1. Three years ago, on my wedding day, my husband’s ex-girlfriend took her own life. When he heard the news, my husband merely shook his head, a somber regret etched on his face. “I’m truly sorry, but Lilith and I are ancient history. Seraphina is the one I choose to spend my life with, I can’t let her down.” I was so touched I wept. After we were married, I even offered to go with him to visit Lilith’s grave. That was until just before this year’s All Souls’ Day, when I scrolled past a post online: “After three years as his little ghost, I’m finally stepping into the light.” “No choice, his wife’s family is loaded. He told me to fake my death, marry her first, to throw off her parents’ suspicions. Once her old lady’s cards are maxed out, he’ll come back for me.” “Heh heh, the bitch even visits my grave, cries there too. So funny.” She attached a photo of herself holding a man’s hand in a Porsche. That Porsche? It was the one I’d bought for my husband. Oh, playing dead, are we? Fine. If that’s the game, I’ll give you a send-off the whole town will remember. … I put down my phone and saw Alaric arranging paper money. “Honey,” I began, “we’re going to visit Lilith’s grave in a few days. What do you think we should bring?” “I’m thinking of buying her a few sets of the latest designer dresses. How does that sound?” Alaric’s hands stilled. “Why bring clothes? She can’t wear them.” “No need to make it so complicated. She’s been gone for three years. A bouquet of white chrysanthemums would be enough to show our respect.” I tilted my head, looking at him. “What about some food? Like those little green mochi cakes?” He shook his head. “Really, it’s not necessary. Just flowers. She wasn’t one for bothering people.” I gazed up at him. He avoided my eyes, turning to grab his jacket. “I’m heading out tonight. There’s a work dinner.” Another work dinner. For three years, Alaric had been gentle, considerate, and hardworking—practically a perfect husband. Except for his frequent business trips and ‘work dinners’. Last Valentine’s Day, he said he was at a company party and sent me a huge bouquet of roses. On my birthday, he claimed he was in Havenport signing a contract. He’d sent me a photo of a rainy cityscape from his hotel window, saying he missed me. For our wedding anniversary, we’d already booked a luxurious overseas resort. But a call came in at midnight. He said a client insisted on meeting him, and asked for my understanding. Thinking back, it seems he hasn’t been by my side for a single important day since we got married. Was he truly busy with work, or was it something else? A strange impulse led me to the poster’s profile, and from her bio, I found her video account. The profile picture was a woman’s side profile, with the username ‘Lilith’. The account was filled with video clips and meticulously composed photos. “Today marks our five-year anniversary (also that bitch’s birthday), he flew over to spend it with me, tee hee.” The accompanying image was a Cartier bracelet. “He came to celebrate Valentine’s Day with me! Too bad it rained, so we stayed in the hotel for two days. But being with him, even doing nothing, makes me so happy.” The image showed two glasses of red wine and a nighttime view outside a window. It was the exact rainy cityscape Alaric had sent me that night. The most recent post was from this year’s Valentine’s Day. “Waaah, he spent the holidays with that bitch’s family, but it’s okay, I know he’s just putting on a show. When I finally step into the light, he’ll make it up to me every single day.” The accompanying image was a transfer screenshot: $52,000. Yet, I distinctly remembered Alaric telling me that day he wanted us to act like high school sweethearts for Valentine’s Day, and he transferred me five dollars and two cents. Someone in the comments asked her: “No offense, but aren’t you a homewrecker?” She immediately shot back: “We’ve known each other for seven years; that woman was obsessed with him, that’s why he married her. In love, the unloved one is the homewrecker.” Me, obsessed with Alaric? I am the sole heiress of the Sterling Group. Since childhood, the sons of prominent families vying for an arranged marriage with me lined up from the school gates to the airport. But Alaric and I met at an art exhibition. We clicked instantly and our feelings grew. Lilith tried to cause trouble a few times, but he always gently talked her down. I truly believed his heart was only for me. My parents disapproved of him, finding his humble background unacceptable, and firmly opposed our marriage. For his sake, I had my first major fallout with my parents. To save his pride, I even suggested we skip a lavish wedding. And what did he do? He put on a dramatic show at our wedding, his ‘first love’ supposedly taking her own life. Now, I’m the one who was obsessed with him? I immediately called my lawyer. “Please investigate Alaric’s bank accounts and print out all transactions for the past three years.” “Also, revoke that property transfer agreement.” Hanging up, I looked at the exquisite gift box on the table, containing the deed to a property. It was a luxury penthouse with breathtaking river views, located in the city’s most prime area, valued at fifty million dollars. I had thought Alaric worked hard building his business and deserved a home of his own. Now, it seems he’d be more at home in a grave. 2. The lawyer’s report landed on my desk first thing the next morning. Alaric’s various bank accounts showed cumulative transfers exceeding $23 million to a single account over the past three years. The largest transaction, a hefty $8 million, was made last December, marked as “art investment.” I recalled Alaric mentioning around that time he’d met a promising young artist and wanted to invest in a painting. Knowing his passion for art, I encouraged him to pursue it, telling him to come to me if he needed more funds. I traced the recipient of that sum to a cultural media company. The company’s legal representative was Edward Vance. Lilith’s father. My stomach churned, and I felt a wave of nausea. He used my money to dig a grave for my marriage. He used my resources to build a nest for his first love. Just as I was about to investigate the company further, my food delivery arrived. It wasn’t the iced coffee I’d ordered; it was a steamer of dumplings and a bowl of porridge, courtesy of Alaric. His voice came through gently on the phone, “Honey, are you awake? I canceled your order. Don’t always drink cold stuff, something warm is better for your stomach.” If I hadn’t seen that post, I would truly have believed he was the man who loved me most in this world. Before I could reply, he continued, “Oh, and about that apartment, could you transfer the title to me first?” “Because the client here—” I cut him off. “Actually, I was just about to tell you, I’m planning to sell that apartment.” He paused. “Sell it? Why?” I replied casually, “I think that kind of place has bad energy, not suitable for the living.” “Don’t you think it’d be more fitting as a shrine for the dead?” He clearly didn’t grasp my meaning. He let out a dry chuckle, then gently tried to coax me. “What’s wrong? Are you upset because I haven’t been with you?” “I’ll be back tonight, be a good girl, okay?” “Is it bad feng shui for the apartment? It’s okay, I don’t mind. You forgot, your husband has the strongest destiny.” I didn’t respond, just hung up the phone. I checked Lilith’s account again. She’d posted another update: “This weekend, my first solo exhibition is opening in the Southside Arts District!” The accompanying image showed a gallery, and her back to the camera. Her right hand was raised high, forming a V-sign. This photo was clearly taken by Alaric. He was never good at composition; every photo he took always captured a large patch of ground. I’d joked with him about it many times, but he never seemed to remember to change. I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called in a long time. It was Mrs. Vance on the other end, a renowned spiritual medium in our town, famous for her elaborate supernatural rituals. Especially with All Souls’ Day approaching, her schedule was packed. I didn’t tell her the full story, only that a young woman had passed away prematurely, and I wanted to give her a grand send-off. Mrs. Vance readily agreed. “Since it’s Miss Sterling’s friend, then this old woman will certainly pull out all the stops.” “Will it be a proper ceremony? Incantations? Burning paper houses, cars, mountains of gold and silver?” I smiled. “All of it.” “She loved beauty when she was alive, so burn a hundred sets of clothes for each season. Also, replicas of famous paintings, and all four treasures of the study.” “She also loved to travel, so prepare planes, cruise ships, passports, and visas too.” “Hold it on Saturday, right outside her gallery’s first exhibition in the Southside Arts District. Make sure the whole city knows she’s gone.” Mrs. Vance, already eager for elaborate events, was thrilled at the prospect of a grand send-off, excitedly assuring me it was no problem. After hanging up, I sent Alaric a usual message. We were having dinner with both our families tomorrow, and I asked him to check in with the restaurant manager about the menu. But he didn’t know that the so-called restaurant manager was a hacker friend of mine. 3. He’d infected Alaric’s phone with a virus, allowing me to see all his messages. “My little ghost is finally stepping into the light, aren’t you excited?” “Seraphina is acting crazy today, saying she wants to sell the apartment. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her. She loves me so much, she won’t deny it to me.” “Love you, I’ll kiss you senseless when we meet.” Lilith replied: “Oh, actually, I really enjoy her visiting my grave.” “She was crying her eyes out, and I was in the car dying of laughter. Why didn’t you record it? I want to watch it every day.” I looked at the conversation, took a deep breath, and set my phone aside. Laughing, are you? You won’t be laughing for long. The next day, I arrived on time for the dinner. Alaric had suggested this gathering. His father’s kidney disease had flared up again, and he urgently needed a transplant. In Havenport, securing a specialist’s surgery slot at a top hospital without my father’s influence would mean his family waiting until the next lifetime. When he’d brought it up to me, I had, of course, readily agreed. But things were different now. At the dinner table, Alaric’s behavior was almost obsequious. He sat beside me, subtly turning towards me, picking out a piece of boneless grouper and placing it on my small plate. “Try this, it’s very fresh. You haven’t been looking well lately; eat more fish.” I didn’t touch my chopsticks, just watched him. He then spooned a small bowl of chicken soup, gently blew on it, and placed it next to my hand. “This soup was slow-cooked for four hours. You have a delicate stomach, some soup will make you feel better.” I observed him through the rising steam. The man before me was impeccably dressed in a suit, refined and scholarly. Who would have thought that just a few hours earlier, he’d sent Lilith a message saying: “Be good, just a few more days. Once Seraphina sorts out my dad’s surgery, I’ll come be with you.” I just found it incredible. This man, for another woman, could meticulously plan a fake death, weaving lies for three years, siphoning resources from me to fuel his love affair. Now, for his father’s illness, he could so naturally humble himself before me. Every morsel of food he offered, every tender word he spoke, came with a price tag attached. It was my family’s resources, my parents’ connections, my assets that he hadn’t fully plundered yet. Alaric noticed my distraction and gripped my hand, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. “Seraphina? What’s wrong? Is the soup not to your liking?” I met his gaze and smiled. “You eat too, don’t just fuss over me.” He smiled back, his eyes visibly relaxing. I stirred the chicken soup, but before I could bring it to my lips, my assistant called. “Ms. Sterling, I apologize for bothering you, but there’s been a situation at the Riverbend Hotel.” The Riverbend Hotel was one my father had gifted to me. My assistant continued, “Right now, several girls have checked into your presidential suite, taking photos and videos in the private areas. When the hotel manager tried to intervene, they claimed they were friends of the owner…” My assistant sent me photos, asking if I wanted to call the police. I opened the photos and recognized the girls from Lilith’s account. They were all her closest friends; one of them often appeared in the comment section. It seemed she was in a hurry to usurp my place. I glanced at Alaric, who was completely oblivious behind me, still diligently trying to appease my parents. I told my assistant, “It’s fine, let them be.” Let Lilith gloat for a bit. After all, she wouldn’t be making trouble for much longer.

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My twin sister and I both suffered from congenital heart disease, but there was only one suitable heart available. My parents remained silent, then locked me in a dark room. When I emerged, four of my teeth were broken, and I was covered in bruises. Finally, I relented, signing the agreement to transfer the heart. But what they didn’t know was that I didn’t give in because I was beaten into submission. It was because the silver crucifix I wore on my left wrist had cracked without warning. That silver crucifix was a gift from my grandmother, meant only for me. A cracked crucifix, a sign of impending doom. 1 “Sign it.” My father sat on the sofa, taking a deep drag from his cigarette, filling the living room with swirling smoke. I couldn’t quite make out his expression. My eyelids were swollen and bruised from the beating, forcing me to squint. “Mhm.” My hand trembled as I picked up the pen, signing my name. Due to my shaking hand, my signature was shaky and childish, almost comical. My mother stood by the balcony, wiping away tears, then timidly looked back at me. “Rowan, don’t blame your father for being so harsh. There’s only one heart. If your sister doesn’t get the surgery now, who knows when her turn will come again…” Would I get another turn? Wasn’t I your daughter too? Did I deserve to be beaten like this? These words, laced with the metallic taste of blood, were swallowed down with my saliva. In that dark room, I had already cried and screamed these questions over and over again. Meeting my mother’s gaze, she saw only coldness and blankness in my eyes. “Rowan, don’t look at me like that, it makes my heart ache… I know we’ve failed you, but your sister truly can’t wait. If she doesn’t get the surgery soon, she really will…” “Enough,” my father interjected. He glanced at me, a flicker of guilt in his eyes, but his authoritative tone remained unchanged. “Your sister needs this heart more than you do! You’re old enough to be a big sister, you should be more understanding of us as parents.” “Mhm, understood.” I gathered my belongings and limped out the door. My quiet acceptance made them even more uneasy. With my old temper, I would have put up a fight for three days and three nights before giving in. But now, I was calm, not arguing, accepting the reality. Outside, I pulled the cracked silver crucifix from my pocket. This was a gift my grandmother had left specifically for me. And without my parents even touching it, it had cracked on its own, without any warning. I still remembered that summer, years ago. Grandma called me into her room, just me, and carefully pulled out this silver crucifix from her pocket. “Rowan, your parents’ favoritism, I’ve seen it, and I remember it. Take this silver crucifix; wear it always. If it ever cracks, remember, abandon everything at that moment.” “Your parents… sigh, Rowan, your grandma isn’t powerful enough to do more, but this is all I can do for you. Remember, abandon everything, don’t fight, something terrible will happen.” After Grandma spoke, there was only the endless chirping of cicadas and croaking of frogs. Grandma was actually very capable. She was a fortune-teller, a feng shui master, a well-known enchantress, and she’d raised my father with her craft. On her deathbed, she saw no one else, only me. Because of this, my sister, who had always been our parents’ precious darling, stared at me with cold eyes. I knew exactly what she was jealous of—that Grandma’s final favoritism wasn’t for her, but for me. After I came out, Grandma passed away. My parents and sister gathered around me, demanding to know what Grandma had said. I smiled. “Grandma said for our family to live well, for Mom and Dad to set their hearts straight, and to stop favoring my sister.” At my words, my parents’ faces darkened. They took my sister and left, muttering that I was talking nonsense. I chuckled. Actually, that wasn’t what Grandma had said at all. 2. “Sis, your face was already big, but after Mom and Dad beat you, it looks even more like a flatbread.” My sister sat on the hospital bed, laughing, her body shaking. Her skin was like snow, her teeth bright and even, making her look like a beautiful princess. Even mocking me, she was pretty. And I sat there, like an extra, utterly unremarkable. My parents waited anxiously beside her. My mother tugged at my sleeve several times, repeatedly warning me. “When the doctor comes later, you know what to say and what not to say, right?” I nodded, watching my sister, also suffering from congenital heart disease, sitting on the bed eating fruit neatly cut by our father, while our mother massaged her shoulders. A picture of a loving, harmonious family. When the doctor arrived, my mother immediately handed over the prepared agreement to relinquish the heart, but the doctor didn’t even spare her a glance. The doctor stared at the wounds on my exposed skin, pushed up his black-rimmed glasses, his expression grave. “Young lady, are you truly doing this voluntarily? If there are any issues, we can talk outside alone. I’d be happy to discuss your thoughts in depth. You’ve been waiting for this heart for a long time…” I forced a smile, which looked strained with all the bruises on my face. “I am doing this voluntarily, Doctor.” “If you give up now, it might be another three to five years before a suitable heart becomes available again. I think you should consider this carefully. If necessary, we can offer you other services…” I glanced at my parents, whose eyes were shadowed behind the doctor, and my sister, who rolled her eyes. I ignored the doctor’s subtle hints. I lowered my head. “No need, thank you. This is truly my voluntary decision.” The doctor didn’t try to persuade me further. He sighed, then finally took the agreement and left. A triumphant smile finally bloomed on my sister’s face. Even malicious thoughts looked pretty on her. “Sis, you’re so obedient.” There’s a character archetype online called a ‘femme fatale.’ My sister, Lena, fit those four words perfectly. Lena, my sister, first tested my boundaries in first grade. She hit me first, then blamed me, claiming I started it. The reason was simple: her older sister was jealous of her. My parents and teachers, without hesitation, chose to believe her. From then on, my sister successfully established a hierarchy in her mind: she was first, my parents second, and I was third. She stood out among the crowd of runny-nosed elementary school children in puffy clothes, dressed in various princess dresses prepared by our parents, garnering a host of little fans in class. And I, a year older than my sister, could only ever wear her hand-me-downs. Clothes that were one size too small always felt constricting on me, making me look like a freak in the eyes of my peers. I didn’t know why my parents could be so biased. I knew my sister was beautiful and smart, never dropping out of the top five in her grade since childhood. But I was just ordinary. I hadn’t done anything wrong. From beginning to end, I hadn’t done anything terrible; I was just ordinary. “Sis, after my heart surgery, I’m going to be healthy and go to college! Thank you for your heart. I’ll carry your dreams with me, okay?” Lena smiled sweetly at me. My heart stung, a mix of sourness and bitterness, intertwined with an indescribable complex of other emotions. My dream was that university I’d gotten into through an extraordinary effort. It was the same university Lena would attend, having performed consistently well. I also forced a smile. “Alright, you absolutely must be safe, sound, and a-live.” The tone of ‘alive’ was stretched out, sounding somewhat eerie. Lena, your words erased the last shred of guilt in my heart. 3. I carefully wrapped the cracked silver crucifix, bought a train ticket home, and brought it to Grandma’s grave. I looked at the overgrown tombstone, saying nothing. Alone, I hoed away the weeds, then laid out a pile of offerings. When the red candles had burned down a quarter of the way, a voice spoke behind me. “Young lady, has that silver crucifix cracked?” I turned around. It was a tall, spry old man. I didn’t recognize him, and casually replied, “Mhm.” The old man’s eyes were shadowed. He looked me up and down. “You… you’re old Mrs. Sterling’s granddaughter, aren’t you? So she gave you that silver crucifix. This item has quite a history; it can ward off evil and prevent great calamities. Your grandma told you that, didn’t she?” I packed my things and walked away, not saying a word. “A silver crucifix isn’t something you can just wear casually. If the one your grandma gave you really cracked, forget about a bloody disaster, something even worse might happen…” I snapped, “Get lost!” The old man seemed flustered. “You rude young lady! Hey! Did you tell your family about this broken item? It’s a sign of impending doom! I’m not joking with you!” I stopped, turning back with a wary look. I was actually considering whether to make him shut up. The best way to silence someone is to make them someone who can never speak again. Perhaps my gaze was too terrifying. The old man awkwardly shut his mouth. “Alright, alright, these young people nowadays are so angry, they won’t even listen to an old man like me…” I was about to leave, but his words made me turn back immediately. My eyes fixed on the old man’s weathered face. “You… you’re a Miller?” Old Miller nodded, raising his head with a somewhat triumphant look, squinting as he smiled. “That’s right, I’m known far and wide. Everyone in these ten villages knows me, Miller, the Elder!” Miller, the Elder, a witch of my grandma’s generation. He was very famous in the village, perhaps even more so than my grandma. But few knew they were actually fellow apprentices, a senior and junior from the same master. I smiled, revealing my stark white teeth. This graveyard was far from the village. Few people ever came here, which was why it was overgrown. Children in the village were taught from a young age never to go to this graveyard without good reason, because it was wild and remote, perfect for murder and hiding bodies. Although I had heart disease, killing an old man with limited mobility wasn’t difficult. I bludgeoned Miller to death with a stone, dragged him to a secluded dirt pit in a grove of trees, covered him with branches and weeds. If I was lucky, wild animals would find him and eat him. To buy time, I smashed Miller’s face beyond recognition. I did it without a blush or a racing heart, as calmly as if I were gutting a fish. I didn’t return to my hometown just to pay respects to my grandma. It was also for her dying words. “Rowan, after the silver crucifix cracks, if you want to live, kill three people: Miller, Evelyn, and Rose.” “Miller’s tongue, Evelyn’s eyes, Rose’s heart. Otherwise, once they’re gone, they’ll betray you.” “Rowan, Grandma wouldn’t harm you. Go, now.” I pulled a knife from my pocket, pried open his mouth, and cut out his tongue. These three people had one thing in common. They were all fellow apprentices of my grandma.

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Back in Harbor City, I never expected to run into Alexey Volkov at the Christie’s auction house. For a moment, we both froze, just a subtle twitch. Then, with unspoken agreement, we plastered on professional smiles, nodding to each other – a formal exchange utterly unlike what you’d expect from a couple who’d once torn each other apart. His eyebrows were sharp, his eyes keen. Beside him stood the same demure and pretty nanny, Vera. Behind me, my handsome and capable male secretary, Liam, was at attention. Everyone in the room held their breath, waiting. They were anticipating that I’d, as always, rush over to confront his mistress. Even Alexey’s gaze held a covert flicker of eagerness. But this time, I simply tightened my shawl, curled my lips into a faint smile, and turned away. Leaving all the love and hatred tied to my ex-husband far behind. … My heels clicked sharply on the marble floor. I hadn’t even made it out of the main hall when Alexey called out, “Ariel!” People in scattered groups began to whisper: “Mr. Volkov truly is Harbor City’s number one. One moment, he’s showering his ‘little wife’ with affection, the next he’s chasing after his ex-wife. He’s certainly got his hands full!” Alexey frowned, his gaze instinctively darting to me. I paused, turned, and spoke with a smile, “Oh, everyone’s joking. I’m merely Mr. Volkov’s ex. His current wife is standing right over there.” I gestured towards Vera’s position in the hall. Ignoring their reactions, I lifted the hem of my gown, preparing to leave. But Alexey caught up to me in a few strides, grabbing my arm. “Five years, Ariel… Can we talk?” I took a step back, widening the distance between us. “Mr. Volkov, let’s discuss it at the summit.” I pulled my hand free, turned, and didn’t spare him another glance. His eager calls continued, but my pace never faltered. In that moment, my relationship with Alexey seemed to have completely reversed. After five years, he was no longer the man I’d once loved with such fervent passion, the one who’d kept my heart in constant turmoil. My secretary, Liam, was perceptive. The moment we got into the car, he handed me a lit cigarette. I raised an eyebrow. He smiled obediently. “You always like one when you’re troubled, Ms. Summers.” I lost myself in the curling wisps of smoke. In all those countless nights I’d waited for Alexey, I’d gotten through it one cigarette after another. Eventually, I broke free from the man, but the habit of smoking remained. Now, he mattered less to me than this single cigarette. I said nothing, letting the Pagani drive us all the way to the hillside hotel. Liam didn’t intend to let me relax, though. He brought over a stack of files and spread them before me. “Ms. Summers, this is the proposal for Volkov Group’s bidding conference the day after tomorrow…” Opening the folder, I saw reports on the Volkov Group’s projects and financial statements. Whap! I slammed it shut, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Them.” “Volkov Financial is indeed the top firm in Harbor City. I hear Mr. Volkov made it to the Top 3 of international wealth lists at a young age – a true business prodigy. But, he was almost ‘kidnapped’ by his ex-wife later on.” Liam took the folder, his eyes lingering on me hesitantly. “You… were you really… that…” I nodded, my eyelids unmoving, my voice as calm as still water: “Yes, I am that ex-wife. The one who nearly took him down with dynamite.” A long time ago, even the mere thought of Alexey Volkov’s name would leave me gasping for air. But now, I could hold a glass of wine and recount it all as if it were someone else’s story. The Summers and Volkov families were old friends, and Alexey and I had practically grown up together. To call us childhood sweethearts wouldn’t be an exaggeration. The young boy, usually so serious with others, would flash his adorable fangs just for me. If I faked a sore foot, he’d bend down and carry me for miles, never complaining, even when his heels blistered. But the Volkov family was a viper’s nest of intrigue. After his parents died in a car accident, Alexey, being too young, was cut out of the line of succession. His older siblings even tried to orchestrate his demise, nearly leaving him dead on the streets. The Summers family initially wanted no part in the mess. It was I who knelt and begged my parents to intervene, to send Alexey abroad. Just before he boarded the plane, his eyes red, he clung to me, weeping, refusing to let go. “Ariel, you’re destined to be my bride, this lifetime and forever!” “Call me shameless, call me despicable, but you’re not allowed to like anyone else these next few years. I’ll come back, and I’ll marry you!” I choked back tears, nodding. My nails bit deep into my palms as I fought the urge to follow him. While he was abroad, I wasn’t idle. I collected reports on the Volkov empire and tirelessly built connections for him. Five years later, after Alexey had become a top trader on Wall Street, He returned home, laden with honors. In less than three years, he systematically exposed the crimes of his siblings and the old guard who had once scorned him, rooting them out completely. I was so naive, so foolish back then. I’d tugged on his hand and playfully asked, “Alexey, will you ever be so ruthless with me?” That night, the moon hung high. His eyes, it seemed, held an entire galaxy. “Silly girl! How could they ever compare to you?” “Thank you for never giving up on me, for always being there. You are my treasure, my everything, for the rest of my life!” “Whether I’m Alexey Volkov or the CEO of Volkov Group, you will always be my only one!” His sweet words, hot like his touch, seared themselves into my heart, leaving me utterly disoriented. In the end, it was my personal assistant who even told me about his affair. Liam’s wine glass slipped from his grasp and shattered, the crimson liquid staining the entire carpet. He didn’t bother to clean up the spilled wine, his expression urgent as he pressed, “Ms. Summers, you’re the Summers family heir, rich and beautiful. Marrying you meant inheriting the Summers fortune. The news reports back then said you brought hundreds of millions in dowry to your wedding! Alexey must have lost his mind to cheat on you!” I exhaled a smoke ring, smiling dismissively. Perhaps, that was why I was so unwilling to let go back then. I was raised as an heir from childhood. My suitors lined up from across the country to abroad, some for my wealth, some for my beauty. But I poured my heart out only to Alexey. In our circles, having mistresses was commonplace. Some dallied with young models, others with celebrities, and some were even open to both. But they were all fresh, beautiful faces, and none of those men were Alexey. Yet, I took a deep drag. The suffocating bitterness filling my lungs was exhaled along with the smoke. No one could have guessed. The CEO who swore I was his only one, was having an affair with his housekeeper. A demure, voluptuous woman, completely under his control. Liam’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How is that possible? Ms. Summers, wasn’t there some misunderstanding?” I scoffed. See? Another unbeliever. Just like I was back then. How could I, the esteemed Summers heiress, the CEO of a thriving corporation, lose to a housekeeper? I searched through all of Alexey’s properties, but found no sign of her. It wasn’t until I arrived at the Sunshine Mountain Villa—a Volkov family ancestral estate that Alexey had refused to let me use as our marital home. Yet now, it had become a private love nest for his mistress. The moment I smashed open the front door, Alexey happened to be returning from an overseas business trip. He blocked my path, his face etched with a pained expression. “Ariel, let me explain.” Seeing my cold demeanor, he dropped to his knees at my feet, eyes rimmed red, grabbing at the hem of my dress as he began to explain. That year he went to the States, he couldn’t stomach the salads and sandwiches. His stomach had gone bad, bleeding constantly. He was interning and studying at the same time, stretched thin. It was Victoria, the housekeeper who had cared for him since childhood, who quit her well-paying job at the ancestral home. She traveled across the ocean, acting like a mother hen, taking care of him. When he was at his lowest, she was there. When he got his first commission and desperately wanted to share it with someone, she was there too. “I consider Victoria family… Really, you have to believe me!” “Then why didn’t you ever mention her during our video calls?” I pouted, though deep down, I’d started to believe him a little. He sprang to his feet and pulled me into an embrace. His fractured gaze held the sorrow of being doubted. “You were studying and gathering intel for me on the Volkov Group back then. How could I bear to burden you further?” “Victoria has looked after me for over a decade in the old house; she’s like an older sister to me. That’s why I let her live in this house…” Perhaps it was Victoria’s gentle nature. Perhaps it was my inherent self-confidence. Alexey’s few words completely dispelled my doubts. From then on, I treated her like an older sister too. Luxury jewelry sets flowed into her wardrobe as if they cost nothing. Each time, she’d politely refuse, saying she wasn’t worthy. Then she’d express profound gratitude, telling me I was a kind and beautiful wife, and that Alexey was incredibly fortunate to have married me. Pleased, I’d often bring her along, hoping she’d gain some worldly experience. She’d blush with excitement, saying she’d lovingly care for my future children. Later, she kept her word. Except her dedicated care was entirely focused on the marital bed between Alexey and me. The stark, crimson sheets, the dull thud as their bodies separated. Like a bomb, it detonated all my reason. All thoughts of being a socialite. All pretense of composure. Forgotten. I charged at Alexey like a madwoman, scratching and clawing. He stood there, pale-faced, letting me strike and curse him. Until I slapped Victoria several times. He couldn’t take it anymore. Shielding the woman behind him, he glared at me with clenched fists for the first time. “Have you had enough?! If you have a problem, come at me, don’t bully Victoria!” Victoria’s tearful whimpers from behind him completely turned Alexey’s eyes red. He threw caution to the wind, sneering at me, “Since you’ve found out, I have nothing to say. You can either continue to be Mrs. Volkov…” “Or you can leave with your shares. I’ll compensate you!” In that moment. All vows, all those years of childhood friendship. They were all a joke. My eyes red, I grabbed his collar, desperately demanding an answer. He pried my fingers off, one by one, sighing softly: “Ariel, you need to be more understanding.” “Victoria isn’t a threat to you… and I, I can’t live without her.” I had loved him for over a decade. I poured the entire Summers family fortune into helping him reclaim the Volkov Group, only to be met with “I can’t live without her.” I couldn’t swallow that insult. I began to hound them, spreading their sordid affair throughout our social circles. Alexey, heartbroken that Victoria was being branded a “mistress,” secretly stripped me of 10% of my Volkov Group shares. He also colluded with the Summers family elders to remove me from the board. And froze all my bank accounts. I went from being the esteemed CEO of Summers Inc. to a discarded Volkov wife, deemed inept and wasteful. Alexey didn’t stop there. He coldly sent a message: “If you don’t quiet down, I’ll make you regret it for the rest of your life!” Having lived a life of smooth sailing for over two decades. Neither my feelings nor my dignity could tolerate his betrayal. I became frantic, hiring paparazzi to track them. My former close friends turned around and advised me. “She’s just a housekeeper, he’s just playing around!” But the next day, all my shares, assets, and positions were transferred to Victoria’s name. He even arranged for the hospital to release a false diagnosis, claiming I had contracted a venereal disease due to promiscuity. Countless high-definition videos and photos flooded the internet. Everyone called me a debauched hussy, a rotten slut who only pretended to be a lady. I finally broke down. Crying, I called my parents, who were abroad. Until their private jet crashed into the sea, killing them both. For a long time after my voice faded, the room remained in dead silence. Liam’s lips were tightly pressed, his eyes burning with anger. “Ms. Summers, how… how did you get through it?” His hands trembled so much he couldn’t light the cigarette. I just held it tightly between my fingers. As soon as the news of my parents’ deaths broke, Alexey’s demeanor completely changed. He played the dutiful son-in-law, helping me arrange their funerals. Everyone in Harbor City praised him. They called him a virtuous man, a wonderful husband and son-in-law, a true rarity. Meanwhile, I was utterly cast as the immoral madwoman in everyone’s eyes. It was then that Alexey, holding a pregnancy test report, softened his stance towards me. “Ariel, we’re having a baby. Let’s stop this… okay?” “This child will take your surname, Summers, to carry on the family name.” After my parents’ accident, I lived with daily guilt. If it weren’t for me, they wouldn’t have chartered a private jet home. I was the one who killed them. The arrival of this child felt like a lifeline. It pulled me out of the despair of losing my parents. I became silent, but day by day, my anticipation for this child grew. And Alexey seemed to have broken off contact with Victoria. He canceled all his social engagements, and after work, he’d stay by my side, smiling as he watched me do prenatal exercises. My smiles seemed to grow more frequent. Our relationship also appeared to be improving. Until three months later, Victoria walked into the Volkov mansion, her hand on her belly. She slammed that pregnancy test report onto my face with a smack. Gone was her former facade of gentle obedience, replaced by a twisted, sharp smile: “Ariel Summers, you truly are a fool! Three months, and you still haven’t realized you’re not really pregnant!” My first reaction was to retort, “Impossible!” She grabbed my hair, rubbing the pregnancy report viciously across my face. The sharp edges poked my eyes, and I trembled in pain, but she laughed maliciously: “Look closely! This pregnancy report is mine! It just has your name written on it!” “You’re lying!” My face was pale, my voice shaking uncontrollably. “I have a child! He’s my parents’ continuation, and he’ll take the Summers name!” I screamed, my voice raw, tears streaming down my face. “Don’t be stupid! Alexey just used my child to trick you!” She pulled out videos, flipping through them one by one for me to see. It turned out Alexey accompanied her to prenatal check-ups every weekend. The humble street food stalls he once deemed beneath him, he now visited hand-in-hand with Victoria. He was no longer the high and mighty CEO of Volkov Group; he’d even roll up his sleeves to massage Victoria’s legs and feet. True love, perhaps. All the experiences I’d missed out on for over a decade, he had given to Victoria. My gaze fell upon my still-flat belly. It felt as if my very core had been shattered. Suppressing the heartache, I laughed through my tears. But it wasn’t over. Victoria suddenly pulled a family tree from her bag, spreading it before me. She pointed to a name with a smile, reminding me: “See this Alexander Volkov? My son! Alexey’s eldest son, whom I bore him overseas!” Then she pointed to her belly: “And this one is the second.” Her laughter was soft and gentle. Yet it struck me like an executioner’s axe. Chopping down from above. My heartstrings snapped. I glared at her, then tilted my head back, spewing a mouthful of dark blood. And softly collapsed. When I next awoke, I was back in my bedroom. Alexey’s eyes were bloodshot, staring intently at me. His lips moved several times, but nothing came out. Ignoring him, I reached for the drawer. I pulled out the tiny bomb I’d hidden for so long, tugged the detonator, and rasped, “Alexey, let’s get a divorce.”

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1 Before the wedding, my adopted sister, Serena Davies, hit my brother with her car, leaving him in a vegetative state. My fiancé, Sam Ford, a lawyer, not only didn’t blame her but actually became her defense attorney. I raised hell, demanding she go to jail, only to become the laughingstock of the city. In my brokenness, my sworn enemy, Harrison Blackwood, proposed to me, promising to be my only support. I said yes. Later, he personally ensured Serena was sent to prison. But in the fifth year of our marriage, I unexpectedly saw him talking to my brother, Ethan, who was supposed to be in a coma. “Bro-in-law, if Serena couldn’t have kids, you wouldn’t have had to orchestrate this whole scheme to trick Ariel into marrying you, making her a surrogate for Serena!” “It’s fine. My marriage certificate with Ariel is fake; the one with Serena is real.” “When Ariel gives birth, I’ll make sure the child calls Serena ‘Mother.’” It turned out the happiness I thought I had was nothing but a deception from start to finish. I’d risked everything to get justice for my brother, only to find it was all one-sided! I was the one who needed to leave. … My hand froze in mid-air as I was about to push open the hospital room door. A chill spread through my body; I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. Inside the room, Harrison Blackwood gazed at photos of Serena’s trip on his phone, a deeply regretful look on his face. “Seeing her happy and carefree makes these five years of acting for Ariel worthwhile.” “Once the baby inside her is born, this fake marriage should end.” My brother, Ethan Davies, lay in the hospital bed, snorting dismissively: “Ariel really thinks you love her. She even handed over all the shares Mom and Dad left her. But what if she finds out this was all our plan?” Harrison paused, a flicker of coldness in his eyes: “Then she’ll never know. Five years have passed; Serena should be out of prison soon.” “Besides, plenty of women die in the delivery room.” Ethan froze for a moment, then praised, “Bro-in-law, you’re still the smartest.” I recoiled, my hand clenching, the pregnancy diagnosis I’d just received falling to the floor. Harrison had distinctly told me he’d sent Serena to prison. It was all a lie! Ethan’s car accident was fake, Serena’s reckless driving and conviction were fake too. Everything was just a setup to make me bear a child for her, because she couldn’t! And all of it, orchestrated by the husband I loved to my very core! His tenderness, his loyalty, his devotion to me alone – it was all just a facade for his true love. For five years, I’d been living in the web of lies they’d spun. How ridiculous. Footsteps echoed from inside the room; Harrison was getting up. I quickly spun around, scooped up the diagnosis, and stumbled down the hallway. Tears streamed down my face as I ran. Once far from the hospital, I sank to the ground, taking a long time to compose myself. I don’t know how long passed before I carefully tucked the pregnancy diagnosis into my bag, hailed a cab, and returned home. After telling the housekeeper she could leave, I was alone in the house. I looked at the decorations, each one carefully chosen by us, and let out a bitter laugh. Not long ago, Harrison had held me close, his voice soft, “Ariel, let’s have a baby.” My health wasn’t great to begin with, but for his wish, I sought out specialists everywhere to improve my physical condition. I drank traditional herbal medicine like water, and acupuncture was a daily ritual. I finally conceived, only to discover the truth. I sat on the sofa until dusk. Then, footsteps sounded outside the door. The lights came on, and Harrison walked in. Seeing me on the sofa, he hugged me tenderly, “Why are you sitting in the dark?” I shook my head, subtly avoiding him. “Just woke up. Was waiting for you to come home.” Harrison didn’t suspect anything, kissing my forehead. “Ariel, you need to take good care of yourself, or I’ll feel guilty.” His tone was as gentle as ever. But I felt no warmth in my heart, only that he was an excellent actor. Why could he go to such lengths, for Serena, with someone he didn’t love? I leaned against Harrison’s chest, and his casual words echoed in my ear: “Wife, Serena is getting out of prison soon. After all, you two were sisters for over a decade, and she’s paid her penance. Maybe it’s time to let it go?” My eyes welled up, but I forced myself to speak: “You said it yourself, she and I are sisters. I won’t blame her anymore.” Harrison visibly relaxed, a smile touching his eyes: “I knew my Ariel was the kindest. Tonight, your husband will cook for you personally.” Watching him walk into the kitchen, I turned my head to wipe away my falling tears. Just then, Harrison’s phone on the table buzzed with a notification. I picked it up and unlocked it. The password was Serena’s birthday. On his private messaging app, the message was from one of Harrison’s inner circle: [Blackwood, your wife is returning tomorrow. The guys have prepared all the gifts you wanted.] The image showed acres of rose fields he’d bought out, and a new jewelry collection worth a billion from a top auction house. Scrolling further up, I discovered the truth. Every time Harrison had been away on business or working late, he’d actually been flying abroad to be with Serena. His friends were all in on it, covering for him. I clicked on Harrison’s social media, and what met my eyes were countless photos of Serena and him. Announcing their marriage, travel photos, kissing… The comments below were from people we both knew. Only I had been blocked from seeing them. My heart felt like it was tearing apart. I dug my nails into my arm, forcing myself to stay calm. Five years of marriage, and apart from our wedding photos, we didn’t have a single picture together. I’d always thought Harrison disliked taking photos. Turns out, it was just that he disliked taking photos with me. I let out a self-deprecating laugh, placing the phone back where it was. I didn’t want this marriage anymore. And Harrison, and this so-called family, I didn’t want them either. 2 After dinner, I bought a plane ticket for seven days later, heading out of the country, and booked the soonest possible abortion appointment. Seven days. That was enough time to say goodbye to this marriage. While Harrison showered, I found our marriage certificate. Looking at the vivid red cover, the official seal of the registrar’s office inside. Anyone would think it was real. My eyes grew moist. Just as I was about to put it away, Harrison’s questioning voice sounded behind me: “Ariel, what are you doing with the marriage certificate?” I calmly put it down, smiling. “It was a bit dusty. I just took it out to wipe it.” Harrison saw my reddened eyes, and his own flashed with concern. He came over, took the certificate, placed it in the cabinet, and hugged me. “You should let the housekeeper handle things like this.” I said nothing. Harrison was about to linger a bit longer when his phone rang suddenly. “Wife, I have to deal with something at the office. You go to bed after you’re done showering.” With that, he took his phone and went to his study. After I had showered, I was drying my hair when I passed the study door. I heard Harrison’s soft, cooing voice: “Serena, you’ll be in Capital City tomorrow. Your husband has a big surprise for you.” Serena replied sweetly, her voice soft, “Really? Thank you, hubby. But what about Ariel?” I felt Harrison’s mood instantly darken. He said in a cold voice: “You are my wife. Ariel is just your surrogate.” A chill settled deep in my heart. On the phone, Serena laughed twice, then chided him playfully, “Don’t say that about Ariel.” Harrison’s voice was so soft it could drip with sweetness: “Serena, you’re too kind.” I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. Suppressing the bitterness, I returned to my room. When Harrison came back, he saw I was already in bed. He didn’t disturb me, climbing in and gently holding me as he lay down. But I barely slept a wink that night. Early the next morning, Harrison held me tightly, reluctantly saying, “Wife, the company is very busy today. I won’t be back tonight to be with you.” “Your husband will make it up to you later.” I smiled. “It’s fine.” He had truly planned it well, all to keep me from finding out about Serena. But this five-year deception, I wasn’t going to let it continue. Especially since Harrison intended for me to die in childbirth. After he left, I grabbed the marriage certificate and went out. Arriving at the civil affairs office, I handed the marriage certificate to the clerk: “Could you help me check if there’s anything wrong with this marriage certificate?” The clerk frowned, her expression complicated as she looked at me. “Miss, this official seal is fake, so your marriage certificate has no legal validity.” Even though I already knew the outcome, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. But at least this saved me the trouble of divorce. I then went to the immigration office, applied for emigration, and canceled my identification documents. “Ms. Davies, this means you won’t be traceable anymore.” I shook my head. “It’s fine.” After I finished everything, I suddenly remembered that Harrison was throwing a welcome party for Serena today. I followed the address I’d seen yesterday and found the rose field. As soon as I arrived, I saw Harrison, surrounded by an adoring crowd, kissing Serena. Among those gathered were not only his friends but also company employees. “So this is Mrs. Blackwood! She’s truly beautiful, and so elegant. No wonder Mr. Blackwood is so utterly smitten!” “Did you see the necklace on her neck? It’s one of a kind in the world. I personally saw Mr. Blackwood pick it out.” “I heard Mr. Blackwood and his wife were childhood sweethearts. Such love is truly enviable.” Someone else questioned, “But I’ve seen Mrs. Blackwood before, and she didn’t look like this?” “Heh, I heard it through the grapevine a while ago. That’s the wife’s older sister, and rumor has it she’s been desperately clinging to Mr. Blackwood.” I just found it laughable. Five years of marriage, yet in everyone’s eyes, no one knew I was Harrison Blackwood’s wife. Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly heard Ethan’s voice: “Ariel, you’re finally back. I missed you so much. You have no idea how disgusting it was facing Ariel Summers every day…” Suddenly, an inexplicable bitterness welled up in my nose. Five years ago, I fought with Serena and my former fiancé to get him justice, becoming the laughingstock of the entire capital city. But in the end, he treated me like a stranger. In the rose field, Ethan was whining to Serena. I walked closer, making my way to the front amidst everyone’s astonished gazes, and suppressing my hurt, asked: “Ethan, why are you here?” 3 Instant silence. Shock flashed in Harrison’s eyes. Ethan, even more panicked, couldn’t utter a word. Once he recovered, Harrison hurriedly asked: “Ariel? How did you come here? Don’t misunderstand, Serena just got out today, and Ethan woke up, so we just thought we’d throw her a welcome party…” Everyone around them had already dispersed. After all, for five years, Harrison, worried that others would know Serena had been to prison, had always claimed she was abroad. I smiled. “Well, that’s just wonderful.” “Ariel, long time no see. I was so foolish back then.” Serena said, choking up, her tearful expression drawing sympathy. She was wearing a high-fashion gown, her makeup flawless. There was no sign she’d ever been to prison. Ethan immediately stepped in front of her, glaring at me defensively: “Don’t you dare target Serena! I don’t blame her for what happened back then, so what right do you have to decide for me!?” Watching his anxious expression, I couldn’t help but laugh. Serena always knew how to make herself out to be the victim. She did it when she was adopted by Mom and Dad, making me look bad at home. As we grew up, she continued to manipulate everyone around me, making them believe I bullied her. I took a deep breath, replying calmly, “I just heard there was a lively event here today. I didn’t realize it was you all. Since it’s a welcome party, I won’t disturb you.” I turned to leave. Harrison, thinking I was throwing a tantrum, rushed after me and grabbed my arm: “Ariel, don’t be angry. I was just worried about Serena, a young woman, suffering in prison…” “Five years have passed, and Ethan is fine, isn’t he? You should let it go too.” Harrison’s self-deceiving justification only struck me as hypocritical. He’d lied so much, he’d actually started believing it himself. Who was he putting on a show for now? “I’m not angry. I said it’s in the past, and I won’t hold a grudge anymore.” I thoughtfully straightened Harrison’s tie. “Go on, I’m heading home first.” Harrison hugged me, secretly letting out a sigh of relief. “I knew my wife was the most understanding. Get some good rest.” He instructed the driver to take me home, specifically saying he’d be back to accompany me tonight. I just nodded and agreed. Once home, I packed away all our couple items, throwing mine into the trash. Then I took down the wedding photos, cut Harrison and me apart, and burned them in the fire. I pulled out my suitcase, waiting only for my immigration application to be approved, then I would leave Capital City forever. That evening, until midnight. Harrison stood me up again. I had already anticipated it, so there wasn’t much of a ripple in my heart. Early the next morning, the obstetrics and gynecology department reminded me it was time for my appointment. I arrived at the hospital and got straight to the point: “I want an abortion.” The doctor looked at my report and frowned slightly: “This pregnancy wasn’t easy for you. If you terminate it, your chances of getting pregnant again might be very low. Please discuss it with the baby’s father.” I remembered seeing Serena’s social media post on the way to the hospital. It was at a hotel. One picture showed their candlelight dinner last night; another showed their hands intertwined on the hotel bed. Even though the man’s face wasn’t visible. The wedding ring on his right hand immediately revealed it was Harrison. I came back to myself, offering the doctor a bitter smile: “No need. The baby’s father is dead.”

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My grandmother is the richest woman in the country, and I’m her only granddaughter. Yet, my two older brothers allowed their trophy girlfriend to impersonate me. Before the start of the group’s centennial celebration, Mia Turner had already taken her place in the seat reserved for the CEO’s daughter, feigning politeness as she spoke to me. “Oh, dear~ if the boys hadn’t insisted on bringing you to see the world, a poor student like you would never step foot inside the Zenith Group’s doors.” “Later, remember to be sensible. Don’t cause me any trouble, or the boys will surely beat you to a cripple.” In my previous life, I was intimidated by my brothers, timid and weak, always yielding to Mia. But now, I’ve been reborn. Watching Mia still spouting nonsense, I simply raised my foot and kicked her back three feet. “What do you think you are? Trash, daring to lecture me!” 1 My audacious act immediately drew everyone’s attention. My elder brother, Alexander, instantly rushed to cradle Mia, his face etched with concern. My second brother, Benjamin, then raised his hand and slapped me twice. Seeing their pampered trophy girlfriend kicked away by me, both brothers were beside themselves with distress. They glared at me, seething. “Alexa Summers, you must have a death wish, daring to lay a hand on our sister!” Looking at my two aggressive brothers, I realized how foolish I’d been to ever imagine they felt any familial affection for me. I pointed at Mia, who was still cradled in their arms, and mocked loudly. “She’s just a little ‘sister’ you’re both keeping as a mistress. Am I, the group’s heiress, the CEO’s own granddaughter, not entitled to hit her?” At my words, Alexander instantly flared up, shoving me back to the ground. “Alexa Summers, Mia was kind enough to fund your education, yet here you are, spouting nonsense.” “Everyone here, listen up! Mia is my grandmother’s true granddaughter, the daughter of Zenith Group!” I looked at Alexander in disbelief. “She’s my grandmother’s granddaughter? The daughter of Zenith Group?” “Alexander, how dare you say such a thing? You truly have no shame!” Benjamin’s eyes darted around, then he looked at me with disdain. “Alexa Summers, did you forget to take your medication today? Are you having an episode?” Mia, meanwhile, began to sob theatrically. “It’s all my fault. I knew Alexa had a mental illness, but I still brought her here.” Their twisted conversation, where they completely inverted the truth, was heard clearly by everyone in the hall. Instantly, everyone around me looked at me with contempt. “So Alexa Summers is just a poor student sponsored by the young lady, no wonder she’s dressed so shabbily.” “The young lady is truly pure and kind, to sponsor someone so mentally ill and twisted.” Alexander then called for the group’s assistant, Mr. Davies. “Take Alexa Summers out of here. From now on, she’s not allowed to step foot in the group’s building without my permission.” I looked at Mr. Davies, who was approaching me with security guards. “Uncle Davies, you were a veteran beside my father. How can you not tell who the real CEO’s daughter is?” Mr. Davies immediately stopped, frozen in place. “I… I…” Benjamin glared at him with clear displeasure. “Uncle Davies, my elder brother is the future heir of the group. Are you defying his orders now, or do you want to pack your bags and get out?” Mr. Davies instantly turned pale with fright. He looked at me uneasily. “Miss, I have elderly parents and young children to support; I rely on this job. Please don’t make it difficult for me. Please come with me outside.” With that, Mr. Davies motioned for the security guards to quickly drag me away. Looking at the several people surrounding me, I picked up a vase from the table and threw it hard. “I am not only the CEO’s daughter of Zenith Group, I am also the group’s sole heiress. Dare to touch me, and you’ll regret it!” 2 The shattering sound of the vase and my furious shout echoed through the entire banquet hall. Hearing my words, everyone around me scoffed. “She must be seriously ill. First, she claims to be the CEO’s granddaughter, and now the group’s heiress? Absolutely ridiculous.” “Exactly. Even if she were the CEO’s actual granddaughter, it wouldn’t fall to a woman to inherit the group. After all, the CEO has two biological grandsons.” Looking at my two still arrogant brothers, I directly challenged them. “Alexander, are you sure you and Benjamin have any claim to inheritance?” Benjamin’s eyes flickered, but he quickly regained his composure, tugging at Alexander’s sleeve. “Alexander, today is a joyous occasion. Later, all the family elders will be here. Perhaps we should just let it go?” Seeing Benjamin’s reaction, I knew he was remembering his origins and was starting to get scared. After all, my grandmother, the richest woman in this country, only gave birth to my mother. After my mother’s passing, I was her only biological granddaughter. My two brothers were merely the orphaned children of my father’s younger brother. After their parents died, my father, unable to bear seeing his nephews suffer outside, brought them into the Summers family. So they shared no blood relation with my mother or grandmother and could absolutely not inherit Zenith Group, which my biological grandmother had founded. But Alexander ignored my words, instead glaring at Benjamin with a deep frown. “She just laid a hand on Mia. Are you seriously going to let Mia suffer this indignity?” “Alexa Summers, it seems your illness has worsened. Should we just have Mr. Davies send you to a mental institution for treatment?” The mention of a mental institution sent a surge of pure hatred through my chest. I remembered the agony of being bled and flayed by Mia in the mental asylum in my previous life. Yes, in my past life, Alexander and Benjamin, in their desperate attempts to win Mia’s affection, had both, without exception, conspired against me and harmed me. Mia, who was studying medicine, always had a peculiar fascination. She wanted to personally observe the differences in anatomical structure between living and dead bodies. And after my two brothers learned of this, they collaborated with Mia to dissect me alive. Despite growing up with my brothers, living together in the Summers family for 18 years. Yet, to please Mia, they not only allowed her to impersonate me, but also daily concocted ways to help Mia torment me. Now, I understood. In my brothers’ eyes, familial bonds were meaningless; only romantic love held true importance for them. But now I was curious, when love and power were placed side by side, which would my two brothers choose? Thinking of this, I let out a cold laugh. “I’ll ask you one last time, who is the CEO’s daughter and heir of Zenith Group?” Before my two brothers could even open their mouths, Chloe Green, the daughter of a partner of the group, rushed forward and slapped me. “This is outrageous! You, a sponsored poor student, dare to act out in Zenith Group’s premises? Look at yourself, you don’t belong!” I knew Chloe Green. She secretly adored my older brother, Alexander, and constantly fantasized about marrying him and becoming the future chairman’s wife of the group. Ever since she heard Mia Turner was the CEO’s granddaughter and the daughter of Zenith Group, she had been fawning over Mia for the past two months, running errands for her. She wanted to establish a good sister-in-law relationship early on, to leave Alexander with the impression of a virtuous wife. Too bad she was flattering the wrong person. Mia was not only not the Zenith Group’s CEO’s daughter, but she was also Chloe’s love rival, my older brother’s secretly kept mistress for years. I wasn’t about to take Chloe Green’s slap for nothing, so I raised my foot and kicked her hard in the stomach. “What do you think you are? The daughter of a third-rate company daring to lay a hand on me! One word from me, and your family goes bankrupt instantly.” Chloe clutched her stomach in pain, looking at me in disbelief. “Alexa Summers, you actually dared to kick me! My mom and dad never even dared to yell at me, not once in my life!” “You just wait, I won’t let you get away with this.” Mia remorsefully took Chloe’s hand. “Chloe, don’t bother with her. She’s not mentally stable. I apologize on her behalf.” I looked at Mia with disdain, sneering. “I think you’re the one with a screw loose. Why act as a common mistress when you could be a high-class one? And why pretend to be the group’s CEO’s daughter at such an important event?” I turned to my two brothers, pointed towards the door, and said coldly. “Oh, since you two insist on playing dress-up with your mistress, then take your little ‘sister’ and get out of my company!” 3 My two brothers’ faces turned ashen as they glared at me. “Alexa Summers, let me tell you, we hold real power in this group. You’re still just a student. You’re the one who needs to leave!” “What’s going on? Why are you all standing here instead of taking your seats?” A distinguished, elegant middle-aged man pushed his way through the crowd. He was Marcus Summers, the CEO of Zenith Group, and my biological father. But he hurried to Mia, raising his hand to wipe away the tears from her eyes. “Mia, don’t cry~ Who’s been bullying you?” “Tell me quickly, and I’ll take care of them right now!” Alexander angrily pointed at me: “Besides this ignorant little brat, Alexa Summers, who else would dare to bully Mia right under my nose?” My father heard him and slapped me hard across the face. “Alexa Summers, I truly gave you too much freedom. You dare to abuse your power and bully Mia.” “Now, apologize to Mia on your knees immediately, or you won’t get any allowance for the next year.” Looking at my father, who was blaming me without any clear understanding, my eyes filled with disappointment. Sure enough, my father was still the same as in my previous life, blindly favoring Mia along with my two brothers. Although I had long anticipated it, my heart still couldn’t help but ache. Before, I never understood. I was clearly my father’s daughter, while Mia was just a plaything for my two brothers. But after my father met Mia, he became obsessed with her, treating her exceptionally well. Especially after discovering both my brothers had been supporting Mia as their mistress, my father exploded in fury, whipping both brothers for an entire day and night. When I saw my brothers being beaten, I even ran over to plead with my father, defending them. But I was accidentally hit with two lashes, and those two whip scars are still on my arm to this day. Afterward, my father not only stopped my brothers from continuing to support Mia, but he also used his connections to send Mia to the best university in the country. What’s more, my father even told my two brothers. If they truly loved Mia, they should compete fairly and try their best to marry her. And the one who successfully married Mia would be the heir to my father’s fortune. In my previous life, my father’s unusual behavior made me very curious, so I secretly investigated Mia’s background. Later, I learned that Mia was actually the daughter of my father’s first love. Mia looked very much like her mother; my father recognized her the first time he saw her. The destructive power of a deceased first love was truly formidable; a similar face could firmly capture my father’s heart. It was pitiful for my mother, who died of illness, never knowing that my father harbored another woman in his heart. Thinking of this, I looked at my father with sarcasm. “I will not apologize!” “But since my two brothers say Mia is their sister and the CEO’s daughter of Zenith Group, shouldn’t Father offer an explanation to everyone?” Hearing this, Mia immediately looked at my father with a pained expression, knowing he hated seeing her cry. Sure enough, seeing Mia crying so beautifully, my father immediately slapped me twice again. “Explain what? They’re right, Mia is my dear daughter, the CEO’s daughter of Zenith Group.” Looking at my father, who was telling blatant lies, I directly yelled at him. “Marcus Summers, do you think this is fair to my deceased mother? Do you dare to lay your hand on your heart and repeat what you just said?” My father ignored my words, turning to my two brothers. “Go throw this trash out, this one who bullied your sister.” Looking at my cold and heartless father, my heart was a mix of emotions. Heh, this was the man my mother loved her entire life? This was my biological father, whom I had admired for 18 years since childhood? I doubt my mother ever imagined, before her death, that the two sons she kindly adopted would harm her beloved daughter for the sake of a mistress. And that her own husband would not only fail to protect his biological daughter but would also drive her out of the house for the child of his first love. In this moment, I truly felt sorrow for myself and for my deceased mother. I lifted my head, meeting my father’s gaze directly, and said coldly. “This is my family’s Zenith Group. It’s not for outsiders like you to swagger around here!” I deliberately emphasized “my family’s” with extra force. The words had barely left my lips when my father completely erupted in rage. He signaled my two brothers to rush forward, holding me down firmly so I couldn’t move. “Yours? That’s utterly ridiculous!” My father then walked behind me, grabbing my hair, and violently slammed my forehead against the glass wall of the hall. “I’ve been managing Zenith Group all these years. Why can’t it be my Marcus Summers’s? Why can’t I decide the heir?” I fought back tears, firmly shouting, “Zenith Group belongs to my grandmother! I am the group’s only heir!” Thump, thump, thump, the moment my words ended, my forehead was shoved against the glass wall again. My father continued to roar at me, “Alexa Summers, stop dreaming! I gave Zenith Group to Mia as a dowry last year! Whoever marries Mia will inherit Zenith Group!” My father’s words stunned everyone present, and their gazes at Mia grew even more intense. Just then, an aged, sharp female voice came from behind me. “Marcus Summers, dare you say that again? Who is the heir of Zenith Group?”

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I was the chosen shield for the ruthless gang lord’s beloved. Three years into our marriage, I was kidnapped by his enemies for the eighth time. Ace arrived with his men to rescue me. The negotiation lasted barely five minutes before the young girl’s call came through. “Ace, my dare game led to a kiss, but I want to save my first kiss for you.” “Can you come to me?” The moment Ace turned to leave without hesitation, the knife plunged into my abdomen, blood gushing out. His men, just like the seven times before, paid them off and then sent me to the hospital. In the ambulance, I vaguely overheard someone speculating if I’d live to see the day that girl could stand on her own. They burst into laughter, while I wept silently. The mission to save the gang lord had failed, and the system was about to erase me. Ace, I won’t make it to that day. 1 The doctor sighed softly beside my ear. “Ms. Spiller, your uterus was already damaged from your last miscarriage, and now it’s been stabbed in that very spot again.” “I’m afraid you won’t be able to bear children anymore.” I stared at the pristine white ceiling, my voice sounding as if it came from a distant place. “It’s fine.” After the doctor left, I heard the system sigh too. “Mission failed. You will be erased.” “Do you want to restart the mission and continue saving him?” I shook my head. “Erase me.” “Understood. Erase protocol initiated. You have 72 hours remaining.” I closed my eyes, the silence around me almost unnerving. But soon, a strange impulse led me to open Chloe Vance’s live stream. Today, she was painting live from the hilltop mansion Ace had bought her. The young girl, in Ace’s oversized men’s shirt, her hair in a messy bun, was mixing colors in front of an easel. In the camera, her cheeks were flushed, and her smile was pure and lovely. “My clothes? Oh, they’re my boyfriend’s. My own shirts were just… impossible to wear.” “It was quite… intense last night, actually.” As she spoke, she glanced back shyly at the person just out of frame. She mumbled, “I never expected my first kiss and first time to happen on the same day…” A man’s deep, gentle voice drifted in. “My apologies. I’ll be gentler next time.” The chat exploded with cheers. [Chloe finally got her man! More daily couple content, please!] “Couple content is a bit tricky. My boyfriend has a special job, so he can’t show his face.” As she spoke, a little red paint stained the sleeve of her shirt. Chloe let out a small “oops,” and the man’s long, slender fingers reached over to roll up her sleeve for her. A cute little peach ring on her ring finger was revealed. “It’s okay if it gets dirty.” Chloe’s blush deepened. She giggled, then was suddenly pulled away by the man. From off-camera, sounds of kissing and heavy breathing, leaving much to the imagination, filled the air. The live stream comments flew by, one catching my eye: [I think I just heard Ace Evans, the gang lord.] The man spoke, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly. “I am not.” The live stream abruptly ended. I put down my phone and drifted back into a heavy sleep. I dreamt of a time I was cleaning and accidentally got dust on his white shirt. I apologized profusely, but he still flew into a rage, scolding me for touching his belongings. He threw that white shirt away like trash, and I never saw any of his clothes in the house again. The last image in my dream was Ace’s back. It was eerily similar to his back over the past three years, each time he’d rushed off because of Chloe, leaving me to my torment. I woke up groggily, and the first thing I saw was a peach ring. My gaze traveled upwards to Chloe, who had changed into a simple T-shirt and jeans. She was cheerfully sipping chicken soup from a thermos. The housekeeper’s face held an apologetic expression: “Mrs. Spiller, it’s all my fault. I only made one serving of soup for you, and it turns out Miss Chloe loves it too.” “Oh dear, I drank it all! Clara, I’m so, so sorry!” Chloe seemed to just realize it was my nourishing meal, and her eyes welled up with tears. When Ace walked in, he saw her clutching her hands, repeatedly bowing to me. “Clara Spiller, what are you doing now?! Chloe came to see you because she was worried!” The housekeeper looked a little awkward, wanting to explain, but Chloe cut her off: “Ace, please don’t be angry. My mouth was just so greedy. As soon as I smelled the chicken soup, I couldn’t help but have a couple of sips, and then I just drank it all… Clara has every right to be mad at me…” She cried so piteously that Ace’s heart ached. “It’s just a bowl of chicken soup. You can have all you want when you’re discharged. Why are you picking a fight with Chloe?” He looked coldly at the housekeeper: “Chloe hasn’t had much appetite lately, and she rarely enjoys your chicken soup. Go back now and make another pot, and deliver it to Chloe’s hilltop mansion.” The housekeeper scurried away. Ace’s expression softened as he bent down to wipe away Chloe’s tears. “Don’t cry anymore, or you’ll be a little mess.” Chloe broke into a smile, throwing herself into his arms. “You’re making fun of me again.” The two left the hospital room, giggling, and silence once again settled around me. To my surprise, the familiar cycle of misunderstandings, scoldings, and accusations, which had played out countless times, now stirred no ripple within me. I no longer wanted to argue, to make a scene, or to explain myself. An hour later, as the doctor was checking my wound, Ace’s henchmen sauntered in, urging me to get discharged quickly, as his enemies were still stirring. One of them, taking pity on me, asked if I wanted more pain medication. I shook my head. “It’s fine.” I’ve grown accustomed to this pain. 2 His men dropped me off at the doorstep, tossing a bag of medicine at me before driving away. Ace treated me as if I were nothing, and his people regarded me like dirt. I unlocked the door, carrying the bag, only to find the house cold and empty; even the cleaning staff were gone. Ace’s call came through, his voice as cold and devoid of warmth as ever. “Chloe’s not feeling well. Your housekeeper is meticulous, so I sent them all over there.” “You’ll have to stay by yourself for a few days. They’ll come back once Chloe feels better.” He said it as if it were the most natural thing, as if the person who had been stabbed five times by his enemies and nearly died was Chloe. “Okay.” Hearing my indifferent tone, he paused for a moment, then continued: “Jot down anything you want to eat, and the housekeeper will make it for you when they come back.” “Okay.” Even through the phone, I could sense his frown. “What’s with the attitude, all for a bowl of chicken soup?” “Clara Spiller, don’t you forget, when I married you, I told you you were just a shield for Chloe. Don’t think that after three years as Mrs. Evans, you can walk all over Chloe!” I nodded mechanically. “Okay.” “You…” Just as his anger flared, Chloe called out to him. “Ace, come quickly and have some cake!” The call ended. 48 hours left until the system erased me. I felt a little hungry, but when I went to the kitchen, I found all the groceries gone, the refrigerator completely empty. Due to Ace’s peculiar identity, he never allowed me to order takeout. I rummaged through the cupboards and drawers, managing to find a single packet of expired instant noodles. The kettle had been broken and unrepaired, so I used hot water from the water heater to prepare them, then placed the bowl on the dining table. My phone chimed, showing Chloe was live streaming. Today, they weren’t at the hilltop mansion. The background seemed to be a hot spring resort. Chloe, in a loose T-shirt, was eating chocolate cake while interacting with her viewers. The man off-camera occasionally speared a piece with his fork, gently feeding it to her. [Can’t you really show your daily romance? Those fingers definitely belong to a hottie!] Chloe stuck out her tongue. “My boyfriend is the most handsome man in the world. Every time he smiles, my heart just melts.” “He chased me first, but I’m a bit timid, afraid of everything, so I dragged it out until now before saying yes.” “The cake is sweet, but not as sweet as we are.” The man stroked her hair, and her cheeks turned crimson when she smiled. Chloe finished half the cake, and I finished my unappetizing instant noodles. In the live stream, her other phone lit up. Her eyes went red as she looked at it, revealing a surprised expression. A few seconds later, she burst into heart-wrenching sobs in front of over a hundred thousand viewers. The live stream abruptly ended. I was still in a daze when Ace’s call came through. He immediately launched into a furious tirade: “Clara Spiller, all for a bowl of chicken soup, for a few housekeepers, you actually posted about Chloe and me dating online!” “If Chloe gets hurt because of this, dying ten times wouldn’t be enough!” I opened my mouth to speak: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. After I got home, I was just eating…” “Still denying it? Chloe said she only accidentally sent those pictures to you, no one else has seen them, not even me!” “Besides, the resort where we’re eating today, you’ve been there before.” “You were just in the live stream. I saw you.” His last few words were laced with a grinding fury. If I were in front of him right then, he would probably have kicked me down, forcing me to my knees to apologize to Chloe. Just like last winter, when Chloe had period cramps and specifically demanded I take care of her. But my body was weak after the miscarriage, and I had barely uttered “I’m sorry” before he grabbed my shoulders and shoved me down. That day, I must have knocked my head ten times, leaving my face covered in blood, before Chloe finally cried and said she forgave me. Ace’s angry breathing from the phone dragged me back from my memories. I looked down at the instant noodle soup and said, “It wasn’t me. I had no reason to do that.” Chloe cried again. “Ace, someone outside seems to be watching me. I’m so scared…” After the call ended, I sat motionless at the dining table, lost in thought. Sure enough, just ten minutes later, Ace’s men punched in the code and burst in, dragging me out like a sack of potatoes. “Hurry, Boss wants you to shield Miss Chloe!” 3 The hot spring resort had an enormous floor-to-ceiling glass window. I was instructed to sit at the dining table in front of the window and read. In the safest corner of the room, Ace was gently comforting a weeping Chloe. “Don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ll protect you.” She buried herself in his arms, her delicate hands clutching his expensive custom cashmere sweater. “Ace, will they kill me? I’m so afraid, I hate pain…” “No, they won’t. It’s safe here. Ace promises you’ll be fine.” Her sobs gradually subsided, and Chloe sniffled. “Ace, what would I do without you?” “Don’t talk nonsense. How could you be without me? I’ll always be with you, until we grow old.” The sounds of their kissing were too obvious. Even if I concentrated on my book, every detail reached my ears. The sounds lasted for half an hour, only stopping at the final stage. “Ace, Clara is still here. She is your wife, after all. Maybe you should find someone to protect her?” Ace glanced at me coldly. “If she hadn’t exposed our photos and location, you wouldn’t be so scared. She deserves this.” I desperately wanted to read the words on the page, but my vision was blurred. Why did tears still fall, when I supposedly no longer felt that agonizing pain? I didn’t understand, and I didn’t want to. After an unknown amount of time, the accumulated pain and exhaustion of the past few days made me drift off to sleep. I woke up to the sound of “24 hours left” ringing in my ears, accompanied by Ace’s slap across my face. “Clara Spiller, how could you be so vicious, sneaking in while I was asleep!” As I quickly stood up, I pulled at the wound on my abdomen, letting out a sharp gasp. “Don’t play innocent. Tell me, where is Chloe?!” It was then I realized I had somehow entered the bedroom. And Chloe was gone. “I don’t know. I remember I was at the floor-to-ceiling window last night…” “Cut the crap. Where did you send Chloe?!” I shook my head. “I don’t know.” “Clara Spiller, you’d better genuinely not know, or I swear I won’t let you off!” Ace said, gritting his teeth, then stormed out, making countless calls until he finally located Chloe. “Get a few men here, and bring her along!” I was bound at the feet and trapped in the back seat of Ace’s car. He drove himself, pressing the accelerator to the floor. In three years of marriage, this was the first time I’d seen him lose control like this. When we arrived at the beach, Chloe was tied by her wrists and suspended from a boat, crying hysterically. “Ace, why did you take so long? I’m so scared, please save me!” “Chloe!” Ace shouted her name anxiously, then glared menacingly at the enemies on the boat. “Let her go. I’ll give you my wife, plus two territories and ten businesses, in exchange.” The leader of the enemies, his face scarred, grinned. “Deal.” As I was slowly hoisted up, Ace was tightly embracing Chloe, whispering soothing words. When I reached the highest point, he turned and walked away with the woman he loved. I saw that back again, but this time, Chloe was by his side. The enemy leader lit a cigarette, then glanced sideways. “Do it.” The searing hot iron pressed against my skin, and I couldn’t help but cry out in agony. “Just kill me!” He shook his head: “If you die too quickly, it would be an injustice to my fallen brothers.” “Better to slowly torture you, so everyone in the underworld can see that Ace Evans isn’t so terrifying after all.” I struggled and twisted my body, but the branding iron always found its mark, hurting me so much I couldn’t even speak. I don’t know how many times he burned me. I was on the verge of losing consciousness from the pain when they finally lowered me. But just as I caught my breath, I felt a sharp sting on my wrist. He cut my wrist with a knife, then plunged it into the sea! Blood flowed into the ocean, instantly staining the seawater a vivid red. I was pressed down, unable to move, but my head was forcibly turned to my wrist, forcing me to watch my own blood drain away. Suddenly, I smiled. Ace, if I die here, will you find another shield for your young girl? Or will you simply marry her and take her home? But either way, it will no longer concern me. My consciousness gradually blurred. Before I completely slipped away, Ace’s men finally arrived, belatedly. I heard muffled negotiations, and then I was lifted onto an ambulance. Inside the vehicle, they were playing cards and laughing raucously, their noise keeping me from sleep. In my daze, I heard someone say: “Boss truly dotes on Miss Chloe. He wasn’t even going to pursue it, but the moment he saw Miss Chloe’s wrist was scraped, he got so angry he personally killed all those people.” “Hey, have you heard? Boss decided to retire from the gang for Miss Chloe.” 4 When I was resuscitated, the system informed me I had six hours left. I suddenly remembered what they said in the ambulance. Ace, because Chloe’s wrist was scraped, was going to retire from the gang. I looked down at the bandaged wounds on my wrist and the countless scars covering my body, a bitter smile on my face. Something that took me three years to achieve was, it turned out, so easily accomplished. Only, the one who completed the task wasn’t me. With four hours left, I ignored the hospital’s protests and, leaning on my fragile body, returned to the villa. Before I left, I wanted to take one last look at that medical report. But when I struggled back, I found the yard in disarray, the house completely empty. The guest bedroom was turned upside down. The things in the drawer were gone. I hastily called Ace. He answered, full of impatience: “I’m going to retire from the gang. All my previous properties will be sold, and I’ll buy new ones after everything’s clean.” “Just find somewhere to stay. Once Chloe’s emotionally stable, we’ll get a divorce.” I opened my mouth: “But the things in my bedroom drawer…” “Clara Spiller, don’t push your luck!” “Chloe’s injuries are all your fault. Sending my men to save you was already more than enough. Are you seriously expecting me to buy you a separate house just for the jewelry in your drawer?” I had nowhere to go, and I didn’t need to find a place to live. With three hours left, I sat on the doorstep, basking in the sun. The sunlight warmed my skin, but it couldn’t thaw my gradually chilling body. The garden gate creaked open, and I looked up to see Chloe, arms crossed, leaning against the gate and staring at me. “You’re truly lucky. You still haven’t died.” I paused, then smiled softly. “Soon. Don’t worry.” She was about to say something when she suddenly heard a sound and immediately dropped her arms. Tears sprang to her eyes. “Clara, I didn’t mean it, please don’t be angry, okay?” “You just got discharged, you shouldn’t get upset. I’ll ask the housekeeper to make you some chicken soup right away…” Before she could finish, Ace burst in, enraged, his phone held up in front of me. The chat log displayed a message someone had sent him. “Boss, your wife is quite something. She mass-emailed your enemies, telling them you love Chloe, and they should go after Chloe from now on, not her.” “Photos and addresses are all there. Chloe’s social media accounts have been exposed.” Ace, in a frenzy, kicked me hard in the chest. “I shouldn’t have sent anyone to save you. You’d be better off dead there!” I gasped for air, and as I looked up, the sun blinded me. A gun was pressed against my forehead, the barrel icy cold, sending a shiver down my spine. “It wasn’t me.” In these three years, I seemed to say those three words often. Chloe ran over and stopped him, crying, “Ace, Clara didn’t mean it. It’s my fault for taking the person she loved. It’s normal for her to hate me, so please don’t hurt her. She just got out of the hospital…” “It’s okay if the accounts are gone. It’s fine if they come after me. I can handle it…” Ace hugged her, his heart aching. He turned to look at me, his teeth gritted. “I really regret ever finding you. You’re restless and vicious!” His men called him: “Boss, several of our enemies are offering bounties for Miss Chloe’s life, what should we do?!” “Maybe you should take Miss Chloe abroad to hide. Someone must have told them Miss Chloe is at the villa, they’re already heading that way!” Ace’s eyes flickered. “I know who told them.” He started a live stream, appearing on camera for the first time in his life, but quickly turned the camera to face me. “I am Ace Evans. As of today, I’m retiring from the gang and will no longer be involved in underworld affairs.” “All of you who have grievances and grudges, come find her. Everything I’ve done in the past was at her instigation. Now, I no longer wish to be with her. She’s yours to deal with.” I gasped for air. “I shielded Chloe for three years. Now you want me to die for you?” Ace grabbed my collar and dragged me all the way to the main road. As he threw me down and walked away, he left a cold parting remark: “This is all your own doing. Whether you live or die is up to fate.” This was the last time I saw his back. Cold, resolute. He disappeared. Not even ten minutes later, countless enemies swarmed from all directions. They unleashed all their pent-up resentment and fury on me, no one holding back. My tendons were severed, my legs broken, and countless knives plunged into my chest. They roared for revenge for their relatives, brothers, and friends, gripping my chin and demanding an apology. But I felt as if I had lost all sensation of pain, only staring blankly at the clear blue sky. It was good. Before I died, I could see a vast expanse of blue, not a single cloud in sight. Just like the day I first entered this world. “Mission failed. Erase protocol initiated.” “In one hour, all your identity information will be erased. Clara Spiller will completely vanish from this world.”

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The lofty Miss Avery Parker of Crown City dumped me, a mere bar host, at my birthday. My sister shut down his bar and planned to send him to a remote mine. Avery stayed quiet. Three days later, my brakes failed, and I crashed into a shantytown. Unconscious, I was dragged into an alley. I woke up bruised, with compromising photos on my phone. Avery used them to break off our engagement. The next day, the bartender, Brandon White, moved into her home. My childhood fiancée, Miss Celeste McDougall, said she’d marry me despite the scandal. At our civil registration, I overheard groomsmen outside: Avery set me up to be with Brandon, and Celeste only married me to stop my family from investigating him. Both their hearts belonged to that one man. I looked at myself in the groom’s suit, disgusted. Tearing off my jacket and tie, I drove to the International Medical Aid Center. Filling the forms with trembling hands, I wrote clearly: “I’m applying for Latin America. I’ll sign the waiver—my life, my responsibility.” … The director flipped through my resume, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly. “Dr. Hart, there’s an ongoing conflict and a dengue fever outbreak in Latin America right now. Two of the three doctors we sent have already been infected, and the armed factions there don’t follow rules. You might genuinely not come back.” I closed my eyes, my heart aching as if squeezed, but my voice was calm when I spoke. “I know. I’ll take Sister Wang’s place; she’s pregnant and it’s inconvenient for her. It’s convenient for me.” The director looked at my expensive shirt and trousers, sighing. “Isn’t today your wedding day? Why are you here?” Tears splattered on the ground. I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand, saying nothing. She didn’t ask further, directly approving my application. A top surgeon willing to go to such a place, they couldn’t ask for more. “The special flight leaves at seven tomorrow morning.” “If you make it back alive, the organization will apply for the highest honor for you, and your sister’s hospital will also receive international aid funding.” I bowed, then turned and walked out. The white Porsche I’d left at the entrance was gone. Just as I was about to call a taxi, Avery pulled up in that very car, stopping in front of me. She rolled down the window, a slender lady’s cigarette between her fingers, her gaze as indifferent as if she were looking at a stranger: “Allo likes this car. I was just having someone pick it up, and I happened to run into you, so I just drove it away.” I looked at the steering wheel, my throat tight. She had bought this car abroad three years ago, spending forty million, claiming it was my birthday gift. There were only twenty of them worldwide, and the license plate was even my birthday. Back then, she had taught me to drive it herself, saying the car suited me, Allen Hart. Now, for Brandon, she wanted back even things she had given away. I smiled faintly, ignored her, and turned to leave. Behind me, the engine roared, her voice a little impatient. “It’s your big day today, why are you here?” “Get in. I’ll drive you back to the registry office. Don’t waste time, or Celeste will dump you and you won’t even have time to cry.” I didn’t look back. “I’m not getting married.” Avery scoffed, the scent of tobacco wafting on the wind: “Allen Hart, don’t I know your little schemes? You just can’t let go of me, you’re unwilling to be with Celeste.” “Coming here, isn’t it just to get my attention?” “But after what happened to you in the shantytown, my Parker family can’t have you anymore.” “I’ve already had those people who touched you dealt with. Consider it my closing statement.” “Now, Celeste is willing to have you. You should be counting your blessings. Don’t be ungrateful.” I turned to look at her. Her face was still the same beautiful face that was hard to look away from, but what was inside had long since rotted. Counting my blessings? It was just another calculation. Brandon, selling drinks and charming customers in a bar, how much cleaner could he be than me? I opened my mouth, but only one word escaped: “Scram.” Her face instantly darkened. She pushed open the car door, grabbed my wrist, and shoved me towards the car. “Allen Hart, we’re long over. Don’t cling to me like a lunatic.” “Celeste is my childhood friend. You should be celebrating that she’s willing to have you. Don’t mess up this chance.” She sped all the way to the Hart family gates, pushed me out of the car, and then stomped on the accelerator, leaving. My sister was already pacing at the door, her face dark when she saw me. “Where have you been? The McDougall family is waiting for you to sign, and you’re not answering your phone. Do you want to kill me with worry?” I took a deep breath and told her about going to Latin America. My sister swayed, almost losing her balance. “No! Are you crazy? That’s a suicide mission! I forbid it!” 2 I forced myself to calm down and repeated verbatim what I had overheard outside the dressing room. My sister’s face flushed crimson as she listened. She grabbed her car keys, ready to confront Avery Parker and Celeste McDougall. I clung to her arm tightly: “Sis, please let me go. If I really marry Celeste, every day after that will be torture.” “Going to Latin America isn’t just to escape; it’s also to earn some reputation for our family.” “Besides, leaving here is the only relief for me.” My sister looked at me, the keys in her hand falling to the ground. She didn’t speak for a long time. She loved me, but the Hart family had such a large estate, and there were still those relatives from the side branches watching. If I could use this method to bring some benefit to the family, no matter how much her heart ached, she would have to consider it. The motorcade for the wedding arrived at the gate. I hadn’t done my hair, hadn’t changed clothes, and walked straight out. Celeste stood by the car, wearing her usual smile. I looked at her face, my heart feeling like something was lodged in it. She didn’t love me, she was shielding another man, yet how could she act so convincingly? I said indifferently, “I’m not getting married. You should go back.” Celeste’s face changed. She stepped forward, grabbed my hand, and lowered her voice: “Allen, what’s with the drama? Right now, I’m the only one in the entire city who doesn’t look down on you. If you break off this engagement with me, do you want people to talk behind your back for the rest of your life?” “I know you’re still thinking about Avery, but if you truly love someone, shouldn’t you support their happiness?” My nose stung. I tilted my head back, forcing the tears away, and looked at her, smiling: “So you also like Brandon. To make them happy, you’re sacrificing yourself to take me?” “To keep me from bothering Brandon, you’re marrying me to keep me under your thumb, right?” Her eyes flickered, but she stood her ground, her eyes even reddening. “Allen, how could you think that of me? We grew up together, don’t you know what kind of person I am?” Onlookers began to murmur. “Ms. McDougall is being kind to him, and he’s slandering her. What kind of man is this?” “Exactly. Ms. McDougall, since he doesn’t appreciate it, just break off the engagement! Who would want a man who’s been defiled, besides you!” My sister stood beside me, her face dark with anger, about to speak up about what happened that night. I quickly pressed her hand, shook my head at her, and whispered in her ear, “Sis, we can’t say anything. The Parker and McDougall families are allied; we can’t fight them.” “Avery just secured those big projects; she’s riding high. Even if she hired people to harm me, even if she ruined my reputation for Brandon, if she wants to whitewash it, she can make black sound white.” “Right now, no one will believe us. They’ll just think we’re slandering them for sympathy.” My sister’s chest heaved with anger. Finally, she swung her arm and went inside, leaving me alone. Celeste took my hand again, her face full of tenderness. “Allen, you’re not in a good mood today. I can wait. This engagement is forever valid, as long as you promise me not to go after Avery and Brandon again.” I shook off her hand, my eyes turning cold. “I won’t be with you, and I won’t go after Avery again. Never in this life, because I’m about to…” Before I could finish, Brandon, driving the white Porsche Avery had just taken from me, roared his engine and stopped by the road. He was wearing a custom casual suit from a famous brand. When he got out, his body was as soft as if he had no bones. He looked at Celeste with a hint of something different in his eyes. Celeste’s eyes brightened, then quickly dimmed. Brandon walked up to me, his eyes reddening, and he started to cry, looking incredibly pitiful: “Hart, why did you go to see Avery again today? You’re about to get married, why are you still clinging to her?” 3 The murmurs from the crowd grew harsher. “Just now he said he wouldn’t bother Ms. Parker, but then her official boyfriend shows up. Where’s his face?” “Ms. McDougall’s sincerity was wasted on a dog. This kind of man should get out of Crown City.” Celeste, hearing I had gone to see Avery today, her eyes immediately turned cold. She instinctively stepped in front of Brandon, her tone full of reproach: “Allen, I know you look down on Brandon, thinking he’s from a bar, not clean, and not good enough for Avery.” “But he only served drinks in the bar; he never did anything like that. He’s still innocent.” “On the contrary, after that night, you’re much dirtier than him.” I took a deep breath. The hot June wind felt like knives on my face. Yes, Avery, to whitewash Brandon and make him suitable for the Parker family’s prestige, had immediately bought off several media outlets to change their stories, and even had him adopted by a retired female professor as a godmother, giving him a layer of gold. Overnight, I became the scorned outcast of Crown City, while he became the inspirational, pure idol, Ms. Parker’s darling. Brandon suddenly pointed at the diamond-studded watch on my wrist, his voice sharp: “How did you steal my things? This is Avery’s love token for me! How is it on your hand?!” My body stiffened, my eyes reddened as I looked at Celeste: “This watch, didn’t you give it to me last night?” Celeste’s eyes darted away, unwilling to meet mine, but her tone was firm: “When did I ever give you a watch? You’re light-fingered yourself, don’t drag me into this.” My ears were filled with accusations of being a thief, words hitting me like stones. I endured the tearing pain in my chest, my hands trembling as I unclasped the watch and violently threw it to the ground. The watch face shattered, pieces scattering onto Brandon’s feet. I questioned, “I’ve never been to the Parker family home. How could I have stolen this watch?” Brandon clutched his ankle, a flicker of triumph in his eyes, as he wailed to the onlookers: “The Parker family’s servants all saw him come by today! If you don’t believe me, ask them!” Suddenly, a clear, cold female voice came from outside the crowd: “Allo, it’s just a watch. If he wants it, let him have it. I’ll buy you a better one. Allen and I have known each other since childhood, let’s not make a scene on his big day.” Avery parted the crowd and walked over, pushing Celeste aside, and embraced Brandon, her eyes full of possessiveness: “Thank you, Celeste, for looking after Allo for me. You two continue; Allo and I are leaving first.” I called out to her. “Avery, you know very well I wasn’t at your house today. Why aren’t you explaining for me?” She stopped, turned back, her eyes utterly cold. She leaned close to my ear, speaking in a voice only we two could hear: “I just want you to completely give up. No matter how pitiful you pretend to be, I won’t look at you again. If you keep clinging to me, it’ll only disgust me.” My eyes ached terribly, but it felt like my tears had dried up. I remembered when I was a child, no matter who wronged me, Avery would be the first to rush to my defense. She had said I was her little prince, and no one could bully me. And now, to force me away, she indulged the man she loved in publicly slandering me. She didn’t know, even if I wanted to cling to her, I wouldn’t have the chance. After tomorrow, Allen Hart would no longer exist in Crown City.

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After realizing I was the villainess in an e-sports novel, I stopped using my position as team manager to control Jax Thorne. When the true heroine joined, I quickly handed over my duties and moved to a new club. During the Spring Split, our two teams clashed. Jax was out for blood. Before the match, I offered a few words of comfort to our rookie mid-laner. Jax dove under towers, relentlessly hunting the mid-laner. The commentators: “This must be a strategic play Jax discussed with his teammates!” The broadcast switched to the TNG team’s voice chat. Teammate: “Jax, are you crazy?! Get back to your jungle!” Jax, eyes red: “Didn’t you see? Harper just touched his shoulder!” Teammates: … Commentators: … 1 I was the manager for Jax Thorne, the legendary jungler. For half a month, I’d woken up early to make yam porridge for him, bringing it to the club every day to soothe his stomach. Jax would grimace, chewing and grumbling, “Summer Hayes, aren’t you annoying? This stuff tastes terrible.” Just as I was about to insist he finish every bite, a series of comments popped up in my vision: [How is this villainess such a simp? She doesn’t even know the male lead is allergic to yams?] [No wonder Jax has been so quiet these past two weeks. Yam allergies make your tongue numb…] [Jax doesn’t deserve this. He’s been taking allergy medicine for half a month to spare the villainess’s feelings.] [Other players train 13 hours a day, and Jax is groggy from his meds.] [Thank goodness the heroine is coming online tomorrow. Jax is finally escaping his misery!] My jaw dropped as I stared at Jax. He was still frowning, spooning the porridge into his mouth. I quickly reached out and snatched the container. Turning, I handed it to Leo Vance, a passing youth trainee. “Leo, you eat this. You look like you’ve lost weight recently.” The air instantly went still. Jax, spoon in hand, froze. A few seconds later, his tense shoulders slumped, and he leaned back into his gaming chair. A cold sneer twisted his lips. “Fine. Looks like I dodged a bullet today.” His words really stung. Allergy aside, how many hours of sleep had I sacrificed to make him that porridge every day? And his allergy? That wasn’t my fault. What kind of normal person would suffer for half a month without saying anything? The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I snatched the spoon from Jax’s hand and gave it to Leo. Leo slurped a big mouthful, his eyes lighting up. “Manager Hayes’s porridge is so fragrant and soft, it’s amazing! If Jax doesn’t want his in the future, can I have it all?” I was about to say there wouldn’t be a “future.” Jax’s expression stiffened. With a loud clatter, his gaming chair was kicked back. Leo and I both turned. Jax strode over in a few steps, snatching the container back from Leo. “That’s enough! I haven’t even had breakfast yet!” He then tipped the container directly into his mouth, his cheeks bulging as he chewed furiously. I stared at him like he was the biggest idiot on Earth. Seriously, what was wrong with this guy? The comments called him a dog, and he was really guarding his food like one. [??? No way, why is Jax so desperate? Is he addicted to allergy meds?] [Maybe he’s got rabies now] [LOL, I’m dying. Jax’s masochistic tendencies are an old problem, huh?] [Dogs don’t deserve this. My dog even knows not to eat chocolate…] 2 Thanks to the comments, I roughly understood the plot. Turns out, I was the villainess in an e-sports novel. Using my privileges as team manager, I’d been secretly pestering Jax. The true heroine, Harper Miller, loved gaming, and after joining TNG, she quickly became close to the team and a playful rival with Jax. They’d reach the peak of love and career together. As for my fate: fueled by hatred, I’d collude with an opponent, betraying information, and be driven out of the e-sports world. …Oh, come on, fate! You didn’t even treat me like a decent human being! I wake up earlier than a rooster and go to bed later than a dog, only to end up losing everything? What kind of justice is that? 3 To resist the storyline, I avoided bothering Jax the entire day. Around eight in the evening, the boss told me Jax had “gone on strike” today and asked me to find him. I drove to the industrial park bar Jax frequented. Sure enough, in a private room, Jax’s long frame was slumped in a sofa, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The comment section was filled with lamentations about how handsome “Jax the dog” was! I pursed my lips; he didn’t even drink alcohol; he was just sitting there, purely for show. Suddenly, I heard someone loudly ask Jax: “Jax, is that yam-porridge manager of yours still bothering you?” Yam-porridge manager… I really wanted to twist the heads off these rich kids and kick them around like balls! But I was so smitten, my hand reaching for the door involuntarily slowed by half a beat. Unfortunately, Jax didn’t say anything. His friend beside him spoke first. “If it weren’t for the club’s sake, Jax wouldn’t have put up with her for so long, right, Jax?” Jax’s hand paused, and he didn’t deny it. It was the reaction I expected. I pinched my palm, then, with a burst of resolve, pushed open the private room door. Everyone’s gaze turned to me. Jax’s expression stiffened for a moment, then quickly reverted to his usual cold demeanor. I pretended not to notice, walked over, and tossed his team jacket onto the coffee table. “Review meeting tomorrow at eight AM. Now, get up and come back to the base with me.” He lifted his slender eyelids to glance at me, but didn’t move. The rich kid with dyed blonde hair blew a smoke ring and scoffed. “Seriously, Manager Hayes, who exactly are you to Jax? Even his own mom doesn’t boss him around this much, does she?” The room erupted in laughter. I remained unmoved, simply tapping my wrist and looking at Jax. Bang! The whiskey glass in his hand hit the glass table, liquid splashing. The laughter instantly choked. Jax grabbed his team jacket, stood up, and placed himself between me and the blonde-haired guy. His face was cold, his tone casual but laced with aggression: “I’m happy to pay someone to manage me. You got a problem with that?” Without waiting for the blonde-haired guy’s scowl, he pulled me out of the private room. 4 In the parking garage, Jax got into the car first. He leaned back in his seat, irritably tugging at his collar, his tone displeased. “Summer Hayes, can you stop treating me like a child in front of outsiders?” “Don’t worry,” I said softly. “I won’t anymore.” I didn’t linger by his side as usual. After closing his car door, I slipped into the passenger seat. “Driver, please take us back to the base.” The car was silent for a few seconds. Jax’s eyebrows furrowed, his tone becoming even more agitated. “Summer, what’s with the attitude? Is it because of that damn porridge this morning? I ended up eating the whole pot, didn’t I?” He thought I was still sulking about the morning incident. I turned my head to look at the streaking night outside, not bothering to argue. Jax stared at me for a long moment, then let out a cold scoff, closing his eyes to sleep. The driver, accustomed to this, kept his eyes on the road. I laughed at myself internally. The blonde guy was right, actually. I did micromanage Jax too much. 5 The entire e-sports world knew I was Jax Thorne’s “nanny.” Jax was the highlight of my career. He was also the first successful player I’d managed. He’d raked in trophies from domestic and international tournaments, and my salary had increased six or sevenfold because of him. But as talented as Jax was, he had just as many quirks. Low blood sugar, tenosynovitis, and nervous gastritis—all at once. If he missed even one meal, I worried he’d die in his gaming chair… But I didn’t want Jax to die. I didn’t want anything to happen to him. I couldn’t remember when exactly, but I started cooking for him in various ways, coaxing him to eat. Jax was quite unhappy about it. Everyone in the circle admired my patience. “Summer, you deserve to earn that money!” Even Jax asked me, “Why are you so shamelessly managing me? Are you afraid I’ll die and no one will win games and make money for you?” They thought I’d thrown away my dignity for money. But to be honest, most of the money still went into the boss’s and players’ pockets. My self-appointed care for him, the biggest reason was to repay a debt of gratitude from two years ago. 6 The year I entered the industry, the club was just starting out. Everyone wore multiple hats, and I was often dragged by the boss to liquor events to drink on his behalf. One investor, Mr. Davies, loved to use a profile picture of his family of four while sending lewd messages to young women at the table. Later, he did invest a good deal of money. I couldn’t block him, so I just put him on do not disturb, out of sight, out of mind. Jax joined the club not long after and saw the messages on my computer. He averted his gaze, his brow furrowed so deeply it looked like it could trap a fly. “Why don’t you delete them? Is Julian forcing you?” Julian was the club owner’s name. I didn’t even look up, working as I spoke, “He’s an investor. No need to offend him. Just don’t reply.” He looked at me intently, but said nothing more. At the intercontinental championship celebration, that investor was also present. He clapped Jax on the shoulder, praising his youthful ambition. Of course, he didn’t care about the player’s achievements; he just wanted to use Jax to get closer to the Thorne family. Jax sat at the head of the table, not even touching his drink. His gaze suddenly swept across the crowd, then he put on an innocent, somewhat troubled expression: “Manager, can I drink?” 7 I was lost in thought when my name was suddenly called. Everyone turned to look at me. Catching Jax’s eye, I understood and played along. “No drinking. Your stomach just recovered.” Jax didn’t hesitate for a second. His lips curved, his tone regretful, yet his expression was utterly dismissive. “My apologies. Our manager has spoken, and I have to listen to her.” The investor’s jowls stiffened, then he immediately forced a fawning smile: “Yes, yes, of course, Young Master Thorne’s health is precious, no need to drink!” From that day on, I never received another harassing message on my phone. I knew it was a simple favor for Jax. In fact, he’d probably forgotten all about it. But he truly had, effortlessly, resolved a tricky problem for me. I owed him, and I desperately wanted to be good to him. The comments said my behavior was “simp-like,” and that I was a burden to Jax. Honestly, I still don’t understand. For example, why was my “goodness” to Jax so clumsy? Perhaps I never learned how to better express gratitude or love for someone. No one had ever taught me. My phone buzzed, pulling my thoughts back—a message from the boss. “The Miller family’s daughter wants to check out our club. Can you show her around?” I mechanically opened the attached resume. Harper Miller, a delicate face, eyes like stars. Her name matched the heroine’s name from the comments. 8 The next day, as soon as I entered the base, my assistant, Chloe, rushed over to me as if I were a savior, tears in her voice. “Summer, help! You’re finally here! This morning, Jax was sitting there with a grim face, clutching his stomach, not saying anything. He probably got gastritis again from staying up late. The rookie team is so scared they don’t even dare to type. You need to go calm him down…” Before she finished speaking, the frosted glass door of the training room opened. Jax walked out, wearing an oversized gray hoodie, his face cold. The area instantly fell silent; the players all uniformly bent their heads, furiously typing on their keyboards. He walked directly to me, leaning in slightly, his tired face close to mine. “Summer Hayes, you’re fifteen minutes late today.” Then he opened his long, slender palm. “Where’s my porridge?” [No way, a second round? Bro really thinks he’s a divine farmer, testing poisons, huh?] [It expresses some of the male lead’s hunger…] [Didn’t they say the male lead has anorexia? This greedy boy might actually have regained his appetite because of the villainess?] I took a half-step back, creating a safe distance between us. “No porridge. And there won’t be any in the future.” With that, I pulled out a strip of stomach medicine and half a pack of soda crackers from my bag, and slapped them into his arms. Jax lowered his head, staring at the items in his arms, his expression bewildered. “Summer Hayes, are you serious?” 9 The knuckles of his hand, clutching the crackers, were slightly pale, and his voice held a hint of urgency. “What did I do to upset you?” [Jax, please donate your brain. You don’t remember what your friends were gossiping about the villainess last night?] [Super dense male lead, but it’s good to let the villainess give up, saves her from future heartbreak…] [Whatever, hurry up and get offline, villainess, I want to see a sweet romance!] Jax frowned, staring at me. In the past, I would have been heartbroken for a long time. Then I’d have gone to sleep alone, comforted myself, and continued to stubbornly manage him and stick to him. But this time, I suppressed the ache in my heart and calmly spoke: “Jax, I’m the manager, not a nanny. Making porridge isn’t part of my job. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.” With that, I walked past him without a backward glance, heading towards my office. Behind me, I heard hushed whispers: “Is Manager Hayes in a bad mood today?” “Didn’t you see the group chat? Miss Miller just joined… Manager Hayes is probably being sidelined.” I pushed open my office door. The “Miller family daughter” my colleague had been mentioning was sitting proudly in my office chair.

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My company clawed its way up from a back-alley workshop to an industry titan, and it was all thanks to me – the cornerstone who raked in billions. The entire company treated me like royalty. My boss, overflowing with gratitude, publicly promised me free rein over any resource I wanted, no questions asked, no corporate red tape. But the new agent didn’t get the memo. She didn’t just reassign all my high-end endorsements to a rookie; she even made me hold the train of her new favorite starlet on the red carpet. Her reasoning? “Washed-up old-timers should make way for new talent. You’re just a background player now.” I nodded, posted a quick message on social media, packed my bags, and walked out. The next day, my boss rushed back overnight, bringing her along, and they both knelt outside my door. My social media post had been liked and pinned by the CEO of a rival media company, rocketing to the top of the trending topics. 1 “V&G’s global ambassador for this fall’s collection? The company’s decided to sign Lily next month.” Eliza Braga. A golden-ticket agent who’d parachuted into the company three days ago. She slid a termination agreement across the table towards me. V&G – a top-tier luxury brand I’d represented as their Asia-Pacific face for five years. And Lily? She’d only just made a tiny splash after two web series. A fresh face the company had just signed. Eliza saw I was still leaning back in my chair, unmoving, and lifted her chin. “Summer Hayes, you’ve peaked. But for the company to grow, we need to cultivate new talent.” “Lily has immense potential. This endorsement will help her quickly gain national recognition. As a member of this company, you have an obligation to cooperate.” I finally lifted my gaze to meet hers. “Is this Arthur’s decision?” Arthur Price. The company’s CEO. Back when Starlight Entertainment couldn’t even make payroll, I worked grueling shifts for zero pay, filming countless projects back-to-back, pulling the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. I alone was responsible for ninety percent of the company’s revenue. It’s safe to say Starlight wouldn’t be where it is today without me, Summer Hayes. Just last year, at the annual gala, Arthur had publicly declared to the entire company that I could use any resource I wanted, with no one to interfere. But Eliza, seeing me invoke the CEO’s name, merely scoffed. “Mr. Price is a busy man. For trivial matters like this, I, as an agent, can decide. He entrusted your contract to me, which shows his faith in my professional judgment.” She pulled out a rather simple script from her bag and placed it on top of the endorsement termination agreement. “Of course, the company won’t mistreat you. There’s a short series project here; you can pick any role you like. While it’s a short series, the production team is quite competent. Do well, and you could still make waves.” Me, a top-tier, multi-award-winning actress, starring in an unknown short series? The audacity. I couldn’t be bothered with her. I just picked up my phone and dialed Arthur’s number. It rang five or six times before he picked up. “Summer, why are you calling so early?” I cut straight to the chase: “The new agent has pulled my high-end endorsement, saying she wants to use it as a stepping stone for Lily. I just want to confirm, is this your decision?” There was a noticeable pause on the other end. After a moment, Arthur cleared his throat. “Summer, Eliza mentioned this to me yesterday. You know, the company needs to nurture fresh blood. You’re not short on endorsements, are you? It’s not worth arguing over a little piece of the pie with a young girl.” The back of my hand, gripping the phone, tensed, veins protruding. “Arthur, are you really going with this?” He chuckled awkwardly. “Eliza’s new; you should give her some respect, don’t always act like the untouchable star. Let’s think about the bigger picture. I’m still with some investors on the golf course. We’ll talk when I get back to the office later, alright?” The call was abruptly ended. Eliza watched me, perfectly composed, a smirk playing on her lips. “Hear that?” “Your track record used to be impressive, but this year’s just begun. You need to face reality and stop thinking the company can’t function without you. Mr. Price handed me your full contract, so I have the authority to plan all your work. This endorsement, you will give it up today. And this series, you will join the cast.” Eliza and her entourage stormed out. I stared at Arthur’s name on my phone, then removed him from my starred contacts. Afterward, I instructed my assistant, Ashley: “Find my contract and all associated agreements from over the years. Every single one.” 2 The next day, at the Starlight Gala red carpet. In previous years, my gown would be the top design of the season, flown in and attended to by personal stylists. But this year, my dressing room was still empty moments before it was time to leave. Ashley was frantic, making countless calls, only to get the same reply: “Agent Braga is arranging it; please wait.” Just then, the dressing room door swung open. Eliza walked in, her heels clicking, followed by Lily, resplendent in a shimmering, starry gown. I recognized that dress—it was the very same top-tier haute couture piece confirmed to me in photos, a global exclusive. Lily smiled at me, her face brimming with smugness. “Summer, isn’t this dress just gorgeous? Eliza said I’d shine on the red carpet tonight.” Eliza eyed her creation with satisfaction, then pulled out a garment bag. “Considering Lily’s commercial value, the company decided, after careful deliberation, to give the haute couture to her. This is your gown. Time’s almost up, hurry and change!” Ashley took the bag and opened it. Inside was a black, long dress, outdated in style, and utterly unremarkable. It had even been worn before by some third-rate actress. Ashley’s eyes welled up with anger. “Agent Braga, what is this? Summer can’t wear this!” “And why not?” Eliza’s face immediately darkened. “The company treats everyone equally. Given her current status, this is perfectly suitable. What’s wrong with an older design? It’s still haute couture, paid for by the company. Smaller companies would kill for it! The red carpet is about to start. If you don’t change, the damage to the company, you won’t be able to afford even if you’re all fired!” “You—” I pulled back a fuming Ashley, merely gazing at my reflection in the mirror. Fifteen minutes later, I had changed into the black dress. Eliza scrutinized me, then sneered. “Not bad. This color will be perfect for accentuating Lily.” I ignored her. But unexpectedly, just before we were about to go out, she grabbed me again. Eliza pointed to Lily’s gown. “Lily’s train is too long. The red carpet will be crowded, and it wouldn’t do for someone to step on it. You’re just a plus-one today, so you can help her hold up her train. Taking care of junior colleagues is also something you should do.” At her words, the room fell silent. Ashley’s face flushed crimson, her fists clenched. “Eliza Braga, don’t you dare go too far! Make a top-tier star hold the train for a rookie, in front of everyone? You’re deliberately trying to humiliate Summer!” I stopped Ashley from exploding. Looking at Eliza, I asked, each word deliberate, “Is this Arthur’s decision too?” Eliza smirked, her triumph evident. “Mr. Price specifically instructed that all red carpet arrangements tonight are to be handled by me. Your job is to be a background player, to fully support the new talent. The company’s PR statements have already been sent out. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll have no choice but to freeze all your endorsements and contracts for insubordination. Summer Hayes, everything you have is currently in the company’s hands. I don’t care what privileges you had before; from now on, you must comply with all company decisions.” I clenched my jaw. I dialed Arthur’s number again. The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered. This was the first time in all these years that he hadn’t picked up my call. Meeting Eliza’s triumphant gaze, I lowered my eyes and nodded. “Alright.” As soon as the red carpet event ended, the topic “Washed-up Star Summer Hayes Holds Train for Rookie” soared to the top of the trending topics. On social media, my fans and Lily’s fans were engaged in a fierce war of words. Yet, the company’s PR department did nothing, allowing the controversy to escalate. In just one short hour, Lily’s followers surged by several million! 3 The red carpet drama was still unfolding. The next morning, Eliza called me into her office again. She was in excellent spirits and even offered me a cup of tea. “Last night’s event was quite effective. Lily’s national recognition skyrocketed overnight.” Next, she pushed another script towards me. “Strike while the iron’s hot. This series, I want you to mentor her through it.” The script’s cover bore two bold words: Chasing Light. The author, Clara Vance, was a dear friend of mine for ten years, and now one of the hottest literary sensations in the online fiction world. Every story she penned became a hit, making her work incredibly valuable commercially. Chasing Light was her passion project, and also a gift she wrote for my thirtieth birthday. She explicitly stated that the film and TV rights would only be sold to my company, and only I would play the leading role. Eliza clearly knew the weight of this series, a smile playing on her lips. “Clara’s team has confirmed; the rights will be signed to Starlight. The company has decided to make this series a top-tier, S+ project this year.” She paused, tapping her finger on the script. “However, for the leading lady, the company has new considerations. Lily’s image aligns very well with the character’s early stages, so the company plans to cast her. As for you, you can play the supporting female lead. It’s a very likable character, and it shouldn’t be too challenging for you.” I almost laughed at her audacity. Using a gift from my friend to promote a rookie, and then expecting me to play second fiddle to her? “Eliza Braga, you’re dreaming.” “This is the company’s decision,” she said, unfazed. “As a member of the company, for the company’s growth, you must comply.” Soon after she left, my phone rang. It was Clara, her voice filled with barely suppressed fury. “Summer, is that Eliza Braga at your company insane? She just called me, saying Chasing Light is for Lily to play the lead, and for you to play the second lead! I refused on the spot, told her no one but you would play the lead in this script, or I’d rather let it rot on my computer! And then guess what that woman said?” “She said I’d already sold the rights to Starlight, so Starlight calls the shots now. And that I’m just a writer, I shouldn’t think too highly of myself!” Clara was panting with rage. “Not only did she insult me, she also said you’re a washed-up actress now, lucky to even get a role, so I shouldn’t be picky! The worst part is, I called Arthur, and he actually played coy with me! Said it was all for the company’s development??? Has he forgotten how the company started? What an idiot!” I gripped my phone, my knuckles white from the pressure. I remembered years ago. Back then, I was a nobody. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy. I landed a cosmetics endorsement and excitedly called Arthur to share the good news. That day, he was even more thrilled than I was, getting completely drunk at the celebration dinner. He grabbed my hand, his eyes red-rimmed, repeating over and over: “Summer, you’re the savior of our company! From now on, the company is your home, and I’m your big brother! Do whatever you want, and if anyone dares to give you a hard time, I’ll be the first to go after them!” His excitement and sincerity back then felt like yesterday. But now, it had become so alien. At this moment, the last shred of sentiment I held for him was completely severed. “Clara, don’t be angry yet. Chasing Light was just a verbal agreement back then; I deliberately delayed the paperwork. Since they’re being dishonorable, don’t blame us for finding another company to work with!” After hanging up, I scrolled through my contacts to another name: Danny Vance. The CEO of Stellar Media, and Starlight Entertainment’s biggest competitor. For three years, he’d tried to poach me no less than a hundred times. The phone was answered almost instantly, Danny’s deep voice coming through. “Summer Hayes? What a rare treat.” I got straight to the point: “Mr. Vance, I’m bringing Clara and all the rights to Chasing Light to sign with Stellar. There’s only one condition: I must be the lead actress in this series.” Silence on the other end for three seconds, followed by a soft chuckle from Danny. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that for three years. I agree to all your conditions. Just come, without worry.” 4 The next morning, the news of Chasing Light officially announcing Summer Hayes as its lead actress, personally released by screenwriter Clara Vance, instantly captivated the entire internet. My fans celebrated, overjoyed to tears. The general public also expressed immense anticipation for this explosive combination. The topic quickly climbed, directly topping the trending charts. Arthur Price, on a business trip in a neighboring city, saw the news—my photo with Clara and the overwhelming praise. He immediately messaged me: “Summer, such great news about Chasing Light having a press conference, why didn’t you tell me in advance? As your boss, I must be there to support you.” I looked at the message, didn’t reply, and just turned off my phone. The next morning, at the press conference. I was holding the microphone, thanking Clara for her trust and the company for its support, when the back door of the venue suddenly opened. Arthur, with Eliza Braga in tow, strode in confidently, beaming. He walked directly onto the stage and naturally took the microphone from the host. “Hello everyone, I’m Arthur Price from Starlight Entertainment. Summer is our company’s most outstanding artist, and Chasing Light is our most important core project this year. Starlight will spare no effort to invest all resources to present the best possible work to everyone.” He spoke with grandiloquent enthusiasm, but the media in the audience exchanged bewildered glances. Finally, a reporter couldn’t help but raise a hand and ask, “Mr. Price, aren’t you mistaken? As far as we know, the production company for Chasing Light is Stellar Media. And today’s press conference is also hosted by Stellar Media.” Arthur’s smile froze. He stared blankly at me, then at the massive Stellar Media logo below the stage. Just then, Danny Vance slowly emerged from backstage and stood beside me. He took the microphone, offering Arthur a slight smile. “Mr. Price, I believe you are mistaken. Today, Stellar Media is holding a welcome ceremony and new series launch press conference for our newly signed actress, Ms. Summer Hayes.” Danny paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room. It finally settled on Arthur and Eliza’s pale faces. “Oh, and by the way, I’d like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Price. If it weren’t for your short-sightedness, your self-sabotage, in handing over such an excellent actress and such a top-tier project to us, Stellar would never have had the chance to pick up such a massive bargain.”

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Everyone said I married into the Thorne family purely on the strength of a pretty face and a well-timed bout of amnesia. That was until Professor Kyle Gilbert, A-University’s genius, invented a time machine and publicly suggested to my husband: “Aren’t you curious, Mr. Thorne, what your immaculately backgrounded wife looked like at eighteen?” My face paled. I forced a smile: “Don’t we all look a bit rough at eighteen? Nothing worth seeing. Let’s go, Sebastian.” I assumed Sebastian Thorne, with his usual composure, would flatly refuse such a farce. But the man simply didn’t move. His gaze swept past Kyle, finally resting on my stark white face, and he nodded: “Alright.” 1 Sebastian Thorne’s agreement caused a considerable stir in the room. I paused, slightly stunned. Then, I tried to lift the corners of my lips. “These newly invented machines, don’t they carry some potential risks? Maybe we should wait a few years until they’re safer to try…” My words were cut short by the genius’s calm interjection. “Mrs. Thorne, are you questioning my expertise?” Kyle Gilbert, A-University’s most brilliant graduate in recent years. Young, yet he had published numerous top-tier papers, at the forefront of various research fields. The time machine was his passion project, an invention he had poured years of effort into, presented to the public only after multiple tests. I breathed out a small smile: “Not at all.” “I just feel it’s unnecessary.” I looked at Sebastian, my voice soft: “You know, my parents passed away early, and I’ve finally gotten through that tough time. Of course, I don’t want to revisit those painful memories. Besides, all those forgotten memories between us, you’ve already taken me to relive them, haven’t you?” Sebastian was actually a calm and somewhat languid person. Five years my senior, he rarely forced me to do anything. But at this moment, he remained still. His eyes were fixed on my face, then calmly dropped to observe the tense lines on the back of my hand. He spoke with a casual air: “Eighteen-year-old you, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her.” I was momentarily stunned. Eighteen. The image that flashed in my mind wasn’t carefree youth. It was the spinning fan in the classroom, under which I could never comprehend the problems. The lewd jokes of boys, the teacher’s disdain, my boyfriend’s indifference. And my cousin’s cruel, beautiful face. What Sebastian wanted to see was my cousin, his vibrant young fiancée. The pretty girl who occasionally did unkind things, but with a sweet smile, she could win everyone’s affection. I never liked dark chocolate. Sebastian once asked me why. I just said I’d eaten too much as a child and grew tired of it. The truth was, when I was ten, my cousin had poured a whole cup of hot cocoa over my head in the bathroom, sweetly laughing: “Didn’t you tell Mom and Dad you wanted chocolate? Can’t let it go to waste!” Her followers held my head down. That was my first taste of chocolate, scalding hot and melting. It was sickeningly sweet, choking my throat, making me unable to utter a sound. Only tears streamed down. Looking up, all I could see were the four walls and her dazzling, radiant smile. My eyes looked very much like hers, so much so that even the small mole at the corner of my eye was in the exact same spot. This was why I later succeeded in impersonating her. Sebastian, after the fact, most loved to kiss the redness at the corner of my eyes. He always said that even though I’d been lost for so many years, those eyes were still as beautiful as when he first saw them. For five years of marriage, I had never been exposed. I composed my emotions, took a deep breath: “Just eighteen, we have photos at home, don’t we? I’ll dig them out for you when we get back.” “But I want to see for myself,” the man’s gaze shifted from the miniature time machine back to me, his voice slightly rising at the end, as if genuinely curious, “A well-behaved, studious girl, sounds quite appealing.” 2 “Well-behaved, studious.” I smiled, watching Sebastian Thorne’s Maybach drive further and further away towards his company, then my expression completely crumbled. Every single word of that description was utterly unlike me. Turning around, I saw the A-University genius. His silhouette was even more imposing than before, dark, messy hair covering his prominent brow. Only that cold, detached aura remained unchanged. This machine was clearly aimed at me. I followed him to a secluded spot. The man’s tall frame completely blocked the last ray of light in the corner. “What exactly do you want?” I pushed him hard, but couldn’t budge him. Instead, he grabbed my wrist and pressed me against the wall. Kyle Gilbert’s gaze traced every inch of my features, his eyes churning with dark, unreadable emotions. After a long moment, he coldly uttered two words: “Get back together.” For a moment, I didn’t understand what he meant. He deigned to repeat it, his voice clear and cold: “I said, break up with him, and then we get back together. I can accept you standing by my side.” I found it absurd. “Kyle Gilbert, do you know what you’re saying?” “Of course,” he stared at me, emphasizing calmly, “Iris Hayes, only I know who the real you is. As long as you break up with him, I can guarantee that the time machine won’t expose your secret.” In the silent, breathless staring match, I abruptly pushed him away. “Kyle Gilbert, what do you take me for?” I glared at him, my breath slightly trembling, confirming each word: “Wasn’t it you who coldly said we should break up back then?” He pressed his lips together, silent, his dark eyes showing little emotion. That same indifferent expression, just like ten years ago. Back then, when my cousin and I tied for first place in the English competition, as the student council president, he gave the scholarship to my cousin. He said Olivia Thorne had just lost her parents, and her family was penniless; she needed that money for college. And my grades were so poor that I was destined not to stand at the same level as him. “Iris Hayes, neither I nor anyone else has an obligation to bear your useless and wasteful life.” “If your college entrance exam results come out and you don’t get into the same university as me, then we’re destined not to be on the same path.” At that time, I truly hated Kyle Gilbert, so much so that whenever I thought of it later, I wanted to loudly question him. If the definition of a partner was a like-minded fellow traveler, then why did he pursue me, the bad student? Seeing me bring up old matters, Kyle Gilbert’s eyes merely flickered, his voice still showing little fluctuation: “I just made the best choice at the time. That money, even if I gave it to you, would only be thrown into your mother’s exorbitant medical bills. What would be the point?” He was still so rational to the point of cruelty, stating his reasons so openly, as if certain I wouldn’t care. “Get back together with me, and all my money can be yours. I’ve achieved enough; I don’t need a partner to stand by me. I just need you.” The man’s gaze was fervent and dark. But I only found it amusing, so amusing that my heart didn’t even ache. I pushed his hand away, and through the haze of tears in my eyes, stubbornly told him: “Then you’re wrong, Kyle Gilbert. That scholarship, I cared about it deeply. I’ll never get over it.” I pushed him away and turned to leave. The man stared at my retreating back and suddenly spoke: “What if I gave you the justice you wanted?” People always romanticize the path not taken. Kyle Gilbert always believed that was the best choice back then. But since I found it so hard to accept, he wouldn’t mind letting that event replay, letting me get what I called “absolute fairness.” 3 Back at the mansion, Martha had already filled the bathtub with hot water. When Sebastian returned, I still had my head submerged in the now-cold water. The man’s distinctly veined hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me up, a hint of amusement in his narrow eyes: “Trying to drown yourself?” I didn’t speak, so he asked, “Still mad?” I turned my face away awkwardly. “No.” “Then why are you so resistant? After all, aren’t you curious what kind of person you were before you lost your memory?” Seeing that I still wouldn’t utter a sound, he simply good-naturedly ruffled my head, casually reminiscing: “Speaking of which, the first time I saw you at nineteen, you also used to sulk like this often, willful and unrestrained. You insisted on fulfilling our family’s engagement and marrying me, and even wanted to follow me to study abroad. If it wasn’t for later—” He stopped there. If my cousin hadn’t fallen into the ocean on our engagement day. They would have already walked down the aisle. It wasn’t until a few years later, while he was on vacation on a small island, that he unexpectedly found me, disguised as his amnesiac cousin. The bathroom was filled with mist. The man’s palm gently rested on the back of my head, drawing us closer. His voice was low: “Do you know, Olivia, I can never quite connect the current you with the you before your memory loss.” “I’ve always wondered what kind of trauma made you such a careful and gentle person, so gentle that I can no longer read your heart.” He gently rubbed his forehead against mine, almost a whisper: “Was your former personality a pretense?” “Perhaps by understanding more of your past, I can know which version of you, the former or the present, loves me more?” The miniature time machine lying in his palm glowed red. My pupils constricted. I had no time to stop him. The next second, his long finger moved. Click. We both plunged back ten years. 4 How did that time machine end up in Sebastian’s hands? I gazed at my own delicate, childlike face in the mirror, closing my eyes in despair. Taking off my wedding ring, I walked out of the restroom. Two or three students in school uniforms chatted and joked in the hallway. I pursed my lips and walked through them, inevitably hearing the boys’ lewd whistles. “Iris, class is starting! Hurry!” The class president called to me from the door of Class 18. —Iris Hayes. My mind wavered. My mother gave birth to me in the lush midsummer. She hoped I would always be as vibrant as the grass and trees. How long had it been since I heard someone call my name? It seemed to have started when I decided to impersonate Olivia Thorne and marry into the affluent family. But life with Sebastian Thorne wasn’t actually too bad. He was assertive and unyielding at work, but at home, he was a lazy, aloof cat. On slow afternoons, he loved to curl up with me to watch movies, tend to the balcony plants, or nap on my lap. Sometimes, he was even willing to learn a dish I wanted to eat, step by step, following a tutorial. I truly couldn’t say anything bad about him. Except, the person he loved wasn’t me. Outside, the sunlight was blinding. I suppressed the slight bitterness in my heart and walked into the classroom. The oppressive, narrow space carried the sweaty smell of boys who had just finished gym class, and even the cicadas outside sounded particularly monotonous. This was my most hated eighteen. In English class, I wasn’t paying much attention, just propping my head up, annoyed, trying to figure out how to avoid meeting Sebastian. A few girls in the back row were whispering, discussing how the organizer of this English competition was a young, wealthy, repatriated entrepreneur who had even visited our school that morning. “I just passed by and glanced. He’s really an expat, so tall and handsome. The principal arranged for him to be given a tour by a school history guide, and as soon as he got the list, he picked Olivia Thorne’s name.” “Why not Iris? Didn’t those two tie for first in the English competition?” Someone snorted, disdainfully: “Olivia Thorne is so excellent, isn’t it logical to pick her? Unlike this one in our class, who attracts too much attention, she really thinks getting high scores qualifies her as the top student.” I slowly blinked, finally realizing the exact time period. It was precisely when Olivia and I had participated in the English competition, tied for first place, and were deciding who should get the scholarship. But in my memory, this entrepreneur never appeared. 5 In the VIP lounge. The principal was pouring tea for the distinguished man before him, apologizing with a smile: “Mr. Thorne, you didn’t notify us of your early arrival; our preparations are quite inadequate.” The man’s gaze was fixed on the tea leaves floating in his cup, as if deep in thought: “It’s nothing. I only came to see someone, to confirm something.” Soon after, the class president brought back news, saying that Olivia Thorne was resting in the dorm due to menstrual cramps and couldn’t serve as the school history guide. The principal apologized, asking, “Would you like to choose someone else?” Sebastian Thorne looked at the two high-scoring exam papers on the table, then reached out and flipped over the other one, noticing the boldly written name. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Iris Hayes?” “Yes, Iris Hayes,” the principal quickly smiled. “Although she’s in the lower-achieving class, her English is excellent. She even tied for first place with Olivia Thorne in this competition.” “And according to other students, she’s been memorizing vocabulary in the hallway every morning at 5:30 AM for the past few months! A very diligent child; she won’t disappoint you.” The man pondered for a moment: “Two first-place ties, but why did only Olivia Thorne receive the scholarship?” “This… this… to be honest, we were just about to address that matter.” Seeing the principal hesitate, Sebastian lost interest in pressing further. After all, he wasn’t someone who particularly liked to meddle. Three days, for him, was still too short. Sebastian glanced at his wristwatch and suddenly asked his assistant, “What’s the date today?” “August 1st, Mr. Thorne. Is there something wrong?” Early August. Not quite the same time as his wife’s menstrual cycle. But she had fallen into the sea and suffered shock-induced amnesia. Sebastian didn’t dwell on such details. The man paused in thought, then instructed, “Go buy some brown sugar water and heat patches.” “You mean to say?” The principal asked hesitantly. The man tucked in his long legs, stood up, and politely nodded: “I won’t tour the school history museum. You have important matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you.” “I’ll meet the scholarship recipient, and then I’ll leave.” 6 The bell for class dismissal rang, and I was hesitating whether or not to go find Kyle Gilbert. After all, just sitting around waiting wasn’t an option. He had promised me he wouldn’t expose my secret. Suddenly, the class president tapped me, asking me to go to the office. As soon as I entered, all the teachers and students were there—the principal, the homeroom teacher, the invigilator, the students who sat around me at the time, and Kyle Gilbert. The young man wore the student council president’s uniform, his shoulders broad, his legs long, as cold and aloof as I remembered. He merely glanced at me, then brought up the surveillance video from that day on his computer, displaying it for everyone. “Since Iris Hayes has an objection to this scholarship evaluation, we will re-evaluate it, with no favoritism towards anyone.” With just one look, I recognized him—Kyle Gilbert, also from ten years in the future. The fairness I had tearfully demanded years ago, he was now specifically giving me with a time machine. In the office, the young man’s voice was not loud. He looked at me, questioning me clearly, word by word: “After the listening portion of the recording ended, the invigilator had already announced to stop answering. Iris Hayes, why didn’t you put down your pen?” My breath caught; I froze. 7 Under everyone’s piercing gazes, I slowly, inch by inch, clenched my fingers: “I was checking if I had filled in the answer sheet incorrectly.” “And if you had found a mistake, what then?” Kyle Gilbert’s voice was flat, yet his words were almost accusatory, “Were you going to violate exam rules and make alterations?” “No,” I said. As soon as the words left my mouth, Kyle Gilbert expressionlessly tossed my answer sheet onto the table, pointing at the still-unwiped pencil marks, and said: “For the last question of the listening comprehension, you originally chose A, but the moment before the invigilator collected the papers, you glanced to the left front, then secretly changed it to B, just like Olivia Thorne.” “Iris Hayes, do you admit this point?” The bit of ignoble secret in my heart had nowhere to hide under the bright, fervent sunlight outside the window. I remained silent, unwilling to speak. Kyle Gilbert asked me one last time, his gaze scrutinizing: “Yes, or no.” In the quiet, spacious office, my gaze was fixed on the floor, and I painstakingly uttered: “No.” In the face of such evidence, any defense seemed pale. But I still slowly and stubbornly spoke: “I didn’t peek at Olivia’s paper.” “I was just looking at the clock. The exam room clock was half a minute fast, and I was checking if there was still time to make changes.” “Looking at the clock? Iris Hayes, how much credibility do you think that excuse has?” Kyle Gilbert sneered, pressing closer, as if he wouldn’t stop until this accusation was pinned on me. Even the principal, at this moment, sternly spoke: “Malice will only harm yourself in the end, Iris Hayes. I hope you’ll be honest.” “I didn’t, the exam room clock was half a minute fast, you’re being unfair!” My voice was loud, my eyes red-rimmed, as if I wanted to vent all the years of indignation. Again, the word “fairness.” Kyle Gilbert beside me impatiently closed his eyes. But where in the world is there absolute fairness? “Then is that half-minute you overran fair to Olivia Thorne? And fair to the other students? The surveillance now shows you cheated in violation of regulations. Do you want to tell me what ‘fairness’ even means?” The young man’s questions came one after another, so sharp they left me speechless. I stared at him blankly, my eyes slowly welling up. I suddenly found I couldn’t understand him anymore. “Didn’t you say it, Kyle Gilbert?” My voice was very soft, stubbornly confirming this with him. “Our school clock was half a minute fast.” The atmosphere dropped to zero. The young man’s thin lips gradually tightened into a cold, flat line. The homeroom teacher hesitantly spoke: “Didn’t Kyle already have someone adjust that clock?” The silent air was broken by that sentence. My face went pale, my body rigid. I couldn’t utter another word. The fairness I had desperately pursued suddenly seemed ridiculous at this moment. Just then, a student suddenly ran in, breathless. “Principal, Mr. Thorne is back. He said he wants to see you again.”

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