Gritting her teeth in silence, Macie glared at the deranged man before her.A rabid dog, a manic lunatic, a complete psychopath—none of those words seemed sufficient to describe Edward.The door was locked, reinforced with two extra security locks, and Edward himself stood guard beside it, refusing to budge.Macie turned back to her room, choosing to ignore the deranged man entirely.Edward's expression softened slightly when he saw her enter her room. Moments later, a box was thrown out of the room. He clenched his teeth in frustration but made no move to pick it up.After the noise settled, Sharon carefully opened the door of the guest room and stepped out.Spotting the necklace on the floor, she picked it up, then turned her gaze to Edward standing by the door. She approached him and uttered, her tone gentle and considerate, "Ed… You must have misunderstood May. She loves you so much, after all.""Misunderstood?" Edward let out an angry scoff. "For two years, she hasn't socia
Edward drove Sharon to the hospital. After a round of examinations in the emergency room, Sharon lay on the hospital bed with her eyes closed in discomfort."Doctor, what happened to her? She only said she felt dizzy and unwell before fainting," Edward asked."Her vital signs are normal, and her heart rate is stable. It seems that she inhaled a small amount of gas, which caused her dizziness," the doctor replied.Edward froze for a moment at the mention of gas. He wondered if that strange smell he noticed when opening the door was natural gas."An accident at this hour is most likely due to a gas leak. You should report it immediately and have it inspected. If too much gas accumulates, it could lead to an explosion," the doctor warned seriously.Hearing the word "explosion", Edward suddenly remembered something."Macie! Macie is still at home!"As soon as the words left his mouth, he bolted for the exit. But just then, a weak cough came from the hospital bed."Ed..."Edward
"What about the woman with wavy hair? You have to save her, too!" the elderly neighbor called out again."I already sent her to the hospital earlier," Edward replied hastily, not catching her intention to pry for information. Without saying another word, he disappeared from sight.Behind him, the small group of onlookers exchanged glances, their faces lighting up as if their guesses had been proven right.They learned that the one who lived there permanently was actually his wife. Then the other woman must be...And it seemed that the man clearly knew about the gas leak. Otherwise, why would he have sent that woman to the hospital first?He even left his rightful wife to get out on her own and collapse at the door.They thought that Macie's situation was pathetic and pitiful.The man was handsome, but who knew that he was such a heartless, unfaithful scoundrel!…Edward sped toward the nearest hospital, calling Macie three or four times on the way, only for the calls to go una
For two patients to be rushed in for gas poisoning…The nurses, now well aware of what might have transpired, cast disgusted looks at the man in question.While Edward had rushed here in a panic, he was the one who only saved the mistress first when the accident happened. They didn't see the point of him pretending to be devoted now that his wife was still unconscious.That morning, Edward had taken leave from work and had waited outside the hospital room for an extended amount of time. He hadn't even gone to check on Sharon.Sharon eventually came looking for him. When Edward snapped out of his thoughts, he quickly helped her take a seat."How is May? It's all my fault. I passed out and didn't manage to wake her up." Sharon looked remorseful."It's not your fault. You're a victim, too," Edward said."Has the cause been investigated? Was there a gas leak?" she asked."No. They suspect that the flame went out while the gas stove was still on," Edward said, pressing his lips toge
"I'm seeing a side of her I never knew. She's vicious!" Edward stated.Hearing his furious rant, Sharon, who was sitting beside him with her head lowered, let a small smile flicker across her lips before quickly suppressing it.Although Edward had taken the whole day off, he returned to work by noon.Sharon remained at the hospital. Although she had regained consciousness, she still felt a little dizzy. Having hospital staff take care of her reassured Edward.Because of this incident, Edward was enveloped in a dark, brooding mood.Macie, driven by jealousy toward Sharon, had gone insane. She had caused a gas leak that could have killed all of them, even himself. She was nothing short of a terrorist!Nathan quickly noticed his boss' foul mood. Within an hour that afternoon, Edward had already lost his temper three times. Bracing himself, Nathan asked about it while retrieving some documents.While subordinates weren't supposed to pry into their boss' personal matters, knowing wha
"Miss, if anyone asks if I'm awake, just say that I woke up and fell asleep again," Macie said.The nurse looked at her and nodded despite thinking that Edward probably wouldn't ask.Macie was in a private hospital room. She lay in bed, staring blankly out the window.She wanted to leave and go far away from those two despicable people. She couldn't understand why they still had to torment her when she would be leaving in just three days.Only three days left. No, two.She could finally leave tomorrow.Macie closed her eyes. She had already packed everything. Now, she just wished time would pass faster.At noon, an unexpected visitor arrived.It was Nathan."Mrs. Fowler, how are you?" Nathan greeted. He brought a fruit basket with him. "Mr. Fowler asked me to check if you were awake."Macie remained expressionless and didn't feel like responding. The mere mention of Edward filled her with hatred."As long as you're okay, Mr. Fowler can rest easy. He's actually very worried a
Edward was deep in thought when a knock on the office door interrupted him. It was Nathan."Has she woken up?" Edward asked as soon as Nathan stepped in."Yes," Nathan replied. "I also spoke with the nurse about Mrs. Fowler's condition. She's recovering well and no longer needs oxygen, but she's still easily fatigued."Edward showed no reaction, his expression remaining cold and unreadable. He didn't show the slightest trace of relief or joy at the news. Nathan observed him for a few moments before turning to leave. But before he could step out, Edward spoke again."Find a place.""A place?" Nathan paused, puzzled."Decent environment, high security, private, and fully furnished." Edward listed his requirements succinctly. Nathan couldn't help but wonder if Edward was planning to move out with that mistress of his."Understood. I'll start looking," he responded, nodding.Just as he reached the door, Edward's voice came again."Did she say anything else?"Nathan halted, turn
Even if Macie had shown him the evidence, Edward would have defended Sharon. After all, love made one blind. Whatever Sharon did was correct in his eyes, while Macie was someone he loathed and wished dead.A bitter smile tugged at Macie's lips. Two years of devotion, and all she got in return was a death sentence from him.Meanwhile, Sharon had already taken a cab home and contacted a tech expert. She found that Edward's study computer was password-protected and tried entering her birthday.A second later, the device was unlocked. Her lips curled into a smug smile. Both Edward's computer and phone passwords were tied to her. If this wasn't love, what was?Sharon instructed the technician to erase the security footage. After the latter completed the task, she asked, "Is it completely wiped?""Relax. Even the cloud backup is gone," he assured her.Satisfied, Sharon let out a relieved hum. She thought, "Macie, you're as foolish as ever. You practically handed me this information. I
"Get out of my way! I'm going to a business meeting! If this causes a delay, can you afford to pay the penalty for breach of contract?" Edward snapped viciously.The bodyguards hesitated, doubt flickering on their faces. They wondered if Edward was really headed to a meeting. They questioned when a meeting had ever been that urgent without a heads-up from his assistant."Still not letting me through?" Edward barked again.The bodyguards exchanged looks and decided to follow him just in case."So this is why you've been behaving lately. You're being watched." Sean's mocking voice came through the phone."It's none of your damn business," Edward coldly retorted. "Is Macie hurt?" he asked.In the police station lobby, Sean looked at the woman now standing just outside the main doors and said, "Of course she's hurt. Think about it—your girlfriend sent three men to abduct her.""Sharon is not my girlfriend! Don't disgust me!" Edward snapped. "Is Macie seriously hurt? Where is she hur
Edward froze when he heard Sharon's name. He pressed his lips together and replied over the phone, "No. I have nothing to do with her."The finality of his words made Sharon break down completely, her sobs choking her voice."Yeah, sure. Who would believe that? Weren't you the one who made headlines with her in all those gossip scandals?" Sean sneered.Edward clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, replying weakly, "That was all a misunderstanding.""I don't care whether it was or not. Five million dollars. Transfer it now," Sean said."In your dreams! Whoever caused this incident should pay. Don't come to me like I'm some kind of lapdog!" Edward snapped. "I have nothing to do with Sharon anymore. We're done. Completely."He said it with complete determination, his tone cold and devoid of any emotion. And because the phone was on speaker, Sharon heard every word loud and clear. Her tears flowed even harder."Edward…"Her sobs hung in the air, but Edward's expression remained
Sharon's face turned pale under Sean's intense questioning. She trembled and stammered, "N-No, I didn't. I swear, I never meant for it to go that far. I just wanted to scare Macie into staying away from Edward. How could I do anything illegal? I'm a good person."Sean looked at her. He thought that if she truly were a good person, then everyone else in the world must be evil."Either resolve this with compensation or face it in court. Your choice," Sean said, throwing the decision to her.Sharon couldn't bring herself to say a single word about going to court. She didn't dare to. If Sean were to get involved, she would lose and probably have to pay even more. If he made this situation public, it would ruin her career. There was nothing to gain and everything to lose.After weighing all her options, Sharon clenched her teeth and asked the man, "Can I pay less? I can't come up with five million dollars."She turned on the charm, tears brimming in her eyes as she played the pity card
Sean thought that Edward was truly scum. Alice had said that the one who stirred up trouble that day was Edward's ex-girlfriend—the same woman he had flaunted publicly as his mistress while still married.Now, Macie and Edward were divorced, yet the mistress still showed up in front of the ex-wife, while Edward just stood by and did nothing. Sean really thought that Edward was a piece of trash.Not long after, the officer from the interrogation room emerged again, this time with a few others."Mr. Hart, Ms. Hart, Ms. Smith," he addressed them. "Surveillance footage confirms that the suspect was the first to lay hands on Ms. Smith and made a deliberate attempt to drag her into a car by the roadside. This establishes criminal intent."Also, our investigation confirms that the three men were not the suspect's bodyguards, but were hired by her. They've admitted to receiving payment from the suspect to abduct Ms. Smith."Alice immediately said, "I knew it! Sharon was still making excus
Alice knew that her own injury wasn't even worth mentioning, so she walked over to Macie and tugged up the sleeve of her shirt. She stated, "Look at this. May's arm is going to be all bruised by tomorrow."Sean looked at the woman Alice had pulled over. Her fair, slender arm was covered in several glaring marks. It was evidently caused by someone grabbing her forcefully. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.Macie felt uneasy under his stare and quickly pulled her sleeve back down. But the moment she did, Alice yanked it up again and turned toward the officers."Look at this. Does that woman look like she came just to talk things out? If she only wanted to talk, why did she get physical?"The officers glanced at Macie's arm. Just then, Sean's voice cut in, cold and sharp. "My sister and her friend were attacked. I hope your station handles this seriously and doesn't let the perpetrators walk away unpunished."The officers turned to Sean. The man had an overwhelming presence. Eve
"Who could possibly beat you?" Sean asked.Alice snapped, "I'm not joking! Edward's ex-girlfriend ambushed me and May, and she brought three thugs with her! May and I both got hurt! And they ruined my favorite handbag!"Sean furrowed his brow when he heard this. Alice kept going on, full of grievance and rage, until he cut in, saying, "Send me the location of the police station."Alice hung up and saw that the police had already arrived. They had come just in time.Sharon and the three men were all caught. Not a single one got away.The three of them headed to the nearby police station. It was the same one as before. Macie and Julian were already familiar with the place.In the lobby, Alice sent Sean the location. The three gave their statements while Sharon and the men were taken into an interrogation room.When they finished, one of the officers came out to mediate. "Ms. Emerson said that those men are her bodyguards. She claims that she wasn't trying to abduct anyone. It seem
When Macie heard that Edward had driven Sharon away, she was a little surprised. Alice was even more shocked, but Macie quickly said coldly, "I really did get divorced. He's the one who keeps pestering me. We're going to court next week." She glanced at Sharon. "Once that's over, Edward and I will have nothing to do with each other. Don't believe me? Come to the court yourself."Sharon frowned when she heard that, clearly unconvinced.What if they went to court and the divorce didn't go through? Then she would just end up being played yet again."May's right. She and that scumbag Edward are definitely getting divorced," Alice said mockingly. "You're the only one who still treats him like he's some kind of prize. No one else gives a damn. "You two had better lock it down. When you get married, I'll show up with a gift and wish you all the happiness in the world."Sharon shot Alice a glare. Wasn't this the same woman who had bragged last time that Edward was about to marry her?
Sean couldn't help but think to himself that he'd really gone too far. He wondered how he was any different from the bullies who had tormented Macie.He remembered how Macie had looked that morning with her anger held back, forced to endure his teasing with a fake smile. Meanwhile, he found it amusing, as if it were some kind of game to him.He couldn't believe what a monster he had been.Macie's quiet demeanor was the result of years of enduring suffering, with her anger only surfacing when she was pushed too far.Macie was a young woman with a vintage landscape as her profile picture—someone who had already seen the world's harshness and matured well beyond her years. And all of this was the result of childhood trauma and constant bullying. At this moment, Sean could no longer dismiss what Alice had told him. He fully believed her now. …After returning to her private office downstairs, Alice didn't dare admit to Macie how spineless she had felt. All she could do was firmly
"Stop it right now. Don't bully my friend anymore, or I swear I won't let you off easy," Alice warned. However, Sean didn't even flinch, arrogantly ignoring her threat.Alice was furious, but there was nothing she could do. She wouldn't win if she argued or fought with Sean. He could easily slap her down to the ground, and she wouldn't even be able to get back up. If anyone else had bullied Macie, she would have gone all in, but this person was Sean—her brother, the one who had always pushed her around since they were kids.Alice sighed, moving from anger to helplessness, feeling stuck and useless. She couldn't protect Macie and felt she wasn't a good friend. "Macie has already been through enough. Can't you show a little compassion? Stop bullying an innocent, vulnerable lady!" Alice tried softening her tone. "You don't know how much Macie has suffered. Do you even have an ounce of human decency?" She switched tactics, telling him everything she knew about Macie's past and th