I knew it. I knew things wouldn't go as smoothly as Irvin had confidently claimed. Something unexpected was bound to happen.I had told Irvin not to bring Ms. Plume along. I had even told him she had bullied me in the past and that she was close with Travis. I had also pointed out that something was amiss when Travis had singled her out.But Travis had insisted that Ms. Plume accompanied us. And just like how Irvin refused to let me go, he also declined sending Ms. Plume away. Not only that, he had handed me over to her without hesitation. He had allowed her to deliver me to Travis without a second thought.It seemed Irvin just didn't trust me. When it was between me and Julianne, he had implicitly trusted Julianne. And he did the same when it came to Ms. Plume.Ms. Plume was one of his subordinates who obeyed him without question. So, he believed she wouldn't act against him. He also assumed she wouldn't do anything to harm me.No, that wasn't right. It wasn't that he implicitly
Irvin had refused to let me go, no matter how much I begged him. So, before we left, I had requested the drug he had used on me.The drug was colorless and odorless. It had taken effect so fast that I hadn't felt a thing. And before I could react, my whole body had gone limp. I was also unable to speak.It was essentially a perfect sedative to use in an assassination.Irvin denied my request at first. He wanted me to believe in him and have faith that he wouldn't allow anything bad to happen to me. He insisted that I wouldn't need the drug to defend myself.But I didn't trust him. Not even an inch. I refused to believe him regardless of what he claimed.In the end, he conceded and gave me the drug. I didn't know if it was just to put me at ease or if he had other reasons.And sure enough, I was right to distrust him. He deserved every bit of it.I was the only person I could rely on to save me every single time.I felt the knife lower from my throat. That was when I knew the ri
The unexpected sound of Travis' voice startled me. Instinctively, I looked toward its source. That was when I noticed a flashing red dot on the headliner at the very back of the car. Seeing this made me realize that the car had been equipped with a remote monitoring device.Travis had been monitoring the car this whole time. That was how his men had shown up so quickly. They must have rushed over the moment I knocked out Ms. Plume and the other guy.My chances of successfully making it out of this alive were even slimmer now.Still, giving up was the same as dying. And I refused to just roll over and die. Not when I had a chance of surviving if I fought back. So, of course, I took my chances.Closing my eyes, I floored the accelerator. I charged straight into the motorbikes that blocked my way.My actions were reckless. Seeing this, they quickly reacted to save themselves. Those who were fast enough managed to swerve out of the way. And those who weren't abandoned their bikes and
Then, an idea hit me.I pulled out all the cash I had and tossed it everywhere on the ground, scattering bills, coins, and my watch, too. People naturally went for money or valuables. Every second counted, even if it bought me just a few extra seconds.Another second meant another chance to live.The desperate hunger to survive surged through me like never before, giving me strength I didn't even know I had. Despite my body being held together by screws and steel plates, I somehow clawed my way to the top of that damn mountain.But when I finally reached the peak, my heart dropped. It wasn't salvation waiting for me up there—it was a sheer cliff overlooking a lake.This would've been my golden ticket if I were the old me. I'd have jumped without even thinking twice. The lake wasn't frozen, even in winter, and looked deep. The odds of surviving that jump would have been way higher than sticking around and getting caught.But now, I was no longer who I used to be. With all the st
Julianne couldn't let this go on any longer. If she didn't stop this now, she'd have suffered all that pain and humiliation for nothing.She couldn't let that happen. There was no way she'd let him abandon her now—especially not to save me.With that thought in mind, Julianne desperately threw herself at Irvin. But unlike before, when he'd drop everything at the slightest sign of her discomfort, he didn't even flinch now. Instead of catching her in his arms, he simply stepped aside, letting her stumble.Then, he turned sharply and hurried out.From the moment he'd stormed in and found Julianne alone, he knew something was seriously wrong. If nobody else was there, it meant they'd all gone after Emilia. He needed to get to her—fast.As soon as he stepped outside, he immediately demanded answers from the security chief, Brody Silas, who stood beside him. "How's Emilia doing?"When Brody told him Ms. Plume's car had never actually stopped where the GPS tracker indicated—that the p
Julianne loved making Irvin choose between two options. Over the last two years, I'd been forced into that sick game more times than I could count. Each time, I secretly hoped he'd choose me—even when I knew he wouldn't. I couldn't help wishing that, just once, he'd prove me wrong. But every time, I ended up crushed.Now Irvin faced yet another choice. This time, I didn't let myself hope he'd pick me.Instead, I frantically scanned my surroundings, refusing to accept death without a fight. Even though I'd already decided I'd rather die than be captured and tortured, deep down, I wasn't ready to give up. Even as their footsteps drew closer, I desperately searched for a way out.And then, against all odds, I found one.Behind two massive trees, hidden beneath tangled weeds, was a tiny cave. It was barely noticeable—small enough that no one would think to look inside. It was a perfect spot to hide in.With my heart pounding, I quickly stripped off my down jacket, tore it up, and
A fresh wave of anxiety gripped me.Travis was sharp—smarter than the average man. He wouldn't have made it this far if he weren't. It wouldn't be easy to trick him.Before the thought had even fully formed, I heard Travis bark coldly, "Search every damn inch around here! She didn't jump!"One of his guys asked instinctively, "How do you know she didn't jump?""The last time she jumped off a cliff, she broke every bone in her body and spent three months bedridden," Travis snapped back. "There's no way in hell she'd put herself through that kind of agony again. She'd rather die first!"I froze, stunned. I never expected Travis to actually understand me this well."Look at her footprints—she's hiding somewhere close by. Turn this place inside out!" Travis yelled again.Travis had worked for Irvin long enough to know exactly how ruthless he could be. He knew he was as good as dead if he didn't catch me now.Because I'd had no time, the footprints I'd left were concentrated within
"Take every single one of them back!" Irvin shouted.With his single command, his men immediately seized Travis and everyone he had brought with him.Seeing how boldly he had Travis taken down without hesitation, I figured there was a good chance he had already rescued Julianne. Otherwise, he wouldn't be acting so confident. And Travis wouldn't be surrendering so easily.Just as I was thinking I could finally come out, I saw Irvin walk straight to the edge of the cliff. Then, without a word, he jumped. I stood there, completely stunned, unable to process what had just happened.No one saw it coming. Everyone on the hilltop stared open-mouthed, dumbfounded. Even Travis looked shocked at first, but then, he burst out laughing like a madman.Travis knew—he'd always known—that despite Irvin pampering Julianne, despite repeatedly hurting me for her sake, I was the one he loved most.And now, Irvin had jumped after me, hearing I'd gone off the cliff.Travis knew he was screwed eithe
"Ms. Quill, you—" Grace sputtered.From her expression, I could tell she wanted to say, "You really will say anything to save your pride. How will you get in if you won't follow us?"Just then, a few people walked out of the hall. At the lead was an elderly man with white hair.Upon seeing me, the elderly man's stern expression morphed into a smile. "Emilia! You're here!"I returned the smile and walked up to greet him, "Hello, Professor Weiss."I had met several influential figures during the Global Technology Forum in Lestoria. Among them, I had gotten along best with this man, Professor Richard Weiss.After exchanging pleasantries, Professor Weiss turned to Mitchell and asked, "Who is this man? What gives him the right to bar you from attending the conference and call you an academic fraud?"Professor Weiss was the biggest name in the physics field. He was someone everyone respected and dared not offend.Hearing this, Mitchell quickly explained, "It was a misunderstanding! I
"Of course!" Grace said.Moving to my side, she linked her arm with mine in a friendly gesture. It was as though we were on very good terms.She continued, "Not only is she an incredibly skilled researcher, but she's also my sister-in-law—which means she's also a member of the Hardwell family. So, Mr. Slate, any accusations of her being an academic fraud must be a misunderstanding!"Upon hearing how solemn Grace was, Mitchell couldn't help but look at me."If you aren't an academic fraud, then why would Ms. Calder say that about you?" he asked.I coolly returned his gaze. "That's a question for Ms. Calder, not me."Mitchell frowned and looked displeased. He clearly hadn't expected that answer.Grace turned to me and said, "Alright, Emi. Let's go inside together!"Her expression read, "Come on. I'll bring you in."Irvin didn't understand why I hadn't been allowed in despite having an invitation. He also didn't know why I had been mistaken for an academic fraud and was being bar
I looked down at my phone and was zooming in on the image of the data. But before I could even take a good look at it, Emma squeezed my arm."Holy crap! Emilia. Isn't that your ex-husband's brother!" she exclaimed.I instinctively looked up—just in time to see Irvin opening the car door and courteously helping Grace get down.Grace flashed a gentle smile at Irvin, then linked arms with him. To onlookers, that intimate gesture made them look like a loving married couple.I thought back to how Irvin had been near tears when we had met on the first snowfall of the season. Yet now, he was holding another woman's arm and playing the role of her devoted husband.I couldn't even describe how I felt at that moment.Then, I recalled how much Irvin had despised Grace before. Yet, in just a month, he managed to make it look like they were happily married. I feared it wouldn't be long before he began to feel sympathy for her. And then, per Grace's scheme, Irvin would eventually truly becom
William wasn't the type to repay a life-saving favor. So, for the past two years, Julianne had always wondered why he treated her so well and was especially attentive to her health.It was only after she returned to Claudeville that she finally understood.It turned out William had a sickly niece he cherished dearly—one whose survival depended on Julianne. Upon learning this, she suddenly felt she had the upper hand again.While she still couldn't figure William out entirely, she had come to understand him somewhat. She knew he would continue to tolerate her—for the sake of his sickly niece—as long as she didn't do anything out of line.To be clear, Julianne made my life difficult because she hated me. But as long as she didn't harm me, she knew no one would hold it against her. After all, William's niece needed her blood to live.The more she thought about this, the more pleased she became.I could see it plainly in her eyes. Her expression seemed to say that even after all thes
Seeing how determined I was, Emma didn't press any further.Just as we were about to leave in the car, another car pulled up beside ours. When I saw who stepped out of it, my eyes widened in shock.Emma saw them too and tugged at my sleeve in surprise. "Emilia, isn't that your ex-husband's brother and sister-in-law?"I was just about to say yes when Grace suddenly collapsed into Irvin's arms. He picked her up and rushed toward the hospital.Seeing this reminded me of how I had wished that Irvin would come and save me when I was drowning.I chuckled mockingly.Noticing something was off with me, Emma turned to me. "Emilia, what's wrong?"I withdrew my gaze. "Nothing."Then I told the driver to start driving.As the car drove out of the hospital, Emma stared at me. She hesitated at first, but then curiosity got the better of her "Emilia, looking at how you reacted to your ex-husband's brother… Is it true that he's actually not Timothy, but Irvin?" she asked.She had been with
Only after our car had driven far into the distance did William finally withdraw his gaze from Noah's car."Was Ms. Quill's assistant rescued?" he asked.Matthew immediately replied, "Yes, she's been taken to the hospital. She's out of danger."William hummed indifferently in response, then got into the car and left.…By the time I woke up in the hospital, night had already fallen.I was surprised to see Noah sitting at my bedside—surprised that I was still alive and that it was Noah who had come to save me.Seeing me awake, Noah stood up excitedly. "Emi, how are you feeling? I'll get the doctor!"I wanted to tell him I was fine, but my voice came out hoarse when I opened my mouth.Suddenly, I remembered something and quickly reached out to grab Noah before he could leave to call the doctor.Before I could even ask, he already knew what I was going to ask. "Your assistant's fine. She woke up even earlier than you," he said. Hearing that, I breathed a sigh of relief.Noah
Emma was also quite smart. Once she calmed down, she immediately understood what I meant. She wanted to say something, but I had already opened the car door and pushed her out.Seeing several people swimming toward us, I shoved her again, urging her to leave quickly.In the face of life and death, survival would become an instinct for everyone. So even though she didn't wish me harm or want to leave me behind, she swam away with tears in her eyes. Not long after she left, those so-called "rescuers" surrounded me.When they noticed someone had swum away, they exchanged hand signals underwater, planning to send some after her and others to capture me. Realizing this, I quickly pointed at myself, trying to tell them that I was the one they were looking for. Then I turned and swam in the opposite direction, hoping to lure them away and buy her more time to escape. But even though they understood my gesture, they didn't believe me. They still sent people after her.They were very
There was only one road from the airport to the city, and William's car was right behind ours.Matthew, who was driving, immediately sensed something was wrong when he saw our car suddenly accelerating at an alarming speed.He quickly said, "Mr. Ashford, something's wrong with Ms. Quill's car!"William, who was busy reading the documents, immediately looked up. His gaze darkened when he saw how recklessly the car in front was moving."Catch up with them!" he ordered. At that moment, his phone rang. It was Noah calling, and he sounded anxious on the other end. "Uncle Will, are you with Emi right now? I just heard that Madeleine is planning to kill her! "I don't know the exact plan, but I heard they're making a move on the way from the airport to the city. You need to be careful! I'm heading to the airport right now!"Noah's words made William's expression grow even darker. …While Emma was still processing the situation, I noticed something strange about the driver. If the
Just like that, we came back alive from the brink of death in an instant. It felt like we were in hell one moment and in heaven the next.Perhaps I was still too scared. So scared that even after the plane had stabilized for a while, I still couldn't find any strength in my body. I was still shaken by the fear and couldn't fully snap out of it.William was also holding me tightly the entire time, not letting go. The softness of my body in his arms stirred something in him that he couldn't describe. He instinctively didn't want to let go.It wasn't until a flight attendant knocked on the door to check on us that I finally returned to my senses.William also let go of me instantly. The sudden emptiness in his arms left him feeling rather hollow.He came to realize something, and his already deep gaze darkened even more, making it even harder to read.After the flight attendant tidied up the cabin and left, William, who had been perfectly fine and warm just moments ago, suddenly tur