Chapter 4

In the ward at the convalescent center, Astrid held Helen's slightly cold hand, her eyes red.

Seven years ago, there had been a massive fire. Her father, Conrad, had fought his way through the flames to drag her and Helen out, but he never made it. Since then, Helen's mind had never been the same.

Right now, she sat there in a daze, clumsily gathering Astrid's hair and trying to smooth it out. "Your hair is so soft, Asta. It has to be brushed out to look pretty…"

"Mom, I'm going to divorce Reuben. It'll be just you and me from now on." Astrid wrapped her arms around Helen, a chill spreading through her chest.

"Divorce?" Helen jerked, and terror suddenly flooded her vacant eyes. She grabbed onto Astrid's collar with both hands, yanking and clawing like a madwoman. "Fire! It's burning everywhere! Asta, run! Don't let it burn you! Run!"

She shoved Astrid away and snatched whatever she could reach from the table, hurling and smashing things in all directions.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Astrid cried.

The nurses and doctor rushed in at the commotion and gave Helen a sedative.

Only after watching Helen sink back into a heavy sleep did Astrid finally let out a breath. She bent down to pick up the necklace that had been ripped from her neck.

It was the coming-of-age gift Conrad had given her on her 18th birthday. She clutched the broken chain in her hand, leaving to head to a nearby jewelry store to get it repaired.

The moment she stepped into the store, she froze. She saw Reuben standing beside Eleanor, helping her pick out a diamond ring.

Eleanor held a pink diamond ring between her fingers. The sparkle was almost harsh to Astrid. Eleanor admired it and said, "Reuben, this 9.9-carat one is gorgeous."

"If you like it, we'll get it." Reuben's tone was indulgent as always as he pulled out a black credit card and handed it to the sales clerk.

As he was signing the receipt, his phone rang. He turned away to take the call.

Eleanor looked up and caught sight of Astrid standing at the entrance. A flash of smugness flickered in her eyes. She lifted her skirt slightly and sauntered over.

"Well, if it isn't Astrid," she said in a syrupy voice, deliberately holding up the ring so it was right in front of Astrid. "This ring costs six million dollars, but Reuben didn't even bat an eye before buying it for me. We're not like some people, who can barely scrape together their own mother's hospital bills."

Astrid felt like her heart had been pierced by a needle. She turned to leave.

Eleanor grabbed her arm, unwilling to let her go. "What, can't handle hearing the truth?"

"Let go."

Instead of doing that, Eleanor dug her nails into Astrid's wrist, pressing down hard.

"Don't tell me you're going to throw yourself on the floor and accuse me of pushing you," Astrid said.

Eleanor snorted. "I'm carrying the Judd family's next heir. I don't need to stoop to such stupid tricks."

The words had barely left her mouth when she suddenly staggered backwards, giving Astrid a hard shove as she went. At the same time, she let out a piercing, panicked scream. "Ms. Jenner, please don't do this! Don't hurt my baby!"

Astrid was already injured to begin with. She hit the ground hard, and pain shot through her body, draining the color from her face.

Reuben rushed over. The first thing he saw was Eleanor and Astrid both sprawled on the floor. His temper instantly flared up.

"Reuben, it's my fault," Eleanor whimpered.

He scooped her up in his arms and glared at Astrid, his eyes full of rage. "You'd better pray Eleanor and the baby are okay. If anything happens to them, I swear I won't let you walk away from this!"

Astrid had just pushed herself up when he shoved her aside. She stumbled, nearly falling again. She could only watch as he rushed out with Eleanor in his arms, not sparing her a single glance.

A chill filled her heart in that instant.

…

At the hospital, the doctor finished bandaging the wounds on Astrid's knee and arm, frowning as he worked. "Your arm was already injured, and you've added a fresh injury on top. Keep this up, and you might as well say goodbye to this arm!"

Astrid pressed her lips together and stayed silent. The moment she stepped out of the exam room, she ran straight into Eleanor and Reuben.

"Ms. Jenner…" Eleanor's voice was soft and fragile. "I didn't mean for things to go that way at the jewelry store. Please don't take it to heart."

"You know better than anyone whether or not you meant it," Astrid said with a cold smile. "You're pretending to be a saint when you're just a common whore. Cheap little stunts like that are all you've got, aren't they?"

"Astrid, watch your mouth!" Reuben snapped. "I've clearly spoiled you rotten these past years. The way you talk is foul, and you even resorted to violence!"

Faced with his anger, all the emotions Astrid had been forcing down finally burst forth. She raised her hand and slapped Eleanor hard across the face. The crisp crack echoed down the hallway, and everything fell silent.

"Did you see that? That's what it looks like when I actually lay a hand on someone. I live with my head held high and act openly. I'm nothing like the sewer rats you two are. I own what I do. I don't need disgusting, cheap tricks to frame others!" she said.

"You're completely out of control!" Reuben's hands shook with rage. "I'm calling the police right now. You can explain yourself from a prison cell!"

"Go ahead. Do it!" Astrid shot back, meeting his gaze head-on. "You cheated on me and are now openly sheltering your mistress while she bullies me. You're already guilty of all that, so what's one more heinous act? Call the cops. Show everyone just how selfish and hypocritical the great Reuben Judd is!"

Reuben had nothing to say in response. This was his first time seeing such raw disgust on Astrid's face. This wasn't some petty tantrum, not wounded pride or childish sulking. It was loathing that went deep down to the bone.

"Reuben, my stomach hurts…" Eleanor suddenly said, clutching at him.

He shot Astrid one last vicious look before scooping Eleanor up again and hurrying to the ER.

Astrid walked out of the hospital alone. A car was already waiting at the curb. Adam stood beside it.

"Ms. Jenner, please get in," he said. "Mr. Wood is waiting for you."

Lance happened to catch sight of this from a distance. He went straight to report this to Reuben.

"Mr. Judd, Mrs. Judd got into another man's car." He held out a sheet of paper. "Your mother has asked us to prepare ten million dollars, saying that it's for your grandfather's birthday banquet. And, uh, do you know where the chef from that pastry shop Mr. Judd Senior used to love has gone?"

"Are you seriously asking me about something that menial?" Reuben snapped.

"It's just… Mrs. Judd always handled these things herself," Lance said cautiously. "Your mother and sister really don't know the details…"

Reuben faltered. Then, his expression darkened. "Tell Astrid to come back and take care of it!"

Lance fell silent. With the way things had blown up, how could Astrid possibly be willing to come back?

He didn't dare argue, though. He could only bite the bullet and make the call. "Ms. Jenner, Mr. Judd Senior has treated you well over the years. You should be grateful. If you still—"

"Tell Reuben that I'm not waiting on him and his family anymore!" Astrid hung up.

She stood outside a private room in a club called Orchideous. After taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and headed inside.

Several business heavyweights were inside. As she stepped inside, her gaze was drawn, almost against her will, to the man seated in the center.

He wore a jet-black shirt, his features half-hidden in the shadows as he lounged lazily against the couch, one bare forearm illuminated by the lights. A cigarette dangled from his fingers, a thin curl of smoke drifting upward.

He was so strikingly handsome that it was hard not to take a few more looks.

"It's not every day that we get to see you, Ms. Jenner," Eric Wood drawled, his eyes narrowing as he gave Astrid a slow once-over.

There was a lewd edge to his tone as he continued, "I'm surprised Mr. Judd is willing to let you come out here and talk business."

Astrid kept her back straight as she set the project proposal on the table. "Reuben and I are in the middle of divorce proceedings. I'm here today on behalf of Jenner Group to discuss a partnership with you, Mr. Wood."

Eric's eyes lit up. He'd been coveting Astrid's beauty for a long time. Now that she was no longer off-limits, he didn't even bother to hide his interest.

He picked up a glass of liquor and held it out to her. "I'd love to talk partnership with you, but it'll depend on how sincere you're willing to be, Ms. Jenner."