Chapter2 Disparity

Eleven years ago, the Courtney family business had gone bankrupt. On their way back to deal with the aftermath, Amanda’s parents had been killed in a tragic car accident, leaving her, at 17, with no one to turn to. Grief-stricken and lost, Amanda had no choice but to crash an elite party, desperately seeking help from her parents’ old business partners.

But the only responses she received were cold rejections, mocking laughter, or lecherous gazes that lingered far too long on her body. Just when all hope seemed lost, Riley, a handsome and wealthy man drawing everyone’s attention, had stepped in to save her.

It was the first kindness Amanda had felt since her world had fallen apart. She began to believe that Riley Griffin, the man who stood at the top of the world, could be her lifeline, that he was a kind and gentle soul.

From that moment on, wherever Riley appeared, Amanda’s eyes would follow. She found herself drawn to him, captivated by his presence. When he smiled, she felt as though the distance between them shrank. When he was angry, she's desperate to find out what's gotten him down. She noticed how impeccably he dressed, always in sharp, tailored suits. Every move Riley made tugged at Amanda’s heart.

It didn’t take long for Amanda to realize she was hopelessly in love with him. And falling for Riley—well, that was the sweetest kind of happiness Amanda had ever known.

After graduating from college, Amanda joined Griffin Corporation, hoping to stay close to him. Besides, the Griffin Group was a company everyone dreamed of working for. Amanda worked hard—she had always been a top student and had accumulated plenty of experience during her university years. Before long, she became Riley’s most trusted chief secretary.

Amanda was going to hide her love for the simple reason that there's a huge gap in their status and there are too many excellent girls around him. But one night, after they both smashed, things changed. They ended up in bed together. 

The next morning, looking at Riley’s handsome face, Amanda recalled the rumors about him needing a wife and, on impulse, asked, “If you need someone to marry… I could be that person.”

To her surprise and delight, Riley had agreed, without much hesitation at all.

She had worked at Griffin Corporation for five years and had been married to Riley for three. 

Amanda once believed that Riley must be love her. After all, he had plenty of choices, and he didn’t have to marry a woman he hated. But that single phone call from Faye Aiken takes all the fond memories away. Amanda feels like she's just a clown and everything she does is for pleasing them.

Now that Riley has left, there’s no reason for her to stay in this empty villa. 

Amanda usually lives in an apartment near her office, a place which is small but cozy, a place quite different from this large but empty villa. Every time she comes here alone, a profound sadness will creep into her heart. The villa is unadorned, and the scenery outside is nothing special—just the same view she can find anywhere. Amanda cannot feel a sense of belonging here; deep down, she didn’t believe this is her home.

Just as she is about to stand up, an excruciating pain rips through her body, causing her to collapse onto the floor.

At that moment, warm blood starts to trickle down her legs, staining the pristine white wool carpet beneath her. The sight is horrifying.

Amanda gasps in terror.

She tries to get up, but every small movement sends waves of searing pain through her body. Gritting her teeth, she reaches for her phone on the table, her voice trembling as she speaks.

“Riley, I’m sick. Could you take me to the hospital?”

“Amanda, stop being unreasonable,” Riley interrupts her roughly. The background is so noisy that it’s really hard for Amanda to hear Riley’s voice. Absolutely, Riley’s in the same boat. He doesn’t even seem to hear what she has said.

Amanda’s body is drenched in cold sweat as the blood continued to flow. Her emotions, hold tightly in check until now, finally break free, and she cannot help but sob.

“Riley, I kid you not, and I’m bleeding heavily. Please, please come get me!”

“You were fine when I left, and now, all of a sudden, you’re having issues? Amanda, do you even think twice before you lie?” Riley gives Amanda the cold shoulder and doesn't seem to care about her at all. His words are like a slap in her face.

The word “lie” is like a sharp knife, stabbing Amanda right in the heart.

But she doesn’t have the strength to argue. Tears streams down her face as she chokes out one final plea.

“I’m not trying to deceive you… I’m really bleeding a lot. If you don’t come soon, I’m afraid I might…”

There’s a brief pause, a moment of hesitation on the other end of the line. But it’s fleeting.

“Stay—”

“Mr. Griffin, Miss Aiken has regained consciousness!”

A stranger’s voice comes through the phone, and without a second thought, Riley hangs up. The cold, repetitive beeping of the disconnected call is like a death knell to Amanda. She can feel her consciousness slipping away, the pain drowning out everything else, as she descends into darkness.