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I woke from a three-year coma to find my nanny wearing my crown, my husband calling her Queen, and my twin daughters locked in a tower they'd been told was their grave. The first thing I saw was fluorescent light. Then a nurse's face—young, startled, dropping a clipboard. "She's awake. Oh my God, she's awake! Someone call—" I grabbed her wrist. My fingers were skeletal. My voice was sand and rust. "My daughters. Where are my daughters?" The nurse stared at me like I was a ghost. And maybe I was. The last thing I remembered was the car accident—the bridge, the rain, the truck that came out of nowhere. I'd been driving home from the royal charity gala. Seven months pregnant with my third child. My hand went to my stomach. Flat. Empty. "The baby—" "Mrs.— Your Highness, please, you need to stay calm. Let me get the doctor—" "Where are my children?" She wouldn't look at me. That told me everything and nothing at the same time. I learned the rest in pieces over the next two hours. A traumatic brain injury. A coma that was supposed to last weeks but stretched into three years. My husband, Prince Alexander of Valdoria, had been told by his medical team that I would never wake up. So he'd moved on. With the nanny. Sophie Kincaid. The woman I had personally hired to care for my twin girls, Lily and Rose. The woman I had trusted with bedtime stories and school lunches and emergency contacts. The woman who had smiled at me every morning and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness, I've got the girls." She had the girls, alright. And now she had my husband, my title, and my palace. The doctor who finally came was old, cautious, and clearly terrified of the conversation he was about to have. "Your Highness, there's no easy way to say this. Prince Alexander remarried fourteen months ago. Sophie Kincaid is now Princess Consort. A formal declaration was issued stating you were in a permanent vegetative state with no hope of recovery." "Who signed that declaration?" He hesitated. "The royal physician. Dr. Hale." "On whose authority?" "Prince Alexander's." I stared at the ceiling. The fluorescent light buzzed like something alive. "And my daughters?" Another pause. Longer this time. "Your Highness, the twins... there were behavioral issues after your accident. They were moved to the north wing of the palace. It's quite comfortable, I'm told, but they don't attend public events. Princess Sophie felt it was best for their emotional development to keep them out of the spotlight." "The north wing." I knew the palace layout like I knew my own body. The north wing was the oldest section—stone walls, narrow windows, no central heating. It had been used as servant quarters two centuries ago. Before that, it was where disgraced royals were sent to be forgotten. "Has anyone visited them?" "I... I wouldn't know, Your Highness." "Has my husband visited them?" Silence. I pulled the IV from my arm. The nurse lunged forward. I held up my hand—a gesture so instinctively royal that she froze. "Bring me clothes. Bring me a phone. And bring me a car." "Your Highness, you've been in a coma for three years. You can barely walk. You need physical therapy, neurological assessments—" "I need my daughters." I stood. My legs buckled. I caught the bed rail and forced myself upright through sheer, blinding fury. Three years. They had written me off, stolen my life, and hidden my children in a stone tower like something out of a nightmare. I took one step. Then another. Pain screamed through every atrophied muscle. But I had survived a crash that should have killed me. I had clawed my way out of a coma that doctors said was permanent. I had woken up in a world that had erased me. Pain was nothing. Pain was just the door I had to walk through. And God help anyone standing on the other side. Chapter 2 The palace looked the same from the outside. Golden stone, iron gates, the Valdorian flag snapping in the October wind. I'd driven past it a thousand times as Queen and felt pride. Now I felt nothing but dread. The taxi driver kept glancing at me in the rearview mirror. I couldn't blame him. I was a skeleton in borrowed hospital scrubs, and I'd asked him to drive me to the royal palace. "Ma'am, are you sure about this? Security won't just let you—" "They'll let me in." He pulled up to the main gate. Two guards approached. Young. I didn't recognize them—new hires, probably Sophie's people. I rolled down the window. "I'm Queen Isabella Castille-Ashworth. Open the gate." The guard laughed. Actually laughed. "Sure you are. And I'm the Pope. Ma'am, I need you to—" I held up my left hand. The royal signet ring—the one they'd never removed from my comatose body, because removing it required an act of Parliament. The emerald caught the light. The guard's smile died. "Call your commander. Now." Three minutes later, the gate opened. I walked through the front entrance of my own home for the first time in three years. The foyer had been redecorated—Sophie's taste, all cold marble and modern art. My portraits were gone. The family photos that had lined the grand hallway—me holding the twins as newborns, our wedding, Christmas mornings—all replaced with Sophie's face. Sophie in a tiara. Sophie at a state dinner. Sophie holding a baby. I stopped. A baby. In the photograph, Sophie cradled an infant in christening robes. Alexander stood beside her, beaming. The plaque beneath read: "HRH Prince Oliver, born March 15." They had a child together. My stomach twisted, but I kept walking. I wasn't here for Alexander. I wasn't here for revenge. I was here for Lily and Rose. The north wing was exactly as I'd feared. Cold. Dim. The heating vents were sealed—intentionally, from the look of it. The hallway smelled of damp stone and neglect. A single guard sat outside a heavy wooden door, scrolling on his phone. He scrambled to his feet when he saw me, but before he could speak, I was already past him, pushing the door open. The room was small. Two narrow beds. No toys. No books. No color of any kind. A barred window let in a strip of gray light. And there, sitting on the floor in matching gray uniforms that looked like institutional clothing, were my daughters. They were five now. I'd last seen them at two—chubby, giggling, reaching for me as I left for the gala. Now they were thin. Their hair was lank and unwashed. Their eyes, when they looked up at me, were flat. Empty. The eyes of children who had stopped expecting anything good. They didn't recognize me. "Who are you?" Lily asked. Her voice was hoarse, barely used. Rose didn't speak at all. She pressed herself against the wall and stared at me with animal wariness. I knelt on the cold floor. My legs screamed. I didn't care. "Lily. Rose. It's Mama." Lily's brow furrowed. "Mama is dead. Sophie said Mama is dead and she's our new mama now." "Sophie lied. I'm alive. I'm right here." "Prove it." My heart cracked. My five-year-old daughter, demanding proof of my identity because the world had taught her that love was a trick. I reached for the lullaby—the one I'd sung every night since they were born. The one no one else knew, because I'd made it up, word by word, in the midnight hours of early motherhood. "Two little stars in the velvet sky, Mama will hold you, don't you cry. Lily is sunshine, Rose is rain, together forever, through joy and pain." Lily's face changed. Something cracked behind those flat eyes. Rose made a sound—a whimper, soft and broken, like a door opening after years of rust. "Mama?" Rose whispered. Her first word to me. "Is it really you?" "It's really me, baby." They hit me like a wave. Both of them, at once, their thin arms wrapping around me with desperate strength. Lily was sobbing. Rose was shaking so hard her teeth chattered. "Sophie said you were dead! She said dead people don't come back! She said if we cried about you she'd take away our food!" "Take away your—" I pulled back and looked at them. Really looked. The hollowed cheeks. The dark circles. The way their collarbones jutted like wings. "When did you last eat?" Lily thought about it. "Yesterday? The guard brings bread sometimes. But only if we're quiet." The world went red. Behind me, footsteps. The click of heels on stone. "Well," said a voice I recognized. Cool, amused, perfectly controlled. "This is awkward." I turned. Sophie Kincaid stood in the doorway, dressed in silk, a diamond tiara nestled in her golden hair. She looked at me the way one might look at a stain on an expensive rug. "You're supposed to be a vegetable, Isabella." I stood, my daughters behind me. "And you're supposed to be a nanny." Her smile didn't waver. "Things change. Alexander and I are married. I'm the Princess Consort. I have a son—an heir. You're a medical miracle, I'll grant you that, but legally? You're nobody. Alexander had you declared incapacitated. Your titles were stripped. Your marriage was annulled." "Annulled?" "On grounds of permanent incapacity. Signed by the King himself." She examined her nails. "You have no claim to the throne, no claim to the children, and no claim to this palace. So I suggest you go back to whatever hospital you crawled out of." My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: "Isabella, it's Alexander. Sophie told me you're awake. We need to talk. Please don't do anything rash." I looked at the text. At Sophie. At my starving daughters in their prison room. Then I smiled. Because Sophie didn't know what I'd been doing for the three years before my coma. She didn't know about the documents I'd hidden. The alliances I'd built. The secrets I'd uncovered about the royal family that could bring the entire monarchy to its knees. She thought I was a helpless queen who'd been asleep for three years. She had no idea I was the most dangerous woman in Valdoria. Chapter 3 I didn't leave the north wing. I sat on the cold floor with my daughters in my lap and refused to move. Sophie sent guards. I told them to touch me and find out what happens when a queen with nothing to lose meets a man following illegal orders. They didn't touch me. She sent Alexander next. He appeared in the doorway twenty minutes later, and the sight of him nearly broke my resolve. He looked the same—tall, dark-haired, that aristocratic jawline that had made me fall in love with him at twenty-two. But his eyes were different. Harder. Guiltier. "Isabella." He said my name like an apology he didn't want to make. "You look..." "Like someone who's been in a coma for three years? Yes." He stepped into the room and stopped when he saw the twins clinging to me. Something crossed his face—shame, maybe. Or maybe I was projecting. "The girls are fine. Sophie has been—" "Your daughters are malnourished, unwashed, and locked in a room with no heat. They told me they get bread when they're quiet. They think I'm dead because your wife told them I was." "She's not—" He caught himself. "Isabella, it's complicated." "It's not complicated. You abandoned your children." "I didn't abandon them. I was told they were being cared for. Sophie handled the day-to-day—" "Sophie starved them." "That's an exaggeration." "Look at them, Alexander." He looked. Really looked, maybe for the first time in months. Lily stared back at him with an expression no five-year-old should be capable of—pure, cold contempt. "You never come to see us," she said. "You promised you'd come every day after Mama's accident. You came twice. Then you stopped." Alexander's jaw tightened. "Lily, that's not—" "Sophie said we remind you of Mama and that makes you sad. So you don't want us anymore." The silence that followed was deafening. I stood, lifting both girls. My muscles screamed, but adrenaline is a powerful drug. "I'm taking them." "You can't. The annulment—" "Was based on a medical declaration that I was permanently incapacitated. I'm standing in front of you, Alexander. I'm clearly not incapacitated. Which means the annulment is void, the title stripping is void, and every legal action taken on the basis of that declaration is subject to immediate judicial review." He blinked. "How do you know—" "I was a constitutional law student before I was your wife. Did you forget that? Or did Sophie convince you I was just a pretty face in a crown?" His silence answered for him. "I'm taking the girls to a hospital. They need medical evaluation and documentation of their condition. Then I'm contacting the Royal Council." "The Royal Council answers to the King. My father will never side with you over me." "Your father, King Frederick, who signed my incapacitation order without a single independent medical evaluation? Your father, who allowed his grandchildren to be locked in a tower? Your father, whose secret financial dealings with the Hargrove Group I documented extensively before my accident?" Alexander went white. "That's right," I said softly. "I know about the Hargrove deal. I know about the offshore accounts. I know about the arms contracts disguised as agricultural aid. I documented everything and placed it somewhere very safe—somewhere Sophie's redecorating didn't reach." "You're bluffing." "Test me." We stood there, my skeletal frame against his royal height, my borrowed scrubs against his tailored suit. And for the first time since I'd woken up, I saw fear in his eyes. Not fear of me. Fear of what I knew. "Isabella, let's discuss this privately. We can work something out. The girls can move back to the main wing. You can have your own quarters—" "I don't want quarters in your palace. I want my children, my title, and a full investigation into their treatment." "That would create a scandal." "You created the scandal. I'm just turning on the lights." Sophie's voice echoed from the hallway. "Alexander! What's taking so long? Just call security and have her removed!" He flinched at her voice. The crown prince of Valdoria, flinching at his nanny-turned-wife. I almost pitied him. Almost. "I'm walking out the front door with my daughters," I said. "You can let me go quietly, or you can have me dragged out on camera. Because I called the press before I called the taxi." His eyes darted to the window. Below, in the palace courtyard, I could see the first news vans arriving. "You didn't." "Three years in a coma gives you a lot of enemies who feel guilty. You'd be amazed how many journalists answer the phone when a dead queen calls." I carried my girls down the grand staircase. Past the portraits of Sophie. Past the servants who stared. Past the guards who parted like water. At the front door, I turned back. Alexander stood at the top of the stairs, Sophie gripping his arm, her face twisted with fury. "Isabella!" she screamed. "You walk out that door and I'll destroy you! I am the Princess! I am the mother of the heir!" I looked up at her, my starving daughters in my arms, cameras flashing behind me. "You're a nanny who forgot her place. And I'm the Queen who just woke up." I stepped into the light.

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With only three months left before the divorce, she was dr**ged and ended up spending a reckless night with the husband she had never met in three years of marriage. She fled in panic, but he found the family locket she left behind—and began searching everywhere for her. ===== Juliana Stevens woke up and discovered she had spent the night with a man. Silence filled the room. The air still carried traces of what had happened the night before. Her eyes landed on a business card lying on the floor. It had fallen from the man's suit jacket. The moment she read the words on it, her breathing stopped, and her thoughts froze. The card bore the name: Adrian Spencer, CEO of Spencer Group. He was known as the richest man in Eleyton, the city they were currently in, and one of the most influential business tycoons in their state, Arcridge. What stunned her the most was that this man was actually her husband, the one she had been married to for three years without ever meeting. Their first encounter had happened under these circumstances. Adrian remained asleep. The face before her was nothing like the ugly man people often described. His features were striking. He had a straight nose and well-shaped lips. Everything about his appearance seemed almost too perfect to be real. People also claimed he was ruthless. Yet as he lay there, he looked refined and distinguished instead. It appeared that those stories weren't true after all. Juliana tightened her grip on the blanket. Anxiety and confusion made her heart race. Their marriage had been forced by their families. Even their marriage registration had been handled by Adrian's grandfather, Hugh Spencer. That was why she didn't know what her husband looked like until now. In another three months, the agreement that bound them together would come to an end. She had been counting down the days until she could finally be free. During the past three years, Adrian had never shown up, which made her believe he disliked this marriage just as much as she did. The memory of the previous night made her let out a frustrated gr**n. Why did this have to happen when there were only three months left before their divorce? Now, she could only hope that Adrian hadn't seen her face last night. A storm of emotions swept through her. Juliana jumped out of bed, gathered her clothes from the floor, and got dressed as quickly as she could before rushing out of the room. Keeping her head lowered, she rushed out of the hotel when her phone suddenly rang. It was her best friend, Maia Palmer. "Anna, weren't we supposed to have a meeting at the studio this morning? Why haven't you arrived yet?" From her father, Juliana inherited both a sharp business mind and a gift for design. She skipped several grades, earned her master's degree ahead of schedule, and received multiple international awards for jewelry design. To the public, she was known as the vice president of Stevens Group. However, she also had another identity that very few people knew about. She was the founder and owner of one of the industry's leading jewelry design studios. Over the last two years, the studio had grown into a globally recognized name. Today, she was expected to lead a meeting for the launch of a new product line. Right now, however, she had no interest in dealing with work. Reaching the roadside, Juliana flagged down a taxi. "Maia," she said as she climbed into the car, "I'm not feeling very well today. Let's move the meeting to tomorrow." After ending the call, she turned to the driver and said, "Garden Apartments, please." During the ride, Juliana tried to piece together everything that had happened the previous night. It was the annual gala of Stevens Group, and she'd lost her bearings completely after only two glasses of w**e. She remembered wanting to return to her hotel room and rest, but her dizziness became so severe that she couldn't even find her way back. Then she ran into Adrian in the hallway. Somehow, she ended up following him into a room. Normally, she could handle al**hol very well. A few drinks were not enough to affect her. Then another memory surfaced. The previous night, her half-sister, Janessa Stevens, had accidentally spilled her drink and brought her a replacement. Could the second drink be sp**ed? While she was still thinking about it, a call from her uncle, Louis Stevens, came through. As soon as she answered, his furious voice blasted through the phone. "Juliana, come home this instant!" ... Back in the hotel room, the man who had been fast asleep began to wake. His eyes opened little by little before he pushed himself upright. The blanket slipped down, revealing the firm lines of his body and his defined a*s. A sharp look entered Adrian's eyes as he surveyed the room in silence. He stepped out of bed, picked up a bath towel from the floor, and secured it around his waist. Disorder filled the room, and the woman was nowhere to be seen. His face immediately turned grim. At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Come in," he said. The door swung open, and his assistant, Rylan Jenkins, entered the room. "Mr. Spencer," he greeted respectfully. Without delay, Adrian asked, "Did you see a woman leave this room?" Rylan shook his head. "No, Sir." The look on Adrian's face became even colder. He walked across the room and noticed a pendant lying on the floor. Its workmanship was exquisite. Some characters had been engraved on the back, but years of wear had made them impossible to read. She must have forgotten it here. Adrian frowned, closing his fingers around the pendant. The events of the previous night surfaced in his mind. During a business dinner, he had unknowingly drunk a glass of w**e that had been tampered with. After realizing something was wrong, he returned to his hotel room and intended to wait until the effects passed. Before he could get inside, however, he crossed paths with a woman in the hallway. The instant they made contact, a powerful urge rose within him and overwhelmed his self-control. He never even had the chance to see her face clearly before the two of them ended up inside the room he had reserved. Given the situation-a dr**ged man and a woman in the same room-everything that followed seemed unavoidable. Adrian's thoughts drifted back to the woman's uncertainty and vulnerability from the previous night. No matter what, she had helped him during a moment when he couldn't control himself. He needed to find her and make it right. Adrian placed the pendant in Rylan's hand and spoke in a cold tone. "Find out who that woman is." Chapter 2 Harm From Her Own Family As soon as Juliana walked through the front door to the Stevens estate, a harsh male voice exploded through the room. At the same time, a glass was hurled straight toward her head. "Where have you been? Janessa said you didn't come home all night. Have you forgotten that you're a married woman?" Juliana quickly moved aside. The glass brushed against her cheek before it smashed against the pillar behind her with a sharp crash. Louis sat in the middle of the couch in the living room. Anger covered his face. Beside him sat his wife, Sharon Stevens, and their daughter, Janessa. The sight of the family of three made Juliana let out a mocking laugh. When she was still a child, her father lost his life in a plane crash. Not long after his death, her mother, Sharon, married Louis, her father's younger brother. Together, they took control of her father's company and later welcomed a daughter named Janessa. From then on, Juliana never truly felt like she belonged in that house. "Juliana, we tried calling you all night, but we couldn't get through. We were worried sick about you." Wearing a white dress, Janessa rose from her seat and linked her arm through Juliana's. Then her eyes landed on Juliana's neck. Suddenly, she pulled open Juliana's collar and let out a startled scream. "Oh my God, Juliana! Did you spend the night with a man?" Both Louis and Sharon immediately came over. The moment they noticed the ma**s on Juliana's neck, their expressions turned grim. Anger filled Sharon's face as she lifted her hand and sl**ped Juliana. "Juliana, is this what I taught you? Have you learned nothing except how to f**l around with men?" Pain spread across Juliana's cheek, and a trace of bl**d appeared at the corner of her mouth. She slowly turned her face back toward Sharon. Her eyes were cold. "Mother, are you judging me before asking what actually happened?" A trace of hesitation appeared on Sharon's face when she saw the pain in Juliana's eyes. Louis struck the table with his palm and shouted, "If the Spencer family hears about this scandal, our entire family will be finished. You shameless woman, how could you betray your husband?" Juliana met his anger with a cold laugh. "When Hugh came looking for a bride for his grandson, the person he chose was Janessa. You're the one who forced me to marry in her place. If this family goes down because of it, I don't care." "You..." Louis choked on his words. Her response left him speechless, and his face turned red with fury. Sharon looked at Juliana with disapproval. "Juliana, don't speak to your uncle that way." Ignoring Sharon completely, Juliana shifted her attention to Janessa. "You switched my drink last night. You're the one who set me up." Janessa lifted her head and blinked innocently. "What are you talking about? Why would I do that to you? What would I possibly gain from setting you up?" Juliana narrowed her eyes while she looked straight at Janessa. If the man from last night hadn't been Adrian, everything would have ended for her once the Spencers learned the truth. Janessa had never gotten along with her. She knew Janessa would have been more than happy to watch her fall apart. By then, Louis had already told a servant to bring him a whip. Putting on the air of the family head, he snapped, "Juliana, I'll make sure you learn your lesson today. After this, you'll know better than to bring trouble to this family again." From the side, Janessa watched with cruel delight. Her eyes showed nothing but contempt for Juliana. Louis lifted the whip. But before it could strike, Juliana reached out and caught it. Then she yanked it out of his hand and swung it straight back at Janessa. Janessa failed to move away in time, and a bl**dy mark appeared on her arm at once. She screamed, "Juliana, have you lost your mind?" Shock froze Louis for a moment. Then he pointed at Juliana and shouted in fury, "How dare you touch Janessa!" Juliana faced them with cold eyes. "You'd better keep your precious daughter in line. If she tries to play tricks on me again, I won't let her off this easily." After saying that, she threw the whip aside. She brushed off her hands as though she had touched something filthy, then turned and marched out of the house. Behind her, their angry shouts and curses followed, but she didn't look back. Once she returned to her own apartment, Juliana felt drained in both body and mind. Everything that had happened the previous night was still stuck in her thoughts, bothering her until she couldn't settle down. While changing her clothes, she realized the pendant she always wore was gone. She wondered where it could have dropped. She searched every corner of the apartment, but she still couldn't find it. Then a scene from last night suddenly came back to her, and she went still. The pendant must have fallen off inside the hotel room. Without hesitating, Juliana grabbed a coat and hurried out of the apartment. That pendant had been left to her by her father, and it meant everything to her. No matter what, she had to recover it. Soon, Juliana arrived back at the hotel. When she noticed that the room door was slightly open, she assumed Adrian had already checked out. The moment she walked into the room again, her eyes landed on the large bed that was still in disarray. Heat instantly rose to her cheeks. Memories from the previous night remained clear in her mind. Forcing those thoughts aside, Juliana started looking around the room for her pendant. Even after searching every corner of the room, she still came up empty-handed. Had Adrian picked it up? If he used that pendant to figure out that she was the woman from the previous night, she might not be able to divorce him smoothly in three months. She made up her mind that she couldn't allow him to learn who she was. Just then, a series of steady footsteps sounded from outside the room and drew closer to the door. Chapter 3 A Dangerous Reunion Juliana's breathing stalled. Her heart pounded wildly against her ch**t as she held her breath. A single thought crossed her mind-had Adrian returned? She quickly moved to a nearby table and acted as though she was a hotel housekeeper cleaning the room. A tall man entered the room with a subordinate following behind him. The man's presence filled the room with authority. After giving Juliana a measured look, he asked, "Are you here to clean the room?" Juliana silently drew in a breath. Forcing herself to remain composed, she turned toward him and nodded. A black dress shirt covered Adrian's broad frame, hinting at the firm mu**les beneath it. Every line of his handsome face appeared sharp and defined. There was a natural authority about him that was impossible to ignore. When his eyes settled on her, they were cold and piercing. Juliana's hands tightened into fists. On the surface, she appeared calm, but countless thoughts were racing through her mind. Would he recognize her? What should she do if he did? To her surprise, Adrian only spared her a brief glance before shifting his attention elsewhere and heading toward the couch. A small sigh escaped Juliana's lips. At least he hadn't recognized her as the woman from the previous night. Taking a seat on the couch, Adrian tossed a project proposal toward his subordinate and said coldly, "Do it again. If I see another mistake like this, you're fired." "Yes, Sir." Sweat broke out across the subordinate's forehead. His hands trembled as he accepted the proposal before quickly leaving the room. Watching from beside the table, Juliana couldn't help thinking that Adrian's temper was terrible. At that moment, Adrian spoke again. "Bring me a glass of water." The subordinate was already gone. That meant he was talking to her. Juliana walked over to the minibar and poured a glass of water. Suddenly, a thought entered her mind. What if Adrian had already found the pendant she lost? Hope flickered in her eyes. Holding the glass, she turned around and headed toward him. As soon as she got close enough, she pretended to lose her footing and spilled the entire glass of water onto him. The front of Adrian's shirt was drenched in an instant. Irritation immediately appeared on his stern face. Just as his anger was about to surface, she hurried toward him and began brushing at his shirt in a panic. "Sir, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" While pretending to wipe away the water, Juliana quickly searched him for any sign of her pendant. The moment her fingertips brushed against the firm mu**les of his ab**men, a powerful hand suddenly locked around her wrist. Without warning, Adrian pulled her toward him. Juliana wasn't prepared for it. She slammed straight into his ch**t. Before she could react, his large hand wrapped around her throat. A dangerous look flashed across Adrian's eyes. "You snuck into my room," he said in a cold voice. "What exactly are you looking for?" Juliana tried to break free, but his grip around her neck held her firmly in place. His strength was overwhelming, and she could barely breathe. Only after her face turned red from lack of air did Adrian finally release her and shove her away. Juliana staggered backward and crashed onto the floor. A low gr**n escaped her lips. As he listened to her struggling to catch her breath, Adrian studied her more carefully. It suddenly struck him that her breathing sounded remarkably similar to the woman's from the previous night. Back then, the room had been dark. All he remembered was a slender body, and br**thless sounds that lingered in his memory. Rubbing her sore neck, Juliana slowly pushed herself off the floor. "You've got the wrong idea," she remarked. "I just came here to clean the room." Just as Adrian was about to say something, another knock sounded at the door. His assistant, Rylan, stuck his head inside. "Mr. Spencer," he said respectfully, "the person you asked me to bring is here." Adrian briefly looked at Juliana before signaling for them to come in. Rylan stepped into the room, and a young woman in a white dress followed behind him. Standing quietly to one side, Juliana studied the newcomer. She caught the woman's shy looks toward Adrian. She also noticed the ma**s on the woman's neck that were impossible to miss. Everything about the woman suggested she had recently been in**mate with someone. People often said Adrian had no interest in women. Now, it seemed those stories were completely untrue. A man with his status and influence would never be short of women wanting to be around him. For some reason, that realization eased Juliana's worries. If he already had plenty of women in his life, there was no reason for him to dwell on what had happened between them last night. After the woman entered, the look Adrian directed at Juliana became even colder. Despite all the rumors surrounding him, women constantly tried to use him as a stepping stone. In his eyes, Juliana was no different from the rest. Turning to Rylan, Adrian instructed, "Throw her out." Before Rylan even had a chance to react, Juliana had already started moving toward the door. "There's no need for that," she replied. "I know the way out." Without waiting for another word, she turned around and quickly left the room. Since the pendant wasn't on Adrian, she needed to figure out where else she might have lost it. Believing he was a womanizer, Juliana became even more determined to end their marriage as soon as possible. Chapter 4 The Wrong Girl Adrian leaned back into the couch and brought a ci**rette to his lips. Sm**e drifted upward, softening his features and making his already striking face seem distant. Across from him, the woman kept glancing over with unease. His silence pressed on her, leaving her too intimidated to speak. After a short pause, Adrian lifted his eyes and studied her closely. "Tell me your name." "Lydia Scott," she answered. She remained standing, lowering her gaze as she looked at him. A faint blush spread across her face. Adrian's attention shifted when he noticed the m**k just beneath her collar. "Why did you leave so early this morning?" he asked. Lydia quickly went over everything in her mind. She had been at the hotel with a client the night before and left early this morning. Later, Rylan found her and showed her a pendant, asking if it belonged to her. It looked valuable, so she claimed it was hers. After confirming the timeline, he brought her here. By now, she was nearly certain they had mistaken her for someone else. But the man in front of her was wealthy and attractive, and she didn't want to let that slip away. Lydia looked up, her voice soft and vulnerable. "It was my first time. I got scared, so I left." Adrian watched her in silence. Something about her didn't match the woman from last night, yet he couldn't explain it. After a while, he said, "Miss Scott, I'll take responsibility for what happened. Tell me what you want." A spark of excitement appeared in Lydia's eyes. "I want to stay by your side," she said in a quiet voice. Adrian's expression tightened slightly. The woman who had left without a word had caught his interest, but the one standing in front of him now only made him feel indifferent. He looked at her and said flatly, "I'll arrange a place for you. You'll be compensated well, and everything will be taken care of." "Thank you, Sir." Thrilled, Lydia nodded obediently. Once Lydia left, Adrian pressed his ci**rette into the ashtray and looked toward Rylan. Understanding the signal, Rylan began speaking. "The hallway cameras were under maintenance last night, so we have no footage. I checked the front desk records. Her check-in and check-out times match perfectly. I also looked into her background. She's a dance major at a university and comes from an average family." He took out the pendant and placed it on the table. "Should I return this to her?" Adrian's eyes lingered on the pendant. They had found the woman, yet something still felt off. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "I'll keep it for now. Give her whatever she asks for." Meanwhile, Juliana stepped out of the hotel when Louis called. She ignored it several times before finally picking up. "What do you want?" Louis sounded serious now, without the earlier anger. "The preliminary designs for the Willow Villa project are ready. I heard Hugh hasn't been well. You should take the files and visit him." Juliana let out a short laugh. "You don't actually care about me visiting him. This is about the project, isn't it?" Back when she married Adrian three years ago, Louis took that chance to approach Hugh and secure an investment from Spencer Group into Stevens Group. Many of Stevens Group's projects depended on that funding to keep going. This year, they entered the real estate market, and Hugh entrusted them with the Willow Villa project, putting in three hundred million dollars. It gave the company a major advantage. "Stop making this difficult, Juliana," Louis said over the phone. "This project affects Stevens Group's future. You need to go to the Spencer estate immediately." He ended the call right after. Juliana thought it over. This could work in her favor. She could use this visit to bring up a divorce with Hugh. Once she made up her mind, she went to the Stevens Group headquarters, picked up the design drafts, and then headed straight to the Spencer estate. Since Hugh fell ill, he rarely left the house, and this would be her first visit there. "Anna." Juliana had just arrived at the gate when someone called out to her. She paused and turned toward the voice. Nathaniel Quinn approached her, dressed in a white suit, a polite smile on his face. "I thought I was mistaken. I didn't expect it to be you. What are you doing here?" Juliana felt a hint of surprise. Nathaniel was the successor of Quinn Group. The Quinn and Stevens families had worked together before, so they were on friendly terms. His mother also happened to be Hugh's goddaughter. Her marriage to Adrian wasn't public, so the Quinn family had no idea. Juliana offered him a polite smile. "I'm here to see Hugh about work." Nathaniel's eyes shifted to the folder in her hands. He was aware of the collaboration between Spencer Group and Stevens Group. "I was at Stevens Group's annual party last night. I tried to find you, but you weren't there. Where did you go?" He fixed his eyes on her, waiting for an answer. Juliana's expression remained calm. "I wasn't feeling well, so I left early to rest." He pressed on. "Where did you go after that? Who were you with?" Juliana frowned slightly. "Why are you asking me that?" For a brief moment, unease flickered across Nathaniel's face before he covered it with a smile. "It's nothing. I was just curious." Just then, the sound of cars approaching reached them. Chapter 5 Stay Over A convoy of black luxury cars rushed forward, carrying a clear sense of authority. Standing in the middle of the road, Juliana barely had time to react before Nathaniel pulled her aside. His hand caught her at the waist to steady her. "Watch out," he cautioned. The cars passed them and lined up in front of the villa ahead. At the same time, the household staff hurried out, their expressions filled with respect. A bodyguard stepped out first and opened the rear door of the center car. A sleek black leather shoe stepped onto the pavement, and a tall figure rose from the car behind it. It was Adrian. When Juliana saw him, surprise flickered in her eyes. In the next moment, Adrian's cold gaze shifted toward them. His eyes landed on Nathaniel's hand, which still rested at her waist. A faint crease formed between Adrian's brows. It was her again. It seemed she wasn't focused on just one man. In his eyes, she would chase anything tied to money and status. Juliana silently cursed her timing. Of all days to run into him, it had to be today. She had thought he rarely visited his grandfather. Without hesitation, she pushed Nathaniel's hand away and stepped back. By then, the staff had already gathered around Adrian and greeted, "Welcome back, Mr. Spencer." Nathaniel stepped forward as well and greeted him. "It's been a while, Adrian." Adrian's expression remained unreadable as he looked at Juliana, though his words were directed at Nathaniel. "Did you bring her here?" Nathaniel glanced back at Juliana and smiled. "No. She's here to..." Adrian didn't wait for him to finish. He turned and walked straight into the villa. The grey-haired butler and the rest of the staff followed behind him. Left standing there, Nathaniel turned to Juliana and said, "That's Hugh's grandson. He just got back from abroad." Juliana nodded slightly and lowered her gaze, hiding the emotions in her eyes. Not long after, Nathaniel received a call and had to leave, so Juliana entered the villa alone. Inside the villa, Adrian was nowhere to be seen. The butler approached her. "Ms. Stevens, we've been expecting you. Mr. Spencer is waiting in the study." "I understand." Juliana nodded and followed the butler upstairs. A strong scent of herbal medicine filled the study. Resting on a lounge chair, a man in his sixties lay back with a thin blanket over him. His figure looked gaunt, and his face carried a pale, sickly tone, yet there was still an air of authority about him. Juliana stepped closer and placed the folder onto the coffee table. "Mr. Spencer, I've brought the preliminary designs for the Willow Villa project." Hearing her voice, Hugh slowly opened his eyes. A trace of warmth appeared in his otherwise imposing gaze. "So you've come, Juliana." "How have you been feeling lately?" Juliana asked politely. He straightened slightly in his chair and smiled. "Did Louis send you here?" Juliana lowered her eyes and remained silent. He noticed her reaction but didn't press further. Instead, he let out a quiet chuckle. "We haven't met often these past three years, but I've been paying attention to you. You've done well." Raising her head, Juliana met his eyes and said, "You gave me your word. After three years, you'd allow me to divorce." A sharp look flickered in Hugh's eyes. "That time hasn't come yet, has it? What I said still holds." At his response, Juliana felt a quiet sense of relief. Hugh picked up the folder and skimmed through it. "I'll review this and give you an answer tomorrow. Stay here tonight. Adrian just returned, so you can use this chance to meet him." Juliana's heart sank at the suggestion. She had no desire to see Adrian at all. She said quickly, "I think it's better to take things slowly. We barely know each other." Hugh didn't push her on that, but he didn't let her leave either. "It's late, and traveling alone isn't safe. Stay here tonight. We can discuss the meeting another time." Juliana was about to refuse again when Hugh suddenly began coughing violently. The butler rushed in at once with medicine and water. Hugh glanced at him. Understanding the signal, the butler turned to Juliana. "Please stay for the night, Ms. Stevens." Seeing how weak Hugh looked, Juliana couldn't bring herself to refuse. Not long after, a maid guided her to a room. The space was large and quiet. She stepped inside, but the sound of running water reached her ears from the bathroom. Confusion crossed Juliana's mind. It sounded like someone was already inside. The bathroom door suddenly slid open. A tall figure stepped out. She didn't have time to get out of the way and bumped into the man's ch**t. Adrian had just come out of the shower. He wasn't wearing anything. For a moment, he froze, clearly not expecting anyone to walk into his room. The instant Juliana looked up, she froze. Adrian stood there, fresh from the shower, completely unclothed. A sharp g**p escaped her as heat rushed to her face. Without thinking, she turned and rushed toward the door. She barely managed to crack it open before his arm shot out and slammed it shut again. The clean scent of his body wash reached her as his firm frame pressed against her back. "You still want to pretend this wasn't intentional? Now you've taken it a step further and walked straight into my room." Juliana's heartbeat pounded wildly. Every muscle in her body tensed. ...... What happens next? 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During her search, she saved a powerful billionaire. When they met again, he pinned her against the wall. "Doctor Y," he said, "may I offer myself in exchange for another rescue?" ===== "Yelena, back so soon? Brett White may be older, but he's everything a woman could want--rich, influential, and dependable. You should be honored to have such a chance to be his wife." Sonya Roberts leaned against the doorframe, a smug smile painted on her lips. Yelena Roberts' expression hardened. "Why don't you take this 'chance' for yourself, Sonya?" Yelena's voice cut like a bl**e, her eyes narrowed with scorn. "You spiked my drink, didn't you?" Before Sonya could react, Yelena surged forward, her palm colliding sharply with Sonya's cheek. The crack of the sl*p rang through the room, slicing through Sonya's arrogance. Sonya clutched her stinging cheek, her confidence crumbling into a strangled gasp, as the fierce red imprint of Yelena's fingers seared into her skin. "Yelena! You insolent girl! Have you gone mad?" Tatiana Roberts stormed forward, her face twisted in rage and disbelief as she glared daggers at Yelena. "How dare you hit Sonya?" What an ungrateful wr**ch! After all, Yelena wasn't even a Roberts. Three months ago, a trip to the hospital changed everything. Yelena had been admitted for an injury, and what should have been a routine bl**d test cracked her world wide open. Her rare bl**d type didn't match Jonathan Roberts or his wife--her supposed parents. The revelation shattered the once happy family of three--Yelena wasn't their real daughter. Desperate to restore balance, the Roberts family launched an exhaustive search for their true daughter. They found her in Sonya, a woman who slid seamlessly into the life that had never been meant for Yelena. From that day on, Yelena became a ghost in her own home, a usurper unwittingly basking in luxuries meant for Sonya. What was once hers was now declared an injustice, an insult to Sonya's rightful claim. Jonathan and Tatiana needed to make amends with their newfound daughter. But simply cutting Yelena loose? That seemed wasteful. Brett White, a wealthy associate, had expressed a certain infatuation with Yelena. If they played their cards right, marrying her off would guarantee a five-million-dollar payoff. So, they hatched a sinister plan. A dr**ged drink. A room prepared for betrayal. They intended to hand her over like a pawn, signed and sealed. Yelena, however, had shattered their scheme, slipping away from their clutches in the nick of time. She turned to Tatiana, defiant and composed, her voice cutting through the room like a bl**e. "She dr**ged me, ridiculed me, and treated me like I was nothing. So tell me, don't you think that sl*p was well-deserved?" Sonya's face fell, her lips trembling before she plastered on a look of false hurt. "I was thinking of your future," she replied, her voice sickly sweet. "Mother told me your real family was from a poor village. Marrying Mr. White would elevate your entire existence. Surely, that's a blessing." Yet behind her feigned innocence, Sonya seethed. How dare Yelena strike her? Retribution would come. Soon. "If marrying into wealth is such a blessing, why not seize it yourself?" Yelena's voice dripped with ice as her narrowed eyes pierced straight through Sonya and Tatiana. "You ungrateful girl!" Tatiana's voice was a whip crack of fury, her eyes blazing. "How dare you even think to measure yourself against Sonya? She is leagues above you! Sonya is already engaged to Roger Ellis, heir to the prestigious Ellis family. A union that befits her status!" Sonya stepped forward, her smile syrupy sweet, but her eyes gleaming with triumph. "That's right, Yelena. Roger told me I'm his one true love, the only one he could ever imagine by his side." The reality of it all hung in the air like a suffocating fog. Yelena had been Roger's fiancee first, a plan set in motion long before Sonya's existence was uncovered. But the moment Yelena's parentage unraveled, so did her engagement. Sonya stepped into her place as effortlessly as one might slip on a perfectly tailored gown. Even Roger had seemed eager to make the swap, his affections pivoting to Sonya with startling ease. Sonya's gaze lingered on Yelena, scanning her like a predator assessing prey. The softness of her features, her luminous skin, the poised elegance that seemed intrinsic to her--Sonya hated it. Envy coiled in her chest, venomous and bitter, but she masked it behind her well-practiced smile. "Relax, Sonya. I wouldn't touch Roger with a ten-foot pole. You two are perfect for each other--a match so unfortunate it's almost poetic. Just be sure to keep your theatrics to yourselves. The rest of us don't need the headache." Yelena's lips curved into a slow, disdainful smirk. Jonathan, sensing the tension reaching a breaking point, finally stepped in. "Yelena, this is for your benefit. We found you a suitable match, someone who can secure your future. But if you insist on refusing, then so be it. Perhaps it's time you sought out your biological parents." Despite knowing the depths of Tatiana and Sonya's scheming, Jonathan didn't even try to stop them. He understood their actions were wrong, yet the undeniable truth of Yelena's origins left no room for her to remain with the Roberts family. With a resigned sigh, Jonathan pulled out an envelope containing ten thousand dollars and held it out to her. "Take this. It's the least we can do. We mistakenly brought you here from Phurg, and we believe your real parents are still there." Phurg--a desolate and impoverished region, surviving only on the charity of corporations--was a stark reminder of how far removed Yelena was from the life she had known. Tatiana scoffed, crossing her arms. "Jonathan, are you serious? We raised her for more than a decade. We owe her nothing. And now you're handing her money after she had the audacity to strike Sonya? She's nothing but an ungrateful little parasite." Ungrateful? Yelena let out a bitter, mirthless laugh, her cold chuckle slicing through the air. Their eagerness to discard her so easily, as if she were an old trinket they no longer wanted, struck her deeper than she cared to admit. When she first found out that she wasn't their biological child, she had considered leaving them with a significant parting gift, a sum of money to ensure their security. But now? That notion felt laughable. Jonathan lacked the skills to manage a business, and Tatiana was little more than a glorified spender, bleeding their resources dry. If it weren't for Yelena's behind-the-scenes efforts, the Roberts Group would have collapsed long ago. Her eyes hardened as she straightened her posture. "Thank you for the gesture, Mr. Roberts, but that won't be necessary," she said, her voice calm and resolute. Without waiting for a response, Yelena turned on her heel and ascended the staircase to pack her belongings. Sonya hastily ran after Yelena. When Yelena returned downstairs, her figure was composed, carrying nothing but a worn black bag slung over her shoulder. Her expression was unreadable, but her posture radiated defiance. Sonya trailed after her, her face a mask of false concern. "Wait, Yelena! Don't be so hasty. These clothes are practically new--you really should take them. I mean, I heard your real family is... well, struggling," she said. With a calculated flourish, Sonya reached out and grabbed Yelena's bag. The loud clatter of its contents scattering onto the marble floor seized everyone's attention. Amid the mundane items lay a gleaming Chanel bracelet, its brilliance catching the light like a beacon. Sonya let out an exaggerated gasp, her hand flying to her chest. "This... this is the bracelet Dad gave me just last week! How could it end up in your bag?" Yelena's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. So this was Sonya's plan--a final attempt to humiliate Yelena. She glanced at Sonya, her eyes sharp as d**gers. If Sonya wanted a show, she'd give her one. "How could you, Yelena?" Tatiana shrieked, her voice trembling with outrage. "Stealing from the very people who raised you? After everything we've done for you? No wonder you turned down the ten thousand dollars--you've already helped yourself to something far more valuable! A thief within the family is the ultimate disgrace!" Jonathan's frown deepened into a stormy scowl. He stepped forward, his voice low and foreboding. "Yelena, explain yourself. Why did the bracelet I gave to Sonya end up in your bag?" Chapter 2 A Wounded Man "Jonathan! She's nothing but a thief!" Tatiana's voice cracked with urgency, her frustration boiling over. "We should call the police immediately!" Sonya, ever the picture of contrived benevolence, stepped forward with a sigh. "Dad, Mom, let's not jump to conclusions. Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding. Maybe Yelena put the bracelet in her bag without even realizing it. I'm sure she didn't mean to." "What? She didn't meant to? Are you seriously trying to tell me that the bracelet just happened to fall into her bag? This isn't just some trinket--it's an original design by Yvonne, a true masterpiece. Irreplaceable. Yelena knew exactly what it was worth. Her greed is written all over her. It's exactly as I feared! No matter how long we raised her, we can't change her nature." Tatiana's words lashed out like a whip, dri*ping with contempt. "Mom, really, let it go," Sonya chimed in, her tone soft, almost pitying. She turned to Yelena with a sigh, her lips curving into a faintly sympathetic smile. "If she loves it so much, let her keep it. It's not like we'll see her again anyway. Though I can't deny, this bracelet has always been special to me. Yvonne is my idol, and her designs mean the world to me." Yelena watched their performance in silence, her expression unreadable. Each line, each gesture, was delivered with the precision of seasoned actors. If they ever decided to give up their privileged lives, they could make a fortune in the theater. The absurdity of it all almost made her laugh. Calmly, she bent down and picked up the bracelet, letting its brilliance glint in the light. Without a word, she approached Sonya, holding the clasp up to her face. "Take a good look," Yelena said, her voice cool and composed. "Read what's engraved here." Sonya's smile wavered, her confidence slipping as she hesitated. Narrowing her eyes, she leaned in, her gaze falling on the inscription. The elegant engraving stood out clearly--Y.R. "How... how could this be?" Sonya stammered, her voice faltering as her shock momentarily slipped through her polished exterior. "Aren't you a devoted fan of Yvonne's work, Sonya? Surely, you're aware that this series was designed with the option for custom engravings--each bracelet made unique to its owner. Not only that, but as a limited edition, every single piece is registered with an identification code. One-of-a-kind, impossible to duplicate." Yelena's lips curled into a wry smile. Her tone, calm yet laced with cutting mockery, was a bl**e honed to perfection. Before Sonya could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence. A servant descended the staircase, clutching another bracelet in her hand. "Miss Roberts, is this the bracelet you've been searching for?" The room fell into stunned silence, all eyes locking onto the bracelet in the servant's hand. Sonya, recovering quickly, plastered on a strained smile and let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Oh, there it is! I can't believe it was here all along. How silly of me!" Her voice dripped with forced cheer, but her mind raced, panic bubbling just beneath the surface. What happened? She had been certain she'd slipped the bracelet into Yelena's bag. Yelena's icy gaze fixed on Sonya, the corners of her lips tugging into a cool, condescending smirk. "Well, Sonya, do you still think I stole your precious bracelet? Are you sure you want to get the police involved?" Sonya's composure wavered for a split second before she replied, "This bracelet is worth a small fortune. Tell me, Yelena, how could you possibly afford something like this? Unless..." She paused, her smile twisting into something uglier. "Unless you resorted to something less... honorable. After all, some girls these days will do anything for the right price." Yelena's smile sharpened into a blade, her eyes glinting with icy disdain. "You seem awfully knowledgeable about that line of work, Sonya. Tell me--was it firsthand experience that taught you how these trades operate? Did you sell yourself before rejoining the Roberts family? Is that why you're so well-versed in the details?" Sonya's face burned crimson, her mouth opening and closing in sputtering outrage. "You... you're making baseless accusations!" "Yelena, you insolent brat!" Tatiana roared, her face contorted in rage as she slammed her fist against the armrest. "How dare you speak to Sonya like that? Get out of this house! Out of this family! And don't ever come back!" Yelena's smile grew sharper, radiant with defiance. Her eyes glittered with icy resolve. "Beg me on your knees, and still, I wouldn't step foot in this place again," she said, her voice as smooth as steel. Turning on her heel, she slung her worn black bag over her shoulder and strode toward the door. She didn't hesitate, didn't look back. For her, the Roberts family and their hollow pretenses were already a closed chapter. She felt no sadness, only relief. The charade was over. "Good riddance!" Tatiana sneered behind her, venom dripping from her words. She slumped into her seat, exhaling deeply, her lips curling into a smile of satisfaction. In her mind, the family was finally rid of an unwelcome burden. Yelena walked out into the crisp evening air, the villa shrinking behind her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she answered it without breaking stride. "Yelena, I heard that they kicked you out?" Brody Hewitt's voice was sharp, brimming with agitation. "They did," Yelena replied evenly, her tone calm but resolute. There was a pause, and then Brody's voice hardened. "Those people are absolutely sh**eless!" Brody's voice crackled through the phone, brimming with indignation. "They're the definition of fair-weather friends. Without you, Jonathan Roberts would still be floundering in obscurity. They don't even realize that you were the reason for their success..." "That's enough," Yelena cut in, her voice calm but firm. "Any updates on my biological parents?" Jonathan had claimed it was a mistake at the hospital, a mix-up rather than an intentional act of abandonment. That distinction lingered in Yelena's mind, fueling her determination to find her family. Brody exhaled audibly, reining in his frustration. "Yes, the search is in progress. We should have concrete results soon." "Good," Yelena replied crisply, ending the call without another word. As she approached the main road, a sharp, metallic scent drifted on the cold breeze, cutting through the night air. She stopped mid-step, her brows furrowing as unease prickled at the back of her neck. A figure emerged from the shadows, staggering toward her. His white shirt was soaked in bl**d, the crimson staining his chest and hands. Each step he took seemed heavier than the last, his strength visibly waning. "Stop running, coward! Accept your fate!" a menacing voice shouted from behind him. Yelena's gaze darted to the source of the commotion. A group of men, dressed in black, stalked after the injured man like predators closing in on their prey. Their movements were deliberate, their intent clear. The injured man--Austin Barton--paused, swaying but defiant. His face was pallid, his breaths shallow, yet his voice held steel. "Who are you working for?" "Sh*t it! We're done talking." The man then turned to his group. "Let's finish him off already." "Wait." Another man halted abruptly, his gaze shifting to the side. "There's someone else here." Yelena froze as all eyes turned to her. Her heart sank. Perfect. Just perfect. Today had been a series of escalating disasters, and now this. It was painfully clear these men had no intention of leaving witnesses behind. The cause of her predicament stood before her--the bl**died man staggering in her direction. The leader of the group, a hulking figure with a cruel smirk, stepped forward. His eyes roamed over her, lingering too long, and his lips curled into something predatory. The men around him chuckled darkly, their laughter carrying an undercurrent of vile intent. "Don't be afraid, sweetheart," one of the men sneered, his tone mocking as his gaze lingered on her. "Once we deal with this guy, we'll take real good care of you. Whatever your pretty little heart d**ires--it'll all be yours." Yelena didn't flinch. Her eyes, cold and unyielding, met his with an intensity that froze the air between them. She uttered a single word, her voice low and commanding, cutting through the tension like a bl**e. "Leave." The men exchanged amused glances, still jeering, but their laughter faltered when they caught a glint of silver in the dim light. In her hand, a set of long, sleek needles shimmered, their tips sharp and unyielding. Yelena's lips curled into a mocking smile, her gaze sharpening into something lethal. Before any of them could process the shift in her stance, she moved. With fluid precision, her arm arced through the air, the needles slicing through the darkness like streaks of light. Each one found its mark with unerring accuracy--throats, shoulders, legs--their targets incapacitated before a single cry could escape their lips. One by one, the men crumpled to the ground, their weapons slipping from their hands. Their jeering confidence dissolved into stunned silence as realization dawned far too late. Austin, still struggling to stay upright, stared at the scene in wide-eyed disbelief. Who was this woman? Her movements had been precise, calculated--far beyond anything he had ever witnessed. She wasn't just skilled. She was extraordinary! Chapter 3 Returned To Her Real Family Yelena cast a cursory glance at the men sprawled on the ground before shifting her gaze to the injured man. His sharp features were striking--eyes dark and cold, his expression distant and stoic, as if carved from stone. Despite his pallor and obvious pain, he exuded an air of quiet resilience. She had every intention of walking away, leaving this chaotic scene behind her. Yet something in her hesitated. One of her weaknesses--her soft-heartedness--held her back. With a resigned sigh, she knelt beside the man and examined his wounds. "Thank you," Austin said, his voice low but carrying a sincere note of gratitude. "It's nothing," she replied, her tone detached, though her actions suggested otherwise. As she checked his pulse, her brows knitted together. The bl**ding, while severe, wasn't the most pressing concern. His pulse was weak and erratic--a telltale sign of poison coursing through his v*ins. Yelena opened her bag and retrieved a small porcelain bottle. Uncorking it, she sprinkled a fine medicinal powder over his bl**ding wounds. Almost instantly, the bl**ding slowed, and a soothing coolness replaced the sting of pain. She then produced a small pill and handed it to him, her voice steady. "Take this. It will counteract the poison. Without timely treatment, you won't make it much longer," Yelena said, her tone cool and matter-of-fact. Austin hesitated, his sharp eyes studying her as if trying to gauge her intentions. Yelena continued her work, efficiently bandaging his wounds. Just as she finished, the sound of footsteps reached them. She turned her head to see another group of people approaching. "Mr. Barton..." "They're with me," Austin said, exhaling in relief. His shoulders relaxed slightly, his posture easing. Yelena stood up. "Since your men are here now, I'll be on my way," she said briskly, already turning to leave. "Miss," Austincalled after her, his tone softer now. "At least tell me your name, so I can repay your kindness." "That won't be necessary," Yelena replied curtly, her voice cool but final. Before he could utter another word, she was already gone. Trouble was a luxury she couldn't afford. After being saved, Austin's sharp gaze lingered on her retreating figure, a spark of intrigue lighting up his otherwise steely expression. How had she pinpointed the poison merely by taking his pulse? Her precision, her unshaken calm, and her evident expertise--it all defied belief. One thing was certain though--as long as she remained in Eighfast, he would find her again. Yelena walked away without a glance behind her, her focus already shifting to the next step in her journey. Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft hum of an approaching car. A sleek, custom-built extended Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop in front of her, its polished exterior gleaming even under the dim streetlights. Yelena froze momentarily, as she'd only ever seen such extravagance in magazines and on television. The door opened with precise smoothness, and a middle-aged man stepped out. His movements were deliberate, his posture immaculate, and his expression carried a quiet reverence. "Miss Harris, we've finally found you! I am Sebastian Holden, the Harris family's butler. At the request of Mr. and Mrs. Harris, I am here to escort you home." "Me? Miss Harris?" Yelena asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. What was he talking about? The Roberts family had mentioned her biological parents were impoverished villagers from the remote region of Phurg. Yet here stood a man whose demeanor and the car he emerged from spoke of nothing but wealth and privilege. "Yes, you!" Sebastian confirmed, his tone measured yet warm. "You are the eldest daughter of the Harris family. Your mother got emotional and almost fainted when she learned of your existence, and your father instructed me to personally ensure your safe return. Please, come with me." Sebastian, his expression composed yet filled with deference, stepped forward and held the car door open for her. Yelena's mind raced. Could the Roberts family's investigation have been wrong--or deliberately misleading? Her bewilderment gave way to resolve. She had always intended to find her biological parents. If someone had come to take her to them, why hesitate? Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the car. The door clicked shut with a reassuring softness, and the vehicle glided away from the curb... ...... Meanwhile, in a private hospital in Eighfast. Austin lay motionless against the stark white sheets of the hospital bed, his angular features etched with quiet intensity. Even in repose, there was an undeniable authority about him--an unyielding tension in his jaw and the unspoken command reflected in his gaze. "Sir, our team has conducted extensive searches in the surrounding areas," Domenic Murphy, Austin's ever-loyal assistant, reported. "But so far, we've been unable to locate the young woman you described." "I see. Continue the search." Austin's eyes remained fixed on the view outside, his voice steady and resolute. The woman had saved his life, pulling him back from the brink of death. But gratitude alone wasn't driving him. There were unanswered questions--puzzling and urgent--that demanded resolution. "Understood, sir! I've also deployed a team to investigate the men in black. Early findings suggest that your activities here in Eighfast were compromised. This led directly to the ambush. There is a possibility that your uncle..." Domenic stopped abruptly as Austin raised a hand, cutting him off with an imperious gesture. "I'm already aware," Austin said curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "For now, prioritize locating Yancy. Time is of the essence." "Yes, sir. I will see to it that it gets done soon," Domenic replied, bowing slightly before exiting the room with silent efficiency. Austin's gaze remained on the horizon, his mind racing. As a son of the powerful Barton family in Kheley, he had ventured to Eighfast with a singular purpose: to find the mysterious doctor Yancy, the person central to his mission. Two years earlier, Austin had been stricken with a lethal poison, one so rare that even the most renowned medical experts were left confounded. Conventional treatments had failed him, and Austin had been left with a grim prognosis--his time was running out. Rumors swirled of an mysterious doctor named Yancy, reputed to hold the knowledge needed to counteract such toxins. With hope as his only guide, Austin had journeyed to Eighfast in pursuit of this elusive savior, but fate had intervened in a way he hadn't foreseen. An ambush nearly claimed his life, and his mission might have ended there had it not been for a young woman who appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Now, as the days slipped away, Austin's resolve hardened. The toxin lay dormant for now, but its threat loomed. At that moment, the door to his hospital room swung open, and Jarrod Robinson, Austin's attending physician, strode in. A set of medical reports rested in his hands, and a flicker of restrained excitement lit his face. "Mr. Barton, I have good news! The toxin levels in your system have markedly decreased since our last evaluation." Jarrod had been Austin's private physician since the onset of his illness, a prodigy in the medical field renowned for solving complex cases. Yet, even he had been powerless against the mystery of Austin's poisoning. Austin's eyes narrowed in disbelief as he sat up abruptly. "Are you certain?" "Absolutely!" Jarrod handed him the latest report, his tone barely containing his curiosity. "This is remarkable progress. Where were you treated? Could you share that information with me?" The sudden improvement in his condition was both baffling and thrilling. "I received no formal treatment," Austin said, his voice steady but charged with an undercurrent of urgency. "During the ambush, a young woman saved me. She then handed me a pill and claimed it would be of help." The memory was etched deeply in his mind. From the moment he had taken the pill, a remarkable warmth had spread through his body, reigniting his vitality in a way that defied explanation. He had no doubt--the pill had been the turning point in his survival, and the woman who provided it was the key. "Whoever she is, her knowledge goes beyond anything I've encountered--it could revolutionize treatment for cases like yours." Jarrod's eyes gleamed with curiosity. At the words, Austin's eyes flashed with a determination that was bound to find her... ...... ==== Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins--a lineage of historic opulence. What happens next? What will her real family be like? What kind of sparks will she create with this mysterious man? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5&

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During her search, she saved a powerful billionaire. When they met again, he pinned her against the wall. "Doctor Y," he said, "may I offer myself in exchange for another rescue?" ===== "Yelena, back so soon? Brett White may be older, but he's everything a woman could want--rich, influential, and dependable. You should be honored to have such a chance to be his wife." Sonya Roberts leaned against the doorframe, a smug smile painted on her lips. Yelena Roberts' expression hardened. "Why don't you take this 'chance' for yourself, Sonya?" Yelena's voice cut like a bl**e, her eyes narrowed with scorn. "You spiked my drink, didn't you?" Before Sonya could react, Yelena surged forward, her palm colliding sharply with Sonya's cheek. The crack of the sl*p rang through the room, slicing through Sonya's arrogance. Sonya clutched her stinging cheek, her confidence crumbling into a strangled gasp, as the fierce red imprint of Yelena's fingers seared into her skin. "Yelena! You insolent girl! Have you gone mad?" Tatiana Roberts stormed forward, her face twisted in rage and disbelief as she glared daggers at Yelena. "How dare you hit Sonya?" What an ungrateful wr**ch! After all, Yelena wasn't even a Roberts. Three months ago, a trip to the hospital changed everything. Yelena had been admitted for an injury, and what should have been a routine bl**d test cracked her world wide open. Her rare bl**d type didn't match Jonathan Roberts or his wife--her supposed parents. The revelation shattered the once happy family of three--Yelena wasn't their real daughter. Desperate to restore balance, the Roberts family launched an exhaustive search for their true daughter. They found her in Sonya, a woman who slid seamlessly into the life that had never been meant for Yelena. From that day on, Yelena became a ghost in her own home, a usurper unwittingly basking in luxuries meant for Sonya. What was once hers was now declared an injustice, an insult to Sonya's rightful claim. Jonathan and Tatiana needed to make amends with their newfound daughter. But simply cutting Yelena loose? That seemed wasteful. Brett White, a wealthy associate, had expressed a certain infatuation with Yelena. If they played their cards right, marrying her off would guarantee a five-million-dollar payoff. So, they hatched a sinister plan. A dr**ged drink. A room prepared for betrayal. They intended to hand her over like a pawn, signed and sealed. Yelena, however, had shattered their scheme, slipping away from their clutches in the nick of time. She turned to Tatiana, defiant and composed, her voice cutting through the room like a bl**e. "She dr**ged me, ridiculed me, and treated me like I was nothing. So tell me, don't you think that sl*p was well-deserved?" Sonya's face fell, her lips trembling before she plastered on a look of false hurt. "I was thinking of your future," she replied, her voice sickly sweet. "Mother told me your real family was from a poor village. Marrying Mr. White would elevate your entire existence. Surely, that's a blessing." Yet behind her feigned innocence, Sonya seethed. How dare Yelena strike her? Retribution would come. Soon. "If marrying into wealth is such a blessing, why not seize it yourself?" Yelena's voice dripped with ice as her narrowed eyes pierced straight through Sonya and Tatiana. "You ungrateful girl!" Tatiana's voice was a whip crack of fury, her eyes blazing. "How dare you even think to measure yourself against Sonya? She is leagues above you! Sonya is already engaged to Roger Ellis, heir to the prestigious Ellis family. A union that befits her status!" Sonya stepped forward, her smile syrupy sweet, but her eyes gleaming with triumph. "That's right, Yelena. Roger told me I'm his one true love, the only one he could ever imagine by his side." The reality of it all hung in the air like a suffocating fog. Yelena had been Roger's fiancee first, a plan set in motion long before Sonya's existence was uncovered. But the moment Yelena's parentage unraveled, so did her engagement. Sonya stepped into her place as effortlessly as one might slip on a perfectly tailored gown. Even Roger had seemed eager to make the swap, his affections pivoting to Sonya with startling ease. Sonya's gaze lingered on Yelena, scanning her like a predator assessing prey. The softness of her features, her luminous skin, the poised elegance that seemed intrinsic to her--Sonya hated it. Envy coiled in her chest, venomous and bitter, but she masked it behind her well-practiced smile. "Relax, Sonya. I wouldn't touch Roger with a ten-foot pole. You two are perfect for each other--a match so unfortunate it's almost poetic. Just be sure to keep your theatrics to yourselves. The rest of us don't need the headache." Yelena's lips curved into a slow, disdainful smirk. Jonathan, sensing the tension reaching a breaking point, finally stepped in. "Yelena, this is for your benefit. We found you a suitable match, someone who can secure your future. But if you insist on refusing, then so be it. Perhaps it's time you sought out your biological parents." Despite knowing the depths of Tatiana and Sonya's scheming, Jonathan didn't even try to stop them. He understood their actions were wrong, yet the undeniable truth of Yelena's origins left no room for her to remain with the Roberts family. With a resigned sigh, Jonathan pulled out an envelope containing ten thousand dollars and held it out to her. "Take this. It's the least we can do. We mistakenly brought you here from Phurg, and we believe your real parents are still there." Phurg--a desolate and impoverished region, surviving only on the charity of corporations--was a stark reminder of how far removed Yelena was from the life she had known. Tatiana scoffed, crossing her arms. "Jonathan, are you serious? We raised her for more than a decade. We owe her nothing. And now you're handing her money after she had the audacity to strike Sonya? She's nothing but an ungrateful little parasite." Ungrateful? Yelena let out a bitter, mirthless laugh, her cold chuckle slicing through the air. Their eagerness to discard her so easily, as if she were an old trinket they no longer wanted, struck her deeper than she cared to admit. When she first found out that she wasn't their biological child, she had considered leaving them with a significant parting gift, a sum of money to ensure their security. But now? That notion felt laughable. Jonathan lacked the skills to manage a business, and Tatiana was little more than a glorified spender, bleeding their resources dry. If it weren't for Yelena's behind-the-scenes efforts, the Roberts Group would have collapsed long ago. Her eyes hardened as she straightened her posture. "Thank you for the gesture, Mr. Roberts, but that won't be necessary," she said, her voice calm and resolute. Without waiting for a response, Yelena turned on her heel and ascended the staircase to pack her belongings. Sonya hastily ran after Yelena. When Yelena returned downstairs, her figure was composed, carrying nothing but a worn black bag slung over her shoulder. Her expression was unreadable, but her posture radiated defiance. Sonya trailed after her, her face a mask of false concern. "Wait, Yelena! Don't be so hasty. These clothes are practically new--you really should take them. I mean, I heard your real family is... well, struggling," she said. With a calculated flourish, Sonya reached out and grabbed Yelena's bag. The loud clatter of its contents scattering onto the marble floor seized everyone's attention. Amid the mundane items lay a gleaming Chanel bracelet, its brilliance catching the light like a beacon. Sonya let out an exaggerated gasp, her hand flying to her chest. "This... this is the bracelet Dad gave me just last week! How could it end up in your bag?" Yelena's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. So this was Sonya's plan--a final attempt to humiliate Yelena. She glanced at Sonya, her eyes sharp as d**gers. If Sonya wanted a show, she'd give her one. "How could you, Yelena?" Tatiana shrieked, her voice trembling with outrage. "Stealing from the very people who raised you? After everything we've done for you? No wonder you turned down the ten thousand dollars--you've already helped yourself to something far more valuable! A thief within the family is the ultimate disgrace!" Jonathan's frown deepened into a stormy scowl. He stepped forward, his voice low and foreboding. "Yelena, explain yourself. Why did the bracelet I gave to Sonya end up in your bag?" Chapter 2 A Wounded Man "Jonathan! She's nothing but a thief!" Tatiana's voice cracked with urgency, her frustration boiling over. "We should call the police immediately!" Sonya, ever the picture of contrived benevolence, stepped forward with a sigh. "Dad, Mom, let's not jump to conclusions. Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding. Maybe Yelena put the bracelet in her bag without even realizing it. I'm sure she didn't mean to." "What? She didn't meant to? Are you seriously trying to tell me that the bracelet just happened to fall into her bag? This isn't just some trinket--it's an original design by Yvonne, a true masterpiece. Irreplaceable. Yelena knew exactly what it was worth. Her greed is written all over her. It's exactly as I feared! No matter how long we raised her, we can't change her nature." Tatiana's words lashed out like a whip, dri*ping with contempt. "Mom, really, let it go," Sonya chimed in, her tone soft, almost pitying. She turned to Yelena with a sigh, her lips curving into a faintly sympathetic smile. "If she loves it so much, let her keep it. It's not like we'll see her again anyway. Though I can't deny, this bracelet has always been special to me. Yvonne is my idol, and her designs mean the world to me." Yelena watched their performance in silence, her expression unreadable. Each line, each gesture, was delivered with the precision of seasoned actors. If they ever decided to give up their privileged lives, they could make a fortune in the theater. The absurdity of it all almost made her laugh. Calmly, she bent down and picked up the bracelet, letting its brilliance glint in the light. Without a word, she approached Sonya, holding the clasp up to her face. "Take a good look," Yelena said, her voice cool and composed. "Read what's engraved here." Sonya's smile wavered, her confidence slipping as she hesitated. Narrowing her eyes, she leaned in, her gaze falling on the inscription. The elegant engraving stood out clearly--Y.R. "How... how could this be?" Sonya stammered, her voice faltering as her shock momentarily slipped through her polished exterior. "Aren't you a devoted fan of Yvonne's work, Sonya? Surely, you're aware that this series was designed with the option for custom engravings--each bracelet made unique to its owner. Not only that, but as a limited edition, every single piece is registered with an identification code. One-of-a-kind, impossible to duplicate." Yelena's lips curled into a wry smile. Her tone, calm yet laced with cutting mockery, was a bl**e honed to perfection. Before Sonya could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence. A servant descended the staircase, clutching another bracelet in her hand. "Miss Roberts, is this the bracelet you've been searching for?" The room fell into stunned silence, all eyes locking onto the bracelet in the servant's hand. Sonya, recovering quickly, plastered on a strained smile and let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Oh, there it is! I can't believe it was here all along. How silly of me!" Her voice dripped with forced cheer, but her mind raced, panic bubbling just beneath the surface. What happened? She had been certain she'd slipped the bracelet into Yelena's bag. Yelena's icy gaze fixed on Sonya, the corners of her lips tugging into a cool, condescending smirk. "Well, Sonya, do you still think I stole your precious bracelet? Are you sure you want to get the police involved?" Sonya's composure wavered for a split second before she replied, "This bracelet is worth a small fortune. Tell me, Yelena, how could you possibly afford something like this? Unless..." She paused, her smile twisting into something uglier. "Unless you resorted to something less... honorable. After all, some girls these days will do anything for the right price." Yelena's smile sharpened into a blade, her eyes glinting with icy disdain. "You seem awfully knowledgeable about that line of work, Sonya. Tell me--was it firsthand experience that taught you how these trades operate? Did you sell yourself before rejoining the Roberts family? Is that why you're so well-versed in the details?" Sonya's face burned crimson, her mouth opening and closing in sputtering outrage. "You... you're making baseless accusations!" "Yelena, you insolent brat!" Tatiana roared, her face contorted in rage as she slammed her fist against the armrest. "How dare you speak to Sonya like that? Get out of this house! Out of this family! And don't ever come back!" Yelena's smile grew sharper, radiant with defiance. Her eyes glittered with icy resolve. "Beg me on your knees, and still, I wouldn't step foot in this place again," she said, her voice as smooth as steel. Turning on her heel, she slung her worn black bag over her shoulder and strode toward the door. She didn't hesitate, didn't look back. For her, the Roberts family and their hollow pretenses were already a closed chapter. She felt no sadness, only relief. The charade was over. "Good riddance!" Tatiana sneered behind her, venom dripping from her words. She slumped into her seat, exhaling deeply, her lips curling into a smile of satisfaction. In her mind, the family was finally rid of an unwelcome burden. Yelena walked out into the crisp evening air, the villa shrinking behind her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she answered it without breaking stride. "Yelena, I heard that they kicked you out?" Brody Hewitt's voice was sharp, brimming with agitation. "They did," Yelena replied evenly, her tone calm but resolute. There was a pause, and then Brody's voice hardened. "Those people are absolutely sh**eless!" Brody's voice crackled through the phone, brimming with indignation. "They're the definition of fair-weather friends. Without you, Jonathan Roberts would still be floundering in obscurity. They don't even realize that you were the reason for their success..." "That's enough," Yelena cut in, her voice calm but firm. "Any updates on my biological parents?" Jonathan had claimed it was a mistake at the hospital, a mix-up rather than an intentional act of abandonment. That distinction lingered in Yelena's mind, fueling her determination to find her family. Brody exhaled audibly, reining in his frustration. "Yes, the search is in progress. We should have concrete results soon." "Good," Yelena replied crisply, ending the call without another word. As she approached the main road, a sharp, metallic scent drifted on the cold breeze, cutting through the night air. She stopped mid-step, her brows furrowing as unease prickled at the back of her neck. A figure emerged from the shadows, staggering toward her. His white shirt was soaked in bl**d, the crimson staining his chest and hands. Each step he took seemed heavier than the last, his strength visibly waning. "Stop running, coward! Accept your fate!" a menacing voice shouted from behind him. Yelena's gaze darted to the source of the commotion. A group of men, dressed in black, stalked after the injured man like predators closing in on their prey. Their movements were deliberate, their intent clear. The injured man--Austin Barton--paused, swaying but defiant. His face was pallid, his breaths shallow, yet his voice held steel. "Who are you working for?" "Sh*t it! We're done talking." The man then turned to his group. "Let's finish him off already." "Wait." Another man halted abruptly, his gaze shifting to the side. "There's someone else here." Yelena froze as all eyes turned to her. Her heart sank. Perfect. Just perfect. Today had been a series of escalating disasters, and now this. It was painfully clear these men had no intention of leaving witnesses behind. The cause of her predicament stood before her--the bl**died man staggering in her direction. The leader of the group, a hulking figure with a cruel smirk, stepped forward. His eyes roamed over her, lingering too long, and his lips curled into something predatory. The men around him chuckled darkly, their laughter carrying an undercurrent of vile intent. "Don't be afraid, sweetheart," one of the men sneered, his tone mocking as his gaze lingered on her. "Once we deal with this guy, we'll take real good care of you. Whatever your pretty little heart d**ires--it'll all be yours." Yelena didn't flinch. Her eyes, cold and unyielding, met his with an intensity that froze the air between them. She uttered a single word, her voice low and commanding, cutting through the tension like a bl**e. "Leave." The men exchanged amused glances, still jeering, but their laughter faltered when they caught a glint of silver in the dim light. In her hand, a set of long, sleek needles shimmered, their tips sharp and unyielding. Yelena's lips curled into a mocking smile, her gaze sharpening into something lethal. Before any of them could process the shift in her stance, she moved. With fluid precision, her arm arced through the air, the needles slicing through the darkness like streaks of light. Each one found its mark with unerring accuracy--throats, shoulders, legs--their targets incapacitated before a single cry could escape their lips. One by one, the men crumpled to the ground, their weapons slipping from their hands. Their jeering confidence dissolved into stunned silence as realization dawned far too late. Austin, still struggling to stay upright, stared at the scene in wide-eyed disbelief. Who was this woman? Her movements had been precise, calculated--far beyond anything he had ever witnessed. She wasn't just skilled. She was extraordinary! Chapter 3 Returned To Her Real Family Yelena cast a cursory glance at the men sprawled on the ground before shifting her gaze to the injured man. His sharp features were striking--eyes dark and cold, his expression distant and stoic, as if carved from stone. Despite his pallor and obvious pain, he exuded an air of quiet resilience. She had every intention of walking away, leaving this chaotic scene behind her. Yet something in her hesitated. One of her weaknesses--her soft-heartedness--held her back. With a resigned sigh, she knelt beside the man and examined his wounds. "Thank you," Austin said, his voice low but carrying a sincere note of gratitude. "It's nothing," she replied, her tone detached, though her actions suggested otherwise. As she checked his pulse, her brows knitted together. The bl**ding, while severe, wasn't the most pressing concern. His pulse was weak and erratic--a telltale sign of poison coursing through his v*ins. Yelena opened her bag and retrieved a small porcelain bottle. Uncorking it, she sprinkled a fine medicinal powder over his bl**ding wounds. Almost instantly, the bl**ding slowed, and a soothing coolness replaced the sting of pain. She then produced a small pill and handed it to him, her voice steady. "Take this. It will counteract the poison. Without timely treatment, you won't make it much longer," Yelena said, her tone cool and matter-of-fact. Austin hesitated, his sharp eyes studying her as if trying to gauge her intentions. Yelena continued her work, efficiently bandaging his wounds. Just as she finished, the sound of footsteps reached them. She turned her head to see another group of people approaching. "Mr. Barton..." "They're with me," Austin said, exhaling in relief. His shoulders relaxed slightly, his posture easing. Yelena stood up. "Since your men are here now, I'll be on my way," she said briskly, already turning to leave. "Miss," Austincalled after her, his tone softer now. "At least tell me your name, so I can repay your kindness." "That won't be necessary," Yelena replied curtly, her voice cool but final. Before he could utter another word, she was already gone. Trouble was a luxury she couldn't afford. After being saved, Austin's sharp gaze lingered on her retreating figure, a spark of intrigue lighting up his otherwise steely expression. How had she pinpointed the poison merely by taking his pulse? Her precision, her unshaken calm, and her evident expertise--it all defied belief. One thing was certain though--as long as she remained in Eighfast, he would find her again. Yelena walked away without a glance behind her, her focus already shifting to the next step in her journey. Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft hum of an approaching car. A sleek, custom-built extended Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop in front of her, its polished exterior gleaming even under the dim streetlights. Yelena froze momentarily, as she'd only ever seen such extravagance in magazines and on television. The door opened with precise smoothness, and a middle-aged man stepped out. His movements were deliberate, his posture immaculate, and his expression carried a quiet reverence. "Miss Harris, we've finally found you! I am Sebastian Holden, the Harris family's butler. At the request of Mr. and Mrs. Harris, I am here to escort you home." "Me? Miss Harris?" Yelena asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. What was he talking about? The Roberts family had mentioned her biological parents were impoverished villagers from the remote region of Phurg. Yet here stood a man whose demeanor and the car he emerged from spoke of nothing but wealth and privilege. "Yes, you!" Sebastian confirmed, his tone measured yet warm. "You are the eldest daughter of the Harris family. Your mother got emotional and almost fainted when she learned of your existence, and your father instructed me to personally ensure your safe return. Please, come with me." Sebastian, his expression composed yet filled with deference, stepped forward and held the car door open for her. Yelena's mind raced. Could the Roberts family's investigation have been wrong--or deliberately misleading? Her bewilderment gave way to resolve. She had always intended to find her biological parents. If someone had come to take her to them, why hesitate? Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the car. The door clicked shut with a reassuring softness, and the vehicle glided away from the curb... ...... Meanwhile, in a private hospital in Eighfast. Austin lay motionless against the stark white sheets of the hospital bed, his angular features etched with quiet intensity. Even in repose, there was an undeniable authority about him--an unyielding tension in his jaw and the unspoken command reflected in his gaze. "Sir, our team has conducted extensive searches in the surrounding areas," Domenic Murphy, Austin's ever-loyal assistant, reported. "But so far, we've been unable to locate the young woman you described." "I see. Continue the search." Austin's eyes remained fixed on the view outside, his voice steady and resolute. The woman had saved his life, pulling him back from the brink of death. But gratitude alone wasn't driving him. There were unanswered questions--puzzling and urgent--that demanded resolution. "Understood, sir! I've also deployed a team to investigate the men in black. Early findings suggest that your activities here in Eighfast were compromised. This led directly to the ambush. There is a possibility that your uncle..." Domenic stopped abruptly as Austin raised a hand, cutting him off with an imperious gesture. "I'm already aware," Austin said curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "For now, prioritize locating Yancy. Time is of the essence." "Yes, sir. I will see to it that it gets done soon," Domenic replied, bowing slightly before exiting the room with silent efficiency. Austin's gaze remained on the horizon, his mind racing. As a son of the powerful Barton family in Kheley, he had ventured to Eighfast with a singular purpose: to find the mysterious doctor Yancy, the person central to his mission. Two years earlier, Austin had been stricken with a lethal poison, one so rare that even the most renowned medical experts were left confounded. Conventional treatments had failed him, and Austin had been left with a grim prognosis--his time was running out. Rumors swirled of an mysterious doctor named Yancy, reputed to hold the knowledge needed to counteract such toxins. With hope as his only guide, Austin had journeyed to Eighfast in pursuit of this elusive savior, but fate had intervened in a way he hadn't foreseen. An ambush nearly claimed his life, and his mission might have ended there had it not been for a young woman who appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Now, as the days slipped away, Austin's resolve hardened. The toxin lay dormant for now, but its threat loomed. At that moment, the door to his hospital room swung open, and Jarrod Robinson, Austin's attending physician, strode in. A set of medical reports rested in his hands, and a flicker of restrained excitement lit his face. "Mr. Barton, I have good news! The toxin levels in your system have markedly decreased since our last evaluation." Jarrod had been Austin's private physician since the onset of his illness, a prodigy in the medical field renowned for solving complex cases. Yet, even he had been powerless against the mystery of Austin's poisoning. Austin's eyes narrowed in disbelief as he sat up abruptly. "Are you certain?" "Absolutely!" Jarrod handed him the latest report, his tone barely containing his curiosity. "This is remarkable progress. Where were you treated? Could you share that information with me?" The sudden improvement in his condition was both baffling and thrilling. "I received no formal treatment," Austin said, his voice steady but charged with an undercurrent of urgency. "During the ambush, a young woman saved me. She then handed me a pill and claimed it would be of help." The memory was etched deeply in his mind. From the moment he had taken the pill, a remarkable warmth had spread through his body, reigniting his vitality in a way that defied explanation. He had no doubt--the pill had been the turning point in his survival, and the woman who provided it was the key. "Whoever she is, her knowledge goes beyond anything I've encountered--it could revolutionize treatment for cases like yours." Jarrod's eyes gleamed with curiosity. At the words, Austin's eyes flashed with a determination that was bound to find her... ...... ==== Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins--a lineage of historic opulence. What happens next? What will her real family be like? What kind of sparks will she create with this mysterious man? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5&

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Her younger sister stole her mates from the first match and now wanted her current four mates. She thought the werewolf slave she bought would stay, but he turned out to be the werewolf king, who wanted to terminate the bond they shared. And she, considered a loser in this world, actually possessed a mysterious power within her. ===== "Lillian Clark, I'll ask you one last time," Waylon Edwards said, his voice sharp with impatience. "Are you going to break the bonds or not?" Without rushing, Lillian set the kn**e in her hand aside and placed a bag of beast cores on the table. Bl**d continued to drip from her palm. "After everything I've done for the two of you... has it never been enough?" Disgust showed plainly on Waylon's face as he looked her over. Her appearance was unkempt, far from what he believed a female should be. "With that F-level spiritual power of yours, you've never been able to soothe either Jaycob or me," he said coldly. "All these years, it's been your younger sister helping us behind your back. To us, she's the one we truly recognize as our domina. If you actually care about us, then end the bonds." Lillian's answer came without hesitation. "If that's how you feel, then I'll give you what you want." She paused, her eyes settling on him. "But there's something you need to settle first. We've been married for years, and to make up for my lack of spiritual power, I handed over every beast core I earned hunting aberrant beasts. Altogether, that's worth five million stellar coins. Pay me back, and you're free to go." Surprise flickered in Waylon's eyes, quickly replaced by excitement. He had been pushing for this separation for a year and never thought she would finally agree. He didn't have many stellar coins, but if he joined forces with Jaycob Warren and borrowed the rest, they could still pay her back. He didn't hesitate to agree. Lillian moved just as quickly. She pulled up the agreement on her communicator, signed it, and sent it over. "Get the money transferred by tonight. We'll finalize everything at the Notary Hall tomorrow afternoon." It had only been a month since Lillian took over this body, and along with it came every memory that belonged to its original owner. The world she now lived in was shaped by something known as Yggdrasil, something that governed countless planets. Once males on these planets reached adulthood, they awakened esper abilities that matched their nature. To strengthen those abilities, they hunted aberrant beasts and collected beast cores. The esper ability progressed from the lowest rank, F, all the way to S Plus. The esper abilities of females were the same. There was, however, one critical difference. As males' abilities advanced, they entered periods of rut. Without suppressants or a female's spiritual power to soothe them, they risked losing control, turning into mindless creatures or even destroying themselves. Females were rare and highly valued, their status high. Through Yggdrasil's system, a female could be assigned multiple males, and those males were expected to remain completely loyal to her. Only a female held the power to sever the bonds with them. The body Lillian now occupied belonged to someone who shared her name, yet their lives couldn't have been more different. This Lillian had been considered the least capable female in her family, stuck with an F-level spiritual power. Her younger sister, Justine Clark, stood in complete contrast. From birth, she possessed an S-level spiritual power, something extremely rare. Many females never advanced even a single level in spiritual power, so someone like Justine held immense value. Their family treated her as their pride, giving her the best of everything. Lillian, meanwhile, had to struggle for whatever she wanted. Even then, anything she managed to claim would often be taken by Justine. The previous Lillian had always known her limits. She lacked the spiritual power needed to soothe the two A-level males bonded to her when she came of age, Waylon and Jaycob. To make up for it, she spent her days fighting in the Aberrant Thicket, pushing herself to gather more beast cores for them. At home, she lowered herself to doing everything. She handled the cooking, washed their clothes, and kept the place clean, yet neither of those men ever warmed to her. Later that evening, Lillian sat down to eat with her neighbor, Rosalyn Scott, and told her about her decision to end her bonds to Waylon and Jacob the next day. Rosalyn's reaction came instantly. "That's unbelievable! They actually asked for that? How dare them? You've been nothing but good to them!" Lillian didn't seem bothered. "Justine enticed them away from me during the first year after the bonds were formed. I have never shared a b*d with them. And all I could do to soothe them is pat them on the head. There's no point in forcing them to stay with me." Rosalyn fell silent for a while, clearly shocked. Then, her expression softened as she remembered Lillian's weak spiritual power. She said, "You don't need to worry too much. The Federal Directorate won't leave a female without mates. Once you break the bonds, Yggdrasil will assign new males to you." Lillian let out a frustrated sigh and replied, "That's the problem. I don't want to be bonded again. It always ends the same way. The males won't like me." She could already see how things would play out. If she ended up bonded to capable males, Justine would step in again and take them away, just like before. Rosalyn looked Lillian over from head to toe before speaking again. "You don't really have a choice. Bonding is required, and new males will come looking for you whether you want it or not. At least try to change how you present yourself. You always look like you just came out of the wild. Even if males don't hold the same status as females, you should still try to leave a good first impression." For years, Lillian had dressed only for survival. Hunting aberrant beasts and gathering herbs in the Aberrant Thicket had shaped her habits, leaving no room for concern about how she looked. Now, a thought crossed her mind. Maybe Waylon and Jaycob had kept their distance because of how disheveled she looked? If that was the reason, then in her eyes, they were nothing more than shallow males. A quiet sigh escaped her. "Alright, I get it." Rosalyn handed her a ticket. "Here. It's for an underground fighting match. Go watch something fun and take your mind off things. The bar owner gave the tickets to me. We can go together." Lillian accepted the ticket. "Thanks." The following day, after giving it some thought, Lillian decided to take a short break. The money from Waylon and Jaycob had already been transferred, so there was nothing holding her back. She started by taking a long shower. After that, she used her communicator to order several elegant dresses and followed tutorials to style her hair into soft curls. Her natural beauty was actually remarkable. Her skin was smooth, and her features could easily rival Justine's. Years spent outdoors had shaped her body into something balanced and strong. There was firmness in her muscles, yet her movements carried a light, controlled ease. When Rosalyn saw Lillian, she froze in place, her reaction almost comical. It took a moment before she found her voice again. "Why would you hide a face like that before? Even without strong spiritual power, males would still be drawn to you. Waylon and Jaycob would definitely regret leaving you!" Chapter 2 She Bought The Dying Werewolf In The Arena Lillian gave a small smile, thinking that Rosalyn was only saying that to comfort her. However, when they showed up at the underground fighting arena, she indeed caught the attention of many males around her. Rosalyn located their seats, guided Lillian over, and sat down with her. The fight was already underway, a brutal scene with fists flying and legs kicking, the audience watching with excitement. At first, Lillian felt no real interest in what was happening. That changed when a werewolf was hauled onto the platform in chains. His gray ears were alert, and his eyes glowed with a dull, reddish hue. Lillian's focus locked onto him immediately. The werewolf was in r*t. The emcee's voice rang out with excitement. "Here we have a slave who has been stuck in r*t for a long time, rejected by every female, deprived of food for an entire week, and left without even a drop of water. Whoever manages to take him down will earn a hundred high-grade beast cores!" One after another, fighters stepped up to the fight, but every single one was violently overpowered and thrown off the stage by the uncontrollable werewolf. As the rounds went on, his wounds increased. One of his claws was broken. He remained crouched on the stage, bl**d spilling from his mouth as he coughed, yet he refused to make a sound, enduring the pain in silence. When the final horn echoed through the arena, he raised his head. By chance, his bl**dshot eyes met Lillian's gaze. The mix of fury and despair in his look made her press her lips together. Rosalyn inhaled deeply and said with a trace of pity, "He's said to be from the Rogue Planet. He has been kept here for quite some time. I remember seeing him here last time; he's got a criminal past and no family, just scraping by on his own. Honestly, this could be the last time he steps into the ring alive." It was common knowledge that a male left too long without a female soothing him would eventually lose control and destroy himself. Lillian's expression grew somber. Something about his loneliness struck a familiar chord in her. In the end, the werewolf gathered what little strength he had left, defeated his final opponent, and then collapsed, looking as though he might die at any moment. Seeing that, Lillian suddenly asked, "How do I buy him?" Rosalyn stared at her in shock. "What? You want to buy him?" Lillian tilted her head slightly. "Just for fun. That's allowed, isn't it?" Rosalyn tried to talk Lillian out of it but eventually failed. She knew the arena's owner and brought Lillian to meet him and explained her intention to buy the werewolf. The owner looked taken aback. "You mean you want to buy Samuel? I was already planning to get rid of him. My lady, if you take him, you'll spend an enormous amount trying to treat him; it's simply not worth it." Ignoring that, Lillian crouched down in front of Samuel Burton, who had reverted to his human form due to extreme exhaustion. Even in that state, he was strikingly handsome, with an intimidating presence. A pair of soft, furry ears still remained visible. Lillian reached out and gently st**ked them. Samuel flinched. Startled, he abruptly sat up and was about to attack the person before him. But the moment he recognized Lillian as the striking, gentle-looking female he had noticed earlier in the crowd, his raised claw stopped mid-swing. The hostility and lethal intent in his eyes faded. He couldn't bring himself to hurt an innocent female. So, he lowered his head and curled into himself, silently refusing her touch. Lillian chose not to bother him anymore. She had always moved on her own or occasionally teamed up with low-tier hunting groups, traveling to the outer edges of the Aberrant Thicket to hunt small aberrant beasts and collect herbs just to get by. Still, the earnings were barely enough, and the low-grade beast cores she absorbed had no real effect on improving her spiritual power. She began to consider that this werewolf could help her venture deeper into the Aberrant Thicket, where she might find quality herbs and stronger beast cores to elevate her spiritual power. At the very least, it seemed like a feasible plan. Lillian spoke calmly. "I'll pay one million." She turned her attention to the owner and said firmly, "That's a fair deal for you, isn't it? Even if he recovers, the cost of suppressants alone is extremely high. And without a female to soothe him, he won't be able to return to the arena anyway." She wasn't wrong. At this point, Samuel was a rogue werewolf with no real value. After a moment of consideration, the owner accepted her offer. After taking Samuel out of the underground arena, Lillian noticed her communicator buzzing nonstop with missed calls and messages. She opened one of the video messages. Jaycob appeared on the screen, his face flushed with anger as he shouted, "Lillian, we've been waiting for you at the Notary Hall forever! Don't test our patience! You already took the money and signed the separation agreement. Are you trying to go back on your word now?" Without the domina's approval, it was impossible for the males to end the bonds on their own. In her rush to buy Samuel, Lillian had completely forgotten about the matter with Jaycob and Waylon. She quickly turned to Rosalyn. "Please take Samuel back to my place. There are medical supplies stored there. Use whatever you need and make sure he pulls through." "Sure, leave it to me," Rosalyn replied with confidence. By the time Lillian arrived at the Notary Hall, Waylon and Jaycob were already standing beside Justine. Walking up to them, Lillian said, "Sorry for keeping you waiting." Waylon and Jaycob stared at her, startled, as though they didn't recognize her right away. "Li-Lillian?" Jaycob's eyes scanned her from head to toe. She did look more attractive than before, but when he noticed she was wearing a white dress just like Justine, he let out a mocking laugh, assuming she was trying to imitate Justine to win sympathy and avoid the separation. Waylon seemed to reach the same conclusion. Disdainfully, he said, "There's no need for you to copy Justine. What we care about isn't just her looks; it's her kindness. Don't waste your time doing something useless." Justine offered a soft smile, putting on a fragile and apologetic front as she spoke to Lillian. "Lillian, I truly didn't mean to ruin your bonds or take your mates away from you. Please don't hold it against me, okay?" In her mind, Lillian was deeply attached to these two males. Seeing Lillian dressed like her today only reinforced her belief that she had come here to plead for reconciliation. However... Chapter 3 She Finally Found A Way To Enhance Her Spiritual Power "Sure." Lillian gave a short nod. She barely spared Justine a glance before heading straight for the registration desk. Instead of wasting time on pleasantries, she went straight to the point and asked the staff to stamp the documents. Without delay, a staff member processed everything and placed three separation certificates in her hands. A polite smile stayed on his face as he spoke. "Now that you're registered as a single female, Yggdrasil will match you with new males. You can check your email tomorrow for the results." After acknowledging him with a nod, she turned back and flicked her wrist, throwing two certificates toward Waylon and Jaycob. "It's done. From this point on, the two of you are Justine's fated mates." Shock spread across Justine's face as she went stiff for a moment. "Lillian, you actually broke the bonds with them? So that's it? You don't love them anymore?" A cold laugh slipped from Lillian as she shook her head. "Love? There was never anything like that between us. It was nothing more than an obligation that tied me to them. Since you're willing to pick up what I threw away, go ahead." Waylon's anger flared at that. "Lillian, watch your mouth! You think you can talk about us like that? We refused to serve you because of Justine. She's the one we truly love." Lillian didn't even bother responding. Arguing with them wasn't worth her time. So, she left and made her way home before the sky turned dark. Earlier, Rosalyn had sent a message to her. She said she had given Samuel an injection that kept him alive, but his condition hadn't improved. His mind was unstable, and he needed a suppressant or a female to soothe him as soon as possible. The moment Lillian arrived home, she found Samuel in the guest room. His body was hunched over on the carpet as he knelt there, and he was struggling through waves of pain. A strained sound escaped him while one of his hands had already shifted into a claw, about to hurt himself. Lillian's expression hardened at the sight. She rushed forward without hesitation and caught his wrist to stop him. At the sight of her, Samuel went still for a second. His ch**t rose and fell in uneven breaths as his voice came out rough. "You shouldn't get close to me. I might lose control and hurt you." "I'm not leaving you like this." Carefully, Lillian reached up and held his head between her hands. She tried to soothe him, letting her spiritual power flow through him in an effort to calm the storm inside him. Even so, the strain on Samuel's face didn't ease. Pain tore through him without pause. It felt like his bones were being forced apart, then crushed back together again. Something unseen seemed to press along his spine, breaking it piece by piece. The agony dragged him closer to the edge with every passing second. "Thank you for helping me." Samuel realized Lillian's ability wasn't enough to soothe him, gritting his teeth and reaching out to push her away gently. "I'll just face my destruction." A flicker of anxiety crossed Lillian's face. Regulations made it impossible to use suppressants on someone with a criminal record. Without a female willing to soothe him, there was no way to pull him back from this. She had already tried soothing him through to**h, yet it hadn't been enough. That left only one option-mating. It was typically reserved for a female's fated mates. She had never done something like that before. Neither in her previous life nor in this one had she ever given herself to anyone. Still, watching Samuel struggle right in front of her, Lillian hesitated only for a brief second before making up her mind. She leaned in, steadied his head in her hands, and pressed her l*ps against his in a firm gesture. A flicker of shock crossed Samuel's eyes the moment her lips met his. Something within him shifted in a way he couldn't explain. He had never felt anything like this before. For the first time, he experienced what it felt like to be soothed by a female. Tension drained from his body without warning. The violent strain in his muscles eased, and the sharp pain tearing through his bones faded as if it had been pulled away by an unseen force. A tremor ran through him as relief settled in. Driven by instinct, his arms moved on their own. He circled Lillian's waist and pulled her closer, holding her tightly against him. Caught off guard, Lillian lost her balance and ended up seated on his lap. A strange sensation spread through her, leaving her mind unsteady. Not only was there a physical change in her, but spiritually, she also felt something unusual. Her previously depleted spiritual power suddenly swelled like a sponge absorbing water, pulling in everything that poured from him. The wild energy surrounding him flowed into her, and she turned it into her spiritual power, using it to soothe him. Time slipped by without her noticing. By the time the k**s finally broke, her spiritual power had been completely drained. Her body gave in, and she slumped against Samuel, her consciousness fading as exhaustion took over. For Samuel, the torment hadn't fully disappeared, but the storm inside him had calmed enough for him to think clearly again. Carefully, he carried Lillian and laid her down on the bed. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he chose not to lie beside her. Instead, he lowered himself to the floor and stayed there, watching her quietly. Complex emotions lingered in his eyes. He couldn't understand why someone like her would go so far just to save him. Nor could he figure out what he had ever done to deserve her help. In his eyes, she was perfect. When Lillian finally woke, a full day and night had already passed. Warmth surrounded her, and she noticed her hand was still being held firmly. A slight turn of her head revealed Samuel lying on the cold floor beside the bed, fast asleep. The small movement didn't go unnoticed. He stirred almost at once, pushing himself upright as his blue eyes locked onto her. There was something intense in the way he looked at her. His gaze didn't pull back, and combined with his rugged yet striking features, it made her heart skip a beat. Lillian paused for a moment before reaching out. Her fingers brushed through his messy hair, then touched his ear. "Samuel, why did you sleep on the floor?" she asked in a soft voice. A low sound slipped from Samuel at the touch. Since he was a werewolf, his ears and tail were highly sensitive. "I'm used to it. And... thank you for saving me and letting me stay here." That answer wasn't the truth. He hadn't grown used to sleeping on the floor. But he had watched too many others like him get taken away by females who treated them like passing interests. They would leave with females smiling, only to return later with wounds covering their bodies. Some of those females, backed by their status, didn't hesitate to cross the line and treat their slaves as nothing more than tools for their own de**res. After seeing enough of that, Samuel had come to understand one thing. If he wanted to survive, he had to endure whatever came his way and be compliant. But... "Don't say things like that. You should be sleeping on the b*d." Lillian pushed the covers aside and got out of bed, reaching for him as she pulled him to his feet. Only then did she realize just how tall he was. Standing close to him, she barely reached his ch**t, which forced her to tilt her head up to meet his eyes. A trace of shyness slipped into her expression before she spoke again. "After what happened last night... are you feeling better now?" Samuel was stunned for a moment before answering, "I am. You got me through the rut safely." The memory of that k**s lingered in his mind, and his gaze drifted to her l*ps without him realizing it. He swallowed instinctively. He realized that the rumors on Rogue Planet were true. Once a male experienced a deep level of soothing from a female, the feeling would stay with him, pulling him back toward it again and again. He could already feel that pull. "Wait... you really made it through because of me?" Excitement lit up Lillian's face. "So what I did actually worked?" When Samuel confirmed it, everything clicked for her. The way her spiritual power worked wasn't the same as that of other females. Beast cores had never improved her spiritual power, no matter how many she had used. All those years of fighting aberrant beasts hadn't changed anything. Now, she finally understood why. Her spiritual power didn't grow that way at all. And what had happened last night went beyond simple contact. It was a deeper connection that had allowed her to draw in far more energy than before, upgrading her spiritual power. Without thinking, Lillian wrapped her arms around Samuel, unable to hide her joy. "Thank you, Samuel!" The sudden embrace caught Samuel off guard. A faint heat crept across his face, and he didn't know how to react. Every instinct told him to stay wary of her, yet he was unable to do that. He forced himself to pull away, steadying his thoughts before speaking. "You shouldn't treat me this well. I'm not someone worth your kindness. I've got a criminal record, and I'm marked as a slave from Rogue Planet. If people find out what you did for me, they'll laugh at you." "No," Lillian responded as she held his hand, her smile unwavering. "Bringing you home was the best choice I've ever made. You're my lucky charm!" She looked at him. "Stay with me, Samuel. Maybe you're the only one who will." Chapter 4 Three New Males Samuel stood still as shock took hold of him, and his heartbeat slammed against his ch**t. He never thought he would hear something like that. Instead of being used or mi**reated by Lillian, he found himself in a position he couldn't even begin to process. She didn't treat him like an object. She regarded him as the only male for her. Did that really mean he was the only one she chose? That moved him more than anything else ever had. It sounded almost too good to be real. Still, doubt lingered in his mind, because he knew better than to trust a female easily. However, at this moment, all he could do was comply. "I understand," he replied as he lowered himself and pressed a soft k**s against her hand. Without wasting time, Lillian ordered a set of clothes for Samuel online. After that, she told him to head into the bathroom and wash up. She planned to deal with his injuries once he was done. While he stayed in the shower, she moved around the kitchen, putting together something to eat while also checking her emails. She received a list showing the new males assigned to her. This time, the number caught her off guard. There were three. "Name: Erik Harvey. Species: Succubine. Level: Unknown." "Name: Nikolas Dixon. Species: Merman. Level: Unknown." "Name: Darren Lloyd. Species: Vampire. Level: Unknown." Lillian's brows pulled together as she read through it again. Something didn't add up. Based on what she knew, each bonded male should have a visible level. Yet none of these entries showed one. On top of that, their species were far from ordinary. She studied the names more closely, and one of them made her pause. Nikolas Dixon. That name wasn't unfamiliar. It was the name of the heir to B32 Planet, the son of Leviathan. Lillian's eyes widened as the realization hit, though she quickly tried to dismiss it. The male probably just had the same name as Leviathan's son. No matter how she looked at it, the situation made no sense to her. With her weak spiritual power and her barely useful F-level esper ability, she had always depended on raw strength to k**l aberrant beasts. Someone like her shouldn't even be considered for a bond with Leviathan's son. There was no way the Yggdrasil assigned someone like that as her fated mate, right? A heavy weight settled over Lillian as the thought sank in. If "unknown" meant their level had already surpassed S-level and the system had locked it, then dealing with any of the three males would be far beyond what she could handle. After thinking about the matter for a while, she finally reached out to the bonding center. She explained her situation clearly, stating that her weak ability and F-level spiritual power made it impossible for her to properly soothe any male. She requested that the bonds this time be canceled. However, her request was denied. "Yggdrasil's decisions are final when it comes to bond assignments, and there is no reversing them. You have already canceled your bonds once. If you wish to apply again, you'll have to wait three months. Until then, you are expected to get along with any males assigned to you. Who knows, things might work in your favor." Letting out a quiet sigh, Lillian tried to steady herself and look at the situation from a different angle. If those men truly came from such powerful backgrounds, then they probably wouldn't take any interest in her at all. There was a chance they would request to cancel the bonds themselves, and that would solve everything for her. At that same time, the system's allocation reached the males. In the depths of Ember Planet, an endless stretch of darkness swallowed everything within Rapture City. Chaos ruled the underground as Succubine factions clashed, leaving the streets soaked in bl**d. Seated on his throne, Erik, the King of Succubine, found himself surrounded as the uprising unfolded. The rebellion had been set in motion long before, leaving him with no chance to arrange his guards to fight back. Before he could react, Alice Campbell's attack struck, driving a weapon straight into his heart. With his guards holding the line behind him, Erik forced open a tear in space and threw himself through it, escaping into the vast emptiness beyond. He eventually landed in the Aberrant Thicket on Azure Planet. Bl**d soaked through his body, and his silver hair clung to him in tangled strands, streaked with dirt. It took effort just to move, and he had to brace himself against a tree to stay upright while he struggled to steady his breathing. His strength had been drained, and his body reacted by slipping into rut. At that exact moment, Yggdrasil's bond assignment reached him. He opened his communicator and glanced at the screen, and the haze in his eyes cleared at once. "Bond with a domina?" Being the King of Succubine, he had never once needed anyone to soothe him, so this sudden arrangement made no sense to him. A cough tore from his throat as he tried to gather his power, yet nothing responded the way it should. No matter how he pushed, he couldn't control his own energy. The attack he had taken earlier wasn't ordinary. Alice had struck him with a Soulreaper Bolt, a weapon meant to drain life force, and it was designed to work against the Succubine bl**dline. The wound wouldn't k**l him outright, but it would continue to consume his life force, just like a slow and steady bl**d. At this rate, he wouldn't last longer than three months, unless he found a way to replenish his strength with a strong external source. His eyes dropped back to the communicator as he read the details again. "Bonded Domina: Lillian Clark. Spiritual Power Level: F. Esper Ability Level: F. Residence: No. 17 Rosary Lane, District 3, Azure Planet." F-level? Erik went still for a moment before a harsh laugh broke out of him. The sound came low and dry, edged with anger. "Yggdrasil," he called out, lifting his gaze toward the broken canopy above, "are you trying to help me, or is this some kind of joke?" He was the King of Succubine. His kind excelled at wielding the power of enticement and using it to bend wills. He could command an army with his spiritual power, but now, he had to rely on an F-level female to soothe him? Could she even manage that? No matter how he looked at it, the situation sounded ridiculous. Even so, the truth remained unchanged. He didn't have the option to refuse. If he wanted to survive, he would have to go find Lillian. Far away, in Leviathan's Deep on B32 Planet. Nikolas sat on a throne carved from crystal. A rare diamond spun between his fingers as his eyes drifted toward the figure kneeling before him. "A domina? I'm being assigned to a domina?" he said. Kneeling with one knee pressed to the floor, his subordinate could feel the surface beneath him cracking under the pressure in the air. Even so, he forced himself to respond. "Yes. Yggdrasil has paired you with a domina from Azure Planet." At the mention of that place, something in Nikolas shifted. His gaze sharpened, and a name slipped from his lips without thought. "Is it Justine Clark?" If it turned out to be that S-level female, then the matter would be somewhat acceptable. The subordinate hesitated for a moment before answering, his unease growing, "No, that's not the case. Based on what we found, your domina only has an F-level spiritual power. She's Ms. Justine Clark's older sister. Her name is Lillian Clark." Nikolas tightened his grip ever so slightly at that. The pink diamond between his fingers shattered into dust in an instant. "How could that be? Yggdrasil is giving me a useless domina?" Anger flashed across Nikolas' face as his expression darkened. Silence spread through the hall, thick and suffocating. No one dared to respond. They all understood Nikolas' temper, especially when it came to females. Over the years, the only one he had ever tolerated near him was Justine. Lucas Hampton, Nikolas' advisor, was the only one who stepped forward, breaking the silence. "Mr. Dixon, I know your preference lies with Ms. Justine Clark, but Yggdrasil's decisions aren't something we can ignore. You'll have to make a trip to Azure Planet and meet the domina assigned to you." A cold edge crept into Nikolas' voice as he responded, "And if I choose not to?" Carefully choosing his words, Lucas replied, "Your esper ability has just advanced, and that has pushed you into rut. You need someone to soothe you. An F-level female won't be able to handle that. You could approach Justine directly. Offer Lillian a sufficient amount of beast cores and convince her to give up the bond on her own. That would settle everything." Nikolas fell quiet for a brief moment before speaking again. "You think she'd actually agree to sever the bond with me?" From his perspective, females at that level usually reacted the same way. Once they learned who he was, they would cling to the bond Yggdrasil had given them and refuse to let go. Confidence showed in Lucas' tone. "I've already looked into her situation. Lillian doesn't hold any real standing in her family. Even as a female, she lives under poor conditions. If you present the right offer, she won't hesitate to accept." If possible, he would prefer to simply bring Lillian here for negotiation. But in this era, females were too rare, and Yggdrasil ensured their protection. No male had the authority to force anything on them. Their status stood above all. A faint chill settled in Nikolas' tone as he made his decision. "Then she'd better accept. If she refuses, I'll find another way around Yggdrasil and force her to sever the bond." He wasn't planning to k**l her or anything. Instead, he would push her further into hardship, tightening the pressure until she had no choice but to give in and end the bond. ...... What happens next? 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“Smile for the crowd, Ophelia,” he whispered, “You’re my Luna, remember?” Everyone thought our wedding would be the fairytale ending. But behind the vows, there were lies, betrayal, and another woman wearing my dream gown as a ‘bridesmaid.’ I learned too late that my Alpha’s love had always been a performance—one meant to make his first love shine. Now I’m walking down the aisle not as a bride, but as a ghost of the woman I used to be. Because by tomorrow morning, they’ll all realize... The Luna they tried to destroy has already disappeared. Just because I refused to let my Alpha mate’s first love be my bridesmaid at my bonding ceremony, that night, I was drgged and placed unc0nscious, half-n@ked, on a pool table. His friends laughed, measuring my 1egs with cue sticks, some even pouring cold liquor over my body. “One sh0t in!” Someone whistled. “With a beauty as company, my skills are improving!” My mate’s first love, Daphne, held up a phone, maliciously laughing in my ear. “A subst1tute is just a subst1tute. Like now, you're lying there, letting them do as they please—this is your true role!” My Alpha mate, Asher, thought that under the influence of the drg, I wouldn’t remember anything. He spent the whole night humiliating me, all to please his first love. What he didn’t know was that I had a natural resistance to ether-based drgs. When I woke up, I wiped away my tears and scheduled a surgery to get rid of the child. Back then, on the pool table, I gr0aned in pain, and Daphne playfully pouted, “I just wanna live the dream of walking the red carpet with Asher. How dare you, a subst1tute mate, say no!” Asher pulled her closer and rolled his eyes, casually saying, “She made Daphne unhappy, so of course, I had to punish her.” His friends laughed uproariously. “Don’t worry, we’ll make Ophelia beg for mercy! We’re all curious how Asher tames her to be so obedient.” Asher answered lazily, “I bought some toys to spice things up. She thought I cared for her, so she gladly accepted.” “True Alpha, staying so loyal to your true love! But… aren’t you worried Ophelia will find out about you severing the mate bond?” Asher smirked, clearing the last ball with a swift strike. “She dares? She’s just an orphan Omega who signed a bond-sealing deal with me and got pregn@nt. Now, she’s playing around like this. Who else would want her?” “To be honest, a pregn@nt Omega she-wolf smells bad. Every night, I almost puke.” “I disciplined her to make clear that being my Luna doesn’t give her the right to trample Daphne.” Somebody asked, “Alpha, those packages you had delivered to Ophelia... you specifically told the shop not to ship them anonymously, right? That’s why she lost her sh0t at the Top Warrior title. That was for Daphne too, wasn’t it?” Asher ran his hand over Daphne’s waist, smiling faintly. “Although the spot was already decided, if I didn’t ruin her reputation, how could I ensure Daphne wouldn’t be gossiped about after she was granted the top warrior?” Daphne looked embarrassed. “She said I demonstrated the move wrong. That embarrassed me. Asher was just giving her a little lesson!” My heart clenched. A scene in my memory suddenly struck me—dozens of transparent packages had piled up at the pack training ground entrance, and the pack members’ eyes were full of disgust. I felt heartbroken as I watched my beloved students drop my training classes. But I never expected this was all part of his scheme. The laughter continued in the pool hall as my heart sank. Asher seemed to remember something. He pulled a stack of photos from his pocket, and scattered them across my b0dy. “Callen, post these photos in the parent group. I want Ophelia to resign and go home, completely out of Daphne’s way.” “Wow, these were taken in the training field, full-body sh0ts, no face blurred!” “If those parents see this, they’ll go ballistic!” The laughter and shrieks grew louder and louder, and my tears fell without stop. Asher wasn’t like this before. Two years ago, his mother, our pack’s Luna, asked me to assist him before she fell into a coma from a car accident. I gave up my chance to become an Alpha king’s warrior, training our pack’s underage werewolves day and night, hoping they could become excellent warriors too. Asher was kind to me as well, always handing me electrolyte drinks before training. It wasn’t until the night we signed the bond-sealing deal that I learned Asher wasn’t just good in bed, his desires were just as strong. He bought plenty of toys and liked taking me to the training field after school and mak1ng 1ove there. I thought the wilderness excited him, but the real reason was to slander me in favor of Daphne… “Alpha, if Ophelia apologizes to Daphne tonight, should I still post them?” Asher didn’t hesitate. “Of course. You don’t know how upset Daphne was when she got kicked out of the bridesmaid group. She saved my mom from the accident, and I can’t let her be upset!” Daphne lowered her eyes, a faint, forced smile on her lips. Callen’s expression hardened, and he s1ammed the cue stick on the table. “B, how dare you bully the Alpha’s precious! You deserve to suffer!” Pain sh0t through me, and I passed out. The next morning, I woke up in my bed, my pajamas intact. Asher had already gone to the pack meeting. On the nightstand, as it had been for three unbroken years, sat a warm cup of electrolyte water. I hid under the covers and cried, then shakily called Mia, the pack member in charge of the ceremony. “Keep what Daphne ordered, and cancel my segment.” Mia paused for a moment. “Are you sure, Ophelia?” No wonder she was surprised. The bridesmaid dress Daphne ordered was larger than mine, decorated with rhinestones. The so-called bridesmaid even insisted on a 14-carat Oppenheimer pink diamond. At first, I didn’t know who she was. I asked Asher’s friends and learned she was his childhood sweetheart and first love. When I rushed to the pack’s planning room, I coincidentally walked in on Daphne proposing a “memorial for the first love” during the ceremony. Mia looked at me with hesitation. “Asher said our memories are too precious to not share at the ceremony. He’ll regret it for life if we don’t.” Daphne intentionally emphasized “for life,” ‘accidentally’ slipping a faded photograph from her bag. In the photo, young Asher was kissing the top of her head. While in these three years, he rarely kissed me. I stared at it, my chest tight, and gritted my teeth. “This isn’t appropriate. There’s no need for Daphne to be a bridesmaid.” Daphne didn’t get angry; instead, she smiled. “No worries, there will always be ‘surprises’ at the bonding ceremony, right?” As I left the planning room, my hands shook. That night, Asher comforted me, “You are right, the ceremony should go as you wish.” But when he thought I was asleep, he lowered his voice and made a call. “Go along with her. I’ll make her regret it. Daphne, don’t cry.” I froze. But if Asher liked Daphne so much, why did he keep saying that he loved me? That he only wanted to mark me and seal the mate bond with me for life? I suddenly recalled a conversation at a pack gathering when Gamma Leo had been drvnk. “Ophelia? If not for her assistance in securing Asher’s Alpha position, an Omega like her would never be a warrior trainer in our pack.” “Exactly, if Luna Isla hadn’t stopped Daphne from becoming our Luna, Ophelia wouldn’t have had a chance.” My heart twisted, aching so badly I could barely breathe. No wonder I was always the one handling the daily training, and Asher and Daphne were sent to visit with other packs. The public lessons I spent nights preparing were given to Daphne to showcase, becoming her capital for fame. I fled home and dialed a number. “Is the Lycan joint training program still looking for warriors? Tristan, I want to sign up.” Tristan’s voice sounded surprised. “Ophelia, you were always the best warrior in training camp. We’ve been hoping to recruit you!” After paused, his tone turning cautious. “But this program is in the Lycan region of Europe, requiring at least six months of residency. Are you sure about this?” I clenched the phone tightly, glancing at the bonding ceremony invitation Asher had casually thrown on the coffee table—Daphne’s name had been added back to the bridesmaid list. The scums who had humiliated me were also in the groomsmen group. The embossed letters burned into my eyes. “I’ve made up my mind. The sooner, the better.” After hanging up, I began packing my bags. When my collection of silk scarves spilled out, I realized, they were just the matching items Asher bought for Daphne’s bags. I snorted, throwing them all into the trash. When Asher returned home, he saw me curled up on the couch and frowned slightly. “What are you doing here? Are you feeling sick?” The sting on my body reminded me that what happened in the pool hall wasn’t a dream. I lowered my head, exhausted. “Asher, cancel all the orders online. I don’t want them anymore.” Asher paused, then realized, looking at the trash can filled with the little gifts he bought for me. “Honey, didn’t you say you liked how thoughtful I am?” His voice was soft, placating. I finally lifted my gaze to look at him. “I didn’t sleep well last night. My whole body hurts. Do you know why?” With three years of relationship, our mate bond, and the little life inside me, I’m giving him one last chance. Asher’s eyes flickered, and then he cooed, “Maybe it’s just pregn@ncy fatigue, honey. I’ll have the pack doctor come check on you.” I laughed hysterically, smashing the anniversary couple clay sculpture he made with my hands. Asher stared at a broken piece for a long time before hesitantly speaking, “Is it the pregn@ncy... making you feel this way?” I shook my head and slid the bond-breaking deal into a pile of training plans, pushing them toward him. He signed without looking, then gently massaged my head with his thumb. “Would you like me to run you a warm bath to relax?” A wave of nausea rose in my st0mach. It was those very hands, the ones that spread my indecent photos in the pool hall. It was that very mouth that spat out mean words and called me a used Omega. “I agreed to let Daphne be the bridesmaid.” When Asher heard this, he froze. “Why the sudden change of heart?” “I thought about it. Maybe I was too petty.” I forced a smile. “Besides, she’s your mom’s savior. I shouldn’t be so selfish.” Mentioning Luna Isla, Asher hesitated no more, holding me tightly and saying, “Ophelia, you’re so considerate! If Daphne hadn’t walked ten kilometers to get help for my mom, she might have been gone, instead of being in a vegetative state now…” I furrowed my brow, silent. After the accident, Luna Isla had been in a coma, and the details of that day were still unclear. “Don’t worry. I’ll take time off to be with you for the birth, take care of you and the pup.” Just then, Asher’s phone buzzed twice. He let go of me and quickly walked to the balcony. On the balcony’s monitor, Asher whispered, “Daphne, I told you I’d make your wish come true. No need to post those photos now.” A syrupy voice came from the speaker. “I don’t think so, Asher. You promised to make me the only excellent warrior trainer. Besides, if those photos go out, Ophelia will quit and stay in the pack house, focusing on you and the pup. It’s better for your little family, and it makes me feel better, isn’t it?” After a long pause, Asher sighed and agreed, “Okay.” Two minutes later, my phone rang like a death knell. I flinched, and the phone, along with my heart, dropped to the floor. [Daphne: Ophelia, what’s going on? Why did you take those disgusting photos?] [Hayden’s father: This is sick! How could someone like this teach our kids? How could she be our future Luna?!] [Mira’s mother: I’m going to Alpha tomorrow! Such unscrupulous trainer needs to be thrown out of the pack!] My teaching career, my reputation, was destroyed in minutes. When Asher returned to the living room, he glanced at the group chat and sighed. “Ophelia, I believe you. Tomorrow happens to be Daphne’s award ceremony. I’ll go with you to explain, okay?” I kept explaining, but the insults kept growing. A wave of exhaustion overtook me. “I don’t want to go.” Asher was surprised by my refusal, looking at me in disbelief. Then his gaze shifted to the mate ring on the coffee table, and he smiled knowingly. “You don’t have to worry about our bonding ceremony. The invitations have been sent, and it will be held as planned the day after tomorrow.” “You’re the Luna. If you don’t show up, the pack will talk. What will they think of Daphne? She’ll face suspicion because of you.” The next day, Asher dragged me to Daphne’s ceremony. As soon as we entered the pack hall, whispers filled the air. “There she is, sh@meless!” Asher’s friends ogled me, their eyes lingering on my waist and hips. My face flushed as I tried to turn and flee. “Ophelia, pregn@nt ones have bigger 1ust, I hear! If Alpha’s too busy, come find me, I’ll make sure you enjoy it.” “Ophelia, those photos were so creative. Teaching with a pup? You should be teaching performance art!” Asher seemed to ignore it all, staying silent. Daphne linked her arm through Asher’s, deliberately raising her voice. “I’m so glad Ophelia could come! I was worried that after those photos, she’d be too embarrassed to show up.” Gamma Leo immediately jumped in, “Hey, Ophelia, why bother wearing clothes when going out? That’s way too formal! It’s not like we haven’t seen it!” Laughter erupted around the room. Suddenly, a sharp female voice cu//t through, “It’s her! This sh@meless b seduced my son!” Before I could react, the she-wolf s1apped a diary page across my face. [The teacher let me touch her while giving private lessons... I couldn’t sleep at night.] Daphne gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh my goddess! Isn’t this Finn’s handwriting? He’s Ophelia’s student!” The she-wolf grabbed my hair and y@nked me toward her. “My son is only 16! You’re so desperate?” I trembled, staring at Asher, “It wasn’t me!” He knew I would never give private lessons to kids. All he had to do was speak up... But he glanced away, not even attempting to defend me. My heart died in silence. Daphne looked at Callen, who nodded slightly. In the banquet hall, a distorted m0an suddenly blasted out! My voice was processed by AI, twisted into an obscene mess, mixed with Asher’s friends’ whistles. I rushed toward the speakers as Asher stood up and walked toward me. “I don’t believe Ophelia would do something so indecent!” Just as Daphne shouted, she suddenly staggered back as if something had shocked her. “Ophelia, why did you push me?” Without hesitation, Asher turned and caught Daphne. When he looked back at me, all the guilt had disappeared from his eyes. “Daphne’s award ceremony has been ruined by the disgusting things you’ve done!” “Do you know she has heart problems? When she wakes up, you should apologize to her immediately!” Asher picked up Daphne and, before leaving, gritted his teeth at Callen, “Handle this.” Callen grinned, blocking my path and making a gesture to the female parent. My hair was y@nked painfully, and tears flowed uncontrollably. As they dragged me away, the bvttons on my clothes popped off. “The Alpha said to give Ophelia some dignity.” Callen fiddled with his lighter, the flame licking at my skirt. “Dignity… for a public shaming.” “I heard she even ordered sx toys for the pack’s training field. She doesn’t deserve to be a teacher, nor a future Luna!” Asher’s friends egged him on, “Str1p it off and let us see. She’s played around so many times, why pretend to be a v1rg//n?” I was violently touched and rubbed by the thugs, claws digging into my f1esh. I struggled with all my might when someone pushed me hard from behind, and my abd0men s1ammed into a metal flower stand. The sharp pain spread through my body, and warm liquid began to trail down my th1gh. “Asher!” I instinctively called out, but despair filled me when I realized he was already gone. “She’s b1eeding!” Amidst the screams, my c0nsciousness began to blur. When I woke up, the nurse told me the pup was gone. I felt a wave of sorrow. The surgery was scheduled for today. It seemed the pup also refused to be born into such a tragic family. My phone buzzed with dozens of messages from Asher. [Ophelia, where are you? I heard you made a fuss and broke a cup. You’re carrying a child, you should control your emotions! Daphne’s not feeling well, and I need to take care of her. The bonding ceremony will go on as planned. You should come to the venue.] The last message was half an hour ago. [How dare you not answer my calls? Know your place. You should be grateful I’m willing to hold a bonding ceremony for you, so stop acting up!] I deleted all the messages and called Tristan. “Tristan, I’ll be on time for the flight tomorrow.” On the day of the bonding ceremony, Daphne walked around in her rhinestone-encrusted bridesmaid dress, acting like the hostess. Asher kept glancing at his watch, his face growing darker. Guests began to whisper, wondering where his future mate was. His friends exchanged knowing glances. “Alpha, after the ceremony, can we have some fun? Ophelia in a mate dress would be great.” Asher’s face darkened. He roared, “Enough! After today, she’s my mate, your Luna. Don’t bring up the past.” Seeing some guests starting to leave, Daphne’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Asher, Ophelia’s late. She clearly doesn’t want to be your Luna. Why not let me take her place as your mate?” She quickly walked toward the Luna’s waiting room. Asher opened his mouth to stop her but was interrupted by the sudden ring of his phone. It was the pack doctor calling. After picking up the phone, Asher eagerly asked, “What? My mother woke up? After three years in a coma?”