"Millicent! You've become so cruel! Lianne is in the emergency room fighting for her life, and you still dared to hang up on our calls!"Aside from Irvin's repeated calls, my parents also took turns calling me, but I didn't answer any of them.Before I could step away, Irvin moved in front of me, blocking my mom from hitting me."Mom, don't be angry. Emi is here now."The tall and sturdy Irvin blocked my mom completely, making sure she couldn't reach me at all.If this had been before, I would've been touched to see him protect me like that, but now, I just wanted to let out a cold snort."Irvin, stop protecting her! She clearly wants to kill Lianne! Lianne's in the emergency room, fighting for her life… Her life is clearly hanging by a thread!"My mom was so angry that her whole body was trembling.It seemed like Julianne was really on the brink of death. Being cold-hearted and ruthless, I still wanted to push her over the edge,If she were really dying, how could there still
Irvin was very furious, wearing a grim expression. He couldn't understand how I, who had always been obedient, considerate, and centered around him, had suddenly become like this.My parents looked like they were about to rush over and scold me, but I shot them a warning glance. It seemed to say, "You don't want me to divorce Irvin, do you?"They got the message instantly. Their steps faltered, and instead of berating me, they turned to Irvin with anxious expressions."Irvin, just agree to the divorce! Lianne doesn't have time to wait!""Yeah, Irvin, please! If you keep stalling, Lianne… she might not make it…"Irvin didn't say a word. He clenched his fists so tightly that the veins bulged in a terrifying way.His silence was testing my patience. I couldn't help but push him."Come on, Mr. Sawyer! Hurry up! Lianne's still in the emergency room, barely holding on. She's waiting for you to save her. Do you know that we need to save her life? Don't you forget that she saved you bef
I knew that no matter how much Irvin didn't want to, he would eventually sign. After all, his precious Lianne was dying, and there was no time to waste.On the other hand, Mom was very anxious when she heard Julianne couldn't wait any longer. She clung to Irvin's arm, begging him desperately to save her. Honestly, she was just one step away from grovelling to his feet.Her performance was so convincing she could've won an award.Sometimes, I really have to hand it to Julianne. She managed to make Mom, who's usually cold and heartless even toward her own daughter, treat her like she was the most precious person in the world.That kind of talent wasn't something just anyone could have.As expected, even though Irvin didn't want to do it, he eventually signed the divorce papers.When he was done, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was enraged. It was a really terrifying sight.I had always been someone who appreciates money, so I could understand the pain he felt. Having to suddenly g
I looked at him seriously and said, "I'm not playing around. Everything I said is the truth. If you don't believe me, you can check."Irvin met my serious gaze, and at first, it seemed like he couldn't believe I was actually lying so confidently. Then, a surge of intense anger flashed in his eyes."Emilia, you made me sign the divorce papers when Lianne was in danger. I already signed it, and now you're still doing this? Do you want her to die that badly?"He thought I was lying. He believed that after I got him to sign the divorce papers, I was suddenly backing out and refusing to donate blood.He had always thought that the three months I spent in the hospital were just a tantrum, that I hadn't really been hurt.If someone didn't love you, how little must they care about you? We had known each other for eight years, been married for four, and even worked side by side on our careers with such great harmony.Yet, he firmly believed that I, someone who hated going to the hospita
When Irvin saw my face becoming pale instantly, a bloodthirsty and cold smile formed on his lips. He said, "Emilia, don't think I'm still that fool from back then. I won't let you toy with me like that again!"His words obviously carried another meaning, but at that moment, I had no energy to figure out what he was insinuating. When had I ever treated him like a fool and toyed with him?All I could think about was what to do next.I had anticipated that they wouldn't allow Julianne to use my blood because it was "impure", but I hadn't expected Irvin—ever the shrewd businessman—to go to such lengths.Even though my blood was useless, he insisted on drawing it.As I considered whether to take the gamble to sever this marriage at my mortal peril, Mom spoke up for me unexpectedly. "Irvin, I know you're angry. Trust me, I feel the same way too. But no matter what, I once carried Millicent for ten months in my womb. Since her blood is practically useless, don't force her to draw i
"Emilia, I wish I had never met you in this lifetime!" Irvin exclaimed.He looked at me like I'd done something that deeply wounded him. It seemed like I'd hurt him so much that he was ready to completely give up on me.For a moment, that pain in his eyes tugged at my heartstrings despite myself. But I showed nothing on the outside. Instead, I smiled at him and said, "Right back at you."I wished I'd never met him in this lifetime too. If I hadn't married him, I might still be in the lab, chasing my dreams, with a healthy body to boot. Unlike now… I was scarred all over, inside and out.Upon hearing my reply, Irvin suddenly laughed. His laughter was hearty and almost hysterical. "Fine! You're really something, Emilia!"He thought back to the time when I loved him. I went to great lengths and was willing to do anything. But when I no longer loved him, I seemed to despise even the person I used to be.Irvin was aggrieved by the fact that I was so heartless.He had once firmly beli
Claudeville was a city located toward the north, so its winters tended to be chilling. Today, it was even snowing. I wore wool thermal clothing, stuck on several heat packs and even added a down vest in the middle. Then, I topped it all off with a long down coat that almost reached my ankles. Yet, I was still shivering.I had always been sensitive to the cold. After getting severely injured, the cold affected me even more. But even as I trembled from the cold, I was in such a good mood that I felt like humming a joyful tune. When I arrived at the courthouse and saw there was still plenty of time, I happily went into a nearby coffee shop. After I picked a seat by the floor-to-ceiling window, I ordered a cup of coffee and a sandwich for breakfast. As I ate, I enjoyed the snowy view outside.I feared the cold but had an inexplicable fondness for snowy days. Ending this horrible marriage and starting a new chapter in life on a snowy day, which I loved most, was a pretty good sign to
As the man spoke, he even stepped forward, trying to pull me toward him.I frowned and instinctively wanted to step back. I felt deeply uncomfortable about getting dragged into their game.But before I could do so, Irvin pulled me into his arms with one swift motion. His expression was frigid as he growled, "Get lost!"The man opened his mouth as if to retort. But when he met Irvin's terrifying gaze, he didn't dare say another word. He even instinctively retreated.In the next moment, he regained his composure. In an attempt to deflect his embarrassment, he muttered under his breath, "If you still care about her so much, why bother getting divorced?"Although everyone around agreed that it was inappropriate for the man to involve another woman in his argument with his soon-to-be ex-wife, they couldn't help but feel that he'd made a valid point. If Irvin cared so much, why were we getting divorced?Under their scrutinizing gazes, I pushed against Irvin. I didn't want to be so clos
"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