Chapter 4

In the hospital emergency room, the doctor cut open the clothing on my back and sucked in a sharp breath.

"Severe scald burns, combined with a serious allergic reaction. You need to be admitted immediately for wound debridement, or you're at extremely high risk of infection."

I gritted my teeth, cold sweat covering my forehead. "Doctor, just give me some basic treatment and an injection to numb the pain. I still have something I need to do."

The doctor frowned. "Are you trying to die? Burns this severe can lead to sepsis at any moment."

"Please."

Half an hour later, I dragged my feverish, badly burned body into a taxi and headed to the luxury hotel where Jolie had shared her location.

On the way, I called the police. I reported a suspicion that illegal transactions were taking place inside the hotel.

The officers arrived quickly and accompanied me to knock on the door of Jolie's suite.

The door opened.

August stood there in a loosely tied bathrobe, water still dripping from his hair. When he saw me standing outside with the police, his expression turned ugly.

The officers showed their badges and walked straight into the room.

On the large bed, Jolie was wrapped in a blanket, her clothes disheveled and her face full of alarm.

Several empty sleeping-pill bottles lay scattered across the nightstand, but they contained vitamins instead.

After inspecting the scene and asking a few routine questions, the officers left.

The moment the door closed, August completely lost it.

"Gemma, what the hell is wrong with you? Calling the police to search a hotel room? Are you trying to destroy my reputation?"

He charged at me and grabbed me by the collar.

The wounds on my back were violently pulled open, and blood immediately soaked through the bandages.

I stared at him coldly. "She swallowed sleeping pills to kill herself? She looks more energetic than anyone I've ever seen."

Jolie climbed off the bed, crying so hard her face was streaked with tears. "Gemma, you've misunderstood. I was just frightened. August was only comforting me."

August protectively moved in front of her. "Why are you even explaining yourself to her? Gemma, you owe Jolie an apology. Right now. Do you have any idea how much psychological trauma you caused her by bringing the police here?"

He pressed down on my shoulders, forcibly pushing me toward the floor. "Beg her forgiveness!"

The bandages on my back split completely. Blood streamed down my spine and dripped onto the expensive carpet.

The excruciating pain made my vision blur, but I bit down hard on my lip and summoned every ounce of strength I had to break free of his grip.

I pulled a document I'd already signed from my bag and hurled it straight at August's face.

"August, these are the divorce papers. I'm not giving up a single cent of my share of the marital assets. I'll see you in court."

The sharp edge of the paper cut his cheek.

August froze, staring at the divorce papers on the floor. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but arrogance quickly covered it.

"Gemma, you think waving a piece of paper around will scare me? Fine. Let's see what you amount to once you're no longer with me."

I didn't look at him again. I turned and walked out of the room without hesitation.

The cold air in the hallway washed over me, and my entire body began to tremble uncontrollably.

I dragged my heavy steps toward the hotel lobby.

My fever had reached 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Every breath felt as though a knife were slicing through my lungs.

I sank onto a sofa in the lobby and took out my phone.

I gathered the hospital's burn injury report, the police incident record, and the evidence tracing the transfer of the ten million dollars used to purchase the apartment.

I also included high-definition video footage from the exit of Crownspire Palace showing Jolie wearing the amethyst pendant engraved with my name.

I bundled everything together and hit send.

The recipients were every alumni group chat, the group for August's business partners, and the Cross family's extended-family chat.

The progress bar crept slowly across the screen.

98%... 99%... 100%.

Sent successfully.

Almost at the same instant, I heard a series of shrill, continuous vibrations coming from August's room upstairs.

Countless tags, accusations, and screenshots flooded his phone.

I stared up at the dazzling crystal chandelier overhead.

My vision gradually blurred. My phone slipped from my hand and struck the marble floor.

Everything went black, and I lost consciousness.