### In a world devastated by extreme heatwaves, my best friend, Olivia, was thrown out of her husband’s house at 12:30 in the dead of night. Dressed in nothing but her pajamas, she stood sobbing on the side of the road, begging me to take her in. I drove 120 miles to pick her up, brought her home, fed her, and bought her new clothes. I even encouraged her to leave her abusive husband. But three months later, when her life didn’t improve, she tore off my protective heat suit and left me to die under the searing 120°F sun. Her reasoning? “If you hadn’t told me to divorce him, I wouldn’t be living such a miserable life!” “Claire, can you come pick me up?” The familiar voice on the other end of the phone sent a chill down my spine, freezing me in place. It was Olivia. It felt like déjà vu. This was exactly how it happened in my previous life: Olivia’s husband, Nathan Zhang, had thrown her out of the house late at night, and she’d called me, desperate for help. Without hesitation, I had driven 120 miles to bring her to safety. I treated her like family, offering her food, shelter, and support. I had even told my parents, “Olivia is like a sister to me. She’s the family that life gave me, and I’ll always look out for her.” To me, she was more than a friend—she was my closest confidante. Her problems were my problems, and I treated her with the utmost care. From the beginning, though, I had a bad feeling about Nathan. He was controlling and manipulative, and I urged Olivia to leave him, but she wouldn’t listen. Instead, she chose to marry him and move far away. After the wedding, Olivia often called to vent about how Nathan was abusive and unfaithful. I lost count of the number of times I told her to leave him. Every time she swore she’d come to me and file for divorce, but the next day, she’d reconcile with him. In my past life, I was a fool. When Nathan threw her out, I brought her home and spent weeks convincing her to leave him. After all, who wouldn’t side with her? Being kicked out in the middle of the night, forced to wander the streets—it was unforgivable. But Olivia was nothing more than a snake in disguise. Three months later, after living comfortably in my home, she snapped. In a fit of rage, she tore off my protective heat suit and threw me outside into the blistering sun. I begged her from the other side of the door, pleading for my life, but she glared at me with resentment. “Why do you get to live happily with your perfect husband while I’m left a divorced nobody?” Under the relentless heat, I collapsed in the middle of the street. My body was found days later, scorched and unrecognizable. As for Olivia? She went after my husband. I had once told him, “Ethan, Olivia is my best friend. Treat her as well as you treat me.” And he did. He trusted her when she told him there were roses growing outside that he should pick to honor my memory. Wearing a compromised heat suit she had prepared, Ethan ventured out into the deadly heat. He suffocated in the sweltering air, his body baking under the sun until he was nothing but dried remains. But now, somehow, I had been given a second chance. I found myself standing in the same moment as before, Olivia’s voice trembling on the other end of the line.

“Claire? Did you hear me?” she asked again, her tone pitiful. I smirked coldly. Oh, I heard her just fine. This was my chance to rewrite my fate. “Olivia,” I said, my voice calm but distant, “Nathan probably didn’t mean it. He loves you too much to actually kick you out. You should go back and talk to him.” There was silence on the line. Then, Olivia stammered, “W-what? Claire, are you mad at me? Is this because I didn’t listen to you before? Please, you’re the only person I can turn to. You’ve always been there for me. You’re my best friend!” She began showering me with compliments, recounting all the ways I had helped her in the past. But with every word she spoke, my heart only grew colder. If she truly knew how much I had cared for her, why had she betrayed me so cruelly in my last life? Why had she called me a “fake friend” and destroyed my family out of jealousy? I remembered telling Ethan, “Honey, Olivia is like a sister to me. Treat her the same way you treat me.” How naive I had been. She was no sister—she was a monster. And because of my blind trust, Ethan had died a horrific death, suffocating in the heat while searching for roses she had lied about. This time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake.

The moment I hung up the call with Olivia, regret surged through me, sharp and bitter. “Claire?” Ethan, my husband, stirred awake and walked out of the bedroom, his voice groggy with sleep. He glanced at the phone in my hand, and when he saw Olivia’s name on the screen, his brow furrowed. “Another fight with her husband?” he asked softly. I nodded, then turned my attention back to the phone. “Olivia,” I said calmly, “go back home. Nathan won’t leave you out there. Trust me.” Before she could respond, I ended the call. But I wasn’t done. I immediately dialed Nathan. In my past life, Olivia had blamed me for convincing her to leave him. This time, I’d make sure they stayed together. “Nathan,” I started when he answered, “Olivia’s at the grocery store on the corner. She says you don’t love her, but I know that’s not true. You two have been through so much together—she’s lucky to have someone like you.” “Claire?” Nathan asked, his voice dripping with suspicion. “It’s me,” I confirmed. He scoffed, his tone turning cold. “If it weren’t for you meddling last time, Olivia wouldn’t have left in the first place. And now you’re trying to play the hero?” Meddling? Oh, Olivia. How much had you lied to me in our past life? She’d claimed I encouraged her to leave him, but it was clear now that she had twisted the narrative to suit her self-pity. “Nathan,” I said, my voice firm, “you can’t just throw accusations like that. I’ve always told Olivia to work things out with you. Marriage isn’t something you give up on lightly. You two belong together.” There was silence, then a begrudging, “Fine. I’ll go get her.” As I hung up, I smirked. Olivia, I hope you’re ready to explain yourself when Nathan shows up. Don’t forget to throw your so-called ‘best friend’ under the bus to save your own skin. With those two out of the way, I still couldn’t relax. In three days, global temperatures were predicted to rise above 120°F, and chaos would soon follow. Even though utilities like water and electricity would still function, the unbearable heat would make it nearly impossible to go outside. Protective suits could help for short trips, but even a small tear could lead to burns, dehydration, or worse. Fear and despair would take over. Supplies would dwindle. And then the true horror would begin—crime would skyrocket. I’d seen it all in my past life. The memory of those days haunted me, pushing me to act immediately. I called my boss and requested a leave of absence. Then I did the same for Ethan. Next, I called my parents. “Mom, Dad,” I said urgently, “the heatwave is coming. You need to tell everyone in the village to start preparing the fallout shelter in the back hills.” My parents lived in a small village founded by my family generations ago. Fewer than ten households remained, all of them relatives. The fallout shelter, built into the hillside behind our orchards, had been abandoned for years. But I remembered stumbling across it as a child during one blazing summer. The outside temperature had been in the high 90s, but inside the shelter, it was a cool, comfortable 68°F. I’d even fallen asleep there, only to be scolded by my parents when they found me hours later. After that, my dad started using the shelter to cool off while working in the orchard. He even set up a small space for me to rest whenever I tagged along. In this life, the memory of that cool, safe haven was all I could think about. In my previous life, when the heatwave hit, my parents had rushed to the shelter and confirmed that it still maintained a livable temperature. Ethan and I had planned to join them, but Olivia refused to leave the city. “It’s so inconvenient to pack up and move,” she complained. “Besides, the government will take care of us. Things will settle down soon enough.” When I insisted on leaving, she burst into tears. “You’re abandoning me, aren’t you? I thought I was your best friend!” Her sobs wore me down, and I foolishly stayed. But staying was a death sentence. Ethan and I both perished—him from dehydration when Olivia sabotaged his protective suit, and me from heat exposure after she locked me outside. And Olivia? She and Nathan took over the shelter, leaving my parents and the villagers to die under the scorching sun. The thought of it still made my blood boil.

“Mom, Dad, listen carefully. Tell everyone in the village—those who can return home should do so immediately, and those who can’t must stock up on essential supplies and stay put. And one more thing: don’t tell anyone outside the village about our location or that we’re preparing. Not a word about the supplies, either.” “This is about survival.” “Claire, what’s going on?” My mom’s voice was filled with alarm, her nervousness radiating through the phone. “Mom, a scientist I know says the temperature will hit 120°F in three days.” “120°F?” My mom gasped, nearly dropping the phone in shock. Time was running out, so I quickly emphasized the gravity of the situation. Hearing the urgency in my voice, my parents finally began to understand the seriousness. They swore they would follow my instructions to the letter. “Mom, there’s no time to waste. You and Dad need to start preparing immediately. The fallout shelter hasn’t been used in years—it’ll need a lot of repairs. Get to work, fast.” “Got it.” I reminded them to send me daily progress updates and to assign tasks to the other villagers. Only by working together could they speed up the preparations. Once I was certain my parents would take action, I heaved a long sigh of relief and finally allowed myself to drift into a deep sleep. The next morning, I had Ethan take his parents to my parents’ village. “Claire, are you okay?” Ethan asked, concern etched into his face. His worry made my chest tighten. Memories of his death in my past life flashed through my mind, and I couldn’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around him. “I’m fine,” I said softly. “But according to the expert, the heatwave will hit in a few days. We need to prepare now. Take your parents to my mom and dad’s place, and help them get the fallout shelter fixed. Most importantly, make sure they have enough supplies.” “What about you?” Ethan frowned. “You’re staying behind?” I shook my head. “There are some supplies the village can’t get. I’ll handle them here. Once you get there, ask my parents to gather a few trucks and have them wait for me at the cemetery on the edge of the village.” “Alright.” I shared the rest of my plan with him. Although he looked a little confused, he didn’t question me. Ethan could sense how serious this was, and though he didn’t fully understand, he trusted me. “Ethan,” I said firmly, “don’t tell anyone about the fallout shelter or why we’re stocking up. If anyone asks, say it’s for renovating the family shrine and preparing for a memorial gathering.” Ethan, quick on the uptake, nodded without hesitation. He left right away, driving our SUV, stopping along the way to pick up tools for electricity and water systems. Meanwhile, I headed straight to the farmers’ markets, buying supplies in bulk. I divided everything into categories—meat, rice, vegetables—all meticulously planned. At the same time, I instructed my parents to buy large freezers, but to do so discreetly. “Don’t buy them all from one place,” I told them. “Spread it out so it doesn’t attract attention.” Once the freezers arrived at the house, they moved them to the fallout shelter. From the videos my mom sent me, the shelter was shaping up beautifully. With the help of the aunts in the village, the once-abandoned space was now almost unrecognizable. I remembered the shelter being large, but I hadn’t realized just how massive it was. After cleaning and organizing, they’d even divided it into sections: living quarters, a recreation area, a kitchen, and, surprisingly, an open-air section where sunlight streamed in. The deeper they went into the shelter, the more impressive it became. At the very back, the shelter connected to a cliffside with a natural ventilation system. The breeze made it perfect for planting crops. “Claire,” my mom said in one of her updates, “we’ve cleaned out all the rooms and installed water and electricity. We even left space for the freezers.” With the shelter coming together so well, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. Now, I could focus on the rest of the supplies without distraction.

Three full trucks packed with supplies. The truck driver chuckled as he glanced at me. “Miss, are you opening a grocery store or something?” I smiled back, playing along. “Big celebration in the village—lots of guests and a banquet to prepare. You’d be surprised how fast all this will disappear.” “Ah, that makes sense. For a second, I thought you were stocking up for the apocalypse!” I didn’t bother explaining further; sometimes, less was more. I sent the three trucks to three separate drop-off points near different cemeteries, where Ethan and some of the guys from the village were waiting. Once the supplies were unloaded, we carefully transferred them to the trucks my family had brought. I’d reminded everyone repeatedly to avoid being seen. The supplies were discreetly delivered to the fallout shelter in ten separate trips. By the time we finished, the shelter was packed wall-to-wall with food, water, and essentials. The sight of it all made me feel like a deflated balloon, and I collapsed onto the sofa with a long sigh. For the first time since my rebirth, I felt safe. This time, the heat wouldn’t kill me. It had been so long since I’d seen my parents. When I finally did, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. I threw myself into their arms and cried like a child. Startled by my outburst, they tried to comfort me, their voices full of worry. “What’s wrong, Claire? Why are you crying so much?” I shook my head, brushing it off with a weak excuse. “It’s just… the heat. It’s overwhelming, and I couldn’t hold it in.” My mom chuckled and teased, “You’re acting like a little kid again.” I smiled through my tears and leaned into their warmth, letting myself be a daughter for just a moment longer. Once I’d calmed down, I started asking detailed questions about the shelter. When I arrived earlier, my uncle had been overseeing the installation of reinforced fencing around the perimeter. Honestly, if my mom hadn’t guided me inside, I never would’ve found the entrance. They’d done an incredible job hiding it. Forget Olivia—no one, not even the locals, would be able to locate this place. That night, my mom and a few of the aunts prepared a feast to welcome us. After dinner, Ethan took me on a little tour of the shelter. Holding hands, we explored every nook and cranny. “I didn’t have time to fix everything,” Ethan said, gesturing toward some unfinished sections. “We don’t know how long this heatwave will last, but your dad and I figured we could improve things bit by bit as we go.” “There’s plenty of time,” I reassured him, squeezing his hand. Knowing how much I loved watching movies, Ethan had even set up a small room with a projector. Seeing his thoughtfulness made me smile. The next day, the heatwave hit. The temperature soared to 122°F, and the world outside descended into chaos. People who dared step outdoors without proper protection were immediately burned. And unlike regular burns, these heat injuries were slow to heal. Experts and government officials issued warnings, urging citizens to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Community workers began distributing protective suits, based on the number of residents in each neighborhood. When our building’s property manager called to check on us, I told them, “Oh, my family’s traveling out of town, so you don’t need to include us in the headcount.” Meanwhile, Olivia sent me a picture of my house.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295535”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

### ”Three years into my marriage to Nathan White, a “Divorce Compensation System” appeared in my life. The premise was simple: if Nathan and I divorced within thirty days, I’d receive a $5 million payout. It wasn’t that I needed the money—but who would turn down $5 million? Especially when this hollow, joyless marriage was as good as worthless. So I drafted the divorce papers and handed them to Nathan. He glared at me, his teeth clenched. “Claire, what kind of game are you playing now?” I was ready to snap back at him, but before I could, strange floating messages appeared in my vision: [Noooo! Mr. White hasn’t even confessed yet, and he’s already about to be dumped!] [Don’t do it! Mr. White loves you! If you leave now, his heart will shatter into a million pieces!] A compensation system and now… mysterious floating messages? Which one was I supposed to believe? Nathan barely glanced at the divorce papers before grabbing his coat and storming out of the house. The messages didn’t stop, though. They hovered in the air, taunting me. I waved my hand at them, trying to swat them away, but of course, I grabbed nothing but air. [He’s heartbroken! Did you see his red-rimmed eyes?] [Poor Mr. White. Three years and not a single word about his feelings. Give him another chance, Claire!] Nathan and I had been married for three years, but it wasn’t a real marriage. We were like roommates, living under the same roof but with separate rooms and lives. The marriage had been arranged. My parents’ company was in crisis, and they needed the White family’s financial support. Nathan’s mother adored me, so our families decided we should marry. Nathan and I were rivals growing up—we fought about everything. But as reluctant partners in this arranged marriage, we’d settled into a sort of truce. We didn’t interfere in each other’s lives. I thought we’d continue this way forever—until the divorce compensation system appeared. The thought of walking away from this charade of a marriage with $5 million was too tempting to resist. That money could help ease my family’s financial burden, and Nathan and I could finally stop pretending to be a happy couple in front of everyone. But Nathan didn’t take my divorce proposal seriously. He assumed it was some kind of prank. What a joke. I was nothing but sincere! No matter. For $5 million, I’d figure out a way to convince him. As I mulled over my next move, the floating messages kept distracting me. Compared to the ridiculous idea that Nathan might have feelings for me, the system’s promise of a payout seemed far more believable. Besides, Nathan’s first love, Ivy, had just returned to town. With her around, getting him to agree to a divorce should be a piece of cake. After three years of putting up with this sham marriage, my freedom was finally within reach. To celebrate, I called my best friend, Kelly, and invited her out to a bar. “Wow, Claire,” Kelly teased over the deafening music, leaning in close so I could hear her. “Is this your way of saying you’re finally letting loose? Aren’t you worried Nathan will flip out?” I smirked, glancing at the male model Kelly had brought along for the night. His physique was… impressive. I wondered if those chiseled abs were real. “What’s there to worry about?” I said. “If all goes well, Nathan will set me free soon enough.” Kelly’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Wait, are you saying Nathan actually agreed to a divorce?” “Agree? What’s there to agree to?” I downed the drink handed to me by the model, the burning sensation making my eyes water. “There’s no love between us. This marriage was never real.” Kelly looked like she was about to launch into one of her romantic fantasy rants, but I waved her off. And then, once again, the floating messages appeared: [You’re so wrong, Claire. Nathan doesn’t just care—he’s obsessed. He’d rather die than let you go.] [You think you’re getting freedom? Think again. Divorce will hurt him more than death.] [Wait, what?! You brought a male model to drink with? Nathan’s already on his way, knife in hand!] I snorted. How ridiculous. As if Nathan cared. He was probably spending the evening with Ivy, reliving their glory days. Everyone thought our marriage was perfect—that we were childhood sweethearts who’d grown into a love story for the ages. Even Kelly, who devoured romance novels like they were candy, believed Nathan was secretly the cold, brooding type who loved me in his own twisted way. But I knew better. Nathan and I were oil and water, forced together by circumstance. Nothing more. In three years of marriage, the closest we’d come to physical affection was the occasional accidental brush of hands. As the night wore on, the drinks kept coming, and my notoriously low alcohol tolerance caught up with me. Three drinks in, and the male model was spinning around me like a carousel. “Hey, handsome,” I slurred, reaching out with a drunken grin. “Come here and let me feel those abs.” The alcohol had made me bold, and honestly, who could blame me? Resisting temptation was hard when it came in six-foot-tall, eight-pack glory. But just as my hand was about to land, someone grabbed my wrist. “Claire,” a deep, familiar voice growled. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I blinked, trying to focus on the figure in front of me. Through my drunken haze, I saw a face that looked alarmingly like Nathan’s. “Kelly,” I giggled, turning to my friend. “Why does this guy look so much like Nathan? Did you hire a Nathan lookalike for me? Ha! Maybe I’ll take him home tonight…”

When I woke up, my head was pounding and my throat felt like it had been set on fire. I struggled to sit up, reached for the glass of water on the nightstand, and drained it in one go. The cool liquid soothed my throat, and I felt marginally better. Looking around the familiar bedroom and noticing my neatly changed pajamas, I couldn’t help but marvel at myself. I must have gotten better at handling alcohol because, despite being completely wasted last night, I’d somehow made it home. Though, admittedly, I had zero recollection of how I’d done so. As I silently celebrated my newfound “tolerance,” the door swung open. Nathan White walked in, his face as cold as a glacier. “Awake? Get up and eat,” he ordered, his tone clipped. The sight of him instantly soured my mood. “Mind your own business,” I snapped, pulling the blanket over my head. “I’m sleeping in.” Just as I was preparing to drift back into a blissful nap, the floating messages appeared again, hovering obnoxiously in my line of sight. [It’s over! Mr. White’s jealousy is about to explode, and the heroine is completely oblivious!] [He’s on the verge of losing it! Why can’t he just express his feelings like a normal person?!] Jealousy? Nathan? What did he have to be jealous about? Before I could make sense of what the messages were saying, Nathan yanked the blanket off me. “Get up and eat some porridge. You threw up everywhere last night—your stomach’s probably a mess.” He signaled for the housekeeper to bring in breakfast, and soon a tray of warm congee and light, refreshing side dishes appeared before me. I stared at the food, then back at him. How did he know I’d thrown up? I didn’t even remember doing that. “You knew I was drunk last night?” I asked cautiously, my voice tinged with unease. “Mm-hmm.” Nathan didn’t even look up from his meal, his face as unreadable as ever. “And… did I say or do anything?” My stomach churned—not from the hangover, but from sheer dread. Alcohol had a way of making me do stupid things, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made an absolute fool of myself. Nathan’s response was as devastating as it was deadpan. “You mistook me for a male model, tried to grope my abs, and demanded that I spend the night with you.” [LOL! Only the heroine would dare mistake her husband for a male model and then grope him in public!] [She even promised him a tip if he “performed” well! How much is Mr. White worth, anyway?] I froze mid-sip and immediately spat out the porridge in shock. My aim, unfortunately, was spot-on—all of it landed squarely on Nathan’s pristine shirt. Before I could fully process the colossal stupidity of my actions, I was hit with the mortifying sight of him slowly looking down at the mess I’d made. “You just threw up on me again,” he said flatly, his tone a mix of irritation and resignation. Without another word, he stood up and walked off to change, leaving me alone with my panic and a growing sense of doom. Still in a daze, I frantically grabbed my phone and called Kelly. “Wow, you’re up early,” she teased, her voice lazy and amused. “I guess Nathan didn’t punish you too badly last night, huh?” “What does Nathan have to do with anything?” I stammered, my voice trembling with anxiety. Kelly burst into laughter. “What do you mean? He came to pick you up from the bar last night! You were yelling about wanting to see his abs and insisting that he stay with you all night. Honestly, I didn’t know you had it in you to harass your own husband in public!” My heart sank as her words confirmed my worst fears. “Oh, and,” she added mischievously, “you were basically clinging to him like a koala. It was hilarious! Did he finally confess his undying love when he carried you home?” Kelly’s laughter echoed in my ears, but I couldn’t focus. All I could think about was the fact that Nathan had caught me red-handed. Calling over male models, getting drunk, and then mistaking him for one? It didn’t matter that nothing had actually happened—morally, I was already in the wrong. This was bad. Really bad. Fine. If I was already guilty in his eyes, I might as well use this as an opportunity. My goal was divorce, after all. Taking a deep breath, I marched to Nathan’s room and knocked on the door. When he opened it, I kept my gaze fixed firmly on the floor. “We need to get divorced,” I said, my voice trembling but resolute.

“What did you just say?” Nathan White’s cold voice echoed above me, sharp and unforgiving. “You heard me,” I retorted, forcing myself to sound calm. “I called over a male model last night. Who knows? Maybe I’ll actually cheat one of these days.” I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage I had. “If we divorce now, at least we’ll save our reputations.” I looked up at Nathan, meeting his intense gaze. Fresh from his shower, he stood in front of me in a loose robe, the fabric barely clinging to his shoulders. The open collar revealed his toned chest, water droplets trickling down towards the edge of the robe. I couldn’t help but stare. Did he have abs? My mouth went dry as I unconsciously bit my lip, watching the water trail disappear into the folds of his robe. Sure, Nathan had been insufferable growing up, but I couldn’t deny that adulthood had done wonders for his physique. [Heroine, you nearly turned the screen into a mosaic last night with your wandering hands, and now you seriously can’t remember if Mr. White has abs?] [Poor Mr. White! He almost got “used” last night, and yet he didn’t even make it into the heroine’s memory.] [Mr. White’s too restrained. If he’d gone all in, there wouldn’t even be a divorce discussion right now.] The barrage of floating comments made my face burn. My hands turned clammy. Oh God, what exactly had I done last night? Did Nathan think I was using reverse psychology with this divorce talk? “Claire,” he said, his voice lower than usual, “are you divorcing me because of some male model?” His tone was flat, but the intensity in his eyes made my heart race. “What does that even mean?” I shot back, trying to regain control of the situation. “We’ve never been in love. This marriage was just a business deal. What, are we supposed to stay tied to each other forever?” Nathan and I had been fighting since we were kids, and that dynamic hadn’t changed. Sure, I was technically in the wrong about the male model thing, but that didn’t mean I’d back down. If anything, the comments floating in the air suggested I’d done something truly embarrassing. So what? Let Nathan think I was the villain here—the cold-hearted wife who used him and tossed him aside. After all, $5 million was calling my name. I couldn’t afford to get distracted by whatever nonsense this so-called “system” was throwing at me. Nathan didn’t love me, no matter what the comments claimed. They were just trying to mess with my head. Nathan stared at me for a long moment, his jaw tightening. Finally, he turned his face away, his voice rough. “Are you sure you want a divorce?” I opened my mouth to respond, but the floating comments exploded in front of me: [Heroine, don’t be so cruel! Please!] [I’m sobbing. Mr. White loves you so much. Don’t leave him!] [Forget $5 million—if you stay, he’d give you $1 billion and his life if he had to!] [Mr. White’s on the verge of tears. Stop breaking his heart, heroine!] Wait, $1 billion? Sure, I knew the White family was richer than mine, but I didn’t know it was that much. Not that it mattered. Nathan wasn’t going to hand over a fortune just because I stayed married to him. I glanced at his profile. His expression was unreadable, but… were his eyes a little red? No. That couldn’t be right. Nathan and I had always been at each other’s throats. When we were younger, he always managed to rile me up until I cried. After we got married, things had cooled into a sort of distant politeness. We didn’t fight anymore, but we didn’t joke around either. So why did he look so… fragile now? Impulsively, I reached out and turned his face to look at me. The moment my fingers brushed his skin, I felt him stiffen. His cheeks turned an unmistakable shade of red. “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice unsteady. His eyes darted away, refusing to meet mine. I cupped his face, forcing him to look at me. “Did you know Ivy’s back?” “What does that have to do with anything?” “She’s your first love. If we get divorced, you can pick things up where you left off.” The words had barely left my mouth when Nathan grabbed my wrists and pulled my hands away from his face. “Who said I want to get back together with her?” he snapped, glaring at me. “Claire, is your brain full of garbage?” There it was—that familiar, infuriating tone. My hackles immediately rose. “Oh, so now you’re insulting me?” I shot back. “Well, news flash, Nathan White: my brain is full of you!” The words flew out before I could stop them. We both froze. Nathan stared at me, stunned, while I stood there, mortified. What the hell was wrong with me? Every time we argued, I somehow managed to fall into the traps he set. It was like he had a sixth sense for making me say the dumbest possible things. Before I could recover, a glint of amusement appeared in his eyes. He leaned in close, his voice low and teasing. “If I’m all you can think about,” he murmured, “then stop asking for a divorce.” I stared at him, completely thrown off balance. How had this conversation gone so off the rails? Wasn’t I supposed to be the one pushing for divorce? The floating comments weren’t helping. [OMG, Nathan’s killing it! That comeback was perfect!] [I’m swooning. This is peak romance.] [Keep going, Nathan! You’re finally getting through to her!] I swallowed hard as Nathan’s face hovered dangerously close to mine. No. I couldn’t let this happen. “If we’re not getting divorced,” I said, forcing myself to sound calm, “then we’ll have to open the marriage.” Nathan’s expression darkened immediately. “Open the marriage?” “Yeah,” I said, my voice gaining strength. “You can go be with Ivy, and I’ll find myself a male model. Win-win, right?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295534”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance

At the World Climbing Championships, as I was accused of doping, my girlfriend Emma was by my childhood rival’s side, personally placing the gold medal around his neck. “Alex, don’t blame me. Winning the World Championships was Jake’s only dream. With you out of the picture, he finally had a chance.” “But don’t worry, even if you’re banned from competing, I won’t break up with you!” Emma loosened her grip on my hand as I was wheeled into the emergency room. Little did she know, I was severely allergic to the doping substance, and the rescue efforts would ultimately fail. She was even more unaware that our conversation had been faithfully preserved by recording equipment. The moment that recording was made public would be when her mask of hypocrisy was finally torn off! As I took my last breath in the emergency room, a thunderous cheer erupted outside. The doctor looked at the flatline on the heart monitor and removed his mask. “Resuscitation failed.” I watched my cold, lifeless body, my gaze penetrating the wall to fall on the award podium. Jake, still in his climbing gear, stood in front of Emma, basking in the crowd’s cheers as he received the gold medal he had longed for. “Jake, you’ve finally achieved your dream,” Emma said softly. My girlfriend, who had coldly watched me enter the operating room just half an hour ago, now stood beside Jake, arm in arm, her expression tender. The World Climbing Champion and the interviewing reporter stood shoulder to shoulder, cameras flashing below to capture this moment. Seeing the undisguised joy in Emma’s eyes, my heart suddenly ached. Was this the same expression she wore when she slipped the doping substance into my energy drink? For five years, she had always prepared my nutrition shakes and energy drinks before every climb. So when I drank that fatal concoction, I didn’t hesitate for a moment. Now that I think about it, it was all premeditated. “Alex, can’t you let Jake win just this once? You’ve already achieved a grand slam, you don’t need this World Championship gold medal!” Before the competition, Emma had gripped my arm tightly, demanding an answer. Even though I had experienced Emma’s favoritism towards Jake countless times, hearing these words still pained me deeply. I patiently explained to her. “Emma, the spirit of competitive sports doesn’t allow me to cheat. I know you and Jake are close, I can give up commercial resources, but I will never cheat in a competition!” Hearing this, Emma’s expression flickered. Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she handed me the energy drink she had prepared. “Then do your best.” I didn’t think much of it and drank it all. But as the competition began, I collapsed due to an adverse reaction. As I was lifted onto a stretcher, I immediately realized the reason. “Emma, did you want Jake to win so badly? You’d go this far for him?” Faced with my accusing gaze, Emma’s expression flashed with panic. “Alex, don’t blame me. Winning the World Championships was Jake’s only dream. With you out of the picture, he finally had a chance.” My heart turned ice cold. Everything from the past suddenly connected in my mind. So her attentiveness before this competition was all out of guilt. I struggled to sit up, wanting to question her, but Emma coldly shook off my hand. “It’s just the most common performance enhancer, why are you acting like this? Are you trying to scare someone by pretending you’re dying?” Performance enhancer? I suddenly froze. If an athlete was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs during a competition, they would face a ban, potentially ruining their entire career. Emma was a climbing columnist; she knew full well the consequences of doing this! To let Jake win, she was even willing to destroy me! Seeing my pale face, Emma’s expression softened slightly, and she said in a low voice. “But don’t worry, even if you’re banned from competing, I won’t break up with you!” I looked up at her and smiled bitterly. Yes, I had wanted to marry her. In fact, I had already planned to propose to her on live global broadcast after winning the final. After five years together, I wanted to use my gold medal, my dream, to make a lifelong commitment to the woman I loved. But what I never expected was… She would go this far for Jake… As the emergency room doors closed, I felt the suffocation in my airways, vaguely realizing that I might never have the chance to say those words to her again. While the crowd cheered on the podium, doctors and nurses were casually chatting in the cold operating room. “I didn’t expect Jake to win. I thought it would be Alex, after all, he’s won the World Championships three times in a row.” “In terms of skill, Alex is definitely stronger.” “What skill? The skill of using performance-enhancing drugs? I can’t believe I used to like Alex. It turns out it was all from drugs, how disgusting!” “Yeah, I bet his previous achievements were fake too! Poor Jake, being overshadowed by a cheater for so many years.” “I guess it’s karma. Who would have thought Alex would use banned substances and end up dying from an allergic reaction…” Hearing these words, I desperately wanted to explain to them. No, it’s not like that! Every one of my achievements was genuine, my love for climbing was never fake. But they could no longer hear my voice… Finally, the doctor waved his hand, stopping the slander against me. “Notify the family. Due to a severe allergic reaction to the components in the performance enhancer, the patient has died.” My heart suddenly leapt. Learning of my death, would Emma feel even a hint of regret…

Emma was a reporter; I met her during a climbing interview. There weren’t many girls interested in climbing, so I paid extra attention to her. After we got together, she mentioned that she became interested in climbing because of someone she cared about. At the time, I thought it was a confession of her feelings for me, but I later learned… The perpetual runner-up on our team, always overshadowed by me, was Emma’s childhood friend. Every competition she attended wasn’t to support me, but to capture glimpses of someone else! Seeing Jake frequently appear in her camera, I swallowed all my bitterness. In our five years together, surely she had some genuine feelings for me? During the holidays, she agreed for the first time to accompany me home to meet my parents. I was overjoyed, thinking our relationship had finally seen a glimmer of hope, and planned to propose to her after winning the World Championships. But I never expected that what I would receive was betrayal. Now, under the gaze of numerous cameras, Emma was interviewing Jake with her microphone. “How do you feel about winning the World Championship this time, Jake?” Jake gripped the trophy tightly, his gaze lingering on her face, his tone intimate. “I’m most grateful to the person who has always been by my side. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to win this championship.” Under his gaze, Emma’s face reddened slightly. People nearby noticed something, and teased, “I heard that reporter Emma and Jake have known each other since childhood. They seem to have a pretty good relationship.” With these words, Emma’s face turned even redder. Someone quickly interjected, “Don’t be ridiculous, Emma has a boyfriend, it’s Alex.” At this moment, people finally remembered my absence. “Where’s Alex? He said he wasn’t feeling well before the competition, why haven’t we seen him?” “I heard he was sent to the medical room. They’re testing him now, seems like he used performance-enhancing drugs before the competition.” At the mention of performance-enhancing drugs, everyone in the front row exploded. “Performance-enhancing drugs? Is that true?” “He’s always been so skilled, why would he use such methods? It’s impossible, right?” Camera shutters clicked incessantly. Jake’s expression changed slightly, and he sighed in front of the cameras. “Actually, I can understand Alex sometimes. For top athletes like us, even the slightest change in condition can affect our performance. Alex cares most about winning and losing, so a momentary lapse of judgment is understandable.” With his words, the tide turned. He seemed to be speaking up for me, but in reality, he was indirectly confirming the rumors. However, among the reporters present, there were many of my fans who didn’t believe Jake’s words. They turned to Emma and asked, “Emma, you’re Alex’s girlfriend. Tell us, what’s really wrong with Alex? Is he just feeling unwell, or did an old injury flare up?” “Yeah, we can’t casually accuse someone of using performance-enhancing drugs. It could ruin an athlete’s career!” Emma bit her lip, her expression flashing with difficulty. Just as she was about to speak, Jake grabbed her hand and said gently, “Emma, I know you’re conflicted and in pain, but they need to know the truth.” I saw Emma’s eyes tremble. She took a deep breath, which was her small gesture when she had made up her mind to do something. “Yes, Alex was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.” As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd below erupted. Many people didn’t believe I would do such a thing, but some were more convinced by Emma’s identity. “Emma is a climbing columnist. As a reporter, she wouldn’t lie!” “Yeah, and she’s been with Alex for five years. I heard they were about to get married. Who would slander their own boyfriend!” “I was really blind before, how could I have liked such a cheater with no sportsmanship!” Amidst the commotion, a group of people carrying flowers and ribbons rushed into the venue. Seeing the hot air balloon rising in the air and the flowers falling everywhere, the arena fell silent. A man in formal attire hurriedly walked over and stood in front of Emma. “Are you Miss Emma? Mr. Alex said you love lilies of the valley, so we specially air-freighted the freshest ones from Finland. We hope you like this proposal.” “Proposal? You’re saying Alex wanted to propose to me?” Emma was stunned, her face tightening slightly. The man nodded, looking around curiously. “Is Mr. Alex here? We called him before we came, but he didn’t answer.” I smiled bitterly. He didn’t know. That call, I would never be able to answer again. This proposal would never be completed. Just as Emma was hesitating whether to reveal the truth, I saw the coach push through the crowd and throw the flowers on the ground. “You don’t need to hesitate! Alex is already dead, there’s no need for this proposal anymore!”

Emma’s pupils constricted as she grabbed the coach’s sleeve. “What do you mean?” The coach, red-eyed, shook off her hand. “What do I mean? You know very well! I never thought you could be so heartless. The biggest regret of Alex’s life was falling in love with a viper like you!” He pushed through the crowd, picked up my backpack that had fallen to the ground earlier, and left. Having known the coach for ten years, he had always treated me like a son. Learning of my death, he must be the most heartbroken person. Seeing the coach’s hunched figure, I felt a pang in my heart. Emma finally came to her senses. She looked at the flowers and cake in front of her, her expression wavering for a moment. She lifted her leg to walk towards the medical room, but was stopped by Jake. “My championship interview isn’t over yet. Where are you going?” Emma pursed her lips: “I’m going to check on Alex. We can do the interview later.” Hearing this, Jake’s face turned cold for a moment, then he softened his expression and said in a low voice. “What could be wrong with Alex? It’s just performance-enhancing drugs. These drugs only cause a brief excitement, they don’t harm the body much.” He glanced at the media, his voice getting even lower, with a hint of guilt. “Didn’t we try it before? Besides, Alex is in such good shape, he doesn’t even catch colds. How could he suddenly need emergency care?” Emma’s expression was conflicted for a while, then slowly calmed down. “You’re right. When I saw him go into emergency care earlier, I thought he was acting. I didn’t expect he would even get his coach to play along.” As she spoke, she became more convinced she had discovered the truth, and snorted coldly. “I almost fell for it! He probably thinks the news about the performance-enhancing drugs is too embarrassing, so he’s pretending to be sick to avoid appearing in front of the media, right?” Jake carefully observed her expression before finally relaxing. “It’s good that you understand. Shall we do the interview now?” Emma’s eyes flickered, scanning the well-prepared proposal scene and the wedding planner, then said coldly. “Tell Alex to stop playing these silly games!” “I said I wouldn’t break up with him, and I won’t go back on my word. If he behaves himself, I might agree to the proposal.” “If he’s still pretending to be dead after the interview, then let’s just break up completely!” She didn’t hesitate anymore, stepping over the bouquet of flowers on the ground, crushing my heart in the process. At the interview area, many people were already waiting. For years, I had always been the champion of climbing competitions, with Jake always waiting on the sidelines. Now, he had finally stepped on my corpse to claim the championship. During the interview, someone mentioned me. “What’s your opinion on the news of Alex’s death due to performance-enhancing drugs?” At these words, both Emma and Jake were stunned. Then, Jake’s eyes flashed with wild joy. From now on, the mountain pressing down on him had finally disappeared. Emma, however, looked like she had lost her soul. She tightly grabbed the reporter’s sleeve. “What did you say? Alex is dead?” The reporter looked at her curiously. “Aren’t you Alex’s girlfriend? Don’t you know? He passed away during the award ceremony just now.” “I heard it was a severe allergic reaction to the performance-enhancing drugs. They couldn’t save him.” Emma stared at the reporter, her face as white as paper. “How is that possible? How could he die?” “You’re all lying to me, right? Did Alex put you up to this?” She suddenly became agitated, startling everyone. Jake quickly tried to calm her, pulling her into his arms. “Alex’s death was an accident, Emma. Don’t get upset.” I saw a flash of panic in Jake’s eyes, afraid Emma might say something she shouldn’t in her agitation. The people around also started to comfort her. “Don’t be sad, he’s not worth it.” “Yeah, he brought this on himself. You should be glad you’re free from him.” I smiled bitterly, watching everyone treat Emma as the victim, freely disparaging me. In front of the cameras, Jake couldn’t say much, but the hand on Emma’s shoulder tightened slightly. “Emma, you’ve always known how I feel. No matter what, I’ll always be by your side.” Meeting his gaze, Emma bit her lip and said softly, her voice trembling. “Yes, it was all an accident. He made the mistake himself…” “You’re lying!” A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, tearing through the turbulent atmosphere. The coach, clutching my backpack, his eyes bloodshot, stared at Emma. “I have a recording. Alex’s death is directly related to you!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295533”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf

On Christmas Eve, I was forced to brave the bitter cold to deliver food, all in an attempt to earn money for my father’s medical treatment. As I handed the delivery to a customer around my age, he suddenly tipped the cake over. “What kind of delivery service is this? Do you know this cake was specially made for me by my mom?” he snapped. I was about to retort when two familiar figures appeared in the luxurious house behind him. It was my parents! My usually frugal father was now exuding an air of extravagance. “It’s just a cake. Our Jack is so outstanding, I’m giving him this house as a reward.” My typically modest mother, now dressed in high-end designer clothes seen on TV, gently held his hand. “It’s our precious only son’s birthday. We can’t let some dirty delivery girl ruin his mood. Here’s the watch you’ve always wanted, don’t be upset.” Jack threw the cake at me, giving me a meaningful look. “You can have it. Consider it dog food.” I was about to speak, still holding the cake, when my phone buzzed with a negative review notification. Looking at my frostbitten hands and the holes in my shoes, I felt a wave of desolation wash over me.

Because of Jack’s complaint, I had to compensate him for the four-figure cake. That was equivalent to my wages for delivering 300 orders! But at that moment, I couldn’t dwell on these details. The hallway of the mansion was so warm, yet why did I feel ice in my heart? The door opened again, and Jack threw out a gold necklace. I immediately recognized it as the birthday gift I had bought for my mom. Jack looked at me provocatively, “My mom didn’t know where to throw this trash. I think it suits a dog like you perfectly. Come on, bark for me.” He crossed his arms, laughing arrogantly. Seeing my silence, he continued: “You’re just an abandoned child. Born but not raised by your parents.” Faced with his repeated provocations, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I clenched my fist and rushed towards him, only to be met with the sound of a slamming door. Unwilling to end things so pathetically, I stood at the door, knocking repeatedly, trying to get my parents’ attention. But what came instead were several burly security guards. “The owners inside are my parents, you can’t kick me out,” I pleaded. The security guard looked me up and down with disdain, “In this community, houses start at eight figures. You don’t look like you’re worth more than 800 bucks. If you want to dream, do it at home.” With that, they all burst into laughter. One of the guards approached me with a taser, “I advise you to get lost. This isn’t a place where you can cause trouble as you please.” I had no choice but to pick up the broken necklace from the ground and flee. The cold wind cut through my delivery uniform like a knife. Just then, someone collapsed on the road ahead. To avoid causing further injury to the fallen person, I chose to fall deliberately. The cake rolled out, smearing my face. Lying on the ground, looking at the snowflakes falling from the sky, I could no longer hold back my tears. At that moment, a familiar ringtone sounded. It was the special ringtone I had set for my parents in case they needed to reach me urgently. My mom anxiously asked, “Why did it take you so long to answer the phone, son? I thought something had happened to you. It’s our fault for making you deliver food on Christmas Eve. We’re so sorry.” I tightened my grip on the phone, wanting to ask them why they had lied to me, but all that came out was a choked sob. My dad’s cough came through the line, “It’s all dad’s fault for being useless and burdening you.” On any other day, I would have immediately refuted this, patiently comforting them. But now, I didn’t want to bother. Hearing my silence, dad thought I was tired. “Child, tomorrow’s Christmas Day. Take a break, and let’s have a good holiday together as a family.” Mom added mysteriously, “I have a surprise for you tomorrow.” I managed to squeeze out a “Okay” through my sobs. A passerby, seeing me motionless, was about to call for an ambulance. Hearing that it would cost money, I instinctively got up. “I’m fine, no need to call 911. But she might need help,” I said, pointing to a figure not far away. Under the hat was an elderly woman with white hair. “You’re young, so we dared to help. But her? That’s probably too much. You’re just a delivery girl, better not get involved,” the passerby advised. The snow was falling heavier, and out-of-control vehicles were becoming more frequent. Looking at the lonely old woman lying on the ground, I thought of how no one cared about me either. Without hesitation, I helped the conscious but immobile old woman to safety and called for an ambulance. It was already 4 AM when I got home. Looking at myself covered in cake and dirt, I quietly said, “Happy birthday.” Today was my 22nd birthday. And my parents were spending it with love and money on someone who wasn’t even related to them.

I shivered through a quick shower and hurried back under the thick but ineffective blanket. Because we were poor, we rented a house in a remote suburb, and to save money, we hadn’t paid for heating. I used to wonder why my dad would always fall seriously ill every winter, and my mom would use the excuse of taking care of him to go with him. Now I understood they were just afraid of the cold and had hidden away in a luxurious house, living like royalty. When I was little and got sick, they would brave wind and rain to carry me to the hospital. Mom would try her best to keep the umbrella over me, not caring if she got wet herself. And dad, even when he tripped over a tree branch and fell into a puddle, would still protect me wholeheartedly. They only cared if I was hurt, not themselves at all. But how could these parents who loved me so much now bear to deceive me with fake illnesses, pretending to be poor and making me give up my studies to support them? I covered my eyes and suddenly laughed out loud. I was so presumptuous. The house they were in now was in the most upscale community in the city center. I couldn’t even afford the property management fees, let alone claim to support them. I was nothing more than their plaything. Their real son must be that Jack they doted on. Light gradually filtered through the rag-covered window. The alarm went off. It was 5 AM, time to start delivering food. Although the bed was cold, I indulged in a rare lie-in. This was the first time I had rested in the four years since I started delivering food at 18. The 8 AM alarm went off. Usually, this was when I would check on my dad’s condition. Looking at the alarm note: “I’d trade my life for dad’s health,” I suddenly found it laughable. It wasn’t until the sun was high that I finally felt some warmth. At 10 AM, my parents called. “Son, why didn’t you call today? Did something happen? Are you sick? You didn’t fall, did you?” Their anxious voices echoed in my ears, but I couldn’t feel any warmth. I didn’t know their acting skills were so good, performing their “concern” for their son so convincingly that I had always believed they truly loved me. “Lucy, Lucy, why aren’t you saying anything?” Faced with their constant calls, I sighed deeply, “I’m tired.” My parents were stunned, anxiously asking, “What’s wrong? Is work too hard?” But all they got in response was my heavy breathing. Since I started delivering food when I came of age, I had never once complained of being tired in front of them. After a moment, their voices sounded again. “Son, it’s dad’s fault for being useless. You’ve worked so hard. It’s too cold, don’t go out delivering today. If you get hurt, we’ll be heartbroken.” Mom immediately chimed in, “That’s right, today’s Christmas Day. Let’s have a good family reunion. Didn’t you always want to eat at that fancy steakhouse? My friend gave me some coupons, let’s go there today to celebrate your birthday!” “We’ve brought a cake for you too.” Their joyful tone couldn’t touch me. But I still obediently agreed, “Mm.” I wanted to see how long they could keep up this act, how real they could make it seem. I put on my best clothes and arrived at the agreed mall. This was my first time stepping into such a high-end place. Just as I was about to cross the road, a sports car suddenly stopped in front of me. I immediately recognized the person in the driver’s seat. Jack lowered his sunglasses and smirked at me, “Well, if it isn’t yesterday’s dog?” He patted his car, “My mom’s coming-of-age gift for me. Not bad, right?” He then flashed his wrist, the diamonds on his watch dazzling in the sunlight. “Huh? How come your mom didn’t give you a watch? Oh, I forgot, your parents don’t love you. This watch is worth seven figures. You couldn’t afford it even if you delivered food for a lifetime.” “Oh right, my parents specially stayed up with me until midnight yesterday. Mom even cooked a big feast for me herself. I remember we have the same birthday. I wonder what your parents prepared for you?” With that, he deliberately sped off in front of me, leaving me covered in dust. Watching his arrogant and unrestrained behavior, my heart sank even further. When I turned eighteen, my parents personally handed me the delivery kit, saying, “Our son is grown up now, he can earn money for the family.” Arriving at the steakhouse, my parents looked at me with tears in their eyes, hoping to see joy on my face. After all, this was the first time in my 22 years that I was eating at the fancy steakhouse I had always dreamed of. “Happy birthday, son. Make a wish and blow out the candles.” On the table was half of the cake that Jack had left over yesterday.

My mom followed my gaze to the cake, her expression a bit awkward. “Your dad is still undergoing treatment, but we still wanted to give you some sense of ceremony. The cake might be small, but it’s enough to carry your wishes. Tell us what gift you want, and we’ll get it for you.” Perhaps feeling guilty about giving Jack a mansion and an expensive watch yesterday, they were unusually generous to me today. “Really?” I asked. My parents nodded, “Of course. You’re our only child. If we’re not good to you, who else would we be good to?” Looking at the old clothes they had deliberately put on, I couldn’t help but laugh. Remembering Jack’s words, I looked intently at my mom and slowly opened my mouth. “I want to eat a meal you cook yourself.” My mom was taken aback. She clearly hadn’t expected that I, who had always been understanding and independent, would make such a request. As far as I could remember, she had never cooked a meal for me. I thought she didn’t know how to cook, so from the age of seven, I took on the responsibility of cooking, never complaining even when my hands were scalded or cut. Now I knew that her culinary skills were actually excellent; she just wasn’t willing to cook for me. She avoided my gaze and mumbled, “Son, mom wants to cook for you too, but mom has never cooked before. I’m afraid it won’t taste good. Choose another gift, okay?” “Then can you buy me a watch?” I pointed at the watch worn by someone at the next table. With these words, my parents fell silent. They exchanged a glance, and dad coughed a few times, covering his mouth. “Son, you have a phone, why do you need a watch? You know our current situation doesn’t allow for that. Look…” Mom immediately chimed in, “Lucy, we know you’re the most obedient. We don’t need to compare ourselves with others. Being together as a family is more important than anything. Such an expensive watch, we can’t afford it. Your dad’s illness, who knows how much more it will cost.” She wiped away a tear, her face full of sorrow. “You work so hard delivering food, you shouldn’t waste money like this.” My internal contempt reached its peak. It was just a watch worth a few hundred dollars, yet they thought it was expensive. But when they bought gifts worth millions for Jack, they didn’t hesitate at all. Seeing my silence, my parents immediately pulled me to sit down, putting the only chicken leg on the table into my bowl. “Son, eat up. You need to eat well to grow. You’re too thin now.” I forced a smile. How could I not be thin when I only ate one meal a day? If they really cared for me, why did they deceive me? Why did they say dad had cancer and needed treatment? Why did they say the family was so poor we could barely make ends meet? And why did they make me give up my studies to deliver food when they knew I wanted to study? “Mom, Dad, I want to go to college.” They instinctively exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing contempt. “Lucy, you’re not cut out for studying,” Mom said hesitantly. “Don’t you remember how low your SAT score was?” They even dared to mention the SAT. After I finished the math section, they put on an act of a relapse of an old illness. I had to give up the test and rush home. But what I faced was an empty room. They said they were already in the hospital, but when I rushed there, they said they had been transferred. By the time I finally found them, the test was long over. And all they said was a casual, “We’ve already been treated.” My dream was so easily destroyed by them. “Lucy, eat up.” The taste of the steak in my mouth was so bitter. Seeing my low spirits, my parents actively put food on my plate. After just half an hour, mom’s phone rang again. A flash of guilt crossed her eyes, and she immediately hung up. “These telemarketing calls are really frequent nowadays.” But as soon as she hung up, it rang again and again. She laughed dryly and stepped aside to answer the phone. A few minutes later, she returned, her face pale, and exchanged a glance with dad. “The hospital needs to do an urgent check-up. I need to take your dad there first.” I pretended to be anxious, “Mom, let me go with you.” They were startled and quickly waved their hands, “You’re tired from delivering food. Just go home and rest. I’ll take care of your dad. Someone in the family needs to earn money.” “This is my only day off in four years. Can’t you let me stay by your side?” I finally couldn’t suppress my grievance. With tears in my eyes, I looked at them stubbornly, begging them. My humble request seemed to make them waver. “Well… let’s sit for a bit longer.” But before they could sit down, their phones rang again. Dad showed the phone to mom, and their faces grew more anxious. “Lucy, you’re an adult now. Don’t be childish. You need to know what’s important. Your dad’s attending physician just messaged us to come over immediately.” I grabbed her hand, begging like a dog wagging its tail. “Can’t you stay to finish my last birthday before leaving?” Mom frowned, very impatient. “You have birthdays every year. What’s so important about one stupid birthday? Lucy Thompson, you’re being very inconsiderate.” She forcefully pulled her hand away, her nails leaving a long scratch on the back of my hand. Am I really that annoying? They’re not even willing to stay a bit longer. I’m supposed to be their biological child. Why can’t they spare even a little love for me? Why did they have to deceive me? I could no longer suppress the fact that my parents didn’t love me and buried my face in my hands, crying. Just as I was about to leave, someone suddenly sat down in the chair in front of me. “If you want to continue your studies, I can sponsor you. However, my team needs a semi-closed research period of ten years. I hope you’ll think it through before making a decision.” Suddenly, my phone received a message from an unknown number. [I just said I sprained my ankle, and your parents abandoned you to come to me. What does it matter if you’re blood-related? In your parents’ hearts, you’ll never measure up to me!] I tightened my grip on my phone, suddenly wanting to be willful for once. [Mom, I’ve been in a car accident.] The next second, my phone immediately rang. “Son, are you okay? Where are you? Mom and Dad will come right away.” I was about to speak when I faintly heard Jack’s exclamation, “My foot hurts so much! Is it broken? How am I going to attend Harvard if it’s broken?” Mom’s tone became even more urgent, but not for me. She casually brushed me off with a sentence, “If you’re hurt, go to the hospital quickly. Your dad’s condition is more critical, I have to go there first. I’ll come see you later. Mom knows you’re tough, you’ll be fine.” The black screen of my phone now seemed to be mocking me for how foolish I was. How dare I try to compete for affection with their beloved son? I looked at the person in front of me and finally made up my mind. “Alright, I agree. I’ll join your team.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295532”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf

Who would have thought that the boyfriend I bought on a second-hand website would turn out to be my direct supervisor? After meeting in person, my grudge-holding boss transformed into a sweet puppy. Later, rumors spread throughout the office. He locked me in his office, cornering me, “I heard you’re dating that guy? What about me? What about the promises we made?” “Don’t worry, you’re still my favorite.” #Selling second-hand boyfriend. We’ve been chatting for a week. He plays all kinds of games, has a magnetic voice that’ll make your ears pregnant. He’s quite funny and great for boosting mood, perfect for gaming together. #I heard in real life he’s handsome, 6’1″, with a six-pack and still working out. He says he wants to be a lean muscle boy. He can also play piano and sing pop songs. You can just use him as a tool. I haven’t told him any of my personal info, so you can chat safely. Scrolling through this post, I felt like I was doomed. Who would sell their boyfriend? And this was from someone I followed. Who was this? Looking closer, I realized it was an online gaming buddy I’d met a few days ago. I couldn’t help but ask: “Girl, are you really selling your boyfriend?” Before I got a reply, I received a call from my mother. As soon as I answered, unsurprisingly, it was about marriage – “You’re already 26, almost 30, and you still haven’t found a boyfriend! What will you do in a few years when your dad and I are gone? All alone, you…” I could recite Mom’s spiel by heart at this point. “It’s just that I haven’t found anyone suitable…” Before I could finish, she interrupted, “No excuses. You must come home next weekend for a blind date! Otherwise, I’ll… I’ll disown you.” It seemed Mrs. Wilson had been “inspired” by some friend, to the point of threatening to disown me. I quickly agreed, and Mrs. Wilson was finally satisfied enough to end the call. But not before warning me, “Don’t you dare try to trick me, or I’ll bring someone straight to your little apartment for the blind date.” The thought of those blind dates made me shudder. They were either as plain as a potato, as short as a turnip, missing a few teeth, or divorced with two kids… No way, not for me.

“Yes, yes, girl! Do you want him? I’ll give you a good price.” “We’re so close, I’ll be honest with you.” “The main thing is, I found someone with decent conditions in real life, so I don’t really want this online one anymore. I thought I’d sell him and get some money back.” While I was on the phone with my mother, this girl sent me a bunch of messages. “Look, here’s his photo and some videos to prove it’s him. I think he’s really quite good.” “video.mp4” I didn’t rush to reply to her messages. I was curious if what she said was true, so I clicked on the video to feast my eyes. He walked ahead, turning back to look at the camera. The young man’s lips curled into a particularly dazzling smile. A simple white T-shirt looked like an expensive suit on him. Sunlight fell on his hair. His youthful aura was overwhelming. He was so handsome! Much better than those duds from blind dates! I want him. Blinded by his looks, I transferred money to the girl, and she sent me his friend request.

After adding him as a friend, I came to my senses. How could I go after a younger guy! I felt a bit heartbroken. My principle was never to go after guys younger than me, but now I’d spent a lot of money to get a “second-hand boyfriend”. I didn’t know whether to call myself stupid or foolish. “Hello, baby.” Since I’d already bought him, might as well chat. Worst case, I could come clean about the truth. The girl told me his name was Ethan. She had just asked Ethan to add her main account – which was my account. This completed the account transfer. The girl also sent me a document titled “Things We’ve Discussed”. I skimmed through it. It was mostly information about Ethan, with very little about Ethan’s “girlfriend”. “This way, you can chat with him yourself and reveal your own preferences.” Looking at the pile of information about Ethan, I couldn’t help but comment – he was way too gullible. He’d spilled everything without the other person saying much. He didn’t even need to be tricked, he’d just give you his social security number.

I discovered that Ethan was really too easy to fool! He believed everything I said. I had no doubt that if I told him there were lychees growing in the sky, he’d believe it without question. There weren’t many people as pure as him left in this world. “Olivia baby, I have to go to work now. When can we meet?” Ethan’s one downside was that he really wanted to meet. In the few days we’d been chatting, our relationship had rapidly heated up. I was thinking of just bringing Ethan home for the weekend blind date. Having someone was better than no one, right? Mom shouldn’t say much then. From what I understood, Ethan was in the same city as me, working in the same district! What could be better than that? We might even bump into each other on the street. “Baby, are you free this weekend? Would it be okay to come home with me?” “Really? I can?” Seeing this exclamation mark, I could imagine how excited he must be on the other side of the screen. “Baby wants to meet me, I’m so happy, so excited!” “Baby baby baby, this is great, I can finally meet you! Five days until the weekend! I need to think about how to dress myself, hehe.” His messages came one after another like an excited puppy. I looked at them helplessly. It was just a meeting, was it really such a big deal? “Olivia, has anything exciting happened recently?” My coworker Sarah asked from the desk opposite. It was just after lunch break. I didn’t like squeezing into the cafeteria with everyone else, so I usually waited a bit to eat. I didn’t expect Sarah to still be here too. “Why do you ask?” Sarah tidied up her desk and picked up her phone. “No reason, I just noticed you’ve had a non-stop smile on your face. I thought maybe you saw some funny video, or…” Sarah leaned in with a mischievous grin, her eyes narrowing to slits, “Could it be? Has our beautiful Olivia found love?” “What are you talking about? Don’t be silly. If anyone’s going to find love, it’ll be you before me.” I quickly locked my phone screen and joked, “Alright, alright, I’m going to eat now. Want to join me?” “Sure.”

While eating, I glimpsed a handsome guy at a nearby table that I hadn’t seen before. I whispered to Sarah, “Quick, look at the guy behind me. He’s so handsome. Look at that high nose bridge, tsk tsk…” The handsome guy wore a simple white T-shirt, shoveling food into his mouth. If this was in high school, he’d be the quintessential hot guy. I’d say one sentence, then take a bite of food, my eyes never leaving the guy next door. “Look, his profile is so handsome, his full face must be amazing.” Sarah quickly tugged at my sleeve, whispering so quietly I could barely hear, “Olivia, lower your voice. You’re speaking a bit loudly, he might hear you.” I noticed the guy’s ears turning visibly red. Crap, he heard me talking about him behind his back. I slowed down my eating, not wanting to run into the handsome guy. The company was so big, I’d never seen this handsome guy before, so I probably wouldn’t see him again. As long as I didn’t feel awkward, the awkward one would be someone else. I kept trying to convince myself. But reality slapped me in the face that afternoon. “Now, let’s welcome our newly appointed Manager Ethan.” The former manager walked in with a somewhat familiar face. I was secretly stuffing fruit into my mouth, trying to get some vitamin C. I looked up and suddenly met eyes with the new “Manager Ethan”. Oh no, did he recognize me? I could feel my heart pounding frantically. I didn’t want to be targeted by the new boss, then ostracized by everyone, and finally leave the company in disgrace. Manager Ethan only glanced at me for a moment before looking away, greeting everyone casually, “I’ll be working with all of you from now on. Please take care of me.” Everyone applauded. “Alright, everyone get back to work. Oh, Olivia, come to my office for a moment.” Manager Ethan said mildly before walking to his office. As soon as he said this, everyone in the office seemed to smell some juicy gossip and stared at me. I felt uncomfortable and looked at Sarah. Sarah gave me a helpless expression. I thought I could avoid it, but it seemed I couldn’t. Looks like he was going to confront me about what I said in the cafeteria. I steeled myself and walked to his office.

“You’re here, have a seat.” Manager Ethan still had that smiling expression, inviting me to sit on the big sofa nearby. As I was considering whether to fall to my knees and immediately apologize for gossiping about a colleague at lunch, ruining the company atmosphere… Manager Ethan handed me a document, “Take a look at this project. Can you handle it?” As long as he wasn’t pursuing the matter, I could climb mountains of blades or dive into seas of fire. Anything was fine. I immediately relaxed, quickly skimmed the project, and confidently assured him, “No problem, you can count on me.” Manager Ethan waved his hand, telling me to go back and work on the plan, “Can you give me a proposal by Friday?” I nodded vigorously like a pecking chicken. As I nodded, I walked backwards and knocked over a vase on the sofa. “Crash!” The crisp sound of breaking porcelain. I didn’t dare turn around, afraid this was all just my imagination. “Hehe.” I looked at Manager Ethan sheepishly, wishing the office floor would open up and swallow me. Gossiping about a colleague at lunch, then breaking a vase in the office in the afternoon. I must have forgotten to check my horoscope before leaving home today. Such bad luck! “Are you okay?” Manager Ethan rushed over, looking very concerned. “The vase seems to have a bit of a problem. I’m sorry, Manager Ethan, I’ll compensate for it at the original price.” I quickly bowed, hoping Manager Ethan would forgive me. I didn’t want to be the first target of his new leadership. A manager who just started on his first day surely couldn’t be asking if I was okay. “I’m asking if you’re alright. The vase breaking is just a small matter, as long as you’re not hurt.” Manager Ethan looked me up and down. Only after seeing I was really okay did his tense expression fade. “As for the vase, let’s just consider it breaking for good luck. No need for compensation.” “Then I’ll get back to work.” I slipped out, leaving those words behind.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295531”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf

My sister-in-law, obsessed with becoming a social media influencer, constantly livestreams her pranks on me. If I dare to resist, my in-laws scold me for being ungrateful and accuse me of hindering their daughter’s path to stardom. My husband even resorts to physical violence, telling me to stop making a fuss. For a measly $250 bounty from her viewers, my sister-in-law’s family locks me out on the balcony. Crying, I tell my husband I’m pregnant, begging them not to treat me this way. But upon hearing about my pregnancy, my sister-in-law excitedly urges my husband to keep me on the balcony, claiming pregnant women are more resistant to cold. That night, the temperature plummets from over 90°F to 14°F as a terrifying Ice Age Apocalypse descends upon us. I freeze to death on the balcony. Within a month, the temperature drops to -94°F, and the world is encased in ice. When I open my eyes again, I’ve returned to the day my sister-in-law decided to become an influencer. This time, it’s my turn to sit inside, enjoying hotpot and barbecue while livestreaming their miserable fate!

“Mom, look! My video pranking my sister-in-law got so many views. I need to make more of these,” Lily exclaimed, waving her phone proudly at her parents in the living room. “Once I become famous, I’ll be rich enough to treat you to all the good stuff!” Hearing that familiar voice, I couldn’t help but shiver. Even standing in the sunlight, my whole body trembled. The bone-chilling cold that had seeped into my very marrow in my past life was impossible to shake off. After all, I had been frozen to death! I pinched my arm hard, and the pain finally made me realize I had been reborn. At this moment, my in-laws were praising their daughter for being smart and destined for great things. Martha, my mother-in-law, then glared at me viciously. “You useless girl, did you hear that? You better cooperate with the videos. If you ruin my daughter’s chance at fame and fortune, I won’t let you off easy!” She had said the same thing in my past life. Back then, I had privately asked Lily to change her content. But Lily had gone to her parents in tears, claiming I was jealous of her success. George, my father-in-law, had immediately flown into a rage, calling me a jinx who couldn’t stand to see their family prosper. Martha had pointed at me, yelling that I was worthless and trying to obstruct her daughter’s path to stardom. My husband, Jack, had beaten me black and blue, warning me not to cause trouble. Later, for a $250 bounty in Lily’s livestream, the whole family had locked me out on the balcony. Even when I cried and told Jack I was pregnant, begging them not to do this to me, the family remained unmoved. Lily had excitedly said, “It’s even better that she’s pregnant! Pregnant women are more resistant to cold. Brother, quick, put her on the balcony. More and more people are joining my livestream. I’m about to become a big star!” In the end, they had locked me on the balcony. I had planned to divorce Jack and abort the baby once this was over. That night, the temperature had suddenly dropped from over 90°F to 14°F as the terrifying Ice Age Apocalypse struck. I kept banging on the balcony door, begging them to let me in. My hands were bruised and bleeding, but they still refused to open the door. Desperate to survive, I had tried to break the glass with my body. When the glass cracked, Lily quickly told Jack to move a cabinet to block the door. In the warm interior, Lily had eaten a popsicle in her short sleeves, laughing at me, “Sis, you’re pregnant. What are you afraid of? A little cold won’t hurt you.” With my bloodied fingers clawing at the door, I had begged, “Lily, please, if you leave me out here any longer, my baby and I will die!” But Lily had just pointed her phone at me, telling her viewers, “See, guys? Pregnant women really are tough. Look, my sister-in-law isn’t dead yet.” Lily’s cruelty had chilled me to the bone. Eventually, I had succumbed to exhaustion and died on the balcony, my tears freezing on my face. Thankfully, heaven had taken pity on me and given me a chance to be reborn. Now, it was still a hot summer day with temperatures in the 90s. The cicadas were chirping loudly outside, with no sign of the impending Ice Age Apocalypse. But in just a week, one night, the temperature would suddenly drop from over 90°F to 14°F. After that, it would get colder each day until it reached -94°F, and the whole world would be frozen. The fire of revenge burned fiercely in my heart. This time, I would definitely get my revenge and send this whole family to hell with my own hands!

Pretending to be meek and obedient, I replied to Martha, “Yes, Mom. I’ll cooperate with Lily’s videos.” Martha seemed somewhat surprised by my compliance but still scolded me, “You useless girl, don’t you know it’s time to make dinner? Why are you just standing there like an idiot? Go cook now!” I clenched my fist tightly, reminding myself not to act rashly. Then I walked into the kitchen and started preparing dinner. As we were about to eat, Jack came home. I had just washed my hands and was about to sit down when Jack kicked me. “What are you doing? The supermarket shelves are empty. Go stock them.” Holding back my pain, I agreed and grabbed the keys from the shoe cabinet, heading downstairs without another word. When I got married, my parents had given me a commercial property as part of my dowry, which we had turned into a small supermarket. Since opening the supermarket, no one in this big family had gone out to work. They all relied on this small business for their livelihood. Not only that, but they had dumped the most tiring and dirty jobs of restocking and shelf arrangement on me. To maintain the household expenses, I worked part-time during the day and came back to organize the supermarket shelves at night. So no one knew this supermarket better than I did. After restocking the shelves, I grabbed some sausages, bread, and drinks, and went to the storage room where we kept our supplies. After eating, I called my parents who still lived in the suburbs. Hearing my parents’ voices through the phone again, tears welled up in my eyes uncontrollably. In my past life, after I died, my parents had called me several times but no one answered. Then they had called Jack to ask about me. Originally, Jack had been afraid of being exposed, so he had replied to my parents using my WeChat account, making them believe I was still alive. Later, when the temperature dropped suddenly and the Ice Age Apocalypse came, my parents had asked me on WeChat if I could send them some food. The temperature had dropped too quickly, and they couldn’t buy anything in the suburbs. Lily had seen the chat history and instigated Jack to trick my parents out of their money. So Lily and Jack had conspired together, making up an excuse that I was sick. Lily had even worn my clothes to pretend to be me. My parents had believed them and immediately transferred all their money. After getting all the money from my parents, they had made a video call to my parents, calling them big idiots and fools, saying no wonder their daughter was also a fool. They had told them their daughter had already frozen to death, and even sent photos of my corpse to my parents. This had immediately triggered my father’s heart condition, and he had collapsed. The last thing I heard was my mother’s panicked screams before the video call was cut off.

Thinking of this, my voice choked up as I called out, “Dad, Mom.” My father thought I was upset about something and immediately tried to comfort me, even threatening to come over and beat up Jack. My mother told me to divorce Jack immediately and come back home. I shook my head, saying I wasn’t mistreated. In my past life, my parents had been tragically killed by Lily and Jack. This time, I definitely wouldn’t let these two dogs off the hook! But I also wouldn’t let my parents get involved. They were getting old and should enjoy their retirement peacefully. I would handle everything. My parents still didn’t believe that I wasn’t being mistreated, so I changed the subject and said, “Mom, Dad, can you rent the house next door?” My parents were confused about why I wanted them to rent the house next door. I explained to them that extreme weather would occur in the future, and the previous owner of the house next door was a foreigner. Foreigners naturally liked to dig various basements to store things and use as shelters, so there was a large basement under the house. After the foreign owner left, the house had been listed on a second-hand platform for sale. Because it was in the suburbs, it had been on the market for a long time without any buyers. In the future extreme weather, temperatures would eventually drop to -94°F. By then, having food and drink wouldn’t be enough. A safe shelter would also be crucial. Although my parents didn’t quite believe that extreme weather would occur – after all, it was still blazing hot outside – they still did as I said. After hanging up the phone with my parents, I contacted a moving company. Under the guise of restocking goods, I secretly transported some items from the supermarket storage room to my parents’ place. There was about a week left before the Ice Age Apocalypse arrived. By moving a portion every day during this time, I could empty the entire warehouse without anyone noticing. This time, it would be my turn to sit inside with my parents, eating barbecue around the fireplace while livestreaming the miserable fate of Lily’s family!

By the time I finished all this, it was already dark outside. I had just gone upstairs but hadn’t entered the door when I heard Lily’s coquettish laughter, “Brother, look! This person is as stupid as my sister-in-law.” Opening the door, I saw a harmonious family scene. The whole family was gathered around Lily, like stars revolving around the moon. Lily was the late-born daughter of my in-laws and was extremely pampered. Martha especially doted on Lily, saying Lily was her little cotton jacket. Jack also adored Lily, saying he was Lily’s eternal support and that with him around, Lily didn’t need to get married for her entire life. Hearing the door open, the family looked in my direction. As soon as Martha saw it was me, she immediately put on a stern face and scolded, “You useless girl, what are you standing there for like a door god? You scared me!” Lily held her phone in one hand and a bowl of fruit salad in the other as she walked towards me. “Sis, we forgot to save you some dinner. Here, have some fruit to fill your stomach.” I looked at Lily, who was smiling with ill intentions. In my past life, I had eaten it without suspicion, only to find out the fruit salad contained mango, which I was allergic to. My whole body had broken out in a rash. Lily had laughed loudly while holding her phone, telling her livestream viewers, “Look, guys! My stupid sister-in-law ate it. Look at her allergic reaction.” Martha had laughed along, saying, “Our Lily is so clever, making that useless girl look foolish.” Jack had pointed at me, saying I looked ugly like that. At that moment, my heart had completely turned cold, and I realized I couldn’t stay in this family anymore. I had thoughts of divorce. But soon after, the Ice Age Apocalypse had struck. This time, since they could prank me for a $250 bounty, they could just as easily prank someone else for the same money. I decided to test it out. I pretended to have a stomachache, bending over and saying, “My stomach doesn’t feel good. I need to use the bathroom first.” But Lily insisted I eat before going. I pushed Lily away and quickly ran to the bathroom. Martha cursed behind me, “Lazy people always need to pee.” I ignored Martha’s words because she would soon taste the bitter fruit of her actions. In the bathroom, I took out my phone and entered Lily’s livestream. I directly put up a $250 bounty in Lily’s livestream – to prank her own mother. At the same time, I commented, “Pranking the sister-in-law is boring now. Let’s try something new, like pranking your own mom.” I wanted to see just how much their so-called family affection was worth. Sure enough, the next second I heard Lily excitedly tell everyone, “Dad, Mom, Brother, look! Someone just donated to my livestream. I’m about to become a big star!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295530”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf

I’m the top salesperson who brings in millions in revenue for the company. Just because I didn’t compliment her looks in the company SnapChat group, she fired me without hesitation. She replaced me with her cousin. Until later, when the company’s sales plummeted to zero. She came to apologize to me in person. “Please come back. My boyfriend said he’d break up with me if you don’t return.” The boss went on a business trip for a month and left his girlfriend in charge of the company. Who knew that her first act as the new boss would be to target me? At 10 AM, I arrived at the office on time. I saw my colleague looking nervous, pointing at the boss’s office and whispering, “Tiffany’s here. She wants to see you!” Tiffany Fox was the boss’s new girlfriend, known for her arrogance and bullying. She would curse at anyone she didn’t like. Once, when a female colleague stayed a bit longer in the boss’s office to report work, Tiffany spread rumors that she was a prostitute. She bullied that girl so much that she was forced to resign. But because Tiffany was sweet-talking and good at flattery, the boss usually let her do whatever she wanted. I didn’t expect her to target me now. I put down my coffee and pushed open the door to enter the office. As soon as I entered, a file flew towards my face. “Do you know what time it is? Company policy states work starts at 8 AM. Why are you coming in at 10?” The sharp edge of the file folder left a bloody cut on my forehead. I held my head, looking at Tiffany who was throwing her weight around behind the desk. My 10 AM start time was a perk for being the top salesperson. Everyone in the company knew about this unwritten rule. Years ago, when the boss’s company was about to go bankrupt, they accidentally hired me. In my first month, I generated $5 million in sales, bringing the company back from the brink of death. Since then, the boss had treated me like a precious asset, usually listening to my opinions on major decisions. She slammed the table, her face contorted with rage: “Look at your punch card. You’ve been coming in at 10 for a whole month. Do you think you’re above company rules?” “According to company policy, three consecutive days of tardiness can result in termination!” “You can get out now!” I looked at Tiffany in disbelief: “You’re firing me? Did you ask the boss?” I created 80% of the company’s profits, and she dared to fire me? Tiffany snorted coldly, looking at me with disdain: “You’re just a salesperson. A lousy peddler. What’s wrong with me firing you?” “This is my boyfriend’s company. I’m the boss’s girlfriend, I can fire whoever I want!” The boss had treated me well, so I couldn’t just leave like this. I sat down on the sofa: “You should ask for the boss’s opinion first.” Tiffany rolled her eyes: “Who do you think you are?” Saying this, she directly called the boss. The boss’s voice on the other end sounded tired: “What’s the matter?” Tiffany, who had just been yelling at me in a shrill voice, immediately softened her tone, cooing, “Honey, I miss you.” The boss sighed: “Just tell me what you want.” Tiffany glanced at me triumphantly: “There’s a salesperson who doesn’t follow the rules, always coming in late. I want to fire him.” “Whatever, I need to rest now.” The boss casually agreed and hung up. Tiffany looked at me arrogantly: “Did you hear that? I can fire whoever I want. Now get out!”

I laughed coldly, looking at Tiffany: “Are you sure?” “If the boss comes back and finds out you fired me, he might get angry.” I kindly reminded her. After all, headhunters had been trying to poach me with high offers for years, but out of loyalty to the boss, I had always stayed. My leaving wouldn’t affect me at all, but Tiffany might not be so lucky. Tiffany glared at me, her face twisted with arrogance and tyranny. “Who do you think you are? You’re just a salesperson. I’m my boyfriend’s future wife, the mistress of this company. Do you think he’d choose you over me?” Hearing her say this, I shook my head. If that’s how it is, so be it. I turned and left the office. Outside, my colleagues had heard our argument but didn’t know what happened. They kept looking at me. “Boss, what’s going on?” I started packing my things efficiently, smiling: “What’s going on? I got fired, that’s what.” My colleague’s eyes widened, looking at me in disbelief: “Fire you? Has Tiffany gone crazy? Everyone knows you’re the boss’s golden goose. Isn’t she afraid the boss will break up with her?” I shook my head and chuckled: “Well, that’s not my problem anymore. After all, it’s her decision, she’ll have to bear the consequences.” “Besides, I’ve been working for so many years, it might be nice to take a good rest.” I had long ago saved enough money to be financially independent, but I had never taken a break and felt too embarrassed to ask. This was a perfect opportunity. My colleague was furious: “But why did she fire you? Did you offend her somehow, boss?” I frowned, thinking carefully: “I guess it’s because last time when she spread rumors about Zoe, I stood up for Zoe, remember?” “Since then, she’s been picking on me, always finding fault one way or another.” Yesterday, Tiffany uploaded a photo of herself to the company WhatsApp group, and everyone was flooding the comments with compliments. I was the only one who read it without replying. I guess that was the final straw. “Should I call the boss now? You’re the backbone of the company, you can’t just leave like this.” I shook my head, smiling lightly: “Forget it. If I ever come back, it’ll be after Tiffany and the boss break up. I really can’t stand her behavior anymore. We’ll see in the future.” I finished packing my things and headed to the finance department to collect my salary for the month. I had only worked for ten days this month, but my salary and commission amounted to $100,000. I informed the finance staff about my termination and asked her to transfer the salary to my account later. Unexpectedly, Tiffany suddenly appeared at the company entrance, glaring at me: “Jack Wilson, didn’t I tell you to get lost? What are you doing here?” I looked at her calmly. She was gloating, thinking she had found a good boyfriend, looking particularly disgusting. Seeing that I didn’t respond to her, Tiffany became agitated. She came forward and grabbed my clothes: “Are you deaf? What are you doing in the finance department? These are all important company documents. Get out now, or I’ll call the police!” I frowned and forcefully shook off Tiffany’s hand. “Let go!” “Now that I’ve been fired, is there a problem with me collecting my salary for this month? I’m already being nice by not asking for severance pay.” Tiffany glared at the young girl in front of me: “How much is his salary?” The finance girl answered honestly: “One hundred thousand and five hundred dollars.” Tiffany’s face immediately changed: “How much?” After the finance girl repeated it, she pointed at me and said: “You violated company rules by being late, so your salary for this month is forfeited.” I laughed coldly: “A $200 deduction for each tardiness, is that how you calculate? Did you even graduate elementary school?” To my surprise, Tiffany looked at me righteously: “It’s a new rule I made. Three tardies and your whole month’s salary is gone. Now get out!”

“What right do you have to make rules?” Tiffany crossed her arms, her mouth gaping like a shark, shamelessly saying: “I’ll have a share in this company in the future. What’s wrong with me making rules?” I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her: “Then you can expect a lawsuit from me.” With that, I strode out. I drove home and had just put my things away when I saw a group message from Tiffany in the company SnapChat group that I hadn’t left yet. “From now on, everyone must reply to any messages I post on SnapChat or WhatsApp. Those who don’t reply will be fired like that person today.” It seems she really fired me because I didn’t join in praising her. The boss really hit the jackpot with this girlfriend of his. Everyone started replying to the group message. I found it annoying and simply left all the groups. My phone suddenly became much quieter. However, since Tiffany wouldn’t let me take my last month’s salary, I decided to teach her a lesson. All the important clients were saved in my contacts, so I sent out a mass message to these clients, basically saying that I had resigned and would no longer be handling business for the company. Most of these people were clients I had brought in, and they were mainly working with the company because of me. If I left, they would likely follow me. Sure enough, within two minutes, former clients started messaging me, asking which company I had gone to and expressing their willingness to transfer their contracts. I explained the situation to each of them, saying that I hadn’t found a new job yet, but I would contact them as soon as I did. There were so many clients on my contact list that I kept replying until it got dark, and finally fell asleep from exhaustion. When I woke up the next day, a colleague had sent me a message: “Boss, many of our business partners are saying they want to terminate their cooperation and won’t renew their contracts. Was this your doing?” It seems the plan had worked. I chuckled: “I didn’t do anything. I just told them the fact that I’m no longer working there.” “You’re still the best, boss. When Tiffany came in this morning and heard about this, she blew up at several salespeople, demanding to know why they couldn’t retain the clients. Now several salespeople are planning to quit, saying they won’t put up with this crap.” It seems quite a few people in the company were unhappy with Tiffany. I wondered how she would handle the fallout. On my end, I was preparing to contact a lawyer to file a major lawsuit to get my salary back. After all, I didn’t really need the money, but I couldn’t let her off easy. Unexpectedly, after just a few days, Tiffany called me. I was surprised and answered uncertainly: “What is it?” As soon as I picked up, I was met with a barrage of abuse from the other end. “Jack Wilson, are you even human? I’m asking you, where did all the company’s client contacts go? They said you have them all. Give me those phone numbers right now. That’s company property. Don’t think I won’t sue you!” I was stunned for a moment, then realized that Tiffany must be getting desperate. “How can you be so disgusting? Give me the client contacts right now! Or I swear I’ll destroy you, you believe me?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295529”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf

My sister and my boyfriend never got along. She didn’t believe that the charming and flirtatious heir would ever settle down for me. Even after my boyfriend proposed, she still tried to stop us from being together. To convince her, I registered a new account to test my boyfriend. Evan’s attitude was as cold as ice, always ignoring my messages. Just as I was secretly feeling pleased, I received a voice message from Evan. He said, “I’ve told you, except for you and your sister, I’m not interested in other women. “Grace, you’re so unsatisfied. Who will fulfill your needs if I get married?” Grace was my sister’s name. Hearing these voice messages, I felt like my entire body had frozen in an instant. In a panic, I pinched my thigh to confirm if this was just a nightmare. Amid the intense pounding of my heart, the harsh reality hit me. Evan and my sister were involved. And I was just a substitute for my sister. But… how could this be? Hadn’t they always disliked each other? My sister always said that Evan, apart from his prestigious family background, was just an utterly useless playboy. Evan, on the other hand, thought my sister was a meddling busybody. Every time we argued, she would try to convince me to break up. My phone suddenly rang with a call, pulling me out of my thoughts. I blankly rejected the call. Evan: [Why didn’t you pick up the phone?] [You’re not crying, are you?] [Come to the Nightshade Villa. I’ll satisfy you properly tonight.] [Don’t worry. Marriage is just a formality.] [Everything Mia has, you won’t miss out on.] [That includes me.] I stared blankly at the screen, a buzzing sound in my ears, feeling as if my body had frozen. Tears uncontrollably streamed down my face. Through my blurry vision, I couldn’t help but recall the first time I took my sister to that villa. Without me guiding her, she easily found the bathroom and the facial cleanser in the storage cabinet. When I checked her phone, I found that she had already connected to the Wi-Fi. She said she had accidentally entered my social account password. Evan’s corgi was incredibly affectionate towards her. She said it might be because it picked up my scent. But the dog totally ignored me, even when I offered a frisbee or a bone. Yet, it wagged its tail happily at my sister, whom it had just met. And at my sister’s house, there were limited edition bags, high couture dresses, and jewelry, just like mine. Some of them were things Evan had asked me to pass on under the guise of trying to please my sister. The rest, my sister said, were gifts from her suitors. I eagerly asked her about them, but she stammered and dodged the question. I thought she was shy, but it turned out she was hiding something. I also remembered when we went shopping and they bickered for my attention in front of me. Several times, the tense atmosphere was suddenly broken by laughter. I naively thought they were making up, happy that their relationship was improving. This pair of shameless lovers had been treating me as just a part of their game, playing me for a fool. I cried until my eyes were swollen and my head dizzy. Grabbing the car keys, I sped towards the Nightshade Villa. Nightshade Villa was Evan’s private club, and now it was hosting the groomsmen’s gathering. Evan was there. To my surprise, my sister was there, too. I stood outside the wall, watching them at the outdoor bar. Evan seemed to be drunk, his handsome face flushed red. He drunkenly held my sister’s neck, whispering in her ear. My sister frowned in disdain but mischievously pulled his tie. The surrounding men teased them with suggestive jeering. Evan, however, playfully swept his bangs back and purposely leaned back, flashing a mischievous grin, having succeeded in his prank.

My sister gasped and collapsed onto his lap. Evan wrapped his arms around her slender waist, kissing her lips under the dim lights of the outdoor bar. The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles. Some people opened champagne to celebrate, while others raised their phones to take pictures. Others laughed and teased, “Evan, you’re marrying Mia the day after tomorrow. Is it really appropriate to get intimate with her sister today?” “Haha, don’t tell anyone. Even if Evan takes care of Grace here tonight, Mia won’t find out.” “This is the Evan I know! Before, you were so obedient to Mia, always acting so devoted and faithful. Turns out it was all just an act? I really thought you’d changed!” Evan finally ended the passionate kiss. He was drunk, exuding a touch of arrogance. He said, “The one I’ve always loved is Grace, from the beginning to the end. But who’s to blame when Grace, this flirtatious woman, refuses to settle down for me?” Evan let out a light laugh, then kissed my sister on the cheek. “Guess I’ll have to settle for second best and be with her little sister. “Mia might not be as wild as Grace in bed, but as far as body and looks go, she’s not bad at all, tsk…” Evan helped my sister stand up and leaned her against the bar to rest. Someone handed him a coat, and he draped it over her shoulders. Someone asked, “Evan, are you going home tonight?” My sister looked up at him, her eyes dazed. Evan bent down, affectionately pinching her cheek. “Mia cares about her sister the most. I’m always second. Now that her sister is so upset, I naturally have to comfort her first.” He waved his hand behind him. “John, send Mia a message saying I’m drunk and won’t be coming back tonight. I’ll pick her up for rehearsal tomorrow.” As tears blurred my vision, my phone vibrated. John had sent a message. John: [Ms. Jones, Mr. Taylor is drunk and won’t be coming back tonight. Please rest early. He’ll come to pick you up for rehearsal tomorrow.]

I stood there for a long time, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Since we were little, my sister and I had always depended on each other. After our parents passed away, we were fostered by our uncle. My cousin constantly bullied me, and my aunt turned a blind eye. I was too scared to fight back, but my sister stood up for me. I didn’t dare to strike, but she was the one to teach them a lesson. In terms of academics, I was smarter than my sister. She didn’t like studying much, so in her senior year of high school, I stayed up every night to help her review, breaking down the material and explaining it to her. I painted a picture of a bright future for her, and we both ended up getting into university in this city. When we graduated, I found out my boyfriend was cheating. Without saying a word, my sister rushed to the hotel and beat up the cheating couple. Later, we shared a bedroom in a rented apartment, both uncertain about the future. Every night, we squeezed into one bed, promising each other that we’d take care of one another once we became successful. “We can’t forget our roots. “I’ll leave you the biggest room when I make it.” Since childhood, I’ve always considered her the most important person in my life. Maybe love for family always has its conditions, but I believed she would love me forever. So, witnessing her betrayal, I didn’t even dare to confront her. The one who once fought for me against the other woman had now become the mistress of my fiancé. My wholehearted trust was met with ruthless betrayal. I left the outdoor bar, the cold moon hanging high in the sky, the night air biting with chill. I remembered the first time I met Evan. At twenty-five, I had become the most renowned jewelry designer in Hamscent. At an international auction, after working nonstop for three days and nights, I nearly collapsed in front of the display booth. It was Evan who caught me just in time. Dressed in a suit, he was impossible to look away from. His gentle gaze made my heart race. Later, I heard he was the heir of a prestigious family and notorious for his flirtations, so I deliberately kept my distance. But to win me over, he gave up all his bad habits and pursued me relentlessly for a whole year. That year, during Christmas, I went back to my rural hometown to visit my seriously ill grandmother. Due to poor signal in the mountains, I couldn’t be reached. Worried that I might be in danger, he drove through mountains to find me. Seeing him in the heavy snow, wearing only a thin shirt, anxiously asking the villagers at the village entrance about my whereabouts, I knew then that I was meant to be with him for the rest of my life. During three years of dating, he always pampered me like it was the beginning. He would fix my hair at jewelry exhibitions, remember every vital day and surprise me, and carefully prepare before introducing me to his family. On every occasion, he proudly introduced me, “This is my fiancée, Mia, the youngest jewelry design master in Hamscent. “Her works have won numerous international awards, and even the royal family has appointed her to design their wedding jewelry. If you want to book her now, you’ll have to wait until next year. “Actually, you’ll have to wait until the year after next! “Because next year, we’re having a grand wedding. We’ll definitely invite everyone!” The love he gave me was perfect, but there was a fatal flaw, making everything fragile and easy to shatter. I went to the hotel alone and cried my heart out.

I kept telling myself that this was just betrayal, just being deceived. The wedding hadn’t happened yet. There was still time. I could run far away, leave this painful place, and stay away from these two. But why should I leave? They were the ones who were wrong. They would pay the price! And I should reflect on my lack of sharp judgment, not on my sincere efforts. I was not at fault. I was fine. The next day, during the wedding rehearsal, I returned to the apartment early. When Evan came to pick me up, I had already adjusted myself. But he still noticed my swollen eyes. “Why are your eyes so red?” He bent down and gently kissed my eyelids. I forced back my disgust and said, “I miss my parents.” Evan smiled, squatting down to help me change my shoes. “Your parents must be happy for you up in heaven.” I stared at the top of Evan’s head, my mind filled with a thousand thoughts. I thought, “Since you can’t be faithful, why choose me? Don’t you know that betrayal is the one thing I can’t stand? When you were having an affair with my sister, did you ever think about how much it would hurt me, how hopeless I would feel when I found out?” I held back those thoughts. Evan always boasted to the others that he would give me the most luxurious wedding the city had ever seen. I was going to turn this grand wedding into a ridiculous farce with my own hands. And Evan would be the saddest clown of all. The rehearsal went on until evening. Before leaving, I asked Evan and my sister to wait for me in the parking lot. I called in the wedding planner. This million-dollar wedding would be led by me and executed by her. After speaking with her, she looked troubled, as if she had something to say but didn’t know how. I acted as though I didn’t see. I knew my request was unreasonable. Such last-minute changes would bring a huge workload. But I had handled many high-society weddings and had dealt with more willful brides than me. Now that it was my turn to be the bride, why couldn’t I be willful just once? The driver was gone when I got into the car. Evan was sitting in the front seat, and my sister was in the back. The silence in the air was suffocating. I looked at my sister’s flushed face and sneered. Every time I saw this scene before, I thought they were just arguing, but it turns out they were sneaking around behind my back… I was really such a fool. I sat in the back seat, tired, and closed my eyes. “Where’s the driver?” Evan answered, “He went to the restroom. I’ll call him right away.” I gave a slight nod. Evan turned around, offering me a cup. The fragrance of coffee wafted through the air. “Are you tired?” he asked softly. Then he turned to my sister, commanding, “Grace, sit in the front.” “No need.” I opened my eyes, grabbed my sister’s hand, and turned to smile at her. I continued, “I still have so much to say to my sister.” Evan frowned, clearly displeased. “What is it that I can’t hear?” I smiled even more deeply, “It’s just some trivial talk, nothing important. If you overhear it, you’ll probably accuse my sister of trying to stir up trouble.” Evan snorted, “Grace, no matter how much you object, your sister and I are getting married now. You need to show me some respect in the future.” My sister seemed to sense something was wrong and didn’t retort like usual. Her expression froze, and she looked at me nervously. Free Point

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295528”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf

ChapterI was Emma Miller, and my husband wanted to kill me. After a car accident, I went blind. The doctor said the chances of me recovering were slim. I lowered my head and said nothing. The accident came suddenly. According to the investigation, the other driver was drunk and crashed into us. Fortunately, besides me, the rest of my family was unharmed, and my child was sent to my parents’ house. “Everything is fine, and I’m here with you…” My husband held me tightly, his tears and snot soaking the back of my clothes. I patted his head, trying to reassure him. “I’m blind, not dead. There are many blind people living happy lives, aren’t there?” He nodded. After a long while, we returned home. He held my hand as we walked slowly back, taking it one step at a time. He said he would find a nanny to help me. I agreed. He also had a job and couldn’t be with me all the time. But it would take a few days. He made sure I was comfortable and placed my phone and other things in front of me. He said that all I had to do was press the power button three times to call him. I nodded and forced a smile. After saying goodbye, he reminded me to take my medicine regularly and that he would check when he got back. He then closed the door behind him. As soon as he left, I broke down in tears. Having once seen the light, how could I bear to live in the dark? His tenderness only made it harder to bear, and I cried harder. I met him in college. He was handsome, considerate, and skilled in everything, such as cooking, cleaning, and so on. He was truly exceptional. His name was Neil Taylor. He was originally introduced to my best friend, and I had gone with her on a blind date. But unexpectedly, he was interested in me. I also liked him, so we ended up getting married. After marriage, we started a business, and everything went smoothly. Our family was happy. But… I cried uncontrollably, but there was nothing I could do. “Knock, knock…” A knock on the door, followed by a phone call. I quickly wiped my tears, relying on my memory to answer the phone. “Emma, I’m here to see you.” It was my brother, Davis Miller. I was about to stand up to open the door when I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. “Neil asked me to take care of you for a few days and gave me a key.” My brother pushed the door open and entered. We had a very good relationship. He was independent and, since adulthood, had never asked me for money. “I brought some food,” he said, closing the door behind him. Then, he sighed, comforting me, “Don’t worry, the doctor said there’s still hope.” I nodded. I knew, though, that it was just a polite way of saying there was little chance. But I nodded anyway, pretending nothing had happened. If I could see, I would have noticed my brother’s worried gaze on my red-rimmed eyes. He turned on the TV. Even though I couldn’t see, hearing the sound helped prevent me from feeling so lonely. He paced back and forth in the living room, and suddenly, I shouted, “Can you be quiet? It’s so annoying!” “Sorry…” I could feel him sitting back down beside me. He took my hand and wrote on it: [This whole thing seems a bit suspicious.] I was taken aback and thought, “Suspicious? What’s suspicious?” My brother worked as an editor at a newspaper and had a keen eye, often noticing things others missed. And if something was going on, why couldn’t he just say it out? I tilted my head slightly, confused. Chapter

My brother continued to write on my hand: [Since the accident, I haven’t come to see you. I’ve been investigating instead.] It was true. He hadn’t visited me even once since the accident. He kept saying he was busy, and I had received only three or four phone calls from him. He continued writing: [I checked nearby surveillance footage. It seems the driver was waiting for you.] [I’ll explain more later, but for now, this is just my guess.] [By the way, when the accident happened, were you sitting in the front passenger seat?] I nodded and asked, “But what does that matter?” I knew he would understand. [But usually, you sit in the back to take care of the child, right?] I suddenly stood up, a chill running through me. Yes, I usually did sit in the back seat. The child was still young and didn’t know better, but this time, the child had fallen asleep, so Neil had said, “Sit in the front passenger seat. Show your status.” I hadn’t thought much of it at the time. [This is just my guess. I’ll look into more details later and let you know.] I nodded. “You need to be careful,” he said. But I understood the meaning behind his words. The phone rang. My brother helped me answer it and put it on speaker. “Emma, it’s time to take your medicine.” “Okay,” I replied. “Make sure to eat something, too,” he said before hanging up. I could hear his light panting. Was it that hot? My brother was staring intently at the phone. “Take your medicine,” he said suddenly, standing up to get me a glass of water. The pills were on the table, many of them all different shapes, making them easy to identify. He looked at the pill bottle and asked, “How many should you take?” “Four pills per bottle.” There were more than ten bottles in total, meaning I needed to take over forty pills and divide them into four doses. “But the bottle shows just one or two pills?” My brother was confused. I was momentarily taken aback. I hadn’t known that. My brother smiled, “Maybe I misread it.” I thought, “Maybe?” Then I heard the sound of a phone camera clicking. “Take the medicine,” Davis said, pouring out the pills. After taking the medicine, I felt very dizzy. My brother covered me with a blanket, and I fell into a deep sleep. At that moment, he stood up and looked toward the upper left corner of the living room. There was a small black dot in the corner. He worked as both an editor and a reporter, so he was sensitive to these things. There was a hidden camera in the house. It made sense, though, considering the situation. He kept an eye on it anyway. Sitting back down beside me, he took a look at the pills and searched the names online. Strangely enough, the pills were all normal medications, and they all looked similar. The dosage depended on the situation. “I think I’m overthinking it,” Davis mumbled. He then put the pills in his bag. He thought, “This is something for professionals to check.” But this whole incident was filled with too many suspicious points. Initially, he had wanted to do a report, but so many things had happened unexpectedly. Davis rubbed his forehead and started reaching out to friends… He suspected Neil was involved in something shady. He would investigate it subtly, hoping nothing would go wrong… When I woke up, all I could smell was the fragrance of food. “Time to eat,” Davis said, placing a plate in my hands and continuously adding food to it. “Don’t take any more of the medicine…” he whispered, “I suspect there’s something wrong with it.” Chapter

I froze for a moment, then nodded, continuing to eat. After the meal, I asked him to take me outside for a walk. The weather was nice today, quite cool. “What do you think?” Davis asked me. I shook my head. I completely trusted my husband. “Do you know about the camera in the room? It’s high definition and can pick up sound, too.” He led me to a pavilion. I shook my head again. My husband had never mentioned it to me before. “In that room, you need to be extra cautious,” Davis said very seriously. I forced a smile. No matter what, he wouldn’t harm me. “He’s almost back. Let’s head back.” My brother took my hand. We had only walked a few steps when I felt a car stop ahead. Neil’s voice came from the car, tinged with a hint of reproach. “Why did you bring her out? What if something happens?” “I wanted to come out,” I said. “Be careful. It’s better if you don’t go out too much,” he said softly. He then drove into the parking lot, starting the car, which stirred up a gust of air. I could smell a faint fragrance from the perfume in the air. Since losing my sight, my other senses had become unusually sharp. My brother led me back home. “Take care of yourself,” he said, gripping my hand tightly. “And you really shouldn’t take that medicine anymore.” “Okay, okay. Just go,” I said. His job was to take care of me while Neil was at work. Once Neil came back, he could rest. My brother nodded and quickly left. I then heard footsteps. Neil came up behind me, wrapped his arms around me, and whispered in my ear, “What do you want to eat tonight?” I fell silent, a wave of disgust flooding through me. What had he done? I had a rough idea in my mind. He sighed and went to cook. After dinner, he brought me the pills. One by one, he poured them out. It was still divided into four doses. Even though my brother had told me not to take them, I had no reason not to, right? Neil gave me the first three doses, and I counted. Ten pills. For the fourth dose, I noticed there was an extra pill. I frowned but swallowed it without saying anything. Then, the dizziness hit again. Neil looked at me, sighed, and kissed my forehead deeply. He whispered, “I’m sorry…” Meanwhile, Davis was driving to a small clinic. Although it was a small place, the doctor was a legitimate medical student. “Hey, Mr. Miller.” “Don’t mess around. Help me check these pills…” Davis handed over ten pills. The doctor took them, sniffed them, and said, “Wait a few days.” Davis nodded. When I woke up, I had no idea how much time had passed. The last time I ate was around seven. Now, it seemed like it was midnight. I rubbed my head. It hurt, and some of my memories seemed fuzzy. I reached out beside me. The bed was empty and cold. Chapter

I paused for a moment, wondering where he could be at this time of night. “Neil!” I shouted his name, but all I heard was the echo of my own voice. I paused again. According to my usual habit, my phone should be on the bedside table. I fumbled around and finally grabbed something. A crisp sound rang out as glass shattered on the floor, a few drops of water splashing onto my face. I withdrew my hand with a tremor, my eyes reddened. It seemed I had to accept the fact that I was useless, and Neil had already left me. With tears in my eyes, I called out to the phone’s voice assistant. “I’m here…” My phone only echoed from the living room. “Call Davis!” “Dialing…” “Hello?” “Davis…” “I’ll be there soon.” A moment later, I heard rapid footsteps, followed by the door suddenly opening. He quickly came into the bedroom, seeing the shards of glass scattered on the floor, and I curled up at the bedside. “Davis…” I rushed towards him. He gently held me, comforting me, “It’s okay… It’s okay.” His eyes scanned the room, ensuring there were no cameras. “Why don’t you come stay with me for a few days…” he suggested. “Mm…” I nodded. I sat in the passenger seat, the wind blowing through the window. “What time is it?” “Three in the morning,” Davis replied. “Why aren’t you asleep?” “Just working late,” he said. I nodded, then added, “The pills seem to have a problem.” “How so?” “After I took it, I felt really dizzy,” I frowned and said, “And a lot of my memories… I can’t remember them.” “Then don’t take it anymore.” Davis parked the car and helped me out. As we walked, Davis spoke, “I looked into the guy who was driving drunk. It seems he’s never even drunk before. “Also, he only got his driver’s license less than two months ago.” I fell silent, an answer vaguely forming in my mind. Just then, my phone rang. “Neil,” Davis said. “Answer it.” “Where have you been? Why are you running around like that? Why didn’t you call me?” He bombarded me with three questions. I scoffed, “Where were you?” “Working overtime,” he said helplessly. Davis then coldly remarked, “Oh, my sister wants to stay with me for a few days. Is that a problem?” “You…” I immediately hung up the phone and powered it off. “This man isn’t worth it,” Davis said angrily. I forced a smile. “But there’s no concrete evidence, is there?” “There will be.” Davis’ tone was cold. Chapter

He settled me down, sitting at the edge of the bed. “Tomorrow, I plan to meet with that family. Do you want to come?” I remained silent for a moment. “I’ll go.” “Alright, I’ll rest for a bit…” I knew he hadn’t slept the whole night. I was also feeling exhausted and mentally drained. The next day, we left early. Davis said Neil was sure to come over. I sat in the passenger seat, feeling the breeze. At that moment, my phone rang. Davis glanced at it, answered, and put it on speaker. “Mr. Miller, the medicine’s been checked. It’s a normal drug, just with a higher sedative content, but that’s common. There are many like it on the market. Just don’t take too much.” “How much is too much?” I asked. “Uh… taking a small amount leads to drowsiness and memory loss. If you take more, it could reduce your mental capacity to that of a child.” “Goodbye.” Davis hung up the phone. “As expected.” I scratched my head. “But there’s no concrete evidence.” Davis didn’t respond immediately but simply said, “Don’t take that medicine anymore.” “The driver’s family is poor. His father just recovered from a major illness, and he has two kids, so he might be desperate enough to do anything for money,” Davis continued. I nodded. I turned my phone back on, and as soon as it powered up, there was a call. I didn’t need to check the number to know who it was. He started by scolding Davis, asking why he took me out without informing him and what would have happened if something had gone wrong. He had found a nanny and told me not to be angry, assuring me he would accompany me more often. He also questioned why I didn’t bring the medicine with me. I sneered and immediately hung up, powering the phone off. “He probably suspects something,” Davis remarked. After a while, the car came to a stop, and we still had to walk a bit on a dirt road. Another half hour of travel, and we finally arrived. “Even worse than I imagined…” Davis clicked his tongue. He described the house to me. A mudbrick structure with a cracked roof. A dark, strong-looking middle-aged woman was washing clothes while carrying a child on her back. Seeing us, she didn’t seem surprised. Without lifting her head, she coldly said, “Didn’t we already pay the compensation?” She suddenly burst into tears, shouting, “Isn’t five hundred thousand dollars enough? Our parents sold the house, and they’re old but still have to live in a rented place…” The child behind her woke up and started crying as well. She quickly forced a smile, trying to comfort the child. “She’s a good actress,” Davis commented, amused. I took out a bank card from my pocket. “One million dollars. How about returning my eyes?” I said. She was momentarily stunned, her body stiffening. Davis took my hand and slowly approached her. I could smell a faint scent of skincare products on her. It was a luxury brand, the cheapest of which cost five hundred dollars, a luxury for a family like hers. “I ask, you answer.” She snorted coldly. “I ask, you answer!” Davis suddenly shouted, tossing a photo in front of her. The photo was of a little girl with twin ponytails. “I…” “I ask, you answer,” Davis said, showing no mercy. Chapter

She swallowed hard, the child in her arms still crying loudly. “Does your husband drink?” Davis asked, suddenly speaking in a gentle tone. “Yes, he drinks liquor,” she replied, lowering her head to comfort the child. She continued, “He likes to drink liquor and beer together.” Drinking liquor and beer together made it easier to get drunk. I sneered inwardly. She seemed well-prepared. “How long has he had his driver’s license?” “Less than two months.” “Where did the car come from?” She bit her lip. “We bought it a while ago.” Davis nodded. It was indeed bought a while ago. The car was in poor condition due to age and lack of maintenance. However, the compensation amount far exceeded the cost. Davis glanced inside the house, spotting numerous liquor bottles. “Nothing useful here. Let’s go,” Davis sighed. “You… you didn’t do anything, right?” The woman’s eyes were bloodshot. “Nothing much. Just bought a few things for her,” Davis replied with a smile. Just then, a young girl wearing a brand-new outfit walked over. Davis walked ahead, and I followed behind him. “Bought off, huh?” I sighed. “Such smooth skills. She’s a professional,” Davis sighed as well. “I’m going back to Neil,” I said, “I need to figure out his motives.” “Mm… I’ll give you something later.” Once we were back in the car, he handed me a pair of glasses. They were similar to mine, though I preferred wearing contact lenses. There was a button. It was a surveillance device. The video would be uploaded online. “Press it three times, and it’ll automatically call the police. I’ll also get the information.” I touched it and felt the small bulge. “I’m going to visit the driver in prison,” Davis said. He dropped me off at a café. I let Neil to pick me up. Soon, Neil arrived and drove me home, saying nothing. It wasn’t until we were nearly there that Neil spoke, “The nanny’s already at home. “She’ll tell you the information. “I have something else to take care of tonight.” Neil led me inside the house. I caught a strong, unpleasant smell. Neil frowned, telling the nanny to take good care of me before leaving. “Did you use my skincare products?” I asked as I sat on the sofa. “I… I…” She sounded flustered. Free Point

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295527”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf

When my girlfriend was in high school, she was humiliated by a rich kid from her class, who tricked her into eating something that made her embarrass herself in front of the entire school. Because of that, she developed a deep resentment toward the wealthy and started scratching luxury cars wherever she went. In order to be with her, I carefully hid my identity as a wealthy heir. On her birthday, I decided to come clean and bought her a ring worth ten million dollars as a gesture of my love. But when I arrived, I found her kneeling in front of a rich man. “Dominic, can I be your dog?” she asked. Tina’s voice rang through the phone as she excitedly told me, “Baby, guess what? I scratched another luxury car today!” Absently, I responded, “Baby, you’re amazing!” Tina had a deep-seated hatred for the rich. She told me that back in high school, she attended a prestigious private school where most of the students were either from rich families or well-connected. They tormented her, trying to break her spirit. The most humiliating memory she had was when she was a sophomore. A wealthy classmate slipped a laxative into her food, and during a ceremony, she had an unfortunate accident that left her deeply embarrassed in front of the entire school. Now, every time she saw a luxury car parked on the street, she couldn’t resist taking out her nail clipper and scratching it. To her, it was a way to fight back. I didn’t mind this habit of hers, not in the slightest. If she destroyed another person’s car, I’d simply pay the compensation, no questions asked. Why? Because I was Ryle City’s top-tier rich kid. In fact, seventy percent of the wealth generated in Ryle City came from my family’s businesses. But I couldn’t let her know that. I knew how much she despised wealthy people. If she found out who I really was, I wasn’t sure if she’d still accept me. I stepped out of the jewelry store, where I had just bought the ring, and the staff there asked for my number. I politely declined, telling them I had a girlfriend. I caught a cab to meet Tina, still holding the box with her present. But when I arrived at our meeting spot, I froze. Tina was kneeling in front of a young man. My heart dropped into my stomach. Tina must’ve been caught scratching a luxury car, and now she was facing the consequences. She used to be cautious when scratching cars, and I always contacted the cars’ owners afterward to discuss compensation. I walked over quickly, my voice tense. “She’s my girlfriend. She damaged your car, and I’ll take full responsibility.” The young man looked me up and down, disdain written all over his face. “This is a Bentley, at least worth hundreds of thousands. You really think someone like you, a poor loser, can afford to pay for it?” I swallowed my pride and nodded, trying to maintain control of the situation. “I’ll find a way to pay you. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll write you an IOU.” The young man demanded the IOU. Then, Tina insisted that they exchange numbers. This made my stomach churn, but I didn’t say anything. As soon as he left, I noticed the license plate on the Bentley. Wait a minute. Wasn’t that my father’s car? She shrugged sheepishly, giving me a playful look. “I know you’re upset about me adding the guy’s contact, but it was my fault. I scratched that car.” I gently touched her nose. “No need to explain.” Then, Tina leaned into my arms. We returned to the apartment, and I fell asleep almost immediately, exhausted from the tension of the day. But in the middle of the night, I heard Tina’s phone buzzing nonstop. I couldn’t make out who she was texting, but I had a bad feeling. When I woke up the next morning, Tina was gone. I tried calling her, but her phone went straight to voicemail. Panic crept up my spine as I paced around the room. I thought for a moment and then remembered. She must have gone to meet that guy. I already told her I would compensate the car owner. What a silly girl. Besides, that Bentley was my father’s. Frustrated, I pulled up the location of the Bentley on my tracking app. It was parked at BlackJack Pub. I hailed a cab and rushed to the bar, my heart racing. When I arrived, I saw her electric scooter outside. Tina was inside. Thinking that the young man might torture her, I didn’t waste any time and stormed inside. Through a door crack, I saw Tina in a private room with the young man. There were several other people around. Worst, Tina was kneeling in front of him. I was about to go in, but my blood ran cold as I overheard her say, “Dominic, can I be your dog?”

I stood frozen, unable to believe the words that had just come out of Tina’s mouth. She had always hated the rich, calling them nothing but crawling maggots. How could she now say such a thing, offering to be that man’s mistress? I instinctively stopped and watched the situation unfold. The young man’s friends started egging him on, “Dominic, she’s offering herself! You should accept her!” Dominic, the young man, casually lifted his glass of red wine, took a sip, and then commanded Tina, “Crawl over here.” Tina obediently crawled toward him. He lifted her chin with one hand and, with the other, poured the rest of his wine over her head. Squinting, he said, “Want to be my mistress? You’re not good enough for that. But I could use a dog.” Tina, ever obedient, started barking like a dog, “Woof, woof!” Dominic and his friends burst into laughter. Dominic turned to her, “The one who made the IOU for me today was your boyfriend, right? Does he mind you being a dog?” Tina scoffed, “That poor bastard? What right does he have to mind?” Dominic, intrigued, asked, “Tell me, how poor is he?” Tina, completely unaware that Dominic and his group were just looking for amusement, let out a sycophantic laugh. “My boyfriend Nicholas can turn a pair of cotton underwear into silk. He’s been wearing the same pair for three years and still won’t throw them away. “Once he bought me a purse, but it was clearly a knockoff luxury brand. What girl would like that? “Then there were those cosmetics he gave me, all stored in mineral water bottles. I’m scared to use them, afraid my face will break out.” Tina went on listing off things one by one. I clenched my fists tightly, anger rising in me. The bag I gave her was one I had intentionally had the servants disguise as a regular bag. The cosmetics were high-end, but I put them in water bottles so she wouldn’t catch on. I had always tried to be considerate of her feelings, but now it seemed like all of that had just become fodder for her ridicule. Dominic looked over at me. “I noticed you came in. Come on.” I pushed the door open and stepped into the room. Dominic’s expression was mocking, knowing full well he wanted me to witness how my precious girlfriend was degrading herself in front of him. He wanted to see me beg her to come back to me, while she would look at me with disdain. He was hoping for a dog-eat-dog spectacle. Tina suddenly turned her head, her voice trembling. “Nicholas, you shouldn’t be here. If you hadn’t shown up, things could’ve stayed the same between us.” So it was my fault for being here. If I hadn’t shown up, how would I have known that Tina’s supposed hatred for the rich was just a facade to stand out? Her scratching luxury cars wasn’t because she hated them. It was to get the attention of the owners and then flirt with them. I took a deep breath. The Tina I had once thought was charming now seemed like nothing but a pile of trash. Tina said, “Nicholas, from now on, I’m breaking up with you. A poor loser like you will just end up playing with yourself.” I replied coldly, “Yes, from now on, we’re done. But remember, it was I who dumped you, not the other way around.” I gave Dominic a dismissive glance. “Tina, you’re kneeling to a clown, and you’ll never realize what you’ve lost.” With that, I turned to leave. Dominic’s voice rang out behind me, “Don’t be in such a hurry. Did I say you could leave?” Two young men blocked my path.

I turned my head and stared directly at Dominic, “What do you want?” One of the men blocking my way asked, “Dominic, should we break one of his legs or an arm?” Tina cackled like an old hen. “Dominic, you’re amazing!” When others wanted to harm me, she actually cheered them on. Dominic stood up and patted me on the shoulder. “Loser, have you ever seen a rich guy?” I pushed his hand off my shoulder. “Careful. Dirty my clothes, and you won’t be able to pay for them.” Dominic and his group laughed wildly. He pointed at me and said to Tina, “Can’t say you don’t give credit where it’s due. This ex-boyfriend of yours sure knows how to put on a show. What clothes, huh? How could I not be able to afford them?” Tina buttered him up. “Dominic, his clothes are all from street vendors. They don’t even have a brand. I heard that some street vendor clothes are recycled from old ones, refurbished, and sold again.” I retorted, “Custom-made, you get it?” The clothes my family wore were all bespoke, specially requested not to have logos. Dominic and his group looked at me like I was some kind of circus act, laughing uncontrollably. Tina smirked. “Nicholas, you look like a clown right now. You’re poor but still trying to act rich.” Dominic slapped his thigh, “Haven’t seen someone try so hard to act like this in ages. You know what? Let me show you what a real rich person looks like.” His friends chimed in, “Well, he would probably feel so embarrassed that he might kill himself on the spot!” Another said, “Never seen anyone try so hard to fake it. It’s honestly eye-opening.” Dominic raised an eyebrow at me. “Come with me!” We all left BlackJack Pub. I was dragged to the backseat by two men. Tina asked, “Dominic, where should I sit?” Dominic gave her a disdainful look, “There’s no seat for you. You can ride your electric bike.” He handed Tina the address, Cloudgaze Hotel, started the car, and drove off. When I heard the name Cloudgaze Hotel, I froze for a moment. Yesterday, my dad had called me, saying some people of modest wealth were hosting a banquet there and wanted to meet me to build connections. I had turned it down. But now, Dominic was taking me to that very same banquet. What a small world.

We arrived at the banquet hall of Cloudgaze Hotel. As soon as we walked in, a few well-dressed people surrounded Dominic, fawning over him. Their flattering behavior made me sneer inwardly. Someone noticed me and asked Dominic, “Who’s this?” Dominic glanced back at me. “This is Nicholas Owens, a super-rich kid!” The way he said “super-rich kid” was laced with sarcasm. The people surrounding Dominic picked up on the mockery and began eyeing me suspiciously. One overweight middle-aged man with a slicked-back hairstyle said, “The boss of Polerian Group is surnamed Owens. You’re also an Owens. So, are you Mr. Owens’ son?” I replied, “You guessed it right. I am Mr. Owens’ son.” The fat man grinned, showing his yellow teeth. “They all say like father, like son. If Mr. Owens had a son like you, he’d probably die from anger.” He slapped my cheek, “You look like a sick hen, and you dare pretend to be Mr. Owens’ son? How dare you!” I snapped. “Take your filthy paw off me. If I’m not Mr. Owens’ son, then are you? Even if you kneel in front of my father, he wouldn’t recognize you.” The people around me laughed even louder. “Mr. Owens does have a son, someone about your age. But he’s supposed to be well-groomed and elegant. You, on the other hand, look like a street rat. Your whole family must have been garbage pickers.” “Oh, really?” I pulled out my phone, ready to call my father. Just then, Tina arrived late, rushing up to grab my phone. “Nicholas, are you done throwing a tantrum? You think this will make me notice you, maybe even reconsider and get back together?” I snatched my phone back. “You have the nerve to talk? A woman like you is nothing but trash. You want me to beg you to get back together? Dream on.” I didn’t even want to look at Tina anymore. The thought of her made me nauseous. Tina, her chest heaving in anger, pointed at me. “I was with him for five years, and he’s nothing but an orphan, a piece of trash from the lower class.” She thought she was revealing some deep secret, but what she didn’t know was that I had deliberately hidden my true identity to be with her. The crowd erupted in laughter. Once again, the middle-aged man pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it on the ground. He whistled at me. “Nicholas, right? If you kneel and pick up that money, it’s all yours.” I gave him a blank stare. “What’s wrong with you? You think that little money can make me kneel?” There were about ten thousand bucks on the floor. For someone to test me with that amount was just ridiculous. The middle-aged man’s face turned livid at my words. Tina was the first to react. “Nicholas, you can barely earn three grand a month. The money on the ground is worth three months of your salary. You’ll be a real fool if you don’t pick it up.” Dominic squeezed Tina’s buttocks. “If he doesn’t want it, you can have it.” Tina hesitated. “Darling, I’m your woman. You’ll be humiliated if I kneel.” Dominic’s expression turned cold. “You think you deserve to be my woman, you cheap whore? If you don’t take that money, I’ll have the cleaning lady pick it up.” Dominic wasn’t just humiliating me; he was humiliating Tina, too. He saw us as the same kind of people. Tina knelt on the floor, picking up the money one by one. She looked no different from a dog. Free Point

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295526”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf