Chapter 3

Even with all my composure, the sight of them laughing and mocking me made my expression darken. I wiped the smile off my face and looked at these people with a slightly stern expression.

Just then, Samuel hurried over and shoved a bank card into my hand.

"I've got several tens of thousands on this bank card. Get yourself some decent clothes with it. The password is my birthday. You still remember it, don't you? Take the money and leave the exhibition right now. Don't embarrass me in front of the big shots."

It had been seven years. Ever since I walked away from him at graduation, I had wiped him completely from my memory, let alone remembered his birthday.

All of a sudden, he leaned close to me and whispered, "I know you're still deeply in love with me. But don't bring what happened in the past life into this one. I have my own life now, and you should go find your own happiness."

I lifted my head and stared at him, observing how foolishly naive he was.

In my past life, I had gotten married to him straight out of college.

After that, he started chasing his dream of becoming an artist, but kept hitting dead ends because no one wanted his paintings. I stayed by his side without ever giving up, using the money I made from writing novels to support his artistic ambitions.

As time went on, he grew increasingly dejected and began staying home all day. He never earned a single cent and just kept fantasizing about becoming a famous artist. He even drained every last penny of the savings I had set aside for our future child.

Later, when he wanted me to buy him an expensive set of paints, and I turned him down because we couldn't afford it, he flew into a rage and beat me.

Then, he had the nerve to say, "You know what? If I had married Sienna back then, I wouldn't be stuck living this miserable life with you. You're the one who ruined my dream of being an artist!"

He stopped painting altogether and spent his days drinking at home. I would cry quietly in the middle of the night because of how much he had changed. The passionate, aspiring artist I once knew was gone.

He blamed all of his failures on me for forcing him into marriage, saying, "Every artist was held back by marriage. If it weren't for you, I would already be a famous artist."

In our years of marriage, he refused to have a child with me and wouldn't even touch me. Then one day, he flew off to find Sienna, and the plane crash took both of our lives.

But when death came, I felt no fear. Instead, I felt an immense sense of relief. At last, I was free from his pressure and constant insults.

Then, after we were both reborn, we never bothered each other again. We went our separate ways, owing each other nothing and never interfering with each other's lives.

I silently pushed away the bank card he offered and looked straight into his eyes. "No thanks. I don't take things from strangers."

Samuel's eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you just say, Isabella? Everyone knows you were obsessed with me back in college!"

Unable to stay silent any longer, I shot back, "Don't be ridiculous. Back in college, you used to secretly paint a portrait of me every single day. You said you would never forget what I looked like for the rest of your life."

Samuel's face instantly flushed red. He pointed at me and roared, "Stop making things up, Isabella! You were the one who was obsessed with me! You made all of that up in your head! You claim I painted you every day? Well, where's the proof?"

After I decided to leave Samuel for good, I threw away everything related to him. All the paintings he had given me were burned to ashes.

Sienna chimed in from the side, "Stop slandering him. With the way you look, do you think Sam would ever be interested in you? If you can't produce the evidence, then stop spreading rumors!"

The crowd nodded in agreement.

In terms of appearance, I was in no way inferior to Sienna. It was just that what I was wearing that day hid my appearance, giving Sienna the upper hand.

After everyone finished gossiping, a man actually stepped forward and shamelessly reached out to grope me. "Say, you don't exactly look ugly. Here's the deal—you make me happy today, and I'll make sure you're well rewarded. After all, a desperate young lady like you is only good for one thing anyway."

I immediately slapped his hand away and glared at him fiercely. Rejected, he flew into a humiliated rage and lunged at me.

Fortunately, Samuel yelled at him sharply, "Stop it! Mr. Dalton will be arriving soon. I don't want him walking in and seeing such a scene!"

Only then did the man reluctantly back off, shooting me a provocative look as he did so.

Samuel went on, "The painting that Mr. Dalton has his eyes on is one I poured my heart and soul into for many years. It's the largest piece here."

Then, he pointed at the large painting covered with a white cloth. A complicated emotion flickered in his eyes as he glanced at me.

Sienna then said, "Mr. Dalton will be here any second. Everyone, quiet down. Don't make fools of yourselves."

The crowd straightened up at once, waiting respectfully for Frederick's arrival.

Just then, a young girl came skipping into the exhibition hall with three bodyguards following closely behind her.

People began whispering among themselves.

"That girl has the air of a rich heiress. She has got to be Mr. Dalton's daughter."

"Exactly. And she has three bodyguards following her! Who else but Mr. Dalton would have that kind of entourage?"

The girl spotted me right away and ran toward me excitedly. She opened her arms and said, "Mommy!"