My name is Nora Reeds. After going to the swimming pool with my good friend Alexa Stewart, my period was delayed by half a month. Alexa insisted I take a pregnancy test. Seeing the two bright red lines on the test, I was stunned. Although I have a boyfriend, I’m a conservative girl and never went all the way with him. Then whose child am I carrying? My first reaction was to get an abortion immediately. But my boyfriend Chase Scott was worried about my health and was willing to marry me to raise the child together. Until the day of delivery, I lay in the delivery room, extremely weak, but before I even saw the baby, Chase smothered me with a pillow. He pressed his whole body against me, shouting frantically, “You b*tch, did you really think I wanted to raise that child? Both you and the baby must die!” Having just given birth, I had no strength to fight back and was smothered to death by him. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment I just found out I was pregnant. This time, I must find out whose child I’m carrying! I stared blankly at the two lines on the pregnancy test in the bathroom, while outside Alexa kept urging, “Nora, have you checked? Are you really pregnant?” My hand trembled as I looked at the bright red two lines, feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit. In my past life, because of this child, I was forced to take a break from school to prepare for childbirth, and in the end, I was even smothered to death. Until my death, I never knew how I got pregnant, let alone who the father of the child was. Alexa, growing impatient, directly opened the door and came in. But I quickly hid the pregnancy test stick. She looked around curiously and asked, “Where’s the pregnancy test? Are you pregnant or not?” I shook my head. “I haven’t even had sex, how could I be pregnant?” Alexa couldn’t keep a secret. In my past life, as soon as I found out I was pregnant, she told Chase, which led to everyone knowing about my premarital pregnancy. This time, I don’t plan to tell her about it right away. Alexa said a bit disappointedly, “I thought you were really pregnant. I heard Chase is planning to propose to you soon; he’ll definitely be happy.” My heart sank. How did I not realize before that she likes kids so much? I clenched the pregnancy test in my hand, carefully thinking about everything that happened since my last period. Chase and I only went to the mall twice, and we didn’t even kiss. The baby definitely isn’t his. And I haven’t been alone with any other man. The only person I’m usually closest to is Alexa. But she’s a woman, so it’s even more impossible! I frowned tightly, suddenly remembering something—Alexa and I went to a swimming pool a month ago. At that swimming pool, I was harassed. A man deliberately swam close to me and even made some particularly lewd gestures. I was shaking with anger, and Alexa was even more furious, scolding him on the spot and driving him away. Later, I didn’t feel like showering, so I waited for her in the changing room and ended up falling asleep unknowingly. When I woke up, my whole body was sore, and I thought it was just fatigue from swimming. Looking back now, could it be that I was violated at that time? Thinking of this possibility, I couldn’t help but feel a chill all over and immediately went to the hospital. I not only needed to check if I was really pregnant but also something even more important. If I was really violated, there would definitely be traces on my body. I must find that person! After the ultrasound results came out, I was completely devastated. The test results showed the fetus was already four weeks old, exactly one month. The doctor asked if I wanted to keep it or terminate it, and I immediately scheduled an abortion. No matter whose child this is, I can’t keep it! The doctor skillfully scheduled the surgery for me, murmuring softly, “Young girls these days really don’t take care of themselves, getting pregnant at such a young age.” My cheeks burned, but I couldn’t explain. Should I say I have no idea how I got pregnant? I turned around and scheduled a gynecological exam and infectious disease screening. If the person who assaulted me has an STD, the consequences would be unimaginable. The doctor put on gloves and had me lie on the examination bed, but moments later, she frowned deeply. She said, “How is this possible?” “Your hymen is intact, so how did you get pregnant?”

I was stunned too; I had already planned to take the evidence to the police after the examination. But this result was completely unexpected. My hymen is intact, so how did I get pregnant? The doctor comforted me, saying, “Don’t worry, it could be because the male organ is too small, so the hymen wasn’t torn. “This situation of yours is rare, but not impossible.” I walked out of the examination room, completely lost in confusion. It’s been a month since I went to the swimming pool, and now there’s no evidence left. Do I have to terminate this pregnancy without knowing the truth and suffer in vain? Chase suddenly called me. After answering, his anxious voice came through the receiver. “Nora, where are you? Alexa can’t find you and has been calling me nonstop. Did something happen?” Only then did I realize Alexa had called me several times, but I didn’t hear it because I had silenced my phone in the examination room earlier. Chase’s gentle words made my nose sting, but I immediately recalled the scene of him killing me in my past life. He clearly hated me to death, yet he insisted on waiting for me to give birth before killing me. Could this child have something to do with him? I hadn’t had time to sort out my thoughts when Alexa’s call came in again. As soon as I answered, she scolded me, “Why didn’t you pick up? Do you know how worried I was about you?” I completely lost control, tears streaming down my face. In my past life, after I got pregnant by accident, Alexa advised me to terminate it, but I was foolish and insisted on listening to Chase. The doctor said my uterine lining was very thin, and if I terminated the pregnancy, it would be extremely hard to conceive again. Chase also promised to marry me, so I foolishly decided to have the baby. Thinking about it now, how could a man willingly raise someone else’s child? Now the only person I can trust is Alexa. I told her I’m pregnant and currently at the hospital. In less than five minutes, she rushed over. When she saw me, she hugged me tightly. “Being pregnant is a good thing! Stop crying, I’ll call Chase over right now!” I shook my head and tightly grabbed her wrist. “The child might not be his.” Alexa was stunned. “Are you sure? Then whose child is it?” I said, “Actually, I don’t know either. I just want to terminate this pregnancy now.” She was silent for a few seconds, then firmly said, “No matter what decision you make, I’ll support you.” The next day’s abortion procedure was accompanied by Alexa. But before I entered the operating room, Chase rushed over. He said, “Wait, Nora, don’t go through with the surgery. I’m willing to take care of you and the child!” My hand holding the examination report tightened. How did he know I was here? I only told Alexa about this! I turned to look at Alexa, and she was just as puzzled. “How did he get here?” Chase sat beside me, panting, and held my hand tightly, fingers interlocked. He said, “Did you forget we set up couple tracking before? I noticed you were at the hospital yesterday and rushed over because I was worried about you.” He lowered his head bitterly. “I never expected you to be pregnant.” “I know the child isn’t mine since we never had a sexual relationship. “But Nora, your health has always been poor. I’m afraid if you terminate the pregnancy this time, it might be hard for you to become a mother in the future.” I’m actually a very traditional girl and have no plans to be childfree. But to have a child without even knowing who the father is? I can’t do it; I’d rather stay single for life. I slowly pulled my hand back. “No, I must terminate this pregnancy.” Chase was stunned for a moment and frowned, “Why? I clearly don’t care anymore, so what are you still worried about?” Alexa also softly advised, “Yeah, Nora, abortion is too harmful to your body. Why don’t you think it over again? Your health is already fragile.” Chase suddenly snatched the test report from my hand and pulled me up without a word. He said, “I won’t let you harm your body. Worst case, we’ll get married next month. Don’t worry, I won’t mind. Even if the child isn’t mine, I’ll still raise them as my own.” His words drew the attention of those around us. A nurse said enviously, “What a good man, willing to raise someone else’s child.” “If it were me, I would keep the baby since someone is willing to raise them.” Although Chase said that, his brow furrowed slightly upon hearing the nurse’s words. What he said wasn’t sincere at all. He just wants me to have this child and then humiliate me relentlessly. I let out a cold laugh and said, “You have the nerve to say you despise me? Let’s break up. My business is none of your concern.” After saying that, I got up and left under his astonished gaze. I must figure out what exactly Chase has to do with the child in my belly!

Although Chase had hinted at getting a room before, he never brought it up again after I refused. My hand couldn’t help but rest on my lower abdomen. This child didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Could it really be as the doctor said, that the man who violated me has a very small penis? After thinking it over, I decided to go to the swimming pool again. I slipped some money to the security guard and got surveillance footage from a month ago. There’s no camera inside the changing room, so I could only see the people entering and leaving. But after looking over and over, I didn’t find anyone suspicious. I couldn’t help feeling discouraged. Could it be that I was wrong? Was it not something that happened that day? Alexa bought me a drink and asked with a grin, “Nora, I sent Chase away. Now you can tell me, whose child are you carrying?” I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “I wish I knew. All I remember is going to the swimming pool, and then I somehow ended up pregnant.” She was stunned for a moment, then quickly slapped her forehead and said, “Could it be that someone ejaculated in the pool?” “I came across a news story before, where a man deliberately ejaculated in a public pool, and several girls ended up pregnant!” I almost burst out laughing. Sperm has a very short survival time and quickly loses its viability when exposed to chlorinated pool water. But her suggestion reminded me of the man who harassed me that day, so I pulled up the surveillance footage of the swimming pool again. But this time, I saw someone unexpected. That person was Chase! He was wearing a mask, standing sneakily at the entrance of the pool. Soon, he walked out of the surveillance footage and disappeared into the restroom. I clenched my fists, thinking, “He’s definitely not simple!” Before I could confront him, the door was pounded heavily. Alexa went to open the door but was shoved to the ground. The person who came in was my dad, Dylan Reeds, followed by my mom, Juliet Reeds. I had just stood up when he slapped me hard. I instinctively covered my face and heard Dylan angrily scold, “Nora, how could I have a shameless daughter like you? You’re not even married yet, and you’re already rushing to have someone’s child?” I looked over his shoulder and saw Chase behind him, staring at me with a smug expression. He pretended to sigh and said pitifully, “Nora, I really don’t want to pressure you, but I’m truly afraid you’ll abort the baby.” “I asked the doctor, and they said your uterine lining is very thin. If you abort this time, it will be hard to conceive again.” In my previous life, he used the same excuse. He even rushed into a flash marriage with me just to make me keep the baby. No wedding, no gifts, nothing at all, yet I was still deeply grateful. I thought I owed him, so even in late pregnancy, I worked hard to make it up to him. Looking back now, I was truly so foolish. What did I do wrong? I don’t even know how I got pregnant. Dylan’s face turned red with anger. “You’re dropping out tomorrow and getting married. Otherwise, when your belly gets big, people will laugh at you.” Chase advised, “Mr. Reeds, don’t rush. Nora can take a break from school and marry me first. Later, my mom can take care of the baby, so it won’t tire her out.” Alexa brought me ice to put on my face. I sat down on my own, my tone cold. “Who said I was getting married? I’m not.” Dylan’s eyes widened, and his finger trembled as he pointed at me. “What are you trying to do? Do you still want an abortion?” Juliet cried on the side as she said, “How could you get pregnant before marriage? If you don’t marry Chase, who else can you marry?” I listened to those words and suddenly laughed. “I’m going to marry the baby’s father. Who told you the child I’m carrying is Chase’s?” Juliet stopped crying, and Dylan froze in place. I said slowly, “Chase is impotent, there’s no way he could get me pregnant.” Chase’s face changed drastically, and he yelled at me, “Are you crazy? You’ve never even seen it, so how can you say I’m impotent?” Juliet couldn’t help but ask, “So the child really isn’t yours?” Chase opened his mouth, only to realize he had been set up by me. He immediately said, “Mr. Reeds, Mrs. Reeds, even if the child isn’t mine, I’m still willing to marry Nora. I don’t mind her, and I don’t mind the child.” I rolled my eyes. “I broke up with you a long time ago. If I get married, it’ll be to the child’s real father!” He shouted angrily, “Then tell me whose child you’re carrying! Do you dare to say it?” I was stunned for a moment, and Alexa quickly stepped in to smooth things over. She patted my shoulder and comforted me, “Alright, everyone calm down, let’s talk this through.” My gaze landed on her hand, and I couldn’t help but freeze. Then I widened my eyes in disbelief. I knew whose child I was carrying.

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I was watching a TV show on my husband Miles Green’s computer in the office when an AI assistant prompt suddenly popped up. [My dear boss, stop working. You need to rest so you’ll have the energy to be with me tonight.] Looking at the delicate font and the screen full of pink bubbles, I was stunned. I took a screenshot of the page, rushed to Miles, who was meeting a client outside, and asked, “Do you have a lover?” Miles paused for a moment, then smiled and pinched my cheek, saying, “Silly girl, that’s just the company’s AI virtual girlfriend. I’m just personally testing it.” I calmly nodded and then had someone investigate this AI assistant. After obtaining the IP address behind this virtual girlfriend, I immediately sent it to the company group chat. I directly said: [If you come forward now, I might still consider leaving you some dignity.] Since they take my money and still treat me like a fool, they should be prepared to lose their status and ruin their reputation. The once lively company group chat instantly became very quiet. Five minutes later, Miles hurriedly pushed open the office door and walked in. Sweat beaded on his temple, his breathing was a bit rapid, and he looked very anxious. “Charlotte, it was really just a program test. You have to believe me.” Charlotte Johnson is my name. Several senior core employees of the company also came in, all helping Miles explain. A man said, “Ms. Johnson, that was the beta version of the AI, absolutely no real person was operating it.” “The conversation content was pre-set. It’s not what you think it means.” Immediately, the technical director dug out the meeting records and placed them in front of me. Then he said, “These conversation templates were designed by the team together to enhance user affinity and engagement.” “For the sake of our team’s results, Mr. Green personally conducted the test. If you misunderstood him, we deeply apologize.” They spoke sincerely, constantly defending Miles. Miles held my hand, his eyes full of sincerity. “Charlotte, I’m sorry for upsetting you. If you don’t like me using this, I won’t use it again.” He knew his sincerity could always move me. Back then, he was very poor. I admired his character and decisively supported his startup. To achieve results, Miles worked overtime for half a month straight and often didn’t come home. I never doubted him; instead, I took care of the house and waited for him to come back. When Miles needed funds, I asked my father, Nicholas Johnson, for investment and agreed with Miles that he would control the company’s profits for the first five years. In the end, his business didn’t take off, but I didn’t blame him. I even recommended Miles to work at the group founded by Nicholas, citing “gained valuable experience” as the reason. On the day he became the group president, at the celebration banquet, he proposed to me for the second time. He said his love for me would always remain as pure and passionate as when we first fell in love, and that he would only ever love me. Every year on our wedding anniversary, Miles would propose to me again to show he hadn’t forgotten his original feelings. Logically, his loyalty to me should be very strong and unshakable. I wearily pressed my temples and waved at them. “I understand. I won’t pursue this matter anymore.” They breathed a sigh of relief and then left the office. Miles also breathed a sigh of relief. He came over to hug me, but I pushed him away. I had already read Miles’ chat history with the AI assistant. That AI assistant would chat with him every few minutes. Although most of it was about weather or schedule reminders, the language was flirtatious, even somewhat explicit. The chat also included faceless real-life memes. I could tell that all the memes came from the same person. No matter how much I trust Miles, I can’t help but feel suspicious. I have to get to the bottom of this. I know someone in the group’s tech team. I excused myself to the restroom and sent over the traced IP address. They quickly sent me the results. The user of this IP is inside our group building. Using the HR employee records, I found this person’s name. She is Hannah Ross, a new intern in the Operations Department 2. I suddenly felt very upset. They all said there was no real person in control, but now I even have the other person’s name and information. I got into the elevator and went straight to Operations Department 2 downstairs. At the office door, I spotted Hannah right away. Everyone else was focused on work, but her computer screen was playing a variety show in full screen. Her desk was lined with expensive hand creams and snacks, along with a humidifier solely for her use. I walked into the office, and Hannah caught sight of me from the corner of her eye. Sensing something, she quickly raised her hand and slid the couple’s photo under the documents on her desk.

When I approached her desk, Hannah slowly paused the variety show. I clenched my fists, wondering if Miles had granted her such special privileges. I asked her, “You’re watching a variety show during work hours. Have you finished all your tasks?” Hannah glanced at me indifferently. “I’m tired from work, taking a break, so what? Are you here to clean up? You should turn right ahead to the pantry.” The nearby employees looked like they didn’t want to get involved, but one of them still whispered to her, “This is Ms. Johnson, the daughter of our group’s founder and Mr. Green’s wife.” Hannah looked at me with a feigned innocent expression. “Sorry. I thought Mr. Green’s wife would be elegant and beautiful, so I didn’t associate her with you. My apologies.” A surge of anger instantly rose in my heart. I was about to speak to her when Hannah glanced elsewhere, and her eyes suddenly turned red. She whispered, “I’m sorry, Ms. Johnson. I’ll get to work right away.” At that moment, Miles’s stern voice sounded behind me. He asked, “What’s going on?” A few employees immediately gathered around. A man said, “Ms. Johnson accused Hannah of not working seriously. She was scolded to tears by Ms. Johnson.” A woman said, “Hannah’s work was already done well. The team leader allowed her to take a break. Ms. Johnson is being too strict.” I was a bit surprised. Just now, these people stayed silent, afraid that the conflict between Hannah and me would involve them. But as soon as Miles appeared, they seemed to have direction and kept speaking up for Hannah. “Enough,” Miles pointed at Hannah and said, “Come to my office tomorrow to report your work. I will personally check your workload.” Hannah lowered her head and agreed, but the corners of her mouth quietly curved upward. My heart suddenly ached, and my chest was filled with bitterness. Is Miles warning her, or looking for an opportunity to be alone with her in the office? I steadied my emotions, then raised my voice and said to everyone, “I’m not here to supervise work, but to inform you that the company will gradually upgrade the equipment. Starting with your department, all computers will be replaced with new ones.” Hearing my words, the employees were all pleasantly surprised. Only Hannah unhappily said, “Why so sudden? I’m already used to my computer. Can I not change it?” “No, you can’t.” Miles directly rejected her protest. Then, he turned to me with a gentle smile and said, “My wife’s words represent mine. You all must follow her plan.” Hannah looked at Miles in disbelief, her face instantly turning red. I didn’t want to see her like that, so I said something to Miles and went home alone. Not long after, Miles left work early and hurried back home. In his left hand, he carried my favorite cake, and in his right hand, the bag I had my eye on a few days ago. Miles said apologetically, “Charlotte, I’m sorry. I’ve already handed over the AI virtual girlfriend test to someone else. I promise I won’t touch anything that makes you feel I’m distracted again.” I took the gift he gave me and calmly said, “I can understand if it’s for work.” He sighed, then pulled me into his arms, his voice full of guilt. “I know I’ve neglected you. I’m sorry. My phone password is your birthday. If you’re worried, you can check my phone anytime.” I nodded and said nothing more. At night, when Miles went to take a shower, I unlocked his phone. His phone was clean, with nothing suspicious. Suddenly, a message popped up: “Menstrual pain relief medicine has been delivered.” It turned out that before apologizing to me, Miles was still concerned about Hannah’s period pain. My heart clenched tightly, and I almost smashed his phone to the ground. Miles had truly become a man with two faces.

Without waiting for Miles to finish his shower, I went straight to another room. That night, I couldn’t sleep at all. The next day, all the equipment in Operations Department Two was replaced. I found the main computer Hannah used before and had a professional recover all the data inside. Sure enough, her computer also had an AI assistant client program. She was the AI assistant chatting with Miles, Miles’s “virtual girlfriend.” Realizing that the guess I had pondered all night was confirmed, my hands couldn’t help but tremble a little. Did Miles use the company’s resources and even have so many employees lie, just for his love with Hannah? With trembling hands, I opened their chat logs and found that the records on Miles’s computer were edited, while the ones on Hannah’s computer were complete. From Hannah’s records, I could see that Miles cared for her with great attention, leaving nothing out. To openly buy coffee for Hannah, Miles treated the entire department of 50 people to coffee. To make Hannah happy at work, Miles lowered the performance requirements for the entire department. Miles even cared about what color stockings or style of underwear Hannah wore today. They also had a meeting place called Sweet Home. Just last week, they agreed to meet at Sweet Home. Hannah asked him if she should prepare birth control pills. Miles replied: [No. Our child will definitely be healthier than Charlotte’s.] Seeing this sentence, I stared at the screen, utterly shocked as if struck by lightning. Last year, I was once pregnant with Miles’s child. That time, after entertaining a client, he drove home drunk. He asked me to help open the garage door but accidentally hit me, causing me to miscarry. After sobering up, Miles kept crying and said he would pray for the child in heaven every day. For the sake of our future, I endured this matter. But now, the man who caused my child’s death is actually hinting to another woman that the child I lost was unhealthy. I was trembling all over, my hand gripping the mouse almost crushing it. Before I knew it, night had fallen. In 30 years of life, it was the first time I stood on the edge of collapse. I gathered all the materials and rushed to the company to find Miles, who claimed to be working overtime. When I arrived at the VIP section of the underground parking lot, I saw Miles’ car lights flash a few times. Then, Miles and Hannah happened to walk out from two separate elevator entrances. I instinctively hid in the shadows. As soon as they met, they couldn’t even get into the car before passionately kissing each other. They looked like a couple who had been suppressing their feelings for a long time. After the kiss, Miles gently caressed Hannah’s cheek and said, “Wait for me. Once I become the chairman tomorrow, I’ll find a way to make Charlotte disappear. Then we can be together forever.” Hannah gazed at him obsessively and said, “I know you’ve been preparing for this day for many years. I’ll wait for your success.” A chill ran from my spine to the top of my head, and I almost collapsed. My heart ached as if it had been stabbed countless times. So, Miles was using me all along. How could he face my parents and the child we lost? After they drove away, I stumbled out from the shadows. That night, I didn’t go home. Miles called and messaged me like crazy. I only replied: [See you at the shareholders’ meeting tomorrow.] Miles then reassured me to sleep early, not caring at all where I had gone. The next day, I walked into the meeting room on time. Seeing me, Miles instantly got excited and immediately brought over a proxy form for me to sign. I inherited the largest shares in the group, but I usually let him exercise the voting rights on my behalf. Today, Miles is giving a work report to vie for the chairman position. With my proxy, he can cast 40% of the approval votes for himself. I signed, then turned to see Hannah proudly standing in the employee representatives’ lineup.

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After being reborn, the first thing I, Evie Lewis, did was switch my newborn daughter, Aurora Roberts. Just because in my previous life, shortly after Aurora was born, a medical check-up revealed her blood type was AB. But my blood type is B, and my husband Calvin Roberts is O. There’s no way we could have an AB blood type child. As soon as this result came out, Calvin flew into a rage and immediately demanded a paternity test. The test results showed that Aurora was biologically related to me but not to Calvin. Calvin slapped me, his tone full of disappointment. “I’ve treated you with nothing but love and loyalty, and this is how you repay me!” Calvin’s mother, Vivian Roberts, accused me of cheating and having a child to scam their family fortune. I was completely stunned. I knew better than anyone that Aurora’s father could only be Calvin. For a moment, everyone accused me of cheating and called me a slut. Calvin even divorced me and complained online, causing countless netizens to attack me. I had nowhere to go with Aurora, fell into depression, and jumped to my death, never understanding why this happened. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Aurora was born. ***** “Evie, you’ve worked hard. I’ll take Aurora for a check-up later.” Calvin’s voice sounded in my ear. He held Aurora with a gentle expression. I jolted suddenly, realizing I had been reborn. Before I could think it through, I immediately spoke to stop him, “No need, I’ll take her. Didn’t you say you have to work overtime at the company today? Don’t stay here.” Calvin was stunned, looking at me with some surprise. He hesitated, “That doesn’t seem right. You just gave birth and need to rest.” The more he declined, the more anxious I felt. I reached out to take the baby. “One day of rest is enough, leave the baby to me.” In my previous life, Aurora was found to have AB blood type after a check-up, and Calvin angrily confronted me about it. He demanded a paternity test and even accused me. As soon as the paternity test came out, he insisted I had cheated, forcing me to leave with nothing and driving me and the child into despair. Thinking about his slander and lies now, I can’t help but feel a chill all over. But just as I was about to take the baby, Vivian, standing nearby, sneered coldly and spoke harshly. “You’re so useless. My son has been taking care of you, and now you’re making him work overtime?” “You do nothing all day and even gave birth to a useless daughter. What a disgrace to the family!” Ever since I married Calvin, Vivian has never treated me kindly. Calvin is filial, so I tolerated everything for his sake, but Vivian only became more arrogant. Now she dares to act so brazenly even in the hospital, making everyone in the ward frown. “What do you mean by that? Isn’t it a father’s duty to take care of the child?” “You’ve had children yourself and know how hard it is, so why are you scolding her?” “You should have changed your preference for boys over girls long ago.” Vivian, used to having her way at home, instantly turned red upon hearing these words. Calvin quickly tried to smooth things over. “Mom, Evie is my wife, it’s my duty to take care of her.” Then he said to me, “Honey, you rest first. We’ll go home and make you something delicious. We’ll be back soon.” His look of being caught in the middle, trying hard to please us, made the originally dissatisfied glances withdraw. I didn’t say anything, just quietly held Aurora back in my arms. Seeing the small mole on her finger, I was certain this was my biological daughter. Calvin didn’t switch her out, nor did he insist on personally taking her for a check-up. But how did Aurora turn out to have AB blood type, and what about that paternity test report? Full of doubts, I made a call to my parents and handed Aurora over to them. Coincidentally, the hospital had an abandoned baby. I adopted an O blood type baby girl and put Aurora’s wristband on her for the check-up. This time, I’ll see how Calvin tries to frame me!

After the check-up, I carried Aurora back to the ward. Not long after, Calvin and Vivian came in with dinner. Calvin said, “Evie, I made this especially for you. Try it.” As soon as the insulated container was opened, the rich aroma of food filled the entire ward. He handed me a spoon and said with a smile, “If you like it, I’ll make it for you every day. Don’t feel shy, my salary card is in your hands, buy whatever you want.” He looked at me dotingly, full of care and affection. The other mothers in the ward saw this and looked over with envy. “Such considerate men are rare nowadays, earning money and taking care of the family.” “You’re really lucky to have such a husband. Life must be comfortable. Just focus on taking care of the baby at home.” “When I ask my husband to buy something, he always complains a bit.” I glanced at Calvin; his gaze was gentle, like a flawless model husband. But in my past life, it was this affectionate look of his that deceived everyone. I let out a cold laugh and slammed the spoon down. I said, “You’re all talk. This meal was still bought with my money.” “You say the salary card is mine, but you interrogate every expense like I’m a criminal, even questioning when I spend two dollars.” “And every time your mom makes things hard for me, all you do is tell me to endure it. You’ve never truly cared about me.” Now everyone’s suspicious eyes all turned to Calvin. He clearly didn’t expect me to explode in public, staring at me in shock and pretending, “What are you talking about?” At this moment, Nurse Amber Martin walked into the ward, holding a few test reports in her hand. Calvin breathed a sigh of relief and immediately went up. “Give it to me, let me see the test results.” Vivian squeezed in to look as well, but I was subtly excluded by them. Watching their eager expressions, my heart suddenly sank, and a sense of foreboding quietly arose. The next second, Calvin’s eyes widened. “Why is Aurora’s blood type AB? That’s impossible!” Vivian screamed, “Calvin is type O blood, how could he have a daughter with AB blood type?” She suddenly turned to me, shouting at the top of her lungs, “Evie, what did you do? Aurora isn’t even our child!” The doctor heard the commotion and pushed the door open, frowning as he scolded, “Family member, please don’t make a scene in public.” Vivian became even more agitated when she saw him, grabbing his clothes and crying, “Doctor, you have to judge this for us.” “The child’s mother is type A blood, the father is type O, but the test shows the child is AB! How is that possible?” The doctor frowned. “Generally, parents with type A and type O blood usually won’t have a child with AB blood type. However…” Vivian slapped her thigh and interrupted loudly, “I knew it, Evie must have cheated!” Calvin was still acting, looking dejected. “No way, Mom. I trust Evie, the child must have been switched!” Amber chimed in at the right moment, “Impossible, our hospital’s procedures are very strict. The baby was given a wristband at birth, we wouldn’t make such a mistake!” The three of them exchanged words, and within a few sentences, they convicted me. Vivian glared at me fiercely and suddenly burst into tears, “How did my son marry such an unprincipled woman? She not only cheated but also had a child. Truly shameless!” The hospital room was filled with sighs. Calvin questioned me with a grim face, “Evie, what did I do wrong for you to cheat and betray me?”

I looked at Calvin, momentarily at a loss for words. After years of marriage, I eagerly anticipated the arrival of this child. But he personally tore apart this happiness, making me realize it was only my own expectation. Seeing my silence, a trace of smugness flickered in Calvin’s eyes. Vivian went as far as pointing at me and cursing, outright claiming that Aurora was born from my affair. She said, “I always knew you weren’t a good person. At home, you’re always flaunting yourself, just thinking about seducing others.” “When you gave birth, the delivery room was full of men, and you felt no shame. Turns out you’ve already been seen by everyone!” “I will get to the bottom of this. I will never let an outsider take away our family’s inheritance!” Her sharp voice pierced my ears painfully. I stared at her coldly, then turned to Calvin. “Do you think so too?” He looked indifferent and spoke in a lofty tone. “Even if you’re my wife, I can’t accept this.” “All these years, I’ve catered to your every need, especially after you got pregnant. But you’ve trampled on my sincerity, so I won’t tolerate it anymore!” He spoke righteously, as if he had suffered a great insult. I put on a hurt expression, covered my face, and said, “Just because the blood types don’t match, you assume I cheated? Calvin, I’ve really misjudged you all these years.” “Why are you tarnishing my innocence?” The surrounding mothers and their families, having seen Vivian’s fierceness and now witnessing Calvin’s true colors, showed sympathy and began speaking up for me. “Different blood types prove nothing! Accusing someone of cheating like this is just too unreasonable.” “How can you make such wild guesses about something so serious? If you’re wrong, you’ll ruin your wife’s entire life!” “I used to think you deeply loved your wife, but now I see you don’t trust her at all.” The crowd buzzed with discussion, but Calvin neither got angry nor upset; instead, a barely noticeable hint of delight flashed in his eyes. He said, “Then let’s do a paternity test. Blood types might be wrong, but DNA doesn’t lie!” “If Aurora isn’t my child, Evie, I want you to leave with nothing! Do you dare?” I let out a cold laugh. “Who wouldn’t dare? Let’s go right now! If it turns out you falsely accused me, then you’ll be the one leaving with nothing!” Calvin looked smug, his eyes full of excitement from his plan’s success. We went straight to the testing center for blood sampling. On the way, Calvin had already spread the news widely, posting several videos online, and the buzz quickly escalated. Relatives called one after another, and even reporters followed from the hospital to the testing center. He welcomed everyone, tearfully recounting his story of deep affection and cruel betrayal. I watched coldly, but my mind was racing. Before the checkup, I confirmed the child had type O blood, but AB blood was still detected—it must have been an error during the checkup process. But Calvin wasn’t afraid of the test—why was he so confident? Suddenly, a thought struck me, and a guess flashed through my mind. I immediately lowered my head to message my parents. When we walked out of the identification center, Calvin confidently said, “Evie, I’ll make you pay. You brought all this on yourself.” I looked up at him, my expression still calm. Calvin wouldn’t know that this time, no matter the result, he could never get his way.

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A series of explosions rocked the neighborhood, burying a pregnant woman beneath the rubble. She could die at any moment, along with her baby. As the only medic from the rescue team on site, I was about to rush forward to help when my captain abruptly held me back. “Don’t worry about her for now.” He pointed to the luxury store across the street. “It just blew open. Go check if that limited-edition watch is still there for me.” I froze on the spot. “Captain, there are two lives down there!” He just sneered, patting my dust-stained face. “Kid, can’t you tell priorities? That watch is worth ten years of your salary. Not being able to save someone is an accident, but not getting that watch would be *my* loss.” My whole body trembled, and a buzzing sound filled my ears. It was so loud, it felt surreal. “Captain, what did you say?” Captain Miller, the leader of our highly praised rescue squad, was looking at me with an unfamiliar gaze, one I’d never seen before. There was no urgency in his eyes, only endless greed. “I said, go into that store and get me that watch.” He spoke slowly, deliberately, his finger pointing at “Prestige Jewelers,” the luxury store diagonally across from us, half-collapsed. “It’s a limited-edition Patek Philippe. The explosion just opened it up; it’s the perfect opportunity.” From beneath the debris, the pregnant woman’s groans echoed again, faint but like a needle sharply piercing my heart. Her water had already broken. Blood was seeping into the gravel beneath her. She could suffocate at any moment from internal bleeding or being crushed. Those were two lives! “Captain, you’re insane! There are two lives down there! Her water broke; if we don’t save her now, it’ll be too late!” I practically screamed, my eyes filled with anger and disbelief. Captain Miller just sneered, leaning closer to me. That face, so often hailed as a superhero on TV, was now contorted into a monstrous expression I didn’t recognize. He slapped me, his touch oozing contempt. “Alex, you’re not new to this, are you? Still can’t tell priorities?” “Saving lives *is* our priority!” “Bullshit!” He glared at me fiercely. “Not being able to save them is an accident, an act of God! The brass will just give us some honorary medals and a photo op!” “But not getting that watch? That’s a real loss for Captain Miller! That watch is worth ten years of your salary, understand?” His voice was low, yet eerily calm. I stared at him. I never thought the man who once pulled three children from a burning building, oxygen tank strapped to his back, the man the internet hailed as a national hero, could say something so utterly despicable. “Captain, please, I’m begging you, let’s save her first…” I knelt on the ground, my voice trembling. “Get lost!” He shoved me away, so hard I stumbled backward, crashing into a jagged piece of rebar. A sharp pain shot through my lower back. “What are you standing around for?!” Captain Miller roared at the other team members. “Mike, Tom, you two, come with me over there! Everyone else, secure the perimeter, don’t let any civilians get close!” “Over there”, in his words, meant the direction of the luxury store. Several senior team members looked uneasy, but no one dared to speak up. “Help… help me…” The pregnant woman’s voice came from deep within the rubble, filled with despair. “My baby… save my baby…” That cry was like a sharp spike digging deep into my heart. “Screw it!” I didn’t care anymore! My eyes red, I shoved away the senior team member trying to hold me back. I grabbed the emergency kit from the ground and sprinted like a madman towards the shaky pile of rubble. “Alex! You’re gonna get yourself killed!” Captain Miller’s furious shout exploded behind me. I ignored him, my mind fixed on one thought: Save her! The structure of the rubble was incredibly unstable. I’d barely climbed two steps when a concrete slab slid down from beside me. It smashed near my foot, and flying debris cut my face. Ignoring the pain, I scrambled on all fours towards the pregnant woman. Half her body was pinned under a precast slab. Her face was ashen, and her lips had already started to turn blue. “Hold on! I’ll get you out right now!” I shouted, trying to free the rebar pinning her down. But the rebar was too heavy. I couldn’t move it by myself. Just then, a hand suddenly grabbed my collar from behind, yanking me backward. I tumbled off the rubble, hitting the ground hard, feeling my head spin. Captain Miller glared at me, his eyes bloodshot. “Are you rebelling, huh? Can’t you understand plain English?” He kicked my medical kit, sending syringes and bandages scattering across the ground. “That’s a life! No, two lives!” I braced myself on the ground, struggling to get up, but he stomped his foot on my shoulder. “I said, I’m getting that damn watch today!” His facial muscles twitched with rage. “Brock, Mark, keep an eye on him! If he moves again, tie him up right here!”

Two burly team members immediately stepped forward, grabbing my arms, one on each side. I could only watch, helpless, as Captain Miller directed the other two to carefully clear the obstacles leading to the luxury store. Meanwhile… The pregnant woman’s groans gradually faded. Minutes ticked by, and my heart sank deeper into an icy abyss. I could see the pool of blood beneath the pregnant woman slowly expanding, staining a large patch of dust. Her hand hung limply, a simple ring on her finger. About twenty minutes later, a cheer erupted from Captain Miller’s side. A team member emerged from the rubble, clutching a velvet box, and presented it to Captain Miller. “Captain, we found it! Completely unharmed!” Captain Miller snatched the box, opening it impatiently. A exquisitely crafted watch lay inside, its dial glinting blindingly in the sunlight. He greedily caressed the watch, a look of utter satisfaction on his face. “Sarah, your anniversary gift… finally in my hands…” I stared at him, my hatred so intense I wanted to tear him limb from limb. He, however, carefully tucked the watch into his jacket pocket. Then, he slowly turned his head, glancing indifferently in the direction of the pregnant woman, and asked with feigned concern: “How’s it looking over there?” “Alex, go check. See if she’s still breathing.” He gestured towards me with his chin, as if talking about a trivial matter. The two team members released me. My legs felt like jelly; I practically crawled over. As I approached the rubble, a heavy smell of blood assaulted my senses. My hand trembled as I reached for the woman’s carotid artery. The pulse had just stopped. Two lives lost. Mother and child, both gone. Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the blood and dust. Just as I was consumed by immense grief and self-reproach, a familiar phone ringtone broke the silence. It was Captain Miller’s phone. He impatiently pulled out his phone, glanced at the screen, and his face instantly twisted into that sickeningly sweet smile again. He cleared his throat, a smile plastered on his face as he answered the call. “Hey, Sarah? Don’t worry, I’ll be done here soon. You…” “Strange, why isn’t anyone talking? Hello? Sarah?” He hadn’t even finished his sentence when a voice called out from the rubble behind me. The sound was faint, but I was close enough to hear it clearly. I stiffly lowered my head, following the sound. Next to the pregnant woman’s limply hanging hand, a phone with a shattered screen was stubbornly glowing. On the screen, the caller’s name was displayed. Captain Miller. **[截断点]**

Captain Miller was still staring blankly at the phone, and I felt a chill run down my spine. On the blood-stained screen of that phone, two words were clearly displayed—’Husband.’ And the caller? It was Captain Miller himself! My brain felt like it was about to explode. I stiffly turned my head, staring intently at the man not far away who was still gloating over a watch. So, the watch he’d gone to such lengths to get, willing to sacrifice two lives in the process… He wanted to give it to the woman whose life he had just personally ended. How ironic! How utterly ridiculous! “Sarah? Talk to me! If you don’t say anything, I’m hanging up!” Captain Miller shouted impatiently, seemingly about to end the call. It was at that exact moment that I found a burst of strength from somewhere deep inside. I violently broke free from their grasp, rushed forward, and snatched the phone from the rubble. The screen was still lit, the call still connected. Trembling, I raised the phone to my ear. “Why is it so noisy over there? Where are you? I told you to wait for me at home, didn’t I?” Captain Miller’s voice came through the receiver, laced with concern. I looked up, our eyes locking. His expression instantly froze, turning to shock and then fury. “Alex! What the hell are you doing?!” He immediately rushed towards me like a madman. I didn’t dodge. Instead, I used every ounce of strength I had, screaming at him, word by agonizing word: “She’s dead.” “You killed her!” Captain Miller’s steps abruptly halted, the color draining from his face. He stared, his pupils constricted, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. “You… what did you say?” I didn’t answer him. I just turned the phone screen towards him, then pointed with my other hand at the rubble. “Aren’t you looking for your wife?” “She’s right there.” “For your damn watch, she and your child are gone!” Boom! It was as if an explosion had gone off in Captain Miller’s own head. He stumbled, then lunged frantically towards the rubble, his gaze locked on the limp hand. The wedding ring on her finger was the one he had personally placed there on their wedding anniversary last year. “No… no… this can’t be real…” He mumbled, reaching out, but then recoiling, afraid to touch the cold body. The surrounding team members were all stunned, standing rooted to the spot, speechless. “Ah—!!!” A piercing scream tore from Captain Miller’s throat. He knelt on the ground, frantically clawing at the concrete slabs pressing down on his wife, his fingernails tearing, blood dripping. “Sarah! Sarah, wake up! Look at me!” “I was wrong! I’m a bastard! I’m not human!” The cold body, no matter how much he cried, offered no response. Suddenly, Captain Miller whipped his head around, his bloodshot eyes locking onto me. They surged with endless malice and madness. “It was you!” “It’s all your fault! You killed her!” He lunged at me like a cornered beast. “If you hadn’t wasted my time arguing with me here! I would have saved her already!” “You killed my wife and child! I’m going to kill you!” He tackled me to the ground, his crimson eyes filled with murder, his hands clamping tightly around my throat. “Captain! Calm down!” “Captain Miller! You’re insane!” Several team members reacted, scrambling to pull him off me. But Captain Miller’s strength was astonishing at that moment; even all of them couldn’t budge him. Just when I thought I was going to die right there, Captain Miller was suddenly yanked off me by a powerful force. It was Brock and Mark. “Captain, calm down! Killing someone is a crime!” Brock held him in a death grip. Captain Miller was still thrashing wildly, cursing incessantly, pushing all the blame onto me. I lay on the ground, gasping for air. I looked at this man, completely consumed by madness, and felt not an ounce of sympathy. He wasn’t grieving; he just wanted to find a scapegoat for his crimes. “Hold him!” Captain Miller suddenly calmed down, his voice hoarse, but with an undeniable command. “Tie him up, and gag him!” Brock and Mark hesitated. “Captain, this…” “I said, tie him up!” Captain Miller pointed at me, his face twisted. “No one is to speak a word of what happened today!” “Just say… just say the pregnant woman was beyond saving when she was found! And Alex, distraught from the shock, lost his mind and started spouting nonsense!”

He swept his gaze over every team member present, his eyes terrifyingly cold. “Anyone who dares to breathe a word of what happened today, don’t blame me for not being merciful!” Even at a time like this, all he cared about was protecting his own reputation! Brock and Mark exchanged glances, a flicker of hesitation in their eyes, but eventually, they walked towards me. “Sorry, Alex.” They grabbed me, one on each side, and pulled out a length of rope. “Don’t you dare!” “You’re helping a criminal! You’re accomplices!” Mark turned his face away, unable to meet my eyes. “We’re just following orders.” I struggled violently, knowing that once they had me under control, I would never get another chance to speak. In the chaos, I kicked Mark in the knee. As he cried out in pain and loosened his grip, I lunged forward. I had only one thought—run! Run to the police tape outside! There were cops and reporters there! “Get him! Don’t let him get away!” Captain Miller’s roar echoed behind me. Brock and Mark immediately gave chase. I’d barely run fifty feet when Brock kicked me hard in the back of the knee, sending me sprawling to the ground. The phone, belonging to Captain Miller’s wife, flew from my grasp, sliding to rest near a broken pillar not far away. That was the evidence! Ignoring the searing pain in my leg, I struggled to crawl towards the phone. But Brock had already caught up. He stomped his foot hard on my back. “Alex, don’t blame us. Blame yourself for seeing what you shouldn’t have.” I saw him raise the crowbar high, and the shadow of death instantly enveloped me. Just as I closed my eyes, preparing for the worst, a calm, authoritative voice suddenly cut through the dust not far away. “Stop!” “What are you doing?!” Several command vehicles, marked with police and fire department logos, abruptly appeared outside the cordon. Car doors opened, and a group of people in different uniforms rushed over. Leading them was a middle-aged man with insignia on his shoulder. His gaze swept over the chaotic scene. “Stop!” “With such a major incident happening, are you rescue workers here to fight?!” Then, his gaze fell on the cowering Captain Miller. “Captain Miller! What in the world is going on here?!” Captain Miller stiffly turned his head. Seeing the newcomer, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes. And I, meeting the middle-aged man’s scrutinizing gaze, couldn’t help but crack a chilling smile. “Director, don’t blame our captain.” “After all, your family isn’t dead inside…”

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My sister, Chloe Evans, became a shining star, playing a girl tormented by school bullying in her movies. Netizens called her the pristine white rose of the entertainment industry. She’d dive into icy water in winter, just to nail a single scene. Me? I was too delicate. The moment the crew asked me to wear a revealing top, I’d just pull my jacket tighter. After countless times she subtly, darkly pointed out my supposed malice, Furious netizens dragged me to the Public Judgment Tribunal. I was charged with four grave crimes: Violence, Cold-bloodedness, Negligence, and Promiscuity. But I just chuckled into the camera, reaching out to yank on my sister’s long hair. “You’re all so foolish, falling for a born monster.” This was a world where public judgment was rampant. All it took was a hundred thousand netizens petitioning together, and anyone could be sent to the Tribunal. I was a notorious, scandalous celebrity, not famous for my work, but infamous for my drama. Refusing to follow crew instructions, getting exposed for bullying the weak, willingly falling into promiscuity – I was constantly surrounded by negative press. Naturally, I was the perfect foil for my sister, Chloe Evans. Chloe wasn’t my biological sister; we just grew up in the same orphanage. But even so, comparing a pure, innocent “white flower” to a vicious, man-eating flower… Not to mention, Chloe frequently used social media to “encourage” me to be a better person, Deliberately highlighting my supposed malice. Netizens, predictably, were enraged. A hundred thousand of them united, listing my four grave charges. They successfully sent me to the Public Judgment Tribunal. The unyielding, impartial Judge of Truth would determine if my four charges were valid and if I’d go to jail. I sat expressionless in the defendant’s seat. The live chat for the trial instantly exploded. “Stella Stone is actually really pretty…” “Pretty face, rotten heart, that’s her, isn’t it!” “She’s a total bitch! She always bullied our Chloe at the orphanage.” “Hope this trial ends fast, Stella Stone deserves ten years behind bars!” Suddenly, Chloe Evans pulled a little kid with downcast eyes in front of me. “Sister, I hope you won’t be sentenced! The kids from the orphanage and I all hope you’ll be okay.” Watching her struggle to suppress the upward twitch of her lips, I let out a soft laugh. I reached out, gently stroking her silken black hair, then abruptly, violently, yanked it. I savored the pained expression on her face. “Do you think I’m as stupid as them? Do you really think I’d believe a born monster like you?” Chloe gasped faintly, wincing in pain. “Sister, you’re misunderstanding me…” I scoffed, pushing her away. “How can a woman who’s done so many bad things call Chloe a monster!” “Can the Judge please teach her a lesson?!” Chloe’s pathetic acting made me laugh internally, but a whole crowd of supporters willingly let themselves be fooled by her. I watched her feign quiet sobs, my expression indifferent. She truly was a born actress, no wonder she’d hurt so many and always gotten away with it. Chloe Evans, do you know how long I’ve waited for this day?

A video played on the big screen. The former orphanage director, Mrs. Thorne, sat in a wheelchair, tears welling in her eyes. “Stella, I don’t blame you for destroying my legs. Just admit your mistakes…” The live chat went silent for a moment, then scrolled frantically. “Stella Stone is sick, isn’t she? The director was so good, and she ruined her legs?” “OMG, so the director was replaced because Stella hurt her!” Some audience members shouted angry curses at me. Others, furious, couldn’t stop themselves from throwing shoes in my direction. “Heartless monster! Grew up in an orphanage and still hurt your own director!” “Bitch! So cruel to her director and sister! Who knows what else she’s done behind their backs!” “How can someone be so disgusting? Look at her, showing no remorse, it’s infuriating!” The Judge of Truth cleared his throat and had a staff member place a judgment device on me. The device would extract memory fragments from my mind, to be used as evidence in this trial. “Trial begins! First charge: Violence!” Mrs. Thorne also testified that I had been violent towards other children who grew up with me in the orphanage, bullying them on multiple occasions. She even presented a hospital diagnosis from that time. I scoffed. Did they think providing evidence automatically meant it was the truth? My extracted memory fragments began playing on the big screen, allowing the Judge of Truth to deliver his verdict under the supervision of all present. A little girl with two cute pigtails, her soft, pale face filled with anxiety. “Chloe, did they bully you again?” This was me at seven years old. The live chat was momentarily confused. “Stella Stone was this cute when she was little?” “Were she and Chloe Evans this close as kids?” Chloe, tearfully, threw herself into my arms. “Stella, how could they do this to me?” I looked at her torn princess dress, my heart aching. “They’re awful. I’ll go get them. Don’t be sad!” The scene shifted. The little girl, her cheeks puffed out, marched up to a group of kids a head taller than herself. “Liam Hayes, why do you always bully Chloe!” My childish voice rang out. The leading boy looked me up and down. “Little dummy, did Chloe send you to fight her battles again?” I froze for a moment. “What do you mean?” Liam tapped my head. “Told you you were dumb. She ran over to brag about her new dress herself.” “Chloe was just too happy, maybe…” I tugged at my fingers, awkward. Liam sighed. “Alex wanted to buy some study materials, and Mrs. Thorne said there was no money, but then she bought Chloe a new dress… Don’t be too kind, you’re just being used as a pawn.” I didn’t notice Chloe quietly following behind me. But the big screen clearly showed a strange look in her eyes, unfitting for a five-year-old child. It seemed to be jealousy, and perhaps anger. “Chloe Evans’s eyes are so creepy…” “Honestly, a five-year-old doesn’t understand anything. How could Stella Stone be violent towards others?” “Same! She’s still a kid herself. How could she bully other kids? And they seem pretty nice to Stella Stone.” Chloe sat in the audience, watching the live chat with a gloomy expression. Later that night, Chloe dragged me to the orphanage’s bike shed. Two small figures huddled together in the dark. I looked at the large safety pin she handed me, conflicted. “Chloe, this isn’t good! What if something happens?” Chloe smiled sweetly, pushing the pin into my hand. “It’s fine, it’s just to scare them a little! They don’t usually ride their bikes much anyway.” I pulled my hand back. “No! Chloe, I’m going back. Don’t do this either!” Chloe watched my retreating back, then picked up the pin from the ground, her face expressionless.

The next day, Mrs. Thorne suddenly announced a bicycle race. The winner would receive a new set of study materials. I watched Liam and his group, excited, with concern. Glancing at Chloe’s smug face, I secretly approached Liam. Tugging on his sleeve, I stammered. “Don’t ride your bikes, it’s really dangerous.” The boy scratched his head dismissively. “I’m really good at riding. I’ll show you later.” I opened my mouth, about to say more, but Chloe pulled me away. “Chloe, you didn’t last night…” Before I could finish, Chloe clapped her hand over my mouth. She looked around. “Stella Stone, I didn’t do anything, don’t talk nonsense!” Hearing that, I felt relieved, but an accident unfolded before my eyes. As they rode, a rope suddenly appeared on the track ahead. Liam’s bike crashed heavily to the ground, out of control. Alex’s and the other kids’ tires were flat, or their brakes were broken. My eyes widened as I watched them tumble in a heap. Glancing at Chloe’s joyful, childish face, I rushed over to help them up. Mrs. Thorne quickly called a car to take them to the hospital. Watching Mrs. Thorne’s seemingly anxious expression, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The video ended here… The live chat seemed to freeze, then slowly began to scroll after a long pause. “These kids’ injuries weren’t caused by Stella Stone!” “Stella Stone was so cute as a kid, I think she was pretty nice…” “Maybe she turned bad when she grew up!” I listened to the doubts from the audience, my expression aloof. The Judge of Truth gestured for the evidence team to present their proof. On the video, a handsome young man adjusted his glasses. “Hello everyone, I’m Alex Green, one of the kids from the orphanage supposedly bullied by Stella Stone… I think it’s necessary to clarify that all of us who grew up with Stella genuinely like her. The so-called diagnosis online is from our bicycle race injuries! I hope everyone stops spreading rumors and hurting genuinely good people.” The live chat couldn’t believe what they were hearing. “What the hell, this must be a helper Stella Stone hired!” “I think Chloe Evans is the one with issues… didn’t you see her stay in the bike shed that night?!” “Above user, this is a famous designer in the AI and tech industry now.” “Stella Stone just didn’t bully anyone, but she still did other bad things!” The Judge of Truth’s gaze was stern, and his gavel slammed down, sealing the verdict. “Stella Stone’s first charge: Violence, not guilty!” As the Judge’s words fell, Chloe Evans’s hand tightened subtly. The orphanage child she was pinching let out a small whimper of pain. I noticed the commotion she was causing, my eyes turning icy, sharp enough to cut. Chloe Evans, you and your accomplice won’t be smug for much longer!

“Second charge: Cold-bloodedness!” The Judge of Truth tapped his gavel. The trial resumed. I was accused of maliciously setting fire to the orphanage, which resulted in Mrs. Thorne’s legs being amputated. This memory extraction started a few days before the fire. In high school, I had already blossomed into a beautiful young woman. The pretty-faced Chloe Evans linked arms with me. “Stella, I heard a lot of famous entrepreneurs are coming to the orphanage’s donation gala tomorrow night!” I smiled faintly, pulling my arm away. “Really?” I wasn’t as easy to fool as I was when I was little. By this time, I had started to vaguely realize that Chloe’s words and actions didn’t align, and I was gradually distancing myself from her. Mrs. Thorne walked gently into the yard. “Stella, Chloe, dress nicely tomorrow, put on a good show, don’t show any weakness.” Watching her softly caress Chloe’s hair, a flicker of darkness crossed my eyes. Someone in the live chat noticed my expression. “What’s with Stella Stone’s expression? Is she jealous of our Chloe?!” “She’s definitely jealous that the director likes our Chloe!” Soon it was the day of the gala. I, who usually boarded at school, returned to the orphanage to help. While going to the storage room to get vases, I overheard Mrs. Thorne on the phone. “Mr. Sterling, I know your preferences. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything.” Standing by the wall, enveloped in shadow, I felt a deep unease. Maya Lee looked at my furrowed brow, concerned. “Sister Stella, what are you thinking about?” I stroked her head. She flinched, and my expression changed. “Has someone been bullying you?” Maya was a few years younger than me, and had only been at the orphanage for a couple of years. She was always good at reading people. When I occasionally returned to the orphanage for breaks, I’d often help her with her homework. Watching her tightly clutching her sleeve, her eyes darting away, my heart filled with questions. I suddenly grabbed her hand, rolling up her sleeve. “What… how did this happen?!” My voice trembled. Maya’s thin arms were a canvas of bruises and angry red welts. Maya cautiously looked around. Seeing no one, she burst into tears, burying her face in my embrace. Listening to her tearful whispers against my ear, my eyes burned, as if about to spill blood. “Can anyone in the live chat hear what the little girl is whispering to Stella Stone?” “Can’t hear it. This situation means her subconscious hid the conversation…” “She’s not planning something bad, is she?!” “Stella Stone’s expression is terrifying.” I followed Maya to her room. Another bed in the double room held a pale-faced girl. My face was grim. Maya met my gaze and nodded fiercely. In the video, I seemed about to rush out. But then I suddenly thought of something and stopped. I turned and poured a glass of water for the girl, bringing it to her dry lips. The audience whispered amongst themselves. “Stella Stone seems quite kind, actually!” “You don’t know her real thoughts, maybe she’s plotting something.” “Don’t forget she’s an arsonist!” At the gala, Mrs. Thorne enthusiastically greeted the orphanage children and donors for photos. Seeing the children’s fearful expressions, the anger in my heart burned uncontrollably. The orphanage grew quiet. Mrs. Thorne, all smiles, led the donors through the dormitories. I hid behind them, my face like frost, watching their sickening, laughing interactions. I gently twirled a lighter in my hand. “Look! She’s the one who set the fire at the orphanage!” “Stella Stone is so venomous! She wanted to burn the donors and the orphanage children to death!” “Is she some kind of sociopath?!” Chloe Evans’s lips curled into a faint smile, her expression serene as she looked at me. Her eyes gleamed with malice as she met my gaze, mouthing the words: *Stella Stone, arsonist, you’re done for!*

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To take advantage of my high-end nutritionist, Chloe and her husband moved right into my house. Whatever she wanted, I gave it to her. But two months later, she had a miscarriage due to the flu. When I went to comfort her, she stared at my stomach and hissed, “Why is it so unfair? Why didn’t *you* get the flu?” Her husband, Ryan, then lunged at me, stabbing me dozens of times. “Bitch! Is this how you took care of my wife? You killed my unborn son, and now you’ll pay for his life with yours!” After I died, they burned my body. They even lied to my husband, telling him I accidentally caused a fire myself. My husband fell into a deep depression and eventually slit his wrists out of sheer grief. And they? They simply moved into my home. My soul trembled with fury. Then, I opened my eyes again. I was back on the day Chloe and Ryan first moved into my house. “Oh my God, Aurora, your house is so huge! You say I’m your bestie, but you didn’t even prepare a room for me. I don’t care, I’m taking this room! Consider it a welcome gift for my son.” In a daze, I heard Chloe’s voice. Then, a deep male voice chimed in, “Exactly! Chloe’s always saying you’re her best friend, but you’re being so secretive. How about this, once the kids are born, we’ll arrange for them to get engaged. Our families would truly be inseparable!” A shiver ran down my spine as I heard those familiar words. Hadn’t I already died? Why was I hearing Chloe and Ryan’s voices again? The lingering ache of excruciating pain still reminded me that not long ago, Chloe and her husband, Ryan, had brutally murdered me. Chloe lost her three-month-old baby due to the flu, and she blamed my baby for killing hers. She pushed me down the stairs, and her husband savagely stabbed me with a knife. One, two, three… each stab plunged into my stomach. My baby and I were tortured, suffering unbearable pain. With my last breath, I only saw them dragging me into the kitchen, lighting a fire, ready to burn my body and destroy the evidence. Flames devoured my body. After the intense pain, I died completely. Chloe’s voice continued, “Hey, Aurora, I think Ryan’s idea is great. Look, my belly’s all pointy, definitely a boy, and yours is so round, everyone says round bellies mean girls. “We’re such good friends, an engagement for our kids would be perfect, wouldn’t it? You’ll agree, right?” Hearing those familiar words again, a chill shot up from my feet. I looked over and saw Chloe staring at me expectantly, her eyes filled with greed. It took me a while to realize I had been reborn. Reborn on the very day Chloe and Ryan moved into my house. It happened exactly the same way in my last life. I got pregnant first, and a week later, Chloe told me she’d also tested positive. But we were both only two months along, barely even showing. Yet she was already so sure she was having a boy and I was having a girl. She even proposed something crazy like an engagement. Back then, I just thought it was a joke and agreed. I never imagined Chloe would become increasingly outrageous because of it. Relying on my husband’s and my family’s wealth, she constantly demanded money and things. She’d say she needed to prepare the best for her son so he could become a high-achiever, ensuring his future mother-in-law had something to brag about. Whenever I hesitated to give her something, she’d whine, “Aurora, this is your future son-in-law in my belly! You said you only want one child, so won’t you eventually rely on my son to take care of you in your old age? Girls just aren’t as reliable. If you don’t want to give it to me, are you looking down on us?” At the time, I truly believed Chloe was my best friend, so I gave in to her every whim. Even if I felt any resentment, I dismissed it as me being petty or overly suspicious. But what happened in the end? They just used me as their personal ATM. She went out to a concert, caught the flu, and then blamed me for her miscarriage. When I went to comfort her, she snapped, “Why is it so unfair? Why didn’t *you* get the flu?” Her husband then savagely stabbed me dozens of times, “Bitch! Is this how you took care of my wife? You killed my unborn son, and now you’ll pay for his life with yours!” To vent their rage, they even burned my body to ashes.

They then told Liam, who had just rushed home, “We came home and found Aurora in the kitchen getting ready to cook something, and there was a fire. It was horrible.” My husband was heartbroken. He eventually committed suicide by slitting his wrists. I cried and screamed beside him, but I couldn’t make him hear my voice. This time, I won’t be foolishly generous. So, this time, I told Chloe, “An engagement is out of the question. Our kids will choose their own partners when they’re older. Marriage should be about freedom, you know. As for this house, I can’t make that decision alone; I need to discuss it with my husband.” Chloe and Ryan’s suggestions were rejected, and their faces fell. Since Liam was still on a business trip, the issue of the house was temporarily put aside. It was a shame I’d agreed to let them move in *before* I was reborn; I’d have to find an excuse to kick them out later. However, I immediately had security cameras installed throughout the house. But just like in my previous life. Chloe and Ryan’s financial situation simply couldn’t support their “premium parenting plan.” During Chloe’s pregnancy, they not only wanted to freeload off my family’s high-end nutritionist. They even spent money hiring pianists, violinists, and vocalists to come to the house for musical prenatal education for her baby. Meanwhile, my home became a noisy, chaotic mess, driving me absolutely insane. Ryan had been working frantically, often staying late into the night. But soon, with such lavish spending, their wallets quickly emptied. Yet, neither of them was willing to halt their “premium parenting plan.” For this, they turned their attention to me. I watched through the security camera as Ryan stopped Chloe, who was looking for expensive organic snacks in the kitchen. “Chloe, we’re running low on cash. We can’t even afford to pay Mrs. Rodriguez next month. Why don’t you ask Aurora for some money?” Chloe looked surprised. “Already? How could that be? Don’t we have tens of thousands in savings?” Ryan sighed. “Tens of thousands is nowhere near enough. The teachers’ fees alone are six thousand a month, and we’ve already bought so many designer baby clothes for our son. We’re way over budget; our credit cards are maxed out.” Chloe frowned, annoyed. “That’s too fast. Fine, I’ll ask Aurora. She has so much money; a few hundred thousand is nothing to her. “Honestly, why is Aurora so stingy? She’s loaded, and her husband makes a ton of money too. But she’s so cheap with us, knowing we don’t have much, she doesn’t even offer to help.” That evening, Chloe stopped me as I was about to head back to my room after dinner. Watching Chloe’s overly sweet expression as she asked for money, I suddenly remembered my past life, how she always used that same look when she wanted something from me. As for the money, in my previous life, when she asked, I immediately gave her half a million dollars. Then she said, “Aurora, you’re so rich! I always see online how other best friends buy houses and cars for their friends, sniffle… I can’t believe I have such a good friend right here. My dear, sweet Aurora, can I pay you back in a few years?” I was easily swayed by her. I felt needed by my best friend and pitied her lack of money, so I immediately told her not to worry about paying it back. Only then, I didn’t notice the envy in her eyes. My kindness was misunderstood by her as showing off, making her feel even more entitled to my possessions. My generosity yielded no returns. This life, of course, I wouldn’t be so stupid, blindly giving without expecting anything in return, only to feed a hungry wolf.

So, I hesitated and said, “Ugh, I really want to help you guys. But, my liquid funds aren’t much. I’ve been planning to buy some things for my baby recently, and I’ve pretty much used it all up. I really don’t have anything extra.” Whether they believed me or not, if they asked for money, I’d just say I didn’t have any. I’d already bought a lot of things early on, precisely to guard against this. Chloe and Ryan’s faces instantly changed when they heard my words. Ryan’s face hardened, but he still forced a smile. “Aurora, if you don’t have a few hundred thousand, surely you have tens of thousands? Look, Chloe is your best friend, and her child will call you Auntie. You’re so wealthy; lending a little shouldn’t be that hard, right?” Here we go again, with the ‘best friend’ and ‘Auntie’ talk. That kind of relationship? I definitely wasn’t taking that bait this lifetime. So, I shook my head again. “It’s not that I don’t want to lend it to you. Look, I only have a few hundred bucks left in my bank account. If I didn’t have a chef at home, I wouldn’t even be able to afford my own meals.” As I spoke, I pulled out my phone and opened my bank’s text message notification to show them. Chloe frowned. “Aurora, why don’t you ask your husband for some money?” I sighed. “I absolutely can’t. He knows I’ve been buying too many things recently and said I was overspending, telling me to control myself. He won’t give it to me.” Chloe grew anxious. “What about your parents? Surely they’ll give it to you.” I still shook my head. “Oh, no, I can’t. Asking my parents for money at my age? How embarrassing would that be?” Seeing that I genuinely wouldn’t ask for money, Chloe took a deep breath, but couldn’t hold it in anymore. She exploded, “This and that! You keep making excuses about lending money! Do you even consider me your best friend?!” “Look at you, why did you buy so much stuff recently? It’s just a girl, why spend so much? You’re treating a future waste of space like a precious jewel!” My face instantly darkened. “Waste of space? Do you think the one you’re carrying is so precious? You have no money, yet you want to raise some noble young master? Don’t you think he should at least be worthy?” Chloe stumbled back, stunned by my words. Ryan, seeing me insult his “precious son,” was also furious. “How can you say something so nasty? Aurora, just because you’ve got a few lousy bucks, you think you’re hot stuff? Your husband’s never home, who knows if he’s got a side chick somewhere. “The only reason we’re staying at your place is because we consider you a good friend and came to keep you company. Besides, we’re asking to borrow money, not steal it! Do you really need to be so petty?” I couldn’t be bothered to argue anymore. Pay it back? With what? Their credit cards were already maxed out, and Chloe was only three months pregnant. Once the baby was born, it would be another huge expense. Chloe never worked, and they only had Ryan’s meager monthly salary. When would they ever pay back the hundreds of thousands they planned to borrow from me? They never intended to return the money from the start. So, my stance was firm. No matter what they said to pressure me, I wouldn’t budge. Chloe slammed her hand on the table and stood up. “Fine! Aurora, you’re something else. If you don’t consider me a good friend, then I don’t want anything to do with you either. We’re done! Don’t you ever expect my help again!” With that, she stormed out of my house. Ryan glared at me fiercely, then rushed out after her. I, however, breathed a sigh of relief. This was a perfect opportunity to kick them out. Chloe’s miscarriage was due in another two weeks.

In my last life, I was too kind to her, which made her reckless. Every time we fought, she’d threaten to cut ties, and every time, it was me who went to appease her, bringing expensive gifts to make up. This time, I wouldn’t be so foolish. I picked up my phone and called the cleaners. “There are some things in the house that need to be packed up.” Just like that, Ryan and Chloe’s belongings were packed and sent back to their place. There was no way they were moving back in this time. The day their things were returned, Chloe called to confront me. “Aurora! You actually sent my stuff back? Are you really going to cut ties with me?!” I rolled my eyes, replying coolly, “Didn’t you say you wanted to cut ties? I agreed. What? Were you hoping to make up with me?” “Don’t even think about it. You had so many people making noise in my house, I couldn’t stand it anymore. Now that you’re gone, I finally found some peace.” After saying that, I hung up and promptly blocked her number. But I hadn’t expected Chloe, unable to borrow money from me, still hadn’t given up on her “premium parenting plan.” Our mutual friends told me Chloe had suddenly become quite wealthy. She was not only wearing designer clothes but had even rented a larger apartment. She even flaunted her wealth on Ins, with the caption: 【My little darling, you were born to bring blessings. Ever since I had you, Mommy’s gotten richer and richer. Certain judgmental snobs will regret looking down on us~~】 I had a vague feeling something wasn’t right. Chloe becoming rich hadn’t happened in my past life. But right now, I couldn’t care less. As long as they didn’t bother me, I didn’t want anything to do with them. Yet, I was naive. This city wasn’t that big; it’s a small world, and you’re bound to run into jerks like them. One day, Liam was returning from his business trip, and I wanted to buy him a watch as a gift. I ended up running into Chloe and Ryan at the store. They were excitedly looking at a designer watch, a trendy model. At a glance, I knew it was worth $200,000. Chloe’s face lit up with excitement. “Honey, look at this one, I love it so much! Let’s get this!” Ryan stroked her belly, speaking lavishly, “Buy it!” Immediately, the sales associate prepared to write up the order. Chloe turned around and saw me behind her, freezing for a moment. But quickly, she raised her chin. “Hmph, some people, they think just because they have a little money, they can look down on their old friends. But then they see I’m rich, and they’re still coming crawling back to me.” As soon as she said that, the surrounding customers all looked at me. Their gazes were filled with curiosity, and disdain. I rolled my eyes in exasperation, ignoring her words. I walked straight to the familiar sales associate and said, “I reserved the ‘Dream Chaser’ model yesterday.” The sales associate’s eyes lit up. “Of course, please wait a moment.” Chloe’s eyes widened in astonishment when she heard me. “Dream Chaser? Isn’t that one $800,000?! You have that kind of money, and you told me you were broke?!” With that, she started to lunge forward to grab me. I dodged sideways, just about to retort, when I glimpsed a familiar necklace around her neck. This! Wasn’t this the gold necklace my mother had given me? “Where did you get that necklace?!” I practically screamed. Chloe’s accusatory expression stiffened, and she instantly touched her neck in a panic. “What, what necklace are you talking about? I don’t know what you mean!”

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The day I found out I was pregnant, a single sentence from my mother-in-law sent shivers down my spine. “You vile slut! My son’s barely been gone a year, and you’re already pregnant with another man’s child? How dare you disrespect his memory!” I stared at her in disbelief, my voice trembling with fear as I tried to explain: “Mom, what are you even saying?! This baby inside me, it’s Liam’s!” Martha’s fury erupted. She slapped me so hard my head snapped sideways, then grabbed a fistful of my hair, dragging me towards Liam’s gravestone. Looking at Liam’s photo on the gravestone, a wave of terror washed over me. “No way! This can’t be real!” Because all this past year, Liam has been right here with me. Just last night, he was in my bed! I stared at Liam’s memorial photo on the gravestone, my mind a sudden blank. Then I ran home like a maniac. “Liam! Liam!” But the living room was silent, save for the frantic pounding of my own heart. “Liam! Where are you?!” The bedroom was empty. The bedsheets were neatly folded, undisturbed. There was no sign of Liam anywhere. I stood in the center of the living room, my eyes frantically scanning the surroundings. His worn-out gray slippers were by the door, and the half-empty coffee mug he’d been drinking yesterday was still on the coffee table. These details screamed that Liam was here, that he’d never left this house. But Martha’s words, the photo on the gravestone – they pressed down on my heart, suffocating me. I pulled out my phone, my hands shaking uncontrollably. It took several tries to dial Liam’s number correctly. The phone rang three times, and then, finally, he answered. “Honey.” Liam’s voice, that familiar low rumble, came through the receiver. My eyes instantly welled up. “Liam! Where are you? Please come home! I’m so scared!” “What’s wrong? What happened?” Liam’s voice immediately tightened with concern. “Mom… Mom just said you died!” The more I spoke, the more agitated I became, tears streaming down my face. There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then Liam’s voice returned. “What nonsense are you talking about?” “But Mom dragged me to your gravestone! That photo, it was clearly you!” I couldn’t stop myself from crying. “Maybe Mom’s just been under too much stress lately, having another episode.” “I still have some things to handle here. I’ll be back in a few days.” “Stay safe at home, and take good care of yourself and our baby.” Liam gave a few more gentle reminders, his tone soothing. Hearing Liam’s words, a tiny sliver of hope, a small relief, settled in my chest. But just as I sat down on the sofa, a frantic knocking echoed from the front door. “Chloe! Open this door! Don’t you dare hide in there playing dead!” My heart seized up. I instinctively clutched the hem of my shirt and stood to open the door. The moment it opened, Martha burst in, followed by several relatives. Their faces were all grim, radiating anger. “You shameless slut! My son’s barely been gone a year, and you’re pregnant with another man’s bastard child! How dare you betray Liam?!” I retorted, my voice laced with defiance: “Mom! Why are you saying such things again! Liam is fine, he’ll be back in a few days! What kind of mother wishes death upon her own son?!” Martha’s face flushed red with rage, her chest heaving. “Still lying! You’re at your wit’s end and still won’t admit it!” “Liam’s been dead for a year! If it’s not another man’s child, then whose is it?!”

Aunt Carol, Liam’s aunt, quickly chimed in, supporting Martha: “That’s right, Chloe. Liam’s only been gone a year. Even if you did have a lover, you shouldn’t get pregnant so quickly! If word gets out, you’ll bring shame to the entire Miller family!” I looked at their self-righteous faces, a mix of anger and desperation churning inside me. I tried to patiently explain: “How could Liam be dead? He was just having dinner and chatting with me yesterday.” At that moment, Uncle Richard stared at me with an expression of horror and said: “Liam was hit by a car last year and died. You attended his funeral, Chloe, the *entire* funeral!” My gaze was locked on Uncle Richard’s face, and I forgot how to breathe. I was with Liam every single day. Just last night, he was holding me on the sofa, softly telling me he’d take me on a beach trip once he finished this busy period. Why were they all conspiring to lie to me? I suddenly remembered Liam’s company was in the middle of handing over some critical projects worth a fortune. My brother-in-law, Finn, always had his eyes on taking over the company. He’d repeatedly confronted Liam about it, even deliberately making things difficult during board meetings. Could it be him? The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. My eyes, sharp as daggers, landed on Finn in the crowd. “Finn! Who else would want Liam dead so badly, who else would benefit from it?! You’ve always wanted to seize control of the company, and now you’re using these low-down, dirty tactics!” The surrounding relatives fell silent, leaving only the sound of my ragged breathing in the living room. Finn instantly started trembling with rage. “You’re absolutely insane!” “Come on, come in here and see for yourself!” With that, Finn grabbed my hand and started dragging me towards Liam’s study. All year, Liam had repeatedly warned me that his study was strictly off-limits. He said it contained extremely important business documents and he was afraid I might accidentally misplace them. “Let go of me! Liam said no one is allowed in his study!” I struggled wildly, my throat raw from screaming. But Finn ignored my resistance, spitting out, full of resentment: “Today, I’m going to make you go in and see! See what your ‘alive’ Liam really looks like! It’s time for you to face reality!” I twisted my body with all my might, my nails digging into his arm. But his grip was too strong. I couldn’t break free, only being forcibly dragged along. With a loud *bang*, the study door was forcefully kicked open by Finn. Then, everyone gasped sharply at the scene inside. “Chloe! You monstrous slut!” After seeing the scene in the study, everyone’s suppressed anger completely exploded. Martha was the first to charge forward, grabbing a fistful of my hair with a force that felt like she was trying to rip my scalp clean off. “You ungrateful bitch! How could you do something like this?!” Her voice was high-pitched and vicious, laced with biting hatred. I winced in pain, tears instantly springing to my eyes. I struggled to get away, but the relatives next to me held my arms down firmly, preventing me from moving an inch. Dragged into the study, I finally managed to make out the room’s appearance. The room was meticulously clean. Liam’s usual laptop sat on the desk, its screen in sleep mode. It looked like a completely normal study! I cried out, questioning loudly: “What’s wrong with this?! What are you all trying to do?!” “Get out of here! These are all the company’s core confidential documents, no one is allowed to touch them!”

I pushed hard against the people surrounding me. I absolutely couldn’t let them desecrate Liam’s legacy. Finn, pushed by me, lost his footing slightly. Once he regained his balance, he roared: “Chloe, even now, you’re still playing games with us!” “Slap!” A sharp, ringing slap echoed in the study. My head snapped violently to the side. It was Martha who struck me, her eyes bloodshot, her expression terrifyingly distorted. “You beast! You have the nerve to say that?!” “You actually removed and hid Liam’s urn and memorial photo! Do you have any shame after all the good he did for you? Has your heart turned to stone?!” “To cover up the fact that you’re pregnant with another man’s baby, you even dared to touch his memorial photo! You’re not human! You’re a cold-blooded animal!” Looking at their furious faces, I felt it was utterly absurd. Liam was alive and well! What urn?! What memorial photo?! “I’m done wasting my breath on you!” I pulled out my phone with a sudden movement, my eyes firm. “I just talked to Liam! I’m calling him now; he’ll tell you himself!” I didn’t believe Liam’s voice could be faked. But the moment I saw the call interface, My entire body froze, and I even forgot to breathe. The call history was empty. Not a single second of call history! I had clearly just talked to Liam, so how could there be no call record?! His voice was still echoing in my ears; it couldn’t have been a hallucination. I must have accidentally deleted it in my panic! I quickly searched the call history recycling bin, my fingers frantically sliding across the screen, my fingertips trembling. But the recycling bin was empty, not even a single deleted record. It was glaringly blank. Not giving up, I opened my carrier’s app to check the call details for the past year. My heart pounded harder and harder, almost leaping out of my chest. The detailed bill was full of call records with colleagues and friends, but there was no record of Liam’s number, not once! How was this possible?! “Stop looking, you won’t find anything, because Liam died ages ago! He’s been dead for a year!” Then, Finn dragged out a dark red wooden box from the innermost corner of the bookshelf, covered in a thin layer of dust. He yanked open the box and forcefully shoved its contents in front of me. It was Liam’s memorial photo! In the photo, he wore a black suit, his smile stiff and unnatural. Next to the photo sat a small urn. Liam’s name and dates of birth and death were carved onto it in red paint, starkly visible. My mind went *buzz*, and the blood in my veins seemed to freeze instantly. “You’re all insane!” “To snatch control of the company, you fabricated these things and even cursed Liam to die! Aren’t you afraid of retribution?!” “If Liam knew you were doing this to him, he would never let you off when he gets back, he’d make you pay!” While I screamed at them, I pulled out my phone again, frantically searching for Liam’s number. But a robotic female voice, cold and detached, answered. “The number you have dialed is no longer in service.” No longer in service! “Stop calling! His number was disconnected ages ago! Wake up!” “Liam passed away last year. The baby in your belly is someone else’s. Get rid of it now, don’t bring shame to the Miller family!”

“You’re lying!” I still couldn’t believe it, trembling with anger, tears streaming down my face. Seeing my reaction, Martha pointed a finger at my nose and cursed. “Still pretending! You won’t accept the truth until it’s staring you in the face, will you? You’re forcing our hand!” “This child must be aborted today, to protect our family’s reputation and avoid becoming the talk of the town!” “What are you waiting for? Get her! Don’t let her escape!” No sooner had she spoken than Aunt Carol rushed forward. She grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked me to the floor, making my scalp tingle with pain. Uncle Richard also stepped forward, delivering a brutal kick to my leg. I lost my balance and stumbled, falling to the ground, my knee hitting the floor with excruciating pain. “Stop! Please, stop! I’m pregnant, you can’t hit me!” I tightly shielded my belly with both hands, pleading loudly, my voice hoarse. This child was Liam’s and mine. I couldn’t let anything happen to him. Absolutely not! “Hit her! Hit her until she’s dead! Knock that baby out of her, let’s see how she pretends then!” Martha continued to shriek from the side, her eyes fierce, as if she wanted to devour me. I felt increasing pain all over my body, and my consciousness began to blur. My vision swam with black spots, but I still desperately protected my belly, refusing to let go. Then, a sudden, immense force kicked my abdomen. I screamed. I saw bright red blood instantly gush out from below, quickly staining the floor, a shocking sight. If Liam was really dead, how could I be pregnant with his child?! The thought spun in my mind, a vortex of endless despair, threatening to shatter my sanity. Until a loud *bang*. A familiar voice suddenly echoed from the doorway! “Stop!”

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But she already had a boyfriend she deeply loved. So, on the day Damian came to claim her, she knocked me out – me, with a face identical to hers – and sent me to him. Then, she and her boyfriend disappeared abroad without a trace. I was forced to marry Damian, never giving him a kind look. He, in turn, only treated me as a stand-in, offering a sweet word when pleased, a harsh slap when not. Ten years later, Chloe suddenly reappeared. She sought out Damian, claiming I had pushed her into a river, caused her amnesia, all to marry a rich man, thus making her miss ten years with him. Damian exploded in rage, immediately ordering me locked in the basement. Chloe, taking advantage of a visit, cruelly tightened an iron chain around my neck. “I’m sorry, little sister, but if you live, my lies will eventually be exposed!” She strangled me to death. As my last breath escaped, my eyes remained wide open, filled with bitter resentment. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Chloe was first noticed by Damian. This time, I stepped forward. “Chloe, you go with your boyfriend. I’ll marry Damian in your place!” This time, the mob boss’s beloved *had* to be me!

“Mom, Dad, help me! I don’t want to marry Damian!” Chloe’s cries were so close, and suddenly, I snapped back, realizing I had been reborn. “Mom, Dad, Damian is a ruthless killer. They say he’s tortured so many women to death already!” “If I marry him, it’s a death sentence!” “Besides, I swore I’d only ever marry Liam. If I can’t be with Liam, I’d rather die!” Mom’s voice trembled with tears: “But we can’t afford to offend Damian, darling. If you don’t go, our whole family will be wiped out!” Dad wiped his eyes: “It’s my fault, I’m useless. I can’t protect my own daughter. At worst, let them beat me to death. If someone dies, surely they’ll think twice.” “Are you out of your mind? That’s Damian, the mob boss! What’s your life worth in his eyes?” Before Chloe could speak, I stepped forward. “Chloe, you go with your boyfriend. I’ll marry Damian in your place!” Everyone in the family stared at me in shock, especially Chloe. Her eyes nearly popped out. “Chloe and I are twins, we look exactly alike. If I marry him instead, Damian won’t ever know.” Mom hesitated: “It’s good that you’re willing to go for your sister, but Damian is so sharp. Can we really hide it from him forever?” “What if he finds out one day? Will he go easy on us?” Dad made up his mind: “Chloe, maybe you should leave. I’ll give you the fifty thousand dollars I’ve saved over the years. You and Liam can go to Australia. Damian’s reach shouldn’t extend that far.” Mom and Dad showed no concern about me marrying into Damian’s family. Their eyes were solely on their precious eldest daughter. As for me, their younger daughter, I was always expendable. Chloe lowered her head, thinking for a long time: “Mom, Dad, why don’t we just hold a funeral for Ava? Say she slipped and drowned in the river. That way, our family suddenly losing someone won’t seem so abrupt.” After discussing it, they immediately packed my things and put me into the car sent by the Damian family. In my previous life, I woke up in that car, terrified, and harbored hostility towards Damian after marrying him. Our ten-year marriage was a marriage of pure resentment. Honestly, outside of the rumors, Damian was handsome, charismatic, wealthy, powerful, and fiercely protective of his own. Marrying him, I had certainly landed a powerful protector and provider. The first thing Damian said when he saw me was: “I have only one requirement for you: obedience.”

I immediately grabbed his hand: “Darling, don’t worry. I’ll be absolutely obedient. If you tell me to go east, I’ll never go west!” Damian paused, then gestured for his assistant. “Get everything ready for my wife. As my wife, she shouldn’t look so… modest.” And just like that, I was showered with high-end luxury goods. Even diamond watches filled an entire cabinet. During the day, Damian handled business, and I stayed home, cooking him delicious meals, always trying new recipes. From three meals a day to after-dinner desserts, I did everything myself. In the evenings, I transformed into a tender kitten, making sure Damian was completely comfortable and happy. Gradually, Damian’s demeanor towards me became less formal. He even started taking me to public events. One day, Mom called me home, claiming Dad was gravely ill. As soon as I entered the house, I saw Dad sprawled on the couch, picking his teeth. In front of him was a large pork knuckle, gnawed clean. “Dad, you’re not sick?” “If I hadn’t made your mother use that excuse, would you have come back?!” Mom sharply poked my temple with her finger: “You ungrateful daughter! You’re living the good life at Damian’s, completely abandoning your parents, aren’t you?!” “Mom, I remember the day I married into Damian’s family, you sent me a message saying that from then on, whether my life was good or bad, it had nothing to do with the Jiang family. And that I shouldn’t contact you again, dead or alive.” “Those were your words, weren’t they? I still have that message.” Mom glared at me: “You heartless child! Your parents did that to avoid dragging you down!” “Now you’re enjoying the good life, so you’re abandoning your family, is that it?!” “Didn’t Damian give you money? From what I know, he sends you a generous monthly allowance. And this big villa, wasn’t that bought by Damian for you? Is all this not enough? What else do you want?” Mom’s anger intensified: “Have you forgotten you have an older sister?!” “Mom, careful what you say. An older sister? I don’t have one. My only sister drowned, remember?” “Don’t play dumb with me, this is our house! I’ll tell you straight: give your sister a hundred million, and we’ll never bother you again.” “A hundred million? Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?!” Dad got agitated and yelled at me: “Damian’s assets are worth hundreds of billions! We’re only asking for a hundred million! If you can’t even come up with that, then you shouldn’t be Damian’s wife!” I scoffed: “No money. And whether or not I’m Damian’s wife isn’t something you get to decide!” We parted on bad terms. A month later, Mom called again. “Ava, darling, Mom was thoughtless before, and I apologize. Are you free this weekend? Mom will cook some dishes, come home for dinner.” In the two years I had been married to Damian, this was the first time Mom had invited me home for dinner. Before I could reply, Mom started crying. “Ava, Mom is getting old. Your dad and I aren’t in good health. Every time we see each other, it’s one less time.” My heart softened in the end: “Okay, I’ll be back this weekend.” When I went home that weekend, Mom was incredibly warm towards me. She pulled me into the house. The dinner table was already set, filled with all my favorite dishes. Just as I sat down at the table, someone emerged from the bedroom. “Chloe? You’re back?” Seeing Chloe’s face, my heart began to pound. By rights, Chloe shouldn’t have returned for another eight years.

“Long time no see, little sister.” She sat beside me, sizing me up. “That outfit must be tens of thousands, huh.” She glanced at the bracelet on my wrist: “That’s probably over ten thousand too. Damian really splurges on you, doesn’t he?” She sighed again: “You’ve got it good, you don’t know how much your sister suffered these past two years abroad.” “Chloe, didn’t you say back then that as long as you could be with Liam, you’d be willing to be a beggar?” “What Liam? You don’t have a Liam!” “Let me be clear: I’m back to reclaim my identity. From now on, you go back to being yourself, you’re Ava, and I am Chloe.” “After dinner, you’ll take off these clothes and jewelry and give them to me. I’ll go back to Damian’s in your place. We’re switching back.” Chloe’s shamelessness made me laugh, bitterly. “Chloe, you’re really good at taking advantage. What makes you think that after two years of desperately trying to please Damian and finally establishing myself in his house, I would just hand it all over to you?” Chloe slammed her hand on the table: “Damian was supposed to marry *me* back then! You’ve taken my place for all these years, and you think you can just keep it?!” “You were the one who refused to marry him, almost dragging our whole family down with you! I sacrificed myself to take your place; you should be grateful to me!” “And my ability to win Damian’s favor and become the lady of the house? That’s my capability! Do you think you can just come back now and completely replace me?!” Chloe shot up from her chair, yelling at me: “You’re out of line! I’ve already been more than fair letting you enjoy my identity and good fortune at Damian’s for two years!” “If you don’t switch back with me, do you believe I’ll go straight to Damian and expose you?!” “I’ll tell him you were jealous of me and pushed me into the river, causing my amnesia! Then not only will you have to give my identity back, but you’ll also face the consequences of deceiving Damian. Let’s see how you die then!” I stood up calmly: “Fine, go ahead and tell him. We can all die together, for all I care.” “I recorded your conversation from back then, demanding I take your place. We can play it for Damian together. If we’re going to die, we’ll die together. The whole family, nice and neat.” Mom suddenly rushed over and slapped me. “Today, you *must* switch back with your sister, or I’ll kill myself right here!” I covered my face, tears streaming down. “Mom, before I saw Chloe, I truly believed you and Dad cared about me.” “But now it seems you only have one daughter in your eyes, and that’s Chloe.” “I won’t switch back with her. You can forget that ever happening!” I turned to leave, wanting to get out of this mess as quickly as possible. But as soon as I took a step, a heavy blow landed on the back of my head. I immediately collapsed into a pool of blood. The pain at the back of my head made me tremble uncontrollably. I could even feel the blood gushing out. Chloe held the ceramic bear figurine she had used to hit me – a birthday gift I’d given her. Mom was terrified: “Chloe, you hit her too hard! You didn’t kill her, did you?!” Chloe saw I was still conscious and let out a sigh of relief. “She’s still alive, isn’t she?” She squatted down and patted my face: “Ava, it’s your fault for not listening. If you had just obediently switched back with me, none of this would have happened.” I started to feel dizzy, but I bit down hard, forcing myself to stay conscious.

Chloe was still absorbed in her own world: “To look exactly like you, I specifically lost twenty pounds and got the same hairstyle.” “Once I put on your clothes, even Mom and Dad won’t be able to tell us apart, let alone Damian.” “From now on, you’ll be a good little Ava, or don’t blame your sister for being heartless.” Mom and Dad were starting to strip my clothes off when there was a sudden knock at the door. The whole family tensed up instantly. Chloe asked: “Who is it?” “It’s me.” It was Damian! I was about to shout when Dad clamped a hand over my mouth and dragged me into the room. “Chloe, why aren’t you opening the door yet?” Seeing this, Mom quickly pulled the rug over the bloodstain on the floor. Only then did Chloe open the door: “Why are you here?” “I was in the area, so I thought I’d pick you up.” Damian frowned, looking at Chloe: “You weren’t wearing those clothes when you came.” “I got my clothes dirty earlier, so I just changed into an old outfit.” “Perfect timing for you to pick me up. Let’s go.” From the bedroom, I could clearly hear their conversation. If Chloe left like this, I would certainly repeat the tragedy of my past life. Chloe wouldn’t let me live, because only dead people keep secrets. Dad glared at me fiercely, mouthing words for me to stay silent. I nodded obediently, but my left hand had already found the leg of a chair. Then, I pulled with all my might, tipping the chair over, which landed with a loud *thump*. Dad was furious. He grabbed my hair and slapped my face hard. “What was that sound?” Damian stopped, turning to look towards the bedroom. Chloe immediately blocked his path: “It’s nothing. Maybe the cat knocked over a chair.” Damian quickly walked to the bedroom door. He bent down and picked up something crimson from the floor. “This is blood.” He tried the doorknob and found it locked. “That blood? It’s probably just the cat in heat. It’s so messy, I’ll take you to wash your hands.” Chloe said, trying to pull Damian away. “Open the door.” “My dad’s drunk and sleeping in there. We really shouldn’t disturb him.” I took advantage of Dad’s momentary distraction, slipped off my bracelet, and threw it hard against the door. *Clang!* Damian’s brow furrowed even deeper. He stepped back, then kicked the door open with a single powerful blow. And then he saw me, covered in blood, with Dad pinning me down and whipping me with his belt. Damian froze. The entire family froze. Mom quickly stepped forward: “Son-in-law, this is Ava, Chloe’s twin sister.” “Ava? Isn’t she dead?” “She just went missing after falling into the river. We all thought she was dead, but someone saved her. She had amnesia, and only recently recovered her memories and found her way back.” “Then why is she wearing Chloe’s clothes?” Chloe stood in front of Damian: “Well, my sister has always been very envious of me being married to you. So she wanted to experience what it was like to be me. I just lent her my clothes and jewelry to try on.” “And her injuries, and all this blood on the floor? What about that?” “It was Ava. She insisted on playing a ‘switch identities’ game with me. She said she was so envious of my life and wanted to be Mrs. Damian for a few days.” “Of course, I couldn’t agree. Then she just started throwing a fit, and Dad accidentally pushed her, and she fell and hit her head.” Chloe put on a pitiful expression: “We didn’t want you to see such a spectacle, so we just had to lock her in the room.” I desperately shook my head at Damian, struggling to force out a single word: “No!” Chloe blocked me with her body: “Sister, I know you’ve had a hard life away from home these past two years, but that’s no reason for you to be so unreasonable.” “Mom, Dad, my sister’s badly hurt. Hurry and take her to the hospital.” Dad immediately hoisted me up. As I passed by Damian, a burn scar on my arm was exposed. It was a burn I’d gotten accidentally while cooking for Damian. That scar had, at the time, brought us closer. Damian grabbed my arm. “Wait!”

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Four months pregnant, and my husband, Liam, a renowned OB-GYN, was with me to pick up my prenatal test results. The smile on his lips vanished the moment his eyes landed on the report, his face freezing in horror as he seized my hand, intent on forcing me into an abortion. I stood there, stunned. Just moments ago, Dr. Miller, the attending physician, had clearly stated that the baby was perfectly healthy! I pulled my hand free, confronting him. “Why an abortion?!” He didn’t answer, but I could see he was already booking the procedure. When I tried to run, he clamped down on my arm, his grip like steel. “This child absolutely cannot stay!” Clutching my stomach, I quickly called my parents, both also OB-GYNs. My father, who had always adored me, raised his fist, ready to strike my belly. Mom’s face was a mask of terror, as she shook her head frantically. “No, this won’t do.” “Find a few men, and lock them in a room with Aria.” I couldn’t understand why they wanted to get rid of my baby like this. I tried to escape. But they still managed to drag me into a dark, secluded room and lock me inside. As the bleeding started, I knew my baby was gone. Mom came to pick me up, smiling. I frantically demanded to know why they had done this to me. She didn’t answer. Instead, she turned around and admitted me to a mental institution. I was tortured to death in that hospital. The next time I opened my eyes, I was back on the day we were supposed to pick up the prenatal test results.

Liam looked at me, his face beaming with joy. “Sweetheart, this is our first child. I can’t wait for the day they’re born.” “Come on, love, let’s go. The hospital will get crowded soon.” Hearing Liam’s urging, I snapped back to reality. It was only when my hand brushed against my slightly rounded belly that I knew for sure: I had been reborn. And I had returned to this exact day—the day we were going to the hospital for my prenatal test results. In my previous life, ever since I got pregnant, Liam had been incredibly careful, looking after my body. He bought a new baby item every single day and even chose hundreds of names. The hospital where I had my check-ups was his workplace, yet he would still take time off specifically to accompany me. Liam’s anticipation and affection for our baby were undeniable. Four months into my pregnancy, we went for our usual check-up. After Dr. Miller confirmed the baby was healthy and ruled out Down syndrome, Liam, being an OB-GYN himself, glanced at the report. But his smile suddenly froze, replaced by a look of sheer terror. Without a word, he grabbed my hand, intent on booking an abortion procedure. I stood there, stunned, and yanked my hand away. “Liam, the baby’s fine, isn’t it? Why would we terminate?” But Liam didn’t answer me. He continued to tap away on his phone, navigating the abortion appointment process. I tried to snatch his phone away. His breathing grew ragged, his eyes bloodshot, as he roared at me, “Aria, this child absolutely cannot stay!” His actions terrified me. My heart pounded against my ribs, threatening to burst out, and my legs felt weak beneath me. While Liam was busy arranging the procedure, I quickly messaged my parents, who were also OB-GYNs. Mom and Dad arrived quickly. Seeing them, Liam didn’t seem nervous at all. In fact, a faint smile played on his lips. I shrank back, seeking refuge in Mom’s arms. Dad immediately punched Liam in the face. “The baby’s perfectly healthy! Why are you trying to abort it?” Liam said nothing, simply handed the prenatal report to Dad. The moment Dad saw the report, the anger on his face turned into terror. His eyes widened, and his hands trembled as he held the paper. He raised his fist, about to strike my stomach. Luckily, Mom stepped in front of me. The punch landed on Mom instead, and she yelled, “Are you out of your mind?!” “Aria’s carrying your grandchild!” Dad sneered, then handed the prenatal report to Mom. Mom, who had been protecting me moments before, went pale as if she’d seen a ghost. She pushed me out of her embrace, shaking her head frantically. “No… no, this won’t do.” By now, I sensed something was terribly wrong with that report. I quickly asked Mom, “Mom, what’s going on? What’s wrong with my baby?” But Mom ignored me, still lost in her own panic. “This won’t work!” She grabbed Dad’s hand. “It’s too obvious here at the hospital. I have an idea.” “Find a few men, and lock them in a room with Aria.” I stood frozen, my entire body numb. I couldn’t understand why they all changed so drastically after seeing that one prenatal report. What was the truth? Why wouldn’t anyone tell me? Seeing Mom and Dad preparing to take me away, I turned and ran. But Dad caught me with a swift move, pulling me back. I cried, begging them to let me go, to at least tell me the truth. But they forcibly shoved me into the car and gagged me. 2. Moreover, they locked me in a dark, secluded room with five naked men! I was so terrified I nearly collapsed, frantically pounding on the door, begging them to let me out. But outside, there wasn’t a sound. The men dragged me to the floor. The moment I resisted, they hit me. My baby, just a pool of blood, dried on the floor. A week later, Mom, Dad, and Liam came to pick me up. Mom smiled at me. “Aria, we’re going home.” I sneered, unable to comprehend how she could pretend nothing had happened. I raged, questioning, “Why? Why did you do this to me?!” Mom’s face instantly went cold. Dad slapped me across the face. “You ungrateful slut!” I was stunned. Then, Mom’s gaze turned chillingly dark, piercing right through me. “Aria’s confused. Take her to a mental institution.” From the moment I was forcibly admitted, Liam arranged for someone to torture me every single day. My husband, who once adored me, now practically wished me dead. Three months later, I was tortured until my last breath. But even at the moment of death, I still didn’t understand why they all wanted me dead after seeing that prenatal report. The fear from my previous life flooded my mind, my hand instinctively caressing my slightly warm lower abdomen. I took a deep breath. This time, I was determined to find out exactly what happened! Upon arriving at the hospital, I made sure to get the prenatal report first. Even after Dr. Miller confirmed the baby was healthy, I immediately took the report from her. I thought, as long as Liam didn’t see the report, nothing bad would happen. But to my surprise, as soon as I stepped out of Dr. Miller’s office, Liam asked for the report, just like in my previous life. My heart skipped a beat, but I forced a smile and asked, “Why do you want my report?” Liam smiled back. “I’m the baby’s father, and an OB-GYN. Isn’t it normal for me to look at it?” “Dr. Miller, your colleague, just confirmed that both the baby and I are perfectly healthy. Don’t you trust her professional judgment?” “No, it’s not that. I just want to understand the situation so I can take better care of you.” But I deliberately put the report into my bag right in front of him. “Well, I’m not letting you see it today.” Liam probably thought I was just being playfully stubborn, so he went along with it. “Alright, if you don’t want me to see it, fine. As long as you’re healthy.” I smiled and hugged his arm. “I’m just going to the restroom. We’ll head home when I get back.” I grabbed my bag and headed for the bathroom. I had indeed scanned the prenatal report earlier, but because I was so quick, I hadn’t noticed anything unusual. I decided to take a good look in the restroom, to figure out what was so wrong that it made them all change completely. But the moment I reached the restroom, my heart pounded: the prenatal report was gone! I rushed out, and from a distance, I saw Liam, his face pale. The prenatal report that should have been in my bag was now in his hand! Liam saw me and strode quickly towards me. My first instinct was to run, but he still managed to grab my arm. His eyes were bloodshot, staring intensely at me. “Aria, this child can’t stay. We’re getting an abortion right now!” In my previous life, I died without ever understanding why my usually gentle husband turned into a completely different person after seeing that report! The cruelty in Liam’s eyes was something I had never witnessed before. My body trembled, but because this wasn’t my first time experiencing it, I quickly screamed, “Help! Someone’s trying to get rid of my baby!” Hospitals are usually bustling, and my cry instantly drew a crowd. Liam seemed shocked by my outburst. But then, I sank to my knees, right in front of him. “Liam, Dr. Miller clearly said this baby is healthy. Why are you forcing me to get an abortion?” Liam gritted his teeth, hissing, “You slut, shut up!” He tried to drag me away, but onlookers had already stepped in. A man forcibly pulled him away from me. “What do you think you’re doing?!” “Oh my God, trying to abort a healthy baby? Don’t want to raise it?” “If you didn’t want a child, why didn’t you think about that when you were having fun?” “Forcing a pregnant woman to abort is illegal! Call the police!” Liam’s breathing was ragged, his jaw clenched, glaring fiercely at me. But amidst the crowd, there was nothing he could do. To my shock, he suddenly smiled at me, then turned and called my parents. 3. Mom and Dad arrived to find Liam and me surrounded by a crowd. They didn’t need to ask; it was clear something had happened. Mom protectively pulled me into her embrace, but the moment she touched me, I shivered. The kind strangers explained what had just happened to my parents. Dad raised his hand, ready to slap Liam. But before his palm could land, Liam held up the prenatal report. “Dad, don’t look!” I tried to rush forward and snatch the report away. But Dad was faster, taking it and glancing at it. Instantly, his eyes flickered. I hesitantly called out, “Dad?” When he looked at me again, Dad’s eyes were bloodshot. His raised hand came down, without hesitation, across my face. “You animal! Liam telling you to abort was for your own good!” I was completely crushed. But I gritted my teeth, trying to reason, “But Dr. Miller already said the baby in my belly is perfectly healthy!” “I’m an OB-GYN too! How dare you argue with me?!” Seeing Dad about to punch my stomach, Mom quickly rushed over, shielding me. “Are you insane? Your daughter is pregnant!” Mom yelled at Dad. But Dad wasn’t angry; he just sneered. “You pity her? This slut doesn’t deserve to be our daughter! She doesn’t even deserve to be our child!” After Dad said that, everyone around us was shocked. They started pointing fingers at Dad, criticizing how a father could speak to his daughter like that. Mom was gasping for air, but she knew Dad was usually gentle. There had to be something terribly wrong with that prenatal report. “Let me see that prenatal report!” I quickly stepped forward to stop Mom, my eyes pleading with her. “Mom, Dr. Miller already said the baby is healthy, please don’t look, okay?” “Mom, if you don’t believe me, you can go ask that doctor.” I knew that if Mom saw the report, she would disown me instantly, just like them. Mom hugged me, trying to soothe me. “Don’t worry, it must be a mistake by your father and Liam, those incompetent doctors.” “Your mom used to be the head of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Trust my expertise.” I shook my head frantically. “No, Mom, please don’t. You don’t have to look. I believe you, just please don’t look.” But the more I tried to stop her, the more curious Mom became about what was on that report. Seeing that Mom insisted on looking, I suddenly dropped to my knees. “Mom, if you look at that report, you’ll stop loving me instantly, just like them.” “No, Aria, I’ve been working for years; I’ve seen all kinds of reports. And even if the baby isn’t Liam’s, I’ll still stand by you without hesitation. You’re the person I love most in this world.” Her gaze was gentle, urging me to trust her. Ultimately, I couldn’t stop Mom. The moment she saw the prenatal report, that gentleness vanished, and a sinister glint flashed in her eyes. It made me tremble all over. Mom’s face turned pale, and she gave me a bitter smile. She wasn’t as overtly emotional as Dad and Liam. And that, paradoxically, made her even more terrifying. Her voice was icy. “It’s nothing, Aria. The baby is fine. Get up, let’s go home.” Mom said everything was fine, but the hand she reached out to me was trembling uncontrollably. She was clearly suppressing her emotions. “No, I’m not going home.” I quickly stood up and retreated further into the crowd. Mom frowned, her expression turning menacing. “Aria, what are you doing? You’re pregnant; what if something happens to you out here?” 4. Seeing Mom and Dad about to grab me, I quickly clutched onto two passersby, kneeling and begging them. “Please, save me! I can’t go back with them, they’ll make me lose my baby!” The passersby hesitated. Though I was pregnant, I clearly seemed emotionally unstable. And they were my family, so the strangers weren’t sure how to intervene. Fortunately, someone finally stepped forward to speak up for me. “She’s pregnant, after all, and clearly emotional right now. You shouldn’t force her.” “Exactly, what if you hurt the baby?” But Mom and Dad seemed deaf to their words, their faces distorted as they advanced on me. “Aria, do you have a persecution complex?” “Come home with us now, stop disrupting the hospital’s order!” Mom and Dad forcibly grabbed me. The kind strangers tried to block them. “You’re in a hospital right now. She’s a pregnant woman, she’s distressed. She should see a doctor to check if the baby’s affected.” “We’re OB-GYNs! Does she still need to see a doctor?!” Dad roared at the man. The kind strangers hesitated. Liam took the opportunity to yank me out of the crowd, dragging me mercilessly across the floor. Even the most well-meaning bystanders didn’t dare to physically fight my family. But just then, a hand blocked Liam’s path. “Who told you to drag a pregnant woman like that?!” A police officer barked, and Liam finally let go. Mom and Dad quickly said, “Officer, this pregnant woman is our daughter. She has some mental issues, we’re just taking her home.” The officer looked at me suspiciously. I quickly denied it. “No, they want to kill my healthy baby!” The three behind me froze, but a triumphant smirk appeared on their faces. I continued, “If you don’t believe me, you can check the hospital’s surveillance footage. They really all want to kill my baby.” The officer had the hospital staff pull up the footage. After watching it, a female officer shielded me behind her. She questioned them, “Why are you trying to terminate this healthy pregnancy?!” Mom and Dad sneered. Liam just looked at me coldly. “Forcing a pregnant woman to abort is against the law!” Liam remained unfazed. I grabbed the officer’s hand. “Let me see my prenatal report.” Every one of them had changed after seeing that report. I believed the truth had to be on it. At the officer’s request, Liam reluctantly handed over the prenatal report. But when I saw the report again, I finally understood why this child had to be terminated.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299259”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller #重生Reborn #玄幻Fantasy

Everyone thought I was dead. A perfectly timed car crash, a funeral live-streamed across every platform. My supposed best friend, Serena Thorne, stood before my memorial photo, wearing my favorite black dress, her face streaming with tears. She choked out that she would carry on my legacy, completing the screenplay we had co-written. Flashbulbs, like a galaxy of stars, twinkled for her from the audience. Later, that screenplay won an Oscar for Best Screenplay. She became a celebrated genius writer, showered with fame and fortune. She moved into my house, drove my car, and even my usually aloof cat seemed to adore her. She had stolen almost everything from me. Almost. I stood in a quiet corner of the funeral, masked, watching the grand spectacle with a cold gaze. I wasn’t dead. I just wanted to see how ugly a person’s greed could become when unbound. Now, the performance was over. It was time for the “dead woman” to make her entrance. At my memorial service, Serena cried so hard she nearly fainted. She wore the custom-made black velvet gown I’d designed, its hem trailing on the floor like a dark, blooming rose. I hadn’t even had the chance to wear it once. “Ava, how could you just leave like this…?” She clung to my memorial photo, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Her voice, amplified by the microphone, filled the hall, broken and heart-wrenching. Cameras zoomed in on her face. Every angle, every tear perfectly timed. You’d think *her* mother had died, not me. I stood in the least conspicuous corner, hidden behind a baseball cap and a mask, watching her perfectly made-up, sorrowful face on the big screen. I almost burst out laughing. A entertainment reporter, Maya, whispered to her colleague, Chloe: “Serena is truly devoted. Ava Hayes was lucky to have a friend like her.” Chloe sighed, “Absolutely. I heard Serena painstakingly organized every word of Ava’s posthumous screenplay. She’s even going to star in it herself, to fulfill her best friend’s last wish. It’s incredibly touching.” As I listened, I pulled a mint from my pocket, peeled back the wrapper, and popped it into my mouth. The cool sweetness melted on my tongue. Touching? I thought it was pretty “touching” too. Using my life, my script, to secure her fame, fortune, and a stellar performance of grief? What a profitable deal for her. The somber music continued to play in the hall, and guests wore expressions of profound sorrow. My agent, the company CEO, directors I’d worked with. Even a few so-called “friends” from the industry took turns giving eulogies. Each one echoed the same sentiments of regret and remembrance. I was almost falling asleep. Until Julian Maxwell stepped up to the podium. The room suddenly fell silent. He was the industry’s top investor, and the biggest financier behind my “posthumous work.” A man who rarely appeared even for high-profile business interviews was here in person today. He didn’t use notes, just stood there. His dark suit accentuated his broad shoulders and long, lean frame, a towering presence. His gaze swept across the room, finally resting on my enormous black and white memorial photo. “Ava Hayes was a genius.” He spoke, his voice deep. It resonated through the speakers with a compelling authority. “Her passing is a loss for the entire industry.” He didn’t say much else, just those two sentences, then bowed slightly to my photo. Serena immediately rushed to meet him, her eyes red as she looked up, a picture of utter vulnerability and dependence. “Mr. Maxwell, thank you for coming. Ava, wherever she is, would certainly be grateful.” Julian’s gaze skimmed over her, utterly devoid of emotion. “How are the preparations for the script coming along?” “You needn’t worry,” Serena immediately assured him, “I will certainly fulfill Ava’s last wish and make ‘The Cage’ a masterpiece.” Julian nodded, said nothing more, and turned to step down from the stage. He passed the corner where I stood. For a fleeting second, as he walked by, his footsteps faltered, and his gaze seemed to drift towards me. My heart pounded, and I pulled the brim of my cap lower. He couldn’t have recognized me. My current appearance was starkly different from my public image. Short hair, thick-rimmed glasses, a faded tracksuit. And a few strategically placed freckles. Not just him, even my own mother would probably hesitate. He paused for only a second before continuing on his way, long strides eating up the distance. I exhaled slowly. The most poignant part of the service was over; what remained were just formalities. I wasn’t interested in staying any longer and turned to slip away. Just as I reached the exit, I heard Serena’s voice behind me. “Miss, please wait.” My steps faltered, but I didn’t turn around. A hand rested on my shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before. Are you a friend of Ava’s?” Her voice, just behind me, was perfectly modulated—a touch hoarse and polite. I slowly turned. When she saw my face, a flicker of something almost imperceptible—disappointment—crossed her eyes. As if she was surprised by how ordinary I looked. “No, I’m not,” I mumbled, my voice deliberately muffled, “I’m just a fan of hers, came to pay my respects.” “Oh, I see,” Serena instantly adopted an emotional expression, gripping my hand. “Thank you. Ava would be so happy to know she had fans like you.” Her hand was cold, her nails adorned with sparkling rhinestones. “She was a great actress,” I said. “Yes,” Serena sighed, tears welling up again. “She always said her biggest dream was to win the Golden Lion for Best Screenplay, but… it’s okay. I’ll fulfill it for her.” As she spoke, she squeezed my hand, as if trying to convey some profound connection. A truly stellar performance. Well, she did learn from the best – me. I pulled my hand away, nodded at her, and walked out. Another second, and I swear I would have ripped her hair extensions right out. Stepping out of the funeral home, the sunlight stung my eyes. I hailed a taxi and gave an address. The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror: “Heading to the cemetery, miss?” “Yes.” “Isn’t that where the big star Ava Hayes’ memorial was held today? It’s all over the internet.” “It is.” “What a shame, so young.” The taxi driver was quite chatty. “I heard her best friend, Serena, is going to finish her legacy project. What a good person.” I leaned against the window, watching the city blur by. “Yes,” I echoed. “Quite the… wonderful person.”

I didn’t go home. That “home” was now Serena’s. I rented a small apartment in the suburbs, old but clean. My landlady, a woman in her fifties, didn’t follow celebrity news and had no idea who I was. My new identity was Lynn Miller, a freelance writer. Back in the apartment, the first thing I did was open my laptop. Out of the top ten trending topics on social media, five were about Serena and me. * Serena Vows to Honor Ava’s Legacy Project * Ava Hayes Memorial Service * Julian Maxwell Makes Surprise Appearance at Ava Hayes Memorial * Serena and Ava: A Heartfelt Friendship * #PitySerena I clicked on the #PitySerena hashtag. The comments section was flooded with her fans and an army of paid trolls. “Don’t cry, Serena! You have to live well for Ava!” “OMG, what an epic friendship, I’m ugly-crying right now!” “Am I the only one who noticed the way Mr. Maxwell looked at Serena? I’m sensing some serious chemistry.” “Hold up, no baseless rumors! Our Serena is focused on her career and honoring Ava’s memory. Don’t spread false gossip!” I scrolled through the comments, eating an entire bucket of instant noodles, my face devoid of emotion. My stomach burned, a sensation far more potent than any chili ever could be. My phone vibrated. It was a message from my private detective. [That Serena woman moved the last few things out of your house today, including your Ragdoll cat, Mochi.] Attached was a photo of Serena, holding Mochi, smiling gently at the camera. The background was my familiar living room. Below the photo, there was a video clip. In the video, Serena shoved Mochi into a cat carrier. Her assistant, Jessica, asked, “Serena, are you really taking the cat? Aren’t you allergic to cat fur?” Serena waved her hand dismissively. “Allergic or not, I have to take it. Ava’s fans all know how much she doted on this cat. If I don’t take it, how will I maintain my ‘devoted friend’ image? Just a few days on allergy meds, it’ll be fine.” I closed the video and tossed my phone aside. Mochi was a rescue cat I’d adopted, severely injured and almost dead. I’d nursed her back to health, feeding her spoonful by spoonful. She was only affectionate with me. Serena was severely allergic to cat fur; even a touch would bring out a rash. She was willing to endure that for an image. She truly was ruthless. I stood up and walked to the window. Outside, apartment buildings stretched endlessly, a sea of twinkling lights, none of them mine. On the day of the crash, I was driving home from my studio. A large truck suddenly swerved into my lane from the side. I instinctively swerved the steering wheel hard to the right. My car hit the guardrail and flipped over. Before losing consciousness, I saw the truck driver jump out and glance in my direction. Then he ran off without looking back. His eyes held no panic, only the cold satisfaction of a completed mission. When I woke up, I was in a remote private clinic. My rescuer was my college mentor, now a doctor at this clinic. He said I was brought in covered in blood, with no identification. Meanwhile, the news was already plastered everywhere, screaming “Award-Winning Actress Ava Hayes Dies in Car Crash.” The police announced that the “victim” was a woman roughly my height, but whose face was tragically mangled. Where did this poor body double come from? I didn’t need to think to know whose doing it was. Serena. She probably thought I was a goner, so she decided to finish the job, making sure I was “dead” beyond any doubt. That way, no one could ever compete with her for that screenplay. The script I’d poured three years into, the one destined for the Golden Lion Award: ‘The Cage’. I sneered. Did she really think that if I died, all those things would become hers? Naive. I opened my laptop and logged into an encrypted email account. There was one unread email, one I’d scheduled to send to myself a few minutes before my “car crash.” The email contained only one attachment. It was the complete screenplay of ‘The Cage’, from the first draft to the final version. Every revision record, my creative process, photos of my handwritten notes, everything was there. The file’s timestamp was the best evidence. I backed up the file again, saving it to an even more secure hard drive. Serena, you want my things? Fine. I’ll give them to you. I’ll even be the one to lift you up, place you in the brightest spotlight, and let you bask in everyone’s praise and adoration. And then… I’ll let you experience what it’s like to fall from the highest pedestal, straight into the dirt. The real show was just beginning.

For the next month, I didn’t leave my apartment. Every day, I watched the news, observing Serena’s meticulous steps as she claimed ‘The Cage’ as her own. She gave a deeply intimate interview on the country’s most prestigious talk show. On the program, she tearfully recounted her “creative journey” with me. “This screenplay, it was truly something Ava and I conceived together. Many late nights, we’d be curled up on the sofa, snacking and chatting. I’d throw out an idea, she’d expand on it, then I’d build on that… Now, she’s gone, and I’m left to raise our shared child alone.” The host, visibly moved, offered her a tissue. “What was the hardest part of the creative process for you?” “The loneliness,” Serena dabbed at her eyes. “Before, when I hit a wall, I could just turn and see her. Now, I can only hold her photo and imagine her still beside me.” After that episode aired, Serena’s social media followers skyrocketed by five million. She became synonymous with “talent, beauty, and profound devotion.” The production team for ‘The Cage’ was officially established. The lead actress was Serena herself. The director was Director Thompson, renowned in the industry for his commercial blockbusters. Everything proceeded smoothly. I watched Serena’s triumphant smile on my laptop screen during the kick-off ceremony, then closed the browser. The time was right. I made a phone call. It rang for a long time before someone picked up. “Hello? Who’s this?” A young, wary male voice answered. “Is this Director Liam Reed?” I asked. “Who are you? Why are you calling my private number?” His voice was impatient. “I have a screenplay here I’d like you to take a look at.” “A screenplay?” He scoffed. “I’m busy right now. Don’t bother me.” He sounded like he was about to hang up. “A screenplay about plagiarism and betrayal.” I said slowly. “The protagonist is an unknown young director whose idea is stolen by a popular actress, and he’s then blacklisted by the entire industry. What do you think of that story?” The other end of the line went instantly silent. Several seconds passed before Liam’s voice returned, carrying a barely perceptible tremor. “Who are you?” Liam Reed. A truly talented emerging director. He had been Serena’s college classmate and had openly pursued her. A year ago, a short film he directed even picked up a minor international award. Upon returning home, Serena had approached him, expressing interest in collaboration. Liam, deeply touched, had unreservedly shared a screenplay concept he’d been developing for a long time. But Serena immediately took his concept and used it for a web series she was starring in. The web series became a massive hit. Serena’s career advanced significantly. When Liam confronted her, she slandered him, accusing him of riding her coattails. She then used her connections to ensure Liam couldn’t get any work in the industry. No one in the industry knew about these details. I had my private detective dig them up. Serena had climbed over too many bodies to reach the top, and she’d left too many fingerprints. “My identity isn’t important,” I said into the phone. “What *is* important is that I want to give you a chance to reclaim what’s rightfully yours.” We met in a secluded coffee shop. Liam looked far more haggard than his actual age. Heavy dark circles under his eyes, messy hair, and an expression filled with wariness and distrust. “How do you know all this?” He stared intently at me. I didn’t answer. Instead, I pushed a brown envelope across the table. “This is the original screenplay for ‘The Cage.’ Take a look.” He paused, then suspiciously opened the envelope and pulled out the script. After only a few pages, his expression shifted. From shock, to anger, then to disbelief. “This… this can’t be…” He looked up at me, his voice trembling. “I saw the synopsis Serena released, and it’s completely different in its details from this… This version… it’s far superior to hers!” “Because this is the original,” I said. “Written by Ava Hayes.” “Then Serena’s version is…” “What do you think?” I countered. Liam wasn’t stupid. He understood instantly. “She… she even dared to steal Ava Hayes’s work?!” “What wouldn’t she dare?” I said flatly. “Dead people can’t speak.” Liam’s breathing grew heavy. The script in his hands was clutched tightly. Betrayed by the person he trusted most, stripped of his most important creation. He understood that feeling better than anyone. “Why are you looking for me?” He asked, two sparks igniting in his eyes. “What do you want me to do?” “It’s simple.” I leaned slightly forward, looking into his eyes. “I want you to use this original screenplay to enter the ‘Emerging Talent Director Program’ hosted by the Maxwell Group.” Julian Maxwell’s company had recently launched a competition. Its purpose was to discover promising new directors and invest in their projects. This was Liam’s only chance. And the first step in my plan. “Using Ava’s screenplay?” Liam frowned. “What does that make me? A thief too?” “No,” I shook my head. “The copyright for this screenplay is legally mine.” I pulled another document from my bag and slid it across to him. It was a copyright transfer agreement, bearing Ava Hayes’s handwritten signature. Of course, it was forged. But it was convincing enough for others to believe it was real. The beneficiary line bore my new name. Lynn Miller. Liam stared at the contract, utterly stunned. “You… what’s your connection to Ava Hayes?” “An old acquaintance,” I gave him a vague answer. “You just need to decide whether to do it or not.” I stood up. “If you do, you’ll not only get a chance to create a great work but also personally bring Serena Thorne down. If you don’t, you’ll stay cooped up in your rented apartment, watching the person who stole your hard work bask in glory.” I placed the choice in his hands. But I knew how he would choose. For a genius pushed to the brink, nothing was more tempting than revenge.

Liam didn’t disappoint me. Three days later, he registered for the “Emerging Talent Director Program” with the original screenplay of ‘The Cage’. In the preliminary round, the judges only reviewed the screenplays. I knew better than anyone how undeniably strong that script was. It effortlessly stood out from hundreds of other projects, advancing to the semi-finals. This news quickly spread through the industry. An unknown young director entering a competition with a screenplay sharing the same name as popular actress Serena Thorne’s “posthumous work.” It was inherently sensational. Serena’s team reacted immediately. Her studio posted a statement on Ins. [Some clowns are always trying to ride coattails with clumsy, laughable tactics. We have already instructed our lawyers. We advise certain individuals to act wisely. @LiamReed] Attached was a photo of a legal letter. The implication was clear: Liam was a plagiarist. Serena’s fans swarmed Liam’s Ins account, tearing into him online, relentlessly slamming him. [Shameless! Exploiting the dead for clout?] [Do you know how hard our Serena worked to organize her best friend’s legacy project? And you plagiarize it?] [Get out of the directing world! Scumbag!] Liam’s Ins account was overwhelmed within a day. He called me, his voice trembling with suppressed rage and a hint of panic. “They… how can they spread such lies!” “You’ll get used to it,” My tone was calm. “This is just the appetizer.” “So, what do I do now? Should I respond?” “No,” I said. “You don’t have to do anything. Just focus on preparing for your semi-finals. I’ll handle the rest.” After hanging up, I logged into an old, rarely used social media burner account. I used this account to discreetly monitor competitors; it had few followers, and no one knew it was me. I drafted a post and published it. [Interesting. Whose screenplay is it really? One says it’s a best friend’s legacy, the other claims it’s their original work. One is already successful, the other is a newcomer. On the surface, it looks like the newcomer is just trying to ride someone else’s fame. But what if? What if the newcomer is telling the truth? Now *that* would be a story. Waiting for the results of the Maxwell Group competition. Money talks, right?] I didn’t mention any names, just posed a possibility. But the internet never lacked for drama-lovers and self-proclaimed online sleuths hungry for justice. My post was quickly picked up and shared by several gossip accounts and influencers. [Intriguing, whose script is this anyway?] [Chilling thought… if a celebrity really stole from a rookie, that’s seriously messed up.] [Ava Hayes is gone, so there’s no way to confirm anything. It’s all up to her ‘best friend’ now.] The tide of public opinion began to shift subtly. Of course, this level of public speculation wasn’t enough to shake Serena’s foundation. Her team’s PR was highly effective, quickly suppressing these “dissenting voices.” But it didn’t matter. I never expected to take her down with a few guesses alone. I just needed to muddy the waters. To draw everyone’s attention to the Maxwell Group competition. I wanted this showdown to play out on a completely public, authoritative stage. I wanted Serena to be utterly disgraced in front of the entire world. A week later, the semi-finals began. The format required directors to present their screenplays in person to the judges. And this time, there was an additional judge. Julian Maxwell. He was personally presiding over the judging panel. This instantly elevated the competition’s profile even further. I didn’t go to the venue. But I had people on the inside. Not long after Liam entered, I received a message. [Serena Thorne is here too, with her legal team.] I looked at the message on my phone, a faint smile playing on my lips. She’d come. The fish had taken the bait. She probably thought that by showing up, by adopting the stance of the original creator. And by having her lawyers pressure the Maxwell Group, that nobody, Liam, would be scared into withdrawing. Unfortunately, she miscalculated one thing. Julian Maxwell, of all people, absolutely detested being threatened. Another thirty minutes passed. My phone rang. It was an unknown number. I answered. “Miss Miller?” A clear, cold male voice came from the other end. It was Julian Maxwell’s assistant. “That’s me.” “Mr. Maxwell would like to meet you. Now, in his office on the top floor of the Maxwell Tower.” What had to come, would come. Julian wasn’t foolish. With such a commotion, it was impossible he wouldn’t investigate. Given his resources, it was only a matter of time before he uncovered Lynn Miller’s identity and my connection to Liam. “Alright,” I replied calmly. “I’ll be there in half an hour.” After hanging up, I changed my clothes. A simple white blouse, a pair of jeans. I washed off the freckles and put on a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. It made me look sharper, more formidable. I was going to meet the biggest player in this game. I had to make him believe that the cards in my hand were stronger than Serena’s.

Maxwell Tower, top floor. Julian Maxwell’s office was as vast as a small soccer field. A wall of floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of half the city’s nightscape. When I entered, he was on the phone, his back to me, standing by the window. His tall figure, silhouetted against the glittering city lights, seemed somewhat solitary. His assistant led me to the sofa area, poured me a glass of water, then quietly exited. I sat still, not looking at him or surveying the surroundings. About five minutes later, he finished his call. Footsteps approached, stopping in front of me. A faint scent of cedarwood wafted over. It was his signature cologne. He didn’t sit, just stood, looking down at me. His gaze was like an X-ray, trying to see right through me. “Miss Miller.” He spoke, his voice giving nothing away. “Mr. Maxwell.” I looked up, meeting his eyes. He was strikingly handsome, with a kind of aggressive good looks. Sharp brows, piercing eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. They say men with thin lips are heartless. I never believed it before, but now I did. “The screenplay for ‘The Cage’ is in your possession.” He stated it as a fact. “Yes,” I nodded. “Ava Hayes gave it to you?” “You could say that.” He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if judging the truthfulness of my words. “What’s your relationship with her?” “Someone she trusted.” These were the same questions Liam had asked me. Julian was silent for a few seconds, then sat down on the single armchair opposite me. His legs crossed, his posture composed. But the more composed he was, the more I knew he wasn’t calm inside. “Serena Thorne was also here today,” he said. “She told me the script Liam Reed has was stolen, that it’s corporate espionage.” “Of course, she would say that,” I smiled faintly. “False accusations are her specialty.” “What evidence do you have to prove yours is the original version?” Julian stared at me, asking each word precisely. “Evidence?” I took a small USB drive from my bag and placed it on the coffee table. “Mr. Maxwell, perhaps you should take a look at this first.” He gestured, and the assistant immediately stepped forward. He took the USB drive and inserted it into Julian’s desktop computer. Soon, the projection screen on the wall lit up. Playing was a video. The scene was a warmly decorated study. Ava Hayes—or rather, *I*—was wearing comfortable loungewear, sitting at a desk. Manuscript paper and a laptop were spread out on the table. “…Regarding the male lead’s childhood trauma, I feel the previous setup was too simplistic. If we made him witness his mother being domestically abused as a child, wouldn’t it have more impact? That way, his later-life paranoia and insecurity would have a clear origin…” The video showed me talking to the camera. It was as if I was discussing the plot with someone, or perhaps just thinking aloud. This was a habit I had when writing. I would record my inspirations and ideas on video. It made it easier to review and organize later. This video was recorded when I was brainstorming the core concept of ‘The Cage.’ It detailed the male lead’s character backstory. This specific detail, in the “censored” version of the script Serena had released, was changed to a cliché “divorced parents, lack of love from childhood.” The difference in quality was instantly undeniable. The video was short, only a few minutes. After it finished, the office was utterly silent. Julian Maxwell’s face had gone beyond mere annoyance. He looked at the familiar face on the screen, his eyes swirling with complex emotions. “How much of this do you have?” he asked, his voice a little hoarse. “Enough to meticulously reconstruct the entire creative journey of the script,” I replied calmly. This was my trump card. I never go into battle unprepared. Serena thought she had stolen a printed manuscript. She didn’t know how many backups, how many records of the creative process, I had kept. Each piece of evidence was enough to drag her to hell. Julian leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. After a long while, he opened his eyes again and looked at me. “What do you want?” He was smart. He knew I hadn’t shown him these things to make him “seek justice” for Ava Hayes. I was here to negotiate. “I want the Maxwell Group to invest in Liam Reed,” I said. “Is that all?” “Of course not.” I smiled faintly. “I want the Maxwell Group to withdraw all investment from Serena Thorne’s version of ‘The Cage.’ And, Mr. Maxwell, I want you to personally attend the launch event for Liam Reed’s version of ‘The Cage.’” This was my true objective. I didn’t just want Serena’s project halted. I wanted Julian Maxwell, the man at the pinnacle of capital, to personally endorse my screenplay. I wanted everyone to know who the chosen one was. This was undoubtedly a direct slap in Serena’s face. And in the most brutal way possible. Julian looked at me, his eyes unfathomably deep. “Miss Miller,” He suddenly changed the subject. “The ring on your hand is very unique.” I instinctively glanced at my right hand. On my index finger, I wore a very plain silver ring. The design was simple, with a single letter engraved on the inside. A ‘Z’. *Zhao*. It was my own name. I had worn it for many years, almost never taking it off. My heart plummeted. He… recognized me?

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