The day Rowan Thatcher divorced me, he brought his pregnant mistress to the courthouse, made me pay for the filing fee, and told me I should thank him for setting me free.

I stared at the woman clinging to his arm — Sienna Cole, his college ex — and watched her rub her belly with a smug little smile that made my blood run cold.

"Don't look so heartbroken, Elara," Sienna said sweetly. "Rowan was never really yours to begin with."

Rowan didn't even flinch. He just signed the papers, slid them across the table, and said, "You can keep the apartment. Consider it severance."

Severance. As if our six-year marriage was an employment contract he was terminating.

What Rowan didn't know — what none of them knew — was that the apartment he so generously "gave" me was one of thirty-seven properties I owned across the country.

He also didn't know that Pinnacle Group, the corporation he'd been desperately trying to land a contract with for the past eighteen months, was mine.

Every email he'd sent begging for a meeting had landed in my inbox.

I signed the papers without a word.

"That's it?" Rowan frowned, clearly expecting tears, begging, a scene. "You're not going to say anything?"

I looked at him — really looked at him — for the last time. The man I'd loved since I was nineteen. The man I'd quietly built an empire around while he thought I was just a housewife with a "little online shop."

"Good luck, Rowan," I said. "You're going to need it."

Sienna laughed. "Is that a threat? From a woman who spent six years doing nothing but cooking and cleaning?"

I smiled at her. It was the kind of smile my CFO said made grown men sweat in boardrooms.

"It's not a threat. It's a weather forecast."

I walked out of the courthouse, got into the black Maybach waiting at the curb, and told my driver, "Take me to Pinnacle headquarters."

My phone buzzed. A message from my assistant, Margot: *"The Thatcher Group contract request is on your desk. Want me to shred it or frame it?"*

I typed back: *"Neither. We'll deal with it when the time is right."*

In the rearview mirror, I watched Rowan and Sienna celebrating on the courthouse steps. He lifted her up and spun her around like he'd just won the lottery.

He had no idea he'd just signed away the only thing keeping his company alive.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was a name I hadn't seen in two years.

**Callum Blackwood.**

The message was just four words: *"I heard. I'm coming."*

My heart did something it hadn't done in six years.

It skipped.

Before the design competition, Ronald Pierce's childhood sweetheart, Tiffany Robbins, was seriously injured in a car accident and ended up in a coma.

All the evidence pointed straight at me.

But Ronald never doubted me. He stayed by my side and witnessed me win the championship in glory.

I thought our love was unbreakable.

But then, someone exposed me for plagiarism.

Everyone turned against me, and I ended up getting kidnapped.

The kidnappers asked Ronald to hand over the money. "If you don't pay, she's dead."

On the other end of the line, all I heard was Ronald's mocking snicker. "Lucy, now you know how helpless Tiffany felt back then, don't you?"

So, he always believed I was the one responsible for Tiffany's accident, and that was why he married me.

He stole my manuscript and was the one who reported me for plagiarism.

Also, he was the one who set the kidnappers on me.

I finally felt regret for everything.

And then, I traveled back to the day Ronald confessed his love to me.

There he was, that sunny, handsome guy, holding a bouquet of lisianthus, his eyes full of hope as he looked at me. "Lucy, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

I answered calmly, "Sorry, I don't feel that way about you."

*****

"Lucy, why are you zoning out? Ronald's confessing to you right now," Tiffany called out, snapping me back to reality. My eyes went wide as I looked around in a daze. It took me several long seconds to realize that I really had traveled back.

Before I could react, Tiffany grabbed the bouquet from Ronald and stuffed it into my arms, giving me an innocent little wink and a playful grin. "Lucy, everyone's watching. Don't put Ronald on the spot."

The sun was blazing overhead, but I felt like I'd been plunged into an ice bath.

Ronald's young face started to blur into the cold, heartless one I remembered. My face turned pale as a sheet, and I dropped the bouquet without even thinking.

"Sorry, I don't like Ronald," I said.

Ronald's smile stiffened on his face.

Everyone was left speechless.

Tiffany was totally floored. "Lucy, seriously? Are you joking right now? I literally saw you writing Ronald a love letter last night. How could you not like him?"

Tiffany was Ronald's childhood friend, and she was also my roommate.

She was the very first person to find out about my secret crush on Ronald.

On registration day, she accidentally knocked over my bookshelf and spotted my photo album.

She was totally shocked. "Lucy, how do you have pictures of Ronald?"

I was so flustered that my face turned bright red. "Tiffany, you know Ronald?"

Tiffany picked up the album and handed it back to me, her laughter ringing out like a bell. "Of course, I know him. He is my neighbor. We grew up together."

"Oh, I see." I lowered my head even more, speaking so quietly that it was almost inaudible.

I never thought my feelings would be revealed like this.

Tiffany noticed how shy and awkward I was, so she patted my shoulder and said, "Come on, Lucy, I'll introduce you to Ronald. He's not hard to get at all.

"Actually, never mind. Girls are the cutest thing on earth. Let those guys chase after you. Trust me, you are definitely Ronald's type."

Tiffany was right about that.

The first time Ronald saw me, he was so shy that he couldn't even look me in the eye.

After spending six months together, everyone in the design and physics departments assumed we were a couple.

But neither of us ever said it out loud.

Last night, Tiffany came up to me all mysterious and said, "Lucy, don't go to your part-time job tomorrow. Ronald's got a surprise for you. Trust me, you're gonna love it."

I was pretty sure Ronald was going to confess to me.

So, I got up early, slipped into my prettiest dress, and did my makeup extra carefully in front of the mirror, all for this big moment.

No one ever expected I would reject Ronald right in front of everyone.

Without bothering to explain, I turned and headed straight for my dorm, without looking back

*Have found only 25 chapters on crush and 30 chapters on editors, but looking for full novel*

Also found alt titles "Consistency you gave me confusion" and "The day love betrayed me never the plan"

Chapter 1 Woken Before The Apocalypse

Ten years into the apocalypse , darkness spread like a sinister blanket , suffocating the world . Moss - covered skyscrapers swayed in the thick black fog , while mutant plants tore through cracked concrete , climbing upward . Freezing winds howled across the barren landscape , echoing like vengeful spirits . The streets felt haunted , every alley thick with the stench of decay . The entire world was lifeless , filled with nothing but endless despair . Chloe Yates stumbled backward on a ruined wasteland , her bare feet scraping over sharp debris .

Blood seeped from her soles , leaving faint trails behind . Her short , uneven hair was a tangled mess , clumped together in dirty strands and reeking of rot . Years of survival had ravaged her face , making her almost unrecognizable . She wore a filthy , torn military coat , trembling in the freezing wind . Ragged cotton poked through the holes , stained with dried blood . " Honey , you're really being naughty ," Shawn Taylor said , moving closer . His voice was eerily soft , sending a chill down her spine . " Ten years of marriage , and aren't you going to let me go ?

" Chloe rasped , her voice as rough as sandpaper . She staggered back , a sharp stone slicing her foot . Blood dripped , soaking into the ground . Shawn glared at her with utter contempt , his stained teeth bared in a vicious grin . " Sophie's pregnant . She needs your heart - blood to keep her strong ." Chloe lifted her gaze to the churning clouds , defiance burning in her chest . When she looked back , her eyes blazed with rage . A dozen powered humans burst through the darkness , their eyes gleaming with savage hunger .

They licked their dry lips , looking more like starving wolves than human beings . Sophie Gilmore stepped out from the protective circle . Her delicate figure shivered helplessly , her flawless face streaked with tears . 15:02 Sun , Dec 21 Chapter 1 : " Chloe , I'm sorry . Shawn and I really love each other . Please , just let us be ," she begged . ( 75 10 vouchers Chloe felt a wave of disgust and bitter irony . " These two cheaters want me dead to make their little romance work ? How shameless ! ' Shawn pulled Sophie into his arms , his voice full of concern . " You shouldn't be here .

You're pregnant ; be careful . " He shot Chloe a deadly glare . " Stay away from Sophie , you freak . " Chloe suddenly laughed , her voice so distant it sounded like it came from another world , as if her last spark of fight had finally died . " Shawn , give me back the emerald bracelet , and let's just call this a divorce ," she said wearily , wanting nothing more to do with him . Panic flashed in Sophie's eyes . Instinctively , she clutched the emerald bracelet on her wrist . " This one's mine . Yours was lost years ago ." Her overreaction only made her look more guilty .

Her friends started giving her suspicious looks . Shawn barked , " What are you guys waiting for ? Kill her , and you'll have real meat for dinner tonight . " The powered humans locked their crazed stares back on Chloe , like starving wolves eyeing fresh prey in the frozen wasteland . Suddenly , Chloe laughed maniacally , her eyes gleaming with a wicked light . " Fine , let's all go to hell together . " " Everyone , run ! " Shawn screamed , panicking as he dragged Sophie away . But it was already too late . The bombs Chloe had planted exploded with a thunderous roar .

Instantly , a nauseating mist of blood enveloped the wreckage . When it cleared , only shredded body parts were strewn across the ground . 15:03 Sun , Dec 21 Chapter 1 75 10 vouchers In the eerie darkness , zombies began howling like maniacs , their screams growing closer and closer . Shawn's legs were blown off . He dragged himself forward , his eyes filled with blood and terror . Behind him , Sophie's screams abruptly stopped as the zombie horde devoured her .

In the end , he watched helplessly as the zombies tore into him , ripping flesh from his bones , his eyes wide with terror until his final breath . In a luxurious villa , the first sunlight slipped through the window , landing softly on Chloe's sleeping face . For a moment , everything seemed perfectly still . Suddenly , the phone alarm on the nightstand blared , shattering the silence . Chloe's long lashes fluttered , and her eyes snapped open , sharp , cold , and deadly . The room's temperature seemed to plummet instantly . As she took in her surroundings , confusion flickered in her eyes .

' Did someone save me ? Ten years into the apocalypse , and there's still a place this clean and fancy ? But why does it feel so familiar ? ' Chloe thought . Suddenly , her eyes widened , her breath catching . " This is ... my home . " She froze . Her voice was ethereal and crisp , nothing like the raspy one from the apocalypse . She glanced at the wall mirror and saw a stunning young woman with ruby lips , pearly teeth , and flawless skin . Every subtle expression was captivating . Her face was untouched by the rough , blackened cracks and bleeding wounds .

She lacked bulky muscles , thick calluses , or a filthy , decaying body reeking of stench . Chloe stared blankly at her reflection , her eyes holding a sorrow from another lifetime . She slapped herself hard , the searing pain snapping her back to reality . She fumbled for her phone , her lashes trembling , breathing carefully . 15:03 Sun , Dec 21 Chapter 1 It was October 1st , 2024 . She gasped . She'd returned more than four months before the apocalypse began . 75 10 vouchers On Christmas Eve , at midnight , a crimson rain would spread the zombie virus .

Anyone caught in it would develop an endless fever . Most people would become mindless zombies . But one in ten thousand would awaken special abilities , becoming the first powered humans of the apocalypse . Chloe wasn't one of the lucky ones . But later , she'd been bitten saving Shawn , barely surviving to become a strength - powered human . Thinking of Shawn ignited pure hatred in her eyes . Deadly energy swirled around her , the kind of deadly aura forged through countless battles .

Staring at her reflection , Chloe parted her red lips , her voice hauntingly beautiful and eerily menacing . " Shawn , Sophie , I've come to collect your souls . " ***** In a pasta restaurant on a bustling food street , Chloe devoured her meal , empty plates piling up in front of her . A couple nearby , Harry Hoffman and Mandy Woodward , stared in disbelief . " Wow , that gorgeous girl in designer clothes can really eat . She's kind of adorable , " Harry said , swallowing hard . Chloe's massive appetite made him feel hungrier . He waved to the waiter and ordered another plate of pasta .

Chapter 1

The day Dante Bellandi brought his seventh pregnant mistress to me for delivery,his friends started betting on how fast I’d break.

But when the baby’s cry filled the delivery room, I didn’t flinch.

“Dude, that’s seven kids. You think Seraphina’s really gonna snap this time?”

Dante shrugged. “She can’t have kids. But the Bellandi family needs heirs.”

“Better knock up more so she gets used to it.”

I carried the newborn out, my face blank.

“Congratulations. Seven pounds six ounces. Mom and baby are fine.”

Dante took the child, that cocky, lazy grin on his face, then slapped the divorce papers down on the counter.

“Baby, sign it. Elara won’t have my next kid unless I prove we’re really done.”

“Once the Bellandi family has eight heirs, no one’ll dare say you don’t deserve to be my Donna.”

I’d played his sick game seven times already.

This time? I signed right away.

Then I turned and texted the man who’d waited for me for years.

[Let’s get married.]

Dante forgot one huge thing.

I wasn’t infertile.

Our genes were incompatible—we couldn’t have healthy children together.

Want a baby?

I just needed a different man.

What was he thinking, assuming I’d keep his army of bastards just to hold onto the Bellandi name?

I handed him the signed divorce papers just as Elara Voss was wheeled out of the delivery room.

Dante rushed straight to her, shoving me aside.

Agony exploded in my stomach. My miscarriage wounds hadn’t healed, and my face drained white.

No one noticed.

Everyone crowded around Elara, asking if she hurt, if she was tired, if she needed rest.

I leaned against the wall and walked slowly back to my office.

The miscarriage report lay on my desk.

It burned my eyes.

Three days before Dante’s seventh bastard was born, I’d miscarried again.

It was the third child I’d lost.

I’d been on the operating table, bleeding out, barely conscious, with no family to sign my critical care notice.

Meanwhile, Dante was at the theater where he’d proposed to me, watching a Broadway show with the pregnant Elara.

Three days after surgery, at three in the morning, he dragged me out of bed to deliver his new mistress’s baby.

His eyes were red as he pulled me to the delivery room, his voice almost breaking.

“Seraphina, Elara’s young. She’s scared. I only trust you.”

I didn’t argue. I just changed into my surgical scrubs in silence.

No screaming. No fighting.Not like before, when I’d call him crazy and rather take off my white coat than deliver for his women.

This time, I wheeled his mistress into the delivery room myself. Just like I would any stranger.

I’d been with Dante for ten years. I knew exactly how he looked at a woman he loved.

I could see he was really in love with Elara.

I picked up our photo from the desk.Dante was black and blue, one arm in a cast, grinning wide, holding me tight.

My hands shook as I pulled the photo out of the frame.

On the back, his messy, bold handwriting:Dante Bellandi will always protect Seraphina Valenti.

The day I turned eighteen, my gambling-addicted father sold me to an underground private club.Dante fought to save me, beaten bloody, his hand broken—he never could play his favorite baseball again.

But he’d still sat in that hospital bed, smiling, pulling me into a birthday photo.

“Don’t be scared. I’ve got you now.”

My fingers traced his face in the picture.

“Dante, you saved me once. But I lost three babies for you.”

“Now we’re even.”

I tore the photo to pieces and threw it in the trash.

Someone knocked. Dante walked in and spotted the empty frame right away.

“Where’s our picture?”

Before I could answer, he shoved his phone in my face, glowing with the excitement of a new father.

“Seraphina, help me name him.”

I stared at the screen, my chest squeezed tight.

That name.

He’d stayed up nights for our first son, flipping through every baby name book.

One of those names was still carved on a church memorial stone.

I studied his face—his soft smile, that gentle, loving look.I finally knew for sure. He’d forgotten we ever had a child.

He’d lived for thirty-seven days.

Born weak with a genetic condition, he didn’t make it through the winter.

“Seraphina?”

Dante’s smile faded, and impatience flashed in his eyes.

“I thought we were past this. I’ve explained it a hundred times.”

“The Bellandi family can’t be without an heir. If you loved me, you’d understand—”

I cut him off.

“This one.”

I pointed to a name on the screen.

Dante froze.

Before he could speak, a sharp shout erupted from outside.

Lena Drake spent three years as Ethan Cross's contract wife. She cooked his meals, managed his penthouse, smiled at his family, and never once complained — not even when he brought another woman home and called her "the love of my life" right in front of her.

But when she heard him tell his mother, "I'm divorcing Lena. Serena is the only woman I'll ever love," something inside her finally cracked.

She didn't scream. She didn't cry. She pulled off her wedding ring, placed it on the kitchen counter, and walked toward the door.

His voice stopped her cold.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

***

Twelve hours earlier, the morning had started like every other.

Lena woke at 5:30 a.m. She prepared Ethan's favorite breakfast — poached eggs, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and avocado toast with exactly the right amount of sea salt. She ironed his shirt, set out his cufflinks, and placed his briefcase by the door.

By the time Ethan came downstairs, everything was perfect. He barely glanced at the table.

"I won't be home for dinner," he said, adjusting his tie in the hallway mirror. "Serena's flying in tonight. I'm picking her up."

Lena's hand tightened around her coffee mug. "Of course."

She had heard the name Serena Blake a thousand times. Ethan's college sweetheart. The one who left him to pursue her modeling career in Paris. The one whose photo he still kept in his wallet — not Lena's. Never Lena's.

"Also," Ethan added, his tone casual, almost bored, "my mother's coming for dinner tomorrow. Make sure the house looks presentable."

"It always does," Lena said quietly.

He didn't respond. The front door clicked shut behind him, and the penthouse fell silent.

***

Lena stood in the kitchen for a long time, staring at the untouched breakfast. Three years. She had spent three years perfecting every detail of this man's life, and he couldn't even say thank you.

Their marriage had been an arrangement — a contract designed by Ethan's grandfather, who believed Lena's quiet, dependable nature would "stabilize" his reckless grandson. In exchange, Lena received financial support for her younger brother's medical treatment. It was supposed to be simple. Clinical. Temporary.

But somewhere along the way, Lena had made the fatal mistake of falling in love with her husband.

She'd hidden it well. She never confessed, never pushed, never asked for more than he was willing to give. She told herself that if she was patient enough, kind enough, useful enough, he might eventually see her.

He never did.

Her phone buzzed. A text from her best friend, Maya.

[Girl. Have you seen this?]

Below the message was a link to a tabloid article. The headline screamed:

**ETHAN CROSS SPOTTED AT AIRPORT WITH MYSTERY BRUNETTE — PASSIONATE REUNION KISS!**

The photo showed Ethan holding Serena in his arms, his lips pressed against hers, his eyes closed as though the rest of the world had ceased to exist.

Lena's chest tightened. She zoomed in on the image, her fingers trembling.

He was wearing the tie she had ironed that morning.

***

That evening, Ethan walked through the door with Serena on his arm. The woman was everything Lena was not — tall, striking, effortlessly glamorous. Her laugh filled the room like music, and Ethan looked at her the way he had never once looked at Lena.

"You must be Lena!" Serena said brightly, extending a perfectly manicured hand. "Ethan's told me so much about you. It's so sweet that you've been helping him manage the house."

Helping him manage the house.

Not "his wife." Not even "his partner."

Just the help.

Lena shook her hand, her smile frozen in place. "Welcome."

Ethan didn't even look at her. His attention was fixed entirely on Serena as he guided her to the couch, his hand resting on the small of her back.

"Lena," he called over his shoulder, "make some tea for Serena. She likes chamomile."

Lena turned toward the kitchen, her vision blurring.

She had prepared chamomile tea for him once, early in their marriage. He'd pushed it away and said, "I don't drink this."

Now she knew why he remembered the flavor.

It had never been for him.

It had always been for her.

***

That night, lying in her cold, separate bedroom, Lena heard laughter drifting through the walls. Ethan and Serena were in the living room, talking, sharing wine, their voices warm and intimate.

Her phone lit up with another message from Maya.

[Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay.]

Lena typed back three words:

[I'm leaving him.]

1.Chapter 1 The Downpour

Rain poured down on Riverstone all day, turning the ground into a soggy mess. Jewel Moreno's belongings lay scattered across the front steps, tossed out by her adoptive mother, Lorelei Moreno.

""Get out of here!"" Lorelei yelled, glaring at Jewel. ""We've given you the best of everything, and this is how you repay us? You're not even our biological child, yet we've treated you like our own. How could you do this to Samantha?""

Lorelei's rant continued, ""Tristan broke up with you and got together with Samantha ages ago. And out of jealousy, you pushed her into the water. Don't you have any conscience?""

With a flourish, Lorelei pulled out a bank card and tossed it at Jewel's feet. ""If it weren't for Samantha pleading on your behalf, I wouldn't let you off so easily.There's 10 thousand dollars on there. Consider it compensation.""

Jewel's face remained impassive throughout the outburst. Without even glancing at the card, she reached into her backpack and pulled out another, tossing it back to Lorelei. ""There's one million dollars on this one. Consider it my thanks for raising me all these years.""

Lorelei stared at Jewel in annoyance. The sum was more than the entire Moreno family could earn in a year, yet Jewel acted as if she could hand it over without a second thought. Lorelei doubted how Jewel could casually produce such an astronomical amount.

Without another word, Jewel slung her bag over her shoulder and walked away. Her back was straight as an arrow, projecting unwavering dignity, while her rain-soaked hair betrayed her pitiable state.

Samantha Moreno watched the scene unfold from the rooftop, a sly smile spreading across her face. 'Jewel, you've had it easy for over twenty years,' she thought to herself. 'It's time for that to come to an end.'

*****

Jewel hadn't gone far when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered, recognizing the familiar voice.

""Jewel, is it true the Moreno family kicked you out?"" the caller asked.

Jewel's tone was flat as she confirmed with a simple ""Mm.""

The caller's voice grew agitated. ""This is outrageous! I saw the video of what happened before Samantha fell into the water. She clearly tripped on her own. If you hadn't jumped in to save her, she would've drowned!""

After a pause, the voice continued, even more heated. ""The Moreno family is a bunch of ungrateful wolves. As soon as their biological daughter shows up, they toss you out like trash. If we'd known it would come to this, you should never have bailed out their company.""

Jewel let out a soft chuckle, her composure a stark contrast to the caller's agitation. ""Listen to you, getting all worked up. Anyone would think you were the one who got kicked out.""

""I'm just angry on your behalf!"" the caller insisted.

""Alright, alright,"" Jewel said. ""Just come pick me up, will you? I've been trying to hail a cab forever, and I'm about to turn into a drowned rat—""

Her words were cut short as a blinding light suddenly shot towards her. She instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes. The screech of brakes pierced the air, but on the rain-slicked roads, it was futile. The car slammed into her before she could react.

The impact sent Jewel flying into a nearby flowerbed, her head cracking against a rock. She struggled to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she lost consciousness.

As she fell back, the necklace around her neck slipped into view.

The driver scrambled out of the car and rushed to check on the victim. Panic was evident in his voice as he reported back to his passenger. ""Mr. Snider, I think she's passed out.""

Calvert Snider, the man in the back seat, gazed down at the unconscious woman, his expression unreadable. He issued a single command. ""Take her to the hospital.""

As Jewel was lifted into the car, Calvert's eyes were drawn to the necklace around her neck. His brow furrowed as he leaned closer to examine it. In the dim light of the car's interior, he could make out the shape of a moon pendant.

With sudden urgency, he pulled out his phone, scrolling through his gallery until he found a particular photo. The sun pendant in the image was a perfect match for the moon around Jewel's neck.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. This woman was his childhood betrothed—the long-lost girl of the Turner family.

*****

When Jewel came to, she found herself surrounded by a chorus of unfamiliar voices. As her vision cleared, she locked eyes with a silver-haired elderly man. Behind him stood four strikingly handsome young men.

The old man's eyes welled up as he spoke. ""My dear, you're awake.""

Jewel's brow furrowed in confusion. ""I'm sorry, but who are you?"" she asked, trying to make sense of the scene.

Franklin Turner's voice quavered with emotion as he explained, ""My dear, I'm your grandpa. These three are your brothers – Lachlan, Caspian, and Jackson Turner. And this fine young man is your fiancé, Calvert.""

He paused, his voice thick with regret. ""It's all my fault. If I had kept a closer eye on you back then, you would never have been taken from us.""

Jewel's confusion deepened. One minute she was getting kicked out of the Moreno family, and the next she had a grandfather, three brothers, and even a fiancé. This had to be some kind of wild dream.

Sensing Jewel's bewilderment, Lachlan stepped forward, gesturing to the necklace around her neck. ""You see that necklace? It's the Turner family's heirloom – the Sun and Moon set. Grandpa placed it around your neck himself the day you were born.""

Jewel's hand instinctively went to the necklace. Her father – or rather, the man she had believed to be her father – had given it to her on her eighteenth birthday, claiming he had bought it back at great expense from an auction.

Lachlan continued, his voice laced with guilt. ""It's our fault – we were too busy fooling around back then and didn't watch over you properly. That was how those lowlifes managed to snatch you away.""

""Hold on,"" Jewel interrupted, trying to process this flood of information. She looked at each of them skeptically. ""Isn't it a stretch to claim I'm family based on just a necklace?""

Franklin's eyes softened as he gazed at her. ""There's no doubt in my mind. Your eyes are the spitting image of your mother's. I'd stake my life on it – you're my granddaughter, through and through.""

Before Jewel could object, a deep, cool voice cut through the air. ""There's no need for speculation. I've already sent a sample of your hair for DNA testing. We'll have concrete proof soon.""

Jewel turned to face the speaker – Calvert, her alleged fiancé. His piercing eyes and chiseled features were undeniably handsome, but his demeanor was ice-cold, warning others to keep their distance.

Despite herself, Jewel's gaze lingered on his face a moment too long. She had always been a sucker for a pretty face.

Calvert's eyes swept over her, and he suddenly raised his hand to button up the top of his shirt. Jewel blinked in surprise, wondering what had prompted that reaction.

Franklin, noticing the subtle interaction, cleared his throat and addressed the three Turner brothers. ""It's getting late, boys. Why don't you help me back to my room?""

""But Grandpa, I can stay and look after—"" Lachlan began, but seeing his grandfather's meaningful look, he quickly caught on.

Jewel was at a loss for words, completely unimpressed by their terrible acting.

""Calvert,"" Lachlan said, ""we'll take Grandpa back. Mind looking after our sister for us? Thanks, man.""

Jewel opened her mouth to protest, but to her surprise, Calvert nodded.

Once the door clicked shut behind the others, Calvert turned to face Jewel. His eyes bore into her with an intensity that made her breath catch.

""Now that everyone else is gone,"" he said, his voice low and serious, ""we need to discuss breaking off our engagement.""

2.Chapter 2 Family Reunion

Jewel didn't hesitate, blurting out her agreement before Calvert could continue. ""Sure, I'm in.""

Calvert was taken aback. His scrutinizing gaze fell on her face, his brow furrowing. He wondered how this woman could agree so quickly, questioning if she knew his identity.

""Do you know who I am?"" he asked.

Jewel shook her head, unfazed. ""No, and frankly, I don't care to know."" She added, ""Whether I'm the Turner family's long-lost girl or not is irrelevant. I'm not interested in you, so I'd be happy to call off the engagement.""

She paused before continuing, ""But I'm guessing my agreement alone isn't enough to cancel it, right?""

Calvert's eyes narrowed, his gaze icy. He should have known there was a catch to her quick agreement. She had been waiting for this moment.

""I'll explain the situation to both families,"" he said, his voice laced with disdain. ""Just play along when the time comes.""

Jewel raised an eyebrow, readily agreeing. ""No problem. Now, can you leave?"" She was done with his stone-cold stare and frosty demeanor.

Calvert was stunned by her request, instantly thinking she was playing hard to get. 'Typical of a woman from a humble background - always with an ulterior motive,' he thought. As he looked at her, his disgust only deepened.

Seeing that he wasn't budging, Jewel turned her back on him and pulled out her phone. She texted: [Look into the Turner family for me and check on someone named Calvert Snider.]

As she was typing, she heard the door close. She sighed with relief. 'Thank God, that ice-cold man is finally gone,' she thought.

Just then, her phone rang.

""Jewel, are you okay?"" came a voice from the other end.

""I'm fine,"" Jewel replied reassuringly. ""Did you find anything?""

""Yeah, I did,"" the voice said. ""The Turner, Snider, Rowse, and Shelton families are known as the four major families of Riverstone. They're not just wealthy, but also incredibly influential. And Calvert is next in line to lead the Snider family.""

After listening to the rundown, Jewel asked, ""Is there a girl from the Turner family who went missing over twenty years ago?""

""I think there was something like that, but it seems to have been hushed up somehow.""

""Alright, got it.""

The next morning, the DNA test results confirmed it – Jewel was indeed the Turner family's long-lost girl. Overjoyed, Franklin immediately arranged a grand welcome party, and Jewel was officially renamed Ash Turner.

The day before the party, Ash's birth parents, Josh and Brooke Turner, rushed home, accompanied by a young woman around Ash's age.

""Ash, come meet your father and mother,"" Franklin said.

Ash walked over and politely greeted them. ""Dad, Mom.""

As soon as Josh and Brooke saw her, their eyes brimmed with tears.

""Is it really you, Ash?"" Brooke asked, her voice trembling. ""Oh, my dear, we've finally found you!"" She pulled Ash into a tight embrace, her voice choked with emotion.

But Ash didn't know how to react at the moment. Growing up with Lorelei and Dexter Moreno, she wasn't used to such affection. They had never been the huggy type, and Ash had always assumed it was because she wasn't good enough.

So she had pushed herself to excel, only to be met with lukewarm responses like, ""Isn't this what you're supposed to do?""

Now, she realized that people without blood ties would never truly be close.

Brooke cupped Ash's face, taking in her exquisite features. ""You've suffered all these years,"" she said, her teary eyes fixed on Ash, who was her mirror image.

Josh wiped away his own tears, his voice cracking as he said, ""It's wonderful to have you back, Ash. Truly.""

The family reunion was heartwarming, but one person stood out – the young woman who had returned with Josh and Brooke. Her gaze was fixed intently on Ash who could feel the weight of her stare.

As soon as Ash turned her head, their eyes locked, and she was struck by the girl's piercing gaze. It was like looking at the sharp edge of a knife.

Caught off guard by Ash's sudden attention, the girl quickly averted her eyes and, as if nothing had happened, approached with a smile. ""Hi, Ash, I'm Jade,"" she said, extending her hand.

But Ash didn't reciprocate. She just stared at Jade, her expression unreadable. Jade's smile faltered, and she awkwardly withdrew her hand.

Brooke jumped in to smooth things over. ""Ash, this is Jade, the daughter we adopted. She's your younger sister. You might not know her yet, but you'll get to know each other soon.""

Jade's smile returned, but it was clear that the word ""adopted"" had struck a nerve. All her years of effort had been reset in an instant by Ash's return.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the crowd, dripping with disdain. ""Hmph, people from humble backgrounds really have no manners,"" Caspian sneered, his eyes filled with contempt.

Ash turned to see who was speaking and spotted Caspian, his face twisted in disgust.

Jackson elbowed him, trying to silence him, but Caspian persisted. ""Am I wrong? Jade's been holding out her hand forever, and look at her attitude!""

Ash was taken aback by the sudden hostility. She hadn't expected to make enemies so quickly in her new family.

Jade explained, her voice smooth as silk, ""Caspian, Ash is just not used to our family customs yet. Don't be so harsh.""

But Caspian wouldn't relent. He sneered, ""I don't think it's about being used to it. Jade, you'd better watch out—"" His grandpa and parents cut him off before he could finish.

Jade quickly ran to Caspian's side, tugging at his clothes and shaking her head. Though Caspian fell silent, his face showed his discontent.

When the tension eased, Jade turned to Ash with a smile. ""Ash, don't mind him. Caspian has always been blunt, but he's a good person.""

""Oh,"" Ash said, her expression neutral, before turning to Franklin. ""Grandpa, I'd like to go back to my room now.""

Franklin nodded. ""Go ahead.""

After a quick word to her parents, Ash headed straight upstairs.

Franklin tapped his cane on the floor, his voice resolute. ""From now on, if anyone in this family dares to pick on Ash, don't blame me for losing my temper!""

*****

Upstairs, Ash was unfazed by the recent events. She sat at her computer, reviewing clothing designs submitted by her designers.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Before Ash could respond, Jade had already pushed it open and walked in. ""Ash!""

""Did I say you could come in?"" Ash asked, her voice cold.

Jade, startled, quickly apologized. ""I'm sorry. I'm just used to that. I...""

Ash saw right through Jade's trick. She stood up, her eyes narrowing. ""Drop the act with me, Jade. I'm not interested in whatever game you're playing, got it?""

Ash appeared calm, but there was an undeniable air of authority in her every move.

Embarrassed, Jade pressed her lips together tightly. Just as she was fumbling for words, she spotted the clothing designs on the computer screen. ""Ash, do you like Dream Couture's clothes too? I'm a VIP there. I can have some sets sent over for you tomorrow.""

3.Chapter 3 Change

""No need,"" Ash said, dismissing Jade's offer. After all, she owned Dream Couture, so a few pieces of clothing were hardly worth mentioning.

But Jade persisted. ""It's no trouble. I'm going shopping with Calvert tomorrow anyway, so I can pick up a few outfits for you.""

""Are you done?"" Ash cut her off bluntly. ""I'm going to bed.""

Jade struggled to maintain her composure, but her expression betrayed her. ""Alright then. Sleep well,"" she said, her voice quavering.

Without looking back, Ash returned to her seat at her computer. ""Don't forget to close the door behind you,"" she said.

Jade bit her lip, glaring hatefully at Ash's back before leaving. In the hallway, she ran into Caspian, who was just returning to his room. In an instant, her expression changed completely.

""Jade, why are your eyes red? Did she mess with you again?"" Caspian demanded, about to storm into Ash's room.

Jade quickly grabbed his arm, her eyes brimming with tears. ""Caspian, I'm fine. Please don't confront Ash,"" she pleaded. ""She didn't mess with me. I just feel like she doesn't like me.""

Caspian ruffled her hair affectionately. ""So what if she doesn't? You're too good for her anyway. You don't need to try so hard to please her. You'll always be my precious little sister.""

""You're the best, Caspian,"" Jade cried, throwing herself into his arms as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Caspian comforted her tenderly, completely missing the terrifying gleam in her eyes as she stared at the closed door of Ash's bedroom.

The next morning, Ash rose early. She'd noticed irregularities in yesterday's reports and needed to visit Dream Couture's physical store. It was also a chance to pick up gifts for her newfound family.

As she descended the stairs, she encountered Jade and Brooke.

""Ash, are you going shopping?"" Jade asked, her voice saccharine. ""Calvert and I have plans - why don't you join us?""

Hearing this, Brooke's brow furrowed slightly. She cleared her throat, concern evident. ""I'd like to accompany you instead, Ash.""

Ash sensed Brooke was hinting at something but didn't want to get involved. Shaking her head, she said, ""No need, Mom. I'm just meeting a friend.""

""Alright then, have fun,"" Brooke said, producing a credit card and pressing it into Ash's hand. ""Here you go. No limit.""

""Thanks, Mom."" Ash accepted the card and then left.

Once Ash was out of earshot, Brooke fixed Jade with a pointed look. Her voice was low but firm. ""I know you're fond of Calvert, but Ash's return changes things. Your relationship with him needs to end.""

Jade's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice quavering. ""Mom, if you knew about my feelings for Calvert, why would you try to separate us?""

Brooke flashed Jade a smile, but her tone brooking no argument, ""Jade, even if Ash hadn't returned, you were never in contention for this marriage. Don't worry, I've raised you for eighteen years and won't let you down. But Calvert is off-limits.""

Jade bit her lip, nails digging into her palms. Despite her inner turmoil, she forced a smile. ""Got it, Mom.""

""You're always the sensible one, sweetheart. Alright, I'm off. See you tonight!"" With that, Brooke headed out.

As Brooke left, Jade's expression turned glacial, her eyes burning with barely concealed rage.

At Dream Couture's store, an employee greeted Ash. ""Hello, Boss.""

Ash glanced around, her tone softening as she recognized her friend. ""Drop the act, Bailey. Isn't today your day off?""

Bailey Field's shoulders sagged, her voice laced with frustration. ""Tracy switched shifts with me. I told her last week I had plans today, but she still scheduled me for this shift.""

""Is everything okay? Your mom isn't doing well?"" Ash asked, concerned.

Bailey nodded. ""She's having surgery today. I'm really worried about her.""

Ash plucked off Bailey's name tag and pressed it into her hand. ""Then why are you still here? Go. I'll cover for you.""

""Oh my god, you're the best boss ever! I owe you one,"" Bailey exclaimed, hugging Ash and planting a quick kiss on her cheek.

Ash wiped her face in mock disgust. ""Ugh, you got lipstick on me.""

Bailey grinned sheepishly, said a quick goodbye, and dashed out. Ash shook her head with a wry smile and turned to check on the store's recent limited-edition items.

Just then, a familiar voice reached her ears. ""Tristan, what do you think of this outfit? Does it look good on me?"" Samantha asked.

""It's pretty. Why don't you try it on?"" Tristan Ford replied gently. He called out, ""Excuse me, could we get this in her size to try on?""

As Ash approached, both Samantha and Tristan looked surprised to see her.

""Jewel? What are you doing here?"" Samantha asked, her voice dripping with disdain. Before Ash could respond, she continued, ""Don't tell me you're working as a sales clerk now?""

Ash's face turned icy, her blood-red lips curling into a chilling smile. ""Oh? Dropping the act already? I thought you'd at least try to keep up appearances in front of Tristan.""

Samantha's expression faltered, her eyes darting nervously.

Tristan quickly stepped in front of her protectively. ""Hey, Jewel, no need to be that harsh, okay?""

""What else did you expect? Oh, should I grovel at her feet with eternal gratitude?"" Ash laughed bitterly. She then turned to Samantha. ""FYI, Dream Couture's sales associates make more in a month than your two-month allowance. Not just anyone can work here, so what exactly are you looking down on?""

In fact, the employees here went through a rigorous selection process. Their etiquette often surpassed that of many upper-class families.

""Whatever. Just pick out an outfit for me. I'm attending the Turner family's welcome party tonight."" Samantha couldn't resist adding, ""You know, the event you were supposed to attend before you screwed up.""

Ash's lips twitched, her voice turning glacial. ""I'm surprised the Turner family even invited you two.""

""What's that supposed to mean? Our family has quite a reputation in Riverstone,"" Samantha began defensively.

""Is that so? I wasn't aware. Though I do know your family has quite the reputation for being shameless,"" Ash retorted coolly.

""What—"" Samantha sputtered, at a loss for words. She turned to Tristan, her eyes brimming with tears.

Tristan wrapped Samantha in his arms. ""Jewel, I know you hate Samantha because of me, but we're in love. Why make things difficult for yourself?""

He then added, ""Back then, when you pushed Samantha into the water and she nearly drowned, she still defended you. And now here you are, saying such vicious things to her. Jewel, when did you become like this?""

As Ash locked eyes with Tristan, her gaze landed on the crisp white shirt he was wearing. Memories came flooding back of the boy in the white shirt who had vowed to protect her no matter what, as they basked in the warm sunlight.

But life had a way of changing people, and the boy she once knew was now a distant memory - the man standing before her was a different story altogether.

Ash gazed at him for a long moment, a frosty smile playing at the corner of her lips. ""Tristan,"" she said, her voice level and cool, ""how many years were we together?""

4.Chapter 4 Five Years

Tristan hesitated, his eyes darting away from Ash's piercing gaze like a guilty man caught red-handed. ""Five years,"" he whispered.

Ash let out a bitter laugh. She couldn't believe that after all this time, Tristan's trust in her could be shattered so easily. She silently thanked Samantha for revealing Tristan's true colors.

""You really love Samantha, don't you?"" Ash asked, her voice deceptively calm as she watched Tristan's reaction.

""Yes, I do,"" he said, his tone laced with annoyance. ""What's your point, Jewel?""

Ash's laugh was cold and mocking, her eyes glinting with a mix of hurt and disdain. ""I hope you won't regret it.""

Tristan tightened his grip on Samantha's waist as he declared firmly, ""I'll never regret it!"" He then added with forced politeness, ""Now, can you help Samantha find a dress or not?""

Ash's face became an emotionless mask as she gestured around the store. ""The cheapest piece here costs seven figures. Are you sure you can afford it, Mr. Ford?""

As far as she knew, while Tristan's family was well-off, the luxury items here were still beyond his casual credit card swipes.

Tristan bristled at the jab but. Unwilling to lose face in front of Samantha, he pulled out his credit card with a flourish. ""That blue dress from earlier. We'll take it.""

""Certainly, sir. One moment."" Ash reached for the card with a smile.

Tristan's fingers gripped it tightly, but he reluctantly let it go after a brief tug-of-war with Ash.

Ash swiftly swiped the card through the POS machine and then handed it back to Tristan. ""Mr. Ford, your total comes to 590 thousand dollars. Here's your receipt.""

Samantha squealed with delight, clinging to Tristan's arm like a vine. ""Thank you so much, Tristan! You're the best!""

Tristan forced a smile despite the pain evident in his expression. ""Anything to make you happy,"" he murmured.

As soon as the couple was out of sight, Ash crumpled into a chair, her eyes glazing over. She knew she shouldn't waste her tears on Tristan, but the ache in her chest was a harsh reminder that she wasn't as immune to pain as she thought.

Betrayal had a way of cutting deep, no matter how tough you pretended to be - and Ash was no exception.

As she fought back tears, a shadow loomed over her. A handkerchief suddenly appeared in her line of sight, jolting her out of her thoughts.

When Ash realized the man standing before her was Calvert, her eyes widened in shock. ""What brings you here?"" she blurted out.

Today, he was dressed in a black suit that accentuated his refined and polished demeanor. There was an air of innate nobility about him that commanded attention, making it hard to look away.

""Dry your tears,"" he said, his voice low and gentle.

Seeing her brow furrow in confusion, Calvert quickly explained, his words spilling out in a rush, ""I don't usually eavesdrop, but I overheard your conversation. That guy's not worth your tears.""

Ash's tone was light, almost teasing, as she regained her composure. ""And what kind of guy is worth my tears, Mr. Snider?"" she asked, a hint of playfulness in her voice.

However, an awkward silence fell between them, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Calvert's face darkened, misinterpreting her words. ""Ms. Turner,"" he said stiffly, ""your grandfather will likely announce our engagement at tonight's welcome party. I hope you'll keep your promise to cooperate.""

Before Ash could respond, Calvert strode out of the store, leaving her staring after him in bewilderment. She shook her head, chuckling wryly, ""Did he really think I was talking about him? Talk about an inflated ego.""

Later that afternoon, Bailey returned with the good news about her mom's successful surgery. Ash, relieved, invited Bailey to the evening's party, deciding to be upfront about her new identity.

After picking out gifts for her parents and grandfather, Ash got dressed, applied her makeup, and headed to the venue with Bailey in tow.

As they arrived at the venue, Ash spotted Tristan, Samantha, and her adoptive parents near the entrance. Lorelei was gushing over Samantha's dress, praising Tristan's generosity in sweet tones.

""You know how good Tristan is to you, sweetie? Make sure you're on your best behavior tonight and try to befriend the new Turner girl,"" Lorelei said.

""I know, Mom,"" Samantha replied.

While chatting, Samantha noticed Ash first, her eyes widening in surprise. ""Mom, Dad,"" she called out, ""isn't that Jewel?""

Lorelei marched over, her face twisted in anger. ""Jewel, what are you doing here?"" she hissed, eyeing Ash's elegant dress. ""Where did you get that dress?""

Samantha gasped dramatically, ""Did you steal it from Dream Couture? How could you do that, Jewel? You're just a sales associate there.""

Lorelei's voice rose in pitch. ""Jewel, how dare you!""

""Watch your mouth!"" Bailey started to defend her friend, her fists clenched at her sides, but Ash held her back with a gentle touch. A small crowd had gathered, drawn by the commotion.

Dexter, mortified by the scene, snapped at Ash, his face red with embarrassment. ""Cut the drama and leave!""

Ash was baffled by their anger. It was as if she'd committed some terrible crime just by showing up.

Samantha chimed in a sugary voice, her eyes gleaming with false sympathy, ""Jewel, I know leaving our family upset you, but you can't crash events like this using our name. You don't belong here.""

""Get lost, now!"" Lorelei demanded, her patience wearing thin.

Just as Bailey was about to blow her top, a well-dressed man rushed out of the hotel. People nodded respectfully as he passed, murmuring greetings. He approached Ash's group and bowed slightly, his eyes locked on her.

""Miss,"" he said with a warm smile, ""everyone's been waiting. Please, come inside.""

Lorelei and Samantha eagerly stepped forward, their faces aglow with anticipation. ""Are you here to escort us in, sir?"" Lorelei asked.

Although they had no idea who he was talking about, they were sure of one thing—he definitely wasn't here for Jewel.

The man gave them a disdainful look, his lip curling slightly. ""Who are you? I'm here for this young lady,"" he said, gesturing to Ash.

Lorelei exclaimed, ""What? There must be some mistake.""

""I know exactly who I'm supposed to escort,"" the man said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lorelei and Samantha stared at Ash in shock, their faces pale.

""Mom,"" Samantha whispered urgently, ""how does she know anyone from the Turner family? I heard Franklin has been a widower for years. You don't think Jewel has hooked up with..."" Her implication hung in the air, unspoken but clear.

Tristan's face darkened at Samantha's tactless words, his gaze fixed on Ash.

Catching wind of Samantha's nasty gossip, Ash stopped in her tracks and muttered something to the guy who'd shown up to escort her.

He nodded respectfully, his expression serious. ""Understood, Miss.""

Bailey, looking utterly lost after hearing Samantha's words, couldn't help but ask, ""Jewel, did you really...""

5.Chapter 5 Kidnapping

Bailey bit back the words that were about to spill out. She reminded herself that Ash, as the owner of Dream Couture, was likely to rub shoulders with high-society people.

Shaking her head, she chided herself, ""No way, you're not that kind of person.""

Ash chuckled, playfully pinching Bailey's cheek. ""You know me too well. Otherwise, you might've fallen for Samantha's drama.""

Afraid of offending her friend, Bailey quickly apologized, ""I'm sorry, Jewel. I shouldn't have doubted you.""

""It's fine,"" Ash interrupted gently. ""We've been friends for years. But from now on, don't call me Jewel anymore, okay?""

Before Bailey could wrap her head around this, the Turner family's butler approached with a slight bow. ""Miss Turner, Mr. Franklin Turner requests your presence.""

""Okay,"" Ash replied and had someone look after Bailey.

Even after Ash walked away, Bailey was still floored - the bombshell that Jewel was actually the Turner family's young lady left her head spinning.

Meanwhile, outside the hotel, the Moreno family's earlier scene had left them feeling embarrassed, with sharp gazes cutting into them from all sides. Heads hung low, they tried to enter the venue but were stopped by security.

Lorelei, already fuming, lost it. ""What do you mean we can't enter? We're on the guest list!""

The man who had escorted Ash inside earlier came out, a slight smirk on his face. ""You offended our young lady. That's why you're not welcome at today's party.""

He summoned more security to surround them, instructing, ""If they try to force their way in, throw them out on the spot.""

Red-faced, the Morenos hightailed it out of there. Dexter slunk back to their car while Samantha looked on with green eyes as Ash waltzed into the grand hall, admirers in tow.

In a fit of frustration, Samantha stomped her foot, losing her balance. With a cry of pain, she tumbled over, her 590-thousand-dollar dress tearing on the rough pavement. Her anger towards Ash intensified as she realized her chance to show off was ruined before it even began.

*****

As the party reached its peak, Franklin took the stage to speak. Just as he wrapped up introducing Ash and she started heading for the stage, the lights suddenly went out.

Chaos broke out in the darkness. Screams and shouts filled the air as people stumbled around in a panic.

Ash, pushed around by the scared crowd, tried to make her way to her grandfather. Out of nowhere, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her away.

Before she could react, she was being led through the darkness by someone who seemed to know the hotel inside and out.

When the lights flickered back on, the ballroom was a mess. Franklin, shaken up by the commotion, had been taken upstairs to rest.

Brooke was the first to notice Ash was missing. ""Where's Ash?"" she asked, her voice shaky.

They looked everywhere, but Ash was nowhere to be found. Caspian grumbled, ""She's probably never dealt with anything like this before. Who knows where she's hiding?""

""Shut up,"" Josh snapped, smacking Caspian's head. ""Keep looking. If your grandpa finds out about this, you're in hot water."" He added as he turned to Lachlan, ""Get someone to show the guests out.""

Brooke stood off to the side, on the verge of tears. ""My dear Ash,"" she whispered, ""I've only just found you. Are you leaving me again?""

Jade, unable to stand seeing Brooke so upset, tried to comfort her. ""Mom, don't worry. I'm sure she's okay.""

""Of course you're not worried. She's not your daughter!"" Brooke snapped, immediately regretting her words but too upset to apologize.

Jade flinched, her expression a complex mix of emotions.

Calvert, standing behind her, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. ""Why don't you go check on your grandpa? There's not much more you can do here.""

Jade nodded, giving Calvert a quick hug. ""I'm so glad I have you, Calvert,"" she murmured.

*****

As the last guests cleared out, Ash was still nowhere to be found. Even the security cameras drew a blank on her exit.

Calvert, puffing away thoughtfully, figured hotel staff must've had a hand in it. His eyes landed on a bracelet tossed in the corner—one he kinda remembered Ash wearing. It was lying near a staff-only door which was left slightly open, backing up his hunch.

At first, Calvert thought about letting the Turners deal with the mess. He was gonna call off the engagement soon anyway. But then Jade popped into his mind. If Ash didn't turn up tonight, tomorrow's news would paint Jade as the suspect.

For Jade's sake, he decided to poke around, clutching the bracelet as he made for the staff-only door.

*****

Meanwhile, Ash came to in a moving car, her head fuzzy from whatever they'd doped her with. As she shook off the fog, the bumpy ride told her they were heading to the boonies.

When she tried the door, the man beside her pressed a knife to her throat. His breath was hot on her ear as he growled, ""Stay put.""

Ash tensed up, her mind in overdrive. ""Who are you? What's this about?"" she asked, fighting to keep her voice level.

The man sneered. ""You know damn well. The Turner family's princess must be worth a pretty penny. Play nice, and you won't get hurt.""

His words set off alarm bells—how did he know she was the Turner family's young lady when it wasn't public knowledge? This reeked of an inside job. Ash let out a chilly laugh that caught her captor off guard.

""What's so funny?"" he snarled, pressing the knife closer.

""How much did she pay you?"" Ash asked coolly.

""Mind your own business!"" the man spat.

Ash raised her hands in apparent surrender. As the man eased up, she turned to face him. ""I'll triple your pay to let me walk,"" she offered, her voice low and tempting.

The man scoffed. ""Cut the crap! You just returned to the Turner family. Where would you get that kind of cash?""

""We're in the middle of nowhere,"" Ash pointed out, her voice taking on a sultry edge. ""If I'm bluffing, you two can easily take me down. Right?""

Her half-smirk and tempting gaze set the man's pulse racing. He grinned sleazily, lowering his knife.

In that split second, Ash pounced. Quick as a flash, she grabbed the weapon and held it to his throat. ""Pull over. Now!"" she ordered, her voice icy and firm.

The protagonists name is neah and the alpha is Dean or Dane I forgot, she was abused and punished constantly

*Snippet found on lereader*

Chapter 1 Love Locked Away

Pain dragged Whitney Harrington awake.

She blinked, staring at the shabby, leaky ceiling and then at her foot. Blood mixed with rainwater on the floor, each drop sharpening the ache.

'Wasn't I dead?' she wondered. 'I died because of Emily, that fake heiress who stole my family and took everything from me. I died at the hands of the family I longed for, the ones I gave up everything to please.'

Even now, she could feel the pain from the crash. Afterward, the Andersons dragged her, who was on the verge of death, aside and tortured her.

That was definitely no nightmare.

"Whitney!" Suddenly, an angry voice cut through the rain.

She looked up. A handsome, dangerous-looking man stepped into the shed, dripping wet.

He didn't glance at her bleeding leg but snapped, 'Whitney, I didn't make you look bad in front of the cameras earlier. You scraped Emily's leg. Why can't you apologize? And you dare to sulk about it?'

It was Chase Anderson, Whitney's fourth brother, the one who grabbed Whitney by the throat and smashed her head against the wall when she was barely clinging to life, only to show that Emily Anderson was the only sister he'd care about.

Whitney stared at him, her eyes intense. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a wide, unsettling smile.

With the rain pouring down, that smile looked downright eerie, chilling enough to make people's skin crawl.

'I'm back,' Whitney thought. 'I'm alive again. It's one year after I was brought back to the Anderson residence.'

Looking back on everything from her previous life, Whitney found it all ironic and pathetic.

She thought that by returning to her real family, she could finally have the family love she'd always craved.

She thought she could finally have her own parents and brothers.

So she gave up everything, groveling to every single member of the Anderson family, hoping to finally be accepted.

But in the end, in the Andersons' hearts, there was only a place for Emily.

Emily was the one they'd loved as their real daughter and sister for nineteen whole years.

They'd even go out of their way to humiliate Whitney and treat her like she didn't exist, trying to make Emily feel good.

And every time Emily cooked up some lame scheme to frame her, they'd always back Emily up, scold Whitney for being wrong, and force her to apologize to Emily.

As long as Emily was there, Whitney would always be nothing more than a foil, a stepping stone, a pawn the Andersons used to please Emily.

Just like right now. She was on a reality show called Real Survival.

The whole thing was set up to fulfill Emily's dream of being a star. Chase, the top trending idol who could sing, dance, and rap, was roped in to team up with Emily.

And Whitney was the ultimate sucker, the unlucky scapegoat, shoved in to make Emily look good.

Real Survival was kind of like one of those wild survival shows. It was streamed live for everyone to see.

The contestants were sent to a secluded island, completely cut off from the outside world.

They could exchange whatever supplies they managed to find on the island or complete challenges set by the producers to get what they needed.

Survival shows were never easy, after all. There was always some risk.

Whitney's foot was left bloody and raw because, during a challenge with the other contestants at a steep slope, Emily schemed against her and tried to shove her off.

Whitney caught on to what Emily was up to and dodged instinctively.

But because she dodged, Emily lost her balance and almost tumbled down the slope. So Emily grabbed Chase at the last second.

Whitney didn't care what would happened to Emily, but the thought of Chase getting hurt was something she couldn't stand.

She managed to avoid Emily's trap, but she couldn't escape her own dumb instincts.

In the end, to save Chase, she took the fall herself.

And because Emily got a scrape, Chase totally lost it.

Off-camera, he blew up at Whitney, accusing her of deliberately hurting Emily, and forced her to apologize.

When Whitney refused, Chase even demanded the crew forbid the doctor from treating her injured foot.

He let her bleed and faint from the pain.

Whitney sneered inwardly, 'See? This is the so-called family love I've been chasing after all this time.

'For this so-called family love, I gave up everything, even my pride. Are they even worthy? Absolutely not!'

"What's so funny?" Chase stared at Whitney, whose eyes locked onto him, hollow and deep.

Her gaze was like a vortex in a bottomless pool. It felt as if she was drawing him into it little by little. He couldn't explain it, but a suffocating feeling crept over him.

He was irritated. 'What gives this meek girl the right to look at me like that? Getting gutsy, huh?' he thought.

Whitney lifted her injured foot, the bright red blood had covered her instep, making her foot look pretty disturbing.

"Are you blind?" Whitney's voice was icy. "Can't you see I'm the real victim?"

Chase hadn't expected Whitney to snap back at him. His expression shifted as he glanced at her foot, but he still stubbornly said, "You brought it on yourself."

Whitney let out a cold laugh. "Why don't you get your head on straight before you talk to me? I fell because I pulled you back. Otherwise, you'd be the one lying here. Who are you to say I deserved this?

"And you wouldn't let the crew treat me. That's what people call biting the hand that feeds you."

Chase looked uneasy, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.

He knew well that if Whitney hadn't grabbed him in time, he would've been the one tumbling down the slope.

But he'd always acted like he was above Whitney, and he was used to her groveling and bending over backwards for him.

Even if he was in the wrong, he'd never admit it. "This is payback for you having it out for Emily."

Whitney looked at him with pure sarcasm, like he was a moron.

She didn't waste her breath arguing with Chase.

It was pointless to argue with him about right and wrong. The Andersons would only believe Emily.

"Yeah, I really deserved it," Whitney said.

'In my previous life, I lost my life because of my own choices. Isn't that exactly what I deserved?' Whitney thought. 'I had to chase after the family love I was so desperate for and endure the Andersons' nonstop mind games.

'Though I knew there was never a place for me in the Anderson residence, I still foolishly believed that if I poured out my heart, I could somehow warm theirs.

'I'd been a fool all my life, and that stupidity cost me everything. This time, I won't waste a single hope on the Andersons ever again.'

Chase looked at Whitney.

Her face was utterly expressionless. Her indifference was like still water, calm, cold, and distant. It was directed at Chase, her own brother.

Chase couldn't shake the faint sense of panic in his heart, as if something important was quietly slipping away from his life.

Chase frowned, his tone softening a bit. "Whitney, apologize to Emily, and I'll get someone to treat your foot right away," he said.

Whitney spat, "Get lost."

Chase's face darkened instantly as he said, "Don't take my kindness for granted. If you keep stalling, your foot might end up beyond saving. The Anderson family would never accept a cripple."

Chapter 2 Not Family Anymore

Whitney found Chase amusing, and she almost sneered at her own stupidity in her previous life.

Obviously, Chase knew how much she cared about the Anderson family, which was why he could use it as leverage against her without worrying about her retaliation.

"Doesn't matter," Whitney said, her voice emotionless. "After all, you never treated me as family."

She lifted her gaze, her calm eyes meeting Chase's, which were gradually widening in disbelief.

"In this case, let's not be family anymore," she added.

Chase never expected Whitney to say something like that. His handsome face turned cold in an instant.

To him, Whitney had always been like a pet, always desperate for his approval, hoping he'd look her way.

He couldn't stand the idea of the pet he kept getting out of control.

Chase's voice was thick with anger. "Fine. Don't regret this, and don't come back, begging me to call you my sister again."

He thought, 'Does she think threatening to cut ties would bother me? She's not Emily. She was the one who forced her way into the Anderson residence.

'She's the one who's trying to mess up my family. Does she think acting out like this would get to me? Not a chance.'

"Did you ever treat me like your sister?" Whitney sneered. "You always said your sister would only be Emily."

Chase's face twisted with anger as he said, "Glad you finally get it."

With that, he walked away as he grumbled under his breath, "I must be a fool for coming here, trying to give you a chance to make things right. Since you don't appreciate it, stay here on your own."

He walked into the pouring rain, never once looking back.

In the past, Whitney would've never let Chase get drenched like that. Even limping, she would've dragged herself after him to apologize.

But now, Whitney only scoffed.

In her previous life, she'd spent years degrading herself for him and even thrown her life away.

Now, she only gave him the cold shoulder once, but he couldn't stand it already.

'Well, from now on, he and the rest of the Andersons will have to get used to it,' she thought.

The rain kept pattering outside.

Whitney glanced up at the shabby shelter she found herself in. It was one of the shelters the production crew had set up.

She'd injured her leg trying to save Chase and ended up as the last contestant to make it back, so she had to stay in the shabbiest shelter.

The production team hadn't expected such a heavy downpour, and the shelter couldn't handle it. One corner even collapsed.

They'd planned to find Whitney another place to stay.

But when Chase saw Emily's scraped leg, he lost it and forced Whitney to stay in that rundown shelter as punishment.

Meanwhile, he picked up Emily and headed for the winner's suite: the luxurious spot reserved for first place.

Whitney remembered how, when she tried to hold onto Chase and ended up tumbling down the slope, he didn't hesitate, scooped Emily up in his arms, and walked away.

He did that so he could seize first place and give Emily the winner's comfortable suite.

He acted as if her life meant nothing to him. His indifference was even colder than the pouring rain outside. It chilled her to the bone.

Back when her mind was messed up, Whitney would feel hurt and miserable, but most of all, she'd blame herself for not being good enough, as if it was her fault that Chase hated her so much.

But now, she didn't care about his coldness anymore.

Once she finally let go and saw things for what they were, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

But she couldn't afford to ignore her foot.

Without Chase's permission, the production team wouldn't dare risk offending the Andersons or Chase, their VIP, by letting the on-site doctor take a look at her foot.

If she kept waiting, it wouldn't only be about losing too much blood. She might miss the best window for treatment.

She sure as hell didn't want to end up a cripple in this life.

She swung herself down and stood up.

As soon as her foot touched the ground, a ripping pain shot through her, as if it was tearing through her foot and flooding her whole body.

She frowned, but she could grit her teeth and bear it.

Compared to the torture she went through before dying in her previous life, this pain was nothing. Back then, it was thousands of times worse.

Whitney borrowed an umbrella from the crew and stepped into the wild woods.

The crew watched as Whitney, pale as a ghost, left blood wherever she walked, until she disappeared from their sight.

They felt a bit spooked, secretly sighing to themselves, 'This girl is hardcore. So young, but she's absolutely ruthless with herself. Even with injuries like that, she didn't make a peep.

'Meanwhile, Emily, the one Mr. Anderson brought, acted like a tiny scratch was as bad as a broken leg. If the doctor had been any slower, her cut would've healed on its own. That little princess was bawling louder than the rainstorm.

'Even though we've only been filming for two days, Whitney's already impressive. She breezed through every challenge we set up, acting like the wild island was her own backyard. But every time, Emily got all the praise.

'Whitney is a regular contestant with no background. Meanwhile, Emily is the Andersons' little princess, with Chase, the hottest star, always watching her back. That's the difference between the rich and a nobody.'

The crew could only shake their heads in resignation until they suddenly realized Whitney was gone.

It was a wild island. All the cameras were shut off now. She could run into danger or lose her bearings. Everyone started to panic.

*****

Meanwhile, Whitney held her umbrella and trekked through the dense woods, heading to a spot about 1,600 feet away from the shelter the production team had arranged.

Yesterday, while she was out searching for food, she'd noticed a huge field of medicinal herbs in this direction.

This was a wild island. There were plenty of natural treasures growing here.

She quickly found the herbs she needed in the wild.

Ignoring the heavy rain, she crouched down, crushed the herbs, and applied them to her injured foot.

She ground and applied the herbs at the same time.

The umbrella resting on her shoulder began to slide off to the side.

She held the crushed herbs in one hand, pressing them onto her injured foot with the other.

Just as she was about to tilt her head and try to hold the umbrella between her shoulder and neck, a shadow loomed overhead, and a hand caught the umbrella before it could slip away.

Whitney froze, her hands pausing mid-motion as she slowly lifted her head.

A black umbrella was held firmly above her, shielding her from the rain.

She glanced to the side and saw a pair of slender hands.

Those hands took hold of her umbrella, gently lifting it off her shoulder.

Whitney glanced over.

Amid the relentless rain, a tall guy appeared at her side.

He was dressed in a white T-shirt and black pants.

Even in such basic clothes, he still radiated that effortless, aristocratic cool, like he was born to stand out.

His face was sharp and clean-cut, with a cool, almost unreal aura.

No one in the whole entertainment world, or even all of Centlandia, could hold a candle to him.

Whitney knew right away who he was: Ryan Pierce.

He was the true superstar of the entertainment world, with brilliance and honors unmatched anywhere in Centlandia.

And most importantly, he was the heir to the Pierce Group, the leading force in Roynfort's business world, born into the highest echelon of society.

Chapter 3 Her Real Family

Whitney didn't really have much of an impression of this guy.

The reason she could recognize him instantly, besides his jaw-dropping good looks, was that his face was so distinctive.

There was another reason. Ever since Emily met Ryan, she always acted like she had him in the bag.

But Ryan never bought into Emily's act. He never showed her any warmth from start to finish.

Emily ended up in tears more than once because of Ryan.

As for the Anderson family, they wouldn't dare mess with Ryan, who was basically royalty in Roynfort. No matter how much they doted on Emily, there was no way they'd stick their necks out for her and risk ticking Ryan off.

Plus, Ryan's health wasn't great. When he came to the show, he had bodyguards trailing him in the shadows. Every single one of them was a former special forces soldier.

The Andersons wouldn't dare go head-to-head with him.

Emily cried a few times, but in the end, she had to give it up.

Later, probably fed up with Emily constantly pestering him, Ryan left before the show was finished filming. He claimed he was feeling unwell.

Of course, Ryan's early exit pissed off a ton of his fans.

Emily had been throwing herself at Ryan during the livestream, which annoyed Ryan's Fans. As soon as Ryan left, a tidal wave of insults crashed down on her online.

How did the Andersons deal with it in the end?

That was when Whitney, the designated fall guy, got thrown under the bus.

The Andersons didn't give her a heads-up. They paid for a planted story and had someone posing in a staff member's name, claiming Whitney had stripped naked and tried to seduce Ryan off-camera, which made him leave in a rage.

It wasn't hard to guess what would happened next. Whitney was torn apart online.

And the Andersons asked for more, forcing her to swallow all the hate to protect their reputation.

Thinking about it, Whitney's eyes grew cold.

Ryan was a last-minute addition to the show, joining on the second day of filming, which was today.

She'd hurt her leg and passed out, so she hadn't crossed paths with him.

She never expected that the guy everyone said was icy and out of reach, like some kind of deity, would be the one holding an umbrella for her right now.

"Thanks," Whitney said to Ryan.

He replied coldly, "It's okay."

His casual tone, deep and magnetic, felt even more captivating in the endless rain.

Whitney's long lashes quivered softly. She lowered her eyes and silently tended to her injured foot.

Once she'd finished bandaging her foot, Whitney straightened up.

With a handful of wet herbs in one hand, she extended her other hand toward Ryan.

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

"My umbrella," Whitney said.

Ryan's thin lips curved slightly.

For a split second, his aloof, elegant face seemed to light up the whole world.

"My umbrella's big enough," he said.

His deep, husky voice carried a hint of ambiguous amusement. It was as if he'd just discovered an intriguing prey.

If it were anyone else, getting invited by Ryan to share an umbrella would have them over the moon, maybe even passing out from excitement.

But Whitney reached out with a cool expression, took her umbrella back, and walked away without a second glance.

That move made the smile on Ryan's elegant face grow even wider.

His deep, aristocratic gaze lingered on Whitney's back, a subtle ripple of emotion flickering in his eyes.

Whitney could feel his gaze lingering on her, almost burning into her back.

She pressed her lips together, acted like she didn't notice a thing, and kept walking.

'Were all those stories about him fake?' Whitney wondered.

But in her memory, this guy was so icy that the whole crew would get all nervous and respectful around him, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

"You know medicine?" Ryan's deep, husky voice suddenly sounded from behind her.

He had somehow caught up and was now walking behind her.

Maybe it was the rain, but even though they weren't that close, his voice still felt like it was right by her ear.

'This guy is so charming,' Whitney thought.

Whitney replied politely, but with a hint of indifference, "I know a bit."

Whitney picked up the pace.

Even with the herbs numbing the pain, she still limped along, her steps far from steady.

A hand appeared in front of her. It was long and slender, almost luminous in the rain. Each finger was distinct, the joints clear and refined.

Whitney was stunned.

"Need a hand?" Ryan offered, his gaze lingering on her injured foot.

"I can manage," Whitney said.

She dodged his hand and kept limping forward.

As she walked past Ryan, Whitney couldn't help but sneak a sideways glance at him.

His captivating face showed barely any emotion.

She had no idea what he was trying to do.

Anyway, she wanted to keep her distance from him.

Her refusal came as no surprise to Ryan.

His legs carried him after Whitney. "You don't seem like someone who only 'knows a bit,'" he remarked.

Whitney didn't reply, simply lowering her gaze.

She was truly more than "a bit" knowledgeable.

Before she was brought back to the Anderson residence, she'd always stayed by her mentor's side.

Her mentor was a great doctor, renowned far and wide.

During those years, she picked up countless skills from him and even outshone him.

When the Andersons came to bring her home, her mentor gently patted her head and said, "Whitney, you're more gifted than any of my other students.

"No matter what you learn, you pick it up effortlessly. If it weren't for your real family waiting for you, I truly wish you could inherit everything from me."

Thinking of her mentor and the fellow students who always doted on her, Whitney felt her eyes grow hot with emotion. Regret flooded her heart.

For the so-called family, a bunch of losers, she actually walked away from the people who truly loved her, who treated her like family.

In her previous life, she really had shit for brains, like she was cursed or something. She threw away her pride, lost herself, only to chase after a "family."

Her mentor and the fellow students were real family.

Ryan followed Whitney, keeping an appropriate, steady distance.

His gaze lingered on her slim back, and he quietly watched her.

He could sense that a wave of sadness washed over her.

He followed Whitney all the way to the shelter.

Whitney closed her umbrella and realized Ryan was still behind her. "It's pouring. Shouldn't you be in your own cabin? Why are you still following me?"

Ryan was the reigning superstar backed by the Pierce family in Roynfort, and he'd only landed on the wild island today.

He didn't have to compete in any challenges or pick a room like everyone else.

He got his own private room right when he arrived.

'Why would he leave his own solid, weatherproof cabin with all the comforts to hang out in my rundown shack?' Whitney wondered.

Ryan glanced up at the roof, which was still dripping with rain. "I can help you."

Whitney knew what he was getting at.

If he said the word, she wouldn't have to tough it out in this miserable, leaky shack anymore.

She'd have a professional doctor take care of her foot, and she wouldn't have to give a damn about what the Andersons thought.

Chapter 4 Only You Can Cure Me

Whitney said, "I don't need anything."

She slowly lifted her gaze. Her deep eyes now flickering with a hint of mesmerizing brilliance.

That light was so unwavering that anyone who met her eyes would trust her.

"A bet's a bet. I'll accept the outcome," she said, her voice cool. "I lost this time, so I'll follow the rules."

She paused, the light in her eyes growing even stronger. "But I won't lose again." That was her promise.

Ryan met her gaze. He could sense the fierce determination radiating from her.

He wasn't the type to meddle in other people's business.

If he hadn't had his own reasons, he never would've set foot on this wild island or bothered with this boring reality show.

But now, he was actually glad he came.

He remembered watching her step into the pouring rain, walking through pools of blood. The scene was truly striking.

Her silhouette looked so slender and gentle.

Yet, he could sense an incredible strength in her.

It was as if no matter what hardships she faced, nothing could break her unyielding spirit.

That unwavering resolve reminded him of a moment from his own memories.

By instinct, he followed her, shielded her from the rain with his umbrella, and wanted to help.

He'd never felt this kind of impulse before or acted like this.

It felt like some mysterious force was drawing him to her.

Whitney narrowed her eyes, giving Ryan a puzzled look.

'His stare is getting stranger by the second,' she thought.

Honestly, "strange" was the only word for it.

From what Whitney remembered, he ignored Emily every time, and she wasn't on his radar either.

From the moment he joined the show until he left, he and Whitney hadn't exchanged a single word.

'So why is this famously cold, ascetic guy suddenly trailing after me? What's he up to?' Whitney mused.

Whitney felt a bit helpless. She pressed her lips together before saying, "Mr. Pierce, thanks for your kindness."

Her chilly tone was a subtle way of telling him to back off.

But Ryan smiled. "Actually, I need your help."

"You need my help?" Whitney pointed at him and then at herself, her tone full of disbelief.

When Ryan nodded, she couldn't help but laugh. "Me? A nobody? What could I possibly do for you?"

Whitney purposely used the word "nobody" to highlight the gap between them, making it clear she wasn't in any position to help him.

Ryan said, "I'm sick."

"What?" Whitney stared at him, clearly confused.

Ryan looked dead serious. "I'm sick, and I need you to cure me."

Whitney was speechless. Then, she finally gave Ryan's ridiculously handsome face a proper look.

And immediately, she noticed something off. There were dark, grayish shadows under his eyes, like he was haunted by death itself.

Looking closer, his whole face and even the corners of his lips had this faint, bluish-white pallor. Something was indeed off.

"I've been sick ever since I was born. I tried every specialist I could find, but none of them could help me," Ryan said slowly.

Whitney rubbed her chin, thinking.

'So Ryan really is sick. That whole delicate, fragile beauty vibe isn't just an act. It's actually true,' she thought.

"With your background and status, getting a top doctor, even Davis Russell, the president of the Medical Association, to treat you should be no problem," Whitney said.

She couldn't believe that, with all the power Ryan had behind him, he'd come to her for help because she could identify a few herbs. That was absurd.

Ryan's perfectly sculpted brows lifted with a hint of a smile, and his gaze on Whitney became even deeper.

He chuckled softly. "I've already been to see Davis. He told me himself that he couldn't help."

Whitney was a bit surprised.

She knew full well what Davis was capable of.

If even that old man couldn't do anything, then Ryan's illness must be really tough.

But Whitney didn't agree right away. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "If even Davis, the top doctor in the country, can't help you, what makes you think I can?"

Ryan said, "Just a gut feeling."

Whitney was speechless. 'Honestly, his gut feeling is spot on,' she thought.

"I'm going to rest now," Whitney said, turning away. She clearly had no intention of talking to Ryan anymore. She was dismissing him without hesitation.

Ryan wasn't in any rush for an answer. He nodded slightly. "Go ahead and rest."

But he still didn't move.

Whitney ignored him.

'If he's so sick, why's he sitting out here in the cold? If things get worse, that's on him,' Whitney thought.

She settled herself in a dry corner of the shelter, away from the dripping rain, and slowly closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, Ryan watched Whitney intently. Her face, even smudged with dirt, still radiated a striking, vibrant confidence.

His thin lips quirked into a slow, subtle smile.

With one hand in his pocket, he looked up, gazing at the relentless downpour overhead.

He remembered what Davis had told him. "There's only one person in this world who might be able to cure you: my mentor."

Ryan had no idea who Davis's mentor was. Davis wouldn't say a word about his mentor.

He had to rely on the Pierce family's secret network to get a tip: Davis's mentor would be showing up on this wild island. That was why he ended up here.

He couldn't keep dragging it out. His health was getting worse.

*****

Night fell, and suddenly, a burst of noise broke the silence.

Whitney opened her eyes and saw the area ahead lit up, with people bustling around.

They were all crew members from the show.

The rain had stopped at some point.

"You're awake?" Suddenly, a clear and mellow voice came from right beside her ear.

Startled, Whitney instinctively swung her fist toward the source of the voice.

But her fist didn't hit anything. Instead, a long, elegant hand firmly caught it mid-air.

Ryan was somehow sitting next to her, side by side.

They were very close. Whitney could even catch a whiff of his scent: a subtle, cedar-like fragrance that was cool and distant.

'Why is he still here?' Whitney thought. 'I actually slept so soundly in front of a total stranger?

'I didn't even notice when he got this close. When did my guard get so low?'

Whitney gave her hand a tug to free herself from his grasp.

Ryan released her wrist as soon as she pulled away. "The rain's stopped. The crew was about to start shooting again."

Whitney pulled her hand back, stood up, and stepped away from him. "Why are you still here?"

Ryan didn't answer. Instead, he looked down at her feet.

Her injured foot had already stopped bleeding, and it didn't hurt anymore.

She'd stepped away from Ryan just fine.

Whitney glanced at her foot, already knowing what Ryan was thinking. "My injury isn't serious," she said.

'So it's no surprise a few herbs did the trick,' she thought. 'Stop looking at me like I'm some genius doctor. Even if you see me as one, I'm not going to treat you.'

Whitney carefully moved her foot, testing the injury.

She could walk just fine, but if she overdid it, the wound would still sting.

It would take at least two days for her to fully heal.

This wild island survival show made her burn through a ton of energy every day.

And there were plenty of dangerous missions to tackle, too.

Whitney couldn't help but wonder if her foot would actually hold up through all of it.

Chapter 5 Emily Pulls Her Old Trick Again

Just then, a staff member walked over, heading straight for Ryan. "Mr. Pierce," he said.

He called out to Ryan, but his eyes flicked over to Whitney.

Ryan lifted his eyelids slightly, his expression calm.

The staff member said, "We're about to start filming. Mr. Pierce, would you like to head back to your room for now?"

Ryan had arrived while the show was on a break. His presence hadn't been officially announced yet.

So he wasn't supposed to appear on the livestream alongside Whitney, who was a regular participant, especially considering she was already infamous from day one.

"No need," Ryan replied, looking indifferent.

The staff member didn't press further. As he left, he couldn't help but glance at Whitney again.

He thought, 'She's so lucky. She actually scored a backer like Ryan. Being seen on camera with Ryan is like winning the lottery. She's going to be famous.

'All the hate she's gotten these past few days on the livestream is about to disappear because of Ryan.'

Whitney was confused, thinking, 'He's a superstar. Why does he keep following a nobody like me?'

Since Ryan stubbornly refused to leave, the production team had no choice but to keep Whitney's livestream off for now.

They decided to wait until the show was back on, stir up some buzz, and then unleash Ryan, the superstar and traffic generator.

Whitney looked at Ryan, her expression deadpan. "So if I don't agree to treat you, are you going to keep sticking to me like glue?"

The dazzling lights wrapped Ryan's tall figure in a subtle golden aura.

His face, already otherworldly, now seemed even cooler and more distant, like that of a celestial being.

When his thin lips curled into a smile, his sculpted brows and eyes lit up with charm. "Miss Harrington, do you not like me?"

Whitney was speechless. 'Isn't that obvious? Honestly, if he didn't have that face, this would totally count as harassment.'

"What can I do?" Ryan's gaze lowered, a touch of quiet allure shimmering at the corners of his eyes. "I value my life, and it's rare to meet someone who might save it. To stay alive, I'll have to shamelessly stick to you."

Whitney shot back, "Do your fans know you're this shameless?"

'Turns out, all that hype about being aloof and untouchable on camera is an act,' Whitney thought.

"Whitney!" Suddenly, a soft and sweet voice rang out from not far away.

The tone was laced with worry and urgency.

But when Whitney looked up, she saw a girl in a white dress, gentle and graceful, nestled limply in Chase's arms.

Chase was supporting her, helping her take tiny steps toward Whitney's booth.

She was moving so slowly that even a snail would have left her in the dust.

Her eyes would get teary after a few steps.

Chase was so worried that he kept wanting to carry her, but she refused every time with surprising determination.

Whitney's eyes suddenly narrowed. Her hands at her sides subconsciously tensed up a bit.

Here came Emily, the girl who had took over her whole life, stole her family, and in the end, taken her life.

Emily would never let slip any opportunity to make Whitney look bad in front of the Andersons.

The stream had barely resumed, and she couldn't wait to show up and start her drama of "caring brother, devoted sister."

She was deliberately making Chase look worried about her to get under Whitney's skin, so Whitney would lose it in front of the cameras.

Emily was always pulling this trick in Whitney's previous life.

Seeing this scene would have broken Whitney's heart. But now, she was totally over the Andersons. She didn't expect anything from them, didn't feel a thing, and kind of wanted to laugh.

Watching Emily put on that pathetic act, she thought, 'Only the Andersons would buy this crap.'

"Whitney, who are you hanging out with? You two look pretty cozy when you whispered in each other's ear. Careful, the livestream's about to start. You don't want to get caught on camera," Emily said.

From afar, she caught sight of Whitney and a guy glued together by the booth.

She snuggled into Chase's arms, trying to hide the excitement and the grin that she could barely hold back in her eyes.

Even her usual slow, unsteady steps sped up.

She purposely raised her voice, acting like she was being thoughtful and giving Whitney a friendly warning.

But she had two camera crews following right behind her. One was her own, and the other was Chase's.

In other words, both of their livestreams were up and running.

With that shout, she was basically making a scene for everyone to see.

The production team wasn't about to miss out on all that buzz.

And just like that, the camera crew trailing behind Emily turned their cameras on Whitney.

As Emily got closer and finally saw who Whitney was cozying up to, her sweet, innocent mask shattered in an instant.

"M-Mr. Pierce..." Emily's eyes widened. She was so stunned that she could barely get a word out.

'Ryan? How could he be here? Why is he with Whitney? Of all people, it has to be him!' Emily thought.

She thought about Ryan's top-tier status in the entertainment world and how his family was on a different level compared to the Andersons. It was enough to make Emily's delicate frame, still curled up in Chase's arms, tremble.

Right then, the viewers in Emily's livestream completely lost their minds when Ryan's icy figure appeared on screen.

Their shock was every bit as intense as Emily's.

[Damn! It's Ryan. The Real Survival team is legendary. They actually managed to bring in Ryan.]

[I knew there was going to be a surprise guest, but I never imagined it would be this epic.]

[Help! I'm so hyped that I can barely breathe.]

In just a few seconds, the news that Ryan showed up on Real Survival took over social media.

And thanks to Ryan, Whitney, who was right there beside him, blew up online too.

It was all because Emily yelled out like that.

[Who's that woman next to Ryan? Are they getting all cozy? Are they whispering in each other's ear?]

[Ryan's never had a woman by his side. This is literally the first time.]

[@Jamie, I need all information you can find about her, ASAP.]

The chat was buzzing with curiosity about Whitney's identity.

No catfights or hate. Nobody was trashing Whitney.

Emily finally snapped out of her shock. When she remembered what she'd just said, resentment burned in her chest, and her fists balled tightly.

If Emily had known the man Whitney was getting close to was Ryan, she would've never let them share the same frame.

'The only woman who deserves to stand next to Ryan is me, and me alone!' she thought.