddenly remembered an influencer sharing a story about discovering her husband’s infidelity by checking his phone’s location history. Relying on memory, I opened the location settings on Jason’s phone, and looking at his daily movements, I grew even more confused. First, his location history only showed him at his place, my place, and his company on the days he came to see me. The rest of the time was completely blank. Did Jason not take his phone with him when he didn’t come to see me? Just then, Jason, still drying off with a towel, walked out of the bathroom. He looked at the phone in my hand, his expression completely unchanged. He walked over and hugged me, his face full of teasing. “Find anything interesting?” I tilted my chin up haughtily. “Who knows if you men are messing around out there? I’m just checking to be safe.” Jason pursed his lips and chuckled, reaching out to gently tap the bridge of my nose. “Be good, how could I ever betray you? I love you so much.” “Besides, my phone has never had a passcode. You can check it whenever you want.” That was true. Jason had never been secretive with his phone around me. Sometimes when I used his phone to make a call or track a package, he was always completely open. So much so that I had never had the urge to check his phone before. But how could those anomalies on his phone be explained? 4 Perhaps driven by a woman’s sixth sense, the next day after work, I went to Jason’s office. Right at 6:00 PM, I saw Jason walking out of his building. The moment I saw his figure, I froze. Because Jason had just texted me saying he had to work late. Given that he was a software engineer at a big tech firm, I had never doubted his “working late” excuses. I dialed Jason’s number with trembling fingers. He declined it instantly. But what surprised me more wasn’t that Jason lied about working late, but that the Jason right in front of me didn’t even reach for his phone in his pocket. Right then, Jason sent me a text. “Baby, I’m in a meeting. I’ll call you back later.” I stared at the message, the fingers gripping my phone trembling. Because at this exact moment, the Jason right in front of my eyes was waving his hand to hail a cab. I swallowed hard in fear and pulled up my old chat history with Jason. First, on the days Jason came to see me, he would be very distant via text, often replying with short phrases like “mhm” or “okay.” But on the days he didn’t see me… He would be much more enthusiastic. He would tell me jokes, send me good songs, and be incredibly attentive. Although sometimes I felt his tone was a bit old-fashioned, I just chalked it up to him being a typical clueless tech bro. But wasn’t it a huge red flag that his communication style swung between two such extremes? My nerves were taut, like something was about to burst out. I quickly drove off, tailing Jason’s cab. The cab didn’t stop until it reached the entrance of a luxury apartment complex. As soon as he got out, a young woman rushed out of the complex gates. She clung to Jason like a koala bear and showered his cheeks with kisses. Jason affectionately ruffled her hair. The two looked exactly like a deeply in love couple. I watched the scene unfold before my eyes, my eyes red and wide. Just as I was sitting there, stunned and unsure of what to do, I received another text from Jason. “Baby, don’t forget to eat dinner tonight! You’re already beautiful enough, you don’t need to diet anymore.” 5 As soon as I got home, I rushed to the bathroom and threw up in disgust. If I didn’t realize by now that Jason and his mother were playing me, I’d be the biggest idiot in the world. If my guess was right, the person texting me all these years was Jason’s mother. Just thinking about the flirtatious things Jason supposedly said to me, actually being typed by his mother… I couldn’t help but throw up into the toilet again. This was even more sickening than Jason simply cheating. That night, Jason came to my place at 10:00 PM. He brought food cooked by his mother. Jason put a piece of shrimp in my bowl. “My mom knows you like shrimp, so she made this especially for you.” My fingers tightened around my chopsticks. “How did your mom know I like shrimp?” Jason stiffened for a second, but recovered his composure moments later. “Well, that goes without saying. I told her, of course. You’re a great daughter-in-law. Not only do I love you, but my mom absolutely adores you too.” I feigned a teasing tone. “Then you’d better hurry up and marry me. By the way, I talked to my dad about the house. He said there’s no problem on his end, but you know my background. All my friends get at least a hundred grand for a wedding gift from the groom’s side. My dad said if your family can’t afford a hundred grand, you need to provide at least fifty grand, otherwise he won’t let me marry you.” Jason smiled calmly. “That’s no problem. You just take the deed to your current place, take out a home equity loan for fifty grand, and we’ll just go through the motions for your parents. Don’t worry, I’ll cover the interest.” My stomach churned, and I almost gagged in disgust. “What, you don’t trust me? My mom practically emptied her life savings for us. I know there’s a financial gap between our families, but I promise I’ll work hard and make money. I’ll never let your friends look down on you.” I pretended to be moved and buried my face in his chest. But where Jason couldn’t see, my fingernails nearly pierced my palms. I never thought Jason actually treated me like a complete idiot. 6 The next day, I went to find the girl Jason had met, Chloe. After hearing my story, Chloe’s face was full of disbelief, her body trembling. “But… I was going to marry him.” I closed my eyes tightly. “Me too…” Chloe instantly burst into loud, sobbing tears. I don’t know how long it took, but Chloe finally lifted her tear-streaked face. “Let’s… let’s compare our chat logs.” After we verified all our interactions with Jason, we both stood frozen in horror. We never expected that from the very beginning, Jason and his mother had premeditated everything. First, we both met Jason because we were bumped into by a delivery driver, and he “saved” us, which led to us exchanging numbers and chatting. Furthermore, from our daily interactions, all the chat conversations were identical. Even the day we went to meet his parents, I went in the morning, and Chloe went in the afternoon. After comparing all the chat logs, Chloe started crying hysterically. “I’m going to kill that piece of trash, Jason.” It wasn’t just Chloe; even my worldview was shattered by what lay before us. I fought to control my trembling body and grabbed Chloe. “It’s not worth getting our hands dirty for trash like him. Let’s gather evidence first. The law will make Jason and his mother pay.” 7 At the time, when Jason was hit relatively hard by the delivery driver, I was afraid the driver would deny it, so I kept his phone number. This actually made it convenient for us to find a witness. I called the delivery driver right then and there. “Hello, I have a package to send. Can you come pick it up?” When the delivery driver arrived at my place, I asked directly, “Do you know Jason?” The delivery driver turned around, wanting to leave. I threatened him: “If you dare leave, I’ll sue you for fraud. If Jason gets arrested, you’re an accomplice. You can leave if you don’t want to go to jail.” The delivery driver was spooked by me. He looked at me pitifully. “Ladies, you can’t blame me for getting scammed! How was I supposed to know you women were so gullible, believing those cliché TV tropes?” My heart skipped a beat. “You women.” So Jason really did have eight girlfriends. I looked at the delivery driver coldly. “How many women have you hit for Jason in total?” The delivery driver shrank back. “I’ve hit about a dozen or so over time. That guy who ‘saved’ you paid me a hundred bucks an appearance each time.” Chloe and I exchanged a glance. “Do you have the phone numbers of those girls?” The delivery driver shook his head in panic. “Why would I keep their numbers for something like this?” I lowered my head in thought for a moment. “Then do you know how many Jason actually succeeded with?” The delivery driver shook his head. “How would I know that? But I heard the guy mention a few times that once he got bored, he’d just break up with them. The success rate must be pretty high, otherwise he wouldn’t pull this stunt every few months.” Seeing that the delivery driver couldn’t offer much more, I pulled out a document and placed it in front of him. “Sign your name here. Don’t worry, I won’t sue you. I’ve recorded what you just told us. You just need to show up in court when the time comes. But if you dare tell Jason, I will sue you as an accomplice to fraud. We have plenty of money to fight a legal battle. Don’t believe me? Try it.” The delivery driver was indeed intimidated by me, pulling out a pen and quickly signing his name. He also apologized profusely, saying he shouldn’t have done something so immoral. 8 After meeting with the delivery driver, Chloe and I started compiling the financial transactions between us and Jason. If we didn’t calculate it, we wouldn’t have known. Calculating it gave us a huge shock. Just for me alone, over these years, the amount of money Jason obtained from me was as high as fifty thousand dollars. Jason wouldn’t ask for money blatantly. For instance, he would tell me he lost money in the stock market and wanted to average down. He wouldn’t ask for a lot, sometimes five hundred, sometimes a thousand. To me, these were small amounts, so I never paid much attention to it. And Jason used the exact same method to get money from Chloe, claiming it was for buying in-game currency for video games. Chloe’s family was also relatively well-off, but her personal expenses were high, so she couldn’t give Jason as much. But all told, Chloe’s contributions added up to nearly twenty thousand dollars. Of course, Jason didn’t just take money for nothing; he would always give gifts in return. But where did the gifts come from? They were taken from Chloe, me, or his other girlfriends. For example, he would take the perfume Chloe bought him and give it to me. If Chloe asked about it, he would say he gave it to a client. Jason’s gifting frequency wasn’t high, maybe once or twice a year. And knowing Jason’s financial situation, the fact that he could give us such expensive gifts once or twice a year already made us feel he was very thoughtful. After checking all the financial transactions. Chloe and I slumped onto the sofa. Chloe looked at me with tears in her eyes: “Chloe, tell me, how can a person be this shameless?” I rubbed her head. “There, there. Trash will get its karma. If karma doesn’t get them, we will. Don’t worry, Jason will get what’s coming to him.” 9 To gather more evidence, Chloe and I decided to investigate Jason’s house. Chloe took the lead, inviting Jason and his mother out for a fun day. I was responsible for checking out Jason’s house. I had secretly swiped the key while Jason was sleeping. That day, when I went to Jason’s house and pushed open his mother’s bedroom door, I was stunned. In Jason’s mother’s room, several computer monitors were set up. Each monitor was logged into a different WhatsApp account. To make it easier for Jason’s mother to operate, the font size on the monitors was enlarged several times. Next to the computers was a notebook recording the preferences, family backgrounds, personality traits of all the girls, as well as the duration and frequency of their physical relationship with Jason. Even some highly inappropriate nude photos were recorded inside. I counted, and there were details on at least twenty or thirty girls in the notebook. Fighting down my anger, I took pictures of everything at the scene. That night, I went to Chloe’s house, and she looked at me anxiously. “Chloe, how did it go?” I handed her my phone. After looking at the photos on my phone, Chloe remained silent for a long time. I don’t know how long passed before Chloe looked at me, choking back tears: “Do we call the police?” I shook my head. “The evidence we’ve gathered so far isn’t complete enough. This amount of money would be letting Jason and his mother off too easy. Let’s raise the stakes for them.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “422580”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After secretly coveting Declan Thorne for three years, I finally lost my mind and kidnapped him, dragging him back to my apartment. I locked a silver chain around his ankle and told him he’d never leave me for the rest of his life. The first month, he would rather die than submit, coldly warning me to let him go. The second month, he slowly compromised, silently allowing me to sleep in the same bed as him. The third month, he started pushing his luck, aggressively interrogating me about why I was five minutes late coming home from work, and accusing me of messing around with other men. Looking at the man in front of me, his eyes rimmed red as he casually played with the silver chain, I completely broke down. Who the hell is the real psycho here?! 1 “You’re five minutes late again today.” Declan sat on the edge of the bed, staring at me coldly. “Riley, your company clocks out at 6:00 PM. Even with rush hour traffic, it only takes twenty minutes to get home. Yet you’ve been exactly five minutes late for three days in a row. Are you out messing around with some other guy?” He let out a dark chuckle, his thin lips curving into a dangerous smirk: “Or maybe I should be expecting a new ‘roommate’ to move in here soon?” I swallowed hard, staring nervously at the man lazily wrapping the silver chain around his fingers. He slowly leaned forward, his long legs bracketing my body. With one hand, he ripped off his loungewear shirt, exposing a beautifully sculpted, muscular chest. The faint red rimming his eyes carried a chilling, obsessive smile. “Did you forget what I said yesterday? For every minute you’re late, we add one more round.” He wrapped the silver chain securely around my ankle. “Maybe this chain suits you better than it suits me.” I stared at him in sheer terror. I opened my mouth to explain, but he forcefully crashed his lips down on mine, swallowing my words. I could only scream internally in pure, unadulterated panic. Who the f*ck is the real kidnapper here?! He used to be an untouchable, ice-cold CEO! 2 Two months ago, I committed the most felony-level act of my life. I kidnapped my boss, Declan Thorne. I had been crushing on him for three years. He was a senior at my college. After graduation, I hustled, networked, and practically begged my way into a job at his consulting firm. At first, I just wanted to be near him. I didn’t expect him to actually like me back. But the more I looked at him, the more I wanted him. So, I decided to confess my feelings. However, on the exact day I planned to do it, I caught him acting incredibly intimate with a beautiful woman. He was even holding a massive bouquet of red roses! My mission failed before it even began. A sudden, irrational surge of jealousy and anger hijacked my brain, birthng a bold, deeply twisted idea! I was going to kidnap him, take him home, and make him mine! So, feigning illness, I guilt-tripped him into driving me home. Using the excuse of “coming up for a quick glass of water,” I lured him into my apartment and managed to get him to chug a heavily spiked beer. Honestly, Declan was a notorious lightweight. I’d never seen a guy from the Midwest who couldn’t handle his liquor like that. An absolute disgrace to the Midwest. While he was knocked out cold, I practically dragged his dead weight into my bedroom and used a thin silver chain I had just bought online to secure him to the bedpost. Then, I stared at him, realizing my critical flaw. I really wanted to have my wicked way with him, but he was unconscious! It’s no fun playing a one-person game. I had to wait for him to wake up. An hour later, Declan’s eyelids fluttered, and he woke up. He looked down at the chain around his ankle and frowned deeply: “Riley, are you illegally holding me hostage?” Meeting those dark, bottomless eyes, the liquid courage I had earlier instantly evaporated into cold sweat. I forced myself to act tough and delivered my warning: “From now on, you’re never leaving me for the rest of your life! Don’t even think about escaping. This chain is made of titanium alloy. Even an elephant couldn’t break it, let alone you!” Declan looked at me with a deeply bizarre expression and threw a curveball: “You like me?” My face exploded in a fiery blush. I stammered defensively: “Y-yes! I’ve liked you for three years! It’s bad enough you don’t like me back, but you were actually going to be with another woman?! I will absolutely never allow that! “From now on, you will stay right here.” I recited the lines I had memorized from a cheesy psycho-thriller novel. “Your eyes will only look at me, your mind will only think of me, and your body belongs solely to me!” Declan stared at me coldly. “Impossible!” “I suggest you let me go immediately. I will never submit to this!” I threw out a few more hollow threats and then fled the bedroom in an absolute panic. Honestly, the second I walked out, I regretted it. This was illegal imprisonment! It was a felony! Plus, Declan was no pushover. He looked like an untouchable, refined elite, but rumor had it that when he was a teenager, he was caught in an attempted kidnapping in Europe and managed to fight off two armed men to escape. He was a black belt in Taekwondo and practiced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I had accidentally walked in on him changing in his office once. That beautifully shredded physique was definitely not just for show. And that stupid chain wasn’t titanium alloy. It was a cheap dog leash I bought off Amazon, barely as thick as my pinky. If he pulled hard enough, it would snap instantly. When that happened, he was definitely going to murder me! But God, I wanted him so badly! I gritted my teeth. If I was going down, I was going down in flames. I was fully committing to this psycho role! 3 For the first month, Declan did exactly what he said he would: he resisted to the death. Every time I entered the bedroom, he glared at me with eyes cold enough to freeze hell over. Every time I reached out to touch him, his terrifying stare scared my hand right back. A few times, I tried sneaking into the room late at night. But the moment I laid a hand on him, his eyes snapped open. In the moonlight, he looked like a predator silently waiting to ambush its prey. It scared the life out of me. I didn’t dare try it again. But strangely, he didn’t leave. He actually seemed to believe my ridiculous lie. That tiny, fragile chain was acting like a magical tether, keeping him perfectly confined to the spot. Fortunately, the chain was long enough for him to access the attached master bathroom, so it didn’t affect his basic needs. I figured if the hard way didn’t work, I’d try the soft way. Every day, I sat in his room and rambled on about my three-year secret crush. But he never engaged. Every time I told him how much I liked him, he would turn his head away, looking so disgusted he couldn’t even bear the sight of me. By the end of the month, I was finally losing hope. I decided to give up. You can’t force someone to love you. I figured I would just drive him home and then go turn myself in to the police. Deep down, I always knew someone like Declan would never fall for me. He was always the brightest star in the room, and I was just the dull, invisible background character. Falling for Declan Thorne was the easiest thing in the world. Back in college, I joined the performing arts club. We were supposed to perform at the winter gala. I had prepared a piano and violin duet with a guy from the club. But the day before the show, his girlfriend got insanely jealous and threatened to dump him if he shared a stage with me. Left without a partner at the last minute, I was a panicked, crying mess backstage. That was when Declan, who was just walking by, picked up the violin and said: “Play. I’ll accompany you.” The performance was a massive success. The moment the final note dropped, the auditorium erupted in thunderous applause. It was only later I found out Declan wasn’t even in our club. He was the Student Body President. He was literally just passing by, saw me crying pitifully, and decided to help me out. When I went to thank him later, he just gave a polite nod and walked away. To him, it was probably an insignificant blip in his life. But for me, from that day on, he was the only person I ever saw. When he graduated and started his consulting firm, I followed him right into it. But his attitude toward me had always been strictly professional and distant. Even now, when I had literally kidnapped him, he still refused to submit. I sighed heavily. I decided to sneak in tonight, touch his abs one last time to get my money’s worth, and then set him free. 4 I didn’t expect Declan to be awake this time. The moment my hand touched his chest, he grabbed my wrist with a crushing grip! Just as my soul was about to leave my body in terror, Declan opened his eyes. In the midnight silence, the only sounds were my hammering heartbeat and his hoarse voice. “Riley, are you sick in the head?” I don’t know if it was an illusion, but I thought I saw a flicker of helpless frustration in his eyes. I was too terrified to stutter out a single word. He sat up, rubbing his temples: “…Do you really want to sleep with me that badly?” I nodded frantically. Duh. Why else would I kidnap you?! Declan stared at me for a long, heavy moment. Finally, looking like a kidnapped prince who had tragically resigned himself to his fate, he sighed deeply: “Fine. From tonight on, you can move your stuff in here. “But let me be clear. We are only sleeping. Nothing else.” Happiness hit me like a freight train. I nodded so hard I almost gave myself whiplash. Only sleeping? Deal! We’re already in the same bed, how far away could ‘everything else’ really be?! Declan glanced at me, a hint of disdain in his eyes: “Go get your pillow.” From that night on, I finally got exactly what I wanted. I crawled into Declan’s bed, happily falling asleep every night with my hand resting on his chest. It felt like my dreams were painted pink. The only downside was that every morning when Declan woke up, he was bundled up tightly in the blankets, his face dark and brooding. I assumed his body had compromised, but his mind still felt deeply humiliated. … This bizarre domestic life continued for another month, but Declan started acting strange. At first, he had been cold and indifferent, ignoring everything I did. Now, he was monitoring what time I got off work. I still had no idea how the company was functioning perfectly normally without him. It was as if no one even realized the CEO was missing. In fact, the firm was expanding. We had recently hired a new batch of interns because we were short-staffed. The intern assigned to my team was a guy named Kieran Walsh. He was a 6’1″ college senior with a sharp jawline, a tiny mole on his nose, and incredibly long eyelashes that cast shadows when he looked down. He was a sweet talker, constantly calling me “Sister,” and he worked surprisingly hard. After hours, he would always pull up a chair next to my desk to ask me industry questions. I admit, I appreciate a handsome face. Even though my heart belonged entirely to Declan, what normal person could be cold to a guy like that? Because of him, I came home half an hour late for the first time. When I walked through the door, Declan’s face was darker than the night sky outside. When I brought him dinner, he grabbed my wrist, yanked me forcefully onto his lap, and buried his face in the crook of my neck. I thought he had finally opened up to me and was thrilled, but then he suddenly asked: “Why do you smell like men’s cologne?” I froze, suddenly remembering the faint, fresh scent Kieran wore. It was probably because he leaned in too close when I was teaching him how to use the massive office printer today. Did Declan have the nose of a bloodhound?! How could he smell that?! Seeing my silence, Declan let out a cold, sharp laugh. “You say you like me every single day, but you’re already bored of me in less than three months? Did you find some fresh meat outside? “I guess people really don’t cherish things once they finally get them. Riley, I see exactly who you are.” Wait, why did he sound like a bitter, neglected housewife?! I quickly tried to explain: “No, no, it’s nothing like that! We just got a new intern who’s super eager to learn, so I was showing him how the printer works.” “He doesn’t even know how to use a printer? Are Pinnacle Tech’s hiring standards this garbage now? Are we letting literal idiots into the building?” Declan’s expression darkened even further. He reached under his pillow and pulled out a sleek smartphone: “What’s his name? I’ll have HR fire him tomorrow.” My eyes widened in horror: “Hold on! Where did you get a phone?! Didn’t I confiscate it?!” If he had a phone this whole time, why didn’t he call the cops?! Declan froze. For half a second, his expression went completely blank. Then, he casually tossed the phone aside, pinned me forcefully onto the mattress, and started unbuttoning his own shirt. The warm lamplight cascaded over the subtle, honey-toned muscles of his back. My brain completely short-circuited. Intoxicated by the view, I immediately forgot all about the phone. Declan hovered over me, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile that sent a shiver down my spine. He grabbed my hands, pinned them above my head, and used the silver chain—which he had somehow effortlessly unclipped from his own ankle—to tie my wrists to the bedpost. He stared down at me, his voice dangerously low: “You were half an hour late coming home today. I have to punish you.” 5 After that night, Declan and I fell into this deeply ambiguous, messy relationship. He never explicitly defined what we were, so I never dared to ask. I was too afraid that the answer I got wouldn’t be the one I wanted. I was so used to chasing after him, and loving someone too much strips you of your courage. … I suppose being lucky in love meant I had to suffer at work. The next evening, I was packing up to leave when my team lead, Gary Snyder, casually leaned against my desk. I frowned slightly. Ever since Gary found out that my family had bought me a house in the city, fully paid off in cash, he had been targeting me. He came from a rural background, and buying a house in this city on a standard salary was nearly impossible, so he started aggressively hitting on me. Because he was technically my superior, I always tried to reject him politely. But he was like a leech I couldn’t shake off. “Riley, a new steakhouse just opened downtown. This is the perfect chance to bond with upper management. How about I treat you to dinner tonight?” I was incredibly annoyed, and I couldn’t hide the irritation on my face: “Sorry, I have plans tonight.” “What plans? Do you have a boyfriend?” I paused for a moment, then nodded: “Yes.” But Gary refused to back off. “Who are you trying to fool? I’ve never seen this mysterious boyfriend of yours. Are you just nervous about eating with your boss? Don’t worry, I’m actually very easygoing.” “Excuse me, I really have to go.” I couldn’t take it anymore and simply sidestepped him. Seeing me ignore him, Gary’s face instantly dropped. “Riley, what makes you think you can be so arrogant? So what if you bought a house? I could buy a house whenever I want. That garbage property you bought is out in the suburbs! I wouldn’t even look twice at it. If I buy, I’m buying downtown!” I ignored him and kept walking. But just as I reached the elevator, he grabbed my arm violently. He looked me up and down, his eyes filled with malicious, sleazy intent. “I still don’t even know where you got the money for that house. A girl like you, dropping a million in cash? “Did some sugar daddy buy it for you? Is that why you’re always rushing home right at 6:00 PM? To get on your knees for some old man?” I was furious and panicked. But he was a grown man, and I couldn’t physically fight him off. Just as I was about to curse him out, an arm shot out from behind me and violently shoved him backward! Kieran stepped forward, his face expressionless. He grabbed Gary’s wrist and demanded: “Apologize.” Gary was stunned at first, but then his face flushed dark red: “You’re just a f*cking intern! What does this have to do with you? I’ll have HR fire your ass!” “Apologize.” Kieran tightened his grip. Gary winced, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. After struggling for a few seconds, he finally muttered: “Sorry!” “Didn’t hear you. Louder.” “I’m sorry!” Kieran released him and sneered: “Seeing how confidently you run your mouth, I thought you were actually someone important. “If you’re so jealous of a woman buying a house, why don’t you go sell yourself to a sugar daddy? “Oh, wait.” He looked Gary up and down, letting out a mocking scoff. “Looking at you, you’d probably have to pay them just to look at you.” Gary’s lips trembled with rage. But standing at 5’6″, he looked like a terrified quail next to the 6’1″ Kieran. He didn’t dare swear, and he definitely couldn’t win a fight. With an ashen face, he finally turned and fled. I looked at Kieran: “Thank you so much.” The aggression and coldness in Kieran’s face vanished instantly, reverting back to the bright-eyed, cheerful intern. “Don’t worry about it. Trash like him only bullies people they think are weak. If he bothers you again, tell me. “Let me drive you home. We don’t want him ambushing you in the parking lot.” I thought about it and nodded. “My car’s a bit old, so don’t mind the mess.” Kieran drove a very battered, old Honda Civic. I buckled my seatbelt and couldn’t help but say: “Seriously, thank you for today. But Gary is incredibly petty. I’m worried he’s going to target you at work now.” A rebellious, arrogant smirk tugged at the corner of Kieran’s mouth: “Do you think I care about him targeting me?” He steered the car with one hand. The watch on his wrist easily cost enough to buy ten of the Hondas we were sitting in. Honestly, the whole office had been whispering that he was some billionaire’s son slumming it for the summer. Poverty can be faked, but the effortless, relaxed aura of old money he carried was impossible to hide. Well, that was good. If he came from a powerful family, Gary couldn’t touch him. I breathed a sigh of relief. “But going home this early… are you really rushing back to see your boyfriend?” Kieran glanced at me. “…Actually, he’s not technically my boyfriend.” I had no idea how to describe my relationship with Declan. I couldn’t exactly say he was the man I illegally kidnapped and was now having a torrid affair with, could I? I just vaguely brushed it off: “He’s just a friend.” Kieran smiled. “Good. “I thought I didn’t have a chance anymore.” I wasn’t completely blind. I could sense Kieran’s interest in me. When he first joined as a management trainee, the veteran employees were afraid he would eventually steal their management spots, so they refused to train him and pawned him off on me. I had genuinely put a lot of effort into teaching him the ropes. Slowly, he became super clingy, finding a million excuses to come to my desk every day. Even my coworkers noticed and asked if he was pursuing me. But the only person I liked was Declan. No matter how handsome the younger guy was, I only appreciated him aesthetically. I waved my hand dismissively: “Pinnacle Tech strictly forbids office romances. Plus, we’re three years apart. Save your charm for the younger girls, don’t waste it on me.” Kieran just smiled and didn’t say a word. When we parked outside my building, before I could unbuckle my seatbelt, he leaned over. The familiar, faint scent of his fresh cologne drifted to my nose, mixed with a hint of spicy, rich tobacco. “Sister, your seatbelt is jammed.” Kieran’s knuckles were a bit calloused, probably from playing sports, not smooth and elegant like Declan’s fingers. But as his hands fumbled near the buckle, it created an incredibly charged, unspoken tension in the car. He was too close. I didn’t dare move a muscle. A few seconds later, he unbuckled the belt. “Aren’t you going to invite me up for a cup of tea, Sister?” His eyes carried an undisguised, intense anticipation. Maybe the heat in the car was just too much, but the flush on my face wouldn’t fade. I practically scrambled to open the door: “Not a good time today! Maybe next time. Thank you!” And I fled into the apartment building like I was running for my life. I had perfectly calculated my commute time today. But because of this little detour, I ended up being exactly five minutes late. I looked at Declan, who was currently staring down at me with an imperious glare. One minute equals one round. Good lord, with this man’s stamina, we wouldn’t sleep until dawn! My brain went into overdrive. I shoved him firmly in the chest and yelled: “Stop yelling at me! Do you have any idea that I got sexually harassed at work today?! “How do you even hire these people?! The company is full of absolute human garbage!” Declan’s movements stopped instantly. His brows knitted into a deep, furious frown. “Who harassed you?” I looked away. “Gary Snyder from Marketing. When I rejected him, he accused me of buying my house with sugar daddy money. He said the only reason I rush home at 6:00 PM is to get on my knees for some old man.” Declan rolled out of bed and grabbed his phone. A few seconds later, the call connected. His voice sent a literal shiver down my spine. “Is there someone named Gary Snyder in Marketing? “Yeah. Have him pack his desk and get out tomorrow morning. Contact all of our partnered firms. Any company that hires him will immediately lose our contracts.” He hung up the phone and turned around: “Why didn’t you tell me this kind of thing earlier?” I muttered, “What exactly are we to each other? What good would it do to tell you?” Declan fell silent. His expression turned slightly grim. I suddenly remembered what Kieran had asked me in the car today. I lowered my eyes. “Declan, what exactly are we? What is your endgame here?” He willingly played this kidnapping game with me. He had been intimately involved with me countless times. But he never once clarified what we actually were. Maybe it was because I was already in a bad mood, but my mind was an absolute mess. Maybe Declan was just bored and using me for entertainment. If he truly cared about me, he wouldn’t leave things so vague and undefined. Was I the one lacking courage because I loved him too much, or was there another reason? The reason being… he just didn’t like me. A bitter taste flooded my mouth. I picked up the silver chain he had long since unclipped and tossed it onto the bed. “You don’t have to give me an answer right now. But if this feeling is mutual, I hope to see you here tomorrow when I get home from work. “If you don’t feel the same way… then just leave tomorrow.” With that, I turned and walked out the door, feeling incredibly pathetic. I didn’t want to have this conversation face-to-face. Just looking at him made my courage evaporate. I couldn’t bear to think about the fact that a man like Declan would never be short of women chasing him, many of them vastly more qualified than me. Why would he choose me? I couldn’t handle him rejecting me to my face. We didn’t speak another word to each other that night. The apartment was dead silent. Only the faint, metallic clinking of the silver chain could be heard from the bedroom occasionally. I didn’t sleep a wink. 6 The entire next day, my mind was completely checked out at work. As luck would have it, it was an incredibly busy day. My manager had us calling clients non-stop. My brain felt like mush, and it wasn’t until 6:00 PM that I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Dragging my exhausted body to my apartment door, I took a deep breath and unlocked it. I had wanted to stall and stay at the office longer, but every minute of delay was agonizingly stressful. Ultimately, I decided to just go home and face the music. Ripping off the band-aid was better than dragging out the pain. Besides, there was a small chance Declan actually did like me… During those countless nights of intimacy, he would whisper my name in my ear. At the very least, in those moments when we were locked together, peaking at the same time, I genuinely felt like he loved me. I squeezed my eyes shut and walked inside. The living room was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. The blood in my veins turned to ice. I took three massive strides and rushed into the bedroom. The bedroom was completely empty. Only a dull, silver chain lay resting on the mattress. The blankets were perfectly folded. The bedsheets were so smooth it looked like no one had ever slept there. The golden evening light filtered through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. I stood alone in the fragmented light and slowly pressed a hand over my heart. Strange. There was no physical wound, so why did it hurt this much? It felt like that stupid, sentimental organ had shattered itself from the inside, leaving nothing but cold, jagged pieces behind. Whatever, I told myself, my own voice echoing in my chaotic brain. I got to sleep with him for months. Technically, I’m the one who came out ahead. What more could I ask for? From the very beginning, we were never people who belonged in the same world. I reached out and picked up the silver chain. It had long since lost any trace of warmth. Holding it felt like gripping a block of ice.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “422579”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

While shopping at a lingerie store, I noticed a very attractive guy staring intently at me. Knowing I love seafood, my mom had specially shipped me a jar of caviar from our hometown, claiming it was great for my health and digestion. I had been eating it for over a month. My weight hadn’t really changed, but my figure had noticeably… improved. My current clothes were getting so tight they were starting to hurt. Just as I was about to lose my temper at the guy for staring, he finally spoke. “Those aren’t breasts. You’re incubating tens of thousands of Yin Seeds in your chest.” 1 After logging the final piece of data for my lab experiment, I rubbed my chest, feeling a dull ache. It was definitely time to go buy some new bras. With graduation looming, I practically lived in the lab, so swamped I couldn’t even find time to shop for clothes. It’s actually a bit embarrassing to admit, but with the extreme stress of graduation, I’ve been binge-eating almost every day for the past month. Surprisingly, the weight was very cooperative—it all went exactly where you’d want it to go. My old clothes were starting to feel painfully tight across my chest. Could this be what they call a “second puberty”? I hadn’t done anything special, but the results were undeniable. Occasionally, while working in the lab, I would accidentally bump against the equipment, and it hurt like crazy. Whenever I gasped in pain, it drew the creepy, lingering stares of the younger guys in the lab. Today, I finally couldn’t take it anymore. As soon as I finished my work, I rushed to the nearest shopping mall. I needed to try some things on in person to figure out what size I actually needed now. To be honest, ever since I stopped growing in high school, I hadn’t bought bras in a physical store. I mostly just ordered them off Amazon. Going to a lingerie store after all these years made me feel a little shy. I pulled my jacket tight around me and walked into a relatively modest, youthful-looking lingerie boutique. To my surprise, the first person I saw was a ridiculously handsome male sales associate. Oh my god, I thought. Times really have changed. Are lingerie stores hiring male employees now? I couldn’t help but steal a few glances. Dressed entirely in black, he had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and incredibly long legs. He had the physique of a runway model. But his face was on a whole different level. He had a razor-sharp jawline, a perfectly sculpted nose, and a pair of dark, bottomless eyes that were incredibly captivating. He instantly reminded me of one of those dark, brooding anime characters—like a handsome guy with black cat ears. Was this the legendary “man who walked out of a comic book”? His vibe was so drastically different from normal people that just looking at him made me blush. Was it because I spent too much time surrounded by the awkward nerds in my lab? Being single since birth for this long meant that even looking at a lingerie salesman was making my imagination run wild… But—even if he was gorgeous, he didn’t need to follow me constantly! Seriously, there’s a line. I walked from the east side of the store all the way to the west, and this guy followed me the entire time. What was his problem? I finally couldn’t hold back and turned around to glare at him. But he was looking down, his eyes fixed directly on my chest, looking like he desperately wanted to say something but was holding back. My crush instantly evaporated. If he was just following me before, I could tolerate it. After all, retail workers have sales quotas to hit. But this blatant, undisguised staring? That was straight-up sexual harassment. I looked down at myself. It was a hot, sunny day, so I was just wearing a small camisole under my open jacket. It definitely looked a bit exaggerated. But still, as an experienced lingerie associate, he shouldn’t be this creepy! I pulled my jacket tightly closed, glaring at him, ready to explode. Before I could say a word, he spoke first. In a deep, low voice that only I could hear, he said: “Those aren’t breasts. You’re incubating tens of thousands of Yin Seeds in your chest.” 2 What the hell is a Yin Seed? I was perfectly healthy. Where would I get Yin Seeds from? Setting aside the fact that this completely defied human anatomy, just hearing the words “Yin Seed” gave me the creeps. I rolled my eyes at him. Considering he was good-looking, I decided to let it slide and just treat him like a crazy person. I stepped around him, planning to move to another section, but this guy actually doubled down. He leaned in slightly, took a highly exaggerated sniff, and looked at me with deep concern: “Lately… have you constantly smelled like raw fish?” I instinctively covered my chest, unable to hold back my anger any longer. “Are you out of your mind?!” To my surprise, he acted like he didn’t even hear me curse at him. He just kept asking: “Have you been eating caviar lately? Stop eating it immediately. If you keep eating it, it’s going to kill you.” ??? I was so angry I actually laughed. I decided to completely ignore him. I gave him an inch and he took a mile. Some people just don’t know when to quit. I marched straight over to the cashier to complain. “What is wrong with your store? Why do you have a male sales associate working in a lingerie shop? “I don’t care how handsome he is, do you understand that he’s sexually harassing customers?! Tell me how you’re going to handle this!” To my shock, the female cashier looked completely bewildered. She stared at me like I was a lunatic. “Miss, we don’t have any male employees working here. How can I help you today?” Heh. Birds of a feather. They were clearly covering for him, right? She couldn’t even come up with a decent lie. I turned around and pointed toward the east side of the store: “That guy right there! He’s not one of your employees—” !! There wasn’t a single person there. He had vanished into thin air in the blink of an eye! I quickly jogged over, pushing racks of clothes aside, looking everywhere. He must be hiding somewhere. There was no way he could have run off that fast. “That’s impossible. He was literally just standing right here.” Seeing me spinning around frantically, the cashier’s expression turned annoyed: “Ma’am, what exactly do you need? “I will repeat this one more time: we have never employed any male staff at this location. You can rest assured. “If you insist on making this claim, we can review the security footage.” Since she went that far, I had no choice but to awkwardly drop it. How bizarre. Was I under so much stress lately that I was hallucinating? After causing such a scene, I felt incredibly frustrated. I hastily bought a few bras that looked like they would fit and went to the register. Well, I definitely needed a much bigger size. On the walk back to my apartment, my mind was racing. The guy’s words clung to me like a physical weight, making me deeply uneasy. I had definitely sprayed perfume today. How could he smell the fishy scent on me? Also, we were total strangers. How did he know I was eating caviar? 3 As early as four or five days ago, when I was changing my clothes at home, I noticed a faint, raw fish smell on my body. It was even stronger when I took a shower. The entire bathroom smelled like someone had just gutted a fish and didn’t wash their hands properly. It was faint, but undeniably there. At first, I thought it was just a smell lingering from the lab. After all, my major often required dissecting frogs and things like that, so I didn’t think much of it. But lately, my experiments had mostly moved into the data analysis and wrap-up phase, yet the fishy smell was getting stronger. Especially when I changed my clothes, the smell on my bras was severe. After checking multiple times, I finally pinpointed that the smell was indeed coming from my chest. I couldn’t figure out why. I had to resort to spraying heavy perfume every day. Unless someone was deliberately trying to sniff me, it was almost undetectable from a normal social distance. Although that guy’s stare was incredibly creepy, he was standing several feet away from me at the time. How did he manage to smell it? If he just had an ultra-sensitive sense of smell, I could barely accept that explanation. But what about the caviar? Can a total stranger figure out your recent diet just from a scent? And he even warned me to stop eating it! It was way too creepy! Thinking about this, I quickly pulled a newly opened jar of caviar from my kitchen cabinet. Inside the small, bowl-sized jar lay perfectly round, translucent, ruby-red fish roe. They looked plump, juicy, and incredibly appetizing. The moment I opened it, a bizarrely enticing aroma wafted out. Just looking at it for a few seconds made my mouth water. The feeling of the roe bursting against my tongue was incredibly addictive. I almost wanted to scoop out two spoonfuls and mix it with some rice. But for some reason, the guy’s warning echoed in my ears. His voice had been dead serious. He wasn’t joking around. It felt like a bad omen. A sudden wave of nausea hit me. I held the spoon but couldn’t bring myself to dig in. I had no choice but to put the caviar away. 4 My mom had specially mailed this caviar to me a month ago. My hometown is a small fishing village in the South. My dad died when I was young, and my mom single-handedly kept our family afloat by fishing. Although we were poor, we never lacked fish, shrimp, or other seafood in our daily meals. When I was little, I used to sneak small fish and shrimp from my mom’s fishing nets to feed the stray cats and dogs. Whenever she caught me, a severe beating was inevitable. According to her logic, even if the small fish and shrimp couldn’t be sold, grinding them into fish paste for me to eat with bread was better than wasting them on animals. That homemade fish paste was incredibly fishy and bitter. Even though they both came from fish, it was worlds apart from actual caviar. Honestly, I had never tasted real caviar back then, but to a kid like me, it sounded like the most delicious thing on earth. Otherwise, why would my mom guard it so fiercely and refuse to let me have any? One day, on my way home from school, I found a beautiful, gentle little black cat. It was absolutely stunning. Though it was thin and frail, every movement was elegant, like a noble feline king. I brought it home, looking for something to feed it. To my surprise, it was an incredibly picky eater. It refused to eat the cheap fish and shrimp, instead staring intently under my mom’s bed. Was there some delicious fish hidden under there? I crawled over, reached my arm under the bed, and pulled something out. It was a jar of caviar! Caviar was incredibly expensive. My mom always hid it and never let me eat it. I had accidentally stumbled upon this jar thanks to the little cat. How could I possibly put it back? After struggling to open the jar, I dipped my finger in and tasted it. It was smooth, tender, sweet, and burst with flavor. The aftertaste was incredible. By the time I snapped out of my daze, the little black cat had sneakily eaten more than half the jar! As luck would have it, my mom walked in and caught us red-handed. She gave me the beating of a lifetime. From that day on, she never let me near caviar again. “It’s not the right time yet. Caviar is full of hormones; it’s not good for children’s bodies!” That was the excuse she gave me, but I didn’t buy it. I knew she just resented me for being a girl. Because of that, tasting caviar again became a lifelong obsession of mine. I remembered that incident vividly. Last month, my mom suddenly called me out of the blue. She asked about my living situation and how my graduation thesis was going. I told her the truth: I was under a lot of pressure and incredibly busy. To my surprise, she immediately mailed me three large jars of caviar. She said it was to nourish my stomach and improve my health, urging me to finish my thesis quickly so I could come home and visit her. I still remember the day I received the caviar. I mixed it with three massive bowls of rice and devoured it. It was so incredibly delicious! Maybe it was because I was finally fulfilling my childhood obsession? Regardless, from that day on, I ate caviar with almost every meal. I was completely addicted to it. But now, sitting alone in the quiet, thinking back on the whole situation, it felt incredibly strange. I hadn’t even mentioned caviar on the phone. Why did my mom suddenly send it to me? And how on earth did that random, creepy guy know about it? He said if I kept eating it, I would die. Was that true? Thinking about this, the guy’s face floated into my mind again. For some inexplicable reason, his face slowly began to merge with the image of the proud little black cat from my childhood. I must be losing my mind. 5 Ever since that guy pointed out the fishy smell and the caviar, I didn’t dare eat it anymore. But the withdrawal was agonizing. It felt like hundreds of tiny fish were inside my stomach, opening and closing their mouths, demanding to be fed caviar. If I didn’t eat caviar, I couldn’t stomach anything else. Not only did I have zero appetite, but forcing myself to eat made me nauseous. That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The heavy, aching pain in my lower abdomen was worse than severe menstrual cramps. In my groggy, half-awake state, my chest started to ache again. My newly bought clothes suddenly felt uncomfortably tight. Mustering my courage, I gave my chest a slight squeeze, and a sharp pain shot straight to my heart. The texture was soft, but there were definitely tiny, granular things inside. The moment I touched them, it felt like they were swimming deeper inside me. It felt exactly like the little beanbags I used to play with as a kid, except the outer layer was much softer and smoother. “Those aren’t breasts. You’re incubating tens of thousands of Yin Seeds in your chest.” The guy’s voice echoed in my ears again. Comparing his words to what I was feeling, a cold sweat drenched my entire body. Should I go to the hospital tomorrow? But no matter how you looked at it, growing “Yin Seeds” inside your body didn’t sound like something modern science could explain or treat… Wrestling with these terrifying thoughts, I finally fell into a deep sleep in the early hours of the morning. I finally fell asleep, but I had an incredibly strange dream. In the dream, the beautiful little black cat appeared again. I pulled out the caviar my mom sent me and asked if it wanted some. Unlike its childhood self, it suddenly licked its paw and started speaking, warning me to never eat the caviar again. The next second, a mist rolled in and parted, revealing the handsome lingerie salesman. Seeing him again, I frantically asked him why I shouldn’t eat the caviar. The guy sighed softly and said that the caviar was used to cultivate Yin Seeds. I had been eating it for almost a month. Based on my condition, I was probably incubating tens of thousands of them by now. Listening to him made my scalp tingle. I desperately asked if there was a cure, explaining that my chest and lower abdomen were in agonizing pain. He gave a helpless smile. He explained that the caviar I had eaten previously had already spawned countless Yin Seeds. Now that their “nutrient source” had suddenly been cut off, they were swimming around, trying to drain the nutrients from my abdomen, which was causing the pain. His description matched my symptoms flawlessly. I didn’t dare doubt him anymore. With red, tearful eyes, I begged him to help me. He stammered, his face turning bright red. He turned back into the little black cat and pressed his paws in the air twice. Instantly, my chest felt warm and incredibly soothing. The pain vanished. I was just about to thank him, but the black cat’s silhouette slowly began to fade. He said he didn’t know exactly what kind of caviar this was, because his true physical body wasn’t here. “Go to the willow tree near your old house and find me. As quickly as possible. Do not delay!” His clear, urgent instructions rang in my ears. I wanted to ask for more details, but the dream abruptly ended there. When I woke up, the fishy smell on my body was noticeably fainter, and the swelling pain in my chest had subsided significantly. But the strangest thing was… when I was getting dressed, I found two red cat paw prints right on my chest! Could it be… that wasn’t just a dream? Was that guy actually the little black cat from all those years ago? At that moment, the guy’s warning echoed in my ears again, sending a shiver through my heart. I didn’t dare waste another second. I hurriedly briefed my lab partners on my current tasks, requested an emergency leave of absence from my advisor, and booked a ticket home. 6 I bought a ticket for the earliest high-speed train home, but to my shock, my mom didn’t seem to welcome me at all. I had to drag my heavy suitcase from the station to the house all by myself. Over the past four years of college, our old, single-story house had been completely renovated into a beautiful, multi-story modern home. Because of the renovation, I didn’t even have a key. I could only stand there and knock continuously. “I hear you! I hear you! Knocking like you’re trying to wake the dead!” My mom yanked the heavy door open, her face pulled into a long, unhappy scowl. “What are you doing home so early?” Her tone was full of displeasure. I assumed she was just being her usual harsh-spoken self and was probably worried about my graduation thesis. So I quickly tried to explain: “It’s fine, Mom, don’t worry. I’ve already talked to my advisor about my thesis—” “Whatever, whatever, I don’t understand any of that anyway. Before the baby is even born, you come running back, and now I have to feed you for an entire month for free.” She impatiently cut me off, swinging her elbow back and accidentally hitting me right in the chest. A sharp, piercing pain shot through me. I couldn’t help but cry out, but my attention was entirely caught by the second half of her sentence. “Before the baby is born?” What did she mean? Was my sister-in-law already pregnant? If I remembered correctly, my younger brother only got married at the end of last year. It had only been four or five months. Was it a shotgun wedding? But either way, what did my sister-in-law having a baby have to do with me? I wasn’t about to be her live-in nanny! The phrase “feed you for free” made my heart sting with bitterness. I had always known she favored boys over girls. Especially after my dad passed away, she pinned all her hopes for carrying on the family line on my brother, her precious only son. But I always thought I was a good, obedient daughter. I studied incredibly hard and got into a top-tier university. Didn’t I deserve even a little bit of her attention and care? While I was lost in thought, I suddenly felt a tickle on my chest. It was my mom. She was leaning in close, sniffing my chest! 7 Because I rushed home so frantically, I forgot to put on perfume today. The fishy smell might actually still be noticeable. I quickly covered my chest, my face burning with embarrassment: “Mom, um, well, the smell in the lab is a bit strong…” Hearing this, my mom finally lifted her head. She was smiling brightly, seemingly in a great mood. She waved her hand dismissively: “Ah, what are you talking about? I don’t smell anything fishy! Very good, very good. You’ve been nourishing yourself well!” Saying that, she suddenly leaned in closer and lowered her voice: “You’ve been eating the caviar on schedule, right?” The caviar again! Seeing my mom’s bizarre, creepy smile, that terrifying, ominous feeling surged in my chest once more. I forced myself to answer: “I actually got a bit sick of eating fish lately, so I’m taking a break from it for now.” To my absolute shock, the moment the words left my mouth, my mom’s entire demeanor flipped. The corners of her mouth dropped, her eyebrows twisted into a furious knot, and she looked like she wanted to eat me alive. “You stupid brat! That caviar is incredibly expensive and rare! How could you get sick of it?! Have you been eating it on schedule or not, you wretched girl?! “Wendy is about to give birth! If you don’t eat it, what are we going to do?!” My mom’s sudden, violent shift in attitude left me completely stunned, unsure of how to react. Just then, my brother walked out of a room, supporting his pregnant wife. My mom immediately rushed over to fawn over her daughter-in-law: “Oh, Wendy, you’re about to pop! Why are you walking around with that heavy belly just because Chloe came home for a quick visit?!” At that moment, I truly felt like Wendy was her biological daughter. My mom’s blatant favoritism made my eyes sting. Wendy rested her hand on my mom’s arm and smiled sweetly: “Mom! Where is Chloe going to sleep?” Hearing that, my feet glued to the floor. I stopped dragging my suitcase inside. What did she mean? Was there no bedroom for me in this massive house? I managed to force the words out: “Do I… not have a bedroom?” My mom’s face stiffened. Just as she was about to answer, my stomach let out a loud rumble. She latched onto the sound like a lifeline, eagerly using it as an excuse to change the subject. “Chloe, you must be starving! Let’s eat right now!” Seeing my mom rushing off to cook for me sparked a tiny glimmer of hope in my heart. Maybe she did care. After all, what mother doesn’t love her own child? 8 It wasn’t until the food was served that I realized how naive I was. My mom had prepared six elaborate dishes, perfectly balancing meat and vegetables, packed with nutrition. But what she placed in front of me was a single, plain bowl of watery porridge mixed with some spinach and minced meat! “Chloe, I remember you were never a picky eater when you were little, and you have a small appetite. If this isn’t enough, just tell me. There’s more in the pot!” After saying that, without even glancing at me, she busied herself with serving premium cuts of meat and seafood to my brother and Wendy. I was definitely not a small eater! And I was definitely picky! The only reason I ate so little when I was a kid was because she never let me eat my fill! Furious and feeling incredibly wronged, I reached out with my chopsticks to grab some of the scrambled eggs with shrimp from the center platter. Before I could even touch it, Wendy let out a soft tsk. My mom immediately slapped my chopsticks away. “Eat your own food! Wendy is going through a difficult pregnancy. How dare you try to snatch food from a pregnant woman!” Wendy was pregnant, fine. But what about my brother, Leo? He was sitting there, stuffing his face, looking greasy and fat. He didn’t even spare a glance at his older sister! Looking at this “happy, loving family,” I swallowed my tears and took a bite of the plain porridge. Maybe I was just starving, but the porridge actually tasted incredibly delicious. It was strange. Because of the caviar withdrawal, I couldn’t stomach anything while I was at school. Did this plain porridge have some kind of magic in it? Maybe it was just the taste of home. But… could I even call this place my home anymore? 9 After a heated argument, my mom finally agreed to clear out a small guest room for me. The room was tiny, stuffy, and had terrible lighting, but I was just relieved to have a place to sleep. I don’t know if it was a psychological placebo effect, but I felt like the fishy smell on my body had genuinely vanished. Unless I bumped into something, the swelling and pain in my chest had also significantly decreased. Maybe everything was slowly getting better! I originally planned to wake up early the next morning and head to the river to find the little black cat. But my mom had errands to run, and my brother was going out drinking with his friends. That left me alone to look after Wendy. Looking at Wendy’s massive, swollen belly, I couldn’t find an excuse to leave. Figuring my symptoms were improving anyway, I decided to postpone finding the little black cat until tomorrow. Around lunchtime, because my mom wasn’t home and I didn’t know her “special recipe” for the plain porridge, and I still couldn’t stomach normal food, I had to cook two separate dishes just for Wendy. And even then, she complained about them. She went to the kitchen, pulled out a jar of caviar, and scooped a massive spoonful into her food. The moment I saw the caviar, my instinct was to stop her. But then I paused— Why did her chest look completely normal after eating caviar while pregnant? To be brutally honest, her chest was significantly smaller than mine. In fact… it was even smaller than many normal pregnant women. It looked like she wouldn’t be able to produce enough milk for the baby. Sensing my gaze, Wendy suddenly dropped her spoon, looked up, and shot me a highly sarcastic, condescending glare. Any urge I had to warn her died in my throat. I swallowed my words. Taking a closer look, the caviar she was eating seemed different from the jars my mom sent me. The fish roe was white, smaller, and looked dry and unappetizing. Just looking at it made me feel nauseous. I had no idea how she was forcing it down. But pregnant women do have weird cravings, I suppose. After I served her lunch and was cleaning the table, she suddenly called me into her bedroom. I put down the dishcloth, washed my hands, and walked in. The moment I pushed the door open, my eyes widened in horror. I was greeted by the sight of a massively swollen, purple-red belly, perfectly round like a basketball!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “422578”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

In Manhattan’s elite circles, Arthur Sterling was known as a ruthless force. Cold and eccentric, he treasured nothing—except for a rough, silver prayer bracelet on his wrist. Rumor had it that his true love had prayed for it step-by-step, kneeling at an ancient church in Europe just for him. Once, a top-tier actress accidentally brushed against it. The very next day, she vanished from the public eye, completely blacklisted. At a movie wrap party, I accidentally spilled red wine right onto Arthur’s wrist. In that moment, the entire room held its breath. Everyone thought my career was over. But to everyone’s surprise, he calmly pulled a few tissues and meticulously wiped every single silver bead. Without even looking up, he uttered three words: “It’s fine. Continue.” That very night, Arthur got his wish and tied a delicate gold anklet with a bell around my ankle. The crisp, melodic ringing echoed in the bedroom all night long. 01 At the wrap party celebrating our movie crossing the $300 million box office mark. “Did you guys hear? That A-list actress, Nicole, accidentally touched Mr. Sterling’s bracelet a couple of days ago, and immediately got dropped by all her major brand deals. I heard she’s facing tens of millions in breach-of-contract penalties now.” “They say it was a gift from Mrs. Sterling. I’m so jealous of that woman, being held in the palm of the hand by the head of such a top-tier dynasty.” Arthur, reverently referred to by the crowd as the “Heir,” was currently playing with his wine glass alone, his expression aloof. The director wiped cold sweat from his forehead. He had no idea why this VIP had suddenly graced them with his presence. Although the movie was a massive hit, this amount of money was pocket change to the Sterling family. “Mr. Sterling, is there anything specific you need us to do today?” Arthur’s long, elegant fingers tapped a steady rhythm on the table. His voice was lazy, and he didn’t even look up: “Nothing. You all carry on.” 02 “Mr. Sterling, I’m Sarah, the female lead in the movie. I want to toast to you, to thank you for this opportunity.” A blonde actress walked over, holding a wine glass, swaying with calculated allure with every step. A strong, overpowering perfume hit the air. Arthur frowned imperceptibly. He lit a cigarette, his deep eyes narrowing slightly. His gaze swept across the room and finally landed on me, sitting in the corner, for a few seconds. “Her perfume is too strong. You toast me instead.” Suddenly, I became the target of everyone’s scrutiny. Bracing myself, I poured a glass of wine and walked over with steady steps. “Mr. Sterling, a toast to you. Thank you for your generous investment in the production.” Arthur picked up his glass expressionlessly and downed it in one gulp. The director and producer breathed a sigh of relief, exchanging meaningful smiles. “Maya, you sit next to Mr. Sterling tonight. Make sure to take good care of him.” Before I could even refuse, I saw my manager, Monica, almost tearing up with excitement. She clearly thought I was about to soar up the social ladder and become royalty. I silently took a sip of my juice. I had debuted five years ago and was still a D-list celebrity without a single breakout role. The only thing going for me was my face, which the media had dubbed “stunningly breathtaking.” 03 I felt an unfriendly gaze continuously stabbing at me. I looked up and saw Sarah. Having lost face in front of everyone because of Arthur, she was clearly pinning the blame on me. I curled my lips into a small smile and ignored her. But she actively provoked me: “Maya, sitting so close to Mr. Sterling, how can you be so oblivious? Hurry up and pour the gentleman a drink.” I looked at the decanter on the table. Just as my fingers touched the glass, someone shoved me hard from behind. I lost my balance and lunged forward. In a panic, I grabbed the edge of the table to steady myself, but ended up knocking over Arthur’s wine glass. The red liquid ran down the tablecloth, splashing directly onto his silver bracelet. 04 The entire room instantly fell dead silent. Everyone was waiting for Arthur’s thunderous rage. “Maya is finished. Even someone of Nicole’s status got blacklisted. Let alone a nobody like her.” “Are you betting Arthur kicks her out of New York, or completely erases her from the entertainment industry?” Arthur furrowed his brows. His assistant hurried over with tissues. Using his long fingers, Arthur slowly and methodically wiped each bead on the bracelet, as if it were the most precious antique in the world. Three minutes passed. Those three minutes felt longer than three years to everyone else in the VIP room. The director bravely tried to explain: “Mr. Sterling, Maya didn’t mean to, please…” Looking at the now-clean bracelet, Arthur finally showed a satisfied expression. “It’s fine. Continue.” Everyone: “???” Did they hear that right? Mr. Sterling actually let it slide? Because of Arthur’s unusual leniency, I earned a dozen more jealous glares. I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Because that bracelet on Arthur’s wrist… I was the one who gave it to him. 05 Halfway through the party, I went to the restroom. Right as I stepped out, Sarah blocked my path in the hallway. “Maya! I’m warning you, Mr. Sterling has a wife. If the mysterious Mrs. Sterling finds out you’re trying to seduce her husband, you won’t even know what hit you.” I looked blankly at Sarah as she bared her fangs at me. When she finished, I raised an eyebrow: “Mrs. Sterling?” “Of course. I had the privilege of meeting her once. She is countless times more beautiful than you. If trash like you dares to get close to Arthur, I’ll tell his wife and make you disappear for good.” She had finally gained a bit of fame from this movie and wanted to climb the social ladder through Arthur, but I ruined it for her. Naturally, she was furious. I looked playfully at the figure standing not far behind her. “Mr. Sterling, did you hear that? Sarah says she knows your wife?” Sarah looked as if she had been struck by lightning. She spun around stiffly: “Sir, I…” 06 When she turned around, she realized there was no one there. Furious, Sarah raised her hand to strike me: “Maya, how dare you play me!” I grabbed her wrist and flung it back. My eyes instantly went cold as I stepped toward her, forcing her back: “If you want to survive in this industry, stay away from me.” With that, I elegantly walked away in my heels. Midnight, the Sterling Estate. Arthur was leaning against the headboard, his gold-rimmed glasses tossed casually to the side. I instinctively tried to back out of the room, but his long arm pulled me into his embrace, and he locked the door behind us. “Maya, you know how much I treasure it. You got it dirty today. You have to pay me back.” He pulled me by the waist, not giving me a chance to breathe. Domineering and lingering. I tried to push him away, but he held me tighter. Finally, with flushed cheeks, I gave in: “How do I pay you back?” He took out a delicate gold anklet he had prepared long ago and tied it around my ankle. A thin red string with a delicate bell. Against my pale skin, it looked exceptionally beautiful. The sweet ringing of the bell echoed in the quiet bedroom all night long. 07 Early the next morning, I was woken up by my phone’s harsh ringtone. “Monica, what’s wrong?” As soon as I spoke, I was startled by my own raspy voice. Monica paused for a second on the other end before exploding: “You’re asking me what’s wrong?! Of all the people to seduce, you had to mess with Arthur Sterling! The whole internet is saying you’re trying to sleep your way to the top as his mistress. That audition I fought so hard to get you is gone. Your endorsement deal for next month is canceled. If you don’t explain this to me right now, you’re on your own!” Arthur, wearing a crisp bathrobe, walked out of the bathroom. Hearing the shouting, he raised an eyebrow slightly. Monica heard the movement on my end and screamed: “Who are you with right now?!” I wasn’t fully awake yet, so I blurted out: “Arthur.” I regretted it instantly and covered my mouth, trying to salvage the situation. Monica took desperate, deep breaths on the other end: “Maya Thorne!! You get your ass back to the agency immediately! Right now!!” 08 Forty minutes later, I arrived at the agency. The trending topics on social media were already blowing up: #MayaThorneHomewrecker #ThrowingHerselfAtMrSterling #SarahMillerSpeaksUpForMrsSterling #AreTheyBesties #MayaThorneHickey #OvernightAtTheMansionTruthUnknown Monica stood by the window, yelling at the PR department: “What is the meaning of Sarah’s tweet? She’s stepping on another artist from the same agency to climb the ladder. Are you guys going to do something about this?” The PR team, full of sly veterans, deflected: “The traffic is too high right now; we can’t suppress it. Monica, you’d better deal with Maya’s private image first.” I opened Sarah’s social media account. Her words were sharp: [Throwing yourself at someone when you know they have a family. The “innocent” persona is just a cover for despicable behavior. Seeing Mrs. Sterling look so haggard broke my heart.] She even tagged a few so-called elite socialite accounts. I sneered: “She’s really rushing to dig her own grave.” Monica slammed my laptop shut: “Explain to me what these marks on your neck are. And don’t tell me they’re mosquito bites. I heard you. Was that really Arthur Sterling? Did you actually become his mistress?” I knew I couldn’t hide it anymore. So I just told her the truth about my secret marriage to Arthur. Monica was dumbfounded, nearly spilling her coffee all over the floor. She reached out and felt my forehead: “You don’t have a fever, do you? Even if you’re desperate for a man, you don’t need to make up a story like this.” I rested my head on my hand and stared at her with a half-smile. After a long pause, Monica asked in a trembling voice: “Really?” Me: “Truer than gold.” 09 Monica paced frantically around the office, practically buzzing with excitement: “Oh my god, I knew your face was a VIP pass to the top! Arthur Sterling! If he lifts a single finger, you’ll have your pick of the best roles!” She was already visualizing me standing on the Oscars stage. “So you really were with him last night? These marks… he made them?” I calmly nodded. “Monica, haven’t you always complained about me not getting any media traffic? Now I have it.” “I wanted good traffic, not the kind where the entire internet wants you canceled!” “You used to say that in this industry, even infamy is better than obscurity.” “…” Monica suddenly calmed down: “You don’t want to go public?” “It’s a hassle.” Monica stared at me with a “I don’t believe you for a second” look. “To be honest, Monica, I made a bet with my dad. If I can’t win Best Actress on my own merit by the time I’m thirty, I have to go back and inherit his energy empire.” Monica: “…” That reason sounded incredibly obnoxious.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “422577”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My mom worked as a live-in housekeeper for the Vance family. Mrs. Vance, Liam’s mother, was always on guard, treating me like a thief trying to steal her precious son. After starting college, I moved out of the Vance estate as fast as I could. I even got a boyfriend and flaunted our relationship daily on Instagram and Snapchat. But whenever I had to return to the Vance house, Liam would still put food on my plate, gently asking about my studies and my life. It was all so normal. Until the middle of the night, when the locked door to my room clicked open. He stood by my bed, a rope in his hand, staring at me in the dark for who knows how long… 01 Liam’s mom guarded against me like I was a thief. My dad and Liam’s dad grew up together in the same blue-collar neighborhood. Later, Liam’s dad made it big in business and became incredibly wealthy, while my dad struggled to make ends meet. When my dad got terminal cancer and passed away, the Vance family, out of pity for us—a widow and an orphan—offered my mom a job. To be honest, the Vance family truly saved us. My parents didn’t have much education. They had always worked factory jobs, leaving me in a rural town to be raised by my grandmother. My grandmother favored boys, so I didn’t have an easy childhood. When my dad got cancer, it drained almost all the meager savings our family had. Mr. Vance went back to his hometown to visit relatives, heard about our situation, and felt terrible. He told my mom to bring me and move into their home in the city. My mom became their live-in housekeeper, and I lived with her in the staff quarters. I was finally able to attend a good school in the city. I was just starting middle school then. 02 Liam was five years older than me, the picture of a gentle, sensible older brother. Moreover, he was the classic “perfect kid next door.” He ranked first in his high school class, was the student body president, and was adored by teachers and peers alike. Mr. and Mrs. Vance were incredibly proud of him. When I first arrived at their house, Liam played the role of a caring older brother perfectly. My backpack, textbooks, workbooks, and stationery—he took me to the bookstore to buy them all. When I first struggled to keep up with the city school curriculum, he patiently tutored me. Afraid I wouldn’t have friends or fit in, he would run over from the high school building during lunch break to bring me cookies and milk. His goal, of course, wasn’t just to give me snacks, but to show my classmates that I had someone looking out for me, making sure no one dared to bully me. He told everyone I was the daughter of his dad’s close friend. After moving in with my mom, even though we were living in someone else’s house, the Vance family’s mansion had staff quarters that were a hundred times better than our old run-down apartment. Plus, my mom could finally take care of me. Even though she wasn’t highly educated, seeing her knitting a sweater for me in our room after I finished my homework in the study made me incredibly happy. 03 But Mrs. Vance didn’t like me or my mom. I could see that clearly. Mrs. Vance would often subtly warn me when others weren’t around, saying Liam only saw me as a sister and telling me not to get any ideas. She emphasized that because Liam was so exceptional, his future girlfriend or wife would undoubtedly be an outstanding girl. Mrs. Vance said, “An outstanding girl doesn’t just need to be beautiful; she needs to have top grades, come from a good family, and be highly capable. Only someone like that is worthy of our Liam.” To be honest, I had no conflict of interest with Mrs. Vance, and I completely agreed with her. I thought she was right. Liam was truly exceptional. He was exactly like the male lead in a young adult novel: handsome, smart, with a great personality, gentle, always wearing crisp button-down shirts, and not overly talkative. So, he truly deserved to be with the most outstanding girl. 04 I attended a private high school, funded by Mr. Vance. It was close to home. Those who wanted to study abroad could join the International Baccalaureate program, and those who didn’t stayed in the regular track. My tuition was paid by Mr. Vance. Every time I saw him, I would bow deeply, thanking him for his immense help. I promised that I would make money in the future to repay him, and that I would never forget his kindness. The school often had assemblies and pep rallies where the whole student body gathered. The hosts were frequently two people: Liam, and a senior girl. That senior girl was beautiful, had great grades, and was as popular as Liam. Because of their striking looks and hosting skills, they were chosen to host school events and represent the school in competitions. Consequently, they were often seen together on campus. Everyone thought they were the golden couple. I thought so too. They were my idols. I hoped that one day I could be as amazing as them. 05 When I first arrived at the Vance home, Liam was a junior in high school. Besides tutoring me, guiding my academic path, and helping me with my weak subjects, he would take me out for fun during holidays. Once I had completely adapted to life at the Vance home and my new school, he flew overseas for college. He went to an Ivy League university. When he left, I was in eighth grade. Mrs. Vance was very reluctant to see him go. But I felt she also breathed a sigh of relief, thinking I wouldn’t be spending day and night cultivating feelings with her son anymore. Because every time Liam tutored me, Mrs. Vance would say she could hire a tutor, insisting we shouldn’t waste Liam’s time. Liam would respond in a very straightforward manner, asking why they should go through the trouble. He said helping me was his responsibility. When Liam wanted to take me out, Mrs. Vance would gently suggest she could take me, or have someone else take me. She argued that an older teenage boy and a younger girl wouldn’t have fun together anyway. Liam would reply, “We’re going to the arcade. Guys and girls of all ages can have fun there. Mom, do you want to come?” Liam simply didn’t understand his mother’s underlying message. When Mrs. Vance told me to keep my distance from Liam, I immediately agreed. 06 Liam’s grades were indeed excellent, and he was very sensible, making him highly likable. But I felt he had a flaw: once he decided on something, he had his own unshakeable logic, and no one could argue him out of it. Because he simply wouldn’t listen. I told him I would manage my own grades. He said helping me was his way of managing things. I told him to focus on his own life. He said taking care of me, his “little sister,” was a part of his life. When he wanted to take me out and I said I didn’t want to leave the house, he would strictly criticize me, saying teenagers shouldn’t stay cooped up at home all day ruining their health. His mom told him I had my own life and told him not to interfere too much. He replied that he had his own ideas and told his mom not to interfere too much. In short, after two years of living in constant anxiety, Mrs. Vance finally managed to separate Liam and me. The smile on her face became much more relaxed, and she was noticeably kinder when she looked at me. 07 Liam was very busy while studying abroad, usually coming home only once a year. I started high school and was also very busy. During his four years abroad, we had almost no contact. I transferred from the private middle school to a public high school and lived in the dorms, studying hard every day. When Liam came home, he would bring gifts for everyone. His manners were truly impeccable; the gifts he brought for each person perfectly suited their needs. Mr. and Mrs. Vance were incredibly satisfied with him, constantly saying that even though Liam was a son, he was as attentive as a daughter. Mr. Vance said that having a successful career, a happy family, and an accomplished son in this lifetime must be because he was kind and did good deeds, accumulating good karma, which brought him such good luck. Life passed uneventfully. Until Liam graduated from college and was preparing to return to the US to start his career. Mrs. Vance started getting nervous again. 08 During summer break, I moved back to the Vance house from school. Liam was due back in a little over ten days. Mrs. Vance said to me, “Chloe, Liam will be back soon. You’ve grown up now, so make sure you don’t cling to him like you did when you were little. Otherwise, your future sister-in-law might get jealous.” I immediately proved my loyalty: “Mrs. Vance, don’t worry. Once college starts, I’ll live in the dorms. I’ll work part-time jobs to make money during the semester and won’t have time to come home. I absolutely won’t get in the way of Liam finding a wife.” Mrs. Vance praised me for understanding the situation and gave me a red envelope with cash, telling me to buy whatever I needed. She added, “You know, you can look for a boyfriend while you’re in college, but make sure you keep your eyes open. College is where you find true feelings. It’s harder once you enter the real world. When you’re looking, make sure you consider the guy’s character and family background. If you find someone you like, you can also bring him to me so I can give you some advice.” I thanked her joyfully, went back to my room, and counted the money in the envelope. It was a thousand dollars. I secretly vowed that I would make money in the future and properly repay the Vance family. 09 During the summer break, Liam returned. As usual, he brought gifts for everyone. For me, it was a laptop. He said I would need it for college. The new smartphone in my pocket was a gift from Mr. Vance. Whenever Mrs. Vance saw Liam and me together, her eyes would scan us like radar, terrified we might develop feelings for each other. Mrs. Vance was really overthinking it. Firstly, I knew my place. Secondly, I wouldn’t bite the hand that fed me. It was impossible for me to seduce her son. Liam offered to take me on a graduation trip. He said, “Other kids get to go, why shouldn’t you? I’ll make sure you have it.” Although I was incredibly tempted, I knew that if I went on a trip with Liam, Mrs. Vance probably wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. I said I was going to work part-time at McDonald’s. 10 But I didn’t go work at McDonald’s; I left the Vance house every day to read at the library. Liam was busy starting his own company. Sometimes I’d get up in the middle of the night for water and see him just getting home, looking a bit exhausted. I wanted to show I cared, but the best way to care for him was to stay away. So I silently locked my bedroom door. When college started, my mom helped me pack my bags. Liam, unusually, was home. He leaned against the doorframe, frowning, “The university isn’t far from here. There’s really no need for you to live in the dorms.” I said, “College will definitely be busy, and I want to work part-time to make my own money, so living at home wouldn’t be convenient. Liam, don’t worry, I’ll come back to visit often.” He nodded and patted my head, “Take good care of yourself. If you run into any problems you can’t solve, call me.” I nodded. Mrs. Vance immediately came out and swatted his hand away, “Your sister is grown up now, you need to maintain boundaries!” I smiled at both of them. 11 Going to college and living in the dorms was the first step. What would truly put them at ease was if I got a boyfriend. Then Mrs. Vance would be completely relieved. Then I’d save money, buy a house, and I wouldn’t have to visit their house often. Of course, I would still go back to see Mr. and Mrs. Vance, but having my own home meant I’d be independent, and they would be even more reassured. Liam drove me to the university. He helped me carry my luggage, make my bed, and buy necessities—he was the picture of a perfect older brother. We set up various student accounts and then went to the dining hall to eat. Liam moved the lean meat from his sweet and sour pork onto my plate and said, “You’re still young. Don’t date right away. Focus on your studies, understand?” I nodded quickly, saying, “Of course I know. Liam, you’re not getting any younger either. Hurry up and find a sister-in-law from a good family so Mr. and Mrs. Vance can stop worrying.” His brows furrowed deeply as he said, “Adult matters are none of your concern, kid.” After seeing Liam off, I began my college life. 12 I felt my first priority was to find a boyfriend. A month into the semester, a sophomore guy started pursuing me. His name was Ethan. He was a notorious playboy in his department and a wealthy heir. To date, he had cycled through at least ten girlfriends. We ate together, watched movies, went shopping. He gave me gifts, then confessed his feelings, and we got together. His confession was pretty smooth: he booked a candlelit dinner, brought a huge bouquet of roses, and gave me a beautiful snake-shaped necklace. I shyly accepted, then took a bunch of photos, uploaded them to Instagram and Snapchat, and officially announced I was dating. We also took a selfie together. While taking the photo, Ethan stole a kiss. I didn’t like it internally, but I still smiled for the picture. I rarely went back to the Vance house. My relationship with Ethan was known to everyone. He was already very popular, which brought a lot of attention to me as well. I thought about it and registered an account on TikTok, planning to make some money as an influencer. 13 Ethan was quite cooperative with me, so I started by showing off my boyfriend. I filmed our daily dates. I decided my account would focus on sharing college life and relationship experiences, aiming to eventually get sponsorships. Then I went online to see how similar accounts filmed their content, learned a few tricks, and got Ethan to film with me. I have to say, the results were incredibly good. Sometimes I shared long vlogs, from doing my makeup to the end of the date. Sometimes I shared short, 15-second clips. These might just be a single scenario, like him tapping my shoulder from behind and me turning around, or the popular “kissing trend” online, paired with catchy, upbeat music. I actually had two videos go viral in a short period. The long one was a bit funny; the short one was extremely atmospheric and aesthetic. Then, my followers across platforms surged by hundreds of thousands. I added an affiliate link to my bio, started taking sponsorships, and made six figures. Happiness came so suddenly; I was dizzy with joy. So when my mom called me back to the Vance house for dinner on the weekend, I went back excitedly, completely oblivious to the danger descending. 14 Because I had made money, I went to the mall and bought gifts for Mr. Vance, Mrs. Vance, and Liam, as well as for my mom. Even though they lacked nothing, it was about showing respect. Mrs. Vance smiled at me even more genuinely. She even said Ethan was the son of a major business tycoon, a very good young man, and told me to date him seriously. I nodded. As long as Ethan didn’t bring up breaking up, I wouldn’t either. My current online traffic relied on him. My mom pulled me into the kitchen and whispered, “Now that you’ve just started college, focus on your studies first. Wait until you find a good job before dating. Don’t mix up the order.” My mom’s biggest wish was for me to find a good job, preferably something stable with benefits or becoming a teacher. I told her I knew. My mom looked at me, hesitating, and finally said, “Don’t… don’t get too close to that guy. Make sure you don’t get pregnant right now. If you get pregnant and have an abortion, it’ll hurt your body a lot, and it’ll be harder to find a good marriage partner later. Having the baby is even more impossible. You need to get a good job and be able to support yourself first before considering other things.” She asked me again, “You guys haven’t gone all the way, have you?” I was so embarrassed. Even though she was my mom, I didn’t want to talk about this. I scratched my head and said, “Mom, I’m going out to help.” As soon as I turned around, I saw Liam with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the kitchen doorway, staring at me darkly. I didn’t know how much of the conversation he had heard. I felt even more humiliated and hurried out with my head down.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “422576”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

A top-tier Manhattan billionaire gave a highly serious financial interview, but a whimsical painting hanging on his wall ended up going viral. When the reporter asked about it, he humbly replied, “My wife painted it.” That very night, a popular young actress painted on her livestream, acting coy: “Oh, he just blurts everything out! So embarrassing~” I was utterly confused. Wait, didn’t I paint that? 01 Grayson Pierce, the titan of the New York business world, was trending everywhere today. It all started with an interview. During an incredibly serious, high-stakes financial interview, the artwork hanging on the wall behind him was decidedly… unserious. It was a painting of a few water lilies. Crystal-clear dewdrops rolled along the edges of the round lily pads, looking incredibly lifelike and on the verge of falling. Normally, a masterpiece of such exquisite skill would be accompanied by a profound, classical poem. But this painting went the exact opposite route. It featured a rather humorous, modern limerick: [Let them be mad, I’ll stay glad. Stress won’t pay my doctor’s bill!] The cameraman was clearly captivated by this bizarre masterpiece, accidentally focusing the lens on the painting several times. The reporter was no exception. As the interview drew to a close, she gathered her courage to ask about it: “I noticed the painting on your wall is quite interesting. May I ask which master artist created this piece?” Grayson humbly replied, “My wife painted it.” The reporter immediately praised, “Your wife must be an incredible artist!” “No, she’s an actress.” The reporter was even more surprised. “Which actress?” “She won’t let me say.” A faint, doting smile played on the billionaire’s lips. “When she finally decides to give me an official title, I’ll tell you.” Just like that, Grayson Pierce’s “obsessed wife-guy” persona exploded across the internet. [Handsome, filthy rich, and obsessed with his wife. Please tell me, does this man have any flaws?] [Being married is his only flaw.] [I don’t recognize him. Who is this guy?] [He’s the current CEO of the Pierce Empire. He’s always been super low-profile. I don’t know why he’s suddenly flexing so hard.] [Blind guess: it’s for his wife. He’s probably investing in Hollywood just to protect her career, right?] [OMG! A romance novel coming to life!] [Am I the only one who wants to know who his wife is? She’s an actress!] [Is it Aubrey Sinclair? Isn’t she the ‘Princess of Manhattan’?] [Only her delusional fans believe she’s the ‘Princess of Manhattan’. Do you honestly think she could even get a word in with the real New York elite?] [I think it’s A-list actress Quinn. Haven’t the tabloids been saying she’s secretly married?] Watching the comments section name-drop every famous actress in Hollywood without ever mentioning me… I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Being a D-list nobody definitely had its perks. I was just about to text Grayson, warning him to watch his mouth in the future, when my manager, Harper, snatched my phone away. “The show is about to start. Get ready.” I pressed my lips together and abandoned the idea of contacting him. 02 The show I was about to go on was a live-streamed variety show. The concept was simple: The celebrity guests would make a gift live on set, choose a recipient, and then personally deliver it to their door. Because the live gift-delivery segment had produced so many iconic, unscripted moments, the show had skyrocketed to become the hottest live variety program of the year. Before the broadcast even started, nearly a million people were already waiting in the stream. Harper whispered to me from the sidelines: “I didn’t know Aubrey Sinclair was going to be here today. But don’t be afraid of her, and ignore whatever her toxic fans say. Let’s just do our job well today. Don’t start trouble, but don’t back down either, okay?” I nodded. She patted my shoulder. “You’ve got this.” The livestream quickly began. The camera swept across the guests as the host interviewed and introduced them one by one. When it was my turn, the tone of the live chat drastically changed. [Why does this show invite just anyone?] [Who is this girl? Just looking at her annoys me.] [It must be so hard for Aubrey to share a stage with someone like her.] Aubrey Sinclair actually spoke up to “defend” me: “Guys, don’t say that! Chloe and I are actually really good friends.” I looked at her, saying nothing. If I didn’t know her true colors, I really would have thought she was the sweet, kind-hearted angel her fans claimed she was. Aubrey hated me. More than once, she had subtly encouraged her fans to cyberbully me. All because a male actor she had a crush on publicly confessed his feelings for me. Whenever I thought about that, I felt incredibly wronged. I barely knew that actor, Ashton Cole. We had hardly exchanged a few sentences. Yet, on a talk show, he publicly declared I was his ideal type. That move not only made Aubrey hate me, but it also knocked over the vinegar jar at my house. Grayson pinned me to the bed, interrogating me about my history with Ashton. But what history was there? I racked my brain, trying desperately to recall and repeat every single mundane sentence I had ever spoken to the guy. Grayson remained unsatisfied, letting out a dark chuckle. “You remember it all so clearly, huh?” And then came round after round of absolute torment. I really didn’t want to endure another exhausting, back-breaking night like that, so I publicly stated that I didn’t like Ashton. But somehow, Aubrey seemed to hate me even more after that… I genuinely couldn’t understand her brain circuitry, so I just silently tried to stay away from her. But the live chat wouldn’t let me off the hook. [This woman is so rude! Aubrey is talking to her!] [I’m seriously going to cry from how frustrating she is!] [What is wrong with Ashton’s eyes? He ignores Aubrey for HER?] [This woman just knows how to seduce men. Look at that foxy face. Our Aubrey doesn’t have her manipulative schemes!] [Ahhhh! What a pity for my Ashton & Aubrey ship!] The show quickly transitioned into the gift-making segment. The camera focused on Aubrey. The host stood beside her, asking, “What is Aubrey going to give tonight?” “I’m going to give a painting.” “And who is it for?” Aubrey smiled shyly. “You’ll all find out in a bit~” She picked up her brush and dipped it in ink. With a few shallow strokes, a graceful, elegant water lily leaped onto the paper. The live chat instantly boiled over! [Wait, why does this water lily look familiar?] [Hint: One word. Pierce.] [Right?! Isn’t this the exact same one from the billionaire’s study?] [Oh my god! So Aubrey really is Mrs. Pierce!] Aubrey looked up innocently. “Hmm?” To help clear her confusion, the host directly pulled up the clip of Grayson’s interview and played it on the studio’s main screen. After watching it, Aubrey blushed deeply. “Oh my, why does he just blurt everything out? It’s just that our two families have intentions of an arranged marriage. Nothing specific has been finalized yet.” [HOLY SH*T! What did I just hear?] [Key takeaway: It’s not finalized yet, but the billionaire is already publicly calling her his wife!] [Our Aubrey is just too lovable.] [Billionaire Pierce is so impatient! He can’t wait to let the whole world know Aubrey is his wife!] [Hahahaha I’m officially shipping the Pierce x Sinclair CP starting today!] Aubrey spoke gracefully, “Please don’t laugh at us~” Then, whether intentionally or not, she added a few words beside the painting. [Why stress and make a fuss? It’s not worth the mental strain for us.] The Live Chat: [Those are the last two lines of the limerick!] [I’m 100% sure the painting in the billionaire’s study was done by Aubrey! And I’m sure Aubrey is going to give this painting to Billionaire Pierce later!] [Is she planning to give him a whole series?] [I don’t understand you lovebirds and your little inside jokes.] [So romantic!] [Is it because Billionaire Pierce publicly demanded a title, so Aubrey is planning to go public too?] Aubrey never gave a direct response to the chat’s speculations. I couldn’t help but ask, “Did you really gift the painting in Grayson Pierce’s study?” Aubrey raised her eyes to look at me. Her expression was haughty. “If I didn’t give it to him, did you?” [Exactly! This woman is so annoying, asking a question she already knows the answer to!] [Did the show invite her just to piss us off?] [Is the brain on her shoulders just for decoration?] I forced myself to hold back, but I just couldn’t swallow this insult. I nodded and admitted it. “Yes, I gave it to him.” The entire studio fell into a stunned uproar! 03 [This woman really just opens her mouth and spits out lies!] [Look at the expression on her face. Could she actually be telling the truth?] [Anyone can make up a lie. I could say I gifted it too.] [Right! This woman just loves to steal. First, she stole Ashton from Aubrey, and now she’s trying to steal Aubrey’s title as Mrs. Pierce!] [She’s so pathetic.] The live chat was furious. They even started universally spamming [Chloe Vance get out of Hollywood!] across the screen. Aubrey smiled faintly and looked at me. “Is it really from Chloe?” Her face displayed the perfect amount of confusion. “Then, does that mean you’re the ‘wife’ Brother Gray was talking about?” Even though this wasn’t the time to be jealous, I still felt a twinge of sourness at her calling him “Brother Gray.” That dog, Grayson Pierce! When did he get tangled up with Aubrey Sinclair?! I looked her straight in the eye. “I am.” She let out a light laugh. It was the kind of silvery, bell-like laugh her fans always praised, but to my ears, it sounded like nails on a chalkboard. “But I haven’t heard that Brother Gray is already married.” Her expression was innocent, yet seemingly wronged. “Where exactly did Chloe meet Brother Gray?” The chat was easily swayed by her rhythm. [Isn’t it obvious? She’s making it all up!] [Aubrey is such a pure, innocent cutie. I really don’t understand how someone with her personality survives in the entertainment industry!] [Guys, one calls him ‘Brother Gray’, the other calls him ‘Grayson Pierce’. The level of closeness is pretty obvious, right?] [Chloe is just a habitual homewrecker!] [The way she shamelessly admits it is so obnoxious!] [My heart aches for Aubrey!] Aubrey acted like a child who had finally found someone to back her up after being bullied. In a flash, her eyes reddened, and she even tried to soothe the chat: “Guys, please stop. Chloe definitely didn’t do it on purpose.” The live chat went even more insane. Like a sweeping machine gun, they blasted me from head to toe. The situation was spiraling out of control. The producers stepped in to maintain order, announcing a ten-minute break. The moment the cameras turned off, everyone in the studio rushed over to comfort Aubrey. My manager, Harper, pulled me into a corner. “What is going on?! How did you drag Grayson Pierce into this? We seriously cannot afford to mess with him. Let alone you, even the CEO of our agency wouldn’t dare lift his head to speak in front of him.” Bringing this up only made me feel more wronged. “I really am Grayson’s wife!” Harper stared at me, her jaw hitting the floor. I scrolled through my phone looking for evidence. My chat contact name for him was “Dog Man,” and his call log name was “Needy Hubby.” Neither of those proved his identity. Blame it on me being too cautious normally! Left with no other choice, I opened my hidden photo album. Inside was a digital scan of my marriage certificate with him. I zoomed in on the picture and showed it to Harper. “Do you believe me now?” Harper was completely paralyzed. She stood there, dumbfounded, for a full minute before finally squeezing out, “With a background this massive, why are you slumming it in Hollywood with me?” She made me laugh. “Then from now on, you’ll be rolling with me.” 04 The marriage certificate acted as a tranquilizer for Harper. She grabbed my hand to discuss a counter-strategy. Before we could figure out a plan, her phone rang. On the other end was the agency’s CEO, exploding with rage. “How are you managing your artists?! Chloe has no brain, but do you lack one too?! Do you not know who Grayson Pierce is? You just let her spout whatever nonsense she wants?!” “Boss, I—” “I don’t want to hear your excuses! I just want you to fix this! If this isn’t resolved by tomorrow morning, both of you can pack your bags and get the hell out!” He hung up. Harper and I looked at each other. Harper asked me, just to be absolutely sure, “You really are Mrs. Pierce, right?” “100% genuine.” Only then did she relax, and she shared her master plan with me. Originally, my idea was that as soon as the cameras turned back on, I would just slap the marriage certificate on the table. I wasn’t going to swallow this insult. But Harper thought that method wasn’t dramatic enough. And it wouldn’t completely crush Aubrey. She whispered her plan into my ear. I nodded in realization and slowly gave her a thumbs-up. The production team announced the countdown to go back live. Harper patted my shoulder. “The rest is all up to you.” The cameras rebooted, and the live chat was still furious. The number of concurrent viewers in the livestream had multiplied. That was when I found out “Aubrey’s beautiful tears” had made it to the top of Twitter’s trending page. Public opinion was completely one-sided. All the new viewers in the livestream were here to cancel me. I thought to myself, The more people, the better. A bigger audience makes exposing Aubrey’s true colors that much sweeter. “I apologize for losing my composure just now, and thank you all for your concern. My gift is finished; it’s a painting.” Aubrey displayed her water lily painting to the camera. The chat was filled with praise. [Aubrey is so emotionally stable!] [If I were her, I’d be furious for three days straight after being wronged like that!] [It’s just billionaire elite basics. Aubrey has taken emotional management classes since she was a kid.] [Not gonna lie, she paints really well!] Perhaps because there were so many people in the chat, voices of doubt began to slowly emerge. [Wait, does anyone else think the handwriting doesn’t look like the one in the billionaire’s study?] [The water lilies look a bit different too.] [Is the handwriting you use when you’re mad the same as when you’re happy?] [Please, haters, go read a book! You can’t step into the same river twice, and you can’t paint the exact same painting twice, OK?] The chat started arguing over the similarities of the painting. But the gift-making segment continued, and the camera quickly cut to me. I effortlessly picked up my brush. I recreated the exact painting from Grayson’s study onto the paper, right down to the exact lettering of the limerick. The chat went feral. [This woman is such a clout chaser!] [But wait… this painting actually looks way more like the original!] [Holy sh*t! Could that painting actually have been a gift from Chloe?] [Do you guys understand the difference between tracing and an original creation? She’s clearly just copying it!] [My heart aches for Aubrey, getting tangled up with a psycho like this.] [Does she have some kind of mental illness?] The host asked me at that moment, “Chloe, this painting is quite intriguing. Who are you planning to give it to?” I watched the expression on Aubrey’s face and deliberately said ambiguously: “I’m giving it to my Mr. Pierce.” 05 The expression on Aubrey’s face was instantly spectacular. She feigned composure. “Does Chloe really know Brother Gray? “If you’re actually involved with him, then I’ll call my family right now and tell them I refuse to go through with the arranged marriage.” She spoke with a mix of grievance and stubborn pride. “I don’t want a man who is two-timing.” [Ahhhhh no, don’t do it!] [Chloe is obviously just putting on a show for you, Aubrey! Don’t fall for it!] [Where did all the people who believed her go? Come out and explain how a D-lister like Chloe could ever meet a titan like Grayson Pierce?] [Exactly! Mrs. Pierce? Don’t make me laugh. If she really had Grayson backing her, would she be struggling this much in Hollywood?] [I heard someone stole her role recently and she didn’t even dare make a peep. And you’re telling me she’s Mrs. Pierce?] [She’s lying through her teeth!] [I suddenly really want to see Aubrey make that call and cancel the marriage. Billionaire Pierce loves her so much; if he loses his wife, he’ll definitely burn the city down for her!] [Upvote +10086. Chloe is gonna be screwed then.] I kept Harper’s “push and pull” principle in mind and said deliberately, “Huh? But he never told me he was going to have an arranged marriage. “The Pierce family shouldn’t really need to arrange marriages, right?” I mimicked her tone. “Are the Grayson you’re talking about and the Grayson I’m talking about really the same person?” [She makes a good point. Why would the Pierce family need an arranged marriage?] [It’s a power alliance between two ultra-wealthy families. You poor people wouldn’t understand.] [You fans are the ones who don’t understand. That’s the Pierce family!] [Everyone knows that marrying into the Pierce family is never a ‘power alliance’. It’s always considered marrying up!] [Then let’s hear Chloe explain how she hooked up with Grayson Pierce!] The host stepped in to take control of the situation. “Is it really the same person? Let’s look forward to the upcoming gift-delivery segment!” He looked around the set playfully. “Our guests can now call their intended recipients to confirm their location before heading out to deliver their gifts!” Aubrey offered graciously, “Since Chloe is in such a hurry, you can call first.” Instantly, every eye in the studio was glued to my phone. I didn’t flinch. Under the intense pressure, I dialed “Needy Hubby.” One ring, two rings… five rings later, there was still no answer. I mentally cursed my dog of a husband for dropping the ball at the most critical moment. After hanging up, I dialed his work number. This time, it rang until the automated voicemail picked up. Grayson still didn’t answer. Aubrey smiled at me. “No one answering? Let me try.” As she confidently dialed, I saw the live chat explode with mockery aimed at me. [Oh my god, this is too embarrassing!] [She even saved him as ‘Needy Hubby’. Who’s the needy one here?] [If you ask me, Chloe would have had better luck calling me. At least I would’ve picked up!] [Sis, drop the act. You’re digging your own grave.] Just as I was feeling lost and anxious, the screen suddenly lit up with an incoming call from “Needy Hubby.” I exclaimed excitedly, “He’s calling back!” Aubrey looked over, her expression anxious. I hastily pressed answer. From the other end of the line came Grayson’s deep, rich, and velvety voice: “Wife, did you miss me?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “422575”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel