All Chapters of After 99 Times: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Once the contract took effect, Adrian Spencer’s mother, Linda Spencer, introduced Zoey Landon to him as his potential fiancée.Everyone thought he’d push back. But to their surprise, Adrian agreed right away.There was a look in his eyes Zoey had never seen before—panic. “As long as you leave Claire alone, I’ll do whatever you want,” he said.And just like that, Zoey and Adrian were together.Claire Spencer moved in too, staying with them under the title of Adrian’s cousin.After they got together, Zoey treated Adrian with nothing but care—always attentive, always saying yes.Slowly, Adrian started to warm up. He wasn’t cold anymore. He even began responding to her on his own.Zoey thought she was getting close.That the contract would be fulfilled any day now.But what she didn't expect... was that in the next ninety-three chances, not once did Adrian choose her over Claire.On the ninety-third attempt, Claire bought a bottle of acid—and tried to throw it in Zoey's face.Zo

The next morning, Zoey got ready for work like she always did.Just as she was about to leave, Adrian wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind.While holding her close, he opened an elegant gift box in his hands—inside was a pair of dazzling earrings, sparkling under the light.He gently picked them up and carefully fastened them onto Zoey’s ears, his touch light, almost reverent, like she was something rare and fragile.“I’ve been spending all my time with Claire these past few days,” he murmured. “I know I’ve been neglecting you… please don’t take it to heart.”Zoey forced a faint smile. “Okay.”Maybe it was because she was getting ready to leave—for good—that she found herself being unusually generous.After he put the earrings on her, she said goodbye and headed out the door.But as she left, she had the strange feeling someone was watching her.She brushed it off and drove to the office, just like always.During her usual walk-through of the company’s cold storage

After Claire was discharged, Adrian drove her back to the villa.It wasn’t until he saw Zoey sitting alone in the kitchen eating cup noodles that he remembered she existed.He frowned, clearly guilty.“Zoey, when did you get out of the hospital? Why didn’t you tell me?”“You were busy with Claire,” she said lightly. “Didn’t want to bother you.”That hit Adrian harder. Guilt flooded his face as he pulled out his phone and started transferring money.“Claire’s situation put you through a lot… here, take this and buy something nourishing, okay?”Zoey glanced at her phone. Fifty thousand.Of course. Whenever it came to Claire, Adrian’s generosity knew no limits.But she didn’t accept the payment. Instead, she just kept eating her noodles without a word.Right then, Claire walked in with a few takeout containers in hand.“Adrian, I picked up the meal you ordered! Come eat with me, quick!”Zoey looked up. The logo on the boxes caught her eye—it was from the most expensive restaur

When Zoey woke up again, that same familiar smell of disinfectant filled the air.But this time, something was different—Adrian wasn’t sitting at her bedside.He was in the bed next to hers.The moment he saw her open her eyes, he rasped, voice hoarse with concern, “Zoey… are you okay?”It took Zoey a long time to piece everything together.After Adrian carried Claire out of the burning house, he ignored her protests and ran back in to save Zoey.He inhaled too much smoke and ended up hospitalized alongside her.Zoey listened quietly. But her expression didn’t change.Calmly, she said, “Claire started the fire. She drugged my drink.”Then she turned her head toward Adrian, who was hooked up to an IV.“This time… you’re not going to defend her again, are you?”Adrian bit his lip.“She already confessed everything to me.”Then, almost desperately, he added, “But I didn’t let it slide this time. I really punished her.”Zoey asked flatly, “What did you do?”“Claire’s never b

The second the words left Adrian’s mouth, Claire’s head snapped around, eyes wide and bloodshot.“Adrian, it’s me—Claire. I’m not Zoey.”Adrian froze. His body went rigid, and his mind instantly snapped back to reality. He quickly pulled away and stepped back.“What are you doing here?” he asked sharply, frowning. “Where’s Zoey?”Claire gave him a wide-eyed, innocent look.“What are you talking about? Isn’t Zoey still in the hospital? Why would she be here?”Adrian didn’t respond. He turned and strode down the hall, each step of his leather shoes echoing against the floor.He flung open the door to the bedroom and scanned the room.Nothing.None of Zoey’s things were there. Only his.Adrian’s face darkened. His voice dropped to a murmur.“Her stuff’s all gone…”Claire followed him in and frowned, cutting him off.“Did you forget? The old villa burned down. Zoey never moved into this place. Of course her things aren’t here.”Adrian froze, then took a deep breath, trying to