《Twisted Ties of Love》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    Izabe Salotti was puzzled It was just picking up a medical report. Was it necessary to have


    someone apany her?


    Furthermore, what family did she have left? Her mother had tragically passed away during


    childbirth, and her father regarded her as nothing more than a means to generate wealth. Her


    brother, consumed by resentment, med her for their mother¡¯s death and harbored a deep


    hatred towards her. And as for her love he had been taken away by someone else. If it hadn¡¯t


    been for this doctor mentioning the word ¡°Tamily,¡± she might have forgotten its true


    meaning altogether


    After a moment, Izabe shook her head and said, ¡°Just me¡±


    The doctor frowned and adjusted his sses on the bridge of his nose. With a heavy sigh,


    he handed a stack ofb results to Izabe.


    ¡°Ms. Salotti, I have the test results here. I¡¯m afraid to inform you that you have reached the


    advanced stage of stomach cancer, the doctor delivered the news with apassionate


    tone, showing sympathy towards the young woman faced with such a grave illness. Sensing


    the gravity of the situation, he handled it delicately.


    Izabe gasped as she received the results, her brow furrowing as she examined the various


    indicators Althoughcking a medical background, she could discern the severity of her


    condition


    During the gastroscopy procedure, she had sensed that something was amiss, but she had


    been too afraid to dwell on it.


    As the doctor exined the results to her, Izabe only half¨Clistened. She understood that


    time was running out and that she needed to start chemotherapy as soon as possible How


    long could someone withte¨Cstage stomach cancer live? Izabe knew better than anyone


    else, as her grandfather had struggled with the disease for two years.


    The doctor kindly suggested, ¡°Ms. Salotti, it¡¯s best to be hospitalized as soon as possible for


    treatment.¡±


    ¡°Will it work if I get hospitalized?¡± Izabe asked in a hoarse voice, seemingly talking to


    herself.


    The doctor didn¡¯t answer, only shaking his head in helplessness


    Izabe made the decision to forgo treatment. She hurriedly tucked the diagnosis papers


    into her purse and expressed gratitude to the doctor before departing from the room.


    As she stepped out of the hospital, rain began to fall. The fine droplets mingled with the


    chilly wind, piercing her face like sharp knives. Retrieving an umbre from her bag, she


    attempted to shield herself, but it proved inadequate in sheltering her from the biting cold.


    March¡¯s temperatures werent that bad, but Izabe¡¯s coldness came from within. Her fingers


    turned red and stiff as she held her umbre. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t


    warm up


    Lost in contemtion, Izabe strolled along, absentmindedly twirling the ring on her finger


    while fixating her gaze on the somber, overcast sky Spring had suddenly arrived, a time of


    rejuvenation and new beginnings. However, for her, this spring would bring the harrowing


    reality of death.


    Hailing a cab, Izabe folded her umbre and climbed inside. The driver inquired about her


    destination.


    ¡°Quiet Forest Estates,¡± she responded quietly.


    As they embarked on the journey, Izabe couldn¡¯t resist the urge to review her diagnosis


    papers once more. The disturbing images of her disfigured and afflicted stomach seemed


    surreal, yet their presence served as a constant reminder of the challenges she faced


    Her stomach cancer was caused by hunger. For the four years she was married to Brett


    Windham, she tried everything to please him, cooking his favorite dishes to win his heart.


    But he never wanted to share a meal with her. Instead of waiting for him, she had waited for


    stomach cancer


    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she inhaled deeply. She had always believed she had


    the strength to confront any challenge.


    However, today, her mask of resilience shattered. She huddled into a ball, her stomach


    convulsing, and she trembled and whimpered, overwhelmed by pain.


    The driver noticed her sobbing in the rearview mirror He¡¯d never seen someone cry so


    helplessly.


    Miss, what¡¯s wrong? Heartbreak? Job troubles?¡± When she didn¡¯t answer, he continued,


    ¡°Nothingsts forever. Cheer up Crying won¡¯t solve anything. Rest well tonight, and


    tomorrows a new day¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmured, surprised that a stranger hadforted her when she needed


    it.


    With a smile on his face, the driver arrived at Quiet Forest Estates. After paying the $28 fare.


    Izabe stepped out of the cab and discarded the torn¨Cup diagnosis.


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    Despite a chilling gust of wind brushing against her face, Izabe wiped away her tears and


    regained herposure. The mature woman reemerged, her eyes bloodshot and puffy, her


    complexion pale

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    Exhausted, Izabe climbed up the stairs and fumbled with her keys, unlocking the door with a half


    turn to the left. As soon as she entered, she could feel something was off, and her groggy brain


    instantly became alert


    She heard a voice talking on the phone through the door


    Brett was back


    Should she tell him about her stomach cancer? Would he care for her then?


    Izabe kept asking herself these questions, but by the time she realized it, shed already pushed


    the door open and saw Brett, pale faced, staring at her with a furious expression


    ¡°Where the hell have you been? Look how many times I tried to call you!¡±


    Hell? Sure, if going to the hospital for a blood test and gastroscopy is considered hell. After


    receiving the results, she felt like such a fool


    As she pondered the situation, tears welled up in Izabe¡¯s eyes However, Brett remained oblivious


    to her red eyes and instead gave her an using look for not answering his calls Izabelta retrieved


    her phone from her bag, its screen nk, and uttered, ¡°It¡¯s dead¡±


    She had two phones: one for work and another dedicated solely to waiting for Brett¡¯s calls. Her


    stomach had been in turmoil for the past few days, and in her pain, she had forgotten to charge the


    phone, resulting in missed calls from Brett on her way home.


    What¡¯s so urgent?¡± Without even thinking, she knew it had to be about Kaley


    Before she could finish her thought, Brett had grabbed her hand and started dragging her outside.


    ¡°Kaley¡¯s injured, lost a lot of blood. You have toe with me to the hospital¡±


    Of course, all of his concern was for Kaley Cot.


    Her heart was filled with bitterness


    Kaley had a severe coagtion disorder and a rare blood type, which happened to match Izab¡¯s


    izabe was soaked from the rain, her long hair sticking wetly to her back, her lips turning white,


    and her hands as cold as ice. Brett didn¡¯t notice any of this. Kaley¡¯s hospital was nearby. just a ten¨C


    minute walk away, but he was so anxious that he pulled Izabe into the back seat of the car


    While Brett drove, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, he caught a glimpse of Izabe¡¯s pallid


    complexion in the rearview mirror. His brows furrowed involuntarily. ¡°Why is your face so pale.


    almost ghostly?¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve finally noticed huh?¡±


    Izabe smirked, her throat feeling constricted as if a stone were lodged within it. She rolled down


    the car window and gazed at the pouring rain outside. Her body shivered from the cold, her breath


    forming icy fog, and her eyshes quivered


    Brett gave her an indifferent look and, seeing her silent, an inexplicable irritation rose within him.


    He felt that there was something off about Izabe today


    But after some thought, he figured Izabe¡¯s troubles had nothing to do with him, and he should be


    paying attention to Kaley¡¯s condition instead. With this in mind, he pressed down on the elerator,


    speeding up the car


    Upon reaching the hospital, Brett guided Izabe directly to the blood collection room, his icy gaze


    fixed on a nurse as he dered. Here she is.¡±


    A bitter smile tugged at Izabe¡¯s ips. Brett seemed to trust her blood more than he trusted her as a


    person. Didn¡¯t he fear that the cancer cells lurking within her could find their way into Kaley¡¯s body?


    Brett¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously as he firmly grasped Izabe¡¯s chin, his voice cold as ice. ¡°I just


    want to remind you not to forget our promise. Of course, you have the option to turn back now


    That¡¯s right¡­.she had made a promise to him.


    This was her debt to Brett


    One year ago, Kaley had an ident in A City, and due to not getting to the hospital in time, she


    lost a lot of blood and urgently needed RH¨Cnegative blood


    Desperate for help, Brett pleaded with Izabe for help


    And she agreed


    At the time, she said she wanted to marry him.


    The shock and disgust that lingered in Brett¡¯s eyes upon hearing those words remained etched in


    Izabe¡¯s memory.


    In that instant, she realized that peaceful coexistence with Brett was an impossible dream.


    She¡¯d never meant to take advantage of Brett¡¯s vulnerability and force him to marry her


    But this man was inherently dark, and he believed Izabe was coercing him


    Brett was born into the prestigious Windham family and had been superior since birth, with the


    capital to match his temper. He was used to having the best things in life and being the center of


    attention, so it was the first time someone had put pressure on him like that


    So when she saw Brett agree without hesitation, she was overjoyed. And she thought his


    agreement was genuine


    But thinking about it now, her h?rt ached from the bitterness What a ridiculous misunderstanding


    Unfortunately, Izabe newer expected that her little joke would backfire so quickly


    Now she was diagnosed with a terminal diness, and really it served her right!


    111 do it. Besides, n¡¯t this saving someone¡¯s life? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m volunteering ¡°Izabe gave a


    smallugh and sat down in the chair


    The nurse, witnessing the frailty and weakness of Izabe, a woman unlike any she had


    encountered before, focused on her pale wrist and gently inquired, ¡°Are you sure you can handle


    this?¡±


    Izabe nodded, her voice hoarse 11l be fine¡±


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    However, the nurse hesitated to proceed with the regr blood donation, noticing that the woman¡¯s


    hands were unnaturally cold, far below the normal body temperature.


    Right before Izabe passed out, she heard Brett ask the nurse, ¡®Is it enough?¡±


    How had Brett be so heartless over these years?


    When Izabe woke up again, she was alone in the hospital room

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    Her phone was dead, and she had no idea how long she had slept Looking outside the


    window, it was still pitch ck-


    trabe got up, put on her shoes, grabbed her bag, and left the room. As the walked by


    Kaley¡¯s room, she saw the slightly open door and couldn¡¯t help but stop


    Inside was Kaley, apanied by Izabe¡¯s husband in name, Brett


    Kaley possessed a pristine countenance that surpassed the confines of the hospital gown


    Her pure and elegant temperament radiated through, while her fairplexion entuated


    the brince of her almond shaped eyes Izabe couldn¡¯t help but contemte whether Brett


    was drawn to Kaley¡¯s innate innocence Comparing herself to Kaley, Izabe couldn¡¯t shake


    the feeling of being a malevolent force one that tore rtionships apart.


    She couldn¡¯t deny a tinge of jealousy at the attention Brett bestowed upon Kaley


    People who didn¡¯t know Brett thought he was naturally cold and aloof, but Izabe knew that


    he reserved all his tenderness for Kaley, not willing to share it with anyone else


    Of course, he used to be nice to Izabe a long time ago, but now, there was nothing left


    Her ¡°peeping¡± eventually caught the attention of the couple inside. Kaley nced at her,


    then shrank back and hid behind Brett


    Fear etched across her face, with red rimmed eyes that betrayed witnessing an unforgivable


    viin. Brett tenderly patted Kaley¡¯s shoulder, his gaze icy and unwavering as he locked


    eyes with Izabe Spotting her standing near the door, irritation welled up in his heart


    That irritation turned into undisguised disgust on his face, and he scolded her, ¡°What are


    you doing standing there?¡±


    Izabe stood at the door, looking at the sweet couple inside, and felt quite blinded by them


    She didn¡¯t want to watch, but she couldn¡¯t help herself. Because this was a side of Brett she


    had never seen before the Brett she longed for


    Tears blurred her vision, and a profound ache gripped Izabe¡¯s heart Brett positioned


    himself protectively in front of Kaley, his gaze filled with a mixture of emotions as he red


    at Izabe. Observing her pale and lifeless face, his brows furrowed in a disy of concern,


    anger, and perhaps even regret


    If you¡¯re awake, just go back¡± he uttered, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration


    Izabe hesitated for a moment, then asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Are youing back


    tonight?¡±


    Seeing the guardedness in Brett¡¯s expression, Izabe couldn¡¯t be bothered to exin. She


    couldn¡¯t understand what terrible thing she had done in these years that made Brett guard


    her as if she were a thief.


    No one would be so ironhearted Athough she did hinder him from being with Kaley, she had


    been taking care of Brett during their four years of marriage like a housekeeper.


    Though their marriage wasn¡¯t perfect, she never interfered with his rtionship with Kalny


    In the past, Brett used to engage in secret meetings with Kaley. However, after the Salotti


    family¡¯s fortune plummeted, she was no longer perceived as a threat by him


    Despite being aware of Brett¡¯s involvement with Kaley, Izabe chose not to confront him


    about it. But could she truly let it go? Absolutely not.


    Being with Brett had cost Izabe everything. She was battling stomach cancer, teetering on


    the brink of death, yet she still had to dedicate herself to helping others prolong ther lives.


    But who would consider extending a helping hand to her when her own life was hanging by a


    thread?


    Izabe¡¯s heart suddenly felt as if it were being pricked by countless needles. The pain


    spread through her blood vessels to every part of her body, even making her fingertips


    tremble


    Over the years, Izabe had grown ustomed to Brett¡¯s indifference and detachment.


    As she turned to leave, she heard Kaley¡¯s voice from inside the room


    is Izabe okay after losing so much blood? Her face looks awful.¡±


    ¡°Shell be fine, shes always had a strong body¡±


    Look, this was the man she loved Even his love rival could see that her face was not okay


    but he couldn¡¯t


    Brett was not an inattentive individual. He possessed a keen ability to spot issues at work


    and could immediately discern if something was amiss with Kaley However, when it came to


    Izabe, with whom he had spent six years, he disyed ack of patience and


    attentiveness.


    Taking a deep breath, Izabe made the difficult choice to depart without casting a backward


    nce. Outside, the rain intensified, pouring down heavily With her head bowed, she


    trudged along without an umbre Before long her clothes became saturated, and the biting


    cold permeated her bones. Her pallid lips became chapped, and her dampened, curled


    eyshes clung to droplets of water


    izabe fel dizzy from the cold and her stomachache. As she covered her stomach with her


    hand, she identally knocked the ring off her finger.


    Izabe stared nkly as the ring she had worn for four years lost its original luster, and the


    surface was covered in ck. She remembered when she had signed a marriage contract


    with Brett, and casually mentioned that there should at least be a ring


    Brett had bought one for 30 dors from a roadside stall and thrown it at her, sarcastically


    saying, ¡°Take it, you¡¯re only worth that much¡±


    In that moment, Izabe mustered a smile, although her eyes betrayed an indescribable


    sadness. The ring she held was too small, yet she persisted in slipping it onto her finger,


    enduring the difort and even the pain that apanied it. She clung to the


    determination of wearing it, oblivious to the fact that it caused her finger to bleed


    Back then, she stubbornly believed that the ring would eventually fit, but little did she


    anticipate that it would ultimately be loose, leaving her feeling a profound sense of


    emptiness


    Just like her rtionship with Brett,


    Izabe curled up in the pouring rain her stomach in turmoil and pain. She covered her


    mouth to suppress her gagging and tears streamed uncontrobly down her face


    The rain continued to fall, and one by one, passers by pulled out their umbres Izabe


    squatted on the ground, picked up the ring and pressed it to her chest. When her stomach


    pain subsided, she stood dp


    She looked like a ghost in the rain, bumping into a passer by in a daze. Realizing her


    mistake, she quickly apologized. The passer by was a young mother with her child. The


    woman held her childs hand and said gently. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡±


    The child, noticing Izabes tear¨Cstained eyes, looked up with innocence and asked in a


    gentle tone, ¡°Mydy, are you crying?¡±


    The woman, presumably the child¡¯s mother, affectionately patted the child¡¯s head, casting a


    apologetic nce towards Izabe, and quietly departed, walking away with her little one


    As they walked away, Izabe heard the kid ask his mom, ¡°Why was thedy crying? Was


    she scared and thats why shecried?¡±


    ¡°Adults don¡¯t get scared like that.


    The sound of rain drizzling drowned out the rest of their conversation


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    Izabe gently held her stomach, looked up, and forced the tears back in Scared? Of course,


    she was! She was terrified when she went to the hospital alone, when she had the


    endoscopy. when the doctor called her into the consultation room alone, and especially


    when they finally told her the terminal diagnosis, leaving her body feeling ice cold.


    But what Izabe feared even more was dying alone, with not a single person by her side

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    Izabe stumbled back, taking her 20 minutes to walk a 10 minutes distance. The vi didnt have


    heating on, making the spacious room as cold as death


    Izab kicked off her high heels, and like a drunk person, she staggered into the bathroom She


    turned on the hot water in the bathtub and let at fill halfway One moment she was standing firm and


    the next, she was like a corpse slumped in the tub Warm water spread around her, and there was


    no sound at all Her long red dress spread out, looking like a ring pool of blood, making trabe¡¯s


    face even paler-


    She closed her eyes and allowed her face to submerge in the water The suffocating sensation


    numbed her heart as the waterpletely covered her head, cutting off at her senses. When she


    couldn¡¯t hold back any longer, she involuntarily opened her mouth, and the warm water rushed in,


    causing a wave of nausea to wash over her


    Izabe forced open her bloodshot eyes and struggled to lift her head out of the water Her body


    hung over the edge of the bathtub, as if someone were tearing her insides apart. Numbly. she


    parted her lips and uncontrobly retched Having gone without food the entire day, all that came out


    was yellow bile, burning her throat and bringing tears to her eyes Eventually, Izabe rubbed her


    sore eyes and observed the mixture of blood and bile on the floor. A twisted smark formed on her


    lips, but her eyes reflected no humor¨Conly sadness and


    loneliness


    She removed her red dress and tossed it onto the bloody mess on the floor¨Cshe couldn¡¯t allow Brett


    to see the blood.


    As it got dark outside, Izabe walked back to the bedroom with her bare feet and copsed onto


    the bed. She couldn¡¯t sleep Even when she found out she was ill, she could still dream of the future.


    Now, no matter how hard she tried, everything seemed pointless


    It took her four years to lose everything she had. From liking someone to being so desperate that


    she couldn¡¯t even see a way out


    That day. It was as if she had cried out all the tears she had for her entire life. Izabe put her hand


    on her heart and bitterly mocked herself, ¡°My stomach is what¡¯s rotten, not my heart. So why does it


    hurt so bad?¡±


    Her phone suddenly vibrated in her bag Izabe propped herself up and rummaged through her bag


    to find it. When she saw the iing call information on the screen, she felt as if all her energy was


    drained


    It¡¯s not him. Izabe, what are you hoping for?


    Izabe stared at the phone for a brief moment, her fingers feeling rigid as she finally answered the


    call


    ¡°Presley,¡± she croaked, her voice hoarse and strained


    Presley Felton had been a childhood friend, someone who had grown up alongside her. Though not


    bound by blood, their bond was stronger than family Izabe had spent a significant portion of her


    life living with the Felton family, and to her, Presley was more like a brother than anything else


    In the phone. Presley asked with concern, ¡°Izabe, why is your voice so hoarse? Are you sick?¡±


    ¡°Just a little cold My voice got raspy after I took a nap¡­¡±


    Before Izabe could finish her sentence, Presley interrupted, Izabe, are you going to lie to me


    too? Did you forget I¡¯m a doctor? I can tell the difference between a voice that is hoarse from


    waking up and a voice hoarse from a cold and crying¡±


    She choked up, feeling a sharp stone lodged in her throat, grinding against the walls until it bled.


    She couldn¡¯t provide any exnation, only a bitterugh.


    Presley asked, ¡°Can you tell me why you cried, Izabe?¡±


    Izabe held the phone tightly, staring at the wooden floor No one likes to show others their


    vulnerable side, so she shook her head and said, ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    Presley hesitated, understanding Izabe¡¯s personality. To put it nicely, she was strong¨Cwilled, to


    put it bluntly, she was stubborn. If she didn¡¯t want to talk, you wouldn¡¯t get a word of truth


    out of her


    Presley could only change the subject. ¡°What were the results of your medical examination today?¡±


    Izabe pursed her chapped lips. ¡°Pretty good¡±


    Presley said ¡°You don¡¯t have to say it if you dont want to go to the hospital and look up your


    examination report myself. I¡¯m qualified to do that as a doctor¡±


    He was a doctor at that hospital, and finding the information would be a piece of cake for him


    Damn t


    ¡°Will you tell me or do you want me to find out on my own? The choice is yours ¡°He continued to


    push her


    The phone fell silent, so quiet that she could hear his breathing Izabe finally gave in. ¡°Cancer Late


    stage stomach cancer¡±


    Presley was speechless


    On the other end, he seemed to be holding back, as messy breaths kepting through the call


    ¡°How is that possible you¡¯re so young. Presley murmured to himself, his voice bing choked up


    Despite the distance. Izabe could feel his sadness. He was heartbroken for her. Having someone


    care about her before her death made her feel content


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    ¡°Come back to the hospital, and I do a re¨Cexamination.


    Izabe refused, ¡°No matter how many times I¡¯m checked, the result will be the same Presley, I


    know my own body. Maybe this is just karma¡­


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about! Izabe, listen to me. Check in and get treated. You will be


    fine.¡± Presley¡¯s voice wasced with sorrow As a doctor specializing in this field, he knew how


    severe this sickness was and how much pain it caused


    How could Izabe have let it get to this point?


    Presley wasnt sure how tofort Izabe. Sometimes it wasn¡¯t about her wanting to live or die,


    but rather how much time she had left. She was running out of time, and the hospital only had two


    suggestions either stay at the hospital and prolong her life by a few years or give up treatment and


    lette take its course. Either way, she was dying


    Tzabe, you should get a divorce from Brett. Look at the four years you have been together¨Che


    has tormented you to this point¡±


    T


    Divorce Izab had never thought about divorce. To her, he was her everything the light she


    wanted to hold onto throughout her life. But how could she ever hold onto the light?


    Izabe groped the phone tightly She finally replied with great difficulty. ¡°I will think about it¡±


    Divorcing Brett was as hard as tearing a piece of flesh from her chest


    Presley insisted that she vist the hospital again the following day, but Izabe¡¯s agreement was


    tepid at best. As the CEO of the Salotti Group, her responsibilities extended far beyond being


    Brett¡¯s wife


    Human endurance is akin to that of a camel, capable of carrying heavy burdens under immense


    pressure. However, the camel often sumbs to its demise due to the weight of just one


    additional straw


    After ending the call, Izabe nonchntly tossed her phone onto the nightstand Her stomach


    throbbed with pain, and it seemed unlikely that she would find sleep easily that night. She opened


    the drawer and retrieved two bottles of pilis ¨C one for pain relief and one for sleep Swallowing two of


    each, she copsed onto the bed, seeking sce in slumber


    Shewasnt sure if the pills were working, but her mind started to be muddled and she had


    frequent nightmares. A heavy pressure on her chest made it difficult for her to breathe. Shaking her


    head, she mumbled incoherently When she finally struggled to wake up, she suddenly realized that


    Brett was the one on top of her

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    Bragg off a chybe, just a few centimeters away tab make up ma camat Facing his menacing


    gum, sta Adilink whem to book


    Suddenly, a wek?rtnes ?nger pinched her che, facing her to korik de ath pure theken dat


    ¡°Howe you¡¯te back?


    Terbakat i want to Do i need to report to you? bem held her wrist buffy a hot any


    Feeling the woman¡¯s body lense un, izab mas Rutiered the was afraid of then made oftum. The


    gentle and refined Brett of her memories was dowly Tading


    Trabel you dispuit me pur face and body maka ma sick trab den 1 de sarw anything better and 1


    karmadik a pnca mat matted on her


    Her body grew rigid, and she clip hand her teeth no lights that her far e arvantpas under the


    Labdand ighting devoid of any trace of blood


    She should ham grown ustomed 10 kun derogatory worths is new. but lore negic abe


    reason, her heart stil therated with pan, as if it were being gradual, crushed


    Bhatt kakaom. came home only staying a while before ingang like he was merely Tuting his ¡®imantai


    duties¡± with her


    Tuda Karat mured he thould have been apanying her in the hospital, but now he appeared in


    her bedroom in the middle of the night


    Thenkung ve kabe understood that he probatik had i ; neefact with Ky Otherwise, why would


    he bother with he


    Hunan Isbe sangt didn 1 postes i tha anergy to confront han That Evening Trang an opportunity


    to escape, she attempted to sip away but before the coud fully straighten herself, he seized from


    behind


    ¡°Ame? A madden kange of pan Lowered thebagh her abdomen causing her body to convite with


    excruciating agony ¡°Brett, it¡¯ste please


    Unaware of what hall prowaved ham, his expressLE PRA P?n more menacing as darkness


    enveloped them. He force luty grabbed her hand and gretted herce is the ploa


    Tab 1150 pelen¨»ng to be mocent ny forced ma into manage, and now you¡¯re not waiting to fuck


    7¡±


    The wenght of his harit eredi bes ante undearate for Cat, causing her breathing to temble. The


    grond up at the ceding, tears welling up in her eyes and eventually traking the pilon


    The was the man she had kanget to marh, and his cruel morti e fated deep wound upon ter


    Wheting her teary eyes. Brett¡¯s heat tightened momentank, However annoence overcame him,


    leading him to remove his necktie and gr?terngeven tighter


    kab bed to endure the pan from her stomach cance, forcing down the blood in her throat a 15 her


    tongue against her teeth.


    dirett can bet cut up in the bedang iar a cat, shvvenng philA


    He id never maly cared or past attention to bat, har heath had always been good 9e could workte


    and still be on time for work. the next day he dnever seen her sick, throughout their time together.


    Hem kong Kard meist on the bed, her sender back, arcting like a butterfy about to spread ti wnos


    He couldnt must touching her As his fingert barely touched ferskum the botted away ike a frontened


    animal A. fash of ruthlessness crossed his eps, in lunating hon even more


    fuckers, beli lelf an nespicable rage that he didn T know how to qurt


    iwe refused to admit that bab caused the ja etictions and instead thought of Kaley Recating


    Kaley asking when he and trabe would divorce in the holodal, ha mood plummeted.


    Getting his teeth, he wondered what about (zab was worth highting with Kakey for


    izab hupand ber?et like a frightened turtle, instinctively trying to protect herjet. She felt so cold,


    even with the arcon and nket on, but still couldn¡¯t shake the chil


    it was as ¨¦ something hud i lord through her heart, the wound infecting and rotting her mudes


    She had always been able to hande pan, twalowing even broken teeth, but this time she couldn?


    beant. As soon as the thought of divorce pock eater it branched out of contrat


    When she had the strength, she¡¯d discuss the dhore with Brett. She was dyng, and there was no


    time to please hum prymore


    As Cab was about to paid out from stomach pain, she caught thest thing Brett xad


    Tidde Tatil need you, do you think 13 give a damni about you?


    By the time the woke up. Brett was long gone Weakly the propped herjet up the nket sk?ng off of


    her


    Gaming out of bed her he waspur and a fleeting moment of dad ness overtook her Izab stumbed


    to the bathroom, staring at herself in the martor


    r?er body appeared otful and even she couldn¡¯t here but feel sorry for herself. Despite everything


    her heart stil overflowed with love for Brett. She had spent four years trying to please him, but in the


    end he chose to leave.


    only putting in effort guaranteed love


    She washed her face and brushed her teeth, feeling the intended pan in her throat from the


    previous night. As the brushed her thinat spasmed, and she gapped spitting out loamy bood


    tab had gired a reputation for her adaptability even when d came to vomiting blood. She tumed


    on the faucet and washed the bloody foam away down the drun


    by me time she was done, f?st aready 730am She couldn¡¯t eat anything but forced down some


    sum m¨¢ before heading to the office


    At work, she went through documents checking The Saion. Group i profits over the past few


    months. The data showed a decree, and she could already foresee the group¡¯s downfall.


    Kab krem but brett was secretly sabotiang The Saxon Group to take sevenge on her he was


    mentless e setting scores.


    Brett i aggmicae approach had alwach started affecting The Suors Group is position in the business


    wond within a few years


    She couldn t ever Pupe to outdo hum


    The cunning methods that ?ven empoyed were beyond her no me how much she tried to leam


    After beinting the dic¨¹menia tab leaned back in her chat picked up the cold coffee on the table


    and took a sp. The bitter taster of the coffee slowly disolved the sweetness in her throat


    Sab stood up and naked over to the window, looking at mye skyscrapers in front of her was time


    to prepare for atat a quida atr?r h?r gerath


    Who would be capable of overseeing the Salom Group, a colossalpany that had been but


    through decades of less effort once she was no longer there?


    Her father Her brother? Both of them were ipetent individuals Entrusting the fate of the Salotti


    Grove to the hands would undoubtedly lead to its bankruptcy within a few short jeans.


    After Thunding it through tab realed that the most rutable person to tak over the Suit Group mai


    actualy her legal husband. Brett, who was hell¨Cbent on bringing the Salt Group down,


    sab¡¯s face was weleden a shadow of mnchory She raised her left hand and pressed it against


    the chilly window her fingertips growing pale as she tapped on the grass in arhythmic patter


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    The office was enveloped in ulence, intensityng the curry of the gente tapping sound Such momenti,


    alene Izab¡¯s mand wandered were care the found sce in spacing out, immersing herself in a


    transient absence as if it were the only way to momentarily escape the pan malty


    The phone on the desk suddenly began to vibrate Daleka snapped back to maity and louand pan.


    Even from the meters away, she could it clearly see the word ¡°Dauf on the screen.


    Dal intudtam teen are of the closest and warmest words. But for pracetam was just a cod title the


    waked over and answeed the cal


    tual, transfer two million to my ount¡± Alun Salom¨¦s exe mai sightly deep and matiemt


    jakarta s grasp on the phone grew tighter as the confortea her father,  money Die col leason


    you¡¯re cating me. Dad


    n¡¯s tone camed a teen of andatence. ¡®It¡¯s only natural for a daughter is pronde financial support


    to her father. If you werent in control of the Saxutti family do you think I gould even consider asking


    you for money? If you¡¯re unwilling to give me the fundja, than jangly transfer the Saketi


    krab found stuck in the word daughter considering it a small maach that her father still


    acknowledijed het as his child and not just an emotionless ATM machine


    ?se remembered that she was his daughter Lut aby doje the even care about her? ?le dental?


    much, just for han to ask her sume ordinary questions like if she took good care of fieriet, Now her


    heath was, or if work was too tiring. She was easy topikase kota ifta bit of


    cut care would do


    Did you hear me? An acorded on the other and of the phone


    Und suppressedler muturi. Tide liant transfer you a millionst week? It¡¯s only been a lea day,


    han pos vied 1 al up aknad,¡±


    Alfa


    Twin


    oftast contemted the amount of money involved However, the thought of tabe being in control


    of such a massivepany generating millions in in venue on certain dayi, bollered mi confidence


    money auckly or 18 personallye to yourpany and demand it. Let¡¯s see anore reputation all


    suffer,¡± n threatened a hutofagperson in his voice


    11 pa yu De money but only if you tell me from you pan fut une e Cab nadled


    Wiesing bs widegress toprime kauntan subsided suna what. There¡¯s an munitment project


    far been eyeing mcently and fe past two million short. Once (eum money bum that writure, (wont


    ask you for any further assistance¡® terpated

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    Investment project?¡± Izabe frowned. If he really had that kind of business mind, her grandpa


    wouldn¡¯t have handed the Salotti Group over to her.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡®Just send the money over, I need it urgently¡±


    ¡°I can give you the money, but you have to send me the project documents so I can take a look,¡±


    Izabe said


    What kind of dad takes orders from his daughter like this? n felt humiliated and cursed at


    Izabe over the phone, calling her a useless daughter and saying that she should have been


    aborted. After some harsh words, he tried to y the victim.


    These good cop, bad cop tactics were nothing new to Izabe. After listening, she simply replied,


    ¡°Anything else you want to say? I¡¯m busy here, so I¡¯m hanging up if there¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t hang up, I¡¯m sending it to you!¡± n quickly stopped her, afraid she would change her


    mind.


    After hanging up, Izabe waited for the files n sent. When they arrived, she forwarded them to


    her assistant to print out a copy and make her a cup of coffee in the meantime.


    When the documents were delivered, Izabe scanned through them until a steaming cup of coffee


    was ced on her desk. The coffee¡¯s rich aromal filled the air, but even the high¨Cquality taste


    couldn¡¯t mask its bitterness.


    She had a sweet tooth and used to need a sugar cube just to take a pill. Now she relied on bitter


    coffee to stay awake and focused.


    Taking a sip before continuing to review the documents, Izabe found n had invested in a real


    estate project. It seemed legit at first nce, with detailed ns, certificates, and a reliable team.


    But not even half an hourter, n called to hurry her for the money.


    Her assistant knocked on the door, and Izabe multitasked, one ear on the phone and the other


    giving instructions to her assistant.


    ¡°Ms. Salotti, Dr. Felton is downstairs looking for you.¡±


    Why is Presley here? Izabe hurriedly replied and hung up the call, her mind now focused on the


    unexpected visitor.


    ¡°Bring him up, and have someone make tea for us.¡±


    While her assistant fetched Presley, Izabe transferred two million dors into n¡¯s ount. She


    stared at her phone, waiting for a word of thanks from her dad, but never came. She mockingly


    laughed and tossed the phone onto her desk.


    ¡°Ms. Salotti, Dr. Felton is here,¡± the assistant announced, and Izabe ushered her out of the office


    as Presley entered,


    ¡°Sit over here.¡± Izabe led Presley to the cozy seating area near the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows.


    As soon as he walked in, Presley smelled the strong coffee aroma and looked at the half¨Cfinished


    cup, frowning. ¡°Why are you still drinking coffee?¡±


    ¡°Am I not allowed?¡± Izabe pushed a cup of tea towards him, asking casually. ¡°What¡¯s the matter


    today?¡±


    Presley sat down. ¡°It looks like you¡¯vepletely forgotten what I told youst night.¡±


    Izabe¡¯s outstretched hand froze, and she quietly sat back on the sofa, head hanging like a child


    who had done something wrong.


    ¡°You have to go to the hospital with me today, no matter what


    Ignoring Presley, Izabe continued staring at the withered nt. ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°A thorough examination, to determine a treatment n, and to be hospitalized.¡±


    Presley studied Izabe closely, unable to imagine how someone who used to be afraid of


    injections could endure stomach cancer pain.


    Izabe shook her head. ¡°Presley, my disease is like this nt, its roots are rotten, no treatment will


    work.¡±


    ¡°Be, without trying, how can you know it won¡¯t work? You can work day and night and spend four


    years trying to please a man who doesn¡¯t love you. Why not spend a little time on your health?¡±


    Presley felt it was a waste that Izabe, who wasn¡¯t even 24 years old, neglected her health.


    Izabe yearned to be brimming with witality, enjoying the best moments of life, and free from the


    shackles of ackluster marriage and the torment of


    cancer.


    Presley affectionately patted her head, reminiscent of their past. ¡°With the advancements in medical


    science today, as long as you don¡¯t give up and undergo treatment and surgery, there may be¡­¡±


    His words trailed off as he noticed the reddening of Izabe¡¯s eyes


    Stroking the withered leaves, Izabe whispered, ¡°So, tell me, what is the sess rate of the


    surgery? Is it 50%, 20%, or perhaps a mere 0.1%?¡± Presley remained silent, his lips pursed in


    solemn contemtion.


    ¡°Forget it,¡± Izabe forced a crooked smile, that shred of hope isn¡¯t worth it.¡±


    She understood what Presley meant. Who wouldn¡¯t want to live and have a healthy body? But she


    had never heard of anyone survivingte¨Cstage stomach cancer¡­


    Izabe clenched her hand, crushing the dry leaves which fluttered to the ground through her


    fingers.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    Izabe¡¯s eyes appeared lifeless, devoid of any flicker of hope, and this deeply unsettled Presley


    ¡®Be, don¡¯t you have any aspirations?¡± he asked, concerned


    1 do,¡± Izabe replied, her tone turning cold. She instinctively covered her eyes with her hand, only


    to realize that tears were streaming down her face. ¡®Presley, what have I not experienced in life?


    Besides not being able to see my mom, I have wealth, power, and even the guy I¡¯ve had a crush on


    for years right beside me,¡± shemented What she longed for always seemed within her grasp, yet


    remained just out of reach, an elusive dream.


    Izabe obviously did not want to continue this conversation and turned her attention back to her


    computer. Presley¡¯s visit seemed to have no effect. Her heart was locked, and nobody could enter.


    ¡®Does Brett know you¡¯re sick?¡±


    ¡®He doesn¡¯t And I don¡¯t want him to know.¡± Regardless of her health, she¡¯s always been proud. She


    would never use her sickness to get pity, especially from Brett who might not even feel sorry for


    her.


    Presley sighed, opened his bag, and took out two bottles of medicine, one for pain relief and one for


    cancer treatment. ¡°Quit the coffee, take your meds, and eat on time¡­¡±


    With a bunch of reminders, Presley took a deep breath and left.


    Jpon the sound of the closing door, Izabe looked at the two bottles of medicine on the table and


    then checked her phone, only to find that there were no messages besides those rted to work.


    Brett had been absent from home for two weeks straight. Izabe was gradually letting go of old


    habits, such as leaving the light on or cooking for him. However, she couldn¡¯t resist the urge to


    check her phone every night.


    She had hoped to rid herself of her feelings for Brett all at once, but love was like a venomous weed


    that had deeply rooted itself within her bones. It was terrifying, and just when she believed she


    could sever it, it had already grown into a towering tree, casting a dark shadow over her entire life.


    In her contacts list, only one name remained: Brett. She hesitated for a moment, then pressed it.


    She called three times in a row, but no one answered. She wasn¡¯t disappointed, except for feeling a


    bit numb.


    Not giving up, Izabe called again, persisting like never before since their marriage.


    After a long series of beeps, maybe the fourth call finally annoyed him, and Brett picked up.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    His cold and ruthless tone reached Izabe¡¯s ears.


    At least the absence ofmunication for seventeen days came with the benefit of emotional


    stability, as she didn¡¯t break down in tears at the sound of


    Brett¡¯s voice.


    Her voice came out hoarse, ¡°Can you spare some time toe home this weekend?¡±


    ¡°Why, are you that desperate to be around me? Izabe, you¡¯re such a bitch¡±


    Izabe stiffened.


    The one who loves first and loves the deepest is never equal in the rtionship. And Brett never


    loved her, so she remained at his mercy.


    Enduring, she replied, ¡°I have something important to talk to you about, something you¡¯ve always


    wanted. Are you sure you won¡¯t return?¡±


    Brett didn¡¯t respond, but instead, faint noises and Kaley¡¯s gentle voice came through the phone.


    Izabe couldn¡¯t make out what she was saying, but she heard Brett soothing her.


    What if the window was left open? Why else would she feel so cold right now?


    Suddenly, Izabe felt a suffocating chest pain, as if she was a fish gasping for air on the shore,


    close to death.


    A muffled groan emerged from her throat, along with a mouthful of blood.


    Finally, Brett answered, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    Swallowing the blood, Izabe tried to sound nonchnt, ¡°Brett, if I told you I was dying, would it


    make you feel even a little bit sorry for me?¡±


    ¡°Heh,¡± Brett scoffed, his voice indifferent. ¡°Izabe, what game are you ying now? I know your


    body inside out. What could you possibly have? Is it just your imagination or some sort of


    neurosis?¡±


    Her heart felt like it had been brutally carved out, the pain intensifying. Was he really aware of her


    condition? Perhaps her paleness was merely insignificant to him. But she was indeed neurotic to


    have clung to him for sixteen years.


    Before Izabe could speak, Kaley couldn¡¯t help but interject, ¡°Brett, Izabe misses you. Just go


    home and see her¡±


    She heard Kaley loud and clear, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach How stupid she was to even


    ask such a question in the first ce.


    She realized that for the past half month, Brett had been busy having fun with Kaley and had no


    time for her, the cast¨Coff wife.


    Laughing bitterly, memories of the past four years swirled around her, but theughter didn¡¯t reach


    her eyes.


    Izabe didn¡¯t know when the call ended. Holding her phone, her hand went numb, and she ced


    the ck screen down.


    Taking a deep breath, blood trickled down from the corner of her mouth. She wiped it away with her


    hand, which was now covered in the sticky substance that felt so ufortable. But she didn¡¯t care


    and sent a text to Brett with her blood¨Ccoated hand


    ¡°Let¡¯s get a divorce.¡±

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    Izabe had been waiting for almost half an hour but still didn¡¯t get a reply from Brett. She checked


    the time, and at this point, he probably wasn¡¯t gonna reply anymore.


    The dried blood on her hands was sticky and unpleasant, so Izabe mustered her strength to wash


    it off in the bathroom. The cold water just made her


    feel chillier inside.


    Back in her room, she quickly made a cup of hot water and took painkillers and anticancer


    medication. Presley gave her potent painkillers that contained anesthetics, which her body only


    used when she couldn¡¯t stand the pain anymore. Taking too much of those would cause


    dependence and nerve problems.


    She took out all the pills and threw them into a regr container, which went in a drawer. As for


    Brett, it¡¯s not like they¡¯ve known each other for 16 years, been together for 6, and married for 4.


    There was nothing to feel attached to.


    Izabe woke up when the sky was slightly bright, she didn¡¯t likezing around in bed. She called


    herwyer immediately and asked him to draft a divorce agreement between her and Brett.


    When Mr. Collins heard about the divorce, he was shocked and puzzled but didn¡¯t ask too much.


    They just talked briefly about the contents of the divorce agreement, such as property distribution.


    These details were best handled in person, so Izabe asked hesitantly. ¡°Mr. Collins, are you


    avable today?¡±


    Mr. Collins said, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Izabe asked, ¡°Could youe over here so we can discuss this in detail?¡±


    Mr. Collins agreed, ¡°Sure, let me pack up and I¡¯ll be right over.¡±


    Mr. Collins was the Legal Director for The Salotti Group, so Izabe trusted him wholeheartedly. In


    addition to dealing with the divorce agreement, Izabe also needed to address her will with him.


    She shared her address with him and then settled down at her dressing table. Even though she had


    no ns to go out, she had a habit of applying makeup to make her paleplexion appear more


    lively


    As she gazed at her vibrant reflection in the mirror, Izabe smiled. Despite the challenges of today,


    she found sce in the knowledge that tomorrow would still be there, offering new possibilities.


    Worried that Mr. Collins didn¡¯t have breakfast, Izabe made two servings. However, just after nine


    in the morning, the doorbell rang.


    While taking off her apron and hanging it by the wall, she opened the door to see none other than


    Mr. Collins.


    ¡°Ms. Salotti.¡±


    ¡°Come on in. Have you eaten?¡± Izabe asked.


    Mr. Collins followed her inside and replied, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Feeling awkward about eating breakfast herself, Izabe quickly drank a ss of milk before joining


    Mr. Collins in the living room with a cup of tea.


    He wasn¡¯t one to beat around the bush, so after sitting down, Mr. Collins took


    out hisptop and began to discuss the matter. When he heard that Izabe wanted to transfer a


    large portion of The Salotti Group¡¯s shares to Brett, he couldn¡¯t help but look surprised, and his


    typing fingers paused


    *Ms. Salotti, you need to think this through. The Salotti Group is your premarital property, and your


    husband isn¡¯t entitled to it.


    He had seen many ugly divorces fought over splitting up assets, but this is the first time he had


    witnessed someone giving away premarital assets so willingly


    Moreover, this involves a multi¨Cbillion¨Cdor corporation, not to mention the Salotti Group¡¯s other


    shareholders. Just considering her father, it would be impossible to get his approval. If he found out


    she divided thepany in a divorce, it would likely cause an uproar.


    ¡°I know, that¡¯s why I need to discuss with you about my will¡­¡± Izabe¡¯s words were cut off by the


    sudden ringing of the doorbell, causing her to rise and answer the door.


    ¡°Just a moment, I need to answer the door.¡±


    As the door swung open, a dark figure unexpectedly filled her view, followed by an unnerving chill.


    Izabe instinctively stepped back.


    Looking up at Brett, Izabe asked, ¡°What brings you back here?¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who asked me toe?¡± Brett¡¯s eyes seemed somewhat bloodshot, and his


    natural aura of authority was imposing.


    Brett pushed the door wide open and strode into the room, ¡°What was that text you sent mest


    night?¡±


    Izabe blinked, then smirked. So it was about the divorce, she thought. Look at the man who was


    insulting her justst night, not wanting toe back. Hearing about the divorce, he rushed back so


    early How desperate he must be.


    Hearing her ambiguousugh, Brett frowned, scanning the room. Upon noticing a pair of men¡¯s


    shoes next to the shoe rack, a dangerous glint shed across his eyes


    Brett, who was already in a bad mood, felt a surge of anger. He had always had a short temper, and


    he never held back when he was upset.


    He grabbed Izabe¡¯s wrist, shifting his gaze from the shoes on the floor to her face. Seeing her still


    in makeup, the smirk on his lips became colder, ¡°So, you¡¯re suddenly asking for a divorce because


    you¡¯ve cheated me?¡±


    Izabe¡¯s heart tightened, ¡°Brett, what nonsense are you talking about?¡±


    *You asked me toe back tomorrow because you have a man over today, don¡¯t you?¡± Brett


    entered the living room, the chill in his eyes Izabe¡¯s breath away


    taking


    I didn¡¯t¡­¡°Izabe didn¡¯t understand why Brett would look at her like this, making her feel uneasy


    and scared. She felt so frightened that she was stiff, feeling as though the air was being sucked out


    of her lungs.


    Brett hated betrayal more than anything else, even if the woman wasn¡¯t one he loved. If she was


    his, even if discarded, she was still his and no one else could touch.


    Thinking about Izabe sneaking a man into their home made his blood boil.


    Hearing themotion, Mr. Collins rushed out and grabbed Brett¡¯s shoulder. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Mr. Windham, what is going on?¡±


    Brett turned to him, ¡°Are you Izabe¡¯s lover?¡±


    On hearing this, Mr. Collins realized that Brett had misunderstood, and quickly exined, ¡°No,


    you¡¯re mistaken. I¡¯m here today only to draft the divorce agreement between you and Ms. Salotti


    Worrying Brett might not believe him, he quickly handed over his business card.


    Brett loosened his grip, Izabe gasped for air, huddling trembling on the sofa.


    Mr. Collins breathed a sigh of relief when he saw him let go, and bravely asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you talk


    to Ms. Salotti about the divorce property division first, Mr. Windham?¡±


    As soon as he heard the word ¡°divorce¡°, Brett¡¯s aura turned cold again, and the bizarre mood even


    caught him off guard, not knowing why he was mad.


    Mr. Collins felt his legs go weak under the icy stare and didn¡¯t dare to move his eyes, awkwardly


    standing on the spot, not knowing whether to stay or leave.


    It wasn¡¯t until Brett muttered ¡°Get out that he quickly turned around and left, not even caring about


    theputer he had left in the reception room.


    Izabe¡¯s physical condition was not as good as before, and it took her a while to catch her breath.


    Only then did she realize that she was really sick. She had been threatened and thrown onto the


    sofa by Brett before, but it hadn¡¯t been as unbearable as now, leaving her powerless for a longer


    while.


    ¡°Brett, were you trying to kill me just now?¡±

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    Izabe had seen Brett angry before, but he always seemed cold even when mad. She¡¯d never


    imagined him being so pissed off like he was today.


    Why was Brett so furious? Was it because of the divorce? Or did he think she had betrayed him?


    Brett didn¡¯t answer her. He leaned back on the sofa, ring at Izabe who looked quite pathetic


    with her red, teary eyes


    ¡°Why suddenly bring up divorce?¡±


    The way he camed himself and the tone of his voice suggested that she was the one at fault


    Izabe struggled to suppress herughter With considerable effort, she sat up and said, ¡°Brett,


    haven¡¯t you always desired a divorce so that you could be with Kaley without any obstacles? I am


    now granting you that wish, so why the reluctance on your face?¡±


    ¡°I asked you why you want a divorce¡± Brett reiterated, his voiceden with weight


    ¡°What else could it be? I¡¯m tired of this mamage. I don¡¯t like you anymore Are those reasons


    enough? Izabe¡¯s eyes were frighteningly red, maybe from crying earlier


    She stared at Brett fearlessly, as if trying to see through the skin to his heart What was it made of


    that she could never have it?


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Izabeughed mockingly. ¡°If you think these reasons aren¡¯t enough, then just assume it¡¯s as you


    think¡±


    What he thought, what could it be? Surely he suspected that Izabe was cheating since she


    suddenly didn¡¯t love him anymore?


    Brett didn¡¯t care about her feelings, but he knew what she felt for him. Now that she said she no


    longer cared, he felt empty, as if something was missing.


    Brett¡¯s gaze turned dark, his anger reignited His eyes grew red as he spoke, ¡°Izabe, it appears


    you¡¯ve been quite busy during my absence. Divorce is merely a facade, while having an affair is the


    harsh truth. Thatwyer you met today must be one of them, am I right?¡±


    Brett looked down on her, his eyes filled with contempt.


    Izabe felt sick to her stomach due to his oppressive aura. While gentle, she wouldn¡¯t take


    everything lying down. Brett¡¯s words made her chest churn with anger, that breath nearly crushing


    her ribcage


    ¡°You¡¯re right! So, what?¡± Izabe clenched her teeth, scoffing sarcastically, ¡°Oh, so only you can


    have an affair and I can¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Say that again, I dare you!¡±


    Izabe closed her eyes, she didn¡¯t want to waste any more of her remaining life on Brett.


    ¡°Brett, four years are long enough. I don¡¯t have another four years to spend on you. I cant wait any


    longer¡±


    Brett was taken aback by Izabe¡¯s words, perceiving them as the desperate plea of a dying


    person. He couldn¡¯tprehend their meaning and responded with a sneer. ¡°So now that I¡¯ve


    discovered your little schemes, you want to be with your lovers? Izabe, you¡¯re the one who


    coerced me into marrying you. There¡¯s no way you¡¯ll obtain a divorce so easily¡°¡±


    Coerced? Wasn¡¯t it Brett who had proposed to her in the first ce?


    Izabe found the situation rather amusing. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll provide you with a fair divorce


    settlement. I won¡¯t let you suffer any losses.¡±


    But did he even care about the settlement? The daily profits of the Windham Group far surpassed


    those of the Salotti Group. Even if Izabe handed over the entire Salotti family fortune, it would


    barely register for him. He had always taken what he desired by force, never relying on anyone to


    simply hand it to him


    Brettughed coldly, his anger once again directed at Izabe


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Izabe knew what would happen next with this movement


    Brett bent down to kiss her neck, biting her Izabe gasped, tears streaming from the pain.


    Brett chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re making such a fuss Isn¡¯t this to keep me here with you?¡±


    Izabe retorted, ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you to stay I just want a divorce.¡±


    Brett didn¡¯t like hearing the word ¡°divorce He bent closer to silence her with a kiss.


    Tears kept rolling down Izabe¡¯s cheeks. She bit Brett in the mouth, tasting blood Brett slightly


    furrowed his brows but didn¡¯t let go.


    Feeling nauseated by the blood in her mouth, Izabe was afraid she might vomit.


    Unaware of Izabe¡¯s distress, Brett remained consumed by thoughts of her alleged infidelity. He


    seethed with a fury akin to a ravenous beast, driven to consume the woman he deemed


    despicable.


    Mercy had never been in Brett¡¯s repertoire when it came to Izabe. Instead, her tears only served


    to further stoke his anger, transforming him into a demonic force from the depths of hell


    Retracting his lips, Brett tenderly blushed his fingers against her disheveled hair before gripping her


    jaw with a merciless grip. His voice dripped with coldness as he inquired, ¡°Does it hurt? Do you still


    crave other men?¡±


    Izabe¡¯s eyes were red and watery Dazed and distant, it was like she hadn¡¯t heard Brett¡¯s words.


    Brett gently brust fover her eyes, his voice deep, ¡°Don¡¯t have any thoughts you shouldn¡¯t have in the


    future.¡±


    ¡°Brett, am I overthinking or are you? Izabe choked, sobbed, and asked.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you very fond of Kaley? Then divorce me and give her a status! Or you¡¯ve fallen in love with


    me?¡±


    Brett scoffed, ¡°Izabe, I don¡¯t divorce you only because of the blood in your body. You really think I


    can put you in my heart? Stop dreaming!¡±


    Feeling dead inside happened in an instant Izabe had once taken this marriage seriously, but it


    was Brett who ruined her sixteen years of love and trampled her heart in


    the mud. At first, she was a bit hesitant to let go, but now Izabe just wants to divorce Brett ASAP


    it¡¯s not like she can¡¯t live without him

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    Izabe¡¯s lips turned pale, and after saying a series of words, her body seemed to have some


    difficulty. She mechanically tidied up her clothes


    ¡°Brett, we could have ended this marriage peacefully, but since you don¡¯t want to, Ill have to sue


    you See you in court¡±


    Izabe was really a lough woman who could recover quickly after being bullied. For the first time,


    Brett didn¡¯t know where to begin to break such a person.


    As the saying goes, a person who has been hurt a lot will remember the pain and won¡¯t make the


    same mistake again.


    Izabe found the courage to challenge Brett now, knowing that she had the support of the Salotti


    Group. Without that backing, she believed she would be left in a dire situation, worse off than a


    mere dog


    Initially, Brett hadn¡¯t been interested in acquiring the Salotti Group. However, as he contemted


    the situation, he realized that the sooner he took over the Salotti Group and drove the Salotti family


    into bankruptcy, the sooner he could exert control over Izabe and force her obedience.


    Brett attributed this desire for control to his deep¨Cseated hatred for Izabe. He didn¡¯t want to grant


    her a divorce simply because he refused to fulfill her wishes.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you learn your lesson?¡± After saying that, Brett grabbed Izabe¡¯s hand and pulled her


    up.


    Her body was light like a feather, holding her felt like holding a piece of feather. It was not the


    weight a tall woman should have.


    Izabe was caught off guard, ¡°Let me go, I can walk by myself!¡±


    Of course, the man wouldn¡¯t listen to her, instead, he held her waist more tightly and strode towards


    the bedroom.


    Izabe lowered her head, tightened her lips, and clenched her fists, trembling


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    Brett opened the drawer, which contained all kinds of things. His gaze casually swept past a ss


    bottle containing medicine and didn¡¯t pay attention to it.


    ¡°I see you¡¯re in good spirits. You can stay here for three days¡±


    The man¡¯s cold words without any emotion made Izabe shiver. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was


    hearing.


    ¡°Three days? What do you mean?¡±


    Brett wasn¡¯t kidding. His cold eyes nced at her, then turned and walked away.


    Ignoring her pain, Izabe rolled off the bed and followed Brett with an urgent pace.


    However, her severely ill body couldn¡¯tpare to Brett¡¯s. The door in front of her closed with a


    ¡°bang!¡± and the entire wall seemed to shake.


    Izabe felt as if she had fallen into the freezing cold waters, her pores contracted, and she couldn¡¯t


    help but shiver


    Brett stood outside the room, his gaze piercing the closed door as if he could see Izabe¡¯s face


    through it. A sneer formed on his lips. He had made up his mind to create an unforgettable memory


    for her.


    Suddenly, a deep fear gripped Izabe that he would simply walk away without a second thought.


    She pounded on the door, unsure if Brett was still on the other side since the room was


    soundproofed. All she could do was plead with him repeatedly.


    Resting her head against the door, her heart grew cold Tears streamed down her face as she


    whispered, ¡°Brett, I¡¯m dying¡­¡±


    ¡°Brett, I¡¯m on the verge of death¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m truly dying¡­¡±

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    In that moment, tears streamed uncontrobly down her face, drenching her clothes. The world


    outside fell into a deafening silence, and she couldn¡¯t be sure if Brett had overheard her words But


    one thing remained crystal clear he had no concern for her life, and he would never care


    Izabe¡¯s voice trailed off, and she hastily brushed away her tears, sinking down the door until she


    found herself curled up on the cold floor Biting her hand to stifle the urge to cry out, she fought to


    contain the pain that consumed her


    Her youth, her love, her marriage¨Call of it had begin and ended with Prell


    Brett, I¡¯ve loved you for sixteen years How many sixteen years are there in a lifetime? How can you


    hurt me by using my love for you?


    Izabe let out a miserable sob She hadn¡¯t had breakfast, only a ss of milk, and her stomach


    was empty and aching from hunger


    Summoning thest remnants of her strength, she dragged herself towards the bathroom and


    retched into the toilet, feeling the acrid saliva scorching her throat


    Even after emptying her stomach, her abdomen convulsed relentlessly, and the relentless pain


    made her aware that she couldn¡¯t endure without seeing blood sping her hand tightly over her


    mouth, she struggled to stifle the agonizing groans that escaped her.


    Izabe went back to her room and grabbed the two bottles of pills from the drawer. She would


    need them over the next three days. There was no purified water in the room, so she had no choice


    but to hold the pills and drink tap water


    Her esophagus was narrower than most people¡¯s, and the dry, bitter taste of the pills lingered in her


    mouth. Swallowing four pills at once was difficult, but she had no other


    choice.


    She couldn¡¯t hold back a gag reflex after swallowing the pills The bitter taste lingered in her mouth,


    refusing to dissipate


    Izabe huddled on her bed, gripping her nket tightly, as she anxiously awaited in the engulfing


    darkness. The once sultry weather had transformed into an icy coldness that threatened to drain her


    consciousness


    Her pupils dted unnaturally, and as the room descended into deeper darkness, she sought refuge


    beneath the covers. Outside, thunder resonated with a booming force. followed by a momentary


    ze of lightning that illuminated the room


    Her once cozy and inviting bedroom now appeared menacing amidst the storm. The wind howled


    relentlessly, lightning continued to illuminate the surroundings, and the thunder shed overhead,


    as if the very fabric of the sky was being torn apart


    ¡°Ahh! Izabe screamed grasping her nket, her body covered in a cold sweat


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    In the pitch¨Cck stormy night with fear running wild, she imagined monsters emerging from the


    ceiling and hands reaching out from under the bed, intending to grab her She dared not move, only


    holding herself tighter


    ¡°Bret Brett¡±


    ¡°Brett¡­¡±


    ¡°Brett¡®¡® She called out for him with increasing desperation, wanting to cut him out of her heart.


    No one responded in the empty room, the only sound the rumble of thunder outside.


    She felt abandoned, unwanted and forgotten.


    Izabe started crying again, unsure whether these tears were physical or emotional.


    Brett locked the door of the Quiet Forest Estates and left. His phone beeped with an alert: a


    weather report predicting thunderstorms for the night.


    Brett nced at it before putting the phone back in his pocket. He knew Kaley was afraid of


    thunder, but what about Izabe? The girl who had the guts to defy him couldn¡¯t be scared of


    storms, could she?


    Driving to Kaley¡¯s house, his thoughts couldn¡¯t help but drift back to Izabe, making him restless.


    He despised hisck of control, suddenly punching his steering wheel while waiting at an


    intersection.


    Kaley, who had recently recovered from an illness, appeared slightly pale. However, as soon as she


    spotted Brett entering, her eyes sparkled with delight.


    Her typically pallidplexion transformed with a newfound radiance upon his arrival. ¡°Brett, have


    you had anything to eat?¡± she asked, her face beaming


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Let me make something for us.¡± The house was bought by Brett, who had also arranged for the


    finest ingredients to be stocked in the fridge.


    Watching Kaley bustling in the kitchen, he found his thoughts drifting back to Izabe


    He remembered the days when she would cook, waiting for him toe home and eat, but he had


    never once tasted her food.


    Kaley noticed Brett gazing at her, and as she turned to look at him holding adle in one hand, she


    smiled ¡°Brett, go sit in the living room. You can¡¯t stand the smell of


    cooking


    She had known Brett since cildhood, understanding his likes and dislikes better than anyone else.


    Even Izabe couldn¡¯tpare to that


    Brett nodded, silently, walking back to the living room. He turned on the TV, trying to get lost in the


    latest show, but found no amusement in it


    His gaze remained fixed on the screen, but his mind incessantly wandered back to Izabe,


    haunted by the image of her eyes filled with tears and her face drained of color


    His heart ached with a deep anguish


    Upon leaving the bedroom, he had been tormented by the sound of her sorrowful cries echoing in


    his ears. The words she had uttered lingered in his thoughts¨Cshe had imed she was dying


    He tried not to care, but tus heart suddenly ached as if pierced by a needle, the pain eventually


    spreading throughout his body. He couldn¡¯t help but twitch


    Brett pressed his thumb to his temple, increasingly agitated Sitting on the couch, he subconsciously


    moved closer to the door


    As Kaley emerged from the kitchen wall a steaming bowl of freshly made soup, she detected a


    bitter scent permeating the air Curiosity piqued, she followed the trail of the smell and discovered


    Brett lounging on the couch, his sleeves rolled up, holding a cigarette between his fingers. With


    each inhale, the smoke veiled his face, rendering his expression inscrutable and difficult to


    decipher

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    The room suddenly went quiet, so quiet that Kaley could hear the sound of Brett ficking his cigarette


    ashes Bits of ash fell from his fingertips like tiny fireworks Kaley rarely saw Brett smoking or to be


    exact. Brett rarely smoked in front of her because of her poor health¡±


    A feeling of unease suddenly rose in Kaley¡¯s heart. She was happy today because she identally


    saw a text message on Brett¡¯s phonest night


    Izabells was going to divorce Brett


    Kaley knew that Brett had gone to see trabe this morning. She thought he couldn¡¯t wait to get


    divorced, but he looked gloomy now, which was not what she had expected. ¡°Brett, it¡¯s time for


    dinner Kaley tried to cheer up and told herself not to be afraid Brett had loved her for so many


    years, and Izabe¡¯s arrogant and domineering manner


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    couldn¡¯t take him away


    Brett came to his senses, extinguished the cigarette in his hand, and looked at the dishes that Kaley


    had prepared for dinner.


    In a short time, she had cooked three dishes and a soup there were meat and also vegetables,


    which looked pretty good However, it was still not as good as Izabe¡¯s cooking


    Why did he think of that woman again..? Brett clenched his teeth and squeezed out the images in


    his head.


    Kaley sal across him, holding her bowl and taking small bites of her meal. She nced at him from


    time to time, and several times she mumbled her lips trying to say something but in the end, she


    couldn¡¯t say it


    She was worried and scared. If she asked something and the result was different from what she


    had expected, she would be disappointed.


    Kaley was a timid woman with all her ambition focused on Brett. The only thing she wanted was


    Brett marrying her.


    Brett was absent¨Cminded today, even during dinner. Kaley caught him zoning out several times and


    finally she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Brett, how did it go with Izabe today?¡±


    This handsome man had a pair of beautiful hands, and his dining movements were incredibly


    elegant. Hearing Kaley¡¯s question, Brett paused slightly, ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Kaley bit her lower lip softly, hesitatingly said ¡°About your divorce with Izabe today.¡±


    As soon as she finished speaking, she felt the man¡¯s gaze before her turn ice¨Ccold. Kaley couldn¡¯t


    help but shiver, her eyes filled with fear


    As if sensing her fear, Brett¡¯s expression softened, ¡°We¡¯re not getting divorced.¡±


    Was it Izabe who didn¡¯t want to divorce, or was it Brett? Kaley would rather believe it was the


    former.


    ¡°Brett, you and Izabe¡­ I never thought I would be the person I hate the most. I feel like I am


    a horrible person.¡±


    Brett didn¡¯t like self¨Cpitying people. But to Kaley he had guilt, which helped the little more patience


    he kept when facing her.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to feel sorry for her.¡±


    Kaley asked with a worried look on her face, ¡°Brett, if my health were better, would you still keep


    your promise to marry me?¡±


    Faced with these questions, Brett couldn¡¯t answer any of them, or maybe he didn¡¯t know how to


    answer. The emotions he had just suppressed suddenly surged again.


    Kaley had been with him for so many years that she could see right away what Brett was thinking,


    and she hid the loss in her eyes as she spoke words offort.


    ¡°Brett, I just don¡¯t want you to be forced to do things you don¡¯t want to do because of me.


    Brett suddenly stood up and interrupted her, ¡®I¡¯m going back to the office to work overtime. I won¡¯t


    being here for a few days.¡±


    ¡°Brett.¡± Brett left quickly. By the time Kaley got up to chase him, he had already left the dining room


    The door mmed shut, and she felt a shiver in her heart, unsure of what kind of expression to


    make


    Kaley walked to the window in a daze, watching the figure downstairs. She kept staring until the


    figure disappeared from sight.


    The first thing Brett did when he returned to the office was to prepare for the acquisition of the


    Salotti Group His assistant Liam sent him a transfer record. He nced at the amount, and it was a


    total of 3 million


    ¡°Did he sign all the documents?¡±


    ¡°Yes, He did¡± Liam said, ¡°We got Salotti drunkst night and had him sign everything He didn¡¯t


    suspect a thing and even voluntarily sent us the 300 million.¡±


    Brett sneered, and the entire Salotti family, besides Izabe, was a bunch of idiots.


    ¡°Get rid of him in three days ¡± Brett was brief.


    ¡°Three days, President Windham, this might be¡­ Liam wore a hesitant look.


    Brett gave him a meaningful nce, seeing which, Liam immediately shut up. Three days it was.


    After giving orders, Brett returned to hisputer. He used to wear a pair of sses to protect his


    eyes while working. His fingers moved quickly on the keyboard, their movement reflected by the


    lenses.


    Liam quietly left the office. As he closed the door, he secretly nced at Brett and recalled a


    phrase, ¡°a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing¡±


    Izabe didn¡¯t go out

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    The first day was bearable, but as time went on, the pain became increasingly unbeatable


    Izabey in bed drenched in cold sweat Her pale face looked almost transparent under the light


    She had never felt time pass to slowly befom especially at night, sitting in the dark, it felt like time


    had stopped


    She closed her eyes, her mind was foggy and durotiented Cancer patients are very weak, and the


    slightest misstep could cause a fever She touched her forehead and found that her temperature had


    indeed risen


    Her eyes were dry and sore, and it hurt to keep them open, but she couldn¡¯t sleep with them closed


    either. As time went on, Izabe¡¯s mind became more and more sluggish, like a rusty machine


    bing inflexible


    She rubbed the nket on her body and once again buried her head in it, curting up tightly it was


    strange¨Cher body was covered with the nket, but it still felt cold, and her toes were curled up


    from the chill


    The pain in her stomach was unbearable, and even the nearby organs felt like they were being


    infected and rotting along with the stomach Izabe gritted her teeth in pain, making a creaking


    sound in her mouth.


    At this point, Izabe was using all her strength to fight against her illness, unaware of the turmoil


    that was taking ce outside


    The Salotti Group faced its biggest crisis with falling shares, and Izabe¡¯s disappearance left the


    entirepany in disarray


    n also experienced a recent setback when a property investment turned into a coal mine and the


    coal mountain copsed


    Even if he use the entire Salotti Group aspensation, it wouldn¡¯t be enough. Izabe, once the


    daughter of the Salotti family, suddenly became the daughter of a criminal, and everyone online


    was cursing her


    n¡¯s court ruling was scheduled for 10 am Brett wanted to take Izabe to see her father


    sentenced to death. He thought that Izabe¡¯s expression would be particrly fascinating


    Brett was in a good mood, driving with a smile on his face.


    Brett went straight to the bedroom when he returned to the vi. The entire vi was silent, giving no


    indication that anyone else was there


    Brett gently opened the door


    The room was dim, with curtains blocking all the windows and keeping every bit of light out. Brett


    scanned the room, finally spotting Izabe curled up in one corner of the


    bed


    He turned on the light, and the slight noise made the woman on the bed tremble. Brett frowned,


    wondering what Izabe was doing Howe she hadn¡¯t reacted even after he came in?


    ¡°Izabe,¡± he said as he walked over and pulled the nket off her Izabe, who had been in the


    room for nearly four days, looked pale and haggard. Her lips were blue, and she seemed as fragile


    as if she would break with a slight touch


    Brett had never seen Izabe so weak, and his heart inexplicably trembled with a sharp pain.


    ¡°Get up, stop pretending to be dead¡± He touched her arm and found it as cold as ice


    In a panic. Brett bent down and picked up the frail Izabe, who felt even lighter than three days


    ago. How could she lose so much weight?


    The feeling of holding her in his arms was like holding a child ¨C a little bony


    The light outside was a bit dazzling Izabe¡¯s beautiful eyes slowly lifted, and they were empty and


    lifeless.


    She finally made it through


    Izabe looked up at Brett¡¯s chin, his thin lips, nose, and eyes, as her gaze scanned him bit by bit


    The tears she had been holding back for three days fell out. Brett felt them and lowered his head to


    find Izabe¡¯s tearful eyes looking straight at him.


    In the past, when izabe looked at him with deep affection, Brett found it disgusting. Now, her eyes


    seemed to have lost their light, and he could no longer find that


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    affection


    Brett¡¯s heart felt like it had been struck by a heavy hammer, heavy and painful.


    Izabe was severely dehydrated, and the pain of her illness made her look like a withered flower.


    She was too weak to speak. She struggled to say two words, ¡°Where to?¡±


    Brett had already carried her to the parking lot and replied, ¡°To the hospital¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to the hospital she protested, having hated hospitals since childhood. To her,


    hospitals were the beginning of tragedy¨Cher mother had died in one Moreover going to the hospital


    would expose her condition to Brett.


    Brett looked at her coldly ¡°You don¡¯t want to go to the hospital, then do you want to die?¡±


    I¡¯m already dying (zabe coughed, pain tugging at her stomach. With tears in her eyes, she


    whispered ¡°Let¡¯s get a divorce


    ¡°You still want to divorce me?


    Brett¡¯s face was icy as a winter chill, his gaze menacing like countless knives


    Izabe could not avoid it, she swallowed, and then said smoothly in a hoarse voice, ¡°What else can


    I do? I can live without you, Brett. You were gone for four days, and I was still fine¡±


    Brett pursed his lips, and instead of putting her in the back seat, he took her to the passenger side,


    holding Izabe with one arm while opening the car door with the other.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re fine, let¡¯s go somewhere else He was going to take her to the hospital, but now it


    seemed unnecessary, as she seemed quite lively


    His movements were rough and careless, paying no attention to how Izabe felt Instead of putting


    her down gently, he almost threw her down. Izabe¡¯s head hit the steering wheel directly and her


    head buzzed


    Walking around the front of the car, Brett took the driver¡¯s seat, mming the door shut with great


    force, making the entire car shook


    Izabe curled up in the seat. Her pale face looked very painful with a grim expression


    Izabe had no idea where Brett was taking her. The car was speeding, and the view outside the


    window kept shing by She had grown up in R City, so she knew the Greets well and watched the


    road signs as they flew by


    -Was Brett taking her to the criminal courthouse?


    What was he going to do there? Were they getting a divorce? But if they were getting divorced, they


    shouldn¡¯t go straight to court, and how did their mantal issues involved in criminal?


    Izabe¡¯s mind was all over the ce, unable to make heads or tails of the situation All the while,


    she stared at the foggy sky and the heavy clouds that seemed like they could copse at any


    moment


    To ensure Izabe had enough energy for whatever was about to happen, Brett parked the car at a


    breakfast joint. He didn¡¯t forget to lock the car as he got out


    With a bitter smile, Izabe knew she wouldn¡¯t be able to run even if she tried. Brett, on the other


    hand, was very confident in her strength


    She only snapped back to reality when Brett handed her atte and told her to drink up. She took a


    sip, and the warmth of the cup spread all over her hands


    She had to admit this was the besttte she¡¯d ever had it was so cozy and fragrant


    Tears welled up in her eyes, but Izabe cursed herself for getting emotional Had she forgotten


    what Brett had done to her? How could she let herself fall so low?


    But it was Brett, the guy she¡¯d liked for sixteen years. She couldn¡¯t help it She¡¯d always been weak


    when it came to him¨Che could just use a donut to win her affection¨Ceven after all these years


    With her stomach full of chewed¨Cup tissues, she felt sick even with a sip of coffee. The pain in her


    stomach made her retch


    Brett, who was driving, nced at her and sneered, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Doesn¡¯t it suit your tastes, Ms.


    Izabe?¡±


    She clenched her teeth and forced herself to swallow the vomit that surged up her throat. Her


    mouth tasted sour, and she didn¡¯t dare open it for fear of vomiting


    The pain was unbearable, and Izabe had no choice but to lean back in her seat, her eyes closed


    and her lips pursed.


    The coffee in her hand grew colder and colder. The one who really cared about her wouldn¡¯t have


    asked about her coffee, they would have asked about her well being


    Izabe pressed the cold coffee cup to her chest, but it couldn¡¯t warm her up anymore.


    Upon arriving at the courthouse, Brett parked the car in the underground parking lot.


    Izabe reached for the car door and struggled to push it open, but in the end Brett opened the door


    for her and dragged her out of the car.


    ¡°Useless¡®¡®


    Izabe didn¡¯t respond.


    Pleased with her docility, he took the coffee cup from her hand and threw it into a trash can.


    As they entered the courthouse, they saw a crowd of spectators, lots of police cars, and even a few


    news vans Izabe felt increasingly uneasy.


    Izabe¡¯s legs had little strength, and Brett took her around the waist, seemingly intimately, but in


    reality, he thought she was walking too slow and was dragging her forward


    Few people recognized her, and they whispered and pointed. One remark cut through the rest, ¡®Her


    dad¡¯s about to be sentenced to death, and she¡¯s still all lovey¨Cdovey with some guy Shameless!¡±


    Izabe¡¯s only strength was instantly drained from her body, and she was fainted, shivering as if


    she had a cramp in her calves.


    She looked up at him stiffly, and he grinned coldly, his eyes filled with mockery.


    ¡°What are you bringing me here for?¡± Izabe gritted her teeth, already guessing the answer. But


    the mere thought of it sent shivers down her spine.


    ¡°Just go in and see for yourself. What are you so scared of?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go in! Brett, let me go! I want to go home!¡®


    Just moments ago, she had looked defeated and lifeless. Now, she was frantically struggling, her


    face twisted in fear, looking like a madwoman.


    ¡°You¡¯ve guessed it, haven¡¯t you, Izabe?¡± Brett tightened his grip on her, his smile growing more


    sarcastic. ¡°If you¡¯re already like this now, how are you going to handle what¡¯sing next?¡±

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    trabe fell like she had been struck by lightning, her whole body trembling It was as if there was a


    thorn stuck in her throat that she couldn¡¯t swallow or spit it out, it just lodged there


    The courtroom was packed with people, all the once¨Cdysfunctional rtives hade together


    There were all kinds of expressions on their faces, and all Izabe could see was mockery


    Lucas Salotti, sitting near the front, had a fierce and resentful look in his eyes after seeing Izabe


    coming He suddenly stood up and went straight to p her across the


    face


    This p was unrelenting Izabe tilted her head, her night ear roaring She didn¡¯t even know where


    her mind had flown off to


    ¡°Izabe, where the hell have you been these past four days? How dare you show your face here!


    You¡¯ve ruined Dad! It wasn¡¯t enough for you to kill Mom, now you want to kill Dad too!¡±


    The sound of the stap grabbed everyone¡¯s attention as dozens of eyes stared at Izabe, leaving


    her no ce to hide.


    She felt as if the gazes on her were like knives, trying to strip her skin and tear her bones apart.


    Lucas¡¯s eyes were scarlet red, and his face twisted in anger as he shouted, ¡°You damn batch, you


    brought nothing but disaster to this family! Mom never should have given birth to you, and even if


    she did, I should¡¯ve told Dad to drown you alive! Izabe, you took everything away from me!¡±


    Each sentence was more vicious than thest, aimed at Izabe. Her brain went nk as her eyes


    lost focus, swaying uncontrobly and eventually locking on Lucas¡¯s ferocious face


    Just when it seemed like another stap was about to hit her, Brett, holding onto Izabe¡¯s waist,


    dodged backward, ¡°If you break her, you have to pay for it.¡±


    Brett had a smile on his face, and what would have been a mild expression appeated grim on his


    face


    Lucas was the type to pick on the weak but be afraid of the strong, so he dared to hit Izabe but


    not mess with Brett.


    He red at Izabe with disdain, as if she wasn¡¯t his sister but his enemy


    Brett dragged the bewildered Izabe to sit in the front row, a ce with a better view and clear


    hearing She tightly held onto her hands, nails digging into her flesh until it hurt in her chest. She


    knew this was only the beginning


    The judges took their seats one by one, and n was brought in. Upon seeing Izabe, hope


    flickered in his eyes, and he shouted without hesitation, ¡°Izabe, my daughter, you must save me! I


    was wronged.¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡± shouted the judge, banging his gavel.


    The courtroom went silent in an instant, leaving only the sound of the judge flipping through papers


    on his table


    Izabe didn¡¯t remember what happened or what was said after that; it was as if her soul had left


    her body. She stared at n nkly


    This man was her father, right?


    But why did he feel so foreign to her?


    n lowered his head, now sporting a buzz cut, but Izabe could still see his white hair mixed in.


    The wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen, and at that moment, she truly felt that her father, whom


    she had been with for 24 years, had aged


    When the verdict was announced, n cried out loud in the courtroom. Izabe, still in a trance,


    tugged Brett¡¯s sleeve, asking ¡°What was the verdict?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear that? Brett leaned closer to Izabe¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°Your dad¡¯s finished¡±


    No, it can¡¯t be real She didn¡¯t believe Brett, but then why was her dad crying?


    ¡°WHY?¡± Over her four years of marriage to Brett, she had often wondered why didn¡¯t he love her?


    Why didn¡¯t hee home to eat the meals she¡¯d prepared? Why did he forget about her


    altogether?


    ¡°There¡¯s no use asking why¡± Brett leaned back in his chair with an amused look on his face.


    ¡°Does this have anything to do with you? Izabe asked


    Brett scoffed, ¡°Did I force him to sign the agreement? Was I the one who told him to invest that


    three million dors?¡±


    ¡°Come to think of it, if you hadnt transferred the money to him, he wouldn¡¯t even have the ability to


    sign the contract¡±


    ¡°In the end, you were the one who indirectly hurt your own father. Your brother was right¡±


    His voice was cold, causing chills to run through her entire body. Izabe¡¯s eyes became redder, as


    if tears of blood were about to flow.


    Hands sped tightly on herp, she was still shivering from the cold


    Brett did not seem to see her pari, flirtatiously hooked her shoulders into his arms, touching the p


    mark on the right side of her face and said, ¡°Izabe, you can beg me. I have some evidence it wont


    be of much use, but it can help your dad live afortable life in jail. Do you need to think it over?¡±


    He was pressuring her


    Izabe clenched her teeth and looked at him with a pale face. She had once fantasized about Brett


    treating her gently, even if it was just an act. But she never thought the day woulde when it


    would make her feel sick and repulsed


    She didn¡¯t understand why Brett hated her so much.


    Even if their past was made of misunderstandings and mistakes, she hade to terms and chose


    to let him go, why did he continue to torment her over and over again, taking advantage of her love


    and tolerance?


    The proud Izabe refused to have her spirit easily broken by a few words from Brett.


    His eyes darkened, and he said, ¡°It seems like you don¡¯t want this opportunity


    With a disoriented look, n was led away while the courtroom staff left one by one. Therge


    space was filled with noise, but to Izabe, it was as if she had gone deaf.


    With n¡¯s fate sealed, many of those who worked for or held shares in The Salotti Group were in


    disbelief and anger


    They vented their wrath at Izabe, calling her useless and a jinx, destroying the entire Salotti


    family


    Her disappearance for those four days became a reason for attacking her, iming the current


    situation was caused by her neglecting her father while pursuing love and a


    romantic life


    The one who hurt her the most was Lucas, her own brother His harsh curses were like ropes


    tightening around her heart. Izabe covered the position of her heart and


    leaned forward


    Brett didn¡¯t notice anything different about her. When he dragged Izabe outside, the press was


    already gathering outside, and when they saw Brett and Izabeing out, they immediately


    swarmed them with microphones


    Brett stood at the door and made a call to Liam, asking him to send some people over


    After hanging up, he nced at the woman beside him, who was staring intently in one direction.


    Izabe¡¯s eyshes were damp, and she blinked before mumbling to herself, ¡°What do you want


    me to do?¡± She didn¡¯t believe that her words could persuade Brett to let her father go, knowing her


    position in his heart.


    Brett looked at the sea of reporters and fell into deep thought, nning to strip Izabe of


    everything she had, piece by piece.


    First the Salotti Group


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Second, her family


    And third, her pride and dignity


    After destroying these, Izabe would be like a dodder nt, entirely dependent on others for


    survival


    All of this was only to satisfy Brett¡¯s twisted desires and to prevent her from continuing to fight


    against him, as she had in the past, and demanding a divorce


    Brett suddenly had an idea and smirked coldly, pointing at the crowd of reporters. ¡°They want to see


    you. y the victim, and maybe they¡¯ll leave you alone, as will ¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it? Izabe expressionlessly asked.


    Brett was slightly taken aback, expecting her to put up a fight, considering how important her pride


    as a Salotti heiress was to her.


    Brett¡¯s smile faded slightly ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡±


    As Izabe turned to leave, Brett grabbed her arm, half¨Cclosed his eyes, and hid his emotions.


    ¡°Izabe, your father used you as a moneymaker, but called you a loser, a bitch, and said he should


    have strangled you when they gave birth to you. Even if you save him, he still won¡¯t care about you


    later. You really willing to give up your own pride for him?¡±


    Izabe stared at his hand gripping her arm and whispered, ¡°What else can I do? He¡¯s my dad, my


    family, and he held me when I was little¡­¡±


    With that, Izabe pushed him away, stood tall, and walked towards the crowd


    Izabe, who was once dressed in high¨Cpriced custom gowns, now seemed to be transparent


    in the camera shes.


    What was pride, anyway? Could it save a life?


    Her eyes were lifeless, as if her hope had been stolen by darkness, her soul wiped away, and her


    lifeline destroyed.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    Watching trabe walk over alone, those reporters who had just been hesitant all rushed up, holding


    their microphones to ask all kinds of tricky questions


    Izabe¡¯s small body was squeezed in the crowd. She let her body being constantly pushed


    crowded, and pulled Her sick and feverish brain was already slow and facing these peoples sharp


    stares and questions, she felt like she was being deround alive


    Amid the chaos. There was a loud ¡°bang¡± Somebody a camera hit Izabe¡¯s forehead, the sharp


    edge scraping the flesh and tearing a small wound


    Bright red blood flowed from her forehead into her art making everything blood red Binded by the


    re, Izabe had to close her eyes and wait to adapt to the brightness befow opening them again


    The reporters in front of her seemed not to have noticed her injury and kept getting close. One of


    them even asked an irrelevant question, ¡°Ms. Satoff, we heard that Mr Windham had a fance four


    years ago, and it was your involvement that separated them is that true?!


    As soon as the reporter finished, there was an uproar around him trabells and Brett had never been


    photographed together in their four years of mariage Everyone spected that their rtionship


    was unhappy due to their alliance manage Nobody thought there would be such a big scoop


    So Irabia was a homewrecker? Thats a snful existence


    trabe wiped the blood off her forehead with her hand. The small and thin face showed a bright


    smile towards the cameras, but the smile was cold and rigid, somewhat terrifying


    in front of the reporters, every bit of tabe¡¯s actions would be magnified Staying silent meant


    admitting guilt,ughing meant mocking and disrespecting others what a shameless woman


    Just as they were about to continue questioning Izabe suddenly stood in an open space bent her


    knees and knelt down. She still held her spine straight as if nothing could bring her down


    The reporters were taken aback and then boiled with excitement. The elder sister of the Salotti


    family trabe, actually kneeled down in front of the cameras!


    Therefore various hot headlines appeared on various inte tforms


    ¨C tabe kneels down to try to save her marriage and apologize to the original partner


    Izabe confesses and kneels down for her ¡°murderer father


    ¨C the Salotti family¡¯s daughter a mistress? kneeling in the street to beg for forgiveness


    All the cameras were aimed at her, capturing her kneeling image.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Ms Salot, now that the Salotti Group is facing bankruptcy will Mi Windham divorce you?¡± Another


    sharp question came from the reporters


    The sh focused on Izabe¡¯s face trying to capture her subtle expressions. However, no matter


    how long they aimed, Izabe remained expressionless.


    The surrounding noise was deafening, with an empty void in Izabe¡¯s eyes. The feeling of


    loneliness swarmed from all directions, as if trying to devour her.


    The dark clouds above were getting heavier and heavier, as if they were going to copse at any


    moment. After a few muffled thunders, the wind and clouds rose, andrge raindrops hit Izabe on


    the nose, her


    Evshes quivering


    The videographer saw the raining down and immediately took the camera back. The reporters


    also left one after another to find a ce to shelter from the rain, and soon only Izabe was still


    kneeling in the


    rain


    The rain soaked her face, and the clothes on her body clung tightly to her skin, frozen and cold It


    felt like the cold seeped through the sun and into the bones making her soul shiver


    Bett was standing not far behind het, watching her kneeling in the rain like a puppet. When Liam


    arrived with the bodyguards, the crowd had already dispersed


    The bodyguards surrounded tabe in a circle not letting the onlookers get close


    Without knowing the truth. Liam clicked his tongue, stood beside Brett and asked, ¡°Why is Ms.


    Salotti kneeling? How long has she been like this?¡±


    ¡°Not long just half an hour¡±


    Liam nced over figuring Brett must have made her kneel. The reason for kneeling wasnt known


    If Brett said it would be half an hour, it would be half an hour not a second less. Liam looked at the


    woman in the middle of the road and suddenly felt a bit sorry for her


    The deceased¡¯s family somehow knew Izabe was kneeling here A group of people ran over


    regardless of the heavy rain and threw the rubbish they had prepared at her


    A green can hit Izabe¡¯s forehead wound directly and the yellowish liquid mixed with her blood and


    covered her entire face.


    A few secondster, a womans voice came from the crowd, shrill and sharp


    ¡°Izabe, your dad deserves to die! You¡¯re not a good person either! Your whole family is a guel


    Scum!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, her father got into trouble and she had disappeared for four days to hook up with men¡±


    ¡°Not a single good person in the Salotti family, n¡¯s death was a relief to many families¡±


    ¡°Hit het No one cares, hit her right in the face!¡±


    The atmosphere around them got tense, and people threw whatever they had in their hands at


    Izabe The bodyguards standing in front of her got hit too but endured it with furrowed browar


    Being used by everyone, Izabe¡¯s dignity was shattered bit by bit


    The surroundings were chaotic, Izabe¡¯s frail body swaying left and right The pain was unbearable


    her head, stomach, and knees every part of her body hurt


    izabes eyes remained hollow her pale lips tightly pressed together She took a breath, and the


    cold air entered her chest. The straightened spine gradually could no longer hold¡­


    Brett frowned, his eyes still deep No one could understand his thoughts Liam, standing next to him,


    cautiously asked. ¡°President Windham, do you think we should help her?¡±


    The rain wasing down heavily and the once¨Ct ground was now full of puddles Droplets


    sshed and ripples emerged Liam looked at the Izabe kneeling on the ground and felt a cold


    whoosh on his body Brett pursed his thin lips without making a sound. His gaze swept over her,


    feeling that Izabe seemed to be crying. He had always been indifferent to her tears, but today


    something was different


    Brett looked at his wristwatch, the half¨Chour was up, right on the dot. He reached out his hand,


    ¡°Give me the umbre¡±


    Liam hesitated for a moment and quickly epened the umbre in his hand and handed it over


    Brett strolled through the rain under pfs umbre, the raindrops hitting it loud like pelibles, and his


    natural charm caught the nces of passersby


    He stood in front of Izabe, harding the umbre to shield her from the rain. Only then did Izabe


    react slightly staring up at Brett intently, as if she were looking through him at another person.


    That¡¯s how they stared at each other, one standing one kneeling She was lowly while Brett was


    superior


    The rain dripped into her eyes and became hot as it stirred, and Izabe, with a shaky voice, asked


    hoarsely, ¡°is it time?¡±


    ¡°It is You can get up now¡±


    Izabe didnt more not because she didn¡¯t want to, but because she couldn¡¯t She had already been


    weak, locked up for four days and kneeling in the downpour for half an hour Even she didn¡¯t know


    how she managed to keep going


    The cold invaded her knees, and she felt like they were stabbed by pins She couldn¡¯t help but


    cough, one light heave almost bringing up blood


    ¡°Brett, how many years have we known each other?¡±


    Brett doubted if tabe might have gone crazy from the cold, asking such a question out of the blue


    But he answered anyway. ¡°Six years


    Izabeshook her head and inexplicably replied that ¡°Not six years, but sixteen¡±


    in mat spring, all she wanted was to remember and love him well a thought that wouldst for


    sixteen whole years


    Whether it was their meeting six years ago of her forcing him to marry her four years ago, it was all


    the result of a decade¨Clong scheme.


    sjust that she had calcted the beginning but hadn¡¯t considered the end. She wouldn¡¯t have


    imagined in her wildest dreams that Brett could be so cruel to her

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    Izabe had been in love with Brett for 18 years carefully keeping this love in her heart as her little


    pect that nobody knew about


    tabe threw back he head andughed and cried. She suddenly reached out to Brett and before


    she could touch him, the man in front of her stepped back in disgust and avoided her hand


    abad to grasp at the nothingness in her empty outstretched hands, with raindrops falling cold on her


    palms like every chilly touch seeping deep into her heart


    In that moment, she felt so distant from Brett that it seemed like no matter how much time she spent


    trying to mach him, he would always be out of reach, the the rain slipping through her fingers


    She looked up at Brett¡¯s cold expression and choked. ¡°Brett, it hurts so much¡±


    Pett only owned not beleving Izabe¡¯s words in fact, afte so many years, Delt knew izabe very


    well, he know she was afraid of pain and suffering but kneeling for half an hour wouldnt bill her


    ¡°trabe Hop being so dramatic You were just kneeling for half an hout, don¡¯t worry, your dad will be


    fine. You can stand up now¡±


    Her body ached everywhere, as if needies pierced all over, but the worst pain came from her heart,


    which seemed to have be rotten


    Cabe till wasughing but her taughter looked worse than her crying


    Brett couldn¡¯t understand why she wasughing like this just annoyed him ¡°Crazy bitch¡± he cursed,


    reaching out to grab her arm, only to realize her body was as cold as ice


    Herughter suddenly stopped, and as she swayed, he couldn¡¯t catch her in time She fell sideways


    like a rag doll, crashing into a puddle


    trabe was notughing anymore lying limp and lifeless on the ground, eerily silent.


    He mouth was open and a stream of blood dripped from her mouth, staining the water beneath her


    face a searing red, unbearably bright and eye¨Ccatching


    Seeing this Brett stiffened, feeling as if he¡¯d been struck heavily his brainwas dizzy and his vision


    also got blurry


    Finally he reacted He picked her up, and despite being soaked in rain, she wasn¡¯t much heavier


    than before. Her face was so pale and he could see the tiny veins beneath her shin


    ¡°abe¡± he shouted, not even realizing how shaky and full of fear his own voice sounded.


    Without wasting any time, he cared her fragile body and raced to his car


    Liam, who was always quick to act, followed them and volunteered to drive


    Izabey limp in Brett¡¯s arms her long hair covering his chest like seaweed, her eyes shadowed


    with pain as she looked at him, feeling heavier by the moment. She was afraid to close her eyes


    afraid she would never wake up again, and she wanted to use thest of her strength to look at


    Brett so she could etch his face into her mind


    ¡°Bre. Brett Did you know Izabe from 16 years ago really really liked you shed liked you for 16


    years. And now she can¡¯t anymore. ¡°Her eyes filled with teargas she trembled and spoke


    It was said that karma woulde for those who wrecked other people¡¯s rtionships. She didn¡¯t


    believe it before, but now it hade for her


    She hadn¡¯t done anything temble She just loved someone too much, for 16 long years


    Izab continued speaking incoherent words, telling him they known each other since 16 years


    ago, though Brett could never remember seeing her back then


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Her vision blurred, and darkness encroached as she could no longer see Brett¡¯s conflicted


    expression


    She felt a sudden spasm in her chest, coughing out another mouthful of blood that soaked Brett¡¯s


    shirt


    ¡°Izabe, what¡¯s wrong with you? Frantically. Brett tried to wipe the blood from her face, only to


    smudge it more


    Beads of sweat formed on his brow and panic filled his eyes as he realized for the first time how


    fragile life could be. The lifeless Izabe in his arms seemed so close to death


    Izabe trabe


    Breft repeated her name in his head, refusing to admit he cared for her and insisting his panic was


    simply due to she and Kaley¡¯s same blood type


    Everyone was shocked when Brett burst into the hospital, covered in blood, carrying izabe in his


    arms. The doctor at the front desk called out with an inte and immediately a nurse wheeled in a


    surgical cart


    He was stopped outside the operating room, watching helplessly as the door closed. He felt his


    heart tighten and an inexplicable fras ovee him.


    His hands shaking, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to push open the door, feeling lost and frightened like a


    child stepping out into the world for the first time


    The hospital was air¨Cconditioned and cool and Brett was lost in thought, staring at the surgical


    lights. The blood staining has shirt had been dried by the air conditioning, turning it into a dark red


    blood clot that


    smelled like rust.


    A nurse nearby having never seen such a handsome man in real life approached him, speaking


    soothingly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the patient will be fine


    But it was as if Brett hadn¡¯t heard her. He lowered his head and stared at the blood on his hands


    and rubbed them together, watching as the dried fakes scattered in the air


    It was only when he had moved that he noticed that not only was there blood on his hands, but his


    shirt, pants, and arms. were all stuck with Izab¡¯s blood


    How did she have so much blood?


    Brett suddenly felt a little cold he looked up at the ceiling, found that the air conditioning vents were


    not far away, no wonder the ¡°body¡± would be so ¡°cold¡±


    Inside the operating room


    Izabey on the operating bed, her stomach constantly convulsing, and mouthful after mouthful of


    blood came out of her mouth, soaking the bed sheets red


    it hurt so much Tears rolled down her face, her brain was muddled and her body was in so much


    pain that she lost consciousness She couldn¡¯t even tell whether this was reality or a hallucination


    Many images floated before her eyes like a walking light, the shadow of Brett, Brett who was angry,


    Brett who was holding her, Brett who was calling her names, Brett who was pping her Brett who


    was humiliating


    One by one they turned into bubbles congested in the mind, and then little by little shattered, and


    finally melted into a puddle of water to form thest picture


    -It was Brett from sixteen years ago


    Izabe cant remember clearly what Brett looked like sixteen years ago, but she vaguely


    remembered that the young boy was a head taller than her, with a clean smile on his face, thin


    arms, but having the strength beyond his age when he camed her makingther feel safe


    That spring seven¨Cyear¨Cold Izabe was left at the amusement park by Lucas and got lost. It was


    Brett who found her and camed her back.


    On the way Brett bought her a defiut, smiling andforting her, ¡°Cry baby let me treat you to a


    donut Its sweet, don¡¯t cry anymore alright?¡±


    She Look a bite, and got toe¨Cthe donut was sweet on the outside, but very sour inside. Yet, that


    unique taste was the best taste she had ever had in her life, unforgettable till now


    After returning home he broke out in a rash and was diagnosed with an allergy to the strawberry


    filling in the donut


    Since then, she nevel touched one again


    She liked Bref, just like that allergy causing donut Knowing she couldn¡¯t touch him, yet she


    desperately went for it


    Life is like a y, in a snap of suteen years, the once gentle boy became cold and ruthless, as if he


    had changed into another person. He was no longer the one who would use donuts tofort hex


    the Cry Baby


    She gambled four years hoping Brett would love her hoping he would remember that time sixteen


    years ago However, in the end, shur lost miserably


    Her foolish infatuation was only her wishful thinking


    ¡°Not good, the patients oxygen saturation is dropping The situation is dangerous!


    ¡°The patient haste¨Cstage stomach cancer. We must have the family sign the surgery agreement


    and thetical condition notice Quick, get Dr. Felton toe over and do the emergency surgery


    ¡°Beep-¡± The equipment sent out cold and harsh sound

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    Outside the operating room, Brett lett as if he had sensed something His heart ached, and the


    sudden dull pain forced him to lean forward, his right hand clutching tightly at the fabric over his left


    chast Frowning, he stated at the operating room door, heling as if something extremely important


    was slipping away from him.


    Just then, the door of the operating room was pulled open from inside, and a nurse hurried out


    Sewing Bett she quickly ran up to him and asked. ¡°Are you a rtive of the patient? Shes in critical


    condition, and we need you to sign a surgery content form and a notice of critical illnes


    Brett¡¯s ears buzzed, unable to hear anything clearly He frowned at the nurse in front of him and


    asked stiffly, ¡°You say Izabe is dying? How is she dying?!¡±


    It was just rain, some kneeling for half an hour, four days without food, and some blood vomit.


    How could someone tell him that trabe was dying as soon as she entered?


    The nurse looked at his dumbfounded lock, which suggested his obliviousness of how bad the


    physical condition that the person inside was in, so she briefly exined. ¡°The patient haste¨C


    stage stomach cancer, and now her condition is critica! We need a family member to sign the


    surgery consent form and the notice of critical illness¡± The nurse looked at the man¡¯s red eyes and


    suddenly didn¡¯t know what to say


    Stomach cancer? Late stage?


    How was this possible tabe had never been sick before, and her body had always been in good


    shape How could she possibly have this disease? Why was it that someone was now telling him


    that she was about to die?


    He must have heard it wrong It could only be a hallucination


    Brett stumbled back a step Hitting the chair behind him, he swayed and woefully plunged down


    He stared at his hands again, even though they had been wiped clean, he still felt like there was a


    lot of blood. Everywhere was filled with the smell of blood, which he couldn¡¯t wash away


    The patient¡¯s condition could not be dyed. The nurse brought two agreements and handed them


    to Brett ¡°Sir


    Brett looked at the notice of critical illness in front of him with bloodshot eyes, a sharp pain spread


    from his heart to every corner of his body, making his fingers tremble with pain.


    He took the pen and looked at the notice of critical illness. He knew every word but couldn¡¯t


    understand them when they were put together


    The nurse urged him, ¡°Sit, please hurry up¡±


    His hand trembling. Brett clenched his fist and punched the wall behind him, making a dull sound.


    The nurse was startled by the loud noise. She looked over and saw a bloodstain on the wall,


    knowing how much


    force he had used


    Brett took a deep breath, suppressed the pain in his heart, lowered his head, and signed his name.


    ¡°Will she be okay?¡±


    The nurse shook her head. ¡°The patient¡¯s condition is very dangerous, and the hospital cannot


    guarantee her safety but we will do our best.¡±


    Brett handed her the two forms and watched the nurse walk away He suddenly felt weak and


    leaned against the cold chair


    It felt as if a piece of his heart had been dug out by a knife, an unprecedented emptiness urging him


    to grab the fabric and bend forward


    He had never imagined such a scene would happen, with Izabe¡¯s life hanging in the bnce


    inside as doctors and nurses tried to save her, and he could do nothing


    trabe had stayed by his side for four years, always an unimportant presence. He didn¡¯t love her,


    he didn¡¯t care about her feelings, and he certainly didn¡¯t care about her life or death


    But when he found out that trabe might never wake up again, he felt fear all over his body, as if


    something important was drifting away from him.


    Brett looked dazed, his vision blurred. Rubbing his eyes, he finally realized that his eyes were wet.


    He suddenly remembered six years ago, the first time he saw Izabe. She was wearing a red


    dress, her long hair reaching her waist, and her smile mesmerized everyone


    She walked up to him with a donut in her hand, ¡°Brett, long time no see¡± Her clear eyes were full of


    light


    Since when did the light in her eyes go out?


    Brett took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, pulled out one but hadn¡¯t lit it yet when a passing


    cleaner pointed at a sign on the wall and reminded him, ¡°Sir, no smoking in the hospital¡± He had no


    choice but to put it back, his trembling hand clenching the cigarette pack. Looking up at the


    operating room with red lights on, his heart twitched a few more times than before


    The nurse went to get Presley, who arrived soon after Seeing Brett sitting outside the operating


    room, his expression changed, ¡°Why are you here? Where¡¯s Izabe? A bad feeling rose in his


    heart.


    Brett looked up, his eyes somewhat hollow ¡°She¡¯s in there.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    So, the patient he was called to rescue was Izabe¡±


    Presley¡¯s face changed even more, and he rushed into the operating room without dy


    Behind him, he heard Brett¡¯s question, ¡°Presley, did you know about Izabe¡¯ste stage stomach


    cancer from the start?¡±


    izabe and Presley had been close since childhood and had grown up together if Izabe was


    sick, Presley, as a doctor, couldn¡¯t possibly bepletely in the dark,


    Presley didnt answer but as he closed the door, he nced coldly at Brett. With just one nce.


    Brett felt his heart sinking


    At that moment, he felt that he was not breathing art, but millions of steel needles, his heart was


    pierced, experiencing the so¨Ccalled heart wrenching pain for the first time.


    As the door of the operating room closed again, Brett¡¯s vision went ck, and he almost lost his


    footing. Clutching the fabric over his chest, he tasted a metallic blood in his mouth


    Outside, the rain continued to patter and it seemed as if his blood had been frozen.

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    Presley rushed in, his coat all messed up, ¡°How¡¯s it going¡°¡±


    ¡°Blood oxygen saturation is dropping patient in in aa cardiac arrest it¡¯s critical¡® The more


    dangerous the situation was, the mom people need to stay calm trabe¡¯s face had tumed ashen,


    her lips purple. No pulse could be felt, and no heartbeat could be heard


    ¡®Gel CPR¡®


    Presley took a painful breath, he had never seen Izabe so weak before if he had cared more


    about her, she might not have ended up like this.


    A feeling of destion slowly spread from the bottom of his heart, like a drop of ink dripping into a


    colorless ss of water, and then slowly turning the whole ss ck


    During the lengthy resuscitation, tabe¡¯s heart rate gradually recovered. Like a dying ember, she


    somehow managed to pry her eyes open a little


    Her cygen mask was covered with white fog blurring her vision, triggering her subconscious ear.


    When she caught a glimpse of Prestry, she felt a little reassured. She wanted to speak to him, but


    she had no


    strength


    The pain had robbed her of her bodily freedom, she couldn¡¯t even move a finger


    Presley noticed that she was awake and immediately grabbed her cold little hand, ¡°Izabe, can you


    hear me? You¡¯ll be okay, youll get better. Don¡¯t give up! Think of all the people who care about you


    and love you Don¡¯t you like the violin? When you¡¯re discharged from the hospital, take you to a


    concert


    A line of crystal clear tears overflowed from the corner of Izabe¡¯s eyes. Presley knew that the had


    heard him.


    Izabe tried to open her purple lips, attempting to make a sound. ¡°Felt Presley Felton


    She was too weak, her voice was so small it was almost inaudible Presley leaned in closer and


    barely made out what she said, ¡°It hurts so bad.¡±


    Presley clenched his teeth and managed to choke back the tears. With adrimmed eyes, he gently


    wiped away the tears from Izabe¡¯s temples ¡°Hang in there just a little longer, and the pain will go


    away You¡¯ve always been strong


    trabe blinked, her eyes were getting blurry and she was seeing things in double vision. Opening


    her mouth, she gasped for air like a fish out of water, the colorless lips forming a weak smile. She


    whispered hoarsely, ¡°Don¡¯t tell Brett about my illness¡±


    Even in this situation, she was still thinking about Brett Why wouldn¡¯t the tell him? People like Brett


    should feel guilty and remorseful for their actions, living in guilt every day without peace


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Presley sniffed, ¡°Winght, I promise


    trabe stared at the bright operating light above her and slowly closed her eyes


    Labe¡¯s frail body was connected to various machines and tubes Before operating on stomach


    cancer, the stomach needs to be flushed When they saw the undigested buildup inside, Presley¡¯s


    pupils reddened


    even more


    It was pulp which meant, Izabe had been eating tissue before!


    Why would she eat something like that?


    Presley instantly thought of Brett, outside the operating room


    He clenched his teeth to suppress the burning anger inside.


    The surgery was not sessful. It had barely kept Izabe alive, and she could die at any minute


    Izabe was transferred to the ICU for observation, if she didn¡¯t recover within 48 hours, she would


    be in danger again


    The door to the operating room was pushed open, and Presley walked out, removing his mask and


    looking sharply at Brett.


    Brett tried to walk over and ask about Izabe¡¯s condition, but his legs felt as if they were filled with


    lead, too heavy to even take a step


    Presley walked up to him, and Brett asked with a heavy voice, ¡°How is she?¡±


    Presley abruptly raised his fist and struck Brett in the face not holding back at all. Brett staggered


    several steps backward.


    Tilting his head, his hands clenched to fists on either side of his thighs, he repeated the question,


    ¡°How is Izabe?¡±


    ¡°Thanks to you, she¡¯s not dead. She just took a little stroll by the river Acheron and got sent back by


    Charon Presley sarcastically replied


    Presley¡¯s words felt like steel needles piercing his throat. The dutt pain made his vision turn ck,


    even his breathing became difficult.


    Presley looked at Brett¡¯s agonized expression and mocked, ¡°The person causing all this is you,


    Brett. What right do you have to act in pain here? You won¡¯t have to worry about Izabe anymore,


    Focus on the people you should care about¡±


    The guy Presley was talking about was, of course, Kaley


    ¡°Izabe is my wife What right do you have to butt in our business?¡±

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    ¡°Wife¡± Presley couldn¡¯t help butugh at these words If it weren¡¯t for the fact that they were in a


    hospital, he would have beaten the hell out of this jerk right away!


    ¡°Brett, have you ever treated Izabe as your wife? Where were you when she had a bleeding


    stomach? Where wem you when she went to the hospital alone to see a doctor and get medicine?¡±


    Presley pointed at his chest, calling out his wrongdoings one by one ¡°You were out there having fun,


    getting drunk and attacking the Salotti family!


    After that Presley¡¯s eyes reddened. He hated Brett but he also hated himself. If only he had cared


    for Izabe a little bit more, her stomach problems wouldn¡¯t have turned into stomach cancer


    Presley¡¯s breathing was trembling He had held back for so long but he couldn¡¯t hold back the sob in


    his voice


    ¡°I really regret not stopping Izabe from marrying you if she hadn¡¯t married you, her health wouldn¡¯t


    have deteriorated like this.


    1


    Presley was thinking about Izabe in intensive care her stomach wrapped with cancer cells, and


    four years ago when she happily told him about her uing marriage


    She probably never had dreamed it would end up like this


    Presley shook his head ¡°Brett, you¡¯re a heartless scumbag¡±


    Brett stood there silently. He wanted to argue, but he couldn¡¯t find the words His heart felt as if it


    had been heavily hit, and it took him a while to regain his senses


    He looked at Presley, but his gaze was fixed on the operating room door behind him. He wanted to


    go in and see Izabe.


    Never in his life had he yearned to see someone so much


    ¡°Brett, do you love Izabe? Presley asked


    Love? Love was too heavy a word. If he loved Izabe, he should have cherished her with all his


    heart.


    Saving The loved her was ridiculous. He shouldn¡¯t love Izabe. Who was Izabe to him anyway?


    She was just an object of possession.


    Presley sneered, the corners of his eyes showing traces of tears. He had promised Izabe to help


    her hide her illness, but some things needed to be seen by Brett himself


    *Come with me. §±l show you something Presley turned and entered the operating room


    Brett hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly followed Inside, nurses were cleaning and


    disinfecting


    As soon as he entered, he smelled the strong scent of disinfectant mixed with the smell of blood


    For a moment, he didn¡¯t know where to look. It was as if he had entered a space that didn¡¯t belong


    to him,pletely ipatible with the environment


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Brett always prided himself on being calm and collected. Even if he couldn¡¯t resolve unexpected


    situations immediately, he would never panic. This was the first time in his 26 years that he was


    afraid of the


    unknown


    Presley looked at Brett, anger turning his eyes bloodshot


    ¡°Brett, do these smells scare you? Are you even human?¡±

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    A chill shot up from the top of his head to the tips of his toes, and Bett froze on the spot His pupils


    constricted and his heart felt like it had been yanked by something Brett¡¯s eyes reddened, and his


    gaze stiffened on the ¡°bloody water in the basin Was that the residue from Izabe¡¯s stomach? Why


    was that covered in her blood?


    Presley watched him coldly, but tears welled up in the corners of his eyes wanted to ask you, what


    the hell did you do to her70


    It was him who left her in the bedroom for four days Brett had a mild stomach ailment, so he knew


    how unbearable it was when it red up, let ale stage stomach cancer like Izabe


    Brett was like a drowning man struggling in the water. He reached out to grab the stic basin, and


    because he was using too much force, his knuckles turned white and the veins on the back of his


    hands bulged


    If he had known, he definitely wouldn¡¯t have left her alone in the bedroom for four days. ¡°1. I didn¡¯t


    know she had stomach problems I didn¡¯t know it would be this serious


    Brett looked down at the bloody water in the basin, and the strong smell of blood hit him. It seemed


    like tears fell down from his eyes, causing a small ripple in the basin before returning to calmness


    For a moment, the only sound left in the air was Brett¡¯s heavy and oppressive breathing. Presley


    didn¡¯t feel sorry for him, instead, he felt disgusted it was Brett who had hurt Izabe, leaving the


    once healthy and happy Izabe covered in wounds!


    Presley¡¯s eyes were like knives, and Brett didn¡¯t dare to look at them directly. Looking at the blood


    in front of him, a picture emerged in his mind. Izabe stuffing tissue paper into her mouth and


    swallowing it down, vomiting blood while forcing it into her stomach.


    He didn¡¯t dare to imagine how Izabe had made it through those four days, knowing how much she


    hated pain and suffering


    Brett seemed to have lost his soul, looking around nkly, trying to find Izabe¡¯s shadow


    ¡°Izabe¡¯s in the ICU If you¡¯re genuinely remorseful, just divorce her and stop dragging her down¡±


    Brett finally reacted, letting go of the basin in his hands and staring directly at Presley ¡°Izabe will


    be my wife for the rest of her life. I won¡¯t divorce her¡±


    He would make it up to her Brett suddenly realized what he felt for Izabe, it wasn¡¯t love, but just


    guilt and a man¡¯s possessiveness


    ¡°Even if she dies, she can only be a part of the Windham family as my life¡±


    Brett meant that he wouldn¡¯t let go of Izabe Thinking of Izabe lying in the ICU, still in critical


    condition, Presley¡¯s anger red up


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    He rushed forward and thed to punch Brett¡¯s disgusting face, but before he could get close, he was


    stopped by the swift medical staff nearby


    ¡°Dr. Fetton, calm down. This is a hospital¡± There were all kinds of things in the cramped operating


    room, and if people got hurt, it was no big deal. The real concern was damaging the medical


    equipment brought


    from abroad


    Presley took a deep breath, clenching his teeth so hard it felt like they would shatter ¡°Brett, you


    bastard, haven¡¯t you hurt Izabe enough?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter between her and me It¡¯s not up to an outsider like you to point fingers¡±


    Presley had never met someone as shameless as Brett before He felt even using the word bastard


    to describe him was an insult to bastards.


    The doctor who stopped Presley looked at his pale face with surprise. Those who knew Presley well


    were aware that he had a gentle and mild personality. No one had ever seen him angry in the


    hospital, and such amotion was exceedingly rare

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21


    Brit slowly calmed down. He nced at Presley and then turned to walk towards the ICU


    The room was filled with the smell of disinfectant Brett couldn¡¯t help but frown. He took it one step at


    a time as he walked to trabe¡¯s bedside her face was pale and lifeless


    The hospital room was so quiet that it made one feel boundless loneliness. The emptiness felt


    different from home, the morbid stillness made it hard for him to breathe after a while Brett sat down


    looking up at the IV drip For the first time he fell scared


    What was he cared of


    He was scared that trabe would never wake up again


    Brett felt his nose tingle, and tears welled up in his eyes. He went over with a trembling hand and


    took hold of Izabe¡¯s slender wrist


    The patient gown was alread, the smallest size but it was still too big for Izabe. Her delicate arm


    had several noticeable needle marks, surrounded by shades of purple and dried yellow liquid


    ¡°Izabe didn¡¯t know you were so tick¡± he whispered


    He suddenly remembered the day he locked Izabe in the bedroom She pounded on the door,


    screaming that she was dying


    He had dismissed her cres, not taking her seriously, thinking she was just using some kind of trick


    Just because he had never seen Izabe sick didn¡¯t mean she couldn¡¯t get sick or die


    Why didn¡¯t he listen to her and let her out back then?


    Izabe tabe Tears Elurred his vision. He pressed her hand to his face, calling her name over and


    over, trying to wake her up


    Time slowly passed by At some point, Presley came in to check on Izabells. Her vital signs were


    rtively stable, it was now a matter of whether she could wake up within 48 hours


    Presley gave Brett a cold nce. Both men were worried about Izabe Although their eyes met


    with contempt they didn¡¯t argue of fight as they had before.


    Brett hadn¡¯t slept for 40 hours straight, his eyes were red and dry. Exhaustion was taking its toll on


    his body, but he didn¡¯t dare to sleep. He was afraid that Izabe would wake up frightened or thirsty


    when he wasn¡¯t by her side


    He gently touched the wound on tabe¡¯s forehead, his fingertips trembling She seemed as fragile


    as a ss doll, as if she would shatter with a single touch.


    How long could someone withte stage stomach cancer survive?


    Brett didn¡¯t dare to search or ask, afraid of teaming an answer he couldn¡¯t handle


    Deep down, he knew the truth it was a terminal illness, and she wasn¡¯t destined to die of old age


    like a normal person. The life of someone in thete stages of cancer was like a withering leaf


    falling from a tree


    izabe received IV fluids all day long two bags of nutrients every day, eachsting four hours,


    along with other medicines. In total, she received up to 12-13 hours of IV fluids each day


    A catheter needle was inserted into her hand to minimize pain, but even so her hand became


    swollen and cold.


    Izabe had taken over the Salotti Group at just 18 years old, when she was still a little girl. She


    was strong willed and not only had to manage thepany but also had to deal with her so¨Ccalled


    ¡°family¡°, who spent her money while cursing her behind her back


    She had camned so much at such a young age that one almost overlooked the fact that she was


    less than 24 years old.


    A nurse came in to change Izabe¡¯s medicine. Brett watched her quick movements and couldn¡¯t


    help but ask, ¡°Will she wake up?¡±


    The nurse finished adjusting the IV fluid and looked back, her eyes meeting his red¨Crimmed gaze it


    was only two days, and this man had changed a lot. His eyes were bloodshot and the eye sockets


    had sunken deeply, and with a shaggy beard, he looked like he had stayed up for these two days


    without any sleep.


    She looked away, unable to understand Brett. The video and photos of Izab kneeling in front of


    reporters had be a hot topic in R City.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Everyone knew about it. in a wideo taken by a bystander, Brett stood not far from Izabe with a


    cold expression, showing no intention of helping her. He simply watched as she knelt there alone,


    facing the usations from reporters and the families of the victims


    Reportedly, Izabe had knelt in the pouring rain for a full half hour


    An ordinary person would find it unbearable to kneel for that long, let alone in heavy rain and with


    Izabe¡¯s physical condition. It was no wonder she had vomited blood and suffered a stomach


    cancer attack that day The fact that she was still alive now was a miracle in itself

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22


    Did Brett love Izabe?


    If he did, then why was he coldly watching when Izabe knelt in the rain, humiliating herself in front


    of everyone?


    If he didn¡¯t, why did he stay awake for two days and two nights to take care of irabe?


    The nurse shook her head and said she doesn¡¯t know


    Brett didn¡¯t say anything and got lost in his thoughts again, like he wasn¡¯t the one who just asked


    the question


    The nurse left the ICU with her medication cart and at noon, Liam brought Brett a pile of files to


    report on his work


    Brett finished reading and signed a few urgent documents before asking Liam, ¡°How¡¯s n¡¯s


    situation?¡±


    ¡°Ive submitted the evidence you told me to n won¡¯t die¡± Liam was a bit confused n could get


    away with just some money?


    President Windham had gone through great lengths to put n on death row, and now he wanted


    to prove n¡¯s innocence in court. Wasn¡¯t this a wasted effort?


    Liam didn¡¯t understand, but he knew that President Windham never made a loss, and he¡¯s ruthless,


    never leaving any room for escape


    ¡°All night you can go said Brett


    Liam hesitated and said, ¡°President Windham, Ms Kaley called me because she couldn¡¯t reach you


    on the phone. She asked when you¡¯ll be going back


    ¡°Leave her alone. Just focus on n¡¯s case and delete all videos and news about Izabe¡¯s


    kneeling online¡±


    ¡°Yes, sic¡± Liam replied, surprised that a casual conversation led to this much trouble. He rubbed the


    tip of his nose and left quietly.


    Brett filled a cup of warm water and skillfully dabbed Izabe¡¯s cracked lips with a cotton swab


    He let out a bitter smile, not just because Liam didn¡¯t understand him, but sometimes he didn¡¯t


    understand himself either


    Originally it was only agreed to have n live the rest of his life in prison, but now he actually


    intended to let n out of prison, rewriting the whole previous n


    Why did he do this?


    Maybe it was just because he doesn¡¯t want to upset Izabe and see the disappointment in her


    eyes


    Izabe couldn¡¯t die now, she had to survive. She had the same blood as Kaley, and they had an


    agreement. If Kaley was in danger, who else could save her if not Izabe?


    He threw away the cotton swab, walked to the window, and opened a small crack. After consecutive


    days of rain in R City, the sun finally came out. The sunlight poured in through the window and fell


    gently on the


    sheets


    He squinted to adjust his eyes to the sudden brightness. To his surprise, he saw a rainbow in the


    sky.


    He looked back at tabe, who was still unconscious on the bed ¡°Izabe, the weather is beautiful


    outside, and there¡¯s a rainbow. I take you out to see it when you wake up¡±


    His voice was soft, so gentle he didn¡¯t even notice


    ¡°You dont have to worry about anything. The Salotti family is fine, your father won¡¯t die or go to


    prison, and I won¡¯t leave. I¡¯ll stay here with you¡±


    Izabe¡¯s fingers twitched, and the quiet machines by her bedside suddenly beeped.


    Startled, Brett rushed to her side, grabbed her hand, and called her name a couple of times.


    Izabe¡¯s eyshes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes and saw a white ceiling


    Unable to focus, she stared at the ceiling for a long time before noticing Brett by her bed


    She opened her mouth but she can¡¯t speak. She watched, as the man anxiously rang the bell, then


    went to the door to shout at someone and finally returned to her side holding her hand.


    This side of Brett was strange to trabe. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming But when


    she moved her hand and felt the pain from the IV needle, she realized this was real.


    Frowning, she saw the needle, the clear tube, and a bag of whitish liquid dripping slowly above her


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    A short whileter, Presley arrived with two nurses and shooed Brett, who was standing in the


    room, out


    ¡°Izabe, how do you feel?¡± Her vitals were stable now, and for now there would be no danger


    izabe looked at Presley, unable to speak and can only shook her head to let him know she isn¡¯t in


    pain


    In reality, though, her hands were cold, her body ached, and her wound throbbed. It¡¯s just that she


    was used to keeping the pain down and not letting people who cared about her worry about it


    Presley stroked her hair and said, ¡°You¡¯ve been unconscious for 46 hours, so it¡¯s normal that you


    cannot speak right now in a while, you can have some water to moisten your throat¡±


    Since she just had surgery, she couldn¡¯t eat and could only rely on nutritional fluids to maintain her


    body.


    izabe nodded


    Presley poured her a ss of water, supported her head, and helped her take a few sips.


    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± he asked


    ¡°Yeah a little better Her voice was hoarse, and speaking hurt as well, as if there was a thorn stuck in


    her throat


    Her voice was quiet, and everyone else in the room became silent, just bistening to her. She


    nced at the door and whispered, ¡°Does he know about my condition?¡±

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23


    ¡°He¡¯s already signed the surgery consent form and critical condition notice, so he knows about your


    condition


    ¡°Presley, can you help me make up a case report to hide the truth from him? Maybe it was because


    she¡¯s been asleep for too long, Izabe¡¯s voice was so hoarse that it was barely audible, but Presley


    understood


    what she meant


    Presley frowned and said, ¡°If you like him so much, why not telling him about your condition? Why


    not be honest with him?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s precisely because I like him that fm not telling him¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want him to care more about you and pity you?¡±


    Izabe shook her head, bearing the pain in her heart. How could Brett pity her? Knowing she was


    about to die, he might even celebrate getting rid of her for good.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Besides, even if he did pity her, it was only because of her condition. She was dying, and any extra


    feelings were nothing but out of pity


    Thest thing the Salotti family¡¯s youngdy needed was pity.


    ¡°Anyway, were going to get a divorce. His care isn¡¯t important to me. As a dying person, it¡¯s better to


    leave quietly Izabe slowly closed her eyes, her face looking incredibly calm.


    Presley¡¯s heart ached, feeling a sharp pain ¡°No way! Our country is studying a special cure for


    stomach cancer. Your terminal illness is just a minor problem in researchers¡® eyes. When the


    medicinees out, you¡¯ll be fine¡±


    Izabe¡¯s lips move slightly as she whispered, ¡°Presley I am indifferent to life and death. Death may


    even be a relief. Maybe after I die, I have to trouble you to donate my organs and cremate the


    remaining ashes, scattering them into the sea.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Presley¡¯s eyes went red, staring at her without blinking


    Izabe chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m not kidding I¡¯ve been trapped in the Salotti family my entire life, never getting


    a chance to see the outside world After I die, I want my ashes to float in the ocean and see more of


    the world¡±


    Her tears trickled down as she spoke Presley pulled out a tissue for her and said, ¡°if you really want


    to see the world, Til take you after the divorce fll help you keep it a secret from Brett, but if he finds


    out you lied to him, he might


    ¡°Whatever he does, Im already used to it.¡±


    Presley frowned ¡°Used to?¡±


    izabe realized she¡¯s said something she shouldn¡¯t have and quickly changed the topic ¡°Go on, get


    busy, I¡¯m fine. Just leave a caregiver to stay with me.¡±


    Seeing her reluctance to borate, Presley didn¡¯t push further. After arranging a caregiver and


    stating the precautions, he left the room.


    trabe just had surgery and couldn¡¯t sit up yet, so she stared out the window


    She got used to it, but she still could feel the pain, Brett had hurt her in the heart. External wounds


    could be healed over time by applying some medicine, but the wounds in the heart would stay


    Brett stood in the smoking area, the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts. It was unclear if they


    were all his or if they were already there.


    The white light in the hallway illuminated Brett¡¯s handsome and deep face, making it look even


    colder. Hearing movement behind him, Brett put out his cigarette and turned around finding Presley


    approaching.


    He brushed off the ashes on his clothes and walked straight to Presley. ¡°How¡¯s Izabe?¡±


    His tone was icy again, as if the person in agony outside the operating room two days ago wasn¡¯t


    him.


    Presley sarcastically replied, ¡°As long as you don¡¯t go in and annoy her, she might live a few more


    days

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24


    Brett choked and nearly lost his breath at what Presley had said


    Presley had a keen sense of smell and noticed the smell of smoke on Brett before he even got


    close ¡°Izabe is in poor health and can¡¯t stand the smell of smoke if you don¡¯t know how to take


    care of someone, just go back. Ive already arranged a caregiver for her and instructed on what to


    pay attention to ¡±


    Presley was trying to get him to leave, but Belt was thick skinned and didn¡¯t take his words so heart


    Instead, he found it extremely ufortable hearing Presley call Izabe¡¯s name so intimately. It


    was like a loy that had always been by his side was being coveted by a stranger Although he didn¡¯t


    really like the toy, it was his and he couldn¡¯t stand others eyeing it


    This was a public space with patients resting so it wasnt a good ce to argue Presley said the


    words coldly and walked away


    Brett stood there smelling his clothes. He hadn¡¯t taken a shower for two days, and there was


    already an odor on his body. The smell of smoke did a good job of covering his perspiration, but


    Presley was right- Izabe couldn¡¯t be around the smell of smoke. So, he had to stand in a well¨C


    ventted area to air himself out before going back to the wand


    After Presley walked some distance, he instructed the nurse beside him, ¡°Give that fake medical


    report to Brettter¡±


    He had promised to hide the truth for Izabe, so he had prepared this fake report a day earlier.


    The nurse asked. ¡°But will he believe 17¡± After all, the patient had vomited so much blood before,


    and there was even a critical illness notice issued. She couldn¡¯t imagine how foolish someoneN?velDrama.Org owns this.


    would have to be to


    believe such a report.


    ¡°He will find out if he genuinely cares about Izabe. But if he doesnt care, hell believe whatever


    you say and won¡¯t take it to heart¡®


    The nurse nodded with partial understanding, then went to fetch the report and headed back to the


    intensive care unit.


    Brett had finished airing himself out and was about to push the door open when a nurse behind him


    stopped him.


    ¡°Sit please wat¡±


    Brett turned to look at the person who ran to him out of breath, his eyes moving down to finally rest


    in the file she was holding


    ¡°Sir, this is your wife¡¯s medical examination report¡±


    Brett hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take it. After flipping through it for a white, he


    stopped suddenly at the ¡°Stomach Bleeding section with no other exnation.


    The nurse watched his facial expression carefully, seeing his eyes fixed on the ¡°stomach bleeding¡±


    part, she suddenly had an urge to run away


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she suffering from stomach cancer? Why isn¡¯t it on this record?¡±


    The nurse gave an awkward smile exining. Actually, your wife doesn¡¯t have stomach cancer.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying she doesn¡¯t have it? She¡¯s lying to me¡± Brett¡¯s face remained the same, but a


    boundless chill spread from the depths of his eyes, making him uncontrobly intimidating.


    Feeling as if she was being stared down by a ferocious beast, the nurse¡¯s legs weakened, but she


    forced herself to stay put. Hurriedly, she nodded


    ¡°It¡¯s your wife¡¯s wish. If you want to ask her just go talk to her After saying this, she nced at the


    door nearby and thought of Izabe¡¯s pate face. Comparing it to Brett¡¯s fierce gaze right now, she


    couldn¡¯t help but remind him, ¡°But her situation was indeed very dangerous at that time Otherwise,


    they wouldn¡¯t have asked you to sign the critical illness notice¡®


    Brett didn¡¯t take her advice in All he could think about was how Izabe and the hospital had


    deceived him, and that she didn¡¯t have stomach cancer after all.


    The examination report in his hand was crumpled into a ball, soon bing nothing but a wad of


    waste paper

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25


    The young nurse took a step back, her back drenched in cold sweat, she was genuinely scared


    Working in the hospital for so long, she had encountered people losing their tempers and ever seen


    a few medical disturbances, but none as terrifying as this


    Without much rest, Brett¡¯s eyes were full of red bloodshot veins, now they were filled with rage,


    making him look extremely ternfying


    The young nurse wanted to find an excuse to leave, but she saw the man in front of her suddenly


    grin, although the smile quickly disappeared His eyes were still cold, making his entire face appear


    twisted and demonic like a devil crawling out of hell


    The young nurse quickly took out her phone and pretended to be calm, ¡°Sit, you should go and


    apany your wife. I have something to do, so I leave first. If there¡¯s any emergency, please ring


    the bell by the bed.¡± With that, she hastily find the scene


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    She thought to herself that Dr Felton must have been right. Brett obviously didn¡¯t care about


    Izabe, otherwise, how could he not notice all of these loopholes and easily convict her?


    She had to hurry and tell Dr. Felton so that the patient wouldn¡¯t be harmed. With that thought in


    mind, the young nurse quickened her pace even more


    Brett clenched the report in his hand for a long time, then let out a coldugh.


    He pushed the door open, seemingly with ease, but his grip on the handle was so tight that his


    knuckles turned white, and the veins on his hands bulged


    Hearing the noise Izabe nced over When she saw Brett¡¯s calm face, she shuddered


    Her intuition told her that Brett was suppressing his anger. After all, she was quite familiar with his


    temper, having been with him for so many years. But why was he angry?


    She looked him up and down before finally stopping at the medical record in his hand. After a brief


    thought, she understood ¨C he believed Presley¡¯s fake medical record


    Izabe asked ¡°Did you sort things out with my dad¡°¡±


    ¡°Other than your dad is there anything else you want to tell me?¡± Brett stepped quickly towards


    Izabe¡¯s bed


    ¡°Anything else?¡± Izabe feigned confusion, then suddenly looked enlightened ¡°When are we


    getting a divorce?¡±


    Brett¡¯s face darkened further Unlike Brett, Izabe looked away at the ceiling mockingly, ¡°Brett, you


    don¡¯t really think we can continue living in harmorty as husband and wife, do you?¡±


    ¡°You caused my dad to go to prison, pushed the Salotti Group into bankruptcy, shamed me in


    public, shattered all my pride, made me kneel in front of the media, and almost got me killed in the


    operating room¡­¡± Izabe listed them one by one trying to provoke Brett while causing her own


    heart to ache


    Tears welled in her eyes Not wanting Brett to see her like this, Izabe closed her eyes.


    Seeing her in this state, Brett assumed that she didn¡¯t want to see him anymore and was


    determined to divorce him.


    In his life, Brett hated being coerced manipted, and deceived the most


    And Izabe had done all of these things He stared at her pale face, and his heart no longer


    harbored the pity he once felt


    She lied to him, saying that she was in thete stages of stomach cancer, just to get a divorce. But


    he wasn¡¯t going to give her what she wanted


    Since she was the one who proposed marriage in the first ce, she couldn¡¯t decide on the divorce


    now. Even in death, he would keep her tied to him, not for love, just in name.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26


    *Labe, you¡¯ve been talking a lot. So, you made up the wholete stage stomach cancer thing just


    to get a divorce from ine, huh? You really are desperate and even teamed up with the hospital to


    deceive mal¡± He had already concluded that it was Izabe lying to him


    Brett smashed the stack of test reports he was holding onto irabe¡¯s hand, and the needle in her


    hand was pulled out forcefully


    The bandage tred on tabe¡¯s hand quickly turned red from the blood, but it seemed like she didn¡¯t


    feel a bit of pain She opened her eyes and regained herposure


    Looking at Brett¡¯s fierce eyes, there was no doubt that if she wasn¡¯t half dead and lying in bed right


    now, Brett would have been pping her by now


    She turned her head to look at the test reports beside her picked them up shakily, and slowly turned


    the pages


    How she wished that these pages of test reports proving her healthy were real.


    ¡°At that time only you were qualified to sign the surgery consent form for me!¡® Izabe forced herself


    to speak. ¡°I told the doctor to take the stomach cancer diagnosis to you I was afraid that if my


    condition wasn¡¯t smicus you wouldn¡¯t approve the surgery and the doctor wouldn¡¯t treat me


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    She could barely hold back the tremble in her voice, but not the tears in her eyes. She lowered her


    head, afraid that Brett would see her teary eyes.


    Labe took a deep breath ¡°But you¡¯re right. I do want a divorce. I don¡¯t want to be your wife


    anymore. Thave stomach bleeding right now, and who knows how long I have until i actually


    develop stomach cancer?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re very concerned about your life¡±


    Izabe counter¨Cquestioned. ¡°Who isn¡¯t? Does your Kaley not care about her life? if i remember


    correctly, I¡¯ve donated blood to her at least 50 times in the past four years¡±


    Brett¡¯s eyes were half¨Cclosed, and he said coldly, ¡°Izabe, are you trying to say that you¡¯re pitiful


    right now? Donating blood was your decision, and it was in our prenuptial agreement. You have no


    right toin about how many times you¡¯ve donated blood to Kaley¡°¡±


    He was really good at protecting his lover Izabe endured the pain in her heart and grasped the


    bed sheet tightly


    ¡°Brett, I agreed to donate blood because I liked you, but you can¡¯t take advantage of my feelings for


    you and treat me like this! I don¡¯t want to donate blood to her anymore, and I don¡¯t want to be your


    wife either. ? don¡¯t care about any of this anymore.¡±


    ¡°You want a divorce? No way! If you want your dad to be better off in prison, you¡¯d better behave!¡±


    tabe¡¯s body stiffened, and she stared at him in disbelief. After a while, she said with trembling lips.


    ¡°What are you going to do to my dad? You¡¯ve promised clearly that you¡¯d let him go.¡±


    Brett looked disdainful Izabe was not invincible. On the contrary, she had too many things she


    couldn¡¯t let go of, all of these things were her weaknesses. As long as he held onto them tightly she


    could never escape him in her life


    With a smile, Brett gently held Izabe¡¯s chin with his hand and spoke softly. ¡°Did 1? Do you have


    any evidence?¡±


    End Brett want to go back on his word? Why?


    Izabe¡¯s eyes reddened, her eyshes trembled like a frightened rabbit. She clenched her teeth,


    ¡°Brett!¡±


    ¡°Izabe, I only agreed to spare your dad from the death penalty, but I don¡¯t know what might


    happen to him in prison. You know that there are all kinds of people in prison, and your dad¡¯s


    involved in a senous crime. He could be sharing a cell with some murderers, and if he gets beaten


    up, there¡¯s nothing I can do.¡±


    He uttered the most vicious threat in a calm manner, gently rubbing Izabe¡¯s fair chin with his


    thumb, his eyes full of contempt, as if mocking her naivety


    Izabe lowered her eyelids and looked at the hand Brett was touching her chin with, crying with


    sorrow


    Is this the man she had loved for sixteen years? He deceived her again and again, but she still


    believed him like a fool

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27


    That tear dropped on Brett¡¯s finger, even though it felt cold, he jerked his hand back as if he got


    burned


    His gaze shifted awkwardly, and then he noticed that Izabe¡¯s hand was bleeding


    Brett pressed the bell on the wall and turned away coldly, Tm going back Stay in the hospital by


    yourself I take you to the hearing next Wednesday¡±


    Izabe watched his back and suddenly said, ¡°Brett I always thought you were a man of your word


    Her voice trembled with hesitation


    Brett didn¡¯t look back at her, and as he opened the door and left the room, he casually said,


    ¡°Izabe, let me remind you, Ive lied in front of a priest


    Feeling like all the bones in her body had been removed, Izabey limply on the bed, tears


    streaming down her cheeks and soaking her pillow. She felt heartbroken and had a moment of


    realization


    Izabells and Brett¡¯s manage had made headlines back then, as both families were involved with two


    companies worth billions in addition to the prenuptial agreement, their wedding ceremony was also


    very


    important


    They held a simple wedding ceremony in front of the media Standing in front of the altar, the priest


    held the Bible and solemnly asked, ¡°Mr. Brett, do you take Miss Izabe to be your wife to love her


    cherish her, protect her in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer?¡±


    That year Brett, dressed in a ck suit, stood across her and said three words. ¡°Yes, I do¡±


    So, from the very beginning their mamage was a deception How could Brett keep his word to her?


    Izabe cried silently, her body convulsing, the pain spreading all the way to her bones


    She looked at the needle in her left hand, pulled it out forcefully, and threw it on the floor. The sound


    of the V stand rang above her head


    The needle punctured her hand, and the blood kept pouring out


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    It hurt badly, but her heart ached even more


    For the first time, Izabe hated her own brain for keeping Brett in her memory for sixteen years.


    She recklessly got close to him, like a moth to a me followed him, shamelessly confessed her


    love, and married him like a fool


    Their mamage had been a y from the start, and only she had truly entered the role, bing a


    tragic character


    Now that the Salotti family was on the verge of bankruptcy, everyone wasughing at her Perhaps


    those who mocked her knew the oue before she did. Like a fool, it took her this long to realize


    how much she had humiliated herself by loving Brett for sixteen years


    As Brett left the room, he didn¡¯t leave immediately. He stood by the door, leaning against the cold


    wall, listening to the sound of crying from inside the room.


    The woman¡¯s suppressed crying was like a sharp knife piercing his eardrums, causing him to


    involuntarily clench his fists


    He was supposed to hate Izabe, but why did he get so angry when he heard her talk about


    divorce?


    Why?


    Brett made an exnation for himself.


    It wasn¡¯t because he cared about Izabe, but because of a man¡¯s possessiveness, and to get


    revenge on this hypocritical woman!


    Brett lowered his head, slowly calming himself down


    He lingered for a while saw the nurse approaching released his clenched fist, and turned away

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28


    The nurse was the same one as before. She really couldn¡¯t let go of her worries about Izabe


    When she heard the bell ring, the volunteered to push the medicine cart. She imagined all kinds of


    scenanos in her head, but she didn¡¯t expect to see Izabes bloody hand when she opened the


    door


    The originally tidy ward was a mess with papers scattered on the floor, IV tubes tangled on the bed,


    and medicine bags thrown on the floor, leaking all over the ce


    The most striking thing was Izabes injured hand Her entire hand was dyed red with blood, even


    the sheets were coveted in it.


    ¡°What what happened? Did he bully you?¡± The nurse looked at Izabe¡¯s hand, and then at her


    slightly red eyes As if to take care of her emotions, the nurse spoke very cautiously


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    Izabeshook her head, her voice hoarse from crying. ¡°I did it myself¡±


    The nurse didn¡¯t quite believe her


    She took some cotton swabs and antiseptic solution from the cart and carefully lifted Izabe¡¯s left


    hand. The blood had somewhat clotted, so it needed to be cleaned


    The punctured area was oozing blood, the wound wasn¡¯t small, and the bleeding wouldn¡¯t stop for a


    while


    ¡°It might hurt a bit, just bear with it


    ¡°Okay¡± Izabe responded softly, staring nkly at the ceiling She¡¯d already endured the most


    painful part, so what was this little injury to her?


    The nurse removed the needle and looked at Izabe¡¯s scarred left hand. She couldn¡¯t use this


    hand for injections anymore


    The nurse asked. ¡°Can I give you the injection in your right hand?¡±


    Izabe asked. ¡°How much longer do I need to have the IV?¡±


    The nurse flipped through the document, and calcted roughly, ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll be about half a


    month¡±


    That long? Izabe frowned, wondering if shed be able to attend the hearing next week


    She sighed. ¡°Go ahead¡±


    The nurse had good skills, so the injection didn¡¯t hurt too much it was still an indwelling needle, but


    it was a bit inconvenient in her right hand


    ¡±


    After changing Izabe¡¯s medication, the nurse kindly changed her sheets and cleaned up the


    papers on the floor. Looking at the fake medical records, she asked Izabe, ¡°Did your husband


    leave?¡±


    Izabe nodded.


    The nurse didn¡¯t know what to say for a moment. Izabe was the daughter of the Salotti family.


    Until the days ago she was the big star in the women¡¯s circle in the R City


    Now, the inte was reporting that she had snatched someone else¡¯s fiance, and kneeled on the


    street to save her marriage. She disregarded the Salotti Group¡¯s bankruptcy, and didn¡¯t care about


    her father who had be a murderer in jail


    There were all kinds of rumors about her on the inte. The nurse didn¡¯t understand the grudges


    of wealthy families, but she sincerely felt sorry for Izabe


    Everyone used to describe her as an invincible strong woman, but who would have expected her to


    be dying of gastric cancer and not survive more than two years?


    Anyforting words at this point would just sound like pity The nurse hesitated for a long time,


    finally saying. ¡°Take good care of yourself.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, this won¡¯t happen again Thank you for today trabe smiled at her, but her smile was


    full of bittemess.


    ¡°No trouble at all¡± The nurse quickly shook her head and left quietly with the medicine cart.


    The room suddenly became very quiet, so quiet that she could hear the sound of the IV drip.


    When people are quiet their thoughts tend to wander, and when her thoughts wandered, she would


    think about Brett, which seemed to have be a habit.


    Brett was really gone for good and wouldn¡¯te back.


    She heard that during the 46 hours she was unconscious, Brett had been by her side, but she didn¡¯t


    believe it


    It was five days before n¡¯s retrial, and Brett never appeared before her again in those five days.


    The people Izabe saw most during the day were her caretakers and Presley


    Presley worked at the hospital and was usually very busy, but he would visit her whenever he had


    time, urging her to have chemotherapy


    Izabe was a delicate girl who was scared of pain and didn¡¯t want to go through the agonizing


    chemotherapy


    As expected, she shook her head at the mention of chemotherapy.


    ¡°Tim not having chemotherapy¡± Chemotherapy could prolong her life and was more berteficial for


    treatment. But she had already given up. Seeing that Presley still wanted to persuade her, she said


    bluntly. ¡°Ill lose a lot of hair from chemotherapy and I don¡¯t want to be bald That¡¯s worse than


    dying.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s more important right now, your life or your hair?¡± Presley shook his head helplessly, though


    his expression wasnt as heavy as before


    ¡°You know how much I love to dress up and wear makeup Izabe smiled, rather perfunctorily, ¡°And


    you also know I¡¯m afraid of pain¡±


    After Presley left, Izabe asked the nurse to help her to the restroom

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29


    Seeing how Izabe was often bored and staring at the dead tree outside the window, the female


    nurse asked. ¡°Ms Salotti, do you wanna watch some TV or something?


    izabe had a single room with a private bathroom and shower air conditioning and a TV But she


    hadn¡¯t turned the TV on since she came to the hospital


    Izabe responded with a nod ¡°Sure turn it on


    The nurse happily took the remote control and turned on the TV thinking of finding a recent popr


    TV show, but coincidentally, an entertainment news popped up as soon as it was turned on


    -Windham Group President Brett has a secret night time rendezvous with his first love Is he


    nning to divorce Izabe?


    Feeling awkward, the nurse was about to turn it off when Izabe stopped her


    ¡°I want to watch that news


    ¡°Alright okay¡±


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    The news was a blurry video of Brett and Kaley holding hands and acting close in a parking lot Her


    eyes lingered on Brett¡¯s vague face while thinking about his deep, mocking eyes staring back at her


    trabe watched calmly, as she had seen worse. But what amused her was that justst week, he


    said he wouldn¡¯t divorce her, and now he was caught on a date with Kaley


    She had never been able toprehend Brett¡¯s thoughts. He hated her but wouldn¡¯t divorce her,


    and while he loved Kaley, he kept her as the side chick What a total jerk!


    As Izabe watched, she started to feel a headache, so she told the nurse to find a TV series


    instead


    The nurse felt relieved and carefully watched Izabe, who started watching aedy series. The


    nurse couldn¡¯t help but chuckle a bit, then felt guilty and asked, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Salotti, am I


    bothering you?¡±


    ¡°No, fm watching it, too, and it¡¯s pretty funny¡± Although she wasn¡¯t really watching


    Feeling relieved, the nurse checked the time and saw it was already 1:30 pm Usually, patients


    would take a nap around this time, so she asked, ¡°Ms Salotti, would you like to rest? Ill turn off the


    TV


    ¡°No, don¡¯t turn it off Keep it on it makes the room feel a little more lively¡± The room seemed eerily


    quiet and lonely without any noise, like she was the only person left in the world.


    The nurse thought trabe was a great person and couldn¡¯t understand why Brett couldn¡¯t


    appreciate her


    Since Brett married her he should take responsibility. Instead, he went on a date with his ex before


    even getting a divorce- what a scumbag Ironically, many people on the Inte praised him as a


    good man.


    Wednesday

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30


    Brett came to pick up Izabe for the hearing


    After a week of recuperation at the hospital, Izabe could now sit up. Her stomach didn¡¯t hurt as


    much as before but she still felt weak


    Knowing that Izabe had to go to court, the nurse prepared a wheelchair and an IV for her Seeing


    two full bags of medication, Izabe¡¯s hand ached just looking at them.


    ¡°Can I not have the NV today? It won¡¯t be convenient at the court


    ¡°No,¡± the nurse cut her off. ¡°Dr. Felton personally said that you can¡¯t stop taking your medication


    After the hearing, you still have toe back and stay in the hospital¡±


    tabe nced at the hallway and asked. ¡°Where¡¯s Presley?¡®


    The nurse replied, ¡°He¡¯s on rounds Oh, he also told me that if you don¡¯t have the IV properly, I won¡¯t


    be able to discharge you¡±


    What else could she do? Presley¡¯s words were never to be taken back. Plus, with his personality,


    she could be tied to the bed listening to his nagging if she didn¡¯tply.


    abe reluctantly nodded and watched as the nurse prepared the IV


    Her phone vibrated twice. She picked it up with her left hand and saw a text from Brett, saying he


    had amived at the hospital entrance


    ¡°Just go handle the temporary discharge procedures for me Izabe pointed to the drawer under the


    bedside table ¡°The papers are all in there¡±


    The nurse stuffed vanous forms into a bag and then pushed Izabe to the front desk payment


    window


    The hospital was crowded, so to avoid anyone bumping into her, the nurse pushed her to aer


    ¡°Ms Salotti, please wait here for a moment. Til go take care of the procedures¡±


    Izabe nodded, ¡°Thanks¡±


    As soon as the nurse left, Izabe texted Brett to tell him her location, Just as she sent it, her phone


    rang


    She thought it was Brett calling, but the iing call was from an unknown number


    Hesitating, Izabe answered the phone. ¡°Hello?¡±


    Various noises came from the phone, but no one responded. She was about to hang up, thinking it


    was a wrong call when n¡¯s voice suddenly came through.


    ¡°Izabello, its your dad¡®


    ¡°Dad?¡± she frowned, ¡°Aren¡¯t you on your way to court? And whose phone is this? Where are you?¡±


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    A sense of unease arose in Izabe, and she gripped her phone, her expression became serious


    ¡°Izabe, I¡¯m sorry for all these years haven¡¯t been a good father After Im gone, you¡¯ll have to take


    care of your brother.¡± n¡¯s voice trembled


    ¡°Towe you these words. You¡¯ve done very well, so well that I¡¯m proud fm sorry, Izabe Be careful


    with Brett


    ¡°Where are you going. Dad? n! Answer me Izabe cried out his name in desperation. n


    would usually scold her by now, but this time, he didn¡¯t


    Sudden noises of wind and other vibrations erupted from the phone


    ¡°Dad! Answer me! Where are you? Ie find you, I promise to give you everything! I¡¯ll give you


    and my brother The Salotti Group! I won¡¯t ask for anything Just say something.¡±


    All kinds of sounds came through the phone, but not n¡¯s voice Izabe¡¯s breathing became


    erratic, her voice trembling


    Covered in cold sweat tears streamed down her face, soaking it. She sobbed and pleaded n


    softly


    Then, she heard a sound like a stone falling, a booming noise that made the heart stop


    Everything went quiet, and a feeling of despair enveloped her


    Izabe¡¯s mind went nk, and she tremulously called out, ¡°Dad?¡±


    No one answered


    Trying a few more times she put down her phone its screen now dark. She didn¡¯t know when the


    call ended. She hurriedly called back, only to be met with a cold automated message


    ¡°Sorry the number you have dialed is switched off


    Her tears fell on the phone screen, blurring it as she struggled to wipe them away. She could never


    reach through, no matter how many times she tried to call

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31


    A sharp pain came from her right hand, and she saw blood flowing back, dyeing the entire IV tube


    red.


    She connected her phone to the inte and saw several trending topics popping up. At this


    moment, Izabe was like a rusty machine, slow and unresponsive. With trembling fingers, she


    clicked on a video of someone jumping off a building.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    As soon as she opened the video, she heard ear-piercing screams, and the screen was chaotic.


    Surrounding her were continuous noises, cries, and screams of women and children. In just a few


    seconds of the video, Izabe saw too much.


    Her heart felt like it had been gouged out with a blunt knife, deste. She wanted to stop herself,


    but her brain forced her to continue watching.


    And then...


    She saw n lying in a pool of blood.


    "Ah..." Izabe opened her mouth, and her hoarse throat let out a sob. Her emaciated shoulders


    trembled violently. It was as if her soul had left her body, floating in midair, watching herself holding


    her phone and trembling like a withered leaf, about to be torn apart by the wind at any moment.


    "Izabe." Someone was calling her. She looked up nkly, her empty eyes full of fear and despair,


    somewhat creepy.


    Seeing Brett walking towards her, Izabe looked horrified and tried to get up from her wheelchair


    like a madwoman.


    But she was weak, and before she could stand up straight, she fell to her knees, knocking over the


    wheelchair too. The force of the IV pulling on the back of her hand tore the skin and flesh.


    Blood dripped onto the white floor, strikingly visible.


    The noise instantly attracted everyone''s attention in the hall. They all looked towards her, only to


    see a woman with her head down, lying on the ground in a mess. They couldn''t see her face, only


    her trembling, frail body, the white floor stained with a mixture of medicine and blood. What a painful


    sight.


    Some people wanted to help, but Brett had already sprinted to Izabe''s side.


    "How can you be so stupid?" Brett''s tone was disdainful, but he reached out to lift her up.


    Izabe suddenly pushed Brett away with force, pped him, and screamed, "Brett, my dad jumped


    off a building!"


    n would jump off a building? A wimpy man like him would do that?


    Brett couldn''t believe it, but Izabe''s desperate tears seemed to be enough of a confirmation.


    Brett''s indestructible heart kept sinking, and a sense of panic struck him.


    If n really died, then he and Izabe... he suddenly didn''t dare to think further.


    Izabe cried her heart out, unable to shake off thest words her father said to her.


    "Brett, I hate you! You killed my dad!" From a roar to a choked sob, she whimpered, distraught.


    Brett''s heart tightened; this was the first time he heard Izabe say she hated him. His heart felt like


    it was being squeezed tighter and tighter.


    Brett squatted down, holding Izabe''s trembling body, "Izabe, I''ll take you to see your dad, he''ll


    be fine, trust me."


    "Brett, why should I believe you? You''ve told me yourself that you''re a liar, how can I believe you?!"


    She thought that by giving up her pride and begging on her knees, she could save her father''s life.


    But he...


    Even if n didn''t love her or care for her, he was still her family, her father. But now... everything


    was gone.


    Izabe''s pale face now lost all color, her body trembling violently. Even as Brett held her tightly, he


    could still feel her life force ebbing away.


    Leaning on his shoulder, she opened her mouth and bit down. She used all her strength to hurt


    Brett, but for him, it was nothing.


    Izabe''s body was weak, and in a moment, she lost all her strength. She leaned helplessly on


    Brett''s shoulder, her tears soaking his suit.


    Izabe''s voice trembled as she sobbed, "Brett, how can you be so cruel?"

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32


    That day, in front of everyone, Izabe set aside her pride and knelt in the pouring rain for a painful


    half hour, bing the object of a cruel and absurd joke. She sobbed uncontrobly, her tears


    drenching Brett''s clothes. The intensity of her hatred towards him was overwhelming, but what she


    despised even more was herself.


    With n''s tragic demise, forgiveness for Brett seemed impossible for Izabe, and self-forgiveness


    felt utterly out of reach. The weight of guilt and regret bore down on her, suffocating her spirit.


    Brett seemed to feel her hatred. His hand trembled slightly, and there was only one thought in his


    mind: If n was really dead, how could Izabe willingly stay with him?


    He couldn''t let Izabe leave him, absolutely not!


    The ringing of his cell phone brought Brett back to his senses. He held Izabe with one arm while


    pulling out his phone from his pocket with the other.


    The call was from Liam. As soon as he answered, an anxious voice came from the other end.


    "President Windham, n jumped off a building on his way to court and died on the spot. What


    should we do with the body?"


    Brett felt a sudden tightness in his chest, and a brief panic flickered in his eyes. It was the first time


    he found himself caught in a dilemma, unsure of how to react to Liam''s words. Worried that Izabe


    might overhear, he moved the phone away from them.


    "President Windham, please give me an answer. Should we inform Ms. Salotti about n''s death?"


    Urgently, the man on the other end pressed for a response.


    "I''ll be there soon. You handle it for now," Brett replied, taking a deep breath before ending the call.


    Izabe hadpletely crumbled in Brett''s embrace, appearing lifeless. Her eyes shut, and tears


    continued to stream down her cheeks. Brett reached out, gently wiping the tears from her face. As


    his fingers made contact with her eyes, Izabe opened them, revealing a deep sense of despair.


    "I want to see him."


    "Okay, I''ll take you to him," Brett answered.


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    The blood on Izabe''s hand smeared onto Brett''s clothes, giving off a strong smell of blood. Brett


    was somewhat fastidious, and frowned when he saw it.


    As he was considering what to do, the nurse finished her paperwork and came out.


    Observing the situation, the nurse hurriedly approached with a mixture of guilt and concern etched


    on her face. "Ms. Salotti, are you alright? This is all my fault. You should have been resting in the


    ward."


    Izabe remained huddled in Brett''s embrace, her face concealed from sight. However, her


    trembling body revealed the immense agony she was going through.


    The nurse did not know what had happened, but judging by the man''s grim face and the chaotic


    scene, she guessed that they must have had a quarrel.


    The nurse couldn''t help but feel a sense of fear around Brett. His mere presence exuded an


    intimidating aura, and his typically stern countenance alone was enough to make people feel


    breathless. Now, with his cold and menacing gaze, the fear intensified.


    "Clean up the floor. I''ll be taking her out for a while, and we''ll return soon," Brett stated firmly.


    "But Dr. Felton mentioned that Ms. Salotti requires an IV," the nurse countered.


    "Tell him I''ll bring Izabe back to the hospital within three hours. If he''s notfortable, he can call


    me, and I''ll have someone pick up the medication from the hospital."


    Having said this, the nurse had no choice but to stop blocking him. Feeling guilty, she quickly


    cleaned up the wheelchair and the IV tube and bag on the floor.


    Brett ced Izabe back in the wheelchair and took a piece of gauze and some disinfectant from


    the nurse to treat her hand in a rudimentary way.


    The wound on her hand where the needle had pierced was long and bloody, and it looked painful.


    Izabe was afraid of pain, but this time she didn''t even frown.

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33


    Brett was holding Izabe''s cold hand, gently applying medicine. This was the first time in his life he


    had been so careful with someone.


    If anyone who knew him saw this scene, they''d be shocked. Who was Brett? A cocky and arrogant


    guy. And now, this kind of guy was actually kneeling before a woman, applying medicine for her, and


    this woman was the person he hated the most.


    Brett didn''t even realize how careful he was, and Izabe was like a lost soul. Only the caregiver


    noticed how these two, who were just so full of themselves, were now so harmonious. It seemed


    nobody could break them apart.


    The inte said their rtionship was broken, but it didn''t seem like that was the case now.


    You can''t trust the rumors on the inte, after all.


    Brett had never served anyone, let alone something as intricate as dressing a wound. He applied


    the medicine and wrapped the wound with gauze.


    Fearing that Izabe would fall like she did before, Brett strapped her in the wheelchair before


    moving behind to push her.


    The caregiver hesitated briefly before deciding to trail behind them, keeping a watchful eye until


    their figures vanished from sight. Then, they sought out Presley.


    For Izabe, the half-hour car ride felt unbearably long. Memories flooded her mind, scenes of her


    arguments with n, their heated conflicts, and fleeting glimpses of old photographs where n


    held her tightly, wearing a warm smile.


    These memories felt fragile, like soap bubbles on the verge of bursting with the slightest touch,


    obscuring the haunting image of n''s bloodied face captured in the video.


    Izabe curled up in the passenger seat, leaning against the car door, her head down.


    She was so fragile at this moment, like a cracked crystal doll, with "handle with care" written all over


    her. It seemed the slightest touch could break her into pieces, never to be put together again.


    Brett called Liam and learned that n''s body had been transferred to the police station.


    Following the directions, Brett parked the car outside. Izabe sat beside him like a lost soul,


    unresponsive, her eyes vacant and devoid of emotion.


    Stepping out of the car, Brett reached over and unfastened her seat belt. Surprisingly, she didn''t


    shed any tears or put up a fuss, a stark contrast to her earlier outburst when she bit him in a frenzy.


    This changed behavior only deepened Brett''s concern for Izabe.


    Bending down, Brett gently lifted Izabe, who was like a hurt kitten - well-behaved and pitiful. He


    ced her in the wheelchair.


    Liam was waiting at the door and rushed over when he saw them approaching. "President


    Windham, let me help."


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    Brett dodged out of the way, not saying a word, just shooting Liam a cold nce.


    Liam immediately stopped, standing stiffly to the side as he watched Brett push Izabe inside.


    Only then did he realize the situation and awkwardly scratched the back of his head. He thought to


    himself, President Windham might say he doesn''t care about Izabe, but his body is very honest


    showing its possessiveness.


    Liam went in and led the way. n''s horrifying appearance from jumping off the building was inside


    a room where normally nobody entered.


    A police officer stood vigntly outside, keeping watch. Izabe''s gaze fixated on the firmly shut


    door, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. With a timid voice, she mustered the courage to inquire, "Is


    my father in there? How is he? Are his injuries severe?"


    The police officer nced down at Izabe, attempting to respond, but no words escaped his lips.


    His silence only deepened her confusion. A puzzled expression adorned her face as she wondered


    why he remained mute. "My father''s name is n. Is he inside? He was supposed to attend a retrial


    at the court today."


    That''s right, n was going to court today for a retrial. There was enough evidence to prove his


    innocence, and he wouldn''t be sentenced to death.


    The court wouldn''t sentence him to death, so how could he be so desperate as to jump off the


    building andmit suicide?


    Her dad was just angry, ming her for taking away the life of his lover at birth, and for taking the


    Salotti family, and for not caring about him for four days. That''s why he made up this story to trick


    her.


    When a person experiences intense shock and fear, the body automatically triggers a protective


    mechanism. The brain empties, doubting the reality of the situation, as if it''s all just a hallucination.


    Once the person wakes up, the nightmare disappears.

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34


    The cop couldn''t bear to break the news to Izabe that her dad was dead.


    Brett, standing behind Izabe, spoke up, "Open the door."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    The cop nodded, only cracking the door open. A strong smell of blood seeped out, and he stepped


    aside to let them in.


    For the first time, Izabe was afraid to enter a room. She couldn''t see inside, her mind reying


    n''s words to her on the phone.


    Brett gently guided Izabe inside the room.


    As they entered, their attention was drawn to a stretcher tucked away in a corner, concealed by a


    pristine white sheet.


    The sight of it caused Izabe to grip the handles of her wheelchair tightly, inadvertently reopening


    the wound on the back of her hand.


    She attempted to rise from her seat, but Brett intervened, urging her to stay put. "Please don''t


    move. Let me wheel you closer," he offered.


    Izabe shook her head in disbelief, unable to ept the possibility that the person lying beneath


    the sheet was n. She muttered softly, "No, it can''t be him."


    n had been an awful father, with a wicked temper and a penchant for favoring males over


    females, taking it all out on his daughter.


    But when she was younger, he had held her, fed her baby form, and changed her diapers...


    Why did it have to turn out like this?


    She opened her mouth, wanting to call out, "Dad," but couldn''t make a sound.


    Brett pushed her over to about one meter away from the stretcher, the smell of blood growing more


    intense.


    Izabe stared nkly, her gaze shifting little by little from left to right, finally fixating on a ring on the


    exposed left hand beneath the sheet.


    It was n''s ring, his wedding ring with her mother. He had worn it for 27 years, never taking it off.


    "Dad." She finally let out a sob, choking on her tears.


    Izabe felt dizzy. She staggered as she tried to stand, leaning on the wheelchair handles. Brett


    reached out to steady her, but she pushed him away and struggled to move forward. After two


    steps, she copsed to her knees.


    Brett hugged her from behind, and she trembled with anguish in his arms.


    Overwhelmed by despair, Izabe couldn''t help but let her tears flow, her hands shielding her face.


    The weight of the situation threatened to crush her entirely.


    Crawling towards the sheet, she stretched her left hand to slowly pull it down. As her eyes fell upon


    n''s bloodied and contorted visage, she slumped into Brett''sforting embrace.


    Deep within her, Izabe had always known the truth: n was dead. How could anyone survive a


    fall from a 30-story building? The final scene of the video reyed vividly in her mind - just as it did


    now - with n''s face drenched in blood, fragments of his shattered skull scattered around.


    She just couldn''t bring herself to believe it, to ept that her father was gone.


    Izabe choked through her tears, "Dad... I''ll give you whatever you want... I''ll hand over the


    company to you and my brother, I don''t want anything anymore, just get up... I didn''t mean to ignore


    you for those four days, I was locked up and didn''t know you were in trouble. If you me me, just


    get up and scold me... Dad, don''t ignore me... Everything I said before was lies, I don''t hate you..."


    A twisted smile crossed her face as she choked out, "Look at you, you''re usually so concerned


    about your image. Why are you covered in cuts? Your clothes are filthy too..."


    Her voice barely audible, she mumbled, "Dad, it''s too cold here. Get up and go home with me. I''ll


    give you however much money you want."


    A nearby cop interrupted, "Ms. Salotti, your father is dead. He fell from a thirty-story building and


    died on the spot. He''s not waking up."


    Izabe shook her head, her voice barely audible as she whispered, "No... he''s just angry. This is


    what he does when he''s mad. He pretends I don''t exist, like I''m invisible. Just pretend to sleep and


    ignore me. He''s always angry at me."


    Turning her gaze towards Brett, she choked on her words, desperation evident in her voice, "Do you


    think he''s deliberately ignoring me because he''s angry with me?"


    Brett remained silent, his eyes holding a mocking expression that pierced through her heart.


    Panic surged within Izabe, overpowering her, and she could no longer restrain her tears, which


    cascaded down her cheeks uncontrobly.


    Softly, Brett said, "Izabe, your dad is really dead. You knew that when you were in the hospital."


    "No, I didn''t know! He''s not dead!"


    "Brett, my dad''s not dead!"


    "He''s always angry with me for taking everything from the Salotti family and marrying you. If I give


    the Salotti family back to him and divorce you, he''ll wake up."


    Brett''s heart clenched at the mention of divorce, but he refused to even consider it. Even with n


    dead, he''d still bind her to him, making divorce impossible.


    Brett firmly sped her delicate wrists, preventing her from further movement. "Izabe, enough!


    I''ve already informed you that your father is no longer alive. Even if you were to give the Salotti


    family back their name and divorce me, it won''t bring him back."


    "Let go of me, Brett!" Izabe directed her anger solely at him, her gaze filled with animosity.


    The hateful look in her eyes pierced through him, and a dangerous glint flickered in Brett''s own


    eyes. "What? You want to fight with me now?"


    The word "fight" struck Izabe deeply. Brett had always belittled her screams and tears, dismissing


    them as mere tantrums, callously adding salt to her wounds without any concern.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35


    Izabe bowed her head and sank her teeth into his wrist with force, tearing and biting ferociously.


    Her sharp teeth pierced through the flesh, and despite the metallic sweetness in her mouth, she


    refused to let go.


    Brett winced slightly, feeling the pain, but he stubbornly held onto her. He kept Izabe firmly in his


    grip as he addressed the police officers behind him, saying, "Find someone to remove and handle


    the body."


    One of the policemen inquired, "How should we proceed?"


    The question lingered in the air. Brett twisted his wrist, maintaining his hold on Izabe''s jaw, while


    he gazed at her teeth stained with blood. His eyes filled with gloom as he asked, "Izabe, what do


    you think we should do?"


    Izabe couldn''t respond, as he had a tight grip around her throat, causing her to whimper and


    moan in pain. The overwhelming metallic taste in her mouth made it impossible for her to


    distinguish between Brett''s blood and her own.


    "If there''s no response, send it to the crematorium."


    The policeman called someone over with his walkie-talkie, preparing to remove the body lying on


    the ground. It wasn''t good to leave it here, so they decided to follow Brett''s suggestion and take it to


    the crematorium.


    "No..." She didn''t want them to touch her dad. As she saw the body being taken away, Izabe


    reached out frantically, but she only managed to grab a piece of the white cloth. As the cloth was


    torn away, n''s body was fully exposed to her.


    The sight of the body after the fall was horrifying. Even the police, who were used to seeing death,


    were taken aback.


    The sight was horrific. His bodyy shattered, drenched in blood, with a gruesome hole in his


    abdomen. It appeared that during the fall, his belly had impaled onto a construction rebar, causing


    his internal organs to spill out.


    The scene was witnessed by numerous people, many of whom screamed or vomited in response.


    Izabe suddenly fell silent, freezing in ce. She was breathing heavily, her face drained of color.


    Abruptly, her vision went ck as Brett covered her eyes from behind.


    "Let go of me!" Izabe gasped, struggling. "Brett, release me!"


    But Brett refused to release his hold. Instead, he tightened his grip on her eyes, blocking out any


    trace of light. He felt his palm growing warm and damp...


    Izabe bit her lower lip, overwhelmed by an unbearable sense of heartache. When she saw the


    hole in n''s belly, it was as if a simr void had opened in her own chest, allowing the cold wind to


    prate, causing her to break out in a cold sweat.


    Izabe held her chest, her body curling up from the pain. Breathing heavily, she stuttered, "Brett, I


    don''t have a dad anymore."


    "You still have me," Brett murmured into her ear, trying to make his voice as soft as possible.


    Through tear-strainedughter, Izabe mustered a weak voice, her words punctuated by sobs,


    "Brett, I deeply regret it... I regret meeting you six years ago, pressuring you into marrying me four


    years ago, and everything I''ve put you through during these past four years. If it wasn''t for me, none


    of this would have happened."


    Had she simply forgotten about Brett from sixteen years ago, their lives would have been untangled


    from each other''s grasp. She wouldn''t have been afflicted with stomach cancer, the Salotti Group


    wouldn''t be on the brink of copse, she wouldn''t have endured four days trapped within her


    bedroom, and her father wouldn''t have been falsely used and framed.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    "Izabe, it''s toote to say all this now."


    Indeed, everything was toote. All the suffering she was going through, all the pain she was


    enduring, it was all her fault.


    Suddenly, Izabe''s body started trembling violently. Brett realized something was wrong.


    "Izabe, what''s wrong?"


    Izabe couldn''t hear what Brett was saying. All she could feel was her stomach, as if something


    was corroding it, causing unbearable pain.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36


    When Brett brought Izabe back to the hospital, she had already passed out and was taken to the


    emergency room. The test results were a little better thanst time.


    Izabe''s body was weak to begin with, and with the strong mental stimtion, it caused her to


    faint. Thankfully, she was sent to the hospital in time, otherwise, it would have been life-threatening.


    During Izabe''s unconsciousness, Brett arranged for n''s body to be taken away and had Liam


    find a good burial plot ording to feng shui principles.


    n''s death stirred up a storm on the inte, and Presley, having just finished a surgery and not


    having a chance to rest yet, overheard nurses talking about it.


    His expression shifted instantly, and he gripped the nurse''s arm in a state of anxiety. "Who did you


    say died?"


    "n," the nurse replied, "the one who received a death sentencest week. Today was his second


    trial, but he grabbed someone''s phone and fell from a building to his death."


    Presley''s face turned nk, his emotions numbed as his mind raced. "If n is dead, what about


    Izabe? Wasn''t she supposed to be present at the court hearing today? Does she already know?"


    A whirlwind of questions swirled within him.


    The nurse in front of him looked at him quizzically for a moment, then awkwardly walked away.


    Feeling like he''d lost his soul, Presley pulled out his phone from his coat pocket, hands trembling.


    He called Izabe first, and when no one picked up, he called her caregiver. After three seconds of


    waiting, the caregiver answered.


    "Dr. Felton."


    Presley anxiously asked, "Where''s Izabe? Are you with her?"


    "Yes."


    "Where is she?"


    "Ms. Salotti is in her hospital room. She just visited her dad and fainted from a shock..."


    Presley was already on his way to the hospital room, running and apologizing to passing patients


    and nurses. "I''ll be there right away."


    All the way there, Presley''s mind was filled with the caregiver''s words: Izabe passed out from


    shock. At this point, she needed someone to be there for her more than ever, but what could he say


    to her?


    Telling her something like "Take it easy, ept your loss" would be like rubbing salt in her wound.


    There''s no way he could say such cruel words.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    As he ran, Presley suddenly slowed down, his face full of pain.


    Izabey still on the bed, her lips pale and her eyes tightly closed. Brett sat by her side, gently


    sping her hand in his, trying to bring warmth to them.


    A tinge of pity began to surface within Brett, although it wasn''t driven by romantic feelings. He was


    well aware that he could never fall in love with Izabe.


    As she herself had admitted, he had been cruel to her. If there was even a hint of affection in his


    heart, he wouldn''t have been so heartless. No, the one he truly loved was Kaley, the girl who had


    been by his side since childhood and had saved his life six years ago.


    Brett let out a soft sigh, his gaze focused on Izabe, studying her carefully. At just 24 years old,


    she possessed delicate features, with the natural curvature of her lips giving the impression of a


    perpetual smile.


    But it was her eyes that truly captivated people¡ªan endless well of emotions residing within them.


    Even if she wore ragged clothes, it could not hide her radiance.


    In R City, a ce full of beautiful women, her beauty had an overpowering presence among women


    that made it difficult for others to look straight at her.


    If someone was too attractive, they would easily be the target of jealousy.


    There were always two kinds of gazes around Izabe: one was women''s envy, the other was


    men''s infatuation.


    Six years ago, when Brett first met Izabe at a party, her dazzling red dress stole everyone''s


    attention.


    In the past, Brett used to describe Izabe as a vibrant and captivating red rose. However, now, that


    red rose had wilted, its roots decayed and fragile, crumbling at the slightest touch.


    When did it all begin for her? Even her once joyful smile had turned bitter, and despite being


    someone who loved to smile, she had spent the past few years sleeping with a frown, sadness


    clinging to her like a shadow.


    Izabe''s eyshes trembled as she woke up, finding Brett seated directly in front of her, his face


    wearing a solemn expression as he gazed at her.


    Brett looked uneasy as she woke, retracting his hand. "Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?"


    Izabe stared nkly at him, devoid of any energy. Her soulless state frightened Brett. She looked


    like someone who had lost all emotions.


    "Brett, did you see my dad before he passed away? What did you say to him?"


    Pouring water, Brett''s hand shook as he heard her words. The water sshed on his hand, a hot


    sting coursing through his skin and into his heart.


    He didn''t say anything, but his stiff back already confirmed all of Izabe''s suspicions.


    Izabe''s face remained devoid of expression as she stared at the ceiling, her eyescking any


    spark. The memories of n''s final words echoed in her mind, causing tears to once again stream


    down her cheeks.


    "My dad''sst words were to be careful with you..." Those who knew n considered him a gentle


    soul, easily taken advantage of. How could someone like him find the strength to confront death?


    Unless he had encountered something, something so dire that it could only be resolved through his


    own demise.


    "What does your dad''s death have to do with me?" Brett''s face quickly regained itsposure. He


    turned around, his gaze locking with Izabe''s as he held a cup of water.


    "Perhaps he couldn''t bear the guilt and chose to take his own life. Or maybe he believed that a life


    behind bars would be worse than death, so he made the choice to end it."


    "Is that really what happened?" Izabe tried to see through Brett''s fa?ade, to understand his inner


    thoughts.


    "Brett, I promised you that we won''t divorce. But can you bring my dad back to me?"


    "Your dad''s already dead." Brett calmly stated the fact.


    Yeah... her dad is already dead.


    "Then let''s divorce." She can no longer convince herself to continue with Brett. Their marriage was


    a mistake from the beginning.


    Brett''s voice turned icy as he replied, "Don''t even entertain such thoughts."


    "What do you expect of me?" Izabe stared at the man in front of her, tears welling up in her eyes.


    With a voice filled with anguish, she shouted, "Do I even feel like a normal human being beside


    you? What more do you want from me?!"

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37


    Tears streamed down Izabe''s face as she lifted her head, her once radiant eyes now filled with


    despair. Brett seemed to peer into her eyes, seeing the darkness that had consumed her heart.


    Despite the pain in her stomach, Izabe had grown ustomed to it. Through tear-streaked eyes,


    she spoke, "Brett, my family is gone. I have repaid my obligation to you..."


    "Repaid?" Brett coldly interrupted her before she could finish her sentence. His narrowed eyes


    emitted a chilling re. "Izabe, the debt you owe me can never be repaid. Do not deceive


    yourself by cing me on me for your father''s death. Your father is gone, but your brother is still


    alive. If you don''t want him to suffer the same fate, it would be wise to control your thoughts. You


    know well what I am capable of."


    Since Izabe had already concluded that he was extremely cruel, he might as well show her his


    cruelty. Otherwise, he really wouldn''t be doing justice to her words.


    Brett stood in front of her. He was tall, his back against the light, and his face was particrly


    gloomy.


    "Are you using Lucas to threaten me?"


    "It''s not a threat, I do anything based on my mood. If you make me happy, I''ll let him off. If I''m not


    happy, his death will be worse than your father''s."


    Saying this, Brettughed. Like a bloodthirsty demon, he slowly approached Izabe and coaxed,


    "Izabe, you can let go and stop caring. What''s the difference between the remaining rtives and


    enemies now? Have they ever taken care of you until now? I can be sure that if it were you who


    were in danger, they would definitely not waste their time on you."


    Izabe was a fool, barely taking care of herself yet worrying about others. Who would care for her


    if not herself? If she can''t break these ties, then she deserves to be his tool.


    Izabe clenched her fists, her fingertips digging into her palms. She was trying to contain the rage


    in her chest. She, a woman, couldn''t fight or outtalk Brett.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Brett indeed saw things more clearly and spoke truthfully, but could she really ignore it?


    Every time she thought about ignoring it, the words n had said before his death kept reying in


    her mind, buzzing in her ears.


    She was dying and wouldn''t live more than two years. In exchange, Lucas could have decades.


    Looking at it from this perspective, it was worth it.


    Brett carefully observed every subtle change in Izabe''s demeanor. Her silence confirmed that she


    had reached a decision.


    The words he had just spoken were genuine advice, meant to guide her. Ultimately, it was her own


    hesitations and uncertainties that she needed to confront. She had no one else to me.


    In this lifetime, Izabe would never be able to escape from Brett''s side. Even if she attempted to fly


    away, she would remain tethered to him by an invisible string, akin to a kite. That string resided


    firmly in Brett''s hands, and with a gentle tug, she would inevitably return to his side.


    Brett brought the cup he held to Izabe''s lips. Observing her obediently open her mouth to drink,


    he smiled with a sense of gratification. "Izabe, as long as you behave, everything will be fine." His


    patience had its limits, and he couldn''t bear her constant talk of divorce.


    Izabe closed her eyes.


    Suddenly, with a bang, the bedroom door was pushed open. The person hadn''t entered yet, but the


    voice came first.


    "Izabe."


    Brett stood by the bed,pletely shielding Izabe. "She''s already asleep."


    Presley spoke straight to the point: "I want to take Izabe back to my house." Brett was too


    dangerous, and Izabe would eventually be tortured into misery. He couldn''t stand by and do


    nothing.


    Brett found it amusing and sneered, "Dr. Felton, haven''t you forgotten that Izabe is my wife? What


    right do you have to take her away?"


    "Brett, do you deserve to say these words? Izabe will divorce you!"


    Such a firm attitude suggested that Izabe had spoken a lot to Presley about wanting to divorce


    him. The thought of Izabe being intimate with another man in ces he couldn''t see made Brett


    burn with rage.


    "Is that so?" Brett chuckled, "But she just said she won''t divorce me, she will listen to me obediently,


    and be my wife."


    Brett was good at concealing his emotions, his heart full of rage but his face calm, revealing none of


    the vile thoughts in his heart.


    Presley immediately retorted, "Impossible, Brett, haven''t you hurt Izabe enough? How could she


    possibly want to stay with you?"


    Brett''s voice dripped with scorn. "Perhaps she enjoys pain," he sneered.


    Presley''s body tensed up. He had always known Brett treated Izabe harshly, but he never


    expected Brett to openly insult her in his presence.


    Unable to contain his anger, Presley erupted, "You bastard!" He raised his fist, intending to charge


    at Brett.


    Brett''s gaze turned frigid as he swiftly evaded Presley''s punch. Seizing Presley''s cor with one


    hand, he forcefully flung him to the ground. Presley groaned in pain upon impact, attempting to fight


    back, but he was quickly overpowered by Brett, who delivered a punch to his face.


    Presley couldn''t beat Brett. He was just a doctor, while Brett was a former kickboxing champion.


    Sometimes talent was indeed troublesome.


    Presley felt dizzy from the beating. He tasted blood in his mouth, and though he was severely


    bruised and the wounds were painful, he didn''t abandon the idea of taking Izabe away.


    "Could you guys fight elsewhere?" Izabe was the first to break the silence.


    Brett''s hand still grasped Presley''s throat, his raised fist hanging in mid-air. Hearing Izabe''s weak


    voice, he turned to look at Izabe, his expression a blend of amusement and mockery. "Why? Are


    you sympathizing with him?"


    Brett''s expression was indifferent, and it was impossible to tell whether he was angry or not, but the


    words he said were as harsh as always.


    "Izabe,e back with me, you will die if this goes on!" Presley, being held down, couldn''t help


    but roar.


    Brett''s grip on Presley''s throat tightened, and as he watched Presley''s face turn red, he let out a


    sinisterugh. "Even if I ''y'' her to death, it''s not your ce toment. Izabe is my wife, and


    all you can do is watch!"


    His words were not only directed at Presley but also intended for Izabe to hear. He wanted her to


    comprehend that even in death, she could not escape his control.


    "Brett, you monster... Ah!"


    Presley''s scream filled the room, the sound of agony echoing through the air. In a shocking disy


    of brutality, Brett effortlessly snapped one of Presley''s hands with a single hand.


    The turn of events left everyone stunned. Izabe sat on the bed, frozen in ce, her heart


    seemingly seized by an invisible force, rendering her unable to breathe.


    Presley, a skilled surgeon whose hands had saved countless lives, now suffered a twisted and


    broken hand because of her, courtesy of Brett''s ruthless actions.


    Izabe suddenly felt very cold, not only her body, but her whole heart seemed to have a crack,


    letting in a chilly wind.


    Brett had misunderstood her rtionship with Presley. The more she cared about Presley now, the


    angrier Brett would get. So, she could not show any concern.


    Izabe clung to the bedsheet tightly, her voice trembled as she tried to maintain calm, "Brett, let


    Presley go, let me exin things to him."


    She looked down at Presley, who was lying on the ground in pain, and feigned indifference.


    "Presley, I won''t divorce Brett. I love him, even if it means being cheap. Don''t try to persuade me


    anymore and don''t bring up divorce again, it''s affecting my rtionship with him."


    "Izabe, do you know what you''re saying? Did Brett threaten you?" Presley couldn''t believe it.


    "No one is threatening me, I just want to stay by his side. Please leave and stop meddling in my


    life." She didn''t want to see Presley get hurt for her anymore. She only had two years to live


    anyway. If Brett wanted to torment her, so be it.


    "If you had said this earlier, wouldn''t things have been resolved?" Brett was satisfied with what


    Izabe had said. He chuckled, leaned closer to Presley, and whispered in a voice only the two of


    them could hear, "Izabe isn''t someone you can covet."


    He released Presley and stood up, kicking him forcefully into a corner.


    "Presley..." Izabe hadn''t expected Brett to hurt Presley even after she''d said what he wanted to


    hear.


    Her voice gradually faded in the face of Brett''s murderous expression.


    Brett came to Izabe''s bedside, looked at the IV fluid that was almost empty, grasped her cold,


    trembling hand, and was about to pull out the needle when Izabe recoiled as if she had been


    electrocuted. The needle skewed, causing blood to ooze out and stain it.


    Brett''s expression grew stern as he tightly grasped her attempting to evade wrist. Swiftly, he


    removed the dislodged needle, causing a surge of blood to gush forth from the vein, an rming


    sight. Nonchntly, he retrieved a piece of paper and pressed it against the wound, applying


    pressure until the bleeding subsided before releasing his grip.


    Observing the swollen bump on her hand, Brett remarked, "We should switch hospitals."


    Having heard this, he proceeded to lift Izabe in his arms.


    What more could Izabe say? Any resistance she showed was perceived by Brett as


    disobedience. She pressed her lips together, controlled her breathing, and endured the tumultuous


    emotions welling up within her chest.


    Presley was in too much pain to stand up, he could only watch as Brett took Izabe away.


    As soon as they left the hospital, Brett''s face immediately sank, even the fake smile on his face


    disappeared: "You''re not allowed to see Presley alone in the future. As for those men who have


    ulterior motives towards you, you should stay away from them. If I find out that you have an illicit


    rtionship with him, it won''t be as simple as breaking one of his hands."


    "Brett, can you not be so disgusting!" He suspected her and Presley of having an affair, why didn''t


    he think about his own thing with Kaley?


    Brett was so angry that heughed, Izabe probably didn''t know the way Presley looked at her,


    that focused look was definitely not something a normal friend should have.


    "Once you get better, I''ll let you experience what real disgust is!"


    Izabe felt his deep malice, her body stiffened in Brett''s arms, she changed the subject "Where''s


    my dad?"


    "Do you want to see him?"


    "I want to choose my dad''s grave myself."


    "Alright." As long as Izabe obeyed him, he would do anything she asked.


    Brett took Izabe to another clinic, the doctor saw Izabe''s condition and asked, "Do you want to


    do a full body check?"


    Brett felt it was a hassle. "No need, we''ve already done it at the Light of Hope Hospital. She''s


    having gastric bleeding, just prescribe the medicine ordingly."


    The Light of Hope Hospital held a prominent reputation in R City, so Izabe''s transfer there


    indicated that her condition wasn''t severe. The doctor didn''t give it much thought and prepared a


    ward for her as instructed by Brett, prescribing stomach medicine to address her symptoms.


    Choosing a grave adjacent to her mother''s, Izabe felt a deep connection to n''s affection for his


    mother, as he cherished her greatly throughout his life.


    Due to the urgency, n''s funeral was not dyed, and he was swiftlyid to rest. Given Izabe''s


    weakened state, she didn''t immediately rush to visit the gravesite. It wasn''t until she regained


    enough strength to stand and walk that she requested Brett to apany her to the cemetery.


    While other regions were transitioning into summer, R City experienced lingering cold weather, with


    intermittent light rain in recent days.


    They had thought the weather would clear up today, but unexpectedly, it started to rain again


    halfway through their journey. The rain was getting heavier and heavier, the wind was constantly


    howling outside, the raindrops hitting the car made a loud noise as if they were about to shatter the


    ss.


    By the time they reached the cemetery, the rain had slightly decreased. The driver got out of the car


    first, holding an umbre, he came to the back seat, opened the car door and held the umbre


    over Brett.

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38


    After getting out of the car, Brett took the umbre in one hand and held Izabe''s cold little hand in


    the other.


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    The solemn atmosphere in the cemetery was somewhat suffocating.


    It hadn''t been long since n''s burial, and amidst the tombstone, his grave remained the cleanest,


    untouched by time.


    A cluster of lilies adorned the front of the gravestone, their petals withered and soaked by the rain.


    Izabe crouched down, painstakingly removing the wilted petals one by one. She then used her


    sleeve to wipe the photograph disyed on the gravestone. The photo depicted a youthful n in a


    suit, his smile radiant and his eyes brimming with vitality.


    It was their wedding photo, and alongside it was the picture of Izabe''s mother, taken on the same


    asion. The two images harmoniouslyplemented each other, instantly transporting one back


    28 years in time.


    n may not have been the best father, but he was a devoted husband. Izabe''s mother had


    passed away twenty-three years ago, and n had never remarried. He had even purchased the


    adjacent plot to her grave in advance.


    Though he had feared death, it seemed that his longing to reunite with Izabe''s mother had


    prevailed, and now, he had finally achieved his wish.


    The reason why n hated Izabe so much might have been because her birth caused the death


    of the woman he loved most. He couldn''t do anything about it but had to raise the "murderer of his


    wife" himself, watching her face grow more and more like his wife''s.


    Raindrops fell on Izabe''s face, and she wiped them off. For a moment, she couldn''t tell if it was


    rain or tears on her face.


    She knelt in front of the two graves. In the cold weather, her knees felt like they were pierced


    through, but she didn''t feel any pain.


    She seemed like a faint, lonely soul, ready to disperse with a gust of wind, "Mom, I''m sorry I haven''t


    come to see you for so long. I couldn''t protect our home or dad..."


    Izabe''s voice was blown away by the wind, leaving only her choking sobs.


    After her trembling voice fell, Izabe turned towards n''s gravestone and said, "Dad, I''ll


    remember your words."


    Brett, positioned behind her, heard every word clearly. His lips tightened into a thin line, and his


    eyes grew inscrutable. Indeed, the day before n''s tragic leap from the building, he had visited


    him in prison and shared information about Izabe.


    Brett''s intention had been to prompt n to treat Izabe better in the future, but he never


    anticipated that it would drive n to the point of taking his own life.


    Lowering her head, Izabe struggled to regain her footing. She nced up at the umbre


    sheltering her from the rain and then at the man who held it for her.


    A thought reverberated in her mind: The person who can shield you from the harsh elements can


    also bring you to the point where death seems preferable.


    Brett said, "Let''s go."


    "Be." Just as Izabe was about to turn around, she thought she heard someone call her name


    from behind. Her heart trembled, and an indescribable sense of grievance surged from within. Tears


    blurred her vision, but she held back and took onest look at her parents'' gravestones.


    She had lost her mother at birth, and now her father had left her too.


    Brett called her cheap, and she was indeed cheap, as she actually wanted to hear n continue to


    scold her.


    n was dead, but debts still had to be paid. Izabe sold her possessions and scraped together


    the money.


    As for the Salotti Group, it had already been acquired by Brett. Izabe sold her shares, leaving


    only three percent. Now she was just a titr president, and Brett could easily make her lose


    everything.


    Izabe tried to get loans or find former partners to borrow money, but everyone looked out for


    themselves and stayed away from her, especially after Brett''s warning.


    As for the banks, they required coteral for loans. Izabe had nothing left, and no bank dared lend


    her money.


    She could only watch helplessly as the Salotti family fell apart, even losing their ancestral home.

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39


    Izabe returned to Quiet Forest Estates, nning to clean up the rooms in the next two days and


    sell the house as soon as possible.


    While cleaning up, Izabe found their hidden wedding photo in the storeroom, covered in dust.


    Throughout their marriage, she and Brett didn''t even have a decent wedding photo. The one she


    found was taken by a journalist on their wedding day and printed in the newspaper. She had spent a


    lot of money buying this photo, framed it and wanted to hang it on their bedroom wall.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Barely two days after hanging it, Brett came home, saw the photo, got angry, ripped it off the wall


    and smashed it on the floor.


    Izabe cleaned up the broken ss, reframed the photo and ced it back in the storeroom.


    Whenever she had free time, she would go in to take a look. To Brett, this photo was a disgrace, but


    to Izabe, it was a dream she had been cherishing for 16 years¡ªa wild fantasy.


    With each stroke of her hand, removing the dust from the photo, Izabe''s eyes reflected a mixture


    of bitter irony and profound destion. How foolish she had been to wear such a genuine smile in


    that captured moment.


    In a surge of frustration, Izabe flung the photo into the trash, discarding the remnants of a past


    that now felt like a cruel mockery.


    After hours of arduous work, Izabe''s body glistened with sweat. She couldn''t afford to fall ill at this


    moment, so she swiftly changed into fresh clothes and nced at the clock¡ªit was nearly noon.


    Battling the agony caused by her stomach cancer, she felt no hunger, only a relentless burning


    sensation in her gut. With determination, Izabe rose from her seat and proceeded to prepare


    some bacon in the kitchen.


    Just as she finished cooking, the doorbell rang, interrupting her solitary routine. Izabe approached


    the door and, upon opening it, was greeted by the sight of Brett standing before her.


    She hadn''t seen him for three days as he was busy with Kaley, while she was busy emptying their


    house to pay off debts.


    As soon as Brett stepped inside, he smelled the scent of food and noticed Izabe still wearing her


    apron.


    He couldn''t help but wonder if she knew he wasing and had prepared a meal for him.


    He had never seen her in an apron like a housewife before, as she usually appeared morous in


    front of him.


    "What are you doing here?"


    "Didn''t you know I wasing?" All his joy from moments before disappeared instantly.


    Izabe furrowed her brows, clearly annoyed, "How would I know your ns?"


    She was too busy with selling the house, packing, and moving to care about Brett''s whereabouts.


    People change so quickly. Before, she used to long for his presence every second of the day, but


    now she found him annoying at the mere sight of him.


    Not wanting to talk to Brett, she left the room and returned to the dining room to finish her meal.


    Brett took a pair of slippers from the shoe cab and followed her, strangely feeling hungry


    himself.


    Izabe looked like a cute, docile bunny while chewing her vegetables, making Brett feel an urge to


    hold her in his arms and cuddle her.


    He walked over to the dining table, his Adam''s apple bobbing, "I''m hungry."


    "Cook something for yourself." Izabe didn''t even look up, having already lost her appetite.


    Seeing Brett still staring at her, she realized that he wanted her to prepare food for him.


    In the past, she had done everything to please him, cooking an borate meal in anticipation of his


    return, only for him to not even nce at it. Now, she didn''t want to cook for him, yet he just stood


    there, iming to be hungry. Who was the pathetic one here?


    Brett''s thoughts were always beyond Izabe''sprehension, but now she grinned coldly, "You


    can go back to Kaley and ask her to cook for you."


    "Izabe, I''m rarely home these days, so don''t make things difficult for me."


    "I didn''t ask for you toe back." Izabe replied as she carried her te into the kitchen.


    Left awkwardly standing in the living room, Brett wondered how people could change so quickly.


    Had the woman who once loved him so dearly really fallen out of love with him, or was she just


    saying this out of anger?


    Feeling suffocated, Brett scanned the room, noticing that many decorations were missing. In the


    center of the living roomy a pile of useless junk. He walked over and picked up something at


    random.

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40


    On top of a pile of junk, there was something that looked like a "decorative painting." Brett went


    over and turned it around, only to be stunned by what he saw.


    It wasn''t a decorative painting at all, but rather a wedding photo of him and Izabe.


    He kind of remembered the photo, but he thought it had been smashed and thrown away by


    Izabe. Why was it here, perfectly intact?


    Did she secretly keep and frame it afterwards? If she had kept it for four years, why was the photo


    now thrown among a bunch of junk?


    Brett couldn''t pinpoint his feelings about it. All this time, he had been denying Izabe''s changing


    feelings for him, but now, seeing this abandoned wedding photo, he had to admit that Izabe really


    gave him up.


    In the past, he had always called Izabe a cheap woman and confidently believed that she would


    remain so for life. He never thought that there woulde a day when Izabe would stop loving


    him. The day came out of nowhere.


    Brett clenched the photo frame tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white.


    As soon as Izabe came out, she saw him standing in front of that pile of junk. She walked closer


    and saw clearly what Brett was holding¨Ctheir wedding photo.


    Izabe said, "I didn''t have the heart to throw away it before, but now I''m moving and this


    meaningless thing is just annoying. It brings back bad memories."


    Brett''s eyes, already somber, grew even colder as he responded, "So you''re discarding it now?"


    Izabe retorted, "What else should I do? Keep it around to upset people? I assume you don''t like it


    either, right?"


    Indeed, Brett didn''t like it. He despised both Izabe and the wedding photo. As she had stated, the


    photo only served as a catalyst for painful memories. It should have been disposed of long ago, and


    there was no reason to hold onto it now.


    The two stood in a tense silence, the atmosphere growing stifling. However, their confrontation was


    abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Izabe hurriedly made her way to open the door, and this time, it was an elderly man who collected


    scrap materials. The old man had a tow truck attached to a hemp rope.


    "Miss, where can I find the unwanted scrap?" the old man inquired.


    "It''s inside; pleasee in," Izabe replied, stepping aside to make room for the old man and his


    tow truck.


    "I''ll assist you with the rope," she added, offering her help.


    The old man waved his hand. "No need, I can handle it myself. Just don''t mind my dirty


    appearance."


    People living here were wealthy, and he was far from clean. Every time he collected scrap, he


    encountered some disdainful looks, but not this time. This beautiful and kind-hearted girl treated him


    very politely.


    Izabe invited the old man inside and graciously offered him a ss of water. The old man


    gratefully drank the water and then proceeded to begin his work, his eyes gleaming with anticipation


    upon seeing the pile of discarded items. It appeared to hold considerable value.


    Curiosity piqued, the old man turned to the man standing before him and asked, "Are you certain


    you don''t need this?" His gaze fell upon Brett, who maintained a cold and silent demeanor.


    However, it was Izabe who responded, "Yes, for now, only these items. I''ll contact you again when


    I''m ready to move."


    "Alright," the old man acknowledged, understanding her request. He continued his task of sorting


    through the collected junk. As he was about to pick up the wedding photo, Brett, who had been


    silently observing, unexpectedly spoke up.


    "Leave the wedding photo," hemanded.


    Izabe, who had been assisting with the sorting process, lifted her gaze to meet Brett''s. Brett felt a


    hint of unease under her prating stare, but he had already made his request. Even he couldn''t


    fathom why he wanted to hold onto the photo, but now he had to find a justification for his decision.


    "Our divorce isn''t finalized, and there''s not even a wedding photo in the house. What kind of


    pathetic scene is that?"


    Izabe interrupted hisme excuse, "It wasn''t there before, and we got by just fine, didn''t we?"


    Brett''s face darkened, "Izabe, do I need to remind you of what I told you at the hospital?"


    Izabe smiled faintly, bent down, picked up the wedding photo from the ground, and carefully


    ced it on the coffee table.


    As she recalled Brett''s words, Izabe etched them into her memory. He had instructed her to


    behave, and she wouldply. The weight of his dominance lingered in her mind, urging her to


    submit.


    The elderly man swiftly gathered the scrap items, packing them away. Meanwhile, Izabe grabbed


    a broom and started sweeping the floor, her body bending down. She was dressed in a loose-fitting


    T-shirt that revealed her prominent corbones.


    Her physical condition had not fully recovered, and the exertion took a toll on her body. Within a


    short period of time, her face became coated in a sheen of cold sweat, evidence of the strain she


    endured.

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41


    Brett didn''t help at all, just kept staring at Izabe busying herself. Finally, Izabe couldn''t take it


    anymore, she went back to her bedroom, opened the drawer, and took out two bottles of medicine,


    having one pill from each.


    "What are you taking?" Brett asked. He had seen the two ss bottles in the drawer before but had


    never asked about them out of curiosity.


    "Stomach medicine, prescribed by the doctor," Izabe calmly said.


    Brett didn''t ask any more questions as he knew she had a stomach condition.


    After a while, he continued, "Since you''re not well, don''t think about moving."


    "I don''t want to move, but I need to sell this house urgently because I''m short on money, Brett. You


    should know better than anyone why I need money." If only Brett had shown some consideration for


    their marriage and left her an option, she wouldn''t have had such a hard time during this period.


    "How much do you want to sell this house for?"


    "I bought it for 5.69 million, I''ll sell it for 5 million." The current housing prices are much higher than


    three years ago, it would have buyers even if she sold it at the price of 6 million or even 8 million, it


    just takes some time.


    But time was what Izabe didn''t have. She couldn''t afford to wait.


    Brett crossed his arms, his piercing gaze making it difficult to meet his eyes. After a moment of


    contemtion, he addressed Izabe, "I''ll purchase the house. Let''s consider it our shared


    property."


    "Are you buying it?" Izabe responded swiftly, a hint of eagerness in her voice. "Alright, as long as


    youpensate me, the house is yours."


    Brett retrieved a cigarette from his pack, ignited it, but merely toyed with it in his hand, the faint


    orange-red glow dancing in the shadows. Smoking wasn''t a habit for him; he only indulged in a few


    puffs when confronted with vexing situations. With the cigarette held between his lips, he extracted


    his wallet from the inner pocket and withdrew a bank card.


    "There''s 5 million on this card," he disclosed.


    Izabe approached and epted the card. "I''ll arrange for awyer to expedite the property


    transfer process," she assured him.


    She couldn''t stand the smell of smoke. When doing business in the past, she would inevitably


    encounter smoking people and could bear it. However, now that she had stomach cancer, any


    irritating smell would trigger a stress response.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Brett noticed she didn''t like the smell of smoke either and left the room, "You don''t have to move


    anymore. You can stay here. Also, Kaley will be moving in here in a couple of days."


    Kaley moving in? Brett wasn''t discussing it with her, just stating it as a fact. Izabe''s eyes filled with


    inquiry, and a disgusting thought suddenly came to her mind.


    Did Brett refuse to divorce her so that Kaley could live together with them?


    Izabe gave a wry smile, "Alright, as long as you''re happy."


    Brett hade home today just to talk to Izabe about this. Yesterday, Kaley had asked about


    their divorce again, and upon knowing he wouldn''t divorce; she suggested they live together, even if


    Izabe were there, she wouldn''t mind. So he could only agree.


    Brett was taken aback by Izabe''s surprisingly easy eptance, as it went against her usual


    character. Izabe was known for her outgoing nature and had held a position of authority at the


    Salotti Group for years, exuding a strong presence. Her pride made it difficult for her to submit to


    anyone, especially to live under the same roof as Kaley.


    Brett found himself unsure of his own emotions, unsure whether he was happy or unhappy about


    the situation. He muttered an unnecessary exnation, hoping to justify the arrangement, "Don''t


    think too much about it. Kaley is moving here to take care of you."


    Izabe struggled to control her emotions, her eyes filled with disdain and sarcasm. She couldn''t


    help but question how Kaley, with her asional bouts of anemia, could possibly take care of her.


    She had clearly seen what kind of person Kaley was four years ago, and she couldn''t bring herself


    to like such a woman. But if Brett wanted her to move in, then so be it.


    Not having to move, Izabe felt relieved and put back the items she had packed in the morning.


    Just as she was about to discard the wedding photo into the storeroom, Brett took it from her hand


    and said thoughtfully, "Hang this picture on the head of the bed in the bedroom."


    Without asking Izabe for her consent, he went to the bedroom to find a spot.


    Izabe leaned against the wall, watching Brett''s busy figure, and asked, "Aren''t you afraid that


    Kaley will make a scene when she sees this wedding photo?"


    Brett seemingly didn''t care. He didn''t stop what he was doing and said with his back to Izabe,


    "Kaley is different from you."


    Izabe chuckled and couldn''t help but make a sarcastic remark, "She must be really generous,


    being able to tolerate the person she likes being glued to another woman all day." Her words were


    mocking both Kaley and herself.


    She continued, "I''m indeed different from her. At least Kaley still likes you now, but I don''t like you


    anymore."


    No one likes self-torture or to have feelings for someone who is notmitted.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42


    No one likes to fall for a dude who''s unfaithful, two-timing, and abusive. Brett is pretty much the


    definition of a douchebag.


    There''s no way he''ll ever be loyal to his marriage in this lifetime.


    "If you don''t like me, then who do you like?"


    "Who knows? After all, I''m only 24. There are so many guys I could meet in the future, Brett. Even


    though you won''t let us get a divorce, don''t even think about making me love you again. I might be a


    pushover, but I''ve had enough of that, too. Why would I love a jerk like you? Especially since you


    like someone else."


    As Izabe uttered the words, dering herck of love for him, Brett''s expression turned dark, as if


    a sharp object had pierced his heart. He gazed down at Izabe''s fearless face, and for a fleeting


    moment, he was transported back to their initial encounter six years ago. At that time, Izabe had


    possessed the same fearlessness, akin to a rose adorned with thorns.


    In the present, however, Izabe resembled a hedgehog, aloof and indifferent to the emotions of


    others, only concerned with using her sharp spines to inflict pain.


    His gaze shifted to their recently hung wedding photo on the wall, and irony enveloped him. He had


    bound Izabe to his side, but they had be like strangers to one another.


    Brett''s countenance shifted slightly, and he instinctively hammered the nail into the wall with more


    force, causing the frame to rattle. "Izabe, I understand that you are bothered by Kaley''s presence,


    but you fail to grasp the nature of her rtionship with me."


    Yeah, she didn''t understand and had no right to interfere.


    But he wouldn''t let her interfere or leave. She had never seen anyone more selfish than Brett.


    Izabe was tired, not just physically, but also tormented mentally. She didn''t have the energy to


    argue with Brett.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    So, she just said, "Whether you believe me or not, I really don''t care about you and Kaley anymore.


    Do whatever you want. I''m not jealous and won''t get mad over it. If you ever marry her one day, I''ll


    bless you guys."


    Izabe lowered her head, her hair tucked behind her ears, exposing her eerily pale cheeks.


    Staring at her own feet, she continued, "We''ve been together for so many years. Even if I raised a


    dog for four years, I would even develop feelings by now. Even if we can''t part on good terms, let''s


    not be like enemies."


    "Enough!" Brett finally couldn''t help but yell, his face gloomy as he clenched the hammer and


    jumped off thedder.


    Izabe''s eyes widened in shock and fear as she looked up at Brett. The intensity in his gaze made


    him appear as if he were about to strike her with a hammer. She instinctively retreated, her back


    pressed against the wall, feeling trapped and cornered.


    Although Brett didn''ty a hand on her, Izabe felt as though her throat was being constricted. The


    air felt suffocating, and she struggled to breathe.


    "Izabe, I never expected you to be so generous. So generous that you''ve even nned my


    second marriage," Brett''s voice dripped with icy coldness.


    "In this lifetime, you can only be mine, Izabe. If you try to leave, it will only be in death!"


    The fear on Izabe''s face vanished with his words. She tilted her head slightly, her voice soft and


    resigned. "If only you had said those words four years ago on our wedding day, I would have been


    deeply moved."


    But the reality was that she was slowly dying, trapped in a life with a despicable person.

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43


    "It doesn''t matter if I said that four years ago or now, the only way you''ll be able to leave me is in


    death," Brett dered, his tone resolute. He grabbed Izabe forcefully, pulling her into his embrace


    against her will.


    "Izabe, your heart can only belong to me," he asserted, his grip tightening.


    Witnessing his audacity and his sense of entitlement, anger surged within Izabe, causing her


    stomach to ache. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with indignation. "Brett, you can''t even


    control your own heart, and yet you expect to control mine?"


    "Don''tpare yourself to me. I''ve told you, Kaley is different. She won''t mind," Brett retorted


    dismissively.


    To him, marriage and love were separate entities. He believed that even after getting married, he


    could still treat Kaley well, and they could live in peaceful coexistence, just as they had before.


    As long as his marriage with Izabe is still there, he won''t allow her to have anything to do with


    others, even if their marriage is just a contract on paper, not even spiritually because he has a


    cleanliness habit.


    Izabe didn''t know what he was thinking, but just listening to what he said, she was totally shocked


    by his shamelessness.


    She always knew Brett was scum, but she didn''t know he was so scummy and didn''t even realize


    how shameless his words were! Just saying these things so high and mighty was so typical of him!


    Izabe''s stomach hurt even more. In addition to the pain, she felt cold. It was spring and the


    temperature wasn''t low, but she seemed to be feeling the cold of winter, as if she had been thrown


    into a snowy ground and chilled all night. Her lips were stiff and it was hard to speak.


    "If Kaley heard what you said, she might cry out from a blood fest."


    "She won''t," Brett stared at her, with a seriousness he had never shown before. "I''ve made it clear


    to her."


    When Brett told Kaley about these things, she seemed a little disappointed. However, she quickly


    epted the situation without resisting, unlike Izabe, who had something to say about it. This left


    Brett somewhat confused. If Kaley could ept the arrangements, why couldn''t Izabe?


    "Strange birds of a feather flock together," Izabe mocked, expressing her disdain. "You two really


    disgust me. I''m different from her, that''s for sure."


    "Sick or not, you''ll have to endure it," Brett responded with cold, emotionless eyes. His gaze was as


    icy and chilling as his words, sending a shiver down Izabe''s spine.


    "Nothing ever happened between Kaley and me. She''s just my friend now. When she moves in


    here, I hope you won''t make things difficult for her. I''ll still be with you in the future."


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    Brett''s words felt like an undeserved act of generosity. They left Izabe speechless, leaving a bitter


    taste in her throat, as if she had swallowed a bitter pill. Biting her lower lip, her eyes started to


    redden¡ªnot out of sorrow, but out of anger. She didn''t want to waste time dwelling on the messy


    situation between Brett and Kaley.


    Izabe pushed Brett hard, his hand still holding her, causing her real pain.


    "You''re really special with this friend thing, doing stuff that couples should," she sneered. "Now


    everyone is praising your childhood sweetheart love story."


    It was Brett''s turn to be choked. His face was hesitant, he moistened his lips, but said nothing.


    The atmosphere sank into an odd silence; Izabe turned around, "I''m going to clean up a room so


    that your beloved can move in."


    She was about to leave when she suddenly thought of something and turned back, "Is the room


    decorated ording to your taste or Kaley''s?"


    Brett answered, "Just clean up a room for her, I''ll sleep with you."


    Izabe ignored him, "Then I''ll arrange it ording to your taste. Kaley, who doesn''t mind being a


    mistress who can''t see the light of day for a lifetime, certainly won''t mind that it was me who


    arranged the bedroom."


    Her tone was so calm that it was hard to tell if she was being sarcastic.


    There are four bedrooms in the vi, all the same size. In fact, she could also give her master


    bedroom to Kaley, but she was used to living in it. If she moved, she''s afraid that she would walk in


    habitually and bump into Brett and Kaley flirting or even making love, causing a big problem.


    To avoid this situation, Izabe deliberately chose a room far away from the master bedroom. The


    house was soundproof and separated by a corridor, so no matter how noisy they were at night, they


    wouldn''t disturb her.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44


    Izabe said so much, but Brett just frowned at her.


    Izabe went straight to tidy up the bedroom,forting herself while doing so, thinking this jerk


    doesn''t understand a word of what she was saying.


    Brett saw Izabe pretty serious about organizing the room, he just didn''t understand why she was


    still unhappy with the things he said.


    He had promised to apany her from now on, wasn''t that her biggest wish before?


    Brett naively thought Izabe saying she didn''t like him was just a tantrum and that she''d be fine


    after being coaxed a bit.


    They hadn''t divorced yet, and if he treated her a little better, she''d definitely be as shameless and


    devoted to him as she used to be.


    Brett''s self-assurance bordered on arrogance. With a worth exceeding 10 billion, his youthful


    aplishments, and a handsome face that drove women wild, he saw little reason to find fault


    within himself. Apart from his detestable personality, he couldn''t identify any major ws. It was no


    wonder that his arrogance knew no bounds.


    He lingered until evening before eventually preparing to depart. Brett had hoped to stay for dinner,


    but Izabe had opted for takeout instead.


    Izabe ced the food on a small table positioned near the window andmenced eating at a


    leisurely pace,pletely unaware of the slightly resentful gaze directed at her from behind.


    Brett left. Hearing the sound of the door closing, Izabe put down her fork and got a ss of water.


    She stood by the window, watching Brett''s retreating figure. The dim streetlights elongated his


    shadow.


    Seemingly feeling someone watching him, Brett suddenly turned his head. Izabe instinctively hid,


    then realized the window couldn''t be seen from outside.


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    She drank some water, and by the time she put the ss down, Brett had disappeared into the


    night.


    She and Brett were simply not meant to be. After all these years, Izabe had almost exhausted her


    love for him.


    She had been too obsessed with the past events sixteen years ago, which made her overlook his


    true colors for so many years.


    Izabe figured it was probably because shecked love as a child, so she was eager to seek a


    love that didn''t belong to her from Brett.


    Sometimes she really envied Kaley, who easily got everything she had ever dreamed of.


    She had liked Brett for sixteen years and pursued him wholeheartedly for six. In the end, she got


    nothing but stomach cancer and a broken family.


    Love was a matter of personal will, so not being able to catch Brett meant she wasn''t capable


    enough. Before, she thought it would be tough to give up on Brett, but now her feelings for him were


    slowly fading.


    Forsaking him was just a momentary thing. She even found it hard to understand why she liked


    such a scumbag like Brett.


    After deep thought, she realized that she''d simply taken the present Brett as a substitute for the boy


    she knew sixteen years ago.


    Without the memories of sixteen years ago, Brett really meant nothing.


    Time had worn down even the sharpest feelings, and she no longer cared. These emotions wouldn''t


    affect her remaining two years anyway. When she died, everything would be over.


    Izabe sighed, suddenly feeling that she had lived a mediocre life.


    Despite her waning appetite, Izabe managed to consume half of her meal before disposing of the


    remaining portion in the trash.


    Once she had resolved her financial obligations, Izabe found herself with a remaining bnce of


    3 million. She promptly contacted herwyer, enlisting his aid in transferring ownership of the house


    to Brett.


    Following thepletion of the necessary paperwork and submission of relevant documents to her


    lawyer, Izabe entrusted him with the task of passing them on to Brett.


    The process of transferring property ownership wasn''tplicated, and there wouldn''t be any


    disputes between them, so it was done quickly.


    That evening, Brett took the initiative to call Izabe.


    "The property transfer contract has been signed."


    "Oh," Izabe frowned, not thinking that Brett would call her about such a trivial matter as property


    transfer. She remained silent, waiting for the other party to speak.


    Sure enough, after a few seconds of pause, Brett leisurely said, "I''m bringing Kaley back tomorrow,


    she wants to have your cooking..."


    "I won''t do it."


    Ignoring her, Brett continued, "Kaley''s not feeling well, she can''t eat outside food. Make something


    light, just like before."


    "Brett, can''t you understand what I''m saying? I said I won''t!" She was irritable. Her sleep had been


    poor for the past two days, and now being provoked by him, she figured she''d have insomnia


    tonight.


    After saying this, she irritably added, "Like before? What food did I make before? Did you even take


    a look? Have a bite?"


    Brett replied, "I''lle back to eat tomorrow."


    Brett''s calm tone made Izabe even angrier. She thought no one in the world could annoy her


    more than Brett; he could easily infuriate her with his every word.


    Izabeughed, "Brett, I''m not the Izabe who used to cook and eagerly wait for you toe


    back and eat. I won''t cook for you or that slut!"


    Brett''s expression grew cold as he noticed Izabe''s increasing arrogance. It seemed that settling


    her debt had made her feel entitled. How had he failed to realize her ingratitude before?


    "You''re bing quite audacious, Izabe," Brett''s voice resonated with a chilling tone over the


    phone, causing involuntary shivers to run down Izabe''s spine.


    "Behave yourself. It would be as effortless as crushing an ant to eliminate your brother," he


    threatened, shifting the focus to her brother instead. Such intimidation proved more effective than


    any other approach. Izabe remained silent.


    Brett continued, his voice demanding, "Ensure that the food is ready precisely at twelve o''clock


    tomorrow. I want to see it when I return. Behave yourself and don''t make me repeat myself."

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45


    Izabe clutched her phone tightly, her chest heaving with emotion. The air around her seemed to


    thin, making it difficult for her to breathe.


    After a while, Izabe spoke, "Fine, I''ll do it."


    Satisfied with her response, Brett hung up the phone and went to join his beloved Kaley.


    Izabe stared at the dark, empty room and gritted her teeth. The thought of Brett happily helping


    Kaley move while she had to wake up early to buy groceries and cook made her livid. She wanted


    to smash Brett''s smug face!


    Izabey down on her bed, her gaze fixed on the wedding photo hanging above her. The more


    she stared at it, the more it grated on her nerves. She now understood why Brett had erupted in


    anger and destroyed the photo. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to shatter it herself,


    reducing his annoying face to ashes.


    Tears welled up in her eyes, and Izabe covered her face with her hands. In a raspy voice, she


    whispered, "You despicable jerk, Brett. You''re tormenting me when I''m already crumbling."


    The next morning, Izabe rose early, as if expected, her eyes red and swollen. She retrieved a few


    ice cubes from the fridge and applied them to her eyes, patiently waiting for the swelling to subside


    over the course of 10 minutes.


    After a hasty breakfast, Izabe changed her clothes and lightly applied makeup. She then


    proceeded to take her medication as prescribed.


    Grabbing her phone, Izabe consulted her shopping list while she ate, mentally noting the


    groceries she needed to purchaseter.


    She knew all of Brett''s likes and dislikes, as though they were deeply ingrained habits. She could


    instinctively answer any questions about his preferences.


    While Brett was decisive in his actions, he was extremely picky when it came to food. There were


    many things he didn''t like to eat.


    An idea suddenly came to mind - Izabe decided to buy all the food Brett disliked. After paying the


    bill, she left the address for the clerk to deliver the groceries.


    Once back home, Izabe quickly put on an apron and started cooking.


    Izabe had learned to cook from a professional chef in order to please Brett. Her cooking skills


    were no worse than those of a restaurant.


    After finishing cooking, she checked the time ¨C 11:40. Just as she wondered when Brett would bring


    Kaley back, the front door opened.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe took off her apron and looked towards the entrance. Brett walked in, carrying a suitcase,


    followed by a weak-looking Kaley.


    Before Izabe could say anything, Kaley nced at the table full of food and said softly, "I''m sorry


    to trouble you with this."


    Brett shot Izabe a cold look and told Kaley, "Go wash your hands. I''ll take the luggage upstairs."


    Kaley nodded, her face blushing. "Thank you, Brett."


    Brett didn''t reply. He carried the suitcase upstairs while Izabe looked on, feeling sick to her


    stomach. Were these two nning to disgust her with their lovey-dovey act?


    With Brett gone, Kaley continued to act fragile and timid. She looked at Izabe fearfully before


    going to the bathroom.


    Izabe sat at the dining table, facing the greasy, spicy dishes. She thought, let them do whatever


    they want. The one who''ll be upset in the end definitely won''t be her.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46


    After Brett ced the box down, Izabe was already eating by herself. On the other hand, Kaley


    sat with her head hung low, anxiously resting her hands on her knees. She appeared as if she had


    been mistreated, with two tes ced in front of her.


    The moment Kaley spotted Brett, her eyes lit up. "Brett, it''s time to eat!" she eximed.


    Brett nodded and naturally took a seat beside Kaley. He picked up his utensils and frowned at the


    table filled with spicy dishes, unsure of what to eat. He nced at Izabe, who seemed to be


    thoroughly enjoying her food, and suspected that she was deliberately doing this to him.


    To make matters worse, Izabe had a sensitive stomach and her doctor had advised her to stick to


    low-fat and low-spicy foods. However, all the dishes she had cooked were incredibly vorful.


    Meanwhile, Kaley''s attention wasn''t focused on her meal. While she ate, she sneakily cast nces


    at Izabe, her expression betraying a hint of malicious pleasure.


    She knew that Brett was very picky about his food, and the whole table was packed with dishes that


    were not to his taste. It seemed she didn''t know him well at all.


    Brett''s face was gloomy, a sign that he was about to lose his temper. "Have you forgotten all the


    doctor''s advice? You just had stomach issues, and now you''re eating this?"


    At his words, not only Kaley, but also Izabe seemed taken aback. She thought Brett would get


    angry, scolding her for making food not to his taste. But what he said first was concern if she could


    eat those dishes.


    Izabe put down her utensils, smiling meaningfully: "Of course I can eat this, why would I make it if


    I couldn''t?"


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    As she spoke, she enthusiastically invited Kaley to join.


    Kaley''s fingers tightened slightly as she whispered, "Ms. Salotti, I know you don''t want me to move


    in... but you don''t have to make these dishes to show your dislike."


    Izabeughed and asked, "What''s wrong with my dishes?"


    Kaley pointed to the tes in front of her: "These dishes are too greasy; I don''t mind, but..."


    Izabe looked at her quietly, waiting for her to finish.


    After hesitating for a moment, Kaley softly exined, "Brett doesn''t like them. He prefers lighter


    dishes, Ms. Salotti. If you need, I can make a list of his likes and dislikes for you."


    Towards the end, Kaley even had a bit of a boastful tone. Izabe''s smile grew even brighter as she


    asked softly, "So the food I made today isn''t to your liking?"


    Kaley nodded with an "Mhm."


    "I see." After listening, Izabe just smiled. After helping herself to a bowl of soup, she poured the


    dishes into the trash one by one, quickly and efficiently. Soon, the table was empty.


    With oil on her fingertips, Izabe took a napkin and elegantly wiped her slender fingers. She then


    looked down at Kaley''s pale face with a condescending attitude.


    "Since my cooking isn''t to your taste, feel free to cook yourself. I believe you can definitely make a


    great meal suitable for Brett''s tastes, Ms. Cot."

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47


    Kaley was stunned. She didn''t expect Izabe to have such a strong reaction, dumping the entire


    table of food right in front of them.


    And she did it so fast that Kaley didn''t even have time to put down her fork, awkwardly holding it,


    not knowing whether to let go or keep holding on to it.


    "You''re wasting so much food like this..."


    Izabeughed, "It won''t go to waste! I''ll just take all this to the trash downstairs and feed it to the


    stray dogs. They''ll even wag their tails at me happily after eating."


    Kaley''s face darkened, feeling deeply offended by Izabe''s words. Did she just imply that Kaley


    was lower than a dog?


    In response, Brett abruptly stood up and tightly grasped Izabe''s wrist. "Did you do this


    intentionally?" he demanded, his voiceced with usation.


    Izabe concealed the coldness in her eyes, turning her face to meet Kaley''s smug expression. "I


    was merely being considerate," she stated, her toneced with underlying sarcasm. "Since Ms.


    Cot mentioned that the food didn''t suit your taste, I decided to discard it all. It seems Ms.


    Cot knows your preferences quite well. Perhaps she should take over the cooking duties for you


    from now on."


    Her suggestion, though directed at Brett, was genuine. She wanted to avoid any further discontent


    in the future by simply allowing whoever wanted to cook to take charge.


    As Brett got closer, Izabe could smell his elegant cologne. She used to love this scent, and had


    even secretly bought it to spray in every corner of her room, fooling herself that Brett was home.


    In their four years of marriage, she had spent most of her time waiting for Brett, who never came


    back. She was foolish enough to use a bottle of cologne to console herself.


    But now, this scent made her feel nauseous, even worse than the smell of dog poop.


    "Besides, didn''t you tell me just the other day that Ms. Cot moved in to take care of me? My


    poor health can''t handle the smell of cooking fumes."


    Izabe turned her gaze to Kaley''s resentful face, showing a generous and considerate smile. Since


    Kaley wanted to be her servant, she would definitely make good use of her.


    Kaley clenched her teeth, she only meant to put on a show and didn''t want to take care of Izabe


    anymore.


    Kaleyined in her heart, but looked at Brett with an aggrieved expression. "Brett, Ms. Salotti


    didn''t do it on purpose. She just didn''t know your preferences. Besides, she''s used to being a


    spoileddy. I''ll handle these things from now on."


    Kaley''s seemingly innocent but malicious demeanor disgusted Izabe. She forcibly pulled back her


    hand and said coldly, "Who do you think you are? Eating someone else''s cooking without even a


    single word of gratitude, only pointing fingers and being picky? Where''s your so-called upbringing?"


    "I haven''t done anything wrong, Ms. Salotti. I understand that you don''t wee me. I''ll just leave,"


    Kaley uttered with reddened eyes, tears clinging to hershes. She nced at Brett, letting out cries


    that conveyed a sense of immense injustice.


    Brett instinctively drew Kaley close, his gaze fixed on Izabe like a hawk. His lips moved subtly,


    "Apologize to her."


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "On what grounds?" Izabe lifted her gaze, meeting Brett''s eyes. "What have I said that was


    wrong, Brett? Wasn''t it you who mentioned that Kaley would move in to take care of me? I prepared


    the meal, but you both didn''t like it, so I disposed of the food. I''ve been trying to amodate both


    of you, and now you expect me to apologize?"


    Brett''s eyes narrowed, exuding a cold and piercing intensity, but Izabe fearlessly held her ground,


    returning his gaze.


    Apologize? No way.


    With Kaley standing behind Brett, she secretly tugged on his sleeve, shook her head, and


    whispered, "I''m fine. Don''t fight over me."


    Her promise" attitude only served to make Izabe appear even more aggressive. If it had


    been in the past, Izabe might have let it go. But now, knowing she didn''t have much time left to


    live, why would she waste her limited time watching this despicable woman''s disgusting acting


    skills?


    "Kaley, your acting skills are so good they''re wasted if you don''t go into the theater. Are we fighting


    because of you? Don''t tter yourself too much!"

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48


    Brett heard Izabe sarcastically talking about Kaley. His face turned gloomy and hemanded,


    "You seem to be doing pretty well. You don''t need anyone to care for you anymore. Go redo some


    dishes."


    His words were arrogant, as if making food for him was a great honor for her.


    "I''m the one who cleaned the room, bought the ingredients, and cooked the food. Didn¡¯t you say


    that Kaley woulde here to take care of me, but now?" Izabe couldn''t stand it any longer.


    Frustrated, she kicked the trash can over, spilling soup all over the floor.


    "Brett, do you think I care? You said Kaley was here to take care of me. But I think it''s to satisfy your


    own desires by having your mistress live with your wife. I''ve had enough of you! I''m done!"


    After her nasty words, Izabe felt like crying. She lost her appetite for dinner.


    She spent 200 dors on this meal just to irk this shameless couple, and it wasn''t worth it.


    Izabe tried to bypass Brett and Kaley to go upstairs and take her medicine, but Kaley seemed to


    be deliberately blocking her way.


    As Izabe''s stomachache intensified, her red eyes welled up, as if she were on the verge of


    bursting into tears. She gently ced a hand on her stomach and questioned in a hushed tone,


    "Kaley, are you blind or something?"


    Kaley nervously looked at her, disying a certain fear in her eyes. Izabe couldn''t help but


    chuckle at the sight, feeling that acting pathetic was her only recourse.


    Without much regard, Izabe brushed past Kaley, barely making contact with her shoulder.


    Unexpectedly, Kaley stumbled backward like a flimsy sheet of paper, hitting her head against the


    table''s edge. The resulting red mark on her forehead and her teary eyes made her appear as a


    pitiful damsel in distress, capable of softening any man''s heart.


    Seeing the scene, Izabe coldlyughed, "Gosh, now I know what it means to be too weak to


    stand up to a gust of wind."


    Kaley was picked up by Brett, who stared at Izabe with his icy gaze.


    "Izabe, you didn''t take my words seriously these past couple of days, did you? How dare you


    bully Kaley right in front of me!"


    "Bully her?"


    Kaley bit her lip and buried her face in Brett''s chest, whimpering asionally as if she was in great


    pain.


    Brettforted Kaley in a hushed tone, ring at Izabe. "Get back to your room!"


    Izabe let out a casualugh and made her way upstairs. Her stomach was in pain, but her mind,


    ears, and eyes remained unaffected.


    Kaley''s cunning had managed topletely defeat Izabe with just a few words and actions.


    Judging by Brett''s furious expression, it seemed he had taken Kaley''s side of the story.


    As Izabe ascended the stairs, her pain intensified. Her legs grew weak, and she clung to the


    railing, gasping for air. From behind her, Kaley''s whiny voice could be heard.


    "Brett, don''t be too harsh on Izabe. She''s simply upset because I moved in, and it''s her house..."


    "It''s not her house anymore."All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Tears welled up in Izabe''s eyes, mingling with the cold sweat that trickled down her face. She


    wiped them away, realizing that she had not only lost her appetite but also her home.


    It was true - this house was no longer hers. If Brett wanted her to leave, she had no grounds to


    object.


    Izabe returned to her room, locked the door, and went into the bathroom. She lifted the toilet seat


    and vomited up the soup she just had, leaving a greasy unpleasant feeling in her mouth.


    Izabe rinsed her mouth and took her medication, this time swallowing two more painkillers.


    The medicine made her drowsy. Izabey down in bed, wrapped herself in the nket, curling up


    like a silkworm.


    Soon, there were knocks on the door. Izabe rolled over, ignoring it. As the knocking grew louder,


    Brett''s voice sounded "Izabe, open the door."


    Sitting up, Izabe stared at the swaying door, unmoving.


    Brett grew impatient, "I''ll count to three. If you don''te out, bear the consequences."


    His voice grew colder as he initiated the countdown, "One, two, three..."


    Izabe opened the door, stepping into the room.


    "Kaley is injured. You need to apologize to her," Brett stated firmly.


    Izabe''s eyes reflected a sense of gloom as she responded, "Injured, huh? Is it a serious injury?


    Did my gentle touch cause her physical appearance to shatter? Or perhaps she''s suffering from


    internal injuries, on the brink of death?"


    Her face disyed an indifferent expression, but her words dripped with sharpness and venom, akin


    to that of a snake.


    Without warning, Brett''s hand swiftly connected with Izabe''s cheek, delivering a forceful p that


    sent her crashing to the floor. Her cheek stung, and she knew it would soon be adorned with a red


    mark.


    Brett scowled, "Can''t you speak properly? Do you only enjoy making me angry?"


    Izabe covered her cheek and suddenlyughed, "Yes, I enjoy seeing you angry and frustrated. It''s


    delightful!"


    Brett saw herughter and asked, "So you''re admitting that you deliberately prepared that meal?"


    Izabe had to give credit to Brett for catching on so quickly. She nodded, openly admitting, "Yes, I


    deliberately made those dishes to upset both of you. I knew you didn''t like them, so I purposely


    made them..."


    As she spoke, Izabe continued tough. But herughter was more wretched than tears. Izabe


    laughed at her past naivety, her wasted efforts, her foolishness, and her poor judgment of character.


    "Four years, I cooked for you for four years. I know your taste better than Kaley, knowing what you


    like and dislike."


    "I was willing to cook for you because I thought you were worth it. But now I see you as nothing but


    trash."


    "Brett, I''ve cooked for over 1300 days, and I''m tired of it. As I''ve said before, the old Izabe who


    used to eagerly cook for you is dead!"

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49


    Izabe''s eyes exuded a cold and venomous intensity. Confronted with this version of Izabe, Brett


    felt a sense of helplessness. He had always been hot-tempered and ruthless, never hesitating to


    strike down anyone who challenged him. But facing Izabe like this was apletely different


    experience.


    While he had beaten others before, the thought of striking Izabe again filled him with dread. After


    the forceful p he had delivered earlier, she had immediately crumpled to the ground. Another


    blow could potentially be fatal.


    Brett uttered, "If it were anyone else, they would have met their end many times over. You''re quite


    fortunate, aren''t you?"


    Furious, Izabe responded with a mocking tone, "So I should express gratitude for your supposed


    kindness in sparing my life?"


    The pain in her face had numbed it, and even the slightest movement of her lips caused intense


    agony. Izabe pressed her tongue against her cheek, and as expected, the taste of blood met her


    senses.


    With less than two years left to live, she''d eventually die in front of Brett if he kept this up.


    Izabe staggered to her feet and told Brett, "If you''ve got nothing else to say, go keep Kaley


    company. I can''t stand you here."


    "You want me to leave?"


    "Is it not obvious enough?" She had to admit, Brett and Kaley were a match made in heaven ¨C one


    blind and the other deaf.


    "Our business is unfinished, and you want me to go?" Brett loosened his tie.


    Seeing his move, Izabe felt a surge of fear and tried to escape. As she stepped onto the carpet,


    Brett forcefully seized her long hair, pulling her back into his embrace.


    He held onto her slender waist, drawing her closer as he leaned in for a kiss.


    Izabe''s face turned pale, and any attempts to resist only intensified the passionate kiss, causing


    tears to flow from her eyes.


    Brett nced at her tears with a sneer, mocking, "Save your tears forter."


    Tightening his grip on Izabe''s waist, he forcefully threw her onto the bed.


    As Brett reached out towards her, Izabe fiercely bit down on his hand.


    He frowned in response but made no effort to avoid her bite, allowing Izabe to release her


    frustration.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Already exhausted and drugged, she didn''t have much strength. She stared at the expressionless


    Brett and bit harder.


    He stopped her in time, pulling his hand free and examining the bloody bite marks.


    Izabe proved that even when pushed to the limit, the gentle could fight back. Brett wiped the


    blood from her lips, and asked with a hoarse voice, "Had enough? My turn now, then."


    Izabe''s jaw ached, and she was unable to speak, so she just red at him fiercely.


    Brett mocked, "Izabe, you look more interesting when you''re throwing a tantrum than when you''re


    lifeless! I originally nned to deal with you after your recovery, but since you''re so lively now, I


    guess I don''t have to wait!"


    She hated her weak self.


    Izabe bit Brett a few more times as he kissed her. The taste of blood filled her mouth and even


    reached her throat. Turning her face away, she spat out the blood.


    Her blood intimidated Brett to some extent. His desire vanished at the sight, and he grabbed her


    jaw, forcing her mouth open to check for injuries.


    He assumed Izabe had bitten her tongue, but found no injury, nor blooding from her throat.


    He sighed in relief.


    Seems like she read his thoughts, she asked, "Were you afraid that I would bite my tongue and kill


    myself?"

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50


    "Brett, by the way you''re looking at me, are you concerned that I might bite my tongue and end my


    own life?" Izabe''s words carried a hint of bitterness.


    Brett didn''t appreciate her mentioning death, yet her prickly demeanor provoked him further.


    "Izabe, the only value your body holds is having the same blood type as Kaley."


    Thus, the concern he had shown in his eyes moments ago was solely due to thepatibility of


    their blood, not out of genuine worry for her. Izabe had known this from the beginning, but it still


    pained her to hear it from Brett''s lips.


    That casual tone he employed felt like a needle piercing her heart.


    Despite the overwhelming pain, Izabe''s smile remained radiant as she ceased her struggle.


    "Sharing the same blood type as her, how repulsive. Brett, I regret..."


    Brett''s lips tightened, his beautiful eyebrows slightly furrowed, and a sinister glint flickered within his


    dark eyes.


    Regret...


    What was it that she was regretting?


    Was it meeting him or insisting on marrying him? Maybe both, but isn''t it toote to say regret now?


    Both of them were like beasts fighting each other, biting and tearing at each other, neither wanting


    to let the other get away easily.


    Brett taunted, "Izabe, are you making such a fuss today just because you''re jealous of Kaley


    moving in? What, are you afraid she''ll steal your ce?"


    Izabe was furious and cursed, "Bullshit!"


    Brett didn''t like her cursing, and the force became heavier. Izabe gasped for breath, feeling pain


    all over her body, but fortunately, she had taken painkillers beforehand, so she wouldn''t die from the


    pain just yet.


    "Women just love to talk back."


    Izabe was too weak from the pain to scream, but she red at him hatefully.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Never in her life did she think the man she loved so much would be someone she wanted to


    avoid as much as possible. Now, that fear was gradually turning into hatred.


    Hatred consumed her whole chest, almost crushing her reason. How she despised the man in front


    of her! Only he would take her agony as jealousy and her cries of pain as sarcasm.


    Suddenly, Brett had the idea to make Izabe pregnant with his child. She hated him and wanted to


    leave him, right? Would she still hate him if she had his child?


    Brett''s expression softened momentarily as he noticed Izabe''s pale face and tears of pain.


    However, he quicklyposed himself, showing no sympathy towards her suffering. Just as he was


    about to resume his intimidating words, a persistent knocking sound echoed from the other side of


    the door.


    The knocks continued incessantly, as if determined to persist until the door was opened. Irritated by


    the interruption, Brett furrowed his brows and cast a cold nce at the closed door.


    After a brief moment, the annoying knocks ceased, and Kaley''s weak voice could be heard from


    outside.


    "Brett, my head hurts... and I feel like I''m going to be sick," Kaley''s feeble voice carried a tinge of


    pitifulness.


    Brett let out a long sigh, his attention diverted from Izabe towards the trembling figure on the bed.


    Izabe''s face was buried in the pillow, concealing her expression from view.


    He gently turned her face towards him, his fingers inadvertently brushing against her cold sweat. It


    was only then that he realized how chillingly cold Izabe felt. Even her temples were damp with


    perspiration.

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51


    Brett looked at her face, "What''s wrong with you?"


    The dim light illuminated Izabe''s face, which was devoid of color.


    Kaley, outside the door, saw that no one was answering her, so she said pitifully, "Brett, I''m not


    feeling well. If you''re busy with Ms. Salotti, I''ll just go to the hospital by myself."


    "Don''t go, I''ll take you to the hospital." Brett stood up, straightened his clothes, and then looked at


    the equally pathetic Izabe, covering her with a nket.


    Brett approached the door, his eyes red and trembling, and all his dissatisfaction vanished when he


    saw Kaley in distress.


    "What happened? Why did your head suddenly start hurting?" Brett inquired, gently touching


    Kaley''s forehead.


    Kaley exined, her voice strained and teary, "I think I might have bumped it earlier. I''m


    experiencing dizziness and nausea... I initially thought I could tough it out, but the pain is bing


    unbearable." Sobbing softly, she timidly nced inside the room. "I didn''t mean to disturb you and


    Ms. Salotti."


    Her teary eyes and pitiful appearance evoked sympathy. Witnessing this, along with Izabe''s


    recent unwell condition, Brett tenderly stroked Kaley''s head and spoke in an even gentler tone, "You


    didn''t disturb us, don''t let such thoughts trouble you. Let me take you to the hospital for a thorough


    examination."


    "Would Ms. Salotti... mind?" Kaley looked even more wronged, making Brett feel even guiltier.


    "She''s not as important as you are."


    This was better than any sweet talk. Kaley was instantly appeased, even understandingly saying,


    "Don''t say that, she might feel bad if she hears it."


    Izabe painfully curled up in the nket, covering her ears not wanting to hear their conversation,


    but the clearer their voices became, the more she didn''t want to listen.


    Especially Brett''s insincere words, they were simply disgusting.


    He gave Kaley all his tenderness and consideration, and left all his brutality, rudeness, and


    selfishness for Izabe''s portion.


    After the door mmed shut, Izabe slowly emerged from her hiding spot. She staggered to the


    bathroom, vomiting.


    The stench of Brett''s presence still lingered on Izabe''s body, causing her to feel nauseated.


    Having only consumed half a bowl of soup earlier, she had recently thrown up, leaving nothing but


    bitter bile to scorch her throat. Tears streamed down her haggard face, adding moisture to her


    already exhausted appearance.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Meanwhile, Brett had taken Kaley to the hospital for a thorough check-up. Although Kaley''s head


    had only suffered a minor bump with no serious consequences, she had developed a fever and


    required an intravenous treatment. Brett stayed by her side, providing sporadic responses to her


    inquiries. However, he appeared restless, frequently checking the time and ncing at his phone for


    messages.


    This had never happened before. Kaley felt a sense of crisis. Before, Brett would coax her by


    saying that he would divorce Izabe and marry her after overthrowing the Salotti family. Now, all


    she got from him was feigned interest.


    The Salotti family had fallen, even Izabe''s father had died, yet Brett insisted on keeping Izabe


    by his side without divorcing her.


    She didn''t speak, but it didn''t mean she didn''t know. The only reason why Brett was stringing her


    along was that he had fallen for Izabe.

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52


    Brett had feelings for Izabe, and even he probably didn''t know it himself.


    With her eyes closed, Kaley thought about the sounds she had heard outside her room today. Her


    heart felt like it was being twisted and tied up with ropes. She clenched her fists hard, filled with


    anger and jealousy.


    Why didn''t Izabe jump off the building like her father did? Why didn''t she just die and stop stealing


    her ce?


    Her fingertips stuck into her palm, however, she was unaware. Now that she had moved into Quiet


    Forest Estates, she had plenty of time to deal with the threats to her, one step at a time, starting


    with today.


    With that realization, Kaley''s tension eased a bit. She opened her eyes and resumed her innocent


    and harmless demeanor.


    "I noticed Izabe didn''t look so well. Is she sick?"


    "What could be wrong with her?" Although he said that, Brett couldn''t help thinking of Izabe''s


    stomach problems. She hadn''t eaten much at noon, and he didn''t know if her stomach problems


    would re up again...


    "She''ll be fine, you don''t have to worry about her. Just take good care of yourself." His words were


    for Kaley, but they were mostly meant tofort himself.


    Kaley bit her lip, her beautiful eyes filling with tears. "I feel like she doesn''t really wee me here.


    Maybe I should just move back... but I don''t want to leave you."


    "You don''t need to move out. That property is under my name now, and you can stay if I say so." He


    admitted that he had ulterior motives for letting Kaley and Izabe live together, but he didn''t think


    there was anything wrong with the arrangement.


    He and Izabe were not yet divorced, and the house had been transferred to his name. He could


    do whatever he wanted with it, and it was not up to Izabe to decide.


    Kaley nodded, leaning satisfied in Brett''s embrace. "Brett, you''re so kind."


    "I''ll arrange for a maid to take care of you since it''s inconvenient to cook at home," Brett said.


    "Can I choose the maid myself?" Kaley asked.


    "Sure, just make the arrangements," Brett agreed.


    Kaley was finally satisfied.


    The two lingered outside for the afternoon. Kaley went shopping and got Brett to apany her to


    a movie. By the time they came out, it was alreadyte.


    "Shall we eat dinner before going back? Izabe probably hasn''t prepared anything," Kaley


    suggested.


    That¡¯s like something Izabe would do, so Brett agreed. Kaley knew Brett''s taste, and they chose a


    western restaurant for dinner.


    When they returned to Quiet Forest Estates, it was already 10 pm. The vi was pitch dark and


    incredibly cold and empty, as if no one lived there. Brett was suddenly ufortable, feeling a


    sense of emptiness as he entered the living room.


    Even though Kaley was by his side, loneliness seemed inescapable.


    He hade backte before, but Izabe always left a light on for him and kept food warm in the


    kitchen in case he was hungry. If she knew he''d been out socializing, she would sit quietly on the


    living room sofa waiting for him, then bring him a hangover remedy when he returned.


    Brett realized that thest time he hade back drunk was two months ago. It didn''t seem that


    long ago, but it felt like years.


    Kaley noticed him deep in thought and gently shook his hand. "What are you thinking about?"


    "Nothing," Brett looked at her sideways. "You must be tired. Go freshen up. It''s your first day here,


    so get some rest."


    "Where are you sleeping tonight?" Kaley asked, half-expectant and half-shy.


    Apparently, Brett didn''t understand the implication in her words. "I''ll go back to my own room to


    sleep."


    Kaley''s expression immediately stiffened. In order not to let Brett see the twisted expression in her


    eyes, she quickly lowered her head and tried to calm her voice. "Alright, I''ll go freshen up first."


    Each bedroom had a separate washroom. Kaley had her own n, intentionally leaving the door


    slightly ajar to make it easy for Brett toe in. She even changed into a sexy nightgown for


    tonight.


    But after she finished showering, Brett never appeared. Thest flicker of hope in her heart was


    extinguished like a cold shower pouring on her head. She got up to open the door and saw a faint


    light in the dark hallway.


    Brett was standing at Izabe''s door.


    Kaley clenched her teeth tightly until she tasted blood, then let go. The pain on her lips was


    unbearable, but it was nothingpared to the heartache.


    What did she look like now? Like a prostitute waiting for her sugar daddy?


    Her hatred for Izabe grew even stronger.


    Brett stood at the door, tried to push it open, but it was locked from the inside.


    He knocked three times, but there was no response. His eyes grew dark, and his face looked even


    more sinister in the shadows.


    Izabe was clearly not letting him in, even if she heard the knocking.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    He checked the time again, and it was almost 11 pm. If he called her now, he would probably wake


    Kaley up.


    Kaley tightly gripped the doorknob, hiding her eyes, which were as poisonous as a snake''s. As soon


    as Brett turned around, she retreated into her room.


    She thought Brett had given up on going to Izabe''s room and wasing to hers. Instead, she


    heard the sound of the door closing in the neighboring guest room after waiting for a while.


    Kaley pursed her lips, her eyes reddening once more. Brett would rather sleep in a cold guest room


    thane to her room.

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53


    Izabe breathed a sigh of relief when things quieted down outside her door. Now she knew that


    Brett must have gone to Kaley''s room. Good thing Kaley''s room was far away, otherwise, she''d


    have to listen to things that she shouldn''t have.


    With Brett gone, Izabe should have been able to sleep peacefully tonight. But she found that she


    just couldn''t fall asleep. Her body ached everywhere and her head was ufortable. She got up


    and rummaged through her drawer to find a bottle of sleeping pills. She took two and dozed off.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Brett woke up pretty early, but when he went downstairs, he found that someone else had gotten up


    even earlier. The tantalizing aroma of breakfast greeted him as he walked into the dining room.


    The kitchen door was a frosted sliding door. Although it was closed, he could still see a blurry figure


    inside.


    Seeing the person in the kitchen made him feel a warmth that spread through his body, soothing


    every organ. Brett didn''t enter the kitchen right away, but stood outside and watched the busy figure


    inside.


    Suddenly, the door opened, and Brett found himself staring at the person inside, blurting out in


    surprise, "Howe it''s you?"


    Kaley was also taken aback for a moment, but quickly realized that Brett had mistaken her for


    Izabe.


    "I was worried that the breakfast Izabe made wouldn''t suit your taste, so I decided to get up and


    do it myself..."


    Brett realized his mistake too and felt a bit awkward and annoyed. He couldn''t understand why he


    would mistake Kaley for Izabe recently.


    With a hum, he diverted the topic with an uneasy gaze into the kitchen, "What delicious food are


    you making for breakfast?"


    "Sandwiches and hot milk. Let me bring them out."


    As Kaley turned to get the hot milk, Brett went inside and said, "Be careful, it''s hot. Let me carry it.


    Stand back so you don''t get burned."


    Brett always showed gentleness and affection towards Kaley, while the malicious, vicious sides of


    him were reserved only for Izabe.


    Kaley had prepared breakfast for just the two of them. ncing upstairs, she asked, "Should we


    call Izabe down for breakfast?"


    "No need, she''s still sleeping," Brett replied nkly. "We don''t need to mention her when we''re


    together. It''ll make you feel ufortable."


    Kaley had a gentle nature, and since the two of them had grown up together, they had a close


    rtionship. Brett did like Kaley, and he wanted to be kind and gentle to her.


    The only w in their romance was that he had no physical desire for her.


    Brett initially thought he might be asexual, but then he met Izabe, an exception in his life.


    She was like a captivating subus whose every glimpse and smile captured his heart. She broke


    through the tightly closed barriers within him, and he couldn''t resist her pull.


    Brett felt guilty and owed Kaley, so he would try his best to please her.


    The two of them could get along easily, enjoying their time together. Kaley wished Izabe could


    see the two of them like this.


    Brett got a call from work and had to leave. As he walked out the door, Kaley hurriedly handed him


    an umbre. "The weather''s badtely, take an umbre with you."


    As she said this, her eyes were fixed on Brett, full of warmth and love.


    Kaley couldn''tpete with Izabe in terms of appearance, but her eyes were beautiful - in fact, if


    one looked closely, they resembled Izabe''s eyes.


    "Alright," Brett took the umbre and left.


    Kaley stood at the door, watching him go. Her right hand clenched around her neck, gradually


    tightening as the grip increased, leaving red marks on her neck.


    Izabe, on the other hand, woke up because she was hungry. She got up, stretched out her legs,


    and skillfully ordered some breakfast on her phone.


    After freshening up, she went downstairs and heard the TV in the living room, only then did she


    remember that Kaley was now living in the house with her.


    Kaley saw Izabeing down and showed a faint, ambiguous smile. "Izabe, did you sleep well


    last night?"

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54


    Kaley seemed to care about her, but her eyes were full of schemes.


    Izabe walked downstairs and stopped two meters away from Kaley. Today Kaley was wearing a


    low-cut chiffon top, showing off her slender neck with several bruises on her fair skin, looking quite


    eye-catching.


    These marks made it hard not to think about what happened in bedst night. It seemed that Brett


    and Kaley had a wild time together.


    The thought of Brett touching her after being with Kaley made Izabe feel sick.


    Suppressing her disgust, she said casually, "I''m fine."


    Kaley lowered her eyshes with an apologetic look. "Brett and I came backtest night, and he


    slept in my room. I barely slept at all, worried about disturbing you."


    So Kaley was actually bragging about it. No wonder she was wearing only a thin chiffon blouse and


    showing off her neck in such freezing weather, in case anyone missed the marks on her neck.


    Izabe didn''t get upset like Kaley expected. She just smiled and didn''t bother to talk much with


    Kaley.


    Looking at the marks on Kaley''s neck, Izabe frowned, her eyes full of disdain. "I always thought


    Brett was like a dog that loves to bite, turns out I was right."


    "Izabe, you..."


    Her phone rang just in time to interrupt Kaley. Izabe answered in front of her, "Hello... Yeah, I''ll be


    right out to get it. Please wait at the door."


    The food had arrived. Izabe had no interest in dealing with Kaley, so she walked towards the door


    without saying anything.


    "Izabe, stop!" Kaley couldn''t stand being ignored by Izabe anymore, so she yelled and blocked


    her path.


    Izabe looked Kaley up and down, wondering where she got the guts to challenge her. "Aren''t you


    pretending anymore?"


    "Izabe, do you think you''re still the youngdy of the Salotti family? I bet I can get Brett to kick


    you out of here."


    Upon hearing her words, Izabe''s frown suddenly rxed. "You better get him to kick me out and


    let you take my ce as Ms. Windham."


    "Izabe, are you bragging to me?"


    "Instead of wasting time on me, you might as well figure out a way to get Brett to divorce me. Don''t


    me me for not warning you, you''re just a mistress now. Don¡¯t make a fool of yourself." Izabe''s


    words were heartfelt, with no sarcasm intended.


    She even wanted to bow and beg her to take Brett as far away as possible and stop bothering her.


    "Izabe, what''s with your sarcasm? You really think being Brett''s wife gives you the right to treat


    me like this? When Brett and I were dating, you should have seen how people online were cursing


    at you!"


    Izabe nced at her. Kaley''s most significant advantage at this moment was her "innocent"


    appearance. Now angry, she looked like a furious ostrich, with a thin face and sharp cheeks, utterly


    lacking any beauty.


    Izabe began to doubt whether Brett''s eyes were selectively blind---how could he not see the truth


    in all these years?


    Izabe sorted out her thoughts. "I don''t care how I''m being cursed online. If you''re so skillful, get


    Brett to sign the divorce papers and kick me out."


    Can you? I bet you can''t.


    This sentence was an unquestionable provocation for Kaley. If she could persuade Brett to divorce,


    she would have done it years ago; there was no need to wait four years!


    Kaley hated Izabe even more. The Salotti family was ruined, and she couldn''t understand what


    gave Izabe the nerve to be arrogant and sarcastic.


    "If you have any dignity, leave Brett voluntarily. He''s never loved you."


    Izabe''s heart clenched, and she kept a cold face.


    Kaley continued, "No matter how many years you try, Brett will always love me."


    She listed some examples: "He''d watch movies with me, kneel down to help me try on shoes,


    personally cook for me, remember my birthday, pick out thoughtful gifts every year, and whisper


    sweet loving words. Izabe, has he ever done any of this for you?"


    Even if he had done one of these things, Izabe wouldn''t have turned from full of admiration to


    completely indifferent over the years. These were all the things she wanted from Brett.


    ¡ªThat Brett who used to make her happy with donuts.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Izabe smiled silently, her eyes cold and sharp. "If Brett loves you so much, why hasn''t he divorced


    me and been with you? Kaley, as long as he doesn''t divorce me, you''ll always be the mistress."


    The thing Kaley hated most was not having the name she wanted. "You''re the one who broke us


    up!"


    "I broke you up?" Izabeughed meaningfully, her eyes radiating coldness. "Kaley, do I need to


    remind you what happened between us four years ago?"


    Kaley''s face turned white at once. She clenched her lips and couldn''t help stepping back.


    Izabe continued to pressure her: "We both know how I got this position; we both know why you


    had a car ident back then. I already gave you a chance four years ago; if you threw it away, it''s


    nobody''s fault but yours."


    "Besides, let me be clear: I''m not interested in Brett anymore. I hope you two, a pair of scumbags,


    can be together forever." Izabe spoke lightly.


    Kaley snapped, "Who are you calling names?!"


    "Isn''t it obvious?" Izabe wouldn''t allow anyone to bully her. Everything was peaceful before, but


    Kaley had to provoke her.


    "Kaley, if you have the time, spend it with Brett more, and drain him. It would make my life easier. If


    you know what I mean."


    There was a knock at the door, signaling the arrival of her food. Izabe didn''t want to deal with


    Kaley anymore and turned to leave when she suddenly screamed.


    "Izabe, you jinx!"


    Izabe stopped in her tracks.


    Kaley sarcastically continued, "Izabe, you''re such a jinx. In the four years you''ve been married to


    Brett, you haven''t gained anything, and you''ve even dragged the Salotti family''s fortune down with


    you. Oh, and by the way, do you know why your dad is dead?"


    Izabe''s face visibly turned pale in an instant. She clenched her fists to force herself to calm down


    and asked with a hoarse voice, "Why?"


    Kaley shed a sinister smile. "It''s no big deal, really. I just showed your dad some of the news


    articles insulting you online and happened to mention the news that the Salotti family had gone


    bankrupt. It''s all true, who would have thought your dad couldn''t handle it?"


    Izabe''s pupils trembled fiercely, her hands tightened on both sides of her thighs, and she was


    completely unaware of the pain as her fingernails dug into her palms.


    Kaley''s face slowly distorted. "What a pity. Your dad was what, not even 50 this year, right? Too bad


    he had to be a sacrifice for you and Brett."

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55


    Izabe was shivering all over, leaning against the wall to keep herself stable.


    She had suspected that her dad''s death had something to do with Brett, but she had no idea that


    the truth was so cruel.


    The sacrifice was just too much. She had given up everything she had for an uncertain gamble.


    Kaley, taking pleasure in her misery, continued to mock her, "Izabe, you deserve this! Without the


    Salotti family, you''re now worse off than a beggar!"


    Ignoring Kaley''s haughty face, Izabe raised her hand and pped her. The sound of the p


    echoed loudly through the empty living room. Caught off guard, Kaley fell to the floor.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Kaley covered her face, disbelief written all over it. "You hit me! I¡¯ll tell..."


    "Smack!" Before Kaley could finish her sentence, she received another p to the other side of her


    face.


    Izabe''s p was so hard it turned her own hand red. She looked at Kaley coldly and said, "What''s


    wrong with me hitting you? I should have pped you twice yesterday, so I wouldn''t be wronged for


    no reason."


    Kaley''s tears flowed, both from the pain and anger. Shey on the floor, pointing at Izabe and


    cursing, "Izabe, you bitch!"


    She looked pathetic with her tear-stained face, and Izabe coldly smiled, "Kaley, save your tears.


    Brett might buy it, but I won''t!"


    Kaley, furious, lunged at Izabe to fight her, but was kicked back before she could even get close.


    "Get out of my way.." Izabe didn''t want Kaley to dy her meal.


    As Izabe left, she continued to mock Kaley, "Who do you think you are? Don''t get too full of


    yourself!"


    Even in these deplorable situations, it was not Kaley''s ce to boss her around. After all, she only


    had two years left to live. Everyone might as well let loose and have a bad time.


    Kaley clenched her teeth, her chest ached from Izabe''s mockery.


    As Izabe went to get her delivery, she thought to herself that Kaley was so weak and fragile, Brett


    could have easily killed her. The thought made Izabeugh---Kaley was the apple of Brett''s eye;


    how could he bear to hurt her?


    When Izabe returned with the food, Kaley was gone. While she enjoyed the solitude, Izabe


    could not shake off the words Kaley had just spoken, and she lost her appetite.


    Having been pped twice, Kaley was unlikely to let things slide. As expected, Izabe received a


    call from Brett right after her meal.


    epting the call, she heard Brett''s cold voice, "You hit her?"


    He called her either to make her apologize to Kaley or to hold her ountable for what she did.


    Izabe mocked herself with a smile.


    "She deserved it."


    "Izabe, it seems that the lesson I gave you yesterday was too light! You know how delicate her


    health is. She has clotting disorders..."


    "Is she dead?" Izabe asked. "Brett, you know my condition too. You treated me like that


    yesterday, and I survived. Would two ps from me kill her?"


    Brett tried to suppress his anger. "So this is your reason for hitting her?"


    "My reason for hitting her is that she deserves it. She came to me looking for trouble. If I hadn''t


    taken into consideration that she''s your mistress, I would''ve hit her even harder!"


    Brett was furious and frustrated. "You still dare to talk back? Izabe, have you forgotten how your


    father died?"


    The mention of her father''s death reminded Izabe of Kaley''s words and her dad''s suicide. Her


    eyes filled with tears, and she struggled to catch her breath.


    "Brett, thanks for reminding me. I haven''t forgotten how my father died, nor have I forgotten how


    you pushed him to his death!"


    Brett suddenly fell silent. Izabe calmly waited for his response, only to get a cold, "We''ll talk when


    I get back."


    "Fuck you!" Izabe immediately hung up the call.


    What could Brett say? Would he exin himself for one sacrifice? No, a person as arrogant and


    reckless as he would never admit his mistakes, let alone exin himself.


    Besides...would an exnation even help?


    Izabe sat in the living room for a while, but eventually, she couldn''t stand the silence and turned


    on the TV with the volume all the way up.


    She started watching a randomedy, filled with exaggerated, over-the-top acting. Every


    character was like a clown. She used tough heartily at this movie, but now she couldn''t even


    crack a smile. Touching her cold face, she wondered when she had be so joyless.

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56


    Kaley had been hiding upstairs all morning, and Izabe, after watching TV for a while, also came


    upstairs to rest


    Izabe was hoping that those two ps would teach Kaley a lesson, but Kaley was the type who


    loved stirring up trouble.


    Having been wronged yesterday, who knew what lies she might cook up today to make herself look


    innocent.


    Izabe returned to her room and frowned upon the wedding photo hanging on the wall. She


    nced at it, and her eyes finally rested on a chair on the balcony.


    Without any hesitation, she picked up the chair and smashed it against the wedding photo on the


    wall. There was a deafening crash, but the photo didn''t break.


    Izabe dropped the chair, grabbed the frame, and forcefully ripped the photo off the wall, tossing it


    onto the floor.


    She couldn''t understand what kind of ss the frame had been used, since it didn''t break even after


    she smashed it this hard.


    Izabe, with all her anger, stepped on Brett''s face in the photo, stomping and smashing the ss


    until cracks spread all around it.


    Her heart ached, as she threw the photo against the wall, and it finally shattered.


    Her mouth twisted into a bitter smile, and tears filled her eyes.


    Her rtionship with Brett was like this broken photo, even if they tried to fix it, it would never be the


    same again.


    Suddenly, Izabe had a severe coughing fit, spasming and feeling a sharp pain in her stomach.


    Not only did she cough out tears but also blood.


    She had been discharged from the hospital for half a month and it had been a while since she


    coughed up blood. She went to clean her bloodstained hands, and even brushed her teeth to make


    them spotless.


    After taking her medication and drinking some warm water, her stomach felt better. She realized her


    remaining meds wouldn''tst many days.


    With the money she had left, soon, she couldn''t even afford her medications or treatment.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Gastric cancer required regr check-ups. Brett didn''t want her going to Presley''s hospital, but


    Izabe was afraid their secret would be revealed if she went to a different hospital.


    She threw the medications back in the drawer and wrapped herself in a nket to take a nap.


    Brett came home early, waking her up with the sound of his parking. She sat up, only catching a


    glimpse of a hurried figure downstairs.


    Izabe opened the door and leaned against the wall to find out what was happening. She had an


    inkling that something was wrong...


    Kaley''s door wasn''t locked, and it was easily pushed open. Kaleyy on the bed, an empty bottle of


    sleeping pills beside her.


    She was already unconscious. A panicked Brett called out her name a few times and got no


    response, so he lifted her, and hurried to the hospital.


    Throughout the entire process, Izabe watched coldly from the sidelines.


    With Kaley''s sickly skin, the p marks stood out clearly.


    As Brett carried Kaley past Izabe, he left an icy re at her. "If something happens to Kaley, I''ll


    make you pay!" he snarled.


    Izabe watched Brett''s retreating figure, muttering silently, "I''m waiting."


    Kaley was ambitious and wouldn''t die so easily. Sending Brett a message and counting on him to


    save her life in time? That was the kind of thing Kaley would do.


    Committing suicide with sleeping pills was slow. If she truly wanted to die, she''d choose another


    method like jumping off a building, just like what her father had done before.


    Kaley had taken the sleeping pills an hour ago. As she was sent to the hospital in the nick of time,


    she woke up after getting her stomach pumped, only to look at Brett with teary eyes.


    Brett was helpless when women cried. "Did Izabe say anything to you?" he asked. At this


    question, Kaley started crying even harder.

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57


    Izabe wanted to run away, but where could she go?


    The whole R City was under Brett''s control. She probably wouldn''t even have time to get into a car


    before she got tied up and sent back with an aftermath she couldn''t afford.


    And besides... she also has an elder brother.


    Brett knew what she was most afraid of. As long as he caught her weak point, she would be like a


    kite in his hand; no matter how high or far she flew, he could pull her back with just a tug.


    Izabe couldn''t eat because she was worried, but her stomach couldn''t take it anymore, so she


    cooked two eggs and took them to her bedroom to eat.


    The egg went from boiling hot to ice cold, and she waited from daylight tote night. Finally, there


    was the sound of a car downstairs.


    A beam of light gradually brightened the dark night. Izabe sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze


    shifting from the window to the pile of broken ss on the floor.


    She realized something, and swept the ss shards carefully into the trash bin.


    As soon as Brett entered, he saw Izabe squatting on the floor, throwing a piece of ss into the


    trash can. His pupils shrank, and the anger he had suppressed on the way now erupted


    uncontrobly. It wasn''t for any other reason, but because Izabe had smashed their wedding


    photo.


    "What did you do to Kaley today?"


    Izabe felt a little regretful. Although she had guessed that Kaley wouldn''t die easily, she didn''t


    expect her to be fine so quickly.


    Look, as soon as Kaley was fine, this man came to question her. Izabe thought that after the


    questioning, it would be time for the "punishment."


    Once, she had used a marriage contract to keep Brett by her side. But now, that marriage certificate


    had be her shackle.


    "Didn''t Kaley tell you everything at the hospital? Do I need to repeat it?"


    "So you admit it." Brett''s expression was as cold and indifferent as the dark night outside.


    Izabe felt the temperature drop again, which made her thoughts confused and her actions slow.


    She watched Brett walking step by step closer to her, lips moving, "Does it matter if I admit it? You


    never believed me, just like when you came in you didn¡¯t ask about what Kaley told me."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Kaley just came out of the emergency room, and she swallowed those sleeping pills because of


    you."


    "It''s a shame she didn''t die." Izabe identally said her true thoughts.


    Death is undoubtedly the cruelest curse for someone who just came out of the emergency room.


    Brett''s expression turned fierce and he instantly pped Izabe.


    Izabe rolled off the bed, her palm pressed down on a piece of ss shard. Her hand hurt, but her


    heart was even more bitter.


    The sharp ss shard pierced directly into the flesh of her palm, one of the most painful ces on


    the human body. With her head down, Izabe stared at her bloody right hand in the dim light.


    A few drops of blood fell to the ground, not from her hand. Izabe raised her clean left hand to


    touch her mouth and nose, then quickly wiped it clean.


    "Did I force her... did I force her to take the sleeping pills?"


    "If it wasn''t for you insulting her, verbally abusing and humiliating her, would she be so desperate?"


    Brett squinted as he looked at Izabe''s figure. She had her back turned towards him, and was


    hunched over with her head down and her shoulders trembling. He couldn''t tell what she was


    doing,.


    Izabe sniffed and then suppressed the blood in her throat, whispering, "She called me a cheap


    woman, said I deserved it, that my father should die..."


    "Are you saying you''re not?" Brett interrupted her sarcastically before she could finish.


    Izabe stiffened, the sentence lingering in her head.


    Aren''t you?


    Izabe''s eyes filled with tears. By the time she came to her senses, Brett was already standing in


    front of her.


    "What part of which she said was wrong, Izabe?"

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58


    Izabe thought of many oues, but she never expected that Brett would tantly mock and


    ridicule her in order to defend Kaley.


    Her heart ached like hell, but still, she couldn''t help feeling lousy. Izabe coughed a couple of


    times, wiping the blood on her hands onto her clothes. She was lucky that she was wearing a ck


    jacket today, so even if it got stained with blood, it wouldn''t show.


    "Brett, this is the lesson you taught me. Haven''t you beaten me up enough times yourself? Your


    p was much worse than hers." Izabe leaned back on the edge of the bed and slowly propped


    herself up. Her body was swaying, but she didn''t fall back down.


    Brettpletely ignored Izabe''s pale face. This woman was good at pretending, always faking


    sickness to gain sympathy. He had been fooled by her once before!


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    People are like that - once you''ve been tricked, it leaves a gap in your impression of them, and all


    the previously ignored things break through that gap like a flood, wiping away all the good


    memories.


    Not only was Brett angry and frustrated, he even felt like he was aughing stock.


    His attitude towards Izabe became even harsher, as if he wished to turn into a sharp knife and


    stab her full of wounds.


    "Can Kaley''s body be the same as yours?" Brett sneered.


    "What''s the difference? We''re all human. We have blood, flesh, and can feel pain and die. If Kaley is


    made of fragile ss, is my body made of cement? You think I can''t feel pain or die?" By the end,


    Izabe''s voice was starting to choke up, her eyes turning red and tears pouring into her mouth.


    The salty taste in her mouth made it difficult to tell whether it was the taste of blood or tears that was


    stronger.


    The bitterness of these two tastes mingling in her mouth was something she had never thought of


    before, more bitter than any medicine she had ever taken.


    "Brett." Izabe clenched his clothes in her hand and looked up at him. "What the hell do you think I


    am? The real person who hurt Kaley is you, not me. If you were willing to divorce me, I¡¯d never get


    the chance of bullying her?"


    Her words seemed to have hit a nerve with Brett. He narrowed his eyes, a cold gaze that could cut


    people.


    "Izabe, don''t twist the truth and evade responsibility. You have to pay for your actions!" Brett had


    already made up his mind about Izabe''s wickedness, so anything she said or did was wrong.


    Izabe was the kind of person who wouldn''t learn her lesson until it hurt. And so, Brett was


    determined to punish her thoroughly today - he wouldn''t stop until she was bleeding and pleading.

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59


    Brett looked at the shattered ss next to the trash can, his brow furrowing deeply.


    He was rough with Izabe, his raging anger leaving no room for tenderness, and besides, Izabe


    didn''t deserve it.


    On the balcony, Izabe looked at the dazzling light reflected by the broken ss in the moonlight


    andughed.


    Brett''s eyes darkened, theugh instantly hitting his sensitive nerve. He let go, and Izabe wobbled


    and fell to her knees.


    "Brett, are you going to do to me what you did before?"


    Brett''s face stiffened, then he said, "If you apologize to Kaley, I''ll let you go."


    "Apologize?" Izabe ignored the pain in her knee, and she looked up to see Brett''s ck eyes, her


    own filled with tears.


    "I''m indeed wrong," Izabe''s throat tightened, she swallowed down, trembling voice said, "I


    shouldn''t have liked you, shouldn''t have married you, shouldn''t have given blood to Kaley, shouldn''t


    have gambled four years on an unknown oue!"


    Her eyes misted up with tears, making them even more bright ck, reflecting Brett''s figure, hatred,


    and sadness.


    Brett resisted the urge to lift his hand to cover her eyes. Howe such bright eyes suddenly lost


    their light£¿


    His heart was torn, but thinking of Kaley in the hospital, his temporary sympathy vanished.


    Izabe knew she couldn''t escape tonight, and expressionlessly watched Brett''s emotionless


    actions. She wanted to stand up, but she didn''t have the strength.


    Brett looked down at Izabe, saying the most heartbreaking words of the night, "Izabe, you''re


    right, it''s all your own fault."


    Izabeughed, her lips curved into an alluring smile, but her tears flowed even more violently. She


    seemed to see a beautiful illusion, but before she could sink into it, Brett shattered it with a knife.


    She didn''t even know when Brett left. Only when the ring light downstairs shone on the window


    did shee back to her senses.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    She squinted her eyes, filled with love and tenderness, watching the dazzling light disappear.


    She leaned against the window, her hand moving, as if to catch that light.


    Finally, the surroundings plunged into darkness, and the only sounds she could hear were the


    night''s frogs croaking, the wind blowing, and crickets chirping.


    "Brett...congrattions, you''vepletely drained all my love for you."


    Izabe carefully picked up the ss on the ground and threw it away, then took off her coat and


    laid it on the floor before carefully sitting down. It was so cold.


    When the heart is cold, the whole body is cold. Izabe hugged herself with one arm and buried her


    face in her knees.


    Maybe it''s better to just die this time...


    Izabe leaned against the window and gazed at the stars outside. People said that after death,


    they turn into stars in the sky. Which one belonged to her parents? And would she be one too?

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60


    The temperature dropped in the night, and Izabe curled up on the ground shivering.


    Besides the cold, her stomach hurt again. She breathed on her hands to warm them a little and then


    pressed them against her stomach, but it couldn''t stop the pain.


    She needed to take her medicine, but it was in the drawer inside. Izabe tried to move, but the


    balcony door had somehow closed.


    Izabe looked at the inside, pursed her lips, and then took an egg out of her pocket.


    Luckily, she had prepared a boiled egg beforehand.


    She cracked the eggshell with one hand, peeled it bit by bit, and ate it slowly. People with stomach


    problems shouldn''t eat eggs casually, but she had no choice.


    The yolk was dry and hard to swallow. Izabe was thirsty, and her eyes longingly looked at the


    washroom.


    Last time she almost starved, and this time would she die of thirst?


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Izabe gave a bitter smile and licked her dry lips. She ced the half-eaten egg beside her,


    looking up at the sky. The stars had disappeared, and ayer of mist appeared on the ss; it was


    raining.


    A glint of hope shed in Izabe''s dark eyes. She propped herself up and pushed open a window


    with her right hand. The window opened, but her arm was too short to touch the rain outside, let


    alone catch any to drink.


    Suddenly, a slight sense of moisture coated her throat, and Izabe covered her mouth, blood


    oozing out of the corner. The long-suppressed blood was dark red.


    Her pale face showed extreme pain, and she couldn''t suppress the vomit any longer. Her body


    copsed on the ground.


    Izabey weak on the floor, her hair covering her face as she peered through the gap at the


    drawer only five meters away, where her life-saving medicine was.


    A hoarse groan came from her throat, and her stomach ached dully. It felt like the pain was traveling


    through her blood to her heart, anmd her heart was squeezed tightly.


    Izabe shivered, raising her right hand, and her face looked gloomier. A wave of desperation


    wrapped around her, and tears blurred her vision as her pupils gradually lost their brightness.


    At this point, Izabe had slipped into a semi-conscious state, copsing weakly on the balcony.


    The window was half-open, and the cold wind mixed with the drizzle blew in,nding on her body.


    She was afraid of the cold and was wearing thin clothes. She tried to stay conscious, but she didn''t


    even have the strength to move her eyshes.


    *


    Izabe woke up in the hospital and heard someone pressing the bell urgently and then running to


    the door.


    "Dr. Felton, Ms. Salotti is awake."


    Izabe heard the words "Dr. Felton" and knew that Presley had saved her again.


    "How are you? Does it still hurt?" Presley looked at Izabe lying on the bed.


    Izabe looked at him with a confused expression and croaked, "It doesn''t hurt, but I don¡¯t feel well."


    Her body felt heavy and powerless.


    Presley, as a doctor, knew her difort and what she needed. He quickly poured her some water,


    helped her sit up, and fed her.


    Izabe''s throat was parched, and she didn''t feel better until she finished the entire cup.


    "Do you want more?" Presley asked, looking at the empty cup.


    Izabe shook her head weakly.


    Presley put down the cup, raised the bed, and let her lean on the back, then said, "I''ve ordered


    some food for you. Eat some when ites."


    Izabe seemed to be lost in thought. She stared at him nkly for a long time before responding,


    "Alright."


    Presley made a call, handed over his work to someone else, and then sat by Izabe''s bed.


    By now, Izabe had regained herposure. Seeing Presley sitting by her bed, she felt guilty.


    "Presley, you can go do your work. I''ll be fine on my own."


    "I''m off work today. Let me keep youpany and chat for a while. You''ve been holding everything


    in since your father died. You look sad but say nothing. You''ll get sick like this eventually."


    Presley wanted her to open up, but she didn''t know what to say. She stared out the window, forcing


    the words out of her dry throat, "How did you know I got in trouble?"


    "Today, you were supposed toe to the hospital for a check-up."


    After Presley reminded her, Izabe remembered that the hospital had asked her toe for a


    stomach check-up at least once a month.


    "I forgot."


    "I guessed that," Presley said. "I called you several times, but no one answered. Worried, I went to


    Quiet Forest Estates to find you and saw you..."


    "Brett is such a scumbag!"


    Presley would never forget the scene when he broke into Izabe''s house.


    Izabe was curled up on the balcony floor, freezing cold, soaking wet, andpletely weak.


    At that time, Izabe had a weak breath and felt as cold as ice. She was so pitiful, and he didn''t


    know how Brett could be so cruel.


    Fortunately, he found Izabe in time and took her to the hospital in time.


    Her stomach, however, was worse than before. The cancer cells had spread faster, and she might


    not evenst a year, let alone two.


    "Thank you for saving me again," Izabe smiled.

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61


    Izabe nced out the window. "What time is it now?"


    "One o''clock."


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Izabe''s face changed a bit, and she frowned, whispering, ¡°I should be all right now. I want to go


    back.¡±


    "Go back where?" Presley''s face immediately darkened. "You want to go back to Quiet Forest


    Estates?"


    Izabe pursed her lips and didn''t say anything, obviously agreeing with Presley''s statement.


    Presley was pissed and somewhat helpless with anxiety. "What the hell are you thinking? Brett


    already treated you like that, and you''re going back? This time he just left you on the balcony; next


    time, he might hang you with a rope! How many lives do you have for him to toy with?!"


    Presley was really mad. He couldn''t understand why she liked torturing herself so much!


    "Presley, I know you mean well."


    Presley: "What do you know..."


    Izabe interrupted him, "I''m already on my deathbed. It doesn''t matter if I die a few days early, but I


    can''t just abandon my brother."


    Presley, being very smart, instantly understood that Brett was threatening her with Lucas.


    "How could you worry about your brother like that? You think he''s your brother, but he may not even


    acknowledge you as his sister. You can''t even take care of yourself, let alone consider others. Think


    about your illness, think about the burden on you. You can¡¯t keep going like this!"


    Izabe didn''t argue. She looked at Presley earnestly, her eyes gradually reddening. "But I don''t


    want to have another life on my conscience."


    "My father died because of me, and I don''t want my brother to go through the same thing. Presley, I


    understand what you''re saying, but isn''t it worth it for me to sacrifice a little over a year of my life for


    their decades? "


    Izabe looked down at her scarred hands, recalling her father''s death. Her body involuntarily


    shivered.


    "An eye for an eye." But she couldn''t make up for it in this lifetime.


    Presley stared at Izabe with aplex expression, choking up, not knowing what to say.


    Izabe cherished her rtionships. It was her weakness. Besides worrying about Lucas, she was


    afraid of getting Presley involved, like when Brett ruthlessly broke Presley''s arm in front of her.


    That time, it was just a broken arm, but what about the next time? Izabe didn''t dare to imagine.


    "I want to go back," Izabe emphasized again. "Send me back, please."


    "I can let you go, but can your legs even walk?"


    Izabe tried to move her legs, but she couldn''t muster any strength. With legs like these, she''d


    probably fall the moment she put any weight on them.


    "Then give me your phone. I''ll call Brett."


    Presley took out his phone from hisb coat and handed it to Izabe. After she made the call, he


    turned to look out the window.


    The phone connected, and Izabe swallowed. With a hoarse voice, she said, "Brett."


    "Izabe, you finally remembered to call me?!"

 Chapter 62

    Chapter 62


    Brett went back home at 10 in the morning because Izabe had a stomachache and he was


    worried thatst time''s situation would happen again.


    After returning home, he imagined various scenes, such as Izabe admitting her mistake and


    apologizing, or continuing to be stubborn and refusing to admit her mistake¡­ But he never


    expected that when he got home and went to the bedroom, he would see blood on the floor. He


    searched the entire house and couldn''t find Izabe.


    At that moment, he suddenly felt an unusual panic, like when he lost his favorite toy as a kid and


    never found it again.


    The whole vi was quiet. He shouted Izabe''s name, and the only response was the silence of


    the house.


    He walked to the balcony and stepped on the ss debris, not knowing when Izabe had


    disappeared. There were no cameras in the vi. The fastest way to find out her whereabouts was


    to call the police.


    But he was reluctant to and wanted to investigate it himself. He called Izabe, the call went


    through, but the sound came from the room.


    Brett found Izabe''s phone on the bed by following the sound. The phone was locked, and he tried


    to unlock it but failed.


    Without her phone, Izabe couldn''t have escaped on her own.


    Who''s most likely to take her away? Presley''s name came to Brett''s mind. He clenched the phone


    tightly, his face pale.


    Brett went directly to the property management to exin the situation and check the security


    footage, setting it at three times speed to watch.


    Sure enough, around 8:00 a.m., he saw Presley and his mening in and forcefully unlocking the


    door to take Izabe away.


    The picture was a bit blurry, and he couldn''t see Izabe''s face clearly, but he could see her lying


    quietly in Presley''s arms like an obedient cat.


    Seeing this, Brett slightly squinted his eyes, revealing a fierce look. The anger in his chest seemed


    to want to burn his heart to pieces.


    The other two people in the surveince room were scared and didn''t dare to speak because of the


    stifled atmosphere.


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    Originally, he nned to let the Felton family go, but now it seemed unnecessary.


    Brett was usually hard to read, and hard to please, and had an intimidating air on him when he was


    serious. Even when he had a smile on his face, it still felt unnerving.


    He didn''t go to find Izabe immediately but went back to the vi. When he left, the others in the


    surveince room breathed a sigh of relief.


    Brett returned to the vi and looked at the sandwich he bought for Izabe this morning. The more


    he looked at it, the more ironic it seemed. He threw the breakfast on the floor, and the bag broke,


    with sandwiches all over the ce.


    At this moment, Brett was like an angry lion, exuding a violent atmosphere. He adjusted his tie,


    snapped his neck, and took a deep breath before sitting on the sofa and making a phone call.


    The other side answered quickly.


    "President Windham."


    "Terminate all cooperation with the Felton Group."


    "But we''re about to finish a project with them, if we suddenly stop, we''ll also suffer losses..."


    Brett''s bloodshot eyes were half-smiling, half-serious, "I can afford to lose that money. Stop all


    cooperation, and spread the news. I want the Felton Group to disappear in R City."


    Even through the phone, Liam shivered. It seemed the Felton family really pissed off Brett, and he


    was determined to crush them in R City.


    Liamplied and began issuing orders.


    After hanging up the phone, Brett scrolled to Izabe''s contact and was about to call her, but then


    hung up and threw the phone on the coffee table where he could see it.


    He would wait for Izabe to beg him toe back, and this was the price she had to pay for her


    disobedience!

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63


    Brett sat on the sofa, waiting quietly without eating lunch, until his phone rang at 1 o''clock.


    He nced at the screen, which showed an unknown number. He answered, "Hello?"


    "Brett, I''m at the hospital now."


    Brett''s eyes darkened, and he said coldly, "Izabe, you finally remembered to call me?"


    As soon as his words fell, the other side went silent. Brett''s eyebrows twisted, his gaze deepened.


    "Which hospital are you in?"


    Izabe replied, "Light of Hope Hospital."


    "Izabe, you really don''t take my words seriously!" This time, without waiting for her to answer,


    Brett hung up the call. He grabbed his phone and car keys, then left the house.


    Hospital.


    Izabe''s face was somewhat nk. After a while, she put down her phone, the screen had already


    gone dark.


    With a hint of gloom between her eyebrows, Izabe knitted them together, only for a shadow to


    suddenly loom overhead. She looked up at Presley approaching her.


    "Done with the call?" Presley asked.


    "Yeah," Izabe nodded and handed the phone back to him.


    Presley looked at the phone and asked, "What did he say?"


    Izabe shook her head and pretended to be calm. "It''s all good, don''t worry."


    Presley moved a chair over and sat down, his face darkened. "How can I not worry when I see your


    injuries?"


    "Presley, he''lle pick me upter."


    Presley suddenly fell silent, the ward so quiet that only their breathing could be heard.


    It seemed as if Izabe was lost in thought about something. After a long while, she came back to


    her senses, "Presley, you should leave."


    She looked up with a faint smile on her lips, her eyes as gentle as sunlight. "If you really care for


    me, leave me. Don''t get close to me or antagonize Brett... I promise you, I''ll be alright before my


    illness worsens."


    It was her illness, not Brett, that could kill her.


    Guilt flickered in Izabe''s eyes. Presley had been injured by Brettst time, and she hadn''t had a


    chance to apologize, fearing it would only fuel the mes.


    Ever since then, she hadn''t even dared to call Presley for fear of dragging him down further.


    "Last time, it was my fault you hurt your arm."


    Presley dismissed her concerns. "That had nothing to do with you."


    Even so, Izabe still felt guilty. She looked at his hand. "Will there be anyplications?"


    Presley was a surgeon, so his hands couldn''t be injured.


    "It''s been fine. It was just a dislocation that hurt for a couple of days once it was put back in ce.


    See for yourself." He waved his hand to show Izabe.


    Even now, she was still frightened by what happened. She used to think that Brett was just


    possessive, but now she realized that he was really insane.


    Izabe changed the subject. "Can you give me a few more bottles of medicine, and put them in


    different bottles?"


    Presley got up. "I''ll get them for you. About your illness, though, are you still nning to hide it from


    Brett?"


    The smile that had been on Izabe''s lips gradually turned bitter. "You''ve seen how he treats me.


    He won''t care whether I''m sick or not. Besides, I''ve lied to him once before, and he won''t believe me


    again."


    After listening to her, Presley turned to get her medicine. Izabe leaned against the bed and


    watched a bird fly by outside ¡ª a dovended on a thin branch that couldn''t bear its weight and


    swayed in the air.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    The dove didn''t fly away. Instead, it continued to stand there, swaying like a swing. Izabe stared


    with a contemtive expression.


    Birds believe not in the branches they can perch on, but in the wings that let them fly. If you want to


    live a good life, you must not rely on others.


    Presley brought her two bottles containing newly developed anti-cancer drugs and two bottles of


    strong painkillers. The anti-cancer drugs were put in ordinary stomach medicine bottles, while the


    painkillers were put into supplement bottles.


    "Take the same dosage as usual."


    "Thank you," Izabe replied as she opened the bottles to confirm. "How much do I owe you?"


    "The medicine is a gift from me. We''ve known each other for so many years, and I still can''t even


    help you a little bit when you''re struggling like this now."


    "No..."


    Presley patted her head, "Listen to me, I can only give you medicine now given your circumstances.


    Everything else, you have to rely on yourself."


    Tears welled up in the corners of Izabe''s eyes. She took a deep breath to suppress the feeling.


    "Thank you."


    She was deeply moved that someone still cared for her in thest year of her life and gave her the


    slightest warmth.


    Presley was always especially kind to her, staying with her longer than even her father and brother


    over the past twenty-some years. He made up for herck of affection as a family. Sometimes,


    Izabe couldn''t help but wonder... Why wasn''t Presley her real brother?


    Izabe wasn''t a pretentious person, so she took the medication. "Presley, I''ve thought it through."


    "About what?"


    "I want Brett to fall in love with me."


    Presley was confused,pletely unable to follow Izabe''s train of thought. He knew what he


    should and shouldn''t say, however, he couldn''t help but want to prod Izabe further.


    "Izabe, are you still in love with Brett?"

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64


    "I used to think I was a longsting lover, like I would love someone for a lifetime, but now I


    realize..." Izabe chuckled, "loving someone can get tiring."


    Why did she like Brett? She once saw a statement on the Inte.


    When you like someone, you think they have a halo all over their body. You can''t help but get close


    to them, like a moth to a me. But if they never respond to you, over time you''ll feel that light slowly


    dim, bing a speck of dust in the universe.


    You try to remember what it was like when they were glowing, but you can''t. Then you realize that it


    was just the light in your eyes when you first saw them.


    And the light in her eyes was Brett, who carried her home sixteen years ago.


    It''s just that this light has stayed in her eyes for too long.


    "Why did you make him fall in love with you then? Haven¡¯t you figured it out after four years? Brett is


    cold-blooded. He will never like you in his lifetime. Stop wasting your time on him."


    Presley''s words were harsh on the ears.


    "It''s not a waste of time. I don''t have much time left anyway. I just want to take a gamble, bet that


    he''ll fall in love with me, bet that he''ll sleepless after my death, filled with regret." She said this


    firmly, both as a reminder to Presley and to herself.


    "What if you lose the bet?" Presley still disagreed.


    Izabe''s eyes were filled with madness, "If I lose, I just die. I won''t lose anything. But if I win, I''ll be


    thrilled."


    Presley''s face stiffened, a chill rising from his chest and spreading throughout his body. At that


    moment, Izabe seemed like a different person. He stared at her, afraid that she would vanish if he


    looked away.


    Izabe softened her icy gaze, "There''s no better revenge than this, disappearing just when he falls


    in love with me."


    Once, she had wanted Brett to love her because of feelings, but now it was for revenge. Once a


    person harbors hatred, they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals and may use anything at their


    disposal.


    She had already spent so many years, so what''s one year more? Some might say she''s stupid or


    foolish, wasting half her life on a single man.


    But who can really put themselves in her shoes? She has only a little more than a year left, suffering


    from cancer, enduring unbearable pain every day, and relying on medication to survive.


    As the illness progresses, it will only worsen, her stomach entirely covered in cancer cells.


    Eventually, she won''t be able to eat or sleep, vomiting blood day and night, agony upying her


    every nerve, perhaps taking away even her willpower to think or seek revenge.


    Brett had destroyed her faith, and she had to fight him to the end, to give back all the pain he had


    inflicted upon her.


    She had nothing now, only this extreme method to seek revenge on Brett.


    The odds of winning the bet were low, but as long as Brett cared about her a little more, she would


    die without regrets.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Presley understood Izabe''s desire for revenge, but he couldn''t approve of it. He hoped that


    Izabe would prioritize her health and life over hatred.


    He understood her resentment and desire to take revenge on Brett, but why couldn''t she do that by


    living well and bing happier?


    If Izabe obediently underwent chemotherapy and took medication, her time wouldn''t be as limited


    as it is now.


    Now she has staked everything on a scumbag. Was it...really worth it?


    "Izabe, is it worth it?"


    "For me now, yes. At least I can live a more meaningful life instead of just waiting to die." Izabe


    smiled, her beauty shining like a fleeting sunbeam amid the cold snow. It could vanish with a gust of


    wind.


    Sooner orter, her illness will be exposed. Since it had to be, why not make it meaningful in the


    process, letting a heartless man cry for her? She wouldn''t regret it.


    Although Izabe was smiling, her eyes were somber and lifeless.


    Izabe asked, "What time is it now?"


    Presley took out his phone to check, "It''s 1:30."


    Half an hour had passed. Brett should being soon.


    "You''d better go. Brett will be here soon."


    Presley looked at her worriedly. Izabe nudged him, a gesture reminiscent of their childhood


    closeness.


    "Go ahead. I''ll be fine. Just think of it as keeping me from being misunderstood by Brett."


    Presley clenched his teeth. "Alright, I''ll go. Take care of yourself. If anything happens, call me. I''ll


    risk my life to get you out."


    Izabe agreed: "Okay."


    Presley took onest look at Izabe and turned to leave.


    Izabe watched him go, her vision blurring. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the bright sunshine


    outside.


    R City was finally about to enter summer.

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65


    Brett arrived at the hospital at 2 o''clock and headed straight to the ward after asking the


    receptionist. He had a nasty look on his face and looked like he was ready to fight, which made the


    medical staff who passed by him wary, but he didn''t seem to care.


    He kicked the door open viciously, and his gloomy gaze fell on Izabe. The first thing he checked


    was not her injuries but for any additional marks on her body.


    He walked up to her, grabbed Izabe by the cor, and inspected her neck and lips, as if he were


    examining a cheating wife.


    Izabe knew what he was thinking and let him look. On the surface, she didn''t care, but deep


    down, she felt ashamed. When she noticed Brett''s grip loosen, she tightened her lips.


    Izabe mocked, "Done checking?"


    Brett let go of her and looked at the chair behind him, moving his hand to sit down. "Izabe, didn''t I


    tell you to wait for me toe back obediently?"


    How obedient should she be? Wait on the balcony for death? Izabe remained silent.


    Brett''s expression changed slightly, "How did you get into the hospital?"


    "I fainted, and Presley brought me here."


    "Being overdramatic, huh? Fainting all the time. You didn''t catch some weird disease, did you?" His


    words were sarcastic and hurtful to her ears.


    Izabe felt embarrassed and the more she thought about it, the more irritated she became, as if


    there was a fire burning in her chest.


    Brett didn''t care about her, so he didn''t know the severity of the situation. He didn''t realize that every


    time she vomited blood, her life was shortened.


    "Brett, have you ever thought that I might die?"


    Brett''s heart felt like it had been stung by something. It wasn''t lethal or too painful, but that feeling


    lingered and made him ufortable, making his face slightly darker.


    With her gray eyes staring straight at Brett, Izabe couldn''tprehend how much she loved this


    man. As if all it took was a little kindness from him, and she would willingly tear her heart out for


    him.


    Books say that giving will be rewarded, but after all these years of giving, all she got waste-stage


    stomach cancer and her dignity trampled and humiliated by him.


    Izabe was a bit absent-minded, then croaked, "Kaley and I have the same blood type. If one day I


    really lose too much blood, would you let her donate blood to me?"


    Brett had never thought about Kaley donating blood to Izabe. It was obvious who was weaker


    between the two. Kaley had a clotting disorder and wasn''t in the best health. How long would it take


    for her to rece any blood that was taken?


    Wasn''t Izabe humiliating herself by asking this question? How could shepare to Kaley? Let


    Kaley give her blood?


    After all these years of marriage, she knew what Brett was thinking with just one nce. Izabe


    mocked herself, "Brett, do you think I''d never get sick and die?"


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe''s gentle eyes were filled with sadness. She had to taste the bitterness she had sown


    herself. She took a breath, suppressing the pain in her chest, and continued with a trembling voice,


    "I know my ce in your heart, and I don''t need you to tell me. I''m dispensable. But if one day I die,


    will you feel even a tiny bit of regret?"


    "Like that time I was rushed into the emergency room, did you ever think that I might note out


    alive? Did you ever think that the doctor might give you my death notice instead of a critical


    condition notification?"

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66


    Izabe was like a broken tape recorder, talking incoherently, perhaps even she didn''t know what


    she was saying. Her mind was a mess, but her heart was even more chaotic.


    Her words were like a few stones thrown into Brett''s calm heart, stirring up ripples only to return to


    calm again in no time.


    Brett''s heart ached for some unknown reason, as he stared at Izabe, but Kaley''s image appeared


    in his mind instead.


    What was Izabe to him? Why would he be afraid of those hypothetical situations she raised?


    Today was a sunny day, with bright sunlight shining through the windows, filling the entire ward with


    a cozy warmth. Even the gloominess in the corners seemed to have been swept away. Yet, despite


    the warmth, Brett broke out in a cold sweat.


    Suddenly standing up, he grabbed Izabe''s thin chin and mocked, "Trying to get me to let you go


    by ying the pity card? I don''t know if your assumptions wille true, but you did something you


    shouldn''t have. You think a few words can erase your mistakes?"


    Izabe was stunned for a second, thenughed, "You figured it out?"


    Izabe, half of her face in shadow, looked somewhat elusive as she faced the light.


    Just as he thought! Brett felt relieved to have his suspicions confirmed. He wanted to teach her a


    lesson, but seeing her injured like a patched-up doll that seemed like it could fall apart with a single


    pull, he couldn''t do it.


    "Let''s go."


    Brett''sck of anger caught Izabe off guard. She nodded, picking up the bag of medicines - five


    bottles rattling inside.


    "What are you carrying?"


    Hospital stuff, of course, Brett obviously knew but asked anyway.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "Medicine. I ran out of stomach meds, and some supplements..."


    Taking supplements too - just how weak had Izabe be? Brett remembered that she used to


    hate the taste of bitter medicine, preferring injections over taking pills. But now she had bought so


    many, apparently reaching a point of no choice.


    Izabe''s knee was injured, causing pain as she walked. She gritted her teeth and tried to maintain


    herposure, but only took a few steps before Brett lifted her up.


    Impatient, Brett seemed annoyed by how slow she was walking.


    The car was parked at the hospital entrance. Brett ced Izabe in the passenger seat, closed the


    door and walked to the driver''s side.


    Izabe buckled her seatbelt, leaned against the window and lowered her head.


    Time hadn''t been unkind to her looks. From their first encounter six years ago until now, all time had


    done was wash away her childishness, shaping her into a unique, attractive woman. Even sitting


    quietly made her pleasing to the eye.


    Izabe stared out the window, while Brett lit a cigarette single-handedly. Driving and smoking


    wasn''t a good habit.


    She smelled the smoke and wanted to remind him, but before she could speak, he bit on the


    cigarette and said, "If it bothers you, hold your breath."


    Brett wasn¡¯t afraid of causing an ident. He smoked to specifically make Izabe ufortable,


    knowing that she hated the smell.


    She swallowed her words, letting the cold breeze in through the cracked window instead.


    She wore a hospital gown - poor material and one size too big. It billowed with every gust of wind,


    making her look even tinier, like a person about to be blown away.


    All of a sudden, Brett found this sight of Izabe irritating. He took two puffs of his cigarette before


    putting it out in frustration.


    At that moment, a family of three passed by the window. A tall, strong man had his child on his


    shoulders, while the woman smiled warmly at the yful father and child.


    Izabe stared at the scene, her gaze lingering even after the car had driven past.


    Brett saw it too, but what caught his attention was the kid, reminding him of the thought he''d had


    previously about getting Izabe pregnant.


    She hadn''t used any contraception after being discharged from the hospital, chances were she


    might already be carrying his child.


    Once this idea took hold, it quickly grew on him. He couldn''t help but feel excited about the prospect


    of the child that would be born from Izabe.

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67


    Brett used to find it gross, but now he was strangely looking forward to it. Since Izabe was good-


    looking, the baby from her belly couldn''t be too bad either.


    What Brett didn''t know was that his mentality had changed, the woman he used to despise had


    secretly entered his heart, like a seed buried in the soil.


    "When is Kaley getting discharged?"


    Brett was holding the steering wheel with a straight gaze, and when he heard Izabe''s question, he


    unconsciously gripped the wheel tighter.


    "She''ll be discharged in a couple of days. She''s a bit traumatized. You better apologize to her when


    she''s back, don''t upset her any further."


    Izabe found it amusing that he was so righteous, as if she owed Kaley an apology after


    everything that has happened.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    "Apologize? No way, I don''t think I did anything wrong. But to avoid further conflicts like this, I''ve


    decided to get a job so we won''t see each other that much during the day. What do you think?" she


    kindly proposed.


    Brett squinted his eyes. "The Salotti Group is gone, where are you going to work?"


    "Is there really no otherpany in the entire R City that can amodate me?"


    Izabe, once a favored and wealthydy, had now be someone that anyone could trample on


    at will. He didn''t believe that her arrogant personality could tolerate people''s finger-pointing and


    eye-rolling.


    Moreover, he didn''t want Izabe to work at all. Losing everything, she was like a flower that should


    be kept in a greenhouse for people to enjoy, no need for socializing or working.


    She should move on from the past and ept his arrangements now.


    Being so pretty, Izabe instantly caught people''s attention when she went out. When she was still


    Miss Salotti, people''s gazes were mostly polite and unobtrusive. But now, people stared at her


    without restraint, their eyes almost tearing her clothes apart.


    Imagining such a scene, Brett became even more resistant to her working outside.


    "Just stay at home, don''t you dare go outside!"


    "Brett, will you ever stop? You want me to get along with Kaley and restrict my freedom at the same


    time. Do you think the world revolves around you?"


    Izabe rested her chin on her hand, staring out the window. "Also...you don''t seem to know your


    sweetheart well enough. Once she starts, there will definitely be a second time. Either let her shut


    up, or I''ll have to beat her into shutting up."


    "You wouldn''t dare!" Brett hit the brakes suddenly, causing Izabe''s body to lurch forward.


    Thankfully she had fastened her seatbelt, otherwise this could''ve messed up her face against the


    car window.


    "Watch me!" Izabe quickly adjusted her emotions and turned to him withposure. "And don''t


    threaten me with Lucas anymore. If worsees to worst, I''ll just die. Nobody would care about my


    life anyway, so I might as well just disappear."


    Izabe''s eyes gleamed arrogantly, as if something within her had vanished.


    This woman had changed, he didn''t know if someone had told her something at the hospital, giving


    her the confidence to be so arrogant.


    But the arrogance wouldn''tst forever.


    As they stared at each other, the atmosphere in the car became frozen and tense, making it almost


    impossible to breathe.


    In the end, it was the horn of the car behind them that broke the icy silence.


    Brett hit the gas again, and the two of them remained wordless the entire ride. However, Brett had


    made up his mind. If Izabe wanted to go out, fine. Some people had to face the harsh reality


    before they realized their limits.


    Once she learned that the Felton Group was about to go bankrupt too, he wondered if she could still


    be this calm.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68


    "It''s not impossible for you to go out and work," Brett relented. "But you''ll have to prepare breakfast


    and dinner for me every day, just like before, ording to my tastes."


    Izabe knew he would have conditions, so she asked, "What if I don''t agree?"


    "Then forget about going out," Brett knew that Izabe was stubborn, and it would take more than


    just a day or two to tame her. "You know, I can totally do it."


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    In a way, Brett, the kind who ignores thew, really could do it unless...he went bankrupt like her.


    But the chance of that happening was very slim.


    "Why don''t you just let Kaley make food for you? It looked like her sweet talk at the dinner tablest


    time was just your cup of tea. Why not have her do it?"


    Brett said indifferently, "I''m tired of her cooking and want a change of taste. Behave yourself, or I''ll


    lock you in the room again likest time."


    She was going nuts already; if she really got locked up, she would probably go even crazier.


    "Wow, you''re so picky," Izabe said mockingly.


    "Will you do it or not?" Brett raised his voice.


    "I will." As long as she could go out, what would two meals a day matter? Besides, if Brett could get


    tired of Kaley''s cooking, maybe he wouldn''tst long with hers either.


    As long as Izabe was alive, she still had hope.


    When they arrived at Quiet Forest Estates, Brett parked the car and carried Izabe into the house.


    As soon as she entered, Izabe saw the sandwiches all over the living room floor. No doubt they


    were the result of Brett''s anger.


    Her injured knee made it difficult for her to move around, and Brett was not the kind who would


    clean up on his own. The broken ss and blood in the bedroom probably hadn''t been dealt with


    either.


    Izabe limped to the phone to call the cleaning service downstairs. Just as she dialed, Brett, who


    had changed his clothes, asked, "Who are you calling?"


    The look in his eyes was like that of a cat catching a mouse, or that of a cheating wife. Izabe was


    disgusted and exined, "The house is filthy. I''m calling a maid to clean up."


    "I''ve already hired one. She''ll be here soon."


    Upon hearing this, Izabe hung up the phone.


    She sat on the sofa for a while, staring idly at a book, doing nothing. At four o''clock in the afternoon,


    the maid Brett had called arrived.


    She was a woman in her forties. Izabe carefully inspected everyone who entered her home. This


    woman looked ordinary, but her gaze... She couldn''t tell if it was just her imagination, but she felt


    like this maid''s eyes were harboring ill intentions.


    "Hello, President Windham and Ms. Salotti."


    Brett nodded, "Trista, you''ll be living in the maid''s room on the first floor. Clean up when the house


    is dirty, and just make lunch every day."


    Trista had been working as a maid for many years and knew the routine well. However, she was


    surprised to hear that she wouldn''t have to prepare breakfast and dinner.


    "Who will make breakfast and dinner then?"


    "Someone else will take care of that. Just help out when needed." Brett nced at Izabe as he


    spoke. Trista understood what he meant and nodded with a smile.


    Trista moved her luggage to the maid''s room and started cleaning up. She cleaned from the ground


    floor to the second floor. Luckily, the vi was not too big, otherwise it would have been too hard for


    one person to clean.


    "I need to go upstairs." Izabe looked at Brett, raising her bandaged knee. The meaning was clear.


    "You could say please, you know" Brett said, but he still bent down to pick her up.


    Upon going upstairs, Izabe found her phone and started looking for a job right away. Ignoring her


    previous position as the president of the Salotti Group, her high education alone would make it easy


    for her to find a job.


    Izabe checked out a fewpanies. She just wanted something to pass the time, as long as the


    work environment was good and positive. She didn''t care about sry or benefits. She put together


    a resume and sent it to several ces.


    Brett watched unreservedly from the side. After checking out severalpanies, he then took out


    his phone and texted Liam: nopany in R City is allowed to employ Izabe.


    Izabe had no idea that as soon as she sent out her resume, she was betrayed by Brett.


    After finishing with her job applications, Izabe saw that it was already six o''clock.


    "Go cook."


    Izabe jumped in surprise. Following the sound of his voice, she looked back to see Brett sitting on


    the couch, his arm resting on the armrest, his sleeve rolled up to reveal his muscr forearm.


    Judging by his posture, he had been sitting there for a while, but she had been so busy with her


    resume that she hadn''t noticed the extra person in the room.


    "Howe you''re still here? Shouldn''t you be at the hospital with Kaley?" Izabe asked with a


    heavy tone of disdain.

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69


    "I texted her, and she said she didn''t need me tonight."


    Izabe couldn''t believe that there could be such a straightforward man in the world. She said


    seriously, "Sometimes when a woman says she doesn''t need you, she''s actually saying she does,


    okay?"


    "Do you feel the same?" Brett asked, his eyes suddenly bing deep as he leaned closer to


    Izabe, waiting for her response.


    But Izabe just shook her head, "No, I really don''t need you."


    Her tone was t, emotionless like talking about the weather. This annoyed Brett, his brows


    furrowed.


    Izabe put down her phone, "I''m going to cook."


    Since moving around was inconvenient for her, Brett ended up carrying her downstairs.


    Feeling irritated, Izabe thought about how Brett could still make her cook despite her condition.


    Wasn''t it obvious he was just trying to give her a hard time?


    When Trista came into the kitchen to ask if she needed any help, Izabe opened the fridge and


    took out ingredients that Brett could eat, asking Trista to help wash and cut them.


    Trista worked efficiently and quickly, clearly used to these tasks. When she was finished, she


    discreetly left the kitchen.


    Izabe started cooking a few simple home-cooked dishes: mac and cheese, Spinach Sd, and


    Pumpkin soup. That should be enough for dinner.


    She was so focused on cooking that she didn''t notice the intense gaze of someone watching her


    from behind.


    While Izabe was cooking, Brett sat on the sofa across from her with hisptop, pretending to work


    while actually watching her busy figure.


    Dressed casually in an apron that entuated her waist, she looked incredibly sexy. Izabe even


    decorated the dishes in the pan, making each one look delicious.


    Lost in thought, she recalled how she used to cook for Brett with love and care. Now, she had to


    scheme against him. She really had changed.


    Brett served the dishes, and they began eating. Izabe had left a separate dish for Trista.


    Seeing her actions, Brett thought it was unnecessary since the servants usually had their own


    separate meals.


    Thinking about how he hadn''t tasted her food for four years, Brett felt a slight sense of regret.


    However, betterte than never.


    He enjoyed the meal, eating up everything on the table. Izabe didn¡¯t have much appetite and only


    ate a little.


    Trista cleared the dishes and brought them back to the kitchen to clean. Izabe wiped the sweat off


    her brow, hoping to shower and rest early, but she could only use a damp towel to wash due to her


    injuries.


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    Without saying anything, Brett knew her thoughts and carried her upstairs once they''d rested. The


    bathtub was already filled with hot water waiting for her.


    Izabe grabbed her clothes and pointed to the door, "Get out."


    "What are you so shy about?" As Brett spoke, his hand reached out to embrace her.


    Izabe resisted his touch, pounding on his shoulders and unsessfully trying to escape.


    The atmosphere between them suddenly shifted, and Brett''s eyes emitted a dangerous light, "If you


    keep struggling, what happens next won''t be just a simple bath."


    Hearing his words, Izabe didn''t dare to move.


    Many injuries covered her body, the worst being her knee. Her leg, already pale, made the bruises


    look even more striking.


    Her cheeks flushed red, and her body radiated heat.


    Brett carried her into the bathroom and gently ced her in the bathtub, making sure her legs didn''t


    touch the water to prevent infection. She covered her chest with her hands, unwilling to expose her


    injured hand, looking like a shy little girl.


    Having never served anyone before, Brett first wet Izabe''s hair, creating ather with shampoo as


    he gently massaged her head.


    With soap in her eyes, Izabe had to close them.


    Brett quickly finished washing her hair and bathed her in the same gentle manner, rubbing her back.


    He nced at the water, noticing a bruise on Izabe''s spine.

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70


    Brett touched her gently, and Izabe instantly stiffened, tensing visibly.


    She fell directly into the water, choking on it and feeling nausea from the chest pain and stomach


    ache.


    Brett hugged her and said, "Why are you moving around?"


    Rubbing her sore eyes, Izabe squeezed out a voice from between her teeth, "Brett, can you not


    touch me at will?"


    Brett''s face was much softer than usual. Looking at her puffed up like a hamster, heughed and


    said, "So what if I do?"


    "Disgusting." The disgust in Izabe''s eyes was exposed.


    Staring at her red eyes, Brett''s voice was indifferent and icy, "You''re disgusted by just a touch?"


    As the words fell, Izabe watched as Brett''s face darkened inch by inch, the overwhelming chill


    almost swallowing her.


    Izabe clenched her fists, ignoring the injury on her hand. The bandage was soaked with water


    and turned red.


    Seeing this, Brett immediately let go of her waist to check her hand. There was blood oozing out.


    She didn''t know if it was because she was scared by Brett''s words just now, Izabe''s whole body


    became very stiff.


    Looking at her like this, Brett was at a loss for words. He was angry, but had nowhere to vent.


    After the two were silent for a while, Brett took a deep breath, reached out and took off the towel


    covering her head, "I just wanted to check the wound on your spine."


    There was a red patch on her spine, which must have been hit somewhere. The injury was quite


    serious.


    "Don''t think I don''t know what you''re up to." Izabe bit her lip and tears started to run down her


    face.


    Brett paused for a moment, "What do you mean? You think I''m eager to give you a bath? You''re so


    dirty!"


    Hearing this, Izabe immediately pulled off the towel from her head and pointed angrily at the


    bathroom door, "Then you get out, please leave immediately!"


    It was then that Brett saw the tear stains on Izabe''s face. He felt a sudden tug in his heart.


    If anyone else dared to speak to him like that, he would have walked out on the spot. But looking at


    Izabe''s defiant face, he felt somewhat reluctant to leave her behind.


    He got up, and just when Izabe thought he was leaving, Brett picked up another towel, wrapped it


    around her, and picked her up.


    The sudden feeling of suspension made her involuntarily clutch Brett''s soaked clothes.


    Brett carried Izabe back to the bedroom and put her on the bed. Knowing she was afraid of the


    cold, he even lifted the quilt to cover her.


    "Don''t lie down in a hurry. I''ll go get some medicine to treat your wounds."


    Brett took out a first-aid kit from the cab, grabbing scissors, iodine, cotton swabs, and gauze.


    He squatted down in front of Izabe, carefully cutting the gauze. The wound on her leg was alright


    since it hadn''t been wet, so it wasn''t bleeding.


    Brett''s jawline tightened. He hadn''t expected Izabe''s injuries to be so severe. When the iodine


    was sprayed on, her body couldn''t help but tremble.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Izabe''s hand was very beautiful, her fingers were long and slender, like fine jade. But now, such a


    large scar on her hand instantly destroyed all the beauty.


    Brett used a cotton swab to apply iodine to her wound and asked, "Does it hurt?"


    "You probably don''t think it hurts, right?" Izabe''s gaze grew cold in an angle that Brett couldn''t


    see. She said indifferently, "The injury isn''t on you, so how can you understand how much it hurts."


    Just like he knew she would get hurt, would fear the pain, but he still let her get hurt over and over


    again.


    Now Brett was pretending to care about her, asking her "Does it hurt?" as if it could make up for all


    the injuries she had suffered?


    Injuries on the flesh could be healed with medicine, but those that went deep into the bone hurt


    every few days.


    Izabe didn''t want to mock Brett, she wanted to make Brett fall in love with her in revenge, but she


    couldn''t look at him with the same affection as before.


    She didn''t know if she had changed, or if Brett had changed.


    Something she used to think she could pursue without care, now seemed daunting.


    There were many things that Brett thought were trivial, but Izabe remembered them clearly, like


    deep scars that could be seen to the bone.

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71


    Izabe curled up under the nket, her eyes irritated by the pungent smell of medicine.


    Brett didn''t know what to say. After applying the medicine, he got up and went into the bathroom to


    get his pajamas.


    As soon as the sound of water started in the bathroom, Izabe struggled to get up and grabbed


    some medicine from the drawer. She didn''t bother to drink water and just swallowed the medicine


    dry.


    Brett finished washing quickly, in less than ten minutes. He went straight to the bed and hugged


    Izabe into his arms.


    Feeling a bit ufortable to be embraced this forcefully, Izabe shifted a little and finally said


    impatiently, "Can''t you sleep in another room?"


    "Where should I sleep?"


    Izabe looked exhausted. "There are so many rooms, if you can''t find any, go sleep in Kaley''s


    room. You slept pretty well there the night before, didn''t you?"


    "When did I ever sleep in her room?"


    Izabe''s body stiffened slightly. Hadn''t Brett slept with Kaley? Then, what was the meaning of the


    injuries on Kaley''s neck she saw yesterday and what she said?


    Izabe didn''t really believe Brett but also felt that he had no reason to lie to her.


    Even if they didn''t sleep together the night before, they''d known each other for so long and had


    done everything they should. There was essentially no difference.


    Izabe''s expression turned cold rapidly, eventually choosing to remain silent.


    "Kaley and I aren''t as disgraceful as you think."


    Izabe sneered, "What am I thinking, then?"


    Instead of getting angry, Brett found her aggressiveness amusing.


    "Jealous?"


    Silence was a form of acquiescence. The longer Izabe stayed silent, the more Brett confirmed his


    guess.


    Brett let out a softugh, holding Izabe tighter, and whispered intimately in her ear, "I''ve never


    had a rtionship or shared a room with Kaley. Are you satisfied now?"


    How could it be possible that nothing had happened between Brett and Kaley after so many years


    of being close, even when they were acting so lovey-dovey in front of her?


    "What does it have to do with me whether you have had a rtionship with her?" Izabe turned her


    face away and tried to escape the warmth of his breath.


    "Don''t you feel touched at all?"


    Izabe suddenlyughed, her charming beauty looking even more enchanting with herughter.


    But her eyes in the dark seemed cold and sinister, as if carrying needles of poison.


    "Not touched. I have a good memory. I can''t forget that all my injuries are caused by you just


    because you gave me some sweet talk."


    His tenderness was a luxury to Izabe, something she had longed for but never received.


    And now, she no longer needed it.


    Brett never thought that, even with his low posture, Izabe would still be so ungrateful.


    For the first time, he felt strange towards this Izabe in his arms, as if he had never known her.


    Wasn''t she the old Izabe who shamelessly chased after him andughed every time she saw


    him? The Izabe whopromised and sought for his recognition?


    Brett recalled a news report about Izabe when she was younger. In the video, she faced


    reporters'' tricky and relentless questions with a tough attitude, cleverly deflecting them and not


    giving the cunning reporters any opportunity to exploit her.


    In her actions, Izabe didn''t seem like a 23-year-old at all, she was calm and collected, sometimes


    even cunning like a fox when it came to work and socializing.


    That was the initial Izabe. Only, she had given all her softness to him alone, and he never cared,


    so he didn''t even know when her attitude towards him had changed.


    Brett couldn''t bear to think about it. Even the mere thought made his heart ache terribly.


    Suddenly, Brett reached out towards her face, but before his hand touched her, Izabe clenched


    her eyes shut, her eyshes trembling uncontrobly, and her lips were shivering.


    It was a subconscious reaction, seeing Brett''s hand approaching her face, she thought he was


    going to hit her.


    Pulling her face, Brett''s heart ached even more. "You''re like a timid rabbit, yet you keep saying


    things to provoke me. Do you think you''re asking for a beating? Can''t you learn your lesson after all


    your injuries?"Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    People are afraid of pain; they can''t always remember. Izabe looked up, her eyes still cold. This


    side of Izabe made Brett feel powerless.


    She was like a hedgehog, tough and unyielding, not minding being beaten or receiving sweet


    words. She had be indifferent to everything, like being immune to salt and oil.


    The two remained in a standoff for a while, and finally, Brett covered her eyes and said, "Go to


    sleep."


    Brett didn''t want to say any more to her, fearing that it would upset her enough to make her injury


    bleed again.


    "Since we''re not divorced, you''re still my wife."

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72


    Izabe had stayed home for five days, and her wounds had begun to scab over. They didn''t hurt,


    but they were a little itchy. Judging by the healing speed, she would be able to go out and find a job


    in a couple of days.


    Brett went to the hospital to pick up Kaley and repeatedly told Izabe to behave herself.


    Izabe agreed verbally but didn''t really mean it. At five in the afternoon, she started preparing


    dinner like she usually did.


    Trista still helped her with cooking, and it took quite a while to finish the meal. It was almost eight


    o''clock when they were done.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    The doorbell rang, and Izabe asked Trista to open the door. After waiting a while for Trista''s


    response, she took off her apron and went to open the door herself. With the injuries on her body,


    she walked slowly. When she opened the door, she saw Brett first and then Kaley behind him.


    Kaley still seemed afraid of her, hiding behind Brett''s back and looking at Izabe cautiously.


    Izabe stood at the door and smiled, "Kaley, congrattions on being discharged from the


    hospital."


    Kaley just nodded with her head down, looking aggrieved as if Izabe had bullied her again.


    Izabe looked up and down at Kaley and suddenly said, "It''s a good thing you took sleeping pills. If


    you''d cut your wrist, I doubt you¡¯d be able to wake up after an hour."


    Izabe''s words were like a knife, stabbing at Kaley''s most vulnerable spot.


    Izabe wasn''t a saint, and her injuries were all because of Kaley. She couldn''t be magnanimous or


    pretend nothing had happened.


    Kaley''s face changed. She looked at Brett and saw that he was calm, and she sighed with relief, "I


    was impetuous and caused you trouble."


    Izabe smiled and said, "It''s not a big deal. It would''ve been more troublesome if you''d lost too


    much blood and needed me to donate blood for you."


    Brett pushed Izabe lightly, not too hard, but she almost fell because her leg was injured. With a


    warning tone, he said, "Stop bringing up what''s unnecessary. Let''s eat dinner."


    Izabe didn''t say anything, but Kaley, walking behind, stepped up and yed the good guy. She


    tugged at Brett''s sleeve and gently said, "Izabe is just worried about me. You promised me not to


    get angry on our way here..."


    Izabe walked into the dining room, and when she heard Kaley''s "goody-goody" line, her footsteps


    paused, and she smirked. What a waste that Kaley wasn''t acting in movies with such a good


    performance.


    The hatred in Izabe''s eyes hadn''t faded before Brett, who had juste in, saw it.


    Brett stared coldly at Izabe, but he wasn''t really that mad. He had just pushed Izabe as a


    warning, telling her not to be too petty since they had to live with Kaley in the future. He didn''t want


    her to cause unnecessary trouble.


    "Kaley isn¡¯t holding a grudge against you, but you''re still pissed."


    Izabe pretended not to hear him, washed her hands, and took a sip of soup.


    The dinner was peaceful, with only the sound of utensils clinking.


    After dinner, Brett and Kaley went for a walk, leaving Izabe on the couch reading a book, feeling


    left out.


    After Trista finished washing the dishes, she saw Izabe still sitting alone on the couch and


    hesitated before asking, "Ms. Salotti, do you need me to help you upstairs?"


    "No, I can walk." Izabe put down the book and slowly made her way to the second floor.


    Now that her leg could move up and down, going to work shouldn''t be a problem.


    As soon as Izabe reached the top of the stairs, she heard movements downstairs. She looked


    down and saw that Brett and Kaley had returned from their walk.


    Trista prepared lemonade for Kaley. Even though it was a normal thing to do, Izabe felt something


    was off.


    Trista''s attitude toward her and Kaley waspletely different.

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73


    After Kaley moved back into the vi, Izabe started looking for a job. Strangely enough, she


    applied to more than a dozenpanies online but none of them got back to her.


    She couldn''t help but wonder if there was a problem with the system. Izabe got up early, made


    breakfast, and changed into a suit.


    When Brett came downstairs for breakfast and saw her dressed up, he asked, "Are you going out?"


    Izabe replied while eating her porridge, "I have a job interview."


    Brett almost forgot about Izabe''s n to work. But didn''t Liam already take care of it? Why would


    anyone call Izabe for an interview?


    Seeing the time, Izabe quickly finished her oatmeal and left. Brett watched her leave and then


    called Liam to keep an eye on her and obstruct let her job finding.


    Liam was puzzled and didn''t appreciate Brett''s behavior.


    Izabe was a 24-year-old adult. If she was kept at home and not allowed to go out, her ability to


    function in society would be ruined.


    Brett wanted Izabe to be a housewife, but it depended on whether she wanted to.


    At 18, Izabe took over the Salotti family, portraying an elite image. There''s no way she would be


    content being a caged canary.


    Brett understood this, but looking at Izabe''s beautiful face and slim figure, he had a twisted


    imagination of what she could do after losing the Salotti family?


    Just imagining Izabe working outside made him feel irritated. He couldn''t allow or tolerate Izabe


    being in contact with other men and being scrutinized by them.


    At this point, Brett realized that Izabe was different to him. Like buying a painting, at first, he just


    wanted to appreciate it, but after discovering that it was an antique, he wanted to hide it, fearing it


    would be stolen.


    He was so possessive but forgot that Izabe was a person not an object, and definitely not a


    painting for him to appreciate.


    Izabe went out job hunting, filling out resumes for suitablepanies, but she didn''t even get a


    turn before they said they were done.


    It happened one or two times and she could ept it, but after repeatedly hitting a wall, even she


    realized something was off.


    She didn''t find a job but managed to wear herself out. After spending half a month under the sun,


    she felt weak and nauseous.


    Izabe initially thought it was heatstroke and coupled with her stomach cancer, nausea was


    normal, so she didn''t think too much of it.


    She thought that going back to rest would help, but the smell of cooking in the kitchen made her


    even more nauseous.


    She had no energy to cook, so she asked Trista to do it. Trista didn''t say anything but her


    expression showed dissatisfaction.


    In the end, Kaley and Trista cooked dinner together.


    When Brett came home from work, he looked around and didn''t see Izabe. His eyes darkened as


    he asked, "Where is she?"


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    Kaley walked over, hooking her hand with his affectionately, saying, "Izabe is probably not feeling


    well today. I made dinner."


    Brett nced at the table, which looked delicious, but he just couldn''t work up an appetite.


    Kaley didn''t notice Brett''s inner thoughts and kept pushing forks into his hand, "Brett, you haven''t


    had my cooking in a long time. have a taste and see if my skills have improved."


    Brett looked at the dishes on the table, not knowing which one to pick. His fingers tightened and


    then he let go, "You eat first. I''ll go upstairs and check on her."


    Kaley''s smile faltered. Before she could say anything, Brett hurriedly got up and went upstairs.

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74


    After taking her medicine, Izabe dozed off, and she didn''t even wake up when Brett lifted her


    nket.


    Izabe''s thin and delicate figure had be even thinner after running around for more than half


    a month. When she took off her clothes, her protruding ribs were visible.


    Brett sat down and pinched Izabe''s face, "Time to get up and eat."


    Izabe rubbed her body ufortably and unwillingly opened her sleepy eyes. Herplexion


    was not good, and she pulled the nket saying, "I don''t feel well; I don''t want to eat."


    Brett forcefully dragged her out of bed, "You''ve got a stomach problem and still don''t want to eat?


    Do you want to turn it into stomach cancer?"


    Izabe felt a sudden sting in her heart at his casual remark. If only Brett had shown her this kind of


    care back then, she might not have let her stomach problem turn into stomach cancer.


    Izabe suddenly smiled and obediently got up and followed Brett downstairs.


    When they reached downstairs, dinner was already served with a variety of dishes. Kaley was


    sitting in her usual ce, smiling gracefully and looking very much like thedy of the house.


    The chairs were casually arranged, and Brett didn''t pay much attention to it. But Izabe could see


    Kaley''s obvious intention to rece her.


    "Trista, bring another set of tableware," Kaley instructed Trista before turning apologetically to


    Izabe. "I thought you weren''t eating dinner tonight."


    "I wasn''t nning on getting dinner since I''m not feeling well, but Brett specially came up to call me


    down, so I came here." To Kaley, her words sounded like showing off.


    Izabe''s lips curled into a sweet, obviously malicious smile. She simply enjoyed seeing others


    feeling ufortable. Kaley had been living there for a while and still liked to provoke her, even


    though she never had the upper hand. She kept walking on thin ice.


    Izabe nced at the dishes on the table. Kaley''s cooking skills were good, and she seemed to


    have prepared the dishes ording to Brett''s preferences.


    As Izabe sat down, she stared at the grilled fish in front of her and sniffed its aroma. Suddenly,


    her stomach churned with nausea, and she felt like vomiting.


    Pushing her chair away, Izabe rushed to the bathroom and started throwing up. She had run so


    fast that she left the door open, and her retching sounds could be heard clearly outside.


    Kaley, who was sitting at the table and serving herself some soup, turned disgusted with anger. She


    wanted to drag Izabe out of the bathroom.


    Since Kaley and Izabe were at odds, it was inevitable that she''d have some biased thoughts. She


    assumed that Izabe was intentionally trying to disgust her with the food.


    After a few minutes, Izabe came out of the bathroom, propping herself against the wall. Her face


    was pale, and her body was shaky, as if she had contracted some horrible disease.


    "What''s wrong with you?" Brett asked impatiently. He had already lost his appetite, and his desire to


    eat was further diminished by Izabe''s vomiting. "Are you doing this on purpose?"


    Izabe had no energy to argue and weakly said, "My stomach isn''t feeling well; I don''t want to eat."


    "Why don''t you let Brett take you to the hospital?"


    "No need. It happens. I''ll just take some medicine and drink some hot water. You guys eat." After


    retching violently, tears couldn''t stop streaming down her face. Her pitiful appearance made her


    seem rather endearing.


    Brett''s gaze remained on Izabe''s face. He was staring at her, while Kaley was staring at him.


    What Brett didn''t know was that despite his ims of indifference, his eyes were full of concern for


    Izabe, which was palpable.


    What is a third wheel? The unloved one in a rtionship is the real third wheel.


    Before this, Kaley confidently defended herself, saying that Brett loved her. But now, her passionate


    words were stuck in her throat.


    Watching Izabe go upstairs, Brett turned to Trista and said, "You go watch her, and if it''s serious,


    call the doctor."


    "Okay, I''ll go check on Ms. Salotti right away," Trista followed Izabe.


    Brett put another piece of fish into Kaley''s te. "Let''s eat, and don''t worry about her."


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    Kaley stared at the fish in her bowl. In the past, Brett would carefully pick out the bones before


    putting it in her bowl.


    Izabe felt a bit better after drinking some lemonade. Shey in bed, touching her abdomen. This


    bout of stomach cancer was different from the previous ones.


    She used to experience pain so severe that she''d vomit blood, but now she felt nauseous and


    wanted to vomit every time she saw greasy and fishy food.


    Coupled with her recentck of energy and fatigue, Izabe wondered if she had contracted


    hepatitis B in addition to her stomach cancer.


    Her already unhealthy body would be further burdened .


    Izabe clenched her lips. Could she hold on for another year, long enough for Brett to fall in love


    with her?


    She had to think positively. Her symptoms might resemble hepatitis B, but they weren''t definite


    proof. Moreover, if she did have the disease, she might transmit it to Brett, and both of them


    wouldn''t survive.


    It would be a bargain for her to step down and take Brett with her since she didn''t have long to live.

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75


    Izabe''s stomach was throbbing with pain, like something was moving inside. She rushed to the


    bathroom and was totally shocked when she saw the blood on her pants.


    Her period had arrived.


    She put on a pad and filled a hot water bottle, but it could do nothing to alleviate the pain. She


    swallowed two strong painkillers, and finally the agonizing pain was suppressed.


    Curled up in bed, she feltpletely drained and couldn''t even concentrate.


    Trista went upstairs to check on her, "Ms. Salotti, are you okay? Do you need me to call a doctor?"


    Izabe clutched the nket and rasped, "No, it''s just that time of the month. I''ll be fine in a couple


    of days."


    Trista nodded and left the room, closing the door gently.


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    Before long, there were footsteps again, the door opened, and Izabe thought it was Trista without


    even looking.


    It wasn''t until a shadow loomed over her that she realized something was amiss. She looked up and


    saw Brett''s face.


    "How did you get in here?"


    "You look awful," Brett said, looking at Izabe''s sickly pale face. "Are you still in pain?"


    "Yes."


    Brett took out his phone to call a doctor.


    "What are you doing?"


    "Calling a doctor." He knew Izabe didn''t like hospitals, so he had hired a family doctor half a


    month ago.


    But she refused, "I don''t want to see a doctor." She had stomach cancer and was afraid the doctor


    would find out.


    "If you don''t want to see a doctor now, you might not get a chance when you need one."


    "It''s my body, and I know it well. I don''t need you to interfere." Izabe was irritable, like a bomb


    exploding at the slightest provocation.


    Her emotions were already uncontroble during her period, and Brett''s buzzing was like a fly in her


    ear.


    "You think I want to interfere with you?" Brett sneered.


    Izabe couldn''t help but sneer back, "Since you don''t want to get involved, get out. I''m sick of you."


    "Izabe, tone down your stubbornness and don''t push me." His temper red as well.


    Izabe clutched the hot water bottle and found afortable position to close her eyes, trying to


    ignore him.


    Seeing her in such a pathetic state, Brett couldn''t bring himself to disturb her further. But he couldn''t


    help but poke his nose further, "You should go out less. You only went out for a few days, and now


    you''re sick."


    Izabe put down the hot water bottle and covered her ears. It was Brett''s fault she got sick in the


    first ce. Wasn''t it because of his sneaky tricks that she had to run around in the sun, trying to find


    work, and ended up getting sick? And now he had the nerve to lecture her?


    Brett just wanted to force her to submit, to be a quiet, obedient housewife who only cooked


    and satisfied him in bed.


    In the end, Brett found out from Trista that Izabe had her period.


    "Does it hurt this bad during periods?"


    "It depends on the individual," Trista exined. "Some people don''t feel any pain during their


    periods, while others have pain for a day or two. I think Ms. Salotti''s pain is due to excessive cold in


    her body. Some medication should help."


    "What should she do now if she doesn''t want to see a doctor?"


    "I''ll make her some ginger tea. It should help."


    "Send it upstairs when it''s ready, and get her some medication from the pharmacy tomorrow."


    Trista nodded.


    Brett went upstairs, and soon Trista brought the ginger tea.


    "Give it to me." Brett took the tea and brought it to the bedside. "Sit up and drink this ginger tea."


    Izabe opened her bleary eyes, propped herself up using Brett''s arm, and looked at the ginger tea.


    She turned her face away, "I won''t drink it."


    "It''ll help with the pain."


    "I took painkillers. I''m not in pain anymore." She didn''t want to drink the strong-smelling ginger tea,


    fearing that it would make her vomit. Besides, she had stomach cancer and couldn''t eat ginger.


    "Painkillers won''t help."


    "Whether they help or not is not for you to decide. I''m not in pain, and that''s good enough." Izabe


    gritted her teeth, refusing to drink.


    Brett''s eyebrows knitted, and his face started showing impatience. He held Izabe, forced her jaw


    open, and shoved the ginger tea down her throat.


    Brett wasn''t experienced in looking after people, and the ginger tea was scalding hot. Izabe was


    in tears from the pain, and her struggle seemed like defiance to Brett, so he became rougher and


    more aggressive.

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76


    A sudden surge of pain hit her mouth, her tongue feeling numb from the scalding. The hot feeling


    rushed down her throat into her stomach, warming her up but also bringing more intense pain.


    The spicy ginger soup irritated her stomach, and her scorched throat started itching. She couldn''t


    help it and threw up.


    The yellow ginger soup mixed with the undigested medicine sshed all over Brett.


    Brett was a bit of a clean freak, maybe even a severe case. Seeing the vomit all over his upper


    body and arm, all sticky and smelling sour, he winced and tried to hold his breath.


    "Izabe, did you do it on purpose, throwing up all over me?" He was utterly disgusted, pushing


    Izabe away and putting down the bowl in his hand. He quickly grabbed some paper towels to


    wipe himself, but the more he wiped, the more nauseous he felt.


    Izabe''s face turned even paler after vomiting. She held her stomach with one hand and wiped her


    mouth with the other. Upon hearing Brett''s words, she looked up to see his gloomy face.


    "I told you I didn''t want to drink it, but you insisted on force-feeding me!" So who could she me?


    And it wasn''t intentional. If she could choose, she would have thrown up even more on him,


    disgusting him so much that he wouldn''t dare to touch her again.


    After wiping himself for a while, the irritable Brett furiously took off his shirt and threw it on the


    ground, then reached out towards Izabe.


    Izabe''s eyes flickered, and she instinctively shrank back into the nket like a turtle that senses


    danger and retreats into its shell.


    Brett was taken aback. He hadn''t expected his simple action would frighten Izabe like a scared


    bird.


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    Perhaps his facial expression scared her too. Brett slightly softened his look and went closer,


    pinching Izabe''s chin gently.


    Izabe tried to avoid him, but he gently touched her head, "Why are you hiding? Weren''t you all


    high and mighty just now? Now you''re scared?"


    Izabe didn''t like him touching her head. To other people, it might be an intimate gesture, but


    between her and Brett, it was just a sign of disdain, just like randomly petting a dog when you''re in a


    good mood.


    Recently, Brett had indeed treated her like a dog, trying to tame her into submission and obedience.


    Brett pulled Izabe out of the nket, her weight as light as a feather, hardly the weight of an adult.


    Izabe was delicate, with fair, smooth skin that would bruise easily. Her lips were swollen, clearly


    from the scalding when he fed her ginger soup earlier.


    But he didn''t think it was hot when he touched the bowl...


    Brett gently touched her face, "Open your mouth, let me take a look."


    Izabe turned her head away, her throat burning in pain. In a hoarse voice, she said, "Don''t touch


    me."


    "I won''t do anything this time. I just want to see if you''re injured inside your mouth."


    What if she was injured? Could he heal it? Izabe absolutely hated this fake concern from Brett.


    "Get away from me." Izabe pushed him away, but with no sess.


    Brett''s brows furrowed. He had already lowered his voice and humbled himself, and Izabe still


    wouldn''t cooperate, which didn''t make him feel any better.


    He cradled her face, pinching her jaw to open her mouth to check inside.


    To Izabe, it felt like her jaw would be crushed under his grip, the pain making her eyes tear up.


    She involuntarily let out a groan, and tears welled up in her eyes.


    Brett didn''t care about her difort. He continued to examine her mouth and saw a few blisters


    inside, along with some loose skin on the roof of her mouth.


    No bleeding, but it would definitely hurt.


    Brett felt a bit guilty. "Why didn''t you say it was hot when I was feeding you? What if you had


    scalded your face? You would look like a toad."


    Izabe had already grown used to his pointless remarks.

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77


    "How could I talk when you were pinching my mouth?" Izabe looked at the painkillers in the vomit


    on the floor, wondering if they would still work after being thrown up.


    Izabe looked half-dead and barely hanging on, her bodypletely relying on Brett''s embrace.


    She whispered, "If you really care about me, just mind your own business and let me sleep..."


    Brett looked at Izabe''s downcast eyes and her cuddly appearance as if she were a cat trying to


    please.


    Izabe''s body was soft and cold, her face pale as paper, and her eyes watery. She was naturally


    beautiful, and when she was sick, she still looked pathetic and made people feel an urge to hold her


    close.


    Brett hesitated for a moment, reaching out to undress her.


    Izabe felt unwell, her whole body bing dazed. She was like a dying cat in Brett''s arms.


    Brett easily undressed her, carried her to the bathroom, and put her in hot water.


    The moment Izabe was put into the hot water, she felt as if her pores had opened, and she


    couldn''t help shaking. Her clear eyes became even brighter.


    "You stink, make sure you clean yourself well." After putting her down, Brett turned back to the


    bedroom, looked at the vomit on the floor with annoyance. He couldn''t stop worrying about Izabe,


    after all, he had never heard of such a severe period reaction.


    He called the family doctor to exin the situation and rushed her over.


    After hanging up the phone, Brett went out to tell Trista toe upstairs and clean.


    Izabe soaked in the hot water, her forehead covered in sweat. After lying in the bathtub for nearly


    20 minutes, she finally managed to suppress the gut-wrenching pain.


    "Are you okay?" Brett asked from the other side.


    Instead of replying, Izabe struggled to stand up and put on her bathrobe.


    Not getting any answer, Brett bent down and carried her. "Do you have any other illnesses besides


    stomach aches?"


    That''s what the doctor asked on the phone, and Brett was never concerned about Izabe, so


    understandably, he had no idea about her health.


    Izabe let him hold her and coldly answered, "Recently, I''ve been nauseous, lethargic, and sleepy.


    Considering all these symptoms, I think I might have Hepatitis B, so you better stay away from me


    in case I infect you."


    Brett thought she was babbling nonsense because of her illness and didn¡¯t take her seriously.


    Seeing her hand on her stomach, he thought her stomach was hurting. "You were supposed to stay


    home and not go out, now you know what stomach pain is, huh?"


    "I''ve known the taste of stomach pain for a long time, I don''t need you to tell me."


    "Izabe, I''m worried about you."


    Worried? Anyway, she couldn''t hear any tone of concern. Izabe didn''t say a word, just pouting her


    mouth stubbonly.


    Sometimes Brett thought that Izabe was born to defy him. It was a good thing he had self-control,


    otherwise, with her temper, he could have killed her in a fit of rage.


    The sheets had been changed, and it wasfortable to lie down. The air conditioner was set just


    right, and it was warm and cozy under the covers, making Izabe feel drowsy.


    At this moment, Trista brought the family doctor upstairs.


    Hearing the noise, Izabe''s pupils shrank and she turned her head to look.


    "President Windham." The family doctor was a woman in her forties, wearing sses and looking a


    bit serious.


    Brett nodded, "Take a look at her and see if you can relieve her pain."


    "We''ll need to go to the hospital for a thorough examination. I can only give a rough diagnosis and


    prescribe some medicine here."


    Brett nodded, "I know. She''s been to the hospital before and there was nothing wrong with her, just


    a slight stomachache, plus today is her period."


    The family doctor walked over to Izabe after exining.


    Izabe was dizzy, barely understanding from the conversation that this was the doctor Brett had


    just called. She looked at the doctor cautiously and then red at Brett.


    She had said she didn''t want a doctor, so why ask one toe?


    Brett was so domineering. She used to like him so much that she thought everything about him was


    perfect. But now she''s fed up with him making decisions without asking her.


    But the doctor was already there, and she couldn''t turn her away without losing face. She still had


    some manners.


    Izabe closed her eyes, sorted out her thoughts, and opened them again to greet the doctor.


    The family doctor smiled in return, "Mrs. Windham, I am President Windham''s newly hired family


    doctor. Here''s my business card. If you feel unwell in the future, just call me. I''ll be there."


    Izabe took the card and read the name on it. "Nice to meet you, Dr. James."


    Dr. James asked about Izabe''s symptoms and did a simple check-up. However, without adequate


    medical equipment, she couldn''t diagnose Izabe''s gastric cancer or other conditions.


    Izabe also tried to blur the description of her symptoms as much as possible, iming her recent


    nausea was due to exhaustion and heatstroke from traveling .


    This exnation waspletely reasonable.


    Dr. James prescribed an assortment of medicines, including some specifically for treating her uterus


    and some warming patches for her abdomen. The patches did make Izabe feel much more


    comfortable.


    Dr. James asked, "Do you normally take any other medications?"


    Izabe''s heart tightened. "...Yes."


    "Can I see them?"


    "What''s there to see?" Izabe pursed her thin lips, the corner of her mouth twitching stiffly.


    "Just get them out and show them, what''s the fuss?" Brett opened the drawer and took out a bunch


    of bottles and jars. "These are the medicines she usually takes."


    Dr. James exined, "I just want to check if you can take the medicines I prescribed together with


    these."


    Dr. James briefly checked the bottles, which contained ordinary supplements, stomach medicine,


    painkillers, and other substances with no side effects. However, when she opened one of the


    bottles, she felt the medicines inside seemed familiar and weren''t like supplements.


    It was not her expertise, so it''s normal for her not to remember the name of the medicine. Everyone


    would forget, let alone so many medicines.


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    Furthermore, thebel on the medicine bottle stated it was supplyments, so Dr. James didn''t think


    much of it.


    "Every medicine has its side effects, you know? So you should take those meds I gave you first,


    and then go for those supplements."


    Izabe felt relieved when she saw that there was no suspicion, "Thanks, Dr. James, I got it."


    Dr. James gave some advice and handed over a prescription to Brett, briefly exining the


    precautions.


    "President Windham, your wife is obviously weak, and it isn¡¯t something that happened overnight.


    So let her get plenty of rest and pay attention to her diet too."


    "How do we pay attention to her diet?" Brett asked patiently.

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78


    When it came to food, no matter how much they talked, Brett just didn''t get it. Dr. James thought for


    a bit and replied, "I''ll prepare a meal n and send it to your email when I get back."


    "Mm."


    Brett called Trista over and handed her the prescription he was given, "Get the medicine for Izabe


    tomorrow ording to this, and make sure she actually drinks it."


    Izabe hated bitter medicine, so she wouldn''t even take normal ones, let alone extra strong ones.


    She would probably just dump it the second it gets prepared.


    Dr. James nced at the time, "President Windham, I should get going."


    Brett nodded and instructed Trista, "Trista, please walk Dr. James out."


    The bedroom emptied out, and Brett went out to chat with Kaley for a bit. After making sure she was


    okay, he went back to Izabe''s room.


    Once sick, even the strongest people show a bit of vulnerability, just like Izabe now. The room


    was too quiet with only a dim wallmp on.


    All she had to do was to bear the situation, but Brett made it worse with his fuss and having her see


    the doctor. In the end, he didn''t even say a single word of concern. She felt wronged, sniffing and


    burying her face in the pillow, shaking slightly.


    When Brett came back, he saw Izabe had buried her entire head in the nkets, and it didn''t


    seem like she could breathe properly.


    He went over, grabbed her neck, and pulled her out of the nkets.


    With her fair skin, just pinching her neck a little would leave a red mark. She shivered a bit and


    mumbled, "I don''t feel good."


    "I know, but burying your face in the nkets will make you feel worse."


    Seeing her pale little face, he couldn''t help but reach out and touch it. Izabe acted much more


    behaved when she was sick, and for a moment, he felt like it was back to the old times.


    If Izabe would only behave like this when she''s sick, he thought, maybe it''s better for her to just


    stay sick.


    He was so biased, wanting to control every aspect of Izabe''s life---her time, her mind and body,


    hell, even whether she feltfortable or not.


    A lot happened tonight, but it wasn''t toote ¨C just past ten. Brett usually slept before eleven, so he


    took a shower and received a call, going to his study to deal with work stuff.


    Not long after Brett left, Izabe''s phone rang too. Groggily, she reached for the phone in the


    drawer.


    She focused her eyes on the caller ID on the screen and saw that it was her old assistant.


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    "Hello?"


    "Ms. Salotti, are you resting?"


    It had been too long since she had heard that title, and it felt like a lifetime ago.


    "I was about to, what''s up, Mr. Briggs?"


    "Ms. Salotti, remember the Happy Nest Orphanage you were sponsoring before? The dean of the


    orphanage contacted me again, asking if you would be avable to attend a banquet there on May


    21st."


    She had sponsored the orphanage for four years, and each year on May 21st, the dean would invite


    her to a banquet there.


    May 21st was a special day. It was her birthday and the memorial day of her mother.


    She never celebrated her birthday and never mentioned it to anyone.


    For the four years she was married to Brett, every year on that day, she''d go to the cemetery in the


    morning and wait for him toe back in the afternoon.


    Two years ago, to have hime back and spend the night with her, she even had Kaley taken


    away. That night, Brett was like a demon and nearly strangled her to death in bed.


    "Ms. Salotti, will you go? If so, I''ll tell her."


    Izabe came back to her senses, "Yes, please let her know and send me the dean''s phone number


    in a text message." Perhaps this year would be herst birthday, and she didn''t want to spend it


    alone.


    "Alright."


    A moment after hanging up, Izabe received the text message with a location attached. She


    checked the location; it would take an hour by car from Quiet Forest Estates, not too far.


    She had never been to the orphanage herself, always donating directly, and she had no idea what


    kind of gift to get for the children.


    After searching online, Izabe decided to buy a big load of rag dolls and have them sent over. She


    quickly ced the order, filled in the address and paid.


    May 21st was a Wednesday, only two days away, and the mail should arrive in time.


    Brett came back after dealing with work and noticed that Izabe wasn''t asleep. He raised an


    eyebrow, and his gaze was dark and unreadable, "What are you doing that''s keeping you up?"


    "Nothing."


    As Izabe put away her phone, her action looked guilty to Brett.


    "Who were you texting?" He asked casually.


    "You don''t know them."


    The corner of Brett''s mouth dropped, his eyes deepened, clearly not satisfied with her answer.


    "Your period just started; just stay home and rest for a week."


    But that couldn''t happen; she had to go to the orphanage in two days.


    "No."


    Brett looked down condescendingly at her, his gaze focused on her, emanating a dangerous aura.


    Izabe swallowed hard with anxiety, tried to think of ways to change the subject, but nothing


    worked.


    Brett directly snatched her phone, "What''s the password?"


    "Brett, that''s my privacy."


    "Give it to me; don''t make me repeat myself."


    Angrily, Izabe turned her face away, "0510."


    Brett had no recollection of this number, and as he unlocked her phone, Izabe felt a strange


    bitterness.


    May 10th was the day they first met 16 years ago, and she remembered it like a habit. She used it


    in almost everything requiring a password.


    Brett didn''t remember, and it seemed like he had no impression of it either.


    As he unlocked her phone and scrolled through her history, he asked, "You''re going to the Happy


    Nest Orphanage on Wednesday?"


    "Mm."


    "Just for a banquet?" Brett scoffed. How good could a banquet hosted by an orphanage be?


    Could someone like Izabe, who had been treated like a princess all her life, stand sitting down


    and eating with a bunch of orphans?


    Izabe looked down, hiding the loneliness in her eyes. For Brett, it was just a shabby party, but for


    Izabe, it was her first birthday ever, and the first one with someone by her side.

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79


    "Do you wanna go?" Brett asked.


    "Yeah." Izabe widened her eyes, and looked at Brett seriously. She didn''t say anything sweet, but


    her eyes had already begun to plead.


    Being stared at like this, no man could stand it. Brett put down his phone and said, "You behave and


    take your medicine these days, then I''ll let you go."


    "Are you for real this time?" Izabe was scared to be fooled by Brett, so she always asked for


    confirmation.


    Brett poked her on the forehead and said, "Seriously, I won''t trick you this time."


    Izabe didn''t know what Brett was thinking. One moment he wouldn''t let her go out, and the next


    moment he agreed to it. She was nervous and felt that Brett''s unpredictable temperament


    unsettling.


    "It''ste, let''s go to sleep."


    Brett got into bed and turned off the lights, his arm habitually wrapped around Izabe. He agreed to


    let Izabe go to the orphanage not out of pity, but because he thought she could get more used to


    kids now, making it less difficult for her to get pregnantter.


    In a blink of an eye, two days passed, and the stuffed toys Izabe bought online for the orphanage


    had arrived. The dean signed the delivery and called her to express his gratitude and reminded her


    of the banquet time on Wednesday.


    "Alright, I''ll be there... I know the address..."


    After hanging up the phone, Izabe got up and drank the medicine on her bedside table. It was so


    bitter that she couldn''t get rid of the bitterness even after rinsing her mouth.


    Although it was hard to drink, it did work. Her lower abdomen didn''t hurt anymore, and she felt


    warmer at night than usual.


    "Ms. Salotti, I''ve cleared the bowl, and lunch will be ready soon. Do you want to eat downstairs or


    have it sent up?"


    "Send it up like usual."


    She had been staying at home these two days and hadn''t gone out. Kaley hadn''te looking for


    her either, and the two of them didn''t see each other more than three times a day.


    After Trista left the bedroom, Izabe found a book from the bookshelf and sat on the balcony


    looking at the small courtyard beneath her. Trista, who had just gone downstairs, was chatting and


    laughing with Kaley.


    Izabe squinted her eyes. Although Trista had been acting by the rules these days and hadn''t


    done anything suspicious, Izabe still felt something was off.


    In fact, it could be seen from the way she addressed her. Trista called her "Ms. Salotti" as soon as


    she entered the door, while Dr. James respectfully called her "Mrs. Windham" the first time they met


    two days ago.


    Izabe quickly sorted out her thoughts and came to the conclusion that it was Kaley''s plot.


    Izabe closed the book and waited for half an hour before Trista brought lunch.


    The next morning, after breakfast, Izabe drove to Happy Nest Orphanage. Although the


    orphanage wasn''trge, it was well-decorated and well-supplied due to her support over the years.


    The dean knew that Izabe woulde today, so he arranged for the kids to decorate the


    orphanage early. It was an ordinary day, but it was decorated like Christmas.


    Izabe parked the car at the entrance and followed the dean inside. As they walked, he


    enthusiastically introduced the ce and took her to the hall to see the neatly lined-up children.


    The children ranged from the age of two or three to fifteen years old. When they saw her, they


    shouted "Izabe" in unison.


    Izabe felt sad in her heart. How could the parents of so many lovely children throw them away?


    Not all children were lively. Some were just abandoned and sent to the orphanage and stood timidly


    in the corner.


    Izabe wasn''t very experienced in interacting with children and didn''t know what to do. She


    followed the dean''s lead.


    "The children are grateful for the toys you sent them, and they also have gifts for you,¡± the dean


    said.


    He pped his hands and said to the children, "Come on, my darlings, give Izabe the gifts you''ve


    prepared."


    The group of children quickly brought out the gifts they had prepared in their rooms. They still lined


    up neatly and shyly presented the gifts to Izabe.


    "Happy 24th birthday, Izabe."


    Izabe froze in her seat. She thought that the dean invited her to the orphanage every year on May


    21st was just a coincidence, but it turned out they remembered her birthday.


    Izabe''s eyes filled with tears.


    She reached out to ept the gift and gently touched the little girl''s head, saying, "Thank you."


    In total, she received 50 gifts, all handmade by the children. Among them, there were folded stars,


    origami cranes, drawings, stickers, and bracelets. The thought behind these gifts was more


    valuable than any gift she had ever received and made her happier.


    Later, the dean brought out the birthday cake. Izabe, who had stomach cancer, couldn''t drink milk


    or eat cream, so she only had a little before handing it to the kids.


    "I''m going to the restroom for a bit. You guys go ahead and eat. Don''t worry about me," Izabe told


    the dean who was cutting the cake.


    The dean handed a slice of cake to a child and turned to Izabe, "Wait a moment, Ms. Salotti. I''ll


    take you there."


    "No need. I can go by myself." She grabbed her bag from the chair and left the hall.


    Deep down, Izabe was a lonely person, and she was used to her solitude. When she was in a


    crowded ce, she felt that even the air was thin. She couldn''t fit in and just wanted to find a quiet


    corner to stay.


    This was the first time someone celebrated her birthday with her, with so many people at present.


    Though she was touched, she still felt uneasy.


    Using the restroom was just an excuse. She wandered around the orphanage and found a wisteria-


    covered area. The branches and leaves on the-tree shaded the ce.


    As Izabe approached, she noticed someone sitting on a wooden chair nearby.


    Just as she was about to leave, the man suddenly stood up and looked at her.


    Izabe froze for a moment, not because of anything other than the man''s remarkable appearance,


    as handsome as Brett.


    The guy looked about 27 or 28 years old, tall and slender, wearing slightly faded jeans and a white


    t-shirt. He was handsome with delicate features, a clean and firm chin, and a pair of eyes that were


    the most attractive part - clean, clear, like an innocent child, impossible to look away from.


    Izabe had never met such a refined and neat man before, and her face suddenly flushed with


    shyness. "Sorry, I didn''t know anyone was here. I didn''t mean to disturb you."


    She turned to leave, but the man behind her stopped her. "You''re not disturbing me. You cane


    and sit with me."


    So Izabe found herself suddenly stopped by a stranger who even invited her to sit down with him.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    She carefully looked at the man, feeling like there was something familiar about him. Maybe it was


    because he was naturally attractive, and people couldn''t help but want to get closer.


    Neither of them spoke, and the surrounding area was quiet, but it wasn''t awkward---the atmosphere


    was quite pleasant.


    Izabe sat at the other end of the wooden bench, feeling the breeze on her cheeks, listening to the


    cicadas. She nced at the man from the corner of her eye, bing more and more daring as


    her nces turned to stares.


    The man had his head lowered, his eyshes were long and thick, his brown eyes were slightly


    upturned, creating a natural, smiling expression.


    Seemingly feeling her heated gaze, the man turned his head to meet Izabe''s eyes.


    Caught staring, Izabe was embarrassed, unsure where to look.


    The man grinned, revealing two slightly protruding teeth, his smiledazzling like sunshine, so radiant,


    and warm that people couldn''t help but want to get closer.


    Suddenly, Izabe had a strong sense of unease. The man''s smile was nice, but there was an


    innocence to it, like a child, even a bit foolish.


    "Are you a volunteer here? Why are you here alone? Aren''t you going to eat?" she asked.


    The man shook his head. "I have some food. Do you want some?"


    With that, he opened a stic bag and took out a few cookies. He handed half of them to Izabe.


    "Here, eat."


    Having no previous interaction, Izabe certainly wouldn''t ept his food. "I''m not hungry, you can


    have it."


    The man frowned in displeasure, gripping Izabe''s wrist tightly and forcing the cookies into her


    hand.


    Izabe was startled but fortunately, the man didn''t hold her for too long. She looked at the slightly


    crushed cookies in her hand, unsure whether tough or be angry.


    As she looked back, the man withdrew his hands and his bright eyes curved into a smile, revealing


    an innocent, child-like expression.


    Izabe couldn''t shake her nagging feeling. "You..."


    The man waited for her to speak, his gaze deep and pupils ck, seeming very obedient.


    "Actually, I just had some cake inside. There''s still a lot inside if you want to go and eat," Izabe


    said, gripping the cookies.


    The man shook his head and asked a strange question, "Have you ever had cookies before?"


    Izabe shook her head. "No."


    "Then have mine. Eat them," the man insisted, giving her all of his cookies.


    Izabe nodded her head and couldn''t help butugh out loud. This was the first time someone had


    been so insistent on her eating a cookie.


    A warm feeling slowly rose in her heart, spreading through her veins, even warming her usually cold


    fingertips.


    It was the first time a person had given her all their cookies when discovering she had never eaten


    them before.


    Just as Izabe was about to take a bite, a voice called out to her from a distance.


    "Ms. Salotti, why are you here and not inside?"


    She looked at the approaching director and exined, "I couldn''t resist the beautiful scenery."


    "You could have asked us to apany you. Today is your birthday, after all." When the director


    noticed the man sitting next to Izabe, she asked, "Ryker Dempsey, what are you doing here? I''ve


    been looking for you all morning. It''s time to eat."


    The man didn''t answer.


    However, Izabe reacted with curiosity, asking, "His name is Ryker? Is he a volunteer here?"


    "No, Ryker was sent here fifteen years ago when he was just a child. He..." The director pointed to


    her head, "had a head injury when he arrived, so he''s a bit slow, not very smart. He''s been living in


    the orphanage ever since."


    In a nicer way, he had limited mental capacity.


    "Does he not remember anything?"


    "If he could remember, he wouldn''t still be here. For more than a decade, we have tried getting the


    police to help find out about his background, but he''s like a nk te, nothing everes up."


    The director walked over and gently patted Ryker''s shoulder, speaking softly. "Come on, let''s go


    back."


    Ryker obediently followed, stopping after a few steps to wait for Izabe. "I gave you the cookies.


    You have to eat them."


    Izabe nced at him and then at the cookies in her hand. "Okay."


    The director in the front turned back and looked at them, surprised. "He actually gave you cookies?"


    "What''s wrong with that?"


    "Nothing, it''s just that this kid never shares his food with anyone." The director exaggerated


    gleefully, "Even a single piece of bread is usually off limits. It''s quite surprising that he would give


    you all of his snacks that he''s been hiding for days. He must really like you."

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80


    Izabe was feeling embarrassed, and her ears were burning hot.


    Walking beside her, Ryker naturally chimed in, "Yeah, I like her."


    The deanughed even harder upon hearing this, "Never thought Ryker would finallye to his


    senses and like a girl for the first time. If only he was a bit smarter."


    Ryker frowned and said seriously, "I AM smart."


    The dean didn''t take his words to heart, knowing he was a bit of a dimwit.


    Besides, even if he really did like her, Izabe was a marrieddy. Was it even possible for her to


    like an idiot like him? Dream on.


    By chance, Izabe looked up and met Ryker''s eyes, her heart suddenly raced. "What are you


    looking at?"


    "You already know my name, but I don''t know yours."


    Izabe let out a sigh of relief. She thought he was going to ask something more serious, "It''s


    Izabe."


    "Izabe, Izabe, Izabe."


    Ryker''s voice was very pleasant, deep, and maic. When he called Izabe''s name, his tone


    was incredibly gentle, making hearts flutter.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Izabe secretly scolded herself for being carried away by a stranger''s voice, especially since he


    was an idiot.


    Ryker has a poor memory. It takes him a long time to remember something. Afraid of forgetting


    Izabe''s name, he kept chanting it until it was engraved in his heart.


    Ryker knew he was foolish, and the orphanage folks often called him a dumb giant. He didn''t dare


    to get too close to Izabe in fear of being disliked, but he didn''t want to stay away from her either.


    He followed her closely, gazing at her side profile.


    In his eyes, Izabe was the most beautiful person he had ever met, and her name was also lovely.


    He unconsciously called out, "Be."


    Izabe turned her head. That was her nickname, something only those close to her would call her.


    Hearing it from a stranger caught her off guard.


    But after the surprise, she felt a strange familiarity. She had never met Ryker before, so how could


    he seem familiar, like someone she met a long time ago?


    Izabe didn''t mind him calling her affectionately. "Hi?"


    Ryker felt a little embarrassed, looked up to the sky, smiling faintly, "Can I call you Be?"


    Izabe found it funny, "Didn''t you just call me that?"


    "Your name is really lovely." Ryker smiled even brighter and kept sticking around Izabe afterward.


    Though he didn''t get too close, he stood near her, gazing at her like a puppy being abandoned.


    Izabe yed with a group of kids, and soon forgot about lunchtime. The creamy smell around her


    made her feel a little nauseous, and her stomach began to hurt.


    In a panic, Izabe rummaged through her purse, but other than her keys, phone, and makeup,


    there was nothing there. She had forgotten to take her stomach meds.


    Gastric pain could be unbearable, and Izabe found it hard to resist the stabbing feeling.


    Her face turned pale, and she stumbled before sitting down, her body immediately breaking out in


    cold sweat.


    Noticing her unusual condition, Ryker rushed over, "Are you sick?"


    Izabe looked at his worried face and wanted to smile, telling him it was nothing. But she couldn''t


    speak.


    The dean immediately came over upon hearing Ryker''s voice. Seeing Izabe''s pale, sweaty face


    and pain-filled expression, she panicked, "Ms. Salotti, what''s wrong?"


    "I''m just feeling unwell. I''ll have to leave early."


    The dean thought Izabe had a stomachache and said, "With this much pain, you should go to the


    hospital. Let me take you."


    Izabe knew the dean had to manage the orphanage and insisted on going alone.


    Ryker stubbornly grabbed her wrist. "Let me take you."


    "Just now, I..."


    Before she could refuse, the dean interrupted her. "Let Ryker take you. Although he might not be


    the smartest, he knowsmon sense. I trust him to look after you."


    "I''ll go with you. Otherwise, I''ll follow you." Ryker stared at Izabe intently, like a watchful shepherd


    dog.


    His gaze quickened Izabe''s heartbeat, and she fell silent.


    The dean added, "You''re in too much pain to drive. Take a taxi to the Light of Hope Hospital. It''s not


    far, and Ryker knows the way."


    Upon hearing the hospital''s name, Izabe felt relieved. Presley had medicine there and could also


    check why she had been feeling fatigued, nauseous, and wanting to throw uptely¨Csymptoms not


    rted to gastric pain.


    "Alright," Izabe agreed because of the dean''s insistence and having a stubborn Ryker by her side.


    They hailed a cab outside, and the dean reminded Ryker to take good care of Izabe before they


    left.


    In the car, Ryker asked, "Does it hurt a lot?"


    Izabe, heavily weakened, leaned against the car door. The gastric pain felt like a knife stabbing


    her belly.


    Ryker felt helpless seeing her in so much pain, his eyes turning teary. He directly carried her and


    ran towards the hospital.


    He ran fast, the wind blowing Izabe''s hair back, and caught a whiff of jasmine scent.


    Pale, Izabe gripped Ryker''s shoulder tightly, her voice trembling, "Put me down!"


    Ignoring her, Ryker sprinted towards the hospital. The security guard standing at the entrance


    thought the worst upon seeing Ryker carrying a woman, running so desperately.


    "What happened?"


    Ryker slowed down, "She has a stomachache. We need to see a doctor."


    "The hospital is a no-running zone! What if you crash into someone?" the guard reminded him.


    Izabe agreed, "Yes, put me down. I can walk."


    Ryker held her tighter, looking reluctant to let go.


    Izabe frowned, "If you don''t let me go, I''ll get pissed and won''t want to see you ever again."


    As soon as she finished speaking, she saw a look of nervous fear on Ryker''s face.


    Ryker carefully let go of her, standing in front of her with his head bowed, like a kid who''s done


    something stupid and made a mistake.


    Seeing his jet-ck hair, Izabe resisted the urge to reach out and touch it. She sucked up her


    stomachache and called Presley to tell him about her situation.


    Presley was treating a patient when he heard about Izabe''s situation. He quickly arranged for


    someone to send her medication and also scheduled her an appointment with a gynecologist for a


    thorough checkup.


    The test results came out quickly, and unexpectedly, Izabe was five weeks pregnant.

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81


    The result was even more unbelievable than when she was first diagnosed withte-stage stomach


    cancer.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Izabe flipped through the medical report in her hand, and the only sound in the room was the


    rustling of pages.


    The doctor sitting in front of her was uploading data to theputer. Seeing her still staring at


    herself, the doctor patiently asked, "Ms. Salotti, do you have any more questions?"


    Izabe shook her head, "This can''t be true! How could I be pregnant?"


    "Your progesterone levels are a bit low. Did you have any signs of a miscarriage recently?"


    "I thought it was just my perioding."


    The doctor frowned at her response and looked Izabe up and down. "You''re married, right?"


    Izabe honestly replied, "For four years."


    "And you can''t tell the difference between being pregnant and having your period after four years of


    marriage?"


    It''s not that she didn''t know, it''s just that she never even considered the possibility. Her periods were


    always irregr, and in their four years of marriage, Brett never wanted her to get pregnant


    because he thought she was dirty, so they''d always taken precautions.


    Birth control.


    At this thought, Izabe suddenly realized where the problem was. After being diagnosed with


    stomach cancer, afraid of drug allergies, she stopped taking birth control pills, and Brett didn''t


    bother with any precautions in the following encounters.


    Izabe asked, "Doctor, how many weeks pregnant am I?"


    "Five weeks," the doctor replied.


    Izabe counted back, and it was the time after she was discharged from the hospital.


    Izabe felt stunned, her head hung low and she said helplessly, "How can I be pregnant?"


    The doctor found it amusing, hearing her ask the same question over and over again. "From a


    biological perspective, you are indeed fertile, so there''s no question of why you got pregnant.


    Besides, you''ve been married for four years, it''s about time you had a child."


    Before, only her body was numb. Now even her brain felt numb. Izabe sat in her chair, dazed,


    watching the doctor''s mouth move as she analyzed the situation.


    In short, there''s no way she can escape being pregnant.


    "Can I terminate the pregnancy?" Izabe asked.


    The doctor assumed she was worried about a miscarriage, so she took a sip of water from her


    thermos to soothe her throat. "Low progesterone can be nursed, and as long as you take care of


    your health from now on, a miscarriage will be unlikely."


    "I don''t want this baby."


    There can be many reasons for not wanting a child, and it''s a private matter. The doctor didn''t want


    to pry but still offered some advice. "Maybe you should discuss it with your husband. Your health


    isn''t great, and I don''t rmend having an abortion." Abortions carry risks, and many women


    struggle to conceive again due to weak uterine walls.


    Discuss it with Brett? The bitterness spread in Izabe''s mouth at the thought. Brett didn''t even care


    about her, let alone the child inside her.


    If he knew she''d identally gotten pregnant, he probably wouldn''t even bother taking her to the


    hospital. She¡¯d have to take abortion pills instead, which would be even more dangerous.


    Just thinking about Brett cursing her and the child inside her made her heart ache. She clenched


    the medical report tightly and took a deep breath.


    "Maybe you should talk to Dr. Feltonter?" The doctor knew Izabe had a unique rtionship with


    Presley. Maybe Presley could convince her to keep the child.


    "Knock, knock, knock..." Someone knocked on the door.


    The doctor looked over, and Presley''s face appeared in the window. "Right on cue, here he is."


    Presley slowly pushed the door open. "How''s the checkup?"


    The doctor pointed at theputer. "Take a look for yourself in a bit." With Presley there, she was


    no longer needed. She stood up, "A patient in Room 50 is looking for me. I''ll go check on them, and


    you can take it from here."


    Presley sat down next to theputer. "Go ahead, I''ll call you if anythinges up."


    The doctor nodded relievedly and left the room.


    Theputer screen was ck. When Presley sat down, he couldn''t see the results, but he could


    tell by Izabe''s face that there was something difficult for her to say. Was her condition serious?


    He opened theputer and looked at the information. Pregnant, five weeks.


    "Izabe, you''re pregnant?" Presley was somewhat surprised and felt both sweet and bitter. The girl


    he''d watched grow up was going to be a mother.


    He snatched the report from Izabe''s hand and read it carefully. Apart from the low progesterone,


    there were no other symptoms, and her overall condition was still positive.


    "I''ll prescribe you some medicine to supplement your progesterer. Don''t worry." Presley


    sighed, "Finally, I''m going to be an uncle."


    "Presley, I can''t keep this baby."


    Not that she doesn''t want to, but she can''t. Her current situation doesn''t allow her to have a child.


    "Why not?"


    "Presley, I have cancer. I don''t even know how long I''ll live. Maybe tomorrow I''ll be gone."


    "Nonsense! You''re now taking a newly researched anticancer drug, and medical science is


    advancing. You should think positively. Who knows, maybe there''ll be a cure for you tomorrow."


    Discussions about Izabe''s illness always created a heavy atmosphere.


    "I need to be realistic, Presley. I can''t give birth to this baby; the timing is wrong."


    "Do you really just want to give up on him like that? I remember you used to love children. Please


    keep him." Presley pleaded, gripping Izabe''s hand.


    Her hand was cold and trembling. She clenched her fist, but it couldn''t stop from shaking. She


    shook her head, her eyes red. "Do you want him to end up like me, with no one to care or love


    them?"


    If her body were healthy, she would do anything to keep the child, but it''s not.


    What if she passes away as soon as the baby is born? What will happen to the child? Will Brett and


    Kaley raise it?


    If that''s the case, life would be unbearable for her child, she thought with a shiver.


    Presley didn''t want Izabe to have too much pessimism. Now that she had a child, Presley hoped


    it could give her the motivation to keep going.

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82


    They''ve been married for four years, and even though she''s always used birth control, she still went


    to the gynecologist regrly, just in case she ever wanted to have a baby. Unfortunately, Brett never


    gave her the chance to be a mother.


    Later, as she was diagnosed withte-stage stomach cancer, she couldn''t even take care of herself,


    let alone carry another life.


    There''s a saying in a book that having a child gives people something to live for, but for her, it''s not


    a blessing, it¡¯s a freaking curse.


    Presley knew she loved kids; after all, she used to tell him all the time how she would feel like


    having a baby.


    Izabe stared at her own belly, her eyes empty. She gently stroked her abdomen, silently thinking


    this baby had to pick the right parents next time.


    Her empty gaze suddenly became determined for a moment, "Presley, help me get rid of this baby,


    if you don''t want to, I can go to another hospital." Her attitude made it clear that she couldn''t have


    the baby, and no one could convince her otherwise.


    Presley withdrew his hand, staring at theputer, several images shing through his mind. "Your


    body isn''t suitable for an abortion right now. If you really insist, we can wait half a month and then


    try again, giving you time to think it through."


    She didn''t need to reconsider; Presley was just as stubborn, there was no way he would perform


    the abortion today.


    The two fell silent, Izabe stared at the examination report on the table and nced at Presley.


    That''s when she noticed that Presley''splexion was terrible, and he even had dark circles under


    his eyes.


    She had thought it was just theputer screen light making hisplexion look bad, but after a


    closer look, she realized it wasn''t.


    "Have you not been sleeping well recently?" Izabe clearly saw Presley''s face stiffen for a


    moment, and she propped her chin up, "You don¡¯t look so good."


    Presley touched his face, "Really?"


    Izabe nodded, "You used to have such good skin, and now you have dark circles."


    "I''ve been dealing with someplicated casestely, and there are meetings every day." Presley


    exined, but his eyes seemed evasive. He took the opportunity to point to Ryker, who had been


    standing outside, sessfully changing the subject. "Who''s that guy standing out there?"


    "I just met him today too; he''s the one who brought me to the hospital."


    "He looks pretty dopey." Presley didn''t want to say "dumb," so he changed his wording to be more


    respectful.


    Izabe tactfully said, "He grew up in an orphanage and suffered a severe head injury, so he has


    some intellectual disabilities."


    So he was really dumb? "Do you want to have a brain exam for himter?"


    "That depends on what he thinks. He''s been like this for fifteen years."


    "Fifteen years?" Presley couldn''t help but frown, "That''s pretty troublesome."


    The brain is the mostplex structure in a person. If a single part is damaged, the whole system


    will fail unless that part is reced. However, some brain neurons aren''t receable.


    Izabe suddenly remembered the scene under the big tree in the orphanage and asked Presley,


    "He gives me a familiar feeling, have I met him before?"


    "If you don''t even remember, how would I know?"


    Izabe continued, "I just wanted to ask if you have any impression of him."


    Presley looked at Ryker''s face and, now that he mentioned it, the guy was quite handsome. Even


    though Presley had seen many handsome guys, he couldn''t help but be amazed.


    Presley shook his head, "I haven''t seen him, and I don''t think you have either. He was in an


    orphanage, and you never went to one when you were little."


    Izabe sighed, feeling empty inside.


    Presley entered the remaining data into theputer and saved it. "Izabe, I was nning to tell


    youter."


    "Tell me what?"


    Presley''s expression suddenly became solemn, and she felt uneasy.


    "I''m going abroad."


    "That''s sudden, for how long?"


    "I''m not sure."


    Izabe asked, "What are you going abroad for?"Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Doing cancer research."


    "Is it for me?"


    Presley stopped and nced at her. "Don''t tter yourself. I''m doing it for the sake of medical


    research."


    Although he said that, Izabe still felt upset and couldn''t suppress her feelings of loss. "Why is this


    so sudden?" Doing research could take years, if not more.


    "It''s not exactly sudden, the medicine I gave you was recent research results too, you''re the first


    one to use it, so you''re sort of my test subject. By the way, after I leave, you need toe to the


    hospital every month for a blood test, it''ll be a great help to our research."


    Izabe frowned, looking unhappy. "I thought you were going abroad for me, but it turns out you''re


    just using me as a test subject. You really are a jerk sometimes."


    Presley couldn''t help butugh, pinching her cheek.


    Izabe masked the loneliness in her heart with cheerfulughter. She never thought that Presley,


    who had grown up with her, would leave her too.


    Presley''s expression was somewhat uneasy, "I''ve already arranged for a new primary care doctor


    for you. I''ve exined your condition to her, so you can find her for any medical issuester on."


    Izabe rested her head on the table, "You haven''t even left yet, and you''ve already arranged


    everything, did you have a n all along?"


    He hadn''t nned it. He had only made the decision in thest few days. The Felton family was in


    trouble because of Brett. It was unexpected, and the only thing Presley could do was flee the


    country.


    He couldn''t tell Izabe, fearing her guilt and self-me, and even more, fearing that she would bite


    off more than she could chew.


    "Enough of that, I''ll introduce you to Dr. Ameliater."

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83


    Presley arranged a young female doctor for Izabe, 25 years old, named Amelia.


    Amelia had long, soft hair tied in a bun, making her face look very young.


    Izabe''s first impression of Amelia was that of a cheerful and lively good girl, but after chatting for


    10 minutes, she didn''t see her smile at all, and her temperament was quite dull.


    When Amelia knew Izabe was pregnant, she said straight-faced, "You''re not in a good condition


    to be pregnant right now."


    Izabe was stunned and turned to look at Presley.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at him. You know your own body, and whether it''s for the child or for yourself, it''s not


    suitable for pregnancy. Just find a time to get an abortion," Amelia added a few examples, even


    clearer than Izabe had thought.


    "You can''t me me for speaking bluntly, but I''m just stating the facts. Whether you want to keep


    the baby or not, it''s up to you."


    This girl was so straightforward that it''s kind of scary. Izabe''s impression of her changed. In two


    words, she''s reliable.


    Both Presley and the previous doctor who checked her advised her to have the baby. Only Amelia


    advised her to get an abortion.


    Izabe gently ced her hand on her abdomen. "I''m nning on getting rid of it too."


    Amelia nodded in agreement, "But your situation is not suitable for an abortion now. Let''s wait for a


    week or two for you to get better ande back to the hospital. I''ll perform the surgery for you


    personally."


    Amelia had heard about Izabe''s fear of pain from Presley.


    Izabe nodded.


    The two of them settled the matter like this, with Presley on the side unable to put even a word in,


    giving Amelia a somewhat resentful look. All the persuasion before was in vain.


    Amelia wasn''t aware of Presley''s hints, and she said to Izabe, "Then you''ll be my patient from


    now on."


    "Alright." Despite Amelia''s young age, Izabe felt a sense of security being around her.


    Amelia prescribed some medicine for Izabe, which cost over 700 dors. She took her medicine


    and test results and left the examination room.


    Ryker was still waiting for her outside the door, expressionless.


    There were many people in the hospital, and when they saw such a handsome man standing there,


    they all turned their heads to look.


    Ryker seemed to hate being stared at and lowered his head. When he saw Izabee out, his


    eyes lit up and he walked towards her.


    Izabe held the bag, "Let''s go back.¡±


    Ryker nodded and took a cautionary nce at Presley standing beside Izabe. Seeing him petting


    Izabe''s head, he clenched his fist.


    He didn''t like this doctor.


    Presley was going to send Izabe out of the hospital but was called to the surgical ward by a


    nurse.


    Izabe walked ahead, and Ryker followed her closely, staring at her long hair. He raised his hand


    wanting to pet her head as well, but in the end, rationality made him put his hand down.


    The dean said not to touch girls randomly. It¡¯s not polite.


    Izabe didn''t notice Ryker''s thoughts at all.


    "Do you know that doctor?"


    "What?" Izabe turned her head and saw Ryker''s curious expression. She could roughly


    understand what he wanted to ask.


    She replied, "He''s a brother I grew up with."


    Hearing that it was just a brother, Ryker''s frowned brow rxed, and his whole person seemed


    joyful.


    Izabe had been watching his face since then, and at this moment, it was like the sun breaking


    through the clouds, so dazzling that she couldn''t look away.


    Izabe shook her head secretly, not knowing why she had to exin her rtionship with Presley


    to Ryker.


    When they reached the hospital entrance, Izabe hailed a taxi and went back to the orphanage


    first. When they arrived, Ryker got off the car and waited for her.


    "You go back, I won''t go with you."


    Ryker got anxious. He wasn''t very smart, so when he encountered difficulties, he could only stomp


    his feet and stand in ce anxiously, unable to speak tactful words. He shook his head and said,


    "No."


    "Don''t worry, I''lle back another day."


    Ryker didn''t believe it. He had seen too many people who never came back after leaving the


    orphanage, and he had heard what Izabe said from others many times, they never kept their


    words.


    "My car is still parked at the orphanage, and I can''t drive it today. I''ll definitely go back to pick it up


    another day," Izabe patiently persuaded him, "Trust me, I''lle back for sure, and I''ll bring you


    cookies then."


    "Really?" Ryker''s clear eyes were already turning red, looking quite pitiful.


    "Really!" Izabe assured him again, "You be good at the orphanage and help the dean take care of


    the children, okay?"


    Izabe softened her tone, her voice tender, and Ryker reluctantly looked at Izabe.


    "Okay."


    Izabe closed the car door and told the driver to leave.


    The car had driven quite a distance, and she could still see Ryker''s figure in the rearview mirror.


    There was a strange feeling in her heart. Izab couldn''t quite describe it. It was like eating ice


    cream mixed with medicine - sweet at first, then bitter, and finally all kinds of vors lingering in her


    heart made her feel ufortable.


    She saw her own shadow in Ryker. She used to also watch Brett leave from afar like this, and so


    anxiously waiting for every answer he gave.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    She couldn''t understand why she could see these things in Ryker as well when they barely knew


    each other for a day.


    Could it be that the idiot had fallen for her?


    What Izabe didn''t know was that Ryker liked her so much that he wanted to hide her away from


    the world.


    Ryker had a profound and inexplicable sense of dependency on Izabe. He not only cared deeply


    for her, but also felt a strong sense of pity for her and couldn''t bear to see her in pain. In fact, the


    mere thought of her suffering caused him to go into a frenzy, making him feel as though he was


    losing his mind. When he saw someone else touch her, he''d be jealous. If Izabe suddenly ignored


    him, he''d do everything he could to make her happy.

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 84


    After getting out of the car, Izabe took out the checkup report that was originally in her bag. She


    looked at the ultrasound photo, which showed a tiny shadow.


    Izabe gently touched her belly while looking at the photo, still finding it hard to believe that there


    was a little life growing inside her.


    She gave a bitter smile, crumpled up the pregnancy report in her hand, and threw it into the trash


    can.


    By the time Izabe got home, it was already quitete, almost six o''clock. But since it got darkter


    in the summer, it didn''t feel thatte.


    Brett came home early and didn''t see Izabe. He asked Trista and remembered that Izabe had


    gone to the orphanage today.


    He kept checking the time, feeling restless. It was just a trip to the orphanage, why was she taking


    so long toe back?


    Suppressing the urge to make a phone call, Brett waited for another half an hour before finally


    hearing someoneing through the door.


    Izabe changed her shoes, and before she even walked into the house, she heard Brett


    questioning, "Why did it take you so long toe back?"


    Izabe replied, "I was dyed ying with the kids."


    "Do you like kids?" Brett asked.


    "So-so."


    What kind of answer was that? Did she like them or not?


    Carrying her bag, Izabe went straight upstairs. Brett saw the things in her hand and thought they


    were gifts from the orphans, so he didn''t think much about it.


    After dinner, Izabe went for a walk. There were many people walking in the park at this time.


    Looking around, she saw couples and lovers everywhere. She couldn''t help but gawk at the


    surroundings, her eyes showing a hint of emotion.


    Brett and Kaley also went for a walk, not far in front of Izabe. The two of them were holding hands


    and looked very loving and well-matched.


    Izabe lowered her head, not wanting to look at them but couldn''t help but follow Brett''s shadow


    with her eyes.


    She went for ap and then went back. When Brett thought of her and looked back, Izabe was


    already gone.


    Izabe went back and took a hot bath, looking at her t belly. What she wanted was to get back at


    Brett, not have his child.


    Pregnant women shouldn''t stay in the bath for too long. After 10 minutes, she got up, put on her


    bathrobe, and her wet hair hung down her back.


    She opened the closet and pulled out an old photo album from the bottom shelf. The photos were a


    little yellowed but well preserved and still clear.


    Izabe opened a page, looked at the woman in the photo, and her eyes immediately blurred.


    "Mom, today is my 24th birthday and the 24th year since you left."


    "I had a lot of people with me today, and I got so many gifts, like a paper crane, a wishing bottle, a


    music box... Oh, and I had a cake too, but I didn''t buy it myself."


    "Mom, I miss you so much." Izabe grabbed the album and rubbed her face against it, tears


    spilling from her eyes and onto the photo.


    "Why did you give birth to me? Wouldn''t it be better if I went with you?"


    She couldn''t let the child in her belly be the second her. She must not give birth to him.


    When Brett came back, Izabe was still immersed in the photo album. He quietly walked over and


    looked at the young woman in the photo, who looked kind of simr to Izabe, and immediately


    knew it was Izabe''s mother.


    Why bother looking at the photo album? Izabe seldom looked at it, only when something


    happened.


    Brett nced at the date on his phone: May 21st. He remembered that today was the day of


    Izabe''s mother''s memorial and her birthday.


    He had forgotten her birthday again this year. In the past, he didn''t care about it, but this year he felt


    a little guilty.


    "Why didn''t you tell me that today is your birthday?"


    Izabe''s body stiffened as she looked up at Brett who had silentlye to her side.


    "What''s the point of telling you? You don''t care."


    Brett''s heart felt like it had been bitten by something, stinging but not fatal, and very ufortable.


    Just as he tried to exin himself, Izabe spoke again.


    "Besides, I went to the orphanage today. I don''t need yourpany."


    That pissed Brett off. He was narrow-minded and liked to dwell on things. Izabe would rather


    have a bunch of kids apany her than have him by her side.


    He grabbed the album from Izabe''s hand and threw it on the ground.


    Izabe''s face paled immediately. It felt like Brett threw away not just the album, but also half her


    life. Just as she tried to pick it up, Brett grabbed her wrist and threw her onto the bed.


    The bed was soft, but being thrown on it still hurt. Izabe felt dizzy and tried to prop herself up.


    Before she could straighten her back, Brett pressed her down on the bed heavily.


    Leaning down, Brett locked his eyes on Izabe, his calm gaze filled with strong determination and


    ferocity.


    "Izabe, your period''s over, right?" He hadn''t seen her use any sanitary pads for the past couple of


    nights.


    Izabe instinctively moved back. "Brett, what are you doing?"


    "Today is your birthday, so consider it a reward." Brett grabbed her thin shoulders, loosened his tie,


    and unbuttoned his shirt.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    He had a good figure and was definitely a handsome guy among men. He was broad-shouldered,


    narrow-waisted, and radiated a strong, confident aura.


    However, Izabe didn''t think that was a reward. She was pregnant, and Brett was unrestrained.


    She was afraid that this might cause bleeding and miscarriage.


    Just thinking about that scene, Izabe shuddered, her face turning pale.


    "I don''t need it. Just go staywith Kaley."


    "Why are you mentioning Kaley? Jealous?" Brett leaned in, his husky voice sounding like a satisfied


    big cat.


    Izabe dodged the hot breath approaching her. "I''m not."


    "You''re not? Then why were you secretly watching me while walking behind me earlier? Can''t resist


    seeing Kaley and me holding hands and not paying attention to you?"


    Izabe''s chest tightened, and she was speechless for a moment. Eventually, she moved her lips


    and asked, "You knew?"


    "With such a hot gaze, it''s hard not to be noticed."


    Brett scooted closer, his fingers working even faster, and in no time, he had all the buttons on her


    shirt undone.


    Izabe''s panic grew even more. Brett had always been domineering, and without even saying a


    word, he''d thrown her off her game.


    She ced her hand on her belly to unconsciously protect her unborn baby, her mind racing. Brett


    was the type who responded better to gentle persuasion than resistance. The less she appeared


    willing, the more aggressive he''d be.


    Izabe reached up and hooked her arm around Brett''s neck, smiling like a lovable cat. With half-


    lidded eyes and a sweet voice, she said to him, "Brett, you need to know how to control


    themselves."


    "Yeah?"


    Taking advantage of her grip, Izabe slowly lifted herself up to nt a kiss on Brett''s forehead.


    "Think of this as my birthday present from you. My period is irregr, and I asked Dr. James. She


    said I need to abstain from sex."


    It had been a long time since Izabe had tried to please him like this. For a moment, Brett had


    been overwhelmed with lustful thoughts. But when he heard about the ban on sex, he instantly grew


    disheartened.


    Furrowing his brows, Brett stared at Izabe''s soft lips before bending down to kiss her again.


    Even though she feared him, Izabe had to make herself look like she was enjoying it.


    Suppressing her real feelings, she let out a couple of moans that sounded like a cat in heat.


    Brett almost lost control, as the sensation of Izabe ying along was exciting and satisfying for


    him.


    Panting for breath, Izabe''s cheeks turned an unnatural shade of red. Just as she grew more and


    more ufortable, Brett finally released her mouth.

 Chapter 85

    Chapter 85


    Brett obeyed the doctor''s orders and didn''t touch Izabe anymore, but his hands were still restless


    on her waist. Like a drunken and full emperor, he patted Izabe''s cheek and said contentedly, "You


    were way better just now than before when you justid there like a dead fish in bed. Keep it up."


    Izabe smiled without making a sound. When she was sincere to him, he despised her; when she


    pretended to act, he actually liked it.


    Brett went to take a shower after grabbing his clothes. Izabe picked up the photo album from the


    floor, patted the dust off, and carefully put it back in its original position.


    Brett didn''tpletely believe Izabe''s words, so he called Dr. James once he entered the


    bathroom.


    The other party answered with a puzzled tone, "President Windham, what can I help you with so


    late?"


    "Can I sleep with Izabe recently?"


    "Has Ms. Salotti''s period ended?" Dr. James asked.


    Brett''s eyes darkened, "It should be over already."


    After a long silence on the phone, it said, "Ms. Salotti is still on medication, so it''s better not to have


    sex."


    "Ok." Brett replied and hung up the call.


    Dr. James stared at the phone screen in confusion. Why was Brett calling sote just to ask if they


    could have sex? She thought to herself, "I didn''t expect Brett to care so much for Izabe."


    After hanging up the call, Brett put his phone on the washbasin. He was relieved that Izabe didn''t


    lie to him.


    Brett found a hair dryer after showering. Izabe was lying on her bed with her hair still wet, so he


    plugged in the dryer and asked, "Do you want to blow dry your hair yourself or do you want me to


    help you?"


    Izabe didn''t move, "I don''t want to blow dry it, it''ll dry on its own."


    "When did you be sozy?" Brett noticed her tired face andck of spirit in her eyes,


    completely different from her usual image as a powerful woman. Let alone the energy she usually


    had when sassing him.


    Seeing she was tired, Brett supported the back of Izabe''s head and let her rest on hisp.


    Her long, silky hair dangled in the air as he turned on the hairdryer. Her hair was fine and soft, like


    silk, with great texture.


    It took ten minutes to blow dry her long hair. As he gazed at the contented face of Izabe sleeping


    in hisp, he couldn''t help but pinch her face.


    Izabe woke up and looked up at the man above her with bleary eyes. She felt her hair and found


    it dry.


    She rolled off Brett''sp and onto the other side of the bed, still wrapped in the nket like a baby.


    Brett couldn''t help but smile at her rare, cute appearance. His heart felt warm as if it was filled with


    something.


    Time flew by, and a week passed in a blink of an eye. Izabe had to rest at home because of the


    abortion and hadn''t gone out.


    The director of the orphanage called her twice, asking how she was doing and when she would like


    to pick up her gifts.


    After exchanging a few words, Ryker took the phone away.


    "You lied to me." His voice was full of hurt. Izabe could tell how upset he must be.


    "What did I lie to you about?"


    "You said you''de to the orphanage, but you still haven''te, and you didn''t even call."


    "I''m recovering at home. I''ll go see you when I get better."


    She didn''t hear his response, but she added, "My car is still parked in the orphanage. I won''t


    abandon it."


    "I''ll take good care of your car and not let anyone touch it. I wipe off the dust daily."


    Izabeughed, and thought he was like a sweet puppy.


    "Thank you. I''ll buy you something snacks when Ie back."


    "Ok."


    "What do you like to eat?" Izabe asked.


    Ryker innocently replied, "Whatever you get for me, I''ll like it."


    Izabe''s heart warmed up like never before. She couldn''t help but wonder why she cared so much


    about Ryker and why he was so nice to her.


    She had many questions but knew that being with Ryker made her feel rxed and even brought


    back some beautiful memories from 16 years ago.


    Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted Izabe''s thoughts. She went to the door and opened it


    to find Trista holding a broom and a mop, "Ms. Salotti, I have to clean the room. You can sit in the


    living room for a while, and I''ll be done soon."


    Without giving it much thought, Izabe agreed since Trista mainly cleaned the house.


    As Izabe went to the backyard with her phone and tablet, Trista snuck around and confirmed that


    Izabe wouldn''te back upstairs anytime soon. She entered Izabe''s bedroom with her


    cleaning tools, apparently cleaning, but actually trying to find dirt on her.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    The medication Dr. James prescribed to Izabe had run out, but Trista noticed Izabe taking pills


    this morning.


    Trista rummaged through the room shamelessly, searching from the bookshelf, drawers to the


    wardrobe, and finally found a few bottles of medicationbeled as health products in the bottom


    drawer of the bedside table.

 Chapter 86

    Chapter 86


    Trista went through each bottle, taking out a pill carefully from each before putting them back in their


    original ce. Once she was sure they wouldn''t be noticed, she left the bedroom.


    She handed the pills to Kaley, "Ms. Cot, I found these pills in Izabe''s room."


    "Is that all you found? No other clues?" Kaley frowned as she took the six pills, examining them.


    "What kind of pills are these?"


    Trista replied, "I''m not sure, I took them from bottlesbeled as supplements."


    "Supplements?" Kaley snorted, not believing for a second that Izabe needed so many pills for


    supplements. Maybe Izabe had some weird disease.


    Trista continued, "These pills are really strange. I don''t think they are just supplements."


    Kaley put down the pills, wrapped them in tissue and handed them back to Trista, "When you go


    grocery shopping, take these pills to the hospital for examination, I need to know their purpose."


    "Alright, I''ll take the pills to the hospital first thing in the morning."


    "Okay, continue cleaning."


    After Trista left, Kaley went to the third floor, which was an open balcony. She put on her


    headphones and peered over the railing to look downstairs.


    When she saw Izabe below, her eyes shed with malice!


    The next day, Trista went grocery shopping early and spent some time at the hospital beforeing


    back around 11 AM.


    Seeing Izabe at the door, she appeared shifty and obviously guilty.


    Izabe waspletely focused on reading a book and didn''t even notice Trista.


    As soon as she put the groceries down, Trista went upstairs to find Kaley.


    "Ms. Cot, I''m back."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Did you find out the ingredients of the pills?" Kaley was also eager to know.


    "Only one of the pills couldn''t be identified."


    Kaley''s face lit up, "What are they?"


    Trista hurriedly pulled the test results from her bag, "Just as we thought, those pills are not


    supplements at all. One type is a strong painkiller, and three others are pregnancy supplements,


    including progesterone supplements."


    Kaley''s eyes narrowed in shock. Her once joyful face turned stiff, unsure if she heard correctly.


    Were those pills for maintaining pregnancy? Was Izabe pregnant?


    Kaley couldn''t ept the result and gripped the test results, "Could the tests be wrong? How could


    Izabe be pregnant? She just had her period a few days ago, right?"


    "I don''t think the hospital made any mistakes. I triple-checked. As for her period, it could be a


    miscarriage symptom due to low progesterone levels."


    Kaley clenched her teeth and cursed at Izabe.


    She never expected Izabe to be pregnant, after all, she hadn''t gotten pregnant in four years of


    marriage to Brett. How could she suddenly be pregnant now?


    Suddenly? Wait


    "Why didn''t she tell Brett about her pregnancy? Why hide those pills in other bottles?" Kaley came


    up with a daring guess, her expression turning sinister, "Could it be that the baby isn''t Brett''s? Why


    else would she hide it and take the pills secretly?"


    That must be it! Thought Izabe was so noble, turns out she''s been cheating with other men


    behind his back. And judging by her stash of pills, this wasn''t her first time.


    Kaley was overjoyed and immediately took out her phone to call Brett but was stopped by Trista.


    "Ms. Cot, let''s not call President Windham just yet."

 Chapter 87

    Chapter 87


    Kaley looked at the hand grabbing her wrist, her face a bit displeased. "Why didn''t Izabe tell Brett


    about her bastard child?"


    Brett hates betrayal the most, and if he knew that Izabe was carrying someone else''s child, he


    would definitely be pissed off.


    Kaley''s clear eyes suddenly became murky, like a venomous snake lurking in the leaves.


    Trista said, "Ms. Cot, how can you prove that the child in Izabe''s belly is a bastard?"


    "Well..." Kaley hesitated. "She''s hiding it from Brett and not telling him."


    If she were pregnant, she would be eager to tell Brett, so how could she be so careful about


    concealing it, afraid of being discovered?


    This behavior of Izabe''s was very suspicious.


    "Ms. Cot, that doesn''t prove anything. What if she doesn''t want to tell President Windham


    because she''s worried about miscarrying? By calling President Windham and telling him this, you


    might be doing her a favor."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Kaley fell into deep thought and began to calm down.


    "So, what should I do?" She couldn''t bear Izabe carrying Brett''s child, just thinking about it made


    her want to go crazy!


    Was she never going to stand next to Brett for the rest of her life?


    Seeing Kaley calming down, Trista released her and thought for a moment before saying, "I do have


    an idea that will make her miscarry and get President Windham to dislike her. But it may require


    your help a bit..."


    "What is it?"


    "President Windham ising back for lunch today, and you should..." Trista whispered to Kaley.


    Kaley''s expression gradually became solemn, and she bit her lip. After Trista finished talking, she


    made up her mind.


    Izabe was reading in the garden, feeling sleepy and nauseous due to her early pregnancy. The


    sunlight cast on her made her want to sleep. She found afortable position in the rocking chair


    with her eyes half-closed, her hand gently ced on her belly.


    Suddenly, she felt a movement in her stomach, awakening her. She had only been pregnant for six


    weeks, and it was impossible for her to feel the baby moving.


    But the feeling she just had was like the baby was kicking her. She touched her belly, her heart


    pounding, and a look of attachment came into her eyes.


    Izabe checked the time, and it was just past eleven. She nned to have lunch outside and go to


    the orphanage to pick up the gifts the kids had sent her, as well as to see Ryker.


    She promised to buy Ryker some delicious food, but she didn''t know what he liked to eat. What


    should she buy?


    The scene of Ryker giving her a whole bag of cookies popped into her mind, and she couldn''t help


    but smile, already having an idea.


    Izabe stretched her stiff body, patted the fallen leaves off her shoulder, and went back to the vi


    with her book.


    She went upstairs to change into a dress, put on some light makeup, and pulled her long hair up


    into a bun. Her lips were naturally pink without lipstick, so she only applied some lip balm.


    Afraid of a simr incident happening again, Izabe poured some medicine into her bag before


    leaving with her keys.


    As soon as she stepped out, she saw Kaley standing on the stairs as if waiting for her.


    Now when she saw Kaley, she wanted to avoid her. She didn¡¯t even want to make eye contact.


    But Kaley blocked her way in the middle of the stairs. "Izabe, why have you been throwing up


    lately?"


    Izabe raised her cold eyes. "What''s it to you?"


    Kaley''s gaze looked ambiguously at Izabe''s belly and said softly, "I''m just worried about you. You


    look so ufortable. Do you need a doctor? What if you''re pregnant?"


    Izabe didn''t know if Kaley''s words were intentional or not, but she felt a chill down her spine after


    hearing them.


    "Get out of my way."


    Kaley didn''t move but stepped closer to Izabe, staring sharply at her facial expression. Izabe''s


    subtle stiffness didn''t escape Kaley''s eyes.


    So nervous? Kaley was more and more convinced that the child in Izabe''s belly was not Brett''s.


    Whether it was or not, that child couldn''t stay, destined to be a stepping stone for Kaley.


    "Izabe, you''re really despicable, aren''t you?" said Kaley. "I already told you how your father died.


    How could you still be with the murderer?"


    The topic changed so quickly that Izabe was caught off guard. She had no choice but to be on the


    alert to Kaley.


    "You mean Brett?" said Izabe with augh. "Why should I believe you, a home wrecker, over my


    husband? Kaley, I wanted to let you be with Brett before, but now it seems that I''d rather keep my


    position just to make you feel sick. As long as I''m here, you''ll always be a secret lover."


    Kaley''s facade was cracking, and she red furiously at Izabe, clenching her hand tightly. "You..."


    Izabe smirked, a defiant smile hanging on her lips. "What about me? If you''re unhappy, you can


    go kill yourself. But let me tell you beforehand that cutting your wrists won''t work, as I''m not giving


    you even one drop of blood if you lose too much. Your death won''t have anything to do with me."


    "You''ve been behaving yourselftely. Keep it up, and you''ll continue to be the lover." Izabe


    threatened. "Don''t make me reveal what happened four years ago."


    Four years ago, she offered Kaley a huge amount of money to make a choice. Kaley took the


    money and pretend to agree to leave, but actually created a car ident to frame Izabe.


    Unexpectedly, the fabricated ident turned into a real one, and Kaley was in danger due to


    excessive blood loss. Brett asked her to donate blood to Kaley, promising anything she wanted, so


    she asked for marriage.


    After they got married, Kaley was still unconscious in the hospital. Izabe had a hunch that


    something was wrong, so she found out the truth and got a hold of Kaley''s dirty deeds.


    Kaley tended to get carried away when she''s feeling good, but now hearing Izabe''s reminder, her


    anger turned into panic in a sh. Her face turned pale, and she''s forced to take a step back.


    Izabe''s pregnant, and the easily irritated Kaley still provoked her foolishly.


    Seeing Kaley like this, Izabe chuckled coldly, mocking, "Kaley, by now, you should know that it''s


    not that I can''t let go of Brett, but it''s Brett who can''t let go of me. He doesn''t want to divorce me, so


    even if I tried my hardest, it''s no use. Oh, and he even told me before that he never slept with you.


    Looks like your charm ain''t all that, huh?"

 Chapter 88

    Chapter 88


    This was nothing like what she had in mind. Kaley was getting anxious. On one hand, she wished


    Brett woulde back already, on the other hand, she couldn''t help but want to shove Izabe


    down the stairs.


    Pregnant women are very vulnerable, and a fall down the stairs would surely end her life on the


    spot.


    This evil thought kept piling up in her heart, getting heavier and heavier.


    Just then, they heard the sound of a car engine outside. Izabe was surprised, wondering why


    Brett was back so early today.


    With him back, she wouldn''t be able to go to the orphanage as nned. Izabe felt a wave of


    disappointment, followed by a sense of unease.


    But she''s always been quick to ept the reality. She was about to turn around and head back to


    her bedroom, not wanting to bother with Kaley, when her wrist was suddenly grabbed.


    Izabe turned her head and saw Kaley ring at her, eyes deep and vicious like a poisonous


    snake.


    "Kaley, stop bothering me." Izabe knew this woman''s nature was impure. She may seem like a


    timid rabbit, but no one knows what evil schemes she''s plotting deep down.


    Having Kaleye closer could only mean trouble. They usually kept their distance, not interfering


    with each other''s lives. But now, with Kaley getting up close and personal, Izabe''s heart raced


    with fear. She had to be extra careful being pregnant now, with ns to abort in just a few days.


    Arguing on the stairs was risky enough, and Kaley was clearly up to no good. Their entanglement


    could easily lead to a nasty fall.


    By that time, Brett had already entered the house. Izabe tried to back away, but Kaley''s grip on


    her wrist tightened. To her surprise, she couldn''t break free.


    Kaley suddenly leaned in close to Izabe''s ear, her voice menacing. "Izabe, nobody knows


    about the baby yet, do they?"


    Before she could think about what that implied, Izabe saw a sh in Kaley''s eyes. The next thing


    she knew, Kaley was pulling her backwards.


    With quick reflexes, Izabe managed to grab the stair railing. Kaley, on the other hand, released


    her grip and lost her bnce, tumbling down the stairs.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Kaley!"


    Following the sound, Izabe saw Brett, looking gloomy, entering from outside. He hurried over to


    Kaley, picking her up from the floor.


    From her position upstairs, Izabe couldn''t see Kaley''s condition clearly. But she could see Brett''s


    face, dark and mad, his fierce gaze sending shivers down her spine.


    Turns out, she had underestimated Kaley''s ruthlessness. But then again, considering she had once


    staged a car ident and overdosed on sleeping pills, perhaps fear was no longer a factor for her.


    Her eyes shifted to the surveince monitor behind her. With surveince cameras around, Brett


    couldn''t just use her without basis.


    However, she couldn''t be sure. After all, when Kaley had pretended to be suicidal, Brett immediately


    pinned the me on her without even investigating.


    This morning, Brett had promised Kaley he''d be back at noon, but he never thought he''d witness


    Izabe pushing Kaley down the stairs upon his return.


    He carefully examined Kaley, finding no serious injuries apart from a few bruises. Still, falling from


    such a height could easily result in fractures.


    "What happened?"


    Kaley leaned into Brett''s arms, tears welling up in her eyes but not falling. She looked pitiful.


    She nced fearfully at Izabe, hesitating before saying, "It was my fault. I slipped and fell down


    the stairs. It has nothing to do with Izabe. Don''t overthink it."


    As if on instinct, Brett red at Izabe with a dark expression. "You push her?"


    This was not a question, but an usation. Just as she feared. Izabe felt a mix of anger and


    sadness, though her face showed a taunting smile. "Brett, didn''t you hear her say she slipped and


    fell on her own? What does that have to do with me?"


    Kaley sobbed softly into Brett''s chest, looking like she was enduring her grievances. Brett felt his


    patience being worn thin.


    Trista was right there too. Brett asked, "Trista, did you see anything?"


    Trista kept her head down, "I was in the dining room and didn''t see anything. But I did hear Ms.


    Salotti insulting Ms. Cot."


    Brett''s eyes grew colder, he scoffed, "And what did she say?"


    Trista''s face twisted in embarrassment, her lips trembling, clearly hesitant.


    Brett couldn''t hold back his anger any longer, his voice low, "Tell me."


    With her head still bowed, Trista spoke respectfully, "Ms. Salotti said as long as she holds Ms.


    Windham''s position, Ms. Cot will always remain a mistress and never get a chance..."

 Chapter 89

    Chapter 89


    This really sounded like Izabe''s style of speaking. Brett put Kaley on the couch and said, "Trista,


    go call Dr. James."


    Trista nced at Kaley and immediately turned to make the call.


    Izabe watched everything happening downstairs. She had never done anything wrong to Kaley,


    yet Kaley kept trying to set her up and send her to her doom.


    "Izabe, got anything else to say?" Brett''s eyes pierced into Izabe as he walked upstairs, the


    sound of his shoes on the steps like they were stepping on her heart.


    At this point, any exnation would just sound like ame excuse. Brett was pissed off and wouldn''t


    listen to a word from Izabe.


    Izabe''s face turned extremely pale. In a split second, she made up her mind, ran back to her


    bedroom like she was fleeing for her life, and locked the door with trembling hands.


    "Izabe, open the door." The voice from outside sounded like Satan crawling up from hell.


    Izabe took a few deep breaths, biting her lip, and trembled, "Brett, all of this is set up by Kaley. I


    didn''t push her. If you don''t believe me, check the surveince!"


    "Set up by Kaley?" Brettughed coldly. "Do you think she''s like you?"


    In Brett''s eyes, Izabe had always been the one setting things up, like when she pretended to have


    stomach cancer at the hospital.


    That''s how people are. When someone you used to trust suddenly changes in your eyes, everything


    you''ve overlooked in the pastes flooding in and bes uncontroble. Not to mention, Brett


    had never truly trusted Izabe.


    Izabe stared nkly and muttered, "I didn''t push her."


    "You said Kaley framed you, but could Trista have framed you too?"


    "I did say those things, but I didn''t push her."


    "Enough!" Brett interrupted her angrily. "Your words are enough to prove that you resent Kaley!"


    He never thought Izabe would forget so quickly. It wasn''t long ago that he warned her not to


    target Kaley.


    But if Brett were to lock her up for four days likest time, what would she do? There was nothing


    he wouldn''t do.


    Brett started counting down, telling Izabe to open the door.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "1---" The deep voice from the outside disrupted Izabe''s thoughts, her hands sping tightly, cold


    sweat dripping from her forehead.


    "2---" He said through clenched teeth, snorting with anger because Izabe dared to disobey him.


    Before he could count to three, Brett kicked the door. The solid wood door was sturdy but couldn''t


    withstand Brett''s violence. The sound of the door shaking seemed like it was about to copse.


    Izabe was frightened, and she didn''t dare lean against the door. Her eyes darted helplessly,


    looking for something to block the door.


    As she was about to move a desk, the door burst open with a loud crash, and she cowered,


    trembling with fear, in the corner, her eyes filled with terror.


    Brett strode into the bedroom, smoothed back his disheveled hair, and gave Izabe a cold sneer


    when he saw her hiding in the corner. "Izabe, why can''t you just behave and listen to me? Do you


    want a damn beating?"


    He cussed but remained calm on the surface. However, Izabe knew he must be furious.


    Scared, Izabe trembled and said, "I really didn''t push her...I didn''t..."


    Izabe dared not look up nor close her eyes. Her eyes were fixed on the shadow getting closer


    and closer to her. Eventually, a pair of ck leather shoes remained in her view, the oppressive


    force suffocating her.


    Brett sat down on the bed leisurely, lit a cigarette, took a drag, soon the smoke covered his face, his


    eyes dark and gloomy.


    The room was so quiet that Izabe could hear the sound of Brett flicking his ashes.


    Brett sat in front of her, the smell of smoke wafting up her nose, and the faint ashes falling on her


    head.


    Izabe felt as if she was being strangled, unable to breathe. Brett''s aura nearly drove her insane.


    She had never seen such a terrifying side of Brett, barely managing to stop her teeth from


    chattering by biting her lower lip.


    "Lift your head."


    Izabe''s shoulders jerked, but she didn''t move.


    Brett''s eyes turned cold. "Do I need to repeat it?"


    Out of fear, Izabe slowly raised her head, her eyes red from crying.


    Brettughed coldly, threw the cigarette on the floor, and stepped on it to extinguish the me. The


    orange-red glow on the cigarette turned into a ck stain, dirtying the clean floor.

 Chapter 90

    Chapter 90


    Brett''s eyes were ice-cold. He reached out and pinched Izabe''s chin. "Izabe, do you always act


    all innocent in front of me and then use your dirty tricks behind my back?"


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "It''s not me who''s using dirty tricks; it''s Kaley! She fell down the stairs by herself to frame me!"


    "You''re trying to talk your way out of this?"


    Brett mped down on Izabe''s chin, tightening his grip bit by bit, as if trying to crush her jaw.


    Izabe was forced to open her mouth, her face twisted in pain.


    She was filled with anger, as well as a sense of injustice. Why didn''t Brett ever believe her?


    "Twice now." Brett stared at Izabe with hawk-like eyes, speaking in a deep voice. "First, you


    pped Kaley, and now you''ve pushed her down the stairs. Seems like locking you out on the


    balconyst time wasn''t enough as a punishment. You haven''t learned your lesson!"


    So, what was Brett going to do this time? Izabe was pretty scared.


    Before, she had always been submissive to Brett, enduring everything he did, allowing him to


    believe she was naturallypliant. But, as a result, he continually insulted her!


    Izabe smiled sadly. "Then tell me, what''s my motive? Why would I push her?"


    Brett was momentarily stunned, having never given much thought to that question. Was Izabe''s


    motive jealousy towards Kaley? He stared at Izabe''s face, trying to find the answer through her


    expression, but then she suddenly burst outughing.


    Tears streamed down her cheeks, forced out by the pain in her jaw, wetting Brett''s hand.


    "Brett, do you still think I''m in love with you? That because you treated Kaley well, I became jealous,


    and that''s why I maliciously pushed her?"


    Brett suddenly didn''t want to know the answer anymore, but Izabe wasn''t going to hold her


    tongue. Enduring the pain in her jaw, she continued, "How many times do I have to tell you that I


    don''t love you anymore? Now, all I want is to get away from you. You want to marry Kaley? I''ll bless


    you both and wish you a happy marriage."


    With that, Brett''s p came hard and fast, not giving Izabe a chance to react. Izabe was dazed,


    her ears ringing after briefly losing consciousness.


    After a few seconds, she stiffly raised her hand to touch her burning cheek, mockingly


    congratting herself for quickly adapting to Brett''s violent behavior.


    Brett''s chest heaved as he loosened his tie and ran his fingers through his disheveled hair.


    He didn''t understand why hearing Izabe say those words made him so angry! It was even more


    infuriating than when she had threatened him into marriage!


    Was he not good enough for Izabe? Lately, he had softened his attitude towards her, holding her


    as they slept, bathing her, even drying her hair. He had never treated anyone like this before, not


    even Kaley. So why was Izabe acting so indifferent? It was a blow to his pride!


    To him, Izabe was nothing more than a ything.


    Now, his thoughts were racing, and he needed to do something to prove his point.


    Brett grabbed Izabe''s arm and carried her to the stairwell.


    "Don''t think I don''t know you said all that just to get out of taking responsibility! I don''t believe your


    words, I only believe what I see!"


    Standing at the top of the stairs, each step he took forward had Izabe backing up in fear. "You


    have to pay for what you did!"

 Chapter 91

    Chapter 91


    In an instant, Izabe felt like she was plunged into an abyss, her heart filled with countless fears.


    She was so scared. This man never believed her, what else could she do?


    At this moment, she could no longer care about anything else and wanted to tell Brett directly that


    she was pregnant.


    "You can''t treat me like this, I..."


    As Izabe shook her head and backed away, she felt her feet suddenly go empty before she could


    finish her sentence.


    If her body were still healthy, maybe she could have stood their ground, but she couldn''t now.


    Suddenly leaning back, she reached out to grab something, Brett was so close yet so far away.


    For four years, she had been trying to hold on to him, but had she ever seeded?


    Her mind went nk, and Izabe fell on the stairs, uncontrobly rolling downward.


    Letting out a sharp and miserable scream, her vision spun, and the back of her head mmed hard


    onto the cold floor.


    A cramping pain came from her abdomen, as if her internal organs were dislocated from the fall.


    Izabe''s whole body trembled, wave after wave of pain hit her, and she felt something important


    inside her slowly fading away.


    Brett stood on the second floor, his clenched hands trembling constantly as his anger-filled brain


    finally cleared.


    Why was Izabe bleeding so much? Kaley hadn''t been this serious when she fell from here.


    Without time to think, Brett quickly rushed downstairs, picked up Izabe, his chest invaded by fear,


    his hands shaking.


    The severe pain in her abdomen made her delirious. Shey limp in his arms, her face pale, staring


    nkly at his face.


    "B-re-tt--" Izabe moaned his name in pain, her trembling voice filled with sorrow.


    She slowly opened her mouth and bit down on Brett''s shirt by his chest.


    Brett''s legs trembled as he staggered to the garage, ced Izabe in the back seat of the car, and


    frantically pulled out the seatbelt to secure her body.


    "Izabe, hold on. I''ll take you to the hospital."


    Izabe couldn''t hear any sound, she felt so much pain and cold, she stared nkly at the pigeons


    outside the window.


    Izabe''s hand was still on her abdomen, trying to feel the movement of the lively life inside, but she


    couldn''t feel it no matter what.


    Brett got into the driver''s seat, stepped on the gas, and quickly called for an ambnce, confirming


    the route the ambnce would take, and honking his horn all the way.


    Brett looked at the route ahead while also ncing at Izabe in the rearview mirror. Her face was


    already pale, but now it was as white as paper.


    Brett felt like he was going crazy. His eyes were bloodshot, gritting his teeth, he growled, "Izabe,


    what the hell is wrong with you? What are you hiding from me?"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 92

    Chapter 92


    When a person is in extreme pain, she can''t speak. Izabe squinted her eyes and started coughing


    softly after catching her breath, which made her abdomen hurt even more, making her unbearable.


    A mouthful of blood was coughed out, and the bloody sma mixed with tears rolled into her neck,


    wetting half of her face and staining her clothes red.


    The bloody sight on Izabe''s face made Brett''s eyes sting, and he recklessly drove forward.


    A terrifying premonition suddenly rose in his heart. He could feel that he has lost something very


    important at this moment.


    The ambnce arrived, and Brett immediately pulled over when he saw it.


    The ambnce also stopped, and several medical staff brought a stretcher to take Izabe for


    emergency treatment.


    The vi was in chaos, with bloodstains all over the stairs, and Kaley sat on the living room sofa,


    evoking a cold smirk on her face when she thought of the scene just now.


    The little bastard in Izabe''s belly is probably gone.


    Trista felt a little nervous, she looked at Kaley and asked, "Ms. Cot, what do we do now?"


    "We wait," Kaleymanded Trista after putting away her cold smile. "Clean the blood, it''s


    disgusting. Open the windows for some fresh air."


    Trista hesitated for a moment, "Ms. Cot, about the surveince camera..." It''s her idea, and she


    was afraid something might go wrong with the monitoring.


    "Don''t worry, I purposely chose a blind spot, Brett won''t find anything."


    Trista breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to clean up the bloodstains.


    Kaley stared at Trista''s retreating figure, her beautiful face gradually became a bit hideous, like a


    venomous snake.


    If the child in Izabe''s belly was not Brett''s, then there''s a good show to watch.


    She had heard that miscarriage is very damaging to a woman''s body. She wondered if Izabe can


    survive it?


    At the Light of Hope Hospital, Brett followed the ambnce, parked his car, and frantically cought


    up.


    Izabe''s face was even paler than before, with an oxygen mask on.


    Brett grabbed a nurse and asked, "How is she?"


    The nurse tried her best to make her expression calm, but her eyes revealed tension. "She''s having


    a miscarriage, and the situation isn''t good. She may..."


    She didn''t finish her sentence, but Brett could imagine it. This was the oue he never thought


    would happen.


    Izabe was pregnant with his child, and he killed the child with his own hands.


    The nurse didn''t have time tofort him, and she hurriedly followed the other medical staff to


    prepare for the emergency treatment.


    In the operating room, Izabe lied on the operating table, panting with difficulty. Each breath she


    took pulled on her abdomen, as if being shed by a knife.


    Fine cold sweat seeped through her hair, and after a short while, her hair became wet.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    She couldn''t speak, and with her remaining strength, she squinted her teary eyes. Her breathing


    depended solely on the oxygen from the mask, but she still felt suffocated, struggling desperately.


    "Uh" Izabe became even more pale-faced, her lips lose their original color, and she let out a


    painful moan from her throat.


    She was in so much pain, both physically and mentally, it was unbearable for her.


    Outside the operating room, this was Brett''s second time signing for surgery. Compared to his first


    time''s fear, he had more experience now and silently hoped that nothing will happen to Izabe.


    His palms were cold, soaked with sweat as he constantly nced at the wall clock.


    Amelia was on duty at the hospital today. She happened to pass by the emergency room and


    suddenly recognizes the man standing at the door. She wasn''t sure, so she checked her phone for


    a photo, confirming that it was Izabe''s husband, Brett.


    If he was standing here, who would be the person receiving emergency treatment inside?


    Amelia checked at the nurse''s station, using theputer to search for Izabe''s information.


    As expected, thetest record showed a miscarriage ident.


    She promised Presley to take good care of Izabe at the hospital. She couldn''t just wait outside


    and do nothing.


    Amelia quickly headed to disinfect herself and changed into a surgical gown.


    Brett saw a female doctor entering the emergency room, clenching his fist, his heart pounding with


    unease.

 Chapter 93

    Chapter 93


    It was obviously summer right now, the hottest month of the year, yet Brett was breaking out in a


    cold sweat, feeling like he''s been plunged into icy water.


    Amelia went in and directly asked, "How''s the situation?"


    The doctor looked at her, a bit surprised, "Dr. Amelia, howe you''re here?"


    "I''m her chief physician, she''s in thete stages of stomach cancer."


    As Amelia''s words sank in, the faces of all medical staff present stiffened.


    Izabe saw someone push open the door in a daze and shivers.


    She listened to the voice that she found very familiar, and it was not until the person got closer that


    she recognized it''s Amelia.


    Her dry lips part, waiting for Amelia toe to her before she weakly utters the name, "Amelia."


    There was a mist of white forming inside her oxygen mask, the sound was so weak that it was


    almost inaudible, but Amelia understood what she meant.


    "I''m sorry you have to go through this." She knew Izabe was afraid of pain, If she had known such


    an ident would happen, she should have performed surgeryst time.


    Amelia lifted Izabe''s clothes to perform surgery to stop the bleeding. Her brows furrowed tightly


    when she discovered numerous injuries on Izabe''s body.


    Did she have a miscarriage due to domestic violence?


    In the face of any situation, Amelia remained as calm andposed as ever, she had a


    levelheadedness above her age. But upon seeing Izabe like this, a surge of rage swelled in her


    chest.


    One thing she hated most in her life was domestic violence.


    Amelia threw away her chaotic thoughts and focused on the surgery, sweat beading on her


    forehead.


    A nurse wiped her sweat, and Amelia spoke in a deep voice, "Get the person outside to sign a


    critical illness notice. The patient is in critical condition due to miscarriage, massive bleeding, Rh-


    negative AB blood type - is that avable in the blood bank?"


    This blood type is extremely rare. Amelia had been rtively calm, but when Izabe''s bleeding just


    wouldn''t stop, she became slightly panicked. To make things worse, her blood type was so rare.


    "Rh-negative AB blood, we don''t have any in our hospital. I just checked the blood bank yesterday,"


    the nurse by her side said urgently. Without blood, Izabe could suffer from excessive blood loss...


    Amelia bit her lip, "Call other hospitals quickly and see if they have!"


    Two nurses rushed out of the emergency room, one calling other hospitals for the right blood type,


    while the other handed Brett a critical illness notice to sign.


    In a daze, shadows of people floated past Izabe''s mind.


    The blood beneath her didn''t cease to flow, leaving a ring red trail down her leg, pooling on the


    operating table.


    Brett didn''t know what was going on inside and had a feeling of unease. ncing at the clock,


    fifteen minutes had already passed.


    At this moment, two nurses emerged from the room, one walking towards Brett with a piece of


    paper in hand.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    With his keen eyesight, he quickly read the words "critical illness notice" written on the top.


    "How is she? Was the child saved?" he asked.


    The nurse was both angry and anxious as she shoved the critical illness notice into his hand and


    said, "Sign it! The child didn''t make it, and your wife is in grave danger!"


    Brett''s heart skipped wildly, he felt a sudden chill in his veins. Trying to suppress the tremor in his


    voice, he asked, "What do you mean?"


    The nurse took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and exined, "The patient has lost too


    much blood now. She has a rare blood type that our hospital doesn''t have in stock."


    Bleeding heavily was already a serious situation, but on top of that Izabe''s rare blood type made


    things even worse.


    Brett''s head spinned as he realized the seriousness of the situation. The only person with a


    matching blood type for Izabe now was Kaley.


    He suddenly recalled a conversation over a month ago when Izabe, hoarse from emotion, had


    asked him a question.


    "If Kaley and I have the same blood type, would you let her donate blood to save me if I were dying


    from excessive blood loss?"


    He had never taken hypotheticals seriously before, let alone considered having Kaley risk her own


    safety to donate blood to Izabe.


    The nurse didn''t know what Brett was daydreaming about, nudging the critical illness notice against


    his chest, urging him to sign quickly.


    Looking at the critical illness notice pressed to his chest, his heart racing, Brett didn''t have the


    luxury to think, so he quickly called Kaley.


    "Kaley, I need your blood now."

 Chapter 94

    Chapter 94


    "Kaley, I need your blood to save Izabe now!"


    When Kaley received a call from Brett, she almost thought she was dreaming when she heard that


    he needed her blood.


    She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her flesh, but she didn''t feel any pain.


    "Did something happen to Izabe?"


    Brett''s voice was trembling, "Yes, she''s had a miscarriage and is bleeding heavily. You know her


    blood type is special, and there''s no supply at the hospital. Only your blood can save her."


    Kaley gritted her teeth, only realizing the pain in her hand after a moment, but it was soon drowned


    out by the pain in her heart.


    "Brett, I''m hurt too!" How could Brett ask her to give blood to that damn Izabe? He knew she had


    a special constitution, wouldn''t drawing blood risk her life?


    Everyone is selfish to some degree, but Kaley''s extremely selfish. At this moment, she had


    completely forgotten that if it weren''t for Izabe''s blood donations over the past four years, she


    would have died long ago.


    Brett said, "Kaley, I know I''m asking a lot, but if you agree to save Izabe, I''ll agree to any


    conditions you have."


    A glimmer of hope appeared in Kaley''s dim eyes. This might be an opportunity. Brett had always


    avoided marrying her, but since he said he would agree to her demands, she would ask him to


    divorce Izabe!


    "Will you really agree to anything I want?"


    "Yes."


    At this point, Kaley calmed down a bit. If she didn''t save Izabe, who would die, it would be


    an insurmountable barrier between her and Brett.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Fine, I''ll head over right away."


    After hanging up, Kaley tried to move her legs. After falling from such a height, her legs were


    bruised and hurt.


    She yelled upstairs, "Trista, bring me a coat, will you?"


    Trista brought the coat and asked, "Ms. Cot, are you going out?"


    "Yep, Izabe had a miscarriage and is bleeding heavily. Brett called me to go to the hospital and


    donate my blood."


    Trista was surprised at Kaley''s calm expression. This was unlike Kaley''s style. How could she


    possibly be so kind as to give blood to Izabe, given how much she hated her?


    Trista didn''t ask any more questions and handed Kaley the coat. Seeing the bruises on Kaley''s legs,


    she asked with concern, "Are you okay with your injuries?"


    "No big deal," Kaley replied as she hailed a cab. Trista helped her out and off to the hospital.


    Inside the hospital, Brett had never felt time passing so slowly. He was outside the emergency


    room, with Izabe inside. They were just a few meters apart, but it felt like a world away, as if


    separated by life and death.


    The nurse looked at Brett after he hung up the phone and pushed the critical condition notice in


    front of him. "Sir, please sign here."


    Brett quickly signed his name, and the nurse looked at it thoughtfully, thinking about the call he had


    just made and the conversation. She didn''t hear what the person on the other end said, but from his


    expression, it seemed that he''d found someone with the same blood type to donate blood.


    The nurse breathed a sigh of relief and showed the notice to Amelia in the operating room, telling


    her what she''d heard.


    Amelia also sighed with relief when she heard that someone wasing to donate blood to save


    Izabe.


    Izabe hadn''t fallen into aa yet. If she lost too much blood, it could lead to irreversible brain


    damage, brain death, or bing a vegetable.


    "Izabe, I know you can hear me," Amelia said, leaning closer to her ear. "Don''t give up. Think


    about that jerk outside. Are you really going to let him off the hook like this? He''s hurt your family,


    and now he''s hurt your child too. If I were you, I''d live and get my revenge!"

 Chapter 95

    Chapter 95


    Izabe''s eyshes quivered slightly. Though it was barely noticeable, Amelia saw it and knew she


    was listening.


    "Izabe, think about Presley. If something happens to you, he''d be devastated. He''s already


    specializing in cancer research just to save you. So many people haven''t given up on you, so don''t


    give up on yourself."


    Amelia tried to keep Izabe from losing consciousness. Seeing the tear stains at the corner of her


    eyes, Amelia felt a pang in her heart.


    Fortunately, she noticed Izabe''s massive bleeding in time to have someone find a blood match.


    Anyter, and it might not have been just a close call.


    Amelia took a deep breath, her nostrils filled with the scent of disinfectant and blood. Now, all she


    could do was wait for the person who was going to donate blood to arrive.


    Brett was also waiting. He kept ncing at the operating room door and checking the time. Unable


    to bear it any longer, he sent a message to Kaley, asking where she was.


    His heart was in turmoil. When Kaley replied, his anxiety eased for a moment, but soon, it returned.


    Kaley looked at the messages on her phone. Just reading the words made her realize how worried


    Brett must be.


    Why did Brett fall in love with Izabe?


    Perhaps not even Brett himself knew the answer.


    Was it love that grew over time? The fact that she stayed by Brett''s side for so long might be the


    answer.


    Kaley clutched her phone, her expression suddenly turning deep and solemn. She thought, "Letting


    Izabe get away with a divorce like this would be too easy. She must pay a painful price for


    upying the position that should have been mine for four years!"


    As she approached the hospital, Kaley called Brett. When she got out of the car, she saw him


    waiting, so she put on a fake worried expression.


    "How is Izabe now?"


    Brett shook his head. "I''m sorry you had toe."


    "It''s fine. Izabe saved me once too. I''m just returning the favor." This was also a reminder to Brett


    that after donating her blood to save Izabe, she wouldn''t owe her anymore.


    Brett looked at the wounds on Kaley''s legs, feeling guilty. Despite Izabe having pushed her down


    the stairs, Kaley hade to the hospital to save her, burying the hatchet.


    Brett scooped Kaley up. There were so many people in the hospital, his sudden action surprised


    Kaley, and she felt a little smitten.


    Lying in Brett''s arms, she shyly said, "Brett, put me down, there are too many people here."


    "It''s faster this way." Brett sprinted with Kaley in his arms, as if the person he was holding was


    dying.


    Kaley''s heart suddenly sank at this moment. Seeing Brett''s tense jaw, she knew all his worries were


    for Izabe.


    Brett went straight to the blood-drawing room and told the nurse, "The person is here, no need to


    check."


    "Sit here, I''ll draw blood right away."


    Despite Brett saying no need for testing, the nurse went ahead and checked. After confirming that


    the blood type was correct and free of any diseases, they took a total of 500ml.


    Kaley felt dizzy and leaned against the chair, feeling ufortable.


    Soon after the blood was drawn, the nurse hurriedly sent it to the emergency room.


    Izabe received the blood just in time. If it had been five minutester, she would have slipped into


    aa.


    "Brett, I''m a bit dizzy and ufortable," Kaley said, experiencing the after-effects of blood


    donation.


    Brett was worried about Izabe''s condition, but he couldn''t ignore Kaley either. After hesitating for


    a moment, he ultimately decided to stay by her side.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Brett booked two hospital rooms next to each other for convenience. After Trista paid the fees, he


    carried Kaley to the room.


    "Are you feeling better?" he asked.


    "I''m fine," Kaley replied weakly, then added, "You can go check on Izabe. Trista is here with me."


    Since Kaley had said so, Brett stopped hesitating, took out a bank card from his wallet, and gave it


    to Trista. "Take care of Kaley. If you need anything, just tell the nurse, and use the card freely."


    Trista took the card, and after Brett left, asked Kaley, "Why did you let President Windham go?


    Don''t you want him to stay with you?" She believed if Kaley had asked, Brett would have stayed


    without question.


    "I do, but the more generous I act now, the guiltier Brett will feel, and the more petty Izabe will


    seem."


    Feeling tired, Kaleyy on the bed, unable to muster any energy.


    When Brett hurried back to the emergency room, Izabe was just being wheeled out, covered in a


    thin nket with only her pale face exposed, her beautiful eyes closed tightly.


    "How is she?" he asked.


    The female doctor looked at him with a mix of emotions, rendering Brett a little dumbfounded.


    "Are you her husband?" she asked scornfully.


    Brett didn''t have time to think about if she recognized him and just nodded.


    "Your wife is in poor health, and after this miscarriage, her body has been severely weakened. I''m


    afraid she won''t be able to get pregnant again." Izabe''s early use of contraceptives,bined


    with her stomach cancer and the miscarriage, had weakened her uterine wall.


    Even if she got pregnant again, she would be at high risk of miscarriage. And with her advanced


    stomach cancer, there wouldn''t be time for her to try again.

 Chapter 96

    Chapter 96


    Amelia wasn''t exaggerating. She had seen Izabe''s medical records before and had just


    performed surgery on her. No one knew Izabe''s condition better than her.


    Brett''s face changed in an instant, his hand trembled, and his throat bobbed.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Her, her uterus is still there, right?"


    Amelia knitted her brows, being slow at reacting to anything other than work. She looked at Brett,


    obviously not understanding what he meant.


    But she still honestly replied, "It''s still there."


    "Good."


    Amelia''s expression stiffened, and then she frowned, taking a deep breath. "Do you even know


    what condition her body is in, do you know how much damage it caused her?"


    With loose skin and a paleplexion, even if Izabe''s stomach cancer is cured, she would still


    suffer the pain of the seque, probably making her wish death.


    Amelia had always heard that Brett was a jerk from Presley''s mouth, and now she saw it with her


    own eyes. The word "jerk" might not even fully describe him anymore.


    As a doctor, there are many types of people she dislikes in her life. One type is those who don''t care


    about the patient and don''t take the doctor''s advice to heart.


    Such people might only regret it when they truly lose something.


    And now Amelia couldn''t help the anger in her heart and mocked, "The baby isn''t in your belly, the


    pain isn''t on you, so of course, you don''t hurt at all!"


    Her tone was bad, and her gaze was cold and icy. She even sneered, "Do you want me to cut your


    stomach and take out your organs then put them back in so you can experience that feeling?"


    Brett''s face turned extremely embarrassed. He realized this woman was deliberately mocking him,


    "I didn''t mean that."


    "Then what was the pain she just experienced?? Or do you think it''s natural for women to give birth


    and endure that pain?"


    Brett was stunned, and Amelia felt even more furious. It seemed that this jerk really thought so.


    "The hospital has a childbirth simtor where you can try from level one up to level twelve. After


    trying that, think carefully about what you just said."


    He wouldn''t try that.


    "Are you really her husband?" Amelia looked at him doubtfully. From any angle, she couldn''t see


    how this man could be a husband.


    Ignoring his wife''s health and forcing her to get pregnant.


    Calling him a husband would be more like a creditor, as if Izabe owed him something.


    Brett didn''t say anything, but he looked impatient.


    And Amelia was even more impatient, "Don''t talk about being her husband. Even if you were her


    parents, you still have no right to demand she must have a child. Her body belongs to her, and you


    have no right to interfere. I kindly remind you not to regret itter."


    Brett was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"


    "Figure it out yourself." As a nurse walked over with a medical book in her hand.


    Amelia took the pen and focused on the list, making sure the prescribed medicine was correct


    before signing it and tearing it off. She handed one copy to the nurse and the other to Brett, "Go get


    the medicine."

 Chapter 97

    Chapter 97


    Izabe was out of the danger zone after the blood transfusion, and was transferred to a regr


    ward.


    After the doctors and nurses left, Brett moved a chair to sit beside the bed, holding Izabe''s cold


    hand.


    Izabe was really pretty, even her hands were pretty - slim and long. Brett held her hand and his


    gaze gradually shifted to her belly.


    He slept with Izabe every day and knew how skinny she was, with a small and narrow stomach.


    He really couldn''t imagine how such a small space could nurture a new life.


    Brett''s heart felt like it was being strangled by a rope, stifling and painful.


    Heforted himself, thinking that although the child was gone, he still had a chance with her.


    He didn''t pay any attention to the doctor''s words, all that was still in the future. As long as he could


    take good care of Izabe and be more careful in the future, miscarriages wouldn''t be thatmon.


    Izabe had an IV needle in her arm, and was receiving medication. Seeing that the medicine was


    almost gone, Brett pressed the wall bell to call the nurse to unplug the needle.


    Brett checked the time, it was almost three o''clock.


    He was supposed to go back for lunch, but with so many things happening, he''d forgotten to eat


    and didn''t feel very hungry either.


    Izabe was given lots of fluids, and even more nutrient fluids after that. With so much liquid being


    injected into her, it felt like her blood had thinned.


    The hospital allowed ordering take-out, so Brett ordered a few light dishes, most of which were


    Kaley''s favorites.


    He took the food directly to Kaley''s ward when it arrived.


    Kaley had rested for a while and didn''t sleep anymore. Trista was chatting with her,ughing and


    talking. When they heard a knock, Kaley looked up and saw Brett carrying the food in.


    "I ordered your favorite food,e eat."


    Kaley smiled sweetly, "Come sit down, let''s eat together. Trista already ate, she can go keep


    Izabepany."


    Brett walked over, put the dishes on the table one by one and replied, "She''s still asleep."


    "No worries, Trista can go keep an eye on her. Just in case she wakes up, there''ll be someone to


    take care of her." Kaley motioned for Trista to leave, clearly trying to get rid of her.


    "Yeah, I should go check on her." Trista tactfully left, even closing the door quietly behind her to


    avoid being overheard.


    Brett sat down, "Which one do you want to eat?"


    Kaley nced at the food, "I''ll have some soup."


    "Alright, I''ll feed you." Brett had be much more patient with Kaley, even knowing to test the


    temperature of the soup and blow on it.


    Kaley sipped some soup and praised, "yummy."


    "Then have some more."


    The ward was filled with warmth, and Kaley was satisfied, but she didn''t have much of an appetite


    and couldn''t eat much. She shook her head.


    "Are you done?"


    "I''m not hungry, you eat."


    "Are you still feeling ufortable?" Brett asked with concern.


    "My body is a bit weak, and my head is a little dizzy. I''ll be fine after some rest." Kaley forced a


    weak smile, hoping to arouse Brett''s protectiveness and make him feel sorry for her.


    However, it made Brett think of the time he had forced Izabe to give blood to Kaley.


    Kaley was so weak after just one blood draw today, but he had made Izabe endure so many back


    then.


    And at that time, he hadn''t even given her a single tender look, instead cursing her for being


    delicate and putting on a show.


    But Izabe neverined and would always rush to the hospital whenever he said he needed


    her to give blood to Kaley.


    Thinking of Izabe still in aa in the ward, he felt uneasy, as if he had done many things wrong.


    - Don''t regret it when it''s toote.


    Suddenly, this sentence upied his entire mind, unable to dissipate.


    "Brett... what are you thinking about?" Kaley prodded him.


    Brett snapped out of it, "Nothing, what''s up?"


    "You just looked so lost, your eyes didn''t even blink. What were you thinking about just now?"


    Brett didn''t answer. Kaley, seeing his expression, was sure in her heart that he must have been


    thinking about Izabe just now.


    "Brett, actually, I''ve wanted to tell you something for a while, but I''m afraid that if you know, you''ll


    have a rift with Izabe."


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "What is it?"


    Kaley hesitated for a moment, her face struggling, "Actually, I''ve known about Izabe''s pregnancy


    for quite some time."

 Chapter 98

    Chapter 98


    "You knew from the beginning?"


    Kaley''s eyes lit up, and she nodded saying, "Trista recently saw Izabe taking some medicine and


    got curious. Turns out, her daughter-inw was taking the same pills for her pregnancy."


    So he was thest to know Izabe was pregnant? Brett didn''t feel great about it and equally didn''t


    understand why Izabe would keep it from him.


    Thinking of the lost child, Brett''s heart ached. He asked, "When did you find out?"


    "Yesterday. I thought you knew, so I didn''t tell you." Kaley lowered her head.


    Kaley hesitated and nced at Brett''s face before saying, "Before Izabe pushed me down the


    stairs today, she said a few things..."


    "What did she say?"


    Kaley hesitated even more, making Brett increasingly frustrated.


    "Don''t be mad at what I''m about to say. After all, Izabe just had a miscarriage."


    Brett stared at her.


    "She said she felt disgusted being with you and also said," Kaley paused, looking at him. At that


    moment, Brett''s face was tensed, and the bloodstains on his shirt added a hint of murderousness to


    his appearance.


    Kaley''s heart skipped a beat, but she tried to stabilize her emotions before finishing her sentence,


    "She said she wants to take revenge on us. Brett, I''m not overthinking it. The fact that she said all


    these things and hid her pregnancy from you, I suspect she deliberately miscarried to make you feel


    guilty."


    Brett''s eyes were deep and unreadable, like a bottomless abyss.


    Brett appeared calm on the surface, but his hand tightly clenched into a fist. He was suppressing his


    anger.


    "Did Izabe really say that?"


    Kaley nodded.


    Brett let out a bitterugh, seeming to understand everything at once. No wonder Izabe kept her


    pregnancy a secret. She was waiting to strike right here.


    Thinking he would feel guilt and regret to fuel her revenge? Nice try.


    Usually, Brett''s emotions didn''t show on his face. Although his heart ached like burning fire, his face


    remained calm. Kaley couldn''t quite tell his emotional state, but she aplished her goal.


    She didn''t believe that after all this, Brett would want to be with Izabe.


    "Brett, were you serious about agreeing to all my conditions in the phone call today?"


    Brett replied, "Yeah, anything I can give you, I will."


    Kaley looked straight at him and said with hurt in her voice, "I want to marry you. I don''t want to be


    called your mistress by Izabe anymore."


    Brett''s eyes were cold, but he suddenly gave a hint of a smile, "I''ll marry you in a year."


    Kaley stiffened, her voice trembling with restrained emotions, "Why wait a year?"


    "Kaley, do you like children?" Brett asked.


    Kaley didn''t quite understand his intention, but thinking of children... she touched her stomach; the


    car ident four years ago had taken away her ability to be a mother.


    "I do, but I won''t have my own child in this lifetime..." The more she thought about it, the more she


    resented Izabe! If it wasn''t for her, she wouldn''t have been in the car ident.


    These years she''d been avoiding this issue, but now that Brett brought it up, she had to face it.


    The Windham family wasn''t an ordinary family, as a prestigious n, they valued offspring the most.


    If she couldn''t have children... Brett''s parents wouldn''t allow her marry him.


    Kaley cautiously asked, "Brett, is it because I can''t have children that you aren''t divorcing Izabe?"


    Brett held Kaley''s cold hand, gently stroking the back of her hand, trying tofort her, "Stop


    imagining things! Technology is so advanced these days, we can use scientific methods if ites


    to it. And not to mention how painful childbirth can be."


    Pausing, Brett''s expression suddenly became cold, "But now we have a ready-made one."


    "Ready-made?"


    "Yeah, I want a child with Izabe. What do you think?" His tone seemed to be asking for her


    opinion, but his gaze wouldn''t take no for an answer.


    Kaley was reluctant. Though she said she liked kids, she wouldn''t want to adopt Izabe''s child.


    What was Brett thinking?


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    She swallowed herints, realizing that Brett was set on this decision. So she might as well


    agree with him.


    Thinking from another perspective, this could also be a way to torment Izabe. The idea of being


    able to torment her child in the future started to sound appealing.

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 99


    "So we''ll talk to Izabeter, what if she disagrees?"


    "Whether she agrees or not doesn''t matter!" Didn''t she not want to have his child? Isn''t this perfect


    for her now?


    Brett had been staying with Kaley until Trista came over to tell him that Izabe had woken up, and


    then he got up.


    Kaley tugged at his sleeve, "You promised to take me with you."


    "Are you still dizzy?"


    "I can walk." Kaley lifted the quilt, slowly propping herself up from the bed. It was normal to feel a bit


    dizzy after having blood drawn, but she quickly recovered.


    Brett held her around the waist, and the two went to the next room together.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Struggling to open her eyes, Izabe was a bit disoriented for a moment, not knowing where she


    was until she heard Trista call for the nurse. Only then did she realize she was in a hospital.


    She stared at the IV bag overhead, then reached down to gently touch her abdomen. She could no


    longer feel any movement inside.


    Izabe felt a deep silence in her heart. She had never thought that her child would leave in this


    way.


    Hearing footstepsing from outside, Izabe looked up to see Brett leading Kaley in.


    Looking at the two of them, Izabe couldn''t help but tremble, her gaze filled with hatred.


    Brett felt her gaze and furrowed his brows.


    Holding onto Brett''s arm, Kaley smiled warmly, "Izabe, are you okay?"


    Unable to control her emotions, Izabe''s breathing suddenly quickened, her heart pounding, and


    her blood seemed to freeze. "Get out!"


    Kaley seemed startled, shrinking back into Brett''s embrace as if she was scared, pretending to be


    frighten yet the corner of her mouth held a slight sneer.


    Brett gently patted Kaley''s back, "What''s your problem, Izabe! Kaley even donated blood for you


    despite you pushing her down the stairs, and here you are cursing at her."


    "Disgusting." The thought of having Kaley''s blood in her body made her feel sick.


    When Brett heard this, he thought about what Kaley had said to him before. His half-lidded eyes


    glinted with a chilling light, "What did you say?"


    "I said I''m disgusted. Just thinking that I have Kaley''s blood in my body makes me want to vomit."


    After catching Brett''s furious gaze, Izabe''s pupils shrank.


    Before she could react, Brett had already rushed at her with a ferocious look.


    Izabe weakly stared at the terrifying man before her.


    The first thought in her mind was, was Brett finally going to kill her?


    She hoped that was the case, as her only regret at the brink of death was that she hadn''t been able


    to take revenge and make this pair of despicable individuals pay the price.


    For the many years that Kaley had been with Brett, this was the first time she had seen him so


    angry. Afraid that he might get violent with Izabe and attract the attention of others, which could


    potentially harm his reputation, Kaley quickly shut the door tight.


    "Brett, didn''t you just promise me not to get angry with Izabe?" Kaley consoled with her mouth,


    yet her heart wished that Brett could strangle Izabe to death.


    Brett seemed to be trapped in a trance,pletely oblivious to Kaley''s voice. He grabbed Izabe


    by the neck and demanded, "Why didn''t you tell me?"


    Izabe''s confused mind was scattered by Brett''s shout, gaining a moment of rity.


    Seeing her face turn red, Brett suddenly sobered up and loosened his grip slightly.


    Once she was able to breathe again, Izabe trembled uncontrobly. She asked hoarsely, "Tell you


    what?"


    "Why didn''t you tell me you were pregnant!"


    Izabe weakly looked at the beast-like Brett in front of her, cracked a bitter smile, her frail bodyy


    on the bed, tears soaked arge patch of the sheet.


    "Even if I hadn''t lost it this time, I would have gone to the hospital for an abortion. There''s no future


    between us, why should I bear your child? I''m disgusted!"


    That statement again, Brett was truly angry now. He stared coldly at Izabe, "So you used my


    hand to kill our child, didn''t you?"


    Brett had already settled on this answer. Coupled with what Kaley had said earlier, some answers


    were already set in his mind.


    Izabe didn''t want to bear his child and had nned to abort it.


    Brett stared at Izabe, leaning over to her ear and gritting his teeth, "Izabe, you have such a


    cruel heart, you killed our child!"


    Izabe froze, a ringing sound filled her ears. She curled up trembling on the bed, her eyes red.


    Looking at the man who had pushed all the me onto her, Brett hadpletely lost his mind. His


    ferocious expression was like that of a demon falling into hell, and at this moment, he seemed to


    want to pull Izabe into hell with him.


    "Izabe, you owe me a child!"

 Chapter 100

    Chapter 100


    Brett''s eyes were dark as he touched Izabe''s cheek, he sneered. "When you''re better, we''ll have


    another baby."


    Izabe briefly shuddered before agreeing, "Sure."


    Brett hesitated, surprised that Izabe got the hint so easily.


    But Izabe''s eyes grew darker, her gaze cold as a snake. She sneered, "I could get rid of one


    baby, I will get rid of the second one as well!"


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "How dare you!" He raised his hand, but Izabe stared back defiantly.


    "Go ahead, hit me, you better hit on my stomach!"


    "Izabe, do you really think there''s nothing I can do to you?" Brett caressed her chin.


    She suddenly felt cold, the coldness made her suffocating. Her eyes darted to Kaley, who was


    standing by the door.


    "What about Kaley? You don''t care about my feelings, but what about hers?" She didn''t believe that


    Kaley, with her narrow mind, could tolerate her carrying Brett''s child.


    "You think Kaley is petty like you? Besides, the child you give birth to will naturally be taken care of


    by Kaley. She has been infertile since the car ident four years ago," Brett said to her, as if


    everything should be that way.


    Seeing that the conversation had shifted to her, Kaley smiled faintly. "I don''t mind. Izabe, when


    you have a child in the future, I''ll treat him as my own and never treat him unfairly. I really like kids,


    the more you give birth to, the better."


    Brett could feel how tense Izabe''s body was, but he pretended not to notice her pale face,


    agreeing with Kaley. "that''s right."


    Izabe''s heart was numb with pain. She looked deste, listening to their conversation with a


    sinking heart.


    Brett and Kaley showed no regard for Izabe''s feelings, talking about taking away her children as if


    she were a mere animal. Brett had stripped her of her humanity, leaving her without dignity.


    Suddenly, a piercing ringing filled her ears. Izabe quickly covered them, grimacing in pain as she


    copsed onto the bed, her body shivering terribly beneath the nket. Her stomach twisted


    painfully, waves of nausea washing over her.


    No one expected the sudden turn of events. Brett finally looked worried as he pushed Izabe''s


    shoulder, then realized that her cold sweat had soaked her clothes. "What''s wrong with you?"


    Pretending to care, Kaley said, "Brett, go get a doctor to check on Izabe. She seems to be in a lot


    of pain."


    Without hesitation, Brett left to find a doctor.


    Once Brett was gone, only Kaley and Izabe remained in the room. Kaley''s worried facade


    disappeared instantly, her eyes gloating as she stared at Izabe. "You okay, Izabe?"


    "Get out!"


    Kaley sat in the chair, putting on a false sympathetic look. "I care so much about you, and you don''t


    even thank me. Instead, you curse at me. Izabe, you''re really ungrateful."


    Coming from Kaley, this statement was the biggest joke ever. If she understood what gratitude was,


    she wouldn''t have repeatedly framed Izabe and tried to turn Brett against her.


    Izabe took two deep breaths to suppress her anger, but her chest heaved. Her eyes bloodshot,


    she red at Kaley. "Aren''t you afraid of karma, Kaley?"


    "Karma?" Kaleyughed involuntarily. "I didn''t push you, so why should I face karma? And didn''t I


    save you when you were bleeding and nearly dead? Just look at our situations¡ª who''s more likely


    to be facing karma?"


    Kaley''s words hit Izabe''s pain point. She bit down on her lip, realizing the truth. The one facing


    karma was her.


    "Don''t worry, Izabe. I will take good care of your child. I won''t let him be disabled, like having a


    broken arm or a limp leg. I''ll let him live well, just like you, to live a life worse than death."


    When she said "worse than death," she emphasized the words. at that, Izabe''s body went rigid. If


    she could kill someone through her gaze, she would have torn Kaley to pieces.


    Her eyes narrowed, and she disregarded the needle in her hand and lunge at Kaley, crazed by


    hate.


    However, she had underestimated her own weak body. She had just undergone surgery and was


    frail. Instead of attacking Kaley, she copsed at her feet.


    With a sh of her eyes, Kaley retreated a step. When Izabe''s emaciated body toppled toward


    her, she fell, too. Then she screamed, "Brett, help! Izabe''s trying to kill me!"


    At this moment, a figure burst in, yelling, "Kaley!"


    Relieved, Kaley contorted herself on the floor, crawling towards Brett. "Brett, I''m hurting. Don''t leave


    me. Izabe''s gone mad, she wants to kill me!"


    Even a healthy person would be in pain after falling, let alone a wounded Izabe. However, she


    seemed numb to it, lying on the floor, gritting her teeth and staring at him hatefully.


    Her hate-filled eyes were colder than before.


    Brett helped Kaley up, about tosh out, when the doctors and nurses hurried in.


    Upon seeing Izabe on the floor, they rushed over to help her up. As they guided her back, her


    limp body could only be supported by the nurses.

 Chapter 101

    Chapter 101


    Brett helped Kaley while all the doctors and nurses rushed to Izabe, helping her onto the bed for


    emergency wound treatment.


    Izabe''s hand was bleeding profusely, the needle was nowhere to be found, and her hand was


    swollen. The blood flowing out seemed cold.


    Kaley shivered in Brett''s arms, still muttering that Izabe wanted to kill her.


    She looked like she had just escaped death. Seeing this, Brett could only hold her even tighter and


    comfort her, "It''s all good now, she wouldn''t dare hurt you with me around."


    Kaley leaned on him, listening to his heartbeat, and gradually calmed down.


    As Brett patted Kaley''s shoulder, his icy gaze shifted to the woman on the bed who was being held


    down by the nurses. After a moment, he noticed that something was off with Izabe.


    Izabe was shaking intensely, her body as weak as a piece of falling leaf, but her hands clung to


    the nurse''s sleeves with all her might, as if they were herst lifeline.


    Her eyes were redder than before, and tears kept flowing.


    Brett frowned, letting go of Kaley subconsciously and walking towards the bed.


    Izabe caught a glimpse of Brett and suddenly screamed. Her voice, already hoarse, was full of


    sorrow and despair.


    She kept backing away as if she saw a monster, even though her back was already against the


    wall.


    The room was silent, except for Izabe''s hoarse cries. She held her head with her hands wing


    at her hair, like a lion in a fit of madness.


    Brett picked up the IV tube from the floor. The calmer his face looked, the more flustered his heart


    felt. "What''s wrong with her?"


    No one answered him, but the expressions on the doctors and nurses told him everything.


    "Get a sedative! Hold her down!"


    The nurse quickly responded, handing the syringe to the doctor who found Izabe''s vein and


    injected her.


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    Izabe''s grip on the nurse''s hand gradually loosened. Shey on the bed, her trembling body


    slowly calming down. She stared at the ceiling with tears still falling, not out of emotion but extreme


    pain. Stomachache, abdominal pain, headache, heartache, sore throat... She had experienced all


    the pain in her life in one go.


    "Izabe, stop acting like you are scared." She hurt Kaley and wanted to kill someone, yet he didn''t


    scold her. Instead, she was still crying nonstop. With so many people watching, others might think


    he and Kaley were bullying her. To him, Izabe was ying the victim.


    Izabe didn''t even blink, her gloomy stare making people shudder.


    "Izabe, quit the act!" Brett was impatient. In his memory, Izabe was just that kind of person. He


    seemed to have forgotten her initial bright and sunny demeanor.


    The doctor couldn''t take it anymore, pointing at the door, and said coldly, "Sir, please leave and stop


    causing trouble here!"


    Brett was annoyed. "You want me to go?"


    The doctor remained calm, as if ustomed to such situations.


    "Sir, the patient is greatly stressed, and doesn''t want to see you. Your insistence on staying is only


    making her more unstable, which is not good for her."


    It was clear to everyone that Izabe''s condition was quite bad. Even bystanders would feel pity for


    her, yet Brett, the one closest to her, chose to be sarcastic.


    "Her body is weak and emotional stability is crucial. We wouldn''t want her to develop a mental


    illness before she fully recovers. If you truly care about her, you should leave. Our nurses will take


    care of her." The doctor spoke calmly, but his eyes showed disdain for Brett.


    Although it wasn''t appropriate to pry into the patient''s privacy, Izabe''s wounds were seen by all.


    It was their duty to save lives. When there was someone who needed to be saved by them right


    away, they weren''t afraid of offending this cold-hearted man.


    Brett didn''t respond. The atmosphere in the ward suddenly became strange. Kaley couldn''t bear it


    any longer, fearing she''d expose herself if they talk any longer. She gently tugged at Brett''s clothes,


    "Brett, let''s just go. Let the doctors take care of Izabe."


    Brett nodded and left the ward with Kaley.

 Chapter 102

    Chapter 102


    Sedated Izabe seemed to have lost all senses at this moment. Her arms and neck were covered


    in bloody scratches from herself, her hair a mess, looking like a mad woman.


    The nurse disinfected her wounds and applied medicine, trying to coax her, "Does it hurt?"


    Izabe''s fingertips trembled, and the nurse thought she had identally hurt her. She blew on the


    wound while applying the ointment, "It won''t hurt soon."


    For Izabe, this pain was nothingpared to her miscarriage from falling down the stairs and the


    insults she had to hear from Brett. The pain had be so light that it was almost insignificant.


    Izabe sawpassion in the eyes of the nurses, and she felt pretty pathetic, being dragged into


    hell time and time again by the person she loved most.


    Amelia was in the middle of seeing patients when she received the news that Izabe had woken


    up. After finishing up with prescriptions, she checked her messages, only to find that a usually quiet


    group chat had umted 99+ messages.


    She clicked in to take a look, and after just one nce, she froze.


    "That poor woman in room 54, just had a miscarriage, and now her husband is here with his


    mistress to provoke her."


    "Was the scream I heard just nowing from that room?"


    "Yeah, it was terrifying to see. Her neck and hands were all covered in scratches."


    "I thought she looked familiar. Isn''t she Izabe from the Salotti family? How did she end up like


    this?"


    "Thedy from the Salotti family? The one that went bankrupt two months ago?"


    "Yeah, I''ve seen her pictures from before. She was so beautiful back then, and there''s a video too."


    As the pictures and video of Izabe wearing a bold red dress, her hair tied up and a confident


    smile on her lips were sent to the group chat, Amelia couldn''t help feeling sorry for her. The Izabe


    in the pictures had such captivating eyes, not like the dull, lifeless eyes she has now.


    It''s almost as if she were two different people. How could someone change so much in such a short


    amount of time?


    "But I also heard that Izabe stole someone else''s fianc¨¦. She''s the mistress, right?"


    "You can''t always trust what''s on the inte. Besides, if the Windham Group''s president really


    loved that woman, he should just divorce Izabe. How is he any different from a scumbag having


    affairs with multiple women?"


    "All these rich people are crazy."


    "I was so mad at that asshole husband in the room today. He didn''t do anything, but he kept making


    sarcastic remarks about Izabe faking it. And that woman next to him is a total vixen, obviously not


    in any danger, but she kept hiding in the guy''s arms, using Izabe of trying to kill her!"


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "I was there too, Izabe was so weak and fell down with blood all over her hands. How could she


    kill someone like that?"


    "And what''s worse, her husband looked at her as if he''s already convinced she wanted to murder


    someone. Poor Izabe, being stuck with a husband like that. Why are these guys so judgmental?"


    Amelia scrolled down quickly, taking in all the details of the whole incident in no time. Her eyes


    darkened as she mmed her phone on the table with a loud bang.


    The sudden noise startled everyone in the room, and they all looked at her in confusion.


    Amelia quicklyposed herself, but her gaze was still cold as she looked at everybody around


    her.


    "Dr. Amelia, what''s wrong?" A nurse asked hesitantly.


    "Nothing, I''m okay," Amelia replied, putting her phone back in herb coat pocket before heading to


    Izabe''s room. The other nurses were left behind, looking at each other.


    "Dr. Amelia was angry just now, right?"


    "I think so."


    Amelia was known for being indifferent and uninterested in anyone. She was a ssic workaholic,


    and very few people had ever seen her getting emotional. Her usual demeanor was always cold


    and detached.

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 103


    Looking back, it wasn''t that Amelia never got mad before, it''s just that her bottom line hadn''t been


    crossed.


    Amelia went to Izabe''s room first. Since Izabe had just received a sedative, Amelia didn''t dare


    to disturb her and could only check on her from outside the door.


    The nurse taking care of Izabe saw her and whispered, "Hello, Dr. Amelia."


    Amelia waved at her toe out, and asked, "How is she doing now?"


    "She''s asleep after the sedative injection."


    Amelia thought for a moment, "Take good care of her and let me know if anything happens."


    The nurse nodded and agreed, "Okay."


    "You can go back in."


    After the nurse went back in, Amelia turned her gaze to the room across the hall, her eyes dimmed.


    After Brett took Kaley back to her room, he couldn''t help but step out again. He stood in the corridor,


    the lights from the ceiling casting a long shadow. He lowered his head, his face dark and brooding.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe''s screams lingered in his ears, and for the first time in the face of such a situation, he didn''t


    know what to do. He wanted to stay and take care of Izabe, but he was driven out by the doctors


    and nurses in the room.


    Now, he could only stand in the hallway and stare at the tightly closed door.


    When the doctor came out, he stepped forward and asked, "What the hell happened to Izabe?"


    "I''d like to ask you what you said that provoked her."


    Brett thought about what he had said to Kaley before and remained silent.


    "It''s best to see a psychiatrist tomorrow."


    "What do you mean?"


    "She''s mentally damaged. A professional psychologist can help her avoid depression."


    Brett swallowed hard, feeling a suffocating pressure on his chest, unable to breathe.


    However, after a few seconds, which felt like an eternity, Brett asked hoarsely, "If she gets


    depression, will she be okay?"


    The doctor nced at him indifferently and said, "Yes, but it''s difficult to fully recover. We need a


    specialist in this field." He paused and fearing that Brett might not realize the seriousness of the


    situation, he emphasized again.


    "Depression is not like other illnesses, the mortality rate for depression is quite high."


    After hearing this, Brett decided to find a specialist to check on Izabe tomorrow.


    After the doctor left, Brett returned to Kaley''s room.


    "Is Izabe alright?"


    Brett shook his head, but Kaley thought he meant she was fine. She sighed with relief, "That''s good,


    I was worried that something would happen to her because of me."


    Brett didn''t exin, only nced at Kaley''s ankle, "You''re not hurt, are you?"


    "No, I dodged in time when Izabe lunged at me, so she didn''t hurt me. Don''t be mad at her, she''s


    pitiful enough."


    Brett didn''t speak, and the room suddenly fell into an eerie silence.


    The half-open door was suddenly pushed open, making a loud noise. Kaley looked up in surprise


    and saw a young female doctoring in.


    Brett recognized her as Amelia, Izabe''s attending physician. He should have asked her about


    Izabe''s condition, but remembering what she had said before, he felt an inexplicable fear facing


    her.


    Amelia nced at him coldly before slowly turning her gaze to Kaley. Strangely, her face had no


    expression, but her eyes seemed to be cold enough to freeze a person.


    Kaley was suddenly anxious and involuntarily leaned towards the corner.


    Amelia''s eyes were cold, but they didn''t affect her scrutinizing gaze on Kaley. Her sharp eyes


    seemed to be able to tear off Kaley''s clothes and see her deepest secrets.


    "So, you''re his mistress?"

 Chapter 104

    Chapter 104


    When Amelia said this, that emotionless face finally had a bit of a ripple, her face covered with a


    smirk as she shot Kaley a sarcastic smile.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "No!" Kaley snapped at her angrily. "How dare you call me a mistress?"


    "Well, if you''re not a mistress, howe you''re so clingy to her husband and shamelessly use their


    shared property? Not to mention running around like a dog causing trouble?" Amelia said, one hand


    in her white coat pockets and an innocent expression on her baby face despite her harsh words.


    "I get it now, you''re not even as good as a mistress. At least mistresses have some status..." Amelia


    trailed off, ncing towards Brett, her smile deepening.


    Brett sternly said, "Dr. Amelia, please watch your words."


    "I''ll give your words right back to you," Amelia retorted without hesitation. "Some people have such


    poor judgment, not even knowing who''s friend or foe around them. Don''t you think so, President


    Windham?"


    She gave Brett a light smile.


    Brett''s eyes shed with an ominous light, clearly angry.


    Kaley suddenly stepped forward, her voice shrill. "What the hell is wrong with you? Don''t you know


    how to respect others? I''ll get you kicked out by the dean!"


    Amelia''s face held a smile, but her eyes were devoid of amusement. "Sure, go ahead. But before


    you get me kicked out, let''s deal with your nder of Izabe first. You said she tried to kill you, but I


    want to know: how could she have the strength to do it after having a miscarriage? And if she


    wanted to kill you, why are you unharmed while she''s injured?"


    Kaley''s face stiffened. "That''s because I dodged in time, so she didn''t hurt me."


    Amelia countered, "Really? Then why did I hear the nurses who were there say you hid in Brett''s


    arms looking injured? Are you pretending just to frame Izabe?"


    Kaley''s face was filled with resentment and a hint of injustice, "No! She really wanted to kill me!"


    "And why would she want to kill you?"


    By this point, Kaley hadn''t realized she was beingpletely controlled by Amelia. "Because she''s


    jealous of me!" she said on instinct.


    Amelia scoffed derisively. "Jealous of you because you''re uglier or because you can only rely on


    men? Or maybe she''s jealous that you know how to seduce her husband?"


    Kaley opened her mouth to argue but before she could speak, Amelia immediately continued to


    attack her.


    "Don''t bring emotions into this. I don''t believe someone who''s lost so much that their life''s in


    shambles and had a miscarriage would still have feelings for the person who caused it," Amelia was


    speaking to Kaley but her eyes were directed at Brett.


    Kaley was stunned, her pretty face frozen. She wanted to refute the woman''s words, but she


    couldn''te up with a single thing to say.


    Amelia pulled her hand out from her coat pocket, holding a phone. The screen shed with a


    message. Amelia pressed on thetest message, opening a video that had just been sent.


    "As we''re worried about patients having sudden emergencies in the intensive care unit, we''ve


    installed surveince cameras in the corners of the rooms," she mentioned offhandedly as the video


    yed.


    Kaley''s face went pale with dread in an instant.


    Amelia turned up the volume and muttered, "I must say, this video is so clear, it captures certain


    people''s hideous and disgusting faces perfectly."


    Kaley, frightened, tightly gripped Brett''s hand. "Brett, don''t listen to her, don''t watch it! The video


    must be edited..."


    Before Kaley could finish, her voice came through the phone after a burst of static.

 Chapter 105

    Chapter 105


    "Don''t worry, Izabe. I will take good care of your child. I won''t let him be disabled, like having a


    broken arm or a limp leg. I''ll let him live well, just like you, to live a life worse than death."


    Brett''s face stiffened suddenly upon hearing this recording.


    Kaley was still holding onto Brett''s arm, but her grip had loosened. A chill from the depths of her


    heart spread to every corner of her body.


    "It''s not what it seems, Brett."


    After a while, Brett lowered his head to look at her, his eyes cold and his face without a trace of a


    smile. The oppressive atmosphere he exuded made Kaley feel uneasy.


    Kaley knew deep down that she was in big trouble.


    "What is it supposed to be, then?" Brett asked with a sneer. He couldn''t believe Kaley would say


    such malicious things to Izabe after he left.


    He stared at her for a long time, and then said, "Kaley."


    Kaley suddenly let go of his arm, unable to help but step back, looking at the ferocious expression


    that gradually emerged on Brett''s face, and she was terrified, sweating all over.


    She was scared of this man she had known for over a decade.


    Amelia quietly watched the scene unfold, realizing that there was no need to y any more of the


    video.


    "Kaley, I''m giving you a chance to exin."


    Kaley''s mind went nk, and tears streamed down her face before she could even speak. She


    pleaded, "The things I said to Izabe weren''t really what I thought. I was just jealous that she took


    you away from me for so many years. I never meant any harm. You know I''m not usually like this,


    Brett."


    Amelia held her phone, sneering, "So you said those things intentionally to provoke Izabe and


    then lied that she wanted to kill you?"


    "Shut up!" Kaley cried, tears continuing to flow.


    Brett looked at the tears on her face, surprisingly calm, feeling nothing.


    Amelia turned her phone to show Brett the video where Izabe struggled to get up from the bed


    and fell to the floor.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Kaley could have easily stepped away, but she let Izabe fall on her foot. She even sneakily kicked


    Izabe, which caused Izabe''s IV needle to be pulled out of her arm.


    The video clearly showed Kaley''s ferocious face and the ring red on Izabe''s arm.


    "Do you still believe her?" Amelia asked.


    Kaley didn''t dare to look at her ferocious face in the video. She cried, "Brett, don''t be deceived by


    her. The video is misleading."


    Amelia frowned, thinking this woman was really good at spinning stories.


    "So you''re saying your words were not intentional, and the video is a fraud. You just want Izabe to


    be treated like a fool and suffer bullying, right?" Amelia''s face grew cold, "Don''t think that just


    because the Salotti family is gone, you can do whatever you want to her. Just wait for thewyer''s


    letter, Kaley."


    After saying that, Amelia put her phone back in herb coat and left the ward. There was a lot of


    work to do at the hospital, and she didn''t have time to waste watching a lowlife put on an act. She


    had said everything she needed to say, and unless Brett had lost his mind, he would not believe


    Kaley''s words anymore.


    During the entire process, Brett remained silent, as if he didn''t exist.


    It wasn''t until Amelia left that Kaley, with her tearful red eyes, stood in front of him and cried, "Brett,


    do you believe what she said?"


    "No, I trust my own ears and eyes."


    "But sometimes, ears and eyes can deceive you." Kaley raised her voice, her eyes bloodshot,


    "Brett, we''ve known each other for so many years, how could you trust a video given by a woman


    you just met today? You know my character, I wouldn''t lie to you."


    "You reminded me of something, eyes and ears can be deceptive."


    Before Kaley could rx, she saw Brett bend down and grab her jaw with a force that felt like it


    could crush her bones.


    "How many times have you lied to me, Kaley?"

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 106


    Kaley''s lips were trembling, "Brett, are you doubting me?"


    Brett''s eyes darkened, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Kaley, you know I like people who


    behave and obey, and I hate deception."


    He firmly grasped Kaley''s chin, forcing her to tilt her head back. Her face was pale, and it''s unclear


    whether it was due to fear or pain. She tried to stay calm, but under Brett''s sharp gaze, she started


    feeling guilty, her eyes flickering.


    Brett saw Kaley''s face clearly, gritting his teeth and letting out a cold snort.


    Kaley shivered at the sound, her legs trembling badly.


    Brett had begun to doubt her. It might not be long before he found out that she deliberately fell down


    the stairs to frame Izabe.


    Kaley didn''t know how to dispel Brett''s suspicions. The more she said, the more mistakes she


    would make. Brett hated being deceived by others the most.


    "Kaley, was I not good enough for you?"


    Kaley shook her head, crying.


    In the past, when Kaley cried, he would feel heartbroken. But now, seeing it only disgusted him.


    People are like that. Once deceived by someone they trust, many things that happened in the past


    would be brought up, and some previously overlooked details would be more and more


    chilling.


    Feeling like he had touched something dirty, Brett pushed Kaley away with force.


    Kaley had just had blood drawn today and was weak. On top of that, Brett used his full strength,


    pushing her backwards onto the bed. She hit the edge of the bed hard and her face crumpled with


    pain.


    Kaley clutched the painful spot, her breathing unsteady. She hadn''t expected Brett would turn on


    her, even after he had just been gently coaxing her, saying he would marry her in a year and let her


    raise Izabe''s child.


    "Kaley, I can tolerate your willfulness, but you shouldn''t have used me to hurt Izabe." The thought


    of Izabe''s breakdown and cries on the bed made his heart ache.


    Kaley''s throat tightened, her face turned cold, and her body slumped down from the bed.


    Seeing Brett leaving, Kaley crawled over, grabbing his leg. "Brett, don''t leave me. I was wrong. I


    shouldn''t have used Izabe. It''s just that I love you too much, and I''m afraid you''ll leave me,


    afraid you won''t marry me. Brett, I was really wrong. I won''t do it again..." By the end, she was


    sobbing uncontrobly, left with nothing but frantic choking sounds.


    She looked up, her eyes red and watery, gripping him like a lifeline.


    "Brett, we''ve been through so much over the years. I even saved your life once. Are you really


    going to be so heartless?"


    She framed Izabe out of ack of security, and the person who made her feel insecure was Brett.


    If he hadn''t broken his promises, taken her for granted, and refused to divorce Izabe, why would


    she have attacked Izabe?


    To put it bluntly, she did all this for him!


    Brett looked down at her, his eyes momentarily lost in thought.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Kaley''s words stirred up many memories in him. She was undoubtedly someone he loved, and he


    remembered how she saved him at the risk of her own life when he almost drowned six years ago.


    These memories made it impossible for him to abandon Kaley, but he just couldn''t face her right


    now - it made him nauseous.


    Brett squatted down, looking down at her. "You should move out. Go back to where you were


    staying before."


    Kaley''s heart clenched, her tearful eyes still fixed on him. "What about you?"


    "I''m still married to Izabe. That ce is our joint property." Brett met Kaley''s incredulous gaze,


    wiping the tears from her eyes. "I will fulfill my promises to you. I will marry you."


    Brett saw a glimmer of happiness in Kaley''s eyes.


    He stood up straight. "But first, you have to behave."

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107


    "Really?" Kaley asked cautiously.


    It took Brett a while to let out a "yeah."


    He then said, "I''ll be staying in the hospital to look after Izabe these days. You can go back with


    Trista to pack your stuff and move out. When Izabees home, she probably won''t be too keen


    on seeing you. Since Trista is your people, I trust that she will take care of you."


    Brett''s response destroyed the hope that had just risen in Kaley''s heart, leaving her in utter


    disbelief. She wanted to say something but found herself unable to speak as she watched Brett


    walk away coldly.


    There were many answers that she didn''t need to ask to know. Brett had promised to marry her and


    take care of her, but he had never said he loved her.


    As for who Brett truly loved, perhaps even he didn''t know.


    It was the first time that Brett had lost his temper at Kaley, and it was for Izabe''s sake.


    Kaley wanted to ask what he saw her as, but she dared not utter a word. Some things, once they


    were spoken out loud, would only bring humiliation upon oneself.


    Brett left the ward without looking back, his hand lightly touching the doorknob. With a seemingly


    effortless action, he closed the door with a loud bang.


    The moment he stepped out, he seemed to hear the sound of a Ky''s cryinging from inside


    the room.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    He ignored it and went straight to Izabe''s room. Instead of opening the door directly, he knocked


    softly to see if it was convenient to enter.


    It took a while for the nurse inside to open the door. She looked at him first with surprise, then with


    indifference, and finally lowered her head to not show her expression.


    "How is she?"


    "Still sleeping."


    "When will she wake up?" Brett asked bluntly.


    "We are not sure. Whenever she''s done sleeping." The nurse''s reply was perfunctory. She nced


    at the empty corridor outside and said, "If you have nothing better to do, just leave. She''s fine with


    me taking care of her."


    Though she didn''t change her facial expression, her tone carried a hint of disdain. Brett didn''t get


    angry. He just looked at Izabe lying in bed.


    He couldn''t see her face, only her hand exposed outside the nket. Her slender, pale wrists were


    covered in wounds, the yellow ointment making the injuries look even more grotesque.


    The previous scene reyed in his mind, including the doctor''s harsh words.


    It was he who had triggered Izabe, causing her to be like this. She didn''t want to see him.


    Feeling dejected, Brett sat down in a chair in the hallway. It was so quiet at the end of the hallway


    that loneliness had nowhere to hide.


    He sighed and took out his cellphone to pass the time, sending a message to Liam to check the


    surveince videos at Quiet Forest Estates.


    It took Liam much longer than usual to reply. Brett had to wait for nearly ten minutes before he


    received a response.


    With his head leaning against the cold wall, he closed his eyes as if to take a nap, but in reality, he


    was listening for any sound in Izabe''s room.


    It was eerily silent inside. Untilte into the night, the distressing cries he feared didn''t happen.


    Instead, Kaley came out. She had been crying for a long time, her eyes swollen and looking


    exhausted. Trista stood by her side, holding her arm. Knowing that the two had a conflict, she didn''t


    say anything but silently supported Kaley.


    Kaley was surprised to see Brett, and for a moment, she thought he was waiting for her. But when


    she realized that the closest room to him was Izabe''s, not hers, she understood.


    Disappointment was inevitable, but at this point, there was no extra emotion, not even anger.


    When she reached Brett, she paused for a second, "Brett, I''m leaving now."


    Brett nced at her and simply responded with, "Hmm."


    Such an indifferent reply felt as if he was talking to a stranger.

 Chapter 108

    Chapter 108


    "Go back and pack your stuff; when you''re ready to move, call me, and I''ll arrange a driver."


    Kaley didn''t expect Brett''s next words to be pushing her away, not showing any affection at all.


    It took Kaley a while to stiffly reply, "Okay."


    Trista, who was standing by, was dumbstruck. Not only was Kaley suddenly discharged from the


    hospital, but Brett was also trying to kick her out. Was it because he found out that Kaley had


    deliberately thrown herself downstairs and med Izabe?


    Trista originally wanted to put in a good word for Kaley, but she was guilty too, so she kept silent


    until they left the hospital.


    Liam went to Quiet Forest Estates and quickly made a copy of the surveince video of that day. He


    didn''t even have time for dinner before starting to edit the video for Brett.


    Brett only gave a rough time period in the text message, without mentioning what happened during


    that period. When Liam fast-forwarded to the time, the screen changed to Izabe "pushing" Kaley


    downstairs.


    He sped up the video, and soon saw Izabe falling straight from the second floor, blood


    everywhere. The scene was shocking.


    Liam sat stiffly, staring at theputer screen. He felt like he had seen something he shouldn''t


    have - would President Windham silence him?


    But to be honest, Liam knew Brett was cold-blooded and ruthless, but he didn''t expect him to have


    no bottom line.


    Liam was confused. He had followed Brett for many years, he was a born leader, handling difficult


    matters with rationality andposure. However, when it came to matters involving Izabe, he


    seemed like a madman.


    Did Brett love Izabe? Liam thought there were feelings between them after all these years of


    marriage. Plus, he couldn''t forget the fear in Brett''s eyes when Izabe was in the emergency room


    a few months ago.


    That was his true emotion, not a temporary disguise. If Brett was so afraid of losing Izabe back


    then, why didn''t he cherish her afterward? He kept hurting and humiliating her.


    Liam didn''t understand, he had never been in love and didn''t know anything about rtionships. If


    Brett really loved Izabe, would he let her get hurt so badly?


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Brett treated other women well, like Kaley. But he didn''t divorce Izabe for anyone.


    Liam rested his head on his hands, edited the video, and sent it to Brett.


    After watching the video a few times, Brett didn''t notice anything unusual about Kaley falling


    downstairs.


    After ordering some takeout, Liam saw a text message from Brett.


    "Did you notice anything about Kaley falling downstairs?"


    Frowning, Liam didn''t understand what he meant. He wasn''t a film major, but he carefully looked at


    the video again. On the surface, it seemed like Izabe pushed Kaley down the stairs, but in reality,


    Izabe''s hand wasn''t visible.


    Liam sent the video to a director he had worked with before.


    The director replied after watching the video, "There''s more than a 90% chance this is an edited


    footage."


    Liam, puzzled, asked, "How can you tell?"


    "Angle and the force of the fall. It''s obvious that whoever edited this designed the fall to minimize


    damage. If she werel pushed by someone, she wouldn''t fall down like this." The director worried


    Liam wouldn''t understand, so he found aparison video.


    Liam immediately forwarded the information to Brett.


    Seeing this, Brett wasn''t too surprised. If it weren''t for Kaley''sment about eyes and ears


    deceiving people, he might not have thought about it.


    Brett went to the smoking area, lit a cigarette, and took a puff. The taste of nicotine could


    temporarily numb his thoughts. Half-squinting his eyes, he stared at the text messages on his


    phone through the smoke, lost in thought. The burning cigarette ash, along with the embers, fell to


    the ground.

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 109


    Brett didn''t have a smoking habit. He took a couple of puffs and put out the fire with his fingers. His


    fingertips got scorched, but he didn''t notice it.


    In fact, he had thought about this oue beforehand, but he never dared to think that the innocent


    and kind Kaley would be blinded by jealousy andmit such an act.


    Moreover, she did it twice in one day.


    When the truth surfaced, Brett found it even harder to ept. This proved Izabe''s innocence, but


    he didn''t know how to face her afterwards, or how to face their first child who had died by his hand.


    Brett looked at his right hand, turning it over and over. There was nothing there, but he saw a blood-


    stained hand. Why was he so violent and harsh to Izabe?


    Although he found out what Kaley had done, Brett won''t do anything to her. He owed Kaley for their


    childhood rtionship and she had saved his life at the risk of her own.


    Six years ago, he had vowed to take good care of her. If it weren''t for the car ident that forced


    him to marry Izabe, he might have already been with Kaley.


    Now, with the Salotti family bankrupt, Izabe could no longer threaten him, but he couldn''t divorce


    her. Just thinking about Izabe leaving him and being with someone else in the future made him


    ufortable. He couldn''t even bear the thought.


    Brett found himself in a dilemma and he regretted finding out the truth.


    By the time Brett got back, Izabe had woken up. She had just had surgery and couldn''t get up, so


    she had to stay in bed. Eating and drinking required someone else to spoon-feed her.


    Every day, someone would push a cart around the hospital selling food and soup, and the nurse


    took the liberty to order some, charging it to Izabe''s ount.


    "Ms. Salotti, you should drink some water first." The nurse tested the temperature and carefully


    spooned the water to Izabe''s mouth.


    Izabe was awake, but her eyes were empty, which was unsettling to see.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    When the nurse fed her water and soup, she just opened her mouth, like a machine following


    instructions, swallowing stiffly.


    There wasn''t much soup in a bowl, but the nurse didn''t want to feed her too much and put it down


    after a few bites.


    The nurse used a clean handkerchief, dampened with warm water, to carefully wipe her face,


    avoiding the wounds to clean her neck and hands.


    Brett stood outside watching, his heart throbbing painfully. When the nurse came out to throw out


    the trash, he instinctively hid.


    He pushed the door open, and the nurse saw it was him but didn''t pay him any attention, wondering


    to herself why he hadn''t left yet.


    "I''ll take care of her."


    The nurse shook her head, "I can''t trust you alone. If anything happens, Dr. Amelia will me me."


    There was nothing to be unsure about, but thinking of Izabe''s state before and after, he chose to


    keep quiet.


    Brett was Izabe''s husband in name and a direct rtive. The hospital could not drive him away


    and could only verbally remind him not to stimte Izabe again. Brett promised.


    The private room was quiterge, with a separate bathroom and shower, a bed for apanying


    family, and a bedside chair that could also be used for sleeping.


    The nurse was on duty tonight, and she couldn''t watch Izabe all the time, so Brett spent most of


    the time with Izabe.


    Izabe''s face had no extra expression, stiff as if she were dead. Brett couldn''t help but look at her.


    Although this woman was right in front of him, he couldn''t feel her existence. It was as if she would


    vanish into thin air at the slightest touch.


    Brett stood by the bed, looking at the moon outside, feeling as if something had deviated from its


    original orbit.

 Chapter 110

    Chapter 110


    Brett looked at the IV tube connected to Izabe''s arm. She relied on it to sustain her as her body


    shrank and her life slowly became fainter.


    Brett didn''t know how long he had been standing there until his legs started to feel stiff. He nced


    at the clock on the wall ¨C it was already 9:30 pm.


    Izabe''s eyes were still open, seemingly not wanting to sleep.


    "You should get some sleep, Izabe," Brett said softly.


    As if hitting the shutdown button on a machine, Izabe obediently closed her eyes as soon as Brett


    finished speaking.


    Listening to her steady breathing, Brett reached out and touched Izabe''s pale face, his finger


    trembling when he saw the wound on her neck.


    "Doesn''t it hurt when you scratch it so hard?" Brett mumbled to himself, his expression a mix of pain


    he didn''t even realize.


    Brett took a deep breath, moved the bedside chair and extended it into a bed. It looked like he was


    sleeping next to Izabe.


    Hey there on his side, wanting to hold her, but knowing he couldn''t touch the fragile Izabe now.


    Unable to sleep, Brett propped up his head and watched Izabe''s sleeping face. The room was so


    quiet that he could hear the ticking of the clock.


    Late into the night, Brett suddenly heard a noise and saw a figure sitting up on the bed in the


    darkness.


    Startled, he becamepletely awake and saw Izabe sitting on the edge of the bed, her head


    bowed as if sleepwalking. After a while, she looked up towards the window and reached out her


    hand, almost falling down. Brett reached out and pulled her back by her clothes.


    He thought she was sleepwalking. But after pulling her back, he saw her eyes wide open, staring


    intently out the window.


    "Izabe, what are you looking at?"


    Izabe pointed outside. "A child is crying out there."


    Brett''s heart ached as he hugged Izabe. "You must have heard it wrong."


    Izabe tried to get up and open the window to look outside, but Brett held her tight and wouldn''t let


    her go.


    Anxious, she almost cried, shouting, "I heard a child crying! He''s outside the window, calling for me


    to help him. Let me go and see."


    "We are on the eighth floor, there''s no one outside, let alone a child."


    Stubbornly, Izabe insisted, "Then he''s below us. I want to go down."


    Her words in the middle of the night were a bit creepy. Brett pulled her leg back under the covers.


    "You''ve heard it wrong. There''s no child."


    "I didn''t hear it wrong."


    Brett covered her ears and leaned in close. "Izabe, you are having hallucinations."


    Izabe remained still in Brett''s arms, and after a while, she shook her head in a daze, saying, "It''s


    not possible. Ears don''t lie. If they did, why doesn''t he believe me?"


    Her words didn''t make sense, but Brett understood. The "he" she was talking about was himself.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Like when Kaley fell down the stairs, he believed what he heard and saw and med Izabe for


    pushing Kaley.


    "I''m sorry, Izabe. There''s no child outside. If you want children, we can have many as you want."


    Their reflection in the window showed them embracing. Izabe stared at it but looked past it at the


    night sky.


    There seemed more stars in the sky than usual.

 Chapter 111

    Chapter 111


    Izabe was in a daze, hearing the words Brett was saying.


    She thought again about the disgusting words Brett had said earlier when he brought Kaley to her


    hospital room.


    Izabe shook her head, her reddened eyes staring straight out the window, her throat choking with


    sobs.


    Brett''s heart skipped a beat, and before he could react, Izabe suddenly screamed and cried


    loudly.


    People break down in an instant, Izabe fiercely leaned back, catching Brett off guard and hitting


    his chin, he almost bit his tongue.


    Brett held Izabe''s upper body tightly with one hand and quickly pressed the call bell on the wall


    behind him with the other.


    Worried that Izabe might hurt herself again, he hurriedly held her wrists and restrained her in his


    arms.


    He was not good atforting people and even his tenderness towards Kaley was perfunctory.


    Now that Izabe suddenly went crazy, he was at a loss for what to do.


    Fortunately, the nurse rushed over after hearing the bell and brought a sedative knowing that


    something was going on.


    After being injected with the sedative, Izabe''s whole body went limp. She held her belly, mumbling


    in pain, curled up, and tears falling down her cheek, quickly wetting Brett''s clothes.


    "Why is she in pain?"


    The nurse''s face was serious, "She just had a big surgery today, so of course, it will hurt." This was


    normal, but why would someone who was just sleeping suddenly wake up and scream?


    Both the nurse and the doctor in the room couldn''t help but move their eyes to Brett. Their


    meaningful gazes were self-evident, as if he had justmitted an unforgivable crime.


    In their minds, they even imagined the beastly appearance of a man forcing a patient on the bed.


    Brett''s attention was all on Izabe, and he didn''t notice the others'' gazes. Seeing Izabe''s sweat-


    soaked temple, his heart ached.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Can you give her some painkillers? She''s in pain."


    The doctor nodded. Painkillers were always in their pockets, and when Brett asked, they gave one


    directly to Izabe.


    The nurse couldn''t help but wonder and asked Brett, "What happened? Wasn''t everything fine


    before? What did you do to her again?"


    The nurse mentioned "again", and Brett couldn''t pretend he didn''t hear it.


    Facing their questioning gazes, Brett exined the situation: "She suddenly sat up, looking out the


    window, and said she heard a child crying, wanting to go out."


    Upon hearing this, the doctor''s face stiffened, somewhat heavy.


    "What''s wrong?" Brett asked nkly, his eyes filled with rare tension.


    The doctor just shook his head and didn''t make a sound, feeling sympathetic towards Izabe.


    The more the doctor acted like this, the more uneasy Brett felt. He could see what they were


    implying from their eyes.


    With the sedative and painkiller working, Izabe soon fell asleep. Brett went out to the nurse''s


    station to get more information about her condition.


    "Experiencing auditory hallucinations, the lost child has had a significant impact on her, and it''s


    highly likely that she has schizophrenia." The doctor couldn''t confirm this without an examination


    and could only say it was a possibility. However, from the doctor''s tone, it seemed like a certainty.


    Brett stumbled backward, the disbelief clear in his eyes, unable to ept that Izabe''s condition


    had gotten this bad.


    "How could this be? She obviously didn''t care about that child, she even said she was disgusted to


    be carrying my child, even if there hadn''t been an ident, she would have aborted it anyway." So,


    why would Izabe have a mental breakdown over an "insignificant" child?


    Brett muttered to himself in disbelief, and the doctor felt confused, directly saying, "But the fact is,


    she can''t let go of that child, and has even experienced hallucinations after the miscarriage."


    Brett clenched his eyes shut and squeezed his hands tightly. He thought Izabe hated him and


    their child to the core. In order to avenge her cruelness, he even took Kaley in front of her and


    treated her like a reproductive machine.

 Chapter 112

    Chapter 112


    The next morning, Amelia called in a psychiatrist to see Izabe. She had gone home the previous


    night and had no idea that Izabe was experiencing auditory hallucinations.


    It wasn''t until the psychiatrist went in that the nurse taking care of Izabe told Amelia about the


    situationst night.


    Amelia showed no emotion.


    At this moment, only the psychologist and Izabe were in the ward, even Brett was asked to step


    out and wait quietly for the result.


    Half an hourter, there came a hysterical cry from inside.


    Izabe''s illness had red up again.


    This time the psychiatrist did not inject her with a sedative but instead tied her to the bed and stuffed


    a towel in her mouth to prevent her from biting herself and to protect her throat.


    Brett felt anxious and immediately pushed open the door and rushed in.


    "What are you doing?!" Seeing Izabe tied up tightly on the bed, Brett pissed off.


    The psychiatrist exined, "Ms. Salotti''s condition has red up, if we don''t do this, she''ll hurt


    herself."


    "Why didn''t you give her a sedative?"


    The doctor was somewhat helpless. "Have you ever seen someone injected with a sedative several


    times in one day? Too much sedative can damage her brain nerves. Her nerves are already fragile,


    it''s better to let her vent like this."


    Brett was stunned. He stared at Izabe on the bed, who was struggling in pain, her eyes dull.


    Brett wanted to go over and touch her but had to force himself to suppress the desire.


    Amelia stood at the door and nced at Izabe and then at the silent Brett. When Brett came out,


    she spoke, "are you regret now?"


    Regretting what? Brett pursed his thin lips without answering.


    Ameliaughed, whether he regretted it or not, he knew in his heart. But what use was regret? Guilt


    and self-me were the cheapest things in the world.


    Izabe struggled for 10 minutes and finally copsed on the bed, her chest heaving, panting


    heavily but gradually calming down.


    The doctor opened the door, "where is the patient''s family member, pleasee with me."


    Brett hesitated for a moment, and when Amelia entered the ward, he followed the doctor to his


    office.


    "Is the patient your wife?" The psychologist asked casually.


    "Yes."


    "She has moderate depression and schizophrenia, which causes hallucinations."


    He had pretty much known this result the night before, but when the psychiatrist confirmed it, he still


    found it hard to ept ¨C it was like a bolt out of the blue.


    "What happened before the onset of her illness? You need to tell me in detail, such as what you did


    to her and what you said." Izabe''s illness was severe. Apart from silence, she would scream


    shrilly,pletely losing her reason.


    Brett had no choice but to tell the psychiatrist everything that had happened before and after.


    After listening, the doctor could only think in his head, "Beast!"


    "After a miscarriage, a woman is at her most vulnerable, and you actually told her that you will give


    her next child to another woman?!" What was this man thinking?


    Brett''s face was cold. "I was furious at the time, and I didn''t think she would be so fragile."


    The psychologist was choked by his words. After a pause, he said, "Fragile or not, it''s no excuse for


    you to hurt her. To be honest, her current state is very bad, and the things you said to her caused


    her great harm."


    Brett couldn''t imagine what kind of pain Izabe was going through right now. He had always been


    superior in life and could not empathize with others.


    "Right now, the patient has shut herself in a dark room. I can''tmunicate with her normally, so


    the only option left is to try hypnosis. Do you agree?"


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Brett hesitated for a moment and then nodded.


    The psychiatrist took a deep breath, took out a form from his drawer, and asked Brett to fill it in.


    While Brett filled the form, the doctor entered the patient''s information into theputer and


    prescribed medication, mainly for soothing the nerves and reducing stress.


    After Brett finished filling out the form, the psychiatrist made sure everything was alright, stamped it,


    and tore off the next page to give to him.


    "Go to the pharmacy to get the medicine, and use less sedative."


    After knowing Izabe''s situation, the psychiatrist''s words somewhat subdued Brett.


    Brett took the prescription and went to the pharmacy to line up to buy the medicine without any


    dy. The daily dosage was written on the medicine box.


    When Brett came back, he found Amelia standing in the corridor, surrounded by several people,


    including both patients at the hospital and their family members, who seemed to be urgently


    discussing something with Amelia.


    Brett didn''t know what had happened and couldn''t hear the voices from a distance. It wasn''t until he


    got closer that he heard those people discussing Izabe.


    Seeing Bretting, one of the middle-aged women quickly stepped forward and asked, "You''re


    the family member of the patient in this room, right?"


    Brett''s expression remained unchanged. "What happened?"


    "What happened?" The woman sneered. "She''s been going crazy and disturbing the peace at night.


    Who knows if she''ll hurt someone when she gets sick? Hurry up and send her to the mental ward."

 Chapter 113

    Chapter 113


    "Crazy people should go to the mental hospital, so they don''t hurt others."


    ¡°You know, these days, mentally ill people can hurt others without breaking thew.¡± and others


    chimed in.


    "Yeah, they have specialized medical equipment for treating mental illnesses over there."


    "You guys should move there, it''s for everyone''s sake..."


    It turned out that the group of people surrounding them wanted Izabe to move out. Brett''s face


    grew darker and darker, and the aggressive family members of the patients around him backed


    away when they saw his anger.


    "It''s none of your business whether we move or not!" Brett said coldly. With the Windham Group''s


    financial power, if he wasn''t happy, he could just buy the entire hospital, and then they would be the


    ones who have to leave the ward.


    The people in front of him were all bullies who were afraid of the hard. In just a few words, they


    were intimidated and left with their heads down.


    Amelia watched their retreating figures and said, "If Izabe''s condition doesn''t improve even a little


    bit, she''ll definitely be transferred to the mental ward next door."


    Brett red at her.


    "ring at me won''t help. They''re right. The medical equipment and drugs over there are much


    more convenient. I hope you''re prepared and won''t hurt her anymore." Amelia said coldly as she


    turned her head.


    Brett brought the medicine into the ward. Izabe''s condition had gone better a bit, she was no


    longer as crazily shouting as before.


    The nurse sat by the bed feeding her soup, just like yesterday. Izabe didn''t show any extra


    movement or emotion other than opening her mouth to swallow the food.


    Brett''s heart tightened, and he slowed his pace, walking softly to the bedside. When he got there,


    he looked at the soup in the nurse''s hand and asked, "What''s this?"


    "Breakfast. The hospital provides soup every day. This is chicken soup."


    Brett''s face changed instantly. "She doesn''t like chicken soup."


    "Don''t feed her that. I''ll order some takeout."


    The nurse reminded, "There are some things she can''t eat."


    There was a special chart on the wall of the hospital room listing the restricted foods. Brett took a


    look and knew what to order for Izabe.


    The takeout came quickly, and Brett held a bowl, learning from the nurse, testing the temperature,


    and carefully feeding it to her.


    Izabe''s eyes were downcast, hollow, as if she was looking but not really seeing anything. Each


    time Brett fed her, he had to touch her lips with the spoon before she would open her mouth.


    The nurse who took care of Izabe was notfortable leaving her patient in his care, so she


    stood by and watched Brett''s actions. When he had fed her enough, she interrupted him, "That''s


    enough. Her stomach can''t handle any more."


    Brett noted how much Izabe could eat in a meal.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    After taking the medicine prescribed by the doctor, Izabe''s condition improved significantly. Her


    previously stiff face could now smile.


    The psychiatrist came for a checkup every day, and Brett thought that as long as Izabe stopped


    screaming like before, it meant she was recovering. But he was wrong.


    Izabe resisted everyone, not only physically but also mentally. She couldugh sometimes, but


    she had nightmares every night.


    She dreamed of her father who jumped off the building and died, and she dreamed of her unborn


    child.


    In the long run, if Izabe continued to be so dazed, she would eventually suffer a mental


    breakdown.


    Maybe she''s already broken down.

 Chapter 114

    Chapter 114


    The hypnosis session with Izabe took ce a weekter, and after that, she no longer resisted


    being emotionally touched.


    She answered whatever the psychiatrist asked, going from calm to trembling and finally choking


    back sobs.


    The invisible stones weighing Izabe down were gradually moved away, revealing her scarred


    inside.


    "Tell me about your rtionship with Brett."


    As soon as she heard the name "Brett," she tensed up her shoulders and wrapped her arms tightly


    around herself. She was terrified of the name, terrified to the point of shaking all over at the mere


    mention of it.


    The psychiatrist hurried tofort her. "Don''t worry, it''s just the two of us here, and no one else can


    hear you."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    It took a while for the psychiatrist''s reassurance to work, but eventually, Izabe opened up and


    shared her story, trembling as she recalled her first meeting with Brett sixteen years ago and how


    things had changed since then.


    The psychiatrist listened with a heavy heart and took a long time to recover hisposure. "Why do


    you obsess over him so much? You''ve loved him for sixteen whole years?"


    "Sixteen years," not sixteen days.


    Izabe shook her head, seemingly lost in thought for a moment, then murmured, "Because no one


    else has ever been kind to me."


    She was like someone desperate for hope and light in the darkness, and Brett was her light.


    But now that light was growing dimmer.


    For a seven-year-old Izabe, Brett was her salvation, but she didn''t expect fate to be so cruel - for


    him to lift her up only for them to pass each other by in the blink of an eye. She wished he had


    never saved her, knowing that the hope that once was had now turned into utter despair.


    The hypnosis sessionsted two hours, and when the doctor emerged from the room into the


    hallway, he saw Brett sitting on a long bench.


    Brett immediately got to his feet, asking anxiously, "How is she? What did she say?"


    "She talked a lot." The psychiatrist looked deeply into Brett''s eyes and said gravely, "You have a lot


    to do with her current condition. In her heart, you are her whole world."


    Brett was taken aback at the words, cutting off the doctor, "Her whole world?"


    The doctor nodded, his thoughts turning to what Izabe had just told him, continuing, "You once


    represented hope and salvation for her, but after marrying you, you mistreated her time and time


    again, giving her endless disappointment. After the child in her womb was killed, she finally broke


    down."


    "How could this be?"


    The psychiatrist furrowed his brow and asked, "Mr. Windham, do you remember the first time you


    met Ms. Salotti?"


    "It was six years ago, at a dinner party."


    The psychiatrist was surprised, for Brett''s story was entirely different from Izabe''s. "Ms. Salotti


    mentioned knowing you sixteen years ago when you saved her life at an amusement park."


    "I saved her?" Izabe had mentioned their meeting sixteen years ago more than once, but he had


    no memory of her in his mind, let alone a memory of saving anyone - something that should have


    been deeply ingrained in his mind.


    The psychiatrist found it very strange and asked, "Did you forget it as time has passed?"


    Brett immediately denied it. "Impossible. I was ten years old at that time, and my memory has


    always been excellent. Even small things from my childhood are still clearly remembered. I can''t


    possibly forget something like saving someone''s life."


    Realization dawned on the psychiatrist. "Perhaps she mistook you for someone else."


    Before he could finish his sentence, he noticed Brett''s face darken.


    If his memory was correct, then the only exnation was that Izabe had mistaken him for


    someone else. The thought of Izabe marrying him only because she thought he was someone


    else weighed heavily on his heart.


    Brett clenched his fists, trying hard to steady his breathing. Despite this, he still felt his heart being


    pulled and strained, a hint of an aching pain starting to rise.

 Chapter 115

    Chapter 115


    Brett has always been full of himself, thinking he''s the best.


    With great abilityes a big ego, and everyone always revolves around him. A strong


    background, good looks, prominent status, and talent, he nevercked admirers.


    But he has always been cold and indifferent, never really desiring anyone. That was, until he met


    Izabe, the one woman he thought he would despise for life. Unexpectedly, she shattered every


    mold he had in his heart.


    He thought that this woman loved him to death, considering how she worked tirelessly and put up


    with his bullying for four years after their marriage.


    But now, someone told him that all the goodness she showed him before was because she had


    mistaken him for someone else.


    He had been enjoying unconditional love that didn''t belong to him, Izabe wasn''t meant for him.


    Thinking about these things made his heart ache so badly. Brett held his temple and leaned against


    the wall, taking deep breaths.


    "Don''t bber in front of her. Don''t say what you shouldn''t," Brett warned, staring at the


    psychologist. It was more like a threat than a warning.


    The psychologist nervously nodded and promised, "I won''t hypnotize her again, and I''ll forget about


    what happened today."


    Brett was satisfied and didn''t want to give him a hard time anymore, so he changed the subject,


    "When will she get better?"


    "It''s hard to say. I''ll try my best to counsel her."


    "Is it that difficult?"


    The psychologist shook his head, "Physical injuries can heal with some ointment, but mental trauma


    like Ms. Salotti''s is quite serious. Psychological therapy needs to be taken step by step, and she''ll


    need to be closely monitored afterward. Also, I suggest moving Ms. Salotti to the neighboring


    building."


    The neighboring building was the psychiatric department. The psychologist knew Brett might not


    agree, so he could only advise, "Treatment and observation will be more convenient there. You can


    go and take a look at the environment first. All the rooms have soundproofing walls, so you won''t be


    disturbed."


    Brett didn¡¯t show his attitude, and the matter of transferring her slipped away.


    After the psychologist left, Brett returned to the ward and, as usual, sat by Izabe''s bedside.


    Thinking about what had just been said, his usually calm and indifferent heart began to stir.


    Izabe, who did you really think I was?


    He wanted to confront her, but he was afraid. He feared that Izabe might learn that the person


    she had wholeheartedly loved for 16 years wasn''t him.


    Brett gently brushed the stray hair from her forehead and stroked her chin tenderly.


    "If you made this mistake at the beginning, then let''s just carry on with this mistake forever," he


    didn''t think he had done anything wrong.


    Whenever Amelia was avable at the hospital, she''de to chat with Izabe, even though most


    of the time it was just Amelia talking to herself while Izabe listened quietly.


    While Brett was absent, Amelia said, "Izabe, Presley has already gone abroad. I wanted to tell


    you earlier, but you were sick, and I didn''t know how to say it to you. I thought I would wait until you


    were discharged from the hospital before telling you. Butst night, Presley called and asked about


    your condition. How should I tell him about your current situation?"


    Upon hearing the name "Presley," Izabe reacted slightly. The stiffness in her smile subsided, and


    she opened her mouth, hoarsely saying, "I''m fine."


    Hearing her speak, Amelia felt a touch of pity. "Izabe, you should talk more."


    Izabe fell silent once again.


    Amelia sighed and decided to leave after Brett returned.


    More and more people became aware that there was a mentally ill person living here. Izabe had


    gained some notoriety in R City a few months ago when she made it to the trending topics on the


    inte.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    The patients on the same floor knew not to provoke Brett, they didn''t dare to approach him as


    before. Instead, they whispered behind his back, saying unpleasant things.


    "Did you hear? That Ms. Izabe in R City has a mental illness. She''spletely crazy."


    This conversation quickly spread online. Brett didn''t spend much time online, but Liam sent him the


    news.


    That''s when he found out that, due to his momentary negligence, someone had taken a photo of


    Izabe and posted it online.


    Brett only nced at the headline and didn''t read any further. That day, he decided to quietly


    transfer Izabe to the psychiatric department.


    Not for anything else, but because it was quieter there. No one would spy on Izabe, and no one


    would discuss her being mentally ill.


    Izabe resisted Brett''s touch. Brett simply wanted to hold her sideways, but Izabe screamed in


    fright.


    After Izabe scratched him on the face the first time, Brett didn''t dare to get angry. After all, it was


    his fault that he had caused her psychological trauma.


    Ever since Brett had thrown Izabe down the stairs while holding her, she had be especially


    afraid of being held sideways.


    After being scratched a few more times, Brett gradually found a pattern. As long as he didn''t hold


    her, everything was negotiable. For example, if he held her hand and supported her, she would


    resist at first, but after struggling for a while, she would eventually give up.

 Chapter 116

    Chapter 116


    On the day Izabe left, quite a few people were standing at the door sizing them up. Although


    Izabe wasn¡¯t clear minded, she could still tell which looks were kind and which were malicious.


    And the stares of those people made her uneasy.


    Izabe suddenly felt very resistant and sped up her pace. Recently, she had a poor appetite and


    couldn''t sleep well. Both her mental and physical states were extremely weak, and she was panting


    after only a few steps.


    After getting off the elevator, Izabe leaned against the wall to catch her breath.


    "Can''t walk anymore?" Brett asked.


    Izabe didn''t answer, just stood there motionless.


    After thinking for a moment, Brett finally squatted down in front of her. "Come on, I''ll carry you."


    He had never tried to carry her before, so he was just testing it out. He didn''t expect Izabe to


    obediently climb onto his back, especially since she absolutely despised his touch right now.


    But unexpectedly, Izabe suddenly climbed on his back, and her slender arms wrapped tightly


    around his neck.


    Brett''s heart rate involuntarily sped up. Izabe was so skinny that when he carried her, it didn''t feel


    like the weight of an adult woman.


    Furrowing his brows, Brett carefully stood up and walked to the building next to the hospital.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Quite a few people were looking at them along the way, and Brett could feel her trembling. He


    spoke softly, "You can rest your face against my back, and others won''t be able to see you."


    Izabe did as he said, burying her face in Brett''s back. She should have forgotten about the past,


    but she still greedily smelled Brett''s scent, just like when she was lying on his back 16 years ago.


    Could Brett still remember that he had once carried her like this, and even gave her donuts to


    comfort that little cry baby on his back?


    There was warmth on his back, but Brett didn''t pay much attention to it.


    He had already taken care of the hospitalization procedures. The ward was quiet, just as the doctor


    previously said.


    However, this kind of silence made people feel more suffocated. At this time, all the patients were


    resting. Brett passed by a room with an open door and nced inside, only to see a disheveled


    woman sitting on the ground with her head down.


    Brett, who had a strong will, was also taken aback by this scene. He dare not think of the day


    Izabe would look like this.


    The wards here were different from others, the windows had protective bars to prevent patients from


    jumping off. The room was very clean and tidy, and the nkets were neatly folded. The


    surrounding air was filled with the scent of air fresheners. Unlike the wards full of disinfectant, this


    ce was more suitable for mental patients to rx.


    On Izabe''s first day, she was tense adapting to the new environment, and she either had


    nightmares or stayed awake at night.


    Brett was used to her condition, and after going to the bathroom, he returned to find Izabe sitting


    on the edge of the bed.


    "Do you want to go to the bathroom?" Brett asked her.


    Izabe shook her head, "No."


    "Do you want some water?"


    "No."


    "Are you hungry?"


    "No."


    "Then go to sleep." As soon as Brett''s words fell, Izabe obediently went under the covers and


    closed her eyes.


    When she woke up the next day, Brett mentioned these things, and Izabe shook her head,


    indicating that she didn''t remember anything.


    Just like before, the psychotherapist came to treat Izabe on time, and her condition was slightly


    better. There were no more signs of schizophrenia, but she was somewhat introverted.


    "It''s difficult to fully recover in a short amont of time. You should spend more time with her, care for


    her, and give her something new to focus on."


    "Okay."


    Two weeks passed, and Brett began to feel increasingly powerless, not knowing when Izabe''s


    illness would end.


    He couldn''t neglect his work, so he asked Liam to send the documents he needed to sign each day


    to the hospital, working while looking after Izabe.


    Izabe had to take arge handful of pills every day that were all essential, both from her


    psychotherapist and Amelia.


    But after taking so many pills, Izabe had noticeably improved. She was no longer so afraid of his


    touch, and sometimes she would even smile at him. Her upturned lips and shallow dimples on both


    cheeks looked pretty and cute, but her smiles were still dull.


    At noon, Brett ordered takeout for lunch. He knew what Izabe didn''t like but didn''t know what she


    liked, and it''s best for sick people to eat lighter food. He was going to order her some bone broth.


    Just as he was about to ce the order, his cell phone rang. It was Kaley calling him.


    Brett answered the call, "Hello?"


    Izabe was sitting next to him, looking directly at the contact disyed on the screen as Brett took


    the call.


    It was a call from Kaley, but Izabe had no idea what they were talking about. Brett''s tense


    expression seemed to rx a bit.


    "No need toe up, I''ll wait for you downstairs and pick it up."


    After hanging up, Brett stood up and told Izabe, "Stay here and don''t wander off. I''m going


    downstairs to get food."

 Chapter 117

    Chapter 117


    Kaley stood under the scorching sun with a thermal lunchbox, her face burned red. She couldn''t


    hide the joy in her eyes when she saw Bretting out of the building.


    "Brett, I made some soup for you and Izabe. There''s also your favorite dish inside."


    Brett looked her up and down, before finally resting his gaze on the lunchbox she''s carrying, which


    seemed pretty heavy.


    He reached out to take it, saying, "you don¡¯t need to deliver it by yourself next time."


    "I was worried you wouldn''t like takeout food."


    He''d been eating Izabe''s cooking for a while and got spoiled by it. Takeout no longer suited his


    taste. However, he couldn''t afford to be picky now. Plus, Kaley''s cooking skills weren''t much better


    than takeout. If she tried to cook for him, she''d only be wasting her time.


    "Do you want toe in?"


    Looking at the sweat on Kaley''s forehead, Brett asked. Kaley smiled, "I''d rather not. Izabe might


    not want to see me."


    Brett simply nodded, he didn¡¯t insist on inviting her, "You''d better go home early then. I have to go


    too."


    As he was about to leave, Kaley called out to him, "Brett, is Izabe getting better? I saw some


    comments online."


    Thinking of thements, Brett''s face darkened, "She''ll be fine. And she''ll be discharged soon."


    "That''s good. Call me if you need anything."


    Brett replied indifferently, "No need, Liam will handle it."


    Kaley sighed, she had expected this cold attitude from him but couldn''t help feeling sad. She only


    smiled and said, "Ok."


    She turned to leave without lingering. Brett had already built walls around him, and being clingy


    would only make him more annoyed. Kaley knew she should just be obedient and agreeable.


    As for Izabe, Kaley assumed the crazy online rumors were fake, but judging by Brett''s expression


    today, she guessed Izabe might have indeed lost it.


    Kaley''s face hardened, hoping Izabe would be crazy for the rest of her life.


    Izabe stood in Kaley''s way, and Kaley would never forgive her. She had to eliminate this


    unpredictable factor to secure her position by Brett''s side.


    Now she had given up on getting Brett¡¯s love. She¡¯s not dumb, and she didn''t want to end up like


    Izabe, clinging to something unattainable, and losing everything eventually.


    If Brett wouldn''t give her love, she''d take his money, power, and social standing - all arguably more


    valuable than feelings.


    Her phone inside the bag started vibrating. Opening it, Kaley saw the caller ID, and froze. She


    hesitated a moment before answering in the corner, a deep male voiceing through the speaker.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Kaley, I miss you."


    Kaley''s fingers trembled, "Nn, why are you calling me?"


    "Can''t I just call you casually? You have such a cold heart. I just want to catch up."


    "Nn! We ended things four years ago! I paid you a lot already, you''d better keep your promise


    and leave me alone!" Kaley''s face turned pale with anger.


    "You really think you can get rid of me with that money? Kaley, you''re Brett''s fianc¨¦. You should


    have way more money than that, right?"


    "No!" Kaley couldn''t understand why this scum couldn¡¯t leave her alone.


    Nn chuckled, "Kaley, I''ll be back in a few days, just wait for me."


    "What are youing back for?"


    "Beep beep beep-"


    He''d already hung up. Kaley, red-faced with anger, felt fear and rage. Her situation was already bad


    enough, and now Nn was interfering. What on earth was he up to?!


    Thinking of what happened before made her sick.


    Nn was behind the car ident four years ago. She gave him 30 million to go abroad, avoiding


    Izabe''s investigation.


    Now he wasing back, and she needed to figure out what to do.


    All Nn wanted was money. He was greedy and selfish. Filing a police report wouldn''t help. He


    had the guts to contact her only because he had something on her.


    She absolutely couldn''t let him ruin things with Brett.


    Kaley gripped her phone, thinking fast. After a while, an idea struck her, and a smirk appeared on


    her face.


    Nn had some influence too. She could use him to get rid of Izabe and then get rid of him


    without anyone noticing, killing two birds with one stone.

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 118


    Brett rushed into the elevator with a lunchbox and went straight to the fifth floor, finding many


    doctors and nurses crowding the hallway,forting patients in their rooms.


    As he was about to pass by, Brett heard people murmuring in the crowd.


    "Someone from the psych ward upstairs escaped and bit a person. If the doctors hadn''t arrived in


    time, it would have been disastrous."


    "How bad is the injury?"


    "She got her ear bitten. It''s all bloody and hard to see, but it looks like her ear was almost bitten off."


    "Shit¡ª"


    Brett''s face turned pale, and he pushed through the crowd, running forward. His lunchbox was


    identally bumped and flew out of his hand,nding on the floor with a loud thud. The soup and


    food spilled all over the floor, turning the appetizing meal into a disgusting mess.


    "Who the hell is that guy rushing like that? He didn¡¯t even apologize for bumping into people, and


    the mess all over the floor!"


    Brett ignored thements and continued running. He almost tripped, but managed to regain his


    bnce and kept running. All he could think about was Izabe.


    The door should have been closed when he left, but it was wide open now. Panic filled his heart as


    he burst into the room, "Izabe!"


    Izabe, who was curled up in bed, looked up at him with a stiff expression. She seemed to see


    Brett in a frantic state for the first time.


    Brett was panting, his clothes and pants soaked, his leather shoes muddy, and his hair was a mess.


    Izabe almost forgot that he was obsessive about cleanliness.


    "Are you alright?" Brett entered the room, carefully checking Izabe from head to toe. When he


    saw that she was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had feared that she might have been


    the one bitten by the patient.


    Izabe didn''t respond, and just closed her eyes to continue sleeping.


    With a bitter smile, Brett stood by her bedside.


    His lunchbox had been spilled in the hallway, so he had to order takeout.


    After cing the order, Brett looked at Izabe''s sleeping face. He couldn''t help but raise his hand


    to touch her eyes.


    His hand had just been covered in soup, so he went to wash it clean before touching Izabe.


    Though Izabe pretended to be asleep, she was very much awake. She had sensed Brett


    approaching and wanted to hide, but her body just couldn''t move.


    Brett gently touched Izabe''s forehead and nced at her clenched fist with traces of blood. He


    carefully held Izabe''s hand, rxing her fingers one by one to see the wounds in her palm. His


    lips pursed in anger.


    In just a short time of his absence, she had already hurt herself.


    After this incident, Brett didn''t dare to leave Izabe again. He even had the takeout delivered to her


    room.


    Izabe began to recover five dayster. Afterpleting her therapy, the psychologist called Brett


    for a meeting.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Izabe has something to tell you. Her emotions are now under control. Don''t push her, just listen


    to what she has to say. If you can, just listen instead of talking." The doctor had seen how sharp


    Brett could be with his words, enough to infuriate people and possibly make Izabe''s condition


    worse.


    "I know my limits." Brett went into Izabe''s room, smiling. What could she want to tell him?


    Izabe looked the same outwardly but seemed emotionally detached. Brett could feel that the


    burning passion she once had for him had disappeared.


    Izabe sat up in bed, not looking at Brett but focusing on the floor.


    Brett stopped at a safe distance from her, too afraid to get closer.


    Finally, after a long silence, Izabe hoarsely asked, "Was it me who pushed Kaley?"


    Brett''s heart pounded with anxiety.


    "I made a mistake, and you threw me off the stairs. What about her?"


    "You didn''t do anything wrong. It was my fault, and I''ve already made Kaley move out. I''ve warned


    her not to do anything like this to you again."


    With a mockingugh, Izabe looked up at Brett. "If I called the police, you''d surely protect her. If I


    wanted a divorce, you''d do everything you could to stop me."


    Brett''s heart sank. "I won''t divorce you."


    "I know." Izabe''s gaze shifted to the window bars, but it was not just them that trapped her body


    and soul.


    "After all, I''m not dead in yours hands yet, so how could you let me go so easily?"


    Brett tried to speak, but no words could exin himself.


    Izabe clenched her lips with a trembling voice, "Brett, how many times do I have to die before


    you''re satisfied?"

 Chapter 119

    Chapter 119


    She hasn''t been in a good mental state these past few weeks, most of the time she was lost in her


    hazy illusions, all she could see was her dead father and that unborn baby.


    Every time she thought about it, it hurt like hell, and it was even worse when she had to undergo


    psychological therapy.


    It was all the pain that Brett had brought her. Originally, she wanted to use the rest of her life to take


    revenge on Brett, but this guy is as strong as a brick wall.


    She overestimated herself and underestimated Brett''s heartlessness. She deluded herself into


    thinking she could make his heart warm, only to find out that Brett has no heart at all.


    "I don''t owe you anything anymore, Brett, whatever I owed I''ve paid off."


    Brett pretended not to hear, saying, "I know that you resent me. I''ll make it up to you properly.


    Except for divorce and Kaley, I¡¯ll give you whatever you want, I promise."


    Izabe didn''t want to talk to him anymore and leaned against the headboard of the bed. Her eyes


    were closed, as if wanting to sleep.


    Brett waited a moment and was about to lower the bed when Izabe opened her mouth. "I want to


    be discharged from the hospital and go home."


    "Okay."


    Izabe went on to say, "Before we leave, I want to talk to Amelia alone."


    Brett hesitated for a moment. Amelia might seem honest, but she''s definitely not on his side, and no


    one knows what she''ll say to Izabe about him.


    "You don''t agree?"


    "I''ll call her now." He had just promised Izabe, and he couldn''t go back on his word.


    Amelia came over after her patient consultation, kicked Brett out, closed the door, and the two of


    them chatted openly.


    "Are you okay now?"


    "Yeah," Izabe forced herself to stay awake. "I''m awake now, but I''m still a little slow to react."


    "That''s normal. You just recovered. So what are you going to do next?" Amelia asked.


    What could she do but wait it out?


    Izabe said, "The only thing I regret now is that day when I was in so much pain from the surgery


    that I couldn''t speak. Otherwise, I would have asked you to help me remove my uterus."


    Amelia frowned, "You still care about that baby, don''t you?"


    How could she not care? Though she was prepared to abort the baby, when the ident


    happened, she realized how reluctant she was to let go.


    "I thought I didn''t care, but the moment he disappeared from my belly, it hurt so much. I wanted to


    die with the baby." She had epted the baby deep down, even though she refused to admit it.


    "When I was in my illusions, I would sometimes hear the baby''s cries, and when I reached out to


    hold him, he turned into a pool of blood." Izabe gently ced her hand on her abdomen, where


    there would be no more response. She murmured bitterly, "That pain was enough."


    That''s what she thought, but Brett wouldn''tply with her wishes. With her uterus still intact, Brett


    would definitely have her get pregnant again, as he said before. However her body couldn''t bear the


    children, she would only lose them one by one. The thought made Izabe shiver in fear.


    Amelia changed the subject, "I have some good news for you. Presley''s research abroad has made


    progress."


    "Oh, that''s great." Izabe''s face didn''t show how happy she was.


    Amelia wasn''t quite sure how far the research had progressed, but their side told her that they have


    made progress, presumably they have developed a method that can stabilize the spread of cancer


    cells, which means that they can prolong the lives of cancer patients, which means that they are not


    far away frompletely curing cancer patients up.


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "I''ve been prescribing medication for you while you were sick, and Brett hasn''t noticed anything


    unusual." Amelia said, taking a blood sampling needle out of her pocket.


    "I need to take some of your blood and send it to Presley since we arete this month."


    Izabe stretched out her hand, "Go ahead."


    Amelia drew five vials and held a cotton swab against the puncture site to stop the bleeding. She


    didn''t leave until the blood stains had dried.


    Brett took advantage of this time andpleted the discharge procedures. Returning, he found that


    Amelia and Izabe had finished their conversation, and he did not notice anything unusual.

 Chapter 120

    Chapter 120


    Izabe had been in the hospital for almost a month. When she returned home, the vi was


    covered in dust everywhere.


    Brett was in a hurry to get Izabe home that he forgot that the house wasn''t ready yet. He quickly


    called a cleaningpany and arranged for three cleaners toe and clean the ce.


    Izabe went upstairs, found her phone under the bed, charged it, and turned it on. As soon as the


    phone was on, it kept making notification sounds.


    There were so many missed calls and unread text messages.


    She checked them one by one. One of them was from the orphanage director, another from Mr.


    Briggs, and the most frequent one was from an unknown number.


    The texts were simr. She clicked on them and already guessed who it was.


    Ryker.


    Last month, she had promised to go to the orphanage but was thrown down the stairs by Brett and


    admitted to the hospital before she had a chance to go.


    If it weren''t for these messages and missed calls, she might have forgotten about Ryker altogether.


    She clicked on the messages and read them one by one.


    "You said you''de to see me. Why haven''t youe and you''re not answering your phone?"


    "Why is your phone off? Did something happen to you?"


    "Be, please reply to my messages."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Just by reading these messages, Izabe could imagine how nervous Ryker was, waiting for her


    reply on his phone.


    After reading the messages, Izabe cleared them. In her eyes, these messages were nothing. But


    if Brett saw them, he wouldn''t think the same way.


    Izabe sent a message to Ryker telling him that she was fine and that she would go to the


    orphanage tomorrow.


    Afraid that Ryker would suddenly call her, Izabe warned him several times in a text message that


    if he called or sent messages, she wouldn''t go.


    He quickly replied with an "OK," apparently keeping his eyes on the phone waiting for her message.


    Izabe shook her head helplessly, deleted the message, and casually ced her phone on the


    bedside table to charge.


    The cleaners had arrived, and the vi wasn''t that big. In less than half a day, the three of them had


    effectively cleaned the ce.


    Brett opened the fridge, and the vegetables inside had already gone bad since they hadn''t been


    cleaned, and the meat wasn''t fresh either. He called Liam and asked him to go to the supermarket


    to buy some fresh groceries.


    " I want to go to the orphanage tomorrow." Izabe said directly at the dinner table.


    Brett put some food into Izabe''s tes and asked casually, "What are you going to the orphanage


    for?"


    "I never got my birthday gift fromst month, and my car is still there."


    With that, he remembered, "How did you leave your car there?"


    "I wasn''t feeling well that day, so I didn''t drive myself."


    "You don''t need to go. I''ll get Liam to drive your car back." Brett filled a bowl of soup and ced it in


    front of Izabe with practiced moves. "Have your soup first."


    "I want to go get it myself."


    "Eat your meal first, then we''ll talk about it."


    Brett''s attitude was clearly one of appeasement, and Izabe''s face immediately changed, "Do you


    still want to restrict my freedom?"


    "I''m not trying to limit your freedom, but you just got out of the hospital and you''re still weak. The


    orphanage is quite far from here, and what if something happens to you..." Seeing Izabe''s


    unhappy face, Brett took a deep breath andpromised first, "If you want to go, I''ll go with you."


    Brett wouldn''t restrict her freedom, but he would monitor her every move - sometimes mental


    imprisonment is more terrifying than physical restrictions.


    Izabe remained expressionless. She knew that if she didn''t agree, this issue would never end.


    The words Brett had said in the hospital were all lies to deceive her.

 Chapter 121

    Chapter 121


    Brett could tell that Izabe was in a bad mood right now, so he tried to change the subject. "Now


    you''re alone at home, do you want to hire a maid to take care of you?"


    "I don''t need anyone to look after me." Izabe listlessly sipped the broth from her bowl.


    "You can choose the maid yourself, it would be good to have someone at home to chat with you."


    He was sincerely considering Izabe''s needs, her psychologist also stated that her current


    condition was notpletely recovered and she needed someone to be with her.


    But he couldn''t always be by her side. He hadn''t gone to thepany in a month, and arge pile


    of documents needed his signature and some social events required his presence.


    After Izabe was discharged, she indeed changed. The formerly gentle and mild-tempered woman


    would now inexplicably lose her temper.


    Before her illness, when she was angry, she would just taunt Brett, but now she would hide in a


    corner concealing her emotions. If she was left unattended for a while, several new self-inflicted


    wounds would appear on her hands.


    Izabe clearly did not want his sympathy. "If you could be gentler when you hit me, I would already


    be doing much better."


    Once domestic violence starts, it doesn''t stop. Brett used to p her, but since the Salotti family


    went bankrupt, he has been less and less respectful towards her, now even more so.


    Falling from such a high ce, anything could happen. She could hit her head, and she could have


    had a cerebral hemorrhage. Losing a child like she did was considered a lighter consequence.


    Brett nced at her, lowered his head, and sipped his broth.


    Izabe propped her face with her hand, looked at the food on the table, her thoughts had long


    since drifted off somewhere else. Brett saw that she hadn''t even touched her food, his brows


    furrowed slightly. "you don''t like it?"


    "I don''t have an appetite," Even delicious food tasted like nothing right now, she couldn''t swallow.


    "You still need to eat, otherwise how will you have the strength to go out? Do you want to stay home


    forever?"


    Izabe didn''t reply.


    After lunch, Brett took the dishes to the kitchen, opened the fridge and looked at the fruits bought


    today. There were fresh berries in it.


    He washed a te and ced it in front of Izabe. Having cared for Izabe for a month, he had


    developed a habit. He skillfully held the berry by her lips, "Try it."


    Izabe frowned, her face showing impatience, she turned her face away, "Disgusting."


    Brett looked calm and indifferent. "This is how I fed you in the hospital."


    "I won''t eat it."


    Brett chuckled, throwing the berry in his hand into the trash can, pulling out a tissue to wipe his


    hands. "If you don''t want to eat, that''s fine. But you should eat more fruit. You can''t eat nothing."


    Brett had a cleanliness obsession, and wasn''t used to taking care of people. For someone as lofty


    as him, to feed someone else to eat, it was shocking.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Brett was not someone who didn''t do any housework, but his methods were not very adept. After


    washing the dishes, he took out his phone and called Liam to arrange a maid toe over. The


    age should be simr to Izabe''s, and she should be diligent and honest.


    Finding a 20-something excellent maid is not a easy thing, especially with Brett''s high requirements.


    After hanging up the call, Liam went to fulfill his task.


    Izabe sat on the couch outside, she heard everything clearly.


    She didn''t feel that Brett was considerate. She felt irritated. She clearly said that she didn''t need


    anyone to look after her, but he insisted on arranging someone toe home.


    On the surface, it was to keep herpany, but in reality, it was to monitor her actions, just like a


    prisoner.


    Izabe was growing more and more agitated, her stomach beginning to hurt. She sat with her


    knees up on the couch, her chin resting on her knees, her body curling up.


    After Brett finished the call and came out, he saw Izabe staring at the stairs. His heart jumped,


    worried that staring at the stairs would evoke her fear from that day.


    When he walked over, he realized that Izabe''s eyes were nk. She seemed to be staring at the


    stairs, but she wasn''t really seeing anything. She was just aimlessly looking at a spot, lost in


    thought.


    "Izabe." He called her.


    Izabe came back to her senses and turned her face to the window on the left.


    Izabe was holding a grudge against him. There were many barriers between them, and just the


    matter of the two lives lost was enough to keep them apart. When the doctor hypnotized Izabe,


    what Brett thought about was how to make Izabe lose her memory.


    But even if Izabe forgets those things, he will never be able to forget.


    Like that staircase. Even though it had been cleaned, he felt as if it was still covered in blood. He


    could even feel a small ghost floating around ¨C his child''s.


    Brett rubbed his temples. He must have been too exhausted recently to be thinking such


    nonsensical thoughts.


    However, he understood why Izabe would look out the window and feel like a child was crying


    when she was sick. Because that sound wasing from her heart.


    The next morning, Brett called Izabe to eat. He found a pair of shorts and jeans for her to change


    into and took her to Happy Nest Orphanage.


    Izabe propped her chin and looked out the window. Seeing a cake shop, she asked Brett to stop


    by the side of the road.


    "Stop the car, I want to buy some cakes."


    Hearing her, Brett parked the car by the side of the road and they both entered the cake shop.


    Izabe remembered that she had promised Ryker to bring him something tasty. On the way, she


    saw this cake shop, and cakes would be easy to carry into the orphanage. She bought sixty


    portions in total.


    Brett put the bags of cake in the trunk.


    It was Brett''s first time visiting an orphanage. He had heard years ago that Izabe had sponsored


    many orphans, which slightly changed his impression of her.


    From the passenger seat, Izabe nced at the signpost for the orphanage. "I want to go alone."


    Brett nced at her. "Why? Do you feel like I''m embarrassing you?"

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    Chapter 122


    Izabe didn''t say anything, she didn''t even want to look in Brett''s direction.


    "Izabe, didn''t you beg me to apany you to all kinds of ces in the past?"


    "You said, that was in the past."


    In the past, Izabe was head over heels for Brett. She thought marrying him was like hitting the


    jackpot and wanted to show him off at every opportunity.


    When Izabe said that, she thought Brett would get angry. To her surprise, he stared at her with an


    indescribable look and suddenly smiled gently, "There''s a bidding event next week, go with me."


    He firmly ordered, directly suppressing her resistance through his actions.


    Izabe nced sideways at Brett, seeing a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes.


    After getting out of the car, Brett tightly held Izabe''s hand, smiled appropriately, and he seemed


    much more gentle and approachable in the sunshine.


    Izabe struggled a couple of times but couldn''t get away, what she didn''t know was that from an


    outsider''s perspective, the two seemed like a loving couple having a small fight.


    Although Izabe tried concealing her true purpose toe here, Brett was sure she had


    something she was hiding from him.


    Upon hearing the car park, the head of the orphanage rushed out to see who it was. Seeing it was


    Izabe, she quickly called over the children from the orphanage.


    A bunch of children quickly surrounded them, politely calling "Izabe."


    "I brought some cake for you guys. You can take it and share it." She had bought plenty so


    everyone could have enough to eat.


    The children were too shy to take it, so the head of the orphanage took it and divided it among


    them.


    The head of the orphanage looked at the man next to Izabe, realizing that the two of them must


    have a significant rtionship since they were carrying suchrge bags and holding hands.


    "Ms. Salotti, this gentleman...?" the head asked tentatively.


    With a gentle smile on his face, Brett stood next to Izabe like a loving husband. "I''m her


    husband."


    "Hello, and wee."


    Brett looked at the woman in her forties in front of him, satisfied. At first, he thought the head would


    be a young man.


    Now there was nothing for him to worry about, after all, what harm could a woman and a group of


    children cause him?


    Izabe squatted down to distribute the cake from the bag while sneaking nces at her


    surroundings, but she didn''t see Ryker.


    Although Brett had put on his nice face, his natural deterrent made it difficult for people to approach


    him, he seemed out of ce in front of the children.


    The head of the orphanage nced at Brett several times, seeing that his eyes were closely


    following Izabe.


    It seemed that the rumor was wrong, saying that Brett didn''t love Izabe and that their rtionship


    was strained, she didn''t think so after meeting them today.


    If Brett didn''t love Izabe, why would he keep staring at her?


    The head shook her head secretly, thinking that Ryker would be quite upset seeing this scene, after


    all, he had been waiting for Izabe restlessly for more than a month.


    Some children were ying in the yard and hadn''te over, so the rest of the cakes would be


    distributed at lunchtime.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "Mr. Windham, have you eaten?"


    It wasn''t quite ten o''clock, so she was asking about breakfast. Brett replied coldly, "We ate before


    coming here."


    "It''ll be lunchtime soon, I''ll start preparing the meal. You and Ms. Salotti should stay here and eat


    with us today."


    Brett frowned. He wasn''t used to dealing with children and he didn''t even like them that much, but if


    it were children he and Izabe had together, he probably wouldn''t dislike them.


    Brett wanted to refuse but when he saw Izabe bent down to listen to the children''s words, he


    swallowed down his refusal.


    "We''ll see."


    This seemed like an agreement, right? It was the head''s first time dealing with Brett, and although


    she understood children''s minds, she couldn''t figure out his thoughts.


    Ryker was the cook at the orphanage, and the head paid him sry every month.


    Brett initially thought there were no other men here, but as soon as he entered the hall, he saw


    Ryker wearing an apron.


    He furrowed his eyebrows, eyes filled with caution. He suspected that Izabe had something to do


    with this man and felt threatened for the first time.


    Ryker spotted Izabe in the crowd and was overjoyed, yelling, "Be!"


    Hearing this nickname, Brett frowned. It was so intimate, even he hadn''t called Izabe like that.


    Izabe watched as Ryker ran towards her, he seemed thinner than before, but he looked


    energetic, and his hair was slightly longer. He looked like a big, happy dog when he ran, his eyes


    sparkling like stars.


    "You''re finally here."


    Izabe felt a cold chill on her back, she knew without looking that it was Brett staring at her.


    She nodded, took a piece of cake from the bag, and handed it to Ryker.


    Brett''s gaze followed Izabe''s hand to the cake. She even gave him cake.


    "Who''s that guy?" He asked.


    The head of the orphanage sensed that he might have misunderstood something and quickly


    exined. "That''s Ryker, he''s an orphan too. He grew up in the orphanage since he was a child.


    When he was brought here, he had a head injury and his intelligence stayed at the age of eight.


    He''s twenty-six now, but he couldn''t live in society because of his low IQ, so he stayed at the


    orphanage to cook."

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    Chapter 123


    When Brett heard that the guy was a good-for-nothing fool, he couldn''t help but snicker. What threat


    could a fool pose?


    But he still didn''t like the way Ryker looked at Izabe with such eagerness, as if someone was


    peeking at his hidden treasure.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Ryker happily took the cake, but then noticed that all the kids around had one too. His mood


    instantly dropped, thinking that Izabe had brought it just for him, but it turned out to be a casual


    gesture.


    Ryker had so much to say to Izabe, but he didn''t know where to start. Being slow and lonely for


    years, he had no idea how to socialize.


    Looking at Izabe, he noticed she seemed much more worn out. He had many questions about


    what might have happened during her one-month disappearance. Had she been sick or in the


    hospital?


    Before he could ask, Ryker felt a sharp, icy gaze on him. He looked into Brett''s eyes, and


    something shed quickly in his muddled mind, like a nerve being poked, causing instant headache.


    He clutched the back of his head and seemed to recall a familiar person.


    Brett''s eyes darkened when Ryker looked up.


    Ryker shrank back a step, looking at Brett and then at Izabe nearby.


    The director, being perceptive, immediately sensed the unusual atmosphere and tried to mediate,


    "Ryker, this is Mr. Windham, Ms. Salotti''s husband."


    Ryker''s expression stiffened. So Izabe was already married. And being married meant having a


    husband.


    Suddenly, he felt a bit emotional, with eyes reddening. He hurriedly replied with an "Oh," before


    turning and running off, ignoring the director calling him from behind.


    "Please don''t mind, he''s usually very polite."


    Brett stared at Ryker''s retreating figure, lost in thought. After a while, he asked, "Did you say his


    name was Ryker?"


    "Yes."


    "Why is he named that?"


    The director didn''t understand, but exined the name anyway, "Ryker was brought to the


    orphanage 15 years ago, and it was in autumn. He had amnesia and couldn''t remember anything,


    so he was given the name Ryker."


    Brett clenched his jaw, this reminded him of something.


    Fifteen years ago matched the time, but not the ce. Could Ryker be the person he thought? No,


    it''s unlikely, since the search back then took three years without result and the police dered him


    dead. He shouldn''t be alive.


    Apparently, he needed someone to investigate further. Brett had no appetite for the meal anymore.


    "Get the gifts, and I''ll send someone toe and take your carter."


    The director asked, "Mr. Windham, aren''t you staying for lunch?"


    "No need," he didn''t care about a meal, especially when it was just a cafeteria meal from an


    orphanage.


    "I don''t want to go yet." Izabe was good at enduring loneliness and could stay in the hospital for


    days without talking, but seeing so manyughing children at the orphanage made her reluctant to


    leave.


    "Do you like children?" Brett''s eyes darkened as he noticed her holding a little girl''s hand.


    If their child hadn''t been lost, she would have been almost three months in her womb by now, and


    the baby would already be kicking her.


    "Let''s go back and make one."


    Izabe''s face changed instantly, her eyes empty, as Brett suddenly realized that his words were


    precisely what she wanted to avoid.


    He hurried over and held her wrist, pulling her into his embrace. "I said the wrong thing."


    Hoarsely, she replied, "I don''t like children at all."


    "I know," he replied. If Izabe didn''t like children, she wouldn''t donate to the orphanage every year


    or bring cakes to the children there.


    He wanted Izabe to have their child and name Kaley as the kid''s guardian. That way, she could


    keep the child, and the child could inherit the Windham family''s fortune.


    Izabe suddenly felt the air around her thin, and facing the children''splex gazes, she pushed


    Brett away forcefully.


    "I''ll get the things," she said, looking at the director.


    "I''ll take you there. The storage room isn''t far from here."


    "I can find it myself. I''ll go alone."


    She wanted to go alone, but Brett didn''t want her to. He didn''t trust Ryker and didn''t want to leave


    them alone together.


    "Give me ten minutes, and I''ll be back soon." Izabe insisted, her gentle face now cold and distant.


    Clenching her fists, she said to Brett, "I just want to be alone for a while, Brett. Don''t follow me. I


    already hate you enough."

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    Chapter 124


    "Mr. Windham, why don''t you take a seat and I''ll get you a ss of water?" The director quickly


    stepped in to defuse the tense atmosphere.


    Izabe seized the opportunity to run off in the direction of the storage room.


    Brett''s narrow eyes squinted.


    He knew he couldn''t push Izabe too hard, or she''d have another episode like before.


    But with her being out of sight for a short while made him feel so anxious and restless.


    Brett hated this feeling of losing control. Just thinking about Izabe running out and possibly


    bumping into that idiot from earlier made him want to lock her up in a room for the rest of her life,


    not allowing anyone to see her.


    He was so paranoid and morbid, even thinking that Izabe having an episode in the hospital was a


    good thing. If she was sick for the rest of her life, he could take care of her properly.


    Brett sat down in a chair. Some of the orphanage''s furniture was old, like the armchair he was sitting


    in. The leather was peeling off, making it look rather shabby.


    "Can I have a cigarette?"


    The director nced at his face, then at the children nearby, and eventually nodded, "Sure."


    Brett took out his cigarette pack, picked one up and lit it. He sat in the old chair, casually checking


    his watch.


    Ten minutes. Even if Izabe went to see that idiot, he couldn''t do anything.


    The orphanage was small, she knew where the storage room was from herst visit.


    When she got there, she found the door wide open, and in the dimly lit room, she could see


    someone squatting on the floor.


    "Ryker, what are you doing here?"


    Ryker was arranging presents when he heard Izabe''s voice. He quickly raised his head, his eyes


    slightly red, he clearly cried earlier.


    "I knew you''de," Ryker picked up the gift bag. "Let me take it to the car for you."


    "No rush." Izabe looked around the storage room, which was more like a junk room as it had a bit


    of everything. She sat down, "Have a seat, let''s talk."


    Ryker hesitated, then sat down next to her, cing the gift bag by his feet. He kept his head down,


    his expression unreadable.


    "Sorry, I said I''de to the orphanage a month ago, but some thing happened."


    "What happened?"


    "Nothing big, I was sick and went to the hospital."


    Despite being an idiot, Ryker knew better than anyone that if it was just a small matter, she wouldn''t


    ignore all the phone calls and text messages.


    "Is that man really your husband?"


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Yeah," Izabe replied casually.


    "Is he good to you?" Ryker asked again.


    Izabe chuckled, "Why are you asking these questions? What does it matter to you?"


    Ryker suddenly stopped talking. Even though it was unintentional, Izabe''s remark made his heart


    ache, as if it were being stirred by a knife.


    To her, that man was her husband, the most intimate person in her life. In contrast, he was just an


    idiot she met once. There was noparison.


    "Why are you so nice to me? We only met once, right?" Izabe turned to look at him, his


    handsome face slightly visible in the dark.


    Izabe''s rxed expression suddenly stiffened.


    Ryker, looking troubled, pointed to his left chest, "It hurts here."


    Seeing Izabe unhappy made his heart ache. Seeing her injured or sick also hurt, and learning


    that she was married was almost unbearable for him.


    He couldn''t simply ignore it, and he just wanted to be good to her.


    His cryptic remark made Izabe pause beforeughing, "Don''t be nice to me, it''s not worth it."


    Izabe checked the time, she had been out for six minutes. If she didn''t go back soon, Brett would


    get angry.


    She stood up and thanked Ryker, "But still, thank you." After all, not many people in her life


    genuinely cared for her.


    Her smile was bright, but Ryker could tell it wasn''t genuine.


    As Izabe reached for the gift bag, a dark shadow darted out from a dark corner like lightning. It


    was a rat.


    Izabe was afraid of rats, but she was always calm. Even though she was scared, she didn''t


    scream.


    Ryker, on the other hand, quickly lifted his foot to crush the rat''s body and picked up a pair of old


    scissors from the ground. With force, he sliced the rat''s head off.

 Chapter 125

    Chapter 125


    The scissors were covered in rust and somewhat prickly to hold. Ryker stepped on a rat, his gaze


    turning cold. He forcefully stabbed the rusty de into the rat''s neck, and blood soaked the ground.


    Ryker stared at the dead rat at his feet, his expression turning hideous.


    Upon seeing this, a cold shiver ran down Izabe''s spine¨Cit was so creepy.


    Ryker emotionlessly used the scissors to pick up the dead rat and tossed it into the garbage can.


    He turned to look at Izabe, and his fierce demeanor vanished in an instant, reced by his usual


    innocent appearance.


    "Be, I can help you deal with anything you''re scared of, even people."


    Izabe saw a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.


    She didn''t know why Ryker emitted such chilling vibes. Fear momentarily shed through her mind.


    The next second, Ryker became panicked, realizing his actions might have frightened Izabe. He


    nced at his hands, which had no rat blood but were covered in rust marks. He wiped them on his


    pants.


    "Don''t be afraid of me. I just want you to know I can protect you."


    How could Izabe not understand what Ryker meant? "Ryker, don''t waste your time on me. We


    could never be together." She mustered her strength and said, "I should get going."


    Ryker watched her smile. He wanted to say something, but seeing her pale and tired face, he


    remained silent.


    Feeling uneasy, he stared at her retreating figure, the pain in his chest unbearable. She was so


    close, yet he felt so distant.


    He was afraid Izabe would keep her distance and avoid him. He didn''t care about anyone else,


    just her well-being.


    It was long passed 10 minutes when Izabe returned with the bag in hand.


    Brett stood at the entrance, casually saying, "You''re five minuteste."


    Izabe said nothing. Brett nced at her slightly pale face, then shifted his gaze to Ryker, who was


    nearby.


    His sharp eyebrows were filled with a cold, fierce look. He put out his cigarette, and his scrutiny


    became even more intense.


    He had a feeling something happened between the two of them, and the thought of them doing


    something behind his back annoyed him.


    As Izabe approached, Brett forcefully grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms, sniffing her


    neck.


    To others, it seemed like he was asserting his ownership.


    Regardless of others watching, Brett inhaled the scent of her neck and lifted her hair to look at the


    skin underneath.


    "Is this enough for you? Should I take all my clothes off so you can inspect me properly?"


    "Take it off when we get back." Brett tightly held Izabe''s hand as they left the orphanage. The


    orphanage head wanted to see them off but was frightened by his cold re.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Once they were gone, she asked Ryker, "Were you with Ms. Salotti the entire time?"


    Unable to speak, Ryker nodded.


    "What did you do for so long?"


    Ryker replied, "Talking, killed a rat."


    The headmistress was taken aback and realized, "There are rats in the storeroom again?"


    "Yes." Ryker responded, his gaze fixed on Izabe even as she got in the car and left.


    "Don''t look anymore. She''s already married." And even if she wasn''t, she wouldn''t be with you, you


    big dummy.


    The headmistress kept that hurtfulment to herself.


    "I know." Ryker murmured, clenching his fists as he thought of how Brett treated Izabe earlier¨Che


    showed her no respect.


    He genuinely wanted to kill that man the same way he killed that rat.


    Brett marched on, dragging Izabe with him, not caring if she could keep up.


    "Get in," he said, opening the car door for her without being too rough.


    Izabe hesitated, looking at her reddened wrists. She rubbed them and frowned at Brett, she


    wasn''t sure what he was up to.


    Why was he so angry? She''d been through enough humiliation from him, so why was he still acting


    out?


    Izabe pursed her lips, tossed the gift into the back seat, and then sat in the passenger seat,


    buckling her seat belt.


    "What''s got you so mad?"


    "I don''t like the way that moron looks at you, and I don''t like you being close to him." A coldness


    shrouded Brett''s face. "Izabe, you''d better stay away from him."


    How ironic, the mere sight of Ryker and Izabe together made him feel threatened, more so than


    he ever felt with Presley.


    "Brett, what are you thinking? What do you take me for? Do I just throw myself at any man? I''m


    already tired of dealing with you, so how would I have the energy to deal with other men?" Izabe


    mocked.


    Brett''s lips pursed tight, and he gripped the steering wheel hard.


    "Izabe, where did we meet sixteen years ago?"


    Caught off guard, this was the first time Brett had ever brought up their past. Izabe''s asked back


    calmly, "You don''t remember, do you? What''s the point of asking?"


    When she had been madly in love with Brett, she would repeatedly whisper, "Long time no see,"


    hoping he would remember their past.


    Unfortunately, some things could never be remembered, like the ring she had forcibly worn on her


    ring finger but never put on again once it slipped off.


    Now Izabe never wanted to mention their past, she''d rather keeping the happy memories sealed


    away in her heart, untainted by the present Brett.

 Chapter 126

    Chapter 126


    Brett didn''t ask any more questions, as he''d already heard about her past memory from the


    psychologist.


    It was a good thing that Izabe didn''t want to bring it up. He was worried that if she kept talking


    about it, she might remember something.


    "Izabe, my memory isn''t the best, so I''ve forgotten a lot of things from the past. But from now on, I


    will treat you right. You should stop dwelling on the past too. Let the past be the past..."


    "What right do you have to talk about the future with me, Brett? There are many things that can''t be


    left behind just by simply saying ''let it go!''"


    If one apology could solve everything, then what was the point of havingws? Brett was the least


    qualified to say such things.


    She was grateful for their encounter sixteen years ago, but now she regretted it deeply. She


    regretted ever meeting him and couldn''t understand why loving someone could be that dreadful, or


    why she even had to experience this.


    At most, she was stubborn, and she forced Brett to marry her. She didn''t control his freedom, nor


    did she force him to break up with Kaley.


    Their agreement was supposedly equal, and she had given blood to Kaley several times without


    even being thanked.


    She was fine with that. Since there was no love, they should just divorce, but somehow, he didn''t


    want to let her go, and he even slowly destroyed her life in the process.


    What did she ever do wrong to him? Why did he keep pushing her?


    "How can you say things can be left behind? Dead people can''te back to life!"


    Brett suddenly fell silent and opened the car window, letting the cold wind pour in as if that could


    help him catch his breath.


    He drove to a pedestrian street, parked the car, and then took Izabe in.


    The pedestrian street was famous in R City, it has lots of stores and street food stands, it also has


    great scenery. Many tourists came here every day.


    Brett let go of Izabe''s hand and instead crossed their fingers.


    Feeling lost, Izabe wondered what Brett was up to.


    The two walked close together like an ordinary couple. The sun at noon was at its highest, and the


    dappled sunlight filtered down through the leaves, casting a motley of light and shadow on the


    ground.


    The pedestrian street was located in an old town, with stone walls and arches, and willows nted


    by the side of the road. They held hands and walked in peace.


    Whenever they saw something delicious, they joined the queue. In a short time, Izabe had


    collected various snacks.


    Garlic butter baguette, grilled squid, fried potato wedges, and even a ss of juice.


    Brett, too, had his hands full of snacks. Watching Izabe drinking juice was just too cute.


    They passed by a restaurant, and Brett thought it looked decent so he led Izabe in. There were


    no private rooms, but each table had a wooden board dividers. They choose a table by the window.


    Izabe ced everything she was holding on the table, her eyes calm as she looked at the man


    sitting opposite her.


    Perhaps because of the sun, Brett seemed warmer and gentler than ever, especially his eyes, his


    tender gaze was something she never dared to imagine in the past.


    After looking around, Brett asked, "What would you like?"


    Izabe shook her head. "I''m not hungry."


    Brett frowned, "You have a stomach problem, you can''t just skip meals."


    The waiter brought the menu, and Brett ordered two specialty dishes and a pot of soup ording to


    his taste, not hers.


    The food came quickly, and as usual, Brett served Izabe half a bowl of soup first.


    Finally, Izabe found the courage to ask what she''d been wanting to ask all along, "What are you


    doing?"


    Brett was caught off guard and answered without thinking, "We''re having a date. Can''t you tell?"


    Izabe shook her head, "Brett, you don''t have to pretend to be nice to me." It only disgusted her


    more.


    "Don''t act like I never treated you well before."


    The sarcasm in Izabe''s eyes couldn''t be more obvious. As horrible as Brett was, he still thought


    of himself as some romantic husband.


    Brett felt uneasy under her gaze, realizing his mistake and losing even more confidence. "I said I''d


    make it up to you."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    It seemed like he hadn''t been paying attention to what she said in the car earlier, she didn''t even


    bother to make eye contact.


    "Why don''t we watch a movie after we eat, okay?"


    Izabe raised her eyes and said, "No." She, too, had once longed to go on dates and watch


    movies with Brett like an ordinary couple, but how had he responded? He said she was naive.


    She didn''t care for those things anymore. Yet here he was, dragging her into it. How ridiculous.


    Surprisingly, Brett kept his cool, continuing, "We have a long day ahead. I''ll go wherever you want to


    go, but let''s eat first. I don''t have any stomach medication in the car."


    "I don''t have an appetite. I can''t eat." Izabe stared out the window, chin resting on her hand.


    Brett followed her gaze and saw someone buying a donut.


    "Wait here, I''ll be right back." He ran out of the restaurant to buy her donuts.


    He returned and handed her the donuts. "Here, try it."


    It was a sweet-smelling, golden donut covered in chocte icing. She took it coldly, asking, "Why


    did you suddenly want to buy this?"


    "Don''t you like it?" His asked.


    Six years ago, at a party, Izabe had been holding a donut in her hand. If she didn''t like them, he


    assumed that she wouldn''t have had it.


    "I''ve never said I liked donuts." She threw the donut in the trash and her once calm face suddenly


    turned annoyed.


    Brett, too, was not happy. It was rare for him to please a woman like this, and yet she didn''t even


    give him a chance. What more was he supposed to do?


    He didn''t understand why Izabe would throw a tantrum. She didn''t even take a bite before


    throwing the donut away. Wasn''t she just staring at the donuts outside earlier?


    Not wanting the date to end on a bad note, Brett swallowed his pride. "Izabe, good girl, please


    stop making a fuss."

 Chapter 127

    Chapter 127


    Brett''s way of coaxing people was like himforting a little kitten or puppy. To him, Izabe''s


    furious rage was as insignificant as a puff of air.


    "Do you think I''m ying with you?"


    "Alright, alright, you''re not ying, let''s eat. If you don''t like donuts, it''s noted. I won''t buy it for you


    anymore." He only bought it because he thought Izabe would love it.


    Brett didn''t insist on taking Izabe to watch the movie. She didn''t feel well and wanted to nap after


    the meal, so he took her home.


    As soon as she got in the car, she leaned against the seat and closed her eyes. Her excessive


    sleepiness was due to the medication prescribed by the psychiatrist. The medicine was not good for


    her body if taken too much, but she couldn''t control her condition without it, so she had to gradually


    reduce her dosage.


    When they got home, she didn''t wake up. Brett wanted to carry her inside, but as soon as his


    fingers touched her waist, she woke up.


    It was like a conditioned reflex. She stared at him with a pair of wary eyes. In Izabe''s eyes, Brett


    saw various expressions, such as fear, terror, indifference, vignce, and confusion, but he couldn''t


    find the joy that used to be the most abundant. Brett was dumbfounded when she red at him,


    and a feeling of emptiness overwhelmed him, like he was punched in the face.


    "I saw you sleeping soundly, so I thought I would carry you up."


    Izabe didn''t appreciate his gesture. She got off the car, wobbling to open the back door to get her


    stuff.


    Having slept in the same position all the way, her body ached, especially her neck. When she tilted


    her head back, she could hear a clicking sound.


    By the time Brett parked the car in the garage, Izabe had already taken out the key, opened the


    door, and went straight to the bedroom on the second floor. She took out the gifts one by one.


    None of them were expensive, but the effort put into them by the kids was heartfelt. What''s more, it


    was her first time receiving so many gifts.


    The moreplex handicrafts were made by a group of kids working together. Izabe took out a


    clear bottle filled with colorful stars made of folded stic tubes. She shook the bottle and saw a


    row of names at the bottom of it.


    Each gift had the names of the kids, meaning that they made them with their own hands.


    Izabe felt a warmth in her heart. She put the gifts one by one in the drawer below the cab. At


    the bottom of the bag, she found a pair of exquisitely designed "donut" earrings.


    Izabe took them out and saw the name "Ryker" written on the bottom of the box.


    It was supposed to be an ordinary name that left her at a total loss, as if a big hand was gripping her


    heart and tightening it slowly.


    If it were a month ago, Izabe would never believe that she could be so attached to a big, retarded


    guy she had only met once.


    Brett hired a maid named Jennifer to help Izabe. Jennifer was 23 years old, recently graduated


    from college, and had been independent since young. There was nothing she couldn''t do. She had


    initially gone to the Windham Group for a secretary interview, but Liam brought her here to be a


    maid. This job was a radical change and a waste of her talent.


    "What did Liam do to trick you intoing here and being a maid?" Izabe couldn''t think of any


    reasonable exnation for a college graduate toe here and be a maid.


    Jennifer didn''t seem to mind and replied, "What else could it be? It''s the money. I can make double


    sry than my previous job just by working here as a maid."


    Brett hired a skilled maid, not only because she could cook and clean but also to help Izabe fight


    off boredom.


    Jennifer quickly learned Izabe''s taste and food preferences as she prepared food ording to the


    hospital''s nutritious recipes.


    "Ms. Salotti, I really think President Windham is treating you well. There were rumors that President


    Windham had someone else in his heart and that he married you only for the sake of a marriage


    alliance. But I don''t think that''s the case."


    Izabe was flipping through a book without focusing on anything. Upon hearing Jennifer''s words,


    her fingers twitched, "what is it?"


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Jennifer replied, "I mean, if he didn''t love you, he would have divorced you. I''ve been here for a few


    days, and I can tell President Windham is very considerate of you. He asks me about your daily


    activities and has even asked for romantic dating spots for couples, intending to take you out for a


    change of mood."


    Jennifer could see that Brett had feelings for Izabe, but Izabe didn''t seem to like Brett as much


    as the inte had said.


    Upon hearing Jennifer''s words, Izabe softly replied, "Is this what you think love is? Being nice to


    someone?"


    Her voice was very light, almost emotionless, with her eyes half-closed, conveying an eerily


    peaceful expression.


    Jennifer hesitated and then nodded, "Isn''t it?"


    Izabe snorted coldly, her voice full of disdain and mockery. "Do you know why he hired you?"


    "Because you''re sick, President Windham hired me to take care of you, keep youpany, and


    encourage you to eat and take your meds."


    Izabe asked again, "Do you know how I got sick?"


    Jennifer didn''t answer, she didn''t know about the incident. She had only read about Izabe''s illness


    online but didn''t ask for more details, as mental illness wasn''t a good topic.


    Izabe continued, "I was seven weeks pregnant when Brett pushed me down a flight of stairs,


    causing me to miscarry. He then shamelessly discussed with another woman in front of me at the


    hospital how many kids I should have for adoption, making me feel worse than a dog!"


    "So that''s how it happened," Jennifer said in disbelief, her ears ringing.


    Izabe put down her book, "So don''t you dare say anything nice about him to me. It will only make


    me feel more sick of him!"

 Chapter 128

    Chapter 128


    What on earth made Brett good to her anyway? Just saying a few caring words and not divorcing


    her means he loves her? Like she gave a damn about that?


    Izabe suddenly stood up, her body exuding an icy aura that forced others to hold their breath


    involuntarily.


    "You haven''t experienced what I''ve been through, so you think he''s kind-hearted." She was still


    young and easily deceived by appearances.


    At this point, Izabe had forgotten that she was only twenty-four and had been through all kinds of


    experiences in just four short years, tasting all the bitterness life had to offer.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "If he was really as great as you think he is, my life wouldn''t be so hard now."


    Did Brett think that by letting Jennifer, a stranger, say a few good words for him, everything that had


    happened could be easily wiped away?


    Izabe turned on the faucet to wash her hands, feeling like everything was like water flowing away,


    impossible to get back.


    When Brett came home from work, he asked about Izabe''s situation as usual.


    Jennifer said she was fine and then recounted the conversation she and Izabe had at lunch.


    Jennifer carefully watched Brett''s reaction as she spoke, relieved to see that his expression


    remained calm.


    "You don''t need to talk to her about this, she''s in a rebellious phase and will only find me annoying."


    Brett didn''t think he had done anything wrong and med Izabe''s illness and rebellion for


    everything.


    He had always been confident, believing that time could heal, and if he was good enough to


    Izabe, she would eventually move on.


    A drop of water wouldn''t melt an iceberg, but over time, even the tiniest drops of water could wear


    away stone.


    Did Izabe think he wasn''t treating her well enough? From now on, he would focus most of his


    energy on her.


    The next morning, Brett asked Izabe to apany him to a bidding event.


    Izabe was a bit grumpy when getting up and covered her ears with the nket when she heard


    Brett''s voice.


    Brett knew she didn''t want to see him and found him annoying, but he didn''t care, sitting on the bed


    to pull off her nket.


    "Get up, Jennifer has already made breakfast."


    With the nket pulled away, Izabe rolled her eyes and snapped, "I''m not going, why do I have to


    attend yourpany''s bidding? I''m not your employee."


    Brett finally got a response. Although her tone wasn''t very nice, he was still happy and smiled at


    her, "You looked bored at home, so get up, I''ll pick you an outfit, I want you to look good."


    He said it without looking at her, picking out an outfit from the closet and putting it on the bed, "Try


    this, you look great in red."


    Izabe got annoyed, picking up the skirt and throwing it at Brett, "Didn''t you hear what I said? I''m


    not going!"


    Brett picked up the skirt from the floor and then fiddled with his phone.


    Izabe stared at him irritably, wondering what he was up to until her phone vibrated by the bedside.


    she received a transfer of one million dors.


    Izabe picked up her phone and checked the transaction history, confirming that Brett had just


    transferred her the money.


    Brett raised an eyebrow, looking rxed after transferring the money, "Go with me today, and I''ll


    give you another million when we get back, deal?"


    Izabe wanted to say that she couldn''t be bought off with a little money, but hearing there was


    another million afterward, she suppressed her anger.


    While this may not be much money to Brett, it could make a significant difference to her.


    Just going out with him for a day would give her two million, which could be donated to an


    orphanage even if she didn''t use it.


    Izabe got up from bed, "Alright, I''ll go."


    Brett nodded in satisfaction, headed to the bathroom to run the warm water and test the


    temperature, he even put toothpaste on her toothbrush for her.


    Izabe changed into the red dress, a bold and vibrant color that was hard for most people to pull


    off, but she always pulled off almost every style and color.


    She had gained some weight in the past couple of weeks, and her figure was as good as ever.


    No matter how much she ate, her waist remained incredibly slim, the perfect hourss figure.


    Izabe sat down at the makeup table to apply makeup. She had naturally good skin, so all she


    needed was light makeup and lipstick.


    Her eyshes were thick and long, so she only needed to curl them slightly with an eysh curler.


    Women never liked to be disturbed while they got dressed, so Brett went downstairs and waited.


    It only took her a few minutes toe down, fully made up and looking fabulous.


    Brett sat at the dining table, eating breakfast Jennifer had prepared¡ªsome shrimp and pies with


    pancakes.


    Brett looked up as he heard hering down the stairs, and his eyes widened in surprise at her


    stunning appearance.


    It had been a long time since he''d seen Izabe properly dressed up like this, and she looked


    absolutely gorgeous¡ªher long hair swept up, showing off her swan-like neck and wless skin.


    This version of Izabe reminded him of their encounter at the banquet six years ago, but now she


    was more mature and had a slightlyzy attitude, her eyes showing that she didn''t care about


    anything.

 Chapter 129

    Chapter 129


    "Ms. Salotti is so stunning," Jennifer eximed.


    Yeah, Izabe was gorgeous, the kind of beauty that could make women gasp and drive men crazy.


    With Izabe like this, he just wanted to hide her away, not let her go anywhere, and just keep her at


    home for him to admire.


    Brett''s strong possessiveness kicked in, he didn''t want to share Izabe, even Jennifer seemed to


    be irritating him.


    As Izabe approached, Brett suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms, making her


    sit on hisp.


    The sudden intimacy made Izabe uneasy, she struggled a bit, but Brett''s hand around her waist


    was like a lock.


    Izabe''s face turned a little red, a stray lock of hair fell across her forehead, making her look even


    more charming.


    "God, I want to keep you locked away for the rest of my life, with no one else being able to see


    you." It''s not just talk, he really thought so. If it weren''t for considering Izabe''s illness, he would


    have done so.


    Keep Izabe "locked up" at home, cuddling and caressing her.


    He could see her every day after work, spending intimate moments together in their private space.


    "Psycho," Izabe cursed.


    Brett chuckled, leaning in and kissing her delicate corbone. "Sometimes I think I''m the one who''s


    going crazy." How else could he be so infatuated with someone he once hated so much?


    Feeling his warm lips on her sensitive corbone, Izabe shivered. "If you''re sick, take medicine. I


    need to eat, let me go."


    "Here, let me feed you." Brett controlled her body with one hand and grabbed a spoon with the


    other, scooping some food, blowing on it, and bringing it to her lips.


    Izabe nced at it and spat out.


    Brett hadn''t realized how much he enjoyed teasing Izabe, it felt like having a cat at home, wanting


    to tease it from time to time, and the more it scratched, the more he wanted to touch it¨Che didn''t


    know he liked being tortured this way.


    They had a tasty breakfast, and Izabe rinsed her mouth.


    Brett''s driver was waiting for them outside. Izabe put on some lipstick and followed Brett into the


    ck Mercedes.


    Arriving at the ce, Izabe followed Brett inside. She''d been here a few times before, therefore


    the ce was notpletely unfamiliar, but not very familiar to her either.


    This time, Brett came mainly to bid on a piece of coastlinend.


    As soon as they walked in, almost all eyes in the room fell on Izabe.


    At the center of everyone''s attention was a stunning red figure, a mermaid-tail gown adorned with


    dazzling diamonds gleaming in the light.


    With exquisite appearance, every step she took was apanied by an irresistible charm and


    laziness.


    Some were amazed, and others curious. Everyone bidding here was from the business world, and


    they were very familiar with Izabe.


    The Salotti Group was long gone, but they didn''t expect Izabe to show up here after all. Didn''t she


    and Brett have some beef? Howe Brett would bring her to such a ce? And wasn''t there a


    rumorst month that Izabe had gone insane? She doesn''t look insane at all!


    Brett narrowed his eyes and possessively wrapped his arm around Izabe''s waist, leading her to


    the front-row seats.


    He didn''t like the way those men looked at Izabe. Brett sighed secretly, regretting bringing her out


    and letting her dress so beautifully - wasn''t it just inviting attention from others?


    A waiter handed the auction list, and Brett, without even looking, threw it to Izabe. "Bid on


    whatever you like."


    With the Windham Group''s financial power, it wouldn''t be difficult to buy everything today. Izabe


    flipped through the list.


    The bidding hadn''t started yet, and many people came forward to greet Brett and hand him their


    business cards.


    The auctioneer took the stage, made some small talk and then got to the point, introducing the first


    auction item.


    The first item was a piece of jewelry, with a starting bid of 1.5 million and finally taken by a man for 3


    million.


    Hearing the number, Izabe couldn''t help but feeling surprised: usuallt the auction''s prices go from


    low to high, and the first item already reached 3 million, which speaks volumes about the higher-


    priced items.


    No wonder Brett was so serious about this auction, he obviously came for theter items.


    Izabe was bored, looking around and then just lying on the couch, ying with her phone, as if


    the auction had nothing to do with her.


    Brett picked up the list she had thrown aside. "There isn''t one thing you like here?" He thought all


    women liked jewelry and such.


    "I''m sick of it."


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    True, none of Izabe''s previous jewelry was anything less than what''s being auctioned, but she


    had sold most of it to pay off debts.


    Brett thought about the surprise he had nned for Izabe and also put down the list after flipping


    through a few pages.


    Several more auction items went quickly, until thest one appeared: Starry Brilliance Ind.


    The starting bid was 100 million, and Izabe quickly nced at the introduction, it was a good


    piece ofnd, with vastnd and promising development prospects.


    It was a private ind located at the edge of the coast, with a nice climate. However, thend was


    huge, with a high price and very few bidders.


    Brett had a good eye, and many people knew he was here for this ce and bid along with him.


    Finally, Brett won thend for 5.2 billion.


    5.2 billion. Hearing this number, Izabe frowned. In her work experience, while it was a good piece


    ofnd, it was not worth 5.2 billion.


    Not to mention the project would be costly and time-consuming, it was arge ce, and many


    things could happen during the constructions. What could be done with thisnd to make up that


    cost?


    After paying and signing the documents, Brett listened to a few ttering words. When the reporters


    outside learned that Brett had bought the ind for such a huge price, they all rushed over to


    interview him.


    "Mr. Windham, you bought the ind for 5.2 billion, what do you n to develop it into?"


    Brett had a proud and indifferent look between his deep-set eyes. When he heard the journalist''s


    question, heughed, casually put his arm around Izabe''s waist, and faced the spotlight. With his


    charming voice, he said: "I''m gonna build a yground for my wife. Starry Brilliance Ind will be


    renamed Be''s Bay from now on."

 Chapter 130

    Chapter 130


    Spent 5.2 billion on a piece ofnd to build an amusement park, the cost on it can''t be less than 1.5


    billion, with time-consuming andborious, just to entertain his own wife.


    "Mr. Windham is really good to his wife."


    "They are indeed a perfect match."


    "If I were Izabe, I would probably have fainted with happiness by now. When will I ever meet such


    a man?"


    Izabe had no idea how she was being discussed at the moment. If she knew about that one


    particr sentence, she would only scoff: you should be d you''re not me.


    Late-stage stomach cancer, family destroyed, raped like an intable doll, living an inhuman and


    ghostly existence, and still, someone would envy her?


    Izabe didn''t like interviews and was even more terrified of camera shes. She squinted and hide


    behind Brett. This scene was captured and posted online,beled as shy and evasive.


    As Brett dealt with the reporters, he cought a glimpse of the hand gripping his arm, unusually tight


    for Izabe, trembling with strength.


    Brett lifted his hand and urately took Izabe''s hand, his warm palm tightly wrapping around her


    cold fist.


    With one nce from Brett, the bodyguard cleared a path, and Brett lead Izabe away from the


    venue, hand in hand.


    Once in the car, Brett opened a bottle of water and handed it to Izabe.


    When anxious, Izabe''s mouth dried up. Her exterior seemed calm, but inside, her mind was a


    tangled mess.


    After a few sips of cold water, she suppressed her inner turmoil.


    "Why?" Izabe hoarsely asked.


    "What do you mean by ''why''?" Brett replied mockingly, feigning ignorance.


    "Why did you buy thatnd and say in front of the reporters it was to build an amusement park for


    me?"


    "I just suddenly wanted to give you a gift. Are you satisfied with this one?"


    A 5.2 billionnd, billions of engineering projects, just a gift to please her?


    "Aren''t you afraid Kaley will get jealous and make a fuss?"


    "Why do you care about her?"


    Izabe pondered, then asked, "Is thisnd really for me?"


    "Your name is on it, so who else would it be for?"


    "Since it''s mine, can I do whatever I want with it?"


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Brett didn''t respond. Izabeughed, teasing, " I''ll sell it for sure. Building an amusement park is a


    waste of time and energy." The construction would take a long time, and she might not even be able


    to enjoy it. Better to cash it in and get the money for her to do much more with.


    Brett was taken aback, obviously not expecting Izabe to say that. "Izabe, other women would


    be moved by me saying I''d build you an amusement park. Don''t you feel touched?"


    "Touched? Of course. How could I not be when I love you so much?


    I love you so much.


    Love...


    Izabe said this quite naturally, without any pauses.


    It had been too long since Brett had heard her say she loved him. Suddenly hearing it now was like


    a stone falling into a calm water surface, creating ripples that spread.


    Izabe said "love," but her gaze was cold. Brett thought it might be a mistake, but on closer look,


    she seemed indifferent and devoid of any other emotions, let alone love.


    An inexplicable anger red up in his chest, making him ufortable. Brett stopped looking at


    her, afraid that he mightsh out at Izabe if he continued.


    "Fine, ept it. But don''t even think about selling it and cashing it out."


    Izabe looked at him with amusement. She was sick, but not in the head.


    Brett''s ns became clear to her when she gave it more thought. Not all of thend had been


    transferred to her, so she had no right to touch it.


    Brett announced in front of reporters and everyone that he was building an amusement park for her


    to y in. In fact, he was just using this as a marketing strategy. Now, with them trending, people


    gossip about how loving they are and how good a man Brett is.


    Thend had just been purchased and was already receiving attention, even before the park was


    built. When it''s finally open, it''ll attract people, possibly even bing a popr dating spot for


    couples.


    Quite a cunning move.


    Brett noticed Izabe''s expressions change from contemtion to sarcasm, followed by a cold,


    mocking smile as if remembering something.


    In just a few seconds, Brett''s mood seemed to plummet along with her expressions.


    With a cold gaze, Izabe stared at the water bottle in her hand and said word by word, "Brett, when


    I was in the hospital, I wasn''tpletely unaware. I knew you were working and on the phone, I


    knew what documents you were looking at, and I knew you had ns to buy this piece ofnd from


    the beginning. I also knew that there were two ns, one was a resort, and the other was an


    amusement park."

 Chapter 131

    Chapter 131


    His n from the start was to use her to make a name for himself, saying it was all for her, asking


    her if she was touched by his actions.


    Izabe nced at him and said nonchntly, "Brett, do you think I should be touched?"


    She couldn''t help but snort withughter after speaking, it was loud and clearly in the car.


    Brett pursed his lips and leaned back in his chair. "You''re no fun, why not think about the positives?


    Being too smart isn''t always a good thing. Ignorance is bliss. Sometimes it''s okay to lie to yourself."


    As expected, Brett''s n was nothing but to use her. Izabe was reminded of the scene outside


    their door when facing reporters.


    Brett''s lies, although she knew they were false from the start, she could not control her heart. It''s


    like all the tenderness in the world has melted into her blood. But that was in the past.


    Unfortunately, she was too smart and clear-headed now, she couldn''t deceive herself anymore.


    Izabe felt bitter.


    Looking back on their four years of marriage with Brett, she loved him with no dignity even though


    she knew he was using her. She had deceived herself out of self-pity.


    She was d that she didn''t love Brett anymore, having broken free from the chain.


    "I can''t lie to myself in good conscience. I''ve lied to myself for four years, and that''s enough,"


    Izabe said hoarsely.


    Brett hated stubborn women. Although he knew he couldn''t control this rtionship, he couldn''t let


    go of it either.


    He''d always been like this, wanting what he couldn''t have.


    Even if she didn''t want to anymore, even if it caused more trouble.


    Brett took Izabe to a restaurant he had already booked.


    The restaurant was opulent, and outside the floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor was a musical


    fountain, with mellifluous cello sounds and resplendent lights shining on the water. It was


    breathtakingly beautiful.


    Izabe stared at the fountain, lost in thought, and it took several calls to get her attention.


    Brett pinched her hand and asked, "What do you want to eat?"


    Izabe looked from the fountain to his dark eyes and reached for the red wine.


    Brett stopped her, "Did you forget about your stomach?"


    Izabe withdrew her hand, touch her chin and chuckled, "Why are you suddenly so concerned


    about my stomach? Are you worried I''ll develop stomach cancer?"


    "How could you get stomach cancer?" He was as confident in Izabe''s health as ever, thinking she


    had a strong body and plenty of blood to support Kaley''s needs. He never thought she would get


    sick, no matter how much he tormented her.


    He knew Izabe had stomach problems but never imagined anything more severe, like cancer.


    The waiter brought an A5 grade steak. Izabe ordered it medium rare, and it was tender and


    delicious. She put a small piece in her mouth, "You''re very confident. But don''t worry, I won''t die


    before you do."Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Brett realized that Izabe''s hatred for him was a good thing. She had experienced so much but


    never wanted to die. As long as he was alive, Izabe would continue to live.


    Halfway through the meal, Izabe got up.


    "I''m going to the restroom."


    A waiter immediately led her to the restroom upon hearing her request.


    Izabe never expected to see her brother Lucas here.


    Thest time they met was during n''s first trial in court when Lucas pped her in front of


    everyone, calling her a bitch, a whore, and cursing her with words like poisonous snakes, never


    treating her as his real sister.


    That day, they broke off their sibling rtionship, and Izabe lost all her family members during


    those days.


    She hadn''t thought she would run into Lucas here, but after the surprise, it seemed inevitable. R


    City was only so big, with thousands of streets, and bumping into each other wasn''t exactly a


    difficult task.

 Chapter 132

    Chapter 132


    Michelin star restaurant, man, just one meal costs tens of thousands. Like this one Brett took her to,


    that''s gotta be at least a couple thousands.


    Back when the Salotti Group was still a thing, Lucas didn''t work, and all his cash came from stocks


    or her.


    Now that the Salotti Group''s gone, who would''ve thought he could stille to ces like this. And


    seeing how good he looked, guess these past few months have been pretty sweet for him.


    Izabe saw him, and her mouth just kinda hung open, like some sharp-edged stone stuck in her


    throat.


    Lucas was all cozy-like with somedy, and you could tell they had a little something going on.


    He must''ve felt her eyes on him, which caused him looking up and was all shocked for a minute


    before getting all mad and annoyed.


    Lucas said somethin'' to the woman in his arms, and she gave Izabe this oh-so-snooty look.


    Izabe just turned to leave when Lucas piped up.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Well, well, well, if it ain''t my dear little sister! What brings you here?"


    Izabe was looking real mad, just stood there like she was glued to the floor, then she managed to


    say, "If you can be here, why can''t I?"


    Lucas looked at her fancy appearance, and it really got under his skin. How could Izabe live such


    a wonderful life when she''s the one who wrecked the Salotti family?


    That sparkly fishtail gown, the fine jewelry... All added up, that''s gotta be at least a mill.


    "Brett sure knows how to take care of his sugar baby, doesn''t he?"


    Izabe didn''t wanna deal with him, she touched her earrings. "Sugar baby? We''re not even


    divorced."


    "Figured. What else would I expect from a slut like you?"


    Lucas just wouldn''t stop with the insults. Never working, just partyin'' and messin'' around. You''d


    think he''d learn his lesson after the Salotti Group went under, but nah, look at his girl all decked out


    with her fancy bracelets, ne, and earrings. Same old Lucas.


    The chick hanging onto Lucas chimed in, "Right? And I just saw online that the Windham Group''s


    CEO spent like 5.2 billion for a piece ofnd, and word is he''s building an amusement park for her."


    Hearing that, Lucas got even more pissed off.


    The woman kept stirring the pot. "Your so-called sister ain''t really sibling material, is she? Her own


    company gets bought out by her husband, and she''s out there living it up while you, her dear big


    brother, struggling. And weren''t you part of the Salotti Group too? Look at the life you''re living now."


    "And your dear sister? She''s got her tricks. I''m starting to think she deliberately handed the Salotti


    Group over to Brett."


    Lucas clenched his teeth, looking like he was ready to breathe fire.


    "Izabe, I should''ve let Dad kill you back then. You ungrateful bitch, teamed up with outsiders to


    swallow up the Salotti family legacy. Grandpa must''ve been blind to give thepany to you!"


    With a sharp, scornfulugh, Izabe shot back, "Oh? Who should he give thepany to? You?"


    Lucas didn''t reply, but the woman next to him did. "It should have been Lucas. It''s only natural for a


    man to lead the family business. Lucas is the rightful heir of the Salotti Group, and if he was in


    charge, it would never have ended up like this."


    Yeah, right. More like it would''ve gone bust in less than two years, leaving him broke and alone.


    Back in the day, Old Mr. Salotti gave Lucas a chance, but he blew the money on wine, women, and


    gambling. He never spent a single day in the office, so why would anyone trust him with their


    fortune?


    Izabe let a sly smile cross her lips as she stared down the woman. "Does the Salotti family''s


    business have anything to do with you?"

 Chapter 133

    Chapter 133


    "Lucas, look at your sister, can''t I even tell the truth?"


    "Izabe, mind your own business! What gives you the right to criticize others?" Lucas snapped


    back, "What she said is true. If you hadn''t bbed about me to Grandpa before he died, the Salotti


    Group would be mine, and we wouldn''t be bankrupt now!"


    Izabe seemed not to hear this remark, and continued to mock the woman with a faint smile on her


    face - a smile that somehow conveyed a chilling arrogance.


    Seeing her attitude, Lucas gritted his teeth in anger. "Cut the act, Izabe, I''m your brother, show


    some respect!"


    Izabe scoffed, "So, you finally remember that you''re my brother."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Lucas, I''ve got to wonder if messing around with women has made you lose your mind. You keep


    saying that it was me that stole your position, but why don''t you ask yourself, are you even capable


    of living up to what you have? Grandpa gave you a chance, but you didn''t cherish it. Instead, you


    squandered the money on women and gambling, and lost everything. He tried to teach you how to


    run a business, but did you ever listen?!"


    "For six years, I managed the Salotti Group. I held up thepany in real estate, jewelry,


    construction materials... I did everything! And it wasn''t Grandpa who appointed me as the president,


    it was the shareholders who voted for me. If you don''t believe me, call them up and ask how many


    votes I got, and how many you got!"


    At seventeen, Izabe was unanimously elected the highest decision-maker of the Salotti Group,


    while Lucas garnered no votes, being regarded as worthless mud.


    If it wasn''t for her efforts in the Salotti Group, Lucas wouldn''t have a penny to his name.


    She worked hard to make money, only to feed an ungrateful brat!


    When Izabe first took the reins, she feared that people would look down on her, so she enforced


    her decisions firmly and without mercy. And she didn''t care about connections or rtionships---


    either follow her or prove your worth.


    Many people thought her methods were too sharp, not diplomatic enough.


    Veterans of the business world advised her to be more tactful, lest she antagonize people and


    jeopardize her business.


    But Izabe did not listen. She was like a sharp sword, and she managed to carve out her own path


    in the world.


    The year Old Mr. Salotti died, the Salotti Group faced a crisis. Everyone thought the Salotti family


    was finished, but Izabe, then a college sophomore, took a leave of absence to take the helm,


    rescuing the Salotti Group from the brink.


    During those two months, she worked overtime every night, adopting Da Vinci''s sleep method. Four


    hours of work, 15 minutes of sleep, repeating this cycle and only sleeping a few hours a week.


    Negotiations, meetings, proposals,working---Izabe did it all on her own, step by step, raising


    the Salotti Group''s shares by 25 percent.


    Of all this, Lucas didn''t care. He either didn''t remember or paid no heed, but Brett remembered it


    well.


    Even though Brett was disgruntled back then, he had to admire Izabe. She was not only beautiful


    but also highly capable, making any ordinary man feel inferior in front of her.


    Lucas was feeling a little guilty, his piercing gaze now evasive. Of course he remembered about the


    vote for the election, at which Izabe was unanimously approved.


    But that didn''t matter to him now. Defiantly, he said, "So what? That only proves that they''re all blind


    to elect you! The Salotti family still went bankrupt, didn''t they?!"


    "Do I need to remind you how the Salotti family went bankrupt?" Izabe''s voice was icy cold with


    displeasure, her authority making people turn their heads.


    "I was gone for only four days, and Dad signed a problematic contract! Why?"


    Lucas'' face changed slightly as he heard this.


    Izabe''s eyes darkened, "Don''t think I don''t know what happened. Back when you went to the


    underground casino and owed arge amount of money, someone introduced you to an investment


    project. You couldn''t get money from me , so you urged Dad to sign that contract."

 Chapter 134

    Chapter 134


    Izabe walked up to Lucas with a cold expression, giving off a chilling vibe. "Lucas, you think that


    ming me for our dad''s death will make you feel better and help you pretend that you didn''t y a


    part in it? If you were a little more reasonable and kept an eye on dad instead of leaving him to sign


    that contract, he wouldn''t have died, and the Salotti family wouldn''t be ruined!"


    Throwing the me around wasn''t something new. Words could be like a knife, piercing people until


    they''re bleeding heavily.


    At this moment, when Lucas made eye contact with her, he subconsciously stepped back, his heart


    filling with fear and anxiety, like a trapped beast struggling in vain.


    The woman holding his hand clearly felt him shaking. Hearing Izabe''s cold questioning, she was a


    little scared as well.


    Now that she saw Lucas being afraid, the differences between them became very apparent, making


    her think that he was utterly useless, even afraid of his own sister.


    She pinched Lucas''s arm forcefully. "Lucas, she''s just shifting the me, putting the cart before the


    horse!"


    The sudden pain in his arm brought Lucas back to reality. After being goaded by the woman''s


    words, he raised his hand immediately.


    Izabe didn''t panic at all. With cold eyes, she stared at his raised hand, thinking that if he pped


    her, she would cut off all ties with him from now on!


    At that moment, her father''sst words to her on the phone kept reying in her mind.


    "Izabe, you take good care of your brother."


    Lucas''s p never came down as she wished.


    He withdrew his hand with a cold expression, saying word by word, "Izabe, who do you think you


    are? Everyone who has anything to do with you ends up being miserable. You''re like a disaster


    ma. You know Presley, right? Do you know why he had to go abroad? He was forced out by


    Brett! Hispany was going downhill because no one dared to work with him, and he was about


    to end up like the Salotti family. He had to go abroad to save the Felton Group."


    Lucas sneered, "You should know better than anyone why Brett was targeting Presley."


    Izabe stiffened in disbelief, her voice trembling as she asked, "What did you say?"


    Lucas paused for a moment, mocking her with a smile. "I see you didn''t know. How do you even


    have the courage to live in this world? You think you''ve married a good man and enjoy all the things


    that he brought you, while everyone around you is stripped of everything they have."


    Izabe''s mind was in a daze, and after hearing the earlier part, she couldn''t help but cover her


    mouth, biting her lower lip hard to suppress the trembling sound.


    So that was the real reason why Presley left the country.


    How could she believe that he went abroad just to study? He was researching all along in the


    country, and he already had achieved some results. Going abroad meant having to start everything


    from scratch.


    Lucasughed mockingly. He knew his sister better than anyone, and he knew that breaking her


    heart would bring her more pain than any physical harm.


    Biting her from the inside out would make her feel unbearable. Whenever Izabe saw Brett in the


    future, she would think of Presley and she would be in pain!


    Lucas revealed a triumphant smile, wrapping his arm around the waist of the woman beside him.


    She nced at Izabe, her elbow hitting her brutally as she walked past Izabe.


    Izabe staggered and hit the wall.


    "Oops, I didn''t mean it."


    Lucas nced at Izabe, though he couldn''t see her face. He just saw her slender figure slightly


    leaned forward, holding onto the wall.


    Feeling a sense of strangeness, he turned his head and said, "Serves her right, let''s just ignore her


    and go."


    Little did Lucas know, Izabe was covering her mouth while her back was turned, but she couldn''t


    stop herself from vomiting blood.


    The thick, red blood fell through her fingers onto the floor. Her stomach twisted with pain, tears


    blurred her eyes, and her ears buzzed like bees had flown into them.


    She looked at the blood on the floor, realizing she had almost forgotten the taste of blood, as it had


    been so long since shest coughed it up.


    Izabe stumbled into the bathroom and began to dry-heave over the sink. Soon, the bit of beef that


    she had just eaten along with the blood came back up.


    She hadn''t eaten much, and by the end, all that was left was stomach acid. She looked up at her


    reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing herself with her red, swollen eyes, tearful gaze, and


    makeup smeared all over her face. Her skin was as pale as a sheet, resembling a ghost.


    Izabe leaned on the sink and forced a smile at her reflection, but it only came out uglier than


    crying.


    She grabbed a tissue, moistened it, and wiped off the dirty makeup on her face, then reapplied


    some powder and lipstick. No matter how much she tried to fix her appearance, she still looked


    haggard, just like her stomach---broken beyond repair, no matter how many pills she swallowed.


    When Izabe left the bathroom, the blood stains on the floor were already cleaned up. She threw


    the tissues into the garbage bin and left to find Brett.


    She had been in the bathroom for so long that Brett was about to get up and look for her, fearing


    she was lost. Just then, he saw her walking back slowly.


    "What took you so long? I thought you got lost." Brett only noticed Izabe''s pale face after she sat


    down again.


    "What happened?"


    Izabe was out of energy and couldn''t even manage to question him. But what would happen if


    she did? Would things change? Would Presleye back?


    If she questioned him for Presley''s sake, Brett would only get angrier.


    For the first time, Izabe felt such disgust for power and influence. It was great to have in your own


    hands but it was horrible when wielded by others---It gave them control over you, making you as


    helpless as a fish on a cutting board.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "I ran into Lucas just now." Izabe rarely shared with Brett what she went through, but this time her


    voice was so weak that one could barely hear her.


    "Lucas? He''s here too?"


    "Yes."


    "What did he say to you? You look terrible."


    "We talked about the old days when I first inherited the Salotti Group. You know, when I was


    seventeen, and after my grandfather died, I left school to go to thepany, and for a while the


    Salotti Group almost copsed."


    Brett nodded. He had met Izabe during that time, so he could vividly remember that period. In


    some ways, Izabe and he were alike---they both had a tough and aggressive working style, a


    sharp personality that easily offended people. But they didn''t care about that, because they were


    good at their jobs.


    If there was one big difference, it was that he hadn''t met his match so far, while Izabe had met


    him and she had lost for the first time.


    "So, you managed to keep the Salotti Group going for six years, which is already pretty impressive."


    Brett sincerelyplimented her.


    "But it was still gone, didn''t it, Brett? I actually thought about giving the Salotti Group to you before.


    You''re stronger than me, so instead of letting it die in my hands, I should pass it on to you. Who


    knows, maybe it could even stand side by side with the Windham Group and reach new heights?"


    Too bad she overestimated the Salotti Group. Brett didn''t want to cooperate with them for mutual


    benefit; he wanted to swallow the Salotti Group whole and make it vanish from the business world.

 Chapter 135

    Chapter 135


    Three months before the Salotti Group got into trouble, its shares started to plunge. Izabe had


    thought of such an oue, but she was too afraid of her thoughts bing reality, and time and


    time again she ignored it.


    For four years, she thought she had grasped the illusion of her life, but in reality, it was Brett who


    had been using her, step by step swallowing up the Salotti Group.


    Thinking about this ironic event, she didn''t know whether it was because the guy was too heartless


    and unfaithful, or because the girl was just too silly.


    "When I first took over the Salotti Group, the old shareholders lectured me, saying I wasn''t slick


    enough, my personality was too sharp and I always insisted on doing things my own way, making it


    easy to offend people. I listened, but I didn''t make any changes." Izabe breathed slowly and


    heavily, and after a sigh, she continued bitterly, "Now I regret it."


    Brett followed up with her question, "What do you regret about?"


    "I regret being too stubborn, not knowing how to adapt, and sealing off all my escape routes. If I


    hadn''t met you and forced you to marry me, the oue might have beenpletely different."


    Izabe''s tone was heavy and sorrowful, with a sense of resignation.


    Her heart was unwilling, and she hated herck of strength.


    Brett''s face changed, but he didn''t say anything and just stared at Izabe.


    "Lucas stopped me today and said that if he had taken over the Salotti family back then, it probably


    wouldn''t have ended up like this."


    Brett sneered with deeper meaning, "He''s quite confident, huh? If it was him who took over the


    Salotti family, it might have been gone five years ago."


    Izabe propped up her chin, her lips lightly pursed together.


    If she hadn''t talked to Lucas today and heard all that, she would have almost forgotten that she


    used to be so fierce, invincible, and living life so proudly and freely.


    But when did she be like this? When did she lose her pride and dignity?


    After marrying Brett, she lost herself and her once sharp sword had be rusty.


    Izabe''s thoughts began to drift far away, and the beef in front of her had turned cold. Brett called


    the waiter to remove it and ordered some fresh seafood soup with Australian lobster.


    "Is your stomach problem caused by daydreaming while you eat?"


    Brett''s voice awakened Izabe. She stared at the porridge and stirred it slowly with a spoon.


    "Brett, I want to work."


    Brett let out a coldugh as if he had heard a joke, "Whichpany would want you?"


    Izabe was unable to find a job before, and now it was revealed that she was mentally ill. No


    matter how strong Izabe was in the past, nopany would want a mentally ill employee now.


    Izabe lowered her head and took a sip of the hot soup. She rubbed the bowl with her fingertips,


    her eyes downcast as if she was thinking about something. After some time, she said, "Didn''t you


    say before that I could work at yourpany?"


    This caught Brett off guard, "You would like that now?"


    "It''s better than staying at home with nothing to do. Can I choose any position?"


    Izabe had the ability, and Brett had always admired capable people, "What do you want to do?"


    "You bought a piece ofnd today to develop into an amusement park, right? Let me take full


    responsibility for this project. What do you think?" Izabe paused and continued calmly, "Besides,


    isn''t thend under my name?"


    She thought that Brett would have to think for a few days about such a big project, never expecting


    him to agree immediately.


    "Sure."


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Izabe felt like she was dreaming. She touched her earlobe and scooped some more soup to take


    a few more sips. Her stomach was a little sour and painful from just throwing up, so Izabe quickly


    got full.


    Brett said, "I will arrange a few people to follow you."


    Izabe understood that Brett didn''t trust herpletely. He arranged for a few people to help her


    handle things on the surface, but in reality, they were there to watch her.


    Brett thought too highly of her. She didn''t have the same means or the same amount of time as him.


    What she wanted to do was simple - the Felton Group had gotten into trouble because of her, so


    she wanted to take on this project and cooperate with the Felton Group.


    Izabe calmly replied, "Okay."


    Izabe remained quiet after getting in the car and didn''t mention anything about her uing


    work.


    The night view of R City was beautiful, with neon lights shining like stars and countless streetlights


    illuminating the way home.


    The car yed music that calmed the nerves, and she waspletely engrossed in watching the


    scenery outside.


    She wondered how long she would be able to enjoy this view. The summer in R City was short, and


    it felt like just a few days ago she was still wearing short sleeves. Now she needed to wear a coat,


    especially at night when the chilly wind blew in through the open windows.


    She couldn''t help but shiver, and suddenly, her back and shoulders felt warm. She turned to look,


    and Brett had taken off his suit jacket and draped it over her.


    Brett had drunk some wine, and his usually cold eyes were now filled with liquor, making them


    somewhat intoxicating.

 Chapter 136

    Chapter 136


    With a hint of smile in Brett''s eyes, they were deep and bright in their subtlety.


    Izabe turned her head to continue looking out of the window, feeling Brett''s gaze on her from the


    corner of her eyes. Even though his gaze was light, it was filled with a dominant pressure, like an


    arrow piercing her heart.


    Izabe said, "I wonder if it will snow this year."


    "It''s still summer, too early for that."


    R City rarely had snow; it wasn''t too hot in summer and not too cold in winter. Thest time it


    snowed was three years ago; it even made the news.


    Izabe was sensitive to the cold. In winter, her hands and feet were cold, but she liked watching


    the snow.


    "Do you like snow?"


    After pondering for a while, Izabe replied, "I wouldn''t say I really like it, but it''s rare here, and


    people tend to be drawn to rare things."


    "This winter, we can go to the north; there''s a lot of snow there. We can see the snowyndscapes."


    The music in the car was filled with a woman''s sentimental voice, whispering words of love: I''m a


    swallow from the south, why am I in love with the coldness from the north?


    Izabe followed the lyrics and said, "I like snow, but I can''t stand the cold, so you should take


    Kaley instead."


    She brought up Kaley, knowing full well it would throw a wrench into the pleasant atmosphere.


    Now, even the driver could feel the tension in the air.


    The car drove into a gentle mountain road, apanied only by a row of lonely streetlights. The


    lights were left on in the vi.


    Jennifer hadn''t gone to bed yet. As soon as she heard the car engine outside, she opened the door


    and saw Izabe getting out of the car.


    "Miss, you and President Windham are back," she said.


    "Yeah."


    "Are you hungry? Do you need to eat something?" Jennifer had made something simple after


    receiving a text message in the afternoon, knowing they would be dining out.


    Izabe shook her head, "No need."


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Despite standing so close to each other, Jennifer noticed that Brett and Izabe seemed very


    distant from each other. Was this a case of being together but disconnected?


    Jennifer closed the door after they went inside.


    It was much warmer in the room. Izabe took off her coat, threw it on the couch, and returned to


    the bedroom to take a bath and change intofortable pajamas.


    Brett had had quite a few drinks tonight, but the effect of the alcohol was not shown. He had a


    steady gait and clear speech, but when he drank, he became even quieter, and his eyes extra bright


    - the more intoxicated, the brighter they got.


    Brett took his phone out of his pocket. As soon as he connected to the inte, several messages


    popped up.


    Liam was a workaholic. Nine out of ten messages were work-rted, and one asked if Brett was


    avable.


    Brett checked the messages while rubbing his temples. They were all about Starry Brilliance Ind.


    He quickly sent Liam a reply.


    "I''ve handed over Starry Brilliance Ind to Izabe. She''ll take full responsibility from now on. Work


    with her."


    Liam sent a question mark in response, but Brett didn''t reply further. Liam sent a message saying


    he understood.


    Izabe saw the messages from Liam after she finished bathing. The phone screen was too small


    to see the content clearly, so she opened herptop and saw several ns.


    Regarding the choice of partnerpanies, Izabe browsed through the list but didn''t see the


    Felton Group.


    She took a deep breath, realizing that the Felton Group wasn''t on Windham Group''s list, and she


    had to n for the long run.


    After finishing reading the files, Izabe closed herputer and sent Liam a message, "Rest early


    and we''ll discuss it at work tomorrow."


    Liam texted back: Cool.


    Izabe took out arge handful of pills from the drawer and swallowed them all at once, She used


    to be so afraid of taking medicine, but now she can already swallow it in one gulp, and she even got


    used to the bitterness in her throat.After taking the medicine, she felt drowsy.


    When Brett came into the room after taking a shower, he sat on the bed and stroked Izabe''s hair.


    Recalling how Izabe had told him at the restaurant that she regretted forcing him to marry her, his


    heart clenched. If they hadn''t married, he would probably be with Kaley now, and Izabe would be


    with someone else. But there were no what-ifs. They were married, and she would be his forever.


    Being drunk, Brett''s emotions were a bit out of control. He ultimately pressed Izabe under him


    and ced his arm around her neck.


    Fully aware that escaping was futile, Izabe pushed against his chest, saying, "Take precautions, I


    don''t want to take birth control pills."

 Chapter 137

    Chapter 137


    Izabe opened her eyes and stared at the orange-yellow light on the ceiling. Thoughts gradually


    emerged in her fuzzy brain.


    She couldn''t refuse Brett for two reasons - One, she simply wasn''t physically capable. And two, she


    was worried that resisting him might make him mad and take away her job.


    When she really thought about it, she was basically taking improper shortcuts in her career.


    "I don''t want to take any pills," Izabe said, pushing against Brett''s strong chest.


    Brett stroked her hair, bing somewhat more clear-headed. "Do you really not want to have my


    child?"


    Izabe turned her head to avoid the heat of his breath on her lips. "That''s pretty obvious." She


    thought, unless her brain went nuts, there''s no way she would agree to have a child for this


    despicable couple. And she didn''t know what made Brett so sure to even ask her this question.


    Brett knew that Izabe''s body wasn''t well enough to have a baby. However, hearing her saying it


    without a shred of doubt made him feel heartbroken.


    Heaven and hell were only a thin line apart, and Izabe''s thoughts went nk for a moment before


    her vision turned white.


    Tears dripped onto the sheets, leaving little circles. Blue veins surfaced on her pale, delicate neck.


    Brett''s eyes seemed darker, like a vampire''s. He reached out and felt her pulsing veins, his lips


    slowly closing in.


    Women usually didn''t have as much energy as men, not to mention that she was also sick. Izabe


    closed her eyes and lost herself in her dizziness.


    She was so tired that she couldn''t even turn over. Meanwhile, Brett seemed perfectly fine, holding


    her and asionally kissing her forehead.


    After the storm had passed and calmness finally returned, Izabe found afortable position


    under the covers and closed her eyes.


    Seeing her disheveled hair and flushed eyelids, Brett thought she looked especially lovable. His


    heart softened and he hugged her, whispering like he was talking to a child, "Be."


    Izabe didn''t respond.


    He chuckled, seeming a bit crazy. Like he''d gotten his favorite toy, he leaned in and kissed the top


    of her head.


    There was a sweet smell on Izabe. It lingered in his nose and in his mind.


    "Sleep, baby."


    Izabe blocked out any thoughts until weariness swept over her.


    In her dream, she was in a dark room with the sound of chains echoing. She felt heavy and couldn''t


    breathe.


    She struggled and suddenly saw her belly growing bigger and bigger. The sound of a baby''s cry


    echoed in the room.


    Brett, holding Kaley, stood not far from her. He looked like a demon, watching her andughing


    maliciously.


    Izabe suddenly opened her eyes, panting heavily with cold sweat all over her face and her heart


    pounding.


    Her eyes burned from staring in the dark for so long. She couldn''t tell the difference between tears


    and cold sweat as she recalled the nightmares in her mind.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    The scenes were like a curse engraved into her soul. She couldn''t find any peace.


    Everything was pitch ck outside, and the man next to her breathed evenly. Izabe turned to look


    at Brett.


    It was eerily dark and quiet. The more awake she was, the more trouble she had falling asleep


    again. All she could think about was strangling Brett.


    But she didn''t have any tools or strength for that. She''d probably be shattered with a single p.


    Dragging her heavy body, she sat on the edge of the bed, wishing to cool down. After a while, she


    got up and searched through the bedside drawer, finally finding a box of contraceptive pills.


    Brett stirred, feeling the movement beside him. In the darkness, he watched as Izabe got out of


    bed and rummaged through the drawer.


    He knew it was filled with pills, including contraceptives.


    In the past, he''d had to force her to take them because he didn''t want her to carry his child.


    Whenever Izabe appeared in pain, it was because she''d taken contraceptives from that drawer.

 Chapter 138

    Chapter 138


    Izabe took out the pill, and then walked barefoot to the water dispenser to get a cup of water. She


    was about to take it when there was a movement on the bed. Izabe''s body stiffened, and she


    turned her head.


    The man who had just been asleep was now awake, sitting up in bed with the nket sliding down


    to his waist. Izabe adjusted to the dim light and could vaguely see Brett''s well-defined muscles on


    his upper body.


    "What are you taking?" Brett asked, even though he knew what Izabe was taking, as if looking for


    unrealistic reassurance.


    "Birth control pill."


    "I took precautions, you don''t need to take the pill. Taking too many can be harmful," Brett said, his


    eyes falling on Izabe''s hand.


    "Just to be extra safe." Izabe pinched the pill, threw it in her mouth as she tilted her head back,


    and swallowed it with a sip of cold water.


    Brett''s eyes became even deeper in the darkness, as he narrowed them to watch Izabe''s


    movements. His hands propped up on the bed squeezed so hard that the sheets crumpled into a


    ball.


    How afraid was she of getting pregnant with his child? Even though he''d already taken precautions,


    she was still uneasy, even if she was asleep she still had to get up and take the pill.


    Brett''s gaze was murky, like a wolf lurking in the dark, his eyes filled with a strong sense of


    coercion. Izabe had gotten used to his gaze, but she still felt frightened when he stared at her for


    so long.


    Izabe gripped the cup hard in her hand and did a heavy mental struggle before putting it down


    and walking to the bedside.


    Before she even reached the bed, Brett''s long arm reached out and grabbed her wrist. His grip was


    strong, and Izabe couldn''t break free no matter how hard she tried.


    "Don''t take the pill anymore," Brett said softly in the darkness.


    "Can you promise not to touch me then?" Izabe asked.


    Brett pulled Izabe onto the bed, "I promised I wouldn''t get you pregnant. Those pills are bad for


    your health if you take too many." He had heard that taking too many could disrupt hormone levels


    and impact the uterus. Her uterus was already fragile and difficult to get pregnant, so if she kept


    taking the pills, she might never be able to have children.


    Izabe scoffed, "Of course, I know taking too many pills is bad, butpared to the harm


    abortions can do to my body, what does it matter?"


    Suddenly, Brett loosened his grip, looking gloomily at her face.


    Izabe lowered her eyes and climbed onto the bed. Her body had grown cold since leaving the


    bed, contrasting with Brett''s warmth.


    Izabe curled up in the nket, her voice hoarse, "Brett, do you just really like forcing people?


    When I used to love you, I wanted to have your children, but you didn''t care. Now that I don''t want


    to, you''re trying to force me."


    Izabe suddenly felt confused, she closed her eyes, "Did I owe you something in my past life? Why


    do you hate me so much now and want to ruin me?"


    "I don''t hate you."


    "You''re lying."


    "Really, Izabe, I don''t hate you." If he hated her, he wouldn''t keep her around, watch over her at


    the hospital day and night, and worry about her taking birth control pills.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    It was as if a little person lived inside him, constantly urging him to take something from Izabe.


    He wanted Izabe to have his child and never be able to leave him again. He also wanted her


    heart.


    He was so greedy, wanting to swallow the person in front of him, blending her into his flesh and


    blood.


    He wanted Izabe''s body and soul, her freedom, herughter, and the reflection of himself in her


    bright eyes.


    He had once possessed all of these things but now he had lost them.


    They weren''t worth much money, but why couldn''t he let go?

 Chapter 139

    Chapter 139


    Brett spent the whole night tossing and turning, he got up as soon as the sky lightened. The first


    thing he did wasn''t washing his face or getting dressed, but lighting a cigarette while standing on the


    balcony.


    The ashtray on the table was already piled high with ash and cigarette butts. When he ran into


    Jennifer downstairs, he suddenly stopped her and asked, "Do you think I''m good to Izabe?"


    Jennifer hesitated for a moment. In her eyes, he was good to Izabe, but after hearing what


    Izabe said, she wasn''t so sure anymore.


    Seeing Brett''s bloodshot eyes, Jennifer''s heart pounded. She put on a bright smile and said, "You''re


    exceptionally good to your wife!"


    Brett asked thoughtfully, "How can you tell?"


    Jennifer couldn''t quite put her finger on it, but she felt that the man in front of her did like Izabe.


    Fortunately, she had seen thetest news yesterday.


    "Didn''t you spend a fortune bidding for an ind yesterday to build a theme park for her? 5.2 billion


    dors! And she obviously loves theme parks," Jennifer racked her brains and gave numerous


    examples.


    Jennifer indeed spoke from the heart. When she saw the news, she was so envious that it nearly


    killed her. If a rich and handsome man spent that much money to build a theme park for her, she''d


    be on cloud nine.


    Thus, Brett was genuinely good to Izabe, at least not like some men who only talked the talk but


    didn''t walk the walk.


    Brett foundfort in Jennifer''s words, and his gloomy expression eased.


    When he went to the office and bumped into Liam, he asked the same question.


    "Do you think I''m good to Izabe?"


    This question left Liam dumbfounded. He struggled to think of positive examples, but all he could


    see were images of Izabe''s pale and weak face. To be honest, he couldn''t see how Brett was


    good to Izabe. But should he be frank about it?


    Liam carefully nced at Brett. His expression was as imprable as his thoughts.


    Brett didn''t get an answer and grew impatient. "What? Is it that difficult to answer my question?"


    Liam quickly shook his head and, for the sake of not getting fired, he reluctantly lied: "You''re really


    nice to Ms. Salotti."


    Brett sat in his office chair, leaning back against the soft backrest. He was wearing a shirt with the


    sleeves rolled up, revealing his muscr arms.


    He opened a drawer, took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and asked casually, "Name some


    examples of how I''m nice to her."


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Liam was more quick-witted than Jennifer, and he blurted out some nonsense without thinking. "You


    helped Ms. Salotti''s father with his funeral, and your speech in front of the reporters yesterday was


    so touching that even I, as a man, was moved. Plus, you trust her so much, and you''re giving her


    the responsibility of handling the Starry Brilliance Ind project."


    With the cigarette between his fingers, Brett tapped his hand on the armrest of the chair. The ashes,


    along with the dying sparks, fell to the floor. He muttered to himself, "So why is she still so cold to


    me? Does she hate me?"


    Liam was at a loss for words, scratching his head and struggling to find somethingforting to


    say.


    Finally, after a while, he came up with a reassuring response: "President Windham, women are like


    water. You have to go with the flow and pamper them. Don''t force your thoughts onto them. Once


    they get used to some habits, and they can''t live without you, they''ll appreciate your goodness."


    Brett raised an eyebrow and nced at him. "You''re quite knowledgeable about rtionships. Have


    you ever been in one?"


    Liam felt a bit embarrassed. "Well, you know, I haven''t had the chance."


    "Armchair strategist," Brett sneered. "Get the materials for Starry Brilliance Ind ready for Izabe.


    When shees to the officeter, you''ll apany her."


    "Am I going to be her assistant from now on?"


    "Is there a problem?"


    "No, no problem at all," Liam quickly shook his head. Not only did he have no objections, but he


    was actually quite satisfied. Izabe seemed much easier to get along with than Brett.


    "Help her and make sure she doesn''t get tired."


    "Absolutely," Liam shed an ingratiating smile. "You''re truly considerate towards Ms. Salotti."


    Brett snuffed out his cigarette.

 Chapter 140

    Chapter 140


    Under the clear sky and bright sun, the sunlight was blocked by the thick curtains, and only a slight


    glow seeped in through the crevices. In the half dark room, Izabe woke up, feeling sour pain all


    over her body. She sat up and gradually got used to the pain before standing up and walking to her


    wardrobe. Opening the cab, she took out a set of professional clothes. As she was putting them


    on, she suddenly saw a box of medicine in the trash can.


    Picking it up, she recognized it as the medicine she had takenst night. She remembered putting it


    back in her drawer.


    Now it was in the trash can, obviously thrown away by Brett.


    Izabe gripped the medicine box, biting her lower lip so hard that it hurt. She remembered the


    nightmare fromst night, and Brett''s gaze in the shadows, which made her feel terrified.


    A chill ran from the soles of her feet to her palms, and she squatted on the floor trembling with fear.


    She was afraid that the nightmare woulde true, knowing so well what kind of person Brett was.


    He was heartless and had no feelings for her; it was all about possession.


    It was like holding a kite in his hand, loosening and tightening his grip, making her fly high but


    unable to escape his control. She was desperately struggling, while Brett was just ying along.


    For the power-hungry Brett, it wasn''t about his love for her; it was about asserting his control. So a


    child was just a tool for him to control her, and he didn''t care about who would raise it, what the


    future would be like, or any potential problems that might arise.


    She was really scared, truly scared.


    Izabe recalled a movie she had seen, where a woman was kidnapped and sold to the mountains.


    At first, she wanted to escape, but she was locked up and forced to be pregnant, eventually


    giving up on the idea of escape.


    So sometimes mental imprisonment was even more terrifying than physical ones. Once resigned to


    her fate, it was almost impossible to escape.


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    She was afraid of bing the woman in that movie, of being powerless to resist Brett. In her


    nightmare, she was locked up at home, helplessly watching her belly grow bigger day by day.


    Her phone rm suddenly went off, which interrupting her thoughts. Izabe turned it off. She


    plucked the medicine out of the box and put it in the bottle containing the vitamins.


    She wanted to shake off the image of having a child in her head, but the more she tried, the clearer


    it became.


    At breakfast, Jennifer made soft-boiled eggs. Izabe found them easy to swallow, but when she


    poked the surface and the yolk poured out, her body suddenly reacted violently. She covered her


    mouth and ran to the bathroom to vomit.


    She tried to hide the blood in her vomit, rinsing the toilet as she threw up.


    Jennifer, however, misunderstood Izabe and thought she was throwing up because of pregnancy.


    Standing outside the bathroom door, she listened to the sounds inside and began to worry. She


    poured a cup of warm water for Izabe to drink when she came out.


    "Ms. Salotti, drink some water to feel better."


    Izabe was a bit weak after vomiting, and her hands were trembling. She took the cup and rinsed


    her mouth to get rid of the disgusting taste before saying "Thanks" in a hoarse voice.


    Jennifer asked her, "Ms. Salotti, do you have some good news?"


    Izabe frowned, not understanding the meaning behind her words. "What good news?"


    Jennifer whispered, "You know, being pregnant."


    "I''m not pregnant."


    "Then why are you vomiting so badly? Is it your stomach acting up?" Jennifer looked at Izabe''s


    pale face. "This won''t do. I must call Dr. James."


    Jennifer was anxious, partly because she was really worried about Izabe, and partly because she


    was afraid Brett woulde back and ask her about it, and she immediately took out her phone.


    Izabe reached out and held her hand down "No need to call, I have stomach medicine."


    "But..."


    Izabe said "I''m really fine, it''s just an old problem, just take some medicine and I''ll be fine, just


    don''t tell Brett."


    "Why don''t you tell him?" Jennifer didn''t understand, it was the first time she had seen a couple in


    this mode, if it was so hard, why didn''t she tell her husband? Wouldn''t she want to be cared for?


    Wouldn''t she want to be loved?


    "Just don''t want him to worry." Izabe blurted out a lie, "You''ll know when you get married."


    Jennifer thought, that she didn''t want to fall in love at all, that she still had a great youth, that she


    didn''t want to enter the grave of marriage early.

 Chapter 141

    Chapter 141


    After reading the news about Brett and Izabe online, Kaley had a fit of rage at home. She


    smashed all themps and decorations on the cab to the ground and even pped Trista.


    Her eyes were red, her carefully applied makeup was ruined by tears, smearing her face into a


    mess. Her hair was disheveled, making her look like a psycho.


    "Ms. Cot," Trista covered her face, her eyes filled with fear. She never imagined that someone


    who was usually so calm could be so irritable and even hit her.


    "Get out!" Kaley hoarsely shouted.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    After Trista left in annoyance, Kaley copsed on the ground, picking up her phone from the floor.


    The news headlines all read "Brett and Izabe''s Romance."


    If they were in love, what did that make her?


    It was her who met Brett first, and she was the one who had been with him all along!


    The praises for Brett''s deep affection for Izabe felt like heavy thunderbolts striking Trista''s heart,


    causing aching echoes that pierced her to the core.


    She had to reevaluate the years she spent with Brett, and fragments of memories shed through


    her mind.


    Suddenly, her phone vibrated, bringing Kaley back to reality. Subconsciously hoping it was Brett


    calling to exin, she flipped over the phone and saw the number she least wanted to see.


    ¡ªNn.


    She clenched her phone tightly, struggling with her thoughts. As the ringtone was about to end, she


    answered the call.


    A mocking voice immediately came from the other end, "I thought you wouldn''t answer my call."


    "What would you do if I didn''t answer?"


    Nn paused andughed, "Then I would keep calling again and again."


    Kaley took a deep breath. "Are you threatening me?"


    "Kaley, how could I threaten you when I love you so much? I miss you. Let''s meet at our usual


    ce."


    Kaley remained silent, listening to the voice on the phone. "After four years, this hotel is still the


    same. Kaley, I want to see you at 6 o''clock tonight."


    Kaley gritted her teeth and, after a long while, managed to squeeze out a word from her throat.


    "Fine."


    *Nn was satisfied and hung up the call.


    Kaley tightly held her phone and stood up, going upstairs to change her clothes. She tidied up her


    makeup, but no matter how much she tried to conceal it, the redness in her eyes remained visible.


    Kaley was furious at the thought of Izabe and Brett being so affectionate while she had to deal


    with Nn, this disgusting man.


    The huge difference distorted her expression even more. She tightly gripped the curlingb in her


    hand, the teeth of theb digging into her palm, leaving dense imprints, but she couldn''t feel the


    pain at all.


    Izabe, I want you dead! Dead! Dead!


    Trista was downstairs preparing dinner when she heard themotion outside. She turned around


    and saw Kaley, with a sulky expression, carrying a bag as if she was about to leave.


    "Ms. Cot, are you going out again?"


    "Yes, I won''t be back tonight." Kaley put on her high heels and thought for a moment. "Remember to


    keep your mouth shut and don''t let Brett know I''m going out."


    Trista clearly felt the chill radiating from behind Kaley''s sunsses. She quickly nodded and


    watched as Kaley got into the car and left. Trista touched her still sore face and shook her head in


    disbelief.


    Kaley arrived on time for the appointment. The "usual ce" Nn mentioned was where they used


    to meet four years ago.


    ces like bars, where rtionships between men and women were impure, often led to something


    happening after drinking. The first time Kaley and Nn met, it was an unexpected urrence.


    Since then, this man had been pestering her, iming to love her. Kaley''s eyes revealed a


    contemptuous look. If she didn''t have money, would he love her?


    Looking at the room number in the text message on her phone, Kaley took the elevator to the fifth


    floor. After confirming the room number several times, she knocked on the door.


    After waiting for a few seconds, there was a noise from the door handle, and it opened from the


    inside.


    Nn had just taken a shower and he was wrapped in a towel. Steam filled the bathroom behind


    him, and Kaley could smell the scent of body wash.


    Nn had decent looks, blond hair, an earring in his left ear, and a wicked smile on the corner of his


    mouth. His face could be described as "rakishly handsome."


    He exuded a sense of non-seriousness, andpared to Brett, he was like someone from the


    underworld while Brett was from the heavens.


    He was not even remotelyparable to Brett.


    "Do you want to take a shower?"


    "No." Kaley didn''t have a good attitude towards him and entered with a stern face, "why did you call


    me here?"


    Nn licked his lips and hugged Kaley from behind, yfully lifting her hair to his lips.


    "We haven''t seen each other for so long. Don''t you miss me?" His heavy breath sprayed onto her


    neck, tickling her.


    I wish you were dead. Kaley cursed inwardly, her expression stiffed as she bit her lower lip.


    Nn could feel her resistance as he held her. The smile on his face grew deeper. He lifted Kaley


    and threw her onto the bed, affectionately saying, "I''ve missed you so much in these four years,


    thinking about you every moment of every day."


    Kaley turned her head aside without struggling. Since she hade, she was prepared, but she


    still felt disgusted when Nn started saying sweet words and kissed her.


    She carried various emotions in her heart¡ªdisgust, hatred. Why did Brett treat Izabe so well?


    With this hatred, she took it upon herself to hook Nn''s neck, twisted with the thought of getting


    back at Brett in this way.


    He refused to touch her from the beginning, right? Then she would sleep with other men. Kaley was


    not unloved.


    Nn held Kaley, his eyes half-closed. He could sense that she had something on her mind. This


    woman had malice deep within her; she was skilled at disguising herself. But four years ago, he had


    seen through her tricks and knew what mattered most to her.


    "Nn, do you want money?"


    Kaleyy on him like a snake, seemingly soft and boneless, but in reality, her teeth were coated with


    venom. One wrong move and someone would perish in her embrace.


    Nn wasn''t afraid, and he cupped her chin. "Of course I do. Who doesn''t like money?"


    Kaley grabbed the hand that was holding her chin with one hand and seductively said, "Then help


    me kill someone."


    Nn raised an eyebrow, his expression not surprised. "Who do you want dead?"


    "Izabe Salotti." Kaley''s face remained calm, but her eyes revealed her hatred. She wanted


    Izabe dead. She stubbornly believed that once Izabe was dead, everything would return to its


    original path, and Brett would be hers forever.


    "It seems that the ident you staged four years ago was in vain. You haven''t dragged Izabe


    down yet."


    Kaley was someone who could be ruthless to herself, always resorting to any means necessary.


    Unfortunately, the carefully nned ident only helped Izabe, serving as her wedding gown.


    There was mockery in Nn''s tone. Kaley pretended not to hear it. "Once you kill Izabe, Brett will


    marry me. I''ll give you as much money as you want."


    Nn sneered, "If I kill someone for you and Brett finds out how Izabe died, I won''t be far from


    death either. It''s killing two birds with one stone. Do you think I''m a fool, Kaley?"

 Chapter 142

    Chapter 142


    Kaley was dumbfounded, she didn''t expect Nn to figure out all of her ns.


    A wicked glint shed in Nn''s eyes as he grabbed Kaley''s chin, as if he was about to crush her


    bones.


    Kaley''s face turned pale, and a painful moan escaped from her tightly pressed lips.


    "Kaley, haven''t you figured out Brett after four years? His heart belongs to Izabe, not you. Even if


    Izabe dies, he won''t marry you."


    "You''re talking nonsense!" Kaley suddenly went crazy, "He said he would marry me, and he will!"


    "And you believe him?" Nn loosened his grip and gently patted Kaley''s face.


    The gesture seemed gentle, but his eyes were full of mockery, like he was patting a dog.


    Kaley pushed away his hand in disgust and picked up her clothes from the ground.


    "Why can''t you just be with me, Kaley? I can treat you well too."


    But in her eyes, Nn was nothingpared to Brett, and his kindness didn''t hold any value.


    "If you really want to be good to me, help me get rid of Izabe. I hate her. As long as she''s dead,


    Brett will definitely marry me. We''re on the same side now, and as long as I''m happy, you''ll be


    happy too."


    Nn thought that Kaley was quite persuasive, but he also found an loophole.


    "What makes you think that Brett will marry you after Izabe dies?"


    To win Nn''s trust, Kaley had to tell the truth and reveal the secret she''d kept for six years.


    "Six years ago, Brett nearly drowned. He thought I was the one who saved him."


    This woman had some serious guts to im the title of lifesaver. No wonder Brett kept her around


    for six years.


    He had thought of Kaley as a soft pillow, but he didn''t expect this pillow to be filled with needles,


    ready to stab anyone at any moment.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    For a moment, Nn didn''t know whether to call Brett stupid or blind for not seeing the carnivorous


    flower that was Kaley.


    "Who actually saved Brett?"


    "I don''t know." Brett had fallen into the water at night, when everything was pitch ck. By the time


    he was saved, he was unconscious. After being sent to the hospital, Kaley stayed by his side the


    entire night.


    She hadn''t nned to take credit for it, but when Brett woke up, he was convinced that she had


    saved him.


    It was then that Brett started treating her well and even said he would marry her.


    "But don''t worry, it''s been six years. He won''t find out."


    Brett was no good person for being in his current position.


    Kaley''s ns were none of his business. Keeping himself safe was more important, but Nn


    couldn''t help but be tempted by her words.


    Both had their own agendas. Seeing Nn not budging, Kaley grew anxious. She picked up her


    bag and took out a card. "This is 10 million, take it. Brett won''t find out. Nn, I know you have


    connections in R City, and you''re the only one who can help me."


    Nn looked at the card in her hand, his Adam''s apple bobbing. He did have connections, but


    getting rid of Izabe was too risky.


    He took Kaley''s card. "You need to give me some time to think."


    When he pocketed the card, Kaley knew he had agreed. She hooked a charming smile, and kissed


    his chin.


    "Nn, you''ll be rewarded once this is done."


    Nn pinched her waist, then flipped her onto the bed. "Well, I''m curious to see what kind of reward


    that is."

 Chapter 143

    Chapter 143


    Izabe went to the Windham Group early in the morning to do the onboarding process to take over


    the Starry Brilliance Ind project, and spent the morning talking with Liam before holding a


    meeting in the afternoon.


    Izabe hadn''t been to work for almost half a year, Liam thought she wouldn''t be able to adapt right


    away, but he didn''t expect her to sort out the n they had prepared for several months in just a few


    hours.


    All that can be said is, she really deserves to be President Windham''s woman.


    Izabe was wearing an professional outfit, with a shirt and a wrap-around half skirt entuating


    her slender figure, her long hair tied back in a high ponytail, exuding both professionalism and


    femininity.


    When everyone arrived, Izabe took her seat at the head of the table, swept her eyes over those


    present, and said, "Let''s get started."


    The meetingsted two hours, and Izabe hadn''t worked at this intensity for a long time. She had


    been busy from morning till 5 p.m., only managing to take a few bites of her lunch, and now she


    was both parched and a bit hungry.


    Izabe had no choice but to end the meeting, overturning several design ideas and requesting


    reworks, as well as assigning people to conduct market research.


    The Starry Brilliance Ind project wasrge in scale, and in addition to the main amusement park,


    other attractions such as a food court needed to be created. There were many opportunities to be


    taken advantage of, and if done well, there was no chance of losing money.


    After the meeting, Liam told Izabe, "Ms. Salotti, President Windham is waiting for you in his


    office."


    As she twirled her pen and looked at theputer, Izabe didn''t even raise her head and asked,


    "What''s he waiting for?"


    Liam reminded her, "Of course he''s waiting for you to go home. It''s time to get off work, Ms. Salotti."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Izabe replied emotionlessly, "I''ll work a little longer. If you have anything urgent, you can leave


    first."


    As an assistant, how could Liam leave before his boss? Deep down, he felt like Izabe was setting


    him up.


    Besides, Brett had asked him to "assist" Izabe, which actually meant handling the entire project.


    Liam curiously nced at herputer screen to see what she was busy with, but his expression


    stiffened when he saw the content.


    "Ms. Salotti, the Felton Group isn''t on our list of partners."


    "Well, it is now," she replied, as the decision maker for the project; she would decide who to partner


    withter on.


    It was because of her that Presley was sent abroad and that the Felton Group suffered heavy


    losses and was on the verge of bankruptcy. She had to make amends.


    Izabe looked stubborn and Liam knew that there was no point discussing it further. He watched


    her call the Felton Group to make an appointment.


    The appointment was set for 9 a.m. the next day at the Felton Group office.


    It was unheard of for the Windham Group to actively visit a potential partner for cooperation.


    Izabe was determined to make the partnership happen and sign a legal contract as quickly as


    possible. Only then would she feel at ease.


    After hanging up the phone, it was almost six o''clock. Izabe packed up herputer and checked


    her phone. There were a few messages from Brett asking her when she would get off work so they


    could go home together.


    As Izabe walked out of the office in her high heels, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness from the


    rxation after the tense work. Her body was now difficult to adapt to. It sometimes was hot,


    sometimes was cold, stirred with goose bumps, and she could feel the subtle pain as the fabric


    rubbed against her flesh.


    She frowned slightly and sent a message to Brett: "I''ming downstairs."


    "I''ll be waiting for you at the parking lot."


    Brett parked his car in the most conspicuous spot. He leaned against the car door, smoking a


    cigarette, the smoke drifting away in wisps. When he saw Izabe, he instinctively pinched out the


    cigarette, ignoring the pain in his fingertips and threw it into the trash bin.

 Chapter 144

    Chapter 144


    As Izabe walked out of thepany, the refreshing evening breeze blew away the chaos in her


    head, but her stomach started to feel ufortable.. She needed to find a ce to sit down quickly.


    Izabe saw Brett''s car, and she hurried over to it.


    Brett snuffed out his cigarette, opened the car door, and got into the driver''s seat. After seeing


    Izabe buckle her seatbelt, he tossed a bag to her from the backseat.


    Izabe held the bag and asked, "What is this?"


    "Open it and see."


    Upon opening the bag, Izabe found a cup of milkshake packed securely. Even though Brett had


    thrown it roughly, it didn''t spill.


    "I heard from Liam that you didn''t eat much at lunch," Brett paused before continuing, "I know your


    stomach isn''t in the best condition, and there''s a new healthy fruit and vegetable milkshake ce


    nearby. I''ve tried their stuff, and it''s not bad. This is their popr avocado milkshake."


    Not wanting to make a fuss, Izabe sipped the milkshake. She had worked the entire day and was


    worried about her stomach acting up. In the morning, she had vomited blood once, and she didn''t


    want to do so again in front of Brett.


    Izabe inserted the straw, the temperature just right.


    As Brett nced at her, he started the car and drove off.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Once on a smooth road, he asked, "You want The Felton Group to participate in the Starry Brilliance


    Ind project?"


    Izabe let out a neutral hum in response.


    Brett had two spections. One - Izabe knew about his n against the Felton family. Two - from


    the beginning, she wanted to take over the project not because she was free, but to pave the way


    for the Felton family.


    So, was she doing this for the Felton family or for Presley alone?


    Neither answer would satisfy him. Brett hoped Izabe would focus on him instead of an


    insignificantpany.


    As for the second possibility, the thought of her going to such lengths for Presley made Brett feel an


    overwhelming wave of jealous rising in his chest.


    Izabe was unfazed by Brett''s dark gaze, drinking a few sips of her milkshake. Her stomach had


    started to feel better. She now had the energy to confront Brett.


    She told him, "At dinner the day before yesterday, Lucas told me about your n against the Felton


    family."


    It turned out just as he thought. Brett unconsciously furrowed his brows.


    Izabe sipped half of her milkshake, put the bag away, and gazed out of the car window. With her


    ponytail now fallen, she appeared soft in the dim light. Her closed lips and half-lowered eyes


    reminded Brett of her appearance at the hospital and the words Liam had told him.


    Women were made of water and should be treated gently.


    People say that women are easy to coax. However, Izabe didn''t seem like water to Brett. Instead,


    she seemed fiery,pletely disregarding other people''s feelings and causing them immense pain.


    "What if I don''t agree to the Felton Group''s involvement?"


    Izabe looked at him, forced a smile, and spoke gently, "My mother died early, and apart from my


    grandfather, both my father and brother in the Salotti family saw me as a thorn in their eyes. They


    wished for me to die early. During my unhappy childhood, the Felton family was my safe haven, and


    they treated me like family ."


    "Brett, the reason you targeted the Felton Group is clear to both of us. Since I know that now, I have


    to ''make up'' for this. One should never forget their roots and be grateful."


    Without the Felton Group, Izabe wouldn''t have joined the Windham Group. To please Brett, she


    had been carefully choosing her words, worried that an idental slip-up would upset him and


    disrupt her n.


    After saying that, Izabe pulled a document from her bag and said, "I admit that I took on this


    project out of personal feelings, but I won''t let my emotions affect my work. This is a list of potential


    companies we''ve considered, with their pros and cons already marked down."

 Chapter 149

    Chapter 149


    Izabe got in the car, the windows closed so tightly that no air could get in. It was autumn, and the


    temperature wasn''t too low, but she broke out into a cold sweat.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    The driver nced at the rearview mirror and saw the sweat on her forehead. "Are you hot? Do you


    want me to turn on the air conditioning?"


    "I''m not hot," Izabe shook her head, gripping her fingers tightly. "I''m cold."


    Out of fear, yeah. How could she not be scared? She knew Lucas was a jerk, but she didn''t expect


    him to owe a whopping ten million.


    Ten million for Brett was like a grain of sand, but for Izabe, it was a mountain that could crush her.


    Izabe looked out the window, her face seemingly covered in a thinyer of ice, ready to shatter at


    the slightest touch.


    She nced at the time. It was only two o''clock and she was expected by three.


    Nevertheless, Izabe was quite impatient. Once she arrived at her destination, she paid her fare


    and exited the car. This was R City''s infamous underground gambling den. She had passed by this


    ce before, but she never went inside.


    There were mainly two types of people who came here: the wealthy and the poor. Two extremes.


    Instead of going in right away, Izabe found a coffee shop to sit in and started thinking about what


    she would do next, how she would negotiate with the people inside, and how Lucas had gotten


    himself into debt with them.


    She had a week toe up with five million in cash. Even if she drained her body of blood, it


    wouldn''t be enough.


    Izabe usually hid her emotions when she was out, sitting calmly as if she had lost her soul, rather


    than thinking.


    The piping hot coffee was served, and without thinking, she grasped it. It was as if she couldn''t feel


    the heat at all until the waiter reminded her, but her hands were already red from the scalding.


    In the face of the waiter''s concerned look, all she did was wave her hand and say, "It''s fine."


    Izabe had never liked the bitterness of coffee and only drank it when she couldn''t cope with work.


    She used to add a lot of sugar---so much so that others would feel nauseated just looking at it. Yet


    to her, no matter how much sugar she added, the coffee still tasted bitter.


    After being diagnosed with gastric cancer, she followed Presley''s advice and quit coffee. Now that


    she was drinking it again, she found that it wasn''t as bitter as before.


    Once she finished her coffee, she checked the time again. It was already five o''clock, so she called


    Brett.


    The waiting tonested for ten seconds before the call was eventually hung up. Izabe


    remembered that Liam had told her in the morning that Brett had an important meeting in the


    afternoon.


    She sent a text to Brett, informing him that she had something to take care of and would be home


    late.


    After sending the text, Izabe settled her bill.


    She looked at the room number the other party had sent her on her phone and headed towards the


    underground den. The ce was vast, and the rooms were confusing, so she asked a waiter to lead


    her there.


    Izabe arrived half an hour earlier than the agreed time, and the waiter knocked on the door.


    After a long wait, the door was opened from the inside. Music and flirtatious voices spilled out into


    the hallway.


    The VIP room was huge, filled with purple-blue lighting. Izabe quickly scanned the room before


    taking a proper look at the man standing in front of the door.


    Her first impression was that he was very tall and muscr. He wore a short-sleeved shirt, and his


    bulging arms were as thick as her thighs. He emitted a horrifying aura.


    Izabe steadied herself and calmly asked, "Where''s Lucas?"


    With that mention of Lucas, the man knew who she was. The burly man turned his head, his voice


    deep. "Boss, Ms. Salotti is here."


    "Let her in," came the voice she had heard over the phone.


    The man stepped aside to let her in. "Come in."

 Chapter 150

    Chapter 150


    In the huge private room, a few middle-aged men in suits sat on the sofa, each apanied by


    one or two beautiful women.


    Izabe''s appearance was well-known in R City, and as she entered, the lights in the room seemed


    to dim, making the other beautiful women apanying the men look in.


    Izabe nced around, finally fixing her gaze on the man sitting in the middle. She finally


    understood why the voice on the phone had sounded familiar.


    Although this was her first time in an underground venue, she had some understanding of its


    background and knew the name of the person who established it.


    Heckter Dees casually waved at her and said, "Ms. Salotti, have a seat."


    Izabe was mainly here to take Lucas away, but after looking around, she didn''t see him. She


    stood still and asked, "Where''s Lucas?"


    "Go, bring him up," Heckter ordered his subordinate.


    The waiter left after delivering the new drinks, and the door was left open. Izabe stood in the


    center of the room, facing everyone''s gaze, she was neither shy nor nervous.


    After a while, she heard noises from outside, and the bodyguard kicked Lucas into the room.


    Lucas fell face-first on the ground, his hands tied behind him, unable to move. His eyes darted


    around in panic, but when he saw Izabe, they lit up. He crawled towards her on his knees:


    "Izabe, take me away quickly."


    Izabe frowned, there was a hint of annoyance in her eyes. She took a card out of her bag, "There


    are 4.5 million dors in this card. Extend the repayment term for the remaining 5.5 million."


    Heckter raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. He had always liked working with direct people,


    but it was rare to see someone as brisk as Izabe, who didn''t ask a single question and just


    handed over the money.


    Heckter lit a cigarette, his eyes half-closed, "I appreciate the trust, Ms. Salotti."


    "If someone else owed 10 million, I might have to consider the problem. But him," Izabe nced


    dismissively at Lucas on the ground, "losing 10 million is normal for him, and I believe Mr. Dees


    wouldn''t try to swindle me."


    Heckter flicked the cigarette ash and signaled his subordinate to check the money on the card


    Izabe handed him.


    "It is indeed 4.5 million."


    Heckter: "When do you n to pay the remaining 5.5 million, Ms. Salotti?"


    The original agreement over the phone was a week, which would be impossible for Izabelle toe


    up with.


    Izabe answered honestly, "A week is too tight. I can''te up with that much money. Can you


    give me a month?"


    "I might ept a month, but the interest has to increase. You have to give 7 million."


    The original $5.5 million rose by $1.5 million in a month, which was an umon increase even for


    high-interest loans. It seemed they had decided to take advantage of her.


    "Can''t afford that much, Ms. Salotti?" Heckter''s face showed a hint of malice.


    Izabe stood still, her pupils shrinking slightly.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "And what if I can''t?"


    "Just like what I''ve said on the phone, I will break his hand and send him to prison." Thisrge sum


    of money would be enough for Lucas to spend a few years in jail.


    Heckter was not kind, once Lucas went to prison, he''d arrange a few people to "take care" of him,


    and Lucas might die without even knowing how.


    Izabe''s hand tightened slightly, and she stared coldly at the onlookers around her.


    After a moment, she smiled softly, stood in front of Lucas, and suddenly raised her foot and kicked


    him hard in the abdomen!


    Izabe put a lot of strength into this kick, and Lucas curled up on the ground in pain, cursing and


    yelling in pain.


    No one had anticipated Izabe''s actions.


    Heckter''s hawk-like eyes were filled with curiosity, and his smile froze on his lips.


    "To be honest, we don''t have any feelings beyond the blood ties," Izabe said. "Mr. Dees, if you


    want to threaten me with him, I''m afraid you''re mistaken. Give me a month to pay back the 10


    million dors, or forget it."


    Dealing with someone like Heckter meant she had to be colder and fiercer than him. She could


    never let him take advantage of her; it''s better to fight and die together.


    Heckter asked, "Since you two don''t have much of a rtionship, why did youe here today?"


    Izabe''s foot remained on Lucas, she smiled, then sighed helplessly, "The 10 million dors was


    for buying off our sibling rtionship, but if it exceeds my ability to afford it, his life or death has


    nothing to do with me. I can''t risk myself to save him, can I? And besides, he''s really not worth 10


    million dors."

 Chapter 151

    Chapter 151


    Izabe spoke her mind, and before Heckter could say anything, Lucas, who was lying on the


    ground, couldn''t take it anymore and cursed at Izabe.


    "Izabe, you bitch! I''ll drag you down with me even if I die! You slut!" Ugly words kept spewing from


    his mouth.


    Izabe''s eyes gradually darkened, and a sneer of disdain appeared at the corner of her lips. "Keep


    cursing, and I swear I''ll cut your tongue off!"


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Lucas suddenly felt his tongue shiver, and he shut his mouth in an instant.


    People who mix around in the criminal underworld always carry a hostile aura with them. However,


    the aura that exploded from Izabe just now was even stronger than theirs.


    Heckter sat not far away, looking at Lucas on the ground and then at Izabe''s face. He narrowed


    his eyes, examining her.


    How could Izabe remain so calm in the face of her brother''s cursing and malicious curses, as if


    nothing had happened? She was eerily calm.


    It seemed that, just as she had said, there was no extra emotion between the siblings.


    Izabe was one of the most unique women Heckter had ever seen, both in terms of appearance


    and temperament.


    The man holding the POS machine nced at Heckter.


    Heckter pinched out the cigarette in his hand. "One month is fine, we bothpromise, but you


    have to drink this bottle of wine on the table."


    Heckter smiled and pushed the red wine in front of him over.


    Izabe was uneasy. She came alone today without any help, and everyone in the room was


    Heckter''s subordinates. If she tried to confront them head-on, it would be like a moth to a me.


    To go with the flow was her only choice for now. But she couldn''t touch alcohol as she had gastric


    cancer, and it had been a long time since she had a rpse. She wondered how long she could


    hold on.


    Izabe sneakily nced at Lucas and gritted her teeth. "Give me the IOU first."


    Heckter''s subordinate took out the prepared IOU, and after Izabe confirmed it was correct, she


    asked, "Is it true that as long as I drink this wine and sign today, you will let me leave safely?"


    Had she only just started to be vignt now? Heckter''s eyes were dim, and he nodded.


    Izabe took the wine bottle, pulled out the cork, and the strong aroma of the red wine filled the air.


    It felt low-proof but was actually easy to get drunk on.


    Back in her early days, Izabe had drunk a lot of this wine during work socials and had built up her


    alcohol tolerance. It would have been easy for her to finish a bottle before, but now her body might


    not be able to handle it.


    Izabe grabbed the wine bottle, tilted her head back, and directly poured it down her throat.


    It had been so long since she had a drink and her throat was finding it difficult to swallow. Izabe,


    with no change in her facial expression, took three sips and then stopped to wipe her reddened lips.


    "Ms. Salotti, you can hold your liquor quite well."


    Izabe yed along, "It''s alright, I''m no match for you guys."


    Heckter smiled warmly, his eyes lingering on her slender neck as she tilted her head back.


    The blurry light in the private room blurred her delicate facial features. Ordinary people would blush


    when they got drunk, but she turned pale instead. Her already fair cheeks seemed somewhat


    translucent in the dim light.


    There was music ying in the room, people were making amotion, and it was very noisy.


    Izabe''s ears were buzzing, and she suddenly felt a spasm in her stomach. She whimpered in


    pain, but no one heard her.


    She struggled to swallow, and after downing two-thirds of the bottle, Izabe paused for a moment,


    her lips stained with a touch of bright red.


    Lucas didn''t notice it, even though they were close to each other. He thought it was just the wine.


    Actually, it was Izabe''s blood. She was being tormented by pain, her consciousness scattered,


    her hands and feet weak, and she was both nauseous and vomiting blood. She forced it back down


    her throat when it reached her lips.


    She was d she was drinking red wine; even when she vomited blood, no one would notice.


    She couldn''t afford to be looked down upon in this situation.


    As Izabe finished the entire bottle of red wine, she felt nothing but unbearable stomach pain. She


    could hardly maintain her fake smile, and with one hand she put down the wine bottle while holding


    tissues to cover her mouth with the other.


    After a while, with a hoarse voice, she asked, "Is that enough?"


    "Time to sign."


    Heckter''s subordinate handed Izabe a pen. She took it with trembling hands and squatted down.


    The bottle of wine wasn''t enough to make her dizzy, but for some reason, she couldn''t see the


    letters on the paper clearly. They jumped around like they were alive.


    After signing with a shaky hand, she dropped the pen with a "tter" on the floor. Izabe''s reaction


    had slowed down, her eyes following the fallen pen before finally resting on a pair of shiny leather


    shoes.

 Chapter 152

    Chapter 152


    "Ms. Salotti, are you alright?"


    At this moment, Izabe''s vision was already blurred, and she was feeling weak all over. It took her


    quite a while to raise her eyes and look at the empty wine bottle on the table.


    She had been drugged.


    She had been on guard when she entered the room, knowing that she was a defenseless woman


    no matter how tough she appeared. She could be killed easily by anyone who wanted to hurt her.


    But she hadn''t expected that they would be shameless enough to drug her.


    The wine bottle had been brought to her by the waiter when she entered. She had been watching


    her surroundings, and it was impossible for anyone to have drugged her under her watchful eye. It


    could only mean that the waiter had drugged the drink before bringing it in, and she had been


    deceived. She had fallen into their trap from the moment she stepped into the room.


    There was movement behind her, and Izabe, feeling weak and helpless, turned around with the


    support of the coffee table.


    Lucas, who had been lying on the ground just a moment ago, was now standing, having been


    untied by someone. He had his head down, ncing around the room but avoiding Izabe''s gaze.


    "You can go now."


    Lucas bent his waist awkwardly, "Boss, I''ll leave my sister to you guys. About the money I owe..."


    "It''s been cleared." Heckter waved to his henchman.


    The man took a check out of his pocket. "Here''s the ten million our boss promised you."


    "Thank you, thank you." Lucas stiffly epted the check.


    "Alright, get lost." The man spoke to Lucas with disdain, thinking how useless he was to deceive his


    own sister in such a situation.


    Lucas walked away, feeling remorseful. But thinking back to the kick Izabe gave him, he gritted


    his teeth and quickened his pace.


    She no longer treated him as a brother, so why should he care about her life or death?


    "Lucas!" Izabe used up all her strength, her spirit had begun topse, seeing everything in double


    vision. She shook her head and bit the tip of her tongue, and spoke with a shudder, "Brother, are


    you really going to leave me here all alone?"


    Lucas''s stopped, and he clenched his fist resting on his thigh.


    He hadn''t heard Izabe call him "brother" in a long time, and her voice was so vulnerable and


    shaky.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    He remembered when Izabe was learning to talk, the first word she ever said was "brother."


    Lucas held his abdomen and lowered his head, his ears starting to ring, as if there were two little


    people fighting inside his head.


    "Get out!" Heckter''s henchman yelled impatiently behind him.


    Lucas automatically blocked out the noise. He didn''t want to care about her. He hated Izabe. She


    was the one who caused the death of his mother and then his father. She was a disaster!


    Suppressing the panic rising in his heart, Lucas made his escape.


    Izabe''s vision became more and more blurry, and her face was icy cold.


    She had been betrayed by her closest loved one.


    She had risked her life to save him and spent all the money she had, only to be met with


    disappointment and betrayal.


    Izabeughed coldly, her face ugly and twisted. She covered her cramped abdomen as her body


    became more and more weak.


    She knew she could not escape tonight.


    Supporting herself on the coffee table with her elbows, Izabe tried to stand up, but she failed


    again and again.


    "Stop struggling."


    "Aren''t you afraid of offending Brett?"


    "Brett is indeed capable, bing R City''s richest man in just a few years. But, everyone has their


    weakness."


    "You know, I don''t like forcing people. It''s your choice."


    When did she ever agree to this? Izabe stared at the IOU she had signed on the table, something


    shing through her hazy mind. She reached for it but was too slow.


    The henchman handed the IOU to Heckter, who nced at it and read the line in neat handwriting.


    "I¡¯ll voluntarily spend the night with someone in order to repay Lucas''s debt. It''s written clearly on


    this IOU."


    They had swapped the agreement while she was drinking. As expected, they had been waiting for


    her from the start, and Lucas was just bait to lure her in.


    Izabe didn''t want to give in. She had to stall for time, hoping someone woulde to rescue her.


    "You''re very generous, letting Lucas clear his debts and even giving him ten million."


    "Lucas isn''t worth that much, but you are. To be honest, I''ve wanted to taste the vor of R City''s


    most beautiful woman for a while now."


    Izabe had relied on endurance throughout her life. Leaning against the couch, she closed half her


    eyes and said weakly, "You actually didn''t need to drug me. I''d already thought of that before I came


    here, and I knew I wouldn''t be able to leave tonight. Like you''ve said, I prefer volunteering to being


    forced as well."


    Izabe was like a rose with thorns. If one wasn''t careful, they would end up getting hurt all over.

 Chapter 153

    Chapter 153


    "You''ll get a chance to volunteerter," Heckter said, smirking, as he leaned forward to refill his cup


    with booze. Hemanded his men, "Take her to the room." Izabe remained silent, her eyes


    lowered to conceal her emotions, her hand instinctively searching for the pocket in her coat.


    As she was lifted from the ground, she lost all sense of direction and couldn''t even attempt to call


    for assistance. This was Heckter''s domain, and his henchmen were omnipresent.


    If she called for help, not only would she fail, but she would also anger Heckter.


    Thrown onto the bed, Izabe had her bag searched, and her entire body ached horribly. She


    opened her mouth and threw up, her stomach filled with either alcohol or blood.


    It hurt so bad. The pain wasn''t just physical; it was a deeper emotional wound. Physical pain could


    heal, but the heartache, just thinking about it, made her feel awful. There was no cure for that.


    "There''s no reason to be sad," Izabeforted herself. After all, she''s been betrayed before.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    She could finally sever ties with Lucas now. With him off her back, she wouldn''t have to be


    controlled by Brett anymore.


    If she could make it out alive tonight, she swore she''d divorce Brett.


    Izabe took a small fruit knife from her pocket and clenched it in her palm.


    This tiny knife could be a life saver or a deadly weapon at a critical moment.


    Afraid of losing consciousness, Izabe bit down on the bedding and stabbed herself in the thigh.


    The sharp pain brought her rity.


    With clenched teeth, her eyes burning with fury, and perspiration trickling down her forehead, she


    attempted to rise from the bed. However, she had overestimated her own strength. Before her feet


    even reached the floor, she lost control and tumbled to the ground. Thankfully, the presence of a


    carpet cushioned her fall. It became evident to her that her physical capabilities were inadequate,


    and she reluctantly epted that walking away was no longer an option.


    Izabe crawled to the water cooler and pressed the button for cold water, gulping it down. She also


    forced herself to throw up in the process, harming her stomach. But with no other choice, she


    needed to dilute the drug''s effect.


    After a few sips of cold water, her mind cleared up a bit, but her stomach hurt even more.


    As noise came from the doorway, Izabe tensed up and looked over.


    The door handle sprung open, and Heckter entered. Seeing her sitting by the water cooler with a


    puddle on the ground, he quickly understood what she was doing.


    "You''re barely able to move. You should have waited for me to assist you with the drink," he


    remarked, his face disying concern while his eyes remained cold.


    "There''s no need to trouble yourself," Izabe responded, her speech clearer than before. Leaning


    against the water cooler, she locked eyes with Heckter for a moment before bursting into silent


    laughter. "Heckter, I strongly advise againstying a hand on me. You might not be familiar enough


    with Brett. Despite his indifference towards me, he''s remarkably possessive. Even if he''s finished


    with something, he won''t allow others to have it."


    "You''re a businessman too. I don''t believe you''re not aware of the pros and cons. To offend Brett


    just for one night, it''s not worth it."


    Heckter hadn''t interacted with Brett and only knew a little about him. He only believed 20% of what


    Izabe said.


    However, his understanding of Izabe was much higher. Many people said she was smart.


    Today, he had witnessed her calm demeanor during a crisis, bargaining and trying to escape even


    when she was thrown onto a bed.


    "Whether it''s a loss or gain isn''t up to you, Izabe. I suggest you stop trying anything. Since you''re


    here, I won''t let you go."

 Chapter 154

    Chapter 154


    "Since you seem set on your own course, I won''t say much," Izabe uttered, her gaze gradually


    darkening while maintaining her calm demeanor. She lowered her head and let out a soft chuckle.


    "Would you mind assisting me to rise?"


    Her eyes appeared hazy and captivating as she nced toward the bed, indicating her intention.


    A smile formed on Heckter''s face, but it gradually transformed into a sinister and malevolent


    expression.


    Stepping forward, Heckter lifted Izabe by her waist. However, her weight caused him to furrow his


    brow. She was incredibly light, defying his expectations of a woman''s heft.


    Izabepliantly rested against his shoulder, the smile on her lips growing more profound.


    Gently, she looped her arm around his neck, discreetly retrieving a small knife concealed within her


    sleeve.


    She held her breath, her heart pounding so fast it felt like it was about to leap out of her throat. As


    Heckterid her on the bed, Izabe suddenly tightened her grip around his neck and stabbed


    downward with the knife in her right hand.


    She aimed for the artery in his neck. She only had one chance to strike tonight, and if she missed,


    Izabe was prepared for the worst oue.


    Her eyes glinted with a frigid intensity, and a tearing noise echoed through the air as the knife swiftly


    severed the fabric, apanied by Heckter''s anguished scream.


    The pungent aroma of blood permeated the space, and the hand clutching the knife became coated


    in a sticky and repulsive sensation. Izabe clenched her teeth, forcefully shoving him aside, and


    slid off the bed,nding on the floor.


    The entire sequence of events unfolded in a rapid blur. Tremors of both anticipation and


    apprehension coursed through Izabe''s body, causing her grip on the knife to waver precariously.


    She looked towards Heckter on the bed, only to see him clutching


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Izabe''s pupils contracted. She had aimed for Heckter''s neck, but he had evaded her and was


    injured on his shoulder instead.


    "Surprised I could dodge?" The knife wound caused Heckter to lose a considerable amount of


    blood, but luckily it was not fatal, although he couldn''t lift his shoulder for the time being.


    What a ruthless woman.


    Heckter spat out a mouthful of blood, took off his shirt, andughed grimly, "Izabe, you''re done


    for. I didn''t want to be violent with you, but it seems there''s no need for that anymore."


    Izabe was drenched in cold sweat, her rapid reflexespelling her to crawl away, but he


    grabbed her ankle. She scrambled towards the bedside table, causing themp on top toe


    crashing down.


    The crystalmp shattered into countless pieces on the floor. Izabe, who was close to it, was


    showered with shards, cutting her face and arms.


    Despite the immense pain, Izabe picked up a piece of the broken ss and swung it backwards,


    but Heckter, prepared for her attack, dodged it.


    "You bitch! Trying to hurt me again? Looks like I need to teach you a lesson!" Heckter dragged


    Izabe by the ankle to the foot of the bed and then unbuckled his belt,shing it against her back.


    "Ahh!" Izabe cried out in pain.


    Heckter''s eyes glimmered with sadistic delight as Izabe''s screams fueled his fervor. With each


    brutal strike, his blows intensified.


    The relentless onught left her body ame with searing agony. Dizziness engulfed her, and she


    reached a breaking point, expelling a gory mouthful of blood.


    This was the true nature of Heckter¡ªa man who found gratification in inflicting torment upon others.


    Izabe fiercely bit her lip, suppressing her cries of anguish.


    After enduring over a dozenshes, her back was drenched in a torrent of blood, staining her shirt a


    vivid red.


    A malevolent grin twisted Heckter''s face as he callously seized Izabe by the waist, flinging her


    onto the bed.


    Izabe groaned in pain. The small knife she had been gripping tightly was still in her hand, and she


    raised it as Heckter lunged at her.


    However, before she could make contact, he had already pinned her wrist down, "You really never


    learn, do you?"


    Izabe gasped for air, on the brink of copse. Killing was no longer a viable option for her, she


    didn''t even have the strength to lift her hand.


    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. She resembled a graceful swan, trapped


    in a suffocating morass.


    Realizing that she couldn''t bring herself to kill Heckter, she instead contemted taking her own life.


    With this resolve in mind, she shifted the knife''s tip toward her vein, mustering her wrist''s dexterity,


    and swiftly drove the de in.


    The suddenness of her action caught even the ever-watchful Heckter off guard, as he never


    anticipated her resorting to self-harm by shing her wrist and sumbing to blood loss.


    This woman was ruthless to others, but even more so to herself!

 Chapter 155

    Chapter 155


    Blood flowed rapidly from the wrist, staining the bed sheet beneath it in no time.


    "You lunatic! But do you think I''ll let you go just like that? Even if you''re going to die, it''s after I''ve


    had a taste of you!"


    Heckter dropped the knife on the bed, pressing down on Izabe''s bloody hand, when suddenly


    there came a frantic knock on the door.


    Heckter was stunned, it was unthinkable, who would disturb him at this time?


    "Boss, Brett is here, we can''t stop him."


    Upon hearing the name "Brett", Heckter''s brow furrowed. He temporarily let go of Izabe and went


    to open the door.


    As his hand was about to touch the doorknob, the door was suddenly kicked open from outside.


    Caught off guard, Heckter, still wounded, was slow to dodge and got hit in the nose by the door. A


    sour pain surged and tears sprung out.


    "Ouch!" Heckter cursed, holding his throbbing nose in pain. His bloodshot eyes nced up to meet


    Brett''s furious expression.


    It was the first time Heckter had a direct confrontation with Brett. He had previously perceived Brett


    as nothing more than a good-looking person skilled in business, but now he realized there was


    more to him. Brett emanated a strong, intimidating presence that even gave Heckter, who had


    witnessed his fair share of intense situations, a sense of unease. His legs turned weak, causing him


    to instinctively take a step back.


    Brett nced at him coldly, walked into the room, and saw the mess all around. He had a keen


    sense of smell and could smell the scent of blood as soon as he walked in.


    The room was filled with a pungent odor, emanating from Izabe, whose blood stained the floor


    and the bed. She bore numerous wounds, her clothes in disarray and drenched in blood.


    The most striking sight was the gory wound on her wrist. The vivid crimson color of the blood


    immediately caught his attention, making Brett''s eyes turn red in an instant. Though seething with


    anger, he managed to conceal his emotions adeptly. A somber smile graced his face, sending


    shivers down everyone''s spines. He forcefully kicked Heckter aside, stepped over him, and


    approached the bedside. He carefully lifted Izabe, her wrist bleeding profusely. Within moments,


    his palm was stained red from the flowing blood.


    "Izabe, I''m here to take you home."


    Izabe was barely conscious, hearing Brett''s voice gave her an unprecedented sense of calm. She


    weakly smiled at him, "I called you but you didn''t answer."


    "Hmm, I saw your message and came looking for you."


    "Why did you take so long toe?"


    Brett looked at her wounds, heart aching. He had never treated her this way. How dare Heckter!


    He saw a first aid kit on the counter, opened it and took out bandages to give Izabe emergency


    treatment.


    However, no matter how manyyers he wrapped, Izabe''s wrist was still bleeding, seeping


    through the bandages.


    Izabe was weak, her face was originally pale, now it was paler, under the light from above, she


    seemed to be slowly fading in his arms.


    Brett took a bed sheet, wrapped it around Izabe, and carried her sideways.


    Apanied by a group of individuals, Brett unleashed havoc throughout the entire casino. As he


    observed Heckter, curled up on the floor in agony while protecting his injured groin, a chilling


    coldness flickered in Brett''s eyes.


    ¡°Tie him up and lock him in the basement,¡± he ordered.


    Heckter never anticipated that the person he had provoked would possess such tyrannical qualities.


    Regret washed over him as he realized he should have heeded Izabe''s words. He yearned to


    exin himself, but Brett had swiftly departed with Izabe, denying him any opportunity.


    Brett rushed Izabe to the hospital, where her wrist wound proved to be deep, resulting in


    significant blood loss. Fortunately, she received timely medical attention, avoiding any severe


    complications.


    She sustained numerous external injuries, particrly on her back where the skin had torn, causing


    considerable pain.


    Brett stood aside, watching the doctor apply medicine to Izabe. She was unconscious, her brow


    still furrowed.


    Brett turned his face away, unable to bear the sight. The injuries pained him just by looking, let


    alone Izabe who was enduring them.


    Brett clenched his fists. Heckter, he would remember this man!


    Once Izabe was stable, Brett went to the basement where Heckter was locked up.


    That day, everyone saw Brett in his wrath, taking a knife and chopping off Heckter''s fingers.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Tied to the pir, Heckter was painfully unconscious, then woken up by a ssh of cold water. He


    was breaking into a cold sweat, looking at the dimly lit basement.


    The water that was sshed on Heckter was mixed with salt, which made it excruciating when it


    touched the wounds.

 Chapter 156

    Chapter 156


    Heckter found himself tightly bound to a pole, his cries echoing through the air. This slow and


    agonizing torture far exceeded the prospect of a swift and painless death. Yet, both Brett and


    Heckter derived a sick pleasure from inflicting suffering upon others.


    A knife, now glowing red-hot, seared his flesh, leaving behind brutal burn marks.


    The de''s tip mercilessly sliced away the charred remains.


    "I have erred, President Windham. I implore you to show mercy and spare me this time," Heckter


    pleaded desperately.


    "Did you extend such mercy to Izabe when she pleaded for her life?" In truth, Izabe never


    begged for mercy, but even if she had, Heckter would not have granted it to her back then.


    "Take off his pants."


    The henchman doing the torturing didn''t hesitate, dropping the knife to remove Heckter''s pants.


    Heckter pissed himself from fear, and when they took off his pants, the smell of pee filled the air.


    The man holding the pants frowned in disgust.


    Heckter didn''t know what Brett was nning to do, but since his pants were off, he could only


    imagine terrible things. With a cold breeze down there and a fearful heart, his fear reached its peak,


    his head went numb, his ears buzzed, and his legs trembled uncontrobly.


    Heckter''s face turned pale, his lips trembling as he mustered the courage to speak. "President


    Windham, what... what are you doing?"


    Brett''s gaze remained calm and collected as he replied, a hint of crueltycing his words. "Since


    you have no control over your own actions, it''s better to remove that part of you." He lounged back,


    observing the scene with detached interest, his words like sharp knives that pierced through


    Heckter''s core. The torment was unbearable, leaving Heckter on the verge of wetting himself once


    again, if he hadn''t already.


    "President Windham, please, I beg you!" Heckter pleaded, desperation evident in his voice. "It''s true


    that I had an encounter with your woman, but she willingly participated. Moreover, I didn''t harm her


    in any way."


    He was previously beaten to the point of having a speech impediment, but fearpletely cleared it


    up. Heckter was sniveling through tears.


    Heckter''s thoughts raced, trying to rationalize the situation. Yes, he hadmitted sins, but the


    severity of the punishment felt disproportionate. True, there were instances where he had resorted


    to violence against Izabe, but the wounds on her wrists were self-inflicted. Let''s not forget that


    she had even stabbed him in the shoulder. Their rtionship was marked by cruelty on both sides,


    but Brett... Brett was on another level entirely. He was inhumane, wanting to castrate Heckter as a


    punishment.


    Brett remained silent, his expression growing increasingly somber. His fingers tapped incessantly


    on the armrest, a telltale sign of the internal turmoil he was experiencing.


    "You said Izabe went willingly?"


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    "Yes, she did."


    The dim lighting cast a hazy shadow over Brett''s face, making it difficult for Heckter, tears welling up


    in his eyes, to discern his features clearly. However, he could sense the piercing and intimidating


    gaze fixed upon him.


    Trembling, Heckter stammered, "If President Windham doubts me, you can ask my subordinate. He


    possesses the agreement that Izabe signed."


    Brett let out a cold snort.


    The man tormenting Heckter nced back at Brett, who gestured with a wave of his hand. In


    response, the man reluctantly lowered the knife, prompting Heckter to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Brett ordered, "Call him and ask him to bring the agreement over."


    Not daring to disobey, Heckter quickly recited a string of numbers. One of Brett''s henchmen dialed


    the number, and soon after, following Brett''s instructions, someone brought the agreement Izabe


    had signed.


    After waiting for nearly half an hour, the agreement finally arrived. It was handed to Brett


    respectfully.


    This was the original document, and Brett could tell that the handwriting was indeed Izabe''s, with


    her handprint on it as well.


    He quickly nced through the content, and with each line he read, his grip on the paper tightened.


    How could Izabe sign such an agreement to sell herself?! To help Lucas pay off the ten million,


    she agreed to sleep with Heckter for one night!


    Heckter saw the agreement and gave a sigh of relief. He wasn''t sure how useful this document


    would be, but looking at Brett''s expression, it seemed he believed it.


    All Heckter wanted now was to save his life and the manhood he feared losing.


    Brett didn''t say anything, his expression dark and ominous as he clenched the agreement tightly in


    his hand.


    He kept reading the few lines of content over and over again, with his anger growing each time.


    Izabe, Izabe, Izabe! This name was etched like a brand into his heart with every repetition.


    "President Windham, since Izabe went willingly, it has nothing to do with me. Can you let me go?


    I promise never to appear in front of you again."


    Brett lifted his head, his somber eyes sending a chilling wave through the hearts of onlookers. "You


    can never appear only if you¡¯re dead," he dered.


    "President Windham, I''ve made a terrible mess, and I''m deeply sorry. Please spare me." Heckter


    had no inkling of whaty ahead, but fear began consuming him, bit by bit. His mind went nk,


    rendering him unable to think clearly. All he could do was offer repeated apologies.


    Yet, could a mere apology absolve him of his transgressions? What about the injuries inflicted upon


    Izabe''s body?


    Heckter''s crying made people feel sick. Thinking of the painful experience Izabe had in his hands,


    Brett tore up the agreement and threw it on the ground, ordering his henchman, "Cover his head."


    Fear reaches its peak when shrouded in the unknown. With his vision obstructed and immersed in


    darkness, Heckter''s fear intensified.


    He continued pleading incessantly until eventually sumbing to the overwhelming sensations,


    losing consciousness. Blood trickled onto the floor, creating winding trails, while the air grew heavy


    with the scent of iron.


    "President Windham, should we revive him?"


    It would prove challenging for Heckter to awaken from this ordeal. Brett shook his head. "ce him


    in a bag and discard him in an alley."


    A fate worse than death was being alive wishing to be dead. He wanted Heckter to live, painfully,


    witnessing everything he owned disappearing bit by bit. That was the consequence of hurting


    Izabe.


    "Clean this ce up." Brett stood up and walked out, stepping over the torn pieces of paper.

 Chapter 157

    Chapter 157


    After dealing with Heckter, Brett returned to the hospital.


    His face, originally pale and tense, eased up a bit upon seeing Izabe, who remained unconscious.


    "Why hasn''t she woken up yet?" Brett asked anxiously.


    The doctor then exined, "Ms. Salotti has a sedative in her bloodstream and has experienced a


    significant shock. It''s possible she won''t regain consciousness until tomorrow."


    Hearing "sedative," a chill ran up Brett''s spine, his heart tightened and rxed, and tightened again.


    He dared not think what would have happened to Izabe if he had been just a bitter.


    Brett had not even had time to change his clothes, which were stained with blood. The doctor


    suggested, "Mr. Windham, why don''t I look after Ms. Salotti while you go and change your clothes?"


    Brett nced at his clothes only then and noticed the bloodstains. "I''ll have my assistant bring


    something over."


    With that, the doctor didn''t press any further and left after giving a few reminders.


    Liam arrived at the hospital, carrying a set of clothes, and caught sight of Brett seated beside


    Izabe''s bed, gently sping her hand. Brett''s face was partially obscured by shadows, making it


    difficult to discern his expression, yet there was a glimmer of warmth in his eyes.


    Warmth? Liam was taken aback to witness such a tender expression on Brett''s face.


    He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.


    Suddenly, Brett''s voice broke the silence, cutting through the air with coldness. "Why are you just


    standing there at the door?" Startled, Liam released his grip on the clothes and realized his initial


    perception had deceived him.


    Liam walked in, carefully carrying a suitcase. "President Windham, your and your wife''s clothes and


    toiletries are all in here."


    "I''ll go change. You stay here and watch her," said Brett, rummaging through the suitcase for a


    change of clothes.


    The hospital room was well-equipped, resembling a cozy hotel room rather than a sterile medical


    space. Brett entered and hurriedly took a refreshing shower. The bright bathroom light entuated


    his already paleplexion, perhaps amplified by the water droplets on his face. Liam briefly


    mistook Brett for being injured as well.


    "Okay, you can head back now. I''ll stay here and look after her. You take care of things at the


    company for a little while," Liam suggested, offering Brett a temporary break from his


    responsibilities.


    Liam was used to this and had long been numb to such work arrangements.


    After Liam left, Brett was alone in the room again. When people are in a quiet ce with nothing to


    do, they inevitably think about random stuff.


    Thinking back to the scene when he burst into the underground casino, even someone as calm as


    him had lost hisposure in such a situation.


    In the middle of the night, Izabe suddenly developed a fever. Brett pressed the call button to


    summon the doctors and nurses.


    The fever was caused by an infection in her wound. The doctor gave Izabe a shot of antibiotics


    and told Brett, "Ms. Salotti has a slight fever, but it''s nothing serious. Just remember to give her


    some water."


    Seeing Brett''s furrowed brow, the doctor tried to reassure him, "Don''t worry, she''ll definitely wake up


    tomorrow. You should rest too. Don''t be too exhausted to take care of her when she wakes up."


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Brett nodded.


    As Brett fixated his gaze on Izabe''s face, the doctor recognized his deep concern. Sensing the


    need for privacy, the doctor quietly exited the room, gently closing the door behind him.


    Brett tenderly caressed Izabe''s pale countenance, observing how she always seemed to find


    herself battered and bruised. Despite her evident care for those around her, she appeared to


    neglect her own well-being. It troubled Brett that Izabe would willingly take such risks, venturing


    into an underground casino alone for someone like Lucas.


    Yet, he couldn''t deny his own culpability, as both he and Heckter had exploited her vulnerability


    through their association with Lucas.


    Brett leaned against the headboard and pressed his throbbing temple, trying to soothe his


    headache.

 Chapter 158

    Chapter 158


    Even though the doctor told him not to worry about Izabe, he couldn''t help but fret over her. He


    would asionally feel her forehead to check her temperature, give her water, and wipe her body


    with a wet towel to help her cool down.


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    After an hour of fussing, her temperature finally normalized. Brett let out a sigh of relief and saw that


    it was already 2 a.m.


    He climbed into bed, facing Izabe, and closed his eyes.


    The following morning at 8 a.m., the doctor arrived for a check-up, finding Izabe''s temperature


    had returned to normal. "Nothing major to worry about," he reassured. "She has some superficial


    injuries. If you find applying medication troublesome, she can remain in the hospital for a few more


    days."


    The most severe injury was the cut on her wrist, which had severed a blood vessel but luckily


    spared the tendons. Nevertheless, a few stitches were required, resulting in a visible scar on her


    wrist that would endure for the remainder of her life.


    Liam stopped by in the morning and on the way, bought a bouquet of flowers and a variety of fruit.


    Unsure of Izabe''s preferences, he picked up expensive stuff, some nutritious snacks as well.


    When Liam entered the room carrying an armful of gifts, Brett was eating breakfast by the window,


    looking much betterpared to the previous day. However, he had dark circles under his eyes,


    likely from staying upte to take care of Izabe.


    It wasn''t the first time Liam saw Izabe hospitalized. In the past year, she seemed to have had


    particrly bad luck, ending up in the hospital several times, each time with life-threatening injuries.


    Watching how Brett cared for Izabe, Liam noticed a change in his attitude, from initial indifference


    to restless concern.


    Liam had always thought of Brett as a cold-hearted person; no matter what happened, his face


    remained indifferent. As for Izabe, it seemed that Brett treated her like a dog he had raised for


    years.


    Dogs are incredibly loyal, even if their owner dies, they still refuse to leave.


    Brett seemed indifferent toward Izabe because he was overly confident, blindly believing she


    would stay with him forever.


    But now, even Brett himself probably didn''t realize how deep his feelings for Izabe were.


    Izabe woke up in a daze, the room dimly lit and her mind nk. She couldn''t immediately tell


    where she was.


    She moved her aching arm and identally tugged at her back injury. The pain made her gasp, and


    terrifying memories flooded into her brain.


    Heckter had beaten her, and when he pressed her down onto the bed and she cut her wrist, she


    thought she was going to die. But then Brett showed up.


    So she must be in the hospital now. Izabe quickly pieced together her situation, but with the


    curtains drawn and no clock in sight, she couldn''t tell what time it was or how long she had been


    unconscious.


    Brett came out of the bathroom and saw that she was awake. His usually expressionless face finally


    lightened a bit.


    With a glimmer of concern in his eyes, he approached Izabe in long strides, bombarding her with


    questions. "Are you still feeling ufortable? Would you like some water? Where does it hurt?"


    Izabe had just regained consciousness and felt a wave of dizziness. She weakly replied, ¡°It


    hurts.¡±


    To her astonishment, Brett''s expression darkened, and he uttered coldly, "You still have the audacity


    to feel pain even now! How dare you venture to the underground casino alone? Was that a suitable


    ce for you to be?"

 Chapter 159

    Chapter 159


    If it wasn''t for the fact that she was injured, Brett really wanted to grab her and give her a beating to


    teach her a lesson, so she wouldn''t dare to put her life in danger again.


    Brett was thinking about all kinds of things, but in reality, his heart ached for her. There was no way


    he could bear to hit her now.


    As Izabe stirred awake, a wave of relief washed over Brett, easing the tension in his heart.


    However, her initially serene expression soon gave way to impatience. Brett seemed to have an


    unexpected gift for loquaciousness, bombarding her with an incessant stream of words. It felt as


    though two bothersome flies had made a beeline for her ears, buzzing nonstop.


    "I''m thirsty," Izabe croaked, abruptly cutting him off.


    Recognizing her need, Brett promptly ceased his chatter and swiftly procured some water for her.


    After ensuring it was at a suitable temperature, he assisted her in sitting up.


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    Izabe''s back was covered in wounds, and he handled her with extreme care, afraid to hurt her


    with excessive force.


    But Izabe did feel the pain anyway. No matter how careful he was, her back would still be


    affected. She endured the pain and took a sip of water.


    She was genuinely thirsty, quickly finishing the ss of water.


    "Do you want more?" Brett asked.


    "No, I''m good," Izabe replied softly.


    As Izabe awakened, Brett drew back the curtains, allowing sunlight to flood the room. She


    squinted her eyes, finding the brightness overwhelming. Gradually adjusting, she surveyed her


    surroundings and noticed a bouquet of roses on the cab.


    Curiosity piqued, she inquired, ¡°Who brought the flowers?¡±


    Observing the roses as well, Brett arched an eyebrow and asked, "Do you like them?"


    Assuming he was the one responsible, Izabe responded disdainfully, "No, I despise roses above


    all else."


    Brett''s countenance froze, recalling Liam''s remark about women being touched by roses.


    Nevertheless, it turned out that not everyone liked roses.


    "It''s from Liam. I don''t know what taste he has. Since you don''t like them, I''ll throw them away."


    "It''s from Liam? Let them stay then," Izabe said nonchntly, nearly causing Brett to have a heart


    attack.


    So if Liam bought the roses, they could stay, but if he bought them, they''d go to the trash? Looking


    at Izabe''s indifferent attitude, he recognized that it wasn''t the roses she initially disliked, but him.


    Brett scoffed inwardly, thinking that Izabe was just like the roses: beautiful on the surface but


    thorny underneath. If he wasn''t careful, he would be pricked and bleed. However, roses were still


    fragile, their petals easily crushed.


    He didn''t want to argue with her and asked, "What do you want to eat? I''ll order some takeout."


    Thinking about what to eat, Izabe''s stomach began to hurt, so she said quietly, "Something light,


    my stomach is not feeling well."


    When her stomach was fine, Izabe loved spicy foods like spicy burgers and spicy chicken stews.


    She was craving them, but she couldn''t eat them now.


    As usual, Brett ordered a fruit and vegetable smoothie.


    Izabe couldn''t help but pout. She enjoyed the drink at first, but after a while, it became nd and


    tasteless.


    Her hair was messy, making it ufortable to drink the smoothie. She wanted to tie it back, but


    her right hand was injured and couldn''t move.


    Brett put down the cup and carefully braided her loose hair into a twist, cing it casually on one


    shoulder and revealing her smooth forehead.


    Izabe nced down at the braid on her chest and spoke in an indifferent tone, "Your braiding


    technique is quite impressive. You must have braided Kaley''s hair countless times."


    Brett remained silent for a moment, his gaze lowered, before asking, "If I told you that I have only


    ever brushed your hair, would you believe me?"


    "I don''t believe you," Izabe replied. It seemed improbable to her that a grown man could possess


    such skillful braiding abilities without any practice.


    Brett chose not to offer an exnation, but an uneasy feeling settled in his heart, as if something


    was lodged within.


    Why did her simple "I don''t believe you" make him so upset? It made him realize that he had also


    been skeptical of Izabe several times before. Now it was his turn to taste the feeling of not being


    trusted.


    Izabe took only a few sips of the smoothie and expressed herck of desire for more.


    Having gone without food for over ten hours, the small quantity consumed was all she could


    manage. Brett nced at the remaining smoothie and encouraged her, "Try to eat a little more." "I


    have no appetite. I can''t eat any further," Izabe responded. Brett fell silent, cing the ss


    down. He picked up a napkin and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. His gaze fixed upon her, his


    eyes reflecting a mixture of frustration and concern, as if she were causing him a considerable


    headache.

 Chapter 160

    Chapter 160


    Izabe was lying there with nothing to do, unable to sleep, so she figured she might as well strike


    up a conversation.


    "Where''s Heckter?"


    "He''s been taken care of," Brett stated, his expression devoid of emotion, yet a glimmer of coldness


    flickered in his eyes when he mentioned Heckter. He had hoped Izabe would broach the topic of


    the "body-selling agreement" on her own, but after waiting for a while, all he received was a


    nonchnt "oh" from her, without any further discussion. "I have already torn up the agreement you


    signed, so Heckter won''t trouble you anymore, and your brother will be safe," he assured her.


    Izabe''s face changed, "Whether he''s fine or not has nothing to do with me anymore."


    From the moment Heckter drugged her and Lucas abandoned her, she decided to cut ties with him.


    She couldn''t bring herself to keeppromising under Brett for the sake of such a selfish and


    inhumane brother.


    As Izabey in bed, her previously unfocused gaze suddenly locked onto Brett''s handsome face.


    "Brett, I want a divorce," she dered.


    Brett''s eyes flickered momentarily, as he swiftly suppressed the panic welling up inside him. He


    responded with a touch of sarcasm, "I haven''t even inquired about that body-selling agreement you


    signed, and you''re already seeking a divorce? Is this how you fulfill your duties as a wife?" Izabe


    repeated the phrase "body-selling agreement" in a bewildered manner, then reality crashed back


    upon her. Hadn''t Heckter swapped out the original IOU with the body-selling agreement while she


    was drinking, and she unwittingly signed it?


    Since Brett had torn up the agreement, he must have read everything on it. Did he think she was


    dirty now? That she could sell her self-esteem and body to save Lucas?


    But since she had decided to divorce him, his misunderstanding wasn''t that important.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "The body-selling agreement is exactly what you think. I sold myself to save Lucas."


    Brett didn''t even want to confirm whether the agreement was real or fake. Simply because of


    Izabe''s words, he was furious.


    "Divorce? Don''t even think about it!"


    Upon hearing Brett''s words, Izabe smiled and said, "Brett, I''m dirty."


    Brett looked cold and indifferent. "You can just wash it off, besides, you''re not dirty."


    Izabe shook her head, "But my heart is. I''m not the same Izabe who only had you in her heart


    and liked you." She looked calm and peaceful, "I really think our rtionship is meaningless."


    "Whether it''s meaningless or not is for me to decide." Brett suddenly stood up, the veins on his


    forehead bulging, "No matter what you say, I will not divorce you."


    Izabe''s face was haggard, so haggard that it made people feel heartbroken.


    She partially closed her eyes and stated firmly, "Brett, this time I will divorce you no matter what.


    Just wait for the court summons."


    Witnessing her determination, Brett''s eyes darkened, and he sneered, "Aren''t you afraid I''ll harm


    those close to you?"


    "Are you referring to Lucas? Or the Felton family?" Izabe seemed to perceive his thoughts and


    retorted coldly, "I can barely take care of myself, so what right do I have to concern myself with


    them? Whether you choose to harm Lucas or even take his life, it''s of no consequence to me."


    Ever since Lucas deceived her by luring her to the underground gambling city and subsequently


    abandoning her, she no longer considered him her brother.


    Furthermore, her own demise was imminent. What significance did family hold in such a fleeting


    existence? With her eyes closed, everything would fade into oblivion.


    Brett always proceeded carefully and strategically, following the n step by step, but he didn''t


    know why things went wrong with Izabe.


    As Izabe coldly talked about wanting to divorce him, there was also unmistakable hatred in her


    eyes, she really hated him.


    During the peaceful months they spent together, maybe he was the only one indulging himself in


    this illusion.


    Seeing Izabe''s cold gaze at him, his heart felt as if it was being gnawed by something, causing


    intense pain.


    "Do you really not care about anything?"


    "Yes."


    Brett''s face became gloomy, "Then I''ll give you the chance to sue for divorce, but if the judge


    doesn''t rule it, you''ll be tied to me forever, unable to do anything but have children. Can you bear


    that, Izabe?"

 Chapter 169

    Chapter 169


    Izabe was running low on money, and Amelia asked her, "Do you want to see him after his


    surgery?"


    Izabe said, "Nah, I better not." Lucas probably didn''t want to see her right now.


    She didn''t want to upset him when he was at his most vulnerable after surgery.


    Izabe said, "Just help me find him a careful caretaker. As for the medical bills, I won''t pay for him


    if he has money on him." Lucas had just gotten ten million from Heckterst week, so he probably


    hadn''t spent it all yet.


    Izabe said, "If he doesn''t have money, give me a call."


    Amelia nodded and asked with concern, "Are you feeling better now?"


    Izabe said, "Hmm, thank you, Amelia." If it wasn''t for Amelia, she might have gotten stuck in a


    dead-end this time.


    Izabe nced at her medical report again and put it back in the file bag, "I''ll leave this with you for


    now. I''ll head home."


    Amelia said, "Get some rest. The trial starts the day after tomorrow. Be in good spirits and don''t let


    Brett underestimate you."


    Carrying a bag of medicine, Izabe deviated from her direct path home and made her way to the


    end of the hallway. There, a wide window stood open, inviting her gaze towards the towering


    buildings outside.


    Perched on the fifth floor of the hospital, the autumn wind carried a distinct chill, noticeable even


    from within. The brisk breeze gently caressed her face, causing her pores to contract. A shiver ran


    down Izabe''s spine, momentarily jolting her awake from her reverie.


    She took out her phone from her bag and called Brett.


    She was so familiar with Brett''s phone number that she didn''t even need to search for it.


    Looking at the familiar number, Izabe pursed her lips and hesitated before pressing it.


    The call went through, and after five rings, the other side leisurely picked up.


    "The trial starts the day after tomorrow, and you''re calling me now. If you''re withdrawing thewsuit,


    I''ll pretend nothing happened and treat you well like before," Brett said confidently over the phone.


    Izabe''s grip tightened around her phone as she unconsciously retorted, her toneced with


    sarcasm, "Oh, just like before? pping me in the face, or treating me like a lover at night and then


    expecting me to serve you like a maid during the day?"


    Brett was taken aback, his expression betraying his astonishment. After a prolonged silence, he


    finally mustered a response, "Izabe, I genuinely saw you as my wife, you know. Don''t be


    ungrateful."


    Izabe''s eyes brimmed with heavy sarcasm as she scoffed, "Well, why don''t you just make Kaley


    your wife then?" Her question carried the weight of usation, as she continued, "Was it you who


    severed Lucas'' hand?"


    Brett remained silent, but Izabe interpreted hisck of response as an admission of guilt. Within


    her heart, she held a scale, and every misfortune that befell those around her seemed to confirm


    Brett''s culpability.


    "I greatly underestimated the depths to which you would sink, Brett," Izabe remarked with a


    mixture of disappointment and disgust. "You''re willing to do anything to manipte me, but you''ve


    With that, she hung up the call, straightened her expression, and went back to the elevator. The


    elevator doors were reflective, and Izabe looked at her pale reflection in the mirror. She didn''t


    know if it was because of the cold wind or her emotional ups and downs, but her head started to


    ache.


    Brett was sitting in the chair, looking exceptionally annoyed. A wave of anger surged up in his heart.


    He casually threw his phone onto the table, a light motion that made a loud noise.


    Liam brought some documents to the president''s office and heard a sentence from inside.


    "I don''t know what nonsense she''s talking about. Stupid and gutsy!"


    Liam was quite frightened, sensing that Brett was in a terrible mood now, and thought he should


    avoid him.


    Just as he was about to sneak away and pretend nothing had happened, Brett''s voice suddenly


    came from behind him.


    "Bring the documents over."


    Liam went over and put the documents on the table, not knowing whether to stay or leave.


    Brett''s expression was still awful, and as he flipped through a few pages of the documents, his


    displeasure only grew. He threw them on the floor and shouted, "Have them redo it!"


    These days, Brett''s terrible mood had been making everyone in thepany miserable.


    "Yes, I''ll arrange it right away." Liam picked up the "pile of waste paper" from the floor but was


    suddenly stopped by Brett.


    "Did you know that Izabe''s brother Lucas had his hand cut off?"


    Liam was taken aback, "What? How did that happen?"


    "Izabe just called me, and she thinks I cut off her brother''s hand."


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Now Liam understood why Brett was in such a bad mood - he was being falsely used by


    Izabe.


    But it wasn''t her fault for using him because he''d done those things and said those words


    before. Didn''t he know that?


    "Isn''t this because of all the things you''ve done before? You''re the one who''s wrongly used her,"


    Liam muttered.


    Brett heard him and frowned, "Are you speaking up for her?"

 Chapter 170

    Chapter 170


    Brett nced at Liam with a cold stare. Liam looked back at him, frightened, and tried to change the


    subject, saying nervously, ¡°Should we exin to Mrs. Windham?¡±


    ¡°Exin what?¡±


    ¡°Of course, exining that you didn''t cut off her brother''s hand.¡±


    Brett''s eyes narrowed as he muttered, "She''s already made up her mind that I''m guilty. Exining


    won''t make a difference." In a sense, he had brought this suspicion upon himself. If he hadn''t


    consistently used Lucas as a tool to intimidate Izabe, she wouldn''t have ced the me on him.


    "You should have someone investigate and determine the real culprit," suggested Liam.


    Agreeing with the suggestion, Brett replied, "Then, Liam, go ahead and take care of it."


    However, before Liam could proceed, Brett''s expression softened, and he appeared deep in


    thought, as if preupied by another matter. Suddenly, he interrupted, "Wait, I have a question for


    you."


    ¡°From outsiders¡¯ perspective, do Izabe and I look like a terrible couple? She says that I''ve never


    treated her like my wife.¡±


    Liam treaded carefully and asked, ¡°President Windham, do you want me to tell the truth?¡±


    Having worked with Brett for so many years, Liam was quite adept at handling delicate situations.


    He had mastered the art of keeping a straight face through years of living on the edge.


    Liam said, ¡°The way things are now is not so bad, but your attitude towards her in the past was


    beyond terrible¡­¡± In his heart, Liam thought Brett had been cruel and heartless.


    With a serious expression in his eyes, Brett inquired, "What can I do to make her truly feel like my


    wife?" The gravity of his question was evident.


    Liam found it challenging to bear the weight of that gaze. After all, he was merely an assistant. How


    had he be an advisor on rtionships too?


    Liam responded, "Mrs. Windham may becking a sense of security. Consider this: your initial


    marriage was an unhappy one. The wedding ceremony felt more like a press conference than a


    celebration of love. There wasn''t even a proper wedding ring."


    The mention of the ring triggered a realization in Brett. Despite being married for over four years, he


    and Izabe had never possessed a proper wedding ring set.


    Brett nced at his own bare finger, recalling the time when he had impulsively purchased a cheap


    silver ring from a market stall and tossed it at Izabe,cking the sincerity and thoughtfulness that


    such a gesture should have held.


    The most ordinary ring which Izabe had worn for four years. However, at some point, the ring


    disappeared. Had it been broken, lost, or thrown away by her?


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    What was once an insignificant matter now felt like a thorn in his heart.


    It didn''t matter. He¡¯d buy Izabe a new ring, a more expensive and thoughtful one.


    Returning home, Brett went straight to his bedroom upstairs and rummaged through everything.


    Eventually, he found the ring in a desk drawer.


    The ring had the mostmon design¡ªa in band with no engravings. The surface had once


    been smooth and shiny, but now it was covered in scratches and dried bloodstains.


    He picked it up, rubbed the surface with his fingers, and carefully wiped off the bloodstains.


    The next day, Brett took the ring to a jewelry store and bought a new ring, selecting one with the


    same size.


    This time, he spent a big sum of money on the new ring.

 Chapter 179

    Chapter 179


    Brett took a deep breath and shouted out, "Bring the food up!"


    Soon, the maid brought a bowl of soup, and Brett took it and crouched down to feed it to Izabe.


    He said gently, "have some, it''s not too hot."


    Izabe pressed her pale lips together without opening her mouth or speaking, just like the butler


    had described her - like a soulless puppet.


    Brett was in a bad mood and didn''t have the patience for this. He forced her mouth open and made


    her eat. The warm soup went down her throat and made her want to vomit.


    Seeing her swallow, Brett was satisfied, but before he could even "praise" Izabe, she threw up


    right after.


    The soup came out with traces of blood, and Brett''s face turned extremely ugly. The whole way


    back home, his was already anxious and irritable. Right now, seeing Izabe in such a pitiful state,


    he snapped and threw the bowl on the ground, his hand raised.


    Finally, there was some change in Izabe''s eyes. She stared at him fearlessly without backing


    down, her face tilted up, waiting for Brett''s p to fall.


    But Brett''s hand froze mid-air, and mixed feelings swallowed him. Eventually, he didn''t p her and


    said, "Izabe, do you think I''m just too nice to hit you?"


    "Why don''t you hit me then, better yet, just beat me to death." Izabe''s voice was hoarse and


    broken. It was almost hard to understand some of her words.


    But Brett understood. Izabe was always a rough-edged stone, getting herself hurt whenever she


    collided with him.


    He had never seen Izabe so lifeless before. Even though she was clearly still breathing, her chest


    was moving, and her body was warm, he felt as if she was about to die.


    This inexplicable panic made him unable to suppress his irritability, and he grabbed Izabe''s jaw,


    applying force as if he wanted to crush her bones.


    "Izabe, if you want to live like this, you better believe I have plenty of ways!" He didn''t care if she


    was healthy or not, as long as she was alive, it was enough.


    Izabe began to tremble slightly, but Brett wouldn''t have felt it if he hadn''t been holding her.


    "Fine" Izabe stared into Brett''s eyes and said, "just don''t leave me like this, I''ll eat properly."


    "What makes you think you can make any demands?" Brett scoffed, his words full of ridicule.


    "You''re a lunatic, and you shouldn''t go around hurting others. Or do you want to be locked up in a


    mad house?"


    Izabe''s eyes turned red, and her gaze was filled with hatred. Brett was always domineering and


    decisive.


    "I hear the mental asylum up north is nice. Why not go stay there for a while?"


    There were two types of mental hospitals in R City ¨C the regr ones and the insane asylums- the


    mad house.


    Insane asylums in R City were terrifying ces where violent patients were often locked up in pitch-


    ck rooms. Screams and wails could be heard all night.


    When she was young, n would scare her by saying he would lock her up in an insane asylum if


    she misbehaved. The fear she carried with her was etched deep into her bones, and now Brett''s


    words brought it all back.


    Brett nced at the broken bowl on the floor and said, "Your choice ¨C either eat or be a ''vegetable''


    and be sent to the insane asylum."


    Tears fell from Izabe''s eyes as she suddenly resigned herself to her fate.


    She slid off the bed and picked up the bowl from the floor to eat. As she tried to swallow, she


    choked and gagged. Her teeth clenched tight, and her tongue pressed against them.


    Her stomach suddenly spasmed, and her already weak body couldn''t hold the bowl steady. With a


    crash, it fell to the floor, and the soup spilled everywhere.


    Her shoulders shuddered, and her bloodshot eyes stared at the food scattered on the floor.


    "Izabe ¨C " Brett called her name, but the moment he spoke, Izabe reflexively grew scared. She


    knelt down on the floor, her hands reaching out to pick up the broken bowl and scoop up the dirty


    soup to shove in her mouth.


    Brett''s pupils shrank as he grabbed her hand and pulled her up.


    Izabe stood up weakly, her eyes red and choked up, "I''ll eat."


    Brett frowned deeply, realizing he had gone too far. He led her to the bathroom to wash their hands,


    gently wiping her face as he said, "You don''t have to eat what''s fallen on the floor. Izabe, I just


    want you to behave. I won''t ask for much, just listen to me and eat."


    This seemingly simple phrase had so much more meanings. What was the difference of her life now


    compare to a dog?


    A maid was called to clean the room, and Brett fed Izabe another half bowl of soup.


    She still had a strong gag reflex, causing her to want to vomit as soon as she ate.


    Despite this, the half-bowl of food went down more smoothly. Brett nodded in satisfaction, saying,


    "See, isn''t this better? There was no need to make me angry."


    Izabe nodded, tears still hanging from her eyshes.


    Brett wiped them away for her, saying, "Just eat properly from now on, or I''ll really send you to the


    insane asylum."


    Izabe nodded again.


    This time Izabe had learned her lesson. She would eat and talk now.


    When they went to bed, Brett held Izabe tightly in his arms.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Throughout her twenty-four years, Izabe had never encountered anyone as twisted and


    obsessive as Brett. She couldn''t fall asleep with her eyes wide open, feeling his heavy hand on her


    chest, as if locked in shackles that made it hard to breathe.


    Brett couldn''t sleep either, haunted by images of Ryker and Izabe, and their past encounters in


    the orphanage.


    Destiny was truly a mysterious thing. One person met another, it could be either the greatest


    luck or the most horrible tragedy.


    Izabe endured untilte at night with her eyes closed, her insomnia making her more agitated.


    She opened her eyes and looked at the man holding her.


    She hated him, but she had to admit that hate was born from love. Rather than hating Brett, she felt


    more disgusted with herself.


    Brett had be her worst nightmare, it drove her crazy and dragged her straight to hell. She was


    struggling through hell and despair while he was just having augh.


    Izabe gently removed Brett''s arm that''s lying across her, and then sat up.


    She stared at Brett''s neck, a wicked thought rising in her mind to strangle him right here.


    Tears filled her eyes as she got closer to the sleeping man, her hand trembling.


    Before Izabe could act on her thought, Brett suddenly opened his eyes, a sinister look on his


    face. His gaze lingered on her face and finallynded on her hand.


    Brett grabbed Izabe''s chin and narrowed his eyes, saying "Izabe, are you seriously trying to


    strangle me in the middle of the night?"

 Chapter 180

    Chapter 180


    Izabe''s chin was almost dislocated and tears uncontrobly rolled down her cheeks as she


    squinted her eyes.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Brett frowned and loosened his grip on her. "Why are you crying? If you want to kill me, you''re that


    scared just because I asked? If you''re so afraid, why are you plotting against me?"


    Izabe copsed on the bed, unable to control herself. She hated her own ipetence for not


    being able to kill the person who hurt her.


    When Izabe cried, there was no sound. When she cried too hard, she would choke, and it was


    difficult to listen to.


    Brett pried open Izabe''s clenched hands and tucked her into the nket.


    Izabe kept crying, the recent events were like a nightmare to her.


    Brett''s heart ached, and he grabbed a tissue to carefully wipe her face.


    She was as timid as a cat, daring to choke people but not admitting it. He said he wouldn''t me


    her, but she still cried.


    Her face was deathly pale, making her eyes look even more red. Brett lifted her chin and gently


    kissed her lip, a quick, gentle move without any hint of ambiguity, as though it was a simplefort.


    "Izabe, do you really hate me that much?" Brett asked with a bitter smile. "You hate me so much


    that you get up in the middle of the night trying to strangle me. Do you really think you could kill


    someone with that kind of strength? You''re the epitome of naive and foolish."


    Izabe looked at Brett, her mouth opening slightly. It felt like her throat was stuffed with cotton,


    unable to swallow or spit out.


    Although she didn''t say a word, her eyes contained immense hatred. Brett knew better than anyone


    how much Izabe hated him.


    It seemed like her eyes were filled with not tears but blood-thirsty intent.


    The fierce gaze was as if she wanted nothing more than to kill him.


    Brett''s heart ached slightly, and he covered Izabe''s eyes, hiding the hatred in them.


    "Izabe, would you have married me if it wasn''t for sixteen years ago?" Brett finally asked the


    question he had always wanted to ask.


    Izabe''s body stiffened, unable to see Brett''s anxious expression with her eyes covered.


    It took a long time before she murmured, "No, if I had a choice, I wouldn''t even want to meet you."


    If she had met him six years instead of sixteen years earlier, the boy who had saved her would have


    remained a blurred memory in her heart, instead of bing a devil that dragged her into this


    abyss.


    With Brett''s warm palm on her forehead, Izabe said, "Brett, you asked if I hate you. Yes, I do. I


    hate you as much as I used to love you. I wish I could strangle you, skin you alive, feast on your


    flesh and blood, then open your chest to see what your heart is made of!"


    A tear silently slid down her cheek, dampening the man''s palm.


    Choking up, Izabe asked, "Why did you change? You were never like this initially."


    "I hate that you destroyed my pride and self-esteem, robbed me of everything, and got rid of the


    Brett from sixteen years ago who saved me."


    Listening to Izabe''s words, Brett felt suffocated as if a hand was crushing his heart. It wasn''t him


    who had changed, but rather, the person from sixteen years ago was never him.


    From the beginning, their rtionship was a mistake. Izabe hated him, and he did too.


    Izabe, why is your love for me based on another person?

 Chapter 189

    Chapter 189


    One night six years ago, Brett had an ident and fell into the water. He had a fatal weakness - he


    was born with a fear of water and couldn''t swim.


    That night, he thought he would die in the water until a blurry figure jumped into the water, pulling


    him up and saved him.


    It was winter, and there was a thinyer of ice on theke. His felt his body had been scraped by a


    knife, and it seemed like there were ice chips in his blood.


    Thinking of what happened six years ago, Brett''s expression was incrediblyplex. Inside the


    room, only a tablemp was shining a soft orange light, illuminating every corner.


    Tears streamed down Izabe''s face unnoticed as she stiffly turned her back to Brett, not wanting


    him to see her face.


    "When exactly six years ago?"


    "Around midnight on December 25th, in N City," Brett replied, and her once blurry memories


    suddenly became clear.


    Izabe''s voice was hoarse, "Brett, why would you think it was Kaley who saved you back then?"


    It was the first time that Izabe asked so many questions about an event. Brett answered, "I saw


    her when I woke up in the hospital, and Kaley said it was her who saved me."


    "She said she saved you?" Izabe scoffed.


    "Her words are one thing, but also her pearl earrings." That night in the water, he saw a pair of pearl


    earrings. He remembered reaching out and touching them. When he woke up from the hospital,


    Kaley''s earrings were the same pearl earrings he saw in the water.


    "Brett, have you ever thought that many people have pearl earrings like that? Have you ever


    thought that Kaley lied to you?" The tears in Izabe''s eyes disappeared, leaving only mockery.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Brett''s face changed. After hearing what Izabe said, his felt his heart had been grasped by


    something. He fiercely propped himself up and looked down at her side profile, "What do you


    mean?"


    Izabe turned her head to meet his gaze, her eyes sending chills down his spine.


    "It doesn''t mean anything, just saying." Izabe finished speaking and couldn''t help butugh softly,


    curling up into the nkets with her frail shoulders trembling slightly.


    "So that''s how it is..." It turned out that the person she saved six years ago was Brett. So, it seemed


    she didn''t owe Brett anything anymore.


    Brett had a natural fear of water, while she was born to be afraid of the cold. After saving someone


    ashore, she passed out. She was taken to the hospital andy there for a whole week with a fever.


    Izabe lifted her head slightly, staring at Brett. Finally, she asked faintly, "Brett, what if I said the


    person who saved you was me?"


    Brett frowned and said impatiently, "Izabe, don''t lie. I believe my own judgment. You''re saying this


    now just to make me not use you to save Kaley."


    "Your judgment? Hahaha..." Izabe couldn''t help but burst intoughter.


    Watching her fall into a fit ofughter, Brett suddenly felt a chill in his heart. "Izabe, what are you


    laughing at?"


    Reaching out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eye, Izabe pped his hand away.


    "Nothing, I just didn''t expect you to be so deeply in love. You and Kaley are such a perfect match.


    Now I realize how foolish my mistake was."


    Brett heard her sarcasm, but he might never have mentioned what happened six years ago if


    Izabe hadn''t brought it up suddenly. Changing the subject, Brett asked, "Are you thirsty? I''ll get


    you some water."


    There was a water dispenser in the living room outside the bedroom. As Izabe watched Brett''s


    retreating figure, she sat back on the bed and pinched her earring, feeling the faint scar there.


    At the time in the water, Brett had desperately reached out and grabbed her earring. Her ear had


    been stitched up, and now the wound was healed, and the scar had faded. It was hard to notice


    unless you looked closely.


    By the time Brett returned with water, Izabe was stillughing, tears streaming down her face.


    The most abominable feeling in the world is when someone who has been bad to you is suddenly


    gentle to you for a moment. Brett, I gave you a chance, but you didn''t believe me. So, I guess you''ll


    live in a lie forever.

 Chapter 190

    Chapter 190


    Brett poured a ss of water, and Izabe took it, giggling again after taking a sip.


    "Was what I said that funny?" he didn''t understand why Izabe had beenughing for so long, even


    to the point of tears.


    Izabe put down her ss, "It''s not that what you said is funny, I find myself ridiculous,ughing at


    myself as a joke."


    She had always loved Brett carefully, she donated her blood to save Kaley''s life, only to realize


    today that she wasn''t the only one who couldn''t see the true faces of others, Brett was the same.


    "I''d like to be alone tonight." Izabe''s red, swollen eyes startled Brett, but he didn''t think too much


    about it, just assuming Izabe felt wronged that he was using her in exchange for Kaley.


    He wanted to hold Izabe like usual, tofort her, but looking at Izabe''s cold expression, he


    began to feel fear deep in his heart.


    "Izabe, I know you''re scared, but I have to save Kaley. Don''t worry, I won''t let anything happen to


    you..."


    Izabe quietly said, "I''m not scared, I''m particrly satisfied with the eight hundred million alimony


    I''ll receive from divorcing you. I just want to be quiet tonight. Don''t worry, I won''t back out, I will get


    Kaley back for you tomorrow." Thest sentence was particrly emphasized by her.


    Izabe''s eyes were as cold as ever, but he could clearly feel something had disappeared from


    them.


    Brett could distinctly feel that he had lost something very important, and by the time he wanted to


    desperately salvage it, he was powerless.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Brett left the bedroom, leaving the space to Izabe.


    After he left, Izabe pulled the covers over her head and curled up quietly inside.


    Brett turned on hisputer to watch the surveince video, he was just too worried about Izabe.


    He thought Izabe would go straight to sleep after he left, but instead she pulled up the covers, her


    body trembling.


    Was she crying?


    Watching the surveince video, Brett felt his heart ache more and more.


    He shifted his gaze, took a few deep breaths to suppress the strange pain. Why would Izabe cry


    after hearing about his near-drowning incident six years ago? It wasn''t fear, could it be because she


    still cared about him?


    The rain outside kept pouring down, and with this weather, it probably wouldn''t stop by tomorrow.


    He called the kidnappers, but they didn''t answer. After a while, a call from an unknown number


    came in.


    "President Windham, you are calling sote, have you made up your mind?"


    "Send the time and address over." Brett didn''t want to waste words.


    "So, you''ve decided to trade your wife for your lover." The voice taunted, "The time is 6pm, as for


    the address, someone will bring it over then. Remember to bring the money."


    "Okay, I''ll have Izabe bring the money. But tell Heckter if he dares to harm Izabe, I''ll kill all of


    you!" Brett''s tone was grim.


    "President Windham, since you''ve decided to save your lover, your wife is ours. Since you''re giving


    up on Izabe, seeing what Kaley''s been through in the video, you should know what''s waiting for


    her. Telling me not to harm anyone now, isn''t that funny?"


    Everyone knew this, and Izabe understood too.


    There was no saving Kaley, it was clearly sacrificing another woman.


    "Lastly, let me remind you not to try and investigate our background. Kaley is still in our hands, you


    should have already found out that Heckter isn''t the only one above us."


    "Our boss said he won''t take Izabe''s life, he just wants to borrow her for a couple of days, we''ll


    return her to you alive."


    Brett felt the man''s way of talking was familiar, but unfortunately he used a voice changer, so he


    couldn''t figure out who it was.


    Seeing Brett didn''t respond, the other party directly hung up the call.


    A wave of indescribable fatigue washed over him, and Brett stood by the window, gripping his


    phone tightly.


    Brett didn''t sleep all night, and neither did Izabe. As soon as the sky lightened, the two of them


    ate breakfast and went to apply for a divorce.


    Nowadays, there were more people getting divorced than getting married, and they had to wait in


    line for a while before it was their turn.


    Both of their faces were unusually calm, neither quarreling nor causing a scene.


    Divorce procedures weren''t simpler than marriage ones, but both of them had already signed the


    paperworkst night, and after they signed again this morning, it marked the end of their


    rtionship as husband and wife.


    Their wedding had been simple, and their divorce was the same. Apart from the process being


    troublesome, the beginning and the end were both quite in.


    When they got married, Izabe didn''t feel like it, and now that she was divorced from Brett, it still


    felt like a dream. She stood in a daze for a good twenty seconds before she came back to her


    senses.


    She said lightly, "Brett, I am finally free."


    As Izabe finished speaking, Brett felt as if a part of his heart was missing, a pain so intense that


    he couldn''t breathe.

 Chapter 199

    Chapter 199


    The stomach was twisted with cancer cells. Brett stared silently at the screen, feeling like the world


    went silent for a moment.


    "That''s Izabe''s stomach?"


    "Mr. Windham, if you still don''t believe this, and still think the medical records are fake and the


    images are fabricated, then just ask yourself: Have you ever seen Ms. Salotti in so much stomach


    pain that she couldn''t sleep all night?"


    "Ever seen her throwing up blood?!"


    "Ever seen her pass out from stomach pain and get sent to the hospital?!"


    "Regr stomach problems don''t cause bloody vomiting!"


    Each question from the nurse was like a bomb thrown into Brett''s head, exploding into chaos. The


    situation was spiraling out of control, and he couldn''t find the words to argue. His stupefied


    expression suddenly turned into panic.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    No matter how much he wanted to doubt it, he knew that things were nothing like he had thought.


    Izabe really had stomach cancer.


    She had never lied to him from the beginning.


    Brett suddenly remembered what Izabe had said that night, leaning against him.


    ¡ª"Brett, I''m dying."


    ¡ª"I have stomach cancer and probably won''t live another year."


    ¡ª"What if I told you I never lied to you from the start? Brett, you''re really smart, never believing in


    me from beginning to end. You can just think that way for the rest of your life."


    ¡ª"Could you please go back to Quiet Forest Estates and get my medicine? It''s the thing that could


    save my life."


    The pills he thought were fake had already been thrown away by Jennifer, never expecting that they


    were actually Izabe''s life-saving medicine.


    "If you still don''t believe all this, then when will you stop deceiving yourself? Are you really going to


    believe only when she''s at death''s door? By then, it''ll truly be toote for regrets," the nurse''s


    words, hoarse from exhaustion, pierced Brett''s heart like knives.


    Brett turned to Izabe, took a deep breath, and easily freed himself. He looked at Izabe''s pale,


    lifeless face. He couldn''t hold himself upright anymore and fell forward, dropping to his knees.


    Feeling a sharp pain in his knee, Brett finally came to his senses. He gently lifted her sleeve and


    stared at her fingers, pupils constricting, his heart aching.


    In his memory, Izabe''s hand was fair-skinned and slender, dancing gracefully on piano strings,


    her fingertips adorned with soft pink. But now, her hands were wrapped in gauze, and her fingertips


    were filled with tiny needle holes.


    On the ground and the operating table, there were still traces of dried blood.


    Her hands were already injured so badly, Brett didn''t dare lift her shirt further. Thinking about the


    doctor''s mention of hundreds of injuries, he was even more afraid to get any closer.


    What had he done to make Izabe suffer such brutal injuries?


    "Izabe, can you wake up? I promise I''ll never treat you like that again."


    "I didn''t know you had stomach cancer. I thought you were lying to me."


    "If you wake up, I won''t tie you up anymore, and I won''t force you to have children."


    "As long as you wake up, I''m willing to spend my whole life making up for the past sixteen years of


    your misced love." Brett''s trembling hand grabbed the edge of the bed, pleading desperately for


    Izabe to open her eyes.


    He hated deception, but now he wished everyone was lying to him.


    He was so full of himself, thinking he could protect both of them at the same time. He arrogantly


    thought that as long as he didn''t care about Izabe and got Kaley back first, he could sort things


    out.

 Chapter 200

    Chapter 200


    He thought Izabe would only get some minor injuries, those people wouldn''t give her a hard time,


    and he could save her in no time.


    But everything turned outpletely differently from what he expected. He couldn''t describe this


    feeling. Nothing was in his control and the world was copsing.


    Was this what "regret" felt like? He had never done anything in his life to make him "regretful." Even


    if he felt unwilling, he could quickly calm himself down. He was so confident that when he saw


    Izabe covered with life-support instruments, hepletely lost his sanity, miscalcting for the


    first time in his life.


    Brett felt as if something shattered inside his heart.


    "Izabe, Izabe," Tears blurred his vision as he gently held Izabe''s hand and called her name


    one after another, trying to wake her up.


    He didn''t make much noise when he cried, just tears running down his cheeks.


    "Why didn''t you tell me you had stomach cancer? Why did you lie to me!" His brain was a mess,


    and the only belief that supported himpletely disappeared, making it difficult for him to breathe.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    In the quiet ICU room, all that was left was Brett''s heavy, mournful breathing. They never knew a


    man''s repressed cry could be so sad and deste, as if all his pain could be cried out.


    The medical staff present couldn''t bear to look. The crazy Brett from just before seemed like almost


    an illusion.


    At this point, anyforting words were useless. Izabe, now in a vegetative state, had shattered


    his pride.


    Brett was crying, but he did not feel it. Only when he touched his face that he realized he was in


    tears.


    He stared at the tear stains on his fingertips, unable to recover his senses for a long time. Thest


    time he cried like this was when his parents died.


    The ce was filled with stifling despair, which made him afraid to stay. But he couldn''t leave; he


    had to be with Izabe until she woke up.


    Brett stood up, his legs numb, and a rush of weakness caused his vision to darken. He leaned on


    the bedside to steady himself.


    After a while, Brett asked, "She will wake up, right?" It wasn''t a question, but a confirmation.


    The doctor hesitated for a moment and nodded, "If the patient''s will to survive is stronger, maybe


    she will recover in the future." He said it very tactfully because the chances of a person in a


    vegetative state waking up were very low. And with Izabe''s stomach cancer, she might not even


    wake up before she died.


    Izabe was still in critical condition, and the medical staff were on alert 24/7, fearing her heart


    would stop again.


    Izabe remained in the ICU room, with Brett sitting by her bed. He hadn''t slept for two days and


    nights, and he hadn''t eaten or drank anything for nearly twelve hours. His lips were cracking from


    dryness.


    His grief was hard to suppress, but it didn''t show on his pale and weak face. So when Liam came


    with his men, he didn''t notice anything unusual.


    "President Windham, what happened to your wife?" It was just an ordinary hospital room, but Liam


    felt the room was much colder than the outside, like the air conditioning was turned on, making him


    reluctant to enter.


    "She¡¯s in a vegetative state," Brett replied indifferently.


    Liam was taken aback, unable to say anything. He gently put the fully charged phone and change of


    clothes on the table and left.


    When Liam left, Brett was alone again. He touched Izabe''s jaw and neck, and his hand slid down


    to her corbone, where the wound had been treated.


    Brett''s hand couldn''t help shaking. His fingertip felt rough just as it touched those wounds, as if it


    got burned.


    His nerves were tense, like a huge rock was pressing on his shoulders, making it hard to breathe.


    Brett''s heart ached to the point of suffocating.


    God punished his arrogance in the most brutal way.


    The phone on the table vibrated. Brett looked over and saw the caller was Kaley.


    A sense of indescribable fatigue arose from his heart, but Brett finally answered.


    "What''s wrong?" His voice sounded hoarse.


    Kaley could hear the hoarseness in Brett''s voice and asked with concern, "Brett, why is your voice


    so hoarse? Did you catch a cold?"


    "No, what do you want?"


    ¡°Brett, I''m scared. Can youe over and be with me?" In the photos, Kaley''s injuries seemed


    quite severe, butparing to Izabe''s injuries, Kaley just had minor wounds. She had a fractured


    right hand and other superficial injuries that could be fully healed.

 Chapter 209

    Chapter 209


    "Ah--" Izabe''s voice was hoarse to the point of inaudibility, She opened her mouth, emitting


    fragmented sounds of fear from her throat.


    Izabe looked at Brett''s face, feeling as if her blood was flowing backwards. She wanted to


    struggle, to resist, to escape, but her body was too weak to move.


    She had been lying there for 90 days. For Brett, her period of unconsciousness seemed unbearably


    long, but to Izabe, her terrifying ordeal seemed to have urred only yesterday. She stared, eyes


    widened, tears streaming down her face. The blinding light in the room didn''t even make her blink,


    her eyes reddened from crying.


    "Help me, please don''t..." Izabe''s weak scream echoed in the empty hospital room, her hand


    gradually regaining strength, she used all her energy to p the side of the bed. Izabe''s voice


    sent chills down Brett''s spine, he felt no warmth, and the pain in his heart deepened bit by bit.


    He quickly pressed the call button on the wall, then firmly held Izabe''s upper body and controlled


    her iling hands. "Izabe, it''s okay now, everything has passed. Don''t be afraid, don''t be afraid,"


    Brett''s eyes were so sore from the pain that he couldn''t breathe steadily.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Seeing the man holding her, Izabe was even more frightened, her mind a blur, memories flooding


    into her brain like a barrage of photographs. "I don''t want to, Brett, I was wrong, I shouldn''t have lied


    to you, I don''t want to rece Kaley, you should just kill me, don''t send me away. I¡¯m sorry."


    Izabe, who had always been stubbornly impossible to admit her wrongs, was now like a child who


    had done something horrible, terrified of being discarded for her mistakes.


    She kept apologizing, but she didn''t know what she had done wrong. She must have done


    something wrong, otherwise why wouldn''t Brett answer her calls for help? She was tied to the bed,


    tormented for an hour, from cold branding, to whipping, her corbone pierced by a sharp weapon,


    the end of the weapon tied to a thin chain like a dog leash around her neck, her hands full of steel


    needles, fingernails cracked and flesh sttered, so much blood, so much pain.


    In the extreme despair, Izabe was on the verge of breaking down. Hearing her voice, Brett was


    completely dumbfounded. He had thought about the situation when Izabe woke up, but he had


    not expected her to apologize to him.


    "Izabe, I won''t send you away. Don''t apologize to me, you didn¡¯t do anything wrong." Brett


    repeated twice, his voice growing heavier each time, his heart bleeding.


    Izabe''s upper body was restrained by Brett, and she felt as if she was about to break. Her head


    was spinning, and she opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn''t make a sound.


    Her wounds had healed, but there were still mottled scars on her body and hands. Her fingernails,


    as the doctor had said, would never grow back. Her hands without fingernails looked hideously


    bare.


    Izabe looked at the man on top of her, trying to scratch him, but found her fingerscked strength.


    Izabe''s strength was no match for Brett''s, and after being sick and sleeping for more than ny


    days, she was physically weak and felt tired after a brief struggle.


    Now, she felt as if a boulder was pressing on her chest, the feeling of suffocation returned. Perhaps


    it was the cancer cells in her stomach acting up, Izabe felt a wave of darkness before her eyes


    and suddenly retched.


    There was only water in her stomach, and when she vomited, she tasted blood. Her once rosy lips


    now looked like they were painted with scarlet lipstick.


    Her face was pale, and a touch of ck and blue was looming between her brows. Izabe had


    been in aa for several months. Brett had sought stomach cancer specialists from various


    hospitals, even inviting teams from abroad for her treatment. Because of thea, even if


    symptoms appeared, they couldn''t be detected, but fortunately, the cancer cells were controlled.


    However, as soon as Izabe woke up, she vomited blood, her vitality was extremely weak. "Mr.


    Windham, please let her go, you''re only making her condition worse!" In fact, Izabe was now like


    someone on a tight string, the tension increasing and cracks starting to appear.


    The moment the doctor finished speaking, Brett felt the person in his arms go still. He quickly


    lowered his head, his heart clenched. Izabe closed her eyes.


    "Quick, get her to the emergency room!"


    The air was filled with a suffocating atmosphere. Watching Izabe being rushed into the


    emergency room again, Brett felt as if all his strength had been drained away, as if half of his soul


    had been scooped out.


    For more than twenty years, Brett felt that his experiences were beyond his age. When facing


    emergencies, even if he couldn''te up with a perfect solution right away, he never panicked.


    Over the years, solving problems had be his habit.


    He was sometimes overconfident, arrogant, but his status and identity gave him enough confidence.


    He never believed in karma, so he acted arrogantly without restraint. Only now did he realize that


    karma do exist. What went around came around, and betraying someone really brought retribution


    upon you.


    This was what he deserved.

 Chapter 210

    Chapter 210


    In the quiet hallway, Brett leaned against a wall, his head lowered. Shadows veiled his entire face,


    making the passing janitors hesitant to approach him.


    Izabe was being resuscitated, and Brett looked at his own fingers - this was the ninth time she''d


    needed resuscitation in the ny days since she''d been hospitalized.


    Each time Izabe was taken into the emergency room, Brett regretted it so much that he wanted to


    kill himself. He''d never felt so powerless, like a piece of wood floating in the sea.


    Liam came by again today and found it weird to see Brett standing in the hallway. Usually, whenever


    he came, Brett would be guarding Izabe in her room, barely moving at all. Why was he taking a


    breather in the hallway today?


    Liam, a sharp-minded person, sensed something was wrong even before he got close.


    He stopped about a meter away from Brett and asked, "President Windham, what are you doing


    here?" It was an odd question for a subordinate to ask, especially when he shouldn''t be prying into


    his boss''s business. Even if he was curious, he should have kept it to himself.


    Just as Liam thought of changing the subject, Brett spoke up in a hoarse voice, "Izabe''s awake."


    "Your wife''s awake? Then why¡­" Liam abruptly stopped speaking when he saw the light above the


    emergency room door not far away. This exined why Brett was standing there instead of going in


    to apany Izabe.


    Watching Brett continuously rub his temples, Liam couldn''t help but say softly, "Don''t worry,


    President Windham. Your wife will be fine since she has woken up."


    To have woken up after three months ofa was already a miracle. What else could be


    impossible?


    "Your wife will be alright," Liam offered constion.


    But Brett didn''t hear a word of it as his heart ached, not just for Izabe''s critical condition, but for


    the insurmountable rift between them.


    Seeing Izabe''s face when she woke up, he knew they could never go back.


    Izabe could never forgive him. During her battle with stomach cancer, her own husband had


    pushed her into the abyss, where she was tormented and left in despair.


    An hourter, Izabe was finally wheeled out of the emergency room. She was still pale, her lips


    bluish, and her brows furrowed in her sleep as if she was struggling in a nightmare.


    The sight of delicate Izabe once again pierced Brett''s heart. Izabe''s condition was just a


    temporary reprieve, and she could still face more dire situations like today.


    What''s more, herte-stage stomach cancer was already beyond help, and no one knew how long


    she could live.


    The doctor told Brett about Izabe''s condition truthfully, but he was so out of it that he just stared at


    her nkly, as if he was in a trance.


    It was Liam who ended up remembering all the details. In summary, the damage Izabe had


    suffered had gone beyond the average person''s tolerance.


    The doctor mentioned two types of damage: one was her stomach cancer, and the other was the


    five doses of medicine injected into her brain.


    Herte-stage stomach cancer had been discovered a year ago in a hospital check-up, and it was


    impressive that she had hung on for so long.


    The five nerve-destroying medications, however, had further devastated her body.


    On top of that, as Izabe had a history of depression, her brain nerves had be quite fragile


    due to the medication.


    "What consequences will that lead to?" Brett asked, willing to take all responsibility, even if it meant


    facing a mentally unstable mad woman. As long as Izabe didn''t die, everything was fine.


    However, Brett''s thinking was quite naive.


    The doctor said, "The medications have caused Ms. Salotti''s disorientation and memory disorder."


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "What do you mean by ''memory disorder''?"


    "Based on our preliminary assessment, there are two possibilities. The better one isplete


    amnesia, and the worse one is remembering only the frightening things that happened, like just


    now."


    Fear was an inevitable negative emotion for people, but being continuously immersed in fear,


    tension, anxiety, and horror, Izabe would surely die even without stomach cancer.


    "How can we make her forget everything?" Brett wondered whether they could start over if Izabe


    forgot everything.


    If she were truly amnesiac, he would take care of her and protect her this time, never letting her to


    be hurt again.


    However, the doctor shook his head, "These are things we can''t control, Mr. Windham, we suggest


    that you temporarily take a step back. I''m worried about what would happen if Ms. Salotti wakes up


    and sees you." The implication was clear.


    Brett nodded, unable to be close to Izabe when she was awake and not knowing when she would


    wake up again. He dared not stay in her room and paced out to the hallway, watching her from afar.


    The hospital''s psychologist came to provide counseling for Izabe, but her situation was very


    different from most psychiatric patients.


    Both her body and mind had suffered severe traumas, etched into her soul indelibly, and even


    thinking about it was excruciating.


    Upon seeing another person, Izabe would scream in fear, and she would beg for mercy when the


    doctor took out sedatives to inject her.


    "Don''t give me the shot, it hurts too much."


    Standing outside the door, Brett felt cold all over his body as Izabe''s pleas seemed like sharp


    knives stabbing his heart relentlessly, making him bleed internally.


    Over the course of a few days, Izabe would curl her body under the covers, jumping up like a


    frightened cat at the slightest noise, and looking around in horror.


    She was afraid of everyone around her, but even more so of Brett. Although her memory wasn''t


    good, she remembered all the pain Brett had caused her.


    Stealing nces at her through the ss on the door, Brett saw Izabe with her head bowed, chin


    pressed against her chest, and her body trembling slightly. Seeing Izabe like this, he felt it was


    like someone were cutting his flesh with a knife.


    The psychologist would counsel Izabe twice a day - once in the morning, and once in the


    afternoon.


    Following these counseling sessions, Izabe wasn''t as panicked when facing the psychologist as


    she used to be. However, the prolonged state of intense mental stress made Izabe, who was


    already thin, even thinner.


    Under the guidance of the psychiatrist, Izabe began to speak. Her eyes darted around the room


    until theynded on a light hanging on the wall. She pointed to it and said, "That''s a camera, he''s


    watching me from inside."


    "Who''s he?" the doctor asked.


    Izabe huddled by the bed, leaning against a cab, staring nkly at the floor tiles. She hugged


    her knees and softly spoke a single word with her index finger pressed to her lips: "Ghost."


    "What did he do to you?" The doctor''s task was to make her face her past, to help her understand


    that it was all behind her now, and that she couldn¡¯t get stuck in it.


    All of a sudden, Izabe felt a wave of stiffness and then looked down at her hands. "My hands, he


    pierced my nails with steel needles, and also, he gave me injections."


    "Your hands have healed, and you won''t get pricked by needles anymore."


    Izabe shook her head, her face filled with crazed fear. She covered her neck, felt the fabric


    tearing down her cor and saw a very obvious scar on her corbone.


    Izabe pointed at her corbone, "It was pierced through here."


    The doctor felt a surge of pain seeing this. When he was asked to give Izabe psychological


    counseling, he was told the patient had suffered serious traumas.


    He had considered many scenarios, but what the patient had encountered was beyond his


    imagination. He dared not touch Izabe; he could only squat down, look straight into her eyes, and


    gently said, "The weapon in your corbone has been taken out, and the wound has healed."


    Izabe shook her head, tears streaming from her eyes. "It''ll never get better, never."


    Her physical injury was just the surface; the real pain was in her heart. She had forgotten many


    things, but besides the pain, she also felt like she lost something important that she could never


    recover.


    It was like half of her heart had been gnawed away, leaving her empty and anxious.


    "Don''t cry, Izabe. I can help you."


    Hearing the word "help," Izabe''s body suddenly tensed up. She hugged her knees tightly, her


    eyshes trembled as she looked up at the doctor.


    "Can you give me a gun?" Izabe asked cautiously.


    "What do you need a gun for?"


    Izabe replied, "To shoot myself."


    The doctor''s mouth hung open, unable to say a word.


    Eventually, Izabe, as usual, went into a frenzy. She was afraid of needles, and the doctor didn''t


    dare give her a sedative, so he had to coax her into taking her medicine.


    Izabe curled up in bed like a scared child, feeling a little cold. She embraced herself under the


    covers, enduring her pain in silence.


    She stared at the familiar silhouette on the windows and doors, her eyes finally closing in


    exhaustion.


    Izabe''s consciousness grew more and more blurry, her speech was jumbled, and she frequently


    forgot what she was saying halfway through.


    She was doing better than before, but only Izabe herself knew the truth. She was like a prisoner


    on the verge of copse, her bed a spiked board. No matter how she tried to position herself, she


    was in pain.


    Sometimes, she even felt her soul separating from her body, floating in the air above as she looked


    down at her crying self. She could hear her own anguished cries and wanted to cry as well, but her


    soul was dried up.


    What even was life? She didn''t know anymore, she was terrified, and only death could bring her


    relief.


    With her soul peacefully floating in the air, Izabe slept for a long time, murmuring, "Will you carry


    me back home?"


    Who was going to carry her home? She couldn''t remember.


    Brett watched her intently, his expression filled with pain. He gently caressed her face, and leaned


    in to kiss her lips.


    Having learned his lesson and heeding the doctor''s warning, Brett didn''t dare enter the room when


    Izabe was awake. Instead, he sneaked in when she was asleep and sat quietly by the bed, often


    staying the whole night.


    Regret wouldn''t undo his mistakes; a dead heart couldn''t be mended with anything. By the time


    Brett learned to cherish and love her, it was toote.


    They were separated by a wall; a wall that divided two different worlds. Brett stood on the shore,


    while Izabe was sinking at the bottom of the ocean.


    If Izabe were to depart this world, he wouldn''t want anything either. He''d be willing to depart


    alongside her.

 Chapter 219

    Chapter 219


    The purpose of Kaley''s call to Brett was simple, to ask him why he left R City without telling her.


    Originally, Izabe was supposed to be in aa for a long time, but she surprisingly woke up soon


    and lost her memory. Izabe''s amnesia was not good news for Kaley.


    Could amnesia just meant that nothing ever happened?


    Kaley bribed a nurse in the hospital, nning to take action at some point, but Brett was always


    guarding the ward. The person she bribed was told that the patient inside had already been


    discharged before even entering the room.


    Kaley felt frustrated. She couldn''t understand why the result she got after paying such a big price


    was just a minor impact on Izabe.


    Thinking of that man''s methods, Kaley couldn''t help but shudder.


    A big part of the reason that the "kidnapper" insisted on Izabe was because of what Kaley had


    said.


    That guy was Brett''s enemy. If Brett liked something, he would try to take it; if he couldn''t have it, he


    would just destroy it.


    To protect herself when she was kidnapped, Kaley drew a clear line between her and Brett, and told


    the kidnapper that Izabe was Brett''s true love, and kidnapping her could force out a lot of


    information.


    However, kidnapping Izabe became a problem, and in the end, Kaley had to sacrifice herself.


    It was a gamble; Kaley knew that Brett would definitely save her because he "owed" her a life. She


    couldn''t match them in psychological tactics, so all she could do was to be ruthless to herself.


    In the end, she won the bet. Brett really exchanged Izabe for her.


    She sacrificed her own leg, thinking that even if Izabe didn''t die, she would be seriously injured.


    But the result was that Izabe didn''t die and her face remained unscathed. She was fine after


    sleeping for a few months.


    Kaley knew that man''s methods, but now things were deviating from her expected trajectory and


    developing in apletely unknown direction. This made Kaley fall into fear, afraid that the man


    would sense something ande looking for her again.


    Now the only one she could seek refuge with was Brett, but he suddenly left R City.


    As soon as Kaley learned from Liam that Brett had left R City, she hurriedly called him overnight.


    The waiting tone sounded for more than ten seconds. Kaley thought to herself that if no one


    answered, she would call again; if it was busy, she would wait another ten minutes before calling


    back.


    Just when the waiting tone was about to end, the phone was connected, and Brett''s clear and


    elegant voice came out, "What do you want?"


    "Are you noting back to R City?" Kaley asked directly.


    "Not for now." Brett was as sinct as ever, answering only what he was asked and not saying a


    word more.


    How long was "not for now"? Just like Brett said "soon" he would marry her, but there was never


    any news again.


    "Brett, you said you wouldn''t leave me behind. If you''re in J City, I want to go too." Said Kaley.


    "No." Replied Brett coldly.


    She knew Brett would refuse her, but she didn''t expect him to be so decisive. Well, there wasn''t


    much love between them in the first ce, he knew her disguise, and she knew he didn''t care about


    her.


    "I heard Izabe lost her memory. Are you worried that she''ll remember something if she sees me?"


    Asked Kaley.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "How do you know she has amnesia?" The man''s voice suddenly became gloomy, and even


    through the phone, she could feel the intimidating power.


    Kaley gritted her teeth, with her jaw twitching, "not only do I know she has amnesia, but I also know


    she has stomach cancer."


    Izabe''s amnesia and stomach cancer were not secrets. Although Brett forced the hospital to seal


    the news, she could use the same means to find out something if she wanted to.


    "If you dare say anything more, don''t me me for not giving you face." Said Brett.


    "Brett, I know you don''t want Izabe to remember anything. I promise I won''t talk about the past in


    front of her; I just want to be by your side, even if I''m just looking at you from afar."


    Her voice was hoarse and choked. If it weren''t for Brett knowing what kind of methods she had used


    before, he might have been moved.


    He sneered, with a cold voice, "Are you threatening me?"


    Kaley felt like she had a thorn in her back, "It''s not that I''m threatening you, but you need me.


    Izabe''s stomach cancer is unstable, and she will definitely have surgeryter. Can you guarantee


    she won''t bleed during the surgery?"


    Kaley understood Brett; he was cautious and careful, preventing problems before they happened.


    "Brett, having a mobile blood bank is very convenient, isn''t it?" Kaley said leisurely, "you know this


    very well."


    No one knew better than him how convenient a mobile blood bank like Izabe had been. As long


    as Kaley was injured and bleeding, he would forcibly take Izabe to the hospital to draw blood.


    Thinking of the past, his heart felt like it was being gnawed by ants. Brett didn''t dare to refuse


    Kaley''s condition because he was really afraid of Izabe having an ident one day.


    "Fine, I agree to let youe to J City. But if you say anything to Izabe that makes her remember


    something, I won''t let you off easily."


    He spoke concisely and gave her no respect.


    Kaley knew his character and suppressed the breath, "I know."


    As soon as she spoke, the call disconnected.


    Kaley put down the phone, her lips curling coldly. The more Brett cared about Izabe, the more it


    benefited her.


    What she wanted to seek now was just Brett''s protection. If she didn''t even have that, she would


    have to turn against them.


    Kaley booked a ne ticket early and would head to J City tomorrow afternoon. She didn''t know


    what Izabe would be like after losing her memory. ording to the nurse she had bribed, Izabe


    was slow and dull now, which simply meant she was a bit foolish.


    Kaley raised her hand and touched her face, thinking about the verbal humiliation Izabe had


    given her in the past and the p she had received. Her eyes suddenly narrowed.


    She had to bring down Izabe!

 Chapter 220

    Chapter 220


    "Mr. Krueger, Brett''s back in J City, and there''s still no news about the ore from Starry Brilliance


    Ind. Do you think it''s already been moved to J City?" A standing subordinate with gold-rimmed


    sses respectfully asked the man lounging on the sofa.


    The man was sitting there rxed, with his long right leg casually resting on the coffee table, a


    tablet in his right hand, and a cigarette in his left hand. As his fingers moved slightly, blue-gray


    smoke rose, and the ashes fell to the ground with sparks.


    Hearing his subordinate''s words, he took a drag on the cigarette and nced over at him.


    The subordinate immediately shut up, not even daring to breathe. With just a look from the man, he


    knew that he couldn''t afford to disturb him now, or the consequences would be miserable.


    As the room quieted down, the man continued to stare at the screen, watching a one-hourvideo.


    The sound leaked out as the video yed; it was the clip he had recorded when he tortured Izabe


    in the past.


    Seeing exciting parts, he licked his lips, and his eyes shed with a bright light. Izabe''s pitiful


    expression as she was tied to the wooden board made his heart race.


    The sadistic side of him that he had suppressed deep inside was bursting out as he watched the


    video. The adrenaline rushed through his veins, and even his fingertips were trembling with


    excitement.


    Izabe was both interesting and beautiful. She might not be the most beautiful woman he had ever


    seen, but something about her resilience was irresistible. Other women would probably break easily,


    but Izabe was like a cactus, and he enjoyed plucking the spines.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Seeing Izabe''s calm face gradually crumble and beg for mercy on the ground brought him


    immense satisfaction, and he often desired to possess her.


    What a pity that he knew she was Brett''s woman, and he wasn''t interested.


    He couldn''t help but wonder what Brett was thinking when he picked up the ragged woman that day.


    Did he particrly want to kill him?


    The man''s mouth curled up in a teasing smile, and as he watched Izabe in the video crying out in


    pain from the hallucinogenic injection, he paused the video and reyed it.


    He had watched this clip hundreds of times and still hadn''t grown tired of it. It was just a whim to


    y with her, but he didn''t expect to be so obsessed.


    He even wanted to capture Izabe again and keep her in a cage in his basement for his daily


    amusement.


    This rare obsession with something that belonged to Brett was fascinating, yet frustrating.


    As long as it was Brett''s, he wanted it. If he couldn''t have it, he would destroy it.


    But he didn''t want to kill this woman; even though he had been so cruel to her, he remained


    strangely attached.


    For someone who enjoyed tormenting others, Izabe was the first person he didn''t want to kill


    outright. An unusual emotion welled up inside him, causing him to crush the cigarette in his hand


    and flick it urately into the trash can.


    "J City?" He rewound the video to hear Izabe''s words. It did look like she said J City.


    The sound was damaged, and even at the highest volume, it was hard to decipher. When he had


    used a lie detector on Izabe, she had repeatedly imed not to know anything about it.


    The lie detector proved she was lying, butter, he found out that the lie detector had been broken


    from the start.


    So did Izabe lie? Did she know about the ore on Starry Brilliance Ind?


    "Can you tell what she''s saying?"


    The subordinate listened closely and hesitated. "It should be J City," he said, considering that during


    the video, the man was holding a map and asking if J City was the ce, so she might have replied


    ordingly.


    "Should be?" The man yed the video further and suddenly smiled mysteriously.


    The subordinate became anxious, with his legs shaking, and he didn''t dare say a word.


    "I thought she was saying J City, too, but when I saw her expression afterward, I realized she wasn''t


    saying those words." Izabe''s subsequent expression seemed to be mocking herself, and he


    already had a guess that was getting close to the correct answer.


    With a smack, he tossed the tablet aside.


    "What she just said was not J City, but Brett." He also heard her snarl, "I hate you."


    The subordinate didn''t initially agree but after being reminded, the more they listened, the more they


    found it reasonable. . The lip shapes did match.


    This was too intriguing...


    The man''s eyes brightened as he learned the truth. The fact that Izabe could transfer her hatred


    to Brett suited him perfectly. As long as she hated Brett, she could be manipted and help him get


    the ore.


    What could be more mesmerizing than being hated by the person you love the most?


    "You just said Brett went to J City?" Asked the man.


    "Yes, he took a flight at two o''clock this afternoon." Replied the subordinate.


    The man''s face gradually returned to calm. He stared at the tablet on the coffee table, leaned back


    against the couch, and crossed his legs.


    The subordinate didn''t interrupt him.


    After a while, the man muttered to himself, "Since Brett''s gone to J City, Izabe must be there too."


    The subordinate thought for a moment and replied, "There was indeed a woman with him, but she


    seemed to have amnesia."


    "Amnesia?" The man squinted.


    "I just got the news. Brett has kept it a secret, so we need to investigate further." Answered the


    subordinate.


    The man listened quietly, pondering why Izabe merely had amnesia after the five injections, while


    others would have gone insane.


    His hand rested on the couch armrest, and his fingers tapped lightly¡ªa moment of silence.


    "Book me a flight to J City for the day after tomorrow." Ordered the man.


    The subordinateplied and left the room, whilst the man continued to watch the video, his


    natural smile gradually disappearing.


    One y just wasn''t enough¡ªhe wanted to possess Izabe wholly.


    "We''ll meet again soon."

 Chapter 229

    Chapter 229


    "We''re not that close for me to tell you everything, right?" Izabe was very cautious at this point.


    Nathaniel chuckled. Izabe had amnesia and probably didn''t even know what kind of illness she


    had.


    He looked her straight in the eyes without any reservation, "I just wanted to show some concern, I''m


    afraid you don''t even know what kind of illness you have."


    Izabe frowned, not understanding his words. Wasn''t she familiar with her own body?


    Izabe felt doubtful about his words. Just as she was about to speak, her phone rang. Checking


    the screen, it was a call from Brett.


    There were only five numbers in her new phone ¨C Brett, Liam, Adrian, Tiara, and Katie.


    Brett was the one she contacted most frequently. Answering the call, she softly said, "Brett."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Did you take your medicine?"


    Hearing Brett''s voice made the gloomy feeling in Izabe''s heart dissipate instantly. Her mood


    improved, her frowning eyebrows rxed, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly.


    "Yes, I just took them."


    "Then I''ll reward you tonight."


    Upon hearing the word "reward," Izabe''s face turned slightly red, thinking in her heart that Brett


    was a rogue.


    "It''s raining outside. Did you bring an umbre? I''ll have my driver pick you up."


    "Don¡¯t worry, this rain won''tst long. I''ll take a cab home. Have you eaten yet?"


    "Not yet, I just finished looking through contracts that needed signing."


    It was already one o''clock, and Brett hadn''t eaten yet. Izabe, who had suffered from stomach


    pains, didn''t want Brett to have stomach problems like her.


    "The steak at the restaurant I ate at today was pretty good, and the ce was nice too. Let''se


    here together next time."


    Sitting across from her, Nathaniel''s expression darkened upon hearing her words, and his light


    brown eyes gradually turned cold.


    Brett said something on the phone, and Izabe''s smile spread sweetly across her face, urging him


    to eat soon.


    "Were you alone at the movies today and then eating alone at a Western restaurant?"


    Izabe replied, "Yes."


    As dessert was served, Nathaniel stared at Izabe as she talked on the phone, his eyes growing


    colder and a malicious idea emerging within him.


    "Be, dessert is here ¨C let''s eat."


    Izabe suddenly stiffened. She was replying to Brett when Nathaniel unexpectedly interrupted, and


    she could feel Brett''s anger through the phone.


    "Who exactly are you with?"


    Izabe quickly exined, "Just a stranger I met today. I don''t know him well."


    Brett took a deep breath, "Alright, I got it."


    Izabe wanted to say more, but Brett had already hung up. He must''ve been really angry.


    Izabe gazed nkly at her phone, feeling somewhat at a loss.


    "Is your husband?" Nathaniel looked at her with a smirking expression, full of insinuation.


    Izabe was now sure that Nathaniel had interrupted her call on purpose!


    "Your husband wouldn''t get angry over such a trivial matter if he really loves you," Nathaniel pushed


    the dessert toward Izabe.


    "Someone who loves you will respect and trust you. In your life, you''ll meet various people and form


    friendships. Between you and him, isn''t there even this level of trust?"


    Izabe''s face darkened. Nathaniel''s words were clearly meant to sow discord, but his arguments


    were clever and made sense.


    With her memory loss, Izabe craved forming new rtionships.


    Combined with the powerful movie she saw this morning, she didn''t want to be like the woman


    in the film who lost everything and had nothing but love.


    She believed in Brett, and Brett should trust her too. Mutual respect was required in a marriage.


    "We watched a movie together today and ate lunch here. It''s not an overstatement to call each other


    friends. As a friend, I just wanted to remind you that you deserve a gentle and loving partner."

 Chapter 230

    Chapter 230


    "You deserve someone who''s gentle and cares for you, not someone who hangs up without hearing


    your exnation." After saying that, Nathaniel added, "If you were with me, I''d give you enough


    freedom and not interfere with your social life. At least, respect and trust are essential."


    Izabe''s face became a bit heavy. She knew better than anyone else what kind of person Brett


    was, and she didn''t need an outsider to worry about her.


    "Trying to stir things up between me and my husband won''t work."


    Nathaniel smirked, "Whether it''s stirring things up or not, you''ll find out when you go back."


    Even though Izabe''s mind isn''t as sharp as before, it doesn''t mean she''s stupid.


    From the things Nathaniel said, she could almost be sure that his approach to her wasn''t love at first


    sight but had an ulterior motive.


    Izabe stared at her phone, looking pale. She looked at the cake in front of her; it had a sweet


    smell and looked appetizing, but her stomach was blocked, and she couldn''t eat anything.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    How could she cheer up an angry man?


    Izabe pondered this question. Today she''s in the wrong; she shouldn''t have lied to Brett, saying


    she was eating alone.


    She called the waiter and ordered two cakes to be packed.


    "Do you finish it?" Nathaniel looked at the te in front of her. She had only eaten a few bites of the


    steak, just a little of the appetizer, and the soup was barely touched.


    "I''m full already. Thank you for your treat." Izabe took out her card, "Let''s split the bill for this


    meal."


    Clearly, she was determined to draw a line between her and Nathaniel.


    Nathaniel didn''t say anything, seeing her indifferent attitude, but his eyes became increasingly


    dangerous.


    Izabe took the cake to settle the bill at the front desk, only to be told that she didn''t have to pay for


    the meal because Nathaniel was the owner of this restaurant.


    Izabe was stunned for a moment, looking back, Nathaniel was standing behind her, winking at


    her.


    "Do you want to transfer the money to me?"


    "Yes, give me your ount."


    "Why bother? Just add me on Facebook."


    Nathaniel took out his phone, and in Izabe''s recently registered Facebook, there was only Brett.


    She hadn''t posted any contents, and there was nothing private in her news.


    Izabe transferred money to him.


    After Nathaniel confirmed the receipt, he knew he couldn''t keep her and said, "Let me take you


    home. It''s still raining outside."


    "No need." Izabe''s expression was cold.


    Nathaniel didn''t insist further. He watched Izabe leave, took out his phone, flipped to the message


    page, and clicked on the message at the top.


    When he saw the photos sent by the other party, he smiled, selected a few pictures with ambiguous


    angles, and sent them to Brett.


    Meeting Izabe today was a coincidence, and he didn''t expect such a big gain. He was curious to


    see Brett''s reaction after receiving these photos.


    Could he really not care and trust Izabe''s words? Did he not feel the slightest estrangement in his


    heart?


    After seeing the other party receive the message, Nathaniel sneered, his eyes bright and clear, and


    put the phone into his coat pocket.


    At this moment, Brett was in the president''s office dealing with work. Because of the call he just


    made to Izabe, he felt very anxious and restless.


    He couldn''t read a word on theputer screen, with a headache. He sat in a leather chair,


    supporting his head with his left hand while holding a half-smoked cigarette in his right.


    The phone on his desk suddenly vibrated. Brett nced sideways, looking at it.


    When he saw the name on the message, his deep eyes looked even darker, gloomy and cold.


    He opened the message, and when he saw the photos, it was as if every cell in his body was


    ignited.


    There were a total of five photos, and the people in the photos were Nathaniel and Izabe.


    From their intimate actions in the photos, it seemed like they were the loving couple.


    In the movie theater, the man was leaning on Izabe''s shoulder; In the restaurant, they were sitting


    at a couple''s table, and there was also a picture of Izabe adding Nathaniel on Facebook.


    Aside from anger, Brett''s eyes were filled with indescribableplexity, his mood sinking to the


    bottom.


    Was this Izabe''s so-called going to a movie alone? Eating lunch alone?


    He couldn''t believe that even though Izabe had amnesia, her mind was still slow, but she was still


    so good at lying!


    What he couldn''t think of even more was Nathaniel would be with Izabe.


    Brett''s eyes shed with ferocity as he smashed the phone against the wall. The phone fell to the


    ground, and the screen shattered.


    He pushed the chair behind him and walked towards the door. Just then, Liam came with a


    document. Seeing Brett''s gloomy face, he subconsciously stopped.


    "President Windham, where are you going?"


    "Going home."


    "But there''s an important meeting this afternoon."


    "Cancel it." He just wanted to go back and ask Izabe why she lied to him when she knew he


    hated deception the most.


    As Brett hesitated, Liam thought he had changed his mind to continue working, but Brett picked up


    the smashed phone off the floor.


    "Go to the mall and purchase a phone. Send it to my office tomorrow morning."


    "Okay." Liam nced at the phone in Brett''s hand, which was smashed so badly that it showed how


    angry he was.


    Although Brett was strict at work, he had never lost his temper. This was obviously because of


    issues at home.


    Liam thought of Izabe.


    As soon as Brett left, Liam had no choice but to cancel the meeting and reschedule it.


    Izabe stood at the mall entrance to avoid the rain, waiting for a taxi home. A cold wind mixed with


    fine rain blew over, and Izabe shivered, holding the cake firmly in her hands.


    Sweets can make people feel happy. She hoped that Brett would not be too angry after eating the


    cake.


    Izabe wanted to go straight to the Windham Group to meet Brett, but she didn''t know where


    Brett''s workce was.


    After hesitating for a moment, she nervously called Brett.


    The call went through, and after a few seconds of waiting, the other party answered.


    "Brett, I brought some cake. Where''s your office? I''lle meet you."


    "No need, just wait for me at home." He hung up without waiting for Izabe''s reply.


    Izabe stood there dumbfounded, with the cold wind constantly blowing at her. She could hardly


    feel the cold though, because her heart felt even colder than her skin.


    The anger in her heart brought a sour, swelling pain. Izabe clenched her teeth, her eyes turning


    red from the injustice.


    She had confidently believed that Brett would trust and respect her, but now his change in attitude


    left her uncertain about his thoughts. Caught off guard in a rapidly changing game, people always


    feel hesitant and timid when faced with uncertainty.


    Izabe let out a long sigh, feeling as if there was a heavy stone pressing on her chest, making her


    breathless.


    A taxi was parked outside, and after checking the license te, Izabe walked out of the mall,


    carefully holding the cake.


    It was a short distance from there to her home, just a few minutes by car.


    Adrian stood at the door, holding a cup and looking into the distance. When he saw Izabe return,


    his eyes lit up, "Ma''am, you''re back. Did you take your medicine?"


    "I did."


    Adrian looked at her red, freezing fingers and quickly walked over, "Ma''am, what are you holding?"


    As he spoke, he reached out his hand, "Let me help you with that. You should take a hot bath and


    warm up."


    Adrian was almost as old as Izabe''s father, and everyone in the family treated her well. Izabe


    considered them her own family.


    Seeing Adrian''s kind smile, Izabe felt much warmer, but she shook her head, "Adrian, I can hold it


    myself."


    "Alright."


    Izabe took the cake back to her bedroom and ced it on the bedside table.


    She didn''t take a bath, just wiped her wet hair with a clean towel and changed into her pajamas.


    Cancer patients are physically weak and cannot endure coldness, nor can they stand the cold.


    Moreover, she just took her medicine and was so dizzy that she could not help but want to sleep.


    Suddenly, everything around her became quiet, only the sound of rain outside could be heard.


    Izabe sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the dark carpet on the floor. She took off her


    shoes and stepped on it barefoot, the soft touch slightly rxing her nerves.


    Izabe tilted her head and zoned out for a while, then got into bed, pulled the nket over her and


    checked her phone.


    No one had called her or sent any messages. She checked the time - it was two o''clock in the


    afternoon.


    Brett woulde home at six, so Izabe made sure her phone wasn''t on silent and set an rm


    for four o''clock.


    At three in the afternoon, a luxury car entered the vi and parked in the outdoor parking area.


    Brett got out of the car, his face dark and angry. His deep eyes seemed to be filled with a storm


    about to erupt.

 Chapter 239

    Chapter 239


    She was so skinny, yet her body bore hundreds of scars of all kinds. He had imagined how difficult


    that hour must have been for her, but when he saw the video, he was only then truly aware of the


    magnitude of her suffering. His assumptions were just the tip of the iceberg.


    He watched helplessly as the video showed Izabe locked in a cold cell. A man in a terrifying mask


    sliced fresh red wounds onto her thigh with a knife. He watched as her back was corroded by


    sulfuric acid, her screams echoing in the room as she was injected with five different substances,


    her veins popping on her forehead and neck.


    She was barely holding on to life, yet the man did not spare her, piercing her fingertips with a steel


    needle, breaking through the gaps and tearing her nails.


    She writhed in pain on the floor, pressing her bloody fingers against her phone, calling him again


    and again.


    How desperate must Izabe have been at that time? Her hope was gradually extinguished, and in


    the end, she plunged into hell.


    The video was intermittent, some parts edited, but it didn''t hinder the viewing.


    Brett''s gaze never left the video, he tried to calm himself, but his breathing grew heavier, and tears


    unknowingly streamed down his face.


    Seeing Izabe''s torturous humiliation from start to end in the video, her pain and despair stabbed


    his heart like a knife, each breath brought pain.


    Even just watching the video was unbearable for him, let alone what Izabe must have endured


    during that long hour.


    No wonder Izabe went mad when she woke up, choosing death over life, constantly trying to


    commit suicide, fear striking her at the sight of a needle, feeling watched every time she saw a


    camera.


    Brett gripped his phone tightly, burying his face in the back of his hand, confronted with the reality


    he had refused to see.


    Nathaniel, damn it!


    And he himself deserved to die even more. Just like Nathaniel said, he was the one who sent


    Izabe to that ce to be tortured, he was the real instigator.


    After Izabe lost her memory, he tried to make up for it, but could he really make up for the harm


    he had caused her?


    And today, heshed out at Izabe over a few photos, forcing her, causing her pain, making her


    cry.


    He was nothing but a beast!


    Brett didn''t know how long he had been sitting outside, his eyes nkly staring at the faint light from


    the upstairs window, his whole body seemed to have lost its soul, only the pain in his heart


    reminded him that he was still alive.


    His whole body felt as if it had frozen, as if his blood had solidified.


    He touched the area over his heart, the cold came from within, it wasn''t the weather, no matter how


    thickly he was dressed, he felt cold.


    Brett put down his phone, his face was numb from the cold, he could no longer feel the pain of the


    wounds, he staggered back into the vi and up the stairs.


    Izabe''s door was half-closed, the warm yellow light leaked out, the inside was quiet, he wasn''t


    sure if Izabe had fallen asleep.


    During the days he spent with Izabe, he was always on time or early for work, he never came


    homete.


    It was the first time he had returned sote since she lost her memory.


    He knew Izabe was afraid of being alone, so he always came home early to apany her, he


    almost forgot that Izabe was afraid of the dark.


    Brett gently pushed the door open, his gaze shifting to the bed. Izabe was lying on her side,


    showing only her back. The warm light on her made her look lonely and uneasy.


    He walked in, seeing Izabe''s body move slightly, she was obviously not asleep yet.


    Brett didn''t know what to say, all the words he had seemed to boil down to silence and guilt.


    He walked straight to the bedside and then knelt down on one knee, this subtle movement echoed


    in the quiet bedroom.


    Brett knelt in silence, not knowing how long he had been kneeling. His injured thigh was bing


    increasingly ufortable due to poor blood cirction.


    Izabe opened her eyes, her lips tightly pressed together. After a while, she turned around. Her


    half-closed eyes widened at the sight of the wounds on Brett''s face.


    She subconsciously bit her lip, but seemed to remember something and held her lips tightly again.


    Brett''s expression changed slightly, as he looked at the bruise on Izabe''s neck and thought of the


    video on his phone, he felt himself worse than an animal.


    What had he done? Jealousy had blinded him. He knew Izabe wasn''t that kind of person, she


    wouldn''t have feelings for other men, but he still hurt her.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    What he did, how was it any different from Nathaniel? It was even worse than Nathaniel.


    "I''m sorry, I was wrong," he admitted.


    Izabe''s eyes were slightly red, she wiped her nose. In the hours Brett had been away, she had


    thought a lot, about how to manage their marriage, how to continue with Brett, but in the end, she


    thought most about parting ways.


    She had already thought about how to propose breaking up with Brett, but when Brett kneeled and


    apologized to her, she couldn''t say anything.


    She was so useless, that''s why she deserved to be hurt like this, even if she was tortured to death,


    this was the result of her own choices.


    She liked Brett, willing to suffer for him. For her, he was the only family she had in this world, the


    meaning of her life.


    She slowly sat up, her waist and legs aching. She was wearing a loose silk nightgown, and as she


    rose, the cor slid down, revealing her rounded shoulder, arge part of her chest, and the scars


    on it, making those wounds look even more horrifying.


    Izabe was not an easy person to scar, bruises like these would fade, but the frostbite on her body


    and the wound on her corbone would not.


    Several months had passed, and the scars had only faded slightly.


    Brett spoke with difficulty, "Be, can you forgive me?"


    Izabe turned her head, "Do you know why you were wrong?"


    "I know."


    "Where did you go wrong?"


    Brett admitted seriously, word by word, "I should have trusted you, not misunderstood you, not


    forced you to do things you don''t like, and not hurt you."

 Chapter 240

    Chapter 240


    "You know those photos are fake, so why won''t you give me a chance to exin? Why do you


    misunderstand me?"


    "I''m sorry." Brett bowed his head in apology, not daring to look at Izabe. He could imagine how


    disappointed she must be.


    He was afraid of Izabe leaving him and even more afraid of her saying "Let''s end this."


    "Is ''sorry'' all you know how to say?" Izabe asked emotionlessly, turning her head to look above


    Brett''s.


    His hair was messy, and his hair were filled with dirt and grass, making him look like he had just


    rolled around somewhere. There were bloodstains on his white shirt and injuries on his face.


    Izabe asked, "How did you get these injuries?"


    Brett''s hand, hanging on his thigh, clenched into a fist. Afraid that Izabe would worry, he wanted


    to tell her he had hurt himself by ident.


    But this thought was harshly cut off by Izabe. "Don''t lie."


    Misunderstanding was the biggest problem between them, causing mutual suspicion and distrust,


    regardless of whether the lies were well-intentioned.


    Brett admitted honestly, "I got into a fight with Nathaniel."


    Izabe wasn''t too surprised, "So you two do know each other."


    "You guessed it?"


    "I guessed during lunch with him. He kept trying to sow discord between us. I thought it was just his


    little trick, but I still fell for it," Izabe said, her face showing pain.


    Seeing Izabe''s deste expression, Brett''s heart filled with panic. He wanted to reach out and


    hug her, but he didn''t know what kind of embrace could prevent her from getting hurt. All he could


    do was me himself. "It''s my fault. I was too scared."


    Izabe never expected to hear the word "scared" from Brett. He had always been arrogant and


    proud, unskillful in apologizing or admitting fault, let alone being scared of something.


    This was probably rted to his living environment and status. Facing problems, he would solve


    them. Fear only caused regression, while Brett was always fighting forward.


    Now, as he looked anxiously into her eyes and said "I''m scared," Izabe was shocked, but it was


    also heartbreaking.


    "Can you tell me what you''re afraid of?" Izabe asked.


    Brett didn''t hide anything from her, confessing everything he had experienced in the Windham


    family.


    For example, the person who fought for the Windham family inheritance, his parents'' fatal car


    ident, and Nathaniel, a child born to a mistress.


    "Nathaniel is your half-brother?" Izabe was startled. She had guessed Nathaniel might be Brett''s


    business rival, his mortal enemy, but she never imagined they were blood rted.


    The Windham family was a vast n. How could they tolerate Nathaniel''s surname, so Izabe


    never thought about that.


    "Yes, he believes my parents killed his mother, and after being brought to the Windham family, he


    never changed his surname. He''s the vengeful type, alwayspeting with me since we were kids,


    even over people. He''s ruthless in achieving his goals, cunning, and sometimes I can''t see through


    him."


    Izabe couldn''t help but shiver, finally understanding why Nathaniel approached her in the first


    ce.


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    "Why didn''t you tell me before?"


    "I was too furious, and when he sent me those pictures and used you of fooling me¡­" Brett''s


    voice trailed off. "Anyway, I was wrong, and I won''t use you again."


    In fact, she was also at fault. If she had been honest and didn''t overthink, there would be no


    misunderstanding between them.


    After resolving the misunderstanding, Izabe decided not to let Brett continue kneeling. She


    whispered, "Stand up. I won''t lie to you again, and I''ll definitely stay away from Nathaniel."


    She despised people with ulterior motives, and after learning about Nathaniel''s character, she


    wanted to be as far away from him as possible.

 Chapter 241

    Chapter 241


    "So, you''re willing to forgive me?" Brett asked cautiously, seeing Izabe''s softened expression and


    couldn''t help but smile.


    "You wish, it''s not that easy to be forgiven."


    Hearing Izabe''s words, Brett slightly tensed up.


    Izabe was moved but didn''t want to lose to her emotions. After dealing with Nathaniel, there were


    still many issues between them that hadn''t been resolved.


    There would be more misunderstandings and arguments between them in the future.


    She might have be a bit slow-witted after losing her memory, but she wasn''t actually dumb.


    She didn''t forget about the birth control pills Brett had given her or that Kaley girl.


    These were like thorns in her heart. She never believed in letting it pass would help. If the thorn is


    not removed, it will only get deeper and more painful.


    Brett knelt on the ground, silently shedding tears, looking like a puppy who had made a mistake and


    was begging for forgiveness. A few times, Izabe almost gave in to his pleading eyes and thought


    about letting it go.


    She held back, clenched her teeth and closed her eyes. After a moment, she made up her mind.


    "Get up first."


    Brett stubbornly stayed kneeling, "I won''t get up until you forgive me."


    Izabe rolled her eyes, "Do your words from before still count?"


    "What words?" He had said a lot and made many promises. Like before, he had said he wouldn''t


    hurt Izabe, but he still ended up hurting her.


    Seeing the bruises on Izabe''s neck, he regretfully pped himself twice.


    "You said I was your boss and that you would listen to everything I had to say."


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    "It counts." Brett answered somewhat reluctantly, afraid that Izabe would take advantage of it. If


    she asked to break up with him, was he supposed to listen to her?


    "Now I want you to stand up."


    Brett suddenly stood up, but his legs were numb due to poor blood cirction and the fact that he


    had an injury on his thigh. The sudden movement made him lost control of his leg. He stumbled


    backward but managed to steady himself.


    At that moment, he didn''t miss Izabe''s momentary worried gaze, which eased his mind a little.


    "What exactly is the rtionship between you and Kaley?" Izabe asked.


    Brett hurried to exin, "There''s no rtionship between us."


    "She likes you," Izabe said very confidently. Kaley''s behavior that day was undoubtedly dering


    her territory. The seemingly intimate actions left Izabe wondering if they were intentional.


    Originally, Izabe hadn''t thought much about it, but today she got into an argument with Brett.


    When she mentioned "Kaley", she saw Brett''s face stiffen.


    Brett knew he couldn''t fool Izabe. If he tried to cover up one lie with another, it would eventually


    unravel and fall apart.


    "Yes, she likes me, but I have no thoughts about her. You saw it yourself, I didn''t even want to deal


    with her when she returned to J City and told you to stay away from her."


    "Why didn''t you make it clear to me?"


    "Because I was afraid, you''d overthink it."


    As soon as Brett finished talking, they both fell silent, the atmosphere heavy. Izabe stood up and


    said, " sit down first, I''ll go get the medicine."


    Feeling a bit dazed, Brett sat down and watched Izabe open the cab and take out the first aid


    kit.


    "Take off your clothes and pants, I want to see how bad your injuries are."


    Without a second thought, Brett took off his clothes and threw them on the ground. Izabe walked


    over with the first aid kit and was taken aback when she saw the extent of his injuries.


    His abdomen and waist were covered in bruises, along with his legs and wrists, which had obvious


    broken skin and swelling.


    Izabe looked at Brett''s injuries, suddenly not knowing where to start. She put down the medicine


    and cotton swabs, " go take a shower first, and then I''ll help you apply the medicine."


    "Alright." Brett, now obedient like a dog, quickly grabbed his clothes and entered the bathroom,


    coming out in less than ten minutes. Izabe sat on the bed with a cotton swab, lost in thought.


    The bathroom door opened, and warm steam wafted out. Brett wiped the water off his body but


    didn''t dare to get on the bed. He could only carry the chair he had been sitting on earlier and ced


    it in front of Izabe, waiting for her to apply the medicine.


    Izabe looked at him, not knowing what to say. Since she offered to help, it wasn''t like she could


    back out now.


    Brett held the first aid kit and handed the medicine to Izabe. Seeing her not take it, he said, "I''ll


    just apply it myself. My hands hurt a bit, and it might not be easy to get the medicine on my back,


    but I can use the mirror."


    Still, he yed the pity card. Brett was smart, always knowing how to break through Izabe''s


    defenses. Izabe took the medicine from him.


    She began applying it to his face first. When the medicine touched the wound, Brett''s breathing


    became heavy, and his eyebrows furrowed.


    Izabe muttered under her breath, "Serves you right."


    Though she said this, her movements became even gentler. Her injured fingers, however, made it


    difficult to keep a steady grip on the cotton swab.


    Brett''srge bruises on his back looked shocking under the light. Izabe pursed her lips and said,


    "Your wounds look painful."


    "It doesn''t hurt." Brett felt his heart being squeezed by an invisible hand. He tensed his back and


    could clearly feel the faint breath behind him.


    His injuries were nothingpared to the ones Izabe had suffered.


    Brett''s eyshes trembled as he carefully watched Izabe''s fingers.


    He could see her fingers were stiff and not flexible. Even twisting a bottle cap took a lot of effort.


    Izabe applied the medicine to Brett''s back, "It might hurt a bit, just bear with it."


    Brett agreed.


    Izabe''s hands were weak, so she could only apply the medicine bit by bit. After about ten


    minutes, her hands were sore and aching.


    Seeing him stay silent, Izabe suddenly asked, "Brett, were you not nice to me in the past?"

 Chapter 242

    Chapter 242


    Brett''s hand suddenly stopped applying the medicine, feeling extremely ashamed, "Yes, I''m not as


    good to you as you''ve imagined, even not good at all. But you did really like me back then, and now


    I love you as well, and want to take care of you for the rest of my life."


    Izabe had no memory of her past, staying in the lie that Liam and Brett created, thinking that she


    and Brett were truly in love. She couldn''t wait to remember the past, just so she could love Brett


    better now and live her life happily by his side.


    But now Brett was telling her that their past wasn''t good at all.


    Izabe didn''t see the point in recovering her memory anymore.


    "Do you want to know about the past?" Brett asked cautiously.


    Izabe hesitated for a moment but eventually shook her head, "Let bygones be bygones."


    Brett breathed a sigh of relief in secret. If Izabe insisted on digging into the past, he really didn''t


    know what to say.


    "But Brett, just because I lost my memory, it doesn''t mean I''m clueless. I can''t stand any violence so


    if you treat me like this again, it will be the end between us. I''d rather die than live a humiliating life


    by your side."


    Brett''s heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously opened his mouth, but before he could say


    anything, Izabe cut him off.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Don''t promise me anything, just knowing where we stand is enough."


    "Alright."


    Izabe went to the bathroom to wash her hands, staring at her reflection while doing so, her eyes


    full of unease that she couldn''t hide. She was saying those words not only for Brett but also for


    herself.


    She could forget the past and not dwell on it, but she couldn''t easily forgive Brett for everything just


    because he said "I''m sorry". After all, she''s not a fool who can forgive it all.


    After Izabe finished washing her hands and came out, Brett had already tidied up the first-aid kit


    and put on his pajamas. He stood quietly by the bed like a wooden figure.


    Izabe felt a bit cold and got into bed, covering herself with the nket, "There is one more thing."


    "What is it?"


    Izabe looked into Brett''s dim eyes, "Do you not like children?"


    Brett replied, "I like them." How could he not like them? He had been dreaming of having a child


    with Izabe.


    But Izabe couldn''t get pregnant for the rest of her life due to her cancer.


    "So why did you want me to take birth control pills this afternoon?"


    Brett looked down, "Those weren''t birth control pills."


    "What were they then?"


    Brett couldn''t tell the truth. Even though Izabe said they were starting over without dwelling on the


    past, could she really not be bothered by it if she remembered what happened before?


    He knew how much she hated him, and if she truly remembered the past, she would probably stay


    far away from him.


    So Brett didn''t dare gamble and continued making up lies, "Those were the pills you take every


    night. Didn''t you notice?"


    Izabe finally realized that they were both small white pills, feeling a bit embarrassed.


    "I thought you didn''t want me to have your baby." Izabe said, still looking forward to it. She really


    liked kids, and with their good looks, their baby would definitely be adorable. Izabe had already


    come up with a name for the baby.


    "I''m thinking we should have a boy and a girl. I thought of baby names already. The boy will be


    called Bet, and the girl will be called Maggie. Aren''t those lovely names?"


    Izabe looked up slightly, the soft light illuminating her face, making her look like a beautiful


    painting.


    Brett''s mouth corners showed a bit of bitterness, "Be, we won''t have our own kids in the future."


    Izabe, taken aback, asked, "Why?"


    "It''s my fault," Brett said, his eyes filled with sorrow as if there was something unspeakable, "I''m


    infertile."


    Izabe''s pupils shrank slightly, feeling a huge disappointment. It was like finding a candle in the


    dark, lighting it, and it being extinguished the moment the light appeared.


    All the wonderful things she imagined were gone.


    "It''s fine," Izabe said hoarsely, forcing a smile, "I''m not prepared to be a mom either. If we can''t


    have kids, we can adopt. I came from an orphanage myself. We''ll just adopt a pair of well-behaved


    kids, and use the names I thought of earlier. What do you think?"


    Izabe tilted her head and looked at him, like a lovable cat. Brett reached out and rubbed her hair.


    "How about getting a cat to keep youpany at home for now?"


    "Really?" Izabe brightened up immediately, her clear eyes making her look pure and innocent.


    Brett could already imagine her holding a cat in a heartwarming scene.


    "Of course, as long as you like it."


    Izabe had always liked fluffy pets and wanted one badly, but never had the chance. Plus, she


    guessed he might not like pets, so she never brought it up.


    "But cats shed, are you sure you don''t mind?"


    Brett choked, "I don''t mind, someone will take care of the cat hair."


    "Okay then."


    Brett secretly nned to have someone bring a cat from the pet store the next day. Meanwhile,


    Izabe was already under the covers, feeling sleepy.


    She checked the time, and it was almost 2 am.


    She muttered hoarsely, "Let''s name the cat Niki."


    Brett looked at her tired face and felt sorry for her. He wanted to get into bed and hold her, but he


    didn''t dare, since Izabe hadn''t asked him toe to bed yet.


    Izabe noticed the light still on and no movement in the room. For a moment, she wasn''t sure what


    Brett was doing and saw him still standing by the bed with her eyes half-closed. Shezily asked,


    "Why aren''t you sleeping yet?"


    "You didn''t tell me toe to bed."


    Izabe almostughed out loud. She originally wanted him to sleep on the couch, but the couch


    was small and hard, and considering Brett''s injuries, she couldn''t bring herself to let him sleep


    there.


    She lifted the corner of the nket, "Come on up and sleep."


    Brett''s face lit up, and he jumped into bed like a happy big dog, covering himself with the nket


    and boldly pulling Izabe into his embrace.

 Chapter 243

    Chapter 243


    Izabe was cold and very sleepy now. After being held by Brett, she nestled into his arms and


    didn''t want to move.


    "Okay, you still have to be punished. Once your wound heals, you have to kneel down and


    apologize to me," Izabe said with an angry look, not knowing that in Brett''s eyes, she looked like


    a little kitten with newly grown ws.


    "Alright."


    Izabe turned over, leaned into Brett''s chest, and listened to his strong heartbeat as she slowly fell


    asleep.


    Seeing her suddenly be so well-behaved, Brett wasn''t used to it yet. Just a moment ago, she


    was a fierce little kitty, but now she''s suddenly turned into a littlemb.


    Brett hugged her even tighter, staring at her beautiful brows and eyes. In the end, he couldn''t help


    but kiss her lips, turn off the lights, and have another sweet dream.


    The next day was Friday. Despite Brett''s injury and going to bedte, he got up on time to go to


    work.


    When he arrived at thepany, he ordered two things: one was to have someone go to the pet


    market to pick out a cat, and the other was to suppress all of Nathaniel''s industries at any cost.


    Izabe was woken up by Tiara for breakfast before she was fully awake. Tiara knew Izabe''s


    stomach wasn''t doing well so she called her for breakfast every day.


    Izabe stretchedzily, thanked Tiara for the breakfast, and then got out of the bed to wash up with


    difficulty.


    "You can go back to sleep after you eat."


    "Mhm." Izabe let out a low hum, eating her breakfast absentmindedly. "Where''s Brett?"


    "President Windham has already gone to work."


    Tiara replied. Seeing Izabe''s expression, she guessed what might have happenedst night.


    "Ma''am, did you and President Windham make upst night?"


    "I guess so. He admitted he was wrongst night."


    It''s not easy for Brett to admit his fault, and the servants could see that Brett had a bad temper. But


    him bowing down to Izabe showed that he really loved her.


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    They all saw how much Brett cared for Izabe.


    Izabe was still sleepy, and after eating a few bites, she put the food down. Tiara took the dishes


    and went downstairs, while Izabe looked at the news on her phone. When she started to feel


    sleepy again, she crawled back into bed to continue her nap.


    She woke up naturally at around 11 a.m. She got up, changed clothes, and walked to the stairs


    when she heard amotion downstairs.


    "It''s so cute!"


    "What kind of cat is this?"


    "What does it eat?"


    "Look, there''s cat food, canned food, and dried fish. Should we feed it some?"


    "Meow~"


    Izabe understood right away and rushed downstairs when she heard the cat''s meow. The cat


    Brett had bought was a beautiful Ragdoll cat with eyes as blue as the sea. The kitten was very


    friendly and affectionate, not shy at all and very lively.

 Chapter 244

    Chapter 244


    This little kitten was only as big as her two hands, like a round ball of fur. Izabe carefully held the


    kitten, bringing her face down to give it a kiss.


    Having such a cute kitten made the quiet vi lively. Even the always serious butler showed more


    smiles, his eyes warm as he looked at the kitten in Izabe''s hands.


    The servants hurried to bring out a litter box, toys, and other supplies. "Ma''am, it keeps meowing. Is


    it hungry?"


    Izabe gently touched the kitten''s belly, then nced at the floor, spotting a bag of milk powder.


    "It must be. Tiara, check the instructions on that milk powder and prepare half a cup for the kitten."


    Tiara happily read the instructions and went to mix the milk powder with a pet bottle.


    Izabe sat on the sofa and put the kitten on herp to feed it. The moment the kitten smelled the


    milk, it pounced on the bottle, not letting go and gulping down the liquid.


    Milk covered the kitten''s pink mouth, its fur all wet. Tiara quickly brought a small nket to put on


    Izabe''sp.


    "Does it have a name?"


    "Yes."


    "What is it?"


    Izabe finished feeding the kitten and yed with it using a fish toy. "Niki."


    "Nice name," Tiara agreed.


    The kitten curiously stared at the fish toy and tried to grab it with its front paw. Izabe, worried it


    might fall off herp, ced it on the carpet and continued to y with it.


    After eating, the overfed kitten''s belly was round and it was even more unstable on its legs. It barely


    caught the toy when it lost bnce and fell on the carpet, showing its round belly.


    Now that she had a kitten, Izabe had something to do in her free time, ying with it.


    The kitten loved to nap, especially on warm days. Izabe would hold it while sitting on the rocking


    chair on the balcony, stroking it while reading a book.


    Her phone vibrated next to her. Izabe picked it up with one hand and unlocked it. It was a text


    from Brett, asking, "Did you receive it?"


    Izabe smiled and sent him a photo of her holding the kitten, also asking about his injuries, "How''s


    your wound?"


    He replied quickly, "Much better. Will you apply the medicine for me tonight?"


    Holding her phone, Izabe replied, "For the sake of the kitten you sent me, I''ll apply the medicine


    tonight."


    With a contented smile, Izabe cuddled up with Niki in bed for a nap.


    Brett returned early in the afternoon. After dinner, the two of them took the kitten for a walk.


    Seeing the kitten snuggledfortably in Izabe''s arms with its eyes closed, Brett couldn''t help


    feeling jealous.


    Noticing Brett''s stare, Izabe thought he was envious of the kitten in her arms, so she brought it


    closer to his face. "Do you want to hold it?"


    Brett had never liked these furry creatures. He instinctively stepped back, ncing at the kitten''s big


    blue eyes, then at Izabe''s equally clear and bright cat-like eyes. He wanted to hold her more than


    the cat.


    "Pet it. I can''t believe you don''t like such a cute little creature." Izabe was over the moon, careful


    not to hurt the little kitten.


    Brett hesitantly put his hand on the kitten''s head, finding it not as annoying as he had imagined.


    "Do you want to hold it for a while?"


    "No, thanks."


    Brett watched Izabe withdraw her hand and lean back towards the kitten. Her loose top revealed


    a bit of her pinkish-white neck. Due to her smiling expression, her jawline curved beautifully.


    Brett''s mouth went dry like sandpaper, wishing he could just carry the woman in front of him back to


    their room.


    Izabe really loved the cat, taking it everywhere with her, even putting it in her bed when sleeping.


    After taking a shower, Brett saw the kitten upying his pillow. His face twitched slightly.


    "Stop focusing on the cat and go take a bath. I''ve already prepared the hot water."


    Reluctantly, Izabe put the kitten down, grabbed her pajamas, and went to shower. As she was


    undressing, Brett squeezed in.


    Hugging Izabe, he sniffed her like a dog. Her neck was sensitive, and his warm breath tickled her.


    "Did you smell something?"


    "It smells like cat. You should hurry and wash it off." In fact, it was a faint milk scent, not unpleasant.


    Brett just had a cleanliness obsession, so he took the cat to Tiara and exchanged the bedsheets


    and quilt.


    Izabe didn''t bother asking about the cat after her shower but smiled when she saw the clean


    sheets and quilt.


    Brett really was a clean freak.


    Fetching the first aid kit, Brett took off his shirt and let Izabe apply the medicine.


    Compared to yesterday, although it hurt less, the injury looked more severe. Arge, deep purple


    bruise spread like a stain.


    Izabe quickly finished applying the medicine and patted his shoulder. "Done, let''s sleep."


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Brett didn''t forget to fetch the medicine for Izabe. Frowning at the white pill, she asked, "I don''t


    want to restore my memory anymore. Can I not take the medicine?"


    "You don''t want to restore your memory?"


    Izabe paused and exined, "It''s not that, I''m just not as eager as before." She knew Brett hadn''t


    treated her as well as she thought in the past.


    As for the specifics, she wasn''t curious or interested in figuring it out.


    "Can I not take it?" She could bear the handful of pills she took during the day but not the small one


    at night.


    Taking the pill would make her have nightmares, her chest tight, and her mind not so sharp. Her


    memory was getting worse, sometimes forgetting what she was doing halfway throughbing her


    hair when looking at her phone.


    Of course, she didn''t me the worsening memory on the pill but simply didn''t want to have


    nightmares anymore.


    Brett disagreed, determined to make her take the pill no matter how much she pouted or got angry.


    Frowning, Izabe took the medicine.


    "I''m doing this for your own good," Brett said sincerely, "This medicine isn''t for restoring your


    memory. You bumped your head in a car ident, slept for three months, and your mental state is


    pretty bad. You can only recover by taking this medicine slowly." He calmly lied.


    "I feel even worse after taking the medicine," grumbled Izabe, lying in bed, turning on the TV


    randomly and not caring to pay attention to Brett.


    It seemed like Izabe was really pissed off about being forced to take the medicine.


    Brett tightly gripped the medicine bottle, feeling very nervous. Even though Izabe repeatedly


    emphasized that she didn''t care about the past and just wanted to let it go, he didn''t dare take any


    risks.


    There were too many entanglements between them, one issue piled on top of another, creating an


    insurmountable gap between them.


    If Izabe were to remember everything from the past, knowing that he was responsible for her


    family''s demise, her miscarriage, using her to trade for Kaley, and her finger disability and memory


    loss, would she still stay with him?


    Izabe had said before that she wasn''t stupid and couldn''t pretend that nothing had happened and


    forgive him.


    Moreover, he had hurt Izabe countless times, so many times that he couldn''t even keep track,


    and he couldn''t even forgive himself.


    The TV was still on in the bedroom as Brett got lost in thought. By the time he snapped out of it,


    Izabe had already fallen asleep leaning on his shoulder.


    He gently turned off the TV, held Izabe, and greedily kissed her soft hair.


    The next day was a weekend, and Brett didn''t have to work, so hezily cuddled with Izabe and


    had a lie-in.


    After the rm had gone off three times at different intervals, he finally got up.

 Chapter 245

    Chapter 245


    Izabe didn''t stay upte that night and woke up early the next day, heading down to have


    breakfast with Brett.


    Izabe loved taking care of pets personally. This was her first time raising a cat, so she was


    learning step by step.


    She would learn to make milk powder, give the cat baths, feed it, and be a qualified owner.


    The kitten has already been vinated, so Izabe yed with it without any worry, repeating its


    name "Niki" over and over.


    The kitten seemed to love the name, and every time Izabe called it, it would meow back, even


    wagging its tail in response when sleeping and hearing Izabe''s voice.


    "I feel like you don''t love me anymore since you got the cat," Brett, with a sour face, said behind


    Izabe.


    "What, are you jealous of a kitten?" Izabe asked.


    "I am," Brett admitted. He had a strong possessive desire and realized quite early on that he had


    unique feelings for Izabe.


    Brett had a ck-and-white attitude in life ¨C either he didn''t care, or he wouldn''t let go once he got


    it.


    He wanted to monopolize Izabe and didn''t want anyone else to share her attention, including the


    housekeepers and servants at home. Now, seeing all her attention going to the kitten, he felt


    insanely jealous.


    Just the thought of Izabe someday leaving him for another man made him feel like his heart was


    being ripped apart.


    Brett''s injury healed quickly, and by the third day, his leg was no longer painful. So one day, he


    found himself in this situation:


    Izabe waszily holding the cat on the couch, legs crossed, surrounded by various fruits and


    snacks. She was watching TV attentively, enjoying her leisure time.


    Not far from her right hand, Brett was kneeling on the remote control. The small device was hard to


    control in terms of force and bnce, making Brett shake after a while.


    "Control your strength."


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    "Wait, which part did you press?"


    "The volume is too high."


    "Why did the TV screen go ck?"


    "Why is there no sound now?"


    "Brett."


    After adjusting his position dozens of times, he finally mastered the technique. As he watched


    Izabe enjoying herself watching TV, he felt overwhelmed with jealousy.


    He was tormented by this woman day and night.


    "Brett, I want to eat walnuts."


    "I''ll crack them for you." Brett cracked six walnuts with his hand, and without waiting for Izabe''s


    instruction, he peeled pistachios and stopped only after filling a small bowl.


    "Remember not to cross my bottom line again."


    Izabe had told Brett her bottom lines would be infidelity and domestic violence.


    Before Izabe''s amnesia, Brett hadmitted both.


    He chose to kneel as a punishment to himself, and he remembered the day when the Salotti family


    went bankrupt, n Salotti went to prison. Izabe had knelt in the rain for half an hour till she


    vomited blood.


    Izabe didn''t know what Brett was thinking, but she looked at him with a hint of pity. She couldn''t


    bear to see him kneeling any longer.


    She put down the little kitten and walked up to Brett, taking his hand and pulling him up.


    As long as Brett didn''t cross her boundaries in the future and sincerely treated her well, even if she


    rememberedthe unpleasant past, she shouldn''t separate from Brett, right?


    She took rtionships very seriously and was confident that she and Brett could be together for a


    lifetime.

 Chapter 246

    Chapter 246


    Izabe pulled Brett up to his feet, and at that moment, an image shed through her mind.


    In the heavy rain, someone knelt on the ground; who was the one kneeling?


    "Be, what are you thinking about?"


    Brett was a bit freaked out by Izabe''s dazed expression, and he held her shoulders tightly, trying


    to shake her awake, afraid she''d turn back into her lost state from the hospital.


    Izabe regained her senses, but instinctively broke free from Brett''s grasp and took a step back.


    Her action was heartbreaking. Izabe breathed irregrly, her face was pale as she looked up at


    Brett, her eyes full of fear.


    "Be, what''s wrong?" Brett was at a loss because of Izabe''s frightened face.


    "Nothing. I just had some images sh through my mind."


    At this, Brett suddenly became tense, "Did you remember anything?"


    Izabe shook her head, "No, the images are very blurry. I just vaguely remembered seeing


    someone kneeling on the ground in the heavy rain. Is that my memory? Who is the one kneeling in


    the rain?" Izabe looked confusedly into Brett''s deep eyes, trying to find the answers.


    Looking into her bright eyes, Brett didn''t dare to make eye contact, but he knew he couldn''t avoid it


    at this time.


    Izabe struggled to ask, "Was I the one kneeling in the rain?"


    "No!" After a brief moment of hesitation, Brett regained his calm. His palms sweated, and a thin


    layer of sweat broke out on his back. The wounds seemed to hurt again.


    "It''s not you. The reason you feel familiar with it might be because it''s from a movie you''ve seen


    before, or somewhere you''ve seen the image that remained in your mind." Brett forced his emotions


    to stabilize, but his heart was still too nervous to be calm.


    So he did get flustered too, just because Izabe remembered something.


    Not daring to kneel again, Brett hurriedly picked up the remote control from the ground, clumsily


    knocking the snacks off the table in the process.


    Brett squatted down to clean up, but the more eager he was, the more his hands trembled, fearing


    Izabe would remember everything in response to the slightest stimtion.


    Izabe frowned as she watched Brett''s actions. She had been trying very hard not to think about it,


    but the more she tried to control it, the more she couldn''t help it.


    "Why do you look so flustered?"


    Brett didn''t know how to exin, so he justughed shakily and made up an excuse in haste, "I


    kneeled too long; my wound hurts a bit."


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    Izabe immediately shifted her attention, pulling Brett up and saying, "Don''t pick it up, we''ll have


    Katie clean it upter. Sit down and roll up the pant legs; let me see the wound."


    Brett''s leg injury only caused mild pain, and there was no broken skin or bleeding, so there was no


    risk of infection.


    When Izabe rolled up the pant leg, she saw the red swelling on his knee.


    "Does it hurt a lot? Do you want me to call a doctor?" Izabe squatted down, frowning, and her


    eyes and tone were full of concern.


    Izabe from a long time ago also cared about him like this. All she cared about was him at that


    time, but he lost that Izabe.


    Now that he had found her again, he kept worrying about losing her again.


    Suddenly, Brett held Izabe''s face with his hand, giving her a rough kiss. No one knew of his panic.


    Over the month of Izabe''s amnesia, Brett realized that he couldn''t live without Izabe.


    For Brett, Izabe was like the air. He once took her for granted, but when he lost her, he realized


    that her departure would leave him breathless.

 Chapter 247

    Chapter 247


    Izabe was a little breathless from the kiss, patting his shoulder constantly, her face flushed,


    gasping with her mouth open and glistening teardrops on her eyshes.


    "Izabe, say you love me and will never leave me." Brett held her face, his gaze passionate and


    urgent, his deep voice full of seduction.


    "What''s wrong with you?" Izabe was puzzled by his actions.


    Brett realized that he couldn''t live without Izabe, fearing she''d leave, scared she''d be the


    cold-eyed woman from months ago.


    Brett carried her in his arms to the sofa, he knelt down, resting his head on her thighs, like a


    wounded dog.


    "Be, I''m afraid you''ll leave me. Can you promise me you''ll never leave me for the rest of our lives,


    even if you really remember the past?"


    What exactly happened in the past that made Brett so concerned and frightened?


    But since they hadn''t divorced, that should mean their rtionship hadn''t reached an irreparable


    stage.


    Izabe ruffled his soft hair, "I promise you, as long as you''re good to me in the future, I won''t leave


    you."


    "I''ll be good to you. I''ll definitely be good to you."


    Brett was behaving strangely, and Izabe wanted to ask more questions, but Brett kissed her lips


    again.


    Her words were only a psychologicalfort for Brett; he didn''t want Izabe to remember


    anything.


    That past was so painful even he, the attacker, couldn''t ept it, let alone Izabe.


    He called the hypnotist from R City that day, asking him to be a personal hypnotist.


    Izabe typically only took one pill at night, but it had increased to two.


    The hypnotist arrived the next day and introduced himself as her psychologist, making sure Izabe


    never knew the word "hypnosis."


    Several rooms in the vi were avable, and Brett instructed the housekeeper to prepare one right


    away so the hypnotist could move in.


    Izabe remained oblivious until she saw Tiara tidying up a guest room on the first floor, "Tiara, is


    someoneing?"


    "Yes, the family doctor. Didn''t President Windham tell you?"


    Izabe was stunned, and at this moment, Brett came over to hug her, "What''s going on?"


    "Tiara said you hired a family doctor. Howe you didn''t tell me?"


    Brett replied, "I only informed them this morning, so I forgot to tell you."


    "Why did you suddenly hire a family doctor?" Izabe turned to ask him. Since yesterday, Brett had


    been acting weird. This morning, he didn''t even eat breakfast and told Tiara to prepare a room,


    saying that a family doctor would being.


    Brett exined, "First of all, we''ve always had a family doctor, not just hired one now. I noticed that


    you''re running out of the medicine you''re taking, and I didn''t want you to go to the hospital for a


    checkup. So, I thought it''d be better to have the doctore to the vi instead, in the hopes of


    improving your health and possibly reducing your medication."


    Brett''s response was reasonable, and even if Izabe didn¡¯t notice anything off, she couldn''t refute


    it. Moreover, she had been wanting to reduce her medication, with the ultimate goal of not having to


    take any at all.


    The hypnotist, named Stevenson Bagot, was a schoolmate of Brett''s. They studied different majors


    and met each other by chance.


    Having someone familiar to conduct hypnosis on Izabe would be much more convenient. Plus,


    Brett trusted Stevenson''s character; he knew that he wouldn''t talk too much or meddle in other


    people''s business.


    At 11:40 am, Stevenson arrived by taxi. Knowing that he would be staying here for a while, he


    brought his luggage. Brett had already instructed the housekeeper to prepare the toiletries and


    other things for him.


    Stevenson arrived just in time for lunch. Business matters were not discussed during the meal. After


    lunch, he followed Brett into the living room.


    "What would you like to drink?" Brett asked.


    Stevenson had been tense during the journey and found it hard to enjoy his lunch. Considering the


    change of seasons, his throat was a bit hoarse. Clearing his throat and coughing twice, he asked,


    "Do you have any tea?"


    "Yes."


    "Then I''ll have a cup of tea."


    Brett ordered the housekeeper to make tea.


    As they sat face to face, Brett had a steaming cup of aromatic coffee in front of him, while


    Stevenson''s ss was filled with tea.


    They began discussing the matter at hand. "You sent me a hurried messagest night asking me to


    come over. What happened? How did your wife suddenly have temporary memory loss? Did you do


    something to provoke her?"


    Stevenson asked three questions in a row. Brett was too embarrassed to mention that he had knelt


    on the floor to pick up the remote, so he briefly described the events of yesterday afternoon to


    Stevenson.


    ¡°It was an unintentional shback for her, and she herself couldn''t tell if the images left in her head


    were real or not.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s normal.¡±


    As Brett talked about these things, he felt incredibly weighed down, as if he was under tremendous


    pressure - his heart was even aching.


    ¡°So, will this sort of thing happen again in the future, and then she''ll remember everything?¡±


    ¡°I can''t rule out that possibility.¡± Stevenson said, ¡°I warned you before when we were in the hospital


    that hypnosis isn''t a long-term solution. The temporary memory loss will gradually be recalled; it''s


    just a matter of time.¡±


    Sensing Brett''s anxiety, Stevenson reassured him, ¡°But don''t worry too much. Now that I''m here,


    things should be better.¡±


    Brett asked again, ¡°Can we increase the dosage of the medicine at night?¡±


    ¡°No! You can only take one pill a day, absolutely not more!¡± Stevenson replied sternly, ¡°You know


    the situation with your wife - those five injections of medicine she received have stayed in her brain,


    causing great damage. Now she''s taking this medicine, and you still want to increase the dosage?


    Are you trying to wreck her brain? If you hadn''t insisted, I wouldn''t have prescribed that medicine in


    the first ce.¡±


    Panicking, Brett thought, will a higher dosage actually make her stupid? He had given Izabe two


    pills yesterday, would that have any consequences? Brett didn''t dare to ask more.


    Stevenson saw Brett''s furrowed brows and knew that he was very anxious. However, being anxious


    wasn¡¯t the solution.


    ¡°Actually, I''m a bit curious. Why do you insist on making your wife lose her memory?¡±


    Initially, when Brett asked Stevenson to perform hypnosis on Izabe, Stevenson understood


    because at that time, she was in a terrible mental state due to the trauma she experienced.


    Hypnosis seemed to be the most effective method.


    However, Izabe¡¯s mental state had improved significantly. So, why was she still taking medication


    that suppressed her memory? Why was Brett forcing her to lose her memory?


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Brett didn''t really want to tell Stevenson the whole story of what happened with Izabe, but it was


    essential for a doctor to understand their patient''s situation.


    ¡°She''ll definitely divorce me as soon as she remembers.¡±


    ¡°Are you that sure?¡± Stevenson became increasingly curious about what happened to Izabe.


    Previously, he could find her name on the inte and see information about her tragic past and the


    divorcewsuit with Brett.


    However,ter on, all the gossip about Izabe waspletely erased from the inte ¨C obviously,


    it was Brett¡¯s doing.


    Brett forced a smile, ¡°You know about the injuries on her body, right?¡±


    Stevenson nodded. When he had hypnotized Izabe, her primary doctor briefly mentioned some


    information to him. Just a few words were enough to stun him.


    Her body was covered in injuries ¨C just the 10 fingers alone were horrifying, let alone the wounds


    hidden by clothing.


    ¡°It''s all my fault. I''m the one who caused all of it. So, do you think she would ever forgive me after


    waking up? Especially since we had already divorced before her ident.¡±


    Upon hearing thest part, Stevenson was utterly shocked.


    ¡°You two are already divorced?¡± Stevenson¡¯s mouth hung open in amazement. His pupils widened


    as he sensed some juicy, unknown gossip.


    ¡°Yeah, she filed for it.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± After all, the divorcewsuit was such a big deal that it even made it to the trending topics.


    Brett went through so much effort to make Izabe lose the case; no wonder he was against the


    divorce.


    Brett red at him coldly, his eyes filled with a murderous warning, as if to say that he would kill


    Stevenson if he dared to divulge any of this.


    ¡°Don''t worry, my lips are sealed.¡±


    What Brett was doing was despicable ¨C locking his ex-wife in the house and feeding her memory-


    loss-inducing drugs every day. If this were judged by thew, he would be sentenced to life


    imprisonment without a doubt.


    Brett nced at his watch, half an hour had gone by, the ice in his coffee had already melted. He


    picked up the cup and took a sip, the taste of sugar-free ck coffee was bitter till the end, but it


    was followed by a faint mellow aroma.


    "Anyway, you think hard about the treatment n. We can''t let Izabe regain her memory."


    "I''ll do my best."


    Brett trusted Stevenson''s character 100% and he knew Stevenson wouldn''t talk too much. Brett


    handed him the prepared check.


    Stevenson took a look at the amount, raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then put it away.


    Izabe knew they were talking about work and didn''t bother, quietly ying with the cat in the living


    room. The little kitten was nestledfortably in her arms.


    "Niki, my little sweetheart." Izabe held the kitten, feeling her heart would melt.


    How could such adorable creatures exist in this world?


    Brett and Stevenson came out and heard Izabe''s words, they both looked at her.


    Izabe felt a little embarrassed and awkwardly put the kitten back on the sofa, asking, "What were


    you guys talking about in there? Why did it take so long?"


    Brett replied, "Discussing your condition."


    Hearing they were discussing her illness, Izabe''s expression instantly turned serious: "What''s


    wrong with my illness? Has it gotten worse?"


    Stevenson quickly exined, "No, you''re in a great condition. I''m going to give you some


    psychological counseling in the next couple of days."


    "I''m okay with counseling, but can I not take the medicine?"


    "No, you have to take your medication," Stevenson answered with a smile.


    Izabe frowned.


    It was 4 pm, Izabe usually slept at this time. She had always been in a bad mental state and


    spent most of her time sleeping, bing very drowsy in the afternoon - the perfect time for


    hypnosis.


    Unaware of the hypnosis, Izabe thought Stevenson was just helping her rx. As a result, she


    dozed off, waking up with a nk memory, but feeling fairly rxed and didn''t think too much about


    it.


    Afterward, Stevenson prescribed her the same medicine as before. Her mind should be clearer with


    both treatment and medication, but she found her memory getting more and more blurry. She would


    recall fragments of events from a month ago, yet they felt unreal, as if she hadn''t experienced them


    herself.


    She informed Stevenson about the situation, who reassured her it was normal.


    If the doctor said it was normal, then she didn''t want to question it further.

 Chapter 248

    Chapter 248


    Normally when Brett went to work, Stevenson would stay at home and chat with Izabe, spending


    much more time with her than Brett.


    Of course, the jealous Brett couldn''t stand it, so he immediately arranged a house for Stevenson not


    far away and asked him to move.


    Izabe couldn''t help butugh, "You just kicked him out like that? Who''s gonna give me


    psychological counseling now?"


    "I think you don''t need it anymore."


    Still so selfish and domineering, Izabe said, "You think? Last week you thought I needed


    counseling, and now you think I don''t. Whose body is it, mine or yours?"


    The two almost quarreled over this trivial matter, but in the end, Stevenson persuaded them both


    and told Izabe that she didn''t need psychological counseling for the time being.


    During the two weeks he had been at the vi, he had only hypnotized Izabe once, and their


    meetings were mostly just casual chats to pass the time.


    It was not easy for Izabe to make a friend her age with whom she could chat and pass the boring


    time, but the jealous Brett put an end to it.


    Izabe got angry for a whole night and made Brett sleep on the sofa instead of letting him into bed.


    Having learned his lesson, Brett didn''t dare to say a word against her. He just sat on the sofa


    without a nket, staring in Izabe''s direction feeling hurt.


    He suddenly regretted inviting Stevenson to hypnotize Izabe, if he had known this would happen,


    he would have called a woman instead.


    Izabe and Stevenson had a lot inmon and could talk about many things. Sometimes they


    would chat andpletely ignore Brett when he came home from work. Brett, who was already


    frustrated by not being able to be close to his wife because of the many outsiders at home, now had


    to deal with this third wheel. His jealousy was overwhelming.


    Izabe said she wouldn''t care about Brett, but seeing him locked on the sofa for half a night, she


    finally couldn''t bear it. She was really wrapped around his finger.


    Izabe found a woolen nket in the closet and carefully walked up to Brett, putting it on him.


    Brett didn''t sleep well, his years of caution keeping him alert even when asleep. When he heard a


    sound, he woke up, but he didn''t open his eyes.


    It wasn''t until Izabe put the nket on him that he suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed


    Izabe''s hand.


    "Honey, can I go back to bed?"


    "You haven''t slept yet?" Izabe was startled by his sudden move and looked at Brett holding her


    hand, her face changing. "Let go of my hand."


    Brett said, "The sofa is too small, and I can''t sleep on it."


    Brett was quite tall and had arge frame, so the 1.5-meter sofa was indeed too small for him. He


    couldn''t even stretch his legs and had to curl up, making him look extremely pitiful.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "I was wrong. Please let me sleep in bed." He couldn''t even hug his wife after a long day of not


    seeing her and now had to sleep on the sofa.


    "You were wrong, but you''ll do it again," Izabe pulled her hand back forcefully, her voice was cold,


    "you know who I am, and I''ve told you several times that Stevenson and I are just friends. I hardly


    ever go out and finally make a friend who can chat with me, but you''re kicking him out. Do you think


    I''m a flirt who loves seducing men and cuckold you?"


    "That''s not what I meant," Brett defended himself, "Besides, didn''t Stevenson say he''s not


    comfortable and wants to move out?"


    It was indeed Stevenson who said that, but anyone could see who was pulling the strings from


    behind.


    "Or are you not willing to let him go?"


    There he went again! They say women were hard to understand and they loved to overthink things,


    but Izabe thought Brett was no different either. No one could beat him in jealousy.


    "Heh."


    "Do you prefer talking to Stevenson over me? Is it because I''m not handsome enough, or am I not


    tall enough?" It turned out men can be jealous too.


    "You''re not decent enough. You are shameless, and your words can piss people off."


    Brett was indeed shameless.


    Brett knew that Izabe would be angry because of his actions, but he just couldn''t ept her


    laughing and chatting with other men, even if it was the hypnotist he had hired to control her


    memories.


    "You cane to mypany when you''re bored during the day."


    "Do I go to yourpany to watch you in meetings or watch you sign documents?"


    "You''re wee to join if you want."


    Heh.


    It was obvious how busy Brett''s work was, as he would usually only reply to her texts in the


    afternoon. He often skipped lunch.


    Izabe had a stomach problem, and when it acted up, she would feel weak, nauseous, and the


    slightest noise would exacerbate the pain.


    She didn''t want Brett to end up like her, but every time she called to remind him to eat, he just


    ignored her. Even when Liam brought him lunch, he would let it get cold. It was hopeless.


    How could someone who was too busy to even have lunch be able to chat with her? She feared she


    would be kicked out before she even stepped into hispany.

 Chapter 249

    Chapter 249


    "At first, I was serious. Why don''t youe and hang out with me at mypany? It''s not like I''m


    crazy jealous, but it''s just that you haven''t been spending enough time with me. I mean, even


    Stevenson has been talking to you more since he arrived."


    Izabe gave him a side-eye, rolled her eyes, and turned her face away. "Brett, do you remember


    the promises you wrote down before?"


    Upon hearing this, Brett immediately sat up straight.


    Brett''s possessiveness was too strong, not only towards other men but even when facing a cat, he


    could get jealous. There was a notebook in the bottom drawer of the bedside table, filled with


    promises Brett had written down.


    ¡ª I shouldn''t get upset and distrust my wife for seeing her eat with another man. Shouldn''t throw a


    cat away because I saw my wife petting it. Shouldn''t tear up a magazine because I saw my wife


    staring at the male star on it, and threaten to boycott him. ¡ª


    I, Brett, promise not to be a jealous husband, not to be irrationally jealous, not to show pettiness at


    all times, to give my wife freedom, respect her, cherish her, trust her, love her and spoil her for a


    lifetime. I, Brett, will be generous and magnanimous in the future, and if I break this promise, I am a


    pig.


    Brett thought of thest sentence, and his face stiffened for a moment. He had never written a


    promise like this in his entire life before, and thest sentence was something Izabe had forced


    him to write. If Izabe hadn''t reminded him, he would have almost forgotten about the promise.


    It was not that he didn''t care, but he had too many things going on daily, either busy with work or


    keeping an eye out for potential lovepetitors, even when Izabe was kept at home all day and


    hardly saw anyone besides the housemaids.


    He didn''t limit Izabe''s inte ess, but he couldn''t help but check her phone every time he


    came home from work.


    Brett was sitting on the couch, watching Izabe about to leave, and suddenly hugged her waist and


    pulled her into his arms. Then, he leaned his face against her thin back, and a hoarse voice


    squeezed out of his throat: "I am a pink, oink, oink."


    Izabe did resent his dominance a little, but now hearing him acting like a pig, she couldn''t help but


    burst intoughter.


    Brett''s arms were powerful, holding her waist like a chain trapping her. She tried to get up, but it felt


    as if there was a huge rock weighing down her waist, making it impossible for her to rise. She


    turned to look back but she could only see the top of Brett''s head and not his face, probably


    because he thought it was embarrassing and buried his face in her back.


    "Brett, you''re really barking like a dog." Izabe was both annoyed and amused.


    In the end, Brett got what he wanted and ended up in bed, hugging Izabe and kissing her non-


    stop.


    It had been nearly three months since Izabe came here. Other than asional stomachaches,


    life had been pretty normal.


    She began to have the idea of wanting to go to work, but with her hands like this, what could she


    do? She stared at her ugly fingertips, unable to pick up or hold anything. She couldn''t even use a


    keyboard, so even if she went to work, she would be useless.


    Izabe frowned, and at 11 in the morning, she took out her cell phone to send Brett a text


    message, as usual, reminding him to eat.


    After waiting for ten minutes without seeing Brett''s reply, Izabe simply called him. The phone was


    answered after about five or six seconds.


    "Madam?"


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    "Are you Liam? I am Brett''s wife. I want to bring him some food," Izabe exined.


    The receptionist seemed a bit surprised but remained polite: "I''m sorry, Madam, President Windham


    is having an emergency meeting right now, and his phone is temporarily with me. If you have any


    urgent matters, you can tell me first, and I will inform President Windhamter."


    Izabe hurriedly said: "No urgency, I just want to remind him to have lunch."


    After hearing this, the receptionist smiled: "Madam, it''s not that easy to remind President Windham


    to eat over the phone; you have toe in person. He could forget about the lunch I put on his


    table every day."


    "Has he been very busytely?" Izabe felt that Brett had been looking thin and haggard these


    days, even though he still came back home on time to apany her and didn''t work overtime.


    However, Brett had never talked about work, fearing she would worry, and she never asked since


    she didn''t understand.


    "He has been quite busy, like today''s meeting has been going on for three hours since this


    morning."


    "Isn''t he going to forget about lunch then?"


    "Exactly, that''s why I said you have toe in person to remind him."


    Izabe suddenly had an idea and said, "Thank you," before hanging up the phone.


    Tiara was busy cooking, and the meal was almost ready. Izabe hadn''t even approached when


    she smelled a delicious aroma.


    "Tiara."


    Tiara turned to look at her: "Yes, what''s up?"


    "Do we have any thermal containers at home?"


    "Thermal containers? I think so. I''ll have Katie look for one in a while. Are you nning to take


    some food out, Madam?"


    "No, I want to pack some food and take it to Brett''spany."


    Tiara showed a meaningful smile. This sweet couple! She immediately separated some dishes and


    packed them.


    Izabe''s hand would tremble, so Tiara helped her put the food in the container.


    Tiara covered the thermal container: "Madam, since you are going to bring lunch to President


    Windham, maybe you should eat lunch first before going."


    "I know." She had a severe stomach illness, which everyone in the house knew, so they watched


    her eat three meals a day.


    Izabe went to eat, and Tiara helped her pack the container and put her noon medication in the


    bag as well.


    People with stomach illness need to eat less but more frequently, because eating too much can


    cause bloating, and when hungry, the stomach will be painful.


    The butler, knowing Izabe was going to the Windham Group, called the driver and asked him to


    wait at the door. Tiara carried the lunchbox and helped Izabe get into the car.


    When they arrived at the Windham Group just after 12 o''clock, she got out of the car with the


    lunchbox and looked at the tall building in front of her.


    The sky was clear blue, and the sun was shining brightly, making her eyes sting and sore.


    She couldn''t help feeling nervous, her steps heavy, standing under the sun for a while before she


    took a deep breath and went inside.


    The automatic doors slid open, and the receptionist nced at her before asking, not-too-rudely,


    who she was looking for.


    "I''m here to see your President Windham," Izabe said.


    The receptionist''s face twitched a bit before asking, "Do you have an appointment?"


    "Nope."


    "Sorry, Miss, but you need to make an appointment if you want to see President Windham. I can''t let


    you in without one." She nced deliberately at the lunchbox Izabe was carrying, raising her


    eyebrows slightly and shing a look of impatience.


    She''d been working here for six months and thought she''d seen it all. This woman wanted to see


    President Windham, brought a lunchbox, and didn''t even have an appointment? Clearly, she was


    seeking attention.


    Brett, young and sessful, was a handsome and wealthy man ¨C practically every unmarried


    woman in thepany secretly imagined him as their dream husband. Of course, the receptionist


    wasn''t immune to his charms either.


    She sized Izabe up once more, noticing she didn''t resemble the usual seductive, cunning women


    who tried to woo Brett.


    Typically, the women attempting to seduce Brett dressed provocatively, often in revealing clothes


    even in cold weather. Izabe, on the other hand, dressed more conservatively, her scars


    preventing her from wearing short skirts and sleeves. She wore a long shirt and jeans that covered


    her body securely.


    The receptionist couldn''t identify what brand Izabe''s clothes were, but from her demeanor, she


    seemed like a quiet, gentle girl.


    She snickered internally, her eyes filled with disdain.


    Izabe felt confused. She''d only spoken a few words, yet the receptionist was already looking


    down on her like she was plotting something.


    "Fine, I''ll give him a call," Izabe said, putting down the lunchbox and taking out her phone to call


    Brett.


    But before she could dial, the receptionist urged her to leave. "Miss, if you want to make a call,


    please do it outside. I have customers to attend to."


    Izabe nced at the waiting area next to them. Why was she being asked to leave? What was


    going on?


    She wasn''t stupid. She could tell from the receptionist''s tone and gaze that she mistook her for


    someone with bad intentions.


    Reluctantly, Izabe stepped outside to make her phone call.


    The receptionist who''d just attended to Izabe watched her leave, her eyes growing more scornful.


    "Madeline, why did you make her wait outside? What if President Windham actually knows her?"


    "No way, didn''t you see the lunchbox she was carrying? Everyone knows Liam prepares President


    Windham''s lunch. She''s definitely up to something."


    Another receptionist shook her head. "But still, you shouldn''t have kicked her out like that. We have


    a waiting area, and she mentioned making a phone call. You should''ve let her make the call first."


    "Are you dumb? That phone call was just an excuse. Once she couldn''t reach him, she''d want us to


    call him and trick President Windham intoing out."


    "As if President Windham could be so easily fooled."


    "Anyway, I already sent her out. If she gets through on the phone, she cane back in." Madeline


    rolled her eyes.


    Just then, the elevator dinged. Madeline paused, only to see Liam rush out.


    "Liam, are you off to deliver President Windham''s lunch?"


    Liam was well-known for his calm disposition and always treated everyone kindly. Hearing


    Madeline''s question, he shook his head: "No, I''m here to pick someone up."


    As Brett''s assistant, who could he be picking up in person?


    Madeline''s face paled slightly, exchanging a nce with the other receptionist in disbelief.


    Because the only person around was the woman outside carrying the lunchbox. Could it really be


    her?


    Madeline attempted tofort herself, thinking that even if it was her, it wouldn''t be a big deal.


    People came to the Windham Group for business, and who would bring a lunchbox for that? This


    woman was most likely a maid from President Windham''s household, bringing him lunch.


    However, Liam''s next words left everyone in the room jaw-dropped.


    "Madam, why are you waiting outside?"


    Madeline''s face turned gray. "Madam?" Was this "madam" who she thought it was? Was this the


    president''s wife? That mysterious woman married to President Windham?

 Chapter 250

    Chapter 250


    Izabe basked in the sunlight, her thin hairs clearly visible. Her skin was already pale, and now


    under the light and shadow, it looked even more transparent.


    Izabe noticed Liaming, so she walked in with the lunch box.


    She nced at the receptionist who had attended to her earlier but said nothing.


    "Let''s go upstairs."


    Liam cleverly understood what she meant, "I''ll inform the front deskter so they let you in directly


    next time."


    "Thanks," she said. It would save a lot of time, and she wouldn''t have to wait outside.


    Liam walked on Izabe''s right side, took the lunch box from her, and nced at Madeline.


    Even though it was just an ordinary look, Madeline felt a chill down her spine.


    From the entrance to the elevator, thanks to a pass card, she smoothly made her way to the top


    floor president''s office.


    Liam handed the ess card to Izabe, making it easier for her toe and go.


    "Where''s Brett?" Izabe asked as she took the card.


    She had just called Brett, and it was Liam who answered.


    "Is he still in a meeting?"


    Liam nodded. No one could really persuade Brett when it came to work. Izabe took out her phone


    and checked the time¡ªit was already 12:20 pm. How serious could the issue be if they were still in


    a meeting by now?


    Liam didn''t discuss work matters with Izabe; he just put the lunch box on a nearby table and said,


    "Ma''am, I''ll call President Windham right away. You can have a seat here, and I''ll summon a


    secretary."


    "You go ahead. No need to worry about me."


    Liam left, and shortly after, a female secretary walked in, poured a ss of water for Izabe, and


    eyed her respectfully but curiously.


    Like that woman at the front desk, her first thought was: This is the president''s wife?


    They had imagined the president''s wife differently, but she was actually ordinary-looking, albeit with


    delicate features. She was modestly dressed and had brought a lunch box, possibly a typical


    housewife.


    "Ma''am, here''s your water."


    "Thank you." Izabe never stared at someone for so long; she took a discreet nce at the other


    person while sipping her water.


    She couldn''t help but notice how gorgeous all of Brett''spany employees were, whether it was


    the front deskdy or the secretary before her now.


    Beautiful women easily caught the attention of other women.


    Izabe eyed the secretary''s name tag.


    ¡ªJ.


    She was curvy and sexy, wearing a sleek professional outfit that entuated her figure. She pulled


    up her skirt to reveal her long, slender, and smooth legs.


    Her long, wavy hair draped over her shoulders, making her face look small. She hadrge eyes, a


    tall nose, and a sharp chin. As she leaned forward, Izabe could see her noticeable cleavage.


    This was Brett''s secretary?


    Suddenly, Izabe felt uneasy. Her expression remained unchanged as she tested the water


    temperature and decided to take out her medicine.


    J nced at her hand and asked, "Ma''am, are you sick?"


    "Stomach problems," Izabe replied, pinching one pill after another.


    J was caught off guard by Izabe''s sudden arrival.


    She couldn''t help but recall what Kaley had told her, feeling that the president''s wife before her was


    very different from the description.


    What fierce and cunning woman? At first nce, she seemed gentle and the epitome of a


    housewife.


    What was there to be alert about a housewife who stayed at home? J couldn''t understand why


    Kaley had warned her to be on guard against Izabe.


    J was more shrewd than the front desk attendant, Madeline. Despite her modest appearance,


    she maintained a warm smile.


    Izabe may not remember her past, but she had her own way of judging people. Perhaps it was


    because she had once run the Salotti Group that she was quick-witted and saw through J''s


    sinister motives.


    As Izabe finished her medicine, J''s face showed a friendly smile. "Ma''am, did youe


    specifically to bring lunch for President Windham today?"


    "Yep."


    "President Windham is still in a meeting. He''s been in it since 8 this morning. He often works like


    this, almost every day. I need to remind him to eat. By the way, ma''am, have you eaten? President


    Windham treats us employees very well. We all have meal packages, and the food in the staff


    cafeteria isparable to a three-star hotel. If you haven''t eaten, I can have someone bring you


    something, as well as some fruit. I''m not sure if you can eat it with your stomach condition. If you''d


    like, I can wash the fruit for you.


    "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am President Windham''s secretary. I joined the Windham Group


    two months ago. My name is J, and you can call me J."


    Although J seemed enthusiastic in her attempts to please Izabe, the arrogance in her eyes


    was unmistakable, as if she were the owner of thepany.


    Izabe looked at her with interest, "I''ve already eaten, but thank you. However," she paused, "did


    you say you joined the Windham Group two months ago?"


    With an air of pride, J raised her chin, "Yes, it''s very difficult to be hired as the Windham Group


    president''s secretary."


    J casually mentioned her double degrees which was earned abroad.


    She had expected to see surprise in Izabe''s eyes, but instead, she just calmly nodded and


    responded, "I see."


    Then the conversation ended, and J''s prepared "modest" remarks were rendered useless.


    Izabe''s calm expression made it impossible to tell what she was thinking.


    J took a deep breath to calm herself. Actually, part of the reason she was able to join the


    Windham Group was thanks to Kaley. She had been waiting for Izabe since she came to the


    Windham Group two months ago, but she hadn''t even seen her in person.


    Now that she finally met Izabe, J remembered what Kaley had told her. Clenching her fists,


    she knew she had to get things done today, or who knew when she would have another chance.


    Brett getting a divorce was something everyone would be happy to see, and it would be beneficial


    for her as well.


    J nced at the door to make sure no one was there, and then asked, "Madam, how long have


    you been married to President Windham?"


    Izabe casually replied, "Quite a few years now."


    "So, howe you guys don''t have any kids yet?"


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Why did she bring up the topic of kids? Izabe had a feeling that there was more to J''s


    question and that she wasn''t as innocent as she seemed.

 Chapter 251

    Chapter 251


    J sighed and said with a hypocritical expression on her face, "Madam, 25 is the best age for a


    woman to have a baby. You must have seen how many single amazing women there are in our


    company, naturally, a lot of them want to get into President Windham''s bed. If you don''t have a child


    by your side now, I''m afraid some other woman might get there first, and you''ll end up losing out."


    Izabe''s face remained calm, but she couldn''t help frowning at the end, feeling nauseous inside.


    What era is it now, and how can there still be people saying things like using a child to secure one''s


    status?


    Izabe propped her chin on her hand and watched J''s performance, trying to figure out her


    motive for urging her to have a child.


    "So, do you want to get into Brett''s bed?"


    "Madam, you''re overthinking it. I''m just President Windham''s secretary, and I''m telling you all this


    because I hope you and President Windham can have a good life together. After all, you''ve been


    married for so many years without a child, who knows if there''s a reason why. But madam, seeing


    that you''re looking pale and taking so many medications, maybe you should get yourself checked at


    the hospital," J exined, wearing a look of concern and shyness, making people wonder.


    Izabe stopped enjoying the drama: "I don''t need an outsider to worry about my own affairs.


    Besides, I know that if something is truly mine, no one else can take it away, and if it''s not mine,


    there''s no point in keeping it. However, you''re right about one thing - there are quite a few people in


    thispany with ulterior motives, and it might be time for a cleanup."


    On the word cleanup, Izabe''s tone became a bit heavier, but J didn''t take it seriously. After


    all, Izabe was just a housewife; could she really have any say in the Windham Group?


    At this moment, there was somemotion outside. J nced over and her face changed


    slightly: "President Windham."


    "Why are you here today?" Brett looked a bit tired, but he couldn''t hide the pleasure in the corner of


    his mouth.


    Hearing that Izabe hade to bring him lunch, he immediately called a break to the meeting


    and happily came back.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Brett ignored the presence of the other person in the office, and as soon as he entered, he asked


    Izabe with a tone of pleasant surprise.


    Izabe pointed to the thermos on the side and said, "Hurry up and eat. If I don''te to bring you


    lunch, you''ll definitely forget again. Being hungry for a long time will only lead to stomach problems.


    Do you want to suffer like me?"


    Izabe has stomach cancer but she didn¡¯t know and has been vomiting and unable to eat for the


    past few days. The doctor came to the vi to treat her, but the stomach pain could not be eased.


    She even vomited blood, but the doctor found that it was a severe stomach ulcer after examining


    her. If she didn''t have the test results, she would have thought she had stomach cancer and was


    about to die.


    She knows the pain of stomach disease, so she doesn''t want Brett to suffer like her.


    Brett''s eyes seemed to be obscured by something, and he looked a little dim. He held Izabe''s


    hand tightly, and even in the summer, her hand was still cold.


    "Can youe and bring me food every day? I will definitely eat well if you bring it." Then they


    could go home together after work, how wonderful it was.


    "You are thinking too much." Izabe nced at him sideways, but her lips curled slightly.


    Brett saw her expression and knew that the matter was settled.


    "We will go home together this afternoon."


    "Okay."


    Brett opened the insted container, and steam rose from the hot soup.


    He took a sip of it first. "Where''s Liam?" Izabe asked.


    "He went to take care of some things," Brett said, his eyes shing with a cold light as he thought of


    what Liam had just told him.


    He stared at J, who was still standing by their side. "What are you doing here?"


    J quickly shook her head, knowing that staying here would be detrimental to her. She said to


    Izabe, "Madam, I''ll go out first. If you need anything, you can call me."


    This statement was faultless, and Izabe nodded. She watched J''s departing back with her


    chin held up until it disappeared from view behind the wall, and her gaze still lingered outside. She


    was thinking about what J had told her, ''child'', ''pregnant'', ''go to the hospital for a checkup.''


    J couldn''t have suddenly said these things to her, and her interruption was too abrupt, as if she


    was in a hurry toplete a task and had to say these things.


    What was her purpose?


    Brett ate two mouthfuls of rice and saw that Izabe was still staring outside, her thoughts entirely


    elsewhere.


    "What are you looking at?"


    "I''m just looking at the female employees'' attire in yourpany. I''m wondering if I would have to


    dress like her if I worked for you."


    "What is she wearing?"


    For a moment, the two of them had nothing to say. Brett was busy with work and rarely paid


    attention to who was dressed in what, and those people who didn''t matter to him, he didn''t even


    bother to remember their appearance, let alone their clothes.


    After thinking for a while, he finally had a slight impression. The professional suit that J was


    wearing seemed to be a short skirt, and it was more like a kinky temptation than a professional suit.


    Brett was very clever and immediately understood that Izabe was jealous. The more she cared


    about these things, the happier he was.


    But then he thought of something else, his face turning serious.


    Was Izabe misunderstanding him and the secretary flirting? He remained calm and answered


    Izabe''s question, "If you really want to dress up, you should dress up for me to see. I''ll handle the


    people in thepany."


    After Brett finished speaking, he began to eat heartily. His phone was on the table, and messages


    kept popping up. Izabe nced at it, then shifted her gaze back to Brett.


    The office was air-conditioned, and Brett was wearing a white shirt with the cuffs unbuttoned, rolled


    up to his elbows, revealing his muscr forearms. Even his eating movements were elegant,


    making him pleasing to the eye.


    On the other side, Liam was in the assistant''s office, pulling up the front desk monitor. The image on


    the screen showed Izabe walking in with the insted container, and the front desk receptionist,


    Madeline, casually chatting with her, her eyes full of contempt.


    In addition, she was disrespectful to Izabe, so Liam edited the video and sent it to the HR


    manager: "Fire her."


    The HR manager was pretty baffled at first, like why did Liam need to fire a small receptionist?! But


    after watching the video, especially hearing Liam''sst words "Ma¡¯am," he suddenly got the


    message and personally went to the front desk to fire Madeline.


    Madeline was feeling uneasy at the front desk, hoping against hope that Izabe would forgive her


    magnanimously after her views on her hadpletely changed.


    But in the end, she couldn''t escape the fate of being fired. Madeline was filled with regret, hatred,


    and intense jealousy. She was just impulsive and never expected that the president''s wife would be


    so petty and actually fire her.


    Feeling indignant, Madeline wanted to continue arguing, tearfully and shamefully saying to Mr.


    Warren, "Mr. Warren, I didn''t know she was the president''s wife. I was wrong. I apologized to her,


    can you give me another chance?"


    Mr. Warren frowned, "Seems like you still don''t know where you went wrong. You drove away all the


    guests, and today it was the president''s wife. Have you ever thought about what if the person you


    drove away was here to discuss a cooperative project? Do you know how much money is involved


    in any of ourpany''s projects?"


    Madeline pursed her lips, realizing her big mistake.


    "You are the receptionist we hired, not the boss. You have no right to drive people away with that


    attitude. Firing you is already the lightest punishment."


    For making such a mistake, at best she would be fired, and at worst she would be cklisted in the


    industry, with a bleak future.


    Madeline''s face turned pale.


    "Anything else to say?"


    "I..." Madeline was anxious and guilty, her eyes filled with tears, looking hurt. In the end, she


    lowered her head and resigned herself to fate.


    "Go to HR to get your sry."


    "Uh..." Madeline choked and left in embarrassment after tidying up her desk.


    Izabe didn''t know about what happened at the front desk. She was taking a look around the


    president''s office. The decoration style was simple, mostly in cold white and gray, spacious, and


    bright.


    There was a huge floor-to-ceiling window, and Izabe walked over and watched the crowds


    coming and going downstairs.


    Below the window was a fountain, the water shimmering under the sunlight.


    Brett started working after lunch, and the quiet office was filled with the sound of typing.


    After a while, he stopped. He took off his sses and rubbed his eyebrows. He was highly


    concentrating on working, but long hours of working took a toll on him.


    At that moment, a gentle hand pressed on his temples, the fatigue disappearing instantly. Brett


    sighed in relief.


    "How''s your hand?"


    "Fine," Izabe answered while massaging him.


    Brett closed his eyes and rested for five minutes, feeling refreshed. He nced at his phone. It was


    two-thirty in the afternoon on May 15th.


    He realized that in six days, it would be Izabe''s birthday. He had never celebrated with her before,


    and he wanted to make it special this time.


    But what should he give her as a present? He knew little about Izabe''s preferences.


    For jewelry, he only bought her a ring before, but now her hand was injured, so it wasn''t convenient


    to wear a ring.


    What about a ne? Brett stared at Izabe''s smooth neck, and her conservative attire didn''t


    even reveal her corbone.


    Brett couldn''t help but think of that video, the sharp de passing through her corbone, and the


    chain circling her neck like a ne.


    His thin lips tightened, his face slightly pale.

 Chapter 252

    Chapter 252


    Izabe''s got something on her mind, and originally she was nning to leave work with Brett and


    head home together. But now, she wanted to make a detour to the hospital for a thorough checkup


    of her body.


    "I wanna head home first, is that cool?"


    "Why? I thought we agreed to go home together after work?"


    "I''m so bored here, and kinda sleepy. Plus, watching you work''s not as fun as hanging out with Niki


    back home."


    Really living lower than a cat, Brett grabbed her hand that was on his temple and said, "There''s a


    resting area in the back, you can sleep there. It''s quiet, and no one will bother you. I''ll wake you up


    when I''m off work."


    "I''ve got a thing about not being able to sleep in new ces. I just can''t."


    "You sure you wanna go home?"


    Izabe nodded.


    She was insisting, so Brett didn''t want to force her to stay. "I''ll get a driver to take you home."


    "No need, I''ll just call a cab at the corner with my phone." Izabe leaned on Brett''s shoulder,


    speaking softly and sweetly just like their cat at home.


    She grabbed her bag, and although she looked calm, the hurried way she moved gave her away.


    She left in such a rush that she even forgot the food box.


    Brett''s eyes darken as he watched her leave. Not long after, he spotted Izabe heading not


    towards their home, but in the direction of a nearby hospital.


    Why was Izabe going to the hospital? Was she feeling unwell? Or had she remembered or found


    out something?


    In any case, her destination didn''t seem to be a good omen. Brett immediately ordered someone to


    follow her.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    He had a tracker installed on her phone a while back, worried about her wandering off. As long as


    she kept the phone with her, he would know where she''s headed.


    Izabe quickly exited the building and hailed a taxi without noticing someone¡¯s following her.


    Luckily, there weren''t many people queuing for a doctor at this time, she mostly wanted to check her


    stomach and brain without any trouble.


    She went for a brain scan but didn''t expect the high cost. She had got Brett''s card to pay, but it


    weighed on her conscience.


    A specialist examined her, only to tell her she''d be notified when the results were avable.


    On the other side of town, at the Windham Group''s Presidential office, the worried Brett ordered a


    fake report made and given to Izabe.


    Back home, they both acted normal, but Izabe''s unease was evident. After dinner, she took her


    pills but didn''t eat anything else.


    The next day, Izabe sneaked out to the hospital again for her GI endoscopy. She almost threw up


    her stomach, petrified. The doctor assured her it was painless, but she was still scared.


    And indeed, it was very painful. It was like there was a hand pulling and squeezing her stomach.


    The vomiting and blood made her think she''d done this before, but she figured it was not surprising


    since she''d had stomach troubles in the past.


    The doctor told her to rest and that they would notify her when her report was ready.


    Izabe clutched her stomach and walked out, hearing the doctor calling the next person''s name.


    She sat in the waiting area, checking her phone, while the noisy chatter around her reached her


    ears.


    All kinds of expressions were on the faces of people around her: some wailed hysterically after


    getting devastating diagnoses, while others called to assure their loved ones or expressed regret.


    In and out of the hospital were patients with all sorts of facial expressions. It was a ce of life and


    death, where sadness and joy coexisted.


    "Izabe,e in and grab your test results."

 Chapter 253

    Chapter 253


    Izabe was sitting in the waiting area, spacing out as she looked around at the unfamiliar


    surroundings. For the first time, she felt alone and helpless.


    When someone called her name, Izabe went over to get her gastroscopy report. It looked pretty


    normal to her.


    "If you don''t understand, ask your doctor."


    Izabe said "thanks" and went to her doctor with the gastroscopy report, asking him to help her


    check her stomach condition.


    While waiting, she was unavoidably scared, fearing that she might have caught some incurable


    disease by ident.


    The doctor looked through the report carefully, "All the indicators are fairly normal, but your


    stomach..." he paused for a moment.


    Izabe''s heart immediately jumped, "What''s wrong with my stomach?"


    Her biggest concern was her stomach, as it hurt like hell every day.


    "You have stomach ulcer, have you ever vomited blood? Apart from that, you have a history of


    gastrointestinal bleeding."


    "I know," Izabe asked, "So apart from these, there are no other major problems, right?"


    The doctor''s expression became serious, "Well, these are not small issues. If you don''t get them


    treated, they could develop into stomach cancer."


    Upon hearing the words "stomach cancer," Izabe''s fingertips couldn''t help but shrink. That strong


    sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu was haunting her again.


    "As for your brain, you''ve been diagnosed with neurasthenia. Don''t be too nervous, just get some


    rest."


    Izabe nodded, taking the medical report. The doctor saw her standing there, not leaving. After


    hesitating, he carefully asked, "Do you want me to prescribe some medicine for you?"


    Izabe came back to her senses, "No need, I have some at home." With more medication, she


    might as well not eat at all.


    The doctor gave her some precautions and told her not to think too much before she left the room


    with her report.


    Unbeknownst to her, the doctor wiped cold sweat from his face with a tissue after she left.


    Izabe didn''t go home right away. She sat in the hospital corridor, staring at the report in her hand


    while J''s words kept reying in her head.


    She felt extremely uneasy, and her stomach started to hurt again.


    Izabe folded the report and put it in her bag. Looking up at the sign, her scattered gaze finally


    stopped at the ''Gynecology and Obstetrics'' section.


    Her phone, which was in her bag, rang at that moment. She found the phone and quickly answered


    when she saw it was Brett calling.


    "Hello?"


    "Honey, I heard from Tiara that you went out without eating lunch?"


    Izabe simply replied with a "yeah."


    Brett asked again on the phone, "Where are you? Have you had breakfast yet?"


    Since Izabe had alreadypleted her medical checkup, she didn''t n to hide it from Brett. As


    soon as he asked, she told him, "I''m at the hospital."


    "Are you feeling unwell?"


    "Nothing, just doing a check-up."


    Brett let out a sigh of relief, "If you''re not feeling well, you can call our family doctor, Stevenson."


    "I know."


    "Have you eaten yet?"


    Izabe immediately replied, "I''m going to eat right now."


    She went to get breakfast after hanging up the call. There were quite a few early-morning


    restaurants around the hospital. Izabe chose a oatmeal ce, ate half a bowl, then nced at the


    hospital and checked her phone. It was only 10 AM. For some reason, she went back inside and


    registered at the Gynecology and Obstetrics department. And she decided to get an ovtion shot.


    Ovtion shots had many side effects, such as abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, etc., but no


    major harm. They mainly increased the chances of pregnancy.


    Izabe took a car back to the vi. As soon as she got home, she locked herself in the bathroom


    and vomited. She threw up all the porridge she''d eaten in the morning, thinking it was all her own


    fault.


    Izabe didn''t understand why she was acting this way, as if her body was being driven by some


    force. She had taken an ovtion shot subconsciously and checked her head and stomach.


    All of this stemmed from the words of a seemingly insignificant woman, as if she was trying to prove


    something.


    Izabe opened the second drawer of her bedside table, and fell into deep thought as she looked at


    the items inside. Brett had said that they couldn''t have children because of him, but he always took


    contraceptive measures.


    Although she found it strange, Izabe didn''t ask any further, in case she unwittingly hurt his self-


    esteem.


    Izabe borrowed a needle from Tiara, sensing that Brett was keeping something from her. Since


    he wouldn''t tell her, she decided to find out the truth by herself, believing that she would eventually


    find the answer she wanted.


    At four in the afternoon, Brett sent her a text message saying that he would be workingte, and


    she didn''t need to prepare dinner for him.


    Izabe replied with a simple "OK."


    With Brett not at home, Izabe had no mood to go out for a walk after dinner. After sitting on the


    couch for a while to digest her food, she went back to the bedroom to wash up.


    Shey in bed waiting until she heard the sound of car engineing from outside at 9 PM.


    The room was soundproof, so as soon as the door was closed, no noise from downstairs could be


    heard.


    Izabe opened the door and went downstairs. Brett had already entered the house. He was lying


    on the couch, his face looked exhausted, and his eyes were red.


    "Why are you so busytely?" Izabe walked over to see a half-smoked cigarette in his hand. As


    soon as Brett saw hering, he immediately put out the cigarette and waved the smoke away.


    "I''ll be fine after this busy period. Wait until next week, and I''ll take you out to rx. We can go


    wherever you want."


    "You can make some ns." Izabe handed him a cup of warm water, "Have you eaten?"


    Brett sat up straight, "I''ve eaten." After taking a few sips of water, he ced the cup on the coffee


    table.


    He looked up at her and then patted his thigh, gesturing her to sit on hisp.


    The living room was brightly lit, and Brett only wore a simple dress shirt. Usually, he would dress


    meticulously, buttoning his shirt all the way to the top and putting on a tie.


    This sense of restraint had be a habit, as well as a way for him to maintain a constant state of


    alertness, giving him no chance to catch his breath.


    Now, however, his tie had disappeared, three buttons on his shirt had been undone, revealing his


    corbone and faintly exposing his chest.


    This moreid-back and casual Brett seemed more enticing and different from his usual serious and


    inhibited demeanor.


    With practiced ease, Izabe hooked her arm around his neck and sat on hisp. Brett enjoyed her


    closeness, he often asked her to lean on him, sit on hisp and let him hold her.


    Brett wrapped his arms around her slender waist and rested his chin on her neck, a natural and


    affectionate move. Izabe ran her fingers through his hair, and as she breathed with him, she could


    smell the faint scent of alcohol on him.


    "You''ve been drinking?"


    "Yep." Brett''s voice was a bit husky, and he knew Izabe didn''t like him drinking or smoking, but


    now she''d not only caught him smoking but could also smell the alcohol on him.


    "Sorry, I had a drink." His voice waszy and maic, flowing like an electric current into Izabe''s


    ears.


    "Didn''t you say you were workingte?" Izabe questioned.


    "Yep, had to go schmoozing for some contracts." Climbing the businessdder in J City wasn''t easy,


    with most of it dominated by Patrick and some under Nathaniel''s control. Back in R City, people


    lined up to work with him, but now, every step took all his energy and he couldn''t afford to ck off.


    Izabe leaned on Brett''s chest, feeling his heartbeat and the sound of his breathing. "How did the


    contract talks go?"


    "It''s all good."


    "Is this what you''ve been busy withtely?"


    "Yep, not done yet."


    Feeling his exhaustion and weariness up close, she felt sorry for him and hated that she couldn''t


    help.


    "Did you get the medical report back?"


    "Yep, it''s in the bedroom."


    "I''ll take a lookter."


    Compared to his smell of smoke and alcohol, Izabe''s scent was a gentle fragrance, something


    like gardenia.


    He was addicted to her scent, holding her as they went upstairs to the bedroom.


    Izabe showed him the report from the tests she''d done that day.


    Brett skimmed it quickly, his face rxing as he said, "No biggie. Apart from these two things, you


    didn''t get checked for anything else?"


    "Nope, the doctor said I am fine, but I have to take my meds on time." Mention of taking meds


    caused Izabe to make a bitter face.


    "Then listen to the doctor."


    Izabe thought about the ovtion shot this morning, and as it was her fertile period, she didn''t


    want to miss any chance to find the truth.


    Once Brett went into the bathroom, she took off her clothes and wrapped herself in the nket.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    He had no idea what was on her mind, and when he came out, he saw Izabe lying down with her


    back to him, thinking she was tired and wanted to sleep. But then she suddenly rolled over into his


    arms, and as he instinctively put his hand under the nket to hug her, his body went stiff.


    "Be?"


    Izabe seemed a bit shy, half her face was buried in the nket. She''d never been so forward


    before.


    Seeing Brett''s shock, she smiled, quickly stretched her neck and gave him a peck on the lips.


    This was the first time Izabe saw Brett like this, his eyes filled with anticipation, neck veins


    bulging, and his brows tinted with a light shadow. As he breathed, his lovely eyshes trembled.


    Shey sweaty and exhausted in Brett''s arms, unwilling to let go even though she could barely


    breathe from the heat.


    That night, she had a vivid nightmare - the worst she''d ever experienced. She dreamt she was


    alone in a clinic, receiving stacks of medical reports, and the doctor told her clearly, "You''re dying."


    The papers read in bold letters - terminal stomach cancer.


    Upon waking up, her face was damp with tears, and her heart ached as if pierced by a sharp de.


    For a moment, she felt her strength drained from her body, leaving her weak and anxious. Her head


    began to ache, and she felt an urge to jump out the window, thinking she might see the man from


    her dream.

 Chapter 254

    Chapter 254


    Suddenly, a hand caressed her cheek, wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes. "Having a


    nightmare?"


    Izabe nodded with a tearful voice, "Yeah." Then she threw herself into Brett''s arms, gripping the


    nket tightly, feeling his warmth.


    She trembled nervously, and Brett didn''t know what to do. "What kind of nightmare made you cry


    like this?"


    "I dreamt that I went to the hospital for a checkup, and the doctor told me I had stomach cancer."


    Luckily, it was still dark outside, and the darkness prevented Izabe from seeing the change in


    Brett''s expression.


    "Dreams are the opposite of reality. You had that nightmare because you had a gastroscopy today."


    Izabe nodded.


    Trying to divert her attention, Brett asked, "Did the gastroscopy bother you today?"


    "It did. It hurt. Even though it was a painless gastroscopy, I still threw up." She didn''t tell him that


    she had vomited blood.


    Brett held Izabe''s hand to give her a sense of security, while his other hand gently rubbed her


    stomach. "It''s still early. Let''s sleep a little more."


    "Alright." But Izabe couldn''t sleep. She was covered in cold sweat, her nerves sensitive and


    fragile, her heart a mess. She didn''t dare to sleep now, for fear of returning to that nightmare.


    "Brett, I want to go home."


    "This is your home."


    Listening to Brett''s steady heartbeat, Izabe gradually calmed down.


    When she got up in the morning, Izabe went to take a hot bath first.


    It was eight o''clock in the morning. Brett usually went to work at this time.


    Tiara called her every day at nine o''clock to get up for breakfast, so no one would disturb her when


    she took a bath.


    Izabe didn''t bring a change of clothes with her, so after her bath, she came out wrapped in a short


    towel, exposing her top and bottom.


    But at this hour, no one was around, and she was in her own bedroom, so Izabe just went out like


    that.


    Suddenly the bedroom door opened, and Izabe stiffened and paused. Her hand, holding the


    doorknob, trembled.


    The morning light seeped in, and the man, all dressed up, was carrying a tray with breakfast, just as


    usual, steaming hot.


    Hearing the noise, Brett looked over calmly, first focusing on Izabe''s face, then scanning her from


    top to bottom.


    She looked like a water lily, her smooth skin still wet. Having just taken a bath, Izabe''s face was


    slightly red, her eyes sparkling. She looked more tempting than if she had been wearing nothing at


    all.


    Brett''s thin lips tightened, and his jawline also tensed. He casually looked away: "I was about to call


    you to eat, but you''re already awake."


    Izabe''s face flushed awkwardly. They were husband and wife and had been open with each other


    many times. Brett had even helped her bathe before, but she was easily to get shy.


    She walked in awkwardly, then opened the wardrobe and hurriedly changed into a nightdress.


    Brett ced the breakfast on the small table in front of the sofa and watched Izabe walk over with


    a red face. He teased her, "I didn''t see you so shyst night when you were so proactive."


    "Last night, the lighting was poor, and you couldn''t see whether I was shy or not."


    Izabe sat down, grabbed the bowl, stirred the porridge with a spoon, tasted the temperature, and


    only started drinking when it didn''t burn her mouth.


    As the warm porridge entered her stomach, her intestines and stomach moved gently. Izabe


    suddenly thought about whether she could get pregnant.


    She wanted a child and thought about not getting pregnant at the same time.


    If she really got pregnant, it would mean Brett was deceiving her. The secret behind this made


    Izabe feel as if she was facing a Pandora''s box.


    "Why haven''t you gone to work yet? It''ste."


    "I''m the boss, I can go whenever I want. You''re bored at home; do you want toe with me? Can


    you bring Niki?"


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "Can I bring her?"


    "Why not? The cat is yours, and you can take it anywhere."


    Izabe smiled secretly. Did he really think she didn''t know how much he disliked Niki? If there was


    cat hair anywhere in the house, he would never touch it.


    Izabe drank the porridge and nced at the man sitting next to her, reading the morning paper.


    Brett liked to wear white shirts. From her angle, she could clearly see his handsome face. The sun


    gradually shone through the window and onto him, making him look like an angel.


    Even when reading the newspaper, Brett would pay some attention to Izabe. Seeing her staring


    at him, he raised his eyes and asked, "Why are you looking at me? Is there something on my face?"


    Izabe shook her head, then smiled with narrowed eyes and said, "You''re very handsome."


    After a pause, she looked at his white shirt and added, "You look very handsome in a white shirt."


    The man in her dream wearing a white shirt was merging with Brett. Perhaps the man in the dream


    who said he would carry her home was Brett.

 Chapter 255

    Chapter 255


    No doubt, Brett had a handsome face, with deep eyes that upturned at the corners. When he gazed


    at you, it was easy to fall for the illusion that he was madly in love with you.


    Despite having a flirtatious face, his lips were thin, and she once saw this type of lip shape online,


    saying that people with such lips were naturally fickle and unloyal, even able to turn their hearts


    away from their loved ones.


    When she told him that he looked best in a white shirt, Brett''s hand holding the newspaper shrank a


    bit, "I look even better in a white shirt?"


    Izabe nodded in affirmation.


    He smiled slightly, "Then I''ll only wear white shirts from now on."


    Brett had many custom-tailored shirts, with more of them being darker colors, which he preferred


    more. But when Izabe mentioned how good he looked in white, he couldn''t help but think back to


    when he first met Ryker, who always wore white clothes.


    After breakfast, Izabe found the pet backpack, and as soon as she unzipped it, Niki curiously


    crawled in. Izabe seized the opportunity to close the zipper immediately.


    At first, Niki was not used to the pet backpack, and meowed uncontrobly. It wasn''t until Izabe


    opened the side zipper and gave it some cat treats that it gradually calmed down.


    "I''ll carry it," Brett offered, as the once small kitten had grown quite a bit in over forty days.


    "You sure?" Izabe looked at him skeptically.


    Brett simply reached out and took the pet backpack from her while she giggled at the sight of him


    carrying the cat, which seemed quite mismatching. She happily followed his pace.


    Brett walked ahead and, without even looking back, effortlessly took Izabe''s hand as they went


    downstairs.


    The two went to the Windham Group together, and Izabe noticed that the female employees''


    outfits had changed significantly. They all wore long clothes, and the asional pencil skirt was


    knee-length.


    At the reception desk, Izabe saw J, who also looked more conservative and wore less


    makeup. J nced at her and then quickly lowered her head, as if unwilling to make eye


    contact.


    Izabe only gave her a brief look before following Brett into the private elevator. His office was


    huge, with a separate resting area for sleeping and even a partitioned space for bathing and


    grooming, probably prepared for his overtime work.


    While Brett was working outside, Izabe stayed indoors watching TV and petting the cat. She was


    also brought fruit, nuts, and juice from the secretary.


    She tried her best to keep a low profile, refraining from disturbing his work unless he called her.


    However, she could still hear his conversations even with the partitions, including discussions of


    company secrets.


    Izabe felt a dry throat, her stomach issues and throat inmmation seemed to be getting worse,


    her throat felt like it was on fire. Not wanting to bother others, she got up and went out with a cup.


    Liam was discussing the minerals under Starry Brilliance Ind with Brett, an essential factor in


    conquering the local market in J City. They were considering which area to allocate the minerals,


    but once they had them, it wouldn''t be hard to find partners.


    "President Windham, I think we should go for area C..." Liam was still talking when he heard a


    commotion behind him. Izabe came out with a cup, and he eyed her warily. The atmosphere


    became tense, almost awkward.


    "Come here," Brett called her over.


    Izabe obediently walked over, "Sorry, I didn''t mean to interrupt your talk. I''m a little thirsty and


    wanted to drink some water. I''ll leave in a bit."


    "No need, you can stay here." There happened to be a cup of water on Brett''s desk, just the right


    temperature. When he heard she was thirsty, he immediately handed her the water.


    Izabe took several sips, but the dryness in her throat lingered.


    "Niki is still inside, I''ll go back first."


    Brett didn''t stop her.


    Liam watched as Izabe went back inside, unsure of how to continue. In a low voice, he said,


    "President Windham, why did you bring your wife in again?"


    "What do you mean ''again''?" If he could, he would bind Izabe to himself, so they could always be


    together.


    Liam pursed his lips for a long moment, "President Windham, we''re talking about confidential


    matters here. Maybe we should go somewhere else."


    ¡°You talk too much today; just spit it out.¡±


    His attitude seemed to show no concern aboutpany secrets getting leaked. In reality, even if


    these secrets were revealed in front of Izabe in her current state, she wouldn''t understand any of


    it. But just in case, what if her memory came back?


    Liam was well aware of how much Izabe had hated Brett before. If her memory suddenly


    returned, she could use these secrets to take revenge on Brett.


    It was better to be safe than sorry. Izabe was like a ticking time bomb.


    Yet Brett didn''t seem to care at all, allowing Liam to reveal everything in front of Izabe.


    It was May 21st, and Izabe was unaware of the significance of this day. In the early hours, she


    woke up feeling a chill around her wrist. She opened her eyes to find an exquisite bracelet on her


    wrist.


    The bracelet had a simple design with diamonds embedded in it. The most eye-catching part was a


    small lock.


    She lifted her wrist, and the diamonds on the bracelet sparkled under the light.


    "What is this?"


    "Your birthday present." This unique bracelet was designed and crafted in about a month.


    The bracelet''s length was just right, simple and elegant, perfectly suiting Izabe''s taste.


    Brett held her slender white wrist, "Do you like it?"


    Izabe didn''t react for a while, "Today is my birthday?"


    "Yes, May 21st is your birthday."


    Izabe was still a bit puzzled, somehow feeling familiar with the date but also a bit resistant.


    However, she was pretty stoked that Brett remembered her birthday and had already prepared a


    birthday gift for her.


    Despite herck of nails, the bracelet looked amazing on Izabe''s wrist, making her hand look


    even more slender, fair, and elegant.


    "I like it," she said softly, looking at her ugly fingertips.


    Brett caught her gaze, reached out, and held her hand, fingers intertwined. "It looks great."


    Izabe wasn''t as bothered by her fingertips as before. She recently bought a ton of nail stickers


    online that looked just like the real thing and were pretty cute.


    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "Go on a date with me tomorrow?"


    Izabe agreed without a second thought.


    Brett nned their day. They went to an amusement park and bought loads of tasty treats. Brett


    even bought her a strawberry cake.


    Izabe worried it''d be too sticky, so she kept the cake in its box.


    She wore a red ankle-length dress, her hair tied back. Izabe also put on some light makeup for


    the date, looking so radiant and stunning it was hard for people to look away from her.


    People often took pictures when they walked on the street, but Brett forcibly stopped them and


    demanded the photos be deleted.


    After putting on makeup, Izabe''splexion had improved, and under the sun, you could see the


    fine fuzz on her face, although her neck veins were more visible.


    The couple steered clear of thrilling rides at the amusement park. One reason was Izabe''s dress,


    and the other was her not-so-great mental state.


    They stuck to simple attractions but still spent quite a bit of time before heading to a specific


    restaurant for dinner.


    They were like a normal couple. After lunch, they went to see a movie. While watching, Izabe


    couldn''t help but unwrap the cake box.


    Not paying much attention to the movie, Izabe got distracted by the cake in her hand. Suddenly


    she felt itchiness all over and wanted to scratch, but her hand was sticky.


    "I need to go to the bathroom," she whispered in Brett''s ear.


    "I''ll go with you."


    The movie theater was dim, and they had to climb stairs as they were sitting in the back row.


    Worried Izabe might fall, Brett held her hand tightly.


    Brett waited outside the restroom, holding Izabe''s unfinished cake.


    Once inside, Izabe washed her hands with soap and started to scratch. The itching began on her


    back then spread to her hands and neck.


    She looked at the rash on her hands and felt a sudden tightness in her chest. She leaned against


    the wall, with her hand on the sink, but she still couldn''t support herself.


    In just a short time, she started to feel feverish and nauseous.


    The symptoms pointed to an allergic reaction. All the food she''d eaten that day was stuff she usually


    ate, except for the cake.


    Was she allergic to strawberries?


    A vague image shed in her mind, she tried to focus on details but couldn''t. A sharp pain followed


    in her head.


    The pain wasn¡¯t something too extreme, but the lingering difort felt like her brain was slowly


    filled with something.


    Hand on her head, the other on the sink, Izabe turned on the faucet, the sound of the water


    flowing.


    She involuntarily retched, blood spewing from her throat. Her mouth was filled with various tastes,


    but it eventually ended with a fishy sweetness.


    Someone walked in to touch up their makeup and saw Izabe leaning against the wall, as pale as


    a ghost, and asked, "Are you alright?"


    As soon as the words left her mouth, Izabe copsed onto the floor.


    The woman, horrified at the sight of blooding from Izabe''s mouth, screamed in panic.


    Brett was waiting outside for Izabe, five minutes had passed, but she hadn''te out yet.


    Women usually take longer in the bathroom, but not so long without a single stir.

 Chapter 256

    Chapter 256


    When Brett heard a scream from the bathroom, he rushed in right away. Seeing Izabe lying on


    the floor, he felt like his soul was struck hard for a moment.


    Before his brain could react, he hurriedly picked her up and took her to the nearest hospital.


    The examination results weren''t promising. Izabe''s health had never been great, and though


    she''d been trying to hold on, her stomach was deteriorating step by step. Even the world''s most


    advanced cancer drugs couldn''t cure her, only providing some relief.


    The strawberry cake she''d eaten almost killed her because she was allergic to strawberries.


    As Brett recalled the past, he remembered how Izabe loved strawberries yet he never saw her


    eat them.


    Izabey in bed, having the same dream from that night again. This time, the scene was clearer,


    and she could hear the man''s voice.


    The man in the white shirt walked up to her, holding a pink colored donut: "Cry Baby, eat this and


    don¡¯t cry, alright?"


    She could hear it clearly, but it wasn''t Brett''s voice.


    Who was the man in her dream?


    In her foggy state, the dream changed, and this time the man, lying in a pool of blood, told her, "I


    can''t carry you home this time."


    Izabe woke up in tears, who was the person in her dream? Why did it hurt so much just to think


    about it? Was it really only a dream? Why did it feel like a lifetime away, like she''d experienced it


    herself?


    Izabe knew she had lost some important memories, unrted to Brett, but she couldn''t bring


    herself to tell him.


    So when Brett anxiously asked her what was wrong, she lied and said she''d had a nightmare where


    she was about to die.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Brett''s worry was real, maybe even too much, as if she were truly dying.


    Izabe stayed in the hospital for a few more days before the doctor said she could go home to rest,


    then Brett took her back.


    She still took her medicine on time, but she secretly didn''t swallow the pill at night.


    Brett seemed to care more about the white pill she took at night, always watching her swallow it.


    Izabe threw the pill in her mouth and quietly held it against her rear teeth with her tongue while


    drinking water. As soon as Brett left, she quickly spit the pill into the toilet and rinsed her mouth until


    the bitterness was gone.


    She''d always been suspicious of what that pill at night was for. They said it was a treatment for her


    nerves and memory restoration, but she felt more and more dizzy and forgetful.


    She even got mad at Brett, saying she didn''t want to take it at night, but he didn''t agree and


    obviously forced her to.


    Even if she said she could live without her memories, Brett still insisted she take the pill every day.


    What kind of pill was it? Izabe had no clue since it was in a bottle without anybels, making it


    untraceable.


    Once she started spitting out the pill secretly, Izabe found her brain didn''t feel any difort at


    all, and her spirit was even better than before. She also dreamed clearer dreams every night.


    "Can I call you Be?"


    "Be, I''m not hurt at all. Don''t be sad for me, and don''t like Brett. He''s not worth it."


    The gunshot was deafening, and Izabe suddenly woke up, blurting out, "Ryker!"


    Her mind was in turmoil, and her heart seemed to stop. Shey in Brett''s arms, feeling his warmth


    but no warmth at all.


    "Whose name did you just call?" A deep, muffled voice came from above.


    Izabe stared wide-eyed, her eyes and nose aching. Staring nkly at Brett''s jaw, she felt deaf, all


    she could hear was a buzzing noise.


    Brett asked again, "What did you dream about?" He hugged her tightly, making it hard for her to


    breathe.


    Izabe mumbled, "I forgot. Did I just scream out loud?"


    Brett turned on themp, casting an orange glow over the room and Izabe''s face.


    With a bewildered look on her face and foggy eyes, Izabe was sweaty. "I forgot what I just dreamt


    about. I think it was about a dead person. You said I just talked in my sleep? What did I say? Did


    you hear it clearly?" Her face was full of confusion, not a hint of lying.


    Brett gently wiped the sweat off her forehead, "I didn''t hear it either. If you can''t remember, forget it.


    It was just a nightmare."


    Izabe nodded and forced a smile before snuggling into Brett''s arms like a cat, finding a


    comfortable position, and closing her eyes.


    In the dim light, Brett looked at her peaceful sleeping face, the name "Ryker" echoing in his mind.


    He couldn''t help but hold Izabe even tighter.


    Izabe wasn''t asleep, still bothered by the dream. It was the clearest one she''d had recently, and


    she even shouted out the name, "Ryker". Who was he? Why couldn''t she remember anything about


    him outside the dream? Why did that name cause her so much heartache?


    Her instinct told her "Ryker" was someone important to her. And were the events in her dream true?


    Just thinking about it made her want to cry.


    But she couldn''t cry, she couldn''t let Brett notice anything.


    In fact, Izabe couldn''t understand why she didn''t want Brett to know about her nightmare and the


    name she shouted.


    She leaned on Brett''s chest, listening to his heartbeat, but she couldn''t find any peace.


    She tightly clung to the bracelet on her wrist, which she''d never taken off since Brett put it on her. To


    remove the bracelet, she needed Brett''s key. Once the bracelet was unlocked, the lock would open


    automatically.


    She tugged at the lock on the bracelet, feeling it wasn''t a bracelet on her wrist but a shackle. She


    couldn''t break free, and the only way to escape was to cut off her own arm.


    Brett couldn''t sleep all night. He controlled Izabe''s memory but not her dreams. Lately, she''d been


    having nightmares, and today''s was especially frightening to him.


    This was definitely not a good sign, man. He was worried that Izabe''s gonna get her memory


    back in her dreams.


    If Izabe really did get her memory back, what was he supposed to do? Can she really keep her


    promise and never leave him, even if she got her memory back, just like she said at the beginning?

 Chapter 257

    Chapter 257


    Izabe was overwhelmed with fear, and even she herself didn''t quite know what she was afraid of.


    Maybe it was the fear that the nightmare was real, that she and Brett couldn''t make it to the end.


    Izabe loved Brett, and that was a fact she could no longer deny. She wanted to get close to the


    truth, yet she was afraid to face it.


    What if Brett had been deceiving her since the day she lost her memory? What should she do?


    It was like a bird that had just escaped from its cage, only to find a bigger waiting for it outside.


    Not to mention the traps on the - a single wrong move and she''d be toast.


    Izabe could only console herself that the things Brett was hiding from her were to keep her from


    getting hurt. Anyway, Brett truly loved her.


    Since Izabe often had nightmares, Brett had called Stevenson back.


    They both got up as the sky was getting light.


    "Why not sleep a little longer? It''s still early," Brett asked.


    "I can''t sleep anymore." Ever since she had been woken by the nightmare at midnight, she hadn''t


    been able to fall back asleep.


    Brett looked at Izabe''s haggard face and couldn''t help but tentatively ask, "Can you still


    remember your nightmare fromst night?"


    Izabe shook her head. "I can''t remember."


    "I thought you might regain your memory."


    Staring at him, Izabe asked tly, "Do you want me to?"


    "Let it be," Brett said, reaching out to touch her soft hair.


    She nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I think it''s best to let it be. If I can''t remember, then so be it. After


    all, it''s in the past. Now I have you, and I believe you''ll always be good to me, never deceive me,


    and never bring me pain, right?"


    Brett''s face stiffened, and his hand stopped stroking her hair. His gentle expression instantly turned


    uneasy.


    Izabe''s words were like a sharp weapon piercing his heart, and the pain in his chest spread


    throughout his body. He held Izabe tightly in his arms, his arm trembling due to some reason.


    What he brought to Izabe was deception, lies, pain, and countless moments of despair. He


    couldn''t turn back, even if it meant going through fire and water. Even if he fell into the depths of


    hell, he would hold onto Izabe tightly.


    "Be, I will love you well." This was his promise to her.


    Love was a heavy burden in the chest, but it''s also light and casual between lips. Anyone could say


    it, but there were few who were willing to give everything for it.


    Brett had a paranoid personality and had lived in a loveless environment for many years. He longed


    for deep love and to be loved. Although he once had it, he didn''t know how to cherish it, so he had


    to resort to imprisoning Izabe like a pet in a cage to keep her.


    He could never be tolerant when it came to his love for Izabe in this life, and he could never let


    go. No matter how others judged him, all he wants was Izabe.


    At the dining table, Izabe ate breakfast absentmindedly. On the surface, everything seemed as


    usual, but Izabe felt that something was changing.


    In the morning, Stevenson came to check on Izabe, asking her how she was doingtely like an


    old friend.


    "I''m doing fine," they hadn''t seen each other for a few weeks, and Brett hadn''t given Stevenson


    many opportunities to chat with Izabe.


    After lunch, they went about their own business. Izabe took her stomach medicine and felt a little


    drowsy.


    "If you want to sleep, go to sleep," Brett said.


    Izabe softly murmured in agreement, rubbing her bleary eyes. She usually napped at this time, so


    she slept whenever she could.


    After Izabe went to bed, Brett and Stevenson went into the guest room.


    "Why did you call me here this time?" Stevenson casually sat down in a chair.


    "Do you have any drugs that can control dreams?"


    Stevenson looked at Brett''s serious expression and stiffened slightly. "What do you mean?"


    "She''s been having frequent nightmarestely, and she even called out a person''s namest night.


    I''m afraid."


    Before Brett could finish, Stevenson sneered and interrupted, "You, afraid? It''s just a nightmare.


    When did you be so scared? Taking that kind of medicine will cause you to dream more."


    Brett''s eyshes flickered. He was always careful with matters of the heart, always anxious and


    fearful. He had also explicitly told Stevenson that Izabe would leave him as soon as she regained


    her memory, and what he feared most was Izabe''s departure.


    Curiously, Stevenson asked, "Who did she call outst night? Is that person important?"


    "You wouldn''t know even if I told you." The name that Izabe had spoken in her dream was


    important, and he had to admit it.


    Stevenson understood Brett''s expression and asked, "What do you want me to do?"


    "The medicine she tookst night doesn''t seem to be effective anymore. Can you prescribe


    something else that can disturb her nerves, or increase the dosage?"


    "It''s impossible to increase the dosage. Do you really want her to be an idiot?"


    "If it can keep her from leaving me, I''d rather she be an idiot!" Brett almost shouted thest


    few words.


    Stevenson was stunned, and as he stared into Brett¡¯s bloodshot eyes, he felt that this man must be


    crazy.


    The damage Brett had caused to Izabe was irreparable, and what he said was just superficial.


    "Meow~" The sound of a cat outside the door disrupted their conversation and Brett''s thoughts.


    Brett walked towards the door. "Anyway, whether it''s hypnosis or medication, I don''t want Izabe to


    remember everything. You better figure out a way for her not to dream."


    "That''s easier said than done. How can we control dreams?"


    The cat outside the door kept meowing. When Brett looked outside, he froze, his hand on the


    doorknob. His entire back was covered in cold sweat due to the extreme panic that gripped him,


    and his body froze in ce as he stared nkly at Izabe, who was holding a cat outside.


    A wave of despair engulfed him, making it hard to breathe. His throat choked up, and his eyshes


    trembled softly.


    "Be." He took a step forward, as if to grab hold of the person in front of him.


    But as Izabe saw his movement, she staggered back, clutching the cat to her chest.


    Her step back was like a stab in the heart, setting a boundary and showing fear of his approach.


    Brett clenched his fists, unable to speak, stiffly standing there as if struck dumb.


    Still in the room, Stevenson couldn''t see what was happening outside the door due to his sitting


    position. He found it strange that Brett was standing by the door for so long.


    Before Stevenson could finish asking "What''s up?", he froze. Why was Izabe here? Didn''t Brett


    say she was already asleep? When had shee here, and how much had she heard?


    A flood of questions filled his mind, and soon Izabe answered the burning question in his heart.


    "Brett, you said you''d never lie to me."


    Brett struggled to say, "I..."


    Izabe looked like she was holding back tears, but these tears still rolled down her cheek.


    The cat in her arms seemed to sense her sadness, meowing uneasily before finally breaking free


    and running away.


    "Why did you give me the drug to mess with my nerves? Why did you want me to lose my memory,


    even if I turned into a fool?" At this moment, her mind was buzzing, unable to focus, all stuck on


    what Brett had said.


    He''d been lying to her all along, treating her like a fool, trapping her here. She''d thought about this


    day, but she couldn''t bring herself to believe that the Brett who loved her would deceive her.


    "Be, listen to me, it''s not what you heard."


    "Then tell me how it is!" Izabe''s eyes were filled with tears, powering her enraged shout. Her


    tightly-wound nerves suddenly snapped, "Brett, which of your words are true? On one hand, you


    say you love me and would never deceive or betray me, but on the other hand, you''ve spun me a


    web of lies from beginning to end. Do you know? I''m terrified! I''m afraid of giving my heart sincerely


    but living in a lie, and that I might give myself to you, only for you to strike me with a fatal blow. I''m


    scared that the person who brings me hope will drag me into despair!"


    Izabe choked back her sobs, her tears streaming, "I have nothing left, do you understand? I only


    have this heart."


    During this time, she was deceiving herself, afraid of the truth in her nightmares.


    She loved Brett, and believed he loved her, too. But after hearing the conversation between Brett


    and Stevenson in the living room, her heart sank, deeper and deeper.


    She remembered everything he had said, especially: "If she could be with me, I''d rather she


    be a fool."


    Brett stood in silence, his eyes were full of sorrow, as if she had done something to hurt him.


    "Tell me, which are true and which are lies?"


    Izabe wiped away her tears, "Is our marriage a lie? Is my orphan status something you''ve


    fabricated? Are all the encounters, idents, and feelings between us nothing but lies to deceive


    me?"


    With every question, Izabe''s heart tore painfully. The tearing and opening of the wound made the


    pain inside overwhelm her entire body.


    She felt so heartbroken that they were seemingly so close, but the connection between them was a


    web of lies. Now that the lies had crumbled, nothing left between them.


    Like a wind-dried rock, they seemed tough on the outside, but would crumble easily.


    "Be, I did all of this for your own good, and for our future. You said you loved me and would never


    leave me." Brett hurried forward, lifting his hand, only to have it harshly pped away by Izabe.


    "Don''t touch me!" Izabe was like a porcupine with its spikes out, protecting herself


    subconsciously,pletely ignoring others'' feelings, only to hurt them with the barbs on her body.


    "The thing I hate most is when someone ims they''re doing something for my own good and then


    messes with my thoughts and freedom. This so-called kindness is more disgusting than maggots in


    a sewer."


    She didn''t know what had happened between her and Brett before she lost her memory, causing


    him to manipte her memories in such a way.


    She had only lost her memories, not her intelligence. From Brett''s fear of her regaining her memory,


    it seemed that what happened between them was something extremely horrible.


    She could only imagine the tip of the iceberg, with the more terrifying truth waiting for her.


    Brett frowned, "Be, how could you think that way? Can''t you feel my good intentions for you?"


    "Brett, do you think I''m an idiot?"


    Brett looked down at her, his brows furrowed with a deep, lingering worry, "Don''t overthink things.


    Our past rtionship is what it is now. Just stay by my side and don''t leave me. My promise to you


    will never change. Be, I admit there are lies between us, but in our rtionship, they''re


    insignificant. Can''t we just act like we haven''t heard anything today, and nothing happened, and live


    our lives as usual?"


    "Izabe, you are more important to me than life itself. If you''re sad, I''ll be a million times sadder."


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Izabe might have been moved by his words in the past, but how could she trust him now?

 Chapter 258

    Chapter 258


    Lies can be good or bad, and Izabe didn''t think the lie Brett made up was a good one.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    She gave a shallow smile, but the smile didn''t reach her eyes, which were deste deep inside.


    She smiled, but it looked even uglier than when she cried.


    "So you love me so much you want to turn me into an idiot?" Izabe''s eyes were filled with tears.


    "You''re so afraid of me regaining my memory, how can I not mind the past?"


    She shook her head and staggered back step by step. The man in front of her seemed to have lost


    all humanity; he was like a demon that crawled out from hell.


    "I just want to ask onest question: who is Ryker?"


    Hearing this name, Brett panicked. The thing he was most afraid of was getting closer and closer,


    and he had nowhere to retreat.


    Seeing Brett''s flustered face, Izabe seemed to understand something. The corners of her mouth


    raised in a sardonic sneer.


    "Is he dead?"


    No one answered, which was as good as admitting it.


    "He must have been important to me. Otherwise, why would I dream of him all the time?" Izabe


    muttered with a hoarse voice.


    Instinctively, she felt Ryker was more important than Brett, just thinking about the name hurt her so


    much she could hardly breathe.


    It felt like there was no air in her lungs, only thousands of needles piercing her flesh.


    "He''s dead, but he said he would carry me home once."


    Izabe''s eyes watered, and tears flowed uncontrobly. "Brett, you must know who Ryker is, tell


    me everything about him, please."


    For the first time since losing her memory, Izabe begged him. And it was for another man.


    He was jealous, angry, and heartbroken. He couldn''t understand why, after all these years, Ryker


    still lingered in Izabe''s heart.


    All he did was save her once and carry her home more than ten years ago. If it were him, he could


    have done that too.


    They had been married for years, known each other for eight, yet he couldn''tpare to a dead


    man.


    Brett took a deep breath. "I won''t tell you who he is. You''ll never remember him in this life."


    Thest spark of hope in Izabe''s heart was extinguished by his words, and she was plunged into


    utter darkness.


    "Brett, you really make me sick!"


    "I know." Brett said in agony. He always had known.


    Izabe looked at him with the same hatred, pain, helplessness, and silence as before she lost her


    memory.


    He didn''t know what to do with her, nor how they would go on. The four months of them together


    seemed like a dream, and they couldn''t go back now.


    Izabe''s heart felt like it was hit by something heavy, and it kept contracting. She clutched her


    chest, but then her stomach started to hurt too.


    All she could do was painfully bending over, Ryker''s voice from her dream echoing in her head.


    ¡°Don''t like Brett; he''s not worth it.¡±


    Izabe covered her mouth abruptly and retched. In the end, she couldn''t help but throw up, the


    food from lunch mixed with blood.


    Her lips turned a pale purple, the streaks of blood on them looking like lip gloss. Her face looked


    even paler.


    She couldn''t control her body as it fell back, the world spinning around her.


    "Izabe!" She was caught by warm arms, but she couldn''t see anything, only feeling the


    unbearable pain and difort.


    Stevenson hurried over when he saw Izabe suddenly vomiting blood and fainting. Her pale face


    looked like she was struggling for breath, which immediately rmed him.


    "Get her to the hospital quickly."


    On the way, Stevenson asked Brett, "What do we do now? She already knows."


    "Can she be hypnotized again?" Brett tightly held Izabe, as if holding a fragile and precious item,


    afraid that it might break.


    Shaking his head with difficulty, Stevenson said, "She knows about the hypnosis. It won''t work."


    "What about drugs?"


    "Do you really want her to be a fool?"


    "I don''t want her to be stupid, but I don''t want her to leave me even more!" Brett was like a trapped


    animal, struggling uselessly.


    Stevenson frowned at him and spoke after a moment of silence, "Sometimes I don''t understand


    how you think. You say you don''t want Izabe to leave you, but you''ve turned her into a soulless


    shell. Is she still herself like that? Think about it, can you really face an Izabe who''s like a fool?"


    Brett''s heart was twisted like a knife, trembling as he held Izabe''s hand. "Then what should I do?


    What should I do? You tell me what I should do?" He repeated this sentence, his voice choked with


    tears.


    Stevenson frowned at him and finally spoke, "Only you know what to do. I don''t want you to regret


    it. All I know is that if you truly love someone, you shouldn''t obsessively bind them like you do."


    Brett felt a knife twisting in his heart, tears streaming down his face. "What should I do? What


    should I do? Tell me what to do?"


    He repeated the question, choking on his words. Stevenson looked at the tears on his face and


    pursed his lips.


    "Only you know what to do. I just don''t want you to regret it. I only know that if you truly love


    someone, you shouldn''t try to bind them in such a morbid way."


    Having fainted once again, Izabe vomiting blood wasn''t a good sign. Stevenson felt a throbbing


    pain between his eyebrows.


    At the hospital, after a series of tests, they received shocking news.


    Izabe was already four weeks pregnant.

 Chapter 259

    Chapter 259


    Izabe was pregnant, and Brett totally didn''t see thating. He''d been careful every time, so how


    could Izabe possibly get pregnant?


    Where did it go wrong? Brett calcted the time, and Izabe had been with him all the time, with


    no chance to sneak out. The only time she went out was to the hospital, and that time he even sent


    someone to follow her.


    Brett leaned against the wall, holding his head with both hands. Izabe couldn''t have this baby,


    considering her health and their rtionship. She shouldn''t be pregnant.


    Thinking of the child who was about to be aborted, Brett''s eyes reddened, his heart ached like a


    knife, and he could hardly breathe.


    Stevenson also learned about Izabe''s pregnancy. He looked at Brett seriously and asked, "Do


    you want this child?"


    "I can''t." It was not that he didn''t want to, it was that he couldn''t.


    "Her body doesn''t allow her to get pregnant, does it?"


    "Yes." If they decided to have a baby, Izabe might pay with her life.


    "How are you going to tell her?" Stevenson asked, "If you tell her that she can''t have a baby


    because of stomach cancer, she might remember the past."


    When Stevenson hypnotized her, the first thing he sealed was her painful memories, one of which


    was stomach cancer.


    It was like putting a lock on her memory, and if the lock was unlocked, she would sessfully


    regain her memory.


    "Don''t tell her." Brett replied briefly.


    "Having a child aborted without knowing anything, she''ll hate you."


    "This hate is nothingpared to what she''d hate after recovering her memory."


    Brett returned to the bedside and watched over Izabe, looking at her t stomach.


    When Izabe was pregnant with their first child, he identally threw her downstairs, and the child


    was lost. At that time, he watched her blood flow down, and he went crazy.


    The doctor said it was not easy for her to get pregnant because of her weak womb wall. At that


    time, he only had one thought: to take good care of Izabe''s body so that she could give birth to


    his child.


    Their rtionship was tense during that period, and all Izabe wanted was to leave him.


    He didn''t know how to keep her, so he could only use their child to tie her down. But now, even a


    child wasn¡¯t possible.


    Brett tucked her in, and he couldn''t help but reach into the nket to caress her t belly.


    Izabe felt ufortable and frowned. In her dream, she saw a snake wrapped around her waist


    and was scared awake. When she woke up, she saw Brett''s hand on her belly.


    Izabe''s face changed slightly, and she unconsciously shrank to the side: "What are you doing?!"


    Her eyes were full of caution, and her gaze was more distant than ever. Before she fainted, she


    genuinely expressed her disgust towards Brett, and now she felt sick even from his touch.


    Brett wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Seeing Izabe wake up, he withdrew his hand


    and pulled it out of the quilt.


    "You''ve been asleep for almost a day."


    Izabe looked out the window and saw that it was already dark.


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    No wonder she felt thirsty with a bit of a headache when she woke up.


    Brett got up and poured a ss of water: "Have some water." He instinctively reached out to help


    her up, as usual.


    But Izabe avoided him as if he was covered in germs.


    Brett looked at her, his dark eyes shing with mes, burning like a hot iron.


    Izabe felt ufortable in her throat and looked at the ss of water in his hand. After


    hesitating, she took it and drank it.


    After two sips, her throat felt much better.


    She looked at him, "Why did I get hospitalized?"


    "You''re pregnant, four weeks."


    Izabe''s expression froze, tightly holding the nket, it turned out that she really got pregnant after


    the ovtion injection.


    No wonder J said those things.


    Even an unimportant stranger could see the clues, and she was kept in the dark.


    "Didn''t you say you''re infertile? Then whose child is in my belly?" She bit her lip, with a sarcastic


    expression.


    "Brett, you''re all lies. I think our marriage and my identity were all your doing."


    Brett was silent for a while, suddenly feeling a little dry in his throat. He stood at the head of the


    bed, with his back to the light source. His tall stature andmanding presence gave him an


    imposing air. He emitted an inherent aura of intimidation that was hard to ignore.


    He sat down, his gaze slightly dropped, "We can''t keep this child." He tried to keep his tone gentle,


    but after seeing Izabe''s frowning, his breath became heavier.


    "The surgery agreement will be sent over once the hospital opens."


    "Smack-" Brett''s face shifted slightly, his drooping eyshes hiding his eyes. After a while, he lifted


    his eyes, expressionlessly said, "Feel better now? If not, you can keep pping me until you do."


    Izabe''s body felt like it was sinking into an ice cave. Her palms were numb, yet not that painful.


    She didn''t expect Brett''s first sentence to be about an abortion.


    She stared at her reddened palm nkly, "This child is mine; I won''t have an abortion just because


    you say so."


    "Your body is not suitable for pregnancy, Be. Listen to me; we don''t need to have a child. If you


    like children, we can adopt from an orphanage."


    "Listen to you, my ass!" Izabe was so angry that tears welled up, "What the hell are you, and why


    should I listen to you to have an abortion?!"


    Izabe usually looked weak and gentle, but now she cursed harshly, indicating how angry she was.


    "Brett, I warned you not to cross my bottom line." She took a deep breath, "Exin why my body is


    not suitable for pregnancy?"


    "The pills you take every day will affect the fetus."


    Izabe sneered, "If you hadn''t mentioned it, I''d have forgotten. What''s theposition of those


    pills, and will the handful of pills I took at noon also mess with my nerves?"


    "No," Brett replied, "That''s to treat your stomach problems."


    "But my stomach problems haven''t gotten any better, I even puked blood a few times! If I hadn''t


    gone to the hospital for an endoscopy, I would''ve thought I had cancer." Sheughed at herself.


    "Plus, I never heard that people with stomach issues can''t get pregnant."


    It was clear from Izabe''s attitude that she wanted to keep the baby. Brett knew there was no point


    in arguing, so his tone became firm, "The surgery is tomorrow, end of discussion."


    Izabe was so angry that it felt like her heart was being grilled on fire, then thrown into ice water,


    alternating between hot and cold.


    As she opened her mouth to speak, Brett said, "I''ve already talked to the hospital staff, and I told


    them you have mental issues. So even if you don''t sign the consent form, the surgery will still be


    arranged."

 Chapter 260

    Chapter 260


    Izabe was silent for a long time, tears unconsciously sliding down her cheeks. She asked, "Why


    do you treat me like this?"


    "I don''t want to, but I have to do this to keep you." Said Brett.


    Izabe knew he had made up his mind, he didn''t want this baby. Her emotions were all over the


    ce and her face was getting worse and worse.


    "What if I stay with you?" she asked in a hoarse voice, "Can we keep this baby?"


    Brett shook his head and silently said no.


    This was her child, a life in her belly, and her hope. Izabe didn''t understand why Brett would


    rather adopt from an orphanage than have her give birth to their child. Was it because he thought


    she was unclean?


    Izabe nced at the corridor and the room window outside, and her actions immediately made


    Brett understand her thoughts.


    He said, "You''re on the twelfth floor, you can''t escape. I''ll have someone watch you all the time."


    To think that such ruthless words came from the man who once said he loved her like his life, it was


    just ridiculous.


    What was even more ridiculous was not just Brett, but herself as well. She thought she held such an


    important position in Brett''s heart, but the reality was that she was insignificant and could easily


    disappear.


    "Fine." Said Izabe.


    Surprise shed in Brett''s eyes, as he didn''t expect Izabe would agree so quickly. He thought she


    would love the child too much to give up.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    He even considered how to force Izabe to have the anesthesia for the abortion.


    For a moment, his feelings were mixed, and he felt extremely pain. He said, "It''s good that you''ve


    come to terms with it."


    Come to terms? Izabe sneered in her heart, but her face remained calm, "However, I hope we


    can postpone the surgery. I''m not feeling well right now, and it''s too dangerous to have surgery."


    "Until when?" Asked Brett.


    "A weekter." Izabe saw the worry in Brett''s eyes, and she knew he wasn''t worried about her


    health, but worried that she would change her mind and not have the abortion. She added, "Don''t


    worry, I''ll sign the surgical agreement when the doctor brings tomorrow."


    Her indifference was like a dagger piercing his heart, causing him unbearable pain, but he knew he


    deserved all of this. He didn''t even have the right to cry out in pain.


    Izabe said, "You''re right, this child shouldn''te into this world. His birth is not good for us, and


    it''s not responsible for him either. He won''t get any fatherly love, and with my amnesia and disabled


    hands, I can''t protect him."


    What did she mean by "no fatherly love"?


    Brett didn''t dare to ask.


    Izabe ignored him, muttered a few words, and then covered herself with the nket. She curled


    up in the bed like a baby or a hedgehog, showing no sense of security.


    Unable to sleep after lying down, Izabe touched her belly and said, "Don''t worry, mommy won''t let


    you die."


    The 4-week-old child inside her couldn''t respond or even move.


    As soon as the sky turned bright, the doctor brought the surgical agreement. Izabe looked at the


    surgery time, which was exactly one week away. She had a week to n her escape from here.


    Brett stood by, watching Izabe sign the agreement without hesitation, and his mood became


    heavier and heavier.


    "I want to go back to the vi and rest, I don''t like staying in the hospital." Said Izabe.


    Izabe, whether before or after amnesia, hated being hospitalized. She didn''t like waking up to a


    sea of white and didn''t want to breathe in the smell of disinfectant.


    To her, the hospital was a ce full of separation, and every corner was filled with a depressing


    atmosphere.


    Brett didn''t immediately agree; he was obviously worried.


    Flipping her long hair, Izabe said mockingly, "I''m just a mentally disturbed patient who has lost her


    memory. In this strange city, do you think I can escape your watch?"


    Brett''s eyes hardened, "I''ll take you back."


    That afternoon, Brett took Izabe out of the hospital and back to the vi.


    Izabe''s attitude turned icy, her gaze at Brett was no longer gentle as before, and she didn''t even


    bother to pretend anymore.


    She was radiating a "stay away from me, keep your distance" vibe, making it impossible for Brett to


    approach her.


    "I don''t want to see you for a while." Izabe said bluntly. "I''m a patient, and I have to get surgery in


    a week. I don''t know how risky the surgery is, and all I can do is try to stay in a good mood to avoid


    increasing the risk. You don''t want any problems during my surgery, do you?"


    "So when can we see each other?" Asked Brett.


    "If possible, I hope we never see each other again for the rest of our lives. Brett, I''m starting to get


    disgusted with you, and I don''t want to turn all the love I once had for you into hate. So please, don''t


    come back in this week and don''t let me see you." Asked Izabe.


    Brett had trouble breathing from the pain, but this was the best oue he could expect, after all,


    he was the one who deceived her.


    "Fine, I''ll see you on the day of the surgery." Brett turned to leave, walking slowly, hoping Izabe


    would say goodbye. However, he didn''t hear her say it even after he went downstairs and got in the


    car.


    He rolled down the window, looking up at the bedroom on the second floor with the curtains tightly


    drawn.


    Brett''s heart was bitter, and all he could do was endure and ept this result slowly,forting


    himself that it was useless.


    He gave up so much just to keep Izabe by his side, and since he chose this path, there was no


    room for regret.


    Brett had never thought that Izabe would leave during this time. After all, there were servants at


    home to take care of her, and surveince cameras were installed inside and outside the vi.


    More importantly, as Izabe said herself, her hands were crippled with lost memories, and she


    knew nothing about this city. Where could she go?


    Izabe stood behind the curtain, bewildered. The curtain had ayer of patterned gauze on it, so


    she could see the outside from the inside, but not from the outside.


    She looked at the car outside, and it was too far away to see Brett''s figure as he got into the car.


    However, she could vaguely feel that he was also leaning against the window, watching this side.


    She didn''t know how long itsted, but eventually, Brett stepped on the gas, and the car slowly


    turned around and drove away.


    "See you, Brett." The phrase "see you" should imply that they would meet again, but now that she


    said it, it had a different meaning.


    Izabe suddenly pulled back the curtain, watching the car get farther and farther away. The light in


    her eyes dimmed gradually. Even after the car disappeared from her sight, she continued staring


    outside.


    Izabe leaned against the wall, puking her guts out. She tasted the nasty salty vor in her mouth.


    She truly loved Brett with all her heart, but she had made up her mind to leave him.


    She couldn''t just sit there and wait for him to trap her like a bird in a cage again, unable to see the


    sunlight. She had lost her memory for almost three months, having been in a fog for way too long.

 Chapter 261

    Chapter 261


    Izabe wiped away her tears and told herself not to cry.


    Brett not only took away her memories but also her feelings towards him. She couldn''t abandon her


    freedom and health here anymore.


    Izabe staggered to the bathroom and took a hot shower. Her body was frail, and the reflection of


    her thin figure on the ss door made it heartbreaking to look at.


    She also feelt sorry for herself, as her heart, such a tiny ce, was filled with Brett. And now, she


    had been hurt all over by her beloved.


    Why was love soplicated in this world? Why was there deception?


    Didn¡¯t Brett''s heart ache while he was deceiving her?


    The answer was "no." When he was deceiving her, he might have been mocking at her foolishness


    and then showing off his superiority.


    Some people feel ufortable during pregnancy, such as anxiety, insomnia, and nausea. These


    symptoms would gradually appear after six weeks of pregnancy, and more severe cases could even


    cause the body to swell.


    Of course, some people had no reactions.


    Izabe hoped she was one of the luckytter group because her health was awful, and she was


    afraid that her baby would leave her if she didn''t take care.


    She touched her belly, thinking about how she was lying in Brett''s arms and picking names for their


    baby not long ago.


    Niki seemed to sense her unhappiness and rubbed against her legs. Its little head nuzzled against


    her pants, leaving them covered in fur soon.


    Izabe picked up Niki, deciding to take her away too.


    By now, Izabe had a rough n. She had been to Brett''spany and knew his schedule, which


    timeframes he would be busiest, and which day of the week he would usually hold meetings.


    Izabe decided to leave on Monday, the day after tomorrow. However, she needed to pack her


    belongings without being noticed by the housekeeper and cameras in the vi.


    Izabe only trusted Tiara. She didn''t know if Tiara would help her, but she had to take this risk.


    Tiara had always cared for Izabe in the vi like her own daughter.


    These days, Tiara noticed that Izabe was not in the right mood, and Brett hadn''te back


    either. She was worried, even fearing that they might divorce.


    But Tiara didn''t think they would. Arguing between couples was normal, and they had resolved their


    conflicts overnight before, hadn''t they?


    Moreover, they had been getting along well in the past one or two months, with no quarrels seen.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Tiara saw Izabe''s pale face and knew she was undernourished, so she cooked fish soup for


    Izabe.


    Tiara was good at cooking. The fish was tender, boneless, and thorn-free, with no fishy smell.


    Izabe always loved the soups cooked by Tiara, but this time she was absent-mindedly having it in


    her bedroom, not even finishing a bowl of it.


    "Ma''am, did something happen between you and President Windham recently?" Tiara asked.


    Izabe''s eyshes trembled; she put down her bowl and said, "Tiara, can you not call me ma''am?"


    Tiara felt a tightness in her chest, realizing that the conflict between Izabe and Brett must''ve been


    huge this time.


    It was different from thest time when Izabe didn''t ask her to change the way she addressed her.


    Izabe continued, "I''m pregnant."


    Tiara''s emotions felt like a roller coaster, "That''s a great thing!"

 Chapter 262

    Chapter 262


    As soon as Izabe finished speaking, tears rolled down her cheeks. In order to get Tiara''s help,


    she had to win her sympathy first.


    Izabe looked gorgeous, and with her illness, she looked pitiful when she cried. Tiara quickly found


    a tissue to wipe her tears.


    "Why are you crying?" Tiara asked while wiping her tears, "You should be happy about being


    pregnant."


    Izabe shook her head and said, "Tiara, Brett doesn''t want this child."


    Tiara was shocked, her hand stiffly holding the tissue, unable to recover for a long time. Then she


    asked, "Why?"


    Izabe told Tiara everything, including how the medicine Brett gave her disrupted her nerves, and


    how he never wanted her to regain her memory all along. Brett wanted her to be unable to


    remember anything, even turning her into a fool and keeping her here.


    Izabe didn''t understand why Brett didn''t want her child, but she could vaguely guess that it had to


    do with her lost memory.


    After hearing everything, Tiara was dumbfounded. What kind of things were these? In her eyes, the


    gentle and elegant Brett, who loved Izabe, turned out to be such a person behind her back.


    How was this any different from imprisonment? He even tried to control other people''s memories,


    what kind of... Was he even human? He was worse than an animal!


    "Tiara, you have a daughter too, so you should be able to understand how I feel right now. I can''t let


    Brett do this, the child is my support, my everything. I have nothing now, except for this child. If Brett


    takes it away, he will keep me here and continue to hypnotize me, making me lose my memory."


    Izabe choked as she spoke.


    Tiara''s sense of justice exploded, and she decided to help Izabe, but she was just a maid. What


    could she do?


    Tiara asked, "What should we do? Shall we call the police?"


    Izabe shook her head and said, "It''s useless, Brett has already said that I am mentally ill. If you


    call the police, I''m afraid it will involve you too."


    Izabe had been in and out with Brett over the past few months, and she had a rough idea of how


    powerful he was. There was nothing he couldn''t do.


    Upon hearing this, Tiara''s face turned pale, and she stuttered, "Is there really no other way?"


    Izabe shook her head, "Tiara, I''ve decided to escape on Monday."


    "Escape?" Tiara asked in surprise, "How are you going to get away with it? There are surveince


    cameras everywhere, and Adrian is watching you. Even if you do escape, do you have any money?


    Not to mention, it''s not easy to find a job when you''re pregnant, and giving birth requires a lot of


    money."


    With that said, all the problems came out, and Izabe had thought about all these.


    She said, "I need your help with the surveince and Adrian part. As for money, Brett gave me a


    card, and I n to withdraw the money."


    It wasn''t difficult to sabotage a few surveince cameras, but it was important to make sure not to


    get discovered.


    When a person was determined to do something, all surroundings woulde to help.


    Sunday night, a heavy rain suddenly fell, with thunder rolling. There were not just the sound of rain


    but the wind as well.


    The weather forecast included red rainstorm and typhoon warnings. In less than an hour, the roads


    were already flooded.


    Brett knew that Izabe was afraid of the dark, especially during thunderstorms. Although he lived in


    the office, he wanted to go back to see Izabe but was worried about making her unhappy.


    After thinking about it, he called Adrian to ask about the situation.


    Adrian answered, "Thedy asked Tiara to sleep with her tonight."


    Brett felt a bit disappointed. Izabe would rather ask a maid to apany her when she was


    scared, but she never thought of texting him.


    "She should be fine with someone apanying her," Brett said to himself, looking at the


    thundering sky outside.


    On the other hand, at the vi, Tiara secretly turned off the circuit breaker and then broke the


    surveince cameras outside.


    Even if Brett discovered that the surveince cameras were broken, he wouldn''t suspect that she


    had done it. She could say that it was caused by the thunderstorm weather.


    On Monday morning, Tiara found an excuse to let Katie apany her to buy groceries, and then


    found another reason for Adrian to leave.


    Izabe took out Brett''s bank card. In order to make her happy, Brett told her all the passwords.


    She put on clothes that were easy to move around. Brett had prepared a lot of jewelry for her, each


    worthed a lot, and Izabe chose a few inconspicuous pieces to sell.


    Niki the cat seemed to know that she was leaving and kept circling around her legs, attempting to


    get her to pick it up.


    Izabe squatted down and touched its fluffy little head, poured some fish snacks, and opened a


    can of cat food. She then cleaned the cat litter for thest time.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Usually greedy, Niki didn''t even nce at the fish snacks this time. Itid on the ground, rolling


    around, and even showed its belly, asking Izabe to touch it.


    Izabe couldn''t help herself but picked up Niki and kissed its head, "I''m sorry, I can''t take you with


    me."


    She was "running for her life" this time, and she couldn''t even protect herself, let alone a cat. She


    handed Niki over to Tiara, believing that she would take care of it after she left.


    With no one in the vi and the surveince cameras broken, Izabe easily escaped. She carried a


    few clothes, took the bank card and some jewelry, and didn''t bring anything else.


    The flu season was severe recently, so everyone on the street basically wore masks. Izabe wore


    a grey tracksuit, a mask. With her hair down, she waspletely inconspicuous in the crowd.


    Izabe observed her surroundings as she walked. She went to several banks and withdrew 30,000


    dors in cash, which she put in her backpack. Then she avoided the security cameras and entered


    an alley, where she changed her clothes and intentionally wore a wig as a disguise.


    Izabe had bought her train ticket in advance and had decided to live in a remote small town. The


    cost of living there was low, so even with little money, she could sustain herself. Most importantly,


    the ce was remote enough to keep Brett from finding her.


    Izabe wasn''t worried at all about Brett discovering that there was 30,000 dors missing from the


    ount. Even if he realized it was her who took it, he wouldn''t be able to find her in time because


    by then she would have already boarded a train and left.


    At the train station, Izabe finally felt that she was going to leave Brett. She wasn''t too sad, nor


    particrly happy, but rather calm. Holding her train ticket, she inadvertently nced at the monitor


    in the waiting room.


    Izabe, with a determined effort, maintained a faint smile and silently said, "I''m leaving." She


    wondered if Brett would review the surveince footage here.


    At the moment she boarded the train, Izabe felt as if her heart had suddenly copsed. A wave of


    desperate pain surged through her, even breathing was excruciating.


    She clutched her chest and, after finding her seat, closed her eyes wearily.


    In an instant, Brett upied her mind. It was an angry Brett, a Brett who amused her, who knelt on


    the ground begging for her forgiveness, and who affectionately dered his love for her.


    Her mind was filled with his shadow, every expression of his, vivid and clear, as if they were


    appearing before her eyes, entering her heart, over and over again.


    There were people everywhere at the train station.


    Her train ticket was to A City. Once there, she would transfer to several buses to reach a county


    town, or even a small vige.


    The 30,000 dors she had wasn''t much, but it was enough to build a house in a remote vige.


    Yet, she didn''t n to settle down, as she wanted to avoid being found by Brett.


    As she looked at the moving crowd outside the window, Izabe decided to find someone named


    Ryker, hoping to regain her memory.


    So, her priority was to rent a temporary ce. Before her baby bump became too visible, she


    decided to find a job.


    Being disabled with her fingers, it was hard for her to find a job. She could try cleaning or


    bookkeeping since she was good with numbers.


    She wanted to work hard to earn money because pregnancy came with a lot of expenses. She


    didn''t want to have no money for form after the baby was born.


    Every Monday, the Windham Group held meetings. Now that thepany had entered the J City


    market, Brett couldn''t afford to ck off.


    During meetings, Brett would either turn his phone on silent or give it to Liam for safekeeping.


    Today, while holding Brett¡¯s phone, Liam noticed a vibration, it was a message about a withdrawal of


    30,000 dors.


    Brett''s ount had a lot of transactions recently, so Liam didn''t think much of it and ignored it.


    The phone remained silent afterwards.


    The meetingsted around four hours. Brett was focused, patient, andmitted to his work.


    Approaching noon, Brett''s phone in Liam''s possession suddenly vibrated. Liam noticed it was a call


    from their housekeeper, Adrian.


    Adrian rarely called, so it must be something about Izabe. Although Brett prioritized work, Izabe


    was more important.


    Liam whispered to Brett, ¡°President Windham, Adrian called. Do you want to take the call?¡±


    Brett''s heart suddenly sank, interrupting the meeting and taking the phone with all eyes upon him.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Asked Brett.


    On the phone, Adrian asked, ¡°President Windham, I¡¯m just calling to ask whether Izabe is with


    you now?¡±


    "What does it mean?!" Brett abruptly stood up from his chair, looking tense. He tightly clenched the


    hand holding his phone, his knuckles turning white .


    ¡°President Windham,¡± the housekeeper¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°Izabe is missing.¡±


    Brett''s face turned cold, his hawk-like eyes revealed gloom. His intense aura scared everyone in the


    meeting room to not even breathe.


    Not hearing what was on the phone, they could only guess what happened that made his face so


    ugly.


    Could it be a contract issue?


    Brett couldn''t hear anything, and had only one thought.


    Izabe was gone.

 Chapter 263

    Chapter 263


    Izabe was gone, she left.


    Brett sorted out all his thoughts before realizing that Izabe had nned to leave him from the


    beginning.


    First, she signed the surgery agreement to make him rx his guard, then she used his guilt to


    make him stay away from her for the following week. After that, she took advantage of his rxation


    and left.


    Brett never thought Izabe would leave him like this. She had amnesia, her nerves weren''t


    recovered yet, and she was pregnant and penniless.


    Who else did she know besides him?


    Brett hung up the phone and walked straight out of the meeting room, leaving Liam in charge of the


    work.


    Brett grabbed his car keys and headed straight for the parking lot. His hands were shaking when he


    opened the car door. He sat in the car and dialed Izabe.


    "Sorry, the mobile you have dialed is switched off."


    Brett''s breathing stopped hearing this response, and his heart turned ice-cold. It was as if the


    coldness in the voice seeped into his blood and reached his heart.


    He was afraid of Izabe leaving him, and even more afraid of something happening to her. With


    pregnancy and sickness, where could she go? Did she take her medicine?


    And would she go to the hospital and find out she had stomach cancer, thereby regaining her


    memory?


    Various spections appeared in his brain, each of them making him scared.


    The name Izabe kept spinning in Brett''s head, like a blunt knife stabbing in, stirring his brain into a


    mess.


    The car windows were fogged up due to the rain the night before, making the outside view hazy.


    Brett rolled down the window and turned on the windshield wiper to clear the ss.


    The air was filled with a strong dampness. Brett drove back to the vi, and everything was the


    same as usual. Nothing changed.


    Lunch was set on the dining table, with Adrian, Katie, Tiara, and even the cat present. Everything


    seemed normal.


    Brett rushed upstairs, and the bedroom door was wide open. Izabe was already gone.


    No one in the vi knew when Izabe left.


    Tiara and Katie went shopping, and Adrian was called away for a while. The surveince system


    was being repaired.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    It was during this time that Izabe left.


    The surveince system was fixed now, but it didn''t help because there was no footage of Izabe''s


    departure.


    Brett scanned the bedroom and realized that Izabe took a few items of clothing and two pieces of


    jewelry, but nothing else.


    Her departure was so quiet that it took Brett a while toe to terms with it.


    Brett checked his phone and saw a text message about withdrawing 30,000 dors. The small digit


    was barely noticeable among the other messages.


    Brett called people to check various stations, airports, and other ces for information about


    Izabe while personally essing the nearby surveince cameras. Because he knew the


    approximate time, he quickly found Izabe''s figure. He watched as Izabe, with disheveled hair


    and a mask, went to a nearby bank to withdraw money, and then she disappeared.


    The whole person just disappeared in the crowd. By the time someone investigated the train station


    records, Brett had already gone through recent videos from the vi, starting from the day he left.


    He saw Izabe standing behind the curtains, watching him leave and silently mouthing something.


    The video was quite clear, and he could tell that she was saying "see you"


    Brett''s heart tasted bitter. Weren''t they going to meet again? Why was she gone when he came


    back?


    Brett''s eyes turned sour, and his heart felt as if it had been filled with lead, sinking continuously.


    He stared at the screen with bloodshot eyes, his hand holding the mouse trembling incessantly. He


    saw Izabe crouching on the ground, covering her face. She cried heartbreakingly with her frail


    shoulders shaking violently.


    He could clearly feel Izabe''s reluctance, but why did she leave him if she was so sad? Was it


    because she dreamed of Ryker or was it because she was afraid he would abort her baby?


    Maybe it was both.


    Now that Izabe had amnesia, she seemed to have be timid and didn''t like interacting with


    the outside world. How desperate must she have been to leave him?


    The surveince footage was notprehensive. Some areas, such as the bed and bathroom,


    were not visible due to privacy.


    After watching this section, Brett stopped and turned off theputer. He started asking if there


    was any information about Izabe.


    When he thought of Izabe being pregnant and trembling in an unfamiliar ce, a certain part of


    his heart felt as if it had been shattered by something.


    Furthermore, the thought of her experiencing a stomach cancer attack, vomiting blood, copsing,


    encountering bad people, and enduring a series of tragic situations made Brett''s scalp numb with


    anxiety, to the point where he didn''t even dare to take a deep breath.


    It wasn''t until five in the afternoon that Brett learned Izabe had gone to A City.


    It took eight hours by train from J City to A City, and now Izabe was almost there. Brett booked


    the earliest flight to A City.


    But A City was not like J City; it had poor security and a mixed poption. If someone wanted to


    hide there, finding her would be like finding a needle in a haystack.


    Liam was in charge of looking for Izabe''s whereabouts. A professional sent him a video of the


    train station, where a familiar figure was hidden among the crowd. After a while, she raised her


    head and spoke in the direction of the camera.


    At night, Liam forwarded the video to Brett.


    Brett could make out what Izabe was saying. She said, "I''m leaving."


    Her expression was calm, without a trace of sadness.


    Just two days had changed her so much, from the initial painful "see you" to the calm "I''m leaving."


    Facing the camera, it was clear that she had expected him to find her trail and was using her


    actions to prove she wanted to break free from his control.


    No matter how much Brett didn''t want to admit it, he had to ept that Izabe had escaped from


    him.


    It was ironic. Izabe hadn''t left him even when he had pushed her so hard before her amnesia.


    Now that he loved her wholeheartedly after her amnesia, she had left.


    Where could Izabe be in A City?


    Izabe was super smart. When she arrived in A City, she took all sorts of public transport, hopping


    from one to another. She bought a map and a pen from a roadside vendor and drew lines to figure


    out how to get from one ce to another.


    When she finally reached a remote small town and settled down, Izabe let out a sigh of relief. She


    had been bumping around these days and felt like her bones were about to fall apart.


    These past few days, she had been surviving on sheer willpower. Pregnant and weak, she had a


    tough time on the crowded and smelly buses in the small town. She either had to stand or sit in the


    veryst seat.


    With so many people, Izabe was worried about pickpockets, so she didn''t dare to close her eyes


    and rest on the bus.

 Chapter 264

    Chapter 264


    Izabe endured a bumpy journey of twenty-four hours from A City to reach a small town. After a


    simple day of rest, she continued her journey by following the route on the map, stopping and


    starting like a rabbit, finding one burrow after another.


    Two weekster, she arrived at a vige. The ce was very vague on the map, so she rented a


    house near a school.


    There were both advantages and disadvantages to living here. The downside was that


    transportation was not convenient andmunication could be a bit challenging since the locals


    spoke a dialect. But Izabe was adaptable, so she got used to it eventually.


    The good sides were that the cost of living was cheap, it wasn''t easy for people to find her, and she


    didn''t need any ID to get things done or get a SIM card.


    After paying the rent for the house, Izabe went back to her tiny bedroom. The bed was just a


    wooden nk at the moment, and she needed to buy a mattress and quilt.


    The houses in the vige weren''t great, but the studio apartment she rented was rtively clean,


    and the floor wasn''t damp. With a bit of cleaning up, it would be a stable home.


    Izabe didn''t have time to rest. That afternoon, she went out to buy kitchen utensils, a bedsheet


    set, and toiletries, among other things.


    There were still many things that hadn''t been bought. Izabe bought a mobile phone and got a SIM


    card. The memo was filled with things she needed to buy, including a refrigerator.


    Since she lived alone, she bought small-sized appliances. She had initially nned to buy a


    washing machine too, but she wasn''t sure how long she would stay here.


    Thankfully, washing summer clothes wasn''t too hard. The luxurious life with servants in the past


    was long gone, and now she had to do everything by herself.


    After Izabe finished making the bed, her stomach growled with hunger. There were no fast food


    restaurants in the town, so if she wanted to eat, she either had to go to the family restaurant in the


    town or buy groceries and cook by herself.


    She rubbed her belly and went to the town to order a te of macaroni for lunch. Then she went to


    the supermarket and bought eggs, milk, bread, a jar of pickles, a bag of flour, and a bag of cereal.


    She had no strength in her fingers, so she could only slip the bags onto her arms one by one. When


    she got back, both of her arms werepletely red, with a red mark where they had been


    constricted. It was very noticeable.


    Not only were her hands in pain, but her feet were also killing her. When she finally stopped to rest,


    the pain shot up from her feet.


    Taking off her shoes and socks, Izabe saw that the soles of her feet were red and covered in


    blood blisters. The bloody pus had stuck to her socks.


    Inhaling sharply, her eyes turned red with pain. She gritted her teeth as she carefully peeled the


    socks off her feet, tearing away the flesh.


    Izabe was someone who was very afraid of pain and suffering. She limped to her backpack, took


    out a bottle of medicine, and sprayed iodine on her wounds. The sting from the iodine shot straight


    to her brain, and she almost cried from the pain.


    She forced herself to endure it. If she couldn''t handle this much pain, how would she manage in the


    future?


    With red eyes and a sniffle, Izabe forced the tears back into their corners.


    After rushing and escaping for two weeks, Izabe suddenly felt dizzy and overwhelmed. She


    quickly tidied up a bit andid on the bed, wrapping herself in a nket. As soon as she closed her


    eyes, her brain shut down instantly, and she fell into a deep sleep, as if she had slipped into a


    coma.


    This sleep was very deep but also uneasy because she had been tense throughout the entire car


    ride. In her dreams, she was constantly escaping and rushing to catch a train. Her head was


    spinning like being on a swaying boat.


    When she woke up again, Izabe instinctively curled up in her bed and reached out her hand, only


    to be startled awake by the cold.


    She had already left Brett.


    However, her body subconsciously thought she was still with him. When she woke up, she wanted


    to cuddle up to him for warmth and listen to his heartbeat.


    Her heart felt empty, as if there was room for many things but nothing could fill it.


    With a dazed look, Izabe sat up in bed, hugging her legs and resting her head on her knees.


    She had secrets buried in her heart, making her uneasy, and her mind was filled with Brett''s


    shadow.


    In spite of all his deceit and exploitation, she had hopelessly fallen in love with him.


    She felt disgusted with herself for falling for such a man. Who could ever love someone who wanted


    to abort their child?


    Shaking her head, Izabe looked at her phone by the pillow. It was already ten o''clock, and she


    had slept for a full twelve hours.


    She didn''t n on going into town for a meal. She bought some groceries yesterday and would go


    downstairster to buy some vegetables to cook herself.


    She had a poor stomach condition. Throughout the escape, she constantly vomited into a stic


    bag she was holding. While motion sickness was bearable for her, her real difort came from


    feeling as though there was a hand continuously gripping her stomach.


    Several times, she almost gave up, but ultimately, she would look at her belly and press on.


    For the sake of her stomach, Izabe made some corn porridge and a te of vegetables.


    This was the first time Izabe cooked since losing her memory. The skills she had learned before


    had been forgotten, but her habits were ingrained in her bones. Without thinking, she whipped up a


    dish.


    With trembling hands, Izabe filled a te and struggled to wash the pot.


    She was trembling badly, unable to hold the spoon steady. With great difficulty, the food she had


    scooped up fell onto the table. Izabe stared at the food on the table, recalling the scene where


    Brett fed her carefully.


    Tears uncontrobly flowed down her face, falling into the corn porridge in front of her. She hadn''t


    cried while tending to her wounds, but now she couldn''t suppress her sadness.


    Brett''s shadow kept appearing in her mind, and the uncontroble longing for him was destroying


    her sanity and tearing her heart apart.


    Through her crying and sobbing, Izabe had the porridge, as if trying to fill her empty heart.


    But no matter how much she tried, nothing could fill it. She felt like she had lost something important


    and was so miserable she could barely breathe.


    "p!" Izabe put down the spoon and forcefully pped herself. She shouted to herself,


    "You''re so pathetic! He wanted to abort your child, yet you''re still pining for him! Disgusting!


    Shameless! Stop crying, you weakling!"


    p!


    One p after another fell on her face, but Izabe hardly felt the pain. All she wanted was to


    banish the person in her mind.


    In the silent house, only her stifled cries of near-copse could be heard.


    She didn''t want to feel this miserable. She wanted to forget Brettpletely. To forget someone,


    she must first forget every habit she had associated with them.


    She had been too foolish, getting deceived by Brett time and time again. Even now, she was unable


    to let go of her feelings for him. If she hadn''t learned her lesson, she deserved this.


    She had once fed a heartless beast with her sincere heart.


    During the day, Izabe went out to buy more daily necessities and some fresh meat to store in the


    fridge.


    Thendlord who rented the house to her was a woman in her thirties with two kids. Izabe didn''t


    interact with her much, but on the day they signed the contract, she seemed nice and friendly.


    Thendlord lived in the same building, which had five floors. Izabe rented a ce on the third


    floor, and thendlord lived on the top floor.


    One day, thendlord passed by Izabe''s ce, knocked on the door, and gave her some organic


    veggies.


    Izabe took the veggies and quickly checked her fridge for something to give in return.


    Thendlord smiled and said, "No need to return the favor. These are just homegrown veggies, no


    big deal. By the way, do you live alone?"


    After ncing around the clean and tidy room, which felt a bit empty, thendlord asked.


    "Yeah, just me," Izabe replied.


    Though curious, thendlord didn''t pry, as it was her tenant''s private matter. However, she thought


    she should look after Izabe more since living alone wasn''t easy, and she looked a little worn out,


    presumably resting here due to an illness.


    Thendlord had seen situations like this before.


    After chatting for a while, thendlord left. Before she left, she told Izabe, "If you need anything,


    feel free to reach out. You have my phone number and WhatsApp. You can alsoe over if you''re


    bored. Although this is a rural area, people around here are very warm and hospitable. After dinner,


    people dance in the square downstairs. If you''re interested, I can take you."


    Izabe nodded. She didn''t dance, but having someone to help her make friends was a good thing.


    Not long after thendlord left, Izabe received an invitation to join a group chat on WhatsApp.


    After epting, she saw there were 36 members, making her the 37th.


    As soon as she joined, she received a warm wee and many eye-catching memes.


    It was said that pregnant women were prone to feeling hungry, but Izabe didn''t experience that. In


    the evening, she ate the leftover corn porridge from lunch and followed thendlord downstairs for a


    walk, where she met many people.


    When everyone found out Izabe was seeking a job, they all kept an eye out for her.


    Finding a job in the countryside was already difficult, let alone the fact that Izabe''s hand was


    injured and she couldn''t even hold a fork steadily, not to mention doing heavy physical work.


    So, even after searching for a while, they couldn''t find a suitable job for her.


    That night, Izabe joined thendlord to buy some baguettes, rolls, and toast from a bakery for the


    next day''s breakfast.


    With a small appetite, Izabe just bought a potato bun and saw a yogurt promotion in a


    supermarket, so she got a small box to store in her fridge.


    The next morning, eating her bun and yogurt, Izabe nearly threw up halfway. Touching her belly,


    she murmured, "I''m sorry, baby. You have to suffer with your mother."


    In the blink of an eye, two months passed, and her three-month-old baby started to show pregnancy


    symptoms.


    A three-month-old fetus only began to take shape slowly. Izabe was too thin, and her belly


    remained t, with only slight bumps visible when undressed.


    The baby didn''t move yet. Izabe gently stroked her belly, showing a warm smile on her face.


    Living alone with nobody to talk to, Izabe developed the habit of talking to herself, sharing her


    thoughts with the baby in her belly.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Prenatal education was essential. Besides talking, Izabe yed music on her phone, read books,


    and filled her day with activities to keep her mind off Brett.


    Recently, thendlord introduced her to a job as a cleaner, sweeping the streets, with men taking


    care of the heavy tasks.


    Though the job didn''t pay much and was unstable, it was perfect for Izabe since it also paid daily


    wages.

 Chapter 265

    Chapter 265


    Thendlord felt really bad for letting Izabe do such a job. She had to work outdoors and it was


    quite hard.


    Thendlord just mentioned it casually, never thinking that Izabe would agree, but she said yes


    immediately.


    "Alright then. But this job...", thendlord felt that it was really weird to have such a beautiful girl like


    Izabe to work like a cleaner.


    "People should know their own capabilities. It''s good enough that I can find a job here, especially


    since my hands don''t seem to be able to do much else." Said Izabe.


    Although some people suggested her to do easier jobs, like bookkeeping or helping in a restaurant,


    her hands could probably break all the dinnerware in the restaurant just by carrying a tray, and


    bookkeeping required handling cash, using a pen orputer, which her hands'' dexterity just


    wasn''t enough for.


    With both hands crippled, doing anything was inconvenient. Izabe had no choice but to ept it.


    Thendlord knew the situation with her hands. For someone who trembled while eating, living a


    normal life was already a problem, let alone working properly.


    Izabe had already heard enoughforting words, so thendlord directly talked about the


    sry, "The pay isn''t high, and can be cashed out daily. However, daily wages will be a bit lower.


    Besides that, the person in charge said that they could sign a contract, and they will raise your


    sry after some time."


    Signing a contract meant working for at least a year, and Izabe didn''t have that much time.


    "I''ll skip the contract, since I can only work for two months at the moment." Said Izabe.


    "Two months?" Thendlord didn''t know why she set such a hard deadline and asked with curiosity,


    "Do you have something else going on?"


    "I''m pregnant." Said Izabe.


    "What!" Thendlord couldn''t believe her eyes as she looked Izabe up and down. It was


    impossible to tell that she was pregnant at all. The she asked, "How many months for your


    pregnancy?"


    "Three months," Izabe answered.


    "And you''re still working?" Thendlord thought back to her own pregnancy. When she found out


    she was pregnant, her family took care of her and didn''t even allow her to step foot in the kitchen.


    And now, she looked at this woman, who was running around while being pregnant and looking for


    a job as a cleaner.


    "Do you have any difficulties?" Asked thendlord.


    "I still have some money saved up, but I can''t rely on that forever. I want to save it because there


    will be a lot of expenses after the baby is born." Said Izabe.


    That made sense, but thendlord didn''t agree with her working.


    "Do you have any pregnancy symptoms now?" Asked thendlord.


    "Yeah, but I''m okay. I can eat and sleep." Said Izabe.


    "That''s because you''re still in the early months." Thendlord interrupted her, "Once you hit three


    months, your pregnancy symptoms wille out more. When I was pregnant with my two kids, I


    was constantly throwing up. Finally managed to endure it, then my belly grew really big. I could only


    sleep on my side since I couldn''t breathe if I slept on my back. Also, carrying around those 20 extra


    pounds felt like carrying a huge rock, not to mention my legs swelling."


    Izabe felt a bit scared listening to all this.


    "Anyway, think it over carefully. Being a cleaner isn''t easy, and it''s smelly. Since you''re already


    experiencing symptoms and throwing up, if you smell something bad, you''ll throw up even more. If


    you can''t eat and still have to work, your already weak body will hurt your baby." Said thendlord.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    As soon as Izabe heard that it would affect her baby, she turned pale.


    Izabe said, "I''ll think it over carefully. Don''t worry about keeping that job for me. If someone else


    misses an opportunity because of me, that wouldn''t be good."


    Thendlord knew she hade to understand and breathed a sigh of relief, "I will keep an eye out


    for other jobs for you. Actually, doing online purchasing on behalf of others is a good choice too.


    You just need to type, send voice messages and provide customer service. The couple who rented


    my house before were doing that. I still have their contact; I can help you consult with them. But for


    now, just focus on regaining your health. This job can also be quite stressful."


    "You can do that here?" Izabe asked.


    Thendlord looked at her surprise expression and smiled, "Of course. Although this is a small


    ce, there''s a dedicated courier station. It''s really convenient to send and receive packages."


    Izabe had an idea: doing purchasing required goodmunication skills, the ie was not


    stable, and sometimes there''s a risk of losing money. But if she did it well, it would definitely be


    much easier than being a cleaner. She could consider that as an extra option.


    "Then please, help me ask them about it. For now, I won''t think about it too much. I''ll focus on


    getting my health back on track." Said Izabe.


    "Alright," thendlord smiled and left.


    Izabe walked her to the door, thinking that she should invite thendlord for a meal some day.


    After all, she had helped her so much.


    After getting a prenatal checkup at the hospital and making sure the baby was healthy, Izabe felt


    relieved.


    Since she got pregnant, she had taken fewer stomach medications. These drugs were brought from


    J City, and they were running out, so Izabe went to the hospital to buy some more.


    The doctor had never seen this type of drug before, and without abel, it was hard to know the


    ingredients. The drugstores in town had nothing like this either.


    Izabe didn''t give it much thought, just specting that since the drug might be foreign, and that it


    was normal not to find it in town.


    As thendlord mentioned, after three months of pregnancy, her reactions intensified. She couldn''t


    hold her food down and her heart raced at night.


    She vomited up all the yogurt she ate that night, even seeing blood in her vomit.


    Izabe put her hand on her belly and said, "Are you like your dad, picky to the point that you don''t


    want to eat anything?"


    So picky when so young, vomiting up everything, what would she do in the future?


    Lately, Izabe''s expenses had been quite high. She initially withdrew 30,000 dors, and now had


    only 25,000 left. She kept her money in the house, ncing at it from time to time, and as the


    thickness gradually thinned, she began to panic.


    All the checkups and the delivery would cost money. Her body was weak, so after giving birth, she


    would need to hire a nanny to take care of the baby and her, which would also cost money.


    Counting her money, Izabe figured that for a long time in the future, she would have expenditures


    but no ie, and her money would quickly run out like water.


    Izabe took out the two pieces of jewelry she brought with her from her backpack.


    Both were gold, with gemstones embedded. She searched online and found that their original value


    was around two million.


    She wanted to sell them, and even getting one million would be good enough. After all, she had


    taken these without permission and couldn''t sell them directly in the store.


    Izabe bought some fruit from a fruit stand and took it to the fifth floor to find thendlord.


    Hearing the knock, thendlord opened the door, smiled when she saw Izabe, and then noticed


    the fruit she was holding.


    Izabe, carrying some fruits, said, "Fiona, I''vee to bother you again. You have so many


    connections, I want to ask you some stuff."


    Fiona tried to refuse the fruits she brought, "You didn''t need to bring fruits. Juste over. You


    should take them back and enjoy them yourself. What do you want to ask me? As long as I know, I''ll


    definitely tell you and help out if I can."

 Chapter 266

    Chapter 266


    "Fiona, could you help me carry this? My hands hurt, and I have no strength left." Asked Izabe.


    The two of them stood at the door, pushing back and forth, until Fiona finally heard Izabe cry out


    in pain and reluctantly took the fruit from her.


    Fiona invited Izabe in and poured her a ss of lemon honey water, cing it on the tea table.


    She asked, "How have you been these past two days? Are you feeling unwell?"


    "Just a bit nauseous and no appetite, otherwise, I''m fine." Answered Izabe.


    Fiona said, "That''s normal, but if you''re really ufortable, go see a doctor. I had no appetite


    when I was pregnant with my son either. My husband would always cook up all kinds of food for me


    and take me out to rx. That helped a lot. Oh, when I didn''t have an appetite, I liked sour things,


    like lemon slices. See if you like it and give it a try."


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Hearing Fiona''s words, Izabe felt both touched and envious that she had such a caring husband


    who showered her and their child with love and concern.


    Izabe took a sip of the lemon water - it tasted pleasantly sour and sweet. "It''s good," she nodded.


    Fiona insisted, "As long as you like it, that''s what matters. I enjoyed drinking this when I was


    pregnant too, but don''t drink too much - it''s high in sugar. I''ll give you a bottle to take home, and you


    can dilute it with water for an afternoon tea."


    Izabe didn''t decline Fiona''s kindness and agreed.


    Fiona was very hospitable and went to wash more fruit, like peaches, grapes, and cherries, putting


    arge te in front of Izabe. Seeing her somewhat pale face, Fiona encouraged her to eat more.


    She had many questions towards Izabe, like why she came to this unfamiliar ce all alone while


    pregnant and what happened to her fingernail-less hands. But curious as she was, Fiona never


    asked too much out of respect for Izabe''s privacy.


    Everyone had curiosity, and although Fiona was puzzled, she had never asked too much. Firstly,


    she had a distant rtionship with Izabe, and secondly, it was her private matter, so out of


    respect, she should not inquire further.


    However, thinking about Izabe was being alone, she wanted to take good care of her and hoped


    that she could quickly integrate into this ce.


    Fiona asked, "Is there something you wanted to ask me about?"


    "Do you know any ce around here where I can sell jewelry?" Said Izabe.


    "Not in this town, but you should find some ces in the city. If you want a better price, though,


    you''ll have to head there." Said Fiona.


    Izabe dared not go to the city. Brett was searching for her, and the city would have a wider search


    range - who knew if he was waiting for her there?


    "The city is too far. I was thinking more of the nearby county town, or maybe you know someone


    who wants to buy jewelry." Said Izabe.


    Fiona thought for a moment and hesitated before asking, "If you don''t mind, could you show me the


    jewelry?"


    Izabe took out a beautiful jewelry box from her bag. Fiona knew the jewelry inside must be


    valuable just from the box alone. As Izabe opened it, Fiona''s eyes widened in amazement - she


    had never seen such a gorgeous ne before. The gemstones and goldplemented each


    other perfectly.


    "This is so beautiful!" Fiona eximed, resisting the urge to touch it. "How much are you thinking of


    selling it for?"


    Izabe shook her head and said, "Of course, the higher the price, the better. This ne cost 3


    million dors when I bought it, but I''d be happy with a 1 million now."


    "3 million dors?!" Fiona gasped, her astonishment only growing. That amount of money could buy


    an entire block in their town! She couldn''t help but thought about distancing herself from Izabe,


    afraid she might identally knock over the jewelry box.


    "I''m afraid the county town won''t give you the price you want, considering..."


    Izabe knew that, so she kept lowering her expectations - even fifty grand would be fine.


    In reality, finding a ck-market dealer would be best. They''d have various channels to sell the


    piece eventually, and by then, not only would it fetch 3 million dors, but even 5 million wouldn''t be


    out of the question.


    Brett''s customized limited-edition gifts only increased in value over time, making them quite


    collectible.


    "I understand." Said Izabe.


    Seeing Izabe''s disappointed expression, Fiona patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don''t lose


    hope. I''ll help you ask around online."


    "Will that be too much trouble for you?" Asked Izabe.


    "Not at all, I''ll just take a photo and ask around." Said Fiona.


    Izabe was also considering going to the county town to inquire about the price. Fiona knew many


    people, but there were definitely no acquaintances within her capability who would be willing to buy


    her jewelry. So Izabe didn''t have much hope either.


    Fiona carefully took a few photos with her phone. No filter needed, the jewelry looked stunning.


    Fiona thought to herself, "If I have the money, I would buy this in a heartbeat."


    "Be careful with this ne. Don''t show it to anyone else." Said Fiona.


    "I know." Said Izabe. One must always be on guard.


    Fiona could see Izabe truly understood, so she didn''t press the matter further.


    "I''ve always been curious about you, Izabe - your background and why you have such valuable


    items." Said Fiona.


    Izabe seemed to struggle with finding the words to exin, "Fiona, something happened to my


    family, but don''t worry, I didn''t do anything illegal. Everything I have belongs to me."


    Fiona never doubted Izabe''s integrity, as they had gotten to know each other quite well over the


    past two months. So, she just imagined a damsel in distress story.


    "Don''t think too much about it. I wasn''t doubting you; I just wanted to let you know that you can


    always turn to me if you need to. You came to this ce all alone while pregnant and without any


    rtives, so why not think of me as your sister?" Asked Fiona.


    "Fiona, aren''t you already my sister?" Izabe gave her a faint smile.


    "That''s true! I''m happy to have such a beautiful sister like you." Said Fiona.


    Seeing that it was gettingte, Izabe decided to go to the town to buy some groceries.


    Fiona saw her off at the door, then took her phone out to go through the photos she had taken. She


    edited a message, ¡°PM me if you''re interested in buying¡±, attached the photos, and sent them to a


    group chat.


    The jewelry looked stunning even in photos, and people were immediately interested.


    "Is that a real gemstone? How much?"


    "You must''ve added a filter, right?"


    "Looks expensive. Ordinary girls don''t deserve to have this."


    Despite manyments, very few private messages came in. Over an entire day, only one or two


    people asked about the price.


    Upon hearing the original price of 3 million dors, everyone backed off.


    Izabe returned home with groceries, made oxtail stew, and a vegetable soup.


    After lunch, she tidied up her bag, stashed the ne in apartment, and decided to head to


    the county tomorrow to see how much it was worth.

 Chapter 267

    Chapter 267


    Early the next morning, Izabe got on a coach heading to the county town. Once there, she hailed


    a taxi to the biggest shopping center in the county.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Sinceing here, this was the first time Izabe visited the mall. She tried to hide her trembling


    heart due to excitement.


    As Izabe looked around, she tried to memorize the route to the jewelry store.


    Finally, after asking around, she found a jewelry store that dealt with buying and selling jewels.


    Izabe gave a quick nce at the store''s decoration and then shifted her gaze to the jewelry


    disyed in the ss cab. The jewelry here was too ordinary, and Izabe couldn''t decide how


    to bargain for a moment.


    Fortunately, the salesperson in the store noticed her and came up to ask, "Ma''am, what kind of


    jewelry are you looking for?"


    Izabe asked directly, "Is your boss here?"


    Looking for the boss? The salesperson''s smile suddenly became a bit stiff, but she tried to mask it


    anyway. She said, "Our boss is not here, but the store manager is."


    "Could you please call the store manager over? Thank you.¡± Asked Izabe.


    With her pretty face and gentle manner, the salesperson couldn''t figure Izabe out, so she hurried


    to call the store manager, lest she miss any important information.


    When the store manager got the call, she rushed to the store. When she saw Izabe, who had an


    extraordinary temperament, sitting inside, was frowning and drinking water.


    When Izabe lowered her gaze, her facial features looked very soft and gentle, exuding an elegant


    and charming vibe. Raising her eyes, those sparkling eyes were like brushstrokes on a painting,


    gazing calmly and radiating a silent yet solemn beauty.


    Even rarer, these two opposing auras blended perfectly on her.


    The store manager had seen many rich people and knew that Izabe was probably one of them.


    She didn''t seem to be here to buy jewelry; instead, she looked like she was here to discuss


    business, which the boss might need to address.


    Although this was only a small county town, the store manager had seen her fair share of high


    rollers. Many wealthy businessmen nowadays like to return to simplicity and build vis in the


    suburbs .


    "Miss, how do I address you?" the store manager asked as she approached.


    Izabe put down the cup in her hand and stood up, saying, "Just call me Ms. Salotti."


    "Hello, Ms. Salotti. This is my business card." Said the store manager.


    Izabe took a look at the card and said, "Hello, ma''am."


    "Ms. Salotti, are you here to pick out jewelry today?" Asked the store manager.


    Izabe shook her head and slowly said, "No, I''m here to sell jewelry."


    "Selling jewelry?" Asked the store manager.


    "Yes, I saw your sign outside saying I can sell jewelry." Said Izabe.


    The store manager''s smile almost vanished, "Please show me the jewelry."


    Obviously sensing the shift in her attitude, Izabe frowned and opened her bag, taking out a


    jewelry box from thepartment. She then opened it and said, "Ma''am, could you please take a


    look at this ne and tell me how much it''s worth in your store?"


    The store manager initially took a casual nce. But when she saw the ne in Izabe''s hand,


    she was instantly stunned.


    After all, she had been working in a jewelry store for more than a decade and had attended relevant


    training. At a nce, she knew this ne was valuable. She could tell that the gems embedded


    on the surface were real.


    The store manager''s eyes became serious. This ne might be even more upscale than her


    best-rmendation piece.


    Jewelry had a strong allure for women, and the store manager''s eyes grew brighter and brighter as


    she looked at the ne.


    "Are you sure you want to sell this ne?" Asked the store manager.


    "Yes." Answered Izabe.


    "As for the asking price, I can''t decide. I can only ask our boss toe over. I''ll give him a call.


    Please wait a moment." Said the store manager.


    "When will your boss arrive?" Izabe asked.


    "He lives nearby and not far from here. But it depends on whether he has time. I''ll know after I make


    the call." The store manager got up, pulled out her phone, and said, "Vivian, please pour Ms. Salotti


    another ss of water."


    The store manager went to the back room to call the boss, as some things were inconvenient to say


    in front of Izabe.


    She returned in less than three minutes, "Ms. Salotti, our boss will be here soon. Please wait for a


    moment."


    "Okay, thank you." Said Izabe.


    "You''re wee." Responded the store manager.


    While they were waiting, the store manager took the initiative to strike up a conversation and get to


    know Izabe, as knowing both sides would facilitate negotiations.


    "Ms. Salotti, would you mind disclosing what your asking price is?" Asked the store manager.


    "It depends on the price you can offer." Said Izabe.


    The store manager could tell from her words that Izabe needed money right now. As long as that


    was the case, it would be easy. She then sent a text message discreetly to her boss.


    "Ms. Salotti, let me take you inside to sit. It''s not very safe to discuss things outside." Suggested the


    store manager.


    "Okay." Izabe stood up and followed her to the back, where there was a separate reception area


    with aputer.


    Izabe sat quietly in the chair, sipping her water and looking around to pass the time.


    Soon, she heard footsteps, and when she looked up, she saw the store manager with a man trailing


    behind her.


    This man had arge belly and walked unsteadily. He had a greasy face, and wore small gold-


    framed sses on his nose. When he looked at people, he liked to squint and give a contemptuous


    nce.


    The store manager introduced him first, "Ms. Salotti, this is our boss, Mr. Dewitt."


    "Hello, Ms. Salotti." Mr. Dewitt walked up to Izabe with a beaming smile, his cunning eyes peeking


    out from behind his sses, revealing his scheming side.


    Izabe seemed to be familiar with situations like this. Her body reacted faster than her brain,


    extending her hand graciously to shake hands with Mr. Dewitt.


    Mr. Dewitt cut to the chase, "Ms. Salotti, where''s the jewelry you brought?"


    Izabe opened the jewelry box and kept her eyes fixed on Mr. Dewitt''s expression as he feigned


    nonchnce. She couldn''t tell the value of the ne in his eyes.


    However, he was astonished by the ne. Although he had heard from the store manager on


    the phone that it was stunning and valuable, he didn''t expect it to be even more breathtaking than


    he imagined.


    This ne definitely didn''te from this small ce.


    Mr. Dewitt''s eyes shed sharply, "3,000 dors, take it or leave it."


    Izabe marveled at his audacity, thinking he could fob her off with just 3,000. Clearly, he thought


    she was just an easy mark who didn''t know any better.


    3,000 wouldn''t even cover baby form and diapers for her child.


    "Mr. Dewitt, you''ve been in the jewelry business for years. Surely, you can recognize the value of a


    piece of jewelry, right?" She stared at him, even without any facial expression. Her sharp gaze still


    gave an oppressive feeling that made it hard to breathe, making her aura quite imposing.


    Pointing at the gem on the ne casually, she said, "Besides this pigeon blood red gem worth


    seven figures, each diamond on this ne is worth five-figures. Even if I sold them one by one,


    each would be worth more than 3,000."


    From the beginning, Mr. Dewitt disyed his greedy nature, staring at the ne in her hand, his


    mouth watering.


    Now, with Izabe''s words, he broke out into a cold sweat. He awkwardlyughed, "I apologize; I


    didn''t look closely enough. Let me examine it further."


    Upon hearing this, Izabe pushed the jewelry box over, "Take a good look."


    Her tone carried no emotion, but her voice was cold, giving off an oppressive feeling that emanated


    from within.


    Mr. Dewitt knew this woman was no ordinary person, feeling a bit tense. He took out the magnifier


    from the toolbox and carefully examined the ne from across the table.


    The more he looked, the more surprised he became. This ne was rare; if he wasn''t mistaken,


    it must be a limited-edition custom piece, with only one in the entire country.


    The price was simr to what the woman had just mentioned, perhaps even higher.


    All in all, the ne was estimated to be worth over 3 million dors, maybe even more, and had


    a high collector''s value.


    Having such a ne as the centerpiece of their store would utterly outshine theirpetitors,


    right?


    Mr. Dewitt nced at Izabe, wondering who this woman was and why she would appear with


    such valuable jewelry in a small town like this.


    The store manager said that Ms. Salotti''s reserve price was conservative and still depended on their


    offer. It seemed she was in need of cash now.


    Could this woman be a bankrupt tycoon on the run from debt? But with her strong presence, she


    didn''t look like a desperate debtor at all.


    Mr. Dewitt tentatively asked, "How much do you have in mind?"


    "1 million dors." Said Izabe.


    "This is..." Mr. Dewitt hesitated, not that he couldn''t afford it. The ne was worth at least 4


    million. With a starting price of 1 million, it was obvious that he''d make a profit. But people always


    like to bargain, thinking they could get a better deal.


    Plus, businessmen tend to be a bit cunning.


    "To be honest, this price is too high for our small town. We can''t afford it, and no one here would


    spend so much on a ne," implying he hoped she could lower the price.


    "How much do you suggest?" Asked Izabe.


    Seeing her attitude softened, Mr. Dewitt said, "Fifty grand."


    He had t-out shed the price by half.


    Izabe almostughed at his offer, "It seems that Mr. Dewitt isn''t really interested in making a deal


    with me."


    "Ms. Salotti, how can you say that? Where am I insincere?" Asked Mr. Dewitt.


    "I''ve clearly told you the value of this ne, and you should know that with a 1 million item,


    asking for a mere 150,000 is already the lowest I can go." Said Izabe.


    "I do, but we really can''t afford that much here." Said Mr. Dewitt.


    "Really?" Izabe carefully observed the details of Mr. Dewitt''s every expression, noticing his eyes


    inadvertently flicking to the bottom left, indicating he was lying.


    "1 million dors. I don¡¯t believe a big shop like this can''t afford it. I intended to take it to the city


    auction initially, but it''s too far and moreplicated. This ne is a gift from my ex-husband; I


    want to cash it in as soon as I can and not waste more time." Izabe didn''t hide the disdain on her


    face.

 Chapter 268

    Chapter 268


    "If Mr. Dewitt can''t afford it, I might need to find another store." Izabe carefully looked at the


    jewelry store''s decoration as she walked in. Definitely could afford 1 million bucks. She added, "I''m


    sure there''s a store that can pay for this nearly 4 million dor ne, like the one around the


    corner."


    She was talking about Mr. Dewitt''spetitor. Hearing this, Mr. Dewitt was so anxious that he


    started sweating. Before he could say anything, the woman in front of him suddenly stood up.


    "Forget the 500,000 dor ne will attract a log of customers as the store''s centerpiece. Even


    selling it for 500,000 dors in the city, you can make a lot of money. Enough to renovate this shop,


    right?" Said Izabe.


    As Izabe talked, she slowly walked out. The more indifferent she appeared, the more anxious Mr.


    Dewitt became.


    "Ms. Salotti, please wait." Said Mr. Dewitt.


    Izabe paused for a moment and nced at him with the corner of her eye, putting away her


    smile.


    "I''ll buy it for 1 million." Said Mr. Dewitt.


    "Deal." She hooked the corner of her mouth, her tough features softened slightly.


    1 million dors was transferred, plus there was a contract agreement to sign. Izabe held the pen


    and wrote her name in twisted letters.


    Mr. Dewitt looked at her hand, his gaze moved to a bracelet on her left wrist.


    "This bracelet of yours must be worth quite a bit too, right?" Asked Mr. Dewitt. The craftsmanship


    was much finer than the ne.


    Izabe signed her name, put down the pen, and extended her wrist so Mr. Dewitt could take a


    better look.


    The locked bracelet was a gift from Brett on her birthday. Once put on, it has never been taken off.


    She had once loved it, now she loathed it. This bracelet became a shackle.


    The cheapest gift from Brett was in the four-digit range, let alone this meaningful birthday gift.


    "Can you help me take it off?" Izabe asked.


    "You can''t take it off yourself?" Asked Mr. Dewitt.


    "I''ve tried all methods and couldn''t get it off." Said Izabe.


    His curiosity piqued, Mr. Dewitt said, "Let me have a try." He asked the store manager to bring a


    toolbox.


    The bracelet was tight, so using a saw might hurt Izabe''s hand. They tried removing it using


    lubricant instead.


    In the end, even with their hands rubbing red, the bracelet couldn''t be removed. Mr. Dewitt used all


    his strength to cut it with pliers, but there wasn''t even a scratch.


    "What material is this made of?" Mr. Dewitt asked.


    Izabe whispered, "I have no idea."


    Mr. Dewitt continued, "How did you put it on in the first ce?"


    She touched the little lock on it, "Unlock this, and the bracelet will loosen."


    Mr. Dewitt took a closer look. He originally thought the lock was just for decoration, but it was


    actually used to secure the wrist.


    Mr. Dewitt said, "It seems you can only use a key to unlock it."


    Izabe asked, "The key is lost. Is there any other way?"


    "Yes." Mr. Dewitt said seriously, "Amputate your arm."


    Izabe red at him coldly.


    "Just kidding." Mr. Dewittughed awkwardly. "You''ve seen that my methods were useless. To


    unlock it, you must use a key. If the key is lost, you should get a new one from the manufacturer."


    Never mind that, if she dared to ask, she would have done so already.


    Wearing it wouldn''t be too bad, other than feeling a little stifled. At least she was lucky that Brett


    didn''t install a tracker inside, otherwise, she wouldn''t be able to escape.


    Izabe had no bank card, so she borrowed Fiona¡¯s. Once she received the money, she went to the


    bank and took out some cash to put in her bag.


    Izabe went to the bus station and took the bus back to town. Not long after she arrived home, she


    heard a knock on the door.


    She thought it should be Fiona at this time.


    She opened the door and, as expected, it was Fiona. Fiona asked directly, "Did you sell that


    ne at the county today?"


    Izabe answered, "Yeah."


    Fiona looked like she suddenly understood, "I thought so. I received a text message that 1 million


    dors was deposited into the bank card I lent you and it scared the hell out of me."


    Izabe said, "I should have told you beforehand, it was my fault."


    Fiona said, "No hard feelings. But you should really get a card of your own. It''s not that I think it''s


    troublesome, that card is mine and you can use it for as long as you want. It would just be more


    convenient for you to have your own."


    Izabe said, "Yes, I understand."


    Seeing Izabe nod obediently, Fiona couldn''t help butugh, "I don''t know if you''re too trusting or


    naive. That''s a lot of money, are you not afraid that I''ll take it away?"


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Izabe said, "No, I trust you without doubt. You''re my friend, who else can I trust?"


    Hearing Izabe''s words, Fiona felt more at ease and decided to treat her even better.


    Fiona asked, "Have you eaten? Come to my ce for dinner tonight."


    Izabe said, "I already ate in the county."


    "Oh." Fiona looked disappointed.


    Izabe spoke, "Fiona, thank you for always helping me."


    Fiona said, "What have I helped you with? Just the jewelry selling thing, I only posted a few photos.


    I think you sold the ne at a loss. It''s worth 3 million dors, but you only sold it for less than


    half the price."


    Izabe said, "I''m already content with that. It''s the price I expected." That amount of money was


    enough to build three houses in the countryside.


    The jewelry store she went to had a maximum price of 1 million in mind, and they probably wouldn''t


    buy it any higher.


    The two talked for a while in the room, until Fiona¡¯s son called her upstairs for dinner, then she left.


    Izabe went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and made a potato pancake. She hadn''t eaten


    dinner yet, but told Fiona she ate in the county because she didn''t want to trouble her.


    She didn''t really like to socialize and was indifferent. She didn''t like to please others and avoided


    trouble whenever possible.


    Fiona was good to her, and she appreciated it. But it was more urate to say that she was more


    adept at taking advantage of people.


    After dinner, she rested for half an hour before washing up. She hadn''t walked this far in a long


    time, and her legs ached. They felt better after soaking in hot water for a while. Izabe''s


    constitution wasn''t good, and it got worse during pregnancy, as she became deficient in calcium and


    nutrients.


    She didn''t feel anything wrong until she started having cramps in bed at night. She realized how


    serious it was.


    Izabe couldn''t sleep that night, her leg cramps were one thing, but her eyelids were twitching, too.


    She felt anxious inside.


    Selling the ne was no doubt risky. Those limited edition pieces of jewelry that Brett gave her


    could easily be traced back to her if he started to investigate.


    She was super on edge, thinking about her growing belly. When the baby came, she was afraid she


    wouldn''t have time to deal with all this stuff.


    Ever since selling the ne, Izabe had been so damn nervous, with a taut string always


    hanging in her mind.


    With the baby growing every day, if she kept being so tense, the baby wouldn''t be able to handle it


    either.


    Her life had changed drastically, and it was not what it used to be. Now that she had adapted to her


    new life, she couldn''t let trivial matters keep her in a state of constant anxiety. She had to suck it up


    and live.


    Her stomach issues had been getting worsetely, and Izabe didn''t dare go to a big hospital for a


    check-up. As her meds were running out, she had tried buying more stomach meds at the


    pharmacy, but they were no help at all. And with the baby in her belly, she didn''t dare to take just


    anything; when it hurt, she just bore it.


    But not all pain could be tolerated, like when she was up all night with stomach pain so bad she was


    vomiting blood. The pain was so severe she couldn''t even straighten up, just curled up in bed. The


    blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. It felt sticky on her face, and the smell of blood made


    her even worse.


    The baby hadn''t quite started kicking yet, but Izabe could feel a faint tummy ache. Hands over her


    belly, she tearfullyforted the baby, "Sweetie, just hang in there for a bit more, and it won''t hurt


    anymore, just hang on a bit longer."


    Who knew whether she wasforting the baby or herself?


    But the baby indeed seemed healthy, and there was no sign of miscarriage. But that was just for


    now; she had no idea what would happen once she ran out of meds.


    She didn''t even dare to think about it.


    With fear lurking everywhere in the dark night, Izabe''s tears started to flow again. Pregnant


    women were naturally sensitive, and her stomach hurt so badly, while the baby was still so small,


    and fear consumed her in an instant.


    She was genuinely afraid something terrible would happen, and the baby would disappear.


    Now all her hope rested on the baby. If something were to happen to the baby, Izabe didn''t even


    know how she''d go on living.


    In the blink of an eye, it had been 75 days since she came here. She got savings, so she had been


    able to eat a wide variety of supplements every day, but despite that, her body remained very thin ¨C


    it was like a gust of wind could blow her away.


    Her body was getting thinner every day, while her belly grewrger. She got winded just walking a


    few steps, didn''t dare go out in the sun or wind, nor run around as she used to. She was afraid she


    would suddenly faint on the street with no one to help her.


    Fiona saw her thin figure and anxious, urging her to go to the hospital.


    Izabe didn''t have the energy to go, nor did she dare to get checked. She just mentioned it was


    pregnancy symptoms and changed the subject.


    Fiona asked, "You''re almost four months in, huh?"


    Izabe nodded, calcting the time, "In about two weeks, it''ll be four months."


    Fiona said, "A four-month-old baby is already formed, so you can go to the hospital for a 4D


    ultrasound."


    Izabe asked, "Can we do it in town?"


    Fiona said, "Yes, we can, but I feel like their equipment isn''t that great. I''d rmend going to the


    county center to get checked. We can''t afford to be careless about prenatal check-ups."


    Izabe was nervous, afraid the check-up might reveal her baby wasn''t healthy.


    Fiona picked up on her worry and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, "Don''t worry, everything will


    be fine."


    Izabe said, "Thanks." In this unfamiliar ce, simply receiving someone''s genuine concern was


    like a great blessing from the heavens.


    Izabe reminded herself not to overthink things either. She needed to rx and focus on looking


    after her baby, living her life day by day.


    She thought her days would continue smoothly, but then she received a WhatsApp message.


    The sender''s name was ¨C Nathaniel!

 Chapter 269

    Chapter 269


    Izabe got so scared that her mind went nk, almost dropping her phone.


    She quickly reacted, thinking that there could be many people with the same name and surname in


    this world. This Nathaniel might not be the one she knew.


    Moreover, she had changed her phone number and social media ounts.


    Izabe didn''t dare to click ept, throwing her phone aside and went on with her business, trying


    to shake off the uneasiness in her heart.


    However, the name "Nathaniel" kept circling in her mind, making her unable to concentrate on


    anything. At night, she took out her phone again, only to find that he had added her three times in a


    row, even attaching a verification message.


    Nathaniel asked, "Don''t recognize me? Since you left Brett, do you want to give me a shot? I''m


    quite interested in you."


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    There was no doubt now - this was Nathaniel. How did he get her number?


    Izabe''s hands were shaking from nervousness, like having Parkinson''s disease, and the bright


    light above her head made her eyes hurt.


    In the end, she clicked "ept."


    Nathaniel seemed to have been waiting for her message all along. After bing friends, he sent


    a message.


    Nathaniel: [Izabe, how have you been these past two months?]


    Izabe replied using voice-to-text: [How did you find out where I am?]


    Nathaniel: [Do I need to investigate on my own? Just follow Brett, it''s him looking for you, not me.


    He almost went crazy not finding you during these days.]


    Izabe''s heartbeat sped up, her face turning pale from fright. Nathaniel found her by following


    Brett, so that meant Brett already knew where she was?


    Nathaniel kept sending messages, but Izabe couldn''t focus on her phone anymore. After a while,


    she stiffly checked thest message.


    Nathaniel: [Want to beg me? Be my girl, and I won''t let Brett take you away.]


    Time ticked away.


    Not getting a reply from Izabe, Nathaniel sent a voice message: [Even if you agree now, it''s too


    late. Brett is already at your doorstep.]


    Izabe''s breathing stopped, her mind went nk, and she dropped her phone on the floor. She


    didn''t bother to pick it up, immediately grabbing her luggage and packing up her clothes and


    supplies.


    The more nervous she got, the harder packing became. She gritted her teeth and threw the luggage


    bag away, putting on her backpack - it contained more than a hundred thousand in cash and a


    loaded bank card. She could always buy more clothes and stuff, but if she got caught by Brett, her


    life would be over.


    Izabe had never been this nervous before, tears welling up in her eyes. She frantically picked up


    her backpack, sweating profusely, breathing rapidly, and her hands and feet went weak .


    With trembling hands, she opened the door and ran downstairs, just as a ck luxury car parked in


    front of the rental building, shing its lights.


    The car door opened, revealing the man she feared, apanied by several well-dressed


    bodyguards.


    They were all really tall, their presence overwhelming in this small town.


    People in this town had never seen such a scene or luxury car before, it was like a movie.


    Passersby, though curious, didn''t dare to look straight, fearing trouble and hiding far away.


    Brett looked visibly paler these days, but his sharp aura remained strong.


    It was summer, but Izabe felt like she was in the midst of a cold winter, especially with Brett''s ice-


    cold expression and eyes. When his gaze fell on Izabe, it was like countless knives piercing her.


    Frightened, Izabe backed away, only to realize her path waspletely blocked by him. With no


    other choice, she turned around and ran back upstairs.


    Brett shouted, "Izabe, stop right there!"


    Instead of stopping, she ran even faster. Brett stared at her fleeing figure, his gaze piercing through


    her.


    Now that he was here, he wasn''t worried about her escaping.


    His canary bird had identally flown away, and Brett had spent over two months looking for her


    with no luck. On the 85th day, he finally located Izabe in a small county town.


    Brett was always arrogant and proud. When she first escaped, he was anxious and scared, but


    confident in his ability to find her quickly. It turned out that Izabe seemed to have grown wings,


    disappearing into the crowds.


    If it had been two years ago, Brett, faced with this situation, would have only thought of cruelty,


    wanting to break the legs of the runaway person. But now his fears and anxiety had drowned out


    any anger.


    During those 85 days since she left, would anything happen to her? Would her reaction slow down


    after her memory loss? Would she be cheated or bullied outside? What if her medicine ran out?


    What would she do when her stomach hurt? Could she take care of herself? Would she find out at


    the hospital that she actually had stomach cancer and hate him for life after regaining her memory?


    There was also the baby in her belly - the sooner it was gone, the better. If it got too big, it would be


    more difficult to abort.


    So he had to find Izabe as soon as possible.


    Brett released some clues, including the two pieces of jewelry she had taken. Izabe wouldn''t have


    taken them for no reason, she must have needed the money. The cash she took from the bank


    wouldn''t be enough for rent and daily expenses.


    In order to avoid him, she wouldn''t dare to find a job, and her disabled hands wouldn''t allow her to


    do much either. With no ie, her money would be used up easily.


    So she would definitely sell the jewelry. Anyone who saw those two items would know they were


    valuable, regardless if they were experts or not. Brett just had to gather this information.


    Sure enough, he received several leads, eventually narrowing it down to an inconspicuous county


    city. Then, he found a femalendlord and learned that Izabe was renting a house in this small


    town.


    In a remote, out-of-the-way ce like this, Brett never in a million years expected Izabe to be


    hiding here. Izabe had always been particr about her food and amodations, insisting on


    the best even if her home was in ruins and her family gone.


    It seemed that she had put a lot of thought into avoiding him .


    This ce indeed made it difficult for him to find her, with its confusingyout, and the fact that you


    didn''t need an ID card to get things done. Izabe could easily make up a fake identity here, and


    people would buy it.


    Brett opened his phone gallery and carefully went through Izabe''s photos.


    He had taken quite a few pictures of her, many of which were candid shots; photos of her reading,


    sleeping, daydreaming, and kissing her cat.


    Brett examined each photo one by one. In thest few shots of them together, his expression


    seemed a bit stiff in front of the camera, while Izabe''s smile was super sweet, her dimples


    seemingly filled with sweet honey.

 Chapter 270

    Chapter 270


    "Meow."


    The eight-month-old Ragdoll cat had grown to a weight of twenty-two pounds. Tiara kept its fur


    immactely clean. When it stared at you with its pair of blue eyes, it was the epitome of docility.


    The Ragdoll cat was particrly friendly to humans. Even when facing Brett, who looked gloomy all


    day, it would approach him, rub against him with its head, and then leisurely leave after leaving its


    fur on him.


    At this moment, Brett was looking at Izabe¡¯s photos on his phone. The Ragdoll cat also jumped


    over to take a look, hopped onto the back of the sofa, and kneaded Brett¡¯s shoulder with its paws.


    Brett, who used to despise pets and wouldn''t even touch them, didn''t find it annoying at all when the


    cat stepped on him. He stretched out his hand and rubbed the Ragdoll cat''s head, then turned


    around. He held the cat in his arms, and pointed to Izabe''s picture on the phone, saying, "Your


    mom will be back soon."


    The Ragdoll cat rubbed the phone and made a soft meow.


    "Izabe, stop right there!" Brett shouted.


    Would she dare to stop? Izabe was practically running and climbing up the stairs as if being


    chased by a ghost. She didn''t dare to look back, but she could feel Brett''s chilling gaze on her back.


    Holding onto the railing with one hand and her belly with the other, Izabe clumsily climbed up to


    the third floor.


    The door closed, and Izabe frantically searched through her bag. With a shiver, her backpack fell


    to the floor, and all sorts of stuff inside scattered. Seeing that she was running out of time, she didn''t


    bother picking up the items, but instead poured everything out of the bag, finally finding a key at the


    very bottom. Her hands, which were already clumsy due to her disability, were shaking


    uncontrobly with fear. The key was clearly in her hand and the lock right in front of her, but she


    just couldn''t get it right. Finally, she managed to insert the key.


    The sound of heavy footsteps echoed in Izabe''s ears.


    "Be, you''ve had enough fun outside,e home with me." Brett''s words echoed through the


    silent hallway, striking Izabe like thunder. Her mind went nk, and her breathing stopped.


    After what felt like a long time, Izabe slowly regained her senses. But she felt as if she was living


    in a nightmare, being consumed by an endless fear. Brett found her. Was she going to lose her


    child?


    Seeing her clutching her belly, Brett let out a sigh of relief. This proved that she had not regained


    her memory. If she had remembered, how could she bear to carry his child? Brett felt a bitter taste


    in his mouth and moved closer to Izabe.


    His movements were slow, but each tiny step echoed heavily in Izabe''s heart. When Brett''s gaze


    fell on her, it was like a tight that left her nowhere to escape.


    The key in her hand dropped with a "click" and bounced to her feet. Brett slowly approached, bent


    over to pick up the key, and opened the door. From the back, it looked like Brett had Izabe entirely


    in his arms. They seemed close, but their clothes didn''t even touch.


    "Be, I''m here to take you home," Brett said gently. He looked at Izabe''s pale face as the dim


    sensor light in the hallway shone weakly on her frail figure.


    Izabe frowned, her longshes covering her teary eyes as she bit her lip tightly. As Brett got


    closer, in addition to fear, there was also a strange ripple. Having been hurt so many times, seeing


    him again still evoked feelings of attraction, which was truly nauseating.


    Due to theck of movement, the sensor light suddenly went out. In the pitch-ck hallway, Brett


    could barely make out her silhouette. Forgetting his restraint for a moment, he greedily hugged


    Izabe''s waist, pushed open the door with one hand, and took her into the room. He blindly


    reached for the switch on the wall and pressed it without hesitation, instantly illuminating the


    surroundings.


    The light in the room was much brighter than the sensor light in the hallway, making Izabe''s face


    look even paler. Izabe couldn''t avoid this man any longer. She knew that avoiding was the most


    powerless choice.


    "Brett, I''m not going back with you." She looked at him with tear-filled eyes, revealing determination,


    just as stubborn as she used to be.


    Brett''s least favorite thing about Izabe was her stubbornness, her refusal to heed advice. Like


    when she had stomach cancer and hid it from him.


    What good did it do to hide it from him? None. Not only did it do no good, she was wronged and


    treated horribly by him a lot.


    If Izabe had told him the truth sooner, maybe they wouldn''t be where they were now.


    Now, they were standing on the edge of a cliff, and regardless of what was below, they could only


    jump down.


    Brett looked at her, gently stroked her face with his hand, his voice low and soft, "Be, you''ve been


    out there for almost three months now, it''s time toe back with me and terminate the pregnancy."


    Izabe froze, looking at him through tear-filled eyes and said, "This is a four-month-old child I''m


    carrying, I won''t go back with you to abort him."


    Brett looked down at her, cing his hand on her face, and gently wiped the corner of her eye with


    his thumb. His voice was slow and calm, as if narrating an insignificant matter, "Without me, where


    would this childe from? This child is an ident. He shouldn''t have appeared, and you


    shouldn''t have given birth to him. Izabe, I''m saying this for your own good. Will you please go and


    have an abortion? We didn''t have children before, and weren''t we doing fine? Keeping this child will


    only bring us misfortune."


    Brett''s words brought tears to Izabe''s eyes. She cried hard, her body convulsing.


    Izabe''s tears had a certain deterrent effect on Brett. He would feel bad and would back down just


    to make her happy. But not this time, Izabe had to abort the baby.


    Izabe was on cancer medication and about to enter her next treatment phase. Pregnancy would


    endanger her life. He had to take the baby from her belly to save her.


    Izabe shouted out, "Your existence has brought me misfortune! What right do you have to say


    that this has nothing to do with you? The child has been in my belly for four months, why should I


    give it up just because you say so? Whether the baby can live should be decided by me, its mother.


    Even if the whole world rejects it, I will protect it!"


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Brett said, "The problem isn''t whether you''re willing to give up or not, but that you don''t have a


    choice!" Brett didn''t want to tell Izabe she had cancer, fearing she would regain her memory and


    leave him. Such selfishness made his words of concern sound ridiculous.


    Izabe didn''t react for a moment, then started to struggle as if she''d gone mad, not understanding


    what he meant.


    What did he mean she didn''t have a choice? What did he mean she had to give up this child?


    To her, Brett was a madman at this moment.


    "Let me go, I don''t want to see you, get out! Get out!" In her haste, Izabe pped Brett hard


    across the face.


    Whether Brett was in pain or not, she didn''t know, all she felt was the numbness in her right palm.


    The crisp sound of the p echoed loudly in the quiet room. Izabe had used all her strength and


    yet Brett''s face hadn''t moved an inch, which scared her even more.


    "Have you had enough? Are you done venting?" Brett''s eyes were still cold and indifferent, "If you''re


    not done venting, keep going. When you''re not angry anymore, we''ll go to the hospital. I''ve already


    made arrangements there."


    Despite being so indifferent, Brett''s words were surprisingly sincere, even apanied by a subtle


    and imperceptible depth of affection, which was nauseating!


    Due to emotional turmoil, Izabe''s chest heaved intensely. She raised her hand and pped Brett,


    feeling unsatisfied. Then she began punching and kicking him, and ultimately opened her mouth to


    bite his neck until it bled .


    Brett stood there like a log, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, letting Izabe bite him.


    Izabe''s strength was too weak. Clearly, she was the one biting Brett, but she also ended up in


    pain. Tears sled down her cheeks and into her mouth. She let out a choked sob, feeling somewhat


    nauseous.


    Izabe pushed Brett away sharply, wiping the blood from her mouth, "Brett, I hate you, if you take


    away my child, I will hate you for a lifetime! I will never forgive you!"


    Izabe''s face was dark, as she looked at him coldly with her chest heaving.


    Brett dared not look directly at Izabe like this, he didn''t know how to persuade her to abort the


    baby.


    Why did Izabe value it more than her own life?


    Brett said, "If your hatred for me will make you willingly abort the baby, then I¡¯ll ept it. You''ll never


    forgive me for the rest of your life, and I''ll use my life to make it up to you."


    "Brett, you''re a beast." Izabe moved her lips, "I don''t need you to make up for anything, all I ask is


    that you leave me alone. Get away from my lifepletely. Brett, you''ve never experienced


    maternal love, have you? Otherwise, how could you bear to make a mother kill her own child?"

 Chapter 271

    Chapter 271


    Izabe said in a very low voice, "When you told me that this child was an ident and should


    never have been born, I think it''s you who shouldn''t havee into this world. Your mother should


    have killed you in her womb, or taken you away with her when she died."


    "You''re selfish and self-serving. You deserved to lose your parents and to be unloved!"


    Words can express love, but it can be just as sharp when hurting someone, like a knife that can


    leave a person full of holes.


    Two people who used to love each other so much are now hurting each other with the most vicious


    words.


    Brett was taking deep breaths, trying hard to calm his emotions, but it was no use, his blood


    seemed to have frozen, and the suppressed emotion couldn¡¯t be released.


    If anyone else dared to speak to him like this, he would have pped them half to death by now.


    The death of his parents was his eternal wound. Even after so many years, the wounds have


    scabbed over, but even a casual thought would cause him to feel a spasm of pain. Especially when


    Izabe spoke so sharply.


    Izabe knew that Brett''s parents died in a car ident, but what she didn''t know was that Brett


    was also in the car at the time of the ident. His parents in the back seat held him tightly in their


    arms, allowing him to escape death.


    In that narrow space, for a long two hours, the car was filled with a desperate smell of blood, he was


    crushed and had difficulty breathing, passing out and waking up again, only to see the horrible sight


    of his parents'' death.


    Faces stained with blood, pale as paper, those two bodies that protected him, turning from warm to


    cold, drops of blood fell on his face and solidified in the wind.


    What was originally a hot summer turned into a bitter winter, so cold that it made people lose their


    sanity.


    Brett''s face was ashen, looking a little scary. Izabe looked straight at him fearlessly, not even


    blinking.


    In the end, it was Brett who gave in first. He was afraid that if he kept staring at her fearless face, he


    would lose control and choke her.


    He quickly nced around the room to distract himself. The room was small and simple, but very


    clean. It had a kitchen and a bathroom, just very small.


    Izabe had apparently made this ce her home in the two months she had been away from him.


    There was still a smell of cooking in the kitchen.


    The living room and the dining room werebined, with no distinction, one table, two stools, and a


    sofa. From his perspective, he could see her bedroom.


    There were clothes scattered on the floor, probably because she was in a hurry to tidy up but didn''t


    have time.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Overall, it was barely livable.


    "You don''t seem to have much to pack up, so juste home with me," he said, reaching out to


    take Izabe''s hand, but she dodged back.


    "I''m not going back."


    Brett was already in turmoil from her earlier words. His eyes instantly darkened, his chest heaving,


    his neck veins exposed.


    "Say that again," Brett''s voice remained steady, without a fluctuation, like the calm before a storm.


    "I''m not going back." Izabe gave a bitter smile, "That''s your home, not mine."


    Brett said they were husband and wife, that it was their marital home, but she had never felt the


    warmth of home there, it was more like a cage imprisoning her.


    She was not his wife, just a pet, she could be required to be sterilized and disyed only thest


    message:


    Izabe had always felt the barrier between her and Brett, but she didn''t expect the gap to be so


    large, as if even using a lifetime, the two could nevere together. When two people with


    ipatible worldviews can''t be together, it''s better to separate. But she underestimated Brett''s


    possessive desire.


    "Izabe, I''ll only say this once, I have ways to make youe home with me, but I don''t want to


    use violence on you," Brett''s voice was icy.


    Tears welled up in Izabe''s eyes, she held her breath involuntarily. Those words brought a familiar


    numb and dull pain. Her eyes reddened, and there was a bitterness in her throat. She struggled to


    hold back, forcing a smile, her voice filled with sobbing, looking rather ugly.


    "So this is your true face, Brett?"


    "I must have really put you out, having lost my memory for so long, forcing you to put on such an


    act."


    "Look at you, saying that you love me so much, yet you''re the one who hurts me the most, not


    sparing a single harsh word."


    "Brett, I''ve been gone for over two months, have you ever truly cared about me? Were you worried


    that I would have an ident on the road, or that someone would bully me? Did you worry whether


    I had medicine if my stomach ailment red up, or whether I might vomit blood from the pain in the


    middle of the night?"


    Brett''s lips formed a straight line, his eyes flickered but he said nothing.


    Izabe forced out a sentence from her throat, answering for him, "You didn''t, you were just thinking


    about how to get rid of my child, or hoping that the baby would disappear due to the bumpy journey.


    You probably didn''t expect my child to live to four months, he''s even very healthy and can move."


    "You''re right, these past two months, I''ve been thinking about how to get rid of the child!" Brett was


    so angry he wasn''t listening to anything. Since Izabe refused to go with him, he decided to use


    force, even if it meant kidnapping her.


    Suddenly, one hand grabbed Izabe''s throat, Izabe''s body tilted back due to the momentum, and


    she was scared to death, like a stranded fish, subconsciously protecting her belly with both hands in


    the face of danger.


    Brett easily caught her waist, even pregnant her waist was still so small. There was a slight bulge in


    her belly, Brett unconsciously softened his action when he touched her belly. Wrapping one arm


    around her waist and clutching her throat with the other hand, he pulled her out.


    Bodyguards in suits and leather shoes had been standing at the door for a while. One of them held


    a box. When they saw Brett bring Izabe out, they immediately surrounded her and controlled


    Izabe''s squirming body.


    The bodyguard opened the box quickly, it contained several drugs. He prepared the syringe and


    grabbed Izabe''s wrist tightly.


    Izabe had no time to react. Her chin was tightly grabbed, and she couldn''t make a sound. She


    could only watch as the bodyguard inserted the needle into her arm.

 Chapter 272

    Chapter 272


    There''s a saying that if someone really loves you, you can''tpletely leave them unless they''re


    willing to let you go.


    So, does Brett''s unwillingness to let Izabe go mean that he really loves her? If he loves her, why


    does he give her such a fierce look?


    Tears kept falling down her face due to nervousness and fear.


    Brett expressionlessly watched the tears roll down Izabe''s face, gripping her hand tightly until the


    bodyguard injected the drug into her wrist, only then did he loosen his grip slightly.


    Shortly after the injection, Izabe''s consciousness began to blur, and her limbs went numb. She


    tried to scream for help but could not make a sound. Tears kept flowing, and that was the greatest


    strength she could muster at the moment.


    Brett picked up the weak Izabe in his arms and ordered the bodyguard to clean up the room.


    Trembling and crying, Izabe begged, "Please let me go, Brett. Let me go, please." She leaned


    softly in his arms, her weak voice barely audible.


    The faint sound was so deep and soft that Brett almost thought it was his illusion.


    He didn''t speak but held Izabe even tighter, carrying her to the car.


    At 8:30 in the evening, there were still many people on the street. Some were taking a walk after


    dinner, some were dancing, and some were young people meeting up for dinner.


    Like before, onlookers curiously watched the luxury cars and the tall, well-dressed mening


    down from the building but didn''t dare to approach.


    Brett didn''t like the attention. After putting Izabe in the car, he ordered his men to handle the


    situation to avoid any unnecessary trouble.


    Brett looked down at Izabe curled up in his arms like a wounded cat and gently stroked her sad


    brow.


    "Izabe, I''ll never let you go in this lifetime."


    This sentence was almost like a cage that trapped her soul inside.


    Under the influence of the drug, Izabe gradually stopped crying. Her eyes widened, and her gaze


    was lifeless. The tears vanished, and her hollow eyes sent chills down Brett''s spine.


    Brett couldn''t stand her making such an expression in the car, as it reminded him of the tragic death


    of his parents.


    After so many years, the tragic image of his parents dying to protect him still haunted him deeply.


    He sometimes thought that if he hadn''t been in the car at that time, would his parents still be alive?


    Brett covered Izabe''s eyes with his trembling hand, and in the darkness, she gradually fell into a


    stupor.


    Izabe had a dream. She dreamed of falling off a cliff, and Brett grabbed her and pulled her up.


    Just as she wanted to hug him tightly, Brett''s hand went through her stomach.


    Startled awake from the nightmare, Izabe looked up and saw Brett''s dark eyes. Looking around,


    she realized she was in a white room with the smell of disinfectant in the air.


    She had been taken to the hospital by Brett! Izabe instinctively tried to get up and escape, but


    she was tied to the bed and couldn''t move.


    Covered in cold sweat, even more panicked than the nightmare, Brett''s gaze made her feel even


    more agitated.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "You''ve slept for 10 hours," Brett said indifferently.


    It was then that Izabe noticed the bright sunlight outside, the dazzling light shining through the


    window, making her eyes hurt.


    "Do you want some water?" asked Brett.


    Her throat felt dry and bitter. Izabe tried to free her hands but still couldn''t muster the strength.


    "Stop struggling and save your energy," Brett said as he poured Izabe a ss of water, he put a


    straw in the ss so it¡¯s easier for her to drink.


    He held the straw to Izabe''s lips. "take a sip."


    "Get lost!" she croaked hoarsely.


    "If you don¡¯t drink now, you won¡¯t have any during the surgery."


    Izabe red at him, clenching her fists, feeling intense pain all over her body, and a raspy sound


    came from her throat.


    "I don''t want to, Brett, I hate you," she coldly said with a hint of a sob.


    It seemed their baby sensed danger, trembling slightly in her womb.


    It was the first time the baby moved, and it happened at such a moment.


    Tears kept flowing, and Izabe wondered how to protect her child as she was tied here. Intense


    pain consumed her mind, and she felt as if half of her head was going numb.


    "Brett, the baby just moved, can you feel it? That''s your child, and you''ll be a father in a few


    months."


    Brett''s cold gaze fell on her stomach. "I don''t like it."


    Upon hearing this, Izabe felt her mind burning with anger, his voice cold and venomous like a


    snake, tightly wrapped around her belly.


    "How could you not like it? We even picked names together, have you forgotten?"


    "That was your wishful thinking; I never participated in it."


    So he had been deceiving her all along, trampling on her as she invested her feelings, making her


    suffer.


    At that moment, the doctor and nurse walked in, preparing to take Izabe to the operating room for


    an abortion.


    Desperate, Izabe grabbed a nurse''s hand tightly and screamed, "No, I don''t agree, please, I beg


    you."


    "Your body isn''t fit for childbirth, let go, Ms. Salotti, don''t make it hard for us."


    She couldn''t let go. Once she did, the baby in her womb would be gone.


    Her tears turned into fierce anger, and facing the indifferent nurse and Brett, Izabe roared


    hoarsely.


    She remembered the nightmare, how the same person who could pull you up from the edge of a


    cliff could mercilessly push you off.


    Izabe turned pale, coughing violently on the edge of the bed. She coughed painfully, retching, and


    tears continued to flow.


    Her eyes were fixed on Brett, desperately trying to understand his heart and why all her attempts


    failed to warm it.


    If Brett had any heart, he wouldn''t be so cruel as to take her child away from her.


    She tried every possible way, threats and pleas, but Brett remained unmoved.


    His gaze was colder than ever, as if mocking her stupidity.


    With a final nce, Izabe struggled to say, "I hate you."


    Sunlight streamed in through the window, dim and blurry, casting a shadow over her hopeless eyes


    before fading away.


    After Izabe was wheeled into the operating room, Brett slumped down against the wall, staring at


    his hands. They were clean, but he saw them smeared with blood.


    Tears fell into his palms, and he clenched his fists, holding back more tears.


    On October 22, when Izabe was four months pregnant, Brett would never forget the day he sent


    his beloved into the operating room.


    From then on, every time he thought of that day, he would shiver, and it became the second


    nightmare of his life.


    Lying in the operating room, Izabe felt drowsy and thought she was nearing death.


    Baby, don''t leave mama; don''te out.


    Her stomach began to hurt, and she tasted the metallic vor of blood. The sweet, bloody taste in


    her throat grew stronger, making her breathing shallow due to the pain. She felt like she was on the


    verge of suffocating.


    She wished she could sleep forever and never wake up.


    Her consciousness gradually faded, sensing the nearing scent of death. She thought it would be


    better to die like this; there was nothing left worth longing for in this world.

 Chapter 273

    Chapter 273


    It seemed like Izabe saw a long-buried memory resurfacing in her mind.


    Brett said, "Izabe, have a baby with me. If you don''t want to, I''ll tie you to the bed."


    "Brett, look, I''m pregnant with your baby. Why did you suddenly change your mind?"


    Izabe''s eyes narrowed, her pupils slightly dted, making her eyes look gray and misty.


    Her nail-less hands were pitifully curled up, asionally twitching slightly. She was too weak to


    breathe, as if on the brink of death.


    Suddenly, she felt her lower abdomen loosening, and at that moment, she knew her baby had left


    her body. She didn''t know where she found the strength, but she managed to hold on until the end,


    asking, "Is it a boy or a girl?"


    The doctor answered stiffly, "It''s a boy."


    His name would be Bet, her baby would be called Bet Salotti.


    "May I see him?" The previously agonized Izabe looked calmer now, her eyes even regaining


    some brightness.


    The nurse closest to her thought that this woman looked like she was dead inside.


    At that moment, Izabe seemed neither sad nor indifferent, as if the person who had been


    desperately calling for help wasn''t her.


    As a mother, she had the right to see her child, even if he was stillborn. The doctor wrapped the


    baby in a towel and picked him up.


    As Izabe looked, she saw a wrinkled little bundle. A four-month-old baby was still very small, all


    red like a little monkey, with blurred facial features and his tiny hands pitifully curled up as if trying to


    hold on to something.


    The room was dead silent, the quietness making people''s scalps tingle.


    Izabe was still bleeding, moving her hand toward the doctor''s, trying to touch her baby.


    She hadn''t even had the chance to go to the hospital and look at him through an ultrasound scan,


    and he was already gone.


    Izabe''s bloodless lips trembled, her child inches from her fingertips, but she was too afraid to


    touch him.


    The sight was too cruel, the doctor holding the baby had to turn away, unable to watch further.


    The sound of the nurse''s quiet sobbing was grating; her eyes nkly stared at them. Wasn''t it them


    who had "killed" her baby? Why cry at this point?


    How ridiculous.


    There was no greater grief in this world than the death of a loved one.


    She had lost her only family, her support, and half of her life.


    Suddenly, Izabe bared a grin and let out a hystericalugh, uglier than any cry.


    If only she knew this oue earlier, she wouldn''t have gotten an ovtion shot, wouldn''t have


    conceived a child, and spared him this pain.


    Izabe took her child from the doctor''s hands, tears streaming down her face, her nose and mouth


    filled with the smell of blood.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    The doctor tried to console her.


    Izabe''s eyshes trembled: "He had just started moving and never had the chance to actually


    come to this world."


    "Why didn''t death take me instead?" Izabe muttered. The grim reaper had taken her child, and


    with it, the lifesaver she was clutching.


    As Izabe choked, she vomited another mouthful of blood, feeling dazed like she was in a dream.


    "Baby, I''m sorry. It''s my fault." Izabe''s vision began to fade as she took onest look at her child


    before closing her eyes.


    With Izabe rapidly losing blood, her oxygen saturation levels were dropping. The operating room''s


    lights reflected her now-transparent white face.


    The doctor had anticipated this moment and prepped blood transfusions for Izabe. Her blood type


    was rare, so finding a match would have been extremely dangerous if not for a volunteer donor


    arranged by Brett.


    That person was Kaley.


    When Kaley heard about the massive blood loss, she knew her opportunity had arrived. She''d been


    waiting in the hospital long before, anticipating this exact situation.


    Brett signed numerous notifications and agreements before instructing Kaley to donate blood.


    As Kaley stood in front of him, she said, "Brett, this is the second time I''ve saved her. I can donate


    blood to her for free, but you have to promise me one thing."


    Brett''s calm demeanor was a fa?ade. Upon hearing Kaley''s words, doubt crept into his heart.


    He tried to steady himself: "State your demand. When you finish drawing the blood, I will promise


    you."


    Kaley shook her head: "I no longer trust you. Brett, I''m the only person who can save Izabe. After


    all, I am the only one in the world with the same blood type as her. I can help her today and more


    times in the future. You know my worth."


    Brett''s face turned green with fury. He knew Kaley would make demands, but he hadn''t expected


    her to do it at such a crucial moment.


    "Just say it."


    Kaley smiled slightly: "After saving Izabe, get engaged to me!"

 Chapter 274

    Chapter 274


    This scene feels so familiar, just like when Kaley had a car ident a few years ago and Izabe


    offered to donate blood, she said something simr.


    "You really have to bring up your demands at a time like this?" Brett''s expression suddenly turned


    cold and rigid.


    Kaley looked into his icy gaze, swallowing unconsciously, feeling tired of this cold treatment. She no


    longer cared about what Brett thought of her; all she wanted was the position of Ms. Windham''s.


    "If Izabe could do it back then, why can''t I? Brett, it''s up to you now. Either get engaged to me and


    I save Izabe, or watch her die from blood loss."


    Brett stared at her, "Are you threatening me?" His expression was so cold that it gave people the


    shivers.


    Kaley pretended to be calm, "Brett, this isn''t a threat. I just want a better life for myself."


    "Why do I have to get engaged to you if you want a better life? You know very well..." Brett suddenly


    stopped, his face twisted in pain.


    "Know that you love Izabe?" Sheughed at herself, answering for Brett.


    Brett''s silence was as good as admitting it, and his serious look made her jealous. This was the first


    time Brett admitted to her that he loved Izabe.


    Kaley knew that she couldn''t push Brett too hard, or else it would backfire. She had grown up with


    Brett and no one knew him better than her.


    Since hecked love from an early age, it was hard for him to havepassion. If she really


    pushed him too far, she wouldn''t even know how she''d die.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Having the same blood type as Izabe was her only leverage, and she had to make good use of it.


    "Don''t forget, Brett, if it wasn''t for her meddling, we would have been married a long time ago. Is it


    wrong for me to take back what belongs to me?" Kaley''s eyes filled with obsession, "You should


    know how to choose. Besides, I''m only asking for an engagement, not directly taking out a marriage


    contract like Izabe did."


    "Are you saying I should thank you for that?"


    Kaley casually yed with her long hair.


    Brett took a deep breath to calm down, "After you draw blood, we''ll set a date for engagement."


    Kaley sneered to herself, Brett was indeed a businessman. She was tricked by him thest time she


    donated blood to Izabe, and he wanted to do it again?


    "Brett, I love you. They say that when a woman falls in love, she bes particrly blind, but


    being blind doesn''t mean being stupid."


    Brett squinted his eyes, "I don''t have time to call awyer to draft an agreement under these


    circumstances."


    "No need for a signed agreement. Just log in to your ount and post a message about getting


    engaged in two months, and have the Windham Group forward it. That shouldn''t be too difficult for


    you."


    It wasn''t difficult indeed, but this way their rtionship would be public and eventually, Izabe


    would know too.


    Kaley wanted Brett to be left with no way out.


    "I''m just using the same means Izabe did back then, Brett. I won''t make things too difficult for you.


    I know you love Izabe, so I won''t interfere with your rtionship after we''re engaged and married.


    Our rtionship will remain the same, only with a slight change in status."


    The same thing happened twice, and this time he truly felt the disgusting taste.


    A nurse hurriedly opened the door to the operating room and saw Brett. She quickly took out two


    agreements for him to sign. "Mr. Windham, we need your signature here. Ms. Salotti''s situation is


    not good. She''s experiencing massive internal bleeding and needs surgery."


    The nurse''s face was pale, her lips trembling as she tried her best to pronounce the words clearly.


    She held one agreement in one hand, her hand shaking constantly.


    "What do you mean massive internal bleeding and now surgery? Wasn''t it supposed to be a


    painless abortion? Why the surgery now?" Too many questions were swirling in Brett''s mind.


    Some things he didn''t dare to think about, but the more frightening they were, the harder it was to


    resist thinking about them. The horrible spections crazily upied his brain.


    "Initially, Ms. Salotti gave birth to a stillborn, and the blood wouldn''t stop. We tried to stop the


    bleeding, but it couldn¡¯t be controlled. There were clotting abnormalities, and the uterus had


    detached, so it had to be removed immediately." The nurse looked tense and scared, recalling


    everything from inside the operating room.


    Brett stumbled and leaned against the wall to stabilize himself, "How could this happen?"


    Brett shook his head in disbelief, muttering to himself. His ears were buzzing, and he couldn''t hear


    anything.

 Chapter 275

    Chapter 275


    Brett''s painful, his voice barely squeezing out from the bottom of his throat, he asked with difficulty,


    "After the removal of her uterus, will she not be able to conceive and bear children in the future?"


    The nurse''s face was still grim, but something else appeared in her eyes at this moment, which


    upon close inspection could be discerned as disdain. At such a moment, this man was still thinking


    about having children.


    "Ms. Salotti''s uterus was already weak, she had previously miscarried due to external stimuli. This


    time she had to have an abortion again, without a uterus, naturally, she can''t get pregnant," the


    nurse said.


    Brett''s face was grave, a gloom casting over his features. Izabe was suffering from stomach


    cancer. In order not to interfere with her uing treatment and to cure her disease, their child had


    to be aborted.


    He "forced" her to have the abortion. It was a lie to say that he was not heartbroken. As the father of


    the child, how much he wished he could raise this child with Izabe, watch the child grow up. But it


    was not possible; this child came at the wrong time.


    Izabe was in the operating room, he had thought about various oues, such as heavy


    bleeding, emotional breakdown, but he didn''t expect her uterus to encounter issues necessitating


    removal.


    Brett looked at his hands again, no wonder he felt as if his hands were constantly covered in blood,


    no matter how he washed them. He had twice killed his own child with his own hands, and now he


    had also deprived Izabe of her fertility.


    Brett still held some hope. Medical science had advanced, and domestically, research on anti-


    cancer drugs had achieved good results. He believed that it wouldn''t be long before cancer could be


    The injury Izabe suffered would slowly heal, he had thought that they could still have children in


    the future, but now her uterus has been removed, what should he do?


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Reality had given him a severe p. Izabe had been so eager to be a mother, how much would


    she hate him when she woke up?


    "Will the removal of the uterus cause other effects on the body?" he asked.


    The nurse quickly exined, "There will be no other effects on the body, her life will continue as


    usual."


    This was the best oue at present, as long as Izabe was still alive.


    "Ms. Salotti must have a blood transfusion now, theter it is, the more dangerous it is."


    "I understand." Brett quickly signed on the two notices, then took out his cell phone.


    "When is the engagement specifically?"


    Kaley was in high spirits at this moment. Looking at the tense and sad people around, her joy


    seemed out of ce.


    This was retribution, she didn''t expect Izabe''s fate to be the same as hers, even worse.


    "Two months from now." Kaley spun her eyeballs and quickly thought of a date, "Let''s do it on


    December 25th, it''s Christmas Day, our engagement should attract quite a bit of attention."


    The engagement required a lot of preparation, invitations, personnel arrangement, all needed time,


    two months would be just right.


    Thinking back to the day when Izabe and Brett got married, it was more like a press conference


    than a wedding, with only a few friends and family attending, it was quite shabby.


    For her engagement party, she would make sure to prepare meticulously, choose thergest and


    most luxurious hotel, invite five-star restaurants to cater, have live music performance, and even live


    broadcast it so that everyone could see. This way, Izabe would also understand the gap between


    them, her engagement party would be grander than Izabe''s wedding.


    Brett quickly edited and sent out the message, then called Liam, asking him to log into the official


    ount and forward the message he just sent out.


    "Is it done?" Brett asked with an icy gaze.


    The message had just been sent out and had already received hundreds of likes, shares, and


    comments. Kaley nodded satisfactorily, "Yes, after I''ve given blood, we can draft an agreement, just


    use you and Izabe''s as a temte."


    Looking at Brett''s gloomy face, Kaley felt ted. She finally got what she deserved.


    Following the nurse, Kaley muttered to herself, "I didn''t expect Izabe to be infertile, just like me,"


    the mockery in her words was not concealed.


    Brett was staring nkly at his phone. The message was continuously climbing, all the notifications,


    just the DMs alone amounted to tens of thousands.


    The phone kept vibrating, leaving him no peace. Brett nced at thements below his post.


    "Brett and Izabe divorced? How did he get together with Kaley in the blink of an eye?"


    "When will this love triangle end? The dramas between the rich are hard to understand."


    "It''s really interesting, I remember two years ago the two were involved in a divorcewsuit, weren''t


    they? At the time Kaley even appeared in court, iming she had no rtionship with Brett, just his


    adopted sister."


    Brett hurled his phone at the wall with force. The phone fell from the wall, the screen shattered. The


    brick wall also showed a crack, it could be imagined how much force he used.


    A passing worker was startled, reminding him, "Sir, this is a hospital, please be quiet."

 Chapter 276

    Chapter 276


    Brett gave that man a cold re, and the guy immediately shut his mouth.


    The phone screen was shattered but still usable. Brett, suppressing his emotions, went to pick up


    the phone from the ground, took out the SIM card, and threw the phone into a trash can.


    Kaley was quickly helped out after having her blood drawn. She nced at Brett and knew he was


    in a bad mood, so wisely, she didn''t strike up a conversation.


    Having drawn 700 milliliters of blood, Kaley''s face was somewhat pale, but she didn''t faint. It was


    her first time drawing so much blood, and she wondered how Izabe had managed to persevere all


    those years.


    Poor Izabe, her suffering made Kaley even happier. But it was her fault to upy something that


    didn''t belong to her all those years. Everythinges at a price, and it''s all self-inflicted.


    During those four years, she bribed Izabe''s primary doctor. The coagtion disorders and severe


    anemia were all fabricated, and as long as sheined, Brett would force Izabe toe and


    give her a blood transfusion.


    Izabe basically came to draw blood every two or three months. Once, she drew 400 milliliters,


    and another time, 600 milliliters. Sometimes, her blood hadn''t recovered yet, and she was already


    facing another blood draw.


    Brett''s gaze never fell on Kaley. He sat on a bench in the corridor, his eyes dull, as if he had lost his


    soul.


    Izabe''s surgery took a long time, and it wasn''t until Liam arrived that the light on the operating


    room door finally went out.


    "Give me your phone."


    Liam was stunned for a moment, quickly took the phone out of his pocket, and handed it to Brett.


    Brett threw the SIM card to Liam, "Go and buy a new phone, then put the card in."


    Liam took the SIM card, immediately understanding that Brett had gotten angry and smashed


    another phone.


    Although he had questions, he didn''t dare ask them. He took the SIM card and hurried downstairs.


    Brett looked at the time, which was already 1 pm.


    Izabe was wheeled out, and Brett hurried over to ask about her situation.


    The removal of the uterus was not a minor surgery, and coupled with the inducedbor, the


    operation took more than four hours. The surgery was sessful, and now it was a matter of when


    Izabe would wake up.


    The doctor gave Brett a detailed rundown of the precautions, and he listened carefully.


    Izabe had been hospitalized many times, and the precautions werergely the same. However, a


    woman who lost her uterus must be well-nourished, or she would sufferter.


    Izabe was sent to the observation room, where medical staff would be on duty 24 hours a day.


    "Mr. Windham, there''s something else." The doctor hesitated, looking somewhat uneasy. Brett


    became tense inadvertently, thinking that Izabe''s body had developed another symptom.


    "What is it?" he asked with a tense face.


    The doctor said, "Mr. Windham, do you want to see the child?" He also wanted to ask how to handle


    the stillborn but couldn''t bring himself to ask.


    Brett''s expression stiffened even more, and he clenched his fists, "Take me to see it."


    The dead baby was still in the operating room, wrapped in cotton cloth. Its red body had turned


    deathly pale, its features blurred, with the corners of its mouth slightly upturned.


    As a child, Brett had seen specimens soaked in formalin, which people around him said were


    terrifying, but he felt nothing.


    However, today, when he saw the dead child, he was so frightened that his whole body trembled.


    In the end, Brett still walked over, carefully picked up the child, and gently touched its eyes with his


    quivering index finger.


    The four-month-old baby already had visible facial features, and you could tell it had beautiful eyes.


    People often say daughters resemble their fathers, and sons resemble their mothers. If this boy had


    been born, he would have looked a lot like Izabe.


    Brett''s heart tightened suddenly, feeling a heat in his eyes. Unable to stand the acidity, he blinked,


    and tears fell onto the child''s face, with him wiping them away.


    "I''m sorry, I loved you so much, but I loved your mom even more. In your next life, find a good family


    to be born into."


    Baby, your mom loves you so much, and you don''t want her to be in danger because of you, do


    you?


    Brett suddenly hugged the stillborn tightly, his breathing choked, his voice trembling terribly.


    He felt an emptiness in his heart, as if something had suddenly died.


    Just like Izabe had said, his heart was too small, small enough for only one person - Izabe.


    In order to help Izabe recover, he was willing to be the murderer of his own flesh and blood.


    In the hospital room, medical staff were taking good care of Izabe. Brett himself held the child and


    went to the crematorium. After the four-month-old baby was sent into the incinerator, only a small


    amount of ashes remained.


    Brett prepared a beautiful porcin vase for the child''s ashes.


    "Your mom is the most beautiful woman in the world, and the baby she gave birth to must also be


    the cutest baby in the world."


    So he chose the most beautiful porcin vase to hold the ashes.


    Liam had been following Brett, watching him hold the porcin vase and talk to himself. He couldn''t


    help but sigh, feeling that this strong man was close to breaking down.


    Izabe would wake up soon and would definitely be unable to bear seeing the porcin vase with


    ashes. Brett gave the vase to Liam to take back to the vi.


    He then hailed a cab on the street and returned to the hospital.


    In the hospital room, Izabey on the bed, her face pale and bloodless. Brett sat beside her,


    guarding her. A small clip was ced on her finger to monitor her blood pressure, connected to a


    device, and the test results were worrisome.


    Izabe woke up in the evening. She opened her heavy eyelids and stared nkly at the ceiling.


    After a while, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye into her hair, disappearing without a trace.


    She slowly raised her heavy hand and ced it gently on her abdomen. The baby was really gone.


    Brett saw Izabe wake up and didn''t bother her since she didn''t make a fuss.


    Izabe had always been strong, and he believed she could pull through.


    The hospital room was deathly silent. Suddenly, Izabe turned her head towards Brett, looking at


    him as if she saw him, yet saw through his body for something behind him.


    "Where''s the baby," Her voice was so light it was like a droplet hitting sand, disappearing without a


    trace.


    "Liam took him back to the vi," Brett replied.


    Izabe didn''t speak anymore, she seemed calm, but only Brett knew she had changed - all


    emotionless and like a puppet, going with the flow.


    Losing her child and womb, the pain in her stomach felt like getting stirred by a knife.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Izabe said painfully, her voice trembling, "I''ve lost my only child and my right to be a mother. Brett,


    why couldn''t it have been you who died instead?"

 Chapter 277

    Chapter 277


    Suddenly, Brett lost the ability to speak, as if a sharp knife had pierced him deep in his heart,


    causing unbearable pain.


    "Brett, I''m so tired." Maybe she was really exhausted, her voice was so soft that it was almost


    inaudible.


    Before, she thought that as long as a person was alive, everything would be fine. Now she realized


    how hard it was to live, it was too unbearable. Time was like a knife, slowly cutting into her flesh,


    every minute and second was torture.


    "It was just an ident." All he wanted was for Izabe to be fine, but he found that herplexion


    was getting worse and her body was getting skinnier.


    It was him who made the doctor forcefully take away their child, but he didn''t expect that Izabe


    would lose the chance to be a mother.


    "ident?" Izabe looked at Brett and said in a hoarse voice, "Taking away my child is an


    ident? Controlling my memory is also an ident? You don''t know how much damage one of


    your idents can cause to someone''s life. Brett, are you satisfied with what I''ve be now?"


    Brett admitted that he was selfish and unscrupulous in order to achieve his goals. But now he was


    helpless. He was once the one in control, but things were changing.


    "Izabe, I did all this because I love you too much."


    "Your lovees at too high a price, I can''t bear it." In the time Izabe was amnesic, she had


    fallen in love with Brett. She always marveled at how well he treated her. But now she knows that


    everything he did for her had a terrible cost.


    Now all that love is gone, turning into ashes.


    "Izabe, I''ve never loved anyone in my life, and I don''t know how to love anybody. I want to treat


    you well, but I always mess things up."


    "I can tell you nothing. I''m afraid you''d be hurt if you get sick, and I''m even more afraid you''ll leave


    me."


    "Izabe, will you never forgive me no matter what I do?"


    Brett''s voice became softer and softer. The first sentence was for himself, while the other two were


    for Izabe. He was like a desperate prisoner who was ustomed to darkness but now had a


    taste of the warmth of the light Izabe brought. How could he bear to return to the darkness?


    "I said I would hate you for the rest of my life." Izabe said in a light tone, expressing hatred with a


    calm face, showing no sign of bitterness.


    Brett nodded, "I also said, I will make it up to you for the rest of my life, even if you hate me forever."


    The two of them were now in a deadlock, trying to untie it would require cutting off one end - and


    Izabe''s end was already in tatters, easily broken with just a gentle pull.


    Izabe closed her eyes.


    When Liam brought the urn containing the ashes back to the vi, he arranged for Brett to have


    some clothes and toiletries prepared.


    Tiara was feeling uneasy deep down.


    Before packing the clothes, she asked Liam, "President Windham hasn''t been back for several


    days. Is he going on a business trip?"


    Liam replied without thinking, "President Windham is not on a business trip, he is in the hospital."


    "How did he end up in the hospital? Is he feeling unwell?" Tiara asked with a worried expression.


    "It''s not President Windham, it''s Izabe who is hospitalized."


    Upon hearing this, Tiara''s eyes widened in shock and fear, and her hands clutched her apron, "


    Izabe is back? Why did she end up in the hospital?"


    Liam didn''t notice her abnormal reaction and replied, "Yeah, Izabe is in the hospital." He didn''t


    reveal the specific reason for Izabe''s hospitalization and immediately changed the subject, asking


    Tiara to hurry up and pack since he needed to take the items to the hospital.


    Tiara rushed upstairs, opened the closet, and saw Izabe''s clothes on the right and Brett''s on the


    left. Twopletely different styles of clothing were ced in the same wardrobe.


    Izabe''s clothes were more casual, while Brett''s clothes were mostly serious shirts. You could


    roughly see a person''s character from their clothes.


    Tiara opened the suitcase and carefully packed Brett''s clothes. Finally, she put in two pieces of


    Izabe''s clothes as well. Holding a sweater, she couldn''t help but shed tears.


    Izabe is in the hospital - does this mean her child has been taken away? By now, the baby in her


    belly should be four months old.


    Tiara cried as she put away their clothes and brought them downstairs. Liam was waiting


    downstairs, took the suitcase, and rushed to the hospital at once.


    Tiara inadvertently murmured, "What a mess."


    Returning to the hospital, Liam found the door to the room slightly ajar, not wanting to disturb the


    resting people inside. Moving carefully, Liam nced inside.


    Brett was sitting alone on a small stool, looking utterly dejected. Hearing the sound, he turned to


    look at the doorway.


    He was still the same ambitious man who had topped every major financial tform, but his eyes


    were filled with indifference and gloom. At first nce, he appeared restless, but deep down he was


    vulnerable.


    Liam quickly snapped back to reality, gently pushed the door open, and said, "President Windham,


    I''ve brought your luggage."


    "Take it out and put it in the cupboard." The hospital room was well-equipped, including a wardrobe


    with plenty of hangers.


    Liam hung the clothes in the wardrobe as quickly as he could, and then, taking a quick nce at the


    seemingly fast asleep Izabe, asked, "How is the madam doing?"


    Brett put his index finger to his lips, and Liam immediately fell silent. Brett gestured for them to go


    outside, where he silently got up.


    "President Windham, how is Izabe?"


    The two stood in the smoking area, and Brett lit a cigarette. "She had her uterus removed and can


    no longer get pregnant," he said bitterly, "Liam, did I do the wrong thing?"


    "President Windham, you did it for her well-being, but you were just a bit too forceful. You should


    have told the madam from the beginning that she had stomach cancer and couldn''t have a baby."


    "I was afraid she would remember and leave me."


    "But is this any different from when she hated you before?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    The atmosphere in the smoking area was heavy, and it seemed that someone like Brett, who didn''t


    know how to love, could only be ruthless. Love but not seek, always unattainable, he was too dark;


    even with good intentions, the oue would always be a mistake.


    "Yeah, no difference." Brett snuffed out his cigarette and leaned against the wall with a bitterugh.


    "President Windham." Liam thought for a moment and tried to persuade him, "Why not let her go?"


    "No way!" Izabe was the support of his life, and he couldn''t even bear to think about what his life


    would be like without her.


    "President Windham, do you want a living Izabe or a dead one?" As an assistant, there were


    many things he couldn''t say outright for fear of offending, but he was afraid that if he didn''t wake


    Brett up, he would regret it immenselyter.


    "I''ve already done so much, how can I let go?" Brett said helplessly.


    "If I let her go now, she will die. Didn''t you see the look in her eyes when she woke up? There was


    no light in them, just dead silence. She said she hated me, but her tone didn''t change."


    It would be best if Izabe could hate him. People have emotions and desires, and hatred could


    also prove that a person was still alive. If the hatred disappeared, she would be like a walking dead.


    Brett''s mood became gloomy, almost swallowing him up. Liam licked his lips and said with difficulty:


    "President Windham, I''m just afraid you''ll regret it."


    Brett grinned bitterly: "I''m already regretting it. If I could turn back time, I''d rather not have met her."


    He shouldn''t have fallen for Izabe; someone like him who didn''t understand emotions would only


    bring her pain. Life isn''t perfect, and they''vee this far, there''s no turning back.


    Liam was silent for a long time: "But in two months, you''ll be engaged to Kaley. What about your


    wife then?"


    "It''s just an engagement, not a marriage. Izabe''s blood type is too rare. I''ll find someone with the


    same blood type as her as soon as possible, so I won''t be held back by Kaley anymore."


    Izabe would definitely need surgeryter, and he needed Kaley''s blood.


    Knowing he couldn''t persuade Brett, Liam didn''t say more. Brett nced at his watch: "It''s been five


    minutes. I should go back. She''s scared to stay alone in the hospital."


    Liam looked at Brett''s back, wondering when that stubborn figure had be so lonely?


    Izabe was unusually quiet. After her uterus was removed, she couldn''t eat for 72 hours, and could


    only receive nutritional fluids.


    The nutritional fluid was milky white, thick and viscous. Izabe always feared pain, so Brett asked


    the nurse to ce a catheter, so the fluid would flow slowly and not hurt so much.


    On October 24th, three days after Izabe''s surgery, the weather turned cold. Izabe was afraid of


    the cold, and her body couldn¡¯t take cold weather.


    Brett asked the caretaker to buy a heating pad at the supermarket, charged it, and put it under


    Izabe''s hand to warm.


    Because of past experiences, Brett didn''t dare to touch Izabe too much, afraid of causing her


    disgust and hurting herself.


    Brett stayed carefully in the ward while Izabe acted like nothing had happened, watching TV,


    spacing out, and sometimes staring at the birds outside the window non-stop.


    At night, Izabe often woke up from nightmares, gasping heavily like a dying fish struggling on a


    shoal. Brett hugged her tightly, his body warm, but couldn''t warm her heart.


    Cold liquid flowed into her neck, and he cried for the dead child and for Izabe losing the right to


    be a mother.


    Izabe didn''t care about the catheter in her left hand, raised her hand and forcefully grabbed the


    man''s neck.


    Her strength was too small to even hurt him, let alone strangle him.


    Her hand, gripping Brett''s neck, trembled constantly, not because of fear or pain, but because it


    shook uncontrobly.


    "Don''t touch me, it¡¯s disgusting."


    "Fine, I won''t touch you. But don''t move your left hand either, there''s a needle in it."


    Brett let go of her shakily, sitting back in the chair by the bed. He didn''t even dare to look at her, let


    alone embrace her in the best way possible.


    It seemed that the end of their rtionship was destined to be tragic, so even an intimate action like


    a hug was heartbreaking.


    Izabe closed her eyes again, her mind bing cloudy, sometimes confusing the time, always


    feeling like she was still in that inconspicuous little town, the small rental house was her home, the


    bed was small but warm, and the meals not fancy but filling her stomach. The child wouldn''t starve.


    Izabe ced her hand on her abdomen, trying to feel it as usual, then suddenly woke up, her


    pupils pitch ck.


    Brett said she was sick and couldn''t have children, and she did get sick, turning into a chronic


    illness with no cure, only death bringing relief.


    She was alive, but her soul had long vanished, perhaps joining the dead child in turning into a


    handful of ashes, sealed into a narrow porcin bottle.

 Chapter 278

    Chapter 278


    On the fifth day after Izabe''s surgery, she no longer needed others to take care of her, she could


    eat and get up by herself.


    "I want to eat the Bolognese pasta from the street behind the University of R City."


    The University of R City was where Izabe attended college. Not far from the back gate, there was


    a food street, and her favorite was a Italian ce there. It wasn''t because of the great taste, but


    because thedy boss of the shop looked quite like her mother, had a gentle temperament, and


    would softly call her "little girl."


    Seeing Izabe alwayse to her shop, thedy boss would secretly give her some extra meat


    sauce and asionally give her some fried chicken chunks to eat more.


    "You remembered?" Brett''s heart was shocked, and his pupils contracted slightly. The sudden panic


    made him flustered.


    Izabe stared out of the window, smiling casually. "I wish I could remember. Will you tell me?"


    Brett didn''t answer, but he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, Izabe hadn''t regained


    her memory, and he feared that she would continue this topic. So, he stiffly diverted the topic. "You


    want to eat meat sauce noodles? There''s a Italian restaurant downstairs that I see a lot of people


    going; I¡¯ll get someone bring it up for you."


    "Get someone?" Izabe turned around,ughing at him. "Here, only the two of us, who would you


    look to, the health worker? Or the doctors and nurses here? Can''t you just go yourself?"


    Brett hesitated for a moment, seeing the impatience in Izabe''s eyes. He was afraid that she


    wouldn''t bother with him anymore.


    Going downstairs to buy something is just so close, and Izabe was sick and shouldn''t go


    anywhere. Even if she could run, she couldn''t run far, especially with the health worker watching


    her.


    "Alright, I''ll go get it for you." He knew Izabe''s preferences.


    Before Brett left, he reminded the health worker.


    As soon as Brett left, Izabe stared nkly in a corner of the ward. She had her little world, but


    Brett was the invader who suddenly broke into it. He had used thorns to build a cage to lock her up


    and watched her struggle in it. The health worker came over to watch her at Brett''s order.


    "My stomach hurts."


    When the health worker heard herining about the pain, her heart tightened. "Wait, I''ll call the


    doctor right away."


    "No need." Izabe stopped her. "It''s all normal. I just can''t stand the pain and need to take


    painkillers, but I don¡¯t have any. Can you go to the nurse''s station and get me a few painkillers?"


    The nurse¡¯s station wasn''t far from here. If Izabe was going downstairs, she would have to pass


    through there. The health worker nodded and agreed, "Sure, I''ll go to the nurse''s station and get


    you the medicine. Youy on the bed and don''t move."


    "Okay." Izabe finally showed a long-lost smile in her mouth, nodding obediently.


    The health worker turned around and left. Izabe stared at the corridor, making sure nobody was


    there, and slowly got up, moving Brett''s chair to the window.


    Struggling to stand, she drew back the curtain and opened the window. The cold, harsh wind blew


    Izabe''s long hair, and her loose hospital gown fluttered in the wind. She squinted, with both of her


    hands on the window sill, deep in thought.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Her memory was very fragmented, and in the past few days, some pieces had appeared. She knew


    she had lived and grown up in R City.


    Also, Izabe put her right hand on her abdomen. She had a miscarriage before, and if she


    remembered correctly, Brett was probably the cause of it.


    The other memories were like bubbles, piled up in her brain, but when she wanted to touch them,


    those memories shattered instantly.


    The harder it was to recall, the more it showed how terrifying and desperate her experiences before


    losing her memory were, desperate enough that she had to subconsciously erase her memory.


    Being married to Brett should be fake, their love was fake, and growing up in an orphanage was


    fake, even the acquaintances of Brett and Liam were fake.


    All those beautiful "memories" were created by Brett, just to deceive her, the fool.


    Izabe leaned over the edge of the window, her upper body sagging outwards, looking like she


    could fall at any moment.


    This building had eight floors, and her body was sure to die if she fell. They said that people who


    jump off buildings have horrible death faces; if they''re lucky, they might die from broken bones, if


    not, their brains would stter on the ground, their eyes wide open.


    In this world, would anyone wish for her to live a healthy and happy life?


    Izabe looked at the ground below, wondering how scared her baby must be all alone in the dark.


    He was so small, couldn''t make any noise, couldn''t see, and hadn''t even tasted the warmth of the


    world before dying inside her.


    Eyes brimming with tears, Izabe looked up at the sky covered by dark clouds. She had anger and


    sadness in her heart, but neither was strong. She felt her organs failing, making it difficult to


    breathe.


    It might have been an hallucination from the pain, but Izabe vaguely saw her child smiling at her.


    "Mom, don''t be sad for me. I love you."


    Izabe reached out to catch the illusory figure, but she couldn''t reach it. She lifted one foot up and


    ced it on the window ledge.


    At this time, the surroundings were quiet, and there was no one downstairs. If she jumped, she


    would die without anyone noticing, but it would be a hassle for the police to clean up her filthy body.

 Chapter 279

    Chapter 279


    Izabe suddenly had a thought. As long as she jumped, she could see her two children and the


    man who was always in her heart¡ªRyker. When Brett returned to the ward with a te of


    Bolognese pasta, he saw Izabe standing on a stool in front of the window, with the window wide


    open, the cold wind rushing in, blowing her dress like it was suspended in mid-air. Brett''s heart


    instantly tightened up to his throat, both tense and afraid to make a sound for fear of startling her,


    he softly called out "Be".


    Izabe''s left foot was already on the window ledge, half of her body dangling outside, swaying as if


    she could fall at any moment. "Be,e down quickly, it''s dangerous there. Look, I bought you


    your favorite Bolognese pasta," Brett said, inching closer to her.


    Countless thoughts shed through his mind, Brett''s breath nearly stopped. He hadn''t expected that


    Izabe would have such thoughts during the time he was away. Luckily he had ordered takeout


    early, just going downstairs to pick it up, otherwise, would Izabe have quietly jumped already?


    Brett dared not think further.


    Izabe slowly turned her body and sat on the window ledge, she looked at Brett and gave a faint


    smile, "Don''te over." Her usually gentle voice was hoarse.


    The cold wind blew her long hair, her eyes welling up with tears, evidently, she had just been crying.


    Brett clenched his teeth, "Don''t move, sit steady, I won''te over." Despite his words, his body


    was tensed, ready to rush over at any moment.


    This was the eighth floor, if Izabe jumped she would undoubtedly die. What he had to do was to


    divert her attention and then quickly pull her down. Izabe slightly raised her eyes, her vacant eyes


    showed some emotion when she looked at Brett. She gave a faint smile, suppressing her trembling


    voice to speak word by word: "Brett, I don''t know what unforgivable things I''ve done in the past for


    you to treat me this way."


    "You said you don''t know how to love a person, but that''s no reason to hurt them. No one will wait


    forever for you to learn to love." "Have you seen the baby? He''s so young..." mentioning the child,


    Izabe finally choked.


    A sense of despair washed over the room, her tears uncontroble. Brett wanted to say something


    but couldn''t.


    Izabe looked at Brett through her teary eyes: "You said it was to save me, but what you don''t


    know is that I had already given my life to him, and you ruined my life." Brett shook his head, his


    face pale.


    "Brett, don''t you enjoy pushing me from heaven to hell, watching me shatter into pieces? Then I''ll


    grant you that, okay? The world is so big, no matter where I go you would find me, but I know


    there''s one ce you''ll never find." Her voice echoed in the empty room. Izabe finally fell


    backward, her body suddenly filled with cold air, losing all light and heat.


    "Izabe!" Brett dropped everything in his hands and lunged forward, his right hand tightly grasping


    her.


    Izabe''s body was hanging precariously in mid-air, her slender wrist seemed as if it would snap at


    any moment. Brett tightly grasped Izabe''s wrist, his whole body trembling, his face pale.


    "Izabe, hold onto me and don''t let go."


    Izabe coughed twice, her stomach in severe pain. Blood spewed from her mouth like a floodgate


    had been opened, her condition was very bad. Her pupils were dted, her gaze unfocused, she


    looked at Brett hanging on the window ledge, her expression pained.


    The death of her child was a fatal blow to her. Although she had seemed calm in recent days, she


    was in extreme pain inside, as if deadly poison was about to engulf her at any moment. "Brett, I''ve


    tried my best." She had tried hard to live, to ept this life worse than death, but she couldn''t.


    She wanted to kill Brett, and also herself. But she couldn''t kill Brett, so she could only end her own


    life in such an extreme way.


    She who had lost her memories was like a foreign soul, not belonging to this world. Brett


    obsessively locked her in this ce, giving her a glimpse of sunlight before locking her in a coffin,


    making her long for death day after day.


    She thought herself foolish.


    "I''ve tried my best," her short sentence caused him immense pain.


    In an instant, he understood Izabe''s meaning. She had found a way where he would never be


    able to find her¡ªdeath.


    Brett suddenly felt a chill in his body, though winter hadn''t arrived yet, he prematurely experienced


    its icy cold and bone-piercing pain, his breath frozen to shivers.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    "Izabe, don''t you want to regain your memories? If you want to know who Ryker is, where he is,


    you must stay alive!" He grabbed Izabe''s wrist with force, his nose was tingling, and he looked at


    Izabe''s pale face through blurred vision, a few drops of tearsnding on her face.


    As long as he doesn''t let her die, she must not die, especially since they are in a hospital, there are


    people who can save her.


    But Brett forgot, doctors can save people, but they can''t save a person who is determined to die.


    "I won''t believe your words anymore." Izabe raised her left hand to struggle.


    Soon, people noticed the oddity here. The nursing aide who went to fetch painkillers came back,


    seeing this scene, she screamed in panic.


    Brett clenched his teeth, he absolutely can''t lose Izabe here.


    He took a deep breath, said solemnly: "Izabe, if you fall from here, I will incinerate the ashes of


    that dead child in some wretched ce."


    Izabe''s struggling body suddenly stopped. She didn''t expect Brett could be so cruel, he wouldn''t


    even spare the ashes of the deceased.


    Seeing her expression stiffen, Brett continued: "And that cat you once held at home, Niki, if you die,


    I will let it die with you."


    "And Tiara, don''t think I don''t know that she helped you escape in the beginning. I didn''t look into it


    doesn''t mean I don''t care. You know what I''m capable of." Brett said sarcastically, "It''s easy for you


    to die, but poor her, she helped an ingrate and got killed. I heard she has a daughter about your


    age, and she''s pretty, what do you think I would do?"


    Izabe stared at him nkly, she knew Brett would do it. He simply has no heart! Hatred blinded


    her eyes.


    At this moment, a few people rushed into the room, someone hugged Brett to prevent him from


    falling.


    Others extended their hands, trying to persuade Izabe not to give up on life, to live on. They didn''t


    know she was already walking on the edge of hell, barely hanging on in a morbid way.


    Izabe''s hands were very delicate, Brett was afraid of hurting her, so his movement to help her up


    was very careful. Yet, Izabe''s hand still got scraped.


    All of this happened within a mere four minutes, but for Brett, it felt like four years had passed.


    Brett pursed his lips tightly, and after helping Izabe up, his eyes regained their indifference. The


    originally empty room had somehow be bustling and noisy.


    Even though his hearing was intact, he couldn''t make out a single word.


    Izabe sat limply on the ground, her face pale, the look of death in her eyes was reced by


    unwillingness and anger, the look of someone alive.


    Brett watched the people in the room with a gloomy expression, his eyes turned cold, "Everyone,


    out!"


    The surrounding medical staff who were about to say something were immediately silenced. The


    man''s intimidating power was simply too terrifying.


    Everyone quickly left the room, and suddenly the room became empty and fell into silence.


    Brett suddenly bent down to pick up the soft-bodied Izabe, took her to the washroom, held her


    body, facing the mirror.


    Brett''s eyes were cold, "Izabe, take a good look at yourself now!"


    Izabe numbly looked at herself in the mirror. She looked like a ghost with her pale face, messy


    hair, and dirty oversized hospital gown, looking like a patient from a mental hospital.


    She felt like her whole body had been stripped of its bones, the pain was unbearable but she


    couldn''t pinpoint where it hurt.


    She was living such a miserable life, even a street beggar was better off. Then she looked at Brett,


    from head to toe he was morous, he had never changed, always high above, cruelly looking


    down at her pathetic state.


    Brett pinched her thin chin, "Izabe, are you feeling unwilling? Why is such a despicable person


    like me still alive? Do you hate me so much you want to kill me?"


    Yes, she hated this man, wished to kill him in the cruelest way. Why is such a scumbag still alive?


    Why should shemit suicide for him? She wanted to kill him, only then her dead child would rest


    in peace, Niki would live well, and nothing would happen to Tiara''s family.


    Brett saw the hatred in Izabe''s eyes, he suddenly hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear like a


    devil: "Izabe, it''s right to hate me. I''m waiting for you to kill me next, I''m giving you a chance!"


    After speaking, he kissed Izabe''s lips.


    Suddenly, Izabe wrapped her hands around Brett''s neck, pulled out the indwelling needle from


    the back of her left hand, and stabbed it towards Brett''s neck!

 Chapter 280

    Chapter 280


    The indwelling needle stuck in Brett''s neck wouldn''t be fatal, it would only cause a momentary pain.


    Izabe tightly grasped the needle, as if holding a knife, she made a downward cut along the artery


    and blood flowed out.


    Brett grunted. He was not afraid of death, what he feared was Izabe leaving him.


    He gently bit Izabe''s lip and then let her go. He did not wipe the blood off his neck, but instead,


    took hold of Izabe''s trembling hand, "Your hand got dirty."


    She looked at her fingers, the blue veins were prominent on the back of her hand, and the tips were


    filled with thick blood. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and a single tear slid down her cheek,


    translucent and sparkling.


    Tears streamed down Izabe''s face, yet a ferocious smile was on her lips. She didn''t feel fear or


    sorrow, but was overwhelmingly excited, for she had finally hurt this man. However, to her, this was


    nothing.


    Brett wiped the tears from her face, "Izabe, just like today, I will wait for you to kill me, as long as


    you can do it."


    Izabe''s teeth gritted, her face turning icy. She suddenly burst intoughter, then started sobbing


    loudly like a child. She threw away the blood-soaked needle in her hand, leaned on the sink next to


    her, and stood up unsteadily, "I will definitely kill you. If I can''t, I''ll make you live in despair, just like


    me."


    Brett stood up with her, "If you want to kill me, you must live well."


    The wound on Brett''s neck was not deep. After disinfection, it could be casually bandaged.


    However, Izabe''s wound on her abdomen had torn open, fresh blood seeping out, staining her


    hospital gown red.


    Brett watched as the doctor frowned and treated her wound, throwing bloody cotton balls into the


    trash. The wound was ghastly, like a blood-red eye.


    How painful must it be? But Izabe didn''t even frown. She seemed to have listened to Brett''s


    words, took her medication on time, got IV fluids, and lived on.


    In the past, when taking medication, she could only swallow them one by one, scared of the


    bitterness, and would even eat candy after. Now, she could swallow several at once, and if she


    couldn''t swallow them, she would let them dissolve in her mouth and drink more water. She had


    long forgotten the sweet taste and had no intention to try it again.


    Brett had Tiara to take care of Izabe. The two of them sat together and talked, mostly Tiara spoke


    and Izabe listened. They didn''t mention the child, as if she had never been pregnant.


    On November 11th, Izabe was discharged from the hospital.


    After more than four months, her ragdoll cat seemed a little strange to her, hiding on the sofa and


    secretly observing her. When it saw Izabe sit down, it gathered the courage toe over and


    sniff, it was a familiar scent.


    "Meow." Niki called out, swishing her fluffy tail.


    Izabe scratched Niki''s neck andbed her fur. She had grown a lot, it was obvious that she had


    been well taken care of while Izabe was away.


    Niki enjoyed being stroked by her and rxedpletely, exposing her furry and round belly.


    Izabe gently stroked from her neck towards her belly.


    Ragdoll cats are generally gentle, and Niki was especially affectionate. She recognized Izabe as


    the one who raised her since she was a kitten, and became even closer to her, purring loudly.


    The inte in the vi was shut down on Brett''s orders. Izabe had a phone but couldn''t see any


    external news, as if something was being hidden.


    "Izabe, are you going upstairs?" Tiara asked, having long since reced the title "Madam" with


    "Izabe".


    Izabe nodded, setting down Niki in her arms. The vi was just as it used to be, though her room


    had undergone some minor alterations. The color scheme was now warm, with many more


    decorative paintings. One of them was of sunflowers, full of vitality.


    The weather was getting colder and colder. Izabe had to wear a down jacket andyer it with two


    sweaters to withstand the chill of winter.


    Returning to the heated vi, she felt warm. It was just right for Izabe once she took off her down


    jacket.


    Despite the heating on, she liked to keep the windows open. The cold wind cut into her face like a


    knife, leaving Izabe''splexion pale and devoid of life.


    Brett continued his routine of going to and from work, always returning early to keep Izabe


    company. However, their rtionship was bing increasingly cold and distant.


    Sleeping became a problem. Under Izabe''s resentful gaze, Brett couldn''t share a bed with her


    and had to sleep on a makeshift bed, far away on the sofa.


    Most of the time, Izabe was looking at a porcin vase, holding it in her arms when she was free.


    She would take a clean cloth and meticulously wipe it down, even though there was no dust on it.


    A week passed, and Izabe held the porcin vase as she told Brett, "Let''s bury it somewhere."


    "Alright," Brett agreed. He chose a cemetery, paid a substantial amount for a plot, and buried the


    vase.


    Izabe silently stared at the name "Bet" on the tombstone, her expression as dull and smoky


    as a cloud of smoke. She didn''t cry, for her tears had long since run dry.


    After returning home, Izabe acted as if nothing had happened. She took care of her health, and


    herplexion slowly started to improve, though her face remained pale as if it could not recover.


    She had be used to holding and wiping the vase, but now that it was buried, her hands always


    felt empty. In order to avoid this sense of loss, Izabe began to find things to do for herself.


    She washed her clothes, cleaned her bedroom and bathroom, and cooked her own meals.


    Tiara was always there to assist her, helping with tasks such as washing vegetables.


    Brett had given orders that Izabe could do whatever she wished as long as she didn''t harm


    herself, including going out.


    This time he didn''t restrict her freedom, but Izabe stayed obediently at home, never stepping foot


    outside as if she had be ustomed to a caged life.


    After Brett finished his work and returned home, he was greeted by the familiar aroma of food. This


    was a scent he had often smelled during those four years.


    "Who cooked today?" he asked the butler, his voice trembling slightly.


    "It was Madam," the butler replied.


    A tremor ran through Brett''s lips. Indeed, he saw Izabe bustling about in the kitchen with an apron


    on.


    For a moment, he thought he was hallucinating, that he had returned to four years ago.


    Back then, Izabe would cook for him, alwaysing back home no matter how busy her work


    was. The familiar smell of food, which he had sneered at and neglected during those four years,


    was now a taste he longed for even in his dreams.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    As Tiara served the dishes one by one, Brett washed his hands and sat down eagerly.

 Chapter 281

    Chapter 281


    Izabe stepped out of the kitchen and her eyes deepen when she saw Brett sitting at the dining


    table. She adjusted the gloves on her hands and stretched her fingers.


    The gloves were custom-made for her, with instion, skid-proof and anti-shake features, making


    her grip even tighter.


    Brett got Izabe a bowl of soup and ced it on her usual spot, saying, "It''s been a while since I


    had your cooking."


    Izabe sat down and says, "Well, eat up then."


    Brett looked at her, surprised.


    He didn''t expect Izabe to respond to him.


    "Alright, I''ll definitely eat a lot," Brett''s voice trembled with excitement.


    Izabe looked at the soup in front of her and took a sip.


    Izabe held the fork and quietly watched Brett''s hand.


    Handsome guys have nice-looking hands, with distinct joints, slender and powerful.


    Izabe softly griped the fork in her hand and asked, "Can I look at your palm?"


    Brett didn¡¯t understand why, but he stretched out his left hand and spread it in front of her. Izabe


    tightly held his hand, then with a never-before-seen seriousness, she studied the lines on his hand.


    Suddenly, Izabe''s eyes changed and she stabbed the fork into Brett''s hand.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Brett let out a painful scream, copses onto the dining table, and the two dishes closest to him fell


    to the ground, mixing together.


    His face turned pale and his body shivered, gasping with cold breaths.


    Brett gritted his teeth, staring at Izabe, his eyes turning slightly red.


    Izabe took off her gloves and threw them into the trash, indifferently saying, "Sorry, I didn''t mean


    to. But I can''t help it, I''m not right in the head, I''m sick." After all, Brett treated her as a crazy person


    and fed her nerve-damaging drugs every day.


    Brett''s eyes became a mixture of disbelief and realization, although he didn''t expect Izabe to


    make a move on him again here.


    The pain made him a bit ufortable.


    Everyone at home heard the noise and rushed in, Adrian being the first to react to call emergency


    services.


    Katie went upstairs for the first aid kit to treat Brett''s wound. Brett knelt on the floor, his entire arm


    throbbing with pain.


    When dinner time arrived, Niki always ran to the dining room. It didn¡¯t know what had happened and


    stared with its big blue eyes. Izabe called Niki over, holding it in her arms and scratching its chin.


    "Does it hurt?" Izabe looked down at Brett''s pathetic figure and couldn¡¯t help but scoff.


    "Your pain is nothingpared to a thousandth of mine. I''m actually someone who can''t stand pain.


    When my stomach hurts, it makes me cry. And when I had a miscarriage, the pain was like my


    insides were being rearranged. A pain you''ll never experience in your life."


    Brett gasped with pain, rise his head and smiled weakly. With a shaking voice, he said, "You''re right,


    my pain is nothingpared to a thousandth of yours." It''s not even one in ten thousand.


    To save Kaley back then, he handed Izabe to Nathaniel Krueger, a truly painful experience. What


    he''s going through now is nothing inparison.


    Brett endured the pain and stood up, saying, "I''m going to the hospital, I''ll be back soon. Can you


    save me some food? I really want to eat your cooking."


    Izabe didn¡¯t say anything, looking at Brett with cold and mocking eyes, like how he looked at her


    before.


    When Brett was admitted to the hospital, it''s bustling. The surgeon was amazed at the severity of


    his wound, asking, "How did you get this?"


    With a hoarse voice, Brett replied, "I was eating and identally stabbed my hand with a fork."


    The doctor marveled, it''s impressive to hurt oneself like this while eating.


    The surgery took a long time, and when Brett was wheeled out, his eyes were closed. His healthy


    complexion was now extremely pale after surgery.


    The anesthesia hadn¡¯t worn off yet, but Brett woke up. He lifted his left hand and looked at it. The


    doctor told him, "Nerve repair can''t be perfect. If it''s treated well, it won''t affect your life, but you


    won''t be able to do any intricate or heavy tasks."


    It''s familiar to Brett, he had heard simr wordsst year, and now it looks like karma has finally


    caught up with him.


    Before the doctor left, he warned Brett to take care and not move for the next two weeks.


    Luckily, the wound was on his left hand, and handling everyday tasks wouldn¡¯t be difficult. Besides,


    he''s filthy rich and never short of people to care for him.


    Brett nodded after hearing the doctor''s words.


    Staying in the hospital was necessary for intravenous drip therapy and to avoid infection. Brett


    called the mansion, and Tiara picked up.


    "Tiara, are there any leftovers from Izabe''s cooking tonight?"


    "It''s gone, she threw it in the trash. President Windham, if you''re hungry, should I make you


    something and bring it over?"


    Brett''s expression suddenly dimed, "No, it''s fine. I''ll order takeout."


    Izabe was in the living room, holding Niki, grooming it, and feeding it dried fish when Brett calls.


    So, she heard Tiara''s words clearly.


    After hanging up the phone, Tiara turned to Izabe and said, "I don''t think President Windham will


    be back for a few days."


    "It''d be nice if he neveres back." Izabe stroked Niki''s chin, said, "Tiara, I''ll give you some


    money, you can quit your job."


    She had money saved with Fiona, enough for Tiara''s needs.


    Tiara said, "I can''t. I signed a two-year contract, and it''s only been one year."


    "One year... time flies, huh."


    Tiara looked at Izabe''s pale face, feeling a bit heartbroken, "Izabe, don''t overthink things. I


    know you''re worried about me, but we''re in J City now, and Brett can''t do as he pleases. He won''t


    give me a hard time. Just be brave and do whatever you want. Don''t worry about me. Even if


    something does happen, I won''t me you."

 Chapter 282

    Chapter 282


    December 8th, seventeen days before Christmas, is the day Brett and Kaley got engaged.


    Kaley found out Brett had injured his left hand and personally visited him in the hospital. She initially


    thought it was a minor injury, but was surprised to find his hand heavily bandaged with a cast.


    "How did you get so badly injured?"


    Brett, who had been dozing off, abruptly opened his eyes upon hearing Kaley''s voice.


    "Why are you here?"


    "I heard you hurt your hand, so I came to see you." Kaley looked at his left hand and frowned. She


    wondered how he was going to wear a ring on their engagement day given his severe injury.


    "Leave!"


    Before, Brett had just found Kaley''s behavior somewhat distasteful, but now he was truly repulsed


    by her. His cold gaze and tone did not conceal this at all.


    Seemingly oblivious, Kaley responded, "No matter how much you despise me, in a few days, you


    will still have to be engaged to me."


    "I don''t need you to remind me," Brett retorted with a cold face. "Even if you marry me, I won''t touch


    you."


    Kaley didn''t care, after all, she just wanted to be Ms. Windham.


    "Is that so?" she said, smiling. "You seemed to have said the same thing when you married


    Izabe."


    Brett replied, "Kaley, I don''t love you anymore. Even if you marry me, you will get nothing."


    "Who said so? As long as I marry you, Izabe will forever be the mistress!" Kaley repeated the


    words Izabe used to provoke her back then, verbatim.


    Seeing Brett''s gaze grow colder, Kaley felt a bit afraid and took a step back. "Izabe said those


    words first."


    "So, you''re doing this to get back at her?"


    She had been humiliated by Izabe; what was wrong with wanting a bit of revenge? After all,


    Izabe took something that she shouldn''t have.


    That''s what Kaley thought but didn''t dare to say. Instead, she said, "No, it''s because I like you."


    "If I didn''t have a penny and became aplete waste, would you still like me?" Brett countered.


    Kaley hesitated before saying, "Of course, I would."


    Brett''s gaze was filled with mockery. Kaley maintained a safe distance from him, three meters away,


    but she could still feel his chilling stare.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "You should go. Don''te again."


    "But our engagement ceremony..."


    Brett interrupted her, "Don''t worry, I''ll be there on time. And don''t forget to take care of your health, I


    don''t want any filth blood enter Izabe''s body."


    Kaley''s face turned pale. She turned to leave, but suddenly turned back to ask him one more


    question, "Brett, I''ve always wanted to ask you. If it hadn''t been me who saved you nine years ago,


    would you still have asked Izabe to donate blood to me when I was about to die in a car


    ident?"


    Brett replied, "There are no ''ifs'' in this world."


    Kaley forced a smile, her eyes filled with loneliness. "Can''t we really go back to the past?"


    "There are no emotions in the world that can go back to the past. Even if there can, everything has


    completely changed. The only thing that can go back is memory. But the memories I have of you


    are not worth reminiscing for me."


    He should have understood long ago that he and Izabe could never go back to the past. The


    things he had done to her had already lost him the chance to salvage their rtionship. It was just a


    pity that he realized this toote.


    "I understand." Kaley turned and left. The person who saved Brett nine years ago was not her, and


    there was no possibility between them at all.


    After Kaley left, the empty ward quieted down again. When the medical staff came to check, Brett


    asked, "How many more days do I have to stay in the hospital?"


    "You just came in yesterday. At the very least, you''ll need to stay for a week. Besides, with your


    hand in a cast, it won''t be convenient for you to do anything at home. You might as well stay in the


    hospital to rest properly." The nurse noticed that the IV was almost finished and began to remove it


    for him.


    "If he keeps getting IVs, it''s inconvenient to move around with a needle stuck in his right hand all the


    time," she thought.


    Brett looked somewhat irritated. He had only injured his hand, he wasn''t paralyzed, why did he need


    to stay in the hospital for so many days?


    He couldn''t stand being in the hospital for two days, let alone Izabe who had to lie in bed for ten


    days or even half a month in such an environment. It made Brett sad. Kaley''s visit had stirred up


    many memories in him. He remembered Izabe mistaking him for Ryker Dempsey, carrying the


    secret love in her heart for sixteen years.


    Had she not mistaken him for someone else, would she have already been with Ryker, maybe even


    had children?


    It was just a hypothesis, but even the thought made his heart ache unbearably, as if it were being


    pounded by a sledgehammer, shattering his heart.


    Come to think of it, his fate with Izabe was quite simr: both were saved by someone, then fell in


    love. The only difference was that Izabe loved the wrong person, while he found the right person


    but loved her wrongly.


    If the one who saved him initially was not Kaley, would the fate between him and Izabe be


    completely rewritten?


    Izabe could feel that her stomach illness was not ordinary. Brett could fabricate her entire


    background, so he could probably bribe the doctor to make a fake medical report.


    Maybe she was already critically ill. Brett threatened her not tomit suicide, so she wouldn''t. Her


    life was not worth anything anyway. She might as well kill Brett directly. Unfortunately, yesterday she


    only managed to stab Brett''s hand with a fork. At most, he would be disabled, but he wouldn''t die.


    The grass in the courtyard outside had turned yellow. A few days ago, Adrian had bought a box of


    weed killer, very effective, the weeds had withered within two days.


    At the time, Izabe had secretly switched a bottle and hid it under the bed.


    Adrian was arranging for someone to trim thewn outside, and he didn''t have time toe back.


    Tiara and Katie didn''t care about her.


    Izabe cooked a pot of soup, only wishing to poison Brett. She poured the entire bottle of weed


    killer into it, and the soup emitted a foul smell.


    Izabe retched once, covering her mouth and ran into the bathroom to vomit. After vomiting


    several times, the water in the toilet bowl was stained red, and she wiped her mouth.


    This body of hers was already at the end of its tether, like withered grass, seemingly unbreakable


    on the outside, but easily crumbling upon touch.


    She didn''t know how many days she had left, but as long as she was alive, she was determined to


    take revenge on Brett.


    "Oh my, what''s this smell in the soup? Did you spoil it?"


    Izabe came out to see Katie standing outside the kitchen, pinching her nose.


    Without changing her face, Izabe walked over and said, "I added some ingredients that are good


    for your health, it''s normal for it to smell a bit pungent."


    Katie tiptoed curiously to look into the pot, the soup was ck.


    "I''ve never cooked soup that turned this color before."


    "There are many kinds of soup, it''s normal for them to be different colors."


    Again, Katie asked curiously, "Ma''am, did you cook this soup for yourself?"


    "It''s for."


    Looking at the ck water in the pot, Katie thought that only if Brett had lost his taste, or had some


    issue with his brain, would he drink it.


    Izabe wanted to serve the soup, but Katie quickly said, "Ma''am, let me do it."


    Izabe''s hands were not nimble, if she knocked over a pot of soup, it would be a small matter, but


    if it scalded her, that would be an issue.


    Izabe quietly stepped aside and watched Katie gently pour the soup into a thermos.


    There was a bit of residue left in the pot, Izabe pointed to the trash can and said, "Pour that out."


    When she saw Katie clean the pot, she finally felt relieved, then picked up the thermos and called


    the butler outside to apany her to the hospital.


    There were two bodyguards standing at the entrance of Brett''s ward, and he himself was busy


    working inside the room.


    Hearing someone had brought soup, Brett instinctively thought it was Kaley again, and he said


    irritably, "I don''t want it, tell her to go back."


    The door was just ajar, so the people outside naturally heard his voice.


    "Since he doesn''t want it, let''s leave."


    Hearing this familiar voice, Brett disregarded the needle still attached to his right hand and


    immediately stood up and said, "Wait, Izabe!"


    Izabe was carrying the thermos, with Adrian following behind her.

 Chapter 283

    Chapter 283


    Brett pinched himself secretly, and after feeling the pain, he realized he wasn''t dreaming. Izabe


    really came to the hospital to see him and even cooked soup for him.


    "Is this really for me?"


    "Didn''t you say you wanted to eat my cooking yesterday? I didn''t cook any dishes, but I casually


    made you some soup. After all, your hand injury was caused by me." Izabe said while opening


    the insted cup. The hot steam carried a strong aroma that stung a bit.


    "Do you want some?" she asked.


    "I''ll have it." Even if it was poison, he''d drink it without hesitation. Besides, Izabe was at home all


    the time; she had no chance to buy poison.


    Brett naturally didn''t believe Izabe would be so kind as to make soup for him and bring it


    personally. But there was always a little bit of a beautiful fantasy in his heart, hoping that Izabe


    had a little care for him as well.


    This careful fantasy was like holding a treasure in his hand, afraid of breaking it, and afraid of


    melting it when holding it in his mouth.


    Izabe poured the soup out, and it was even darker than when she first cooked it. The ingredients


    weremon, but somehow the color turned out this dark when she cooked it.


    "Brett, aren''t you afraid it''s poisonous?" Izabe''s calm expression was frightening.


    Brett''s hands were inconvenient with the IV needle, and he ate the soup while sitting still on the bed.


    "I''m scared, but I trust you."


    Izabe put the soup on the bedside table, "If I tell you it''s poisonous, and I made it with great care


    and hatred, hoping you''d die immediately, would you still have it?"


    Izabe felt the inner demon inside her excitedly shouting.


    Thest time she said "love" to Brett, it seemed like it happened just yesterday. And today, she


    wanted to kill this man.


    Tiara had been persuading Izabe to let go for the past month, saying that once a person is


    controlled by hatred, they''re destroyed. But she had been ruined by Brett long ago.


    Looking at Brett staring at the bowl of soup, Izabe sneered and got up, "I''m leaving; have


    someone clean this up."


    Izabe left, and Brett watched the bowl of soup with a bitter smile.


    He ate half of it.


    He was gambling that Izabe couldn''t bear to hurt him, so the soup couldn''t be poisonous.


    But Izabe was also gambling that the man she hated to the bone would never believe her, even


    when he just said he trusted her. How ironic.


    Sure enough, she won.


    Not long after Brett drank the soup, his stomach began to burn with pain. Within a short time, cold


    sweat soaked his back.


    His face turned pale, and he leaned over the side of the bed to vomit. He was dizzy, and it felt like


    something was stirring in his stomach.


    Brett''s reaction scared the bodyguards and Adrian, who quickly called the doctor to check on him.


    For a time, the ward was crowded.


    As for "escaping," Izabe had already practiced it quite well. But she didn''t n to run at this


    moment. After leaving the hospital, she found a phone booth to make a call.


    She had always had a keen sense of numbers, which was probably rted to her job before her


    amnesia.


    Izabe called Nathaniel and waited for four rings before he picked up with azy male voice.


    "Hello?"


    "Nathaniel, I''m willing to go with you."


    It took a while before heughed, "I heard that Brett is hospitalized, and his left hand is half-


    disabled. You did it, didn''t you?"


    "Yeah, maybe he''s poisoned by now."


    Nathaniel was surprised. He didn''t expect such a weak-looking woman to be so bold.


    "The old man would be furious if he knew."


    If possible, Izabe didn''t want to turn to Nathaniel either. She felt he was no better than Brett.


    But without any other acquaintances since her memory loss, she couldn''tpete with Brett and


    had to turn to Brett''s "enemy."


    The enemy of an enemy is a friend. If Brett wasn''t lying, Nathaniel should be the man who wanted


    to defeat him the most.


    "Izabe, I don''t want you anymore. I prefer watching you two kill each other rather than seeing


    Brett lose you in a fit of rage."


    "Kill each other?" Izabeughed bitterly, "You overestimate me." There was no self-muttion, it


    was clearly her one-sided suffering. To shake this big tree called Brett, she must slowly rot its roots


    from within, and she alone wasn''t enough.


    "Here''s the deal, I''ll help you regain your memory."


    Izabe''s body stiffened, and she gripped the phone tightly. "Can you help me regain my memory?"


    She thought she would never be able to regain her memory for the rest of her life. After all, she was


    hypnotized by Brett for so long that she almost became a fool.


    "As long as you see something that stimtes the brain a little, you can regain your memory. I


    identally got a small video clip that should help you stimte your memory."


    Izabe''s amnesia had two main aspects. First, she was initially forced under hypnosis due to some


    stimtion, and during the hypnosis, she was also willing to forget, so the hypnosis was sessful.


    The second aspect was the medicine she took every night. The medication was like a lock, while


    her brain was like a huge door. As the drugs umted, more and more keys appeared, and the


    memories locked behind the door were like floodwaters and beasts, ready to be unleashed, but she


    just needed a little stimtion.


    Izabe wasn''t easily fooled. "You want to help me regain my memory just to see Brett and me


    suffer together, making it easier for you to take advantage. My memory recovery would benefit you,


    but it wouldn''t help me."


    Smart girl.


    "Think what you want. After all, the memory is yours, so take it or leave it."


    "You don''t need to provoke me, Nathaniel. I know what you''re thinking. As a businessman, you


    should know what kind of deal is worth it. My life is not worth much. Since I''m nning to die with


    Brett anyway, here''s what I propose: send me that video you have, and when I regain my memory, I


    can promise you one thing, as long as it doesn''t go against morals."


    There was a moment of silence on the phone. Nathaniel seemed to be thinking after listening to


    Izabe''s words. After a while, he said, "Well, there''s something I''ve been wanting to ask you."


    Izabe narrowed her eyes, she had a feeling that Nathaniel''s initial approach to her wasn''t that


    simple.


    This guy was no different from Brett at his core - both businessmen, both full of themselves, selfish,


    and not afraid to y dirty.


    "What''s the issue?"


    "Brett bought an ind in R City, saying he wanted to build an amusement park, but actually, there''s


    a bunch of illegal mines underneath it. The amusement park is just a ruse to divert attention so they


    can smuggle the minerals out."


    "You want to know where the minerals from beneath the ind were taken so you can intercept


    them, right?" Izabe immediately understood his intention.


    "I love talking to smart people. The ind is called Starry Brilliance Ind, and ording to my


    investigation, the minerals have already been transported to J City."


    Starry Brilliance Ind, minerals, J City, amusement park ¨C fragments of something shed through


    her mind like a needle piercing her skull, causing her to wince and hold her head tightly.


    She felt that she hade across these words long ago, otherwise, her reaction wouldn''t have


    been so strong upon hearing them.


    "Do you know?" Nathaniel asked again, his tone indifferent, not revealing how important the


    minerals were to him.


    As luck would have it, Izabe did know. There was a period when she was bored and joined Brett


    at hispany to pass the time. At that time, Brett was very busy with endless meetings, work, and


    conversations with Liam.


    She would rest and sleep in a partitioned area of the office, and during her birthday, she overheard


    Brett and Liam discussing where to transport these minerals.


    Liam was quite wary of her, but Brett didn''t seem particrly concerned.


    "I do, but you must do something for me first."


    Nathaniel mocked, "You don''t want me to sneak you away, do you?"


    Izabe didn''t deny it. She knew how important those minerals were to Brett. If Nathaniel wanted


    them, he needed to offer something in return. More than her own life, she cared about the well-


    being of those who had been good to her.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Before that, help me get Tiara safely out, and protect her family."


    "Who''s Tiara?"


    "Brett''s maid who signed abor contract. She helped me before, and I''m afraid she''ll get implicated


    after I leave."


    He thought she was ruthless, but her heart still held some kindness.


    "No problem. I''ll find a ce for Tiara and her family, and you tell me the general location of those


    minerals," Nathaniel asked again, "Do you still want to watch the video I have?"


    "Yes," Izabe said. "You just want me to regain my memory, right? But I''m outside right now, and I


    don''t have my phone. How am I supposed to watch it?"


    "Find an inte caf¨¦. I''ll give you an ount and password ¨C remember them, and log in on the


    computer there. The video will be inside." On the other end of the phone, Nathaniel lit a cigarette,


    yed with his lighter, the me reflected in his eyes.


    "Fine." Izabe didn''t say any more and hung up.


    The weather was foggy, and Izabe looked around. She hid in a phone booth, took off her jacket,


    turned it inside out and put it back on, then took out a mask and put it on, letting her long hair cover


    her face.


    There was an inte caf¨¦ not too far away, filled with people, mostly students.


    Izabe paid and immediately found a seat inside. She opened the website Nathaniel mentioned


    and entered the ount and password. The inte connection was great, and she was directly led


    to a chat forum. Shortly after, a video popped up on the nk page.

 Chapter 284

    Chapter 284


    The hospital was in chaos as Brett was found to be poisoned. The only thing he had consumed


    today was the bowl of dark soup brought by Izabe.


    The soup bowl was still on the table, with the leftovers sent for testing. The results came back


    quickly, revealing the presence of a weed killer ingredient in the remedy.


    Upon hearing this, Adrian panicked. The weed killer was from his home. Recently, a lot of weeds


    had appeared in the vi''s garden. After several unsessful attempts to get rid of them, he


    purchased a box of potent weed killer, which was lethal upon spraying. The weeds did indeed die


    quickly, drying up in less than two days. What he never expected was that while the weeds died,


    Brett almost got killed as well.


    This powerful weed killer has a strong corrosive effect, capable of eroding tree roots, let alone


    human stomach and intestines. Fortunately, Brett was in the hospital when he was poisoned, and


    without dy, he was taken to have his stomach pumped.


    If he were far away from a hospital, one mishandling or a slight dy could have cost him his life


    without knowing how he died.


    Brett was taken into the operating room for gastricvage. He vomited incessantly, acid reflux


    bubbling up constantly.


    The process of gastricvage is extremely ufortable. Unlike some surgeries where you can be


    put under full anesthesia and wake up when it''s done, gastricvage requires a stress response and


    induces vomiting. It feels as if there is a washing machine running in the stomach. Even Brett, who


    can endure a lot, turned pale from the pain, his body convulsing.


    Adrian and a few bodyguards stood outside, full of worry.


    "Isn''t this a crime? Shouldn''t we call the police?"


    "We can''t call the police," Adrian immediately denied this action. If Brett found out they were about


    to send his beloved to prison, they would likely end up jobless.


    "Let''s wait until President Windhames out to decide."


    At this moment, everyone''s attention was focused on the stomach-pumping room, fearing


    something might happen to Brett.


    Halfway through the process, Brett felt his stomach easing a bit. Although it still hurt, it wasn''t as


    unbearable as before, like something was corroding his stomach.


    Typically, a powerful poison like what Brett ingested requires half an hour of stomach pumping.


    However, since the poisoning was detected early, twenty minutes was enough.


    Bretty on the table, vomiting. After he recovered some strength, he asked for Adrian.


    Adrian walked in nervously, the first words out of his mouth an apology, "I''m sorry, President


    Windham. I should''ve kept a better eye on the weed killer, which madam took."


    Brett looked awful, abination of the pain from the stomach pumping, the tense atmosphere,


    and a certain fear.


    "Thankfully, it was me who consumed the weed killer."


    Adrian froze, suddenly understanding the meaning behind Brett''s words.


    "If Izabe had ingested it, I would''ve been done for," Brett said, his voice hoarse.


    Adrian swallowed hard, realizing that Brett regarded Izabe as a treasure more valuable than his


    own life. He also felt a sudden fear. Thankfully, Izabe didn''t drink the weed killer, and they hadn''t


    impulsively called the police.


    "Where is Izabe?"


    "She went to the restroom," Adrian replied. Women tend to take longer in the restroom. They had all


    rushed over due to their concern for Brett, inadvertently forgetting Izabe.


    When someone is in a state of anxiety, time seems to pass very quickly.


    Brett tensed, suddenly bing anxious, "She''s still in there after so long?"


    Adrian, growing old and slow to react, suddenly realized something was wrong and broke out into a


    cold sweat.


    "I''ll go find her right away."


    Brett had just had his stomach pumped. The danger was not yet fully averted, as he needed to be


    examined to determine if he needed another stomach pumping, but he couldn''t care less about that.


    He only wanted to know if Izabe was still there.


    However, reality gave him a loud p in the face, Izabe had run away again. Why was she


    always disobedient, always thinking about leaving him over and over again!


    Brett''s eyes were as sharp as a knife, creating a bone-chilling coldness wherever theynded.


    "What use is it having so many of you here if you can''t even keep one person under control!" He


    had nothing in his hand, or else he would have surely thrown it at these idiots.


    Adrian wiped the sweat off his forehead, "President Windham, we have already sent people to find


    her. You should rest first."


    Brett''s face was gloomy, "Are you telling me what to do?"


    His stomach began to spasm again. He gasped a breath of cold air, his left hand casted, his right


    hand holding his belly, pitifully miserable.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Arrange the car, I am going to look for her."


    "President Windham." Adrian stepped forward, no one else dared to persuade Brett, so it was up to


    him. "You just had your stomach pumped. The poison in your stomach may not have been


    completely cleared. Besides, your left hand is inconvenient. We have already sent people to find


    her. You should rest here."


    Brett scoffed, "You couldn''t keep an eye on her in the hospital bathroom, how are you going to find


    her outside? Adrian, I think you''ve be senile. You can''t watch her once and now you''ve lost her


    twice. And now you expect me to listen to you?" Brett was usually very good-tempered and


    gentlemanly.


    This was only the second time Adrian had seen him this angry, perhaps it was because Izabe had


    been pushing him too hardtely and he couldn''t find an outlet for his frustration.


    Now all his anger was unleashed, making Adrian felt as if his spine was being forcefully poked,


    making him lower his head involuntarily.


    Brett wanted to leave. Not only were these subordinates opposed, but the hospital also couldn''t let


    him go for his own health''s sake. But to forcefully keep him here was impossible.


    In desperation, his attending physician could only repeatedly remind him, "You must return within six


    hours for a physical examination."


    Brett didn''t respond. Izabe was getting better and better at escaping. Who knew if she had


    already gotten in a car and left.


    Brett, holding back his stomach pain, quickly got into the car. He called to check the surveince,


    while using his phone to connect to nearby surveince to look for Izabe.


    He had the butler call the vi to ask about the situation. Izabe hadn''t returned, but Tiara and the


    cat were there, which gave him some peace of mind. Izabe cared about Tiara and the cat, so she


    wouldn''t leave.


    Although he thought this way, thefort it brought was minimal.


    What if Izabe didn''t care about an outsider and a cat these next few days?


    If she made a rash decision and something happened, what could he do to Tiara and the cat.


    Brett watched the monitor and saw Izabe leave the hospital in another direction. He immediately


    ordered the driver to turn around.


    No matter where Izabe went, he would find her!


    At the inte cafe.


    Izabe stared at the iing video. She was so close to regaining her memory, but at this


    moment, she was scared.


    The fears that had been buried deep inside her suddenly erupted, forcefully telling her not to open


    the video, that there was something terrifying waiting for her in it.


    Izabe took a deep breath, her hand slowly moving to the mouse, carefully clicking into the video.


    The video showed a man kneeling on the ground in a strange posture. His white shirt was stained


    red with blood, and his legs were twisted, clearly broken.

 Chapter 285

    Chapter 285


    The video was edited and only five minutes long.


    Izabe sat nkly in front of theputer. When the video appeared, her blocked memories


    leaked out like a flood, overwhelming her entire consciousness in an instant, then slowly turning into


    pieces of broken ice. They were bright like a cracked mirror, each fragment recording her lost


    memories.


    Those memories were like arrogant demons, howling andpeting inside her, trying to hide her


    most fearful memories. But as the video yed, the locks containing these "demons" broke one by


    one, leaving them exposed and bloody in front of Izabe.


    As a gunshot echoed in the video, Izabe''s eyes reddened, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She


    clutched her head tightly and fell screaming from the chair.


    "No! Ryker!"


    Her brain was feeling like exploding. She held her head tightly, desperately trying to suppress those


    emerging memories. But it was useless. Those images were clear and cruel, forcing her to confront


    them directly.


    "Don''t leave...¡±


    ¡ª"Cry Baby, I can''t carry you home this time."


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    ¡ª"Be, I''m not in pain. Don''t be sad for me."


    ¡ª"I''ll help you with anything you''re scared of, including people."


    ¡ª"Be, I''m sorry. Ryker is just a stupid little boy who can''t protect you..."


    "Ahh!" Izabe cried painfully. After the video finished, the ount automatically logged out, and the


    computer screen went dark. The people in the inte cafe were startled by the sudden scream,


    and their attention was drawn to the corner filled with crying.


    Izabe covered her mouth with her hands, trembling like a bundle. Tears fell one by one, each


    feeling scalding painful as they dropped onto her hands.


    She choked out a whisper: "No wonder I couldn''t find you no matter how hard I tried. We''re not in


    the same world anymore."


    Blocked memories are terrifying, but not the most painful. What plunged her into despair and


    struggle was witnessing Ryker''s death with her own eyes. She called Brett ten times, but he never


    answered, and in the end, Ryker''s life was lost to this "gamble."


    Ryker, who gave her all his cookies and made her donut earrings. The Ryker who promised to


    protect her forever is now dead, blood-stained and lying right in front of her eyes.


    He was still the same little boy who carried her home neen years ago, the one who gave her


    donuts to stop her crying, and died right in front of her when she finally recognized him.


    Izabe gasped painfully. The long-healed scars on her body began to ache again, with veins


    bulging on her neck, and she tore at her hair as she clutched her head.


    Her heart was already riddled with holes, and her soul shattered along with it. Izabe wrapped


    herself in a small box, thinking she could escape the past. But the box was filled with needles, and


    no matter how she tried to avoid them, they would still pierce her.


    The owner of the inte cafe came over after hearing the noise, looked at Izabe who was curled


    up on the floor, and asked quietly: "Miss, what''s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"


    Izabe didn''t seem to hear him, and her beautiful eyes were like pitch-ck abysses, empty and


    fearful.


    The owner reached out to touch her shoulder gently.


    At that slight touch, Izabe trembled like a frightened bird, her downcast eyshes quivering.


    "Do you need to go to the hospital?" the inte cafe owner asked.


    Under the strong stimtion, Izabe briefly shut down her senses. She watched the man''s mouth


    open and close in front of her, but she just couldn''t hear his voice clearly.


    She leaned against the chair beside her, stumbled, and fell to the ground again. Her hair messily


    covered her face, making her look like a madwoman.


    Her hand was pressed down by the chair, and arge patch of skin swelled, but Izabe didn''t seem


    to feel any pain, as if she had gotten used to it.


    She wobbled to her feet and said hoarsely, "He''s dead. From the start, I was nothing but a mistake."


    She mistakenly thought Brett was the one who saved her when she was eight, and had been


    worshipping a heartless and ruthless demon as her dream for so many years.


    Her stomach clenched, and Izabe hung her head as blood oozed from her slightly open mouth,


    staining her hair red. She slowly walked away like a ghost, and the people around her automatically


    distanced themselves from her, fearing she was a madwoman who would hurt others.


    Walking out of the inte cafe, she stood on the street, looking up at the foggy sky, as if a dark


    grey despair draped over her head. An invisible giant hand was gripping her, tightening bit by bit,


    making her skin constrict and her bones shatter, and her soul within trembled.


    A ck luxury car quickly stopped in front of her, and Izabe''s pupils flickered as she saw Brett


    come out of the back seat. He was wearing a white shirt that didn''t quite suit his character, towering


    and elegant, though his face was a bit pale from the recent stomach pumping.


    "Come back with me." Brett nced at her outfit and knew she wanted to run away. He was initially


    angry, but when he saw her thin body, swollen eyes, and the blood on the corner of her mouth, his


    heart seemed to turn cold and shatter like ice.


    He walked over and took Izabe''s cold hand. To his surprise, she didn''t resist and obediently


    followed him into the car.


    "You wanted to run away?" Brett asked, holding her body with one arm.


    "Yeah, it''s just a pity that you''re not dead yet. Got scared halfway through, huh?"


    Brett clenched his teeth, tasting a hint of blood. His recently cleaned stomach began to burn again.


    He asked in a hoarse voice, "Izabe, do you really hate me that much?"


    Izabeughed as if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world. Her body shook violently like


    a tiny grass in the rainstorm.


    "Do these hands still look clean?" She shakily held out her ugly hands in front of Brett.


    Brett''s breath hitched for a moment, and his secret fear which he had always tried to suppress


    suddenly erupted, and the terror in his eyes seemed to swallow him like a storm.


    After a long time, he tried to speak, but his throat was choked.


    "You remembered everything?"


    "Yes, I remember everything. Brett, how can I not hate you? You left my family in ruins and


    delivered me into the hands of the kidnappers where I was tortured! How can I not hate you? It


    must''ve been hard for you toe up with so many lies to fool this stupid girl during the months I


    lost my memory."


    Brett''s throat choked up, he wanted to say something, but he didn''t know what to say.


    The hatred in Izabe''s eyes grew thicker, almost like scalding mes, branded onto him.


    Izabe suddenly spoke softly, sarcastically: "I''m curious, how can you see these scars on me and


    tell the story of our love? Don''t you feel guilty and disgusted?"


    "I''m sorry." Brett never thought that an apology would be so difficult and so ineffective.


    "You want to solve my wounds with just one ''sorry''? Can I also shoot you and say it was an


    idental discharge?"


    She would never ept Brett''s apology. Otherwise, what would her finger full of steel needles


    mean? What would the scars on her body mean? How would Ryker''s death count?


    Thinking of Ryker, Izabe''s tears flowed again, the pain unbearable.


    "I know saying sorry can''t solve the problem. So, Be, give me a chance to make it up to you,


    okay? me me for being arrogant, me me for not believing you got stomach cancer and letting


    you get hurt." Tears welled up in Brett''s eyes as he tightly held Izabe''s hand. If they weren''t in the


    car, he would have knelt down.


    Izabe''s icy gaze made him shudder, and he didn''t know what to do to make her stop looking at


    him like that.


    "Izabe, please give me a chance to atone. Even murderers have their day in court, don''t just give


    up on me. I really know I was wrong. The reason your baby was aborted this time was because of


    your stomach cancer. The doctor said you couldn''t get pregnant, and I''ve already found a medical


    team studying cancer. You''ll be saved soon."


    Izabe looked at him quietly, and after hearing about the child, she smirked: "The only thing you


    did right was to kill that child. You''re right, he shouldn''t havee into this world. If I had regained


    my memory earlier, I wouldn''t have let him stay in my belly for that long, four months."


    "Brett, congrattions on killing your second child, you deserve to be childless." Sheughed coldly,


    her eyes like a venomous snake.


    Brett''s pupils trembled, "No, what you said is not true." Izabe loved their children so much. How


    could she say that the dead child shouldn¡¯t exist? Would she be so disgusted by anything rted to


    him?


    Izabeughed again, ridiculing Brett''s arrogance. Those clear and clean pupils gradually


    shattered, getting darker and darker like ink blending in...


    Izabe''s eyes were filled with nothing but pain and hatred, the kind of hatred that seared into her


    bones.


    With her reddened eyes, she calmly said, "I have a video for you. Watch it when you have time, and


    watch it over and over..."

 Chapter 286

    Chapter 286


    "You think I''d still like that baby rted to you after knowing all this?" Izabe spat out harsh words,


    but deep down, her heart ached so much it was unbearable, as if a tiny hand was clutching it tightly.


    Izabe''s eyes were swollen and red like blood, too painful to shed tears. "You have no idea how I


    endured that hour, and those ten phone calls... I made ten calls to you, why didn''t you pick up? If


    you''d just answered the veryst one, Ryker wouldn''t be dead."


    She didn''t fear the pain or bing disabled; all she couldn''t ept was the person who mattered


    most in her life leaving her.


    He had been the light in her heart for more than a decade, the one she had silently guarded, only to


    be extinguished by Brett so easily.


    Brett''s throat tightened. He picked up Izabe''s jacket and wrapped it around her, covering the


    scars below her neck. Holding her tightly, his tears fell directly onto her neck. "You should hate me,


    and I don''t deserve your forgiveness, but Izabe, you''re all I have left. I know I''m unforgivable, but


    please give me a chance to atone."


    Izabe''s body stiffened like a puppet as she stared at the retreating street outside the window. The


    window was half-open, and the cool breeze blew in gently, like a tender hand caressing the tear


    stains on her cheeks.


    "Brett, I''ve already given you a chance. I''ve been married to you for five years, a full five years. I''m


    afraid of pain, yet I hurt myself recklessly, all for the sake of loving you. But now I realize it''s all my


    fault. No wonder so many people call me cheap and tell me to go die."


    "I also think I''m cheap and stupid. I''ve aplished nothing in my life, and I even mistakenly


    thought you were the person who saved me when I was a child."


    Izabe''s light exhale fell on the back of his neck, and Brett felt as if he''d been struck by lightning,


    his scalp tingling. At this moment, he really didn''t know what to do.


    Izabe knew it all. She not only regained her memory but also knew that the one who saved her


    years ago was Ryker, not him.


    Brett was frantic, his hands trembling as he held onto Izabe. The coldness in his heart spread


    throughout his body along his blood, even making his toes shiver.


    He couldn''t bear this kind of fear and wanted to escape. But if he fled, the Izabe in front of him


    would disappear. Brett took a shaky breath. "I won''t let you go, never, never!"


    This was said for Izabe to hear, as well as for himself. He couldn''t let go of Izabe, even if it


    meant dying.


    How could Izabe not know what he was thinking? No one knew better than her what a selfish and


    immoral man he was.


    Before their divorce, he had her cornered with a mental illness diagnosis; after the divorce, perhaps


    he would lock her in a hidden ce.


    This was his usual tactic, after all, he had once held her like a dog on a leash.


    "Right now, I hate you and also feel relieved. The thing I''m relieved about is that the person who


    saved me 18 years ago wasn''t you. I just mistook the person, but at least I didn''t love the wrong


    one. Fortunately, I didn''t love someone as ungrateful and cruel as you."


    Brett''s ears buzzed, his heart aching as if cut by a knife. For the first time, he experienced


    heartache and the pain of a thousand arrows piercing through him.


    "Have you really never loved me at all during our years together?"


    Izabe tilted her head andughed, "I only loved that memory, that memory has nothing to do with


    you. Brett, you just took something belonging to someone else; how could I possibly like you?"


    Brett grabbed her shoulders, staring intently at her face and eyes, trying to find traces of her words.


    "I don''t believe it. I saw that box hidden in the basement, with your diary, the scarf you knitted for


    me, and your drawing of me. I don''t believe all of it is fake!"


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Izabe suddenly pushed him away. Due to his injured hand and recent stomach pump, Brett was


    weak. He was pushed onto the car door, feeling a bit dizzy.


    "It''s true, but the premise is that I thought you were the one who saved me back then. Unfortunately,


    I mistook the person, giving my true heart to the wrong one. Since you read that diary, you should


    know how disappointed I am with you."


    Brett remembered thest sentence in the diary.


    -"If there is a next life, let''s part ways and find our own happiness."


    Just thinking of the oue with Izabe made him ache to the core.


    Izabe looked at his painful expression, a hint of pleasure rising in her heart. The more she once


    loved Brett, the more she now hated him. No, her hatred had already surpassed a million times.


    Unconsciously, she moved closer to the car door, her elbow leaning on the window button.


    "Brett, good deeds will be rewarded, and evil deeds will be punished."


    Brett pursed his lips, suddenly chuckling bitterly. "I believe it. If I go to hell, I''ll take you with me." So


    that they would be together forever.


    "Ha ha ha..." Izabe suddenly burst outughing, as if she had heard a joke. Sheughed so hard


    that her stomach hurt and tears flowed.


    Brett anxiously watched herughter. Herughing face was uglier than crying. He felt as if a bucket


    of cold water had drenched his body.


    Izabe couldn''t stopughing. Her eyes widened, and her expression twisted, "I''ve been living in


    hell already. Brett, I''m waiting for you and Kaley in hell."


    It was as if something shattered. What did she mean, she was already living in hell? Before Brett


    understood her words, he saw the car window behind Izabe suddenly open.


    The wind blew in wildly, messing up her long hair. He shuddered involuntarily, and the scene before


    him seemed to slow down.


    After Izabe finished speaking, she turned around, propped herself up on the car window, and


    forced herself out with a burst of strength.


    Her face was filled with a smile, not showing an ounce of fear. As her body fell from the car window,


    her jacket flew up like butterfly wings.


    It was as if her wings had grown back.


    The driver in front had been ignoring everything happening behind him. Driving nervously, he


    suddenly heard a "bang" from outside, as if something had fallen out.


    "Izabe!"

 Chapter 287

    Chapter 287


    ¡ª"Brett, I''ve been living in hell for a long time now..."


    "Izabe!" Brett yelled in fear, "Stop the car!"


    The driver instinctively mmed the brakes, propelled forward due to inertia. He was startled and


    nced back. The sealed car window was open unknowingly, the wind howling as if mourning.


    Izabe knew she couldn''t go back with him. Going back would be hell.


    She could only save herself now.


    Izabe had disappeared. Seeing Brett jump off the car, the driver regained his senses and got out


    of the car to check the situation.


    Izabe felt as if all her internal organs had shifted from the fall, the pain in her leg was unbearable


    as if it was broken.


    She didn''t know where her coat had fallen. Her white sweater had rolled on the ground, revealing


    her skin which felt the searing pain of friction on the cement, her body burning all over.


    Her body was trembling from the pain, even feeling pain was a luxury at this point.


    But it didn''t matter. She just wanted freedom now, to live with dignity.


    The moment Brett saw the car charging towards Izabe, his body went cold and his breath hitched.


    Brett rushed over, picked up Izabe, his face rubbing against her blood-stained cheek, feeling her


    weak breathing.


    "Do you really want to escape?" In the strange gaze of the crowd, Brett held Izabe, his face pale


    and helpless like a child.


    This is what Brett had always feared. Izabe would break down after regaining that part of her


    memory, then she would be like a living dead.


    Nobody knows better than him how much Izabe loved Ryker, who saved her eighteen years ago.


    He came into Izabe''s life when she most needed help and warmth, lit a fire and warmed her for


    more than a decade.


    That vague figure stayed in her heart for years, constantly beautified, letting her willingly love a man


    who endlessly hurt her.


    He held Izabe back into the car and carefully wiped the blood from her cheek with the tissue


    handed over by the driver.


    Izabe¡¯s body was very cold, like ice. Fortunately, this happened on a crowded street. The car


    wasn''t fast, Izabe rolled out with some injuries, looked severe but curable. Unlike the wound in


    her heart which couldn''t be healed no matter what.


    The car was full of heat, but Izabe''s body kept trembling, both cold and painful.


    He dared not hold her too tight for fear of hurting her. The driver went out and picked up the coat


    that had fallen on the roadside. Brett took it and gently covered Izabe. She was injured all over,


    Brett could only gently grasp her cold hand and slowly rub it.


    "Go to the hospital."


    Without needing Brett to remind, the driver conscientiously opened the navigation and headed


    towards the hospital. Both of them were injured, one with a hand wound, the other tumbled out of


    the car, not knowing where the blood came from.


    Izabe didn''t faint. The most painful part of her body were her legs, if she had to guess, they were


    probably broken. She found it amusing, why couldn''t she just die given all this.


    With her eyes closed, she endured the pain in silence, not wanting to see Brett''s disgusted face.


    Brett would never let go this time. In the instant Izabe fell, her eyes weren''t filled with fear or


    panic, only relief and happiness. That look, even remembering it made Brett shiver.


    He wiped the blood off Izabe''s forehead with a damp tissue, murmuring with a hoarse voice: "I


    lied to you just because I love you too much, I''m afraid of you leaving me."


    "I originally thought we could start over after your memory loss. I know I was wrong. I''m guilty. But I


    really don''t want to lose you, I love you...I love you...Izabe don''t leave me, I only have you..."


    Towards the end, Brett began to choke.


    It seemed like he had just obtained a precious pearl, but before he could appreciate it, the pearl


    shattered in his hand. He desperately tried to piece the shards back together, but they never fit


    perfectly.


    "I''m so stupid, to have made the same mistake twice..." Izabe murmured, her lips pale and


    trembling, her voice soft as if it would disperse with a light breeze.


    "After losing her memory, Izabe fell in love with you again, but you killed her with your own


    hands..."


    She didn''t refer to herself as "I", but as "Izabe", as if she were narrating someone else''s story.


    Brett closed his eyes, various thoughts flooding his mind, all about how to make Izabe unable to


    leave him.


    Izabe was taken to the hospital for examination, and indeed, both of her legs were broken.


    Upon hearing the test results, Brett felt a pulsation in his temple.


    The doctor said, "The left leg is fractured, the right foot is injured at the ankle, both legs need to be


    casted. They should heal in 3-4 months. She must rest well during this time, and remember to


    massage and rehabilitate."


    Brett''s eyelid twitched, "What if it''s not treated?"


    The doctor was stunned by the question, then after a moment replied, "If it is not treated, these legs


    will be disabled in the long run, and she will spend her life in a wheelchair."


    Spending life in a wheelchair, unable to move, that meant Izabe wouldn''t be able to leave him.


    Brett said, "Then don''t treat it."


    The doctor''s face changed, "This isn''t right, these legs can clearly be healed, why not treat them?"


    The doctor felt a chill run down his back, thinking this man in front of him was a madman, and he


    began to feel a tremor in his legs.


    Brett just didn''t want Izabe to leave him, he never thought about making her suffer. So he asked


    the doctor to prescribe some medicine to alleviate the pain from the fractures.


    He thought to himself, if Izabe was willing to let go of the past and live a good life with him, then


    he would let the doctor heal her legs. If she wasn''t, then she wouldn''t be able to stand again.


    He had all the time in the world to "make it up" to Izabe. Yes, this was just for her. Brettforted


    himself in this way.


    Brett returned to the ward and looked at Izabe lying on the bed, "The doctor said your legs can''t


    be cured, you can only sit in a wheelchair in the future."


    Izabe showed a slight reaction, then sank back into her own world.


    Brett walked up to her, sat at the edge of the bed and gently stroked her leg, "Look at you, if you


    hadn''t tried tomit suicide, your legs wouldn''t be crippled."


    Indeed, she brought all of this on herself.


    "Even if your legs are broken, this way you won''t think about leaving me. Izabe, don''t hate me.


    There''s new progress in the stomach cancer surgery, your legs¡­" Brett paused, "Once your


    stomach is better, I''ll figure out a way to treat you here. As long as you listen to me, I won''t harm


    you."


    It was absurd, truly absurd. The person who pushed her into a corner was telling her that all he did


    was for her own good, and asked her not to hate him.


    A drug was injected into Izabe''s legs, causing her to lose sensation. She could barely feel her


    legs enymore, there was no feeling even when she pinched them with her hands.


    Timely treatment for broken legs is not a big issue, but Brett was determined to have her confined to


    a wheelchair for life.


    Brett carefully studied Izabe''s features, her small earlobes, her thin lips lightly pursed together.


    Izabe remained silent, staring at the nk ceiling, as if she could see something there.


    Brett''s left hand was injured, making it inconvenient to take care of Izabe, so he brought Tiara to


    the hospital.


    Upon seeing Izabe''s legs, Tiara burst into tears, sitting by the bed holding a tissue to wipe her


    eyes. She couldn''t understand why the kind Izabe had to endure so much, why do good people


    always suffer such misfortune?


    Brett woulde to wash Izabe''s face and feed her every day. Despite his injured hand making


    movement difficult, he still took care of Izabe very attentively. He and Tiara ced her in the


    wheelchair, looked at her delicate feet, and Tiara went to fetch socks for her.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "I''ll do it." Without saying another word, Brett took the socks from Tiara''s hands, knelt down on one


    knee, and put the socks on Izabe.


    He was always the gentlest at these times, able to deceive everyone.


    With her eyes open, Izabe looked at the light on the wall, her eyes gradually filled with its


    brightness, reflecting Brett''s dark silhouette.


    The wheelchair was custom-made by Brett, with the seat and backrest being very soft and


    comfortable. But the wheelchair could only move with the help of others, the person sitting in it was


    unable to move, this was to prevent her from getting hurt.


    After Izabe had a miscarriage, she became very skinny. Now that her legs were broken and she


    spent every day eating and sleeping, she became even skinnier. Especially her face, her eye


    sockets were sunken in, showing no signs of emotions.


    Brett prepared a lot of things for her to pass the time, such as a variety of books, Rubik''s cube,


    drawing books... But Izabe never touched any of them.


    She lost her legs and her ability to speak. After Brett told her that her legs were crippled that day,


    she never spoke again, her lips seemed to be sewn shut.


    Brett, on the other hand, epted it quickly. He had only one thought in his mind: as long as


    Izabe didn''t leave him.


    Wherever the wheelchair was pushed, she sat there, looking at the fountain in the garden, listening


    to the sparrows chirping. This winter was destined to be her toughest.


    On December 20th, 5 days away from Brett''s engagement, Izabe knew nothing about it.


    Brett personally picked a red cashmere coat for Izabe to wear. A phone call came in, he


    answered it and said a few words, his face not looking good.


    After hanging up the phone, Brett squatted in front of Izabe, looking at her eye-to-eye, "I have


    something to do and need to go out. Tiara will apany you when you''re discharged, I''ll arrange


    for someone to pick you up."

 Chapter 288

    Chapter 288


    Izabe''s legs were injured, but there was nothing wrong with her ears. She had good hearing, and


    could tell that it was Kaley calling Brett, but wasn''t able to catch exactly what they were talking


    about.


    Izabe didn''t react, and Brett wasn''t discouraged. He had already grown used to her cold attitude


    over the past few weeks. Even though it didn''t feel great, he thought it was a lot better than how she


    constantly wanted to die before.


    After Brett left, Tiara took over the wheelchair and continued to push Izabe. Then a nurse came


    straight up to Izabe.


    "Ms. Salotti, someone asked me to deliver a message to you."


    Izabe didn''t react, but Tiara was stunned. Her past experience told her that it was best to act like


    she hadn''t seen or heard anything.


    Izabe patted Tiara''s hand, then spoke for the first time in days, her voice barely audible, "Tiara,


    stand back a bit. I want to talk to her."


    Tiara hesitated, "But¡­"


    "Don''t worry, nothing will happen. Just stand a little further and watch me."


    "Alright." Tiara let go of the wheelchair and walked about twenty or thirty steps away, stopping at a


    distance of about ten meters.


    The nurse leaned in close to Izabe and whispered a few words. Izabe''s eyshes quivered as


    she clenched her hands on herp.


    When the nurse finished, Izabe immediately said, "I choose 2. And, deliver a message back to


    him for me¡­"


    The nurse seemed surprised, but she simply nodded and walked away without arousing any


    suspicion.


    In the afternoon, Brett sent his driver to pick up Izabe from the hospital.


    Brett instructed the housekeeper to prepare a room on the first floor for Izabe to stay in.


    When Izabe returned to the vi, she went straight into the room, which was identical to the one


    she stayed in on the second floor.


    That evening, Brett brought desserts for Izabe, as she loved sweets. He brought her a slice of


    cake. He took the cake to her bedroom, opened it, and brought it closer to her mouth, "Want some?


    I got someone to wait in line for this today. I heard it tastes great."


    Izabe just stared silently out of the window, not reacting until the cake touched her lips, when she


    mechanically ate it.


    Her stiff movement resembled a broken, rusty machine ¨C even eating a piece of cake seemed to be


    an arduous task and her mouth ended up full.


    "Is it good?" Brett wasn''t a fan of sweets, but watching Izabe eat, he started to get an appetite


    too. Noticing the cream on her lips, he leaned in and kissed it away, tasting the cake in the process.


    So sweet¡­


    Izabe didn''t say a word, just ate however much cake Brett fed her. Eventually, she choked and


    started to retch, hunching over in the wheelchair.


    Brett hurried to bring her water and tissues, eventually fetching a trash can. It took some time to


    clean up the mess.


    Vomiting wasn''t a pleasant experience. Izabe drank water, her mouth opening and closing


    involuntarily, water dribbling down her chin and soaking her cor.


    Brett wiped her face and neck with a towel, apologizing, "I''m sorry, I didn''t take good care of you."


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    He stroked her long hair, "Within three months, your condition should improve. Izabe, if you think


    you''re in hell, then I''ll apany you through it. Once we''re used to it, it won''t feel like hell


    anymore."


    "Don''t believe things you hear in the next three months, no matter what happens," Brett said, as he


    helped Izabe into bed.


    Three days were left until Brett''s engagement. He got busier by the day, returning homete at night


    and barely seeing anyone all day long.


    His cast was off now, but he still felt asional prickling pain in his left palm, like being stabbed with


    a needle.


    He found a scarf he had learned to knitst winter in the hospital and gave it to Izabe, "I knitted


    this scarf for youst winter. You woke up when it was warming up, so I didn''t have a chance to give


    it to you."


    She didn''t respond, and he appeared to be talking to himself like a nagging grandma.


    Brett sighed as another call took him away. As usual, he instructed everyone to take good care of


    Izabe, and asked Tiara to chat more with her and try to cheer her up.


    In reality, Tiara tried her best every day to console Izabe. Tiara was unaware of the details of her


    car ident, only that her legs were now permanently disabled and couldn''t be fixed.


    Weren''t they perfectly fine just a few days ago, she even made soup for Brett. How could they


    suddenly have such a serious ident?


    Tiara was currently knitting a sweater for her daughter in her favorite light yellow color. Niki looked


    on curiously, reaching out to grab the sweater and y with the yarn ball, causing a tangled mess of


    light yellow thread.


    Niki was yful, fearless and persistent. It especially loved ying with Izabe. However,tely


    Izabe wasn''t in the mood.


    Tiara looked at the knotted yarn, sighing helplessly as she patted Niki''s head, "You¡­ how can you


    be so mischievous?"


    Tiara tidied up the yarn, cing it somewhere Niki couldn''t reach. She then gave Izabe a leg


    massage, "Living in this world, we should be happy, Izabe. Since we have to live every day


    anyway, why not stay happy and carefree? Staying depressed will only make your condition worse."


    Izabe watched Niki roll around happily on the carpet, then finally spoke, "So, how do I be


    happy?"


    Tiara''s nose felt sour as she held back tears, lowering her head so Izabe wouldn''t notice the


    sadness in her eyes. She was supposed tofort Izabe, but the roles seemed to have


    reversed.


    Izabe took off the scarf Brett had tied around her neck and threw it on the ground, saying, "A


    broken rope, no matter how you tie it, will always have a knot."


    The room fell silent for a moment.


    Tiara, trying to divert attention, grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. Coincidentally, the first


    thing that came on was a news segment about Kaley and Brett''s uing engagement.


    It was already toote for Tiara to turn off the TV. In fact, everyone knew that Brett was going to get


    engaged to another woman, except for Izabe.


    "Um, Izabe..." Tiara hesitated, wanting to exin, but not knowing how to begin. After all, the truth


    was right in front of them - should she stillfort Izabe and tell her not to be sad?


    What was once a legitimate wife has now suddenly be the mistress.


    "Is their engagement party the day after tomorrow?"


    Tiara didn''t answer.


    Izabe smirked, showing a smile for the first time in days, and said softly, "An engagement, huh?


    Then let me prepare a gift for him that he''ll never forget."

 Chapter 289

    Chapter 289


    She nned to give Brett a big surprise, something he would never forget for the rest of his life.


    Izabe pinched her own earlobe, where there was a light scar.


    As if sensing her emotions, Niki tossed a ball of yarn near Izabe, hoping she''d y with her.


    When she ignored her, Niki rubbed against her fingertips and licked her with her tiny tongue.


    Izabe''s expression softened, and she gently touched the kitten''s head.


    Nowadays, maybe the only one who genuinely cared about her was this little thing.


    At noon, Tiara received a frantic phone call from her daughter and went to the housekeeper to ask


    for a few days off.


    The housekeeper''s face wasplicated. It was close to Christmas, and he had also nned to go


    home. But now, both he and Tiara had to leave, so who would take care of Izabe?


    When Brett came back, Adrian told him about their leave requests. If Brett agreed, they could rx


    and leave. If not, they''d have to stay.


    Brett thought about it. Izabe had a broken leg and couldn''t go anywhere, so it didn''t matter if


    someone was watching her or not.


    "Katie can take care of her alone."


    Adrian sighed with relief. "I''ll be back soon."


    Brett grunted and went to check on Izabe in the room. She was sitting in a wheelchair, wrapped in


    a cloak, with a nket on her legs. Even so, she still couldn''t seem to get warm, her palms feeling


    like blocks of ice.


    Brett''s palms were scorching hot. He squatted in front of her and his hands enveloped her soft


    hand, slowly rubbing it to try and bring her some warmth.


    "Tiara and Adrian are going home soon, so Katie will be the only one left to look after you. If you


    need anything, give me a call."


    "Will you pick up if I call you?" This was the first time in many days that Izabe spoke to him.


    Brett was slightly startled but then quickly reacted, his mouth curving up. "Of course I will."


    Izabe lowered her head to pet the cat in her arms, her voice quiet. "Aren''t you getting engaged


    the day after tomorrow? If I need anything and call you, will you be able to help me during your


    engagement party?"


    Brett''s face darkened, and he asked coldly, "How did you know? Who told you?" He had clearly


    warned everyone in the vi not to be loose-lipped.


    Izabe''s expression was indifferent. "I saw the news of your engagement with Kaley on TV today.


    Congrattions, you finally got what you wished for and are going to be with Kaley."


    His grip on her hand suddenly tightened. "I''m only engaged to her, not married. Remember what I


    told you a few days ago? Don''t believe any rumors. I''m engaged to Kaley for a reason. I don''t love


    her. The only person I love is you."


    He didn''t want her to misunderstand.


    However, Izabe didn''t care. Why would it matter to her who he loved?


    The situation was all too familiar ¨C she and Kaley switching ces, and Brett still ying both sides.


    The colder Izabe was, the more anxious he became. His hand fell on her chin, forcing her to look


    at him. "Kaley''s blood type is the same as yours. In three months, you''ll have stomach cancer


    surgery. I''m afraid something might go wrong during the surgery, so this is a trade between her and


    me."


    "You don''t need to exin that in such detail."


    Brett suddenly felt a chill in his heart. At this moment, he had to admit that Izabe no longer loved


    him. Only he was still living in a web of lies, trapped within his self-imposed boundaries.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    No matter whether they loved each other or not, once Izabe recovered, they would have plenty of


    time to rekindle their feelings. The human heart was made of flesh, and he refused to believe that


    he couldn''t touch hers.


    Brett picked up the cat from herp and massaged her legs as usual.


    Her legs were useless now. If he didn''t massage them, the muscles would atrophy and look terrible.


    Izabe watched him with an indifferent expression and suddenly asked, "Brett, what would you do


    if I was gone one day?"


    He paused for a moment, not overthinking it, just assuming that Izabe was still contemting


    leaving him.


    "I won''t let you go. Besides, you can''t go anywhere now."


    Izabe seemed not to care about that "harsh"ment, murmuring, "I mean, if I suddenly


    disappeared, what would you do?"


    She rarely pursued such an unrealistic question so seriously. Brett felt a sudden emptiness in his


    heart. It was just a hypothetical situation, but his heart felt hollow, desperate for something to fill it.


    His hand trembled as he held her knee. "I might go crazy... I can''t imagine life without you. So...


    Izabe, don''t leave without my permission. I won''t let you go." When he looked up, he saw her


    smiling at him.


    Her eyes were like a bottomless dark hole, he couldn¡¯t find anything in them except for darkness.


    "Brett, do you love me?" Izabe asked softly.


    "I do." It wasn''t just love. His feelings for her were like poison that had seeped into his bloodstream,


    reaching deep into his bones, incurable. "If going crazy from not seeing you is love, then I''m in it


    deep."


    Izabe couldn''t help butugh when she saw his burning gaze. See, she had won the bet. Two


    years ago, she told Presley Felton that she wanted revenge against Brett.


    She bet that he would fall in love with her and regret his actions when she died. He would toss and


    turn at night, be restless, have lifelong regrets, and go mad.


    As sheughed, her gaze softened. She reached up to touch his face. "Don''t worry, I won''t leave. I''ll


    be here as you said, I can''t walk anymore, and I''ll need your care from now on."


    Hearing her say that, Brett breathed a sigh of relief. He clutched her hand and kissed her cold


    fingertips, his voice serious as he said, "Izabe, I love you."


    Her eyes seemed even deeper now.


    The next morning, Tiara said goodbye to Izabe.


    "Izabe, my daughter''s got some trouble, I need to go back for a couple of days, and I''ll be back


    with you soon." She couldn''t bear to leave Izabe, and couldn''t leave her alone here, but her


    daughter urgently called her to go back.


    It seemed as if Izabe already knew, and with a gentle expression, she asked, "Tiara, can I hug


    you?"


    Tiara quickly put down her luggage and wrapped Izabe''s thin body in her arms.


    Izabe greedily hugged her tightly, Tiara''s warmth letting her experience a brief taste of motherly


    love.


    "Safe travels."


    There was a huge floor-to-ceiling window in the room, allowing Izabe to enjoy the view outside.


    She sat there watching Tiara leaving with her luggage, her figure gradually disappearing until it was


    completely gone.


    Tomorrow is Brett and Kaley''s engagement day, and Brett is going to the hotel to prepare tonight.


    Brett was feeling uneasy. He kept telling Izabe not to watch TV or go online, promising he''d be


    back soon. He and Kaley were just using each other, putting on an act.


    There would be many live streaming tforms at the engagement party tomorrow, and various


    media reporters would also attend it. Izabe didn''t need to think to know the engagement party


    between Brett and Kaley would be lively.


    Before leaving that night, Brett, as usual, hugged Izabe, whispering, "I love you" in her ear, as if


    only by doing so could he ease his guilt.


    From an angle he couldn''t see, Izabe''s mouth revealed a hint of mockery. She reached out to


    straighten Brett''s tie, saying, "I''ll be waiting for you at home."


    Izabe''s attitude suddenly changed, returning to her amnesiac state. This made Brett even more


    uneasy.


    Just before leaving, he felt that once he left, he''d never see Izabe again, and a voice in his head


    kept reminding him to look back.


    Brett kept looking back at Izabe, who still sat in her wheelchair, watching him.


    Brett could onlyfort himself: Izabe was disabled now, unable to walk away even if she


    wanted to. As long as he looked back, he''d see her there.


    Katie was not as attentive as Tiara in taking care of other people, but Izabe didn''t like to bother


    others, so she tried not to ask for help.


    In the morning, Katie dressed Izabe and made breakfast. While feeding her, the phone rang, and


    Katie immediately put down the bowl to answer it, chatting andughing. When she came back, the


    porridge beside her was already cold.


    Katie finished the call and wanted to continue feeding Izabe the now-cold food.


    Izabe frowned and said, "I''m already full."


    Katie put down the bowl, tidied up, and took the used dishes to the kitchen to wash. After a while,


    someone called her again.


    Talking on the phone while sweeping, she said, "I''m busy today, let''s change the date."


    Katie''s mood became a bit low after hanging up the phone, and Izabe noticed. So she said,


    "Katie, if you have something to do, go ahead. I''ll be fine alone."


    Upon hearing this, Katie''s heart leaped with joy. But seeing Izabe''s disabled legs, she suddenly


    felt like cold water was poured on her, "But you can''t move..."


    "It''s fine, I can''t move anyway, so I won''t run around. Juste back before two. Leave the phone


    with me, and if there''s anything, I''ll call you. As for lunch, it doesn''t matter if I eat or not, I won''t


    starve."


    Katie wavered. She was worried Brett would find out, but she realized Brett should be at the


    engagement party now, with no time to worry about this.


    Tentatively, Katie said, "Well, I''ll go out for a bit, and I promise to be back before two."


    "Alright."


    Katie was delighted, cing the phone in the living room within Izabe''s reach.


    Although Izabe said she didn''t need lunch, Katie took a pastry from the fridge and ced it beside


    Izabe, telling her to eat if she was hungry.


    Before leaving, she took Izabe to the bathroom, and then happily left with her bag.


    Izabe knew that every departure was arranged by Nathaniel in order to cause her death in an


    "ident."


    Izabe picked up the remote and turned on the TV, tuning to the news channel she saw a


    prominent headline.


    Brett and Kaley''s engagement ceremony.


    They held the engagement ceremony in a church, surrounded by flowers and balloons, both


    beautiful and solemn. Izabe thought of her wedding with Brett.


    It had been held in a small church, and they had invited an officiant. All the procedures were ready.


    -- "Brett, do you promise to love Izabe for a lifetime, whether in sickness or health, wealth or


    poverty, treasuring and caring for her till death do you part?"


    -- "I do."


    Suddenly, Izabe couldn''t help but cry andugh hysterically, leaning on the wheelchair like a


    madwoman.

 Chapter 290

    Chapter 290


    What would someone look like when their emotions were too overwhelming? Izabe slumped in


    her wheelchair, crying andughing like a madwoman, her throat itching and her stomach churning.


    She leaned on the armrest of her wheelchair,ughing until she felt like throwing up.


    Izabe''s birth was due to an ident, her mother having sacrificed her life to save her. Ever since


    she could remember, she had faced nothing but the disgusted and hateful looks of others,


    constantly reminding her that she carried the weight of a life, and she shouldn''t have existed in this


    world.


    But...had anyone ever asked her if she wanted to be in this world?


    She hated herself more than anyone, and if it not been for Ryker, who had carried her home from


    the yground many years ago, she might not have made it this far.


    Nathaniel had given her two choices: save her and she will stay by his side or die in an ident.


    Without hesitation, Izabe chose the second option. But what kind of ident would it be?


    Izabe didn''t know; she had always been afraid of pain, but in her 26 years she had endured the


    agony of what felt like several lifetimes.


    Sometimes she couldn''t help but wonder what other 26-year-olds were like. Were they in love?


    Married? Or did they already have a healthy child...


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    Surely they wouldn''t be like her, covered in wounds from head to toe, with a broken family and


    disabled limbs, confined to a wheelchair.


    She truly wished that all good people in the world would be rewarded, and not die young like her,


    without ever having experienced true happiness.


    In this world, one pitiful person like her was enough.


    Izabe looked at the foggy sky outside, making her feel sleepy. There probably wouldn''t be any


    snow this winter...


    Listening to the voices on the television, she closed her eyes to rest for a bit.


    Katie closed the bedroom door before leaving.


    At eleven in the morning, Brett and Kaley appeared on the television. A perfect pair of beautiful


    people, they were quite the match. Brett wore a ck suit, it was his engagement day, but his brow


    furrowed and his expression serious as he faced those who came to congratte him.


    Kaley, on the other hand, was all smiles, wearing a stunning haute couture gown and jewelry worth


    millions. Although her figure couldn''tpare to Izabe''s, her long legs were her most attractive


    feature.


    Wearing a red fishtail gown with a slit up to her thigh, Kaley held a ss of red wine in one hand


    while naturally and affectionately holding Brett''s right hand with the other, leaning her head on his


    shoulder and confidently facing the shing cameras.


    This confident look was strikingly simr to Izabe''s at one point.


    "I didn''t expect the mayor toe," Kaley said excitedly, tugging Brett''s hand gently, "Will your


    grandfathere?"


    Inparison to the mayor, she was more looking forward to meeting Patrick Windham, whose


    status was much higher than that of the mayor. As long as he came, her position as Ms. Windham


    would be secure.


    Brett didn''t miss the greed in her eyes, and he withdrew his hand annoyedly. Clearing his throat, he


    loosened his tie, "He won''te. You''re a servant''s child, no one will take you seriously."


    Kaley''s face turned ugly, as Brett''s words were like a p in her face. She had spent years trying to


    remove the stain, but now he had thrown it right back in her face.


    Her smile was barely holding, "Brett, do you hate me that much?"


    "Hate?" Brett looked at her leisurely, a mocking smile in his eyes as if ridiculing her arrogance. "I


    don''t need to hate you, it''s just a little disgusting and hard to ept. Like a fly on a steak, it''s not


    disgusting if you don''t see it, but it''s disgusting if you eat it and then find out, especially after


    praising the steak for being delicious. Get it?"


    Kaley clenched her teeth, she didn''t want to understand!


    As the engagement party continued, Brett grew impatient, frequently ncing at his watch, wanting


    it to end soon.


    It took some time for Kaley to recover after being humiliated, but the smile on her face seemed


    forced no matter how you looked at it.


    At that moment, a man walked into the room. There were many people at the event, and the sudden


    appearance of someone wouldn''t attract much attention.


    However, Kaley spotted him, and her recently-recovered smile instantly copsed. She turned pale,


    beads of cold sweat streaming down her face. How could it be him? How could Nathaniel be here?


    There was no doubt that Kaley feared Nathaniel the most. His methods were extremely twisted, and


    just seeing him made her feel pain in her legs.


    Not daring to make a sound, Kaley quietly hid behind Brett.


    Brett noticed her strange behavior and casually nced in a certain direction, finally settling on


    Nathaniel¡¯s figure, Brett¡¯s gaze became colder.


    Nathaniel took a ss of red wine from a waiter and raised it to Brett from afar, looking utterly at


    ease.


    Ignoring him, Brett shifted his gaze away.


    At 11:30, the climax of the engagement banquet was only half an hour away.


    Meanwhile, tens of miles away at a vi, thick smoke filled the air. Izabe was awakened from her


    light doze by the choking smoke.


    The sound of sizzling came from outside the room, and Izabe smelled a mixture of gasoline and


    gas. Her eyshes trembled, not expecting Nathaniel to arrange for her to die by being burned


    alive.


    Her throat was already itching, and now the smoke made her cough incessantly. An explosion


    sounded outside, the ground shook, and the bedroom door wobbled, threatening to copse soon.


    Izabe was no longer afraid of death. In fact, she was looking forward to its arrival. However, a


    cat''s cry disrupted her thoughts.


    Niki ran out from under the bed, frightened and whining. Izabe''s pupils constricted, her heart


    suddenly feeling cold.

 Chapter 291

    Chapter 291


    Niki hadn''te out all morning, and Izabe had forgotten about it. She forgot to have Tiara or


    Katie take it away. She was ready to die, but she didn''t want Niki to die with her.


    "Niki, be good¡­"


    The cat was timid, and started panicking at the sign of danger, hearing Izabe calling her name


    from behind. It turned around, her blue eyes wide with fear. She quickly ran behind Izabe, timidly


    shrinking her neck as she looked towards the front door.


    Outside, the mes were soaring. The door was cracked, smoke permeated in. Izabe¡¯s throat


    became more and more scratchy, unable to suppress her coughs. As she coughed and retched,


    tears flowed from her reddened eyes.


    Niki looked at her in confusion, sensing her pain. She licked Izabe¡¯s fingers, then suddenly rushed


    towards the cracking door, scratching desperately at it with her ws.


    As a timid little creature, Niki would always hide trembling behind her. But now she was rushing


    fearlessly towards the crumbling door, scratching at it while looking back at Izabe.


    Izabe felt a pang in her heart. A bitter pain rose from inside her, her nerves were tense, her eyes


    brimming with tears.


    Niki was trying to save her.


    "Niki, don''t¡­" Izabe''s voice broke, a mouthful of blood choked out as a puff of thick smoke


    invaded her lungs.


    Niki ran back to her side. She knew Izabe''s leg was injured, so she didn''t dare jump on her leg.


    She could only rub Izabe''s handfortingly a couple of times. Then she decisively ran back to


    the door, scratching anxiously.


    The wooden door creaked, on the brink of copsing. The usually pampered little cat was tearing at


    the door relentlessly, her ws stained with blood.


    "Niki,e here." Izabe, immobilized in her wheelchair, could only call out weakly. She looked at


    Niki''s fluffy body, her vision getting blurrier, tears streaming down, mixing with the blood at the


    corner of her mouth.


    "Meow¡­" Niki suddenly jumped back, the door copsing with a loud bang, nearly crushing her.


    Izabe''s breath hitched in fear, outside the door a circle of fire, the heatwave overwhelming, almost


    scorching her skin.


    Niki retreated in fear, it quickly ran towards Izabe, not seekingfort but biting onto the nket


    on Izabe''s knee, trying to get her to follow it out.


    Seeing Izabe not moving, Niki anxiously circled on the spot.


    Izabe reached out and stroked Niki''s head, her voice soft, "Niki, you should go, don''t worry about


    me."


    Seeing Izabe in pain, Niki whimpered, turned around and jumped through the ring of fire blocking


    the door, just when Izabe thought she was really going to escape, she jumped back in.


    She wasn¡¯t as smart as humans, she could only ¡°teach¡± Izabe to survive in her own way, her fur


    catching fire. The little cat screamed in pain, writhing on the floor.


    Izabe said, "You stupid cat...what are you doing? Why are you so foolish? I told you to leave,


    didn''t you understand... Go... I don''t need you to save me, nor to apany me..." By the end, her


    speech was unintelligible, choked by sobs.


    Niki''s beautiful fur was now scorched. Niki''s ears kept moving, making weak "meow" sounds from


    her mouth, as if she were crying andforting Izabe at the same time.


    Izabe''s tears flowed more, her legs were crippled, she couldn¡¯t walk out at all. She didn''t want


    Niki to save her like this. This silly cat!


    She yelled at Niki, "Niki, get out!"


    Niki didn¡¯t listen, she hopped around in the mes, limping towards Izabe, desperately trying to


    bite the bracelet on Izabe''s hand.


    She always loved to y, her favorite thing was biting the decorative small lock on Izabe''s


    bracelet.


    Izabe tried to move her legs, trying to stand, but the broken bones in her legs couldn¡¯t support her


    body. She fell on the ground, crawling forward with her arms. Her legs hurt too much, after crawling


    a few steps, she copsed again.


    Niki anxiously paced back and forth in front of her, sticking out her tongue to lick her cheeks, biting


    the cor of her clothes with her mouth, pushing hard with her hind legs, trying to drag her out. But


    her body was too small, she couldn''t move Izabe at all.


    Izabe looked into Niki''s blue eyes, feeling like she was about to cry.


    The outside of the door was already engulfed in mes, there was no way out. Izabe gave up,


    she petted Niki''s chin as she usually did, and sarcastically said, "You silly cat, I told you to run but


    you didn''t, now we''re both trapped here. Do you want to die with me?" Izabe''s throat had been


    scorched, and speaking was incredibly difficult due to the smoke filling her lungs.


    Niki stared at the mes engulfing the doorway, Her blue eyes reflected the fiery light. She turned


    her head to look at Izabe and gently ced a kiss on her lips. She wasn''t a human, she didn''tCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    have the intelligence of a human, she only knew that the person in front of her was her master, she


    had taken care of her and raised her, so she had to protect her.


    Izabe looked at her paws, the once pink paw pads were now bloody. It must have been painful...


    Izabe forced herself to sit up, endured the severe pain, knelt down, and painfully straightened her


    broken leg. She grunted softly, then slowly crawled towards the window.


    The ce would explode and copse soon, she couldn''t let Niki die with her. Izabe crawled while


    pushing her wheelchair, she trembled as she climbed up the back and armrests of the chair,


    reached up to the windowtch, and forcefully pushed it open. "Niki,e here, good boy, don¡¯t


    move¡­" she cooed softly.


    Niki tilted her head, hesitated for a moment, then walked over. Izabe carefully picked her up,


    cradling her hind legs and raised her up shakily. With her crippled fingers, even lifting the ten-


    month-old kitten exhausted all her strength, her fingers trembled and ached.


    Once at the window gap, Niki looked outside as if understanding something. She tried to turn back


    with a ''meow'', but Izabe was quicker, she forcefully threw her out and then shut the window


    abruptly. "Bang--"


    There was a ledge outside, and it was the first floor, even if she fell, Niki wouldn''t be hurt too badly.


    Watching Nikind safely outside the window, a faint smile finally appeared on Izabe''s face.


    Niki lifted her front paws onto the ss, she desperately scratched the ss trying to get Izabe


    out. The ss was unscathed, but her ws bled. After a while, she began to furiously ram the


    window with her body, trying to shatter the ss.


    There were constant cries from the cat outside, Izabe leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window,


    feeling the impacts from behind. She clenched her trembling hands, lowered her head to look at her


    twisted legs, and revealed a pale smile. She really didn''t expect that at the moment of her death, a


    cat would apany her, and do everything in its power to try to save her.


    Niki knew who raised her, who treated her well, who her master was. And a master needed to be


    protected with one''s life, even if her fur was burned, and her feet were bleeding, she wanted to


    protect Izabe! She had no strength left, her head was bleeding from the impact, she was panting


    heavily. Her body was perched on the outside windowsill, shaky and ready to fall at any moment.


    That usually lively and cute tail was now covered in blood and dust, revealing the tailbone, weakly


    dragging behind. She stuck out its tongue to lick the ss, trying to be as close to Izabe as usual.


    Even though she was just within reach, she just couldn''t reach her. Niki made a painful cry, tears


    welled up in its blue eyes. She cried¡­


    "Enough¡­Niki¡­" Izabe dared not look back, she was afraid she would regret dying. Izabe''s


    eyes were red as she watched the zing mes on the opposite side, the smoke made her eyes


    ache. She resisted the urge to close her eyes, used herst bit of strength, supported herself with


    both hands to crawl and reach for her phone on the ground.


    She dialed a familiar number, the call went through, the waiting tone began to countdown. This time,


    would Brett pick up? She still wanted to give him this engagement gift that he hadn''t been able to


    forget¡­ Whether it was the Izabe with amnesia or the Izabe who had regained her memories,


    she could never love him again. Their rtionship was the most familiar yet strangest in the world,


    ex-husband and ex-wife.

 Chapter 292

    Chapter 292


    "Beep... beep..." The phone in Izabe''s hand was still ringing.


    Izabe was gasping weakly, the pungent smell of smoke enveloping her respiratory tract. At this


    moment, her felt like her throat was being tightly gripped by a hand. With one hand on the ground,


    dragging her useless legs bit by bit, she finally picked up the remote control from the ground and


    turned on the television.


    At exactly twelve o''clock, the engagement party reached its climax. The scene of the engagement


    party was being broadcast live on television. The soon-to-be-married couple shone brightly today.


    The man was noble and handsome, and the woman by his side was wearing a long dress. They


    looked very well-matched.


    Izabe''s gaze was fixed on Brett. She silently listened to the ringing sound. After it rang ten times,


    she saw Brett frown on the TV screen and pull out his phone from his jacket. As soon as he saw the


    caller ID, he picked it up immediately.


    "What is it?"


    Izabe gripped the phone in her hand, speaking calmly, "Brett, I can see you."


    Brett rxed slightly upon hearing Izabe''s voice, instinctively looking around for her. Then, he


    froze. Izabe''s legs were broken. How could she be here?


    "Are you watching the live broadcast?" Brett asked.


    "Yes."


    "Don''t watch it." Brett found the live camera and looked into it. It was as if the two were staring at


    each other across time and space.


    "It¡¯s your engagement party, how could I not watch it? After all, we have known each other for so


    many years, an ex-wife should send her blessings to her ex-husband." Izabe said sarcastically,


    watching Brett on the TV. Her hoarse voice sounded chilling if listened to closely.


    Brett''s eyebrows furrowed. Her sarcastic words hurt him deeply. It felt like he was being tormented


    by Izabe.


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    At this engagement party, he could face countless blessings, but he couldn''t ept Izabe''s


    blessings, not even fake ones. Over the phone, he heard a lot of background noise. A strong sense


    of unease rose in Brett''s heart. He quickly shifted the subject and asked several questions in a row:


    "Why is there so much noise there? What are you doing? Where is Katie?"


    The bedroom was full of mmable items. The fire that had started at the door had already spread


    to the middle of the room. Embers were floating in the air, and in a moment, they would reach the


    television, causing an explosion.


    Izabe leaned her head back against the floor-to-ceiling window, phone in one hand, covering her


    nose with the other, and coughed in a muffled voice: "Brett, I had someone prepare an engagement


    gift for you. He should have arrived at the venue already."


    The first person Brett thought of was Nathaniel. His immediately felt ufortable and heavily


    burdened, almost suffocating.


    "I don''t want to receive your engagement gift. If you really want to give me a gift, wait until Ie


    back and give it to me in person." Brett had a feeling that Izabe would disappear before he got


    back. That kind of emptiness swept over him.


    "But this ''gift'' can only be delivered by someone else on my behalf." Izabe watched Brett on the


    TV and said sarcastically: "Brett, you said you only liked me, only loved me, and that my


    disappearance would drive you insane... Now I want you to remember what you said!"


    After speaking, Izabe''s tears were choked out by the smoke, stinging so much that she couldn''t


    open her eyes. She took onest look at the blurred TV screen.


    The golden light in the church was shining on him, as if an angel had descended. He stood in the


    crowd, his expression changing from arrogant to panic-stricken.


    Izabeughed, a sobbing sounding from her nostrils as if she was crying. She looked at the


    blinding mes and before Brett could say anything, she mustered all her strength and shouted: "I


    wish you a happy marriage, I wish you both grow old together and never separate!"


    After speaking, she hurled her phone forcefully into the raging fire. Apanied by an explosion,


    the phone shattered into pieces. Izabe turned around, her forehead pressed against the window,


    looking at Niki, covered in blood.


    "I¡¯ve only taken care of you for a few months, and you treat me so well, whereas he..." Sheughed


    self-deprecatingly, the light in her eyes gradually fading. "At least the person I first fell for wasn''t


    him."


    Izabe ced her hand on the window, touching Niki''s head through the ss. "Niki, this ce is


    about to catch fire. I don''t want you to see this, leave quickly, and let me find you in our next life."


    It wasn''t her who found Niki in this life, but Niki who found her. Let me find you in the next life,


    alright?


    Niki''s face was smeared with fresh blood, and he croaked, "Meow..."


    Suddenly, the television stopped ying. Besides the sound of the mes, there was the humming


    of electricity. The fire spread to the walls and in the blink of an eye engulfed the bed. Izabe wore a


    relieved smile. After another explosion, the beam of the house copsed in front of Izabe. The


    mes licked at her toes, causing immense pain.


    Bearing the pain, Izabe copsed on the ground, half-squinting at the foggy sky.


    Today was Christmas Day. The window was covered in dust, like the falling snowkes from the


    sky. Izabe gazed nkly at the sky.


    If she had known she would be tormented by him to this extent, she would have let Brett freeze to


    death in the water on that Christmas Eve years ago.


    Izabe clutched her stomach. Her grandfather had fought stomach cancer for two years and still


    couldn''t make it in the end. She had lived for three years, and that was enough.


    She wondered if her parents and grandfather would forgive her when she saw them again.


    She had been blind in love and made a wrong choice, resulting in the destruction of her family.


    She couldn''t even forgive herself, let alone them.


    Blood gushed out of her mouth. Amidst the pain, she seemed to see Ryker. He was still a child,


    squatting on the ground, turning his head back and smiling at her: "Climb up, I''ll carry you home."


    "You''ve finallye to pick me up..." She reached out to the mes. In her short life, she had only


    been warmed twice. Once when Ryker carried her home when she was eight, and the other was


    this fire, the zing mes bringing tears to her eyes.


    Tears flowed down her cheeks, into her mouth, carrying a salty taste. She couldn''t tell whether it


    was the taste of tears or blood, but they both had one thing inmon - they turned bitter when


    kept in the mouth for long, more bitter than any medicine she had ever tasted.


    This life was too bitter for her; she wanted the next one to be a little sweeter. If possible, she hoped


    someone would put her ashes into a sugar jar after her death, sprinkle some sugar, and scatter it


    into the sea, because there was someone there who once promised to carry her home with a


    doughnut in his hand.


    As the mes seared her feet, Izabe, in agony, frantically scratched at the ss. Her hands bled,


    the ss smeared with horrifying bloodstains, traces of her desperate struggle before death.

 Chapter 293

    Chapter 293


    ¡ª "Brett, I hope you remember what you said. You''ll never be able to live with a clear conscience


    for the rest of your life."


    ¡ª "I wish you both grow old together and never separate."


    With Izabe''s heart-wrenching "blessing", a chaotic noise came from the phone, almost shattering


    his eardrums.


    As if struck by a thunderbolt, Brett stumbled back a half step, standing still with his ears ringing, as if


    something copsing in his ears.


    "Izabe?" Brett tentatively called out softly.


    The phone was eerily quiet, making him extremely frightened.


    "Izabe, answer me."


    "Stop messing around..." Brett''s voice was hoarse, as if there was blood stuck in his throat.


    "I''ll be back soon. Kaley and I are only pretending to be engaged. I don''t like her. The engagement


    is just for her blood."


    "Do you understand me?"


    "Answer me... Izabe."


    His calls had already gone unanswered. Brett''s face turned pale.


    The phone screen had gone ck. Brett shakily redialed, only to be met with a cold automated


    response.


    ¡ª"I''m sorry, the number you have dialed is out of service area..."


    Brett dialed over and over, his forehead veins bulging, cold sweat dripping into his eyes, tears


    pouring from them and sshing onto the phone screen.


    His trembling hands grasped the phone, his tears sticky and ufortable in his palm, wiping his


    hand and phone, continuing to call back.


    Izabe, please pick up my call, please, pick up my call...


    At first, it was just his hands shaking, and now his whole body couldn''t stop trembling. His scalp


    tingling and vision blurred.


    Why is it so cold? He turned his gaze to the window.


    Someone eximed, "It''s snowing outside! Has it been six years since it snowed in J City? Didn''t


    expect it to snow again this year, especially on this special day."


    So it was snowing. No wonder it was so cold. Brett watched the snowkes falling gently outside


    like feathers.


    Izabe liked snow in winter, but she had never seen such heavy snow.


    Brett gazed at therge snowkes falling from the sky.


    It seemed to be the most beautiful snow he had ever seen in his life.


    Someone opened the window, and the cold wind poured in. Brett came to his senses and suddenly


    ran outside like crazy.


    Kaley, who was being interviewed, saw Brett''s frantic face and her heart skipped a beat. She lifted


    her skirt, dodged the guests, and quickly chased after him.


    "Brett, where are you going? Today is our engagement ceremony!" Kaley couldn''t catch up to him in


    her high heels, so she shouted from behind.


    Brett didn''t stop for a moment. Kaley was instantly panicked, not caring about the reporters around


    her. She shouted out a threat to him, "Brett, if you dare to leave today, don''te to me if anything


    happens to Izabe!"


    Sure enough, Brett stopped. He turned sideways, his eyes bloodshot, a re Kaley had never


    before seen.


    The gloomy atmosphere was like a silver hook about to tear her heart apart, and she retreated in


    fear. She spoke timidly, "Brett, today is our engagement day. So many people are watching us. You


    can deal with your business after the reporters and media leave, alright?"


    Brett''s frown hadn''t rxed since earlier. "Something happened and I have to go back!"


    "What about me?" Kaley''s heart ached, and she almost cried. She staggered towards Brett with her


    skirt lifted, "Today is my engagement party that I''ve been preparing for two months. You''re leaving


    me here alone. Have you thought about my feelings?"


    Several ambiguous gazes turned to her, and Kaley''s fingers trembled in anger.


    Kaley took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and spoke with a calm voice, "If you don''t care


    about me, at least think about Izabe. After all, she will undergo stomach cancer surgery soon. If


    anything happens to me at this time, she will have one less life."


    Kaley spent a lot of money on the engagement ceremony and invited marketing media to promote


    her and Brett''s "love story". Some people, who were unaware of the truth, thought that Kaley was


    Brett''s childhood sweetheart. Unfortunately, Brett was snatched away by Izabe, so she and Brett


    had been separated for seven years.


    Nathaniel stood on the second floor, witnessing everything. He lit a cigarette, looked at his watch,


    and counted the time. Izabe should be...


    Suddenly, his heart was pierced with pain. He rubbed his chest, trying to dissipate the strange


    feeling.


    A meaningless life couldn''t affect him, and he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals.


    He was only in his twenties and many people had died in his hands. One woman meant nothing to


    him. Nathaniel took a drag on his cigarette, the ashes and embers falling to the ground. He half-


    closed his eyes and looked up at the snowy sky.


    Izabe, it hasn''t snowed in the city for many years. You''re dead, and it snowed. It''s a pity you didn''t


    live to see it.


    "Is everything taken care of?" Nathaniel flicked the cigarette in his fingers.


    The subordinate behind him replied, "I''ve reced the USB on the screen and connected the


    monitor on the other side."


    Nathanielughed, and the subordinate asked again, "Mr. Krueger, shall we go down now?"


    Nathaniel put out the half-burned cigarette in his hand and flicked it into the trash can. "No rush."


    Izabe had given him information about the Starry Brilliance Ind shipment, and in exchange, he


    helped her with a "great gift."


    Nathaniel pointed to the couple downstairs and asked the subordinate behind him, "Do you know


    what this is called?"


    The subordinate looked confused, shaking his head, unable to guess what Nathaniel wanted to


    express.


    "It''s called, scumbag meets scumbag."


    Brett and Kaley''s engagement news was live-streamed on various tforms. Even the usually not-


    so-interested-in-online-news Amelia saw it, along with Presley, who had just returned to the country


    with anti-cancer research results...


    At the banquet, the host went on stage to introduce the love story of the couple, how they met, got


    to know each other, and fell in love. And then asked the two toe up and exchange engagement


    rings.


    Kaley whispered, "Brett, at least we should exchange engagement rings, right?" Exchanging a ring


    would take just a minute or two.


    Brett gritted his teeth, his mind upied by various things - Izabe''sst screams and Kaley''s


    tant threats.


    It wasn''t Kaley''s threats that frightened him, but the fear that if something happened to Kaley,


    Izabe would really be in danger. He didn''t dare gamble with Izabe''s life.


    But he couldn''t get through to Izabe on the phone, and a strong sense of unease filled his heart.


    He could onlyfort himself, thinking that Izabe was "grounded" at home with her broken leg,


    and Katie was watching her. What could go wrong?


    "After we exchange the engagement rings, I''ll leave right away." Brett reached into his jacket and


    took out his engagement ring.


    Upon seeing the ring, Kaley let out a sigh of relief. Her dark eyes regained their previous sparkle.


    As they walked down the red carpet together, Kaley kept waving to the guests and media, pressing


    herself closer to Brett as if to dere he was hers.


    The host stood in the middle, smiling as he said, "Exchange your engagement rings."


    All Brett wanted was to finish this and go home to be with Izabe.


    He thought that what Izabe had said on the phone was just her acting out, and when he got back,


    everything would be just as it always was - having dinner together and going for a walk, cuddling at


    night and having sweet dreams.


    Yes, those were ordinary things. How could they change?


    "Mr. Windham, please exchange the rings." Seeing the man hadn''t moved, the host reminded him in


    a low voice.


    Brett took the ring and looked at the camera lights, thinking of Izabe watching this scene from off-


    screen. The light stabbed his eyes like invisible knives.


    He suddenly recalled his simple wedding with Izabe years ago - the lie he''d told in front of the


    priest.


    He said he''d protect her, love her, and never leave her for the rest of his life...


    Brett absentmindedly put the ring on Kaley. It fit perfectly, unlike the rings he''d bought for Izabe


    that were either too big or too small.


    Kaley, with a big smile on her face, looked at the ring on her finger. Finally, she was engaged to this


    man. Now everyone knew that Brett was hers, and Izabe was the one everyone despised as the


    mistress.


    After they exchanged rings, the host told the staff to y a prepared video.


    As the video yed, the audience gasped with shock - the engagement video had been reced


    with a naked man and woman in bed.


    The sound was turned up to the max, and suggestive noises came from the video. Everyone''s


    attention was drawn to the scene.


    Menughed, and women screamed and covered their eyes in embarrassment.


    The host was stunned and called for someone to turn off the video, but it couldn''t be stopped - the


    computer had been hacked.


    Brett didn''t have any reaction at first, but when he noticed the female lead in the video, his face


    darkened instantly.


    "Why do I feel like the woman in the video looks like Ms. Cot?"


    "What do you mean ''looks like''? That''s definitely her! The voice and appearance are the same, and


    her exposed legs look just like the ones she showed off today!"


    Kaley''s face, which had been happy just moments ago, suddenly turned pale. She bit her lip until it


    bled, still not recovering from the shock. She felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, and the naked


    gazes around her were like knives trying to shred her clothes to pieces.


    She had never experienced such humiliation before and couldn''t understand why the video of her


    and Nn in bed would appear in this situation.


    The video showed them in a hotel where she and Nn used to go for their rendezvous. The two of


    them in the video had no covers, every little detail there for everyone to see.


    Kaley felt like her blood was flowing backward, filled with a numbing cold sensation. She covered


    her ears and shrieked, trying to block out the filthy noise.


    "That''s not me! It''s not me!"


    Brett''s eyes were cold as he stared at the big screen. He looked down at Kaley curling up on the


    ground, "If it''s not you, then who?"


    Kaley carefully looked up, only to be intimidated by Brett''s fierce gaze. She fell backwards in a


    panic, scrambling on the ground, and grabbed onto Brett''s leg.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Brett, I..."


    Before she could finish, Brett stepped back, avoiding her grasp. Kaley looked up at him in disbelief,


    meeting his disgusted gaze, feeling a chill run down her spine.

 Chapter 294

    Chapter 294


    Brett''s gaze at this moment was like looking at a pile of trash. Kaley broke out in a cold sweat on


    her back, and when a cold wind blew, she couldn''t help but shiver. Her eyes were red, but it was


    hard to tell if it was from fear or the cold wind.


    At this moment, Kaley felt like a criminal waiting to be hanged, the rope already around her neck,


    and with just one kick of the stool underneath her, she''d be dead.


    But the video wasn''t over, and the conversation she had with Nn could still be heard.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    --"Nn, if you really care about me, help me get rid of Izabe. I hate her. Once she''s dead, Brett


    will marry me..."


    --"What makes you think Brett would marry you after Izabe dies?"


    Hearing this, Kaleypletely lost it, terrified to the point that her whole body was trembling, from


    her scalp to her toes.


    Panicked, she screamed at the crew behind the stage, "Turn off the power."


    But it was toote. What she said in the video reached the audience and Brett¡¯s ears.


    -- "Six years ago, Brett almost died from drowning. He thought I saved him... Don''t worry, it''s been


    six years, he won''t find out the truth¡­"


    Brett clenched his already white-cold fingers. His cold, hard face grew even colder, emitting an icy


    aura.


    He couldn''t believe the scene on the big screen. But his vision was blurred, and there was only


    Kaley''s voice in his head.


    "Six years ago, Brett almost died from drowning. He thought I saved him..."


    That sentence hit him like a sledgehammer, leaving him stunned and feeling like his soul had left his


    body. He stood still for a good while without reacting.


    Was it not Kaley who saved him that year?


    Who could it have been?


    Kaley looked as if she had been struck by lightning, sitting slumped on the ground with her intricate


    makeup unable to hide her fear. She struggled to her feet, fearfully retreating backward.


    Brett grabbed Kaley''s arm, squeezing so tightly it felt like he was going to crush her bones. Kaley''s


    tears ran down her cheeks and onto the back of Brett''s hand.


    "Brett, it hurts¡­" she still looked innocent and pitiful.


    His lips moved, but there was no sympathy for Kaley on his cold face, only disgust. His icy gaze


    was startling.


    "Who saved me on Christmas Eve nine years ago?"


    "I...I don''t know¡­" Kaley shook her head.


    She really didn''t know who saved Brett. When she arrived on the scene, he was staring at the pearl


    earrings she wore, so he concluded that she had saved him.


    Since there were no surveince cameras and the police couldn''t find any clues, Kaley simply


    admitted that she had saved him. To her surprise, Brett hadn''t noticed anything strange in those


    nine years. But what she totally didn''t expect was that the conversation with Nn would be made


    into a video and yed today.


    Suddenly, Brett looked up at Nathaniel on the second floor.


    There was no doubt that the video was Nathaniel''s doing. Their gazes collided in the air, and the


    people in the room seemed to feel the tension between them.


    Nathaniel leisurely walked down the stairs, "Brett, are you satisfied with this ''big gift'' I brought on


    behalf of Izabe?"


    Izabe...


    He suddenly remembered the night he traded Izabe to the kidnappers to save Kaley. That night,


    he mentioned to Izabe that Kaley had saved him from drowning.


    What had Izabe said at that time?


    Brett''s breath caught in his throat.


    Izabe had said, "Brett, have you ever considered that many people wear those pearl earrings?


    Have you ever thought that Kaley might be lying to you?"


    Back then, he had been so confident that he wouldn''t mistake the person who had saved him.


    But now, the truth in front of him revealed that the person who saved him that cold night was not


    Kaley.


    He had allowed Izabe to suffer time and time again for a lying scammer like Kaley. In four years,


    he had given Izabete-stage stomach cancer, caused her to lose her child, and even used her in


    exchange for Kaley, leaving her fingers disabled and her body covered in over a hundred scars.


    Brett felt as if he had been struck by lightning, shivering uncontrobly, his face pale. The truth he


    had believed in for nine years had been exposed to reveal a cruel and bloody reality, like a


    hedgehog being stripped of its protective spines. Trembling, Brett couldn''t help but cough up blood.


    The surrounding reporters took note of the content ying on the big screen. Although the details


    weren''t clear, the presence of the fianc¨¦e''s intimate scene with another man at the engagement


    party was sensational enough.


    A group of reporters quickly swarmed, firing off questions before they even got close.


    Countless camera shes lit up Brett''s face, making it even paler.


    One reporter after another bravely threw out sharp questions, just like how they had treated Izabe


    when she emerged from the courthouse back then.


    "Mr. Windham, is the woman in the video Ms. Cot?"


    "What''s the rtionship between your fianc¨¦e and the man in the video?"


    "Did you know that your fianc¨¦e had affairs with other men?"


    At least the security team quickly stepped in to maintain a safe distance between the reporters and


    Brett.


    The phone hidden inside his jacket suddenly vibrated. Brett took it out, saw the number disyed,


    and stiffly turned his gaze to where Nathaniel was sitting.


    Nathaniel waved his phone, signaling Brett to answer the call.


    Once the call was connected, Nathaniel asked, "Brett, are you satisfied with today''s ''big gift''?"


    Brett''s grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles turning white, making a creaking noise.


    "Do you know why I had you use Izabe to exchange for Kaley all those years ago?" Nathaniel


    gazed at Brett''s ashen face leisurely.


    "Because Kaley told me herself that you care more for Izabe. If Izabe gets hurt, you''d be in


    pain. I didn''t expect it to be true¡­ You actually traded her for someone like Kaley."


    "Your fianc¨¦e Kaley didn''t hesitate to wreck her own legs to y the pity card, just to get your


    sympathy and make you hand over Izabe to me. The funny thing is, you actually believed her."


    After saying that, Nathaniel burst intoughter.


    "Never thought you¡¯d be yed and tricked by a woman, right?"


    Brett''s brain went nk, and it felt like his ears suddenly went deaf, buzzing non-stop.


    The image of Izabe when she was rescued came to his mind again, battered and bloody, her


    eyes empty as if she was a dead person.


    He had nearly cost Izabe her life and almost left her in aa, all to save Kaley.

 Chapter 295

    Chapter 295


    Without a bodyguard at her side, Kaley was surrounded by journalists. Forced to back away


    awkwardly while holding up her gown, she unintentionally moved closer to the pool. Someone


    shoved her, and she fell back into the water. The coldness of the winter seeped into her skin, bone-


    chillingly cold. Cold water flooded her mouth and nostrils, and the immediate suffocation was heart-


    wrenching. For a second, Kaley thought she was going to drown alive.


    She iled her arms, struggling in the water. Her face, once delicately made up, was now pale as a


    sheet. She opened her mouth pleading for help, "Help... I can''t swim... Save me..."


    Watching this scene, Brett clenched his fists so hard that blood spilled from the corners of his


    mouth, but he felt nothing. He loathed himself for not noticing something as crucial as Kaley''s


    inability to swim.


    As he thought back on everything that had happened over the past nine years, it was indeed as


    Izabe had said, they were a joke from the start. When he first saw Izabe nine years ago at a


    banquet, she wore a red dress and held a violin, confidently approaching the stage. The spotlight


    shone on her, yet she outshone the light, so proud that one couldn''t look away.


    Now, nine years had shed by. Izabe had lost everything. Her home was broken, her family


    gone, and she was wounded all over, like a hedgehog stripped of its spines.


    Brett had despised Izabe''s pride, so after their marriage, he treated her as a ything. He had


    handed Izabe over to the kidnappers to save Kaley, resulting in Izabe''s hands being crippled


    and her body being scarred to this day. His continual abuse had eventually left the once proud


    woman, who had only eyes for him, devoid of all self-confidence and radiance.


    Every time he thought of Izabe sitting in a wheelchair, suffering from stomach cancer pain every


    moment, Brett''s felt like his heart was being squeezed by a massive hand. He didn''t me anyone.


    Kaley had merely deceived him, but the only person who never believed Izabe from the start was


    himself.


    Nathaniel watched Brett''s remorseful demeanor, hisughter growing louder. He smirked, "Brett, I


    remind you, don''t turn off the big screen."


    Brett didn''t answer. Watching Nathaniel turn around, he blurted out, "Why do you have these


    videos? And... Do you know who saved me back then?" His heart was slowly gravitating towards an


    answer, but he didn''t dare to delve into it. He was afraid that knowing the truth wouldpletely


    break him.


    Nathaniel snorted, "I know, but I won''t tell you." Regarding Brett being rescued from drowning,


    Izabe had informed him through a nurse two weeks ago. He knew that the person who saved


    Brett wasn''t Kaley, and who actually saved him could be inferred with a bit of thought...


    An unusual pain in his chest returned, and Nathaniel''s smile suddenly turned bitter. Izabe was


    indeed foolish, the most foolish woman he had ever met, for risking her life for a man.


    "You actually know the truths better than anyone else." Looking at the pale-faced Brett, Nathaniel''s


    cold face revealed a hint of mockery. "Brett, I''m d to see you in trouble again. People like you


    deserve to be alone for life. You don''t even qualify to beg her for forgiveness."


    "I''ve returned the favor Izabe asked me to deliver, and double at that. Also, I wish you and Kaley


    have your first child soon," he said, the irony dripping from his words.


    Years ago, Kaley had a car ident, which resulted in uterine damage and she couldn''t get


    pregnant. Izabe had been pregnant twice, but eventually even her uterus was removed.


    Nathaniel hung up the phone and turned to leave with his subordinates.


    Brett¡¯s eyes were crimson, staring gloomily at Nathaniel''s retreating figure.


    From the moment Izabe made that seemingly "inexplicable" phone call, Brett felt uneasy. Now, his


    emotions wereplex, anxious, regretful, and fearful...


    Outside, the cold wind mixed with snow. The heater was on in the hall, but Brett still felt cold. Sweat


    started to ooze out from his forehead and back.


    He didn''t understand what Nathaniel said before he left, and he didn''t want to delve into it. He had


    made many mistakes in his life, but they were all in the past.


    Since the damage had been done and could not be undone, it would be better to use the rest of his


    life topensate Izabe.


    He would make Kaley pay the price, but before that, he would take her to the hospital to draw blood.


    Three more months... until Izabe''s stomach gets better...


    Brett ordered his subordinates to clean up the scene. As he was about to leave, therge screen


    suddenly made a "crack" sound. When everyone thought the power was out, the screen lit up again


    and connected to a surveince video.


    In the video, the sky was filled with red mes, blending with the falling snow.


    "Is this video CGI or real? Why does it look familiar to me?"


    "Where is the fire? Why is it so big?"


    "It looks like there''s someone trapped inside, they are going to be burned alive."


    "Quickly, call the police..."


    Someone had already taken out their phone in panic, but it was toote...


    There was a loud "boom" in the video, and the room that appeared in the video instantly turned into


    ruins!


    The whole room suddenly fell silent, and Brett stared nkly at the big screen.


    In the video, a vi was engulfed by soaring mes. Izabe, whose legs he had broken, was there.


    A great fear seeped into his soul, and he felt like he had been thrown into the dark abyss of the sea,


    his body swaying.


    Izabe, Izabe...


    Brett felt as if he was in another time and space, everything happening in front of him became


    surreal.


    His eyes blinked nkly, and it took him a long time toe back to his senses.


    What was ying on the big screen just now? Why did he see Izabe in the fire? Was it a


    hallucination, or did Nathaniel arrange for someone to create special effects?


    The phone he had been clenching in his hand suddenly rang, and Brett stiffly raised his hand to


    look at the caller ID on the screen.


    ¡ªKatie.


    Right, as long as he answered Katie''s call, the "illusion" in front of him would disappear. There was


    no fire at home, and Izabe would be fine.


    She was just like before, obediently sitting in her wheelchair waiting for him toe home, right...


    She said she had a gift for him, he hadn''t received the gift yet, how could she be dead?Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Brett slowly and stiffly answered the phone. Katie''s sobbing cry came from the phone, and her


    intermittent words came out.


    Although he could hear every word clearly, when these words werebined into sentences, Brett


    just couldn''t understand.


    What did she mean? The vi caught fire, Izabe was burned to death, buried under the ruins?

 Chapter 296

    Chapter 296


    "President Windham, your wife, she..." Katie choked back her sobs, trying to continue, but she


    couldn''t make any sound. Her open mouth trembled, and even her breathing was filled with choking


    sounds.


    "What happened to her?" Brett asked cautiously, like touching a cracked mirror, as if it would shatter


    and fall apart at the slightest pressure.


    "The vi caught fire, and she was burned to death inside... The first-floor bedroom copsed, and


    she was trapped under the debris."


    Brett''s eyes lost focus, and he staggered out, feeling the cold wind blowing. He almost froze to


    death at that moment.


    He looked up at the sky, with snowkes falling on the corners of his eyes, which finally turned into


    hot tears running down his cheeks. His face looked ghastly like a devil, eyes bloodshot, and


    expression frozen.


    Izabe was dead? No way.


    He had mistreated her before, made her a vegetable, had her jumped from buildings, crashed cars,


    he had signed numerous critical condition forms for her, but she hadn''t died. He had seen himself


    that her stomach cancer could be cured in a few months, how could Izabe die?


    She must be angry, mad at him for getting engaged to Kaley, so she had worked with Katie to trick


    him.


    The day before yesterday, she had said she wouldn''t leave and would always stay by his side, so...


    how could she just abandon him?


    The surroundings were crowded and noisy, but there was a moment when Brett thought he had


    gone deaf, unable to hear anything.


    He found himself in an empty world, surrounded by darkness, desperately trying to find Izabe''s


    silhouette, but he couldn''t find it.


    Brett tried to make a sound, scream, but his neck was choked by an invisible hand. The cold wind


    blew past his ears, and he stumbled forward for a moment, everything in front of him turned gray.


    "Is Izabe having a tantrum at home? Give her the phone, so I can calm her down. Does she like


    the dessert here? I''ll go buy it right away..." Brett finished in one breath, seeing no reaction on the


    phone, he choked up and cautiously asked, "Does she not want to answer the phone? That''s okay...


    tell her I''ll be back soon, and ask her to wait for me..."


    Katie covered her mouth, looking at the fire that dyed half of the sky, and sobbed, "President


    Windham, she can''t wait for you anymore..."


    Listening to Katie''s words, a feeling of destion slowly seeped from the bottom of Brett''s heart.


    "She can''t even move her legs, how can she not wait for me?"


    Katie choked on her words, "It''s because she can''t move her legs that she was trapped in the


    bedroom. The fire burst in, and she couldn''t escape..."


    Katie''s words were like a heavy blow to his heart. He clutched his chest, and the intense sense of


    suffocation was driving him crazy.


    "President Windham... you bettere back and see for yourself."


    The call ended, and Brett stood there dumbfounded, his eyes empty and lifeless, like an old


    machine, losing its reaction speed.


    Suddenly, he rushed out like a madman in the bone-chilling wind, his face frozen numb.


    "President Windham, where are you going?"


    "Mr. Windham?"


    "What''s the hurry? Is there an emergency?"


    "The original engagement scene turned into a farce, with the fianc¨¦e cheating and a fire breaking


    out somewhere. What an unlucky day."


    Brett''s bloodshot eyes frightened many people. He rushed to his car, not caring about anything else.


    All he wanted was to go back and see Izabe.


    He wouldn''t believe the video, wouldn''t believe Nathaniel, and certainly wouldn''t believe Katie.


    Izabe must be waiting for him safely at home, holding their cat.


    Brett''s face was exhausted as he drove at breakneck speed, running red lights, and even rear-


    ending others. It took him two hours to get back to the vi, where every minute and every second


    was filled with struggle. He hoped everything that happened today was just a nightmare, that


    Izabe would still be by his side when he woke up.


    Brett''s lips lost color from fear, his teeth clenched, his jaw tight, like a patient with a terminal illness.


    The vi''s first floor had be a ruin, the surroundings chaotic, with caution tape cordoning off


    the area. Several fire trucks parked nearby with their emergency lights shing, a red umbre


    covered a small part of the sky amidst the heavy snow.


    Yet, in Brett''s eyes, all he could see was the first-floor bedroom. That room where Izabe had


    always stayed after breaking both her legs. He had decorated it ording to her preferences ¨C


    warm colors, sunflowers on the wall, full of vitality.


    Now it had be a scene of disaster, with thick smoke billowing into the sky, merging with the


    foggy sky, as if it would copse any moment.


    Brett staggered out of the car, holding onto the door, his eyes stinging from the wind, forcing them


    open as his face was as cold as ice. As he touched it, he discovered that it wasn''t ice, but tears


    flowing from his eyes.


    It wasn''t until this moment that Brett continued deceiving himself. Izabe must be fine; she''s a


    good person. She would definitely be safe; maybe she had alreadye out, and there was no one


    in the debris.


    She was so strong, proud, and loved beauty and cleanliness. How could she tolerate being burned


    to death in a fire? That would be so painful...


    Brett racked his brain for hopes of Izabe''s survival, but none of them had hope. Izabe''s hopes


    for survival were all destroyed by him.


    She had no children, no family, and no lover... Since the first time he met her, Brett thought she was


    like a thorny rose. But after spending more time together, she seemed more like a cactus, covered


    with thorns and full of life.


    But now, the cactus had lost all its thorns, soaked in the water of despair, its roots rotting away. The


    once strong cactus softened, bing mushy with just a slight pinch...


    ...even the strongest life will eventually meet its end.


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    After getting out of the car, Brett''s feet seemed to grow roots into the ground, unable to move a


    step.


    The firefighters were cleaning up the scene, doing their best to dig Izabe out from the debris.


    It was when he saw the charred, tattered, unrecognizable wheelchair thrown out of the debris that,


    in an instant, Brett felt as if his heart was ripped out alive.


    A voice in his mind screamed for Izabe!


    The atmosphere at the scene was tense and bustling with noise, while firefighters wearing


    protective gear handled the debris very carefully.


    "Why is there a cat in here? Get out, this ain''t a yground for you."


    "This little kitty is covered in blood. It must''ve been injured during the st. It''s probably a pet from


    one of the families here."


    A bloody cat cautiously crawled out from a corner that wasn''t really noticeable. It''s usually not afraid


    of people, but now it''s all fluffed up, acting all defensive around these strangers.


    The cat dodged the grasp of a few people trying to catch it and then bolted towards a pile of debris


    that had been excavated by the firefighters earlier. Its front paws were badly injured, but it didn''t


    seem to feel any pain as it dug through the rubble while letting out heart-wrenching cries.

 Chapter 297

    Chapter 297


    Animals were sentient beings. The firefighter looked somewhat stunned at the blood-soaked cat.


    The cat''s front ws were entirely stained with blood, and one could even see the white bones


    inside. However, it seemed as though the cat felt no pain, as it sorrowfully dug through the rubble.


    Many people who witnessed this scene already had a lump in their throats.


    At that moment, Niki, the cat who had been frantically scratching the ground, suddenly froze.


    It was a hand. A hand still wearing the bracelet Brett had gifted years ago. The diamond-set lock on


    it had lost its original luster, covered in blood and ash.


    "Meow..." Niki nudged the hand with its head, as if wanting to be petted onest time, but the hand


    could no longer rise.


    Niki licked her finger, which had no nails, and then tremblingly lifted her front paw, which already


    revealed the bones, to reach for the pendant on the wrist. Then she grabbed it with her mouth,


    intending to drag the person out.


    But the strength of a cat was too small, and coupled with its injuries, it didn''t have much energy left.


    It could only cry out helplessly, with its blue eyes filled with tears.


    "There''s someone here." The firefighter rushed over immediately.


    Niki hissed, acting defensive, showing its teeth at the firefighters, not letting them get close. It was


    only a cat, not as tall and strong as a human, and could easily be crushed under a person''s foot. It


    was scared of the towering firefighters, but it was even more afraid of losing its important owner. So


    it had to protect the person behind it.


    The firefighter approached and said, "Little kitty, we need to get the person trapped inside out."


    "Meow." Niki seemed to understand, feeling that these people meant no harm. It looked back at the


    hand behind it, its eyes already wet. It limped to the side, watching attentively.


    The firefighter began to remove the wooden nks and rocks on top. When they saw the woman


    underneath, even the fire chief, who had seen many dead bodies, was taken aback. Everyone


    frowned and carefully lifted the woman out.


    The medical personnel that came with them checked her and after a while, shook their heads.


    "She''s gone. She''s dead."


    "Impossible!" Brett had just arrived when he heard this. His face slowly turned pale. Already pale


    and sickly, his face now lost all color. "She can''t be dead! Get out of my way!"


    The firefighters and medical personnel were startled by this sudden outburst, and after exchanging


    nces, they understood and stepped aside to make room.


    A cold wind blew in his face, making him shudder. He stood outside, surrounded by the sound of


    sirens, but Brett felt a profound silence, so quiet he could hear his own heartbeat.


    He staggered forward, each step causing a pang in his heart. It was as if a hand was squeezing and


    tearing his heart apart, causing him to clutch his chest in pain.


    He could hypnotize himself that Izabe wasn''t dead, that the woman who had stopped breathing in


    the rubble might not be Izabe.


    The woman had extensive burns; her bare feet were charred ck by the fire. Brett''s gaze moved


    slowly from the woman''s feet to her hands, the bracelet on her wrist, and then her face, half of


    which was disfigured.


    Reality was cruel. When he saw the person whose limbs were distorted by fire, he could fool


    himself. If the face was also simrly burnt and became unrecognizable, then the person lying there


    definitely wasn''t Izabe.


    But now her face was wiped clean, half as pale as paper, the other half bloody and mangled.


    He had once seen a punishment where a scalding hot iron was pressed against the face, and


    Izabe''s half-face looked just the same.


    In that moment, something unspeakable suddenly copsed within him.


    He nkly looked at Izabe, with a heart full of grief, physically and mentally exhausted. His brain


    stunned by the stimulus, as the world''s tragedies alwayse without warning.


    Everything had been going so smoothly these past few days, Izabe didn''t cry or make a fuss, she


    even spoke to him. In just three more months, she could have recovered.


    Why didn''t she wait for him? Why didn''t she wait a little longer?


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    In that moment, his self-assuredness evaporated, and he became weak and timid. The person lying


    in the ruins, disfigured by the fire, was his lover, Izabe.


    Niki saw Brett approaching, disregarding its own pain, it blocked Izabe with its small body, baring


    its teeth and growling at him.


    The cat that used to cling to him, now treated him as if he were an enemy, seeming to want to tear


    him apart with its fury. What had he done these past few months that even Niki despised him?


    He was only trying to do what was best for Izabe, so why did the oue not match his


    intentions?


    Two hours ago, Izabe''s call, along with the big surprise Nathaniel brought for Izabe. The video


    suddenly ying on the big screen showing Kaley''s true face, and the nine years he had been


    deceived.


    It was then that Brett realized, from the moment he and Izabe misrecognized each other, their


    ending was destined to be a tragedy. So no matter how he tried to make amends, apologize,


    Izabe could not forgive him.


    Even the times when they fell asleep together, kissed, held hands, these intimate actions were


    hurtful to Izabe.


    Not to mention that he had aborted the child in Izabe''s womb, indirectly caused Izabe''s legs to


    break and confined her to a wheelchair. Just like what Izabe had said: a bird without wings cannot


    live.


    "Thud" - Brett kneeled down, sharp stones piercing his knees. The pain attacked, but he didn''t feel it


    or even furrow his brows. He nkly stared at the unharmed half of Izabe''s face, then reached


    out.


    A piercing pain spread from the back of his hand. Niki had bitten him, its mouth issuing a


    "whimpering" sound, both angry and crying.


    Brett didn''t struggle, he lifted his other hand to grab Izabe''s right hand. The bracelet that Izabe


    had never been able to remove from her wrist, gently tugged by Brett and came off.


    Brett''s gaze followed it down; the bracelet was the one he bought for Izabe on her first birthday.


    The bracelet was custom-made, adorned with a small lock as a decoration, but only the key he held


    could remove the small lock.


    Izabe had tried various methods to remove it, but now, her right hand was burned by the fire,


    exposing the bone. The bracelet fell off her wrist in the most painful way.


    Brett froze, his eyes empty and soulless. Large tears fell from his eyes, as he looked at Izabe


    lying on the ground, suffocated.


    "So, is this the ''surprise'' you gave me, Izabe? I thought I was cruel enough, but I didn''t expect you


    to be even more ruthless. I know you resent me for locking you here, but I really just wanted to


    compensate you, to cure your stomach cancer." Brett muttered.


    "Izabe, can you wake up? Open your eyes and look at me, stop this cruel joke. You want to leave,


    right? Once I cure your legs, you can go wherever you want, I won''t keep you anymore.


    Izabe, I really was wrong."


    No matter what he said, there was still no sound around, his ears seemed deaf. He kneeled alone in


    the cold wind, shivering from the cold.


    This time, danger had truly arrived.

 Chapter 298

    Chapter 298


    Izabe was afraid of the cold, but she passed away during a snowy winter. She was afraid of pain,


    but she endured two hours in a raging fire.


    Brett''s face was icy cold from the chilly wind. He knelt on the ground, tightly gripping his charred


    wrist. His body trembling violently as he choked out Izabe''s name over and over again. Tears


    mixed with the blood in his mouth and throat.


    He once heard Izabe say that blood and tears tasted bitter when they mixed in the mouth. He


    didn''t believe it, but now he knew the taste of it and cried even harder. However, Izabe had tasted


    this bitterness for seven years.


    Izabe, Izabe...


    No matter how much he called out, she whoy on the ground would never respond again.


    Brett pulled his hand away from the cat that was biting it. Niki tumbled to the ground as it ran out of


    energy. Its beautiful eyes were half-closed, and it gasped weakly, trying to stand but copsing


    repeatedly, with all four limbs no longer functioning.


    Covered in blood, Nikiy limp and burnt, like a scorched toy. It weakly watched Brett try to clean


    Izabe''s face with trembling hands.


    The once neat and beautiful Izabe now had half her face ruined. No matter how much Brett tried


    to clean her face, the burnt part was like a rotten piece of flesh.


    Izabe liked snowfall. On the day she died, it snowed heavily in J City for the first time in six years.


    Brett''s head was suddenly covered with snowkes like feathers.


    Blood from Izabe seeped into the snow, making it red like a sea of fire. The contrast between


    white and red was striking.


    Brett choked on his words, unsure how to hold Izabe, and knelt down to hug her while crying


    bitterly.


    Tears dripped on Izabe''s face, which Brett wiped away before bending down to kiss her cold lips.


    Izabe''s lips used to be warm and soft but were now dry and cold.


    Brett''s throat tasted sweet and metallic, and blood from the corner of his mouth tainted Izabe''s


    pale lips. He held her for a long time, kissed her, and kept saying "I''m sorry." But Izabe remained


    quiet, no longer able to respond.


    The firefighters on the scene watched the man kneel on the ground, heartbroken at Izabe''s death.


    Although they had seen many sad farewells, the sight before them still brought tears to their eyes.


    A kind-hearted paramedic gently reminded, "Sir, she''s gone. Let her go."


    Brett clung tightly to her, holding her as if she were a delicate, fragile item that might disappear if he


    let go.


    How could he let go of Izabe, his greatest love? He knew that once he let go, he would never see


    her again.


    In extreme fear and despair, people lose their senses and their bodies go into self-protection mode,


    as if trapped in a room with mirrors reflecting Izabe''s face.


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    A sweet-smiling Izabe, a tearful Izabe, an angry Izabe, an Izabe who called him Brett.


    Every memory of her seemed so vivid and real to him.


    It was as if his soul had split in two. One part told him that Izabe was dead because he had


    broken her legs, trapping her in the fire.


    The other part told him that maybe Izabe wasn''t dead, just asleep, or perhaps in a vegetative


    state like a year ago, or maybe the person in his arms wasn''t her.


    "The snow is heavy this Christmas, colder than usual. I''ll take you to see the snow when your body


    gets better. The flowers in Quiet Forest Estates will bloom by then, and you might like them." Brett


    whispered.


    The snow outside continued to fall, and Izabe''s body had long lost its warmth.


    Brett hoped it was all just a nightmare, and that when he woke up, he could change the tragic end.


    He would heal Izabe''s legs, not confine her, and their emotional conflicts would fade away.


    He would keep his distance, not bothering her, as long as she was healthy.


    Only after losing her did he realize what he truly wanted.


    All he ever wanted was a healthy, happy Izabe.


    He didn''t need to be greedy, but it was his greed that led to Izabe''s life ending at the age of 27.


    Trembling, Brett stood up, refusing help from others. He nearly stumbled as he carefully held


    Izabe and picked up the bracelet from the ground.


    Brett''s gaze was filled with affection. He seemed to be looking at Izabe in his arms, as well as


    looking through this worn-out body to the Izabe of many years ago.


    Izabe was wearing a red dress and smiling at him with bright eyes that sparkled like candles.


    A cold wind blew, bringing with it a hint of blood in the air. Brett''s eyes were deste, his heart full


    of pain.


    "Izabe."


    Blood choked out of his mouth. His heart felt like it was being twisted by a rope, blood pouring out


    uncontrobly, staining the snow at his feet.


    Brett carried her cold body, taking one step at a time as their foreheads touched.


    "Be, it''s not cold anymore. Let''s go home." he choked, looking back only to see their home in


    ruins.


    His and Izabe''s home had turned to ashes, buried with the winter.


    A shrill bird cry echoed in the air, mourning for Izabe''s death.


    The world fell silent as the snow continued to fall, sighing for the tragic tale.


    After losing Izabe, Brett was left in endless inferno.


    Aside from the pain in his chest, his stomach was also cramping. That bottle of pesticide Izabe


    made him drink back then had left somesting damage to his stomach, even though it had been


    treated. His stomach was punctured and injured.


    "Sir!"


    "President Windham!"


    "Doctor,e quick! Someone''s copsed."


    Even while lying on the ground, Brett continued to protect Izabe''s body.


    It seemed like there was a crack in his chest, letting in the cold wind nonstop. It felt as if all his


    organs were frozen solid, and his vision was blurred with blood.


    If it meant he could see Izabe again, he wouldn''t mind drifting off to sleep just like this.

 Chapter 299

    Chapter 299


    "Brett, will you be scared if I suddenly disappear?"


    "Will you be scared if you lose all contact with me?"


    "Will you be scared if the next time I go to the hospital, you receive a death certificate instead of a


    critical condition notification?"


    "And the next time you see me, I''m just a ck and white photo?"


    "Brett, remember what you said. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together, and never to be


    parted."


    Brett had a long dream where Izabe struggled in a zing fire. The scorching mes licked at her


    feet as she writhed in pain on the floor, desperately trying to put out the fire by hitting the ss.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Her ten fingers were stained with blood, and bloody marks were all over the ss, which were


    traces of Izabe''s struggle before she died.


    Brett wanted to rush forward to save Izabe, but he couldn''t even get close. An invisible barrier


    held him back, keeping them apart.


    In the dream, the heat from the fire blew in his face. He looked up at the sky, which seemed stained


    with blood. He fell to his knees, weeping sorrowfully, as if he were trying to drain all the tears from


    his body.


    He tried to reach out to grab Izabe, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t hold her hand. All


    he could do was watch helplessly as the fire burned her whole body.


    Izabe, with hollow eyes and a nk expression, stared at him.


    With tears in his eyes, Brett said, "Izabe, please don''t leave me. I only want you. You''re all I have


    left, pleasee back."


    The person he didn''t cherish, tormented, and once despised. Might have been the one he longed


    for in his past life, and silently prayed to have again in this life.


    But he had her and lost her.


    "I always thought you wouldn''t leave. You have Niki, and you can''t let go of Tiara, you remembered


    Presley, Amelia, and your brother after recovering your memory. I thought with so many concerns,


    you wouldn''t leave." Brett reached out to her, tears continued to roll down his cheeks.


    Izabe curled up in the fire, her lifeless gaze fell on Brett through the ss.


    Brett felt heartbroken, unable to express his grief. He felt as if his body was being cut into pieces,


    the pain causing him to tremble.


    He couldn''t do anything in reality nor in his dream. Even embracing her seemed like a luxury.


    "Izabe, can you talk to me? Please? Even if you scold me, that''s okay." Brett said.


    Izabe''s gaze was hollow. Suddenly, she looked up at him. The fire around them was bright, but it


    couldn''t light up her eyes. Her dark eyes reflected Brett''s messed-up look.


    She said softly, "Living is good, but because of you, I''m noting back."


    After she ended her words, her body gradually became transparent. She flickered in the fire, as if


    she would disappear in front of him.


    "No!" Brett''s eyes widened in horror; as he tried to hold her tight, he only hugged a wisp of air.


    He stared at Izabe, who seemed so close yet so far away.


    His outstretched hand trembled as he couldn''t touch her.


    Izabe revealed a relieved smile as she faded away. How cruel!


    "Izabe, don''t leave! Whatever you want, I''ll give it to you! Even if you want me to die, I beg you


    not to disappear in front of me. Please don''t!" Brett shouted out.


    He tried to bring her back, but her figure faded and merged with the mes behind her.


    At the moment of her disappearance, he heard Izabe whisper, "Brett, you should live. If you die,


    we''ll meet again, and that would only make me feel more disgusted."


    Brett suddenly woke up to a white room with the smell of disinfectant. The IV bag hung above his


    head, connected to his hand. The room was quiet, so quiet he could hear the dripping sound of the


    IV.


    His face was wet, and so was his pillow. Remembering his dream just now, Brett sat up abruptly.


    The pain in his stomach reminded him that this was reality.


    "President Windham, are you awake? How are you feeling? Do you need water?" Liam held a


    thermos cup in his hand. Seeing Brett sit up, he hurried over to help him.


    "President Windham, you''ve been unconscious for several hours, you haven''t even eaten. I bought


    some soup for you. Would you like some?" Brett had a mild stomach problem, and drinking too


    much made it worse. Usually, his stomach was fine with regr sleep. Still, because of that incident,


    it became a lingering pain.


    "Where''s Izabe?" Brett''s face was pale, and he grabbed Liam''s hand, gripping it so hard it was


    like he wanted to crush his bones.


    Liam winced in pain but quickly replied, "She is in the morgue."


    Brett released his hand and got out of bed, running toward the morgue without putting on his shoes.


    Liam sighed and followed with the shoes.


    Brett couldn''t find the morgue easily since it was hidden. As he wandered around, the only sound in


    the quiet corridor was his heavy breathing. Already pale, the daylightmps in the corridor made


    him nearly blend into the walls.


    Tears filled his eyes, the same eyes that had just cried in his dream, now wet again.


    "President Windham, it''s this way. I''ll lead you. Please put on your shoes first." Liam said.


    Like a robot programmed with just the word "Izabe," Brett followed Liam''s everymand. When


    he heard Liam would take him to Izabe, he quickly slipped on his shoes.


    "Where is she?" Brett asked.


    "Right here." Liam led the way, opening a door and taking them down a dark corridor to a room.


    Brett looked at the closed door and carefully pushed it open, full of unease and helplessness.


    A wave of cold air hit his face, making him shiver. Several beds were in the room, one covered with


    a white cloth, hiding the body underneath. Yet, Brett knew it was Izabe.


    As he approached the bed, his already aching heart felt like a cat had gotten inside, scratching


    away with its ws.


    Tasting blood in his throat, his trembling hand hesitated to grab the cloth. But finally, he carefully


    lifted the corner to reveal Izabe''s lifeless body, face-to-face with reality.


    Izabe was indeed lying there, and someone clearly fixed her up. Her hair wasn''t messy anymore;


    it was neatly trimmed, and her burns were all wrapped up in gauze. She was even wearing clean


    clothes.


    However, half of her burnt face couldn''t be fixed, so they put a half-face mask on her to cover up


    what the fire had destroyed.


    Brett, staring at her dumbfounded, said, "Be, next time you sleep, don''t cover your head with


    white cloth, okay? You''ll scare the crap out of me."

 Chapter 300

    Chapter 300


    Her thin body was cold as frost, freezing to the bone. No matter how much he covered, he couldn''t


    warm her up.


    Brett was very nostalgic as he described Izabe''s facial features.


    Liam stood aside, the morgue itself was dark, and the icy temperature was scary as hell.


    Now, seeing Brett talking to a corpse, Liam was so frightened, cold sweat breaking on his back.


    This scene looked creepy, and Liam felt that Brett had lost his mind and suffered a mental


    breakdown.


    Liam was faint-hearted, and he had never been so close to a corpse before. As he looked at


    Izabe, he didn''t seem as scared as he had imagined.


    He felt a little sad. Just two weeks ago, Izabe was perfectly fine, but now she had be an ice-


    cold body, just like the four-month-old baby taken from her belly.


    Liam felt sorrowful with some guilt in his heart. His indifference was also instrumental in Izabe''s


    death.


    Brett had indeed lost his mind. His state now was like the Izabe before, who had a miscarriage


    thrown downstairs and ended up with schizophrenia.


    One moment he said Izabe was just asleep, then said she was dead. He said that the person


    lying there was not Izabe and talked about him only having a nightmare where Izabe was dead.


    But if he woke up, she would wake up too.


    The next second, Brett suddenly lifted his hand and bit hard. People said that in extreme pain, he


    could wake up from a nightmare. But why hadn''t he woken up after biting his hand and drawing


    blood?


    Tasting the salty, bloody taste and biting his hand until it bled, Brett still didn''t stop. The tearing force


    seemed to want to bite right through his hand.


    "President Windham!" Liam forcefully pulled at his hand. "What are you doing?"


    "I dreamed she died. She died. I lost her." As he spoke, Brett raised his hand and pped himself


    hard.


    Liam felt choked up and said, his eyes reddened, "President Windham, your wife is really gone.


    She''s dead."


    After wiping away tears, he said hoarsely, "President Windham, when you asked me if you were


    good to your wife, I lied to you. You were terrible to her. You caused the death of her father,


    bankrupted the Salotti family, and confined her at home, robbing her of her freedom. Her stomach


    cancer is rted to you.


    ¡°O


    n the day her father was sentenced, you made her kneel in the heavy rain for half an hour while she


    was subjected to malicious nders and humiliation from the media. You caused two miscarriages;


    she had multiple stomach cancer attacks and vomited blood, but you never believed her. Her


    bing a vegetable was because of you, as well as her amnesia. Even her legs were crippled


    and burned alive in a room with closed windows and doors because of you.


    She never owed you anything. It was always you who owed her."


    Struck by lightning, Brett knew all too well about everything Liam said, but he just didn''t want to


    admit it. Once he did, what could he possibly use to love Izabe?


    He owed Izabe too much. Even if he gave his life, he couldn''t make up for it. So, he would


    deceive himself over and over again, that everything he did was for Izabe.


    Brett frowned, his face twisted like a beast trapped in a corner.


    Liam quickly finished speaking, his throat dry and painful. He released Brett''s hand, "President


    Windham, please let her go and let her rest in peace. She suffered in life because of you. Now she''s


    dead, are you still going to torture her?"


    Brett shook his head, unwilling.


    He then started a crazy DNA test on the body, but no matter how many times he checked, it was


    Izabe. Holding dozens of DNA test reports, tears welled up in his eyes. He cried, like a child who


    lost his favorite toy.


    "It¡¯s not her. It''s not her. Why lie to me?" He felt the whole world was deceiving him.


    Liam, concerned for his safety, followed him closely these days, watching him increasingly sink into


    madness. Liam shook his head.


    "President Windham, if you think it''s not her, bury her." Liam said.


    He might be slightly sober at this point.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Brett felt the whole world had gone wild, and his nerves jumbled like a that tightened more and


    more until his whole body spasmed in pain before it stopped.


    He held no less than 70 DNA test reports in his hand, from every hospitals in J City.


    But all the results were 100% matches. Looking through the DNA test reports, he only needed one


    that didn''t match.


    But he couldn''t find one that didn''t meet the standard. He had been deceiving himself for a week


    and now had to face the fact that Izabe was dead.


    Izabe was really dead. The Izabe he''d been married to for five years, who cooked for him, and


    whose pride had been tortured into depression by him. she was really dead.


    Brett had a crystal coffin made, and the room where the coffin was ced had a very low


    temperature. Only like this, Izabe''s body wouldn''t rot.


    Liam could no longer persuade him. Now, Brett undoubtedly had shrank back into a shell that Liam


    could not enter, and Liam could only wait for Brett to choose to let go.


    But as long as Izabe''s body was still there, he would never let go.


    Liam looked at Brett sitting next to the crystal coffin, showing a bitter and self-mocking smile.


    It sounded harsh, but Brett had no right to arrange for Izabe''s body.


    Brett and Izabe''s rtionship was the most familiar and alienated ex-rtionship in the world.


    The ex-husband didn''t even qualify to sign a death certificate.


    Because Brett wouldn''t admit that Izabe was dead, few people knew about her death until now.


    When Tiara returned home from J City, everything had changed. She cried silently for a long time,


    sorted out her emotions, and began to take care of the injured Niki.


    Niki,ying at the vet clinic, almost kicked the bucket a few times, but pulled through each time. It


    remembered Izabe''s words, telling it to live a good life and wait for her to find it in the next life.


    Tiara watched over Niki while knitting a sweater. The pale yellow yarn slowly shortened as she


    carefully knit the sweater, adjusting it to Izabe''s size.


    Tears kept streaming down her puffy eyes, wetting the yarn in her hands, making it feel all icky.


    The person who used to talk to her by her side was gone, and the cat who loved to y with the


    yarn ball had also fallen. It felt just like yesterday when Tiara had encouraged Izabe to cheer up


    not long ago.

 Chapter 301

    Chapter 301


    On the seventh day of Izabe''s death, the Salotti family in R City was in chaos.


    Liam had the police inform the Salotti family about Izabe''s death, asking them toe and sign


    her death certificate and im her body.


    Izabe definitely wouldn''t want her body to be treated this way by Brett.


    ...


    When Lucas received the call from the J City police, he was dumbfounded. Izabe was dead? How


    could a menace like her die?


    Lucas couldn''t believe it. He stood there, stiff as if struck by lightning, holding his phone.


    It had been a long time since he had asked about Izabe''s whereabouts, so long that he had


    almost forgotten his only sister.


    How old was Izabe?


    Lucas never remembered. He only knew that his mother had been dead¡­ for 27 years.


    When Izabe was at home, he cursed her with the vilest words. He said she was a menace, that


    she had killed his mother, and why wasn''t she the one who died first!


    And now someone called him to tell him.


    ¡ª"Mr. Salotti, your sister''s body is in J City. Pleasee and im it. She died in a fire¡­" The


    police officer said.


    Lucas, like a boneless snake, copsed on the floor. The pain in his head quickly spread throughout


    his body, and even the prosthetic on his right wrist was trembling.


    He couldn''t even stand up, and his vision gradually blurred. Short-term blindness plunged Lucas


    into helpless fear. Like a scarecrow that had lost its support, he stared nkly with wide eyes, then


    suddenlyughed and hoarsely muttered, "She''s dead, really dead. Good riddance. the curse that


    killed our parents. I won''t im her body. I never had a sister like that."


    Izabe was dead. He should have been happy. It was because of her that his hands were crippled,


    his parents died, and the Salotti family was in ruins. She should have died long ago.


    But why were his eyes wet, his vision blurred, and tears kept falling from the corners of his eyes. It


    ran down his cheeks to his chin, finally dropping cold on his right prosthetic hand.


    Now the sister who he hated had really be a cold corpse.


    Lucas didn''t know when the call had ended. He sat on the floor dully from afternoon to night and


    then to dawn. The freezing temperature made his soul tremble.


    He didn''t know how long he had been sitting there, with his eyes blurred and swollen.


    Ever since he became handicapped, Lucas spent his days moping at home and rarely went out, his


    face bing increasingly pale.


    The housemaids had gone home for vacation, and the empty house was eerily quiet. So the sudden


    knocking on the door startled him.


    He staggered to his feet, crawling and walking to the door, his whole body practically hanging off the


    door when he opened it. Looking at the person knocking, Lucas asked in confusion, "Why are you


    here?"


    Standing outside was Presley, whom he hadn''t seen in over two years. He had returned to the


    country and saw a piece of news about Brett''s engagement on his phone.


    Presley looked at the disheveled Lucas and couldn''t help but frown, "What happened to you?"


    He had been busy with research abroad for the past two-plus years and was unaware of many


    things in the country¡ªpart of the "news" about Izabe came from his family.


    Izabe had cut off contact with him a year and a half ago. Presley worried about her but couldn''t do


    anything. He wanted to contact her but was afraid of causing trouble for her if Brett found out.


    He could only turn his longing into motivation, work hard on his research, and hope to find a cure for


    Izabe soon.


    Now there was new progress in cancer research, and he returned to R City with the results, only to


    lose Izabe''s updates. He asked his family, but each person he asked gave vague answers.


    With no other choice, he came to find Lucas, hoping to find out where Izabe was so he could take


    her away for treatment.


    Lucas didn''t answer his question directly. He caught a cold after being out all night. His throat felt


    like it was stabbed with a thorn as he hoarsely asked, "What are you doing here?"


    "Where''s Izabe? Do you know where she is?" Presley asked.


    As soon as Presley asked the question, he saw Lucas'' eyes turn red.


    Presley felt a sense of uneasiness in his heart but hadn''t even had time to think about it when he


    heard Lucas'' next words,


    "She''s dead."


    Presley blinked his dry eyes, stiffly pulled the corners of his mouth into a cold smile, and sneered, "I


    didn''te here to listen to your curses. Where is she?"


    Lucas stared into Presley''s eyes with never-before-seen seriousness and said word by word, "I told


    you she''s dead! Just yesterday, the J City police called me saying she died in a fire and asked me


    to sign her death¡­"


    "Boom!" Lucas hadn''t even finished speaking before Presley hit him hard in the face. Weak as he


    was, the blow knocked him straight to the ground. Before he could react, Presley grabbed his cor


    and yanked him up forcefully,


    "You''re lying! How could she be in J City? How could she be dead?!" Presley''s heart trembled


    violently, the pain pulling at every muscle and even making his lips quiver as his breathing became


    erratic.


    Lucas slowly lifted his left hand and ced it mechanically on Presley''s wrist, saying, "It''s better that


    she is dead. She deserved to die. My hands were cut off because of her, and my parents died


    because of her. I won''t take her body. You can contact the J City police department and deal with


    her body however you want. I never had a sister like that."


    "What the fuck you¡¯re saying!" Presley trembled with anger, his eyes wide with rage. He couldn''t


    take it anymore and pped Lucas twice, trying to wake him up.


    Lucas had a bad temper and once took advantage of the Salotti family''s power to unleash all his


    negativity on Izabe.


    Lucas, who tended to be irritable at the slightest provocation, now appeared like a puppet,


    limp in Presley''s hands, allowing him to hit and scold him as he pleased.


    The more Lucas acted like this, the more frightened Presley became. He was afraid that what Lucas


    said was true, that Izabe was dead.


    Hearing all those crappy things Lucas said, he just wanted to beat the crap out of him.


    Presley grabbed Lucas''s cor tightly, panting as he asked, "How do you think your hand got


    broken, huh? Don''t you have a clue? You tricked Izabe into going to the casino just to save your


    sorry ass. She''s been so good to you, and that''s how you treat her?


    She''s your own sister, not your enemy! She''s been nothing but heart and soul to your whole family,


    and all she gets in return is shit!


    You know what? Three years ago, she was diagnosed withte-stage stomach cancer, and she


    doesn''t have much time left! She went for check-ups alone, got IV drips and injections at the


    hospital, and passed out coughing up blood all by herself. You guys didn''t even know about her


    miscarriage and the critical condition notice!"


    Presley gasped for breath, his eyes bloodshot, and the tears he shed looked more like blood than


    actual tears.


    Lucas''s eyes widened, and he clenched his left hand tightly. He had a severed tendon in his left


    hand, and it hurt whenever he clenched it, but now it felt numb as if he had lost all sensation.


    Unable to hold back the tears, they rolled down his face.


    "Three years ago, Izabe was diagnosed withte-stage stomach cancer?" Lucas couldn''t believe


    it. At that time, she was with Brett, and everything seemed fine.


    Lucas shook his head in confusion and choked back a sob, whispering, "If she had stomach cancer,


    why didn''t she divorce Brett?"


    Presley said, "If it weren''t for you, her useless brother, she would''ve divorced Brett and spared


    herself all the torment he caused. Lucas, you really don''t deserve to be her brother!"


    As Lucas''s tears kept falling, Presley let go of him. Lucas copsed to the ground, looking panicked


    as if he had lost something irreceable and precious.


    "Presley, you think you''re such a good guy? Have you ever asked how Izabe''s doing? On the day


    of her divorce trial with Brett, she nearly smashed her head into a wall!" With trembling hands,


    Lucas pointed at Presley and said word by word, "It was your Dad who provided fake testimony for


    Brett, iming she embezzled eight billion from marital assets and using her of being mentally


    ill!"This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 302

    Chapter 302


    Presley''s legs suddenly went weak, and at that moment, he felt as if there was something wrong


    with his hearing.


    Not long after he had left, Izabe filed for divorce from Brett. But because his father provided false


    testimony in court saying that Izabe had a mental illness and secretly transferred 80 billion of their


    joint assets, she failed to get divorced?


    Presley''s body swayed a bit. When he was desperately researching how to save Izabe, his family


    was pushing her into a corner, and there was no one to help her.


    In an instant, Presley thought about a lot. He didn''t want to believe what Lucas said, but when he


    thought of the evasive eyes of his parents after returning and their silence about Izabe, everything


    seemed much clearer.


    Lucas''s eyes were full of rage like an angry lion. He stood up, grabbing Presley''s shirt on his chest.


    Lucas shouted out, "You''re right, I don''t deserve to be her brother because I never epted her.


    But what about you, Presley?"


    ¡ª But what about you, Presley?


    Did he think he was nice to Izabe? When she was struggling and begging for help, he not only


    failed to save her, but his family was also oppressing her and pushing her into hell.


    Izabe was not afraid of hell. What she feared were the people who pushed her to it- not the


    wicked viins, but the ones she once thought of as family and treated with sincerity.


    Presley stumbled back as Lucas pushed him. He stood there nkly, tears streaming down his face


    as his heartpletely crumbled.


    "I hurt her, I''m sorry. I said I would take her away as long as she wanted, but what have I done..."


    Presley frantically pulled at his hair, squatting on the ground, and gasping for air through his tears.


    The scene of Izabe banging her head against the wall in court shed through his mind.


    She wanted to live so badly, but they all forced her to lose hope.


    All of them were aplices in her death.


    Presley''s face went pale, and he wondered nkly, what right did he have to me Lucas?


    Lucas tried to shirk responsibility, but could Izabe''s death really be shrugged off?


    He used to wish for Izabe''s death, but when she really died, he realized she was the only family


    he had left. Without Izabe, he was truly alone.


    Lucas choked up, squatting on the ground and gasping for air. He wiped away his tears with his left


    hand and rubbed his eyes raw from the pain.


    Presley struggled to say, "I don''t believe Izabe is dead."


    Lucas took out his phone and ced it at Presley''s feet, "The first call on the screen came


    yesterday; you can check it yourself."


    "You didn''t check?" Presley asked.


    Lucas didn''t answer, he just sobbed with his head down. To put it shamefully, he dared not check.


    After receiving the call yesterday, he was stunned until now, not daring to think that Izabe was


    dead.


    Presley clenched his teeth, bent over, and trembled as he picked up the phone. He then looked up


    the number. It was the J City Police Department''s phone number.


    Presley was not convinced, so he searched for recent fire-rted fatalities in J City. Sure enough,


    he found a piece of news on December 25th.


    On Brett''s engagement day, the big screen broadcasting the engagement video experienced


    technical difficulties. They identally switched to a surveince video with a room full of mes. In


    a sealed room on the first floor, close to the French windows, a skinny figure was engulfed in the


    fire. She struggled painfully to hit the ss, leaving her bloody body imprint on it.


    Below the video, there was a subtitle.


    At 12:30 pm on December 25th, a fire identally erupted at an XX Ind vi. 27-year-old


    Izabe Salotti tragically died in the fire.


    Presley''s face turned pale, as if he had been burned by the phone. His hands shrank, dropping the


    phone with the screen facing Lucas.


    Lucas, with his head down, saw the subtitle in the corner of his eyes. He weakly copsed to the


    ground.


    "Is it her?" Presley thought to himself.


    ¡ª Was it her?


    Presley''s tears streamed down his cheeks. The same name and age could be dismissed as


    coincidence, but the face reflected on the window in that video haunted him.


    How could he exin the "live" video that suddenly appeared on the big screen at Brett''s


    engagement venue?


    Presley sobbed, "You''re right; we''re not worthy. We all killed her."


    Presley''s words pierced like a sharp knife into his heart, ripping out his ribs. Lucas bowed his head,


    tears flowing down his eyshes.


    He recalled the time he tricked Izabe into going to the underground casino two years ago. She


    was drugged by Heckter Dees with spiked red wine, and the wine spilled from her lips like blood.


    He left her without any hesitation, running away on his own. While Izabe trembled behind him,


    calling out for him,


    "Brother. Are you really going to leave me behind, alone?" Izabe''s smile was more painful than


    her cries.


    That was thest time in his memory that she called him "brother", right there when he left her two


    years ago.


    Izabe never gave up easily. She could face difficult and painful situations alone.


    That was the first time she begged him, but he abandoned her anyway.


    He didn''t feel like he was losing anything when he cursed her to death. It was only when she was


    truly gone that he cried out in despair.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    His mother had been gone for 27 years, his father for three years, and now his sister was gone too.


    He''d lost the only family who would let him vent his anger, give him money, call him brother softly.


    Lucas suddenly remembered something from a long, long time ago.


    His mother, pregnant, held his hand and ced it on her protruding belly. She gently asked, "Lucas,


    do you want a little brother or a little sister?"


    "I want a sister." Lucas said.


    "Then you must protect your sister well, not let her get hurt. When she cries, youfort her. When


    she''s hungry, you feed her, and if anyone bullies her." His mother said.


    Little Lucas raised his small fist, "If anyone bullies my sister, I will punch them until they cry!"


    Lucas couldn''t hold back his tears. Why on earth did he suddenly forget all this?


    He was the one who always bullied his little sister.


    Izabe died in a fire during the freezing winter, never making it home. Lucas'' heart ached so badly,


    feeling absolutely devastated.


    Leaning against the wall, he unsteadily stood up, "I have to bring her back."


    Presley''s voice was hoarse, "I''ll go with you."


    They booked their flight tickets that same day. There were no avable seats for the noon flight to J


    City, so they had to wait until 4 pm.


    Presley went back home to grab his unorganized luggage.


    Mrs. Felton watched as he hastily prepared to leave and asked, "Son, you just got home, where are


    you going now?"


    Dragging his suitcase, Presley froze upon hearing her question, then answered in a heavy tone, "To


    J City to pick up Izabe''s body."

 Chapter 303

    Chapter 303


    "What?" Mrs. Felton seemed unable to understand what Presley was implying in his words, her face


    full of confusion and fear.


    Presley calmly watched her face, then looked away and coldly said, "Izabe is dead. Mom, are you


    guys satisfied now?"


    --"Mom, are you guys satisfied now?"


    Upon hearing these words, Mrs. Felton shuddered as if she had been electrocuted, her fingertips


    trembling slightly and her eyelids turning red.


    "How could Izabe die? How could she die?" Mrs. Felton asked incessantly behind him.


    Presley moved his luggage and paused for a moment before saying, "Everybody dies eventually.


    She was diagnosed withte-stage stomach cancer three years ago and wasn''t expected to live


    much longer. If I hadn''t forced her to take her medication, she probably wouldn''t have made it past


    two years."


    Mrs. Felton''s face turned pale, tears welled up in her eyes as she cried, "She was diagnosed with


    late-stage stomach cancer three years ago, why didn''t you tell us?"


    "Because she was afraid that you guys would worry so she asked me to keep it a secret. Mom,


    Izabe never did anything wrong to us, but what have we done to her?" Presley said.


    "You guys knew that Brett was bad to her and he¡¯s the culprit that ruined her family. So why did you


    help Brett fake evidence that she had a mental illness during her divorce trial?"


    As Presley finished speaking, his emotions began to surge wildly again. He took a deep breath and


    yelled with a choked voice, "Do you have any idea what that meant to her? She was abandoned by


    the people she cared about the most, and we became the final straw that killed her!"


    Presley''s every word stabbed like a knife. Each time he thought about how his parents had been


    kicking Izabe when she was down in his absence, his heart ached as if there was blood stuck in


    his throat, ready to spit out at any moment.


    Mrs. Felton lowered her head, her shoulders trembling, and her tears fell uncontrobly. She cried


    heart-wrenchingly.


    How could this be? Izabe was dead, killed by their own doing.


    As if unaware of the crying behind him, Presley resolutely pulled his suitcase and left.


    Mr. Felton heard the sobbing and saw Mrs. Felton sitting on the doorstep with tears and snot


    pouring down her face. His heart raced, and he grabbed a few tissues to help his limp wife up.


    "What''s wrong?" He asked.


    As Mrs. Felton leaned against him, her hands clutching his clothes tightly, she sobbed violently and


    shook her head, muttering, "Our dear Izabe. We once treated her as our daughter. She''s dead."


    Mr. Felton reacted faster than Mrs. Felton, but he still couldn''t believe it. "Who told you?" He asked.


    "Presley is going to J City to collect Izabe''s body. You know how much he cares about Izabe;


    he wouldn''t joke about such a thing to provoke us. It''s our fault. We''ve hurt Izabe. If you hadn''t


    testified in court for Brett back then." Mrs. Felton said.


    Presley was right. They were thest straw that killed Izabe.


    Mr. Felton''s eyes reddened, and he regretted the series of wrong decisions they''d made. People


    didn''t like to admit their mistakes easily, and they stubbornly believed that time would solve


    everything.


    But they forgot that time could also change everything so that in the end, there wouldn''t even be a


    chance to apologize.


    Nobody liked Izabe when she was born. The Felton family initially took care of her out of pity. But


    as the young girl slowly grew up, their feelings evolved from pity to true fondness.


    Mrs. Felton liked girls but couldn''t have another child due to health reasons. Therefore, she treated


    Izabe as a daughter and even thought about marrying her off to Presley.


    Deprived of affection since childhood, Izabe rarely felt secure. As long as someone was remotely


    nice to her, she would repay them tenfold.


    Izabe yed a significant role in earning the Felton family their wealth and status. After taking


    over the Salotti Group''s industries, she signed a long-term partnership agreement with the Felton


    family.


    Later, when the Salotti family fell into trouble, Izabe sold all her shares to the Feltons to prevent


    them from getting dragged down, and ripped up the previous cooperation agreement.


    Brett tried to suppress the Felton family from behind the scenes, but due to Izabe, who


    sessfully securednd on Starry Brilliance Ind for their coboration, the Felton family


    avoided bankruptcy.


    But what did they do? While they referred to Izabe as their "daughter", where were they when she


    was mistreated by Brett? Where were they when she was diagnosed with stomach cancer? Where


    were they when she developed an actual mental illness in the hospital?


    Izabe was secretly brought to J City by Brett. Although they were aware, they turned a blind eye


    and even tried to keep their distance, fearing that they would be the next Salotti family.


    Mr. Felton was feeling extremely remorseful and was in deep anguish, holding his wife in pain. ¡°We


    are sorry to her; we have caused her suffering. We made a big mistake. We are sorry, Izabe.¡±


    The coldness of her own father, the constant curses from her brother, betrayal from the closest


    people, the abuse from the perpetrator, even the indifference of the bystanders, all gradually broke


    her wings that were meant to soar in the sky.


    Despite knowing Brett''s abuse, they handed him the weapon to destroy her.


    They were all responsible for Izabe''s death.


    Presley and Lucas boarded a flight to J City. After the nended at 8 pm, Presley immediately


    contacted the J City Police.


    They were told toe back tomorrow.


    As soon as Presley heard it, he knew things weren''t that simple. Grief didn''t cloud his judgment. He


    believed that Brett couldn''t leave Izabe alone when she was alive, so it was certain that he


    wouldn''t now that she had passed away.


    Taking Izabe''s body away might be even more difficult than he had imagined. All he could do now


    was wait and see what tomorrow would bring.


    Lucas, looking anxiously, asked Presley after he hung up the phone, "What''s happening?"


    "We''ll spend the night in a hotel and wait for the call from the Police Department tomorrow." Presley


    replied.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Why?" Lucas was dumbfounded, his eyes red, "We''re already in J City, so why can''t we see her?"


    Presley, looking exhausted, said, "This is Brett''s turf. If my guess is correct, Izabe is still with him.


    We can''t take her away for now." Power was something that always left people feeling helpless.


    Presley gave a bitter smile. Now, his greatest fear was that he would not even be able to take


    Izabe''s body away, leaving her in the hands of the person she hated the most.


    Lucas fell silent. For a moment, his heart was overwhelmed with various emotions, feeling on the


    verge of copse, helpless, and in pain.


    Presley looked at him, heartbroken and inconsble, without any emotional upheaval in his heart.


    He whispered mockingly, both to Lucas and himself, "Now that you know how painful it is."


    Even after leaving R City, the sounds of Presley''s parents crying over Izabe''s death still echoed in


    his ears.


    People in this world were strange. They couldn''t get the ones they love, and when they did, they


    didn''t cherish them. Together, they were always doubting each other. Yet when they lost one


    another, they started to reminisce. After reminiscing, they realized it was toote. In the end, their


    lives were full of regrets.


    After Izabe''s death, everyone began to love her. But what use was that now?

 Chapter 304

    Chapter 304


    As soon as Presley and Lucas arrived in J City, Liam got the news and had to figure out a way to


    get them to take Izabe''s body as soon as possible.


    Brett went to the cold room again that night, guarding Izabe in the crystal coffin. The room


    temperature was minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit, and he would end up joining Izabe in death if he


    kept going like this.


    Liam sighed, knowing that persuasion was useless and simply let him go. As long as he didn''t


    commit suicide, it was fine.


    ...


    The next day, it was still dark, and Liam was worried about how to distract Brett, but then there were


    problems on thepany''s side.


    The batch of private mines that were transferred from Starry Brilliance Ind to J City had been


    looted, and they were extremely important as the foundation for Brett''s foothold in J City. Recently,


    someone took advantage of their negligence and made them disappear without a trace.


    Without even having to think about it, Liam knew who was capable of doing this in J City.


    Liam sent someone to investigate, and sure enough, it was rted to Nathaniel.


    However, the news about the Starry Brilliance Ind private mines had never been leaked, so how


    did Nathaniel know?


    Liam suddenly remembered an incident in the past. Once when he was talking to Brett about the


    Starry Brilliance Ind mines, Izabe had been in the rest area behind him.


    Liam was filled with regret, fearing the worst had already happened.


    The investigation into Izabe''s death revealed that it was not an ident but murder. She had


    conspired with others to kill herself.


    Liam organized the information he had found and went to the cold room. As soon as he entered, he


    shivered from the cold air that greeted him.


    He tried to bear the cold and handed the file to Brett, "President Windham, this is the information


    about Madam''s death..."


    Brett''s entire body seemed to be frozen stiff by the cold air. He slowly turned his head and looked


    down at the information Liam was giving him.


    He paused for a long time, like a malfunctioning machine. He slowly took the information, his fingers


    trembling, maybe because of the cold temperature.


    He flipped through the pages one by one and asked, "You''re saying Izabemitted suicide?"


    Liam nodded and replied, ¡°President Windham, do you remember what Madam said to you on the


    phone? Additionally, I investigated Nathaniel, and it seems he is connected to the vi fire incident.


    His methods are too clean, making it difficult to obtain evidence. Perhaps you should personally try


    to extract some information from him? After all, he is your¡­¡± Liam¡¯s voice abruptly trailed off, and


    without further words, Brett understood the implication.


    The aura emanating from Brett was even more chilling than cold air.


    Liam flipped through the documents and changed the subject, "The batch of mines on Starry


    Brilliance Ind has also been robbed. They are currently suppressing our group. Additionally,


    Kaley has been nning to go abroad recently, but I have already arranged for someone to


    intercept her."


    Brett showed no reaction when he heard about the loss of that batch of mines, as if it were a matter


    of insignificant value, worth just a few cents instead of billions.


    Upon hearing the name "Kaley," he showed a clear reaction, with a cold gleam flickering in his


    sinister eyes.


    "Take it to the basement." Brett tossed the documents in his hand aside and proceeded to sit next to


    the crystal coffin, reaching out to hold Izabe''s hand.


    The temperature was too cold, and hands couldn¡¯t be warmed by covering them.


    Liam nodded with an ¡°Hmm¡± and lowered his head to organize those documents. As he was about


    to leave, heplexly took in everything with his eyes.


    Brett stayed inside for the entire morning, and his body was already numb from the low


    temperature. His face was as pale and lifeless as death.


    When Brett received a call from the Windham family, he had just stepped out of the room, and his


    fingers were so numb that he could barely hold the phone steady.


    Liam felt heavy-hearted. In order to sessfully take Izabe away with Lucas and Presley, it was


    necessary to get Brett to leave first. Otherwise, if he kept guarding here, it would be impossible to


    take Izabe away.


    The police station called again, and Liam could only ask them to wait a little longer. Brett would


    eventually reach his breaking point. When he fell ill and was hospitalized, it would be the perfect


    opportunity to take away Izabe¡¯s body.


    However, there was no need to wait for Brett to get sick now.


    Liam looked at Brett, who was holding his coat, appearing as if he was about to go out, and quickly


    asked, ¡°President Windham, where are you going?¡±


    Brett¡¯s fingers trembled slightly. He did not answer but asked Liam to stay here.


    "Keep an eye on Izabe for me, I''ll be right back." He said.


    He took two steps and suddenly turned around to look at the cold room. Izabe, inside the crystal


    coffin, had a calm expression.


    She was still waiting there for him, and as long as he turned around, he would be able to see her.


    Liam was worried about Brett''s driving and quickly arranged for a driver to pick him up.


    Brett did not persevere. His body had already exceeded its limits this week, and now he was


    swaying in the wind, ready to copse at the slightest disturbance.


    After watching Brett leave, he immediately contacted the driver to inquire about where he went and


    asked him to report back on the situation.


    The driver didn''t think much of it. Liam had been Brett''s assistant for nearly ten years, so it was


    perfectly normal for him to be familiar with the itinerary.


    Liam waited for ten minutes and received a navigation message from the driver, indicating that Brett


    went to the old mansion of the Windham family.


    Was it because Patrick wanted to see him, or was it because of Nathaniel?


    But in either case, Brett would be dyed for a period of time.


    Liam immediately contacted the Police Station to have Lucas and Presleye and take away


    Izabe''s body. He informed them to have Lucas sign the death certificate as soon as possible and


    ensure that Izabe was properly taken care of.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Presley and Lucas called the police station in the morning and were told to wait for further


    instructions.


    They thought they would have to wait for a long time for this matter, but unexpectedly, they received


    a phone call from the Police Station at 11 o''clock in the morning, asking them to quickly go and


    process the procedures to sign a death certificate.


    Upon hearing they were asked to im Izabe''s body, Lucas immediately froze. He became like a


    statue, needing someone to guide him in order to move.


    Despiteing to J City specifically to see Izabe, when the moment to actually meet her arrived,


    he hesitated and dared not go..


    The two went to the police station, with Presley standing by and watching Lucas sign with teary


    eyes and a shaky hand.


    This name that he had written since childhood was now so painful and difficult to write, as if there


    were a knife against his throat.


    Tears blurred his vision as he stared at the form on the table, and Lucas cried silently. The small


    room was filled with a thick atmosphere of sadness, making it more and more suffocating.


    Tears streamed directly from his swollen eyes, smudging the signature he had just written.


    The staff member beside them sternly reminded, "The handwriting is blurred. I''ll get another one for


    you to sign again."


    Lucas wiped his tears awkwardly and choked, "I''m sorry..."


    Presley clenched his teeth and fists, suppressing the pain in his heart.


    After the staff member brought a new form, Lucas signed much faster this time. After pressing his


    fingerprints, they were taken to the morgue.


    Izabe was ced in a beautiful crystal coffin, with the cold air inside still lingering. Shey there


    as if she were just sleeping.


    Her burns had been treated, but a dead person''s wounds could not heal. Now, exposed outside the


    morgue, the terrifying injuries were revealed, and rotten flesh spread across arge area.


    Presley closed his eyes and sobbed quietly. Izabe, such a good girl, had left this world in such a


    painful way.


    He couldn''t imagine how Izabe, who had been too afraid to undergo chemotherapy, had survived


    those two hours in the fire. H


    e really wasn''t a good friend, unable to even save her life.


    He used to say that Izabe was like a sun, not needing anyone, shining alone to dispel the gloom


    of this world. But in the end, he found that she was just a speck of dust in the universe, fragile as if


    blown away by the wind.


    Izabe was always optimistic, keeping her hope no matter what happened. But why did hope never


    favor her?


    Such a good girl, at the age of 27 on Christmas, was ultimately consumed by the fire.


    What was the meaning of the three years spent working hard on research abroad?


    He meant to save more people, to save Izabe''s life. But now, Izabe had be an empty


    shell, a lone soul, and he couldn''t even save his favorite person.


    Presley leaned forward, his hand resting on the crystal coffin, slowly approaching and lifting the half-


    mask on Izabe''s face, revealing the rotten and gruesome wounds underneath.


    "Is this her?" Lucas lost his voice, his tongue feeling as if it had been snatched away by an eagle.


    In his memory, Izabe had always been morous and lively, with an unyielding tenacity in her


    bones.


    But now, she was burned all over, her bones exposed, and a sense of fragility permeated


    everywhere.


    She had be incredibly thin - thinner than he could even imagine. In just over a year since he


    last saw her, she had be nothing but a skeleton, as if even her internal organs had


    disappeared.


    The once beautiful-loving Izabe was no longer pretty.


    Standing there, memories of the various Izabes flooded Lucas''s mind ¨C the little girl running


    unsteadily towards him with a pacifier in her mouth, reaching out for him, the breathless, tearful little


    Izabe, and the suddenly mature and stubborn one.


    They were all so lively and weren''t supposed to be the Izabe lying in this narrow coffin, with her


    flesh charred and face a horrific sight.


    He watched her grow up and knew everything about her, how she feared pain and bitterness.


    She would scrunch her nose while taking medicine and wail loudly after a fall, even when she had


    no broken skin, hoping for attention andfort. But she only received indifference.


    Standing up where she fell was what Izabe learned since she was little.


    Gradually, she stopped expecting anything from anyone. When things got tough and she couldn''t


    hold back any longer, Izabe would hide in the bathroom to cry.


    Later, someone asked her why she cried in the bathroom.


    She said, "I heard on TV that the only ces you can cry are the bathroom and in dad''s arms."


    Her father didn''t like her so she would hide in the bathroom and asionally look enviously at her


    father hugging her brother.


    Children would cry for candy, but Izabe seldom cried in front of her family. She was strong like a


    rock. She would be easilyforted by a single piece of candy, but no one ever gave her any.


    Growing up alone, she not only learned to be strong, but also how to treat others with sincerity.


    Yet, unexpectedly, she mistook the boy who carried her on his back, and she had given her lifetime


    of kindness to Brett.


    See, a sweet donut could win a true friend, but now they tried their best and couldn''t hold onto those


    precious moments anymore.

 Chapter 305

    Chapter 305


    The richest man in R City had always been the center of everyone''s attention, but now he looked


    exhausted, his face bruised, lips chapped, and skin pale. This winter was undoubtedly the toughest


    one for him.


    The cold seemed to seep into his bones, numbing his whole body.


    Brett looked down at the bracelet on his wrist, which Izabe once wore. The bracelet was a bit


    tight, causing his wrist to swell slightly.


    He stared at the decorative little lock on the bracelet, which had never been opened and remained


    intact even in the fire. Why couldn''t it keep the person locked up?


    Brett clutched the lock, emotions flooding his heart, and his eyes getting ufortably dry.


    He hung his head like a hedgehog in self-defense mode, hunching down and facing away. He


    pulled the bracelet hard and his body trembled involuntarily.


    The driver nced at Brett through the rearview mirror and sighed softly.


    The journey to the Windham family''s old mansion took two hours. The driver drove slowly, taking


    two and a half hours to get there. When they arrived, it was already twelve thirty, just in time to


    catch Patrick having lunch.


    Brett got out of the car, looked up at the foggy sky and high mountains, and a sense of


    unprecedented heaviness loomed over his heart. He was ready to copse at any moment.


    It was in this ce that his parents passed away, and now his most beloved person was gone too.


    Brett went in and said directly to Patrick, "Did you have anything to do with Izabe''s death?"


    Patrick seemed not to have heard and leisurely had the soup. He was slowly picking up the fork to


    taste the food and asionallymenting,


    "Our chef''s skills have improved recently, not bad."


    Brett''s face darkened. He never liked wasting time in his work and preferred to solve things in the


    shortest amount of time, not wasting any more seconds. He walked straight over, flipped over the


    tes and utensils on the table with a m, and the pieces ttered to the floor, the soup and food


    sttering all around.


    The butler and servants nearby were startled. Luckily, the old butler reacted quickly and pulled


    Patrick back; otherwise, the falling solid wood table would havended on his leg, which would have


    been no joke.


    Although he avoided the table, Patrick''s clothes were still stained with oil. It was the first time he


    looked so disheveled at this age.


    His hand shaking with his fork, Patrick angrily threw them at Brett, "Do you want to kill me over a


    woman?"


    "Did you have anything to do with Izabe''s death?" Brett''s eyes were as icy as a storm in the cold


    winter, always giving people a cold impression. Even when he got angry, he''d do it quietly and


    secretly get back at people. Today''s outburst was simply murderous.


    Patrick clearly felt the killing intent emanating from him, making the servants tremble at the side.


    Patrick was ustomed to storms and waves, but it was the first time he had been stared at with a


    "murderous" gaze by his own grandson, which he found quite amusing.


    ¡°If I said it was rted to me, would you want to avenge her and kill me?¡± Patrick asked.


    ¡°I won¡¯t hurt you,¡± Brett said calmly, but his eyes disyed a crimson color, with a sinister gaze.


    Veins bulged on his forehead, giving him the appearance of a ferocious beast, as if he could pounce


    at any moment to tear the other person apart.


    "But I will make the entire Windham family get what they deserved!" Brett added.


    "Good, you are truly something." Patrick was infuriated and snatched the cane handed over by the


    butler, forcefully striking it on the ground. "What a foolish person you are!"


    Patrick squinted his eyes. Having held a high position for a long time, he possessed amanding


    presence that few could withstand. He scrutinized his grandson, as if meeting him for the first time.


    The Windham family had never required someone who was overly emotional, let alone someone


    who would go crazy for a woman. Initially, he didn''t have much opinion about Izabe and merely


    regarded her as a ything.


    Moreover, the information he received all along was that Brett wasn''t treating that woman well, so


    he didn''t care much about it. If she died, she died. There were plenty of women in this world.


    But what he didn''t expect was that Izabe held such an important ce in Brett''s heart, to the point


    that he came all the way here to berate and interrogate him.


    If he had known that such a day woulde, he would have personally dealt with Izabe, why


    bother letting Nathaniel take action.


    This woman was truly a troublemaker, if she were still alive, she would undoubtedly be a major


    nuisance.


    Brett didn''t know Patrick''s thoughts, but judging from his unfriendly expression, he could tell that


    Patrick was not thinking of something good. After all, they shared the same bloodline, and Brett


    knew Patrick better than anyone else.


    ¡°I didn¡¯ty a hand on that person. If you want to know the truth, I¡¯ll have Nathaniele over,¡±


    Patrick sarcastically remarked. ¡°But don¡¯t me me for not warning you. Once you know the truth,


    you¡¯ll have to bear the consequences. Brett, you¡¯re almost thirty, and no one will indulge you. It¡¯s


    time for you to face the consequences.¡±


    People who were unaware of the truth could live their whole lives, but once they became aware,


    they could only face it, regardless of the oue.


    But the most terrifying thing was that he didn''t even have the qualification to face it. Everything had


    changed, which only added to the sorrow, often leading to regret in the long years toe.


    Brett¡¯s body stiffened, and without hesitation, he turned and walked towards the meeting room


    inside.


    Patrick coldly smirked as he watched his retreating figure. After a while, his eyes became blurred,


    and before him, Brett''s silhouette gradually merged with that of his deceased son, sharing the same


    loneliness.


    He suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder, his head swayed for a moment. The butler promptly


    supported him and asked, ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Patrick tightened his grip on the cane in his hand. As he grew older, even the cane that aided his


    mobility seemed to slip from his grasp.


    "I¡¯m ok," Patrick said, taking a seat with the help of the butler''s assistance. "As one grows older, his


    abilities truly diminish. This world ultimately belongs to the younger generation, Albin. My grandson


    may be useless in the future."


    The butler remained silent, and Brett was born with Patrick''s expectations. He had been intelligent


    since childhood, and his character was just like Patrick''s back then, ruthless. In the words of the


    elderly, he was someone who could achieve great things.


    "I guess it''s my fault for not giving a damn all these years. I hope he''ll step up after this, not step


    back." If Izabe''s death could spark Brett to reim the Windham family, that''d be great, but who


    knew if he''d actually drag them all down with him.


    After Izabe''s death, Brettpletely lost his mind.


    ...


    Nathaniel rushed over as soon as he got the phone call from the old butler. He was close by, so he


    arrived in just 20 minutes.


    Inside, the heating was on. Nathaniel walked in, took off his coat and tossed it to a servant. He


    nced at the watch on his wrist and gestured to his subordinate, "Give me a cigarette."


    His subordinate handed over a cigarette, and after Nathaniel put it in his mouth, he respectfully lit it


    for him.


    Narrowing his eyes, Nathaniel took a deep drag, and blueish-white smoke slowly rose from his


    mouth. He waved his hand and walked through the faint smoke, pushing open the door to the


    reception room.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Seeing Brett sitting inside, Nathaniel''s eyes curved in irony as he said, "Oh, Brett, it''s only been a


    week, and you look like aplete mess. Izabe''s death must''ve really hit you hard, huh?"


    "You set that fire." Brett¡¯s tone wasn''t questioning, but confirming.


    "Did youe here to find out who started the fire? Or to get the truth? Or to shirk responsibility?"


    Nathaniel leaned against the wall, smirking, and asked mockingly. "Brett, did you really love


    Izabe?"


    This wasn''t the first time someone had asked him that question. He used to not care, but when she


    wanted a divorce, he felt ufortable. He never realized how special Izabe was, thinking his


    difort stemmed merely from not wanting anyone to defy him. If someone wanted a divorce, it


    shouldn''t have been her, he thought.


    He had always been so arrogant, thinking that as long as the kite string was still in his hand, all he


    had to do was tug it and she''d be pulled back to him no matter how far away she''d gone.


    But he forgot that there were too many unexpected idents in this world, like how a strong wind


    could easily snap the taut kite string.


    "Brett, you''re still as stubborn and arrogant as ever. You''re so used to being selfish, taking things for


    granted and only regretting them when they''re gone. To put it bluntly, you just can''t seem to break


    your bad habits. Did you really love Izabe? No, you just regret not being able to satisfy your


    desires now that she''s dead." Nathaniel said.


    The cigarette between his fingers had burned to the end, scalding his fingertips, but Nathaniel''s


    eyes remained cold and indifferent, not letting go. He''dmitted this kind of pain to Izabe''s body


    at least five or six times before, the burns from the cigarette ash ckened her flesh.


    Nathaniel didn''t care about a former ything; he only cared about making Brett suffer. And sure


    enough, Izabe''s death didn''t disappoint him.


    "I''m not a good person, but I''ve never denied being a bad one. Unlike you, who pretends to be


    virtuous while professing love for her but being the one who hurt her body and soul." Nathaniel


    added.


    "How can you not know what you did to her? Her father''s death, your two children, and the one she


    always loved ¨C what are you going to give back to her for those lives you took?


    That fire, to be precise, was set at Izabe''s ''request.'' She used my hand to take revenge on you


    and make a generous sacrifice of herself."


    He asked quietly, "Brett, why did you push her to such a horrifying end? Forcing her to take her own


    life in such a painful way?"


    Although the heating inside was more than enough, Brett couldn''t feel any warmth. It was as if he


    was standing out in the snow and ice, clenching his frostbitten fingers until they shook. His blood


    froze and turned into jagged ice, tearing his insides apart.


    He didn''t want to listen to Nathaniel, but his voice pierced through his soul, forcing him to face one


    unbearable truth after another.


    "You know better than anyone, she died because you pushed her step by step. You resent me for


    torturing Izabe, for leaving over a hundred scars on her, but who''s the one who handed her over


    to me? You im to be deeply devoted, wanting to make it up to her, to cure her stomach cancer ¨C


    have you forgotten who spent four years draining her blood and ruining her body? Who caused her


    to be crippled and confined to an immobile wheelchair when the fire came, unable to even hide?"


    Nathaniel''s words became rapid, his eyes growing more mocking as he watched Brett''s expression


    crumble. He dropped his cigarette, approached Brett, and crushed thest bit of hope in his heart


    with a cold tone he had never used before.


    "Brett, you have to admit, it''s not that you lost her this time, but that she didn''t want you anymore."

 Chapter 306

    Chapter 306


    Brett had to admit that it was not him losing her this time, but she didn''t need him anymore.


    She hadn''t needed him for a long time, not since he hurt her over and over again, until finally... that


    woman who only had eyes for him didn''t need him anymore.


    It served him right. He brought it upon himself. Her love for him was stolen, taken by force. How


    could he enjoy all those good things that didn''t belong to him without feeling guilty?


    Every part of his body was in pain. He thought that Izabe¡¯s death had caused him the greatest


    pain, that his soul had dried up. But the fact was, pain was endless. It could make him hurt and


    even more.


    Sharp pains always came unexpectedly, arrogantly raging in his body, causing him to step back


    involuntarily.


    "Brett, what you should find out the most is not how Izabe died, but who really saved you nine


    years ago. Do you want to know?" Nathaniel said.


    "Enough! I don''t want to know!" Brett said.


    All those past experiences were so vivid in his mind that he had alreadye close to the truth


    from nine years ago. All he had to do was reach out and touch it, and it could also make him fall into


    a bottomless abyss.


    One thing after another connected together; everything could be exined. Brett already had an


    urate answer in his heart, just like peeling awayyers of silk.


    The words she said when he used Izabe to exchange for Kaley that year.


    - "Brett, have you ever thought Kaley might be fooling you? A lot of people have pearl earrings like


    that."


    - "If I told you I was the one who saved you, would you believe me?"


    He had thought of these things even on the day of his engagement, but he did not dare to face them


    directly.


    "You must know!" Nathaniel interrupted him, "Did you pull a pearl earring in the water that year? Do


    you know that because of your excessive force, it directly caused the other person''s earlobe to tear


    and some stitches were needed?"


    Brett''s expression suddenly turned fearful, as if he had fallen into some kind of terrifying illusion.


    Nathaniel looked at his face with amusement and spoke the long-buried truth, "Coincidentally, on


    the night of Christmas Eve nine years ago when you fell into the water and were hospitalized,


    Izabe was also transferred to the same hospital, her earlobe sewn with stitches.


    In fact, if you had properly observed the earring you pulled off, you could see that there was blood


    on it. Even if you couldn''t see the blood, you''d have discovered the ws in the details if you looked


    closely, but you never did. You believed whatever Kaley told you.


    Izabe had a scar on her earlobe, which even I, who only met her twice, knew about. And yet you,


    her husband of many years, did not know that.


    Tell me, how much of a failure do you think you are, living your life like this? You upied a position


    that didn''t belong to you, and now you''re getting your just deserts. Isn''t it a frustrating feeling to be


    deceived?"


    Brett looked like he was about to explode, his pupils quaking, and those beautiful eyes were about


    to fill with blood.


    Brett thought to himself, ¡°Stop it, stop saying it anymore... enough, I don''t want to hear it!¡±


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Those beautiful memories, which were supposed to stay in the deepest part of his memories, have


    now turned into something like a cruel ughterhouse.


    It was weird how his soul was so noisy, but his reality seemed to have lost its soul, leaving only a


    rigid body standing there.


    But in fact, when people are at their most emotional, it was very difficult for their senses to react and


    show their pain.


    He was like a drowning man, his body sinking heavily, unable even to call for help. There were


    hands pulling him down, trying to drag him into the mud.


    Brett finally experienced the despair Izabe had felt all those years, and even then, it was not


    enough.


    Nathaniel looked into Brett''s eyes, his gaze full of pity and sarcasm, "The person you have loved for


    so many years betrayed you and deceived you; your subordinates refused to tell you the truth,


    letting you live in lies; and the person you''ve been cruel to all along was the one who saved you


    back then.


    Brett, you''re pathetic,ughable, and shameful. You lost a diamond, and took a nd for it instead.


    Her death is in retaliation for your misjudgment of character!"


    Once, Brett was proud and conceited. He had the right to be, and everyone envied him.


    God never said that people were born equal. There were many inequalities in this world, just like


    some people who were born superior to others and achieved heights that others may never reach in


    their lifetime.


    Look, how enviable. They originally thought Brett would always be on top, smooth sailing, but they


    didn''t think he would tumble so badly in his love life.


    Brett felt his heart no longer beating, everything dead silent, as if torn to shreds by someone.


    During the years he was married to Izabe in R City, he often saw n Salotti and Lucas scold her


    as the bringer of misfortune. He never stopped them and even thought Izabe deserved it.


    But now, he realized he himself was the true bringer of misfortune. His parents died in a car


    ident to protect him, Cameron disappeared for more than ten years due to saving him, and he


    eventually died because Brett didn''t answer those ten phone calls.


    And Izabe, nine years ago, she jumped into the cold water to save him despite hating the cold


    and had her earlobe torn open because of him.


    What did he do? Nathaniel was right; he was a selfish person, just trying to make up for Izabe


    when he was the one who owed her his life.


    What a joke... Brett staggered backward, his eyes losing their luster.


    It turned out that the initial surprise in the water was her; the one constantly appearing in his dreams


    was her; the one he was longing for was her; and the one he had been seeking but could never get


    for a lifetime was still her.


    The person he always wanted was her and it had never changed. To satisfy his selfish desires, he


    "killed" Izabe.


    Yes, Izabe didn''tmit suicide; he killed her. He shouldn''t havee here to use Patrick


    and Nathaniel, because he was the real killer!


    Brett covered his stomach, his body in pain and leaning forward. In an instant, a mouthful of blood


    came out, his red lips stained with blood, dripping onto the floor.


    Nathaniel watched Brett vomit blood, thinking that seeing him in pain would make him feel better,


    but it didn''t.


    He was like an outsider, watching Brett kneel down, clutching his stomach, blood flowing from his


    mouth. There was no satisfaction in revenge.


    Nathaniel thought of the woman who died in the fire, and his heart got more and more bitter. He


    never lingered on a woman, not even giving her an extra nce.


    But for some reason, he only met Izabe twice, but her figure always stuck in his mind, lingering in


    the deepest part of his memory. Just thinking about her tugged at his heartstrings, and it hurt.


    Izabe, was this the oue you wanted to see?


    "Totally serves you right." Nathaniel threw his cigarette into the trash can, sounding disdainful. "No


    good at all, just made a mess on the floor and now I have to bother cleaning it up."

 Chapter 307

    Chapter 307


    Nathaniel pinched his cold earlobe, wondering how much it would hurt if it was forcibly torn off by


    someone?


    Nine years ago, Izabe had jumped into the water to save someone without any hesitation. She


    probably would never have imagined in her lifetime that she would be harmed by the person she


    had saved, leading to the destruction of her family and her being covered in scars. In the end, she


    could only sit in a wheelchair and watch as the fire approached her.


    What a naive girl, she hated the cold but still plunged into the water to save someone in the dead of


    winter.


    Fate was always against her, but she never gave up her kindness. She treated others well, but fate


    never treated her kindly.


    If trusting the wrong person was a crime, she didn''t deserve to die.


    Brett didn''t deserve death, he only deserved to live in pain.


    In the past, Izabe wanted to live more than anyone else, but herter life was worse than death.


    She was a frequent visitor to the hospital, having been notified of her critical condition countless


    times. She once begged him to kill her.


    Izabe had experienced countless pains, and thest one was called relief.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    ...


    Brett was kneeling on the ground, his mouth full of blood. He didn''t know when Nathaniel had left.


    He knelt there, one hand covering his stomach, the other over his mouth, with a warm, sticky


    difort in his palm. He stared nkly at his right hand stained red with blood.


    The pain in his stomach was unbearable, like being entwined with thorns, sharp thorns stabbing


    from the inside out, causing his stomach to spasm as if it was about to split open.


    Izabe hated pain, yet she had been tormented by such pain for three or four years. Why didn''t he


    believe her when he saw her vomiting blood? She was obviously in so much pain, why did he think


    she was faking it?


    Brett clutched his stomach, his body trembling with pain. He was good at enduring pain, no matter


    how painful, he could grit his teeth and make no sound. When he couldn''t bear it any longer, he


    vomited again.


    His stomach was convulsing, and what he vomited out was either blood or gastric acid, burning his


    throat. His eyes were red, the viscous blood on the ground formed a red pool, and the smell of


    blood was overwhelming.


    Brett gritted his teeth, muttering crazily, "So, this is how painful a stomachache can be. Vomiting


    blood really feels like losing half of your life. This is what Izabe has been going through all these


    years."


    Brett only felt like his belly was being cut by thousands of knives, and every time he vomited blood,


    his throat tasted incredibly bitter, like crushed medicine stuck in his throat that he couldn''t swallow


    or vomit.


    How did Izabe, who hated bitterness so much, manage to endure all this?


    He suddenly remembered a sentence Izabe had once said to him.


    ¡ª"Brett, I''m someone who''s so afraid of pain, yet I dare to love you. How have you treated me


    then?"


    Yes, how had he treated her? Brett covered his sour and painful eyes, sobbing until he was out of


    breath.


    Those years when he was drinking and socializingte, Izabe was worried that he would get a


    stomach problem, so she would make him soup to sober up, warming him from the inside out.


    And how did he treat Izabe? When Izabe carefully brought him water and begged him to drink,


    he would ssh it in her face if he didn''t like it.


    And Izabe neverined, she was someone who was used to enduring pain. Despite her


    tired body, she would still treat him well the next day.


    He missed Izabe, more than he ever had. He wanted to go back to find her, to be with her. He


    wanted to treat Izabe better in the future.


    Brett staggered to his feet and opened the door, bumping into the old butler. The sight of Brett


    covered in blood startled the old man,


    "Master Brett, what happened to you? How did you get in this state? I''ll go call a doctor, just wait..."


    Brett, seemingly oblivious, steadied himself against the wall and walked forward. His vision blurred,


    the world asionally plunging into darkness, with only a beam of light ahead. Izabe stood there,


    extending her hand towards him.


    He walked towards the light, trying to grasp it, but he couldn''t.


    "I need Izabe, I need her. I haven''t taken her to see the snow this winter, I need to go back and


    braid her hair, give her the newly knitted scarf. Do you know where she went?" Brett''s eyes were


    bloodshot as he suddenly grabbed the old butler''s hand, asking anxiously.


    "Can you tell me where Izabe is? I need to find her, she doesn''t want me anymore, I can''t find


    her."


    He deserved it, only realizing what he had lost after it was gone.


    The feeling of stomach pain had slowly numbed, but his body, which had been chilled from staying


    in the cold room for days, was severely shocked now. Feeling dizzy, he was in a state of both ice


    and fire.


    He moistened his dry lips, the old butler tried to support him, but he was pushed aside. He clutched


    his stomach, bent slightly and moved forward step by step.


    The old butler followed Brett, watching his wavering figure helplessly. He was worried and quickly


    went to find Patrick to discuss Brett''s situation,


    "I''m worried about him."


    Patrick spoke in a deep voice, "What''s there to worry about? He''s just going mad, not dying. I''ll have


    Liam stimte him a bit; he won''t be in any danger."


    The old butler sighed quietly, hoping so, but Brett didn''t look fine, having vomited so much blood.


    Brett went outside without his coat, wearing only a sweater, but he didn''t feel the cold, because his


    heart was colder than the outside.


    Seeing hime out, the driver got out of the car and opened the back door, "President Windham,


    are you alright?"


    "Go back, I need to go back to see Izabe." Brett kept muttering this sentence.


    The driver helped him into the car, quietly closed the door, and drove steadily. It was nearly four


    o''clock when they got back.


    Liam, watching the car return from the floor-to-ceiling windows, frowned. It was earlier than he had


    expected, but hours had passed. Lucas and Presley should have already taken care of Izabe''s


    body, right?


    Brett got out of the car and refused the driver''s assistance, stumbling towards the house.


    "President Windham..." Liam spoke, but Brett didn''t even nce at him, rushing towards the cold


    room and bringing a gust of cold wind.


    "Izabe, I''m back..." Brett''s voice suddenly cut off. He had thought he would see Izabe lying in


    the crystal coffin as usual when he returned. But the huge cold room was empty, no crystal coffin,


    no Izabe. Fear prated his body as he leaned against the cold wall.


    For a moment he thought he had walked into the wrong room. How could the coffin and the person


    inside disappear without a trace?


    Liam stood behind him and said, "President Windham, while you were away, people from the police


    station came and took Madam away."


    Brett whirled around, grabbing Liam by the cor, and shouted angrily, "Didn''t I tell you to take good


    care of her? Why did you let them take her away? Why!"

 Chapter 308

    Chapter 308


    Even when he was sick, Brett''s grip was still really strong. He was holding onto Liam''s cor with


    his hand, the veins on the back of his hand popping out. If he used this much force on someone''s


    neck, they''d probably be choked to death.


    For a moment, Liam had difficulty breathing, undoubtedly frightened.


    "Why didn''t you keep a close eye on her and just let someone take her away!" Brett gritted his teeth,


    his eyes fierce, and tears welling up in his eyes, looking like a dying prisoner struggling desperately.


    Liam looked at the insane-looking Brett, his hands shaking badly, and his calves trembling. His body


    slided down involuntarily. If it weren''t for Brett gripping his cor, he''d probably already have


    copsed on the ground.


    "Where did they take her? I want to find her." Brett asked.


    Liam shook his head, taking a deep breath and said, "President Windham, it''s no use. Izabe was


    taken away by her brother."


    "You mean Lucas?" Brett asked.


    Liam replied with difficulty, "Yes."


    "What does Lucas count for? He''s never taken care of Izabe. He''s yelled at her and beaten her.


    What right does he have to take her away!" Brett said.


    Even Liam couldn''t help but found Brett''s words a bit ridiculous at this point.


    "President Windham, no matter how bad Lucas is, he''s still Izabe''s only family. There''s no one


    more qualified to take her away than him. On the other hand, you''re just her ex-husband. You''re the


    least qualified person to keep her." Liam said.


    At this moment, Liam was not afraid of anything, even if it meant getting beaten up. He had been


    with Brett long enough and had deceived him plenty. He didn''t want to deceive himself any longer.


    Brett''s breathing faltered, and his tongue seemed to have been stung by something. He reflexively


    held his breath, his eyes dim and lifeless, as if he had lost his soul.


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    The atmosphere was tense, and no one spoke. The dim, cold room felt like a silent, lonely grave.


    "All I have left is her body. Why won''t they even leave her body with me? Where did she go?" Brett


    squatted down, hugging his head, and randomly tearing at his messy hair.


    With a keen eye, Liam noticed that there were several strands of gray hair mixed in with Brett''s hair.


    He was not even 30 yet, but losing Izabe had aged him several years in just a few days.


    Liam spoke hoarsely, "President Windham, I dreamed of the Ladyst night. She said she was


    cold..."


    As he watched Brett lift his bloodshot eyes, Liam choked up and continued in a muffled voice, "Just


    think about it, she doesn''t even want to enter your dreams. How much she must hate you... You


    know she was afraid of the cold when she was alive, yet you locked her in this cold room. She''s


    been resenting you, but she can''t speak now. President Windham, let both her and yourself go."


    Brett''s expression was stone-like. His blood-red eyes stared as tears flow continuously down his


    cheeks.


    Izabe was his life, how could he possibly let her go?


    "You always say you''ll make it up to her, but you don''t even know what she wants. President


    Windham, all she ever wanted was to leave you." Liam said.


    Nathaniel and Liam seemed to have made an agreement, attacking Brett from both sides. He was


    like falling into an abyss, with wolves in front of him and tigers behind him, tearing him apart at


    every step.


    He could give up anything, but he couldn¡¯t lose Izabe. Why couldn''t she stay with him?


    Brett leaned against the cold wall, curled up and hugging his aching head tightly. Sobbing sounds


    came from his throat.


    An indescribable pain raged in his chest.


    Liam watched as Brett sat on the floor, hands covering his face, tears seeping through his fingers


    and wetting his sleeves.


    The only sound in the air was Brett''s heavy and oppressive breathing. Liam watched him quietly for


    a while, then took out his phone and called the police station.


    "I''d like to know if Izabe''s body has been taken away? How is it being handled?¡± Liam asked.


    Liam put the call on speaker, and Brett immediately lifted his head, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.


    He stared intently at Liam''s phone, like a child whose beloved toy had been taken away and wanted


    to snatch it back but didn''t dare to.


    "Her family took her body away at noon." The police said.


    Liam asked again, "Where did they take her?"


    "Crematorium." The police answered.


    Liam hesitated for a moment, not expecting Izabe''s body to be sent directly to the crematorium.


    She had been there since noon, and it was already four o''clock now. She had probably long turned


    into ashes. Liam looked down at Brett.


    His face looked even worse than before, as if something was devouring his soul and losing all


    reason.


    Brett still stared intently at Liam''s phone until he heard him say "thank you" and hang up the call. As


    the screen turned off, Brett finally reacted.


    In this cold winter, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. His nerves tensed


    up even more, ready to snap.


    Brett scrambled to his feet in a panic, "I have to find her. I have to find her." He took two steps, then


    his head spined and his legs went weak, causing him to stagger to his knees. He tried to stand but


    couldn''t even crawl forward.


    He stared at his legs as he had a grown man''s breakdown in an instant. He suddenly clenched his


    fist and violently pounded his thigh, shouting hoarsely, "Move! You are useless, Brett! You can''t


    even see her onest time!"


    He had used up all his strength, but his hand had no impact on his leg. It was as if his wrist had


    been snapped. He bit his lip, and Liam was frightened by his actions, quickly reaching out to stop


    him and tell him not to hurt himself.


    Brett''s body trembled nonstop, his throat dry and painful. It felt like his blood had dried up and


    solidified, making it hard to breathe.


    "¡­President Windham, I''ll take you to her."


    Liam said something in front of him, but Brett only heard thest sentence.


    Liam squatted down and hoisted Brett onto his back, running out the door and calling for the driver


    to leave the car at the entrance and headed towards the crematorium.


    The driver knew there was no time to lose, watching Liam stuff Brett into the car and stepping on


    the gas immediately.


    It usually took at least an hour to get to the crematorium from here. The driver tried his best to drive


    fast, even running a few red lights along the way, but it still took forty minutes to reach their


    destination.


    Before the car could evene to a stop, Brett opened the door and jumped out, running toward


    the furnace.


    Liam was right on his heels, watching Brett''s wobbly figure.


    At this moment, Brett still had a glimmer of hope, hoping that Izabe hadn''t entered the incinerator


    yet, and her body was still lying intact in the crystal coffin.


    However, when they asked the staff, they were still a step toote. Izabe''s body had been


    incinerated and turned to ashes an hour ago.


    Brett, trembling, asked, "Where did they take her?"


    The staff replied, "Should be off to the seaside."

 Chapter 309

    Chapter 309


    Seaside... Not only did they cremate Izabe''s body, but they also took the ashes to the beach.


    What were they trying to do...


    The staff member was baffled as he watched the man in front of him.


    Brett let go of the staff''s hand weakly. His proud figure seemed to copse at this moment...


    ...


    Lucas asked, "Are we really going to scatter the ashes into the sea?"


    Presley nodded, sitting on the seaside rock, caressing the urn in his hand.


    Three years ago, when Izabe was diagnosed with stomach cancer, this kind of ending seemed to


    be destined.


    The sea breeze blew on his face, and Presley''s dry eyes started to well up again. He carefully


    cradled the urn in his arms as if it was a priceless treasure.


    "She said that after she died, she wanted to donate her usable organs to those in need, and the rest


    should be cremated and scattered into the sea..."


    Even in death, she wanted to save people with her own body. Why was fate so unfair to such a


    good girl?


    Lucas squatted aside, a surge of sorrow welling up inside him.


    Presley had a bitter smile on his face, recalling how he had advised Izabe not to worry about what


    would happen after her death.


    He thought that in such an advanced era of medical science, with so many experts dedicated to


    cancer research, Izabe''s condition would surely improve. Even if she couldn''t bepletely


    cured, she could live a few more years.


    However, in these three years, despite significant progress in cancer research, Izabe passed


    away before he could bring her to get treatment...


    It seemed that this tragedy was destined from the start, no matter how hard they tried, Izabe


    couldn''t escape her tragic fate. Looking back at his persuasion back then, it was ridiculously absurd.


    "Izabe longed for freedom, but she was trapped in the Salotti family since birth." Presley said


    disdainfully, "Do you think she really wanted to take over the hot mess of the Salotti family


    business? She was only eighteen at the time and had to grow up prematurely, dealing with people


    decades older than her, always on guard."


    "Do you know she hasn''t had a good night''s sleep in a long time? She took sleeping pills, from one


    to two. Her body was originally healthy, but because of your negligence, her stomach gradually


    worsened into gastritis and eventually turned into stomach cancer.


    "As the son of a wealthy family, you can live happily and carelessly in the Salotti family, living a


    wastrel life outside. No matter what happens, there''s the Salotti family to take the fall for you. Your


    father still adores you.


    "I also have the right to choose a profession I like, to be a doctor.


    "Only Izabe..." Presley choked up, "Her favorite was the violin; she wanted to be a violinist."


    But when he saw Izabe''s body, he found that her fingers had no nails, and the marks on those


    fingertips were clearly not burned off.


    What had Izabe gone through over the years? Those hands of hers should have been ying the


    violin.


    Lucas lowered his head, listening to Presley''s murmurs. These seemingly light words, however, felt


    like stabs in his ears, the pain spreading throughout his body, and even his prosthetic right hand


    was trembling.


    "Is it sad or fortunate to get someone toplete what you couldn''t in life after death?"


    In the winter of J City, it got dark by seven in the afternoon. The sea breeze seemed to carry a cold


    breath, numbing the cheeks. As Presley''s voice fell, the biting sea breeze suddenly softened, as if a


    hand gently stroked his tear-streaked face.


    Presley''s face stiffened for a moment as he looked at the urn in his arms, his heart filled with


    bitterness. Was that you, Izabe...


    Tears fell uncontrobly. Although the wind was cold, it didn''t chill his tears. Presley choked up and


    said, "Izabe, I remember what you told me, to scatter your ashes into the sea after your death, to


    follow the current and see the outside world, I''ve always remembered..."


    Lucas lifted his head and asked, "When are we going to scatter the ashes into the sea?" They had


    been sitting here for over an hour.


    "Just wait a little longer, waiting for someone toe, to collect a bet."


    "What bet?"


    Presley shook his head, not answering. Only he and Izabe knew about this bet.


    At 7:14, Presley heard the sound of an engine.


    "Someone''sing." Lucas realized. He stood up, his body already cold, his legs numb. As he


    stood up, he stumbled, almost falling.


    Lucas had good eyesight; he recognized Brett before he even got out of the car. He was deeply


    afraid of Brett. After all, it was because of him that the Salotti family had trouble. His father''s death


    and Izabe''s death were all rted to him.


    He was useless, only able to rant in his heart when facing the enemy, and could only hide away in


    reality, not even daring to utter a word.


    "It''s... it''s Brett. Is he here to steal the ashes? Scatter them into the sea quickly, or it''ll be toote..."


    Presley''s lifeless eyes suddenly sharpened. Watching Brett get out of the car, he stood up with the


    urn in his arms.


    "Presley!" A voice called out before the figure even got close, "What are you doing!"


    Presley carefully held the urn, raising his hand slightly when he heard Brett''s voice.


    The wind over the sea was unpredictable, like a whirlpool. When Presley opened the urn, the wind


    that was originally against him suddenly changed direction.


    Brett''s pupils trembled violently. He instantly understood what Presley was about to do next. He


    froze, not daring to get closer. He didn''t even realize his voice was choking, pleading softly,


    "Presley, don''t... I beg you. If you have any grievances, take them out on me. Don''t touch her. Give


    her back to me... give her back to me..."


    Who would''ve thought the big shot president of the Windham Group would actually need to beg. But


    this wasn¡¯t Brett''s first rodeo; now he''d always put Izabe before his own safety.


    Suddenly, the world went eerily silent. The only sound was the mournful howl of the sea breeze, as


    if it was crying.


    "Brett, I gave her to you seven years ago. Not this time though." As Presley''s words hung in the air,


    Brett was left dumbstruck, like a deer in headlights. He watched the white powder, carried away by


    the sea breeze.


    "No!" He bellowed as Presley tossed the remaining unburnt bone fragments into the sea.


    The roiling sea didn''t even ripple. In that moment, Brett felt as though it wasn''t Izabe''s ashes


    being thrown away, but his heart.


    Brett stared at the turbulent sea and suddenly made a mad dash forward, as if to jump in. But


    quicker than him, Liam and the driver pinned him down.


    "Ahh¡ª" Brett struggled like a cornered beast, but to no avail. He was pinned to the ground, his eyes


    still fixed on the dark sea.


    Time seemed to stand still, everything around him faded, his world plunged into darkness, filled with


    endless despair.


    His ears were ringing, Izabe''s ashes were scattered by the wind, torturing him with unbearable


    pain.


    The love of his life was gone, and he couldn¡¯t do a damn thing about it.


    Tears rolled down his cheeks without warning, the strong seaside wind unable to dry his eyes. His


    throat let out a gut-wrenching cry, Brett looked deste.


    Presley, holding the empty urn, wasughing so hard he was shaking, "She''s gone, she''s free, and


    you can''t hold her down anymore."


    Lucas stood by, one moment looking helplessly at Brett, the next nervously at Presley. He couldn''t


    tell if it was Brett that had lost his marbles or if it was Presley.


    Brett bit his lip till blood trickled down, he coughed a few times, his face pale, eyes even more


    bloodshot.


    Reaching up to grab the hand pressing on his shoulder, he coughed up blood, the pain tearing at


    his heart.


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    His broken heart felt as if it was being stabbed with countless nails. He stood up, his eyes cold as


    ice, ring at Presley.


    "Let go!"


    Liam shivered, the driver looked worse, the two exchanged a nce, understanding the message in


    the other''s eyes. They released Brett''s shoulders but kept a close eye on him, fearing he might try


    to jump into the sea again.


    Brett moved towards Presley, the gap between them closing with each step.


    "Presley, the Felton family will pay for this!" His breath was as sharp as the night sea breeze.


    Unafraid, Presley threw the urn at Brett, a move no one sawing.


    "President Windham!"


    Brett didn''t dodge, the urn hit his forehead. If it was a little lower, he would''ve lost an eye.


    Blood flowed into his eyes. The eyes that were already sore now stung even more, and his vision


    was blurred.


    Brett swayed, his bloodshot eyes staring at people like a demon straight outta hell.


    Lucas was trembling, trying to make himself invisible, hiding behind a rock.


    Presley stood tall, the wind at his back as if pushing him forward.


    He locked eyes with Brett''s terrifying face, pointing a cold finger at him, "Brett, this is how you drove


    Izabe, who only had eyes for you, to her death!"


    "Brett, live with her death on your conscience till the end of your days. Remember, every Christmas


    from now on is her memorial day!"


    A twisted smile appeared on Presley''s face, "She has no grave, no tombstone. She wanted her


    ashes scattered in the water, to drift with the current, to be free even in death. You don''t even have


    the chance to cry at her grave!"


    Nine years ago, on Christmas Eve, Izabe saved Brett''s life, a moment etched into his memory.


    But nine yearster, the same Christmas Eve became Izabe''s memorial day.


    In an attempt to keep Izabe, Brett did many wrong things, even made her lose her memory, and


    later crippled her legs, trapping her in a wheelchair.


    He thought that way Izabe would never leave him, but the ones who truly wanted to leave can''t be


    held down. He couldn''t keep Izabe, not even her ashes.


    His body felt like it was being slowly cut by a blunt knife, a pain he had never experienced before,


    reminding him he deserved it. Brett''s body swayed, the world seemed to spin and fade, the pain


    was too much, he copsed to the ground.


    -"I''m going to make Brett fall for me. I bet he''ll regret it after I die, he''ll lose sleep, he''ll be restless,


    he''ll never get over it for the rest of his life!"


    Presley looked up at the starless sky. Izabe, congrattions, you won your bet.

 Chapter 310

    Chapter 310


    Brett slept for a solid 24 hours before he woke up, wincing as he opened his throbbing eyes to see


    the IV drip hanging above his head, the liquid slowly flowing through the tube.


    He looked at the needle stuck in the back of his left hand, and without a second thought, he pulled it


    out with his right hand.


    "What the hell are you doing, President Windham? Your drip isn''t finished!" Liam burst into the room


    just in time to see Brett''s self-destructive act and rushed over to stop him.


    Having slept the entire day, Brett felt weak and couldn''t fight off Liam, so he stopped struggling.


    Liam rang for the nurse, preparing to reinsert the IV needle into Brett.


    Brett was seriously ill, not having rested properly for several days and frequently spending time in


    cold rooms, which resulted in various health problems. He was bleeding from his stomach, running


    a fever of 40 degrees Celsius. If it got any higher, he''d be cooked into an idiot.


    "Where''s Kaley?" Brett croaked out.


    Liam was taken aback, having thought that Brett would continue to ask about Izabe upon waking


    up. "She''s still in the basement," he replied.


    "She''s scared of dogs, you know what to do." Brett closed his eyes, paused, then added, "Keep her


    alive, but make her wish she was dead."


    Kaley wasn''t shy about wanting to marry him, right? She deceived people and hurt innocents for


    him. So, whatever he did, she was willing to bear it, right?


    "I''ll arrange it right away, but President Windham, you need to recover before you can be


    discharged."


    Brett didn''t respond, and Liam watched as the nurse reinserted the IV needle. He knew Brett had


    taken his words to heart.


    ...


    Brett stayed in the hospital for three days. When he was well enough, he had Liam pick him up.


    During this time, he never once mentioned "Izabe", as if he hadpletely forgotten her. But only


    the nurses who cared for him knew the truth. Every night, Brett struggled to sleep, tossing and


    turning restlessly. asionally, he would mutter "Izabe" in his sleep.


    Could he easily forget someone he called out for in his dreams?


    Brett went straight to where Kaley was being held after being discharged from the hospital. Before


    he even got close, he could hear the barking of dogs and the piercing screams of a woman.


    It was creepy hearing it in the eerie cold wind.


    It was snowing in J City again today, but it was much lighterpared to Christmas day. Big


    snowkes fluttering in the wind while Liam stood beside Brett, holding an umbre to shield him


    from the snow.


    As they approached, the door guard opened the door and a rotten smell hit them.


    Liam scrunched his nose, suppressing the urge to vomit. He sneaked a nce at Brett, who


    showed no reaction.


    The guard led them in, and flicked on the light switch. The pitch-dark basement was instantly


    illuminated.


    Brett nced over with indifferent eyes and saw arge iron cage divided into two sections by a


    railing. Kaley was trapped in a corner, as deted as a balloon, lying listlessly in the cage.


    Her body was covered in blood, her hair matted together with dried blood. But the most terrifying


    sight was her legs.


    The guard, who had grown ustomed to the sight, pulled out a remote control and pressed a


    button. The railing in the middle of the cage slid open.


    A ck pitbull, mouth wide open revealing its blood-red gums, lunged at Kaley. Kaley, trembling all


    over, tried to squeeze herself into the bars of the cage in fear.


    Her body had been injected with a drug that stimted her nerves, causing her to be terrified but


    unable to pass out.


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    "Good boy, sit." The dog trainer gave amand, and the pitbull obediently sat down, panting


    heavily.


    Brett put on a glove and bent down to look at Kaley''s hair. Not only were her legs useless, but her


    face was also ruined. Brett took one look at her and felt as if his eyes were attacked. He released


    his grip and threw the glove onto the ground.


    At that moment, Kaley regained some consciousness. Dazed eyes regained some of their brilliance


    at the sight of Brett, which was still mixed with hatred. She quickly lowered her head, trembling as


    she said, "Brett, I know I was wrong. Please let me go. It hurts so much..."


    She couldn''t understand how everything changed overnight. It felt like just yesterday when she was


    carefully preparing for their engagement party, standing on the bright stage with Brett, making their


    vows to all the guests.


    Just when she was about to seed, she was suddenly hit hard. She was cast into hell, unable to


    escape.


    All her ugly deeds were exposed on the big screen, and Brett found out that she wasn''t the one who


    saved him years ago.


    Then came the news of Izabe''s death. It was good news. The woman who had been in her way


    was finally gone.


    She knew Brett was a vengeful man and was preparing to take the money Brett had given her and


    secretly contact Nn to leave the country. But on the way to the airport, she was kidnapped and


    then tortured endlessly. She was living a life worse than death.


    In the beginning, she was still able to struggle. But in the end, she didn''t even have the strength to


    move.


    These long three days were all because of the man in front of her, the man she once longed to


    marry, the man she had loved deeply.


    She had done many bad things, but because of Brett''s "tolerance", she was always reckless. In her


    heart, she thought that even if he found out she had teamed up with others to hurt Izabe, he


    wouldn''t do anything to her. After all, Brett had been good to her for seven years.


    But she didn''t expect Brett to be so cruel to her. Kaley had forgotten that those seven years were all


    a lie.


    As Kaley reached out to touch him, Brett kicked her away.


    Kaley started weeping uncontrobly, her mouth gasping for air as blood trickled out of the corner of


    her mouth, smearing her already dirty face even dirtier.


    The more Brett had "cherished" her, the more he hated her now.


    Kaley copsed on the ground, her eyes askew. This version of Brett seemed like a demon from


    hell,ing to im her life.


    She knew that no matter what she said, he wouldn''t let her off the hook. During these past few


    days, she felt like she had tasted a lifetime of bitterness. If he wasn''t going to cut her some ck,


    then she wouldn''t make it easy for him either.


    Choking back tears, she gasped, "Brett, why are you always picking fights with women? You''re such


    a coward! I admit I''ve done you wrong, but have you ever thought about why I did it? You promised


    to marry me, yet you''ve been messing around with Izabe. You promised to divorce her, but seven


    years have passed... seven years... how many seven years does a woman have? You broke your


    own promise. I was just fighting for what''s mine. Did I do anything wrong?"


    Thinking about these things, Kaley felt more sadness than anger.


    The ones who caused this mess were them. The one to me was Brett. He owed her, so she


    should at least get something back. She didn''t feel guilty at all.


    The one who was wrong was Brett with his greed and arrogance. The one who was wrong was


    Izabe, trying to im something that wasn''t hers.


    Izabe was right. Brett was a total jerk, and only she treated this mess like it was a treasure.


    "You''re torturing me because of Izabe''s death, but don''t forget who messed up the Salotti family,


    causing her to lose her loved ones and be betrayed by those she trusted."


    A sarcastic smile appeared on Kaley''s face, "I admit I did some dirty things behind your back, but


    have you ever thought about, if you truly love Izabe, why didn''t you trust her? You deprived her of


    the right to be a mother. You forced her to sign a blood drawing agreement and let her kneel outside


    the courtroom, humiliated. When she wanted to divorce you, you locked her up at home."


    The more Kaley talked, the more she felt she did nothing wrong. It took two to tango. Why should


    she be the one to suffer?


    "You might as well kill yourself if you want to kill me!" Kaley dered defiantly. The basement fell


    silent.


    Brett''s dark eyes suddenly closed. His lips were tightly pursed, and his face turned icy. These words


    had been echoing in his ears since Izabe''s death, reminding him of his sins.


    What Kaley said was notparable to what Nathaniel and Presley said. Brett thought he had


    gotten used to the pain, but when Kaley spoke, his eyes still stung.


    When he opened his eyes again, they were as dead as before. He gave orders to his men, "Her


    hand is in the way. Since she doesn''t know how to speak, there''s no need to keep her hand..."


    This demon. Cold sweat broke out on Kaley''s body again. Her pupils contracted a bit, her vision


    blurred as if a bug had flown into her eyes.


    Brett added, "Don''t let her die."


    This was the real living hell.


    Kaley''s legs could no longer bear her weight. She reached out towards Brett, pleading for mercy like


    a dying rat.


    "Brett, if you get too much blood on your hands, you''ll go to hell when you die. You won''t be able to


    see Izabe, even in the next life." Kaley''s voice was trembling. She never thought she would have


    to rely on a dead person for help.


    Brett paused as if recalling something. He murmured hoarsely, "No, I''ll see her when I die. Because


    she said she''d be waiting for me in hell..."

 Chapter 311

    Chapter 311


    "Brett, you know this ain''t right..."


    Brett questioned, "Kaley, don''t tell me you''re just figuring out who I am?"


    She''d known Brett for years, knew his deep-seated grudges, and more importantly, knew he didn''t


    give a damn about thew.


    Kaley, trembling, watched as the man approached her. Cold to the bone, she seemed like a


    withered leaf in the winter wind, ready to crumble at any moment.


    Her bloodshot eyes fixed on the cold-hearted man, "Brett, don''t tell me you''ve felt nothing for me in


    these seven years?"


    "Feelings?" Brett scoffed like he''d heard a bad joke, "Do I need to remind you how you tricked me


    all these years? Kaley, you lied to me, I saw you as nothing more than a stand-in."


    Just like Izabe, she only loved the guy who bought her donuts and brought her home many years


    ago. He wasn''t the guy, but he yed the part willingly; only Izabe wouldn''t even give him the


    chance to be the recement.


    Who was being used? Who really fell in love?


    "Brett, your lovees cheap. All these years with you, I can''t evenpare to Izabe who saved


    you once. We''ve known each other for over a decade, hell, even a dog would''ve grown fond by


    now."


    Brett stared coldly at Kaley''s clown-like face, "Don''t make yourself out to be some saint. If you really


    loved me, you wouldn''t have hopped into bed with another guy, let alone got caught red-handed."


    He knew deep down, he was the real viinpared to Kaley. He didn''t even have the right to


    me her; they were both thieves of love.


    Brett didn''t cut off Kaley''s hand or tongue; he just had her dumped in a poor vige. She wanted a


    life of luxury, didn''t she? Well, he''d make sure she didn''t get it. Let her beg for a living, bowing down


    to the people she once looked down upon.


    Both physically and mentally, Brett inflicted dual torment on Kaley. She was left in a state where she


    wished to live but couldn''t, wished to die but couldn''t.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Two weekster, Brett heard about Kaley again. A reporter had run into her while traveling, a


    reporter who had been invited to Kaley and Brett''s engagement party.


    Among all the unscrupulous reporters, he was one of the worst. As long as it was trending, he didn''t


    care about if it was right or wrong. He posted Kaley''s pathetic behaviors online, even hired some


    PR firms to promote it.


    The once-fianc¨¦e of the Windham Group''s CEO, who publicly cuckolded her fianc¨¦ at their


    engagement party, and was exposed in a shameful video, now lived a wretched life, reviled like a


    rat.


    Brett nced at the news and ignored it. What did it matter to him whether Kaley lived or died?


    Little did he expect, the next time he heard about Kaley, it was news of her death. In the mid-May


    summer, Kaley passed away. Her dposed body was disfigured beyond recognition.


    ...


    After dealing with Kaley, Brett prepared to return to R City. He didn''t bring any luggage, only the


    porcin urn that held his child''s ashes.


    Touching the urn, his voice hoarse, he said, "Baby, your mommy doesn''t want me anymore... If


    you''re with her, take good care of her."


    Feeling the cold on his face, Brett touched the wet urn and realized that he had been crying


    unconsciously.


    After returning to R City, he buried the porcin urn in arge cemetery. There was a tombstone but


    no name, a lonely grave.


    In the wintery twilight, the sight was deste and mncholy. Brett sat by the grave, "Izabe, if we


    had metter, when I understood what love was, could we have made it to the end?"


    Meeting the right person at the wrong time, no matter what the journey was, the story always ended


    in tragedy.


    And their journey had only been filled with pain.


    Brett sat by the grave from dusk till nightfall, looking up at the starry sky. The sky was already filled


    with stars, there couldn''t be any more of them.


    Brett stood up, his figure lonely. He walked three steps forward, turned around to look at the grave


    onest time. No matter how many times he looked back, there would be no one left behind him.


    "If you get tired out there,e back and rest. I won''t bother you, I promise."


    ...

 Chapter 312

    Chapter 312


    After a three-day stay in R City, Brett returned to find that the fire-ravaged vi had been renovated.


    The fire had been fierce, leaving nothing but ashes on the first floor. The second floor fared better,


    with some important items remaining. He trudged up the stairs to the bedroom he once shared with


    Izabe.


    Opening drawers carelessly, everything remained untouched. Whether it was the clothes in the


    wardrobe, the skincare products on the vanity table, or the jewelry in the jewelry box, it was all as if


    nothing had changed.


    He opened a safe, pulling out a few envelopes. These were the promises he wrote when Izabe


    lost her memory.


    ¡ª"I, Brett, promise not to be jealous, to give my wife freedom, to respect her, to take care of her, to


    trust her, to love and spoil her all my life. I, Brett, will be generous and magnanimous from now on."


    Clutching the envelopes to his chest, the cold promises were a harsh reminder of his failures. How


    could he had forgotten so quickly the vows he made to Izabe and the promises he wrote?


    "I''m a total screw-up! I don''t deserve to be called a human!" Brett pped himself hard, berating


    himself as he did.


    His cries echoed through the silent room. The promises he wrote were like a floodgate of sorrow,


    gushing out uncontrobly.


    He got up and found a toolbox, pulling out a pair of pliers. He mped it onto his own fingernails


    and yanked upwards, tearing them off and causing blood to gush out. Despite the pain, he moved


    onto another finger, his hand trembling as he held the pliers. What a pathetic sight, a grown man


    resorting to self-harm in the face of adversity. But with Izabe gone, nothing else mattered.


    After tearing off all the nails from his left hand, the blood-stained pliers were tossed aside. He


    grabbed a knife, stabbing it into his own leg repeatedly, until his pants were soaked with blood.


    But it wasn''t enough. He wanted to experience the pain Izabe went through, to punish himself.


    But he knew that this pain was nothingpared to hers.


    Liam, who had moved into the vi and was monitoring Brett through the security cameras, saw


    what happened and rushed into Brett''s room.


    Patrick had secretly instructed him to provoke Brett, to keep him alive. Seeing Brett''s pathetic state,


    Liam didn''t know what to say to provoke him.


    At the hospital, as the doctor tended to Brett''s wounds, Liam said seriously, "President Windham,


    she wanted you to live a long life, not to hurt yourself like this."


    Brett didn''t wince when the alcohol and iodine were sprayed on his wounds, but when Liam


    mentioned Izabe, he winced in pain.


    "She''s punishing me," he said helplessly. "She knew how painful it would be for me to lose her. She


    wanted me to live till I''m old."


    He looked around nkly, forcing a smile, but tears soon flowed down his face. "Tell me, what can I


    do to make her happy?"


    After a moment of silence, Liam replied, "You have to live."


    Brett nodded, and his face remained expressionless as tears fell from his eyes. "Alright, I''ll live... as


    she wished. Don''t worry, I won''t let anything happen to me."


    But how long would he have to live?


    ...


    At the hospital, there was a childbirth simtor. Many men were trying it out.


    Brett remembered Izabe''s words in the hospital when she lost their first child. Back then, Amelia


    had suggested he try the simtor to experience the pain of childbirth. He had scoffed at the idea,


    thinking it was ridiculous to want to experience what women go through during childbirth.


    But now, he found himself at the front of the line, listening to the agonizing screams of the men.


    He watched as a man who had beenughing just moments ago started convulsing in pain at level


    seven, begging for the machine to be turned off.


    After the machine was turned off, the man was drenched in cold sweat, his face pale as he clutched


    his stomach and left. This deterred many of the men in line behind Brett, but Brett sat down without


    hesitation.


    The pain levels of the simtor went up to twelve, and Brett endured it all, feeling as if he was


    being torn apart from the inside.


    He leaned forward, crying silently, his tears tasting like bitter medicine.


    The staff quickly turned off the machine, shocked at Brett''s endurance. "Sir, are you okay? Do you


    need a doctor?"


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Brett opened his eyes,ughing through his tears. "So... this is the pain she went through... no


    wonder she didn''t want to hang on..."


    ...


    "What''s the mister doing? Why is he crying his eyes out?" A little boy, clutching his mom''s hand,


    curiously pointed in the distance.


    His voice was loud enough to reach Brett through the crowd.


    The woman quickly squatted down, gripping her son''s hand and covering his mouth, exining, "He


    is experiencing a pain only girls go through."


    The boy asked in confusion, "Do girls really suffer that much?"


    "Yes, that''s why I hope girls are treated kindly in this world. Son, when you grow up and meet


    someone you like, treat her well and hold on tight because not everyone is lucky enough to stay


    with the person they like."


    Brett was hunched over, leaning on the birthing simtor rail, sobbing and retching. His left hand


    was wrapped in a bandage, now stained with blood, tinging his eyelids pink.


    Held tight to the one you loved, otherwise you might not be so lucky next time.


    ¡ª He couldn''t hold on to Izabe.


    They said love was often tragic, vows were often lies, and in the end, someone was always waiting


    for someone who would never return.


    Some people said if you dream of someone three times, that meant your fate with them had ended.


    So, Izabe was someone he wanted to dream about but didn''t dare to.


    Brett''s stomach problems got worse; sometimes so bad he couldn''t sleep. Curled up in his cold bed,


    his usually sharp mind became foggy.


    He clutched his aching stomach, reaching out to the other side of the bed, murmuring in confusion,


    "Izabe, are you in pain? Let me warm your tummy..."


    Brett loved Izabe. After her death, he split in two, one part bing her, pretending they were


    still together.


    ......


    There was an online article about understanding death, saying people die three times.


    The first time was when they stopped breathing, they died biologically.


    The second time was when they were buried, people attended their funeral, remembering their life,


    they died socially.


    The third time was when thest person who remembered them forgot about them, that was when


    they truly died.


    Izabe had already died twice, she didn''t know when she would die for the third time. She hovered


    in mid-air...

 Chapter 313

    Chapter 313


    So, how long did I have to wait for thest person who remembered me to forget me before I can


    finally disappeared?


    Izabe gazed down at the world with indifference. Turned out when you kicked the bucket, all


    those intense emotions you felt when you were alive just retreated to a calm corner.


    After Izabe bit the dust, she became a ghost. In life, she had imagined all sorts of possibilities for


    the afterlife, like bumping into the Grim Reaper, or some devilish figure, or at least seeing other


    dead souls like her, including her mom, dad, grandpa and Ryker who promised to take her home


    before he died.


    But nada, zilch, none of that. She was the only special entity among all the things under heaven.


    She could see humans, but they couldn''t see her.


    It was said that if a spirit didn''t disappear for a long time, it must be because they couldn''t let go of


    something or they harbored too much resentment. So they hung around in the mortal world.


    But Izabe wasn''t like that. To her, death was a sweet release. The torment of stomach cancer, the


    pain of losing her legs, the grief of losing her loved ones, the despair of being trapped by Brett, all


    vanished like smoke in the wind with her death.


    But how did you exin her floating in mid-air as a spirit?


    On the first day after Izabe kicked the bucket, watching the firefighters clearing the ruins, she


    floated over and said apologetically, "I''m sorry I made such a mess here. You guys have to clean


    up..."


    The firefighters and medics were super busy. They didn''t hear her. She waved her hands, hoping to


    shield them from the snow falling from the sky.


    On the second day after her death, Izabe just floated aimlessly, retracing the paths she used to


    walk when she was alive.


    On the third day, she saw Brett cing her charred body in a crystal coffin and making a cold room


    for it. It looked really cold in there, but luckily she was already dead and couldn''t feel the cold.


    On the fourth day, Tiara rushed back after hearing the news. She cried for a long time in front of the


    vi that had turned into ruins. Izabe floated over, whispering wordlessly that she was okay. But


    Tiara just cried harder.


    She followed Tiara and watched her modify the yellow sweater she had knitted for her own daughter


    to fit Izabe.


    On the fifth day, she floated to the hospital and saw Niki. The beautiful cat would never be the same


    again. The ces where it was burnt were bare, it lost one ear and a bit of its tail was cut off.


    Izabe gentlynded in front of it and kissed its eyes.


    "Niki, if you can''t hold on, don''t force yourself. I promise I''ll find you in our next life."


    On the sixth day, she went to R City and saw Lucas Salotti receiving a call from J City''s police


    department, telling him that she was gone.


    She sat with Lucas on the ground, reminiscing about the past. Honestly, she never thought that


    Lucas would cry after her death.


    Her tumultuous life ended at 27. She was born due to an ident, crushed by relentless despair,


    and she didn''t me anyone for her fate. She only med herself for not seeing things clearly.


    She was once the proud Ms. Izabe of R City, but she ruined her life by mistaking one person for


    another for nine years.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    When a person died and the heart stopped, they couldn''t feel any reluctance or unwillingness.


    On the eighth day after Izabe''s death, Presley had a big fight with Lucas for her. Presley med


    himself and cried, while Lucas roared with all his strength.


    Presley said that they were all aplices in her death. But in reality, her death... was her own


    doing.


    On the ninth day, she returned to J City and heard Nathaniel telling Brett the truth about nine years


    ago and about the scar on her ear. She touched it with her hand, feeling a lot of emotions.


    It turned out Nathaniel knew her better than Brett did. Just look... how ridiculous her life was.


    The ninth day was undoubtedly the longest day. One moment she saw Brett vomiting blood on the


    ground, regretting his actions, the next, she saw her own body being put into the incinerator and


    finally turned into ashes in a small urn.


    Presley didn''t forget what she had said when she was alive. He took her ashes to the sea.


    She gently wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes, "Presley, I''m sorry. I didn''t even get to


    say goodbye. I don''t me you, really. You were the best friend I ever had in this world. I just


    couldn''t live happily as you wished."


    Izabe had put in a lot of effort for this short life. She had thought about giving up several times


    due to her rough life, but she held on because she yearned for love as shecked it when she was


    young.


    She had been treated coldly by her rtives, betrayed by those she trusted. Her supposed lover


    turned out to be a mistake from beginning to end.


    But even if her fate was tragic, and people were insincere to her, she didn''t want to be a devil


    after death. She chose to die quietly. Regret or forget, it was all destined.


    She saw Brett hurting himself after her death. But what was the point? She was already gone.


    Even if he experienced all the pain she had suffered in life, it would be meaningless. She wouldn''t


    pity him, let alone forgive him out of pity.


    The damage was already done. Even if the scars healed and disappeared, the pain she had


    experienced was real. No one had the right to tell her to forgive and forget, because they didn''t


    know how much it hurt without experiencing it.


    Four lives plus her own, five in total. How could Brettpensate?


    There were no ifs. They met the wrong people at the wrong time. It was destined to end badly.


    Besides, she didn''t care about his tenderness.


    In just a few short days, Izabe saw everything in the world. Gradually, her spirit became more and


    more transparent.


    Just as she was about to disappear, a voice came from above.


    "Your life was all wrong. If you had a chance to do it all over again, would you?"


    Izabe answered seriously, "No."


    "Why?"


    "All I''ve ever wanted in this life are a few friends, a cat, and someone I love. I''ve got all that. I have


    dear Presley, and Amelia, Niki, Ryker... I''m content with my life, I don''t want a do-over... My


    existence has only brought them misfortune, I wish they could be fine, as if I never existed."


    If she hadn''t been born, her mom wouldn''t have died giving birth to her, and she would have lived a


    happy life with n Salotti and raised Lucas properly.


    If she hadn''t been there, Ryker wouldn''t have died for her, let alone with an iplete corpse.


    If she hadn''t appeared, someone else would have crossed paths with Brett, and everyone''s


    trajectory would have been changed.


    The voice then asked again after a moment of silence, "Don''t you hate those who''ve hurt you?


    Look, they''re regretting it now. Maybe a do-over could change something?"


    "They''re just guilty. Even if I could go back, I wouldn''t be able to change anything. I''d rather be


    someone else and start fresh." Izabe paused, then looked up and asked, "Who are you,


    anyway?"


    "Do you believe in God?"


    Izabeughed, "If there is a God, please make me a cold, heartless person in my next life,


    unbound by emotions, not loving or caring about anyone."


    "God grants you."


    A gentle glow, like a meteor streaking across the night sky, bloomed with the most beautiful light in


    that moment. Izabe never thought she would see such a beautiful light again, let alone feel her


    heart beating once more.

 Chapter 314

    Chapter 314


    After the rain in the early morning, the sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a halo of colors


    through the ss.


    Izabe Salotti felt a dull ache in her head, her soul slowly fusing with her body. She abruptly


    opened her eyes, reached for her heart first. She could hear her heartbeat. Wasn''t she supposed to


    have burned to death in a massive fire? Why could she still feel her heartbeat, and her hands...


    Her nails were perfect, they were the hands of a beauty, fair and slender, they looked a lot like her


    old ones, but they were definitely not hers.


    Izabe sat up in bed, following her hands down. She touched her thigh, and somewhat


    disbelievingly pinched herself. It hurt. She wasn''t dreaming. She had been dead for three years, and


    now she was alive again.


    Izabe took a deep breath, the inhtion almost making her choke, as the surroundings were filled


    with a pungent smell of gas.


    She quickly opened the doors and windows, following the smell to the kitchen and shut off the gas


    valve.


    Back in her bedroom, Izabe stood before her vanity, looking at the reflection in the mirror. It wasn''t


    her face, but it resembled her by 50% - 60%, no different from when she was alive, even slightly


    more attractive.


    Her skin was unhealthy pale, her eyes clear and bright, her hair scattered behind her, her figure too


    slender, but better than her past self. At least she didn''t have a stomach ailment, her hands and feet


    weren''t maimed, and her body didn''t bear the scars that couldn''t be removed.


    Izabe quickly nced around the room, getting ustomed to the environment, under the bed


    was an empty bottle of sleeping pills. She picked it up and tossed it into the trash, then rearranged


    the quilt and found a phone under the pillow.


    To understand someone, looking at their phone is undoubtedly the simplest method.


    The moment Izabe turned on the phone and connected to the inte, all kinds of messages


    immediately popped up, instantly filling the entire screen.


    "Why haven''t you kicked the bucket yet, you bitch?"


    "Mistress. Tramp."


    "Are you finally about to croak? Even though the world is so vast, there''s no ce for you in it, so


    you better kick off. At least when you''re dead there''ll be a spot of earth to bury you."


    "Bitch, how many people are fucking you, why have you no shame?"


    "You wasted air while alive, wastednd when dead, and now you''re wasting money while on your


    last legs, your ashes should be fed to the pigs."


    ...


    All the received messages were full of various kinds of insults and abuse, and these were only a


    part of what was visible on the screen, tens of thousands more were waiting on the other side of the


    inte.


    Izabe felt a despair and grief she couldn''t describe. She rubbed her heart, this pain originated


    from the original body''s owner.


    At the same time, fragments of memories in her mind slowly began to coalesce into faded


    photographs, eventually forming a film ying in her mind.


    The original owner of this body was named Bell Salotti. Born into a poor family that valued boys


    over girls, her parents supported her until she finished junior high and then wanted her to go out to


    work and support the family.


    The original owner refused. She cried and pleaded with her parents, saying she could earn her own


    tuition money and promised she wouldn''t add to the family''s burden. She''d also send money home


    each month, and her parents finally agreed.


    So, during high school, Bell worked while studying. To satisfy her vampire-like parents, she sent


    back most of her meager earnings, surviving on bread with just a few euros to spare. During these


    crucial growth years, Bell suffered from severe malnutrition, skinny as a stick.


    She attended sses during the day and worked secretly until one or two in the morning. Under this


    high-intensity pressure, she had no extra time to review theplex high school coursework, and


    couldn''t concentrate in ss.


    As a result, her grades rapidly declined, and she failed to even get into college. The parents of the


    previous owner of her body showed no sympathy for her, instead ming her for wasting three


    years of study. When she turned eighteen, they immediately found a husband for her, a man who


    had been divorced and had two children but was wealthy.


    She was sold by her parents for a dowry for one hundred thousand bucks to a forty-year-old man.


    At first, she pretended to be obedient for two days, but then she ran away when her family wasn''t


    paying attention. With no money, she wandered the city for two months, doing odd jobs such as


    washing dishes, cleaning toilets, and even washing feet at a massage parlor.


    The previous owner wanted to earn money to go back to school, but when she went to the school


    with the money, her family intercepted her at the school gate. In front of all the students and


    teachers, they used her of being shameless and said that the money in her hand was dirty


    money earned by selling her body.


    No matter how she tried to exin, she couldn''t clear her name. She stood there, facing the sharp


    gazes of the crowd, feeling dizzy under the sun. Then someone appeared in front of her and helped


    her out of the situation.


    That person was a talent scout from an entertainmentpany who immediately noticed her


    potential and wanted to train her to be a star. The previous owner was grateful and signed a


    contract without hesitation, buying her ten years for 500,000 bucks.


    She had never seen so much money before and gave 200,000 to her family to sever all ties with


    them. With the remaining 300,000 yuan, she bought a small apartment and finally had a home.


    However, her life was not stable for long. There were serious problems with the contract, and Bell


    Salotti was forced to change her name to Izabe. She was too naive and thought that Izabe was


    just a stage name, but she didn''t realize that it would be a shackle that would bind her for life.


    She became a stand-in and was even sent to Nathaniel, the CEO of the Krueger family. That year,


    Nathaniel was very kind to her, teaching her carefully, enrolling her in violin sses, and hiring


    private tutors. He gradually transformed her from the weak and ipetent Bell Salotti into the


    dead Izabe.


    The situation took another turn a year ago when the previous owner found out that she was just a


    stand-in, but she still didn''tin and continued to be a stand-in because she loved Nathaniel.


    Butter, Nathaniel wanted to send her to Brett.


    She tried to resist and struggle against Nathaniel, even running away and hurting herself, but in the


    end, she didn''t even have the right to die. She had offended Brett, and Nathaniel had abandoned


    her. The previous owner had been sessful and even popr before he abandoned her, but she


    was also dropped by thepany after he left.


    Bell was caught in a trap Nathaniel had set for her from the beginning. He was waiting for her to


    jump into it. All sorts of scandals surrounded her - being a sugar baby, a mistress, getting stic


    surgery...


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe''s hand trembled as she held her phone. She clicked on Twitter, where the most messages


    were. Bell''sst tweet before her death was, "I''m leaving."


    Thement section was filled with abuse, no better than the insults she had just read. Many were


    even blocked for their foulnguage.


    What was more ridiculous was thetest tweet about her birthday. She had just turned 21.


    The unfortunate Bell Salotti, on her 21st birthday, swallowed sleeping pills at home, turned on the


    gas, and quietly went to sleep forever.


    She must have been desperate, right? Afraid that she might not die, she even used two methods to


    kill herself. The name on the ID can only be changed once in a lifetime. Even in death, she was


    Izabe. Who would remember that this foolish girl was Bell Salotti?


    Izabe''s heart ached as she looked at the "Bell Salotti" in the mirror and in a hoarse voice,


    whispered, "I''m sorry, Bell Salotti..."

 Chapter 315

    Chapter 315


    "Don''t worry, I''ll live on for you, take back what''s yours, and make those who left, betrayed, and


    deceived you pay."


    The pain in her heartsted for three seconds then disappeared.


    Izabe never thought she would end up possessing her own "stand-in" three years after her death.


    Thinking about having to deal with these men in a different body, Izabe looked up at the sky


    outside the window and muttered, "God, I don''t want to be reborn like this."


    Life was a done deal, since you can''t dodge, you gotta think about how to solve the problems in


    front of you.


    If she wanted to keep these people from threatening her, she had to grow quickly while they weren''t


    paying attention. The only thing worth celebrating right now was that Nathaniel had given up on this


    body, and Brett wasn''t interested in her either.


    Izabe closed Twitter and opened another social app, WhatsApp.


    The person marked as agent Graham had sent her ten messages.


    "Izabe, what are you tweeting? Are you thinking about dying again? Can you think seriously, what


    good does it do for you?"


    "Delete your tweets now. There''s no team to handle it for you, and you have to solve it yourself."


    "Reply to me quickly. Are you trying to make an enemy out of me now? You don''t even listen to


    me?"


    "Mr. York has a new y, he sent an invitation for you to audition this afternoon. You haven''t worked


    in almost three months, thepany doesn''t feed freeloaders."


    "Reply to me before ten."


    ¡­


    Izabe nced at the time, it was 9:10. She leisurely opened the closet and changed her clothes.


    The skincare products on the vanity were few and cheap. Izabe checked her bank bnce on her


    phone, it was less than ten thousand. At this rate, she might have to sell this little apartment.


    No money, no power, daily scolding,pany''s indifference, blood-sucking rtives like vampires,


    this kind of life was like living in a sewer, stinky and dirty.


    Izabe wasn''t too interested in the online ridicule. The humiliation from Brett before was no better


    than this; she was already numb.


    At 9:50, the agent couldn''t help but call her.


    Izabe answered the phone leisurely, "Hello?"


    "Izabe, what are you up to, haven''t you seen the messages I sent you?"


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I saw them."


    The other side was obviously annoyed by Izabe''s cold attitude, grinding their teeth in anger.


    "Then why didn''t you reply to me?"


    Izabe sat next to the vanity, coldly staring at the mirror, her slender fingers fiddling with the keys,


    "Didn''t you say to reply to you before ten? It''s not time yet, I need to think carefully."


    "Have you forgotten how long you''ve been out of work? If you keep this up, you''ll be cklisted by


    thepany."


    Izabe sneered in her heart. Her current situation was no different from being cklisted. She was


    just like a stone, could be moved to wherever needed.


    For example, whenever a scandal arouse, all it took was for her to be involved, andizens would


    think it must be her shamelessly seducing, and the male star had nothing to do with it. She was


    responsible for diverting the attention and shifting the me.


    Or using her to highlight the purity and beauty of other female stars.


    So this sending scripts for her to audition was definitely not a good thing. Candy was sweet, but one


    had to think about whether they had the ability to eat it.


    "Where''s the script?"


    The agent said, "The director wants a live audition."


    Izabe asked, "Is it for the third female role?"


    The agent sounded impatient, "Why are you so talkative today? The audition is an opportunity for


    you, seize it."


    "Onest question." Slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the table. Izabe adjusted her posture


    and leanedfortably against the back of the chair, "Who are the people I''ll be working with?"


    "The lead actress is Kristin Lasley."


    "Kristin." Izabe quickly searched for this name in her memory. Kristin was the most popr


    actress in the entertainment industry in recent years. As two neers who became famous at the


    same time, the media oftenpared them.


    Although they were in the samepany, their styles were different, so there was nopetition.


    But Kristin had a big grudge against Bell Salotti and set her up multiple times. A year ago, she


    tricked Bell into the director''s room, arranged for paparazzi to stake out and posted the photos


    online, iming she had inappropriate rtions with the director for the script.


    The solution given by the PR team at the time was to let her apologize on Twitter and admit to


    having a legitimate rtionship with the director, then find a suitable time to make up a reason for


    breaking up.


    Although Bell was weak, she was not easily defeated after being bullied by Nathaniel for so long.


    She immediately logged onto her Twitter ount to rify, but unfortunately, without any evidence,


    not only did no one believe her, it also provoked ridicule from those who disliked her.


    Thepany was also dissatisfied with her disobedience.


    Just two days after this incident, Kristin was caught on a date with a male star. Her features were


    blurry in the photos, but that didn''t stopizens from concluding it was her.


    Don''t underestimate the keen insight ofizens. Years ago, a female star was caught cheating


    behind her husband''s back, andizens found evidence from a poorly lit photo.


    In order to protect Kristin, thepany forced Bell to admit that the blurry woman in the photo was


    her. Their figures were simr, and her admission sessfully diverted Kristin''s fans'' anger.


    The director also took the opportunity to tweet that Bell had seduced him in his room at night.


    Bell was subjected to online abuse at this time. They said that anyone with a Y-chromosome was


    fair game for her, and that she had no principles in her quest for fame.


    Just over 20 years old, Bell stepped into the darkest period of her life, full of despair.


    Not only was her personal freedom controlled, but also her spirit. She couldn''t go online, so she had


    no idea how people were talking about her. When she briefly regained her freedom, the world


    outside had changed.


    She missed the best time to rify. Her absence was seen as admission and guilt. One by one, her


    fans became disappointed and left her, and all that remained in herments were insults.


    Not a single person who used to have good rtions with her helped her.


    No one wanted to be associated with a stained person, as they feared it may harm their own


    reputation.


    In the entertainment industry, human nature can''t stand the test. People only see reality clearly


    when they are cornered.


    Izabe got lost in her memories before she knew it. Her agent, getting a bit ticked off at her silence,


    held back his temper and said in a stern voice, "This is something Kristin worked her tail off to get


    for you, you better go thank her properly."


    It seemed he''d made the decision for her. Figured, the weak ones never got to call the shots.


    Izabe conceded, "Okay, I''ll make sure to thank her properly."


    Kaley, Kristin, not only did their names sound identical, but they also exhibited the same hypocritical


    behavior.

 Chapter 316

    Chapter 316


    The agent only felt satisfied when he heard her agree. As he hung up, he gently reminded her to


    carefully put on some makeup before she went, and not to bete for the audition at two in the


    afternoon.


    On the surface, Izabe agreed, but she couldn''t help but snicker inside. Makeup for an audition?


    Did they think she was an idiot?


    Plus, the original owner of the body¡¯s makeup skills were crappy, and the style thepany set for


    her was mature and sexy.


    How could she possibly look mature at just over 20? Not to mention sexy.


    Nowadays, people would judge one¡¯s character by looks. Bell had heavy makeup, bright red lipstick,


    and heavy makeup that covered her delicate face. Her body was great, but she didn''t have the aura


    of a mature woman. Wearing low-cut backless clothes only made people think she was deliberately


    showing off her body.


    Izabe checked her wardrobe, picked out a white shirt and jeans to wear. She braided her hair, put


    on sunsses and a mask, and only left after making sure she wouldn''t be recognized.


    This body of hers was quite famous in the entertainment circle.


    But the way she became famous was different. Others became famous through their works and


    were greeted with flowers from fans.


    And she became famous for being scolded, when she was recognized by people, all she received


    was insults and stones.


    Izabe took a cab to the audition site. The window was half-open. She leaned against the back of


    the seat, her shoulder resting on the car door, her gaze casually ncing at the retreating scenery


    outside the window.


    The world had changed a lot in three years. Outside the car window were high-rise buildings, new


    buses, and many bicycles still on the road.


    Izabe got off the car early, bought some bread and water at a bakery, and sorted out the original


    owner''s memories.


    Bell had also acted in a school-themed TV drama that didn''t require much acting skills. She yed


    a female student in the drama. Her good looks attracted many fans, and the drama scored more


    than 60 points.


    But after she got into trouble, the score of the drama dropped from 68 to 25, even affecting the male


    actor who co-starred with her.


    Izabe stopped recalling and called her agent, "I''m here."


    "Wait outside, I''ll send Rachel to pick you up."


    Izabe waited outside for a while and saw a girl with sses running out. The girl rubbed her eyes,


    looked around and didn''t find the person she was looking for. She was about to take out her phone


    to make a call when she saw a figure waving at her from a distance.


    The girl, adjusting her sses and rubbing her eyes, walked over in confusion. It was only when the


    woman waving at her took off her sunsses that she reacted.


    "Izabe?"


    "What¡¯s up? Don¡¯t recognize me?" Izabe looked at the girl in front of her with a smile. Rachel was


    the assistant arranged by thepany for her. They had a close rtionship and was one of the


    few people who were nice to Bell.


    How close was their rtionship? Probably the kind where you can borrow money without having to


    pay it back.


    "Izabe, how...how did you be like this?"


    "Don''t I look good?"


    Rachel quickly shook her head. It wasn''t that she didn''t look good, it was that she looked too good.


    Izabe''s features were delicate, and heavy makeup only made her look less attractive.


    Now, without makeup, she was stunning. She was naturally beautiful, and now she had changed


    her usual bitter image, her smile like sunshine, her eyes cold, making people dare not look directly


    at her. In short, she was very impressive.


    "You look good. I''ve always said you look much better without makeup, but nobody in thepany


    believes me."


    No one didn''t like to beplimented. Izabe reached out and touched the girl''s head, and Rachel


    immediately blushed.


    "I''ll take you to get your number te."


    Mr. York''s show was very popr, even the third female lead had many people vying for it. Izabe


    walked in and saw a long line of people, raising her eyebrows slightly.


    Rachel took Izabe to find a staff member, filled out a form, and got a number te.


    It was now one o''clock in the afternoon, the staff member was dozing off in the chair, barely


    concentrating, and didn''t recognize the person in front of her was Izabe.


    Seeing a good-looking unfamiliar face, he thought it was a new graduate. Who didn''t like pretty


    girls? The staff member handed over the form with a smile and patiently reminded her where to


    sign, and even kindly ced a cup of water in a convenient ce for her.


    The staff member was intentionally staring at the signature position. Seeing the other party quickly


    sign Izabe, he was stunned.


    This was Izabe? Wasn''t she supposed to look mature and seductive? When did she change like


    this? Did she get stic surgery?


    Izabe finished signing and put down the pen, "Is it okay now?"


    The staff member was so shocked that he stammered, "Y-yes, it is."


    "Give me the number te."


    The staff member handed over the number te in a daze. By the time he reacted, Izabe had


    already walked away.


    He took out his phone and clicked into a group chat, typing quickly, "I saw a beauty auditioning for


    the third female role in Blood Ties."


    "Isn¡¯t it normal for you to see beauties at the audition hall? Who''s the star?"


    "Not normal, not normal at all. That beauty is Izabe."


    "Izabe? Are you joking? How could she look good?"


    "It''s true. I even doubt whether she had stic surgery. You would know what a beauty is only after


    you see her without makeup."


    "Don''t exaggerate, you know people like Izabe ..."


    ...


    Another person came to get a number te, and the staff member had to put down his phone


    helplessly. Even if Izabe looked good, she couldn''t wash away her past bad behavior. It was no


    wonder she was good at seducing men.


    There were many people auditioning in Hall 3. Even though Izabe came very early, there were


    already five people in front of her, all wearing sunsses and masks.


    Rachel whispered in her ear, "The one in the front is Banana Entertainment''s Vivian."


    Vivian became famous in recent years, with a good figure and good looks. She acted in a TV drama


    last year and was popr for a while.


    Banana Entertainment had nothing else but money. They invested 20 million in this TV drama, so


    Vivian was very likely to get a role because of this.


    The two female celebs behind her were unrecognizable to Izabe. She''d always had a hard time


    remembering faces, and it took a good while for her to figure out who they were.


    No one in showbiz had any respect for the original owner of Izabe¡¯s body. Not only was she of


    questionable character, her acting chops were also mediocre at best. No director in their right mind


    would give her an audition.


    The only reason she was getting a chance to audition this time was because of Kristin¡¯s


    rmendation¡± But let''s be real, pies don''t just fall from the sky. Given Kristin¡¯s past actions, it


    was more likely she wanted Izabe to y a supporting role to highlight her own remarkable


    brilliance.


    Too bad, Izabe had turned into a cactus now, and not everyone could touch her anymore.


    Izabe was called in for an auditionst minute. She hadn¡¯t read the original work and her agent


    said it was all improv. The script would be given on site to prevent leaks.


    Izabe found a seat. The same staff member who had given her the number te earlier came


    over with a script in hand. He handed it to Izabe without a word, his gaze sneaking peeks at her.


    Izabe didn¡¯t mind; she took the script and thanked him.


    The staff member left awkwardly.


    ¡°Izabe.¡± Rachel¡¯s face was smeared with a smug smile, ¡°That staff member was staring at you the


    whole time. He probably didn''t recognize you just like I didn''t. Can you just stay like this forever?¡±


    Izabe, flipping through the script, replied, ¡°Haven''t I always been like this?¡±


    Maybe she was the only one who thought there wasn¡¯t much of a change. Rachel seriously doubted


    Izabe¡¯s aesthetics.


    Seeing Izabe engrossed in the script, Rachel didn¡¯t want to disturb her and took out her phone to


    quietly scroll through Twitter.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe had a good memory. She could remember key phrases in an instant, and then slowly piece


    them together intoplete paragraphs.


    The female character wasn¡¯t likable. She used to be the heroine¡¯s friend before entering the pce,


    but due to her greed and envy, she plotted against the heroine multiple times.


    But she wasn¡¯t as lucky as the heroine. After the king found out, he threw her into prison where she


    was tortured and died. Most TV shows needed a viin to highlight the goodness and intelligence of


    the heroine.


    This was the general plot. If she yed the role well, from a different angle, the character could be


    seen as a woman striving for her career. Otherwise, she''d be cursed byizens.


    Izabe thought of a recent incident where an actress was cursed on Twitter for ying a mistress


    who broke up the heroine¡¯s family. They even turned her photo into a memorial picture.


    Although it showed her acting was good, the negativements made her extremely depressed.


    Not to mention Izabe, who was already universally despised. If she sessfully portrayed this


    character, she might even receive death threats after the show aired.


    A good director can make a good actor, and vice versa, a good actor can also influence the director


    and screenwriter.


    After Izabe repeatedly checked the script and confirmed she had memorized it, she put it down


    and started to get into character. She hadn''t eaten all day, so her condition was on point. It wasn''t


    hard to achieve what she wanted.


    Rachel was squatting next to her, engrossed in her Twitter feed. Izabe nced over casually, and


    her gaze suddenly froze.


    "Who is he?" Even she didn''t know how shaky her voice was, filled with indescribable emotions.


    Rachel looked up in confusion, seeing Izabe staring at the photo on her phone screen, she


    answered, "That''s Mr. Dempsey. What''s wrong? Don''t tell me you didn''t recognize him?"


    Izabe''s heart ached, hershes trembling, her eyes staring nkly at the photo on Rachel''s


    phone.


    Those far-off memories that had been locked away surged forward, filling her mind like fragile


    bubbles, momentarily shutting down her senses.


    "Cry Baby, don''t cry, here''s a doughnut for you."


    "Come, I''ll carry you home."


    "Cry Baby, I''m sorry, I can''t carry you home this time..."


    So, the feelings etched in her marrow were something even God couldn''t erase.

 Chapter 317

    Chapter 317


    "Casey, Ryker... there were loads of people sharing the same names in this world and these two


    ain''t got nothing to do with each other.


    Izabe didn''t want to make the same mistake again, thest time she got the wrong person, it cost


    her her life.


    She nkly stared at the photo on Rachel''s phone, forcing down the bitterness welling up in her


    eyes.


    "Izabe, what''s up..." Rachel asked cautiously. Even though she wasn''t the most perceptive, she


    could tell something was off.


    Izabe shook her head, "I just want to meet this guy". Her voice was still a bit raspy, tinged with


    sorrow.


    "That might be a bit of a tough one."


    Casey was a famous actor, with tens of millions of fans, a legend of the entertainment industry.


    Izabe, on the other hand, was just a slightly known actress, and that slight fame was more


    because of the k she got.


    Hard you said? Not really. As long as he was still alive, there was always a chance to meet.


    During the years she spent with Brett, Izabe learned one thing: with power, you could not only


    control your life but also others''.


    She looked away, focusing her attention and emotions on the script in her hands.


    Rachel, not quite understanding, murmured, "He is nning to join a talent show called ''Here


    Comes the Superstars''. It''s like a stage show, giving actors around four days to prepare. Maybe you


    should talk to Graham about joining. It''s the first talent show he has joined since bing famous,


    and it might be your only chance to meet him.¡±


    "He''s supposedly joining the show to scout for co-actors," Rachel added casually. She believed in


    Izabe, but she didn''t hold out much hope.


    Izabe had only acted in one TV drama about campus life, which rated a measly 25 points. It was


    nothing to brag about.


    However, Izabe''s eyes sparkled, a co-actor, huh?


    Time flew by, and soon it was two o''clock. Mr. York took this TV drama very seriously. He personally


    selected the leading roles and even the supporting actors. Normally, the selection of a third female


    role would be left to the assistant director, but he was personally involved.


    The audition process was lengthy. Izabe waited for nearly forty minutes before it was her turn. On


    average, each person was given ten minutes.


    She estimated the time. Vivian had the longest audition, about 15 minutes. She seemed rxed


    when she came out. She was the highest-ranking among the auditionees. She was also attractive,


    with a strong fan base and a powerfulpany backing her. The role was likely hers.


    Mr. York, aka Brad York, was quite famous in the industry. In his forties, he had directed 10 TV


    dramas, the lowest-rated of which scored an 8 out of 10. He was known as the ''Godfather of TV


    dramas''.


    He had very high standards for actors. He was powerful and had a fiery temper. If someone''s acting


    was poor in front of him, he wouldn''t care about their status. He was known to make people cry by


    sting them on Twitter.


    Once, an actress thought she could get a role because of herpany. She performed a ''death


    stare'' in front of him. He had the security escort her out.


    They quarreled on Twitter for several days. The actress was at a disadvantage and ended up giving


    up acting. She decided to appear on reality shows long-term. Her fame was not what it once was,


    while Brad gained poprity, making the actors in the industry both love and fear him.


    ¡­


    "Izabe, get ready. You''re up next." A staff member came out to inform her, the disdain in his eyes


    was clear.


    Izabe took off her sunsses and mask, put them in her bag, and asked Rachel to hold it for her.


    She walked in nonchntly. There were four people sitting across from her. The one in the middle


    was Mr. York.


    "You''re Izabe?" he blurted out, his eyes filled with disbelief. He nced at the photo of Izabe in


    the actor''s information in his hand, on which her makeup was heavy.


    He had received this information just an hour ago. Her resume was a mess. If there was any


    achievement, it was probably that she had topped the list of most disliked actresses for years, with


    far more votes than the second ce.


    He had already rejected her in his mind before he even saw her. He drank an extra ss of water


    before Izabe came in, preparing himself to rant.


    But he didn''t expect Izabe without makeup to be so beautiful. It was hard to believe she was the


    same person as in the resume.


    He had seen many beautiful women. The entertainment industry was a beauty factory. It wasn''t


    about being pretty, but having a unique charm.


    Izabe was precisely that kind of beauty¡ªher delicate features seemed carefully measured with a


    ruler, and the most striking were her eyes.


    He had heard about Izabe and watched her videos on Twitter. When he judged people, he looked


    at their eyes. Izabe''s eyes used to be beautiful but a bit bitter, even dull, as if someone owed her


    money.


    In short, shecked confidence.


    But now, Izabe''s eyes were sharp. She stood quietly by the window, the sunlight pouring in,


    casting a glow on her slender figure, but she herself outshone that light.


    Even the picky Brad had to admit Izabe met his criteria. This was what you could call a beautiful


    face.


    He was thinking, if there was a role for a dead person in a future TV drama, he would let Izabe lie


    in a coffin as a background prop. That would be pretty good.


    "Hello, I''m Izabe. I''m here to audition for the third female role, Anna." Izabe interrupted his


    thoughts, her tone indifferent.


    Brad asked directly, "Have you read the script?"


    "I have."


    "Then perform the scene where Anna dies."


    Anna died in jail. Before she died, she was tortured, her ten fingers mped off, covered in burn


    marks. She was driven mad and saw the female lead, Malia, for thest time, cursing her with her


    dying breath.


    This was the climax of the whole y and highly impactful.


    Brad had Izabe read a scene, and to everyone there, it seemed like he was intentionally giving


    her a hard time. After all, he only asked the previous four actresses to portray the character''s


    innocent and naive demeanor when she first appeared.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    In reality, Brad had Izabe perform thest scene simply because he heard Izabe say she had


    read the script and wanted to see if she was telling the truth.


    "Can you perform?"


    "Yes, but I need someone to do this scene with me..."


    "Let me."


    A voice suddenly joined, Izabe turned to look and her brain quickly reacted.


    It was Kristin.


    She just had a simr name to Kaley, and they didn''t look alike. Compared to Kaley''s delicate face,


    Kristin''s features were much more attractive. But for some reason, staring at her face made Izabe


    ufortable.


    Kristin also obviously flinched when she saw Izabe. She also had her manager with her.


    Why did Izabee here without getting makeup done as instructed? This was a question both


    of them had. If you were a in Jane, then acted like it, and if you were a supporting role, always


    stayed in yourne.


    Looking at her face, Kristin''s expression instantly changed, and Izabe, who was staring at her


    face, didn''t miss this subtle change.


    Kristin turned to the director and said, "Mr. York, I introduced Izabe, let me do this scene with her."


    "Sure, you''re the lead actress anyway, it''s definitely suitable as long as you don''t mind."


    "Thank you." Kristin turned to Izabe and acted innocent, pretending she was considering her,


    "Izabe, are you okay with me?"


    "Whatever you want."


    Izabe''s expression was t, which to Kristin, seemed like she was pretending to be calm. She


    knew Izabe very well and knew that she had only acted in a drama with no real acting skills, and


    her ability to deliver lines and act were average, it was absolutely impossible for her to portray


    Anna, a character that had a strong impact.


    No one had any hope for Izabe, but that didn''t stop them from enjoying the show.


    Kristin had broken records with her previous TV show and won awards; her acting skills were not to


    be underestimated.


    After she defeated Izabe, they''d probably get to see Mr. York get angry in person. If Izabe


    offended Mr. York, she would disappear from this circlepletely.


    Others might just be throwing stones into a well, but Kristin was trying to rece the water in the


    well with sulfuric acid.


    The staff called for action, Izabe undid her braids, her hair fell behind her, she even purposely


    messed it up a bit, only revealing her eyes.


    Brad instantly sat up straight, Izabe clearly understood the script, a woman who''d been in prison


    and tortured, how could her appearance still be neat and beautiful?


    But they couldn''t make her up to look injured on the spot, so she could only mess up her hair and


    reveal her eyes.


    Acting with her eyes, it was easy to capture on camera, but it would be hard to resonate with the


    audience in person if her emotions weren''t enough.


    Izabe undid her hair and instantly got into character, she curled up on the ground, looked up at


    Kristin, and in a moment her eyes were filled with red veins.


    "My good friend...you finally came to see me..." she gasped, her voice hoarse.


    As soon as Izabe began her lines, the set fell silent. She had great control over her lines,


    portraying the struggling to survive in a way that gave everyone goosebumps.


    Kristin, who was standing in front of her, changed her expression instantly. When did Izabe''s line


    delivery be so good?


    Looking at Izabe''s limp posture on the ground, if they didn''t know she was acting, they would


    have thought she was seriously ill and on herst breath.


    "Anna, don''t you still think you did nothing wrong?" Kristin continued the dialogue.


    Izabe''s gaze suddenly became sharp, that intimidating force was like a sudden jolt, her bloodshot


    eyes were filled with tears of anger, her expression was grotesque, veins popped on her forehead,


    she said through gritted teeth.


    "I was wrong? I did nothing wrong, I just wanted to live a better life, Malia you''re powerful, you''re


    noble, do you know what kind of bullying I''ve suffered here? You brought me into the pce, said


    you''d treat me well, and we''d be rich and powerful together. I helped you deal with your


    enemies. I lost my child to save you back then, and I can''t have children ever since."


    "How did I treat you, and you? Everyone in the pce praises your kindness, praises your beauty.


    Bullshit! You''re just an ungrateful bitch!" she scolded, with a sarcasticugh, "I just wanted to


    survive in this murderous pce, what did I do wrong? I don''t want others to bully me, I made it to


    where I am today step by step on my own! You tell me what I did wrong!"


    The atmosphere around them instantly became suffocating, as Izabe''s eyes gradually moved


    closer, Kristin instantly panicked, she was supposed to list all of Anna''s mistakes next, but now she


    forgot her lines.


    She awkwardly ended with a line thatcked any persuasive power, "You''re still not repenting?"


    "Malia, aren''t you tired of pretending in front of me? Since you love pretending so much, I curse you


    to always wear your mask. You''ll never be treated sincerely by others. I, Anna, curse you to be


    tormented by nightmares. My fate will be your fate!"


    Kristin stumbled backwards, lost her bnce and fell to the ground. In the original script her


    expression was supposed to be indifferent. Facing Anna''s curse, she thought of everything that had


    happened in the past, feeling pity and regret for her death.


    However, what Kristin portrayed was only fear, she even copsed on the ground, her face pale and


    whole body shaking.


    She was thrown off by Izabe''s acting,pletely lost her ability to think for herself, and


    subconsciously became scared of Izabe''s performance and lines.


    Victory, this was absolute victory!

 Chapter 318

    Chapter 318


    The ce was dead silent.


    Brad was the first to snap out of it. He hadn''t anticipated the raw power Izabe possessed. It was


    like she had broken free from some invisible chains, her eyes filled with a fierce hatred, like a


    demon straight out from hell.


    Some people were simply born to be in front of the camera.


    If there was one person who could match Izabe''s performance, it''d be Mr. Dempsey.


    Brad felt chills run down his spine as he watched Izabe through the camera lens. This was the


    first time anyone had ever made such an impact on him.


    Twenty seconds had passed and everyone else was still in shock. And let''s not even mention


    Kristin, who had just finished the scene with Izabe. She was sitting on the floor, body shaking,


    face pale as if she was stuck in a nightmare she couldn''t wake up from.


    Who the hell said Izabe was an idiot? And who said she couldn''t act? He was definitely picking


    Izabe!


    Izabe smoothed out her messy hair, braided it and threw it over her shoulder.


    "Are we good, Mr. York?" she asked. She was back to her usual indifferent self, as if the woman


    who just cursed viciously on the floor was nothing but an illusion.


    Kristin was still sitting on the floor, face contorted. Her manager finally snapped out of it and helped


    her up, whispering to her, "What the hell happened to you just now?"


    Kristin gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath before looking up at the director with an apologetic


    smile, "I''m sorry, I twisted my ankle..."


    Bullshit, she was clearly scared shitless by Izabe''s lines.


    Kristin tried to y it cool. "I''ve been pretty busytely, just got back from a shoot this afternoon... I


    messed up my part with Izabe."


    There was silence for a moment, then someoneughed and reassured her, "It''s okay, you''ll get it


    next time."


    "Yeah, Kristin, don''t worry about it. We all know you''re not usually like this."


    "We all have off days."


    "Don''t worry, you did great in that scene."


    Thestpliment was clearly a load of crap. How could her performance be good when she was


    overshadowed like that?


    Brad, script in hand, kept his gaze on Izabe, "Do the scene again."


    Izabe looked at the script handed to her. This wasn''t Anna''s script, but that of the supporting


    female character, Megan.


    The producer next to him started to cough violently. They already had the perfect actress for the


    supporting role. What was Brad trying to do?


    In fact, even the role of Anna wasn''t meant for Izabe. She was only there for the audition because


    of Kristin. But nobody expected her to nail the scene the way she did.


    Vivian also did a great job, but she was just acting. Izabe brought Anna to life. She WAS Anna.


    They could give Anna''s role to Izabe. After all, the character wasn''t very likable. Maybe the


    audience''s dislike for Izabe would make them empathize more with the character. If the audience


    wasn''t happy with their choice, they could release the video of this audition online. That would


    shock them!


    Brad handed Izabe the script for Megan, ignoring the producer''s coughing fit.


    "Can you do it?"


    "Can I have a few minutes to look at the script?"


    Brad shrugged, "Sure."


    Izabe pursed her lips, took the script and began to read. Megan didn''t have as much screen time


    as the third female lead, but her character was likable.


    Megan, originally the daughter of a general, once dressed as a man to join the battlefield. She


    saved the king there, and after spending time together, the king fell for her and took her back to the


    pce to be his queen.


    Her life was supposed to be glorious, but she ended up trapped in the pce like a caged bird. The


    once brave and strategic woman was reduced to a canary in a gilded cage. The king, who once


    swore to love her for life, gradually forgot about her as he took on several mistresses.


    The once fierce female general, stripped of her freedom and pride, leapt from the pce walls after


    losing two children, smiling as she fell, "I can fly..."


    After Megan''s death, her sister Malia, who bore a slight resemnce to her, was brought into the


    pce as her recement.


    Izabe quickly finished reading the script, feeling a heavy weight on her heart. A wave of


    indescribable emotion washed over her.


    She was Izabe, not Bell. Bell had at least taken acting sses and performed in ys for three


    years, but Izabe hadn''t.


    When auditioning for Anna, it was more like she was portraying herself, her pent-up resentment


    exploding at that moment, which resulted in such a powerful performance.


    Izabe never thought of herself as a genius, especially in an unfamiliar field like acting. And she


    never nned to stay in the entertainment industry forever, relying on fans and acting for a living.


    But after reading Megan''s script, she was deeply moved. She had a strong desire to y Megan.


    "I''m ready, director."


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Brad instructed, "Do the scene where Megan is taken into the pce."


    This scene was even more challenging than thest one. There were no lines; the whole scene was


    acted out through expressions and eyes alone. Without any supporting actor, any slight mistake


    would be ring.


    Izabe put the script down, took out a lipstick from her bag and applied it. When she looked up


    after putting the lipstick away, her eyes had changed.


    She moved the chair behind her to the window, then stepped back ten paces. Brad instructed the


    cameraman to follow her, capturing her every expression.


    She moved slowly, her gaze shifting with each step she took. Halfway through, she looked back,


    and for a moment, a myriad ofplex emotions flickered in her eyes. It was as if the images of her


    parents and of her cutting down enemies on the battlefield surfaced. From reminiscing to letting go,


    she sighed quietly, epting her fate. As she turned around, tears shimmered in her eyes and she


    held her head high, stepping up to take her ce as queen.


    Megan was no ordinary woman, she had guts. She''d been on the battlefield, and killed people. Her


    eyes held not only the grace and nobility of a queen, but also the stern ferocity of a female general.


    Someone opened a window, and the sunlight poured in, making her glow as she sat in the chair.


    The sound of birds pping their wings came from outside.


    The room was very quiet, with only the sound of the camera. Brad''s breath hitched. He had indeed


    chosen the right person. Izabe was born to act! She was adaptable, had good memory, and in


    less than 10 minutes, she understood the character.


    Brad was even more puzzled. With such high acting skills, how had Izabe hit rock bottom over the


    years?


    And was the score of 25 for her first TV series real?


    Brad felt like he had discovered a diamond, while the idiots around him were still patting themselves


    on the back, looking down on a diamond worth a fortune.

 Chapter 319

    Chapter 319


    "Clear your schedule and start prepping for the role of Megan."


    Had she made the cut? Izabe had the confidence to y Megan, but it never crossed her mind


    that Mr. York would pick her outright.


    Showbiz was all about capitalism, they didn''t give a hoot about your acting chops, they just cared if


    you can rake in the dough.


    Izabe''s rep was in the gutter, and her reviews sucked. If she were a producer, she probably


    wouldn''t even cast a gal like Izabe as the most likable character of a TV show.


    Megan''s character was just too alluring, more fleshed out than the lead Malia. It would probably be


    difficult for the audience to ept Izabe taking on the role.


    The producer was still reeling from Izabe''s audition. Almost fell to his knees and shouted ''Hail to


    the Queen'' when he saw Izabe sitting on that chair.


    Upon hearing Brad''s decision to cast Izabe as the supporting female character, he was jolted


    awake. Scared awake, more like.


    If it weren''t for the setting, he could''ve throttled Brad there and then. He lowered his voice and


    cautioned, "Mr. York, have you lost your marbles? You do remember who she is, right? That''s


    Izabe!"


    "I know she''s Izabe."


    "She''s got scandals by the truckload."


    Brad replied nonchntly, "But she''s a damn good actress."


    "Her haters are relentless!"


    "She''s a damn good actress."


    "She has zero fans. Literally zero."


    "She''s a damn good actress."


    "She even had an affair with a director for a role. Don''t you loathe those shameless, string-pulling


    actresses?"


    Brad paused, stroking his chin. Izabe had an affair with a director? Now that was juicy.


    He retorted, "You reckon her acting chops need to be bought with a roll in the hay?"


    "Doesn''t matter what I believe. it''s all about what the audience thinks." The producer still tried to put


    up a fight. "Mr. York, how about giving her the third female character? She did a pretty good job with


    Anna."


    "No, she''s Megan in my book."


    "I think she did a fine job with Anna. This isn''t a one-man show, you''ve got investors breathing down


    your neck. You really want to piss them off for her?"


    A flicker of impatience crossed Brad''s face. He didn''t hold back, and just blurted out, "Tell me, why


    does Anna be the viin? Why''s she jealous of Malia from the beginning?"


    In the initial stages of the script, Anna''s character was a bit twisted. She was jealous of Malia''s


    looks and tried to ruin her faceter on.


    The producer finally got the picture, his gaze flicking from Kristin to Izabe.


    Seeing his awkward expression, Brad scoffed, "What, she''s jealous because Malia is uglier than


    her?"


    Kristin heard the exchange, her face turned sour. Brad''sstment felt like a p to her face.


    Even though he didn''t name names, everyone knew Kristin was the actress ying Malia.


    The producer kept mum, and the room fell silent. Brad turned to Izabe, "You''re officially our


    supporting actress. Go home and rest. We''ll be in touch."


    Izabe nodded, thanked him, and left the audition room.


    Kristin was seething. As soon as Izabe was out of sight, she challenged Brad, "Mr. York, why on


    earth did you give Izabe the supporting role?"


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Brad looked surprised. He crossed his arms and leaned back, "Weren''t you the one who


    rmended her? I thought you two were tight. Aren''t you happy for her?"


    Kristin was at a loss for words. She forced a smile, "Anna has arger part in the show. And, I was


    looking forward to working with her."


    Brad wasn''t born yesterday. He''d seen all sorts in his years as a director. He saw right through


    Kristin''s fake camaraderie with Izabe. She yed nice but was setting traps behind her back.


    He didn''t give a damn about an actress''s ego. No matter how high and mighty, everyone was equal


    in his eyes.


    "You should stop working with her. Time is money on set. Can''t you see she''s outperforming you?


    Don''t tell me you''ve actually bought those ttery and thought you did a pretty good job."


    "I sent you the script a week ago. Izabe only got it an hour ago. Yet, you couldn''t even keep up


    with her lines. This makes me question yourmitment. If you can''t pull off this role, we''ll find


    someone else."


    Brad was known for his blunt words and actions. Her agent, Graham, was sweating bullets. He


    quickly apologized for Kristin, "Mr. York, we''ve signed the contract. We''ll give this role our best shot.


    I''ll clear Kristin''s schedule so she can study the script at home. She won''t let Izabe overshadow


    her."


    Brad scoffed and dismissed them with a wave of his hand.


    Kristin was dragged away reluctantly. Back at the studio, she lost her temper and pped her


    assistant.


    Graham was used to this kind of tantrum. He gave the assistant some money for hospital fees and


    stayed with Kristin.


    "What''s up with Izabe? When did her acting get this good?"


    "Who knows? If her face hadn''t stayed the same, I would''ve thought she''d been reced." Graham


    tried to soothe her, "Don''t let it get to you. You''re still the leading actress. Just work on your script


    and lines at home. Don''t let her outshine you."


    "Speaking of her face." A chill ran through Kristin''s eyes, "Why didn''t she wear makeup today?


    Doesn''t she usually follow your instructions?"


    Graham frowned, "I have no idea what''s going on in her head. She just changed for no reason."


    "It''s your mess, handle her. I don''t want to see her on set." Originally, the n was to use Brad to


    get rid of Izabe for good, but it backfired, leaving her humiliated and unable to hold her head up in


    public.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll sort it out for you," Graham promised, but he couldn''t help asking, "Why do you


    have such a beef with her?"


    If Izabe had shown her true skills earlier, he wouldn''t have ditched her. After all, who didn''t like to


    make an extra buck? But he and Kristin were in the same boat and Izabe had be a useless


    pawn.


    Izabe''s stained reputation wasn''t something she could wash away with her acting skills. So, he


    had to stick with Kristin, the money tree, and deal with her problems.


    Mentioning Izabe, Kristin''s face contorted in rage, a stark contrast to her usual gentle and


    generous demeanor.


    "Because of her face, and her name, Izabe. She''s my born enemy!"


    ......


    Meanwhile, Izabe finished her audition and came out to find Rachel waiting for her with a bottle of


    water. "Have some water, Izabe. You must be tired."


    "Thanks." Izabe took the water and took a sip. The dryness in her throat was instantly relieved.


    Rachel watched her drink the water and couldn''t help asking, "How did the audition go?"


    "I didn''t make it."


    "Ah..." Despite expecting the bad news, Rachel was still disappointed. Izabe had finally got a


    chance to audition for a TV drama. They thought her luck was turning around, but it was still a no-


    go.


    "Usually, the results are announced a weekter, right? Are you sure there''s no chance at all?"


    Izabe capped the bottle and looked at Rachel''s gloomy face. She cracked a smile and flicked


    Rachel''s forehead. "Didn''t get the third female lead, but got the supporting actress role."


    "Supporting actress is fine, as long as there''s a part... Wait what? Supporting actress!"

 Chapter 320

    Chapter 320


    Rachel was gobsmacked, not snapping back to reality until she got home. Izabe, initially


    auditioning for the role of the nasty female character, ended up bing the crush of the TV


    series, the supporting actress.


    She was dying to know what went down in that audition room, but no matter how many times she


    asked Izabe, she kept mum.


    "You seem to have changed a lot, like you''re a whole new person."


    Izabe put on her mask and sunsses, pausing after hearing Rachel''s words, and looked up at


    the bright sky.


    "No, I''ve always been like this..." Right, she should be like this, the proud Izabe who can handle


    any difficulty.


    She shouldn''t be the Izabe who lost everything for love. Loving yourself was even more important


    than loving others. This was a principle she understood when she was young, so why did she forget


    it as she grew older?


    The lesson she learned the hard way was, instead of chasing the light, why not be the light?


    ...


    When Izabe got back to her tiny apartment, Brad messaged her on WhatsApp about the contract.


    By offering her the supporting female role, Brad would undoubtedly ruffle some feathers. She


    needed to figure out how to clear these obstacles. If she couldn''t handle these minor obstacles, how


    could she stand up to Brett in the future?All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe picked up her phone and ordered some parts online, which she would receive first thing in


    the morning.


    After paying, she went back online to look up Casey. There was a rough outline of his resume, and


    Izabe stared at his pictures.


    Could there really be two people in the world who looked so alike? Even the two canine teeth in


    their mouths were exactly the same. If there was any difference, it was that Ryker''s eyes were clean


    but a bit silly, while this Casey guy didn''t look like a fool at all.


    Izabe closed her eyes, suppressing her bubbling emotions.


    Her soul was already thirty years old, way past the age of chasing after someone relentlessly.


    Facing Casey, who resembled Ryker, she was a bit unsettled. After all, he was the one who had


    been in her heart for more than a decade. Ryker was an irreceable presence in her heart.


    He appeared when she needed someone to save her the most. Even though he disappeared


    quickly, his figure always lingered in her memory, bing more beautiful and radiant over time.


    He was her long-time crush in her dreams. He would appear when she was most helpless to


    encourage her andfort her when she cried. How could she easily forget such a person?


    She really wanted to meet Casey. If he was Ryker, they could start over as friends. If he was not... it


    would be best not to get to know each other and avoid unnecessary trouble.


    ...


    At five in the afternoon, Izabe received a call. By looking at the caller ID, Izabe knew some


    people couldn''t hold back anymore.


    The caller was her agent, Graham. The moment he got on the line, he stated his purpose, "You


    need to decline the job offer from the Blood Ties yourself."


    They were afraid of offending people, so they decided to use her as a scapegoat, thinking she was


    weak and easy to bully.


    "Graham, let''s meet somewhere tomorrow and have a good talk."


    Graham probably didn''t expect Izabe to be so easy-going. Her manner waspletely different


    from the audacious demeanor she disyed during the audition. On second thought, she had


    always been like this. He thought she had changed, but she was still so weak. And that was good,


    because it meant they could continue to use her.


    After confirming he was free in the afternoon, Graham said, "Okay, I''ll arrange the ce. I''ll send


    you the addresster. Be there before three o''clock."


    After hanging up, Izabe replied to Mr. York''s message. Instead of immediately agreeing to the


    contract, she asked, "Mr. York, I have the most opponents in the entertainment industry. Aren''t you


    afraid that I will drag the whole team down?"


    Brad simply replied, "One should fully trust those they have hired."


    Izabe murmured these words and suddenlyughed. "Give me a week to sort out my affairs.


    Then we can sign the contract. I will prove to everyone before the announcement that you''ve made


    the right choice by picking Megan."


    After sending the message, Izabe turned off her phone. The weather was hot, and to save


    electricity, there was no air conditioning in the room, just a fan. Even at full st, the fan couldn''t


    alleviate the heat, it just blew hot air.


    Izabe took her clothes and went to the bathroom for a shower. She also washed her hair and


    came out, towel-drying her hair.


    Her phone was her only means ofmunication and browsing the inte. She didn''t even have a


    computer. Izabe began to n. When she had the money, she would buy herself aputer,


    rece those cheap cosmetics on her vanity, and buy new clothes.


    She would keep this house, a relic of Bell, but it was too small. She could buy the neighboring


    house and connect them.


    By her calctions, she needed a lot of money. She would never be able to face the obstacles in


    front of her if she relied solely on acting for ie.


    In short, she was broke...


    Izabe picked up her phone and looked up Casey''s family background. The information was


    scarce. The only bit of info was that Casey mentioned his mother''s surname in an interview, which


    was the same as Brett''s.


    Casey became famous two and a half years ago, and to this day, his family background remained a


    mystery, which suggested he came from a powerful background.


    But his mother''s surname was the same as Brett''s. Was she overthinking?

 Chapter 321

    Chapter 321


    At 6 a.m., Izabe got up on time, went for an hour-long run, and came back to take a shower and


    make breakfast.


    Her stomach cancer in her previous life taught her a profound lesson, that she must maintain a


    regr schedule and eat on time. Nothing was more important than her health.


    She used to cook a table full of food every day waiting for Brett toe home. Not only did he


    never show up, but she also ended up getting stomach cancer. Izabeughed at herself, calling


    herself an idiot.


    At 9 a.m., the courier called her to pick up a parcel. Izabe put on a coat, sunsses, and a mask.


    On a weekday, there weren''t many people in the neighborhood, mostly old men exercising and


    grandmothers taking care of children.


    Izabe picked up the parcel from memory and took it back to her room. Inside were a bunch of


    loose parts. After she assembled them, it was about the length of a finger.


    Izabe clipped this newly assembled little thing to her hair, and it looked like an ordinary hair clip. If


    you didn''t look closely, it wouldn''t attract much attention.


    There wasn''t much time, so she could only barely finish assembling one. In the future, she would


    have to install more to prevent sudden incidents.


    There were still some vegetables in the fridge, so Izabe cooked a te of pasta with lots of chili


    peppers for lunch. She loved spicy food, but because of her stomach cancer, she couldn''t eat spicy


    food, which was torture for her.


    Now, her body was healthy...


    Very healthy?


    Izabe fell into deep thought. Was her body really healthy? She had a feeling of forgetting


    something important.


    After quickly finishing her lunch, Izabe returned to her bedroom and started rummaging aimlessly.


    Eventually, she found arge pile of documents at the bottom of a drawer in the wardrobe, and at


    the very bottom was a medical record for depression.


    The date wasst year when Bell had just left Nathaniel and found out about her depression at the


    hospital. At that time, she was only mildly depressed. She didn''t go for counseling and kept her


    feelings bottled up. But with the growing abuse on the inte, her depression worsened.


    Bell had always been treated unfairly since she was young. She wasn''t so much resilient as she


    was used to people''s malice.


    A camel can carry a heavy load under high pressure, but in the end, it was just thest straw that


    broke the camel''s back.


    Her fate was very simr to Bell''s, both being treated unfairly and surrounded by people''s malice,


    endless spection, and the indifference of bystanders. The strong person who maintained her


    strength with a smile was gradually forced into death.


    Izabe put down the medical diagnosis in her hand and let out a long sigh.


    After lunch, her agent Graham sent her an address for a retro coffee shop.


    Izabe tidied up and took a taxi there. She liked to be punctual. She arrived at the booked room at


    1:50 p.m., and a waiter led her in.


    Graham was sitting in a chair, only slightly raising his head when he heard the noise, and then


    continued grinding coffee.


    Izabe quickly nced around. Graham wasn''t a generous person. Bell was very weak and had


    been cheated out of a lot of money by him. When they ate together, he always ordered the most


    expensive dishes but never paid or epted splitting the bill. If you said anything about it, he would


    turn it around and call you stingy.


    This coffee shop charged at least 5,000 for a three-hour reservation. Izabe thought to herself.


    "Graham, I''m here..."


    Graham looked at her and didn''t let her sit down. Izabe didn''t sit and obediently stood in front of


    him with her head down, looking very easy to bully.


    "Why didn''t you do what I told you yesterday?"


    Izabe blinked her bright eyes innocently, and her clear pupils were like a spring. "Where didn''t I


    follow your instructions yesterday? I was on time for the audition."


    Thinking about yesterday made Graham angry. He asked Izabe, "Why didn''t you wear makeup


    when I told you to?"


    Izabe stammered, "The audition didn''t allow makeup, and I don''t have any makeup products. You


    know how low my sry is, I can''t afford to buy makeup. Why don''t you ask the boss to arrange


    some work for me and increase my sry?"


    Graham didn''t call Izabe today to talk about her makeup. He wanted her to refuse the job on


    Blood Ties.


    "Call Mr. York and refuse the job right now."


    Izabe pretended not to understand, "Why? You asked me to audition for this TV show, I


    seeded, and now you want me to refuse it? What will Mr. York think of me?"


    "What does that have to do with me? I told you to audition for the third female role, not the female


    supporting role." He began to shirk responsibility. "Izabe, I''m considering this for your benefit. You


    know the female supporting role was already given to someone else, and doing this will get you


    criticized."


    "I''m used to being chewed out. Don''t worry, I can handle it."


    Graham frowned impatiently, staring at the woman in front of him. She was still the same weak


    person who didn''t dare to breathe loudly, but today she spoke up unexpectedly. That strange feeling


    came again, as if the person in front of him had suddenly changed.


    "I''m telling you the truth; thepany won''t let you take this TV show. If you''re obedient, they''ll


    arrange other schedules for you. If you''re not, the only result is you being blocked, and your life is


    over."


    Her life was already over, and Izabe didn''t change her expression. "Are you threatening me?"


    Graham sneered, "An employee should obey thepany''s arrangements."


    Izabe put her hands in her coat pockets, "So I deserve to be used by you as a human shield?


    Five months ago, you knew I had nothing to do with that director, but you forced me to admit it. And


    the rumors about Kristin and the male star''s private meeting, you used my Twitter ount to post


    untrue things, viting my privacy and ruining my reputation. Do I deserve that too?"


    Graham''s frown deepened. "This is the result of thepany''s negotiation. Kristin has a pure


    image, and she can''t have any scandals. But you''re different. You have more haters than fans, and


    didn''t you just say that you''re used to being criticized? Your presence was low before, but now


    you''re famous even though a lot of people are hating you. What''s the scariest thing in the


    entertainment industry? It''s having no fame and no attention. Don''t you even understand this simple


    truth? If you can''t even bear this, you shouldn''t have entered the entertainment industry in the first


    ce."


    Bell was killed by this kind of wrong thinking and countless scumbags like him.


    To those capitalists, Kristin was a cash cow, so no matter what happened, they would try their best


    to protect her. On the other hand, for those tools who couldn''t make money for them, they deserved


    to be sacrificed.


    "Graham, so you admit what thepany did to me back then?" Izabe said. "There must be


    many poor people like me in thepany, right? I heard that the top executives often let female


    stars go out to drink with others, pull strings between men and women to have improper


    rtionships, and some of them are even underage."


    Graham''s face changed. Where did Izabe learn these secrets?


    Actually, she didn''t learn them; it happened to her. When Bell signed with thepany at the age of


    18, she was introduced to Nathaniel within two months. The whole shady deal was obvious.


    If there was one Bell Salotti, there would be a second one. To get rid of the rats, she had to start


    from the root, such as finding the rat hole and dealing with all the rats. She moved her hand in her


    coat pocket.


    Having been an agent for so many years, Graham''s perception and observation were excellent.


    Seeing Izabe''s hand always in her pocket and her stiff face and evasive eyes, it was clear that


    she had a hidden agenda.


    Suddenly, he thought of something, his face turned pale, and his eyes were filled with fierceness.


    He lunged at Izabe, grabbed her right hand, and forcibly pulled it over. As he searched her coat,


    he indeed found a phone inside that was recording.


    "You want to get evidence from me?"


    Izabe''s face panicked, and her eyes couldn''t help but overflow with tears.


    "Graham, I just want to terminate our contract..." She tried to struggle, but Graham''s strength was


    too strong. Frightened, her whole body shivered and trembled, as chaotic as a small grass in the


    wind.


    Graham stared at her viciously, deleted the recording, and for good measure, he even formatted the


    phone and smashed it on the ground, shattering the screen.


    Izabe cried out, "Don''t..."


    Graham searched her body thoroughly, making sure there were no recording pens or the like. Then


    he grabbed Izabe''s hair and threw her to the ground. Her hair was caught in his hand, and her


    fragile little face was forced to look up, her eyes as panicked as a deer''s.


    Graham said coldly, "If you want to terminate the contract with thepany, you have to pay the


    penalty. Can you afford the high penalty?"


    Izabe shook her head in fear.


    Graham mocked, "If you can''t afford it, just stay put and don''t have these indecent ideas. Let me tell


    you, I''ve used all these tricks before. You''re not qualified to y tricks in front of me."


    He never thought that such a weak person would dare to set a trap for him. The more Graham


    thought about it, the angrier he became, and he raised his hand to p Izabe.


    Izabe dodged quickly, but her neck was still hit. She copsed on the ground, covering her neck,


    tears flowing non-stop.


    Her thin bodyy on the ground, covering her head with both hands, like an armadillo tightly curled


    up to save its life. Sobbing, she said, "The contract thepany gave me is illegal, forcing me to


    suppress mybor achievements, nder my reputation, and tarnish my name. Thepany''s


    obligations and rights are equal. You are seriously breaking thew."


    "Breaking thew?" Grahamughed as if he had heard a big joke. "Then you can sue me and the


    company!"


    Looking at Izabe''s weak face, heughed arrogantly. "I forgot, with the little money you have, you


    probably can''t even afford awyer. And with your current reputation, no one would believe you


    even if you spoke out. No money, no evidence, and you want to threaten me? Ridiculous!"


    After all that sarcasm, Izabe''s face turned paler and paler. "You''re ignoring thew."


    Graham stepped on the phone and squatted down. "Let me tell you, since you''re a member of the


    company and signed a contract in the first ce, you should obey thepany''s arrangements.


    You just said that thepany is pulling strings between men and women to have improper


    rtionships. Weren''t you one of the victims too?"


    Izabe''s face turned cold.


    Grahamughed, pping Izabe''s little face like he was patting a dog, tantly threatening her.


    "You have to bear it even if you don''t want to. After all, killing you is as easy as stepping on an ant.


    Either you refuse Mr. York yourself, or thepany will refuse him for you. Anyway, it''s not the first


    time."


    "As for thepany''s contract, you signed for ten years, and only three years have passed. There


    are still seven years left. If you really can''t stand it, you can choose to die."


    Maybe Graham had gotten used to being an agent and bullying the stars in his hands over the


    years. Once people became arrogant, they can''t hide their words and would forget their original


    intentions. He continued to mock Izabe.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Feeling not satisfied, he even wanted to hit Izabe again. Izabe dodged to the side. "This is a


    public ce. Are you sure you want to hit me here?"


    Graham indeed stopped his hand. Although it was a private room, the soundproofing wasn''t great,


    and the staff outside might hear themotion and break in.


    Graham spat. "You settle the bill. And let me remind you one more time: don''t y tricks with me. If


    I find out again, I''ll kill you. I don''t mind letting thepany arrange for you to sleep with someone


    else. After all, your face is qualified to apany others to drink."


    Izabe seemed frightened and didn''t even dare to raise her head. Graham found it boring. She


    was really a loser. He got up, opened the door of the private room, and left.


    After making sure he was far away, Izabe''s eyes turned cold again. She picked up the shattered


    phone from the ground, tore off a tempered film, another protective film, and finally a hydrogel film.

 Chapter 322

    Chapter 322


    Luckily, she had enough protective film on my phone so it didn''t get smashed, or else it would be


    such a waste to sacrifice my phone just to deal with a jerk.


    Her phone got formatted and the recording got deleted, so there was no way to recover it. But


    Izabe never nned on using her phone to get evidence from Graham anyway.


    He''d been in the entertainment industry for so long, so he''d pretty cautious and wouldn''t spill any


    secrets easily. But he had one fatal w.


    He was like a string of firecrackers, ready to explode with just a spark, or a balloon that can be


    popped with a single poke.


    People tended to spill their guts when they were emotional. Graham had been holding back his


    dissatisfaction with Izabe since yesterday, just waiting for the right moment to vent his anger on


    someone weak. And Izabe, who had no value to him, was the perfect target, especially with


    Kristin disliking her as well.


    As expected, Izabe easily got him to spill the beans, and it was even easier than she thought with


    a lot of information.


    Izabe took off her hairpin and connected it to her phone. A long recording and a blurry video were


    saved inside.


    The video was too blurry to tell if it would be useful, but Izabe decided to save it and find a


    professional to helpter.


    After saving the video and audio on her phone, she connected to the inte in the room and


    logged into a social media app, setting the video to be sent in a timed message. Then she logged


    into other ounts and did the same thing.


    She was always cautious and liked to have backup ns. Once everything was set, she uninstalled


    the social media app for now.


    Izabe ordered an expensive coffee and enjoyed it while slowly opening WhatsApp and sending


    the recording.


    She watched the time tick by: one minute, two minutes, three minutes... five minutester, the


    phone rang.


    Izabe rested her chin on her hand, phone on the table, and slid the screen up with her elegant


    index finger.


    "Izabe! You''re good!"


    "I learned it all from you. Come back and let''s settle this¡­"


    Before she could finish, the call was hung up. Izabe patiently waited. It took Graham 25 minutes


    to leave, but only 15 to return.


    He looked out of breath, his eyes red with fury.


    Izabe wasn''t scared. After all, she had seen much worse when she was with Brett.


    Graham looked at the intact phone on the table, his expression slightly puzzled. Then he quickly


    realized that he had been yed by Izabe from the start.


    She purposely let him find her recording phone, baiting him into talking when he was angry. Instead


    of being cautious, he foolishly spilled everything he shouldn''t have.


    The recording Izabe sent him contained too many secrets about the executives. If it got out, he''d


    be done for.


    Graham became much more cautious. Even though he wanted to kill Izabe now, he had to be


    careful in case she was still recording.


    Izabe noticed him staring at her phone and said, "Even if you take my phone now, it''s useless.


    I''ve saved the recordings and videos on numerous ounts. If I can''t walk out of here safely today,


    they''ll be sent to all my social media ounts. You know I have millions of haters because of you


    guys, so it''ll only take seconds for the recordings to spread."


    Graham wanted to have all of Izabe''s social media ounts deleted, but she saw right through


    him. "It''s toote for that. I''ve changed the phone numbers and passwords for all my ounts, so


    you can''t log in. And just yesterday, I applied for protection, so you can''t delete them either."


    After saying all this in one breath, Izabe elegantly picked up her coffee cup.


    The room went silent, except for Izabe''s coffee-sipping and Graham''s increasinglybored


    breathing.


    "What do you want?"


    Izabe didn''t answer for a good ten seconds, making Graham even more anxious. "You wanted to


    terminate the contract, right? I''ll talk to thepany right now."


    Izabe leaned back in her seat, her eyes sharp andpletely different from the weak and listless


    girl before.


    Graham was shocked, but before he could react, Izabe said with a smile, "I don''t want to


    terminate the contract now."


    "What do you want then?" Izabe held evidence against both him and Kristin. Were they supposed


    to just let their reputations be ruined?


    "Seems like you haven''t given me my share of profits in recent years. I did some calctions, and


    although it''s not much, it''s at least 150,000 after taxes. Just give me 200,000."


    Graham''s eyes were filled with rage. He could afford 200,000, but it wasn''t a small amount. Why not


    use it to date some beautiful women, have a nice meal, or even buy a bunch of clothes?


    "I want the female supporting role in Blood Ties. If you or Kristin have any objections or


    dissatisfaction, just suck it up."


    Graham''s face turned red.


    Izabe continued, her coffee cup in hand, "And also¡­"


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "What else?" Graham asked, his eyes looking murderous.


    "I want to participate in the variety show Here Comes the Superstars."


    Hearing that it was just a variety show, Graham briefly let out a sigh of relief. "I agree to these three


    conditions. Can you delete the recordings and videos now?"


    Izabe scoffed, "Just a verbal agreement, and you think I''ll give up my leverage? Are you stupid, or


    do you think I''m an idiot?"


    "Then we''ll sign an agreement and stamp it. Is that good enough?"


    "No, the leverage must be used to its full potential. Don''t worry, as long as you agree to these


    conditions, I won''t release them. I''m not a promise-breaking viin. Just think of it like a safety


    bomb. I''ll reset the timer every day to avoid identally releasing them." Izabe emphasized the


    words "identally," tantly threatening him.


    Graham stared at Izabe fiercely. "What if you forget one day?"


    Izabe said softly, "I have a pretty good memory, you know. If you''re really worried, you can remind


    me every day."


    Graham felt suffocated and wanted to blow up, but he had to hold it in. He slowly walked up to


    Izabe and looked down at her, trying to intimidate her with his presence. He sneered, "I


    underestimated you. I didn''t expect you to torture people to death without making a sound. Aren''t


    you afraid you''ll die from the bacsh?"


    Izabe hated being looked at like that, so she didn''t hold back. She kicked Graham''s crotch and


    quickly pped his face.


    Graham was in disbelief, not knowing whether to protect his lower half or his face. In the end, he


    couldn''t help but copse like a shrimp on the ground, covering his aching sensitive parts and


    groaning in pain. He pointed at Izabe and said, "Aren''t you afraid..."


    Izabe''s disdainfulughter cut off Graham''s words. She had put all her strength into that kick and


    p, not just for herself but for "Bell Salotti."


    Izabe dusted off her coat, walked up to Graham, and said, "What am I afraid of? I''ll just see


    whether you guys defeat me first or I defeat you. As for you, it''s as simple as stepping on an ant."


    Thest sentence was something Graham had said before, and now she was giving it back to him.


    "Don''t test my patience. I forgot to tell you, I recorded audio and video not only for social tforms


    but also for the police station."


    Graham''s face changed at the news, and at this moment, he was genuinely scared. Why did he


    ever think Izabe was weak and easy to bully? She was clearly a rock!


    "So, don''t try to threaten me. You can boldly guess how much my chips can be exchanged for."


    Right now, Izabe''s situation couldn''t get any worse, so she didn''t care if she offended anyone.


    Graham waspletely dumbfounded, forgetting his physical pain, and stared nkly at Izabe''s


    beautiful face, bitterly asking, "Who the hell are you?"


    Izabe casually picked up a magazine from the table, bent down, and patted Graham''s face with it.


    The magazine made a sound as it hit his face; it didn''t hurt, but it was extremely humiliating.


    Sheughed and said, "I''m Izabe, duh."

 Chapter 323

    Chapter 323


    "You didn''t used to be like this." It''s still the same face, but definitely not the previous loser. How


    could a person change so much? It''s like she''s be apletely different person. If she had


    always been like this, he wouldn''t have underestimated her.


    "Well, just think of me as having a split personality. Remember me as I am now, and if you can''t, I''ll


    make sure you''re left with a deep impression."


    The dull pain below reminded Graham that the current impression was deep enough already.


    Izabe tossed the magazine in her hand onto the table and said, "I want the money by midnight,


    and the contract termination sent to my email by the weekend."


    Graham''s face twisted, "Didn''t you say you''re not terminating the contract?"


    "I don''t want to terminate it now, but that doesn''t mean I won''t want to in the future. Do you really


    think your crappypany can keep me for ten years? The contract should have all the necessary


    signatures and seals. I don''t want to embarrass you guyster, you know?"


    She still needed to use thepany as a shield, but it can''t be like this forever. She had to n


    ahead and be ready to leave at any time.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    One recording can only put these bastards in a difficult situation, but can''t solve thempletely.


    She had to wait a bit longer, at least until she uprooted thepany''s money tree.


    Graham''s face grew worse after hearing her belittling.


    Izabe sat back down on the sofa and called the waiter.


    Graham, seeing outsiders about to enter, ignored the pain below and stood up with a twisted foot,


    slightly bowing in front of Izabe, like a primary school student who made a mistake and saw the


    headteacher.


    The waiter came in and saw such a strange scene.


    "Get me the most expensive coffee beans in your shop. I want to take them with me."


    "Alright, please wait a moment."


    The coffee beans in this shop were all packaged, and the waiter came over with a beautifully


    wrapped bag. Izabe opened it and took a look, raising her eyebrows slightly. She could smell the


    aroma without even opening it.


    These coffee beans were popr with her grandfather back when the Salotti family hadn''t gone


    bankrupt. A small jar was worth 20,000.


    Izabe closed the bag, "Thanks for the hospitality today. Let''s meet again another day."


    Graham gritted his teeth in pain. He usually took advantage of others and had only tasted such


    expensive coffee beans once. All Graham wanted now was for this troublemaker to leave quickly


    and not linger in front of him. He was afraid he would vomit blood because of anger.


    Izabe, carrying the coffee beans, walked to the door and suddenly thought of something. She


    turned back with a smile, "Oh, don''t forget to sign me up for ''Here Comes the Superstars''. I heard


    they''re starting to record next week."


    Graham clenched his teeth, "I got it!"


    Outside the private room, Izabe touched her still sore neck, forgetting to let him pay for medical


    expenses and mental damages. Oh well... it was more fun to slowly butcher a fat sheep, as too


    much would be counterproductive.


    Her tricks could only work on ordinary people. If she met Brett, she would probably be exposed with


    just one look before she even spoke.


    Izabe touched the hairpin on her head, thinking about transforming it into a small essory like


    earrings next time.


    She stood at the elevator, adjusting the mask on her face. As the elevator door opened, she was


    just about to enter when she looked up and saw four people standing inside.


    She instinctively looked at the handsome man leaning against the back. Izabe''s breath hitched,


    and the foot she had lifted stopped. She didn''t expect to run into him here.


    Her ex-husband, who also destroyed her family and owed her five lives ¨C Brett.


    Brett must have been drinking, as his face was unnaturally flushed. He wore a white shirt that didn''t


    suit his personality, with a few buttons undone, revealing his sexy corbone.


    When Brett was drunk, his eyes would be particrly bright. When looking at someone, it


    would always make her mistakenly think that she were his deeply loved one. But only Izabe knew


    that this man was extremely cold.


    He could abandon Kaley after more than a decade together. He imed to love Izabe but wanted


    to shatter her leg bones and imprison her at home, making her a doll to y with at will.


    Rather than saying he had a strong possessive desire, it was more urate to say he had a


    perverted desire for control. He didn''t like the things in his hands to be out of his control.


    In the year she became a soul, she was forced to stay by Brett''s side several times, watching him


    self-harm, cry, and bleed. She also saw him try the childbirth experience machine that he once


    despised.


    Was she moved? The answer was no; she even wanted tough.


    What you can''t get was always tempting. Time had taught her one truth: what should stay will stay.


    Izabe didn''t like the phrase ''let bygones be bygones''. It was hypocritical and made people seem


    cheap.


    Suppressing her boiling hatred, once a person fell into emotions, they easily got lost in thought. Her


    body seemed to shrink into a protective shell, everything was disappearing. She couldn''t hear any


    sound; her eyes were open but very empty.


    "Miss, please make way."


    Izabe''s legs stiffened as she moved aside. She lowered her head and watched the people in the


    elevator pass by her one by one. In the end, she saw an ugly hand with no fingernails.


    Izabe stepped in, pressed the "1" button calmly, and the elevator door slowly closed.


    At that moment, Brett subconsciously turned his head, and his face was still as indifferent as ever.


    Wearing a mask that covered half her face, Izabe didn''t worry about Brett noticing anything. Their


    eyes met in a narrow gap, and she saw Brett''s cold eyes sh with aplex emotion: panic,


    astonishment, surprise at regaining something lost, and sadness.


    Izabe''s heartbeat stopped for half a second, but fortunately, the elevator door closed and moved


    smoothly downward.


    There were quite a few taxis at the entrance. Izabe picked up the bag and randomly opened a car


    door, telling the driver the address.


    The driver stepped on the gas, and the car drove into thene. Izabe looked up at the rearview


    mirror and saw a man''s figureing out of the coffee shop. He stood there, staring nkly at the


    car she had gotten into.


    Izabe breathed a sigh of relief. J City wasn''t big, and it was only a matter of time before she and


    Brett met. But it definitely couldn''t be now, as her wings hadn''t grown, and she had no power to fight


    him.


    She knew all too well that a bird with broken wings would die.

 Chapter 324

    Chapter 324


    Brett watched the car drive off into the distance, and suddenly felt an emptiness in his heart. How


    could there be such simr eyes in the world? Even the way she looked at him was exactly like in


    his dreams, making it unbearable to think about.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Liam, panting, ran up to him. "President Windham, what''s wrong?"


    Brett mumbled, "I just saw Izabe."


    Liam paused for a moment, recalling the scene. "You mean the woman who just got into the


    elevator was Izabe?"


    Brett didn''t respond, but his silence was an agreement.


    The woman who entered the elevator had her face covered tightly with a mask, leaving only her


    eyes exposed. Liam didn''t know how Brett could recognize Izabe from just her eyes.


    Besides, Izabe had died three years ago, burned to death on a snowy Christmas day. They all


    knew it.


    "She''s been dead for three years. It''s impossible for you to see her."


    Of course, he knew Izabe was dead. He was the one who ced her body in the crystal coffin.


    He had tested 76 DNA samples, each proving it was her, both real and cruel.


    But just now, in the glimpse he caught in the elevator, he felt as if Izabe had returned. Looking at


    those eyes, he couldn''t help but think of the painful three years he had been through since her


    death.


    Every night he would dream of their past, seeing her struggle in pain in the operating room, the


    stillborn baby being cut out of her, her twisted broken legs after the car ident, and her struggle


    before death leaning against the window in the fire... These were all reminders of his guilt.


    Liam would asionally remind him that it was all in the past, but only he knew it wasn''t...


    Izabe had punished him by having Nathaniel set a fire that killed her.


    For the past three years, he had either been guarding a lonely grave or staring at the sea.


    As Brett thought about these things, the corners of his eyes couldn''t help but moisten. With red


    eyes, he stood in the street watching the car disappear. The more he longed, the more disappointed


    he felt. He stood there alone, like a child waiting to be picked up after kindergarten.


    "Her eyes looked so much like Izabe''s. For a moment, I thought it was her looking at me."


    "There are many people in the world who look alike, President Windham. Over the past couple of


    years, many women who looked like Izabe have been sent your way, but you know they''re just


    lookalikes. They''re not her."


    Liam always had a way of getting straight to the point.


    That was right, none of them were Izabe. At most, they just looked simr... A year ago, Nathaniel


    had sent a woman who looked somewhat like Izabe, even changing her name to match. So


    what? They looked alike and had the same name... but they were not her.


    Izabe died in despair as a punishment for him.


    "If only there were reincarnation and soul possession in this world."


    Liam shook his head helplessly. Brett was going crazy again.


    "The clients have already arrived upstairs in the private room. They''re asking when we''ll be there."


    Brett turned around, reverting back to his cold and heartless demeanor. But if you looked closely,


    you could see the fatigue and weariness in his eyes.


    Brett went upstairs to discuss the cooperation. In work, he was methodical. It was only in moments


    like these that he seemed alive.


    After finishing work at 5 pm, he returned to the Coconut Ind vi, which was decorated ording


    to Izabe''s preferences.


    Three years was enough time topletely erase a person''s existence. No matter how hard he


    tried to preserve her memory, he couldn''t hold onto a trace of her presence.


    Even the sofa that Izabe used to love lying on had be strange.


    Brett slumped on the sofa, looking at the photo on the coffee table. It was a picture of Izabe that


    he had searched for a long time.


    Her photos were ced in every corner of the room, from childhood to adulthood. There were


    pictures of her sleeping with her eyes closed on her full moon, drooling adorably on her hundredth


    day, attending primary school, middle school, high school, and college...


    The photos eventually became pictures of the two of them together and then back to just her.


    Brett touched the photo, as if he could reach through it and caress Izabe''s face. Holding the


    photo, he talked to himself, "I saw someone today, and her eyes looked so much like yours... like


    when you were angry and didn''t love me..."


    "It''s been a long time since I''ve seen you smile, not even in my dreams have you forgiven me." A


    tear fell on the photo.


    Brett quickly took out a tissue and gently wiped the photo, as if handling a fragile treasure.


    He hadn''t cherished her when she was alive, but now he treasured the lifeless frame.


    In the photo, Izabe was wearing a school uniform, her bright smile under the sunlight. At that


    time, her dimples carried sweet happiness.


    He almost forgot that Izabe had once been happy.


    Brett touched his jacket pocket and a cigarette fell out. It was given to him by a client earlier, and he


    had put it in his pocket carelessly. Seeing it now, he suddenly felt like taking a few puffs. He picked


    it up, rubbing it between his fingers. After a while, he crushed it and threw it into the garbage can.


    Izabe didn''t like the smell of cigarettes. If he smoked, she probably wouldn''t appear in his


    dreams.


    Since Izabe''s death, Liam had been in charge of his daily schedule, making sure he ate and


    reminding him to sleep, afraid that he would ruin his health.


    Liam had dinner delivered, two sets of dishes and a soup. Brett ate alone, but set the table for two.


    He picked up a piece of fish with a fork, carefully removed the bones, and instinctively ced it in


    the bowl next to him. "I''ve taken out the bones. This is your favorite part of the fish..."


    He had already extended the fork with the fish when he suddenly came to his senses. The person


    who loved fish was gone, but some habits were engraved in his memory, and even after three


    years, he still remembered.


    Heughed with his head down, tears flowing from his eyes. He carefully ced the fish in the bowl


    next to him and picked up another piece to eat.


    Chewing slowly and swallowing with tears mixed in, his stomach was filled with bitterness.


    In the quiette night, with nothing to do, Brett couldn''t help but think of Izabe, until he felt like


    vomiting blood.


    His mind had been a mess since like two years ago, sometimes going all schizo and acting crazy


    from time to time...


    All the lights in the vi were on ''cause he knew Izabe was scared of the dark, and he hoped she


    could see the lights waiting for her toe home.


    Maybe she''de back...


    The dishes in the kitchen were washed every day, and Brett sat on the couch hugging Izabe''s


    picture frame for a while.


    Hearing a noise from the stairs, he looked up.


    Besides him, there was also an ugly cat in the vi, and that ugly cat was Niki, the one Izabe


    used to hold in her arms back in the day.

 Chapter 325

    Chapter 325


    Tiara wanted to take Niki away back then, but Niki just wouldn''t leave, insisting on staying in this


    empty vi.


    Its limbs had been severely injured before, and even though it recovered, it still limped when it


    walked, a permanent scar.


    The once beautiful cat was burned in a fire, leaving only one ear, and a patch of bald fur. Brett often


    nced at the photo of Izabe holding the cat.


    It was hard to believe that this cat was the same one as the beautiful one in the picture.


    Niki became lonely after Izabe''s death, eating and sleeping all alone. Its favorite ces were


    where Izabe had been.


    Brett tried to get close to it, but every time he was met with scratches and bites. Gradually, Brett let


    it be, only giving it cat food on time every day, and leaving the task of cleaning up the cat poop to


    the cleaning staff who came to clean the house every day.


    After feeding the cat and giving it water, Brett went upstairs to take a shower.


    He took a cold shower, revealing various scars on his skin from cuts and burns. Near his heart was


    the word "Be", which he had burnt into his skin with a cigarette during a drunken rampage.


    He didn''t want to hurt himself, but in these three years, he could only remind himself that he was still


    alive through this method.


    In order to satisfy Izabe''s revenge, he had to live painfully until the end of his life.


    After taking a cold shower, Bretty down on the bed, thinking of the scene in the elevator. He


    looked at the wedding photo hanging above the bed and murmured, "If only it was really you..."


    ...


    Izabe had a restless night, filled with nightmares of her previous life.


    She woke up with a scream, holding her knees and trembling with her frail body, panting cold air


    through slightly opened lips.


    It took her a long time to calm down. She wiped the cold sweat from her face and got up to drink a


    ss of cold water.


    The sky outside was pitch dark, and it was already 5 o''clock when Izabe checked the time.


    Rubbing her sore eyes, she didn''t have the habit of going back to sleep after waking up, so she


    changed into sportswear from her closet.


    She turned on her phone, and a new message appeared on the screen: an iing transfer of


    200,000. Although not a lot of money, it was enough to support her for a while.


    Izabe first bought herself some suitable clothes, then repurchased the skincare products she had


    been used to using in her previous life.


    After shopping, she sighed deeply. It was indeed good to have money.


    Then, Izabe immediately went outside for an hour-long run. Her body was too weak, and with the


    lessons from her previous life, she was determined to exercise well this time, trying to beat the


    bastard or at least run away from him.


    At 6:30, there was an olddy outside themunity gate, selling breakfast with a small stall.


    Izabe bought milk and bread.


    The olddy quickly packed the bread into a stic bag and handed Izabe a cup of milk, "Young


    lady, you get up so early."


    "I went for a run."


    "Nowadays, it''s rare to see young people who take such good care of their bodies..."


    After listening to the olddy''s chitchat, Izabe took her breakfast and left. Back at her small


    apartment, she put the breakfast on the table, washed her hands, and started eating. While chewing


    on the bread, she checked Twitter and suddenly noticed that the number of private messages


    insulting her had gone from 100,000 yesterday to almost 500,000.


    Wereizens so idle now?


    Izabe never understood the entertainment industry. To be honest, she was more suited to working


    in apany and being a career woman. Unfortunately, she didn''t have the money to invest.


    Once she made a few million, she would start apany and buy stocks.


    Izabe was getting ahead of herself. She clicked on the "Discover" tab and saw her name on the


    trending list, although this was not unusual.


    Not only was she trending, but so was the "Blood Ties" crew.


    There were a total of 50 trending topics, and six of them were about her.


    #Izabe#


    #Blood Ties crew#


    #Brad casting#


    #Ariana#


    #Boycott#


    #Vivian''s response#


    Izabe clicked on "Ariana" first and instantly understood the whole process of her trending.


    It turned out that Ariana had posted a cryptic tweet.


    -- Some people not only like to steal men but also like to steal roles that don''t suit them at all.


    Netizens were very curious, and following the clues, they caught some hints.


    It turned out that Ariana was the original choice for the female supporting role in "Blood Ties", and


    she was just about to sign the contract. But she was informed in the middle of the night that her role


    had been taken away by someone else, and that someone was the notorious Izabe!


    The supporting role "Megan" was a character Ariana had finallye to like. She had rejected all


    recent arrangements to focus on studying the script for this role.


    Brad was satisfied with her audition and told her to wait for the news. Her agent also tried to inquire


    with the productionpany, who said that the role was most likely to be given to her.


    If it weren''t for Izabe, how could she lose the role she had already gotten?


    She knew that Izabe hadn''t signed a contract with the crew yet. If she could make a big deal out


    of it and boycott Izabe with her fans and opponents, Brad would have to change the cast due to


    the pressure.


    However, she underestimated Brad''s ability to withstand pressure. He directly refuted her.


    -- I made the decision. Bear with it!


    This statement surprised theizens. They didn''t expect this to be true, that Brad had indeed


    chosen Izabe for the female supporting role. Was he crazy to employ someone like Izabe?


    Curiousizens couldn''t help but specte that Izabe must have had an affair with the director


    for the script.


    Brad had many fans, all of whom were fans of his TV shows. They knew that the actors he chose


    were always suitable for the roles, but they couldn''t ept it this time.


    After all, Izabe always wore heavy makeup, which was a far cry from the brave and resourceful


    "Megan" in Blood Ties.


    As for acting, Megan was aplex character, but Izabe had only been in a college-themed TV


    show, and her acting there was just meh. She was not cut out for this role at all.


    So, Brad''s Twitterment section was flooded with fans'' messages.


    "Mr. York, if you''re being held hostage, blink twice."


    "Listen, don''t take dirty money, and don''t sleep with shady people. You''ll catch something nasty."


    "Tell me, how much did Izabe pay you? I''ll offer ten times that. If it''s over a hundred bucks, forget I


    said anything."


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    "Mr. York, I''ve watched every one of your TV shows. You''re like a breath of fresh air among all the


    crappy ones. Are you really gonna let yourself get tainted now? Izabe''s just not it. Open your


    eyes, choose Ariana. I''ve read the original book of Blood Ties, and it''s a great script. Don''t let one


    person ruin the whole show."


    "If you insist on using Izabe, we''ll have no choice but to boycott the production!"

 Chapter 326

    Chapter 326


    Brad tweeting is pretty much admitting he gave the female supporting role to Izabe.


    Brad''s got a bad rep in the industry, being super stubborn and not smooth at all. Once he''d made up


    his mind, no one can change it.


    His fans, who usually had his back, were all confused about what was going on with him.


    Suddenly, fans of the TV show and Ariana''s fans changed their profile pictures to "Boycott Izabe."


    This was the first time in recent years that a female actress had been boycotted on such arge


    scale. But Izabe couldn''t care less. What, were they gonnae through the inte and beat


    her up?


    As for the #Vivian¡¯s Responds trend, it was because Vivian tweeted that she saw Izabe at the


    audition, confirming the rumor that Izabe auditioned for Blood Ties.


    But Izabe auditioned for the third female role, how did she end up "stealing" Ariana''s role?


    People usually auditioned for 20 minutes max, but Izabe spent more than 40 minutes, twice as


    long as others, which made people suspicious. Izabe didn''t just sleep with the director, but with


    the entire production team.


    Reading some of thements, Izabe felt nauseous, even though she had a high tolerance.


    Izabe quickly finished breakfast and sent an apologetic WhatsApp message to Mr. York.


    "Sorry for causing trouble."


    Brad replied quickly.


    "You''re up early, or did you not sleep at all? Don''t worry about the Twitter trend, it''s just a small


    problem. But I''ve put my reputation on the line for you, so don''t let me down."


    Izabe couldn''t help but smile, feeling much lighter. She never liked dodging responsibility and


    would rather face the problem head-on.


    "Mr. York, I signed up for the show ''Here Comes the Superstars.''"


    Brad: "Do you need me to talk to the director of the show?"


    "No need, they''ll jump at the opportunity."


    Indeed, with the current trend, everyone''s questioning Izabe''s acting skills. If she joined "Here


    Comes the Superstars," it would definitely cause a stir, and the show wouldn''t miss out on this


    trending opportunity.


    That afternoon, Graham called Izabe, "The show agreed to have you. Come to thepany this


    afternoon to sign the contact."


    "Okay, I got it." Izabe didn''t bother being polite with Graham anymore and just hung up.


    Graham angrily stared at his phone. He knew Izabe''s acting skills, and joining this variety show


    might actually change people''s impression of her.


    Recently, there''d been nothing but bad news, and it was getting on his nerves.


    Graham clenched his phone, thinking, "Izabe, you better not slip up, or you''re done."


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Unfortunately, luck was on Izabe''s side, and all he could do was curse her to screw up her


    performance.


    "Here Comes the Superstars" was a groundbreaking reality show that presented the entire film


    industry process, from casting to production.


    It had four mentors, Casey, Connie, Gavin, and Dorian, who provided a tform for talented actors


    to showcase their skills and get a chance to work with them.


    The show announced Casey as a mentor, which attracted lots of attention. The show''s poprity


    peaked when it was revealed that Izabe would join.


    "Izabe is a disaster! She ruined the TV show, and now she''s going to ruin this variety show! I don''t


    want to see her!"


    "Did she win the lottery or something? She''s always trending."


    "I just hope Mr. Dempsey doesn''t look at Izabe too much. I''m afraid she''ll pollute his eyes."


    "Can Izabe even act? The show must be crazy to invite her."


    "She won''t make it far!"


    "..."


    Izabe turned off her Twitter notifications. The show informed her that the filming location was R


    City and would start next Monday, so she should prepare in advance.


    Izabe didn''t have much luggage. The hotel was arranged by the show, and she only needed a few


    changes of clothes.


    R City was her home for over 20 years, and she knew where to buy anything she needed. With the


    recent flu outbreak, Izabe bought extra face masks and medicine as a precaution.


    She booked a first-ss flight for Friday at 5 PM. Arriving an hour early to check in, she didn''t wear


    makeup and only had a mask on, with her hair down.


    During security checks, she removed her mask. The staff saw her name and couldn''t help but take


    a few extra nces, as Izabe had been trendingtely.


    It must be someone else with the same name because she looked nothing like the heavily made-up


    actress on Twitter and was way prettier.


    After putting her mask back on, Izabe waited in the boarding area. Once boarding was


    announced, she joined the queue.


    There were four people in first ss, including Izabe. She found her seat and asked the flight


    attendant for warm water and a nket.


    The flight to R City would take about three hours, and she''d arrive around 8 PM.


    Izabe was the first to board the first-ss cabin through the dedicated channel. After lying down


    for a while, she took out her phone and checked Twitter. Her name was still trending, along with


    #Here Comes the Superstars and #Casey.


    Izabe casually clicked on the trending topic about Casey, which was about his recent itinerary.


    Casey was flying from J City to R City today to record "Here Comes the Superstars."


    Before Izabe could react, she heard some movement behind her. Her gaze nced over and


    then locked in ce.


    Casey''s itinerary was always kept secret. Fans only knew that he was flying to R City today but


    didn''t know the exact time. Despite this, it still caused quite a stir, with fans waiting at the airport


    before dawn.


    Unfortunately for them, Casey''s disguise skills were too strong, and he boarded the ne through


    the dedicated channel without drawing their attention.


    He didn''t like having too many people around when he traveled, so he only had his agent with him.


    Casey entered the entertainment industry two and a half years ago. His first movie after bing


    famous was a grand m. His outstanding acting skills and handsome appearance attracted


    countless fans.


    While other stars who became famous at the same time as him were still exploring how to act, he


    reached the peak as soon as he became famous.


    In just two years, he had acted in three movies, each with a rating of 88 or above.


    When others thought he won awards because of his handsome appearance, he relied on his


    strength, which was very strong. As long as he starred in a movie or TV series, it couldn''t be bad.


    His movies had strong appeal. The first low-budget movie reached a box office of 2 billion. The


    second movie''s box office doubled to 4 billion because of the rating of the previous one. Thetest


    movie''s box office had reached 5 billion, and the box office index was still rising.


    No one knew about his family background to this day, which meant he had a strong one. For


    example, he might be one of the children from wealthy families who can inherit billions of assets if


    they can''t survive in the entertainment industry.


    In summary, Casey was like a gifted male protagonist living in a novel.


    The agent happily followed him and sat down in his seat, "Mr. Dempsey, Mr. Hackett is preparing a


    movie recently. He contacted mest night and said that the male lead is reserved for you. I took a


    look at the script and thought it was good, with a high pay. Do you want to take a look?"


    "What type of movie is it?"


    "Fantasy."


    "I won''t take it."


    "Why?" the agent was puzzled.


    "Domestic fantasy scripts are okay, but the special effects are not good. Besides, Hackett is not


    suitable for making fantasy-themed movies."


    This is a problem that exists in the domestic market. The investment amount for movies is fixed, but


    most of the money is spent on hiring actors. The remaining money can''t produce good special


    effects, so the result is perfunctory.


    "You say he''s not suitable, but you haven''t even seen it. Hackett''s reputation has soared this year.


    He just won an award recently, and many people want to work with him. And do you know how


    much they''re offering for the pay?" The agent held up three fingers.


    Casey sneered, "I''ve seen Hackett''s movies. They''re too rigid, and he only won awards because of


    his peers. Don''t defend him. I never look at the pay when I take a movie."


    The agent sighed helplessly, "Half of this year has passed. If you don''t take any movies, there won''t


    be any movies starring you next year. Do you want your fans to wait for one or two years for


    nothing?"


    Any agent would like an obedient star, and Casey''s high pay meant a higher bonus for him.


    Other agents envied him for having a money-making star, but only he knew that he was just a flunky


    who can''t influence Casey''s thoughts, not even as good as an assistant.


    He muttered, "I don''t know why you''re participating in a variety show. It''s such a waste of time."


    In the entertainment industry, there was a chain of discrimination: stage actors look down on movie


    actors, movie actors look down on TV series actors, and TV series actors look down on variety


    show participants.


    Casey nced at him, the corners of his mouth raised as if smiling, but it gave off a fierce feeling.


    The agent immediately shut up, very flustered.


    Casey didn''t like being controlled, but ironically, he himself was controlled by the Dempsey family.

 Chapter 327

    Chapter 327


    Casey asked the flight attendant for an iced coffee. Recognizing him straight away, she blushed


    with excitement and enthusiastically handed him several packets of sugar with his coffee.


    Casey loved coffee, but he couldn''t stomach the bitterness ¨C something his fans were well aware of.


    "Thanks," He murmured. His voice waszy, slightly hoarse, like an electric current sneaking into


    your ear.


    The flight attendant was all smiles. If she wasn''t on duty, she''d be begging Casey for an autograph.


    After downing half of his iced coffee, Casey set it aside and started scrolling through Twitter on his


    phone. His manager nced at his screen and immediately frowned.


    "Why are you still following this person''s trends?" he asked.


    Casey was caught up in trends about "Izabe". He didn''t know why he was so concerned about


    this name that he had even created another Twitter ount just to follow her.


    "You don''t have a crush on her, do you?" his manager asked with a horrified expression. It wasn''t a


    wild guess ¨C Casey had never paid attention to female celebrities before, let alone obsessively


    follow one!


    Casey always came off as aloof. Besides his work, he seemed to be interested in nothing else.


    None of the three films he worked on had any romantic subplot, which made it impossible to start


    any rumors about him.


    He was squeaky-clean in the entertainment industry, the kind of idol that fans could trust.


    But now, he had created an ount just to follow Izabe and had been reading tweets about her


    since yesterday.


    There was no need to borate on who Izabe was. If Casey was a pure white cloud in the sky,


    then Izabe was the dirty mud on the ground ¨C the two couldn''t be more unrted.


    Casey nced at him with a meaningful expression. His silence was more frightening than any


    response. His manager forced himself to hold back hisints.


    "I like her name," Casey finally said after a moment of silence.


    The situation was a bit awkward. Just then, the flight attendant brought over nkets ¨C one for


    Casey and the other for a woman sitting in front of him by the window.


    He looked over, and the woman suddenly turned around. Their eyes met in the air, and both froze.


    Neither had met in real life before, but Izabe recognized Casey at first sight. He was wearing


    sunsses, yet his slightly upturned lips and protruding canine teeth were unmistakable.


    Casey had only seen a few photos of Izabe on Twitter and had stayed upst night to watch a TV


    show she starred in.


    He liked to watch TV shows to observe other actors'' performances. Izabe''s acting in the show


    was average, but for some reason, he was always staring at her face. He watched the entire 24-


    episode series, focusing solely on Izabe.


    The show aired a year ago. In that year, Izabe had started wearing heavy makeup, her once


    innocent style evolving into mature and seductive.


    Not only had her style changed, but her life had also taken a drastic turn. Starting from the rumor


    that she had slept with the director for the role, she was criticized by everyone. News of her


    seducing various male celebrities frequently made the rounds.


    She quickly became a public enemy, as if even her breathing was a wrong.


    Casey had been busy with filming for the past two years. During his breaks, he traveled. If it wasn''t


    for a variety show he recently joined, he wouldn''t havee across Izabe''s name on Twitter and


    probably would never have known her.


    Izabe ¨C her name was beautiful, as if it had appeared in his dreams thousands of times.


    This eye contact. Besides a pair of eyes, there was nothing else to see, but Casey was sure this


    was Izabe. Her eyes were very different from the photos online. They were more distinctive in


    reality. Her beautiful eyes were like a ma, making it impossible for him to look away.


    She dressed casually in a shirt and jeans, her hair soft and loose over her shoulders. A mask


    covered half her face, but that didn''t stop Casey from visualizing her features.


    Sincest night, he had been imagining bumping into Izabe, maybe passing by her on the street


    or spotting her on stage. But he didn''t expect to see her so soon. His usually calm emotions were


    now like a flood bursting through a dam.


    Izabe looked at Casey for three seconds before she turned away. The image of Casey''s upturned


    lips and the canine teeth that peeked out lingered in her mind, making him seem like a very


    aggressive wolf.


    She thought she could handle anything calmly, and even if not perfectly, she could always find a


    solution. But she found her calmness disappeared when she saw Casey''s face that was extremely


    simr to Ryker''s.


    She closed her eyes, holding back the hot tears in her eyes.


    The body she was in was no longer allergic to the strawberry filling in doughnuts, but the person


    who used doughnuts tofort her was gone.


    Casey saw Izabe turn away and not look at him again. He felt disappointed and down.


    His manager noticed his unusual mood. In just a few seconds, Casey''s mood had changed


    dramatically, like acting out a scene in a movie. Seeing him constantly looking at a certain spot in


    front of him, the manager also looked over.


    "Who''s that?"


    Casey suddenly stood up, "Get up, we''re swapping seats." He wanted to sit closer to Izabe.


    His manager was confused as they swapped seats. Usually, Casey would be busy with his stuff as


    soon as he got on the ne, why was he so interested in the outside world all of a sudden?


    Something was off, very off.


    When the manager got up, he nced at the spot Casey had been staring at. His sight was good,


    and he immediately recognized it was Izabe, who had been trending over the past week!


    The manager was shocked. He wasn''t suspecting that Casey had feelings for her anymore; he was


    absolutely sure.


    "That... looks like Izabe, right?"


    Casey''s gaze was fixed in the direction of Izabe, without any movement.


    His manager felt a bit awkward. He had been with Casey for two years and knew him pretty well.


    Casey had an incredibly attractive face that could make anyone weak in the knees. He seemed


    aloof and indifferent, but he would get anything he liked, no matter how difficult it was.


    Casey had a secret that no one knew about - the more he liked someone, the more he liked to stick


    around them. And sometimes, he''d even act a bit goofy, not quite like his usual self, but like a littleAll rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    kid, really. He might throw a tantrum out of the blue, and he enjoyed it when the person he liked


    make an effort to please him.

 Chapter 328

    Chapter 328


    The agent secretly checked out Izabe, but with a mask on, it was hard to see her full face.


    She looked quite different from her online presence - her skin was pale and smooth without


    makeup, and her hair wasn''t dyed in a chaotic mix of colors, but was left loose, cascading down her


    back.


    Perhaps feeling a bit hot, she gathered her hair into a loose braid and slung it over one shoulder.


    Her hair was fluffy, making the back of her head look perfectly round, and her cute ears peeked out,


    tempting you to give them a pinch.


    Even from a distance, her long eyshes were noticeable.


    Izabe''s eyes were the highlight of her face. Slightly upturned at the corners, when she looked at


    someone with full attention, they were incredibly captivating.


    The agent said, "She doesn''t seem quite like the Izabe I know." To be honest, he wouldn''t have


    recognized her if he hadn''t looked closely. He wondered how Casey, who usually had trouble


    discerning women''s faces, could recognize Izabe at first sight.


    "She looks great now." Casey''s mouth curled into a smile as he watched her intently.


    The agent twitched his mouth. This was the first time he had heard Casey praise someone so


    highly.


    His usualpliments were along the lines of ''pretty good'', ''decent'', ''not bad''.


    But when he heard Casey say "great", he knew Casey was serious.


    Casey liked this kind of woman? Izabe might look good now, but her scandals were too


    numerous.


    Why did Casey have to fall for a starlet with such a bad reputation?


    "Do you really know Izabe? And you say she''s great?"


    "Do you?" Casey snapped his gaze back to the agent.


    The agent cleared his throat, determined to rid Casey of his improbable thoughts.


    He began to recount Izabe''s online scandals to Casey, "Izabe once hooked up with a director


    for a role. There''s still news about that. She even tweeted an acknowledgment and apology."


    Casey sneered, "Did you hear her say that? Did she hold a press conference? Or do you have any


    recordings or videos of her in bed with someone?"


    "Well, no..."


    "Without a shred of evidence, you''re ready to crucify her for these things. That''s called defamation,


    and it''s illegal." Casey smirked, "Don''t think I don''t know the tricks in the entertainment industry.


    Some performers'' Twitter ounts are controlled by theirpanies. They can post whatever they


    want. I don''t believe Izabe would sleep with a director for a script."


    The agent paused before saying, "But it''s a fact that she likes to get involved with male stars. Nine


    out of ten of her search results are about her and some male star."


    Caseyughed mockingly, "Why doesn''t she seduce me then? She hasn''t even given me a second


    nce."


    "Maybe she didn''t recognize you with your sunsses on. Once she realizes it''s you..."


    Before he could finish, Casey took off his sunsses and kept his gaze fixed on Izabe. When


    Izabe didn''t look back at him, he started to cough deliberately, louder and louder, trying to get her


    attention.


    Seeing Casey''s childish actions, the agent fell silent.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey was rebellious. The more the agent told him to stay away from Izabe, the closer he wanted


    to get.


    The more Casey coughed, the less attention he got from Izabe, but he did attract the attention of


    a flight attendant.


    "Sir, are you feeling okay?"


    "My throat''s itchy. Could you get me a cup of water, please?" Casey, now without sunsses,


    looked even more handsome when he smiled, and the flight attendant happily went to fetch him


    some water.


    Casey smirked, "She still didn''t look at me. How do you exin that, Seth?"


    Seth had no idea what Izabe was thinking. She didn''t even turn around despite the loud noise.


    Either she wasn''t interested in the outside world, or she recognized Casey and purposely avoided


    looking at him.


    Was Izabe really trying to avoid him, or was she just ying hard to get?


    Seeing Casey preening like a peacock, Seth said, "Anyway, you''ll meet at the variety show."


    "But that''s not for another two days." And with Izabe rehearsing, he had no excuse to visit her.


    After a while, Izabe felt sleepy and adjusted her seat into a bed, covering herself with a thin


    nket.


    This made it easier for Casey to watch her. Suddenly, a blurred image shed through his mind. He


    couldn''t hold onto it, and it disappeared.


    Just a vague figure, but it made his heart pound. He substituted Izabe into that blurry outline, and


    it matched perfectly.


    Before meeting Izabe, Casey never believed in love, let alone love at first sight.


    Marriage was just a grave that elerated death, limiting one''s freedom. And the idea of "throwing


    away your life because of love" was ludicrous to him.


    He was always rational, believing love to be nothing more than a dopamine release.


    But now, after meeting Izabe, all his beliefs had changed. He was scared of these uncontroble


    feelings, but he was even more afraid of losing all future possibilities without getting to know


    Izabe.


    Upon arrival in R City, the flight attendant began the routine safety check and reminded passengers


    to prepare for disembarkation.


    Izabe slowly turned her head. Her eyes were very bright. She rubbed her shoulders and waited


    quietly for the ne tond.


    As the nended, there was a moment of weightlessness. Izabe looked out of the window. R


    City was still the same as before, with no changes in the past three years.


    When the ne came to a halt, Izabe stood up and walked towards the special exit. She moved


    at a rxed pace and turned around with her bag.


    Seeing Izabeing towards him, Casey, who was sitting by the aisle, abruptly stood up,


    blocking her way like a mountain.


    Casey was tall, and Izabe only came up to his shoulder. She took a step back to put some


    distance between them, and looked up, locking eyes with him.


    The strange feelings Casey had been experiencing disappeared with Izabe''s gaze. He tensed up,


    shifting his gaze to Izabe¡¯s ear.


    Her ears were tiny and her earlobes were round and cute.


    "Are... are you Izabe?"


    Izabe nodded, not saying much, just focused on Casey''s face.


    "Do you mind if I add you on WhatsApp?"


    Seeing Izabe not speaking, Casey got even more nervous. Girls tended to be shy, asking for her


    WhatsApp suddenly didn''t seem right, he should respect her.


    "Sorry, I was presumptuous. I should introduce myself first. I''m Casey. I''ve learned about you on


    Twitter. I know you''re participating in the show Here Comes the Superstars. Coincidentally, I''m also


    on it. Maybe we could get to know each other, and then cooperate..."


    "I know you," Izabe said. But do you know the real me?


    Casey was overjoyed, his smile widening, revealing his prominent canines.


    He was expressive, just like Ryker used to be, wearing his emotions on his face.


    When Ryker wasn''t being silly, he would buy donuts for her. When he was, he''d give her all the


    snacks and cookies he had. Perhaps it was this tant favoritism that kept him in her mind all these


    years.


    Casey took out his phone, "Should I add you or you add me? Or do you want to just give me your


    WhatsApp number and I add you?"


    Seth, standing by, subconsciously looked around. Fortunately, no one was looking their way, but


    seeing Casey putting on the peacock''s courtship disy, he really wanted to cover his face using


    his hands and pretend he didn''t know him.


    Izabe didn''t take out her phone, she just recited a string of numbers. Casey, with his good


    memory, remembered them after just listening for one time, and quickly typed them into the search


    bar.


    Izabe''s WhatsApp was simple, no profile picture, just a nickname "Be", and no status.


    It was pretty nd, unlike her in real life, but exactly like the image he had in his head.


    "Is this it?"


    Izabe nodded.


    Casey quickly added her, then looked at Izabe. He wanted to see with his own eyes that she had


    epted his request before he was reassured.


    Izabe took out her phone from her bag, unlocked it, opened WhatsApp, and epted the friend


    request.


    The verification message Casey sent had his name, but with an extra ''a'' in front.


    aCasey, this way his name would be first on Izabe''s contact list. He was giddy seeing Izabe


    typing the verification message into the note, his eyes sparkling.


    "The numbers you just said, is that your phone number?"


    Izabe nodded, "Yes, it is."


    "I remembered it." Casey recited the number, word for word. He thought Izabe would be pleased,


    but instead, her eyes looked sad after he smoothly recited it.


    His heart was in a panic. In front of the person you like, you always can''t help but search for your


    own mistakes, wanting to know what made the other person unhappy.


    Izabe''s sadness was fleeting, almost uncatchable.


    At that moment, a subconscious reminder hit her. Casey was not Ryker. He was Casey, and he was


    smart, able to instantly remember her quickly recited phone number and not forgetting it.


    These alone were enough to prove he was not Ryker.


    Ryker had been silly for over ten years. Back then, the orphanage director and Presley had told her


    that the chances of Ryker regaining his intelligence were slim.


    But how to exin their striking resemnce?


    She knew too little about Ryker, only that he used to share the samest name with Brett and lived


    in Brett''s house.


    Because she didn''t ask Ryker''s full name back then, she went wildly off the track in those ten plus


    years.


    Without finding the exact answers, she was already preparing to give up in her heart, fearing that


    she would make the same mistake again by recognizing the wrong person.


    But on second thought, there were so many unrealistic things in the world. She could even


    reincarnate after death, what else was impossible?


    She looked at the left chest of Casey, suddenly wanting to rip open his shirt to see if there was a


    scar there.

 Chapter 329

    Chapter 329


    Izabe found herself no longer hesitating, "Mr. Dempsey, would you mind moving? I need to get off


    the ne."


    Casey obediently shifted aside, watching as Izabe headed towards the exclusive passageway. He


    hurriedly followed her, chattering incessantly from behind.


    "Where are you going after getting off the ne? Are you heading straight to the hotel arranged by


    the director? I''m heading there too. Do you have a lot of luggage? I can get my agent to help you..."


    Seth was like, I''m an agent, not some grunt assistant. And even if I were your assistant, it''s not to


    help you chase girls.


    Izabe kept moving forward without missing a beat, simply saying dismissively, "Your fans are


    waiting for you outside. I don''t want to get too close to you."


    Casey felt a pang. For the first time, he regretted being so famous. Why did he ever step into the


    entertainment industry? Because a voice kept echoing in his head. He wanted to stand out, make a


    certain girl notice him.


    He hadn''t understood his strange desire at first. But now, looking at Izabe, he realized only a truly


    strong person who didn''t care about others'' opinions could stand beside her.


    He shouldn''t be too anxious... or it might put Izabe off.


    Casey could only remind himself silently, before reluctantly stopping and watching Izabe descend


    the passageway.


    "Did my schedule get leaked?" He asked Seth behind him.


    "Yeah, word got out. It''s pretty inevitable, considering everyone knew you''d be in R City for a show


    recording. So, your fans have been camping out at the airport non-stop."


    Casey frowned, feeling ufortable. He only cared about his film''s oue. From day one, his


    life''s n was to be a good actor. Yet, he ended up being so famous.


    He didn''t understand his fans, nor had he ever bothered with them...


    "Tell them not to pick me up at the airport in the future."


    Airport pick-ups were a regr fan-organized activity, but Casey''s schedule was secretive and


    rushed. One of his fans had been admiring him for two years, yet hadn''t managed to capture a clear


    picture of him.


    Casey didn''t like the idea of a crowding to meet him. He saw it as unnecessary, not to mention


    the congestion it caused in public areas.


    Seth nodded. "I''ll let your fans knowter." But whether they''d listen was beyond his control.


    His reminder could only have a guiding effect. Each person''s mind was uncontroble, with their


    independent consciousness and thinking ability. If they din''t listen to their parents, how would they


    listen to him?


    But Casey''s next words left Seth dumbfounded.


    "If the airport gets congested because of them, call the police."


    Casey kept his gaze on Izabe until her figure disappeared from sight. Only then did he start to


    descend.


    He asked as he walked, "Didn''t you say Izabe didn''t recognize me and that''s why she didn''t flirt


    with me? I took off my sunsses, even added her on WhatsApp, but she still didn''t flirt with me. Is


    it because I''m not famous enough, or I''m not attractive enough, or my body doesn''t measure up to


    others? Or maybe my voice is not pleasant enough?"


    Seth, too, was puzzled. He thought Casey''s face was irresistible. But Izabe not only didn''t flirt with


    him, she didn''t even spare him an extra nce.


    The inte was rife with rumors about her flirting with male artists. This was a golden opportunity


    to create rumors, with Casey''s fans adoring him. All Izabe needed to do was descend with him,


    and she''d be instantly famous.


    Still unsatisfied after asking once, Casey turned to Seth, his eyes cold and intimidating.


    "Why isn''t she flirting with me? This is such a good opportunity for her."


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "How would I know?" Seth thought to himself, and what was that disappointed, childlike expression


    of yours. Was that because you were so eager to be flirted with?


    "She might be doing this on purpose," Seth finally voiced his thoughts, "to get your attention. She


    probably wouldn''t be able to resist on the showter."


    "Really?" Casey didn''t believe Seth, especially since his words didn''t sound like good news.


    "Yes, really. Don''t worry, you''ll have plenty of time with her in the future."


    Casey seemed satisfied this time.


    Seeing Casey''s infatuation with Izabe, Seth felt even more depressed. Casey waspletely


    smitten, and all Seth could do was pray that Izabe wouldn''t take an interest in Casey.


    Izabe left the airport without any issues and instead of heading back to the hotel, she went


    straight to the bolognese pasta ce near her school.


    She hadn''t been to that little restaurant in a long time and thought she had forgotten the taste. But


    the moment she smelled the aroma wafting from the room, it stirred up her taste buds.


    Izabe walked in and found her usual spot.


    She wasn''t a big eater, so she ordered a small portion. The owner was still as hospitable as ever.


    "Your bolognese pasta is ready."


    "Thank you," Izabe replied.


    "Delicious." She noticed the owner staring at her in a daze.


    Caught in the act, the ownerughed awkwardly, "Sorry, you just remind me of someone."


    Izabe''s first thought was that the owner had seen her on the inte.


    She felt uneasy, remembering how she used toe here for the bolognese pasta and how kind


    the owner had been. She didn''t want to leave a bad impression.


    Izabe, a sentimental person, remembered the kindness shown to her.


    She had often imagined, if she had a mother, she would be just like the owner, worrying about her


    health, secretly adding extra bolognese or chicken to her bowl when she looked thin, reminding her


    not to starve, to dress warmly when the weather turned cold.


    The owner had a nostalgic look on her face, her expression soft. "You look like a young girl who


    used toe here for meals. She was as beautiful as you, loved the bolognese pasta, and was as


    thin..."


    She spoke softly, "The girl hasn''t been here for a long time now. I wonder how she''s doing


    elsewhere, if she''s healthy, if she''s lost weight."

 Chapter 330

    Chapter 330


    Izabe listened to the owner whispering, and found her eyes welling up with unexined tears. So


    even after she was gone, there would still be people who remembered her, who cared about her


    well-being.


    With a soft smile, Izabe reassured her, "Don''t worry, ma''am, I believe she''s doing just fine."


    The owner looked at her with a far-off gaze, "Indeed. What goes around,es around. She''s sure


    to be doing well."


    After saying that, the owner turned back to the kitchen, where the sizzling sound of oil could be


    heard. Two minutester, she came out with a te of chicken for Izabe, "This one''s on me."


    Izabe didn''t refuse. After expressing her thanks, she took a bite of the chicken right in front of the


    owner. The crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside chicken tasted incredibly delicious.


    The owner was in her fifties and had been running this ce for over three decades, watching many


    people grow up.


    Those who worked in restaurants often have a hard time maintaining their youthful looks. Her


    wrinkles were deepened, and hair started to turn gray.


    Seeing the owner''s gray hair, Izabe felt a pang of sadness.


    The owner didn''t notice Izabe''s emotional shift. At this hour, the students had already gone home,


    leaving only a few patrons in the restaurant. Once the owner finished her chores, she sat next to


    Izabe and casually chatted about the "youngdy".


    "The youngdy''s birthday is on May 21st. Every time she celebrated it alone,ing here for my


    pasta. After she got married, she rarely came. I heard her husband wasn''t treating her well. But for


    the past three years, a man iming to be her ex-husband has beening here often. When he''s


    not busy, he would ask me to share stories about the youngdy. It''s funny how some people don''t


    appreciate what they have until it''s gone. No wonder he ended up being her ex. She deserved


    someone better."


    Izabe didn''t respond. After finishing her meal and paying, she picked up her suitcase, ready to


    leave.


    Thedy boss saw her to the door, "If you''re staying in R City,e by my restaurant often. I''ll treat


    you to some pasta, on the house."


    "Thank you, Mrs. Jones." Thank you for remembering me, for remembering my birthday all these


    years.


    Thedy boss smiled warmly, watching Izabe''s retreating figure with affection. It wasn''t until


    Izabe was out of sight that it struck her, how did she know her name?


    By the time Izabe got back to her hotel, it was already 10 pm. After a shower, she turned on her


    phone to find twenty new messages on Whatsapp.


    She thought it must be something urgent, but they were all from Casey.


    "Are you there?"


    "Have you eaten?"


    "......Are you asleep?"


    Just ordinary chit-chat with no substantial content. Izabe read through the messages one by one.


    Towards the end, there was even a selfie of him.


    In the photo, Casey looked pitiful, with a pathetic little red flower on his head. The caption read,


    "Please pay attention to me."


    Looking at the photo, Izabe couldn''t help but chuckle. She thought of Ryker. Casey and Ryker


    were so alike...


    "I just got back and was about to go to bed."


    On the other end, Casey, who was just about to fall asleep, squinted one eye open when he felt his


    phone vibrate.


    Seeing the message from Izabe, he quickly jumped out of bed.


    She replied to me. Izabe replied to my text! She must have feelings for him for her to be replying


    to his text sote.


    Casey read the message over and over, thinking carefully about how to reply. He quickly started


    typing on the keyboard.


    "Where have you been?" No, that wouldn''t do. They had just met today, and this message might


    come off as confrontational.


    Casey quickly deleted it and started over.


    "It''s not safe for a girl to be out sote, next time I''ll apany you..." No, that wouldn''t do either.


    Young people these days valued their independence and didn''t like being controlled.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Deleted. Started over.


    "It''s alreadyte, you should go to bed..." No, that wouldn''t work either. She might ignore him, and


    the message mighte off as cold.


    Deleted!


    For the first time, Casey found replying to a text message so difficult. He grabbed his hair in


    frustration, opened a drawer and poured a box of mint candy into his mouth. The cool mint vor


    shot straight to his head.


    He didn''t smoke, so whenever he was stressed or frustrated, he would eat mint candy.


    Izabe stared at the "typing..." prompt. Five minutes had passed, and he was still typing. What kind


    of message was he trying to send?


    Just as she was wondering, Casey sent her a text. It was a very short message.


    "Have you eaten?"


    Izabe raised an eyebrow, understanding something. As she dried her hair, she replied with a


    voice message.


    "I''ve already eaten. You should go to bed early. Goodnight."


    Casey was anxiously waiting for a reply. When he saw Izabe had sent a voice message, he was


    shocked.


    The hotel was already very quiet, but it seemed even quieter now. He could hear his own nervous


    heartbeat. His fingers trembled as he pressed y, and Izabe''s gentle voice came through.


    He listened to the three-second voice message over and over again, as if he couldn''t get enough.


    Izabe had sent him a voice message, and she had said goodnight to him.


    Just hearing her voice made Casey blush. Heughed loudly and dived into his bed, kicking the


    covers around in excitement, like a yful puppy.


    Izabe had said goodnight to him. Did she know what goodnight mean? Goodnight meant I love


    you! In other words, Izabe was secretly confessing to him. She liked him!


    Casey clenched his phone and punched the air, then sat obediently on his bed, trembling as he


    opened the voice message.


    He cleared his throat, making sure his voice wouldn''t sound bad, then pressed record.


    "Goodnight too. Goodnight." After sending the voice message, Casey yed it back. His voice


    sounded steady, not panicked.


    Casey held his phone and reyed Izabe''s voice message dozens of times, then downloaded it,


    saved it, and set it as his rm clock.


    ......


    After drying her hair, Izabe saw that Casey had replied to her with a voice message. She clicked


    on it to listen.


    "Goodnight too. Goodnight."


    What''s "Goodnight too"? What did that mean?


    After a two-second hesitation, Izabe hit the back button and nced at the time. 10:40. She


    plugged her phone in and turned in for the night, sleeping better than usual.


    Tost in showbiz, you gotta have work. The turnover was fast and there were always fresh faces.


    No work meant no one was gonna remember you.


    Izabe had got clear goals: making money and investing. She couldn''t quit the industry yet, so she


    was gonna go all out.


    She was not the type to give up easily. No matter how tough it got, she was in it to win it. She was


    made up her mind to make a mark here, to be the best actress.


    Even if one day she left, people would remember that she was here.


    The next morning, she got up and did an hour of yoga as usual before calling for breakfast.


    The waiter arrived in less than ten minutes, the cartden with various breakfast items.


    "Didn''t I just order soup?" Izabe asked.


    The waiter exined, "This was prepared in advance by a Mr. Dempsey."


    Izabe understood immediately, but there was no way she could eat all this.


    "I''ll take what I can eat, take the rest back. Don''t waste it."


    The waiter nodded in agreement.


    Izabe took the soup and a sandwich, which was more than enough to fill her up.


    "Enjoy your meal." The waiter said, pushing the cart away.


    Back in her room, Izabe unplugged her phone, which had been charging all night, and sent a text


    to Casey.


    "Thanks for the breakfast."


    As she was about to put her phone down, she saw the "typing" indicator. She stopped and patiently


    waited for the iing message.


    "I didn''t know what you liked, so I ordered you one of everything for breakfast from the hotel. Was it


    good?"


    Stunned, Izabe quickly took a bite of her breakfast, and before she had even swallowed, she was


    texting Casey back.


    "It''s delicious, thank you."


    "Do you have time today? Want to go out? I can treat you to lunch, I know a great restaurant in R


    City, I bet you''d love it."


    "No need." Izabe quickly declined. "I have a meeting with the director at the TV station today.


    Also, it''s not appropriate for us to go out together."


    Reading her response, Casey started fiercely chewing on a breath mint. What was wrong with their


    statuses? Last night, she had even said goodnight to him, why had she gone back to being aloof?


    The man who''d just woken up,y on the bed sulking, staring at his phone. His hair was messy from


    sleep, with a tuft sticking up in the middle that bobbed as he shook his head.


    Pouting, Casey sent a selfie when he didn''t know what else to respond with. His eyes were teary,


    his mouth mumbling a disappointed "okay".


    Izabe didn''t reply to Casey''s text. She was conflicted. She wanted to get closer to Casey, but was


    afraid he wasn''t who she thought he was. She was scared of making the same mistake again,


    hurting not just herself, but also him.


    If you were not loved, you were not afraid of getting hurt.

 Chapter 331

    Chapter 331


    Izabe got herself ready, slipping on a mask and hat to meet with the show''s director.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    The director, Mr. Kane, was a sses-wearing man who seemed unapproachable when he wasn''t


    talking.


    Mr. Kane didn''t recognize Izabe at first nce. Not until she stood before him, greeting and


    introducing herself, did he react.


    "You''re Izabe?"


    "That''s me."


    Mr. Kane eyed her thoughtfully and nodded, "Now I see why Brad York chose you. You''ve got a


    pretty face."


    Izabe smiled faintly, radiating confidence that the previous "Izabe"cked.


    "If you think I became an actress because of my face, you''re mistaken. I''ll prove myself in your


    show. I, Izabe, rely on my abilities."


    Mr. Kane nodded, "You''re gutsy, girl. Do you know who else is in my show? Any random one of


    them has more experience than you; they''re all seasoned actors."


    "Performing on stage is different from auditioning. Cameras can cover up your ws, but on stage,


    you have to captivate the judges and the audience."


    This was tough, which was why people in the entertainment industry who performed in ys looked


    down on film actors.


    A good actor can act well, but they might not be good at performing in ys or on stage.


    Mr. Kane had put much effort into this variety show and invited renowned actors with acimed


    works. Izabe, on the other hand, was like an ugly duckling.


    He agreed to have her on his show out of respect for Brad York.


    "Brad York said you''re a good actress, but that''s not the issue. I watched that school drama you did,


    and nothing stood out. If you''re here topete with that level of acting, I advise you to leave now."


    Izabe sat across from him, listening patiently as Mr. Kane finished his piece. His words weren''t


    pleasant, but he was hitting the mark.


    "Mr. Kane, you''ve probably said this to other people today, haven''t you?"


    Mr. Kane didn''t deny it, "We''re about to start filming; I don''t want anyone backing out halfway. You''re


    here because of Brad York, so I''m willing to talk more with you. You''re quite controversial. The


    audience will magnify any minor acting mistake you make on stage. Once the show starts filming,


    there''s no do-over."


    She understood his concerns. The rules of the show werepetitive. How could a newbie like her


    compete with top-tier actors without getting crushed?


    It might not be that bad, but if she was paired with a veteran stage actor, the result could be


    disastrous.


    To make a name in the entertainment industry, you need looks, luck, opportunity, work, and, more


    importantly, endurance and the daily confidence to keep going.


    She would face public scrutiny if Izabe got eliminated in the first round. This would affect her, the


    "Blood Ties" crew, and director Brad York.


    She''s already faced online trolling. If she fails this time, she might not get a second chance.


    An ordinary person might lose confidence under Mr. Kane''s doubts, but Izabe was no normal


    person.


    She had faced far more difficulties in her past life and had already experienced death once. What


    was there to fear?


    "Mr. Kane, I''m confident. Since I''ve signed the contract, I won''t give up easily."


    Mr. Kane looked into Izabe''s confident eyes and felt a stir, "Aren''t you afraid of being ndered?"


    "I came here amid doubts. If you want to make it in this industry, you can''t fear public scrutiny."


    Izabe spoke seriously. With no makeup on, she looked softer. Her cat-like eyes made her face


    look youthful. She seemed easy to bully, but her eyes showed a stubborn determination.


    Mr. Kane had met many people, but never someone like Izabe.


    He suddenly remembered what Brad York had told him, "Izabe is a born actress. She should be in


    every shot, showing the real her to everyone."


    This was the real Izabe, not the scandalous female artist portrayed online.


    She lived clear-headed and proud, with an unyielding spirit deep in her bones.


    Mr. Kane always admired such people. His variety show didn''t need fragile artists.


    In the end, Mr. Kane smiled, "Alright, since you''re determined, I wish you sess."


    Izabe responded, "Thanks for your wishes."


    Mr. Kane gave her a file to familiarize herself with the show''s flow to avoid being cluelesster.


    Izabe thanked him and checked the time. It was mealtime. She invited Mr. Kane to join her, but he


    declined.


    "No need; I have to return to work on the show. Rest well tomorrow; we start filming the day after."


    Izabe watched Mr. Kane leave and returned to the restaurant to check her phone. She saw Casey


    had messaged her again.


    The same old "Have you eaten yet?"


    Was he particrly concerned about meals?


    Izabe was indeed a bit hungry, so she ordered a te of pasta in the restaurant. While waiting for


    her food, she replied to Casey''s WhatsApp message, "I''ve eaten."


    "What did you have?"


    "Pasta."


    On the other side, Casey, chewing on a steak, suddenly found the beef less appealing. He pushed it


    aside, called the waiter, and ordered a te of pasta.


    When it was served, he quickly snapped a photo and sent it to Izabe, "What a coincidence, I had


    pasta today too."


    Seeing no reply from the other side, Casey felt a bit on edge. He typed a message on his phone:


    "We have such simr tastes; why don''t we grab a bite together?" But he deleted it in the end.


    He thought he might havee off as too eager. It was just this morning that Izabe had turned


    him down. Continuously asking her out like this would only make her feel annoyed. What if she


    mistook him for some kind of yboy?


    And girls probably don''t like guys who are too clingy.


    Izabe should be enjoying her lunch right now.


    Hold on; she was still replying to his messages while eating; what did that mean? It meant he was


    more important than lunch!


    Izabe must secretly like and care about him, doing all this just so he could put down his fork and


    enjoy his meal properly.

 Chapter 332

    Chapter 332


    "The recording for ''Here Comes the Superstars'' is on, and upon learning that Graham had set


    Izabe up for the show, Kristin was livid and confronted him.


    "Graham, have you lost your marbles? Why wouldn''t you listen to me? I''ve already let go of the idea


    of getting Izabe out, but now you are getting her on a show. Do you think I''m not fierce enough to


    win her over and make double the money? Dream on! If you dare to promote Izabe, I''ll spill all the


    dirtyundry you''ve been hiding!"


    Sitting on the studio couch, Graham stayed silent, absorbing Kristin''s rant.


    Finally, at herst sentence, Graham lost his patience and mmed his teacup on the table,


    shattering it to pieces.


    ss shards flew everywhere, and he red at Kristin, his face stormy.


    Graham had been a manager for years, and he had a temper. His sudden outburst left Kristin


    speechless, not knowing how to respond.


    "The Izabe of now is not the Izabe of the past. I''d advise you not to mess with her, or you''ll be


    asking for trouble."


    Kristin''s face twisted. She knew Izabe had changed, and it was exactly this change that scared


    her.


    Take Izabe''s auditionst time, for instance. Her brilliant acting skills could easily shine on any


    stage.


    She was afraid of Izabe rising to fame, of her bing more famous than her!


    Kristin couldn''t stand it, whether it was Izabe''s face, acting, or name!


    After venting his anger, Graham gradually calmed down.


    Izabe was a threat to him, too, as she had dirt on him. The best way would be to get rid of her


    quietly.


    He and Kristin sharedmon interests and goals, and this was not the time for them to argue.


    Grinding her teeth, Kristin asked, "So what now? Are we going to let her shine on this show and


    earn fame because of her acting skills?"


    Graham snorted in contempt. "Hiding her dirty past won''t be easy. Acting on stage is different from


    auditioning, don''t worry, I''ve got a n."


    "What is it?"


    "The show decides on the pairing of actors by drawing lots. We can tamper with it here; I''ve already


    got my people among the staff there. Ariana is also in the production team, so we don''t have to lift a


    finger."


    Ariana now despised Izabe for stealing her role. This was why she joined ''Here Comes the


    Superstars''. They needed to pull the strings behind the scenes and blow things up.


    Over the next few days, Izabe was busy recording the show. The actor''s rank was determined by


    the audience''s rating, from S to D, a total of five ranks. Those who ended up with a D rank didn''t


    even have the privilege to choose scripts.


    Izabe ended up with a D rank, barely having the chance to appear for a day.


    After the S, A, and B rank actors had chosen their scripts, the remaining actors without scripts were


    to draw lots to choose their opponents; whoever they drew would be who theypeted with on


    stage.


    This was no longer a matter of luck; the rules of the show were downright devilish.


    Making the remaining C and D rank actors draw lots to act with S, A, and B rank actors was like


    making rookiespete with professionals; the result was bound to be a defeat.


    The remaining actors had mediocre acting skills, no significant works, and were not particrly liked


    by the audience. They had topete with seasoned actors, and even given many chances, they


    would not seed.


    Many were already contemting quitting. Izabe quietly sat in the corner, watching all this,


    thinking about what Mr. Kane had said to her a few days ago.


    "This is so unfair..." someoneined, "How could I possibly win? Is this how they treat me for


    joining a show?"


    The entertainment industry is not a ce for fairness. Those with skills will always be famous, and


    that''s the fairest it gets.


    ''Here Comes the Superstars'' is a show that thrives on acting skills; no one would let you take


    shortcuts, win by crying, or y the victim. Moaning about it being unfair, would anyone change the


    rules for you?


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Sure enough, the director''s team watched quietly, instructing the camera operators to capture every


    detail of everyone''s expressions.


    When the camera focused on Izabe, it froze.


    There were no unnecessary expressions on her face. Resting her chin on her hand, she seemed a


    little lost in thought, yet that alone was enough to captivate, like a Queen of the Night-blooming


    quietly in a corner.


    Feeling someone filming her, Izabe lifted her chin to meet the camera, effortlessly shing a


    confident smile.


    The cameraman''s heart skipped a beat, then started pounding uncontrobly. He had a hunch that


    even this casual shot of Izabe would create quite a stir on the show.


    In sharp contrast to everyone else on the scene, Izabe was neither flustered nor self-pitying; she


    simply watched everything unfold like a bystander.


    Izabecked empathy; she didn''t care about the feelings of those around her. She was thoroughly


    enjoying her role as an observer.


    Mr. Kane had no patience to soothe these actors. He had said before his show didn''t need fragile


    stars.


    "Those who want to stay can draw lots, but for those who think it''s unfair, we won''t force you to


    stay!"


    As his words fell, the actors who were sighing moments ago fell silent, obediently drawing lots when


    the staff brought them over, praying in their hearts to be allocated to B or A rank, just not S rank, or


    they would be sent home after one round.


    As Izabe wasst in line, she didn''t need to draw lots. Opening her lot, she saw it was S rank


    Harper, an actor from the theater, a seasoned performer who had won many awards.


    A spark of eager anticipation shed in Izabe''s eyes. She relished challenges like this.


    Harper''s script was ''Golden Age'' and Harper won awards for his role as the male lead in the y.


    Just as Izabe was trying to look up information about the script, a voice reached her ears.


    "Ariana, you''re an A-level; which script did you pick?"


    "Time. My senior brother picked time too, so I naturally tag along."


    "You two have such good chemistry, and your acting skills are quite good. Whoever gets drawn into


    your group is doomed..."


    Izabe followed the sound and saw Ariana, whom she recognized from the fan photos she saw on


    the show.


    Ariana wasn''t as pretty as her photos suggested, but she still stood out among the crowd.


    Feeling watched, Ariana lifted her head, her gaze finally falling on Izabe after scanning the room.


    She paused, then cracked a smirk.


    Upon hearing that Izabe was participating in "Here Comes the Superstars", Ariana decided to


    drop all her current projects to join this variety show.


    She wanted to see just how bad Brad York''s taste was.


    Ariana joined the show to prove herself and make Izabe regret snatching her role, hoping to make


    the "Blood Ties" crew beg for her return.


    Instantly, Izabe saw the greed in Ariana''s eyes and her unwavering confidence.


    Confident girls were beautiful, but blind confidence wasn''t a good thing.


    There was a week of preparation time before the performance. Izabe got the script from the staff,


    a ssic segment cut from a movie.


    Izabe''s task was to memorize the lines, familiarize herself with the plot, and present a perfect


    stage under the guidance of the acting teacher and opponent actor within a week.


    They had seven days to rehearse together; they could only discover their strengths and


    weaknesses through this process.


    Izabe started familiarizing herself with the script, where she would y the role of the wicked


    woman, Danielle.


    Danielle was a girl raised in a brothel, a master of disguise, who seemed harmless but had plotted


    for three years to set the brothel on fire, killing thirty-eight people.


    The male lead, Federic, first met her during this fire. He took pity on her and took her home as a


    sister.


    Little did he know this "sister" had other ideas about him from the start.


    Danielle had spent her life in darkness, thinking the fire would end it all, but Federic saved her.


    She had never been treated so kindly in her 15 years of life and soon developed genuine feelings


    for him.


    She felt too tainted to be with Federic but couldn''t resist drawing closer to him, the only light in her


    dark world.


    Danielle carefully concealed this secret, thinking she could live forever with Federic as "siblings",


    until his fianc¨¦e "Melinda" appeared.


    Melinda had not suffered the same tragic fate as Danielle; she was a pampereddy, born noble.


    She was beautiful and kind; everyone loved Melinda, including Federic.


    Everyone said Federic and Melinda were a couple.


    Danielle plunged into despair, watching the two like a rat in the darkness. Jealousy took over,


    leading her to make one irreparable mistake after another.


    She drugged Melinda, arranged for her to be vited, and used the underworld to ruin the Navarro


    family, reducing the once noble woman to a "prostitute" like herself. Melinda eventuallymitted


    suicide, and there was no more enviable Melinda in the world.


    Federic found out the truth after Melinda''s death. He couldn''t believe his obedient sister could be so


    cruel. And it was he who brought Danielle home, leading to Melinda''s death and the loss of dozens


    of lives in the Navarro family.


    Danielle confessed when the truth came out, her eyes full of obsession for this "brother".


    "I knew this day woulde. Brother, do you hate me now? Hate me enough to kill me? But I''m not


    wrong; I just love you so much. You shouldn''t have saved me, saved me just to abandon me. If


    there was no Melinda, you would be my brother forever."


    "I won''t force you to marry me, brother. We can just be the close siblings we used to be. Oh, do you


    know why mom suddenly got sick? It''s because I poisoned her, and the antidote must be taken


    daily. If you don''t agree, she may not have another breath."


    Danielle always had a backup n; she wanted Federic desperately, wanted to destroy his


    character, imprison his body.


    But Federic took a surprising step. In Danielle''s horror, he lifted his gun and shot himself.


    The story ended with Danielle holding Federic''s blood-stained body, crying andughing.


    "You''re dead, but you''re still my brother, the brother I will always love the most."


    Izabe finished reading the script in one breath and let out a long sigh. The script she got was from


    Danielle''s point of view; she would have to immerse herselfpletely to bring this character to life.


    To be honest, Danielle, the wicked woman, was a very appealing character to the audience, but her


    mentality was extremely abnormal.

 Chapter 333

    Chapter 333


    Looking at "Federic" and "Melinda" from another angle, it''s just a big bummer of a tragedy.


    ying the role of "Danielle" is a tough gig. If Izabe doesn''t hit the right notes, she could easily


    get steamrolled by Harper and Ariana.


    After all, she doesn''t have the same camaraderie as them, and she''s ying a viin that audiences


    love to hate.


    A headache hit Izabe for the first time since her rebirth. She can''t afford to take an L in the first


    round!


    One night, Brad York rang her up to check on the script she got.


    "Here Comes the Superstars has started rolling. I asked Mr. Kane how you''re doing, but he kept his


    lips sealed. Can you spill the beans about the script? Maybe I can throw some advice your way."


    Izabe didn''t n on keeping Brad York in the dark, so she immediately spilled the tea.


    "The script is Golden Age."


    "That''s a solid script! Which part are you ying?" Brad York was taken aback by the unexpected


    casting dynamics of one-on-one, one-on-two, and two-on-two.


    Brad York figured it would be a ssic romance between the leads. If Izabe got the part of


    "Melinda" she could knock it out of the park because she shared the same vibes as Melinda. Plus,


    Melinda is a crowd-pleaser. When the movie first came out, she garnered a lot of fans.


    "No, not Melinda. It''s Danielle."


    Brad York went silent momentarily before asking, "Who are you sharing the stage with?"


    "Harper and Ariana."


    Izabe waited patiently. After half a minute, she wondered if there was a problem with Brad York''s


    phone.


    "Mr. York, you still there?"


    A sigh came from the other end, "I''m starting to think someone''s out to get you. Harper''s the leading


    man in Golden Age, and his acting chops speak for themselves. He bagged a ton of awards for this


    movie back in the day. And you know Ariana. I won''t go into details about her. If you were only up


    against Ariana, you could have the upper hand. But you''re stuck with both of them. The same


    teacher trained them, and there were rumors about them, so they''re probably thick as thieves. I''m


    worried they might gang up on you."


    Izabe responded, "Mmm, I get it."


    "Don''t you have anything else to say?"


    "All I can do is give it my all." The show hasn''t even started. No way she''s getting cold feet now.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Brad York figured it was better to boost Izabe''s spirit rather than spewing useless words. Even if


    she loses, she can''t go down without a fight.


    "Don''t worry. Even if you lose the first round, I''ll still pick you."


    With six days left to the performance, Izabe first watched Golden Age and then got acquainted


    with "Danielle" through her own interpretation, gradually immersing herself in the story.


    Danielle''s life was all about love. She yearned for love. Federic gave her warmth, so she clung to


    him with all her might.


    No one understood this better than Izabe. She expended all her strength in her past life and still


    couldn''t find that warmth.


    A poem suddenly came to Izabe''s mind.


    --Here is destion, devoid of life,


    --Then you came, gracing it with your presence.


    --Miraculously, life flourished,


    --This is my heart.


    The words could also be read in reverse.


    This is my heart; miraculously, life flourished, then you came, gracing it with your presence; here is


    destion, devoid of life.


    To Danielle, Federic was the one who brought her light and warmth but also plunged her into


    darkness.


    She could''ve lived in darkness if no one had offered her warmth.


    Danielle was sold to a brothel when she was barely old enough to speak. She was beaten daily, her


    body covered in wounds, save for her face.


    Growing up in the dark, the innocence of a young girl gradually morphed into a twisted, paranoid


    obsession. She reserved all her feigned kindness for Federic alone, only to watch the man she


    loved to die in her arms, living a life worse than death in the ensuing years.


    After understanding the script, she reached out to Harper about rehearsing their scenes together.


    She thought he would refuse, but he agreed straight away. The next morning, the three of them met


    in the rehearsal room.


    Ariana kept interrupting Izabe''s lines with Harper, trying to get a word in every now and then.


    Harper always sided with Ariana, which put Izabe at a disadvantage.


    In the script, Danielle was deeply in love with Federic. But looking at Harper''s face, Izabe felt


    nothing.


    After a hasty run-through of the lines, Izabe hadn''t found her groove before it ended.


    "We''re done with the lines. Let''s go, big brother." Ariana tried to pull Harper away.


    Harper said, "Miss Salotti, I have to go. I have othermitments. If you have any questions, you


    can ask me in the group. Also, a piece of advice: your lines could use some work. You should hire a


    professional acting coach to practice more..."

 Chapter 334

    Chapter 334


    "Why are you even bothering to talk with her? Her acting sucks so bad; even if you exin the


    techniques, she won''t get it. It''s a total waste of time."


    Ariana pulled Harper along with an air of arrogance, her gaze toward Izabe filled with disdain like


    she was looking at trash.


    Harper disagreed silently with Ariana but didn''t vocalize it. Instead, he just patted her forehead


    affectionately.


    Surprisingly, Izabe could see the vibe of "Federic" and "Melinda" from them.


    Unfortunately, she was not Danielle, incapable of portraying the intense possessiveness and


    obsession towards the male lead.


    Ariana despised wasting time on acting scenes with Izabe. After running through the lines, she


    dragged Harper away forcefully.


    This scene revealed Ariana''s intention to Izabe.


    Izabe didn''t want to let Ariana win, to give her the chance to bully her.


    Facing difficulties was normal at this point. Whaty ahead was not just a step but a towering wall.


    Without this hurdle, she would never climb up.


    Izabe was well aware of her own abilities. Among the 68 artists in the program, she was the only


    non-professional with no work, audience, or fans. The only impression she left was a bad one.


    She needed to work harder, to put in more effort to make up for her shorings.


    She might lose in the first round if no one was there to practice lines with her.


    She had to figure something out. She had already memorized her lines; she needed to polish her


    emotions, bring out the subtle feelings, and be "Danielle" truly.


    Maybe she should find an acting coach but who would have the time to practice lines with her now?


    As Izabe was immersed in the script, her phone in the bag suddenly vibrated.


    She checked and saw a message on WhatsApp.


    Casey: Are you busy? How''s the script preparation going? Need help?


    Izabe smiled lightly.


    Well, that was quick. A free-acting coach just showed up.


    "I''m in the rehearsal room, there''s no one to practice lines with me, and I''m not doing well with the


    dialogues. What should I do?"


    Casey, reading Izabe''s message, was taken aback. Izabe had never used this tone in her texts


    before.


    He tried reading it in Izabe''s tone, and her image involuntarily popped up in his mind, like a cuddly


    bunny tugging at his sleeve.


    "Wait for me," Casey replied, put on a hat and mask, and quietly left the hotel for the rehearsal


    room.


    Walking out of the hotel, he didn''t feel anything. But when he reached the elevator to the rehearsal


    room, he started to get nervous. As the floor rose, so did his heartbeat, as if it was lodged in his


    throat.


    Suddenly, he felt the thrill of skipping school to meet a girlfriend.


    Casey couldn''t resist imagining some romantic scenarios, like if there was a kissing scene, would


    he really kiss her? Or just pretend?


    What if he couldn''t control himself and really kissed Izabe, and she got mad? Girls tend to be


    timid; he shouldn''t scare her off.


    But thinking about not kissing, he felt like he was at a loss. Or he could exin that he was too


    engrossed in the role; he was an actor, after all, it''s a professional hazard! Kiss, he was definitely


    gonna kiss her!


    Thinking about it, Casey''s ears inexplicably heated up, and even his cheeks started to burn.


    Exiting the elevator, he didn''t immediately look for the rehearsal room but first went to the restroom


    to ssh cold water on his face. After cooling down, he started looking for Izabe''s rehearsal room


    by checking each room number, finally finding it in an inconspicuous corner.


    He stood in front of the door, took a deep breath, and gently knocked twice, then stood still, waiting


    for the person inside to open the door.


    After waiting for three or four seconds, Casey saw the doorknob move. Izabe opened the door


    with one hand and said, "Come in."


    The rehearsal room was lit at two o''clock in the afternoon; the curtains were tightly drawn, not letting


    any light in, Casey felt the atmosphere a bit ambiguous.


    "There are no cameras, no recording, no one followed you here, right?" Considering Casey''s status,


    Izabe thought it would be better to be careful. She wasn''t afraid of causing trouble for herself, but


    she didn''t want to cause trouble for him.


    "No one followed me, don''t worry; I won''t cause any trouble for you."


    Casey noticed that Izabe was staring at him; he involuntarily slowed his breathing, standing stiffly,


    not moving.


    He couldn''t help but specte Izabe not only texted him goodnight before going to sleep but also


    put down her fork to chat with him during meals. Now she was staring at his face; she must be


    attracted to him.


    When Casey felt proud, his ears would move; the prouder he was, the more his ears would twitch,


    like a dog wagging its tongue.


    But gradually, Casey realized something was off, Izabe was looking at him, but it seemed like she


    was looking through him at someone else.


    Thest time they met was at the airport, and they had only been chatting on the messaging app


    since then. Looking at Casey''s face, which was simr to Ryker''s, Izabe found it hard to


    concentrate.


    Realizing the issue, Izabe snapped out of it and quickly changed the subject, "Why is your hair


    wet?"


    "It''s too hot; I washed my face in the restroom when I came up." Casey quickly forgot the


    awkwardness just now when Izabe changed the subject.


    "Let me see your script."


    They quickly got down to business; Izabe handed Casey the script of Golden Age.


    The script was full of her notes and various color tags. Casey had seen the movie before, it was a


    good piece back then, butpared to current films, it wascking.


    The plot wasn''t intense enough, the dialogue was mediocre, and the characterization of the male


    and female leads was even less dynamic than the second female lead.


    So when he saw that Izabe was ying the role of "Danielle", a spark of interest flickered in


    Casey''s eyes.


    "Where do you think you''recking?" Casey asked.


    "I''m not good at expressing emotions. I understand Danielle''s extreme possessiveness and the


    feeling of unrequited love, but I can''t fully express my emotions when facing Harper."


    "Don''t sweat it; acting is all about teamwork. And let''s face it; Harper was a total mess. It''s only


    natural you couldn''t get into character with him," Casey spoke with an inexplicable mix of


    smugness, pride, and confidence.


    "Let''s run some lines for our scene, starting from the top."


    In the first scene, Federic brings Danielle back home for a wardrobe change. The maid presents her


    with a in dress that entuates her slender waist. Raised in a brothel, Danielle exudes an


    irresistible allure, yet she fears this might put off Federic, so she tries hard to change herself.


    Izabe closed her eyes, running the script in her head. When she opened them again, her eyes


    had transformed.


    Her gaze was pure, reminiscent of an innocent deer. She clutched at her dress and sneaked a


    nce at Casey, her eyes reflecting only on him.


    "Brother... do I look pretty?" Her voice was coquettish, her face innocent. She stared at the man in


    front of her, twisting her dress nervously, a mix of anxiety and anticipation in her eyes.


    Brother, do I look pretty?


    The words from Izabe left him utterly stunned. Casey kept reminding himself that he was just


    ying along; it was all acting.


    But for some reason, he couldn''t control himself. As Izabe called him "brother," it felt like a bomb


    had exploded in his brain. His ears rang, his face turned from pale to crimson, and his earlobes


    looked so red that they would bleed.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Who could resist such temptation?!


    Seeing Izabe as "Danielle" simply made one want to hold her close and "take care" of her.


    Izabe waited for Casey''s response. But there was none. Seeing his handsome face all flushed,


    she suddenly realized something and decided to tease him a bit.


    She slowly moved closer to Casey, her hand gently touching his burning earlobe,unching a


    yful attack, "My big movie star, care to exin why your face is so red?"

 Chapter 335

    Chapter 335


    At first, it was just an ordinary scene rehearsal, but now it felt like a secret affair. Casey was so


    tense that his whole body stiffened, and he stuttered his lines.


    He long forgot any sense of professionalism.


    However, as he acted with Izabe, he gradually got into the role. Izabe was impressed by his


    acting skills and had to admire him.


    Casey acted on par with Harper, and his extraordinary talent was enviable.


    Izabe gradually felt the gap between herself and him during their scenes together.


    Because they rehearsed several hours during the day, Casey had a dream at night. In his dream,


    Izabe clutched his sleeve and seductively called him " brother", making his heart race.


    When he woke up, Casey was still immersed in the dream and felt weak and numb all over. He


    shamefully covered his face and huddled under the nket, blushing with embarrassment.


    On Wednesday morning, Izabe got up at six o''clock as usual. She didn''t have breakfast, as


    hunger helped her develop character. The recording wouldst all day. With everyone using their


    phones to order takeout, Izabe wasn''t worried about going hungry.


    She arrived at the recording site just past seven-thirty. Half the artists were there, divided into


    groups getting their makeup done.


    Izabe didn''t have a makeup artist and did her own makeup. She casually found a corner from the


    camera to do her makeup and review her lines.


    At nine o''clock, Harper and Ariana finally strolled in. Both had their own makeup artists, discussing


    their uing performances while getting their makeup done.


    "Why is Ariana working so hard, even going over her lines while getting her makeup done?"


    someone nearby asked.


    "Since I''m in thepetition, I have to give it my all. I don''t want to hold back my senior and bezy


    like some people."


    The person understood the hidden meaning in her words, then asked, "By the way, where''s


    Izabe? Who''s in your group?"


    "She only rehearsed with us once and never looked for us again. We invited her, but she didn''t


    come. Maybe she''s just naturally confident."


    As they were talking, there was amotion around them. Ariana''s words were interrupted, and


    she frowned at the blocked entrance.


    "What''s going on?"


    "It seems like Mr. Dempsey has arrived."


    A glint appeared in Ariana''s eyes. Was Casey here? Could it be that he was here to see her? After


    all, they had once filmed a movie together. Although she was just a minor supporting actress in that


    movie, at least she and Casey appeared in the same shot.


    Moreover, Casey was cold and distant, not liking to interact with strangers. Suddenly showing up in


    the makeup room must be to see someone familiar.


    Who in this room had a closer rtionship with Casey than Ariana?


    Thinking that Casey was here for her, Ariana''s heart raced, and her face flushed. She stared at the


    entrance, wanting Casey to see her as soon as he walked in.


    Casey''s patience and kindness were only for Izabe. He wouldn''t even spare an extra nce at


    anyone else. With an indifferent look, he nced around the room, and his intimidating gaze forced


    people to make way for him.


    His eyes swept over Ariana, and then walked towards her.


    Some people whispered from a distance, "Could it be that he''s here specifically to see Ariana?"


    "No way! How could Casey have anything to do with Ariana? She''s innocent, so don''t spread


    rumors."


    "You don''t know? Ariana was in Casey''s second movie. Although she was an insignificant


    supporting actress, they worked together. It''s normal for him to visit his former colleagues or


    friends..."


    Ariana covered her heart. As she saw Casey slowly approaching her, she felt her heart was about


    to stop. She stood up, her face red with nervousness and her voice trembling, "¡­"


    She wanted to greet Casey but didn''t know what to call him.


    Before Ariana could speak, Casey coldly nced at her and walked right past her.


    Regardless of his expression or attitude, he seemed extremely unfamiliar with her. What was going


    on?


    A sense of embarrassment grew in her heart. Ariana thought of her previous nervousness and felt


    her eyes redden with shame.


    Her excitement had just been doused with cold water. Although Casey looked in her direction, he


    wasn''t looking at her.


    She stiffly turned around and followed everyone else''s gaze at him.


    Casey surveyed the room like an emperor, seeming casual but secretly focusing on an


    inconspicuous corner.


    "You guys go about your business. I''m just here to see how you''re doing with your preparations."


    As Casey spoke, he moved from one makeup table to another, making his way to the corner where


    Izabe was. His usual dislike for interacting with others vanished, and he patiently answered


    everyone''s questions before finally reaching that corner. He sneakily took a chocte bar from his


    pocket and ced it on the table.


    "Don''t forget to eat. Good luck in thepetition; I''ll be watching from below." These words were


    meant for Izabe, but he didn''t name names, as if encouraging everyone present.


    "Thank you, Casey."


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "We''ll remember to eat well."


    "You''re such a nice person."


    "Who said he''s difficult to get along with?"


    Casey looked at Izabe and gave her a faint smile; having delivered the treat, it was time to leave.


    Izabe raised an eyebrow at Casey, and only after his figure disappeared behind the door did she


    shift her gaze to the chocte on the table.


    Their subtle actions went unnoticed by others, except for one person.


    Ariana.


    After Casey walked past her, she couldn''t help but stare at him, watching him secretly take a


    chocte bar from his pocket and put it on Izabe''s table.


    Why was it Izabe? Why did it have to be Izabe?


    How did Casey and Izabe meet? Or did Izabe seduce him?


    After Casey left, Ariana felt some malicious nces directed at her, like knives slicing her flesh.


    At this moment, her hearing seemed to fail her amidst the surrounding noise, but she could clearly


    hear the whispers about her.


    "Did you see that? Ariana just tried to say hello to Mr. Dempsey but got totally ignored. I thought you


    said he knew her. He treated her like a stranger, or even worse."


    "I think maybe Mr. Dempsey didn''t recognize Ariana."


    After getting her makeup done, Izabe received her costume from the production team. She put on


    a light-colored dress and loosely tied up her hair. The bright light in the dressing room made her


    look wless, her skin milky white and her eyes dazzling like jewels.


    Izabe was drop-dead gorgeous. Even without makeup, she could make people feel inferior. When


    she made her entrance, the room immediately quieted down.


    Many of the artists there looked down on Izabe, initially thinking she was just average-looking.


    Later, they realized her bare face wasn''t as bad as rumored, but they still didn''t like her, treating her


    like a pretty useless face.


    But who wouldn''t want to be a good-looking pretty face?


    The dress on Izabe seemed tailor-made for her, entuating her waist.


    Izabe seemed oblivious to the strange looks around her. She stood in front of the vanity mirror


    fixing her hair when Ariana appeared in the reflection. She turned her head.


    "Vixen!" Ariana cursed. "All you do is seduce people!"


    Izabe was baffled by the insult.


    "How did you meet Casey?"


    Izabe immediately understood. It must have been when she saw Casey secretly giving her


    chocte.


    Izabe narrowed her eyes, leaned in close to Ariana, and said with a graceful smile, "None of your


    business."

 Chapter 336

    Chapter 336


    Ariana didn''t expect Izabe to talk back, and her face turned sour.


    "What''s wrong with you!"


    "What''s wrong with me?" Izabe stepped aside, crossed her arms, and stared at her. "You''re such


    a nosy parker. If a garbage truck passes by, would you chase after it to taste the smell?"


    "Izabe, don''t get cocky here. Just don''t forget your lines when you go on stage."


    Izabe had a slight doubt in her mind. When did she forget her lines during theirst performance?


    She didn''t overthink about it, just nced at Ariana and walked away. Ariana clenched her teeth in


    anger.


    "How to easily get rid of trouble around you? When someone wants to punch you, dodge it without


    fighting back. That way, the other person will look like a clumsy fool."


    Thepetition was broadcasted live and then edited for the official airing.


    At 9:20, the actors were in ce. The host gave a brief introduction, and the recording began.


    Izabe''s group got the "4" slot.


    She watched the performances on the big screen backstage. Each artist performed well, and the


    mentors gave high praise.


    Izabe subconsciously followed the camera to look at Casey. He waspletely different from


    when they were alone. He was like a fierce wolf, ready to pounce on his prey.


    The first three groups finished performing at almost 11:15. The mentors called for a break,


    discussing whether to have lunch first.


    The mentors turned off their microphones temporarily, but the live camera kept rolling. Casey didn''t


    face the camera, but his lip movements revealed what he was saying.


    "No, we have to watch the next group."


    So, the recording continued.


    Ever since the recording started, Izabe hadn''t looked at the camera. She closed her eyes and


    adjusted her emotions. On the other hand, Ariana put down her script and mocked Izabe.


    "Some people have no talent and don''t work hard. Such a waste of time."


    Izabe opened her eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.


    "Let''s go, Ariana," Harper called her.


    "Coming." Ariana followed, looking disdainful.


    Izabe''s character, Danielle, had to wait a bit before going on stage. It must be said that Harper


    and Ariana''s acting was excellent, portraying the sweetness and love between their characters.


    Izabe nced at the mentors and saw Casey yawning secretly. She couldn''t help but smile, her


    indifferent eyes softening.


    The stage lights dimmed, and it was time for Izabe to enter. In the quiet stage, the sound of high


    heels clicking on the ground could be clearly heard, attracting everyone''s attention.


    As a beam of light fell, the stage lights brightened. Izabe walked slowly towards Harper, her eyes


    captivating.


    Surprise shed in Harper''s eyes. Stunned for two seconds, he heard Izabe ask: "Bro, am I


    pretty?"


    The Izabe in front of him was apletely different personpared to when they practiced


    together a few days ago.


    At that moment, he was immersed in the y and saw her as Danielle, the woman who had eyes


    only for Federic.


    "Bro, am I pretty?" Danielle asked sweetly, carefully looking at the man in front of her, and walked


    up to him, her long legs peeking out from under her skirt.


    Her in dress made her look like a budding white rose, incredibly beautiful.


    Not only did Harper''s breath hitch but the audience''s eyes were also glued to the petite and sexy


    figure on stage.


    Ariana''s fans had just been mocking Izabe, but now they were all dumbfounded.


    She had only said two lines, and this was Izabe?


    Eighty percent of the audience came to watch her make a fool of herself.


    Izabe had always left a bad impression. She was a bad actress, looked vulgar, liked to stir up


    scandals with male artists, and even admitted on social media that she had seduced directors and


    used casting couch tactics to get scripts.


    If there were any unique artists in the entertainment industry, one of them was Izabe. She had no


    fans. Nearly six million followers on Instagram were all haters, who sent her so many private


    messages that she couldn''t read them all in a month.


    But now, Izabe was like a diamond cleaned of dust, shining in her rightful ce, attracting


    everyone.


    "Just a vase," someone in the audience suddenly blurted out, interrupting everyone''s thoughts.


    Yeah, just a vase.


    But Izabe''s performance continued to break people''s definitions of her. Whether facing Harper or


    Ariana, even without speaking, everyone''s eyes were drawn to her, including the cameras.


    Casey watched Izabe intently. When he heard her call out "brother," his ears twitched.


    Seeing so many people staring at her, jealousy rose in Casey''s heart. Casey wanted to take this


    Izabe home and hide her away so that no one could peek. But if he really did that, she might hate


    him.


    It was just a random thought, but Casey was already upset enough to look away. When the live


    camera caught him, he was looking down, his face serious.


    Viewers watching the live stream onlinemented, "What''s wrong with Mr. Dempsey? He was


    paying close attention to the first three performances but keeps looking away now?"


    "What can he do? He''s obviously amazed by the acting. Just look at who''s on stage."


    "Izabe is really outstanding. Some people said she''s average-looking. What kind of taste is that? I


    can''t stand it. When will she leave?"


    "Her acting is terrible, just a prop."


    "Does Izabe have any fans left?"


    Although thements were all about Izabe''s poor acting, only those who shared the stage with


    her - Ariana and Harper - could feel how terrifying her acting really was.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    We''re three-quarters through the y, and Ariana''s character, Melinda, meets her tragic end. Now


    it''s mainly the scenes between Izabe and Harper.


    Harper secretly took a deep breath. Facing Izabe alone was just too overwhelming. She walked


    straight out of the script like she was the real Danielle.


    He had underestimated Izabe before. Her acting skills were not something ordinary people could


    handle. If he were not careful, he would be overpowered by her aura. Thest part was crucial.


    He raised the gun: "You killed Melinda; her family was your doing too."


    "Didn''t you already find that out? Why are you still asking me?" Izabe casually looks up. Her


    speaking rhythm is perfect, even matching the background music.


    She had done so many terrible things, yet she looked so pitiful - her face was so deceiving.


    Harper almost lowered the gun as he looked at her face. He tried to control himself, his hand


    shaking, and the camera captures his subtle reaction clearly.


    "Why did you do this? Wasn''t Melinda good enough for you? What did she do to deserve this from


    you?"


    "Her mistake was appearing in front of you. Bro, isn''t it enough to have me? Why do you need


    another woman?" Danielle''s eyes were red, she tried to keep her voice steady, but her breathing


    was still a bit messy, filled with hatred for Melinda.


    She looked at Federic with obsession, her gaze shifting from his face to the gunshot wound, filled


    with a crazy, twisted infatuation. "I knew the day woulde when you''d uncover the truth. Bro, do


    you hate me so much that you want to kill me? I didn''t do anything wrong; I just loved you too much.


    If you want to me someone, me yourself for saving me and then abandoning me. If only


    Melinda hadn''t existed, you would always be my brother."


    Harper hesitated before continuing, his momentum slightly weakened: "How can you like me? I''m


    your brother!"


    From then on, it was clear that Izabe was suppressing him, barely keeping up with her pace as he


    finished his lines.


    "We''re not blood-rted, so why can''t we be together? I won''t force you to marry me; we can be as


    close as siblings as before. By the way, do you know why our mother suddenly fell ill? It''s because


    I''ve been poisoning her food every day. Now she''s deeply poisoned, and she needs to take the


    antidote daily to survive. If you don''t agree to my terms, I''m afraid she''ll die soon." After saying this,


    Danielle burst intoughter. She looked at the man in front of her, lifted her foot, and needed to get


    closer to embrace her brother again, like always.


    "Bang-" A gunshot rings out, and Izabe''s pupils shrink slightly as she sees Harper''s gun pointed


    at her. Originally, the script had Federic shooting himself, but his gun is aimed at her instead.


    There was no unusual sound in the scene, so they changed the script secretly without telling her.


    Izabe immediately understands Ariana''s words: Don''t forget your lines again!


    So this was where they were waiting for her!


    A good actor can easily deal with various emergencies and perfectly solve problems in the plot.


    Izabe hesitated for two seconds before quickly reacting, covering her left chest, looking at him


    incredulously, and then showing pain and relief.


    Danielle''s mouth curved up; her face was smiling but looking worse than crying, her eyes filled with


    tears. The hope that had just ignited was extinguished. With herst strength, she walked to


    Federic, trying to embrace him like always, but he dodged her in disgust. She reached out, only


    grabbing the cold gun in his hand - the gun that killed her.


    Staggering, Danielle could no longer stand and fell to her knees. She gently held the gun against


    her throat, looking up at Federic, the man she loved and called brother for three years.


    The world''s most familiar yet unfamiliar feeling was probably loving this man but only being his


    sister, not even having the courage to call his name.


    Danielle choked out, "Three years ago, this should have been my end. Bro, I have no regrets, only


    remorse. When I wanted to die, you gave me hope to live; when I wanted to live, you killed me. I


    could''ve endured the darkness if I had never seen the light. Bro, I''m sorry! You have to live a good


    life in the long years toe, even if it''s painful."


    With that, Danielle''s face was covered in tears. She tugged at the corners of her mouth, like the


    stunning white rose withering. She left the final scene to Federic.


    The background music boomed with thunder, and Danielle fell back, her eyes closed, and she


    smiled.


    The stage curtains closed, and the background fire lit up the scene.


    Harper still had a monologue to perform, but the audience''s attention had already followed Izabe.


    They empathized with her. Some even secretly started wiping away tears.


    Harper struggled to wrap up the y. He had been biased against Izabe and didn''t object to


    Ariana''s suggestion to secretly change the script. He thought Izabe would embarrass herself, but


    her acting was so exquisite that he didn''t have time to react in the final scene..

 Chapter 337

    Chapter 337


    The performance finally ended, and Harper didn''t even have time to catch his breath. He felt a bit


    embarrassed. Ariana, who was back on stage, didn''t fare much better.


    Before going on stage, she had thought about how she was going to mock Izabe, but she didn''t


    expect to end up being the one who wasughed at.


    The pressure of sharing the stage with Izabe felt like facing a mountain, with her overwhelming


    presence making it impossible to lift their heads!


    It was terrifying! What was up with Izabe''s acting skills? She had even managed to twist the


    changed script back without a trace!


    "I can''t believe that''s Izabe," a voice of disbelief came from the audience, "She is like a


    completely different person. I feel like I never knew her at all."


    This kind of Izabe was too attractive. It was hard not to fall for her.


    The venue was quiet for almost a minute before people started discussing.


    "I have to admit, Izabe''s face is really beautiful."


    "With such looks, no wonder she''s so tempting."


    "Did Izabe go to learn acting or something?"


    The live audience who had witnessed Izabe''s brilliant acting skills throughout the process couldn''t


    help but be impressed. Even those who had been skeptical about her before kept quiet now.


    Meanwhile, the online viewers who were watching the live stream were focusing on thements.


    Since they looked down on Izabe, they hadn''t paid attention to the performance from the start.


    "Disgusting, what awful acting."


    Izabe immediately shot back to the top of the trending list. She didn''t know what was happening


    online or that her performance would bring trouble ahead of time.


    Ever since Brett saw those eyes simr to Izabe''s in the elevator, he had locked himself in the


    study of his vi, working day and night. It seemed like the only way he could temporarily forget that


    scene was to tire himself out.


    Liam was busy with a business trip, nning to take his umted leave from the previous year


    after returning. He came back to thepany to ask for leave from Brett, but Brett''s secretary told


    him.


    "President Windham hasn''t been to work for nearly two weeks."


    At first, Liam thought that Brett had finally realized the importance of rest and prioritizing his health


    over work. Ever since Izabe''s death, Brett had never taken a break.


    He remembered the words Izabe had said before her death. She wanted him to live well and live


    a long life.


    So, he didn''t dare tomit suicide, only wishing to age faster by exhausting himself and staying


    awake day and night.


    Liam hadn''t noticed anything strange yet, thinking that Brett was just resting at home. He drove to


    Brett''s house.


    Entering the house with the door lock code, Liam immediately sensed something was off. The huge


    vi was eerily quiet as if no one was living there. The curtains and windows were tightly shut,


    making it dark inside even though it was daytime outside.


    Liam pressed the light switch on the wall, and in an instant, the light came on; he saw the cat on the


    sofa, so ugly it was scary.


    "President Windham," Liam called out, but no one responded. Was he still asleep?


    Liam went upstairs, and the cat followed him.


    He first checked the bedroom, but there was no one there. Liam quickly realized that if Brett wasn''t


    in the living room or the bedroom, the only possible ce was the study.


    What could he be doing in the study? Of course, working.


    Liam walked to the study door and pushed it open. The room was pitch ck, with only the desk


    illuminated. Brett sat there with aputer in front of him and a document in his hand, his brows


    furrowed.


    It was evident to anyone that Brett had been busy with work during Liam''s absence.


    Liam sighed, walked to the window, and opened the curtains and window, letting sunlight and fresh


    air in.


    "President Windham, it''s time to rest," Liam looked at Brett''s face, noticing his red eyes and stubble


    on his jawline.


    Brett looked up at the window, squinting a bit as he adjusted to the light. Once he was ustomed


    to the brightness, he looked at Liam and said hoarsely, "Liam, I found six white hairs on my head


    today. I might be getting old."


    Over the years, the question Brett asked Liam the most was: was he getting old?


    Liam knew that Brett was living in pain, but he had to keep going. He didn''t say anything, just looked


    at Brett''s haggard face and switched from being an assistant to a caretaker.


    He took off his coat, put his phone casually on the table, and said to Brett, "President Windham, I''ll


    see what''s there to eat in the kitchen. You go freshen up, and after eating, get some rest." Finally,


    he answered his question, "You''re not old yet."


    Brett didn''t say anything. His mental and physical energy had been depleted too much to focus on


    work.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    He stared out the window, lost in thought. He didn''t know when it started raining, the gentle patter


    covering the ss in ayer of mist.


    Around noon, whenever it rained or snowed, he always felt that Izabe should be by his side.


    Suddenly, his phone rang, and Brett snapped back to reality, looking over. Before he knew it, his


    hand reached out to pick up the phone.


    Various notifications filled the screen, and he realized it was Liam''s phone. His own phone had


    already turned off all push notifications, so he couldn''t receive entertainment news.


    Just as he was about to put the phone down, a trending news notification popped up. Seeing the


    three words "Izabe," he couldn''t help but pause. Even though he knew it couldn''t be the person


    he had in mind, he still couldn''t resist clicking on it.

 Chapter 338

    Chapter 338


    Brett clicked on the link, and the first thing that popped up was a live stream of "Here Comes the


    Superstars".


    Brett''s mind went nk. Just as he was about to close the stream, a familiar voice came from


    inside.


    The sound of thunder in the background music perfectly blended with the gloomy weather outside.


    Brett''s eyes were already red, and he clenched his phone, gasping for breath. A familiar face


    appeared on the screen.


    Izabe was on her knees, struggling to look up at the man in front of her. She wanted to grab him,


    but the man stepped back.


    Izabe''s face was covered in tears. She could no longer support herself, and with the sound of


    thunder, she fell back, losing all her breath.


    Tears flowed into his mouth, and Brett tasted a bitterness that was worse than any medicine he had


    ever taken.


    His phone slipped from his hand and fell onto the wooden floor. Brett bent down to pick it up, but his


    brain felt like it had been hit with a heavy hammer. He stumbled and knelt on the ground, hands on


    the floor, tears dropping one by one.


    In his ears echoed the sound from the phone, but in his mind, he recalled six years ago. The Salotti


    family went bankrupt, and he took a starving Izabe to court to watch her father get sentenced.


    To humiliate her, he made Izabe kneel in the pouring rain for half an hour in front of journalists.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Back then, Izabe looked at him like she did in the video, trying to reach for him but being avoided


    with disgust.


    He never thought he would see that look and expression again; the woman in the video and Izabe


    back then were exactly the same.


    Liam went downstairs and came back up, only to find Brett kneeling on the floor, shaking with his


    face covered.


    Thinking he was having another stomachache, Liam rushed over to help Brett. "President Windham,


    is your stomach hurting again? Where''s your medicine?"


    Brett came back to his senses for a moment, sitting on the ground and saying, "I saw Izabe..."


    His tone was certain, his eyes red but clear, not like someone hallucinating.


    "She''s been dead for three years."


    Brett''s voice was already hoarse, and now after crying, it was even more muffled, as if he had a bad


    cold. He said, "I know, but I really saw her. Or at least, I saw her shadow in someone else."


    Liam sighed, squatting in front of Brett and looking him in the eye, asking, "Where?"


    Brett still held his phone, raising it for Liam to see. At that moment, only Harper appeared on the live


    stream.


    "President Windham, are you saying it''s him? He''s a guy."


    "It''s not him." Brett frowned, his face gloomy. "It''s the woman lying on the ground."


    Liam took the phone and went back to the main page, ncing at the title: "Here Comes the


    Superstars Live Stream Round 4, Harper, Ariana, Izabe."


    Thest name was jarring. It wasn''t unusual for people to have the same name, but what was


    strange was that this "Izabe" looked like the Izabe who had been dead for three years.


    The name was one thing, but the fact that they looked alike was another. Liam looked at the


    pictures that popped up from the search.


    "Here Come the Superstars" had many fans recording the live event, and the most widely circted


    clip was the one Izabe performed in, which made it to the trending list.


    "This person looks familiar." Liam had a good memory and felt he had seen her somewhere before,


    not just because she looked like Izabe.


    He thought carefully, his head aching a little before finally remembering where he had seen her.


    "President Windham, do you remember a year ago, there was a woman who looked like your wife


    around Nathaniel? It''s her. I remember she was even sent to your hotel by Nathaniel once. Her


    stage name is Izabe, but her real name is Bell Salotti."


    That''s right, Bell Salotti!


    After Liam''s reminder, Brett remembered too.


    Over the years, Nathaniel had tried many underhanded tricks, and the one that left the deepest


    impression on Brett was finding a lookalike for Izabe and even changing the stand-in''s name to


    Izabe.


    Nathaniel''s intention was simple back then: if he couldn''t beat Brett, he would try to break him


    mentally.


    But Brett had already gone mad from grief after Izabe''s death, and Nathaniel''s little tricks had no


    effect on him. For Brett, the pain had be numb and routine.


    Brett finally understood. His eyes followed Liam''s hand holding the phone, his heart pounding like


    never before. An unprecedented obsession took over his mind.


    "She''s not Bell Salotti. She''s Izabe."


    "President Windham, have you not rested for too long, and your mental state is acting up again? I


    should call Mr. Bagot to check on you."


    Liam was about to dial the number, but Brett grabbed his wrist tightly.


    Liam looked at Brett''s trembling hand, the grip like holding onto a lifeline. But he didn''t want to


    comfort him with deception.


    Liam said, "President Windham, can you wake up? This Izabe is just a fake. Look at her face; it''s


    just simr. She''s not her. Even if you don''t look at her face, can you look at her hands and legs and


    still deceive yourself that she''s the disabled Izabe?"


    Brett looked up, his heart aching, and his dry eyes instantly filled with tears again. His red eyes


    seemed to bleed.


    He gasped in pain, his heart feeling like it was being tightly grabbed and pulled, hurting to the point


    of suffocation.


    Liam turned his face away, feeling ufortable saying this, but it was better than letting Brett


    deceive himself. Ever since Izabe died, he had secretly sworn not to lie to Brett anymore, even if


    it was a white lie.


    "Maybe this is Nathaniel''s scheme. He deliberately let this woman catch your attention. Hasn''t he


    used this trick before? You can avoid being fooled once, President Windham, but you can''t avoid it


    forever."


    "I can feel she''s different from before."


    "People always change."


    Brett was a bit paranoid, and once he was convinced of something, it was hard for him to change


    his mind.


    Brett still held Liam''s hand. His hands were nice, slender, and clean, and his knuckles curled when


    he grabbed someone.


    "Liam, do you know how much I miss her? I want to die but can''t, and living is unbearable. The


    person I saw in the elevator that day was her. You''re right that people always change, but their eyes


    don''t. I trust my intuition, it really was Izabe. She came back after three years of being dead; she


    really did."


    These days, Brett had lost weight and looked pale. Sometimes Liam felt like he wasn''t facing a


    living person but a soulless corpse. Brett had been living like a walking dead for three years.


    Brett muttered, "I have to find her; I must see her."


    Izabe really came back and wanted to tell many people, but even Liam, who had been with him


    the longest, didn''t believe it.


    Brett staggered to his feet, fumbling for his phone, looking lost and helpless like a child. He finally


    found it in the sofa crevice. His phone had no entertainment apps, so he had to download one to


    search for Izabe. He opened the app and clicked on the trending section.


    It was as if he saw that scene, her kneeling on the ground with tears streaming down her face. The


    phone''s volume was at maximum when he clicked on it.


    The cat that followed Liam up the stairs barged in from the hallway. Usually silent Niki stared intently


    at Brett''s phone, circling around him.


    "Meow..."


    Niki''s hoarse meow only made Brett more certain of his suspicion. He turned to look at Liam, who


    seemed at a loss, his eyes shining with a faint light. He pointed to Niki, his voice trembling, "Look,


    even she recognizes her."


    Liam didn''t know what to say for a moment. How could someonee back to life after they died?


    "President Windham, if you want to confirm your guess, you need to take care of yourself first.


    She''s in the show; she won''t run away. You rest for a day, and I''ll go with you to see her tomorrow."

 Chapter 339

    Chapter 339


    "No, I gotta go find her now!" After saying this, he was about to walk out, but Liam stopped him at


    the door.


    "Listen, if you want to find her, at least you gotta know where she is first. Otherwise, you''ll be


    searching forever." Liam grabbed his arm, trying to persuade him. "Take my advice, eat first. I''ll find


    out her schedule. You don''t want to be too weak to talk when you finally see her."


    "President Windham, you''ve waited for more than three years. What''s a few more hours?"


    It''s different this time. He was waiting for death for those three years, but now he''s fighting for life.


    However, Liam made sense, so he went back to sitting on the sofa, continuing to watch the live


    broadcast.


    There was no fresh food in the fridge, and they didn''t have time to go shopping. So Liam ordered


    takeout and got some for himself too. It looked like his n to take a vacation was ruined again.


    Liam stood at the door of the study. Worried about Brett, he would take a peek inside from time to


    time, watching the ugly cat sitting on the back of the sofa, stretching its neck to watch the phone


    with Brett.


    There is a saying that animals have a sixth sense; could the "Izabe" in the video really be


    Izabe?


    Liam thought about it carefully and felt a chill down his spine.


    While waiting for the takeout, Liam searched for the recording location of the show and found it was


    in R City.


    Liam searched for "Izabe" and mainly found negative information. He checked the real-time


    updates and saw manyparison photos.


    Izabe''s changes appearedter on. ording toizens, not only her face changed, but even


    her acting skills. It was as if she''d been reced, or nobody had ever known the real her.


    In theparison photos, one showed a heavily made-up Izabe, while the other showed her in a


    dress. They were obviously the same person, but they gavepletely different impressions.


    - The eyes never lie.


    Liam looked at Izabe''s early photos and videos andpared them to today''s. They indeed


    seemed like two different people. For a moment, even Liam thought Izabe had returned.


    He quickly shook his head, dismissing the absurd idea.


    The takeout arrived, and Liam chose a light taste. He didn''t know how long it had been since Brett


    had eaten. His stomach had always been sensitive, so he could only eat nd food to avoid getting


    sick.


    Compared to half an hour earlier, Brett''s condition was then much more stable, like a normal


    person. He ate quietly, then got up to wash his face, brushed his teeth, shaved, and changed his


    clothes.


    Seeing Brett getting ready, Liam didn''t need to remind him and just grabbed the car keys.


    "Where''s the recording location?"


    "R City," Liam said. "I''ve booked the flight tickets. The timing is just right."


    Upon hearing "R City," Brett''s expression changed slightly. Memories of the past caused him some


    pain.


    Niki, the limping cat, always followed them around. When Liam went downstairs, he heard a


    "thump" sound behind him and looked back at Niki.


    "You can''te with us. We''re catching a ne, and pets aren''t allowed. Stay home, and we''ll be


    back soon." Although he wasn''t sure if the cat could understand humannguage, Niki did stop and


    sat on the stairs, watching them leave.


    Looking at Niki''s blue cat eyes, Liam felt a shiver and thought the cat wasn''t that ugly after all.


    The cat wasn''t ugly, to begin with. It was just that the fire had been so fierce that it had burned off its


    fur, tail, and one of its ears, leaving it crippled and hideous.


    In the blink of an eye, three years had passed. More than a thousand days had erased a person''s


    traces and made people forget the cute cat that oncey in Izabe''s arms.


    Liam drove while Brett sat in the back seat with his eyes half-closed, repeatedly listening to


    Izabe''s voice on his phone.


    Liam nced at Brett through the rearview mirror and noticed that his intimidating aura diminished


    when his eyes were closed, probably because his eagle-like eyes were hidden.


    He could sense Brett''s vulnerability, which was hard to believe.


    In those days, Brett''s vulnerability was real, like a cracked mirror. The broken pieces were


    seemingly intact but would shatter upon touch.


    Liam had been working with Brett for 11 years, witnessing his transformation from a young and


    promising man to a mature and steady one and finally to a gloomy and depressed one.


    Brett was wealthy and powerful, living a life that the lower ss envied. However, besides money


    and power, he seemed to have nothing.


    He''d lost his parents at a young age and had no family. The Windham family was ruthless, and he


    had to tread carefully. Perhaps because hecked love from an early age, he didn''t know how to


    love someone.


    By the time he realized he was in love with Izabe, she wouldn''t even give him a chance to see her


    onest time.


    Some people say money is good, but what''s the point of a life like Brett''s? He couldn''t even keep


    the most important person in his life.


    Whose fault was it? His own, of course.


    -"If you remember my kindness one day, don''t cry, don''t think, don''t look back, for I''ll be gone."


    No one would wait for him to learn how to love.


    Liam focused on driving as the sound of rain grew louder. Outside the foggy car window, the city


    was full of fragmented reflections on the ground.


    The Golden Age performancested more than 20 minutes, surpassing the previous three groups.


    The biggest contributor, of course, was Izabe. Her acting was simply outstanding, even beyond


    what the instructors could achieve.


    Many people were still immersed in the performance, recalling Izabe''s tearful, desperate eyes


    that broke their hearts.


    Casey was sitting in the audience, his eyes slightly red and a proud smile on his lips.


    He looked at her, the girl he loved, a priceless treasure. She was not only beautiful but also highly


    talented. He felt that no one but him deserved her.


    Fortunately, the girl he liked secretly liked him too.


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    Casey scratched his ear narcissistically, thinking that the luckiest thing in the world was that the


    person he liked happened to like him back.


    Casey sat in the first seat, followed by national-level actors Connie, Gavin, and Dorian. Among the


    four mentors, Casey had the least experience. But he earned his spot here with his skills; no one


    could deny it.


    In front of them were the actors'' profiles and the script.


    Gavin was the first to speak: "Izabe, I really loved your performance. You brought the character


    Danielle to life. Your acting has practically redefined what it means to be a web series actor."


    Izabe bowed deeply to him, "Thank you!"


    Mr. Kane, standing offstage, couldn''t help but p. Since the end of Golden Age''s performance, the


    audience couldn''t help but apud, and his hands were almost numb from pping.


    He pped not just for the entire performance but for Izabe alone.


    He remembered what Izabe had said in the cafe that day. She wasn''t bluffing; she had the skills


    to prove she wasn''t just a pretty face.


    Mr. Kane shook his head in shame, admitting that Brad York had stumbled upon a real gem.


    Everyone thought Izabe was just a rock, but little did they know that it was a priceless treasure


    inside when you cut it open.


    Mr. Kane saw Izabe''s hand trembling. He didn''t have time to check the news online, but the staff


    reminded him that the show had already be a hot topic.


    And "Izabe''s acting skills" were still rising, likely to top the hot search list.


    It would be strange if this show didn''t be a hot topic. Once the edited version used toe


    out, he believed people''s opinions of Izabe would change.


    After the performance were the mentors''ments, Gavin praised this group and even joked, "To


    the actors about to go on stage, I suggest you have lunch first, forget about this group''s acting skills,


    and maybe the pressure won''t be that great when you go on stage."


    "I have something to say." Connie interrupted, cutting off Gavin''s unfinished words.


    "I don''t think this group performed that well, and I certainly don''t agree with Izabe''s acting skills."


    "Connie, what do you mean?" Gavin looked at her in astonishment.


    Connie held the script in front of her, her expression serious: "I just want to ask Izabe, have you


    really read the script?"

 Chapter 340

    Chapter 340


    Connie held the script, looking arrogantly at Izabe on the stage.


    "I don''t know if young people nowadays think bing an actor is a piece of cake. Seriously,


    everyone''s trying it. I thought this show was supposed to inspire and clear the name for real actors.


    But instead, we get people like her. Netizens are just too forgiving. Trashy actors should be


    boycotted and banned by everyone. She even dared to go on stage, recklessly changing the script,


    with zero respect..." Connie''s words were cut off abruptly as she felt an overwhelming presence


    beside her.


    It came from Casey, who frowned at the mention of "people like her" describing Izabe. His aura


    became heavy.


    He nced at Connie, his eyes narrowing with a hint of murderous intent. Connie''s breath hitched,


    almost losing her bnce.


    Izabe, on stage, broke the silence, "May I ask how I changed the script?"


    Connie choked; her momentum significantly decreased, feeling like a thorn in her throat, but she


    had to speak.


    "Our mentor had the script of your performance right in front of him. From the moment Harper


    raised the gun, you changed the script and lines."


    "Really?" Izabe smirked. She first gave Casey a reassuring nce, then slowly turned her gaze


    to Harper and Ariana, who looked uneasy.


    "What was the original script you guys came up with?"


    No one responded; Izabe''s aura was just as strong as Casey''s.


    Dorian exined, "The script in front of us shows that Federic shot Danielle in the shoulder but


    didn''t kill her, only scaring and making her regretful. In the end, Danielle admits her mistake and


    repents, but Federic doesn''t give her a chance and shoots her dead..."


    But when Harper raised the gun, and the gunshot sounded, Izabe covered her chest and fell to


    her knees, which was very different from the script.


    Izabe slightly furrowed her brows, then rxed and asked sarcastically, "So that was the original


    script?"


    Ariana said, "Izabe, don''t pretend you don''t know. We gave you the script from the beginning, and


    you changed the lines, messing up our rhythm. What''s the point of questioning us like you''re


    clueless?!" After saying this, she wiped away tears with reddened eyes, caught clearly on camera.


    The audience suddenly had an "aha" moment.


    "I thought Izabe was a good actress. She changed the script to make herself look better and bring


    down Ariana and Harper. So sneaky."


    "No wonder the plot felt off, especially Harper''sst lines. It was because Izabe changed the


    script."


    "Changing the script like that is just disgusting. Connie''s right in calling her out. How dare Izabe


    evene on this show?"


    "Is there anyone as outspoken as Connie these days? Trashy actors like Izabe should be


    boycotted by society."


    "Acting is tarnished by people like her."


    "Gavin''s praise for Izabe earlier made me sick. Did he take a bribe?"


    "No more support for Gavin."


    "The bad girl bullied poor Ariana until she cried. Don''t cry; we''ll help you scold her!"


    The whole scene erupted, and Izabe stood alone on the stage, smiling. She scanned the


    audience''s mouths, feeling like two buzzing flies had entered her ears, leaving her restless.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe''s personality wasn''t suited for the entertainment industry, she was too lonely, and lively


    ces made her feel out of ce. Just like now, the lonelinessing from all directions


    threatened to swallow her.


    People can be broke, but they can''tck pride and self-respect. And all of these are built on a


    "normal" reputation.


    When her gaze swept over the mentors, Izabe''s eyes lingered. She saw Casey''s worried look,


    seemingly telling her not to be afraid; he had her back.


    Izabe wasn''t scared. She had been afraid of loneliness and having no one before, but after


    experiencing death once, she realized there was nothing to fear.


    She tilted her head, asking, "Where''s my script?"


    Harper didn''t speak; Ariana stood behind him, aggrieved, and said, "Of course, we gave it to your


    agent. We don''t have your email. You''re not trying to use not receiving the script as an excuse, are


    you? Izabe, you keep pushing my limits. You stole my role, and now you''re using these tactics!"


    Their microphones were still on, so everyone could hear the conversation between Izabe and


    Ariana on and off the screen.


    Ariana stirred the audience''s emotions, and they shouted in unison, "Boycott Izabe!"


    Even director Mr. Kane was baffled by the sudden turn of events. He had seen a lot in his years as


    a director, but he wasn''t stupid. Considering the grudge between Ariana and Izabe, he


    immediately realized Izabe had been set up.


    He was good at observing people. From his first meeting with Izabe, he knew she wasn''t the


    person the inte portrayed her as.


    Brad York even sacrificed his reputation for her, so how bad could her acting be?


    And her performance just now didn''t need changing the script. She had outshined Ariana and


    Harper in the previous scene too, right?


    Mr. Kane sighed; Ariana was just too good at stirring people''s emotions. This time, Izabe was in


    trouble.


    It might not just be about affecting the "Blood Ties" crew anymore, whether they could film normally


    was a question mark.


    Mr. Kane was about to use his walkie-talkie to pause the shooting when he heard Izabe asking


    another question on stage.


    "I''ve been wanting to ask a question, why does the script you guys have and the movie have


    nothing inmon?"


    This time Harper spoke up to exin, "The rules of the show say that actors ranked S-level can


    change the script as they please. I wasn''t happy with the ending when I filmed this movie. Federic is


    a man; how could he not seek revenge after losing his lover, not kill Danielle?"


    But he forgot that Federic is a devoted son, raised by his hardworking single mother ¨C how could he


    stand to watch his mother die in pain?


    But his beloved died because of him, and he, as a man, couldn''t ept Danielle controlling his life.


    So Federic chose tomit suicide in front of Danielle. He knew Danielle loved him and wanted her


    to regret and feel guilty. He hoped she would treat his mother well and live in pain, guilt, and


    condemnation.


    Afterward, Danielle indeed lived a miserable life for a long time.


    That''s the true meaning behind the movie''s title.


    Ariana said, "The movie is nearly two hours long, and to condense the whole story smoothly into


    half an hour, we naturally had to make changes. Izabe, don''t talk about these trivial things. We


    gave your agent the script, and you never rehearse. How can you still be so confident?"


    "I never asked you guys to rehearse?" Izabeughed.


    Ariana''s eyes were clearly evasive, but she didn''t care about being caught on camera. She brazenly


    said, "All the actors participating in this variety show are here because of their real talent. Not like


    some people, not even trying to improve their acting skills, just relying on connections. Did Blood


    Ties choose you by using such despicable means?"


    Izabe casually adjusted her hair and said, "A brain is a good thing, and it''s not toote for you to


    develop yours now." She was talking to Harper.


    Then, with a change of tone, she walked over to Ariana in her high heels and said,


    "Congrattions, you''ve sessfully pissed me off and made me want to curse someone. But don''t


    worry; I won''t curse you."


    It took Ariana a while to realize what had just happened, and it wasn''t until Izabe had left with the


    staff that she snapped back to reality.


    Wasn''t thatstment from Izabe basically calling her less than human?


    After Izabe left the stage, Harper finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Ariana, are you sure we won''t


    get into trouble doing this?"


    "What trouble could there be? We''ve already done it. Are we still scared of Izabe? Trust me;


    there''s no way she can make aeback. Besides, we gave her agent the script, so we''re not


    afraid of her biting back."


    "I''m just a little worried..."


    "Harper, these tactics are necessary to survive in the entertainment industry. Aren''t you afraid of


    seeing yourself lose to a low-quality actress in entertainment news? She''s only been in one web


    series, what about you? Since you''re on the same stage, either she fails, or you fail. Don''t you


    understand this simple truth?" Ariana looked down on him a bit. She wasn''t afraid, and yet a man


    like him was still hesitating. They might have been exposed if it weren''t for her just now.


    Harper was good in many ways but too kind and easily used. He didn''t want to do these sneaky


    things but couldn''t resist Ariana''s persistence ¨C he had always liked this woman.


    Before going on stage, Harper was very confident in his acting skills and even looked down on


    Izabe''s acting background in the web series. But reality pped him hard in the face, and


    because of his contempt and blind confidence, he almost ruined his acting career on this stage.


    Izabe returned backstage and sent Casey a message not to worry.


    Then she called Graham directly: "Did Ariana send you the script?"


    "Ariana?" Graham pretended to be confused. "Oh, you mean that variety shows you''re in? There


    was a script for me to give you, but I was too busy that day and had too many files in my inbox, so I


    forgot. I only sorted it out today, but I thought you guys would have already met on-site and wouldn''t


    need me to forward it to you again. Plus, don''t you guys have to rehearse your scenes together?"


    Izabe wasn''t surprised by Graham''s response. These people just never change their bad habits,


    and once they find an opportunity to push her into the mud, they won''t stop.


    "Alright, I got it."


    "You''re not trying to push the me onto me, are you? The audience isn''t stupid." Graham


    reminded her.


    "Don''t worry, I''m not stupid either."


    Ariana had already cleverly pushed the problem onto Graham. After all, to others, Graham was her


    agent and naturally wouldn''t hurt her.


    If she issued a statement, the audience would think just like Graham.


    She and Ariana, Harper could havemunicated about the script even if they didn''t meet in the


    show. But Ariana had already insisted that she didn''t go to rehearse. This created an impression


    that Izabe had no professional ethics.


    Outside, everything was chaos and paparazzi smelling the hot news rushed over. Ariana was crying


    her eyes out, condemning Izabe.


    Tears poured down, she looked pitiful, and everyone who saw her felt sorry for her. The inte was


    already cursing Izabe left and right.


    Casey sent Izabe a message asking if she had changed the script, which he could vouch for


    since they had already done several scenes together. But Izabe didn''t say anything, so he didn''t


    dare make a decision on his own.


    After receiving Izabe''s message, Casey went straight to the rehearsal room. Izabe was sitting


    on a pole by the window, swinging her long legs.


    It was drizzling outside, and R City''s rain never seemed to stop. The summer felt like autumn, with a


    chill in the air everywhere.


    Watching her thin and lonely figure, Casey felt a bit sad. She had already changed into her


    costume, wearing a white chiffon shirt, looking almost transparent as if she was about to disappear.

 Chapter 341

    Chapter 341


    Casey Dempsey suddenly felt a pang in his heart. He took off his jacket and draped it over her,


    asking, "You''ve been looking outside. Do you like the rain?"


    Izabe Salotti gazed at the rain outside and said, "Not really. It feels sticky when it''s raining, and


    it''s cold."


    The difference between a new and an old wound is that if the new wound isn''t severe, it heals and


    is fine. But an old wound is the kind of pain that hits you deep in the heart, and even when it''s


    healed, just thinking about it is heartbreaking.


    Casey originally wanted to say something romantically cheesy like, "If you like the rain, I can stand


    in the rain with you." But Izabe didn''t give him a chance.


    "It''s causing quite amotion outside. I haven''t checked online, but I''m guessing it''s trending."


    Casey''s guess was spot on. It indeed was trending, and Izabe was once again the center of


    attention.


    "Do you know what this situation reminds me of?" Izabe smirked, slightly turning her head to look


    at Casey.


    ying along, Casey asked, "What''s that?"


    "It makes me think of the wolves in the forest. One wolf howls, and then another follows, and then


    the entire pack won''t stop howling."


    "That''s a pretty fitting analogy, but we can''t let them keep howling. After all, too much howling is


    annoying."


    Izabe nodded in agreement, "I know."


    Izabe turned 21 years old, but she had an aura that belied her age, as if she had experienced a


    lot and matured over the years.


    "Do you need help?" Casey asked. He wanted to tell her, "You don''t have to bear this alone. I''m


    right here. When you''re tired, you can lean on me. If you can''t hold on anymore, I can catch you."


    "No, save your testimonies. If your fans find out you''re rehearsing lines with me, it''ll only fuel more


    anger towards me."


    "Do you know what you''re going to do next?"


    Izabe propped her chin in thought, "Let''s add fuel to the fire. Preferably the kind that burns all the


    scum."


    Seeing her serene profile and her confident smile, Casey knew she had a n.


    "However, you can''t go out, and you can''t return to the hotel. It''s full of reporters and paparazzi."


    "So what?" Casey suddenly said, obviously having a n in mind.


    As expected, he grinned, revealing his fangs, and said with a cocky smile, "Why don''t you stay at


    my ce for a few days? Don''t worry; no one will bother you. The house is big enough; you can


    stay wherever you want."


    Casey was a bit nervous. This was what he had nned when he came. He could sneak Izabe


    out unnoticed. The train station, airport, and hotel were all staked out by paparazzi. Izabe couldn''t


    escape in her current state, and among the people she knew, only he could help her get out of this


    situation.


    Seeing Izabe not responding, Casey couldn''t help but get anxious. He moved closer to Izabe


    and stared into her eyes.


    "If you agree, blink your eyes." After saying that, he gently blew on Izabe''s thick eyshes.


    Izabe blinked.


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    She watched as Casey''s ear twitched, and finally, she couldn''t help but look at his fangs.


    Casey called someone to get Izabe a disguise that even he couldn''t recognize.


    He smoothly got Izabe into the car and headed home. Meanwhile, Brett Windham was still on the


    ne. He asked Liam, "What''s the name of the reality show Izabe is on?"


    Having a good memory, Liam easily answered, "Here Comes the Superstars."


    "Who else is on the show?"


    There were so many people, even with Liam''s good memory, he couldn''t name them all. But when


    he searched for "Here Comes the Superstars", the most eye-catching introduction was the four


    mentors, and one of them was...


    "Casey is on it."


    Brett''s face changed, his breath thinning at the news. His lips tightened and his eyes was deep and


    thoughtful.


    It all came full circle.

 Chapter 342

    Chapter 342


    "So you''re saying she..." Brett mumbled, licking his dry lips.


    "What?" Liam gave Brett a quizzical look, trying to read his face as he stopped mid-sentence.


    Brett''s face was as stoic as ever, his eyes seemingly holding something unsaid. His eyes were


    bloodshot.


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    Brett dropped his gaze, ultimately saying nothing.


    "No biggie." He was just preparing himself for the worst-case scenario.


    If it really was Izabe, he had to hold onto her, even if it meant risking his life.


    To him, Izabe was like a lifeline, a floating board in the stormy sea.


    He was admittedly selfish; he could watch Izabe from afar without disturbing her, but he couldn''t


    bear to see her with another man. That would be more painful than being killed by her.


    If he had to choose death, he''d want Izabe to be the one to do it. Otherwise, he''d live in


    resentment, a life worse than death.


    Brett was sure that the "Izabe" in the video was indeed Izabe.


    Since Izabe hade back, it meant he had another chance. He didn''t want to waste it.


    If people could be resurrected from the dead, then there was hope for a broken mirror to be


    mended.


    Brett had thought of the worst-case scenario but didn''t expect it to be ced in front of him when he


    arrived in R City.


    By the time he arrived in R City, it was already 3:30. The rain in R City was lighter than in J City, but


    the temperature was colder. The continuous rain made the cold seep into his bones.


    When he arrived at the filming site, it was chaotic, and Izabe was nowhere to be found.


    Brett was terrified. He felt as if he were walking on non-Newtonian fluid, fearing he''d sink in if he


    rxed even a bit. He had no sense of security and constantly felt anxious.


    As Brett looked at the palm lines on his left hand, he noticed a distinct scar cutting across his


    lifeline.


    Looking at his palm, he felt as if the kite string had returned to his hand. His hand was stretched out


    in mid-air, fingers curled.


    The string had been broken once, so now that it was back in his hand, he didn''t even have the


    courage to pull it.


    Izabe was missing. Finding someone in a ce like this was no easy task, especially someone


    who was supposedly dead.


    Brett feared that he might be toote to see her, and she would not be the same person anymore.


    His face was pale from fear. As he listened to the bustling noise in the distance, he felt as if he was


    standing in a void. As he swayed, Liam, who was standing next to him, quickly supported him.


    "What happened?" Brett asked in a hoarse voice.


    "I''m having someone look into it." Liam couldn''t be distracted, so he delegated the task of finding


    Izabe to others while he himself stayed with Brett.


    He didn''t expect the summer in R City to be so cold. The cool breeze made his fatigue vanish in an


    instant.


    Liam shivered. He was okay but worried that Brett might catch a cold due to his weakened state.


    Brett''s health had deteriorated, and he had been pulling all-nighters for several days, skipping


    meals.


    He had barely eaten anything during lunch. Looking at his pale face, Liam was worried that he


    wouldn''t be able to hold on.


    "President Windham, why don''t you go sit in the car? It''s cold outside."


    Brett''s hand was as cold as the outside temperature. He held onto Liam tightly, but his hand didn''t


    warm up.


    "No need, I''ll stay here." Brett was stubborn and wouldn''t easily change his mind. He worried that if


    he went back to the car, he might miss Izabe.


    Liam knew Brett''s personality. After failing to persuade him, he took a thick coat from the trunk for


    Brett to wear. Holding an umbre in one hand and his phone in the other, he finally sorted out the


    whole situation.


    "Izabe had some problems."


    Brett''s face tensed up as he heard this. "What kind of problem?"


    "She was sabotaged by a colleague."


    "Do you know where she is now?"


    Liam shook his head honestly. "I don''t know. We''ve checked the nearby cameras but didn''t see her.


    It might take some more time..."


    Brett couldn''t wait any longer, but he had no choice but to wait.


    He leaned against the car, checking Twitter on his phone. Seeing the negativements about


    Izabe, he took screenshots and ordered his team to shut down those ounts.


    Sadly, he didn''t have the right status now; otherwise, he would also send court summons to these


    people.


    Brett might not follow the entertainment industry, but it doesn''t mean he doesn''t understand it. A


    public rtions team is indispensable.


    Izabe was in big trouble, but herpany was silent, which was suspicious.


    Checking a smallpany''s management was not difficult for him. He could dig up thepany''s


    dirty secrets within three days.


    Brett nced at the time on his phone. Two hours had passed, and it was already 5:30.


    There was still no news about Izabe. She seemed to have vanished into thin air.


    Brett pursed his lips, his face not looking good. It was as if he was a storm brewing, making people


    fearful. Liam, who had been by his side, felt it the most.


    "Stop looking for Izabe. Check Casey''s properties in R City. Search every ce rted to him."


    People can''t just disappear. The only person capable of helping Izabe at the scene was Casey.


    He had thought about it but didn''t want to admit this worst-case scenario.


    He didn''t know why he was still insisting on finding Izabe by himself.


    After checking Casey''s properties in R City, and going through the surveince footage one by one,


    they finally saw Casey and a thin man getting out of a car in a seemingly insignificant surveince


    video.


    The video was fuzzy, but Brett could instantly identify Izabe in disguise.


    His heart sank. Izabe was really with Casey.


    It''s okay! Brett tried to console himself. They were just colleagues hanging out; Izabe wouldn''t fall


    for Casey. She wouldn''t even recognize him.


    But as he drove closer and the GPS route shortened, the fake rxed expression on Brett''s face


    began to fade.


    He didn''t dare to overthink or let anyone investigate what happened between Casey and Izabe


    these days. He was afraid he wouldn''t be able to handle it, that he would lose his mind right there


    and then.


    He was eager to go home, but he didn''t dare to move forward once he arrived. He stared into the


    distance with aplex expression.


    The sky in R City was like Brett''s mood, dark and gloomy, without a glimmer of light. He opened the


    car window and took a deep breath of cold air. It felt like he was inhaling ice rather than air, freezing


    his insides.


    He got out of the car with an umbre, Liam walking on his right. The only sounds on the quiet road


    were the clicks of their shoes against the pavement and their heavy breaths.


    Dim streetlights lit up, casting a long shadow on the yellowish road.


    Izabe followed Casey back to his house. It was clear he lived here often. The house was a small


    vi, not big but very cozy, decorated in warm tones.


    "Come in and sit." It was his idea to bring Izabe back, but he was the one who was flustered.


    Izabe stared at his back with a meaningful gaze.


    Casey quicklyposed himself and methodically brought Izabe some hot water. Some


    raindrops were on her head, glistening like sugar under the light.


    "Do you want to take a shower first?"

 Chapter 343

    Chapter 343


    Izabe obediently sat on the sofa, head bowed, looking at the ss of water in her hand. The


    warmth was turning her cheeks pink, and there was a slight dampness on hershes.


    "Do you want to take a shower first?"


    At Casey''s suggestion, Izabe lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were bright and innocent


    like a clear spring after a rain. Casey''s tensed face was reflected in her eyes too.


    "Don''t get me wrong, I just thought, your hair is wet. A hot shower might prevent you from catching


    a cold. Besides, it''ll help you sleep better."


    Casey hurriedly exined, and Izabe looked at him, thinking he was such a good-natured guy.


    "I didn''t misunderstand.It seemed like you''re overthinking." Izabe chuckled, teasing him. "Mr Star,


    you still haven''t answered my question fromst time. Why do you blush when you look at me? Are


    you not used to being nice to girls?"


    Casey answered honestly, "No, I''ve only been nice to you."


    He used to scoff at "love at first sight", thinking it was all about physical attraction. But when he first


    saw Izabe at the airport, he suddenly understood what it meant. It was as if he had known her


    forever.


    At that moment, he knew that he only wanted Izabe.


    Life is funny. Sometimes, a person you least expect can throw your ns into chaos.


    As Casey fixed his gaze on Izabe, this time it was her who looked away first.


    Casey quickly changed the subject, "You might want to stay off the inte for a couple of days,


    especially Twitter."


    "I don''t care."


    "Maybe I do. I wouldn''t say I like those insults towards you. If these people were in front of me, I


    might¡­" He might want to kill them.


    There was a demon lurking deep within Casey. It was usually quiet, but whenever it went anything


    rted to Izabe came up. He tried his best to suppress it, afraid of scaring her.


    "You go take a hot shower. I''ll get dinner ready. What do you feel like eating?"


    Izabe was still immersed in the words Casey didn''t finish earlier. Now his change of subject left


    her feeling a little strange.


    "You can cook?"


    "Of course! A man who can''t cook would have a hard time finding a wife these days."


    Izabeughed. Her sense of humour was a bit peculiar. "I''m not picky. Whatever you make will be


    fine."


    "Alright, I''ll see what''s in the fridge. Let me find you some clothes first." Luckily, they had plenty of


    spare clothes here. He picked out a clean white shirt and a pair of shorts for Izabe.


    "You can wear my clothes for now. I''ll have someone go to the mall to buy women''s clothes and


    send them over from the store. Just send me your measurementster." His ears turned red as he


    said this.


    Izabe took the clothes he handed over. They were brand new, with the tags still attached.


    She followed Casey, listening to his incessant chatter. His ears were constantly twitching, red like an


    apple, tempting her to take a bite.


    When they reached the bathroom, Casey stopped and pointed to a blue bottle inside, "That''s the


    shower gel. The hot water is on the left. Call me if you need anything."


    Casey seemed a bit awkward, like a curious and adventurous middle-schooler.


    "Thanks, Mr Star." Izabe went into the bathroom with the clothes, gave Casey a wink, and closed


    the door.


    Casey stood outside the door, dumbfounded for a long time, stuck in the moment when Izabe


    winked at him.


    Soon, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. Casey quickly shook off the


    inappropriate thoughts in his head.


    He went to the kitchen, and opened the fridge, not to check what was inside but to stick his head in


    to cool off his burning face.


    Damn, he suspected Izabe was deliberately teasing him.


    Once his face cooled down, Casey finally looked at the food in the fridge. Thankfully, they had a


    good selection of ingredients, thanks to the housekeeper.


    Casey took out his phone and searched for Izabe. As public figures, they all had some basic


    information, resumes, and hobbies on the inte.


    Izabe''s resume was brief, her hobbies were nk, and there was no mention of her favourite


    foods.


    Casey was not a patient man when it came to his personal life. He was meticulous at work but


    casual at home. He usually just whipped up something random for himself. But with Izabe, he


    didn''t want to be casual at all.


    Casey called the hotel and asked about the food Izabe usually ordered.


    The conclusion was that Izabe loved spicy food.


    Casey started prepping the ingredients. He had everything washed and cut, ready to cook as soon


    as Izabe was done with her shower.


    The phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated. Casey had set Izabe''s number as a priority contact,


    so her ringtone and message alert were different from others.


    As soon as he heard the message alert, he knew it was from Izabe. He quickly put down the


    kitchen knife, and didn''t even bother to dry his hands before pulling out the phone.


    Water droplets from his hand sshed onto the phone screen. He hastily wiped it off and opened


    the message. It was Izabe''s lingerie measurements.


    He stared nkly at the numbers, feeling not just his ears but his whole face burning up.


    All the staff around Casey were men. He didn''t want to disclose this important information. Luckily,


    he could shop directly from the mall online.


    Casey leaned against the kitchen wall, phone in both hands and opened the shopping app, heading


    straight to the lingerie store.


    He had never picked out lingerie for a girl before. It felt like stepping into a new world, looking at the


    myriad styles. He couldn''t help but imagine what Izabe would look like in them.


    If his mind had a conscience police, he''d be serving a life sentence for his constant inappropriate


    thoughts.


    With a flushed face, Casey picked a few conservative styles, added them to his cart, and selected a


    few sets of clothes for Izabe. All in all, he spent about a hundred grand.


    Once he paid, all he had to do was have his assistant pick it up from the store and bring it over.


    Not long after he paid, Casey heard a knock on the door. He was stunned. The delivery couldn''t be


    this fast, could it?


    Without thinking much, he assumed it was property management. He went to the door and nced


    at the surveince monitor.


    Two men were standing outside, a bit blurry. He adjusted the monitor, and one of the men looked up


    towards the camera, their eyes meeting through the screen.


    How could it be him?


    Casey harboured some inexplicable hostility towards Brett. Over the years, he barely visited the


    Windham family, and probably hasn''t even seen Brett five times.


    Casey was puzzled why he would show up here. Not to mention due to some cousinly affection,


    their two families didn''t have a good rtionship, let alone good enough to drop by unannounced.


    He watched the surveince video. Brett raised his hand and pressed the doorbell.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    This time it was much more urgent. The ringing of the doorbell was so annoying that Casey''s head


    hurt.


    Even though they didn''t get along, it didn''t mean he''d leave him out in the cold. Casey wanted to


    know what Brett''s purpose was foring there.


    He opened the door and bluntly asked, "What are you doing here?"


    "Where''s Izabe? She''s here with you. I need to see her."


    A surge of hostility immediately rose in Casey''s heart. He looked at Brett, cautious and filled with


    murderous intent.


    "How do you know she''s here with me? Besides, what''s it to you if she''s at my ce? Do you know


    her?" He still had his hand on the doorknob, ready to shut the door and send the guest away at any


    moment. For some reason, hearing the name "Izabe" from Brett''s mouth made him feel especially


    annoyed.


    Brett was soaked in dampness. He had hurried here just to see Izabe, an unharmed Izabe.


    No one knew how nervous he was, especially seeing Casey blocking his way, thinking that Izabe


    was just in the room behind him, that Izabe and Casey were under the same roof. He felt like he


    was going mad.


    Brett''s eyes were red, and it felt like a cat with its ws out was scratching at his heart, the pain


    spreading to every corner of his body, making his lips tremble.


    Brett was always calm in dealing with things, but his calmness crumbled when it came to Izabe.


    "I..." Brett began speaking, but before he could get the words out, he heard a sound from inside.


    "Caseyr, who are you talking to?"


    Brett, hearing the familiar voice, trembled. His palm clenched tightly against his thigh, his body as


    rigid as if immobilized, staring at the gradually emerging Izabe.

 Chapter 344

    Chapter 344


    Brett''s gaze swept past Casey andnded on Izabe, who was slowly walking into his line of sight.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She wore a loose-fitting men''s white shirt, the hem of which hid her thighs, creating an illusion of her


    wearing nothing underneath. Her long, straight legs were irresistibly attractive.


    Izabe had just taken a shower and washed her hair, her wet hair loosely tied up with a disposable


    hair tie, hanging damply at the back of her head. A few wet strands hung down from her temples,


    adding a touch of allure.


    Brett had imagined meeting Izabe many times, but he never thought it would be in such a


    heartbreaking way.


    This was his long-awaited reunion with Izabe. She was in another man''s room, wearing his


    clothes, her smooth legs on disy, looking in a way he had never seen before.


    At that moment, his heart felt as if it was sealed with countless thumbtacks. He was so heartbroken


    that he couldn''t feel his heartbeat. He had difficulty breathing and was suffocating to the point where


    his eyes were red.


    Brett''s hands clenched into fists involuntarily, his knuckles turning white and trembling with the


    strain. The veins on the back of his hand were bulging as blood rushed to his throat. He could even


    taste a robust metallic vour, as if he would spit out a mouthful of blood as soon as he opened his


    mouth.


    What happened between Izabe and Casey in those few hours she was there? Why did she take a


    bath? Why was sheing out in dishevelled clothes?


    Brett didn''t dare to think further. He clenched his teeth. His tongue pressed hard against his teeth,


    and his chest heaved. He stared at Izabe with reddened eyes, looking like a forsaken dog.


    He screamed Izabe''s name in his heart, but when he saw her again, he couldn''t utter a word, as if


    his soul had left his body and his eyes were dry.


    Izabe had just finished her shower, her hair still wet. She spent a while looking for a hairdryer and


    couldn''t find one. She texted Casey, but he didn''t reply, so she went downstairs.


    But when she did, there was no one in the kitchen. As she was wondering about it, she heard


    voices at the door.


    Thinking it might be Casey''s work colleagues and it might not look good if they saw her there,


    Izabe was about to sneak back upstairs when she heard a familiar voice.


    "Where is Izabe? She''s here. I want to see her."


    The somewhat dizzy Izabe, fresh from the shower, snapped to attention at the sound of this


    voice.


    This voice apanied her until her death in her previous life. Even in her dreams, she would


    dream of it. It would ring in her ears at midnight, waking her from nightmares all night.


    Izabe pressed her lips together, instinctively wanting to hide upstairs. But on second thought, why


    was Brett here calling her name? Had he recognized her?


    How could that be?


    Izabe didn''t dare to act rashly. She knew Brett too well. He wouldn''t give up until he achieved his


    goal. Since he was already outside, he would force his way in no matter what. She could hide for a


    while, but not for a lifetime.


    It would show her guilt and arouse his suspicion if she really hid.


    But fortunately, she was at Casey''s house now, so she didn''t have to face the danger alone.


    Izabe took a deep breath and slowly walked towards the door, asking softly, "Superstar, who are


    you talking to?"


    She was used to calling Casey "Superstar", a nickname that carried a hint of affection when it came


    from her.


    Casey turned around and saw Izabe fresh from the shower, her face damp, her eyes blurred,


    looking like someone you''d want to hold and take care of.


    "It''s cold outside. Come in," he said. Then he answered Izabe''s question, "It''s a distant rtive. I


    don''t know him well."


    Izabe stood there, nced at Brett, and then obediently turned to leave.


    "Izabe, don''t go!" His voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with anger, and the taste of rust in his


    throat was getting stronger.


    Izabe turned around, smiled and asked, "Sir, do we know each other?"


    Brett''s eyshes trembled. If he could, he would also hope that Izabe had forgotten him,


    forgotten the past. So that could start over. But he knew Izabe was pretending.


    She was a born actress, and pretending not to know him was too easy for her.


    So his heart ached even more like a rusty blunt knife was inserted into his heart, a slight pull


    causing severe pain. He had to support his tottering body by holding onto the door frame.


    Brett suppressed his emotions and said, "Izabe, you might have fooled everyone else but can''t


    fool me. When you try not to back down, your gaze tends to drop; when you lie, your hand tends to


    sneak behind your back. And if you don''t know me, why is there so much hatred in your eyes when


    you look at me? The person I saw in the elevator that day was you, wasn''t it?"


    Izabe didn''t expect him to remember that scene in the elevator a couple of weeks ago. She


    thought she had been lucky that time. It seemed she could never escape this man.


    Izabe dropped the smile on her face, her gaze turning icy. So what if he recognized her? Did he


    want her to forgive him and continue their past rtionship?


    Casey, standing nearby, felt uneasy at their inexplicable conversation. He stood guard at the door,


    preventing Brett from getting close to Izabe.


    Izabe sneered, nced at Brett contemptuously, and then turned and walked away without


    hesitation.


    Behind her, Brett suddenly croaked, "Izabe, don''t you want to see Niki? Do you remember Niki?


    The cat that tried to save you from the fire. It lost an ear and a paw to the fire. Its tail was cut short.


    It''s been waiting for you in J City."


    He knew what Izabe cared about. As long as you were nice to her, she would let you into her


    heart, like Presley Felton, Amelia, Tiara, and that cat.


    And he used to be on that list of people she cared about, but now he might have disappeared


    without a trace.


    The human heart was too small. The old Izabe wanted to fit too much into hers, so she got hurt


    so badly.


    "You can wait, but Niki can''t. Cats don''t live very long, and that fire took half of Niki''s life."


    The person who knows you best is often your enemy.


    Brett had Izabe''s Achilles''s heel down pat, knowing exactly how to hit her where it hurt.


    Originally, Izabe''s game n was to get stronger before facing Brett, but she underestimated his


    intuition. She never expected that a mere nce would blow her cover.


    She could''ve waited to meet the person she wanted to see, but she forgot that some things couldn''t


    wait like her cat, Niki.


    She missed her Ragdoll cat, who tried to save her from the fire badly.


    Now that Brett had recognized her, she was bound to face the same issues sooner orter. What''s


    done in the dark wille to light.


    "You''re not seriously gonna use a cat as a bargaining chip, are you?" Izabe didn''t turn around.


    Her frail silhouette stood tall, showing her unyielding spirit.


    "I''m not trying to threaten you. I want to have a word with you," Brett choked out, his eyes glistening.


    He was pleading with Izabe.


    "If you talk to me, you''ll give me the cat?"


    "Uh-huh, I''m not bullshitting you. I''ll bring Niki back to you. He''s yours, to begin with."


    Compared to Brett, Izabe cared more about the cat. Now, she turned around, her icy hatred not


    masked. When Brett met her gaze, he felt ants biting around his eyes, the pain unbearable. He


    couldn''t help but furrow his brow, holding back the sting and swelling in his eyes.


    "Do you want to talk to him alone?" Casey asked Izabe. He wouldn''t stop her if she agreed; he


    wouldn''t let Brett cross the doorstep if she didn''t.


    "Uh-huh, just for a bit."


    Casey''s face was gloomy. From Brett''s words, he could tell that the cat meant a lot to Izabe. He


    had no right to stop her.


    "I''ll leave, so you two."


    "No need," Izabe interrupted him. "I''m going out with him. I''ll be back in ten minutes tops."


    She didn''t want to mess up Casey''s ce.


    Casey stared at her for a while, finally nodding in agreement. He took a coat from the rack near the


    door, and draped it over Izabe''s shoulders, acting nonchnt about their closeness.


    "Put on the coat. It''s cold outside. Got your phone?"


    Izabe didn''t refuse his kindness, putting on the coat and confirming, "Yeah, and the location is


    on."


    Casey felt somewhat relieved. It was still raining outside. He handed Izabe an umbre and


    removed a face mask from the drawer.


    "Put on the mask so you''re not recognized. Come back soon. Your hair''s still wet. I''ll blow-dry it for


    you when you''re back, don''t catch a cold."


    "Mhm, will do," Izabe put on the mask to ensure she wouldn''t be recognized before leaving.


    Brett stood at the door, feeling like a total outsider. He tried to keep his cool, turning around, his


    silhouette trembling. This scene was too much for him. He wanted to throw away the coat on


    Izabe even more, to break the hands that touched her.


    Brett concealed the rage in his chest, telling Liam, spacing out next to him, "Wait for me in the car."


    Liam nodded and left immediately.


    Izabe went outside with the umbre. It was a bit chilly in the rainy weather, especially when the


    wind blew the rain onto her face.


    Izabe nced at the road sign and headed towards the river. Brett followed her in silence. Only


    the sound of their footsteps could be heard.


    "What did you want to talk about?"


    There were so many things he wanted to say to Izabe, but he couldn''t utter a word when it came


    to it.


    Brett stared at the familiar figure in front of him. He reached out his hand, it felt like he could touch


    her with just a gentle grasp, but he suppressed his longing.


    These three years he didn''t know how he got through them. He didn''t sleep well one single day, and


    there wasn''t a day he didn''t miss her.


    The despair of longing could corrode one''s soul. He thought he would never get through this life, but


    destiny gave him a second chance.


    Izabe was by his side again. They were so close, he could hear her breathing, feel her warmth.


    He didn''t find it strange that Izabe "came back from the dead." It seemed like it was meant to be.


    "Have you been here all these three years, never left?"


    Brett''s mouth twitched in bitterness, "It''s like the fire three years ago was just a nightmare. You''ve


    been alive. There was no fire. You didn''t die..."


    Izabe let out a cold chuckle, interrupting Brett''s monologue. It was as if she heard a hrious joke.


    Sheughed so hard her body convulsed, her eyes turning red.


    She turned sideways, touching her face, her voice husky, "Brett, looking at this face that''s not mine,


    this intact body, the stomach that hasn''t been invaded by cancer cells, can you still fool yourself that


    I didn''t die?"


    Yes, he couldn''t lie to himself. Izabe did die once. In that fire, she joined forces with Nathaniel


    Krueger to get back at him.


    He still remembered the body dug out from the ruins, Izabe''s face ruined by the fire, the bracelet


    that fell off her burnt hand bone still on his wrist.


    "Izabe, I know whatever I say is pointless, but I still want to beg for your forgiveness. I''ll give you


    anything." Brett pleaded, his eyes full of longing. After saying this, tears trickled down his cheeks.


    Izabe looked disgusted, she stepped back, widening the distance between them. For these three


    years, more than a thousand days and nights, Brett was no longer the high and mighty Brett.


    "You want me to forgive you?" She was amazed Brett dared to say that.


    Just a casual word of forgiveness can turn the page on her death?

 Chapter 345

    Chapter 345


    Some things were unforgivable, man. It''s not about tolerance. Everyone had their line in the sand.


    She endured all the shit by herself and died in that fire. Why should she forgive the one who pushed


    her to that end?


    Izabe pulled out a disposable hair tie from her hair.


    As she fixed her hair, she said, "I mean, forgiving you ain''t totally out of the picture."


    At that moment, Brett was left speechless. The surprise was too sudden, too unbelievable, too


    overwhelming.


    But then, he watched as Izabe nonchntly tosses the hair tie into the river: "Go pick it up. If you


    can find it, I''ll forgive you. How''s that?"


    How''s he supposed to find a tiny hair tie in a river? The river''s filled with all sorts mixed up with mud


    and rocks. Even if Brett had ten hands, he''d be hard-pressed to find it.


    The hair tie sank into the river. It''s so light it barely made a ssh.


    "Too much for you? Then don''t go fetching it..."


    "So, if I find it, you''ll forgive me and give me another chance?"


    Izabe looked into Brett''s earnest eyes and smiles, "Guess you''ll know when you find it."


    Her smile was enigmatic. Brett knew Izabe was punishing him. She knew he can''t swim and is


    scared of water.


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    In this world, nothing came free. Everything had its price.


    He striped off his coat and jumped into the river without a second thought. Luckily, the river was


    being cleaned out these days, so the water level was pretty low. Up to his thighs, not enough to


    drown him but cold enough to chill him to the bone.


    Brett was like a man possessed. He bent down, Izabe''s words echoing in his ears.


    Just find that hair tie she tossed into the water, and she''ll forgive him. Give him a chance.


    That''s his obsession. The one that''s been haunting him for three years.


    Brett bents down and started rummaging in the river. To reach the bottom, his head had to go under.


    The once clear water turned murky from all his movements.


    Brett can''t swim, and he''s a neat freak, yet here he was, seriously searching for an insignificant hair


    tie in the river.


    The river bottom was filled with rocks, covered in mud. Slippery and uneven. Brett stumbled and fell


    a few times, getting himself covered in mud. His palms were cut by sharp rocks. He''s aplete


    mess.


    He forgot about his cleanliness obsession, forgot about the pain, numbly repeating the action,


    earnestly searching the rocks in the river, his fingers moving through the mud, the stench hitting his


    face.


    Where''s the hair tie? Where''s Izabe''s hair tie?


    The rain starts and stops again as if mocking him. Already chilled to the bone, this was just adding


    insult to injury. Brett''s face turned white from the cold.


    Izabe standed under an umbre on the river bank with a mocking smile on her face. The sound


    of rain hitting the river surface, breaking the smooth reflection.


    Izabe checked the time. It''s been eight minutes. If she doesn''t get back soon, Casey might start


    worrying. She calls out to the man in the river.


    "Brett, if you can''t find the hair tie, don''t bother seeing me again. It''s getting dark. I''m heading back."


    With that, she turned and left, her cold demeanour reminding one of Brett from the past.


    Brett paused for a moment, then continued his search. He searched for a long time but came up


    empty-handed. His body was shivering from the cold, his breathing bing more difficult, buthe


    refused to give up even then.


    His clothes were soaked and clinging to his body, almost transparent. If Izabe were still there, she


    might be able to see the burn scar on his chest.


    Brett''s hands were swollen and white from being in the water for so long. The tips of his fingers hurt


    like they''re being pricked with needles. His skin was peeling off in ces. The cold wind and rain


    have blurred his vision. He can only feel his way around.


    After a while, his body stiffened from the cold, and he started coughing. He covered his throat,


    coughing so hard he can''t breathe. His chest was heaving.


    He had been suppressing a mouthful of blood, which now flowed out from the corner of his mouth


    into the murky river water.


    Every inch of him hurt, especially his stomach and heart. It felt like there''s a cactus wrapped around


    it. He struggled, managed to steady himself, then bent over, his steps weak. He stumbled in the


    water and eventually fell in.


    The water was up to his thighs. When he fell, he sank like a stone.


    For a moment, Brett thought he might die like this. He reached out for something to hold on to but


    found nothing.


    "President Windham!" Liam''s voice briefly brought him back to his senses. Brett tried to get up, but


    he can''t. He''s too tired, but he knew he can''t stop. Izabe''s back. How can he die?

 Chapter 346

    Chapter 346


    Brett was knee-deep in the murky water, the polluted river drowning his head. He was coughing. His


    ribs supporting his chest seemed to have turned into thorns. Each struggle tightened them, and he


    wondered if Izabe felt the same way when she died.


    It''s said that you''re calm when you''re about to die. His soul seemed detached from his body, floating


    mid-air, looking at his quiet self submerged in the water like a piece of driftwood.


    The cold was invading his body from all sides as if all his internal organs had been frozen. It hurt a


    tearing pain all over.


    Liam jumped into the water with great effort, tightly holding onto Brett. His whole body was covered


    in water. Holding him felt like holding onto a piece of ice. It took all of Liam''s strength to drag him


    onto the shore.


    "President Windham, are you okay?" Liam was so anxious his face turned pale. One hand was


    supporting Brett. The other was picking up the coat on the ground to find the phone.


    As his body gradually regained sensation, Brett instinctively opened his mouth and took a deep


    breath.


    But it seemed like he was not breathing in the air but sharp thorns piercing his heart, making it ache


    terribly. The pain enveloped his body. He couldn''t stop shaking. He coughed, blood sttered from


    his mouth, staining his pale cheeks, a ring red.


    "President Windham, I must get you to the hospital now." Brett had coughed up blood before, but


    this was the first time Liam saw him coughing up so much like it wouldn''t stop.


    He had dialled the emergency number on his phone and was about to call, but Brett raised his cold


    hand and stopped him.


    "I want to go find Izabe and her hair tie." His voice was shaky and choked up, not sure if it was


    from the cold or the pain.


    "Hair tie?" Liam thought for a moment and understood, "What if we find it?"


    Brett had lost his mind. The only thing clear in his foggy mind was thest thing Izabe said. Don''t


    come to see me if you can''t find it.


    Izabe was punishing him for the sins he hadmitted in the past. It was what he deserved. He


    had to find her hair tie.


    "If I find it, she will forgive me and return home with me."


    "She''s fooling you," Liam said.


    "No, she isn''t. Izabe wouldn''t lie," Brett muttered.


    Looking at Brett''s pale face, Liam knew Brett was too stubborn. Once he made up his mind, it was


    hard to change it. That''s why he gradually fell into despair three years ago.


    "That little hair tie, you won''t find it if you throw it into the river. You''d better go buy a new one." All


    hair ties looked the same. He didn''t believe Izabe would recognize it.


    "Even if it looks the same, it''s not the one she lost." Brett was gradually regaining his senses. His


    voice was still weak, but he wasn''t shaking like before. He looked at the river again, not knowing


    when it had be dark. The dim light of the streetmp was casting on the water.


    He was in a daze, so it was already sote.


    He looked toward Casey''s vi. it was pitch dark, with no lights. Were they already asleep?


    The thought of Izabe lying in another man''s arms at this moment, sleeping together, caused


    extreme pain in his heart.


    Was Izabe treating Casey as well as she had treated him before? Would she cook a table full of


    dishes waiting for him to eat? Would she look at him tenderly and deeply in love with him?


    Stop thinking. I can''t believe it anymore. Brett covered his eyes. Hot tears fell into his palm. It''s okay


    as long as Izabees back. He doesn''t mind these things at all. As long as Izabe is still alive,


    and her living figure is still in his world, really.


    Brett couldn''t hear what Liam was saying. The obsession with finding the hair tie was like a


    poisoned seed thrown into his bloodstream, connecting his bones and marrow, making his weak


    limbs climb up from the ground.


    At this moment, Brett relied entirely on his strong will to support his body. His eyes were vulnerable


    and sad as he crawled towards the river. Liam couldn''t stop him. He didn''t understand how Brett


    could still be so strong.


    Liam held him down forcefully: "President Windham, we cane back and look for it tomorrow.


    Right now, you need to take care of yourself, don''t fall down before you find her."


    Brett was desperate and now was backfiring.


    There were many things Liam couldn''t understand, but the most puzzling thing was why "Bell


    Salotti" turned into "Izabe."


    Was it all an act? But he was there before. He indeed felt that she was Izabe.


    This was the first time he heard that a person could resurrect after death.


    Brett was dazed for a moment, feeling like the weight on him was not Liam but a mountain. He bit


    his lip, his mouth full of the taste of blood. The remaining consciousness was still desperately


    looking at the river. He could jump into the water with a roll, but he couldn''t crawl over.


    "Let me go!" He scratched the ground with his fingers. The tips were rubbed bloody. The pain made


    him a bit more sober, but he was still too tired and in too much pain.


    Brett looked down, following the pain, his chin resting on the ground, his eyes half-closed, looking at


    his hands. Suddenly his eyes lit up. The hair tie he had been looking for was on his ring finger, like a


    ring.


    His hand was numb from the cold in the river. He was constantly searching underwater but didn''t


    look at his fingers. When he came back to his senses, he found that what he had been looking for


    was on his finger.


    From loss to surprise, his emotions were like a roller coaster. He touched the disposable hair tie on


    his ring finger, carefully wiped the dirt off, then carefully took it off and held it under the light.


    "I found it." This time he finally copsed on the ground, a beautiful smile on his face. He found


    Izabe''s hair tie. Would she forgive him and return with him?


    They had reunited after a long separation. Could he find what he had lost? Would all the sins he


    hadmitted really be forgiven?


    Brett looked at the hair tie in his hand and put it back on his ring finger. This time he closed his


    eyes.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    The ambnce Liam called arrived quickly. Brett''s face was cleaned of blood, but the blood that


    flowed into his neck was dried by the heater in the car, turning into a dry patch. The car was filled


    with the smell of blood.


    As Izabe returned, she saw a figure squatting at the door from afar.


    Casey sat at the doorstep, phone clutched in his hand, ncing between his phone and the


    direction Izabe had left in, looking for all the world like a big dog eagerly waiting for its owner to


    come home.


    Upon seeing Izabe''s silhouette, he immediately sprang up, disregarding the rain outside and


    running straight to her, grabbing her hand, "Did he bully you?"


    "No" Izabe met Casey''s worried gaze, her mind momentarily nk. If it was Brett watching her


    out with another man, his first thought wouldn''t be worry, but to inspect her body to see if his toy had


    been dirtied by someone else.


    In Brett''s eyes, she was always a toy for him to y with at will, and toys don''t need self-respect.


    "Your hands are cold. Let me dry your hair when we get back."


    He held Izabe''s hand tightly, and after they got home, he brought out some warm milk for her to


    drink.


    The warmth from the milk spread throughout her body, making her feel considerably warmer. The


    air conditioning was on in the living room, and the warm air felt so good that it made her skin tingle.


    Casey knew Izabe was always cold. The first time he met her on a ne, she was wrapped in a


    nket even though the temperature was moderate.


    Casey plugged in the hair dryer, ready to dry Izabe''s hair.


    Izabe, still wrapped in his clothes, took them off and handed them to him, "Thanks for your


    clothes. I can dry my hair myself."


    She was notfortable with getting too close to people. Casey was a good person and had


    helped her a lot, but she couldn''t take more just because he was nice.


    Emotions need to be reciprocated. No one is obligated to be nice to you. If you can''t return, you


    need to cut ties as soon as possible. Time and emotions are the most precious things a person has.


    Casey stiffened, his hand tightened on the hair dryer. After a moment, he put down the hair dryer


    and took the coat from Izabe.


    He hung the coat by the door, listening to the sound of the hair dryer. For the first time, this ce


    felt like a real home, full of life. If only it could stay this way forever.


    He had confidence in himself before Brett appeared, but now he realized how ridiculous his


    confidence was.


    He had always been deluding himself. He knew nothing about Izabe apart from her name and


    gender.


    Casey watched Izabe, sitting on the sofa, tilting her head to dry her hair.


    The distance between them was near and far, just like their rtionship.


    Izabe was right before him, but he couldn''t touch her. There seemed to be an invisible wall


    between them.


    He silently went to the kitchen to start cooking. Casey was only good at cooking home-cooked


    dishes.


    After drying her hair, her long hair was a hassle, so she picked up a pencil from the pen holder on


    the bookshelf in the living room and used it to tie up her hair.


    "Do you need help?" Izabe asked.


    Casey turned back and replied, "No need. I''m just making another dish. Are you hungry?"


    "Not really." Izabe took a look at Casey''s outfit. He was wearing an apron with a ck and white


    bear pattern. He was tall with a slim waist. He held a spat in his hand, his forehead covered in


    sweat and his eyes focused on the food in the pot.


    "There''s a lot of smoke in the kitchen. You should get out." Casey, who usually had everything


    under control when cooking, suddenly became clumsy when Izabe appeared, Casey wishing he


    would had eight hands.


    However, instead of leaving, Izabe walked into the kitchen. Casey''s kitchen was small, and


    everything inside was visible. From the various ingredients, it was clear that he cooked regrly.


    Izabe leaned against the wall, watching Casey busily cooking.

 Chapter 347

    Chapter 347


    The firelight danced from the edge of the pan, illuminating Casey''s face and Izabe''s eyes.


    He was cooking with all his heart, but as time passed, his expression became more and more


    uneasy. The handle of the pan he was holding became too hot to handle, almost making him spill


    the food.


    Izabe wanted tough but held back, pretending not to see his embarrassment. She changed the


    subject and asked, "Where''s the cutlery?"


    Casey served the dish with a gloomy face and walked to the cab next to Izabe. He gently held


    the top of Izabe''s head, worried the door would hit her.


    "Here." Casey took out the cutlery. Izabe was close to him, and he could smell the scent of her


    shampoo.


    Thinking that they used the same shampoo bottle and smelled the same made him feel closer to


    her. Casey couldn''t help but move his ears slightly and quickly took down the cutlery.


    "I''ll take it." Izabe held the bowl with one hand, and with the other hand, she took the dish that


    Casey had just served.


    As soon as Izabe left, Casey''s movements suddenly became skilled. He quickly prepared the


    chicken chilli and scooped out the pumpkin soup.


    "Try it and see how it tastes." Casey looked at Izabe with anticipation, watching her every move.


    Making ordinary dishes delicious was not easy, Izabe took her fork and tasted the food seriously.


    Only after tasting each dish did she look up at Casey.


    Casey was staring at her. His expectant look was like a student waiting for exam results.


    Izabe couldn''t help butugh, generously praising his cooking skills: "It''s delicious."


    She had also learned to cook to please Brett and even consulted a chef. After tasting Casey''s food,


    she knew he had put in the effort, and it would only be possible to make such delicious food with


    years of practice.


    Casey squinted his eyes contentedly. It was already eight o''clock when they finished eating.


    After eating, he felt like sleeping, but looking at the time. It was still early. He nced out the


    window. It seemed to have stopped raining. Usually, he would go for a walk outside after dinner. But


    not today.


    He was afraid of running into Brett again. He had too many questions about Brett and Izabe''s


    rtionship, but didn''t dare to ask.


    Over the years, he had always had smooth sailing. Even when he first entered the entertainment


    industry, he encountered no setbacks or difficulties when transitioning from one field to another.


    ording to his agent, Seth, he was a chosen one, favoured by heaven.


    But now, for the first time, he encountered obstacles and threats. He didn''t know much about Brett,


    but he did know that Brett had taken away 40% of the Windham family''s shares in three years. This


    man wasplex.


    "Superstar, what are you thinking about?"


    Casey came back to his senses, raised his head and licked his lips. He was thinking about her


    rtionship with Brett and wanted to know everything about her, but he was afraid to ask.


    He was afraid that they wouldn''t even be able to be friends if he knew everything about her.


    Before he met Izabe, he always thought he was mentally strong. He might not be calm in the face


    of trouble, but he wouldn''t run away. He was able to handle things step by step. He didn''t expect to


    be such a coward in love.


    "Do you want to watch a movie? It''s still early."


    "Sure, let''s rest after the movie. I have to get up early tomorrow and leave."


    Casey''s face visibly stiffened and his pupils contracted, "You''re leaving?"


    Izabe gently replied, "Yes."


    Casey asked deeply, "Is it because of Brett?"


    "No," Izabe answered without hesitation, which seemed a bit suspicious. After a pause, she


    looked seriously at Casey sitting across from her.


    "It''s not because of him. I have to go somewhere important tomorrow."


    "Will youe back?" His face did not recover. He looked a little pale and his eyes were fixed on


    Izabe.


    Izabe shook her head, "Casey, we''re friends, and I appreciate your help this time. If you need


    help next time, just let me know, as long as I can."


    The light in Casey''s eyes dimmed for a moment, "I didn''t bring you here to repay me. Izabe, this


    is my home." Can you understand the real reason why I brought you home?


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey had many properties in J City and R City, but these were only investments, not his home.


    Even the Dempsey family in J City, never considered it his home, only this ce.


    This was the ce he had personally decorated. The house wasn''t big but it was fully functional.


    Even the children''s room was designed by him ording to various books. Even though he didn''t


    have a girlfriend, he had already thought about the children.


    Deep down, Casey longed to have a home. A home wasn''t just about having a house. It could give


    him a sense of security. It was a ce where he could see the lights when he turned around. The


    important thing was that the people he liked lived inside.


    Izabe sat up straight and said very clearly, "Thank you." Other than a "thank you", she didn''t know


    what else to say.


    Casey shook his head. His heart felt like it was being twisted. Even though the pain was brief, the


    sensation of pain lingered, making him feel ufortable.


    "Brett, are you close to him?" He asked softly, squinting his eyes.


    "We used to be close, but not anymore."


    "Do I have a ce in your heart?"


    This question was like aparison between children, insisting on asking who was more important.


    Casey asked too directly. Izabe felt subtle, an indescribable emotion seeping from her heart.


    She stared at Casey''s face, which was simr to Ryker Dempsey''s, shook her head and said, "Yes."


    Getting the answer he wanted, Caseyughed. He knew he had a ce in Izabe''s heart.


    His requirements were simple and easy to satisfy as long as he was in her heart. Love is something


    that grows day by day, and he believed his position in Izabe''s heart would gradually rise.


    In the dim light, Casey''s ears were tinged with pink. He turned his head and pretended to look for a


    movie casually, "Is there a movie you want to watch?"


    "Let''s watch one you''re in."


    The corners of Casey''s mouth twitched up involuntarily, and Izabe couldn''t help but chuckle. How


    can this guy be so adorable? Just a moment ago, he was all down in the dumps. Now he''s cheering


    himself up.


    Casey stared at the three films in his hand, doubting himself. Maybe he''s been a bit too cocky


    usually, but now, thinking about his crush watching his movies, he''s already fretting over what parts


    he didn''t act well enough, even before they started ying.

 Chapter 348

    Chapter 348


    "Which movie of mine do you want to watch? I''ll watch it with you."


    Izabe thought momentarily and finally picked a movie Casey had just starred in.


    The film told the story of a not-so-smart young man with high athletic talent who was spotted by the


    national football team and went through all kinds of difficulties to win the championship final.


    The plot was simple, but the setting was excellent. There was a shortage of such hot-blooded films


    in the market. Added to Casey''s good acting skills, even Izabe, who originally had no interest in


    sports-themed films, found it fascinating. The film was worth watching over and over again in the


    cinema. It''s no wonder it ranked first at the box office. It truly deserved it.


    In the film, Casey''s portrayal of a fool was very lifelike. Not only did it not annoy people, but it also


    seemed very cute. The film had set a lot of deeply moving plots.


    Izabe was moved by such a scene in the film.


    "Brother, I want to eat doughnuts. All my ssmates have eaten them. Only I haven''t. I want to try


    it."


    "When I have money, I''ll buy you lots of doughnuts."


    ...


    "Bro, are you leaving? Will youe back after you leave? Can''t you pick me up from home from


    now on? I want you to carry me on your back all the time."


    "I have to go out and make money. Don''t you want doughnuts?"


    The scene changed. The brother got in the car, the sister ran after the car, her short little legs


    stumbled, and she fell to the ground. She sit on the floor and cried loudly, "I don''t want doughnuts. I


    want my brother,e back and carry me. My foot hurts."


    Izabe was so moved that she was crying all over her face. Her breathing was trembling. Casey


    noticed her abnormality. In the dim light, Izabe was huddled in the corner of the sofa, holding her


    knees curled up.


    He had not known Izabe for a long time, but in his impression, Izabe was powerful. She was


    fearless on the stage, she could ignore the malice of others, and she was overly calm.


    Sometimes Casey felt that Izabe had no feelings, like a cold-blooded animal.


    But Izabe, at this moment, like the little girl in the movie, curled up on the side, crying secretly.


    Casey was not good atforting people. He brought water, fruits, and tissues to Izabe.


    Izabe took the tissues.


    Casey watched Izabe silently, the film continued to y, but both were not paying attention to the


    movie. He felt that Izabe had a lot of stories in her heart.


    "Why are you crying?"


    "Because I thought of some past events." Izabe looked at Casey''s face and asked, "What is your


    rtionship with Brett?"


    "He calls my mom Auntie. I''m not close to him."


    "Did you grow up in the Dempsey family?"


    Casey frowned, "Are you doubting my background?"


    "No, I just wonder why I''ve never seen you in J City. You just popped up these past two years."


    Izabe casually found an excuse. The two of them are not of the same social status. It''s normal


    that they''ve never met before. Besides, when Izabe was in R City, the Dempsey family was in J


    City, and there was no connection between them.


    Casey did not doubt whatever Izabe asked. He would answer seriously, "I only returned to the


    country in the past two years. My heart is not good. I have been treated abroad."


    "Your heart is not good?" Izabe looked eager to explore, trying to find a w in Casey''s face, but


    there was none.


    Casey replied, "I was born with a heart disease."


    Izabe suddenly asked, "In your memory, have you ever forgotten anything important?"


    "Forget?" Casey shook his head, "Sometimes my memory is not good. I don''t know if I have


    forgotten anything."


    Could it be that Casey lost his memory? Izabe had been hypnotized by Brett before. She had no


    memory. She was like an idiot at that time and she believed whatever others told her.


    But Casey''s situation ewas different from hers.


    "Have you ever broken your leg, for example? Have you ever been shot?"


    "No, I''ve never had these injuries. Why are you asking these?"


    The feeling of loss came instantly, like being sshed with cold water in the winter, freezing to the


    bone. Izabe stared at his left chest.


    "What''s wrong with you? Izabe, do you want to know about my past."


    Izabe looked at Casey''s moving lips. She suddenly leaned over and touched his face with her


    right hand, her thumb brushing against his canine tooth.


    Ryker was a fool. Casey was not.


    Ryker was an orphan who had always been in the country. Casey was not.


    ...


    From all appearances, he¡¯s not him. He looked simr. Just like "Bell Salotti" looked like "Izabe".


    Is there a possibility that Ryker, like him, was reborn in someone else''s body?


    But why didn''t he remember her?


    Izabe was in a dilemma, as if she had stepped into a quagmire. The more she struggled, the


    deeper she sank.


    She wanted to stay away from Casey but couldn''t resist getting close to him.


    Casey cared about her, but she had other thoughts, making their friendly rtionship a bit impure.


    Ryker...


    --


    " don''t cry, I''ll carry you home and give you doughnuts. this time you have to find your way home by


    yourself. I can''t carry you anymore."


    She wanted to see this face, open his mouth and call her "Cry Baby".


    The person she had liked since she was seven years old. If she can''t get him, she can''t forget him.


    She regretted it all her life, even in death, it''s a regret.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe''s sudden move made Casey stiff. He looked at Izabe''s eyes. Deep in her eyes was


    sadness. She was looking at him, but it seemed like she was not looking at him.


    Her cold hand was right next to his lips. The seemingly intimate action seemed so distant.


    Izabe let go of her hand, shifted her gaze and rubbed the phone on the sofa. It was almost ten


    o''clock.


    "I''m a bit sleepy."


    "Then go upstairs and rest."


    Izabe stood up. She slept in the second bedroom. Casey''s room was next to hers.


    "How early are you leaving tomorrow?"


    "Seven o''clock."


    "I''ll see you off. Where are you going?" Casey asked.


    Izabe nodded, "I''ll just call a car to go."


    Izabe''s expression left Casey speechless. So, he nodded and let his assistant deliver the clothes


    for Izabe to the vi that night.


    The next day, Izabe got up early. To her surprise, Casey woke up even earlier. When she came


    downstairs, she saw him sitting on the sofa with a delicious smelling from the kitchen.


    Casey handed Izabe the shopping bag on the sofa, "Here are some clothes for you to change


    into."


    Izabe took a peek and saw that the clothes at the bottom were intimate apparel.


    "How much do I owe you?"


    "No need. Consider it a gift."


    Izabe smiled at him, "Giving intimate apparel as a gift?"


    Casey blushed instantly, "It''s just a few thousand bucks, not expensive."


    The clothes had their tags removed, but Izabe could tell at a nce these were not something a


    few thousand could buy at least six figures.


    Izabe asked for his phone, and Casey handed it to her in confusion. Izabe swiftly transferred a


    hundred thousand to Casey.


    Hearing the sound of the transfer, Casey tried to stop her but was toote. Izabe had already sent


    the hundred thousand.


    "There you go."


    Casey looked at his phone, "A hundred thousand? That''s too much."


    "I''ve been around. I know how much these clothes are worth. Given how much you care for me, I


    know you wouldn''t buy cheap clothes for me. Keep the money. I don''t like owing people."


    Casey was both touched and saddened that Izabe could feel his care, saddened that she didn''t


    ept his goodwill.


    Izabe took the clothes back to her room to change and found them to be a perfect fit.


    When she returned, Casey had already prepared porridge. Izabe drank it while studying Casey,


    noticing bloodshot eyes and dark circles.


    He didn''t wake up early; he didn''t sleep all night.


    Izabe only had a small appetite in the morning. Half a bowl of porridge was enough. "I need to


    go."


    Casey nced at the time, 6:45. He was visibly disappointed.


    "I''ll walk you out."


    Izabe didn''t refuse. Casey carried her bag, and they walked to the door to change shoes.


    Izabe had called a taxi, and it was waiting at the gate of the vi. The driver had parked at the


    side of the road with the hazard lights on.


    "My taxi is here."


    Casey wanted to walk her there, but Izabe stopped him, "You don''t need to go any further." She


    took the bag that Casey had been carrying for her and smiled at him, her eyes shining.


    Casey stood frozen, wanting to say something to keep Izabe, but didn''t know what to say.


    Watching Izabe''s retreating figure, he felt the distance between them grow instantly.


    "Will we see each other again?" he asked gently, almost pleading.


    "Sure, I''ll take you out for a meal if I get the chance." Izabeughed, waved her hand and said,


    "Goodbye."


    Casey watched her for a moment, forced a smile, and murmured, "You promised to take me out for


    a meal."


    Izabe got into the taxi. The navigation showed R City cemetery as the final destination.


    Izabe nced at her phone. Casey had sent her a message.


    "Text me when you get there. Let me know you''re safe."


    Izabe simply responded okay and then switched to the weather forecast.


    During the rainy season, R City was forecasted to have two weeks of rain. Half an hour into the


    drive, the rain started. The weather was foggy, and the rain got heavier as they went along, hitting a


    few traffic jams.


    The driver chatted with Izabe while operating the windshield wipers.


    "I think your voice sounds like a celebrity. What''s her name... My memory is terrible. I just heard it a


    few days ago."


    Izabe remained silent. Given her current reputation online, she was afraid the driver would


    abandon her halfway if he found out her name.


    The closer they got to the cemetery, the heavier Izabe''s heart became, as if a stone was lodged


    in her chest.


    Fortunately, the second half of the drive was smooth. When they reached the cemetery, it was


    almost nine. Izabe got out of the taxi and said, "Thank you."


    The driver was very friendly. He warned, "Take care. It''s raining outside. Stay warm."


    Izabe nodded and closed the door. The driver was about to drive off when he suddenly


    remembered something. He poked his head out of the window and said to Izabe, "I remember


    who you sound like, that celebrity, Izabe. Yeah, your voice is as nice as hers." Ande to think


    of it, she looks like her too, but with her mask on, it''s hard to tell. But surely, Izabe wouldn''t be


    taking a taxi to a ce like this, right?


    At a shop outside the cemetery, Izabe bought two bouquets of lilies.


    Holding the flowers and her bag, she had no hands left to hold the umbre. Izabe simply left it at


    the shop and walked into the drizzling rain.


    The cemetery had changed the most. In the years since she left R City, many more tombstones


    have appeared.


    Izabe followed her memory and found her parent''s graves. She stood there for a long time, the


    cold rain seeping into her eyes and streaming down her face.


    "Dad, Mom, I''m here to see you." Her voice was hoarse and faint, almost ethereal against the sound


    of the rain, dissipating with the wind.


    The photos on the tombstone had yellowed and faded. Izabe only took one nce, afraid her


    tears would pour out uncontrobly in the rain.


    It had been so long that she was starting to forget their faces.


    Izabe knelt in front of the tombstones, her hand tracing the uneven carvings. She put on a brave


    smile.


    "Mom, are you doing well there? Have you seen two cute kids? Though they were your


    grandchildren, they only spent a few months in my belly."

 Chapter 349

    Chapter 349


    "Mom." Izabe looked at the smiling woman in the photo, sniffled, and said with a thick nasal voice,


    "I really wanna see you, I thought I''d see you when I died, but I didn''t expect to live another life.


    Why did Ie back, but you guys didn''t?"


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Why was she the only one who came back?


    Did they not even want her when she died?


    Izabe wiped the photo on the tombstone. The woman in the photo had a gentle smile, as beautiful


    as a painting.


    She hugged the tombstone, curled up, her head leaning on the photo, like a child snuggling and


    seeking warmth in her mother''s arms.


    "Mom, I wish you could hug me." When Izabe opened her mouth, her throat felt stuck with a


    de, pulling at the wound and tearing in pain.


    Izabe''s nose turned red, and she bit her lip, crying helplessly.


    She missed her mom so much, wanting her embrace, kiss, lubies, and hearing these words when


    she was most desperate and helpless.


    "Don''t be afraid. Mom is here."


    Izabe cried silently, her eyes sore and dry, tears dried up deep in her eyes, and her eyes red like


    they were about to bleed.


    "Dad, Mom, I won''t let anyone bully me anymore. I won''t repeat my mistakes. I can protect myself


    and won''t destroy my pride and dignity."


    As she spoke, Izabe choked back a sob, her mouth bitter. She lowered her hand, turned to


    another tombstone, deeply bowed, and hit her forehead on the cement ground, leaving a red mark.


    "Dad, please protect Mom well down there."


    The weather in R City was strange, sunny and rainy at the same time. The sun shone through the


    clouds, making them golden, but even the most considerable sun couldn''t warm this cold ce.


    The cemetery was quiet, except for the sound of raindrops and birdsong. Izabe looked up, and


    the initially cold rain became gentle, not irritating when it fell into her eyes.


    Izabe sat by the tombstone in the drizzle for a full hour, soaking wet. Her body was cold and


    weak, just like her previous life. She staggered to her feet and swayed in the wind.


    Izabe returned to the store to get an umbre, and the owner saw her soaked and worriedly said,


    "I thought you forgot to take the umbre and left? Look at you, all wet. Wipe yourself with a towel."


    "Thank you, but I don''t need it." She touched her wet clothes, soaked through. It would be better not


    to wear them.


    Luckily, Casey had bought her several changes of clothes.


    "Boss, can I use your restroom?"


    "Sure, it''s the first one on the left after you go in."


    Izabe went in with the bag, changed her wet clothes, thanked the boss, and left the store with the


    umbre.


    As soon as she left the shop, Izabe saw a car approaching from around the corner, its headlights


    shing and illuminating her.


    Izabe squinted, holding her umbre to block the headlights, and her vision was also blocked.


    The engine sound got closer and closer until it stopped not far from her.


    The rain fell on the umbre with a pattering sound, covering the sound of footsteps.


    Izabe tightly held the umbre, leaning back, looking up at the ck Hummer four meters away.


    The car door opened, and Brett''s pale face came into view.


    He wore a dark shirt and pants. His eyes fixed on Izabe.


    Izabe''s face became even more serious, thinking, how dare Brett show his face here!


    Recalling the past, Izabe clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms but not feeling it.


    Hatred filled her emotions, and she tried to stay calm, her lips stiffly curved into a forced smile,


    pretending nothing was wrong.


    Brett didn''t use an umbre, got out of the car, and walked straight into the rain. His eyes were


    deep, filled with obsession, attachment, surprise from regaining something lost, and fantasies of


    reconciliation.


    He approached Izabe and took off the small hair tie from his finger, "Izabe, look, I found it, the


    hair tie you threw into the river."


    Izabe stood still, watching Brette closer step by step, finally standing before her.


    She still had to look up at him, but this man had lost his qualifications to be arrogant.


    Izabe calmly looked at him for two seconds and finally met his eyes, her lips slightly moving, "So


    what?"


    "Didn''t you say that you would forgive me if I found this hair tie?"


    "You believed that?" Izabe sneered, her eyes full of ridicule.


    Brett''s face quickly became stiff, and his pupils contracted. He stubbornly believed Izabe wouldn''t


    lie to him and repeated the question, trying to confirm the truth.


    "You said, as long as I jumped into the river to find the hair tie you threw in, I coulde to see you,


    and you would forgive me. right?"


    "Brett, have you ever heard a cicada call in winter?"

 Chapter 350

    Chapter 350


    The sound of cicadas in the summer can''tst until the cold winter. Once you miss it, you''ll never


    meet it again.


    "What do you mean?" Rain wet Brett''s face and his eyshes were covered in droplets. He


    squinted at Izabe, and nobody noticed his hand trembling as if enduring something. He clenched


    his fist.


    Izabe held up her umbre, full of mockery: "It means I never intended to forgive you from the


    beginning, let alone see you, got it?"


    Brett''s lips trembled, and the rain on his body didn''t feel like rain but like millions of needles piercing


    every part of his body, causing pain.


    Last night, when Liam told him that Izabe had lied to him, he had guessed this oue, but he


    was too afraid to face it, let alone admit it. How could he be so confident that Izabe would forgive


    him? Would they get back together as before?


    Get back together as before?


    How could he forget that his rtionship with Izabe was a mistake from the beginning, and they''d


    never been happy?


    A chill crept up his spine, slowly spreading across his entire back.


    "You lied to me."


    "Brett, who are you putting on this hurt look for? You''re a person who can lie to a priest, so why


    can''t I just say whatever I want? You''re taking yourself way too seriously." Izabe gripped the


    umbre handle tightly, "Get lost!"


    Brett didn''t move, staying put with a hurt look on his face, staring at Izabe.


    "Izabe, I really know I was wrong. I misjudged people. I didn''t trust you. I didn''t know it was you


    who saved me back then. If I had known."


    "So what?" Izabe interrupted him, "Just because I saved you back then, you fell in love with me?


    Brett, this isn''t love. You''re begging me to forgive you now, just to find some sce and alleviate the


    guilt of killing someone. Brett, you haven''t changed at all. Still childish, paranoid, and disgusting."


    Brett shook his head, his heart feeling like it was being strangled. His eyes reddened, and he


    muttered, "It''s not like that. I really love you, not because of guilt. Izabe, I don''t ask you to stay by


    my side, but just give me a chance to get close to you, apologize and make it up to you. As long as


    you''re willing, I''ll do anything for you. I promise to be good to you, never bully you, never make you


    cry again. Izabe, please give me a chance. I''m begging you!"


    He finished in one breath, panting, unable to suppress his coughing, covering his chest and leaning


    towards Izabe.


    Izabe stepped back half a step, hearing a "bang" sound, and Brett fell to his knees. Not only that,


    but his head hit the ground, kneeling in front of Izabe in the most humble posture.


    Izabe''s face remained unchanged, as indifferent as ever. Her gaze moved downwards, finally


    landing on Brett''s head.


    She couldn''t help but remember that he had once kneeled in front of Brett, begging for the Salotti


    family''s mercy.


    She believed his words, which led to the destruction of her family and the disappearance of the


    Salotti family from R City.


    Izabe stepped back, distancing herself from Brett. "Brett, I''m already thirty years old, not easily


    deceived. I know all your tricks."


    She had endured all the hardships alone and no longer expected to be with anyone. Her expression


    was numb as she looked at the trembling man on the ground.


    Brett''s kneeling only reminded her of her painful past when he was arrogant, condescending, and


    mocking her.


    "I didn''t lie to you. I can give you anything."


    "But what you give is precisely what I don''t need." Izabe suddenly thought of something, bending


    down slightly and getting closer to Brett, her eyes filled with various emotions. "Brett, if you want me


    to ept your apology, you have to suffer like me, like dying once. Dare you?"


    Brett looked at Izabe''s cold, emotionless eyes, remembering that her eyes used to be as clear as


    water.


    Brett felt heartbroken, his chest pain intensifying. He suppressed his cough, blood staining the


    corner of his mouth. He tried to calm down, but Izabe''s relentless gaze made it impossible.


    Three years, more than a thousand days.


    "Izabe, do you really have no feelings for me at all?" Brett showed a bitter smile, his eyes filled


    with tears, looking even more miserable than crying.


    Izabe retracted the corners of her mouth and mocked, "Feelings? Do you deserve them?"


    Tears streamed uncontrobly down his face, and his body felt as if it was being sliced by a knife.


    Brett couldn''t believe these cold words wereing from Izabe''s mouth. He knew Izabe; she


    was kind-hearted and easily deceived. As long as someone was nice to her and showed sincerity,


    she would follow them.


    "Izabe, I don''t believe you have no feelings for me. We''ve known each other for so many years,


    even though our rtionship was a mistake at first, we''ve known each other for nine years and


    been together for seven. I don''t believe you''ve never had feelings for me. If there were no feelings,


    why would all 102 pages of your diary be about me? If there were no feelings, how could you knit a


    scarf for me? If there were no feelings, how could you insist on cooking for me and waiting for me to


    come home for four years?"


    His urgent voice was not only for Izabe but also to get a confirmation of the fact that Izabe had


    loved him.


    Brett looked at Izabe in pain.


    Izabe''s survival was already the best gift from heaven.


    He knew Izabe would be angry and wouldn''t forgive him.


    He had thought about all this.


    But he couldn''t live without Izabe. He understood her importance, and he thought she should


    understand his feelings for her.


    Izabe said calmly, "Maybe you''re right, I once loved you, butter on, there was nothing left. From


    the day I told you I wanted a divorce, I no longer had any feelings for you."


    "Brett, I''ve told you before, I just can''t be with you feeling all peachy after you hurt me. Sometimes I


    really wonder, how can youe running back to me without feeling guilty or scared?" Izabe said


    with a smile.


    Brett''s breath hitched, and then it became difficult for him to breathe. He couldn''t find the strength to


    hold himself up.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe had truly loved him. Even without Ryker getting in the way, she had loved him. But he had


    lost the Izabe who loved him.


    He coughed up a mouthful of blood, and his whole body copsed onto the ground, his back soaked


    by the rain. A broken sob escaped from his throat. His head hung low, tears mixed with blood


    dripped into the puddle beneath him, his shoulders trembling uncontrobly. Cold, why was it so


    cold, when it was summer?


    Izabe caught a glimpse of the blood on the ground, and after a few seconds of silence, she


    gripped her umbre and walked around him.


    Brett caught a glimpse of her slender figure in the corner of his eye. He knelt on the ground, his


    body aching and unable to stand up, his hands propping himself up as he crawled toward Izabe''s


    retreating figure.


    "Izabe... Izabe... don''t go... please don''t go..."


    Brett reached out to grab Izabe''s hand, but she dodged it, and his hand only caught the rain from


    the sky. The wind blew through his palm, and he pinched his fingers, not catching a single one. The


    returning Izabe was like the wind, he couldn''t catch the wind, and he couldn''t catch her either.


    This time, Izabe didn''t even turn her head, her back facing Brett: "Brett, you look really ugly when


    you cry and beg."


    Brett couldn''t hold on any longer and copsed on the ground. Like a corpse. Hey there like a


    corpse, heartbroken. His heart twisted in pain. He stared at Izabe''s cold figure, his vision blurring,


    blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, unable to stop.


    It turned out that when a person''s heart dies, they don''t feel pain, as if their senses are frozen. From


    the initial dull pain to the current numbness, it''s like undergoing major surgery, with the anaesthesia


    still not wearing off, that kind of surreal feeling.


    He thought Izabeing back alive was a chance from heaven for him to love someone. He


    didn''t expect it to be a punishment from heaven for his past mistakes when he didn''t know how to


    love.


    The cruellest thing is not two long-separated people passing by each other but the intimacy that


    once existed, turning into indifference that leaves no more room for love.


    In the end, he stared lifelessly at the scar on his palm. So the kite string never returned to his hand.

 Chapter 351

    Chapter 351


    The driver''s side door opened, and Liam stepped out, looking at Izabe with aplicated


    expression. After hesitating for a moment, he called out, "Ms Windham."


    Izabe frowned, "Liam, the Izabe from back then, died in that fire. Even if she hadn''t been


    burned to death, she and Brett would have been divorced by now. I can''t be your Ms Windham


    anymore."


    Liam lowered his head, seemingly worried about Izabe''s sharp gaze, "I''m sorry."


    His apology was partly for his slip of the tongue just now and partly to make amends for his past


    indifference towards Izabe.


    "Ms Salotti, what I''m about to say might be too much, but I still want to say it. Please give President


    Windham another chance; he knows he was wrong. He''s been living in pain ever since you left


    three years ago. Last night, he almost drowned trying to find the hair tie you casually threw into the


    river."


    Izabe shook her head, "That''s a real shame."


    Her words wereced with sarcasm, "If you knew it was too much to say, you shouldn''t have said it.


    Haven''t you ever experienced that kind of pain? As a bystander, what right do you have to tell me to


    forgive him?" She felt that these people were saying sorry, but they had been so ruthless when they


    hurt her.


    Liam''s face stiffened. Izabe was right; he didn''t have the right. But he had also seen how Brett


    endured the past three years, so his heart softened.


    People''s hearts were always hard to determine as good or bad, and Liam''s stance leaned towards


    Brett from the beginning.


    "Ms Salotti, I know that no matter what I say, I can''t make up for the pain you''ve suffered in the past.


    President Windham got a stomach injury because of you back then, and his stomach problems


    have be so severe that he often bleeds internally. Although we tell him to see a doctor, he


    refuses, saying he wants to taste your past pain first."


    "Do you remember when you stabbed his palm with a silver fork? He has a permanent scar on his


    left hand, and his nerves are so damaged that it''s almost crippled."


    "He even pulled out all his toenails and his left hand''s fingernails, just like you did back then. He


    burned your name-shaped scar onto his left chest with a cigarette and used a knife to stab his leg


    daily. He''s truly experienced all the pain you''ve gone through."


    "Ms Salotti, you should know that President Windham''s parents died when he was young. Do you


    know how his parents died? They died protecting Brett in a car ident, and Brett witnessed the


    whole thing. He stayed in that car with his deceased parents for nearly three hours, and when he


    was finally rescued, his whole body was soaked in blood. He''s been afraid of water ever since and


    can''t swim."


    "President Windham grew up in a repressive environment and didn''t know how to love. When he fell


    into the water that year, you were the one who saved him. Even though you were just a blurry figure


    to him, he always remembered you. If it weren''t for Kaley Cot impersonating you, nothing would


    have happened between you two. However, President Windham still fell for you. At that time, he


    agreed to exchange you for Kaley just to divert the kidnappers'' attention. Because President


    Windham had many enemies, and only by doing so could he divert their attention from you and


    ensure your safety.


    When you lost your memoryter, he also had his difficulties. At the time, you were mentally broken


    when you were rescued, and only hypnosis could save your life. You were forced to give up your


    child because you were diagnosed with stomach cancer and needed treatment. After that, President


    Windham also grieved the loss of the child, holding the child''s ashes and crying many times. He


    cared so much for someone that he gave up his dignity and kneeled on the ground."


    Izabeughed, "Liam, you''ve said so much, but you forgot that Brett''s parent''s deaths weren''t my


    fault. But my father''s death and the injuries on my body are directly rted to him. I saved him back


    then, and even if heter admitted that he mistook me for someone else, he couldn''t me others. I


    admit I was wrong, too, for wanting to marry him so badly. Back then, I should''ve just let him be with


    Kaley."


    Liam reflexively argued, "President Windham never loved Kaley."


    Izabe scoffed, "Isn''t that even worse?" He tried to have both but ended up hurting both. He''s


    clearly a scumbag.


    Liam was at a loss for words.


    "Ms Salotti, I came to tell you all this today just to let you know that President Windham loves you.


    He kneeled on the ground because he had already experienced the pain you went through."


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Izabe sneered, "So what?"


    Liam helplessly looked at her, not expecting his advice would be useless.


    Izabe said, "He regrets it now, so he wants me to forgive him? He loves me, so should I ept


    him? It''s not that easy! Liam, since you care so much about Brett, why don''t you be with him? I''ll


    bless you."


    Liam was speechless, and Izabe looked at him mockingly, continuing, "Please mind your own


    business. If you still want to convince me to forgive him, why don''t you try losing everything first and


    experience my pain?"


    Liam looked at Izabe, understanding that no one could truly empathize with another person''s


    pain. Izabe raised her umbre and, as she left, she said to Liam:


    "I''ve already paid back everything I owed him, but he''ll never be able to repay what he owes me. I


    want to see Niki within three days. Also, since you all know I''m still alive, please tell Brett to send


    me the alimony after the divorce. Eight billion will do."


    Izabe''s ride showed up. She gathered her skirt, hopped in, and tried to shake off the rainwater on


    her umbre before wrapping it in a stic bag.


    The driver nced at her through the rearview mirror, gossiping, "What happened? Why is there a


    guy lying on the ground? I think I even saw blood."


    Izabe leaned back in her seat, looking at the scenery outside with a fading smile.


    Funny... she had just treated him the same way Brett treated her, and he couldn''t take it already.


    Back then, she had starved for four days and knelt for half an hour.


    Outside the car window, wind and rain mingled, and leaves rustled.


    Liam helped Brett up, "President Windham, I did my best."


    Brett was obviously in so much pain that he was delirious, mumbling the same sentence over and


    over: "Izabe, don''t go."


    Blood still oozed from his mouth as he leaned on Liam, convulsing. His already pale face, soaked


    by the rain, resembled an old piece of paper. His lips were bloodless and lifeless. If it weren''t for his


    weak breath, one would think he had frozen to death right there.


    Liam carried his cold body, hurriedly put Brett in the car, and rushed to the hospital.


    After the examination, the results were, of course, very severe. Brett had started running a high


    fever sincest night and woke up before dawn. The first thing he did after waking up was to ask


    where Izabe was he wanted to find her.


    Fortunately, Liam had secretly sent someone to follow her when she left yesterday, so he knew right


    away when Izabe got in the car.


    Brett insisted oning here, so Liam had no choice but to drive him to the graveyard.


    Without Brett''s instructions, Liam just sat in the car, watching. He saw Brett kneeling in front of


    Izabe and kowtowing. The car had soundproofing, so he couldn''t hear their conversation, but he


    could guess the oue from Izabe''s expression.


    To Liam, Izabe was already dead, died in that fire. Even if she was resurrected, she was no


    longer the Izabe they knew.


    Everyone knew this, but Brett didn''t.


    Liam didn''t expect that the blow Izabe dealt would be so huge that it almost killed Brett.


    Besides the high fever, Brett also had a perforated stomach, throat inmmation, damaged vocal


    cords, and even heart problems. Upon arriving at the hospital, he was rushed into the emergency


    room.

 Chapter 352

    Chapter 352


    Brett was rushed to the ER, and it took nearly two hours before he was wheeled out with all kinds of


    tubes attached to him, an oxygen mask on his nose, and a blood oxygen monitor clipped to his


    finger.


    Actually, Liam had always known that Brett''s health wasn''t great, but he didn''t expect it to be this


    bad, with even his heart having problems.


    The attending doctor came out with a stack of medical records for the family to sign.


    "His family isn''t here. I''m his assistant. Can I sign on their behalf?"


    The doctor wiped his fogged-up sses and said, "His condition is so serious, and his family isn''t


    here?"


    Liam was embarrassed to talk about Brett''s family situation and could only awkwardly smile. The


    doctor''s expression became solemn, which made Liam worried.


    "Can I take a look at this medical record?"


    "You can. I''ll tell you his specific condition first and then have him sign and fingerprint it when Brett


    wakes up."


    The doctor opened theputer, entered the patient''s information, and finally disyed a full


    screen of CT images.


    The doctor flipped to a few pictures of the lungs and then handed Liam a sheet from the middle of


    the stack.


    Liam took it with a heavy heart, looking at the diagnosis on the record, his breathing bing


    rapid.


    "Doctor, could this be a misdiagnosis?"


    The doctor shook his head, his face also heavy, "If you don''t believe it, you can wait for him to wake


    up and have it rechecked. After all, your boss should know his health best. Don''t be upset, medical


    science has advanced, and cancer research has made significant progress. Although it can''t be


    completely cured, as long as he persists in chemotherapy, receives treatment in the hospital,


    maintains a good mood, and has regr checkups, he can still live for another ten or eight years."


    "How long can he live if he doesn''t get treatment?" Liam asked, trembling.


    The doctor shook his head, "Thest untreated patient didn''t make it past three years."


    Liam clenched the medical record, staring at the big words on it advanced lung cancer.


    He knew how long one could live with cancer. Initially, Izabe took her medication on time but still


    didn''t make it past three years.


    As for Brett, why did he get lung cancer?


    Over the years, Liam had always worried about his health, making sure he ate on time every day.


    He even considered that he might have stomach cancer but neglected the possibility of lung cancer.


    It seemed not so surprising that Brett would get lung cancer. After all, since Izabe''s death, he


    smoked and drank, and the ashtray was never empty.


    The doctor suddenly received a call from a patient.


    "I have a patienting in temporarily. Why don''t you go to the ward and see your boss first, and


    when he wakes up, you can call me."


    Liam nodded stiffly, holding the medical record, and went to the ward. Only then did he snap back to


    reality, feeling a chill throughout his body.


    He walked to the bedside and looked at Brett''s emaciated, pale face and could only think of one


    thing.


    What goes aroundes around, and no one can escape it. Izabe''s words "live until you die" had


    tortured him enough, but he didn''t expect the worse toe.


    The person he had always hoped for had returned, but he was now diagnosed with lung cancer.


    Even if it could be cured, he would only live another ten years. Brett was 33 years old, and at 43, he


    was destined not to grow old with Izabe.


    For a man in his thirties, it''s the prime time of his career. This age is the golden period, without the


    immaturity of the twenties, and not as smooth and worldly as the forties. But now, Brett''s disease


    had be his biggest obstacle, possibly insurmountable.


    Liam felt heartbroken, regretful and wondered how Brett could have gotten this disease.


    Liam sat in the chair, took out his phone to look at something, but didn''t know what to look at, just


    staring nkly at the date on the phone, then looked up at the IV bag hanging above.


    Before Patrick Windham died a year ago, he divided his main assets in half, giving half to Nathaniel


    and half to Brett.


    Over the years, the two brothers had been constantly fighting, and Brett, with his fierce and decisive


    methods, had managed to secure 40% of the shares from various shareholders.


    But if these people knew that Brett had lung cancer, what would the situation be?


    And...


    Liam thought of the doctor''s question about the "patient''s family."


    If something happened to Brett, who woulde to sign? Weren''t all those people hoping for him to


    leave?


    Liam suddenly felt suffocated. He went out for some fresh air but forgot that this floor was full of


    critically ill patients, and the oppressive feeling in the air was like a dark cloud pressing down.


    From time to time, there were cries and curses from the rooms. Farewells were amon sight in


    the hospital, and Liam sat by the stairwell for a long time.


    He also had cigarettes in his bag, but remembering Brett''s illness, he immediately crushed the


    cigarettes and threw them in the trash.


    Liam only sat outside for about five minutes before returning. He handed over his work, ordered


    some takeout for lunch, and not long after eating. Brett woke up.


    As soon as he woke up, he started coughing. He was covered with the hospital''s thick nket, and


    the air conditioning was on in the room, but he couldn''t feel a trace of warmth. All he could feel was


    the bone-chilling colding from deep within.


    Every time he coughed, his chest felt tight, his throat itchy and ufortable, and his mouth was


    filled with a salty, bitter taste.


    Liam quickly fed Brett the medicine the doctor had prescribed and gave him a few sips of water, and


    his strong cough gradually subsided.


    Bretty in bed, his eyes lifelessly staring at the ceiling. After a while, he regained his energy, but


    his arm was still being infused, and he insisted on getting up.


    Liam quickly grabbed his shoulder to stop him, "What are you trying to do, President Windham?"


    "I want to be discharged and find Izabe."


    Liam, with a heavy heart and awkwardly said, "You can''t be discharged yet. The medicine isn''t done


    yet."


    Brett looked at the IV bag that was still more than half full, moved his right hand, and directly pulled


    out the infusion tube so fast that Liam couldn''t react.


    "It doesn''t matter if it''s not finished. I want to leave now."


    The word "doesn''t matter"ing from his mouth was so ironic. Liam looked at Brett, whose eyes


    were bloodshot, and his lips muttered, "It''s not possible, President Windham. Your life will be in


    danger."


    Brett''s body suddenly stiffened, and he still had a dull pain in his chest. He pressed his chest tightly


    and looked up at Liam''s tense, worried, andplicated expression with deep eyes. He felt uneasy


    inside, and his intuition told him that Liam had not revealed a very important matter to him.


    Why would his life be in danger?


    This phrase, Liam had been repeating it in his ear for the past three years, reminding him to take


    care of himself or else he might be in danger. He never took it seriously because his life was


    already full of pain, and he wished more than anyone else that he could just die. But this time, when


    he heard Liam say it, he froze, a chill running up his spine in an instant.


    "What do you mean?"


    Liam couldn''t face Brett''s questioning tone, avoiding his gaze. After a while, he let go of Brett,


    opened the drawer, and took out the medical record. He carefully ced it on the quilt. Brett had


    seen many such records before, but most of them were Izabe''s, and very few were his own.


    Brett held the record, reading it over and over again, feeling his body go numb, and his chest feeling


    like it was being bound by steel wire. When the record got soaked with water, Brett wiped it off and


    then covered his chest, gasping for breath. The cough that he had just managed to control


    worsened, and this time the blood didn''t stop flowing out of his mouth.


    He stared nkly at the sticky blood in his palm, suddenly realizing that he had lung cancer and


    wouldn''t live much longer. He felt a sharp pain in his chest, and when faced with a breakdown, the


    body''s stress response would automatically kick in. He only felt the pain in his chest, but in reality, it


    was his lungs that were hurting badly.


    Liam quickly called for a doctor, taking a wet tissue to wipe the blood from Brett''s mouth and hands.


    The quilt was stained with blood, turning purple-ck when it dried. Brett gasped for air, looking


    very sick, and the medical staff arrived soon.


    Brett closed his eyes in pain, leaning back against the bed, the pain in his chest intensifying, his


    face twisted. So this was what it felt like to have cancer. He felt as if he had really experienced the


    pain Izabe had gone through. He remembered the words Izabe had said just a few hours


    before she left.


    "Brett, if you want me to ept your apology, you have to suffer as much as I did, like dying once.


    Do you dare?"


    If it had been two days earlier, when he didn''t know Izabe was back, he would have been willing


    to die. But now, he didn''t dare. He couldn''t die. Ever since Izabe returned, he no longer wanted to


    die, really.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    You can''t always have things go your way. It turned out that not everyone can make up for the


    consequences of doing something wrong. People can be reborn when they die, but a broken mirror


    can''t be put back together. Brett coughed violently, his teeth stained with red, his usual arrogant and


    proud expression gone, his handsome face filled with cold pain.


    His eyes stung, and although he stopped the bleeding, he couldn''t stop the tears. The tears flowed


    endlessly, wetting his temples and the pillow beneath them, and he was in extreme pain.


    He moved his eyes, looking from the ceiling to the window outside. The foggy weather was like a


    haze, and at that moment, Brett suddenly remembered the time he and Izabe were together


    many years ago.


    Izabe didn''t like the smell of smoke and hated smoking but he always liked to smoke in front of


    her.


    During the four years they were married, Izabe rarely got angry and never yelled at him, but once,


    when she saw his ashtray full of cigarette butts, she sternly told him not to smoke any more.


    That was one of the few times she got angry at him.


    Brett hated being controlled by others for his entire life. Even his parents had never controlled him.


    What gave Izabe the right to boss him around?


    He was furious at the time, grabbing the ashtray next to him and throwing it at Izabe, hitting her


    arm.


    The weight of the crystal ashtray was not to be underestimated. Izabe held her arm, looking at


    him with a hurt expression, her eyes full of tears.


    Her hand was obviously very painful, but she still insisted on saying to him, "Smoking is bad for your


    health. I don''t want anything to happen to you..."


    From the beginning, Izabe didn''t hate the smell of smoke. She just wanted him to stop Smoking


    because she wanted him to be healthy and safe.

 Chapter 353

    Chapter 353


    At that time, Izabe''s hand was fractured by an ashtray, and it took nearly four months to recover.


    During the recovery time, she was dragged to the hospital to give blood to Kaley.


    The memories and reality were too bleak, and he wanted to recall some happy days with Izabe


    but couldn''t think of any. The only happy time he could think of was when Izabe lost her memory.


    Those few months when Izabe lost her memory were probably the happiest days of his life. Brett


    thought of Izabe lying andughing in his arms, and his eyes turned red and the blood in his


    mouth grew bitter.


    It turns out that one will always pay the price for betraying someone''s kindness.


    "Liam...do you think Izabe would visit me if she knew I had lung cancer?"


    Liam didn''t expect that Brett would still be thinking about Izabe at this time. He hesitated and said,


    "President Windham, just forget about her; pretend she''s really dead."


    "But she''s not dead..." Brett looked desperate, and he closed his eyes, with images of Izabe filling


    his mind. "Isn''t that right?"


    "But she doesn''t recognize you, will never forgive you, and won''t be with you again. What''s the


    difference between that and her being dead?"


    "But I can see her."


    Liam sighed, unable to hide his fatigue.


    Brett realized it toote; the one who loved him no longer did. There''s a difference between never


    being loved and no longer being loved.


    It''s like a line in an Emily Dickinson¡¯s poem, "I could have borne the darkness had I not seen the


    sun."


    "Even if I die, she won''t forgive me?"


    Liam''s eyes were a bit sore, and he turned his face away without answering.


    Brett mumbled, "She said that she would only forgive me if I died once. I''m dying now; I have lung


    cancer. In such a short time, will she really note back to me?" He closed his eyes, with tears


    streaming down his cheeks that wet his eyshes.


    Liam replied, "If you die, her forgiveness won''t matter anymore, President Windham. Medical


    science is very advanced now, and there have been teams researching cancer for three years. If


    you undergo treatment properly..."


    Brett interrupted him hoarsely, "If I undergo treatment properly, can I grow old with her?"


    Liam''s silence was the answer. Brett smiled bitterly, "Maybe I should have died long ago, in that car


    ident when I was five, in the icy water when I was twenty-one, or with Izabe when she was


    burned to death."


    Brett choked up. He took painkillers, but the pain in his heart couldn''t be relieved, no matter how


    many pills he took.


    He swallowed a mouthful of saliva mixed with blood, looking at the withered old tree outside the


    window.


    Brett never thought that Izabe would look at him so coldly one day. He knelt in the rain, and


    Izabe stood in front of him with an umbre.


    If she was like an emotionless robot three years ago, now she was like ice, and even his burning


    heart couldn''t melt her.


    "The moment I knelt down and begged her not to leave, all I could think of was her calling me ''Brett''.


    I felt like we had always been together, yet we had never been together. This is retribution, isn''t it?


    Liam, tell me the truth; what would she do if I died?"


    Liam pursed his lips, hesitated for a while, and said, "Maybe she would be very happy and very


    relieved, but she might also be sad."


    "I don''t want her to be sad; I want her to be happy. I hope to at least once truly bring her happiness."


    The atmosphere in the sick room became more and more oppressive, and Liam couldn''t stand it.


    He clenched his phone, wanting to call Izabe, but he knew that even if he called, it wouldn''t help.


    This woman had given up on him three years ago.


    Liam awkwardly changed the subject, "President Windham, what do you want to eat? You haven''t


    eaten sincest night."


    Brett murmured, "I want something sweet."


    Liam was stunned, "President Windham, don''t you dislike sweets?"


    Brett half-closed his eyes. Only Izabe liked sweets. She liked sweets and spicy food, but after


    getting stomach cancer, she stopped eating spicy food and ate fewer sweets, mostly eating light


    food.


    When Izabe was sick, Tiara loved making her all kinds of sweets, but he had no interest in sweets


    at that time.


    The takeout that Liam ordered arrived quickly, and Brett took a few bites, the sweet taste diluting the


    bitterness in his mouth.


    "What did she tell you?"


    Liam didn''t react for a while, and it took him a while to realize what Brett was asking.


    "She wants to see Niki within three days, and the alimony after the divorce."


    Besides these, Izabe didn''t say much. In her heart, that cat was more important than Brett. But it


    made sense because during the month when Izabe lost her leg, it was that cat who apanied


    her all the way until she was burned to death.


    Izabe cared about Niki, and if she didn''t, she might not have admitted it so quickly.


    "Arrange for Niki to be taken to her the day after tomorrow, and transfer the divorce alimony to her


    name as soon as possible. She paid for it with her life. Also, give her the anonymously investigated


    information; she needs it."


    The information Brett mentioned was about Izabe signing with that agency. With this information,


    it would be easy for Izabe to deal with them.


    "President Windham, aren''t you going to tell her?"


    "Tell her what?"


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "About your illness and about you helping her."


    Brett shook his head, "I won''t tell her."


    He smiled bitterly, suddenly understanding why Izabe didn''t tell him she had stomach cancer back


    then.


    When she liked him, she would care about him meticulously. But if she didn''t like him anymore,


    nothing he did could touch her.


    Back then, Izabe had no hope, and she wanted to live a peaceful life after the divorce, but he


    forcefully extinguished the spark of hope she had.


    Liam didn¡¯t have much experience with love and didn''t really get it. But when he saw the pained


    expressions on Brett and Izabe''s faces, even the warmest heart would be chilled. He''d rather be


    single for his entire life than have a love that painful.


    The hospital room was filled with the smell of medicine. After Brett finished speaking, he closed his


    eyes and furrowed his brows, looking very uneasy. After a moment of silence, he coughed a few


    times and curled up in the nket, shivering.


    Liam quietly watched Brett and thought he looked a lot like Izabe back in the day.


    In some ways, their personalities were quite simr - both reserved and proud. But Brett had an


    extra dose of arrogancepared to Izabe.


    Honestly, Brett really wasn''t a good guy.

 Chapter 354

    Chapter 354


    He fought his way up to where he is now, doing a lot of dirty stuff. He wasn''t a good guy and was


    willing to do whatever it took to reach his goals. He was super petty and held grudges like crazy. If


    he decided to mess with someone, he''ll go all out and never quit halfway. Even if his head was


    bleeding, he would make sure to take the other person down with him. He was full of bad vibes and


    wasn''t scared of anything.


    The saying that environment shaped a person''s character really showed in Brett.


    Born into the emotionless Windham family, Brett never knew love, let alone gave a damn about it.


    Over time, he sealed himself in darkness as a way to protect himself.


    He was good at pretending and scheming. He always left himself an escape route and never let


    himself get trapped.


    But in his calcted life, an unexpected thing happened ¨C Izabe. She appeared in Brett''s life like


    a beam of light shining into his dark world.


    In the dark, even a faint ray of light can''t be ignored, especially when Izabe was so dazzling.


    A seed quietly fell into his heart, took root, and eventually grew into a towering tree.


    Brett treated his employees well and paid them high sries, and hispany had all the


    advantages of otherpanies in the market plus some unique features that others don''t have.


    Take Liam for example. Although he worked hard, he was more than willing to do so for Brett.


    Liam had been working for Brett for almost 13 years and knew him well. Brett was verypetitive


    and good at pretending. He always gave off an invincible and superior vibe. After pretending for so


    long, even he forgot he had a vulnerable side, like his getting lung cancer now.


    If Liam hadn''te to R City with him, Brett might have died here.


    He would have died quietly, with no one knowing, because no one cared about his vulnerability or


    thought he could die.


    No one would have expected Brett to have such a short life.


    The only people who really cared about Brett and didn''t want him to die were probably those rted


    to his interests. But without considering interests, no one cared about Brett, which was really sad.


    After leaving the cemetery, Izabe didn''t know where to go. In such a big city, there was not a


    single ce where she could feel at ease. Was she really this weak?


    Izabe returned to the hotel, tidied up her makeup, and got out of the car.


    The "Here Comes the Superstars" trending topicsted all night before it started to slow down, but


    then the posts from Ariana and Harper took over.


    Izabe didn''t pay attention to the headlines. Instead, she looked through the car window and


    observed the surroundings. As expected, she spotted some paparazzi squatting in a corner.


    Luckily, the hotel''s security was excellent, and they didn''t get in.


    Izabe got out of the car, picked up her bag, and walked into the hotel. At the entrance, she


    handed her ID and room key to the security guard for inspection. After confirming her identity, they


    let her in.


    Back in her hotel room, Izabe sent a message to Casey, telling him she was safe, and then


    started paying attention to the trending topics online.


    It seemed like Ariana was well-prepared. All the paid trolls and haters started paying attention to


    this hot topic, digging up some of Izabe''s "dark history."


    Ariana posted her usations against Izabe.


    "I''ve been giving my all for this performance these days, but I didn''t expect this oue. I can only


    say you can''t judge a book by its cover, and I should be more careful when epting jobs in the


    future.


    Also, I hope the production team can exin why they let a scandal-ridden actress join this show


    and tarnish our profession. Is it because you and Mr. York are friends, Mr. Kane?


    I don''t want to say much more. I''ll save it for the press conference in two days."


    The topment was from Harper, who reposted the message with the caption "Keep it up!"


    Harper and Ariana share somemon fans, who saw the trending topic and reposted it to show


    their support.


    "Harper really spoils Ariana."


    "This couple is so real!"


    "I''m already in contact with the press conference. Harper and Ariana will attend together. I''m so


    looking forward to their live stream."


    "I feel bad for Ariana. I wonder when Izabe will be banned?"


    "Why have all the directors I like been deceived by Izabetely? Have Mr. Kane and Mr. York


    been bought off by her?"


    "I''m a bit disappointed. I initially thought Izabe''s performance was good and started to like her, but


    I didn''t expect this oue. She actually changed the script on her own."


    "Is the person above an Izabe fan? It''s ridiculous that she still has fans, but congrats on leaving


    the dark side and joining Izabe''s hater group."


    Ariana was watching the trending topic, not expecting her "victim" act to work so well. She''s been


    trending for over 24 hours, and her poprity is still rising.


    Using a burner ount, Ariana discussed Izabe with otherizens. She''s already liked many


    topics bashing Izabe and thought Izabe brought this on herself!


    It''s her fault for stealing her role. She said she''d make the production team regret it and make Brad


    York regret choosing Izabe.


    She leaned back on the couch with a face mask on and snacks on the coffee table in front of her.


    What did being the second female lead in "Blood Ties" count for? She''s famous now, a big star, and


    can pick any script she wants.


    Ariana''s agent called her with good news. "Ariana, I''ve already received several lead actress scripts


    for you. You''ve really hit it big this time. Also, there''s a popr reality dating show that invited you


    and Harper to participate."


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Ariana''s smile froze. "What? They want me to join a reality dating show with Harper?"


    The agent exined, "It''s just a showmance for the program; it won''t affect anything in real life.


    Haven''t you seen your CP ranking? You guys are in second ce already! This is a good thing for


    you, so don''t underestimate the power of your fans. They''re willing to spend money on you guys.


    Why not take advantage of free resources?"


    Ariana thought of Casey and clenched her phone.


    The agent encouraged her, "You''re on fire right now, so seize the opportunity. Besides, I think


    Harper is pretty good for you, both in terms of ability and looks."


    "He''s not worthy!" Ariana blurted out.


    "What did you say?"


    "Nothing." Ariana sulked, thinking to herself that Harper didn''t deserve her. If it weren''t for her, how


    could he have made a name for himself? He might still be a nobody.


    Ariana felt he wasn''t good enough when she thought of Harper''s smug face and how he relied on a


    woman to get famous.


    Ariana couldn''t help but think of Casey; his handsome face, superb acting skills, and prominent


    family background made her heart flutter. Only a man like him deserved her. But why did he fall for


    Izabe? What''s so great about Izabe?


    Ariana was unwilling to ept this, but she couldn''t deny that her agent had a point. Since she was


    popr, she needed to seize the opportunity.


    Anyway, it''s just for show; she wouldn''t lose anything.


    Seeing Ariana''s silence, the agent carefully asked, "Isn''t Harper yours?"


    "Yeah, so what?"


    Having been with her for so long, the agent knew what she was thinking, "You did a good job this


    time; Harper helped you; just think of it as returning a favor."


    Ariana wasn''t the pure and innocent type, so she wasn''t worried that dating would drive fans away.


    Plus, this wasn''t real love; it was just for show.


    "Fine, I''ll agree to join the dating show. But you have to arrange my schedule properly; I still want to


    take on acting projects; don''t let the times conflict."


    "Don''t worry, I''ve already arranged the press conference; it''s at 9 a.m. the day after tomorrow, and


    you''ll be with Harper. Make sure you both have your stories straight; don''t let anyone catch you off


    guard. And during the live broadcast, pretend to cry a little; don''t wear too much makeup."


    "I got it. Then find some hired guns to help promote my live broadcast."


    "Alright, don''t worry." The agent patiently instructed Ariana a few more times before hanging up.


    At the hotel, Izabe had already seen the news. Ariana''s article this morning was quickly reposted


    by the studio, announcing the live broadcast tform and press conference time at 9:20 a.m. the


    day after tomorrow.


    As soon as she finished reading, someone called her urgently.


    Izabe saw that it was Brad York calling. As expected, he asked right away, "Izabe, are you


    okay?"


    "I''m fine." Izabe said casually, grabbing a can of soda, putting her phone on speaker, and opening


    the can while listening. Brad could hear everything clearly on the other end.


    If she still had the energy to eat and drink, the impact must not be that bad.


    After a moment of silence, Brad asked, "Why couldn''t I reach you on the phone yesterday?"


    "I turned off my phone temporarily and didn''t see it."


    Brad was almost too anxious to bear it, while Izabe, the person involved, seemed calm as if it had


    nothing to do with her.


    "Don''t you get angry when you''re being framed?"


    "Nope." Besides, what''s the point of getting angry? In her past life, she had experienced so much


    that her edges had been smoothed out, and getting angry over petty matters wasn''t worth it.


    "Howe yourpany''s PR team hasn''t stepped in to resolve this? If it''s not your fault, then sue


    them for defamation. If you keep silent like this, the rumors will turn into facts. With Ariana''s crappy


    acting, do you really need to change the script halfway? Are the audience blind?"


    "Well, since you said it''s the audience, they''re just here to watch the show. The bigger the fuss, the


    happier they are. In this circle, right and wrong don''t really matter. In a world of crows, swans can be


    guilty too, so just don''t take it seriously." Izabe took a sip of the soda, leisurely speaking.

 Chapter 355

    Chapter 355


    "The audience is the audience, and you''re you. This is happening to you; are you just going to stand


    by and watch?" Brad York was on edge and fuming, while Izabe was nonchnt.


    After all, it was him who had signed Izabe onto the show, betting his reputation on it.


    "I don''t know whether to call you magnanimous or clueless."


    "I''ve never been magnanimous."


    "Then what the hell are you doing?" Brad York asked.


    Izabe leaned back in her chair, legs crossed, sleeves rolled up, revealing her slender arms. Her


    eyes were narrowed and as cunning as a fox¡¯s.


    "I''m just watching the show, seeing what kind of mess they can stir up. It''s still early, Mr. York; just


    be patient for a couple more days and see the results. We can''t let the free publicity go to waste."


    Hearing her confident tone, Brad York had a hunch that she must have an ace up her sleeve to be


    so rxed about the situation.


    Brad York was itching to know, "Do you have a trump card? Let''s hear it."


    "I can''t tell you now, but you''ll know the day after tomorrow."


    The day after tomorrow is when Ariana is going to hold a press conference, right? Is Izabe


    nning to crash it? If that''s the case, it would be exhrating.


    "Well, if you say so, then I''ll rest easy."


    Izabe hummed in response, "Mr. York, I need to trouble you to put in a good word for me with Mr.


    Kane."


    "He doesn''t me you; he has seen your ability. He even feels sorry for not being able to stand up


    for you." Izabe just smiled and didn''t say anything.


    These people jump around, the higher they jump, the harder they fall. By now, Izabe''s past had


    been thoroughly dug up.


    This situation was far from simple, and it was obvious that the puppet master behind it all was her


    agent, Graham.


    The recording device she held in her hand was Graham''s Achilles'' heel. He wanted to get rid of her,


    but he couldn''t do it openly, so he used a little trick to try and kill her with a borrowed knife.


    At this point, even if she wanted to expose something, not many people would take her seriously.


    Instead, they would think she was ying the victim, and she would end up in a standoff with the


    company, leading to a total breakdown.


    Graham had already sent her the contract termination. She could leave as soon as she signed it.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But if she just left like that, even if she managed to clear her name, it would be a loss. She hadn''t


    forgotten her original goal. That was to get revenge for Bell Salotti and to investigate Kristin Lasley''s


    background.


    That night, Casey sent her a message, asking her what she nned to do next and offering to help.


    But Izabe declined.


    "Izabe, don''t always try to shoulder everything on your own. We''re friends. You can rely on me a


    bit."


    Izabe stared at the message. It seemed that no one had ever told her she could rely on them.


    From the moment she was born, she had a life hanging over her, and the only person who was kind


    to her in her family was her grandfather.


    Her grandfather alwaysforted her, telling her to be strong and not to rely too much on others.


    At the age of eighteen, Izabe took over the family business. She got used to dealing with


    problems on her own and not relying on others easily.


    Because she knew that reliance could be a habit. If the person she relied on left, her life would


    be even harder.


    "I can handle it." Izabe quickly replied to the message and put down her phone.


    The next day, Izabe received a text from Liam.


    It was mainly about the adoption of Niki and the issue of divorce alimony.


    She would definitely have to wait until she returned to J City to adopt Niki. As for the alimony, she


    was worried about not having money, but Brett just handed it to her.


    Eight hundred million, enough to buy ten economicpanies.


    Izabe provided a bank ount and received the transfer that night. Izabe became a millionaire


    overnight, and having money made things a lot easier.


    Izabe called a reporter anonymously.


    "I have a recording and video of the recent hot feud between Ariana and Izabe. Are you


    interested?"


    The other party was very interested, "What''s it about?"


    Izabe sent him the recording and video in a file, "You can take a look; there are detailed


    timestamps on the video and recording. Whether it¡¯s fake or not, you can find a professional to


    judge it. Believe it or not, it''s up to you."


    The other party immediately went offline to check the files Izabe sent him. After ten minutes, he


    came back and sent, "Awesome", and asked another question.


    "I can''t just take it for free, right? What do you want?"


    "I don''t want anything; just ask the parties at tomorrow''s press conference if Izabe really didn''t


    rehearse a scene with them. Remember to ask a lot and ask repeatedly."


    "I get it."


    She put her phone on the bedside table to charge. From time to time, a piece of recent hot search


    news popped up.


    Blood Ties was spected to be boycotted and stopped shooting.


    A counterattack should be swift, urate, and ruthless. Give them a p in the face when they''re


    most proud, make them fall from heaven into the mud, and destroy their glory. That''s true


    satisfaction.


    With everything in ce, Izabe could finally sleep peacefully. Everything was moving in the right


    direction. She had money, and once she solved her current troubles, she could go back to J City to


    pick up Niki.


    At nine o''clock the next morning.


    Ariana and Harper held a press conference. Ariana, in a in dress, looked frail in the wind. Harper


    supported her as they slowly approached. The spotlight illuminated her face, making her look pale


    as if she had just recovered from a serious illness.


    After the two took their seats, the reporters below scrambled to ask questions, hoping to dig up


    more dirt.


    Ariana had prepared a script in advance and left no room for mistakes.


    "Ariana, can you tell us when the show started filming?"


    Ariana replied, "On the 5th of this month. I arrived in R City on the 4th."


    The reporter continued, "How did the show decide on the groups and distribute the scripts?"


    "The rules of the show are such that actors are ranked based on audience reviews of their acting


    chops. The highest rank is the S ss, while the lowest is the D ss. My Harper here bagged an S


    ss, while Izabe got a D. S ss actors can pick scripts at their own discretion and have the


    right to tweak them." Ariana chimed in, nudging Harper with her elbow to prompt him to speak,


    "Right, Harper?"


    Harper, who had been silent till now, gave a somewhat stiff smile, "Yes, that''s all there in our


    contracts."


    "And can I ask when did you tweak the script, and when did you send it to Izabe?"

 Chapter 356

    Chapter 356


    Faced with a barrage of questions from reporters, Harper responded calmly, "The script I revised on


    the 6th was sent to Izabe''s agent right after."


    "Do you have a record?"


    "Of course." Harper pulled out his phone, scrolled for a bit, then showed the screen to one of the


    cameras, "See?"


    The disyed email was sent on the 6th, and that wasn''t all; Harper had sent it three times, even on


    the 7th.


    Harper exined, "I sent it again on the 7th because I was worried she wouldn''t receive the script,


    and the recipient file was acknowledged. I don''t think her agent would screw over their own client,


    right?"


    "Why didn''t you send it directly to Izabe but instead to her agent?"


    At the side, Ariana was pale, surreptitiously wiping her eyes before leaning on Harper''s shoulder,


    "You guys are aware of the situation between her and me, right? Izabe used underhanded


    methods to snatch the role from me; we''re not even on speaking terms."


    Ariana, known for her frankness, spoke her mind. Fans see her as authentic, bold, and unafraid.


    Reporters around her nodded in agreement. Ariana had passed the auditions and was about to sign


    the contract when her spot was taken. Anyone would feel aggrieved in her position.


    No one knew how the "Here Comes the Superstars" team went about their casting and grouping,


    but they put Izabe and Ariana on the same team. This only added to the hype; the show was on


    fire before it even aired.


    A reporter asked, "Did you notify Izabe about rehearsals?"


    "Yes, but she refused them all." Ariana said, "I guess Miss Izabe must be pretty confident, so


    confident that she doesn''t need a rehearsal or script reading. But I never thought she''d use that


    confidence in such shady ways. If it weren''t for Harper having evidence of sending her the script,


    we''d be the ones being med."


    "So you guys never went over the script together?"


    Ariana looked at the reporter impatiently, doubting his hearing as she had already clearly stated the


    situation, yet he was still asking.


    She did go over the script with Izabe, but it was Izabe who initiated it. However, that was


    through a burner ount that''s now deactivated, so revealing it now would be useless.


    Anyway, their script reading session wasn''t witnessed by anyone, nor were there any cameras. She


    wasn''t worried that Izabe would find any evidence.


    "No, it was her choice not to." Ariana said tly.


    "Oh?" The reporter seemed thoughtful as he retreated, allowing others to step forward.


    Harper felt a sense of unease, fearing trouble. He looked at Ariana anxiously and whispered, "When


    will this press conference end, Ariana?"


    Unaware of any abnormalities, Ariana looked at Harper''s cautious face impatiently, "Why are you so


    squeamish? We still have to promote our variety showter. Didn''t your agent tell you we need to


    stir up some drama?"


    "He did."


    "Then just go with it for now."


    Harper''s expression became noticeably heavy and filled with disappointment. He genuinely liked


    Ariana and wanted to pursue her, not fake a rtionship for the sake of publicity.


    But since it hade to this, he had no choice but to go along with it. Otherwise, they would end up


    in an awkward situation on camera and expose the truth.


    Their hushed conversation gave off an intimate vibe.


    "Ariana, can you share your uing schedule?" A reporter asked.


    Ariana responded with a smile, herplexion much better, "Harper and I have been invited to a


    variety show recently."


    "Can you reveal which one?"


    "I''m afraid that will have to wait for the official announcement." Ariana replied coyly, her hand


    entwined with Harper''s.


    Harper looked at her affectionately, even reaching to adjust her hair.


    Though they didn''t explicitly reveal anything, recent online rumors suggested that a popr dating


    variety show had invited Ariana and Harper, capitalizing on their rtionship publicity and their


    current poprity.


    "Will you continue filming ''Here Comes the Superstars''?" The reporter asked.


    "''Here Comes the Superstars'' contracts are term-based. If the show doesn''t resolve this issue,


    neither Harper nor I will continue. No one likes to work with a scandal-ridden artist. Besides, I''m a


    jealous person, and I''m afraid she might fall for my Harper."


    Harper frowned slightly at thestment, a subtle change that was caught on camera, giving the


    impression of distress.


    This led to wild spections. Did Izabe try to seduce Harper? Did they develop feelings because


    of the show?


    Ariana''s personal and financial interests were threatened, so it''s no wonder she holds such


    animosity towards Izabe. Anyone else might have started a fight by now.


    But in reality, Harper just didn''t agree with Ariana''s drastic approach, let alone involving him.


    He wondered secretly. Was this too much?


    Fans watching the live stream started flooding thement section, mostly about Ariana and


    Harper''s romance.


    Fans were going wild,menting so much that it was hard to see the screen.


    "Wow, I didn''t expect Ariana to have this side, from a carefree girl to such a gentle one."


    "Harper''s gaze is so adoring; I believe their rtionship is real!"


    "I unterally dere them married on the spot."


    "I can stay single, but the love I believe in must be sweet."


    "I''d trade my best friend''s lifetime of singledom for Ariana and Harper''s marriage."


    "At first, I thought they were just stirring up a publicity stunt. I didn''t expect them to be so sweet in


    reality. Seeing Ariana holding Harper''s hand the whole time, they must be real. They''re so cute and


    perfect together."Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "They''re definitely head over heels for each other. Harper''s totally into Ariana; I mean, it''s written all


    over his face."


    The livestream was bombarded with gifts; its poprity skyrocketing to the top. Their videos were


    being shared everywhere.


    And then came the inte shitstorm against Izabe. You could literally say anything bad about


    Izabe, even just casually throw a shade, and you''d be guaranteed a bunch of likes and


    comments.


    It might not mean much, but there''s this weird sense of vanity in being acknowledged by others.


    Some peeps were like, "I strongly suspect Izabe''s got some big shots backing her up. She''s got


    so much dirt on her but she''s still living it up in the showbiz world."


    "Izabe is a total witch; I can''t stand the sight of her. People used to praise her for her looks, but


    she''s obviously had work done!"


    And then someone mentioned, "From what Ariana said, it seems like Izabe was trying to make a


    move on Harper. Thank god, Harper only deals with her manager. Otherwise, I''d be worried about


    that foxy face of Izabe''s."


    "Don''t overthink it. Harper only has eyes for Ariana. Just look at them, all lovey-dovey. Izabe


    doesn''t stand a chance."


    "We should totally crack down on scandalous celebs. Let me give you a heads-up, Izabe''s been


    linked to over twenty male celebs. Hell, she''s a time management guru! And that''s not even


    counting those exposed directly; Izabe just hopped from a bed with a director to a scandal with


    another male celeb."


    "Izabe should just get the hell out of showbiz."


    "She even had the audacity to secretly change the script..."


    Within half an hour, Ariana jumped from fifteenth to the top ten on the female star list.


    Harper, usually focused on acting and pretty chill, had also entered the public eye.


    As for Izabe, the one against them, she had been ripped to shreds. Not only by their fans but also


    by Kristin''s fans, drama fans, and passersby.


    Izabe''s anti-fan base was expanding at an rming rate. They were hiring trolls, dead set on


    chasing Izabe out of showbiz.


    Other celebs being dragged might still have some fans struggling till the end, but for Izabe, it''s


    just an endless stream of insults.


    Izabe truly felt the power of the inte. Even if she didn''t do anything, these people still despised


    her.


    Izabe listened to the livestream while scrolling through thements, her face expressionless.


    Now she kinda hoped that Graham and his agency would kick her while she was down so she could


    fight back.


    She checked the time on her phone; half an hour had passed, and it was time for her to make a


    move.


    Just as Ariana was basking in the limelight with Harper in front of the media, a red, eye-catching


    comment slowly drifted from right to left.


    "Everyone check the trending search; there''s a video and recording of Ariana, Harper, and Izabe;


    go see for yourselves!"


    Ariana was still answering the journalist''s question, oblivious to themotion in the livestream.


    "What video?"


    "Is it Izabe trying to seduce Harper and getting caught by Ariana on the spot?"


    "Whoa, this is getting spicy."


    "The tables have totally turned."


    "Ariana had the nerve to lie straight-faced in front of so many people; she''s really something."


    Ariana suddenly felt something was off; the reporters who were originally sneakily checking their


    phones are now openly scrolling, their expressions weird,pletely ignoring the scene.


    "What''s going on? Why is everyone looking at their phones?" Ariana asked.


    Harper was also puzzled, and the unease in his heart was growing stronger. He took out his phone


    and opened the livestream. Seeing the messages andments, he asked Ariana, "Ariana, did you


    prepare some sort of video? I see fans saying that someone released a video and recording."


    "What do you mean? I didn¡¯t prepare any video..." Ariana''s words had just fallen when a news


    notification popped up on her phone.


    Ariana clicked it open and immediately went pale, her body turning cold.


    A journalist leaked a video on a social media tform.


    The video also had a timestamp; it was from the 8th, when Izabe invited Ariana and Harper to the


    rehearsal room to practice lines.

 Chapter 357

    Chapter 357


    The video quality was top-notch, and the audio was crystal clear. You can clearly see Ariana''s


    impatience throughout the whole thing. She was not showing the dedication to her job she was


    always talking about. Especially when Izabe was around, she was just full of sarcasm.


    Harper, on the other hand, seemed to be a bit better. He''s seriously rehearsing lines with Izabe.


    But Ariana kept interrupting and messing up their rhythm.


    From start to finish, there was no sign of editing in the video. And here was the kicker.


    Ariana and Harper used Izabe of changing the script on stage. But in reality, the script hadn''t


    changed since the beginning. It was all performed ording to the movie''s pace.


    Frederic kills himself, and Danielle is seen wailing while holding his dead body.


    Thest part Izabe and Harper rehearsed is definitely from the original script.


    So, the cat''s out of the bag.


    Harper imed he revised the script on the 6th and sent Izabe three copies before the 8th. But


    the script Izabe''s holding is still the original one, and they even checked lines together.


    If they really did change the script, they should''ve told Izabe. But they didn''t.


    Moreover, Ariana kept denying that she''s ever rehearsed lines with Izabe. So, who was Izabe


    rehearsing with then, ghosts?


    In a nutshell, Ariana''s statements these past few days have been knocked down by this video and


    audio recording, smashing her lies into pieces.


    Ariana and Harper weren''t the victims. Izabe was the one framed by them. Talk about a shocking


    twist!


    If it was only audio, Ariana could''ve imed it was fake. But the video left her no room for denial.


    The video clearly showed Ariana''s displeasure, a far cry from her straightforward image in the public


    eye.


    The whole video was an hour long. People didn''t have time to watch it from start to finish, so they


    just skipped to the end. But that didn''t slow down their understanding.


    Once the video was released, it caused quite a stir.


    Ariana was dumbstruck. How could this happen? How could Izabe have the video and audio from


    that day?


    She''d checked the rehearsal room in advance and found no cameras... Was Izabe carrying them


    all along?


    As soon as the video was released, even a fool could see that Ariana deliberately set up Izabe.


    Now her reputation had taken a nosedive, and she''d suffered heavy losses.


    Izabe is so ruthless! Ariana turned pale; she didn''t even dare to look at thements under the


    video. She could imagine how harsh they must be.


    Indeed, you''ll never know the pain until the knife cut into your own flesh.


    Ariana''s eyes turned red, and this time it wasn''t fake. She was both angry and scared. The


    reporters also reacted quickly, rushing to the front to capture the scene.


    The crowd was noisy, and Ariana''s expression got worse and worse as she looked at the iing


    crowd. Her ears were buzzing as if she''d gone deaf.


    She wanted to escape from here, but her feet seemed glued to the floor. Eventually, Harper had to


    carry her away from the scene.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The two people who had just been criticizing Izabe on the live broadcast were now pped in the


    face. The inte must be going crazy, filled with curses.


    Everyone was watching and buzzing about the incident.


    The trending search about Izabe''s scandal had been reced.


    Netizens were fickle. They''re now following the trend and harshly criticizing Ariana and Harper for


    trying to climb over Izabe.


    Ariana seemed to have lost her soul. She sat weakly backstage, her phone falling to the ground.


    The screen was full of sarcasticments fromizens, the words stabbing her eyes like needles.


    "I''m done..." She nkly stared ahead, her mind filled with this thought.


    Done,pletely done.


    The fans who were excitedly watching the live broadcast were incredulous after seeing the video.


    Their straightforward, genuine, and fearless Ariana was actually deceiving fans and trying to frame


    someone.


    She was a vile person who pushed others down and yed the victim in front of the public.


    She and Harper weren''t a sweet couple that people envied, but viins who framed others!


    "Ariana, you liar!"


    "Didn''t expect Harper to be so vicious too. The entertainment circle is reallyplicated."


    Public opinion pointed to Ariana and Harper.


    "Ariana,e out and exin. Why did you frame Izabe? Why did you say she changed the


    script and seduced Harper? The video clearly shows her indifference; where do you see her flirting


    with Harper?"


    "You''re attracting attention with these methods. Do you deserve your fans?"


    "I must be blind to like a person like you."


    "Even so...I still choose to support Ariana. Ariana was impulsive when she did this, but Izabe is


    the real viin. Have you forgotten she''s a prostitute?"


    "Ariana and Harper might not be good people, but Izabe is even worse."


    "I want to analyze the script issue rationally. I noticed something was off on the 11th. Izabe''s


    performance was absolutely stunning! Shepletely overshadowed Ariana; Harper was nothing in


    front of her!


    There was no problem at first, until the twist at the end where Frederic, yed by Harper, appeared.


    If Izabe performed ording to the original script, she''d definitely fail! She would definitely lose!


    I have to praise Izabe''s on-the-spot response. The audience, including me, didn''t notice anything


    wrong. When she knelt down and read her lines, I, a grown man, cried in the audience. It was she


    who was maliciously changed in the script, but she performed better than Harper and Ariana.


    Amazing! I


    I¡¯ve decided to support Izabe from now on. Not for anything else, just for her acting. You can


    me her for being promiscuous, for two-timing, for flirting, but you can''t me her acting!"


    Thisizen''s words resonated with many passersby. They''d seen Izabe''s performance


    She nailed the role of Danielle, and the reason she kept mum after things blew up was because she


    really bought into what Ariana said. Izabe''s performance was so dazzling alongside Ariana and


    Harper, it kinda made you question her acting chops.


    Izabe''s fan base started to grow, and this time it was for real.


    The whole thing didn''t make too big of a ssh, but Ariana''s rep did take a hit.


    Ariana was bawling her eyes out, with Harper squatting next to her, trying to soothe her.

 Chapter 358

    Chapter 358


    Ariana was a wreck and full of hate for Izabe. ring at her phone on the floor, with the screen


    facing her, she was fixated on thements.


    "Ariana has been exposed. Izabe doesn''t have as many ws as she does. The only thing Ariana


    has going for her is her acting, but even that is not on par with Izabe. Fans should stop praising


    her; she''s just not ssy."


    With red, teary eyes, Ariana choked out, "Izabe did this on purpose. She''s out to get me. The


    witch!"


    She had the video from the get-go. Why didn''t she clear the air sooner? Why wait until the press


    conference to release it? What a cold-blooded move!


    Ariana clenched her fists, not even feeling the pain from her nails digging into her palms. Just then,


    she felt a warm touch on the back of her hand and looked up to see Harper, who was crouching


    next to her,forting her.


    "Ariana, we messed up from the start. Others may be kicking us while we''re down, but we brought


    this on ourselves. Celebrities make mistakes. As long as we apologize from the heart, the fans will


    forgive..."


    Before Harper could finish, Ariana pped him across the face.


    Harper was stunned, staring at her in confusion.


    "Ariana..."


    "Don''t call me! I don''t need you right now!" Ariana pushed him away and got up. "Forget it, go find


    Izabe. Go apologize to her!"


    Harper frowned at her, wanting to exin, but Ariana wouldn''t give him the chance.


    "Don''t you have any backbone? Why do you always let others walk all over you? I can''t stand


    people like you!"


    Ariana grumbled, wishing she knew Casey. With him, she could have everything she wanted.


    Harper watched Ariana, a bitter feeling creeping up as the picture-perfect image of her in his mind


    shattered. Even though they were close, he felt like he never really knew her.


    With a bitter smile, Harper said, "So, in your eyes, I''m just a weakling."


    Ariana''s eyes widened, her face paled, and her eyes filled with fear. She tentatively nced at


    Harper, wanting to say something but too scared to speak, her lips trembling.


    She felt a twinge of regret for what she had just said, but she didn''t believe she was wrong. Harper


    was a weakling.


    But right now, Harper was the only one who could help her. She was desperate for a way out, and


    he was the only one who could take the me for her. As long as Harper admitted to the press that


    he had altered the script and she had nothing to do with it, she could start over.


    One person taking the me was better than two.


    She couldn''t fail now. She had worked so hard to get to where she was today, and with scripts for


    lead rolesing her way, she was on the brink of making it big. She couldn''t fall now.


    As for Harper, he was in the spotlight because of her. He was involved in this mess, so it was only


    fair that he take the me.


    "Harper, I''m sorry." She bowed her head, apologizing sincerely, "I said those things in the heat of


    the moment. I didn''t mean it."


    The room fell into an eerie silence. Ariana was a bundle of nerves. As usual, she grabbed Harper''s


    hand, cooing, "Harper, I didn''t mean to say those things. I know I made a mistake. Please forgive


    me."


    Harper looked at Ariana''s red eyes, his anger subsiding. He couldn''t be cold towards her.


    Harper shook his head, but the bitterness lingered.


    Knowing his nature, Ariana walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her


    head on his chest.


    This sudden closeness caused Harper to hold his breath and his heart to race. In real life, he didn''t


    even dare to hold her hand.


    He hesitated for a while, then ced his hand on her shoulder, giving her aforting pat, "It''s


    okay. I didn''t take it to heart. I forgive you."


    He thought Ariana would let go, but he found her grip tightening, and their bodies pressed against


    each other. Harper could even feel her softness. Slowly, his face turned stiff.


    In a hoarse voice, Harper called out, "Ariana?"


    "Harper, do you like me?" Ariana looked up at him, her face flushing.


    Seeing Harper just staring at her, not saying a word, Ariana knew she had him. She had known that


    Harper liked her for a long time. But since he never expressed it, she pretended not to know.


    She ced her hand on Harper''s chest, her voice soft, "Harper, I can hear your heartbeat. You can''t


    lie to me."


    Harper swallowed, took a moment, then sighed, "Yes, I do like you." He had liked her for a long


    time. But he knew Ariana didn''t feel the same way about him.


    Even though he knew Ariana could be maniptive, arrogant, and look down on people, he still


    liked her. Maybe she gave him something no one else could, and that''s why he couldn''t forget her


    after all these years.


    Getting the answer she wanted, Ariana beamed, "Harper, I know I made a mistake, but there''s no


    magic potion to go back in time. Can you help me?"


    Following up on her words, Harper asked, "Help you with what?"


    "Go out there, in front of the press, and admit that you nned everything and that I had nothing to


    do with it."


    Now it was Harper''s turn to go pale, "You want me to face the press alone?"


    "Don''t you like me? Harper, please agree. It''s better for one person to suffer than two. Even though


    it was my idea, you also benefited from it, didn''t you? And ording to the rules of the show, only


    you had the right to alter the script."


    Harper still didn''t respond, which was making Ariana impatient. But she knew the only person who


    could help her now was Harper. She had to pin the me on him. She couldn''t let Izabe ruin her!


    She tiptoed, her mouth close to Harper''s ear, whispering, "Harper, if you agree, I''ll be with you."


    No sooner had she finished than Harper pushed her away. Ariana stumbled backward, grabbing the


    nearest chair for support.


    "Ariana, love is not a bargaining chip."


    "So, you''re gonna turn me down, huh? You really want to see me get mmed by everyone; seeing


    my career ruined will make you happy, right? Harper, I am not like you. I want a better life. I want to


    be more famous. Do you know how much time and effort I have put in to get where I am today? I


    can''t bear to see all my efforts go to waste. Harper, please help me. Take the me for me. I will


    make it up to you." Ariana choked up. She sounded confident, but she could not bring herself to


    meet Harper''s eyes.


    "Harper, haven''t you always cared about me? Our teacher asked you to take care of me before he


    passed away; you haven''t forgotten that, right?"


    She was actually using their mutual feelings and their teacher to press Harper. Harper clenched his


    teeth and fists; his knuckles were white.


    "And... weren''t you just about to apologize to Izabe?" Her voice grew softer.


    "Enough. Stop talking." Harper interrupted with a heavy voice.


    Ariana took a careful look at Harper. Seeing his gloomy face, she pursed her lips, momentarily


    forgetting her act of being wronged, and just stared at him stiffly.


    "I''ll go out and tell them now; this whole thing has nothing to do with you."


    Ariana''s face perked up. "Really?"


    Seeing her happy face, Harper felt even moreplicated, as if he had swallowed shards of ss,


    the pain throbbing from his throat down to his chest. He could only clench his fists tighter to distract


    himself from the ache.


    "This whole thing has nothing to do with you, and from now on neither do I."


    Ariana pouted. "Harper."


    "From now on, we have nothing to do with each other; this is all just a joke." The light in his eyes


    dimmed at that moment. He took onest look at Ariana, then turned and walked away without


    hesitation.


    Ariana watched his retreating figure, wanting to call out to him but ultimately remaining silent.


    Since she had already decided to let Harper take the me for her, she would not regret it. It''s okay,


    she kept telling herself.


    She wouldpensate him with resources in the future, and after all, Harper had also gained some


    fame from this. Besides, in this fast-paced inte age, people will soon forget this small incident.


    Izabe was packing her suitcase in her hotel room, her phone ringing constantly with calls from Mr.


    Kane, Rachel, Brad York, and Casey.


    Especially Brad York, who called with a triumphant tone. "Ariana must be regretting it now, right?


    She shouldn''t have messed with you; how did you manage to get the recording and video? You hid


    it so well. I was so anxious these past few days I couldn''t sleep. I''m losing hair."


    "There''s no such thing as a regret pill in this world."


    "That''s true; Ariana should be too scared to cause any more trouble now, right?" Brad York asked


    confidently.


    Izabeughed lightly. "That''s not necessarily true."


    "There''s more to this story? What''s next?"


    "Mr. York, have you ever heard of people who arepletely loyal to others, giving everything for


    them? Harper''s feelings for Ariana won''t let her end like this."


    Brad York, being a smart man, immediately understood Izabe''s meaning. "You mean Harper will


    take the me?"


    "I didn''t say that." Izabe didn''t deny it.


    "I was thinking, if you couldn''te up with a solution, I would release the audition process; let''s


    see if these so-called professionals are blind."


    "There''s no need; the scenes Ariana and I auditioned for are not the same; it''s not easy for the


    audience topare, but ..." Izabe paused, then continued, "If you really want to release it, you


    can, but not at this time."


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Showing all the exciting parts at once would make the following less appealing.


    "I''ve learned one thing; never mess with you." Brad York sighed on the other end of the phone.


    Ariana was considered a promising actress; she was pretty and had spirit in her acting. If she didn''t


    let her jealousy get the best of her, stayed humble, and didn''t cause trouble, her reputation would


    continue to rise.


    Brad York initially considered Ariana for the role of Megan, but was just considering it; without a


    contract, everything was subject to change. Then he met Izabe, who was more suitable for the


    role of Megan.


    Brad York was thinking about rmending Ariana to other directors to make it up to her, but he


    didn''t expect Ariana to openly challenge the entire crew on the inte.


    All he could say now was that she brought it on herself.


    There was no extra expression on Izabe''s face; she just nodded and replied lightly. "Thank you


    for yourpliment."

 Chapter 359

    Chapter 359


    Whether you call her cold-blooded or heartless, think about it. If she hadn''t had the foresight to set


    up a camera and microphone, she''d be the one getting dragged through the mud by theizens by


    now.


    Plus, she''s got more than one enemy, and Graham was just one of them. When the timees and


    she''s under attack from all sides, they''ll crush her like an ant.


    She didn¡¯t feel sorry for Ariana and Harper at all. They did all this; they¡¯ve gotta be ready to face the


    music and pay the piper.


    She didn''t have a lot of luggage from R City and tidied up easily. Her flight was at 4 p.m. and it was


    still five hours away.


    Izabe checked her phone and clicked on the news notification. It was still the press conference


    called by Ariana, but now it was a one-man show.


    Harper was apologizing to the camera. "I sincerely apologize to Izabe. I changed the script. It was


    all me, nobody else."


    Journalists were all over him. "Harper, by ''nobody else'' do you mean Ariana?"


    Harper nodded. "Ariana is innocent. I led her into all this, including this press conference."


    "Why did you tamper with the script and set Izabe up?"


    "I wanted to bring her down. She''s in Ariana''s way. Plus, her acting threatened me. I was afraid I''d


    lose to her in the eyes of the audience."


    "So, you admit you''re not as good as Izabe?"


    Harper admitted, "Yes, I''m not as good as her. She''s a great actress. She could keep acting


    perfectly even without knowing the changes. I believe she''s the only one who could pull this off


    among the whole crew. I admit defeat wholeheartedly. And I know how low my actions were. I''ll


    leave the show ''Here Comes the Superstars'' which has been doing a great job. I''ll pay the penalty


    for my breach of contract."


    "Harper, what''s the rtionship between you and Ariana?"


    "I''m pursuing her. But I''ve dragged her into this mess and I''m not worthy of any rtionship with her


    anymore."


    Izabe put down her phone at this point. She noticed something was off between Ariana and


    Harper when they were discussing the script. Harper waspletely under Ariana''s thumb.


    If anything happened to Ariana, he would definitely be the first one to take the fall.


    Ariana managed to cut her losses just in time, but Harper''s image as a nice guy was shattered. His


    future in showbiz might not be so smooth. But he never cared about that. His fans loved his acting.


    Ariana finally breathed a sigh of relief after watching the live stream and seeing Harper state his


    position.


    She checked the trendingments on her phone. Although manyizens were still skeptical, her


    fans believed her. They were organizing to control thements.


    The strategy was to deflect attention and shift the focus to Harper. She felt a bit guilty watching her


    fans hurl insults at Harper, but that was it. It was better than her being the one getting mmed,


    right?


    Ariana logged into a burner ount and started leavingments.


    "Izabe is such a slut. She flirts with every guy she sees. She even seduced Casey on set. On the


    day of the performance, Casey went to the makeup room just to see her. On the day of the script


    scandal, paparazzi camped out all night outside the hotel but didn''t see Izabe return. She was


    shacking up with Casey!" As soon as she posted this, people started liking andmenting,


    pushing it to the top. This topic will probably be seen by more people soon.


    Casey''s fans were very aggressive, trying to report and block her post. But the topic was too hot,


    and it got so many likes that it couldn''t be blocked. Plus, Ariana even paid to promote it.


    Casey was very popr; anything rted to him got a lot of views. The post from Ariana''s burner


    ount became a hot topic in less than half an hour.


    "Stop spreading rumors about Mr. Dempsey, okay? There''s no way he would fall for a piece of trash


    like Izabe!"


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Where did you get the idea that Mr. Dempsey likes Izabe? When Izabe was performing on


    stage, he was obviously looking down, clearly not interested in her."


    "Spreading rumors is illegal; please think before you speak."


    "It''s so easy to spread rumors by just spitting out bullshit."


    "If Mr. Dempsey likes Izabe, I''ll eat shit live. He''d fall for anyone but Izabe."


    Most fans and bystanders didn''t believe Casey would be interested in Izabe.


    But Ariana''s burner ount was usually used to share insider gossip, and everything she''s posted


    before had been 100% true.


    "I don''t care if you believe it or not; I believe it. Don''t forget, there''s never been a false word from


    this ount."


    "This ount holder is obviously someone from inside the industry, if not a crew member, then a


    guest invited by the production team."


    "My world is shattered."

 Chapter 360

    Chapter 360


    Everyone''s guessing the identity of this ount, with the only clue being someone from the "Here


    Comes the Superstars" crew.


    Ariana''s chill as a cucumber, and with so many in the crew, even if they suspect her, they''ve got no


    beef.


    This was a ssic PR move in the entertainment business, just dropping a bigger bombshell, and


    theizens were easily distracted.


    Like this time, she used her alt ount to stir up a topic about "Casey", Now all the eyes of the


    randomizens were on this post, debating if Casey and Izabe were an item.


    Onement read, "It''s weird, when the show had issues that day, all the paparazzi outside didn''t


    see Izabe leave. I''m scratching my head. Who managed to sneak Izabe out without anyone


    noticing?"


    Another one jumped in, "Don''t scare me. Mr. Dempsey is as clean as a whistle; there''s no way he''d


    fall for some crazy chick. Don''t believe the gossip; don''t spread the gossip."


    Someone else chimed in, "Rumor has it, Mr. Dempsey did visit the dressing room that day, but not


    to see Izabe. He was just cheering up everyone there. But I find it odd¡ªsince when did Mr.


    Dempsey be such a people person? Seems fishy."


    Anotherizen pointed out, "Not just Izabe, Mr. Dempsey also vanished on the day of the


    incident."


    Theizens were pretty sharp; they''ve pretty much pieced together the situation.


    As Ariana read thesements, she realized something was off. She originally wrote this post just


    to vent, but could she have identally spilled some serious tea?


    Ariana felt a mix of emotions¡ªa bit of schadenfreude but also a bit unsettled.


    The schadenfreude part was that if Izabe really had something going on with Casey, she''d


    definitely be torn to shreds by Casey''s fans.


    Casey''s more or less a saint; there were no scandals, and he''smitted to his acting career,


    mostly in roles without any romantic angle.


    While not many female artists dare to approach him, he''s definitely got his fair share of admirers.


    That''s what made Ariana ufortable; why wouldn''t Casey give her a second nce?


    Her agent called her with a tone of reproach: "Why can''t you be more careful? Izabe managed to


    film that video. But don''t worry; we''ve controlled the situation. Just let Harper take the fall. And you


    two don''t need to fake a rtionship anymore. You''ve cost us tens of thousands; we''ll keep you off


    the schedule for a while. Don''t worry, I''ve handled the PR stuff."


    Ariana smirked. These people only cared about their profits. One second they''re praising her, the


    next they''re ready to toss her aside like trash if she¡¯s not profitable.


    "I don''t need your help," she said coldly.


    Her agent was taken aback. "What do you mean?"


    Ariana replied, "I''ve got it under control. Thepany doesn''t have to spend any money on PR."


    These PR expenses would be deducted from hermission. Why should she let thepany


    handle it if she can take care of it herself?


    "What did you do? I''m warning you: don''t post anything reckless. I can''t save you if you mess up."


    Ariana didn''t pay her any mind.


    Her agent was worried about Ariana''s attitude: "I''ming over now. Stay in the backstage lounge


    and don''t touch your social media. I''ll manage it for now."


    With that, the agent hung up.


    The inte was buzzing today, especially about Izabe. Just when the heat was dying down from


    thest incident, someone dropped another bombshell about her.


    Netizens pieced together the clues, leading to Casey''s first ever scandal and a spot on the trending


    list.


    #Casey Izabe#


    Meanwhile, Izabe was oblivious to her trending status. She was on her way to the airport with her


    luggage.


    She had just boarded the ne when she received a call from Casey.


    "Where are you?" Casey sounded anxious.


    Izabe was puzzled: "I''ve just boarded the ne."


    "You''re at the airport? Where are you going? I didn''t mean to; please don''t be mad."


    Casey was rambling and apologizing before Izabe even knew what was going on. She was


    confused. "What''s wrong? Did something happen?"


    There was a pause on the other end. "You don''t know?"


    "What should I know?"


    Casey hesitated, then smoothly changed the subject: "Nothing; where are you headed?"


    "I''m going to J City to take care of some things."


    "Alright, take care of your business and stay safe. Call me if you need anything." Casey wanted to


    hang up but waited for Izabe to do so.


    Izabe didn''t think much of it. A flight attendant was doing safety checks and reminded Izabe,


    "Ma''am, we''re about to take off. Please turn off your phone or switch it to airne mode."


    "Okay." Izabe responded to the flight attendant, then said into the phone, "I''m about to take off;


    I¡¯ve got to go."


    She ended the call, switched her phone to airne mode, and put it in her bag.


    Her main reason for going back to J City was to pick up Nikki. She estimated that she''d arrive


    around eight and could arrange for Liam to drop off the cat somewhere. She didn''t even want to see


    Brett.


    As the ne smoothly ascended, Izabe asked for a ss of water and a nket from a flight


    attendant.


    The flight attendant brought them over quickly. As Izabe thanked her, she noticed the attendant


    giving her aplex look and double-checking her several times, as if confirming something. But


    due to her duties, the attendant could only focus on her work.


    Izabe tried to ignore the strange feeling, but even with her eyes closed, she could feel multiple


    gazes on her. She peered around with her sunsses on and saw a group of attendants whispering


    not far away.


    She couldn''t hear what they were saying, but by reading their lips, Izabe could make out a few


    words.


    One was Casey, and the other was trending. Since they were still looking at her, it must have


    something to do with her. She guessed that she and Casey were trending.


    That''s why Casey just called to apologize. As for what exactly happened, Izabe had no clue. But


    being trending with Casey can''t be for anything good.


    Izabe just wanted to ignore it now; she shut her eyes to rest.


    On the other hand, Casey breathed a sigh of relief after he knew Izabe had boarded the ne to


    J City. He figured he had three to four hours to sort this out.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    As soon as the news broke, Casey''s agent, Seth, found him and asked whether the trending topic


    was true.


    How could he not know as an agent? From the moment he first saw Izabe on the ne, Casey


    was like a dog with a bone, his eyes lighting up.


    It''s a shame he wasn''t there on the day, so he didn''t know the real deal. But judging by the trending


    gossip, he reckoned it was likely true.


    "I think you owe me an exnation."


    With an unapologetic tone, Casey said, "There''s nothing to exin; I did take Izabe away that


    day, but we didn''t go to a hotel; we went to my ce."


    "What? Your ce?!"


    "Is there a problem?" Casey looked at him with contempt. He didn''t think it was a big deal; one day


    he would take Izabe home anyway. So what''s the difference between sooner andter? He


    needed to pursue Izabe as soon as possible and let her get used to his house. If she didn''t like it,


    he could always redecorate.


    Seth was very disappointed. If this wasn''t a problem, then what was? Casey had no idea how


    serious this was.


    "Now your fans are bashing Izabe, and you still think it''s not a big deal." Seth had been working


    with Casey for two years, but he¡¯d never been to Casey''s house.


    "Those are not fans."


    "Then what are they?"


    "Haters. I''ve had the tech guys block their ounts."


    "You did that already?"


    Casey nodded, and Seth quickly checked his fan group on his phone.


    "Darn, someone reported my ount; I got blocked."


    "Me too."


    "Ah, my ount with 500k followers is just gone; so annoying."


    "It must be Izabe''s fans."


    "Izabe has fans?"


    "A lot of her fans showed up today."


    "So annoying, Izabe is even trending with Casey; when will she leave the entertainment


    industry?"


    "Guys, stopining in the group; go defend Casey; someone''s bashing him again."


    "I wonder who''s spreading rumors about Casey; if I find out who, I''m going to teach her a lesson."


    "Izabe must have a backer, a big shot at that; I roughly counted that over a thousand people have


    been blocked, and they are all Mr. Dempsey''s fans; is she intentionally targeting Mr. Dempsey?"


    Seth''s fingers were flying over the keyboard; he was lost for words. These fans could never imagine


    that the "fool" they were cursing was their idol, Casey.


    "What are you looking at? Let me see." Casey moved his head over curiously, but Seth blocked the


    screen with his hand before Casey could see anything.


    Seth dared not let Casey see his fan group''s messages; he was afraid that if Casey got angry, he


    would block his own fan group.


    "Casey, I suggest you calm down; don''t do anything; people are starting to suspect Izabe has a


    backer." He originally wanted to say "sugar daddy", but it didn''t sound good, so he changed it on the


    spot.

 Chapter 361

    Chapter 361


    Actually, "backer" made people feel ufortable, but Casey Dempsey didn''t feel upset when he


    heard it. Instead, he felt quite proud.


    "Backer?" Casey chuckled, "Of course I¡¯ve got to look out for my people."


    Seth mentally agreed but still advised, "Considering Izabe Salotti''s current situation, I don''t think


    it''s something to be proud of that she has you as her ''backer''."


    Casey''s brows furrowed and his eyes turned cold, as if the room temperature dropped with them,


    "What do you mean?"


    Seth quickly changed the subject: "Izabe hasn''t admitted she''s your girl; how are you going to


    protect her? And what happened when she went home with you that day?"


    "Nothing happened; we just watched a movie and went to bed in separate rooms. She left at seven


    the next morning."


    This surprised him. If it were any other girl, they would definitely cling to Casey. But Izabe didn''t


    even touch him. She was definitely different from those other girls out there; no wonder she could


    attract Casey.


    Thinking about what happened these past few days, Casey showed a bitter smile. He sat on the


    chair, his head down. "Sometimes I really don''t understand what¡¯s going on in her head."


    "What then?" Seth asked, encouraging him to continue.


    "Sometimes, I think Izabe likes me."


    One of the three great illusions of life was that one thought the person he liked likes him too.


    Seth didn''t want to crush his spirits, so he just responded with a fake smile.


    "But I also think the person she likes is not me." Sometimes, he even felt like she wasn''t really


    looking at him.


    He observed her carefully. Izabe liked to stare at his mouth the most. Even though his face was


    more handsome, she seemed to prefer his teeth.


    "Let''s not talk about her for now; I want to know how you n to handle this. This is the first time


    you''ve been caught up in a scandal."


    "This isn''t really a scandal."


    Seth replied, "I think the solution right now is for the studio to issue a denial and take legal action


    against the person spreading the rumors."


    "You don''t need to worry about it; I have a solution."


    "What''s the solution?" Seth looked at him warily. He didn''t think Casey''s n was particrly good


    and reminded him, "You can''t just do whatever you want. This matter not only involves you but also


    Izabe."


    "I know. Since we''re going to sue the person spreading rumors, we need to let them know how


    serious the consequences are. I''ve already asked someone to look up the information on that ID,


    and we should have the results soon." Casey took out a box of mints from his pocket, ate two, and


    the cool taste filled his mouth. He leaned back in his chair, as if everything were under his control.


    Seth bit his lip lightly. He knew Casey''s capabilities. If he said he could handle something, then


    there was definitely no problem.


    "What about now?"


    "Just wait."


    The ount Casey tracked down was another one used by Ariana to post. It''s pretty difficult to


    figure out who out of a billion users was who, but what if he narrowed it down to a thousand, a


    hundred, or even ten?


    Casey wasn''t stupid; the person knew so much about the set that they must have been staff or


    guests there.


    Looking at what the ount usually posted, it definitely wasn''t a regr staff member. So,


    narrowing it down, it had to be a guest.


    Thinking about who''s been hating on Izabe recently, after ruling out others, the only one left was


    Ariana.


    So, Casey first asked someone to check Ariana''s phone ount information, and sure enough, it


    was her who posted that thread.


    Ariana used her other ount to post that text, partly to get revenge and partly to divert public


    attention.


    Smart idea, but she shouldn''t have messed with Casey; otherwise, she''ll be in for a rough time.


    "Have you figured out who it is?" Seth looked at Casey''s expression as he checked his phone, and


    he had a rough idea.


    "Do you have Ariana''s number?"


    "I don''t have Ariana''s number, but I have her agent''s number; was it her ount?"


    Casey''s silence was his admission. He got up from his chair and pushed it back. "Then give me her


    agent''s number."


    Seth dug out the number, found Ariana''s agent Le, and handed over his phone, saying, "Here."


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey took the phone and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window to make the call.


    The waiting tone rang three times before the other party picked up: "Seth, why are you calling me?"


    "It''s me."


    Casey''s voice was very pleasant, like the sound of a graceful cello.


    "Mr. Dempsey?" Le suddenly felt very uneasy. Casey wouldn''t just casually call someone.


    "Here''s the thing: I found out one of your artists is spreading rumors about me online."


    "My artist?" Anxiety filled Le''s heart. She thought about the news today and carefully asked, "Are


    you talking about Ariana?"


    "I will post the evidence onler. Since she dared to do it, she should be prepared to face the


    consequences. Since she likes to use my fans so much, let her taste what it''s like."


    Le pleaded anxiously, "Mr. Dempsey, please don''t do this. If Ariana really did it, I''ll make her


    apologize to you. Please don¡¯t post everything online."


    Casey sneered, "Le, right now it''s your artist spreading rumors about my love life online, saying


    Izabe seduced me. Why are you acting like you''re the victim?"


    Something about this sentence didn''t feel right to Le, but she couldn''t put her finger on it. Now,


    she was just hoping that Casey would show some mercy. If Casey really exposed Ariana, she would


    be in deep trouble.


    She was starting to resent Ariana. She didn''t know what Ariana was thinking. She was supposed to


    lay low for a few days, but instead, she stirred up such a big mess.


    "I''ll have her delete the post, apologize to you right away, and deactivate that ount. Also, I''ll


    agree to anypensation you ask for." Since Ariana used a different ount to post, no one


    knew, so apologizing in public wouldn''t have any impact.


    "Mr. Dempsey, could you maybe take this big deal down a notch and turn that little deal into a whole


    lot of nothing? Honestly, this thing doesn''t affect you that much; it''s just a few bad words about


    Izabe."

 Chapter 362

    Chapter 362


    Casey scoffed, "Le, now that you want to downy the whole thing, why didn''t you think before


    you did this? And for your information, it wasn''t Izabe chasing after me; it was me trying to hit on


    her, but I haven''t seeded yet."


    Suddenly, there was silence from the other end of the phone.


    Seth, standing behind Casey, was dumbstruck.


    Quickly regaining hisposure, he rushed to Casey''s side and said quietly, "What on earth are


    you saying?"


    Casey said without a hint of regret, "I''ve got some real news for you; dare you to make it public?"


    Le was stunned for a while. She tried to speak but couldn''t. After a while, she managed to utter


    "You". She then realized that the trouble Ariana had caused this time wasn''t going to be easy to fix.


    What she never expected was that in the rtionship between Izabe and Casey, the one who


    made the first move was actually Casey.


    Le managed to stutter out a "No".


    Seth was watching Casey, who was bing more and more angry.


    "Actually, not many have the nerve to hit on me. But it just so happens that Ariana, one of your


    artists, did. A year ago, while we were filming, she tried to sneak into my room. Although it didn''t


    come out at the time, I can still find the video. To prove I''m not lying, I''ve decided to post it online for


    everyone to see."


    Le''s voice started shaking. "Mr. Dempsey, she''s just a young girl who made a mistake in haste;


    she''s not a bad person at heart. Give us a chance; we''lle and apologize, and we''llpensate


    for your losses."


    Caseyughed after hearing this: "Compensation? Can you afford it? Adults have to take


    responsibility for what they say and do. Since she can''t keep her mouth shut, she can''t me


    others for taking action."


    Le became anxious and said, "Mr. Dempsey, you can''t be unreasonable. Ariana did squat outside


    your room, but that''s in the past, and she didn''t do anything."


    Casey said, "You''re wrong again. I didn''t call you today to reason with you, but to back up my future


    girlfriend."


    Casey hung up the phone and tossed it to Seth.


    Seth caught the phone and frantically asked, "Why did you tell Le everything? What if she


    recorded it and threatens you?"


    Casey said, "Threatening requires ability. If she dares to y tricks again, I''ll bring down the


    company backing her."


    Seth, despite managing Casey''s schedules for many years, was unaware of the extent of Casey''s


    power. He knew his family was rich and influential, but he hadn''t expected his influence to be so


    staggering that he could easily ruin a wholepany.


    "Are you really going to expose Ariana squatting outside your hotel room?" Seth asked quietly.


    "I''ve already asked someone to post it."


    Seth was stunned, but he was already used to Casey''s personality, so he took out his phone shakily


    and opened up the video.


    He noticed that the video was posted five minutes ago; Casey had the video released while on the


    phone with Le.


    Ariana definitely didn''t have that much influence. Even if she were associated with Casey, she


    couldn''t have reached such a wide audience in such a short time. The only exnation was that


    Casey not only contacted some marketing channels but also paid money to directly expose Ariana.


    Seth was aware of this incident, but since no one knew and Casey wasn''t affected, it was let go.


    However, he didn''t expect this long-forgotten incident to be brought up again because of Izabe.


    Seth shifted his gaze from his phone to Casey, observing him carefully.


    Casey was sitting in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, with a soft light on him; his profile was full of


    warmth. It should have been a beautiful picture, but for some reason, Seth felt a sense of fear.


    Casey was undoubtedly top-notch in looks. The entertainment industry was never short of good-


    looking people, but finding someone as distinctive and stunning as Casey was rare.


    Seth shifted his attention back to the inte.


    Not only did Casey expose the video from that year, but he also exposed that the ount used to


    post the article was Ariana''s.


    The video content was unttering. Ariana, dressed in pajamas, tried to knock on Casey''s door. The


    intention of a woman going to another man''s room in revealing clothes at night was clear.


    Casey didn''t even open the door; he directly called security to throw her out.


    The video had been processed to show a clear image of Ariana''s beautiful face filled with panic.


    Seth didn''t need to guess what thements were like. Having offended Casey, Ariana''s career in


    showbiz was over.


    Just when the previous incident hadn''t been resolved, she had Harper take the me for her.


    Instead of staying out of trouble, she posted from another ount, and now it''s been exposed.


    Seth could already imagine what Le looked like.


    Le had managed many artists, but the only one who made money was Ariana. Now that Ariana


    had caused such a big problem, the losses were heavy.


    Even the most powerful PR team couldn''t handle such a mess.


    Ariana was cursing Izabe just a while ago, and in the blink of an eye, her past actions and identity


    were exposed online.


    She was stuck in a state of rigidity, like an old,gging machine; her reactions became slow. Under


    stress, people automatically trigger a protection mode, retreating into a shell, like experiencing a


    nightmare that they can''t wake up from.


    Ariana pinched herself; it hurt, but she continued to pinch, trying to wake herself up from this reality.


    However, this was indeed the reality.


    Reality is often more terrifying than nightmares. She held her phone, trembling, and opened the


    comments. Millions of people were cursing her.


    She didn''t dare to read thements; she scrolled down and saw the video of her trying to seduce


    Casey a year ago. It was such a long time ago that she was taken away by security without seeing


    Casey.


    She had been worried for more than ten days, but there was no news online, so she didn''t take it


    seriously. Over time, she had almost forgotten about it, but she didn''t expect it to be exposed online


    in such a humiliating way.


    Just a few hours ago, she used this ount to insult Izabe, using Izabe of shamelessly


    seducing Casey. She didn''t expect karma to hit her so quickly.


    Not only was the video leaked online, but her ount was now known to everyone.


    Was it Izabe? No, she couldn''t pull this off. That left only Casey.


    Her phone suddenly rang, causing Ariana''s hands to tremble as she gripped it hard.


    The caller ID showed it was her agent, Le.


    She answered the call with a shaky voice: "Le, please help me. I didn''t do it on purpose. I just


    used this ount to vent a bit; please, help me beg Casey to let me off the hook."


    There was a scoff on the other end of the line: "Well, you''re not aplete idiot; at least you know


    who''s behind it."


    Ariana was at a loss for words.


    "I got a call from him five minutes ago. I''ve said what needs to be said. You''ve brought this on


    yourself, and you''re going to have to deal with it. No one''s going to help you. Thepany wants


    me back for a meeting immediately; I don''t have time to deal with your drama. You''re on your own."


    "Le!" The call had already been disconnected. Ariana was scared out of her wits.


    She dialed Le again.


    "The number you have dialed is busy."


    Ariana, already terrified, passed out after hearing the prompt. She knew Le wasn''t messing


    around. What emergency meeting could there be at this hour?


    There was no doubt about it. She''d been abandoned.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Refusing to ept this, Ariana dialed Harper, whom she knew had been crushing on her and would


    always pick up her call. But the phone was off.


    She''d always taken advantage of Harper''s feelings for her, making him shoulder responsibilities for


    her. Him cutting her off now was just karma, but she couldn''t ept this reality.


    Regret. She was filled with it.


    If she could go back a week, she wouldn''t have joined the reality show out of jealousy to sabotage


    Izabe. She wouldn''t have tampered with the script. She could''ve stayed home and waited for


    work, sticking to the monthly n.


    If she hadn''t been so consumed by jealousy, she wouldn''t have framed Izabe, insulted her with


    that ount, or spread rumors about her and Casey. She wouldn''t be in this irreversible mess.


    But there were no do-overs in life.


    How could she have been so stupid to lose to a notorious actress like Izabe?

 Chapter 363

    Chapter 363


    Ariana was full of regret, wishing she could go back in time and throttle the past, which was driven


    by self-interest.


    But it was toote for that now.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    She held her phone tightly, her hands shaking. Thepany had ditched her. Her agent no longer


    gave a damn about her fate. And Harper wasn''t going to help her anymore.


    All she could do now was try to save her own skin. She had managed to find Izabe''s contact


    details. Nobody answered her calls, so she texted.


    "Izabe, I''m so sorry. I shouldn''t have framed you. It was my agent who made me do it. I''m


    innocent; this whole mess has nothing to do with me. Please, can you post a statement online


    forgiving me? I canpensate you for your losses, as long as I can afford it."


    Her phone was silent. No reply. Ariana waited anxiously, constantly unlocking her phone every time


    the screen went ck and checking for a message from Izabe.


    Many people called her and texted her, but she didn''t dare answer or read the messages, frightened


    of the usations and insults she would receive.


    It wasn''t until her phone battery was nearly drained that Ariana received a reply from Izabe.


    "You want me to forgive you, but have you ever thought about leaving me alone? If I hadn''t saved


    those videos and voice recordings, would you be apologizing like this?"


    The answer was clearly no.


    Ariana''s intention was to bully Izabe. Even if she was bashed byizens and her reputation


    ruined, she didn''t care.


    Ariana tried calling Izabe again, but she had been blocked.


    Izabe had just gotten off a ne and was in a taxi. She casually opened a text from an unknown


    number, quickly replied, and then blocked the number.


    If a simple "sorry" could make up for all the wrongs she had done, what''s the point ofws?


    But judging from the text Ariana sent, something seemed to have happened while she was on the


    ne.


    From the news online, Izabe had a rough idea of what it was.


    The situation had resolved itself pretty perfectly, and she hadn''t had to do much.


    Leaning against the car window, Izabe stared nkly at her phone screen. An image of Casey


    popped into her head, and she found herself smiling.


    She finally understood why the flight attendant kept ncing at her on the ne and why Casey


    suddenly called to apologize.


    She was worried about getting Casey involved in her mess, and it turned out that Casey was


    worried about the same thing. Without her knowing, he had already quietly sorted things out.


    This man had helped her so much without making a fuss, but she didn''t know how to face him.


    Even if he wasn''t Ryker Dempsey, she would still want to be friends with him. But she couldn''t


    shake the fear that her feelings for him might be influenced by other motives or that Casey would


    find out that she initially approached him because he looked like another man. That wasn''t pure


    sentiment.


    Izabe remembered Casey''s instructions and texted him once she got home safe and sound.


    The brief message, much like the distance between her and Casey, was not only close but also


    awkwardly ambiguous, somewhat familiar yet somewhat strange.


    Other than Ariana, Graham and Kristin Lasley were also affected.


    Graham had always known that Izabe wasn''t easy to deal with. He had trulye to appreciate


    how formidable she was.


    Honestly, he had never had much hope for Ariana and her crew from the start. But he truly hadn''t


    expected them to lose so spectacrly.


    Now, no one could save her.


    The only word to describe the situation was "stupid".


    Graham said coldly, "Thankfully we didn''t target Izabe directly back then. I told you, she''s not


    someone to be trifled with. Otherwise, Ariana''s fate could have been ours."


    Kristin grumbled resentfully, "Why does everything good always happen to her?"


    He shared Kristin''s doubt. Unless he was looking at Izabe''s face, he would have thought she was


    a different person. He should have warned Ariana to be careful of Izabe''s recording devices, but


    he didn''t dare say it now, fearing it would arouse Kristin''s suspicion.


    "We shouldy low for now and observe her for a few days. She can''t leave thepany just yet,


    so we have plenty of time to deal with her." Graham tried to reassure Kristin, but he himself was


    unsure of what to do.


    Izabe had gotten the contract termination she wanted. In other words, Izabe could leave the


    company at any time. But what puzzled him was why Izabe was still hanging around.


    She was like a ticking time bomb.


    Kristin could only nod in agreement. After this issue was resolved, the official announcement for


    "Blood Ties" was just a few days away. Since they couldn''t get rid of Izabe for now, they had to


    think of other ways.


    With Ariana as a "sacrificialmb", she knew Izabe was not the same as before. If she wanted to


    get rid of her, she would have to be more careful from now on.


    Izabe returned to her apartment in J City, still having trouble adjusting. To be honest, she


    preferred R City, where she grew up, and was ustomed to the weather and food there.


    The weather in J City was warmer than R City, but also much hotter, with hardly any snow in winter.


    Izabe got off the taxi at the entrance of her apartmentplex, dragging her suitcase with her. A


    thinyer of sweat formed on her forehead in the short five to six-minute walk due to the stifling


    heat.


    The outside was hot, and so was the inside of her apartment. With no air conditioning and only a


    small fan running nonstop, Izabe only felt a bitfortable after unpacking and taking a warm


    bath.


    Checking the time, it was just nine o''clock. Liam should still be awake.


    She sat in front of the fan, letting her wet hair loose and enjoying the cool breeze, and called Liam.


    This time, he was smarter, recing "Madam" with the more formal "Ms. Salotti".


    "Ms. Salotti, what can I help you with?"


    "I''m back in J City. Arrange a time for me tomorrow. I''m going to take Nikki back."

 Chapter 364

    Chapter 364


    "Ms. Salotti, I''m afraid you have to personally handle this issue."


    "What do you mean?" asked Izabe, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    Liam exined, "Nikki has been holed up in Flower Garden ever since you passed away and never


    once ventured out. It throws a fit every time someone tries to take it out. President Windham and I


    are too wary to mess with it, so we need you toe over. Or how about we set a time tomorrow,


    and I arrange a driver to pick you up?"


    Izabe''s heart ached at the mention of Nikki. How was the foolish cat that tried to save her from


    the fire doing now? It refused to leave the vi; was it still remembering the words she said before


    she died, asking it to wait for her?


    "No need for that; I''ll go there myself. Tomorrow at 9:30 AM." Izabe hung up after saying that.


    After the call, she felt her hair wet and sticky against her skin; it was ufortable. She then got a


    hairdryer from the closet.


    The weather in July was the hottest of the year. Izabe was blowing her hair with the fan while


    using the hairdryer. The hairdryer only had a hot air setting, and it enveloped her hair in heat.


    She looked at the lights outside the window, feeling uneasy, probably because she had to meet


    Brett Windham again tomorrow.


    That night, Izabe couldn''t sleep. She looked at the money in her ount and nned what she


    would do next. First, she would find a partner to start apany, then acquire an economic


    company when she had a solid foundation.


    Izabe hadn''t signed the cancetion contract yet because the follow-up work would be


    troublesome.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The contract for "Blood Ties" was signed by thepany. If she left now, she might not get to do


    the drama, and it could even lead to awsuit, which would dy the crew''s progress.


    But if she didn''t leave, thepany would continue to exploit her.


    So the best way was to acquire thepany''s shares, be thergest shareholder, and not


    worry so much about it.


    After breakfast the next day, Izabe called a cab to Flower Garden.


    Three and a half years after her death, there was no change in Flower Garden; it was as if the fire


    happened yesterday.


    She looked at the vi that had imprisoned her for nearly two years, especially the bedroom on the


    first floor with floor-to-ceiling windows. Although a long time had passed and the burned ces


    have been renovated, she seemed to still see the unwashed blood stains and dust there when her


    gaze swept over them. Her toes involuntarily curled, feeling a sudden burn.


    Physical wounds can heal, but how can those that hurt the soul heal?


    Even after all these years, even though she had a new body, the pain she once suffered was an


    excruciating experience that would make her heartache whenever she thought of it.


    She couldn''t forgive Brett because the wounds she suffered in herst life were too severe, and she


    feared repeating the same mistakes.


    After taking a deep breath, Izabe walked towards the vi. Although they were all in the same city,


    it was much cooler here in Flower Garden.


    As Izabe walked with her head down, she felt a strange gaze and reflexively looked up. A tall


    figure directly entered her field of vision.


    Brett was standing at the gate, wearing the white shirt Izabe liked.


    As Izabe slowly approached him, her excellent vision allowed her to clearly see the reflection in


    his pupils.


    After hesitating for a moment, Brett said, "Nothing here has changed." His eyes were full of deep


    affection, as if he wanted to bring up the past to evoke some beautiful memories from Izabe.


    In fact, this ce brought some happiness to Izabe.


    During the time she lost her memory, Brett pretended to be good to her, and Tiara loved her like her


    own daughter. Although she didn''t have children, she had a cat.


    Brett looked pale, his voice trembling with weakness.


    At 9:30 in the morning, the golden sun shone through the shade of the trees, the leaves swaying in


    the wind. Izabe''s hair fluttered slightly in the wind; she was wearing a nude shirt and a white


    knee-length skirt; she looked as if she had walked out of a painting.


    Carrying her bag, Izabe said contemptuously, "This ce has always been the one I hated the


    most; you probably forgot that I was imprisoned here by you, sitting in a wheelchair, and burned


    alive by the fire."


    When Izabe said this, she was slightly sarcastic without any hatred.


    Brett was in pain, and when he looked at Izabe again, her eyes were distant and full of wariness.


    Despite the hottest time of the year, he felt cold and shivered, as if he had been thrown into an ice


    cer in the dead of winter, covered with a thinyer of ice. He clenched his fists hard but couldn''t


    feel anything.


    The ce he cherished was the one Izabe hated the most.


    "I''m sorry." Before he could finish his sentence, he started coughing, feeling pain in his chest. His


    body was so cold because he hadn''t slept all night and had been waiting for Izabe here since


    dawn.


    His mouth was filled with a sweet metallic taste. Brett clenched his teeth and swallowed the blood in


    his mouth, but his throat became itchier, and he covered his mouth to cough quietly.


    Izabe didn''t want to hear Brett''s apology anymore. The words "I''m sorry" had be a clich¨¦ out


    of Brett''s mouth.


    "Where''s Nikki?"


    Brett finally stopped coughing; he covered his mouth, and his voice sounded hoarse and


    unpleasant: "I''ll take you in."


    Izabe deliberately kept a distance from him; she walked behind him, looking at Brett''s back. She


    felt that Brett seemed to have lost weight.


    Brett, three years ago, was always head-high and full of contempt when he looked at people. He


    was always on top, but now he seemed to have lost his backbone.


    Izabe didn''t have time to observe him; she was full of thoughts about Nikki, who had been waiting


    for her here.


    She walked into the vi, looked around, but did not see the cat.


    "You call it."


    Izabe softly called "Nikki" in the empty house.


    Her gaze swept around, finallynding on the bedroom where she was burned to death three years


    ago. A small figure walked out from there.


    It was struggling to move, its body shaking. The rag-doll cat that once curled up in her arms while


    shebed its fur was now practically bald.


    The cat was missing an ear and half its tail, but in Izabe''s eyes, it was still the most beautiful rag-


    doll cat.


    Nikki was standing in the doorway, looking at her timidly. It wanted to approach but didn''t dare; cats


    have a strong sense of pride. It had always dreamed of seeing Izabe, but when it finally saw her,


    it was afraid to get close, fearing she would reject it for being ugly and dirty.


    Izabe thought she wouldn''t have much emotion in her life, but the moment she saw Nikki, she


    started crying.


    Worried about scaring it, Izabe squatted down slowly and softly and said, "Come here, Nikki."


    Nikki wobbled towards Izabe, sitting down half a meter away. It looked up at her with its little head


    tilted. Its voice, damaged in a fire, was unpleasant, so it didn''t dare to make a sound. It just stared at


    Izabe without blinking.


    Nikki''s eyes were blue, like beautiful crystals. Its pupils dted and shone, reflecting Izabe''s


    image.


    Although it couldn''t speak, its eyes were telling Izabe that it had been waiting for her for a long


    time, hoping she would pet it.


    Izabe reached out with trembling hands, gently stroking Nikki''s head.


    Nikki wanted to nudge her hand with its head, but it suddenly stopped, remembering its burned ear.


    Izabe''s heart ached. She bent down and carefully cradled it in her arms, dropping a kiss on its


    head.


    "Nikki, I''m here to take you home."


    In that moment, the cat cried. Tears flowed from its watery eyes, dampening its fur.


    It had waited three years, and finally, Izabe hade for it.

 Chapter 365

    Chapter 365


    Brett, like a total outsider, stood alone, watching Izabe cradle the cat carefully.


    He felt like a wreck.


    Seeing Nikki, Izabe wanted to bolt with the cat. This ce had be unbearable for her.


    Brett tried to stop her. Though thinner, he towered over Izabe, standing like a solid wall, blocking


    her way.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "I''ve missed you like crazy these past three days," Brett said, looking like a lost puppy. Maybe it was


    hisck of sleep, but he looked as though he had been crying all night.


    And the way he croaked out those words, it was hard not to feel sorry for him.


    But unfortunately for him, Izabe wasn''t the average person.


    "I get it; now move," she said coldly.


    Brett felt like he''d been shot in the heart by her callous gaze. The pain was unbearable.


    He wiped his face. "Izabe, when I say I miss you, I mean I can''t live without you. Do you get


    that?"


    "I don''t care, and I don''t want to know. Besides," Izabe paused, giving a sarcastic smile, "you


    seem to be doing just fine right now, don''t you?"


    A painful look came over Brett''s face. His eyes were red from the pain. Other than his chest, his


    head and legs were aching too. He didn''t even know how he was standing and talking to Izabe.


    "I''m telling you, I''m dying, Izabe. I''ve never been in love before. I thought I liked Kaley Cot, so


    I treated you badly and messed up. I know I don''t deserve your forgiveness." Brett looked at her


    with tears streaming down his face. "I tried to let you go, to watch you from afar, but I just couldn''t


    do it. I really love you, Izabe. No one will ever love you more than I do."


    Izabe held Nikki tightly in her arms. Her eyes were still wet from the unsheathed tears, but now


    they gazed darkly at Brett.


    This guy loved her? What a joke.


    He imed to love her but pushed her into the abyss.


    "Do you know why I wanted to burn myself alive here with Nathaniel Krueger? It was because I


    hated you. I wanted to get back at you, to escape from you. Brett, I''ve died once before. I''m not the


    same Izabe you used to control. What right do you have to stand here and say you love me?"


    The Izabe, who loved Brett, had been burned to death in that fire.


    Brett''s chest pain intensified. He doubled over subconsciously, wanting to sit down, but he couldn''t.


    The moment he moved, Izabe would leave without hesitation.


    His breath shaky, Brett wiped away his tears.


    He gently raised his hand. It was just a small gesture, but it made Izabe step back. The wariness


    in her eyes cut through his heart like a sharp knife.


    Brett lowered his head, a bitter smile on his lips.


    "I know you hate me; me me; don''t trust me. But what I''m saying is the truth. Youring back is


    the biggest blessing I have. I don''t want to cling onto you forever; just two years, no, one year is


    enough." Brett held up his index finger.


    Late-stage lung cancer; he had about three years left. He heard that people with lung cancer get


    uglier as it progresses. He didn''t need Izabe for a lifetime or even two to three years to watch him


    die. He only needed one year¡ªjust a short year.


    Once he died, he wouldn''t bother her anymore.


    Such a small wish; maybe if he begged Izabe enough, she would grant it. He gained some


    confidence, his gaze hopeful as he looked at Izabe.


    "I used to let you take care of me at home, but from now on, I''ll take care of you for the next year."


    "I''ll make up for everything I owe you. When we were together, there were so many things we didn''t


    get to do." Brett''s eyes zed over, as if he were lost in the past.


    "In the three years after you left, I wished we could live like a normal couple. I would cook and you


    would eat; we would take walks after dinner. I would do all the chores; no more working overtime.


    All my spare time would be spent with you. We could go to theme parks and watch movies. Oh, and


    I still owe you a grand wedding and a suitable ring. We never had a honeymoon."


    Izabe was expressionless, stroking Nikki''s fur in her arms just like she used to.


    After hearing Brett''s "love confession", she finally responded. "Whatever you didn''t give before,


    there''s no need to give now. Besides, I don''t need any of those things."


    Brett shook his head. "I don''t believe you."


    Izabe furrowed her brow. She really wondered if Brett was deaf.


    "So just because you love me, I have to be with you? I don''t even want to be with you for a year, a


    month, a day, an hour, a minute, or even a second. Why should I be with someone who¡¯d hurt me


    instead of someone who''s been good to me all along? Can''t we just live our separate lives? Why do


    you have to be in my life?"


    "But isn''t that what you did? Izabe, you made me fall for you, then you ran away from me?" Brett''s


    emotions got the best of him, and he grabbed Izabe''s frail shoulders.


    Izabe was startled, instinctively trying to resist. But Brett''s grip was like a vice. She didn''t want to


    hurt Nikki by struggling too hard, so she stood there, tense.


    They were so close, breathing in each other''s air.


    Izabe looked up at him, her voice cold. "So you''re the victim now? Let me ask you: how did you


    treat me when I loved you and you didn''t love me? And how did I treat you? I forced you to marry


    me, and for that, I donated blood to Kaley for four years. I don''t owe you anything."


    "Brett, look at this cat. It''s scared of fire, but it still tried to save me from it. Knowing I was gone, it


    waited for me for three years. I only took care of it for four months. But you? Four years, and I still


    couldn''t make you fall for me!"


    "You used my affection for you to hurt me over and over again! You trampled on my dignity! You


    kept me locked up like a dog, pressuring me to have your child. Have you forgotten all that? And


    don''t even try to say that trading me for Kaley was some roundabout way of protecting me. That''s


    just an excuse for your own weakness! You''re even worse than a cat!"


    "Now you im to love me and want my forgiveness. It''s a miracle that I haven''t strangled you with


    a dog leash. The things you''re saying just make me sick."


    "Enough!" Brett suddenly shouted. He pulled Izabe into his arms, a hug that was three yearste.


    The long-lost scent and warmth of her body clearly it was her, but why did it feel different?


    Brett tried to hug her as tightly as he could, his arms trembling. It was as if he wanted to pull her


    inside him.


    At that moment, Brett felt like he was drowning at sea, clutching onto a piece of driftwood. If he let


    go, he would be gone in an instant.


    Izabe struggled fiercely in his arms. She held the cat with one hand and punched and bit him with


    the other. Brett''s lower jaw was scratched, leaving several bloody marks, and his arm was bitten


    hard.


    It looked painful with blood flowing out, but he didn''t feel it at all. Because the pain inside him was


    far greater than any physical wound.

 Chapter 366

    Chapter 366


    "Brett, you bloody bastard. What have I ever done to deserve this? I''ve given my life for you; what


    more do you want? Do you need to see me die to be satisfied?" Izabe started hitting and cursing


    at him in his arms, wishing she could bite this man who had tormented her for half of her life to


    death.


    Feeling the sting on his hand, Brett reflexively loosened his grip on Izabe. He stepped back and


    stared nkly at the blood on his hand.


    Time seemed to slow down. He looked at his hand for a moment, then raised his head. He first


    looked into Izabe''s red eyes, then slowly lowered his gaze to the cat in her arms. Both them were


    ring at him as if his hug was an unforgivable offense.


    Sometimes words can hurt more than physical pain. Brett felt as if his heart was bleeding. Tears


    kept streaming down his face, wetting it.


    It hurt so much that it was unbearable.


    Even when he was rushed to the ER with a lung cancer attack, he hadn''t experienced such pain.


    Izabe was really ruthless; she didn''t have a shred of mercy for him.


    Before, she would feel bad for him when he coughed from smoking. But now, even though he was


    crying out in pain, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, she didn''t change her expression at


    all.


    He wanted to tell Izabe that he had lung cancer and that he was dying.


    "Izabe, it hurts so much." He clutched his chest and fell to his knees. "Izabe, are you really


    leaving me? Izabe, Izabe, Izabe, Izabe."


    He kept repeating her name, his voice choked with sobs, his body convulsing in pain.


    Izabe held the cat and looked down at him from above. After a while, she said, "I never wanted


    you; how can I not want you now?"


    Brett couldn''t control himself and vomited blood. He covered his mouth, trying to swallow the blood


    back, but it kept gushing out, wetting his palm and seeping through his fingers, making him feel


    sticky and ufortable.


    Perhaps due to the extreme stress, Brett''s tears flowed even more.


    Brett croaked, "Izabe, I''m sick."


    Izabe looked at Brett coldly as he vomited blood. She said coldly, "Sick? How can you be sick?


    You''ve always been healthy. I''ve never seen you sick. Just a bit of blood,some medicine, and you''ll


    be fine, right? Brett?"


    Brett listened to the familiar words, his eyes zing over.


    So this was karma. The harsh words he once said to Izabe were now all bouncing back at him.


    He knew he had no right to ask Izabe to be with him again. But he was dying; his only wish was


    for Izabe to spend more time with him, to prove that they had truly loved each other once. But


    even this small wish, Izabe wouldn''t help him fulfill.


    He wanted to tell Izabe he was dying and that he only had two years left. He was really going to


    die; there would no longer be a "Brett" bothering her.


    Brett sobbed, "Izabe, give me a year. Please save me."


    "If you want someone to save you, you should go see a doctor, not me." Izabe''s gaze shifted to


    the window. The wound that had healed three years ago was ripped open again. She remembered


    her past struggles in despair, hoping someone could save her. Brett''s appearance made her


    mistakenly think he was the one to save her, but she didn''t expect his arrival to shatter herst


    hope.


    Izabe pondered over Brett''s words. He said he was sick; his chest hurt, and he hoped she could


    give him a year.


    A year.


    Izabe didn''t understand why Brett was fixated on this year. To her, Brett was a selfish, greedy


    man who would trap her for life once he got hold of her.


    She had tried to escape from him many times in the past, only to end up being chained by him,


    crippling her legs.


    For Brett, a year was far from enough to satisfy his needs.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Maybe he was just ying pathetic to make her let her guard down. If she were foolish enough to


    pity him and agree to his request, there would definitely be some twists and turns a yearter.


    The blood Brett spat out didn''t seem fake. Izabe petted Nikki''s head to soothe it, then took out her


    phone from her bag and called Liam.


    As soon as the call connected, Izabe said, "Liam, your boss is vomiting blood. If he doesn''t get to


    a hospital soon, he might die."


    Compared to Brett coldly watching her vomit blood, she was being quite merciful.


    Having made herself clear, she hung up without waiting for Liam''s response.


    Brett, who was lying on the ground, managed to stand up with difficulty. He clutched his chest,


    leaning forward slightly. His face was pale, and his lips were stained red with blood, making him


    look even sicker.


    Brett felt an immense heartache as Izabe finished her call. He wiped the fresh blood from the


    corner of his mouth, his face full of pain.


    "Izabe, are you really that heartless?"


    Heartless? Izabeughed when she heard this. So this was being heartless?


    "Brett, do you know what you were to me?" Izabe asked indifferently.


    "What?"


    "A star."


    Brett felt bitter. He always believed that Izabe loved him. Even without Ryker and even without


    the misunderstanding, Izabe would still love him.


    Izabe continued, "I used to think you were a bright star. But then I realized it didn''t matter if there


    was one more star or one less. I me myself for having a narrow horizon and for mistakenly


    thinking you were the only one for me. It''s hrious when I think about it now."


    Time really can wear away all emotions. No one suddenly stops loving you; it''s just that you


    suddenly realize it.


    Brett''s breath hitched after hearing Izabe''s words. His haggard face no longer held the pride it


    once did.


    The most heartbreaking thing wasn''t that she didn''t like him anymore, but that he obviously had her


    once, but because of his harm, she gave up on him.


    Brett didn''t know how to deal with this rtionship. What should he do? Could someone tell him?


    Love was really hard to handle.


    "I''m going home."


    For Izabe, that shabby little apartment was her home, a forty-minute trek away. As for Brett,


    without Izabe, everywhere felt like aimless wandering.


    Izabe, cradling her cat, walked away from Brett. The sun shone brightly outside, and she didn¡¯t


    hesitate in her steps.


    Brett gazed at Izabe¡¯s retreating figure with a gloomy expression on his face.


    He was sure that even if he were to copse and cough up blood right now, she wouldn¡¯t look back.


    He couldn¡¯t help but remember Izabe from six years ago. Back then, Izabe hadn¡¯t been


    diagnosed with stomach cancer. She was alwayspliant and greeted his irritability with a smile.


    She always prepared his meals, no matter how busy she was. Knowing his obsession with


    cleanliness, she never let the maids wash his clothes. Instead, she washed them herself and hung


    them neatly in the closet.


    Her health had always been poor, but he never cared or thought about it. He forced her to sleep


    with him. She was ufortable but never refused, tolerating the pain.


    He always scolded her for being useless, even though she was so strong.


    Izabe was not useless at all, but he realized it toote.


    The gentleness she never refused in the past was because she still loved him. Now that she didn''t


    love him anymore, she was no longer timid.


    Izabe''s figure gradually blurred in his eyes. He stumbled forward, reaching out his hand.


    He didn''t want to lose her, but fate didn''t favor him.


    ¡°Izabe, Casey isn''t who you think he is. Ryker is dead!¡±


    Izabe paused in her steps but continued walking, her calm heart now in turmoil.


    She had prepared herself for the fact that Casey wasn''t Ryker, but hearing the "truth" from Brett still


    hurt.


    It turned out that she had mistaken him for someone else at first nce.


    Liam had been watching from upstairs until Izabe called him. He then came downstairs.


    He fetched some medicine and a ss of water from the first floor.


    Brett had just been discharged from the hospital, and his body hadn''t recovered; he couldn''t bear


    the slightest difort.


    He leaned against the door, his fingertips stained with dried blood, his body trembling slightly.


    Liam handed Brett the medicine. Brett coughed, ¡°I don¡¯t want to take it.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll die.¡±


    Brett, trembling, took the two pills from Liam¡¯s hand and threw them into his mouth.


    Liam offered him water, but he pushed it away, chewing and swallowing the pills directly. Having just


    vomited blood, his throat was sticky and ufortable. The pills stuck in his throat, the bitter taste


    slowly spreading.


    Brett grimaced with difort, his face twisted in pain. He wondered how Izabe, who hated


    bitterness, could have taken this medicine for three years.


    The medicine was too bitter. Brett couldn¡¯t help but retch, almost vomiting the pills back up.


    He covered his mouth, tears sliding uncontrobly down his cheeks after the bout of nausea.


    He hadn¡¯t done anything but take a pill, yet he broke out in a cold sweat. His head felt heavy, and


    his vision was blurred.


    He felt so cold. Besides his body, his heart was the coldest. It was as if his ribs had cracked open,


    letting the cold air seep in and freeze his organs, causing him pain.


    Liam helped Brett to the couch. As soon as he sat down, he leaned heavily against the couch, his


    large figure curled up and shaking uncontrobly.


    Brett was in a daze from the pain. Had Izabe felt the same cold and pain when he handcuffed her


    to the balcony and made her kneel on shards of ss all night?


    She had been right.


    He had bullied her relentlessly because he knew she loved him, which only pushed her further


    away.


    He once had all of Izabe, but now, even if he were dying, she wouldn¡¯t spare him a nce.


    Brett didn¡¯t know how much longer he could hold on. The doctor said he could live for two or three


    years in his current condition. Now, though his body was alive, his heart was already dead. He didn''t


    know if he would die or go insane first.


    Under normal circumstances, it took 40 minutes to get from Flower Garden to the apartment. If


    there was traffic jam, it could take an hour.


    Unfortunately, Izabe hit traffic jam on her way back. The driver was obviously a novice, and his


    driving made Izabe feel sick.


    Izabe felt a little carsick. She held Nikki in one hand and pressed her forehead against the car


    window with the other.


    The driver nced at the woman in the backseat through the rearview mirror. Maybe he was also


    feeling awkward about his poor driving skills.


    "Hey, where''d you find that cat? Its fur is all gone."


    "I didn''t find it."


    "Did you adopt it from a pet rescue center?"


    Izabe didn''t respond. She had a headache, and her eyes were closed, making it hard to see her


    expression.


    Seeing that she didn¡¯t respond, the driver muttered to himself, "You picked the wrong cat. Look at all


    its old wounds. This cat has been abused and is sick. It won''t live long."


    Izabe opened her eyes and asked, "Can you just focus on driving?"


    The driver shut up at her harsh tone but couldn''t help sneaking another look at the cat, thinking to


    himself, "That thing is hideous."

 Chapter 367

    Chapter 367


    Nikki seemed to sense the ill-intent of the stranger, burying her face into Izabe''s bosom.


    Izabe''s heart ached. She hated when people said Nikki was sick, let alone that she wouldn''t live


    long.


    She pulled out a tissue from her bag and wiped away her tears.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "We''ll always be together."


    With a hoarse meow, Nikki seemed to respond to her words. Sensing Izabe''s difort, Nikki


    stretched out her tongue to carefully lick her hand.


    The cat''s tongue was covered in tiny barbs, making it a bit ticklish on the skin. Izabe raised her


    hand to pet Nikki''s head.


    Feeling carsick was no fun, but she had to endure it. She had been enduring it for years, so she


    was used to it and didn''t find it too hard to bear.


    After an hour''s drive, the driver pulled over.


    Izabe got out of the car with her bag and Nikki in her arms. Instead of heading straight for her


    apartment, she took Nikki to the vet.


    Once a clingy kitty, Nikki was now terrified of strangers, always trying to burrow into Izabe''s arms.


    Not wanting to force Nikki, Izabe cooed andforted her until she finally raised her head. Nikki


    looked around, scared and anxious.


    The vet conducted a full-body examination on Nikki, and the results were not good. Over the years,


    Brett had often called in pet doctors to help maintain Nikki''s health.


    But a cat''s lifespan could never oust a human''s. Nikki was already four years old, and the injuries


    from the fire had cut her life expectancy in half. She was now an elderly person.


    Her organs were degenerating. Just like humans, cats could also die of heartbreak.


    The vet prescribed many nutritional supplements and told Izabe what to watch out for. Izabe


    also bought afortable cat bed and some cat toys, all things Nikki used to enjoy ying with.


    Izabe didn''t want to hear about how long Nikki could live; she only hoped that she could be with


    Nikki and make her happy while she was alive.


    She bought a ton of stuff, costing her twenty grand. The staff helped her deliver it to her small


    apartment.


    Izabe put Nikki on the sofa. Seeing that it was already noon, she decided to prepare Nikki''s meal


    first before making her own.


    After eating, Izabe started tidying up the room and putting away the purchased items.


    She put Nikki in the cat bed, "try it out and see if it''sfortable."


    Nikki padded around the bed before finally settling down, her eyes half-closed. Izabe scratched


    her chin, which caused her to purr contentedly.


    While Izabe was cleaning up, her phone rang. It was a strange number. Izabe hesitated for a


    moment before answering, "Hello?"


    "Izabe, the production team has discussed it, and we hope you can continue with ''Here Comes


    the Superstars.''"


    It was Mr. Kane''s voice.


    Izabe declined: "I''m sorry, Mr. Kane, I''ve decided to leave the show."


    "Why?" Mr. Kane sounded anxious. "Is it because of Ariana and Harper? Don''t worry; Harper has


    already left the show. And we''re working on terminating Ariana''s contract. She won''t be on the show


    anymore."


    "It''s not because of them."


    "Then what is it?" Mr. Kane was silent for a moment, then seemed to have an epiphany. "Are you


    ming us for not standing up for you right away?"


    "Mr. Kane, I''m leaving because I''ve proved my acting skills. And I only signed a contract for one


    season. Mr. Kane, I appreciate the opportunity you gave me, and I apologize for any trouble I''ve


    caused."


    But to say that she didn''t feel anything would be a lie.


    Mr. Kane gave a bitterugh. He didn''t know how he had gathered the courage to call Izabe and


    ask her to continue with the show.


    He could still remember the sight of Izabe standing alone on the stage. For three whole days, no


    one hade forward to say a word in her defense.


    He had witnessed Izabe''s acting skills firsthand, yet he chose to turn a blind eye as she was


    verbally abused online for three days.


    How could he have the nerve to ask Izabe to continue filming the show?


    "Izabe, I''m sorry."


    "Mr. Kane, don''t say that. I have my reasons for not continuing with the show. I''m starting a new


    drama soon, and Mr. York is working on the script. I need to stay home and study it. If I take on your


    show as well, I might mix up my roles."


    "I understand. Will we have a chance to work together in the future?"


    Mr. Kane specialized in variety shows. Izabe thought for a moment, unsure if they would have the


    chance to coborate again.


    She hadn''t even nned to act forever, let alone have spare time to do variety shows.


    However, Izabe didn''t reject Mr. Kane outright: "If there''s a chance, we can definitely work


    together."

 Chapter 368

    Chapter 368


    There''s still half a month before the filming of "Blood Ties" kicked off. During this time, Izabe had


    been brushing up on her lines while hunting for a new pad.


    "Blood Ties" was set to roll cameras in R City. Izabe had gotten used to life in R City, so she went


    ahead and bought a house there. The house needed a good chunk of time for renovation¡ªat least


    a year¡ªbefore it''s liveable.


    Izabe rented a two-bedroom ce in R City; it''s spacious and perfect for a cat.


    Having money sure made life easier. With a packed schedule, Izabe hired people online to help


    her house hunt. The movingpany showed up at the apartment and had everything packed up in


    no time.


    By the time the rented ce in R City was spick and span, Izabe moved straight in with Nikki.


    In the blink of an eye, a week passed and the first episode of "Here Comes the Superstars" aired,


    and it was a smash hit.


    Thanks to Ariana, Izabe, and Harper constantly trending over the past two weeks, a bunch of


    curious viewers tuned in to see what all the fuss was about.


    At the same time, a lot of people were eager to see if Izabe''s acting chops were up to scratch.


    Izabe was an early bird when it came to dinner; she''s done by seven, and after a stroll around the


    neighborhood with Nikki, it''s exactly eight when she got back.


    In her new home, she¡¯s got a massive couch, which she and Nikki love to lounge on. The leather


    was soft, and it''sfy enough to double as a bed.


    Izabe flipped on the TV and cuddled up with Nikki to watch the show.


    Mr. Kane was definitely an ace director; his editing was super engaging, and the way he controled


    the camera, magnifying the artists'' subtle expressions, made it easy to get lost in the drama.


    Watching herself on TV, Izabe touched her face; it was kind of weird but not off-putting¡ªa pretty


    novel feeling.


    Izabe''s face was, just like the director said, born for the camera.


    With over 60 artists on set, the camera paned quickly, but the first face that grabbed attention was


    definitely Izabe.


    Some people were just born to lead.


    Izabe rarely watched reality shows.


    As Izabe watched the show, she was also scrolling through her phone. The trending topics tonight


    were dominated by "Here Comes the Superstars", so all she was seeing was news about herself.


    "About Izabe''s acting in ''Here Comes the Superstars''."


    The title caught Izabe''s eye; she clicked on the post, and it was full of jeers.


    "I like quite a few actors in this show. But Izabe really bugs me."


    "Izabe''s acting was trending a couple of weeks ago, so embarrassing. Is this what good acting is


    now?"


    "She sat in the corner, didn''t interact with anyone, didn''t say hi. Totally rude."


    "Even if Izabe was wrongly usedst time, why didn''t Harper and Ariana turn on someone


    else? No matter how good Izabe''s acting is, it can''t wash away her whorebel. We should stop


    liking her."


    "Ariana and Harper are trash."


    "Izabe''s face is drop-dead gorgeous. Makeup is a waste on her."


    "I just want to see if Izabe tries to seduce Casey. If she so much as nces at him, I curse her to


    go blind."


    "It''s really weird; they''re making fun of Izabe before she even performs; aren''t they afraid of eating


    their words, like Ariana did?"


    "Whoever called her a whore, your manners must have been eaten by a dog. No, not even a dog


    would eat that; more like flies."


    "How did so many Izabe fans get in here?"


    "Do you guys really think Izabe has no fans left? Do you have any evidence that Izabe is a


    whore?"


    "Izabe admitted it and apologized."


    Izabe didn''t care about the public eye; what did these people''s opinions have to do with her?


    That''s what she thought until a few days ago. She didn''t do things she''s not sure about; she


    preferred to n everything out and take it step by step.


    Clearing her name was a priority, but it¡¯s not the thing she''s most eager to do right now.


    But when she saw people defending her in thements, she felt a pang in her heart¡ªnot for


    herself but for these kind-hearted people.


    They''ve never met her, but they trusted her so deeply; how could she let them down?


    The show hit its climax when Izabe took the stage.


    On-stage special effects, lighting, Izabe''s clear and fluent lines, her calm response to Harper''s


    impromptu line changed, clutching her chest, holding the gun, and falling to the ground as the lights


    on stage slowly went out.


    This night was destined to leave many people restless. Izabe''s performance was beyond


    reproach; it was the epitome of perfect acting, the kind that could be written into textbooks.


    Regr viewers watched Izabe''s performance over and over again.


    Initially, Izabe had fans they affectionately called her "Be", and argued with haters on her


    behalf, vowing to support her forever.


    But a series of negative news stories led to fans leaving her one after another.


    Some silent observers also blocked her because of her negative image in recent years.


    But tonight, these fans came back. They sat in front of the TV, covering their faces, their hands wet,


    screaming in silence.


    The Izabe they''d always wanted to see was back.


    Izabe''s fans were over the moon.


    "Be, wee back."


    "Be, conquer everyone with your acting."


    "Why do you look down on Izabe? Do you have a face as beautiful as hers? Do you have a body


    as good as hers? Do you have acting skills as strong as hers? If not, then shut up."


    "Have Izabe''s fans gone crazy?"


    That night, besides the fans constantly rewatching the video, Brett from Flower Garden, Nathaniel


    from Quiet Forest Estates, and Casey from R City''s Fountain Bay all watched Izabe''s stage


    performance over and over again.


    Nathaniel from Quiet Forest Estates usually couldn''t give a rat''s ass about reality TV shows. If it


    weren''t for his servants casually mentioning the name "Izabe", he would''vepletely forgotten


    about Bell Salotti.


    To him, Bell Salotti was as important as a used napkin. She was just a stand-in, discarded like


    trash, out of sight, out of mind.


    His only interest in Bell Salotti was to use her. He was initially interested in her simply because she


    looked like Izabe.


    With a bit of scheming, he got a talent agency to sign her on, bringing her into his sphere. All to


    create the perfect stand-in. He tried to be good to her as much as possible, even getting her


    professional tutors to teach her violin.


    Bell Salotti was incredibly obedient; her personality was a far cry from Izabe''s, with a bit more


    timidity. Perhaps because of her upbringing, shecked confidence. When she faced problems, she


    wouldn''t try to solve them or seek help; she''d just hide under her covers and sob quietly.


    During her violin lessons, she cried the most; her eyes were puffy and red almost every day, her


    fingertips were bleeding from the strings, and even her nails split, but she persevered.


    Nathaniel was naturally cruel; he enjoyed tormenting people for kicks, but for some reason, he didn''t


    have the heart to torment Bell Salotti. Probably because she was too weak, watching her suffer


    didn''t give him any satisfaction.


    After giving it some thought, Izabe was still the better choice; he loved nothing more than bringing


    a proud person to their knees.


    Izabe''s death was indeed a pity. If only she had chosen to be with him instead of leaving this


    world.


    That way, she could''ve seen how miserable Brett had been these past three years.


    What a pity¡ªsuch a pity.


    No matter how perfect a stand-in was, they''re still just a stand-in. Nathaniel thought he had


    completely forgotten about Bell Salotti, but when the servant mentioned her name, he felt a slight


    flutter in his heart.


    He turned on the TV.


    Looking at her face, he suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity. Bell Salotti was with him for a year;


    during that time, he saw her face every day, and he even knew about the mole behind her ear.


    Nathaniel always thought he knew Bell Salotti well, but when he saw the woman on TV, he couldn''t


    find a trace of her.


    It''s been a year since Bell Salotti left him.


    In his memory, Bell Salotti wasn''t supposed to be this dazzling. She was like a speck of dust in the


    darkness, easily swept away by the wind. Despite having a pretty face, she always kept her head


    down. Even when sleeping, she liked to curl up in the corner, looking insecure.


    If he had to list her good points, besides being good-looking, her only merit was probably her


    diligence. With her around, he didn''t even need servants.


    She was a quick learner; within three days, she knew his daily routine, his likes, and his tastes. She


    would try her best to cook every meal for him.


    Honestly, no one had ever taken care of him sofortably.


    Imagine waking up in the morning to a warm bath ready, toothpaste already squeezed out when


    brushing teeth, and even the towel within his reach. He didn''t have to lift a finger in his daily life.


    Sometimes Nathaniel thought if he didn''t let Bell Salotti be a stand-in, she''d make a pretty good


    servant.


    The turning point came when Bell Salotti was cleaning his room and stumbled upon a video of


    Izabe being tormented by him.


    She was scared out of her wits, locking herself in her room for an entire night. In the end, Nathaniel


    had to pry the door open.


    As soon as he kicked open the door, he saw the nket on the sofa quivering, as if he could see


    the figure curled up inside. He pulled back the nket, revealing Bell Salotti''s swollen eyes; clearly,


    she was afraid of him.


    "What are you scared of?" he asked.


    Tears flowed from Bell Salotti''s eyes. She wanted to look away but didn''t dare; her forehead was


    covered in cold sweat.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 369

    Chapter 369


    Nathaniel was a bit more patient than Brett and wouldn''t get pissed just because Bell Salotti didn''t


    answer his questions directly.


    He reached out and grabbed Bell Salotti, repeating the question he had just asked, "What are you


    scared of?"


    He felt something was off when she stiffened like a statue. He touched her calloused fingertips and


    asked, "Is it because of the violin?"


    Bell Salotti shook her head, nestled in Nathaniel''s arms, and dared not move. After sobbing for a


    while, she choked out, "Did you make me y the violin because of her? Did you want me to


    change my name to Izabe, not to start over but to rece her?"


    She wept sorrowfully. But Nathaniel couldn''t help butugh.


    "Who told you to snoop around my stuff? Isn''t it better to y dumb? Why are you making trouble


    for yourself?" Nathaniel''s voice was still gentle and nice to hear.


    Bell Salotti was powerless and naive; she unwittingly signed a contract with apany and became


    a meal ticket for capitalists.


    Nathaniel always looked down on her; if it weren¡¯t for her face, he wouldn''t even spare her a nce.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Born lower than others, without even the right to talk about self-respect, Bell Salotti didn''t expect


    Nathaniel to admit it directly.


    She stared at Nathaniel nkly, tears falling down her face.


    Nathaniel pinched her face and said, "Stop crying; you don''t look like her when you cry; you should


    smile more." As he spoke, he even used his hand to pull up the corners of her mouth. "You should


    smile more; then you''ll look like her. Stop crying and continue practicing violin. I want to see how


    you''ve been doing."


    Choking back her sobs, Bell Salotti said, "I don''t want to y the violin anymore." What she really


    wanted to say was that she didn''t want to be a recement anymore.


    Nathaniel and Brett were cut from the same cloth; their characters were not exactly the same but


    simr. They were used tomanding respect, and it was rare for anyone to defy them.


    He grabbed Bell Salotti''s hand and said, "If you don''t want to y the violin anymore, then there''s


    no need for your hands. Why not be like the person in the video, with useless hands?"


    Bell Salotti''s legs went soft, and only then did she truly understand Nathaniel. He was a devil, and it


    wasughable that she had taken this devil as her savior.


    Nathaniel stroked her fingers, his movements gentle as he swept over her fingertips. Bell Salotti


    spoke in desperation, "I''ll y; I''ll y the violin for you right now."


    "That''s a good girl." Nathaniel patted her head as though rewarding a well-behaved puppy.


    He led Bell Salotti by the hand to the violin room. Bell Salotti had no choice but to follow him in a


    daze, then picked up her violin and ced it on her shoulder.


    Fear had a great impact on her; her ying was intermittent, and tears flowed down her cheeks


    onto the strings.


    After a grating sound, Bell Salotti put down the violin in her hand.


    She wasn''t Izabe; no matter how well she yed, she couldn''t be her.


    Nathaniel furrowed his brows and spat out: "Horrible."


    Then they went on with their lives as if nothing had happened, just like before.


    Bell Salotti still served Nathaniel like a servant. The only difference was that Nathaniel didn''t need


    her to share his bed; he never touched her. The closest they got was when he held her on the sofa,


    pinching her mouth to show her how to smile like Izabe.


    From the moment she changed her name, she gave up the life of "Bell Salotti".


    Bell Salotti began to study every move of Izabe, striving to be a qualified recement.


    When Nathaniel thought she had learned enough, he arranged for her to apany Brett.


    He used Bell Salotti as a recement for Izabe, not for himself but to keep Brett in check with this


    little substitute.


    For the past three years, Brett had been depressed because of Izabe''s death. Perhaps he would


    be grateful if he had a recement.


    Bell Salotti had always been obedient; even knowing that she was only a substitute, she quietly


    epted the arrangement without any resistance.


    She probably wouldn''t refuse to apany another man.


    Bell Salotti didn''t refuse; she just said quietly, "Once you give something away, you can''t take it


    back."


    When did she stop seeing herself as a person and start seeing herself as an object? An object that


    could be used by Nathaniel at will, something that could be given away casually.


    Nathaniel didn''t care at the time; did Bell Salotti really think she was that important? To him, she


    was expendable; he never truly cared about her.


    "If I leave, I won''te back." Bell Salotti spoke again, like a soulless doll, staring at him nkly.


    Nathaniel said, "Fine, as long as you go to Brett''s room tonight, whether youe back or not is up


    to you. But if you choose not toe back, don''t regret it."


    What he didn''t know was that the biggest regret of Bell Salotti''s life was meeting him and willingly


    being a substitute for a year.


    In the end, Bell Salotti did just what she said; once she left, she never came back. She blocked all


    his contact information.


    And Nathaniel took a long time to get used to life without Bell Salotti.

 Chapter 370

    Chapter 370


    During those days after leaving Bell Salotti, Nathaniel went through a long period of difort.


    After all, Bell Salotti had taken care of him for eight months, picking only the best and most


    comfortable things for him. After leaving Bell Salotti, Nathaniel suddenly realized that he didn''t know


    himself as well as Bell Salotti did.


    Sure, he had servants at home, but they didn''t take care of him as meticulously as Bell Salotti did.


    The breakfast alwayscked vor, and even the clothes that were washed didn''t feel as


    comfortable as when Bell Salotti washed them.


    Nobody squeezed his toothpaste for him anymore, and nobody prepared hot water for his baths. In


    just eight months, he had be spoiled by Bell Salotti, which was definitely not a good sign.


    Nathaniel despised this habit. What''s the big deal about losing a woman? She was just a stand-in


    anyway.


    Confidently, Nathaniel believed that Bell Salotti couldn''t live without him, so he waited at home for


    her to beg him toe back.


    But three days passed, and there was no news from Bell Salotti at all.


    Did she get swept off her feet by Brett?


    Nathaniel thought that was impossible. After all, he had spent so much time with Bell Salotti and


    knew how much she liked him. She was born to be dependent on others. As long as someone


    treated her a little bit nice, she would stick to them like glue.


    No matter how harsh the words or how fierce the fights, she would never let go.


    But this time, it really seemed like Bell Salotti had forgotten about him. He swallowed his pride and


    called her, only to be met with a cold dial tone. She had blocked all of his contact methods.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    That night, Bell Salotti really did go to Brett''s room. Brett stared at her face for a moment, and just


    when she thought he mistook her for someone else, Brett suddenly got angry and had his


    bodyguards drag her out.


    She paid the price¡ªa broken finger.


    Bell Salotti didn''t know how she made it through that night. She had already lost her dignity, been


    humiliated by Nathaniel, and then been discarded by another man.


    She had actually liked Nathaniel, not for his money or because he was good-looking.


    It was just during a special period that he gave her a different illusion, which made her dazed for a


    whole year.


    In her life, very few people were nice to her. As they say, beggars can''t be choosers.


    Nathaniel was the most special one. He took her to live in a big house, paid her tuition so she could


    continue her studies, and even taught her to y the violin.


    He even gave her a new name, "Izabe".


    She was full of gratitude and hope, but little did she know that everything she had was stolen.


    She didn''t hate "Izabe," she was just a little bit jealous. How good must that person be to make


    Nathaniel unable to forget her, even getting a stand-in to remember her?


    She gradually learned everything about "Izabe".


    Everyone liked Izabe, but who liked Bell Salotti?


    Because she imitated "Izabe", she knew how outstanding Izabe was. If she were Izabe, she


    would also like herself.


    The man she liked fell deeply in love with another woman. Her biggest mistake wasn¡¯t falling in love


    with Nathaniel, but mistakenly believing that Nathaniel had also fallen in love with her.


    That night, she went to Brett''s room alone.


    Nathaniel was certain that she would obediently listen to him and not leave. The day she left,


    Nathaniel turned his back on her, not even giving her a nce.


    What''s given can''t be taken back.


    Nathaniel also knew about what happened the night Bell Salotti went to Brett''s room. He found it


    strange that Brett had no feelings for a woman who resembled Izabe so much. After all, even he


    was somewhat smitten.


    After Bell Salotti left, just as she said, she didn''te back.


    Bell Salotti returned to the entertainment industry, and without any connections, she was bullied.


    Nathaniel''s indifference made everyone think that she had been abandoned.


    Leaving in such a quiet way easily led people to think that she had offended Nathaniel.


    Who was Nathaniel?


    He was the heir to the Windham Group, the richest man in J City and no one dared to offend him.


    Bell Salotti was like a ticking time bomb. The agency that signed her misunderstood Nathaniel''s


    intentions, thinking that Nathaniel was disgusted with Bell Salotti and wanted revenge.


    Nathaniel''s cold indifference exined everything; he was indeed taking revenge on her.


    It could be said that everything Bell Salotti suffered in the year after leaving Nathaniel was


    connected to him.


    He was colder than a bystander and, more ruthless than an executioner. He pushed Bell Salotti step


    by step towards the abyss, and eventually she left this world, bringing the real Izabe back.


    Nathaniel was unaware of all these, he ignored everything about Bell Salotti. Even though people


    around him told him that Bell Salotti was doing badly, he believed that she brought it all on herself.


    He was waiting for her toe back, to kneel and beg him.


    However, he waited, and in a blink of an eye, almost a year had passed.


    He stared nkly at the woman on TV, unable to tell whether it was Izabe or Bell Salotti.


    He had been waiting for Bell Salotti to regret her decision ande back. But what he saw was her


    bing more and more outstanding on the stage.


    For a moment, he felt as if Bell Salotti had disappeared.


    Bell Salotti was a perfect stand-in; she really became the "Izabe" of yore. But for some reason,


    Nathaniel felt a bit hollow inside. This feeling wasn''t exactly good or bad, just like the palpitations


    lingering after the feeling of weightlessness, making him ufortable.


    He had to see her.


    Nathaniel began to send people to dig up information about Izabe''s recent whereabouts.


    Bell Salotti was timid and weak, but she also had her pride and was easily affected by other


    people''s emotions.


    This kind of person really wasn''t suitable for the entertainment industry; their endurance was too


    poor.


    Back when she was with him, if she saw someone online criticizing her for pretending to be


    innocent, she would be distraught for the entire day.


    Now, facing the scolding from everyone, she might go crazy, right?


    Whether she went crazy or not wasn''t Nathaniel''s concern; as long as she wasn''t dead, it was fine.


    Bell Salotti was still very much alive, and ording to the information about her condition this past


    year, she''s changed a lot; now she knew how to fight back.


    Nathaniel flipped to thest page of the information, and it showed that Izabe took the script for


    "Blood Ties".


    "How much is this production invested in?" Nathaniel asked.


    The assistant quickly found the information online: "Currently, at 1.6 billion, Mr. Krueger, are you


    nning to invest in this production?"


    "Yup, arrange it for the Windham Group to invest 40 million."


    "Understood." Nathaniel had invested in films before and made quite a bit of money, but this was his


    first time investing in a TV series.


    But the assistant understood why Nathaniel wanted to invest in this series when he saw the name


    "Izabe" on the cast list.


    As an investor, he could freely enter and leave the production set.


    "Take the information with you."


    The assistant gathered the documents on the table and left the room.


    After the assistant left, Nathaniel took a deep breath, opened hisptop, opened a file, and two


    video windows popped up at the same time.


    One was of Izabe being tortured back then, and the other was of Izabe performing on a variety


    show stage.


    Even though their faces were slightly different, they felt exactly the same. He subconsciously


    loosened his tie, feeling as though it was suffocating him. After loosening it, he felt much better.


    He quickly finished the videos Nathaniel suddenly wanted to see what Bell Salotti was like when


    she was with him, but he couldn''t find any pictures or videos of her. Her image was only vaguely


    lodged in his memory, slowly disappearing with the passage of time.


    After moving to R City, Izabe took Nikki to the meat sauce noodle shop again. Since it was


    nearby, they always ate at Mrs. Jones'' when they had to go out.


    Mrs. Jones was a warm person. She didn''t mind at all when Izabe brought a cat in; she even


    cooked some fish for the cat.


    Mrs. Jones was curious about the old wounds on the cat, but she didn''t ask. It''s like rubbing salt in a


    wound to bring up other people''s injuries, intentional or not.


    "What''s the cat''s name?"


    "It''s called Nikki."


    Mrs. Jones, crouched on the ground watching the cat eat, couldn''t help but say, "Nikki''s eyes are


    really beautiful."


    Izabe smiled slightly.


    There were many peopleing here for lunch; it was peak hour. Izabe didn''t stay long after


    eating and left with Nikki.


    She didn''t feelfortable leaving Nikki at home. Every time she went out and saw its big blue


    eyes, she couldn''t bear to leave it, so she usually took it wherever she went.


    In addition to dealing with real estate and reading scripts, Izabe also started apany named a.


    You can''t start apany alone, so she found Casey.


    She invited him out for a meal, and Casey was somewhat surprised when she said she wanted to


    start a corporation.


    "Why did you think of me?" Casey asked across the table, his eyes shining with anticipation.


    "Because I only trust you." This wasn''t to please Casey; indeed, after her rebirth, the only person


    she trusted was Casey.


    This answer satisfied Casey greatly; he was happy just by looking at his ears.


    Without hesitation, Casey agreed to register apany with Izabe.


    When he saw that the registeredpany name was a single letter, he asked curiously, "Does this


    have any meaning?"


    Izabe shook her head. "No particr meaning, just a random thought."


    The procedure was a bitplicated; Casey didn''t ask where Izabe''s money came from; she


    simply took out 30 million to start thepany without hesitation.


    Not worried about losses at all, Casey originally wanted to contribute to the investment, but Izabe


    had money; she held 90% of the shares, and Casey managed the remaining 10%.


    That 10% could be exchanged for quite a bit of money, and Casey didn''t want to take advantage of


    Izabe.


    He was never short of money.


    Izabe also had her own insistence: "You have to take these shares. No matter how close we are,


    we have to keep the money clear; you take the shares, and I have to use your connections."


    Casey guessed that Izabe wasn''t just trying to start apany; there must be something more


    behind this.


    Starting apany was justying a foundation; like building a house, you need a base first.


    Izabe told Casey what she was going to do next; she even brought a detailed document that


    clearly marked the insider information of an entertainmentpany and its scattered shares.


    "I want to take over thispany."


    With the money Izabe had, she could easily buy thepany outright, but that would be too


    cheap for them. What she wanted was to disintegrate them from the inside, forcing them to sell their


    shares at low prices.


    Casey immediately understood Izabe''s intentions as he looked at the information Izabe handed


    him. It was clear at a nce; there was no need to think. He suddenly became curious.


    ording to Izabe''s records, she never went to college, let alone had experience doing these


    things. So how did shee up with such a perfect report?

 Chapter 371

    And she spoke clearly, with obvious logic, which shew she''s put quite a bit of thought into this.


    Trying to take down X Entertainment from the inside was no pic, with all the talent thepany had on board, including the hotshot actress Kristin.


    Casey''s been sick and tired of X Entertainment for a while now. Even if Izabe hadn''t turned up today, he would''ve made a move to wipe thispany off the map sooner orter.


    Others may not know, but having been in the entertainment business for nearly three years, he knew all about the ugly underbelly.


    Take Izabe for instance; thepany signed her with the in intention of making her the fall guy. And what''sughable was that without a single photo, a clear video, or a recording, just a few lines on Twitter can control public opinion.


    mming someone was as easy as pie; after all, cyberbullying ain''t illegal.


    Just like Izabe said before, it''s like a pack of dogs in a vige. One dog started barking, and all the others joined in, their yapping echoing all over the ce, and yet none of these dogs had a clue why they''re barking.


    But in Casey''s eyes,paring these brainlessizens to dogs was an insult to dogs.


    Mosquitoes would be a more fittingparison. They were busy sucking people''s blood, not showing a shred of remorse. Such ack of decency.


    For now, he can''t buy out thispany, and Casey knew he can''t wriggle out of the 10% shares Izabe had given him.


    "I''ll arrange some people for you. Aren''t you starting your movie soon?" he asked.


    Izabe nodded. "Yes, I start shooting next week."


    "Just focus on your movie; leave the rest to me."


    Izabe trusted Casey to handle things. The 10% shares were still too little, so she nned to wire more money into his ount.


    They chatted a bit. Casey offered to carry the cat Izabe had on her back, saying, "You must be tired; let me help you."


    Izabe nced at Nikki, who was sleeping peacefully in the pet bag. "No need; she likes to be with me."


    "Do you bring her with you while you''re filming?"


    "I''ll hire an assistant to take care of her." Izabe immediately thought of Rachel.


    "So, you''ve settled down in R City now?"


    "Yes, I''ve bought a house."


    "Where is it?"


    "On the west side."


    That''s pretty close to where Casey lived a half-hour drive-but the property prices were half as much.


    "Not bad; we can visit each other anytime."


    Izabe chatted with him about her recent renovation work, and Casey


    listened attentively. Having


    el


    renovated a house himself, he knew about choosing building materials,


    interior decoration, and the


    preparations before starting work.


    Casey nced at his watch; it was two in the afternoon. Time always flied when he''s with someone he liked. He wished he could slow down time to spend more leisurely moments with Izabe. "Since we''ve got some free time now, how about we hit the amusement park?" He''d looked up date spots online, and amusement parks were the top choice. He thought Izabe might like it. Izabe''s eyes zed over as she heard the words "amusement park". She remembered Brett''s words from the other day.


    Casey wasn''t Ryker. The man she used to think about, who she''d brought home from the amusement park and who''dforted her with doughnuts, was long dead.


    She had seen him get shot three times: once in the leg, once in the shoulder, and once in the chest. She had heard them say there was no heartbeat or breathing. His body was dragged away, leaving a trail of blood, and was finally tossed into the sea.


    Ryker''s body was left in the sea at R City.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Her ashes were in the sea at J City.


    Could they ever meet?


    "Be."


    Izabe snapped out of her reverie, looking at Casey''s face. "What?"


    Her vacant expression was like a soft bunny, making Casey smile. "I was saying, shall we go to the amusement park?"


    R City had many ces for dates, and amusement parks were the most numerous.


    "Which amusement park are you talking about?"


    "Let''s go to Starry Brilliance Ind. There''s a park there that shares your name, Be''s Bay. It has pretty good ratings, and lots of people go there." Casey''s usually busy shooting films and hasn''t explored R City''s fun spots, so he had no idea about the origin of "Be''s Bay".


    He''d just looked up amusement parks online, and the highest-rated one that popped up was "Be''s Bay". had many beautiful pictures, the most attractive of which was the doughnut decoration.


    Every ride was dreamy, decorated like a candy house straight out of a fairy tale.


    Casey was drawn in instantly, and seeing the name of the park, he decided to take Izabe there.


    But if he scrolled further down the park''s description, he would''ve seen a line.


    This amusement park was built by Brett, the CEO of the Windham Group, for his beloved wife, Izabe.

 Chapter 372

    Be''s Bay was a project Brett started for his beloved wife, Izabe, and it gained a reputation even before it was fully built. Brett poured a chunk of money into it.


    For the three years after Izabe passed away, Brett put most of his energy into this project. He knew Izabe loved donuts, so he had the designers incorporate a lot of donut elements into the design. If Izabe loved sweets, then he would design the amusement park to resemble a candy house from a fairy tale.


    The whole project took three years toplete. Brett often visited R City, and the ces he frequented the most were a small vi where he and Izabe lived for four years, a noodle shop that Izabe loved, and of course, the amusement park.


    He often came at night, when the park was already closed. It was quiet, with only the sound of the wind. He would sit under the Ferris wheel, reminiscing about the past. Sometimes he would hallucinate, feeling as if Izabe was still by his side, never having left.


    Casey just randomly picked an amusement park. He liked the name and thought it would be fun to take Izabe there, oblivious to all the stories behind it.


    The mostmonments from theizens was that this ce was perfect for a date.


    "Let''s go here, shall we?" Casey erged the introduction picture of the amusement park on his phone and showed it to Izabe.


    His face was calm, his eyes shining, eagerly waiting for Izabe''s answer.


    He was waiting for Izabe''s answer, wanting to go on a date with her, have dinner with her, and, if possible, coax her toe home with him.


    Home, what a beautiful word! He had already prepared the spare keys. Once Izabe agreed, he would give her the keys and add her fingerprint to the lock system so that she could enter his home at any time.


    Everything seemed so smooth in his mind; it made his heart beat faster. His mind was filled with fantasies.


    The first step was always the hardest; the waiting process felt so long that a second felt like a minute. Casey''s breathing even slowed down. He looked like a puppy waiting for its owner to take it for a walk. At first, Izabe thought she was mistaken until she saw the location on the map.


    Be''s Bay was originally called Starry Brilliance Ind. After Brett bought the ind, he changed its name.


    She remembered how Brett had asked her in front of the reporters if she was moved.


    As Izabe recalled the hrious scene, the corners of her mouth curled up in an ironic smile.


    Everything in this world was interconnected; every action had a reaction.


    The words Brett said in front of the media back then made Nathaniel mistakenly believe that she knew about the mines on Starry Brilliance Ind.


    Her fingers were broken, and her body was covered in scars. As a result, Ryker''s body couldn''t be preserved intact.


    Did she resent it?


    How could she not?


    During their marriage, Brett didn''t give her much. The ring size wasn''t right, and he said he would transfer Starry Brilliance Ind to her name, but it was actually a distraction.


    He had only used her from the beginning; even when she was covered in scars, she couldn''t get a shred of sincerity from him.


    "I hate it." She hated the person who built this park even more.


    Casey didn''t expect that after all this time he would get Izabe''s dislike.


    He awkwardly put down his phone. "Then we,"


    Before he could finish his sentence, Izabe interrupted him, saying, "I said I don''t like this ce; it has nothing to do with you. Let''s not go to the amusement park; it''s gettingte, and there''s nothing fun there, and I have a cat with me."


    Casey pondered over Izabe''s words.


    If Izabe didn''t like the amusement park, then she just didn''t like it. But she specifically exined that it had nothing to do with him.


    "I don''t like this ce; it has nothing to do with you."


    If her dislike for this amusement park had nothing to do with him, then did that mean she liked him?


    Casey couldn''t help but smile. Izabe watched his changing expressions, puzzled.


    She found that Casey was very emotional; one moment he was sulking, and the next he was all smiles.


    Being constantly watched by Casey''s beautiful eyes was quite pressuring; it was hard to ignore him. "Do you want to go home?"


    If Izabe wanted to go home, he would drive her home. Maybe he could even go inside and linger until it waste; maybe he could stay the night.


    He insisted on having Izabee home with him, but he wouldn''t mind going to her ce either.


    After thinking for a while, Izabe said, "There''s a park nearby; we can go sit there."


    "Alright."


    Although Izabe was more familiar with R City, what she didn''t know was that during the three years after her death, this ordinary park had be a meeting ce for the local elderly.


    As soon as Izabe walked in, she noticed something was off. The park was full of elderly men and women. A bunch of strangers gathered together, discussing their sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters.


    "What does your daughter do?"Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "She''s just a regr designer; she recently got a certificate, and her boss gave her a raise. What about your son?"


    "My son is still in grad school."


    "He''s still studying? That must cost a lot, right?"


    "As long as he can study, let him study. He pays his own tuition; we don''t interfere."


    "Okay. Does he have a girlfriend?"


    "Not yet; he''s just focused on his work. How old is your daughter?"


    "She''s 27."


    "Older than my son? But I think they get along well. Has your daughter ever considered dating a younger guy?" "That depends on her."


    "Don''t worry, my son already has a house; it''s nearby. It''s not good for a daughter to marry far away, and it''s not convenient to ask for help in case of difficulties. And it''s also a hassle toe back during the holidays."


    "I think so too, so I came here to see if there were suitable young men to introduce to my daughter."


    Izabe walked in with such conversations filling her ears.


    "You two are looking for partners?" A middle-aged woman casually asked as she walked by.


    Casey''s face heated up under his mask. He nced at Izabe, who nonchntly shook her head.


    Izabe''s eyshes were long, fluttering like a tiny fan when she lowered her eyes. It was tempting to reach out and touch them, but he resisted the urge.


    To his surprise, the woman''s eyes lit up when Izabe shook her head.


    "I get it; you guys must be siblings, right?" Thedy rubbed her hands together, her eyes gleaming like a wolf that had spotted amb. She gave Izabe a quick once-over.


    Even though her face was obscured, the sparkle in her eyes was enough to tell that she was a stunner.


    "Miss, I can tell you''re single just by looking at you. Are you interested in getting a boyfriend? My son is a real catch," the woman said, assuming they couldn''t possibly be a couple. After all, what kind of couple would choose such a boring ce for a date?


    This was the first time Izabe had encountered such a situation, and she felt embarrassed. Just when she was trying to figure out how to politely decline the woman''s offer, Casey took her by the hand. "Sorry, ma''am, she already has a boyfriend."


    Without waiting for a response, Casey led Izabe away to a less crowded spot. If his mask was off, one could see his reddening ears and the nervous glint in his eyes.


    Her hand-why was it so small? And soft.


    Izabe had to trot to keep up with Casey''s long strides.


    She had been working out regrly, running for an hour every morning. She wasn''t tired; she just worried about whether Nikki in her bag wasfortable.


    "Chill, no one''s chasing us. Why are you rushing?"


    Casey nced back instinctively, then fixed his gaze on Izabe.


    He gave Izabe''s hand a quick squeeze, as if realizing something, but he didn''t let go.


    Izabe looked down at their intertwined hands. She moved her fingers slightly, prompting Casey to finally let go.


    "Let''s find a ce to sit."


    Casey nodded, this time matching his pace with Izabe. He kept stealing nces at her profile.


    They sat in a deserted pavilion, where Izabe let Nikki out of her bag.


    Nikki was shy and not fond of human interaction. Any slight movement would cause her to tremble.


    The moment Izabe held her, she curled up into her.


    "Can I hold her?"


    This was the first time anyone had asked to hold Nikki.


    Nikki was proud and had be timid after realizing her appearance was no longer adorable. She was not as lively and outgoing as before.


    She could sense the looks people gave her¡ªnot the adoring looks she used to get but ones filled with disgust, revulsion, or pity.


    In Nikki''s mind, she didn''t need anyone else. Izabe was all she needed.


    Hearing Casey''s voice, Nikki''s ears twitched, but her head stayed buried in Izabe''s arms.


    "It depends on her. You can try coaxing her."


    Coaxing? That was something he was terrible at. He could hardly coax people, let alone a cat.


    Izabe took out some of Nikki''s favorite treats. "Try using these."


    Casey took them, looking hopefully at Nikki, who was hiding in Izabe''s arms. "Nikki, I have some delicious treats here. Come out; don''t hide in your mom''s arms."


    Casey was patient, standing, crouching, and finally bending over to get closer to Nikki.


    He was so close to Izabe that he could smell her scent and hear her breathing.


    After five minutes with no reaction from Nikki, Izabe gently stroked her head. "Don''t be afraid; he genuinely likes you. Want to take a look?"


    With Izabe''s reassurance, Nikki finally peeked her head out, reflecting Casey''s face in her eyes.


    He took off his mask, revealing a warm smile simr to Izabe''s. Most importantly, his gaze was devoid of the disgust and pity others usually showed Nikki.


    Nikki took a look and retreated back into Izabe''s arms. But unlike before, her body wasn''t trembling, and she wasn''t as nervous.


    "Did I fail?"


    "Wait." Izabe gently turned Nikki to face Casey, and this time Nikki didn''t shy away.


    "Try touching her. If she doesn''t move away, you can hold her."


    Casey slowly extended his hand, letting it hover near Nikki''s nose, as if letting her get used to his scent. After a moment, he gently stroked her fluffy head.


    He handled her as if she were a fragile treasure, barely breathing throughout the entire process. Seeing that Nikki didn''t flinch, Casey couldn''t help but grin, showing off his tiger teeth.


    "She didn''t move away."

 Chapter 373

    Izabe gently suggested, "Why don''t you hold it?"


    Casey, once again, felt uneasy. He had no idea what to do.


    In the end, it was Izabe who gingerly ced Nikki into his arms. His movements were stiff, as if he were holding a newborn baby. Every move he made was done with utmost caution. He was afraid he might hurt the little kitten.


    Watching his awkwardness, Izabe couldn''t help butugh. "You won''t hurt it, you know. Try petting its back. Nikki used to love being petted and having its neck scratched."


    Casey started to seriously groom the cat, scratching its neck and working so hard that he broke out in a sweat.


    Nikki, at first, was a bit tense but rxed once she realized Casey wouldn''t hurt her.


    Izabe reached out to stroke Nikki''s little head, her fingertips trembling slightly when they touched the damaged ear.


    Casey noticed her reaction. He had many questions he wanted to ask.


    For instance, where did the cate from? And what happened to cause its burns?


    He chose not to ask because he knew these were painful topics for Izabe.


    "Nikki''s pretty important to you, huh?"


    "Very important, incredibly important." She would never forget the fire that day. Nikki tried to save her, licking her cheeks. Nikki dragged her by the cor, trying her best to pull her out. It was severely burned in the fire.


    While Izabe was trapped in the ruins, Nikki''s ws were ripped out. But it didn''t seem to feel any pain as it scrabbled around in the ruins, trying to find her.


    Nikki barely survived several times in the animal hospital. It kept pulling through with Izabe''s support.


    Back at the vi, it would kiss every picture of Izabe. Eventually, Nikki secluded itself in the room where Izabe had been burned to death.


    Casey thought to himself: if he wanted to win Izabe''s heart, he first had to win over Nikki.


    He held the cat and massaged it. Finally, he leaned in and rubbed his face against its back, thinking, "Nikki, see how hard I''m trying? Please let your mom be with me. I''ll buy you all the treats you want and carry you when you can''t walk, so your mom won''t get tired."


    Izabe, unaware of Casey''s thoughts,ughed and asked him, "What are you doing?"


    Casey instinctively looked up at Izabe, but he didn''t expect their faces to be so close. He nearly kissed Izabe.


    In that moment, Casey''s heart was about to explode.


    Swallowing hard, Casey felt they were way too close.


    "I''m," He stuttered and struggled to put together aplete sentence: "I''m just ying with the cat."


    They didn''t linger in the park for


    long. After all, they were both public


    figures. If they were recognized, they would be tomorrow''s headline.


    As the filming of "Blood Ties" was about to start, Izabe didn''t want to cause any more trouble for Mr. York.


    On the way back, Casey carried Nikki.


    "I can drop you off on the way."


    Izabe thought for a moment and agreed.


    Casey opened the passenger door, watching Izabe get in before he went to the driver''s side.


    Trying to impress the one he liked, Casey remembered a website iming that one of the coolest looks for a man was driving with one hand.


    Leaning against the car door, the


    on the


    door, the other ept


    steering wheel and the elerator.


    Just as Casey was about to start the car, Izabe reminded him, "You haven''t buckled up."


    Frantically fastening his seatbelt, Casey''s attempt to look cool had disastrously failed.


    "Drive safely with both hands on the wheel."


    "Got it." Casey obediently controlled the steering wheel and smoothly drove out of the parking spot.


    Izabe held Nikki and watched Casey. She could clearly sense that he was a bit tense.


    "How long have you had your driver''s license?"


    "Two years," Casey said seriously.


    "I''m a really good driver."


    "That''s reassuring."


    Casey drove with utmost


    concentration. He originally wanted to chat with Izabe during the drive. But with Izabe watching him drive, all his attention was on driving afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing himself.


    Unbeknownst to Casey, even though he was focused on driving, his gaze often drifted toward Izabe.


    Seeing that they were about to reach Izabe''s home, Casey thought, would Izabe invite him in?


    Casey licked his dry lips, then heard Izabe say, "I''ll get off here."


    "Here? Let me drop you at your door; there should be parking spaces inside."


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 374

    "This doesn''t seem to be about whether there''s a parking spot or not," Izabe mused. "Are you trying toe back with me?"


    After hesitating for a moment, Casey just blurted out, "Well, can I go home with you?"


    Izabe said e back'', and Casey said ''go home''. Just one word difference, but the meaning was entirely different.


    Izabe didn''t know what to say; she just stared at his face without responding.


    She had only said it casually, but Casey took it seriously.


    In her eyes, Casey was like a big boy just entering puberty. He was passionatelymitted to his feelings and also timidly probing. He was particrly prone to shyness. She used to tease him by calling him ''Best Actor''.


    She thought he would be shy this time too. But unexpectedly, he stubbornly stared at her like a little dog that had been abandoned and was waiting for its owner to pick it up.


    "I''m sorry, I overstepped," Casey admitted first. He took a breath, pulled out some mints from the car drawer, and popped four into his mouth. Izabe could smell the minty scent from his mouth; it smelled good. The smell of mint would never be as harsh as the smell of smoke. "Are you going to park nearby?"


    "Yes," Izabe replied while looking at the familiar scenery outside the window. She said softly, "Not now, but maybe in the future."


    She spoke softly, as if she had inadvertently spoken her inner thoughts.


    "What do you mean, ''in the future''?" Casey hit the brakes and parked by the side of the road, leaning towards Izabe. "Be, are you saying I can go home with you in the future? How long is that? A week, a month, or a year, two years?"


    Izabe held her cat, casually scratching Nikki''s neck. She thought for a moment, but these few seconds of pause for Casey felt like an unbearably long wait. Everything around him seemed to be in slow motion.


    Izabe thought seriously for five seconds, then smiled, "When my new house is renovated."


    Casey tried hard to suppress his smile, but the corners of his mouth just couldn''t help but curl up.


    "I''d better help you a lot then. Strive to finish your house renovation this year. Christmas is just six or seven months away, and I want to spend it at your ce and set off fireworks. I also want to countdown with you." Casey was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, each tap coinciding with each point, making one''s heart calm down.


    Izabe suddenly felt her hearte alive again. Warmth flowed from her heart to her entire body, making her eyes hot.


    Spending Christmas together, setting off fireworks, and giving gifts on Christmas. These were all things she had thought about but never realized.


    Could they really alle true this year?


    Izabe replied, "Five or six months might be a tight schedule. Plus, a new house needs to be vacant for a few months; there will be dust and formaldehyde."


    "Then why don''t you spend Christmas with me in R City this year?"


    Nothing was absolute; Izabe couldn''t promise more, she needed time to affirm her rtionship with Casey.


    More than friends, less than lovers to be precise, they were like kindred spirits or family.


    Izabe was much more rational than before, bing very logical after her rebirth. She no longer felt that life must have love.


    To her, love was a seasoning. Love could bring a lot of joy to life, but it could also bring a lot of trouble.


    Before she married Brett, Izabe yearned for love. She thought that marriage would give her a real home.


    "Marriage" was amazing; it could bring two strangers together. But actually, it couldn''t even provide the simplest happiness. Only those who have personally experienced it would understand how scary it was. Izabe asked, "Casey, why are you so good to me? We haven''t known each other for that long. Besides, I have a bad reputation; others would want to avoid me."


    "I don''t believe in rumors. I only believe in you and the Izabe I''ve seen and understood."


    "But have you ever thought that your eyes and ears might deceive you? I might not be what you imagine."


    "Isn''t that more interesting? I''ll slowly dig deeper and get to know the real you. As long as you don''t avoid me." He was as excited as if he had found a treasure map.


    He had heard others say that the feeling of liking someone was so sweet that it was scary. But now it seems that scary is not enough to describe it; terrifying would be more correct.


    He felt like his heart was about to explode as he said these words.


    Izabe didn''t answer his question; she quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, took Nikki, and got out of the car.


    "Let''s meet up next time."


    Casey also unbuckled his seatbelt and wanted to escort her upstairs, but was stopped by Izabe.


    This was the peak hour for people to get off work, and there were quite a few people on the streets. Casey was too well known, and there was a high chance of him being recognized. Izabe didn''t dare take that risk.


    "You don''t have to get off; I''m going home," Izabe told him.


    Casey nced at the people around him and had no choice but to suppress his urge, pulling his almost extended leg back into the car and closing the door.


    "I have an interview tonight at eight. If you have time, you can watch it."


    "Okay," Izabe said as she closed the car door and waved at Casey from outside.


    Izabe hadpleted the most difficult task; now it was time to consider investment.


    There were a lot of ces where money would be needed next; she only had sixty million left. Although this amount sounded like a lot, it would actually be used up quickly. Izabe was not azy person. When she got home, shey on the sofa with herptop and started analyzing the recent stock market trends, investing a million in one stock.


    In terms of investment, the Salotti


    179


    family had been involved in many industries, such as jewelry, building materials, and real estate. If Izabe chose to continue in these industries, it might be much easier. But in these fields, Brett and Nathaniel were industry leaders. If she got involved, she would definitely intersect with them.


    After much thought, Izabe decided to give up. Her current strength was too weak; there was no way she couldpete with the two of them.


    The only choice was to invest in the film and television industry. Although Izabe had never been involved in this field before, that didn''t mean she couldn''t do well.


    Izabe''s fingers were a blur on the keyboard, and before she knew it, two hours had flown by. She paused, rubbing her sore wrists, and looked over at her curled-up cat, Nikki, giving her a gentle stroke. Nikki lifted her head, letting out a "meow".


    "Hungry, huh?" Izabe nced at


    was already almost eight,


    the time. It was


    and she hadn''t made dinner yet. She


    had to break this bad habit of forgetting to eat when she got busy. She couldn''t treat her health like she did in her past life, letting a stomach issue escte to stomach cancer.


    Izabe quickly cooked up some dinner and opened a can of food for Nikki.


    As she ate, Izabe felt like she had forgotten something. She pondered but couldn''t remember, which made her feel uneasy.


    She took out her phone, checking her messages first. Apart from promotional texts, there were no other messages. Then she looked at the time; it was exactly eight.


    Finally, Izabe remembered what she had forgotten: Casey had asked her to watch his online interview.


    With Izabe, Ariana, and Harper''s departure from the show "Here Comes the Superstars," Casey had also left.


    This interview was to exin his decision.


    "My goal in joining ''Here Comes the Superstars'' was to find a partner. Now I''ve found one."


    "Can you tell us who it is?"


    "No, I don''t want you to bother her. In my eyes, she''s the best actress I''ve ever seen. You''ll definitely see us together on screen in the future." Casey rarely epted interviews. The reporter thought they could coax some juicy details out of him, but he was too good at keeping secrets. "Can you tell us who you think has the most potential for the show?"Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "No. Once the show airs, I''ll make detailedments as a mentor. Every artist is excellent, except those who think they''re smarter than they are. Their motivations are just ridiculous." Facing the reporter''s tricky and probing questions, Casey had developed a knack for handling them. As soon as he heard the question, he knew how to respond in the next second. Casey was a love-hate figure for reporters. It''s hard to get the answers they want from him, but whenever they were about to give up, he''d say something that would satisfy them. The reporter asked, "What do you think about Izabe, who often trends on Twitter?"


    Casey seriously replied, "Without knowing all the facts, I can''t give an assessment. All I can say is that she''s a great actress. Rationalizens probably give more valuable evaluations than I do." The reporter said "Butizens are very concerned about the negative news about Izabe."


    Casey responded, "About that, I want


    .n


    to ask Izabe''s fans. You knew her before all these rumors; why don''t you trust her now? Also, I hope.izens can speak rationally. Praise can be expressed directly, but think twice before defaming someone."


    The reporter wanted to ask more but was jokingly interrupted by Casey, who said "Let''s leave it at that for this question. Otherwise, people might think you''re here to interview Izabe."

 Chapter 375

    The reporter awkwardly chuckled. After all, it wasn''t long ago that Izabe and Casey were rumored to be an item. It was Casey''s first rtionship rumor, so they couldn''t help but want to ask a few more questions about it.


    The reporter asked a few questions about Casey''s work, which he answered professionally and straightforwardly.


    The journalists hoping to dig up some juicy news from Casey were bound to be disappointed. Ten minutes had passed and nothing had changed.


    The reporter asked, "Mr. Dempsey, can we talk about your love life?"


    "You can ask, and I can choose to answer or not," Casey replied coolly.


    Gritting his teeth, the reporter asked, "Do you have someone you like recently?"


    Casey said, "Love can be friendship, family, or romantic. So, I have many people I like."


    The reporter emphasized, "I''m asking about romance."


    "Well, I can choose not to answer. This is a test of your skills. Let''s see if you can catch a glimpse of my private life."


    Mr. Dempsey was too tricky to deal with, the reporter thought.


    He was openly challenging the paparazzi, but who would dare to sneak pictures of him? Did they have a death wish?


    Casey had only been in the industry for three years, but why was he so adept at handling the reporters'' questions during interviews? He was like a cunning fox, and his attitude was quite good.


    The reporter asked, "Mr. Dempsey, do you believe in love at first sight or in developing feelings after spending time together?"


    Casey replied, "Both are necessary. Love at first sight is an important factor, but it can''t sustain whateveres next. If I like someone, I''ll like her from the start and forever."


    "Once you fall in love, you won''t change."


    Casey affirmed, "No, I''ll only have eyes for her unless she doesn''t want me anymore."


    The reporter sniffed a hint of gossip and, suppressing his excitement, asked, "What would you do if you were in a rtionship?"


    "I''d do whatever she likes, of course. My understanding of love is that it''s a joint effort. Love is mutual; only with mutual understanding can we face all difficulties together. No matter how tough the road ahead, I''ll walk towards her without hesitation." Casey looked into the camera, his dark eyes filled with a gentle glow.


    Izabe was momentarily lost in thought. She felt very at ease when she identally met his gaze.


    Not only were they looking at each other through the screen of a phone, but also across time and space. Yet their exchange didn''t feel out of ce.


    How could anyone describe love so beautifully?


    So, this was what it felt like to be adored and missed by someone.


    The feeling of being cherished and being the only one in his eyes far exceeded her imagination.


    When it came to marriage, women didn''t have many standards, but it''s important to be clear that she''s getting married and notpletely dedicating herself to another family.


    There''s a big difference between the two. Getting married meant starting a family together, no marrying into a man''s family and bing someone else''s family.


    Why were women bing more independent and less willing to marry? Family was the biggest factor.


    The old Izabe was a naive woman who only believed in love. She caught a glimpse of him when she was young, and she could apany that man for more than ten years. She knew Brett didn''t love her, but she still tried to be with him. A loveless marriage was bound to be short-lived, and the one who loved more deeply was bound to get hurt more.


    She paid the price with her life; now she just wanted to be independent and strong.


    Only when a woman became better can she clearly understand what she really wanted. Her vision and consciousness will improve; only by being with the best can she be a better version of herself. A person''s vision and thinking determined their future path.


    For narrow-minded people, even if they achieved something, it''s hard for them to go a long way.


    So now Izabe just wanted to focus on her career. She just wanted to get rid of the bad people around her as soon as possible. Only when she became stronger can she avoid the things she experienced in her previous life.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    As for love, after watching Casey''s interview, she had some standards.


    ???


    She wanted to find a man who will listen to her. He''ll do housework, be considerate, understand right from wrong, have a normal mind, have simr thoughts with her, and be able to control himself. She didn''t care what other men do, but for her man, he can''t make the same mistakes as others. He can''t bepared to other men. If he made a mistake and med it on his gender, there''s something wrong with him.


    ording to her current standards, Casey met all her criteria, but it''s up to her to have the courage to approach him.


    After dinner, Izabe continued to watch Casey''s interview. Half an hourter, the food on the te had already cooled.


    She put down her phone and took the te to the kitchen to clean up. When she came out, she found Nikki staring at her phone on the table.


    Nikki couldn''t jump as high as before. It could climb stairs and get on the couch, but anything higher was out of its reach.


    Izabe felt sorry for it, so she picked it up and held her phone in her other hand. "Want to watch more?"


    When Izabe was watching Casey''s interview earlier, Nikki had been hovering around her.


    She found a picture of Casey online, and Nikki meowed at the phone screen.


    "Do you like him?" Izabe asked.


    Nikki lifted its paw and touched Casey''s face in the photo.


    Nikki was easy to please, just like Izabe used to be. As long as someone was kind to it, it would like them. But in truth, Nikki liked it more when people were kind to Izabe. Only if they were nice to Izabe would it ept them.


    Cats usually rested during the day


    and were more excited at night, but Nikki was quiet all the time. If it wasn''t lying in its cat bed, it was sneaking out to sit by Izabe''s bed and watch her sleep after she fell asleep. It would watch her for a long time, and if Izabe didn''t wake up in the middle of it, it would watch her


    all night.


    In the dark, its eyes would erge as it watched Izabe''s peaceful, sleeping face. It would cautiously move closer and nuzzle her hair.


    Cats knew how long they can live. It knew its time was running out, so it wanted to find someone to take good care of her.


    Nikki hung her head low, one ear drooping lonely. It wanted to find afortable position to lie down, but no matter how ity, its battered body was in pain. Even breathing hurt.


    Nikki was quietly snoozing next to Izabe, nting a kiss on her fingertips before gently nudging her with its head.


    Being


    cat, she had a ton of wishes. She''d waited for Izabe toe pick her up, but she also wanted to see her happy. She wanted to see herugh and to see her give birth to a beautiful baby, but she might not


    be around to see all that.


    S


    "Izabe, I hope you find happiness in this life and get everything you wish for. Maybe one day, not too far from now, I''ll disappear, but it''s not that I''m leaving you. I''m just heading off to the next life a bit earlier to wait for you."


    When Izabe woke up, she saw Nikki curled up and asleep next to her hand. She reached out and stroked his head.


    Every time she saw Nikki asleep, she felt a pang of fear. She was scared it might not wake up and leave her.


    It wasn''t until she heard Nikki''s soft purring that she could finally breathe easily.

 Chapter 376

    Casey''s interview caused quite a stir online.


    Thoseizens who had once badmouthed Izabe started to question themselves. Maybe they thought it was just a minor thing, but when a lot of people say it, the person being criticized suffered greatly. But no one knew, let alone cared.


    The fans who used to support Izabe felt quite uneasy after watching Casey''s interview. They reflected on their actions, and the more they thought about it, the sadder they felt.


    Casey was right. They knew Izabe before the rumors started. They watched her debut, her acting career, and her growth. But how could they just abandon her based on a few randomments? The postscked solid evidence-no videos, no recordings. Izabe posted a message on Twitter and then vanished. They thought Izabe was weak and cowardly, or maybe she was guilty and dared not apologize to her fans.


    But what if she couldn''t speak up?


    Looking at it from another angle, those posts criticizing Izabe showed that she pissed off a lot of people; she had many enemies, but her enemies couldn''t provide substantial evidence, which suggested that she herself was not in the wrong.


    At that moment, those who finally figured it out were shocked. They reacted; they had condemned Izabe under the guise of justice; they had called her names, demanded she leave the industry, and wished her dead.


    If she had been innocent all along, then what was the difference between them and murderers?


    The long-forgotten fan club issued a statement.


    "Izabe, we''ve been waiting for your exnation. We''ll wait for you toe back."


    Izabe saw the text, her face expressionless, her heart unmoved.


    Because the person they had been waiting for was gone.


    If theseizens had been a bit kinder, Bell wouldn''t have gotten depressed, she wouldn''t have taken sleeping pills and turned on the gas tomit suicide at home. They still expected her to exin all this? She could exin; could the ones who had hurt her go to hell to hear her exnation?


    Casey waited all night but didn''t get a message or a call from Izabe. He couldn''t help but wonder if Izabe had forgotten to watch his interview the night before.


    If she didn''t watch, should he repeat what he said in the interview?


    But he felt it was too embarrassing to say it to her face.


    Casey hesitated all morning; it was almost noon, and he still hadn''t sent the text.


    He typed and deleted, deleted, and typed again. Why was love so torturous?


    Casey sent a vague message; he decided to test Izabe''s reaction first. "Have you checked Twitter?"


    Casey''s interview was watched by manyizens. Since he talked about the love life that everyone cared about, his interview was still very popr. If Izabe clicked on Twitter, she would see it. Izabe might be busy at the moment, so she didn''t reply to his message. Casey stared at his phone, waiting. After ten minutes, he received a reply from Izabe.


    Izabe "Saw it; your interview was fantastic."


    Casey "What do you think?"


    Izabe always spoke her mind; everyone knew that, so she would directly discuss the topic.


    "I agree with you; love takes effort from both sides to be meaningful, but right now that''s not my goal."


    Casey wasn''t disappointed when he saw this. Her response was entirely within his expectations. Izabe was on the rise in her career, so she definitely wouldn''t be in a hurry to date.


    He didn''t want to push her; he just wanted to ask her about her thoughts on love.


    This was his first time pursuing a girl; he didn''t know exactly what to do, so he was always very careful, afraid to scare her away.


    The fact that Izabe thought the same way as him was already a pleasant surprise. As long as she was willing to be around him and not avoid him, one day he would be by her side. "Are you afraid of marriage?" Casey asked.


    His question was genuine. Izabe did have a fear of marriage. She wasn''t sure what marriage could bring her.


    It seemed she could live better alone, as long as she had money.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe thought about it and honestly replied, "Marriage only makes sense if you meet the right person." But the person has to meet her standards, and her requirements weren''t high; it''s just that most men didn''t meet her standards.


    Izabe didn''t dwell too much on the "love issue" with Casey because it was too early for them.


    Izabe changed the subject and mentioned that she bought shares in a filmpanyst night and invested a lot of money.


    She sent the files over, and Casey was stunned when he saw them.


    "Isn''t this filmpany about to go bankrupt? You won''t make any money from this investment."


    "Why do you say that?"


    Izabe was good at business, but she didn''t know how to invest in film and TV. Casey exined the pros and cons to her.


    Thepany Izabe invested in


    was a group that specialized in short


    ys. They just entered the film industry in recent years, but they never made any profit. Their threeedy films were ridiculed byizens. The humor in the films was awkward, and the filming quality was poor. Netizens all suggested they go back to doing short ys. Now they have lost money and can only sell thepany.


    When Casey talked about films with Izabe, he was very confident. Just by hearing his energetic voice, Izabe could imagine that his eyes must be bright but serious and focused. Casey was indeed suitable for business. His questions were very sharp.


    Casey even checked the stocks Izabe invested in. In just one day, she had already lost tens of thousands of dors.


    "Take your money back, dude. You''ll dodge a major bullet."


    "That team is seriously a no-go foredy."


    Casey thought Izabe understood him, but her next words left him speechless.


    "Let them shoot a horror film." Now she''s the investor. If she pulled the money out, thepany will go belly up. So, her suggestion to make a horror film should be a no-brainer for them. Fromedy to horror, that''s quite the leap.


    "I''ve watched their three films,"


    Izabe analyzed, "and they''re not cut out foredy, just like you said. The lighting is too dark and creepy. Inte reviews are echoing the same thing. Theiredies are weird enough to be horror films. Can you imagine how good they''d be if they actually made one?"


    Izabe''s argument was hard to refute.


    "But the horror film market hasn''t been doing so well."


    "I''ve thought about it," she said. "Two main issues:ck of apetent team for horror and poor scripts. I''ve got a good script in mind. I''ll email it to you."


    Casey was surprised that Izabe had everything ready. He quickly read through the script and was instantly hooked.


    The script was called Ghost Snatchers. It was funny in the beginning, creepy in the middle, and sad at the end. It was a great script.


    Casey closed his eyes and imagined the shooting style. Izabe''s investment in thispany was surprisingly fitting for this kind of vibe.


    The script centered around a married couple.


    "Good script, but who will you hire for the roles? This was a big question. Horror films required


    actors with good endurance andmet


    imagination. They needed to certain expression to immerse the audience in the film.


    There were great scripts domestically, but all their money went to famous stars and marketing.


    Now they had a good script and team; they justcked actors. As Casey was thinking, his phone suddenly rang.


    Seeing the caller ID, he felt like he was holding a hot potato.


    He quickly answered and heard Izabe''s soft voice.


    "Mr. Dempsey, would you co-star in this horror film with me?"


    Casey almost bit his tongue. "You mean we''re going to star in this film together?"


    "Don''t worry. I''ll pay you. You can refuse if you want."


    "I ept your invitation." Casey quickly replied, holding back hisughter. "Can I ask why you chose me to co-star with you?"


    "Didn''t you hint at us working together and appearing on the same screen in that interview yesterday?"


    Casey couldn''t help but smile. "Yeah."


    "Let''s achieve this small goal in the simplest and fastest way."


    Izabe''s voice was so sweet, like a beautiful violin melody that sent shivers down his spine.


    He didn''t expect Izabe to fulfill this goal before him. He was shocked but overjoyed.


    When Casey mentioned the ultimate goal of appearing on the same screen, he was thinking about marrying Izabe.


    He wanted to give her a grand wedding, both of them in their wedding attire, appearing on the screen for the whole world to see.


    "I won''t need payment. I''ll invest in our film," Casey replied.


    They immediately agreed on this. Izabe was busy shooting for "Blood Ties" and didn''t have time to handle this, so she handed it over to Casey, who was free at the moment. Casey called his agent, Seth, and told him toe to the studio and discuss the new film.


    As soon as Seth heard Casey was back to work, he got super excited. What was supposed to be a half-hour drive turned into 15 minutes.

 Chapter 377

    Casey hadn''t initiated a film project in a while. Whenever he did, he can bet it''s going be a banger. Not only did he get a kick from working, but it also sent fans and audiences over the moon.


    Seth was pondering on the road, wondering what team caught Casey''s eye. Could it be that fantasy drama by Mr. Hackett he mentionedst time? But what he didn''t expect. Seth looked at the printed script in his hand and froze.


    "A horror movie?"


    Casey nodded.


    Seth overreacted, saying, "Holy cow, out of all the genres, you picked a horror movie? Are you nuts, or am I dreaming? Do you have any idea about the domestic film market? Horror movies don''t draw a crowd A couple of years ago, a 3D horror flick with a 200 million investment bombed and was ridiculed by audiences. I thought you valued the reputation of your work; why would you pick this?"


    Casey, known for his bad temper, was a tough guy to deal with. The only time he ever let his guard down was around Izabe. Normally, if Seth bbered that much, he would''ve walked away. But today, he listened patiently, even with a smile on his face.


    "The script is great."


    Seth flipped through the script; it was indeed intriguing. He muttered, "I''ll look into this team. Aren''t theyedy filmmakers? You want them to do a horror movie?"


    "Yeah, they''re a fit." Casey''s tone was identical to Izabe''sst night.


    "But this team used to do skits. Their recent three films didn''t do so well. How did you end up choosing them? Am I still dreaming, or are you? At least Hackett has some work to his name and pays you well. I can''t fathom why you''d go for this nearly bankrupt team. They probably can''t even afford a tenth of your fee."


    "I''m investing; no fee is needed."


    "You''re investing?" Seth was more confused about what Casey was thinking. He had a hunch that Casey was keeping something from him.


    Seth asked in a low voice, "Are you hiding something from me?" He had a strong sixth sense, and by looking at Casey''s twitching ears, he knew this had something to do with Izabe.


    The more smug Casey felt, the faster his ears moved. This habit of his never changed! And who else could make him feel so smug other than Izabe?


    "The female lead of this script is Izabe, right? She''s ying your wife?"


    Upon hearing this, Casey''s ears not only twitched but also turned red, like ripe fruit in the mountains, spreading warmth to his cheeks.


    "Yeah, she''s ying my wife."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    No wonder Casey was funding it himself. Seth had many thoughts recently. He used to look down on Izabe, as her reputation wasn''t the best. From any standpoint, she wasn''t a match for Casey. Plus, Casey was just starting out, and he was worried that Izabe would affect his career.


    But after watching the first episode of her reality show, Seth changed his mind. As an insider, he had a fair understanding of theplex affairs of the entertainment industry.


    Seth asked cautiously, "Are you dating Izabe?"


    "Not yet."


    Just as Seth sighed in relief, he saw Casey''s smug face. "But it''s going to happen soon. Seth, you were right. She''s had a crush on me from the very beginning."


    Casey went on, "Every night, we chat, and before bed, she sends me a goodnight message."


    "So what if she sends you a goodnight message?"


    "Isn''t ''goodnight'' another way to say ''I love you''? Even you don''t know that." Casey looked at him with a condescending expression.


    Seth thought to himself, ''This kid sure knows how to daydream''.


    "Not only does she send me goodnight messages, she also texts me back when she''s having meals."


    "I also text you back when I''m having meals. Just today, I left my breakfast unfinished to rush over here when you called."


    Casey gave him a cold stare, not very friendly. Seth immediately shut up and listened to Casey''s fanciful delusions.


    Kids did love to dream; what can he do? Spoiled them, of course.


    "Also, whenever she''s in trouble, I''m the first one she turns to. We''ve even acted in a scene together."


    Geez, so they started interacting back then. Seth felt a twinge of discontent.


    "Izabe also loves staring at my lips. I bet she wants to kiss me. She''s so entranced by my lips. But my lips are indeed attractive; it''s only natural that she wants to kiss me. I won''t stop her." Casey touched his lower lip; his mind was filled with PG-13 images.


    Seth felt like he was about to lose it. How did he never realize Casey was this narcissistic?


    As Casey talked, he recalled the


    night they watched a movie together, and izabe suddenly touched his mouth. If she didn''t like him, why would she make such an intimate gesture? If she didn''t like him, why would she go on a date with him? If she didn''t like him, why would she ask him to co-found apany? If she didn''t like him, why would she let him hold her precious cat? If she didn''t like him, why would she invite him to act in a film with her, ying a married couple?


    Seth asked helplessly, "So, are you guys together now?"


    Casey answered with a smile, "Not yet. She said it wasn''t the time. She wants to focus on her work and career."


    "She''s just stringing you along. That''s what all these heartbreakers do nowadays."


    Casey''s face fell. "Are you close to her?"


    How was this different from a daughter turning her back on her hardworking parents? Seth didn''t want to argue about this anymore. Let him daydream. He''ll cry when the time came. "Let''s talk about the movie. Are you sure you want to invest in and star in a horror movie directed by aedy director?"


    "Sure."


    "So, why did you call me here today?"


    "Oh." Casey casually sat in the


    boss''s chair, slightly lifting his chin. "I just wanted to tell you to cancel my schedule." Recently, he not only had to study the script but also


    the


    arrange for the contract handover with the filming team. Moreover, he had to secretly acquire shares of X Entertainment Company. He also wanted to participate in Izabe''s new house decoration, hoping toplete it as soon as possible.


    After calcting, he wouldn''t even have time to rest. Being a happy man was exhausting.


    Casey''s smirk said it all, and this


    time, it''s not just his ears that were moving; his crossed leg was jiggling. like crazy too. Seth watched as the cup of water on the table kept


    el


    shaking. If he didn''t know what was causing it, he''d think there was an earthquake or something,


    Casey warns seriously, "Don''t let the news leak that I''m doing a horror flick. Keep an eye on the PR guys; just tell them I''m on vacation. Let''s give them a surprise when it''s time to promote the movie."


    Seth thought to himself, Wouldn''t that be more of a shock? Casey, who always steered clear of romance, was now going to y husband and wife with another actress.

 Chapter 378

    The filming of "Blood Ties" officially kicked off, and Izabe was up early, slipping into afy casual outfit, throwing on a baseball cap, and heading out the door. Compared to the other actresses with their immacte makeup, she was practically incognito in this getup.


    Brad had intended to pick her up, but Izabe turned him down. She thought it best to keep a low profile for now, given that the biggest controversy surrounding her was her rumored affair with director Brad. It would be better for the whole crew if they kept some distance.


    Izabe called her assistant Rachel and handed over her cat to her for safekeeping when she arrived on set.


    Rachel would normally do odds and ends for Izabe, like fetching water or clothes, but she wasn''t exactly a standout in thepany. Even though she was Izabe''s assistant, anyone could boss her around. This time around, Izabe used her influence to have Graham officially assign Rachel to her. Even though her pay didn''t change, Rachel felt her life had be much easier. Izabe took care of her own affairs very well; the only thing she was really concerned about was her cat, Nikki. Nikki was very clingy, and Izabe couldn''t bear to leave her alone, so she brought her to the set for Rachel to look after her. Rachel had no objections to her new duty of cat-sitting since she was a fan of animals in general.


    As soon as Izabe arrived, Rachel jogged over with her bag.


    It was the end of July in R City, and the outdoor temperature was a sweltering 38 degrees, unbearably hot. As Rachel ran over, she pulled a parasol out of her bag, hoping to shield Izabe from the sun. After all, actors are quite particr about their skin, and with the strong UV rays, even with sunblock on, it''s best to have an umbre.


    "No need for the umbre; I''ve got a hat on. Your main job now is to take good care of it; don''t worry about anything else," Izabe said.


    Rachel quickly nodded. It would be inconvenient for her to hold an umbre while carefully cradling the cat. As she put the umbre back in her bag, she eyed the cat that Izabe brought. "Izabe, is this your cat?" Rachel asked.


    "Mmm." Izabe looked at Rachel''s strange expression and casually asked, "What''s up?"


    "Nothing; I just didn''t think you were the type to keep a cat. I mean, you don''t earn much, and you seem to dislike hassle," Rachel said.


    "I will never find keeping her a hassle," Izabe said, hoping that Nikki could apany her for a much longer time.


    Rachel felt that Izabe seemed like apletely different person now. She had felt this way since the audition a month ago.


    The old Izabe wasn''t bad, but she was always agreeable and didn''t like to talk. Whether people were present or not, she preferred to stay in inconspicuous corners with a deep sadness in her eyes. But the current Izabe was much more confident and a tad less human. Comparatively, Rachel preferred the current Izabe, who no longer let people push her around and started living for herself.


    Rachel carefully took the cat and held it in her arms. The cat was much lighter than she had imagined. "What breed of cat is this?" she asked.


    "A Ragdoll," Izabe replied.


    Rachel took another covert look. Except for its eyes, it was really hard to tell that this cat was a Ragdoll. Adult Ragdolls usually weighed around 10 pounds, but Nikki only weighed 5 pounds, which was really light.


    Rachel gently put the cat in her backpack and said, "Izabe, let''s go. The director and his crew must be arriving soon." If they werete, they might get snapped by the paparazzi and have rumors spread online that she was acting like a diva.


    There were many fans cheering outside the set, the majority being Kristin''s fans.


    Izabe arrived at the filming location exactly at ten and entered with the crew. She was wearing a mask and a hat, with sunsses clipped to her cor. As soon as she walked in, she heard a click. She turned towards the sound and spotted a gossip journalist hiding behind a flower bed. Seeing her turn around, the journalist quickly snapped another picture.


    Izabe still wasn''t used to being snapped at random. She held back her frown, pulled down her mask, and gave the paparazzi a small smile: "Your ambush photography skills are not up to par; I spotted you right away."


    Izabe''s outfit was very ordinary, but it made her face look even more delicate and pretty. Izabe had a naturally photogenic face, but she looked even better off-camera.


    The paparazzi were initially hoping to catch Kristin off guard, but instead ran into Izabe. Izabe was quite popr at the moment, so he wanted to capture a few unttering shots of her. He didn''t expect Izabe to suddenly turn and look at him.


    She was good-looking, pleasant voice, and was easy-going; she didn''t even lose her temper when she was being photographed sneakily. The paparazzi''s face turned red, and he quickly ran off with his


    camera.


    It was only then that the crew around her noticed the paparazzi nearby and looked at Izabe in surprise, saying, "Impressive, how did you spot him?"


    "I have good hearing."


    "I know quite a few celebrities who despise the paparazzi but dare not offend them. You seem to not care."


    "We''re all just doing our jobs. If I let my emotions get out of control, wouldn''t that be ying right into their hands?"


    "That''s the right way to think about it; don''t bother about it. In the end, the only thing that gets ruined is your own mood."


    After waiting for a while, Izabe finally saw Brad. He gave her a red envelope that said, "Good luck with the filming."


    During the photo-taking on stage, she, being the second female lead, stood next to the male lead.


    After the opening ceremony was over, it was noon, and the crew invited everyone for a meal. As Izabe followed the crowd, she could hear the various cheers from the fans. Izabe preferred quietness, and overly noisy ces made her feel ufortable. She took out her phone and texted Rachel while walking, telling her that she would be at the hotel soon. Just then, a sudden cheer came from the crowd of fans.


    "Knowing all about you and loving you as before! Wee back, Izabe!"


    The cheer was so loud that it broke through the noise and reached Izabe''s ears. Not only did Izabe hear it, but the crew and actors in front also heard it. It was as if someone had shouted it through a loudspeaker.


    A sudden pang hit Izabe right in the chest. She held back the urge to rub it; this mysterious surge of emotion wasn''t hers but belonged to the original "Bell". Bell was still grieving even after her death. Izabe licked her dry lips, following the voices towards the crowd, finally spotting three girls in thest row, tucked away in a corner. They wore golden headbands with light-up signs that read "Izabe". Seeing her look their way, the three girls got all excited and yelled in unison, "Go Izabe!"


    They shouted until their voices were almost hoarse.


    "I''m sorry, Izabe!"


    With that, tears streamed down one girl''s face.


    A staff member by Izabe''s side reminded her, "They''re your fans."


    Izabe nodded. Yes, her fans.


    "Aren''t you going to say something?"


    The noise was deafening, and Izabe didn''t like to yell. She fell silent, seemingly pondering what to do next. After a while, she stepped out of the line, took off her baseball cap, ced her right hand over her heart, and gave a bow in the direction of the three girls.


    At this moment, the previously bustling crowd fell silent, all eyes converging on her.


    After bowing, Izabe faced them with a smile, then continued to follow the staff away from the scene.


    Izabe was seated at a table with the director. She scanned the people already seated: lead actress Kristin, third actress Vivian, and the actors ying the male leads Garen and Bruce were all there; no problem then.


    When Izabe arrived at the private


    room, there was only one seat left. She sat down next to Vivian. Despite not knowing each other well, they gathered around the table as if they were long-lost friends. Watching the bustling table, Izabe remarked, "What a bunch of actors; they''re acting even off work."


    The waiter came in to take orders. After a round of ordering, the waiter asked if anyone had any dietary restrictions.


    Brad, wanting to show some care for Izabe, asked her, "Izabe, do you have any dietary restrictions or anything you''d like to eat?"


    "No."


    With Brad''s question, it seemed everyone had finally noticed Izabe. The assistant director said, "I''ve been watching your variety show, Here Comes the Superstars; you''re really good."


    Never underestimate Izabe''s acting skills and tactics. She was once targeted by Harper and Ariana but managed to bounce back with a single video recording. What''s puzzling was where Izabe got that video was she always wearing a surveince device?


    "Thanks, Director Lee."


    "Let''s have a good time working together for the next six months."


    The assistant director led a toast, and the others followed suit.


    "Kristin, you and Izabe are from the samepany, right? How are you two getting along?"


    The one asking was Vivian. Everyone knew there was a rift between the two, and Vivian was clearly stirring the pot.


    "We get along great," Kristin replied. "After all, there''s nopetition."


    Izabe just looked at Kristin''s somewhat stiff face and smiled, not saying a word.


    Everyone at the table was eating and chatting when Brad remembered some good news and decided to share it.


    "Recently, there''s been lots of great news. Mr. Krueger from the Windham Group and President Windham both invested in our drama. The total investment is almost 400 million now."


    "400 million?" someone asked in surprise.


    Brad was quite satisfied to see everyone''s surprised expressions. This 400 million didn''t even include the actors'' wages. Blood Ties was a big-budget historical drama, and Brad was all about the details. The reason his past productions were well received was not only because of the story and camera work but also because of the details like the actors'' costumes and makeup. The embroidery on the costumes was meticulously done, stitch by stitch. The most valuable was the phoenix robe custom made for Izabe''s character, Megan. The phoenix was embroidered with gold thread.


    If it were auctioned off, it would surely fetch an eight-figure price.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    J City had two Windham Groups, each ruling half the city. One was Nathaniel, the other Brett. Their rtionship wasn''t a secret, but no one dared to openly discuss it. They were half brothers, and although Nathaniel sessfully inherited the Windham family''s wealth, he never changed his name, clearly indicating his illegitimate status.


    "Nathaniel investing in film and television makes sense, but why Brett?"


    "Nathaniel first invested 40 million, then Brett invested 100 million, andter added another 60 million."


    Brad''s original fundraising target was 200 million, and it was tough. He didn''t expect these two to help him reach the target so easily, and the whole crew''s treatment got upgraded as a result.


    They were really willing to invest, almost to the point of being unwee.


    "Is there someone they know in our crew?"


    "I bet it''s Kristin. Most investors would look at the lead actress''s strength before investing; it couldn''t possibly be some minor, unremarkable supporting character."


    "Yeah, Kristin is an award-winning actress, and we have Mr. York; they must have seen the potential in this drama."


    "Kristin, what do you think? Did these two invest because of you?" Vivian asked curiously.


    Kristin was holding a ss of water. Hearing the conversation turn towards her, she took a small sip and said "I''m not sure. I''ve met them a few times, and I heard from thepany a couple of weeks ago that someone would be investing in the crew, but I didn''t expect it to be them."


    "I knew it was Kristin. She''s beautiful, talented, and has won many awards. If I had the money to invest in a crew, I''d definitely choose Kristin."


    "I can''t believe two big shots in J City are shelling out for you. Mr. York, you better treat Kristin well in the crew from now on."

 Chapter 379

    Kristin''s eyes sparkled with smugness. She knew these two investors were not that important to her, but she just loved soaking up their ttery, even if it was all fake.


    People around her joked, "Both President Windham and Mr. Krueger seem to fancy you. You''d have a hard time picking a hubby."


    "I''d say Mr. Krueger is the better choice, since he''s the rightful heir."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "But President Windham ain''t bad either."


    Kristin pretended to be shy. "What are you guys talking about? I''ve only met them a few times; we are not close." She was telling the truth, but her twinkling eyes made it look like a shy lie.


    "Is Kristin blushing? I''d say pick the caring one. I heard President Windham treated his ex-wife like a queen; he even bought her an ind and named it Be''s Bay, turning it into an amusement park. So envy- inducing! I remember seeing old news about his ex-wife; even when her family went bankrupt and she went crazy, he never left her side. Where do you find such a devoted man? If he''s into you, he''d spoil you to death."


    While others were stirring up gossip, Izabe quietly texted and read her script. At the mention of "If he''s into you, he''d spoil you to death", her fingers paused. That was true; Brett did have a knack for "spoiling people to death".


    The chatty bunch quickly shifted topics from Kristin to Brett''s deceased ex-wife.


    "Wasn''t Brett''ste ex-wife also named Izabe?"


    "Izabe, you share a name with Brett''s ex-wife; even the spelling is the same."


    All eyes at the table turned towards Izabe, forcing her to look up. "Isn''t it normal to share a name with someone?"


    "Isn''t Izabe your stage name?" someone asked.


    "My agency picked my stage name, not me." Izabe casually shrugged off the responsibility.


    All information about her past life had been wiped from the inte, except for "Be''s Bay". No more "Izabe".


    Izabe trended online in her past life too, but not for good reasons. She was either kneeling in public, admitting to being a mistress, or suffering from mental illness. "Aren''t you eating, Izabe?"


    "I''m full."


    One of the actor''s basics was maintaining a good figure. No one at the table ate much. Male actors ate more but burned it off quickly, and they all had a fitness regime.


    Izabe had a good appetite in this life; she had no stomach problems and ate her fill at every meal. But she had no appetite for this situation, especially after hearing that Nathaniel and Brett were investors in her drama. It made her stomach churn.


    When she wanted to see someone, they''re nowhere to be found. But when she''d rather avoid them, they sticked around like a bad penny. She had tried her best to avoid them, but there was no escaping the whims of the rich.


    She had no idea what these two were up to, but it couldn''t be good. Every encounter with them spelled trouble, and she was always the unlucky one.


    On the surface, Izabe was ying with her phone, but she was actually figuring out how to deal with these two. She knew Brett well enough, know he wouldn''t harm her. But her. But Nathaniel was a mystery. The only thing she knew about him from her memories as "Bell", was that he was as bad as Brett.


    vel?


    Izabe never deluded herself into thinking Nathaniel turned "Bell" into her double because he liked her. To put it gently, people like him and Brettcked love. Or, more brutally they were selfish, loving only themselves. What led to Bell''s death wasn''t just the endless online abuse and bacsh from betrayed fans, but also Nathaniel treating her like a ything and throwing her into


    Brett''s bed.


    Nathaniel initially groomed "Bell" to keep Brett in check. If he found out now that the original soul in this body was gone, would he regret it at all? Or if he knew the real Izabe was back, would he behave like before?


    Suddenly, Izabe clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She couldn''t let Nathaniel find out her secret yet.


    Because the drama involved both Nathaniel and Brett, Izabe had been restless and gued by nightmares. Only messages from Casey could cheer her up.


    Izabe had been on her guard for their sudden appearance on set, but there was no dodging such things.


    Her early scenes were mostly outdoor actions like horseback riding and archery, with few emotional scenes. Her character, Megan, developed feelings for the young emperor during their time in the military camp. The emperor identally discovered Megan was a girl, sparking a subtle romance.

 Chapter 380

    Nathaniel stared at the script his assistant handed him with a serious face.


    Getting peeped on while showering in the military camp? Stripping off clothes to cuddle for warmth after getting injured? Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, tearing off clothes while treating wounds, twisting the truth? What the hell kind of script was this?


    Nathaniel knew that, as an actor, sacrifices needed to be made for the performance. Nathaniel''s control-freak tendencies weren''t as bad as Brett''s, but when Bell was passionate about acting, he even financed a campus drama for Bell to y the leadingdy. But acting was one thing; he couldn''t ept Bell kissing and sleeping with other men in the y, even if it was for work.


    So, the script of the campus drama was continuously revised during filming; the most intimate scene was just handholding, not even a fake kiss. But this was in line with the innocent and naive feelings of the campus period.


    Bell was very obedient when she was with him. He asked her not to take on ambiguous intimate scenes, and she obediently agreed, thinking that he cared about her. But in reality, he just didn''t want his possessions to be sullied.


    In his mind, Bell was like an object that he could discard at will. But while she still belonged to him, she had to be obedient and pure, not letting others touch her.


    Nathaniel originally thought a year was long enough to forget this person''s existence. But now, every time he thought about Bell kissing and sleeping with other men, he felt ufortable all over. Why was this?


    He was the one who sent her to Brett''s bed in the first ce; why couldn''t he stand it now? This was simply unbelievable.


    Nathaniel suppressed the emotions in his heart and threw the script information in his hand to his assistant, saying, "Shred it in the shredder."


    The assistant responded, "Yes, Mr. Krueger."


    After the assistant left the office, Nathaniel picked up the cold coffee on the desk and took a sip. The bitterness spread in his mouth. The coffee he usually drank had be so bitter that it was like drinking a bowl of bitter Chinese medicine. The strong bitterness lingered in his throat for a long time, making him feel a little sick.


    He stared at the tall buildings outside the window, and in the quiet moment, he had to admit that he was starting to miss Bell. He couldn''t forget the person he couldn''t forget for over 300 days; he didn''t understand why he sent her away in the first ce, and he was starting to regret it. Since he couldn''t forget about her, it was time to bring her back.


    If Bell didn''t take the initiative to find him, then he would personally bring her back. After all, the little girl was alone and bullied in the entertainment industry. Since he still wanted her, she should be grateful. With this thought, his mood finally improved a bit.


    He looked at the coffee on the table and asked his secretary to change it for atte with milk and sugar.


    Bell didn''t like coffee because it was bitter, but coffee could refresh her, so the coffee she drank was always sweet. He tasted it once, and it was disgustingly sweet. After that, she never made such coffee again. But this time, he actually missed that sickeningly sweet coffee.


    In Valley Studio City, the crew of "Blood Ties" was getting ready to film the scene where the female lead Megan was drugged and saved by the young emperor, revealing that she was actually a woman. This scene was important; the emotional grasp and the tone of the lines were a test of the actor''s skills, and Megan''s lines were even more so.


    Even though Izabe had memorized the script very well, she was still unsure if she could perform this scene perfectly. Because she was naturally cold, Mr. York chose her to y Megan because she had a few simrities with Megan.


    These past few days of outdoor shooting saw her scenes pass smoothly in one take, but now she had to portray a drugged, seductive look. Izabe thought about the image and couldn''t help but frown. Garen, who yed the lead male emperor, saw Izabe squatting on the ground, constantly looking at the script. He walked over and asked, "How are your preparations?"


    Izabe shook her head to indicate that she didn''t know either.


    "How about I rehearse the scene with you a couple of times? Help you find the feeling?"


    Izabe was cold; even if the actors in the crew didn''t interact on a regr basis, they would still put on a show on the surface. Garen originally wanted to get along with Izabe, but these past few days he had been put off by her cold personality.


    "No need; I''ll get into character quickly."


    Garen: "That''s also true; Mr. York''s bad temper doesn''t like anyone; even Kristin has been scolded by him twice; the only one in the entire crew who has been praised by him is you; it''s really enviable." Facing Izabe, Garen felt like he was facing the top student in ss, who got better grades than him even though they slept all day. He wasn''t as envious and jealous of Izabe as he said; after all, he was a man and couldn''t hold a grudge against a woman.


    To director Brad, his work was like his own daughter, and in the entire storyline of "Blood Ties", his favorite was the Megan chapter, living a proud life and preferring death to submission. This character was originally just a fantasy in his mind until Izabe read the original work and Megan "came alive".


    He didn''t originally like to change the script, but Izabe''s acting skills really made him itch; he wished he could make Megan the female lead. And he had a premonition that after this drama aired, Izabe would be a hit.


    Other actors might only reach a certain height, but for Izabe, only the sky was suitable.


    But changing the script easily was impossible because it not only involved the original work but also other actors and fans. If the script was actually changed, the one most affected would be Kristin. Kristin was a top-tier actress; she had won the annual best actress award, and her contract gave her high status. If the female lead''s scenes were overshadowed by the female second, that would be a breach of contract. If it were exposed, it would definitely cause a lot of controversy on the inte, and it would be hical from any angle. He couldn''t put the entire crew in trouble because of his personal desires. And besides, this wouldn''t be good for Izabe either.


    The more he thought about it, the more it irked Brad. Initially, he was quite satisfied with Kristin. But ever since he saw some real acting chops, he felt something was off with Kristin''s performance. Her face, while pretty, often seemed stiff on camera, her expressions unnatural.


    Plus, there was a scene yesterday where she was supposed to show off her feet, and Kristin t out refused. It wasn''t like she was being asked to go nude-just show a bit of leg-but she insisted on using a body double. Because of this, Brad threw a major fit, berating her with the script in his hand. He even lost a night''s sleep over it, waking up with a haggard face and bloodshot eyes. Lack of sleep put him in a foul mood all day, making him feel like he had swallowed dynamite.


    The actors scheduled to shoot scenes today were on pins and needles all morning, and some of the more sensitive ones ended up in tears after being scolded.


    "Next up, Izabe and Garen, get ready."


    Upon hearing Izabe''s name, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


    Brad was notorious for his quick temper, readily berating the crew. But whenever Izabe had a scene, his face would immediately soften.


    As the crew and cameras prepared, Izabe stood in her spot, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths to adjust her mood.


    Just as she was about to get into character, the producer walked in and whispered something in Brad''s ear.


    Brad hated being disturbed while working, but surprisingly, he was patient this time. His face showed surprise. "They''re all here?"


    The producer nodded, his face grim. "Yes, the two investors came together unannounced."


    "I heard they invest but rarely have time to hang around the set. Whatever." Brad stood up and made a pause gesture, saying, "Hold the shoot for a bit. The investors areing, so everybody pull yourselves together."


    With no time to exin, Brad, the assistant director, and the producer quickly left.


    Brad''s announcement stirred up the set.


    "The investors areing? Those two?"


    "If even Mr. York wees them personally, who else could it be but Nathaniel and Brett?"


    "We only see those two on TV, usually. I can''t believe we''ll meet them in person." "Aren''t those two on bad terms? Why would they invest in the same production?"


    "I heard they both fancy a female artist in our crew and came together topete."


    "No need to guess; it''s definitely the lead actress, Kristin. The star of the show is always the one favored by the financiers. Would they let someone they fancy y a supporting role?"Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Gossips never rested. Izabe wanted to quit and leave, but she knew she couldn''t run forever. Plus, she had her own thoughts. Brett wouldn''t let her fall into Nathaniel''s hands, and vice versa. Let them fight it


    out.


    Garen was at her side, taking deep breaths, his actions catching Izabe''s attention.


    "What are you doing?"


    "I''m trying to calm my nerves. These investors can invest or withdraw anytime they want. I''m worried if we don''t perform well, they might pull their funding." Garen looked at Izabe''s calm face and asked curiously, "Aren''t you nervous?"


    "Not really. Just take it easy; there''s no use in getting nervous."


    "You have a rare mindset." Garen sighed. "I feel like when I was


    cheating on my final exams at school, I was just about to find the answer, and the invigtor suddenly appeared behind me. If they insist on watching us perform, what if I serew up and they withdr


    their


    investment?"


    Izabe didn''t want to perform in front of these two either, especially in a scene that was somewhat intimate.


    "Can we change the order?"


    Garen thought seriously about it. At 25, Garen had no problem ying a young emperor. Dressed in armor with long hair and a crown, he


    looked gentle and refined. A few


    scars and traces of blood


    added to


    his makeup gave his face a more


    determined look.


    His pupils were brown, appearing lighter in the sunlight. "That''s possible. Didn''t they say those two investors came for Kristin? Maybe they just want to watch her perform; then we can breathe easy." Izabe''s breath hitched, not because she was relieved but because she knew better than anyone that they were here for her.


    "Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" Garen looked at Izabe''s face closely, concerned.


    Izabe forced a smile. "If I''m not feeling well, can I leave earlier?"


    "Didn''t the director just say we


    should stay here? Are you getting


    nervous now?" Garen tried to distract himself from his own nerves byforting Izabe, patting her shoulder in character and saying, "Izabe, just rx. Your acting skills are top-notch. Maybe those two investors will fight to invest in you after seeing your performance."


    Garen looked around and whispered in Izabe''s ear, "For me, you''re better than Kristin in both acting and looks. Seize the opportunity."


    Izabe couldn''t stand people being so close to her and was about to step back when she saw Brett and Nathaniel being greeted by the director at the entrance.


    Those two chose the same day to visit the set, whether intentionally or not.

 Chapter 381

    The atmosphere between the two was quite tricky at this point. Brett was poker-faced, while Nathaniel was sporting a grin.


    In contrast to Brett''s dark attire, Nathaniel''s outfit was totally mboyant. The man was in a red shirt with sunsses on, looking all high and mighty, as if he didn''t give a damn about anyone.


    However, as soon as he entered the ce, his gaze involuntarily started searching for "Bell".


    These two were quite the sight, catching everyone''s attention as soon as they appeared. Their good looks were top-notch in the entertainment world, even on par with Casey''s. Each of these three had their own unique charm.


    Brett hadn''t changed much since thest time they met, still with those narrow peach blossom eyes, a high nose bridge, and slightly pale lips pressed together.


    The two were ushered in by the director and the producer with no lights around, but their presence alone lit up the entire ce.


    In a blink, Brett and Nathaniel spotted Izabe.


    Izabe was standing with a man, his hand casually resting on her shoulder.


    From where they entered, they could only see Izabe''s profile. Dressed in a red uniform, her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail. Nathaniel felt a whirlwind of emotions. He hadn''t seen "Bell" in a while; he could barely recognize her.


    A year or so could totally change a person, to the point where he couldn''t even recognize her.


    All Nathaniel could do was reassure himself that this was Bell, the girl with tender eyes. She was now like "Izabe" and just because of the time they spent together, he had turned her into what she was now. Nathaniel''s gaze was fixed on Izabe with his sunsses on. He was openly staring at her, walking towards her while taking in every detail of her face.


    Izabe felt an ufortable sensation, as if her clothes were being stripped in public. She instinctively hid behind the man to escape those intimidating gazes.


    Nathaniel''s gaze halted, and Brett wished he could blind him right then and there. But considering they were in public and Izabe was there, he didn''t want her to see his violent side, triggering any bad memories. So, he just coldly said, ¡°Disgusting.¡±


    Nathaniel clicked his tongue, ncing at Brett, who was standing a couple of yards away. "President Windham, aren''t you supposed to be at home, mourning your deceased wife? What brings you here? Did you take a fancy to this stand-in I arranged for you before? Does having a stand-in make you feel better?"


    Even though Nathaniel''s words seemed in, each sentence felt like a jab.


    No one knew Brett better than him. After all, they had been rivals for many years, and he had always harbored deep hostility toward him.


    The one who understanded him the best in this world was not his friend but his enemy.


    Brett''s most painful memory was of the deceased Izabe. Nathaniel loved to reopen his wounds and rub salt in them.


    Every time, he could see Brett''s eyes turning red, but not this time.


    Brett looked at Izabe with restraint; he couldn''t be as reckless as Nathaniel.


    One was that he was afraid it would make Izabe loathe him more. Two, he didn''t want Nathaniel to discover that the real Izabe was back. So Brett casually said, "You''re right, having a substitute makes it easier to cope. By the way, this substitute was the one you sent to my bed. Not only does she look like her, but even her name was changed to match. It must have taken you a lot of effort and time. I really should thank you." Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Nathaniel stared at Brett and suddenlyughed. "Didn''t you dislike her before? Howe you''ve suddenly epted her?" Brett retorted, "Didn''t you dump her? Why are you here now?"


    Yeah, why?


    Brett''s answer was, "I didn''t like her before because she wasn''t like Izabe. Now that I care, of course, it''s because she is."


    Nathaniel wouldn''t admit that he


    1


    cared about her: "I dumped her because you didn''t care about the


    substitute. Now I''m here, of course, because you do."


    Both were having a silent


    showdown, and even though they were apparently at odds, they both felt ufortable discussing that woman as if she were an item.


    And the woman they were talking about, didn''t even nce at them, as if they were air to her.


    There were many people around, but the atmosphere turned icy with their arrival.


    Izabe was sitting far away; she couldn''t hear what they were talking about, but from their expressions, it was clear they were discussing her.


    In the end, the producer broke the awkward silence.


    "President Windham, Mr. Krueger, please have a seat over here." The producer looked here and there, sweat about to drip from his forehead. "Next, we''ll be filming the scenes of the second female lead and the male lead."

 Chapter 382

    "President Windham, Mr. Krueger, we''re about to shoot a scene with the female supporting actress and the male lead. Care to watch? Or should I call Kristin over?"


    Two major investors have recently attracted attention due to an investment in a female actress. Everyone''s money is on Kristin, especially since she didn''t deny it at the kick-off party. "Kristin?" Nathaniel''s gaze shifted from somewhere else to the producer.


    Without much thought, the producer exined, "Yes, Kristin. She''s currently resting. Her scenes are scheduled for the afternoon. But if you''d like to meet her, I can have someone call her over." The producer was very amodating.


    "Kristin?" Nathaniel seemed interested, turning to Brett, "Brett, her name reminds me of your ex-girlfriend. Should we have them bring her out for you to see?"


    His tone was flippant like he was picking out women at a nightclub.


    Brett''s face darkened, knowing Nathaniel deliberately tried to make him ufortable. But he couldn''t help recalling that unpleasant past.


    Nathaniel was smiling, frequently ncing at Izabe. He hadn''t forgotten why he was here.


    "Let me see the script for the uing scenes."


    "Sure, sure." The producer took the scripts from the assistant director and handed them out.


    The producer found it strange that the two only read the scenes with the female supporting actress, "Megan".


    "Mr. Krueger, President Windham, the scenes for Malia, yed by Kristin, are at the beginning."


    Nathaniel looked up casually, "Why do you keep mentioning her in front of us?"


    The producer was too slow to notice the tension, "Weren''t you investing because of the female lead? I heard you were doing it to... to..."


    The producer stuttered.


    "To what?" Brett''s voice was low.


    "To pursue an actress from the crew."


    Nathanielughed, "So, you think I''m spending money to chase Kristin?"


    The producer dared not respond, but his silence was as good as a confirmation.


    Nathaniel''s smirk wasced with sarcasm.


    He wondered if "Bell Salotti" would misunderstand. That woman was always too gullible, believing whatever people told her. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have been tricked into being a stand-in for a year and a half.


    Nathaniel flipped through the script, pointing at a scene, "All right, call Kristin. We''ll shoot this scene next."


    The scene was about Malia running away from home and being followed and robbed by beggars in a dark alley. After realizing she was a woman, they tried to take advantage of her, but the male lead saved her at thest minute.


    It was a dramatic scene, but the way Nathaniel said it made it sound explicit.


    The producer was even more confused about what was going on.


    Only Brad York stood aside and sneered, cursing them as idiots in his mind.


    Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, legs up, epting a cup of hot coffee handed to him. The smell of coffee filled the air.


    He looked at Brett, who was engrossed in the script, "Want a cup of coffee?"


    Brett was about to answer when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest and started coughing.


    Liam immediately opened his travel mug and fed Brett a sip. He then took a small bottle from his pocket, poured a white pill, and handed it to Brett.


    Brett tried to steady his breathing, his cough gradually subsiding. He picked up the pill with shaking fingers, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it with a sip of water.


    It took a while for his violent coughing to stoppletely.


    Nathaniel felt uneasy. He was sitting three people away from Brett, his view was limited, and he couldn''t see what was written on the bottle in Liam''s hand.


    He found the bottle familiar. Nathaniel had studied medicine, not because he liked saving people but because he enjoyed tormenting them.


    He had tormented Izabe, injecting her with various drugs. Some made her numb; some stimted her brain. Izabe went from screaming to gasping for breath under his torture, a sight that fascinated him. The memory still excited him.


    He looked around again but couldn''t see Bell Salotti.


    He never considered himself a good person. He loved to torture people, see hopeful people be desperate, and see them cry out in pain and wish for death but not be able to die. Nathaniel had studied various drugs, so he was very familiar with them. Although he couldn''t understand all drugs, he definitely had seen them.


    Nathaniel looked at the small pill bottle Liam had retracted and found it increasingly familiar, but he couldn''t remember what it was.


    He felt like he was taking a test. He knew the answer was something he had learned and read about, but he just couldn''t recall it.


    "Are you sick?" Nathaniel tried to coax Brett into talking, "Don''t get me wrong, I''m not worried about you. I just want to know when you''re going to die."


    Brett held back his cough, his lips tightly closed, unable to speak for a while.


    Liam interjected, "President Windham just has a cold. If you want to care about someone, you should care about yourself."


    "A cold? He looks more like he''s about to drop dead," Nathanielughed like a cunning fox.


    His words undoubtedly hurt Brett.


    He put down the script, which had many scenes with Izabe, hinting at many conflicts with the male actor.


    Brett gritted his teeth. He still felt uneasy even though he knew this was just a script and not reality.


    He had done much mental preparation, telling himself not to interfere with Izabe''s work. But now, all of that had copsed.


    He closed his eyes, mulling over Nathaniel''s attitude towards Izabe.


    He didn''t buy the idea that Nathaniel had genuinely fallen for Izabe just because he''d groomed her lookalike.


    Nathaniel was the kind of guy who only loved himself.


    Cultivating Izabe''s doppelganger was merely to control him better, continually poking at the deep-seated pain in his heart.


    So, did Nathaniel love "Bell Salotti"? If he did, he wouldn''t have pushed her toward an enemy.


    But then, why was he here?


    Brett had always thought he had Nathaniel figured out, but it turned out he knew zilch about Nathaniel''s feelings.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    If Nathaniel indeed cared about "Bell Salotti", he''d insist the director change the script after seeing it.


    As Brett was mulling this over, he heard Nathaniel p the script in his hand,ining, "What on earth is all this garbage? I can''t even get through this script."


    As soon as Nathaniel opened his mouth, the room filled with awkwardness.


    The producer was nervous, Brad York frowned, and the assistant director was utterly lost.


    What was Nathaniel up to? Was he here to mess things up?


    The producer swallowed nervously, nudging Brad York to say something.


    After all, Brad York had the most clout here.


    Nathaniel said, "As an investor, it''s not unreasonable for me to request changes to this script, right?"


    "Mr. Krueger, you review scripts? Which parts are you unsatisfied with?" Brad York asked, secretly worrying that if Nathaniel wanted to cut Izabe''s parts, he could not agree, even if it meant losing a fortune.


    "Scrap all the ambiguous scenes


    with the female lead. She''s a female


    general and shouldn''t be tangled up in romantic affairs. It would affect the morale of the military camp. It looks horrible," Nathaniel argued, making some sense.


    Brad York said, "We can''t cut the romantic scenes; it''s a romance period drama, after all, not a war drama." Before he could finish, the producer rushed forward to cover his mouth, signaling him to stop talking. At moments like this, it''s best to appease the situation. Offending Nathaniel could lead to worse consequences than him just pulling funding. He could stop the entire production or prevent the film from being released.


    The producer cated, "I''ll discuss this with the scriptwriter. Whatever changes you want, we''ll do. Anything else you''d like to change?"


    "Just cut the intimate scenes with the female lead."


    It was impossible to cut all of them, the producer thought and proposed, "Mr. Krueger, it''s impossible to cut all of them. How about using a stand-in or shooting from different angles?"


    "A stand-in is fine, but not different angles. It''s too close up."


    Brett listened quietly from the side. He had initially doubted Nathaniel''s attitude towards the stand-in, but now he was sure Nathaniel had feelings for "Bell Salotti", hence his request to cut the intimate scenes.


    But what if he knew Bell Salotti was dead and this was Izabe?


    Would he back off? Or would he try to manipte him through Izabe, like in the past?


    Brett didn''t dare to take that risk.


    About the stand-in, it was indeed a


    thing. Brad York had high


    expectations for his actors, only using stand-ins for dangerous stunts. But he never expected the


    investor to demand Izabe''s


    intimate scenes to be performed by


    a stand-in.


    Now he understood. Some people mistakenly thought Nathaniel was interested in Kristin, but his actual target was Izabe. Otherwise, why would they want to change the female lead''s part? "President Windham, what do you think?" Brad York turned to Brett, who had been observing from the side.


    Brett said, "Let''s change it ording to his suggestion."


    It seemed Izabe was in a tight spot.


    "Brett, I''m a bit confused about your stance. Are you interested in this stand-in?"


    "It''s not about being interested. I just don''t want things to get dirty. I believe you feel the same, right?"


    Indeed, he just wanted to keep things clean.


    Brett had never kissed "Bell Salotti", so naturally, he didn''t want her to be touched by someone else. Izabe was indifferent to all this.


    She stood in a corner, with Garen beside her, eavesdropping on the situation. After a while, he whispered to Izabe, "It seems they will change the script. Will our scenes also be cut?" Garen saw Izabe ignoring him and continued eavesdropping.


    "I heard it clearly. They''re going to change your part, no intimate scenes, not even shooting from different angles," Garen frowned in frustration.


    Izabe asked, "Why are you frowning if they change my scenes?"


    Garen sighed, "Because your intimate scenes are with me. If they change your scenes, mine will also be changed: They might even use a stand-in. The stand-ins nowadays are not good-looking, and many of them are men. How could I ept that?" He suddenly realized what he had said and quickly shutup, afraid Izabe would misunderstand him as taking advantage of her.


    Izabe didn''t take it to heart. She just wanted to finish work and go home. Chatting with Casey or spending time with Niki was much better than dealing with two bad guys here.


    Garen muttered, "I''ve really seen it all now. Rich people can do whatever they please."


    Now you know? She knew long ago that, disregarding thew, these two could do anything they wanted.


    "You don''t mind if they change your scenes?" Garen asked.


    "These scenes are not important to me anyway. If they want to change them, let them," she shrugged.


    "I''ve just realized something; why are these two investors so bent on changing your script, especially the intimate scenes, Izabe? Could they be crushing on you?"

 Chapter 383

    If it were just modifications made to Izabe''s script, he might think it''s because Izabe offended the investors. Hence her scenes were cut. But now, the scenes being cut are the intimate ones, which really makes you think.


    "These two dudes came early just to see you, not Kristin, right? Spill the beans." Seeing Izabe ignoring him, an anxious Garen grabbed Izabe''s arm and shook it, eager for confirmation.


    Izabe abruptly shifted her gaze toward the door, revealing a subtle yet ominous smile on her lips. Both Nathaniel and Brett caught this act.


    They both looked like they wanted to hack off the hand grabbing Izabe''s arm.


    There was still a standoff over the script, and the atmosphere on set was consistently down; thankfully, Kristin arrived.


    The producer''s eyes lit up as if he''d seen a savior.


    "Kristin, you''re here," he called out loudly, drawing everyone''s attention.


    Kristin walked in, her face beautifully made up.


    The producer was so anxious that he didn''t notice Kristin''s guilty expression.


    Kristin was afraid of both Brett and Nathaniel, a fear deeply etched in her soul. Even after so many years, changing her face, her name, her identity, she never forgot.


    Especially when Brett locked her in a dog cage with a dog for three days, she was bitten extensively and was mercilessly thrown into a small vige by him.


    If not for Nn Navarro, she would''ve died. Nn helped her get stic surgery. Although her face changed, the toes bitten off by the dog never recovered.


    As a result, she never dared to wear skirts again, never dared to expose her legs and feet, always wrapping her feet, afraid that people would see her ugly feet. Kristin resented Brett''s ruthlessness, she''d been with him for so many years, yet she couldn''tpare to the favor Izabe earned for saving his life one night. Izabe died, burned to death, she deserved it! She had stomach cancer but survived for so many years, so lucky.


    Nn Navarro was also lucky; Brett lived in grief after Izabe''s death; he had a mental breakdown and didn''t have time to bother with a person named Kaley. He took over Heckter Dees'' mess in R City, became the boss of the underground casino, was doing well, had a sizable force, and easily saved Kaley with the identity of a dead person.


    After bringing Kaley out, he took her abroad for stic surgery, changed her name, and let her enter the entertainment industry without any hesitation.


    She had been so smooth in the entertainment industry all these years because of Nn Navarro.


    Kristin hated Brett and hated Izabe even more. Although she was already dead, every time she heard her name, it still affected her mood.


    There was a person in thepany with the same name as Izabe.


    She took out all her hatred on this Izabe.


    First, she pretended to be her friend, then lured her into the director''s room and tried to drug her.


    Unfortunately, she didn''t drink the spiked drink that night.


    Then, she did something that made thepany push all the me onto Izabe. She had to watch as people around her left one by one, watch as fans left her, watch as people on the inte were all condemning her.


    Kristin thought to herself, what''s more heartbreaking than watching your hopes shatter?


    She was no longer the old Kaley; she was now Kristin. She thought she could always suppress Izabe, watch hermit suicide in pain and disappear like a speck of dust in the universe. However, the turning point came the day she auditioned for "Blood Ties". Kristin wanted to give Izabe the final blow but didn''t expect this blow to backfire on her.


    Kristin initially thought Izabe gotAll rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    1


    lucky temporarily but didn''t expect Izabe to changepletely. Kristin worked hard to ruin her reputation, but Izabe regained some of her poprity simply by participating in a variety show.


    The more Kristin thought about it, the angrier she got. She found Izabe''s location, her gaze fixed on her like a cold and ruthless snake.


    When she saw Izabe turn her head to look at her, Kristin quickly averted her gaze.


    Kristin was already guilty, and now she dared not lift her head.


    She was called over now but had no idea what would happen next.


    That day at the opening banquet, the words she said under the influence of alcohol didn''t have any special meaning She didn''t admit to anything, just saying, "I don''t know," and "No"; the people at the scene were making wild guesses, they also spread the rumors; what did it have to do with her?


    Kristin shouldn''t have had any involvement with these two men, but she couldn''t control her vanity. Plus, Brett and Nathaniel were busy with work; they would invest in various industries but couldn''t manage every industry personally. Usually, it was handed over to subordinates or


    other people to do, let alone


    investing in a film crew.


    Therefore, Kristin never expected that Nathaniel and Brett woulde to the set for a visit.


    Now seeing these two men on set, she felt guilt and fear.

 Chapter 384

    Lately, they''ve been mainly shooting scenes with Izabe and Garen, which means starting work really early. Because Kristin needed some downtime, they tried to schedule her for the afternoon. This didn''t sit well with Brad York, who started giving her the cold shoulder.


    When Kristin showed up after getting her makeup done, she only knew that the investors wanted to see her act but had no clue which scene she was supposed to perform.


    She was nervous as hell, too scared to ask anything. From the moment she came in, she just nced at Izabe, keeping her head down the entire time. It was nothing like her usual self.


    The producer noticed her weird behavior, but he had other fish to fry now. He turned to Brett and Nathaniel and said, "President Windham, Mr. Krueger, Kristin is here."


    Nathaniel shot her a casual look, half-closing his eyes as he sized her up. He seemed pretty interested in her.


    "All right, let''s start. You''ll be acting the scene where you''re insulted by beggars."


    "What?" Kristin cried out in surprise. She knew the script like the back of her hand, so she knew exactly which scene Nathaniel was referring to. In the original script, Malia was attacked by a bunch of beggars, her clothes ripped, and her hair messed up. She looked like a total mess. Kristin was notfortable acting out this scene with these strangers. The mere thought of their filthy hands touching her made her feel sick.


    She had simr scenes in her previous films, but they were always performed by a stunt double. She wouldn''t mind faking it till making it.


    "Don''t feel like filming?" Nathaniel took the cigarette handed to him by his assistant and held it in one hand while dusting off his suit pants with the other, all the while looking at Kristin''s stiff expression. Nathaniel was quite intimidating, and coupled with Kristin''s respect for him, she found it hard to argue.


    No one on the set could help her, either.


    The extras were all set, dressed in beggar clothes, their faces caked with grime.


    The makeup artists did an amazing job - they looked like real beggars and smelled like them.


    At this point, Brad York finally sprang into action, immediately directing the crew to prepare for filming.


    He didn''t know much about Kristin before but had a pretty good idea of what she was like now. She had a reputation for being professional, but he now thought she was justzy. If the investors hadn''t specifically requested her to shoot this scene, she would''ve definitely used a stunt double.


    "Get ready, Kristin. We''re starting soon."


    "Action!"


    Kristin had to get her act together as Brad York''s voice trailed off.


    The beginning seemed pretty straightforward until she walked into the ancient alleyway set up by the crew.


    Brett couldn''t care less about Kristin''s acting skills, but Nathaniel moved his position to the director''s seat.


    On the surface, he was enjoying the scene. In reality, he was watching the footage previously shot of Izabe.


    Hearing some noise, Brett hesitated momentarily before he went over to watch.


    As the smell of Nathaniel''s cigarette drifted over, he couldn''t help but cough a few times, finally understanding Izabe''s struggle.


    The assistant director handed him a cup of warm water, which Brett took.


    The Izabe in the film was vastly different from the real Izabe. Even though he knew her very well, seeing her act still left him in deep thought as if she really was the character in the film. Kristin stole a nce, her nose crooked in anger. If they were making her act, why weren''t they watching her?


    The scene smoothly entered its climax. The beggar extras reached out for Kristin, who shrieked and fell to the ground.


    Her voice was so shrill like the annoying cicada cries in the summer.


    Nathaniel frowned and looked over. He nearlyughed out loud. What on earth was she acting?


    Despite the awkwardness, Nathaniel stopped filming until the director called cut. Everyone turned to look.


    "This is how you film? Just randomly yelling? Such a terrible actress is the lead; I''m starting to regret investing."


    The producer''s heart sank. He gave Kristin a ming nce and tried to exin to Nathaniel, "Mr. Krueger, Kristin might not be in her best state today. How about we try a different scene?" "No," Nathanielzily leaned back in his chair, "I want to see this scene today. Keep filming until I''m satisfied. I''ll cover today''s loss. Mr. York, you may proceed."


    Brad York also thought that the previous take wasn''t good enough. If they had to reshoot, so be it. After all, someone was willing to pay, which could also help improve Kristin''s acting skills. The makeup artist quickly touched up Kristin''s makeup, barely giving her a breather. Kristin clenched her teeth, her nails digging into her flesh.


    She was forced to act out the scene again. Even though she wanted to adjust and continue acting quickly, Nathaniel constantly interrupted her. "Do it again; the p wasn''t hard enough."


    "The spit didn''tnd on her face."


    "Seems like the p was too light. She''s not even screaming?"


    It''s not that she wasn''t screaming, but that her voice was gone. Kristin was a hot mess, having been pped a few times. In the


    scorching summer heat, Kristin was


    drenched in sweat, her lengthy hair


    sticking to her back, having to repeat


    the scene repeatedly.


    Everyone could tell that Nathaniel was intentionally making things difficult for Kristin.


    Seeing Kristin''s state, everyone frowned. It was strange. Kristin was a well-known actress. How could she let Nathaniel bully her like this and not fight back?


    It wasn''t that Kristin could tolerate it, but instead, she had no choice. This little bit of humiliation was nothing


    She had to act out this scene repeatedly until Nathaniel was satisfied.


    compared to Nathaniel ent


    People on the set started whispering.


    "Didn''t they say that this investor invested in the movie because of Kristin? Doesn''t seem like it."


    "Kristin even indirectly admitted at the opening ceremony that the investor was courting her. This kind of courtship is unprecedented. No ordinary person could handle it." "Man, she''s got a face thicker than a wall, maybe?"


    Garen frowned, finding it hard to


    watch Kristin''s red, pped face HeN?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    whispered to Izabe, "Thank god


    we don''t have to act with her. would''ve quit on the spot, can''t stand that kind of humiliation."


    Izabe didn''t respond, but she had to admit Kristin''s perseverance in this situation was either stupid ormendable.


    One thing Izabe didn''t get was why Nathaniel was targeting Kristin.


    Was it to avenge "her"?


    Izabe snorted, thinking about how pointless it was now that she was dead. These two brothers were so alike, only cherishing what they had lost.


    She nced over but was caught by Nathaniel''s gaze.


    Nathaniel was not as patient as Brett; he was here today to take Izabe away.


    "Call Izabe over, have her sit next to me."


    Brett''s fingers circled the rim of his ss. He was always good at controlling his emotions, but Liam knew Brett was simmering.


    Brett had many regrets, including not epting the substitute Nathaniel had sent to his bed.


    If he had allowed the substitute to stay from the beginning, Izabe might still be with him.


    Not like now, so close yet so far apart, and in such an awkward rtionship.


    He was afraid she would leave if he stayed away, but worried she would be in danger if he got too close.


    Nathaniel''s words were heard by everyone around, including Izabe hiding in the corner. She didn''t move, but the people beside her seemed even more agitated.


    "Izabe, the investor wants you over there." The jealousy was evident in his tone.


    Garen, seeing Izabe''s expression growing worse, started to worry.


    Izabe knew she couldn''t avoid it today. She was worried she wouldn''t be able to escapeter, so she sent a "help" text to Casey.


    "I''m having trouble on set; need someone to bail me out."


    After hastily sending the text, she put down her phone.

 Chapter 385

    When Nathaniel called out Izabe''s name, all eyes were on her.


    Izabe pretended not to hear him and didn''t move an inch after putting down her phone after her recent text.


    Garen nudged Izabe gently with his elbow, saying, "He''s calling you, Belle. Go over there."


    Izabe wanted to continue ying dumb, but it wasn''t just about her acting skills anymore. No Oscar-worthy performance could ignore this.


    Dereck stepped in and said, "Izabe, Mr. Krueger wants you to join him. Go, he''s not someone to mess with."


    Spotting Izabe heading towards the director''s chair, Kristin, who had been trying hard to keep her act together, froze on the spot.


    "Cut!" Brad had to pause the shooting. He couldn''t continue with how downhill Kristin''s performance was going.


    Nathaniel wasn''t just here for the drama; he was here specifically to mess with Kristin.


    Although Brad was dissatisfied with Kristin, he wasn''t the type to bully others.


    "Mr. Krueger, perhaps we should take a break?"


    Nathaniel asked, "How many takes have we done?"


    "Three times."


    "Only three?" Nathaniel was clearly not satisfied with this: "Kristin, are you nning to leave or keep filming?"


    Kristin''s face flushed with embarrassment, and her eyes welled up with tears. She wanted to leave, but she knew she couldn''t. If she left, she might not be able to return, and Nathaniel might find other ways to torment her.


    "I want to continue filming," she said, her voice choking with tears.


    Nathaniel turned to Brad and said, "See? She wants to keep filming, so let''s continue."


    Brad nodded, and the shoot resumed.


    Kristin tried to fix her makeup. Looking at her swollen face in the mirror with some unknown liquid in her hair, she felt nauseous, and tears began to flow.


    The makeup artist asked, shocked, "Are you okay?"


    Okay? How could she be okay? She looked at Izabe. Why was she being humiliated here while Izabe just sat and watched like a spectator?


    Kristin was bing twisted. She med all her misery on Izabe, convinced that Izabe had said something, which led to Nathaniel treating her this way. The hatred for Izabe was deep. This Izabe was just like the old Izabe.


    The makeup artist, startled by Kristin''s gaze, identally messed up her eyeliner.


    In a panic, the makeup artist wiped it off and started over, apologizing repeatedly.


    Kristin''s gaze was sharp as a knife. If it weren''t for all the people around, she would have exploded by now.


    Izabe chose to stand with Brad instead of sitting next to Nathaniel, which displeased him.


    "Bell" was bing disobedient. He''d specificallye to see her, yet she didn''t even show a hint of friendliness, damaging his confidence.


    The old Bell was so much better; she woulde over at his slightest hint. It seemed her time away had truly changed her.


    The once hopeful kitten had be a wildcat, but Nathaniel still liked this new side of her. This version of her made him feel a sense of conquest.


    "I recently watched that variety show


    you were on. barely recognized you. I''m curious how you''ve changed so much in such a short time. Your acting is nothing like before." This question had been bothering Nathaniel. What had caused her


    drastic change?


    People change due to their environment and human nature, but such a drastic change in such a short time was like bing apletely different person. It could only be exined by a mental illness, like multiple personality disorder.


    "Meeting too many bad people naturally leads to change. If I hadn''t changed, I might not have been able to protect myself," Izabe replied, causing both Brett and Nathaniel to feel mocked. Nathaniel looked at the familiar yet strange face. Her skin was wless, and under the light, even the tiny blood vessels on her neck were visible, as if they would leave a mark with a slight pinch. He reached out and grabbed Izabe''s slender wrist. "Bell, it''s been a while, hasn''t it?"


    His touch made her skin crawl like she was being wrapped by a snake. Izabe felt disgusted, but she kept her calm. Indeed, it had been a long time.


    Nathaniel smiled at her, and Izabe smiled back. Her smirk was sarcastic and insincere, yet to Brett, she seemed flirtatious.


    Her mocking gaze made Nathaniel dizzy, and before he could react, he was punched in the face.


    The punch left Nathaniel reeling. He quickly regained his senses and threw a punch at Brett.


    Chaos ensued. The director couldn''t evacuate the equipment in time, and the closest one was knocked over and shattered.


    Izabe watched as the equipment broke, then looked at Brad''s surprised face, as if she could hear his heart breaking.


    There were shouts and attempts to stop the fight, but no one dared to approach. Brett and Nathaniel were like two mad dogs, throwing punches at each other''s most vulnerable areas, their stomachs or faces. Brett''s pent-up rage finally exploded, his eyes filled with malice like a bloodthirsty lion. Watching Nathaniel touch Izabe''s hand, he wished he could beat him to death.


    Yeah, he should have gone after him! He should have dealt with Nathaniel a long time ago. If it weren''t for Nathaniel, Izabe wouldn''t have suffered so much. If it weren''t for Nathaniel, Izabe wouldn''t have died in a fire.


    He grabbed something at random and smashed it aganinst Nathaniel''s head. Nathaniel dodged, squinting at the camera equipment just three centimeters away from him.


    Brett really wanted to kill him!


    Suddenly there was chaos all around noisy and turbulent. Only Izabe was watching with interest, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. She was a bit sorry that Brett missed it.


    If Brett really killed Nathaniel, it could be said that he had avenged Bell, and Brett would also face legal sanctions. For intentional homicide, life imprisonment was the minimum penalty; it could even be more


    severe.


    Only Liam knew that these two often fought, but it was never too serious; at most, they''d both end up in the ICU.


    However, seeing Brett''s fierce momentum, Liam''s heart pounded, and it took a while to suppress that feeling of tension.


    "President Windham, this is a public


    ce. There are cameras


    everywhere, don''t be impulsive; Miss


    sitting


    Salotti is watching." Liam said, ncing at Izabe, who was there as if nothing had happened. He thought if someone gave her a bag of sunflower seeds now, she''d probably start eating right away.


    Nathaniel and Brett had had quite a few fights before, but this was the first time they''d done it in front of so many people, and it was extremely awkward. His mouth was cut; Brett''s fist smashed into his face; he felt his teeth loosen; he swallowed the blood in his mouth.


    "Brett, have you gone mad?"


    People got sick for a reason. To those present, they were just angry because of a woman, and everyone knew who that woman was.


    Nathaniel asked Izabe to sit back. Even though he didn''t know what had happened, it was indeed when Nathaniel approached Izabe that Brett started the fight.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    This kind of situation wasn''t even dared to be dramatized in TV shows; bystanders were advising not to fight, but in fact, they were secretly recording with their phones. The two were pulled apart by bodyguards and assistants.


    Brett got up and loosened his tie. "Don''t touch her."


    "Brett, what gives you the right to tell me not to touch her?"

 Chapter 386

    "How could you suddenly forget your ex-wife, who died in a fire, and start having feelings for her? Brett, I used to think you were a deeply emotional man, but now it seems you''re not." Brett was seething with rage. "Don''t mention her!"


    "Just because you said not to, I will." Nathaniel taunted him, and the corner of his mouth stung from the wound as he spoke.


    He noticed Izabe''s reaction. If it had been before, she would have been frantic with worry, her eyes red with tears. But now she didn''t even give him a warm nce. It stung his heart, the pain spreading from his chest to his throat.


    Nathaniel pointed at Brett, letting his emotions out. "This is Brett, the good man praised by the inte, who loved his wife more than his life and built a theme park for her after she passed away. But do you know why his wife died? He was abusive. He caused her to miscarry twice, and she broke her leg. He refused to get her treatment, tied her to a wheelchair, and left her to burn alive in a fire at his own engagement party!"


    Nathaniel''s gaze swept over the crowd, a mocking smile on his face. "This is the man you want to marry. Do you still want to? He''s a man who brings ruin to his own family."


    People involuntarily stepped back when his gaze fell on them.


    "Nathaniel!" Brett was burning with rage and grabbed the nearest chair to hurl at Nathaniel, but was stopped by Liam.


    Nathaniel exaggerated, "See? He''s violent!"


    Brett knew Nathaniel was deliberately provoking him in front of Izabe to make everyone see his ugly side.


    Nathaniel did this not for Izabe, but for the person who was dead inside her body.


    What would Nathaniel do if he knew the truth?


    Brett knew Nathaniel well. He could imagine what Nathaniel would do, but he would never allow it to happen.


    He had to deal with Nathaniel before he died. Otherwise, who would protect Izabe once he was gone?


    Nathaniel watched Brett''s thoughtful expression, not knowing what he was thinking, but he wouldn''t back down now that the "Bell" was involved.


    He wiped the corner of his wounded mouth. Compared to before, Brett''s punches seemed weaker. Though he was injured, Brett wasn''t doing well either. Despite his face showing no sign of injury, his wounds were all in his belly.


    Nathaniel was fond of sneaky tactics. In such a public setting, he naturally yed the victim. So, he intentionally took a few punches, and when he hit back at Brett, he aimed for unseen ces. Brett''s slightly tilted body was a clear sign that his belly was hurting.


    Nathaniel smiled slightly, looking at the expressionless Izabe, feeling a bit uneasy.


    "Brett, how about this? Let Izabe choose who she wants to be with."


    Brett calmed down and turned to look at Izabe.


    Izabe thought, What did their fight have to do with her?


    Izabe thought quietly for a while. It had probably been ten minutes. She had texted Casey Dempsey fifteen minutes ago. She wondered when his people would arrive.


    Izabe considered the looks around her: "Why don''t you guys keep fighting? Fight until one of you dies. Whoever is left just needs to give me half an hour and $100,000, and I''m willing to chat." Izabe''s words were even more biting than Nathaniel''s. They left people gasping for breath. Wasn''t she afraid of angering both of them?


    But there was a saying that people in love were fearless.


    Nathaniel''s eyes darkened slightly. When did "Bell" be so sharp-tongued? She used to be quiet around him, but now her words were like a knife, showing no mercy. Nathaniel sneered, "Bell, you sure know how to count money. $100,000 for half an hour of chat. If you were this smart before, you''d probably be richer than me by now."


    "So, the old Bell is gone. Don''t forget, Nathaniel, I''m Izabe. While President Windham might not be a good person, neither are you. There are many good people in the world; why do I have to choose between you two?"


    Her words were sharp, and her actions were foolish. This was Nathaniel''s thought, but he had to admit that Izabe''s words were like a needle in his heart. His face darkened, and his smile started to twist. He had thought Izabe was cold to him because they hadn''t seen each other in over a year and she was still mad at him. But now it seemed she wasn''t mad at him; she just didn''t care about him. She saw him and Brett as the same, which was worse than if she hated him.


    "Izabe, do you believe me when I say I can make it impossible for you to survive in the entertainment industry?"Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Such a tant threat-truly, he was no different from Brett.


    Izabe''s gaze didn''t falter. She tilted her head slightly, her red dress making her look as proud as a plum blossom.


    "If you want to make it impossible for me to survive in the entertainment industry, you''ll have to see if President Windham agrees, right, President Windham?" Brett hadn''t revealed her truth of rebirth, which meant her decision to gamble with her life three years ago sessfully made Brett fall in love with her.


    And what she had do was to use Brett''s feelings as a counterattack.


    Izabe knew she couldn''t deal with these two men with her current abilities. It was better to let them tangle with each other and hurt each other, and the best oue would be if they both ended up losing. When Brett saw Izabe looking at him, his gaze softened.


    Nathaniel clenched his fists, his chest heaving. "Do you really think he''d waste his time on a stand-in like you?"


    As soon as the words left his mouth, he fell silent. How could he have forgotten? The word "stand-in" was thest thing she wanted to hear.


    He carefully studied Izabe''s face, but she didn''t seem to be bothered by his words at all.


    Nathaniel was about to continue, but Izabe cut him off: "You talk as if you''ve never treated me as a stand-in before. Do you need me to remind you of what happened that year?"


    Izabe''s voice was calm, without any fluctuation.


    Nathaniel looked at her unfamiliar expression. He was having a hard time breathing. After a moment, he said in a soft voice, "Sometimes I wonder if you''ve changed your heart. You''re so different than before."


    Brett frowned slightly.


    Izabe smiled and reminded him again: "Haven''t I told you? The Bell who was willing to be your stand-in is gone. She''s noting back, don''t understand why you''re here. I''m not going back with you. Even if I did, it wouldn''t be the same me."


    Nathaniel looked confused; he didn''t understand what Izabe was trying to say.


    He looked at her with the same face, eyes, nose, mouth, and hands. It was all the same person.


    If it was a split personality, it could be cured. Why couldn''t she go back to the way she was before?


    He didn''t believe it. He wanted to bring her back. If he couldn''t take her away now, he''d wait a couple of days. He wanted to prove it himself. See if her split personality could be cured. Nathaniel blinked, unaware that his eyes were already red.


    Brett began to cough again. His coughs were not as violent as before, but every cough caused pain in his abdominal wound.


    The scene was silent; only the sound of Brett''s cough could be heard.


    el


    "Are you two going to fight again? If not, pleasepensate for the damages. The staff still need to


    clean up." Izabe said, then turned to Brad, "Mr. York, are we stil


    working today?"


    Brad looked at the damaged equipment on the ground and shook his head. "Let''s take a couple days off; we''ll continue once the new equipment arrives."


    "I''ll be on my way then."


    Brad heard her casual tone. If he hadn''t witnessed everything, he would''ve doubted if she was really Izabe.


    How could she be so calm?


    Two men were fighting over her, yet she left without a care in the world after making some sarcasticments. Didn''t she care at all?


    Brad was not simple-minded. Today''s incident was a big deal. If it got leaked online, it would definitely harm Izabe''s reputation.


    The crowd was filled with ill-intentioned gazes.


    He needed to find a solution, but the atmosphere was so tense that no one wanted to intervene.


    When Izabe was about to leave, both Brett and Nathaniel panicked and yelled at the same time.


    "Don''t go!"


    "You can''t leave!"


    Izabe was annoyed. She hated trouble. Ever since she was reborn, she had been trying to keep a low profile, always choosing to sit in the corner.


    When did she be the center of attention? Fame was a curse, especially when it involved these two men. She''d rather not have it.


    Others might be jealous, but Izabe wanted to stay as far away as possible.


    Luckily, she spotted a familiar figure running towards them.


    "Someone''sing, not a staff member."


    "Who''s this now?"


    "Another investor?"


    "Wait, he looks familiar? His eyes look like my idol, Casey?"


    "Casey? Here? Are you daydreaming? Why would he be here?"


    The actress froze, her eyes wide open. "No, that''s Casey. I''m his die-hard fan. I''d recognize him anywhere. If he''s not Casey, I''ll write my name backwards!"

 Chapter 387

    The person who imed to be a die-hard fan of Casey was starting to feel a quiet shock. She decided to join showbiz after watching Casey''s movie, thinking that it would give her a chance to meet him and,


    maybe even work with him.


    But a year had passed, and she was still only able to see his updates through her phone.


    As a fan, she had imagined all sorts of scenarios where she would meet her idol, but she never thought she would see him in this context.


    If this really was Casey, why would he be here?


    The first reason they thought of was Izabe. The previous situation of two men vying for a woman was now a three-manpetition.


    As a die-hard fan, she felt a deep blow.


    Even though she wanted to argue back, she couldn''t think of any other reason besides this one.


    Izabe looked at Casey. It was the peak of noon, and the sun was at its fiercest. Casey was running towards her at full speed, and Izabe could almost hear his hurried breaths.


    He only wore a mask on his face, and his eyes full of worry peeked out. Sweat covered his forehead.


    From the moment he entered, his eyesnded straight on Izabe. Seeing her standing there safe and sound, he let out a sigh of relief. Thank God she was okay.


    No one knew how scared he was when he received that text from Izabe.


    Izabe rarely texted him first, let alone made a distress call like today.


    Even though he hadn''t known Izabe for long, he knew she was someone who could endure. She would solve problems on her own without bothering others.


    But the message she sent today was "I''m having trouble on set, can someonee pick me up?"


    "Having trouble" was no longer simply a problem she couldn''t solve. The first thing Casey thought of was that she might be in danger.


    Casey was driving while making calls. He didn''t dare to contact Izabe directly, so he had to get in touch with someone from the crew to ask about the situation.


    He arrived in fifteen minutes, a trip that normally took half an hour.


    Izabe didn''t know why, but seeing Caseye running made her eyes misty.


    It was as if all the pressure she had been bearing could now be shared with someone else.


    Casey ran straight to Izabe, didn''t look at anyone else, and took her somewhat cold hand directly, saying, "I''m here, let''s go."


    The appearance of Casey broke the existing stalemate. Brett frowned, his face pale. Nathaniel was confused and unhappy. Who was this guy that just showed up and took Izabe''s hand?


    "Let go of her!" Nathaniel gritted his teeth, but no one paid him any attention. He rushed up to grab Izabe and said, "Izabe, if you dare leave with him, I will,"


    He couldn''t take Izabe today, but he wouldn''t let anyone else take her either.


    "That''s Casey," Brett said.


    Nathaniel froze instantly. He knew Casey''s identity as the heir to the Dempsey family.


    He had once used the power of the Dempsey family to sessfully take over the Windham Group.


    Nathaniel had many questions, such as why people suddenly changed, why Brett would leave his ex-wife''s tomb topete for Izabe, why Casey was with Izabe, and why Izabe would willingly leave with Casey.


    Of all these questions, the most painful for him was Izabe''s willingness to leave with Casey. Nathaniel''s eyes were bloodshot as he silently shouted, "Bell,e back.". He didn''t even realize his voice carried a hint of grievance.


    This was thest time he called her "Bell", but she didn''t turn back. He had a hunch, just like Izabe said, the woman who used to be by her side was gone.


    She would not being back.


    In the year she left, Nathaniel thought he had grown ustomed to her absence, but he found that he simply couldn''t.


    Who didn''t want a good life? Bell


    was too good to him, so good that he forgot that human emotions diverse, with joy and


    disappear all of a sudden; heel.ne


    disappointment. Emotions didn''t just


    just now realizing it. S


    He wanted to win Izabe back.


    was


    Bitterness filled Brett''s face, and his body swayed slightly. He said self-mockingly, "No one can beat Casey." Including himself.


    "I don''t believe it; she''s mine. She''s just having a split personality; as long as she''s alive, the disease can be cured."


    Even now, Nathaniel still thought Izabe was just suffering from a split personality.


    This just proved that Nathaniel''s love for her was not deep enough. If he truly loved Bell, he should have realized from the very beginning that this was Izabe, not Bell. The person he yearned for in his heart was gone.


    Casey led Izabe all the way. At first, it was okay, butter she felt more and more ufortable, with many eyes watching them.


    Izabe tried to struggle but couldn''t get free. Casey''s grip on her hand tightened.


    "Casey, what''s wrong?"


    Casey''s body stiffened, and he stopped walking. He seemed to be enduring something, then he softly said, "Let''s go back." "Can you let go of me then?"


    Casey didn''t answer.


    Fine, if he won''t let go, then he won''t let go. Holding hands wouldn''t do anything.


    But this was the first time she saw Casey like this. He seemed to be scared of something.


    "I haven''t changed my clothes yet."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Izabe reminded him in a small voice. She suddenly realized she was still in her costume, which would attract a lot of attention if she went out like this.


    "Where''s the dressing room?"


    Izabe pointed in a direction and said, "Go back first; it''s over there."


    They held hands the entire time, not letting go until they reached the door of the changing room.


    Izabe gave her hand a little shake. "I''ve got to change now; can you let go?"


    It was only then that Casey turned his head. He looked at Izabe with a furrowed brow. "Be, can I hug you?"


    This was the first time Izabe felt slightly unfamiliar with Casey''s embrace, but it was not off-putting. It was warm andforting.


    With his broad shoulders and slender waist, she could lean into his chest with just a slight dip of her head, hear his strong heartbeat, and smell the faint scent of mint on him.


    It was like he was afraid of dropping a precious gem or of melting a sweet candy in his mouth.

 Chapter 388

    Those strong arms were shaking, as if holding a fragile treasure.


    Izabe felt her heart tremble as she gently rested her chin on Casey''s shoulder.


    "What''s up?" she whispered, her breath tickling his ear, causing it to twitch slightly.


    Casey''s voice was husky as he answered in a low voice, "I''m scared; scared I got to you toote; scared I couldn''t find you; scared something might happen to you; scared you might leave me; scared you might get bullied when I can''t see; scared you might have problems and not tell me. Be, can you tell me how to ovee this fear?"


    "I''m fine." Izabe paused, hesitated for a moment, then raised her hand to gently pat his back. "And I''m not alone. I found you, I''m safe, and I''m here."


    Casey felt like a soothed puppy; the warmth in his arms was soforting that he didn''t want to let go. His once empty heart felt full, as if it were filled with warm honey.


    "I don''t want there to be a next time, but if the same situation arises, I hope you''ll contact me immediately. As long as you look for me, I''ll show up. Izabe, never let yourself get into trouble."


    Izabe''s heart tightened; "emotions" in this world always seemed to hit her unexpectedly.


    Casey let go of her, taking a step back with his head lowered.


    Izabe suddenly remembered something Casey had said in an interview.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I knew you before anyone else did, and I believe in you."


    "No matter if it''s a tough road ahead or an endless river, I will walk towards her without hesitation."


    Izabe said, ¡°I promise you, I''ll contact you first if anything happens. Speaking of which," she paused, thinking about the drama that had unfolded today.


    Casey didn''t want her to get hurt, and she didn''t want him to get hurt either.


    "Do you think you can beat them?"


    "I don''t know; I have an okay rtionship with them. I''ve never fought with them, but I think I could." Casey wasn''t bragging; he genuinely believed in his abilities.


    He had filmed action movies and war films. He never used a stunt double, and he did all the difficult moves himself. He was quick, strong, and had nimble movements. Casey didn''t know if he could actually beat up Brett and Nathaniel, but to protect Izabe, he was willing to risk his life.


    Izabe went in to change her costume. By the time she came out, almost everyone from the crew had left.


    Izabe was a bit worried that the events of the day would be leaked online and cause trouble.


    But after careful scrutiny, there was no information about her online; apparently everything had been taken care of.


    Who took care of it was beyond her concern, but those who could control the onlookers and online public opinion obviously had the power to solve the problems they caused.


    Izabe changed her clothes and checked her phone. Brad had sent a text message announcing that the crew would be taking a two-day break.


    The damaged equipment needed to be repaired or reced, and the scene needed to be reset.


    As Izabe picked up her bag to leave the dressing room, the one person waiting for her had be two. Rachel was there too, carrying Nikki and a bag.


    "Izabe."


    "Did you just get here?"


    Rachel nodded, but her eyes were not on Izabe; they were on Casey.


    Casey exined, "I called her over."


    When Izabe texted him, he was driving and contacting the crew. The first person he contacted was Rachel; he wanted to ask her about Izabe.


    He didn''t expect that Rachel wasn''t at the set, but when she heard that Izabe was in trouble, she immediately came over with Nikki, having just arrived.


    Rachel had many idols, but Casey was the one she admired the most. She never thought Casey would call her, and she never thought Casey and Izabe were so close-closer than typical friends. Casey reached out and said, "Put Nikki down; I''ll carry her."


    This ordinary sentence made Rachel nervously shake her head. How could she let a big star carry a cat?


    Izabe said, "I''ll do it."


    Rachel took care of Nikki very well, and in just two weeks, Nikki had obviously put on some weight.


    The healthier Nikki was, the happier Izabe felt.


    Nikki was quietly curled up in the bag, not making a fuss. When she saw Izabe, one of her ears would twitch, just like Casey''s.


    Izabe directly opened the backpack and took Nikki out.


    Although the bag had venttion holes, it was summer and the outside temperature had reached 36 degrees, so the air inside the bag was not circting.


    Izabe held Nikki, who was obviously hot. Before she could say anything, Casey intuitively opened a bottle of water for Nikki to drink.


    He watched Nikki drink while gently petting her little head.


    Nikki used to be quite lively; liked


    rubbing her head against people and


    scratching things with her front paws. But now, because of the self-esteem issues caused by her physical impairment, she no longer liked to be close to people. But when faced with Izabe and her friends, she was not averse.


    Especially Casey; he could even touch her belly at will.


    After feeding Nikki water, Casey said, "Let''s go back to the car; it''ll be inconvenient to move around when there are more peopleter. We''ll decide where to eat once we''re in the car." It was noon and time for lunch.


    Izabe nodded, then turned to Rachel and asked, "Do you want toe with us?"


    Rachel felt that if she nodded, she might be killed by Casey''s gaze, so she immediately decided to shake her head and said, "Izabe, you guys go ahead. The crew is taking a break for the next two days; bn to buy a ticket to go home today."


    "Be sure to stay safe. If you need money, contact me right away."


    "Thank you so much, Izabe." Rachel''s smile was very sweet, and her eyes were full of gratitude.


    She used to work as an assistant; the job was tough and the pay was peanuts. Now she''s working with Izabe, and as long as she took care of Nikki, her sry had gone up a lot. Rachel was a pretty content person; she didn''te from a good home. After her parents divorced, she lived with her mom and had had a tough life ever since she was a kid.


    Her mom raised her alone and didn''t


    have a cushy life. Now, all she


    wanted was to make more dough


    let her mom live a good life, and then buy a big house and take her mom to the Pink Sea, a ce she always wanted to go.


    Rachel handed the bag in her hand and the backpack on her shoulder to Casey.


    After hesitating for a while, she asked gingerly, "Mr. Dempsey, can I get your autograph?"


    "I didn''t bring a pen."


    Rachel quickly found a pen in her belongings; luckily, she always carried a notebook with her.


    Casey took the pen from Rachel, quickly signed his name on the notebook, and added a sentence: "May all your wishese true, and stay healthy."


    Rachel smiled happily, watching Izabe and the others leave, holding the notebook tightly against her chest.


    Izabe walked beside Casey, holding the cat. They walked side by side, unaware of someone watching them from the shadows.


    Since they had a cat with them, many restaurants didn''t allow pets. Plus, it was peak dining time, and as public figures, they could easily be recognized and draw a crowd.


    So they decided to buy some ingredients and cook at home. Izabe''s rented house was nearby, so she took Casey back.


    She was fine, but Casey was a bit jittery, thinking about visiting the home of someone he liked for the first time and not having anything prepared.


    However, he did have something prepared that he kept in the car, originally nning to give it to her in a few days.


    "I left something in the car; I need to go back and get it."


    "What is it?" Izabe nced at the bag he was carrying with the just-bought ingredients, fruits, and snacks, and the bag he took from Rachel; everything was here.


    She checked when she got out of the car and didn''t seem to have forgotten anything.


    "You wait here; I''ll be right back." Then Casey got off the elevator and bolted towards the parking lot.


    He opened the car door, rummaged in the car drawer for a while, and found a beautiful box that looked like a piece of jewelry.


    Casey opened the box, checked that everything inside was intact, and smiled satisfactorily.


    Back at the elevator entrance, Izabe was still waiting for him. Seeing him, Izabe pressed the elevator button to keep the doors from closing.


    Casey was in good shape; he ran the whole way without panting, saying, "Okay, let''s go back."


    Although it was his first visit, he acted as if he were at home.


    Izabe didn''t like staying in hotels. After shooting every day, she woulde back here to cook for herself, and it was also convenient to take care of Nikki. "Today you''re my guest, so I should prepare the meal and let you taste my cooking."


    "Really?" Casey looked surprised.


    Izabe teased him, "Look at your disbelieving face; are you doubting my cooking skills? Should we eat out then?"


    "Absolutely not! I''ll help you wash and prepare the ingredients." Casey didn''t dare ask any more, afraid Izabe might really take him out to eat.


    Izabe put down Nikki, put on an apron, and casually tied her hair into a ponytail.

 Chapter 389

    Casey was often the one to cook at home; he was always quick on his feet. Before Izabe could even tell him what to do, he already had everything washed and chopped; all Izabe had to do was toss them into the pot.


    Considering it was just the two of them, there was no need for anything fancy-a dish of meat, a dish of veggies, and a soup¡ªthat''s it.


    However, as it was gettingte, Izabe just casually cooked up a soup and a dish, and lunch was ready.


    "Could you set the table? I''ll be done in no time."


    The kitchen was small; if both of them moved around, it would be a bit crowded. Izabe turned on the range hood.


    "Where''s the cutlery?"


    "Here."


    Izabe pointed to a cab under the counter, which was filled with clean cutlery.


    Izabe''s cutlery cab was quite empty; she didn''t seem to n on having guests over for meals.


    Casey took out two spoons, two forks, and two bowls. He gave them a rinse in the sink, thenid them out on the table.


    He pulled out a small box from his pocket; inside was a custom-made cat cor with a tag.


    The cor had a tracking feature, just in case the cat got lost.


    Casey took out the cor and found Nikki, who was staring nkly at him.


    He slowly approached Nikki. Some cats didn''t like having things around their neck, and he wasn''t sure if Nikki would like the cor. He bought the cor because it was practical, he thought it looked nice, and the wording on the tag seemed perfect for the little guy.


    But if Nikki didn''t like it, he could change it.


    Casey sat down next to Nikki, meeting the feline''s gaze. He saw Nikki''s ears twitched, and he handed over the cor for Nikki to sniff.


    "This is for you; want to give it a try?"


    He wasn''t sure if cats could understand humans, but he felt Nikki could understand his intentions.


    Nikki looked at the cor in his hand and sniffed it curiously without showing any signs of dislike. Seeing this, Casey was relieved; he undid the cor and cooed, "Nikki, lean in; let me put this on for you." Nikki didn''t move.


    Casey didn''t want to force Nikki to wear the cor, so he continued coaxing, "If you wear this, I''ll give you a treat."


    Nikki still didn''t move.


    Scratching his head, Casey looked toward the kitchen. The kitchen door was made of ss, and he could vaguely see Izabe moving around inside.


    "This cor has a tracker on it; if you ever get lost, Be could find you with it. You''ll feel safe, and she''ll feel reassured. Plus, doesn''t this cor look great?"


    The cor was designed like a bow tie, and the tag was shaped like a fish. Apart from the engraved words, there was also contact information. Every time Izabe''s name was mentioned, Nikki''s eyes would involuntarily widen, her moist eyes looking like two blue ss balls.


    Casey gestured at the cat cor in his hand. This time, Nikki obediently leaned in.


    Carefully, Casey put on the cor, adjusted the size, and fastened it.


    He sure had a keen eye.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    At this time, the meal was ready. Casey heard the kitchen door open; he saw Izabe carrying two dishes and said, "Come eat."


    Casey was on the couch ying with the cat when he heard Izabe. He carefully picked up Nikki and said, "Izabe, look!" He excitedly wanted to show Izabe the cat cor he bought.


    He looked like a grade-schooler who aced a test and was eager to show off his report card to his parents for praise.


    Izabe put down the dishes, looked at Casey, and then at Nikki, whom he was holding.


    "Did you buy this?" she asked.


    "Yep!" Casey nodded; his look seemed to be saying, "Aren''t you going to praise me?" Then he asked, "Pretty, isn''t it?"


    "It''s quite nice." The bow tie was a bit outdated, but Izabe didn''t want to burst his bubble when he was expecting praise. She looked at the tag on the cor. It must be pure gold. But that wasn''t the point, the point was the words engraved on it, which Izabe picked up the tag to read.


    Nikki had fish.


    Izabe''s eyes softened significantly; she remembered the words she told Nikki three years ago during the fire.


    If there was a next life, she would bring Nikki''s favorite little dried fish to find it.


    She did bring Nikki back, but Nikki''s injured throat could no longer enjoy its favorite dried fish.


    "It''s really pretty." Izabe''s voice was a little choked.


    She reached out to pet Nikki''s little head. Nikki seemed to sense her mood change; it meowed at her.


    "I installed a tracker on the cor, just in case Nikki gets lost." Casey exined.


    "Thank you; you''re really thoughtful;


    Nikki likes it. Izabe said. She didn''t worry about Nikki getting lost, as Nikki was always by her side, and Rachetwas there to take care of it.


    swne


    UMS


    Unless someone deliberately stole Nikki.


    The thought chilled Izabe to the bone. She was even more grateful for Casey''s gift; she hadn''t considered this before.


    After dinner, Casey and Izabe talked about work for a bit.


    Regarding the stock acquisition of X Entertainment, they now collectively owned 25% of the stocks, effectively making them the thirdrgest shareholder. These stocks hadn''t been consolidated yet, so no one noticed the intentional stock acquisition.


    "It''s not enough." Izabe looked down.


    "Of course it''s not enough; we need to wait for the right opportunity to make them go bankrupt, then buy them all at once." Casey replied.


    "Just be patient; we won''t have to wait long." She had a hunch that Kristin had a dirty secret; once this secret got out, X Entertainment would definitely be affected, and that would be their golden opportunity to


    Casey didn''t leave until after dinner. He considered staying the night, but given the uncertain rtionship between him and Izabe, he decided against it.


    buy.


    Izabe saw him go to the door, thene back and start scrolling through Twitter. Sure enough, when the night grewte, some people started stirring the pot. A gossip blogger had posted on Twitter.


    He wrote that on the set of a current historical drama, two big investors had been arguing over a supporting actress role, and even the Best Actor had gotten involved.


    Thement section started guessing who the supporting actress might be. Everyone spected about which recently aired historical drama it could be, going through all the possibilities. Until onement popped up.


    "Feels like it''s Blood Ties. If it''s about the supporting actress, why is Izabe the first one thates to mind?"


    Thisment was posted less than a minute ago, and the entire post got nuked.

 Chapter 390

    This was the first time Izabe saw her post being swiftly deleted.


    With Nikki in one arm and the other hand unconsciously fiddling with its tag, Izabe''s phone began to vibrate. A text message from a stranger popped up on the screen.


    "Izabe, I don''t see you as a substitute anymore. If you stick with me, I can protect you. Brett is ruthless. If you want a better life, it''s best to steer clear of him. He''s a nutcase." After reading the message with a frown, Izabe instinctively hit reply.


    "Being with you," Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, but in the end, she deleted the sentence. She had nothing good to say to Nathaniel. Izabe deleted the message, blocked him, and edited a custom system alert.


    Meanwhile, Nathaniel was waiting for Izabe''s response, thinking that he had made himself clear enough for her to understand.


    However, after waiting for half an hour, he didn''t get any reply. Did she not see the message? Was she scared?


    Nathaniel sent another message.


    "Juste back to me, and I can forgive everything you''ve done in the past, including holding hands with Casey today."


    But his message seemed to sink into the sea without a trace. Sensing something was off, Nathaniel quit the texting app and dialed Izabe.


    As soon as the phone rang, a cold, automated voice responded.


    "Sorry, the person you''re calling is currently calling you a dumbass. Please stop calling."


    "Bang!" Nathaniel mmed his phone down. Damn Bell, the stand-in was bing more and more like Izabe.


    Nathaniel was pissed off; the phone''s message echoed in his mind.


    It felt as if Izabe was right in front of him, pointing at his nose and cursing him. He stood up, kicked the coffee table, and smashed a vase.


    The butler rushed over after hearing themotion and was surprised at the sight of the broken pieces.


    Nathaniel was known to be good-tempered and always smiling. He had never won a fight against Brett, always ending up injured.


    So when the butler saw the mess on the floor and Nathaniel''s bloodshot eyes, he was taken aback.


    "Mr. Krueger, what happened?"


    Nathaniel took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and put on a smile again. "I''m fine. Arrange for someone to clean this up. I''m going to work in the study. Don''t disturb me."


    "Yes, sir." The butler nodded quickly and only breathed a sigh of relief after Nathaniel had disappeared into the study.


    Nathaniel''s anger was not entirely gone; it was just temporarily suppressed. He sat at his desk, flipping through files, but nothing went in.


    As soon as he was slightly distracted, he would think of the image of Casey leading Izabe away.


    How did Izabe meet Casey? Their social statuses were worlds apart. It was hard to imagine what they had inmon.


    Every time Nathaniel thought about this, his imagination would run wild. He would picture where Casey took Izabe today if they had been to a restaurant, shared a meal, stayed in the same room, showered, slept together, and done things he had never tried.


    Did the little girl start to like him? She let him hold her hand and followed him.


    How could this happen?


    Nathaniel tried to control his emotions, but the document in his hand had already been unconsciously crumpled. By the time he realized it, the document was so wrinkled that it was unusable. He nced at it, then casually threw it on the ground.


    Sleep was elusive tonight, not only for Nathaniel but also for Brett. He didn''t dare send a text message, only revisiting his past with Izabe.


    Looking at the tear-and-blood-stained diary, he didn''t want to be greedy, but he couldn''t bear the thought of Izabe having only other men in her heart from now on.


    He didn''t ask for much, just one year with her.


    Did Izabe mean it when she casually mentioned a chat fee of a hundred grand for half an hour today? If he gave her all his money, would she be willing to stay with him?


    The night wind was chilly as he carefully pressed the yellowed diary against his chest.


    Brett used to have a robust body and rarely fell ill. But now, apart from lung cancer, his stomach was also giving him problems.


    For a moment, he didn''t know whether to take his lung cancer medication or stomach pills.


    He clutched his chest, feeling as if numerous nails were piercing his organs. The pain was everywhere, and he didn''t even have a chance to vent.


    He curled up on the small chair, hisrge body trembling from the pain. Brett was very good at enduring pain. No matter how much it hurt, he always gritted his teeth and kept quiet.


    Until he couldn''t stand it anymore, and he vomited blood.


    The thick blood dripped from his mouth onto the floor. He quickly wiped it off, went to the bathroom to rinse with cold water, and covered his mouth with a damp towel.


    His internal organs felt like they had been pierced by countless swords; the pain was unbearable.


    Brett''s eyes welled up with tears as he began to miss the old Izabe. Izabe, who prepared food for him every day in the diary, reminded him to dress warmly, knitted scarves for him in winter, secretly drew pictures of him when she missed him, and folded her wishes into paper stars.


    When in pain, people can''t help reminiscing about the past and regretting past decisions.


    If only Izabe could cook him a bowl of noodles right now.


    If only she could remind him to take care of his health.


    Even if these were of no help now, at least he wouldn''t have any regrets.


    Brett swallowed a few painkillers.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    After a while, the severe pain eased a bit, but his chest and stomach still felt ufortable, spasming with pain. Even his head began to ache.


    The pain made him delirious, and in his blurry vision, he saw Izabe. The proud Ms. Izabe in a red dress who used to stand before him.


    The dream felt so real, but Brett knew it was just that, a dream, and he didn''t want to wake up.


    "Izabe, my stomach''s killing me. I''m craving your home cooking, or just some porridge if that''s too much trouble."


    "Izabe, I swear I''ll quit smoking; I won''t ever chuck an ashtray at you again."


    "Izabe, I feel like I''m dying; could you look at me one more time?"


    "Izabe."


    "Izabe."


    In his dream, Izabe did nothing. She just stared at him coldly. "Brett, I''m dead. You go your way; I''ll go mine. We''re not crossing paths again." For the three years since Izabe''s death, he avoided dreaming of her, afraid that after the third dream, there would be no more chance of seeing her. Now that Izabe was back, he could finally dream of her again.


    He thought dreaming of Izabe would be a sweet dream, but it turned into a nightmare, trapping him with no escape.


    He saw a sea of fire and Izabe in a red dress standing amidst the mes, smiling at him.


    Brett woke up from the nightmare, immediately reached for his phone, and found that familiar number.


    He hesitated for a long time before typing a message to Izabe.


    "I miss you."


    He didn''t expect Izabe to reply; she probably blocked his number the moment she saw it was from him.


    Brett continued typing, "I dreamt of


    you today, you from the past, prettier than you are now. You haven''t smiled at me in a long time, so long that I''m forgetting what your smile looks like."


    Right now, Izabe might be smiling at someone else. Her warmth and care no longer belonged to him.


    He was stuck in the past.


    Every time he closed his eyes that Christmas night, he saw a figure desperately swimming towards him in the water. She was so skinny, her arms so delicate, yet she held onto him tightly in the water.


    The scene shifted abruptly; he was throwing a pregnant Izabe down from the second floor, and the blood was a vivid, shocking red.


    With great difficulty, Izabe managed to say, "Brett, you''re so cruel," her voice full of despair.


    From that moment on, Izabe began to drift further and further away from him.


    He kept waiting for Izabe''s reply on his phone, but it never came.


    He looked up Izabe''s name on Twitter; her tweets were the same old ones, no updates. He searched for Casey.


    He saw that Casey posted a new tweet, a photo of two dishes and a soup, with the caption "delicious".


    Brett immediately recognized the


    food as Izabe''s; she''d cooked the same dishes for him countless


    times, and the color and


    l.ne


    presentation were identical. Just looking at the photo, he could smell the aroma.


    Brett covered his eyes. Izabe was cooking for another man.


    And it was Casey.


    He was clearly told that it was Casey, not Ryker Dempsey, but Izabe still chose to be with him. That was just the way fate worked.


    The right people would find each other in the end, no matter the twists and turns, and the wrong ones would part ways even if they met. Time was silent, but it gave the best answers.


    Brett couldn''t ept it.


    That year, he used Izabe as a bargaining chip just to ensure Kaley Cot''s safety.


    Izabe asked him, wasn''t he afraid of what the kidnappers might do to her?


    His answer then was that if the kidnappers really did anything to her, he would kill them, and he wouldn''t feel any disgust towards her. Whenever Brett remembered what he said back then, he would raise his hand and p himself hard.


    How could he have said those things back then?

 Chapter 391

    Izabe could be with Casey right now, doing who knew what. The mere thought was enough to twist his insides into knots.


    Brett nced at the clock. It was just past midnight. He reached under his pillow for a hidden picture, a snapshot from his wedding day with Izabe.


    In the photo, Izabe was smiling cautiously, her lips slightly pursed, two faintugh lines on her cheeks, and her eyes soft and gentle.


    The photograph was small, and he pressed it against his chest, climbing back into bed alongside the diary he''d pored over countless times. He drifted off to sleep, dreamless.


    But when he woke up at daybreak, his eyes were wet, his face streaked with tears, and his skin tingled with the ghost of the tracks they left behind.


    Cancer patients were often frail and vulnerable to illnesses with the slightest misstep, and the mostmon symptoms for lung cancer were fever and coughing.


    Having left the window open all night, the chilly draft coupled with the sight of the picture Casey posted put Brett on the verge of a breakdown. He was running a fever.


    The first to notice his condition were the household staff, who quickly notified Adrian and summoned the doctor over to check Brett''s condition, take his temperature, and hook him up to an IV.


    While setting up the IV, the doctor noticed Brett''s right hand was clenched tight. Despite the doctor''s best efforts, he couldn''t pry it open.


    Before long, Brett opened one eye.


    "President Windham, loosen your grip. I need to administer the IV."


    Brett took a moment to register the request before releasing his grip, revealing the picture of Izabe in his palm, which he carefully tucked behind his pillow.


    The sight of this pulled at the heartstrings of those around him. They could only sigh, having grown ustomed to such scenes and having witnessed Brett clutching the picture of histe wife countless times. Upon hearing about Brett''s condition, Liam rushed over after wrapping up his work.


    The first thing Brett asked upon seeing him was, "Has the online incident been taken care of?"


    "Rest assured, President Windham. No one dares to talk about Ms. Salotti, and the news from the set that day hasn''t leaked." Even if anyone attempted to spill the beans, Liam had sessfully kept them under wraps.


    In truth, controlling online public opinion was a formidable task given the billions ofizens, and it''s impossible to control everyone''sments.


    But this time, things went unusually smoothly. As soon as Liam noticed something was off, he began to investigate and found out it wasn''t just him working on it. Nathaniel was also on the case, as were others lending a hand.


    With more people on Izabe''s side, handling her affairs naturally became less of a challenge.


    "President Windham, do you still n to visit the set?"


    Brett didn''t reply, but his silence spoke volumes. After all, Brett had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The doctor had said that if he stayed in the hospital for treatment, he could live for another five years. But if he gave up on treatment, he would only have two or three years left.


    Brett didn''t want treatment. He knew his days were numbered; he just hoped Izabe could be with him for one year.


    He didn''t need too much time. The more time he had, the harder it would be to let go.


    So Brett wanted to spend the rest of his time watching Izabe. He would visit the set whenever he had the chance.


    Brett had his will drafted a long time ago. After his death, all of his property would belong to Izabe to dispose of as she saw fit.


    Liam earnestly suggested, "Ms. Salotti might not appreciate your visits to the set, President Windham. If you really want to go, try not to interfere with her work. As an actress, her main job is to deliver a good performance. Kissing and bed scenes are part and parcel of the script. You can choose to overlook those, but please don''t tamper with the script, or she might end up resenting you."


    After finishing his spiel, Liam noticed that Brett''s hand was clenched into a fist, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, a clear sign of tension.


    Liam dared not say anything more.


    "You can arrange for some items to be sent to the set."


    "Should I mention Ms. Salotti''s name?"


    "No need." Mentioning Izabe''s name would only make her more enemies. As long as the producers and directors knew these items were sent because of Izabe, she wouldn''t be bullied on set. Izabe had been staying at home for the past few days, poring over the script.


    After receiving the cor tracker from Casey, she started to worry that Nikki might be in danger.


    But keeping Nikki at home all the time wasn''t a solution either. Although she trusted Rachel, it was better to be safe than sorry, and Izabe liked to be prepared for all scenarios.


    Not only was the tracker linked to her phone, but it was also connected to Casey''s. She even installed a small camera on Nikki''s cor.


    After a two-day rest, Izabe returned to the set with Nikki, handing Nikki over to Rachel.


    Rachel looked exhausted, pale as a ghost, clearly not having had proper rest.


    "Rachel." Izabe called her name a couple of times before she finally looked up at Izabe.


    Izabe furrowed her brows, reaching out to feel Rachel''s forehead, asking with concern, "What''s wrong? Are you sick?"


    Rachel came back to her senses, shaking her head. "I just haven''t been sleeping well recently, and feel a bit dizzy from the car ride. I''m not sick. Izabe, you don''t have to worry about me."


    "Are you sure?" Izabe asked, recalling how cold Rachel''s face felt when she touched it.


    Rachel hastily nodded.


    "If you''re not feeling well, you should go home and rest. I won''t dock your pay."


    "No, that''s not necessary." Rachel shook her head. "I don''t have much to do anyway, just looking after Nikki. I''m not tired; I don''t need to rest."


    Izabe said, "Taking good care of Nikki is the biggest help you can give me. To me, nothing is more important than this."


    Rachel bit her lip lightly, asking, "Izabe, why do you care so much about Nikki?"


    Holding Nikki in her arms, Izabe softly replied, "Every scar on its body was inflicted because of me. Nikki is my salvation, and besides, it only has me." Nikki tilted its head back, letting out a soft "meow."


    Izabe immediately responded to it, nting a kiss on its tiny head.


    Folks who haven''t been through a life-or-death situation might find it hard to grasp the bond between her and Nikki.


    "Anyway, Nikki is like family to me. You''ve got to promise to take good care of it."


    "I will." Rachel took Nikki, cradling it gently in her arms.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ??????


    Izabe was still a bit worried about Rachel. If Rachel wasn''t feeling well, she''d find someone else to look after Nikki, until Rachel got her strength back. But with Rachel repeatedly assuring her that she''d take good care of Nikki and urging her to focus on filming, Izabe didn''t dwell on it.


    "Howe Nikki''s got a cor now?"


    "It was a gift. I was afraid it might get lost, so I put a tag and a GPS tracker on the cor. Later, I''ll log in to it using your phone."


    As she spoke, Izabe pulled out her


    phone from Ker pocket. She didn''t tell Rachel about the camera on the cor, letting her know only about the GPS tracker. It wasn''t that she didn''t trust Rachel, but anyone would get antsy if they knew they might be watched.

 Chapter 392

    Izabe took the phone from Rachel, setting up the cat cor with the tracker.


    "Nikki is a sweetheart; it won''t stray."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "I know, but just in case, I don''t want people who have a beef with me to harm Nikki. So it''s safer to have a tracker on," Izabe replied, bending her head to confirm the tracker settings. She didn''t notice the slight flicker in Rachel''s eyes.


    Rachel bit her lip, holding back something she wanted to say.


    "All set." Izabe handed the phone back to Rachel, noticing her downcast expression. She gently ruffled her hair and said, "If you have something on your mind, just spill it; don''t bottle it up."


    "I," Rachel started but quickly shut up, looking down at Nikki in her arms and saying, "I''m fine, really."


    "Good to hear." Izabe sensed something was off but had no clue what it was. Perhaps some family issues, but since Rachel wasn''t spilling, it wasn''t her ce to pry.


    Izabe got a call from Brad, asking her to get ready for the day''s shoot. It was all her scenes today, so it would probably be ate wrap.


    Kristin was also on set, her face still marred by injuries. A thickyer of foundation was all that hid it, making her face look even more rigid. Script in hand, Kristin was running lines with the other actors, scribbling notes with a colored pen, looking fully engrossed.


    She caught sight of Rachel as she walked in, her face falling a bit.


    At lunch, Rachel was heading out for food and, as usual, asked Izabe if she wanted anything.


    "No, I''m good."


    The production just got a fresh batch of supplies, so food and drinks were covered. Saved them a few bucks.


    The crew, when not shooting, loved their gossip. They knew thest person to cross was Izabe, given her ties with two big investors. Even Garen, who often worked with Izabe, was tempted to dig for some dirt but was quickly warned off by the director.


    Kristin put down her script, standing up to tell Rachel, "Rachel, grab me an Americano."


    Izabe frowned. "If you want coffee, get it yourself. Your hands are broken or something?"


    "She''s an assistant. What''s wrong with her getting me coffee?"


    Izabe smirked and said, "She is my assistant, not yours. Got it?"


    "You just want money, right? Here you go." Kristin carelessly threw some cash on the floor, as if it were charity.


    Izabe stared at her, crossing her arms, not bothering to engage with such a dimwit.


    She turned to Rachel, who was looking down, and said, "Go on, avoid these types in the future."


    "Izabe, who are you calling a dimwit?"


    "If I remember correctly, Kristin, your image is pure and innocent. But you can''t really believe your own hype, can you? Who else could I be talking about?" Just as Kristin was about to blow up, Izabe cut her off.


    "Calm down; getting upset only messes up your face. You''ll end up needing more stic surgery."


    This hit a nerve, and Kristin lost it. With one hand on her face and the other pointing at Izabe, she blurted out, "Who are you to act all high and mighty, Izabe?"


    "Me? I''m not acting anything."


    Before Kristin could respond, Izabe calmly said, "Kristin, you remind me of someone. Brett''s fianc¨¦e from three years ago, Kaley, dazzled us on the big screen. I don''t know why; you look a lot like her; even your names sound alike."


    At this point, Kristin''s face hardened. She nced at Rachel.


    Rachel looked up, meeting her gaze. She blushed, looking flustered.


    "It''s fine, Izabe. I can just grab the coffee. I''ve done it before."


    Rachel was always soft-spoken, which made her a target for bullies.


    "But now you''re my assistant. You don''t need to do chores for others."


    "I''m telling you, I''m fine." She bent down to pick up the money Kristin had left on the floor.


    "Izabe, I have to go." And with that, Rachel rushed off.


    "Rachel." Izabe called after her, but Rachel didn''t turn back. She ran off into the distance, until she was out of sight.


    Something was off. Izabe had been sensing it since morning.


    "Huh." Kristin''s sarcasticugh broke Izabe''s train of thought. "Some people are just born pushovers."


    Izabe shot her a cold nce before being called away for lunch.


    It was all her scenes in the afternoon; she didn''t have time to dwell on it.


    Rachel clutched the money in her hand, tears welling up. Her phone vibrated, making her heart jump. She nervously checked the text, tears streaming down her face. Rachel put down her bag, hugging it to her chest.


    Looking at the contents inside, she choked back a sob and said, "I''m sorry. I need to save my mom. I''m sorry." Tears spilled onto the bag.


    She needed a hefty sum to save her mom, and she was willing to stoop to this level.


    Kristin had said that if she handed over the contents of the bag to someone, they would spare her mom and give her enough money for the treatment.


    Raised by a single mother, Rachel''s only wish was to make her mom happy by taking her on vacations to her favorite Pink Sea for photos.


    But now her mom had been diagnosed with kidney failure and needed a transnt. The daily medical bills were through the roof, and her sry was nowhere near enough.


    She also wanted to tell Izabe, but she knew Izabe didn''t have that much money to lend her. Plus, her mom was still in Kristin''s clutches, and she was afraid any careless move might put her mom in danger.


    Rachel wiped the tears off her face, having made up her mind.


    It''s just a cat, she kept reassuring herself, as if that could somehow erase her guilt.


    If anything happened to the cat, she''d buy Izabe a new one.


    After all, the cat might be fine. It had a tracker on its cor, so maybe Izabe could quickly find it once she realized something was off.


    Rachelforted herself as she looked at a new text with a location. She clicked on it and started following the directions.


    She found herself by the river and texted back, "Where are you?"


    A reply came quickly.


    "I can see you. Just stay where you are."


    Rachel waited anxiously, with no one around, until a woman wearing a mask approached her.


    "This is the cat?" The woman, with her mask and sunsses hiding her face, had a mocking tone.


    Rachel felt like she''d heard the woman''s voice somewhere before, but she didn''t have the energy to think about it at that moment. "Yes, this is the cat she always carries around with her."


    "It''s ugly, isn''t it?"


    Rachel didn''t respond to herment, instead asking, "If I give you the cat, you''ll let my mom go, right?"


    The woman seemed impatient. "Didn''t Kristin make it clear? Why are you still asking? Hurry up and give me this ugly cat."


    Rachel struggled: "You won''t harm it, will you?"


    The woman sneered, "You''ve already


    el


    brought it here, and you''re still worried about what might happen to it? Don''t worry about things you don''t need to. You should use this money to treat your mom''s illness."


    Thinking about her mom, Rachel trembled and handed over the cat.


    The cat seemed to sense danger. It started struggling in its carrier, making low noises. It kept ramming against the confines of its carrier, trying to look at Rachel.


    But Rachel avoided its gaze. The woman handed her a card and said, "Here. Remember not to talk about what happened today."


    Rachel took the card, nodding stiffly.


    The woman gave a cold smile, took the cat carrier, and left. She looked down at the struggling cat inside, her face dark.


    "Izabe, let''s see how long you can be happy. You ruined my life, so I''ll ruin what you love most."


    She drove to the dump with the cat carrier in tow. She took off her mask, revealing herself to be Ariana, who had recently been cklisted. She looked terrifyingly grim.


    Ariana pulled out the items she had prepared: a knife, pliers, rope, gloves, a fire extinguisher, and a bottle of gasoline.


    She put on the gloves and leisurely opened the cat carrier. The cat tried to bolt, but Ariana grabbed it by the neck.


    No matter how strong a cat was, it''s no match for a human. It was in pain as it struggled in her grip, trying to bite her, but she was wearing gloves, and its teeth couldn''t prate. Its front ws had been damaged three years ago, and it had no nails to defend itself with.


    Be


    Be


    "Mew-" Nikki''s blue eyes showed fear. Ariana stared into its eyes with a sick smile on her face.


    "It might hurt a bit soon; try to bear it." Ariana held Nikki''s mouth, slowly looking at its sharp fangs.

 Chapter 393

    Ariana noticed the cor around the cat''s neck and tried to cut it off with a knife but kept fumbling.


    Ariana decided to quit wasting time. After all, time was ticking, and she couldn''t afford to spend it all on a cor.


    She continued to hold the cat''s jaws open. "Want to bite me? I''m going to pull all your teeth out. Then see if you still want to bite me." The cat was trembling. Ity there, bound, unable to move. Not that it could plead for mercy even if it wanted to, it''s just a cat after all. Ariana''s eyes were grim. Soon, the only sound left in the empty room was the cat''s cries.


    "Meow." The cat''s mouth was covered in blood. Ity there helpless. The only image that filled its little head at that moment was Izabe.


    "Be, I want to spend more time with you. I really want to see you more."


    Not long after Izabe had finished her meal, the director told her to get ready for the shoot again.


    She nced at the door. Rachel still hadn''t returned, which stirred unease in Izabe. She made a call to Rachel.


    Every passing second seemed to stretch into an hour for Izabe.


    The call went through, but all that came was a cold automated message. It was like a bucket of ice water being poured over her from head to toe. "I''m sorry, the number you dialed is switched off, please try againter."


    A chill ran down Izabe''s spine, her body shaking uncontrobly.


    This was the first time this had happened. She had instructed Rachel to look after the cat and to always keep her phone on for easy contact. Rachel always carried a power bank to ensure her phone wouldn''t die. And this morning, when Izabe had linked the tracker to Rachel''s phone, the battery was full. There was no way it could have switched off due to a dead battery.


    So what was causing Rachel''s phone to be switched off?N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    In a matter of seconds, Izabe thought of a million possibilities. She remembered how Rachel couldn''t meet her gaze today, and all the oddities about Kristin. Why hadn''t she noticed that something was off?


    It seemed Rachel was in trouble.


    Another chill ran down Izabe''s spine.


    Brad called out to Izabe a few times, but she didn''t respond. He walked over and patted her on the shoulder. "Get ready to shoot, we have to finish the interior scenes today and do the exterior ones tomorrow."


    "I''m sorry, Mr. York, I need to take a day off today. I have some important matters to attend to, I must leave."


    Brad was taken aback as he looked into Izabe''s red eyes. Izabe had always been dedicated, never once taking a day off during shoots. He wanted to ask her if something was wrong, but seeing her frantic and helpless eyes, he was at a loss for words.


    "I''ll allow you to take the day off. Go and do what you need to do."


    As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Izabe running out whilst clutching her phone. She did not even bother to change out of her costume and makeup.


    "Wait." Brad called out but couldn''t stop her.


    Seeing how desperate Izabe was, it was clear that she had something urgent to tend to.


    Izabe didn''t care about the stares from passers-by. She hailed a cab.


    The driver was taken aback when he saw her. "Are you a celebrity?"


    But being a professional, he quicklyposed himself. "Where do you want to go?"


    Izabe took out her phone and opened the maps and pointed to a red pin. "Take me here."


    "Alright," replied the driver.


    The red dot on the map remained stationary, making Izabe even more worried. It could mean that something had happened to her pet cat Niki, or that Niki''s tracker had been thrown away. Either way, it suggested that something might have happened to Niki.


    The thought of something happening to Niki felt like a stab to Izabe''s heart.


    She instantly became numb, like an old machine failing to function properly.


    Izabe leaned forward, one hand clutching her head, the other incessantly dialing Rachel''s number. But every call was met with the same automated message.


    "Don''t stay switched off, answer the phone," she thought. Niki was all she had left. "Please don''t hurt it."


    She remembered how Niki had tried to save her in the fire. Her heart shattered.


    The driver arrived at the destination, "We''re here."


    Izabe looked out of the window. It was a junkyard.


    She got out of the car and followed the directions on her phone. The closer she got to the red dot, the more afraid she became.


    Her heart was in her throat, as if being strangled by a rope, making it hard for her to breathe.


    Izabe desperately looked for Niki


    but fear and anxiety filled her. She began to run. She tripped over her long dress a few times, but she kept going, one hand hoisting up her dress, her steps firm.


    Around a corner, Izabe''s expression turned to one of pain.


    She had a sharp sense of smell, and the scent from the pile of trash was not just the stench of rotting waste, but also a hint of gasoline.


    The faint smell wrapped around her like a poisonous vine, tightening its grip.


    Izabe stopped in her tracks, soaked in cold sweat, shaking with fear.


    She was afraid that the smell of gasoline and blood both came from Niki. She was scared to approache the red dot, scared to see a mangled Niki. She was scared to watch ber beloved cat die right in front of her eyes.


    Only five steps away, behind a pile of junk.


    "Niki!" Izabe called out, taking painstaking steps towards it.


    Only silence answered her. She approached the pile of junk, and at that moment, Izabe heard a weak breathinging from inside.


    When she finally reached the pile of junk, she saw blood and cat fur.


    1


    Her eyes narrowed, scanning the area before focusing on one spot. A bloody, unrecognizable mass was curled up there. Its entire body covered in wounds, it looked like plush toy that had been soaked in blood, its shape indistinguishable.


    That was Niki.


    Izabe staggered over and knelt down. She wanted to pick up Niki, but its body was covered in wounds, and she didn''t even know how to hold it.


    The blood was still warm. Apart from its head, its body reeked of gasoline.

 Chapter 394

    Izabe reached out to touch it, her hand shaking as she brushed against its wounded body.


    Her eyes were a terrifying shade of red, dry and itchy. She felt terribly ufortable, on the verge of tears but unable to cry.


    Izabe didn''t know how she managed to untie the ropes that bound Niki. All she could see were the burns on Niki''s skin and the blood in its mouth, pierced with four tiny holes.


    Its four sharpest teeth had been cruelly yanked out. Must''ve hurt like hell, didn''t it?


    "Niki, I''m taking you home, look at me. Didn''t we promise to stick together? I''vee back for you, can you hang in there? Don''t leave me. I''ll quit my job and stay with you from now on. I won''t ever leave you with anyone else." Izabe, shaking, held the bloody Niki in her arms.


    Nikiy in Izabe''s arms, struggling to open its eyes at the sound of her voice.


    So, it was Be. Be hade to take it home.


    But it couldn''t muster the strength to go with Be.


    Niki opened its mouth, blood trickling out. Its throat waspletely filled with blood, it could barely make a sound.


    It was only a cat, it couldn''t even call out to Izabe.


    Niki had been tortured by Ariana for a full twenty minutes.


    It didn''t want to die. It hadn''t seen Izabe happy yet, hadn''t seen anyone caring for her.


    Only when its fur was beyond recognition did Ariana stamp out the mes that were burning its body.


    From frantic struggles to feeble gasps, those twenty minutes felt like years. Niki was in pain, exhausted, and sleepy. It wanted to see Be.


    It was so tired, it wanted to sleep. But it knew if it fell asleep, it would never see Be again.


    It held on until now because it knew Be would find it.


    Niki didn''t want to die. It had waited so long for Be, for her toe get it.


    What would Be do if it died?


    It didn''t want to make Be cry. What if it died and Be got bullied?


    Niki tried to open its blurry eyes and let out a weak "meow" with all its might.


    Its voice hadpletely changed. No one knew what kind of pain it had gone through in those twenty minutes.


    "Niki, hold on a little longer. We''ve finally made it together, I''ll take you to the doc." Izabe, holding Niki, stood up, her body swaying. "Meow," Niki struggled to raise its little paw. Izabe saw and lowered her head.


    With itsst ounce of strength, Niki raised its head and gave Izabe a gentle kiss on the face, a tearful goodbye.


    Niki seemed to think: "I want to hold on too, I don''t want to leave. If I could, I''d still want to be your cat. I''m sorry, I have to go first."


    Finally, Niki closed its eyes, its heartbeat and breath gradually fading.


    Its body was covered in blood, curled up in Izabe''s arms, just like when it obediently slept in her arms. But Izabe could no longer feel its warmth. Izabe was shaking all over, staring at Niki in her arms. Her mouth was wide open, a silent scream. Her eyes seemed dyed red with blood.


    A sharp chirp echoed in her ears, as if mourning Niki''s death.


    She thought she could protect what she cherished, but she ended up watching them get destroyed just like before.


    She had felt uneasy these past few days. She had sensed Rachel''s strange behavior. Why didn''t she guard against it? Why did she only realize now that something was wrong?


    Her chest was burning. Izabe''s face was pale, a stark contrast to Niki''s bloody body.


    "Niki, I''m taking you home." Izabe held Niki and took two steps forward. She grunted and felt a taste of blood surge up from the back of her throat.


    She hailed a car and took Niki to the nearest pet hospital.


    On the way, many people took pictures of her and uploaded them online. The online writers didn''t care about the truth. They only cared about attention and money, even if that money was stained with blood, made from other people''s pain.


    The topic of Izabe Abuses Cats was trending. Upon clicking it, one could see Izabe holding a bloody clump that was barely recognizable as a cat.


    Netizens were all cursing her and thements were vicious.


    There were also rationalizens who found something amiss.


    "Would Izabe, if she were abusing cats, be hugging one in public?"


    "Of course she''s abusing it! Look at her hugging the cat, her face is cold, not a single tear."


    "If my cat were in trouble, I would be crying my eyes out! Izabe, such a wicked woman!"


    But in times like this, no one paid attention to suchments. When chaos was the norm, innocence became a crime.


    At the pet hospital, Izabe waited at the door.


    Not long after Niki had been admitted, the doctor came out and shook his head at Izabe.


    "It was already dead when you brought it in. There''s nothing we could do."


    Izabe forced a smile, "No way, we promised to be together. It wouldn''t leave me. It wouldn''t."


    Izabe looked at the doctor, hoping he would say something tofort her, like a mistake in the examination, or it was just a joke.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    But the doctor kept shaking his head and apologizing to her.


    She didn''t need apologies.


    "It was too badly injured." The doctor said with difficulty. It was the first time he had seen a cat so badly hurt. The person who had abused it was even worse than a beast! Izabe''s eyes welled up with tears. Her eyes were so sour, her chest so tight, yet she couldn''t cry.


    Her heart seemed to be wrapped in a tight, tightening more and more as if to stop her heart from beating.


    Her eyes were so red that they lost their luster. Looking past the doctor, she saw Niki lying inside, its cor removed and ced beside it.


    She took a step forward. The doctor moved aside to make way for her.


    Right now, Izabe felt like she''d lost her soul, her body as stiff as a marite. She walked over to Niki and picked her up again.


    The taste of blood was bing


    denser in her throat, and her usually clear-headed mind was now a nk She held Niki and walked out. In the


    hallway, she suddenly squatted down, shaking a bit before regaining stability.


    Niki''s blood had already dried, clotted and hard. She reached out, tenderly grooming Niki like she used to when Niki was still alive. She scratched her neck, but Niki would never respond to her again. She lowered her head, her nostrils filled with the sharp smell of blood. She was so deep in pain that she didn''t notice a figure approaching her.


    Not until a shadow fell over her: "Be."


    Izabe lifted her head to see Casey crouching before her, his eyes filled with pain. He wanted to say something, but seeing the bloodied Niki in Izabe''s arms, he was too heartbroken to speak. He couldn''t find the words tofort Izabe.


    ??


    Just a couple of days ago, Niki had been perfectly fine. He had even put a carefully chosen cor around her neck and told her to be well. He never thought that the next time they met would be a permanent goodbye.


    Izabe leaned her head on Casey''s shoulder, her right hand gripping the cor tightly. Her knuckles were pronounced from the force, her entire arm trembling. She lifted her hand to Casey''s chest. She was trembling like a de of grass in the wind, like a strong gust could tear her tightly taut nerves.


    Casey felt as if his heart was being cut with a knife. He held Izabe tightly and gently patted her shoulder. That pat brought out all of Izabe''s suppressed emotions.


    Her voice hoarse, she sobbed: "Niki, Niki is dead, she''s dead."


    This was the cruel reality she had to face, that Niki died in her arms. Breathing itsst in the most painful way before the heartbeats stopped entirely.


    "Be, let it out, you''ll feel better if you cry."


    Tears filled Izabe''s eyes, spreading slowly like ink drops in water.


    She held Niki tightly against Casey and cried her heart out.


    "Ahh" Her sobs were piercing like shattered ss. In an instant, her face was covered in tears, streaming endlessly from her bloodshot eyes.


    Her emotions were shattered, to the point where she could no longer distinguish reality from nightmare. Her vision blurred, her ears seeming to lose their hearing, her mind filled with noise.


    The pain was like a sharp knife,


    slowly tearing through her preserved


    memories. She searched


    desperately, but couldn''t find a single memory of Niki in her prime. Her mind was filled with images of a wounded Niki, looking so hurt, so desperate to live, so loving towards her.


    Pain and despair swarmed inside her, seeking an outlet.


    Izabe grabbed onto Casey''s clothes, her desperation only clear to him.


    Her cries drew others'' attention.


    "What happened? Why is she crying so loudly?"


    "Oh, her pet died. I caught a glimpse just now, it was horrific, all bloody."


    "Just hearing about it breaks my heart."


    "It''s just a pet, her reaction is as if she had lost a family member. Maybe she didn''t even cry this hard when her rtives passed."


    "If it''s dead, just get a new one."

 Chapter 395

    When she craved silence the most, malicious whispers never ceased to echo in her ears. Niki wasn''t just a pet cat to her, Niki had once saved her life, they had promised to be together forever. To her, Niki was family, a glimmer of hope in despair, a light in the darkness.


    Izabe''s voice was hoarse, almost whiny, and her speech was slurred as she called out for "Niki".


    The pain in her chest was unbearable, she needed something to fill the void. She let go of Casey''s shirt, clutching the cor tightly to her chest.


    "Be." The figure in her arms was cold, shivering. She had gone from wailing to sobbing.


    Izabe felt no better after crying. Her body temperature fluctuated wildly, one moment she was shivering like it was the dead of winter, the next she felt as if she was being scorched by mes. The heat made her back itch.


    Casey''s heart clenched, he opened his mouth but couldn''t find the words to calm Izabe down.


    Casey knelt on one knee, one arm around Izabe''s waist, lifting her up.


    Izabe''s eyes were vacant, devoid of any energy. She was limp, as if her bones had been taken out and put back in.


    As Casey carried Izabe out of the vet, night had fallen. The oppressive dark clouds overhead made it hard to breathe.


    "I want them dead, whoever hurt Niki, I want to kill them!" Izabe spat out each word, her clear eyes filled with hatred.


    Casey felt a sharp pain in his heart. He carefully settled Izabe in the car, one hand on the back of the chair, his gaze fixed on her. "Be, trust me, they will get punishment."


    "Punishment?" Izabe closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face, "I don''t believe in karma or divine retribution, I only believe in myself." Casey gripped her hands tightly, "Be, don''t dirty your hands for them, it''s not worth it."


    Izabe suddenly opened her eyes, a mocking expression on her face, "Then tell me what is worth it? Let them hurt the ones I love? I can''t protect the ones I love the most, are you going to stop me? What exactly is worth it? If I could make them feel the pain that Niki went through, I wouldn''t care if my hands got dirty!" Her life had long since been sullied by humiliation, she didn''t care about anything anymore.


    If only evil could punish evil, she was willing to be that evil.


    She had once been kind, patient no matter how difficult things got. But life had taught her that kind people were often taken advantage of.


    She had already died once, she wasn''t afraid to die again. If it meant sending these people to hell, what did it matter if her soul was tainted?


    Seeing the murderous madness in Izabe''s eyes, Casey paled and his hand trembled.


    "Niki wouldn''t want you to give up your life for revenge, I think, Niki''sst wish would be for you to live happily."


    "But Niki is gone, Niki is gone." Izabe''s eyes were like shattered ss, she cried until she lost her voice, the tears had dried on her face, her hair stuck to her cheeks.


    Casey stretched out his fingers, gently stroking her swollen eyes, his voice deep and choked, "I know."


    Izabe shook her head. He didn''t know, no one did. There was no true empathy in this world, he couldn''t feel her pain, and she couldn''t feel what Niki had suffered in thosest moments.


    "Do you know what I saw when I found Niki? Blood-stained pliers, gasoline, a lighter, a bloody knife, four of Niki''s teeth had been pulled out, its mouth filled with either blood or gasoline, do you know how it survived? How can I forgive them and not punish them?" Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Izabeughed bitterly, tears in her voice. She looked down at her right hand, covered in blood. The cor in her hand was unrecognizable, the name on it obscured by the dotted blood.


    Izabe rubbed the blood on the cor with her thumb, "I should have acted sooner, I shouldn''t have let these people live this long."


    If she took matters into her own hands and punished the wicked, her hands would be dirty. But were her hands, stained with the blood of her beloved pet, not already dirty?


    Izabe had always held Niki close, now she needed to find a ce to bury Niki. Usually, pets were buried in the owner''s backyard.


    Izabe looked out the window, asking Casey to pull over as they passed a flower market. She walked into a flower shop.


    She picked out sunflower seeds, then went to a pot shop and chose the most beautiful pot.


    In her eyes, Niki was the most beautiful cat, even in death, it deserved to be buried in the most beautiful pot.


    The pot wasrge, and Izabe asked the shop to deliver it to Skyrim. She had just bought a small vi in R City, which was still under renovation.


    She had designed many of the decor in the vi herself, including a room specifically for Niki.


    The renovation wasn''tplete yet, she hadn''t taken Niki to see it yet, and Niki had left her first.


    The pot was ced in the yard, Izabe gently stroked Niki''s body, her heart aching, as she carefully ced Niki in the pot.


    "Niki", her lips trembled as she whispered the name, tears streaming down her face.


    Guilt engulfed her. If she hadn''t left Niki with Rachel, if she had been capable, if she had dealt with all the threats from the beginning, then Niki wouldn''t have been hurt. Izabe hated herself, hated that she hadn''t protected Niki.


    Niki''s greatest wish was for her to be by its side, but she had left it in the care of others for work.


    Izabe knelt on the ground and


    gently stroked Niki''s neck beside the


    pot. Her


    nd was filled with


    memories of three years ago, when


    Niki had saved her from a fire, its small body crashing against the ss, trying to get in and be with


    her.


    Izabe gently stroked Niki''s ears, eyes, nose, and mouth as she cried uncontrobly.


    "I''m sorry, Niki.


    "I''m sorry, I couldn''t save you."


    "I''m sorry, I didn''t take good care of you, didn''t protect you."


    "Niki, don''t be a cat in your next life, it''s too tough being a cat."


    Ever so carefully, Izabe ran her fingers from head to tail, gently touching the charred fur. Tears kept falling, unstoppable.

 Chapter 396

    Izabe reached out and gently stroked the charred fur of the stuffed cat. Tears fell one by one, non-stop. Her ashen eyes were filled with tears.


    She seemed on the verge of blindness. She tilted her head back, veins running down her neck. Izabe''s mouth was slightly open, her eyes tightly shut and her voice hoarse from screaming.


    Her choking, raspy voice was like a rusty knife grinding on a stone, grating and unbearable. It made people''s hearts tingle.


    Casey''s eyes were red too. He silently turned his face away, unable to show weakness. He feared he wouldn''t be able to stand in front of Izabe.


    Izabe knelt on the ground and slowly spread the dirt over Niki, burying it until it was out of sight. Her thin body was shaking violently, her sobs growing louder and louder as her sadness reached its peak. She''d never imagined she could be so heartbroken. It felt like she was being poked by hundreds of needles, each one more ruthless and forceful than thest, piercing her skin, going through her blood, and almost reaching her bones. It hurt so much she could barely breathe.


    Izabe scattered sunflower seeds in the flowerpot.


    "If there really is such a thing as ''reincarnation'' in this world, can I meet Niki again after its death?" she thought.


    Her grey eyes had always held a glimmer of light, but now that light was extinguished. Her eyes were like stagnant water.


    Casey gently ced his hand on Izabe''s head, "There will be a next life, Niki has just gone on a short vacation, it will surely return to you."


    Izabe sniffed, her body covered in blood, her face dirty.


    Standing next to this tall man, she seemed even thinner, as if a light breeze could knock her over.


    Izabe gripped the cor in her hand, "Let''s go."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "Where to?" Casey asked. He was worried about Izabe. She was crying her heart out one second and the next she was eerily calm.


    She looked pale and sickly, not at all like a living person. Her eyes were lifeless and she looked like a puppet when she was expressionless. Izabe moved her lips, "Home."


    She took a few steps, then suddenly stopped. Her left hand was grabbed. She looked back stiffly at Casey''s face.


    Casey held her hand tightly, frightened that something might happen to her. He stared straight at her, his eyes not blinking, as if he were looking at a wisp of smoke, afraid she might vanish right before his eyes.


    "Be,e home with me."


    Izabe didn''t respond, but when Casey led her by the hand, she instinctively followed his steps.


    Her eyes, sore from crying, stung when they met the outdoor light. She adjusted to the sunlight with her half-closed eyes, then opened them again.


    She nced up at Casey''s tall figure.


    She didn''t say a word on the way. She put her phone on silent mode and put it in her bag. Countless people were calling and texting her.


    Casey opened the passenger door for her. He watched her get in before he got into the driver''s seat.


    The car was quiet, so much so that he could clearly hear the sound of the wheels on the road. Casey handed Izabe a bottle of water, "Have some water."


    "I don''t want to." Izabe fiddled with the cor in her hand, taking out a thumb-sized object. Casey nced at it and instantly knew what it was.


    A camera.


    The camera was wrapped in the cor, hard to notice if one didn''t look carefully.


    Casey had only installed a tracker in the cor, the camera must have been Izabe''s doing.


    They had taken precautions, but Niki still lost its life.


    Izabe held the camera, which was also stained with blood. Her hand was trembling.


    Back at Casey''s house, he found some clean clothes, "You go take a shower first, I''ll check if the contents of the camera are damaged." Izabe''s eyshes trembled, and after a while, she reached out to take the clothes from Casey''s hand and said, "Thank you."


    Their rtionship seemed to have returned to the beginning, seemingly close but actually far apart. After watching Izabe go into the bathroom, Casey looked at the camera on the table with the cor.


    He took out hisptop, took the USB from the camera, plugged it into theptop and clicked on it.


    The footage was shaky, but still watchable. Casey set the date to today and the time to an hour ago, then slowly began to search.


    He saw Rachel take Niki to a small river and hand it over to a woman wearing a mask. Casey paused, cut out the next thirty minutes of footage, and saved it to his own USB drive.


    He couldn''t let Izabe do something rash, so he had to solve it before Izabe did.


    Casey clicked back into the video and started watching again, until the woman in the video took off her mask. Casey''s eyes narrowed.


    It was Ariana.


    A chilling intent filled Casey''s eyes, his gaze sharp as an eagle''s. He gripped the mouse and analyzed the whole incident.


    The true mastermind behind this was Kristin, and Ariana was just her hired help.


    Kristin had arranged for someone to kidnap Rachel''s mother and threatened Rachel, who then had no choice but to take Niki out and hand it over to Ariana.


    Ariana, unable to threaten Izabe, took out her anger on Niki, simply because she thought Izabe had deliberately ruined her reputation.


    She was so reckless because her reputation was already ruined, she thought Kristin could help her cover it up, nobody would find out, and because there are no clearws about animal abuse. Casey thought, "Ariana probably thought that killing a cat isn''t illegal."


    Seeing how much Ariana enjoyed exploiting legal loopholes, let''s use that to get back at her.


    This time, Casey just logged into his Twitter ount and posted the cat abuse video there.


    Within ten seconds, the likes had already exceeded a thousand. He hardly ever used this ount, usually just for promotion, but even so, his follower count was still up there.


    With his own Twitter post, he can make the trending list without spending a dime.


    Casey saw the trending list today and hurried to find Izabe through location tracking without looking closely at the content on Twitter. But thinking about it, it couldn''t be anything good.


    Now, the photo of him showing up at the hospital to take Izabe away had also been posted online. Other marketing ounts didn''t dare to offend him, so they could only smear Izabe to attract Casey''s followers.


    These unscrupulous ounts were used to bullying the weak and fearing the strong, thinking that he didn''t often use Twitter. So they just went after the people around him.


    These damn ounts should have been dealt with long ago. Casey immediately contacted someone to block these ounts and investigate the real IDs, then sent out awyer''s letter.


    As for what theizens posted, Casey didn''t have time to look, nor did he want to. Because seeing Izabe being bullied because of him, he really couldn''t help but want to kill himself. After Casey was done with everything, he looked at the time, and half an hour had already passed.


    He suddenly realized that Izabe had been in the bathroom for a long time. He got up and looked upstairs. Could it be?


    Casey ran upstairs and found the bathroom door locked from inside. His heart was racing, almost stopping. Casey hurriedly knocked on the door, "Be!" There was no response.


    Casey held his breath and was about to kick the door, when suddenly there was a faint sound from inside, the door handle moved.


    Izabe opened the door with her hair down.


    "What''s up?"


    Casey let out a sigh of relief, feeling like his soul had just returned to his body. His brain went numb for a moment before he could gather his thoughts. "I''ve uploaded the video to theputer."


    Having just taken a shower, Izabe should have been steaming hot and her face should have regained some color.


    But Izabe''s face was still pale. The bathroom was wet, but there was no warmth.


    Besides, Izabe was right in front of him. And he could clearly feel the coldnessing from her, not just her body, but also her eyes.


    Izabe had taken a cold shower for half an hour, trying to clear her mind and calm down.


    "Who?" Izabe asked coldly.


    "Ariana."


    Izabe gritted her teeth, her eyes growing colder.


    "She won''t get away with this."


    "Okay." This time, Casey didn''t stop her. Because he had already done what he could. Niki''s death, he couldn''t let go either. He and Izabe thought the same thing, that Ariana should pay a heavy price.


    However, Izabe''s hatred ran deeper. When she said in the car that she wanted to kill "them", she really meant to kill with a knife.


    Izabe went downstairs and opened the video on Casey''sputer.


    When she saw Niki injured all over, she wondered what had happened to it, but all she could think of was not even a fraction of the pain it had endured.


    Niki was a beautiful, delicate ragdoll


    cat. It was afraid of pain, and after the fire three years ago, it was even more afraid of fire. But Ariana actually poured gasoline directly on it and set it on fire from the tail upwards.


    In the video, Ariana''s face was twisted, her eyes filled with malice.


    Ariana''s appearance clearly treated Niki as Izabe.


    Niki gradually stopped struggling on the floor andy motionless. The fire spread all over its body, and no one knew how it managed to hold on. Ariana obviously didn''t want it to die so easily, she put out the fire with her foot, her face still with a smile, a sick and cruel smile, like a madman.


    The surveince camera was on Niki, making it impossible to see its condition.


    As Izabe watched the video, she couldn''t help but think about the scene when she found Niki.


    It was lying in the trash can, flesh and blood blurred, exposed wounds already necrotic, a sight that made anyone''s heart ache.


    Izabe closed her stinging eyes and imagined how desperate Niki must have been at that time, how much strength it must have used to hold on until she found it. "Stop watching," Casey said.


    "I want her to die a horrible death. Death would only be too good for this bitch." said Izabe.


    "I''ve already posted this video online."


    Izabe looked at him.


    Casey said, "Now everyone knows what happened."


    "So what if they know?" Izabe scoffed, full of mockery. After taking a cold shower, she was clear-headed and felt even more disgusted with this fake world.


    This world only considered it a crime to kill people, not cats.


    Even if everyone knew of Ariana''s crime, at most they would only verbally insult her. For someone who had no dignity left, cyber bullying had no effect.


    "Be, I know you hate her, but I don''t want you to hurt yourself by using extreme methods just for revenge."


    Izabe didn''t say anything, just opened the video and started to watch it again, as if she wanted to blend this hatred into her bones and etch it into her soul.


    Casey directly shut down the


    computer, crouched down, held Izabe''s cold hand and looked into


    her eyes and again said, "Don''t bear


    it alone. The things you hate, the things you despise, let me help you get rid of them, okay? Don''t hurt yourself for these jerks, because it''s not worth it."

 Chapter 397

    Casey''s hands wererge and warm, bringing aforting warmth to Izabe''s cold hands.


    Casey was a star in the entertainment industry, not just for his good looks, but also for his voice and personality.


    It''s said that while good looks can be replicated, but a unique personality can''t And Casey had both.


    He was a bit quirky, known for doing silly things, being clueless about emotions, and for being a bit too self-absorbed. His face was an open book, all his emotions on disy. And despite his narcissism, he would blush whenever he was around someone he liked.


    He was gentle with Izabe, eager to get close but afraid to scare her.


    Whenever Izabe faced difficulties, he would stand firmly by her side, even if she didn''t notice him.


    Casey''s feelings for Izabe were obvious, but he was careful when he was around her.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    As Izabe watched him, his voice gently reached her ears, soothing her inner turmoil like a gentle breeze.


    "Don''t bear all the burdens alone. I can handle what you hate and despise. Don''t hurt yourself for those jerks. It''s not worth it," Casey said.


    But Izabe was reminded of simr words spoken by someone else.


    "Be, anything you''re scared of, I can help you eliminate them, people included."


    Looking at Casey''s familiar face, Izabe croaked out, "Ryker Dempsey."


    "Hm?" Casey thought she was calling his name.


    Snapping back to reality, Izabe asked, "Am I just supposed to do nothing and watch them live happily?"


    "They won''t," Casey firmly held her hand.


    Izabe shook her head, "Thanks for your help, but there are things I must do myself." Otherwise, what was the point of her reincarnation? She didn''t want to rely on others. Casey worried she might do something foolish.


    Killing might provide instant gratification, but it would also bring about legal consequences. Casey was right, it wasn''t worth hurting herself over those jerks. So, she decided to have someone else do the killing for her.


    Ariana had once said in a video, "Anyway, it''s not illegal to abuse a cat."


    So, if she was hunted down and killed byizens, what did that have to do with Izabe?


    Casey''s tweet, once again, put Ariana in the spotlight.


    Ariana had been in the spotlight twice before, once because she was cklisted, and this time she would bepletely erased.


    Izabe kept her ns to herself, and Casey, understanding her need for silence, just quietly stayed by her side.


    "What are you going to do about Rachel?" Rachel''s betrayal took everyone by surprise.


    Human selfishness was a sad reality. Izabe trusted Rachel because of her past memories of Bell. When Bell was betrayed and publicly humiliated, Rachel was the only one who showed kindness. When Rachel took care of Niki, Niki''s condition improved significantly. She even began to gain weight again, which was why Izabe trusted Rachel with Niki.


    She had trusted herpletely, but Niki died because of Rachel.


    Izabe wasn''t a saint. She couldn''t easily forgive and forget. Her pain was too deep to be soothed by sweet words.


    "Can you bring her directly to me?"


    "I''ll arrange it now." Casey acted quickly and immediately began to arrange for someone to find Rachel.


    Meanwhile, Izabe found Ariana''s home address and even got a hold of her daily routine.


    After leaving the dump, Ariana began to feel uneasy. Worried that her actions would be discovered, she called Kristin to confirm whether her actions would be exposed or not.


    Kristinughed coldly, thinking Ariana was foolish and slow. She had already done the deed and now she was worried about being exposed? Wasn''t it a bit toote?


    Even though she thought this, she reassured Ariana, "Don''t worry, there are no cameras at the dump, and you were wearing a mask. Rachel can''t recognize you. Even if we''re forced to confess, she wouldn''t dare to tell the truth, because her mother is still my pawn. Besides, even if Rachel reveals the truth, I be the first one implicated."


    Ariana thought about it and felt relieved.


    "But what if I''m found out?"


    "Ariana, why are you so scared? Didn''t you want revenge on Izabe? Since you''ve already done this, what are you afraid of? So what if you


    §á§Ö


    abused a cat? You haven''t broken anyws Even ifizens find out, so what? You''ve already left the entertainment industry and your image is beyond repair. Anyway, things are already at their worst. Think about the bright side, Izabe must be in great pain now. She


    hasn''t returned to the set yet, and


    there are pictures of her holding a cat online. People online are using her of abusing cats."


    Ariana, who hadn''t checked her phone all day was excited by the news. As she opened Twitter, her phone suddenly froze. Just when she thought there was a problem with her phone, it came back to life, and all the messages were marked inred.


    She looked at the trending search bar


    # Ariana Abuses Cats

 Chapter 398

    The topic "Ariana Abuses Cats" suddenly popped up at the top of the trending search list.


    Ariana rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was hallucinating due to stress, or if her phone was glitching.


    Kristin had just mentioned "Izabe Abuses Cats" over the phone. So why was she seeing something different?


    Her heart was pounding like a drum, and an intense anxiety was creeping over her. She carefully opened her eyes to look at her phone again. Nothing had changed, except that the poprity of the topic was skyrocketing.


    Ariana turned pale and her breath became cold. Even though it wasn''t autumn yet, she felt a chill that reminded her of winter. The air she inhaled felt icy, causing a pain in her heart. This cold feeling persisted, seeping down her spine.


    What the hell was going on?


    Why was that different from what Kristin had told her?


    Hadn''t Kristin said that Izabe was the one trending? Why was she the one appearing in the hot topics?


    Although Ariana knew that abusing cats wasn''t illegal, she never wanted anyone to witness her ugly act of animal cruelty.


    At this point, Ariana could only hope for the best. Maybe, like Kristin said, there were no surveince cameras at the dump that could directly prove she had abused the cat.


    She took a deep breath and finally summoned the courage to click on the trending topic.


    She had thought the trend had been posted by a marketing ount, but to her surprise, it was actually had been posted by Casey.


    Casey had directly posted a video of Ariana abusing a cat, causing the topic to get even hotter.


    Her hands trembling, Ariana clicked on the video, which had already racked up over a hundred million views, with a millionments and ten million likes.


    All the major news outlets were pushing the video. Screenshots of Ariana''s ferocious face flooded the feeds.


    The twenty-minute video showed the entire process of Ariana''s abuse of the cat from the cat''s perspective. The video started with Ariana holding a pair of pliers.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "You ugly cat, you want to bite me? I''m going to pull out all your teeth, let''s see if you can still bite people. You''re Izabe''s cat, you should me yourself for having a bad owner!"


    A cat''s scream erupted from the video, making the viewer''s skin crawl and heart ache.


    The video was shaky, but it didn''t affect the rity of the images. Even passersby could recognize that this was Ariana and that was her voice.


    Manyizens couldn''t bear to watch the entire video because it was too brutal.


    While it wasn''t the first time they heard about people abusing cats, it was the first time many had seen such aplete video of cat abuse, and the abuser was Ariana, who had seven million followers. After thest incident where Ariana falsely used Izabe of tampering with the script and her fake Twitter ount was exposed, her image was damaged and many of her followers left her. However, many fans still supported her, believing that she had just made a mistake in the heat of the moment and was essentially a good person.


    But before two months had passed, her image was damaged again because of this "cat abuse" video.


    Ariana''s treatment of the cat was extremely cruel. Her actions became increasingly violent and her face was filled with satisfaction.


    It was hard to tell from the surveince video how severely the cat was injured, but just watching her actions was enough to make anyone feel pain. A life was being abused at her whim.


    The viewers of this video were diverse, from animal protection organizations and cat lovers to curious onlookers. Many of them had never owned a cat, but they all felt saddened by the video and wished they could step into the video and treat Ariana the same way.


    There were such evil people in the world. Ariana''s remaining fans were very disappointed. They never thought that the person they had always supported would be so vicious.


    There were tens of thousands ofments under the video. At a nce, they were all telling "Ariana to drop dead."


    "I really can''t believe Ariana would be so vicious! How could she bear to abuse such a small life?"


    "In the video, she said she hated Izabe, so she stole Izabe''s cat and brutally abused it."


    "Izabe didn''t hurt her, right? She was cklisted by thepany because of her own actions. If she hadn''t framed Izabe and ndered her with a fake ount, she wouldn''t have put her career on a dead-end. But I never thought Ariana would be so vengeful! Since she couldn''t get back at Izabe, she took it out on her cat. Izabe really stepped in a huge pile of shit!"


    "Izabe''s cat was killed, and she took the cat to the hospital. Yet some heartless marketing ounts use her of abusing cats. Do these people have no brains?" "Ariana''s face is too scary; I''m afraid I''ll have nightmares. Also, the cat is so pitiful. I can''t imagine how it endured so much. I''m heartbroken."


    "Ariana doesn''t deserve to be a human, calling her an animal is not even an overstatement!"


    "Why won''t Ariana just die? Why will God let such a vicious person live this long? This kind of person deserves to die!"


    "Poor cat, may there be no pain in heaven."


    "Why are there no animal protectionws? People like Ariana should suffer the same torment they inflicted on the cat, to see the unforgivable things they''ve done!" "Where does Ariana live? I want to send her a bomb!"


    "Hell is empty because the devil is on earth."


    "As a spectator, it hurts to even watch this. It''s hard to imagine how much pain this little kitten endured! Having its teeth pulled out, its skin destroyed, and being burned! I hope the kitten turns into a vengeful ghost and scratches Ariana''s face every night, so she won''t die a good death."


    "Am I the only one who noticed this?


    Why would Mr. Dempsey help Izabe post this video? Shouldn''t she have done it herself? Is there some secret going on between them? Someone leaked photos of Casey and Izabe together before, I thought it was fake, but it turns out to be true. When did Mr. Dempsey and Izabe meet? Why are they so close?"


    Among tens of thousands ofments, most of them were ming Ariana. She never thought things would blow up like that. She just abused a cat, it''s not like she broke thew.


    So, what if she got exposed? Did those people actually think that they coulde to her house and kill her? Besides, she was already out of showbiz, she didn''t care about her image anymore.


    Although sheforted herself, she could clearly feel the murderous intent from thements targeting her when she looked at them.


    Suddenly, her phone screen went ck, then vibrated and turned back on. Ariana thought there was something wrong with her phone, but then the screen lit up, disying a ck and white photo of her. It was a GIF of her with blood streaming from her eyes, nose, and mouth; it was terrifying.


    "Ahhhh!" Ariana screamed and threw her phone away.


    Her phone had been hacked! Oh my god, that meant her home address could be leaked soon too, right?


    She knew that there were many violent people online. They were not just talking about killing, but they could actually do it.


    The hacking of her phone was just the first step, Ariana felt a chill down her spine, she had never felt this scared before. When she was terrified, it felt like time had stopped.


    She thought for a long time, regret was useless at that moment. Since she had done it, the priority was to ensure her own safety.


    She made quite a bit of money in the entertainment industry, but after the incident, thepany froze her bank ount, canceled all her endorsements, and she had to pay a lot of money. Now her savings only amounted to a few hundred thousand dors, which was not enough to live on.


    Ariana thought of Kristin, it was Kristin who made her do it, now that she was in trouble, Kristin shouldpensate her.


    Ariana bent down to pick up her phone from the floor, turned it off and on again, and then called Kristin.


    The call was answered.


    "What''s up?" Kristin''s tone was indifferent, she probably didn''t know about the change in the situation online.


    "Kristin, have you checked the trending topics on Twitter?"


    "I haven''t had time; what happened? Is Izabe being trashed?" Kristin was still gloating.


    "The one being trashed is not Izabe, it''s me!" Ariana said angrily, "The video of me abusing the cat was posted online by Casey!"


    "What?!" There was a gasp from Kristin on the other end, "How is there a video? Were you being monitored? Wait, let me check the trending topics."


    Ariana heard the rustling on the other end, "The cat was rigged with a tracker, it must have been hidden in its cor."


    Kristin had finished checking the trends, and she was furious, "Why are you just finding this out now? Why weren''t you more careful?"


    She could tell that Kristin wasn''t happy with her; Ariana snickered: even couples would fight for themselves when they were faced with difficulties, not to mention their temporary alliance.


    Last time they spoke on the phone, Kristin wasforting her not to worry, even if she got caught, she wouldn''t be the first one to be held ountable.


    Now that the problem had escted, Ariana saw Kristin''s true colors. She never really trusted Kristin; they were just using each other.


    "Are you threatening me?"


    "What are you talking about? We''re partners, you''re my friend," The word "friend" was heavily stressed by Ariana; it was extremely ironic.


    Kristin held back her anger, she had initially thought of Ariana as a pawn, but she didn''t expect that pawn to bite back.


    She should have known, a person who could abuse life without hesitation was twisted in the soul, such a person couldn''t be easily controlled.


    Ariana was not someone she could manipte at will.


    Kristin suppressed her anger, and said softly, "That''s the right way to think, we are friends, ourmon enemy is Izabe. You''re in trouble now, do you need me to do something?" Ariana didn''t want to beat around the bush, she said directly, "I need money."


    Kristin wasn''t surprised, if a problem could be solved with money, then it was not a big problem.


    "How much?"


    "Ten million dors."


    Kristin was prepared, but she was still shocked by Ariana''s demand.


    "Ariana, are you ckmailing me?"


    Kristin could indeed afford it, but she didn''t want to. Ten million was not a small amount. Moreover, what Ariana did was beyond her expectations. It was already magnanimous of her not to be angry with Ariana


    but she didn''t expect Ariana to even dare to threaten her.


    "Let me think about it."

 Chapter 399

    Kristin wanted some breathing room, but Ariana wasn''t giving her any space.


    "If you pay me now, I''ll disappear. If not, I''ll spill your dirtyundry online today. Think about what''s the better deal for you."


    Kristin was grinding her teeth, her anger burning in her chest. She wished she could pull Ariana out of the phone and give her a piece of her mind. Then she started to question herself, how could she have worked with Ariana?


    "I can''t give you 10 million at once, I''ll give you 5 million first and the rest after you leave the country," Kristin quickly made the decision.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    After some thought, Ariana agreed.


    "Remember, once you leave the country, don''te back. I only give people who''ve threatened me only one chance, so you better follow through."


    Kristin hung up without another word.


    Ariana was sweating bullets. She knew Kristin must have been through a lot to reach her position in the entertainment industry.


    Even though she boldly ckmailed her, getting money from Kristin was a good thing either way. 5 million would be enough for her to live abroad.


    Ariana deleted all the news apps on her phone so she wouldn''t receive any more hateful messages and set her phone to block calls and texts from unknown numbers.


    She deleted her contacts and cleared all her chat apps.


    She made all the necessary arrangements and booked the earliest flight for the next day. As soon as dawn broke, she would be out of there and everything there would have nothing to do with her. Even though Ariana was cautious, she didn''t realize her phone was being tracked, and someone was watching her every move.


    Someone overheard her conversation with Kristin and knew her flight time and when she''d be leaving home.


    In Spring Bay, Izabe took off her headphones and saved a recording on herputer.


    Casey was cooking dinner in the kitchen. He knew Izabe liked spicy food, so he made some spicy dishes.


    "Come eat," He carefully ced the tes on the table, watching Izabe at herputer. He didn''t want to disturb her, so he brought in a small table from outside.


    Hearing the noise, Izabe stopped typing, "I''m not hungry."


    "Even if you''re not hungry, you should eat something, otherwise you''ll get sick."


    "It''s just one meal. Skipping it won''t make me sick. I don''t have an appetite now," Izabe looked tired; the redness in her eyes from crying had never faded. "Usually, people who have stomach problems say the same thing. Be, you don''t have to eat a lot, just a little will do," Casey insisted that she ate the food.


    He was careful not to get too close or sound too intimate, as he was afraid it would irritate Izabe.


    He wished he could leave her alone during those times, but he couldn''t help worrying about her. "Will you eat something?"


    Izabe was sitting and Casey was squatting in front of her, looking up at her. His eyes were full of concern, it was hard to say no to a man so focused on her.


    Izabe nodded and started to eat the spicy shrimp on her te.


    "Is it good?" he asked.


    Izabe nodded again. The food was tasty, but she couldn''t swallow it because of her mood.


    She only ate half the te of prawns before she couldn''t eat anymore. Casey didn''t force her; he took the te back to the kitchen.


    He reminded Izabe to eat well but forgot that he needed to eat too. After he put the te in the kitchen, he came back to Izabe.


    He saw Izabe sending the recording file to her email.


    "Is this the recording of Ariana and Kristin''s conversation? Are you nning to release it now?"


    Izabe shook her head, "I''ll release it after Ariana gets the money."


    Casey immediately understood Izabe''s intention.


    Izabe gave a little smile, "You''re right, we should fight fire with fire."


    Izabe was looking forward to the spectacle of those evildoers destroying each other.


    Once Ariana received the 5 million from Kristin, their chat would be made public. Then Kristin would also have to face the music.


    Even if Ariana exposed their ''deal'', given Kristin''s character, she would definitely strike back at Ariana.


    The real show was just getting started.


    "I''ve found Rachel, do you want to see her now?" Casey asked.


    "Where is she?"


    "In the hospital."


    Izabe paused. She had heard Rachel''s conversation with Ariana through Niki''s cor, it wasn''tplete, but she had a rough idea of what had happened.


    Rachel''s story wasn''t hard to dig up. Her mother had kidney disease and was kidnapped from the hospital by Kristin''s people. Kristin threatened Rachel to hand over Niki to Ariana.


    Rachel might have been an aplice, but she was also a victim.


    But in that whole ordeal, the one who suffered the most was Niki. It died in the most painful way and could nevere back.


    Izabe had given Rachel a chance


    If Rachel had trusted her from the beginning and told her the truth, she could have helped Rachel''s mother get treatment and saved her life.


    But Rachel chose to sacrifice Niki in the end. That was something Izabe could never forgive!

 Chapter 400

    Izabe got hold of the tag Niki used to wear, rubbing it with her fingers. The bloodstain on it had been wiped clean by her, but she always felt that Niki''s blood was still on it, and it seemed impossible to get rid


    of itpletely, no matter how hard she tried.


    Izabe sat on arge leather office chair, her legs up, curled into a ball in the chair, just the right fit.


    Resting her chin on her knees, Izabe stared nkly at theputer screen, with Casey keeping herpany quietly by her side.


    As the night fell, Casey nced at the darkness outside the window, a breeze was blowing, rustling the leaves.


    Autumn wasing, and the nights were getting colder.


    "Be, you should take a break. I''ll have someone keep an eye on Ariana and Kristin," Casey suggested.


    It was almost midnight, and Izabe looked pale and exhausted, but her eyes were unusually bright, showing no signs of fatigue.


    In fact, her brain was very tired, as if it was suddenly filled with air. Her eyes were sour, but every time she closed her eyes, the scene of Niki''s tragic death and the bloodstains in the dump popped into her mind. The blinding red made her feel like she was back in her past life like she was falling into a hell of despair.


    She tried to suppress the burning blood in her chest.


    "No," Izabe shook her head and said firmly, "I want to do it myself," She wanted to drag those who were responsible into hell all by herself.


    Casey was silent for a moment, then got up and fetched a nket from the bedroom to drape over her and continued to sit by her side in silence.


    Izabe had her own things to do, and all he could do at that moment was to cooperate with her as much as possible. As for the shares in X Entertainment, a decision should be made soon. Kristin''s boss should have been reced long ago.


    At one in the morning, Ariana received a message on her phone indicating that five million had been credited to her ount.


    Seeing that message, Ariana breathed a sigh of relief. Now she could leave in peace. Once a person rxed, they began to feel hungry. She couldn''t cook, and there wasn''t much to eat in the fridge. Usually, she would just order takeout.


    Ariana didn''t dare to go out to pick up her food during the day for fear of danger. Now it was two in the morning, and she thought she wouldn''t run into anyone.


    She ordered ate-night meal on her phone, and while waiting for the delivery, she packed her luggage. After about forty minutes, the doorbell finally rang.


    Ariana was very alert. She first confirmed the delivery over the phone, then looked through the peephole to make sure it was the delivery guy before carefully opening the door.


    "Enjoy your meal," the delivery guy said.


    Ariana didn''t respond, and after receiving the bag, she closed the door immediately. She gave the takeout a little shake and felt it was a bit heavier than usual.


    But she didn''t think much of it, after all, the weight of the takeout couldn''t be exactly the same every time, and it was normal for it to be slightly heavier.


    She took the takeout to the dining room, washed her hands, and then started to open the bagyer byyer.


    "Ah!!" With a scream, the takeout bag toppled over on the table, and a dead rat rolled out from it into the soup and rice. The rat''s head was bloody, its belly was cut open, and even its intestines were exposed. Ariana once said in an interview that what she feared most was rats. So, one could imagine how much of an impact that situation had on her.


    She ran into the bathroom, flushing the toilet with one hand and vomiting with the other, and even throwing up stomach acid. Every time she thought of the dead rat in the takeout box, she felt her whole body go numb, got goosebumps all over, her legs went weak, and her back went cold.


    Ariana only remembered the terrible state of the rat, forgetting that what she had done to Niki was much more brutal than what had been done to the rat. It''s only when people were threatened that they felt fear Ariana vomited until she was exhausted, feeling her stomach as tight as if it was being twisted. She leaned against the bathroom wall, feeling sick, and when she came out, she avoided looking at the dead rat. Besides the dead rat, there was also a note in the bag, which had fallen next to the table leg. She went over and her eyes fell on the bloody big characters on it.


    "Bitch, enjoy your meal!"


    Was it the restaurant owner who did this? Or was it the delivery guy? Or was someone else pretending to be the delivery guy? But how did those people know she ordered takeout on her phone, and how did they know it was her who ordered the takeout? She had already made her ount anonymous.


    She was just thinking randomly, but slowly, she started to get scared. Was her phone being monitored?


    No way, who could go this far?


    Was it Izabe? How could that be? How could she have the ability to do something like this?


    Ariana suddenly thought of Casey. Izabe had contact with him early on in the variety show, "Here Comes the Superstars", and it was Casey who posted the video on Twitter that time. Izabe''s background was Casey! ording to Casey''s status and ability, he could totally do it.


    It was just that she had been so scared all day that she forgot to think about those things.


    Her phone had been hacked once before, and she thought resetting the system would solve the problem. But for those who had the means, if they could hack her once, they could also hack her a second time. It was not impossible that her phone was being monitored.


    Ariana looked at her phone on the table, and suddenly realized what was going on. Her eyes widened and she let out a piercing scream.


    "Ah!" She had never copsed like this before. She didn''t understand; she hadn''tmitted a crime or killed anyone, just killed a cat, and when it was dead, it was dead. Why did those people insist on targeting her?


    What should she do now? She couldn''t throw her phone away, after all, she didn''t have a spare phone and couldn''t go out to buy one at thatte hour. She could encounter a dead rat just by ordering takeout, and if she went out, there might be even greater danger.


    She couldn''t turn off her phone either, after all, she was leaving the country tomorrow and would need her phone on the way.


    Ariana was so anxious that she no longer felt hungry. She looked at her suitcase not far away.


    The only solution at that time was to temporarily put her phone aside. In a few hours, she would be able to leave the country.


    Ariana turned on the TV to distract herself. It was only three in the morning, and her flight was at eight. She had to stay awake for another five hours.


    At six in the morning, Ariana was looking at the breaking dawn, ready to head out to the airport early. The people who had cursed and insulted her were only a threat in words, the most they would do was send her a dead rat like they didst night. They Wouldn''t dare physically attack her in the real world.


    That would be illegal, after all.


    Breathing a sigh of relief, Ariana was about to grab her luggage and leave when her phone buzzed in her bag.


    Any small noise made her nervous. Since yesterday, she had set her phone to block calls from unknown numbers. The only ones who could reach her were people saved in her contacts. She had deleted most of them, and of the few which were left, she could easily guess who was calling her at this hour.


    Sure enough, the caller ID showed "Kristin".


    Picking up, Ariana answered, "Hello?"


    "Where are you?"


    Even though she couldn''t see Kristin''s face, Ariana could sense the other woman''s mood through the phone. She answered honestly, "I''m on my way to the airport. I''ve received the money. Don''t worry, once I''m abroad, I won''te back. Also, transfer the remaining five million to my bank ount."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "What''s your game, Ariana? Did you forget what I told you yesterday? Or do you think I, Kristin, am someone you can mess with?"


    Ariana had been up all night, and her nerves were on the edge. She didn''t quite get what Kristin meant, but she could definitely feel her anger.


    Hearing that, she herself started to


    ???"


    be angry, "Kristin, what are you trying to say? Are you ming me? If it wasn''t for your idea, would I have ended up like in this situation? Forced to leave my hometown and me,


    live alone abroad? You ruined


    who gives you the right to yell at me this early in the morning?"


    She already had the money, and in two hours, she would be boarding her flight. She wasn''t afraid of Kristin.


    "You finally show your true colors."


    Ariana retorted without hesitation, "You''re no saint either, who are you trying to fool with your holier-than-thou act?"


    "Ariana, I believe I''ve been more than fair to you. We had an agreement; I give you money, and you keep your mouth shut. But just after I had transferred you the money, our call got leaked. Are you joking with me?"


    Ariana paused, even in her dazed state she realized something was wrong.


    "What recording?"


    "Stop ying dumb! It''s trending already! Ariana, I won''t let you off, you''re not leaving the country today!"


    After the call ended, Ariana instinctively tried to open Twitter, but since she had already deleted the app, she had to use the phone''s built-in browser. Once in, she saw the trending topics.


    The trending topic was "Ariana and Kristin''s call recording".


    Turned out, from the moment she called Kristin yesterday, her phone was tapped, and she had no clue.


    She only read the headline of the trending news, not bothering to click to read more. All she wanted to do was get out of there as soon as possible.


    Kristin''s threat over the phone was definitely serious.


    Having worked with Kristin before, Ariana knew just how ruthless she could be, especially when it came to exploiting people''s weaknesses.


    If she fell into Kristin''s hands, her life would be over.


    Ariana grabbed her luggage, put on her sneakers, and prepared to leave.


    The moment she opened the door, she got another shock. The doorstep was filled with wreaths and paper dolls.


    After the scarest night, Ariana had be somewhat more resilient. Even though she wasn''t screaming, she was still stunned by the bizarre situation.


    She needed to leave that ce. If she stayed any longer, the pressure would eventually break her, drive her insane if it didn''t kill her first.


    If she could turn back time to two days ago, Ariana would never have thought that she would endure all that because of a cat, just like she never thought that she would be ruined because of Izabe two months ago. The same mistake was repeated twice.


    Ariana, with her mask and sunsses on, thought her disguise was perfect, but she was still recognized as soon as she left her apartmentplex.


    A rotten egg hit her squarely, the foul smell hitting her nostrils, followed by garbage being thrown at her from all directions.


    Ariana didn''t have time to dodge. The people surrounding her wore masks, their eyes filled with malevolence, looking like a bunch of thugs. Those were the people who had been attacking Ariana online. They got her address and phone numberst night, along with her flight schedule.


    Not wanting to miss that chance, they had been staking out since dawn. Seeing her at that moment, their pent-up anger from the night exploded.


    Ariana hadn''t expected them to attack her physically. The rotten egg on her face made her want to throw up. She tried to wipe it off with her hand, but the more she wiped, the more nauseous she felt.


    But she couldn''t keep up with the speed at which they were throwing eggs at her. In a short while, she was stained all over, even her hair had vegetable leaves in it.


    "This is illegal! I''m calling the police; you''re all getting arrested!" Ariana was seething with anger. Her sunsses had been knocked off, and she red at everyone.


    They weren''t afraid of her threats.


    "Ariana, you''re a wicked woman!"


    "You''re scum! Go to hell!"


    Ariana had lived a luxurious life before. She would''ve continued to live that peaceful life in the entertainment industry if she hadn''t crossed Izabe. But now, she was reduced to this, humiliated. She had never lived so miserably in her life.


    Every part of her body hurt. She stood her ground; thest bit of her sanity left her soul. She red menacingly at everyone present.

 Chapter 401

    "Abusing a cat ain''t illegal, right? It''s just a cat, after all?"


    Those words were like pouring gasoline on a fire for some people. If someone could cruelly hurt a cat, there''s no way they would feel remorse. Someone picked up an unopened can and smashed it on Ariana''s head. The weight and sharp edges of the can split her forehead like a knife. Ariana cried out in pain, her vision blurring as her brain rattled, and she stumbled and fell to the ground.


    The person at the front didn''t stop there. They started toy into Ariana with kicks and punches.


    "Do you think it''s okay to hurt something just because it ain''t protected byw, Ariana? You don''t deserve to be human!"


    Most people had enough decency not actually to hurt her, and they just spat at her bloody face.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "Pah!"


    The pain was unbearable. She felt like she was dying.


    "Do you know what pain feels like now? Did you think about how much pain that cat was in when you hurt it yesterday? It was crying out, begging you, but did you stop? You poured gasoline on it, burned it, cu it, pulled its teeth out with pliers. Did you ever think about how much pain that was? Ariana, you''re a monster. You don''t deserve to be human. People like you should go to hell, be a dead rat!"


    Ariana was holding her head, enduring the pain. She didn''t want to know, not at all. Why was all the me on her? Wasn''t Kristin Lasley at fault too? The assistant too?


    She wanted to say the one who was wrong from the start was Izabe! If Izabe had left her a way out at the beginning, none of this would have happened. She hated these people so much.


    The neighbourhood security guard noticed themotion and came running.


    "Someone''sing. Let''s scram!" The crowd immediately dispersed, running off in different directions.


    "Ma''am, are you okay? Do you need me to call the police?" They spoke words of concern, but no one reached out to help her because Ariana was filthy and stank.


    Ariana pushed herself off the ground, slowly getting up despite the pain. She was panting, tears falling down and mixing with the blood on her face, making the pain even more intense. Her mask was twisted, revealing her bruised and swollen face.


    The security guard recognized her instantly, his face going from concern to disdain.


    The news about her was still hot. Her pictures of abusing cats were everywhere, even on the morning and evening news.


    Who didn''t know Ariana now, didn''t know she abused cats?


    The security guard was initially thinking about calling the police or an ambnce for her, but after seeing her face, he coldly said, "If you''re okay, you better get out of here. Those wounds of yours don''t look life-threatening."


    Ariana clenched her teeth, realized they were loose, and had to keep her mouth shut.


    She dared not look up, and her head hung low as she didn''t know whether she should go to the airport or go home and change.


    She had to leave the country today. Every day she stayed increased her risk. She didn''t know how many more situations like this she would have to face.


    Ariana stood there for a long time, thinking, then decided to go home and change before setting off again. This time she was more cautious and didn''t encounter any suspicious people on the way. When she got to the airport, with peopleing and going, she thought it would be safer there.


    Just as Ariana started to rx, a man brushed past her shoulder and stopped in front of her.


    Ariana immediately felt a sense of danger. She knew something was wrong, but it was toote to react.


    The man raised his drink to ssh her. She initially thought it was just a regr drink, but when the liquid hit her skin, she felt intense pain, like it was rusting her skin.


    "Ah!" Ariana screamed in pain, clutching her face. It was sulfuric acid.


    The parts of her body sshed with the acid started to disintegrate, and her hair started to fall out.


    The acid also sshed into her eyes. Ariana was writhing in pain on the ground. She thought the pain from the earlier attack was bad enough, but something worse waited her.


    Compared to the acid burn, the injuries from the earlier attack were nothing.


    The airport immediately went into


    panic mode, and the man who threw


    the acid was subdued by airport


    security. He was pinned to the


    groundughing crazily, grinning at Ariana like a lunatic and shrieking, "Die, die!"


    Ariana was in so much pain she couldn''t think. She held her face, feeling her skin disintegrating, unable to open her eyes due to the pain. The cornea is a delicate part of the human eye and can be blinded


    by acid.


    In the end, Ariana was taken to the hospital in an ambnce. Just as Kristin said, she could not leave the country.


    The man who threw the acid was taken to the police station. Investigations revealed that he had severe mental illness and escaped a mental institution.


    Criminals with a history of mental illness could exploit legal loopholes and get away with their crimes. In the end, he was sent back to the mental institution and had topensate Ariana for some of her losses.


    The trending topics online kept changing, but they were all about Ariana.


    She was attacked at 6 a.m. and was hospitalized after being sshed with sulfuric acid.

 Chapter 402

    Izabe was watching the popr video on the Inte and saw Ariana''s disfigured face and blindness caused by an acid attack. She nced over to Casey Dempsey, who was quietly working on his


    computer.


    "Did you do the acid job?" She asked.


    Casey''s fingers paused over the keyboard, his body instinctively leaning towards Izabe, his eyes scanning the news on her screen.


    "Nope," he replied. Izabe had imed the task for herself, so he had refrained from meddling.


    Izabe had already leaked various information about Ariana to her haters'' group chat; she wasn''t concerned with what would happen next. For people like Ariana, who exploited legal loopholes to do dirty deeds, getting a taste of their own medicine was the best way to deal with them.


    The audio of Ariana abusing a cat had gone viral, and Kristin wasn''t about to let her off the hook. Ariana''s face and vision being destroyed by acid at the hospital was like a double whammy, leading to a a ruthless end.


    The first step of vengeance for Niki had been sessfully executed, but Izabe felt no satisfaction.


    These evildoers deserved what they got, but Niki was gone and would nevere back.


    The acid attack on Ariana by a mentally ill person at the airport was suspicious, to say the least.


    How a mentally ill person managed to get out of the hospital, get hold of acid, and urately throw it on Ariana amidst the hustle and bustle of the airport? All these suggested someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.


    If it wasn''t Casey, the first person Izabe thought of was Brett, known for giving others a taste of their own medicine. Nathaniel could pull this off too, but he didn''t have the patience. He''d rather do the dirty work himself than pass the buck.


    "X Entertainment''s shares have been plummeting. Time to make a move."


    Izabe looked at the data on Casey''sputer screen. The situation was clear as day.


    The dip in X Entertainment''s share price was mainly due to Kristin being implicated in the cat abuse scandal, damaging thepany''s image. Many brands explicitly demanded to terminate contracts with Kristin.


    Kristin was the face of X Entertainment, the linchpin, the most valuable asset. The quickest way to salvage the situation would be for thepany to step in.


    Thepany had been brainstorming strategies since morning. The best course of action was making Izabe take the fall.


    After all, it was her cat that died.


    Izabe nced at the clock; it was eight in the morning. Her fingers drummed lightly on the desk, the small movement echoing in the quiet study like a ticking clock. She stared at her phone as if waiting for something. After a moment, it rang.


    She straightened up as she saw the iing caller ID, answered the call, and put it on speaker.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Casey remained silent.


    The caller was Mr. Frost from X Entertainment.


    As soon as the call connected, Mr. Frost engaged in some small talk with Izabe. "So, Izabe, what have you been up totely?"


    "Just teaching some people a lesson."


    There was a pause on the other end of the line. Clearly. He hadn''t expected such a straightforward answer. "Mr. Frost, I''m guessing you didn''t call just to chit-chat." "Right, I heard about your cat. You must be upset. I wanted to offer some words offort. Don''t let it get to you. It''s just a cat. You can always get another one. It''s only $300." "Are you suggesting I should buy another cat, Mr. Frost?"


    "Thepany''s willing to foot the bill for the cat. I just don''t want you to hold any grudges over a cat. You''re part of thepany. We''re all family here."


    His words might sound likefort, but in reality, he was exerting pressure using thepany''s power.


    These people had neglected her for quite some time, possibly still viewing her as someone they could easily push around since she had no influential backing.


    "So, what counts as a family then?"


    Mr. Frost, interpreting Izabe''s calm tone as eptance, continued, "Thepany has decided to hold a press conference for you. All you have got to do is say you don''t me anyone for the cat abuse and you were nning on getting a new cat anyway. Don''t worry. Thepany won''t let you down. Once this blows over, we''ll give you an endorsement opportunity."


    Izabe looked calm, but her fists were clenched. Casey, sitting next to her, did not look pleased either.


    "And if I refuse?"


    "Izabe, don''t forget, you are under contract with thepany for another seven years. I can make it impossible for you to appear in any productions," warned Mr. Frost. If the soft approach didn''t work, he would resort to hardball. It was a typical strategy.


    Mr. Frost believed he had many ways to deal with Izabe and was convinced she wouldn''t dare to breach the contract. After all, not everyone could afford the hefty penalty.


    "Mr. Frost, your tactics are outdated. If you want to threaten someone, perhaps you should find someone else. Kristin and Ariana abused my cat, and I''ve been generous enough not to confront them directly. And now, you expect me to ''forgive'' them? You''re overstepping."


    "So, you''re refusing?"


    "Indeed, I''m refusing."Izabe''s voice shifted, warning him, "I''ve set my Twitter to private, so your old tricks won''t work this time."


    Mr. Frost asked gloomily, "Izabe,


    are you trying to pick a fight with thepany? You''re just a country bumpkin with no connections or background. What makes you think you can take me on? Do you really think you and Casey are thick as thieves now? Let me clue you in. These rich folks are just stringing you along. To them, you''re a nobody, just like Nathaniel. Remember that."


    Casey expected his name to be kept. He was about to speak up when Izabe ced her hand on his, stopping him.


    Seeing that the call was still on but nobody was speaking, Mr. Frost assumed Izabe was scared and continued to threaten her.


    "This isn''t just about you now. Your cat has been bad for business. Did you get that? You need to fix this, or I''ll have you pay thepany''s losses." Keeping her cool, Izabe replied, "Don''t sweat it. I''ll square up with thepany soon. You better brace yourself, Mr. Frost."


    Hearing her cryptic words, Mr. Frost had a bad feeling, but he was too pissed off to give it much thought.


    "You better realize you can''t afford the penalty for breaking the contract." With that, he hung up.


    Izabe didn''t even nce at the phone on the table. She turned to Casey and said, "Time to get the ball rolling. Make them vanish before noon."


    "Just make them vanish?" Casey''s face was icy, and this was the first time Izabe had seen him angry.


    Casey knew Izabe was in hot water at thepany, but after hearing the call, he realized it was more than just a tough situation. Thepany didn''t see Izabe as a person, just a pawn. "I''ve uncovered their dirty deals. They could go to jail."


    "Leave it to you then. Where''s Rachel?"


    "She''s on her way. Are you seeing her today?"


    "No, tomorrow. We''ll tackle one problem at a time."


    Meanwhile, at X Entertainment''s office.


    After hanging up, Mr. Frost looked at a downcast Graham with contempt, "This is small potatoes. Izabe is like an ant. I don''t get why you warned me about her."


    "Did she agree?"


    "Does she dare to say no?


    Remember the paparazzi incident


    with Kristinst year? She''s been the scapegoat for a year now. If she had the guts, she would''ve fought back long ago, not waited this long. Mr. Frost took out a cigarette from the pack. Seeing this, Graham quickly lit


    it for him.


    Mr. Frost exhaled smoke, eyes half-closed, and said, "Weaklings don''t bounce back easily. Didn''t Izabe resist being the scapegoat at first? But look at her now, just another tool being exploited." Graham wanted to tell him that Izabe wasn''t the same person anymore.


    Izabe had the recordings, and she also had the contract termination agreement he gave her. With a single signature, she could walk away.


    Graham didn''t expect Kristin to stir up such a mess, even though he warned her before.


    What surprised him, even more, was that Izabe knew Casey. The fuse that ignited this whole situation was Casey tweeting the video in support of Izabe, which now had over thirty million likes. Graham worried that if Mr. Frost called Izabe, she would pull out of the termination agreement right away. But Izabe didn''t mention a word about it, as if she didn''t agree.


    This made Graham increasingly anxious, feeling like a grasshopper on the edge of a cliff, ready to be blown off at any moment.


    The termination agreement was given to Izabe privately by him. If Mr. Frost found out now, he would be in deep trouble.


    Was Izabe not terminating the agreement because she was afraid of Mr. Frost? Graham didn''t think so. He had a bad feeling that Izabe was waiting for something. "Graham, you''re Izabe''s agent. You should be managing her, not the other way round."


    "Mr. Frost, we should tread carefully and consider other options. Having choices is always a good thing."


    Mr. Frost retorted, "Can you develop a more direct and effective PR strategy? The cat is Izabe''s. If there''s a problem with the cat, she should take responsibility."


    "But I think Izabe has changed. She might not back down that easily."


    "Don''t worry about it. She''s already agreed on the phone and even told me to brace myself."


    That didn''t sound like good news. Graham wanted to say something else, but Mr. Frost cut him off. He was confident that Izabe was helpless and couldn''t escape his control, no matter how much she struggled.


    "You can go now. We''ll know the results by noon. She won''t make a big move."

 Chapter 403

    "President Windham, Ariana''s matter has been resolved. What else do I need to do now?"


    As Izabe had guessed, Brett orchestrated the attack on Ariana by the person with a mental health condition..


    Ever since the hot topic blew up yesterday, Izabe was the first person he thought of. He knew how much that cat meant to her, and her love for it surpassed her feelings for him.


    The trending topic was filled with all sorts of things, but what stuck out most to him was "Casey and Izabe".


    Their names together had an inexplicable pull.


    In the years after Izabe''s death, he stubbornly believed that nothing had changed. But in reality, everything was different. He was still stuck in the past, hoping Izabe would look back at him again.


    Their rtionship was the most familiar yet unfamiliar in the world. He knew everything about her, yet he couldn''t have her.


    The two of them, who had once gone to the city hall to register their marriage, now didn''t even have a chance to stand together.


    Brett clutched his chest, coughed, calmed down and asked, "Did you send Izabe the illegal files of X Entertainment as I told you to?"


    "I did."


    Brett fell silent.


    Liam thought for a bit and hesitantly said, "I used your ount to send them. Maybe Ms. Salotti has blocklisted you?"


    Brett''s face, already sickly pale, turned even paler at Liam''s words, his eyes gloomy. "Who told you to use my ount?"


    Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, Liam exined, "I thought it might soften her up if she saw all you''ve done for her."


    Maybe in the past, Izabe would have been moved by such a gesture. After all, she was easilyforted then. Just give her a piece of candy, and she''d melt. But the Izabe of today was no longer that person.


    Even when he knelt in the rain, hit the ground with his head on the ground, and begged for her forgiveness, she didn''t soften. Would she soften over such trivial matters?


    Impossible.


    Every time he thought of Izabe''s icy gaze, his heart felt like it was being ripped apart.


    Brett touched his chest. He couldn''t afford to be sick. Now, even if he were to cough up blood and die, nobody would feel sorry for him.


    "So, President Windham, should I send them again?" asked Liam. "The shares of X Entertainment are falling. It''s the perfect time to acquire thepany. Why not just buy it? You''d be Ms. Salotti''s boss then." Liam thought it was a good idea, as this could bring President Windham closer to her. If he became Izabe''s boss, her support, gave her everything she wanted, and took the initiative to care for her, they might have a chance to get back together.


    "That will only make her hate me more." Brett knew better than anyone that Izabe was a confident, independent woman. She didn''t like others controlling her life.


    He was sure that if he sessfully bought X Entertainment, Izabe would ask to terminate her contract, and it would cause a hugemotion.


    Brett sat up in his sickbed and said, "Give me theputer."


    Liam opened hisptop and handed it to Brett.


    Brett''s fingers rapidly typed on the keyboard, entering a page and staring intently at the falling data.


    Someone was manipting X Entertainment''s shares. It wouldn''t be difficult for Brett to figure out who.


    Within ten minutes, the results of the data analysis were out. It was the Maple Group, represented by Casey. There was also a hidden figure.


    Izabe''s name instantly popped up in Brett''s mind. He owned thepany and the group''s name.


    Brett immediately understood. After all these years, Izabe still couldn''t forget Ryker Dempsey.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Knowing that Izabe was nning to buy X Entertainment herself, Brett didn''t need to interfere anymore. He began to think about what he could do for her. But Izabe had turned back into the proud, confident, and mboyant Izabe, no longer the flower trapped in his house.


    Brett always had a selfish thought.


    The end of his life was not far off, and he wanted Izabe to stay with him for a year. If Izabe didn''t want to be with him, he didn''t want to see her with someone else in his remaining time.


    Once this selfish thought took root, it was hard to get rid of. Now, it had spread wildly in his heart, turning into a screaming demon. Love was inherently selfish.


    Brett gave a bitter smile.


    "Liam, do you think it''s selfish of me to want to keep Izabe by my side for a year?" he asked.


    Liam paused, "Do you want the truth?"


    "Hmm."


    Speaking in a serious tone, Liam said, "Very selfish. President Windham, have you ever thought about what would happen if Ms.


    Salotti fell in love with you duri


    that year, but you had to leave this world? You''ve already experienced the pain of three years without her. Do you really want to put her through that?"


    "She won''t fall in love with me."


    "What if she does?" Liam might not have been in a rtionship, but he read romance novels and yed dating games in his free time. He considered himself quite knowledgeable about love. "President Windham, you don''t have to be in a romantic rtionship to love someone. If you truly love her, seeing her happy would make you happy."


    "Your logic is too selfless. I might


    not learn to do that even on my deathbed. The mere thought of her being with someone else drives crazy." After Brett finished, he started coughing again. He always got himself in trouble over Izabe. The more he struggled, the deeper he sank.


    As he looking at theputer, he remembered a phrase Izabe had once told him.


    To her, he used to be a star in the sky, shining bright, but now he''s just a nobody.


    On a pitch-ck night, if only one-star twinkling, it''d mean the world to the darkness.


    But now, Izabe''s world had been taken over by the moon''s light.


    The white moonlight, wasn''t that the guy?


    "Take care of the agency that signed Ariana too. If they can''t handle their own stuff, there''s no point keeping them around."


    Liam nodded, closing hisptop on the table.


    The trending topic that''s been on the rmended list for nearly 24 hours was pretty hard to miss, not to mention some of Nathaniel''s businesses were intertwined with the entertainment industry.


    Nathaniel was a little taken aback as he watched the cat in the trending video. Wasn''t that Brett''s cat? How did it end up at Bell''s ce?


    He knew that cat very well, and it was the one Izabe took in three years ago. The cat meant a lot to Brett. There''s no way he''d let someone else take care of it.

 Chapter 404

    Questions flooded Nathaniel''s mind, popping up like delicate soap bubbles. Images of memories reflected on their surfaces filled up his brain in the blink of an eye.


    He couldn''t fathom why Brett suddenly became interested in an emotional stunt.


    He couldn''t grasp why she was such a close rtionship with Casey.


    He was puzzled by her petting the same cat that Izabe once held.


    He was baffled by the drastic change in a person who was so significant that they seemed like apletely different person.


    He didn''t understand why she would say, "Bell of the past is gone. Now I am Izabe."


    As these questions started unravelling, there was only one exnation.


    This "Izabe" was the same Izabe who perished in the fire three years ago.


    This absurd thought sent a cold sweat down Nathaniel''s back, and a chill ran through him as a breeze blew by.


    Aside from "resurrecting from the dead," Nathaniel could find no other exnation.


    More so, Izabe had made it clear from the start she was no longer Bell.


    He couldn''t describe his feelings. They were a mix of emptiness and suppression.


    The Izabe he had been longing for was the one who died in the fire, unlike Bell, who was weak, delicate, and cried easily. Izabe lived boldly, confidently, and proudly. Only such a person would stir his desire to conquer her.


    Izabe, Bell, the images of these two people took turns appearing in his mind. For the first time, he was confused and lost, not knowing what he wanted. His chest ached as if scratched by cat ws. He clutched his violently beating heart. If Izabe was back, where did Bell go?


    Would she never return? Would there be no one to cook and clean for him, no one to massage his head when he had a headache, no one to tellme jokes to cheer him up when he was upset, and no one whose eyes were filled with his presence?


    His hand involuntarily covered his face, the warmth from his palm offering somefort.


    Nathaniel tilted his head back, resting it on the back of the chair.


    He didn''t even understand why he was crying. The sudden wave of sadness was overpowering, almost breaking through his facade of toughness.


    Suddenly, everything became quiet. When it''s too quiet, one can''t help but start thinking, and eventually, it all became clear.


    He had always treated "Bell" as a substitute, but in the end, he was yed. He was the one who drove her away, yet he couldn''t stop thinking about her.


    In reality, he didn''t want Bell to leave him.


    Initially, he might have been intrigued by Izabe, training Bell, who looked like Izabe as a stand-in to satisfy his curiosity and provoke Brett.


    For Bell, his intentions were always purely "utilitarian".


    When he handed Bell over to Brett, it wasn''t because he was tired of her. Instead, he was bing more and more attached to this stand-in, scared that he''d be the one to fall the hardest.


    Growing up with Patrick Windham, the older man always told him emotions would be a weakness.


    Only when one''s heart was free from concerns can one be strong. Women often became obstacles in a man''s life.


    He didn''t think highly of Patrick, but he had to admit there was truth in his words. Didn''t Izabe be Brett''s obstacle?


    He had seen Brett in so much pain that he vomited blood. These past three years, Brett might have seemed sessful on the surface, but he was actually exhausted. He never vowed to walk down Brett''s path and be like him.


    So when he realized he was starting to depend on Bell, he gave up that dependence without hesitation. It took him a long time to forget those emotions.


    But when he saw Bell''s face again, all his efforts were in vain.


    He couldn''t stand Brett getting close to her and didn''t like her being too close with others.


    He decided to stop treating her as a stand-in and let her stay by his side, like before.


    Life was unpredictable. The person he had given up on had changed and could no longer return.


    Nathaniel prided himself on his good memory. He could remember who lent him how much money when he was a kid. But how could he forget what Bell said when she left?


    "Nathaniel, once I leave, I''ll nevere back."


    It turned out what''s lost can never be retrieved.


    Nathaniel wasn''t superstitious. He didn''t believe that after death, one coulde back to life in another person''s body. He would rather believe that the country girl had fallen ill, suffering from severe mental illness that caused her personality change.


    Izabe had been sneezing all morning. Her eyes turned redder from staying up all night. Tears blurred her vision. She rubbed her swollen and aching eyes.


    When she opened her eyes again, a cup of hot water was in front of her.


    "You definitely won''t rest." Casey ced a cold pill next to the cup, "Take this to prevent your cold from getting worse."


    "I don''t have a cold." Izabe''s voice was hoarse.


    "You''ve been sneezing non-stop, and insisting you don''t have a cold. This pill won''t harm your body, and it''s flu season. It''s better to be safe."


    Izabe couldn''t argue with him. She held the cup with both hands. The water was just the right temperature. Izabe didn''t like bitter medicine. She would rather rely on her body''s resistance to fight a mild cold. She would only take medication when the cold got serious enough to affect her sleep.


    Izabe wasn''t a drama queen. Everyone had their weaknesses, she was afraid of bitterness and pain but could endure.


    For someone who despised bitter taste, she had been taking unpleasant anti-cancer drugs for three years.


    For someone who feared pain, she chose to burn herself in a fire.


    For Izabe, the two hours in the fire were nothingpared to the seven years she spent with Brett.


    Even the toughest guy can break under enough pressure.


    But bitterness, if she had enough of it, she really can get used to it. A small white pill wasn''t bitter. Izabe swallowed it with just a sip of water.


    Just as she swallowed, she saw a hand reach out in front of her. She put down her ss, her eyesnding on the candy in Casey''s hand.


    "Once you''ve taken your medicine, eat a piece of candy. You won''t taste the bitterness."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Izabe took the candy from his


    hand. It was a chewy


    orange-voured candy, sour and


    sweet. Her mouth didn''t have any bitterness, to begin with. Now all she


    could taste was the candy. Shells


    nced at Casey''s sharp canine teeth. It reminded her of the doughnut he gave her when they were young.


    "Stop crying. Eat your doughnut, and big brother will carry you home."


    A smile spread across Izabe''s face. "It''s sweet. Thank you, Casey."


    "As long as it''s sweet. I have loads more candy here," Casey said, pulling up his shirt pocket to show Izabe, it was filled with a rainbow of chewy fruit candies.


    "Do you want more?"


    Izabe said, "No, too much candy can be addictive."


    "Why would you want to quit?" Casey asked, confused, pulling out another hawthorn voured candy this time, and ced it in Izabe''s hand, "It''s a happy thing to enjoy something." Izabe held the candy, didn''t eat it right away, but cing it on the table, where she could always see it.


    Mr. Frost of the entertainment


    company was still waiting for Izabe''s response. He believed that no matter how strong Izabe was, she could not resist his pressure. If Izabe would obediently follow his instructions, he would generously let things slide. But if she dared to disobey, well, that''s another story.


    Mr. Frost scoffed, not taking Izabe seriously.


    On second thought, Izabe''s looks were simply irresistible. He stroked his chin, wondering if he should teach Izabe a lesson, like getting her drunk and taking her to his bed. She''d surely be a sight to see in bed. Her face was clearly made to drive men wild.


    The main reason Mr. Frost never made a move on Izabe was because of her previous sponsor, Nathaniel.


    These power-hungry men all had one thing inmon: their desire for control. Even if they no longer needed something, they wouldn''t let anyone else take it easily.


    So, all these years, Mr. Frost could only watch Izabe, entertaining a million fantasies but never daring to act on them.


    But recently, he found Izabe more and more attractive, her beauty far surpassing Kristin''s, which made him itch.


    Nathaniel had ignored Izabe for so long, he clearly didn''t care about her anymore. And Casey was probably just messing around with her.


    Mr. Frost, his desire growing, lit a cigarette, closed his eyes as if Izabe was already in his bed, until the urgent knocking at the door brought him back to reality. Startled, Mr. Frost looked up, his face dark with annoyance.


    "Come in."


    The office door opened, and the public rtions manager, vice president, agent, and other department heads, secretaries and assistants all stood at the door. "Mr. Frost, we have a problem."


    "What''s the problem? Why aren''t you at work, standing around here?"


    Thepany''s vice president, although not owning as many shares as Mr. Frost, still had some influence. His face was particrly gloomy, "Just check the news online!"


    A sense of unease crept into Mr. Frost''s mind. Usually if there was anything, it would be conveyed to him via phone or secretary. This situation had never urred before. Everyone in the room looked pale, Mr. Frost pulled out his phone. Because he identally set his phone to silent, when he unlocked the screen, a flood of messages and missed calls immediately filled his


    screen.


    He didn''t care who called him at this point, and he went straight to Twitter.


    Mumbling, "What could be such a big deal? It''s just about Izabe, isn''t it? Is it all her fault for the public cat abuse incident and nothing to do with anyone else?"


    Until he saw the number of times, he was mentioned, too many to be represented by a clear number, the whole screen was filled with red notifications.


    Mr. Frost, heart pounding, randomly clicked on one. It was a tweet from Izabe.


    She had posted three new tweets.


    The first was a video.


    The second was a collection of various criminal evidence of the x entertainmentpany, any of which would be enough to put the boss of thepany in jail for several years.


    The third was a contract termination.


    Mr. Frost looked at it, only seeing the tweet about the criminal evidence of the x entertainmentpany, the content was too long to read at once, but the crimes were clear, and the evidence was solid.


    He checked the time of the tweet, and it was twenty minutes ago.


    "What is the PR department doing? Why aren''t they reducing the attention to this tweet!?"


    The manager of the PR department lowered his head, letting his boss curse at him, and only after Mr. Frost finished cursing he said, "We can''t reduce the attention."


    "What do you mean you can''t reduce the attention? Pay them off!"


    "Mr. Frost, we have no money left."


    "Who are you fooling? How can apany this big be out of money?"


    The vice president said: "Not only do we have no money, but thepany is also in debt. The stock has been falling since this morning. There were malicious acquisitions of shares a month ago, just to short-sell today. The continuous fall in the stock market due to Kristin''s


    vel


    issue has caused losses of tens of millions of dors, and it''s irreversible."


    With a "bang", Mr. Frost''s phone fell to the ground.


    "Who is maliciously acquiring? Why are we only finding out now?"


    "It''s the Maple Group, a newly establishedpany, a group we''ve never heard of before."


    Mr. Frost looked as pale as a ghost. Since when did Izabe start ying footsie with these folks? And where on earth did she get that contract termination from?


    These questions remained unanswered. But one thing was crystal clear: Izabe had her fingers in this pie. She had been nning this for a long time.


    "So, what''s our game n now, Mr. Frost?"


    Other than watching thepany go belly up and getting swallowed by the Maple Group, they were also staring at a stint behind bars. This wasn''t something they could just scapegoat someone for and walk


    away.

 Chapter 405

    "I can''t just go down like this!" Mr. Frost broke out in cold sweat, legs trembling, staring nkly at his dropped phone on the ground. He tried to bend over to pick it up but ended up kneeling on the floor due to weak knees.


    His hands were shaking, like a Parkinson''s patient, as he grabbed his phone and dialed Izabe''s number.


    "Izabe, delete that tweet you just posted, or I swear I''m gonna make you pay!" He was losing his mind.


    "Mr. Frost, you''re t broke. What can you possibly do to hurt me?"


    Of course, it was Izabe! It was toote for threats or begging. Izabe had made his dirtyundry public, clearly out to ruin him beyond repair.


    Mr. Frost sneered, "Izabe, ever heard of ''you scratch my back, I''ll scratch yours''? Don''t think I won''t hurt you just because you''re sitting pretty now. If I go to jail, once I''m out, you''ll be the first one to get it." Coldughter filled with contempt and mockery echoed from the phone, not lethal, but extremely insulting.


    Izabe said, "Here''s a tip, instead of worrying about what happens after you get out, focus on surviving in jail. You do the crime, and you do the time. Mr. Frost, need I remind you, there are all sorts in jail. Bullying is a daily urrence, not to mention getting roughed up."


    Mr. Frost turned pale, grinding his teeth, "You!"


    "Don''t be surprised, survival of the fittest. You should know better than me."


    Mr. Frost was no saint, and his first big payday came from shady dealings. There were always those who didn''t y ball in apany, threats and intimidation weremon.


    Not to mention Mr. Frost''s lecherous nature, and many innocent girls fell prey to him behind closed doors. He was ruthless for money and power, often involved in illegal activities. Like Graham said, "she" was also introduced to Nathaniel.


    The Salotti family was way above Mr. Frost back in the day. When Izabe took over the Salotti family business, she faced even tougher problems.


    In her eyes, Mr. Frost was a mere grasshopper. Acquiring X Entertainment was a piece of cake, costing her peanuts.


    Most of her time was spent gathering evidence.


    This was just the first step, Izabe''s revenge started with "Bell". She never nned to let anyone off the hook: thepany''s president, manager Graham, Kristin, and others.


    Niki''s death was a wake-up call, and her tactics were too soft. She should''ve fought fire with fire from the start, leaving them no chance to fight back.


    Mr. Frost''s endgame should be


    dying in jail, but he might still struggle before that. If he can''t get back at Izabe, he will vent all his frustration on Graham, who let the cat out of the bag.


    As for Kristin, Izabe nned to make her go through what Niki did.


    Kristin seemed to enjoy destroying other people''s precious things. So, if she got a taste of her own medicine, wasn''t it just karma?


    Mr. Frost grimly admitted, "I underestimated Izabe."


    Until five minutes ago, he thought Izabe was a pushover, that even if she fought back with all she had, it''d be futile. Thepany could use her, scapegoat her, milk her dry. "No worries, just be more careful next time. This is just the beginning."


    After the call was ended, Mr. Frost sat slumped on the floor like a boneless frog, unable to stand up, looking at the varying expressions of the people in the room.


    Some looked scared, some uneasy, some terrified. His mind was buzzing, and their expressions turned into mockery. He struggled to stand up and knocked over the vase on the table.


    "Get out, all of you!"


    No one moved. The person in front hesitated before asking, "Mr. Frost, since thepany''s been bought, who''s going to pay our sries? It''s almost the end of the month and we can''t work for free, right?"


    "Pay you? Dream on! All of you, get out!" Mr. Frost couldn''t control his rage, and he was like a helpless madman. The sound of a siren came, and his red face turned white.


    The vice president reacted quickly, running out like a greased lightning, pushing people in front of him, but they were stopped by the cops before they could escape.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    As for Mr. Frost, he had given uppletely, watching the police handcuff him.


    "Pleasee with us to assist in the


    investigation." Almost all the


    company employees were taken away about fifty or sixty people, and it was a grand scene with journalists broadcasting live outside. S


    From then on, the boss of X Entertainment was reced, bing the firstpany Izabe acquired, achieving a stunning victory.


    This event caught the attention of the business world, and the Maple Group easily acquired a multi-million dor entertainmentpany in a short time.

 Chapter 406

    Due to animal abuse incidents, the situation leading topany bankruptcy was mostly unprecedented.


    Online opinions were all over the ce. Some folks felt sorry for Izabe, othersughed at her stupidity, and some even hinted in a roundabout way that she was climbing the socialdder using Casey. Regardless of whether Izabe''s past was washed clean, there were always those who had it out for her.


    Izabe shut down her Twitter, oblivious to it all. These people didn''t matter to her, and she didn''t need to care about their opinions. Instead of wasting time exining, she might convince them with actions. No epted? Then she''d beat them with actions.


    Meanwhile, Casey had been watching the public opinion trends online, watching those self-proimed fans insult Izabe in thements, his eyes filled with bottled-up emotions.


    Izabe, resting her eyes quietly on the side, noticed the oddity. She opened her eyes and looked at Casey, who was on his phone, and asked, "What''s up?"


    "Be, are you mad at me for deciding to post that tweet on my own?" Casey asked.


    Izabe caught on immediately. Even though she hadn''t been online to read thements, she had a good idea of what was happening on the inte. Casey had too many fans, and those iming to protec him under the guise of being fans simply hoped Casey could live the life they envisioned for him.


    They painted a picture of Casey as an ideal being, away from the mundane world. They molded Casey into a t character, only alive on screen, with no need for romance in real life.


    "How could I be mad? I didn''t even get a chance to thank you. You saved me a lot of trouble, let alone I might not have made it through yesterday without you." Izabe knew her situation. Even the strongest had weak moments.


    "Stay off the inte for a while, and those rumors will be reced by other news in a couple of days, and it''s not worth your attention," Casey suggested.


    Izabe nodded her head.


    Changing the subject, Casey asked, "When are you nning to deal with Kristin?"


    "Dealing with her isn''t the hard part, and it''s the people behind her." She waspletely sure that Kristin was Kaley Cot. She had seen with her own eyes how Brett tortured Kaley Cot when she was still in ghost form. He ruined her face, cut off her toes, and in the end, threw her into a ditch.


    During that time, she couldn''t control her spirit and could only drift around, sometimes lingering around Brett, sometimes around Presley Felton and Lucas Salotti.


    She didn''t know what happened to Kaley in the end, but she had seen the news, she went mad and then died.


    Izabe thought Kaley would never appear again. Who would have thought she would resurface three yearster with a new face?


    The people behind Kaley yed a big role, and no ordinary person could have achieved that.


    When trouble arose, the aftermath could linger on for a while, and that''s no joke.


    For such trouble, it should be dealt with decisively, not giving her a chance to fight back! Otherwise, it would only bring trouble.


    "Your eyes are bloodshot. Take a break. Don''t worry about the trouble for now. I''ll handle it."


    This time Izabe didn''t refuse. She hadn''t slept for two days and two nights.


    To solve this problem, she had been on high alert. Now that part of the problem had been solved. She rxed a bit. Coupled with the cold medicine she just took, she suddenly felt very sleepy. Izabe rubbed her eyes.


    "I''ll just rest here for a bit. Wake me up when your people find Rachel."


    "Alright, you get some sleep."


    Izabe promptly fell asleep on the table, covered with a nket, and soon, he could hear her steady breathing.


    Casey waved his hand in front of her, confirming that she was asleep, and then he carefully picked her up and ced her on the bed in the bedroom.


    The bedroom was filled with aromatherapy to help with sleep, the curtains were drawn, and the room was dim. Casey stood by the bed, quietly looking at Izabe''s face.


    Only when she was asleep did he have the chance to hold her.


    Casey sighed, this was the first time he had feelings for someone, but he didn''t know how to make Izabe depend on him.


    Casey whispered, "I wish you could rely on me more."


    Casey didn''t stay in the room for long. He walked out of the bedroom, took a mint candy out of his pocket, and put it in his mouth.


    The cool mint vour filled his mouth instantly, and his mind cleared up a lot.


    He went back to his study, and sat in front of theputer. He knew that if he liked someone, he should protect her. He opened the web page and saw some tweets attacking Izabe, all sent by his fans. For the past few years, Casey had been busy filming and rarely paid attention to Twitter. He asionally went on Twitter, but only to promote his work. Sometimes he even found promotion troublesome and let thepany handle it.


    Although he rarely used Twitter, he knew that these tweets attacking Izabe were sent by his fans.


    He saw some tweets. Some people said, "Izabe is just a bitch. Why can''t Casey see it? What''s the point of having a scandal with this kind of woman?"


    Some people said, "I want to quit the fan group. I really can''t stand seeing Casey with other women, especially when this woman is my most, most, most hated Izabe."


    Others said, "There''s no such thing as a coincidence. Izabe must have some dirt on her. Even if she didn''t seduce directors and y two-timing games in the past, she must have done some dirty things behind the scenes. Otherwise why would her ownpany not protect her and let her take the me?"


    Some even said, "If she''s not liked in her ownpany, you can imagine how disliked she must be."


    There were even those who said, "Izabe''s cat deserved to die! I hope she gets hit by a car when she goes out!"


    Casey copied down all these people''s IDs and sent them to the legal department forwyer letters. Though it''s just a warning, Casey''s intention was not just to scare them but to give these online bullies a good shock. He asked the legal department to sue these people directly and publicly disband all fan groups. This whole process was done in less than half an hour.


    Today''s hot topics were all big deals.


    #Izabe''sCat#


    #ArianaCatAbuse Video#


    #ArianaAndKristin''sAudioExpose#


    #Kristin''s PersonaCopse#


    #Vicious#


    #PresidentOfXEntertainmentArrested#


    #CaseyCracking DownOnFans#


    Soon, thest topic climbed from seventh ce to second ce.


    Many celebrities had been abandoned by their fans for certain behaviors, but this was the first time fans were subpoenaed for their nderousments. This move was quite shocking, and some even thought Casey had gone mad, picking a fight with his fans for a girl.


    Casey''s actions confirmed everyone''s suspicions: he was into Izabe.


    He stood up against his fans and announced his love for Izabe to the world.


    Casey''s actions had a huge impact, and his fan count was dropping.


    Among the fans who received subpoenas, there were a few minors. Casey didn''t let them off the hook, and he sent the subpoenas directly to their homes.


    They thought they could talk crap about others just because they were underage. But if they thought they could get away with it without consequences, they were sorely mistaken. Once they get sued, it''ll be a stain they can''t wipe off. And they''ll have to face their parents'' wrath.


    If they screw up, they pay up.


    Casey didn''t think he was overdoing it. In fact, he felt he wasn''t harsh enough. Seeing thosements cursing Izabe, he was on the verge of exploding.


    As a public figure like Casey, he had enough resources to make these fans pay for their nder.


    Casey responded to these people in one sentence.


    "I like her. I''m chasing her, I entered the entertainment industry to find her, and now I have found her. If she leaves me because of my so-called ''fans'', I will quit the entertainment industry." Casey''s fans suddenly realized that Casey was a real person, not their imagined 2D character. He could fall in love, date, and get married.


    Fans can''t actually be with their idols, and they just need to appreciate their work. If Casey quit the entertainment industry, didn''t it mean they can''t see his work anymore?


    Casey''s actions had achieved the desired effect in just half a day, and thements on the web were much cleaner.


    Meanwhile, fans who supported Casey and Izabe as a couple began to celebrate.


    Some had been secretly hoping for


    Casey and Izabe to be together during the filming of "Here Comes, the Superstars". But their ship was too unpopr to express openly, given therge number of haters and Casey''s fans, who were always ready with sharp words.


    Now that Casey had publicly expressed his feelings, those supporting them started to celebrate wildly. Their ship even trended online.


    Many bystanders joined in supporting them, and the topic "Izabe&Casey", which was originally ranked below 5000, instantly topped the list, bing a hot news focus. Whenever their photos appeared together, it was a party for the fans.


    There were countless edited videos about them, and some even meticulously analyzed their sweet moments.


    "I always thought Casey was


    interested in Izabe, and I can''t


    believe it''s true! Look at the way Casey looks at Izabe when she''s stage.


    on


    Isn''t that the look of


    someone too shy to lift their head?


    And some people said Casey hated


    Izabe."


    "I always thought Casey was cold, but his pursuit is so intense."


    "I''mughing. They all said it was Izabe seducing Casey. I think it''s Casey trying to seduce Izabe and not seeding. He''s still chasing."


    "When did Casey start liking Izabe? I''m really curious. Did he secretly fall for her and surprise everyone?"


    "Reply to thement above. From a few interviews. I think he fell for Izabe a long time ago, maybe before the rumors?"


    "In the interviews, I felt Casey had special feelings for Izabe. When have you ever seen him so invested in a woman? Casey is a perfect man! Izabe is a gem, and she should grab this great guy before she misses him."


    "Thinking back on the interview content, every word he said was filled with sweetness."


    "I really feel for Izabe, and her cat was brutally killed. I hope she can recover with Casey''spany."


    "If my favourite stars could act together in a drama or movie, I''d be so happy I could get drunk."


    Izabe had a long sleep, from four in the afternoon until ten at night, waking up feeling groggy and slow in the dark, unsure of where she was.


    Shey in bed, slowlying to her senses, looking towards the door.


    Because of the death of her cat Niki, she was brought by Casey to Spring Bay.


    Now she was in the bedroom.


    Izabe had stayed here for a night before, so she wasn''t unfamiliar with the surroundings. She reached for the bedsidemp and turned it on, the strong light making her close her eyes. After adjusting to the light, she got up.


    After sleeping for six hours, she felt somewhat refreshed, so she got out of bed and went towards the study.


    Casey was still busy, and hadn''t rested like her, but he looked energetic, and not tired at all.


    Casey was focused, able to handle multiple tasks at the same time. He heard the footsteps in the hallway and put down hisputer.


    The study door was open, and he stood up just as Izabe appeared at the door. They locked eyes.


    "Are you hungry?" Casey asked. "I cooked some vegetable and lean meat porridge in the kitchen. Let me get you some."


    Izabe shook her head, and she didn''t have much of an appetite.


    "Have you eaten?" she asked.


    "Nope." Casey chuckled, "I thought I''d wait for you to get up so we can eat together."


    Hearing this, Izabe couldn''t say no to Casey.


    God knew when, but the first person


    that popped into Casey''s mind was always Izabe. He''d wonder if she had eaten yet. When the weather got chilly, he''d think about if she had put on enough clothes, and when he cooked, he''d look forward to sharing the meal with her. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    In his heart, maybe Izabe was even more important than himself.

 Chapter 407

    "Let''s go downstairs for some grub."


    Izabe just woke up,pletely clueless about what''s been happening online. The whole world knew that Casey''s got the hots for Izabe, but she''s the only one still in the dark.


    Izabe might be slow on the uptake regarding love, but she can feel Casey''s special treatment. But both of them kept mum about it.


    Casey knew that Izabe''s got her sights set on her career and didn''t want to get tangled up in love, so he kept his distance, giving her the space she needed so she won''t feel pressured. Izabe''s been off the grid for a while. Once the online buzz died down, his heartfelt post will also fade away.


    "Rachel''s been brought to R City." After finishing their meal, Casey casually mentioned clearing the table and heading to the kitchen.


    Izabe followed him in, intending to lend a hand, but froze at Casey''s statement.


    "Where?"


    "You want to see her now?"


    Izabe nced outside, "When did your people bring her here?"


    "Five in the afternoon."


    Casey deposited the dishes into the sink, answering while starting the water. By the time Izabe processed his words, he was already washing. Izabe reached out her hand, and Casey immediately moved the faucet so she could wash her hands.


    "Why didn''t you wake me up?" She asked while washing her hands.


    "You had just fallen asleep, and you were out like a light. I didn''t want to wake you. If you want to see her now, I can take you." Casey exined. "Where is she?"Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Not here, but it''s a stone''s throw away. A ten-minute drive, tops. I''ve got eyes on her. She''s in a storeroom."


    The weather''s not too chilly at night, and the storeroom is safe enough.


    Having washed her hands, Izabe took the freshly washed dishes from Casey, dried them with a towel, and put them away in the cupboard. They had a good rhythm going when it came to doing the dishes. "Let''s go see her tomorrow morning. Get some rest tonight. No more burning the midnight oil."


    Although this was her problem, Casey seemed to be busier. She had said she wanted to deal with it herself, but he had done so much for her without her realizing it.


    What if he did too much and she didn''t know what to do? What if she got used to his help and couldn''t handle being without him?


    Whenever Izabe got lost in thought while looking at Casey, she couldn''t help but stare at his lips.


    Casey nodded in agreement, wished Izabe goodnight, and went back to his room to clean up and rest.


    He thought he''d doze off straight away, considering how long he''d been up, but sleep eluded him.


    Normally, he wouldn''t log into Twitter for months, but today he logged in several times, and revisited the post he made.


    Would this kind of "confession" put pressure on Izabe?


    Casey hoped Izabe saw his tweet,


    feared she would.


    whiles were fragile, and he


    Some


    was scared that Izabe might distance herself because of it.


    He tossed and turned, unable to sleep, constantly checking Izabe''s Twitter feed. Thest topic caught his eye.


    "Izabe&Casey"


    He clicked on it and was immediately flooded with new information. This topic recorded moments of their lives, some of which even he hadn''t noticed.


    Chance encounters, fleeting nces,


    the way Izabe looked at him,


    photos of them together. This topic


    had 520,000 followers, ranking.


    l.ne


    number one. Everyone here was encouraging them to date. No objections, no arguments,


    Casey scrolled through all the posts, fans''te-night videos, and original stories.


    In the fan-written stories, he and Izabe had a happy ending, and some even included plotline about them having kids.


    Casey scrolled through, a small smile ying on his lips. He couldn''t help but follow the topic.


    Such a simple action didn''t go unnoticed. Fans about to sleep got all hyped up and started checking their phones.


    That night, his fan base grew by half a million.


    Casey contentedly scrolled through


    the topic until three in the morning, then fell asleep clutching his phone. He woke up before six the next morning to make breakfast.


    Izabe also woke up at this time. Noticing his dark circles and bloodshot eyes, she asked, "Didn''t sleep wellst night?"


    "How could that be? I slept like a log.", he mumbled, clearly not doing a good job lying.


    "If you slept, why do you look so beat? You''ve got panda eyes."


    "I guess I need a few more days to recover. I did sleepst night." Just not for very long.


    Without pressing further, they prepared breakfast together, making pancakes and drinking soy milk.


    After tidying up post-breakfast, it wasn''t even seven yet. Casey picked up the car keys, "Let''s go see Rachel."

 Chapter 408

    As Casey said, getting to Rachel''s ce from here was a piece of cake, just a ten-minute drive tops.


    Casey owned a stack of properties in R City. Even though they were empty, they were fully furnished and ready to be sold off at any given time.


    But he''s not thinking about selling right now. R City was booming and had be one of the fastest-growing spots in the country this year, now giving Wye a run for its money.


    When Casey first bought the properties, they were only three grand per square foot. Now, they''re almost five grand.


    Izabe had Niki''s tag hanging on a red string around her wrist, and she stared at it whenever she had nothing to do. Rachel, Rachel, Rachel.


    She muttered the name, filled with resentment.


    Did Rachel know what she''d done? When she handed Niki over to Ariana, did she ever consider that it might cost Niki''s life?


    Even if she knew what would happen to Niki, she''d still hand her over. To her, her mom was everything, and Niki, a cat she looked after for a month or two, was just a cat, not hers, and not important. Nothingpared to her family.


    In her past life, Izabe once wished to be heartless in her next life.


    But they were not made of stone, right? Who could be heartless?


    Suddenly, she felt warmth. It turned out, it''s Casey''s hand on hers. She turned her head to see him, focused on the road.


    He wasforting her in his own way. Izabe''s heart fluttered, and she can feel iting back to life.


    "Keep your eyes on the road."


    Casey''s hand stiffened, and his ears turned red. After a while, he let out a small "hmm" and released her hand.


    Izabe''s face was expressionless. She''s suppressing all emotions, which worked fine for now. But if she kept this up, the emotions will only get stronger and might eventually harm her health. This was exactly what Casey was worried about. He''s afraid Izabe will close herself off and push people away.


    Rachel was locked up in the storage room in the yard. Although Casey had it renovated, the yard was seldom taken care of. Weeds were growing everywhere, and there''s a musty smell in the air. The door''s locked and didn''t need guarding. But Casey had informed them in advance. When they arrived, they saw two bodyguards at the door, keys in hand.


    Upon seeing Casey, the bodyguards respectfully greeted, "Mr. Dempsey."


    "Unlock the door."


    The storage room wasn''t soundproof. Izabe, standing next to Casey, watched as the bodyguard unlocks the door. She can clearly hear the sounds from inside.


    As the old wooden door was pushed open with a creak, Izabe gazed indifferently inside, spotting Rachel in the corner.


    The storage room was filled with all sorts of stuff, leftover tiles, shovels for weeding, cleaning buckets, brooms, mops, and so on.


    A small area in the corner has been cleared out. Obviously, Rachel spent the whole night therest night. She didn''t get up until she heard noises this morning. She looked pale, her sses nowhere to be found. Since she''s shortsighted, she can only squint or open her eyes wide to see.


    When she saw Izabe, she avoided eye contact. Her hands were clenched tightly by her thighs, seemingly anxious.


    Apart from that, she didn''t show any other reactions, not even a hint of surprise. She already expected Izabe to show up.


    "Izabe," Rachel stammered, her heart filled with fear. She tried to suppress the panic in her heart, her lips quivering, "I,"


    Izabe interrupts her, saying to Casey, "Can I talk to her alone?"


    "I''ll wait outside. We''ll keep the door open, just in case."


    "Okay." Izabe nodded and walked into the storage room.


    Due to the angle of her vision and her shortsightedness, coupled with her nervousness, Rachel only gave Izabe a quick nce. The sound of her voice seemed familiar, but she''s too anxious to think too much about it.


    As Izabe stepped closer to her, Rachel''s calling of "Izabe" still echoed in her ears. It''s just like always, only now there''s no warmth in it, only disgust.


    She''s not afraid of evil people. What she feared were the ones she once trusted betraying her. Their methods were sickening, their actions more hateful than those of evil people.


    Izabe had been betrayed by someone close to her for their own gain before. That feeling was like being the only person left in the world, alone and helpless.


    "Niki''s dead. Did you see the video online?"


    The mere mention of Niki made Rachel''s face stiffen. She hadn''t watched the video. She didn''t have the guts to finish it. She closed her phone after seeing Niki''s teeth pulled out by pliers. Every night, she had nightmares filled with bloody cats and Niki''s death.


    "Izabe, I''m sorry, it wasn''t intentional, I swear! I didn''t know Niki would die!" Rachel''s tears started to fall. She didn''t dare to look up at Izabe, but she can feel Izabe''s cold gaze and the pressure emanating from her.


    "Do you still have the right to call me that, Rachel? You know if it was intentional or not. Niki''s dead. Do you know how much it suffered?" Izabe''s clenched fists were shaking. She stepped closer to Rachel, who was now backed into a corner with nowhere to run. She raised her trembling head.


    "p!" Izabended a p on Rachel''s left cheek.


    The loud p sent Rachel''s face sharply to one side. She can taste blood in her mouth, and her ears were ringing.


    Before Rachel can react, another pnded on her right cheek.


    Izabe mustered all her strength and pped Rachel twice, almost knocking her senseless.


    "Those ps were for Niki."


    Rachel, stunned, looked up, questioning whether Izabe had just forgiven her with those two ps.


    But reality proved she was overthinking. There was no way Izabe would let her off easily. Rachel saw pure hatred in Izabe''s eyes.


    Rachel had expected Izabe to be angry but not to look at her with such a gaze.


    "Izabe, please forgive me, but I


    had no choice. They had my mom. If I didn''t take Niki out, my mom would be in danger. I was scared. Please forgive me, Izabe. I know I messed up. I don''t deserve your forgiveness, but can try my best to make it up to you. I''ve been looking at pet shopstely, thinking about getting you a cat."


    "You think getting me a cat could rece Niki? So, can I kill your family member and then find you a new one?" Izabe''s eyes were red, barely containing her rage. She grabbed Rachel''s cor tightly, forcing her down onto the ground, towering over her. "You knew how important Niki was to me. Why did you keep it from me? Rachel, didn''t I treat you well?"


    Rachel shook her head in fear, tears silently streaming down her face.


    "I gave you so many chances to tell me your problems. If you had told me before, I would have helped you. But you never gave me a chance." Izabe''s voice was low and husky, each word causing her more pain. Her grip on Rachel''s cor tightened.


    Rachel suddenly felt like a fish out of water, struggling to breathe.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    She didn''t give Izabe a chance because she didn''t believe Izabe could help her.


    What kind of person was Kristin? She had millions of fans, a powerful background, capability, connections, and apany backing her.


    What about Izabe? She had nothing. Even thepany was cyberbullying her. She had been cyberbullied for so long she couldn''t even afford a PR. How could she possibly help her?


    Rachel was deeply conflicted, and in the end, she sacrificed Izabe''s cat-Niki.


    Niki was significant to Izabe, but Niki was just a cat, and the vet had said Niki wouldn''t live long.


    Izabe seemed to read Rachel''s thoughts. "Aside from being threatened by Kristin, your mom also needs a lot of money for a kidney transnt, right?"


    Izabe''s expression was normal, but Rachel couldn''t help but shudder.


    How did Izabe know about her mom''s diagnosis?


    "How did you know?" Rachel asked.


    Izabe ignored her question. "Rachel, I look forward to the day your mother recovers."


    Rachel was so naive! If Kristin was really Kaley, no one knew her better than Izabe. Kaley was selfish and wicked. Rachel hadn''t handled this well, exposing Ariana to the public, getting Kristin involved, and even affecting X Entertainment.


    This was a loss for Kristin, no matter how they looked at it. $100,000 wasn''t a small sum, but it was enough to cover PR costs to make her a trending topic. Now Kristin needed money, and Rachel had indirectly exposed her identity. It was already good that she hadn''t retaliated against Rachel. Was she still going to give her the money?


    The money Rachel got in exchange for Niki''s life, didn''t she think it was dirty? Didn''t she think it was soaked with blood? Didn''t she feel scared and guilty?


    Rachel hadn''t yet realized the seriousness of the problem, and Izabe didn''t n to tell her everything. Since she was so sure Kristin could help her mom, let her keep believing.


    The most painful revenge was to give hope and then take it all away, plunging someone from heaven into hell, unable to escape.


    "You will pay for everything you''ve done." After saying this, Izabe let go of Rachel''s cor and turned to leave.


    She can''t get away with wrongdoing, or hurt someone''s feelings without someone making her pay. People should mind their words, actions, and conduct because karma wille.


    Rachel crumpled to the ground, watching Izabe walk out and disappear. Outside, the sun had risen, but the room was still dim and cold. For a moment, Rachel felt like she had lost something important, something she would never find again, a lifelong regret.


    Izabe didn''t need her apology and didn''t deserve to call her sister anymore.


    Her eyes were full of loss and pain. Rachel covered her face, falling to the ground, crying into her arms. She was heartbroken, her cries hoarse and followed by a gag reflex.


    She was dry heaving for a long time before she felt better. Rachel, holding her aching face, staggered to her feet and left the room.


    It was strange. When Izabe had left, it was sunny outside, but when she stepped out, the sky had turned cloudy.


    Izabe was already far away. Rachel leaned against the door, looking at the two bodyguards who had brought her.


    "You can go."


    Rachel lowered her head, wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes, and walked out.


    It''s okay, and her mom would be


    getting a kidney transnt soon. The $100,000 from Kristin, minus medical expenses, still left some money. Adding the money she had saved over the years, she could take her mom and leave this ce, enjoy life, travel abroad, and see the pink seas and Northern Lights that only appear in TV documentaries.


    Her mom would be very happy.


    Rachel got into a car and headed to the hospital. At the entrance to the ICU, she ran into the attending doctor.


    "Dr. Zack."


    Dr. Zack turned around with a medical record in his hand. "Oh, it''s you. Where were youst night? Why did you leave your mom here alone?"


    "I had some issues."


    Dr. Zack didn''t beat around the bush, "Your mom''s got surgery in a couple of days, so stick around, don''t go gallivanting off. Also, a surgery consent form here needs your signature." Rachel nodded promptly, "Gotcha, Dr. Zack. Just how risky is the surgery?"


    "There''s always a risk with any surgery, I can''t promise you that your mom will pull through, but we can''t just chicken out because of the risk because this is her only shot."

 Chapter 409

    When Rachel heard about the risks of the surgery, she started freaking out. Despite Dr. Zack''s reassurances, her worry didn''t lessen. It felt like there was a massive rock hanging over her heart. "Have you managed to scrape together the money for the surgery?"


    Rachel nodded, replying, "I''ve got it."


    "Then go and pay some of it today to make sure there''s enough bnce in your insurance card."


    Rachel walked into the ward, looking at her mom lying on the bed, hooked up to an IV. Her mom used to have beautiful long hair, but now it was all shaved off. She was skin and bones, the veins on her arms sticking out like old tree branches. Her hand was swollen from the constant infusion of drugs.


    Her mom was still asleep, and Rachel didn''t want to disturb her. She quietly sat by the bed, reaching out to cover Mrs. Lewis''s hand with her own, warming her.


    However, this small movement still woke Mrs. Lewis.


    "Rachel, you''re back?" She opened her eyes to see Rachel''s face, her eyes wide in surprise, "What happened to your face? Did someone mess with you?"


    Rachel reflexively covered her face, "No one messed with me. I just had an allergic reaction to some skincare product. It''ll be fine in a couple of days. By the way, Mom, how are you feeling now? Any better?" "Just the usual. I''ve grown used to it." She''d grown used to the torment of illness.


    Rachel held her cold hand, "Mom, we''ll be able to do the surgery soon. After you recover, after you''re all better, I''ll take you abroad."


    "Silly girl, where are you getting all that money? A kidney transnt costs hundreds of thousands, doesn''t it?"


    "Don''t worry about the money, and I''m now the assistant to a big star, and she lent it to me. I''ll just pay her back slowly."


    "Is it that Izabe who gave you a raise, the one you always mention over the phone?" Mrs. Lewis asked.


    Rachel''s face froze. Faced with Mrs. Lewis''s question, she didn''t know how to answer.


    "Mom, if someone does something wrong, does that mean they can never be forgiven by the victim?"


    "You need to understand that there''s no such thing as ''putting oneself in others'' shoes''. You can never truly understand the pain experienced by another person."


    Rachel fell silent.


    "Rachel, did something happen?" Mrs. Lewis looked at her worriedly, trying to lift her hand to ce it on Rachel''s head, her voice weak, "I''m holding you back. If I weren''t sick, you wouldn''t have to work so hard. But remember, Rachel, a person can be poor, but they can''t lose their spirit. Don''t do something against your conscience for money. I won''t be happy with that kind of money. The one thing I hope for in my life is that you live well and live happily. If you do something wrong, apologize. Whatever you do, there will be consequences, good or bad. A person''s heart can''t hold too much, especially guilt."


    Rachel felt her nose sting, the sourness she''d been suppressing welling up. She turned her head, tears rolling straight down from her eyes.


    "Mom, don''t think too much. Just focus on getting better. Only if you''re okay can I be okay. You rest, I''ll go pay."


    Rachel got up and left the ward, heading to the payment window. She took out the bank card Kristin had given her. A couple of days ago, she''d confirmed at the bank that there were indeed one hundred thousand dors in the ount.


    Rachel handed over the card and entered the password. After waiting a while with no response, she started feeling uneasy.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    The staff handed her back the card, "You need to get a new card. This one''s been frozen."


    Rachel asked anxiously, "Why was it frozen? It was fine when I checked a couple of days ago."


    The staff looked at her, puzzled, "You don''t know why it was frozen? You should call the bank and ask."


    Rachel took the card. How was she going to call the bank? The card wasn''t hers.


    She stood in the lobby, calling


    §¥?§­§¦


    Kristin. When the first call didn''t get through, she made a second, then a third, until on the fourth call, probably bothered by her, Kristin finally answered.


    "Kristin, I wanted to ask why the bank card you gave me was frozen?"


    A chuckle came from the other end of the phone, "Rachel, you think I''d give you a hundred thousand dors for that little thing you did? You''re too full of yourself." "Kristin, you didn''t say that initially. You clearly said that as long as I took Izabe''s cat out, you''d let my mom go, and you''d give me a hundred thousand dors."


    "Didn''t I already let your mom go? As for the hundred thousand dors, that was hush money I was nning to give you, but now that I''ve been exposed, why should I give you money?" Rachel was shaking, feeling dizzy and cold. She felt like she''d entered a void, with peopleing and going around her, and all sorts of sounds in the lobby, but she couldn''t hear anything.


    She pleaded uncontrobly, "Kristin,


    please save my mom. I need that hundred thousand dors, and treat it as a loan. I promise to pay you back. My mom''s surgery is the day after tomorrow. If it gets postponed, there''ll be a risk to her life. Please help me."


    "What''s it got to do with me if your mom''s life is in danger?" After saying this, the call was hung up.


    Rachel dialed again shakily, but Kristin had already blocked her. No matter how much she called, she couldn''t get through.


    Rachel''s mind suddenly shed back to Izabe''s words when she left.


    "You''ll pay for everything you''ve done."


    The bank card slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. She stared at it nkly.


    The bank card was mocking her. She was a joke, aplete joke.

 Chapter 410

    Tears swirling in her eyes, Rachel covered her face and, under the puzzled gazes of the onlookers, picked up the bank card from the ground before dashing upstairs, not stopping until she reached the eighth floor.


    She found it nearly impossible to move because her legs felt like they were carrying a ton of bricks. She looked at the intensive care unit not far away, at a loss for what to do. How was she supposed to tell her mom that the money for the treatment was gone?


    How was she supposed to scrape together $60,000 for the operation? What would happen to her mother if the surgery was not possible? She hadn''t given her mom the good life she deserved. She hadn''t ever taken her to see the flowers.


    Kristin''s call was like a p in the face, a p that hurt even more than the two that Izabe had given her.


    She had betrayed her friend, indirectly causing someone else to lose something they loved. Now, it was her turn to bear the consequences of her actions.


    All of her misdeeds, it turned out, were just begging for trouble.


    Not only did she not receive the money for the treatment, but she also lost Izabe, who had been the nicest to her.


    As soon as Dr. Zack stepped out of his office, he saw Rachel standing in the corridor, looking dazed.


    "Rachel, have you paid for the operation?"


    Rachel bit her lip and shook her head. "Dr. Zack, I lost the money for the operation. Can you give me a few days to gather the money?"


    "Weren''t you saying that you had the money for the operation? What happened?"


    Dr. Zack watched as Rachel kept her head down, not saying a word. He guessed that something must have happened, but she wasn''t saying anything. So he didn''t want to pry. Rachel was a dutiful person, always taking care of her mom. The doctors and nurses all saw that.


    If it was a minor operation, one that cost a couple of thousand dors, he could help. But this was a $60,000 operation. Without money, it was basically a death sentence.


    In this world, the biggest disease was poverty.


    Dr. Zack patted her shoulder and said, "I can give you a week at most."


    Rachel didn''t know how to face her mom. Not only could her mom not have the operation, but she also had to deal with the fact that her daughter, whom she had always believed in, had lied and done something unforgivable.


    Dr. Zack sighed and shook his head before leaving the corridor, leaving Rachel alone. She leaned against the cold wall, and even though the room temperature was 27 degrees, she felt cold. Rachel hugged her arms and cried silently for a long time, her eyes swelling up like walnuts and her legs going numb. She pushed herself off the wall and walked to the bathroom, washed her face, and looked at her reflection in the mirror.


    Without her sses, everything was blurry. She couldn''t even see her face clearly then.


    No matter how much she sshed cold water on her face, it couldn''t hide the redness and swelling of her eyes.


    One look, and you could tell she had been crying.


    Rachel didn''t want to worry her mom. She tidied herself up and then returned to the hospital room.


    Mrs. Lewis was already on her second bag of fluid. There was a TV in the room, but she never felt like watching. Only when Rachel was there, would she let her turn on the TV. When she had nothing to do, she would just sleep or stare out the window, lost in thought. Only when she was in a daze could she momentarily forget the pain. If she couldn''t bear it, she would just grit her teeth and bear it, because she still had her daughter, and she didn''t want her daughter to feel uneasy and scared because of her illness.


    The window was tightly shut.


    Mrs. Lewis looked out the window and heard a noise. She turned her head.


    "Rachel, it''s autumn now."


    Rachel paused and listened to the noise outside the window.


    The flowers outside the window were in full bloom, but the window was tightly shut, and she couldn''t smell anything.


    "Mom, every year at this time, we would be making honey cake together. Do you want some this year? After your operation, when you can eat again, I can make it for you, okay?"


    "Of course, it''s just that I can''t drink the osmanthus wine anymore." When the osmanthus flowers were in bloom, Rachel''s mother would brew and sell a sweet wine, filling the house with its aroma. There was a decade-old osmanthus tree in their yard. In the summer, it provided shade, and in the autumn, they could pick osmanthus flowers. Rachel often climbed the tree to pick flowers, and her mother would catch the flowers in a basket below, reminding her to be careful.


    As if remembering the past, Rachel''s mother couldn''t help but smile, "When you were little, you were like a monkey, always climbing trees. I was always worried that you would fall. When you were little, I could catch you, but now that you''ve grown up, I can''t."


    Rachel tried to suppress the sadness in her heart. Her chest was so tight that it was unbearable. She ced her hand on her thigh, tightening it constantly, her shoulders trembling from the pressure. Rachel''s mother looked at her, "Rachel?"


    Rachel did not dare to lift her head and let her mother see her crying.


    "You''re crying." Rachel''s mother''s voice was full of tenderness, "Why are you crying?"


    "I''m just scared, scared that something will happen to you and that I won''t be able to eat your honey cake anymore."


    "Silly girl, all honey cakes taste the same, and I''ve already taught you how to make them. I can''t always be with you. One day, you''ll have to learn to make honey cake by yourself."


    "Mom, the surgery has been postponed to a weekter."


    "Did Dr. Zack say that?"


    "Mm-hmm."


    It seemed as if Rachel''s mother could see through Rachel''s lie, but she didn''t ask any further, "That''s okay, dying the surgery can give me some time to prepare. Actually, I don''t think my condition is that serious, and I don''t need to have a kidney transnt. The surgery is too expensive. We would need a long time to pay off the cost."


    "Mom, you don''t have to worry about the money. I''ll figure something out."


    Rachel decided to raise money. She hired a caregiver, then lied to her mom, saying she had to go to work.


    After leaving the hospital, Rachel dialed everyone''s number in her phone: ssmates, friends, colleagues, rtives, and neighbors, asking for money one by one.


    She looked at Izabe''s name in her contacts, hesitated for a moment, then scrolled to the next name.


    When she chose to betray Izabe, she didn''t think she could get her forgiveness, after all, she had made a mistake.


    In her early twenties, Rachel''s life plunged into darkness because of a bad decision. Many people hung up the phone as soon as they heard she was asking for money.


    Rachel, with her mom''s medical records in hand, humbly asked for money, not even caring about her dignity. She asked over a hundred contacts for money, running around from the north to the south of the city, begging from door to door.


    When there were benefits to be had, people would lend you money. But when you ran into difficulties, help was hard toe by. It wasn''t easy to borrow $60,000 for the operation, and she didn''t even have the qualifications to borrow from the bank.


    In just two short days, Rachel had lost a significant amount of weight. She considered selling her kidney on the ck market to raise funds, but she wasn''t the sharpest tool in the shed and had no clue where to start. She knew most online ads were about as trustworthy as a three-dor bill, often scams that


    could even put your life in jeopardy.


    So, she went to Dr. Zack and asked tentatively, "Dr. Zack, do you know anyone in need of a kidney transnt? I could be a match."


    Dr. Zack''s expression became grave in an instant.


    "Are you considering selling your kidney?" he asked as he stood and confronted her.


    "Dr. Zack, I know this is a tough pill for you to swallow, but I''m t broke. I need to save my mom, and I can''t raise enough for her surgery." She had already hit up everyone she knew for loans, but so far, she had only managed to scrape up 50 grand, a far cry from the 60 grand she needed.


    "Please help me, I''m begging you." Rachel choked, her face wet with tears, her legs finally giving in from walking all over R City, and she copsed.


    She was ready to chuck it all, including her pride, her humanity, her self-respect, and her kindness, ready to throw everything to the wind, all to save her mom.


    "Rachel," a voice came from behind.


    Rachel froze at the sound of her name, her heart pounding like a drum, her head throbbing. She slowly turned around as time seemed to stretch out agonizingly. She saw her mother standing in the doorway, smiling at her.


    "Rachel, let''s head home. I don''t want to seek treatment anymore."


    Mrs. Lewis had already changed into her clothes. Last night she got a call from a neighbor, telling her that Rachel was going door-to-door to raise money.


    Upon hearing the news, Mrs. Lewis didn''t call Rachel. Instead, she quietly packed her bags, had the nurse help her with the discharge procedures, and decided she no longer needed the medications.


    The doctors and nurses tried to persuade her to continue her treatment, but Mrs. Lewis just smiled and said, "I won''t let my daughter lose her future just because I''m ill."


    That 60 grand for the surgery was a load too heavy to bear for ordinary folks like them. She didn''t want her daughter to lose her pride and future for that money.


    Mrs. Lewis walked slowly but with determination. She came up to Rachel, gently touched her head, then bent over in pain to lift Rachel''s hand.


    "Let''s go home and bake a honey cake."Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Rachel followed behind Mrs. Lewis, watching her mother''s back. Her hand wasn''t as warm as before, but every time she held Rachel''s hand, it gave her endless strength and support.


    That hand, which had once held her to sleep, helped her learn to walk, wiped her tears away, and carried her when she was sick.


    Rachel tightly grasped Mrs. Lewis'' hand. When they got to the hospital entrance, she suddenly stopped and said, "Mom, you can''t be discharged. We need to treat your illness."


    Mrs. Lewis turned around and


    looked at Rachel. In her eyes, Rachel


    was always her little girl. She


    reached out, hugged Rachel, and


    said, "Rachel, I know my condition remember I once told you that a person can be poor, but their can''t. I don''t know how you raised the money for the surgery, and I don''t know why it''s gone now. Everyone has their own destiny. If that money was obtained through illicit means, I''d rather not be treated."


    Her eyes, already swollen from crying, suddenly filled with tears again. She closed her eyes, lying in her mother''s frail arms, sobbing quietly.


    Hospitals are where life and death meet, and countless peoplee for treatment. It''s a ce where happiness and sadness intertwine. The passersby who heard the crying merely nced and then looked away.


    Crying didn''t solve anything, but it was one of the easiest ways to vent.


    Mrs. Lewis'' heart ached. She gently stroked Rachel''s hair and said, "Life is only a few decades long. I don''t want you to do something irreversible and then feel guilty."


    Mrs. Lewis saw Rachel''s pain and med herself for not noticing Rachel''s abnormal state earlier. She said, "In my eyes, you''re the best. You''ll always be my beloved Rachel."


    "Mom, I want to save you. I don''t want you to get hurt. We haven''t had good days together yet."


    "Am I still not alive? As long as you''re alive, there''s hope. Today will pass, and tomorrow will be a new day. As long as you''re by my side, I will always look forward to the dawn of each day. Let''s go home and bake a honey cake."


    "Mom." Rachel saw Mrs. Lewis staring at the hat, "Do you want that hat?"


    "Don''t talk nonsense. That hat is too fancy, it won''t suit me. Let''s wait until we get home and I''ll wear the hat you knitted for me."


    The pair took a ride back to the countryside. Mrs. Lewis instructed Rachel to return the borrowed money and to express their gratitude to those who had helped them.


    Mrs. Lewis'' disease was incurable by drugs. The hospital had prescribed a ton of medications, a colorful assortment of pills that were daunting just to look at.


    Mrs. Lewis looked at the osmanthus tree in the yard, full of blossoms, and asked Rachel to pick some flowers. Like in previous years, she made honey cakes and brewed osmanthus wine.


    Mrs. Lewis was busy in the kitchen, with Rachel helping.


    "Do you know how to make honey cake yet? Do you want me to teach you again?"


    "I feel like I''ll never get the hang of it."


    "How can you be so hopeless?"


    "Mom, you''d probably be happy right now if you hadn''t given birth to me," Rachel said as she regarded her mother''s face in the shadows." She felt like she was her mother''s burden, and without her, her mom might have a new family and enough money for treatment.


    Mrs. Lewis paused, gave her a serious look, and dered, "The greatest joy of my life is having you. Nothing is more important to me than you."

 Chapter 411

    Mrs. Lewis smoothly changed the topic, "We can make some osmanthus wine to sell, as a way to make some extra cash, let''s go pick some more osmanthus flowers." Osmanthus wine has a thick aroma and doesn''t take too long to brew.


    As Rachel went out with a basket, Mrs. Lewis'' gentle face suddenly twisted in pain. She hunched over, her body filled with torment and her breathsing out in huffs. Her illness was getting worse, with no cure in sight. Even a kidney transnt couldn''t fully restore her health, she could only hang on for a few more years at most.


    Everyone''s clock is ticking, for someone with a terminal illness, staying alive takes more courage than letting go.


    But she couldn''t bear to leave her daughter, Rachel.


    Rachel quickly came back with a basket full of osmanthus flowers. Mrs. Lewis, bearing the intense pain and feeling much weaker than before, managed to sh a smile as she looked at Rachel, "Rachel, I suddenly want that hat we saw when I left the hospital."


    It had been half a month since they left the hospital, and she wasn''t sure if the beautiful hat was still there.


    Rachel put down her basket and said, "I''ll take you to buy it another day."


    "If we wait too long, it might be gone. We''re out of food and wine at home. You can buy some on your way and check the store. If the hat is still there, get it for me. If not, never mind." Rachel nced at the sky. The round trip would take about three hours. Her mother was too weak to travel that far, and that was the first time her mother asked her for something.


    "Okay, I''ll go now." Rachel changed her clothes, slung her bag over her shoulder, waved to Mrs. Lewis, and ran to the bus station.


    Once Rachel was gone, Mrs. Lewis swayed a bit. She braced herself and continued making honey cakes, using up all the ingredients. She lost track of how many cakes she made, but the table was full. It should be enough for Rachel for a while.


    She weakly took off her apron and staggered towards the yard.


    The sun was shining brightly. She sat under the osmanthus tree, enjoying the shade. The sun wasn''t too harsh, and the scent of the flowers and the songs of the birds filled the air.


    She usually spent her free time lying on the rocking chair under the osmanthus tree. That day was a good day, with great weather and fragrant flowers. It was a good day to die.


    She squinted her eyes, whispering to herself, "Rachel, you are my hope... If there''s a next life... please be my daughter again..."


    Tears welled up in her eyes, and she gently closed them once and for all.


    Rachel didn''t find the hat at the store. She didn''t want to disappoint her mother, so she searched the entire city center and finally found a simr one.


    She paid for the hat, carrying her shopping bag, thinking how happy her mother would be when she saw the hat.


    Rachel bought some wine, and on her way home, she stopped at the market to buy fresh vegetables.


    With a bag full of groceries, she cheerfully called out, "Mom, I''m back!"


    No one answered Rachel, and she felt a sense of unease. As she looked at the quiet house, fear crept in, and a warning shed in her mind: Stop, don''t go in.


    She went inside and saw a table full of honey cakes. Rachel put down the groceries, took out the hat, and walked towards the yard. Under the osmanthus tree, she saw her mother lying on the rocking chair.


    It looked like she was peacefully sleeping. Rachel walked over and looked at her mother''s pale face, "Mom, wake up... I''m back. I bought the hat you liked. Try it on."


    But her mother didn''t move.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Rachel held her mother''s hand, finding it strangely cold. It must be because she didn''t bring a nket to keep herself warm.


    "Mom, wait a minute. I know you like sleeping in the yard. I''ll get you a nket, so you don''t catch a cold."


    Rachel put the hat on her mother''s


    lap, rushed back inside to get a nket, and also brought a water bottle. She knelt down and tried to warm her mother''s hand, but no matter how hard she tried, it didn''t get warm. She lowered her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.


    Rachel was sobbing as she spoke to the lifeless corpse of her mother, "Mom, I saw the honey cakes you made. Didn''t you say you were going to teach me? How did you make so


    many while I was away? I''m so


    clumsy, I still haven''t learned. Can


    you teach me again?


    I also bought some wine. I''m grown up now, I can drink the wine you made.


    We''re going to make a lot of honey cakes and osmanthus wine this year. I wonder if this osmanthus tree has enough flowers."


    Rachel held her mother''s hand to her face, her tears soaking her mother''s hand.


    "Mom, I''ll tell you a joke, and then you open your eyes to look at me, okay?" Her voice choked up, "A duck was ying with a ball by the sea Suddenly, a gust of wind blew the ball away. As it chased the ball, it kept calling out, ''Ball, don''t go... ball, don''t go...'' Mom, did you hear? The duck said, ''Ball, don''t go."


    Her mind kept on saying, "Don''t go, don''t leave me alone."


    "Mom, I haven''t had a chance to take care of you yet, I haven''t taken you to see the pink sea." As she spoke, more tears began to flow, and shepletely broke down crying. Mistakes have consequences, but why wasn''t she paying the price?


    Rachel knelt in the yard, keeping vigil over her mother''s body, from dusk till dawn. The autumn weather was really cold, cold enough to make one drowsy.

 Chapter 412

    "So, you''re just gonna let Rachel off the hook?" Casey Dempsey asked after emerging from the storeroom.


    "Damn straight, she''ll get what''sing to her."


    Just because she didn''t press further didn''t mean she had forgiven Rachel. She knew what wasing, and Rachel''s problems were far from simple.


    Kristin never made a bad deal. From the start, she simply wanted to get back at Izabe. To have someone she trusted betray her and destroy her valuables, it was a double whammy. Niki was important to Izabe but just a cat to others.


    Trading a cat for a hundred grand? It was not worth it for Kristin, especially since this whole fiasco didn''t hit Izabe, butnded her in hot water instead.


    So, there was no way in hell she would give Rachel that hundred grand.


    One wrong move and it would have been all downhill from there. Rachel would get what she deserved.


    People should be kind, but too much kindness makes you a saint. Izabe didn''t want to be a saint. After Rachel betrayed her and indirectly caused Niki''s death, there was no way she''d forgive her just because of an apology.


    It simply was not a stroll in the park.


    She wasn''t forgiving. She was a big fan of karma. The hardship she''d been through, the tears she''d shed, the pain she''d endured, the midnight meltdowns, she wanted the others to feel it all.


    She wouldn''t overlook anyone-Kristin, Brett Windham, or the tormentor Nathaniel Krueger.


    Rachel''s fate would be their fate.


    But when it came to torment, she could never outdo Brett and Nathaniel.


    Nathaniel tormented her physically, while Brett attacked her mentally and physically.


    Brett''s specialty was finding one''s deepest fears, like knowing Kristin was scared shitless of dogs.


    Also, he loved to ruin all of one''s good qualities. Family background, self-esteem, pride - if you had it, he''d take it.


    A Global Group''s acquisition of X Entertainment had caught the business world''s attention. Many tried to investigate the real owner of thepany but found no clues.


    That only proved that A Global Group was no small fish. Some were wary, some tried to get close, and some stayed on the sidelines, doing nothing.


    Izabe left the group''s affairs to others. Rachel''s betrayal caused her to distrust everyone, but she could not sit idly by.


    So, the task of selecting personnel was on Casey.


    Izabe looked up at the sky and said, "Weather''s about to turn."


    Casey looked up too. Clear blue sky, no clouds. He was puzzled. It didn''t seem like the weather was going to change.


    "The forecast didn''t say anything about weather changes," he said.


    Izabeughed. Once R City entered autumn, winter wasn''t far behind. Let the cold weather cool Kristin down.


    Looking at her phone, Izabe had many missed calls and messages, most of them concerned about her.


    She replied to a few messages, then called Brad York.


    Izabe, who had taken leave due to personal reasons, caused a dy in the filming schedule. Izabe felt sorry, but Brad York understood her situation.


    In the crew, everyone imed to care for each other. But most of it was lip service, behind the back it was all mockery and cold words.


    A lot had changed in just two days. From Izabe''s cat dying, to Ariana being used of animal cruelty, and even Kristin getting involved.


    Izabe and Kristin worked for the samepany. She once imed to be close to Izabe at a party, butter ndered her behind her back. Nobody dared to get close to Kristin, fearing that they''d be the next to fall into trouble because of her. Must admit, the woman could act. Besides the "animal abuse incident", people were also buzzing about the bankruptcy and change of ownership at X Entertainment.


    The futures of Kristin and Izabe were uncertain. Thepany''s major reform could either make them soar or lead them to a dead end. For theirpetitors, this was undoubtedly good news. Kristin''s situation was unclear, but Izabe should be fine. Nathaniel and Brett had just fought for her not long ago. With either one of these sponsors, she wouldn''tck resources.


    After some analysis, it seemed like Kristin and Izabe had switched ces in a short time.


    Brad York wasn''t surprised when Izabe called. Heforted her, "Don''t be too upset. Ariana might be sent to a mental hospital due to her disfigurement and blindness, and unstable mental state." Some might think Izabe just lost a pet and could easily rece it. But Brad York didn''t think so.


    He had a dog at home and totally got how she felt when she found out her cat was killed.


    For humans, pets may be a small part of their lives, but for pets, their owners are their entire world.


    Izabe''s affection for her cat was not simple. If it were a regr pet, would she always keep it by her side or even have someone care for it?


    Everyone has a soft spot for beauty, animals included. But her cat was not the most beautiful in the litter. Izabe never discarded it, despite the fact that itcked fur in spots, had physical ws, and was not quite attractive.


    You could tell the cat was very special to Izabe. And some mean-spirited folks decided to take revenge on her using that special connection as an advantage.


    Brad York said to Izabe, "How about you take a month off? Chill at home and regroup. Don''t worry about the show, I''ll get the other actors sorted."


    Izabe replied, "Thanks, Mr. York, but you don''t have to give me a whole month off. I''ll be back on set the day after tomorrow."


    Izabe had been shooting for 45 days. She didn''t have much left, just a few outdoor scenes and her scenes with Kristin. Thank goodness they hadn''t started filming with Kristin yet, or it would''ve been a total waste of time.


    Izabe said to Brad York, "Mr. York, let''s recast the lead actress."


    Brad York was taken aback. What surprised him was Izabe''s tone. It didn''t sound like she was asking for his opinion.


    Their rtionship wasplicated, like they couldn''t coexist. But he knew Izabe wasn''t the type to ignore the big picture.


    Kristin had already finished a quarter


    of her scenes. If they switched her out now, alk that footage would be for nothing. First, all the scenes with the supporting actors and the male lead would have to be reshot. That would cost extra. It was not just a waste of money, it was a waste of time and energy, which could screw up the schedule.


    Then there was also the matter of Kristin''s contract. Brad York had thought about recing Kristin because she wasn''t cutting it. There had to be a body double for even. straightforward scenes like washing her feet. But the penalty for breaking the contract was too high. Besides, Kristin had arge fan base. It wouldn''t be right to just fire her.


    "Izabe, I know you have issues with Kristin, but we have a contract with her."


    "Don''t worry about the contract. I can cover the losses," she assured.


    Did Izabe know how high the penalty was? Even if she worked for a year, she wouldn''t make enough to cover it, let alone the production losses.


    "Mr. York, if you do not rece Kristin immediately, her problems may prevent the show''s release


    when it ispleted. This is the true


    loss. Let me tell you, her image is


    already in ruins, and it could get worse. Are you sure you want to stick with someone so unreliable?"


    Brad York wasn''t a fool, and he was quick on the uptake. He sensed something ominous in Izabe''s words.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Izabe, what are you nning? Do you have something on Kristin?"


    "Mr. York, do you trust me? Recing Kristin now will only cost some time and energy. We can find a lead actress who''s better than Kristin. I''m sure you have other options."


    To be honest, he did have another option. He had chosen Kristin because of a scheduling conflict with the other actress. But that actress had wrapped up her previous production, so she was free to join the


    shoot.


    Izabe gave him time to think, keeping the line open. After five minutes, he finally heard a deep sigh on the other end of the line.


    "What should I do?"


    Izabe smiled faintly and outlined her n for Brad York.


    They talked for a full forty minutes. Brad York was very cautious, asking about every little detail to make sure nothing could go wrong before agreeing.


    After hanging up, Casey made Izabe a cup of lemon honey water with a straw in it.


    "You''ve been talking for a while. Thirsty?"


    Izabe took a sip from the straw. The drink was sour and sweet, very refreshing.


    "Aren''t you curious about how I know so much?" Izabe put down the cup. Others might have noticed that she was different from the old "Izabe". Brett even recognized her at a nce. Casey being so perceptive, she could not believe that he had no suspicions.


    Casey answered in a serious tone, "Of course I''m curious. But if you don''t tell, I won''t ask. If you want to talk, I''m always ready to listen. Either way, I''ll always be by your side, trusting you unconditionally." Everyone''s curious. Casey hadn''t done any snooping himself, but his agent kept telling him that Izabe had changed. She used to dress dreadfully, but then she looked fantastic. How she used to be timid and was bullied at work, but was then able to stand up for herself.


    But what made Casey curious wasn''t any of that. It was how Brett knew Izabe. They seemed very familiar, even though Izabe had never met Brett before.


    Their first meeting was there. Brett mentioned Niki, then Izabe went out with him, and a few dayster, she came back with a cat named Niki.


    It was one thing for Brett to know her, but then Nathaniel knew her too. And their rtionship was not simple.


    The day Casey went to pick up Izabe from the set, he could feel the hostility from both men.


    Unbeknownst to him, he had two morepetitors, and they obviously knew Izabe longer than he did.


    In terms of family background, all three of them were loaded. What theycked was time, patience, and the right attitude towards the one they loved. Casey believed his love for Izabe was no less than theirs Especially looking at Izabe''s attitude towards Brett and Nathaniel, it was clear she despised them.


    But it was different with Casey. She would go home with him, text him, and even look for him first when she was in trouble.


    He read online that when a girl likes a guy, she would stare at him dreamily and smile.


    If a girl who gets lost in thought and wants tough when she sees you isn''t in love, then what is?


    And recently, he found another clue.


    Izabe named herpany "Affity White".


    "Affity" could mean a close rtionship, kinship, attraction, or attracting the opposite sex.


    And "White", no doubt about it, represented purity.


    Putting the two words together, it basically meant that Izabe wanted to marry him.


    Casey felt like their rtionship was pretty much as the fans have described in their fanfiction stories.


    Izabe didn''t expect Casey to have thought so much in such a short time.


    She was still stuck on that thing Casey said.


    He said he would always be there for her, trusting her unconditionally.


    What shecked most in her world waspanionship, love, and trust.


    "Last time you said you could beat Brett and Nathaniel on your own?"


    "Want me to prove it to you?"


    Izabe wouldn''t bring them up for no reason. If she''s mentioning them now, it''s probably because they pissed her off or reminded her of some past hurt.


    Casey made a silent vow: he will deal with anything or anyone that Izabe disliked or feared.

 Chapter 413

    Casey was a possessive dude, but he still wanted to give Izabe enough freedom without interfering with her life.


    When he saw Nathaniel Krueger and Brett Windham''s pervy stare at Izabe, he wished he could hide her away in some remote ce where no one could look at her.


    Whenever he saw Izabe bing more popr and the center of attention with a load of fans, he''d got jealous. Jealous of those bold enough to confess their love for her, speaking their minds outright. Fans would jokingly call Izabe "wifey," something he hadn''t even dared to say himself, only allowing himself to think it, not even daring to say it in his dreams.


    Before he met Izabe, Casey never thought he''d see a day when he''d be so scared.


    "Casey, you don''t have to prove anything. I just wanted you to teach me.¡±


    "To fight?"


    "Why not?" Izabe shot back.


    "Sure, learning self-defense is great, but if you''re thinking about taking them on, that''s not going to happen." In these situations, he''d only tell Izabe the truth without empty ttery. What if Izabe really thought she could take on Brett and Nathaniel after just several lessons and ended up picking a fight?


    "I know my own strength. I just want to learn self-defense to escape danger." She had prepared a camera and voice recorder, but those were just for evidence after the fact. What she really needed was to protect her own life, not having to choose to end it all like before.


    "I can teach you self-defense, but these skills take time and practice, and you don''t have much time with your filming schedule."


    "You don''t have to teach me personally. If you know any trainers you can rmend, I''ll pay well, including room, board, and insurance."


    Casey was about to say that if Izabe wanted to learn boxing, he could pick her up from the set every day for practice, but he was cut off mid-sentence, leaving him frustrated.


    Izabe seemed to know what he would say, "You have your own things to take care of. I can''t always depend on you."


    Learning boxing was tough, and she wouldn''t see results in a short amount of time. If she ran into Brett and Nathaniel without anyone to protect her, Izabe might have a hard time dealing with them. "I''ll arrange some bodyguards for you, and you need a panic button watch."


    Casey always acted quickly, especially when it came to protecting Izabe, who had also done some preparation for herself.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    She had to learn self-defense to escape danger, but if she couldn''t escape and got caught, she''d need to take other measures, like carrying a de and a drug that caused unconsciousness on contact. The Maple Group was back to normal operations, restructuring the X Entertainment Company in less than three days after acquisition, doing the best job at pacifying the employees.


    Izabe had "Bell Salotti''s" memory and remembered clearly all the bad behavior at X Entertainment Company. Izabe ordered those who gossiped behind her back and had ill intentions toward Bell to be fired.


    After the restructuring, only a third of the original staff remained at the Maple Group.


    Whether the remaining employees would stay was yet to be confirmed, but those who did would definitely have higher sries. Everyone was trying to prove their worth.


    A few days after closing her Twitter, Izabe logged back in and started paying attention to recent public opinion.


    There were so manyments and messages that Izabe couldn''t possibly check them all, so she didn''t bother. Izabe directly checked Kristin Lasley''s. Kristin was best at manipting public opinion.


    After the recording of Kristin and Ariana''s conversation was made public, Kristin immediately hired a PR team.


    The recording was confirmed to be unedited by professionals and matched Kristin''s voice exactly. It was undeniably a conversation between Kristin and Ariana.


    So Kristin could only divert attention and hire inte fans to defend her.


    Kristin''sst drama broke viewing records, scored 85 points online, and even won awards. It''s one of the few super-hit TV dramas. Most of Kristin''s fans liked her because of this drama; their impression of her was still stuck in the character.


    Changing this impression won''t be easy.


    Izabe wanted to pull Brett to destroy everything Kristin cared about.


    If fans wanted fame and fortune, she''d turn all of Kristin''s fans into haters, letting her experience what it''s like to be cyberbullied.


    If Kristin''s face was pretty, then she''d ruin her face.


    The more Kristin wanted to hide something, the more Izabe would expose it to the public.


    [The recording didn''t say much. Kristin only asked Ariana to take Izabe''s cat, but she didn''t ask Ariana to abuse the cat. You can only me Ariana''s cruel nature.] [Kristin might''ve just wanted to punish Izabe a little. Who knew Ariana would abuse the cat.]


    [Kristin didn''t do anything wrong.


    Why should she apologize? I think the me should be on Izabe. She


    didn''t take care of her own cat and


    even brought it to the set. If she


    hadn''t been so harsh on Ariana, would Ariana have abused her cat?]


    [Would Ariana be so obedient to Kristin?]


    [Overall, I believe in Kristin, and she''s still a kind person. She just did something bad in anger, but that''s not unforgivable. Think about how much she''s donated to orphanages and led fans to donate and build lled


    schools in mountainous areas. Now, just because of a cat, are all those good deeds forgotten?]

 Chapter 414

    The online opinion seemed to be turned against Kristin, with that "recording" causing a dent in her reputation. Although her fans were defending her, it had made some bystanders think they had a point. Firstly, the one abusing the cat wasn''t Kristin, and there was no mention of Kristin telling Ariana to abuse the cat in that recording. Instead, it depicted her being threatened by Ariana for 10 million bucks. Kristin''s PR team was pretty good at doing damage control for her. As long as her fans were around, her reputation ain''t going down.


    Calling Kristin''s fans "fanatics" might be more spot-on.


    People who were once cyber-attacked by Kristin''s team began to retaliate.


    [I''ve seen shameless people, but never as shameless as Kristin. She let Ariana take Izabe''s cat and still had the audacity to act innocent?]


    [Fans, like their idols, are all irrational.]


    [If Kristin''s reputation isn''t damaged, I''ll do a circus act on a live stream.]


    [Kristin had stic surgery before, yet dared to praise her own looks. Can she evenpare to Izabe? If she were the lead in Blood Ties, I wouldn''t watch. I''m boycotting!]


    [Don''t worry, Kristin''s reputation won''t be damaged as long as you bunch of haters aren''t around.]


    [Would Brad dare to change the lead actress? Kristin didn''t breach the contract they signed. If Brad dares to change, who''s going to cough up the hefty penalty?]


    Just as these words were spoken, Kristin''s fans were pped in the face. At 10 a.m. that day, the official Twitter of Blood Ties announced the termination of their contract with Kristin. Following that, Brad retweeted it, confirming the news.


    This was the crew''s unteral decision to terminate the contract with Kristin. If Kristin didn''t agree, she''ll be facing awsuit.


    If Kristin deliberately dyed, then Blood Ties can''t start filming. She had all the time in the world to deal with thewsuit and can even take up other work in the meantime. But Blood Ties can''t just rece her and start filming.


    Clearly, the crew couldn''t hold out first. That''s why Kristin had been so cocky in the crew. She was convinced Brad wouldn''t dare rece her, or else the drama wouldn''t be filmed at all.


    But surprisingly, Brad actually publicly announced his intention to terminate her contract.


    This pissed off Kristin, and she continued to pour in a lot of money to manipte public opinion.


    For instance, Brad treated Izabe very well in the crew, and everyone else had been criticized by him during filming, except for Izabe. He always showed favoritism towards her and Kristin. This implied that their rtionship was "ambiguous."


    Brad''s liking for Izabe wasn''t a secret. Any crew member can confirm this.


    Indeed, Brad was good to Izabe, which again brought up the issue of casting. He even reced the originally chosen Ariana for her, offending the producer.


    Speaking of Ariana, Kristin''s fans were banding together to defend Kristin.


    [Izabe stole Ariana''s role. No wonder Ariana hated her and wanted to take revenge on her cat.]


    [Izabe is nning to use the same strategy again, bullying everyone in the crew through her rtionship with the director. First, she forced Ariana out, and now she wanted to force out the lead actress, Kristin. If Blood Ties gets involved in a legal dispute, the filming will be dyed, wasting the entire crew''s time, and might even fail before it''s finished.]


    [Brad''s first major mistake in his life is actually because of Izabe.]


    [All this fuss over a cat,izens sure are bored.]


    [Why not just change the drama to: How Izabe Became Sessful.]


    [Strange, with such a big issue online, why hasn''t Izabee out to say something?]


    [What else can she do? Just admit she has a rtionship with the director, and because she''s too timid, she dare not voice out. It''s well known that Izabe isn''t popr in X Entertainment. Kristin is treated like a princess. Blood Ties still wants to change the lead, and they really can''t tell what''s what.]


    [Remember, Kristin has way more awards than Izabe. Why would Brad offend her? Plus, Kristin''s acting skills aren''t bad. Among all the neers in the entertainment industry, her acting is the best.] When Kristin''s fans were shouting their heads off, Brad started tweeting.


    The first one was about why he insisted on Izabe ying the role of Megan.


    He released a video of Izabe and Kristin rehearsing on set.


    He didn''t release this video initially because he was worried it would have a negative impact on Kristin. But now that she''s terminating the contract, why should he care about her dignity? Brad not only uploaded the video but also included a link to the script, clearly showing who''s the better actor.


    As expected, Izabe was so good in the variety show "Here Come the Superstars" that Harper couldn''t keep up with her, let alone Kristin. Izabe even deliberately underperformed, making Kristin''s performance look really bad.


    Izabe''s performance led people down the wrong path without them realizing it. The character Kristin performed waspletely different from the character in the script.


    This time, fans who praised Kristin''s acting skills felt super awkward and were left speechless.


    The neutral audience mostly cared about character and quality of work. It''s hard to see the real character in the entertainment industry, but the quality of work was clear as day.


    From the show "Here Comes the Superstars," it''s obvious Izabe''s acting was top-notch, but what they didn''t expect was how powerful her performance would be when she acted alongside Kristin. Many people had be her fans.


    This video had sparked a ton of heated discussion, and within less than twenty minutes, it was trending, and the numbers kept climbing.


    Not even Kristin can buy her way out of this, and it''s not over yet.


    While everyone was still focused on the video, Brad started pushing the second hot topic.


    He detailed Kristin''s irresponsible behavior on set, like overusing stand-ins, even for scenes where only her feet were showing, and having to shoot scenes multiple times before they were eptable.


    All of this was backed up by evidence. There was never a shortage of cameras on set, and Brad didn''t even have to edit anything. He just had the crew send it to him.


    Brad then posted another video of Izabe on set wearing a red outfit, riding a horse, holding a long spear, no makeup, her face smeared with blood and dust, totally unlike the usual Izabe, very brave. Even her fans needed a moment to process it.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The cameraman Blood Ties and other crew members also started showing their support for Brad and Izabe online.


    Izabe''s dedication and


    professionalism were well known on set. The person the cameraman


    most liked to shoot was her. Note t


    only was she highly skilled but also very attractive. She looked good from any angle, and any random shot could be used as wallpaper.


    Izabe''s appearance was extremely appealing, especially in recent months. She''s been looking better and better, like a totally different person.


    Not only was Izabe good looking, but she''s also very kind, often inviting the crew to eat and drink together, buying snacks to share with everyone. She might seem cold, but she''s actually very warm-hearted.


    The fans who were originally just watching the situation unfold started a heated discussion in thements, trying to get the topment.


    [Is this my beloved Izabe? She''s so cool, Casey. Sorry, I think I have a crush on your partner.]


    [Izabe is still so attractive. No, today she''s more like a brave hero. I would have your baby.]


    [Izabe, we can discuss this. I don''t necessarily need a male partner. What do you think about a female partner?]


    [Izabe, I''m ready. You can tell me straight. I can handle it.]


    [I love you, Izabe!]


    [From today on, Izabe is my partner, and I love you, and I''m waiting for you to marry me.]


    [This is the first time I''ve seen fans wanting to steal their idol''s partner, Casey. Bet you didn''t expect that. You got so many rivals overnight, all women.]


    [Thisparison, Kristin''s good acting and dedication on set? I was shocked.]


    [This videoparison, Mr. York, your talent has been fully disyed.]


    [The innocent will be innocent, the guilty will be guilty, we can see the truth. Hope Kristin doesn''t hire any more fans in the future.]


    [I noticed a problem. Why does


    Kristin always use a stand-in for her


    feet? Is it because her feet are ugly


    or, does she have foot odor? I''ve


    never seen


    her show her feet, even


    on the red carpet in summer. She wears long skirts. Her shoes are


    always covered.]


    [I smelled it upstairs, too.]


    [Mr. York, your Twitter is really touching. Hope your DMs don''t get leaked.]


    [Now I understand why the productionpany wanted to terminate the contract with Kristin, not only is she acting bad, but her character is too. She acts like a princess on set.] Izabe knew what wasing so, she didn''t spend too much time or energy online.


    Because Casey was following the fan topic, Twitter rmended all sorts of videos of him and Izabe, as well as fan posts and trendingments.


    A few days ago, fans were calling Izabe their partner. Now they were all calling her their idol and hoped Izabe will leave him.


    Casey was grinding his teeth. He suppressed his anger and popped a mint into his mouth.


    Izabe was working in front of theputer, and she was wearingputer sses to protect her eyes. The lenses had no prescription. They were just for relieving eye strain.


    She was typing fast, the only sound


    in the quiet room was her hitting the


    keys. The pages on theputer


    screen were scrolling fast. After while, she stopped, adjusted her


    a


    sses, and started thinking deeply


    while looking at theputer


    screen.


    Izabe looked more intellectual with sses, her hair loosely pinned up at the back of her head. She was supporting her chin, and after looking at theputer for a while, she rubbed her eyes. Casey reminded her, "Take a break. You''ve been working for three hours straight."


    Izabe''s way of taking a break was to look at the green leaves outside the window. After half an hour, she would get back to wor


    This job was easy for her; it''s just that she hadn''t done this sort of thing in a while, so it felt a bit unfamiliar. She used to be able to handle these things quickly. Thinking back to when she first took over the Salotti family''s business, she was busy dealing with both internal and external affairs like a headless fly. But once she got through the hardest part, she can handle anything that came at her afterward with no need for anyone else''s help. Izabe had looked through all the files in the X entertainmentpany. Mr. Frost left thepany and she took over all the stars, including Kristin. Kristin was still showing off online, and she probably can''t imagine her boss was Izabe now.


    Kristin can act recklessly only because thepany made money off her and she had sponsors backing her, and no one dared to touch her. Casey didn''t know what Izabe was thinking, but he wouldn''t disturb her when she was thinking about work.


    He looked at his phone again. Izabe was on Twitter today. Did she notice the trending topic about her and him?


    There were 1.8 million fans on Twitter waiting for them to get married. Did Izabe notice?


    Also, did she catch his confession on Twitter?


    He had impulsively posted it and, now looking back, he felt totally embarrassed and didn''t want to think about it.


    If Izabe had seen all this.


    Casey lifted his head, his eyes filled with nothing but Izabe.


    What did he mean to her?


    Did she know that he liked her?


    Would she pretend she didn''t see it?


    Was this grand emotional journey he thought he was on just a one-sided crush?


    The more he thought about it, the more he realized his feelings for Izabe were a mix of tenderness and torment.


    He wanted her to know how he felt, yet at the same time, he didn''t want her to see.

 Chapter 415

    Due to a few tweets from Brad, folks online started bashing Kristin.


    Even average Joes, who used to have a soft spot for her, began to see her in a negative light.


    Kristin wasn''t having any of it; but she was at her wit''s end. Everyone was buzzing about it, herpany''s boss was reced, her agent, Graham, was nowhere to be seen, and even her assistant, who was usually her sounding board, was absent.


    Brad had the gall to say he was going to break the contract with her, which would bar her from returning to the set.


    If she can''t go back to the set, she won''t let those on it have it easy, either. She''s already lost enough, so she''d just drag on thewsuit to keep Brad from filming.


    Then there''s Izabe. With her in the picture, Kristin can''t rest easy.


    When she got agitated, her leg hurt, stirring up memories that haunted her.


    Looking at her scarred leg and missing toes, Kristin clenched her fists. She''s not the Kaley Cot of three years ago anymore, and she''s Kristin, with a new look, 50 million fans, countless awards, and record- breaking ratings.


    To her, she''s like a phoenix risen from the ashes.


    She hadn''t defeated Izabe in her "past life," but she refused to believe she couldn''t do it this time.


    Kristin caressed her foot and rested her face on her knees. Her eyes gave off a scary vibe.


    After settling her contract, Izabe headed off to the set. She even turned down Casey''s dinner invite. Seeing her insist on returning to the set''s hotel, he offered to drive her.


    Just as they were about to leave, a call came in. After taking the call, Casey looked upset.


    Walking behind him, Izabe saw his distress and said, "Go do your thing, don''t worry about me. I can cab it back to the set."


    Getting a cab there was no trouble, and she was in no rush to get back to the set.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Casey shook his head, got in the car, and said firmly, "I''m driving you back to the set."


    Izabe stood outside, not moving, "Who was that on the phone?"


    "My mom. She wants me toe home."


    "Then you should go."


    "I don''t want to. It''s never anything good."


    Izabe didn''t know much about Casey''s family, just that his mom was Brett''s aunt, and they were from the prestigious Dempsey family.


    "If she''s calling you home, she must have a reason. You won''t know it''s nothing good until you go. With jobs like ours, we hardly get a chance to go home." Unlike her, who no longer had a home to return to. Izabe closed the car door, took a few steps back, and waved at Casey in the car, "Drive safe."


    Casey had no choice but to buckle up, "Text me when you get back to the set."


    Izabe nodded and smiled, "Will do."


    After watching Casey drive off, Izabe hailed a cab. It was already 5 pm when she got back to the set from Spring Bay. She didn''t forget to text Casey.


    She wore a mask, texted, and headed to the hotel.


    Casey had told her that her bodyguard would arrive tomorrow, so it''d be best for her to stay indoors tonight, preferably in public ces with lots of people. After checking into the hotel, she shouldn''t go out and should order room service.


    Izabe had thought of all this herself, but Casey reminded her again in his text.


    When Izabe got to the hotel entrance, she saw a few suspicious-looking young girls lurking nearby.


    Judging by their appearance, they were probably underage schoolgirls.


    These girls were obviously here in an organized manner to wait for her Once they confirmed they got the right person, they charged at her, yelling, "Izabe, you''re evil, drop dead!"


    Izabe had noticed them early on, so she had called hotel security ahead of time.


    The security guards were well-trained and clearly no strangers to situations like this. They immediately stepped in to stop the girls.


    The girls were holding knives and seemed fearless. Even after being subdued, they didn''t show fear. Instead, they loudly insulted Izabe. "Because of you, my sister got fired from the set. Why are you still alive, you disgusting creature!"


    "You bullied my sister, and I won''t let you off the hook!"


    "We''re minors, and we''ll wait for you here every day, just you wait!"


    "You better watch out, don''t get hit by a car!"


    The security guards were taken aback. The girls'' words were like those of gangsters, openly threatening someone in front of so many people. "I''m really scared."


    The girl with the knife sneered at


    Izabe''s response, "Good, you know to be


    scared. Be a good girl, quit the


    show yourself, or we''lle


    U?


    you on set every day!" S


    Izabe gave a small smile, then slowly dialed 911.


    She called the police in front of everyone and had them take the girls to the station.


    At the station, the girls were still rowdy. Clearly, Kristin''s influence had totally corrupted them.


    They loudly dered that minors were protected byw and wouldn''t face consequences even if they misbehaved. Hearing their words, Izabe could onlyugh, "You''re right. Even if you did something, you wouldn''t end up in jail."

 Chapter 416

    "Are you guys thinking that as long as your parents are around, you don''t have to face the consequences of your actions, and you can just break thew because you''re underage?" Izabe smiled at the girls standing in a row.


    Being a fan of a celebrity wasn''t bad; if they can learn the good stuff from them, they''d be a better person. However, if they were doing immoral stuff or making mistakes without remorse just because they were a fan, that''s messed up.


    To Izabe, the way these girls were idolizing the stars was just a waste of time. They could''ve used their energy to read more books and broaden their horizons.


    They can''t choose their family, but knowledge can give them more options for their future.


    "Exactly. Most of Kristin''s fans are just like us; we''re underage and protected by thew. What can you do for us? Even if you send us to the police station today, we''ll still be hanging around your hotel and waiting outside the set when we get out. Better watch your face. Wonder if you''ll still be flirting around when you''re disfigured and messing up Kristin''s life?"Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The police were speechless. This wasn''t fandom; this was brainwashing.


    One of them raised his nightstick and shouted, "You think you''re exempt from punishment just because you''re underage? I''ll send you to the juvenile detention center, and once you''re 18, you''re going to prison You don''t evenprehend thew, and you dare to spout nonsense. How did your parents raise you? Absolutely no manners!"


    The girls felt a bit scared but were still defiant. They didn''t dare to say much, but their res at Izabe were full of ill intentions.


    Izabe ignored them. Their actions seemed tough but were really quite harmless.


    Leaning back in her chair, she picked up a ss of iced water and took a sip.


    "I''ve been thinking that there isn''t much I can do with a well-organized and disciplined group like yours."


    The lead girlughed and said, "You''re getting scared now, huh?"


    "Hold your horses; I''m not finished." Izabe cut her off. "I often hear your fans saying, ''The idol pays for what the fans do.'' I didn''t quite agree with that, but now I think it''s fitting for you guys. If you don''t want to let me off easy, then neither will your idol."


    "What do you want, Izabe? Let me tell you, Kristin''s about to sue the Blood Ties production team. They can''t even film now. You can kiss your money goodbye. Thepany is still depending on Kristin to make money. Do you think they would piss off and abandon her for a nobody like you?"


    "You just reminded me of something," Izabe said. "Soon she won''t be able to make money for thepany."


    The girls were confused. "You think you can rece Kristin?"


    The sound of a car parking outside made them think their parents wereing to bail them out. Instead, a stranger walked in. He was wearing a suit and sses, carrying a briefcase. As he stepped in, he locked his eyes on Izabe.


    "Ms. Salotti."


    The girls were confused. When did Izabe be Ms. Salotti? Who was this man?


    "Mr. Dixon, I''ll leave them to you."


    "Don''t worry."


    When the girls'' parents arrived, Mr. Dixon professionally handed them the court summons. They were being sued for defamation, attempted murder, and threats.


    The evidence was there, and there were recordings. They couldn''t escape these charges.


    The parents were shocked. They knew their daughters had done something wrong, but they hadn''t expected it to be so severe!


    An attempted murder sent chills down their spines.


    The girls looked at each other, their faces pale with fear. They''d brought box cutters and waited outside the hotel to teach Izabe a lesson; they hadn''t nned on killing her. Where did the charge of "attempted murder"e from?


    The parents approached Izabe and said, "Ms. Salotti, they''re just kids. They can''t handle these charges! Please don''t hold it against them!"


    Izabe just smiled and said, "Not only are they kids, they''re orphans. It''s sad that they have no parents to teach them."


    The parents were angry but held their tongues; some of them even lowered their heads in shame for failing to educate their children.


    "We''ll discipline them, Ms. Salotti. Please forgive them. They''re not bad people; they''re just brainwashed by their idol."


    Izabe nodded. "Yes, a group of girls threatening people with box cutters are good at heart. They''re just naive, uneducated, uncivilized, ill-mannered, and stupid."


    "Ms. Salotti, you''re a public figure. Is it right for you to say such things? Suing these girls will just cause public outrage."


    Izabe stood up, dusted off the non-existent dust on her shoulder, and said leisurely, "You''re the ones who did wrong, not me. Why should I be afraid? If I dare to have mywyer deliver you guys summons, I dare to send your children to court. If you can''t educate them, thew will. Better start disciplining them while they''re still young. You probably won''t be able to do it personally in the future."


    The parents had mixed reactions; some were scared, some were angry, and they immediately started scolding and hitting their daughters. The ce was chaotic with cries, pleas, shouting, and pping sounds.


    Izabe stepped back to a safe distance and watched with indifference as the police stepped in.


    "You little brats, kneel down and apologize. Do you want to go to the juvenile detention center?"


    "Apologize to Ms. Salotti now. Admit your mistakes."


    The girls sobbed, "We''re sorry, Izabe. We were wrong."


    These girls were immature and not kind-hearted. They said they were wrong and scared now, but Izabe was sure that if she forgave them, they''d do it again.


    Cut the weed at its root to prevent it from growing again.


    "It''s toote." In the entertainment industry, celebrities might try to downy the seriousness of such incidents to protect their image.


    But the truth was, those who kept quiet were just afraid of offending people because they didn''t have strong backing. But Izabe wasn''t afraid; she relied on herself.


    She''s got a bunch of evidence in her hands, more than enough to give these "little girls" a taste of their own medicine. A criminal record before adulthood was a stain that stuck on their resume for life. Izabe turned around and headed for the door, ignoring the begging behind her. As she got to the door, she suddenly thought of something and said to the girls who were trying to stand up for Kristin, "Remember everything you did today. Kristin is going down because of you."


    Something she learned from Brett was how to inflict real damage: destroy what the other person valued most.


    Instead of silencing someone, it''s better to reveal and condemn their motives and thoughts. Guilt will be the first kind of torment they taste in theing days, with even more to follow.


    These girls barely had time to go online, getting a whooping from their parents. There''s no peace in any of their houses.


    The paparazzi caught all this and posted it online. It was all facts; there was no smear campaigns, andizens were free toment.


    The term "Kristin''s fans attempted


    murder" trended; fans organized to kick them out of the fan club, but it was useless. Because those


    underage girls also had Twitter


    ounts and were die-hard fans, who had organized and participated in many activities. They can''t just kick out these kinds of fans with a single sentence.


    The reviews fromizens had the biggest impact. Because of the behavior of these fans, the reviews for Kristin were all negative.


    And the fans of celebrities who had been insulted by Kristin''s fans before were all rallying together, listing the wrongdoings of Kristin''s fans. For a time, all of Kristin''s fans were berated by everyone.


    The "cat abuse scandal" hasn''t even settled, and yet another incident happened. Kristin''s fanbase was rapidly dwindling.


    Thepany got a new boss; no one was responsible for her. If anything happened, she had to deat with it herself. Recently, she had to hire her own PR. One time was fine, but if she had to keep hiring RR, she wouldn''t have enough money. And if it trended, the PR wouldn''t help.


    The only thing the fans could rely on was thepany. As long as Kristin had someone to rely on, she would be okay, and the fans wouldn''t have anything to do.


    But this was bound to dash Kristin''s hopes.


    Izabe safely returned to the hotel and continued to text Casey.


    After waiting for a while, Casey called her.


    "Did it take you so long to reply because you were eating or something happened?" Casey''s sharpness was sometimes even higher than Izabe''s.


    "I ran into some trouble." As soon as she finished speaking, she heard the breath on the other end of the phone change.


    Izabe continued, "I ran into Kristin''s fans on my way back to the hotel; I was threatened by several underage girls. Don''t worry, I''ve called the police and hired awyer to give them a taste of the real world and teach their parents a lesson in raising kids."


    Casey knew she was okay by her tone, and he breathed a sigh of relief. They chatted casually for a bit, and after finding out Izabe hadn''t eaten, Casey told her to take care of herself and hung up. Izabe grabbed a quick meal at the hotel, then washed up and went to bed. She needed to recharge; this was just the beginning.


    The next morning, Izabe woke up


    early and exercised in the hotel. After a set of yoga, she wiped off her sweat. She tied the pendant that Niki used to wear around her cat''s neck with a red string and wore it around her own neck. The goldfish-shaped pendant looked just like any other pendant. She wore it all the time, close to her, sometimes even fooling


    herself into thinking that Niki was still with her and hadn''t died.


    Izabe changed her clothes, threw the pendant inside her shirt, and, as usual, arrived at the set half an hour early to prepare, change clothes, put on makeup, and read the script.


    Seeing Izabe arrive at the set, the staff was somewhat surprised. With all the recent fuss, they didn''t expect Izabe to return to the set to continue filming.


    Some wanted tofort her but didn''t know how to start. Latefort was already outdated, like salt on a wound, making people bleed again.


    Some people didn''t understand this and walked up to Izabe to offerfort before leaving.


    Most of the staff on set were concerned about Izabe, except for a few actors.


    "Now that the lead actress is gone, how can we continue shooting? If Kristin drags on for a day, the set won''t make any progress."


    "It''s all Izabe''s fault."


    "Don''t say that; she''s the victim."


    "The only victim is a cat; how much does that have to do with her? Now the set has to stop shooting because of a cat. Do you know how much money will be lost? That money could buy so many cats."


    "You''d better stop talking, in case she hears you. She''s not simple now; two investors even fought over herst time."


    "Let her hear; I''m just telling the truth; I''m not afraid of her."


    Izabe went to the restroom and heard their conversation when she came back to get her bag.


    Normal people would probably pretend they didn''t hear it to avoid the awkwardness and wait a while before going in.


    But Izabe just pushed the door open and scared the two actors inside. Seeing it was her, they lowered their heads and left in a hurry. Izabe sneered in her heart. With this courage, they didn''t even dare to speak in front of her, yet they imed they were telling the truth. Izabe grabbed her bag and went straight to find Brad. Brad was usually in the shooting area as soon as he arrived, but she didn''t see him today.

 Chapter 417

    She asked a few staff members and found out that Brad had been suffering from insomnia these past few days and was currently in the rest area trying to get his mojo back.


    Izabe, with her bag in hand, headed for the director''s lounge. Brad was a ssic workaholic who treated every script like his own baby. Sometimes he was so busy that he didn''t even have time to go back to his hotel to rest, so he just crashed on the couch in the makeshift rest area of the set.


    This was Izabe''s first time visiting the director''s lounge. The door was closed, and she knocked a couple of times.


    The room was not soundproofed. After waiting for a while, Izabe finally heard some movement inside. Brad opened the door, and just as the staff had described, he looked beat. She could tell his insomnia


    was severe.


    Seeing Izabe, Brad perked up a bit, but just a smidge.


    "You''re here."


    Izabe nodded. "Mr. York, can Ie in and sit for a while?"


    "Sure." Brad turned around and poured a cup of water for Izabe. "No coffee, just water."


    "That''s fine." Izabe put the paper cup aside and said, "I heard from the staff that you''ve been having insomnia these past few days."


    "I didn''t think Kristin would be such a pain in the ass. She called me, and I didn''t pick up, so she leaked my phone number. I''ve been receiving all sorts of threatening calls since yesterday. I can''t even turn off my phone since I might miss important work calls. This situation is tricky. On the surface, it seems like we have the upper hand in terminating the contract with Kristin, but the real problem is huge. ording to the contract we signed with your agency, we can''t terminate unless there''s a major breach. If this goes to court and drags on, the production can''t continue."


    After a long speech, Brad''s throat hurt. He''d been having inmmation for these past few days. Last night, he suddenly had a bunch of mouth ulcers that were so painful he couldn''t sleep. He took a few sips of the cold water with mint to sooth his throat and continued.


    "You said you had a solution before. What is it? Izabe, I have a lot of faith in you. Please don''t tell me you have no way to solve this. Also, I heard that your agency was recently acquired by the Maple Group. I heard there was a lot of chaos internally, and a third of the employees wereid off. Even your previous agent is no longer there. Have you met the new boss? Is he easy to get along with? Will he give you a hard time like Mr. Dewitt did and make you take the fall?"


    As he spoke, Brad sighed heavily. Not wanting Izabe to see his worried expression, he turned his back to her.


    "I have a feeling this issue won''t be easy to resolve. Your agency just changed bosses, and which boss doesn''t want to make money? There aren''t many profitable artists in the entirepany. Kristin is currently the most profitable artist in yourpany. What if your new boss sides with her? If you don''t take action, there will be bad consequences in the future. Izabe, I''ve been thinking a lot these days. The best solution is for you to go find Nathaniel or Brett. Both of them have a thing for you, right?"


    "Mr. York,e sign this." Izabe coolly interrupted him.


    "Sign what?"


    Brad turned to see a stamped document on the table and asked, "What is this?"


    Izabe took a few sips from her water cup.


    Brad picked up the document, and after reading the words, his spirit lifted. It was a termination contract from the Maple Group, clearly stating that Kristin and the "Blood Ties crew had mutually agreed to terminate the contract without any legal liabilities orpensation.


    Brad was extremely excited. He took a deep breath and read through the contract several times before his excitement turned to disbelief.


    "Izabe, where did you get this


    contract? How could your boss let Kristin terminate the contract with us so easily?" This morning, Kristin''s fans swore that the Maple Group valued Kristin highly and would never terminate a contract with someone who could make money for thepany. They would definitely support Kristin and even pay for herwsuit.


    This was also what Brad thought. But now the fact was right in front of him. The termination had been so easy that he found it hard to believe. It felt like a dream and didn''t seem real at all.


    Brad was in the habit of anticipating the worst.


    "This isn''t a fake, is it?" Brad pointed at the stamp with a trembling hand.


    "Mr. York, forging a stamp is illegal."


    True.


    "Just sign it. The sooner you sign, the sooner you can resolve this and get a good night''s sleep." Izabe handed him a pen.


    In a daze, Brad took the pen and signed. Apart from the director''s signature, the production side also needed to stamp and sign.


    Brad looked at the signature column and asked, "Your boss only stamped it and didn''t sign. Will he go back on his word?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Izabe take the pen from his hand and beautifully write down "Izabe" in the signature column.


    This was beyond surprising. Brad''s mouth was agape, as if he could swallow an egg whole. Looking at Izabe''s calm face and her practiced signature, a horrifying thought crossed his mind.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Izabe."


    Izabe put down the pen and turned the contract to face Brad for confirmation.


    Then she stood up and extended her right hand, saying, "Let''s get reacquainted, Mr. York. Izabe, current Executive Director of the Maple Group."

 Chapter 418

    Brad couldn''t believe his eyes as he slowly reached out and took the hand extended by Izabe.


    "Hold on, you''re saying you''re the current executive director of the Maple Group?" Brad eximed in shock. A thought crossed his mind: if this were true, could it shake up the entire entertainment industry? "Do you think I''m joshing around, Mr. York?" Izabe asked bluntly.


    "No, it doesn''t seem like you''re pulling my leg," Brad said seriously, letting go of her hand. What surprised him the most was that Izabe, who was so powerful, had been ying coy with everyone.


    She had been constantly criticized online, ignored by X Entertainment, and ridiculed by her haters. She came from a humble background, hailing from the countryside. Just a few months ago, she was mocked online for her garish makeup.


    She got the role of Megan in "Blood Ties" purely because of her acting skills and Brad''s staunch support. Since her debut, she had been pretty much a non-entity in the industry. The best two opportunities she had gotten were this TV show and the variety show "Here Comes the Superstars," in which she participatedst time.


    Both of these gigs received ruthless criticism online. The variety show almost didn''t make it on air, and "Blood Ties" almost didn''t get the green light for production.


    Brad wondered if she was a jinx or something, alwaysnding in hot water. It was rare for him to be this supportive of an artist, and it was the first time he felt this sympathetic towards someone.


    But it seemed that the one who deserved sympathy was not Izabe, but himself.


    He had been the one who was bamboozled.


    The Maple Group had effortlessly acquired X Entertainment, with a market valuation of at least $30 million.


    Moreover, the group had only been established for two months. The quick sess had left many guessing about the mastermind behind it.


    No one would have guessed it was Izabe, who was incessantly criticized online.


    Brad came back to his senses. Looking at Izabe, he said, "You''re quite the enigma; you''ve kept your cards pretty close to your chest."


    "I didn''t really have a choice," Izabe said.


    Brad didn''t press Izabe for more details. He gathered the contract documents, put them in a folder, and said, "All that''s left is for me to sign. I''ll sort it out with the producerster. Can''t wait to see the looks on their faces."


    Izabe picked up the water ss on the table and said, "I''ll head to the set, then."


    "No rush; tell the production team to take a half-day off. We''ll start shooting in the afternoon."


    Izabe agreed and was about to leave when Brad stopped her and said, "Hang on. There''s something I''m curious about. What''s your rtionship with Casey?"


    Without hesitation, Izabe replied, "Friends."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "Nothing more than that?"


    "What are you getting at, Mr. York?" Izabe asked, knitting her brows.


    "Nothing, really. I just suddenly realized how good young people have it. Izabe, you''re not getting any younger. Have you ever thought about dating or even tying the knot? Other artists avoid rtionships because they''re worried about how it might affect their careers and fans. But you''re different; you''re the boss. You can even afford to keep a few young hunks if you want to."


    Izabe was a bit perplexed, not really understanding what Brad was trying to say. He had brought up Casey and marriage, and now he was talking about keeping young hunks. "You''re overthinking things, Mr. York. I''m not ready to settle down yet."


    "And what about you and Casey?" Brad asked, looking at Izabe''s confused face. "You don''t know, do you?"


    "Know what?"


    She really didn''t know. Izabe wasn''t aware that Casey had confessed his feelings for her online.


    If Izabe had feelings for him, she would have given him some signs instead of just saying, "We''re just friends."


    "Never mind," Brad said, giving an awkwardugh. Since Casey hadn''t said anything, it wasn''t his ce to say anything either. Maybe being just friends was the mostfortable rtionship for both of them. Besides, Izabe was still young. Her career was her top priority, and love could wait.


    Chasing after Izabe wouldn''t be a walk in the park for Casey. Despite Izabe''s ster performances in love scenes on screen, she was inexperienced when it came to real-life rtionships. Unless Casey made his feelings clear, she might never get it and continue to see him as just a friend.


    If Izabe''s high-ranking position in the Maple Group became public knowledge, the list of Casey''s romantic rivals might grow a lot longer.


    Izabe found Brad''s behavior rather peculiar. He had said some strange things, then suddenly stopped and made weird faces.


    Maybe he didn''t get enough sleepst night. Or maybe it was just that directors tended to think differently.


    Izabe picked up her bag and quietly left the green room. At the shooting point, she ryed Brad''s instructions to the staff: "Mr. York said we''re off for the morning. The time for the afternoon shoot will be announced in the group."


    Brad had already posted the notice in the group. He asked Izabe tomunicate verbally just in case some people didn''t check their phones.


    The other actresses showed envy when they saw Izabe, grumbling to themselves, "Just my luck!"


    Brad was efficient. He soon got the contracts from the producers. There were three copies, one of which he gave to Izabe. The matter was now thoroughly settled.


    "When can I go public with


    terminating the contract?" Brad


    blurted it out during lunch with Izabe, sounding eager as a beaver. He''d been pestered nonstop by Kristin''s fans, his phone blowing up with their constant calls. Now, all he


    wanted was to see Kriche


    her face!


    t on


    "You can drop the termination bomb anytime. But if you want to make a ssh, I''d say do it when Kristin''s fans are feeling smug. It''ll be like punch in the gut, and you might enjoy it." Izabe replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. With her innocent look, it was easy to


    underestimate her.


    That''s what made her dangerous. Brad was d he''d never crossed paths with Izabe.


    Brad took a moment, then asked, "When would they be feeling smug?"


    He meant Kristin''s fans, the only people Kristin had left in her corner.


    "I bet they''re trying to shift attention away from Kristin and make it look like she''s winning. They''re probably watching us right now. I wouldn''t be surprised if our lunch date is already online," Izabe said. "No way. We''re low-key; how could we get spotted? And it''s not like we''re alone; we''re in a public restaurant. What''s the big deal?"


    "Brad, you''ve been in showbiz long enough. Don''t you know how powerful gossip can be? Bad can be twisted into good, and even if we''re low-key, people can still recognize us. Even if we were in disguise, we''d still get spotted."


    Brad didn''t buy it. He pulled out his phone and opened Twitter. Sure enough, there was already chatter about them. It was only a matter of time before it trended.


    Brad didn''t bother reading thements. It would only ruin his appetite.


    Izabe tapped her ss lightly. "Tonight, Kristin''s crew might hire a PR team to push us up the trending charts. Don''t waste a good opportunity. Once we''ve gotten enough attention, drop the termination news. I''ll do the same."


    After some thought, Brad agreed. Izabe made a good point.


    "Kristin may be your talent, but if you treat her like a pawn, you could still make a pretty penny."


    "I don''t want to dirty my hands with such a pawn," Izabe scoffed.


    After lunch, they headed back to the set, ready to work. They''d been spotted on arrival, so there was no point in hiding now. But when they got to the set, they were met with hostile looks.


    Izabe was shooting outdoor and night scenes today. Night shoots often meant pulling an all-nighter, but Izabe was a pro. She was quick and good at directing others, making the process smooth. Meanwhile, the Dempsey family was enjoying dinner when an "unfamiliar rtive" showed up.


    Casey lost his appetite the moment he saw Brett sitting next to him. All the dishes were Brett''s favorites.


    Casey didn''t have a close rtionship with his family. His parents weren''t the issue; he just didn''t feel strongly about them.


    His mother doted on him, giving him


    anything he wanted. His father was stricter, with higher expectations for Casey than for his sister, Wendy. After all, Casey was the one to inherit the family business. But after recovering from heart surgery, Casey insisted on entering the entertainment industry.


    This infuriated his father, who locked him in the house for three days. Casey held his ground, refusing to eat. In the end, his mother and Wendy managed to broker peace.


    Finally, his father agreed to let him join the industry, with one condition: Casey couldn''t let anyone know he was the Dempsey family heir, and they wouldn''t support him. Any problems, he had to handle himself. Moreover, they signed an agreement. Casey had four years to be a star, or else he had to take over the family business.


    Shockingly, it took Casey just two years.


    His father was disappointed, and their rtionship grew distant. Casey visited home less and less, from once a month to once every two or three months.


    His father didn''t believe the entertainment industry was easy to survive in. If it weren''t for him arranging for people to protect Casey and handle any media issues, Casey would''ve been penniless by now!


    His sister, Wendy, however, was thrilled with his career. Casey often gave her signed T-shirts, which she sold for a tidy profit.


    "You don''t consider this home anymore, do you?" His father red at Casey and said, "Just seeing you makes me lose my appetite!"


    "Well, you could just not eat," Casey shot back, a line he used every time he came home.

 Chapter 419

    "You''re such a handful!"


    Suddenly, Casey stood up, shouting to Bunny Dempsey, who was bustling in the kitchen, "Mom, Dad just said something nasty about you."


    Beck Dempsey softened his attitude immediately when he heard Bunny''s name, gritting his teeth and muttering, "When did I ever insult your mom?" "You called me a handful; isn''t that basically talking about my mom?"


    Bunny walked out of the kitchen just in time to hear Casey''s words. She went straight up to Beck and pped him across the face.


    "So you''re saying that I gave birth to a troublesome child with you?"


    Beck was left dazed by the p, taking a while toprehend what was going on and feeling like there was something off about the conversation. "Honey, I didn''t insult you."


    "You dare to talk back!" Bunny gave him another p.


    Beck, nursing a throbbing head and looking utterly miserable, felt his dignity crumbling away at this family gathering, with the children and the servants all present.


    Beck always listened to Bunny. The only thing he could do in such situations was to suck it up. But he couldn''t stand Casey''s smug expression any longer. He was his father; why would his own son embarrass him like this?


    "Casey, you''re such a stirrer!"Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Casey gave a nonchnt smile and said, "Mom, dad just called me a stirrer. If that''s true, then what about everyone else at this table?"


    Bunny gave Beck a hard kick in the leg, saying, "Shut up, it''s dinner time!"


    "I''m done talking." Beck winced, clutching his leg. As he reached for a fork and knife to eat, his hand was swatted away by Bunny.


    "Casey and Brett haven''t started eating yet!"


    Beck muttered under his breath, "I''m the man of the house."


    "Well, the man of the house can sleep on the couch tonight." "No, honey."


    Brett was the only non-Dempsey at the table, and thest ce he wanted to be was with the Dempsey family.


    The atmosphere of the Dempsey family filled him with envy. He grew up in the cold Windham family, witnessing the brutal deaths of his parents at a young age, which became his childhood nightmare.


    His grandfather''s indifference and selfishness, along with the sudden appearance of an illegitimate child, made him despise everything about the Windham family.


    On the other hand, Casey was


    incredibly fortunate. Not only did he


    receive his parents'' love and care, but he also managed to win Izabe''s affections. He didn''t understand why all the good things


    in the world seemed to favor Casey.


    This was Brett''s third time visiting the Dempsey family. If it wasn''t for Izabe, he probably wouldn''t havee at all.


    Bunny ced a piece of roast meat in Brett''s bowl and said, "Brett, eat up. Don''t be shy; make yourself at home."


    It had been a long time since Brett had heard the word "home". He stared nkly at the piece of roast meat in his bowl. "Thanks, Bunny."


    "No problem." Bunny took care of Brett, feeling a bit guilty towards him. After Brett''s parents died, she didn''t really look after him. She was well aware of the situation in the Windham family but was too afraid of her father to go home. S


    She owned a portion of the Windham family''s inheritance shares, which should have belonged to Brett. However, she had signed a deal with Nathaniel Krueger earlier, trading her shares for Casey''s five years ago.


    Casey was stolen shortly after his birth. The news that the child they had raised for eight years wasn''t their biological child nearly drove Bunny to a breakdown. She fell ill and almost didn''t make it.


    So when Casey finally came home, shevished him with even more love. Unfortunately, they hadn''t seen each other in over twenty years.


    On top of that, Casey''s cognitive development issues in the past fifteen years, althoughter resolved, had caused his emotional connections to be very faint.


    To prevent him from feeling alienated from the family, they hired a hypnotist to make him believe he had been abroad for heart treatment.


    "Casey, can you stay a few more days this time? Mom hasn''t seen you in so long." She was on the verge of tears.


    Casey looked at the roast meat in his bowl, unsure of how to respond.


    In his memory, his family was real, but he couldn''t feel any familial love. It was as if he was an orphan.


    He could feel his family''s affection for him, but he rejected it. Only Izabe stirred in him the urge for closeness and touch. Thinking of Izabe, Casey shook his head and said, "I''ve been swamped with worktely; I need to get back."


    "Is that so?" Bunny lowered her head, looking a bit disappointed.


    Seeing this, Beck chimed in, "What''s so urgent that you have to rush back? Don''t think I don''t know that you''ve dropped your recent schedule to prepare for a movie. Also, you''ve been hanging out with a female star recently. Let me tell you, you can date freely, but you need your mom and me to approve your marriage. Don''t bring some unreliable woman back home."


    Casey frowned. "Are you investigating me?"


    "If a father cares about his son''s life, is that considered investigating? You really have no sense of propriety." Beck looked a bit embarrassed and turned his head away from Casey.


    "Let''s not talk about this for now. You guys called me yesterday, saying it was a family gathering. If it''s a family gathering, why is Brett here?"

 Chapter 420

    Casey popped a piece of barbecue into his mouth, chewing slowly. His gaze flicked towards Brett with a frosty side-eye.


    Casey''s mom gently put her hand on his dad''s arm, trying to ease the tension: "Brett came all the way here to see you; you guys rarely catch up; you should have a chat after dinner."


    "In what universe do I have anything to chat with him about?" Casey thought, It was already nice of him not to punch Brett in the face, and now he was supposed to chat with him? Just thinking of the way Brett looked at Izabe pissed him off.


    Feeling antsy, Casey tugged at his shirt cor and undid a button.


    If his mom wasn''t keeping an eye on him, he would probably throw the food straight at Brett.


    Whatever, he thought, since he seldom came home for dinner, he might as well treat the food Brett ate as trash.


    Casey''s mom watched his face cautiously, and when she saw him start to eat quietly, she breathed a sigh of relief.


    In contrast, Brett acted more appropriately at the dinner table, remaining silent and elegant while eating.


    His face was slightly pale, and asional sharp pains came from his chest. His esophagus was affected by lung cancer, and he could not eat normally. He was full after half a bowl of food.


    After dinner, Casey''s mom asked the maid to clean up and let the three young people go out and y. Wendy wasn''t interested in men''s affairs and started making ns with her friends on her phone.


    Casey went to the backyard, sat in a chair, and decided to watch what Brett was up to. He knew that people who pretend to be enthusiastic usually have an ulterior motive, and Brett was obviously not a good guy.


    He rarely met Brett, so his impression of him was not that deep. But he could not ept Brett, especially when he saw how he looked at Izabe, which disgusted him even more.


    After some thought, Casey said, "Spit it out; I have a date with Beter."


    "You and Izabe are together?" Brett asked.


    "Obviously, we''re not just together; we''re also living together." Casey replied without hesitation.


    Brett''s face instantly darkened; his gaze was cold, staring straight at Casey.


    "Have you guys," Brett''s voice was hoarse, probing, "done anything?"


    "Done what?" Casey looked at him with a smile and said, "Let''s put it this way; all the things you''re thinking about right now, we''ve done them all; we just haven''t registered for marriage yet." Brett''s face turned ugly in an instant; he gritted his teeth and said, "You really slept with her?"


    "We''re lovers; it''s normal." Casey''s gaze became cold. "You''re always concerned about other people''s girlfriends; do you know what Be says about you? She''s sick of you and doesn''t want to see you again." This was indeed something Izabe would say, and in fact, Izabe had said worse things about him to Casey.


    Hearing this, Brett felt suffocated; his whole body turned cold.


    He couldn''t speak, as if it taken him a long time to recover.


    From Niki''s death to Casey taking Izabe home and tweeting his love confession, he couldn''t take it anymore and rushed to the Dempsey family.


    Casey''s eyes were clear and bright; it didn''t seem like he was lying. Did he really sleep with Izabe?


    Just imagining that scene, Brett felt like going mad. He had thought about it and made psychological preparations, but Casey''s words left him at a loss, unable to tell whether this was reality or a dream. His dry lips tightly closed, he said, "Give Izabe back to me."


    Casey scoffed, "Which mental hospital did you escape from? You have a wild imagination, huh?"


    Brett clenched his fists, his eyes filled with hatred. He hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind.


    "Do you really understand Izabe?"


    "What does it matter to you whether I understand her or not?" Casey noticed his frequent mention of Izabe and guessed he was trying to cause discord, so he got up to leave.


    Brett stared at Casey''s face, his voice more stable than before. "Izabe doesn''t love you; she just sees you as a substitute."


    Casey suddenly let out a softugh and turned around. He had predicted that Brett would try to sow discord between him and Izabe, but hearing the word "substitute" from him, Casey wanted to speak, but it felt like a fishbone was stuck in his throat.


    "You don''t know Izabe''s past at all. If you knew the real her, you would understand the rtionship between us. You would understand why she pretends not to know me." Brett said calmly, each word stinging, "I bet you''ve been curious before, but you never asked. Are you really not interested in her past, or are you afraid that it won''t be as perfect as you imagine?"


    The sky was starting to darken, and the clouds were dense, as if it would rain at any moment. After Brett finished speaking, the air pressure seemed to drop as well, and the dark clouds seemed ready to fall at any moment.


    "Yes, I don''t understand her past, but now, when she needs someone the most, I''m by her side, not you. To Izabe, you''re just a bystander. What good does it do for you to understand her past? The past is gone; Izabe never reminisces." He felt a heavy stone pressing on his heart, and after exhaling, he felt a little lighter.


    However, Brett was right about one thing: he was indeed confused and afraid of Izabe''s past, but this didn''t affect his trust in Izabe.


    "Brett, if you want to sow discord, try a different approach. Have you been watching too many TV dramas?"


    Brett lowered his head, gently stroking the cup the maid had brought up. His voice was as chilling as the current weather.


    "People are saying you''re a backup; go check it out yourself. There''s a Happy Nest Orphanage in Ashenvale; ask the director there, and you''ll understand. After meeting him, you''ll know Izabe has never loved you."


    Casey has been in the entertainment industry for a few years. He''s not just busy filming; he''s also developed a knack for guessing people''s thoughts.


    Brett''s deceased wife was an unmentionable existence. Given how much he loved her, why did his heart flutter for Izabe?


    Casey wasn''t the kind to poke his nose into others'' business. All he knew about Brett''s past was that he had been married and that his wife had passed away.


    "Why should I pop over to Happy Nest Orphanage just because you said so?" Casey asked.


    "How else would you know if I''m spilling the truth or just blowing smoke? Casey, you''re such a chicken."


    Brett put it all out there. With a cliff behind him and Brett setting up roadblocks ahead, he cornered Casey, forcing him to confront it all.


    "If you don''t fancy hitting the orphanage, you can always dig into my life. Sure, I''ve kept some stuff under wraps, but considering who you are and our rtionship, you can snoop around all you want. Dig up my wife''s name."


    Casey froze, forgetting to vamoose.


    Even in his sickly state, Brett''s intensity hadn''t waned.


    If this made Casey lose trust in Izabe, he wasn''t worthy of her anyway.


    Brett admitted he was selfish. Right now, he wanted Casey to walk away from Izabe so she could be single again.


    With his days numbered and Izabe not likely to love him again, he longed to keep Izabe to himself for a year.


    Having said his piece, Brett bid adieu to the Dempsey n, hopped into his ride, and hit the road. He was sure Casey would do some detective work.


    Casey''s mom could tell that after spending some alone time with Brett, Casey was acting all spaced out, not even responding to conversation.


    Brett''s words kept echoing in his head, particrly one line.


    "Casey, you''re just a backup."


    How could he be a backup? He was a catch, good-looking, virtuous, and top-notch. Who could outshine him and relegate him to being a backup? Ever seen a backup of this primo? He''d go to Happy Nest Orphanage right now.


    Casey jumped into action, bolting for the door. Bunny called after him, "Casey, where are you off to?"


    "Heading out."


    Bunny was taken aback, rushing after him and grabbing his hand. "Can''t you stick around a bit longer? I made your favorite dessert, and your room''s all set."


    Casey nced at Bunny''s hand gripping his. "I''m stuffed from lunch, Mom. I''ve got to hit the road."


    "When will you be back?" Bunny''s voice wavered, tears welling up.


    What Casey found hardest to deal with was this kind of scene. It was also why he was hesitant toe back. He smoothly withdrew his hand. "We''ll see. I gotta bounce."


    "But it''s about to rain outside."


    "I won''t get wet in the car."


    He had to go. Casey''s mom''s hand hung in the air stiffly. She held back her sadness, watching Casey leave.


    Casey''s father,ing down from


    upstairs, walked over and gently embraced his wife. "If he wants to go, let him. He''lle back


    eventually. If it really breaks


    heart, I have someone drag


    back. If he dares to run, I''ll break his legs. Ouch, that hurts!" Casey''s dad suddenly yelled out, his body tilting from the pain.


    Casey''s mom had pinched him. Seeing his pained expression, she couldn''t help butugh.


    After a bit, her face betrayed her disappointment. She leaned into her husband''s embrace. "It''s all my fault. If I had protected him back then, he wouldn''t have been taken away, and we wouldn''t have been separated for so many years. He doesn''t feel anything for us now."


    Casey''s dad sighed, tenderly stroking his wife''s hair. "It''s okay. Family ties can''t be severed. Compared to three years ago, things are much better now. He''ll graduallye to appreciate us."


    Casey drove towards Happy Nest Orphanage, about a forty-minute ride.


    He nced at the overcast sky outside. It looked like rain was on the way. He checked the forecast, which predicted a downpour around 2 p.m.


    Casey stepped on the gas, heading for Happy Nest Orphanage.


    Casey was no stranger to Happy Nest Orphanage, thergest and most well-equipped orphanage in R City. As an actor, he had sponsored many orphans over the years, and Happy Nest Orphanage was one of them.


    As he drove, he habitually rolled down the window for some fresh air. The wind messed up his hair. He quickly smoothed it back, parked the car, and got out.


    Seeing Casey in a hurry, the old man approached him. "Sir, if you wish to enter, we need you to register your information."


    Caseyplied, following the old man to the office to fill out forms and copy his ID.


    As he filled out the forms, the old man asked, "Are you here specifically to visit the kids?"


    "Yes, I am."


    "I''ve never seen you here before."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "It''s my first time," Casey replied. "Sir, how long have you been working here?"

 Chapter 421

    "It''s been two years already."


    "Do you know how long our matron has been here?" Casey curiously asked.


    The old man replied, "A long time, at least twenty years. She dedicated her youth and life to these kids."


    Casey couldn''t figure out why Brett sent him to meet the orphanage matron. Did he have some connection with the kids there?


    After thinking for a long period of time, Casey finally filled out a form and handed it to the old man.


    "What brings you here?" the old man asked.


    "I''m here to discuss some matters with the matron, and also talk to her about making a donation."


    Just then, the matron got the news. Seeing Casey, she was taken aback.


    She knew that this was Casey, the hottest actor in Hollywood. But seeing his face, she couldn''t help but think of that big fool, Ryker Dempsey.


    Her eyes reddened at the thought of Ryker, who had died at sea. She knew that he was mentally challenged, so why did she let him leave the orphanage? If she had kept a better eye on him, Ryker might not have been kidnapped.


    There were other staff and volunteers with the matron.


    They recognized Casey and some couldn''t help but scream, "Mr. Dempsey, it''s Mr. Dempsey, howe he''s here alone? Casey, can you give us an autograph?"


    If it was just one or two people asking for his autograph, it would be okay; but as they couldn''t hide their excitement and started to scream, the kids who were around them got attracted to that spot. Casey was very popr, from five-year-old children to seventy or eighty-year-olddies, even if they hardly knew him, they would like him just by his looks.


    The matron promptly stopped them, letting the staff take the kids back, to keep quiet.


    Even though the matron was usually gentle, when she really got angry, the kids would definitely obey hermands.


    After the crowd left, the matron took Casey to her office.


    Casey looked around, although that was his first time there, he felt very familiar with the surroundings as if he had seen it in a dream. The orphanage was like a spacious kindergarten, with children''s entertainment facilities, and cute graffiti on the walls. Surprisingly, the outdoor scene was also very well set up, with many bright flowers which were enough to cheer anyone up.


    The matron didn''t know how to start the conversation, partly because of his status, and partly because he looked too much like Ryker.


    She silently poured Casey a cup of hot coffee, ced it in front of him, and after a period of silence, she said, "You."


    "Matron, I came here to ask you a question. Was there someone in the orphanage who looked a lot like me?" Casey didn''t like to beat around the bush because he had been thinking about that question while driving, and asked it directly after seeing the matron.


    The matron was stunned, she wondered how Casey knew that.


    Seeing the matron''s expression, Casey thought to himself, "Could what Brett said be true?"


    "There was indeed someone who looked very much like you, but he died five years ago."


    "What was his name?"


    "Ryker."


    Hearing that name, Casey''s heart skipped a beat. He stopped his hand from instinctively clutching his chest, instead he reached for the coffee cup in front of him.


    The coffee was freshly brewed, and


    the cup was scalding, but he felt no pain when his palm touched it. His job was acting, and he was a multi-award-winning,


    box-office-smashing actor, and his acting skills were superb, even if he was ufortable inside, he


    wouldn''t let anyone see a trace of it


    if he actually wanted to hide it.


    The matron didn''t notice Casey''s emotional change, so she answered his questions one by one, and finally took out a photo album, pointing to a tall and thin man in an old T-shirt, "This is the Ryker I mentioned."


    Casey looked over and was stunned for a moment. He had imagined that Ryker might look somewhat like him, but he didn''t expect them to look almost identical, like twins.


    Although they looked alike, they were definitely not the same person. In terms of appearance, Casey was obviously more outstanding, while Ryker mostly dressed like a simple person.


    The orphanage had many photos, hundreds of pages in a thick album. Casey flipped through it, page by page, then suddenly asked the matron, "Do you know Izabe Salotti?" Casey waited for a while, but the matron didn''t answer him, so he looked up at her.


    Then the matron replied, "I don''t know if the Izabe I know is the Izabe you''re talking about. The Izabe I knew died three years ago, she was from the Salotti family, the Izabe that all women envied." When the Salotti family hadn''t gone bankrupt, Izabe was a very outstanding woman, no less than any man. She struggled alone in R City and achieved great sess.


    There were too many people with the same name in the world, and the Izabe the matron knew had died three years ago, so she was obviously not the Izabe he knew, that person had nothing to do with him.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Just as Casey was about to breathe


    a sigh of relief, he turned a new page and his gaze unintentionally swept over a photo. In the photo, Ryker was smiling happily with a woman. Casey''s eyes were filled with


    alertness, and the rm in his heart began to ring.

 Chapter 422

    That guy, Ryker, looked too much like him. Casey lightly touched the corner of his mouth, his fingers recoiled as if they had been burned.


    He stared nkly at the photo, feeling a sting in his heart. It wasn''t painful, but it was ufortable for him.


    The Ryker in the photo was standing next to a woman, he pointed and asked, "Who''s this?"


    The matron answered, "That''s Izabe, the one I talked about earlier."


    Izabe in the photo looked thin, smiling at the camera, but her smile didn''t reach her eyes, which were filled with loneliness. Casey gently rubbed her face in the photo with his thumb. That familiar feeling came back.


    Casey stared at the photo then a wild thought suddenly popped into his head. The Izabe in the photo and the Izabe he knew were the same person.


    People could change their appearance and voice, but not their eyes.


    He stared directly into Izabe''s eyes, it was as if they were looking at each other across an insurmountable gap in time and space.


    Why did his heart hurt so deeply?


    "How did she die?" Casey curiously asked.


    The matron also felt ufortable when Izabe was mentioned, then her voice suddenly became hoarse, "She was burned to death, only 27 years old at the time."


    Casey remembered Brett''s words, instructing him to look up his ex-wife''s name, he asked her again, "Do you know who her husband was?"


    The matron didn''t quite understand Casey''s intention, first asking about Ryker, then Izabe, and now he was asking about Izabe''s husband.


    But she still answered him thoughtfully, "Brett, the president of the Windham Group."


    When they got married in R City, it caused quite a stir, everyone said they were a perfect match.


    Izabe often donated to orphanages so the matron was deeply impressed by her. She thought that Izabe had married the man she loved and would always be happy, but her smiles became less and less. Even on her 24th birthday, facing the children''s blessings, her smile was a bit bitter.


    Izabe sponsored many orphans, hospitals and schools, she helped many children go to school and receive treatment, but such a good person had to endure so much hardship, fate never favored her, and she left this world at the age of 27.


    Thinking of that tragic event, the matron''s eyes turned red.


    When Casey heard the name "Brett", his breath paused, something shed quickly through his mind, but it was too fast to catch.


    Casey''s gaze faltered slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.


    Brett''s ex-wife was named Izabe, and she was close to Ryker at the orphanage.


    She was burned to death three years ago, only 27 years old at the time.


    What was the connection between the deceased Izabe and the current Izabe? Other than a 50-60% resemnce and the same name, there was no connection to be found between them.


    Their life trajectories were different, the people they met and the things they experienced were vastly different. The Izabe he knew was only 24 years old on her resume, she wasn''t from the Salotti family, she was just an ordinary country girl, and she was never married, didn''t know Ryker, and had no connection with Brett.


    He always tried to numb himself, but for some reason, the look in Izabe''s eyes when she looked at the corner of his mouth kept popping up in his mind. That look was full of affection, and she often stared at him nkly as if looking at someone else. She would sometimes touch his mouth and tell him to smile more.


    Why should he smile more? Because he looked like Ryker when he smiled?


    Casey didn''t dare to think or ask too much.


    Before he met Izabe, he always thought that he could ept and let go of things at will, solve problems when he encountered them, and wouldn''t get stuck in a predicament. But now, just as Brett said, he was actually a coward, not even daring to take a step forward.


    Casey took a photo from the album and asked for a favor, "Could you make a copy for me?"


    The matron thought for a moment before replying, "You take it, you look like Ryker, it''s fate."


    Not only was he fated with Ryker, but also with Izabe. The matron didn''t pay much attention to entertainment news, but many young people who helped out at the orphanage were fans of Casey, always discussing him in their free time.


    At that time, they had been discussing Casey and Izabe the most, discussing how Casey defended Izabe on social media, and how well they matched each other.


    Once, the matron walked by the lounge and heard the phrase "match made, match made"ing from inside. She thought someone had bumped into something, but when she opened the door, four or five young girls were holding their phones, their faces full of joy.


    The matron looked at the man in front of her, although he looked like Ryker, he was not actually Ryker.


    Ryker was not smart, hisnguage skills were poor, and no matter how much he changed, the matron believed that he could never suddenly be a movie star.


    "Thank you," Casey took out a bank card from his wallet, "This is my donation to the children, please keep it safe."


    "Donations should go through the formal process."


    Many artists did charity work, some were sincere, but some were just to increase their influence, to gain favor when negative events urred,rge donations could even quell many negative news. Some artists liked to make a big fuss about their charity work as if they couldn''t wait to tell everyone how much money they spent and how many good deeds they did, a simple online search would bring up a lot.


    That made it convenient for fans to defend them in thements section.


    This brought them to Kaley Cot.


    So, money was omnipotent, people couldn''t control their own nature, but money could.


    "No need for formalities, just keep it, the password is on the card," Casey put the card directly on the table, and then left that room with the photo.


    On the way, he encountered several of his fans, after the initial excitement, seeing Casey again was not as out of control as before.


    Casey put on his mask as he walked. When he got in the car, he shivered and his body was cold. Casey touched his face, it was cold, as if it was sshed with cold water, only then did hee back to his senses and looked out the car window, it was raining, no wonder he felt so cold.


    Casey pulled out a photo from his pocket, staring at it intently. One moment, he''d look at Ryker who looked a lot like him, and then he''d look at the "Izabe" who resembled Izabe. For a moment, he couldn''t tell them apart.


    The rain started to pour, the weather was getting chilly, fall was leaving, and winter was approaching. The winters in R City were frigid, the kind of cold that seeped into their bones, making them cold inside and out.


    He remembered Izabe was always cold, so he''d need to stock up on warm stuff for theing winter.


    Driving his car, Casey had a lot on his mind. Somehow, it seemed to dull the pain in his heart as the windshield wipers swished back and forth.


    Where should he go next after leaving the orphanage? He wanted to find Izabe. He knew a shortcut that was close to where she was filming. The weather forecast showed it wasn''t raining there and it should be warmer than the ce he was at.


    Raindrops were sttering on the roof of his car and the noise was deafening.


    The mountain road was treacherous in that weather, not only was it raining heavily, but there was also fog. Despite the low visibility, Casey seemed oblivious to the danger and kept elerating.


    He was ignoring the outside conditions, just stepping on the gas and moving forward. The sound of wind and rain was in his ears, and when he drove a little faster, it sounded like distant cries to him.


    Casey''s hand was on the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. He felt a painful twinge in his chest so intense that his wrist and fingertips were frozen.


    Suddenly, a high beam shed over from around the corner. Casey instantly snapped back to reality, but it was toote. The tires slid sideways, and he crashed into the roadside.


    Casey''s head hit the car window, and he could feel the warm blood oozing from his forehead to his ears, causing goosebumps to rise on his skin.


    Over at the "Blood Ties" set, the weather was also turning gloomy, and Izabe felt a jolt of unease.


    Thest time something bad happened, she had a simr premonition that something bad was going to happen.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    After finishing a scene, Izabe sat in her chair to rest, while her makeup artist touched up her makeup. She sipped her water and checked her phone.


    As expected, Kaley had started to make her move, hiring a bunch ofizens to circte photos of Izabe and Brad dining alone. Additionally, she hired some people toment, like, and share those posts, and in no time, it became a trending topic.


    ording to the photos taken by a passerby, Izabe and Brad were seen dining alone in a private room. Was it really just to discuss the script or was it something else?


    [Are they really discussing the script? If so, why did he only invite Izabe and book a private room where no one could see inside?]


    [If they were up to something sketchy, they wouldn''t be so tant about it. How could Izabe dare to get so close to Brad at this time?]


    [''Blood Ties'' might not even air at this rate, with all the drama happening during its production.]


    [I just checked and found out that ''Blood Ties'' cost $420 million to produce. Can you even imagine? I heard even their catering is five-star.]


    [Izabe must be in a tough spot


    right now. After all, Brad is suing


    Kristin Lasley, who''s not only her coworker but also a main source of ie for thepany. With Brad


    shing with Kristin because of her, Izabe must be having a hard time at work, facing trouble frequently. She needs to breach her contract to get out of that hell, but with her ie in recent years, she certainly can''t afford the hefty fine. That''s why I guess she turned to Brad for financial help.]


    [Is Brad financially supporting Izabe? There were rumors that she has a sponsor, could it be him?]


    [What''s wrong with Kristin using a stand-in? Do you know how hard she works? Do you know how many children in mountain viges she sponsors? She donated a million dorsst month.]


    [I only said her acting is terrible. What does that have to do with her donations?]


    [But she''s a good person.]


    [Would a good person let Ariana take Izabe''s cat? Would a good person be two-faced in front of her coworkers?]


    [I need to say something, I work on ''Blood Ties''. I need to clear up that the investors did not invest in the project because of Kristin, it was someone else. They even fought the other day.] Thisment was quickly buried in the ensuing arguments.


    [Kristin''s character and acting are both bad, and her fans are even worse, encouraging minors to attack Izabe. They should be sent to juvenile detention andpensate for the damages they have delt.]


    The controversy online was unending, but one had to admit that Kristin''s strategy was quite sessful. It might not havepletely shifted the public''s focus, but it did divert a lot of attention away from her fans'' actions.


    During their breaks on set, the crew would either read their scripts or rx on their phones, so naturally, they saw the trending topics.


    "Didn''t see you and Mr. York at lunch today, turns out you guys went to have a meal alone, and you didn''t even invite me." Garen approached Izabe, "Tell me the truth, where were you and Mr. York?" "We went to eat," Izabe replied curtly.

 Chapter 423

    "Mr. York and I are just friends. We had lunch today just to discuss some stuff."


    "What stuff? Is it important? Can you spill the beans?" Garen curiously sat beside her, looking eager to hear some juicy gossip.


    "We discussed how to handle the current hot topic."


    "Did you guys discuss this afternoon''s hot topic at lunch?" Garen asked, suddenly understanding, "Did you know that you and Mr. York would be the centre of attention this afternoon?" "We were snapped by paparazzi as soon as we entered the restaurant."


    "Didn''t you chase after the photographer?"


    Izabe retorted, "Do you think we could catch up with them? You know how fast they run."


    "True that."


    "But I still don''t get it, so you knew from the start that this would catch people''s attention, but why? For your fame? That''s not necessary, and you ended up clearing things up for Kristin." "Getting everyone''s attention is the best. What I worry about is things getting swept under the rug." Izabe touched her hair.


    Just like fishing in the sea, they had to wait for the tide to get the biggest catch, right?


    "Go read your script, and I don''t want to be interrupted during filming."


    Garen bit his lip, "You''re as strict as Mr. York."


    "It''s a basic requirement as an actor. If you want to make a living in this industry, you should focus on improving your acting skills and finish the performance in one go, so you don''t waste everyone''s time." Garen finally left. Izabe looked at her phone screen, seeing new messagesing in, she knew it was time to surf the web.


    Switching to thepany ount, the newly verified Twitter ount already had a lot of followers, with plenty of DMs andments, mainly from Kristin''s fans.


    They knew Kristin was reliant on A Group, so they didn''t dare offend her. The messages they sent her were tactful, like asking her to treat Kristin well, because Kristin was the main source of ie for the X Entertainment she had acquired.


    She would treat Kristin well.


    Izabe began to edit the text and attached the contract termination notice, it wasn''t time to post it yet. ording to statistics, 8 pm was when the mostizens were online. About 80-90% ofizens would be online from then till 11 pm, and then the number started to decrease.


    When the time came, the hot topic would be even more desirable, and the price Kristin had to pay would be even more significant. Izabe had to film tonight, and she might not have time to post it, so she could only set it to automatically post, and inform Brad. But the edited text couldn''t be set to auto-post. Her phone keptgging, and eventually, the screen turned into gibberish.


    At this time, Izabe didn''t consider other reasons, and she thought it was awork issue caused by switching ounts.


    She saved it on Twitter and asked her assistant to post it when the time came.


    After giving the instruction, Twitter returned to normal, and she saw the top trending topic.


    #Casey''s car ident#Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Obviously, Brad also saw this trending topic, instinctively looking for Izabe, but he couldn''t see Izabe on set anymore. "Where''s Izabe?" Brad turned to ask Garen.


    Garen looked back. Her position was empty. He scratched his head, "She was just here. How did she disappear out of the blue?"


    The cameraman quickly said, "Mr. York, I saw Izabe run off with her phone just now. She was as white as a sheet. She looked really flustered. Did something happen?"


    Indeed something did happen, a big one, her partner was in a car ident, and she would be pale and run off.


    Brad prayed in his heart, hoping Casey would be alright.


    There were not many people who were as good to Izabe as Casey. Only Casey was willing to quit the entertainment circle for her.


    So, if you meet someone you like, go after them; don''t wait till you lose them to regret.


    Brad''s phone kept vibrating, and he opened it to see, that it was the hot topic of Izabe and Casey sending messages.


    The screen was full of prayers, hoping Casey was alright.


    Izabe felt like there was a thorn in her throat. She hailed a taxi on the side of the road, but after getting on, she didn''t know where to go. She checked the messages about Casey on her phone.


    Casey''s ident was trending, but the news was quickly blocked, Izabe''s eyes were slightly red. she tried calling Casey but no one picked up, and she didn''t know his manager''s number.


    In the moment of urgency, Izabe tried to stay calm. She took a few deep breaths, and her thoughts slowly calmed down. There were still messages about Casey online.


    In the news video, it was raining heavily, and R City was having a downpour, Izabe checked the weather forecast map and narrowed down the location.


    "Sir, please go in this direction first." Izabe showed her phone to the taxi driver.


    "Is there a specific location?"


    "Just head in this direction first."


    "Alright."


    Izabe clenched her teeth, and her cheeks were tight. She didn''t know Casey''s specific condition. In the photos, his car was overturned into a ditch, and the crane on the scene was lifting the car out.


    Her heart felt like it was being tightly wrung.


    At this time, Casey had already been rescued and sent to the hospital, and there were too many hospitals in R City, dzabe couldn''t determine which one he was in. If his injuries were serious, he might be in the downtown hospital; if they were not severe, he might be in a nearby hospital.

 Chapter 424

    The taxi gradually entered the rainy area, and the driver turned to the back seat and said to Izabe, "The weather is bloody awful, shall I close the window?" Izabe was leaning against the car door and only snapped out of her daze at the driver''s words. She looked out at the rainy day, with the biting wind rushing into the car.


    She hadn''t noticed the cold before, but now, seeing the wind so strong that the trees were shaking and hearing its howling sound, it felt like a mournful cry.


    Rubbing her arms, Izabe''s pale lips were either cold or scared stiff.


    "We''re almost there. Do you know where to go?"


    Looking for hospitals one by one would be too time-consuming, Izabe only regretted not getting Casey''s agent''s phone number, and hadn''t taken the initiative to learn about his family situation. She wouldn''t be so lost if she knew his parents'' contact information.


    Just a while ago, there was news about Casey online, but now she couldn''t find any, no matter how hard she searched. After knowing the situation at his home, she realized it must have been his family who had taken care of it.


    Izabe pursed her lips, tasting a faint metallic taste in her mouth. She held her phone tightly with her shaking hand, gripping it so hard that her fingers turned white. Finally, she took a deep breath, unlocked her phone screen, and found Liam''s phone number.


    Liam was surprised to receive a call from Izabe again, and he couldn''t hide his surprise, "Ms. Salotti?"


    "It''s me. Do you know where Casey is?"


    "How would I know where Casey is?" Liam paused, Izabe wouldn''t ask about Casey out of the blue. While on the phone, he went online, and without even searching, the news about Casey''s ident automatically appeared on the screen. However, he only knew about the ident, not the location or which hospital he was currently in.


    "Ms. Salotti, I don''t know where Casey is right now, but Brett surely does. He visited the Dempsey family today and met with them. Why don''t you try calling him?"


    The mere mention of the name "Brett" frightened Izabe. She had been hurt before and naturally kept her distance from him. For her, things were fine as they were, not bothering each other, each going their separate ways.


    But it seemed that fate had other ns.


    "Do you have the Dempsey family''s phone number?" Izabe asked tentatively.


    "Ms. Salotti, I''m sorry, but I don''t have the Dempsey family''s phone number, and even if I did, I couldn''t give it to you. You should know that these numbers can''t be given out casually." After exining, Liam asked, "Why don''t you call Brett directly? If you''re so worried about Casey, you shouldn''t mind."


    "I see, can you send me Brett''s number? I don''t have it."


    As he sent the text, Liam replied to Izabe, "Brett''s number has always been the same."


    Upon receiving the text, Izabe nced at it. It was a familiar number, one she used to stare at every day, dialing it, only to be hung up on multiple times and each time, she entered the number, then deleted it one by one, from the initial full of hope to the final disappointment and depression.


    Now, seeing this familiar number, she felt calm, incapable of stirring up any ripples.


    Izabe ended the call with Liam and dialed that number.


    The call went through, and Brett''s voice came around. His surprise was the same as Liam''s but with much more joy.


    "Izabe, what can I do for you?" He probably never expected that she would call him alone one day.


    "Liam said you visited the Dempsey family today. Casey has had an ident now. Do you know where he is?"


    The excitement in his heart was like an ice cube thrown in, gradually calming down with a crisp cracking sound.


    "Are you calling just for him?" Brett choked out.


    The rtionship between Casey and her seemed so close. When Casey said that he had been intimate with Izabe, he had some doubts, but now, hearing Izabe call to ask about him, he began to believe. "If it weren''t for him, I wouldn''t call you. If you know, tell me. If you don''t know or don''t want to tell me, I''ll hang up."


    "What if I don''t know?"


    Izabe didn''t care about his feelings. She faced him with a firm attitude.


    "I''ll go to every hospital to look for him until I find him."


    "Izabe, besides him, don''t you have anything else to say to me?"


    "Anything I had to say, I said in a past life. We have nothing to talk about now, Brett. I don''t want to waste time. Tell me where Casey is."


    Whenever she mentioned "Casey", it was like stabbing him in the heart. Even though his disease was in his lungs, his heart hurt unbearably.


    "He''s at the Oriental Healing Center, orthopaedics on the eighth floor."


    As soon as his voice fell, Izabe hung up the phone.


    The car slowly came to a stop, and Izabe said to the driver. "Sir, we''re going to the Oriental Healing Center. Step on it!"


    "Alright, I''ll make a U-turn up ahead."


    Izabe also turned on the GPS. ording to the average speed, it would take twenty minutes to get there. Without traffic jam and red lights, it would only take fifteen minutes.


    Whether it was divine intervention or not, the journey was smooth, with no stops, and they quickly arrived at the hospital. Izabe paid the fare, got out of the car, and ran straight to the hospital.


    When she burst into the hospital, no one reacted in time, and Izabe rushed straight to the eighth floor. The hospital was huge, and Brett only told her it was the orthopaedics department on the eighth floor bu didn''t tell her the exact room number. She had no choice but to search room by room.


    The entire eighth floor was single rooms, and a nurse saw her: "Are you Izabe? Oh my God, I actually get to see Izabe. Not only did I see Casey today, but also Izabe!"


    When Izabe heard her mention Casey, she immediately asked, "I''m here to see Casey. Do you know which room he''s in?"


    The nurse nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Izabe. "I know! I''ll take you there!"


    She quickly led Izabe to the ward, whispering, "This is the ce you can go in."


    "Thank you," Izabe replied.


    The ward door was slightly ajar, and voices could be heard from inside, more than one person, probably Casey''s parents.


    Izabe had rushed all the way here but stopped at the door, hesitating. The nurse was called away, but on her way out, she encouraged Izabe, "Go for it!"


    Seeing the nurse''s rxed attitude, Izabe guessed that Casey''s condition wasn''t serious, so she knocked at the door.


    A man in his forties opened the door. He looked young and had features very simr to Casey''s. It was obvious at a nce that he was Casey''s father.


    Casey''s father frowned and asked, "You are?"


    Without thinking, Izabe answered, "Hello, I''m a friend of Casey''s."


    "How did you know he was here?"


    "I asked around."


    Beck Dempsey wanted to continue questioning, but at that moment, Bunny came over. "This is?" she paused. Even though she didn''t


    interfere with her son''s personay


    affairs, she followed his Twitter daily to keep track of his online activities, So she knew about Izabe and Casey''s rtionship.


    Bunny''s face still had tear stains. Seeing Izabe, her expression softened considerably.


    "Ms. Salotti, you''re here to see Casey, right? Come on in." Bunny guided Beck away to make room for Izabe to enter.


    "Thank you, Bunny."


    Izabe hadn''t expected her first meeting with Casey''s parents to be under these circumstances. The ward was spacious and well-ventted, but the smell of medicine permeated the air. Caseyy on the bed, eyes closed, with his arm bandaged and sticking out, an IV drip inserted.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Why hasn''t he woken up yet?"


    "The doctor said he might have a slight concussion. He should wake up after some rest."


    Luckily, Casey had been on the road


    and had swerved into a ditch. The


    airbag had deployed in time, and although he had passed out, his


    injuries were minor, apart from a few


    cuts on his forehead from the


    windshield, cleaned by the rain.


    The driver who had identally turned on his high beams hadn''t fled due to fear but had called the police and an ambnce. He even brought Casey to the hospital. Otherwise, things could have been much


    worse.


    Izabe carefully looked over Casey, and after confirming he only had minor injuries, she let out a small sigh of relief. But then, the atmosphere became a bit awkward.


    Izabe was not good at interacting with elders, and considering Casey''s parents'' distinguished status, she awkwardly split her time between looking at Casey''s hand and staring out the window. Bunny pulled up a chair beside Izabe, "Please, sit."


    "Thank you," Izabe replied, head down.


    Bunny studied Izabe. Her impression of her was neither good nor bad, mainly because she didn''t know her. Her only impression was that Izabe was very beautiful, even more so than in photos. Bunny first noticed Izabe because of some negative news, so her initial impression wasn''t good.


    However, after seeing a show called "Here Comes the Superstars", she was amazed by Izabe''s acting.


    Later, when rumors about Casey and Izabe surfaced online, Bunny''s impression of her began to decline, thinking she was just another actress who loved to create scandals.


    Yet, whenever her impression of Izabe started to slide, Izabe would suddenly do something to change her mind, always finding a way out in dangerous situations.


    Casey always trusted her, and Bunny figured if her son trusted Izabe, she had no reason not to.


    Interestingly, Casey had been aloof and emotionally detached after waking up, and this was the first time he had shown interest in a girl.


    Casey was no longer young, well into his thirties. Although he looked in his twenties, his age indicated that he should be married. Bunny had been worried that Casey wouldn''t find a partner.


    In his eyes, there were only humans and animals, and he thought it impossible for a woman to elicit any sense of pity from him.


    His co-stars in all three of his films had been men, and Bunny, when bored, would watch his movies, growing increasingly suspicious. She wondered whether Casey was not interested in women or perhaps he was more inclined towards men.


    But Izabe''s appearance changed her mind, and she had already started nning to prepare two suits for Casey''s wedding.


    Bunny cautiously asked, "What''s your rtionship with Casey?"


    "We''re friends."


    So he hadn''t won her over yet.


    Hearing the word "friends", Beck couldn''t help butugh. He had seen this "ying hard to get" act masked as friendship before.


    His son had already expressed his feelings on Twitter, yet she still treated him as a friend. Did a purely tonic rtionship between a man and a woman really exist in this world?


    Bunny red at him, and Beck quickly retreated, "I''ll go to the restroom. You two continue."


    He figured this was women''s business, and he should leave.


    After he left, Bunny asked again, "Are you really just friends?"


    Izabe nodded.


    "What do you think of Casey?"


    "He''s really nice."


    Bunny and Beck''s thoughts differed. When Izabe answered they were "friends", she guessed Casey hadn''t won her over yet.


    Every mother who genuinely loved her child would think her child was the best. Even if she didn''t say it out loud, she certainly thought so in her heart.


    In Bunny''s eyes, Casey was the bee''s


    knees, the top''s Forget about his family background. Just look at his looks and the career he''s earned through blood, sweat and tears. The fact that Izabe can turn him down said she''s one of a kind, but it wasn''t impossible. Seeing her rush to the hospital all in a flutter, she''s convinced her son will definitely win her over!

 Chapter 425

    "As long as it''s for the best, there''s no rush. My friends are not in a hurry either. Take your time to get to know my son, and he''s a real catch!"


    Izabe was a bit baffled by the statement, but she nodded her head in agreement with thest part.


    Casey was indeed quite an impressive young man. She''d heard tales of his status as the golden boy of high society.


    It wasn''t until she met Casey that she truly understood that phrase. He was like a spark hidden beneath an iceberg: aloof and cold on the outside but with a fiery passion burning within. To many people, he was like the sun, forever shining in the sky, a beacon of hope and a figure of reverence.


    "Do you have any nster?"


    Izabe shook her head, "Nope."


    Later, she would ask Brad for a short break. She had delegated her work at thepany to her subordinates, including the contract termination notice that needed to be sent out tonight.


    "Casey will wake up soon. Why don''t you stay here with him? He''ll be thrilled to see you when he opens his eyes. Beck and I have some other things to take care of. We''ll take off first since Casey is out of the woods."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Bunny, still teary-eyed from earlier, saw Izabe and decided to leave to give her son space to pursue his future wife. She quickly dragged Beck, who was still in the bathroom, out of the house.


    Beck''s reaction waspletely different from what he''d imagined. He said, "You''re so protective of your son. Aren''t you afraid that woman might steal him away?"


    "Casey''s not a fool. I trust her."


    "You trust her, but I don''t. Casey shared his thoughts with her on Twitter, but she didn''t show any response, neither rejecting nor epting. I''ve seen a lot of women like that, and you should be more cautious." "You''ve seen a lot?" Bunny shot him a sideways nce.


    Beck, oblivious to the storm brewing, continued, "Of course, I have a keen eye for people."


    Bunny didn''t hesitate to grill him, "Then tell me, where did you meet them, how many have you met, what are their names, what do they look like, what happened between you?"


    Beck was taken aback, fear slowly creeping into his eyes as he felt the icy gaze of his wife piercing his back.


    "Honey, I only saw it online, just some short videos."


    Bunny sarcastically quipped, "Seems like you''ve been watching many babe videos."


    "No, I really didn''t watch any inappropriate videos. You can check my phone if you don''t believe me."


    Their voices faded away as they got further from the room. Beck''s attempt to change the subject was futile. Thest thing Bunny said before leaving was,


    "Have you ever considered that Izabe might not understand love, or more urately, she might be afraid of it, too scared to ept it?"


    Bunny had never met Izabe


    before, but she sensed something from their brief interaction today. Women''s intuition was often spot on, and Bunny felt confident that she was right about Izabe. Izabelt¨¢ was a bit of a loner, and despite her young age, her eyescked the exuberant spirit typical of her period, she was tooposed.


    Getting close to someone like that was challenging because they didn''t know how to be nice to them.


    Casey''s injuries weren''t just a concussion, and his arm had minor bone damage as well, hence why he was taken to the orthopaedic department.


    Izabe sat quietly by Casey''s bed, gently touching his hand.


    Only God knew how terrified she was when Casey had the ident, afraid that he might never wake up, just like Niki.


    "Why are you so careless? I always


    tell you to be careful when you''re driving. What were you thinking?" Izabe''s voice trembled with


    emotion, her breathing became


    more rapid, and her vision blurred


    with tears, "Casey, I can''t stand the


    thought of something happening to


    you."


    At that moment, Casey was trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape. He dreamed that Izabe left him for Ryker, who looked just like him.


    They were sitting amongst the flowers in the orphanage. Ryker wasughing like a fool and even picked up Izabe.


    He was both anxious and angry, wanting to rush over and break them apart, wishing he could knock Ryker out.


    He dashed over, grabbed Izabe''s shoulder, and turned her around. Izabe''s face began to morph into the Izabe from the photograph, the Izabe who had died in a fire three years ago.


    "Who are you?"


    "I''m Izabe, the Izabe you know."


    "You''re not." He turned to run, but the scene changed again.


    "Izabe" was lying on the ground, covered in blood, her hands mangled, staining the floor red.


    He didn''t understand why he was having such a horrifying nightmare. His heart pounded in terror. He wanted to go to her, but his legs were as if nailed to the ground.


    A voice echoed in his ear, "Take her home. She''s been waiting for you to take her home."


    Who was waiting for him? Who was he supposed to take home?


    Was it the "Izabe" in front of him? No, she wasn''t the Izabe he knew, then who was she?


    "Izabe!" Casey suddenly opened his eyes.

 Chapter 426

    "Izabe!"


    Casey suddenly blurted out, startling Izabe. She looked at Casey, who had just opened his eyes and softly said, "I''m right here."


    Seeing Izabe in front of him, Casey felt disoriented. Was he still dreaming? Waking up from a deep sleep, his head felt like it was filled with mud, and his ears were ringing.


    He stared nkly momentarily before looking at Izabe, automatically raising his right hand, only to feel a sharp pain in his elbow.


    "Don''t move around. You''re injured," Izabe quickly cautioned him.


    "I''m injured?" His voice was hoarse from just waking up.


    Izabe handed him a ss of water, adjusted the angle of the bed for him, and helped him drink. After drinking the water, he began to recall what had happened. He remembered the cause of the ident and the dreams he had.


    In his dream, Izabe had turned into a different person, with someone who looked like him. Even though it was just a dream, he felt upset.


    Especially when Brett said, "Izabe only sees you as a stand-in." It was like brainwashing.


    Casey felt a tightness in his chest, which was already pitch ck outside the window.


    "How long have I been asleep?"


    "About five or six hours. It''s almost half past eight now. I was afraid I wouldn''t have time to buy food tonight, so I bought some soup in advance. There''s a microwave in the hospital. I''ll go and heat it for you." Casey didn''t feel hungry, but seeing Izabe''s eagerness to help, he didn''t refuse.


    "Thank you, Izabe."


    Izabe gave a small smile. The microwave was outside the ward, and she needed to cross a corridor. She picked up the soup from the cab.


    "You rest well in bed. Don''t move around. I''ll go heat the soup."


    "Okay."


    Watching Izabe''s retreating figure, Casey''s mind was filled with thoughts.


    He felt scared, scared that the dream he had was real, scared that Izabe''s kindness to him was because she saw him as a stand-in.


    He always thought he was superior, but it turned out he had his own shorings.


    Casey looked at his own hand, which would cause nerve pain at the slightest movement. His head was bandaged, and he could smell the scent of the antiseptic. He touched his forehead with his uninjured hand, unsure if he was disfigured.


    If he really was a "stand-in", and if his looks were ruined, no longer resembling Ryker, would Izabe still give him a second nce?


    Casey had never felt so humble, like a deted ball. He thought that many things were unexinable, yet they all seemed to tie together.


    Whenever Izabe looked at him, it felt like she was looking through him at someone else.


    Izabe''s resume showed that she came from a rural area where she would never have the chance to meet someone like Brett.


    But the rtionship between Brett and Izabe felt like they knew each other from a past life. Brett even gave his cat to Izabe, and the way Izabe treated the cat was not like a regr pet. Previous events were unanswerable, but if he looked at it from another angle, if Izabe was the "Izabe" who died in a fire at the age of 27, then everything could be exined.


    Casey closed his eyes, and a vibrating sound suddenly rang in his ears. He followed the sound and saw Izabe''s phone on the cab.


    A Twitter notification popped up. Casey''s pupils contracted slightly, not because he saw any important information but because he was contemting.


    He had been in a car ident, and Izabe came to the hospital to find him. What would their fans think?


    Even if Izabe hadn''t see it before, didn''t she know the news of his car ident?


    How could she not see it? She must have pretended not to see it, not wanting to make him ufortable.


    This was quite good. At least he could stay by Izabe''s side, unlike Brett, who couldn''t even get close.


    There was a noise outside the door. Casey looked over, "Your phone just rang. It was a Twitter notification."


    "It''s nothing serious." By her calctions, it should be the termination notice she had set up.


    Izabe didn''t even nce at her phone and sat by the bed, and the soup was just the right temperature, ready to be drunk.


    Izabe fed him with a spoon, asking him, "Does it taste good?" Watching Casey eat, she asked.


    "Yeah, it''s delicious." In reality, it was just ordinary soup with some mushrooms and a hint of salt. It wasn''t particrly good, but anything fed from Izabe''s hand always tasted better and better the more he drank.


    While drinking, Casey asked, "You just left the crew like this? Aren''t you afraid people will see?"


    Izabe replied, "I didn''t think that much then."


    Casey tested the waters, "Can I take it as you caring about me?"


    "You don''t need to take it that way, and I do care about you. I came to the hospital to find you when I saw the trending news about your ident." When Izabe said this, her head was lowered, her eyshes trembling slightly, like a small fan.


    Casey''s heart beat in sync with her eyshes. He asked, "How did you know I was in the hospital? Did you see it online?"


    "Do you remember anything after the ident?"


    "I remember some things, but mostly I don''t."


    Izabe didn''t hide anything from Casey, telling him everything that happened after his ident. She couldn''t find any information about him online, so she went to see Liam, then Brett and found out he was in this hospital. She even talked to his parents for a while when she came in.


    She reported everything slowly, like a wife telling her husband what she did during the day.


    Izabe waspletely unaware of the change in herself.


    "That''s it. Bunny said something came up at home and left, asking me to stay with you. They''ll be here tomorrow."


    Casey automatically ignored the front and back, focusing only on the part where she called Brett.


    "You called Brett?"


    Izabe nodded, "Yes, I couldn''t get through your phone, and I didn''t have your family''s number, nor did I know your agent''s number."


    "Give me your phone."


    Izabe handed over the phone from the cab. Izabe saw him save the numbers one by one with one hand.


    "Here''s my parents'' number, and I


    got a sister back home. If you can''t reach me, try calling home or get in touch with my housekeeper, nanny, or my dad''s assistant. They''re all on call 24/7. And thisst one, it''s my agent''s number." Casey finished typing thest name and handed the


    phone over to Izabe.


    Izabe chuckled, "That''s a lot."


    "I just don''t want you to have trouble finding me." Inside, Casey didn''t want Izabe to go looking for Brett again.


    Izabe took the phone and put it back in the cab. Even though her phone was now filled with unnecessary numbers, it gave her a sense offort.


    He hadn''t finished his soup yet, so she continued to feed Casey.


    Izabe''s eyes were glued to his lips.


    He started feeling ufortable under her gaze as if trying to escape. Casey stretched out his left hand and said, "I can handle it."


    "Your hand is injured. It''s inconvenient. Let me feed you, and it''ll be faster this way."


    "Have you eaten?"


    "I have," Izabe replied, but in reality, she hadn''t even sipped water when Casey was unconscious. With him in trouble, she had no appetite. Perhaps out of worry, she no longer felt hungry. After waking up, Casey still felt dizzy and was experiencing asional pain, symptoms of a concussion. He lost his appetite after having some soup, fearing he would faint if he drank any more. Izabe noticed that he didn''t want to continue eating soup, so she dumped the rest in the garbage.


    There was only one bed in the room, so Izabe went to the nursing department to get some sheets and a nket.


    "Do you want to sleep on the bed?" Izabe, who was making the bed, looked up at him, and Casey''s heart rate elerated upon realizing what he had just said.


    "You''re the one who''s sick. If I sleep on the bed, where will you sleep?"


    "I didn''t think that through," Casey said, his hand hidden under the nket, lightly pinching his own thigh. "You might find it ufortable to sleep in these clothes. I can have someone bring you a set."


    "Now? Isn''t it toote?"


    "Not at all. It''ll be here by ten at thetest." Casey started looking for his phone but couldn''t find it. Probably left it in the car.


    "Can I borrow your phone? I need to make a call."


    "Here you go."


    Casey had a good memory and was sensitive to numbers. He could remember all the numbers he''d seen in the phone.


    He made a call, identified himself, and asked the person on the other end to buy two sets of clothes and bring them over. As for intimate clothing, Casey didn''t feel


    comfortable discussing it inerne


    front of


    Izabe, even though he knew her


    size.


    The clothes arrived before ten. Izabe took the clothes into the bathroom to change, saw the hot water, and decided to take a shower.


    "Did you ask for leave from Mr. York?"


    "I did, and Kristin''s issue has been


    solved. He has found a suitable person to rece her, and they will reshoot her scenes soon. My scenes can be postponed a bit." There weren''t many scenes left, at most another week of shooting.


    "Kristin''s problem is solved?"Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "You could say it''s partially solved, but at least it''s a good start."


    "Have you checked Twittertely?" Casey suddenly stopped, not continuing.


    Izabe was drying her hair, her ears filled with the noise of the hairdryer. She could only vaguely hear Casey saying something. She turned off the hairdryer and asked, "What did you say?" "N-nothing," Casey seemed timid.


    Izabe noticed his puzzled and conflicted expression, thinking he needed to use the restroom, so she offered to help.


    A portable toilet was avable in the patient room, right in the bathroom. She went to get it.


    Seeing what she was holding, Casey was startled. He was already stuttering, and now he was even more incoherent, his face turning bright red, "What are you doing with that? I only hurt my hand and I can still walk."


    He had been lying down for a while after waking up, and his head no longer felt foggy. He used his left elbow to prop himself up against the edge of the bed and slowly sat up.


    Izabe put down the object in her hands. She saw nothing wrong with what she did. To a doctor, patients have no gender, and even though she wasn''t a doctor, she still cared for a patient.


    Casey''s face turned red from his cheeks to his neck, especially his earlobes, like apples on a mountain.


    Izabe reached out to help him to the bathroom. He was a bit unsteady, but there were handrails in the bathroom and the wall to lean on so he wouldn''t fall.


    "Can you take off your pants by yourself?" Izabe asked, not feeling confident.


    "Yes," Casey replied quietly. He had changed into the hospital''s patient uniform, which was very loose and easy to remove with one hand.


    After confirming that he could manage independently, Izabe left the bathroom and shut the door.


    She continued drying her hair while keeping an eye on the bathroom. When she saw Caseye out, she breathed a sigh of relief.


    After helping Casey back into bed, Izabe brought a basin and filled it with hot water to wash his face. Casey''s body tensed like a cooked shrimp.


    After a busy period, it was already close to eleven o''clock. Izabey on the bed, covered herself with the nket, and didn''t check her phone, but could guess how lively the inte must be. Aside from Casey''s car ident, the hottest topic was Kristin''s contract termination with "Blood Ties".


    The polite term was termination, but to put it bluntly, "Blood Ties" had fired her.


    "Due to our artist Kristin''s misconduct, which vited her contract and failed to set a positive example on the inte and in public, we have epted the drama''s request to terminate her contract."

 Chapter 427

    "As public figures with massive influence, we should make contributions to society, set examples, keep ourselves in check, respect public morals, and set a good example for fans.


    However, Kristin Lasley had broken her contract and deceived the public. Therefore, the Maple Group had decided not to provide a tform for anyone who vited morals. Starting today, the Maple Group will terminate all activities of Kristin, and will never allow any immoral actions to disrupt the public morals and order of the society."


    This statement released on the official Twitter ount of the Maple Group, along with the termination notice, had caused quite a stir.


    Soon, the official Twitter ount of the crew also released a termination notice, confirming the news that Kristin was fired.


    ording to the statement of the Maple Group, this issue was more serious thanizens imagined. This was not just about the termination of a contract, Kristin had also been barred from thepany. Since the acquisition of X Entertainment, the Maple Group has remained silent. Who would''ve thought their first statement would be such a shocker?


    Every sentence was a harsh criticism of Kristin. Was it because of her animal abuse? Or because Kristin''s underage fans broke thew in the police station by insulting Izabe?


    But it felt like there''s more to this than met the eye.


    Netizens began to specte, with the number ofizens increasing today. Some worried about Casey, some were just spectators, and some were discussing the matter. All in all, a night''s time was just not enough.


    Izabe had been busy all day and was already sleepy. The shooting of the crew was postponed. She decided to deal with Kristin''s matter first. She believed Kristin woulde knocking in a couple of days. Izabe rolled over, curled up in bed, her hand clenched into a fist and ced on her chest. This was her sleeping position when she was uneasy.


    Casey had slept a lot during the day, but he wasn''t very sleepy at night, so he justy on his side watching Izabe.


    This was the first time he and Izabe slept in the same room. If it could always be like this, he would be willing to take the pain.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    He couldn''t quite remember the images he saw in his dreams, and it felt like he had forgotten something important.


    Casey was lost in thought, thinking about the words Brett and the orphanage director had said, the old photograph, the dead people, and the "Izabe" that was burned to death by the fire. The more he though about it, the more his heart ached.


    He didn''t know if it was because he was thinking too much, but he fell asleep in the middle of the night, dreaming of the "Izabe" in the photograph again. She was lying on the ground, unable to stand, being swallowed up by the fire.


    He ran over to save her, but he couldn''t get close, he was sweating bullets.


    When he opened his eyes, it was already light outside. Izabe had long since gotten up, and the bed was neatly made.


    "You''re sweating. Did you have a nightmare again?" Izabe asked.


    She asked because that''s how he woke upst night.


    "Yeah." Casey''s voice was hoarse, and his throat felt like it was stuffed with sand, dry, and painful. "It was a nightmare."


    Izabe casually asked, "What kind of nightmare did you have?"


    Casey said hoarsely, "I can''t remember."


    Izabeforted him: "If you can''t remember, don''t force yourself. You have a concussion now, overthinking can cause headaches."


    The attending doctor came to check on Casey''s condition. It was mainly some external injuries, his right arm was receiving conservative treatment, and he could be discharged today.


    Upon hearing that he could be discharged, Casey immediately contacted someone to handle the discharge procedures.


    There were many people discharged


    in the morning, and Izabe apanied Casey to wait. Casey''s parents and driver came to help pack up. Seeing their son''s spirit after a night''s rest, Casey''s mother was even more pleased with her future daughter-inw.


    "Izabe," she took Izabe''s hand, "you really worked hardst night. Are you busytely? If you have time,e to my house for a visit. I cook really good food."


    "Mom, let''s not. Your cooking skills are really average so it''s best not to show them off." Casey teased from the side.


    Casey''s mother red at him and whispered a warning: "We women are talking; do you have a say?"


    Casey''s father was secretly pleased to see his son being scolded for the first time.


    Seeing this scene, Izabe finally understood why Casey had such a personality.


    Such a harmonious family would make people want to get close to them, but Izabe still declined Bunny''s invitation: "No need; I need to go back to thepany to handle some things." "I see." Disappointment was clear in Casey''s mother''s voice.


    Casey''s expression also became somewhat dim.


    When leaving, Izabe specifically said goodbye to Casey: "You rest well at home and I can handle my own affairs; you take good care of yourself." Izabe looked at his face, which was paler than usual, her gazending on the bandage on his


    forehead.


    She reached out and gently touched it, saying, "Don''t let the wound affect your looks."


    It was just a regr caring remark, but to a sensitive person like Casey, it was like a bolt from the blue. He smiled faintly and said, "Don''t worry, this little injury won''t affect my looks."


    He once said he wouldn''t mind


    Izabe''s past, and he also said he


    would always trust Izabe. Once he liked someone, he won''t change. Even if he''s still standing behind Izabe, not yet in front of her, he will hold this position and won''t give it to anyone.


    Whether it''s the deceased Ryker, Brett, or the inscrutable Nathaniel.


    From this position, as long as Izabe turned around, she could see him.

 Chapter 428

    Izabe was hell-bent on leaving, and Bunny couldn''t force her to stay. After all, everything needed to be done in moderation. Being too eager won''t get her anywhere. Moreover, she could tell that Izabe''s concern for Casey went beyond simple friendship, and Bunny was totally chuffed with this development.


    "I''ll call a cab for you," she said.


    "No need, Bunny. I''ve already called one. The driver will be at the hospital in a jiffy. I gotta scoot."


    She had her change of clothes in a bag, no need to pack, just grab and go.


    "Alright then, be safe. Shoot Casey a text when you get home."


    Izabe nodded, turned on her heel, and left the ward.


    Casey got up, watching Izabe leave until she disappeared into the elevator. He stood in the doorway, not moving.


    He looked at his injured arm. If he hadn''t been hurt, he could''ve driven Izabe home himself.


    Bunny quietly walked up to him and asked, "Are you really that into her? She''s gone, and you''re still looking."


    Casey moved his ears, which was his way of confirming it.


    Bunny said, "If you''re into her, you should tell her straight up, not beat around the bush."


    Casey said, "I''ve made it very clear on social media, and everyone knows I want to be with her."


    Bunny retorted, "Everyone knows, but she doesn''t."


    Casey replied sadly, "How do you know she doesn''t? Maybe she''s just trying not to hurt me and pretending not to see. If I confess, maybe we can''t even be friends." "How do you know she''s pretending?" Bunny asked back.


    Casey was at a loss for words, and Bunny patted him on the head. "Don''t rush; you''re still young."


    The discharge procedures went smoothly, and Casey went home with his parents. On the way, he asked, "Where''s my car?"


    Bunny answered, "It took a hit and is in the shop."


    Casey asked, "What about my stuff?"


    Bunny replied, "It''s all at home. Check for anything missing when we get back."


    Casey had to rest at home for at least a month due to his injuries. The Dempseys were loaded, so they had all sorts of supplements and nutritious soups every day.


    After getting home, Casey checked his stuff in the car. Everything was there: keys, phone, driver''s license, ID, wallet, and that picture from the orphanage.


    His phone was dead, so he charged it and found a load of missed calls and texts.


    He went through the messages one by one, replying to a few. One was from his agent, to whom he said he was fine.


    Lying in bed, phone in hand, Casey updated his social media followers on his well-being.


    Having an injured right hand was a real pain. All he could do was lie in bed, scrolling through his posts. When his phone rang, he thought it was Izabe, and his heart skipped a beat. But when he saw the caller ID, he was gutted.


    Brett.


    Casey didn''t want to take his call right now, fearing it would worsen his condition.


    He rejected the call, but it rang again immediately. Annoyed, Casey sat up in bed and answered.


    "Why are you calling me?" He knew Brett wouldn''t be calling just to check on him.


    "Heard you''ve been discharged."


    "You''ve got your ear to the ground. If you know I''m out of the hospital, you must know Izabe took care of me all night, right? Just the two of us. We even slept together. She helped me brush my teeth and wash my face. When I needed to use the restroom, she even offered to help me take off my pants."


    He used these half-truths to get under Brett''s skin. That''s how they operated, hurting each other.


    A chuckle came from the other end of the line. "Didn''t expect your spirits to be so high."


    Casey shot back, "Of course I''m fine, especially with someone taking care of me."


    "Izabe only took care of you because of your pretty face. You were fresh out of the orphanage when you had the ident. Izabe loves neither you nor me, but a guy named Ryker. She''s with you because you remind her of him. Bet she stares off into space when she''s with you, right?"


    Brett''s words cut deep, and Casey wanted to retort, but he felt as if someone was choking him, making it hard for him to breathe.


    But Brett wasn''t done. He knew that when people were hurt, both physically and mentally, they were the most vulnerable.


    Brett never imed to be a good guy, and he never intended to be one. He was a businessman, a crafty one.


    He saw Izabe as a priceless treasure, and he wouldn''t let go easily.


    The only silver lining was that he knew Izabe better than anyone.


    "Do you know why Izabe named her corporation the Maple Group? Maple is Ryker''s favorite tree."


    The name "Ryker" was a double-edged sword for both of them. Brett had hurt Casey, but he was hurting too.


    Casey didn''t know when Brett hung up, as his mind was filled with Brett''s words and the look in Izabe''s eyes when they were together.


    From the moment he left the orphanage, he knew he''d been living in denial.


    What kind of person was Ryker that Izabe couldn''t forget?


    His love for Izabe was no less than Ryker''s. The only thing he lost was time.


    While others couldpete face-to-face with their love rivals, how could hepete with someone who was already dead?


    He was careful with his feelings, even afraid to test the waters. Brett was right. He was a coward. He shouldn''t have gone to the orphanage.


    If he hadn''t gone, he wouldn''t have known the truth. He could continue to deceive himself, believing that Izabe had liked him from the start.


    He always thought that Izabe wanted to have a deep rtionship with him and wanted to marry him when the maple leaves turned red, which was romantic.


    But now he realized that maple was Ryker''s favorite tree, which had nothing to do with him, Casey..


    His phone dropped to the floor with a dull thud. Casey looked down, and something fell from his eyes. He wiped it off, and there were tears in the corners of his eyes.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    He felt so useless.


    He didn''t want to be someone else''s substitute. Did she like this guy called Ryker so much? If he disfigured his face and lost the two fangs that resembled Ryker, would she not even give him a second nce?


    He once confidently thought he could stand behind Izabe, just looking at her back would satisfy him. But a call from Brett made him lose this battle.


    So this was what it felt like to have


    expectations shattered, Casey thought, swaying as he stood up. His still-recovering brain throbbed


    with pain. He opened the


    door and walked past the housekeeper in the hallway without


    aword, heading straight to the


    storage room to find a pair of


    garden shears.


    Casey took the shears back to his room and crouched in the corner. He opened his mouth and brought the shears close to the left fang. The shears mped down on the small tooth, and he slowly tightened his grip, pushing down and pulling. His left arm''s veins bulged, his fingers reddened, and his knuckles turned pale.


    With a dull sound, he pulled out a tooth without any disinfection measures, and the tooth rolled on the floor stained with blood.


    But Casey didn''t feel the pain. He sat numbly with his mouth open, letting the blood flow onto the floor, and his hand holding the shears was shaking violently.


    Missing a tooth, he felt a draft when he breathed. Casey threw away the shears and curled up in the corner, holding his head with his left hand.


    His mouth was full of the taste of blood, and tears mixed with blood slid down his throat, making him feel nauseous. He retched uncontrobly. There was a knock at the door, but Casey didn''t respond.


    The person knocking was Bunny. She heard from the housekeeper that Casey was acting strange, and had taken a pair of shears back to his room. Bunny was uneasy. Casey was fine in the hospital, but he had changed since he got home, locking himself in his room and refusing toe out. She used a spare key to open the door. "My son." She started, but then saw Casey huddled in the corner, as well as the pool of blood on the floor, the blood-stained shears, and the tooth. "Casey, what happened?" Bunny knelt down, holding Casey''s face, to look into his mouth.


    His mouth was full of blood, and there was a bloody hole in his neat row of beautiful teeth. It was very eye-catching. Bunny''s eyes reddened but now wasn''t the time to ask questions. Bunny held his lower jaw and said, "I''ll take you to the hospital."


    "I won''t go. I just pulled out a tooth," Casey said with a mouthful of blood, his voice hoarse and shaky.


    Casey''s current state reminded her of when he had just woken up in the hospital. He was also dazed back then, hiding in the corner and refusing to go out.


    Bunny felt a pang in her heart. Casey was saying it so lightly that he had just pulled out a tooth, but he didn''t know how much it hurt her as a mother.


    "Alright, I''ll call a doctor."


    Bunny didn''t know what to do with the pulled tooth, so she could only call a dentist toe to the hospital to check on Casey.


    "The tooth that was pulled out won''t grow back, but I can fit a false tooth."


    Casey had also woken up from his daze by this point. Looking at Bunny''s worried face, he grabbed her hand and said, "Mom, don''t worry. I''ve long wanted to remove these two fangs because they affect my acting. After pulling them out and fitting a false tooth, there won''t be any impact."


    Casey''s two fangs were like his signature. Even though he was in his thirties, whenever he smiled and showed his fangs, he still looked like a young man in his twenties.


    His fans liked to see him smile, saying that his smile had the sunshine of a teenager. But now there was a tooth missing from his neat and beautiful teeth, his mouth was full of blood, and it looked very harsh. Casey didn''t want to say anything. His gums were stitched, the dentist gave him medication, reminded him of the precautions, and then left.


    Bunny originally wanted to supplement Casey with some nutrition, but now that his tooth had been pulled, he couldn''t eat these things.


    Bunny: "You can''t do such silly things in the future. If you want to pull out a tooth, you should go to the hospital."


    Casey: "I know."


    Bunny couldn''t be at ease seeing Casey being so obedient. Whenever she had time, she would watch him. If she wasn''t there, she would have the housekeeper watch him.


    Now, even when Casey held a nail clipper, Bunny would be scared.


    Casey knew he was influenced by Brett''s psychological tactics, but he also knew which of Brett''s words were true and which were false.


    That "Ryker" in Izabe''s heart was like the moon, remaining in the most beautiful ce in her memory. He couldn''t take "Ryker"s ce, nor did he want to exist as a substitute So he chose to pull out his own tooth so that when Izabe looked at his mouth, she wouldn''t think of "Ryker"


    chose


    again.


    Izabe returned to thepany headquarters, and her secretary personally came down to greet her: "Ms. Salotti, hello."


    "How''s it beentely?"


    "Thepany has received some malicious reports recently, especially today, but they didn''t have a big impact. Kristin has beening to thepany these days, asking to see you."


    "Did shee today?" Izabe asked.


    "No."


    "Then she should being soon."

 Chapter 429

    Izabe took the private elevator straight up to the CEO''s office.


    At the Maple Group headquarters, she had been hands-off since its establishment, delegating most of the tasks to others. As for the office decor, she only gave a general style requirement and let the designers take over.


    The office was decorated in a minimalist ck and white style, with shelves full of books and documents. It was divided into three areas: a reception area, a working area, and a rest area. It was somewhat simr to her previous office. Izabe sat in the boss''s chair, listening to her secretary''s report.


    "Ms. Salotti, the bodyguard you asked for is here. His name is Toby, a middle-aged man."


    After signing a few documents, Izabe put down her pen and said, "Send him in."


    Toby was the bodyguard rmended by Casey to ensure her safety. She was in a hurry to go to the hospital yesterday, so she had Toby arrive at the headquarters ahead of time.


    Izabe trusted the people Casey rmended. The secretary left to fetch Toby, and before Toby even came in, Izabe could already sense a strong aura. The sound of knocking came from the door. Izabe leaned back slightly in her chair, resting her hand on the table. "Come in," she said.


    The man who came in sized up Izabe, and she did the same. Toby was dressed in casual green clothing, very tall (over 1.9 meters), and had a noticeable scar on his face. His eyes were deep and sharp, like those of a hawk.


    He had killed before.


    Toby was not an ordinary man. He was a special forces soldier who had retired and had been working for the Dempsey family. Izabe stood up and walked three steps to stand in front of Toby, extending her hand. "Hello, I''ll be troubling you from now on."


    Toby shook Izabe''s hand, then immediately let go. His palms were thickly calloused, and his hands were scarred.


    "I heard from Mr. Dempsey that you want to learn some self-defense techniques," he said.


    "Yes."


    Toby shook his head and said directly, "With your physique, if you really encounter any danger, it''s best to run. Instead of spending time learning self-defense, you''re better off increasing your physical fitness and running."


    Toby''s words left Izabe feeling helpless. He didn''t even leave a sliver of hope for her.


    "I know you think I can''t do it. I don''t expect to be very capable and I just want to learn some basic self-defense skills. Like you said, being able to run is the most important thing. I hope you can guide me more."


    "I''m very strict when I teach," he said.


    "That''s okay. As long as you give the orders, I promise toplete the tasks."


    A satisfied light shed in Toby''s eyes. Izabe''s performance was better than he had expected. He took out a decorative ring from his pocket and handed it to Izabe. "This is my wee gift to you." Izabe took the ring and asked, "What is it?"


    The ring was rtively thick, and when worn, it didn''t look much different from an ordinary ring.


    "This ring has two hidden


    mechanisms Toby showed Izabe


    how to use it. Izabe was quick to learn and put the ring on her index finger like a prized possession. She was always looking for such self-defense items, just like the surveince cameras and recorders she had set up.


    "Thank you."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Toby waved it off. Izabe was now his employer, and it was his duty to ensure her safety and be fully prepared.


    Toby''s main task was to keep Izabe safe and keep her in his line of sight at all times, even if there was no one else in the office at the moment.


    This was Izabe''s first time hiring a bodyguard, and she felt a bit unustomed to it. At times, she even felt ufortable under Toby''s gaze.


    Fortunately, the person she had been waiting for finally arrived.


    After receiving a phone call, the secretary turned to Izabe and said, "Ms. Salotti, Kristin is here. She was stopped by our security at the entrance. Would you like to see her?" "Of course, I''ve been waiting for her. Tell security to bring her in."


    "Alright."


    After the secretary left to inform security, Izabe looked at the cup of coffee on her desk that had already cooled.


    "Pour me a fresh cup of coffee, and make a cup for Toby as well," she said.


    The secretary turned and left.


    Ever since X Entertainment was acquired by the Maple Group, Kristin had been sending people every day to gathe information about the executive director of the Maplez Group, but the top-level information was strictly guarded and couldn''t be obtained.


    The less information she could find, the more it proved the strength of the group and the thickness of its backing.


    This group appeared out of nowhere


    and acquired arge economicpany, Kristin started to feel a bit scared. After all, the leadership of thepany had changed, and she didn''t know what would happen in the future.


    She knew nothing about the new boss''s temperament. She had a grasp on Mr. Frost''s temper, but if the new boss had a powerful background, would it be as easy to deal with her as squashing an ant if she made a mistake?


    After a few days of fear, Kristin found that the Maple Group hadn''t made any moves. Gradually, she began to rx and told herself not to make a mountain out of a molehill and to be more optimistic. She often read fanments online and started to believe in their viewpoints.


    The Maple Group wouldn''t acquire X Entertainment for no reason. They must have seen some advantages in X Entertainment. Otherwise, who would be willing to take over a lousypany? Among the artists in X Entertainment, she was the most valuable, with numerous and loyal fans. She had also won awards and was a famous TV series actress. Any TV series she starred in brought considerable profits.


    At X Entertainment, she was the one who made the most money. Even after changingpanies, she was still the money maker. How could a businessman turn a blind eye to money?

 Chapter 430

    Would a businessman ever have a beef with money?


    But to everyone''s surprise, the usually low-key Group suddenly dropped a bomb, announcing they were cutting ties with the production of Blood Ties.


    Originally, when she signed the deal with the production, it was under thepany''s name, meaning if anything went south, thepany would take the heat.


    After X Entertainment went belly up, their contracts naturally got passed on to the Maple Group, who bought them out.


    The Maple Group had every right to break the contract, but that didn''t do them any good.


    Kristin was racking her brains, trying to figure out what the bigwigs were thinking. She was thepany''s cash cow and their most famous artist. Despite all the recent drama, she didn''t lean on thepany for help. Instead, she hired her own PR, just trying to keep up appearances for thepany.s


    The only smear on her record was that cat incident, but she didn''t kill the cat, and as time went by, this minor issue would fade from people''s minds.


    No matter how they slice it, the newpany shouldn''t be ditching her!


    Butst night''s announcement from the Maple Group was clearly a p in the face. She didn''t know what she did wrong or how she breached the contract and caused a public uproar.


    Thus, when she got news this morning that the CEO of the Maple Group wasing to headquarters, she rushed to get dolled up and followed along.


    Two security guards escorted her to the elevator, either standing to her left and right or front and back, clearly ying the role of "jailers".


    Kristin was on pins and needles. As she was about to meet thepany CEO, she didn''t notice her surroundings changing.


    Outside the CEO''s office.


    The security knocked on the door.


    "Come in."


    Kristin furrowed her brow. Why was a woman''s voiceing from inside? And the voice sounded so familiar.


    Kristin didn''t have time to ponder. The door opened, and the two guards stood by the door and ushered her in.


    Kristin swallowed hard. She was so tense that she could feel her facial muscles tightening. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath before entering, ready to negotiate with the Maple Group. The Maple Group and the production of Blood Ties unterally terminated their contract without informing her and even released a statement smearing her name. Although she was an artist for thepany, she still had her rights. She could totally sue the Maple Group for breach of contract and defamation and demandpensation.


    With this in mind, she felt a bit braver. As she walked in, she felt an intense aura. She looked straight ahead, and the first thing she saw was a tall man with a scar on his face. Was this thepany''s CEO?


    Kristin tried to put on a smile, but then her gaze shifted, and she froze.


    Izabe?! Why was Izabe here? Shouldn''t she be on set right now? Why was she in the executive chairman''s office at the Maple Group''s headquarter and sitting in the chair?


    Could it be?


    Kristin nced again at the man with the scar on his face. She finally understood why thepany terminated their contract with the production of Blood Ties unterally and why they released an announcement online smearing her name. It was all because of Izabe.


    Izabe!


    She had seriously underestimated her, to the point that she could even get the newpany''s big boss under her thumb.


    How could someone be so shameless?


    Izabe trying to kick her out was a pipe dream!


    She stayed calm, her eyes darkly fixed on Izabe.


    Izabe was twirling a pen in her hand with such speed that it was almost a blur, which attracted Toby''s attention.


    Seeing Kristine in, she stopped and said, "Kristin, long time no see. How have you beentely?"


    "Thanks to you! I''ve been having a


    st." Kristin gritted her teeth, shot a nce at Toby, and said.


    ???¡¯


    sarcastically, "Izabe, I''m really envious of you. Brad, Casey, Brett, Nathaniel,you''ve got them all under your spell. And now you''re even


    sitting here. Aren''t you afven


    karma?"


    of


    Izabe smiled. "What does me sitting here have to do with them?"


    At this moment, the secretary brought in coffee, carefully cing it on the table for Izabe, "Ms. Salotti."


    Ms. Salotti? Was she calling Izabe?


    Was Izabe thepany''s CEO? Kristin wondered if she was hearing things or hallucinating.


    After serving the coffee, the secretary turned to leave, but Kristin blocked her way, saying, "Wait, isn''t he supposed to be the CEO?" She pointed at Toby.


    The secretary scoffed, "That''s Ms. Salotti''s bodyguard. You''re here every day, and you don''t even know who the CEO is?"


    Kristin not only didn''t know, she even thought Izabe was the CEO''s mistress.


    Kristin was stunned, with disbelief in her eyes.


    How could Izabe be the boss of thepany?


    It''s impossible. She knew everything


    about Izabe''s past. Izabe was just an ordinary country girl, with no money, no background, and not


    even a college degree. She didn''t et


    aplish much in the


    entertainment industry, was looked down upon, and couldn''t even stand up to her own agent. How could she possibly be the boss of apany and even casually buy out her


    formerpany?


    After realizing this, Kristin turned pale, her lips devoid of color. "Secretary Hansen, are you joking? How could Izabe be your boss?"


    Secretary Hansen said seriously, "Do I look like I''m joking?"Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    But Kristin still didn''t believe it.


    How could Izabe be the CEO of thepany? It was like a far-fetched story!


    It must be because she didn''t wake uppletely, was hallucinating, or was still dreaming.


    Kristin clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her palms, causing pain.


    She couldn''t ept this reality. Izabe was always her stepping stone, not even worth a hair on her head. But when did Izabe be so different?


    From the day Izabe started auditioning for the supporting role, it was like she became a different person.


    She''s always been reluctant to admit she can''t hold a candle to Izabe, but now she felt like a total clown. Kristin''s breaking out in a cold sweat, her eyes screaming panic.


    Izabe wa lounging in the boss''s


    chair, arms crossed over her chest, a


    smirk on her face. Despite being


    seated and hence physically lower than Kristin, the vibe she''s giving off still felt like she''s looking down on her. s?novel


    This scene sent Kristin into a tailspin, the memories she thought she had locked away flooding her mind in an instant.


    She stepped back. "Who are you?"


    This Izabe was reminding her of the "Izabe" who died in a fire three years ago.


    Almost forgotten, it''s been over seven years since Ms. Izabe, the one who used to rule The Salotti Group, exuded such a dominating presence, standing tall and proud.


    It made her envious and jealous, even to the point of wanting to take her downpletely!

 Chapter 431

    She indeed managed to bring down the once seemingly invincible Izabe with Brett''s help!


    But Kristin didn''t expect that she would relive those memories here.


    She shouted, "Who the hell are you? You''re not Izabe! No, you''re not the Izabe I knew! Who are you?"


    Everyone present, except for Izabe, didn''t understand Kristin''s words. Seeing her dazed, they thought she had gone mad.


    "I''m not the Izabe you knew, but are you still the same old Kristin?" Izabe paused, stood up, and slowly walked towards Kristin.


    Kristin turned pale, broke into a cold sweat, and even started shaking.


    "You didn''t die? You''re like me?" "like me" was referring to having stic surgery, but her secret investigation showed that Izabe never had stic surgery.


    So why had Izabe changed so drastically? Kristin waspletely clueless.


    If Izabe was pretending from the start, she couldn''t have been that convincing.


    Kristin suddenly thought of a strange possibility: "possession".


    If not for this, why would Brett and Nathaniel be drawn to her? Everything made sense now.


    No wonder she couldn''t beat her.


    By now, Kristin was convinced that this was Izabe, but she still couldn''t ept that Izabe owned the Maple Group.


    It seemed like God was ying a massive joke on her. Izabe was supposed to be dead, so why did God let here back?


    Izabe had nothing, so how could she achieve in such a short time what others couldn''t?


    Five minutes ago, she was considering how to negotiate with the CEO of the Maple Group, and five minutester, reality gave her a heavy blow.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The person she hated the most in her life was Izabe, but now Izabe was her boss, controlling her fate in the entertainment industry. It was undoubtedly a huge humiliation for her!


    Besides humiliation, Kristin also felt fear. She instinctively wanted to escape, but the security guard at the door blocked her way.


    "Izabe, what are you going to do?"


    "Secretary Hansen, leave and close the door. Toby, help me pin her down!" As soon as Izabe finished speaking, Toby immediately acted. He obeyed his employer''s orders and didn''t show mercy because Kristin was a woman, kicking her to the ground and immobilizing her.


    Seeing Izabe walking towards her with a fruit knife, Kristin trembled and said, "Izabe, what are you trying to do? This is illegal! You''re assaulting someone, and now you want to kill?"


    "You talk as if you didn''t ''kill'' me before?" Izabe yed with the knife in her hand, rubbing the de with her finger.


    Kristin was dressed as modestly as ever,pletely covered up, even wearing stockings under her long skirt. She crouched on the ground, the knife pointed at her forehead, watching Izabe in fear. Kristin was so scared that tears flowed freely, but she didn''t notice. All her attention was on the knife in Izabe''s hand, fearing that a careless move might blind her or disfigure her face.


    Looking at her face, Izabe felt displeased and gently tapped her rigid face with the knife.


    "You must have spent a lot on your stic surgery. Should I call you Kristin or Kaley Cot?"


    It had been a long time since anyone had called her that, reminding her of many terrible and unpleasant memories.


    Kristin felt like a fish thrown ashore, unable to resist, struggling to breathe, and making retching sounds.


    "Are you disgusted by your old name?"


    "No." Kristin panted. Since Izabe was back, she definitely couldn''t admit that she was Kaley.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about; I don''t know Kaley." She stammered, her eyes flickering, obviously lying.


    "Oh?" Izabe made a doubtful sound and looked at her. "You''re not Kaley?"


    "I''m not Kaley. Please let me go. I promise I won''t appear in front of you again." Her first reaction was to run away.


    As she finished speaking, the knife in Izabe''s hand changed direction. She lifted Kristin''s skirt and effortlessly sliced open her stockings.


    "Don''t!"


    Izabe stood up, stepped on Kristin''s ankle, and kicked off her shoes, revealing a pair of scarred feet with uneven toes. They looked ugly.


    This was why Kristin never wanted to show her feet.


    "Kaley, do I need to remind you how you hurt your feet?"


    Kristin didn''t know why Izabe knew the secret of her feet. Could it be that Brett told her? If Brett knew she wasn''t dead, Kristin didn''t dare to think further.


    Brett was always a vindictive person. He once locked her in a dog cage and tortured her, then threw her into the countryside to fend for herself. She was barely rescued and had a new life. She didn''t want to g back to the past.


    "Izabe, why do all the good things


    in the world belong to you? Weren''t you supposed to be dead? Why did youe back? I have nothing left. Can''t you let go of past grudges and spare me?" Kristin curled up on the ground, looking at Izabe through tearful eyes, trying to y the pity card to make Izabe let her go.


    "Your words make me sick. I don''t want to let you go. I want you to taste the vor of revenge."


    With that, Izabe pulled out her phone.


    Kristin caught on to what was happening in an instant. Her true identity and her ugly feet were supposed to be secrets, but now Izabe was threatening to expose her. Sure, she could legally terminate her contract with Izabe and pay some penalties, but if Izabe revealed her secrets, her career in the entertainment industry would be over.


    Thinking fast, Kristin''s heart was pounding. "You chose to marry Brett. How is this rted to me? Brett is the one who wronged you, not me. You died because of him, so if you want revenge, go find him." "Hold your horses. I won''t let them off the hook either. But for now, you''re first in line."


    With a look from Izabe, Toby knew what to do. He grabbed Kristin with one hand and threw her to the ground, exposing her ugly legs to the camera. Izabe quickly snapped a couple of pictures. But before she could get a clear shot, Kristin was already crawling away, screaming for help.


    "Still got the energy to crawl? Then let''s break your legs."


    Izabe''s words froze Kristin on the spot. She had never seen this terrifying side of Izabe, who seemed like a demon from hell.


    No, she was a demon from hell, because she had indeed died once.


    "Izabe, please spare me. I shouldn''t have betrayed you." Kristin tried to stand, but her legs were weak, and she kept falling back down.


    Upon Izabe''smand, Toby looked more menacing than ever. He positioned himself and kicked Kristin''s legs with full force.


    The sound of bones breaking was drowned out by Kristin''s screams. She rolled around in agony on the floor, tears and snot mixing with the cold sweat on her face.


    With that kick, she couldn''t just stand, and she couldn''t even move. She wouldn''t be able to recover for at least a hundred days.


    Merely breaking Kristin''s legs was a walk in the park, considering what she had done. Death wouldn''t even begin topensate!


    Watching Kristin curl up like a worm in the mud, Izabe tightly held a knife, reminiscing about the past and Niki''s death, her killing intent growing.


    She walked over, aiming the knife at Kristin''s neck. But just as she was about to bring down the knife, Casey''s face shed in her mind.


    "Izabe, don''t let these people dirty your hands."


    The de grazed past Kristin''s ear, embedding itself in the floor with a faint trace of blood on it.


    Kristin was so scared that her voice was gone and her pupils were shaking and contracting. She felt a burning sensation on her ear, but she didn''t even have the courage to touch it.


    A person at the peak of fear was like an old phone, with its memory full and the systemgging, taking a long time to react.


    Izabe''s face was expressionless, only her deep eyes were gloomy, blocking out all the light.


    "Do you know why I''m ranked second in the Salotti family, but everyone calls me the eldest daughter of the Salotti family? Because in the Salotti family, they only remember me. Do you know why they only remember me?" Izabe said sarcastically.


    Kristin''s face was ashen.


    Izabe slowly stood up, returned to her seat, cradling her coffee, and said to Kristin seriously, "I don''t even need to lift a finger and you''re under my foot, never to rise again. Toby, open the door and let the security throw her out, far away."


    Kristin waspletely speechless. She looked at Izabe''s face, but Brett''s face involuntarily emerged in her mind.


    After Kristin was taken away by security, Izabe began to check the photos she had taken, sipping her coffee and sorting through the data.


    Kristin didn''t need her to take action personally. Whether it was Brett or Nathaniel, their methods were even more ruthless. Wouldn''t it be better to leave them to deal with her? Especially Brett.


    She knew very well what kind of person Brett was. He once told her that what he hated most was betrayal, deception, and lies, and Kristin''s actions were exactly that.


    Brett once had murderous intentions towards Kristin, and he made her life unbearable.


    Kristin was lucky to escape from Brett''s clutches, but she seemed to enjoy causing trouble for herself. If that were the case, Brett wouldn''t mind helping her solve all her problems.


    Izabe sipped her half-finished coffee, forgetting to add sugar and leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She frowned slightly and put down the cup. She noticed that Toby had been staring at her, so she looked up and met his gaze.


    "Toby, do you have something to say to me?"


    "Nothing. I just thought about what I should teach you next." Izabe was small and physically weak, and she had passed the best age for training, so she was not suitable forbat training. But she had the potential to kill and her resolute and murderous aura was a clear sign that she had experienced life and death.

 Chapter 432

    "Did the Maple Group cklist Kristin just to back up Izabe?"


    "From what we''ve seen so far, Izabe is no better than Kristin. But she''s young and has been in the industry for less time. Maybe she''ll get more popr once her TV drama airs." "Look at Izabe. She''s already so popr, even though she''s getting mmed every day."


    "I can''t believe Izabe doesn''t have some big power backing her. Showbiz is tooplicated. How can a small-town girl keep her innocence?"


    "Inte trolls are at it again. They think they''re the moral police, just cause they have a mouth to run."


    "I''m actually okay with the Maple Group cklisting Kristin. Her fans are so extreme, they even encourage animal abuse. Kristin deserves to be punished!"


    "The Maple Group is way out of line to cklist artists left and right. All those years of hard work were down the drain. Aren''t they afraid of getting sued and having to pay damages?"


    Online opinions were all over the ce. One moment, people were saying the CEO of the Maple Group had lost his marbles for cklisting Kristin, who was their only cash cow. The next, there was some new scoop.


    Izabe was one to face challenges head-on. After getting hold of photos of Kristin''s legs and feet, she sent all the dirt she''d collected to a gossip ount.


    - Kristin''s real name was Kaley Cot.


    A lot of people didn''t know who Kaley was. It was not unusual for celebrities to change their names.


    But as the gossip unfolded, before and after pictures of Kristin''s stic surgery were revealed.


    First to be exposed were pictures of her foot missing toes.


    Kaley was first exposed for having ties with the Windham Group''s CEO Brett Windham. Three years ago at her engagement party, a lewd video of her with another man suddenly appeared on the big screen. With this lead, more and moreizens started digging deeper. Their collective power and insight were not to be underestimated. If they really started digging, they could uncover all of a person''s secrets. Then,izens exposed how Kaley became a homewrecker, how she sessfully reced the rightful wife, and how she schemed to have Bell Salotti take the me, and bribed the media to smear Bell Salotti.


    "Kristin''s foot makes me sick. Her fans have unique taste."


    "Look at this foot. Can Kristin''s fans still ept her?"


    "We shouldn''t call her Kristin anymore, but Kaley. I can''t believe she''s this ruthless. Not only was she the other woman, she was also seeing two men at the same time."


    "Has this showbiz news reached the upper crust? Didn''t Brett love his wife? Why did he marry Kaley after the divorce?"


    "Izabe was framed from the start. I can''t imagine how she endured all the attacks online. And all of this was orchestrated by Kristin."


    "I''ve seen shocking news, but nothing like this. Now I understand why the Maple Group cklisted Kristin. Her unchecked behavior deserves it."


    "Does anyone know how Kaley forced Brett''s ex-wife to leave?"


    "I got some juicy news. I used to be a nurse in a hospital in R City about six years ago. After Brett''s wife had a miscarriage and developed a mental disorder, Kristin told her in the ward that if she could have a baby, she would raise it. I''ve never seen a homewrecker so shameless."


    "Brett and Kristin are both evil. Brett''s not worthy of his ex-wife. Do you know who she is? Izabe. Not the current showbiz Izabe, but the Izabe who used to be the richestdy in R City, the youngdy of the Salotti family."


    "Why was there a mosaic on Kaley''s indecent video at the engagement party? I want to see the full HD version!"


    "Brett''s ex-wife''s name was Izabe? What a coincidence. Could this Izabe have any rtion to the deceased Izabe? Could it be that today''s Izabe also had stic surgery?"


    "They look somewhat alike, but it''s probably not. Brett''s ex-wife is dead, and this Izabe''s real name is Bell Salotti. There are records. Izabe is just her stage name."


    "Now I finally understand why Kristin has been targeting this Izabe. It''s because of her jealousy. She''s jealous of the Izabe in the past and the Izabe now. They both can easily overshadow her." Izabe sipped her coffee while looking at her phone.


    At this moment, she had gotten her revenge for "Bell Salotti", but things weren''t over yet.


    Kristin was taken care of. Now it was Nathaniel''s turn. She had said she wouldn''t let these people off. Izabe twirled the ring on her finger.


    News about Kristin''s scandal had spread like wildfire on the inte. Brad was shocked when he saw it, but also relieved. Now he understood what Izabe had meant.


    If they hadn''t terminated Kristin''s contract and forced her to finish filming the script, the drama might never have aired.


    He was also amazed at Izabe''s tactics and abilities. She was able to dig up so much on Kristin. No wonder Kristin would asionally freeze up and ask for a body double for leg shots.


    With all themotion online, Brett found out too. He couldn''t believe Kaley wasn''t dead. He couldn''t believe that she had been living under a new identity all this time, still hurting Izabe and even causing Niki''s death.


    He was kicking himself now, wondering why he didn''t go all out back then.


    Brett was fuming mad. Coughing a fit, his lungs were on fire when he spit out a mouthful of thick blood. He was used to the blood-spitting thing.


    "Used to" was a mighty word, it exined all the predicaments.


    Brett skillfully pulled out a tissue to wipe the blood from his mouth, went to the bathroom to rinse, and washed his face. Looking at his pale reflection in the mirror, he scowled, "Serves you right!" Screwing up someone else''s marriage was bound to bite you in the ass. His illness had stabilized these days, no more spitting blood. But after his call with Casey Dempsey, his condition red up again. Brett leaned against the cold wall, lost in memories.


    He was good to Kaley, patient and gentle, but he treated Izabe like dirt for four years.


    He drove Izabe tomit suicide by fire, but let Kaley, the one who wronged her, off the hook.


    Izabe was right.


    He was always making excuses for his cowardice. He was less than a cat.


    Today, Brett spit a lot of blood and couldn''t stop the bleeding. Medicine didn''t work. He covered his mouth with a wet towel, and swallowed the blood, his chest aching. The blood kept gushing out of his mouth. It even choked his throat, making him unable to swallow in time. His body was shaking like a leaf in autumn, the towel was soaked with blood.


    He came out of the bathroom, and couldn''t make it back to the couch. He copsed onto the carpet. Suddenly, he wanted to see Izabe, even just hearing her voice would do.


    Brett took his phone out of his


    pocket, and slowly moved it in front of his eyes. He selected Izabe''s number in the call log and dialed,


    Izabe''s number over and over


    again, but no matter how


    many


    times he tried, all he got was the


    cold automated prompt, like a cruel


    joke.


    If this was karma, did he regret it?


    Nope.


    He would still make that call to Casey and feed him a load of bull.


    If Casey didn''t believe Izabe and took his word, then Casey didn''t deserve Izabe.


    Brett took a breather and made a call, his voice hoarse withmand.


    "Take care of Kristin. Find out who''s behind her."


    After that, Izabe never heard from Kristin.


    Izabe thought that after dealing with Kristin, her identity in the Maple Group would be exposed. But there was no news, and everyone''s focus was still on Kristin. Netizens dug up a lot of old stuff. Izabe saw it once and felt sick, so she turned off her phone.


    She called Brad to continue filming. During breaks, she would text or call to check on Casey''s condition. After work, she''d go home and learn self-defense from Toby. She kept busy all day without idle time to think about anything else.


    A week passed, and Izabe finally finished all the filming.


    She had been filming for about two months.


    A surprise guest showed up at her wrap party. Izabe looked at the man sitting in the seat of honor - Nathaniel.


    "Why didn''t you tell me he wasing?" Izabe asked.


    Brad didn''t expect Nathaniel toe either. He was busy filming with Izabe these days, and the wrap party was arranged by the producer.


    "Nathaniel is an investor. No one


    would dare to stop him if he wanted toe," Brad said, holding his phone, "someone just posted in the group chat that your wrap party is arranged by him. Izabe, are you hiding something from me? What''s your rtionship with this Nathaniel? Is he chasing you and you''re not into him?"


    Fate? Bad fate. Rtionship? They were enemies.


    Izabe put on a gentle smile. "Mr. York, let''s go."


    She and Brad went to the main table. She didn''t know how the seating was arranged, but she was ced next to Nathaniel.


    People took their seats. Waiters were taking orders, asking if there were any dietary restrictions.


    Nathaniel looked at Izabe and said, "No chopped parsley."


    He knew she didn''t like chopped parsley.


    Since the cat abuse scandal, Nathaniel has locked himself in his room. He researched various drugs, trying to numb his unrealistic thoughts with busyness.


    But as the chaos on the inte grew, it was hard for Nathaniel to ignore.


    It wasn''t hard to find information about Izabe, soon he found out that the Maple Group was Izabe''s, and before that, Brett transferred eight hundred million to Izabe''s ount. Some people might not know, but as Brett''s enemy, he was well aware.


    The eight hundred million dors was the alimony Brett gave to Izabe when they divorced.


    Izabe and Bell Salotti were twopletely different people.


    The difference between them was like night and day. Bell Salotti could never be Izabe. She could try to learn Izabe''s manners and


    expressions, but she could neve


    learn the confidence and pride thate from Izabe''s bones, et alone run a billion-dor corporation, or even take over her formerpany.


    Izabe also bought a lot of stocks, all of which were rising. She had already made fifty million from an initial investment of ten million dors.


    The facts have proven that Bell Salotti has been reced by Izabe.


    When Izabe heard Nathaniel say no chopped parsley, she nced at him.


    She took out her phone and sent a message to Casey. "I finished filming today. Aren''t youing over?"


    Usually, Casey replied to her messages quickly, but today she sent two and Casey didn''t reply. Was he held up by something?


    Izabe propped her chin, her mood visibly down.


    Soon, the dishes were served. The waiter said with the tray, "Sir, here''s the dish you ordered without chopped parsley."


    Nathaniel took it and ced it next to Izabe. This scene caught everyone''s attention.


    "Mr. Krueger, you got it wrong."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Nathaniel retorted, "I didn''t mess up. This is yours. You don''t do chopped parsley."


    That''s just how people were sometimes. Even when they were clearly beaten by the facts, they still didn''t want to face the truth.


    With a sarcastic tone, Izabe said, "That''s Bell Salotti, but I''m Izabe." After saying that, she called out to a waiter, "Hey, can you get me something with chopped parsley? I love it." Izabe didn''t have any particr food aversions. She liked to add chopped parsley when she cooked, but Brett didn''t like it back in the day, so she stopped adding it to please him. Nathaniel''s eyes turned cold, and his mood seemed to be controlled by Izabe.


    Izabe reminded Nathaniel, "Mr. Krueger, do you remember what I told you before? Bell is long gone." Nathaniel remained silent. He quietly looked at the dish in front of him without any chopped parsley added.

 Chapter 433

    Bell couldn''t mimic the confidence and pride deeply ingrained in Izabe, but the unique gentleness Bell possessed was something Izabe couldn''t touch. Nathaniel found himself missing Bell again.


    He was puzzled. It was Bell''s face and Bell''s body, so why wasn''t it Bell anymore?


    This was Izabe. So where had Bell gone? Would shee back?


    In Nathaniel''s life, besides his mother, he had special feelings for two women, Izabe and Bell.


    He saw his mother''s shadow in Izabe because she too had dedicated her life to a man she loved.


    But his mother and Izabe were totally different. His mother was too fragile, like a woman who could only depend on a man, no matter how he treated her, she would obediently watch him and beg him.


    But Izabe was different. She could go from liking to disappointment, from disappointment to disgust. If she said she didn''t like Brett, she truly wouldn''t care about Brett anymore, she could even use suicide to get back at Brett.


    He admired the resilience in Izabe, yet he wanted to break it because that was what his mothercked.


    When Bell liked a man, she was like his mother, she was easily bullied. Even if the man gave her gentleness and dignity, it was all redundant.


    The time he spent with Bell was like taking care of a pet, and pets didn''t need dignity.


    Like a dog, if you gave it a bone and petted its head from time to time, it would be over the moon.


    That''s how he treated Bell. When he got used to it, he almost forgot she was a person, that she could feel pain and cry, and when she left, she could be as resolute as Izabe, not caring about him anymore. Nathaniel tasted the seasoning without the chopped parsley in front of him, the difference with or without it was not big.


    "When did youe back?" Nathaniel''s words were full of implications. The people at the table were busy eating, few noticed Nathaniel''s words.


    Nathaniel was asking Izabe. Izabe put down her fork and said, "Do you remember Bell''s birthday? That''s the day I came back."


    Bell''s birthday was easy to remember, it was on June 1st. Izabe came back that day, and Bell also passed away.


    "Are you sad?"


    Nathaniel shook his head, his expression silent.


    Izabe sneered, "You and Brett are alike, truly brothers. But you''re even more ruthless, Brett at least has regrets, but I can''t see your true thoughts. Don''t people like you, who treat love as a toy, fear never getting true love?"


    Nathaniel said sarcastically, "What''s the use of true love? Can it feed me?"


    "In the year Bell was with you, she cooked for you every day. Isn''t that proof of her genuine love for you?" Izabe''s words were gentle as water when soft, but when harsh, they were more painful than a knife in the heart.


    Nathaniel lost his appetite.


    Facing Nathaniel, Izabe also couldn''t eat anymore. Just then, a waiter came over and said, "Ms. Salotti, someone outside is looking for you."


    "Looking for me?" Izabe checked her phone and saw an unread message from Casey Dempsey.


    "Are you still eating? I''m waiting for you outside."


    Izabe suddenly stood up and said, "I''m going out to take a call." Then she hurriedly left.


    "Who''s she in such a hurry to meet?"


    "Must be a friend, right? Or could it be a boyfriend?" Everyone was joking.


    Brad took a sip of soup and thought to himself that it wasn''t a boyfriend, but a husband. Izabe went to meet her husband, how enviable.


    After making a call, Izabe saw Casey. His arm was bandaged, and the wound on his forehead had scabbed over, but he still looked incredibly handsome. "Have you eaten?" Izabe ran over to ask.


    "Not yet. I had booked a ce to celebrate for you, but I didn''t expect your crew to throw you a celebration dinner." Casey spoke carefully


    l.n


    because he had recently had a tooth extracted and wasn''t used toit yet, afraid Izabe would notice.


    But she did anyway.


    "What''s wrong with your teeth?" Izabe frowned and looked at his mouth.


    Was it because his mouth looked too much like Ryker''s that she noticed so quickly?


    Casey clenched his left hand and said, "I identally knocked it off."


    "How can you knock off a tooth?" Izabe went forward and touched his jaw. "Open your mouth and let me see."


    Casey awkwardly said, "Okay, I''ll tell you. My tooth wasn''t knocked off, it was extracted. I thought those two teeth affected my appearance and my acting, so I decided to have them extracted."


    "Do your teeth affect your acting?


    And they don''t affect yourCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    appearance." Izabe kept staring at


    his mouth, feeling that Casey wasn''t revealing his true thoughts, so she


    let go of her hand. "Then why did you only extract one?"


    Casey covered his mouth and exined, "Extracting teeth is too painful. I only extracted one. I''ll get the other er. After the extraction, I couldn''t eat. Look, I''ve lost weight."


    After getting hurt, Casey had to stick


    to nd food, and the list of stuff he had to avoid after having his tooth pulled was even longer. Plus, he couldn''t really eat anything, it hurt like hell every time anything touched his tooth.


    From the moment Izabeid eyes on Casey, she could tell he had lost weight. He was already pale as a ghost, but now that he was sick, he looked even more washed out under the lights.

 Chapter 434

    Izabe was no fool. She knew Casey was pulling a fast one on her. All his excuses about tooth extraction for a movie shoot or cosmetic purposes were in BS. She figured Casey had his reasons for keeping her in the dark and decided not to pry too much, though her curiosity often got the better of her.


    "If you''re afraid of the pain, maybe don''t go for the other tooth extraction."


    Casey''s hand, which was covering his mouth, stiffened instantly. He gave a slight smile and said, "Well, if I don''t do it, I''ll be all lopsided."


    Izabe quickly changed the subject, asking, "Where''s the ce you''ve arranged? I''ll go with you."


    "Right here."


    As Izabe turned around, she said, "I''ll just let the director know, wait for me here while I go grab my bag."


    "Sure." Casey watched as she walked away, his face darkened instantly as Nathaniel emerged from a corner.


    "Mr. Dempsey, long time no see." Nathaniel held a cigarette between his fingers, not lit, just twirling it around, giving off a casual vibe.


    "What are you doing here?" Casey''s attitude towards Nathaniel was as icy as it was towards Brett.


    "I''m one of the investors for this show, and I organized tonight''s celebration. Why wouldn''t I be here?" Nathaniel replied sarcastically, "Casey, aren''t you curious about my rtionship with Izabe?" "I couldn''t care less, can you leave?"


    Ignoring Casey''s cold response, Nathaniel went on, "Izabe used to be my lover."


    Casey''s face turned ashen, but he didn''t fly off the handle as Nathaniel had expected.


    "You mean Bell, your former lover who''s long gone?" Casey replied nonchntly.


    Nathaniel''s casual demeanor vanished instantly, reced by his usual cold front: "When did you find out?"


    "Before you, at least."


    So Brett knows too? Was he the only one out of the loop-thest one to find out Bell had be Izabe?


    Nathaniel''s emotions were all over the ce, he wasn''t sure whether to feel sad or angry.


    "Since you know about Izabe''s identity switch, you must also know about her past with Brett. Knowing all this, do you still have feelings for her?"


    As Nathaniel was talking, he noticed something off about Casey''s reaction. It seemed Casey hadn''t regained his memory yet.


    If he had, if he remembered how Izabe had endured 28 needles inserted into her fingertips to save him, he wouldn''t be acting this way over her past rtionship with Brett from three years ago.


    ncing behind him, Nathaniel continued, "Casey, you should be grateful you bear a resemnce to someone else. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have even had a chance with Izabe. You''re nothingpared to the dead man in Izabe''s heart, and you''re nothingpared to Brett. At least Brett had Izabe once, you''re just a shadow. I know her past better than you do."


    Before he could finish his sentence, Nathaniel was met with a punch to the face. Casey was so quick with his attack that it caught everyone off guard, even Brett.


    Nathaniel was taken aback by the sudden assault, and before he could even steady himself, Casey had him by the cor. Casey shoved him to the ground, straddled him, and began pummeling him. Each punch was aimed at Nathaniel''s face, like he wanted to beat him beyond recognition.


    Maybe it was Nathaniel''s timing, or maybe it was because what he said mirrored Brett''s words. Casey''s pent-up rage finally erupted.


    Seething with anger, Casey''s eyes were full of fury. He didn''t care who was watching. His punches were ruthless, leaving Nathaniel bloody, and no one dared to intervene.


    "Casey!"


    It was as if Casey was deaf to all sounds but his own rage. Suddenly, he felt a tug at his waist, causing him to stop in his tracks. He turned around stiffly to look at Izabe.


    It was strange. He was the one throwing punches, but when he saw Izabe, he felt an inexplicable sense of guilt. He choked back a sob, not wanting Izabe to notice, and quickly turned back around, letting go of Nathaniel and tossing him aside.


    Nathaniel looked quite a mess. His carefully styled hair was now disheveled, his face marred with injuries, and blood was trickling down the corner of his mouth. His tongue was lightly pressed against his mrs, failing to suppress the pain he was feeling.


    He couldn''t believe he had been beaten by Casey. He thought he could at least put up a fight against Brett, but Casey''s speed and strength exceeded Brett''s.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    He was diagnosed with an illness over a decade ago. If he hadn''t been sick, he could have been even stronger, right?


    Nathaniel tried to move his shoulders, limbs, and neck. Luckily, nothing was broken, but if Izabe had been a momentte, his hand might have been fractured.


    "Izabe, I don''t know if you choose your men blindfolded. They are all violent. Did you see what he did to me? I was beaten out of the blue. Stay away from this guy. If heys a hand on you one day, he might kill you with one punch." Nathaniel knew Izabe had a fear of domestic violence. She had been a victim before, and it took her a long time before she even considered getting married.


    He was hoping to y the pity card again in front of Izabe, but he forgot that Izabe wasn''t Bell. Bell genuinely had the hots for him, and she would worry sick if he got even a minor injury. But Izabe was a different story, even if he was on death''s door, she wouldn''t bat an eye.


    Casey, on the other hand, was feeling particrly on edge and scared. He knew Izabe had a distaste for violence. He was fretting over the thought of her leaving him because of his violent actions.


    He hung his head low, his hands tightly clenched together, like a student who''s messed up and is about to apologize to the teacher.


    Nathaniel continued the provocation: "He nearly knocked my teeth out."


    "He should''ve knocked you out cold." Izabe cut him off coldly, she didn''t even want to spare Nathaniel another nce. She then grabbed Casey''s left hand and started to head out.


    She had only gone in to grab her bag, and a fight broke out outside. She instantly knew Nathaniel was stirring the pot.


    Casey was led out silently by Izabe. He watched the back of her head, her angry demeanor, and their sped hands, he could tell she was pissed.


    "Be, are you angry? I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have."


    Izabe pulled Casey into a secluded corner. For the first time, she was questioning him with a serious tone.


    "Why did you start a fight?"


    "I..."


    Before Casey could utter a word,


    Izabe cut him off. "Have you forgotten that you''re still recovering from your injuries? Did you think the car ident didn''t do enough damage, and you wanted


    ? bred nea


    a


    few more bones? If Nathaniel said something that upset you, just ignore him. There were other people around, do you want to end up in the news? Your reckless behavior just worries those who care about you."


    "But I can''t ignore the things he said." Casey forced a bitter smile.


    Izabe just stared nkly at him, she could sense a hint of trembling in his voice, like he was suppressing something.


    Casey''s lips were slightly cut, a battle scar from his confrontation with Nathaniel. Izabe wanted to take a closer look at his wounded lips, but he dodged before she could touch him. "Izabe, do I look a lot like Ryker?"


    Izabe froze for a moment, some of her memories were being reawakened. She asked lightly, "How do you know about Ryker?"


    "Nathaniel and Brett both told me that you only see me as his substitute. I didn''t believe them until I saw this picture." Casey said as he took out a picture from his pocket and showed it to Izabe.


    "I didn''t realize I resembled him so much, even our teeth are identical. Izabe, let me ask you: if I didn''t look like him, would you even spare me a nce?"


    Izabe''s silence was the answer-she wouldn''t.


    In fact, Casey knew from the get-go. He didn''t know what he was hoping for. He initially wanted to keep this secret to himself, pretend he was oblivious, and continue ying the perfect stand-in. Then, he


    Izabe just liked him, that she would be so into him that she would stare at his face in a daze, text him back even when she was having meals, say goodnight to him every night, and think of him whenever she ran into trouble.


    narcissistically thought


    "How many times have you looked at me, but Ryker was the one in your mind?" Casey''s eyes were filled with confusion.


    "The first night you came to my


    house, we watched a movie together, and you suddenly leaned in and touched my lips. I was so happy then, and now I feel like such a fool. You were thinking of Ryker when you touched my lips. You were thinking of Ryker when you didn''t want to call my name. The name of the Maple Group was created for Ryker. I was such a fool, it took Brett and Nathaniel to point it out for me


    to realize."


    Casey''s body was icy cold. He felt numb, like he couldn''t feel the cold. He stared at Izabe and said, "Do you remember the first ce we met? It was at the airport. I felt something different in your gaze at that time, I thought you felt the same way as I did, that we had feelings for each other."


    The more he reminisced about the past, the more bitter his smile became. He was about to break.


    Izabe opened her mouth, but she felt like she was choking, this feeling was extending all the way to her heart. She never thought of Casey as a recement for Ryker; even though they looked simr, she couldn''t help but get close to him. It did have to do with his appearance; she wanted to confirm if he was Ryker.


    She once thought about leaving Casey and not getting close to him anymore, but as they spent more time together, he gradually filled her heart. Even if he wasn''t Ryker, it was okay.


    "Casey, I''ve never thought of you as his recement." Izabe didn''t admit it, but this made Casey''s heart turn cold. "But you didn''t deny what I said before, don''t you think of him when you look at my face? Izabe, I hope you can forget about Ryker and be with me; let''s get married. What do you say?"


    Izabe stared at Casey''s face, an image of a slender figure in a worn-out white t-shirt shed in her mind. If he wanted her to forget Ryker, that was impossible. She couldn''t do it, and she wouldn''t be able to do it.


    How could she forget Ryker, who decided to carry her home even when he was facing death?


    Izabe, in her light, long dress, felt the wind lift her dress. This sensation was unbearably heavy. The deep autumn was not as cold as winter, but Izabe was freezing-so cold that her teeth were chattering. She shook her head with difficulty, looking at Casey''s mouth. "Did you pull out your teeth because of Ryker?"


    "Yes."


    "Then why did you lie to me before, saying you pulled them out for acting?"


    "I never thought about deceiving you." Casey''s eyes welled up with tears, his voice choked and hoarse. "I don''t want to be his recement, nor do I want to leave you, so I pulled out my teeth, so when you look at my mouth, you wouldn''t think of him, right?"


    "Casey, I..."


    Izabe''s voice was so faint that Casey didn''t stop.


    "Izabe, I get jealous, I get upset, I''m scared you''ll get bored of me, and I hate being someone''s standby. But this week after the car ident, I''ve been hiding in my room every day, thinking about how I should approach you if I wasn''t his recement?"


    Izabe listened, dumbfounded. She and Casey had always been cautiously probing each other, and this was the first time Casey had confessed his feelings to her, and in such a heavy way.


    Casey said sadly, "I''ve never felt so small in my life. I''ve never done this before, never loved someone this deeply, and never cried so hopelessly. Izabe, you''re the first andst person I''ve loved this much. Can you choose me just once? I swear I''ll be better than Ryker, gentler than him."

 Chapter 435

    If Izabe wanted to fool him, to say that she didn''t remember Ryker or had forgotten about him, he''d totally buy it, hook, line, and sinker.


    But Izabe didn''t do that. She straight up told him the truth that she couldn''t forget Ryker.


    No one could know how scared Casey was at that time. He was a bundle of nerves, his jealousy was running wild and added to the adrenaline rush from the fight. He just couldn''t keep a lid on his emotions. Casey was afraid to face Izabe again. His sarcastic quips might wear down her patience, and she might give him the boot for good.


    Wiping away his tears, Casey immediately regretted his question after he had asked it. Comparing himself, a substitute, to the real deal and asking Izabe to make a choice, he was basically painting himself into a corner.


    He was scared to death of hearing Izabe reject him. He shoved the picture into Izabe''s hands, saying, "You don''t have to answer to that question. I''m sorry I''ve put you in a tight spot. I need to cool down." With that, Casey turned on his heels and left. Izabe clutched the picture in her hand, watching his hasty retreat. She couldn''t even call out to stop him.


    They were both all over the ce at that point. They really shouldn''t be together. Izabe thought to herself, with a touch of self-mockery, that she initially wanted Casey to keep herpany that day. Izabe was aplete mess as she was having a hard timeing to a decision. She was torn between missing Ryker and holding onto Casey. If she had topletely forget Ryker to be with Casey, should she distance herself from Casey?


    She screwed up. Maybe she shouldn''t have gotten close to Casey in the first ce so he wouldn''t have to be upset.


    Looking at the old picture in her hand, Ryker in the photo had a big smile, much like Casey''s.


    A tear fell onto the picture. Izabe gently wiped it off.


    She choked out, "Ryker, I met someone. He looks a lot like you, but he''s not you. He also bribes me with candy. I''m not allergic to the strawberry filling in the donuts anymore. I miss you a bit."


    Even if she somehow forgot about Ryker, who would forget that kid who bribed her with donuts, carried her home on his back, and gave her all the cookies in the orphanage when they grew up? From childhood to adulthood, even if she was a bit slow, Ryker never forgot about her. How could she forget him and let someone else rece him?


    She never wanted anyone to be a substitute for him because Ryker was unique, irreceable.


    And Casey didn''t need to rece anyone. He was his own person, unique in this world.


    Wiping away her tears, Izabe carefully put away the picture. She left in a hurry that time and hadn''t told Toby.


    She sent Toby a text saying that she would go back and then went to look for Casey. She wanted to exin things to him.


    Her brain, previously a mess, had finally caught on. Casey knew about Ryker; he thought he was a substitute, and it was all because of Brett and Nathaniel.


    They were trying to sabotage her rtionship with Casey to sow discord between them. But she wouldn''t dance to their tune.


    Just as Izabe was about to call


    Casey, she turned a corner and saw a car parked by the roadside. Nathaniel was in the car. The window was down, and he was on a call with someone. His expression darkened when he saw Izabe and then he hung up.


    Seeing Nathaniel there, Izabe was irritated. He was like a bad penny that just wouldn''t go away.


    That was definitely not a chance encounter. It could only mean that he had her under surveince. Even after Casey beat him up, he still had someone tailing them.


    Pure malice!


    Izabe instinctively took off running, but she was blocked by Nathaniel''s men after only a few steps.


    She nced around and saw seven


    or eight of them. They didn''t show up when Nathaniel was beat up..It seemed like Nathaniel did that on purpose to lower their guard and to misguide them.


    "Ms. Salotti, pleasee this way."


    Izabe twirled her ring then turned to face Nathaniel.


    Nathaniel gave a half-smile, signaled for his men to open the car door, got in, and motioned for Izabe to do the same.


    "Nathaniel, what the hell are you up to?"


    "You''ll find out what I''m up to soon enough. Are you getting in yourself, or do I have to tie you up and throw you in? Honestly, I don''t want to get physical with a woman." Izabe snorted, "Your idea of getting physical is pretty much a death sentence."


    Nathaniel''s expression was indifferent, but he had a mocking smile, "It seems like you know everything."


    "Of course, I do. I haven''t forgotten how you shot Ryker in the chest."


    She knew that in her past life, three years ago, that Nathaniel was the one who did that horrible thing.


    From the day she regained her memory, she started calling Nathaniel.


    The video of her being kidnapped, Nathaniel demanding Starry


    Brilliance Ind''s data, and his


    voice. She would never forget theContent property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    masked man whomitted such a


    heinous act that day, the demon.


    If she had any regrets in her past life, it was not being able to get revenge on Nathaniel. But this time, since fate gave her this chance, she wouldn''t let it slip through her fingers.


    "Do you want revenge? But," Nathaniel paused and then continued, "you''ll never be able to get revenge if you don''t get close to me."

 Chapter 436

    "Get in the car, Ms. Salotti."


    In a nutshell, Izabe was bundled into the car by Nathaniel''s men.


    "Would you rather hand over your phone yourself, or do I need to have you searched?" Nathaniel''s icy demeanor spread throughout the car.


    Izabe was backed into a corner. She couldn''t call for help from the people around her. Nathaniel was right about one thing: if she was too far away from him, she couldn''t get back at him.


    Izabe''s n to retaliate against Nathaniel couldn''t be easily executed. As she thought, she furrowed her brows slightly, her long eyshes curling up like butterfly wings. She emanated a coldness, like a sharp sword.


    Nathaniel didn''t give her much time to think. Izabe twirled the ring on her finger, her heart calming slightly. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and tossed it to Nathaniel, who handed it off to a subordinate outside the car and then ordered,


    "Drive."


    The car slowly took to the road. Nathaniel wasn''t worried in the slightest that Izabe would run away. He generously allowed her to take in the scenery outside the window.


    Counting the three years she lost her memory, it had been five years since she left R City. That year, after losing her memory, she was taken by Brett to J City, isted from her home, even in death, she couldn''t return.


    In five years, the overall image of R City had changedpletely, even the suburbs were filled with skyscrapers and the city was unrecognizable. After returning to R City, she spent her days buried in work, and with her unique identity, she rarely had the chance to go out and explore the city.


    At that time, sitting in Nathaniel''s car, she realized that R City had indeed changed a lot. The familiar routes seemed different; the buildings around her had all changed.


    The car was heading towards a more remote area. But Izabe found that ce familiar.


    "R City has changed a lot over the years, but doesn''t this ce seem familiar to you?"


    She was indeed familiar with that ce, familiar to the point that her heart raced. That was the ce where Nathaniel had tortured her five years ago; it was also where Ryker died.


    She clenched her hands on her knees tightly, but Nathaniel seemed oblivious to her anger.


    "Do you know where I dumped his body after I shot that idiot dead? Right in the sea nearby. If you behave well by my side, I might take you to pay respects to him when I''m in a good mood, to soothe his soul." Izabe was extremely angry, but she knew that she couldn''t express it at that moment. She lowered her head and tried her best to hide her expression. "Angry?"


    It was only then that Izabe raised her head. When she did, she wore a smile as if saying Nathaniel was nothing but a useless man.


    Nathaniel didn''t feel humiliated at all. He quite liked the rebellious spirit in Izabe. Only then would he feel the thrill of conquering.


    The car soon arrived at the ce. Izabe''s familiarity with that road was totally because of Bell''s memory. Nathaniel had built a tall building there.


    Bell was arranged to live there that year.


    Standing on the top floor, one could see the sea view. Bell had often stared into the distance. Even the most beautiful views became boring when they were seen too often. She stood there, contemting jumping from the top floor, but she never had the courage.


    Bell always yearned for freedom. Even though she was forced to be a double, she still held onto hope.


    Because of the memory of Bell, even if Izabe returned to that ce that once brought her unbearable pain, she wouldn''t be scared.


    The car slowly stopped, and Izabe stepped out of the car. Nathaniel walked ahead of her, saying casually, "Let''s go."


    Izabe followed him into the elevator and straight upstairs. The room''s decoration was primarily ck, white, and grey, making the already dim ce seem even darker.


    That was Nathaniel''s usual residence, and it was evident in the traces of his daily life.


    "I didn''t eat much at noon. Cook something for me, just like before," Nathanielmanded, not considering her feelings or desires. His domineering attitude was like Brett''s.


    However, Izabe had never actually cooked for him. It was only when Bell was with him that she would cook.


    Izabe didn''t refuse to obey his order. As she went to the kitchen, she surveyed her surroundings. There were no cameras and Nathaniel''s men were all downstairs. It was just the two of them there. That was a good opportunity for her to get back at him.


    Izabe opened the fridge, full of ingredients for cooking. She could tell Nathaniel had prepared them in advance.


    Izabe selected a few dishes that Bell used to cook often and started cooking.


    Nathaniel was not picky. He could eat anything she prepared for him.


    Izabe washed her hands and started by making soup. She washed and cut the vegetables, and when the soup was almost ready, she started cooking the rice.


    During that time, Izabe stayed in the kitchen at her own pace. Nathaniel was in the room behind her, and she could feel his gaze without turning around.


    Nathaniel opened a bottle of wine


    and sipped it as he watched her in the kitchen. He thought it would be nice if things could continue like


    that. He wanted to keep Izabe there Even though he knew that she wasn''t Bell, just looking at her face was enough for him to console


    himself.


    Why did he need to console himself? Even Nathaniel wasn''t sure. He felt that his life should be like this, like the sun rising and setting, the night turning into day, every day waiting for the sunrise of the next day Nathaniel drank his wine in silence. He felt a void in his heart as if something had been dug out. He admitted that he felt a bit lonely at that moment.


    She was quick and soon had the dishes ready and served on the table.


    "Dinner''s ready."


    Nathaniel put down his drink, washed his hands, and sat down at the table. His eyes, previously dull, lit up at the sight of the food spread out before him.


    Those were dishes that Bell used to make all the time, and they tasted exactly the same. Izabe ced the silverware in front of Nathaniel.


    Seeing Nathaniel gulp down the soup, Izabe gave a small smile and casually asked, "Tastes good, doesn''t it?"


    Nathaniel kept silent. He picked up his fork, the vors of the dishes all too familiar.


    He had just finished a bottle of wine, and he wasn''t sure if it was alcohol, but his head felt fuzzy. Thoughts shed through his mind too quickly to grasp. He pressed his hand to his head, even if it was shaking, he still insisted on finishing every dish in front of him.


    "You''re Bell, aren''t you? You''re just pretending to be her because I asked you to, right? You fooled everyone, but you can''t fool me. How could a different person make the food taste exactly the same? I''ve eaten her cooking for over 200 days, I remember the taste of her food."


    Nathaniel leaned against the table, trying to lift his hand to touch Izabe''s face, but his hand was shaking so badly that the figure in front of him became blurry, and he couldn''t reach her face no matter how hard he tried.


    Nathaniel looked pained, his entire being seeming fragile as if he would shatter at a touch at that moment.


    "Nathaniel, you''re drunk."


    "I''m not drunk."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    He drank regrly, how could one bottle of wine get him drunk? But why was his head spinning, and why couldn''t he see clearly?


    He croaked, "I just have a headache."


    Headaches were an old problem of his. Bell used to massage his head tofort him when he suffered from them. But at that moment, he was looking at the woman in front of him.


    Izabe yed with the ring on her finger, her lips moving slightly, "Why don''t you just drop dead."


    Those words didn''t sound like something Bell would say to him. She was timid and meek, always soft-spoken when facing him, even her breathing was barely audible. How could such a person suddenly change so much and curse him to die?


    Nathaniel tried to stand up, but his body was swaying, his legs gave out, and he ended up kneeling in front of Izabe.


    Izabe looked down at him from above, her voice echoing from above him, delivering a cruel fact, "Bell is dead." "She''s not dead. She must still be in there, otherwise, how could the food you make taste exactly like hers?"


    "That''s just her habit. Her habits are


    deeply ingrained in her memory. Even if her soul is gone, she still remembers your preferences," This was the bitter truth. Izabe was able to prepare those dishes thanks to Bell''s memory. She knew exactly which seasonings to use, how long to cook each dish. It was all habit.


    When Izabe finished speaking, a wave of indescribable sadness welled up in her, almost drowning her. She clutched at her chest.


    Bell had been gone for a long time, but her body still felt sadness in the face of Nathaniel.


    Nathaniel knelt on the ground, his body shaking uncontrobly. He spoke in pain, "I never thought she would die."


    "But you, Nathaniel, you''re the one who drove her to death," Izabe asked sarcastically, "Nathaniel, did you actually love her?"


    Nathaniel kept silent. He didn''t need to love someone, but he needed someone who loved him. The thought of being alone on a sickbed, swallowed by endless loneliness, was more painful than death. True love might not feed him, but it could give him a reason to live, to keep going forward.


    Nathaniel realized that toote. By the time he came to his senses, the person who truly loved him was already gone.


    "There will be no one to massage your head when it aches, to wait for you when youe homete, to prepare meals when you''re hungry, to think about your preferences every day, to try to make you happy That person is dead."


    "She isn''t dead!" Nathaniel copsed on the floor. He suddenly let out a cry, his face cold. It wasn''t until he tasted the salty tears that he realized he was crying.


    Izabe wasn''t frightened by his


    outburst, and she just watched him


    calmly, then slowly said, "The Bell you wanted is dead. When you used her, when you handed her over to someone else as a substitute, she died of heartbreak. When you abandoned her and treated her coldly she died of despair facing cyberbullying. Those 385 days she was with you; you slowly drove her to madness and to her death. She can''te back. Nathaniel, do you know how Bell died? She swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills, turned on the gas, andy quietly on the bed to die," Izabe stared at Nathaniel''s face with empty eyes, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails were digging into her flesh, and she was almost hurting herself in the process.


    Her previously calm emotions began to tremble, Izabe muttered, "Do you know how much she looked forward to the future, how much she wanted to live? You personally extinguished herst hope!"

 Chapter 437

    Nathaniel could only see Izabe''s lips moving. He could hear her voice, but it was as if her words didn''t fully sink in.


    Not until Izabe''s lips stopped moving did he realize that it was like thunder had drowned out everything else, leaving him deaf.


    Nathaniel, when would he ept that Bell was noting back?


    He kept asking himself this until his eyes stung, his nose felt raw, his throat was dry, and his chest ached.


    Bell once put all her hope in Nathaniel. She thought it was Nathaniel who saved her. The spark of hope in her heart was lit by Nathaniel, but it was also he who extinguished it.


    Most people know that they find it hard to make decisions when they get involved in emotional disputes. Nathaniel could see clearly when it involved others, but when it was his own emotional issues, he was blind to the truth.


    Nathaniel''s current confusion wasn''t due to drunkenness but the fact that Izabe had drugged his soup. The ring Toby gave her, which she wore on her index finger, had a small switch that contained powdered drugs, enough to make anyone powerless to resist.


    Now Nathaniel was confused, and Izabe found it odd that he hadn''t passed out yet.


    Nathaniel often studied drugs so that he might have built some resistance.


    Now he was in a dream, weak all over, unable to even stand.


    Listening to Izabe''s voice, his eyes filled with more and more tears. He tried to hold back the tears but couldn''t.


    He never thought that the weak Bell would choose suicide.


    She swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills and ended her life in a gas-filled room. How scared must she have been of continuing to live to choose two ways to end her life?


    He never wanted her to die. He used Bell as a substitute for Izabe just to make Brett suffer. He sent her away because he was scared, scared that he would fall in love with Bell, depend on Bell, and end up like Brett.


    He never thought Bell would die, but his indifference and disregard became the biggest cause of Bell''s death.


    Nathaniel hung his head, staring numbly at the floor, feeling a chill in his heart. The cold spread throughout his body with his blood, but the tears flowing from his eyes were as hot as fire.


    After his mother died, he never begged anyone again, but now he was kneeling on the ground, crying like a child who lost his favorite toy.


    "I wanted Bell, I wanted her to like me. You were not her. Gave her back to me. Why did you upy her body? Let Bell came back, please, let her came back. I wanted to apologize to her, I wanted to treat her well, and I will never use her as your substitute again."


    It turned out that not all apologies got responses, not all longing got answered, and not all mistakes had the chance to be redeemed. When he understood this, there was no longer a person named "Bell" in this world.


    Flowers always had a day to bloom again, but youth never returned.


    Everything had an oue, and this was the predicament he found himself in.


    Izabe felt as if her heart was pierced by a sharp needle, and the pain was unbearable. She covered her chest with her hand, telling herself everything would be okay. Look, Nathaniel got what he deserved. Izabe took a deep breath, crouched down, and looked straight at Nathaniel, "Nathaniel, what''s the use of you being upset here? Wasn''t it you who made her my substitute? Bell gave her life to bring me back and now it''s toote for you to want her back."


    Nathaniel struggled to lift his head. For a moment, he felt as if he was stuck in a quagmire, struggling in the mud, while Bell just stood in the dark watching coldly.


    Looking at the woman before him, his mind was filled with memories from a year ago.


    Back then, Bell hadn''t changed her name yet. He brought her here like keeping a pet, and Bell mistakenly thought she had found a home.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    She was careful and kind to him, smiled gently at him, and shyly told him she liked him.


    The day Bell left, she said that what''s given away can''t be taken back.


    He didn''t take it to heart because he clearly remembered that Bell whispered in his ear when he was drunk.


    "Nathaniel, I used all my strength to love you. I really liked you. I was so stupid. I was clearly a substitute, yet I still liked you so much."


    See, he always bullied her, threatened her, verbally humiliated her, and she still liked him so much. Howe what''s given away can''t be taken back?


    Nathaniel was so confident, thinking


    that Bell was just temporarily emotionally unstable. Once she had enough of the world''s indifference, she woulde back at his beck and call.


    But he never expected that when Bell left, she wouldn''t look back. She just disappeared from his world.


    Izabe stood up. She was not Bell,


    although she still carried Bell''s emotions. But seeing Nathaniel in such a pitiful state, her emotions


    didn''t waver. She even wanted tough.


    She raised her foot and stomped hard on Nathaniel''s head. With a loud bang, Nathaniel fell t on the floor, his face against the ground.


    Izabe picked up the cup of unfinished red wine on the table and poured it on Nathaniel''s face.


    "I have to congratte Bell, and she no longer revolves around you, and she finally gained her freedom." Nathaniel and Brett were the same kind of jerks, ying double-dutch with two women simultaneously.


    They loved thefort of home but also craved the freshness of women out there.


    Nathaniel did have feelings for both Izabe and Bell. In a nutshell, he''s into Izabe''s looks, but he fell for Bell''s soul. He''s all about himself, expecting the world to revolve around him.


    What a turn-off.


    Nathaniel always thought Bell was weak, but the weak one had always been him. He can''t even face his own feelings. Nathaniel was stomped by Izabe, his face drenched in wine, looking absolutely pitiful, like a beached fish gasping for life. His consciousness got blurry, and he eventually plunged into darkness.


    Seeing no reaction from the guy under her foot, Izabe gave him a couple more kicks. He looked like a lifeless fish. Izabe wandered around the room and found a chair in one room and a rope in some junk room.


    Nathaniel was a big guy, and moving


    him wasn''t exactly a piece of cake, but Izabe''s been working outtely. Her arms were getting muscr, so she managed to sit the unconscious Nathaniel on the chair and tied him up tight with the rope.


    Izabe nced at the sky outside, and it''s time for her to head home. It would be dark soon if she didn''t.


    The only way down was the elevator, but there was no button for going down.

 Chapter 438

    The elevator required iris recognition to work, and Nathaniel passed out. Once he came to, he wouldn''t let her leave. Even if she could get downstairs now, Nathaniel''s henchmen would be waiting for her. She couldn''t fight them off.


    At this point, she was like a bird trapped in a cage. Even if she could fly out, there were a million traps outside. Danger could strike at any moment.


    Izabe stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the shadows patrolling below, her hand on the window tightening.


    She returned to Nathaniel, removing his tie to bind his legs, and then began to check if he had a mobile phone.


    She wasn''t sure if he had seen thising, so he didn''t bring a phone from the start and no inte ormunication devices. She might be trapped here.


    She had two choices. One was to use Nathaniel as a hostage to escape, and the other was to wait for someone outside to save her.


    The second choice seemed more reliable. She had not gone back and had not contacted anyone, so Toby would definitely notice something was off.


    Her n now was to ensure her own safety, to make Nathaniel''s men not dare to do anything to her.


    Izabe looked at Nathaniel tied to the chair, her heart filled with rage. Her hatred for Nathaniel was no less than for Brett.


    Not only did he hurt her, but he also killed Ryker and ruined Bell.


    Izabe grabbed Nathaniel''s hair and forcibly lifted his head, her other hand mped around his neck. It seemed like she could kill him with just a little force.


    However, Izabe''s rationality was not swallowed by anger. If she killed Nathaniel now, then she really wouldn''t be able to escape.


    Izabe let go of Nathaniel. She turned around and sat on the couch, curling up, her head on her knees. In her heart, she thought, "Casey, I wish you coulde to save me now. Didn''t you say you''d be by my side when I needed you? When will youe?"


    Even though this ce had changed entirely, it still stirred up a lot of painful memories for her.


    After Casey and Izabe parted, Casey called the hotel suite he had reserved to cancel his order.


    He was injured and couldn''t drive, and he always needed a chauffeur. After he got away, he started to regret leaving Izabe alone there.


    But he also didn''t know how to face Izabe, so he called Toby to inquire about the situation.


    "Ms. Salotti called me, and she said she was going home first."


    "Oh, I see."


    Toby felt it was a bit odd but didn''t ask further. Knowing that Izabe had gone home, Casey felt a sense of unease.


    This unease continued until he got home, where he locked himself in his room.


    Bunny found it strange that he came home so early. Normally, Casey would be celebrating Izabe''s first sessful film. He even went to the set to pick her up, and he shouldn''t havee home so early. And seeing the person he liked, he should be happy when he returned, right? Why was he locked in his room?


    Ever since Casey had pulled out his tooth in private, Bunny didn''t dare to leave him alone in his room.


    She first had the maid check the situation, making sure Casey hadn''t brought any dangerous items into the room before she felt a little relieved.


    She walked to the door of Casey''s room, looked at the closed door, hesitated momentarily, then knocked.


    "Casey."


    There was no response from the room.


    Bunny knocked again. This time, Casey responded.


    "What was that?"


    "Can Ie in?"


    The room instantly quieted down. Bunny tried the doorknob and found it wasn''t locked, and she gently pushed the door open, seeing the curtains were not drawn, only a faint light from the edge of the curtains. The room was dim.


    As soon as she walked in, she saw Casey leaning against the head of the bed.


    "Casey."


    Casey''s head was down, and Bunny couldn''t see his expression. His phone was at his feet, and the screen showed Izabe''s contact information.


    It seemed the problem was with Izabe.


    Since the day Casey pulled out his tooth, she had noticed there was a problem between him and Izabe.


    Casey had always been indifferent, and he had always done as he pleased in the entertainment industry. Very few people could affect his mood.


    But he did something as drastic as pulling out a tooth because of Izabe, which she couldn''t understand what kind of conflict had urred between them.


    But it was a matter between the two of them, and she couldn''t interfere.


    "Weren''t you supposed to be celebrating Izabe''s sess at the hotel this afternoon? Howe you''re back so early?"


    Casey said in a low voice, "I didn''t go."


    "Did something happen between you two?"


    Casey didn''t answer.


    Bunny sighed. She crouched down on the floor, leaning against the bed, close to Casey.


    "Can you tell me what happened?" Bunny tried to get closer to Casey, but seeing that he didn''t resist, she reached out to stroke the back of his head, soothing him gently. Her touch was gentle, Casey''s heart softened, and he mumbled, "Mom, what would you do if Dad married you because you looked like his ex-girlfriend?"


    "He wouldn''t dare!" Bunny cut him off before he could finish, "If he did that, I''d make him regret it!"


    Beck Dempsey, far away, got the chills for no apparent reason. He looked at the dark sky outside the window, feeling like something bad was about to happen.


    Casey was startled by his mother''s words, and his guard temporarily lowered.


    "I was just asking. Take it as a metaphor."


    Bunny wasn''t a fool, and she understood the crux of the matter immediately.


    Casey didn''t like metaphors, especially when it came to the word "substitute."


    "Did Izabe treat you like her ex-boyfriend?" she asked.


    Casey stiffened.


    Bunny paused her hand, rubbing the back of her head, deep in thought, then said, "No way, my son is too good-looking to be someone''s stand-in. Do you have a picture of that guy?"


    "No."


    "Do you feel that Izabe liked you because you resemble her ex?"


    "It''s not a feeling, it''s a fact."


    "So where''s her ex now?" Bunny asked.


    "He''s dead," Casey simply replied.


    The atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy.


    "Do you still believe in this recement love? That was a new age. You''re caught in your own emotional mess, and you couldn''t think straight. Casey, do you really think Izabe was with you just because of another guy?"


    "Wasn''t that the truth?" Casey


    laughed sarcastically, "I always


    thought she liked me until I saw a picture of the guy she liked. I realized that she liked my smile. She stared at my face because I looked like him, not because I was Casey. I asked her today if she could forget about him and be with me, but she rejected me."


    Bunny frowned, stood up, opened the curtains, and turned on the light.


    "Casey, looked at me," Bunny said, standing in front of him.


    Casey looked up, surprised by the serious look on Bunny''s face, a first in his memory as if he had done something wrong.


    "You wanted Izabe to forget the guy in her heart and be with you? Wasn''t that forcing her? Let''s not discuss how that guy died, but his being in Izabe''s memory indicates his significance." Bunny crouched down, her hands gently cradling Casey''s face.


    "Forgetting was scarier than aging, and being forgotten was scarier than forgetting. If one day Izabe was gone, and I asked you to forget her, will you?"


    "How could Izabe be gone?" Casey quickly retorted.


    "We can''t control life and death. Who can guarantee to always stay by someone''s side? But Casey, even if someone dies, they can still live in someone else''s heart. You can''t stop someone from remembering another person. That''s just selfish."


    Casey stared nkly at Bunny, his eyes slowly turning red. He looked like a lost puppy.


    Bunnyughed and said, "As forText property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Izabe''s feelings, you don''t need to worry that she''s with you because of someone else. The day you had a car ident, she ran to the hospital to see you without even changing her costume and makeup. That was proof enough of your ce in her heart. You didn''t need to doubt yourself, and you were unique."


    Casey slowly rested his head on Bunny''sp. After a while, he softly replied.


    "You should be thankful to that guy. His kindness to Izabe gave you such a wonderful Izabe. And because of him, you could meet Izabe and stand by her side. You should remember the good things people do for you, not the bad. That way, you''ll live easier."


    "Mom," Casey called out.


    "What was that?"


    "Thank you."


    Bunny chuckled, gently patting Casey''s head, "If you had talked to me about this earlier, you wouldn''t have so many worries. Consider ita lesson. In the future, remember tomunicate more, don''t lock yourself up in your room, and don''t overthink. If I were like you, I don''t know how many times I would have divorced your father. You are enjoying a bright future."


    Casey nodded. Just like Bunny said, he tended to be indecisive and then isted himself, notmunicating. He just needed to think carefully. Izabe''s feelings for him were not entirely because of this guy named "Ryker."


    His rtionship with Izabe was built step by step. The image of Izabe taking care of him in the hospital and her concerned gaze, how could he suddenly forget that?


    He suddenly felt rxed. Casey grabbed his hair, and he was so foolish to just realize this now.


    Brett and Nathaniel were obviously jealous of his rtionship with Izabe. They wanted to break them apart, and he was stupid enough to almost fall for their deception! Bunny handed her phone to Casey, "Izabe was waiting for you. Call her then."


    "


    "Got it."


    Casey unlocked his phone, the screen still on Izabe''s number. He dialed it right away. The call rang for more than ten seconds, but no one answered.


    "Was Izabe busy?"


    "Maybe."


    What could she be busy with at that time? Casey checked the time, and it was four in the afternoon. Maybe she''s sleeping?


    Casey dialed again, but still no answer.


    "Was she angry at you?"


    Casey''s face turned serious instantly. He stood up, his eyes filled with anger.


    "Something happened to Izabe."


    Casey had a hunch. The first time he called, she didn''t pick up, maybe she was busy; but the second time, the call was directly hung up. That was not Izabe''s style.


    Her phone might not be with her.


    "Mom, I need some people to find Izabe. She might be in danger."


    Bunny''s face turned serious, too. That couldn''t be dyed. She immediately sent people to check and followed Casey to find Izabe.


    Casey wanted to check the signal information of Izabe''s phone, but the other party was obviously alert and turned off the phone.


    Sitting in the car, Casey felt both angry and anxious. If he hadn''t left Izabe then, she probably wouldn''t be in danger, and this was his negligence. Casey pped himself hard, and the p woke him up. He almost forgot about Toby.


    Toby was the bodyguard he introduced to Izabe, and his main job was to protect Izabe''s safety, he couldn''t be unprepared.


    Casey was a little hopeful. He called Toby and told him what happened.


    "Don''t worry, she won''t be in danger, and I have her location information."


    The location info was tucked away in the ring. As long as Izabe didn''t take it off, he can track her down.


    Toby didn''t beat around the bush, and he immediately dug up the location info, shot it over to Casey, and then they hightailed it over there.

 Chapter 439

    Izabe conducted a careful inspection of each room. She found that the French windows were rock-solid and unbreakable, but the windows inside the room could be opened. Even though she could climb out through the window, the height made it impossible for her to get down from there.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    It was about 26 feet from the window to the ground. One false move and a fall from that height could lead to serious injury or even disability. Moreover, there were eyes watching from below. Even if she jumped from the window, there was no guarantee that she could escape.


    The situation was looking pretty bleak. Her only option was to wait for Nathaniel to wake up and see if he was willing to help her escape.


    Izabe roamed the room in search of an escape route and found herself in ab filled with vials of potions in various colors. The strange colors of those potions were creepy and brought back some unpleasan memories for Izabe.


    She had tasted the agony those potions could inflict before.


    Izabe smashed all the vials she could find, and if she couldn''t, she at least broke the bottles. The room was filled with the sound of breaking ss, like an emotional outlet.


    She left a few syringes filled with some of them, not exactly knowing what was inside, but she was sure it wasn''t anything good.


    Nathaniel had a thing for those. They could cause extreme pain but were not lethal, making life a living hell.


    Looking at the state of the room, Izabe could only think of the tortured version of herself from the past.


    Izabe closed her eyes tightly. Nathaniel had brought her there, no doubt intending for her to relive her past tortures. But he certainly didn''t expect that he would be the one to fall first. Izabe didn''t know how long the effects of the substance in the ring wouldst, or whether it could wake him up.


    Standing over Nathaniel, her eyshes fluttering, she gently lifted his chin with her index finger.


    After she had loosened his tie, his cor fell open, revealing arge portion of his neck. She felt his carotid artery and traced it down to his arm. Sheughed. Indeed, no one''s luck couldst forever. Izabe carefully observed the changes in Nathaniel''s body. It was probably the same thing he used to torture her with.


    After a few seconds, she heard a groan from Nathaniel, followed by ayer of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.


    His eyelids twitched but remained closed as if he was trapped in a nightmare and he couldn''t wake up from it even if he tried.


    Izabe fetched a bucket of cold water from the kitchen and threw it over Nathaniel.


    The chilly autumn temperature made the water shockingly cold. Nathaniel struggled and opened his eyes, which were bloodshot and looked horrific.


    Upon waking up, he felt severe pain in his left arm, like it was drained and weak. Along with that came a throbbing headache as if there was a balloon inside his head, constantly expanding, ready to burst at any moment.


    Nathaniel took a deep breath. The pain was familiar. With his head drooping, he scanned the floor. Hisughter started from a whisper and grew louder. He wasughing while his body was shaking.


    Izabe discarded the bucket and stood in front of Nathaniel.


    "I want out," She firmly dered.


    Nathaniel didn''t seem to hear her. He was stillughing. He probably never thought that what he did to Izabe woulde back to haunt him, that their roles would be


    reversed, and he would be thye


    getting tortured.


    Looking up at Izabe, enduring the pain, he gritted his teeth and said, "Izabe, when you chose to take revenge on Brett in that way three years ago, I felt sorry for you.


    Because I thought you were like me,


    good.


    at pretending, looking innocent but inside, you''re ruthless. How does it feel to experience an unprecedented pleasure?"


    "Don''t lump me together with you, it disgusts me you tortured me because you couldn''t deal with Brett. Rather than you couldn''t deal with Brett, it''s more urate to say that you didn''t have the capacity to fight him became the sacrificial amb to your ipetence, and now I''m simply returning the pain you inflicted on me,"


    As Izabe talked, she approached Nathaniel.


    She switched ces with him, but her movements were graceful.


    She had only changed her soul, her appearance remained the same, but somehow, she was bing more and more beautiful. She had reached the pinnacle of the beauty she used to possess as Bell Salotti.


    Especially at that moment, when she smiled, her beauty was unparalleled. But her raven-ck eyshes were filled with menacing aura.


    Walking from in front of Nathaniel to behind him, she pinched his finger and tauntingly said, "Let''s y a game, shall we?"

 Chapter 440

    Izabe quietly circled around Nathaniel, crouched down, and held his hand.


    Nathaniel''s hand was bony, with a thinyer of callus on his fingertips. Izabe looked at his ten fingers as if she was carefully picking food. In the end, she fixed her eyes on Nathaniel''s left index finger. "Now I give you two options. First, you open the elevator and let me go, and I''ll spare you. Second, I promise you''ll wish you were dead today."


    Nathaniel closed his eyes and kept silent.


    Izabe had expected that oue, but she still chuckled, "Looks like you don''t want to let me go."


    With that, Izabe pointed the needle of the syringe at his index fingernail.


    That kind of pain would be enough for him to remember for a lifetime. Izabe''s hand was shaking a bit, but she still injected the drug into his body as she was determined.


    Nathaniel only groaned, his hand began to struggle and shake unconsciously.


    "Did you ever think that one day these drugs would be used on you when you were researching them?"


    The original Izabe was in much more pain than what he was suffering at that moment. Twenty-eight small steel needles, just thinking about it gave one the creeps.


    The stimting drug spread throughout his body from his fingers. Nathaniel could bear the pain, but he couldn''t control his body''s reactions. He was sweating like a pig and tears overflowed from the corners of his eyes.


    Izabe wasn''t Nathaniel. She didn''t take pleasure in that process, nor did she feel joy after taking revenge. Time had already blunted the sharpness of hatred. Only when she thought of Ryker Dempsey, the fiery feeling would reignite.


    "Does it hurt?" Izabe teasingly asked.


    Nathaniel lifted his head, his throat moving up and down. After a while, he gritted his teeth and said venomously, "Don''t talk to me in Bell''s voice." Nathaniel kept his eyes closed. Even knowing that the person in front of him was Izabe, he didn''t want to see the hatred for him on Bell''s face.


    "Is that all the pain tolerance you have?" Izabe''s tone at that moment was very simr to Nathaniel''s when he was torturing her.


    "You should know that Bell endured your mental abuse for two years. After leaving you, she faced the world''s nder. You probably don''t know, but Bell was already severely depressed when she was with you."


    "She was depressed?" His voice was weak and feeble. Nathaniel''s eyshes trembled, then he finally opened his eyes. His pupils contracted slightly, and his tears shone under the light.


    The drug Izabe had injected into his body was already taking effect. His body felt like it was being torn apart, but no physical pain couldpare to the pain in his heart.


    "You said Bell was depressed when she was with me?"


    Strictly speaking, Bell''s depression was only diagnosed after she had left Nathaniel.


    The mental pressure Nathaniel put on her was huge. After leaving him, she had to face the pressure from thepany and the insults on the inte. All of those were the reasons that killed her.


    But Nathaniel didn''t believe Izabe''s words as he retorted, "Impossible. There were no signs of depression when she was with me. If she was depressed, why didn''t she tell me?"


    "You treated her like a substitute. You humiliated her. Did you care about whether she was depressed; did you care about her feelings? People like you, who treat others as toys and y with them at will, don''t need to talk about self-esteem and feelings, right?"


    Izabe thought of Bell''s depression medical report in the closet, and she felt extremely sad.


    Bell only had an examination. After being diagnosed with severe depression, she never went to the hospital again.


    Bell didn''t have any personal


    savings. Depression was a hassle to treat, and she also didn''t have any money to treat it. That was a


    disease that poor people could


    afford to have. Rather than living in pain, it was better to die peacefully, Which eventually was her choice.


    Nathaniel''s nerves were somewhat confused under the effect of the drug.


    Izabe pushed the chair to the elevator door, tried the distance and position, and could unlock the person''s pupils, then lifted Nathaniel''s head.


    Nathaniel was aware of that and closed his eyes.


    "You still don''t want me to go, even at this point."


    "I was just thinking, would Belle back if you died?"


    "What difference would it make if she came back?"


    "I''m sorry."


    Izabe didn''t expect to hear that from Nathaniel. She always thought that people like him were too proud to apologize for their mistakes.


    "What Bellcked was not your ''I''m


    sorry'', and besides, how much is


    your apology worth? You are a


    in


    person who doesn''t even believe sincerity. How sincere can an ''I''m sorry from you be?" Izabe''s expression slowly hardened She didn''t want to waste more time on Nathaniel.


    It was already getting dark outside, and it would not be good for her to leave toote.


    Izabe clenched the syringe in her hand and


    I have to do


    all I is


    neck, "aimed it at Nathaniel''s pierce your carotid artery "ply a


    little force, and this needle can


    should know how painful that would be wonder if it would be worse than the five drugs you used on me."


    Nathaniel nced at the drug in Izabe''s hand, the eerie green color. This drug was an upgraded version and hadn''t been tested yet.


    But looking at the dosage, he figured out that it could easily cause brain death.


    "There''s amunicator in the room. You can call my people," Nathaniel''s voice was weak, "I can''t see clearly now, my pupils can''t focus, so the elevator door can''t be opened by them."Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Where is it?"


    "It''s in the room where these drugs are stored, in the drawer under theb table."


    Izabe let go of him, turned around, went back, found themunicator in that drawer, and then returned to the elevator entrance.


    She contacted Nathaniel''s people.


    "Nathaniel is now my hostage. If you want him to be safe, open the elevator door and prepare a car," Izabe pushed Nathaniel to the floor-to-ceiling window. After saying that, she indeed saw people looking up in her direction.


    Whether they could see them or not, Izabe kept the syringe aimed at Nathaniel''s neck.


    She had got balls that Bell could never muster up in a million years. In fact, looking at them at that point, they were nothing alike. Even their looks didn''t seem simr after a while. Why on earth did he want Bel to rece Izabe in the first ce?


    Just then, a loud noise suddenly came from outside. Izabe saw the leaves on the trees shaking. She looked up and saw a helicopter slowly approaching the building.

 Chapter 441

    Izabe nced out the window. Despite the soundproofing in the room, the outside noise was still audible. A helicopter was slowly approaching the skyscraper, preparing tond on the roof.


    The inte was left on, and the voices of Nathaniel''s men could be heard through the static, "Mr. Krueger, we''ve got intruders."


    Nathaniel was too worn out to respond. He was using all his energy to fight the pain caused by the drugs. He strained to open his eyes and look outside the window.


    "They found you already. You think it''s Casey or Brett who''sing for you this time?"


    Nathaniel didn''t get an answer. He just chuckled weakly, catching his breath, and continued, "I bet it''s Brett. After all, when I took you away, Casey had just stormed out after a fight with you. He''s probably still steamed. No time toe looking for you."


    "Izabe, you say I''m a bad guy, using people like disposable toys. But you are the same as me, ying with Casey''s feelings, using him as a stand-in for that idiot."


    "No." Izabe cut him off, "I know exactly who I like. I''ve never used anyone as a substitute for anyone else."


    "So, you''re saying you''re into Casey?"


    Izabe didn''t answer him, but her eyes said it all. They were brighter than ever.


    A loud crash interrupted their exchange. The sound came from within the room, like the shattering of ss, fragments hitting the floor.


    Izabe stood behind Nathaniel, a syringe in her hand aimed at his neck, warily watching the room. She wasn''t sure who''d barge in. As the footsteps got closer, she saw someone emerge from the room. Her heart sank as she saw the face. It wasn''t Casey.


    Nathaniel chuckled, "Told you it was Brett."


    Brett, in his shirt, with dishevelled hair and cor, looked more haggard than usual. His eyes showed anxiety, only easing slightly when he saw Izabe.


    "Izabe, are you okay?"


    "President Windham, please don''t worry about me. I''m fine."


    "I came to rescue you."


    "I don''t need your rescue." Izabe was as cold as ever, guarded up like always.


    She didn''t need Brett to rescue her. She could handle herself just fine.


    Brett''s arrival only stirred up unpleasant memories. What difference would it make if he was here?


    Something came to Izabe''s mind. She asked calmly and coldly, "How did you know I was here? Have you been tailing me?"


    "I haven''t been trailing you. I knew you were here because I''ve been keeping tabs on Nathaniel. That''s how I knew he brought you here," Brett exined. He remembered the scene five years ago when he failed to rescue Izabe from Nathaniel, resulting in her severe injury. He vowed never to let it happen again.


    Seeing Izabe safe, Brett felt a bit relieved. However, Izabe''s cold gaze made him feel an indescribable pressure.


    "Come with me." Brett reached out to Izabe.


    But Izabe didn''t take his hand. Instead, she backed away with Nathaniel, "What''s the difference between going from Nathaniel to you? Haven''t I told you to keep your distance, Brett?" Nathaniel joined in, "See these scars on me? That''s what you will get."


    If Brett still considered Izabe as the easily deceived girl from the past, he was sorely mistaken.


    In these few hours, he finally understood. Izabe wasn''t that pushover anymore.


    "Can''t I even love you, want to be good to you, Izabe?" Brett asked incredulously.


    Izabeughed, "You can choose to like someone, to be good to them. But I have the right to reject you. You can''t force your feelings on me."


    Brett''s heart clenched, "What about Casey? Can you ept his feelings? Where is he now, after you disappeared for so long? Are you still hoping he''ll find you?"


    "You''ve no right to mention him." Izabe said calmly, "I told you I don''t need anyone to find me. Speaking of Casey, did you tell him that I''m using him as a substitute?"


    When Izabe fell silent, her quietness could be misleading, making her seem weak and helpless. However, when she dropped the pretence, she showed another side-cool, decisive, resolved. Brett was taken aback by Izabe''s words. He moved towards her.


    "If he truly loves you, trusts you, he wouldn''t back out because of a word or two from an outsider like me. Bottom line, he doesn''t truly love you. Izabe, I''ve told you, no one can love you more than I do. I knew you before Casey, I know your past better, and I know how to make it up to you."


    Izabe gave a faint smile, seemingly calm, but her hand holding the syringe was trembling. If she could, she would inject the fluid in her hand into Brett''s brain.


    "You would know my past because you''re the one who caused all my pain. How could you not know? The ones who love me either die or get chased away by you. Brett, how dare you say you love me more than anyone else in this world?"


    The tension hit a peak, and then the inte crackled again.


    "Mr. Krueger, we''re shing with a group. We''re short-handed. Someone''s on the way up the elevator."


    The walkie-talkie was sputtering, but it was clear enough. Izabe and Nathaniel both turned to look at Brett.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Seeing Brett''s slight change of expression, they inferred that the group causing the ruckus wasn''t his doing. Then who could it be?


    Suddenly, a bright light shot through the window, directly hitting Izabe. She squinted her eyes and after the light faded, she saw a familiar figure among the group below.


    It was Toby.


    Toby used to be the Dempsey family''s bodyguard,ter introduced to her by Casey. If he''s here, could Casey be here too?


    Just then, the elevator door opened. Izabe turned her head in disbelief to see a tall figure walking out and towards her. She let her guard down, dropping the syringe she had aimed at Nathaniel''s neck. She just stared, hearing only her own nervous breathing.


    As Casey approached, Izabe widened her eyes, staring at him.


    From the moment he stepped off the elevator, Casey only had eyes for Izabe, ignoring the others.


    Standing next to Izabe, his voice was hoarse, "Sorry, I came a littlete."


    Izabe replied in a sobbing tone. She wanted to run towards Casey, but her legs were so tense that she could barely move.


    Casey took a deep breath, walked over to Izabe, took her cold hand, and then looked coldly at Brett and Nathaniel, who he deemed non-threatening.


    He said, "Brett, I won''t let you sabotage our rtionship. I like Izabe, the old her before we met, the her now, I like her, even if I''m just a stand-in. That''s my answer."


    Brett clenched his fist, "Even if she''s been married before, been pregnant, you still like her?"


    "Yes, willingly."


    "Willingly", a humble word for some, representing much heartache and sacrifice.


    Casey''s affection was like fireflies in summer, not noticeable at first, but once umted, it shone like a starry sky, the most beautiful and unignorable existence in the dark night. Brett''s gaze blurred as he had to admit defeat. He thought Casey would leave Izabe, he thought he would be the first to rescue Izabe. He found Izabe first, but he couldn''t take her away. Crouching in front of Izabe, Casey said, "Your legs are numb, you can''t walk, right? I''ll carry you home."


    Izabe''s body rxed, she flung herself at him, hugging him tightly, her face against his solid shoulder, "How did you get up here?"


    Izabe was slender, he could easily hold her with one hand. Casey handed him the elevator card.


    "I''ve arranged for people to take control of the situation downstairs. We can leave here safely."


    Izabe whispered an acknowledgement, took the elevator card, and activated the elevator to go down.


    "How did you know I was here?"


    "I tried calling you but couldn''t get through, so I guessed you might be in trouble. I contacted Toby, he told me that your ring had a tracking device, so I found you."


    "Aren''t you mad anymore?" Izabe asked.


    "Why would I be mad?"


    Izabe leaned against his back, whispering, "still can''t forget Ryker. I admit that I first approached you because of him, I mistook you for him. Casey, I don''t want to lie to you. I can''t forget him, and maybe in the future, every time I see you can''t help but think of Ryker."


    "It''s normal to not forget, everyone has someone they can''t forget in their hearts. I''m willing to be your protector." Casey tightened his hold on Izabe''s hand, as if he was going to protect her for a lifetime.

 Chapter 442

    Casey stepped outside to check out the helicopter parked up, saying with a sense of awe, "If I''d known, I would have rocked up in a helicopter too. How cool would that be?" His remark made Izabe chuckle, "I don''t like helicopters, I prefer you carrying me."


    Izabe was pressed against his back, her breath and warmth seeping into him. Her words and exhales tickling his ear, causing Casey to duck his head and his earlobes to flush red. "I''ll carry you home, anytime you want me to."


    Izabe yfully pinched his ear, noticing how hot it was. She''d always wanted to do that, and now she finally could.


    "Why is your ear so hot?"


    "Really?"


    "Yes, it''s so hot it''s warming my hand." Izabe buried her face in his shoulder, inhaling his scent.


    His unique minty smell.


    Only then did she fully rx, her tense nerves and body unwinding.


    She still felt jittery. After all, this ce stirred up too many painful memories, including those of Ryker.


    The gunshot that tore through Ryker''s chest seemed to echo from just yesterday, leaving her emotions in turmoil.


    Ever since she arrived, her nerves had been on edge. Even after sessfully drugging and binding Nathaniel, she still had to tread carefully.


    Nathaniel was the type who wouldn''t quit until he achieved his goal. If cornered, he might take her down with him. She didn''t dare take that risk.


    When Brett showed up, she feared he would force her to leave with him. Drugging Nathaniel was pure luck and his carelessness. But using the same trick on Brett was unlikely. Brett imed he would make up for her loss, that he wouldn''t hurt her, but who could be sure?


    She had been fooled once and wouldn''t let herself fall into the same trap.


    Especially since Brett had held her lifeless body and promised to let her go if she woke up. But when she did return, he didn''t keep his word.


    Brett''s promises were unreliable.


    She had made it clear that she would never trust him again.


    She had used death to see the real him. What she feared wasn''t death or pain, nor wounds reopening. She feared repeating her mistakes, easily trusting someone, making the same mistake. "Casey, I want to go see the beach."


    "Sure, I''ll take you there."


    Nathaniel''s men had already been dealt with by Casey''s crew. As for the rest, Casey left it to Toby. He carried Izabe to the car, gently setting her in the passenger seat and buckling her in. When Izabe heard the sound of the waves, she tapped on the window, "Pull over here. I want to go over there alone."


    "Don''t you want me toe with you?"


    Izabe gently shook her head, "I''ll be back soon."


    "Alright, I''ll wait here for you." Casey watched as Izabe got out of the car and walked away. He expected her to disappear from sight like usual, but to his surprise, she turned around after a few steps. Their eyes met in the open air. Izabe stood in the autumn dusk, the cool breeze gently ying with her hair. Her gaze was still distant, but it softened the moment she locked eyes with Casey. The person who once seemed out of reach now seemed within grasp.


    Izabe gave a small smile and headed towards the coast. The wind was strong by the sea, a constant whooshing in her ears. Izabe, in heels, stumbled on the rocks. She pulled out a picture of Ryker from her jacket.


    Looking out at the vast sea, she didn''t want to cry, but the harsh sea breeze stung her eyes, causing a tear to fall onto the photo.


    The sea wind felt like it was prating her, making her already cool body chill.


    Nathaniel had said Ryker''s body was dumped in this sea, his remains scattered.


    Izabe took a deep, shaky breath, her throat tightening. She balled her hand into a fist near her mouth and yelled, "Ryker- She called out to him, then tried to smile at the sea.


    "


    "Ryker, I''m doing well now. I listened to you, I don''t like Brett anymore. You were right, Brett isn''t worth liking. I''ve found someone who truly deserves my love. He''s great and he''s a lot like you, just as gentle. When I take my meds, he knows I hate the taste and always has candies ready."


    Izabe smiled, her face growing colder as her cheeks got wet with tears.


    Izabe sniffled, her voice choked with emotion, "He''s not like Brett. He respects me, believes in me, and always shows up when I''m most vulnerable. He carried me here today. His shoulders are as sturdy as yours, they make me feel safe."


    She sounded like a child excitedly bragging about a teacher''s praise.


    Izabe''s teary eyes were brighter than ever.


    "I like him because he''s him, not because he looks like you."


    Tears blurred her vision, the sea wind making her eyes sting. She had to squint and take it slow. Once she calmed down, her mind had the chance to recall the past.


    -"Cry Baby, don''t cry. I can''t carry you home this time."


    -"Here''s a donut for you."


    -"Do you have any cookies? I''ll give you all of mine."


    -"Can I call you Be?"


    -"Be, this time you have to find your way home on your own."


    "Ryker," Izabe croaked, her voice choked with emotion, "I''m not allergic to strawberry donuts anymore. I can eat a lot of them. I''ve also found someone who can take me home. I''m happy, really happy. You should be happy too."


    The biting sea wind suddenly gentled, lightly drying the tears on Izabe''s face. Izabe rubbed her eyes, put the photo back in her jacket, and slowly turned to leave.


    Casey was leaning against the car, his gaze fixed on Izabe. The moment she returned, his eyes found her.


    Izabe watched him from afar, his eyes twinkling like starlight. He smiled, appearing very gentle.


    He was tall and well-built.


    Just as Izabe stopped, Casey approached her. Without asking any questions, he delicately wiped away the tear stains on her face with a tissue.


    "Don''t you want to know what I was doing?"


    Casey shook his head. "If you want to tell me, I''ll listen. If you don''t want to, I won''t ask."


    Izabe lifted her head, one hand clutching the hand Casey held the tissue in.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Ryker died here, and his body was dumped at sea."


    Casey noticeably stiffened.


    Izabe''s voice still raspy from crying, she spoke in a low tone, "I just went to see ''him'', had a long talk. I told him that I met someone I really like, someone who can take me home."


    Casey''s heartbeat quickened, as if a


    herd of elephants were stampeding in his chest. He could hardly control himself, his blood pumping furiously. His eyes zed with intensity as he stared at Izabe, his body growing weak from excessive excitement.


    His ears twitched, his face flushed. "The person you like is, is...." He dared not continue, fearing he would misinterpret Izabe''s words.


    "Silly." Izabe''s eyes still glistened


    with tears, she broke into augh unable to resist pinching Casey''s ear, "The one I like is Casey, only you it''s not about anyone else, it''s only because you''re you, got it?"


    Casey''s mind was a whirl, but he couldn''t help but smile, a satisfied expression spreading across his face, "What kind of like do you mean?"


    "Probably," Izabe said seriously, "the kind where I want to marry you."


    Excited, Casey couldn''t help but pull Izabe into a tight embrace, his jaw pressed against her ear.


    "Izabe."


    "Mhm."


    "Izabe."


    "I''m here."


    "Be."


    "I''m here."


    Each time he called her name, she replied.


    "I love you."


    Listening to Casey''s rapid heartbeat, Izabe replied, "Me too."


    Only when both parties give their all does love have meaning. He had waited for Izabe for so long, and finally, he received her clear response.


    Casey looked intently at Izabe, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other slipping under her legs, lifting her up in a bridal carry.


    "Let''s go home."


    "Let''s go home together."


    Once in the car, Casey couldn''t hide his excitement. As soon as he started driving, he floored the gas pedal, frequently stalling the car - he had never been this embarrassed before.


    "I feel like I''m dreaming."


    Seeing him act so happy and excited, Izabe rolled down the window letting in the cool breeze, asking, "Feel the wind, do you still think you''re dreaming?"


    Casey floored the gas, the car


    instantly speeding forward. The


    wind outside rushed in violently, the


    chill seeping through their skins, I''m not sleepwalking, Izabe likes me, and wants to marry me!" Heughed outloud, gripping the steering wheel and facing the wind.


    Nervous Izabe advised, "Slow down, be careful."


    Immediately, Casey slowed down, turning to look at Izabe with a smile that stretched across his face.


    As if remembering something, he suddenly beamed, his ears twitching, "I knew you''d like me."


    Intrigued, Izabe asked, "Why do you say that?" She found that Casey was really easy to please. They had just had a misunderstanding a day ago, but he had quickly forgotten about it. Casey thought to himself that Izabe''s attitude towards him was always different, and her care for him was genuine. He didn''t need to doubt his uniqueness, he was one of a kind, he was himself. He was grateful that there was a person named "Ryker" in Izabe''s life. Because of him, he had the chance to get close to Izabe.


    He didn''t know about Izabe''s past, only that she was Brett''s ex-wife. She had died in a fire at the age of 27.


    If Izabe remembered Ryker so vividly, then Ryker must have been very important to her.


    He was grateful to everyone who had been good to Izabe, because of them, Izabe was who she was today.


    "Be, let''s go back to the coast when we get a chance. I want to talk with this Ryker guy too, to thank him for letting you meet me, and for being so good to you when he was by your side."


    "Aren''t you jealous of Ryker?"


    Casey shook his head.


    Izabe found that Casey liked her even more than she thought. So this is what it feels like to be loved.


    Brett watched as Casey took Izabe away. He took two steps forward, but forced himself to stop, not following them.


    A hint of sadness showed on Brett''s face.


    This time, he couldn''t find any love for him in Izabe''s eyes. Even the past resentment was gone. Izabe hadpletely let go, but what about him?


    Izabe had truly let him go.


    He bent down to pick up the syringe Izabe had dropped on the ground. Nathaniel was tied to a chair, his back to Brett, unaware of what he was doing.


    "Watching Izabe leave with someone else, have you ever thought that it would have been better if she hadn''te back? At least in your memory, she would still be yours alone."

 Chapter 443

    Brettmented, "I ain''t you."


    "True, you ain''t me. I can''t bear to see the one I love leave. Izabe has already died, why does she have toe back? To upy Bell''s body and be with another men? Brett, can you really just watch as she gets together with Casey, even marry him and have kids?"


    Coughing harshly, Brett felt a sharp pain in his chest and tasted blood in his mouth. He swallowed hardly. His body wouldn''tst till the day Izabe and Casey tie the knot.


    "About Bell''s death, you know it more than anyone, don''t pin it on Izabe. You owe both Bell and Izabe." Brett held the syringe, standing in front of Nathaniel, "It''s us who are the real viins."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Nathaniel lowered his head, his expression unreadable, but his hands were clenched behind the chair.


    Of course, he knew who killed Bell. He was the murderer, driving Bell step by step into a dead end. His cold indifference was the final thing that killed Bell.


    "Kaley Cot didn''t die three years ago. Someone saved her, she had stic surgery and lived in the entertainment circle as Kristin Lasley. Bell''s death was partly her doing. But the real reason was the stage name you gave Bell, Izabe. This made Kristen take all her hatred out on her. Ironically, after Bell''s death, it was Izabe who avenged her, revealing Kristin''s identity and ruining her reputation."


    "Where is she?" Nathaniel asked angrily.


    "I''ve already caught her. If you want, I can bring her to you."


    Nathaniel looked up, pale-faced and with hollow eyes, sweat dripping from his forehead. He stared at Brett for a while before speaking, "This can''t be that simple, can it? What do you want?" "I want your legs."


    Nathaniel looked at the syringe in Brett''s hand andughed bitterly, his body shaking on the chair.


    "No one can save you now. I''m not asking for your opinion, I''m telling you this is the only thing you can do for Bell. You know what you need to do about Kristin."


    Nathaniel didn''t directly respond, he just said, "Never thought I''d take your advice."


    "Have you made your decision?"


    "Only a pair of legs, you can have them. Remember, I want Kristin''s life."


    Brett squatted down, aiming the syringe at Nathaniel''s knees.


    Nathaniel clenched his teeth, his jaw trembling, temples pulsating, veins popping out on his forehead and neck.


    wn


    His fists clenched behind his back, his body covered in sweat, his shirt soaking wet, he looked like he''d just been fished out of water.


    Sending Nathaniel to deal with Kristin would be more painful than death.


    Giving Kristin to Nathaniel could also divert his hatred towards Izabe.


    He has enough power to kill Nathaniel directly now, but it would cause unnecessary trouble, starting with the Windham Group.


    The shareholders aren''t easy to deal


    with, better to have a crippled


    Nathaniel keep them in check, so that he''ll have more time to take over the Windham Group. When he''s close to death, he can transfer all his assets to Izabe.


    Before his death, he must clear all obstacles for Izabe.


    Suddenly, Brett started coughing, a lung cancer cough that once it starts doesn''t stop. He dropped the syringe.


    Clutching his chest, Brett took out some backup medicine from his pocket, popped two tablets into his mouth, and chewed. The bitterness was unbearable.


    The taste was so bitter that even water couldn''t wash it away. It lingered in his mouth, making him nauseous.


    Nathaniel was almost unconscious.


    He had already been shot up with two syringes of drugs by Izabe and was barely hanging on. Now that Brett had injected the potent drug into his knee, the excruciating pain left his body in shock, feeling like his soul was leaving his body.


    He was too weak to speak, but when he heard Brett coughing, he slightly raised his eyes to see Brett taking out the medicine.


    If he had the strength to speak, he would ask Brett, "Are you dying?"


    If the answer was "yes", even if he passed out, he would stillugh.


    Ever since Bell left him, the only thing he was looking forward to was seeing Brett die in agony.

 Chapter 444

    Only after getting together with Casey did Izabe realize the true meaning of the text he posted on social media.


    His words were filled with affection for her, Casey''s way of liking someone was always cautious, but he was also straightforward about his feelings.


    He liked Izabe more than she had imagined, but he wasn''t so confident about it.


    Even though they are now dating, Casey still feels insecure.


    He''s a big-time movie star with countless fans and many people''s dream guy, but he''s always tripping over his feet in front of Izabe.


    Casey wanted Izabe to see all the good things in the world. He knew she loved sweets, so he collected famous desserts from all over the world, even hiring a top pastry chef. Whenever he saw something interesting, he would buy it for Izabe, even if it was just ants moving on the ground, he couldn''t resist taking a picture to show her. Izabe finally started falling for the right guy and understood the true meaning of love, just like Casey, who wanted to share all the good things he encountered with her. When the sun rises, he wonders if you''re awake. When the sun sets, he wonders if you''ve rested. When he smells food, he wonders if you''ve eaten.


    The world that was once empty, is now filled by this one person.


    After Izabe posted the contract termination notice online, manypanies were interested in her influence and offered high prices to sign her, but she turned them all down.


    Therefore, a rumor started circting online saying that Izabe was nning to leave the entertainment industry after filming "Blood Ties".


    Izabe is currently focused on making money. She does have ns to leave the entertainment industry, but she would prefer to focus on film and television investments, acting is just a hobby for her.


    She hasn''t announced her departure from the entertainment industry yet because she still wants to act with Casey, so their fans can look forward to new clips.


    About the "Izabe&Casey couple" topic, it was also something Izabe saw on Casey''s phone because she noticed him always staring at his phone and giggling.


    After the official wrap of "Blood Ties", Izabe started preparing for her next job, she had been nning her and Casey''s first movie together, a horror film called Ghost Snatchers.


    The film and televisionpany Izabe invested in, originally started out withedy dramas, thepany is called Celestial Entertainment Enterprises.


    They produced threeedy films in a row, but due tock of funds and professionalism, the films were not well received, even being rated by the public as the weirdestedy films in history, each one crossing the line, with no limit at all.


    The nearly bankruptpany was saved by Izabe''s investment of ten million.


    For Celestial Entertainment Enterprises, the CEO of the Maple Group is their savior, and today they finally get to meet this benefactor.


    The original team of Celestial Entertainment Enterprises has disbanded, not many people were willing to stay, after all, who wants to work hard in a smallpany that''s about to go bankrupt? Izabe was now sitting in a Japanese restaurant. The interior decoration was very delicate and elegant, the privacy of the private room was also very good, sitting opposite Izabe were two directors from "Celestial Entertainment Enterprises", Jerome and Randy.


    The two directors often kept in touch with Izabe, reporting the progress of their work and scripts.


    This was their first time meeting the executive director of the Maple Group, who generously bought theirpany and invested in a script.


    When they got the horror script, they couldn''t believe that aedy team would be asked to shoot a horror film, it seemed to them, the investor was a bit crazy.


    But when they started reading the script, they were attracted by the story in it, since they now have money to shoot, why not go for it? So they decided to go all out, treating this film as thest work of their


    career.


    They prepared for two months, script, shooting location, contract, supporting roles were all almost ready, now only the male and female leads remain to be confirmed.


    They came today, one to meet the investor, and two to confirm the lead roles.


    They arrived early at the reserved private room, the waiting process made them feel restless, after all, the Maple Group is a hugepany, and they easily acquired X Entertainment. ording to various rumors, this boss is like a ferocious tiger, they worry about offending him.


    When they heard movement outside, they immediately stood up, seeing a waitress leading a woman in.


    A woman?


    She had a ponytail, was wearing a hat and mask, her body slim, they couldn''t imagine this was the behind-the-scenes boss they''ve been texting with.


    "Ms. Salotti?"


    Izabe nodded.


    They hastily made room for her, "Ms. Salotti, please sit here, would you like something to drink?"


    "Water is fine."


    Jerome immediately poured her a ss of water, his attitude respectful, while pouring water he was sizing her up, for some reason, he felt the this woman''s voice sounded familiar. Izabe took off her hat and mask, her cold eyes slightly lifted, just in time to see their surprised faces.


    "Surprised to see me?"


    They shook their heads, then nodded, their eyes fixed on her, just like two ostriches.


    Jerome and Randy were indeed stunned, they never thought the person who bought theirpany would be Izabe.


    The only connection between Izabe and the CEO of the Maple Group was the samest name.


    They''ve also started from the bottom and climbed their way up, seen all sorts of things. They might''ve been startled for a moment, but then they quickly recovered.


    Izabe is the CEO of the Maple Group, which exins why X Entertainment was bought out without warning, and why Kristin got cklisted.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    They decided that they definitely couldn''t afford to piss off Izabe.


    Izabe didn''t have time to guess what these two directors were thinking. She got straight down to business.


    "Ms. Salotti, about the script..."


    "Is there an issue with the script?"


    "No problem." Jerome said, "We just want to meet the author, or the scriptwriter, to see if she has any suggestions."


    "You just need to respect the original work and shoot it. Don''t go making changes on your own."


    "We will respect the original, but we hope the scriptwriter can asionallye on set."


    "She can''te anymore."


    "Why?" Both of them asked curiously, "Can you tell us the scriptwriter''s name?"


    "Bell."


    The script was written by Bell. Her initial dream was to be a scriptwriter, but she identally became a performer.


    When there was no one to talk to, writing became her only emotional outlet.


    Ghost Snatchers was written when she was diagnosed with depression after leaving Nathaniel.


    She integrated the sadness, fear, joy, and happiness she never had into this script.


    "Who''s Bell? I''ve never heard of her." They thought the script was written by a veteran scriptwriter when they saw the spirited words, but it turned out to be a strange name.


    "Well, no one knows her now, but I believe more people will know this name in the future. When the movie is released, her name will definitely be in the opening credits, and it will be in the most conspicuous position."


    They''re already imagining the scene of the movie premiere before they even start shooting.


    A sessful movie relies on a good


    script and sufficient budget. The two directors have their strengths: Jerome is good at visuals, Randy is good at controlling the pace and


    creating climaxes. What theycked


    before was funds and a good script.


    A budget of 80 million isn''t much in the film industry, most of it is spent on hiring actors.


    Hiring actors with acting skills and saving money is almost impossible. The appearance fee for B-C list famous actors is already high, probably not enough for this 80 million.


    There are also many actors with


    good acting skills but low pay, but if they''re not famous enough, they can''t attract the audience. Unlike TV dramas, movies focus on attraction and box office. They need to consider whether the audience is If they


    willing to pay for them veld


    hire some unknown actors, who would want toe to see it?


    That''s just how this industry is. Previously, acting and filmmaking were about professionalism and passion, but now they''re restricted by the box office and traffic.


    Some of the current popr stars are popr in TV dramas, but if they''re used to make movies, something always feels off.


    Actors with strong appeal are either old or have high pay, and they can''t afford them.


    They''ve reached a bottleneck now.


    Jerome was the first to ask, "Ms.


    .n


    Salotti, if we shoot this movie in Wye, the funds may not be enough and the male and female leads haven''t been decided yet. Have you thought about candidates? Or are you nning to find other sponsors to invest?"


    No matter how you calcte or save, 80 million is tight.


    Izabe didn''t take money so seriously. She thought that what needs to be spent should be spent, but every penny must be spent on the key points, to get value for money.


    "Don''t worry about the male and female leads."


    How could they not worry? They felt that Izabe might not fully understand the ins and outs of the film and television industry.


    The two were about to exin to Izabe, but Izabe''s next sentence surprised them: "I''ll y the female lead."


    "You''re going to act?" They asked in shock.


    "Is there a problem?"


    "No." Jerome quickly exined, "It''s just that Ms. Salotti, you''ve taken over this big group, and there are rumors that you''re leaving the entertainment industry. We didn''t know you would act in a movie." Izabe ying the female lead is not a bad thing, but a good thing. The role fits her perfectly, and they''ve seen Izabe''s acting skills.


    In "Here Comes the Superstars", she yed the third female role, Danielle, in the movie Golden Age. Her performance on stage was amazing, even better than Danielle''s performance in the movie. Performing on stage is much more difficult than performing in a professional movie set.


    Izabe''s acting skills are top-notch, there''s no problem ying the female lead in a movie, and she''s very famous, and the poprity of artists is on the rise.


    She''s both famous and skilled, and this movie is her investment, which means there''s no need to pay extra fees.


    But this brings up a new problem, who should y the male lead?


    Izabe''s acting skills must match her co-star, otherwise, it''ll just be her dominating the scene.


    Randy carefully asked, "Ms. Salotti, do you have a suitable candidate for the male lead?"


    Izabe replied, "Yes, he''ll be here soon. Did you bring the contract I asked you to prepare?"


    "Yes, we brought it." Jerome opened his briefcase, took out a folder from it, which contained the stamped contract, legally binding.


    "Ms. Salotti, who is the male actor you''re interested in? Is he expensive?"


    "Nope," Izabe paused, "he doesn''t need a fee, it''s free."


    So this must be someone who''s a friend with Ms. Salotti, and the two of them can''t figure out who it is.


    The most eye-catching part of this movie is the male lead. The male lead in the script is very handsome, and there are scenes where he exposes his body.


    No actor with a bad figure dares to expose his body in front of the camera. And the film shooting requirements for people''s appearance are very high. If anyone in the entertainment industry is most suitable for this role, it must be--Casey.


    But for someone like Casey, it would be hard. After all, he''s a big movie emperor, his fee is very high, and it''s said that he doesn''t ept any dramas with ambiguous plots with the female lead, nor does he ept horror films.


    So if he epts this small movie, he must be crazy.


    People should have dreams, not delusions.


    The two then turned their attention to the actors Izabe had worked with. Could it be the neer she met while shooting "Blood Ties"?


    But what kind of newbie would star in a movie for free?


    Izabe nced at her wristwatch, mentally grumbling, "why isn''t he here yet?"


    Just then, there was some noise from the door.


    "He must be here," Izabe stood up.

 Chapter 445

    "I''ll get the door, I''m closer."


    Randy got up and opened the door to a guy standing outside. He was dressed casually, just like Izabe had been,plete with a hat and mask. The only difference was the cup of hot chocte in his hand. "Hey." Randy nodded and bowed slightly, showing warmth. "Ms. Salotti is inside,e on in."


    As Randy stepped aside, he gave the guy a once-over. He was tall, and judging by his arms, he must have a good set of muscles. Probably wouldn''t mind showing off his upper body on camera, as long as his face was up to it.


    It was a bit of a bummer that he couldn''t see the guy''s face right now, but judging by the shape of his head, he probably had a decent jawline too.


    "Hmm, thanks."


    Randy frowned slightly. This voice was oddly familiar. He''d heard it somewhere before. It made him feel excited, but he couldn''t remember where he''d heard it.


    Randy followed the guy anxiously. He walked fast, heading straight for Izabe.


    "Howe you just got here? Any problems on the way?" Izabe asked worriedly.


    "No, nothing like that. I saw this hot chocte you like on the way and I lined up to buy it. You didn''t have breakfast and don''t like sushi, so have something to drink first, and I''ll take you to eat somethingter." Casey handed over the hot chocte he''d been holding.


    This caf¨¦ was usually crowded, so getting a cup of hot chocte wasn''t easy.


    "You actually dared to line up? Weren''t you afraid of being recognized by fans?"


    Casey replied nonchntly, "I''m not afraid. Try it, see if it''s the vor you like."


    Casey had her arge cup of drink. Izabe usually couldn''t finish it, so Casey would snatch it and finish the rest, both of them sharing the same straw.


    Izabe sipped the drink and breathed at the same time, her mouth against the straw, looking as cute as a hamster.


    Tasting her favorite hot chocte, Izabe''s eyes lit up. "Yummy, that''s the taste."


    The two guys on the side felt like they were the third wheel, wishing they could disappear. But they were also curious about the rtionship between Izabe and this guy. Given how close they were, they had to be a couple.


    From their conversation, it was clear the guy had fans, and judging by his disguise, he was trying to avoid being recognized.


    Someone who would be recognized on the street had to be a celebrity.


    Jerome and Randy exchanged nces before turning to Izabe, unable to resist interrupting their intimate moment. "Ms. Salotti, who is this?"


    "Let me introduce, this is Jerome and Randy. You should know them, we''ve chatted before."


    Jerome and Randy thought, "Chatted before? When? Why did we not know?"


    Casey took off his mask and extended his hand, "Hello, directors. I''m Casey, the male lead." Jerome almost tripped over his own feet in surprise. Luckily, Randy caught him in time.


    If they were shocked to meet Izabe, they were dumbfounded to meet Casey. They never dreamed they''d have the chance to work with


    the popr movie star Casey. It felt like a dreame true. SText property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    They quickly reached out to shake Casey''s hand, "Mr. Dempsey, we''re fans. We''ve seen your movies." They were obviously true fans of Casey, so nervous to meet him in person they could barely speak.


    "Ms. Salotti, is this the leading actor you invited?"


    Izabe raised an eyebrow slightly, "What, you don''t approve?"


    "No, I just feel like I''m dreaming." Jerome eximed.


    They had thought it would be a low-budget movie, but now it


    seemed like a whole new level. With Casey''s participation, the excellent script, and equipment, they had a hunch this movie would be a hit. With each of Casey''s films topping the previous one in box office, hisst film had reached 5.8 billion. This one, with Izabe''s participation, might even break 6 billion.


    The bulk of the budget would go to special effects, sound, and makeup. The filming date was set, but the directors were eager to start shooting as soon as possible.


    Although there was a need for a period of adjustment before filming, they already had aplete team, and the rapport between Izabe and Casey needed no further adjustment.


    The contract had been reviewed by


    Izabe and Casey in advance, most of the content even drafted by them. All Jerome needed to do was tidy up thenguage and print it out for stamping at the relevant


    department.


    However, to be on the safe side, Izabe quickly scanned it again before signing.


    As Izabe and Casey bent over to sign, Jerome and Randy noticed for the first time that the watches on their wrists were a matching pair.

 Chapter 446

    After Izabe and Casey signed their contracts, the directors found out from Casey that Izabe didn''t fancy Japanese cuisine. So, they thought about inviting her to another ce, but Izabe shot them down straight away.


    The directors didn''t try to persuade her anymore because they clearly saw that Izabe and Casey were now close. If they intruded, they would look like theycked self-awareness.


    "We''re going to head out then." As Jerome and Randy were about to stand up and see them off, Izabe rushed to stop them, "You guys don''t have to walk us out. We don''t want to draw attention." Jerome stopped in his tracks, "Alright, take it easy then."


    Izabe packed up the contract and then put on her hat and mask. Casey took the initiative to carry her bag and held a cup of coffee.


    As they left, their hands naturally intertwined. Izabe slightly opened her hand, and their fingersced together, palm against palm, radiating warmth like a human heart.


    They were together now, but the most intimate thing they''ve done was hold hands. But that skin-to-skin contact was already enough to make Casey jittery.


    They exchanged smiles, and Casey took the lead to bring the coffee up to Izabe''s lips.


    Izabe slightly nodded and took the coffee to sip. Their actions were smooth and practiced as if they''d done it countless times before.


    "You''re about to start working soon, I''ll find you an assistant."


    "No problem, you can handle that."


    "By the way, you want toe over to my ce today?" Izabe looked at him, her gaze serious and determined.


    Casey identally stepped on his own foot and almost tripped, "I cane over?"


    "Watch your step. What are you daydreaming about?"


    Casey''s ears were beet red, and it was clear he was thinking of something naughty.


    "The film''s about to start shooting, and we should get familiar with the script, wrap up ASAP, and aim for a summer release next year. Leave most of the time for special effects and sound production." "Can I stay at your ce overnight then?"


    "Are you always this greedy?" Izabe rejected him, "You should spend more time with your mom."


    "She has my dad. She doesn''t need me."


    "Who said that? As an actor, you rarely go home. How ma times can you go home in a year? You should spend more time with her when you''re free, don''t wait until she gets old and you can''t apany her like me." Izabe stopped and tightened her grip on Casey''s hand. She raised her left hand to pat his head, "We''ll have a lot of time together in the future. After the movie starts shooting, we''ll be together every day for two months."


    When Casey heard Izabe''s words about "can''t apany her," his heart ached. His girl had been bullied when he was not around.


    Casey thought of Bunny again. He might still be stuck in the past if it wasn''t for her words.


    "I''ll listen to you."Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Izabe''s new house wasn''t ready yet, so she was still renting. She took Casey to the east gate of themunity, which was usually the least crowded.


    Each entrance had a person in charge. The person in charge of the east gate, Victor, had great eyesight. Even with Izabe in a mask and sunsses, he could recognize her.


    He and Izabe had be quite friendly recently because she received a lot of packages at his ce.


    "Izabe," V¨ªctor called out to her.


    "V¨ªctor," Izabe looked at Victor''s face, and her gaze became serious, "Another package for me?"


    "Yeah, still from the same guy, here''s today''s."


    V¨ªctor bent down with difficulty to bring the package up. Like always, there was arge bouquet of red roses and a box. The box contained either jewelry, a high-end bag, perfume, or designer clothes. All were selected based on Izabe''s preferences or, more urately, her past preferences.


    The person sending these items every day was Brett Windham. He was trying to win back Izabe''s heart with this intense pursuit.


    Izabe looked visibly irritated. It had been a week of daily phone calls asking her to ept the packages, but she always returned them. The next day, a new package would arrive.


    "So, like usual, toss the flowers and return the goods?"


    "Yep."


    "Alright,e sign for it, then I''ll help you arrange the return."


    Izabe walked over, "Thanks, Victor."


    "No problem." He was also paid to store these items, so no matter how troublesome, as long as there was money involved, it was never too much trouble.


    Izabe took the pen to sign.


    "Are you going to check what''s inside?" Victor asked.


    Izabe shook her head. But Casey, standing next to her, seemed wary.


    There was a note on the bouquet with initials that clearly belonged to Brett.


    Casey held Izabe''s hand, stopping her from signing, "What''s wrong?"


    "Brett has been sending you stuff constantly?"


    "Just sincest week."


    "Why didn''t you tell me?"


    "It''s not a big deal, and I just send it back."


    Casey muttered a curse at Brett under his breath, calling him shameless.


    He took the beautifully wrapped gift box, "This won''t do. It''ll just give Brett the green light to harass you again and again."


    Izabe put the pen back, curiously asking, "So what should we do?"


    Casey began to open the gift.


    Victorreminded him, "If you open it, you can''t return it."


    Casey ignored him, opening the box to reveal the brand. Although Casey wasn''t interested in handbags, his mother loved them. After messing up, his father''s go-to move to get back in his mom''s good graces was buying her a bag, iming that a bag could cure all upset.


    His mother''s closet was filled with bags from this brand, each one worth at least $30,000. This one was adorned with diamonds, exquisite and expensive, a limited edition that his mother had tried to snag justst week but failed. Brett must have really gone all out to get this.


    He looked over at Izabe, her face expressionless.


    "Do you like bags from this brand?"


    "They''re okay," Izabe wasn''t short on money; she could buy one whenever she wanted, but she didn''t need to.


    "I have a coboration with this


    brand. They have a new winter collectioning out soon. I get them to send them to you, and you can pick out what you like."


    "You''re letting me pick before it''s even on the market?"


    "As long as you like it, of course, you get first pick."


    This was Casey''s way of showing affection. If she rejected him, he''d feel insecure and disappointed. Men lovepetition, especially when they''re facing a rival.


    Lately, Izabe had also been getting to know the brands Casey liked. Exchanging gifts was part of the fun for couples.


    She nodded in agreement, then pointed to the bag on the table. "What do we do with this? You''ve opened it already. How do we return it?"


    "Leave it to me." Casey turned to Victor, "Victor, you can do whatever you want with the flowers. We''ll take the bag. If anyone asks, just tell them the truth." Victor looked confused, just staring at them with curiosity in his eyes.


    "Izabe, who is this?"


    "He''s my boyfriend," Izabe answered.


    Victor didn''t react, but Casey''s cheeks turned red. His mask hid his blushing face, but his ears were bright red.


    "So he''s your boyfriend?" Surprise flickered in Victor''s eyes as he openly sized up Casey.


    "Not bad, not bad."


    "We''re going upstairs now." East Gate was usually quiet, but it was the weekend and lunchtime, and they didn''t want to get caught by any returning residents. "Sure, you two go ahead."


    Izabe took Casey''s hand and headed in, Casey carrying the bag. He didn''t tell Izabe what he nned to do.


    "Doesn''t the bag bother you?"


    "Of course it does. That''s why I will sell it on the second-hand market."


    Brett would be watching to see if Izabe epted the bag.


    Casey took a few photos of the bag, downloaded an app for second-hand luxury goods, and listed the bag.


    [Girlfriend''s bag, $25,000, serious inquiries only.]


    After he finished, Casey set down his phone and turned to Izabe, who was reading her script.


    "Do you have any food at home?"


    Izabe sat on the porch swing, legs crossed, script in hand, not looking up as she answered.


    "Check the kitchen, and I don''t think there''s much in the fridge. See what we need? We can go out and buy itter or order online for delivery." "Let''s order online, and it''s the weekend, the supermarket will be crowded." Casey got up and walked to the kitchen.


    Izabe nodded.


    Just like Izabe said, the fridge didn''t have much fresh food. Casey poked his head out of the kitchen and asked, "Be, what do you want for dinner?" "I''m not picky, just nothing too greasy. I''ll eat whatever you make."


    Casey pulled out his phone and started shopping for groceries. He decided he''d make something light for dinner.


    He nned to go hometer that night, so he might as well prepare breakfast for tomorrow. Izabe liked soup in the morning and was fond of crab cakes. Casey ordered a few crabs, nning to use them for the crab cakes. Hopefully, he could finish them tonight so Izabe could enjoy them when she woke up. After ordering the food, Casey looked up, his gaze naturally falling on Izabe.


    In mid-October, R City started to get smoggy. Everything outside was shrouded in the gray mist, gray clouds floating in the sky, a faint halo around the edges. Izabe was engrossed in her script, looking peaceful and sweet, sittingfortably in the swing.


    Izabe''s face was very delicate, but the most captivating part was definitely her eyes.


    Her eyes were slightly upturned at the ends, her eyeshadow a peachy color.


    Hershes were long and curled. A simple nce from her was both bright and enticing.


    What Casey liked was Izabe herself, not just her face.


    He watched her intently, wanting to etch her soul into his memory. That way, no matter what, he''d always recognize her.


    Izabe was always focused when she worked, which Casey found incredibly attractive.


    He liked people who took their work seriously, and he liked Izabe''s smile. He liked when she reached out to hold his hand, when she leaned in close to him when she


    openly dered to others that he was her boyfriend.


    How great it would have been if he''d met Izabe sooner. To meet the most wonderful person in your prime that''s the best thing in the world.


    Although this wasn''t bad either, he


    wished he could be part of every moment of Izabe''s life. To watch her grow, tough with her when she''s happy, to offer his shoulder when she''s sad.


    "Did she ept it this time?" Brett''s hand was on the edge of the table, his fingertips tapping lightly. After getting confirmation, he muttered a "thanks". After hanging up, Brett stared at the caller ID disying Izabe''s name. He called her every day, but all he ever heard was the cold automated message. Ever since Casey''s car ident, Izabe had called him once, then blocked him. She hadn''t unblocked him since.


    Izabe was decisive. Her past tolerance for him was only because she liked him.


    He used to take advantage of Izabe''s feelings for him, betraying and bullying her repeatedly. Now that Izabe no longer liked him, what did he have left?


    A knock came on the door, "President Windham, may Ie in?"


    "Come in."


    In walked Liam, a stack of paperwork in his hands. Seeing Brett looking a bit under the weather, he casually asked, "Everything alright, President Windham?"

 Chapter 447

    "I''m good." Brett looked at the files in Liam''s hands. "What was that?"


    "These are some contracts that need your signature and an investigation report on Nathaniel. J City''spanies have been experiencing some fluctuations recently. After Nathaniel lost his ability to walk, the stock prices have been nose-diving. Plus, Nathaniel''s recent public appearances have gotten some shareholders pretty jumpy."


    Brett nodded nkly, "Alright."


    "Hand me the files that need signing."


    Liam handed over the organized files. Brett quickly scanned them and signed his name after confirming that everything was in order.


    Seeing that Liam hadn''t left yet, Brett asked, "Anything else?"


    "President Windham, Ms. Salotti has signed for the package, but I''ve heard that it was signed by her boyfriend."


    Brett''s heart sank, and his body stiffened noticeably. He choked for a moment before asking, "Izabe''s boyfriend?"


    When Liam got the news, he was actually hesitating whether to tell Brett. But he knew Brett would find out sooner orter. It''s better to give him a heads-up.


    "The doorman told me. He said Ms. Salotti brought a man home. She nned to reject the parcel like usual, but the man with her opened it."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Brett''s voice was a bit hoarse, "What about the flowers that I sent?"


    "As usual, they were tossed. Only the gift box was taken."


    "How do you know that was Izabe''s boyfriend?" Brett asked again.


    "The doorman said so. He said Ms. Salotti introduced him."


    Brett felt a sharp pain in his chest. He ran his trembling fingers through his hair, propping his head up. He felt like he was drowning in ice-cold water, his breathing rapid, cold from head to toe.


    He never thought that Izabe would be someone else''s girlfriend so quickly, not leaving him any chance.


    When he saw Izabe climbing on Casey''s back that day, he had a gut feeling this day woulde. But he had quickly pushed that thought away, not daring to entertain it.


    Casey had told him before that he and Izabe were lovers and that everything that was supposed to happen had happened.


    Back then, he was furious, but after reflecting, he realized that Casey was lying.


    And if Casey had truly been with Izabe, how could he have been so easily rattled by a few words?


    He had always thought that as long as Izabe wasn''t with Casey, he still had a chance.


    Brett suppressed the urge to scream, a bitter smile appearing on his face. He murmured to himself, "It''s okay. They''re just lovers. As long as they''re not married, it''s okay if they''re not married." After all


    marriage can also end in divorce.


    He definitely cared. How he wished he could be Casey, standing boldly by Izabe''s side instead of sending her the things she used to love every day.


    Brett was eerily calm, but the hand supporting his forehead was trembling.


    Izabe always said he didn''t understand what love was. His affection for her was because he had mistaken the person he loved back then and found sce in her to alleviate his guilt for causing a death. Even though he did feel guilty and regretful towards her, his love for her was not about seeking sce.


    The person he had liked all along was her, Izabe, a figure so faint in the water that it dazzled him for nine years until she left.


    He had mistaken Kristin for that figure in the water, but during most of his time with Kristin, he tried to find the figure that had once dazzled him in her.


    Izabe said he didn''t know how to love, but she didn''t either. They both met the wrong people at the wrong time. Even their nces were wrong. Izabe was actually a person indifferent to emotions; her feelings for him seemed deep, but in fact, they were not that important.


    Her affection for him was a mistake, and once she discovered this mistake, she would take it all back.


    When he was still with Izabe, he once asked her if she would marry him if he hadn''t saved her that year.


    Izabe''s answer at that time was no. She wouldn''t even spare him a second nce, let alone marry him.


    Brett regretted the past. If he had been gentler towards Izabe, if he had understood what true love was earlier, Izabe might not have distanced herself from him so much. Izabe was a very proud woman, and her charm surpassed all the women in R City.


    He once despised Izabe''s pride,


    trapping her at home like a bird, even destroying her proud wings. But when he lost the vibrant Izabe, he woke up, and the person he loved the most was the mboyant, proud, energetic Izabe.


    That proud Izabe had always been in the depths of his memory, bing more and more blurred over time. He often couldn''t help but miss her until Izabe appeared in his life again, standing by Casey''s side.


    UMS


    Those blurred memories became clear instantly. Yes, this was the Izabe in his memory.


    Her pride, confidence, mboyance, brightness, smile, and health were all back. But this perfect Izabe no longer belonged to him. Everything about her belonged to Casey.


    Izabe, can her give him a chance to learn how to love?

 Chapter 448

    Ever since Brett was diagnosed with lung cancer, his spirits had been low, and his throat was constantly dry and itchy.


    He lifted his water ss, took a big gulp, and stared nkly into the distance, his deep-set eyes devoid of any light. He swallowed, his adam''s apple bobbing with the motion.


    Setting down his cup, Brett said with indifference, "Keep an eye on Nathaniel for me. Report back whenever." He was waiting for the right opportunity, waiting for a chance to knock the Windham Group out of J City.


    "Sure thing." Liam stood by, patiently waiting for Brett to sign some documents. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and Brett nced up at him.


    Liam retrieved his phone and checked the new message. His face went pale instantly.


    He shot a nce over to Brett, who caught his eye.


    "Who''s the text from?"


    Was he really going to tell Brett?


    Seeing Liam''s expression, Brett knew the text was about him, and the more Liam hesitated, the worse it seemed.


    "Let me have a look."


    Liam handed his phone over to Brett. Brett looked at the message, and his grip tightened on the device.


    The text was bad news. Liam''s phone had a lot of contacts, one of which was Casey''s.


    The text was from Casey, a screenshot from a second-hand trading tform. The product photo was of a package that Izabe had signed for earlier that day. The caption below the picture was what really got under Brett''s skin.


    [Price: 250,000. Authentic product. Serious buyers only.]


    The price was highlighted in an eye-catching red, an apparent taunt. It was as if Casey was directly mocking him.


    The real kicker was that Casey had not only sold the package but also sent the screenshot to Liam.


    The audacity of it all!


    Brett frowned, still gripping the phone. Liam watched him nervously, fearing that he would end up smashing the phone in a fit of rage.


    It wouldn''t be the first time. Brett was known for his short fuse, and he had destroyed at least ten phones in his fits of anger.


    But after reading the message, Brett just put the phone down on the table and continued reading through the documents as if nothing had happened.


    Brett had changed, or more urately, he hadpromised on something.


    Liam picked up his phone, a lump forming in his throat.


    Brett signed the documents quickly. After he put down his pen, Liam packed up the papers and said, "I''ll be outside. Call me if you need anything, President Windham." "Alright."


    After Liam left, Brett fell into a somber silence. He took out his phone and opened the second-hand trading tform, searching for the product mentioned in the text. The package had already been resold. He felt so exhausted, a wave of fatigue washing over him from his heart, even reflecting in his eyes.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey was just showing off. In the product photo, a shadow was cast on the ground next to the package. He loved Izabe so much that he could even recognize her from a blurred shadow. Meanwhile, the groceries that Casey had ordered online had arrived.


    Izabe curiously went over to see what Casey had bought. She opened the box and saw severalrge crabs.


    "Why did you buy crabs? If you wanted to eat them, we could have just gone out. Cooking them at home is such a hassle." She reached out to touch one but was stopped by Casey. "The crabs are still alive; be careful."


    "They''re tied up. They won''t pinch me." Izabe reminded.


    Casey was just too protective, and he didn''t want her to lift a finger, let alone risk getting hurt.


    "I bought the crabs for crab cakes, and you can have them for breakfast tomorrow." Casey swiftly picked up the box and headed back to the kitchen. "I''ll go knead the dough."


    The crabs were steamed quickly, and after kneading the dough and wrapping it up in cling wrap to put in the fridge, he began to peel the cooled crabs.


    Izabe came over to help, but the crab shells were too hard and sharp, and Casey didn''t want her to risk getting cut.


    "You don''t have to help. How''s the script reading going?"


    "Almost done."


    "Then let''s run lines together."


    Izabe pulled up a chair and sat down behind him. "I haven''t seen you read the script. How can you run lines with me?"


    "I''ve read the script long ago, and I can even recite it. Don''t believe me? Let''s try the first scene."


    They sat together, Casey multitasking, peeling crabs while reciting lines with Izabe.


    His hands moved fast and efficiently, skillfully removing all the meat from the crab shells. He could even piece the empty shells back together.


    After half an hour of running lines, the crabs were all peeled.


    Looking at the bowl full of crab meat and roe, Izabe asked, "Do you often eat crabs?"


    "Not really."


    "Then howe you''re so fast and skilled at peeling crabs?"


    Casey didn''t know. He had no memory of cooking before, and the Dempsey family had plenty of servants and chefs, so he never had to do any housework. But his hands moved naturally when he did these tasks, and he was even good at it, each task performed more proficiently than thest.


    "Maybe it''s a natural talent," Casey joked. "Or maybe I learned it in my dreams. I sometimes find it strange, too. I''ve never done these things before, but once I start, my hands just move." Casey suddenly looked at Izabe seriously. "Be, sometimes I wonder if we met in a past life. The first time I saw you, you seemed so familiar, I couldn''t help but want to get close to you." There was an impulse of love at first sight and a feeling of familiarity as if they had known each other for a long time.


    "I look a lot like Ryker. If I didn''t know that my mom only had me, I would even suspect that he and I were brothers. I even had a dream when I had the car ident, and I dreamed that he was with you." Izabe asked casually, "What did you dream about?"


    "You and him met in the orphanage."


    "So, you had the car ident because you went to the orphanage?"


    Casey was silent for a while, then finally answered with a simple "yes."


    From the moment Izabe saw that photo, she had a hunch about the whole thing. She just never asked.


    "I don''t doubt you." Casey croaked out, "I just don''t trust myself."


    He hung his head low, like a guilty dog afraid of being scolded by its owner.


    "I don''t like it when you bottle things up. If you''ve got something to ask, just spit it out. I''m your girlfriend, and you don''t have to worry about me leaving you. What I like is you, not your looks. No matter what you turn into, I''ll still like you, get it?"


    What was initially a slight ripple of emotion now felt like a boulder sshing into ake or, perhaps like the tremor caused by a meteor streaking across the dark night sky.


    No one can guarantee how long feelings canst, but as long as Casey liked her and took responsibility for her, Izabe would continue to like him. This was Izabe''s resolution. Casey seemed to understand Izabe''s thoughts. His insecurity not only affected him but also rubbed off on Izabe.


    Casey reached out, hugging Izabe tightly.


    Izabe clung onto his clothes, burying her face in his chest, whispering, "Casey, I''m also scared you''ll leave me."


    She was afraid that Casey would reject her because of her past, afraid that Casey was scared she had died once, and the present her was just a soul upying the body.


    That day, when she was taken away by Nathaniel, she was scared Casey wouldn''te back for her, scared she would never see him again.


    Casey held onto Izabe''s slightly cold hand tightly. Never before had someone saying they were scared made his heart race so.


    "Be, your past was painful, wasn''t it?"


    Izabe gripped Casey''s hand back, her eyes brimming with tears.


    She was always strong. Even if her past was full of pain, she would bear it with gritted teeth, because she knew the one she liked wouldn''t care for her just because she cried out in pain. When she had stomach cancer, she told Presley Felton she was okay, then even asked him to scatter her ashes into the sea after her death.


    When she was diagnosed with depression, the psychiatrist asked her if she was suffering, and she replied she wasn''t.


    In reality, she was suffering a lot. She was scared of pain but eventually got used to enduring it.


    When her stomach cancer red up, she couldn''t eat, couldn''t sleep from the pain, vomited blood from time to time, and her body was weak. After her miscarriage and the onset of depression, the pain was like her insides being squeezed, her spine being snapped in two. Tortured by Nathaniel and burned to death, the pain was unimaginable, her flesh was torn, and her soul was shaking.


    Whenever she thought about these things, she felt as if she was in a nightmare, her body uncontrobly trembling.


    "It hurt, it really hurt." But thankfully, all of that was in the past. She was grateful to God for her second chance at life, letting her avoid


    repeating the same mistakes


    the


    pain she had already tasted, she wouldn''t want to taste again.


    Casey held Izabe tightly, "As long as I''m here, you won''t have to suffer again."


    He couldn''t imagine, in the time before he met Izabe, what she had gone through. The matron of the orphanage said Izabe had died in a fire, and she was only 27 then, and it made his heart ache tremendously.


    He didn''t ask about Izabe''s past, not because he was bothered, but because he was heartbroken. He was afraid he might identally touch her scarred wounds.


    Izabe had lost too much in this life: her child, friends, family, and her love.


    Casey couldn''t imagine how many difficulties and pain she had to go through and how she stumbled along the way.


    All he could do was hold her tight, giving her a sense of security.


    Casey stood up, taking Izabe''s hand; his face suddenly turned serious, "Be, can I kiss you?"


    His eyes were gentle and slightly moist, his ears burning red.


    With his help, Izabe stood up. The distance between them instantly vanished. They could clearly feel each other''s breath.


    Their eyes met, Casey slowly bent down, and Izabe gently tiptoed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

 Chapter 449

    When Casey posted the bag on the luxury second-hand tform and sent the picture to Brett, he stopped sending flowers and gifts to Izabe, just like clockwork.


    Izabe had been checking out her new house under renovation in R City, making some visits, and finalizing a few design options.


    Time flew by, and the date for the movie production rolled around.


    News broke out that Casey was joining the horror film "I''m A Ghost," which stirred up quite a buzz.


    Ever since Casey professed his fondness for Izabe on Twitter, he lost quite a few fans, but most remained loyal supporters of his work.


    These fans were attracted to his good looks, admired his talent, and were loyal to him because of his character.


    But, hearing that he''s joined a no-name production team for a horror flick that no one''s ever heard of, some fans started to feel let down and started questioning, even before the film hit the screens. Some fans even med thepany for Casey taking up this project.


    At this point, fans started to waver in their trust for Casey and even started to feel disappointed in him.


    [Howe Casey chose a horror film? He''s been in the business for years, and why on earth would he pick such a project? Doesn''t he know about the domestic market''s eptance of horror movies?]


    [I was excited to hear about Casey''s new movie project, but I didn''t expect it to be something like this. As a fan, I''m really disappointed. I hope he understands how we feel, and it''s his career at stake here. He shouldn''t ruin it.]


    [Holy cow, I just looked up the film production team, and it was Celestial Entertainment Enterprises, who switchednes to film from something else. Theirst threeedy movies have been going downhill, with extremely low ratings! Casey, what were you thinking? Don''t you look at the track record of the production team and the director when choosing a movie project?]


    [The biggest joke of the year was aedy director making a horror movie.]


    [The scriptwriter is a nobody. Who the hell is Bell? I can''t find any information about that person online.]


    [I thought Casey would take up the big-budget period drama Lost in Lumina with a 30-million-dor investment. This horror movie sounds tacky and has only raised 8 million. Was that even enough to cover Casey''s fees?]


    [With this kind of production team and this kind of movie, they should just fade away. Why are they ruining the movie market? Has the bar been lowered so much that anyone can just waltz in? Don''t they know their own capabilities?]


    [I was hoping to see if the box office could break a record next year, but it seemed like I was just dreaming.]


    [I''ll watch any movie Casey is in, but I really don''t like horror movies.]


    [What''s up with Casey''spany? Do they let him take any movie? Lost in Lumina started filming a while ago, and it should be released next summer. This horror movie might also be released at the same time. If the two movies sh, I''m betting on Lost in Lumina. It clearly has a high production value.]


    [I''ve been thinking about one thing, Mr. Dempsey always values movie quality and respects his audience and fans, so why did he quietly take up such a crappy movie this time? I felt like there''s more to this than met the eye.]


    Soon after, news leaked that Izabe would be the female lead in "I''m A Ghost," and it quickly became the talk of the town.


    Fans were livid when they saw the news, but Casey remained silent, and his studio didn''t take any action. They could only vent their anger under Izabe''s Twitter posts.


    [Movies produced by Casey have always been top-notch, but it looked like Izabe might break the streak this time.]


    [I used to have a soft spot for Izabe, especially since Casey likes her, but I never thought she could potentially ruin Casey''s career.]


    [I was wondering why Casey would take such a lousy movie. Turns out it was this woman pulling strings behind the scenes.]


    [If you want to be in a horror film, go ahead, why drag Casey into that?]


    [The film industry is going down the drain because of Izabe! I hate her!]


    [I looked up the investors for this


    movie, and it turns out it''s the Maple Group. Who''s under thispany? After Kristin got fired, their artists have been getting worse. Izabe left X Entertainment before and she can''t possibly be under the Maple Group. Could it be that the CEO of the Maple Group wants to sign her and is giving her perks? And even got Casey to be the male lead?]


    [How absurd. Casey doesn''t need anyone to ask him, knowing that Izabe will be the female lead, he would volunteer to act without needing any payment.]


    [Fans of Casey, your idol wanted to act in it himself. What did Izabe do wrong?]


    [I wasn''t interested in this movie at first, but now that I see the casting, I really want to watch it. Casey might have been blinded by love for a moment, but I feel like Izabe is not someone without taste, and her acting skills are really good.]


    [Am I the only one who remembers


    what Casey said in hisst


    interview? He said he''s found a


    partner who he thinks is the best


    actor, and he''ll be on screen with her in the future. He was talking about Izabe, right? I have enough evidence to suspect that it''s not


    Izabe dragging Caseyot


    this


    movie but Casey who dragged her into it. It was all nned months ago. Casey really pulled out all the


    stops to win her over.]


    [Although the production team is unreliable, the acting skills of the male and female leads are top-notch. It''s definitely the bestbination.]


    [Izabe''s career is skyrocketing, her


    poprity is off the charts, and she''sText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    making a huge impression. It''s not even clear who''s boosting who anymore. Remember who dered their love for Izabe on Twitter? You alDkeep nitpicking at Izabe, but we''re not exactly thrilled with your idols either - old folks chasing after the young! The more you kick up a fuss and criticize if Casey can''t handle the pressure and quits


    showbiz, Izabe will still shine on her own.]


    Everyone''s specting on social media whether Izabe and Casey were already an item when they were filming together.


    Other stars were just coborators, not really knowing each other behind the scenes. But their idols were different, both trying hard to show a close rtionship.


    They thought they would avoid working together because of their fans, but right after filming "Blood Ties," Izabe immediately teamed up with Casey for a movie, ying a married couple no less. Even though they were not lovers in real life, they were going to y a married couple in the movie. This gave fans plenty of material for memes or video edits.


    Right now, Izabe and Casey only had one variety show together. From this show, they can edit out all sorts of details or mix Izabe''s past TV series with Casey''s films to create memes.


    This kind of editing work wasplex and can be tiring, but now that they were co-starring in the same movie as a married couple, there''s no need for editing. They can just enjoy it directly.

 Chapter 450

    Fans of two celebrities were duking it out online, with Casey''s fans saying inments that Izabe wasn''t good enough for him.


    However, Izabe''s fans shouted, [Casey himself hasn''t said anything. Who are you fans to judge?]


    None of this really mattered to the people involved, though. As time went by, the production crew''s work had been going swimmingly.


    They wrapped up the entire movie in just two months. The progress was unbelievably fast,rgely thanks to the seamless acting between Izabe and Casey.


    The earlypletion of the movie shocked the fans. It felt like just yesterday, the fans were still arguing, and then the movie was done.


    Although the production was a bit of a mess and the filming schedule was tight, it''s done now. Comining wasn''t going to make a difference. All they could do was wait for it to hit the theaters.


    With Casey as the box-office ma, even if the movie sucks, people would still watch it because of him.


    A few movie review ounts started to doubt the film, saying it could be the low point of Casey''s career.


    Two months of filming was indeed the shortest movie production period in history. Horror movies were tricky to shoot, requiring actors to have a strong imagination. Domestic horror movies usually took two to three years to produce.


    Excluding the time spent on makeup and set design, the actual shooting time was only about 40 days.


    Izabe had just finished one movie and immediately started shooting another. Won''t she mix up the characters? Did she even understand the script?


    But no, she didn''t confuse the roles. Izabe''s acting skills were top-notch, and she didn''t have any problems during filming.


    The lead actors'' performances drove the entire crew, hence the fast progress. If the leads can get it in one take, the supporting actors naturally wouldn''tg behind.


    The crew threw a celebration at a hotel on the day the movie wrapped up.


    In December, the weather was already chilly. Izabe got cold easily, so Casey warmed her hands.


    Whenever Izabe looked cold, Casey would hold her hands or put them in his coat pocket.


    Casey''s hands were always warm. His hands were much bigger than Izabe''s, so when he held her hands, they would instantly warm up.


    The two directors were used to it. They reminded the crew in the group chat if they saw it, they saw it. Don''t go bbing about it. Just think of it as Casey and Izabe getting too deep into their roles. Jerome was very enthusiastic, calling everyone to drink and eat. A bit of alcohol in winter warmed the body, and they were drinking wine, which wasn''t too strong.


    But Casey, sitting there, kept staring at his ss.


    He only picked it up to drink when Izabe did.


    By the time Izabe realized Casey was drunk, it was toote. She didn''t expect him to get drunk so quickly.


    Drunk Casey was even quieter than usual. He looked down, his eyes unfocused, ears flushing red from the alcohol, and eyes clouded over like they were covered with a thick fog, his brow furrowed. When Izabe looked at him, she didn''t realize he was drunk. Not until she called out to him and didn''t get a response. She got worried. She wondered how could Casey''s alcohol tolerance be so poor. "Is Mr. Dempsey not moving?"


    "He seems to be drunk." Izabe gently patted his back. When Casey looked up, his eyes were empty. Izabe held up her fingers, trying to tease him, "How many fingers am I holding up?" Casey grabbed her hand and started to nibble on it, like a puppy gnawing on a bone.


    He was gentle, and it didn''t hurt. It just tickled a bit. When Izabe pulled her hand back, Casey furrowed his brow and grabbed her hand to continue nibbling.


    Izabe was taken aback. This time, she tried to yank her hand back. But Casey held her wrist tightly, his eyes watery as he looked at her. He started to nibble on her fingers again and mumbled, "Don''t move." Drunk Casey turned into a puppy. Izabe wanted tough, but she held it in.


    Suddenly, she noticed that the atmosphere had turned awkward. She looked up to see both directors staring at her in surprise. She felt embarrassed and looked down.


    "He''s drunk, I''ll take him back."


    "Is Casey''s alcohol tolerance that poor?" Jerome was very surprised.


    Not just Jerome, Izabe was surprised, too. He got drunk after just one ss.


    The directors didn''t try to stop Izabe. As she got up to leave, they also got up to see her off.


    "Izabe, it''s too hard for you to help him walk out alone. Let us help." Casey was tall and strong. Even a man would struggle to help him walk, let alone a woman like Izabe. The directors moved to help, but before they could touch Casey, he pushed them away, "Don''t touch me."


    He was like a snarling dog baring its teeth. Although he didn''t look scary, anyone who wanted to touch him paused.


    Izabe stood up, and Casey, clutching her hand tightly, stood up, too. Every two steps she took, he would follow. A drunk Casey became very clingy.


    Once Izabe was sure Casey could walk, she turned to the directors, "You guys keep eating. He can walk on his own, and he doesn''t need help. I''ll take him out first."


    Izabe helped Casey with his mask, buttoned up his coat, and put on his scarf. Casey let her fuss over him.


    The night lights shone on Casey''s face, highlighting his handsome features.


    His deep eyes were like sparkling gems, radiating warmth. Izabe couldn''t help wanting to touch his face, but people were still around, so she held back.


    "Let''s go."


    Casey naturally grabbed her hand and followed her. Even though he was staggering, he could still walk.


    Once they were outside, the wind was strong. Izabe shivered.


    The confusion in Casey''s eyes cleared a bit with the wind. He took off his coat and put it over Izabe.


    Izabe quickly said, "I''m not cold. Put it back on. I don''t want you to catch a cold."Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "But you''re cold," Casey ignored her, forcing his coat onto her, bending down, and patiently buttoning each button.


    Izabe was speechless, but luckily, the car she had ordered on her phone was almost there.


    Izabe lowered her head and buried it in the coat, her nose filled with the scent of Casey.


    After helping Izabe put on the coat, Casey fumbled around her arm for her fingers.


    His coat wasrge, and the sleeves were long. After Izabe put it on, her hands were hidden inside. Casey searched for a while, his brows furrowed, and he mumbled, "Hold my hand, hold my hand."


    Izabe suddenly thought of a short


    video she saw a couple of days ago.


    A kid was running ahead with a dog leash in hand but didn''t realize the leash wasn''t actually attached to the dog, resulting in the dog chasing after the leash and biting it.


    Izabe couldn''t help butugh, and she extended her hand from the sleeve. Casey found her hand and held it tightly, and a goofy grin appeared on his face.


    The car arrived, and Izabe struggled to get Casey into the car. The car''s heater was on this cold winter night. The warmth easily made you sleepy.


    Casey leaned into Izabe''s arms, and she had a hard time holding him up. Wearing two coats, she was sweating profusely in the car. They finally arrived at Spring Bay, and Izabe woke Casey up. "Casey, wake up, we''re home."


    Casey opened his eyes and obediently followed Izabe out of the car. After they got home, Izabe unlocked the door with her fingerprint.


    She decided to get Casey into the house first, and then she''d go back. It was only nine o''clock, and she''d get back by midnight, it wasn''t thatte.


    Izabe waspletely focused on Casey, and she didn''t notice that since she left the hotel and got into the car, a car had been following her from a distance.


    Even after she got into the house, the car didn''t leave, and it just parked not far from the vi.


    Back home, seeing the familiar setup, Casey was momentarily stunned.


    Izabe was feeling hot and ufortable. She let go of Casey''s hand and took off the coat. Her phone in the pocket was vibrating, and she found it in Casey''s coat following the sound.


    It was a text from Casey''s agent, reminding him not to drink.


    But unfortunately, it was toote now.


    Izabe texted him back, letting him know they were home so that he wouldn''t worry.


    Casey stumbled into the house, opened a drawer, found a jar of candy, and brought it to Izabe.


    "Candy for you."


    Izabe softened at his gesture. After knowing she loved candy, Casey had candy everywhere. Whenever she wanted some, he would hand her a big handful.


    "Was that for me?"


    Casey nodded forcefully, pulled Izabe to sit on the couch, and stuffed the jar of candy into her arms.


    Drunk Casey seemed to always have something to do. After finding candy, he wobbled to find a bucket filled with water from the bathroom,pletely unaware of what he was doing. Izabe thought she could go home after she got Casey settled, but seeing how active he was, she figured she couldn''t leave anytime soon.


    "What are you doing?" Izabe couldn''t help but ask as she saw Casey squatting on the floor, filling the bucket with hot water. Casey turned his head. His tone was serious and determined, "Filling the bucket with hot water."


    "Why?"


    "To wash your feet."


    "I don''t need to wash, and I have to go home."


    Hearing Izabe wanted to leave, Casey''s eyes dimmed. Even the light couldn''t brighten up the sadness in his eyes.


    The bucket was quickly filled with hot water, even overflowing. Casey still squatted on the floor, looking like an abandoned puppy. It was heartbreaking.


    Izabe felt a surge of sympathy, a feeling she couldn''t put into words.


    In the end, she gave in.


    "So I wash my feet now?"


    Casey stared nkly at her, making sure Izabe wasn''t going to leave. He then picked up the bucket. The full bucket sshed onto him as he carried it, leaving marks on his face.


    He ced the bucket in front of the couch, had Izabe sit down, told her not to move, and then patiently took off her shoes and socks and put her feet into the hot water.


    She seemed to understand why Casey insisted on having her soak her feet in hot water. When winter came, her feet would get very cold.


    Every night after filming, she would spend half an hour soaking her feet. Casey knew this.


    So, when they got back home, he first found candy to keep her there and then prepared hot water for her to soak her feet.


    "I''m starting to doubt whether you''re really drunk?"


    Casey looked up at her nkly.


    Under his gaze, Izabe opened the candy jar, casually picked a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and put it into her mouth. The sweet, milky smell filled the air.


    "Was that sweet?" Casey asked.


    "Hmm." Izabe seriously thought about it, then reached out to touch Casey''s chin, brought her lips close to him, let go of him after a moment, and teasingly asked, "Is it sweet?" Casey was slow to react. At first he didn''t catch on. He looked up at Izabe''s lips. A few secondster, his face suddenly turned red, and he slowly answered, "Sweet." Izabe couldn''t help butugh. She touched Casey''s burning face and messed up his hair until it was all over the ce.


    After soaking her feet, Izabe tried to persuade Casey to go to bed. Casey was surprisingly obedient, except he kept hugging Izabe like a ko on the way to the bedroom.


    Drunk behavior was unpredictable.


    When Casey pushed her onto the bed, Izabe was reminding herself not to overthink, but she didn''t need to worry at all. Casey closed his eyes and fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed. ?


    Izabe was both amused and exasperated; she wanted to help Casey clean up, but she wasughing so hard she couldn''t move, she was pinned down by him!


    Casey seemed to intentionally not


    let Izabe leave, and his arm was


    wrapped around her waist, his leg pressing down on hers. Men''s body temperature was naturally higher than women''s, and there was no need for a nket. It was as if there


    was a mini heater next to her.


    Surrounded by this warmth, Izabe tried to resist for a while, but in the end, she couldn''t resist and fell asleep, too.

 Chapter 451

    Brett was starting to think he might''ve gone off the deep end to obsess over a woman who was clearly out of reach.


    For the past two months, he hadn''t tried to contact Izabe directly, but like some creepy stalker, he always knew where she was filming and where she was staying. He''d make sure to rent a ce nearby. When Izabe didn''t appreciate his gifts, he''d send them to her film crew under the guise of being just another fan. He''d even join her fan group to keep up with her every move.


    Thanks to his generous donations, he''d made quite a name for himself in the fan group.


    Today, he''d heard early on that the filming was wrapping up. He managed to find out where the film crew''s party was, booked a private room at the same hotel, and slipped the waitstaff a few bucks to keep him updated.


    When he heard Izabe was leaving, he slipped out too, tailing her quietly as she got into a car with Casey.


    He followed them, not leaving even after seeing Izabe and Casey go inside.


    He didn''t know why, but he just couldn''t let go. He wanted to wait for Izabe toe out.


    He sat in his car with the heater on, staring at the vi. The lights inside were always on.


    What was Izabe doing?


    As he pondered this question, he felt a chill run through him, as though his blood had turned to ice.


    He kept his gaze fixed on the vi until his eyes started to hurt, but Izabe never came out.


    He drove around the vi, finally parking on the east side. The light in that room was always on. He figured it must be the bedroom.


    He rolled down the window and looked up, noticing the curtains weren''t fully drawn. He saw two shadows ovepping, then disappear.


    Suddenly, breathing became difficult. His heart was in his throat and his chest tightened. His eyes burned, as though his world hade to a halt. What were they doing at this hour?


    In the cold of winter, a man and a woman were staying in a room deep into the night. What could they possibly be doing?


    Brett didn''t dare to think about it. He''d been following Izabe for over a month, and although she and Casey were affectionate, they always slept in separate rooms. He''d considered that one day they might move in together.


    Even though he''d mentally prepared himself, seeing it unfold in front of him was a punch to the gut.


    He looked at his shaking hand, feeling the cold bite into his fingertips. He wished he could rip out the pain.


    He shifted his gaze to his reflection in the rearview mirror.


    For a moment, he barely recognized himself. His eyes were bloodshot lifeless, with dark circles under them. His stubble had grown out, making him look like a total wreck.


    How the hell did he end up like this?


    His once beautiful dream of Izabe returning to him, living together.


    He''d learned to do so much already, cooking, cleaning,undry, all without needing Izabe''s help.


    He''d put his work aside, spending every day with Izabe, supporting her career.


    Whenever they had time, they''d go on dates, to ces she wanted to go, and at night they''d sleep together.


    But reality was a cruel mistress, and beautiful dreams were just dreams.


    The woman he once leaned on, the gentle soul, was now upstairs with another man.


    Yearning turned into agony, consuming every corner of his body. He was desperate to let it out.


    He stared at his reflection in the rearview mirror, clenched his fist, and threw a punch. The mirror cracked.


    He continued to punch the mirror like a man possessed, until it finally fell off.


    His right hand was mangled, blood oozing from the cuts, the pain was unbearable.


    Looking at the chaos in front of him, Brett''s hand went limp, blood seeping into his pants.


    He''d never believed that Casey had slept with Izabe because he''d never seen it with his own eyes. But


    now,


    just a few meters away, heText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    could almost imagine what was happening upstairs.


    As long as Izabe came out tonight, everything would be fine.


    Brett kept telling himself this, but in the end, the light in the room went out, leaving only darkness.


    Brett was at a loss for what to do.


    He couldn''t understand why he was here, why he was waiting


    downstairs, and why he was staring at that room.


    Was he here just to face the bitter truth? To embrace his utter disappointment?


    When would this torment end?


    The pain in his chest was back, and he couldn''t tell if it was his heart or his lungs.


    When in pain, take some meds. He opened the glovepartment, pulled out a bottle of pills, and popped four into his mouth.


    He waited painfully, from dusk till dawn, but Izabe never came out.

 Chapter 452

    What would it feel like to wake up and find the person you like in your arms?


    Casey was struck dumb, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest.


    As he opened his eyes, he realized his arm was still around Izabe. Their bodies were pressed close together, radiating warmth and breath.


    His hand was stiff with shock, and he wasn''t quite sure how to react. But inside, he felt warm and fuzzy, as if he''d downed a whole can of sweet syrup. It was so sweet he wished time could freeze right there. Izabe''s eyshes fluttered. She stirred, rubbed her eyes and woke up.


    Seeing this, Casey quickly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. After a while, he heard Izabe''s voice.


    "If you''re awake, get up already."


    Casey opened his eyes and quickly said, "Be, I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to. Did I do anything to youst night?"


    "You got drunk after one drink. What could you possibly do?" Izabe rose and threw back the covers. Her clothes were in the same state as the night before, albeit a bit disheveled.


    Casey bolted up from the bed and stood behind her. "I''m sorry, I really didn''t mean to."


    "Do you even know your alcohol tolerance?" Izabe asked curiously.


    Casey nodded, "I know I can''t hold my liquor. My manager warned me not to drink."


    "Don''t you remember anything fromst night?"


    Casey asked cautiously, "What did I do?"


    "Nothing much. Just think about it." Izabe turned and went to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of water could be heard.


    Casey scratched his head anxiously, picked up his phone, and opened WhatsApp. Thest message was from his manager reminding him not to drink, and he replied that he was home. When had he sent that message?


    His manager kept reminding Casey not to drink because he knew Casey couldn''t hold his liquor.


    Casey would lose control when he was drunk and didn''t like to be touched.


    If someone touched him, he would get really angry, like a startled dog.


    The first time he got drunk, his manager tried to help him home and Casey pushed him into a pole, almost knocking his teeth out.


    His manager wanted to apany himst night, but Casey refused. The manager could only remind him not to drink through calls and messages.


    Sitting on the bed, Casey frowned. He hadn''t done anything too outrageous to Izabe, had he?


    When Izabe came out after freshening up, he was still dazed and listlessly went to wash up and prepare breakfast.


    During breakfast, Izabe opened the sugar jar, took a sugar cube, unwrapped it, and put it in her mouth.


    When Casey saw this, he stammered, "That sugar."


    "You gave it to mest night, insisted I should have it," Izabe said.


    Casey asked again, "Is it good?"


    Izabe hummed in response and a smile suddenly curved her lips, "Not bad, you tried itst night and said it was sweet."


    The sugar was indeed sweet, but Casey didn''t remember tasting itst night.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    When he saw the teasing look in Izabe''s eyes, he became anxious. He felt like something significant had happenedst night.


    After breakfast, while he was in the bathroom, he sneakily opened the surveince system on his phone.


    From when they arrived at the entrance of Spring Bay, he saw Izabe leading him into the house.


    Just as he was about to fast forward, his finger froze on the button.


    As the taxi drove away, another car pulled up from a distance and stopped outside the gate.


    He couldn''t see clearly who was in the car, so Casey zoomed in the video to the clearest, only to see the license te, which he recognized.


    It was Brett''s car.


    Casey''s eyes narrowed and his usually gentle face hardened.


    He never thought Brett would stoop so low as to stalk them here. And by the looks of it, this was definitely not the first time.


    It was a good thing he was with Izabest night, otherwise, who knew what this lunatic Brett would have done?


    Casey was furious but had nowhere to vent. He made up his mind and switched off his phone. He came out of the bathroom and suddenly said to Izabe, "Be,e home with me for Christmas this year." Izabe was taken aback. She''d almost forgotten about Christmas as she hadn''t celebrated it in a long time.


    On Casey''s reminder, she checked the calendar. There were only 19 days left till Christmas.


    The movie had already wrapped up. The only thing left was post-production and then publicity. She didn''t have much to do these days.


    "Can I really go?" Izabe asked.


    "My mom keeps asking when I''m bringing you home."


    "Where are we going?"


    The Dempsey family had properties in many ces, R City, J City and other ces.


    "We''re going to Wye. You don''t like the cold, and it''s warm there. We can also go to the beach."


    "Okay, but before we go to Wye, you have to go somewhere with me."


    Izabe started to n. They would have to be back in Wye by December 23rd at thetest. She still had plenty of time to arrange things. Izabe went to R City to check on her house renovations. The house was already renovated and they were now arranging the furniture. Once everything was in ce, she could move in in a month or two.


    Izabe hadn''t forgotten about her sunflower pot. The sunflower had already bloomed in the greenhouse.


    She gently touched the petals, as tender as if she were touching Niki.


    After watering the nts, she left and went back to the office to deal with some documents, arrange work, review some recent investments, and put in some more funds.


    Money makes money. From the initial 80 million it had increased to 90 million, and this was just the beginning.


    The movie production was going smoothly. Jerome sent her updates whenever he got a chance. Everything had to be reviewed by her.


    At this rate, production would be finished in March, leaving plenty of time for publicity.


    Ever since she was kidnapped by Nathaniel, Toby had been following her around, teaching her self-defense techniques when he had time. Knowing Casey wasing to pick her up, Toby left early.


    Lately, Izabe has been staying over at Casey''s ce, packing clothes and toiletries, and making ns.


    One day, she took Casey to the cemetery. As usual, she bought two bouquets of flowers.


    Even though they were just going to a cemetery, Casey seemed a little nervous. He bought incense and two bouquets of lilies outside the cemetery.


    Each time they visited the cemetery, it was always foggy. Izabe gently wiped the tombstone. "Mom, I brought the guy I like to see you. His name is Casey.


    He is really good to me, really good. He knows all my likes, he cares for me, takes care of me, and makes me happy. I''m not the same girl who would hide in the bathroom and cry when treated unfairly." Suddenly, a "bang" from behind interrupted Izabe''s thoughts. She turned around to see Casey on his knees.


    Casey said, "You can rest assured. I won''t let Izabe suffer any unfair treatment. I will take good care of her, love her." After saying that, Casey kowtowed three times. His attitude was very sincere. S


    Izabe wanted tough, but for some reason, she let out a heavy sigh instead, and she knelt down as well.


    After a while, she stood up and said, "Let''s go, let''s go home."


    Casey just nodded, got up, and held Izabe''s hand.


    After taking three steps, Izabe looked back. It seemed like someone was calling her. She looked back and saw a gentle smile on her mother''s tombstone.


    She smiled slightly, held Casey''s hand tightly, and left the cemetery.


    Not long after, another car drove in. Lucas looked at the burned-out incense and the two bouquets of lilies on the tombstone and was taken aback.


    Who had been here?


    Usually, only he and Presley would visit, but Presley hadn''t returned yet. So who put these flowers and candles here? Or did someone make a mistake?


    A thought shed through Lucas''s mind, but he couldn''t grasp it, so he went to a nearby flower shop to ask.


    The shopkeeper told him that he remembered a couple buying two bouquets.


    "Thank you, sir," Lucas didn''t get any clues, so he returned to the shop closest to the cemetery.


    He asked again, "Have you seen a man and a woman buying incense here?"


    This time he found the right person. The shopkeeper said he remembered the woman had been here more than once.


    "More than once?"


    "Yes." The shopkeeper was about to continue when he suddenly became wary and asked, "Why are you asking?"


    "I just saw two bouquets of flowers in front of my parents'' tombstone and wanted to know who had been here."


    The shopkeeper said, "Oh, I see. Thedy didn''t look old, probably in her early twenties. She came once in June." "Do you know her name?"


    The shopkeeper shook his head, "I


    can''t remember, but she''s very pretty, like a pop star. Thest time


    she was here, it was raining. Not long after she left, a luxury car pusted up. I thought it was to pick her up, but a man got out of the car and knelt in front of her. She just walked away without looking back. I guess they must have had a


    disagreement."


    "What about this time? I heard from the florist that she brought a man with her."


    "This man is definitely not the one fromst time. I couldn''t see his face clearly, but I could tell their vibes were different."


    Lucas didn''t get any information


    from either shop and was about to


    leave when the shopkeeper suddenly grabbed his head, as if he suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly stopped him, "Wait, I thinkt remember the young girl''s name. The man who was kneeling on the ground suddenly called out a ''Mirabe''. Yes, that''s the


    pronunciation, I kind of remember."


    The shopkeeper nodded, "My hearing isn''t very good. I might have misheard."


    "I see, thank you, sir."


    "You''re wee."


    Lucas went to the cemetery. The tombstone had been cleaned. He squatted down, touching the lilies, thinking about the word "Mirabe" again and again. The more he repeated it, the more familiar it felt.


    Wait, Mirabe, could it be Izabe?


    Could it really be Izabe?


    Lucas suddenly lost his bnce and sat down on the ground.


    Izabe, his sister, she was supposed to be dead, wasn''t she? It''s been four years since she passed away this Christmas.

 Chapter 453

    At that time, if they googled "Izabe", they couldn''t find any info about Ms. Izabe of R City. The first search result was of a celebrity.


    Lucas knew that his sister was gone, but every time he heard the name "Izabe", he couldn''t help but feel a pang of pain that left him in a daze.


    The year Izabe died, he didn''t dare to visit her grave, because he forgot their mother''sst wish, and kept bullying Izabe non-stop, leading to her early departure from the world.


    When Izabe left, the Salotti family was only left with him, with no rtives around.


    Usually, it was only after losing something that people realized its worth. He had more than once thought of how good Izabe was in the past.


    When she was learning to walk, her first word was ''brother'', but he was always angry at her, treated her coldly, even med her for their mother''s death, and never hugged her when she grew up as he was always pissed at her.


    After Izabe inherited the Salotti family, he became increasingly dissatisfied with his sister. He called her ungrateful and cursed her with the cruelest words, hoping that she would fall ill and die.


    Later, Izabe really got sick, and didn''t tell anyone to keep it a secret. He didn''t even know how she went to the hospital and got the gastric cancer diagnosis. He didn''t even know when she miscarried, or when she was driven mad by Brett''s depression.


    What he didn''t know even more was that, even though Izabe was deeply hurt by Brett, she still chose to stay by Brett''s side, all because of him.


    Because Brett threatened Izabe by saying that he would hurt her brother.


    It was rather ironic that he only found out about all that from Presley Felton after Izabe''s death. Why would Izabe choose to protect him in that way, given how he treated her, and how incapable he was as a brother?


    Each time he recalled the past, Lucas couldn''t help but shed tears. In five days, it would be Izabe''s memorial day.


    Time went like a speeding bullet; she had been gone for four years already.


    "Mom, I forgot our agreement, I didn''t protect her, it''s me who harmed her. If she were still here, she definitely wouldn''t forgive me, right? Would the one whoes to see you be my sister?" Some people can apologize, make up, and forget when they did something wrong, while others can only kneel in front of the tombstone and repent, tormented by guilt every day.


    Every time Lucas came to the cemetery, he knelt for a long time, repenting for the mistakes he made in the past.


    "I abandoned her once. She asked me to save her, but I didn''t turn around," If he had turned around that time at the casino, fulfilled his responsibility as a brother, took Izabe away, confronted Brett, protected her, then Izabe wouldn''t have died without returning home.


    Izabe was used to life in R City. How could she adapt to the hot summer and cold winter in J City? Her ashes were scattered in the sea. She was so afraid of the cold when she was alive, why would she think about what would happen after her death?


    Many things about Izabe were told to him by Presley.


    Since Izabe married Brett, her life had always been very hard. The day her father was convicted, she was not out ying with other men, but was locked in the bedroom by Brett. She was forbidden to use the inte, and her phone was confiscated. She was locked in the bedroom for four full days, and her stomach pain was so severe that she could only fill her stomach with painkillers.


    Presley said that Izabe knelt in the heavy rain outside the courthouse for half an hour that day. When she was sent to the hospital, she was all bloody. He washed her stomach out, and it was all bloody pulp. Lucas knew nothing about all of that.


    When Izabe was given a critical condition notice, and her heartbeat stopped, Lucas was still outside drinking, and hoping she would die soon.


    Lucas knelt on the ground, head down. He believed that it was his curse that killed her.


    Lucas looked at his prosthetic right hand, sobbing to himself, "Deserves to be broken, this is the punishment for abandoning her," He then looked up at the two tombstones in front of him, at the photos of his parents on the tombstones.


    "Dad, Mom, I really know I was wrong."


    On the morning of the 23rd, Izabe and Casey went to Wye. Before boarding the ne, she was wearing a down jacket, but took it off as soon as theynded.


    The average temperature in Wye


    was 25 degrees, neither cold nor


    hot. Casey had already informed his mother in advance, so they saw peopleing to pick them up as soon as they got off the ne.


    That was Izabe''s first time spending Christmas in someone else''s house, and also her first time having so many people apany her during Christmas. She finally wasn''t counting down alone.


    Casey was worried that Izabe would not be able to adapt, so he arranged another house in Wye. Once they greeted the Dempsey family and the elders; they could go there to rest. At the Dempsey family, Casey''s mother was decorating the room. The just-ordered Christmas tree had been delivered to the yard, and the servants were decorating the tree with lights. There were a lot of decorations for Christmas, and Casey''s mother liked colorful ones. The Christmas tree lights, and small decorations had also arrived, just waiting to be decorated. Izabe slept for a while on the ne and didn''t feel sleepy when she got off the ne. So, she pulled Casey to help decorate the Christmas tree.


    A star was needed to be hung at the top of the Christmas tree, which had to be done on that day.


    Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent with the Dempsey family. Casey''s mother was very friendly to Izabe, but Casey''s father was always cold to her.


    Izabe had noticed that abnormality long ago, but she always pretended not to know.


    Casey had a younger sister named Wendy Dempsey, and Izabe had few interaction with her.


    The first time Izabe visited Casey''s ce; she felt a bit out of her element. Maybe she was too conscious of Casey''s family''s gaze, and everything she did seemed a bit stiff. After Christmas, Casey took Izabe to another house, a world for just the two of them.


    One day, after receiving a phone call, Casey just got up and left, leaving Izabe alone at home, engrossed in a book. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.


    Getting up from her seat, Izabe didn''t immediately open the door, instead, she peeped through the peephole. To her surprise, it was Casey''s Dad and Wendy.


    What on earth were those two doing there? Were they there to see Casey? But their faces seemed off.


    Izabe didn''t think much about their arrival; they were there after all; she couldn''t just leave them at the door. So, she opened it.


    "Hello, pleasee in," Izabe greeted them. She then turned to Wendy, nodding as a sign of recognition, "Wendy."


    Casey''s Dad gave her a cold nce.


    Izabe was a bit confused. From the first time she met Casey''s Dad, she had felt his hostility toward her. But she had no clue what she had done wrong.


    That time, without Bunny Dempsey around, Beck''s hostility seemed even more intense.


    Beck was an impressive figure, his eyes radiating wisdom and authority, Casey had inherited some of his facial features.


    "Would you like some coffee?" Izabe politely asked.


    She seemed not at all surprised by his visit as if she had expected all of that. Beck entered the house with Wendy.


    Once inside, Beck took a seat on the


    couch, watching Izabe make


    coffee, his tone was rather


    dismissive, "Ms. Salotti, these tricks


    of yours might fool my wife, but they won''t fool me. I just didn''t expect you to win over my mischievous son so quickly, even bringing you back to the Dempsey family in such a short


    time." Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    It seemed that his visit wasn''t just for small talk, Izabe stopped making coffee and casually walked over to the other couch to sit down.


    "Mr. Dempsey, did youe all this way just to tell me this?"


    Beck reached into his jacket and pulled out a check, cing it on the table, "Here''s 500,000 dors; take it and leave my son."

 Chapter 454

    The atmosphere turned tense as soon as the words left his lips.


    Beck slightly tilted his chin up, staring at Izabe, awaiting her response.


    Izabe was clearly caught off guard, she didn''t expect Beck to pull a stunt like that. She looked at the check worth half a million in front of her.


    Half a million, she could buy quite a few of those.


    Izabe raised an eyebrow, saying, "That''s it?"


    "That''s it? Are you upset cause it''s not enough? I knew it, you''re after the Dempsey family''s fortune," Beck looked down upon Izabe, his tone and gaze filled with disdain.


    Wendy, who was glued to her phone, sighed and put her phone down. She was dragged into that situation by her Dad and didn''t really want to get involved, but Beck''sments made her speak up. "Dad, you''re being stingy. It should be at least 5 million."


    Beck immediately refuted, "Is your brother worth that much? Half a million is already a lot," Besides, if Izabe agreed to half a million, wouldn''t he be at a loss?


    He was a businessman; he didn''t do bad deals.


    Wendy suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, held up five fingers, "Half a million? My brother is worth at least 50 million. Plus, Izabe''s worth is way beyond your half a million. You''re embarrassing yourself If Mom finds out, she won''t just make you kneel on a washing board, she''ll break your legs."


    The thought sent a chill down Beck''s spine; his hands trembled as they instinctively went to his knees.


    In his nervousness, his pupils dted, making him look like he was ring. Beck leaned in toward Wendy and whispered, "All the checks are written for half a million, isn''t it easier to say? We came here behind your Mom''s back, don''t tell her. What should we do, should we increase the price on the spot?"


    Izabe acted like she didn''t hear their whispers.


    "This is just a probe, to see how they would react. You''ve already brought out the checks, they definitely know your intentions."


    After discussing with Wendy, Beck turned his attention back to Izabe again, while Wendy resumed ying with her phone.


    Izabe stood up and brought Beck a cup of freshly brewed coffee.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Beck was determined as he cleared things up, "Let me tell you, it''s impossible to bribe me with a cup of coffee."


    Izabe chuckled, "Mr. Beck, you''re overthinking it, I never intended to bribe you. Wendy, what would you like to drink? We have some sodas at home."


    "Do you have Coke?"


    "Yes."


    Izabe went into the kitchen and brought back a can of Coke.


    "Thanks."


    Just as usual, Wendy sat quietly on the side, appearing very well-behaved.


    Izabe took her previous seat and calmly said, "Mr. Dempsey, I would like to have a detailed discussion about my rtionship with Casey. I am his girlfriend, he is my boyfriend, we are together because of our feelings, not anything else. If you measure our rtionship by wealth, then I."


    Suddenly, Izabe''s expression changed. She picked up a check from the table, quickly filled in some numbers, and then slid the check toward Beck.


    "If you intend to make me leave your son with half a million, then I am willing to pay 99.5 million to apany your son for the rest of his life."


    Beck was dumbfounded; was that woman crazy or sick?


    "Are you joking? Can you even afford 99.5 million? You''re young yet you''re being reckless, spouting nonsense!"


    "Perhaps in your investigation of me, you didn''t get all the details. Allow me to introduce myself again, I am the executive director of the Maple Group, 90 million is not a problem for me."


    "The Maple Group? You''re?" Casey''s father knew about thatpany, it had been gradually growing in the business world recently. Beck had estimated that the Maple Group was worth around 100 million. Although 100 million wasn''t much to Beck, it was quite impressive to be owned by Izabe. Keep in mind, Izabe was only in her early twenties, she had a promising future ahead of her.


    "Mr. Dempsey, are you willing to ept this deal?"


    "If you really give me this much money, yourpany might go bankrupt."


    Izabe didn''t seem to care at all as she said, "I can always earn more money. But there''s only one Casey in this world, I won''t be at a loss," She was willing to use all her assets to prove her feelings for Casey Mr. Dempsey was speechless, he thought Izabe was after his wealth, but she had the capability to create even more wealth, she didn''t need to rely on a man.


    Wendy, who had been ying with her phone on the side, also looked at Izabe in surprise.


    "You''re really the president of the Maple Group?"


    "I have no reason to lie about this, the Dempsey family is fully capable of investigating. If you still don''t believe me, you can ask Casey."


    Wendy looked at Mr. Dempsey and said, "Dad, let''s go. What''s the point of your opinion if both Mom and brother like her?"


    It wasn''t a matter of willingness at that point, Mr. Dempsey felt like his son had struck gold, finding such a wealthy girlfriend.


    Wendy turned to Izabe again, "My Dad can be a bit stubborn, don''t mind him. I''ll take him home," After speaking, she gave the check back to Izabe. "You keep it, Mom''s the boss, Dad''s words don''t count. Mom really likes you, don''t take today''s incident to heart, be with my brother happily."


    Before she could finish speaking, the sound of the door opening came from outside. Izabe looked over, thinking that it should be Caseying back.


    Sure enough, as soon as Casey


    entered the house, he saw the people in the living room and


    furrowed his brows, "What are you


    doing here?" He saw the checketone


    the table and understood what was going on.


    Without wasting any time, he took out his phone and called his Mom.


    As soon as the call was connected, Casey shouted, "Mom!"


    Beck snapped awake and charged at Casey, grabbing his wrist and demanding in a stern voice, "What the hell are you up to, punk!"


    "And what the heck are you doing in my house? Threatening my girlfriend with money to leave me when I''m not around?"


    "I did no such thing! You''re talking gibberish!"


    Casey didn''t care how livid Beck looked. His phone was on speaker, and Bunny heard their entire conversation.


    "Beck Dempsey! You get your ass back here right now!"


    "Honey, let me exin."


    "Beep beep beep."


    Beck red at Casey, too livid to even speak.


    "Why are you staring at me like that? Can you admit that you didn''t ome here with a check to make Izabe leave me?"


    Beck released his hand, pointing at his nose and saying, "You little whiz kid, you''re really something!"


    In that family, Beck often stirred the pot out of boredom. Casey didn''t want anyone to upset Izabe. He fixed things once and for all, no beating around the bush. "Dad," Casey suddenly got serious, "I knew I wanted to marry her the moment I saw her. After I knew her name, I even thought of our future child''s name."


    He''d never wanted someone that badly before and he''d give up his life just to be with her.


    "You love my Mom. You know what that feels like," Without her, I can''t live.


    Beck fell silent, his furrowed brows rxing slightly. He looked at Casey intently, clearly taking him seriously.


    Beck opened his mouth but couldn''t get the words out. He turned to look at Izabe, hesitating.


    Izabe stood up, her eyes resolute, without a hint of hesitation.


    "Whatever I don''t care anymore," Beck kept his aloof demeanor. Knowing ?zabe''s worth, he realized that he had misunderstood her. But he couldn''t swallow his pride and apologize to her.


    "Wendy, let''s go. Let''s go home."


    Wendy, clutching her little bag, ran a few steps forward. Suddenly remembering something, she pulled out her phone and ran up to Izabe and asking her, "Izabe, can I take a picture with you?"


    Before Izabe could respond, Casey shooed her away, "What picture? Let''s go."


    "No!" Wendy''s big eyes stared at Izabe, her lips curving slightly, waiting for Izabe''s response.


    Izabe couldn''t refuse. She hadn''t talked much with Wendy in the past few days. Wendy liked to y with her phone, always on the sofa or bed.


    Izabe didn''t know that little girl very well, but who didn''t like a pretty little sister?


    Hearing that Wendy wanted to take a photo with her, Izabe agreed, "Sure."


    Wendy''s face lit up with joy that she couldn''t hide, a blush creeping on her cheeks. She took out her phone, found the perfect angle, and took a selfie with Izabe.


    Wendy looked at the picture contentedly and put her phone back in her bag.


    Casey walked up, grabbed Wendy''s cor and yanked her away, "You got your picture, now go home with Dad and stop bothering us."


    "None of your business!" Wendy looked unhappy. Her calm face suddenly showed a look of reluctance. She broke free from Casey, ran to Izabe, and hugged her.


    "Izabe."


    Izabe was taken aback by the sudden hug. She wasn''t used to people being so close to her. She stiffened, unable to react, as Wendy''s breath tickled her ear.


    In her ear, Wendy whispered, "Izabe, if one day my brother pisses you off, could you consider giving me a chance?"


    A chance? What chance? What was she referring to?


    Wendy let her go of her, and then winked at her. Casey had a gut feeling that something was off. He pulled Wendy away and hustled her and Beck out the door.

 Chapter 455

    Once Beck and Wendy left, the house immediately returned to its peaceful state.


    "Did my parents cause you any trouble?"


    Izabe shook her head, "No." She discreetly slipped the cheque into her pocket, unnoticed by Casey.


    "If they just show up uninvited next time, you can refuse to open the door."


    "Your dad''s a good guy, and your sister''s pretty sensible." Casey had a happy and harmonious family, something Izabe had never dared to dream of.


    Such a family had shaped Casey, she was grateful to them. There was no way she would leave his father and sister out in the cold.


    Thinking of the cheque, Casey curiously asked, "How much did my father write on the cheque?"


    Izabe took a sip of her coffee and replied, "I didn''t see clearly, but it''s definitely not equal to your whole worth."


    Casey cautiously asked, "Then how much do you think I''m worth?"


    Izabe answered bluntly, "A lot, probably more than I could earn in my lifetime."


    Casey sat next to Izabe, their bodies close, sharing the brief tranquility.


    When people were quiet, they could feel their heartbeat. He could feel his own heartbeat, even the cirction of blood throughout his body. He watched as Izabe sipped her coffee, her eyes filled with tender fondness.


    So he was so precious in Izabe''s heart, worth more than she could earn in a lifetime. Did this mean their feelings could continue into the next life?


    Izabe said she didn''t sweet-talk, but every word she said about him deeply touched his heart. This invisible attraction was the deadliest.


    "Do you want to watch TV?"


    "Sure."


    Casey picked up the remote, turned to Izabe''s favorite channel, and they sat together, fingers intertwined, watching TV. Izabe rested her head on Casey''s shoulder, "You mentioned earlier that you already thought of the name for our child?"


    Casey responded in a low voice, feeling slightly embarrassed, his face reddened.


    Izabe smiled slightly, "What name did you think of?"


    "I''m telling you, noughing."


    "I won''tugh."


    Casey hesitated, "If it''s a girl, she''ll be called Celeste Dempsey, if it''s a boy, Boris Salotti."


    Izabe couldn''t help butugh.


    Casey frowned, "You promised not tough."


    "I''m sorry, I couldn''t help it." Afterughing, she felt a warmth in her heart, "Tomorrow is the day before Christmas, do you want to go home?"


    "Go home? Where?"


    "Back to your house."


    "Isn''t this my house?" Casey felt that wherever Izabe was, that was home.


    It''s like forgetting his mother after getting a wife.


    Casey exined, "I told my mom on the 24th, she understands that you might feel ufortable with them, so she specifically told me to take good care of you and spend Christmas together." When Christmas was mentioned, it was already her fourth year after she passed away. Being with Casey, shepletely forgot that it was her death anniversary.


    Izabe said: "Let''s go back on Christmas Eve, what should we buy for the next time?" Thest time they went to the Dempsey family, they were in a hurry and only brought some health products. "My parents don''t need anything, but if you want to give a gift, you could ask my sister."


    "Alright, it''s settled."


    The day before Christmas, Izabe and Casey decided to roast a turkey at home. Christmas shows were ying on TV, the stars on the stage were performing wonderfully.


    Casey was preparing the fire, Izabe was preparing the ingredients.


    "It seems like it''s trendy to add candy inside the turkey." Casey suggested.


    Eating a turkey with candy during Christmas meant that he or she would have good luck and make a fortune in the new year. It symbolized sweetness and happiness. "Alright, let''s try it."


    When it was time to roast the turkey, he served the candy-filled turkey to Izabe, hoping she would only have sweetness and no hardship in the new year.


    Izabe didn''t notice this until she ate a piece of candy. She excitedly showed Casey, "Look, I got a piece of candy."


    "You''re really lucky, everything will go smoothly next year, all your wishes wille true, everything will be as you wish."


    If eating one candy was luck, then


    what was eating the second, the third? Although candy was delicious, too much of it can be sickening. Izabe noticed something was off when she ate the third piece of candy. She noticed Casey had served all the candy-filled turkey to her. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    She watched Casey, who was eating turkey across from her, and gently smiled.


    So-called good luck was having someone willing to shield her from wind and rain, silently praying and blessing for her.


    Izabe picked up a piece of candy and put it in Casey''s bowl.


    Casey asked, "Did you notice?"


    "Your trick was too obvious, I saw through it easily. Good fortune should be shared."


    Casey and Izabe decided to stay


    up all night for Christmas. At


    midnight, the city bell will ring,


    fireworks will be set off in the sky. It''s said to be the most beautiful


    moment in the city.


    This was Izabe''s first time seeing the city''s Christmas night, and the first time someone apanied her for Christmas. She decided to stay up until midnight.


    The TV was still on, it was lively outside. Casey took the fireworks he had bought in advance to the yard outside.


    Izabe looked up at the sky, surprisingly, she could still see stars on a December night.


    "Hold on, the bell will ring soon."


    The host on TV was also loudly counting down: "10, 9, 8, 7..."


    At this moment, her phone in her pocket began to vibrate. Izabe picked it up, it was a strange call. She instinctively answered it.


    A man''s hoarse voice came from the phone, "Izabe, Merry Christmas."


    "3."


    "2."


    "1."


    The bell rang at midnight, a loud noise erupted from the sky, beautiful fireworks bloomed in the sky, illuminating the entire sky.


    Izabe clutched her phone, looking.


    up at Casey in front of her, "I wish you health, happiness, and joy every day in the future, may all the wishes in your hearte true." S


    Izabe hung up the call, putting the phone back into her pocket.


    "Merry Christmas, Casey. I hope I can be with you for every year toe."


    The dazzling fireworks lit up Izabe''s face, and her eyes were even brighter than the neon lights.


    The fireworks were beautiful, but the one watching them was even more so.


    Was it because the firework-watching Izabe was too beautiful, or her words too touching, that Casey''s heart started to race?


    "I promise you, I''ll be with you every Christmas from here on out." Casey held Izabe''s hand.


    Thinking of Izabe receiving a phone call earlier, he asked, "Who was it on the phone just now?"


    "It was a nuisance call, I''ll block themter."

 Chapter 456

    The hospital TV was ying a Christmas party, bringing a touch of warmth to the chilly ward.


    The nurse was looking at the man lying in the hospital bed, his hand tightly clutching a phone. He seemed to be calling his beloved, his eyes soft, his fingers trembling slightly from nervous anticipation. The call quickly connected. He opened his dry lips and managed to say, "Izabe, Merry Christmas."


    He held the phone close to his ear. He was afraid of missing any detail, even not wanting to miss Izabe''s breathing.


    He could hear the ringing of bells from the phone, coinciding with the countdown from the TV host.


    Soon, the sound of fireworks exploding came from the phone, followed by Casey''s voice.


    "Here''s to Izabe, wishing you health, happiness, and all your dreamse true."


    His chest was aching badly. Brett should''ve been clutching his chest, but instead, his hand moved to cover his ear.


    But even with his ear covered, the call had already ended, and he hadn''t even heard Izabe''s voice.


    "Sir?" After a while, seeing Brett still holding his phone without any reaction, the nurse tentatively called out to him.


    Brett came to, but his body was stiff as he looked at the nurse standing by his bed.


    "So, have you finished your call?"


    "Finished." Brett released his grip, handing the phone back to her. "Thanks."


    "No problem. If you need to make another call, just let me know."


    Brett only shook his head in response. He wouldn''t borrow her phone again, knowing that once he made that call, Izabe would block him.


    His call to Izabe tonight wasn''t about expecting to hear anything from her. He just wanted to wish her a Merry Christmas in the middle of the night, in and simple.


    He and Izabe had been together for so long, yet they had never spent a Christmas together. It used to be him not going home, leaving her alone. Then, Izabe became a vegetable and lived in the hospital. The subsequent Christmases, he got engaged to Kaley, leaving her alone once again.


    Seeing that his IV drip was almost empty, the nurse changed the bag. She marked off a list, then fetched some medication for Brett.


    "Time to take your medicine."


    It was inconvenient for Brett to take his medication while on an IV drip. The nurse was about to get him some water when he threw the pills into his mouth and swallowed them without water. Chewed up pills were the bitterest. As the saying goes, after bitternesses sweetness. But this bitterness would never end, just like Izabe would never return.


    The nurse always felt the sorrow in the man''s eyes was inescapable, a pain worse than death. Like stars disappearing one by one in the night, some people may have died, but still live on in people''s hearts. Some people, though still alive, were already dead, trying to fade away unnoticed but remaining truly forgotten.


    The nurse brought a ss of water for Brett.


    "Thanks." Brett took it, draining the ss, but it did nothing for the bitterness in his mouth.


    "Rest well. If you need anything, ring the bell."


    "Okay."


    The nurse gave him a long look before pushing her cart out of the ward.


    Only Brett was left in the ward, the entire hallway eerily silent.


    Everyone was celebrating Christmas, including the patients in the hospital. Everyone except Brett, alone in his ward.


    He remembered a quote, "When you choose to love wholeheartedly, be prepared for heartache."


    Did they know what will never let them down? Disappointment.


    Christmas concerts these past few years were getting more and more boring. Brett closed his eyes, trying to sleep, but couldn''t. He tried to clear his mind of all the messy thoughts, but the more he tried not to think about them, the more vivid they became, even bringing to mind things buried deep in his memory.


    Seeing his low spirits, the nurse tried tofort him.


    "Mr. Windham, you need to stay positive. A day of pain and a day of joy are both a day. Why not choose to live the rest joyfully? You''re only worsening your condition."


    Brett wanted to be happy, but the word "happy" was bing more and more foreign to him.


    "Today is the first day of the new year."


    With a first day, there might be a tomorrow. But he wasn''t looking forward to his tomorrow, he was only hoping to see Izabe''s tomorrow.


    The ward window was tightly shut. Brett stared at the sky outside, counting the days. This was his twenty-fourth day in the hospital, since leaving "Spring Bay".


    This year, it didn''t snow in R City. The wintersweet outside was blooming, looking fragrant, but he couldn''t smell it.


    Not long after their stay in Wye, Izabe and Casey returned to R City.


    The progress of "Blood Ties", featuring Izabe, and other shows, was fast, especially "Who''s the Ghost", which invested most of its funds in post-production.


    The trailer shocked theizens. The unexpectedly good results, beautiful visuals, top-notch sound and special effects, and intriguing storyline were all impressive. But the most captivating were the performances by Izabe and Casey. Their outstanding acting immediately drew the audience in.


    However, some people were skeptical. Many movie trailers these days were well-made but disappoint viewers in the end.


    Under such circumstances, the feedback from the initial audience was crucial.


    But there was no denying that the fanbase of Casey and Izabe alone was enough to guarantee substantial box office revenue. The film wouldn''t make a loss, but it might affect the film''s reputation. The film''s trailer whetted everyone''s appetite, and in the end, "Who''s the Ghost" was set to premiere during the summer blockbuster season.


    At the same time, another big-budget film, "Lost in Lumina", was also scheduled to premiere on the same day.


    "Lost in Lumina" was a big-budget film with an investment of 30 million dors, took longer to shoot than "Who''s the Ghost", and featured many big-name actors. The director, Mr. Hackett, had even won a golden award before.


    One thing worth mentioning was that Vivian, the leadingdy of Lost in Lumina, yed a supporting role in "Blood Ties". Her agency invested a lot of dough in her and she''s not too shabby when it came to acting.


    There was no beef between Izabe and Vivian. It was just that they both auditioned for the same part, the third female lead. Vivian nailed it, but Izabe got the second female lead. Even though Izabe has less screen time, her role was a notch above Vivian''s.


    Vivian was a bit salty about Izabe but kept it under wraps. When she saw the oue for Kristin and Ariana, she knew Izabe was no walk in the park. Plus, Izabe was pretty popr on set, so Vivian didn''t want to ruin her rep over some petty squabbles.


    Instead of stirring the pot, Vivian yed it cool andpeted behind the scenes. In the end, her agencynded her a leading role in a big-budget sword-y drama, Lost in Lumina.


    She was determined to outshine Izabe. From the moment Izabe took on the subpar movie "Who''s the Ghost", Vivian vowed to never let Izabe outperform her.


    Vivian admitted, in terms of acting chops or looks, she had nothing on Izabe. But in the movie biz, it''s the box office that talks.


    How good could a movie that was being bashed left and right be? The only people who''d probably go see it were Casey''s fans.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    A bunch of marketing ounts startedparing Lost in Lumina and "Who''s the Ghost". Firstly, Lost in Lumina had the upper hand in terms of screen time.


    In the domestic market, horror flicks


    weren''t a big hit. After all, they


    couldn''t hold a candle to foreign horror movies, and not everyone had the guts to watch them. But it was a


    different story for sword-yman


    dramas. The younger crowd made up, the majority of moviegoers, so the box office sess lied in their hands.


    Lost in Lumina was a big-budget film based on a local bestseller, which resonated with a lot of young folks. Many would watch it for nostalgia''s sake, so it was likely to do pretty well at the box office. Even before the movie premiered, people started questioning the team behind "Who''s the Ghost".


    The disparity in screen time was staggering.


    Lost in Lumina had a whopping 45% screen time, while "Who''s the Ghost" only had 15%.


    Lost in Lumina premiered first. People happily strolled into the theater, and walked outughing.


    So on the first day, Lost in Lumina only scored a 5, not even passing grade.


    [The adaptation was way off. Couldn''t make heads or tails of what the director was trying to convey. Can''t they stick to the original script? We didn''t ask for a botched up version.]


    [I''ve never seen such cringe-worthy effects. It was a real eyesore. The acting was mediocre. Although there were some veterans holding the fort, Vivian''s performance was a real letdown.]


    [This is hands down the worst sword-y drama I''ve ever seen. I went in for nostalgia''s sake, but the adaptation was so bad I couldn''t even recognize the original.]


    [The so-called high-quality visuals of Lost in Lumina were only in the trailer. Yeah, the one or two minutes of the trailer were the only exciting parts of the movie.]


    [This was the first time I had such a good sleep in a theater. Not bad, I n to record the movie next time and use it as my bedtime luby.] "Thank God, thank God Casey didn''t take on this movie. Thank God Hackett didn''t let Casey take on this movie.]


    "Lost in Lumina" had a high screen time on the first day. The producers splurged on advertising. When people walked into the theater, the big screen was flooded with ads for "Lost in Lumina". Many who didn''t know what to watch ended up buying tickets for "Lost in Lumina".


    Riding this wave, and continuously overshadowing "Who''s the Ghost", "Lost in Lumina"''s box office hit over 10 million on the second day.


    The producers barely had time to celebrate when the movie was flooded with one-star reviews. Even scrambling to get marketing ounts to hype it up overnight didn''t help.


    Initially, "Who''s the Ghost" had a low screen time. Only a handful of fans came to watch, along with some people who settled for it because they couldn''t get tickets for "Lost in Lumina". They nned on taking a nap in the theater, but the opening scene caught their attention.


    Casey''s performance wasuded by everyone. He bagged all sorts of awards, became the youngest ever box office king, and collected a truckload of des.


    But the real surprise was Izabe. Although she had showcased her acting skills on variety shows, they didn''t really count.


    "Blood Ties" hadn''t aired yet, and unexpectedly, the first one to premiere was the movie she spent over a month filming.


    Not many had high hopes for this movie, even her fans were skeptical and nervously bought tickets.


    Many nned to nap in the theater, but ended up shedding tears after the movie. The two-hour long movie was engaging and left viewers wanting more.


    So what was so special about this movie? It had humor, scares, and plot twists that hit them right in the feels.


    Even after two decades, this film wouldn''t be outdated. It was a ssic worth revisiting.


    When the movie ended, the entire theater was filled with the sound of sniffling. Everyone who watched the movie was in tears, the plot twists were too overwhelming to process.


    Apart from the solid script, the filming, lighting, background music, and special effects were all top-notch. It''s hard to believe this was an 80 million budget production, it was leagues ahead of "Lost in Lumina". Watching "Who''s the Ghost" after "Lost in Lumina" felt like a spiritual cleanse.


    Besides these highlights, there was another treat. Casey showed off his upper body in the movie.


    This kind of skin show was unprecedented.


    The dim light illuminating his body,


    broad shoulders, narrow waist,


    impressive abs, protruding back muscles as if ready to take flight His muscles weren''t over the top, just right. The flexing of his neck and


    wrists was a mesmerizing sight, bringing tears to the viewers'' eyes.


    Casey was definitely a golden boy, blessed by the gods above. Each and every one of his muscles was just dripping with charm. The directors did a bang-up job together, showcasing all his strengths and turning his muscles into a total feast for the eyes.

 Chapter 457

    So, "Who''s the Ghost" snagged the top spot of the trending list that day.


    [Casey in the buff]


    Compared to the hailstorm of criticisms for "Lost in Lumina" nearby, "Who''s the Ghost" had a storming debut, scoring a whopping 91.


    That 0.9 gap? All thanks to the trolls who had nothing better to do than to trash the movie. Izabe and Casey were wless in this film. Anyone who had seen it can''t help but sing its praises.


    91 seemed a bit low for the die-hard fans. This movie deserved more eyes on it. It could very well be Casey''s best work yet, with box office earnings that could potentially smash the 6 hundred million mark. [I''m dubbing Casey and Izabe the surprise package. Who would''ve thought this 8 million budget movie could outdo its 30 million neighbor?]Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    [Are you sure this movie is any good? You''re not just saying this ''cause you were paid off, right? A horror movie from aedy crew, how good can it be? The joke''s on you! Look at its first-day box office, doesn''t even make half of what "Lost in Lumina" did.]


    [Reply to the above, this movie is a gem. Best I''ve ever seen. Hackett blew my mind, brilliant! I''m not on the take. If I were, I''d be having nightmares!]


    [I went to see ''Who''s the Ghost'' just to kill some time. Who would''ve thought it''d get me all teary-eyed by the end. The ending was a total curveball, had meughing, crying, and scared out of my wits. Heck, I''m still a bit spooked just thinking about it.]


    [Never thought a domestic horror movie could be this good. Hats off to the crew, you guys have ushered in a new era for horror flicks in our country.]


    [Totally shattered my expectations. I was dissing this movie just yesterday. Who would''ve thought it''d turn out so amazing! Great script, amazing cast, Izabe and Casey are simply irresistible. The chemistry between them is off the charts! And let''s not forget the script. I can''t give away any spoilers since the movie is still in theaters, but this is hands down the best script I''ve ever seen. Kudos to the original screenwriter Bell Salotti! I want to know everything about this genius!]


    [Go see it! Everyone, go see it! Casey goes shirtless, I''m getting nosebleeds just thinking about that bod.]


    [Comments say Casey''s showing off his upper body. I''m definitely not missing out on that. For a glimpse of Casey''s hotness, it''s all worth it.]


    [I''m going for a rewatch. Whether they strip or not doesn''t matter, I just want to test my nerves.]


    [Casey''s got guts, huh? Stripping in front of the audience?]


    [''Who''s the Ghost'' is just a low-budget flick, right? With a


    budget of only 8 million and no other investments. How much would


    left after paying the actors? 2 million? Or 1 million? How good can a movie made with that little money be? I''m seriously doubting the praises from above are genuine.]


    [You''ve gotta be kidding me. Low-budget? It''s all about the big picture, man. The money was well spent, unlike "Lost in Lumina" which ims to be the best fantasy film of the year. One look and I wanted to hurl Those special effects were horrendous. The 300 million budget was all spent on hiring actors and advertising. And now they''re even hiring trolls to boost their ratings


    and trash thepetitors!]


    [I initially nned to watch "Lost in Lumina" with my girlfriend. But having seen thements below, we quickly changed our minds.]


    [To the one whomented above, you made the right call. I took my girlfriend to see "Lost in Lumina" yesterday, and she threatened to break up with me afterward. But after I coaxed her into seeing ''Who''s the Ghost'' today, we made up.]


    [Can you guys check out the reviews


    on "Lost in Lumina''


    Lumina"?


    It''s


    cringe-worthy. Now whenever I see Vivian''s face, I feel embarrassed. I used to think she was pretty and her acting was decent. But seeing her on the big screen, all I see is a big round face. Why watch "Lost in Lumina" when you can drool over Casey''s abs and Izabe''s stunning beauty?]


    [Latest news, the special effects in "Lost in Lumina""''s trailer were giarized. What a disaster!]


    24 hourster, thetest feedback on the movies ying in cinemas came out, ording to the data.


    On the first day, "Lost in Lumina" had the highest box office, but the worst reviews.


    While "Who''s the Ghost" didn''t do exceptionally well in box office, it received a ton of rave reviews.


    These reviews significantly boosted the movie''s publicity. On the second day, "Who''s the Ghost" tickets sold out as soon as they were released, reaching a 90% upancy rate, making it the highest in recent years, far exceeding "Lost in Lumina".


    The cinemas were not fools. They saw the trend and naturally increased the number of screenings for movies with higher upancy rates.


    Fast forward another day, "Who''s the Ghost"''s audience count surpassed "Lost in Lumina", and the rating also increased.


    "Who''s the Ghost""''s rating reached 95, and the box office surpassed 1 hundred million dors within just two days.


    In contrast, "Lost in Lumina" was not so lucky. The original 5-star rating dropped to 4. It probably wouldn''t have been so bad if it hadn''t run into such a formidable opponent as "Who''s the Ghost".


    "Who''s the Ghost"s box office was soaring, unstoppable. Initially, the production team and investors of "Lost in Lumina" even hired trolls to trash "Who''s the Ghost", but it was to no avail!

 Chapter 458

    Since the premiere of "Who''s the Ghost," Izabe had been the talk of the town, with her acting skills receiving renewed recognition.


    She was impressive on reality TV, but she''s even more stunning on the big screen.


    In "Who''s the Ghost," Izabe outshone all others. Her skills were top-notch, earning her not only a handsome paycheck but a multitude of fans. She''s hit the jackpot in both fame and fortune.


    Watching Izabe now, people were forgetting that she was once universally criticized. Today''s Izabe was like a phoenix reborn from the ashes.


    Sometimes, when they saw her on screen, people can''t help but wonder why they ever criticized Izabe. How can someone so radiant deserve any criticism?


    This Izabe was so captivating, she''s like a sun that can''t be ignored.


    Her co-star, Casey, also showcased his acting skills in this film. The two of them worked in perfect harmony, marking a beautiful ending to the movie.


    In the film, they yed a married couple who, from the very beginning, were like the title of the movie, "Who''s the Ghost."


    The line between human and ghost was blurred, but by the end, it no longer mattered.


    Some people lived in the world but felt like they were in hell, while others were in hell pretending to be in the world. The film presented a tale of redemption, culminating in the wife gradually disappearing in her husband''s arms, drawing tears from the audience.


    The husband came to understand the meaning of life, cherishing the world with the memory of his wife.


    After the release of Izabe''s film, Brett secretly booked cinemas in various cities to exclusively show "Who''s the Ghost."


    It can be said that he alone contributed three hundred million to the box office.


    Izabe knew about this. Whatever Brett wanted to do, she''d let him. The money he was offering was too good to pass up.


    Brett would watch Izabe''s film whenever he had free time. Even after watching it over twenty times, he never got tired of it. The most popr topic in hispany, aside from work, was this blockbuster film. At some point, he couldn''t escape hearing "Izabe" everywhere. More and more people were talking about her, but Brett felt that Izabe was drifting further away. His world suddenly felt empty and devoid of everything.


    Brett, diagnosed with lung cancer, quit smoking. He refused chemotherapy, which could prolong his life, but he felt that being bedridden was worse than death.


    The cancer had a significant impact on his body. He was not only in pain, but his hair started to fall out. To prevent further hair loss, Brett got a buzz cut. His handsome features looked good with any hairstyle. With his forehead exposed, his facial features appeared more defined. Where his eyes once sparkled, there was now no light.


    Brett started watching the film again. Every time the female lead''s spirit faded away, he would start crying.


    Although it was a movie, it reflected real events. Wasn''t Izabe also lost to him in a simr way?


    Izabe''s performance was wless. She brought out the essence of the script, fully immersing herself in the role. It felt like she wasn''t acting, but rather, she was the character herself.


    Brett often searched the inte for news about Izabe and read praises from her fans.


    They described Izabe as a radiant beauty, like a blooming red rose basking in the sunlight, stunning and eye-catching.


    Brett had seen this Izabe before and had etched her image deep into his soul.


    That wilted red rose had sprouted new buds, blossoming even more brilliantly than before.


    Brett never truly possessed this "red rose." When he had her, he ruined it. And now that she hade back to life, she no longer belonged to him.


    Upon receiving news that Kristin had died, Liam was shocked.


    After being tortured by Nathaniel for eight long months, her death was horrifying.


    Liam had seen the pictures and had nightmares for several nights. Just looking at her wounds, it was clear that Kristin''sst eight months were worse than hell.


    "Are we sure she''s dead?"


    Liam replied, "Yes, it''s her. I had someone verify the DNA."


    Ever since Nathaniel learned of Bell''s death and lost the use of his legs, he vented all his anger and murderous intent on Kristin. That she managed to hang on for eight months was already a miracle. When Kristin died, she was already insane. To her, death was a release.


    Thepany''s old shareholders were already discontent with Nathaniel, but they dared not voice their grievances due to his power.


    Brett, in the meantime, had secretly started to make his move. Now, with just one final strike, the Windham family''s assets in J City could be transferred under his name. Nathaniel could also be imprisoned for murder, a crime punishable by death.


    Nathaniel was a ticking time bomb. When Kristin was still alive, he had an outlet for his rage. Now that she''s dead, he might shift his attention back to Izabe.


    Nathaniel was a mentally unstable madman. There was no guarantee he wouldn''t me Bell''s death on Izabe.


    Coughing, Brett tasted blood in his throat. It had been a year since he was diagnosed with lung cancer. The doctor had said that without hospitalization and chemotherapy, he had at most three years to live. A year had passed in the blink of an eye. He had at most two years left, maybe even less.


    He could feel his body deteriorating. A light cough brought the taste of blood. He knew his body couldn''t hold on much longer. But before he faded away, he must settle everything that threatened Izabe. Only then could he leave in peace.


    "Is everything I asked you to prepare ready?"


    Liam paused, his face pale, "President Windham, are you really going to quietly transfer all your assets to her name?"


    "The sooner this is done, the sooner I can rest easy. I don''t know how much longer I can hold on. I don''t even know if I can live to see the sunrise tomorrow."Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "You''re being too pessimistic."


    "It''s not pessimism, it''s reality," Brett said, pausing for a moment before calling out, "Where''s Liam? You only truly understand the depth of a situation when it hits you personally. Wasn''t Izabe in a simr state, awaiting her fate helplessly? can''t me anyone but myself. If had believed Izabe back then and shown her even a smidgen of kindness while she was lucid, we wouldn''t be in this predicament."


    Just like Izabe''s question: have you ever heard the summer cicadas in winter?


    Summer cicadas don''t sing in winter because their life span only covers one summer. When their song ceases, their life is over.


    He was toote now, like trying to water a nt that had already withered. Was there any use?


    For Izabe, this was undoubtedly a good ending.


    The film "Who''s the Ghost" grossed 6.5 billion, setting a record in domestic box office history, and it was a horror film at that. When most people thought of horror films, they thought of Hollywood, but surprisingly, a domestic film had made its mark.


    "Who''s the Ghost" decided to expand its reach globally after screening domestically.


    An investment of 80 million yielding 6.5 billion was beyond anyone''s wildest dreams. This was Izabe''s debut film, and its sess had already surpassed many of the previous Academy Award winners. On the other hand, "Lost in Lumina" faltered before vanishingpletely. The first wave of paid social media influencers were wasted funds.


    In today''s film market, the audience was discerning. They can recognize a good film, and the artificial hype created, by these paid influencers can''t sway them. Instead, it only cast a negative light on "Lost in Lumina", which not only failed in quality but also in public sentiment.


    The loss from "Lost in Lumina" was incalcble. They had poured three billion into it, not to mention the marketing cost, paid trends, and influencers. All this was beyond estimation.


    To break even, they needed a box office of at least 1.5 billion, but they hadn''t even reached 700 million.


    The biggest loser was undoubtedly Vivian. Before the film''s release, she was confident that she could outshine Izabe. But who would have thought that she would be the one trampled underfoot?


    Her debut film was met with harsh criticism. It was unlikely she would be offered more film roles and would have to stick to TV dramas, where thepetition was fierce, and good scripts and directors were hard toe by. Vivian had hit rock bottom.


    The box office flop was a heavy burden to bear. No one wanted to take the me. The director, Mr. Hackett, was a renowned figure in the film industry, and so were the cast members. No one dared to offend them. As a result, all the me fell on Vivian.


    Vivian earned a new title, "Box Office Poison," tarnishing her once good reputation.


    On Izabe''s side, they celebrated as


    they should. The film, which had


    cost 80 million to produce and a further 100 million for


    post-production and marketing, had made a whopping 6.5 billion at the box office. After splitting profits and paying taxes, they had a profit of around 4 billion.


    The windfall also elevated The Maple Group''s status, something Beck Dempsey noticed.


    Despite being in different fields, Beck was surprised at how lucrative the entertainment industry was. A few months ago, he had thought of paying Izabe five million to leave Casey.


    Later, Izabe turned the tables on him, demanding 995 million to leave Casey alone.


    At that time, he had said that paying such a hefty amount might bankrupt The Maple Group.


    But Izabe had been full of confidence, not caring about thepany''s money. Just six monthster, Izabe had probably amassed a fortune of around seven or eight billion.


    Had she foreseen this day?


    He felt a pang of regret, not for himself or Casey, but for Izabe.


    Casey hadnded a goldmine. Where had he found such a wife?


    After some thought, Beck frowned deepened. He wondered what Izabe saw in Casey. Was it a momentary whim?


    No matter what, he had to make sure Casey held on to her. Wives as lucrative as Izabe were hard toe by.


    The Dempsey family was not short of money. Their assets could buy several of Izabe''spanies.


    Beck had never paid much attention to The Maple Group. What caught his eye was Izabe''s potential to make money.


    Beck had long considered retirement and traveling the world with his wife, but The Dempsey family couldn''t function without a leader.


    Casey showed no interest. When Beck decided to groom him as the sessor, Casey simply refused and entered the entertainment industry. Bringing Casey back was toote. It was impossible to start from scratch, and forcing him to work in the familypany would only lead to resentment. Fortunately, they had a daughter.


    Wendy Dempsey also had a knack for business, but she was more interested in managing online stores. She was a hundred percent unwilling to take over The Dempsey family business.

 Chapter 459

    And Beck wasn''t entirelyfortable entrusting it all to her. His daughter was somewhat naive, and he feared she might be duped by some man. There were enough tales in the media of sons-inw ruining their fathers-inw, leaving families destitute.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    But now, things were different.


    With Izabe around, if she were to marry Casey, Beck could divide a portion of his wealth and grant her control of the entire Dempsey Group.


    Beck was already counting his chickens, considering how Izabe had earned billions in just a year. He had to make sure to keep such a talent around.


    So, he promptly dialed Casey''s number, only to be greeted by the chilly automated voice.


    "I''m sorry, but the person you called is currently on another call."


    Casey had hung up on him.


    Beck was used to this. He''d call again, and Casey would hang up. This went on until the fifth time.


    Perhaps annoyed by the constant ringing, Casey finally picked up.


    "What is it?"


    Beck started with aint. "You hung up on me four times."


    "Dad, if you don''t have anything important to say, I''ll hang up a fifth time."


    Casey always meant what he said. Beck quickly halted him.


    "Wait, don''t hang up just yet. I have something to discuss with you."


    Casey, patient as ever, asked, "What is it?"


    Beck replied, "Bring your girlfriend over for dinner. Your mom misses her, and so does your sister. She''s been asking about her non-stop."


    Casey found Beck''s change in tone rather strange. Usually, when Beck referred to Izabe, he would call her "that woman". But this time, he referred to her as Casey''s girlfriend. This meant that Beck had fully epted Izabe. And why wouldn''t he? If he still had issues with someone as outstanding as Izabe, he''d probably need to get his eyes checked. "I''ll have to ask Izabe if she''s up for it."


    Beck quickly responded, "Make sure you ask her. And remember to find out her favorite foods. I''ll note them down and have our chef prepare them.¡±


    Casey listed a slew of Izabe''s favorites. Beck couldn''t keep up, so he decided to record the conversation and jot down the detailster.


    After hanging up, Beck began making the necessary arrangements. When Wendy came home to see the house bustling with preparations, she pulled Kevin, the housekeeper, aside and asked, "Kevin, are we expecting guests?"


    "It''s Casey and his girlfriend, Ms. Salotti, ma''am."


    "You mean Izabe ising?"


    "Yes, the arrangements were ordered by the master."


    "I need to speak with my father." Wendy took a few steps before suddenly turning back. "Is my father home?"


    "He should be in the garden, having tea."


    Wendy rushed out to the garden where Beck was luxuriously perched on a rocking chair, sipping tea and humming a tune, sunsses perched on his nose. "Dad."


    The sudden call of "Dad" interrupted Beck''s humming. He slid his sunsses down his nose, leaning forward, "What is it?"


    "Is Izabeing over for dinner tonight?"


    Beck nodded, looking up at Wendy''s flushed face. She must have run all the way here.


    "Yes, I just called your brother and asked him to bring his girlfriend for dinner."


    So, it was really happening? Wendy''s eyes sparkled. "Then I''ll go change into something nicer."


    Why did she need to change her


    clothes when her brother was bringing his girlfriend over for dinner? Beck was puzzled as he watched his daughter''s retreating figure. After taking a few steps, Wendy suddenly turned back, her expression serious.


    "Dad, stop referring to Izabe as ''my brother''s girlfriend''. She has a name. It''s disrespectful."


    Taken aback by the unexpected reprimand, Beck was about to ask, "Since when have you be so close with her?"


    "None of your business." Wendy huffed and stormed off towards the house, heading straight to the second floor to pick out an outfit.


    Wendy had always been a fan of


    Izabe, noticing her since she


    starred in a high school drama. She admired her beauty, but was disappointed by the various


    wovel.n


    controversies and rumors


    surrounding Izabe in the following


    years.


    Wendy thought it was a shame, considering how infrequently she found someone who fell within her aesthetic preference.


    But then, during the "Here Comes


    the Superstars" show, Izabe caught her attention again. This time, Wendy admired not only her beauty but also her acting skills.


    Wendy collected numerous autographs, cards, and DVDs rted to Izabe. She even went out of her way to get behind-the-scenes footage of Izabe''s shows and dramas.


    As a fan, Wendy believed in maintaining a distance from her idol. That was, until Casey was rumored to be dating Izabe.


    For the first time, Wendy understood what it felt like when the "roof fell in". It was like a bolt from the blue, leaving her in disbelief and speechless.


    She could have continued living in denial, untilst Christmas when Casey brought Izabe to the Dempsey family gathering.


    She watched as her world crumbled before her eyes, distracting herself by ying on her phone, purposely avoiding Izabe''s every move.

 Chapter 460

    When Beck suggested a check to test Izabe, she pondered for a moment before agreeing to go with him.


    Sitting on the side, Wendy, a bystander, pretended not to care, but inwardly, she was as sour as vinegar, wishing Izabe would take that five million and leave her brother. But she knew Izabe wasn''t like that. Her pride wouldn''t stop at a measly five million.


    What happened next, however, took Wendypletely by surprise. She hadn''t expected Izabe to be the executive director of the Maple Group, a huge secret identity, and to be willing to give the wholepany away for Casey.


    She felt like a clown sitting under an apple tree, as if she had swallowed a dozen sour apples.


    Even though her brother was handsome, had a good physique, could cook, was a great actor, was gentle, and could make money, none of it seemed enough for Izabe. To Wendy, Izabe was like a fairy. How could she date a mere mortal?


    Wendy fumed as she got dressed, her bed piled high with discarded clothes. After much deliberation, she settled on a sky-blue dress.


    She opened her door to find the maid tidying the room. She approached her and asked, "Gina, does this dress look good on me?"


    The maid nodded as she assessed Wendy''s outfit. "Yes, you look beautiful in anything, Wendy. This blue dress especiallyplements your fairplexion." ttered, Wendy twirled in her dress. "Really?"


    "Really," Gina confirmed. "Are you dressing up for a date?"


    "Hardly," Wendy replied. "This is much more important than a date. I''ll wear this dress tonight, and I need to put on some makeup."


    Wendy returned to her room to get ready. The woman in the mirror was fair and beautiful, with sparkling eyes and long, curledshes that added to her allure.


    She applied her lipstick, fuming over the injustice of it all. Why should her brother get Izabe? He was just an old man, after all. Wendy was as beautiful as Casey, if not more so. She was his sister, after all. She plotted to get closer to Izabe, making her shiver from miles away.


    When Casey noticed Izabe''s slight shiver, he immediately turned the heater up a few degrees.


    "Are you cold?" he asked, concerned. "How about now?"


    "I''m fine now, thank you."


    "Be, my father just called. He wants you to have dinner with the Dempsey family. Judging from his tone, he might want to apologize to you. If you have something else going on or you don''t want to go, I can decline."


    Izabe set her cup down, perplexed. "Apologize for what?"


    "Rememberst Christmas when he tried to humiliate you with money?"


    "That was a misunderstanding, and it''s all in the past. Besides, it''s not right to make an elder apologize."


    "Why not?" Casey retorted, "If he did something wrong, he should apologize. Are we supposed to indulge him? My mother once made him kneel on a washboard, but I still think that wasn''t enough."


    Izabe had heard this washboard story from Casey more than once, and every time she heard it, she couldn''t help butugh.


    "Then," Casey hesitated before asking, "will youe home with me today?"


    Izabe nodded. "Yes, I''ll go with you."


    Casey''s eyes twinkled as he beamed. "My parents are in R City, we can drive there after you''re done with work."


    Izabe looked at her watch. It was three o''clock. "How long will it take to get there?"


    "If there''s no traffic, it''ll take about an hour and a half."


    "Then I''ll finish these documents and we can leave. We don''t want to get stuck in rush hour."


    "Is there anything I can do to help?" Casey didn''t want Izabe to overwork herself. She was juggling too many roles - executive director of the Maple Group, actress, and even overseeing post-production on a movie.


    Casey didn''t know how Izabe managed it all.


    When Izabe heard Casey''s offer to help, she couldn''t think of anything he could do. But seeing his concerned expression, she handed him some non-critical documents. "You can go over these for me and sign them if everything''s okay."


    "Okay." Casey set to work on the papers.


    By the time Izabe was finished, it was already four o''clock. She called her secretary in to clean up her desk.


    Casey naturally handed Izabe her mask and sunsses, adjusting her hair and making sure everything was perfect. Then, holding her bag in one hand and her hand in the other, he asked, "Aren''t you tired from working so much every day?"


    "Tired?" Izabe echoed, also questioning herself. She seemed to have gotten used to it. She didn''t feel tired, but rather fulfilled. Watching her business grow and herpany expand was rewarding.


    In just one year, the Maple Group had risen in the national rankings, and its executive director had made it to the top of the rich list.


    "I''m used to it," Izabe finally answered. "I love this life, Casey. This is who I truly am." She turned to look at him, her expression serious.


    Casey knew about Izabe''s past. She was the former richest woman in R City, wealthier than all the other womenbined.


    Old Mr. Salotti was on his deathbed, the Salotti Group on the brink of copse. It was Izabe who stepped up, taking over the reins and miraculously pulling thepany back from the edge of the cliff in just three months.


    In those days, Izabe was untouchable in R City, outshining even the men.


    But in the end, she was undone by a man. Her star fell, her life tragically cut short at the tender age of twenty-seven.


    Brett was the towering skyscraper that brought down her world. With just a flick of his wrist, her world crumbled.


    After Izabe''s death, there was never another woman in R City who could match her brilliance.


    Until Izabe reappeared. When people saw her, memories came flooding back. There was a woman back then, also named Izabe, who lived life just as vibrantly.


    Many people started to reminisce about the old Izabe, thinking about her.


    Casey ruffled her hair gently, "I like who you are now. But don''t overwork yourself."


    Izabe shook her head. She could handle this pressure. Once upon a time, she barely slept for a few hours a week, managing the Salotti family business that was worth billions.


    When she arrived at the Dempsey''s, Bunny Dempsey had already instructed the household to prepare for her arrival.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    As soon as Izabe stepped into the house, she could smell the aroma wafting from the kitchen.


    This was her fourth time meeting Bunny, but her first time visiting the Dempsey''s. Yet, she didn''t feel like a stranger at all. She smoothly changed into house slippers and made herself at home.


    Bunny''s expression was always so


    gentle. Whenever Izabe saw her, she would think of her own mother If her mother was still alive, she would probably be just as gentle as Bunny, always checking on her health and whether she was


    overworking or being bullied at work.


    She would also gently pat Izabe''s back and shoulder, the warmth of her palmforting.


    Upon hearing themotion downstairs, Wendy scampered down the stairs in her dress. She had a dozen different scenarios nned out in her head, all of them involving an enthusiastic embrace as soon as she saw Izabe.


    But when she did see Izabe, she froze, standing off to the side, nervously twirling her hair and blushing.


    Izabe saw Wendy in the corner and walked over with a bag in hand. "Hey, Wendy."


    "Hmm, what is it?" Wendy''s tone was cold, and she didn''t even nce at Izabe.


    Every time Izabe saw Wendy, she was like this. Cold, giving one-word answers, or just sitting in a corner ying with her phone and ignoring everyone else. Sometimes Izabe wondered, did Wendy not like her?


    Butst time, Wendy had asked to take a picture with her and even gave her a chance.


    She thought their rtionship would have improved, but why didn''t it seem to have changed at all today?


    Izabe handed over the gift bag she was holding. "This is a gift I brought for you. I didn''t know what to get you, but I heard from your brother that you might like this."


    Wendy hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take the bag, murmuring a quiet, "Thank you."


    "I hope you like it."


    "I really like it." As long as it was a gift from Izabe, even if it were a pile of dung, she would love it!


    Wendy wanted to have a one-on-one chat with Izabe, but Bunny came and whisked Izabe away. With a pout, Wendy took the gift upstairs to unwrap it. It was a limited edition dress from her favorite luxury brand.


    She had her eye on this dress for a while and had nned to have someone buy it for her, but the limited edition sold out, and she couldn''t get her hands on it. She didn''t expect Izabe to have bought it for


    her.


    The white dress was of excellent quality, even more beautiful than she had imagined. She decided to wear this new dress to impress Izabe tomorrow.


    Downstairs, Izabe asked Casey in a whisper, "Is Wendy usually introverted?"


    "Introverted? How could she be?" Casey was taken aback, thinking about the time Wendy asked for his autograph to sell, and how she had even suggested taking a naked picture of him.


    "Does she not like me?"


    "Who in this world would not like you?" This question was even more shocking than thest.


    The surprise on Casey''s face was genuine; even his pupils were shaking.


    Izabeughed and reminded him, "Have you forgotten about all those haters online?"


    "Those people have problems with their eyes and brains, don''t they? They can''t even distinguish right from wrong, they are just stupid and shamelessly rude."


    Casey was a master at praising Izabe. He could do it with his eyes closed. When he heard others praise her, he would look even more proud, as if the praises were for him.


    "Don''t worry, my sister is fine. Didn''t she suddenly hug youst time?" The thought of that made him shudder.


    Beck also showed up at this point. Izabe personally handed him the gift she brought, and politely called him "Mr. Beck."


    "I heard from Casey that you like to drink tea. I chose this one, but I don''t know if you''ll like it."


    Beck looked at the gift box. This tea was not cheap. His good-for-nothing son had never given him such a valuable gift. Thinking of these annoying things, he couldn''t help but give Casey a sideways nce.


    In the end, it was Casey who was marrying up.


    "Why are you bringing coffee? Just


    come and sit down, make yourself at home." Beck said, but his hand was already on the gift box, admiring it with satisfaction. "I watched the movie you recently starred in. You were excellent. I watched it five times. But that ghost face was a bit scary, gave me nightmares for several nights. By the way, Izabe,


    do you y chess?"


    "I know a little. I used to y with my grandfather."


    "That''s perfect. I just got a new chessboard today. It''s still a while before dinner, so why don''t you y a few games with me?"


    Izabe nced at Casey next to her and nodded. "Sure."


    As dusk fell, the city was bathed in a dim glow. Beck had the chessboard set up on the balcony of the living room. ying chess revealed one''s character. It was only then that Beck realized how much he had misunderstood Izabe before.

 Chapter 461

    Beck asked his butler to brew two cups of tea from the leaves Izabe had brought. The initial taste was slightly bitter, but quickly turned sweet, leaving a delightful aftertaste that lingered. Beck made the first move, cing a ck piece on the marble chessboard. The sounds of the pieces hitting the board were the only noises on the otherwise silent balcony.


    Time passed, and before they knew it, the game had be intense. Izabe seemed thoughtful, while Beck, holding the ck pieces, furrowed his eyebrows as he carefully considered his next move. After cing a ck piece on the board, he looked up at Izabe. She was no ordinary woman, always remaining calm andposed, even when facing adversity.


    A woman with such self-control was truly admirable.


    Izabe''s chess skills were impressive, and Beck gradually began to feel the pressure. He nced at Izabe, who had remained cool and collected from the start, a slight smile on her face exuding confidence.


    As the cool evening breeze blew, rustling her hair, Izabe held her chin in one hand while gently twirling a chess piece in the other. After seeing Beck make his move, she delicately ced her piece on the board.


    "Mr. Beck, you have been generous," she said.


    Beck put down his piece, "I didn''t expect you to be so good at chess. Not many young people these days have the patience for it."


    "I learned it from my grandfather."


    Izabe recalled her past. As a child in the Salotti family, she wasrgely ignored by her father and brothers. It was her grandfather who raised her and taught her how to y chess, how to stay calm, and how to see the bigger picture. Unfortunately, she had failed him and the Salotti family.


    Now her goal was to rebuild the family and restore its former glory.


    Beck''s expression suddenly turned serious. "Izabe, I need to apologize to you. I was wrong to insult you with money, and to misjudge you."


    Izabe shook her head with a smile, "Mr. Beck, I never med you. You have nothing to apologize for."


    "If I make a mistake, I should apologize. Do you forgive me?"


    "Of course, I understand that everything you did was for Casey''s good. You are a good father."


    A lump formed in Beck''s throat, "You are one of the best girls I''ve ever known, just like my daughter. I want to ask you a serious question."


    "What is it?"


    "Will you stay with Casey forever? No matter what happens to him, will you continue to love him?"


    "As long as he remains faithful to me."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "If he dares to be unfaithful, I''ll break one of his legs and Mrs. Bunny will break the other."


    Izabeughed. She had finally experienced what it felt like to be loved and cherished, and to have a family. All of this was thanks to Casey. Casey had given her a unique kind of love, and his family had weed her with open arms.


    "Mr. Beck, want to be with Casey


    forever. love him and want to spend my life with him. He is the only surprise I will ever encounter in my life, and I don''t want to let him go Izabe stated earnestly.


    "I used to think that you weren''t good enough for Casey, but now I think it''s Casey who''s lucky to have you."


    "There''s no such thing as being


    good enough or not. Casey and I are meant for each other." Izabe tilted her head, her fair skin and bright fips creating a captivating image. Her confidence was palpable whenever she spoke of Casey. S


    "That''s a relief. You can rest assured that in the Dempsey family, the women have the final say. We won''t let you be wronged. And Casey


    didn''t grow up with us and had


    §Ö


    endure a lot of hardships. But everything is on track now. We don''t expect anything from him except for him to be happy and do what he


    loves."


    Casey didn''t grow up with his parents? And what did he mean by hardships? Was he referring to Casey''s heart condition?


    However, thinking about Beck''s words, Izabe had a feeling that there was more to it than he let on. It seemed like the Dempsey family was hiding something, and Casey appeared to be unaware.


    What could it be?


    Just as Izabe was about to probe further, Bunny''s voice interrupted her.


    "Be,e and eat."


    Casey walked over and asked, looking at the chessboard, "How did it go?"


    Beck replied, "I lost a game, but I''ll win the next one."


    Casey chuckled, "I didn''t expect you to lose."


    "Can''t I lose sometimes? I''ll win the next one."


    "There won''t be a next game. Izabe is here for me, not to entertain an old man like you."


    "Casey, are you asking for a beating?"


    Izabe discreetly shook her head at Casey.

 Chapter 462

    At dinner time, Wendy took over all of Casey''s responsibilities, even throwing him a challenging gaze out of nowhere.


    During the meal, Izabe could sense the intense sibling rivalry between the two. When Casey tried to sit next to her, Wendy quickly imed the spot, forcing him to sit on Izabe''s left instead. Every time Casey tried to serve Izabe some food, Wendy would simply have the servant bring that dish directly to Izabe.


    Caught in the middle of this power struggle, Izabe couldn''t help but look up at Casey with amusement. He was ring at Wendy with such intensity that had they not been at the dinner table, he would have probably grabbed her by the cor.


    Wendy, meanwhile, remained aloof, focusing all her attention on Izabe and ignoring her brotherpletely.


    After dinner, Bunny asked Izabe to stay the night, seeing as it was gettingte.


    After some thought, Izabe agreed.


    "Would you be sharing a room with Casey?" Bunny asked, surprising Izabe.


    Realizing the two were living together but hadn''t progressed to sharing a bedroom yet, Bunny found it amusing. Despite Casey''s outward enthusiasm, he was surprisingly shy when it came to these things. Feeling Bunny''s scrutinizing gaze, Casey shifted ufortably, his ears turning red. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked defensively. "You need to be married to share a bed."


    In Casey''s mind, marriage was a sacred bond, and there were certain things that should only be done after marriage. He wanted to take responsibility for Izabe and give her a sense of security. He wanted to spend every waking moment with her, but he was afraid he wouldn''t be able to control himself.


    Thinking about this, Casey started to wander his gaze nervously.


    Bunny wanted tough but held herself back. She hadn''t expected her son to be so rigid and spineless.


    "We have plenty of rooms," she said dismissively. "I''ll ask one of the servants to prepare one for you."


    Just as Izabe was about to agree, Wendy appeared out of nowhere. "Don''t bother," she said. "Let Izabe share a room with me." She looked at Izabe with anticipation, waiting for her response.


    Izabe figured that Wendy''s sudden change of heart must have had something to do with the present she had given her earlier that day.


    "Is that okay?" Wendy asked, trying to sound cute. She wrapped her arms around Izabe''s and swayed from side to side, putting all her effort into persuading her.


    Casey, however, wasn''t having any of it. He stepped forward, pushed Wendy away, and positioned himself protectively in front of Izabe. "Back off," he said. "Be doesn''t like sharing a room with others." "How would you know?" Wendy retorted. "Izabe hasn''t said anything yet. We girls can have lots of things to talk about at night." She then turned to Izabe and said, "Izabe, please stay with me tonight. I can tell you stories about when I was a kid."


    Her brother was tall and broad, standing like a wall between her and Izabe. Wendy knew that she had a rare opportunity to spend the night with her idol. If she missed this chance, she didn''t know when the next one woulde. Besides, knowing her brother''s jealous and possessive nature, she knew that he probably wouldn''t give her such an opportunity again.


    Izabe wasn''t particrly interested in Wendy''s childhood stories. What she was interested in was Casey.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey had a poor memory and rarely talked about his past.


    Moreover, she was still bothered by what Beck had said during their chess game. The more she tried to ignore his words, the harder it was to do so. But she couldn''t find an opportunity to ask him about it. Now that Wendy had offered to share her room, maybe she could learn something from her.


    Having made up her mind, Izabe gently pushed Casey aside and said, "Alright, I''ll share a room with Wendy tonight. Mrs. Bunny, there''s no need to prepare another room."


    Casey looked as though he had been struck by lightning. He stared at Izabe in shock, his expression gradually falling as if he were an abandoned puppy.


    Bunny turned to Izabe for confirmation. "Are you sure you want to share a room with Wendy tonight?"


    Izabe nodded, confirming her decision.


    Wendy was so ecstatic that she jumped up and down. She grabbed Izabe''s hand and said, "I''ll take Izabe to my room then."


    Bunny reminded her, "Take good care of Izabe, Wendy."


    "I know," Wendy replied.


    Once the girls had left, Bunny looked at Casey, who was still standing there as if in a daze. She patted him on the shoulder in aforting gesture and said, "You could learn a thing or two from your sister." "Mom," Casey called, stopping Bunny as she was about to leave. He asked nervously, "Nothing weird will happen between them, right?"


    "Of course not," Bunny said dismissively. "At most, they''ll cuddle in their sleep, maybe even take a bath together." She couldn''t resist teasing her son before she left.


    Casey was speechless. He didn''t dare ask any more questions about what was considered normal.


    Izabe usually went to bed early. She followed Wendy into her room, which was spacious and clean. She had expected Wendy''s room to be decorated like a princess''s chamber, but it was surprisingly simple and tidy.


    Wendy seemed to forget her nervousness once they were inside. "Izabe, you can freshen up first. I''ll wait for you. The bathroom''s over there. There''s body wash and shampoo. Oh, and you didn''t bring any pajamas. Would you mind using mine?"


    Izabe was still adjusting to Wendy''s sudden warmth.


    "That would be fine," she replied.


    Wendy picked out a whitece nightgown. Her intention was obvious, though Izabe didn''t notice. She simply thought that the nightgown was a bit revealing, but it was no big deal since she was only going to sleep in it.


    After having a shower and washing her hair, Izabe came out to find Wendy had prepared a towel for her to dry her hair and a hairdryer on the bedside table.


    "Izabe, I can dry your hair for you," she offered.


    "No need, I''ve got it. You can go ahead and shower."


    How could Wendy miss the opportunity to blow-dry her idol''s hair at close quarters? "I prefer showering before bed, not sleep yet. Izabe, take a seat, I''ve got the hairdryer plugged in." She flicked the switch without hesitation and a gust of warm air hit Izabe''s damp locks.


    Izabe resigned herself to the chair, submitting to the hair drying service.


    Wendy was gentle, her fingers sinking into Izabe''s long hair, testing the heat. "If it gets too hot, just let me know."


    "Hmm." It was now Izabe''s turn to fall silent, while Wendy behind her seemed to have found her voice.


    Waving the hairdryer, she praised Izabe, "Izabe, your hair is so nice."


    She wouldvish praise on whatever she saw. One moment she wasplimenting hair, the next skin, and then figure.


    Izabe had never had a female best friend, or many friends for that matter. The closest female friend of her age was Dr. Amelia, who had once treated her.


    But even their rtionship wasn''t this close. Izabe was at a loss how to deal with this version of Wendy. She suddenly doubted whether the cold-faced Wendy she knew was just a figment of her imagination. "Wendy, weren''t you going to tell me about your childhood?"


    "Wait a sec." Wendy finished drying Izabe''s hair, grabbed her tablet from the bedside, and turned it on. The screen saver was a picture of Izabe.


    Wendy tried to hide it when she saw Izabe''s picture as the screensaver, but it was toote. Izabe had seen it.


    She had opened the tablet in front of Izabe. It was impossible to pretend it hadn''t happened.


    Wendy chuckled awkwardly, flicked her finger across the screen, and started showing Izabe pictures from her gallery to divert the conversation.


    "Let me show you some of my old pictures, Izabe. This is my first birthday, learning to walk, family photos, me at my first Thanksgiving."


    Izabe was distracted by the pictures, but something seemed off.


    These were Wendy''s photos from childhood to adulthood, essentially a record of her growth. Among these photos, Wendy had taken pictures with many people including family photos, but Casey was conspicuously absent.


    Izabe had to scroll quite a bit before she found pictures with Casey from recent years.


    She asked nonchntly, "Didn''t you like taking pictures with your brother when you were younger?"


    "I like it, but I just didn''t get a chance."


    "Your brother didn''t want to?"


    Wendy paused, her gaze lowered as if in deep thought, and after a while, she reluctantly agreed.


    Izabe frowned slightly. She hadn''t inquired too much about Casey''s past, only that he had undergone heart treatment abroad. Was that why there were no pictures of his childhood?


    But from Wendy''s tone, it seemed like Casey didn''t like taking pictures, which was strange considering he had chosen to work in the entertainment industry.


    Initially, Izabe had suspected that


    Casey was Ryker, but Casey had always vehemently denied it, saying he had been abroad for heart treatment and had never been shot. Given that Ryker was shot in the chest, shoulder, and leg, and she had seen Casey''s body without any scars, she dismissed the idea.


    "Did your brother have heart disease in the past? Did he have surgery?"


    "How did you know, Izabe? Did my brother tell you?"


    "Yes, he mentioned it. But I''m curious. If he had heart surgery, howe there are no scars on his chest?"


    "Nowadays, medicine is so advanced, even cancer can be treated. What''s a few scars? He insisted on working in the entertainment industry and acting, so he had the scars removed for the sake of his image." "Do you mean he had his scars removed?"


    Wendy didn''t understand why Izabe seemed so shocked, but she nodded in confirmation.


    A wave of weakness washed over Izabe, and it was only then she realized that the world had changed significantly in the three years after her death.


    As Wendy said, even cancer could be treated now, what were a few scars?


    Could it be possible that Casey was Ryker? He was shot in the chest but didn''t die, and Nathaniel and Brett had been lying to her all along.


    Izabe covered her trembling lips


    with her hands, her mind went nk.


    When one was overwhelmed with emotion, one felt as if they were in a


    void, as if their soul had left their body. She fell into deep thought, going over and over the possible sequence of events in her head.


    For example, Casey had indeed been hospitalized abroad, perhaps due to a gunshot wound that affected his nerves, causing him to fall into aa. After waking up, he had the scars removed.


    Five years ago, she was hypnotized by Brett and couldn''t remember anything. Could the same have happened to Casey?


    But the main question still revolved around Brett and Nathaniel.


    Brett had tried to drive a wedge between Casey and her, telling Casey that she only saw him as a substitute for Ryker.


    How did Brett know that she had always loved Ryker, and why was he so certain when he told Casey about it?


    Seeing Izabe in a daze, Wendy called out to her several times but received no response. She started to panic and shook Izabe''s arm. "Izabe, what''s wrong?"


    Izabe looked up rigidly, confirming word by word, "Wendy, is Casey really your brother?"


    "He is my brother. Although I hate to admit it, our rtives always say we look alike. And you can see he looks a lot like my dad too."


    "Did you guys grow up together?"


    "Well." Wendy started to dodge the question with her eyes.


    A pang of realization hit Izabe, prompting her to ask further, "Do you know a guy named Ryker from Happy Nest Orphanage? Your brother wasn''t abroad for hear treatment but because he was shot in the chest, right?"


    Wendy was so shocked her mouth fell open. She looked at Izabe in disbelief, "Izabe."

 Chapter 463

    "Are you going to tell me I''m wrong?" Izabe demanded, her voice shaking with emotion. "Then why does he look so much like Ryker? Why are there no childhood photos of him? Why did your dad mention his hard upbringing?" Her eyes were red and swollen, a testament to the emotional turmoil she was going through.


    Wendy, taken aback by Izabe''s outburst, found her legs giving way beneath her. She dropped onto the bed, her heart pounding.


    Izabe looked down at Wendy, her tone usatory and her words piercing. Wendy tried to speak, her teeth chattering in response to the icy fear that had gripped her.


    Wendy''s face said it all, but Izabe wanted to hear the words from her. She needed an explicit confirmation.


    "Izabe, I can''t tell you," Wendy finally managed to say, her voice barely a whisper. "You should ask my parents."


    Izabe clenched her jaw, her mind reeling with the implications of Wendy''s words. She turned away from Wendy to hide the agony etched on her face.


    "I''m going to ask them now." Izabe moved to change out of her thin nightgown, but Wendy stopped her.


    "I''ll call my mom right now." Wendy picked up her phone, dialing her mother''s number while Izabe watched on. After a few rings, Beck''s voice came over the line. "Sweetie, did you pocket-dial me? Why are you calling at this hour?"


    "Dad, where''s Mom?"


    "She''s getting ready for bed. Can''t you wait till morning?"


    "It''s important." Wendy cut him off, her voice steady. "When she''s done, ask her toe to my room. Izabe wants to ask her about Casey''s heart."


    Beck noted Wendy''s serious tone, responding with a curt "Okay" before hanging up.


    "I''ve called her. She''ll be here soon," Wendy said, looking at Izabe.


    "Thank you."


    Wendy shook her head, her mind still trying to process what was happening. She couldn''t help but wonder how Izabe knew these things and why she was so emotional. Had something happened between her and Casey?


    The room fell into an eerie silence, only the sound of their breaths audible. Wendy couldn''t stand the silence but found herself unable to break it. She sat on the edge of the bed, frozen, until there was a knock on the door.


    "I''ll get it." Wendy jumped up, almost too eager to escape the tension. She opened the door to see her mother, Bunny, standing outside. "Sweetie, why don''t you go sit in the living room for a bit? I need to talk to Izabe," Bunny said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Okay." Wendy was more than happy to leave.


    Once Bunny had entered the room and the door was closed, Izabe turned to face her. "Mrs. Bunny."Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Let''s sit down and talk."


    The word ''talk'' was carefully chosen. It wasn''t a conversation, and it wasn''t a chat. Bunny was clearly trying to hide something.


    "I have to ask, what''s your rtionship with Ryker from the orphanage?" Bunny asked.


    "He means a lot to me."


    "Do you have feelings for Ryker?"


    Izabe nodded without hesitation.


    Bunny paused before asking, "Did you get close to Casey because of him?"


    "To be honest, at first, yes. But soon


    it wasn''t about Ryker anymore. I


    knew what I wanted, and I never saw Casey as a recement for Ryker, even after finding out they''re the same person." Izabe wanted to be as transparent as possible. She was tired of the secrecy.


    Bunny sighed, "I was worried that if Casey changed, you wouldn''t love him anymore. It seems my worries were unfounded. But I''m curious. How did you find out?"


    "If you don''t tell me tonight, I''ll ask Brett and Nathaniel directly. I believe they know as well."


    Bunny was more than just surprised. She realized she had underestimated Izabe. Despite her initial investigations, Izabe''s connections with Brett and Nathaniel were puzzling. How did she know about the Dempsey family''s secret?


    "How did you find out?" Bunny asked, intrigued and slightly worried.


    l.n


    "At first, it was his face. It reminded me of Ryker Ryker had many scars, which I asked Casey about, but he denied. He imed his earliest memories were of being with you or being overseas for heart treatment. I suspect you hypnotized him."


    Izabe paused before continuing, "That wasn''t enough to convince me. But today, Beck mentioned Casey''s miserable childhood. And Wendy showed me your family photos. There are thousands of pictures, but not a single one of Casey as a child. His photos started appearing only in recent years."

 Chapter 464

    "Every picture of Ava, from her childhood to now, is present in your album, but Casey''s photos are only from the past few years. Considering your affection for your children, this seems rather incongruent, don''t you think?" Izabe posed the question.


    Bunny remained silent, taking in Izabe''s words. After a moment, she chuckled quietly. "Have you never considered that there might have been some unfortunate circumstances that led to theck of photos?"


    "I trust my judgment. And even if one or two incidents could be chalked up to unfortunate circumstances, when there''s a string of them, can we still call it an ident?" Izabe''s expression was grave.


    "You''re deliberately hiding something. Take Casey''s scars for example. Ava mentioned that Casey had them removed due to his career in the entertainment industry, yet in all of his recent photos and films, he never once bared his torso. So those scars wouldn''t have affected anything because he doesn''t like to expose his upper body in front of others."


    "And what if you were afraid that seeing his scars might trigger some memories? Like the fact that his stay in a foreign hospital was not due to a heart condition, but a gunshot wound?"


    Izabe''s usations came one after another, leaving Bunny struggling to keep up. She knew that Izabe had discovered something, but she hadn''t expected her to know so much, even about Casey''s gunshot wound and his treatment abroad. How did Izabe know all this?


    "Why do you know so much?"


    These memories were the ones Izabe least wanted to revisit, yet they were the ones that lingered the longest in her mind, just like a wound that reaches the bone, aching with each rainfall.


    Izabe had been tormented by this pain for years. Now, as she opened up about it, her eyes reddened with the intensity of her feelings.


    "Mrs. Bunny, you may not believe this, but I knew Casey a long time ago." If she had to put a time-frame to it, it would be in a past life.


    "He was shot right in front of me. I thought he was dead." She didn''t know how she managed to say it so calmly.


    The image of him lying there, blood soaking his chest, the overwhelming despair, all of it was branded into her memory. It was like being a fish hooked and dragged ashore. All she could do was watch as he was taken away.


    That became her lifelong nightmare. It was the scene she couldn''t forget.


    Bunny''s eyes widened, her voice quivered with intensity. "Did you say Casey was shot in front of you? Do you know who shot him?"


    "Nathaniel."


    "Nathaniel?" Bunny seemed to recall something, her emotions spiraling out of control, her voice rising in pitch.


    "So, Mrs. Bunny, can you tell me what happened afterward? Why doesn''t Casey remember anything from his past?"


    "That''s what I wanted to talk to you about tonight." Bunnyid out the entire story for Izabe, including how a servant of the Windham family had switched their child, and how Casey ended up injured. "Casey suffered a brain injury as a child, and because he didn''t receive timely treatment, he spent more than a decade in an orphanage in a state of confusion. Nathaniel informed us when Casey was shot and taken to the hospital, saying he had found our son."


    "How did he know that Casey was the child you were looking for?" Izabe asked, puzzled.


    "Perhaps it was because Casey inherited Mr. Beck''s trait of having his heart on the right side, and his age matched. I guess someone started investigating and stumbled upon the truth. To thank Nathaniel, I gave him a share of the Windham family''s stocks." Bunny exined, but the realization that the man who had harmed her son was Nathaniel filled her with rage. Nathaniel had been confident that his actions would remain undiscovered, but he hadn''t counted on Izabe''s return, nor her encounter with Ryker.


    That exined why Ryker, despite being shot in the left chest, hadn''t died.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    "So why doesn''t he remember anything from his past? Did you hypnotize him?"


    "Yes."


    "Why would you do that?"


    Bunny began, "You wouldn''t understand. You don''t know the relief of a mother finding her lost child. When Casey woke up, he was mentally unstable, crying and shouting about saving someone, saying that someone was waiting for him. He was still physically weak and his brain couldn''t handle the stress. The doctors rmended psychological therapy, but we chose hypnosis. It was for his physical well-being, and it is also because his memories were not pleasant. If they were going to cause him pain, it was better for him to forget them."


    "How can you decide what he wants to forget? You could have opted for therapy, but instead, you chose to erase his memories and imnt new ones that weren''t his. That''s selfish!" Izabe''s eyes filled with tears. Remembering her own experience with hypnosis, the pain of Ryker''s two-yeara, and his determination to save her even in his incapacitated state, she felt a heartache.


    Tears flowed down Bunny''s cheeks as well.


    "Izabe, you''ve never been a mother, and you can''t understand me. When I found Casey, he was on the brink of death, the doctors gave us multiple critical condition notices. His heart stopped twice a day. They said he might never wake up. I admit we were selfish to use hypnosis when he woke up, but I didn''t want him risking his life to find someone! I wanted him safe and sound with us." Was it wrong for a parent to have such thoughts?


    Izabe had never been a mother, her two unborn children had been aborted and her uterus removed. She had no chance to be a mother, nor had she ever experienced a mother''s love. She might not understand, but that didn''t mean she couldn''t empathize.


    With red-rimmed eyes, Izabe listened to Bunny''s words, each one stabbing at her like a foreign character, triggering fear as they echoed in her ears. She saw herself as she had once been, struggling on the hospital bed, and realized that Ryker had shared the same agonizing experience.


    Bunny''s sobs filled the room. Izabe bowed her head, her hands clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.


    Her own voice trembled as she asked, "And now that I know?"


    Bunny rested her hand on Izabe''s clenched fist. "Izabe, let go of the past and the boy Ryker used to be. To you, they may be the same person, but to us, Casey is our son."


    So they let go of the past and the na?ve "Ryker" they knew from the orphanage, as if he had never existed.


    Bunny continued, "Those memories don''t matter anymore. Aren''t you and Casey together now? Isn''t it good?"


    "Are you afraid he''ll me you for ''losing'' him if he recovers his memories? Are you scared he''ll leave you as soon as he remembers?"


    Bunny admitted, "Yes, I know the chance is slim, but even the smallest possibility can be reality, right? I now realize that the person Casey was looking for when he woke up confused all those years ago was you. I don''t know how you met or what happened between you, and I don''t want to pry. Everyone has secrets they''d rather keep."


    Bunny spoke ofst year''s incident, when Casey had mistakenly thought he was someone else and pulled out his own tooth. It was a painful memory, but also somewhatical.


    Casey was jealous of his past self, of all things.


    "The misunderstanding between you and Casey was cleared upst year. Whether Ryker existed or not doesn''t matter. After all, isn''t the person you love the man Casey is now? Can''t we just act as if nothing ever


    happened? Ryker is Ryker, and


    Casey is Casey. What matters is that you''ve always loved him. Even if he''s forgotten the past, he felbin love with you the moment he saw you again. So the past memories are


    irrelevant." Bunny reiterated, trying to persuade Izabe to let her guard


    down.


    Izabe turned pale as a ghost.


    Bunny drew her into aforting embrace. Izabe''s body trembled against Bunny''s warm and fragrant form, a sce that was easy to sink into. It wasn''t the first time Bunny had held her. Izabe had often wondered if her own mother''s embrace would have been just as warm.


    But the embrace that once brought herfort now caused her to feel a suffocating pain.


    A part of her soul seemed to split away, watching her struggling self from above. One voice told her she could tell Casey everything. True love required honesty. She could tell Casey that he was the only man she loved.


    But another voice told her to keep quiet and act as if nothing had happened, just as Bunny suggested. The past wasn''t that important, and those memories weren''t exactly pleasant. She could bear the burden alone, just as she had for over a decade.


    The two voices fought within her, tearing her apart, until Bunny spoke again.


    "Please, do this for me."


    Izabe felt her heart tremble. After a long silence, her voice shook as she finally replied, "Okay, I promise."


    Bunny breathed a sigh of relief. She knew she was being selfish, but she feared Casey would start to distance himself from her if he remembered everything. He was naturally aloof and rarely came home. If she erased those hypnotically induced memories, if he remembered he didn''t grow up with his parents and didn''t grow up as a Dempsey, would he be even colder towards his family?


    Bunny didn''t dare take that gamble. The mere thought made her emotions fragile, like thin ice that couldn''t bear any disturbance.


    Bunny wanted to say more, but seeing Izabe''s weary expression, she swallowed her words.


    However, Izabe seemed to sense her thoughts Don''t worry. I''ll act as if nothing happened tonight. I won''t tell Casey. But Mrs. Bunny, you can''t hypnotize him forever. I don''t want you to drug him into forgetting. If I find out, I''ll tell him the truth, no matter the cost. And if he ever remembers on his own, don''t want you to stand in his way."


    "I understand. We both want what''s best for Casey."


    Bunny released Izabe and walked towards the door. She took a few steps before ncing back. Izabe sat on the edge of the bed, head bowed. She was in shadow, her expression unreadable, but the light cast on her made her seem utterly deste.


    Wendy, who had been sitting on the balcony, rushed over when she saw her mother emerge alone. "Mom, what did you say to her? What if Izabe tells him?"


    "We''ll act as if nothing happened tonight, as if we don''t know."


    "So are you still keeping it from him?"


    "We''ve kept it from him for years. What''s a little longer?" Bunny stroked her daughter''s head, wishing Casey could have grown up by her side. Maybe then he would cling to her like Wendy, share everything with her, instead of locking himself away to pull out his own teeth when troubled.


    "Don''t go in there tonight," Bunny said, ncing at the closed door behind her.


    "Where am I supposed to sleep?"


    "There are plenty of rooms in this house. Leave alone for a while. She probably doesn''t want to see any of us right now."


    Wendy muttered under her breath that Izabe just didn''t want to see them, not including her.


    Wendy considered rebelling, but ultimately agreed to sleep in one of the guest rooms.


    Izabe, on the other hand, couldn''t sleep a wink that night. She left onemp on and scrolled through all of Casey''s photos from the recent years on her tablet.

 Chapter 465

    Izabe gazed at the photo of Casey. Despite the time that had separated them, the sight of these photos instantly brought back the moments they were taken.


    She gently touched the image of him, trying to feel his past.


    Thankfully, he was still alive and healthy. He was still the same person whose smile lit up her summers.


    Compared to these "thank goodness" moments, his loss of their shared memories seemed insignificant. As long as she remembered, that was enough. She was used to being the only one who remembered. Izabe stood up and walked to the window, pushing it open. The summer breeze felt good against her skin. Dressed in a thin nightgown, she stood by the window, feeling a chill run down her spine. She couldn''t help but reflect on her life, a bitter smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.


    Love was hard. The more she cared, the more she seemed to lose sight of her own feelings. In trying to prove something, she ignored her own emotions.


    She admitted that she had once loved Brett. However, his constant coldness and insults had worn away her affection for him.


    Later, she couldn''t tell if her feelings were due to stubbornness or resentment.


    The reason she continued to hold on was because of a blurred figure from her past. It wasn''t until Ryker died in front of her that she realized her "stubbornness" had been a mistake. She had mistaken her feelings for the wrong person.


    Ryker had been shot right before her eyes, shattering her convictions in an instant.


    She still remembered thest words Ryker said.


    "Cry Baby, don''t cry. I can''t carry you home this time."


    "Don''t love Brett. He''s not worth it."


    The wind whipped her hair across her face, covering most of it with tear-stained strands.


    Her eyes were sore and swollen from crying.


    Could Cry Baby still be called Cry Baby if she didn''t cry? She knew everything now, but he had forgotten.


    She had listened to his words. She no longer loved Brett. He was right, Brett wasn''t worth it.


    She had started to love someone new, another version of him. It was wonderful to think that the childhood love she thought she would never forget hade back to her in a roundabout way.


    If Ryker and Casey were considered


    two different people, Izabe''s feelings for Ryker were more about conviction, persistence, guilt, and obsession. Her feelings for Casey had ovee all of these.


    Izabe loved Ryker from the past as well as the current Casey. Because they were the same person. The only difference was that Izabe loved him more now than she did in the past.


    Her tears had dried up long ago, leaving her skin feeling tight where they had trailed down her cheeks. She didn''t care, just washed her face and returned to her bed. Her tablet was next to her pillow, disying


    photos of Casey.


    Izabe didn''t sleep that night. She wondered if Casey was asleep. At that moment, a thought crossed her mind - she wanted to see him.


    She picked up her phone and sent Casey a tentative message: [Are you asleep?]


    She had forgotten about the time difference, and only then did she realize it was 2 am.


    Just as she was about to put her phone down, thinking she wouldn''t receive a reply, her phone vibrated.


    Her heart pounded as she flipped her phone over. The reply was indeed from Casey.


    [I can''t sleep either. Why are you still up? Are you feeling unwell?]


    Izabe bit her lip, her fingers trembling as she typed a reply to Casey: [I suddenly miss you.]


    Not long after she sent the message, Izabe received another text.


    [The door''s open.]


    Izabe didn''t hesitate, rushing to open the door. The person she had been missing all night suddenly appeared before her.


    He must have run over as soon as he saw her message, his breath slightly ragged. Izabe raised her head to meet Casey''s gaze.


    A singlemp illuminated the room with a warm orange glow. Casey was smiling, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He reached out and pulled Izabe into his arms, his voice husky.


    "I couldn''t sleep because I was thinking about you. Was it the same for you?" His heart pounded in his chest so hard that Izabe could hear it.


    Tears threatened to overflow once again. She wondered why it had taken her so long to realize.


    "Casey, I love you more now than I did before. You''ve always been you, you never changed."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey blushed, his ears twitching awkwardly. He held Izabe tightly, suddenly noticing something was off.


    He looked down at Izabe, her whitece nightgown clinging to her figure, outlining her perfect curves in the dim light.

 Chapter 466

    At present, Casey didn''t know where to put his eyes. He never thought that he could see Izabe''s beautiful figure, which was cold and longing. She was wearing a white silk nightgown withce hem, and her exposed arms were slender and thin, with long hair shawls. Under the dim light, Izabe''s eyebrows were slender and her eyes were like water, just like the beauty of the night demon.


    Casey gasped, and for a moment he was like a marite, unable to control his limbspletely. His hands were still on Izabe''s slender waist. Now he only felt that his palm was hot and there was a fire burning, and the slightest movement would burn through the whole palm.


    Casey was having a heart attack.


    But then he found something strange. Izabe seemed to have cried, and her eyes were still red.


    "Are you crying?"


    Izabe subconsciously touched her face. "I had a nightmare and cried when I woke up."Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "What kind of nightmare will make you cry?"


    After crying, her voice was hoarse, and Izabe said sullenly, "I dreamed that you forgot me and didn''t remember me."


    Casey rarely saw Izabe crying. She cried quietly, just like when filming, she secretly transported her emotions in the corner when she was crying.


    Her body was trembling, like a newborn cat, and she had no sense of security.


    Casey loosened her waist and touched her head. "If I really forget you one day, don''t be afraid. I can guarantee that I will definitely fall in love with you when I see you again." Izabe was stunned and finally raised her head.


    Yes, the person who loved her the most in this world was Casey. No matter how long it took, even if he forgot her, he would still be kind to her when he met her again and gave her all the tenderness.


    It was like buying her candied haws as a child to coax her not to cry, or the big brother who carried her home, or the fool Ryker who gave her cookies for herself on her twenty-fourth birthday.


    Even though she died and changed her body, Casey still recognized her at a nce.


    Izabe took a deep breath and tried to stabilize her emotions.


    Casey diverted his attention and asked, "Where''s Wendy?"


    "Well, she went to sleep in the guest room."


    When Casey heard this, the stone that had been tight all night finally fell, and the expression of relief on his face showed no cover.


    "You don''t seem to like me being in the same room as your sister."


    "If she is normal and fine, I think she has ulterior motives. She was cold to you before, and now she suddenly sticks to you like a ster." The nightgown on Izabe''s body was definitely given by Wendy. It was a good thing that Izabe didn''t sleep in the same room with Wendy tonight.


    Wendy came here as a surprise tonight. Why did she suddenly sleep in the guest room? What happened in the middle?


    Izabe smelled a smell of vinegar, and her gloomy mood was suddenly swept away.


    "It should be 2: 30 in the morning now. You should sleep more, or you will be a rabbit''s eye when you get up tomorrow morning."


    "Then will you apany me?" Izabe asked.


    "I will apany you and watch you sleep."


    Izabe''s eyebrows moved, full of confusion. "Watch me sleep? Won''t you sleep?


    Casey shook his head. "I can''t sleep in girls'' beds." Even if that person was his own sister.


    "Then I''ll sleep in your room."


    "What, you, you sleep in my room?" Casey''s face couldn''t be seen clearly in the dim light, but Izabe could guess from his stuttering that his face must be red.


    "No?"


    It was not impossible, but it was a man''s nature that he couldn''t help thinking, and Izabe was dressed so strangely.


    Casey tried to suppress the restless heart and said faintly, "Of course."


    "Then let''s go." Izabe said to leave, and Casey pulled her back as soon as she walked out of the door.


    "Where did you put the clothes you changed?"


    "Hanging in the cloakroom."


    "I''ll get it. Don''t move here and don''t go out." You can''t go out dressed like this. There are cameras outside. What if someone sees you?


    Izabe nodded obediently, waiting for Casey to get her clothes. She wore a small white suit today. Casey put a suit coat on her shoulder and took Izabe back to her room after making sure it was all right. Casey''s room looked bigger and more empty than Wendy''s bedroom, and it seemed that Casey rarely came back.


    Casey lifted the quilt and watched Izabe go to bed. "Is it cold?"


    Izabe shook her head. "It''s not cold."


    Casey didn''t go to bed, but sat by the bed and looked down at Izabe. The eyes under her ck eyelids were gentle and indifferent, obviously so calm, but Casey couldn''t help but sink in at a nce. Izabe suddenly felt stupid all her life. It was obviously the same person, with the same eyes, teeth, smiling appearance and soft voice. Why did she react now?


    The tooth that Casey pulled out has a false tooth in time, but it''s still a pain in Izabe''s heart. If she had found it earlier, he wouldn''t have been hurt.


    Izabe felt guilty, and her hand still clung to Casey''s hand. "Aren''t you going to bed?"


    "I want to wait for you to fall asleep." Casey leaned forward and touched Izabe''s warm forehead. "Are you still scared?"


    Izabe shook her head. "No."


    "If you''re not afraid, just go to sleep. I''ll watch you."


    Casey was not so gentle to everyone. He had a sense of alienation from his family. He seemed to be gentle when he was away from home, but there was a sense of distance indifference in that gentleness. Only when he treated Izabe would he go all out and be gentle forever.


    Izabe was always watched by Casey. As soon as she opened her eyes and turned to see him, she would see herself in his eyes and be attracted by his sincere enthusiasm.


    Izabe was afraid of the cold, even if she changed her body, she was still the same as before, and Casey''s body was always warm.


    She was lying on her side, holding Casey''s warm hand tightly on her cheek. As soon as she got close to the warmth, she wanted to sleep.


    After crying, Izabe''s eyes were sore. Once she closed them, she didn''t want to open them again.


    Casey let her hold her right hand, heard Izabe''s steady breathing, and knew that she was asleep and didn''t let go.


    He carefully raised his left hand and pulled some hairs on Izabe''s face to his ear.


    Tonight was doomed to be unstable. Wendy temporarily changed a room to sleep, but she couldn''t sleep. She regretted her loss, and her mind was upied by this thought. She didn''t sleep until Izabe this time. She didn''t know when she would have such an opportunity next time.


    She had a big heart and didn''t think much about Izabe''s sudden mention of his brother''s past. Anyway, everything was handled by her mother. What she did before, how to do it now.


    And Bunny went back with anxiety and told Beck all that she had just said to Izabe.


    "Am I so sorry for Izabe?"


    "Since I have made up my mind to


    do this, I don''t feel guilty. It''s not a big deal. I wonder how Izabe met Casey in the past. I have secretly investigated her before. Izabe is a native of other provinces. I haven''t been to R City before, let alone what Happy Nest Orphanage met Casey in the past. Moreover, Casey was stupid for more than ten years and didn''t have a chance to go out, plus their age gap." It was confusing.


    "Izabe''s previous name was Bell Salotti, and she worked with Nathaniel Krueger for a year. You just said that Nathaniel was the one who told Izabe that Casey was shot and injured in that year?" Bunny nodded. "That''s what she said. She also said that Casey fell in front of her eyes, and her expression and eyes didn''t look like a lie."


    "Wife, don''t you think it''s strange?"


    "What''s strange?"


    "At that time, Izabe was only fifteen or sixteen years old. At that age, she was still studying in the countryside. How could she have time to meet Nathaniel?"


    "It''s really strange for you to say so."


    Bunny reacted in hindsight. "You said that Izabe was with Nathaniel? Howe you never told me this? Could she be... "Bunny couldn''t help thinking, and caring was chaotic. She valued Casey more than anyone else and was afraid that he would get a little hurt. Considering what Izabe said and Beck''s analysis, she couldn''t help but thought about whether Izabe would hurt Casey.


    "Don''t be paranoid." Beck interrupted her thoughts. Since you chose to trust her from the beginning, you have always believed that you should know who she is after being in contact with her for so long, and we att see her and Casey, but she definitely has secrets that we don''t know, but I believe she won''t harm our family. If she is really up to no good, she won''t tell you so much tonight."


    "Do you think Nathaniel really told her that?"


    "It makes sense, but it needs to be investigated." Beck said, and his eyes suddenly sank, like an animal waiting for an opportunity, and he would not let go of those who had hurt his family. "Don''t worry about these things, just give them to me, and be happy in the future."


    Bunny nodded. She put her hands around Beck''s waist and leaned against his arms and said, "Didn''t you have a big opinion about Izabe before? Why do you want to be thorough today?"


    "It''s not all of a sudden. I trust your eyes more than I trust her. Besides, I yed a game of chess with her yesterday. Obviously, a little girl in her early twenties is self-serious and doesn''t behave like a person o her age at all."


    Bunny agreed, "Yes, I always felt something was wrong with her before, but now you remind me that I finally found out. I always ignore Izabe''s age when I see her. She is in charge of apany that is worth of billion dors in her early twenties, and her actress career is not dyed. She is really not like people her age."


    "She didn''t look like this a year ago, and she only changed in recent years. What I am curious about is what made herpletely be a person."


    As Beck said, there were many secrets in Izabe. Would a person full of secrets made people feel scared?


    But they clearly knew that the secret of Izabe wouldn''t hurt them.


    Beck managed to coax the person in his arms to sleep. Bunny woke up with a nightmare in the middle of the night, and sobbing in Beck''s arms didn''t help.


    He said that he dreamed that Casey regained his memory and didn''t want them. He hated them for hypnotizing him and making him lose his memory.


    Bunny had always been guilty about hypnotizing Casey, and now it was known by Izabe, and she was beginning to be afraid.


    "No, we used hypnosis for his own good, and now we continue to choose to hide it, and Izabe agrees. You don''t have to think about it, not to mention that we can''t always apany them, and the future is left to them." And he believed his son, but his wife got stuck in a corner for a while, so she should be given some time to figure it out slowly.


    Bunny thought about the nightmare she had, thinking about Casey when they first found him. He was lying in a hospital bed dying with a weak heartbeat. Just thinking about her made him afraid, and she finally got him back. She didn''t want to lose him again.


    Even if she went to bed veryte, Izabe would wake up at one o''clock, and the biological clock had be a habit.


    She thought she would wake up from cryingst night with swelling and pain, but she didn''t feel any difort.


    She opened her eyes and looked around. During the day, she could see everything in Casey''s room better. When her hand moved, there was a force to contain her. She looked at it slowly. Casey was lying on the bed with his head resting on his right arm. It seemed that he maintained this posture for the whole night.

 Chapter 467

    Izabe gently nudged Casey awake, his eyes still heavy with sleep as he nced at her. His mind was still foggy from sleep, but as soon as his gaze met Izabe''s, his pupils instantly cleared. "Awake?" His instinct led him to check his phone, seven in the morning. "It''s still early, want to sleep a bit more?"


    "No need," she replied, "Why didn''t you sleep in the bedst night? Doesn''t your neck get stiff sleeping like this?"


    Izabe''s question made Casey aware of the stiffness in his neck. He tried rotating it, wincing at the ache. It was the telltale sign of a crick in his neck.


    Casey shrugged, trying to shift the focus, "We''re not married yet, I have to be responsible."


    "We''re dating, isn''t it normal to sleep together?" Izabe had thought herself to be conservative, but Casey seemed to be even more so. They had shared a bed before when he was drunk.


    What Casey didn''t dare to tell Izabe was that he was afraid he couldn''t control his physical reactions sleeping next to her.


    He wanted to give Izabe everything good, to make her feel secure, to give her the most perfect love in the world.


    Yet, Casey had his insecurities. He was in his thirties, while Izabe was only twenty-two. They said that a three-year age difference might as well be a generation gap, but he and Izabe had crossed three such gaps.


    Though Izabe was mature for her age, Casey couldn''t help but worry about the age gap, afraid that Izabe would find him old.


    "So, we can only sleep together once we''re married?" Izabe''s gaze fixed on Casey''s earlobe, which was slowly turning a delicate shade of red.


    Casey nodded, taken aback.


    "In that case, we''d better get married soon." Or else, how long would she have to wait?


    Casey was surprised, but the corners of his mouth couldn''t help but lift into a pleased smile.


    Izabe stretchednguidly in bed, sitting up and pushing the covers away. Her nightgown was loose, strappy, and slid down to reveal a generous amount of skin. Her soft, glowing flesh seemed like it would leave a mark if pinched.


    Izabe, oblivious to any issue, looked like a well-fed cat, her eyes half-closed.


    Just as she was about to get out of bed, Casey, sitting on the edge of the bed, abruptly stood, pulling the covers back over her.


    Confused, Izabe looked at him, then at the nket now covering her again, noticing the tremor in Casey''s hand as he held onto the nket.


    "Promise me not to wear such nightgowns in the future."


    This was the first time Casey had ever spoken to her in such a serious tone. Amused, like she had discovered a new continent, Izabe asked, "Do you mean I shouldn''t wear this type of nightgown at all, or just not in front of others and only for you?"


    Casey seemed to struggle, like a me flickering in the wind. "Not in front of others."


    Izabeughed, "Alright, once we''re married, I''ll wear them for you every day."


    How could he handle that? Being teased by Izabe first thing in the morning, Casey was momentarily dazed until Izabe reminded him, "Pass me the clothes I took off yesterday. I''ll change in the bathroom." Casey picked up the clothes and ced them on a nearby chair, "Just change your clothes here. It''s more convenient. I''ll go to the bathroom. Call me when you''re done."


    Then he fled to the bathroom, leaving Izabe chuckling. She nced at the tightly drawn curtains before moving to change out of her nightgown.


    This was her first time wearing such a nightgown, and it wasn''t even that revealing. If he couldn''t handle this, what would he do when they were married and things got more intimate.


    Once Izabe had changed and fixed her hair, she called out to Casey, "You cane out now. I''m dressed."


    Casey emerged, only then daring to look at Izabe.


    "Come in and freshen up, I''ve got the water ready, and the toothpaste is already on the brush."


    As Izabe entered the bathroom, she found everything prepared for her to freshen up. She couldn''t help butpare her past self, thinking of how she had also tried to please someone like this, as had Bell.


    Being with Casey always put Izabe in a good mood. She looked into the bathroom mirror. She had cried a lot the previous night, but there was no sign of swelling or redness around her eyes. She touched the area around her eyes, it felt smooth, as if something had been applied.


    Izabe, who was very observant, noticed a bottle of eye cream on the shelf, the cap still loose.


    It seemed that Casey had applied the eye cream to reduce her swelling while she was asleep.


    After freshening up, Izabe emerged to the sound of a knock at the door. Casey opened it to find Wendy standing there with a disgruntled expression, her face falling even further when she saw Izabe. "Izabe, did you sleep with my brotherst night?"


    Casey smirked, "Would you rather she slept with you?"


    "Jerk!" Wendy''s eyes widened in outrage. "You said you wouldn''t sleep with Izabe before marriage and yet you sneak off with her in the blink of an eye. Did you sneak into my room while Izabe was asleepst night? Men''s words are full of lies!"Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 468

    Wendy couldn''t believe that the sexy whitece nightgown she''d painstakingly picked out had ended up benefiting that rascal, Casey!


    The theft of a woman''s love was an unforgivable act, and had Izabe not been present, Wendy would have given Casey a taste of her wrath.


    With her teeth bared and lips curled back in anger, Wendy looked like a little puppy who''d had her bone stolen. She was huffing and puffing, appearing menacing but without any real threat. "Wendy?" Wendy was standing by the door when Izabe emerged from the bathroom. After a moment of surprise, Izabe called out her name.


    Wendy immediatelyined, "Did my brother carry you here while you were asleep?"


    Izabe shook her head honestly. "No, I wanted to sleep with him. It''s not his fault."


    Not only did herint fall on deaf ears, but she was also forced to witness the affection between Casey and Izabe. Wendy felt a sourness in her heart that was akin to sitting under a lemon tree and drinking a barrel of vintage vinegar.


    It felt like the sweet and innocent girl she had raised had turned against her, being swept away by a swine named Casey.


    Casey''s face was unabashedly smug. The word "triumph" was practically written across his face.


    "Take your nightgown and never give Be such inappropriate clothing again."


    Inappropriate clothing? Wendy knew exactly what he was thinking. Despite his words, he must have relished the sight of Izabe in the nightgown she''d chosen. Even Wendy, being a woman herself, had to admit that Izabe looked stunning in it, especially when she was snuggled up in a cozy nket.


    Wendy''s eyes turned red with anger, but there was nothing she could do. She stormed into the room and snatched the folded nightgown from the bed.


    "I think Wendy''s mad," Izabe observed as Wendy stormed off.


    "Don''t mind her. She''s just going through a premature mid-life crisis," Casey dismissed. He was determined to nip any illusions Wendy might have of stealing his girlfriend in the bud.


    "Do you still remember when you asked me if Wendy didn''t like you? How do you feel now that she''s clinging to you so much?" Izabe asked.


    A whiff of jealousy in the morning air.


    "Well, it feels like I''ve gained a fan," Casey responded. Izabe had previously been concerned about Wendy''s cold attitude towards her, but now it seemed that Wendy was actually a fan of hers. Thinking of the wallpaper on her tablet which featured her own picture, Izabe couldn''t help but crack a smile.


    Casey''s rm bells started ringing. "When did she be your fan? I wasn''t aware of this."


    "How many times do youe home in a year? It''s normal that you wouldn''t know," Izabe retorted, sitting in front of a mirror. She hadn''t expected to stay over when she came yesterday, so she didn''t bring any change of clothes or skincare products.


    Izabe had naturally wless skin, no visible pores, and a radiantplexion. She wasfortable going out bare-faced and only wore light makeup when she was acting.


    After Casey came out of the bathroom, he brought out some moisturizer, eye cream, and sunscreen for Izabe. He watched as she applied them.


    "Did you secretly put eye cream on my eyesst night?" Izabe asked as she applied the cream.


    "How did you know?"


    "I woke up with the area around my eyes feeling very moisturized. If you hadn''t put eye cream on my eyes, they probably would have been swollen this morning." Casey was not good at expressing his feelings verbally and rarely said sweet nothings. However, his actions spoke volumes. They told Izabe that he loved her.


    If she had to describe this kind of love, it would be like the sea - deep, profound, and capable of holding everything.


    Izabe looked at Casey in the mirror.


    She was thankful that she hadn''t given up on life, that she had met a man like him who gave her all his love exclusively.


    Izabe remembered a quote.


    -- Just be kind, and the heavens will measure it.


    The world might not be as bad as she thought.


    After they finished packing, they went downstairs where the maid was serving breakfast.


    Bunny wanted to pretend that nothing had happened, to act as she normally did. But the harder she tried to hide her feelings, the more forced her smile became. Eventually, her gaze began to wander, avoiding Izabe.


    Thankfully, Beck was there to lighten the mood. Otherwise, Bunny''s feelings would have been all too obvious.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    But Casey still noticed something was off. Usually, Bunny was very warm towards Izabe, fussing over her and serving her food. But today, she was quiet and kept her head down.


    ncing at Izabe, Casey noticed that she was unusually quiet. A few nces were all it took for him to realize that they were hiding something from him.


    He wasn''t a fool. His working experience in the entertainment industry had given him keen observational skills. He could tell that something had happened while he was unaware, and he was the only one being kept in the dark.


    After breakfast, Izabe said goodbye to the Dempsey family.


    Beck handed her a bottle of fine wine that he had prepared in advance.


    Izabe epted it. To ordinary people, this wine would be a luxury, but in wealthy households, it wasmonce.


    When Bunny was alone with Izabe, her eyes betrayed her guilt and remorse. "Be, you should visit more often."


    "Okay," Izabe responded, her expression unreadable.


    Bunny''s eyes began to tear up as she said, "This will always be your home."


    "Thank you, Mrs. Bunny."


    It was only when Izabe smiled that Bunny was able to breathe a sigh of relief. She looked at Beck, his eyes filled with encouragement and relief as he put his arm around her. Wendy reluctantly saw Izabe off, following her all the way to the garage. She made to hug Izabe, but Casey pushed her away.


    "Stop hugging other people''s


    girlfriends. If you''re lonely, let Mom


    and Dad set you up on a blind date. he suggested offhandedly. But the idea was a good one. Once Wendy


    had a boyfriend, got married and


    had children, she wouldn''t have time to think about Izabe.


    Wendy retorted, "We''re just showing our friendship by hugging. It''s pure and innocent, unlike your dirty thoughts."


    "Dirty? Wendy, don''t think I don''t know what''s up your sleeve. Are you eyeing my girlfriend''s beauty?"


    "Don''t you appreciate beauty? Hypocritical shallow dog, I wonder what Izabe saw in you?"


    "Of course she sees my caring nature."


    From the side, Izabe, intrigued by the sibling squabble, couldn''t help but interject.


    "Well, I am attracted to your brother''s good looks, and his rock-hard abs."


    At this, the siblings turned their attention to her.


    Izabe sessfully interrupted their argument.


    "Izabe, do you like abs?"


    Izabe nodded, or more urately, she liked Casey''s abs, the touch of them, following the lines down to his V-cut. It was a pity that she hadn''t had the chance to do so often. Wendy was clearly on the verge of tears.


    Casey looked triumphant, as if he''d won a battle, pushing Wendy further away.


    "Hear that? With your love handle, my girlfriend will never be into you." Despite his usual gentleness towards Izabe, when it came to others, Casey could be ruthlessly blunt. Tears welled up in Wendy''s eyes and she fled. No one could stop her.


    Casey, adding fuel to the fire, called after her, "A fan should keep a distance from their idol. Know your ce."


    Izabe gently pinched his arm, "Is that how a brother should talk to his sister?"


    "Why not?" Izabe''s pinch was more ticklish than painful, sending a sensation from his arm straight to his heart. He casually took Izabe''s hand, the other holding car keys. "She does have a love handle. I''m not making stuff up."


    "How do you know?" Izabe asked curiously.


    Casey, unlocking the car, responded, "She''s always posting about wanting to lose weight on her social media. She spends all day at home, not exercising, and eats a lot. How can she not put on weight?" Wendy wasn''t fat, but in her eyes, there were always ws.


    Izabe settled into the passenger seat, buckling up.


    Casey navigated to the driver''s seat, one hand on the wheel as he reversed, the other on the window, watching the rearview mirror. He smoothly pulled out of the parking spot.


    "What are your ns for the future?" Casey asked as they joined the main road.


    "ns?" Izabe paused before


    answering, "Being an actress was


    never really my n, so I think I''ll leave the entertainment industry and focus on my productionpany. I might need to recruit some new faces. Our movie is about to release overseas, and I won''t have much time, so I''ll need you to handle the nning."


    "No problem." Casey wasn''t surprised to hear Izabe wanted to leave the entertainment industry. Acting was tiring, both physically and mentally.


    As for leaving the industry, it was usually a gradual process. With so many news in the entertainment industry every day, people would soon forget about her.


    If Izabe announced her departure now, it would cause quite a stir.


    Casey nced at the rearview mirror and turned the steering wheel to the right.


    "Why did you decide to join the industry and act?" Izabe had been pondering this for some time. ording to her understanding, Casey had just woken up at the time, his memory muddled. He had been in aa for over a decade.


    "I spent a long time in a haze. I knew my name, my age, and everyone in the Dempsey family, but everything felt strange. I had some bizarre thoughts, like maybe I wasn''t the person they said I was, Be." Near the end, Casey turned to Izabe, serious.


    "What?"


    "Could it be that, like you, my soul has possessed another body after death? The memories belong to this body, not mine, hence the strangeness?"


    "Probably not. You were abroad for heart surgery, right? Then you were in aa for a long time. It''s normal to feel strange when you wake up."


    Casey believed Izabe unconditionally, taking her word for everything.


    But deep down, Izabe felt a pang of bitterness.


    She changed the subject. "You haven''t said why you decided to join the industry."


    "To be in the industry, to act, if you


    §±§à§Ö


    be famous, many people will see you. I wanted a girl to see me. didn''t understand why I had such a thought until I saw you on the ne. Everything I did seemed to be just so I could meet you." He was telling the troth, but for some reason, speaking the words made him feel awkward.


    Casey blushed, focusing on the road ahead.


    "What if you hadn''t met me?" Izabe looked at him, her voice trembling slightly, as if she was holding back something.


    Casey was silent for a moment before responding, "I don''t know. Perhaps my life would be meaningless, and I would achieve nothing. But as long as I am alive, I would keep looking for you, even if I couldn''t


    find you."


    "You fool. Silly."


    Casey curiously responded, "Hmm? How am I a fool?"


    "One''s life should not be wasted on a single person." Her past life was a perfect example. "As long as one is alive, life has meaning."


    Casey was silent for a while before saying, "Izabe, I''m grateful that I met you. Because you''re in my life, everything is more colorful and meaningful."


    "Me too." Only she, who knew the past, could truly understand these words.

 Chapter 469

    Izabe''s Twitter ount had been inactive for a long time, and she only posted when there was an official announcement about her uing movie.


    The movie''s had a box office of 6.5 billion dors, and a part of its sess was attributed to the shippers of Izabe and Casey. Before its release, the movie was dismissed by critics, expecting it to flop on the first day. On the first day, it was mostly their fans and shippers who attended the screenings.


    After watching the movie, shippers were thrilled beyond measure. However, the movie''s ending wasn''t particrly happy, as Izabe''s character, a ghost wife, bid a final farewell to her husband and they separated by life and death.


    It was quite usual for people to watch a movie three or four times. However, some of their fans went to the cinema and watched this movie over a dozen times, which led some inte users to suspect if there was ticket fraud or maniption involved.


    However, it was actually just their shippers wanting to see Izabe and Casey in a romantic rtionship.


    After watching the movie, many people shifted their focus to real life and started specting whether Izabe and Casey were dating in real life. It wasn''t umon for actors and actresses to develop romantic rtionship while working on the same movie, as they were deeply immersed in their roles and found it hard to separate fiction from reality.


    Judging by their performance in that movie, it was evident that they wouldn''t have been able to deliver such an exceptional performance if they hadn''t fully immersed themselves in their roles. Furthermore, Casey had publicly confessed his feelings for Izabe on Twitter some time ago. Izabe couldn''t have missed this. The two were also frequently spotted together in real life.


    Additionally, while filming the movie and portraying a married couple on-screen, physical contact was inevitable. It was hard for fans to believe that Izabe didn''t develop any feelings for Casey. If she truly didn''t have any feelings, it was possible that Izabe''s sexual orientation was different from what they had spected.


    After the movie wrapped up, paparazzi started lurking to capture photos of Izabe and Casey. However, before they could leak the photos, someone got wind of it and issued threats to stop their release. However, some fans imed to have spotted Izabe and Casey holding hands on the street.


    Where there were fans who ship Izabe and Casey, there were naturally who didn''t want them to be together. Even though Casey openly expressed his feelings for Izabe, some of his fans still refused to ept it, believing that he was either fallen or deluded.


    Fans didn''t care about others'' opinions, they only believed in what they believed. As long as they didn''t make their rtionship public, it meant that they were not in a rtionship.


    Some of Casey''s fans looked down on Izabe and hoped they didn''t coborate. Moreover, Izabe''s connection with the Maple Group further added fuel to the fire.


    The CEO of the Maple Group was a mysterious figure, with rumors ranging from being a handsome tycoon to a balding middle-aged man. However, no one had entertained the idea that the CEO might be a woman, as they believed no woman could achieve such sess in such a short time.


    Furthermore, after acquired X entertainment, the first thing the Maple Group done was to fire the artists who had previously targeted Izabe. Kristin was the first to leave, with a cloud of scandal hanging over her, and she has yet to make a public appearance.


    Netizens began to boldly specte whether the CEO of The Maple Group has a fondness for Izabe.


    As of now, there was no information indicating that Izabe had signed with anypany. She wasn''t working under the Maple Group, but she was given the lead role in the first movie produced by their newly-establishedpany and even cast a renowned actor as the male lead.


    From various perspectives, this was almost a form of sugar daddy rtionship.


    Gossip started to spread that Izabe was being "sponsored" by the CEO of the Maple Group and had be his mistress.


    When Izabe heard these rumors from Secretary Hansen, she found it absurd.


    She was her own sugar daddy?


    "Should we issue a statement, Ms. Salotti?" Secretary Hansen asked.


    "Go ahead. Although they might not believe it, we still need to do what''s necessary to dispel the rumors."


    After the Maple Group issued their statement, Izabe also released a statement to dispel the rumors. However, as expected, only a few people believed them, mostly just fans attempting to control the narrative.


    When people saw their statement, they could only wonder why the CEO of The Maple Group allowed Izabe, who hadn''t even signed with thepany, to take the lead role in a 6.5 billion box office movie. They seemed to have forgotten that when Izabe first epted the role, she faced heavy criticism. Who could have predicted that it would turn into a dark horse sess?


    Izabe let out a scoff and chose to ignore the rumors. As an executive director, it was not convenient for her to make a public appearance.


    Within the Maple Group, only a handful of people knew about Izabe''s position as the executive director.


    She had a private elevator and


    always wore a mask when she


    visited the office. Only Secretary


    Hansen, her assistant, and a feet


    security guards had seen her, and they had been warned not to


    dis¨¨lose this information.


    Thepany had recently signed a few young talents. In the current market, it was easy to make a male artist famous, but it was also easy for them to fall from grace.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Female artists, on the other hand, faced a much tougher road to stardom, but they tended to be obedient and highly dedicated to their careers.


    Secretary Hansen showed Izabe


    the photos and profiles of these newly signed artists, along with several pages of detailed information that had been


    meticulously investigated. They


    were all young in their early twenties, and full of vitality.


    "You didn''t just scouted these people from school, did you?" Izabe asked.


    "Indeed, some of them were scouted from art schools," Secretary Hansen replied. "Thepetition in the industry is fierce. It''s essential to sign them early in their career."

 Chapter 470

    Secretary Hansen said, "Art students are more obedient and it''s easier to train them once they step into the corporate world. It''s perfectly normal and reasonable for us to sign college students. You might not know, but somepanies start scouting talents from a very young age, especially looking for child stars. Nowadays, people have a preference for youthful artists, and manypanies are signing groups made up of middle school students."


    The current n of the Maple Group was to focus on TV series and movies, and all Izabe wanted was to be a straightforward producer. She didn''t even consider setting up a band or group.


    "Sign those who have a solid acting foundation."


    Following the release of "Ghost Snatchers", which set new domestic box office records, thepany''s reputation and poprity have surged. This sess was likely to draw the interest of other movie and TVpanies, leading them to extend their olive branches.


    Izabe preferred to sign in-house artists and allocate resources to them. As the saying goes, "Why spill water beyond your own field?"


    If Casey was still nning to develop his career in the entertainment industry and making movies, then those good film productions and excellent scripts at the Maple Group would undoubtedly be his first choice.


    The moment Casey crossed Izabe''s mind, she immediately ignited her ambition. She had numerous good scripts, and with the sessful experience of their first movie, the next movie would be easier to manage.


    There were both pros and cons. Their current achievement could be a double-edged sword. If the next film encountered any slight problem and received a poor response, then the advantage brought by the sess of "Ghost Snatchers" might have been depleted.


    Netizens only focused on the results. If the results were not satisfactory, they would mark you down and use it as an excuse to attack you.


    If there was any mistake, the Maple Group would suffer losses.


    But should she retreated just because of an unknown result? Izabe was not that kind of person. The more afraid she was, the more determined she was to ovee it, especially considering that she wasn''t alone any more.


    Making a movie wasn''t a one-person endeavor. Apart from finding the director and crew, and the appropriate actors and actresses, as the producer and investor, she also needed connections. She loved continuously breaking her own limits.


    Izabe''s goal wasn''t confined to the the domestic market; it was international. She wanted to make Casey be an international superstar and best actor.


    The sky was the only limit for him.


    Izabe felt an unexined sense of pride as if she had sponsored a major movie actor.


    For the next movie, Izabe had already nned to make a science fiction movie.


    The domestic movie market did have sci-fi movies, but they tended to flop even more than horror movies. None of them stood out, and they were the worst of the worst.


    The main problem with sci-fi movies was centered around the special effects.


    Foreign sci-fi films were well-produced because they didn''tck funding.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    The movie, Blood Ties, was recently released. Taking advantage of Izabe''s recent poprity, Brad made the movie release ahead of time.


    Blood Ties was highly sought after by various satellite channels, and it was finally sold to Pineapple TV at a high price. It was broadcast every night from eight to ten during the prime time slot, with simultaneous updates avable on mobile video tforms.


    There was still a month before the release. Shortly after the marketing ount released the news, the official Blood Ties Twitter ount posted a promotional trailer.


    In the trailer, the second female lead, Megan, was yed by Izabe. Though she only have a few frames on the screen, her fleeting appearance in those few moments caught everyone''s attention.


    The character she portrayed in the TV series was entirely different from the female ghost she yed in the movie. If Izabe''s portrayal of the female ghost was icy and beautiful, the female lead in the TV series exuded an air of elegance and pride, especially when she was dressed in a robe. In that appearance, she was like a real-life Venus.


    Netizens cut out the scenes yed by Izabe and watched them over and over again. And a ten seconds clip could be watched a hundred times.


    They somewhat knew about Izabe''s beauty, but they didn''t expect her to look this stunning in ssical costumes. Just for her beauty, it was worth sitting in front of the TV.


    A lot of things happened during the filming of Blood Ties. Firstly, during the casting process, people didn''t understand why the director insisted on casting Izabe for the role of the second female lead, but now it was clear.


    If Izabe ranked second among the actresses who were both beautiful and y, no one would dare to im the first ce.


    In the original story, after Megan''s death, she became the one the King love. When he met the female lead, Malia, who looked like Megan, he brought her into the pce as a "substitute".


    In the original book''s fanbase, the number of people who liked Megan was second only to those who liked the female lead.


    If she wasn''t beautiful enough, why would the King remember her for so many years and make such an effort to find a substitute?


    So, the casting for Megan was more difficult than for the female lead. Since the audience had already epted that Kristin would be the female lead, their attention was switched to the casting for the second female lead. And none of them knew Izabe would y the role.


    During the filming process, there were various challenges, including the cat cruelty incident, Kristin''s scandal, the recement of the female lead in Blood Ties, and the bankruptcy of X Entertainment, among others. The TV series had a tumultuous journey, and now it was finally about to air.


    In the beginning, manyizens criticized Blood Ties, saying that it was a hyped-up show that was doomed even before it started shooting. But now, with just a short promotional trailer, it had captured everyone''s attention.


    Brad organized the set to promote the series in various cities. He called Izabe and asked whether she could attend.


    Izabe couldn''t spare the time, and it wasn''t necessary for her to attend the promotion, especially since the sess of the promotionrgely relied on the male and female leads, making her presence as the second female lead less critical.


    "Mr. York, I''m currently busy in R City and can''t spare the time, but I will definitely be there for the promotion in R City."


    Brad was understanding and immediately agreed. It was already very good for Izabe to take the time to attend the promotion in R City. She was now the executive director of the Maple Group, and the movie she recently released had broken the box office record. He had watched the movie, and he believed that it was of definitely award-winning quality. By then, Izabe would be the highest-grossing actress in history. What was even more impressive was that she was only twenty-four years old now.


    "Okay, it''s fine. Juste when you have the time. I''ll send you the address and schedule. If you''re busy, you don''t have to make it."


    So, Izabe continued with her work in the following days. She worked during the day and stayed with Casey in the afternoon and evening.


    "Ghost Snatchers" had sessfully premiered in the overseas market and received a good response. It grossed one billion in just one week and was still growing. The overseas reviews were also overwhelmingly positive, with over ny percent approval. Many people eximed they didn''t expect that Z country could actually produce such an excellent horror movie.


    A top-tier luxury brand from abroad had contacted the Maple Group, hoping to coborate with the female lead from that movie.


    Secretary Hansen handed the freshly printed materials to Izabe.


    If Izabe epted this brand endorsement, it would be beneficial for both thepany and her personally. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats, right?


    Secretary Hansen had assumed that Izabe would be thrilled to ept this endorsement opportunity, as this brand was popr among many top celebrities, and even an ordinary wallet from this brand could cost a fortune.


    The brand wanted Izabe to be their domestic ambassador.


    Izabe had always been cautious, especially when it came to luxury brands. She would investigate thoroughly before deciding whether to coborate or not.


    "Do a investigation of this brand and check if there are any scandals."


    As soon as Secretary Hansen left, Izabe immediately messaged the information to Casey.


    Casey, who knew little about luxury brands, forwarded the message to Wendy and Bunny.


    Wendy had Izabe''s contact. When she learned about the luxury brand''s offer, she immediately sent Izabe a message.


    [Izabe, you cannot ept this endorsement.]


    [Why?] Izabe asked.


    [They''ve insulted our country. The foreign ambassador for this luxury brand has insulted our country, openly usingOffensivenguage on social media, including derogatory.ments about Downstar. The brand didn''t stop her, which clearly suggests a connection between that ambassador and the brand. Now they want you to endorse their brand, likely because your film has received positive feedback in international markets, and they want to cash in. If they truly want to coborate with you, they must terminate their contract with that


    ambassador,] Wendy quickly replied.


    Afraid that Izabe might not believe it, Wendy directly essed the ambassador''s social media ount and, took screenshots and sent them to Izabe.


    [I used to like this brand, but due to this incident, I burned all the products I had.]


    Izabe''s face darkened as she read the screenshots. She felt a sense of relief for having taken the investigate to research beforehand.


    If she had carelessly epted the endorsement and when the public found out about these issuester, she would have been marked as unpatriotic. No amount of exnations would clear her name.


    Izabe took a deep breath and finally replied to Wendy, [Thank you, Wendy.]


    She put down her phone and asked her secretary to reject the brand''s offer.


    Secretary Hansen was surprised, "Ms. Salotti, are you not even going to consider it?"


    Izabe show the screenshoots, "Take a look at this."


    Secretary Hansen read the messages and her face mirrored Izabe''s earlier expression.


    But she also felt a sense of regret, saying, "Actually, the situation isn''t that bad. That statement was posted a year ago. It''s old news and probably won''t draw much attention."


    In the past, many foreigners might have looked down on Downstar, and with the Downstar growing stronger, they still refuse to let go of their pride.


    "Ms. Salotti, how about we negotiate? If they really want to coborate with us, we can ask them to delete those posts or terminate their contract with that ambassador."


    Izabe replied, "The brand didn''t


    address it a year ago and hasn''t


    removed those statements now that


    they''ve contacted us. That says a lot


    about their attitude. And I have my


    own attitude. Just considering those


    offensive statements against


    Downstar, I can''t even stand to talk to them."


    "Ah, I see," Secretary Hansen sighed, agreeing with Izabe''s perspective.


    "Don''t be overly optimistic. My decisions are not made to please others. They are guided by my conscience and morality. And they have crossed my line," Izabe said, her eyes disying a cold resolve. Secretary Hansen was the sole audience, and she felt somewhat daunted by Izabe''s forceful presence. "I understand, Ms. Salotti."


    Izabe''s refusal to coborate took the brand by surprise, leaving them thinking that she might be a bit unappreciative.


    When asked for the reason, Secretary Hansen simply replied, "We don''t coborate with those who disrespect Downstar."


    With this statement, there was little left to be misunderstood. They thought it was not worthwhile to terminate their contract with a current ambassador for a potential coborator. They were willing to consider removing the old posts, but Izabe didn''t give them a chance to negotiate.


    The matter was closed, and they couldn''t understood the patriotism of Downstar''s citizens. They couldn''t believe that a casual post from a year ago could still be significant.


    Just as things were settling down here, the production team faced a minor issue in their promotions.


    Becasue Izabe did not join the set for promotions in different cities, rumors began to circte that she was acting like a diva.


    Some thought that she had be arrogant after making a movie. They said that Izabe had forgotten it was the TV series team gave her the opportunity as the second female lead and contributed to her recognition in the movie industry.


    In contrast, Vivian, who yed the


    third lead in Blood Ties, managed to


    rebuild her previously damaged image. She was traveling with the team for promotions and she


    exuded a strong sense of charm and approachability, leaving no room for distance. Her naturally winsome appearance, along with her efforts to


    appear warmly engaging and to indulge fans, resulted in video and photo materials that went online and effectively removed many of her bad


    reputation.


    The host on the scene of the promotion intentionally set a trap, asking, ¡°Izabe isn''t joining you all today. Is she?"


    There was a chill in the air when the question was asked. Brad frowned in his chair; he had made it clear to the host not to raise the topic of Izabe. Why had he suddenly brought her up?


    Vivian took the microphone, saying, "Izabe might be busy. I''ve texted and called her, but she didn''t respond. But I get it. I''ve heard she''s talking with an international luxury brand."


    "Wow, let''s extend our congrattions to Izabe in advance." the host eximed, trying to dig for more information, "Can you give us any hints about which brand it is?"


    "Well," Vivian paused, pretending to be mysterious, ¡°Izabe is still negotiating with the brand, so I can''t reveal much. Let''s leave it to spection for now. You''ll know when the brand officially announces it."


    "It seems like you and Izabe are quite close. You even know such a secret."


    "We get along alright. I asionally text her, but she never replies," Vivian joked.

 Chapter 471

    Vivian was jokingly speaking as if she had a close rtionship with Izabe, but those present didn''t quite buy it.


    If they were good friends, and she sent a message or made a call to Izabe, how could she possibly not have responded or answered?


    Vivian''s fans and some bystanders couldn''t help but feel sorry for her, calling her "naive and sweet."


    Leveraging this image, Vivian sessfully converted many people from bystanders into her own fans.


    Others might not know the truth, but did the people in the film crew still not know? Izabe had always been a kind and warm person on the set. She might seem aloof on the surface, but she was always warm hearted, and the staff loved her.


    Especially when Brad discovered that Izabe was the executive director of the Maple Group, he instantly became an obsessed fan.


    Vivian''sment dripped with acidic sarcasm, leaving one couldn''t help but wonder about the hidden tensions beneath the surface.


    Garen, the lead actor of Blood Ties, furrowed his brows, taking the microphone to exin, "Izabe had requested leave in advance with the production team, and she will join us for the promotion in R City in a couple of days. Also, let me rify that Izabe has never acted like a diva, and she always responds to messages and calls. So, Vivian, are you sure you didn''t get the wrong number?"


    Such on-the-spot confrontations were rare, and Vivian didn''t anticipated that Garen would speak for Izabe.


    She stood on the stage, feeling utterly flustered and embarrassed.


    No matter how she tried to exin, Garen had a counterargument. Luckily, the host stepped in to defuse the situation, turning the page on the whole incident.


    But after the show, Vivian wore a dejected expression, saying, "I didn''t mean it."


    Even Garen, who was usually known for his good temper, couldn''t hide his disgust. He couldn''t help but directly refute her words on stage, and in Brad''s presence, she was even less likely to receive a warm reception.


    "Vivian, have you gotten too deep into your role and haven''t snapped out of it? We asked you to y a bitch on the show, but that doesn''t mean you should take it to your real life. Instead of learning the good stuff, you''ve chosen to emte the bad. You''re behaving worse than any drama queen!"


    Brad''s words were harsh, but as they were aimed at Vivian, the audience couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "Mr. York"


    "Enough, don''t call me. Keep your distance, there are cameras everywhere. I don''t want any scandalous rumors."


    Upon hearing this, Garen and Bruce, the other male lead, subtly distanced themselves from Vivian.


    Vivian was deeply humiliated, and her eyes welled up with tears this time.


    Brad scoffed, wearing a sarcastic


    smile on his face. "Vivian, don''t think


    I''m unaware of your intentions. Your


    blockbuster movie got overshadowed by Izabe''s low-budget movie, and you arebeled as a box-office poison. You want to outshine Izabe, but let me tell you, you''ll never achieve that in this lifetime. Leave your cunning ns behind. When Izabe was cast as the second lead, you made snide remarks on Twitter. Maybe you thought you could get away with it because of some connections you have, but you went too far. From now on, you''re no longer part of the promotional team. Take some time to reflect on your actions."


    Vivian stepped back, her eyes burning with defiance.


    Why was Izabe so sessful? How did she manage to capture so many hearts with her acting? How did she surpass Kristin, who was undeniably more skilled? How could she coborate with the movie king, Casey, in a low-budget movie that broke the box office record with six hundred thousand tickets sold, while her own film, "Lost in Lumina", was still struggling to break even and facing ridicule?


    Just when her fans were beginning to support her once more, Brad wanted to remove her from the team because of Izabe.


    Why should she ept this?


    "Because Izabe is a better actress than you. She doesn''t waste her time on petty fights. Instead of hatching cunning schemes, you should focus on self-improvement." Vivian paused, stunned as she looked up at Brad, realizing he had unintentionally exposed his true thoughts.


    Before leaving, Brad warned her, "You do remember what happened to Ariana and Kristin, right? Behave yourself. It''s for your own good."


    Vivian clenched her fists. If she was going to do something, she would give it her all.


    If it hadn''t been for Izabe''s movie being released at the same time, "Lost in Lumina" wouldn''t have flopped so badly, and she wouldn''t have faced criticism and mockery.


    An artist''s value was not only


    determined by their work, but also by


    the endorsements they received,


    which co


    which could elevate their worth.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Now, she had an opportunity to


    surpass Izabe.


    A top luxury brand from overseas decided to seek a spokesperson in Downstar, and had recently approached her.


    Initially, they considered signing Izabe, but she didn''t align with their brand image. So, they had extended an olive branch to her instead.


    Why would anyone refuse an offer from this brand? Since the brand didn''t want Izabe, it was seemingly Izabe''s fault, perhaps because the brand didn''t value her.


    And now, she intentionally spread the news that Izabe had been in talks with a luxury brand, which would definitely catch the public''s attention.


    As the public was curious and specting, the brand would officially announce her as their spokesperson, which would definitely be a strong blow to Izabe.


    Going from the heights of heaven to the depths of the mud was more unbearable than being born directly in the mud.


    So what if Izabe was a box-office champion? In terms ofmercial value, she couldn''tpare to Vivian.


    As expected, the things Vivian said on stage have be a trending topic and reached Izabe''s ears.

 Chapter 472

    At that moment, Secretary Hansen, who was currently acting as Izabe''s agent, was more distressed than anyone else upon hearing the news.


    "Ms. Salotti, should we issue a statement?"


    After reading the news, Izabe simply ced her phone down and took a sip of her herbal tea. "Not yet. Let them finish their performance. We shouldn''t miss out on the drama."


    Understanding her intent, Secretary Hansen nodded. "I got it."


    "Have you prepared what I requested?" Izabe asked casually.


    "Yes, I''m all set."


    "Good. Now, we wait."


    After Secretary Hansen left, Izabe picked up her phone and sent a message to Casey.


    "Come over to my ce tonight; I''ll cook.."


    Upon receiving the message, Izabe smiled and started packing up for an early evening at home.


    Her new mansion had finally been decorated, and she had moved in three days ago. Her luggage was neatly arranged, and the ce was ready for her to move in.


    The fridge was still empty, so Izabe drove to the supermarket, bought groceries, and also picked up a bouquet of roses to ce in her living room.


    The living room had a panoramic floor-to-ceiling window. Once night fell, she could enjoy the stunning R City skyline with its endless opulence and extravagance. As she prepared a homemade meal, the doorbell rang.


    Opening the door, she found Casey dressed in light-colored clothes, holding a bouquet of sunflowers. His smile was even more radiant than the flowers he held.


    "Did you actually buy flowers?" Izabe was surprised.


    "Do you like them?" Casey asked, a touch of pride in his eyes.


    "Of course, I do." Izabe replied, taking the sunflowers from him.


    She ced the flowers aside and took Casey''s hand, typing in the password to her apartment. "This is also your home now. The password is your birthday," she whispered into his flushed ear.


    It sounded less like numbers and more like a sweet whisper, "I love you forever."


    "Feel free toe in anytime from now on."


    Casey felt like he was floating as he followed Izabe into the apartment, where he noticed the roses in her living room.


    "You bought flowers too?"


    "Yeah, isn''t it a coincidence? Seems like we''re getting in sync." Izabe added the sunflowers to the same vase, where they stood out among the roses.


    As soon as he entered, Casey caught the aroma from the kitchen.


    "Dinner will be ready soon. Why don''t you open that bottle of wine to let it breathe while I whip up a couple of side dishes?"


    "Sure." Casey recognized the wine, "Isn''t this the bottle my father gave you?"


    "Yes, it is. We can enjoy it tonight." Izabe suddenly remembered something, "I forgot can''t really drink."


    "I can, but I tend to get drunk easily." Casey admitted, looking embarrassed as he recalled a past incident that happened when he had drunk too much.


    It seemed that Izabe also recalled the same event and couldn''t help butugh.


    Izabe heated the pot and added oil, quickly stir-frying two everyday dishes. She used high heat and deftly flipped the ingredients in the pan, creating graceful arcs as the vegetables swirled along the edge of the pot. The entire process was executed seamlessly.


    Casey was witnessing Izabe''s pot-flipping skills for the first time, and her technique was much better than his. It reminded him of the first time he had brought Izabe to his home, intentionally disying his awkward pot-flipping and stir-frying skills in front of her.


    Back then, he had been brimming with confidence, thinking he could impress Izabe. But now, as he looked back on that moment, he felt like a clown.


    Casey had never learned to cook, but as soon as he entered the kitchen, he knew what to do. In the beginning, he could only make a few dishes, butter, after watching instructional videos and practicing, he developed the skill to flip ingredients in the pan.


    Izabe''s technique, like the one she disyed earlier, couldn''t have been mastered without years of practice.


    Casey wasn''t visiting here for the first time; he had been here during the renovation phase. Izabe''s kitchen was remarkably simr to his own, with the same cab arrangement.


    He approached Izabe from behind, raised his hand to open the cupboard above her head, and with his tall stature, it was as if he enveloped her in his arms.


    The physical touch and the intertwining of their breath had be second nature to them. Once Casey had taken out the utensils, Izabe finished cooking the dishes, and by the time the food was ready, the red wine had breathed enough.


    One meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a serving of soup-- it was just right for the two of them. Any more, and it would go to waste.


    Casey poured wine for Izabe, and she lifted the tall ss to take a whiff of the aromatic fragrance, closing her eyes in satisfaction, akin to a contented cat.


    "My dad is so stingy; he has several good bottles hidden in his liquor cab, and he gave just one," shemented.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "One bottle is already quite good. I don''t drink that often, so it''s nice to have a taste asionally," Izabe remarked, eyeing Casey''s empty ss. She set down her own ss and got up. "Wait here." She returned to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and retrieved a can of c. She handed it to Casey. He looked at it with a hint of distaste.


    "You get tipsy as soon as you touch alcohol!"


    "I''ll stick with the soup. Haven''t you heard the saying, ''men can''t handle too much c"?"


    Izabe raised an eyebrow, puzzled as she watched him. As Casey''s face slowly turned red, even his neck blushed. Drinking too much c was something to be bashful about? Men were truly hard to understand.


    Well, if she didn''t know, she didn''t know.


    Casey still opened the can of c and poured it into the empty ss in front of him, clinking it with Izabe''s ss.


    After dinner, Casey willingly collected the dishes to wash them, and Izabe handed him her apron.


    Casey had the typical physique that


    appeared slim when clothed, but


    revealed muscr when disrobed. His waist seemed to be less than twenty-four inches. Thanks to his regr workouts, he had


    well-defined abdominal muscles and a tight waist, which added a sense of security when she wrapped her arms around him. She didn''t want to let go, just want to cling him like a ko to a tree.


    Feeling her arms around his waist, Casey paused for a moment before continuing with the dishes, his cheeks flushing in response.


    "Have you encountered any troubles recently?"


    "Troubles?" Izabe recalled the news Secretary Hansen had shown her earlier that day. "Not exactly, just a minor issue I can handle it on my own. But, I do want to teach that brand a lesson. Any ideas?"


    After Izabe had talked to Casey


    about the issue with that brand, he had looked it up online and found some scandal and controversy. And dig up he did, uncovering a series scandals and incriminating


    information. The most ou


    OF


    of these was an incident that happened a year ago, when the brand ambassador had insulted Downstar on a public social media tform. The incident had even trended, but thanks to the brand''s deep pockets, it quickly faded into obscurity.


    The offensive posts were still there, but digging them up had be a bit troublesome due to the time that had passed.


    The luxury brand that had approached Izabe for a coboration was referred to as Universal Fashion. After Izabe''s refusal to work with them, Casey had anticipated the potential fallout and made thorough preparations.


    He had gathered concrete evidence of Universal Fashion''s wrongdoings and shared them with Izabe. However, this wasn''t enough to significantly impact the brand.


    Their movie "Ghost Snatchers" was


    gaining increasing recognition overseas, and more and more brands were seeking coborations with Izabe and Casey. Casey had recently been contacted by another top-tier luxury brand. They could use this partnership to strike a blow at Universal Fashion and use the evidence they had found to push them out of the domestic market.


    Casey exined the n for Izabe, who grasped it immediately. The offer Casey had epted was the result of his careful consideration, and he was only willing to discuss coboration once he was confident it would proceed without any issues.


    "Oh, and I have some good news for you today."


    "What''s the good news?" Casey was intrigued.


    "Come with me."


    Izabe led Casey to the study, turned on theputer, and had Casey sit down. She stood behind him, with her left hand casually resting on his shoulder and her right hand operating the mouse.


    "Take a look at this."


    The close proximity and Izabe''s soft whispers in his ear made Casey''s ears tingle, as if being tickled by a feather.


    His ears were a sensitive spot, prone to turning red at the slightest provocation. Izabe was well aware of this and enjoyed teasing him from time to time.


    Casey pulled himself together, forcing his attention back to the document on the screen.


    While Casey was engrossed in the document, Izabe observed him, noticing his eyes gradually lit up.


    "What is this?"


    "My new movie project. What do you think?"


    "Did Bell write this script?"


    "Wow? you can tell?"


    "It''s her writing style. She''s so talented at writing and scripting, why did she choose to be an actress instead of screenwriter?"


    "Her dream was always to be a screenwriter, but people are often constrained by circumstances. She was a genius." Bell''s screenwriting talent was indeed extraordinary. It was sad that she was no longer with them.


    Bell had written numerous scripts, some of which werepleted, while the others remained unfinished. "Ghost Snatchers" was thest script she wrote before her death, and its ironic storytelling, tragic ending, and mncholic conclusion mirrored her struggle with the depressing.


    And this "Interster" was written during her school days. It was an imaginative and vivid story with a strong emphasis on heroes.


    She posted it online, but the only a few people had read it.


    Adapting such a script into a sessful movie domestically would be challenging for several reasons. First, there was ack of a suitable team, and secondly, creating the required special effects is aplex endeavor.


    "Have you found a suitable team yet?"


    "I''ve already contacted them. We will sign the contract in a few days. You''reing too."


    "Who is it?"


    "Harry."


    Casey''s eyes brightened at the mention of Harry. Harry had been working abroad and had won numerous awards overseas, mainly for his sci-fi movies, including the "Hero" series. There was no doubt that bringing him on board would be a great choice. Casey was curious about how Izabe managed to persuade him to join the project.


    "It was quite simple. He''s currently nning to return to his homnd, and the most effective way to establish himself in the domestic market is through a movie project. So, when I learned he wasing back, I reached out to him with an offer. The script is excellent, and I could meet all his conditions. Finally, he agreed."


    Harry had strict requirements for his movies, preferring to have full control over everything. His only conditions were straightforward: as long as the productionpany didn''t interfere, he was on board. Additionally, he expected a substantial payment and wanted the freedom to choose his own team.


    Furthermore, the script Izabe had provided was excellent, and the fact that the lead role was yed by Mr. Dempsey, one of the most influential figures in the domestic movie industry, it was an irresistible proposition.


    After his return, Harry had done a lot of research of the domestic movie industry and the renowned artists. Among those artists, his most in-depth knowledge would be about Casey.


    Harry had watched numerous movies that Casey had acted in, and one of the movies he had watched repeatedly was "Ghost Snatchers."


    After its release overseas, Harry had personally watched it eight times, which demonstrated his immense respect for the movie''s quality. He had not expected that the domestic film industry had reached such a level of refinement and excellence, prompting his decision to return to his home country.


    Shortly after Harry''s return to Downstar, Izabe managed to establish contact with him. Utilizing an enticing script, along with the presence of Casey and a lucrative financial offer, she sessfully secured his agreement to join the Maple Group.


    "I''m nning to turn ''Interster'' into a movie series. The story has a rich cast of characters and apelling storyline. Creating a movie series is not difficult, and we''ll primarily target the international market." Currently, there were no movie series in the domestic market, and Izabe wanted to be a pioneer in this regard.


    Casey listened carefully as Izabe exined her ambitious ns to turn him into an international superstar. Strangely, he felt a sense of being taken care of.


    He felt like this was quite different from what he initially nned. His initial n was to always be there for Izabe, watching over her and ready to protect her whenever she stumbled.


    But now, it seemed like Izabe was the one pushing him forward.

 Chapter 473

    Izabe patted him on his head with an affectionate tone. "Just focus on your acting. I''ll handle the rest."


    Aside from work and romance, Izabe''s favorite pastime was taking down her enemies.


    And she was the best at it. Casey once told her not to dirty her hands, reassuring her that he could handle anything for her, even murder if needed. But Izabe didn''t want that. In her eyes, Casey was like a clean sheet of paper.


    In her previous life, Izabe had witnessed the dirtiest and most ruthless aspects of life, particrly in the cutthroat world of business.


    Businesspetition was no cleaner than the entertainment industry, and she had encountered even dirtier tactics, as exemplified by Brett.


    Whenever she thought of him, the words that came to mind were "ruthless and cold-blooded".


    She knew precisely how to deliver the most significant blow to an enemy with the smallest cost. Casey trusted Izabe unconditionally; if she said she could handle it, then she could. "Recently, there are quite a few things have been happening in J City."


    "Is Nathaniel in trouble? Or is it Brett?" Izabe asked.


    Casey cast a nce at Izabe, impressed by her quick reaction.


    It wasn''t that Izabe was quick on the uptake. J City was dominated by Nathaniel and Brett, and she was now part of the business world, so even if she didn''t want to seek out information, some news would reach her ears.


    "It''s Nathaniel, but Brett is involved, too. The cooperation he had previously arranged was thwarted by Brett. Now, his position is unstable, Some of the shareholders and partners who had deep connections with Patrick Windham in the past intend to rece him and coborate with Brett instead."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    There was no doubt Brett yed a role in all of this.


    Izabe smirked, a hint of mockery in her tone. "He got what he deserved."


    She had anticipated a confrontation between Brett and Nathaniel, but she hadn''t expected Nathaniel to be so easily defeated.


    If Brett managed to take over Nathaniel''s business, it wouldn''t be good news for Izabe.


    Izabe couldn''t help but feel a sense of worry, and Casey sensed her change in mood. He reached out to hold her wrist, gently pulling her into his embrace. "What''s wrong?"


    Izabe shook her head as she sat on hisp. "I just don''t understand. Even if Nathaniel is incapacitated, his downfall shouldn''t have happened so swiftly."


    "It would have taken longer if Brett was acting alone. But with my father''s involvement, Nathaniel was attacked from both sides," Casey exined.


    So it was due to Beck''s interference. It wasn''t hard to guess why he would do this.


    Most likely, it had something to do with her conversation with Bunny. Bunny must have tell Beck about their talk, and when Beck investigated, he found out that Nathaniel was the one who had hurt Casey years ago. Ironically, they had treated Nathaniel as a benefactor and even gave Nathaniel their shares in the Windham Group.


    "How do you think the old man suddenly targeted Nathaniel?"


    It took Izabe a moment to realize that by "the old man," Casey was referring to Beck.


    "Maybe Mr. Beck just took a dislike to him," Izabe said as pondered the situation, thinking about how Brett had systematically driven the Salotti Group into a corner. The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.


    "How''s Mrs. Bunny''s rtionship with Brett?"


    From the moment Casey firstid eyes on Brett, he felt an inexplicable hostility towards him. As time passed, his aversion only grew.


    He didn''t understand why until he met Izabe - he and Brett were natural rivals.


    However, he was the only one in the family who didn''t get along with Brett. His mother was quite fond of him and often invited Brett over for dinner, to the point that he started visiting the Dempsey family less and less.


    It was more urate to say that Bunny felt guilty toward Brett rather than being fond of him.


    "Mum feels guilty towards Brett. She


    thinks she failed to fulfill her responsibility as an aunt to take care of Brett after the death of her brother. Also, she once held shares in the Windham family. When Brett and Nathaniel were fighting over the family assets, she gave her shares to Nathaniel."


    In terms of blood rtions, Brett was Bunny''s true nephew, born to her brother and sister-inw, while Nathaniel was the illegitimate son of an extramarital affair.


    At the time, everyone had expected Bunny to support Brett. But instead, she chose to give her support to Nathaniel, allowing him to inherit the Windham family.


    Casey wasn''t aware of these details, but Izabe quickly pieced them together.


    Nathaniel had brought the injured Casey to Bunny, who, in gratitude for her help, was willing to give up her shares.


    Casey had heard his mom say that the Windham family was different from the Dempsey family. Even among rtives, they only focused on their interests andcked genuine emotional connections. Emotions were considered a weakness among them.


    Patrick had raised his children this way from a young age, and he continued the same approach with his grandchildren, even after his own children had left one by one.


    Brett''s parents had met tragic ends at the hands of their own family members. Bunny didn''t have an easy time in the Windham family, and her marriage to the Dempsey family was initially a high-society alliance. It was by sheer coincidence that she found true love in the process, making her one of the luckiest members of the Windham family.

 Chapter 474

    Izabe furrowed her brows as she listened to Casey''s words.


    "I have a feeling that Nathaniel won''t be taken down so easily. Can you arrange for someone to keep an eye on him?"


    Casey agreed, "Sure, it''s a prudent move."


    Izabe hesitated for a moment before speaking further, "Also, Mrs. Bunny didn''t know what happened between Brett and me. I''m worried that she might give the partnership she took from Nathaniel to Brett out of guilt. Brett''s even more trouble than Nathaniel, we need to be cautious."


    Casey also began to contemte the possibility.


    Izabe knew herself too well. She understand that Brett''s dirty tricks were something she''d need a lifetime to match.


    Casey sensed her anxiety andforted her, "Don''t worry, I''ve got your back. Even if the sky falls, I''ll be there for you."


    Izabe smiled at his words. She sat on Casey''sp, burying her face in his chest. She gazed up, and lightly bit his chin, "Ever since we''ve been together, I''ve started to doubt if my charm is enough" Casey''s breathing became irregr, his gaze wandering aimlessly and his heart racing uncontrobly, especially with Izabe''s hand resting on his chest.


    Izabe shook her head at his stiff reaction, her smile remained undiminished, "So, even when I am in this close to you, you don''t feel anything?" As she spoke, she She extended her delicate index finger to poke his Adam''s apple.


    Casey was so tense that he didn''t dare to swallow. His back was rigidly pressed against the chair. His left hand gripped the armrest tightly to prevent Izabe from falling, and his right hand wrapped around her waist.


    Casey looked down at Izabe''s hair, his voice husky, "I do."


    "Then why aren''t you making a move? Why so shy?"


    Casey''s courage seemed to be spent on daydreaming and self-indulgence. When in came to real action, his face turned red. Izabe found his shyness endearing and couldn''t resist teasing him. Casey grit his teeth and ced his hands firmly on Izabe''s waist.


    Before Izabe could react, her body was lifted off the ground by his strong grip on ther waist. He carefully ced her on her feet and then stood up himself.


    His eyelids reddened, and the corners of his almond-shaped eyes slightly arched upward as he gazed deeply at Izabe. Then, he ran into the bathroom, mming the door shut with a bang. Izabe blinked in surprise and suddenly covered her mouth as she climbed onto the table, bursting into giggles.


    Casey stayed in the bathroom for half an hour. When he came out, his face as red as a boiled lobster, and he didn''t dare look at Izabe. However, his prolonged absence was testament to Izabe''s allure. Izabe decided to stop teasing him and they continued discussing the script.


    As they chatted, Izabe remembered Kaley Cot. Kaley had been missing for several months, and despite numerous paparazzi staking her out, no one had uncovered any news. Kaley''s still had some followers on social media, butpared to the past, it had lost its previous level of activity, not even ranking among the top three hundred anymore.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Could it be that she was dead?


    It was a possibility.


    Kaley had certainly crossed some of Brett''s taboos. She had given him the opportunity, and if Brett couldn''t manage to eliminate Kaley this time, Izabe would lose respect for his abilities.


    Izabe remembered a saying that went something like this: "When you love someone, even the sunset even the boundless sunset can''tpare to them. When you dislike someone, not even a thousand birds soaring through the mountains can rival the depth of your antipathy."


    Brett was most cruelest to Kaley in this lifetime, leaving her almost half-dead. Yet, he was capable of forgiving Kaley, who had deceived him and cheated him.


    He even had the audacity to ask if she could love him again.


    It was amusing, really. Love him for what?


    Love him for his past indifference to her, for treating her like a doormat, or for his ability to have countless affairs? Why would she love someone like that?


    How could Kaley enter the entertainment industry with a new identity? It was because she had someone powerful behind her.


    Izabe had already investigated and discovered the person backing Kaley-Nn Navarro, an unknown hoodlum in the past. But when Heckter Dees was taken down by Brett, he took the leadership of the underground gambling scene.


    After dealing with Kaley''s issue, Izabe had been keeping a close eye on the underground gambling scene. Strangely, there had been no news from there for several months.


    Since Brett still held significant influence in the city, it was likely that he had control over the gambling scene.


    Meanwhile, Vivian''s words at the promotion event went viral, shifting the focus to Izabe''s potential coboration with a luxury brand.


    The number of luxury brands looking for endorsements in the country was quite limited.


    Among these, the top-tier luxury brands were even scarcer. Finding a luxury brand willing to coborate with Downstar for celebrity endorsements was a challenging task.


    After eliminating several possibilities, Universal Fashion was the only one left.


    If Izabe wanted to sign a deal with them, her status in the entertainment industry would be unshakable.


    With her exceptional beauty, excellent acting skills, strong track record at the box office ma, andmercial appeal, she would easily outperform her peers across the entire entertainment industry. Her career would be akin to ying on an easy mode, making her virtually unbeatable. A year ago, Izabe was heavily criticized online for her choice of outfits and overall style. However, in just a year, starting from June ofst year, shepletely transformed her life. Anyone who dared to belittle or insult her ended up with their words thrown right back at them. No one dared to mock her now.


    Izabe''s fans had indeede across the information that she had been approached by Universal Fashion. The coboration was almost confirmed, and everyone was eagerly waiting for the official announcement.


    Izabe''s fans were ustomed to the spotlight, always maintaining theirposure and remained unfazed. They brushed off rumors and patiently waiting for official announcements.


    However, unexpectedly, a group of ounts posing as "Izabe''s dedicated fans" appeared and began spreading rumors online, iming that Izabe hadnded an endorsement deal with Universal Fashion. Disguised as praise for Izabe, they subtly disparaged other artists, with the intention of tarnishing Izabe''s reputation.


    Female artists who shared the same level of poprity as Izabe were all secretlypeting for resources and status. Initially, they were on equal footing, but then Izabe emerged and disrupted the bnce.


    If Izabe were to be the ambassador for Universal Fashion, it would be unfavorable for them. So, they decided to incite their fans to tarnish Izabe''s reputation.


    Izabe was aware of all of there, but she didn''t take any action. She simply instructed her assistant to uncover the initial few ounts masquerading as her fans instead. Soon, Izabe joined the Blood Ties cast for promotional event in R City.


    The scene at the event was massive, with crowds of people. Though it was just a small promotional event, the number of journalists could rival a press conference.


    This overwhelming presence was due to Izabe''s presence that day.


    There was a lot of news about Izabe online. She became a trending topic even before arriving at the event,


    [I heard Izabe''s going to be here today, I''m waiting for the live stream.]


    [Look at the crowd and the number of onlookers. Izabe is undeniably the queen of the entertainment industry now.]


    [Congrattions to Izabe fornding the Universal Fashion endorsement. Her future looks promising.]


    [Izabe is indeed beautiful, but her style is somewhat tacky.]


    [There are many who are as pretty as Izabe butck her acting skills. There are those who are as talented as her butck her beauty. And those who have both,ck her fortune. In the entertainment industry of the past three decades, no one has risen to fame as quickly as Izabe.]


    The live streamments were abuzz with discussions centered on Izabe. Suddenly, the camera shifted to a car pulling up.


    The gloomy sky brightened as if on cue. The sun pierced through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the scene.


    The car door opened slowly, unveiling a pair of slender legs adorned with high heels. As Izabe stepped out of the car gracefully, her stunning beauty left everyone breathless.


    As her name was called, she turned her head, capturing everyone''s attention with her beauty.


    The journalist streaming the event was momentarily lost for words, taken aback by the mesmerizing sight.


    Izabe wore a charming smile, snapping everyone out of their daze.


    For a long time, Izabe had stayed out of the public eye. Unlike other celebrities who constantly shared their daily lives with friends, Izabe preferred to keep her private life private. She didn''t feel the need to address or exin the various rumors circting about her and kept her


    Her Twitter page contained work-rted updates, with no glimpses into her personal life.


    Dressed in a crisp white suit, Izabe


    looked more like a powerful CEO


    than a celebrity. For a promotional


    event like this, wearing a gown would be seem overly formal white casual outfits would be tooid-back, especially with all the cameras around. Izabe''s choice of outfit was perfect, making her stand out in the crowd. Her appearance was so breathtaking that it left people gasping for air.


    Upon spotting the director, Izabe went over to greet him. She had a good rtionship with everyone on the crew, and there were no conflicts of interest since thepanies involved were not rivals. Moreover, even if there were conflicts of interest, they would be kept under wraps as the show was about to air. Fake friendships weremon in this industry.


    Izabe nced around and asked, "Why haven''t I seen Vivian?"


    Garen, who had a good rtionship. with Izabe exined, "What have you been busy withtely? Haven''t you kept up with the online news? During thest promotion in Wye, you weren''t present, and Vivian was openly and subtly targeting you. Mr. York got upset and kicked her out of the promotional tour."


    "Well."


    Garen, out of curiosity, asked, "Is it true that you''re coborating with Universal Fashion?"


    Izabe shot him a nce, "Who told you that?"


    "Isn''t it all over the inte? There are detailed reports, including specific timeframes, saying that Universal Fashion approached you and hoped you would be their brand ambassador." "They did approach me."


    "Wealth and rank should not be forgotten."


    "But I declined."


    Garen looked at her in disbelief, "Why did you reject an offer from Universal Fashion? They''re a top-tier luxury brand. If you had coborated with them, you would have easily established yourself international."


    Actually, she didn''t need anyone''s help to establish herself international."


    "I declined for a reason."


    "What''s the reason?" Garen was eager to know.


    "You''ll find out soon."


    Izabe followed the crew backstage, waiting for the cue to go back on stage. She wasn''t adept at dealing with fans. The noise from


    the crowd gave her a headach met


    Izabe preferred tranquility. She answered the host''s questions one by one while unconsciously checking her wristwatch for the time.


    It was almost time.


    The live streamments were disyed on therge screen on stage.


    During the press conference, question revolved around the TV series, and actors and actress shared amusing anecdotes from the set.


    Despite her role as the second female lead, this was Izabe''s first live promotional event, and it turned into her spotlight. The host and the crew constantly directed the conversation towards her, and journalists posed questions exclusively focused on her.


    Many questions were unrted to the TV series and delved into her personal life. For example, they tried to ask about her rtionship with Casey, and her association with the Maple Group. Journalists tried to dig up juicy details, but Izabe effortlessly deflected their attempts.


    It wasn''t until a journalist in the corner suddenly asked, "Ms. Salotti, is it true that Universal Fashion has approached you for an endorsement deal?"


    "It''s false. Next question."


    The tenacious journalist pressed on, persistently querying, "Is the news fake, or did they simply reject you at first sight?"

 Chapter 475

    Izabe had been feeling bored on stage, half-heartedly responding to the questions thrown at her. But when the reporter asked this question, it instantly grabbed her attention.


    Izabe had decided to wear some eyeliner today, enhancing the natural allure of her eyes, in which there were usually gentle and calm. But with just a hint of a frown, they could be sharp and intimidating. Now on the stage, her aura was fully revealed, her pride and confidence on full disy.


    Those standing at a distance didn''t feel much, but the reporters closer to her could feel a chill in the air, a sense of intimidation that made it hard to maintain eye contact with Izabe.


    Especially the female reporter who had provoked Izabe, she felt she had goosebumps and her legs started to shake. She tried to suppress the fear and looked at Izabe''s face, only to see her lips move slightly.


    "What does that mean?"


    The female reporter, nudged by the people behind her, gripped her smartphone and said.


    "I just got thetest news. Universal Fashion has chosen a suitable spokesperson, and it''s Vivian. Universal Fashion just tweeted that they decided against choosing you instead because they believe you don''t align with their brand values."


    Once the reporter finished, people watching the livestreaming went wild with disbelief.


    [What, Universal Fashion chose Vivian to endorse their products? Did Vivian steal Izabe''s endorsement?]


    [Didn''t you hear what the reporter said? Universal Fashion chose Vivian because Izabe doesn''t match their brand values. They rejected Izabe right off the bat.]


    [That''s the funniest thing I''ve heard all year. Izabe''s fans have been certain that she would be Universal Fashion''s next spokesperson, and have been trashing other artists. Turns out Universal Fashion doesn''t even want her. What a p in the face. What does box office sess prove? I bet most people went to watch the movie for Mr. Dempsey. Izabe just got lucky to act with him.]


    [Universal Fashion imed Izabe for her moral character issues on their first visit to Downstar. What exactly are these issues?]


    Rumors spread faster than facts, and it seemed like people would believe anything they hear, even without concrete evidence.


    The reporters at the scene were waiting for Izabe''s response, while Izabe casually took out her phone, "Hold on, let me check their statement first."


    Everyone present, even those who were watching the livestreaming, as all cameras focused on Izabe, not wanting to miss a single change on her face.


    Sure enough, Universal Fashion''s official statement was as detailed as the reporter said. If she wasn''t directly involved in this, Izabe might have even believed it.


    Vivian had also released her contract with Universal Fashion, officially announcing the news. Thements under this post were actively abundant.


    On the other hand,ments about Izabe only were a few; their fans had to not only face the stark contrast but also the mockery from fans of other artists.


    After checking her phone, just when everyone thought she was about to say something, Izabe started making a phone call.


    While she was waiting for the call to connect, her gaze drifted towards the fans who hade to the scene with their light sticks in support.


    Those fans loved her and wouldn''t believe these rumors about her. Even in the face of all these strange looks, they still held up their light sticks to cheer for her. Right now, their faces were filled with worry, looking unsure of what to do.


    The call connected, and Izabe spoke calmly, "Release it now."


    Izabe didn''t lower her voice intentionally. She was still wearing a mic, and everyone at the scene could hear her.


    Everyone was confused. Release what? What was she going to release?


    After hanging up, Izabe reached out her hand, and someone standing next to her quickly handed her a microphone.


    She looked at her fans in the rear row and said, "Don''t frown. Trust me, I won''t let you down."


    In her life, she would never let down herself or the people who loved her. She would be the best self, shining brightly with a promising future.


    The fans in the distance started aciming, and Izabe waved her phone, "I have posted everything you want to know on Twitter. If you want to know, go check it."


    After finishing her words, IzabeText property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    put down the microphone and


    turned to leave. Everyone was


    caught off guard, unsure whether to


    follow Izabe or check their


    phones.


    The scene was chaotic, resulting in a scene where reporters were trying to chase after Izabe while checking their phones.


    Brad reacted quickly and immediately arranged for people to escort Izabe out, asking Garen, who was closest to Izabe, to protect her. Garen stayed by her side, "What''s going on?"


    "Didn''t I say I posted it on Twitter? Check it yourself." Izabe got into a car, "I''m going home. I''ll leave you handling the rest here, bye." Garen watched her leave safely before checking his phone. He didn''t even need to search. It was right there in the top search. He viewed them one by one.


    In short, Universal Fashion didn''t


    think highly of Izabe, but Izabe had thick skin and had been promoting Universal Fashion online, which had brought them negative publicity.


    Now they had signed Vivian, and as for Izabe, they had initially wanted to sign her, but due to her


    unsatisfactory character and not


    aligning with their brand image, they had decided against it.


    And this tweet was posted just a moment ago, right when Izabe had logged into Twitter.

 Chapter 476

    Universal Fashion was so audacious to nder Izabe, simply because she didn''t sign with any talent agency, with no influential background. The only entity that had any sort of connection to her was the Maple Group, a new enterprise, hardly a force to be reckoned with.


    Vivian, on the other hand, seized the chance to announced her new endorsement deal with Universal Fashion. Her social media was flooded with congrattory messages.


    Her partnership with Universal Fashion was secure, and Vivian was ecstatic, as was her agent. Just a short while ago, Vivian had been the butt of jokes online, being called a box-office loser. And now, here she was, surprisingly, the first domestic brand spokesperson for Universal Fashion.


    As her value as an artist increased, so did her agent''s opportunities.


    Her colleagues, all feigning sincerity, called to congratte her and suggested she treat them to a meal.


    Vivian, sitting at her dressing table, applying makeup, heard the news from her agent and let a smile y on her lips.


    "Sure, why not? Make a list of everyone and pick a restaurant."


    Just as her agent was about to select restaurants, a news notification popped up on her phone. She was about to ignore it when she saw the headline that left her frozen in her tracks. Universal Fashion insulting Downstar.


    Downstar has been implementing new policies recently and can''t afford any controversies. The agent, looking at Vivian in the mirror, decided not to rm her just yet. The headline was sensational, but the content was usually inconsistent. However, as she read further, her face paled.


    Vivian, having finished her makeup, turned around to see her agent still standing there. "Marry, why haven''t you gone to choose the restaurant yet?"


    "Vivian, check the top search on your phone."


    "What about it? Is it about Izabe being criticized?" Vivian asked, a sneer on her face. Nonchntly, she opened her phone, but sprang to her feet when she read the news. "How could this happen?"


    The one being criticized was not Izabe but herself. She fumbled to read the news further. When she was done, she felt as if she''d been dunked in ice water, shivering from the cold.


    How could Universal Fashion insult Downstar?


    She had already officially announced her endorsement deal with Universal Fashion. If she were to terminate the contract, she''d be liable for a hefty penalty. And worse, she could bebeled as "anti-national", which would potentially ruin her career.


    Izabe''s post on Twitter was crisp and to the point.


    Had Universal Fashion imed that Izabe was shamelessly clinging to their brand?


    Izabe then released the text messages from Universal Fashion proposing a coboration with her, along with a recording of Secretary Hansen rejecting the offer on her behalf.


    And the reason for the rejection was clearly stated in the recording. The brand had crossed Izabe''s red line by insulting Downstar.


    After the recording, Izabe provided more evidence to prevent any further usations of falsehood.


    The brand''s spokesperson had publicly insulted Downstar a year ago on social media, causing a stir. Universal Fashion offered no exnation, and the spokesperson hadn''t apologize till now. Not just that, Casey had found out Universal Fashion''s grant history, and the brand''s chief designer had a fling with the spokesperson who insulted Downstar.


    This designer had posted various seditiousments on social media, mock rted to the political stand.


    Downstar''s cultural policy and espousing ind separatist forces, which were not just being personally dumb or blunt. It


    The chief designer and the brand''s spokesperson had made such vile insulting words; how could administrators of Universal Fashion remain unaware? They just pretended to be oblivious, or maybe they had thought poorly of Downstar all along.


    They looked down upon Downstar and insulted the citizens, and yet still intended to gain money in Downstar, which was ridiculously amusing.


    Izabe''s evidence was like depth charges, each more explosive than thest, instantly igniting the public''s outrage.


    On the issue of defending the country, there were no Inte trolls or contrarians. Everyone united to boycott Universal Fashion.


    Vivian''s misfortune was that she had just announced her endorsement deal with Universal Fashion when Izabe revealed why she had refused to coborate with them.


    The stark contrast between the two triggered conspiracy theories among the public, who quickly pieced together the entire situation.


    Vivian had hinted at Izabe''s coboration with a luxury brand at her announcement event, prompting the public to guess. Once they guessed it was Universal Fashion, they started hiring Inte trolls, posing as Izabe''s fans, all to discredit Izabe when Universal Fashion announced their real spokesperson was Vivian.


    Universal Fashion, upset with Izabe''s rejection, was itching to teach her a lesson.


    But they didn''t expect the tables to turn so dramatically.


    If Vivian hadn''t been so greedy, she wouldn''t have ended up in such a predicament. It was her greed that led to her downfall.


    Downstar''s sovereignty is invible. Izabe''s final tweet was a stern statement.


    - Firmly oppose any attempt to smear or nder the country and human rights in any form.


    Reporters saw thetest news and intercepted Izabe''s car on the road.


    The driver had no choice but to slow down and stop. Izabe, without any sign of impatience, calmly rolled down the window and removed her sunsses.


    The cacophony of voices poured in.


    "Miss Salotti, had you foreseen that something like this would happen today?"


    "Miss Salotti, regarding Universal Fashion''s insult and nder against Downstar and you, is there anything you would like to say to them?"


    Amidst the flurry of questions, Izabe clearly heard this one. She beckoned the reporter who had asked the question over, took the microphone, and announced, "Those who insult Downstar, no matter how far, will be punished!"


    After her words, her gaze casually swept over the crowd. It seemed unassuming, but those who met her eyes understood the overpowering aura she exuded.


    "Everyone, dismissed. Please continue to follow the broadcast of Blood Ties. It airs next Monday. Don''t miss it. I will take my leave for today."


    The crowd involuntarily dispersed, and Izabe, with a smile on her face, slowly closed the car window and instructed her driver to leave.


    Izabe had intended to spare Vivian''s blushes in the first ce, especially with the airing of Blood Ties approaching. It was not good to cause a rift in their rtionship considering Vivian was her ex-colleague. However, the more she backed down, the more others assumed she was easy prey.


    On Vivian''s Twitter feed, her fans were celebrating just moments ago. Now, it was silent, with no one daring to utter a word in her defense.


    As for those fake fan ounts, Izabe already had them exposed. They were hired by Vivian.


    Izabe didn''t bother to deal with these trivial matters on her own Twitter. She passed the information to a reporter she was on good terms with and let her publish it.


    Vivian closed her Twitter ount. The endorsement deal with Universal Fashion that was announced in the morning was canceled in the afternoon.


    While others had at least gained some benefits before getting defeated, Vivian had to concede defeat before even getting some advantages. Not only did she lose the opportunity, but she also had to endure a series of condemnation.


    Whether Vivian was going to be cklisted was yet unknown.


    The incident with Universal Fashion made national news. Their stores were closed, online shops were blocked, and they were permanently cklisted by Downstar.


    After Universal Fashion lost the business channel of Downstar, their shares plummeted. They lost thirty million in just one day and even more on the second day.


    With Universal Fashion''s downfall, their rival, OVO, reaped the benefits. They quickly established a partnership with the Maple Group, allowing Izabe to cooperate with them.


    "Who''s the Ghost" had a significant impact abroad. After its release, Izabe and Casey gained many international fans.


    After partnering with Izabe, OVO quickly tasted the benefits, breaking their all-time sales record on the very same day.


    With the airing of Blood Ties


    approaching, Vivian quickly terminated her contract with Universal Fashion. Although her reputation took a hit, it didn''t affect the show''s broadcast. After all, she


    only yed a supporting rolehe


    a


    wicked angelic bitch. Now that the audience knew what kind of person Vivian truly was, it made it even easier for them to rte to her character in the show.


    Vivian lost a considerable amount of money, and herpany had to shoulder some of the losses. Those above her were very dissatisfied with her. They had spent money to publicize her awareness, but her movie was a flop. She got the role in Blood Ties through connections, yet her character setting flopped as well.


    Vivian was infamous now, thanks to the national news. But this kind of fame was worse than having none. She was widely criticized, and essentially a failure.


    The only solution was suggested by her agent.


    Apologize in person. As long as Izabe forgave Vivian and mentioned her in future events, this incident could be swept under the rug.


    Maintained a respectful manner, disyed sincerity, and didn''t just talk the talk, arranged for a gift as well.


    Vivian couldn''t contact Izabe directly, so she asked Brad to ry the message, sessfully persuading him by citing the need not to affect the TV series.


    Brad merely ryed her message in a few words. Whether or not Vivian''s apology would be epted was up to Izabe.


    They thought Izabe wouldn''t bother meeting Vivian, but to their surprise, she agreed.


    Vivian reserved a private room at a restaurant, and Izabe came with Brad.


    Izabe''s presence was purely out of respect for Brad.


    Upon arrival, Vivian''s agent signaled her to be sincere in her apology.


    Vivian had mentally prepared herself. She acted as if nothing had happened and greeted Izabe like an old friend. Her acting was even better than when she was on set. "Izabe, what would you like to eat? Feel free to order anything from the menu."


    Izabe didn''t even nce at the menu. Her gazended on Vivian''s heavily powdered face, "Just say what you want to say. I just dropped by. I''ll get going once I''ve heard you out." Vivian''s face paled. She subconsciously looked at Brad, who was sitting next to Izabe. Brad didn''t give her any reassurance. For a moment, Vivian didn''t know what to do. Finally, her agent nudged her. "Miss Salotti, the purpose of inviting you here today is to apologize to you. You''re always broad-minded. We hope that you can forgive Vivian. This is a small token of our sincerity."


    A jewelry box was presented to her. Izabe recognized the brand, which was worth at least a hundred thousand.


    "But I don''t think I''m that kind of person you said. I heard your apology, and I have the right not to ept it. When you were openly and secretly targeting me, Vivian, you should have thought of this day."Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "If you don''t ept my apology, then why are you here?!" Vivian couldn''t control her temper and indignantly confronted Izabe.


    Leaning against the chair, Izabe lifted her eyes to look at Vivian standing in front of her. Her aura was regal.


    "I came to see your impotent rage. If you can''t even keep your temper in check, you should quit the entertainment circle sooner rather thanter."


    "What gives you the right to say


    that?! Izabe, you''re doing this on


    purpose! What do you mean I targeted you? It''s clear that you''ve been targeting me! From the movie premiere to Universal Fashion! Why did you choose to expose Universal Fashion''s insult to Downstar on the day I announced my coboration with them?!"


    The agent standing nearby wanted to intervene, but it was toote. All she could do was standing idly by and watch Vivian yell her lungs out. Just as Izabe had said, if she couldn''t keep her cool over this, she might as well pack her things and leave this circle for good.


    "Vivian, everyone can see what''s going on here. Nobody''s a fool. I turned a blind eye when you badmouthed me to the other actors on set. I let it slide when you asked the agency to use a marketing the


    ount to disparage me at release of the movie you starred in. I even ignored your snide remarks at


    ourst announcement event," Izabe spoke calmly, idly twirling a ring on her index finger.


    "I was being generous for not fighting back, but don''t mistake my kindness for weakness. If you still see me as the Izabe who was once theughing stock of all the inte users.''


    Izabe paused, suddenly standing up and moving towards Vivian like a predator closing in on its prey. She grabbed Vivian by the shoulders, her voice low and threatening, "You won''t even know why you''d be utterly discredited!"

 Chapter 477

    Vivian was taken aback by Izabe''s sudden move, stumbling backward on her heels.


    Her heart was pounding with consternation, her breath struggling to keep up. She stared at Izabe''s easy-going grin, her eyes reddened with fear and her body trembling.


    Izabe pped Vivian''s shoulder twice, applying an invisible pressure, then turned to Brad, "I''m taking off now, Mr. York. You two keep on."


    "Okay, take care."


    Izabe nodded, exiting smoothly, leaving the three alone in the private room.


    The agent looked at Vivian with a sense of disappointment. She had been with Vivian since her debut, and there was a certain attachment there. If an artist lost their value, they were easily reced.


    If put it bluntly, the entertainment circle was like production line, while the artists represented well-packed products, exploited when they had value, yet discarded when they didn''t. Eventually, the agent couldn''t just watch Vivian end up like that, "Mr. York, perhaps you could put in a good word for us with Ms. Salotti. You two are on good terms after all." "Her attitude today was clear enough. I can''t change her mind." Izabe was the boss of the Maple Group. Brad didn''t have the time to think for them.


    "Mr. York, she came here today for you, right? Maybe you can mediate for the sake of our production. After all, any discord is bad for the show. We won''t forget your help."


    Brad sighed, gazing at the stealthy movement the agent took in her pocket, "Quit recording. Your little tricks won''t work here. Truth be told, I didn''te here to mediate. Vivian made her bed, now she has to lie in it. She should have thought more about the production when she messed up. Always trying to shift the me."


    Without giving an even nice attitude, Brad left the room.


    A depressed weeping sound came from the private room. The agent turned to Vivian, her face cold, "I''m done helping you too. I told you before we came here; you should have begged Izabe for forgiveness. Instead, you tried to shift the me and used her of targeting you. Who do you think you are? Exin it to the boss yourself."


    The incident with Vivian and Universal Fashion was over, and Blood Ties began airing as scheduled. The three trailers had viewers eagerly waiting at their televisions.


    From the trailers, it could be seen that the series would be in good quality, plus the director was Brad, who was well-known for his meticulousness and his concept of sticking to the original, shooting scenes in natural context, and bringing Downstar''s extraordinary scenery into the film to create a visual feast.


    It was unable for viewers to get satisfied only watching three episodes per day. The show was a hit, with over a billion views on the first day alone. The show was on track to exceed ten billion views in less than ten days.


    The view counts on the satellite television channel ranked the first. If it went like this, the series would be most likely the No. 1 among all previous series. Izabe was practically a genius in record breaking.


    Her followers on Twitter had rose from the originally 20 million to 50 million, the person always on trending, even Casey couldn''tpete with her on that. As the poprity of the show rose, several satellite televisions scrambled to buy the copyrights to "Blood Ties". Advertisements for the show were everywhere. Izabe viewed the trending topic this series was on, and checked the solo video her fans edited for her.


    In Blood Ties, Izabe yed Megan, a character who showed atter stage. The image of her wearing a suit of armor while riding a horse became a fan-favorite. Izabe had time to log in the Twitter, and as viewing thements their followers made, she nearly believed that she had mistakenly logged in Casey''s ount. There were all expressions of how they liked her.


    Also in the super topic it became more active. Previously, as Izabe found there were not many topics about her and Casey and merely all kinds of jokes published, so she decided to y a movie where she acted Casey''s wife.


    Now Izabe stood the first among all stars in the super topic with a major box office of the movie she starred in and the first ce of audience rating on various satellite televisions.


    Those people should notice how popr she was now.


    cing down her cellphone, Izabe stood in her office, gazing out at the bustling crowd below, her face motionless.


    She turned to her reflection in the window, a face she had seen so many times she could almost believe it was hers.


    When she first arrived in "Bell''s" body, she made a vow to the woman in the mirror. She would get revenge for her, make those who hurt her regret their actions.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Now, Nathaniel regretted after learning about Bell''s death. Kristin, who had framed her, and Graham, her agent, were either in jail or had lost their jobs.


    Those who had harmed Bell were receiving their just desserts. Thedast ones left were Bell''s parents who lived in the vige, the ones ruining their daughter''s future for their own prosperity.


    These people couldn''t be innocent for Bell''s death, but her parents were the main culprit.


    How should she deal with them, Izabe wondered. She narrowed her eyes, a satisfied look emerging from there.

 Chapter 478

    "Interster" was all set to start filming. Thanks to the generous funding from Izabe and the recent sess of "Who''s the Ghost," investors were lining up to get a piece of the action.


    The director had selected the filming locations and Casey was about to leave for at least a month. It was the first time he and Izabe would be apart for such a long period. Izabe was packing Casey''s suitcase, cramming in everything he might need for the trip.


    She pulled out separate bags from the bottom of the closet for his different needs, categorized everything he would wear or use, andbeled them to prevent any confusion.


    His flight was scheduled for 2 pm, so after lunch, Izabe would have just enough time to send him off. Casey was preparing lunch, and when he went to call Izabe, he found that she had already finished packing his luggage.


    Looking at the two stuffed suitcases, Casey eximed, "Is all this necessary?"


    "You''re going away for a month or two, and the shooting locations vary, so I packed extra clothes considering the weather difference. Here are your winter clothes in this suitcase, and your summer clothes in that one. I''ve also packed two pairs of shoes for you, any more wouldn''t fit. Your assistant can buy more for you when you get there."


    "All toiletries are in there as well. The toothbrushes at the hotels are generally not the best, and I know you prefer this soft-bristled brand. Also, I checked the weather forecast, and there''s a considerable temperature difference at the shooting location, so take care of your health and avoid catching a cold. I''ve kept all the medicines you usually use in the suitcase. It''s the first thing you''ll see when you open it." "Also, remember to apply sunscreen regrly once you''re there. The UV radiation is intense, and you don''t want to get sunburned."


    As Izabe listed each item, she became increasingly worried about Casey, "Stay safe when you''re out there. Call me every day, or at least send a text if you''re too tired." Izabe looked up, her bright eyes gazing at Casey, the concerned expression dripping, which tugged one''s heartstrings.


    Casey pulled Izabe into his arm, "I suddenly don''t want to leave anymore."


    Izabe leaned onto his shoulder, smiling, "Well, I''m waiting for you to make money and win some awards for thepany."


    "Alright, all the awards I win will be yours."


    It was hard for Izabe to say goodbye. As she first learned that he''d be away for one to two months, she hadn''t felt anything different. However, now she realized how distressed it would be. Everyone had things they desired to achieve. "Interster" was the gift she had prepared for Casey, and a good partner should never hold the other back.


    Casey''s future was promising, and after a brief embrace, she would have to let him go to pursue his career.


    It may not be so bad about one-to-two-month separation. At lease she could take some days'' leave to see him if she couldn''t stand the distance any longer.


    Casey had the same idea. He wanted to end the trip as quick as possible, and if the shooting couldn''t be finished on time, he nned to have few days'' leave to see Izabe. Casey had prepared all of Izabe''s favorite dishes for lunch.


    After they had eaten and cleaned the dishes, it was half past twelve, time to leave. The driver and assistant were there to pick up Casey and his luggage.


    Casey was strong, able to carry two cases of 34 inch effortlessly.


    "I''ll be back soon. If anything happens, call me, or reach out to my parents, or Toby. I won''t feel at ease unless he''s with you."


    "Alright, just send me a text once you get there."


    Casey got into the car, and kept looking back at Izabe in the rear-view mirror until she was out of sight.


    At the airport, the assistant tried to help Casey with the luggage.


    Casey promptly refused. These were the items that Izabe had packed for him, and he wasn''t going to let anyone else handle them.


    The assistant awkwardly withdrew his hand, wondering whether Casey had just threatened him. He was supposed to help with the luggage. Then why was Casey acting like he didn''t need him at all? Casey signed at the waiting lounge, which grabbed the attention of his assistant immediately.


    "I''ve already missed her."


    The assistant echoed, "It doesn''t matter the time. The hardest part is when people are departing, but it''ll be better."Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey flicked a nce at him, "Looks like you''re quite an expert."


    The assistant touched his head, a bit shy, "Actually, I''ve been married and had two kids."


    He was right, It was difficult to notice that.


    "I was like you before. Always missed her every time we separated, even couldn''t eat well."


    Casey listened carefully, nodding in agreement.


    "How about now?"


    "Now I miss them also, but the feeling gets less intense."


    That means for a couple, the longer time they stay, the high possibility their love would disappear? Casey thought.


    "What kind of wedding you and your wife held back then?"


    "Just like others. We don''t have many rules on that. Are you going to propose to Izabe?¡±


    Casey''s ears started bing red. Recently he watched Blood Ties, and in there, Izabe was extremely stunning when she married the king, wearing a crown and a gorgeous robe.


    He had never seen anyone so charming in such dress. Casey was quite traditional, who always longed for the scene where Izabe was wearing formal dress andpleting things with him in conformity with their custom.


    As it turned out, there was no such thing as one would get used to the other with time passing. Instead, he''d miss Izabe more with each passing moment. He had to stay focused during filming, and he wanted to finish as quickly as possible.


    Casey had thepetence. But frequent issues with the other actors were slowing things down. Casey was on the verge of losing his temper when one of the crew members handed him a phone. "Izabe''s calling for you."


    Casey''s mood instantly brightened.


    Everyone on set was used to this by now. Izabe was the elixir that kept Casey''s spirits high, and as long as she called him every day, he was more cooperative during filming.


    Izabe was in good spirit, and coaxed Casey like usual.


    "I miss you," Casey''s voice was filled with longing.


    "Be good, and focus on your work. We can video chatter tonight."


    Izabe didn''t respond to his admission of missing her, and Casey felt a pang of fear. He remembered what the assistant had told him earlier - over time, people get used to being apart. Was Izabe getting used to his absence?


    Izabe''s calls were always brief, considering the filming schedule of the production crew, never more than five minutes.


    "How''s work these days?" Casey asked.


    "Not too bad. I''ve got a few things on my te, but I''ll sort them out soon."


    Izabe missed Casey quite a bit. With him not around, she was alone at home every day. She didn''t even have someone to tease, which made life a little less enjoyable. But recently, a bit of excitement hade to fill her time.


    Bell''s "family" had all came looking for her in J City.


    Izabe put her work on hold, assigned someone to keep an eye on her family, and booked a flight to J City.


    As Blood Ties aired, the show''s poprity grew, and more and more people started to know who Izabe was.


    The show was loved by everyone, from kids as young as five to grandmas in their eighties. Whenever people turned on their TVs, Blood Ties was their first pick.


    It wasn''t surprising that Blood Ties was a hit. The quality of TV shows had been deteriorating, either with poor editing or plots that were all over the ce.


    Blood Ties was a rare gem, a show with a female lead, no naive and innocent characters, no phony female supporting role, and wicked character who got forcefully redeemed when it was her time to exit the show.


    With the show''s poprity, it was bound to attract attention.


    The Salotti family, after receiving 20 thousand dors from Bell, built a new house.


    The Salotti family consisted of four members: Bell''s parents, Ron and Myra Salotti, their son Fredric Salotti, and their grandson Gary Salotti.


    The Salotti family was not wealthy. The two elderly had no money, and their son Fredric was fond of smoking, drinking, and gambling. If it wasn''t for the money they got from Bell, they''d probably still be living in a hovel.


    Fredric was a good-for-nothing. His wife despised him and left him after giving birth to their child.


    Now, he was nning to remarry,


    el.


    but he had no money. During these times, he would think of his sister Bell. If she was still here, he could''ve sent her to a pig farmer in the neighboring vige as a bride, and he would''ve gotten quite a hefty money in return, which would''ve been enough for him to remarry.


    Fredric was unemployed andzy, never doing any farming work. He spent his days loitering around the town, scrounging for food and drinks. When he ran out of money, he would mooch off his parents. One day, he was eating at a diner with a few friends, and the TV in the diner was airing Blood Ties.


    "Hey, Fredric, doesn''t the woman on the TV look like your pretty sister?"


    Fredric looked up casually, and his gaze froze. The woman on the TV was stunningly beautiful with an amazing presence, and she oddly resembled his good-for-nothing sister.


    Bell''s only mexit was her looks. She


    n¨¦


    was so pretty that she didn''t seem like she could''ve been born into the Salotti family. With a beautiful daughter like that, her parents were happy because they could marry her to someone with money and then get benefit.


    In the vige, the money they could get was usually around 8 to 9 thousand from sending their daughter to marry. But for someone as pretty as Bell, the man in his forties who proposed to her was willing to give them 16 thousand.


    Back then, they were ready to let the man take Bell away, but they lost sight of her for one night, and she ran away.


    In the end, they didn''t know where Bell got 20 thousand from, but she wanted to sever ties with the Salotti family, or else she threatened to kill herself. They had no choice but to agree.


    Fredric looked at the woman on the TV, and it took him a while to realize, "Who''s that?"


    "You don''t know? It''s the hottest TV show these days. The actress''s name is Izabe. Doesn''t she look a lot like your sister?"


    She did, even theirst names were the same. But how could Bell be a famous actress?


    Fredric pondered, then he saw a red mole behind the woman''s ear on the TV, and he froze.


    "I have to go. You guys cover for me." Fredric went to an inte cafe and searched for the TV show and the cast list.


    He clicked on "Izabe" and quickly found her profile. Her age matched Bell''s, and her debut photo from three years ago looked very different from now.


    Fredric couldn''t recognize her at first nce, but when he saw her photo from three years ago, it was indeed Bell.


    Who would''ve thought of that? Bell had made it big and became a popr young actress, starring in TV shows and films. He looked at the box office earnings of the film-over 600 million. He had never seen that much money in his life.


    This was a fortune. He had struck it rich.


    Fredric took photos with his phone and ran back home.


    "Mom, we''re rich! We''re rich!" Fredric ran into the house from the yard.


    "Did you win the lottery?" Myra looked up at Fredric.


    "Mom." Fredric continued, "This is even better than winning the lottery. Have you ever seen 600 million? Let me tell you, our little Bell has struck it rich. She''s made it."


    "What can she possibly achieve?" Myra snorted. She was a money-drain, not even able topete with her grandson. She''d been gone for so long without visiting them. She was probably dead.


    Myra was cradling her grandson. Fredric walked over, took out his phone, and showed her, "Mom, guess who this is?" He first showed her Bell''s photo from two years ago.


    "Isn''t this that deadbeat Bell? How do you have her photo?"


    "Look at this one."


    She looked like apletely different person, but if they only looked at her features, they could tell it was the same one.


    Fredric smiled and said, "Mom, let


    me tell you, ourE


    our Bell is now a


    big-time actress. Her TV show is


    airing everywhere. I didn''t recognize her at first. I just thought she looked familiar. Then I searched for information about her online and it was indeed her. She''s changed her name to Izabe. She''s also starred in a movie that''s earned over 600 million at the box office."

 Chapter 479

    "600 million?" Myra felt dizzy. She had never heard of such an enormous sum.


    Their home television was broken and they never bothered to fix it. Little did they know that their very own Bell had be a sensation. "Does she really have 600 million?"


    "It''s true. I checked it online. She is filthy rich now. Mom, we should go find her. If we do, her money bes ours."


    Indeed, Bell''s fortune should belong to the Salotti family. Even if she had changed her name and identity, she was still a Salotti.


    Myra''s joy did not hide her anger. How dare Bell make such a fortune and note home? Did she think she could keep it all to herself?


    "Mom, we must find her now. But we can''t let anyone know. Once we reach J City, if she doesn''t show up, we''ll make a scene online. She''s a celebrity now. She can''t handle a scandal." "Alright, I''ll go pack. You take care of Gary. I''ll call your father and we''ll leave together."


    Bell had a fortune of hundred million, so they had to rush to J City immediately. After all, Bell''s money should be managed by her parents.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Fredric still thought Bell was weak. She was always afraid of him since young. But there was a chance that she might have grown a backbone living away from home.


    Ron was working in the field. When he received the call from his son, he hurried home, unable to contain his excitement. He never dreamed that Bell could make such a fortune.


    He was thrilled to the core. 600 million! No more working in the fields, and they could live a life of luxury.


    "What should we do if she gives us 600 million?" Ron asked.


    Greed seeped into the eyes of the family members.


    "Let me think." Myra squinted, calcting. "With that amount of money, we would buy properties in the city, start a business, and each of us should have a car. Fredric can marry a rich girl. As for here, we could convert it into a resort, build a mansion. It''s time we show those who looked down upon us."


    Myra was a selfish woman. She favored her son over her daughter. No matter how sessful her daughter was, once married, in Myra''s eyes, she was no longer a part of the family. But her son, despite his ws, was her treasure.


    While Bell was still single, her wealth naturally belonged to her parents. If she got married, they would have no im over it.


    However, women got married in the end. It might as well for them to decide Bell''s future husband rather than let her to choose. That way, they could rest assured about making control of her money.


    Fredric shared the same idea and voiced it, "Mom, to prevent Bell from slipping away, we should arrange a marriage for her. Once we get the money, we should get her married and keep an eye on her." "Good idea, you should find a suitable suitor for your sister. Someone we can trust and control."


    Before even meeting Bell, they were nning to take advantage of her. Their true colors were repugnant.


    The family of four packed their


    belongings and boarded a bus to the


    v the


    city. The bus had a television


    showing Blood Ties, capturing the attention of all passengers S


    Fredric quickly pointed out Bell on the screen to his parents.


    Many passengers were fans of Blood Ties.


    "I love the actress who ys Megan. She''s so pretty. I have watched it repeatedly and never get bored."


    Myra overheard the conversation and asked, "Is this actress who ys Megan very popr?"


    "Of course! This show is a hit. They


    can get millions of profit for one day, and the actresses gets 100


    thousand per episode. This actress Izabe is very popr." S


    The Salotti family was more determined to find Bell and get their hands on her fortune.


    Ever since Blood Ties premiered, Izabe had people monitoring the Salotti family.


    She expected news after a few episodes, but it was not until half the season that she heard they were heading to J City.


    Izabe continued asking these people to keep an eye on them.


    Bell''s parents might seem shrewd in the vige, but they were likely to be lost in the city. These were the kind of people who were most likely to be deceived.


    As for Fredric, he reminded her of


    her brother Lucas Salotti from a previous life, who was a notorious gambler. Fredric was a significant reason the Salotti family was in


    poverty.


    It would be perfect to lure such a person into a high-stakes gambling den, let him lose a few million, and perhaps even lose a hand.


    Meanwhile, the Salotti family transferred from the bus to a train.


    This was their first train ride, which was a bit more expensive than the bus. But they were about to be millionaires, so they didn''t care about the cost.


    If they knew how to book a flight, they would have flown. But they were determined to fly back.


    Bell, being so wealthy, must have a private jet.


    Perhaps it was the stuffy air in the train, but Gary began to cry as soon as they boarded, disturbing all the passengers.

 Chapter 480

    Myra, cradling her grandson, let her usual harsh exterior fade into a grandmotherly glow. "There, there, sweetie, don''t cry. Once we reach the big city, Granny will take you to live in a mansion, ride in airnes, eat steak, and drink sparkling cider."


    The child, however, was not appeased by her words. The train carriage was packed with people, a cacophony of noises, and a medley of strong odors. The kid, unable to sleep amidst such chaos, cried even harder.


    Some passengers, unable to bear the noise, suggested, "Ma''am, your grandson is probably hungry. Feed him something to pacify him. We all need to get some rest here."


    "Crying is a sign of vitality. After all, we were all children once, weren''t we? There''s nothing wrong with crying. It''s not against thew," retorted Myra, her eyes filled with adoration for her grandson. "Well, I was just trying to help."


    "I don''t need your help. He might need to pee," said Myra, unabashedly removing the child''s diaper and encouraging him to relieve himself right there in the carriage.


    This act instantly caused an uproar among the other passengers.


    "This is a public space! Do you have no manners? Can''t you take the child to the restroom? This is absolutely disgusting."


    "Ma''am, the restroom is just down the carriage."


    "If you continue like this, we''ll have to report you. The carriage is already stuffy and now it smells like urine. It''s not your own home."


    Myra wanted tosh out, but she knew she was outnumbered. She nced at her husband and son, both of whom were sprawled out on their bunks, snoring. Suppressing her rage, she woke them up. "Make some milk power for Gary. Fredric, go buy some sandwiches."


    After taking her grandson to pee in the restroom - a task that took a good five to six minutes - she returned to find that her husband and son still hadn''t returned. She sat down, holding her grandson, and failed to notice that her bag had been tampered with.


    The train journey to J City took a whole day. After a night''s rest, they were informed that they had reached their destination.


    Myra was busy with her grandchild, while her husband Ron haphazardly gathered their belongings. Fredric couldn''t hide his excitement at the thought of soon meeting his wealthy sister.


    This was their first time in a big city, and they were awestruck by the towering skyscrapers. Fredric suggested, "Mom, Dad, let''s find a ce to stay first before we start looking for Be."


    "Sounds good. You take the lead, son," they agreed, relying on Fredric''s ability to read and navigate the city''s streets.


    Luckily, Fredric was adept at using the inte and reading maps. However, navigating the sprawling J City train station proved to be a challenge. After they circled the station several times without finding their way, their stomachs began to grumble. They decided to stop at a nearby diner for some food.


    "Mom, where did you put the money?" Fredric asked, rummaging through their bags.


    "Isn''t it in the bag? I wrapped it in severalyers of bags. Look again."


    Despite his best efforts, Fredric couldn''t find the bag of money. "Mom, I can''t find it. Are you sure you didn''t put it somewhere else?"


    Myra''s heart skipped a beat. "Hold Gary for me. I''ll look for it."


    Despite emptying all their bags, Myra couldn''t find the money. She was certain she had brought the money with them and never unwrapped it - it was all the savings they had, a total of five thousand dors. The money was supposed to facilitate their search for Be in the city. Now, they didn''t even have enough money for even a train ride back home.


    "Mom, when was thest time you saw the money?"


    "I kept it in the bag and never touched it. I was busy taking care of the baby after getting in the train. Weren''t you and Dad watching the bags?"


    The realization hit them all at once. There was a period when none of them were watching their belongings. That must have been when the thief struck.


    Myra sat on the ground, looking at the bag, deste, and broke into tears. "Damn thief! How dare they steal an old woman''s hard-earned money! There''s no justice in this world."


    Fredric felt a pang of anger, but his mother''s public disy of grief was more embarrassing to him.


    It was not until they got off the train that they realized someone stole the money. They couldn''t find it, and reporting it to the police would be futile. They could only chalk it up to bad luck. "It''s just five thousand dors. It''s gone, so be it. Remember, we''re about to find Be, who''s worth millions."


    Thinking of that huge sum, they became careless about taking care of their five thousand. The loss of the money was like a punch to the gut.


    "But what do we do now? As you said, we won''t find Be right away, and now that the money is gone, where do we stay?"


    "What if we report to the police and wait for them to notify Be?" suggested Ron.


    Fredric felt a pang of unease. Be had changed her name and appearance, and she was now a superstar worth millions. Would anyone believe their im? They had approved of cutting ties with her, and since Be was neglected as a child, they didn''t have any photos of her. In other words, they had no evidence.


    The loss of the money had turned their situation into a tangled mess.


    Just then, a man approached them. "Seems like you folks are in some trouble."


    The man appeared to be in his forties, with a broad build and a thick gold chain around his neck. To Fredric, he looked like a big shot, possibly someone with enough influence to help them out. "We''re here to find our sister, but our money was stolen on the train."


    "Looking for your sister? What''s her name? Maybe I can help you find her."


    The three of them exchanged nces, and Fredric made a decision. "Sir, you might not believe this, but my sister is Izabe, the famous actress. Once we find her and prove our rtionship, we''ll reward you handsomely."


    "Izabe? The one who''s in that TV show? I know who you''re talking about," said the man, studying their faces. "She does look like you."


    "Of course. She''s our blood, after all."


    "But it''s a bit strange. How did she be a big star while you?"


    Myra interjected angrily, "She''s an ungrateful brat. We raised her, sent her to school, and she dropped out to be an actress. She didn''t listen to us anymore. Now that she has money, she''s abandoned us. She''s living the high life while we''re struggling here. She''s probably ashamed of us!"


    "Since when does a daughter abandon her parents? Look, ma''am, you''ve lost your money and have nowhere to live. Why don''t you stay at my ce for a couple of nights while we look for your daughter? Are you sure she''s in J City?"


    Fredric said, "Isn''t that what it says in her profile? In J City?"


    "As long as you''re sure, that''s all that matters. Your sister is a big star now, after all. Lucky for you guys, you ran into me. Otherwise, you might have a hard time convincing anyone."


    The prospect of somece to stay brightened everyone''s spirits. Myra quickly took the man''s arm. "You''re a real good Samaritan, young man."


    "Just call men, ma''am. Like they say, ''friends are the family you choose.'' We all stumble upon hard times, right?" he pped Fredric on the shoulder.


    n, we''re buddy from now on. Blood couldn''t make us any closer. My name''s Fredric, call me whatever you like."


    lan didn''t hesitate and started calling his name. He pulled out his wallet and handed them five hundred-dor bills. "You''ve lost your money. Use this for the time being. You''ll need some money around here." "We couldn''t possibly." Myra started to protest, but she readily epted the money, tucking it into her jacket like a treasure. However, she was slightly disappointed that he had only given them five hundred. How far could that go?


    Despiten''s imposing figure, he was incredibly hospitable. He settled the family in a rundown little room.


    Myra, trailing behind the others, muttered to Ron, "We''re staying here? Our ce back home was better than this."


    "Be grateful. We lost all our money. It''s better than sleeping on the streets."


    Still, Myra wasn''t satisfied. She eyed the expensive gold chain aroundn''s neck. With such a pricey essory, why would he put them up in such a dump? Even though they seemed to be in abject situation, there were 600 milion waiting for them. It was not a wise move to treat them like this.


    §ï§Ý§Ö


    lan casually ordered takeout, which the family devoured eagerly, having not eaten since their train ride. After a satisfying meal, Ron went to nap, Myra took care of her grandson, and Fredric, with nothing else to do, was taken byn to familiarize himself with the neighborhood.


    Unbeknownst to them, they had been watched since they got off the train. They were in over their heads and didn''t even know it.


    lan led Fredric further into the city. Fredric got amazed by the big city where he was able to buy or enjoy anything as he wanted.


    "What do you usually do for fun back home?"


    "Oh, I sometimes get together with some friends for a game of cards."


    "Cards, huh? I love a good game of cards. I know a ce. I''ll take you there. What do you think?"


    "But I don''t have any money."


    "Don''t worry about it. I''ve got you covered. Consider it a treat from me."


    Easily persuaded, Fredric agreed and they headed to a gambling den.


    While exchanging the chips, Fredric became a bit hesitated for he had never gambled with such huge sum, plus he didn''t have money, so he had to restrain himself.


    lanforted, "You have a sister who is a big star. What are you scared of? Besides, we won''t lose all the time, check people around."


    Fredric looked around, and got affected by how thrilling the atmosphere was. Ian was right. He would be rich soon and there was no need to worry. And he wouldn''t possibly lose.


    He exchanged 10 grand. He won at first, but unfortunately, Fredric was out of his league and lost all his money quickly. In a desperate attempt to win it back, he borrowed more and more until he found himself five hundred thousand dors in debt in less than three hours.


    He couldn''t pay back the debt, rubbing his hand, and pleaded, "Can I sign an IOU? I don''t have that kind of money right now."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    The casino manager approached him, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips. "Youe here to gamble with no money? You think this is a charity? You can''t juste and go as you please."


    Fredric had never been in a situation


    like this before and was scared out of his wits. In a desperate attempt to save himself, he blurted out, abasing himself, Sir, I was out of control that moment and didn''t realize the sum of money I would lose, but I promise I''ll pay you back. My sister is Izabe, the famous actress. She''s made 600 million at the box office. I promise, as soon as I find her, I''ll pay back everything with interest."


    The room fell into an eerie silence before erupting intoughter. The casino managerughed the hardest. "Did you hear that, folks? This bumpkin ims the hotshot actress is his sister. Who''s he trying


    to fool? You''re the worst artist


    I''ve seen this year. Even the artist


    eighty-year-old grannies on the street are more convincing than you."


    Fredric was sweating bullets, trying to exin. "I''m telling the truth. My sister really is Izabe. Her real name is Bell."


    "And I could say the richest man in J City is my little brother. You need proof."

 Chapter 481

    "You''re iming that superstar is your sister. Show us her birth certificate, her employment details, or even childhood pictures."


    Fredric, taken aback, stammered, "I don''t have those, but she really is my blood sister. There were some issues years ago and she chose to cut ties with us. She changed her name and everything. If you don''t believe me, wait till I find her. We can take a DNA test."


    "Even if what you said is true, why on earth would you think that a woman who severed ties with her family would shell out five hundred thousand dors to save you?"


    Fredric replied earnestly, "Why wouldn''t she? She''s my sister. Blood is thicker than water. Emotions may fade away, but blood ties won''t."


    Gazing at how pathetic Fredric looked, the man, who was the head of the group, cursed and thought he must be a lunatic running away from some madhouse.


    Tired of Fredric''s rambling, he signaled his henchmen to teach him a lesson.


    Fredric, sensing danger, pleaded, "Wait, don''t hit me! I have a witness. The guy who brought me here isn."


    The man asked, "Did you see hime in with anyone?"


    "No."


    "You see? No one saw."


    Fredric cast his eyes around the room, "That''s impossible. It is a guy whose name isn brought me here. You can check the security footage."


    "Cut the crap. You''re the gambler; you''re the one who lost all the money. Why are you dragging other people into this? I think you''re asking for a beating. Either cough up the money or we''ll take your kidneys and eyes."


    After that, the man spat at him.


    After a severe beating, Fredric never sawn again. Seething with fury, he realized he had been conned.


    Sincen had had bad intention at the first ce, why would he offer them amodation? Soon, Fredric figured out the answer.


    The men in the gambling den chopped off one of his fingers as a warning, made him sign an IOU and told him he had one month to pay up or lose his hand. There was no way to hide. They dered that there were hundreds of ways to locate him.


    They dumped him in an empty alley. With his hand bleeding, he even was attacked by stray dogs who bit his leg. He flung the stone to finally drive the dogs away. Limping and bloodied, he made his way back to the rundown apartment.


    Upon returning, he found there were more men with perms and tattoos, standing in the apartment, all with intimidating appearances. Panicked, Fredric tried to flee, but was stopped by Myra.


    "We''re telling the truth. There''s a


    man calledn who took us here. HeText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    said it''s for free and also gave us some money. Trust me. We don''t have his number, but my son must


    have it. They are close.velo


    exined anxiously. Her


    looking around in trepidation,


    suddenly she noticed Fredric behind, eximing, "My son is back. He''s


    there."


    Fredric cursed secretly. Being surrounded and stared by those men, unable to run faster for the dog bite, he found the chance of escaping was slim.


    "Fredric, say something. It''sn who


    brought us here. They imed that we broke into this ce and stole their money. I don''t see there''s an valuable stuff here." Myra defended for themselves. Although she had a habit of pilfering at vige, she didn''t steal their money. Instead, her own money was stolen by someone.


    After finishing, Myra noticed Fredric''s wound, "What happened? Why so much blood? Did you hurt somewhere? Where isn? Why is he not with you? Call him over now to exin this for us. These people said they don''t know anyn."


    "Mom, we''ve been conned, since we


    got off the train." They thought he was a nice person, but actually he was a con artist. Firstn tricked him into gambling which caused him lose 500 thousand, and now this. From the beginning, they had been in a trap, but they thoughtcently that they would get much more once finding Bell.


    Myra was a bit smart byparison when at the small vige. However, at this big city with crowded citizens, she got lost. After hearing Fredric''s words, she understood, copsing on the ground just like before, whining.


    "God damn it. The bastard tricked us; we believed him. How dare him? Fredric, tell them about your sister. We''re about toe into a lot of money, and we don''t need to steal their petty cash."


    But Fredric had learned his lesson while being chopped off the finger at the gambling den. No one was going to believe that the morous star Izabe was their kin.


    Their lowly status was a stark contrast to Bell''s glittering fame. If only they had treated her better and hadn''t severed ties with her, if only they had taken a few pictures with her, then perhaps, someone might have believed that she was his sister.

 Chapter 482

    Now, it seemed absurd to say it, but Bell''s glory had nothing to do with them.


    The family was consumed by regret, yet no one would let them off the hook just because they admitted their mistakes.


    Myra tried to reason, ready to call the police on her phone, but the nearest person knocked it out of her hands, shattering it to pieces.


    Ron was nothing but a spineless man in the vige, unable to protect his wife. The sight of a bunch of thugs bursting in had him cowering in the corner.


    Myra, cradling her grandchild, didn''t dare to fight back and could only resort to throwing tantrums helplessly on the ground.


    The gang of thugs were irritated but knew better than to harm the elderly or the young. They had mostly left the couple alone, until their son, Fredric, arrived. He looked a perfect outlet for their frustration, and they immediately surrounded him, punching and kicking while hurling threats.


    "I''ll make you pay for stealing our money! You dare call the cops? The cops won''t even arrive before I chop off your hand. Oh, it seems there''s already one missing finger." One of the men grabbed Fredric''s bloody hand, "How about we chop off the rest?"


    Fredric was in excruciating pain, mumbling incoherently, pleading for mercy with blood at the corners of his mouth, "I''m sorry. It''s our fault, please stop."


    Fredric was too scared to call the police. He had lost five hundred thousand dors in a poker game and had signed IOU for the debt. If he involved the police, those thugs might leave him limbless. City folks were not to be trifled with, and now, all he wanted was to return to the vige and live the simple life.


    Once, the thing he least wanted to do had be his deepest wish.


    Carrying her grandson and seeing her son''s hand, Myra was terrified. No matter how useless her son was, he was still her precious child. She had never hit or scolded him, yet here he was, his fingers chopped off by someone.


    "Please stop," Myra cried, "I''ll do anything as long as you stop hitting my son."


    Sure enough, the gang ceased their attack, looking at the pathetic family with contempt, "Then bring out our money."


    "We really didn''t take your money. How many times do I have to say it?" As soon as Myra finished, she saw the man pinning Fredric to the ground, twisting his right hand back. One more bit of force and his hand would snap.


    Fredric was being beaten up for the first time, unable to find any help. He could only beg Myra to save him.


    "Mom, please help me. I don''t want to die. It hurts so much."


    Myra was in tears, hurriedly uttering, "We don''t have any money on us now, but we will work hard to pay you back."


    Only then did the thugs let Fredric go. They noticed something sticking out of Fredric''s pocket and he pulled out a note showing a debt of five hundred thousand dors.


    "You owe five hundred thousand, which means you had money to gamble, but you still im you didn''t steal our money? Did you lose the money we left here?" A thug stepped on Fredric and asked. Myra was stunned, "W-what, five hundred thousand? Fredric, you lost that much? Where are you going to get that kind of money? How could you gamble?"


    "I was tricked!"Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "This note is real. You are the one who borrowed and lost the money. Who tricked you? Your hand was chopped off at the gambling den, wasn''t it?"


    All the talking was in vain. The thugs took Myra and Ron, leaving the child behind. As for Fredric, with such a huge debt, they considered him a liability.


    Myra and Ron were dragged to an underground sweatshop, working day and night. Any attempt to rest resulted in a beating.


    Work was exhausting. They were unpaid, and the food was terrible. They subsisted on bread and watery soup. The asional bit of meat was nothing but scraps.


    In just a month, the couple had lost a significant amount of weight. They were in constant regret. They hade to the city hoping to get money from Bell, but instead, they were robbed as soon as they stepped off the train. Now, they were trapped here.


    They had no idea how their son and grandson were doing. If they had known it woulde to this, they would have stayed in the vige.


    Even now, Myra still hoped that someone would rescue her, preferably Bell.


    Instead of help, what came was illness. Myra copsed one day, paralyzed.


    But those people still didn''t let her go. They made Ron drag her onto the streets every day to beg for money.


    Today, as usual, Ron dragged Myra with one hand and held a cardboard sign with the other. Once they reached their usual spot, he sat her down to beg.


    His eyes were dull, fixed in one direction, asionally uttering a desperate plea.


    "Please help us, have mercy on us."


    Myra reeked terribly. She was paralyzed and drooling, unable to go to the bathroom herself, soiling herself right there on the streets. The stench was unbearable, driving away the few passersby who might have given them money.


    It seemed they wouldn''t make any money today. Once they got back, they would definitely be beaten again. Ron was in a state of despair. He had considered running away, but after witnessing the brutal beating of a fellow worker who tried to escape, he dared not.


    As Ron hung his head, he caught sight of a pair of shoes in the corner of his eye. He followed the line of sight upwards until his gazended on a face. His pupils dted, and his lips trembled.


    It was Bell, their daughter who had be a superstar. Had shee to rescue them?


    "Bell, my daughter, you finally came."


    Izabe gazed down at them, void of any expression. She looked at them with cold eyes, like they were nothing more than two rats.


    Izabe, in an attempt to resemble the Bell they once knew, wore no makeup and dressed inly, showcasing her features as much as possible.


    As Ron locked eyes with Izabe, he fell silent. Despite the striking resemnce, the look in her eyes told him that this was not his daughter anymore. "How have you been this past month?"


    Whether they were well or not was evident. Izabe asked it deliberately, and Ron could see the disdain and mockery in her eyes.


    Izabe spoke to herself, "Seeing you two in this state brings me joy. What goes aroundes around. If you two were doing well, wouldn''t it have been a waste of my money hiring people to do this?" Although Myra was paralyzed, she could still hear.


    After hearing Izabe''s words, what more was there to misunderstand?


    Reflecting on all the misfortunes they had encountered sinceing to the city, being robbed, tricked by a man namedn, wrongfully used and forced to work in this hellish ce, bing paralyzed, forced to beg on the streets, they had suffered all the tears and humiliations one could experience in a lifetime.


    The real instigator, the one that had brought them to such a state, was their very own daughter, Bell.


    Myra red at her hatefully, her eyes filled with murderous intent.


    "You," she spat out, her words slurred with rage. "You ungrateful wretch, I should''ve drowned you in the river when you were born, or sold you to be someone''s bride. You''ve turned against your own family like that, Bell. You won''t meet a good end. You''ll pay for this." Her words were a vile curse upon her own flesh and blood.


    Izabe began to doubt if Bell was really their daughter.


    From Bell''s memories, she learned that what Myra cherished most were her son and grandson.


    "Do you want to know how Fredric and your grandson are doing?"


    The moment "Fredric" was mentioned, Myra instantly grew silent.


    Izabe''s lips curled into a soft, generous smile, like a benevolent figure, but her following words were heartless.


    "Fredric was bitten by a dog and didn''t get a rabies shot. He''s dead from rabies three days ago. I have pictures here. Do you want to see?" Izabe casually pulled out the photos from her bag and tossed them on the ground. Myra and Ron stared dumbly at the images.


    The sight of someone dying from rabies was horrifying. In the photos, Fredric''s eyes were hollow, his face pale, lips ck, and he looked lifeless.


    Myra let out a piercing scream, "He was your brother. Why didn''t you save him, why didn''t you save him?"


    "Bell was your daughter. Did you spare her when she begged you to? The moment she became rich, you were ready to skin her alive and suck out her blood, exploiting every ounce of value from her. You ask me why I didn''t save him? Why should such a scum of society waste air by living?"


    Bell died, and she wasn''t even given the right to live. Her own family had cornered her, step by step. If Nathaniel was the executioner, then these people were the instigators. Bell was not even eighteen when she left home. From the moment Bell was born, they weren''t thinking about how to raise her well, but


    about how to exploit her.


    For example, she was made to do the heavy work at home, and started washing clothes and cooking when she was just five or six years old. She was not even as tall as the stove and had to stand on a stool. If she didn''t do well, she was beaten.


    Why they sent Bell to school? Was it a sudden sense of parental duty, or a pang of guilt for being parents?


    Neither.


    It was because of the government subsidy for the poor. Bell could go to school for free, and if she did well, she could even get a schrship.


    Moreover, Myra thought that with some education, her daughter would "sell" for a better price.


    Bell was only fourteen or fifteen when she finished junior high school. After that, they ran out of money, and Myra didn''t allow Bell to continue her education. Fredric was twenty-three at the time, an age to get married. Myra nned to use Bell to get money for Fredric to buy a house and find a wife.


    Ron, as a father, failed to fulfill his responsibilities. He was weak and only obeyed Myra''s words.


    Back then, Bell was discussed to marry her to a man who had lost his wife and was abusive.


    As for Fredric, Izabe went through Bell''s memories and felt a chill from her heart. Fredric got off lightly by dying. When Bell was at school and in the bloom of youth, she was famously beautiful, naturally attracting a lot of attention.


    Fredric and his gang would harass their own sister, paying a dor each time they groped her under her clothes.


    How did Bell protect herself from being tarnished in such an environment? Izabe didn''t even dare to think about it. Even if Izabe were in her ce, she wouldn''t be sure she could survive as tenaciously.


    In a word, it was better to be dead than to live like that.


    But even Bell, who was so strong, ended upmitting suicide in the end.


    One never know how dark the world can be.


    What''s darker than the night is the human heart.


    Izabe toyed with two coins in her hand and threw them in front of Ron, "You both seem to be in good spirits, so you should be able to live a few more years. Live well, for your beloved son."


    Ron felt cold, his body shivering. Myray on the ground, struggling with the image of Fredric''s death in her mind.


    "As for your precious grandson,


    Gary, I''ll find him a good home and


    change his name. From now on, you''ll have no kids or grandkids. But looking at your state, you don''t need anyone to take care of you. Begging on the streets suits you." After finishing her words, Izabe couldn''t help but snicker, not even bothering to hide the coldness in her eyes.


    She put on her mask, turned around, and left. The couple watched as she got into the kind of luxury car they could only dream of.


    Money could solve a lot of problems, and for dealing with such scum, the best way was to strip them of what they cherish the most.


    They''ve looked down on Bell since she was young. Then she would engrave Bell''s image into their memory at their most desperate moment, so that they couldn''t forget it even if they wanted to. Every time they thought of it, they would feel intense pain and lifelong regret.


    From the moment this family took the train to J City, Izabe had been watching them. Letting them appear in public was an insult to the eye.


    Izabe nned to deal with them as quickly as possible. She didn''t care if her methods were clean or not, as long as they were effective.

 Chapter 483

    And she hadn''t really done anything, simply hired a man with her money.


    The man she hired wasn, a man forged in the same malicious mold as her adversaries, capable of making Myra, Ron, and Fredric taste the bitterness of their own medicine.


    Knowing Fredric was addicted to gambling, Izabe hadn take him to the gambling den, the bigger the losses, the better.


    The money was well spent. The Salotti family tasted the retribution they deserved. The damned died, the paralyzed were paralyzed, and the rest were probably on the verge of insanity.


    But Izabe was not heartless enough to destroy a child. She arranged for a good, loving family to adopt him and gave them a good sum of money.


    For the child, this was the best possible oue. If he had grown up under the influence of such a family, he might have be a menace when he grew up.


    Izabe looked at her hands and suddenly felt dirty. The first thing she did when she got home was wash her hands with soap. She looked in the mirror and said, "Being good is hard, but if there''s a next life, I hope you can be a good person, and I hope God will treat you kindly."


    Sometimes Izabe felt as if Bell hadn''t disappeared. She tried to ignore it, but memories of her would still surface in her mind, heavy and oppressive. Now, that feeling was finally gone.


    Fredric had died three days ago, but something happened before that which led to his death.


    His hands were cut off, he had no money for treatment, and he couldn''t take care of himself. His wounds got infected, which led to the rapid spread of rabies, and within two days, he was dead from the pain. Although Izabe didn''t say anything, Casey could tell that something was up. Izabe was always independent, and Casey''s biggest fear was that she would try to handle things on her own without telling him when he wasn''t around. He called Toby.


    From Toby, he learned that Izabe''s parents were on their way to J City by train.


    Izabe''s parents were long dead, and the ones who were rushing toe were the rtives of "Bell".


    Casey had investigated Bell before and knew what kind of people her family were. Taking advantage of their own daughter to get money was considered light by their standards.


    If Izabe wanted to handle them on her own, he would let her. These pests were easy to crush, but he was worried that Izabe might be too soft on them.


    So when Izabe hiredn, Casey had already arranged for someone to steal their money on the train.


    Casey found out that Bell''s brother was addicted to gambling, so he simply got in touch with severalrge gambling dens in J City, and while he was at it, he contacted the man Izabe had hired,n, and told him to do a thorough job.


    So what followed was a group of thugs luring Myra and Ron into a factory, where they were either beaten or insulted, and not given enough food.


    Myra, who was always a chatterbox, became paralyzed. No one believed what she said as she was able to talk, and when she became paralyzed, she couldn''t even speak clearly anymore.


    But all of this was still not enough.


    "Toby, get someone to do me a favor."


    "What is it?"


    "Cut off Fredric''s hands for me. He''s


    a menace and I want him dead. don''t want him anywhere near


    veline


    Izabe. I don''t want her eyes to be tainted by the sight of him." S


    There were many dark sides to this world, and he didn''t want Izabe to


    see them. He would protect her as


    much as he could, but if Izabe much as


    wanted to face these things, he


    could stand by her side.


    But if Izabe knew about his "dirty" methods, would she still ept him?


    After hanging up the call, Casey had a vague image in his mind of cutting off Fredric''s hands. He felt like he had done this before. It was strangely familiar.


    As if he had cut off someone''s hand before.


    Why did he feel familiar with this kind of thing?


    After a ten minute break, Casey was called back to continue filming. The movie was already half done, and the rest needed to be filmed in a desert.


    Time flew by during the filming, but who knew when they woulde back from the desert. Casey decided to take a leave of absence.


    He had been out for a month and he missed Izabe terribly.


    Seeing him so dedicated to his work at ordinary times, the director thought he was going home to study the script and adjust his mood, so he readily agreed. Casey had packed his bags and left them in the set. As soon as the director agreed, he changed clothes, grabbed his two suitcases and left.


    The ne ticket was booked the day before, and the car was prepared yesterday. Casey put his luggage in the trunk and rushed to the airport, not even calling his assistant toe with him. He told him to go


    back on his own.


    Seeing Casey''s hurried figure, the director couldn''t help but wonder, had he nned this all along?


    Casey arrived at the airport just in time, but ran into his fans. Although they recognized him, he managed to outrun them.


    He didn''t want to waste a moment. He just wanted to get back to Izabe and surprise her.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Once on the ne and seated, Casey ordered a ss of water. As he was drinking, he saw a figure. He didn''t know him, but a name popped into his head. Lucas Salotti.

 Chapter 484

    How did he know the name "Lucas"? Who was Lucas?


    Casey found himself drawn to a man just ahead of him. To satisfy his curiosity, he called out, "Lucas." The man turned, a look of shock quickly morphing into terror.


    Lucas had heard his name called and turned to see the person. His face lost all color in an instant.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey was well-known, regarded as potentially best actor by online users. Even if Lucas didn''t use the inte, he still knew of him.


    He had been shocked the first time he saw Casey on screen. Upon seeing his face, his right hand where the artificial limb was seared him.


    He had looked into the man who chopped off his hand. It was someone in the orphanage named Ryker Dempsey, a retard, who had been missing for quite long and had been presumed dead by the police.


    There was an uncanny resemnce to Ryker Dempsey, but that couldn''t be. He was far from retarded and was a gifted actor to boot. There was no way he could be the same man from the orphanage. And then there was the matter of their temperament - it was different.


    A person''s temperament was vital, and once it changed, the person would seem different. It was normal for him not to tell from the difference between these two.


    After Izabe''s death, Lucas saw his severed hand as a mere punishmentpared to what Izabe had suffered; imprison, depression, a miscarriage, a broken leg, and finally a fiery death. His pain was a fraction of hers.


    Years had passed, and Lucas had almost forgotten about that man. That was until Casey had called out to him, causing his body to pause in shock.


    Casey wasn''t Ryker who cut off his hand.


    Lucas kept reminding himself of that fact. But Casey''s gaze was all too familiar, even if Ryker had turned to ashes, he would still recognize it.


    His body trembled uncontrobly, and he subconsciously covered his prosthetic hand.


    Casey noticed his movement towards his right hand, triggering a flood of memories; pinning a man to the ground, twisting his wrist, and without hesitation, plunging a sharp pair of scissors into his hand. Casey shuddered, the unfamiliar memory leaving him in cold sweat.


    Why did he know this man''s name? Why did he know about his prosthetic hand? He was certain this was the first time he had met him.


    But was it really the first time?


    Casey started to doubt himself.


    A sudden headache hit him, as if something was trying to force its way into his brain. The ne hadn''t even taken off yet, but he felt the world spinning around him, causing him to feel nauseous. Casey''s pale face was dripping with cold sweat. His mind felt like it was being stretched to its limit, ready to burst. He gripped the armrest tightly, his knuckles turning white as he trembled.


    Ever since Casey boarded the ne, he had drawn the attention of the flight attendants, especially the stewardesses. They kept sneaking nces at him, feigning ignorance about his celebrity status, and addressed him as sir.


    "Sir, are you feeling alright? Do you need any help?"


    Casey couldn''t hear a word. His mind felt like it was filled with water, causing a ringing sound in his ears whenever he moved his head.


    He tried to speak, but his throat was dry. He pressed his fingers against his temples, attempting to relieve the throbbing pain.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lucas stand up, seemingly heading for the restroom.


    The ne hadn''t taken off yet. Casey let out a breath and managed to say, "I''m fine. Don''t worry about me. I just need to use the restroom."


    The stewardess quickly stepped aside, allowing Casey to rise from his seat.


    Lucas was oblivious to the attention he was drawing and followed Casey to the restroom.


    He sshed his face with cold water in an attempt to clear his head. Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he numbly told himself, "Stop thinking about it. People can''te back from the dead." Ryker was dead, just like Izabe; long gone.


    After visiting the cemetery, Lucas had been investigating who had visited his parents'' grave, but to no avail.


    The person described by the local store owner didn''t match Izabe''s appearance, age, or height.


    He and Presley Felton had collected Izabe''s remains from the J City Police Station. He had watched as Izabe was sent into the crematorium,ing out as nothing more than a pile of ashes mixed with bone fragments.


    Healthy people had beautiful white ashes, but Izabe''s were tinged with ck.


    He had watched as Presley scattered her ashes into the sea. Brett was also present.


    If Izabe had survived, Brett would have been the first to realize.


    But in the years following Izabe''s death, he heard that Brett, a big shot in business circle, had aged significantly, his hair turning white overnight. He was no longer the proud and arrogant man he once was. Izabe''s death had changed many people.


    Lucas had given up his old ways and was now an office worker. Presley and Amelia continued their research on cancer drugs, saving many people like Izabe who had stomach cancer. Even Jennifer, the maid Brett had hired to care for Izabe, had changed her profession and be awyer. The nanny, Tiara, retired and lived at home taking care of stray cats and dogs.


    They were all making the world a better ce in their own way, honoring Izabe''s memory.


    Lucas sshed his face with cold water again. His eyes were red from the water, making him look like he had been crying.


    He wished people coulde back to life. He had learned how to be a good brother, protecting his sister when she was bullied, fighting off the bad guys for her, believing in her unconditionally, and loving her with all his might.


    A sister should be cherished and protected, not beaten and abandoned time and again.


    Why had he only realized this after Izabe''s death? It was toote, and God didn''t give him a chance to make amends.


    Lucas tried not to think about these things, but seeing Casey today had brought back a flood of memories. After sshing his face with cold water, he felt much better.


    He nced at his phone. The ne was about to take off; he needed to hurry back.


    The moment the door swung open, Lucas was met with someone, causing him to stumble backwards.


    Before he could react, Casey pushed him back inside, the door mming shut behind them.


    Casey pinned Lucas against the wall, his close proximity leaving Lucas flustered, hands hanging awkwardly by his side.


    Eyes squinted, Casey studied him, his familiarity growing, "You seem scared of me?"


    For sure, his hand was hurting. How could he not be scared?


    Casey noted the expression on Lucas'' face.


    "It''s artificial." It wasn''t a question. He seemed to know from the start.


    "Do you know me?" Casey asked.


    "Don''t you know me too?" What was with this pretense?


    "So, should I know you?" Casey responded.


    Lucas'' heart, initially pounding with fear, started to calm down. He could tell if someone meant him harm, and right now, Casey looked more confused than threatening, as though he was stuck in a puzzle he couldn''t solve.


    Was Casey the same Ryker who had cut off his hand?


    Casey released him abruptly, stepping back, "Can you tell me how you lost your hand?"


    "You''re nuts. Why would I share my personal business with a stranger?"


    Casey responded calmly, "I''m just curious. I don''t recall ever meeting you, yet I know your name. And I seem to know how you lost your hand."


    On hearing this, Lucas was taken aback. With so many people in the world, having a simr face was one thing, but having the same experiences and memories?


    Lucas may not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, but he wasn''t dumb either. He quickly realized something was off and came to a conclusion.


    Casey was Ryker, the man who had severed his hand. They were one and the same.


    He didn''t remember now, which only confirmed it.


    Lucas swallowed, "You have amnesia? You don''t remember your past?"


    "I have amnesia?"


    Lucas didn''t wish to engage any further. The best scenario would be if Casey had lost his memory. Ever since his right hand was maimed, Casey had been a constant nightmare for him. For Lucas, Casey''s amnesia was a blessing.


    "Whether you have amnesia or not, it''s none of my business. I''m leaving." Lucas couldn''t even meet Casey''s eyes as he spoke.


    Casey realized that Lucas knew something. The answers were right in front of him, and he just needed to uncover them. There was no need to miss out.


    "If you dare to leave, I''ll break your other hand."


    Lucas, scared stiff, stuttered a protest, "Are you crazy? This is a public ce, and you''re a public figure. Do you still want to have a career if you touch me here?"


    "I just want to tell you. I''ll do whatever it takes to get what I want." Thest words were uttered in a low, threatening tone.


    "Did I cripple your right hand?"


    Realizing there was no chance to escape, Lucas conceded, "The one who damaged my hand was a man named Ryker."


    Ryker again?


    First it was Izabe, now Lucas. He seemed to be constantly linked with this guy named Ryker.


    His head started to ache again, Casey gritted his teeth, "How was your hand broken? Tell me the process."


    Recalling his painful past wasn''t just reopening healed wounds, but pouring salt on them.


    While Casey didn''t care about his feelings, he only cared about the truth.


    He shot Lucas an icy re, which made thetter stutter the reply, "It was twisted off, and then..."


    It was exactly as he thought. Suddenly, Casey gripped Lucas'' neck, not hurting him, just restraining him.


    "Why did Ryker want to cut off your hand?" Casey''s voice was low, his gaze sharp, piercing into Lucas, "Speak!"


    "Because I sold my sister into a gambling den. I let her get hurt! I abandoned her!" She was right behind him, begging him not to leave her, yet he left without hesitation.


    The thought of his past made Lucas'' eyes well up with tears. The guilt was overwhelming. If he could go back, he would never have left her alone. His crippled hand was his just deserts.


    Casey released his grip on Lucas'' neck, stumbling back to his seat. It felt like he had just woken from a dream, feeling dizzy, disoriented, unsure of his surroundings.


    It was fifteen hours until they would reach R City; every minute was torture.


    The stewardess, noticing his paleness, came over to check on him.


    Casey didn''t hear her. He only managed to mumble a word, "Water."


    "Would you like some water, sir?"


    Casey nodded, and she quickly fetched him a cup.


    Trembling Casey epted the cup, water sloshing out as he took arge gulp, choking in the process. He refused any assistance, finishing the water before setting the cup aside and closing his eyes.


    He had never wanted to see Izabe so urgently.


    At that moment, he felt as though he had experienced multiple lifetimes, the confused memories in his mind bing clearer, while the


    memories he thought were real were


    bing vague, like a mirage.


    Casey''s head throbbed with pain, his jaw clenched as he bore it, unaware of the cold sweat trickling down his face.


    From then on, he became stewardess'' important person to take care of. As she passed by Casey, she heard him mumbling.


    "How could I forget?"

 Chapter 485

    Izabe remembered the candy apples she had when she was seven or eight, while Casey remembered Cry Baby resting on his back, munching on the candy apple and saying,


    "They said on TV that when someone saves your life, you should promise to marry them. If I can''t find a husband, will you marry me?"


    He found it amusing. What kind of shows was this kid watching all the time?Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "You can''t even find your way home. Do you understand what it means to get married?"


    Izabe''s tiny hand gently circled his neck as she softly said, "You''re the first person to ever buy me candy. No one else has been so kind to me. They say on TV that you should marry someone who treats you well."


    "I''ll think about it."


    "Then it''s settled. When I grow up, I''ll find you and marry you!"


    He carried Izabe on his back that summer. It wasn''t too hot. The wind wasforting, a memory tost a lifetime.


    He didn''t verbally agree, but he had already epted it in his heart. He wanted to wait till Cry Baby grew up. If she still remembered him and didn''t despise him for being a servant''s son, he''d take care of her forever.


    But he forgot about her. Twice.


    How could he forget? She was the one who had been on his mind since they were children.


    During the sixteen years when he lost his memory, Izabe married Brett. She was abused, and finally died at the age of 27 on Christmas Day, burned alive.


    He knew how much Izabe feared pain and how easily she cried. A simple fall in a yground would make her cry silently for a long time. It took him a while to console her and stop her tears.


    The grown-up Izabe must have been in unbearable pain waiting for death in the fire, crying with no one to soothe her, her tears drying on her face in the heat.


    Her way of calling him was etched into his memory, regardless of how many times he lost his memory. Every time he saw her, he was attracted to her.


    Casey''s heart ached. He had vowed to protect her, but he forgot her and let her get hurt time and time again.


    Seeing her taken away by Brett, watching the tortures she went through, watching her copse and cough up blood, Casey buried his face in his hands, hiding his tears from everyone.


    He should have remembered


    sooner, from the time he went to the


    orphanage to verify who Ryker was, from the time he had a series of dreams after his car ident, from the moment he first saw Izabe.


    But he didn''t. Ironically, he became jealous of himself, seeing himself as a substitute and even pulled out one of his own canine teeth.


    Izabe said she couldn''t forget "Ryker". Ryker was him; the one Izabe had always remembered and loved was him.


    Casey suddenlyughed, both crying andughing, removing his cap to cover his face. His chin still wet with tears if one got closer.


    He was eager to see Izabe, to tell her that he was Ryker, the one who carried her home and gave her candy apples when they were kids, the one she wanted to marry when they were young.


    Lucas sat in the front row, feeling an


    inexplicable chill from behind. He didn''t dare to turn around, but he couldn''t stop wondering why Casey was Ryker? Why he wasn''t dead or mentally disabled? Why he had be a famous actor with an untraceable background2


    A series of questions flooded his mind, making him feel dizzy. Lucas pressed his lips together, wishing Izabe was alive.


    Several hours passed, enough for Casey to reflect on many things. He began to sort out his memories, checking if he had lost any.


    He was shot in the chest and fell unconscious, unaware of how he ended up with the Dempsey family.


    Looking at how the Dempsey family


    treated him, he figured he was their son. What exactly happened with them seemed useless to look into but he wondered why they hypnotized him to forget Izabe, and why they imnted false memories, causing him to


    misunderstand her. Cont¨¦nt


    And Izabe, would she be happy to know that he was Ryker? But what if.


    Casey nced at Lucas, what if she found out that he was the one who hurt her brother? Would she hate him? Resent him? Avoid seeing him? People always thought of the worst possible oues. Casey started to feel anxious. He couldn''t eat the meal prepared on the ne, timing the hours.


    He took out his phone, scrolling through his old conversations with Izabe, reading each message to pass the time.


    Because he wanted to surprise Izabe, Casey didn''t tell her about his flight.


    So Izabe thought he was still filming and sent him messages reminding him to rest and do well.


    His phone was in airne mode, so he couldn''t reply.


    He and Izabe texted each other every day, but he finished reading their chat history too quickly.

 Chapter 486

    Throughout Casey''s filming period, Izabe had managed to deal with Bell''s family.


    Fredric, tragically sumbed to rabies due to an infected wound, while Ron and Myra were abducted and forced to work in a sweatshop. Myra became paralyzed and was dependent on Ron, who begged in the streets daily.


    Soon, the sweatshop was reported and shut down, with Ron and Myra rescued and returned to their vige.


    Bedridden and barely lucid, Myra spent her days cursing Bell.


    Ron, on the other hand, lived in a daze, never venturing out of his house after returning home. Bell had paid them to sever all family ties and had even changed her identity after receiving her new passport. Nathaniel was also considering a new life for her, to transform her into apletely different person.


    Even if anyone were to investigate Bell, they wouldn''t find anything.


    From the moment Nathaniel helped Bell change her name to "Izabe", Bell ceased to exist in this world.


    Casey didn''t inform Izabe about his return, but the director did and asked her to ensure that Casey wouldn''t ck off.


    Upon hearing about Casey''s early return, Izabe nned a surprise for him, booking a restaurant, preparing his favorite dishes, setting up a candlelight dinner with red roses, and even arranging a violin for him.


    Her body was no longer the one she used to have, and her hands were not the same as before. She could eat, write, work, use a mobile phone, and of course, y the violin.


    Her fingers were nimble and well-maintained. As she touched the violin and gazed at it, a faint smile appeared on her face. The violin had been her childhood dream, which she thought she would never be able to realize. But now, she could pick it up again.


    Izabe touched the violin strings and started to feel like ying. She ced the violin on her shoulder, put the bow on the strings, and slowly closed her eyes.


    The piece she performed was Josh Vietti''s Here is the Love.


    The upbeat and rxed violin sound filled the quiet restaurant, making it even more serene. Even the sound of the waitstaff walking was muted.


    The waitstaff, who were preparing for the evening, watched Izabe intently.


    The familiar melody flowed slowly from the strings.


    The meticulously arranged roses seemed to lose their color as everyone''s attention was drawn to the woman on stage.


    Izabe was wearing a red dress that day, looking even more vibrant than the roses.


    Such a vibrant red color made her already fair skin, which was glowing, look even more eye-catching.


    The music reached outside the restaurant, causing many passersby to stop and look in. However, they were politely turned away by the waitstaff. "Sorry, the restaurant has been reserved."


    Someone asked in confusion, "Is someone proposing?"


    The waiter just shook his head and smiled, "I''m not sure."


    A passerby uttered pitifully, "I really want to see who is ying the violin."


    Would they be shocked if they knew that the person  the violin was the po actress Izabe?


    Izabe stood straight and looked elegant.


    With her eyes closed and a smile on her lips, her fair hands held the bow. The romantic and lingering melody, with a touch of cheerfulness, moved people''s hearts and made them listen attentively. It was as if bunches of flowers were blooming, butterflies were dancing, and sweetness was the only thing they could feel.


    Those who were most surprised were the people who saw this scene in person. If they weren''t sworn to secrecy, they would have definitely recorded this moment.


    People thought that Izabe was just acting, and there were rumors online that she had a low education level, not even going to college before entering the entertainment circle. But they didn''t expect Izabe to be able to y the violin.


    Moreover, the emotion and melody could not be achieved without considerable effort and time. It was impossible to perform like this without a solid foundation!


    Would those who blindly ridicule Izabe online be shocked if they saw this scene? Would they feel ashamed?Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    There were also some Izabe''s casual fans who became dedicated fans after seeing this. They felt an inexplicable feeling which made their eyes red.


    Izabe really was excellent.


    With only a few listeners around, she stood there like a beam of light, attracting everyone''s attention. She was confident, beautiful, proud, and every move she made was charming.


    After finishing the piece, Izabe took a long breath, opened her eyes, and found a couple of restaurant waitstaff watching her. She was startled, and then bowed to them. Apuse rang out.


    Izabe took out her phone. At this time, Casey should be about tond. When he got his luggage and came back, it would be just in time for dinner at six.


    Izabe sent Casey a text message, then turned to Toby, "Toby, if you don''t have anything to do, you can go back and rest. You don''t need to protect me every day." Toby shook his head, "Mr. Dempsey asked me to protect you well, so I will do my duty during his absence."


    "He''ll be back soon."


    "Yeah, but he''s not here yet, is he?"


    Seeing that she couldn''t persuade Toby, Izabe chose to remain silent. She knew that Toby was trying to protect her.


    "I''ll go to the washroom, wait for me here."


    Toby nodded.


    Toby naturally couldn''t follow her to the restroom. The restaurant was reserved by Izabe today, and there were very few people, even fewer staff than usual.


    The restroom had a separate door that was closed. From the door handle, you could tell whether there was anyone inside. Izabe washed her hands, and then went in.


    As soon as she opened the door, she found someone inside. Izabe quickly reacted, hurriedly closed the door and said, "Sorry, I didn''t know someone was inside."


    But something was wrong; the


    restaurant was reserved by her today. In theory, only the staff should be here, but they usually


    wouldn''t use this restroom


    from the nce she had just now, although she didn''t see it clearly, the person inside seemed too burly to be a woman.


    In just two or three seconds, Izabe sensed danger. The quiet restroom suddenly became eerie. Izabe''s body moved faster, and she quickly ran out of the restroom.


    She just opened her mouth when arge hand grabbed her hair from behind and pulled her back. Izabe screamed and tried to hold onto the door frame. If she could move forward just a bit more, she could escape.


    Caught by the hair, her head was yanked back, revealing a man dressed in a diner''s uniform with a mask that hid all but his fierce eyes. A hand mped over her mouth, the distinct scent of a drug heavy in the palm.


    After a few seconds of struggle, Izabe was forced to inhale the substance. Her head felt heavier, and no sound could escape her lips. Eventually, her body slumped and she spiraled into unconsciousness. The lights in the diner were turned off at that moment, plunging the area into darkness.


    When Izabe woke, she found herself in a vehicle. She was still groggy from the drug''s effects.


    Unsure of how long she had been out, the dim light in the car suggested it was around seven or eight o''clock.


    The unfamiliar surroundingsbined with the dim lighting made the environment eerily ominous.


    She tried to feign unconsciousness, hoping to glean some information about those who had kidnapped her.


    But the men in the car remained silent. Including herself and the driver, there were five of them.


    Izabe''s hands were tied behind her back. After being in one position for so long, her hands were numb. Her phone was gone, presumably thrown away, and she couldn''t feel the ring on her finger either. To an outsider, the ring was nothing more than a piece of jewelry. Now it was missing, and the only exnation was that it had been discarded.


    It could mean one of two things. Either they had discovered the ring''s secret, or they knew about it from the start.


    The ring held a GPS tracker, a sharp de capable of cutting through ropes, and a dose of sedative.


    She had used the sedative on Nathaniel once. If he thought back to what happened, he might be able to figure it out.


    Could it be that these kidnappers were sent by Nathaniel?


    Her pretense of sleep was soon discovered by the man nearest to her, who yanked her hair.


    "Awake, are you? Why y dead?"


    "I was wondering why she wasn''t waking up after all this time. Turns out she was just pretending."


    "Where''s my phone?" Izabe asked.


    "Thrown away of course. Did you


    expect us to leave it with you so you could call for help? Not just your phone, we threw away your ring, ne, earrings, and hairpins, Don''t even think about escaping. Even with wings, you wouldn''t be able to fly out of here."


    Izabe took a shallow breath, trying to calm herself. There were too many of them, and all her defensive tools were gone. Her only option was tobide her time and wait for rescue. Pointless struggle would only consume her energy.


    There was an eerie silence in the car.


    "Who sent you?" Izabe finally asked. "What do you want with me? Is it ransom? Or are you after something else?"


    She had many enemies. While she had resolved many issues, potential threats still lingered.


    The biggest threats were Nathaniel and Brett.


    Brett was ruthless, and Izabe had no doubt he could stoop to kidnapping.


    Nathaniel, too, was a usible suspect. After realizing he was in love with Bell, he didn''t want Izabe to upy Bell''s body, hence bing resentful.


    They could learn that she had reserved the restaurant and kidnap her in the restroom. The kidnapping seemed premeditated.


    But hadn''t Nathaniel been on the verge of copse? And wasn''t Brett focused on gathering shares? Neither of them seemed to have the time or resources to kidnap her.


    But it wasn''t so certain.


    "You''ll find out when we get there," they didn''t give her a straight answer. The car sped along, and Izabe watched the street, memorizing the route for a possible escape.


    "She seems to be memorizing the route."


    "Then blindfold her."


    Regardless of Izabe''s protest, a cloth was tied violently around her eyes, hurting her.


    Izabe was 31, having spent three of those years dead. She considered herself quite experienced and unruffled, even in the face of kidnapping.


    The car finally stopped after zigzagging. It was dark and after they took off the cloth around her eyes, Izabe made a swift judgement about the surroundings. The air had a faint smell of rust and mold.


    It was a deste area on the outskirts of the city. The wind rustled through the leaves, making the environment feel ominous.


    Izabe was pushed forward, limping down the pebbled path in high heels, her red dress now wrinkled, her slender legs exposed under the knee-length skirt.


    Her legs were covered in cuts from the grass and branches. It wasn''t painful, but it was ufortable. However, it wasn''t the point. Right now, it was important to find a way out.


    After passing out, she had no idea what happened; nor did she know if Toby was in danger.


    The men who kidnapped her were all rough and strong, their aura simr to that from Toby.


    Looked like it was the ce.


    Izabe stopped, their shlight pointing ahead.


    They arrived at an abandoned factory. The kidnappers seemed to be acting quite cautiously. They brought her inside.


    "Navarro, I''ve brought her here."

 Chapter 487

    "Navarro?"


    Izabe didn''t think she''d crossed anyone from the Navarro family.


    Hold on, there was a Nn Navarro, Kaley''s secret lover, the one who cuckolded Brett.


    Kaley might be dead, but those around her were still as restless as ever.


    "Nn?" Izabe spoke up.


    "Didn''t think Ms. Izabe would remember me." Nn''s face was marked by a deep scar, nearly bisecting his eye, making him look sinister in the dim light, like a snake ready to strike.


    Nn had climbed the ranks from a small-time thug to the kingpin of the underground gambling scene. His methods were not to be underestimated.


    But recently, he''d been in decline. First, there was Kaley''s death, then someone had been intentionally undermining him, slowly chipping away at his empire.


    He should have taken revenge for Kaley a long time ago, but he''d been too preupied and hadn''t found the right opportunity. If someone hadn''t suddenly proposed a partnership, he wouldn''t have been able to kidnap Izabe so easily.


    "I promised Kaley once that I''d take care of you. Just never had the chance." As he spoke, Nn unveiled a wicked grin. It was rather unsettling.


    Izabe wasn''t fazed. She responded with a calm smile, "So you want to avenge Kaley, kill me, an eye for an eye?"


    Nn shook his head. "I didn''t bring you here to kill you."


    "Then what?"


    "People cane back from the dead, their spirits can inhabit others. I want to know the secret you hold." Nn squinted at her, "If these secrets were exposed, they''d cause quite a stir, wouldn''t they?" "You brought me here to find out how I came back to life?"


    Nn dered, "I want her toe back to life."N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    "Kaley?"


    Nn''s silence was confirmation. Izabe''s smile faded, and after a long pause, she said, "Give up on that idea. People like Kaley go straight to hell when they die. If you want to see her again, you might as well die first. You might even catch up with her on the road to the underworld."


    Nn''s face darkened, and he pped Izabe hard across the face. The sound of the p echoed in the room.


    Izabe''s head turned with the force of the blow, her ears rang and she felt dizzy. When she looked at Nn, she expected to see anger in his eyes, but he looked impassive.


    Izabeughed coldly, "I''ve always


    been curious why you''d go to such lengths for Kaley. Do you not know she always loved Brett and wanted to marry him? Or are you just a masochist who enjoys wearing the cuckold''s horns? Do you like sharing a woman with another man?"


    As Izabe spoke, she hit close to the mark.


    Nn''s affection for Kaley wasn''t normal. It was tinged with obsession.


    In simple terms, he was a lovesick fool, suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.


    The more Kaley ignored him, the more he wanted her. He knew she was using him, and he didn''t mind. In fact, he felt valuable.


    Nn had fought his way up from a lowly thug. He''d been called "worthless" more times than he could count. Kaley was his first lover, the first to make him feel pleasure. Kaley often called him useless, but in the end, she always ended up beneath him, begging for more.


    This twisted psychology made him more and more dependent on Kaley. Despite his powerful status, his deep-seated insecurities remained. Only with Kaley did he feel superior.


    When he saved Kaley, gave her a new face, a new name, and everything she wanted, it wasn''t out of love. He saw her as his masterpiece, a symbol of his sess.


    Izabe was good at reading people, but she couldn''t decipher Nn''splex heart.


    After Nn pped Izabe, neither


    of them reacted much. It was as f they were just scratching an itch. His subordinate, however, was shocked and whispered, "Navarro, didn''t you say not to touch her?"


    "And what if I did?" Nn held Izabe''s chin, looking at the red mark on her face, "Does it hurt?"


    "Let me go now, or I''ll p you to see if it hurts." Izabe swallowed the metallic taste of blood in her mouth.


    "Many men like you for a reason. You''re defiant, and that''s alluring. It stirs a man''s desire to conquer." Nn lit a cigarette with a flick of his lighter and sat back in his chair.


    "If you can be Kaley, I''ll let you go."


    "Be Kaley''s stand-in?" Izabe


    laughed mockingly, "Are you insulting me or trying to disgust me? Your desire for Kaley might have been about dominating her, seeing a woman who looked down on you beg for mercy. But I won''t do that. Even if it kills me, I won''t beg you."

 Chapter 488

    "Navarro, didn''t we say hands off?" Izabe heard one of Nn''s men utter, confirming her suspicion that there was a puppet master behind her abduction.


    It was clear that Brett was not among her captors. Could it be Nathaniel?


    Izabe''s suspicions were quickly confirmed. The abandoned factory was eerily quiet, so much so that she could hear the rustling of leaves outside, the sound of a car approaching, and the subsequent rolling of wheels on the concrete floor.


    Her breath hitched in her throat.


    Nn rose from his chair, a lit cigarette in his hand. "Our guest has arrived," he said in a hushed tone.


    Izabe''s hands were still bound behind her. She heard movement behind her and turned her head slightly to see.


    A man was being wheeled in. From a distance, his face gradually emerged from the shadows. It was indeed Nathaniel.


    She couldn''t help but think that she and Nathaniel were star-crossed. Like with Brett, she must have done something terrible to him in a past life. For she had fallen into his clutches three times now.


    The first time was when Brett handed her over to him.


    The second time, he cornered her, his pleas masking his coercion.


    And now, this third time, he had drugged and kidnapped her. Damn Nathaniel!


    Izabe could only regret her earlier leniency. She should have jabbed a needle in Nathaniel''s brain when she had the chance, turning him into a drooling idiot and preventing him from causing her more trouble.


    As Nathaniel was wheeled closer to Izabe, he seemed to read her thoughts and a smirk yed on his lips.


    He was visibly thinner, his face pallid. His once fairplexion now resembled aged parchment under the dim light. His hair had grown out, covering his eyelids, and his dull eyes only moved when he looked at someone. His eyes were sunken, his entire demeanor gloomy, making it difficult to meet his gaze.


    "Izabe." His voice was raspy, both his physical appearance and mental state had changed. Izabe had always been somewhat afraid of Nathaniel.


    No one liked pain, and the sight of him triggered a conditioned response of fear in her heart.


    The Nathaniel before her now was even more sinister than before. When he was wheeled in from the darkness, he resembled a demon fresh from the pits of hell, inducing fear out of the blue. "How does it feel to have broken legs?" Izabe asked, feigning concern as if greeting an old friend.


    "Aren''t you the best person to answer that?" Nathaniel''s smile wasced with malice, reminding Izabe of when she herself had broken legs. Izabe remained silent, turning her gaze back to Nn. He and Nathaniel were working together, and the reasons were not hard to figure out. First, Nn must have believed that Kaley''s death was due to her and Brett. So when Nathaniel approached him with an offer, he readily agreed. Second, Nathaniel''s legs were broken and his assets had been stripped by Brett and Beck. He had abducted Izabe to retaliate against them. Third, as Nn had initially stated, they wanted to learn the secret behind Izabe''s reincarnation: one for Kaley, the other for Bell.


    "Can you untie my hands? They''re getting numb. With so many of you, I can''t escape anyway."


    "Don''t worry, we''ll untie you soon," said Nathaniel. "I have brought her in."


    Nn grunted in agreement, not daring to object. This was part of the agreement they had made from the start - Nathaniel would provide the finances, Nn the manpower, and after Izabe was captured, she would be handed over to him.


    Izabe was hoisted up and led into one of the rooms in the deste factory. The flickering lights revealed a room filled with rusty chains on the walls, tangled wires on the floor, and a box in the hands of one o Nathaniel''s men.


    "Doesn''t this remind you of the old dark room? You know, Izabe, I''ve always cherished the footage of your struggles. It''s quite entertaining to watch whenever I''m bored. I close my eyes, and I can still see your agonized face."


    Izabe clenched her fists. "Did you kidnap me just to relive the past?"


    "No, not to relive," Nathaniel said solemnly. "I would never subject Bell to the same treatment I subjected you."


    Perhaps that was the difference between love and hate. It was a shame Nathaniel had realized this toote. Bell was already gone, and his words were nothing more than empty sentiment.


    Just like a wilted sunflower can''t wait for the tardy sun, watering a dead nt is futile.


    "Nathaniel, your words are disgusting. Maybe Bell was thinking ofing back, but hearing this would make her sick."


    "Can''t you keep your mouth shut?" Nathaniel snapped.


    "Isn''t a shut mouth still a mouth?" Izabe retorted. She should be stalling for time and protecting herself, but Nathaniel managed to get under her skin, making her feel sorry for Bell.


    "Nathaniel, did you love Bell?" Izabe asked, answering herself, "Probably not. Think about it, you drove her to death, you didn''t do a single good thing for her. You used her as a ceholder. Threatened her, forced her to do things she didn''t like. You hit her, insulted her with the vilest words, and finally, you handed her over to someone else."


    "What good does it do to be soulful


    now, huh? Where were you when


    she was ndered all over the


    inte? Where were you when Brett broke her fingers? And when she


    was being bullied and almost


    exploited at the office, where were you then? And what about her


    blood sucking rtives? You knew what kind of environment she


    grew


    upin, unloved by her parents, ridiculed by her brother, almost sold to a divorced man twice her age when she was barely 17. She thought you were her salvation when she finally escaped that hell, but oh, how wrong she was. You turned out to be the final nail in her coffin, Nathaniel. How does it feel


    knowing she endured all that only to be driven to her death by you?"


    Bell was already dead.


    No one cared for Bell when she was alive, respected her, loved her. She died amidst a cacophony of nder.


    And no one knew she was dead until


    Izabe took her ce, starring in TV shows, appearing on reality programs, investing in films. People noticed her change, but no one really cared They thought she had simply figured out a new way to survive. But what they didn''t know was that the person they thought they knew was already gone.


    "Whether I love her or not isn''t for you to decide. When shees back, I''ll tell her myself," Nathaniel responded, surprisingly calm.


    "What if she doesn''te back?" Izabe challenged.


    "Then I''ll go find her," Nathaniel said. He had attempted suicide a few times in his fits of despair but was never sessful. He had tried overdose and even slit his wrists in the bathtub.


    Comparatively, it might be easier for him to join Bell than to bring her back. Brett''s recent actions have been pushing him towards a dead-end. He would be gone in an instant if he let his guard down. Even if Bell dide back, he wouldn''t be able to protect her.


    "Bell died because of you and now you want to haunt her after her death? Nathaniel, can''t you take a hint and stop tainting her memory?" Izabe shot back.


    A sharp painnced through Nathaniel''s chest, and he tasted a sweet metallic tang in his throat. He finally understood how he had managed to make Brett cough up blood in anger, and why Brett had suffered so much after Izabe''s death.


    He had never wanted to be like Brett, but the universe had a cruel sense of humor.


    Every action has consequences.


    Just as he had betrayed Bell, stole her affections, and never returned them, karma hade for him.


    The most ironic part was that while he had mocked Brett for his stupidity, at least Brett had the chance to apologize and repent. He didn''t even have the chance to say hisst words at Bell''s funeral.


    To keep Izabe pinned against the wall, he had to untie the ropes binding her hands behind her back.


    Nathaniel ordered his men to untie her and chain her to the wall.


    He didn''t want to harm Bell''s body with harsh drugs. He wanted Bell toe back, but he didn''t know if electrocution would work.


    If it didn''t, he was prepared to inject Izabe with a contagious substance. It would have minimal effects on her body but could be deadly if transmitted to a man.


    The substance was histest creation, a desperate attempt to keep "Bell''s" body forever untainted.


    Nathaniel''s possessiveness bordered on the pathological.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    If Bell was still alive, he would keep her chained to his side, never letting her out of his sight. He wouldn''t allow anyone else toe close to her, even if he died, he would still control her body.


    Izabe was secretly gathering her


    strength. As soon as they untied her


    vet.ne


    hands, she threw herself backwards and bolted towards the factory exit. Everything happened so quickly. Izabe had learned a few self-defense moves from Toby, and she knew she needed to stay calm in this dire situation. The factory was filled with discarded items, and she quickly picked up a shard of ss.


    She dodged anyone who came close and didn''t hesitate to aim the ss shard at their throats. She didn''t manage to stab anyone, but she did manage to leave a deep cut.


    Izabe was panting heavily, blood rushing to her head. She felt her eyes well up with tears, her ears buzzed. She was terrified, but she knew she had to survive.


    The men hesitated to harm Izabe, fearing they might hurt her. She was nimble, but she was no match for a dozen men. She was soon knocked to the ground.


    Her attempt to escape was futile. Izabe''s eyes were burning with hatred as she red at Nathaniel. Nathaniel returned her gaze with a smirk and praised her futile efforts. "Not bad, you''ve improved a bit, learned to fight back. You managed to injure three men. Impressive, but still useless."


    After getting off the ne, Casey received a text from Izabe. The airport was too crowded and noisy to make a call, so Casey texted her back. He nned to call Izabe once he got in the car, but no one answered.


    He wanted to surprise Izabe with his return, but instead, she had nned a surprise dinner for him.


    Casey had so much he wanted to say to Izabe, it felt like a lifetime wouldn''t be enough. But as he was about to meet her, he suddenly felt nervous and didn''t know what to say.


    He had regained all his memories, and pretending to have amnesia was no longer an option. He didn''t want to lie to Izabe because of "Lucas".


    Besides, Izabe had always had Ryker in her heart, unable to forget him. There were too many regrets between them. If he told her that he was Ryker, that he hadn''t died, she might be overjoyed.


    The future was long, but in the blink of an eye, there might be no future. Even a second was too much to lose.


    After failing to get through on the phone and receiving no reply to his texts, Casey assumed Izabe was just busy. But soon, he noticed a missed call from Toby.


    Toby wouldn''t call him unless it was important. He called back, and the voice on the other end told him that Izabe was missing, and she had been gone for about 40 minutes.


    The excitement of seeing Izabe again was reced by a fear he had never felt before.


    It was a fear he didn''t even feel when he switched clothes with Brett to distract the kidnappers, or when he fell off a cliff and was hanging by a thread between life and death.


    He had felt this fear before, when he saw Izabe being tortured right in front of him, her fingers pierced with one steel needle after another. When he had nightmares about Izabe burning to death in a fire while he was tied to a bed, forced to forget her under hypnosis. That was the same kind of fear.

 Chapter 489

    Casey''s mind went nk for a moment. Thankfully, he wasn''t the one driving; his current state of emotional upheaval might have led to disaster on this bustling highway.


    His voice was gruff and unpleasant as he turned to Toby, "I asked you to protect her, didn''t I? How could she just disappear?"


    Toby quickly briefed Casey about what had happened. The restaurant was equipped with security cameras, and despite a power outage, they were able to view the footage due to the cameras being on a separate circuit.


    Toby was highly concerned, but his professional instinct forced him to remain calm as he analyzed the situation for Casey. "Mr. Dempsey, not being able to protect Ms. Salotti ispletely on me. But the people who kidnapped her are very cunning. They hid in the restroom, cut off the restaurant''s power as soon as they had control of the situation, and judging from their smooth operation, they likely had been monitoring Ms. Salotti''s phone, knowing we had reservations."


    Just the fact that they had been able to tap into her phone was a clear sign that they were no amateurs.


    Casey took a deep breath, quickly regaining hisposure. "Send me all the footage you have. I have two suspects in mind: Brett and Nathaniel. Get more people from the Dempsey family to investigate Nathaniel. I''ll contact Brett. Also, send me the route that Izabe was taken along. I''m heading there right now."


    "Understood."


    Toby had already sent people to investigate the license te number and monitor the route the kidnappers'' car took via street cameras. But not all roads had cameras, especially in rural areas where multiple paths made it difficult to track. Every second mattered, and the fear of Izabe being in danger and getting hurt was unbearable.


    Thest time Izabe was taken by Nathaniel, they managed to find her unscathed thanks to a tracking device hidden in her ring. But this time, all her jewelry had been discarded, her ring and cell phone left behind in the restroom.


    As Casey thought about what could happen to Izabe, a sharp pain clenched his heart. He could hardly breathe.


    Soon enough, Toby sent the video to his phone. He watched as Izabe entered the restroom, a scream echoing from within some timeter. A shadow moved at the doorway, and then all was silent. A tall figure emerged from the restroom, burly and masked, carrying a person over his shoulder. He calmly walked into a safety passage, and the camera switched to show him pushing a garbage bin outside.


    Casey''s eyes, already red, grew even redder, as though stained with blood. He watched with despair as Izabe was smuggled out of the restaurant.


    He clenched his fist, forcing himself to calm down. Whoever had taken Izabe had nned this meticulously.


    After determining the route the kidnappers took, Casey checked his location and asked the driver to change direction. He then dialed Brett''s number. The call was answered quickly, and without waiting for Brett to respond, Casey snapped, "Did you arrange for Izabe to be kidnapped?"


    "What?"


    Casey gritted his teeth. "Are you ying dumb? Izabe is missing, and who else could''ve taken her but you?"Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    To be honest, Casey''s main suspect


    was Brett. After regaining his memories, he remembered how Brett had always been possessive and treated Izabe poorly. Coupled with Brett''s past deception, Casey''s impression of him had hit rock bottom.


    Just like how a thief, once caught, would always be the first suspect when something went missing.


    Thinking of Izabe''s ordeal made him want to kill Brett.


    "I didn''t kidnap her. Wasn''t she always under your protection? How did she get kidnapped?" Brett''s face darkened as he listened to Casey Fear rose in his heart, like a stone weighing down his chest, casting a shadow of despair.


    Arguing over the phone wasn''t the best course of action. Both of them cooled down and agreed to meet at a certain location, which Casey provided.


    Hearing about Izabe''s


    disappearance was like a bolt from


    the blue for Brett. He was so disoriented that he immediately called his subordinates to starta full-scale investigation into Izabe''s kidnappers and conduct a thorough search for her whereabouts.


    Fear made his lungs ache terribly. Brett coughed up blood while reaching for his pills, his face pale as he swallowed a few.

 Chapter 490

    The searing pain in his lungs wasn''t subsiding anytime soon, yet Brett couldn''t afford to wait. He traced Casey''s location through his mobile and had someone follow him immediately.


    As Brett stared at theputer screen, he saw a faint reflection of himself, shrouded in darkness, a stranger riddled with anxiety and fear.


    Ever since Christmas, he had deliberately avoided any news about Izabe and Casey.


    Yet at this moment, he missed Izabe terribly, an insatiable longing that he couldn''t shake off. He wished she was right in front of him, hearing her voice, whether she was happy or angry, as long as he could see her safe and sound. Even if she were to insult him or beat him, he would willingly take it.


    The thought of Izabe disappearing, the possible dangers she could be facing, it was enough to wrench his heart apart.


    For Izabe, he would willingly give up his own life, despite the fact that his life was already hanging by a thread, and hence, not worth much.


    People were always drawn to what they loved at first sight.


    Brett had attempted to forget Izabe, he had even tried hypnosis, but every time he would give up at thest minute. He couldn''t bear to forget Izabe, to be reduced to a mere stranger in her life. Their rtionship was such that if he chose to let go, it would mean a permanent end.


    Brett and Casey agreed to meet at the destination.


    Both their faces were grim. The road ahead led to the outskirts, a ce devoid of surveince cameras, making it difficult to track Izabe''s abductors.


    While Casey analyzed the terrain to deduce Izabe''s possible route, Brett tasked his men to investigate Nathaniel. Working together, they were able to pick up on Izabe''s trail once more.


    At the base of the outskirts, there was an abandoned brick factory. As Casey was about to step on the elerator, the passenger side door opened and Brett slid in.


    Casey had no time to converse with Brett. If he wanted toe along, so be it. The dimly lit roads of the outskirts seemed endless as Casey pressed the pedal to the metal, the path bing more remote as he turned into a winding mountain road.


    The silent journey was a torment for Casey as every passing second felt like an eternity.


    Without a location, Casey had no way of knowing Izabe''s current situation. Was she terrified?


    Casey didn''t want a repeat of the helplessness he felt years ago, when he was unable to do anything as Izabe suffered.


    Brett, too, remained silent, staring at the road ahead. After a while, he finally turned to look at Casey, his gaze cold and scrutinizing, lingering on every inch of Casey''s face. Then, out of the blue, he asked, "Do you want to know about my past with Izabe?"


    Brett was unaware that Casey had regained his memory. As Casey drove, he had to divide his attention between driving and listening to Brett''s words. He remembered how Brett had told him that he was merely a recement.


    In a way, Casey should be "grateful" to Brett. If not for him, he wouldn''t have known he held a ce in Izabe''s heart.


    "You mean, you want me to know how you mistreated Izabe? How you drove her to her death?" Casey retorted, his lips pressed tightly together, his right hand gripping the steering wheel so hard that the car wavered slightly.


    Brett had shaved his head, revealing his handsome features. However, his illness had left him pallid and sickly, especially in the chilly night, his lips turning white due tock of blood.


    Casey nced at Brett in the rearview mirror, catching sight of his eyes.


    Brett was known for his endurance, but now his eyes were red, filled with suppressed pain.


    "You''re not me. Izabe and I have been through a lot. I love her." Brett wanted to tell Casey that his love for Izabe was no less than Casey''s. He was willing to give up his life for her. In the three years following Izabe''s death, he had thought of ending his own life multiple times. But Izabe''sst words, asking him to live until natural death, had prevented him from doing so even in his darkest moments.


    As he had said, if Izabe were to disappear one day, he would go insane. He loved her to the point of obsession, and indeed, he had lost his sanity for three to four years, only recovering when he met Izabe again.


    Now diagnosed with lung cancer and with no effective treatment avable, he knew he didn''t have much time left. Unlike Casey, he didn''t have the luxury of time, and he knew he wouldn''t get to grow old with Izabe.


    His life was simply too short to afford to hold Izabe back any longer.


    Facing death, he had no choice but to let go of Izabe. All he hoped for was Izabe''s forgiveness before he died, to make amends for the mistakes he had made. He wished Izabe could spend more time with him before his death.


    So, Casey, you''re not me. If you were me, dying, wouldn''t you want to see more of Izabe? When time is running out, how can you talk about letting go?


    Caseyughed sarcastically. His lips were curved into a smile, but his face was devoid of any humor, his eyes cold as ice. He opened his mouth, and Brett heard his words.


    "Indeed, I''m not you. If I were you, I wouldn''t have mistreated her in the first ce. So don''tpare me with you." If Izabe had married him from the start, he would''ve cherished her, held her in his arms. Casey had never even raised his voice at Izabe, he couldn''t even imagine how Brett could''ve raised his hand against her.


    Brett changed his line of attack, "I thought Izabe would be safe with you, but she''s been kidnapped and threatened time and again. What can you offer her, Casey? Your fans are even shaming her online. If you can''t keep her safe, then I won''t let go this time."


    Switching arguments just because he was losing the previous one?


    "Again?" The word hung in the air, heavy with sarcasm. Casey shot a cold re at Brett. "How many times have you let go, Brett? Yearning for Izabe toe back to you, to taste the bitterness of abandonment


    you


    once more? Should I ment


    how Izabe died? How her fingers were crippled? I gave you chances, Brett. You just didn''t know how to cherish them."


    Brett''s pupils contracted, a ripple of shock passing through his eyes.


    Casey suppressed his anger, his eyes unreadable. "I risked my life to save you, even lost my memories and yed the fool for fifteen long years. Have you ever thought about repaying me, Brett?" "You remember everything?"


    "Yeah, I do. If I hadn''t, would you


    have spun more lies to deceive me? When you asked me to let go of Izabe, didn''t you feel a shred of guilt? Oh, Brett, you are the most shameless, despicable person ?ve ever met. If it wasn''t for the wrong timing, I''d beat the daylight out of you. You want me to let her go? Can you give me back the healthy, cheerful Izabe from before?"


    No one owed Brett anything. His selfishness had ruined everyone. Casey''s face darkened. "You''re truly despicable."


    Everything hade back to Casey. Brett had hoped for a sliver of chance, but with Casey''s regained memories, there was nothing left for him.


    Brett gave a self-deprecating smile, turning to look into the darkness outside, feeling a chill creep over him.


    Izabe had once asked him why his heart was so cold, despite her years of trying to warm it.


    She didn''t understand that when something cold froze into ice, it became brittle. The slightest pressure could shatter it. How could he let anyone hold it?


    "You''re right. I am despicable. I knew Izabe mistook me for you, yet I kept quiet, arrogantly ying the impostor, trying to rece youpletely. When I learned of your death, I was relieved. Finally, no one could threaten my rtionship with Izabe. My feelings for her are no less than yours."


    "Yes, you met Izabe first. But who spent more time with her? My time with her was longer than yours. You say I don''t deserve to love Izabe, but who defines what kind of love is worthy? It''s like a flower. Your love might be nurturing and caring, while mine was possessive and wanted to pluck it. Does that make my love unworthy?"


    A flower will eventually die. Some people loved a flower by watching it wither in a pot, while others loved a flower by preserving it at its most beautiful state as a dried flower or a specimen.


    Both were forms of love. Who''s to say which was more shallow? Brett''s love for Izabe was as deep as Casey''s.


    Brett''s words once again lowered Casey''s estimation of him. He exhaled deeply, stepping on the gas and starting the car on the mountain road.


    "So, your love is to let her die?" Casey had endured more than ten hours on the ne, his eyes aching from fatigue. Now, provoked by Brett, he couldn''t hold back his tears anymore.


    "Don''t use your love to bind Izabe,


    Brett. She''s not a flower." Casey breathed heavily. "I met her under three different identities before we finally got together. I''ve been with her for so long and I hardly dare to raise my voice to her. She''s a once-in-a-lifetime treasure that you''re afraid to melt if you hold it in


    §Ö


    your mouth, or drop if you hold it in your hand. And yet, you tortured her to death in my absence. Do you know how much Izabe fears pain? How much she cries?"


    Brett stiffened. He hated his past self as much as Casey did. If he could go back in time, he would have killed his past self.


    Brett was like a boneless snake, drained of all energy. All he could do was clench his jaw. How could he not know how much Izabe feared pain and how much she cried?


    Casey was seething with anger. He longed to kill Brett, but after he had said his piece, his throat tightened as if someone was choking him. The anger subsided, reced by an unprecedented sadness and despair.


    Regaining his memories and remembering the past, Izabe was returned to him. The Izabe before Brett was much more proud and vibrant than she was now. Brett had ruined her, forcing her to hide her dazzling light.


    Just like a hedgehog pulling in its spines, once it''s unprotected, all that awaits was harm and death.


    If Brett had only reced him and spent time with Izabe, Casey wouldn''t have hated him. But he had hurt Izabe, led her to her death in a fire on Christmas when she was twenty-seven!


    Casey''s eyes were filled with hatred, anger, murderous intent, and a desire to destroy.


    By the time they arrived, it was pitch ck. Not a single house could be seen, only fields and mountains.


    Casey stopped the car and got out, ruffling his hair. The cold wind blew against his face, sapping the color from his cheeks.


    The car was parked at a distance to avoid rming anyone below. The rest of the journey would have to be taken on foot, stealthily infiltrating the area. Toby, experienced in such matters, began assessing the situation, sending out scouts to survey the surroundings and trying to calm Casey down.


    Five minutester, the police arrived. The remote location interfered with the signal, but three groups of officers quietly surrounded the abandoned factory, starting to n their raid.


    Casey was impatient, longing to charge in. But rationality won over emotion.


    The factory was big, so they had to spread out to block all the exits. For Izabe''s safety, Casey and Brett had to cooperate.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    The silence was deafening, amplifying every rustle of the wind.


    Meanwhile, Izabe had been subjected to a second round of electroshock therapy. Nathaniel thought he could bring out Bell this way, but anyone sane would know it was impossible.


    Soul possession was beyond the realm of science, yet he tried to use electroshock therapy. This wasn''t a case of split personality, and even if it was, such a brutal method wouldn''t be used for treatment.

 Chapter 491

    The consciousness of Be was long gone from this body, willingly reced by Izabe. Thanks to Izabe, she had fulfilled her dreams, she was no longer the scourge of the Inte, and thepany that once exploited her had received its just desserts. Moreover, her family and Nathaniel were steeped in regret and self-reproach.


    She was content with her post-mortem state, just like she once said.


    -Once you''re gone, you can''te back.


    She made it clear to Nathaniel that what was given away could not be taken back. Therefore, how could she possibly return due to his remorseful words and tactics?


    Nathaniel seemed to ept this reality. He held a cold, sweaty Izabe in his arms, but the name he called was Be''s.


    "I''m sorry, Be. I''ve hurt your body. I''m sorry, I just wanted you toe back."


    Following a powerful electric shock, the body would be numb, the brain would feel dizzy as if concussed, and there would be an urge to vomit. Izabe was held in Nathaniel''s arms, sitting with him in his wheelchair.


    Her head was spinning, her eyes were throbbing, her chest was tight, and she couldn''t help but want to throw up, which she did, all over Nathaniel.


    She hadn''t eaten much at noon, and now it was several hours into the evening. There was little in her stomach, and what she vomited was all over Nathaniel.


    Nathaniel, a paraplegic sitting in a wheelchair, was holding her firmly. There was no time to dodge, and he was drenched in vomit from his chest to his abdomen.


    This wasn''t about cleanliness anymore. Anyone would find it unbearable to be vomited upon. Nathaniel, with a mild expression, asked simply, "Did you do that on purpose?"


    Izabe was still retching. After vomiting, she felt better, but her headache was worse. She faintly heard Nathaniel saying "on purpose."


    On purpose? She swallowed, her trembling mouth asking, "Would I have vomited if you hadn''t tortured me with electric shocks?" She even managed to throw in a couple of sarcastic remarks at Nathaniel.


    "If I had done it on purpose, knowing that I would vomit all over you today, I should have eaten more when I came. That way, I could have vomited all over your face."


    The vivid image was somewhat too intense. Nathaniel frowned. Only Izabe could be so outspoken, maintaining her pride even when abducted. As for Be, she wouldn''t even dare to speak loudly, let alone vomit all over him. She was soft, like a newborn kitten.


    "Izabe, it was because of your unlikable character that you were tortured to death by Brett."


    Izabe responded hoarsely, "Being likable is subjective. If it''s for you and Brett, it''s not being likable, it''s being cheap!"


    An assistant handed Nathaniel a tissue to clean the vomit off his body. Nathaniel was holding Izabe with one arm. She had no strength and relied entirely on Nathaniel to hold her. If he let go, she would roll off him.


    Nathaniel looked down at Izabe''s pale face, her long, ck eyshes casting a shadow over her eyes. He reached out involuntarily to touch Izabe''s cheek, from her eyebrows to her nose.


    So, a change in soul really did change a person, even though those eyes and that nose were the same.


    "Don''t touch me." Izabe''s eyes were filled with undisguised disgust. Her revulsion was so strong that she couldn''t help but blurt out, "Disgusting."


    "I didn''t touch you," Nathaniel said. "I touched Be."


    Izabe couldn''t reason with


    someone as psychotic as Nathaniel. She managed to move her upper body slightly, and with a strong twist, she broke free from


    Nathaniel''s grasp. But she ended up


    head hitting the floor and exacerbating her


    falling to the ground, her Spel


    already dizzy state.


    An assistant reached out to help Izabe up, but Nathaniel stopped him.


    Izabe couldn''t move right now, she could only lie on the ground and move her hands slightly. There was no fear of her escaping. Nathaniel sat in his wheelchair, looking at Izabe curled up on the floor, and said, "Be is mine. Even after she''s dead, her body is mine."


    "So what?" Izabe retorted.


    "Bring me the box." Nathaniel stretched out his hand to take the box that the assistant handed him. He opened it to find a red liquid and a syringe. The color alone indicated that it wasn''t anything good.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe nced at the box. Her face


    showed no fear, only a cold voice saying, "Nathaniel, can''t your methods be more novel? It''s always the same things. Didn''t you say you wouldn''t hurt Be''s body? What are you doing with these now?"


    "This won''t hurt you when it''s injected into your body." Nathaniel leisurely took out a syringe filled with the red liquid, which shimmered eerily under the light.


    "Do you know about infectious viruses? This is simr. It can be transmitted through blood and saliva. When you die, it will be quiet, and you won''t feel much pain. It will keep your body in the best condition."


    "You''re a freak!" Izabe, who was


    usually calm andposed,


    couldn''t help but curse. Her eyes were hot and tears welled up in the corners. She couldn''t imagine that after this drug was injected into her body, she and Casey would have to part ways forever.


    She had finally found Casey after all this time, recognizing him as the man who carried her home that day.

 Chapter 492

    Nathaniel, paralyzed from the waist down, leaned forward in his wheelchair, one hand seizing a fistful of Izabe''s hair and pulling her towards his knees. Izabe, forced to raise her head, suppressed the sharp pain emanating from her scalp, her chin resting on Nathaniel''s knee as she stared at the syringe in his hand.


    Nathaniel''s smile was sickly, almost demonic as he leaned into Izabe''s ear, his voice raspy and low, "Bell is mine, in life and death. Her body belongs to me. I will not allow her to be with another man."


    Izabe felt nauseous at his words, but she had already emptied her stomach earlier and there was nothing left to expel. She took a deep breath, steadying her voice as she retorted, "You''re not worthy, Nathaniel. Do you genuinely love Bell? She''s been gone for over a year, and you had ample time to search for her, but you didn''t. Only when I took her ce, you showed up. Have you ever wondered why?"


    Izabe''s eyes were dark and prating, the upturned corners of her mouth forming a sinister smile. Nathaniel froze, his breathing hitched as he stared into Izabe''s face, locking eyes with her. He wanted to silence her, to stop her from speaking any further.


    However, before he could act, he watched as Izabe parted her lips, each word she spoke unveiling the secrets he had kept hidden deep within him.


    "You want Bell to be strong and independent like me, yet at the same time, you want her to be docile and subservient, like a housewife catering to your every whim. But Bell is not me, nor is she thetter. She only wanted to be good to you because she loved you, but you grew tired of her gentle nature, deeming it weak, unworthy of a powerful man like you."


    "You and Brett are the same, stubborn and arrogant, always trying to mold people into the image you desire, and when you can''t, you destroy it. Are you really trying to get Bell back by forcing me here today? No, you''re only satisfying your own selfish desires. Once she returns, you will revert back to your domineering self. You, who enjoys controlling others'' lives, are destined to live a lonely life, never finding true happiness."


    Nathaniel''s eyes were bloodshot, "You''re talking nonsense!"


    "Then answer me, why didn''t you search for Bell all this time, but only came to find her when I appeared? You couldn''t possibly be in love with me, could you?" Izabe pushed on, not giving him a chance to catch his breath. If you think injecting that drug into this body could keep it here, then you are gravely mistaken. I can make this body so tainted that you wouldn''t want to touch it. Try me if you don''t believe!" There was a conviction in Izabe''s eyes that left no room for doubt. She had proven herself capable in the past, making Brett regret for the rest of his life, and she would do it again if she had to. "Do you really think I can''t do anything to you?"


    "Of course you can, but this body is mine now, and I control it. You can either kill me outright. But could you bear to do that, Nathaniel?" Could he bear to do that? In Nathaniel''s eyes, this body would always be Bell''s. Even if Izabe was the one upying it, it was still Bell''s.


    Her eyes had looked at him, her hands had soothed his aching head, her mouth had called his name.


    He couldn''t bring himself to harm Bell''s body. He wasn''t Brett, who could freeze his lover''s body in an ice house. He knew that Bell''s frail body couldn''t withstand the cold.


    But he couldn''t ept Bell''s body being with another man, let alone see her in a wedding dress, marrying someone else, or carrying another man''s child.


    Nathaniel''s face was stone-cold, oblivious to the tears streaming down his cheeks until a dropletnded on Izabe''s cheek, making it seem as if she was the one crying. They were at a standoff, Izabe dared not move. Her only option now was to buy time, hoping that Casey woulde to her rescue. She believed that he would find her. Suddenly, a man burst in from outside, looking somewhat frantic. "Mr. Krueger, there''s an intruder outside."


    Nathaniel''s grip on Izabe''s jaw tightened, his voiceced with malice, "Who do you think it could be?"


    Izabe remained silent.


    "Mr. Krueger, there are quite a few people outside. I saw some police officers."


    "So everyone''s here, including Casey." Nathaniel spoke slowly, his mind racing.


    Izabe felt a knot in her stomach as she watched Nathaniel quickly regain hisposure.


    Nathaniel chuckled, releasing


    Izabe''s jaw. "Casey hase to


    rescue you. After all these years, he''s still as naive, always chasing after you without a second thought. Even if his legs were broken, he would still crawl his way to you."


    Izabe''s eyes hardened, her gaze piercing through Nathaniel, like a venomous snake.


    But Nathaniel was unfazed,


    continuing his taunting monologue, "I wonder if your fate will be the same as before. Izabe, I''vee up with a great idea. You love Casey a lot don''t you? What would happen


    if Finject him with this drug?"


    "You dare!" Izabe lost her cool, her calm facade shattering like cracked ss. "Nathaniel, if youy a finger on him, I will make you pay!"


    "Make me pay?" Nathaniel smirked, a trace of mockery on his face. "I''ve been living in pain since the day I found out about Bell''s death. I don''t care."


    Izabe''s pupils dted in horror, Nathaniel reveled in the fear that was so evident in her eyes.


    Nathaniel loosened his grip, maneuvering his wheelchair backwards. With no support, Izabe copsed to the floor like a snake.


    "Nathaniel!" Izabe''s eyes were as red as if they were stained with blood. She screamed his name, trying to muster the strength to stand up and stop his madness, but her legs were weak and numb. Nathaniel had her chained to the wall, blindfolding her and gagging her mouth. She leaned against the wall, deprived of her sight, her hearing heightened. Unable to speak.


    The room began to stir, she could hear Nathaniel instructing his men to hide, waiting for the moment Casey showed up to inject him with the drug.


    The blindfold seemed to sink into her eye sockets, and the iron chains around her body had scraped her skin raw in her struggle.


    The chains rattled, and once the room fell silent, the sounds of the swinging chains were particrly grating.


    Bitterness spread in Izabe''s mouth, her head banging against the wall behind her repeatedly, she felt like a bird chained and unable to fly.


    In the pitch-dark world, her fear was magnified. She remembered the gunshot that year, Casey lying on the ground, his chest stained red with blood. Her world suddenly became a lonely tomb, devoid of life.


    She mmed against the wall, tears dampening her blindfold. She didn''t want Casey toe and save her, Izabe''s upper body was shaking like a sieve, her mouth gagged, she could only breathe through her nose, which was bing increasingly difficult.


    Then came the sound of footsteps again. Izabe stopped moving until a familiar voice came.


    "Be."


    In her world of darkness and chaos, there was only Casey''s voice.


    Casey knelt down, his hands gently and quickly removing her blindfold, caressing her red and swollen eyes from crying.


    "You''re all grown up, Be, why are you still such a cry baby?"Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 493

    Casey''s words made Izabe forget all her fear. She looked at him nkly, her eyes like cracked crystals, as if they would shatter into a pool of water with the slightest movement. "Do you remember?"


    Casey unlocked the chains binding Izabe''s wrists, his hand trembling slightly with emotion. He cradled Izabe''s wet face, gently brushing the strands of hair from her face behind her ears. "I remember," Casey said hoarsely. "I remember Be, the Cry Baby who could only be pacified with cotton candy. I remember the promise to carry you home."


    Izabe blinked, hot tears falling from her eyes. She didn''t want to cry, but she couldn''t control her tears.


    "Ryker."


    "Hmm."


    Izabe cried out with a sob.


    "It''s me. It''s always been me." Izabe called, and Casey answered, gently wiping the tears from her face. "My Cry Baby, how can you still be so tearful when you''ve grown up?" Izabe shook her head. Now was not the time to dwell on the past.


    The man she loved had finallye to take her away. They both had to survive and get out of here safely. Izabe thought of Nathaniel''s words and tightened her grip on Casey. "We need to leave quickly, it''s dangerous here."


    As soon as the words left her mouth, Nathaniel''s voice could be heard. "Where do you think you''re going?"


    Casey tensed, cradling Izabe in one arm, his eyes scanning the room.


    He had a feeling there was an ambush waiting for them since before they entered, but he didn''t care about the danger as soon as he saw Izabe tied up.


    Izabe bit her lip, hearing the sounds of fighting and even gunfire outside. She looked at the door just a few steps away. They could escape if they ran a little bit more, but it seemed so far away. Nathaniel was surrounded by eight or nine burly men, each one tall and menacing, radiating a lethal aura.


    They were armed with knives, metal rods, and syringes.


    Izabe looked at Casey, their eyes met, and their fingers intertwined.


    They didn''t speak, but they understood each other perfectly. From each other''s eyes, they only saw one thing - they wanted to go home safely.


    "If we can make it home safely, Be, will you marry me?"


    Tears welled up in Izabe''s eyes again. She nodded, her nose red.


    Casey smiled.


    Izabe cautioned, "Be careful of the syringes they are holding."


    Seeing their sped hands, Nathaniel''s expression darkened. Themotion outside was getting louder, and people would soon be rushing in. He had to act quickly. "Attack!"


    Casey took a deep breath, his eyes zing. He moved quickly, protecting Izabe while fighting the men.


    Casey was fast and ruthless, like a pouncing leopard, dodging the men who attacked him.


    But he was outnumbered, and he had to protect Izabe. He took punches, his clothes were cut by knives, the des grazing his skin.


    Izabe was terrified. This was even scarier than when she had been kidnapped. This scene was too familiar - Casey, Nathaniel, and herself, unable to move, it was just like seven years ago.


    She didn''t want Casey to get hurt because of her. They had agreed to get out of here alive, but she was the first to back down.


    She looked at the hand holding onto his tightly, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nathaniel''s malicious gaze. Following his gaze, Izabe looked to her right and saw a man swinging a metal rod at Casey.


    Casey was dealing with the men on his left in order to protect Izabe, and he wouldn''t be able to dodge the iing rod.


    Izabe immediately let go of his hand, trying to push him away. Casey had sensed her intentions - the moment she let go of his hand, he held on tighter. "Casey, let go of me. You''ll get hurt."


    "I won''t let go. Not in this lifetime. Not even in death."


    Casey kicked a man away, his eyes bloodshot, full of murderous intent.


    The man with the metal rod was just a distraction. The real threat was the man with the syringe, aiming for Izabe''s neck.


    Casey noticed out of the corner of his eye. He pulled Izabe into his arms and turned his back to the threat.


    "Izabe!"


    With Casey''s shout, Izabe felt dizzy, her brain unable to keep up with the speed of her body. She was pulled into Casey''s chest, her face buried in his torso.


    Izabe felt Casey''s grip on her


    tighten slightly, and she heard a muffled grunt from him. Izabe felt a pang in her heart and looked up at Casey, who was always protecting her. He was frowning, looking at her with concern. "Are you alright?"


    Izabe was still somewhat dazed, not knowing what had just happened. She was about to shake her head when she saw Casey''s pale face. A syringe was stuck in his shoulder, filled with a small amount of red liquid.


    Izabe''s mind went nk.


    Nathaniel''s words from before echoed in her ears.


    A contagion more potent than HIV, transmitted through saliva, blood. Nathaniel had originally nned to inject the drug into Izabe''s body, to control her and keep her from being with other men.


    But after hearing Izabe''s threats, Nathaniel had a change of heart. He nned to inject the drug into Casey.


    He knew how deep Izabe and Casey''s feelings for each other were. Izabe loved Casey and wouldn''t leave him even if he was infected. Because of Casey, she wouldn''t "defile" her body. Simrly, Casey wouldn''t touch Izabe if he was infected. He would stay away from her.


    With this obstacle in their way, they loved each other but couldn''t be together. If Casey died from the infection, Izabe would live a life of guilt and loneliness.


    That''s what Nathaniel wanted. He wanted Izabe to lead a lonely life, so that Be would be "clean".


    Izabe stared nkly at the syringe


    still lodged in Casey''s shoulder. Her eyes were moist and tears were falling graciously, she didn''t even know when she started to cry. She managed to murmur "Casey," her voice hoarse and ufortable, as it a prickly pear was stuck in her throat, each breath so painful it brought a tremor to her fingertips.


    This jab was nothing to Casey, neither painful nor ufortable, but he couldn''tprehend why his beloved Izabe was crying so sorrowfully.


    The substance in that syringe was obviously a bad news, Izabe had warned him not to touch it.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Nathaniel quickly provided an answer, "The substance injected into your body is a contagious virus, if you don''t want Izabe to die, you better let her go." Nathaniel''s smile was sinister and malicious, he enjoyed scenes of parting and despair, indeed the most torturous thing was heartbreak.


    Izabe was right, if he couldn''t have her, he would destroy everything. Why should she find happiness in another''s body after Bell''s death?


    Upon hearing Nathaniel''s words, Casey''s pupils contracted sharply. He felt a chill creeping in his body, as if a hand was slowly squeezing his heart.


    The hands that held Izabe all this while suddenly let her go.


    "Casey!" Izabe grabbed his sleeve, "You promised you wouldn''t let go."


    Casey''s voice was soft and calm, "I might have been infected with the virus Nathaniel mentioned, Izabe, don''t touch me."


    "I will die from viral infections!"


    "Izabe, I don''t want you to die."


    Casey''s voice was hoarse, he didn''t know how lethal this virus was, or how contagious, the only solution he could think of was to keep distance from Izabe. But Izabe''s grip on his sleeve tightened.


    When Izabe heard Casey, she felt


    ears


    as if each bone in her body was being crushed one by one, her stinging. She didn''t catch what Casey was saying afterwards, her eyes focused on his lips, she teaned in, booked her arms around his neck and kissed him.


    Casey froze for a moment, then started struggling fiercely, his eyes redder than before.


    Izabe clung to him, bit through Casey''s lips, deepening the kiss until she tasted a strong vor of blood, then she let go.


    Izabe''s lips were also broken, mingling saliva and blood.


    "The virus can be transmitted through blood and saliva!"


    "I know." Izabe interrupted Casey as soon as he began speaking, a smile appeared on her lips, "It''s contagious, it''s fatal, Casey do you think I could live without you?"

 Chapter 494

    "Are you out of your mind? This virus could kill you, and you''re too young to die. You''ve got your whole life ahead of you. If fate has given you a second chance, you should cherish it, not squander it to die with me."


    "I''ve been trying to figure out why I was given a second shot at life, and it wasn''t until I met you that I realized why. My life is only worth living because you''re in it, Casey. Without you, there''s no point in living. This time, I don''t want to watch someone important to me die."


    Whether the virus was as deadly as Nathaniel imed, Izabe didn''t know. But it''s too soon to be talking about death. She beat stomach cancer once before, thanks to Presley''s research and groundbreaking cancer treatments, didn''t she?


    But if something were to happen to Casey, she wouldn''t want to live without him.


    In her previous life, Izabe suffered from stomach cancer and the torment of Brett, living a life that was worse than death.


    Despite this, she clung to a sliver of hope. A tiny, fragile hope that continued to exist in her heart.


    Like warm sunlight on a cold winter day, Casey brought light into her dark world and reignited the dwindling spark of hope within her.


    He made her believe that there was someone in this world who would love her unconditionally, protect her no matter what. If Casey were to "leave," she''d want him to take her with him.


    Nathaniel always knew that Izabe and Casey cared deeply for each other. But he underestimated the depth of their feelings.


    Or maybe, he just forgot. He forgot about seven years ago, when Izabe endured the excruciating pain of having nails driven through her fingers to save Ryker.


    Sitting in his wheelchair, with tears welling in his eyes, he watched Izabe and Casey as chaos erupted around them. His world turned dark and noisy, but in that moment, everything became eerily quiet. So quiet, he could hear his own breathing.


    Nathaniel gripped the gun in his hand, focusing on one thing - destruction.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    When Izabe looked up, she saw the dark muzzle of a gun pointed at her. She held her breath as a gunshot rang out, hugging Casey tightly. In a split second, a figure rushed forward and shielded them from the bullet.


    A gunshot shattered the quiet night. Izabe''s eyes widened in fear, her pupils shrinking to the size of a needle''s tip.


    Against the light, Izabe saw a tall figure copse. As he fell, she saw his face and the world around her fell into an eerie silence.


    Bretty on the ground, his usually bright eyes suddenly clouded over, devoid of all light and heat. But his gaze was fixed on Izabe.


    He watched as she and Casey clung to each other after the gunshot.


    Only btedly did Brett feel the pain. His chest was soaked in blood. He coughed, each cough bringing fresh pain and blood. He didn''t want to cough up blood in front of Izabe, but he couldn''t control it. Brett looked at Izabe, his fingers twitching slightly.


    Nathaniel''s bullet was aimed at Casey''s back and wouldn''t have hit Izabe. But Brett saw it and shielded them from the bullet without a second thought.


    He knew that if anything happened to Casey, Izabe would be devastated.


    Seven years ago, Izabe had called him ten times to save Ryker. He didn''t answer a single call, and Izabe suffered horribly.


    Now, seven yearster, he took a


    bullet for Casey. Would Izabe hate him a


    attle less because of it? Could


    he diminish her hatred for him, even just a little?


    He didn''t ask for much. He just hoped that when Izabe looked at him, her eyes wouldn''t be filled with hatred.


    His vision blurred until he could no longer see Izabe''s face. His consciousness began to fade, and he fell into darkness. Izabe, still holding onto Casey''s neck, was shaking violently, still trapped in her fear.


    She watched Brett fall, her throat constricting as if someone was choking her. She tried to speak but couldn''t make a sound. Bretty in a pool of blood, his face deathly pale. The blood gushing from his mouth stood out starkly against his pale face.


    Izabe watched in stunned silence as his lips moved slightly. Reading his lips, she saw Brett utter several words.


    "I''m sorry."


    Time seemed to freeze in that


    moment. The image of Brett uttering those words was etched into her mind. It was a brief moment, but it felt like an eternity to Izabe, long enough for her to reflect on her life and its many ups and downs.


    Chaos ensued at the scene, and Nathaniel was detained by the police.


    Casey turned around to look behind him. When he saw Brett lying in a pool of blood, he held Izabe even tighter, trying tofort her.


    "Don''t be afraid," he whispered. "I''m here."


    Izabe shook her head, burying her face in his strong,forting shoulder.


    She thought she despised Brett with every fiber of her being, wished him dead even But when Brett took a bullet for her and fell to the ground, bleeding and dying, she realized that this was not the oue she wanted.

 Chapter 495

    As time goes by, those painful wounds you thought would never heal start to fade away. But this isn''t forgiveness, it''s eptance. No one can live in resentment forever, it''s just too draining.


    Izabe hadn''t expected Brett to show up, let alone take a bullet for her.


    Brett was rushed to the hospital, while Casey and Izabe were taken separately to be tested for potential viral infection.


    Izabe''s face was as pale as snow, her hands as cold as ice. Casey held her icy hand, "He''ll be alright."


    "I''m not worried about him." Izabe bowed her head, holding back the sting in her eyes.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Old folks often said that troublemakers linger for a thousand years, and Brett was a troublemaker of the first order. His fate had nothing to do with her.


    But she didn''t want Brett to die this way, because then she''d be forced to remember him. She wanted to forget himpletely, as if he''d never existed.


    "I hate him, I really hate him."


    Casey pulled her into a hug, his voice hoarse but gentle, "I know, Be. You don''t have to force yourself to hate anyone. You can choose to let go. You haven''t wronged anyone."


    Bretty on the operating table, an oxygen mask strapped to his face. His heartbeat monitor showed just how weak he was.


    Brett hated hospitals, hated the smell of antiseptic. Even when in agonizing pain, he''d rather suffer at home than step foot in a hospital.


    Now, hey there, weak and helpless. His face was paler than ever, fragile as porcin, as if he''d shatter at the slightest touch.


    Time seemed to slow down. Izabe kept ncing at the clock on the wall, checking every minute or two.


    Brett''s condition was critical. Upon hearing the news, Liam and several shareholders from thepany rushed over, as did Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey.


    Casey and Izabe were quarantined, waiting for their test results. As for Brett, they could only get updates from the nurses.


    Brett was still unconscious, his condition not improving. Twice in six hours, he''d been issued a critical condition notice, prompting continuous resuscitation.


    At one point, he woke up briefly. He asked Liam to sign any necessary documents on his behalf, whether it was a critical condition notice or a death certificate. Moreover, if he survived, he didn''t want Izabe to know about his lung cancer.


    Why keep this from Izabe?


    Because he was afraid she''d mock him.


    Back when they were together, Izabe had tried to persuade him to quit smoking, warning him of its detrimental effects on health. He''d stubbornly ignored her, and now, karma had caught up with him. He was helpless, licking his wounds in the corner.


    He''d hit her when she''d tried to warn him, so maybe he deserved lung cancer.


    After Liam agreed to his request, Brett closed his eyes again. This time, he didn''t wake up for a long time, requiring constant resuscitation.


    Lung cancer, a bullet in his lung, his body was taking one hit after another.


    Six hourster, the blood test results came back. The blood taken from Casey showed the presence of an unknown virus. More tests were needed to identify it.


    Izabe''s blood, however, showed no abnormalities. Izabe reviewed the test results over and over again, the cold wind blowing in through the window felt like knives against her skin. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gripped the test results tightly.


    Casey had always been optimistic. Life was short, whether he spent it happy or sad. So why not choose to be happy every day?


    Still, he had some regrets.


    Despite the virus, Casey felt no difort. The experts were stilt studying it. It was said to be contagious, but no one knew how


    harmful it was. So, he continued to


    be quarantined, this time alone.


    To Casey, Izabe being uninfected was a relief. Even though she''d said she didn''t care and would stay with him no matter what, Casey wanted her to live a good life.


    The world was beautiful, even without him. Maybe she could find someone better.


    Casey stood by the window,forting Izabe.


    "Don''t worry, I feel great right now. This virus is only serious ording to Nathaniel. No one knows how harmful it actually is. It might be just like amon cold, and I''ll be fine in


    a few days."


    When the Dempsey family arrived at the hospital and heard about Casey''s virus, Bunny Dempsey felt a cold shock, her heart heavy.


    Her son had been shot trying to save Izabe, but that was his choice. She couldn''t me anyone.


    Casey didn''t want his parents to harbor any resentment because of him. So, as soon as they arrived, he told them he''d recovered his memory.


    "Dad, Mom," Casey leaned against the window, his breath fogging up the ss, "I remember everything."

 Chapter 496

    Bunny blinked, instinctively ncing towards Izabe.


    Casey saw Bunny''s movements and everything became clear. He wasn''t stupid, he''d acted in countless films, read plenty of scripts, his logical reasoning was strong. With a little thinking, he understood. Izabe had known long ago that he was "Ryker", but due to his family, she kept it to herself, swallowing the hurt.


    Even though he was "Ryker", she had to pretend she didn''t know, afraid that even the mention of "Ryker" would make him jealous.


    This silly cry-baby.


    "It wasn''t Izabe who told me," Casey said, "I remembered it myself. I remembered how I got through these years, how I was hypnotized by you all. I don''t me you for the hypnosis, considering my health at the time, you did it for my safety."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    And he had forgotten his Cry Baby again.


    "Mom, I don''t me you, and you shouldn''t me Izabe either. Whatever I am is because of me." This included the unknown virus he had contracted.


    Tears welled up in Bunny''s eyes uncontrobly, and she leaned into Beck''s embrace, cing her hand on the ss. "How could we me Izabe? The moment you decided to bring her home, we''ve treated her as our daughter. Don''t overthink, you''ll be alright."


    Casey nodded, Bunny said a few more words, then left them alone.


    Continuing would only make her cry more, she thought. So much had happened in a day: Izabe was kidnapped by Nathaniel, Casey contracted the virus, Brett was shot. The future was uncertain for them all Despite Bunny''s words, Izabe still apologized to the Dempsey family, bowing her head. "I''m sorry."


    Her back remained bent until Bunny''s hand gently touched her head.


    "You don''t need to apologize. I know who''s at fault and who''s innocent. You''ve always been the innocent one, the victim. Nathaniel is the one who did wrong. You''re a good girl, and I believe Casey will be alright. God surely takes care of the good," Bunnyforted Izabe and herself.


    Izabe watched them leave, then returned outside the istion room.


    Sitting on the floor against the door, she and Casey were separated by only a door, at most fifteen centimeters. They were so close, yet they couldn''t touch each other.


    "Are you cold?" Casey asked from inside the room.


    "No." In reality, she was so cold her face had gone pale, her feet numb. Her hands, tightly sped, couldn''t drive away the chill.


    It was cold, but saying it wouldn''t help, because the person who usually warmed her hands was inside the room.


    Hearing Izabe''s voice, Casey asked, "Be, did you cry?"


    "No."


    "That''s good. If you cried, I wouldn''t be able to wipe away your tears."


    As Izabe listened to Casey''s words, she wiped the cold tears from her face.


    "When did you remember?"


    "On the way back, while on the ne. I remembered the years I spent away from you. I should''ve remembered sooner, making you wait for so long. After my ident on my way back from the orphanage, I had dreams about Ryker for several nights. I thought they were nightmares, I didn''t realize they were the truth, my forgotten past."


    "And what did you dream about?" Izabe asked softly.


    "I dreamed about our reunion under the wisteria tree at the orphanage, me calling you Be. You were Brett''s wife, and I was a fool who couldn''t even make you happy. I wanted to take you away and hide


    you."


    When he was a fool, everyone


    thought he didn''t understand love. But the moment he saw Izabe, he knew she was the one. For Izabe, he could humble himself to the extreme. Even if she never looked back, he was willing to follow her.


    Back then, Izabe was surrounded by outstanding people, and the director said. Izabe had married into happiness, that Brett was the richest man in R City, with a fortune in the billions. How could Izabe ever fall for a fool like him? Was he supposed to support Izabe by scavenging? Don''t make himugh.


    Yes, people were born into different sses. His cherished cookies, even if he gave all to Izabe, were just ordinary cookies to her. He couldn''t even provide for her basic needs, so how could he give her happiness?


    Just like the director said, he was a fool. Who would fall for him?


    A princess belongs to a prince, and a knight is always a side character, unable to even approach the princess.


    So he chose to protect Izabe silently, dealing with anyone who hurt her.


    But gradually, he realized everything wasn''t as he thought. The director said Izabe had married into happiness, but why couldn''t he see a happy smile on her face?

 Chapter 497

    Casey often reflected on his past, but he never mentioned the little girl named Izabe who used to follow him around like a puppy, dering she would marry him someday.


    He feared that if he brought it up, it might give Izabe ideas, and she would really want to marry him.


    Now, infected with a deadly virus, he was even less capable of giving Izabe the happiness she deserved than he had been in his foolish youth.


    "Izabe, if I die, engrave your name on my tombstone, I''m afraid I might forget you after I''m gone." Normally, people would have their loved ones'' names inscribed on their tombstones, so they could watch over them from heaven.


    If he died and had Izabe''s name on his tombstone, he would remember to protect her.


    The next night, Casey''s condition worsened. He developed a high fever and had difficulty breathing. Doctors and nurses in protective suits rushed to his aid.


    Izabe stood outside the istion room, her eyes fixed on the red light above the door. She felt her body growing cold, as if her own warmth and heartbeat were fading away.


    She moved closer, peering through the ss at Casey, who was fighting for his life inside. She pressed her hand against the ss, her vision blurred by tears.


    "What am I supposed to do if you''re not here?" she wondered. She couldn''t imagine a world without Casey.


    She had fallen in love with him three times; a youthful, stubborn love that refused to fade, a mature, deep love that had turned into an essential part of her life.


    Casey looked pale, his eyes tightly shut. His breathing had stopped. His heart was no longer beating.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Suddenly, Izabe sprang into action. She started banging on the door, shouting, "Casey, Casey, can you hear me? You can''t die, you can''t!"


    "Please wake up!"


    "Don''t leave me!"


    Themotion attracted the attention of the medical staff. They tried to restrain Izabe, but she struggled, her eyes bloodshot.


    She felt a terrible pain, wishing she could go in there and share Casey''s suffering.


    Why had she been given this second chance at life? Izabe fell to her knees, her hands clenched into fists.


    The hospital staff managed to subdue her. Her tears fell to the floor as she called out Casey''s name, her voice hoarse with pain.


    Everyone in the hospital recognized


    the famous couple, Casey and


    Izabe. The rumor of their


    vel.ne


    rtionship had spread like wildfire


    on the inte, but now it was all too feal.


    If Casey didn''t make it, what would happen to Izabe? And what about his fans?


    Sometimes, people are forced to ept their fate, whether they want to or not.


    "What''s going on?" a familiar voice said. Izabe looked up.


    It was Presley.


    Presley, a renowned scientist who had developed a cancer drug, might know how to deal with this virus. "Presley!"


    Presley didn''t usually pay attention to celebrities, but he knew Izabe. She reminded him of histe sister, also named Izabe. "Presley! Please, save Casey."


    Presley paused. The pain in his


    chest was almost unbearable. He quicklyposed himself ande pushed away the hospital staff who were restraining Izabe. S


    "I''ll do my best," he promised, although he couldn''t guarantee anything.


    Presley put on a protective suit and went into the istion room.


    News of Casey''s condition quickly spread online, but was soon controlled by the Dempsey family. The hospital was on high alert, with the director fearing for the lives of both Casey and Brett, a fellow patient who had also been critically injured.


    Despite the absence of headlines, the rumor mill was enough to send their fans into a panic.

 Chapter 498

    After roughly forty minutes, Presley emerged.


    Izabe trailed closely behind him, her voice raspy as she called out, "Presley."


    Presley paused, turning to face her. "Casey''s safe for now. I need to study the virus in his body, but don''t worry. I had already encountered this virus abroad and have done some research. The antidote will be ready soon."


    His words weren''t merely tofort Izabe. As a contagious virus, it upied a significant portion of Presley''s memory.


    Izabe locked eyes with Presley, knowing he wasn''t deceiving her.


    She had always trusted Presley. His words always held true-like when she was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and Presley vowed to save her. He indeed went abroad and developed a cancer-fighting drug. He had never reneged on any promise to her. Instead, it was her who had initially hurt him and caused him to leave home.


    "Thank you." She owed Presley a thank you for everything he had done for her, for fulfilling herst wish after her death, scattering her ashes in the sea.


    Presley met her gaze, the familiar pain seeping into his bones. It took him a while to shake off the bone-chilling ache.


    "It''s okay." Presley had just finished a surgery and was somewhat worn out. Still in his protective gear, he needed to head to the sterilization room.


    "Can I see him?"N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    "You can, but you must put on the protective gear and limit contact. You need to disinfect once you leave," Presley instructed.


    Seeing his old friend looking so weary, Izabe didn''t dare engage in extended conversation.


    Presley turned to leave, pausing after a few steps. How did she know his name? He didn''t dwell on it, attributing her knowledge to having seen him somewhere else as he was a man of science. Izabe had to wear protective gear to see Casey, and her time inside was strictly controlled.


    Holding Casey''s hand, Izabe tried to feel his warmth.


    "Are you ufortable?"


    "No." Casey reassured Izabe only after the doctors and nurses had confirmed she wouldn''t catch his disease. He held her hand tightly. "It''s like having a cold. Apart from feeling a bit weak, I''m not ufortable. If you don''t believe me, I''ll do a somersault on the bed for you."


    As he attempted to get up, the needle in his hand hindered his movement. He hadn''t been on his feet for a while, and as he tried to rise, his head spun, causing him to sit unsteadily on the bed''s edge. Izabe quickly moved to support him, but Casey, like a startled bird, instinctively avoided her touch.


    Izabe froze, feeling a chill run through her body.


    "If your disease isn''t cured, does that mean I can''t touch you?"


    Casey looked up, his usually bright eyes now clouded and dull.


    "Be, it''s for your own good."


    Izabe tried to steady her emotions, but her nose tingled ufortably. The moment she opened her mouth, her voice carried a sob. "What do you mean it''s for my own good? The doctors can touch you, why can''t I?"


    "Don''t cry, Be." He always found himself helpless when Izabe cried, and now he didn''t even dare to wipe her tears.


    Izabe turned her head away. "Do you still mean what you said the other day?"


    "Every word I''ve spoken to you is true. I would never lie to you."


    "Then you must get better. I''m waiting for you to marry me. Don''t go back on your word. I will wait for you." Waiting was nothing new to her. She didn''t fear the wait, no matter how long. What she feared was him not wanting her.


    Her visits were limited to twenty minutes before the medical staff urged her to leave for disinfection.


    The nurses would reassure her daily.


    "Don''t worry. He''ll be fine. Professor Felton from our hospital is very skilled. He''s the one who developed the drug for stomach cancer. This virus won''t be a problem for him. You must take care of yourself, eat and sleep on time, so when Mr. Dempsey wakes up, you don''t copse."


    These words offort had little effect. It was nothing more than a means to keep warm together.


    Izabe took their words to heart, yet she frequently forgot to eat on time and suffered from insomnia at night.


    Her phone was set with meal reminders, and mtonin had be her sleeping pill, from one tablet to two.


    While picking up her lunch, she ran into Liam who was also at the hospital entrance collecting his takeaway. Seeing Izabe, he was surprised.


    "Madam." He slipped up before realizing Izabe had already separated from Brett. His own mental state had been tense recently due to Brett always reminiscing about his past with Izabe.


    An insufficient rest had led to apse in his judgment, causing him to address Izabe as "Madam" out of habit.


    "I''m sorry, Ms. Salotti."


    Izabe shook her head.


    Being at the hospital, she was aware


    of Brett''s condition. After the bullet


    was removed, he had been


    unconscious for several days before recently waking up. The nurses mentioned that Brett had passed the


    critical period and was okay.

 Chapter 499

    Liam held onto the pizza box and just stood there, his gaze lingering on Izabe.


    Izabe couldn''t ignore him any longer. "What is it?"


    Liam hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Ms. Salotti, could you please go check on Mr. Windham? He''s awake now."


    When Brett had been unconscious, Izabe had peeked at him a few times from the doorway. But since he woke up, she had not visited him once.


    Liam had known Brett for a long time. Back when Brett didn''t love Izabe, he would often say that Izabe was stubborn. The more he forced her to do something, the more she would resist.


    Liam feared that his suggestion might make Izabe resentful.


    "Mr. Windham took a bullet for you, after all."


    Izabe''s brow furrowed, "Alright, I''ll go with you to see him."


    Liam couldn''t hide his joy, but he didn''t dare say anything more, fearing it might provoke Izabe to change her mind.


    Being sick made people sleep more. When Izabe arrived, Brett was resting with his eyes closed, his arm resting outside the nket.


    For his height, Brett should have looked tall and broad, but there he was, lying on the hospital bed, his hospital gown seeming overlyrge.


    Liam stopped at the door, leaving the room to Izabe.


    Izabe approached, looking at Brett''s chest. His gown was loose at the neckline, revealing a small patch of skin.


    There was arge burn scar that looked like a branding iron had been used, and through the scar, the initial ''B'' was faintly visible, covering his entire heart. Izabe should have held resentment against Brett, but with the passing of time and the sound of the gunshot, all grudges and resentments had vanished. But this was not forgiveness, it was merely a surrender to time. As Casey had said, if one holds onto hate, the heart gets tired.


    She and Brett were never on the same path, their destinies had diverged, and they each had to go their separate ways.


    Seeming to sense an extra presence in the room, Brett spoke without opening his eyes, "Liam, pass me the water."


    Izabe looked at the cup on the table; the water in it had gone cold. She refilled the cup with hot water, adjusting the temperature to a drinkable level. "Can you sit up?"


    Upon hearing the voice, Brett immediately opened his eyes. He had never imagined that one day Izabe would be standing in front of him, holding a cup of water for him. It felt like a dream. No, not even in his dreams had this happened. In his dreams, Izabe looked at him with resentment. He couldn''t even hold her once in his dreams.


    Izabe inserted a straw, gently supporting Brett''s head as she helped him drink.


    Brett opened his mouth in shock. It was only when he tasted the water that he realized this was not a dream.


    People who are ill often have a dry mouth. As he drank, he looked up at Izabe without blinking, gulping down the water until the cup was empty.


    "Do you want more?" Izabe asked.


    Brett shook his head. As Izabe turned to put the cup back, he quickly reached out and grabbed her sleeve. It was a reflex action, indicating his fear and confusion.


    Izabe put the cup down and looked at Brett with a detached expression, "What is it?"


    She pulled her hand away, and Brett''s grip was not strong enough to hold her back.


    "Why are you here?" People who lose


    their sense of security tend to cling to something. As soon as Izabe


    l.ne


    pulled away, his hand was left hanging in the air, empty. It felt as if


    a part of his heart had also been taken away.


    fet


    "Liam asked me toe see you. After all, you took a bullet for me, Izabe said as she moved a chair to sit down, her gaze scanning the medical equipment in the room.


    The nurse had said that Brett was out of danger and would recover in two to three months.


    But looking at all the medical equipment and the oxygen mask, it didn''t feel that way.


    "I see," Brett said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. He had thought that Izabe hade willingly, not because Liam had reminded her.


    Her visit was probably not voluntary, but more of an obligation, a matter of conscience.


    After all, he had saved Casey.


    "Why did you step in front of the bullet?" she asked.


    "I didn''t think much at the time," he replied, unwilling to admit that he was afraid that if anything happened to Casey, it would upset her. "Can you forgive me now?"


    Forgive? To be honest, it was more like letting go. The past was just that, the past. It was over.


    "What good would forgiving you do?"


    "Could you stay by my side?" Brett asked carefully, a faint light flickering in his eyes, like a candle fluttering in the wind.


    "Brett," Izabe began, her voice soft,


    "There''s too much between us. I


    ended my own life in the most


    painful way in my past life. I lost


    pair of hands, a pair of legs. You


    metCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    a


    can''t expect me to repeat that tragedy, can you?"

 Chapter 500

    "I hear Casey''s still in the observation room, infected with the virus and in istion. You can''t even touch him. Are you still nning on sticking by his side?" Brett''s eyes were bloodshot.


    Raised amongst the cold, aloof Windhams, he knew better than anyone how icy their hearts were. This cold-heartedness ran through their veins, passed down through generations. He had it, his aunt had it, and Casey, being her son, naturally had it.


    He didn''t believe Casey could give Izabe happiness, and he certainly didn''t believe that the Dempseys, if anything happened to Casey, would spare Izabe.


    The Dempseys weren''t exactly saints. How else could they have risen to such power?


    Izabe knew Brett all too well. They''d been entangled for years. With just a casual nce, she knew what was on his mind.


    Sure enough, once a bad boy, always a bad boy. Ridiculously, she had thought he hade to his senses and decided to let go of her.


    "Do you know who Casey is, Brett?" Izabe asked hoarsely.


    Brett pursed his pale lips, waiting for Izabe to continue.


    Izabe smiled faintly. Her eyes were as beautiful as ever, the ck of her pupils shining like sun-warmed ice, so warm and inviting.


    "Casey was the one who carried me home all those years ago. I mistook you for him and gave you my heart for four years. I forgot him, and when he returned as Ryker, I lost him again. I''ve stumbled and faller so many times, I died once and came back, and he''s still by my side, never leaving."


    Her eyes reddened at the mention of Casey, still lying in the observation room in critical condition.


    "You always say our meeting was fate, but to me, it was a debt, a cmity. If I could, I would never have wanted to meet you."


    She had suffered so much in her short life. It felt like she''d lived three lifetimes. But the one constant in those "three lifetimes" was him. That never changed.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Had she truly never wanted to meet him? Yes, their rtionship was a mistake from the start. It was him, not Casey, who had enjoyed her love. Even when he realized he was a substitute, he kept it from Izabe, deceiving her.


    Brett closed his eyes, remembering the Izabe consumed by the fire. "I don''t believe Casey can give you happiness."


    "Whether you believe it or not doesn''t matter to me."


    Brett choked, his Adam''s apple bobbing as he affirmed, "I will prove to you, Izabe, that you are mistaken again. Even if Casey survives, I can guarantee you that I am the one for you." "We''ve been through so much together, Izabe. The good, the bad, the love, the hate. No one knows you better than I do, loves you more than I do. For you, I would give up my life."


    Brett''s lungs struggled as he finished his speech, his chest aching. "Even if I took a bullet for you this time, Izabe, you would still hate me, wouldn''t you? You hate me for all the wrongs I''ve done, you''re right, we owe each other too much. A simple ''it''s over'' won''t suffice. You should continue hating me, hate me until you kill me."


    Compared to Izabe''s "let''s be strangers," he would rather she continue to hate him. At least then, he would still upy a ce in her heart, rather than being denied even a residual emotion.


    Whenever he thought of this, he would remember how good Izabe had been to him. A single frown from him would make her anxious, but now, even when he was on his deathbed, she wouldn''t spare him a word of concern.


    Listening to Brett''s words, Izabe''s face remained impassive.


    Because these words, she had reminded herself of them every day. After so many reminders, she had be numb.


    "I won''t kill you, Brett," Izabe shook her head. "When Niki died, I indeed had the intent to kill. But someone told me that killing would stain my hands. If you want to die, I won''t stop you, but please do it far away from me."


    The drawer at the bottom of the cab was slightly open, revealing a fruit knife. Izabe pushed the drawer closed.


    "Put away your arrogance, Brett.


    You''ve never been right for me. The decision of who I choose to be with is mine, not yours. You say you can prove that there won''t be a future between Casey and I. Well, I will use my own way to prove to everyone that our feelings for each other aren''t something that can be easily changed."


    They had seen and said enough. Izabe hadn''t intended to talk so much with Brett, but his words were too hard to hear, too presumptuous.


    People often suffer due to their presumptions.


    Remembering Brett''s illness, Izabe didn''t want to argue with him anymore. "This is probably thest time I''ll visit you. Your life is your own. You can choose to give it up, but please don''t drag others down with


    you."


    She left the hospital room and only when she turned the corner did she feel his gaze leave her.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Izabe nced at the screen. It was about the recentpany movie.


    Secretary Hansen informed her that "Ghost Snatchers" had been nominated for Best International Film. As the lead actress, she was required to attend the ceremony in two weeks.


    "I''ve received the news," Izabe replied before putting the phone down.


    The next day at noon, Presley visited the hospital and informed Izabe that the treatment n for Casey had been finalized.


    Casey had been infected with a virus that had flooded his blood with contagious pathogens. The only option was a blood transfusion, a procedure fraught with risk. He could die on the operating table.


    They were asked to consider whether they wanted to proceed with the surgery and, if so, toe to the hospital to sign the agreement.


    Half a monthter? Izabe carefully confirmed the date of the surgery. It was scheduled for the day before the "Ghost Snatchers" awards ceremony.


    Lately, Casey seemed to be constantly sleeping, with hardly any energy left to talk. Every bit of food he managed to consume would soon be thrown up. It hade to the point where he was reliant on nutrient infusions.


    Casey, who once had a


    well-proportioned body, now looked


    like a mere shadow of his former


    he


    self. His fawline was more pronounced due to the weight had lost, his eye sockets were sunken, and his lips bore a sickly purplish-blue color.


    At times he would experience hallucinations, unsure of where he was or who was talking to him. He would hear the words spoken to him, but was unable to form a coherent response, resorting to mumbling nonsensical sounds. He was bing slower, like an old, worn-out machine.


    Izabe, donning her protective suit, still visited him daily, even if it was just for half an hour.


    "Why are you here again?"


    Izabe stood beside Casey, aware of his aversion to being touched, hence she chose to keep her distance.


    "Dr. Felton said there''s hope for your condition. The surgical n has been confirmed, it''s set for the 20th. Don''t worry, it''s a minor procedure, you''ll be okay after a good night''s sleep," she reassured him.

 Chapter 501

    It was hard to tell if Casey heard her words, his face obscured by the oxygen mask. His breath was weak, silent for a long time before he finally managed to respond with a faint, "Hmm."


    Izabe smiled, "I have some good news. Our movie, ''Ghost Snatchers'', has been nominated for an international film award. In a few days, I''ll be attending the film festival to ept the award. How does that make you feel?"


    Casey''s lips, pale as water lilies, moved to form a word, "Like."


    His voice was so faint Izabe could barely hear it. She leaned in, "What did you say?"


    Casey took a deep breath before saying each word distinctly, "Like Cry Baby."


    When Izabe heard his words, she froze. Her heart ached, the sensation rippling through her nerves and throat. She was speechless for a long time.


    At this point, Casey was almost unconscious. The only thing he heard was Izabe''s question, "Do you like it?"


    Yes, he liked it.


    "Like Cry Baby."


    "Like the cotton candy at the carnival."


    "Like the wisteria tree at the orphanage."


    "Like Izabe."


    Tears uncontrobly streamed down Izabe''s face as she crouched down to hold Casey''s hand.


    "I also like you. I like the eight-year-old you who carried me home, the you who gave me cotton candy, the you who called me Cry Baby, and the you who turned into a little fool. I like you, whether you are Casey, or Ryker, or just Casey, I like you, you were never a burden to me."


    Casey had once said that she was the surprise that one could only encounter once in a lifetime, but wasn''t he her unexpected surprise too?


    Casey fell asleep again. When he was asleep, he wouldn''t have to suffer. When he was asleep, she could finally touch him.


    Izabe stroked Casey''s thin jawline, his pale lips, her voice choked with emotion, "You can sleep, but don''t sleep too long. If you sleep too long, you won''t be able to see me. Don''t you like me? If you like me, hold me tight. Don''t let go this time. You promised to carry me home, you can''t break your promise. I''m still waiting for you to marry me."


    Izabe looked at the heart monitor next to the bed and understood the data it disyed. Casey''s condition was deteriorating day by day.


    The 20th was fast approaching. The surgery was scheduled tost ten hours.


    The film award ceremony was on the 21st. It was in a different city.


    Secretary Hansen had called her several times to ask if she would attend. The film festival was a big deal, with live broadcasts on all the major screens.


    This was the first domestic film to be nominated abroad, and the chances of winning were almost a hundred percent. The question was how many awards they would win.


    The director had also arranged the itinerary and was waiting for Izabe''s confirmation.


    "Go ahead and book the flight for me, and prepare the dress."


    "Sure thing, Ms. Salotti."


    After hanging up the call, Presley began to prepare. The surgery agreement had been signed three days ago, and the Dempsey family had all arrived.


    Izabe made the call in front of them, and Wendy Dempsey, who was closest, heard everything clearly.


    "Izabe, are you leaving? My brother''s having surgery today." Wendy''s worry was evident in her eyes. Although she often argued with Casey, even going so far as to say "I don''t want you as my brother" during their fiercest fights, she still cared deeply for him. He was her brother, who would always have her back, protect her and fulfill her little wishes.


    "I can''t be with him until the very end of his surgery today. I''m going to leave to get the honour that belongs to both him and me."


    Wendy looked at Izabe in front of her, not understanding how she could be so calm, so indifferent to Casey''s fate.


    "Izabe, aren''t you afraid that my brother won''t make it? This might be yourst chance," She couldn''t finish her sentence.


    Izabe shook her head, her voice firm, "No, he promised me he won''t. I believe in him. Once I get the award, I''lle back to see him."


    Casey had survived two life-threatening events - a fall that resulted in a head injury and being shot in the chest by Nathaniel. He hade back to her each time.


    There was a saying, right? The right person will always find their way to you, no matter how many detours they take. She and Casey had been through life and death, regret, and all sorts of trials. Why should they fear this surgery?


    But what if he didn''t make it?


    "Ms. Salotti, we''re here."


    Izabe snapped open her eyes. She was dressed in a ck evening gown that resembled a wedding dress. She picked up her dress, her high heels clicking on the pavement.


    As soon as she stepped out of the


    car, she was greeted by a barrage of shbulbs. Izabe squinted, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the harsh light before straightening hepback and walking in.


    There were many reporters at the event, more than any previous film festival.


    Firstly,st year''s popr movie "Ghost Snatchers" had been nominated, and the two lead actors were the popr Izabe and Casey.


    Secondly, the news of Casey''s hospitalization had been leaked. The specifics were still unclear, but rumors were rife that he was on the brink of death.


    However, Casey had been absent from the public eye for quite some time, which had only fueled the reporters'' curiosity. Izabe''s arrival was like a beacon to them.


    She had anticipated this and had hired extra bodyguards. Apart from the noise in her ears, she didn''t feel any other difort.


    The international film festival was a grand affair. The big screens in the shopping malls were all broadcasting the event live, and it was also being aired on radio and television.


    Before leaving, Presley had told her that if Casey woke up within 48 hours after the surgery, he would be out of danger. Otherwise, he could end up in a vegetative state or suffer organ failure.


    Izabe had been on a ne for a


    day, followed by styling and makeup. It had been 40 hours since she left. She looked up at the sky. It was a beautiful sunny day. She wished Casey could see it too.


    Staring at the sun, Izabe felt a sting in her eyes. To her, Casey was her sun, warming her life.


    Her past life was like a housent, well-nourished and cared for, yetcking sunlight and freedom, eventually wilting away.


    She followed the crowd into the venue, lost in her thoughts. Many tried to approach her, but were repelled by her aloof demeanor.


    Soon, the host took the stage to announce the top awards.


    Best Picture Ghost Snatchers


    Best Director - Jerome, Randy, for Ghost Snatchers


    Best Screeny - Bell


    Best Actor Casey


    Best Actress - Izabe


    The film Ghost Snatchers had swept the board. Many had predicted such results, but it was still a shock when announced.


    Only three people were present to collect the five awards. Izabe, lifting her gown, approached the stage and faced the camera.


    Ghost Snatchers was the first domestic film to win all major international awards. The glory wasn''t just personal anymore, but had elevated to a national level. With these awards, Izabe had secured a formidable position and future in the international film industry.


    Because it was live, the announcement of these awards caused Twitter to crash, inundated with trending topics.


    Those who had once criticized Izabe and ridiculed Ghost Snatchers were silenced, watching the historical moment unfold on their screens.


    Such an event was unprecedented. Izabe rarely made public appearances, but when she did, it was breathtaking.


    Who could link the Izabe now, shining brilliantly, facing the limelight with bright, spirited eyes, to the Izabe who was once ndered by theizens?


    This was the most dazzling part of the film industry, the pinnacle for any actor. With these awards, Izabe could dominate the entertainment industry upon her return to her home country.


    Izabe was calm. Others who received the awards either cried with joy or trembled with excitement. But she, epting the trophy, began her eptance speech.


    A speech? Izabe hadn''t prepared one. She had heard that others had prepared speeches in advance, but she didn''t. One of these awards was enough for her.


    On her first day back, looking at her reflection, she made a vow. She would live well, for herself and for Bell. She would help Bell fulfil her wishes.


    Reflecting on her journey, looking at the familiar faces in the audience, it all felt like a fleeting memory.


    Standing here, could Casey hear her words?


    Izabe began, "I would like to thankN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Bell. Because of her, this film exists, and so do I. I thank the directors for bringing this film to life. I thank Casey for showing me the meaning


    of life. Thank you all for your


    I


    .ne


    support. I would like to take this opportunity to announce something. Starting today, I will be leaving the entertainment industry, stepping away from the film world. The way ahead is long; we may not meet again." After saying this, Izabe


    tightened her grip on the


    microphone, bowed deeply towards the audience, facing the countless cameras.

 Chapter 502

    Izabe stood on the stage, her hand clutching her award, the other holding a microphone. She bowed deeply to the crowd and the cameras, her head bowed for what seemed like forever. The room fell silent for nearly five seconds, then suddenly erupted into chaos.


    Izabe''s announcement had sent shockwaves through the industry, even those watching the live broadcast were in disbelief, turning to the inte to make sure they weren''t hallucinating.


    Izabe had just won the title of Best Actress at an international film festival. How could she possibly be retiring from the industry?


    She was a legend. Her first film had won her the Best Actress award, and her TV series ''Blood Ties'' had topped the ratings. Her glory days had just begun, so why was she suddenly announcing her retirement on such a tform?


    In the past, there were artists who had announced their retirement only to return a few yearster, but Izabe was different.


    In silence, she jumped from the peak and announced her retirement on such a grand stage. There was no turning back now.


    Just recently, the inte had recovered from a massive crash, only to be paralyzed again. Not just the inte, all digital tforms experienced ag.


    Izabe''s retirement was the top trending topic, followed by her winning the Best Actress award.


    The irony was striking.


    Fans and inte users were waiting for Izabe''s exnation, hoping she would look up and say, "It was all a joke." But when Izabe finally lifted her head, her dark eyes showed no sign of humor.


    From the very beginning, Izabe had no ns of staying in the entertainment industry forever. In less than a year, she had wiped clean all the "non-existent stains" from her reputation. Dressed in a ck evening gown, she stood on the stage feeling more pure than ever.


    Izabe handed the microphone to the stunned host beside her and walked off the stage without a backward nce. She left with an air of nonchnce, showing no signs of reluctance. Everyone watched her thin figure disappear, a seemingly delicate figure that might fall with a slight push. But all the years of online hate, insults, and nder had failed to break her. Of course, the hardest hit were Izabe''s fans. Those watching the live broadcast were already in tears.


    Many of these fans used to be haters, but they had turned around. They had once despised Izabe and watched her career from the sidelines.


    Now, watching the proud figure on the screen, they couldn''t help but wonder, if they had been a little kinder to Izabe back then, would she have chosen to give up at this moment? "Izabe, I''m sorry."


    Izabe had been on countless trending topics, with half of them being negative. But this was the first time an apology had made it to the trending list.


    Fans and inte users changed their profile pictures to a white background with the words: "May Izabe have a bright future."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Izabe had been in the industry for nearly five years. She had debuted with a tarnished reputation, and now she was leaving in all her glory.


    As the news spread, some expressed regret, some were confused, and some were just there for the drama, questioning Izabe.


    The world would never run out of critics and trolls.


    They began to specte. At such an important international film festival, why hadn''t Casey, Izabe''s co-star, shown up?


    Was the rumor true? Was Casey in a critical condition in the hospital because he had saved Izabe?


    As soon as Izabe left the stage, she was surrounded by bodyguards. Despite their efforts, they couldn''t keep away the swarming paparazzi.


    Izabe stood her ground, holding the award she and Casey had won together. She looked impassively at the faces around her, their mouths opening and closing with questions. "Izabe, can you tell us why you''re leaving the industry?"


    "Will you evere back? Don''t you think it''s a waste to leave just after winning the Best Actress award?"


    "Is the real reason you''re leaving because you feel guilty? Because you put Casey in the hospital."


    "Can you tell us about Casey''s condition? Is he not here because he''s in a critical state?"


    The cameras followed Izabe, almost shoving the lenses in her face. Those who had tuned into the live broadcast were taken aback by the pointed questions.


    They had heard that Izabe was retiring, but what did this have to do with Casey?


    Inte users quickly connected the dots. There had been rumors that Casey had been hospitalized and resuscitated multiple times.


    The official statement from Casey''s team had put an end to the rumors, but many had suspected something was off.


    Now, the thin veil covering the truth had been torn apart, revealing everything.


    Some imed to work at the hospital and said Casey had a contagious virus. He was being treated every day and was now unconscious.


    And why did he have the virus? Because he had tried to save Izabe when she was kidnapped, and the kidnappers had injected him with a deadly virus. All this was because of Izabe.


    Casey had a huge fan base, both male and female, and he had been in the industry longer than Izabe. He had more work to his name and no scandals. The only person he had been romantically linked to was Izabe, and he had happily admitted it.


    His fans couldn''t ept the fact that Casey was lying in a hospital, his life hanging by a thread. "How dare Izabe show her face here to ept an award?"


    "So it''s true. She''s leaving the industry out of guilt for what she''s done to Casey."


    "Izabe is the one to me for this. If it weren''t for her, Mr. Dempsey wouldn''t be in this state."


    "I heard Casey is fighting for his life in the hospital. If anything happens to him, I''ll never forgive Izabe!"


    Izabe wasn''t watching the live broadcast, but she could imagine thements on the inte. She turned her gaze to the media in front of her.


    The blinding camera shes were all


    focused on her. She hadn''t had a


    good night''s sleep in a long time and her dry eyes couldn''t adjust to the


    bright lights. A foggy veil seemed to cover her dark eyes.


    Izabe covered her eyes with a hand, and amidst the mor, heard a voice ask, "Did you kill Casey, Izabe?"


    They had used the same method to drive Bell to death. Now, they were trying to do the same to Izabe.


    You have to admit, these people are lucky, still blissfully ignorant of the fact that they''ve collectively taken a life.


    Izabe''s throat tightened, her grip on the trophy in her hand unsteady as she found herself awkwardly sandwiched in the middle.


    In her heart, she thought, if Casey hadn''t made it, she would have preferred to die here.


    A buzzing sound filled her ears, her bodyguard standing firmly beside Izabe to protect her from any harm. Yet, Izabe still felt suffocated, as if she was trapped in a shrinking sealed space, her breath hitching with the growing pressure.


    No one stepped forth to aid Izabe. After all, this was a muddy situation, a mess of their own making. Even if Izabe badn''t announced her retirement from the showbiz today, the burden of Casey''s mishap would have forced her to step down eventually. This was the perfect example.


    Whispers floated around the audience, [Why hasn''t Mr. Dempsey shown up yet? Is Izabe going to announce her retirement from the industry here? Could it be Casey is already dead?] "Who the hell said I was dead?"

 Chapter 503

    The ce was buzzing with energy, all eyes focused on Izabe, paying no mind to the helicopternding outside.


    The live feed from the international film festival was disyed on a tablet inside the helicopter. The screen shook as Izabe was jostled around in the crowd, her frail body surrounded by people as if she was about to drown in a sea of bodies.


    She was already pale, and with recentck of sleep and overexertion, her face was sickly and greenish. The constant shing of cameras made her look even more ghostly. One could even see the veins on her neck.


    In just a month, Izabe had lost a drastic amount of weight, as if she would crumble and disappear in the crowded ce.


    A reporter''s sharp question echoed in the live feed.


    "Izabe, did you kill Casey?"


    "I''d love to know who''s spreading rumors about my death!" Casey''s voice boomed from a distance. Everyone was taken aback.


    Everyone instinctively turned to the source of the sound, and there he was. Casey, who was supposedly on his deathbed, stood at the entrance, backlit, slowly making his way in.


    He walked slowly, his trembling legs barely noticeable. He was nked by his bodyguards, eight giant men who all looked like they meant business.


    The entire Dempsey family was there, with Bunny subtly supporting Casey.


    Everyone knew how weak Casey was. The fact that he had mustered the strength toe here was all for Izabe.


    Years ago, when Casey was shot, the first thing he did when he woke up was to look for his beloved Cry Baby, but his family had forcibly made him forget her. This time, however, Bunny and Beck didn''t try to stop him.


    Casey''s slow but determined walk pierced through the noise and chatter. His gaze was locked onto Izabe. His affection for her was a rarity in this world.


    His arrival was just what she had been waiting for.


    "My God, isn''t that Mr. Dempsey? I thought he was on his deathbed in a hospital!"


    "Who said Casey was dying? Who said Izabe hurt Casey?"


    His appearance shattered all the rumors and gossips, and he embraced Izabe protectively.


    Casey had kept his promises. He said he''d always be behind her, that she could always find him if she looked back. He said he''d always be there to protect her when the sky fell. He said he''d solve all her problems.


    The wind blew in, bringing a wave of warmth. She lifted her hand to wipe her face and realized she was crying.


    She hadn''t cried when Presley told her about the high risk of Casey''s surgery. She didn''t cry when Wendy told her Casey might not make it through the surgery. She didn''t cry when she announced her retirement from the entertainment industry, thinking about Casey hanging on by a thread in the operating room. She didn''t cry when people used her of killing Casey. Yet, the noise had overwhelmed her, and she found herself shedding tears. The image of Casey walking towards her began to blur.


    Izabe pushed her way through the crowd, her ck dress trailing behind her as she ran towards Casey.


    With open arms, Casey caught Izabe in a strong embrace.


    "Are you scared?" he asked.


    Burying her face in his chest, she nodded and whispered, "Yes."


    It was the first time Casey had heard Izabe admit her fear. His heart ached. The noisy world around them seemed to quiet down.


    "Don''t be scared. I''ll take you home, our home."


    Despite the sunny day, it was only around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Casey took off his jacket and draped it around Izabe, holding her hand tightly, unwilling to let go.


    The reporters finally snapped out of their daze. Some brave ones tried to approach them for questions, but Casey''s intense gaze made them back off.


    "Those who ndered me and my fianc¨¦e, expect a subpoena from court."


    A hush fell over the crowd. This unexpected revtion was, in some ways, not surprising at all.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Casey had a stern look. He wasn''t easy to deal with, just as Brett had said. The Dempsey family was not to be trifled with. If Casey wasn''t capable, he wouldn''t have been able to make it in the entertainment industry.


    However, he had reserved all his warmth and kindness for Izabe, as if it was his second nature.


    By the time everyone processed what had happened, Casey and Izabe had already left.


    In the ensuing confusion, a voice rang out.


    "Did Mr. Dempsey just say Izabe is his fianc¨¦e?"


    "The people standing next to Mr. Dempsey, if I''m not mistaken, were the Chairman of Dempsey Group and his wife. Is Casey their son? The heir to the Dempsey family fortune?"


    It dawned on them that some people did forsake their billion-dor inheritance to pursue their passion in the entertainment industry.


    That''s how Casey''s long-kept secret was revealed.


    When they reached the helicopter, Casey''s strength finally gave away. He had been gritting his teeth and pushing through, but now he could barely stand. His legs were as weak as noodles, and his forehead was slick with cold sweat, smudging the makeup he had used to hide his ailing condition.


    As Casey slumped, Izabe quickly caught him.


    "Just a while ago, he was the one supporting me." Izabe thought as she held Casey, who had copsed into her arms like a boneless snake.


    "Casey." Izabe''s hands trembled. She wanted to hold him tighter, but her hands were weak. She didn''t even know how to apply force. All she could do was hold him and cry. Uponnding, a doctor was waiting on the tarmac. The moment he saw Casey panting heavily, he rushed over and quickly administered a shot in his right arm.


    About ten minutes after the injection, Casey finally had enough strength to flutter his trembling eyshes open. Izabe''s figure was blurred in his cloudy eyes.


    He reached out and grabbed Izabe''s hand, tracing his fingers up her arm to her neck and chin, which were damp. "Why are you crying again?"


    Casey croaked, taking deep breaths, trying to steady his voice, scared that his shaky breath would frighten Izabe.


    "Do you rememberst Christmas''s


    n¨¦t


    Eve, the wish we made together. I promised you that I would be with you every year, so don''t cry. I''m afraid won''t have the strength to wipe your tears." Casey finished, his voice hoarse and choked with emotion.


    Izabe grabbed his cold hands with both of hers, rubbing her face against his palm. "Yes, you made me a promise, you can''t break it, Casey. You owe me a wedding, a wedding dress, and a ring, so you can''t leave me, understand?"


    Struggling to keep his eyes open, Casey burnt Izabe''s image deep into his soul. After a moment, he nodded.

 Chapter 504

    As soon as Casey was admitted to the hospital, he was whisked away into the ICU.


    Izabe was left outside, her gaze lingered on the closed doors, her voice hoarse with pain. "How could he have been in the city?"


    She remembered what Presley had told her: Casey''s surgery would take ten hours, and if he could wake up within 48 hours, he would be out of danger.


    But she had only left the city 50 hours ago. Deducting the travel time, it had been less than 25 hours since Casey''s surgery until he woke up?


    Casey was weak before the surgery and couldn''t even get up. Izabe couldn''t fathom how he could''ve dragged his feeble body onto a helicopter toe and find her.


    Izabe squatted down, burying her face in her hands. Her palms were hot and feverish, and she was wearing Casey''s jacket. It had kept her warm before, but now, no matter how tightly she wrapped it around herself, she couldn''t escape the cold.


    Wendy squatted down next to her, gently hugging Izabe. "Casey went to the city to find you. Dr. Felton''s estimate of a ten-hour surgery was a conservative one. It only took seven hours. We never expected Casey to wake up so quickly, but in retrospect, it makes sense."


    Wendy''s tears started to fall. She wiped her eyes, her voice choked with emotion. "When Casey was unconscious, Dr. Felton told us to keep talking to him, to keep him aware of our presence. It was thought that if he lost consciousnesspletely, he could beatose or even die. We spoke to him for hours, but he didn''t respond until we yed your voice. That''s when he woke up. He insisted on finding you when he woke up. We couldn''t stop him, and our parents didn''t want to hinder him anymore, so they arranged for a helicopter." Wendy knew these words would only make Izabe more heartbroken, but she didn''t want to hide the truth from her.


    Izabe''s heart clenched painfully at Wendy''s words. Casey was a man who would risk his life to protect her.


    She stood up, her gaze locked onto the ICU''s closed door. She could only imagine Casey, stumbling and staggering towards her, calling her name.


    Everyone thought he would copse from the pain, but he persisted until he reached her, keeping his suffering hidden from everyone.


    "Izabe, Casey loves you so much. He won''t leave you. He pulled through once, he can do it again. You have to believe in him."


    Izabe''s eyes were red and puffy, her makeup smudged and her face pale. She forced a smile, her voice a whisper. "I''ve always believed in him. He always keeps his word, doesn''t he?"


    Despite it not being winter yet, her hands were freezing. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t warm them. She put them in her pockets and felt something. Pulling it out, she found a piece of peppermint candy.


    Casey knew she liked sweets and disliked the bitter, so he always carried candy with him. Whenever she was upset, he would give her candy, a habit since childhood.


    At his house, candies could be found everywhere.


    "Cry Baby, here''s some candy. Don''t cry anymore."


    Izabe unwrapped the candy with trembling hands, popping it into her mouth. Just like in the past, once the sweet coating dissolved, only the sour taste of peppermint remained. But she had never forgotten that taste, cherished it for over a decade, even though peppermint made her allergic.


    Once she had the candy, she wouldn''t cry anymore. The candy was supposed to be sweet.


    Liar, this candy wasn''t sweet at all. It''s sour and bitter, the bitterness reaching her heart. Casey, this candy wasn''t good at all. Can you buy me another one?


    She was still just as easy to console, a sweet piece of candy enough to stop her tears.


    God... Izabe had never asked for anything in her life, but could you not take Casey away? He was all she wanted, all she had, all she had left.


    Izabe leaned against the cold wall, waiting outside the ICU. After three grueling hours, her feet numb from standing, the doors to the ICU finally opened.


    Presley emerged from the room, not


    noticing Izabe at first. He only


    realized she was there when he


    turned around to talk to the Dempsey family and saw her


    standing alone.


    She was just standing there, clutching the candy wrapper, her eyes red and swollen, looking like a frightened child. She was so seared and unsure, not even knowing where to put her hands.


    Presley looked at her, and for some reason, he was reminded of "Izabe". It had been six years since her death, and the memory of her had slowly faded over time.


    But now, every detail of her life came rushing back, as clear as if she was standing right in front of him.


    Presley swallowed, bitterness filling his mouth, and motioned for Izabe toe over.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe hoisted herself up, her stiff legs carrying her forward, her whole body moving like a marite led by unseen strings.


    "Doctor, how is my brother?" Wendy asked urgently, several pairs of anxious, red-rimmed eyes fixed on him.


    Dr. Felton removed his surgical


    mask, revealing aforting smile. "Don''t worry. His will to live is strong and he''s out of immediate danger No virus was detected in his system, but


    We will need to observe him for


    another couple of weeks just to be


    sure."


    Bunny let out a sigh of relief first, her tense muscles loosening as her body went limp. Beck, quick to act, caught her before she could fall. "You alright?"


    Bunny shook her head.


    "You all should rest for now. We wouldn''t want him to wake up to find you guys copsing instead."


    Beck asked, "Thank you, Dr. Felton. Can we go in to see him?"


    "Absolutely."

 Chapter 505

    Upon hearing that Casey was out of danger, Beck breathed a sigh of relief and turned his full attention to his wife. He held her close, gently patting her shoulder and stroking her hair, whispering in soothing tones, "It''s okay now, there''s no need to be afraid."


    Bunny responded with a quiet hum and was led to the ICU.


    Izabe watched the Dempseys retreating figures, her forward momentum halting abruptly. Presley eyed her stillness and nonchntly asked, "Aren''t you going in to see him?"


    Instead of responding, Izabe turned to meet his gaze and uttered, "Presley, thank you."


    Presley paused for a moment, a wry smile crossing his face. "You remind me so much of a friend of mine. Same name, same face. But she wasn''t as lucky as you. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer at your age. Daily medications, an abusive husband, and finally killed in a fire. I never got to see her onest time."


    The memory was old, but the pain was still fresh. Tears threatened to spill from Presley''s eyes, already red from fatigue, making his face look even paler.


    Izabe moistened her lips, holding back her thoughts. To her, the past was dead and buried; to Presley, his Izabe had found her peace in the mes. Now, they both had new lives.


    "Izabe," Presley called out, his eyes burning with unshed tears. He was looking at her retreating figure and couldn''t help but feel a pang of pain - she looked so much like his friend. His voice was choked with emotion as he blurted out, "Izabe, would you like toe home?"


    Deep down, he already knew the answer.


    Izabe''s lips trembled, her breath hitching. She remembered, years ago, Mr. Felton standing behind her, asking the same question - "Izabe, would you like toe home?" But at that time, she had no home to return to.


    Turning to look at Presley, her eyes sparkled with regained vitality. Her voice, hoarse from crying, was thick with emotions as she gently shook her head, "I''ve found a new home. I won''t be going back." Without daring to look at Presley''s expression, she turned and slowly made her way to the ICU.


    Inside, Caseyy still and quiet, his skin so pale that the veins beneath stood out starkly. The harsh light of the ICU room made everything in it look incredibly clear, even the faint bluish hue of his dry, cracked lips.


    Izabe had never seen him so vulnerable, so close to death''s door. Perhaps Casey had already stepped through it, but his love for her had pulled him back.


    Bunny watched her son with a pained expression, turning to Izabe, she said, "Izabe, you haven''t rested in days. You should get some sleep. We''ll hire a nurse to look after Casey."


    But Izabe shook her head, "I''m not tired." It wasn''t that she didn''t want to rest, but that she couldn''t - her nerves were too on edge.


    "Mrs. Bunny, you and Uncle should go rest. I''ll watch over him here."


    Wendy chimed in, "I haven''t showered in days, now that Casey''s okay, I''ll go home and freshen up. Izabe, please call us if anything happens. We''ll be back tomorrow."


    With a nod, Izabe stood at the door of the ICU, watching them until they disappeared into the elevator. She then turned back to Casey, moistening his lips with a cotton swab soaked in water. "You''re so silly," she murmured, "I was going toe back to you after epting our award. Why did you have to go looking for me? You big dummy."


    Izabe recalled the time when Nathaniel shot Casey in the chest. He had fallen then, just as he was now, lifeless and pale.


    Casey was her moonlight, her lifelong yearning. During those long years, there were times she almost gave up, but the memory of him carrying her home pulled her through.


    During the times when she was scolded by her father and brother, she would recall.


    When her grandfather died and the burden of the Salotti family fell on her shoulders, she would recall.


    When she was scrutinized by the shareholders and the rival families, she would recall.


    Whenever Brett treated her with indifference or pped her out of domestic violence, she would retreat into her past memories.


    It was not until she was diagnosed


    with stomach cancer andcked the strength to reminisce, she wondered if the boy who had carried her home and shared his candy apple with her when she was seven or eight years old was just a figment of her imagination?


    He had clearly promised that he woulde to find her when they grew up, so why didn''t he recognize her when they met again?


    She had brought up these memories to Brett when she had mistaken him for the boy from her past. Brett had called her delirious and used her of having a delusional disorder. Alone in the quiet hospital room, where the only sound was the drip of the IV, her mind would inevitably drift back to her past.


    She would remember years of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain.


    By the time she realized that marrying Brett was a mistake, it was toote. Casey had fallen to the ground, blood staining his chest. He didn''t have time to say much to her.


    All he managed to say was, "Cry Baby, I can''t carry you home this time." Even in the face of death, his first thought was to carry Izabe home.


    She wondered why Brett had hypnotized and brainwashed her. If she remembered everything, she would have chosen to die with Casey.


    Brett knew this, so he erased "Ryker" from her memory.


    In another hospital room, the television was connected to the inte, repeatedly ying a live broadcast of Izabe from seven hours ago.


    In the broadcast, Izabe was


    standing on stage, announcing her


    retirement from the entertainment


    industry. She was proving, in her


    own way, that no one could obstruct her feelings for Casey.


    e the


    harsh questions from the press and


    online users, ming her for Casey''s fate, she showed no signs of


    weakness or retreat.


    Brett had onceplimented Izabe''s eyes, but at some point, they had lost their sparkle. Now, despite her fatigue, her eyes were shining with hope - a hope not ignited by Brett, but by another man. When Casey appeared, she lifted her dress and ran through the crowd, throwing herself into his arms without hesitation.


    Brett couldn''t express the depth of


    his pain. All he knew was that he was hurting, a kind of invisible pain that felt like needles piercing his entire e body. He wanted to pull them out, but he couldn''t even see where they had entered. He was powerless and in agony.


    He understood that a cup of hot water did not suddenly turn cold.


    Seeing the two of them embrace on the screen, Casey''s public promation of Izabe as his "fianc¨¦e" shattered all of Brett''s emotional defenses.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    He had lost before he had a chance to prove himself, but he couldn''t ept it, he really couldn''t.


    He felt as though he had lost Izabe a thousand times over before he even had the chance to truly have her. Whether he loved her or let her go, his heart was filled with regret.

 Chapter 506

    Brett hadn''t yet had the chance to prove himself in his own way. Was he supposed to just throw in the towel now?


    He couldn''t bear it, he truly couldn''t bear it.


    His love for Izabe was so great, he found it hard to entrust her to anyone else.


    Brett was not one to easily let his guard down. He wouldn''t even let anyone near his back, let alone the love of his life.


    Throughout his life, the only person who had stayed with him for the longest time was Liam. He hadn''t managed to hold on to anyone else he wanted to keep in his life.


    His parents died before his eyes, and Izabe had left him as well.


    At times, Brett felt like a fish that had been reeled ashore, being toyed with by fate. The hook was lodged in its gills, and no matter how far it swam after being thrown back into the water, it always ended up back where it started.


    Brett touched the burn on the left side of his chest that had been there for four or five years. The pain hadn''t faded in the slightest. Although the wound had healed, it suddenly began to hurt again, as if a knife was piercing his heart.


    Other than when he was ill, all the burning pain he felt was not real.


    Brett knew this wasn''t the life he wanted, but it was the one he had chosen.


    When a person reached a certain level of loneliness, they had nothing to say. They can''t even share their sadness with others. In the end, even their shadow will leave them, let alone the person they yearned for.


    Brett didn''t want to ept his fate, but he had no choice. Everything seemed meaningless in the face of death.


    He wanted to do onest thing. Let''s make a bet. If he won, he would consider it hisst good deed for Izabe. If he lost, he would let go,pletely let go.


    It wasn''t that he didn''t trust Casey. Casey had saved his life once. But he didn''t trust the Dempsey family, and he didn''t believe that Casey could resist when push came to shove.


    Brett slightly propped up his body and grabbed the phone on the cab, dialing a number.


    "Do as I told you before. I want to see the results within three months."


    Izabe had been by Casey''s side all along, only rxing momentarily when the IV bag was empty for the day.


    With her hand clutching Casey''s, she closed her eyes and rested her head on the bed. The nurse, seeing her lying there, worried that her neck and waist would hurt, so she woke her up.


    "Ms. Salotti, why don''t you lie down for a bit? You don''t have to keep an eye on him all the time. I''m afraid your body won''t be able to take it."


    The hospital provided temporary beds and nkets for those tending to patients. Izabe hadn''t taken any, because she had no intention of lying down and sleeping deeply. Izabe shook her head, her voice hoarse. "I''m fine. I''ll just take a short nap."


    She had been through worse when she was under a lot of stress at work. She had even survived being burned alive. Compared to that, this was nothing.


    Seeing that she couldn''t be persuaded, the nurse decided to drop it. But fearing that Izabe might catch a cold, she brought her a nket.


    "Cover yourself with this. Don''t catch a cold."


    Izabe stood up to thank her, taking the nket from the nurse''s hands.


    She didn''t use the nket, though. The hospital was air-conditioned and it wasn''t cold. Besides, she was wearing Casey''s jacket.


    Resting her head against the back of the chair, Izabe eventuallyid her head on the edge of the bed, her hand serving as a pillow.


    She had barely closed her eyes when she felt a gentle touch on her head. Half-asleep, she opened her eyes to find Casey''s hand caressing her head, soothing her inner turmoil.


    Izabe lifted her head to meet Casey''s soft gaze. His eyes, previously dull and gray, were now clear, revealing a myriad of stars within.


    Seeing Casey wake up, Izabe didn''t react as excitedly as she had imagined. She was calm, so calm that she could feel her own heartbeat.


    When Casey was rushed into surgery, she had made herself ready for whatever mighte. She had decided that if Casey woke up, she would be there. If he didn''t, she would join him in sleep.


    That Casey was able to wake up was not outside her expectations. Not only had Presley reassured her, but she also believed in her heart that Casey wouldn''t want to leave her alone. "Are you thirsty?" Izabe asked.


    Casey opened his mouth, his throat so dry he couldn''t speak. He could only nod slightly.


    Izabe quickly got up and fetched a ss of water. After testing its temperature to make sure it wasn''t too hot, she carefully spooned it into Casey''s mouth, watching his Adam''s apple bob up and down as he slowly swallowed.


    Izabe fed him slowly, careful not to make him choke.


    Casey finished the entire ss of water, leaving it empty.


    "Are you still thirsty?"


    Casey shook his head, looking at the red veins in her eyes. He struggled to speak, "Why didn''t you go to bed? Is your neck hurting? Are your feet cold?"


    "Izabe replied, "I''m not hurting, and I''m not cold. But you can''t risk your life like this again."


    "What did I do?"


    "Like this time, for example. You had just woken up from surgery and you ran all that way to find me."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "I had to. What if you were being bullied while I was gone?" Casey smiled. He had missed out on so much of Izabe''s life. When he was still naive, he knew Brett was treating Izabe poorly but couldn''t do anything about it.


    Izabe had been bullied in the


    corners he couldn''t see. She was called a waste by her father, tricked into going to a casino by her brother and sold off, beaten by people,


    humiliated by strangers. She


    had


    suffered from depression, lost two children, been tormented by Nathaniel, and ended up dying in a fire after losing both her legs.


    The woman he had been guarding in


    his heart for so many years had


    been bullied time and time again.


    Thinking about it hurt him deeply. He couldn''t even imagine how the Izabe of his past life had managed to survive until she was 27


    So in this life, when he found her, he vowed never to let anyone bully her again.


    So when he found out that Izabe was facing the media alone, he fought through the pain to get up, calling her name over and over. No matter how far away she was, he had to find her and stand by her side. Perhaps love is like a canker sore in your mouth. You know it will hurt, but you can''t help but poke it with your tongue. Life is sweet, but it can also be salty.


    Casey didn''t say all of this out loud, but Izabe understood. She took his hand and gently squeezed it. "We agreed that we would get married as soon as you recovered and were discharged from the hospitab We can''t postpone it anymore.


    "Do you regret leaving the entertainment industry?" Casey asked.


    "Not at all. I wanted to leave long ago. I''m not suited for the entertainment industry. Fulfilling Bell''sst wish is enough."


    Repay those who had hurt Bell, clear her name, and let her be known to all across the country.


    Bell had no idea what was going on online, but from her experience, it must be a chaotic mess.


    On the 21st, Bell''s movie swept all the awards, and she won the Best Actress. But the first thing she announced after receiving the award on stage was her retirement from the entertainment industry.


    The industry was in uproar. Soon, the news of Casey''s hospitalization leaked out. Then Casey appeared, dispelling the rumors, and announced that Bell was his fianc¨¦e.


    Almost two years of scandal, now officially confirmed by the parties involved. In one day, with so many twists and turns, the intrigued spectators practically moved into the melon field, with no second-hand gossip.


    Retribution was due for those who had wronged Izabe, her reputation needed cleansing and her name was to be known far and wide across the world.


    Izabe was oblivious to the happenings on the inte, but given her past experiences, she was certain it was a tumultuous mess.

 Chapter 507

    In theory, once Casey announced Izabe as his fiancee, one would expect a shower of blessings and support.


    Izabe was stunning, a brilliant actress, and even clinched a major award that crowned her as the queen of Hollywood. Though she had retired from the limelight, her aplishments were impressive. Ultimately, it was the revtion of Casey''s background that stirred the pot--a billionaire, backed by the Dempsey Group, with a trophy cab that dwarfed Izabe''s.


    Many fans turned their backs, but their spite was directed at Izabe.


    They believed Izabe''s retirement was a mere ploy totch onto the Dempsey family''s fortune. Why work hard when she''s married into wealth? This sparked a wave of envy and resentment. People are subjective, each carrying their own scales of justice.


    To Casey''s fans, Izabe was nothing more than a pretty face with some acting prowess. Many enjoyed their on-screen chemistry in the past.


    But now, with Izabe stepping down from the industry, she was left with nothing. Was she going to be a mere housewife? What good was beauty alone?


    Society often held unrealistic expectations of women. They want a woman who can manage a home, yet scorn her for not contributing financially. If she pursued a career, she was used of neglecting her family.


    Inte users began a heated debate over this. Izabe''s decision to retire from Hollywood didn''t sit well with many, and their dissatisfaction soon turned into iprehension. Why would Izabe abandon he career to marry?


    Even if she married, it wouldn''t prevent her from pursuing a career. Did she really n to live off her husband''s wealth?


    Many didn''t understand Izabe, but she didn''t need their understanding. She wanted to live her life her way, not for others.


    Retiring from Hollywood didn''t mean abandoning her career. Izabe held another role - as chairwoman of the Maple Group, a secret yet to be exposed.


    The TV series Izabe had invested in started production.


    Casey was temporarily on hiatus from "Interster" due to health issues. Once he recovered, he would return to work.


    After a month in the hospital and continuous blood tests, Casey was finally discharged when it was confirmed he was virus-free.


    Casey''s recovery wouldn''t have been possible without Presley. If he hadn''t discovered and researched the virus abroad, Casey might not have survived.


    The Dempsey family decided to celebrate. With Casey''s background now public knowledge, there was no need to hide. Beck decided to host a grand banquet to lift their spirits, and, if possible, formalize the young couple''s engagement.


    Nathaniel couldn''t escape justice. His evidence of murdering Kristin Lasley was presented to the court, along with his charges of kidnapping Izabe, possession of firearms, carrying a virus, and intentional harm. The court sentence? Death penalty.


    Upon hearing this news, Izabe returned to the small house that Bell had bought. She looked around at the walls, each piece of decor, every floorboard - each filled with memories of Bell. Izabe knelt by the wardrobe and opened the drawer which contained Bell''s past.


    It was filled with stories Bell had written after leaving Nathaniel. Bell preferred writing stories over keeping a diary. Every story contained elements of Nathaniel.


    The diligent worker was him, the man who didn''t understand love was him, the control freak was him, the man who threatened but never acted was him, and the liar was him.


    Bell''s unrequited love was vividly portrayed in these stories.


    Bell, who suffered from severe depression, found it difficult toplete a book.


    "Ghost Snatchers" was her final work. A quote from it reads,


    "Evil spirits hurry past, harming no one, while the living walk slowly, scheming all the while."


    On a rainy night, ghosts roamed.


    Humans fear ghosts to some extent, but ghosts fear humans even more; humans fear the horror of ghosts, and ghosts fear the malice of humans.


    Izabe gathered the manuscripts from the drawer and brought along the diagnosis of Bell''s depression.


    Casey apanied her on the journey, noticing Izabe''s gloomy mood.


    Upon arrival at the prison, the guards checked her belongings for any hazardous items. Confirming that they were just manuscripts filled with words, they handed them back to Izabe. "If you wish to visit, you''ll need to fill out some paperwork," a guard informed.


    Izabe nodded. Only one person was allowed in at a time, and she had intended to go in alone. There were things she needed to say to Nathaniel privately. "I''ll go in now," Izabe said.


    "I''ll wait for you out here," Casey replied.


    "Okay." Izabe nodded and followed the guard into the visiting room.


    Nathaniel was to be executed in two weeks. In all this time, only Izabe had visited him. It was both pitiful andughable.


    Izabe sat for a moment before


    Nathaniel was ushered in by a


    guard. He was dressed in a prison uniform, his hair buzzed short. From


    where Izabe sat, she could see the stubble on his gaunt jawline.


    His freshly shaven head made his face appear even more haggard, the dark circles under his eyes more pronounced. His eyes were gloomy and lifeless. Upon seeing Izabe, a spark of light briefly danced in Nathaniel''s eyes, but it faded as quickly as a gust of wind extinguishing a candle.


    The person he had longed for never came.


    Nathaniel''s cuffed hands clinked with each step he took. Izabe sat upright, watching him seriously.


    Nathaniel was as downtrodden as one could be, like a dog that everyone wanted to kick. "Surprised to see me?"


    "No surprise there." Nathaniel perched by the window, his voice slightly raspy. "I knew you''de."


    Locked away in a sunless prison for so long, Nathaniel was unaware of the world outside.


    The lethal virus had been injected into Casey. Casey should be dead, Nathaniel presumed. But there was no satisfaction in revenge, not when he himself was on the brink of death. Once he was gone, he could be with Be. The world outside mattered little to him. He''d done his part - he''d kept Be safe.


    He watched Izabe''s tranquil face, oddly void of any grief. It was as though nothing had happened. In fact, she looked better than before. A bad feeling began to bubble up in Nathaniel. Momentster, he saw a faint smile creep onto Izabe''s lips. Her voice was cool and detached. "Since you''re not surprised to see me, I''ll tell you something that will shock you. Casey isn''t dead. The virus you had injected into him has vanished." "What? How can that be?" Nathaniel jumped to his feet, only to be shoved back down by the prison guard next to him, a stern warning to remain seated.


    "Calm yourself," Izabe''s voice echoed. "If you don''t believe me, ask your guard. He apanied me here today. Not only is Casey alive, but we''re also getting married."


    Nathaniel was taken aback, but quickly regained hisposure. Izabe was not one to lie, and she had no reason to make up such a story just to rile him up. The look on her face told him it was true.


    "Marriage." The concept had been on


    his mind quite a lot during his days


    in prison. Nathaniel came from a less than fortunate family. His


    mother had been the


    man whom she pined for even in death.


    a


    Influenced by his mother, Nathaniel had always scoffed at the idea of love. He never thought he would fall for someone.


    Izabe and Be were unexpected elements in his life.


    Both Nathaniel and Brett were arrogant and reckless, believing they would never regret their actions.


    Regret was a sign of weakness.


    The Nathaniel of five years ago would have never imagined he would be this weak, longing for someone he once discarded like an old shoe.


    Someone he yearned for but could not have.


    Someone whose mere thought filled him with regret.


    Someone who was standing right in front of him, but he just couldn''t see.


    Had he known things would turn out this way, he would have treated Be better, much better.


    Be was easy to please. A few kind words, a little respect, and she would willingly do anything for him.


    Had he treated her better back then, would he be married to Be now?Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Would there even be room for Izabe in his life?


    Was revenge on Brett really that important?

 Chapter 508

    "Is this why you came to see me today?" Within a span of few seconds, Nathaniel had regained hisposure. His previous irritation was reced with a cold, unfeeling gaze that resembled a grave lost in the darkness of the night.


    Izabe didn''t say much else. She passed a file through the visiting room window, "These are things Bell left behind."


    At the mention of Bell, Nathaniel quickly grabbed the file, his grip tightening with each passing second.


    Visitation hours were short, leaving Izabe with little time for reminiscing. Besides, there was nothing much to reminisce about with Nathaniel, a man she considered scum, who deserved his fate.


    "Don''t cry while going through these. I wouldn''t want Bell''s belongings tainted by your tears. However," Izabe paused, smirking before continuing, "you can cry louder on the day of your execution, as loud as you can, so Bell can hear you from the grave!"


    Nathaniel''s cries needed to be loud enough to reach Bell, who has been dead for too long to hear. Wail until his throat was sore, cry out all his repentance, regrets, and self-me.


    Izabe stood up, dusting off non-existent dirt from her dress. As she was leaving, she noticed something odd about Nathaniel''s leg. Was it healed?


    She didn''t ponder on it further. Regardless of its condition, he couldn''t escape his impending execution two weeks from now.


    Before she left, Izabe nonchntlymented, "It''s a sunny day outside."


    Locked up in prison, Nathaniel hadn''t taken a step outside. He couldn''t see the sky, let alone feel the warmth of the sun. Even the fiercest sunlight couldn''t warm his cold-hearted soul. "I''m leaving," Izabe announced.


    Trembling, Nathaniel got up from his chair. Each step he took echoed in the silence; the sound wasn''t from his handcuffs if you listened carefully.


    Returning to his cell, a single room with only a bed and a chair, Nathaniel sat down and opened the file. The first document he saw was Bell''s medical report.


    -Severe depression, suicidal tendencies, immediate hospitalization required.


    So Bell really did have depression, severe depression. Izabe hadn''t lied to mock him.


    He knew all about this illness. His mother had suffered from it, ultimately taking her own life by shing her wrists in a cold bathtub.


    His mother endured for five years before sumbing to her illness. Bell didn''t evenst two years.


    ording to Izabe, Bell died from a drug overdose in a room filled with gas.


    No one likes pain, and Bell was no exception. Even a harsh word from him would send her trembling with fear.


    How could someone so frail and tender swallow so many sleeping pills, turn on the gas, and calmlyy on her bed, waiting for death? Nathaniel, with a hollow, weary look in his eyes, took out the papers from the file. The handwriting was unmistakably Bell''s, neat and beautiful. In Bell''s handwritten tales, there was a Mr. Krueger.


    Nathaniel read through each word, each sentence, feeling as if his soul was sinking deeper and deeper into a quagmire with each passing line.


    -Today is the ninth day since I left Mr. Krueger. He taught me how to live, and how it feels to wish I were dead. The sky is so blue, the sun so warm. I thought I would be free once I left, but this world doesn''t even have a ce for me. How can there be any freedom? I bought a small 50-square-meter apartment. It feels so empty, not the apartment, but my heart.


    -On the 52nd day since I left Mr. Krueger, I still think about him from time to time. Sometimes I feel like I''m going crazy. He doesn''t love me, but I still hold onto this one-sided love. The fingers he broke still hurt even after healing, just like my deeply ingrained love for him. The pain intensifies every time it rains.


    -Today marks a hundred days since I left Mr. Krueger. Time really flies. I haven''t dreamed of you for a long time. They say that if you dream of someone three times, it means you''re not meant to be. I''ve dreamed of you more than sixty times. Does that mean we won''t even meet in death? I don''t know why, but I suddenly feel sad.


    -On the 120th day, Mr. Krueger, I think I''ve caused some trouble. They say it''s my fault, but I don''t understand what I did wrong. I didn''t seduce the director, didn''t destroy anyone''s rtionship, didn''t two-time anyone, didn''t nder anyone. I tried exining, but they didn''t believe me. You were right, someone as useless as me doesn''t belong here.


    -I''m afraid of loneliness. When I''m alone, I start overthinking. My heavy memories weigh me down, making it hard to breathe. The doctor says I have depression. I asked the doctor if this illness could kill me. He shook his head. If it can''t kill me, then why did he look so sad for me? I''m not afraid of death. I''m just afraid of pain. I think my memory is starting to fail me since my depression got worse. I keep forgetting things, but there''s one thing I''ll never forget, a man named Nathaniel. He was my savior, but he eventually abandoned me. Why did Mr. Krueger abandon me? Perhaps I wasn''t good enough, or I did something wrong, or I upset him. That''s why he handed me off to another man. When I was little, my mom would always threaten to abandon me if I misbehaved. So, it was my fault, wasn''t it?


    -300 days since I left Mr. Krueger. I saw someone calling me crazy today. I wanted to argue, but then I remembered the diagnosis the doctor gave me. The words ''mental patient'' were so clear, I couldn''t refute it. I wanted to cry, but tears wouldn''te. I wanted to scream, but no sound came out. I suddenly want to leave you, Mr. Krueger. Mr. Krueger, would you be happy if my death could bring Ms. Salotti back? May your wishese true, may all your dreamse true, may the one you yearn walk into your life one day.


    June 1st was Bell''s birthday. On that day, she left herst words on Twitter, just one word.


    "Goodbye", she bid the world farewell, but all she received were hundreds of thousands of insults in thements, not a single "Happy Birthday".


    She took out all the sleeping pills she had been saving up, swallowed them, turned on the gas, dressed in her favorite white dress andy on her bed. On her phone, she had left a note.


    "I hope my organs can be donated to those in need after my death. Thank you to the kind soul who will find my body. There''s money under the pillow, please take it." Nathaniel read through it, page by page. His eyes welled up with tears that fell onto the paper, smudging the words. His heart ached deeply.


    Even though it was still daylight, he couldn''t see anything.


    He pressed the letter against his chest, as if he wished to blend the words with his heart and momentarily fill the void.


    He had never known such pain before, not even when he had his leg amputated below the knee and had to bear a prosthetic. The pain brought tears to his eyes. "Bell, it''s not Izabe that I want, it''s you. Can''t youe back?"


    Bell wasn''t anyone''s recement. Her hands weren''t meant to y the violin in imitation of someone else, they were meant to write stories. Sadly, he understood this toote.


    The most painful thing in the world was when he thought of Bell, and suddenly she was gone from his world, and he had no way to find her. The prosthetic leg dug into his flesh, drawing blood and causing him to shudder in pain.


    Nathaniel read Bell''s words over and


    over again, until he knew them by heart. For 13 days, he lived in a daze. Nights were the hardest, he clung to the letter as if he was holding onto Belt herself.


    Sometimes, he felt as if there was someone standing by his bedside, gently watching over him, but every time he opened his eyes, he was alone.


    They say that a ghost takes on the form of how they died.


    Nathaniel didn''t want to die a cripple, he was afraid he wouldn''t be able to catch up with Bell.


    He had both his legs amputated and reced with prosthetics. With advanced medical technology, nothing was impossible.


    On the day of his execution, Nathaniel wept. Not because he was afraid of death, but because he wanted to let Bell hear his remorse.


    He ced Bell''s letters on his chest,


    bowed his head and cried. As he cried louder and louder, it was as if he was a child who had lost the most precious thing in the world.


    Memories of the past yed like old photographs in his mind.


    Some were painful, some were happy, but all were the most precious moments of his life, which he would never forget.


    "Mr. Krueger, my name is Bell."


    "Mr. Krueger, thank you for bringing me home."


    "Mr. Krueger, I learned a lot today. I can y ''Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'' on the violin now, would you like to hear it?"Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Mr. Krueger, what would you like to eat today?"


    "Mr. Krueger, I''m clean, I''m not dirty."


    "So, I was just a substitute."


    "Mr. Krueger, what''s given cannot be taken back."


    "Mr. Krueger, I''m leaving. Goodbye."


    Bell, in her clean white dress, seemed to suddenly appear before him. She stood in front of him, a gentle breeze on her face, her smile sweet. She reached out her hand to him. "Mr. Krueger, wee home."


    "Alright, let''s go home."


    "Bang!"

 Chapter 509

    After Nathaniel''s death, a video surfaced online, sparking a whirlwind of debates across the web because the woman in the video bore an uncanny resemnce to Izabe.


    The woman in the video was dressed in tattered clothes, her body covered in blood and sweat. Her disheveled hair clung to her pale face, her head hung low, her appearance too pitiful for words. The video was muted, but seeing the woman trembling and opening her mouth in pain, one could tell how painful she must have been.


    The videosted for a full ten minutes, too cruel for most to endure the entirety of it. It was removed two hours after its upload due to its violent content.


    But that was enough time for it to trend, and some who had seen it early enough managed to save it, secretly sharing and spreading it.


    [I saw the original video, it''s too bloody and cruel. I''ve never seen such horrifying methods of torture. ording to professional analysis, these methods are definitely real. When I saw the woman in the video, I subconsciously touched myself, truly feeling the pain.]


    [Am I the only one who thinks this looks like Izabe?]


    [Maybe she''s into thrill-seeking.]


    [The video is muted, but I swear I can hear her heart-wrenching cries for help. Someone save her.]


    [It''s really looking more and more like Izabe. Could it really be her? Considering she suddenly retired from acting despite winning Best Actress, something seems fishy.]


    Manyizens spected that the woman in the video was Izabe.


    And it indeed was Izabe, but from several years ago. To be precise, it was her from her past life.


    Izabe''s hand trembled as she held her phone, quickly regaining herposure after a brief moment of shock.


    Even after so many years, she thought she had forgotten what should be forgotten. But when she saw this video, her body couldn''t help but tremble.


    The video only captured ten minutes, but she had been tortured for over an hour.


    Have you ever seen true torment?


    The erosion of humanity, the desperation of a creature trapped in a living hell, that''s what you''d call a fate worse than death.


    These mere ten minutes were just the tip of the iceberg.


    Izabe never thought Nathaniel would keep these videos, let alone that they would leak after his death.


    Izabe put down her phone, contacted her PR team via her phone, and ordered them to remove the video from the inte. But by the time she had called, the videos had already been cleaned up, and many big marketing ounts had been blocked.


    The official ount of the Dempsey Group issued a rification statement, and a legal notice, demanding those who defamed Izabe to apologize immediately, or they would receive a court summons. The inte was not awlessnd, and people should pay for their mistakes.


    Izabe had over 60 million fans. When she announced her retirement from entertainment, these fans didn''t leave her.


    Upon learning she was being ndered again, they immediately came out to refute the rumors,paring Izabe''s face with the woman in the video.


    They were simr, but the differences were also obvious.


    Who was the woman in the video? What happened to her afterward.


    Afterward, she died.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    How she died was lost in time, and with someone controlling the inte, no one knew the original truth.


    However, the man who tortured the woman was revealed - Nathaniel, who was recently executed by firing squad.


    Everyone condemned him. Nathaniel deserved his fate.


    This incident, while not huge, did have an impact on Izabe.


    Izabe''s real identity was questioned, and her current resume was fairly ordinary.


    Everyone suddenly realized that rumors about Izabe were fake. Then what was the real her like? Wasn''t her resume just as simple and misleading as Casey''s? Could it be Izabe also had a remarkable identity?


    She had to thank Nathaniel for this. Bell''s information was all made up by him. Except for her age, none of it was true, and no one could find out anything by investigating.


    Although Casey had been


    discharged from the hospital, his


    body hadn''t fully recovered to its


    previous state. To regain the


    physique he had when filming


    "Interster", he needed to gain


    weight and build up his muscles.


    So, he stayed at home cooking, ying the role of a house-husband, and asionally went to Izabe''spany, delivered food, and helped Izabe handle some trivial matters.


    The moment he saw the news


    online, he immediately set out for the Maple Group. On the way, he saw a dessert shop Izabe liked and thought that Izabe might cheer up after having something sweet, which she loved.


    He bought a cake that looked particrly appealing.


    Worried about disturbing Izabe''s work, he called Secretary Hansen to inquire about the situation.


    Knowing that Izabe was in a meeting, he sat in the reception room to rest, with the cake ced beside him, and browsed the inte on his phone.


    The video issue had been resolved,


    and he could no longer find it by searching keywords. He closed his eyes, recalling the video he couldn''t finish watching. Izabe''s pained face in the video was like a thorn in


    his heart, a slight movem like


    it would pierce through his ribs, and he wished he could pull it out.


    He had witnessed Izabe''s torment firsthand, and just thinking about it made him clench his fists.


    Reality was often crueler, and the world had been too unfair to Izabe.


    Since Casey regained his memories, sometimes when he recalled the past, especially when he was the simple-minded Ryker, he felt as if it was all a dream.


    He wished it was a dream, so Izabe wouldn''t have suffered so much.


    If he hadn''t disappeared those years, if he had found Izabe sooner, would everything be different?


    Everything was interconnected. Perhaps if one part of the process had been slightly better, the butterfly effect that ensued would also have been different.


    Casey harbored a secret in his heart. He regained his memories because he bumped into Izabe''s brother, Lucas, who noticed his prosthetic right hand on the ne.


    Ryker, due to a brain injury, had a low IQ, with mental capacity equivalent to a six or seven-year-old. He tried to protect Izabe in his own way, despising everyone who hurt Izabe.


    His rash actions were made without considering the consequences. Was this against thew? Would Izabe dislike him for it?


    Now, Ryker had be Casey. Far from the naive boy he once was, he had grown wiser, yet more cautious. He trod lightly, his every move calcted, fearful that one wrong step could send Izabe running. Suppose, just suppose, Izabe knew the truth-that it was his hand that had caused her brother''s injury. Would she fear him then? Would she turn on her heel and leave him behind?

 Chapter 510

    After wrapping up a meeting, Izabe returned to find Casey sitting in the corner, head down, lost in his thoughts. He was so engrossed that he didn''t even notice her approaching until she was right behind him.


    Izabe couldn''t help but smirk. She quietly moved behind Casey, cing her hands over his eyes. In a hushed voice, she asked, "Guess who?"


    Casey stiffened, but instantly rxed when he recognized Izabe''s voice. "What happens if I can''t guess?" he asked, a yful lilt to his voice.


    "Well, then I might just have to poke your eyes," Izabe replied, leaning into him from behind. It almost appeared as if he was carrying her on his back.


    Although Izabe threatened to poke his eyes, she didn''t exert any force. Casey even blinked against her palm, his eyshes tickling her hand.


    Even after all this time, Casey was still easily flustered. Any closeness would make his ears turn red, like a radar. Izabe found this more amusing than his eye trick and let go of his face to y with his soft earlobe instead.


    "Your ears are so warm. What''s up with that?" she asked.


    Casey''s voice was a bit uneasy as he muttered, "Maybe, it''s just the weather. It''s pretty hot."


    "I can blow on them to cool you down," Izabe offered, leaning in to blow a puff of air onto his ear.


    The sudden rush of wind made his whole body shudder and his ears hum. From the corner of his eye, he spotted a mischievous grin on Izabe''s face. He knew she was teasing him, and suddenly, he felt hear rush from his ears, down his neck, and all the way to his heart.


    Without a word, Casey turned to face Izabe, pulling her into his arms. His lips tightly pressed together as he held her close.


    Izabe was about to tease him about his flushed face when she noticed a flicker in his eyes. Something was wrong. "Casey, what''s the matter?" she asked.


    But Casey just held her tighter, pressing her against his chest. Izabe quieted down, considering the day''s events. She guessed it had something to do with a video that had surfaced online.


    "Did you handle that video situation for me?" she asked.


    Casey didn''t answer, only saying, "I failed to protect you."


    "You''ve done a lot for me, Casey. I''m lucky to have you. If it wasn''t for you, it would''ve hurt me a lot more. So don''t me yourself." Izabe said, gently freeing herself from his grip. Her cool hand cradled his face, lifting it so she could look into his eyes.


    "I''m not in pain anymore. I''m in a new body, all those scars are gone. And besides, Nathaniel got what he deserved."


    Casey gripped her hand, looking at her unblemished fingers. His heart ached. He held her hand to his chest, thinking about the past. "Izabe, if I did something wrong, would you forgive me?" "What kind of mistake are we talking about?" she asked.


    Casey didn''t dare to admit that he was the one who had crippled her brother.


    Seeing his conflicted expression, Izabe grabbed his cor and narrowed her eyes. "There are two things I absolutely cannot tolerate: infidelity and domestic violence."


    Casey was not the type of man who would do either of those things, Izabe knew that much.


    "I wouldn''t do that," Casey assured her, his voice firm.


    "I believe you." Izabe let go of him, changing the subject. "I see you brought cake."


    "It''s your favorite vor. I thought you might need something sweet to cheer you up."


    Izabe edged off her chair to examine the cake box. The cake wasn''trge, but she recognized the brand. Even a single serving from this bakery would cost a few hundred dors. A whole cake like this would easily cost four figures.


    "Do you have ns tomorrow, Izabe?"


    "Tomorrow?" Izabe cut a piece of cake for Casey and thought for a moment. "Isn''t tomorrow the weekend? I don''t have any ns. Why, do you want to go somewhere?"Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "My father is hosting a charity g. I''d like to invite you to attend." He was inviting her, not asking her to apany him. There was a significant difference. An invitation was a sign of respect for Izabe''s status, an acknowledgement that she was someone important.


    Izabe understood. Attending a charity g hosted by the Dempsey Group, she''d be rubbing shoulders with the elite. Casey''s father was seeking to affirm her status, and perhaps even show her off. "Do you want to go?" Casey asked.


    Izabe took a bite of her cake and replied, "Of course, I can''t turn down his kindness. I''ll have my assistant help me prepare a gown for tomorrow." "You don''t need to. My mother has already prepared a dress for you. I''ll have my driver deliver it to your ce. You can try it on when you get home." "Alright."


    With no work left for the day, Izabe decided to leave early and hitched a ride back to Spring Bay with Casey.


    On the way, she couldn''t resist asking, "I''ve always wondered, how did you regain your memory so suddenly?"


    Casey tightened his grip on the steering wheel before rxing his hold. He smoothly changed the subject, "And when did you realize I was Ryker?"


    "Actually, I had my suspicions about


    your identity for a while, but I couldn''t confirm anything. Do you remember when we went back to the Dempsey family home in March? That night, I was looking at some old family photos with my friend. There were no pictures of you, despite it being a family album. Mr. Beck also mentioned that you had a tough upbringing. It didn''t make sense for someone from a wealthy family to have had such a difficult childhood. There had to be more to the story. And indeed, Mrs. Bunny eventually told me everything."


    So, Izabe had known he was Ryker all along. She knew he was the one who had carried her home when they were kids.


    Thinking back, there were plenty of clues that night. It made sense why Izabe''s emotions had been so vtile.


    Izabe always called him a silly boy, but wasn''t he just as silly? He had kept such an important secret, letting his feelings cool down as he bottled everything up.


    It wasn''t that Izabe didn''t want to talk, but she reckoned it was down to his family.


    "Must be hard, huh? Seeing me every day but unable to share the truth?"


    Izabe shook her head, "That no longer matters, What''s essential is you''re here, and you''re still you.


    ????


    You''ve never changed. The only difference is I like you more now than I did before. And that''s simply because you''re you. Don''t me Mrs. Bunny and the rest for keeping this from you. She''s just afraid you''d me her for all the years you''ve lost, all the hardship you''ve


    endured."


    It wasn''t Casey''s fault that he was found toote. He wasn''t deeply attached to the Dempsey family, and given his mild disposition, it seemed reasonable for Bunny to fear that he might leave because of this secret.


    Casey chuckled.


    As Izabe turned to him, she saw a self-mocking smile on his face. "Never thought I''d see the day I''d be jealous of myself, so much so it feels like it''s rotting my teeth."


    Bunny had a red mermaid dress custom-made for Izabe. The thigh-high slit entuated her long legs, making them look even more perfect.


    The backless design of the dress,


    combined with Izabe''s fair skin, made her look as exquisite as the finest jade under the lights. Her swan-like neck, her beautifully


    rounded shoulders, her exp


    back looking like a butterfly''s wings about to take flight-she was so stunning it was hard to resist


    reaching out to touch her.


    The charity ball hosted by the Dempseys was held at thergest hotel in Wye. Many prominent figures attended the event, including wealthy businesspeople and celebrities. Yet, among them all, Izabe was undoubtedly the one who drew the most attention.

 Chapter 511

    For the first time, Casey saw Izabe mmed up in a mermaid dress. He had suspected something was up when Bunny had called earlier; her tone was off. Now, he understood.


    The sight of Izabe''s long legs and her bare back was enough to make him want to stitch the dress up, covering every inch of her skin.


    She was doing her hair, nning to put it up to highlight her elegant neckline. Izabe didn''t likeplicated hairstyles. She simply took a hairpin and twisted her waist-length hair into a bun at the back of her head. Strands of her hair fell loosely from her temples, adding a touch of softness to her radiant face.


    Red was a difficult color to pull off, but it suited Izabe perfectly. She reminded Casey of a red rose blooming in the early morning, or a warm me in a cold, snowy night.


    This was the Izabe everyone in R City admired - the once wilted rose, now miraculously revived, as radiant as ever.


    Casey walked up to her and gently removed the hairpin. Izabe''s hair cascaded down her back, covering her bare skin.


    "I think you should leave your hair down."


    Izabe was startled by his sudden action, but when she saw the hint of jealousy in his reflection in the mirror, she instantly understood.


    "Don''t you like me in this dress?" Izabe teased.


    "It''s beautiful," he stammered. It was too beautiful that he wanted to keep her all to himself.


    Casey felt like a kid who got his hands on a precious treasure. He wanted to hide it, yet he also wanted to show it off to everyone. His Be was the most precious treasure in the world. "You look great with your hair down, too."


    Izabe gave him a knowing look. Seeing him blush, she decided not to call him out.


    "Okay, I''ll leave it down." But she didn''t want her back fully exposed either. She took a hair clip and Casey, catching on, skillfully clipped it to her hair.


    Her back was now partially hidden by her hair, still looking sexy yet less exposed. Izabe was slim; her slender waist was even more pronounced.


    "It''s a bit chilly outside, you should take a shawl," Casey suggested.


    "Alright, if you insist," Izabe teased.


    The dress was picked out by Bunny, Wendy had a set of jewelry delivered, and Casey had prepared a pair of high heels for Izabe. He handed her the invitation card from Beck. The invitation was addressed to Izabe, the CEO of the Maple Group.


    Outside the luxury hotel, a red carpet wasid out and reporters were eagerly waiting. The charity g hosted by the Dempsey Group was attended by many high-profile figures including influential figures in the entertainment industry.


    Izabe was Casey''s publicly acknowledged fianc¨¦e, would she be attending too?Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    It was no exaggeration to say that ny percent of the reporters were there for Izabe.


    Thest time she made a public appearance was at the award ceremony. After receiving her award, she announced her retirement from the entertainment industry and was quickly whisked away by Casey. She hadn''t appeared in the public eye since.


    The reporters had so many


    questions. When did she start dating


    Mr. Dempsey? How did she feel


    about winning the big award? What was her real reason for leaving the entertainment industry? Now that she''s Mr. Dempsey''s fianc¨¦e, when will they announce their wedding? And what about the woman who looked like her in the video that surfaced online recently?


    Some reporters had inside information that Izabe and Casey would be arriving together.


    They sold the news to a marketing ount, and it quickly spread online, causing a stir.


    [Who isn''t a big shot at this event? What is Izabe doing there? Can she afford to make a donation?]


    [Those who attend are truly wealthy, big names in the business world. Even if they''re not from the industry, the big stars who are invited all have strong backgrounds. All are seasoned actors.]


    [Izabe wouldn''t even qualify to be there if she hadn''t retired. She''s only there because of Casey. I wonder what he sees in her.]


    [It''s difficult for an artist to break into the upper echelons of society. Izabe has gone from being a sparrow to a phoenix since getting together with Casey. No wonder she chose to leave the industry.]


    [There''s so much sourness up there.


    Is it so hard to admit that Izabe is exceptional? The youngest actress in history to sweep all the major acting awards, the record-breaking ratings of Blood Ties, Izabe is more than a match for Casey. They''re a perfect pair, an invincible pair, a divine pair.]


    [Mr. Dempsey finally likes someone, and his fans are sour about it. Do you want to drive the sister-inw away and make him be a monk?]


    Online, people fell into three categories: supporters, detractors, and spectators. In the chaos, fights broke out.


    However, the biggest point of contention was that Izabe had leapfrogged into high society because of Casey, not because of her own merits.


    On the way to the event, Izabe leaned against Casey''s shoulder in the car, not ncing at her phone. When they arrived, Casey got out first and extended his hand to her.


    Their eyes met in the dim light of the car. After sharing a smile, Izabe gently ced her hand in Casey''s and stepped out of the car, linking her arm through his.


    Casey leaned in close and whispered to Izabe, "Tonight, I''m your date."


    "You better be on your best behavior, then," Izabe teased, walking alongside Casey on the red carpet under the bright lights.


    As soon as they appeared, the paparazzi who were busy snapping pictures of other guests instantly redirected their cameras. "Izabe and Casey are here!"


    Someone shouted, and immediately, the shes of the cameras converged on them.


    The hotel lobby was decked out in all its splendor, attracting a crowd of influential figures for the evening. Izabe stepped inside, her invitation in hand.


    The doorman examined her invitation, his demeanor shifting to one of utmost respect as he weed Izabe inside.


    The journalists nearby observed this scene with surprise. Typically, it was Casey who escorted Izabe to thesevish dinners. But based on the doorman''s reaction, it seemed Izabemanded more respect?


    As Izabe made her way into the crowd, she was aware of the curious nces thrown her way. She had attended countless dinners like this.


    On the surface, these events were


    marketed as@harity gs. But in reality, they served asworking events for the elite. Business moguls never considered their circle of coborators too big. An invitation to one of these dinners was essentially a stamp verifying your status among the upper echelons.


    Mutual ttery and one-upmanship were the name of the game. To put it bluntly, these dinners were a spectacle for the average folk, showcasing the powerful''s ability to rule the roost.

 Chapter 512

    The soir¨¦e was in full swing. Izabe cast a casual nce around the room, noting familiar faces among the crowd. Suddenly, her gazended on a familiar figure. As people came up to her trying to strike up a conversation, it was clear they were actually interested in herpanion, Casey.


    In the eyes of the others present, she was merely an essory, Casey''s arm candy, not even a fianc¨¦e.


    In this world, they valued power or pedigree. To them, Izabe was merely a pretty face, a decorative flower to keep at home. Bringing someone like her to such a gathering was considered a faux pas. Izabe''s gaze darkened as she stared at the familiar back. Eventually, the figure stopped, taking a ss of red wine from a waiter. As if sensing the gaze on him, the man turned around, his ss held high.


    Brett.


    It wasn''t surprising to see him at such an event. The guests were all influential figures in the business world, and Brett, being the richest man in J City, had every reason to be there.


    After Nathaniel''s death, previous shareholders had rallied behind Brett. He was the heir to the Windham Group, and now that he had decided to take over, it naturally fell into his hands.


    Adding Nathaniel''s shares to his own, Brett now controlled eighty percent of the Windham Group.


    His fame had been on the rise in recent months, and his appearance at such a formal event tonight was more attention-grabbing than the host, the Dempsey Group.


    Two people apanied Brett, one being Liam, the other his bodyguard, ensuring no one would get too close.


    As Brett turned, his gaze met Izabe''s. His indifferent eyes softened, and he lifted his wine ss towards her before downing his drink. Liam, toote to intervene, watched as his ss emptied, feeling a wave of anxiety.


    "Mr. Windham, have you forgotten the doctor''s orders? No smoking or drinking," Liam chided.


    "I know," Brett replied, his voice hoarse.


    "Then why." Liam trailed off, noticing Brett''s gaze fixed upon Izabe.


    Izabe, in her red dress, was engaged in pleasant conversation. Her face was adorned with a beautiful smile.


    Liam was taken aback. He knew Izabe had changed a lot, but he hadn''t expected the transformation to be so drastic.


    Even those who knew her best would be momentarily stunned by her appearance.


    Was this really Izabe?


    No, this was the Izabe they had first known. As time went by, they had forgotten what Izabe used to be like, thinking she was a bird with broken wings, on the brink of death, locked in a cage. Brett''s lips curled into a smile. His gaze was distant, as if he was lost in memories, and his smile gradually turned bitter.


    "Doesn''t she look beautiful?" Brett mused.


    Liam nodded absently. Indeed, Izabe, though changed, was gradually returning to her former self, to the point where traces of Bell were nearly gone.


    Izabe was living more like the proud and mboyant woman she once was.


    "Thirteen years have passed in the blink of an eye," Brett sighed. Though he had gulped down wine, it felt like bitter medicine, the taste lingering in his throat.


    No one feared medicine. What they feared was bitterness.


    Even if Izabe no longer had room for him in her heart, Brett''s gaze still followed her silhouette. She was standing next to another man, her arm linked with his, like a bird relying on a person. His eyes suddenly blurred, as if fogged over by the cold winter night.


    ¡°Mr. Windham, long time no see," she had said back then at a simr soir¨¦e.


    What if he had responded gently with a "long time no see"? Would things have turned out differently?


    Izabe, in her red dress, was the center of attention. It was undeniable that she was stunning, not only in looks but in her radiating confidence and pride.


    How had he let such a dazzling Izabe slip away?


    Now Izabe had found her ce again, but she didn''t want him anymore.


    Brett grunted and turned away. His hand shook and the ss fell, shattering into pieces. His bodyguard quickly steadied him, preventing him from falling with the ss.


    Blood trickled from the corner of his


    mouth. Brett was wearing a ck suit that day. He raised his sleeve to wipe away the blood. The stain wasn''t noticeable against the dark fabric.


    Izabe had always liked ck suits. The tie around his neck was a gift from Izabe. After her death, he had kept all her gifts.


    Now, the tie felt like a hand strangling him, making it hard for him to breathe.


    Izabe had said she liked men in ck suits because they looked serious and stern.


    He had worn one, but she hadn''t given him a second nce.


    Instead, her attention was fixed on Casey, who was wearing a white suit.


    Izabe didn''t care about the type or style of clothes. She would like anything worn by the man she loved.


    Izabe, in her red dress, stood next to Casey in his white suit, making her stand out even more.


    Brett covered his mouth, suppressing a cough. His body trembled. Liam stood behind him, shielding him from the crowd.


    The sound of the shattered ss had drawn some attention, and a waiter hurried over to clean up.


    Brett''s bodyguard guided him to a secluded corner to sit down, supporting him all the while.


    If Izabe was the most brilliant star in tonight''s sky, then he was like a candle wick on the verge of burning out, just a gentle gust of wind away from disappearing entirely. Izabe''s gaze fell upon him, and naturally, so did Casey''s.


    "Why is he here?" Izabe asked instinctively, only realizing after the words left her mouth that Brett had every right to be at this kind of banquet. After all, he was closely rted to Bunny.


    The sight of Brett always stirred up a sense of foreboding in Izabe.


    Perhaps it was the scars left on her from their past life, that made her intuitively feel this man was dangerous.


    Izabe couldn''t help but recall the words Brett had spoken to her at the hospital that day.


    He had said that he would prove to


    her that once again, she had misjudged. That the Dempsey family wasn''t where she belonged, andpared to Casey, he was a better match for her.


    But how did Brett n to prove it?Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 513

    Brett, as if he had the guts, proimed his love for Izabe.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Even if he were the only man left in the world, Izabe would never choose him.


    She and Casey had weathered countless storms together, and she didn''t believe that Brett could be the one to break them.


    But Izabe had never imagined that Brett wasn''t targeting Casey from the start.


    As he had previously dered, he loved Izabe as much as Casey did, and conversely, Casey''s love for Izabe was no less than his.


    Sometimes, Brett himself didn''t know how he could outdo Casey.


    Izabe had been in his memory for only thirteen years, but Casey had been in Izabe''s heart for twenty-five years.


    Twenty-five years of youth, the most beautiful time of her life, all her memories, she had given to Casey.


    What could Brett possibly offer topete with Casey?


    Brett sat in a corner, his gaze cast down, staring at his worn, grey fingertips.


    His silence gave off an aura of distance that warned others not to intrude.


    "How''s the preparation going?" Brett asked Liam, who was behind him.


    "We''ll see the results tonight," Liam replied.


    "Good," Brett rasped, suppressing a cough.


    Brett had never intended to work on Casey. His target was the other members of the Dempsey family.


    Just like with the Felton family before, if the Dempsey family chose to give up on Izabe, then Brett would consider it a win.


    Brett was confident he wouldn''t lose. The Dempsey family had only known Izabe for two years, why would they trade a billion-dor empire for a woman who wasn''t even rted to them?


    The Felton family had watched Izabe grow up, treated her like their own daughter, but in the end, chose to "discard" her for their family enterprise. They didn''t even bother to keep in touch with her, didn''t even know when she died.


    People like that didn''t deserve to be Izabe''s family.


    At the charity event, the host was reading the list of donors, expressing gratitude.


    The list was nearing its end, and many eyes turned towards Izabe, their nces filled with undisguised scorn.


    "Did Izabee here without donating a dime, just to walk the red carpet and enjoy the dinner?"


    "She''s making a fool out of herself, and it''s not just her face she''s losing, but the Dempsey family''s."


    "The list isn''t finished yet, why the rush?"


    "Do you think we''ll hear Izabe''s nameter on? The higher up the list, the more high-profile the donors, all of them billionaires."


    "Izabe has starred in so many movies and TV shows, can''t she donate a little money? Or did the Dempsey family have to prepare everything for her?"


    Some people were sneakily live-streaming the event, discussing Izabe''sck of donation.


    At this kind of event, all she brought was her mouth, even though she had Casey backing her up, she was still a small-town girl. Winning an Oscar didn''t change that. Izabe remained unfazed amidst the whispering, wearing a polite smile.


    Casey frowned, ready to have the security throw out those who were gossiping about Izabe. When he was about to act, Izabe gently stopped him, "Don''t." "But they."


    Izabe nced at them, her smile undiminished, "I know you''re angry at them for making things up about me, but the more you argue with them, the more they''ll enjoy it." Casey understood this, of course. He could ignore them, but he didn''t want Izabe to be wronged.


    "Reality will give them a p in the face, we don''t need to waste our time."


    With a few words, Izabe had calmed Casey down.


    As the host continued reading the donations, until the veryst page, the contempt in people''s eyes towards Izabe grew.


    "Lastly, I would like to express special thanks." The host suddenly raised his voice, startling everyone in the room to turn their attention towards him.


    The host bowed deeply in Izabe''s direction.


    "We would like to thank the Chairwoman of the Maple Group, Ms. Izabe Salotti for her generous donation of 1.5 billion dors."


    Those who had been gossiping about Izabe instantly fell silent. What kind of amount was 1.5 billion? They had only donated a few hundred thousand at most.


    Most of the people here were trying to gain some fame through this charity event.


    Some donated directly, while others would donate jewelry or diamonds.


    Donating a million was already a big deal, let alone the Dempsey family''s fifty million. But Izabe? She had donated 1.5 billion, equivalent to the sum of all other donationsbined. The onlookers who had been scornful of Izabe were stunned, their eyes twitching.


    They wondered if they had heard wrong. But seeing the host bowing towards Izabe and the announcement that followed confirmed their suspicions.


    "The Chairwoman of the Maple Group?"


    "The Izabe? The one who single-handedly took over X Entertainment? The one whosepany has won multiple awards for its TV shows and movies? Thepany that has a market value of 8 billion in just a year and a half?"


    The revtion that Izabe was the Chairwoman of the Maple Group was even more shocking than her donation.


    Whether it was the people in the room or those online, everyone fell silent after hearing the news.


    A moment of incredulous silence followed, like being momentarily stunned by a bolt of lightning.


    Think back to the rumors that used to circte, whispering of some scandalous secret between Izabe and the boss.


    The big boss was said to be financially supporting Izabe, which was why he was promoting her and her movies.


    Moreover, when Izabe announced


    her retirement from the


    entertainment industry, many people onlinembasted her, suggesting she was like wet y thrown up against a wall, made sessful only by


    a man''s support.


    How ludicrous that was! It turned out that they themselves were the wet y all along.


    Izabe didn''t need anyone else''s capital behind the scenes because she herself was the capital. She didn''t need to cling to anyone for resources because she had plenty of her own.


    After the news broke, some skeptics wondered if Izabe''s ability to start apany was thanks to the Dempsey Group.


    However, someone quickly


    confirmed that this was impossible.


    Although the Dempsey Group was


    indeed sessful, it would be impossible to build a newpany with a market value of eight billion


    dors from nothing.


    Subsequently, the official social media ount of the Maple Group revealed Izabe''s true credentials.


    Holding 85% of the shares of the Maple Group, this truth was a p in the face.


    Those ''fans'' who initially imed that Izabe was not worthy of Casey finally shut their mouths.

 Chapter 514

    From an age perspective, Izabe was a young and beautiful self-made woman who hadunched apany worth an astonishing 8 billion dors in such a short time.


    The Maple Group had made headlines when they acquired X Entertainment andter invested in movies, making a pure profit of 40 billion and sessfully entering the upper business world. Even the chairman of the Dempsey Group couldn''t achieve this feat in his prime, let alone Casey. Though he was the heir to the Dempsey Group, he was currently just an actor.


    At this moment, those who had previously belittled Izabe fell silent.


    Inparison, it wasn''t that Izabe wasn''t good enough for Casey, but rather, Casey wasn''t good enough for her.


    With his resources, Casey might do better off as a stay-at-home husband if he didn''t inherit his family business!


    It was said that thetest investment by the Maple Group, the movie "Interster," had specially invited the renowned Director Louis, sessfully breaking into the international film market. This spectacle was handed directly to Casey. Thus, if anyone was being "kept," it was Mr. Dempsey.


    Those who had mocked Izabe before now sang a different tune. Life had never been as satisfying as it was at this moment, indeed, following Izabe was a delight.


    "1.5 billion?" Izabe was stunned when she heard this figure; she had only donated 70 million, so where did 1.5 billione from?


    She looked at Casey, and sure enough, there was a smug smile on his face.


    "You added 800 million on top of my donation?"Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "You''re my fianc¨¦e. What''s mine is yours, so I added it to the list."


    This spectacle was already grand with a donation of 70 million, but Casey had added another 800 million, making her the center of attention at the climax of the event. Aren''t you afraid of being ndered as my kept man, Izabe asked with a smirk.


    "Why would I be afraid if you''re not? Besides, you''re technically keeping me." He was certain that once "Interster" was released, it would cause a sensation in the film industry. So, being kept by Izabe wasn''t something he found embarrassing. In fact, he was proud of it.


    If human beings had tails, Casey''s would probably be wagging with joy.


    Casey was always silently considering her needs in the background. He wouldn''t say much because he had already taken action before she noticed.


    After the donation list was announced, the host took the stage to announce the end of the dinner.


    Beck took the stage, and Izabe watched from below. Perhaps it was the stage lights, but Beck''s face seemed pale, as if he was not feeling well.


    As Beck was about to speak, a man whispered something in his ear.


    Izabe recognized the man as Beck''s assistant. If it weren''t for an urgent matter, he wouldn''t have approached Beck in such a situation.


    So what was it all about?


    Casey''s expression also turned grave. Izabe stood up and felt a menacing gaze. She turned her head and saw Brett in the corner.


    Beck''s face changed drastically after hearing his assistant''s words. He lost control and fell backward.


    "Dad!" Casey called out and rushed to his side, while Izabe contacted the security to control the media and reporters on the scene.


    This side was in chaos, but Izabe still had to keep an eye on the situation on stage.


    The security arrangement for this banquet was good; they could mobilize immediately in case of an emergency and organize the crowd to disperse.


    People who were unaware of the truth were gradually led away from the banquet, and the media and reporters were kept outside.


    With the crowd dispersed, Brett stood up, looking ringly conspicuous in the spacious hall.


    Beck, after catching his breath for a while, clutched Casey''s hand with a trembling right hand.


    "Dad, what''s wrong? What happened?"


    Beck struggled to speak due to shortness of breath, and the assistant couldn''t exin clearly either. Izabe came over and heard mention of a financial crisis.


    Izabe stopped in her tracks. The


    sudden turn of events was too


    unexpected, and she hadn''t fully


    processed what was happening. The


    atmosphere seemed to drop,


    casting a shadow over eng.


    Izabe felt helpless as


    r¨¦membered how her father, n


    Salotti, had faced a simr situation.


    Izabe''s mind was buzzing. She thought about Brett''s previous "bet" and his typical tactics. A deep chill ran down her spine.


    Driving people to ruin was Brett''s favorite method, wasn''t it?


    Brett could havecked the ability in the past, but now he had taken over the Windham Group in J City. With his own capital, he could ruin the Dempsey family if he wanted to. He was willing to make sacrifices to achieve his goals.


    Izabe turned to Brett, struggling to understand why he always targeted her. Whether in the past or the present, he seemed to enjoy driving away everyone who cared about her.


    First, it was the Salotti Group and her father, n, then it was Presley and the Felton family, and now it was the Dempsey family.


    Brett was a talented and privileged person, blessed with good looks. Yet, beneath the facade, he was as dirty as a sewer.


    Izabe frowned, exuding an intimidating aura.


    "Brett, what have you done?"


    "I only wanted to finish our bet. You used your methods, and now I''ll use mine, Izabe. Do you think the Dempsey family will abandon you like the Felton family did? And will Casey choose his family over you?"


    Brett admitted outright that he was behind all of it.


    His expression was somewhat menacing, the cold light bursting from his jet-ck eyes made Izabe feel for a moment like she had been transported back to the past.


    Brett was as unchanging as ever, resorting to his vilest methods to force her submission.


    He was a devil to the core, and even if you cleaned him up, he would still be a devil. And his heart, it was indeed made of stone.


    Although she herself was no saint, she swore she would never employ such disgusting tactics against her own family.


    Bunny was his Aunt, Casey his brother, yet he could still bring himself to push them to the edge, plunging the Dempsey family into financial crisis.


    Izabe gritted her teeth, "Aunt Bunny is your dad''s own sister! You''ve dragged the entire Dempsey family down for your own selfish desires, have you ever considered her feelings?" Brett clenched his fist silently, his face still calm andposed, "It''s precisely because I know she''s my aunt, carrying the thin-blooded Windham family lineage, that I have to do this!"

 Chapter 515

    "You''re the ruthless, heartless one! Do you think everyone in the world is like you, Brett?"


    Izabe, weathered by countless trials, had mastered the art of hiding her emotions. Her face, now, was merely a shade paler, betraying no sign of turmoil. But her dark eyes were icy as they bore into Brett, brimming with a fierce determination that was almost suffocating.


    "Not the whole world, just every single member of the Windham family, just like you said. We''re all like rats, crawling in the dark and dirty sewers of life," Brett retorted, his voice cold and somber. Izabe had grown up in such an environment, and thus, she failed to understand his fear. In the Windham family, people would stop at nothing to gain power and status, using even the vilest means imaginable.


    As the saying goes, "a leopard can''t change its spots," and such is true for the Windhams. Their reputation over the years has been built on ruthlessness.


    Izabe often called him heartless, a demon devoid of emotions. But growing up in such an environment, any hint of emotion would only serve as a fatal weakness.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Who wouldn''t want to grow up surrounded by warmth and affection? But his parents had been murdered by his own uncle. Patrick Windham, his heart knew the truth, but without any evidence, he chose to stand aside, coldly watching the events unfold.


    Brett had survived in such an environment, living in the darkness without his parents'' protection. He stumbled along, doing whatever it took to survive, to get what he wanted.


    The Windham family had maintained their status over the years by stepping over bodies, the blood of their victims staining their path to power.


    His Aunt Casey, her mother, was also brought up under such teachings. Growing up in such an environment, how could Brett ever trust a Windham?


    If a person is born in darkness and never sees the light, they''lle to believe the whole world is dark.


    He was diagnosed with lung cancer, with not much time left. He loved Izabe, whether it was due to possessiveness or a need for control, he didn''t care. If he didn''t love her so much, why would he hold onto something that was clearly impossible?


    After his death, there would be no one else for Izabe in this world. She could meet people even more troublesome than him. If the Dempsey family gave up on Izabe this time, and Casey couldn''t fully protect her, he would never give these people a chance to get close to Izabe again.


    The most difficult test in life is human nature. If Izabe didn''t want to do it, he would take the gamble and show her the reality.


    If Izabe won the bet, and the Dempsey family, or Casey, stayed by her side, not using her, not abandoning her, loving and cherishing her, he would die content, even if Izabe never understood him and hated him.


    Izabe stepped forward, stopping three seconds in front of him before suddenly pping him in the face. "Smack!" The force was mutual. Whether Brett felt the pain, Izabe didn''t know, but her palm was tingling.


    "Brett, you really are a leopard that can''t change its spots."


    In Brett''s calm heart, it felt as if a sharp stone had fallen, causing a dull ache.


    "Ms. Salotti." Liam began, but Brett waved him off.


    Izabe always felt Brett hadn''t changed. He was still as obsessed and crazy as before.


    But if it were the old him, he wouldn''t waste so much time. He would have directly ordered someone to take Izabe back. Why would her emotions matter to him?


    But now, even the slightest change in Izabe''s expression would tug at his heart.


    "Izabe, I''ll be waiting for you toe find me. One day, you''ll understand why I did what I did."


    Sure, Izabe was sessful, but her 80 billion-dorpany couldn''t save the Dempsey family, especially with Brett''s constant pressure.


    As the ambnce arrived, Izabe unexpectedly met Brett''s cold gaze, as distant as ever.


    In the end, Izabe ran to Casey, while Brett stood quietly, as if everything around him didn''t concern him. He watched her fiery figure disappear into the distance. Finally, Liam spoke, "President Windham, let''s go."


    Brett turned and walked away, the cool night breeze causing him to shiver. He looked up at the night sky.


    Liam sighed softly.


    Brett heard and asked, "Why are you sighing?"


    Liam answered, "President Windham, why waste your time on this? Ms. Salotti will never abandon the Dempsey family."


    "She won''t abandon the Dempsey family, but the Dempsey family might," Brett said.


    "But." Liam hesitated, finally voicing his concerns. Whether you win or lose this bet, it''s not a good oue for you. Ms. Salotti will resent you for this, President Windham, are you okay with that? Didn''t you say you only wanted Ms. Salotti''s


    forgiveness in this lifetime?"


    "I''m not okay with it." Brett''s voice was hoarse, his eyes stinging. He took a deep breath.


    "I''m going to die, I just want to do as much as I can for Izabe in the short time I have left. She always says I''m her disaster, so I hope that after I''m gone, she can lead a smooth life."


    After he dies, it doesn''t matter who Izabe ends up with. His feelings of resentment won''t change anything, and he certainly can''te back as a vengeful ghost, can he?


    The will was ready for his signature. Upon his demise, every bit of his fortune would belong to Izabe, marking the end of the Windham lineage.


    "I wish she could marry me again," Brett muttered half-jokingly, a bitter chuckle escaping him.


    Beck was whisked away in an ambnce to the hospital, Izabe trailing behind Casey, getting in touch with Bunny and Wendy.


    Beck''s sudden copse was attributed to his recent all-nighters at work, pent-up stress, and emotional turmoil.


    Beck''s assistant revealed that the Dempsey Group was sailing through rough waterstely. In fact, the charity g was organized to scout for potential partners while disguising the real crisis at hand. Unfortunately, the veil was lifted, and now the Dempsey Group''s troubles were trending all over the town.


    Their previous partners backed out one after another, unwilling to cross paths with the puppet master behind the scenes.


    The current state of the Dempsey Group mirrored the downfall of the Salotti Group - a result of relentless pressure and mounting difficulties.


    Izabe frowned, trying to make sense of the intricate web of rtionships and implications.


    Beck''s condition wasn''t critical; he merely needed some rest.


    Casey was wracked with guilt for not noticing the turmoil at home. It wasn''t just Casey, Wendy was in the dark too.


    Beck never brought work home for two reasons - they wouldn''t understand, and he didn''t want to worry them.


    Bunny had some idea about the situation but never anticipated it escting to such an extent.


    Upon learning about Beck''s hospitalization, the major shareholders expressed their concerns, followed by an immediate shareholders meeting.


    Begrudgingly, Casey had to step up to the te. With his father in the hospital, Wendy too young, and his mother upied at the hospital, the responsibility fell on his shoulders.


    The Dempsey Group was in a fix,


    and Brett was adding fuel to the fire. Bankruptcy seemed inevitable, and Brett''s shady tactics hinted at more than just a loss of family business - they were looking at possible debt and imprisonment.


    Meanwhile, Izabe was trying to extend a helping hand to the Dempsey Group. However, the differences in their business models


    made coboration imposs, models


    Even if they could provide financial aid, saving the Dempsey Group from bankruptcy would take more than a few billion.


    Brett hadid a trap, ready to short the Dempsey Group. If Izabe intervened, herpany would be dragged down too.


    Why had Brett suddenly turned against the Dempsey family?


    Soon, the rumor mills started churning. The root cause was a woman - Casey''s fianc¨¦e.


    For the sake of a woman, the two rted families were ready to wage war against each other.


    Brett had been receiving treatment at home recently, giving orders to his subordinates. The Windham Group was also experiencing losses, causing discontent among many, but they could do little about Brett.

 Chapter 516

    Brett was a man of strategy; different from othermon thinkers, he always considered things three steps ahead just like ying chess. His approach to business was not to burn any bridges, but if he had to strike, he wouldn''t miss an opportunity to corner his opponents, leaving them gasping for breath.


    The Windham family were renowned for producing brilliant business minds, but unfortunately, they were incapable of nurturing real, flesh-and-blood human beings.


    Being the wealthiest family in J City for centuries, the Windham Group had a history of heirs not living past their forties, with the exception of Patrick.


    Although having arranged the matter, Brett was recovering at home, looking idle, he actually was expecting for someone to contact him, waiting for Izabe, or anyone from the Dempsey family.


    The first call he received was from his aunt.


    "Brett, have I ever done anything to hurt you?" Bunny asked straight up.


    "No," Brett answered indifferently.


    Bunny had never done anything to harm him. However, after getting married, she had never visited the Windham family even since; she was more of an outsider instead of a rtive, watching everything with cold eyes.


    Even when her own brother and sister-inw passed away, Bunny didn''t return. Perhaps she had her reasons.


    Brett never held it against her; it was better to live their own life without disturbing each other''s. In business, family ties can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help.


    "So why are you doing this to the Dempsey family?" Bunny asked, her voice strained.


    Brett fell silent, seemingly lost in thought; he talked to himself, "Over these years after grandpa died, you''re actually kind to me, inviting me to dinner with you at your house, serving me more food and asking me to eat more."


    "Then what reason."


    "My reasons are simple. A woman," he interrupted her.


    Bunny''s hands clenched till her knuckles went white, "Izabe? Really, is it her?"


    "Yes, her," Brett confirmed.


    Bunny had never imagined Izabe having any connection with Brett. They seemed like two people frompletely different worlds.


    But then she remembered, when Izabe was kidnapped, Brett and Casey had rescued her. Brett even took a bullet for her and was severely injured.


    "Izabe is Casey''s girlfriend."


    "And she is my ex-wife," Brett replied, his voice hoarse.


    "Ex-wife?" Bunny was confused. Izabe was young and had a clean. reputation. How could she have been married before? And to Brett Surely, they would have known if Brett had married. Moreover, Izabe''s influence in the Inte was immense; if she married, there had already been news.


    However, as a matter of fact, Bunny couldn''t figure out a lot of things, for example, Izabe once asked her about Casey''s background, if he had been raised in an orphanage, and if there was an orphan named Ryker.


    At that time, she felt there was something between Izabe and Casey that she didn''t know of. She didn''t pry further though, because first, that was Izabe''s private matter; second, she believed in Izabe, so she''d never doubted her.


    Actually, Izabe was far from


    simple that they thought. A twenty-year-old girl who had no powerful background was able to manage sessfully apany with an increasing market value Looking into her previous


    information, she was just someone from a vige who hadn''t evenpleted her college study. It was a growing mystery, judging from all the factors.


    What Bunny felt sure about the answer was that she could get from Brett.


    "Would you like to hear the story of Izabe and me, Aunt Bunny?"


    Recently, Casey had been too busy to continue his acting career. After hearing about the Dempsey family''s crisis, the businesses they previously partnered up with withdrew their contracts, not wanting to be associated with the mess.


    "Tired?"


    "It''s okay," truth was, he was drained of energy and didn''t want to utter a word; he didn''t even have time to take some water today.


    Izabe handed him a ss of water. Casey took the ss and finishing it in a few gulps.


    "I''ve been thinking these days." Casey looked up at Izabe with a serious expression he barely wore before.


    Izabe felt a knot in her stomach, as if there was an invisible hand clenching it. The past few days had been nerve-wracking. Brett had stirred up all this trouble for a mere "bet".


    Those who had been abandoned before tended to question every gesture of love out of fear of losing it again. This is known as the "ck cat syndrome", where a cat that had been abandoned and then picked up again became extremely well-behaved out of fear of being abandoned again.


    Izabe feared losing Brett''s "bet".


    Suddenly, Casey opened a drawer and took out a piece of candy. He ced it in Izabe''s hand. Izabe nced at the candy, then back at Casey.


    Despite his fatigue, Casey still managed a smile. His eyes sparkled with determination, like nothing could bring him down.


    "I''ve thought about it. The Dempsey


    Group can''t recover from this


    financial crisis, We can barely cover the debt with my savings from my years in the film industry. By


    mortgaging our properties and


    keeping the house in Wye forelCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    family, we should be able to get by. We can make more money, as long as we''re safe. My dad can retire early and spend time with my mom. As for me, I can continue working in the film industry. I think we''ll be able to manage."

 Chapter 517

    After hearing his words, Izabe exhaled deeply, her eyes welling up with tears. She clutched the candy in her hand, silently watching Casey.


    Startled, Casey gently brought her closer, "What''s wrong? Why are your eyes red?"


    "I thought you didn''t want me anymore."


    Casey chuckled, "After searching for you for so long, how could I not want you? It''s just that now that the Dempsey Group is gone, I''m afraid I might not be able to protect you, and probably be a burden on you."


    Izabe wasn''t a brave woman. She was like a snail, preferring to harden her own shell rather than face the world. At the slightest hint of harm, she would retreat into her shell.


    After experiencing death once, she had built many emotional walls, unwilling to believe in love or marriage again. But Casey was an exception. He was always there to protect her, to tolerate her. He had never thought of leaving her.


    Now, because of him, her walls had crumbled and would never stand again. Deep within, she harbored many thoughts; many things had changed because of Casey.


    She wouldn''t lose anything rted to "Casey". Trusting him was easier than trusting herself. She would never let the oue that Brett desirede to pass.


    "You''ve always been the one to protect me, so let me protect you from now on. I can give you a home too."


    Casey''s life had taken an unexpected turn, bing the son of a bodyguard. His childhood was marked by ack of parents. The Windham family was kind to him, but a servant was always a servant, expected to risk his life for Brett when necessary.


    Growing up in an orphanage, being someone regarded as having intellectual disability, Casey had long yearned for a home. So, with his first paycheck, he had bought a house in R City.


    The home he wanted wasn''t just a house, but a house with Izabe in it. With Casey''s abilities, he could provide for a family with ease. But without power, the road ahead would be challenging.


    If Izabe faced danger again, he could only offer his life in exchange, unable to provide anything else.


    Casey tried his best to hide his disappointment, but Izabe saw through him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up, "You''ve been working for so many days without a break. Come out with me for a breath of fresh air."


    "Okay," Overworking wouldn''t solve anything; it could even make one sick.


    Casey had previously mentioned getting in shape to act, but he had just be thinner.


    Izabe took the car keys. She drove, and Casey didn''t ask where they were going. He would follow her wherever she wanted to go.


    Soft music yed in the car. The November air was a bit chilly, but the car''s heater created a warm breeze that made one sleepy.


    Casey''s eyes were bloodshot, looking like they were inmed.


    "Sleep for a while. I''ll wake you up when we get there."


    Casey obediently closed his eyes, answering with a bted "Hmm".


    Izabe watched him close his eyes. With one hand on the steering wheel, she opened the car''s glove box with the other, revealing two small books. After nearly an hour, they reached their destination. Izabe carefully parked the car, and then woke Casey up.


    She gently patted his face, "Casey, wake up. We''re here."


    Casey opened his eyes in a daze. His deep brown eyes were ssy, filled with confusion.


    "Where are we?" Maintaining one position while sleeping had left his neck sore and stiff.


    Izabe reached out to tidy his messy hair, pushing down a tuft that was sticking up in the middle.


    "Come outside and see."


    Casey unbuckled his seat belt, opened the car door, and before his feet even touched the ground, he saw the ce''s name.


    - City Hall.


    He froze, sitting on the edge of the


    novel


    seat, his feet hanging in mid-air, forgetting to put them down. He turned around, only to see Izabe holding two passports, smiling at Kim.


    City Hall, passports, what else could it mean?


    Casey felt a sudden tightness in his chest, followed by a wave of strange emotions. It felt as if hot water was scalding his heart, the tingling warmth spreading to every corner of his body. His palms were sweaty.


    "It''s a bitte, but City Hall is still open. We might be thest lucky couple to register today."


    "Be." Casey was overwhelmed by the emotions welling up inside him.


    "Yes?"


    "I haven''t proposed to you yet," he wanted to give Izabe the fullest version of love, without missing a single step.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Love started with a confession, followed by dating, proposing, presenting a ring, getting engaged, and finally marriage. "That doesn''t matter."


    "I didn''t bring a ring either."


    "After we finish the paperwork, you can go home and bring it to me. We can have the wedding after we''re not so busy, and the same goes for the wedding photos. Moreover..." Izabe paused, smiling brightly," only wanted you, not any of these material things. As for our parents, my parents have met you at the cemeteryst time, and as for Mrs. Dempsey and the others, they are the ones who gave me the passport."

 Chapter 518

    Izabe had made it clear; she would not give Brett another opportunity to step into her life again.


    She had been entangled with Brett for nine long years, and it had cost her her life. She wasn''t willing to die one more time.


    Death was painful. Even now, Izabe could recall the searing pain when the mes engulfed her body during that horrible fire. But, if she had to go back to her previous life, she would still choose to mit suicide".


    The pain of death was nothingpared to being "imprisoned" by Brett. That was true torture, a fate worse than death.


    Everyone thought she had moved on, but only Izabe knew the shadow of the past was like a wound that never healed; it never scabbed over, and the sharp pain was always there.


    People like her, who had already died once, feared most to repeat the same mistake.


    Izabe had long wanted to marry Casey, but he fell ill and needed recovery time, which dyed their ns. Just when he was fully recovered, the Dempsey family faced a crisis.


    "If you really want to propose, you can do it now. I don''t need a rose diamond ring or a grand gesture; I just need you to ask me gently, and I will answer you."


    They were still in the car; the door was open, and the outside wind was cold, but Casey''s face was flushed. Without saying a word, he jumped out of the car, knelt on one knee, and proposed. "Be, will you marry me? Even if the Dempsey family goes bankrupt, and I have nothing."


    "Bankruptcy and having nothing are trifles. I like you, even if you were a silly kid from the orphanage, I would still like you. If I didn''t like you, even if the Dempsey family didn''t go bankrupt and you inherited a fortune, I still wouldn''t like you. Casey, have you heard the vows at weddings? For richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, through good times and bad, I will always be with you," Izabe said, word by word. She got out of the car and walked towards Casey. She looked at Casey''s extended hand and asked.


    "The financial crisis of the Dempsey family was caused by me. Brett once told me that if you let me go, the Dempsey family will return to its former state. Would you do it?"


    "Money can be earned again, but there''s only one you in this world," Casey didn''t hesitate. He took Izabe''s hand.


    "Then marry me. After today, we will be a legally recognized couple."


    She wanted to be selfish for once. In her past life, she was always the one giving, never having anything for herself.


    In this life, she wanted to hold Casey''s hand tightly. Even if she became penniless, as long as she had him, it would be enough.


    It was almost closing time, and City Hall was very quiet. The only people present were the staff. Indeed, they were thest couple to register for marriage that day.


    The staff gave them a marriage application form. They both signed and filled it out at the same speed, lifting their pens and putting them down at the same time.


    They looked at each other, and Casey turned his head and smiled at her, revealing a canine tooth, reminding her of the first time they met.


    Twenty minutester, they left the ce. Izabe was staring at the certificate in her hand, her shiny eyes not blinking.


    They were married. Izabe was a bit dazed, as if she was in a dream, it didn''t feel quite real.


    She looked up at Casey beside her. He was carefully looking at their wedding photo on the marriage certificate, gently tracing the outline of their faces with his fingers. He treated it as if it were a priceless


    treasure.


    At that moment, everything was worth it.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    From that moment on, she and Casey officially became husband and wife, the closest rtionship to each other.


    Casey, feeling Izabe''s intense gaze, turned his head to look at her. His eyes were a bit red as he asked, "What''s wrong?"


    "It''s just that it hasn''t been easy."


    Time didn''t talk, but it always gives the mostplete answers. Watching Casey carefully put the marriage certificate into his pocket, Izabe suddenly felt that the light object in her hand had be heavy. She had been to this kind of ce before. Nine years ago, she and Brett had hurriedly applied for a marriage certificate.


    She still remembered that day. It was raining heavily, and there weren''t many people in the office. Those who were there were not there to get married but to get divorced, and the whole hall was noisy. Izabe had taken her wedding photo with Brett and received their marriage certificate under such circumstances.


    After they came out, Brett casually threw the marriage certificate into a puddle on the road, as if he was discarding a piece of garbage.


    Back then, Kaley was still recovering in the hospital. After getting the marriage certificate, Brett rushed back to the hospital, while she watched him from behind.


    She watched him get into the car, the car moving further and further away until it was out of sight.


    She still remembered that the


    temperature that day was 12


    degrees, the rain was heavy, and the wind was cold. She stood in the rain and picked up the marriage


    certificate from the mud, wiped the dirt off with her clean sleeve, and carefully put it in her pocket.


    Did she mind? Of course, she did. She even regretted it. Theter Izabe alwaysforted herself. Brett would realize her worth one day; he would realize who loved him the most. She was also waiting for him to change his mind, for him to regret. But people couldn''t endure loneliness and pain for long. And she was a person who was extremely afraid of pain. Later, Izabe thought, when she was tired one day, if someone extended a helping hand to her before Brett treated her well, she would let go of him and find someone who loved her. Unfortunately, she didn''t manage to wait for Brett to change his mind, nor did she manage to wait for someone who could help her up. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Her marriage certificate with Brett had been soaked in mud. Even if she had cleaned the outer shell, the inside was still dirty, and it could never be restored to its original state.


    Brett had casually bought a ring for three dors on the roadside. She wore it for four years, until it loosened and fell off her hand. She never wore it again.


    - Love was like this.


    It was true to treat others as one would like to be treated. If someone was good to her, she would be good to them. If someone treated her poorly, she would do the same. It all depended on whether they deserved it.


    Did Brett deserve it?


    She had transformed her body, a shell of new skin that cloaked her past scars. But what a shame, while bodies could be changed, memories could not.


    Casey held her wrist, responding, "Yeah, it''s been a real challenge; it took me so long to finally win you over. We have a long journey ahead, and all I can hope for is that we walk it together till the end." That day, Izabe found herself grateful. She was lucky enough to be given a second chance by fate, to meet Casey, to savor the taste of enduring, unconditional love.


    Inside a vi in the heart of the city, the living room was inplete disarray. The coffee table, chairs, flower pots, decorative trinkets, all tossed around and smashed.


    Brett was slumped on the couch, his


    face pale, suppressing a cough. His lungs had been damaged, but the pain in his heart was even more unbearable; it was throbbing, almost overshadowing his physical pain in the lungs. No amount of medication could alleviate it.


    When Brett heard from his associates that Izabe and Casey had gone to City Hall, he lost it. He was like a madman losing control, picking up objects and smashing them on the floor. Liam tried to stop him, but instead, almost got hit.


    Brett roared, "Izabe is married with someone else!"


    The thought of Izabe and Casey getting hitched so quickly made him feel suffocated, as if the oxygen in his chest was being squeezed out, leaving him gasping for air.


    He kicked the coffee table hard across the room. Still not satisfied, he grabbed a chair and began smashing it against the wall in a fit of rage, smashing flower pots and shattering ornaments.


    His eyes were bloodshot, his face flushed with fury. The pain in his chest spread throughout his body, even reaching his temples, causing them to throb.


    His hands were numb from the impact, his strength was drained, but he still felt a tidal wave of anger coursing through him, like countless nails piercing his body, leaving him helpless.


    "Why didn''t you stop her from marrying Casey," he coughed out.


    Seeing Brett copse on the couch, coughing and finally calming down, Liam approached him, paused for moment and then advised, "President Windham, let it go. If she wanted to stay, she would have. There''s no stopping someone who''s determined to leave."


    Upon hearing this, Brett clenched his fists.

 Chapter 519

    Brett was deaf to Liam''s words. He got up and opened a drawer, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, ignoring Liam''s protests. He lit up a smoke and held it in his mouth.


    He hasn''t smoked in a long time, and the familiar scent now made him cough violently, causing him to spit blood onto the cigarette.


    The cigarette fell from his mouth onto the clean floor, its dying embers extinguishing into ayer of ash.


    Liam''s voice faded into the background, as Brett couldn''t focus on his words. As Liam rushed to get some water and medicine, Brett lifted his hand and knocked the ss of water over. He leaned against the armrest of the couch, using all his strength to stand up. His legs were trembling, swaying like a tree about to fall.


    Seeing Brett in this state reminded Liam of Izabe in the past. She too was suffering from a terminal illness, enduring unimaginable pain. However, Izabe''s situation was much worse.


    At least, Brett had never been forced to kneel in the pouring rain, had never miscarried, and had never been falsely used and humiliated.


    Brett''s pain wasn''t caused by external torment, but by his own unrealistic expectations.


    Liam, as Brett''s assistant and work partner, couldn''t abandon him. Seeing Brett swaying, he walked over and supported him, "President Windham, where are you trying to go?"


    "I''m going to the Dempsey family to find Casey and Izabe."


    "And then what?"


    Brett was at a loss for words. His head felt heavy, and his vision was blurring.


    "President Windham, have you considered that your feelings for Ms. Salotti stem from your resentment over the past?"


    Yes, he couldn''t let it pass. Brett looked at Liam, at loss for words. It was the first time Liam looked at him with those emotionless eyes, which baffled him.


    "What do you mean?"


    Liam let go of Brett, his hands hanging by his sides, his attitude neither overbearing nor servile, his voice slightly low, "You''re just upset that you lost control over her. You im to want to let Ms. Salotti go, but you never do. Your constant betrayals are why she keeps her distance from you."


    Liam decided that even if he might get fired, he needed to voice his thoughts.


    Brett was too fixated on Izabe. It was not only tormenting her but him as well. When would this mutual torment end?


    Sometimes, Liam didn''t understand what Brett was thinking. He had worked with him for many years but had never truly understood him.


    Brett imed to care for Izabe and wanted to respect Casey''s decisions. Yet, when he saw them together, he couldn''t handle it, as if the onest inutile wail made from a stranded beast that was doomed to


    die.


    Liam, a man in his thirties, was still


    single and had once harboredContent held by N?velDrama.Org.


    romantic nations. But after


    witnessing the rtionship between and Izabe, he was scared


    off. If he, as an outsider, was scared, how could Izabe, who had suffered so much, not be afraid?


    People didn''t search degradation by themselves. Izabe wasn''t that kind of person who woulde around, let alone her previous life bristled with hardship, humiliation.


    As outsiders, they tended to see through things more easily than those stuck in their own stories; Liam had figure it out, and yet Brett hadn''t. He needed someone to snap him back to the truth.


    Since others didn''t have the audacity, Liam would do it. He would tell Brett the true picture.


    "President Windham, you did fine without Ms. Salotti in those three years she was gone. Now that she''s back, you''re clinging to her. Have you considered that you''re just acting out of habit, out of need to possess her? Maybe you don''t love her as much as you think."


    For the first time, Liam voiced such thoughts. Brett''s face turned dark, and his breath went cold. After a long pause, he uttered, "I love her. I know I do."


    "President Windham, wake up. What


    you''re doing isn''t love." Liam took a few steps back, putting distance between them, and spoke slowly, "Think about everything you''ve done, forcing her to do things she didn''t want to do, causing troubles for those she loves. You watch her suffer and cry. Is that love? President Windham, love is not about possession but letting go and forgiveness."


    Brett eximed, "But they don''t deserve her!"


    "You''re the one who doesn''t deserve her. How long do you think you have left with your terminal lung cancer? If you truly love Ms. Salotti, you should find someone who can take care of her, not driving everyone away from her. Even if she forgives you and things go back to the way they were, can you be with her till the end? Have you thought about what will happen to her after you''re gone?"


    "I never thought I could be with her till the end," tears welled up in Brett''s eyes; his face felt icy, making him ufortable.


    He was indeed used to making decisions on his own, decisions that many people, including Liam, didn''t understand.

 Chapter 520

    Aging alongside Izabe, what a luxurious desire, one that he dared not even entertain.


    There was no retreat for him, only to bullishly charge forth, even if it was a wall in front of him, he would crash into it, bloodied and battered, rather than turn back.


    "I haven''t done anything wrong. I just loved her in my way," Brett''s eyes were bloodshot and frightening.


    "Is that how you treat her?" Liam, unable to control his emotions, clenched his fists, refraining from pointing his fingers at him, "Honestly, you''ve treated Ms. Salotti worse than you did Kaley. You cherished Kaley, you rushed to find a blood donor when she had a car ident, you gave her whatever she wanted, and you believed her no matter what she did. Even if she messed up, you easily forgave her. Do you remember how Ms. Salotti lost her first child, Mr. President? It was due to Ms. Cot''s false usations, and you yed a part in it!"


    Did Brett not know that it was Kaley''s doing? No, he knew. The evidence was right in front of him, yet he chose to side with Kaley.


    From the moment Izabe was consumed by the fire, he came to a realization. It was not the fire that killed Izabe, but the cruelty of humanity and the indifference of the bystanders.


    Liam still remembered Izabe at the charity g, in a red dress, holding a ss of red wine, chatting andughing with others. She was so confident and mboyant, but to him, she felt alien.


    Such a dazzling woman, worn down by years, made them forget her initial charm. All that remained was the memory of a bird with broken wings.


    Brett''s thoughts were muddled, the pain making him mentally unstable, his mind drifting back to the past, forcibly pulled back by Liam.


    That was the image that haunted him on countless nights - Izabe in the hospital, suffering from depression, her eyes so broken that it couldn''t be described as heartbroken, looking like an abandoned rag doll, her dark pupils covered with a thickyer of despair.


    Brett tried to suppress the agonizing pain in his chest, but his trembling breath gave him away. His lips quivered, "That''s all in the past."


    "It''s never been in the past. The past you think of is just your perception. Look at your fingernails, look at the scars on your chest. These haven''t disappeared. How can you say it''s in the past?" Liam''s voice suddenly became subdued.


    "President Windham, don''t talk about what''s good for her anymore. What she doesn''t ept as good is not good."


    With a bang, Brett couldn''t control his anger, this time raising his fist andnding a punch on Liam.


    His health was already deteriorating; coupled with ack of sleep and the shock, the punch didn''t hurt much when itnded, but the sudden motion still made Liam step back. His gaze remained calm, not startled by Brett''s punch.


    Liam''s eyes were like calmkes, quietly watching Brett.


    After Izabe''s death, he chose to speak the truth, saying a lot, but Brett took in very little. He was not a rtionship counselor; he couldn''t make a person give up a rtionship and quietly await death. Brett''s journey had been full of ups and downs, making it impossible for him to just wait for death, doing nothing.


    Brett had fully inherited the Windham family''s genes - he was aloof, ruthless, suspicious, and unpredictable. He was good at hiding them from outsiders, but those who knew him were aware that he was not a patient man.


    Seeing Brett like this, Liam knew he hadn''t taken his words to heart.


    He suddenly found Brett pathetic andughable, never understanding how to truly love someone till his death.


    Had Izabe not given Brett chances? She had given plenty. She spent four years, and the rain falling from the eaves could have eroded a stone by then. She cast aside her pride, only short of kneeling and begging him to look back at her.


    But Brett''s actions disappointed her time and time again. The flower had already wilted, and now he thought of watering it, but it was toote.


    After punching Liam, Brett coughed, clutching his chest, tears welling up and falling.


    Liam said, "President Windham, let it go. Her world belongs to her; it has nothing to do with you."


    Brett gave him a cold nce, "No, I''m not done yet. I want to prove to her that I''m right. I was wrong before but now I''m not. If you want to persuade me to give up, then get lost!"


    Brett had been repressing his temper for years, but as people around him started leaving, he found it harder to control. He was always calm at work, hardly ever losing his temper with Liam. But now, he was telling Liam to get lost over a few "honest" words.


    And it was not just a figure of speech. He meant it.


    This time, Liam was taken aback. But he quickly regained hisposure, a faint smile crossing his face as he bowed deeply to Brett.


    "Thank you, President Windham, for your trust and care over the years. I''ll submit my resignation tomorrow," with that, Liam slowly straightened back up, his gaze subdued, and walked past Brett towards the door.


    If words were futile, then he''d rather stay silent.


    Brett had been dominant for so long. Now, as the people around him left one by one, all he was left with was helplessness and regret.


    He clenched his fist, watching the retreating figure of Liam, a bitter sensation welling up. Was he really wrong? He just used his own way to prove his love for Izabe. The "bet" was beneficial to Izabe, whether he lost or won, wasn''t it?


    If Izabe won, there''d be fewer obstacles between her and Casey. If she lost, it would be a lesson about human nature. The love of adults was about cutting losses in time.


    On the other hand, he, regardless of win or loss, he couldn''t get in Izabe''s life.


    He didn''t lose to Casey''s affection.


    In fact, he had spent more time by Izabe''s side than Casey. Unfortunately, the order of fate was cruel. The early bird got the worm, and even if he moved into that positionter, he had to understand the principle of being in order of arrival.


    Brett leaned against the wall, his legs bending as he slid down to sit on the floor. He sat there for four hours, from day to night, silently looking at the stars in the sky.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Brett tried to resist thinking about


    Izabe and Casey getting their


    marriage certificate, but the more be tried not to think about it, the more it haunted him, like apressed spring that had been suppressed for too long, suddenly springing up with greater force.


    Now, every time he thought of the name "Izabe", his tears would uncontrobly cascade down.


    Izabe. If he knew it would be like this, why did he even start anything?


    Deep down, Brett knew better than anyone that all of these actions were not only meaningless but would only make Izabe despise him even more.


    Even Liam thought that the things he did to Izabe were unforgivable, not worthy of being pardoned.


    More than just unforgivable, it was downright despicable. If he could go back in time, the first thing he would probably do was to kill his past self.


    He knew he was wrong, and he wanted to correct his mistakes. He wanted to turn back, to give up, to quietly wait for death, and watch Izabe marry another man.


    But his heart was so empty, like a broken paper window in the cold winter wind, the wind relentlessly pouring in, freezing him to numbness, prompting him to continue searching for something to fill the void, even if what he was searching for, was a thorny bush.


    He remembered every word Izabe said to him, even in his dreams.


    She said, "The world is beautiful, but I won''te back because of you."


    She also said, "Brett, if you die, you will only tarnish my path of reincarnation."


    If he died first, would he tarnish her path of reincarnation? He held his head, thinking about how none of the days Izabe was with him were genuinely happy.


    The silence of the living room was broken by the vibration of a cell phone. He was suddenly awakened. The room was too dark, and he could not see his hand in front of his face. After adapting to the darkness he saw a glimmer of light blinking not far away.


    He got up, ran over, tripped over the


    coffee table, and fell to his knees right into the shattered pieces of a crystal vase. His hand pressed directly onto the broken shards, the pain of his bloodied hand was intense, yet he felt no pain as he serambled to pick up the cell phone on the floor.


    He checked the phone, only to see a picture of a marriage certificate; Izabe was smiling, a face full of happiness.

 Chapter 521

    The only person in his sight was Izabe, and he seemed to disregard Casey standing on the side. The two of them were in the same picture, and even he himself thought they were a good match.


    He wanted to zoom in on the photo to look at Izabe in detail, but as he lifted his hand, a drop of blood fell onto the phone screen, blocking Izabe''s face.


    With the faint light from his phone screen, he looked at his hand. Pieces of ss were lodged in his flesh and blood, it was a sight that made one wince. There was blood all over his hand; it didn''t hurt at first, but now that he saw it, the pain hit him.


    Brett had never understood love. He disdained the idea that one could fall for love, deteriorate for love, and endure pain for it.


    Looking at the blood on his palm, he understood that feeling. It was like when the room plunged into darkness, he fell into a pile of broken ss, his hands and feet aching. But his first reaction wasn''t to examine his injuries, but to pick up his phone, because the message could have been from Izabe.


    For a mere "possibility", he was willing to be covered in cuts and bruises.


    The photograph was sent by Izabe to Brett, and she added some words. - "I won the bet."


    Her underlying meaning was to ask Brett to let the Dempsey family go.


    Brett, trembling, stood up and turned on the light. The chaos of the room came into his sight; blood was everywhere. Apart from his hand hurting, his knee was also throbbing with pain.


    He lowered his head to look at his legs, his knee was stained with blood, and there were pieces of ss stuck to his pants. So this was what it felt like to kneel on broken ss. The pain and wounds Izabe had suffered were because of him, and he knew that clearly.


    Brett was unwilling in his heart, and he still harbored unrealistic fantasies. He always fantasized, an eye for an eye, if he experienced all the pain Izabe had suffered, would shee back to him? Now, medical technology is advanced, even stomach cancer can be treated properly with medicine; perhaps lung cancer could be treated too. His condition wasn''t as serious as the doctor said. He was just coughing; at most coughing up some blood, it wouldn''t kill him.


    He was always repenting, but before he had the chance to treat Izabe well, she had chosen someone else and didn''t give him any chance.


    In fact, being married wasn''t a big deal, people coulde back from the dead, and marriages could end in divorce, maybe, after he died, God would give him a chance to return, just like Izabe. People always liked to hold onto unrealistic fantasies, only to regret in the end.


    After waiting for Brett''s reply for a long time and not receiving it, Izabe hesitated and called him.


    Brett was holding his phone nkly, the case was stained with blood, and before he could react, he heard Izabe''s voice.


    "Brett, I''m married now."


    The vi was very quiet; the sudden appearance of Izabe''s voice seemed like an illusion.


    Brett lowered his head and stared at


    the phone in his hand, realizing that he had unconsciously answered the call. He was silent, and Izabe thought he hadn''t heard her and


    repeated herself,


    "I''m married."


    "I heard you," Brett''s hoarse voice came from the phone; it was hard to discern his emotions.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Izabe said, "The bet you set, I won. It proves that Casey is not like you; he won''t abandon me for his own gain."


    Brett''s voice was a bit heavy, "What''s


    the rush? I haven''t done anything


    ???


    yet. Besides, this bet is not only about Casey, but also his family. Izabe, let me ask you, is a marriage without the blessing of family happy? Have you ever thought about the consequence of the Dempsey family going bankrupt and being jailed? Can you afford that price? Will you feel guilty every day living with Casey because of this?"


    "Enough!" Izabe interrupted his threat, "Brett, that bullet should have been aimed at your forehead!"


    There was so much Izabe didn''t


    understand. He said he was doing it for her good, but he kept pushing her into a corner. He said he wanted her forgiveness, and she had said in the hospital that she had let go of the past. They should live happily apart, wasn''t that better?


    Brett staggered to the window, opened it, and the cold wind outside blew in, sounding like someone was crying.


    His heart was colder than his body.


    He said, "Let''s meet some other time, or you can set a ce; I''ll wait for you."


    Izabe said, "What can we talk about in person? Or do you want to go back to the old days, chain me up and lock me in the house like a dog?"


    "I was wrong back then. I won''t do that ever again."


    "Don''t be in such a hurry to say that. When has your word ever been reliable, President Windham?" Izabe sneered, "People have to learn from their experiences."


    Brett could imagine Izabe''s expression. She was probably clenching her teeth, holding back her anger, if he was in front of her, he might have been pped. Izabe had a good temper. Brett once said she was like a rabbit; even when she got angry, she wasn''t threatening.


    Izabe''s personality wasn''t as dark as his. Her softness was innate, like cotton, even when a knife fell on it, there wouldn''t be any sound.

 Chapter 522

    Izabe had an uncanny knack for tolerating pain, to the point where most people overlooked the fact that she was actually terrified of it.


    There were countless times when Izabe suffered in silence. Was it that she had an exceptional tolerance for pain? No, it was because she was at the brink of breaking.


    The extent of Brett''s cruelty could be measured by the fact that he could drive someone to the point of fighting back, even if it meant sullying their reputation in the process.


    A person who was proficient at enduring pain often expressed disappointment in silence.


    Izabe had mastered the art of concealing her emotions, but that didn''t mean she was emotionless.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    At present, Izabe had zero affection left for Brett. Any residual resentment she had, which had faded over time, hade rushing back, making her feel repulsed once again.


    She had foolishly believed that Brett had changed, but he was still the same old inconsistent, unreliable, and fickle person he had always been. These traits were deeply ingrained in him. ncing at her phone, Izabe felt a pang of regret over the wasted call charges.


    Nevertheless, she couldn''t resist retorting, "Brett, manners are a good thing to have. I hope you acquire some."


    In her past life, Brett must have been an octopus, not just content with two-timing, but also prone to spreading his tentacles wider.


    "Manners? I really don''t have any. After all, my parents died young, and there was no one to teach me."


    "Is that your excuse for hurting people? Others should pay for your indecent behavior?"


    Izabe could imagine Brett''s nonchnt expression, a devil-may-care grin ying on his lips, his eyes deep and unreadable. She clenched her fist, suppressing her fury. "Let''s meet," suggested Brett.


    Izabe took a deep breath, "Brett, can we stop this endless game? Don''t you just want to see me repeat my past mistakes, see me once again be a caged bird, abandoned by others? But not this time, Casey hasn''t given up on me. Even the passport we used to register our marriage was given by his mom. We''vee this far, what else do you need to prove?"


    The phone fell silent. After waiting for a response that never came, Izabe nced at her phone, realizing that the call was still connected; it was just that Brett had remained silent.


    Izabe continued, "I''ve been dead once, Brett. Even a good horse doesn''t graze on past pastures. Do you think I would return to rummage in the garbage?"


    "We would be better together." Brett began.


    Izabe was amused by his audacity. She wondered how thick-skinned he must be to utter such words.


    "Better?" Izabe retorted, "Your idea of ''better'' is to destroy my life and treat me like an animal for bearing children? Or to continue to hypnotize me into bing a naive fool for your amusement?" "Brett, do you remember the day we got our marriage certificate? You said it yourself that you would never fall in love with me. You tossed the marriage certificate into a muddy ditch by the roadside, randomly bought a three-dor ring from a street vendor and tossed it at me. We had no emotional or material bond. It was so cheap; it''s irreceable."


    Izabe''s voice was eerily calm. She paused, hearing Brett''s breathing elerate on the other end of the line, but he still didn''t respond.


    Izabe asked calmly, "Brett, do you like me or are you just used to me? In the three years after my death, did you suddenly realize howfortable I made your life?"


    Finally, Brett couldn''t hold back, he retorted, "I love you, Izabe. As much as you love Casey, that''s how much I love you. You don''t want to give up Casey, so how can you expect me to give you up?"


    "Go to hell with your ''love''! Brett, take a moment to think, is that really love? Count on your fingers how many times you''ve physically abused me? How many times have you pped me? Casey has neverid a finger on me; even when he misunderstood me and thought I had deceived him, he chose to suffer himself rather than harm me. That''s the difference between him and you!"


    Only Brett could push Izabe to the point of cursing.


    After taking a deep breath, she spoke again, her voice hoarse from the pain in her chest and throat, "Even now, you still haven''t woken up. Whether I''m dead or alive, you never care." The line went silent again.


    As if talking to herself, Izabe said mockingly, "Brett, you were once the person I loved so much that I''d run into a wall for. In consideration of the fact that I once loved you so much, cooked for you for over 1300 days, and even drew blood for your loved ones more than 50 times, can you please let go?"


    Over the many years she had known Brett, including their five years of marriage, she had loved and then hated him. It wasn''t that she had no feelings left, even a stray dog being fed for few times would have feelings for the feeder.


    However, after what happened to the Salotti family, she truly despised him. After all, a person couldn''t be a fool forever.


    Brett''sbored coughing was heard over the phone.


    After hearing Izabe''s words, Brett had to catch his breath. His chest was in excruciating pain, as though his lungs were about to rupture, and all it would take was a tug to rip out bloody chunks of flesh. "Izabe, if I told you I was dying, would youe to be with me?"


    "Send a bunch of flowers to your funeral? You''re so full of yourself; is it because my past has boosted the egoism in you?"


    Brett was dying? Considering that eight out of ten words from his mouth were lies, she didn''t take his im seriously. After all, even if he was truly dying, so what?


    As it turned out, what went around, came around. Izabe found Brett''s words familiar because she had said something simr to him in the past.


    But how did Brett react back then? He used her of being mentally ill, and locked her up in a room for four days without food. She had to drink tap water to quench her thirst and chew on toilet paper to satiate her hunger.


    Brett''s knuckles were white from


    for


    clenching, his eyes dull, "If you want me to spare the Dempsey family, thene meet me. You''ve been following Casey around; you should know their situation well. They''re hanging by a thread, teetering on the edge of copse. It doesn''t even need a push from me to fall. And there are plenty of people who would like to see them in ruins. To be honest, bankruptcy is a small issue, but you know how dirty this business world can be. Framing and setting people up aremon practices. So, take a guess, has there been any contraband in the Dempsey family''s recent shipments? Some things cannd you in jail, or


    worse, in front of a firing squad."


    A chill ran down Izabe''s spine. She picked up her ss of ice water from the table, taking a couple of sips to maintain herposure.


    She analyzed Brett''s words one by one. He was fully capable of framing and setting people up. No one knew Brett better than she did, but in business, Brett never made a losing deal.


    But this time, he was willing to take a loss to bring down the Dempsey family. The apparent losses could potentially jeopardize the entire Windham family fortune.


    If Nathaniel hadn''t passed away and he hadn''t taken over the Windham family''s assets, he might be the one facing bankruptcy right now.


    Such recklessness was unlike Brett''s


    usual style. Plus, even if he acquired


    the Dempsey family''s assets after


    their bankruptcy, it would still be


    mess


    nd he wouldn''t make any


    profit. Wouldn''t the other


    shareholders of the Windham family have something to say about this?


    So, why exactly was Brett doing this?


    "Are you really ready to burn bridges?" Izabe asked.


    Brett responded, "It''s just amon business strategy."


    ''Such amon strategy,'' Izabe thought bitterly. After a moment of silence, she retorted sarcastically, "I''m married now. What''s the point of meeting you?"


    "Marriage doesn''t mean you can''t get a divorce. We''ve been divorced before, haven''t we?"


    "If I meet you, will you spare the Dempsey family? And what about the contraband you mentioned? Will you take it back?" Izabe inquired.


    Brett responded with a simple "Uh-huh".


    "You''re quite something, aren''t you? Managing to get your hands on contraband. You don''t mind sullying your hands to frame others?"


    "Who at the top doesn''t have dirty hands? Izabe, you should know that better than anyone."


    Izabe almost apuded him, "True enough. After all, the Salotti Group in R City disappeared due to your such ''strategies''. So, using the same tactic against the Dempsey Group is nothing new." Brett responded, "Money makes the world go round."


    Izabe had been speaking with a cold smile all along, but this time, she burst outughing, her mirth evident.


    "Why are youughing?" Brett''s voice was raspy.


    Izabe stoppedughing, pausing before saying, "I''ve been recording this."

 Chapter 523

    Izabe spoke in a calm tone, but her words hit Brett like a sudden thunderstorm on a clear day. Silence fell on Brett''s end of the line immediately.


    "Brett, I never took you for an honest man. Answering my questions so candidly, admitting to harboring illicit goods. That''s illegal, you know." Izabe chuckled. "Thanks for giving me so much information. This recording will make great evidence in court. Setting people up, do you think you could end up like Nathaniel?"


    She continued with a smile in her voice, "So, are you going to turn yourself in, or should I release this recording and let everyone see who President Windham of the Windham Group really is? I know you''re used to getting your way, but if you push me too far, I won''t mind cutting you down to size."


    "You''re scheming against me?" Brett questioned in disbelief.


    Izabe''s smile widened, revealing her white teeth. "You''re a good teacher."


    With that, Izabe hung up the call. She looked at her phone with a smile of victory. After listening to the recording once more and making sure it was correct, she saved multiple copies for backup. Brett was wealthy. Wealth can make the world go round, but it can''t blind everyone.


    After all, there''s always someone watching.


    Izabe put her phone down, feeling nauseated by Brett''s words. She had called to tell him about her marriage just to upset him. Brett was always on guard. But once he lost control of his emotions, he could be unpredictable.


    To get Brett trapped to confess, Izabe had to say a lot to distract him. Now that the matter was resolved, she felt a dryness in her mouth. She picked up her water ss and took a few sips to soothe her parched throat.


    It was a peaceful night, even somewhat uncontroble sleepiness crept up on her. A nce at the clock showed it was already ten o''clock.


    She had been working overtime with Casey for the past few days, dealing with the Dempsey Group. All theworking andte nights work had left her exhausted. But now that she had a valuable recording, her tightly wound nerves rxed.


    Izabe mustered her remaining energy to finish her work. Then she sent the recording to Casey.


    "I''ll handle the rest. You should rest. I''ll be homete."


    Meanwhile, Brett stared at his phone. After the call ended, the screen returned to the photo of the marriage certificate showing Izabe''s serene smile. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time.


    He hadn''t expected Izabe to be so cunning, to scheme and trap him into confessing everything.


    Brett put his phone away, not


    nning to immediately address the situation. Instead, he looked at his injured hand and leg, retrieved a first aid kit and removed the shards of ss embedded in his flesh, He cleaned the wounds with


    §Ú§Ý


    disinfectant.


    He took a deep breath and copsed onto the sofa, looking up at the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He coughed a few times. Blood was brought up to his throat. He covered his mouth with a hand, the one he had just cleaned now stained again.


    After catching his breath, Brett picked up his phone to send a message to Liam, instructing him to do something.


    Just as he was about to send the message, he realized that Liam had decided to resign. Liam, who had followed him for over a decade, was also leaving. Was this a case of everyone deserting him?


    Before dawn, the police arrived at the Windham Group to confiscate everything The entirepany was in panic, not knowing what was happening. It seemed like they had done something illegal. Otherwise, why would the police be there?


    The entire executive board was invited to the police station for "interrogation".


    When this news reached the inte, the news of the imminent bankruptcy of the Dempsey Group also spread.


    Inte users reacted in different ways. Some were indifferent, some were worried, and some were amused.


    Some even mocked, "Some people


    said Izabe wasn''t good enough for Casey, that she was reaching above her station to be with the Dempsey Group. Look at them now, how the tables have turned. The Dempsey Group is on the brink of bankruptcy, and it''s Casey''s fault. He might even need Izabe to support him. After all, she is the Chairman of the Maple Group who can stand on her own."


    The crisis of the Dempsey family was still unresolved. Like what Brett had said, many people wanted the Dempsey Group to go bankrupt. At the moment, everyone was eyeing that piece of juicy meat.


    The Windham Group was under public investigation. But behind the scenes, it ran business as usual, with funds flowing in every day.


    The police didn''t find any illicit items. With this investigation, the Dempsey family wouldn''t be framed and end up in jail for illegal activities. Brett wouldn''t allow anyone to threaten his position.


    When Izabe woke up the next morning, the world had changed. She read the news while having breakfast.


    Breakfast was brought by Casey. He said he would be backter, but he came back in the morning just to bring Izabe breakfast.

 Chapter 524

    Izabe awoke to find a Post-it note on her nightstand.


    "Breakfast is in the kitchen, remember to eat."


    A small smile formed on Izabe''s face as she read the note. The house was silent, indicating that Casey had already left. She didn''t know when he hade home back or when he had left that morning.


    She got out of bed and walked into the bathroom to freshen up. As she was about to turn on the faucet, she froze when she saw something on her ring finger. It was a diamond ring, neither too big nor too small, just the right size to make her forget its existence.


    The design of the engagement ring was simple, but a closer look revealed its intricate craftsmanship.


    Casey had prepared the ring a long time ago for a proposal that never happened. They ended up getting married without a formal proposal.


    Izabe felt a rush of warmth as she pictured Casey, who was back homete at night and carefully slipped the ring onto her finger while she slept.


    Feeling cheerful, she tidied up the room and headed downstairs to the kitchen. The breakfast Casey had prepared for her was kept warm, and she found it to be a selection of her favourite ssic American breakfast items - pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and toast.


    Izabe didn''t feel quite hungry, so she only had a little of each and stored the rest in the fridge. She could eat them for lunch or even the next morning, they wouldn''t go bad.


    The morning news was ying on the TV in the living room. Izabe multitasked, washing dishes while listening to the news. When the news mentioned the Windham Group being investigated, she paused for a moment before resuming her task.


    The Windham Group was under sudden investigation, and all of its top executives were taken away for questioning. What''s more, there were whispers of illegal contraband smuggling, elevating it to an international case.


    In the midst of this chaos, the CEO of the Windham Group, Brett, had gone missing. There had been no news from him since thepany''s lockdown.


    Izabe was too preupied with her own troubles to worry about Brett. If the investigation found anything incriminating, Brett would be like a rat running from a cat.


    At nine in the morning, Izabe was on her way to work when she received a call from Bunny, who wanted to meet her.


    "Be, do you have time today? How about we have lunch together, just the two of us?"


    Knowing it wouldn''t just be a simple lunch, Izabe agreed. Part of the reason the Dempsey Group was in crisis was because of her, and she felt a responsibility she couldn''t shake off. "I''m at the hospital right now, in Mr. Beck''s room."


    Bunny had chosen a restaurant not far from the hospital. Izabe parked her car in the hospital parking lot and sent a text to Casey, letting him know she was going to have lunch with Bunny near the hospital. As she was about to call Bunny, she spotted hering out of the hospital. Izabe put away her phone and walked over to meet her.


    "Mrs. Dempsey," she waved.


    Bunny turned to look at Izabe, her gaze lingering on the ring on Izabe''s finger.


    "You''re married to Casey now, why are you still calling me Mrs. Dempsey? Just call me Bunny."


    Izabe hesitated for a moment, not totally ready for the change of her identity. But finally she managed to greet, "Bunny."


    Bunny smiled.


    She lightly patted Izabe''s hand, "Once we get past this crisis, you two will have a proper wedding ceremony. Even if the Dempsey family is not as wealthy as before, we can''t skimp on your wedding." Feeling guilty, Izabe shook her head and held Bunny''s hand gently, "We can have a simple dinner instead. A wedding ceremony is not necessary."


    "That''s nonsense, Be. A wedding is an important event for a woman. You''re marrying into the Dempsey family. We can''t let you miss out on having a wedding."


    Seeing no way out, Izabe nodded.


    The restaurant was just a five-minute walk from the hospital. Bunny led Izabe to their reserved booth, and the server began to bring out the food.


    Throughout the meal, Bunny would asionally nce at Izabe, as if wanting to say something.


    "Bunny, is there something you want to talk about?"


    Bunny hesitated, then nodded, "Yes."


    "Go ahead."


    "It''s about you and Brett."


    Izabe''s face stiffened, and a wave of unease washed over her. She had expected Bunny to bring up Brett.


    tel


    After all, Brett''s sudden attack on the Dempsey family was suspicious,


    and Bunny would naturally suspect the reason behind it.


    Brett had tried to turn Izabe against the Dempsey family, and Bunny must have been aware of this.


    Keeping herposure, Izabe looked at Bunny, waiting for her to finish her sentence.


    Bunny collected herself, "I called


    Brett a couple of days ago, and he


    told me some unbelievable things. ? wanted to ask you directly, but I never found the right moment. was afraid it might upset you. Now that


    you''re married to Casey, I wanted to learn about your past as a family member. If you don''t want to talk about it, just forget my question."


    Brett always said that people with the Windham blood were naturally bad, that their viinous genes were unchangeable.


    Yet Izabe didn''t think Bunny was like the Windham family that Brett described.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Just like Casey, Bunny was always considerate.


    "Bunny, I had a bizarre past with Brett. I was his ex-wife."


    Even though she was prepared, Bunny was still stunned when she heard this "answer" from Izabe.


    Earlier when Bunny heard Brett say this on the phone, she thought there was something wrong with his head, that he''d gone crazy, or that he was trying to stir up trouble.


    "But wasn''t his ex-wife dead? Didn''t she die in a fire?"


    Izabe admitted, "Yes, I am a person who has died once. It''s hard to exin, but have you heard of the phrase ''reincarnation''? I don''t know why I died and was able toe back in this body." It was funny that anyone heard about the story would think she was out of her mind, but Bunny didn''t.


    From a long time ago, Bunny had suspicions about Izabe''s identity.


    Izabe''s original identity "Bell" was concealed by Nathaniel, but it couldn''t fool the Dempsey family. If they wanted to investigate, they could always find clues.


    The first time Bunny suspected Izabe''s identity was when Izabe asked if Casey was Ryker.


    At that time, Bunny couldn''t figure out the connection. Now that Izabe mentioned reincarnation, all these unexined things instantly made sense.


    Bunny asked, "So, you knew Casey from your past life?"


    Izabe said, "Yes, even before I knew Brett."


    "I see," Bunny paused, "I always wondered why you were so different from your online persona. So you switched bodies. The person in that viral video was you, wasn''t it?"


    "At that time, Brett used me as a


    bargaining chip and handed me over


    l.n


    to Nathaniel. That was when Casey was shot and I thought he was. dead. zabe didn''t want to talk about the video, but her eyes reddened at the mere mention of it.


    Her calm voice trembled slightly under restraint. Bunny didn''t say anything but just sympathetically looked at her.

 Chapter 525

    She had watched the video too, an edited ten-minute clip that was too gruesome to finish. Even though it was silent, Izabe''s expressions told the whole story. She was in pain, tormented to the point of wishing for death, plunging into despair.


    Nathaniel was the perpetrator, but Brett was the mastermind. With his hidden past, Brett was far more terrifying than Nathaniel. Everyone thought of Brett as a deeply emotional man, who was devoted to histe wife. He had stood by her side when she became mentally ill, caring for her and even built a theme park in her memory.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But what they didn''t know was that Brett had driven his wife into depression, regarded her as a baby-making machine, destroyed her family, trampled her pride, aborted their child, and confined her to a wheelchair.


    Bunny was one of the people deceived by Brett''s facade. She asked, "Do you still love Brett?"


    "Love?" Izabe scoffed at the mention. "Would you love someone who drove you to your death?"


    Her eyes were now bloodshot with hatred.


    "Bunny, do you know the Salotti family from R City?"


    "Yes." The Salotti family used to be part of high society, not as influential as the Windham or Dempsey families, but still noteworthy. And when people talked about R City, the first thing that came to their mind was Ms. Izabe.


    Despite her young age, she took over the Salotti Group after Old Mr. Salotti''s death, preventing the rapid downfall of thepany.


    "Brett used the same tactics he used on the Dempsey family to ruin mine. I detest him. How could I possibly like him? He destroyed everything in my life."


    As Izabe spoke, her eyes were filled with shadows, devoid of any mirth.


    How many hardships and humiliations had she suffered because of Brett? Who knew how many times she had contemted death?


    The once envy-inducing Ms. Izabe had been reduced to a ything behind closed doors. Who could understand the anguish she experienced?


    Brett always said that he loved her deeply, that his love for her was no less than Casey''s.


    But confessing his love after driving her to her death was more repulsive than rape.


    If Brett had shown even a shred of mercy, she wouldn''t have chosen to die in a fire.


    Izabe didn''t borate further, but Bunny could imagine. Remembering the video of Izabe being tortured, she felt a lump in her throat. Her appetite vanished. She felt sorry for Izabe.


    In the light, Izabe''s face was as pale as baster. Bunny watched her and sighed quietly.


    She opened her purse and took out a jade bracelet.


    "Be, give me your hand."


    Confused, Izabe extended her hand. Bunny gently held her wrist and slipped the bracelet on before she could react.


    "Mrs. Bunny, this is too valuable."


    Izabe''s hand was delicate, her fingers slender and white. The jade bracelet perfectly entuated her fair skin.


    Bunny said, "This bracelet was given to me by my mother-inw when I married into the Dempsey family. She saidat should be passed on to the daughter-inw. She gave it to me, and now I''m giving it to you. From now on, you are the Dempsey family member. The Dempsey family will always support our own."


    "Mrs. Bunny, Brett''s actions against the Dempsey family are because of me."


    "No, it''s not because of you. I know the difference between a victim and a perpetrator. I won''t me you for his selfishness."


    Bunny''s gentleness made Izabe feel awkward. "You won''t mind my past?"


    Bunnyughed. "You said it''s in the past. So why should we dwell on it? You''ve been reborn. The old Izabe is dead. Don''t worry, my husband and I have epted the situation. We''ve lost our fortune, but money can be earned again. As long as we''re alive, that''s what matters."


    In contrast, Izabe had chosen to marry into the Dempsey family in a dire situation. Even the Dempsey''s rtives and friends had deserted them, but Izabe chose to support them.


    The saying "adversity reveals true friendship" truly hit home for Izabe.


    After lunch, Izabe apanied Bunny to the hospital to visit Beck.


    Beck was still receiving treatment. It hadn''t been long since theyst saw each other, but his hair had already turned grey.

 Chapter 526

    Beck''s robust figure had significantly slimmed down. The only thing that remained unchanged were the spirited glint in his eyes.


    He was on a strict regimen of medication, regr health check-ups, and nd hospital meals due to his advanced age and high blood pressure which often led to sudden bouts of unconsciousness whenever he got too agitated.


    "Is that you, Izabe? Come, sit down. Have some fruit here. Are you thirsty? Would you like some water?" Beck beckoned Izabe toe join him as soon as he saw her, signaling his nurse to bring a chair over.


    "What did Bunny take you out to eat today?"


    There were various fruits on the cupboard. Standing by the bedside, Izabe replied, "We just ate at a nearby restaurant."


    Beck noticed the jade bracelet on Izabe''s wrist and asked his wife, "You have given her the bracelet?"


    "Hmm," Bunny nodded, "You probably didn''t know, but our son is married now. Izabe is our daughter-inw."


    Upon hearing this, Beck didn''t look pleased but rather worried. "I''m sorry you have to go through the hardship with us."


    "It''s not a problem."


    "Isn''t it? When I married Bunny, it was such a grand event that people still talk about it. But when you got married to Casey, all you got was a marriage certificate, a ring, and that bracelet."


    Izabe looked down at her ring and bracelet, "These are the best and most precious gifts I have ever received."


    Speaking of grand events, her wedding with Brett was quite a spectacle too, even covered by the media. Yet she wasn''t happy at all in that marriage.


    The most important thing was not the wedding, but the person you would spend the rest of your life with, just like the ring on her finger.


    Brett had given her rings twice. The first was a cheap one he picked up on the street, the second was forced onto her finger during their divorce proceedings. Neither of the rings fitted her, much like their rtionship.


    A person who loves you and a person who doesn''t can be distinguished from this alone.


    Beck turned to Bunny and said, "We should still hold a wedding reception, inviting our close friends and family. The Dempsey family might not be as affluent as before, but we can still afford a wedding." Bunny nodded in agreement.


    While the couple was busy nning, they forgot about Izabe by their side. Only when they started talking about wedding decorations did Bunny turn to Izabe and asked, "Izabe, do you have any ideas?" Izabe suddenly remembered Casey telling her that he wanted a traditional wedding, with something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. She couldn''t help but chuckle at the idea, "How about a very traditional wedding?"


    Beck realized that Izabe must be bored all by herself in the hospital, and she probably had a lot of work to do as well.


    "Izabe, why don''t you head back home?"


    "But..."


    "Bunny''s here to take care of me, along with the nurse. I''m fine, and I can even get out of bed and walk around now." Beck reassured her.


    "I wille to visit next time with Casey." Izabe didn''t insist and left. There was indeed a lot of work waiting for her at thepany, and she also needed to take over Casey''s work.


    "Izabe." Beck suddenly called out her name, propping himself up. Bunny, who was nearest to him, immediately helped him sit up.


    Beck looked at Izabe, "You can take me as your father and Bunny as your mother. Come to us whenever you need help."


    Izabe was stunned, suddenly thinking of her biological father n.


    n might not have been a good father to her, but he was always a good husband. After her mother died during childbirth, he always wore his wedding ring.


    He never deleted his wife''s phone number, even though it was disconnected. He would dial her number and talk to the air as if his wife was still alive.


    Izabe had resented her father for his cold attitude towards her, for his harsh words, and for hisck of concern when she was ill. But after his death, all her resentment vanished.


    Her father loved her mother so much that he kept every memento of her, and even attempted suicide to follow her steps. The reason he didn''t seed was probably because he remembered he still had two children to take care of.


    Izabe remembered what her nanny had once told her.


    "Your dad has been suffering all these years!"


    And what her grandfather had said.


    "Your father actually took great care of you when you were a baby."


    "Could you hug me, dad?" The young Be wanted to cry in her father''s arms. "They said it was my fault mom died."


    Her memory was filled with the image of n''s cold back as he walked away, not looking back, standing on top of a tall building after making hisst phone call, then jumping off without hesitation.


    "Be?"


    Izabe shuddered, regaining her senses, she sniffled a little.


    "I understand if you''re not like the idea." Beck started, but was cut off.


    "Dad, Mom." Izabe interrupted him, her voice hoarse. Seeing Beck''s stunned expression, Izabe, fearing he hadn''t heard her clearly, repeated earnestly, "Dad, Mom, I''m going home now." "Alright, safe drive. Let us know when you reach your office."


    Izabe nodded and waved goodbye to them, "Bye."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    As she turned to leave, she felt her eyes welling up with tears. A warm feeling filled her heart as she stepped out into the autumn chill Izabe was usually sensitive to the coldness, but now she felt nothing but warmth. The warmth in her heart seemed to spread throughout her body, even reaching her ears.


    She finally had a mom and dad of her own, and she was no longer a girl who was ridiculed for having no mother and a father who didn''t care. She wouldn''t have to hide in the bathroom to cry whenever she felt wronged in the future.


    Izabe had always thought of herself as a stoic, a woman hardened by years of emotional coldness. Her heart was long locked away behind towering walls. But now those walls were crumbling, bringing close the people who truly cared for her.


    She didn''t feel lonely anymore. Stepping out of the hospital room, Izabe paused instead of leaving immediately. She closed the door behind her and leaned against the wall.


    Her eyes were still slightly red, a


    telltale sign recent tears. Not wanting to be seen in such a state, tate she quickly lowered her gaze and waited for the tears in her eyes to fade. As she was preparing to leave, she heard Beck''s coughing from inside the room.


    "Ahem. get myptop for me."


    "You''re still working in this condition? Here, have some water."


    "How can I not work? I can''t dump everything on them. You know Casey never intended to step into the Dempsey family business. He got lost as a child, spent over a decade in an orphanage. He wouldn''t understand these business matters. My original n was to hand over the reins to Izabe after


    their marriage. But now, with the


    Dempsey family business in


    shambles, how can I do that?"


    "But you''re in the hospital now, you should care your health first."


    "I know. I''m fine. Ahem, ahem, ahem."


    Bunny interjected, "You say you''re fine, but look at you, coughing your lungs out!"


    "I''m still alive and my mind is clear, so I can still work. If I can help them, I will. I don''t want them to struggle in the future. Casey and Izabe are now married, we need to quickly prepare for their wedding ceremony. We can''t let her down."


    Whatever Beck said next, Izabe couldn''t hear. Her ears were buzzing, overwhelmed by the realization that they still needed her.


    Beck might have imed not to care about the family business, but who would willingly let decades of hard work go to waste?


    Back at the office, Izabe tackled the stack of urgent documents on her desk. She then handed over her duties rted to the Dempsey Group. By the time she was done, it was already eight at night. She and Casey had hastily tied the knot. But on their second day as a married couple, they were so busy that they didn''t even have time to see each other.


    Upon returning home in Spring Bay, she saw that the sunflower in Niki''s pot had passed its blooming period. Its petals had wilted and fallen. Izabe trimmed the nt, then added some nutrient water to the dry soil.

 Chapter 527

    In the evening, Izabe was in the kitchen cooking spaghetti. After filling her stomach, she sat on the couch and continued going over some documents. The silence in the room was so overwhelming that it felt like the rustling of papers echoed. Unsettled by the quietness, she turned on the television and started watching a romantic movie. However, after about ten minutes, she found it unappealing and started reading her documents back instead. By nine, she was done with her paperwork, and the movie had ended as well.


    She texted Casey, asking him when he''d be home.


    After a while, she got a text notification. Assuming it was Casey, she opened the message only to be taken aback. The name on the screen wasn''t Casey''s. As she read the entirety of the message, her hand tightened around her phone, disbelief shing in her eyes.


    How could this be?


    Izabe sat on the couch, unsure of how much time had passed, until her feet started feeling cold. That''s when Casey called.


    "Be, there''s a storming tonight. Make sure you close the windows. I''ll be home soon."


    "Aren''t you workingte tonight?" Izabe asked, knowing that Casey usually slept at his office whenever he had to workte.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Not tonight."


    After hanging up, Izabe noticed the wind outside rustling the curtains. She got up and closed the windows.


    Izabe washed up and got into bed. Outside, the wind was howling louder. The sky was periodically lit up by lightning, followed by the rumbling thunder. Although she had spent her day busy and was feeling quite fatigued, she couldn''t fall asleep.


    The reason was simple. Izabe was scared of thunderstorms, especially those at night.


    Despite her bold exterior, Izabe was quite timid. She feared falling sick, taking medicines, bitterness, storms, thunders, and lightning. But what frightened her the most was being alone. If something were to happen to her when she was alone, she would die without anyone knowing.


    Once, she thought she could live with her own. But humans are social creatures, and extreme solitude can lead to social anxiety. Even as she imed to enjoy her solitude, she envied those who could run around freely with their friends.


    Now she had Casey, someone who cared for her. He had always been there with her during past storms.


    But he wasn''t there tonight, and the feeling of loneliness and helplessness was slowly taking root in her heart.


    However, as long as she had someone to stay with, she wasn''t afraid of any hardships that coulde her way.


    Izabe left the lights on. Tonight''s storm seemed more severe than usual. She wrapped herself in a nket. Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out with a snap, plunging the room into darkness.


    With the only sound being the


    thunder and wind outside, the room


    was eerily quiet. Izabe sat up, wrapping herself tightly in nket and blocking her ears to the sound of the thunder. It wasn''t as scary as she had thought.


    Meanwhile, Casey was checking the weather forecast. When he saw the storm warning for tonight, he immediately left his work and rushed home.


    Halfway through his journey, it started pouring. Despite the heavy rain, Casey drove fast. He wasn''t scared of the thunder. But he was worried about Izabe, who was terrified of thunderstorms.


    He didn''t hesitate to push the pedal and speed towards Spring Bay. As soon as he arrived, he parked the car and ran towards the building in the rain.


    The rain was so heavy that even an umbre was of no use. His clothes were soaked, and the heavy raindrops hitting his head were causing him to wince. Spring Bay was engulfed in darkness.


    The guard was trying to fix the power line, and people were anxiously talking. Outside, a fewmplights were still working. But inside, it was pitch ck. Casey turned on his phone''s shlight to find his way.


    "Be." He called out as soon as he entered. His voice was loud as he made his way to the second floor and into their bedroom. With the shlight on his phone, he saw


    Izabe curled up on the


    with


    her head covered by the nket.


    When people are scared, they lose control over their body, and their body goes into a protective mode. Izabe was no different. She was trembling, and her eyshes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.


    A beam of light entered her eyes and she found herself in a familiar embrace. It wasn''t warm, but it was the safest ce she could be.


    She looked at Casey, who was panting heavily. His eyes were slightly red, his clothes were sticking to his wet body, and his hair was a mess.


    "How did you get back so soon?"


    Casey didn''t give an exnation. Instead, he said, "I''ll check the weather forecast every day from now on. I won''t let you wait for me alone at home like this again."

 Chapter 528

    The sudden storm was as swift in its departure as it was in its arrival. After the rain subsided, the electricity in the vi was restored. The thunder still rumbled outside, but the fear was lesser when the lights


    were on.


    As the room''s light flickered on, Casey asked, "Did the power just go out?"


    "You ran all the way up here and didn''t notice?"


    "I didn''t know!" He was oblivious to what happened downstairs. As soon as he parked his car, he hurriedly ran inside, knowing only that Izabe was afraid of the dark and of thunderstorms. He wanted to reach her as quickly as possible without second thought.


    So, even when entering a pitch-ck room, he didn''t think about turning on the lights, unaware of the power outage.


    Izabe suddenly recalled two lines from the movie she had just watched.


    Do you know what deep love is? It''s like when the room suddenly goes dark, he doesn''t look for the light but for you.


    Izabe looked at his drenched figure and felt a pang of worry. Casey''s health was still in recovery. And with the sudden crisis in the Dempsey family, he had been pulling overtime for a month straight. Though he never missed a meal, the overexertion was taking its toll on him. His eyes were surrounded by dark circles, his skin was pallid, and drenched by the cold rain. He looked like a piece of soaked paper


    Seeing no panic on Izabe''s face anymore, Casey exhaled in relief. Noticing that he was both cold and wet, he quickly released her.


    "The sheets are wet now. I''ll change them."Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Izabe nced at the faint water stain on the quilt. It was not significant, but in such a weather, even a minor cold could be troublesome. "You go shower. I''ll change the sheets."


    "But it''s still thundering outside."


    "I''m not afraid anymore." Izabe got up and pushed Casey into the bathroom. As long as she wasn''t alone, she wasn''t afraid.


    When Casey came out of the bathroom after freshening up, Izabe had already changed the sheets. She was sitting on the bed browsing her phone.


    "I have something to show you." Izabe put down her phone when she heard the bathroom door open. Then she opened the drawer of the nightstand and took out a jewelry box. Inside was the jade bracelet Bunny had given her today. It was so precious that Izabe was afraid of damaging it if she wore it, so she took it off as soon as she got home and put it in the jewelry box for safekeeping.


    "When did my mother give you this bracelet?"


    "Do you know this jade bracelet?"


    "Of course, my mother said that this jade bracelet is passed down to the daughter-inw of the Dempsey family. My grandmother gave it to my mother, and now my mother has given it to you." Casey reached out and picked it up. The jade was of excellent quality, a bracelet like this would be worth a few million at least.


    "My sister Vanessa wanted it before, but my mom didn''t give it to her. She said it''s for my wife."


    "What if you never settled down?" Izabe asked curiously.


    Casey put the jewelry box away and earnestly looked at Izabe, "If I never settled down, the bracelet would naturally end up with Vanessa. You can just say she was unlucky that I finally found my Mrs. Right." He chuckled and continued, "Did you visit my father today?"


    "Yes, he''s recovering well. He''s very open-minded about thepany''s issues and asked me to remind you not to overwork."


    Casey shook his head and climbed into bed, holding Izabe gently, "I used to refuse when my father asked me to learn management. He thought he''d hand over thepany to me when he couldn''t handle it anymore. I told him I wasn''t interested in his damnpany."


    He leaned his head to the side, rubbing his cheek against Izabe''s soft hair. His voice was a bit heavy, "Only when I took over did I realize it''s not easy. And my father, he''s already aged."


    He had never paid much attention to many things before, but now he realized, that aging is instantaneous, just like his father suddenly had a head full of grey hair and couldn''t move in bed.


    "The Dempsey Group is his hard-earned creation. I don''t want to see it destroyed, but I don''t have any other options, Izabe. Do you think I''m useless?" he asked, his chin resting on Izabe''s shoulder. Izabe reached out and touched his face, "No, you''re the most incredible person in my eyes."


    Casey, who didn''t even go to college, let alone study management, had achieved his current sess entirely due to his talent.


    The one who can protect the people around him is the most incredible person.


    "Casey, we''re the most suitable people for each other in the world." Whether spiritually or physically, they were in perfect harmony. They could snuggle together in winter. Whenever she was scared, he was always there to provide her a safe haven.


    The thunder continued outside, but Izabe was no longer afraid.


    Casey gently patted Izabe''s back as ifforting a child. Looking at her sleeping face, he couldn''t help but reach out and touch her eyshes.


    Izabe was restless in her sleep, asionally making humming noises. Only when Casey patted her back would she feel a bit better.


    The reason for Izabe''s restless sleep was that she had many dreams. One moment she dreamt of Brett, the next of deceased n, and then of Casey and his parents.


    Izabe hadn''t been sleeping well these days, but it was the first time she had frequent nightmares in one night. Perhaps the cause was the message on her phone.


    The next day, Izabe woke up


    naturally. Instinctively turning over, she found herself leaning against a warm embrace. She immediately woke up and turned to look. Casey was still with her. What time was it? Was Casey not going to work?


    Casey, known as the most handsome man in the entertainment industry, had excessively delicate features. Izabe pinched his ear. With a slight movement, the man holding her woke up. "Why did you wake up? It''s still early, why not sleep a bit more?"


    "It''s not early, the sun is up. Aren''t you going to the office today?" A faint golden light seeped in through the curtains.


    "No, I''ve already arranged everything at work in advance. Taking a day off won''t hurt. Today we''re going on a date, our first one since we got married."


    Izabe perked up, her mood instantly lifted, "Where are we going?"


    Casey replied with a yful smile, "Considering the weather, let''s go to the amusement park. It''s where we first met If we have some extra time in the evening, we could also go to the hot springs." As winter approached, Izabe felt cold down to her bones. A spa would be great.


    §Ù§Ý§à§ç


    After a night of rain, the temperature dropped dramatically, signalling the onset of winter. Izabe, who was always susceptible to the cold,.


    donned her puffer jacket ear


    jacket was loose and left her neck


    exposed.


    As they were about to head out, Casey nced at Izabe''s neck and said, "Wait a minute, I need to grab something upstairs. Don''t step outside into the cold just yet." Casey hurried upstairs and returned shortly with a scarf in his hands.


    "Put this on," he instructed.


    Though hating the cold, Izabe didn''t like wearing scarves. She always found them too itchy around her neck.


    "It''s chilly outside, you don''t want to catch a cold," Casey said, wrapping the scarf around Izabe''s neck. "I know you don''t like scarves, but you can take it off once you''re warm."


    "Alright," Izabe agreed, standing still with her back straight, allowing Casey to adjust the scarf around her neck.


    Though the scarf was somewhat ufortable, it was indeed warm.


    Izabe and Casey headed to the amusement park together, opting to take a taxi instead of driving.


    Throughout the ride, Izabe leaned on Casey''s shoulder. As she was gazing out the window, Casey held her hand and treated her with the tenderness of a child.


    They hadn''t eaten breakfast yet and decided to stop at a diner. Casey stepped out to grab a takeout packed with Izabe''s favorites.


    Despite their attempts to blend in with the crowd by dressing modestly and donning masks, their unique aura was still noticeable, attracting curious nces even though they were wrapped up like burritos. They held hands, ignoring the curious stares around them.


    Despite being a weekday in winter, the amusement park was buzzing with activity. Casey held onto Izabe''s hand tightly, as if worried she''d get lost in the crowd.


    "Be, what do you want to do?" Casey asked.


    Izabe nced around at the amusement park rides, her gaze finally settling on the drop tower. "Anything''s fine," she replied.


    "You want to try the drop tower?" Casey asked, following her gaze.


    "I''ve never tried it before, I''m curious," Izabe replied.


    "Then let''s give it a shot." Casey bought tickets that allowed them ess to all the games in the park.


    He led Izabe to the queue for the drop tower. There weren''t many people in line for it, so they got their turn quickly.

 Chapter 529

    As the attendants secured the safety bars and fastened the harnesses, Casey found himself to be thest one. Having never indulged in such adrenaline-pumping activities, he felt a tinge of nervousness. To divert his anxiety, he turned his attention to Izabe.


    "Scared?" he asked.


    Izabe shook her head, maintaining an even calmer facade than Casey. In truth, she had no idea how she would react to the impending thrill.


    Looking up at the towering height of the ride, she found herself longing for the exhrating sensation of free-fall. The height was roughly the same as the one from which her father had tragically fallen to his death.


    Most people came to amusement parks for fun and rxation, yet here she was, engulfed in such somber thoughts. Maybe it was the dream about n she had the previous night that made her overly sensitive.


    An attendant''s voice jolted her from her thoughts. "All set."


    As the ride started, Casey tightly gripped the safety bars on either side and turned to look at Izabe, whose face was slightly pale. He softened his gaze and assured her, "I''m here. There''s nothing to be afraid of."


    Izabe nced back at him, feeling an uncanny sensation. Something felt off, but she couldn''t quite put her finger on it. As the ride slowly ascended, Izabe discovered the unsettling anomaly: Casey''s harness hadn''t clicked into ce.


    In an instant, Izabe''s mind went nk, her heart pounding in her chest. She watched in horror as Casey''s harness unbuckled. "Stop the ride! His harness is loose!" She screamed.


    It was toote. The ride had already shot halfway into the sky before suddenly jolting upwards. Izabe''s cries were drowned out by the howling wind and the screams of the other riders.


    Casey heard Izabe''s crying. He had sensed something wrong the moment his harness came undone. But at this height, fastening it back was impossible. He could only grip the safety bar as tightly as he could as the ride ascended and plunged downwards. The intense sensation of free-fall shifted him in his seat.


    Without the security of the harness, it was easy for someone to be thrown off. Izabe looked at Casey, whose body was vibrating violently against the seat. His eyes were red and teary as the wind swept. Some people scream in fear. But it''s not for Izabe. The more terrified she was, the quieter she became. Her face was pallid, her lips tightly pressed together as if she had lost her soul.


    The sensation of falling from such a height was terrifying. Her body was cold with fear and her palms were sweaty.


    Though she had seen people on this ride before, which seemed pretty quick. This time, however, it felt like an eternity.


    Casey was saying something, but Izabe couldn''t make out his words. Her mind was filled with one thought: Casey''s harness was loosened, and he could fall just like her father did. When the ride finally came to a stop, everyone else unbuckled their harnesses and left. But Izabe remained in her seat, her face drained of color as if she had just had a near-death experience. Casey was the first to lift the safety bar and take Izabe''s hand. "I''m okay. Don''t worry. Nothing happened."


    Though he was shivering, he was more concerned about Izabe. She was biting her lower lip so hard that it started to bleed.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey bent over, cradling Izabe''s cold face and gently rubbing her ears with his fingers.


    "Be, look at me. I''m here right in front of you."


    Izabe''s unfocused gaze slowly


    cleared and she burst into tears. Her cries were heartbreaking, drowning out the surrounding noise. She wrapped her arms tightly around


    Casey''s neck, trembling in his arms.


    What if something had happened to Casey? What if he had disappeared right before her eyes?


    The attendants came over to apologize, but Izabe could only re at them with anger. A simple slip-up could have cost someone''s life.


    The on-site manager also came over, drawing a crowd of onlookers.


    "What happened?"


    "Seems like someone''s harness wasn''t secured properly. They''re discussingpensation."


    "I think they look like Izabe and Casey."


    As more and more people recognized them, Casey decided to leave. He had finally managed to find some time for a date with Izabe, and he didn''t want to spoil it because of this incident.


    Thepensation the attendants were offering was minuscule inparison to Casey''s wealth. Besides, other than a scare, he hadn''t been injured.


    Hand in hand, Casey and Izabe left. As they walked away, Izabe kept ncing back at the attendants responsible for the ride.


    They were professionals. It was


    unlikely they would be careless


    enough to forget to fasten a safety harness. Besides, she distinctly remembered the attendant


    double-checking her harness giving


    it a firm tug to ensure it was secure.


    Could it have been intentional?


    A cold shiver ran down Izabe''s spine. The first person that came to her mind was Brett. Given his current situation, he was capable of anything. To him, it was merely a matter of finding a scapegoat.

 Chapter 530

    Casey saw Izabe wandering aimlessly, her mind clearly elsewhere. Thinking she was still shaken from the ident, he tried to soothe her. "It was just an ident, Iz."


    "It wasn''t an ident!" Izabe had a gut feeling about this. The staff there were trained to check the seatbelts every time they were fastened. It wasn''t possible for them to overlook something so crucial. Casey was taken aback by Izabe''s outburst, frozen in ce, all he could do was watch her eyes well up with tears.


    At that moment, allforting words felt inadequate. He understood how she felt. If the roles were reversed and Izabe had been the one in the ident, he knew he would lose control of his emotions too, maybe even more so.


    Casey had finally found the time to take Izabe out on a date, their first since getting married. He didn''t want it tainted with negative emotions.


    "Come on, let''s do something else. Let''s skip the dangerous rides this time. How about the carousel?" he suggested.


    Izabe looked down and said, "I need to use the restroom."


    Casey waited for her outside the restroom, and Izabe went in. Despite the cold weather, she sshed her face with cold water. She hade here to clear her head, to convince herself it was just an ident, butst night''s text message kept looming in her mind.


    She knew Brett too well. He was a cornered animal, capable of doing anything when desperate. This was why he was acting so recklesslytely.


    Her phone buzzed in her bag. She took it out and read the message. Her grip tightened on the phone as a shiver ran down her spine. She quickly deleted the message and came out of the restroom. Casey was waiting for her, holding a few candy apples in his hands. He was peeling off the wrappers when he saw here out. Even in this gloomy weather, his smile was like a ray of sunshine. He handed her one of the lollipops. "Are they selling lollipops?"


    "Plenty of them."


    The food in the amusement park was pricier than outside. A lollipop that usually cost a dor was three dors here.


    Izabe took a bite. The nostalgic sweetness reminded her of her childhood.


    "Is it good?" Casey asked.


    "It''s delicious," Izabe replied after swallowing her bite. Then she added, "It tastes just like the ones from our childhood." They both smiled, reminiscing about the past.


    Izabe couldn''t eat lollipops back in the day, because she was allergic. Even though they were sweet and brought back fond memories, she could do nothing but watch others enjoy them. Once, she had mistaken Brett for the person who had given her a lollipop, using her allergy as a metaphor for their rtionship. She knew she couldn''t touch it, yet she couldn''t help herself. Thankfully, she was no longer allergic to lollipops, and the real person who gave her one was back.


    "Let''s go on that," Casey suddenly suggested, pointing at the Ferris wheel.


    Most of the people lining up for the Ferris wheel were couples. It wasn''t particrly thrilling, just a slow ride up and down offering a panoramic view of the amusement park.


    But to Casey and Izabe, who didn''t have much of a childhood, the amusement park was an exciting ce. They got in line and once inside the Ferris wheel, it slowly began to rise.


    "If I disappear one day, what would you do?" Izabe mused, looking out the window.


    "Why would you think that?" Casey asked, concern in his eyes.


    "I''m a person who''s died once. What if Bell wants her body back?" Izabe''s voice was barely a whisper.


    The body she was in wasn''t hers. She had borrowed it from Bell. She was feeling lost, like she didn''t belong in this world.


    Meeting Casey was the best thing that had ever happened to her. He was her home, her safe haven. But now that they were married, she was afraid of losing him.


    It was just a hypothetical situation, but Casey took it seriously. He remained silent, quietly observing Izabe.


    "I will find you, keep the traces you once left behind."


    "What if you can''t find me?"


    "If I can''t find you, then-"


    As the Ferris wheel ascended to the


    Pet


    sky, Izabe leaned in, her hand resting on Casey''s shoulder, approaching to touch his lips. The two kissed briefly, lips touching without delving deeper, their gazes colliding and intertwining in the brief proximity, feeling each other''s


    breath.


    In Izabe''s eyes, there was a y of light and shadow, blocking the unspoken words from Casey. She probably knew what Casey would say. If one day she identally disappeared, she didn''t want Casey to live in pain.


    Casey''s life, his world, his future, shouldn''t revolve around just her; he wasn''t like her, borrowing someone else''s body. Casey''s life should be moreplete than she imagined, with fans who adored him, loving parents, and friends.


    Casey tightened his grip on her as they enjoyed the rest of their day in the amusement park, avoiding the dangerous rides.


    "What do you want to eat? It''s almost noon," Casey asked.


    "I know a ce," Izabe replied, guiding him to a street filled with food vendors near the R City University.


    She led him to her favorite noodle shop from her college days. "This was my go-to ce for lunch when I was in high school and college."Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Casey was excited to explore a new part of the city. "What''s good here?"


    "I''ll show you. They serve the best noodles. It''s not exceptionally delicious, but it reminds me of my mom''s cooking."


    They ordered some noodles, enjoying each other''spany, savoring the taste of the past.


    The diner was tucked away in a corner and it was almost two in the afternoon. The lunch rush had passed, and only four customers were scattered inside.


    "Mrs. Jones, two bowls of noodles, please."


    Mrs. Jones, who owned the diner and was taking a break, perked up at the sound of the familiar voice. She peered out to see who it was.


    "Oh, it''s you, dear!"


    Izabe had been to this ce a few times since she moved back into town. Even though Mrs. Jones didn''t use the inte, she''d recognized Izabe from the popr TV show, Blood Ties, which she watched to pass the time in the evenings.


    The shock of seeing Izabe, a


    customer of her humble diner, ying a lead role on a popr TV show, left Mrs. Jones stunned for a moment. Izabe hadn''t been in since the show started airing and Mrs Jones guessed it was probably because she didn''t want to be recognized in public.


    Mrs. Jones was thrilled to see Izabe again, but she managed to keep her excitement in check.


    "Late lunch, huh? You must be starving. Come in and take a seat, I''ll get your noodles right away."


    After serving them two sses of lemonade, Mrs. Jones went into the kitchen.


    Casey nced around the diner. It was a bit worn, but spotlessly clean. As Mrs. Jones went into the kitchen to prepare their meal, Casey caught a whiff of the delicious scent and couldn''t help but swallow. Izabe caught his reaction and Casey turned red, taking a sip of his drink to hide his embarrassment.


    "Did you used to eat here often?"


    "Yeah, I used toe here for lunch when I was in school." Izabe liked the food here, and Mrs. Jones was one of the few people who remembered her birthday.


    On her birthdays, besides receiving a standard text message from her service providers, she would also receive an extra sausage in her noodles from Mrs. Jones, a small but meaningful gesture. Izabe was not one for extravagance. She preferred to spend her birthdays quietly. Given her family''s status, a birthday party would turn into amercial event, tangled with various interests.


    It didn''t take long for Mrs. Jones to prepare the noodles. She came out of the kitchen with tworge bowls, each topped with a sausage. The aroma was tantalizing, filling the air with a delicious scent.

 Chapter 531

    "Is it enough? I can make some more if you''re still hungry."


    Mrs. Jones''s noodles were legendary in the neighborhood. The heaping bowls in front of us, apanied by the sausages, were a testament to her culinary prowess-a challenge to the capacity of our stomachs.


    "It''s enough. You''ve really outdone yourself, Mrs. Jones. Thank you," They said, their voices tinged with the awe and a bit of fear at the mountain of food before them.


    Mrs. Jones didn''t mention thetest TV drama. To her, Izabe was just Izabe-a kind soul who always looked out for her small diner, not the shining star gracing the silver screen.


    "You look thinner, dear," Mrs. Jones''s voice was as soothing as a soft breeze, "Are you sure you''re eating enough?"


    Izabe chuckled, brushing off the concern. "I haven''t lost weight. Maybe it''s just theyers making my face look smaller."


    Mrs. Jones wasn''t convinced. "No, you''ve definitely slimmed down. It breaks my heart to see that. Eat up, honey; today''s meal is on the house."


    "Oh, I couldn''t possibly ept that," Izabe protested.


    "Nonsense," Mrs. Jones insisted. "I asionally treat my regrs to a free meal. Besides, we have a connection, remember that girl I told you about? The one who used to dine here often? She shared your name, Izabe. Such a sweet girl, but life wasn''t kind to her."


    Izabe''s gaze shifted subtly towards Casey, who was listening intently to Mrs. Jones.


    Mrs. Jones continued, "She was just as lovely as you, smart and business-savvy. A shame she didn''t marry well." She sighed deeply, turning her attention to Casey. Mrs. Jones wasn''t one for the movies; she stuck to her TV shows and didn''t recognize him.


    "Is this your boyfriend?" she asked.


    "He''s my husband," Izabe introduced Casey.


    Mrs. Jones''s eyes widened. "You''re married!"


    Izabe nodded, eager to share her happiness. "Yes, I wanted you to meet him."


    Mrs. Jones scrutinized Casey, her eyes lingering with the kind of attention that saw right through to the soul. Casey, aware of the importance of first impressions, greeted her anxiously, "Hello, Mrs. Jones."


    She whispered approvingly, "He


    seems like a good man." You couldCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    always tell by the eyes, and it warmed her heart to see Izabe so happy of only the other Izabe, the one lost too soon, could have had a fraction of this joy.


    Life is tough, but it''s the silent, steadfast love from those behind us that keeps the cold at bay. Their quiet affection mends hearts shattered by reality.


    "By the way, what about that cat you broughtst time? Niki, wasn''t it?" Mrs. Jones asked.


    Izabe''s expression stiffened. Mrs. Jones''s keen eye for people''s moods told her she''d struck a nerve.


    Casey reached for Izabe''s hand, gripping it gently.


    Trying to maintain herposure, Izabe couldn''t help but feel a pang of sorrow at the mention of Niki. Mrs. Jones''s memory of the cat, with its old scars and beautiful eyes, was unexpected but touching. They say as long as someone remembers the deceased kindly, they''re doing alright wherever they are Izabe hoped Niki was finding peace in some unseen ce.


    "She''s passed away," Izabe managed to say.


    Mrs. Jones, sensing the mood shift, quickly changed the subject. "You eat up. I''ll be back after I tidy the kitchen a bit."


    After they finished the hearty meal, Mrs. Jones refused to take any money for it, insisting it was her treat to celebrate their union.


    Casey and Izabe exchanged a nce, and without further protest, they epted her generous offer.


    "How about we take a picture together?" Casey suggested.


    They posed for several selfies and shared them through WhatsApp, making sure Mrs. Jones had a copy.


    Once in the car, Izabe scrolled


    through the photos on her phone, her reluctance to go palpable. Casey, ever theforter, suggested, "If you miss Mrs. Jones that much, we''lle back for noodles soon.


    Next time, we''ll bring her flowers."


    Izabe murmured in agreement, her voice muffled as she nestled closer to Casey. "I miss Niki," she whispered.


    "The sunflowers at home are blooming beautifully. I like to think Niki is doing well in heaven too," Casey reassured her, though he knew no other cat could rece Niki for Izabe.


    "I miss my mom," Izabe confessed. Mrs. Jones''s kindness reminded her of the motherly love she''d lost. If her mother were still alive, would she be as gentle as Mrs. Jones?

 Chapter 532

    Casey gently patted Izabe''s head, tucking her in a little closer as the wind howled outside, threatening to chill them to the bone despite theiryered clothing and scarves.


    As he adjusted her scarf, Casey said softly, "You know, there''s going to be a whole bunch of people who''ll be kind to you."


    A faint smile yed on Izabe''s lips as she reached out and grasped Casey''s hand, thinking how wrong he was. Her world was shrinking, not growing-Casey was her everything. As for him, well, he was the one bound to be surrounded by tenderness. His future stretched out long and promising, and he deserved all the love that wasing his way.


    Izabe''s mind drifted away.


    She thought, "If one day I''m gone, Casey, I hope you''ll live a life full of everything I never got to do. I love the warmth of the winter sun, the twilight''s hazy glow, the green fields ripe with harvest, and someone named Casey. I love searching for cicadas in the winter, listening to the whales sing by the seaside in summer, watching seagulls spread their wings, and thest rays of the sun setting over the ocean. I love the thought of someone being there to see all the beauty this world has to offer with me. But if I''m not around, well, it''s up to you to take in all the wonders for me."


    "Be, what''s wrong?" Casey''s intuition was sharp. Despite the fleeting moment, he caught the glint of tears in Izabe''s eyes.


    "I just can''t believe how lucky I am," Izabe breathed in, stifling the hoarseness in her voice, "to have met you."


    Casey had finally managed to clear his schedule for the day, and by five o''clock, they were off to visit Beck at the hospital.


    Beck''s condition hadn''t changed much; there was no discernible improvement or decline.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    On the way, Izabe bought a bouquet of sunflowers from a florist and ced them by the hospital window, watching the family inside chat away.


    Bunny suddenly brought up the topic of weddings.


    "Just yesterday, I asked Izabe what kind of wedding she''d like. She mentioned something traditional, and you know, I''ve been looking at the calendar. How about we aim for the end of December? That gives


    us just over a month. We don''t need to invite a huge crowd, just close kin and buddies," Bunny suggested, ncing toward Izabe, who stood by the window caressing the sunflowers.


    "Be, what do you think about having the wedding on Christmas Day?"


    December twenty-fifth. That would mark six years since her passing.


    Before Izabe could respond, Casey interjected, "That''s not a lucky day. Let''s push it back a bit."


    Izabe finally spoke up, "Actually, we could skip the wedding altogether."


    "No way," Bunny, Beck, and Casey chimed in unison, their gazes firmly fixed on her.


    "Marrying off is a woman''s most special day; you''ve got to have a ceremony even if it means breaking the bank," Bunny insisted.


    Izabe and Casey didn''t linger long at the hospital. Beck needed his rest, and by eight o''clock, they headed home.


    Bunny walked them out, arm-in-arm with Izabe, treating her like her own daughter, and reminding Casey, "Take good care of Izabe. Don''t wear her out."


    "You don''t have to tell me, Mom. Go back now, and take care of yourself."


    "Mhm," Bunny stood at the hospital entrance, the wind biting at her despite not stepping outside. She adjusted her coat tighter around her and watched them leave.


    As they drove off, Izabe could feel Bunny''s eyes on her. She caught sight of the hospital entrance through the rearview mirror.


    The day''s earlier mishap at the amusement park, when Casey''s seatbelt came loose, shed through her mind, leaving her cold with what-ifs.


    No one had been left behind this time, but the thought of any harming to Casey or anyone in the Dempsey family because of her was unbearable.


    Mrs. Bunny and Mr. Beck had been so kind to her; how could she bear to cause them grief?


    Outside the car window, Izabe murmured, "She''s still there, watching. She can''t bear to leave you. Once things settle down, you should spend more time with her. She''s a wonderful mother." Her choice of words was "you," not "us."


    Casey noticed but didn''t press the issue. Exhausted from the day, he pulled Izabe into his arms and murmured a low "Mhm."


    Halfway home, the car''s brakes failed. The driver managed to pull over safely, but it was the second scare of the day.


    Casey''s brow furrowed with concern. "Wasn''t this car serviced regrly?"


    The driver was equally puzzled. "I had it checked justst week; there shouldn''t be any issues."


    They ended up hailing a cab for the short remaining distance to their home.


    "Are you feeling alright?" Casey noticed Izabe''s paleplexion.


    Mustering her strength, Izabe offered a wan smile, "Just tired, I guess. I''m a little sleepy."


    "Then let''s get you to bed early tonight," Casey suggested.


    Once home, the first thing Casey did was draw a hot bath for Izabe. The shock of the day had taken its toll, and he hoped the warmth would soothe her.


    Shock can do strange things to a


    person, and despite the hot milk Casey warmed for her, Izabe was tormented by nightmares of


    surviving a virus only to be fellel ne


    by


    ident after ident, with Casey dying before her eyes.


    She woke with a start, cold sweat drenching her skin, shaken from the nightmare that had felt all too real.


    Casey, lying next to her, was instantly alert. His hand reached out and flicked on themp, "Bad dream?"


    Hearing Casey''s voice, Izabe nestled closer into his embrace and replied, "Casey, I''m scared something will happen to you. Promise me you''ll be okay, that nothing bad will happen." Casey ran his fingers through her long hair. "Nothing''s going to happen to me. I''ll always be right here with you. What kind of nightmare got you all worked up?" Casey asked.


    "I forgot," Izabe didn''t really answer, instead she just hugged him tighter.


    "Forget about it then. Don''t dwell on it."


    Izabe couldn''t fall back asleep after the sudden awakening. Shey there with her head resting on Casey''s arm, watching him yawn and quickly drift back to sleep.


    She didn''t want to share her nightmare, not because she didn''t want to, but because it was a kind of terror she felt Casey shouldn''t hear.


    After watching Casey for a while and making sure he was deep in sleep, Izabe propped herself up and gently kissed the corner of his lips, chuckling softly, "Such a horrible dream isn''t meant for your ears." Turning over, shey t and stared at the ceiling, murmuring to herself, "I should get up early and make breakfast tomorrow, or you might never get to enjoy it again."


    The next day, before the crack of dawn, Izabe was already sneaking out of bed to make breakfast for Casey.


    She prepared a creamy oatmeal, discreetly adding a little something extra into it, stirring until it disappeared without a trace.


    When Casey awoke to find Izabe''s


    side of the bed empty and called out


    twice with no response, panic


    setting in. He hurriedly got up and went downstairs, only to breathe a sigh of relief when he saw the busy figure in the kitchen.


    "Why are you up so early?"


    Izabe turned around, "I didn''t have much to do today, so I thought I''d make you breakfast. Go freshen up, and then you can eat and change." Izabe had made crispy donuts that crunched with each bite.


    As Casey took a generous sip of his oatmeal, Izabe pursed her lips, her eyes cast down to hide the whirlwind of emotions swirling within them. "You shouldn''t drive today. Let''s call a cab instead. I''m not too sure about those cars of yours."


    "Okay, I''ll listen to you."


    Izabe arranged the ride. By the


    el:


    time Casey was dressed, the car had arrived. Maybe it was the recent exhaustion catching up to him, but even after a good rest the day before, he felt an overwhelming tiredness again, his eyelids drooping uncontrobly.


    "Are you going to work today?"


    Izabe shook her head, "Did you forget it''s Saturday? No work on Saturdays. I''ll rest at home and wait for you toe back."

 Chapter 533

    Was it really Saturday? After a string of long workdays without a break, Casey hadpletely lost track of his days off.


    Izabe had prepared a cozy scarf and was now wrapping it around Casey''s neck, her movements as tender as they had been the day before. Even on tiptoes, wearing her slippers, she barely reached his height.


    This picture of tranquility felt almost sacred, not to be disturbed. After tying the scarf, Izabe patted Casey''s shoulder. "Off you go to work, then."


    As he turned to leave, Be tugged him back. "Be safe,yer up if it''s chilly, and don''t you dare skip meals. I''ve set rms on your phone to remind you to eat. Starving is not an option. In my past life, I''m pretty sure I died of hunger-stomach cancer that left me vomiting blood. I don''t want you to suffer the same fate. It would break your parents'' hearts and mine too."


    It was rare for Izabe to ramble on like this, her face glowing with a soft smile, a spark of light dancing in her dark eyes.


    "Get some rest when you''re tired. No staying upte. You can''t focus when you''re worn out, and that''s when mistakes happen."


    "I promise I won''t push myself too hard. Safety and health first. I''ll take good care of myself," Casey said, amused by Izabe''s unusual chatter. He yfully tapped her nose. "What''s with all the talk today? It''s like you''re saying goodbye."


    "Don''t be silly, we''re married. Where would I go?" Be''s ring remained firmly on her finger, never removed, not even for showers.


    She gently pushed Casey out the door, staying inside herself due to the chill and her light clothing. From the doorway, she watched him leave.


    "Bye, Casey."


    He looked back and waved until he got into the car. For a moment, he turned sharply to look at Izabe, unable to see her eyes redden from the distance.


    Just the sight of her standing alone at the door filled him with a pang of heartache. His head felt foggy, his desire for sleep growing, his concentration slipping. He couldn''t dwell on the details, like how Izabe rarely said "bye" and preferred "see you," implying a promise of return.


    As he drove away, he caught a glimpse of Izabe running out, her hair flowing in the wind. He had this irrational fear that he might never see her again.


    Why this sense of foreboding? Everything was fine. Izabe was her usual self. They had just gotten married, with Izabe proudly presenting their marriage license. Why would she leave him now? After a deep breath and a rub of his temples, Casey concluded he was overthinking.


    The morning dew fogged up the ss, blurring Izabe''s figure. She stepped outside, a smile tugging at her lips, but the light in her eyes slowly dimmed.


    As the car became a speck on the deste road and disappeared, her smile faded. The wind was strong but it couldn''t dry the moisture in her eyes. Suddenly, she crouched to the ground, her body shivering with cold that couldn''t match the chilt in her heart.


    Would she see Casey again?


    Would he ever carry her home again?


    Would she taste his lollipops once more?


    Did she have a future?


    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she wept until the biting wind numbed her senses. Then she staggered to her feet and walked back inside.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    The vi had everything she needed.


    Izabe drafted a divorce


    .ne


    agreement, signed it, and left it one the nightstand, along with their. marriage license, which she had barely warmed with her hands


    before having to return it.


    Gazing at her wedding ring, Izabe had thought she was fully prepared to be with Casey, but one ident had proven her wrong.


    She couldn''t gamble with Brett, nor could she risk Casey''s life. Casey had already sacrificed so much for her; she couldn''t let him be harmed again.


    And what about Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey? They had finally found Casey; how would they cope if something happened to him? Casey wasn''t like her, having already faced death.


    The idents from the day before could be followed by another at any time, and with Brett''s current "situation" and desperation, he was capable of anything.


    After removing her ring, Izabe looked at it, then slipped it back on, a keepsake of memories.


    Besides the divorce agreement, Be wrote a will, leaving everything neatly on the nightstand for Casey to find upon his return.


    She put on a coat, slipped a small knife into her pocket alongside her phone, and left with just some spare change, stepping out of Spring Bay.


    On the curb,


    she


    hailed a taxi. As the


    car pulled away, she turned on her phone to view a selfie they had taken the day before. Casey''s smile was that of a radiant young man. Izabe touched the screen, and a single tear dropped onto it.


    In truth, she had no regrets. She had met someone who truly cared for her, married the man she had longed to be with, and they had shared a past that brought a smile to her face just thinking about it.

 Chapter 534

    Izabe meticulously cleaned her bedroom, running her hands over every inch, smoothing out the sheets with a practiced touch.


    She had moved the pot with Niki''s sunflowers to the living room balcony. As she approached, she gently brushed her fingers over the withered leaves. Sunflowers wither without the winter sun, but after pruning, they''d rise again next year, turning their blossoms towards the light.


    Touching the brittle foliage, she whispered a silent plea, "Niki, look after him for me, will you?"


    Though she had taken everything she needed, Izabe couldn''t shake the feeling that she had left something behind. Standing on the curb, she hailed a cab.


    "Where to?" the driver asked.


    "Quiet Forest Estates.


    As the cab drove through the city, Izabe felt stifled by the stuffy air inside, suffocating enough to make her gasp for breath.


    She cracked the window open, letting in the chilly breeze.


    "Miss, the air conditioning is on. Aren''t you cold with the window open like that?" the driver called back.


    "Not at all. I get a bit carsick," she admitted.


    The driver, upon hearing that she was feeling carsick, didn''t stop her anymore. Cold was a minor issue; the concern was more about someone feeling sick and potentially vomiting in the car, as cleaning up afterward would be more troublesome.


    Outside, the cityscape shed by. The cold wind stung her eyes, but Izabe forced them open, hoping the breeze would dry her tears. But the more she tried to control them, the more they fell, unchecked. She looked down at the ring on her finger, inscribed inside with the words ''Love you as before.''


    A beautiful sentiment in anynguage, but to Izabe, it was a promise of enduring love, one she had never regretted despite everything.


    Her tears fell freely now, and she leaned her forehead against the window, sobbing silently, apanied only by the sound of herbored breathing and the asional convulsive shudder.


    The driver thought it was just the wind at first, but a nce in the rearview mirror told him otherwise - the woman in the back was crying her eyes out.


    Drivers often had little to do to pass the time, so they tended to chat with passengers whenever they could.


    "Miss, what''s wrong? Why the waterworks?" he asked.


    Izabe wiped away her tears and murmured, "It''s nothing."


    "Don''t bottle it up; it''s not good for you. You can talk to me; I won''t tell anyone," he assured her.


    She sniffed, remembering how, after being diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, she had taken a cab from the hospital and found sce in a driver''s kind words. He had told her that everything would pass that a new day would begin with the sunrise.


    But what if you couldn''t wait for tomorrow''s sun?


    "Sir, are you married?" she asked suddenly.


    "Married with two kids," he replied with a smile that spread across his face at the mere mention of his family. "I work hard driving this cab to give them a better life. As long as they''re happy, I''m happy."


    "I have a question for you," Izabe said, her voice so soft it was nearly swept away by the wind. "If one day you became a burden to your family, if your presence brought them unavoidable harm, what would you do?"


    The driver took a sharp breath, half-jokingly replying, "Feels like you''re cursing me with all this talk of idents and troubles. We drivers are superstitious about those words, you know." "I''m sorry," Izabe quickly apologized.


    The man, good-natured as he was, didn''t hold it against her. At a red light, he braked and said, "If I ever be a burden, I''d find a way to disappear quietly." He chuckled softly after his remark.


    "An old colleague of mine found out he had cancer. He bought himself a hefty insurance policy, then staged a car ident. All the money went to his wife afterward."


    Izabe was taken aback by the driver''s response, her voice hoarse as she asked, "Your colleague must have loved his wife very much, right?"


    The driver scoffed, "Who knows?


    That guy lived in my block, always fighting with his wife. They never split up, though, like grasshoppers tangled in the same vine, stuck. together even in death. Love or hate, they had 15 years together. How many 15-year periods does one have in life? As an outsider, I can''t judge their rtionship. It''s a waste of time, if you ask me."


    The conversation ended as the light turned green, and the driver eased off the brake, cheerfully announcing, "Let''s roll."


    When the cab pulled up to Quiet


    Forest Estates, Izabe paid the fare and stepped out. The ce had changed a lot over the years; more high-rises, betterndscaping, and several new beauty shops adorned the neighborhood. Brett''s assets were still under scrutiny, but nobody questioned this property.


    It belonged to the Salotti family, the original Izabe who had passed away.


    She had sold the ce to Brett, and he had given her a sum of money. The agreement was signed, but for some reason, it had never gone through the courts.


    Izabe wasn''t here to reminisce about the past.


    Remembering only brought back pain.


    Quiet Forest Estates had witnessed her four years of folly.


    At Crystal Bay Mansions, Brett had kept her locked up like a dog.


    In J City Flower Garden, she was deceived, dying like a fool, unable to return home.


    Brett always said she should go home with him..


    But which "home" should she return to? Did they even have one? Each of these luxurious vis was nothing more than a gilded cage.


    Stepping out of the cab, the cold wind whipped through Izabe''s hair. She tied it back quickly, wrapped her coat tightly around her, and with her head lowered, she moved inside.


    Even after all these years, Izabe still felt a connection to this ce. It was almost instinctual how she took a left after entering through the grand gates, following the path that led to the house, a five-minute walk that she intentionally stretched into ten.


    The vi neighborhood felt eerily quiet, especially under the gloomy sky as the wind ushered in a soft drizzle. The mncholy weather seemed to underscore the loneliness of the empty street.


    Standing before the closed door,N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Izabe realized she had no keys to get in, and fingerprint identification was out of the question-after all, she was in a different body now. She descended the steps and made her way along the wall where a line of potted nts stood guard. In the corner, beneath thest pot, she found a key, just where it always used to be.


    Holding the key, Izabe unlocked the door and stepped inside. There was no strange odor to greet her; the living room was spotless, with every piece of furniture and decor in its rightful ce. Yet, the house felt hollow, as if itcked something essential-a sense of life and warmth.


    She ventured further in and spotted a familiar figure on the staircase.


    Brett was there, earnestly scrubbing the steps with a bucket of water beside him, his motions intense, as if trying to erase something deeply ingrained. The stairs were spotless, and Izabe squinted slightly, understanding what he was so desperately trying to clean.


    He was scrubbing away the ghost of a tragedy-the vanished bloodstains of a miscarriage that happened right there. It was here that Brett had struck her, forced her to her knees, hurled insults at her, and caused her agonizing pain.


    Izabe tried to grasp at any fleeting, happy memory of this ce, but there were none.


    She couldn''tprehend how Brett could still live here, how he could find peace within these walls.


    Once someone has tarnished your image of them, every subsequent action they take is subject to doubt and suspicion.


    And from doubt sprouts disappointment; from disappointment, resentment; and eventually, an emotional void.


    Izabe had been through it all.


    As Brett turned his head, his pallid, sickly face and lifeless eyes betrayed his frailty. But all Izabe could think about was the venom in his voice when he had gripped her throat and spat out her name, "Izabe," hissing insults and calling her a "worthless tramp" with pure loathing.

 Chapter 535

    When Izabe caught sight of Brett sitting on the staircase, there was no sign of joy on his face-just a nk stare fixed on her as she approached step by step.


    His unblinking eyes were like dark abysses that seemed to have no end.


    When Izabe stood and stopped in front of him, Brett spoke, his voice robotic and stiff as he uttered a sequence of numbers. "Thirty-seven times," he said, his voice tinged with bitterness despite the soft look he gave her.


    Izabe didn''t understand the significance of the number. "Thirty-seven times what?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm.


    "Hallucinations." In the mere 54 hours since he''d moved here, Brett had been haunted by Izabe''s image thirty-seven times.


    She felt a lump in her throat as she overlooked the staircase behind him and asked, "What are you cleaning?"


    "Blood. Izabe''s blood. Our baby''s blood." Brett''s hands were red from the cold, his fingers delicate and normally free from chilins, but he had been scrubbing the floors with icy water these past few days, his hands raw and swollen, his left hand particrly wounded where the nails had been torn out.


    Izabe''s fingers had once been like that, numb and painful in the cold during the year she couldn''t remember anything. Brett, whose hands were always warm, would cover hers and breathe on them, soothing the pain.


    Such a tender man, and yet when she looked at him, she remembered that he was part of the reason she had suffered so much.


    Sometimes, the worth of something is proven only by its absence. Once gone, forgiveness bes irrelevant. Loss renders everything meaningless.


    Brett''s heart was as disgusting as a maggot writhing in the gutter. But who would choose to be born a gutter maggot? Resigned to the darkness, they live out their lives unseen and unloved.


    To love was a luxury Brett never understood or dared to seek. Yet, once he embraced it, he could devote his life to someone. Fate, however, was cruel; before he could learn to love, Izabe had already turned away from him.


    He learned toote; no one would wait forever, and time, as well as chances, were no longer on his side.


    Izabe arrived with destruction in her heart, half-wishing she could pull out a pocketknife and end Brett''s life. But seeing him now, soulless and lost, she hesitated.


    To Brett, she was just another hallucination.


    She looked behind him at the staircase, now spotless and blood-free.


    "The blood has long been cleaned up."


    Brett shrank back, clutching the damp rag in his hands, shaking as he said "No... it''s not clean..." He continued to wipe the steps, over and over, convinced they were still stained with Izabe''s blood.


    Izabe stayed silent, watching him and wondering what his angle was. Was he ying the victim, seeking pity?


    She wouldn''t be moved bypassion at the sight of Brett''s pathetic look, nor would his plight sway her.


    As he wiped the steps, Brett''s delusion was that if he could just clean them well enough, perhaps Izabe would return.


    Suddenly, Izabe grabbed his cor, forcing him to face her as she pushed him down by the neck.


    Her violent motion knocked over a nearby bucket, spilling water that trickled down the stairs, meandering like the blood that had once been there.


    "You can clean all you want, but itN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    will never be truly clean, just like what you did to me," she said, a surge of anger rising within her. "No matter what you endure now, i can''t und the past. Unless you can turn back time, can you, Brett?"


    After her outburst, the only sound was Brett''sbored breathing.


    Leaning against the staircase, his neck still in her grasp, Brett did not fight back. His eyes followed her hand up to her arm, shoulder, and finally her face.


    Tears spilled from his reddened eyes. His earlierposure was a facade, easily shattered by Izabe''s presence.


    No words were needed to provoke him; her mere arrival was enough to break him.


    A bitter smile crossed Brett''s face. "So it''s not a hallucination..." He paused, then asked, "Why are you here?"


    "Weren''t you the one forcing me here?"


    Izabe saw Brett as a wreck, inside and out. Once towering over her, he was now a pitiful figure. Yet as she recalled the previous day''s events and the texts, her anger red anew.

 Chapter 536

    "Was it not you, you scoundrel, who tampered with the roller coaster at the amusement park, hoping for an ''ident'' to befall Casey? And that car brake failure? Brett, you keep outdoing yourself in ways I can'' even fathom!"


    After all the borate schemes to force her hand and bring her here, now he was ying the innocent. Who did he think he was fooling?


    Izabe released her grip, her fingers having encircled Brett''s throat like a vise, her disgust for him skin deep.


    The force of Izabe''s grip wasn''t too strong, but it was enough to make breathing a chore. As she let go, a rush of cold air invaded Brett''s throat and chest, triggering a violent cough.


    The room was filled with the sound of Brett''s coughing; each one more forceful than thest, the kind that drew blood.


    Tears mingled with coughs, painting a picture of sorrow as if expelling all his anguish in those hacking breaths.


    Izabe didn''t have to do much¡ªjust one look of sheer indifference was enough to make him crumblepletely.


    It turned out she was here for Casey.


    Of course.


    In Izabe''s eyes, Brett had always been the type to stoop low, first causing the Dempsey family to go bankrupt, and now with Casey''s troubles, the finger pointed squarely at him.


    Brett clenched his fist, a bitter smile his only sce, mocking himself to keep warm.


    With blood in his mouth, he rasped, "Izabe, I''m dying."


    She nced at the blood on the floor, unmoved by his words-she had known all along.


    "So what, you''re dying and you want to drag others down with you? If you die, nobody around you gets to live in peace, is that it?"


    When cancer had struck her, escaping Brett''s shadow was her sole desire. Since she was getting a divorce anyway, she yearned to spend her final days in solitude, to pass away unblemished by his touch. But Brett sought only to tarnish her, to torment her life even as his own neared its end.


    Blood dripped from Brett''s eyes and lips, his heart seemingly bleeding out as well. "Izabe, I want to fix things with you."


    Her brow furrowed, and with a sharp exhale, she spat out, "Fix your ass!"


    Izabe''s temples throbbed with each pulse, her mind racing with the text messages on her phone, every vile act Brett hadmitted. She wanted to haul him up and beat him, to plunge a knife into him if she could.


    But everyone''s eyes were on the Dempseys, on her, on Brett. To kill him here and now would light up the newsfeeds, dragging her family down.


    There''s an old saying, "Don''t quarrel with a dying man, for in his madness before death, he could well drag you down first."


    She was at her wit''s end with Brett, his cunning ways capable of tormenting one to death.


    Brett remained silent.


    Izabe lived with rity like crystal-clear water, and he, the fish dependent on it, had muddied the waters for hisfort. Now, the very waters meant to sustain him threatened to drown him. He was the fish about to be overwhelmed by the tide.


    He had concocted countless ns to keep Izabe by his side, even considered turning over a new leaf. But ironically, what momentarily kept her there was the same old recipe of hatred, suspicion, and defensiveness.


    "Izabe, it seems we''ve never really tried to get along," Brett said, steadying himself on the banister as he stood, towering over her even in his weakened state.


    "I''m dying, won''t you take care of me?"


    With a furrowed brow, she replied, "That''s a job for doctors, not me. Besides." Her lips curled into a sneer, "The Izabe who would''ve cared is dead. You know better than anyone how that happened." Her tone was t, emotionless, yet it carried a chilling finality.


    She had considered talking things through with Brett, but time and again, his actions had pushed her to the brink, draining her will to talk to him.


    Years with Brett had seldom brought joy; she had almost forgotten how to smile.


    "Brett, you might love me now, but that ''love'', it pales inparison to the harm you''ve done. Your love is worthless. It only serves to cheapen me." She extended her right hand, revealing the diamond ring on her finger.


    "You always begged for a chance to start over, but I gave you plenty, and still, you failed. Twice you gave me rings-once for thirty bucks, another worth millions-both unfitting. Have you never pondered why? Buying the wrong ring size and then ming it on someone else''s hand-such was the folly of a man like Brett, who refused to learn.


    "One pardon after another, endless disappointments, and you still resort to vile tactics to drag me here, expecting me to care for you? What am I, your mother? Why should I bother?"


    Her words tore through the air, but Izabe spoke them calmly, her heart tranquil in the face of Brett''s presence-a stark contrast to the ashes her heart had be from their past. "Now that I''m here, what''s your n? To treat me as you did before?"


    "If that''s what you believe." Brett resigned himself.


    In her eyes, he was the viin, ready to employ any means to an end, and quite frankly, he had been.


    Brett didn''t know how Izabe knew of his illness and how she misunderstood his intent with Casey.


    All that mattered to him was that this misunderstanding kept her with him, albeit briefly. Let her hate him-add to the pile; it wouldn''t make much difference. He could bear the weight of his fate.


    Ignoring Izabe''s loathing gaze, he said, "Just like you said, a dying man can do anything. You know I''m ruthless. Who knows, maybe I''ll take someone down with me. So for the time I have left, you''re staying right here under my eye."


    He was acutely aware this was the sole way to keep Izabe by his side, however fleeting it might be. To watch her a little longer before he passed was all he desired.


    Brett was fighting a losing battle, but he was the kind of guy who couldn''t help but go down swinging. He''d walked into a dead end and couldn''t find his way out.


    He watched Izabe''s hand move inside her pocket, the outline of something inside faintly visible. There was a cell phone, and something else a knife handle peeking out. Izabe was the type who could actually stab someone if pushed too far. Hell, she''d once pierced his palm with a steak knife during a fight.


    Back then, her hand was practically useless, she could hardly manage a fork, but she gripped that steak knife with both hands and plunged it through his palm without blinking. Izabe was a timid soul, afraid of the dark, thunderstorms, and the sight of blood, but when it came to stabbing him, she was as steady as


    a rock.


    Deep down, Brett knew their rtionship was never going to be like other couples, filled with affection and warmth.


    He was confident, but he was also aware of his limitations. Yet, when a person is in extreme pain, knowing that something is beyond repair, they often start lying to themselves.


    Izabe hade today with a


    devil-may-care attitude, taking only aContent held by N?velDrama.Org.


    fraction of what Brett said seriously. There''s a saying that when you''re at your lowest, you be


    invincible and she hadn''t met anyone more despicable than Brett.


    Blood still trickled from the corner of Brett''s mouth, his eyes sunken with dark circles, making him look frail as if he would faint anytime, ready to crumble at the slightest touch.


    If Izabe truly wanted him dead, she could make it happen, but she wasn''t sure if Brett had any tricks up his sleeve, nor could she guarantee she''d escape the long arm of thew.


    She couldn''t tell if what Brett felt for her now was possession or obsession. To call it love was a stretch, since she knew what it was like to actually care for someone, and it wasn''t anything like this. At that point, Izabe didn''t bother trying to decipher his thoughts.


    Izabe settled back into Quiet Forest Estates, the ce she''d lived for several years before. Returning didn''t feel strange, even though


    she''d switched rooms, decisiv ne


    avoiding the master bedroom that once symbolized their marriage.


    Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window in her room, Izabe gazed at her reflection. She would asionally touch the ring on her finger, then nce at the photos on her phone.


    Her phone was set to Do Not Disturb-a simple reason behind it: She had no idea what to say to Casey if he called.


    She felt like a turtle, instinctively retracting into her shell whenever trouble loomed on the horizon.

 Chapter 537

    The twilight was deepening. Izabe stood at the second-floor French window, her gaze tracing the long path leading up to the grand entrance.


    Casey, what was he up to now? She had slipped knockout drops into his drink; he might still be lost in dreams at this hour. Or perhaps he''d already discovered her absence.


    Would he be furious to find her gone without saying goodbye? Had he already signed the divorce papers she left on the nightstand, or had he torn them to shreds?


    A wave of feebleness overtook Izabe, and her legs gave out, sending her sliding down to the floor beside the window. Curled up like a stray pup left out in the cold, she was the picture of destion. Despite having chosen to leave, she couldn''t shake off an overwhelming sense of vulnerability.


    In the winter, even the southern birds took refuge, rarely venturing out. asionally, a mourning dove would flutter down from the branches, only to take flight again, seeking the safety of the treetops.


    At five in the afternoon, Brett appeared to call Izabe down to dinner. d in an apron, he faced her expressionless, icy demeanor with a smile that never wavered.


    "Dinner''s ready."


    Izabe looked up at him, finding his smile more nauseating the longer she stared.


    "Now that I''m here, will you finally leave the Dempsey family alone? Return what you''ve taken from them? And about Casey, if you dare hurt him, I swear I''ll die before you get the chance." Brett, a man knocking on death''s door, wouldn''t be dissuaded by threats of retribution. To him, Izabe was worth more than his own life.


    True to form, at the sound of her words, Brett''s face stiffened momentarily before he let out a faint, distractedugh.


    "Don''t worry. I''ve stepped back from the Dempsey family. They''ll be back on their feet in less than a month, and I''ll make up for any losses. After all, I can''t take the money with me when I die." He knew full well that none of his wealth would follow him to the grave, yet he insisted on chaining her to his side until hisst breath.


    Izabe scoffed, "I hope you keep your word."


    ncing at his watch, Brett urged, "Let''s eat. You skipped lunch, and an empty stomach leads to stomach problems."


    Izabe followed him downstairs, where she was greeted by a tableden with her favorite dishes - the aroma was tantalizing.


    That Brett could cook, and cook well, was unexpectedly impressive.


    Taking her seat, she picked up the te and began to eat. Starving herself wasn''t an option; she had stomach illness before, and knew the agony of gastric cancer all too well.


    Even if starving wouldn''t lead to


    illness in stomach, she wouldn''t take badly care of her own body. Right now, the seesaw battle between she and Brett was on; as long as Brett died before her, she was the winner.


    Though that was her determination, every bite was a struggle. Even though the food catered to her tastes, the thought of Brett preparing it turned each mouthful to wax.


    Brett watched her pick at her food perfunctorily, as if she was doing it just to appease him. He offered her some spicy potato sd, "Have some veggies."


    Her hand paused, and after a long moment, she dumped the remainder of her meal into the trash with a definitive, "I''m done."


    Brett knew his earlier move had


    upset her. In the past, he might have


    forced her to eat, resenting any waste of his "kindness"; even if the food wasnded in the trash can, he''d ask her to pick the food up and finish it. But now, faced with


    Izabe''s irritation, he was at a loss for words.


    "I just thought you needed more to eat," his voiceced with panic.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    "I''m full just looking at you." Izabe retorted sharply, "If you really wanted to do something for me, you''d stay away."


    "But I can''t do that." Brett confessed, "Think what you will of my motives, but everything I''ve done was for you. I didn''t want you to be let down or deceived again, like you were by the Felton family." Her voice turned icy, "So I should be grateful to you? People can''t stand being tested, Brett. They would have continued to be good to me if not for your schemes. You made me lose everyone."


    "I admit that I manipted the situation, but if it wasn''t me, it would have been someone else -someone worse," Brett tried to reason.


    Izabe''s frown deepened as she regarded him, his rare moment of "humility" shining through his flustered exnations.


    "Don''t be so modest. In all my years, I''ve nevere across anyone more troublesome than you."


    His words stung like needles, and Brett struggled internally, desperate for asking someone to pluck it out. His desire to keep her close was selfish, no doubt about it.


    But without that excuse, it seemed


    he had no reason to hold onto Izabe-much like the parental adage "it''s for your own good", which often cloaked a desire for control beneath the guise of benevolence.

 Chapter 538

    Izabe had learned the hard way that skipping meals and erratic eating habits could lead to serious stomach issues. She had endured gastric ailments before, even stomach cancer.


    Brett voiced his concern now, saying he feared for her pain, for her difort, for the agony of another bout of gastritis. Yet, he seemed to forget that he, of all people, had been the source of her deepest hurts.


    Abusers seldom saw themselves as the viins in any story.


    True to his nature, Brett was an embodiment of relentless severity. He had the uncanny ability to make someone suffer - and then find a way to twist the knife even deeper.


    Their conversation, circuitous as ever, seemed to spiral back to the same old wounds. Brett knew that if this continued, Izabe would sh with him once more.


    Eating a little was better than not at all. Brett finally said after a tense silence, attempting to change the subject, "Let''s not make a fuss about it. Being upset will take a toll on your body."


    "So now you acknowledge that stress can take a toll on the body? Irony doesn''t begin to cover the number of times you''ve pushed me to the brink," Izabe retorted, mming her te down and standing up, her eyes reddening with anger.


    "Brett, you really couldn''t care less, could you? The only reason you''re clinging on to me is your damn pride. President Windham can dump others, but God forbid you''re the one getting dumped. Does it eat you up inside to see your discarded ything finding happiness with someone else? Does it?" Her voice rose despite her efforts to stay calm, the words spilling out like the desperate roars of a cornered animal.


    Brett remained silent, sitting still, his hand trembling at Izabe''s words as he held his fork.


    It was his right hand that held the fork, yet for some inexplicable reason, his left hand throbbed with pain. The scar in his palm, long since healed, seemed to rip open anew.


    His palm had been severely cut by Izabe''s knife.


    The one he had pushed away had forfeited his right to regret.


    Izabe''s eyes fell, "Brett, you always do things that leave me utterly baffled. What are you after? Are you genuinely looking out for me, trying to prove you''re right, or just trying to drag others down to your leve so you can feel less guilty about your past?"


    People on the brink oftenpared themselves to those they perceived as worse off - it was as if they thought death would erase their regrets.


    Brett remained mute.


    Seeing his stoic expression, Izabe let out a self-deprecatingugh, then turned and walked into the living room. She flopped onto the couch and instinctively reached for her phone to check her messages, only to remember that she had turned off the Wi-Fi.


    Time used to fly by for her. Now, every second was an ordeal.


    Brett quietly finished the remaining food on the table, blood from his mouth mixing with the vors. He had never been one for cooking; he loathed the smell of grease that lingered in a kitchen.


    He usually dined out or had restaurant food delivered to his door. Eventually, finding even that too bothersome, he hired a chef. Still, the chef''s creations never quite matched up to Izabe''s.


    No matter how good the food was outside, it could be tiresome. But home-cooked meals, no matter how simple, were something one could never grow weary of. If deprived of them, the longing would persist.


    He yearned for another taste of Izabe''s cooking.


    For four years, Izabe had cooked for him, and not once had he shown appreciation. Now, her dishes were a luxury he could never again afford.


    After Izabe''s death, Brett had been tormented by a severe breakdown, desperately seeking chefs to replicate her culinary touch.


    He scoured J City but found nothing. Then he traveled to R City, recalling a little dumpling restaurant near the University of R City that Izabe had often mentioned.


    One bite, and he knew it was her favorite.


    The owner had only seen Brett in photographs. That year when Izabe married Brett, she was the only one who was ecstatic, who would want to tell everyone that she married someone she loved.


    But deep down, she was aware that Brett didn''t love her; the more boisterous there was in the wedding, the more disgusted Brett felt towards her.


    The day before the wedding, she took a photo of Brett to that restaurant, and ordered some dumplings. Acting like a young girl who had just started in a rtionship and harbored anticipation for future life, she said to the owner, pointing at the photo, "Mrs. Jones, I''m getting married. I''ll live happily forever with him."


    Perhaps at that time, even Izabe herself didn''t know life was short. Four grinding years had eaten up her entire passion, just like hot water, which would turn icy cold with time. People''s feelings could never be tested.


    Even a stone would turn t after being unceasingly ground. People''s emotion was somewhat vulnerable, not able to stand torture.


    Maybe that so-called "forever" was the past life, or maybe the next, but it''d never be in this lifetime.


    Izabe had received many well-wishes on her wedding day, including Mrs. Jones''s kind words. However, the happiness of that day was far from reality, with Brett treating her as nothing more than a disposable doll for his use, never fulfilling his duty as a married couple.


    No one could have guessed that Izabe would one day die at the hands of the man she had believed would bring her happiness. The Izabe who had once been full of life was now reduced to ashes; she was no longer the same Izabe she once was.


    Later, Brett became a regr at the restaurant, where Mrs. Jones would chat warmly with him and eventually recognized him, who shared many


    stories about Izabe''s on for


    him with her, stories that weremon knowledge to everyone, but about those of him mistreating her, not many people knew except the few who cared about Izabe much.


    The dumplings were Izabe''s favorite, and Brett wanted to learn to make them. Mrs. Jones, tired of his persistence, eventually gave him an address to seek out help himself.


    The address which the owner offered was the ce of a cook who had taught Izabe. The retired cook initially refused but relented after Brett knelt outside his door for nearly an hour, his legs numbing from the gesture.


    Brett learned to cook from the same man as Izabe, and his dishes came close to replicating hers.


    In the three years following Izabe''s death, Brett''s psyche split, as if his soul had been cleaved in two.


    Brett had searched high and low for a chef who could replicate Izabe''s signature vors in the kitchen, but to no avail. In the end, it was he who mastered the craft. With each bite of his homemade dishes, he felt as though Izabe was still there beside him.


    He methodically ate every morsel, forcing down mouthfuls even when he was full, until the table was clear of food. Standing up, he gathered the dishes and headed to the kitchen.


    The sound of running water echoed as Brett washed up. Izabe nced in his direction, remembering how he had always been a bit obsessive about cleanliness. It was one thing to cook, but for Brett to actually do the dishes was another.


    After cleaning up, Brett returned to the living room, idly flipping through the calendar on his phone.


    "What are your ns for Christmas this year?" He asked, noticing a dimming in Izabe''s eyes.


    "If you didn''t meddle in, I was supposed to spend it with Casey," they had nned to set up a huge Christmas tree and celebrate properly,plete with thoughtfully chosen gifts. But now, Brett''s presence was throwing a wrench in those ns.


    Christmas was still over a month away, and the days were growing incrementally colder.


    Truth be told, Brett wasn''t looking


    forward to Christmas at all. ToContent ? N?velDrama.Org.


    others, it was a festive holiday, an


    ideal time for romantic dates. But for Brett, Christmas brought no joy; it only served as a reminder that five years ago, he had gotten engaged to Kaley on Christmas Day, the very day Izabe perished in a tragic fire. For him, Christmas was a day of mourning.


    Presley''s words still haunted him, "Remember, Brett, every year marks her anniversary."


    He remembered it clearly. It was a memory that clung to him every day, impossible to forget.


    "Don''t you love the snow? What if I took you up north to see it? We could build snowmen, have snowball fights, and if you get cold, there are hot springs to warm up in."


    Izabe pressed her lips, remaining silent.


    Brett rambled on, addressing no one in particr, "If you don''t fancy the snow, we could go on a coastal holiday. It''s warm there; you wouldn''t need to bundle up in a heavy coat. I remember you said you loved the ocean, and you once told me if we ever got married, we''d honeymoon on Coconut Ind."


    Izabe often used him of not caring enough, and Liam echoed the sentiment, saying that Brett had been overly attentive to Kaley''s every whim, rushing her to the hospital for the smallest ailment, yet he seemed indifferent when Izabe was coughing blood for the constant blooding drawing.


    Was it truly indifference born from ack of love?


    But Brett could recall every nce, every smile from Izabe. He knew her likes, her dislikes; he was aware of her aversion to the cold and her fear of pain. A casual remark about enjoying the snow or a beach vacation was etched in his memory forever.


    (Apologies for yesterday''s


    confusion. I was exhausted and in a


    rush, and after submitting the


    chapter, realized it was riddled with


    typos. I''ve made corrections, but unfortunately, I can''t update the published version. So, if you guys me know. I''ll also report them through another ount to speed up the process.)


    spot any typos, please let guys

 Chapter 539

    It wasn''t that he didn''t trust Izabe; it was more that he didn''t trust himself to fall for her. As he began to care for her, he chose to ignore the feelings that were clearly there.


    Now, with the reality of his lung cancer diagnosis before him, Brett understood that even if he hadn''t been sick, a lifetime wouldn''t be enough to win Izabe over.


    If the roles were reversed, he would have been long gone - no way he could stand someone like himself. So how could he expect Izabe to ept him?


    It was just like she had said once.


    - "I only treated him the way he used to treat me, and look how quickly he couldn''t handle it."


    Not every apology earned forgiveness, and not all wounds healed.


    "Izabe, do you know why I chose to test the Dempsey family in such a way?"


    Every time Brett talked about where they''d go to have fun, Izabe felt like her ears were infested with buzzing flies - annoying and repulsive. And now, he was shifting the conversation with a serious, businesslike demeanor, ready to delve into something grave.


    "Your brother Lucas''s hand wasn''t chopped off by me," Brett said, fixing his gaze firmly on Izabe''s face.


    Surprisingly, her face remained expressionless, her eyes not even blinking, no scorn, no doubt, no trace of past hatred - her calm was unexpected.


    "I know it wasn''t you."


    Jake''s pupils contracted, "How could you possibly know that?"


    "Because you said so at the time. You didn''t chop off Lucas''s hand."


    Back then, Izabe despised Brett with every fiber of her being. He had driven her family to bankruptcy and indirectly caused her father to leap to his demise. He used Lucas to threaten her. After Lucas''s hand was ruined, she suspected it was Brett''s doing, because this was his usual method he''d use.


    He knew her weaknesses, and knew she cared about family, regardless of how they treated her. Her father''s words before his suicide, telling her to take care of her brother, became a noose around her neck.


    In the midst of her hatred for Brett, coupled with his frequent threats using Lucas, there were many reasons to suspect him. But when Brett imed he hadn''t maimed Lucas, she believed him.


    Did she still love him then?


    No.


    She simply knew him. If he had done it, he would have admitted it. He wouldn''t stoop to lying about Lucas''s injury - it was too easy a thing for him to do.


    Now it was Brett''s turn to fall silent. He had thought Izabe''s decision to divorce him was because she believed he was responsible for Lucas''s handicap, but it wasn''t so.


    Even though she believed in him, he couldn''t feel happy about it. He only realized that Izabe had lost all heart for him long ago.


    "Don''t you want to know who actually chopped off Lucas''s hand?"


    "I don''t care anymore. You used to call me cheap, and I was indeed cheap, selling my freedom for the sake of such rtives." Izabe said with a faint, self-mockingugh, "Do you think I care about him after nearly losing my life because of a betrayal? Even if his hand was fine, I would have done it myself. As it turns out, it really does help kick a gambling habit." N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Her attitude toward Lucas was much the same as toward Brett. She was done ying the saint, done being weary. So, when a voice iming to be divine spoke to her after her death, she didn''t hesitate to say she wanted to be cold, unfeeling, unbound by love, caring for no one.


    But there was always a difference between thought and practice. The ideal was full but the reality was bony.


    But she could fall for Casey. She had no regrets about that.


    She truly didn''t care about Lucas anymore, not even if he shed tears of regret after her death. She wouldn''t forgive.


    The taste of betrayal by kin was bitter. When Lucas had left her in that underground gambling den, he should have been prepared for her to never e back."


    "Nevering back" wasn''t just about her physically, but also her feelings.


    Once discarded, there was no return, because those who''d been abandoned feared it happening again.


    Brett choked up; then after a


    don''t


    i


    moment, he said, "Even if you want to know, I have to tell you. Lucas''s hand was chopped off by Casey, who was then known as Cameron Windham. He was raised by the family''s enforcers, taught to fight at the age of three, his hands stained with more than adittle blood. He grew up in a world of violence, and it''s likely he embraced it."


    Brett wasn''t trying to drive a wedge between her and Casey; he was simply speaking his mind.


    "See, he knew Lucas was your brother, but he still made the cut."


    Lucas''s hand, a deed of Casey''s doing? Izabe merely furrowed her brow for a moment before letting it smooth out.


    Even if Casey had been the one to act back then, what did it matter now?

 Chapter 540

    In his memories, Izabe always held family dear to her heart. For the sake of her brother Lucas, she had endured being trapped by his side, willing to do anything. Izabe despised those with a penchant for violence. Casey had, after all, chopped off the hand of her own brother. Could she truly not care that Lucas had been maimed?


    Brett watched her face intently for a reaction after he spoke. Her expression remained serene, her previously furrowed brows now rxed. Her eyes, like reflective mirrors, showed him his own grotesque reflection so clearly that even he couldn''t bear to look. Under her steady gaze, he involuntarily took few steps back.


    With a faint smile and a hint of mockery, Izabe said, "Why do you think his hands are stained with blood? Why would he strike another? You know better than anyone. He was brought into your home as an infant, raised to be your henchman, your enforcer.


    You say he''s got blood on his hands, yet he saved you. A life for a life. He yed the fool for fifteen years and saved me as well. Casey may be ruthless with others, but he never hurt me. Now, look at yourself and tell me who''s the violent one?"


    In her heart, Casey was still the one whose cheeks would flush at her gaze, whose ears would twitch in shy embarrassment; the one who would cautiously approach and stand behind her, protecting her even i she never looked back. He was the one who would coax her not to cry with candies and carry her home on his back; the one who would love her at first sight no matter how she changed; the one who, even when hurt, would firstfort her not to be saddened.


    Such a Casey, who was so kind to her - how could she deny him based on a few words from Brett?


    Izabe''s words left Brett at a loss for a counterargument. Indeed, Casey''s violent tendencies were a product of the Windham family''s design, training him to be their personal bodyguard from the start. Had Casey not been switched at birth, he would''ve had a happy life, notnguishing in an orphanage for fifteen years, bing an oblivious fool.


    Even as a fool, his intention was to protect Izabe.


    His love was not covert like Brett''s. Casey''s affection for Izabe was obvious and passionate, a favoritism that was visible to all.


    Brett couldn''t admit that Casey''s love for Izabe might be deeper than his own. He dropped his gaze, his thickshes concealing his eyes. After a long silence, he offered a faint smile, "Has Casey bewitched you? Why do you always take his side?"


    "Do you understand empathy? Who''s good to me and who''s bad, I''m well aware. And I''ll measure whether you''re worthy of my kindness."


    Did Brett really deserve her kindness? After years of being his emotional punching bag, enduring his cold indifference, she had had enough. And now he expected her to treat him and Casey equally? How audacious.


    Her wedding room in Quiet Forest Estates wasn''trge, but she had tracked every step of the renovation process, investing time and effort no less significant than that put into a project worth of tens of millions Yet what had she received in return?


    Assaulted on the sofa? Locked in a bedroom for four days, surviving on tap water and toilet paper? Or handcuffed and forced to kneel on broken ss on the balcony, or worse, thrown from the second floor, resulting in the loss of a child?


    Some things were beyond forgiveness. She didn''t want to dwell on them, but Brett''s approach always inadvertently brought back those harrowing memories, devoid of any happiness. She had resolved to let g of her hatred, but Brett''s presence forced her to pick it back up.


    One shouldn''t harbor hatred forever; it tired the soul.


    And Izabe felt exhausted. She just wanted to find a peaceful ce to stay, where she and Brett could live without interfering in each other''s lives, as long as he no longer harmed the Dempsey family. Brett opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing. He knew Izabe didn''t want to see him, yet the only meaning his life had left was to see her just a little more.


    "I''ll prove to you that everything I''ve done is right," Brett''s usually expressionless face now ashen. Perhaps it was the dim light, but standing by the window, the darkness in his eyes was as deep as the night outside, a portrait of loneliness and emptiness.


    Seeing how stubborn he still was, how he wasparing him with Casey, Izabe scorned, "Your so-called being ''right'' is to ruin his family and let him be utterly isted by those crooked methods you have?" The two of them were standing a bit far away, with a coffee table and chairs in between, yet the atmosphere was tense once their gazes met.


    Brett had heard thosements numerous times, the same words he had heard from many others: Izabe long ago, Liam, Nathaniel, even Tiara, the maid who had worked in his house for less than a year. Maybe even harsher, like brutal and cold blooded, unscrupulous, heartless, beastly, venomous -over time, even the harshest words ceased to hurt.


    He thought he had grown ustomed to them over the years, that he was numb from the pain of hiseuppance. Yet, for some reason, whenever Izabe spoke them, they seemed to pierce through the numbness and inflict fresh pain on his heart.


    "So tell me, what should I do? If I were upright and honorable, would you still be here with me?" Brett asked, his eyes bloodshot.


    The answer was no. Izabe would never stay by his side, no matter what he did.


    With a newfound calmness, Izabe realized that Brett was like a vampire, always seeking to sink his teeth in deeper, never satisfied until blood was drawn.


    He wanted her to stay by his side until his dying moment, to force Casey to give up, to pressure the Dempsey family into bing like the previous Felton family.


    Retreating to her room, Izabey


    awake with the lights on, tossing


    and turning. She nced at her phone from time to time, even though she had blocked all signals. She couldn''t help but check for


    messages, knowing full well there


    Wouldn''t be any.


    The phone had been her constantpanion for over two years now, its memory packed to the brim, not a single file deleted. Buried within its digital confines were texts from Casey dating back two years.


    She checked the texts, and there they were: his emojis, his nightly well-wishes, not a day missed. As she scrolled through the messages, a wave of emotion surged, and silent tears traced paths down her cheeks, vanishing quietly into her hairline.


    Meanwhile, Casey, under the


    influence of the knockout drops that


    Izabe had covertly administered, struggled through his day, fighting a losing battle against drowsiness. He reached for a cup of coffee in a desperate bid to regain focus, only to find himself trapped in a state of half-sleep, his mind bloated like an overinted balloon on the verge of bursting, his head pounding with an unbearable ache.


    As he massaged his temples, Izabe''s morning words echoed in his mind, "Take care of yourself. Don''t overdo it, sleep if you need to."


    He had promised Izabe that he would look after his health, not to overexert himself, to rest when necessary. Yet, his desk was a mountain of unprocessed, unsigned documents.


    His assistant entered the office to find Casey pale as a ghost, beads of sweat dotting his forehead. The change was so sudden and rming.


    "What''s happened, Mr. Dempsey? You''re looking awfully pale. Are you feeling alright? Maybe we should get you to the hospital?"


    "No need, a little sleep and I''ll be fine," maybe a nap might shake off the fog that had settled over his mind.


    The assistant, though concerned, didn''t insist. The office had its own private resting area, equipped for a nap or even an extended stay if needed.


    Still, as Casey stood, his movements unsteady, his body almost gave way, he doubled over and suddenly bent down, puking.


    "Mr. Dempsey!" The assistant rushed to his side, supporting him immediately in case he wouldn''t copse into his own mess.


    Casey had barely eaten today - just a


    §Ö


    Gover


    few bites of the breakfast Izabe had prepared and a barely-touched lunch ordered by his assistant. His sustenance had been a mere bowl of soup followed by copious amounts of coffee, which was now proving too much for his body. The vomit that came up was mostly liquid, tainted with the brown of coffee. Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Feeling slightly better after emptying his stomach but utterly drained, Casey allowed himself to be helped by the assistant into a chair. He sat there, gasping for air, as helpless as a fish out of water. Decisive, the assistant dered, "This won''t do, Mr. Dempsey. We''re going to the hospital. If you don''t get checked out, you could seriously damage your health."

 Chapter 541

    Casey was adamant about not going to the hospital; it was simply too much of a time suck. He had a mountain of tasks yet to tackle, and the thought of bumping into his folks left him scrambling for excuses. Yet, if he ignored his assistant''s warnings and his condition worsened, sumbing to illness would be far worse.


    If he was sick, who would hold the Dempsey family together? Who would watch over Izabe? He felt the weight of two burdens on his shoulders, and he couldn''t afford to drop either one.


    After a brief internal struggle, Casey decided to heed his assistant''s advice and get a medical check-up.


    Climbing into the car, he mustered the strength to text Izabe, letting her know he''d be workingte and wouldn''t be home.


    He couldn''t bring himself to tell her about the hospital visit; he didn''t want her to worry. Yet Izabe was sharp. He normally would call, but his voice was hoarse and weak, and he feared a text might prompt her to ring him up.


    He made sure his assistant understood, "Don''t tell Izabe about the hospital thing. If she calls or texts, just say I''m in a meeting."


    At the hospital, they went straight to the emergency department. The diagnosis was acute enterogastritis. Irregr meals and recent all-nighters had taken a toll on his health, and to top it off, they found traces of knockout drops in his blood.


    The dosage was enough to knock anyone out for a full day, and it was a wonder how Casey had managed to stay awake this long.


    The doctor, puzzled, asked, "What have you been eatingtely? How did you end up with malnutrition and low blood sugar?"


    Casey, eyes closed, didn''t respond. His assistant thought he might be asleep and spoke for him, "His diet has been off, mainly because Mr. Dempsey has been buried in work."


    "Work is no excuse to neglect your health. If this gets any worse, you could be vomiting blood and it won''t just be a hospital visit - you could be looking at a month-long stay. I''ve prescribed some medicine; a nurse will bring it shortly. You should look up a nutritious diet online and avoid any foods you shouldn''t eat. You need a good day''s rest, and oh," the doctor nearly forgot the most crucial piece of information. Since Casey was resting, the doctor spoke to the assistant, "We also found knockout dropsponents in your boss''s bloodstream, which is likely the main reason he''s here today."


    Sedatives plus an empty stomach and strong ck coffee were a recipe for disaster.


    "Knockout drops?" Who would consume those without cause? It seemed likely that someone had drugged him. The assistant''s mind raced with suspicion, initially suspecting corporate sabotage or theft of sensitive documents.


    But then it hit him - he was the one who handled Casey''s food and coffee. There was no chance for anyone else to tamper with them.


    Yet the evidence was clear. Who had the opportunity to drug Casey?


    Casey had barely drunk anything that day besides coffee. The assistant''s thoughts whirred, wondering if the drugging had urred before Casey arrived at the office.


    The most probable scenario pointed to his home, but only Izabe was there.


    The thought chilled the assistant to the bone. He nced at Casey, who was asleep on the bed, and then ushered the doctor out.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    With Casey''s phone in his


    possession, he saw Izabe''s photo as the wallpaper but didn''t know the passcode and couldn''t unlock it. Not that he would have invaded his boss''s privacy even if he could.


    Other than a few spam messages, there was nothing on the phone. An hour had passed since the text was sent, and Izabe hadn''t responded.


    When Casey finally awoke around five in the afternoon, after three hours of rest, he was still groggy, parched, and his chest burned.


    The assistant instantly offered him water, but Casey pushed away the helping hand; he wasn''t so weak that he needed assistance to drink. Propped up against the headboard, he caught his breath.


    "Mr. Dempsey, your water."


    Casey took the cup and drank eagerly, finishing it quickly.


    "More?" The assistant asked.


    Casey nodded and handed back the cup.


    After a few sips, his throat felt better, and he could speak. His first thought was of Izabe.


    "Did Izabe text? Did she call? Does


    she know I''m sick and in the


    vel.ne


    hospital?" He bombarded the assistant with questions, leaving him momentarily stunned.


    The assistant didn''t answer right away, refilling Casey''s cup before replying, "Mrs. Dempsey hasn''t. texted or called back. She might be busy and unaware of your hospital visit."


    Casey initially felt relieved, but as he noticed the darkening sky outside the window, a sense of unease washed over him.


    "How long was I out?"


    "Over three hours. It''s now half-past five."


    "My phone," Casey demanded, his voiceced with urgency.


    The assistant quickly handed him the device, watching as Casey swiped through it.


    Just as the assistant had said, no replies. This wasn''t like Izabe. Casey didn''t hesitate, calling her immediately.

 Chapter 542

    The phone offered nothing but an emotionless automated message.


    Before Casey could even react, his phone had tumbled from the bed to the ground. It fell from such a height,nding on its corner, and the screen splintered into a small crack that spread like a spiderweb, blurring the image of Izabe''s face on the lock screen.


    His assistant quickly scooped up the phone to hand it back to Casey, but as he straightened up, he saw Casey attempting to rise from the bed.


    Still weak, Casey felt world spun and his legs tingled with numbness, sending him crashing to the floor like a boneless serpent.


    In just a few seconds, a sheen of sweat formed on his forehead.


    The assistant hurried to his side. Casey had lost a lot of weight recently; tall but not heavy, he was easily hoisted up with one hand. The assistant tried to guide him back to bed, but Casey insisted on leaving, his steps shaky and unsteady.


    "Mr. Dempsey, you can''t be discharged yet. The doctor said you have acute gastroenteritis, and they found traces of knockout drops in your blood. If you leave now and it gets worse, you''ll just end up back in the hospital, and it won''t be as simple as an ordinary stay."


    As the assistant''s voice trailed off, Casey froze at once, "You said there are knockout drops in my blood?"


    The assistant nodded.


    Casey''s face turned even grim; his mind raced with images from the day, from waking up to being admitted to the hospital, like a carousel of memories that stopped at the moment Izabe had stood at the doo that morning and said, "Casey, goodbye."


    It wasn''t "see youter"; it was goodbye. She hadn''t said see youter because she wasn''t nning on it.


    Izabe had said a lot when she sent him off that day. She told him to eat well, to sleep well, to rest - she cared for him, but she was also preparing for a departure, because she knew she wouldn''t be there to remind him every day.


    She spilled out her words in one breath, giving Casey no chance to respond.


    The knockout drops must have been in the breakfast Izabe prepared, her exit meticulously nned while he was lost in thoughts of their future.


    People didn''t just up and leave; there was always a buildup, something he must''ve been oblivious to.


    "I have to go back; something might have happened to her."


    "Mrs. Dempsey is in trouble?"


    Everyone at thepany knew about Casey and Izabe''s marriage, so the assistant had long since started referring to "Ms. Salotti" as "Mrs. Dempsey".


    Casey''s face was frantic; he had to go back. Izabe had left him - what was he supposed to do? He had promised to protect her for life.


    He couldn''t hear anything around him; his sole focus was on getting out, his hand still attached to an IV.


    The nurses outside rushed in upon hearing themotion.


    When they learned that Casey was desperate to leave, they tried to persuade him, "You can''t be discharged yet; there''s still a bag of IV fluids to finish. Just rx and you can leave in the morning." Through gritted teeth, Casey insisted, "I have to go back!"


    When the nurses couldn''t change his mind, they called the doctor, who also couldn''t deter him from leaving.


    "If you''re going to leave, keep the IV in until it''s finished; then you can remove the needle," the doctor tried to look out for Casey''s health to avoid a more serious condition.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    This time, Casey nodded in agreement.


    The assistant called a driver and apanied Casey back home, holding the IV bag, which dripped slowly into his vein. Even at full flow, the small bag would take over half an hour to empty.


    Casey, one-handedly, kept dialing and texting Izabe, his fingers growing stiff from half an hour''s effort without a single reply.


    When they tried to track her phone''s location, the signal was dead. If a person really wanted to disappear, they could vanish into thin air.


    Upon reaching Spring Bay, as the car screeched to a halt, Casey flung open the door and stumbled out, the assistant holding the IV bag in one hand and ready to catch him with the other.


    Casey refused his help, yet he still maintained the same gesture just in case to hold Casey''s wobbling figure at any time.


    Casey stood on his own as he made his way to the front door. His trembling hand pressed upon the biometric lock, and as the door swung open, silence enveloped him sopletely he could hear his own breath and feel his heart pounding.


    Casey''s mind was filled with


    thoughts of Izabe. There was still a bit of fluid left in the IV bag, which tied him down a bit. Frustrated, he yanked at the tube near his hand, pulling out the needle and causing blood to stain the clear medical tape on his hand.


    By six o''clock, the southern winter evening had fallen dark, the streetlights casting a dim glow. As the door opened, light spilled inside.


    "Be, I''m back," he said instinctively, though no one replied. He flicked on the lights with a familiar motion, and with a click, the room flooded with light.


    Despite the brightness, everything


    seemed blurred. The more the


    §Ó


    silence pressed in, the more his mind raced with panic, a feeling he''d been suppressing all the way home. Now in the stillness of the house, that panic was unrestrained, casting a dark cloud over him.


    Inside, everything was as it had been; Izabe''s favorite rocking chair on the balcony, her beloved books, the water ss she''d used, the flowers she''d bought, and the breakfast dishes she''d used that morning. Everything was there, except her.


    Suddenly, Casey bolted upstairs, blood from his hand trailing behind him; the assistant was unable to stop him, only to see his darting figure.


    He burst into the bedroom and turned on the light. His gaze fell on the sunflowers on the balcony, then shifted, finally resting on the nightstand.


    As he approached and saw whaty there, a muffled groan escaped him, a metallic taste filling his mouth.


    When the assistant arrived upstairs to check up on him, he found Casey slumped against the bed, clutching a few sheets of paper that made his hands tremble uncontrobly. Casey''s eyes were red with bloodshot threads. Hearing footsteps at the door, he looked up nkly as tears streamed down his face, the magnitude of his loss finally hitting him. Casey moved his mouth, mouthing the words silently, "She''s gone. She doesn''t want me anymore."


    No one saw iting, Izabe''s sudden departure. Without warning, she left behind nothing but a signed divorce settlement and vanished.


    Just yesterday, they had been at the amusement park, visited his folks, talked about their wedding, set a date, and even made ns for Christmas vacation. How could she just walk away like that? They say when someone decided to leave, they did it quietly, without taking anything extra with them.


    All Izabe took was her phone; her clothes were still neatly hung in the closet.


    Casey''s heart was trembling violently, the sensation of pain spreading through his flesh, making his lips quiver and his breathse out ragged.


    He had gone over the papers in his hand countless times, crumpling them up until the document was creased and worn. Staring at the signature where "Izabe" was written in her hand, he tried to decipher her emotions at the time.


    Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t feel her presence in those scribbles. All he felt was a chill from the divorce papers, as a draft from the slightly open window sent a cold breeze in, causing the curtains to flutter.


    After standing quietly for a while, the assistant sighed and, seeing Casey unresponsive, went to close the window.


    When the assistant turned back, Casey was on his feet, "Call the police. Get a search party out for her."


    This divorce settlement, casually signed by Izabe on her way out, was something Casey would never agree to.


    If Izabe truly wanted a divorce, he would let her go. But her sudden disappearance, her phone unreachable, texts sent with no replies, surely meant something had happened to force her into this decision. Why couldn''t she just trust him?


    The security cameras in the vicinity


    were out of order, eliminating the chance of tracking her through surveince footage. Casey put his work on hold and, pushing through exhaustion, searched for her through the night and well into the next day, not even pausing to take a sip of water.

 Chapter 543

    As Casey''s search for Izabe continued, his mind couldn''t help but reel back to the day at the amusement park when the turbo drop malfunctioned. Izabe had burst out in a moment of raw emotion.


    - "It wasn''t an ident!"


    Since that day, Casey noticed a change in Izabe. She seemed distant, lost in her own world, her spirit seemingly adrift.


    He had thought she was merely shaken by the scare, reassuring her gently, without really taking her words about the ident to heart.


    But now, with Brett missing, the incident in amusement park and Izabe''s sudden departure, it was all too easy to connect the dots.


    Izabe was with Brett.


    It was the possibility Casey dreaded most. He knew Brett''s ruthless ways all too well and how terrified Izabe was of him. He couldn''t forget that once before, Izabe had nearly met her end at Brett''s hands. Casey clenched his fist tightly, and in a moment of uncontrolled rage, he mmed his fist into the wall. His fingers turned crimson, the pain close to that of a fracture, but his fear overshadowed any physical sensation. His grip remained firm, his joints straining against his skin.


    Soon after, Bunny heard of Izabe''s disappearance and sought out Casey, fresh from the hospital. Her mind, too, went straight to Brett.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Piecing together the timeline of Izabe''s departure, it was clear that the biggest shift had been in the stock performance of the Dempsey Group. Shares that had beennguishing were now on the rise, andpanies that had previously refused partnership were suddenly eager to coborate.


    Brett had engineered the Dempsey Group''s crisis, all for the sake of possessing Izabe. Without his relenting grip, such a swift turnaround for thepany would have been impossible. So, Izabe really was with Brett.


    She had sacrificed herself, gone to Brett''s side, to secure peace for the Dempsey Group.


    As realization dawned, Bunny stumbled back, her hand covering her mouth as tears cascaded down her cheeks.


    How could she be so foolish?


    Hadn''t she told her time and again? The Dempsey family craved her presence, not thepany. Money was extrinsic; it could be re-earned. But life, there was only one, and this naive girl seemed to have cas it aside so carelessly.


    Bunny''s tears flowed in the solitude of the restroom. Afterposing herself, with her eyes still rimmed red, she steeled herself and went to find Casey.


    It was from his assistant that Bunny learned Casey had been hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis the day before, and had discharged himself after only three hours'' rest to continue his search for Izabe. Without any lead on her whereabouts, he hadn''t rested, driven only by his obsessive need to find her.


    Seeing him now, hisplexion ashen, lips tinged with a worrying shade of blue, Bunny feared he would end up hospitalized like his father.


    Casey stood in the biting cold, making phone calls, his features marked by illness.


    When he finally put away his phone, Bunny approached and asked, "Any news of her?"


    He shook his head, his eyes, usually


    bright, now


    dull and shadowed. After


    a pause, he spoke with cracked lips, "I''ve lost her again. If I had realized what was happening sooner, maybe she wouldn''t have left. I wasn''t strong enough, so she didn''t trust me...she chose to leave..


    Before he could finish, Bunny wrapped him in an embrace, her voice tender, "Her leaving has nothing to do with you. It''s not that you lost her. She left because she cared too much about you."


    As she spoke, she gently patted his


    §Ö


    him


    back. But no matter how much Bunny consoled him, Casey couldn''t settle down. He had disliked Brett from the very moment he met at the orphanage; didn''t like the way Brett treated Izabe. Back then, Casey had wanted to take Brett


    down.


    If he had acted on his impulse, would all this have been avoided? Izabe wouldn''t have died, wouldn''t have suffered.


    Now, every time Casey closed his eyes, he saw Izabe''s face, her eyes red with tears, beckoning him for help.


    "I''ll look for Izabe." Bunny said, "You need to rest. Your healthes first. Don''t end up in the hospital like your father." "Mom, I can''t calm down."


    "If you can''t rest, then at least go to the office and deal with the business. We''ve had a lot of calls from partners today. There are a lot to attend to."


    It was better to be busy there than to be out here in the cold.


    "She''s gone now."


    Pressing her lips, Bunny fell silent.


    He continued, "Call me willful or reckless, but I only took over the Dempsey family business because of her. I wanted to keep the Dempsey Group from bankruptcy, just to spare Izabe the guilt of her own thoughts.


    I understand everything. I''ve done


    the best to keep her, but she still left, fearing she''d be a burden to the Dempsey family, to me. But all I ever wanted was her. Now she''s gone: If I had known this would be the end, I wouldn''t have cared if the Dempsey Group had gone under from the start."


    His words were casual, but they sent a chill through Bunny. Nevertheless, she quickly regained herposure.


    Casey''s eyes reddened as he stepped back, distancing himself from Bunny, "I''m sorry, Mom. Now that she''s gone, I don''t have the will to run thepany anymore. I just want to find her. I''ve missed out on so much with her already; I can''t miss out again."

 Chapter 544

    "Izabe''s gone. Why the hell am I even trying?"


    Everything Casey had done was for Izabe. He had poured his sweat into taking over the Dempsey family business, all to ease her worries, to create an illusion that everything was fine. He didn''t want her to overthink, to feel guilt or unease.


    Izabe always put others before herself, thinking she was a burden. It was a habit born from a childhoodcking love and a sense of security. A little kindness from others, and she''d remember it forever; a simple candy could be the sweetest memory in her mind.


    Those starved for love often fell into two categories: the indifferent and the hypersensitive. Izabe was thetter, ever desiring what shecked, repaying any sense of security given to her. Bunny remained silent.


    Casey said nothing more. He had abandoned his workpletely, determined to find Izabe.


    But no matter how hard he searched, Izabe seemed to have vanished into thin air.


    Bunny had joined the search for a day, asking around town. No sign of her in R City; perhaps she had left the country after being missing for so long.


    Casey hadn''t slept all night, running around in the rain all day without a bite to eat. At most, he''d had a few sips of hot water. With a bout of acute gastritis ring up, he endured the pain, hisplexion turning pale.


    He switched the IV needle to his other hand and continued his treatment after a brief rest. Once the pain subsided, he removed the needle and resumed his search,pletely disregarding his own health. Knowing she couldn''t stop him, Bunny let him be. Brett was unreachable by phone, so Bunny sent a text message.


    It was just a short message, to the point, "We need to talk."


    During her time away from Casey, Izabe hadn''t left R City. She was holed up in the Quiet Forest Estates.


    Every day, she''d stare nkly at her phone or stand by the floor-to-ceiling windows with a book in hand, ignoring whatever Brett said to her, like a lifeless doll.


    Sometimes Brett felt he was quite cheap. He preferred the old Izabe who wouldsh out at him, call him heartless, crazy, or a lowlife, rather than this soulless shell she had be.


    Had he really made a mistake?


    "You haven''t eaten all day. Aren''t you hungry?"


    Tired from standing, Izabe curled up in the rocking chair. The heater was on, and she wore only a T-shirt, one she had left behind years ago. Despite its age and musty smell, it was still wearable after a good wash.


    She had no clothes of her own with her and refused to wear anything Brett bought. She preferred her old clothes.


    Brett watched her in those old clothes, his eyes filled with nostalgia.


    "You''re still the same as when we first met. Nothing''s changed."


    The image of a twenty-year-old Izabe came to mind, her lips curled in a defiant smile. Everyone said Ms. Izabe was as proud as a swan, dismissing her suitors with indifference. Yet, she always looked at Brett with warmth and admiration.


    No one could have predicted that one day, the proud Izabe would cast aside her dignity to chase after a man, bing the talk of the town.


    And after that, Brett''s actions turned the once bubbly Izabe cold, her dimples that used to cradle sweetness all but disappearing.


    The memory of Izabe seemed to drift further away, even though she was right in front of him. He couldn''t recall thest time he saw her smile at him.


    "The only one that hasn''t changed is you. If I were still like before, that would just make me stupid and pathetic," Izabe said.


    Brett''s heart tightened. "That''s not what I meant."


    Izabe scoffed, a hollowugh without joy. "Then what do you mean?"


    Brett''s inflicted pain was a double-edged sword, torturing Izabe both physically and psychologically. During the years Izabe was ''dead,'' Brett had preserved everything here, even the wedding photo she had smashed, untouched in its original ce.


    Izabe felt a hopeless sadness, so profound that she couldn''t even summon anger.


    "Brett, only you deceive yourself into thinking nothing''s changed."


    Brett''s fingers twitched, and he clenched his hand, subtly changing the subject. "Have some cereal. You have a sensitive stomach; don''t starve yourself into pain."


    "Eating with your face around makes me nauseous."


    "I''ll bring it up to you."


    Brett turned away, the plum blossoms blooming outside the window, their fragrance almost permeating the closed panes.


    Izabe loved cereal. Brett had made some for her. The scent reached him before he even entered the kitchen.


    Would she eat her favorite meal?Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Along with the cereal, Brett had prepared dozens of pies, stored in the freezer, ready whenever Izabe felt hungry.


    He carried a bowl of cereal upstairs, where Izabe was still curled up in the rocking chair, gazing mesmerized at the plum blossoms outside.


    After a long pause, Brett ced the cereal on the coffee table. "Have some cereal."


    "I''m not hungry. I don''t have an appetite."


    "I''ll leave you alone. I''ll go downstairs."


    Her tone was even. "Anything you touch disgusts me."


    "What do you want, then?"


    In the room, Izabe turned her back to Brett, her voice tired. "Leave. If I get hungry, I''ll find food myself. You don''t need to hover around me every day, reminding me of my stomach aches. I know about stomach problems, and I know they can lead to something worse, like cancer."


    Brett''s usually stoic face seethed with barely contained fury, his eyes turning a fierce red. "Since you know your body might get sick, eat your meals properly instead of sulking here with me. Not eating for a day won''t solve anything!"


    He didn''t want to force Izabe, but often the methods he least wanted to use were the most effective. The cereal on the side had cooled.


    After testing the temperature to ensure it wouldn''t burn, Brett reached out and grabbed Izabe''s hand.


    Her frame was light, easily hoisted with a single pull. Izabe felt a sharp sting as Brett yanked her up, straining the muscles in her arm. "Brett, let go of me!" she hissed through gritted teeth.


    Brett tossed her onto the bed and then pinned her jaw, forcing her mouth open as he reached for the bowl of cereal sitting on the nightstand. He pressed the spoon against her lips, intent on pouring the cereal into her mouth.


    The cereal that Brett had cooked


    himself, was vorful, but the rich taste was too much for Izabe, who hadn''t eaten all day. After being forced to swallow half a bowl, her stomach revolted. She retched, spitting out the contents as the edge of the spoon scraped her tip,


    reddening but not breaking the skin.


    At the sight of her vomiting, Brett immediately let her go, worried she might choke. He gently patted her back, soothing her as if he hadn''t been the one force-feeding her moments before.


    Tears welled up in Izabe''s eyes as the carpet beneath the bed became soiled. She looked at him with reddened eyes and asked, "Brett, are you going to treat me like you used to?"


    Brett paused, then said, "I don''t want to, but you seem to only respond to this approach. Izabe, I''m not known for my patience. Since you''ve chosen to be by my side, you should behave. When I say eat, you eat. You im to know all my tactics, don''t you? Then you wouldn''t want the Dempsey family to suffer another crisis over your ''masochism,'' right?"


    I


    The room fell silent. Brett''s gaze was calm yet intense as he softly said, "You know I don''t have much time. Just indulge me, and it''ll be better for everyone."


    Threats were the most effective tool in his arsenal.


    It had been a long time since Izabe felt the acidic pain of nausea. Meeting Brett''s serious gaze, she knew he was capable of anything.


    Her eyes flickered to the half-bowl of cereal left on the side. Her hand trembled as she reached for it, gripping the spoon tightly and forcing bite after bite down her throat.


    Watching herply, Brett felt an inexplicable pang of pain. Once she finished, he reverted to his cold demeanor.


    "Do you want more?"


    Izabe shook her head.


    Knowing she had a small appetite, Brett didn''t push her to eat more, which would only make her feel worse.


    He picked up the empty bowl. "See?


    If you were this obedient from the start, we wouldn''t have any issues. I''ve already dealt with the trouble from the Dempsey side. They''ll be back on track soon enough. But no mistake. If I can suppress them once, I can do it again. How you treat me will determine how I treat them."


    make

 Chapter 545

    Brett had resigned to his fate; in Izabe''s eyes, no matter what he did, he was inherently despicable. Since she had pegged him as the viin, no amount of effort on his part would change her mind. Besides, it was only under these circumstances that Izabe would stay by his side, even if just for a while.


    He didn''t care if his methods were good or bad; as long as they worked, that was enough.


    He was domineering, possessive, and a daydreamer, lost in his own fantasies.


    Brett tidied up the rug and, carrying the bowl, left the bedroom. He went downstairs and ced the empty bowl in the sink. Taking a deep breath, he couldn''t help but let out a wry smile, Izabe''s hateful re burned into his mind.


    He returned to his study, filled with books and documents Izabe had left behind. The bookshelf was dusty, except for one clean spot where a photo albumy.


    Brett skillfully picked up the album and began flipping through it, so familiar with its contents he even knew the order of the photos by heart. The album, brought back from J City, contained pictures of Izabe at various ages, including their wedding photos.


    After looking through it from beginning to end, Brett opened a drawer under his desk and pulled out his phone, which had been off and uncharged for a week. Plugging it in, the screen lit up with missed calls and messages. He set it to Do Not Disturb, cleared the missed calls, and skimmed through the texts.


    One message caught his eye, from someone named Bunny.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "We need to talk."


    Brett stared at those four simple words, his emotions unreadable. After a while, he made a call to set up a meeting.


    The next morning, while Izabe was still in bed, footsteps approached the door, pausing for a few seconds before the sound of the door opening.


    Startled awake, Izabe turned her head, her eyes alert and devoid of sleepiness.


    "I''ve got to step out for a bit today. You stay home and take care," he said.


    Izabe asked, "Aren''t you afraid I''ll run away?"


    "You came here willingly, why should I worry about you running away?" Besides, if Izabe really wanted to leave, he couldn''t stop her.


    At this critical moment, Izabe wouldn''t leave.


    "Where are you going?"


    "Just out to pick up some things, and I''ll be back soon." Brett kept his gaze fixed on Izabe, waiting for her response.


    For a moment, Izabe thought about joining Brett outside; it had been a week since she arrived, and she yearned to catch a glimpse of Casey from afar.


    But what good would it do? She had signed the divorce papers, and for all she knew, there was nothing left between her and Casey.


    She feared facing Casey''s looks, even if expressionless; she had no idea how to respond.


    Brett waited but received no response from Izabe. "I''m off then. Breakfast is ready downstairs; make sure to eat. I don''t want to force-feed you like I did yesterday."


    This time, Izabe unexpectedly watched Brett leave, not turning away until the door closed, not snapping out of it until she heard the sound of car engine fade away. Brett drove to a tea house he had reserved the night before. Upon arrival, he told the front desk and was escorted to a private room.


    Bunny was already there, having ordered tea and some pastries, apparently not having eaten breakfast yet.


    Seeing Brett, Bunny stood up, awkwardly, despite being the elder, she seemed out of ce before Brett. "Have you had breakfast?"


    "I have," Brett replied coldly before sitting down and getting straight to the point, "So, what''s this about?"


    Ever since Brett''s parents passed


    away, he had been distant with all members of the Windham family. Bunny had tried to make amends using various methods, but Brett had remained unresponsive, visiting her only when necessary.


    Now Bunny hesitated, unsure how to address him. Calling him by his first name seemed too informal, and "President Windham" too distant.


    As the morning sunlight began to filter through, Brett ordered a cup of tea, his voice and demeanor chilly and unapproachable.


    Once the tea was served and the waitstaff had left, Bunny finally spoke up. She pulled out a folder and opened it, revealing a stack of documents. "Take a look at this," she urged.


    Brett took the folder, nced at its contents, and looked up with an inscrutable expression, "What are you implying?"


    What Bunny presented was the entire share portfolio of the Dempsey family''s assets. With Brett''s signature, the Dempsey Group would change hands immediately.


    "You''ve been pressuring the


    Dempsey Group, hoping to make us


    choose between our family business


    and Izabe, right?" Bunny said calmly. After discussing it with my family we''ve decided to trade all of the Dempsey family''s wealth to get Izabe back. I know she''s been with you all this time, and only you have the means to hide her from us."


    Brett''s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Bunny, "Are you really willing to trade decades of the Dempsey family''s assets, worth billions, for someone you im is insignificant?"


    "She''s not insignificant; Izabe is family. And for family, what''s money worth, anyway?"

 Chapter 546

    After leaving Bunny, Brett headed home, the journey taking less than half an hour. He stood at the entrance of the diner, shivering in the bone-chilling cold of December. A gust of icy wind brushed against his face, damp and unforgiving. He touched his cheeks, then gazed, bewildered, at his fingertips.


    The tears he shed in his life, except for those for his parents, were all because of Izabe. He didn''t want to cry, standing there on the bustling sidewalk, where a grown man''s tears seemed a sign of weakness. But he couldn''t help it; the wind stung his eyes, forcing the tears to fall.


    Brett suddenly felt lost, unsure of where to go. He trudged down the sidewalk and wandered into a grocery store, picking up some of Izabe''s favorite fruits.


    It was his first time grocery shopping for himself; previously, the house staff would handle such chores. Now, amidst the crowd, he felt solitary, out of sync with the world. Perhaps it was time to start worrying about dying alone.


    With Christmas Eve only twenty days away, Brett had ordered a bunch of stuff online to be delivered to Quiet Forest Estates.


    Izabe could not stand idly by and watch the Dempsey family suffer losses or see Casey hurt. One ident with the seatbelt was enough.


    She was married to Casey, and the Dempseys were her family too. Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey had been so kind to her, treating her as their own daughter. They were genuinely caring, and Izabe couldn''t be indifferent to their troubles.


    If it were just about money, perhaps Izabe wouldn''t care so much. But Brett had gone too far, aiming to put Casey in grave danger. Brett had his grip on Casey''s lifeline.


    Men like Brett might have held back in the past, not taking risks without certainty, always calcting. But with his illness, a desperate act seemed increasingly likely.


    At eleven in the morning, Brett returned home. Finding Izabe on the living room sofa, absorbed in a TV show, he approached and asked, "Have you had lunch?"


    "No."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "I''ll cook."


    Izabe kept her eyes on the TV, responding without even ncing his way, let alone making eye contact.


    She seemed engrossed in the show, which was actually a horror film-her least favorite genre.


    Today Izabe waspliant, eating quietly without arguing with Brett.


    He prepared a meal with two meat dishes, a vegetable side, a soup, and Izabe''s favorite dessert.


    She stared at the slice of cake on her te, lost in thought.


    "I saw a queue for these at the grocery store and remembered you liked them," he said.


    Izabe had a sweet tooth, and this trendy cake was among her favorites. She slowly savored a piece.


    Such cakes were a specialty of R City, limited in quantity and often sold out before the end of the queue. Brett going to the grocery store, let alone braving the crowd for such a small cake, was something Izabe had never imagined possible.


    The cake tasted as she remembered-not expensive, but genuinely sweet.


    "Thank you."


    Brett was the one stunned. It was the first time since her arrival that Izabe had spoken to him with such softness and gratitude.


    He dared not respond, fearing any disturbance might shatter what felt like a dream.


    The meal passed in rtive calm. But was this truly peace?


    No. The air was heavy with silence. Izabe''s "thank you" was nothing more than a courtesy to a familiar stranger.


    Izabe wandered slowly through the living room, silent, her dragging steps echoing from loud to soft, near to far, filling every corner with a hollow presence.


    "Let''s go out for a walk," Brett suggested.


    Izabe paused, then continued walking. "No, I don''t want to."


    "You must want to go out," Brett insisted.


    "I do," Izabe replied, "but I won''t. You know about birds raised in cages? Once they see the outside world, they can never return. If they stay caged after seeing the world, they''ll die of depression." Brett choked on his words, his throat bitter.


    Birds trust their wings, and a bird without them will perish.


    Izabe knew she was like a bird chained by Brett. Even if she flew away, the chain would still bind her, making freedom impossible.


    "I''ve booked tickets. Come with me to J City tomorrow."


    "I don''t want to go," she refused.


    "You''re going, even if I have to tie you up," he said harshly.


    Izabe said nothing, and Brett took her silence as consent.


    The troubles with the Windham Group were resolved, and Brett was free to travel. He owned Coconut Ind in J City, where, in another life, Izabe''s ashes had been scattered.


    He could''ve forced Izabe to bear his child, to stay with him as he had in the past. He could''ve schemed, his specialty, making the Dempseys the next Nathaniel, without a mutual downfall. But all these ns required time, something he didn''t have much of.


    Fate had already decided, and somewhere along the way, a wrong turn was made, a path from which there was no return.


    The next morning, Brett took Izabe to the airport. They traveled light, with just their IDs and phones.


    Arriving in J City, the cold was even more biting than in R City. Wrapped in her thick coat, Izabe still felt the chill to her bones.


    Brett wore a camel-colored coat over a gray cashmere sweater, a simple outfit but his tall stature gave him an aristocratic air, standing out in the crowd, his coat fluttering slightly in the breeze.


    His gaze was fixed intently ahead, his obsidian eyes deep and cool, softening only when he nced at Izabe at his side.


    Many people couldn''t help but stare at Brett; his striking looks and demeanor caught the eye, and his pallor was notably stark against his features.


    Izabe, masked and bundled up in a puffy down jacket, her scarf wrapped high enough to conceal half her face, and a hat perched atop her head, was dressed so incognito that she could easily disappear into a crowd of fans unnoticed.


    Brett looked at Izabe''syered outfit and let out a rare chuckle, teasing her resemnce to a cinnamon roll.


    Izabe had no clue why Brett had brought her to J City. And frankly, she didn''t bother trying.


    Arriving in J City stirredplex emotions within her; it signified a greater distance from Casey. If Casey was searching for her, a check of airne passenger logs would reveal her movements. "Why have you brought me to J City?" she asked.


    "To clear our heads. Don''t worry, I won''t do anything to you," Brett replied.


    His reassurances did little tofort Izabe, since Brett had a history of unpredictability, and her impression of him was less than favorable.


    Despite doing nothing more taxing than flying, Izabe felt exhausted. She followed Brett onto the ind and went straight to her room to sleep, not waking until nightfall when she was called for dinner. Once awake, she took a proper look at the surroundings. Nighttime offered little rity, and the sea breeze was particrly strong, causing the trees on the ind to sway wildly. "Get some rest. I''ll take you out tomorrow," Brett said.


    Izabe didn''t ask where Brett intended to take her. Now that she was in J City, the agenda was his, and there was little she could do about it.


    Fortunately, the following day in J City was sunny, with a significant rise in temperature. The vast sky met the expansive sea, sunlight piercing throughyers of clouds, scattering over the azure waves.


    Over ten days in J City, Brett took Izabe to see the ocean. They visited an amusement park, indulged in a couple''s meal, watched a movie, explored the famous tourist spots, and he even brought Izabe to his family''s home-the ce where he truly grew up.


    Patrick Windham had passed away, but the elderly butler remained. After serving the Windham family for most of his life, he had no family of his own and nowhere else to go upon retirement. So, he stayed with the Windham family, dutifully managing affairs just as before, including the care of the entire


    Flower Garden.


    The butler, upon hearing a car pulling up outside, first thought his hearing was ying tricks on him. Since Patrick''s passing, visitors had be a rarity.


    This was a private vi with stringent security. Visitors were usually announced in advance, but not this time which meant the guest was someone recognized by security.

 Chapter 547

    With Nathaniel died behind bars, Brett was the most likely one to havee here.


    Just as Albin was mulling over this revtion, amotion stirred upstairs. His longtime domestic helper called out to him with urgency.


    "Albin, Mr. Windham''s back home - the eldest, Brett."


    To outsiders, Brett was known as "President Windham," but within the walls of the household, he was either "Mr. Windham" because they had watched him grow from a boy to a man. The old butler scurried outside, forgetting all about his usual aches and pains. It had been ages since hest saw Brett, at the solemn asion of Patrick''s funeral.


    Brett hadn''t changed much in appearance, but there was a striking difference in his demeanor. He now carried the same gravitas as Patrick had in his final, illness-stricken days. The butler, initially overwhelmed with emotion,posed himself at the sight of Brett.


    "Albin, it''s been a while," Brett greeted.


    With a deliberate pace, the butler approached andmented on Brett''s thinness before turning his attention to the woman beside him, "And who might this youngdy be?" "She''s my girlfriend."


    The word "girlfriend" stunned not only the butler but also the house staff who paused their work to stare in disbelief.


    Everyone knew about Brett''s beloved Izabe, who tragically perished in a Christmas Eve fire at the age of twenty-seven. She was Brett''s ex-wife, the woman whose memory he couldn''t escape. After her death, Brett had wandered through life numb and lost for a year, even spending time in a psychiatric hospital for treatment of his mental breakdown.


    Brett''s love for Izabe had only be known to all after her death.


    Now, six yearster, Brett suddenly returned with a woman he introduced as his girlfriend. The surprise was palpable.


    The staff exchanged curious nces, trying to see clearly the woman capable of capturing Brett''s heart.


    The warmth of the heating inside made Izabe, who had been wrapped in a scarf, feel overheated. She removed the scarf and spoke with a detached tone, "I''m not his girlfriend."


    Once the scarf was off, the butler squinted for a better look. Despite his age, his eyes were still sharp.


    He couldn''t help but think how much she resembled Brett''ste ex-wife; surely, she must have been brought in as a stand-in.


    "What should I call you, miss?" the butler asked respectfully.


    "Izabe Salotti. Just call me Izabe, please," she replied, directing her frustration with Brett away from his kin and household staff - after all, respect for elders and children was a fundamental courtesy. As Izabe''s tone softened, the butler couldn''t help but view her with sympathy. Poor girl, to be used as a stand-in at such a young age. Mr. Windham seemed heartless.


    The butler quickly offered her a seat and instructed the staff to brew some tea, known for bncing hormones, as it wasmon knowledge that stress could disrupt a woman''s endocrine system. Izabe added honey to her tea to counter the tartness as the butler asked Brett, "Mr. Windham, how long do you n to stay?"


    "Just the night. We''ll leave tomorrow."


    "So soon? Don''t you want to stay a bit longer?"


    Brett shook his head.


    Izabe sipped her tea with half-closed eyes. The old butler, finding Brett as distant as ever, attempted to strike up a conversation with Izabe, "Ms. Salotti, won''t you consider staying a little longer?" "I follow his lead. I do whatever he asks," she responded, her voice carrying a tone of resignation.


    The butler''s gaze grew more sympathetic at her words.


    "This is the first time Mr. Windham has brought a girlfriend home," he couldn''t help but add.


    Izabe showed little interest, her passion having been extinguished along with the mes of that fateful fire. Whether Brett was bringing someone home for the first time, how many he''d brought, or whom he introduced, it was all irrelevant to


    her. ?


    Brett then coughed sharply.


    The butler thought he was being chided for speaking out of turn and promptly fell silent, but Brett''s coughing only worsened. He rushed to the restroom, clutching his chest.


    "Mr. Windham, are you alright?" the butler asked, clearly concerned.


    Izabe nced over and said, "Might be a cold, with the chilly weather and all."


    "Indeed." the butler nodded,


    muttering to himself, "The weather


    has turned. I''ll have the kitchen


    prepare some ginger tea. Mr.


    Windham dislikes medicine and going to hospitals, and it''s tricky to recover from a cold this time of year


    without medication."


    After instructing the staff in the kitchen, the butler returned to find Brett still absent and Izabe''s impassive face even more enigmatic.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    He had only seen the old Izabe in


    photos and videos, never in person, but the resemnce was uncanny even down to the cool detachment in theineyes. The butler understood the resentment this woman harbored towards Brett.


    Approaching her, he said, "Despite the privilege of being born into such a prominent family, Mr. Windham has not had an easy life."

 Chapter 548

    Izabe only raised the corner of her mouth slightly when she heard the old butler say this, a subtle gesture that was nearly imperceptible from the side.


    Sure, Brett had it rough, but there were plenty who had it worse. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, a cut above the rest from the get-go. Could that really be considered a tough life?


    Take Casey, for instance. Mistakenly switched at birth with the Windham family, he ended up as a servant''s child, enduring beatings and torture daily. When necessary, he even had to take his employer''s ce in the face of death.


    The old butler, oblivious to Izabe''s brewing emotions, continued, "He''s been alone since his parents passed when he was little. The Windham family is far from average, and he''s grown up in a dangerous world. He''s sensitive, insecure,cking in love. Maybe he''s done some things you can''t forgive, but I believe he has deep feelings for you. After all, you''re the first woman he brought home."


    Lacking in love - she had heard this before. Liam had said the same, imploring her to forgive Brett, insisting he didn''t understand love.


    Using ack of love as an excuse for hurting others - where did one find the audacity?


    It all boiled down to the abuser ying the victim, and the victim being med.


    As she pondered, Izabe couldn''t help but retort with biting sarcasm, "A man in his thirties stillcking love? Maybe he should call me mom, and I''ll love him properly."


    Thatment left the old butler stunned. He had not expected such sharp words from the seemingly gentle girl, who had been nothing but polite moments ago.


    The scorn on Izabe''s face was unmasked, her beautiful eyes shing cold as knives.


    The butler, lost for words and sensing he''d hit a nerve with his casual remarks, realized it wasn''t the words that upset her, but the person they concerned. Izabe was displeased with Brett. Just then, Brett came out of the washroom, and coincidentally, he overheard Izabe''s motherly offer.


    As the awkward silence ensued, Brett broke the ice. The butler swiftly changed the subject, noticing Brett''s pallor and asking with concern, "Mr. Windham, you''re quite pale. Are you alright?" Brett, face void of color, replied, "Just a bit of a cold from the weather turning."


    The butler wasn''t convinced. "I''ll have the kitchen whip up some ginger tea. Drink plenty, and a good night''s sleep should do the trick. The temperature''s dropped quickly here in J City. If you''re not better soon, we''ll need a doctor."


    "I appreciate it, Albin."


    Among the Windhams, the old butler was more family to Brett than anyone else.


    Brett was quite rebellious - brawling with siblings, covert conflicts, bloodied and bruised, even making Patrick vomit blood in frustration.


    Spankings, standing in the corner, kneeling on hard surfaces, being locked away without food - these weremon punishments. Yet it was the old butler who looked after him, speaking with him in secret, sneaking bread when he was locked up hungry, and teaching him life lessons after his parents had died.


    "Don''t thank me, it''s what I should do," said the butler, hobbling towards the kitchen. He couldn''t shake his worry, subtly instructing the staff to keep an eye on the two to prevent any arguments. Brett and Izabe didn''t argue. One cold-faced, the other expressionless, Brett dusted off imaginary dirt from his thighs and sat across from Izabe on the sofa.


    He coughed just now, and it caused a dull pain in his chest. He sipped the hot tea on the table, the warmth soothing the dull ache.


    The pain of lung cancer wasn''t more bearable than stomach cancer - both agonizing enough to induce vomiting blood. In itste stages, even breathing was torture; the chest inted like a balloon, as if one sharp needle would cause an explosive, bloody burst.


    Brett was ustomed to enduring pain silently. Even with internal agony, he casually remarked to Izabe, "I heard you say you wanted to be my mom right as I walked in."


    Caught off guard, Izabe fell silent for a moment before retorting, "What can I say when everyone keeps telling me you''recking love?"


    "I''m notcking love," he replied. Someone had loved him with their whole being for four solid years, filling the void of love in his life. He truly wasn''tcking; sadly, he''d repaid kindness with cruelty, hurting the one who loved him most.


    Izabe met Brett''s gaze evenly. She''d expected him tosh out at herment, but to her surprise, he seemed indifferent, even taking her words as a joke.


    Feeling the boredom seep in, Izabe stood to leave, ncing upstairs and outside. After a moment''s hesitation, she headed for the door.


    Suddenly she was yanked backward, her spine crashing into an embrace.


    "Where do you think you''re going?"


    "I need some air," Izabe grumbled, trying to pull away but failing, her expression copsing into frustration. "Let go."


    "It''s cold outside. Stay in, I''ll take you upstairs," Brett said, pulling her toward the elevator to the third floor.


    He nced back at Izabe''s chilling demeanor. "Why so angry? I didn''t even get mad about the momment."


    Silently, Izabe let Brett lead her to a room.


    "You''ll stay here tonight. Get some rest. Tomorrow, I''ll take you somewhere," he said.


    "When do we head back to R City?" she asked.


    "After we visit that ce I mentioned."


    Not just back to R City, he thought. He nned to let her go as well.


    His eyes suddenly clouded with a bitter grief that was hard to decipher as he released her hand.


    The room, previously Brett''s, was left to Izabe. Decorated to his tastes, it had a cool, gray palette, dim lighting that made it feel like dusk even in daylight.


    After Brett left, Izabe strode over to close the curtains, but even fully drawn, the light that seeped through was none too bright.


    ncing around, she took in the


    spacious room, furnished with everything one could need and


    adjoining a study. It was clear therCopyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    someone cleaned the ce


    regrly; not a speck of dust was in sight. The books on the shelf,


    though a tad worn, showed signs of


    having been long untouched.


    Her gaze meticulously swept over the room - the floor, the shelves, the cabs, the desk, the bed. Each corner subtly betrayed traces of Brett''s existence.


    On the bookshelf, her eyes caught


    an album, which she pulled down and flipped open. Inside were mostly photos of Brett, with captions marking his age, from his first,


    fel.n


    month to his seventh birthday - after


    which, the pages were empty.


    Brett had always been a looker, even as a child, resembling a delicate porcin doll rather than a boy. His childhood eyes didn''t carry the danger they did now; they were innocent.


    The photos showed Brett alone in his activities - ying with building blocks, doing homework, painting, assembling Legos. He was serious, and unmistakably lonely.


    It was obvious Brett didn''t enjoy being photographed - he rarely looked at the camera or smiled.


    As he got older, his expression became more rigid. By age seven, his eyes looked dull, the light in his eyes extinguished.


    At seven, Brett had lost his parents.


    Izabe put back the album and sat down on the bed. In the corner near the headboard, against the wall, was a simple drawing of a couple holding a child''s hand from behind, with a child''s scribbled line beneath it that, despite being blurry, Izabe could make out:


    - Mom and Dad, Brett misses you.


    On the floor by the wall where the drawing hung, a patch of mold had taken hold - a sure sign that dampness had lingered too long without care.


    Staring at the moldy spot, Izabe''s mind conjured the image of a seven- or eight-year-old child curled up in the corner, silently shedding tears.


    She closed her eyes, shaking off the haunting visions, and rummaged through her bag for her phone. It was still disconnected from thework, showing only the time.


    After a moment''s hesitation, she connected to the inte. Perhaps overwhelmed by the influx of messages, the phone stuttered with a momentary freeze.

 Chapter 549

    After three weeks of eerie silence, Izabe''s phone erupted with the cacophony of notifications as she reconnected online. Texts and calls flooded her phone, but she hesitated to confront them, her heart a sluggish drumbeat beneath her tremblingshes. She set the phone aside, exhaling deeply as she gazed out at the gloomy day.


    Eventually, she steadied her jumbled emotions and read the messages. Over five hundred texts awaited her-some from work, some from her mother Wendy, but the majority were from Casey. He had messaged her every day, asking her whereabouts.


    Her throat constricted, her breathing uneven. Thousands of words, all tinged with longing. Casey was waiting for her return, refusing to sign the divorce papers, holding on for her.


    Casey, always so robust, had sumbed to acute gastroenteritis and had been hospitalized. Against medical advice, he''d discharged himself to search for her, even coughing up blood in his distress. Halfway through the messages, Izabe''s tears broke free, her chest tight with an unbearable weight. Clutching her phone to her heart, she wept. Those ten days since leaving Casey, she had managed to keep herposure, but now, the news of his illness shattered her resolve.


    In Spring Bay, part of R City, Casey was confined to his bedroom, limbs restrained on the bed, an IV drip attached to his arm. He struggled against his bonds, his skin chafed, his feet aching, as he tried to rise, only to be subdued each time.


    His punishment for struggling was the sedative that sapped his strength, leaving him with tears streaming down from hollow eyes.


    "Mom, let me go. I need to find her." he choked out, his eyes redder and bloodshot with desperation.


    "You can''t even take care of yourself; how are you going to find her? And what then? She left on her own; if she returns, it will be on her terms," Bunny said, her heart aching at the sight of him. "Casey, listen to me. You need to focus on getting well. Trust me, Izabe wille back. She''s safe; Brett won''t hurt her."


    "Trust?" Casey roared with a mix of anger and despair. But in the next moment, his voice softened, pleading. "Mom, I have to find her. What if she''s cold? What if Brett mistreats her? She''s terrified of him; how will she survive? And she hates bitterness. Who will wipe her tears and offer her a sweetfort?"


    "We were legally married, just short of the ceremony. Why did she leave? Mom, I''m begging you, let me find her."


    Bunny turned away, wiping away her tears. Casey''s refusal to believe that Brett would bring Izabe back was tearing him apart.


    "You''re in no state to go anywhere. How many times have you passed out? How much blood have you vomited? The doctors warned you. Do you want to die?"


    "Without her, I''m already in a living death."


    For Casey, Izabe was like a potent liquor, one that once tasted, became an obsession. The agony of love was the hardest to endure.


    The words "living death" left Bunny breathless, unable to reply.


    "Izabe left for your safety, and for the Dempsey family. Trust me. We won''t abandon her. Even if you don''t go, I''ll keep searching. Just get. better and on the 24th, I promise you can go find her, and you will see her, Bunny assured him.


    The 24th was ten days away-a short span for some, but an eternity for Casey.


    From the texts, Izabe learned of Casey''s hospitalization and that the Dempsey Group was back on track But her time with Brett was a different story. She had thought of killing him, her hands gripping the knife, then relenting.


    She had stabbed at Brett''s palm and once jabbed a needle into his throat. Her hatred was palpable, but she knew better than to act on it. Brett was dying, his time running out and killing him could cost her years of freedom. It wasn''t worth it.


    Having faced cancer herself, Izabe understood the desperation of a dying person bent on revenge. She would not fall into that trap.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 550

    People who know their days are numbered fall into one of two extremes: those who ept a quiet death and those who, feeling life cheated them, harbor a vengeful spirit. From what she knew of Brett, Izabe was sure he was thetter type.


    The thirst for revenge can make a person pay any price to fill the void of resentment, even if it means enduring agonizing pain. At that final moment of death, there''s a rush of excruciating satisfaction. Memories of her past flickered in Izabe''s mind as she clenched her fists, knuckles whitening, fingertips digging into her palm, but she was oblivious to the pain.


    After a while, she released her grip, only btedly feeling the sting in her hand as she studied the crescent marks her nails had left.


    Casey was in the hospital. If she didn''t respond, his already frail body might not hold out. Izabe longed to go back, but she knew she couldn''t, not yet.


    After reading his message, she typed a response, only to delete it and start over again and again, unsure what to say to Casey.


    In the end, she settled for a brief reply.


    - Doing okay. Don''t worry. I''ll be back.


    The next day, Brett had two bikes ready. He pushed one towards Izabe and asked, "Can you ride?"


    Izabe knew how to ride, although it had been ages and she might be rusty. But if she didn''t ride herself.


    Her gaze flicked to the bike''s rear seat.


    She took the handlebars. "Where are we headed?"


    "Just follow me," Brett said, almost too casually.


    The morning air was crisp, and cycling was not only good for the body but also for soothing nerves and unwinding.


    As Izabe pedaled forward, she couldn''t guess where Brett was taking her. The chill wind tousled her hair, a bit too cold forfort.


    Brett was underdressed, in a light sweater and no coat, leading the way on his bike, never more than two meters ahead, sometimes riding beside her.


    The scenery was breathtaking, the kind of fresh air sorely missed in the congestion of the city. It was only then that Izabe realized how vast the Windham estate was the whole hillside belonged to them. Brett said it wasn''t far, but they''d been riding for well over half an hour.


    At first, it was easy, but fatigue set in, and Izabe had no energy to admire the surroundings. She watched Brett, who seemed to ride effortlessly ahead, biting back her irritation at his previous day''s promise. He said if she apanied him, he would take her back to R City.


    "We''re here."


    Having ridden this far, Brett''s expression remained normal, but hisplexion was somewhat pallid. He turned his head, meeting Izabe''s gaze with a dim look in his eyes. Brett''s eye sockets were deep, and his long eyshes partially concealed his gaze, making it elusive.


    Izabe looked up, ncing past Brett''s figure; it was a quiet graveyard nestled among the hills, the final resting ce of generations of the Windham family.


    Brett leaned his bike against a tree and walked in, with Izabe hesitating before following.


    Finally, he stopped in front of two tombstones.


    After a silent vigil, Brett''s lips curved into a sad smile. "Mom, Dad, I''ve brought someone special to meet you."


    Izabe frowned but said nothing.


    The tombstones bore photographs, waterproofed and regrly cleaned. Despite the years, the signs of time were evident.


    Brett was the perfect blend of his parents'' features, strikingly handsome.


    He knelt, tracing the inscriptions before sinking to his knees. "I should have brought her to you sooner," he murmured, his voice a whisper of regret. "I''ve wasted too much time, lost too much feeling." So much so that Izabe no longer loved him. Bringing her here now held little meaning.


    Brett''s lonely figure knelt silently, his voice fluctuating, as if a gust of wind could blow him away.


    He didn''t speak again, his thoughts turned inward. The images of his parents grew blurrier with each attempt to remember, always ending with the car crash that took their lives, their blood clouding his vision. He wept helplessly, the water rising, the scent of blood everywhere.


    The nightmare had haunted him for over a decade until one Christmas Eve, when he was pushed into the icy water and a slender figure dove in after him, pulling him to safety.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Since then, Brett had stopped dreaming about the ident, and even his fear of water had lessened.


    In his photo album, there were pictures only of himself, no friends, no family. The few he had were burned by someone long ago. At an age when he needed his parents the most, he had nothing left of them bu these graves to visit.


    Pitiable? Yes.


    But also loathsome.


    Izabe stood by for ten minutes, the warmth of her body fading, the cold sweat turning chill as the wind howled around them.


    Noticing her difort, Brett rose. "Let''s go back."


    "Don''t you want to stay longer?"


    "There''s no need." He''d see them soon enough. There was no rush. "You wanted to return to R City, right? We''ll go back today."


    They didn''t hop on their bikes immediately but instead walked slowly, pushing the bikes along.


    "If," Brett said, his voice hollow, "I had met you before Casey, or if I hadn''t mistaken Kaley for you back then, would things be different now?"


    Izabe remained silent, the wind in the valley moaning as if in answer to Brett''s question.


    Desperate for a lifeline, he pressed, "If time could rewind, back to the beginning."


    "Perhaps," Izabe''s voice drifted on the breeze, reaching Brett''s ears.


    A flicker of hope lit up Brett''s dim eyes, but it was quickly extinguished by Izabe''s cool continuation.


    "But there are no ''what ifs'' in life, Brett," Izabe said, turning to nce at the rows of tombstones behind her. Even on the brightest days, the cemetery seemed to cast a pall of gloom.


    "I spent my life teaching you how to love someone, but it seems you never learned," Izabe''s tone wasced with an icy sarcasm.


    "Then tell me, how does one truly love another?"


    "If you truly loved her, you should let


    her go, make a clean break, wish


    each other happiness, not inflict


    pain. Your so-called love feels more like revenge because I don''t love you back Was taking her on typical dates what he called love? Was bringing her to a graveyard to meet his deceased parents love?


    Brett''s eyes reddened. "If Casey left you for another woman, could you really let him go?"


    "Have you forgotten why I''m still here with you?" Izabe looked at him earnestly, "I love Casey, and for him, I willinglye to your side to ensure his safety. That''s the difference between how you love and how I love."


    Asking him to let go was too much.


    Brett''s face turned ashen; he felt like he was clutching a handful of sugar, the harder he gripped, the faster it slipped through his fingers. Before he could even taste its sweetness, the sugar was gone, leaving him to futilely lick the residual sweetness from his palm. The sweeter the lingering taste, the deeper his regret.


    Brett had always known the oue; he and Izabe were like intersecting lines that, once crossed, would only drift further apart. He couldn''t salvage anything


    ??


    be with Izabe, and despite preparing himself a hundred fold for the loss, he still didn''t know how to face losing her.


    It was like that time when Izabe had jumped into the water to save him, and he didn''t know how to ept the helping hand she reached out to him. In his panic, he identally tore off her pearl earring, causing her earlobe to tear and bleed, whichter required stitches.


    When they had arrived in J City, they brought no luggage, so naturally, there was nothing to pack when leaving.

 Chapter 551

    Old butler James had grown quite fond of Brett, but as a servant, he couldn''t rightly insist on keeping him around. Instead, he trailed behind Brett while chattering away with concern.


    "You''ve barely rested since you got back, and now you''re off again? Can''t you stay a bit longer? The chefs here are the same ones we''ve always had."


    "James, I need to get back to R City. I''ve already booked my flight."


    James sighed heavily. Realizing Brett was set on leaving, he could only offer repeated cautions, "Just make sure to take care of yourself, alright? You''ve been coughing a lot and you refuse to see the doctor. Be careful."Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    James'' legs weren''t what they used to be, so he could only see Brett to the door, watching Brett drive away while standing next to Izabe.


    "Ms. Salotti, you take care as well. With me not by the young master''s side, I''m entrusting you to keep an eye on him. He can be rash and can make mistakes when he''s upset. I can tell you''re not fond of him, but his intentions in keeping you close aren''t bad. He wouldn''t hurt you, you can be sure of that."


    "I''ll take good care of myself," Izabe replied, by addressing only the first part of James'' speech, which prompted an inward sigh from the old butler.


    At first, James had thought Brett was just using her as a stand-in, but that morning, when he heard from the staff that Brett had taken her to the cemetery, he knew it was more serious. Brett had not only brought her home, but had also taken her to visit histe parents'' graves. Clearly, he was serious.


    Brett might seem aloof, but he was fiercely loyal when it came to the rtionships. To be loved by Brett could be a blessing or a curse.


    James, for one, considered it a blessing. To be loved by Brett meant a lifetime of devotion.


    Brett''s love might appear understated, yet it was impossible to ignore it''s like a steady stream, not as hot as a zing sun, but as bright as stars in the night sky which adorn the dark canvas.


    Izabe knew that James wanted her to settle down and make a life with Brett. But for her, it was toote for apologies and awakenings. Broken things, even when mended, still showed their cracks. A perfect replica was never quite the original. She and Brett could never be.


    Back in R City, Brett headed straight to Quiet Forest Estates. The items he had ordered had already arrived. Christmas was fast approaching, and he wanted to spend onest holiday with Izabe, at least to avoid a repeat of the agony of six years ago.


    "Christmas is just around the corner. Other homes will be bustling with bright reds; let''s not have ours look so bleak."


    Brett had purchased a thirteen-foot Christmas tree. To affix the star at the top, he would need to climb the staircase. He had bought an assortment of ribbons and lights, along with various decorations, some of which Izabe had never seen before and had intrigued her.


    Izabe was reluctant to participate. To others, it was a festive holiday, but for her, spending Christmas with Brett was no different from attending her own funeral.


    Indeed, that day was also the anniversary of her own personal tragedy. A funeral wasn''t too far off the mark.


    Noticing her impatience, Brett remarked, "The Dempsey Group is finally on track. You wouldn''t want to see it fall into neglect again, would you?"


    "Brett, is intimidation the only tactic you know?" Izabe snapped back, with feeling of frustration boiling over, which was undoubtedly fueled by the man before her.


    Brett looked down, so that he could hide his emotions behind a calm fa?ade, with his hands trembling slightly at his sides.


    "I don''t want to threaten you," he said quietly, "but it''s the only way I can get you to listen to me."


    "As if you''re the one who''s been wronged. How shameless can you be?" she retorted.


    Brett''s lips tightened, and he grasped a string of lights, looking somewhat forlorn and lost.


    Izabe knelt down and carelessly dumped out a bag filled with various items. Brett watched her organize the decorations, with a faint smile tugging at his lips. Izabe handled the lighter items, and Brett took on the heavier tasks. Without any help, the two of them would have to work until the next day to finish the decoration.


    Brett strung the colorful lights onto the tree and tested the wiring. They worked, but the true effect would only be visible at night.


    Sitting on the carpet, Izabe inted balloons with an air pump, and her fingers turned red from tying them off.


    Brett joined her by filling balloons with another air pump. Despite feeling under the weather, he was stronger than Izabe and could fill the balloons faster.


    "Do you remember our wedding year?" he asked while working.


    "I don''t," Izabe replied coldly.


    Brett paused, murmuring to himself, "I remember it all too well. Our wedding room was right here. Like today, we had all sorts of decorations, mostly balloons. They covered the walls, but over time they either deted or fell down, leaving behind those sticky white marks that were impossible to clear In the end, we had to hire someone to take care of it, and it took quite a bit of time."


    Their past, mixed with the present preparations, hung heavy in the air as they worked side by side, decorating for a Christmas that was more than just festivity-it was a mosaic of memories and what might have been.

 Chapter 552

    Izabe methodically twisted the balloon in her hands, her face a nk canvas of concentration. The buzzing of Brett''s voice filled the room, which kept grating on her nerves, a distracting murmur that made it


    impossible for her to find peace.


    With a sudden "Pop!" the balloon in her grasp exploded from the pressure.


    "Can''t you just zip it, Brett? Stop dredging up the past, will ya?" she snapped, her voiceced with irritation.


    Brett licked his chapped lips, and said with a hoarse voice barely above a whisper, "But all I have left are memories."


    "You know who always dwells on the past?" Izabe scoffed, before answering her own rhetorical question, "People who are about to kick the bucket."


    "What if I told you I am dying, Izabe?"


    "Then hurry up and do it. Stop talking about it and just do it," she retorted, with an icy and unforgiving gaze, as if she were looking at an enemy.


    Brett paused, and his eyes turned unfocused and lost as he stared at the remnants of the burst balloon. He remembered how Izabe used to fuss over him, how she kept perfecting her cooking only to suit his tastes, even though he wouldn''t so much as take a bite. She''d cook for him every day for 1,364 days straight, and wait quietly for him to nce her way. She was satisfied with just that.


    She was always swamped with work, yet she would knit him scarves, even in cold winters when her hands would tremble so much that signing her name would be a stiff ordeal.


    He had a temper, but she always put up with him, even if it meant being his punching bag.


    The pain of her stomach cancer was so excruciating that even made her vomit blood. Yet, in order to leave him quietly, she never breathed a word about it.


    The more Brett thought about how good Izabe had been to him, the more uncontrobly he thought of how poorly he''d treated her. Maybe Izabe was right; perhaps only those who''re close to death would cling to the past because once you''re gone, there''s no remembering.


    On their wedding day, Izabe had single-handedly managed everything. It was a simple ceremony, which simply invited the media. She had blown up 520 balloons by herself, filled every corner of the room with balloons and tied them to the banisters.


    She prepared 1,314 red envelopes and the same number of wedding candies-all on her own; her fingers ached from the repetitive task. It wasn''t that they couldn''t afford help; she just thought it would be more meaningful to do it herself.


    After popping the balloon, Be dropped it, seemingly no longer interested in the task.


    What''s the point of all these meaningful gestures if you''re not willing to do them? Without the will, even the grandest gestures are meaningless.


    When the hard times are over, who wants to remember the difficult path they''ve walked?


    She didn''t need to inte many balloons; a token effort would suffice. Brett cut out a cat-shaped paper silhouette, which was reminiscent of their cat Niki, and stuck it on the window. The red color was striking, but staring at it too long made her eyes ache.


    -Brett, when we have kids, if it''s a girl, we''ll name her Maggie, and if it''s a boy, we''ll call him Bet. We''ll also get a cat named Niki.


    Without Izabe''s involvement, Brett stayed up all night and finally managed to finish the preparations by the next morning. Christmas was still days away, so there was no rush. Histe-night endeavor seemed like a preparation for something else.


    Be hadn''t received a reply to the text she sent to Casey, and she felt an inexplicable restlessness. Her right eyelid twitched uncontrobly as she sat up in bed, so she gently patted it, hoping to calm the persistent twitch.


    When Brett entered the room and saw Be holding her forehead, he assumed she had a headache. "What''s wrong? Are you not feeling well?"


    After a few more spasms, her eyelid finally rxed.


    "Brett," Izabe called out to him.


    "What is it?" he responded. Be rarely called him by his name unless it was serious.


    Beughed bitterly, recalling the words he''d spoken as he held her lifeless body. She hadn''t told anyone about her brief time as a spirit after her death, but now, she suddenly longed to see Casey. "You said that if I were alive, you''d do anything for me, even if it meant letting me go willingly. But you haven''t kept your word," she said, feeling her memory sharp as ever.


    Whenever she got hurt and ended up in the hospital, she could see the regret on Brett''s face, but he would soon fall back into old patterns.


    Again and again, she endured serious intention, harsh lessons, wavering resolve, soft-heartedness, bitterness, sorrow, torment, heartache, mistakes, forgiveness, and indifference¡ªeach time she told herself that she deserved all the suffering.


    "Right, I almost forgot that, you, President Windham, were the kind who can lie even to a godfather. Now you''re reaping what you sowed, and you''re even less likely to be responsible for your past promises," she mocked.


    Brett asked quietly, "Do you really want to leave me that badly?"


    "I never wanted to stay by your side."


    Brett wasn''t angered by Be''s words, nor was he saddened.


    "I won''t have you for much longer, Izabe. Spend Christmas Eve with me, and I''ll let you go. I mean it this time¡ªI''m not lying. You know my condition," he said earnestly.


    Only then did Izabe look up at him. "What''s the catch?" she demanded.


    She didn''t believe for a second that Brett would let her go that easily. There had to be some trickery-a n behind it.


    Brett silently looked at her before stepping out and returning with a list, which he ced on the bed.


    "We have a week until Christmas Eve. If you spend this week with me and fulfill these wishes for me, I won''t stop you from leaving. I won''t harm anyone close to you either." Izabe didn''t reach for the list; instead, she studied it intently. There were roughly twenty items on the wish list.


    A third was already aplished; these were the things Brett had done with Izabe when they returned to J City.


    They dated like an ordinary couple, visited his parents'' graves on a bike ride, and prepared for Christmas together.


    The remaining items included cooking together, choosing rings, wearing a wedding dress and spending Christmas Eve together.


    Izabe furrowed her brow at the sight before her, a hint of annoyance flickering across her face. Where did Brett get the audacity to even consider these things?


    The very thought of dressing in a wedding gown for Brett made her skin crawl. So, without a second thought, Izabe crumpled the checklist into a ball and lobbed it at Brett''s face. It was just a piece of paper; i couldn''t possibly hurt.


    But Brett still flinched, turning his head slightly as if he had been pped.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Was that really necessary? Do you honestly believe that any of this matters to us, Brett?"


    "Maybe it doesn''t to you, but it does to me," Brett replied. His so-called bucket list wasn''t about wishes; it was hisst hoorah. Brett wasn''t one to y the pity card to get what he wanted. He might have presented a tough exterior, but on the inside, he was like a piece of weathered stone-so desated that even the slightest touch of moisture could crumble it.


    The deeper he felt a sense of loss, the more he wanted to use brute force to grasp that elusive feeling of fulfillment.


    "I''ll make you a deal," Brett


    continued, with a hint of desperation in his voice. "Complete this list with me, and I''ll let you go. But if you refuse, you''re stuck with me forever. I might be seriously ill, but medical advancements are happening every day The blood I cough up is lessening, and who knows, I might just pull through. You managed to find a breakthrough cancer


    treatment abroad for yourte-stage


    stomach cancer; maybe there''s


    hope for me too."


    Izabe had onlye to Brett''s side after learning through a text message that he was on his deathbed. She was worried that in his final moments, this madman might drag someone down with him.


    She remained here, enduring his


    presence, because he was


    supposedly nearing the end. Life, she mused, was like a candle. Some mes flicker out abruptly, some burn weakly butst until the end, and others ze fiercely but only for a fleeting moment.


    Her candle, at least from what she could see, seemed to have a longer wick than Brett''s, and was thus destined to burn longer. That was the one area she could im victory over him.


    But what if Brett didn''t die?


    Izabe couldn''t take that gamble. She wouldn''t bet on who of them would live longer, nor could she trust that Brett''s words were true this time.


    "I don''t believe you, nor do I dare to," Izabe said, her voice cold and steady. "But I''ve already died once before. I''m not afraid to die again, right before your eyes."

 Chapter 553

    Izabe straightened out the crumpled list she had angrily tossed onto the floor earlier. Finding a wall, she stuck the wrinkled paper against it and smoothed down the edges as best as she could.


    On day one, she had cooked for Brett. He had said he''d eat whatever she made him, no questions asked. So, she decided to challenge that promise by cooking the one dish he detested the most ¡ª a dish she''d previously made in jest to ruffle his feathers. But, he hadn''t touched a bite.


    She whipped up a fiery stir-fry with kidney beans ¡ª a heap of jpenos, onions, garlic, andtro thrown into the mix, turning the beans a deep shade of red. Izabe was so prepared for the spicy ordeal that she donned a gas mask while cooking, and she added even more chili powder to the pan. To an outsider, it might have seemed like a bizarre culinary experiment. The taste was intense but not bad - it just wasn''t to Brett''s liking.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Was she supposed to cater to his preferences all the time? To pamper him?


    Izabe also prepared a clear soup, which was rich with cogen - a lighter choice. But Brett never liked those cuts; maybe they didn''t fit the image of a CEO like himself.


    With a soup, a spicy dish, and a pot of white rice prepared, Izabe finished her cooking.


    Whenever she cooked for Brett, she couldn''t help but let her mind wander to dark ces. She''d even thought of adding poison to the soup, so as to end his misery once and for all. People do think of desperate measures to deal with someone when pushed to their limits, even if the person they hate is already battling illness.


    Brett looked at the meal Izabe had prepared: the soup and the spicy dish. His expression was unchanged, with his lips curved in their usual arc. Clearly, he had anticipated Izabe''s actions. Izabe was tough, and making her yield would surely mean swallowing some bitter pills first. The fact that she cooked for him without any added toxins was already a win in his book. He didn''t dare expect more. At least these dishes looked edible.


    He used to be very picky about food, but now, he was willing to eat whatever Izabe made for him, and to eat them all up with gusto.


    His doctor had warned him to keep his diet mild, and to avoid even a hint of chili as it could irritate his airways and affect his lungs.


    A single chili could cause trouble, let alone a whole dish of them. Just the smell made his chest hurt.


    Brettdled himself a bowl of soup to cool down and then tackled the spicy dish. The first few bites were manageable, but by the fourth, the heat overwhelmed him. Soon enough, he was coughing fiercely, alternating between bites of food and sips of soup, each gulp exacerbating his cough.


    He could have chosen not to eat, of course. His wish list only asked for Izabe to cook him onest meal. Whether he ate it was his call. He could''ve just had the soup and spared himself the pain, but he was stubborn.


    Seeing Brett clutch his chest and struggle to breathe, Izabe said, "You don''t have to eat it."


    This meal was more to her own taste. In her past efforts to please Brett, she had focused only on his preferences, and cooked for him for 1364 days until she forgot her own likes. By the time she finally became aware of how she had neglected herself, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer and could no longer enjoy those foods.


    Brett''s cough sounded torn from his very soul. Izabe lost her appetite when watching him heave over the the table, with his body shaking. She turned around and walked away, leaving Brett alone in the echoing dining room; his coughs grew more severe with each spasm


    As soon as Izabe left, Brett couldn''t hold back any longer and vomited blood. He knew Izabe was squeamish about blood, so no matter how much his throat hurt or how the taste of iron filled his mouth, he had resisted spitting it out.


    Once she was gone, the blood flowed uncontrobly, dripping down the white table and onto the floor, leaving a stark, jagged trail that wouldn''t stop.


    This wasn''t the first time Brett had coughed up blood, but it was the first time it had frightened him so deeply.


    His lungs ached as he looked at the remaining dish and soup. After rinsing his mouth with clean water, he picked up his fork and continued eating the chiliden meal.


    Despite the unstoppable coughing,


    he cleaned up the blood from the table and floor with tissues. The dried blood on his hands ked off like dust as he rubbed them together, which reminded hing of the times when he had cleaned Izzy''s blood from his skin. Now it was his turn.


    "It''s okay." Brett reassured himself.


    It was just karma, payback for past deeds.


    With only three days left before Christmas Eve, Brett had secretly hired several workers to decorate the outside of the house. They rushed the job over two nights, transforming the space into something resembling a wedding venue.


    The wedding dress was custom-made and would be delivered on Christmas Eve for Izabe to wear. Brett had designed it himself, making sure it was tailored perfectly to fit her figure.


    And the ring, he had crafted it with his own hands. It was a simple band; though iparable to those million-dor diamonds, it was the most unique ring in the world, the best-fitting one he had ever given Izabe.


    And so, Christmas Eve arrived.

 Chapter 554

    Brett was a man who scoffed at the idea of fate, but after the tragic loss of Izabe, he found himself drawn to an old cathedral in R City. Lighting a candle and leaving a donation, he knelt before the statue of a saint, even though he was unsure of what hadpelled him to seek sce in such a ce.


    The act felt in part therapeutic, and in part self-getion.


    An elderly priest noticed him, a figure of stillness amidst the flickering candles, and approached to warn him that kneeling for too long could harm his knees. Brett remained unresponsive, so the priest offered, "Son, would you like me to read your fortune?"


    Looking up, Brett gave a slight nod.


    After Brett provided his name and date of birth, the priest asked, "What shall we look into?"


    Brett struggled to find an answer. Since Izabe''s death, his desires had faded, and nothing held meaning anymore.


    The priest studied Brett in silence, and then asked him to extend his left hand to read his palm. His gaze lingered on a scar in Brett''s palm while he murmured a prayer and made calctions in his head; soon he arrived at a conclusion.


    He wrote a single word: "Nothing."


    Wealth without joy, no family to share his fortunes with no parents, no wife, no child.


    Such a curse was new even to the priest, who shook his head and sighed deeply as he pondered Brett''s fate. Orphaned as a child, widowed and childless as a young man, he had a life of solitude with a looming shadow of a premature end.


    The only blessing Brett seemed to have was financial security.


    He had never believed in destiny, but the priest''s words struck a chord. Brett''s life seemed a cruel jest, as if he had gambled everything on Izabe and lost it all to the whims of fate.


    Christmas Eve had marked the beginning of his story with Izabe. Now, it was nothing more than a lingering obsession.


    Brett had made his ns. He intended to spend onest Christmas Eve in memory of Izabe before bringing everything full circle.


    But fate had other ns. His illness worsened suddenly.


    The culprit was the te of chiliden pork kidneys-a dish Izabe had mastered. Brett had devoured it, with chilies and all, in a masochistic fulfillment of a death wish. Ignoring the hospital, he called his personal medical team. They rushed to his side with their equipment; the process was silent but for the urgent scurry of their steps.


    Izabe stood outside, watching themotion with an unexpected twinge of concern. This was not the first time she had seen Brett copse, but it was the first time she trulyprehended the severity of his condition.


    Brett''s lungs were failing. The excessive spices, the sleepless nights, and the bitter cold of R City''s winter without a hint of sunshine had exacerbated his condition. The flu and fever made each breath of him a struggle, but he refused to fall; there were still things he wanted to do.


    Coughing violently, he spat out a mouthful of blood, the crimson stark against his pallidplexion.


    Surgery was not an option Brett would entertain, and without his consent, the doctors could only provide emergency care on the spot.


    Izabe, staying outside, was approached by a nurse who inquired about her rtionship to Brett.


    What was she to him? His ex-wife? An enemy? A stranger?


    The nurse, misinterpreting her silence, thought she was perhaps a mistress kept by a rich man-a scenario she''d seen all too often. "How is he?" Izabe''s voice was t and devoid of concern, as if she was inquiring about a stranger.


    "Cancer is such a beast; the


    emotional state can significantly impact the patient''s health. Optimism is crucial, and so are dietary habits. Mr. Windham must


    e have indulged in something he shouldn''t have, and he might have had bad sleep in this cold weather, which caused his condition to deteriorate," the nurse exined.


    "He really has cancer?"


    The nurse was taken aback. "You didn''t know about it?"


    "I did. I want to know how long he can still live."


    Izabe was familiar with the situation. When she was diagnosed with stomach cancer, the doctor had looked at her with the same pity and helplessness.


    "I need to understand Mr. Windham''s recent condition further. Can you share with me?" the nurse prodded, hoping for more clues to Brett''s rapid decline; his body was now gaunt, a stark contrast to the muscr frame he once had.


    Izabe nodded in response to the doctor''s inquiry.


    "What has Brett been eatingtely?" the doctor asked, probing for a clue to his patient''s worsening condition.


    With a slight shrug, Izabe replied, "He had a te of jpe?o poppers."


    It seemed they had found the culprit. Although the doctor had suspected that diet might y a role, it was still shocking for him to hear it


    l.n


    confirmed by Izabe. It was hard to believe that someone would gamble


    with their life so carelessly


    carelessly


    "Why on earth would he eat something so spicy? I remember he''s been avoiding hot food for ages. We''ve been really strict with his diet here, and he''s never coughed up this much blood before." The doctor tried to keep his tone even, but there was an undercurrent of reproach in his words.


    "Don''t you know he has cancer? Why didn''t you stop him? With this illness, he doesn''t have much time left, and right now Brett looks like he can''t handle any stress at all."


    Izabe just wanted to know how


    many days Brett had left. She


    wished the doctor would cut the


    chatter. Cancer - of course, she knew about the dietary restrictions, the inability to endure any strain, and the excruciating pain during an episode. She''d been through it, so she understood exactly what Brett was going through.


    But what of it?


    Surely Brett''s suffering was nothingpared to the things he had done to her in the past.


    After all she had been through, she was still here. And Brett? Was he going to die just because of a te of jpe?os?


    Izabe cast her gaze downward, so as to hide her emotions from view.


    The doctor mistook her silence for self-reproach and concern for Brett. Seeing that she was a woman, he tried to offer somefort.


    "Don''t worry too much," he said gently. "Although there''s no cure for advanced lung cancer with the current level of medical technology, the field is advancing every day. There could be a breakthrough at any moment."


    Just then, someone called from inside the room.


    "Dr. Zack, could youe here, please?"


    As the door swung open, Brett''s coughing continued, each hack more gut-wrenching than thest, so much so that it pulled at the heartstrings and caused a physical ache in his ears.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Izabe despised the person she was bing, as she found herself resembling the very person she loathed the most.


    Who else knew that Brett was on his deathbed with cancer?


    A man who had made enemies everywhere, who wouldn''t even spare his own aunt''s family - had he ever considered that once he was gone, there might be no one left to visit his grave during the holidays?

 Chapter 555

    It was at that moment that Izabe realized the harrowing truth: Brett was truly dying of cancer.


    Heid in the hospital bed, coughing violently, each hack spraying a crimson mist onto the once white sheets. He seemed like a fish dragged ashore, iling helplessly in the face of death, and gulping thest vestiges of oxygen in a futile bid for life.


    Izabe stood propped against the wall, feeling numb to the passage of time until the doctor emerged. Her legs had grown pins and needles from the wait.


    One of the doctors kindly suggested, "You can go in now, but please, he needs rest. Try not to disturb him too much."


    She entered, taking her silent vigil at the bedside of Brett.


    What was there to see in winter?


    -"Izabe, when you get better, I''ll take you to see the snow."


    There''s no snow in R City.


    -"Then we shall wait. We''ll head north to see the flowers, south to savor street food, east to explore the old town, and west to watch the sea, where the seagulls soar freely."


    Brett''s pallor was rming; his face was as white as a sheet-no hyperbole could capture the bloodlessness of it. The room''s bright lights cast an almost translucent vulnerability on his features, as if he were fading away. His lips, the color of pale lotus, were barely distinguishable. IV lines snaked into his arm, and without touching, Izabe knew his hands were ice cold.


    Brett, semi-conscious, murmured, "I still want to eat something you''ve cooked today."


    "You still want to eat it? Aren''t you afraid of dying?"


    "Of course, I am." His voice was a soft chuckle; he kept his eyes closed, perhaps to avoid seeing the icy detachment in Izabe''s gaze.


    His eyshes quivered, and his eyes were brimming with unshed tears, "But since I''m dying anyway, I might as well eat my fill; remember the taste of life onest time." Izabe''s gaze drifted to the window.


    Then, Brett asked suddenly, "What''s it like to die? Does it hurt?" He wanted to ask how much pain Izabe had felt, but upon reflection, he realized the futility of the question-aside from self-humiliation, he couldn''t experience her pain anyway.


    And deep down, he was terrified of the answer.


    Izabe, however, didn''t overthink his question. "It''s painful at first, but your sensation would fade quickly. Hearing is thest sense to go. Death is like a wisp of smoke, scattered by the wind-no regrets, no resentment, no sorrow. It''s as gentle as a breeze."


    Brett pressed his lips together, without uttering a word.


    Izabe looked down again, noticing that his left hand fingers were bare without nails-he pulled them out after her death. She also saw the burn scars on his chest.


    She changed the subject, saying, "I know after I died, you tried to experience the pain I had endured. But it''s meaningless. For you, it might feel like atonement, but atonement only counts if it''s sincerely epted."


    Brett didn''t want to hear any of it.


    "I had a dream after you died," he confessed. "I saw you vanish in a great fire, after you told me that as long as you were still here, you wouldn''te back."


    "Those were my thoughts, but then I realized, missing out on someone like Casey because of you would be a true regret. That would be uneptable." Brett opened his eyes, stiffening.


    "I''m thirsty."


    Taking pity on his condition, Izabe got him a ss of water.


    At noon, Izabe prepared a simple broth, which was enough for two. The taste was nd, perfect for someone with a thickened tongue from too much medication.


    Outside, workers were busy decorating; a sea of roses wereid out and even a red carpet was rolled out. Izabe wondered if Brett had anticipated his own death, so as to prepare the way for his final journey But shouldn''t a funeral be white? Why the red carpet? Why red roses?


    Suddenly, Izabe recalled a viral video-African pallbearers dancing with a coffin.


    "Have you thought about how you want your funeral arranged?" she asked.


    Brett replied with weariness, "Once I''m dead, I won''t care about what happens."


    "What about Liam? I haven''t seen him around you." Izabe remembered that Liam was always by Brett''s side; he was the one who''d spent the most time with him.


    Yet, during her visits, she hadn''t seen him once. Could something have happened?


    "I let him go," Brett answered.


    Izabe couldn''t help but let out augh, which was tinged with sarcasm. "You can fire Liam, but aren''t you afraid that there would be no one left to tend your grave and trim the weeds?"


    Her interactions with Liam had been brief, but she remembered his loyalty to Brett, as well as his willingness to support him without question.


    But she didn''t dwell on that or on Brett''s maniptions. She''d grown used to them.


    Looking at the workers busy in the ongoing preparations outside, Izabe asked, "What have you been up to these past few days; how did you hire all these workers? And what''s with the red carpet?" Brett simply said, "Izabe, all you need to know is that I wouldn''t harm you."


    Izabe couldn''t help but scoff. "As if you''re not harming me right now."


    The room fell silent.


    As the afternoon approached five o''clock, a van arrived, which delivered a wedding gown. It was time for Izabe to change.


    The dress was one Brett had designed. Seeing it, how could she be unclear about his intentions? Anger prickled at her scalp.


    She finally understood the setup outside: Brett had turned the ce into a wedding venue.


    "Brett, do you find this amusing?" Izabe stormed in to find him propped up in bed; his gaze was t and lifeless, like stagnant water. Their exchange ended in silence, and both of them were steeped in the gravity of their own thoughts.


    I can do cooking, but there''s no way I''m slipping into that wedding gown. you''ve got for me or wearing any ring! Casey and I are legally hitched we''ve signed the papers, we''ve got the wedding bands, and the only thing missing is the big reception. Now you''re butting in when there isn''t even a hint of divorce between us. Do you really get a kick out of ying the other woman?"


    Brett had always skirted the edge of thew, so lecturing him about the illegality of bigamy was likely a waste of breath.


    Izabe''s voice cracked with strain as she hurled her frustration at Brett, but he barely fluttered his eyshes, as if her tirade was white noise.


    Yet when he saw a tear escape from the corner of Izabe''s eye, his heart clenched.


    He''d sworn to himself that he wouldn''t let Izabe shed tears in front of him again, but here he was, turning to be the cause of her sorrow.


    "Brett, can you not be so damn persistent? Can you just let me go?"


    She was exhausted. Izabe hadn''t expected things to go this way-she figured she was just sticking by Brett to the bitter end. But she never imagined he''d be so ruthless as to n a wedding while the doctors said he was on borrowed time.


    He wanted to take her down with him.


    What was this, some twisted version of a till-death-do-us-part pact?


    In her past life, she missed out on the one who truly loved her, so she ruined her life and met a tragic end. In this life, fortune had finally smiled on her, giving her a clean te to stand by Casey''s side, and she didn''t want Brett to entangle her life again.


    After a nce at Izabe''s red-rimmed eyes, Brett turned his gaze to the window. "Izabe, this is thest thing I ask. Indulge me, and I promise I''ll let you go. Keep the ring if you want, but don''t wear it. Just try on the dress for me, just let me have and it


    one look. It''s just cloth have


    won''t kill you."


    "I don''t trust you."


    Those five words packed a punch, a lesson hard-learned by Izabe and a seed of doubt Brett couldn''t eradicate even if he had a lifetime to try.


    "Remarrying is illegal. I can''t force you to wed, and you know the state I''m in. I''ve truly let go."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Brett mouthed the words "let go," but his eyes sang a different tune.


    Izabe didn''t know whether she could believe him. Brett was never one to keep his word.


    Brett coughed a few times. "Theputer in the study has Windham Group''s secrets. The password is 0521. There are also some documents in the safe. Take them, and I''ll have no power over you whatsoever." He was handing over the Windham Group''s vulnerabilities, so as to make Izabe trust him.


    Izabe calmed herself and entered


    the study. Sure enough, she found plenty of confidential files on theputer, which were carelessly left out in the open, ripe for the taking by anyone with a grudge. If those


    documents fell into apetir el. Mo


    hands, the damage to the Windham Group would be astronomical. With the current state of the Dempsey family and Izabe''s Maple Group, they could topple this empire if they joined forces.


    Staring at the files, Izabe was stunned that Brett would entrust her with such secrets.


    With this information, she had enough leverage. As for the safe''s contents, she didn''t bother to check.


    She could have simply copied everything and walked away, but she wasn''t sure if Brett had any tricks up his sleeve, like nting a mole near Casey and his family.


    Besides worrying about Casey, Izabe had concerns for Bunny and Wendy the most, two women as harmless as could be. If someone was cold enough to go after them, anything was possible. Izabe stepped out and asked, "So if I wear that dress, you''ll really let me go?"


    "Yes."


    "I need a specific time."


    "Before tomorrow."


    Brett''s eyes didn''t look like those of a liar. Izabe walked out, gently closing the door behind her, and Brett knew she had agreed.


    The makeup artist approached Izabe. "Ms. Salotti, President Windham asked us to do your makeup and take a few shots. What do you think?"


    "Whatever," Izabe replied carelessly, because her mind was elsewhere, already plotting her next move.

 Chapter 556

    Izabe only wanted to get things over. Just as Brett had insisted, slipping into a dress wasn''t going to kill her.


    Might as well y the part of a stand-in model today, and fulfill Brett''sst whimsical request.


    Of course, Izabe wasn''t naive enough to follow his every word. Her phone was hooked up to herptop to transfer a heap ofrge files. It was going to take at least an hour to finish. The stylist brought in the wedding gown. Izabe didn''t bother examining it closely; she just caught a glimpse of the hem sparkling with what looked like tiny stars.


    The dress was tailored to her exact measurements. It took less than five minutes for Izabe to slip into it before the stylist came in to adjust the train and have her sit for makeup. Izabe''s skin was wless, making the makeup artist''s job a breeze. With a simple touch of the brush, she was transformed into a vision; her long hair was pinned up behind her. Looking at her reflection, Izabe felt her mind was racing with strategy. She didn''t trust Brett to not have a backup n. Apart from a fewborers, the only other person around him recently was the doctor. Brett had mentioned firing Liam, but could that have been a ruse to send Liam off on some other errand?


    As to the theme park ident and the car malfunction-if Brett was involved in them, Liam was likely the one carrying out the deeds. And only Liam knew Brett''s email password.


    "Ms. Salotti, you are absolutely stunning. You must be the most beautiful bride I''ve ever seen," the stylist suddenly chimed in, which interrupted her thoughts.


    Izabe replied coolly, "I''m not the bride."


    Noticing Be''s displeasure, the stylist quickly zipped her lips.


    With the file transferpleted, Izabe used the excuse of a bathroom break to grab her phone. Hesitantly, she finally called Casey, but it went straight to voicemail. No one in the Dempsey n answered either.


    Could something have happened?


    Her eyelid twitched again. Izabe wasn''t superstitious-old wives'' tales like left for wealth, right for cmity were just psychological. But now, she could hardly shake off an unsettling sense of panic. Once, Izabe thought she could just wait for death by Brett''s side, but now, with the Windham Group''s secrets on her phone and Brett''s promise of safe departure tomorrow, she wasn''t about to sit back and do nothing if he reneged.


    She reached out to Toby. Time was scarce, so she went straight to the point-get more protection for the Dempsey family, and find Liam.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Ms. Salotti, President Windham is requesting your presence," someone called out.


    "Got it," Be responded, and pocketed her phone.


    The train was too long and the heels were ufortable for her. Izabe kicked off the stilettos and padded barefoot across the floor.


    As she approached the top of the staircase, she gripped the banister and looked down at Brett, who was impably dressed in a sharp ck suit. His eyes, deep and red-rimmed, were fixed on her, as if he existed solely for this moment.


    Their eyes met briefly before Izabe looked away, and her grip tightened imperceptibly. She descended gracefully, the gown''s diamonds shimmering like a meteor shower.


    Brett''s lips curled into a smile; this was the moment his years of dreams came true. He remembered Izabe once said that he was like a star-once her guiding light, now just one of many. Now, she was adorned with countless stars, their brilliance undimmed by the moon.


    Her baster skin was radiant in the white gown, not sickly, but vibrant and clear. Her features, framed by the dress and her artful makeup, were delicate yet edged with an undefinable sharpness. This was the most alluring Izabe he had ever seen, yet she wasn''t truly his.


    Brett extended his hand to her, but Izabe sidestepped him, coolly stating, "I''ve worn the dress, now keep your promise."


    "Seeing you now, I suddenly don''t want to let you go," Brett confessed.


    Izabe scoffed. "Going back on your word again?"


    "What can you do if I do?" he challenged.


    Izabe''s face remained calm, betraying no anger or weariness. It was as if she had anticipated this very response from a man with a track record of broken promises.


    "Half an hour ago, I transferred the files from yourputer to my phone. If I''m not back at my ce tomorrow, those files will be sent to mypany. You know what I can do with them," she stated with a steady voice.


    "Izabe, I''m a man on my deathbed; do you really think I still care about money and fame?" he retorted.


    But Izabe was no longer the same person who would let Brett manipte her. With the secrets of the Windham Group in her grasp, she was ready to y her hand if he dared to defy her again.


    At the brink of despair, one trulyprehends that a lifetime of struggle, the wealth and fame amassed through ruthless means, mean nothing in the face of death. What cannot be taken along, will forever be left behind.


    Izabe simply stated, "I''ve called the cops."


    Brett paused, "What did you say?"


    Lifting the hem of her heavy gown, Izabe spoke, while straightening it, "I said I''ve called the police. The Windham Group''s secrets are now with me. You may not care, but


    without the Windham can''t


    §Ö


    money and power, you can''t touch the Dempseys. I absolutely won''t allow you to harm the people I care about this time!"


    Brett took a deep breath andughed, "Aren''t you worried I have a fallback?"


    Izabe''s voice dripped with sarcasm, "Do you have a fallback left? If I''m not wrong, only Liam is still loyal to you. The ident at the amusement park was his doing, wasn''t it?"


    Brett''s expression didn''t change, but his pupils darkened a shade.


    Izabe always liked to shoulder things on her own. It wasn''t that she didn''t trust those around her, but it was just her way¡ªshe had grown up alone, taking on the responsibility of the Salotti family as soon as she came of age, supporting her father and brother. She could only rely on herself.


    If one isn''t strong, they''ll be devoured by those who are. Thew of the jungle was a principle she understood from a young age.


    The reason Izabe had willinglye to him was crystal clear-a matter of the Dempsey family and someone named Casey.


    From the moment Brett voluntarily shared hisputer password with Izabe, he had conceded defeat.


    As Izabe had said, without its wealth and influence, the Windham Group was no more than a house of cards. He, a man who asionally coughed up blood andy in a hospital bed sustained by medication, could do nothing.


    But in truth, Brett had never intended to do anything more. He had sworn to himself not to hurt Izabe ever again.


    Life is all about letting go of things we can''t hold on to.


    With the foundation of the Windham Group in Izabe''s grasp, plus his inherited fortune, no one would dare cross her from now on.


    As to him, the "final boss" of this game was about to be defeated.


    As for the Dempseys, Brett thought of something and actually smiled.


    "Izabe, what you need to learn is how to depend on others, and how to trust the people around you."


    Izabe was silent for a moment, and chose not to argue with Brett''s words. "Maybe." she mused.


    "Come sit over here, and keep mepany for a bit," Brett suggested with a nce. The living room had been cleared out, with a white porch swing at the edge, adorned with flowery vines. Izabe walked over and took a seat. Instead of sitting next to her, Brett had a chair brought over to sit beside her. Cameras around them captured the moment.


    "Izabe," Brett spoke, "even though you often say there are no ''what ifs'' in this world, I can''t help but wish, it only today was that day in the past. The right wedding, the right dress, the right ring." The more he spoke, the more he felt he owed Izabe.


    Izabe, on tiptoes, gently rocked the swing, gazing at the darkening sky outside and said, "It''s toote."


    She meant more than just the time.


    Muddy water cannot sustain a fish that yearns for cleanliness, a bted sun cannot revive a wilted sunflower, and water doesn''t cool in an instant, just as the day doesn''t turn to night in the blink of an eye. "Izabe, will you remember me in the future? And do you wish for my death?" Brett''s voice was hoarse and cautious, torn between wanting to hear the answer and fearing it wouldn''t match his expectations. He was like a man who''d just climbed out from the abyss; the light was so piercing for him that he could only half-close his eyes and wait in silence.


    After a long pause, Izabe replied, "Sometimes, Brett, I wish you''d just die and stop haunting me. Other times, I hope you could live. As long as you''re alive, the miseries of this world won''t let you be."

 Chapter 557

    Life isn''t just a series of hardships, is it? No, there''s hope and even moments of joy to be squeezed out of the most unlikely ces.


    Brett''s memory was a fickle thing. Sometimes it was sharp as a tack, allowing him to vividly recall trivial events from the deep past. Other times, it failed him to the point where he couldn''t remember where he''d left his phone moments before.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But his memories of Izabe? Those were crystal clear, likely because he dwelled on them so much.


    In the wee hours of the night, when sleep eluded him, his brain would uncontrobly dredge up past miseries. Some memories were so cringe-worthy they made his skin crawl, while others were so painful they made him clench his fists and scream into the darkness.


    Happy thoughts were hard toe by, and upon reflection, he realized he didn''t have many joyous asions to ponder over in his life.


    Izabe had stayed by his side not out of lingering affection but because of his threats.


    Now that his leverage was gone, she was ready to leave without a backward nce.


    He had tried countless ways to keep Izabe close - locking her up, threatening her family, surrounding her with surveince cameras. While he could cage a person, he couldn''t cage a soul longing for death. He had been a madman, his methods cruel. Sometimes the mere thought of his past self sent chills down his spine and kept him awake all night.


    Those four years after they first married, that was the window where love could have blossomed between him and Izabe. Instead, he squandered the time, creating a lifetime of unrequited longing.


    Brett thought he could make amends. If he could just shed his vices and show genuine affection, perhaps he could earn her empathy.


    But reality is often cruel, and Izabe had fallen for someone else - the man she should have loved from the beginning.


    The thought of her speaking tenderly to another man, lying in his embrace, cooking him meals, dressing in a wedding gown for him ¨C it all felt like a dull ache emanating from his heart.


    As he envisioned these scenes, the pain spread to every corner of his body, leaving even his scalp tingling with difort.


    "If I had known then what I know now," the saying goes. And it applied not just to Izabe, but to himself as well.


    "I hope you live, Brett, because as long as you''re alive, the world''s sorrows won''t spare you," Izabe had said.


    With a twitch of his expression, Brett responded, "Then I''ll take that as your wish for me to live."


    The topic of life and death was too heavy, so Brett changed the subject. "It''s Christmas Eve."


    The house was fully lit, even the storage room. From the outside, it appeared as the brightest spot in the neighborhood - a beacon visible from afar. Yet the festive lights set up around the property had yet to serve their purpose, as the night was illuminated by streetmps.


    "Do you like this wedding setup, Izabe? Without me, I mean," Brett asked.


    She shook her head. "Brett, it''s like you never tried to understand me. You impose your assumptions on me, thinking I''d be moved by preparations that might impress other women, but not me."


    What Izabe cherished was a traditional wedding, her favorite color not white but red, dreaming of a flowing veil and a gown, waiting for her beloved toe for her.


    A look of forlornness crossed Brett''s face, cooler than the night outside.


    The heating was on inside. Izabe, though dressed in her wedding gown and barefoot, didn''t feel the cold. However, sitting for so long in the heavy dress was ufortable. The gown felt like shackles, not meant for her, but she''d soon be free of it.


    Standing up, Izabe addressed Brett, "Thank you for handing me your vulnerabilities. Without them, it would have been harder to break free. I don''t care for anything you''ve I given me. As long as my loved ones are safe, I assure you, the Windham Group will be just fine."


    Her innate goodness shone through, and Brett offered a wry smile.


    "You''re now. in control of the Windham Group''s vital documents. You could easily take over, they''re Wore than the Dempsey


    family fortune. You could save


    yourself decades of work


    "I''m not like you," Izabe retorted, lifting her gown to free her feet. "I''ve learned my lesson. What''s mine wille to me; I don''t covet what''s not. Even without that money, I''ll manage." Brett nced at his watch as a car approached outside. The sound gave him pause.


    Izabe heard it too but didn''t react; it wasn''t unusual for various people to visit -workers, doctors. Another vehicle wasn''t out of ce.


    "Thank you for saving me that


    Christmas Eve," Brett suddenly said, his gratitude dyed. Izabe''s act of rescue had haunted him for years, and though he had repaid Casey by taking a bullet, he owed her still.


    Izabe replied, "I didn''t know it was you in the water that Christmas Eve. I would have saved anyone." Unbeknownst to her, that act of heroism had captivated Brett for years. His lips curled into a slight smile.


    "I have onest gift for you, Izabe." As he spoke, the lights flickered off, plunging the room into darkness.


    Izabe, slightly afraid of the dark, steeled herself. Crossing her arms, she soughtfort in the protective gesture.


    The darkness was intense, silent enough to hear her own heartbeat.


    But Brett, ustomed to the shadows, found Izabe''s position. He could have reached out, pulled her close, embraced her onest time. But he didn''t. His extended hand fell to his side. He silently counted down in his mind, the numbers ticking away like the steady beat of a drum.

 Chapter 558

    A car had pulled up outside at some point, its doors swinging open to disgorge its passengers. First out was Wendy, followed by Bunny, who was bending over to assist Casey from the vehicle. The driver also disembarked, wheeling Beck, who was seated in a wheelchair.


    The entire Dempsey family had arrived, four of them in total,e to fetch Izabe and take her back home.


    For a moment, Izabe thought she was hallucinating. Her eyes reddened, a prickling sensation threatening to spill over. She fought the urge to rub them, fearing that any such movement would make the figures before her vanish into thin air.


    Instead, she pinched the back of her hand - a sharp pain confirming she wasn''t ensnared in a dream.


    Reality snapped back, and the warmth that had begun to swell in her heart was swiftly reced by a rising tide of fear. Why were the Dempseys here? Had Brett coerced them with something? Or had they struck some sort of deal to appear here? Were there deceits, traps hidden within their arrival?


    In those fleeting seconds, Izabe''s mind raced through countless possibilities, even considering the explosives she recalled being moved around the site, their boxes marked ''mmable'' and kept from prying eyes.


    She tried to speak, but her throat constricted as if a sharp stone were lodged within it, preventing even a single word from escaping, making it difficult to breathe.


    Her gaze, pale with trepidation, locked with Casey''s pallid face and his deep, warm eyes.


    A pang shot through her, and memories of calls and messages from Casey flooded back.


    Though they were less than thirty feet apart, to Izabe, it felt like miles stretched between them.


    Brett, meanwhile, lowered his gaze and let out a hollow chuckle - a sight that to Izabe felt as cold as a de.


    Her wariness only served to deepen the figurative scar across Brett''s heart, a wound that seemed to bleed more freely with each of her suspicious nces. His recent bouts of coughing had begun to bring up blood.


    Raising his hand, Brett ced his icy palm on Izabe''s head, marking their first touch of tenderness in days.


    Izabe''s guard fell away instantly, the soft warmth on her forehead calming her. She watched Brett''s lips part, his voice hoarse as he uttered a few words.


    "This is my final gift to you. I give you freedom." He lowered his hand and gave her a gentle push.


    Stumbling forward, Izabe looked ahead, then back at Brett in a mix of confusion and disbelief.


    "Izabe, keep moving forward, don''t look back," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, afraid that if she turned, he would be unable to let her go.


    "Be," called Casey from across the room.


    Her movements finally sprung to life, her mind a whirl of chaos. Barefoot, she didn''t feel the cold carpet beneath her as she moved forward, the hem of her gown trailing behind her, sparkling like stars in the night sky.


    Brett watched from behind, his eyes reddening as he let go of her. Pushing away the person he loved felt like ripping his heart in two.


    The residual warmth of her hair lingered on his fingertips as if he had briefly touched his own "sun" before returning her to the sky where she belonged.


    He owed Izabe a grand wedding, a perfect ring, a bridal gown, two children, a lifetime of togetherness, and devotion. And now, someone else was providing these to her.


    His heart might have been reluctant, but it settled into willing surrender.


    "Izabe, I love you," Brett murmured, his voice carried away by the night breeze into Izabe''s ear.


    Regrets and deep love filled his thoughts of her, and even knowing they would no longer be entwined, he couldn''t stop himself from wanting to tell her over and over just how much he cared for her. "Izabe." he called out her name, wanting her to look back, yet also not wanting her to.


    Fearing that if she did, he would never be able to let her go.


    But Izabe did as he had said; she didn''t turn back and continued her determined stride towards Casey.


    With a boom, fireworks lit up the Christmas Eve sky, their brilliance rivaling the New Year''s disy.


    So this was the taste of loss, Brett


    thought as he watched Izabe and Casey embrace. His chest felt hollow, as if his ribs had been extracted. He stumbled, seeking support, one hand clenched, the other covering his chest as he coughed, the sound teari


    through


    him, blood staining his dark suit.


    Looking up at the fireworks, Brett let his tears fall, the salty bitterness overwhelming his senses. He choked on his words, his voice rough May you have a joyful marriage, grow old together, and staymitted to devotion."


    Closing his eyes against the pain, Brettmented the cruel twist of fate. In his final moments, he had lost his true love, delivering her into the arms of another man.


    He remembered a conversation in a caf¨¦, Bunny''s words to him resonating now more than ever.


    "Brett," Bunny had said, "the


    Windham family''s coldness canContent ? N?velDrama.Org.


    change. Material wealth is nothing


    would trade all of the Dempsey


    fortune for Izabe''s return. Blease,


    give her back to us."

 Chapter 559

    "We can sacrifice anything to get Izabe back to the Dempsey family."Brett, with skepticism painting his voice, challenged them, "Even if the Dempseys go bankrupt? Even if she''s penniless and her presence endangers your son''s life? You still want her?"


    Bunny, wise and unwavering, replied, "To Casey, Izabe is his lifeblood. Without her, he might as well be a walking shell. They adore each other, Brett. Loving someone isn''t about keeping them close, it''s about wanting their happiness above all."


    Brett retorted, "Aunt Bunny, do you not remember Grandpa''s teachings? Sentiment is for the weak. The Windhams prevail through pragmatism and cold calction. It''s our shield."


    A bitter smile crept across Bunny''s lips. "And how many Windhams have fallen because of that creed? Years of infighting, brother turning against brother, all for gain. To me, it''s a tragedy. But not all who share Windham blood are like that. Leaving the Windham way can change a person."


    As Brett''s gaze followed a distant figure, his eyes wereced with pain and awork of red veins. He struggled to keep them open, but no matter how hard he tried, the figure remained a blur. His outstretched hand was pierced by the night''s cold, his fingers tingling as if pricked by needles, the chill causing him to shiver uncontrobly. The sound of fireworks masked his choked breaths.


    He pondered, had he left the Windhams earlier, abandoning thoughts of revenge, would he have been spared this cruel coldness, this selfishness? Could the oue have been different? Would Izabe still be by his side?


    They could have watched fireworks together in the winter. Shared a Christmas Eve apple pie. Made wishes under the Christmas tree. Had meals together on New Year''s Eve. Cuddled on the couch watching the New Year''s countdown. Exchanged "Happy New Year" at the stroke of midnight. He could have knitted her a scarf, braided her hair.


    If only he had understood sooner, but life offered no reruns.


    There''s a saying that rings true-people always chase the best choice, but the pursuit often leads to unintended consequences.


    "Izabe!" Brett''s cry was a guttural scream, blood in his mouth unnoticed, as it trickled down his chin, a sharp pain tearing through his chest.


    He had told her not to look back when he pushed her to leave, yet now he desperately wished she would turn, just for one final nce.


    He ached for it, but the words wouldn''te. A muffled cough escaped him as he sank to the ground, his body copsing under its own weight. He clutched his chest, looking at the warm droplets on his hand, but the darkness blurred his vision; he couldn''t tell if it was blood or tears.


    With his heart in his throat, he looked up at Izabe, his voice a broken whisper, "Izabe, turn around, look at me. I''ve done so many wrongs to you in this life, I can''t expect forgiveness, but if there''s another life, if I meet you sooner, I swear I''ll treat you right." He knew she might be weary of his words, yet he still longed to speak them, to make amends for what he couldn''t fulfill in this life, hoping for another chance Izabe paused, murmured something, and lifted her dress to walk forward. She didn''t look back, her departure resolute.


    Brett was at peace knowing she had been part of his final days, that she had worn that wedding dress, that he had crafted a ring to fit her finger, even though she had never worn it.


    "Thank you, Izabe, for saving me once, for teaching me what it feels like to be loved, for indulging myst selfish wish, for proving my life wasn''t just about hatred. Life is precious because the darkness makes the light all the more brilliant."


    When Izabe said she "couldn''t go on," Casey would not hesitate to move toward her.


    Just like he always said, no matter where or when, whatever the circumstance, if Izabe reached out to him, he would embrace her with open arms.


    "It''s not about how many steps you take," he had told her, "just take one towards me, and I''ll cover the other."


    "Are your feet cold walking barefoot?" That was the first thing Casey asked, his gaze tender as he looked at her feet hidden beneath the hem of her dress.


    Izabe shook her head, augh escaping her lips, "How did you know I was barefoot?"


    "I know everything about you, including your height," Casey replied, having spotted at first nce that she wasn''t wearing shoes.


    Izabe''sshes fluttered, her eyes fixed on Casey, silent until he took her trembling, icy hand in his.


    Grasping back, her nose red, she choked out, "I almost thought you were an illusion."


    A tightness gripped Casey''s chest, his eyes stinging, "You can keep asking me, to make sure I''m real."


    "I''m sorry," she whispered.


    Casey had grown thin, so thin that even in his heavy coat, he seemed to shrink against the dark, biting wind. His hands, always warm, were now barely warmer than her own.


    Close enough to see the redness in his eyes, the chapped lips, his breath shaking, holding onto her hand as if she might vanish.


    It wasn''t just Izabe who feared Casey was a mirage; he harbored the same fear.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    When Izabe said "I''m sorry," a pain surged within Casey, a tumultuous wave of emotion, a fleeting dizziness as if the world spun around him.


    He steadied himself, wondering why Izabe would apologize; was she nning to leave him?


    Casey''s grip on Izabe''s hand had loosened ever so slightly, a tender gesture to ensure he didn''t cause her any difort.


    Suddenly, Izabe wrapped her arms around him, her voiceced with regret, "I''m sorry. I should have never left without a word. I shouldn''t have signed those divorce papers, or turned my phone off so you couldn''t find me."


    "You never had anything to apologize for," Casey said softly. "I just took too long to find you."


    Although it hadn''t been more than a few weeks since they''dst seen each other, it felt like an age had passed.


    She should have leaned on him, shared the burden instead of thinking she had to handle it all alone. Why did she leave without telling him anything?


    She always thought that since the problems originated with her, she had to be the one to fix them. She feared wrecking the Dempsey family, feared ruining him.


    But things often don''t go as nned, and her departure only caused Casey more pain.


    What she thought was best was far from it for those who loved her.


    Flipping the script, if Casey had disappeared without a word, she''d be sick with worry, too.


    Thankfully, he had never doubted her, always trusted her. They had fulfilled their promise to each other and returned home together.


    The winter air was brisk, filled with


    the festive lights and balloons set up over the past few days. Firecrackers popped in the distance, and


    fireworks burst overhead, theil no


    fleeting beauty a stark reminder of


    life''s impermanence.


    It turned out all of Brett''s actions over the past days were aimed at letting her go. His insistence that she leave wasn''t just empty talk.


    Brett had finally kept his word.


    The booms of the fireworks were loud, apanying Brett''s distant voice, which seemed almost like an auditory hallucination.


    Brett was a paradox of detachment and devotion. When he loved, he loved fiercely, ready to offer the world on a silver tter, eager to give anything that would please the apple of his eye.


    Izabe didn''t believe in second chances, not for love. If Brett truly changed, it wouldn''t matter to her-she wasn''t the kind to retrace her steps.


    Some people, once missed, were missed for a lifetime. When love was gone, no grand gestures or sweet words could reignite it.


    She and Brett had made the same mistake. They both fell into the abyss, clinging desperately to anyone who would reach out a hand.


    Hand in hand, Casey and Izabe walked towards the car, the fireworks overhead illuminating everything beneath them.


    "Izabe!" Brett''s voice, raw and desperate, exploded from behind them, "Can you just look back at me once. If I meet you in the next life earlier."


    Izabe halted but didn''t turn around. She simply tilted her head up to admire the fireworks.


    People always talk about the next


    life as if they could carry over


    ??


    unfinished business, much like how they expect tomorrow to fulfill today''s promises, forever dying, neverpleting. The difference is, tomorrow is almost certain the next life is not.


    "Maybe you said the same thing to me in a past life," Izabe whispered,


    her voice soft and melodic. She looked up, her lips pursed, eyes closed, "Brett, I wish you a life of


    peace and safety. May you


    have the warmth of the sun in winter, a gentle breeze in summer, a prosperous journey ahead, free from illness and hardship. May you find true love and grow old together.


    From now on, let''s live our lives


    without ever crossing paths again. May you find peace."

 Chapter 560

    "Brett, I wish you a life of peace and safety. May you always have the warmth of the sun in winter, a gentle breeze in summer, a prosperous journey ahead, free from illness and hardship. May you find true love and grow old together. From now on, let''s live our lives without ever crossing paths again. May you find peace"


    Not all mistakes deserve forgiveness, of course nor do all deeds necessitate bearing a grudge.


    Such a final goodbye.


    When Izabe said she had let go, she truly had. In the end, she didn''t harbor hatred, nor did she curse him.


    To find true love and grow old together-his true love didn''t want him anymore. Did he even have time left to grow old?


    The night wind grew colder, piercing like needles against his skin, seeping through his pores and chilling him to the core. Brett knelt on the ground, watching the fading figure in the distance. Curled up on the ground like a wounded animal, he tasted the pain of his wound in solitude.


    Time passed, and Brett took a deep, ragged breath. Clumsily, he rose to his feet, his legs numb from kneeling too long. As he stood up, a tingling sensation rushed through his legs, and he stumbled back to the rocking chair Izabe had once upied.


    The fireworks continued to light up the sky, a half-hour show of splendor. In addition to the fireworks, he had prepared sparklers that bloomed like dandelions.


    Brett held one in his hand, gazing up at a starless sky. As thest firework faded, darkness remained.


    -Perhaps this lifetime is the one you prayed for in your past life to meet in the next.


    The person you failed to cherish, the one you tormented, the one you once despised, might just be the one you begged for in your past life, yearning to have in this one.


    So let''s not talk about next lives. If you can cherish someone in this life, then do it well.


    Izabe''s return was just his greed. He wanted to keep her by his side by any means necessary-like a fish hooked on a line, a bird caged, a kite tethered.


    When Izabe died, he went mad for a while, always feeling her presence around him.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    But now, he truly felt Izabe''s absence from his life.


    Losing a loved one doesn''t always tear you apart; sometimes it''s eerily calm. Then, on some quiet night, you find yourself unable to sleep, staying awake until the early hours when a gentle breeze strokes the windowsill.


    The thought of no future with Izabe enveloped Brett in a vast emptiness, and suddenly his heart ached, tears unknowingly streaming down his face.


    Brett sat in the rocking chair all night, surrounded by countless spent sparklers, watching the sunrise on the horizon. With a blink, tears cascaded freely, his sobs growing louder, like a child losing something precious for the first time.


    Brett''s tears flowed, his mouth coughing up blood, his throat burning with pain.


    Not just his throat hurt, his chest ached, his hands trembled with pain, even his scalp felt cold and sore. Despite his body numbing with pain, he felt a particr ache in his left chest, as if it had been punctured, leaving a hole for the cold wind to whistle through, freezing his insides. He was hunched over, holding the "Wish List" in his hand.


    More than twenty wishes had been checked off. The paper was wrinkled, crumpled in his hand. Even though his wishes had been fulfilled without regret, he still felt an empty ache inside.


    He hunched over, fumbling in his pocket for his phone to make a call.


    After five seconds, the call connected, met with silence.


    Brett paused, his voice raspy, "Liam, I finally understand what you said. Loving someone doesn''t always mean being together. I waited for her, missed her. She was married to me for four years, I waited for her for six, just for our paths to cross again, to watch her be happy with someone else." He sighed, the taste in his mouth growing bitterer.


    Silence still filled the phone, but Brett knew Liam was listening.


    Now, Liam was the only one willing to be the listener, patiently hearing him out time and again.


    "Liam,e back. There''s no need to do those things anymore."


    Liam, silent until then, finally responded upon hearing this, "Alright."


    The amusement park ident was his doing, the tampered brakes, his money. The texts to Izabe, his fingers. Told her Brett''s terminal lung cancer, his doing. The threats, his voice.


    Liam had been with Brett for too


    long, beyond just being his boss;


    they were friends, almost family. The


    person who had spent the most time with Brett over the years wasn''t Kaley, nor was it Izabe-it was


    him. ?


    Brett had made many foolish and bad decisions, but if Liam hadn''t coldly observed, deceiving him for his own benefit, perhaps things wouldn''t have ended this way.


    Brett was dying. Liam had been the one to take him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Brett had given up on treatment, living day to day on medication, taking each day as it


    came.


    Liam wanted him to live, but "living" wasn''t as simple as wishing it. The illness was severe; death was just a matter of time.


    At least, let him be happy for a while, Liam thought. But he couldn''t make it happen-only Izabe could.


    But Izabe couldn''t possiblye back to Brett.


    The only other option was for Brett toe to terms on his own.


    Unfortunately, Brett was stuck in a dead-end, unable to grasp the idea of letting go of Izabe.


    That day, Liam had argued with Brett, who told him to leave. And Liam did leave, considering walking away for good. After years of work, he could easily find a morefortable position elsewhere. But the thought of Brett dying unhappy and alone gnawed at him, and he decided to help.


    So, he orchestrated a series of events, never intending to harm anyone, just to scare Izabe a little.


    After all the years with Brett, he knew not just Brett but also Izabe.


    Gentle persuasion would never bring Izabe back voluntarily; she wouldn''t spare a second nce even if you knelt until death. Only old tactics like threats and intimidation would work.


    As it turned out, everything


    happened just as he had anticipated,


    unfolding step by step ording to


    n. Even after Izabe had gone to Brett''s


    tt''s side, Liam didn''t let up. He


    continued to pay top dor for a


    private detective to keep tabs on the


    situation.


    Brett was well aware that it was Liam pulling the strings behind the scenes. Yet, he said nothing, offered no exnations, allowing Izabe to stew in her misunderstandings. Deep down, he understood that everything Liam did was for his own good.


    It was a harsh lesson to show him that keeping Izabe close would never lead to the idyllic picture he had imagined. In fact, Izabe would only grow to despise him more. And so, he came to the painful realization that letting her go was the best choice.


    That''s when he truly grasped the significance of Liam''s words: Loving someone doesn''t always mean being together.


    Compared to him, the Dempseys


    were a much better option for her. At


    least they didn''t have ulterior


    motives and wouldn''t give up on Izabe for their own gain. The moment Bunny offered the entire Dempsey fortune as a bargaining chip for her release, Brett knew that he had lost the bet.

 Chapter 561

    Casey knew Izabe was barefoot, so without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her all the way to the car. Despite being sick and unsteady on his feet, his arms were strong and secure around her, just like when they were kids and he used to give her piggyback rides home.


    Once they reached the car, the driver set off, and Casey, still cradling Izabe, drifted into a deep sleep.


    Izabe was initially startled by this.


    Bunny, sitting in the front, put a finger to her lips, signaling to Izabe not to disturb his rest.


    Only when Izabe heard Casey''s steady breathing did she finally rx.


    The light in the car was dim, and Izabe turned to look at Casey''s pale face. She reached out, her fingers grazing his cold, gaunt jawline.


    Afraid to disturb his slumber, Izabe found afortable position and hugged him close, ensuring he wouldn''t wake up with a stiff neck. The ride smoothed out as they hit the open road, and Bunny nced back at the two of them nestled together.


    "Casey hasn''t had a good night''s sleep in ages," Bunny whispered. After Izabe disappeared, Casey was desperate to find her, running himself ragged. He had to handle everything personally, especially after the virus hit him hard, requiring a full blood transfusion. His health never fully recovered. Then the Dempsey family faced a crisis. He was the one to take the reins, working overtime, often forgetting to eat due to his erratic schedule, which ultimately led to acute gastritis and a trip to the ER.


    Even with an IV in his arm, he thought of escaping, which left Bunny no choice but to confine him at home, forcibly medicating him, and resorting to sedatives and injections when he resisted rest. "It should have been sooner. It''s my fault for keeping Casey locked up at home."


    Bunny had gone to meet Brett, offering the entire Dempsey estate in exchange for Izabe. Brett didn''t agree immediately, asking for a week to return Izabe safely after Christmas Eve. If they didn''t trust him, they were wee to pick her up themselves.


    Bunny didn''t fully trust Brett but feared contradicting him and provoking a change of heart. In the end, they agreed that Brett would provide the details for the pickup when the time came.


    Bunny knew in advance that they could bring Izabe home today, but Casey was in the dark.


    He didn''t trust Bunny or believe that Brett would let Izabe go so easily. His insistence on finding her himself led to him being tied up in the bedroom.


    Those days of confinement weren''t physically painful-he was well-fed and didn''t struggle much. However, the thought of Izabe facing unknown dangers, the possibility of losing her, was excruciating. It felt like being stabbed with invisible needles all over, an agony he wished he could pull out with his teeth.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Only then did Casey realize the profound fear and torment Izabe''s absence brought him, a feeling akin to a fate worse than death.


    Throughout the journey, Bunny quietly shared many things with Izabe.


    Izabe''s heart ached, feeling hollow and suffocated. With each of Bunny''s words, it felt like stones piling up in her heart. Izabe thought life was too long, but now she knew that a lifetime with Casey, no matter how long, would feel too short.


    In three months, so much had changed. The Dempsey family, once rocked by a financial crisis, was no longer the same. Beck had fallen ill and was now confined to a wheelchair, unable to walk without assistance.


    Wendy, who used to buzz around Izabe with a sweet voice, had lost her innocent smile. She closed her online shop and started learning how to manage thepany to alleviate the family''s burden. Bunny seemed unchanged, her usual tenderness intact, but the wrinkles on her face had deepened, her hair showing strands of white.


    The Dempsey Group was back in business, with rising capital and stocks.


    But the losses and expended energy could never truly be recovered.


    Brett was the root of their troubles, and it was impossible not to hold a grudge. After all, no one is a saint, and to be bitten out of the blue was infuriating.


    Bunny held back because Brett was her own nephew, her flesh and blood in this world.


    She felt responsible for his turn to extremes, knowing that a bit of support and love from the Windham family might have made a difference.


    But Bunny and Brett could never return to the past, but Bunny hoped that Brett would move on, as Izabe had wished when she left.


    Arriving at Spring Bay, the car came to a gentle stop. Izabe stepped out, feeling uneasy about facing the Dempsey family, not sure what to say. But before she could speak, Wendy rushed over and enveloped her in a hug.


    "Izabe, you look so beautiful today. Were you okay these past days? Did he hurt you? You feel thinner," Wendy said in her way,forting Izabe and dispelling her unease.


    Izabe looked helplessly at Beck in his wheelchair, who had braved the cold night to wee her home.


    Catching her gaze, Beck smiled gently. "You''ve lost weight. We''ll have your mom cook up some hot stew to fatten you up."


    With just one look from Izabe, Beck understood what she meant. "It''s good to see you back safe and sound. It''s chilly out there; you and Casey should head in and get some rest." "Yeah, head on back," Bunny chimed in.


    Casey was still sprawled in the car.


    Izabe nned to let the driver


    carry him inside to his room. But as soon as she touched him, he snapped awake, as if by an instinct. His first instinct was to call out for "Izabe," and only after his eyes found her did he let out a sigh of relief.


    "Why didn''t you wake me?" Casey asked as he stepped out of the car, taking Izabe''s hand in his.


    "You looked so peaceful sleeping; I didn''t have the heart to."


    "Next time, make sure you wake me," he insisted, holding her hand tightly, his gaze intense and fraught with emotion He wanted to say so much to Izabe, but it was as if his throat was stuffed with cotton-no words came out, and his lips had lost their usual color, turning a shade of pale purple.


    He didn''t say a word, but Izabe understood what was on his mind. He was worried, scared that she might disappear again without a goodbye.


    The family didn''t escort each other home. They all headed back to their own houses, even though they lived in the same city, under the same sky, enduring the same winter. Despite being only twenty or thirty kilometers apart, it somehow felt warmer here.


    Once home, Izabe slipped out of her wedding dress without a second nce and made a call, arranging for someone to deliver the dress back to Brett first thing in the morning.


    Noticing Casey''s pallor, Izabe grew concerned and thought about calling a doctor or at least getting him some medicine before urging him to bed.


    "Don''t worry about me," Casey reassured her. "I''ve been like this for a few days, but now that you''re back, I''ll feel better."


    Even under the weather, Casey remembered how Izabe dreaded the cold, how her feet would be icy and numb each winter.


    Bearing the chill, Izabe watched as Casey squatted before her with a basin of warm water, ready to wash her feet.


    "I can just rinse them off myself," she protested lightly.


    "On such a cold day, you''ve walked


    barefoot for so long. Aren''t you worried about frostbite or scraping your feet on stones?" he said, gently lowering her feet into the warm water, cajoling her like a child "You''re grown up and still can''t take


    care of yourself. How can trust you to be on your own?"


    Her feet were frigid, the toes reddened from the cold. In the car, Casey had slipped socks onto her feet, but once they were cold, it was hard to get them warm again. Even with the heater on during the drive, there was no relief.


    Izabe was used to it, though, and didn''t feel too cold. As soon as the car stopped, she hopped right out.


    As Casey massaged the soles of her feet, he said, "Tell me if it hurts."


    His hands were gentle, patiently kneading the pressure points.


    Izabe watched Casey quietly, feeling as if they had been apart for an eternity and yet as if they had never been apart at all.


    This illusion stemmed from the several life-and-death separations they had experienced.


    Unable to help herself, Izabe asked, "Casey, did you ever think I might note back this time?"


    His hands stiffened in the water for a moment before he murmured softly, "When the roadside flowers bloom, you may take your time returning."


    "When the roadside flowers bloom, you may take your time returning" - it was as if he was saying, whether you cane back or not, I''ll wait for you, always wait for you.

 Chapter 562

    "When the roadside flowers bloom, you may take your time returning." Casey''s voice was soft and low, the words slipping out as if they were an unconscious confession of the heart. Words meant to be warm left a tang of bitterness in Izabe''s soul. Her eyes, trying to hold back the tears, betrayed her with a telltale sting.


    Back in her bedroom, Izabe''s gaze immediately fell upon the divorce papers sitting on the nightstand, right where she''d left them. The only difference now was the evident creases marking the pages, signs o being handled and contemted over and over again.


    "You didn''t throw it away?" Izabe asked, her voice wavering slightly as she eyed the signed document.


    Shaking his head, Casey replied, "I wanted to wait for you toe back and exin-just in case you really wanted to leave, you know?" His lips curled into a bittersweet smile at the end of his sentence. The days Izabe had vanished nearly broke Casey. He had gambled with his life, frantically searching for her while preparing for the worst oues: finding Izabe and meeting a tragic end with Brett if he refused to let her go, or sumbing to his own failing health before he could find her leaving her free rather than chained by a piece of paper.


    Casey never believed that Izabe would leave him for someone else. He just didn''t have faith in his own health.


    Swallowing hard, Izabe asked, "Why are you such a fool?"


    "Because I''m Ryker Dempsey," he said.


    He was the Ryker who would wait in ce for her, too afraid toe closer. His inferiorityplex was deeply rooted in his foolishness. Everyone used to call him a fool, unworthy of Izabe, without even the right to be by her side. He could only watch her from a distance, silently protecting her.


    For over fifteen years, Ryker harbored this foolishness, letting it seep into his bones. He first saw Izabe beneath the wisteria at the orphanage, feeling an inexplicable familiarity. Clutching his favorite orphanage treat, a simple cookie, he''d saved it for ages, but when he saw her, he couldn''t help but give all of it to her.


    Even the orphanage director was stunned. Ryker, though foolish, never sought to please anyone.


    He was a wild spirit, like a lone wolf fiercely guarding his food, sharing it for the first time with someone he had just met.


    After Izabe left the orphanage, without her contact information, Ryker was desperate. He pestered the director daily to call her, sending messages, pacing around in anxiety.


    He eventually learned of Izabe''s birthday-May 21-and though the other kids had gifts for her, he had nothing. Apart from helping with chores and catching the asional rat, he felt useless. When the May cherries ripened, bright and round, he thought they matched Izabe perfectly. He wanted to make her a pair of cherry earrings, but one cherry seemed too little. So, he made a string of them, much like a skewer of candied fruit.


    Her car still parked in the orphanage lot, he''d polish it every day, ensuring not a speck of dust remained.


    Washing the car became his ritual as he waited for her return, which finally happened two monthster, as summer was blending into autumn.


    That day, Izabe wasn''t alone; she brought another man with her her husband.


    She was already married.


    The director mocked Ryker, "Forget about it, you''re just a fool. How could someone like her ever fancy you? Even if you weren''t foolish, you''d stand no chance. Do you even know what her husband does? He''s the wealthiest man in R City-rich and handsome. Would someone ustomed to the finer things in life stoop to pick trash with you?"


    Ryker listened to half of the director''s words, the message clear: he was unworthy.


    People said Izabe married well, that her husband treated her kindly. But was that the truth?


    Ryker saw the contempt in Brett''s eyes, a sense of superiority over everything.


    Love should be equal, not one towering over the other.


    After that day, Izabe disappeared from Ryker''s life.


    He knew so little about Izabe; he didn''t even know she had been married, let alone what she did or where she lived.


    Knowing she had connections at the hospital, he took a menial job there, arriving before dawn, more diligent than the watchdog at the gate.


    Never before had he been so devoted to a single cause, waiting eagerly, ignored by the very person he longed to see.


    His pocketful of cookies grew, his candy stash toorge to carry. He couldn''t bear to eat them, having no one to share with. Dependence on someone is like a child in kindergarten, waiting to be picked up and taken home.


    In the hospital, he waited with bated breath until Izabe reappeared.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But her words, "You''re just a fool. There''s no chance for us," shattered the courage he had mustered with such joy.


    An unwanted stray dog, no matter how much it rolled on its back, exposing its soft belly, would never find someone to stoop down and offer a gentle touch.


    He wasn''t exactly discouraged; his inferiorityplex simply deepened.


    Perhaps it was his overwhelming sense of being a fool that drove him with an unprecedented determination to regain his normalcy.


    Regaining his memory was an ident. After cutting off Lucas''s hand, fearing capture, he didn''t dare return to the orphanage and hid away until he was caught and confined to a dark room.


    His hands were broken, his legs shot through, and he endured tortures untold. He lost track of time, couldn''t see the sun, and didn''t even know when it was day or night.


    Nathaniel conducted numerous drug experiments on him, including one that destroyed his nerves, which was deemed a sess.


    And it was during that time he regained all his memories, remembering the nine-year-old girl named Izabe who clung to his back at the amusement park, licking a candied apple and dering her wish to marry him.


    Time had flown; the girl who wanted to marry him had grown into the stunning Ms. Izabe. Even as a fool, he couldn''t help but be drawn to her.


    Unfortunately, he hadn''t been able to bring her back safely that time.


    Now, Ryker had be Casey, and the timid vulnerability from his past lingered on, Even after learning that Izabe cared for him, he couldn''t help but wonder-if he reverted to the fool with nothing, could he still keep Izabe by his side?


    The day Izabe walked out, Casey was left grappling with his own. insecurities. Had he appeared too weak? Did Izabe doubt his ability to stand up to a guy like Brett, leading her to leave? Or did she simply believe Casey couldn''t


    protect her?


    It was one of those nights when Casey''s dreams betrayed him. He was chasing Izabe''s silhouette, running till his breaths were ragged, his chest tight as if all the air had been squeezed out of his lungs.


    He reached out to grab Izabe, but with every look she cast over her shoulder, she seemed to drift further away. An icy wind whipped through his fingers.


    "Casey, let''s get a divorce."


    "Izabe, don''t leave me." I''ll get better, I won''t let anyone hurt you, I can take care of you, I''m not that fool anymore.


    "Casey, wake up, you''re having a nightmare again."


    These nightmares had be a nightly urrence for Casey, leaving him on edge. He wouldn''t share what he saw in his dreams, only calling out for "Izabe" in his sleep. Sometimes Casey would jolt awake, sitting on the edge of the bed in silent vigil, not speaking or returning to sleep for hours until Izabe found him.


    Izabe confided in Bunny about Casey''s nightmares.


    Bunny paused before speaking, "He was like this when you were gone, too. We all thought it would stop when you came back. It didn''t."


    "Has he ever been like this before?"


    "Yeah, when we first took him in, he was even worse. It got to the point where we had to hypnotize him, make him forget his past." Bunny''s voice softened with the memory.


    Seeing the concern etched on


    Izabe''s face, Bunny tried to


    aredd


    reassure her. "Don''t worry, Izabe. Casey will be alright. He''s just really scared of losing you, but it''ll pass: Remember the night we went to fetch you? Fearing Brett wouldn''t let you go, Casey had explosives ready in the trunk of the car."


    Back then, Casey had steeled himself for a fight to the death, yet he managed to mask the turmoil inside with a calm facade.

 Chapter 563

    To Casey, what was Izabe? She was his only sun in the sky, the rare rainbow after a storm, the vast ocean a whale needs, and the me a moth recklessly dives into.


    His obsession with Izabe was just as intense; he wanted to possess her, wanted her by his side, always.


    Yet, if Izabe chose to leave, his heart, filled with self-doubt, couldn''t even muster the courage to reach out and ask her to stay.


    If there were only one rose left in the world, with but a month to bloom, Brett would preserve it at its peak beauty, while Casey would witness its life cycle, standing by as it blossomed and wilted away. That was the difference between their notions of love.


    Casey''s sudden mood swings were due to his insecurity, hisck of a sense of safety. His mind, already fragile from past trauma, seemed at times to revert to Ryker''s state.


    Izabe didn''t want to see him be a fool again, but she was at a loss about what to do. Should she resort to hypnosis to make Casey forget her once more?


    Whatever Bunny went on to say, Izabe couldn''t take it in. She sat on the couch, her hands unconsciously growing cold.


    As the weather turned chillier and darkness fell before six, Izabe stood up. "Mom, I should get going."


    "Why? Stay for dinner. I''ll invite Casey over too."


    "No, he''s waiting for me at home."


    As Izabe stood to leave, her phone rang. "Are you at your parents''?" Casey''s voice came through the speaker.


    "Yes, I''m about to head back." Izabe''s body warmed up at the sound of his voice, her heavy heart suddenly easing. She tilted her head, her ear close to the phone as if to catch every nuance of his voice. "It''s raining outside. I''lle to pick you up."


    Izabe nced outside; it wasn''t raining on her end. "It''s dry here. Maybe I should just take a cab."


    "I''m already on the road. Oh, and do you want some hot chocte? I''ll grab one for you on the way." "Sure, that''d be nice."


    After hanging up, Izabe saw Bunny eyeing her curiously.


    "Was that Casey?"


    "Yeah, he''sing to pick me up."


    "Well, that''s perfect. Stay for dinner; I''ll get the maid to start cooking."


    "Let''s see when he gets here."


    Izabe thought it would take a while for Casey to arrive, but in just seven or eight minutes, the sound of a car pulling up reached them.


    Casey entered, the picture of bedragglement. He hadn''t bothered with an umbre, and his coat was soaked through. His hair was a mess, and he handed Izabe a steaming cup of hot chocte. "For you."


    She took it, feeling the warmth seep from her palms to her heart. Outside, the rain had drenched him, yet the cup was spotless.


    Not only had Casey brought hot chocte, but he had also brought a scarf, knowing full well Izabe never carried one despite her aversion to the cold.


    Holding the hot chocte in one hand, Izabe threw herself into his embrace. The collision grounded their anxieties.


    Casey looked down at her, his eyes soft, a faint smile ying in his deep brown irises, as if to melt the winter''s frost.


    He hugged her tightly, his hands running through her soft hair. "Let''s go home."


    "Wouldn''t you like to stay for dinner?" Bunny called out after them.


    "It''s toote for that now. It''s winter, too cold."


    "We have a room for you to sleep in."


    "I''m notfortable in unfamiliar beds."


    In truth, it was Izabe who was particr about where she slept, and Bunny knew it. She waved them off. "Alright, take Be home. Don''t catcha cold." Then to Izabe, "Come visit when you can, stay a few days."


    "Mhm," Izabe responded.


    Casey wrapped the scarf snugly around Izabe, making sure no gaps would let the cold in, before leading her out. Bunny watched them leave. Under the dim lights, their close silhouettes made her eyes moisten with tears.


    It hadn''t been easy. She knew the struggles they''d been through to find this peace.


    Back inside, Beck in his wheelchair called to her. "Don''t stand at the door; aren''t you cold? Come inside."


    Bunny walked over and leaned against his knees, her eyes still red.


    Beck knew she was upset again, perhaps because of his legs, which might never regain their former agility.


    "If I hadn''t pushed for Brett to take control of the Windham family''s assets, maybe you wouldn''t have ended up in the hospital, maybe I wouldn''t be in this wheelchair."


    "I wasn''t just helping him. Nathaniel


    hurt Casey and lied to us; of course, I


    wouldn''t let that go. It was Brett''sContent held by N?velDrama.Org.


    skill that secured all of the Windham Group''s wealth in J City."


    The Windham family knew how to teach sess but failed to teachpassion and love.


    Seeing his partner in tears, Beck fumbled tofort her, saying, "Don''t cry. There''s an upside to this wheelchair; I no longer have to kneel on the washboard as punishment." Outside, as Izabe buckled her seatbelt in the passenger seat.


    Casey started the car and asked, "What brought you here so suddenly today?"


    He was unaware of his own "illness,"


    only that he''d been gued by nightmares and ack of appetite What he didn''t know was the extent of his psychological turmoil, his nocturnal wanderings, and his memorypses upon waking.


    Izabe had not nned on telling Casey about his condition. Instead, she said, "I came to discuss wedding dates. My parents picked a few; which do you think we should choose?"

 Chapter 564

    "Wedding?" Casey stuttered, the word seeming to trip over his tongue.


    "Yeah, didn''t we talk about having a small ceremony? Just close family and friends. We''ll keep it simple, maybe a little vintage charm with some whitece. If this were in the old days, I''d probably have a procession with horse-drawn carriages," Izabe said with a twinkle in her eye, herughter bubbling up uncontrobly as she pictured it.


    "You really want to marry me?" His ears tinged pink, his heartbeat thundering so loudly he almost thought he was hallucinating.


    As his pupils dted, reminiscent of a startled cat, Izabe watched his uneasy gaze and reached out to caress his warm earlobe, teasingly. "What are you talking about? I''m already yours, remember? Didn''t we file for that marriage license at city hall? You even got down on one knee to propose. We just haven''t announced it to everyone yet. I n to marry only once in my life, so Casey, there''s no escaping me. I''ll never divorce you."


    Casey froze, a bittersweet sensation flooding his chest. He grasped Izabe''s hand, covering her slender fingers with his palm. His voice tightened as he asked, "What if I turn back into Ryker? What if I be that fool again?" He''d been feeling out of sorts these days, memories of his past self, the simple-minded Ryker, shing through his mind.


    Izabe''s eyes shone brightly as she leaned in, their foreheads touching, sharing each other''s breath. "I want the star actor Casey, and I want the fool Ryker too. I don''t care which you are; all that matters is that you are you."


    He was the one who had silently protected her, the one who had always stood by her side with unwavering faith.


    "I won''t run away, and you''re not allowed to either," Izabe dered, tilting her face to press her lips against Casey''s.


    "I won''t give you the chance to run either," Casey replied.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    The wedding was set quickly, for January 22nd. A holiday getaway afterward would be perfect.


    The Dempsey Group had bounced back, regaining lost partnerships and even doubling some deals. After the busiest season had passed, it was the ideal time to prepare for a wedding.


    Bunny had already taken care of the invitations, which were ready to be sent out, The wedding favors were custom-ordered, and the hardest part had been the dress, with its intricatece and hand-sewn details.


    With several skilled seamstresses working tirelessly for twenty days, the dress was finallyplete.


    It wasn''t so much the wedding that was important as it was Izabe. Knowing her true past, Bunny had taken extra care preparing for this day. Izabe''s first marriage hadcked a formal ceremony, so Bunny, insistent on making this one special, personally oversaw the venue and decorations.


    Though they imed a low-key affair, once the Dempsey family got involved, word quickly got out.


    Casey and Izabe were getting married, and everything was set.


    Fans rejoiced across social media, their beloved couple was finally tying the knot, giving them hope for their own love lives.


    The news eventually reached Brett.


    The wedding dress he had sent Izabe was returned the next day. He carelessly tossed it onto the


    living room couch, a spot he passed every day. He''d often stare at it, lost in thought, asionally mistaking the dress for Izabe herself, a poignant reminder of what once was.

 Chapter 565

    On January 22nd, the wedding of Izabe and Casey was the talk of the town, held at the grandest hotel in R City. Security was tight, forming an imprable ring around the venue to keep the paparazzi at bay.


    "This wedding''s got to be the most extravagant one yet-I doubt anyone can top this," murmured a guest, unable to contain their awe.


    The venue was bedecked with millions of red roses air-freighted just for the asion, transforming the ce into a veritable rose fortress. The fragrant scent of flowers wafted through the air.


    The feast was orchestrated by Bunny herself, who had hired renowned chefs from both domestic and international circuits. They served up a mnge of cuisines to cater to the diverse tastes of the wedding attendees.


    The guest list was a who''s who of business magnates from R City, J City, Wye, and beyond, including not just entrepreneurs but also friends from the entertainment industry-actors, directors, and the like. Bunny had imed to prefer a low-key approach, but thevishness of the event spoke volumes. Just the menu alone had cost a fortune, not to mention the hotel booking and the stunning decorations. Social media was abuzz, with servers crashing despite preparatory measures-no one had anticipated such a rapid surge of discussion online.


    Snippets from the media sent online users into a frenzy, with photos garnering tens of thousands of likes in mere minutes. Everyone was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the bride and groom. The day was blessed with an unusually mild winter weather-no snow, just a glorious sunny sky. Izabe, dressed in her bridal attire, didn''t feel the cold at all.


    She looked like a portrait of serenity, sitting there in her red gown and golden hairpin, reminiscent of her role in the TV drama "Blood Ties," where she had donned a red phoenix robe to enter the pce. Casey was spellbound at the sight of her, only snapping out of his trance when Wendy nudged him gently.


    "Do I look good?" Izabe giggled behind her hands.


    Having awakened at five in the morning for the lengthy bridal makeup session, Izabe had been surprisingly nervous, despite being ustomed to the spotlight. The night before her wedding, she hadn''t slept a wink.


    "You look stunning, absolutely stunning," Casey replied, his eyes soft and filled with her image.


    Their wedding was devoid of traditional hijinks. He came for her, and she took his hand, ready to walk into their future together.


    Among the invitees was the Felton family, including Presley, and Lucas also made an appearance.


    When Lucas received the wedding invitation, he was baffled. Back in the day, the Salotti family might have had some connection to the Dempseys, but now? It was a long shot. Yet, there was no reason for Lucas to decline the invite, especially since his past had some intersections with the Salottis.


    Since he received the invitation, he had no reason not to go, but what concerned him most was the bride''s name - Izabe.


    He had long known that Izabe was not his sister, but a famous actress in the entertainment industry, and even the CEO of the Maple Group, worth billions.


    In addition to the same name, Izabe looked like his sister, and even her ability was somewhat simr.


    Was there such a coincidence in the world? Or was it just fate?


    Lucas held the invitation card and suddenly felt a surge of emotion in his heart. The heated intent was transmitted all over his body along the blood. Even his eyes were a little red from the heat.


    Despite the surprise, Lucas had taken the time to select a crisp white suit for the asion, hoping to honor the event properly.


    At the hotel, he only knew Presley, so he quickly made his way over to greet him. "Presley," he said, receiving only a brief nod in response.


    Feeling somewhat out of ce among the glittering crowd, Lucas often wondered how Izabe, at such a young age, had managed to keep the Salotti family afloat in such a cunning and calcting world. Lucas had previously scorned everything Izabe had done, ming her for his mother''s death and for usurping what he felt was his rightful ce at the Salotti Group. It was only after walking a mile in her shoes that he understood the weight of the burden she had carried.


    Without the support of the Felton family, he might have been unable to remain in R City.


    As the evening wore on and the golden candlelight flickered to life, someone announced, "The bride is making her entrance."


    All eyes turned to Izabe, and the sea of faces was captivated by her presence. As ssical music yed, she walked gracefully down an aisle strewn with rose petals, her red gown stirring the air around her and captivating the media''s lenses.


    The scene, impossible to ignore, was captured by many on their phones. Never had Izabe looked more radiant than she did that night, under the glow of fireworks and the elegant sway of her traditional Western bridal gown.


    Standing strong against the wind,


    her figure was highlighted by the delicate tailoring of her dress. With no parents to escort her, it was Bunny who held her hand. Casey stood at the end of the aisle, their gazes meeting across the crowd, igniting the air with their shared look of love and anticipation.


    Casey didn''t wait for Izabe to make her way towards him step by step. Instead, he strode forward with decisive steps, closing the distance between them, both of them inhaling deeply to calm their racing hearts.


    Izabe felt her heart pounding


    wildly as Casey approached. Her eyes welled up with warmth, and a sournesstinged her nose. The man she loved stood by her side, and they had finally dered their marriage to everyone. They were set to grow old together, as fresh in love as they were in the beginning.


    From now on, through sickness and health, wealth and poverty, they weremitted to walking straight ahead, hand in hand until life''s journey''s end. Was there anything more blissful than growing old together?


    Casey took her hand, a smile gracing his lips. "Beautiful Ms. Salotti, congrattions on getting hitched today."


    Izabe looped her arm through his. "Dashing Mr. Dempsey, cheers to you fornding such a gorgeous bride." They exchanged a knowing smile.


    At night, numerous drones danced in the sky, creating a spectacle of lights.


    Their story began with him carrying her on his back from the amusement park to her home, and now it culminated with him holding her hand as they stepped into the wedding hall. Hundreds of fireworks burst overhead, painting the night sky.


    Casey''s love for Izabe was eternal; she was his resolute dream throughout the long years toe.


    Izabe looked up at the drone disy, her heart fluttering. "Did you n this?"


    "Yeah," Casey nodded, "Do you like it?"


    "I love it." She had been waiting for this wedding, which was a surprise in itself, but she hadn''t anticipated the grand gesture Casey had prepared.


    The winter night was devoid of stars, yet Casey''s drones lit up the entire sky, more beautiful than a nket of constetions.


    Izabe touched the diamond ring on her finger, ncing sideways at Casey, overwhelmed by the thought of spending the rest of her life with him. She felt incredibly fortunate.


    It was as if all the misfortunes of her past life were simply a trade for the luck she found in this one.


    To meet each other was fate; to have each other was fortune.


    "At nine, Cameron had a crush on Izabe."


    "At twenty-six, Ryker fell in love with Izabe."


    "And now, at thirty-five, Casey is deeply in love with Izabe."


    A sudden joy built up over time into an unshakeable deep love.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Perhaps even Izabe didn''t fully grasp how deeply Casey loved her.


    He had been smitten with her from the very first nce, and no matter how she changed, he would fall for her again and again. No matter how many times he lost his memory or became foolish, the first look at her would always draw him in.


    irresistibly.


    Izabe''s lips curled into a smile, her eyes sparkling. That light was a reflection of Casey, the brightness in her eyes.


    She beamed at Casey, "A journey through thick and thin, I''m so blessed to have you. For the rest of our days, Mr. Dempsey, please take good care of me."


    It started with a first nce and would end only when they turned gray together.

 Chapter 566

    Lucas stood at the end of the red carpet, his eyes unwittingly brimming with tears as he watched Izabe glide towards the altar. He didn''t even realize he was crying until Presley, standing beside him with his usual stoic demeanor, quipped, "What''s with the waterworks?"


    Suddenly, Lucas''s sobs became uncontroble. Gasping for air, he choked out, "She looks just like my sister."


    Presley''s throat tightened, his own eyes reddening as he nced at Izabe on stage. "Too bad your sister''s gone."


    He knew his sister, Izabe, was no longer alive. This Izabe was just a stranger who happened to share her name, but for some reason, he couldn''t shake the feeling of their uncanny resemnce.


    The thought of his sister''s ashes drifting in the cold sea always tore at his heart. Over the years, he would still dream of her, of that fateful night in the underground casino when he left her behind, and she cried out for him desperately.


    "Lucas, are you really going to abandon me?"


    He had abandoned Izabe twice. The first time, she was just a little girl, about seven or eight, when he left her alone in the amusement park and went home by himself. Later that night, she returned on her own.


    He expected her to tell their grandfather, but she never did. Instead, she came down with a high fever and a rash thatnded her in the hospital.


    From that point on, she never went out with him alone again.


    Until that day in the gambling den, when he was caught and his captors threatened to chop off his hand. Despite the danger, Izabe came for him.


    Every time these memories surfaced, Lucas was consumed with regret. He looked at his severed right hand and thought he deserved it; it was the very hand that had pushed his sister away.


    Lucas once believed that losing a hand was the greatest pain he could experience. But it wasn''t until Izabe''s death that he realized the true agony was being utterly alone in the world, without any family.


    In his midnight dreams, he saw Izabe and their mother. His mother looked at him, sorrow and anger in her eyes, her voice trembling, "Why did you abandon your sister? Didn''t you promise to protect her for life? Why did you let other men hurt her?"


    He wanted to embrace her, but she pushed him away, shouting, "I have no son like you!"


    He would wake up terrified, tears streaming down his face, just like now, unable to stop crying.


    If only he had been kinder to Izabe, perhaps she wouldn''t have died; if he hadn''t left her in that gambling den, perhaps she wouldn''t have died; if he had paid more attention, known about her frequent hospital visits, perhaps she wouldn''t have died; if he had taken her away from Brett, perhaps she wouldn''t have died.


    It was only after her death that he learned from Presley that Izabe had been battling stomach cancer, undergoing treatments and endless tests all alone.


    She endured relentless abuse from Brett, lost a child, and was driven to depression while confined to a hospital bed.


    Lucas''s sister, the pride of the Salotti family, once the envied Ms. Izabe of R City, was driven to madness by those around her and died a tragic death in a fire far from home.


    "If only she hadn''t died, maybe she would''ve been this happy."


    But there were no "ifs" in life, and certainly no "maybes."Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Lucas looked up at the drones above, silently praying, "Mom, can you see her? I attended a wedding today, and the bride''s name is Izabe too. If only she were my sister."


    Sitting back at his table, Lucas drowned his sorrows in food and drink, his right prosthetic hand and his left hand skillfully navigating the meal.


    As the newlyweds came around to toast the guests, Lucas stood up. He didn''t want to stare at another woman, but he couldn''t help himself, his eyes drawn to Izabe beside Casey. He opened his mouth to speak but found no words.


    Presley, ever the first to break the silence, offered a toast, "Here''s to a lifetime of happiness."


    "Thank you," Izabe replied, her gratitude to Presley immense. It was because of him that she had found her way to this day, to Casey.


    Her gaze briefly met Lucas''s, devoid of surprise; she had known he would be there, a guest of the Dempsey family.


    When Izabe looked his way, Lucas''s hand trembled, and his voice faltered, "I wish you a lifetime of joy, the blessing of children, and blissful contentment."


    His feelings for Izabe were now little more than shadows, faded by time. Yet seeing him at her wedding, something gnawed at her heart-not painful, but bittersweet. "Thank you," Izabe said hoarsely.


    As she lifted her ss to drink, ready to turn away with Casey, Lucas called out to her.


    "Could you call me ''brother'' just


    once?" Lucas didn''t know what had possessed him to ask such a thing, as if someone else had taken control of his lips. After the words escaped, he regretted them, feeling the eyes of everyone at the table on him, as if he were the butt of a joke, wishing he could disappear.


    To the others, it probably seemed like a pathetic attempt to forge a connection.


    But the words were out, and Lucas, while embarrassed, didn''t backtrack, "Don''t get me wrong, I had a sister named Izabe too. She looked a lot like you, and when I saw you, I just 1 couldn''t help but be reminded of her. She was just as beautiful and aplished as you." In his heart, though, his own Izabe would


    always outshine any other. No one could everpare to his dear sister.


    Seeing Izabe''s silence, Lucas began to ramble, "I just I blurted out without thinking. I wasn''t trying to name-drop of anything, it''s just that I couldn''t hold it in. My sister passed away six years ago and I just started missing her." By the end, his voice was quivering with the onset of tears. It was mortifying, and he felt utterly embarrassed. If it weren''t for the inappropriateness of the asion, he would have turned on his heel and bolted. Everyone around him watched with indifferent eyes;


    no one stepped forward to ease his plight.


    With his head hung low, too ashamed to face Izabe, Lucas was about to stammer an apology, "I''m sor¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Izabe softly called out, "Brother."


    He stood frozen for a long moment, and by the time he collected himself, a gust of wind hade by, drying the tears at the corners of his eyes. When he looked up, all he could see was Izabe''s retreating figure; she was already walking away.


    Lucas, with eyes stinging, felt fresh tears spilling over, trailing down his cheeks.


    Beside him, Presley gave aforting pat on his shoulder.


    "Do you think when I''m old and gone, if I see Izabe, will she call me ''brother''? Will my sister forgive me?" Lucas asked, voiceden with hope and sorrow.


    Presley replied, "Maybe she''s already forgiven you."

 Chapter 567

    Only Liam was by Brett''s side now, tasked with managing his diet, daily routine, and treatment.


    Outwardly, everything seemed normal, but in truth, his lungs were beyond repair. Sometimes, when he looked at the X-ray images, he couldn''t help but wonder how a person''s lungs could be so hideously unrecognizable.


    Liam tried his best to keep the news of Izabe''s wedding from Brett, but Brett found out anyway.


    That was the thing about him - although he kept saying he''d moved on, he couldn''t help snooping for tidbits about her.


    Yet, Brett appeared indifferent, eating and drinking as usual, as if he didn''t care at all.


    Initially, Liam thought he really had let go.


    That illusion shattered when Brett, in a fit of pain, fainted and mumbled Izabe''s name in a delirious state, revealing he''d never stopped caring for a moment.


    "Izabe," he''d whimper in agony, his voiceced with grievance and a cry.


    When he woke up, Brett acted as if he''d forgotten he''d called out for Izabe.


    Liam asked him, "President Windham, have you truly let go?"


    "What are you talking about? I''ve moved on a long time ago," Brett replied with a nonchnt smile.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    But once Liam left, Brett stared nkly out the window at the barren branches, as though his soul had fled. What was unattainable would forever remain so, and what was gone would never return. Izabe had taught him how to love and be loved, but also a harsh truth: not every unrequited love finds an echo.


    Like a mirror shattered, not everything could be mended to its former state.


    Liam often asked, "Does it hurt?"


    Yes, it did. Not the lungs, but the heart.


    The pain surged violently, as if a de was repeatedly stabbing him from inside out, as if a rope was tightly wound and pulling taut, causing spasms that felt like his chest would split open. It was as if ants were gnawing away, dragging him into an endless abyss.


    Beyond the torment of his illness, insomnia inflicted its own agony, depriving him of sleep through the long nights.


    In frustration, he pped himself twice, the sound echoing eerily in the quiet night, the sting numbing his palms and face. It took moments for the numbness to reach his brain, his ears ringing. p!


    Brett hit himself again, cursing while seemingly immune to the pain.


    "You deserve it! You squandered her love!"


    p!


    "What right do you have to hurt?"


    p!


    "She doesn''t want you anymore. What''s the point in missing her so deeply? She was already too good to you."


    p!


    Histe-found deep affection was less than worthless, not even on par with gutter maggots.


    "She''s married now, to someone else. She doesn''t want me," Brett muttered as he clutched his chest, the fabric of his shirt twisted in his fist, sobbing uncontrobly and retching from the pain, crying for the firs time until he could hardly breathe.


    He recalled Izabe''s words that even when they had gotten their marriage certificate, he hadn''t reacted as strongly as he did at the sight of her wedding. Only then did he understand the meaning of the old adage: "Parting ways leads to happiness for both parties. Live safe and well, and they would not meet again."


    He was far from happy.


    The day of Izabe''s wedding arrived quickly, dominating the headlines and social media, with every outlet vying to spread the news far and wide.


    When Brett turned on his phone, he saw the notifications but didn''t click through.


    He wanted to see her onest time, but he knew he had no right. To Izabe, what was he?


    The most familiar stranger, a lifelong adversary. Their rtionship was as distant as it was close - ex-husband and ex-wife.


    He was acutely aware of the circumstances of their divorce; he had traded Izabe for Kaley''s safety. He knew how much pain and suffering Izabe had endured to get to where she was today. He had no right to disturb her.


    "Liam, I need a drink," Brett said.


    Liam, who was quietly organizing things, didn''t respond.


    Insisting, Brett added, "After all, today is a day of great joy for her."


    "President Windham, drinking now could be life-threatening. Besides, there''s no alcohol at home," Liam replied, having anticipated this moment and removed all the liquor from the house long ago.


    The harsh overhead light cast a


    pallor on Brett''s already sickly


    A?


    pronounced, his eye sockets deeply sunken, his frame devoid of any excess flesh, ribcage visible beneath his skin.


    "Living like this is pointless," he muttered, sustained by medication.


    "But you have to keep living, don''t you?"


    Brett gave a bitterugh. "You can go. I want to be alone for a while today."


    Understanding Brett''s frame of mind, Liam hesitated for a moment before leaving, giving Brett the solitude he sought.


    Once alone, Brett removed his oxygen mask and weakly made his way to theputer. The short walk left him shaking, and he gasped for breath as he sat down.


    He searched for Izabe''s name. As soon as he typed it in, the live feed of her wedding with Casey popped up.


    Someone had secretly recorded the event. After clicking through several links, he found a shaky, blurry live stream. Yet, he instantly recognized Izabe.


    The red dress suited Izabe, turning her into a dazzling vision.


    As he watched the overwhelming sea of red at the wedding, he remembered Izabe''s words: "Brett, you never tried to understand me."


    It turned out that Izabe had always liked this kind of wedding. The wedding dress ced beside the sofa looked out of ce.


    Perhaps it wasn''t that Izabe disliked the wedding dress he had chosen for her; maybe she just disliked him.


    The video continued to y on theputer, with congrattory messages scrolling underneath. Brett''s eyes caught ament as it slipped by.


    "What a beautiful couple."


    Brett''s lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile, remembering how he and Izabe were once praised as a perfect match.


    Izabe flinched at the sudden burst of noise as the fireworks rocketed into the sky; instinctively, she covered her ears. Casey, standing close by, wrapped his arms around her, gently cing his hands over hers to shield her from the loud booms.


    Before the eyes of all those


    gathered, the couple pledged their vows, exchanged rings, and sipped from a shared ss of sparkling champagne. They called out to their parents, gratefully epting the well-wishes and mary gifts From that moment on, Izabe was no longer alone; she had found a family that truly cherished her-someone tofort her when she was hurt, to hold her when she was cold, to sweeten her sorrows,


    and to ensure her life was filled with peace and happiness.


    The re of theputer screen bathed Brett''s face in a harsh, pale light.


    He couldn''t bring himself to watch the entirety of the wedding livestream. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, his eyes growing dry but refusing to close, until Izabe''s face appeared in full view. Only then did a fleeting spark of light flicker in his eyes.


    After a moment, Brett lowered his gaze to the ring on his finger, its simple elegance catching a faint shimmer under the light.


    Liam headed downstairs to instruct the chef to prepare a meal suited for the convalescent-dishes that were light and nd in vor.


    Brett, born and raised in J City, was used to the understated tastes typical of his hometown, where the emphasis was on the refinement of cuisine.


    The chef''s offerings, while appropriate for someone recovering and in line with Brett''s pte, failed to tempt him; he found them increasingly vorless with each bite.


    As Brett looked at the meal Liam


    brought in, memories of Izabe''s


    cooking flooded his mind. She used


    ??


    to whip up an entire spread each night, leagues ahead in taste and varietypared to these dishes, and she never failed to surprise him With a different menu and


    presentation.


    Despite the passage of time and the countless ces he''d been, sampling a myriad of vors across numerous restaurants, none had surpassed the taste of Izabe''s cooking. Back then, he had known true happiness.


    When Izabe loved him, she had given up her favorite spicy dishes, learning to craft meals that catered to the delicate tastes of J City.


    Now, ustomed as he was to ndness, he found himself craving the bold vors that Izabe had once adored.


    "I want something spicy. There''s just no taste in my mouth," Brett muttered.


    Liam set the tes on the table one by one, eventually handing Brett the fork in silence, as if to say, "Are you serious?"


    Taking the fork, Brett picked up a piece of steamed vegetable and chewed thoughtfully before remarking, "It''s tasteless, actually, it''s bitter."

 Chapter 568

    Liam remarked with a sigh, "Popping pills like they''re candy, of course you''re gonna have a bitter taste hangin'' around. Look at ya, tongue''s as white as a sheet."


    Brett took a deep breath, his gaze dropping to the bracelet sped around his wrist. The silver band with its tiny lock had once adorned Izabe''s delicate wrist, and now it felt oddly out of ce on his own. Initially, it had been too tight - a constant reminder of its presence. But over time, even the most ill-fitting things find a way to settle in.


    He could still remember that day, Izabe''s birthday, when shey in his arms, and he had fastened the bracelet around her wrist, telling her only he could unlock it.


    But in the end, it was a raging fire that imed Izabe''s life and tore the bracelet from her, leaving it to fall from her charred wrist.


    After swallowing another spoonful of soup, Brett nced at the sunlight streaming through the window.


    "It''s stuffy in here. Let''s crack a window, get some fresh air."N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    "It''s winter; opening the window will bring in a draft. You''re not at your strongest; you could catch a cold," Liam reasoned with patience.


    "But it''s sunny outside, how can it be cold? If you won''t open it, I will," Brett said, attempting to rise to open the window himself. Out of options, Liam reluctantly grabbed the remote and cracked the window open.


    As anticipated, a chill breeze swept through the room, making Brett shiver slightly. Indeed, even the gentlest winter wind can cut to the bone.


    Upon entering the room, Liam spotted the live stream still running on theputer, the camera circling the happy couple.


    Izabe''s sweet voice filled the air. "I vow to take Casey as my husband, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. I will forsake my own desires, betray my nature, to be loyal, to honor, to care for, and to support him. I will share my life with him, from first sight to our final days."


    It was a beautiful day, and Brett watched as Izabe blissfully married another man, his heart quietly wishing her all the happiness with her new love.


    He continued to sip his soup, not noticing the tears that mingled with the broth.


    There was nothing to be upset about, really. Everything had simply returned to the way it always was - he had nothing to begin with.


    After a few bites, Brett couldn''t eat anymore. His body was short on nutrients, and soon he''d have to be hooked up to an IV drip. The bags wererge, and the fluid ran slowly


    a full hour to administer. Even with the heater on, the cold would seep in, numbing his hands to the point he couldn''t even make a fist.


    Once Liam had stepped out, Brett moved closer to theputer. This time, he shut it down and set up a camera instead. Facing the lens, he chewed his lip, pondering what to say. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Let this be a message to myself at twenty."


    The Dempsey household, now under the care of Beck and Wendy, was settling down after the wedding festivities. Izabe had delegated her work responsibilities to enjoy a honeymoon with Casey, whose condition had improved, with fewer nightmares and sleepwalking


    episodes.


    On their return to Wye before the New Year, perhaps due to Bunny''s hearty holiday cooking, Izabe had put on a few pounds, her cheeks rosy and bright, free from stress; her days were filled with rest and good food.


    It was a Dempsey family tradition to have an annual health check-up, scheduled regrly. The thought of a hospital visit still scared Izabe, especially check-ups, remembering how years ago, an extensive exam which cost several hundred bucks led to a stomach cancer diagnosis.


    But this time was different. She wasn''t alone; her family was by her side, especially Casey.


    Sensing her anxiety, Casey squeezed her hand. "Don''t worry, love. You''re in fine health. There won''t be any bad news, and I''ll be with you every step of the way."


    She had to agree. Regr meals, exercise, she felt strong and healthy.


    Midway through the check-up, the doctor suddenly paused, causing Izabe''s heart to race again.


    Not just hers, the entire family looked on anxiously, Bunny especially. "Is there something wrong, Doc?"


    The doctor offered a reassuring smile. "No problem at all, I just wanted to ask you, Ms. Salotti, when was thest time you had your period?"


    Izabe was taken aback by the question.


    It was then she realized she had indeed missed her period. Always one to expect the worst, her mind didn''t jump to happy possibilities, and she grew tense.


    "It''s been a while," she admitted, her cycle sometimes irregr due to stress or hormonal imbnces.


    But this time, the wedding prep and honeymoon had filled her days, pushing such concerns out of mind.


    "Ms. Salotti, you''re seven weeks pregnant, and it appears to be twins."

 Chapter 569

    When the doctor''s words tumbled out, Izabe froze on the spot, her hand instinctively resting on her t belly where, unbelievably, two tiny lives were beginning.


    She was at a loss for words, standing rooted to the spot, her mind a whirl of emotions she couldn''t articte.


    From the moment the doctor had cheerily inquired about herst menstrual period, Casey had sensed something was up. Now, that vague premonition of surprise had crystallized into reality-a shocker of epic proportions.


    When life hits you with such monumental news, your first reaction isn''t to smile; it''s more like your soul has stepped out of your body, leaving your face expressionless. A buzzing noise rings in your ears, your brain goes nk, reality feels distant, and you''re trapped in a dream, afraid to react in case it all vanishes.


    Both of them were shell-shocked, but Bunny, who''d been through life''s big events, was the first to snap out of it and eagerly asked for confirmation, "Doctor, are you serious? Is Be really seven weeks pregnant? With twins?"


    The doctor chuckled, "Of course it''s true. I wouldn''t joke about something like this."


    "Son, did you hear that? Be''s pregnant. You''re going to be a dad to not one, but two little munchkins!"


    As Bunny''s words sank in, the surreal joy burst forth, flooding Casey''s heart with waves of happiness, threatening to overwhelm him.


    "Be, I''m going to be a dad," Casey stuttered, his voice cracking as tears glistened in the corners of his eyes.


    Seeing Casey''s emotional state, Izabe felt her own eyes welling up. Having lost two children before, it seemed the universe was giving her a second chance, filling the void in her heart.


    She didn''t know what to say, just stared at her t stomach, her breath quivering.


    "Casey, I''m going to be a mom."


    Casey wrapped his arms around her from behind, his hands gently migrating to her belly as if discovering a new world. His dark eyes shone with a fervor, his touch tender yet hesitant, as if afraid to disturb the miracle.


    His gaze locked on Izabe, his eyes full of promises, he whispered solemnly, "I swear on my life to protect you both. I''ll be the best husband and father I can be."


    Tears slipped silently down Izabe''s cheeks as she turned and embraced Casey.


    Bunny watched the young couple with a contented smile, then carefully checked on Izabe''s condition.


    Izabe was in good health, but carrying twins would be tougher than a single baby-nutrition had to be spot on. Bunny knew this all too well as a mother herself, but she grilled the doctor on every detail for Izabe''s sake.


    Back at home, Bunny shared the good news with Beck and Wendy. The family was overjoyed and nned a celebration.


    Instructions were given to the chef to prepare meals fit for an expectant mother. From then on, whatever Izabe ate, the family would eat, ensuring a nutritious diet. Although grown up in R City with a penchant for stronger vors, Izabe knew to eat in moderation, especially with spicy foods.


    As the first trimester, notorious for morning sickness, trudged on, Izabe hadn''t yet felt themon symptoms. She was mostly tired and preferred rest over activity.


    Casey, whenever he had a moment, would massage her, taking the ce of her physical activity.


    Furthermore, Casey had prepared a stack of pregnancy books-titles like "The Sears Pregnancy Encyclopedia," "Illustrated Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Early Parenthood," "The Complete Pregnancy Encyclopedia," guides for expectant fathers, andprehensive books for both soon-to-be moms and dads.


    These books became Casey''s daily ritual, as Izabe hadn''t turned a single page herself, leaving Casey to take notes.


    After work, Casey''s first concern was Izabe''s well-being, followed by a gentle kiss to her belly through the fabric, greeting their unborn children.


    Then he''d dive into the books. Being a quick study with a solid memory, he absorbed the contents after a few reads. Within a week, his notebook was filled with nearly two hundred pointers, and he carried a constant concern for Izabe''s safety.


    Monthly doctor visits became fixtures in their calendar, with Casey always making time to apany Izabe.


    Three months in, Izabe''s belly was


    noticeably rounder. The sight of it


    growing day by day, its gentle curve, filled Casey with awe and


    trepidation. He''d watched videos. and read up on twin pregnancies; the belly grew muchrger, the navel would stretch outward like an over-inted balloon, the underlying vessels bing visible.


    The thought of childbirth, where a woman''s body must amodate a passage as wide as a watermelon, sent shivers down Casey''s spine, The fear for Izabe''s safety overshadowed the excitement of fatherhood; the risk of childbirth was albtoo real, with history replete with tales of mothers lost inbor.


    But Izabe knew Casey''s worries without him voicing them. Their connection ran deep, beyond words. She approached him, wrapping her arms gently around him, "I know you''re worried about me, but believe me, won''t let anything dangerous happen. I''m looking forward to our children more than anything. To be a mother is an incredible thing, and I''m willing to pay the price. I have no


    regrets because they''re our babies."


    "Why can''t men be the ones to have babies?"


    The thought of Casey with a swollen belly made Izabe burst intoughter.


    "Stop worrying. I''m actually doing alright. I have a good appetite, I can eat and sleep, and I haven''t been nauseous."


    Their life together, now entwined with the uing arrival of their twins, continued on withughter, love, and a few quiet concerns, as they prepared for the journey of parenthood.


    Casey was silent, his head hung low, but Izabe''s few words offort seemed to have eased his worries a bit. He knew that all he could do was try his hardest to protect her, to be by her side. Pregnancy was one thing a man couldn''t share in its physical pain, no matter how much he wanted to.


    If it were possible, he''d have dly traded ces with Izabe, carrying the pregnancy himself.


    He had prepared some maternity essential oils, having heard that a gentle massage could help with stretch marks.


    Stretch marks were inevitable, after all. A growing belly resembled a balloon - once stretched and then deted, it never quite returned to its original form.


    Casey applied the oil gently on Izabe, from her belly to her legs, not even sparing her fingertips and toes.


    He did it with such care, like an archaeologist handling a priceless artifact, afraid that a single careless move could cause irreparable damage.


    Izabe let him apply the oils, watching her own belly swell with a newfound sense of contentment.


    If pregnancy was a journey of the heart, for Izabe it was a ride from disbelief and shock, to joyous eptance, and finally to a calm anticipation of the arrival of their twins. Casey, on the other hand, had started with the thrill of a windfall and had now settled into a tremulous caution. Just three months in, and he was already on tenterhooks. At first, when Casey saw the two tiny embryos on the ultrasound, he counted back the days to their first time having sex.


    He couldn''t believe they had hit the jackpot on their first try, and not just with one, but two! He had been as proud as a sharpshooter, his ears nearly wiggling with glee.


    He even gave himself a mental thumbs-up, whispering a self-congrattory "Good job!" inside his head.


    But as he learned more about pregnancy and childbirth, his smugness faded into apprehension.


    Having one child was painful and risky enough, let alone two.


    Just yesterday, Izabe had remarked how her pregnancy was going smoothly without much difort, especiallypared to other expectant mothers. The twins had been rather kind to her, not causing too much fuss, so she hadn''t experienced severe morning sickness in these past couple of months.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    And yet, today proved her wrong. Waking up with a tightness in her chest, brushing her teeth with the taste of toothpaste still in her mouth, she began to vomit. Nothing she ate seemed to agree with her; her back and waist ached, her legs felt like they had been drained of all strength.


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