Chapter 801
Harry slowly opened his eyes. What greeted him was the dim, suffocating gloom of a warehouse.
He pressed his fingers against his aching temples, muttering under his breath.
“Where… where am I? How did I end up here?”
For days now, Harry had drowned himself in alcohol, living in a haze of despair. The blow Sharon had dealt him was too great to endure.
Every time he thought of the humiliation she had forced upon him, rage and regret twisted his gut until all he wanted was blood. He couldn’t get past it-couldn’t let it go.
In secret, he had already reached out to assassins, determined to have Sharon killed. As long as she was gone, his torment would finally end.
Just yesterday, someone had accepted the contract. They told him they would come to Zachemaine and make contact. Elated, he had celebrated by drinking himself senseless.
Once Sharon was dead, everything would return to the way it was.
Suddenly, Harry sat up straight, a flicker of excitement flashing in his eyes.
“You’re the assassins I hired, aren’t you?”
A tall, slender figure turned slowly to face him.
Harry blinked in surprise. The man before him was young-strikingly handsome even, no more than his early twenties. He didn’t look anything like a cold-blooded killer. If anything, he resembled a bright, sunlit boy.
Harry couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Since when did hired killers look this good?’
The young man met his gaze.
“Harry, what exactly do you
want?”
Venom gleamed in Harry’s eyes, sharp and poisonous as a viper’s.
“I want you to have your fun with that woman before killing her. Destroy her face, cripple her hands. And of course, no survivors. Name your price. So long as she dies, I’ll pay it.”
The man’s lips curved in a faint smile.
“Harry, you’re certainly generous.”
Harry’s hatred for Sharon had already rotted to the bone. For days on end, his mind had spun through a thousand ways to torture her to death.
“After she’s dead, release her nudes online. I’ll handle the rest.
“Even in death, she won’t know peace. Her disgrace and infamy will be carved into her forever. When people remember her, they won’t think of her brilliance with the violin. They’ll think of those filthy pictures.
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Sharon will be damned for all eternity.”
The thought alone sent a thrill through his blood, igniting his veins with manic excitement.
“If you can think of any other ways to torment her, do it. The more miserable she is, the better.”
The young man lowered his gaze, sighing almost wistfully.
“So it’s true… the real masters are always among ordinary folk. Compared to the tricks you people devise, my old days of simple killing look almost laughably tame.”
Harry frowned, not quite understanding, but snapped back, “If you don’t know how to humiliate her, then just do as I’ve told you.”
The man nodded, then motioned toward several men standing behind him.
“Very well. We’ll do exactly as Harry has instructed. Go ahead-start.”
Harry was taken aback. He hadn’t expected such swift efficiency. They hadn’t even discussed money, yet they were ready to act.
Just as his spirits lifted, the men suddenly strode over toward him.
In a blink, they seized him by the arms and hauled him up.
Harry froze.
“Hey! What the hell are you doing?”
The young man smiled, all innocence.
“Why, we’re only carrying out your orders.”
Confusion clouded Harry’s face.
“I told you to deal with Sharon McKinzie! What are you touching me for?”
The man feigned puzzlement.
“Did I ever once say I agreed to go after her?”
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Chapter 803
Wendy recounted everything that had happened, word for word.
“Harry may have offended many people,” Wendy said, “but the timing of this incident feels far too coincidental. And… with Thomas’s abilities, pulling something like this off wouldn’t be difficult at all.”
The more she came to understand Thomas, the more unfathomable he seemed. It was as if there was nothing he couldn’t do-everything he touched, he mastered with ease. If someone were to tell her outright that this was indeed his doing, she wouldn’t be the least bit surprised.
At her words, Sharon’s gaze sharpened slightly.
She set her cup down and said evenly, “Harry destroyed so many gifted violinists. To meet such an end himself, I’d say he brought it upon himself. I imagine there are far more people clapping their hands in delight than mourning his downfall.”
Wendy blinked, startled. She hadn’t expected Sharon to respond that way.
“You don’t think Thomas was cruel?” she asked.
In truth, given Wendy’s own temperament, she didn’t see anything wrong with it. But Sharon was gentle and softhearted by nature. She wasn’t sure how Sharon would feel about Thomas’s methods.
“If it truly was Thomas’s doing,” Sharon replied, “then he rid the world of a menace. I’d say he did a good deed. I’m a charity ambassador-too many eyes are on me. There are things I simply cannot do myself.”
She paused, then smiled.
“Harry’s talent was undeniable, but without him, more gifted musicians will have a chance to shine. Their future achievements may well surpass his. I’ve always believed that formidable opponents aren’t meant to be crushed or silenced, but to push us toward growth.
“If we are strong enough ourselves, why should we fear the rise of new talent? And if one day a peerless prodigy emerges, one we can never surpass… then it only means our era has come to an end.”
Wendy stared at her in quiet astonishment. “Sharon… you’ve changed so much.”
“Do you think the change is for better or worse?” Sharon asked.
Wendy thought carefully, then said, “For the better. You used to be far too kind, too softhearted. That’s why Kelly managed to bully you. But now… no one can easily push you around again.”
“I feel the same,” Sharon said with a soft smile. “The me now is stronger.”
They chatted on, unaware of the figure standing just outside the doorway.
Thomas’s tall, refined silhouette was cast in shadow, his expression unreadable. He lingered there for a moment, then turned silently and left without entering.
Wendy, suddenly recalling something.
“Oh, right… Xavier hasn’t slept properly for three days since hearing you defeated Harry. He rushed to finish
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all his work and just flew back this afternoon. Tonight, he wants to take us out to dinner.”
Sharon considered for a moment, then nodded her agreement.
An impish smile spread across Wendy’s face.
“Sharon, Xavier’s feelings for you are written all over his face. Matty adores you too. So? Have you thought about considering him?”
“Xavier?” Sharon looked slightly surprised.
Wendy chuckled.
“Sharon, he’s handsome, powerful, and influential. Most importantly, he’s emotionally stable. And unlike most men in his position, there aren’t messy women hovering around him.”
At this, Wendy glanced around conspiratorially, then leaned closer, lowering her voice.
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Chapter 804
“I asked Matty about it,” Wendy said. “He told me that for as long as he can remember, Xavier has never had a woman by his side. And honestly, whenever you need help, Xavier is always there. He’s reliable, solid as they come.”
Sharon sighed, feeling a little helpless.
“I only see Xavier as a friend. There’s nothing romantic between us.”
Wendy coaxed, “Feelings can be nurtured. Besides, I’m not telling you to marry him straightaway. Why not start with a little sweet romance first?
“Back when we were still in Bell University, you never had time to fall in love. Later, you skipped right past romance and jumped into marriage.
“After that, you had Theo. To be honest, you never experienced the sweetness of love at all. That’s why you’ve been so disappointed in relationships. If Xavier could give you that feeling again, I know you’d love it.
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Once, Wendy had wanted to match Sharon with John. They spent their childhood together, knew each other inside and out, shared interests, and seemed perfect on paper. But perhaps they were too familiar-no spark ever ignited between them.
John had, more than once, expressed his wish to care for Sharon, to bring her home as his wife.
Yet every time her name came up, there was no telltale flush, no racing heartbeat.
Wendy had found it a pity, but upon reflection, she realized it might be for the best. The bond of family, after all, was stronger than the bond of lovers.
Sharon felt a headache coming on. She didn’t want to keep discussing this.
“I’m too busy right now. Let’s talk about it after the concert,” she said.
That evening, Sharon had dinner with Wendy, Matty, and Xavier.
In the competitions that followed, Sharon’s victories were indisputable. In the final round-robin, Kelly was once again defeated by her.
This time, no one believed that Kelly’s poor performance was due to illness.
Whenever her diehard fans tried to use that excuse, other netizens would retort, “Fine, then post a video of Kelly playing Gaze back when she wasn’t sick.”
“What? She’s always been sick? Then you’re admitting she never once surpassed Sharon?”
Since Harry’s downfall, Maestro Warner’s reputation had also plummeted. Netizens soon dug up the truth about Kelly-she had been a mistress, breaking up someone else’s marriage, a
Unable to withstand the backlash in Zachemaine, Maestro Warner fled home in the middle of the night. He
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didn’t even bother informing Kelly.
Though he never publicly announced her expulsion, his cold indifference made his stance obvious. The only reason he kept silent was to preserve what little remained of his reputation.
When Kelly learned of it, she was angry, but not panicked. After all, she still had Thomas behind her.
Nate, dimwitted though he was, obeyed her every word.
Recently, she had even hooked Niel.
With so many men at her disposal, losing Maestro Warner was hardly a fatal blow.
The Kalen family estate.
Johanna sat in the villa’s courtyard with a cup of coffee in hand, scrolling through the latest news.
“Victoria, Sharon is really at the height of her fame these days.”
Victoria was now living in Zachemaine with Richard and her eldest brother, Rick. As a national icon, Sharon’s rise had naturally not escaped her notice.
“She’s been popular ever since her divorce,” Victoria said calmly.
“I watched the video of her defeating Harry,” Johanna replied. “She’s really skilled. Even you, I suspect, wouldn’t be able to match her.
Victoria, however, wasn’t bothered. Instead, she smiled.
“She inherited her mother’s gift for music. It’s only natural that I can’t compare. At this rate, the individual championship in the international competition is as good as hers.”
Johanna set her cup down and added, “We originally planned for Maestro Warner and Harry to guide your violin training. But with Harry crippled and Warner disgraced, neither of them can show their face again.”
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Chapter 805
Victoria nodded, her expression free of resentment or dissatisfaction toward Sharon.
“It can’t be helped.”
She didn’t mind that Sharon had surpassed her in musical talent. Her ambitions lay elsewhere.
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Johanna understood this well. The violin had never been Victoria’s true pursuit; it was little more than a pastime. Her focus remained firmly on the Kalen family business.
“How are things progressing with the original shares?” she asked.
At the mention of it, Victoria’s brow darkened, a shadow flickering across her face. “Not ideal. The shareholders holding those original stakes refuse to part with them, no matter what we offer.”
Johanna thought about it for a while, then asked, “Have you tried… other methods?”
Victoria gave a faint nod. “Nothing worked. Their resolve is like iron. Rick warned me that until Shayla’s original shares are unfrozen, we can’t push too hard. If we back them into a corner, we risk losing everything.”
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Johanna’s eyes gleamed. “But those frozen shares belong solely to Sharon. If she refuses to give them up, what then? There must be quite a few people inside the Kalen Group who would rather support her rise than yours.”
Victoria’s lips curved faintly. “Sharon has never studied business. Even if she entered the Kalen Group, what could she do? She’d be nothing more than a puppet to the old guard. Besides, her violin career is flourishing…”
Her smile deepened.
“If she defeats me on the stage of an official competition, won’t that give her an even greater sense of triumph?”
Johanna blinked, startled. “Victoria… you’d accept being beaten by Sharon in public?” 1
“Why wouldn’t I?” Victoria replied.
“But-”
Victoria cut her off with a steady look. “Johanna, those who achieve great things do not cling to trivial pride. If you can’t even bow your head when necessary, your road will never carry you far.”
Her gaze grew penetrating.
“You can’t demand everything. In life, we must learn to choose. Harry ended up the way he did precisely because his greed knew no bounds. He wanted too much.”
With that, she retrieved a file folder from beside her and slid it across the table,
“I think you’ll find this very interesting.”
Puzzled, Johanna opened it. The first name she saw made her pupils contract-Thomas. But when she scanned the investigation results below, her face froze.
“Damien’s incident… and Harry’s downfall… They were all orchestrated by Thomas?”
Victoria nodded.
Johanna’s disbelief spilled into her voice. “But… how did he manage to pull that off?”
“Nothing impossible,” Victoria said evenly. “His background has always been shrouded in mystery. Perhaps he has an identity no one knows. Johanna, your instincts have served you well.”
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Chapter 805
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Johanna’s expression gradually steadied, her earlier shock giving way to thought.
“But didn’t Lex say Damien’s ruin was Sharon’s doing?”
Victoria smiled faintly. “The moment I heard it, I knew it couldn’t be her. If Sharon had the ability to orchestrate something like that, she never would have been suppressed by Kelly. Besides, Thomas hasn’t even tried to hide his involvement. A little investigation is all it takes to uncover the truth.”
Johanna frowned. “But when we visited Damien, didn’t he say it was Sharon who ruined him? The hatred in his eyes didn’t seem
fake.”
“Perhaps,” Victoria said, “Lex wanted him to believe that.”
Johanna was a clever woman. She quickly understood the implication behind Lex’s actions. Her gaze lingered on Victoria, hesitant but probing.
“Victoria… you didn’t warn Damien?”
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Victoria’s expression remained calm.
“If Lex chose not to tell Damien the truth, he must have his reasons. If I warn Damien, wouldn’t that only earn me Lex’s resentment?”
Johanna thought about it and realized the logic. She couldn’t help but feel a flicker of admiration for
Victoria.
“Victoria, even Rick might not surpass you in terms of your vision and strategy. It’s a pity you were born a daughter.”
Victoria only smiled. Then, as though remembering something, she asked, “That earring I gave you-did you have it made?”
Johanna nodded. “It’s already being crafted. But… are you certain about this?”
Victoria’s eyes darkened.
“I don’t know why he’s so fixated on my earring. Perhaps he’s seen one before and is searching for its
owner.”
Johanna recalled the earring Victoria had entrusted to her. “Didn’t you say it was custom-made? That only you and Sharon had a pair? Maybe…”
Her brows knit slightly. “Maybe the person he’s looking for is Sharon.”
“That’s very possible,” Victoria said. “But if he’s been around her for so long and still comes asking me about the earring, it means one of two things-either they haven’t recognized each other, or she isn’t the one. Either way, this is your chance. Even if it comes to nothing, it’s better to take the risk than let it slip by.
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Johanna studied her. “And if… just if, the person he’s looking for is you?”
Victoria’s smile deepened. “All the better. Then you won’t face any risk of exposure.”
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Johanna froze, then understood. Victoria meant to hand her this opportunity as a gift.
“And if the person truly is Sharon,” she pressed, “only they haven’t recognized each other yet?”
Victoria smiled. “We’re close friends. What’s strange about owning identical earrings? If he makes a mistake, that’s his problem-not ours.”
Johanna laughed softly. “Victoria, you never fail to impress.”
“Fortune lies in risk,” Victoria said evenly. “Hesitation and fear achieve nothing. Every investment carries danger. You just have to decide if the gamble is worth it.”
She sipped her tea before adding, “This isn’t a choice I can make for you. Think it over yourself.”
Johanna’s curiosity toward Thomas was growing uncontrollably. After a moment’s thought, she made her decision.
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Chapter 806
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“You’re right. It’s a small risk. There’s no point in holding back.”
She added, “But tell me, do you think the person Thomas is searching for… is really Sharon?”
“There’s a fifty percent chance,” Victoria replied. “Those earrings were custom-made by Dad for us. If I remember correctly, Sharon only wore hers once before losing one. When she left the Kalen family, she took nothing with her. Her room has remained untouched ever since. Father hoped she might one day relent and return, so he left it exactly as it was.”
Just a few days ago, Victoria had flown back to Marcentine and found the remaining earring still in Sharon’s
room.
“Perhaps,” Victoria added, “she’s long forgotten it ever existed.”
…
The Zachemaine division of the competition ended swiftly.
Sharon took first place. Kelly, second. The third place went to a male violinist. Together, the three would represent Zachemaine in the international competition three months later.
During this interval, Sharon was scheduled to host a concert.
Her popularity was overwhelming-the tickets had sold out long before. Audiences who couldn’t buy one clamored for her to add another performance. After discussing with Wendy, Sharon agreed to schedule an extra concert following the international competition.
“Sharon,” Wendy said, “you should consider a world tour. With your talent and your fame right now, holding concerts abroad will be effortless. Sponsors will line up. We can pick and choose.”
Since defeating Harry, Sharon had become a sensation. Sponsorships, endorsements, commercial performances, invitations from music masters-the offers poured in endlessly. Even Casey was drowning in business cards pushed into her hands.
Sharon nodded.
“I’ll consider it.”
Wendy continued, “Once this concert ends, John will return to his family. He’s leaving his music team with us, so we won’t have to waste time scouting new members.”
Sharon agreed it was a good arrangement.
The two chatted a little longer until Wendy’s phone rang. She answered, and whatever she heard made her expression harden.
“I’ll be there right away,” she said curtly, before hanging up.
Sharon noticed the unusual tension on Wendy’s face.
“Wendy, what happened?”
Wendy’s tone was grave, far more serious than usual.
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Chapter 807
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Chapter 807
Sharon’s expression tightened. “What happened to Thomas?”
“It seems he was in a car accident. He’s in the hospital now, still under emergency care.” Wendy rose to her feet, hesitated, then asked, “Sharon, do you want to come with me?”
Sharon didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I’ll go with you.”
By the time they reached the hospital, the doctors had finished treating Thomas.
His driving skills were excellent, so his injuries weren’t life-threatening. Still, he had a gash across his forehead that required several stitches, his head wrapped thickly in gauze.
Wendy asked at once, “Thomas, what happened? How did you end up in an accident?”
The car in question had been a reward from Sharon-she’d asked Wendy to buy it for him. It wasn’t an expensive model, about 15,000 dollars, meant simply as his everyday transportation. They had picked it up only yesterday. And yet today, Thomas had crashed.
Thomas didn’t answer immediately. His silence suggested something he couldn’t easily say.
Sensing the unease, Sharon pressed him. “Thomas, do you know something?”
After a few moments, he finally spoke. “My brakes suddenly failed.”
Sharon and Wendy exchanged a sharp look.
Wendy muttered, “Yesterday, when we brought it back, there wasn’t the slightest issue.”
Sharon asked, “Did you drive it back yourself?”
Wendy shook her head. “I’ve been too busy lately. I couldn’t pick it up personally, so I had the dealership
staff drive it back.”
Sharon turned to Thomas. “Did you drive it yesterday?”
Thomas shook his head. “No. Today was the first time.”
Yesterday, when the dealership staff drove it, there was no problem. Yet the very first time Thomas got behind the wheel, the brakes failed.
Sharon’s eyes darkened. She didn’t believe in coincidences like this.
“Wendy,” she said after a pause, “help me look into this dealership’s background.”
Wendy’s face hardened. She understood instantly.
Sharon had too many enemies-any number of them might want her dead. This might not even be aimed at Thomas at all. It could have been meant for her.
“All right. I’ll dig into it.”
After Wendy left, Sharon turned back to Thomas, guilt flashing in her gaze.
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Chapter 807
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“Sorry. Once again, I’ve dragged you into this.”
“It may not be because of you,” Thomas said. “I’ve offended more than a few people myself recently.”
Sharon studied him. Alone, in a foreign country, he couldn’t possibly have enemies of his own. No-this was because of her. She’d wanted to reward him with a car, but instead she’d nearly gotten him killed.
Not long after, Wendy returned. Her expression was troubled.
“What did you find?” Sharon asked.
Wendy gave her a long look before replying, “That dealership… belongs to the Biggs Group.” (1)
Sharon’s features hardened.
Wendy added quickly, “It doesn’t necessarily mean Carter was behind it. Maybe there really was some defect from the factory.”
Sharon’s tone turned icy. “Then we’ll leave it to the professionals. Have it examined.”
“I’ve already contacted an appraisal agency. We’ll have results by tomorrow.”
“Good,” Sharon said, calm but cold.
When they left Thomas’s ward, Wendy finally asked what had been on her mind.
“Sharon, do you think… this was Carter’s doing?”
Sharon’s eyes were like frost.
“That dealership belongs to his company. Who else could tamper with brake pads without anyone knowing? And don’t forget, he’s made no secret of his dislike for Thomas.”
Wendy frowned. “Dislike is one thing. But to kill someone over it? That’s vicious.”
Her voice faltered as another thought struck her.
“Sharon, didn’t Lex’s brakes also fail that time? Do you think… it could have been the same person?”
A flicker of sharpness crossed Sharon’s eyes.
“It’s possible.”
“But Carter had no grudge with Lex. Why would he do it?” Wendy pressed.
“Not directly,” Sharon said. “But Nate doesn’t exactly get along with Lex.”
Yet the timeline didn’t fit. Lex’s accident had happened on the day of the auction-before Nate and Lex’s conflict began. The motive was flimsy. Even Sharon couldn’t see the reason Carter would target him.
“Maybe it’s just my bias,” she admitted at last. “It may not be him. Let’s wait for the investigation.”
Wendy nodded.
The next morning, Sharon arrived at Thomas’s ward carrying a freshly prepared medicinal broth. He loved
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Chapter 807
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the food she made. The cooking skills once scorned by Carter and Theo were now cherished by both Thomas and Matty.
Preparing such dishes was time-consuming and exhausting, but since his accident likely had ties to her, Sharon was willing to make the effort.
As she stepped out of the elevator onto the VIP floor, she immediately sensed something was off. The usually quiet corridor was in chaos. Reporters clutching microphones were rushing frantically up and down, clearly chasing some major story.
Sharon frowned. Who could possibly be here to draw such attention?
She turned the corner and froze.
Thomas’s ward door was wide open.
Reporters were flooding inside, their voices a barrage of noise.
Sharon’s face paled. She sprinted forward, only to find a crowd of journalists swarming around Thomas’s bed, shoving microphones practically into his face.
“Thomas, rumor has it you specialize in deceiving women for their money and affection. Is that why you’ve stayed at Sharon’s side as her assistant? With ulterior motives?”
“Thomas, what’s your response to the wealthy women being exposed online-women you supposedly strung along?”
“Rumor has it two sisters even fought over you, and one of them lost her life. What do you have to say that?”
about
Sharon called out urgently, “Thomas!”
Chapter 808
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Chapter 808
Sharon pushed through the crowd and rushed to steady Thomas.
The reporters, upon seeing her, immediately softened their tone. After all, strength commanded respect
wherever it went.
“Sharon is here.”
“Sharon, Thomas is your assistant, isn’t he? Are you aware of the news about him this morning?”
“Sharon, word is that Thomas is a gigolo who preys on women’s emotions. You’d better be careful not to fall for his tricks.”
They didn’t swarm her as they had him. Instead, they almost seemed to offer well-meaning advice.
Sharon was a charity ambassador, the one who had defeated Harry, and soon she would be competing on behalf of the nation. None of them dared go too far in her presence.
Her demeanor remained polite and composed.
“Thomas was in a car accident just yesterday. He needs time to rest and recover in the hospital. As for those rumors… once he’s discharged, we’ll hold a press conference to give everyone a proper explanation.”
Now that Sharon had become a national idol, people were inclined to give her face.
“All right, since Sharon has spoken, we’ll let it go for now.”
“Sharon, good luck in the competition! You must defeat those foreigners and win honor for our country!”
For the sake of national pride, gossip was temporarily set aside.
But then, from somewhere in the crowd, a discordant voice cut through.
“Sharon, he’s just your assistant. Why defend him so fiercely? Unless… there’s something improper between the two of you?”
Sharon opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, Thomas, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.
“You can insult me,” he said evenly, “but I will not allow you to slander Sharon. Spreading baseless accusations carries legal consequences.”
The crowd sneered. Nothing was more contemptible in their eyes than a man who lived off a woman.
One reporter said coldly, “Thomas, have you even seen the photos and videos circulating online? Pictures can be faked, but video doesn’t lie.”
Thomas didn’t bother to argue.
“You can say whatever you want about me and anyone else. But between Sharon and me, there is nothing improper. Please do not malign her reputation. Sharon has an upcoming concert and, soon after, an important competition. At a time like this, if you deliberately spread rumors about her, aren’t you trying to sabotage her performance?”
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Chapter 808
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The moment those words fell, every eye turned on the reporter who had just spoken.
They might have had no shame when it came to gossip, but when national honor was at stake, they knew where to draw the line. If Sharon’s focus was shattered now and her performance truly suffered, it would only benefit those arrogant foreigners who had strutted for far too long.
That reporter’s face went stiff. His motives had been malicious-he had wanted to stir up trouble for Sharon -but he hadn’t expected this “pretty boy” to be so sharp.
He dared not press further and slunk away in defeat.
The rest of the reporters quickly dispersed.
Once the hall emptied, Sharon called over Xavier’s bodyguards to station themselves at the door and block all unauthorized visitors. Then she pulled out her phone, determined to see what had triggered this storm.
The more she scrolled, the tighter her brow furrowed.
Several wealthy women had come forward online, claiming that Thomas had deceived them—both emotionally and financially. They had even produced intimate photos with him, along with proof of enormous bank transfers.
The sums were staggering. The smallest transfer was two million; the largest, close to ten million.
And in their accounts, they insisted this wasn’t a sordid arrangement of mistress and patron, but a genuine
romance.
One of them declared, “Who pays someone they’re keeping that much money? I’ve been buried in my business for years. Everyone around me knows I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
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Chapter 809
“My personal details are all online. Go ahead, dig them up,” one of the ladies said.
Another lady said, “My fiancé cheated on me before our wedding-of all people, with my stepsister. That was when I met him. I thought he’d be my salvation… but in the end, he deceived me even worse.”
Someone else added, “I met him at a bar. He was working there, being bullied. I couldn’t stand by, so I stepped in. One thing led to another, and we got to know each other. I admit, I’m shallow. I’ve always had a weakness for handsome men. And he… he was the most handsome man I’d ever seen.”
Each woman recounted her story of betrayal, attaching photos and bank transfer records as proof.
Though labeled as “wealthy women,” they weren’t old socialites. The eldest-the first to come forward- was only thirty-two. None of them had ever been married, and judging from the photos, all of them were attractive in their own right.
Hearing their stories, netizens couldn’t help but marvel.
[Who knew it was this easy to swindle the rich out of both money and love?]
[Yeah, but you’d need that kind of face to pull it off.]
[So it’s true! Men’s faces are weapons of deception!]
They had always assumed the wealthy stood above such things, far too guarded to be tricked so easily.
After scrolling carefully through the exposés, Sharon finally looked up at Thomas.
“Thomas, did you know about this?”
“I just saw it,” he said. “And before I could even process it, the reporters barged in.”
He had just seen it, and the reporters had arrived almost immediately. That could only mean the media had been tipped off in advance.
“Don’t panic,” Sharon said firmly. “I’ll find a way to fix this.”
Thomas’s gaze settled on her, his voice low and fragile. “You… believe me?”
“What?” she asked, startled.
“I don’t remember anything,” he admitted. “For all I know, everything online could be true.”
His dark eyes locked on hers. “Maybe… I really was that kind of man.’
Sharon thought he was just shaken by the vicious rumors. She softened her tone.
“Thomas, don’t take online gossip to heart. The people who know you understand you better than strangers on the internet. Even if you’ve lost your memories, the essence of who you are doesn’t change.”
She paused awhile to think, then added, “I went through the same thing once. I was vilified, slandered until I was worthless in the public eye. But the people who truly knew me never doubted who I was. I believe you’re no different. You can’t be the man they describe.”
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Chapter 809
Thomas lowered his lashes, hiding whatever thoughts flickered in his eyes.
“How can I know what kind of person I am, when even I don’t remember?”
“You don’t need to know,” Sharon said gently. “It’s enough that we do.”
He lifted his gaze. “Then tell me, what kind of person am I?”
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“You’re warm, open, resilient, and brave,” she told him. “You pick things up quickly, you excel at everything you try. People around you like you-not just Wendy and me. Even Matty and Theo adore you. Children don’t lie, Thomas. If they like you, it’s because at heart, you’re a good man.”
She listed his strengths one by one, trying to mend the cracks in his wounded spirit.
When she finally stopped, Sharon realized Thomas was gazing at her intently, his clear eyes shimmering with a faint smile.
Chapter 810
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Chapter 810
Sharon froze for a moment. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Thomas said, “It’s the first time I’ve realized… I actually have so many good qualities.”
“You have another very important one I forgot to mention,” Sharon added.
He looked at her, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. “And what’s that?”
“You’ve got a great figure… and an even better face.”
This time, Thomas couldn’t hold back his laughter. Sharon laughed with him.
When Wendy pushed the door open, the sight that greeted her was this: the two of them smiling together, as if the world outside didn’t exist.
For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Wendy felt a strange sense of harmony in the scene. Odd. Thomas had been by Sharon’s side for so long, yet she had never felt it before…
Hearing the door, Sharon turned her head.
“Wendy, you’re here?”
Wendy nodded. “The results from the inspection just came back.”
Sharon’s expression sharpened. “And?”
“It was tampered with,” Wendy said gravely. “Clear signs of deliberate sabotage. What’s more, the staff member who delivered the car yesterday has already gone missing.”
“Fast work,” Sharon muttered, unsurprised.
Wendy hesitated, then added, “And about those exposés on Thomas this morning, I had Xavier look into the sources. Every one of those so-called informants has business ties with the Biggs Group.”
She stole a cautious glance at Sharon. “But… that alone isn’t proof Carter was behind it.”
“Other than Carter,” Sharon asked evenly, “is there anyone else with motive?”
Wendy fell silent. Aside from him… no one came to mind.
Then an idea struck her, “Sharon, if you want to know for sure whether Carter did this, isn’t it simple? Just ask Julliard.”
A flicker passed through Sharon’s eyes. Yes, she could.
She had just reached for her phone when it buzzed in her hand.
The screen lit up with Julliard’s name.
“I’ll take this outside,” Sharon said, rising to her feet.
After she stepped out, Wendy tried to comfort Thomas.
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“Thomas, don’t let the online rumors get to you. We all believe. You’re not that kind of guy.
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Her words were kind, but somehow… they lacked the warmth of Sharon’s earlier reassurance. What Sharon had said lingered in his heart, soothing him like a balm.
Thomas nodded. “Sharon will handle this. Do you all trust Julliard that much?”
“Of course,” Wendy replied without hesitation. “He’s nothing like Nate or Carter. When Kelly framed Sharon and everyone else turned their backs, Julliard was the only one who stood by her.
“And when she was divorcing Carter, he helped her a lot. Without him, with Nate and Kelly scheming as they do, it would’ve been far too easy for Sharon to fall into their traps, let alone strike back.”
Wendy’s lips curved into a smile. “Thanks to Julliard, Sharon gave them plenty of counterattacks.” (1
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Chapter 811
“Carter could barely keep up as he scrambled to clean up the mess Nate kept landing him in,” Wendy added.
Thomas frowned. “But isn’t Julliard one of Carter’s closest friends? If he can betray a close friend, can he really be trusted?”
Wendy shook her head. “Julliard has endured them for years. It’s not betrayal. It’s that their behavior has crossed every line of decency. At some point, it becomes intolerable.
“And besides, for Theo’s sake, he doesn’t want things to spiral into something irreversible. Helping Sharon here and there doesn’t actually harm Nate in any real way.
“In fact, not long ago, when Lex targeted Nate, it was Julliard who stepped in to save him. Julliard even persuaded Carter to help. He’s still loyal to his friends.”
Thomas said nothing after that.
Out in the corridor, Sharon answered Julliard’s call.
“Sharon, do you have time today?” His voice dropped a notch, deliberate and secretive. “There’s something I need to tell you. It’s about Thomas.”
Sharon paused for several seconds. “Alright. The same café as before?”
“Yes. Don’t be late.”
After letting Wendy and Thomas know, Sharon headed straight there. She arrived early, but Julliard was already waiting.
The moment he saw her, he rose and pulled out a chair with practiced grace.
“Sharon, I haven’t even congratulated you yet. Defeating Harry and taking first place-that’s no small feat.”
He slid a beautifully wrapped gift box across the table. “This is to celebrate your victory.”
Familiar as she was with him, Sharon didn’t refuse. She accepted it with a simple, “Thank you.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” he prompted gently.
At that, Sharon lifted the lid.
Inside lay a delicate crystal music box. Perched on top was a figurine of a young woman with a violin poised in her hands.
When Sharon pressed the switch, the familiar strains of First Love filled the air. The tiny figure moved with the melody, bowing her violin with lifelike grace.
The craftsmanship was astonishing-so detailed that the figurine’s face was unmistakably her own.
“Wow…”
“I met a master carver while traveling recently,” Julliard said. “I asked him to make it. Do you like it, Sharon?”
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No woman could resist something so exquisite, glittering with such care. Sharon loved it instantly.
She lifted the piece, marveling when she noticed the miniature violin in the figurine’s hands-an exact replica of Shaluna. Even in miniature, it was reproduced to perfection, every detail painstakingly rendered.
It was a work born of devotion.
“I love it,” Sharon said softly, reluctant to set it down. “Thank you.
Relief and tenderness softened Julliard’s features. “I’m glad you like it.”
What she didn’t know-what he would never admit-was that he hadn’t commissioned it at all. He had carved it himself, working on it for an entire year. 1
And in his possession lay another music box: one of the two of them dressed in wedding attire. That one he could never reveal-at least, not yet.
Someday, when they were together, when they had a child, he would carve a final piece: a family of three. That one he would give her then.
After lingering over the music box a moment longer, Sharon carefully placed it back into its case. Then she lifted her eyes to him.
“Julliard, what was it you wanted to tell me?”
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Chapter 812
Chapter 812
After the waiter served the coffee, Julliard finally spoke.
“Sharon, are you investigating what happened to Thomas?”
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Since Thomas was now working as Sharon’s assistant, she naturally wouldn’t stand by knowing he was targeted. Sharon nodded.
“Have you found any leads?” Julliard pressed.
Sharon hesitated, weighing how much to reveal. Before she could decide, he asked, “Does it involve Carter?”
Her eyes snapped to his. “Julliard… do you know something?”
His expression turned grave. He nodded. “This whole thing… it was Nate who came up with the idea for Carter. Yesterday, Nate let it slip when he was talking to me. And…”
He studied Sharon’s face carefully, gauging her reaction. “Their original plan was to stage a car accident and kill Thomas outright. When he survived, they moved to the second plan. Once his scandals came to light, with your temperament, there’s no way you would tolerate a man like him by your side.”
A cold laugh escaped Sharon. “Carter certainly knows me well.”
Julliard lowered his gaze, masking the sharp gleam in his eyes with a sip of coffee.
“I also heard from Nate that while the scheme was fabricated, there may be some truth to it. As the saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Thomas’s background is murky-no records, no identity. What if…”
“No.” Sharon cut him off, brows knitting. “Thomas is not that kind of guy.”
Julliard’s eyes narrowed. “Sharon, you trust him that much?”
“I don’t trust him,” she replied evenly. “I trust what I see with my own eyes.”
His breath hitched. “But what you see isn’t always the truth. Sometimes, it’s all just a mask!”
Sharon gave him a startled look. “If he really were after money, then I would be his prime target. Yet I’ve never once felt any malice from him.”
She was worth a fortune now. If Thomas harbored ulterior motives, he would have made a move on her long ago. But instead…
“Whether with me, Wendy, or Casey, he’s never crossed the line,” she continued. “At most, he’ll tease Carter for my sake, but always within bounds. He’s never used that as an excuse to touch me or act overly familiar. With Theo and Matty, he’s been nothing but appropriate.”
Julliard took another sip of coffee, swallowing down the storm inside him.
“Even so,
that doesn’t prove he’s genuine. Maybe he’s simply hidden himself too well. He loses his memory the moment you ‘accidentally’ hit him with your car? Doesn’t that strike you as suspicious?
“Sharon, after spending so much time with him, does he really seem like an ordinary mean to you
Chapter 812
Sharon fell silent, her gaze steady.
Julliard drew a deep breath. “There’s something I’ve never told you.”
Her eyes flickered. “What is it?”
“A while ago, I saw Kelly speaking with Thomas.”
“When?” Sharon asked at once.
He hesitated, then lied without a blink. “The day we all went horseback riding at the sports club.”
There had been many people present that day-Thomas, Kelly, and Julliard among them.
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Seizing the chance, he pressed on, pouring more suspicion over Thomas. “What if he and Kelly already knew each other? What if his entire approach to you was just a ploy to help her?”
Chapter 813
Chapter 813
Julliard knew exactly what Sharon minded most.
Kelly was the thorn lodged deep in her heart.
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It was also the very reason why, back then, when Sharon had been framed and slandered by Kelly in every possible way, he hadn’t presented the evidence that could clear her name. He had wanted Sharon to see for herself how her husband would take another woman’s side. Only then would she finally give up on Carter
completely.
Sharon thought carefully. “I’m not sure whether they know each other. But… nothing on my end seems to have been leaked. On the contrary, during the time Thomas has been with me, he’s saved me more than once.”
“Or maybe,” Julliard countered, “it’s all an act, staged to win your trust.”
Sharon disliked judging others with malice. Yet she couldn’t deny-what Julliard said wasn’t impossible. After all, Cole had once deceived her trust in the very same way.
She knew Julliard was speaking out of concern. Softly, she said, “I understand. I’ll be careful.”
Julliard smiled faintly and didn’t press further. Some words were best left at that-say too much, and she would only grow resentful.
He shifted the subject. “Sharon, how do you plan to deal with Carter this time?”
Since Sharon still chose to believe in Thomas, the best outcome was to make her relationship with Carter completely irreconcilable. If she eventually severed ties with Carter and drove Thomas away as well, that would be a perfect two-birds-one-stone plan.
Sharon’s lips curved in a cold smile. “Since he’s chosen this moment to expose Thomas’s scandals, then he can’t blame me for exposing Kelly.”
In her hands, she held far more damning evidence against Kelly.
To Julliard, Kelly was nothing more than a pawn-a catalyst to fuel conflict between Sharon and Carter. Whether she lived or died, he couldn’t care less.
“I have some proof as well,” Julliard added smoothly. “Evidence of how Kelly framed you. I’ll send it over later.”
Sharon smiled. “Thank you.”
…
After Sharon left the café, she headed straight to the hospital.
Inside the ward, Thomas was absorbed in his game while Wendy scrolled through videos on her phone.
The moment Sharon returned, Wendy looked up. “Sharon, how did it go? Was it Carter?”
Sharon nodded. “Mhm. It’s confirmed.”
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Thomas’s fingers, stilling for the briefest second on the game controls, betrayed a faint pause.
Wendy pressed on. “Then what do you plan to do? Suppress the rumors first?”
Sharon shook her head. “Even if you suppress gossip like this, people will whisper in private, often with more relish. The more you try to silence it, the more curious they become. And besides, public opinion is already in Carter’s hands. It won’t be easy to press it down.”
Wendy gave her a sharp look. “Then what’s your move?”
Sharon’s lips lifted in a cool smile. “Wendy, it’s time to release Kelly’s dirt. The best way to kill one story’s heat is with another, even bigger explosion.”
Wendy gasped. “Sharon, you’re going to leak it now? But there’s still a whole month before both your concerts! If the news comes out too early, Carter will have time to bury it.”
A month in advance wasn’t exactly late. But Wendy had already calculated the perfect timing-three to five days before the concert. At that moment, Kelly would be drowning in scandal, her reputation shredded, and her concert would collapse into an empty hall.
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Chapter 814
Wendy seemed about to say more when her gaze flicked toward Thomas. She rose abruptly. “Sharon, let’s talk outside.”
Sharon followed her out of the ward.
Once the door clicked shut, Wendy lowered her voice in persuasion. “Sharon, I know you’re furious after everything that’s happened. But you also know Carter’s influence in Amstern City. Even with Xavier’s help, even if we manage to release Kelly’s scandals, they’ll be buried in no time. Once they’re on guard, trying to make another move before Kelly’s concert will be nearly impossible.”
She glanced toward the ward and softened her tone. “I know you can’t stand seeing those close to you wronged. But what’s a few days? In the meantime, we can work on quelling the false rumors about Thomas. We could track down those socialites who spread them and hire a lawyer to sue.”
Sharon shook her head. “Thomas has lost his memory. Whether these rumors are true or false, we can’t prove anything for certain.”
Wendy sighed. “That’s true.”
“And now,” Sharon continued, “with Carter fanning the flames, I doubt this will die down so easily.”
Their voices were soft, but Thomas’s sharp ears caught every word with perfect clarity.
She wanted to expose Kelly early… for him?
She was determined to retaliate against Carter, to avenge him?
Heat surged inexplicably through his veins, his blood rushing faster. That heart of his, once still as stagnant water, skipped a few uncontrollable beats.
So this was what it felt like-to be cared for?
In that moment, he suddenly understood why Kelly would stoop to clumsy, even self-destructive schemes just to secure Carter’s attention.
This feeling… wasn’t bad at all.
Outside the ward, Wendy eventually yielded to Sharon’s determination.
With Sharon’s current fame, Carter would find it far harder to suppress her than anyone else. If she personally called Kelly out by name, the impact would be explosive,
Still, Wendy couldn’t help but worry-the move was reckless, far too dangerous for Sharon herself.
“Why don’t I use my account instead?” Wendy offered. “Everyone knows I’m your agent. I can represent you. If anything happens, I’ll take the blame, and you won’t be dragged into it.”
Sharon shook her head. “Wendy, our accounts aren’t even on the same scale. Carter might silence yours, but he wouldn’t dare silence mine.”
“But it’s too risky,” Wendy pressed. “If something goes wrong
—-
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Sharon placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “Tell me, have we ever come this far without taking risks? They’ve already pushed us this far. We can’t afford to keep shrinking back. As long as Kelly exists, the feud between me and Carter will always come to a head sooner or later.”
Wendy knew Sharon was right. Her only fear was that everything Sharon had fought so hard to build would be destroyed in an instant by Carter’s hand.
At last, Wendy steeled herself. “Fine. We still have Xavier, Uriah, and John on our side. With their help, we’ll manage.”
Now that the decision was made, her hesitation vanished. “Sharon, I’ll go sort through the evidence right
now. Once it’s ready, I’ll send it all to you.”
Sharon nodded.
Wendy didn’t return to the ward. She left straight from the corridor.
Glancing at the clock, Sharon realized it was already noon.
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Chapter 815
When Sharon returned to the ward, she said to Thomas, “Thomas, what do you want for lunch? I’ll go buy it for you.”
Thomas’s eyes fixed steadily on her. “You’re going to expose Kelly?”
Sharon didn’t bother to hide it. “Yes.”
“Because of me?” he asked.
She answered with honesty. “This does involve you, but not entirely. You’re more like the spark that set things off.”
“But if it weren’t for this incident,” Thomas pressed, “you wouldn’t be exposing Kelly right now, would you?”
Sharon didn’t deny it. She smiled. “True. But the timing would only differ by a month at most. It won’t make much of a difference. Better to let her fans see her real face early. Who knows? It might even save them the cost of a ticket.”
Thomas lowered his gaze, long lashes shadowing his eyes. “Then it still has to do with me.”
Sharon assumed he was blaming himself and quickly reassured him. “No matter what, you’re under my protection. If people around me can be framed without consequence, doesn’t that mean anyone could trample us at will? Thomas, don’t feel guilty. Even if this were Casey instead of you, I’d do the same.”
He deliberately ignored that last sentence. “That’s good, then.”
Believing he had finally come to terms with it, Sharon let the matter drop.
“So, what would you like to eat? I’ll go pick it up.”
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Thomas casually listed a few dishes. The restaurant he mentioned was far-nearly two hours round trip from the hospital.
Sharon didn’t so much as frown when she heard. “If you’re hungry in the meantime, have some fruit. Call me if you need anything.”
“Alright.”
With that, she left the ward.
Later, after packing up the food, Sharon returned to the hospital.
She had just parked when her phone buzzed with a call from Wendy.
“Sharon, great news! The best news!”
Her voice crackled with excitement, so breathless she could barely form sentences.
Sharon smiled. “What is it? Why are you so worked up?”
Wendy’s voice trembled with exhilaration. “I’ve been compiling Kelly’s scandals. We had some recordings
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Chapter 815
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and videos, but we were missing the most crucial evidence. Especially… the proof she faked her illness!”
That single act of deception had won Kelly endless sympathy and favoritism. She hadn’t only tricked Carter and others, but she had also manipulated her fans’ emotions.
If evidence of that ever surfaced, Kelly’s reputation would collapse overnight.
But she had always been meticulous, leaving no trace behind. Neither Sharon, Wendy, John, nor Xavier had been able to uncover solid proof. Only Uriah, when taking her pulse, had seen through the ruse.
He had warned Carter, but Carter refused to believe him, thinking it was a ploy to defend Sharon.
Until now, they hadn’t been able to seize a single piece of damning evidence against Kelly.
Wendy’s voice, trembling with excitement, rang out again.
“Sharon, just now, an anonymous email landed in my inbox. It’s full of dirt on Kelly. And it includes evidence of her faking her illness!
“I don’t know which kind soul sent it, but without this, no matter what we exposed, we might have stripped her of her dignity, but we never could have destroyed her completely!”
Chapter BE
Chapter 816
Sharon was stunned by what she heard. She was hardly able to believe it.
“Wendy, are you sure? And those evidences… they’re all real?”
Wendy’s voice carried firm conviction.
“I’m sure of it. I was worried they might be fabricated, so I had someone verify them. That doctor who falsified Kelly’s medical records? He’s still working at the hospital. The evidence isn’t just detailed medical reports-it also includes photos and videos.
“Even inside the emergency room, there are recordings of her faking fainting spells and medical episodes when, in truth, nothing was wrong. Every time she was wheeled into the ER, she would sit right up afterward and chat casually with the doctors and nurses. From the footage, it’s obvious this entire team was dedicated to staging her illness and fabricating her records.
“These aren’t impostors, either-they are genuine specialists flown in from Marcentine. That’s probably why Carter and the others never uncovered the truth.”
Sharon frowned.
“But Carter searched the world for experts. They examined her and all claimed she was beyond saving. Could Kelly really have bribed every single one of them?”
“Finding doctors always goes through personal referrals,” Wendy explained quickly. “Carter is a busy guy, so most of the arrangements were left to Nate. He’s simple-minded. If Kelly dropped a hint that some specialist was extraordinary, he’d believe her without question.
“In reality, those people were handpicked by her. And even when they weren’t prearranged, she managed to bribe doctors during examinations. That’s how she’s kept her secret hidden for so long.”
Wendy spoke in a rush until her mouth went dry. After a sip of water, she continued, “And that kidnapping incident with Theo? That was orchestrated entirely by Kelly. We have the black-market conversations and transaction records to prove it.
“And her staged falls, her plunges into pools, the provocations she whispered to you in secret-all of it, documented from beginning to end, nothing left out.”
Her voice grew more excited.
“There’s more! Kelly hired trolls to smear you online. Those fanatics who harassed you they were her people. And in the recent competition, she manipulated the votes, fabricated the data, and even directed Abigail to spread rumors against you.
“In short, there’s nothing she hasn’t done.”
Piece by piece, Wendy laid out Kelly’s past schemes, even some that Sharon herself hadn’t known.
By the end, Wendy was laughing.
“This time, Kelly has no chance of turning things around. Sharon, our luck really is changing. We wanted evidence to expose her, and suddenly, here it is.
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“It’s as if even the heavens couldn’t stand her wickedness any longer and decided it was time she paid the price. We owe that kind soul who sent the evidence a debt of gratitude!”
Sharon’s mind flickered to her recent encounter with Julliard. After a pause, she murmured, “Perhaps it was Julliard who sent it.”
“Julliard?” Wendy was taken aback.
Sharon recounted how Julliard had mentioned giving her evidence.
Instinctively, Wendy asked, “If he had such solid proof, why didn’t he come forward sooner?”
Sharon fell silent for a few seconds before replying, “Maybe at first he hesitated because of Carter-he
didn’t know how to bring it up. He might have suspected Kelly was faking her illness all along but lacked the evidence to prove it. Perhaps he only recently managed to collect it all.”
Wendy let out a long sigh.
“Then he’s really been through a lot for this. Who would’ve thought, in the end, Julliard would be the one we could truly rely on? These documents are a godsend.”
Chapter 817
“We really must thank Julliard properly when we get the chance,” Wendy said.
Sharon nodded. “Mm. I will.”
After hanging up, Sharon hesitated for a moment, then dialed Julliard’s number. She had received the evidence-she couldn’t just accept it without even a word of thanks.
The call connected after only two rings. “Hello, Sharon.”
Her voice softened. “Julliard, I got the evidence you sent me.”
Julliard’s hand froze over his mouse. “Evidence?”
Sharon explained, “The proof of how Kelly framed me-and how she faked her illness. Julliard, thank you. Without it, it
would’ve been impossible to completely destroy her. At best, we could’ve just stripped away her veneer.
“But with that so-called terminal illness as her shield, no matter what wrong she did, Carter and her fans would always rush to
find excuses for her.”
She drew in a deep breath. “You must’ve gone through so much trouble to uncover this. Julliard, you’ve helped me more than I can ever repay. I truly don’t know how to thank you.”
Before him, the glow of his computer screen reflected cold light into Julliard’s eyes. His finger hovered dangerously close to the send button. The evidence he had painstakingly compiled sat ready-yet unsent.
What he had gathered was damning enough: photos of Carter and Kelly inappropriately close, late-night visits to her residence, the kind of intimate gestures that would be unforgivable in the public eye.
Even if nothing had happened between them, Sharon didn’t know that. And the public would never care about explanations.
That was the evidence he intended to give her-to shatter their relationship beyond repair.
But proof of Kelly’s feigned illness? He had none. He had searched, dug deep, chased leads until exhaustion-but always came
up empty-handed.
Someone was helping Kelly. He was certain of it.
At first, he suspected Nate, but Nate couldn’t keep a secret to save his life, nor did he have the brains for such precision. If it had been him, Kelly’s lies would’ve unraveled long ago.
So who was it? Who had been covering her tracks so flawlessly? Even after all his efforts, Julliard still didn’t know.
And yet, now Sharon had received an anonymous package of airtight evidence…
Who sent it to her?
His thoughts sharpened, then he spoke smoothly, “Sharon, you don’t need to thank me. I’m just doing my part as a friend. The sooner Carter and Nate see Kelly’s true face, the better it is for them.” 1
He could frame it as being for Carter and Nate’s sake. What he couldn’t say what he dared not say-was that he did it for her. He knew Sharon wasn’t ready to accept that. Not yet.
Gratitude colored her voice. “Julliard, if you ever need my help in the future, just say the word. If it’s within my power, I’ll never refuse. I owe you a debt I won’t forget.” 1
Money was easy to repay. But a debt of gratitude-that lingered, binding tighter with time.
On his laptop screen, Julliard’s reflection revealed a rare, unguarded joy. With such a favor owed, winning Sharon’s heart would
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be that much easier.
Suppressing the elation rising in his chest, he replied, “Sharon, we’re friends. Helping you is only right. Please, don’t ever feel the need to be polite with me.”
She didn’t argue further. “Alright. I’m about to release the evidence of Kelly’s fake illness, so I won’t keep you. If anything comes up, just reach out.”
His tone was warm, polished, and flawless. “Of course. See you next time.”
When the call ended, Julliard slid open a drawer, pulled out a photograph, and pressed a lingering kiss to it.
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Chapter 818
Sharon returned to the ward carrying the takeout she had packed for Thomas.
“Sorry, I’m a little late.”
Thomas set down his phone and studied her expression.
“You look like you’re in a good mood. Did something happen?”
Sharon touched her cheek. “Is it that obvious?”
He chuckled. “Very obvious.”
She thought for a moment. Since Thomas would eventually learn about Kelly anyway, there was no need to hide it.
“I got my hands on evidence proving Kelly faked her illness. Once it goes public, she’ll never recover.”
Instead of surprise, Thomas’s lips curved in a smile. “Then congratulations. You wanted to expose her, and fate placed the perfect evidence right in your hands.”
Sharon didn’t mention that it had come from Julliard. She trusted Thomas, but some things weren’t meant to be spoken aloud. It could affect Julliard.
She simply nodded and unpacked the food.
“Let’s eat first.”
Thomas gave her a long, searching look before quietly and elegantly starting his meal.
The next morning, hashtags like “Kelly Walt faked illness,” “Kelly’s terminal disease,” and “Kelly exposed as a fraud” shot to the top of trending searches.
Sharon had posted the videos and images of Kelly pretending to be ill on her own account, along with a lengthy statement laying out their long, bitter history.
Given her fame and immense following, it took less than two hours for the post to dominate the charts.
At that very moment, Kelly remained blissfully unaware of the storm. She was on the phone with Thomas.
“Thomas, my concert tickets have been underselling for ages. Even after slashing prices, they’re barely moving… Your last suggestion was right. I need people to fill the seats.
“Can you help me again? Have your people buy some tickets, get friends and family to come. I just can’t afford an empty house.”
Thomas agreed without hesitation. “Alright.”
Only then did Kelly exhale in relief, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“Thank you, Thomas. In the end, you’re the only one I can count on.”
He smiled faintly, a look deep with unspoken meaning, but said nothing.
With her goal achieved, Kelly had no desire to linger on the line with this unpredictable man. She muttered a casual excuse and hung up.
No sooner had the call ended than her phone rang again-it was the head of her studio.
The man’s voice was frantic. “Kelly, you’re trending online! Have you seen it?”
Puzzled, she frowned. “No. What about?”
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“Sharon!” The man was nearly incoherent. “Sharon exposed you online. She released proof you faked your illness. It’s everywhere. The trending tags are exploding, and we can’t get them taken down. Kelly, you’d better see for yourself!”
But Kelly didn’t panic in the slightest. Her tone was cool and dismissive.
ོ་ཇ་ ོ ོ་ཇ
“With Sharon’s fame and reach, of course you can’t suppress it. That’s normal. Nate and Carter will handle it.”
The man was on the verge of tears. “B-but… this time it’s different!”
Kelly’s voice brimmed with confidence. “There’s nothing different about it. Fine, I’ll take a look. Half an hour from now, be gone from the trending list.”
She hung up before he could protest further.
it’ll all
Not giving the warning a second thought, Kelly moved with leisurely grace. She brewed herself a cup of tea, then settled by the floor-to-ceiling windows of her seaside apartment, gazing at the waves as she scrolled idly through the news.
The oceanfront condo Carter had bought her boasted the very best view in the city.
Chapter 819
So what if Sharon’s fame now eclipsed hers? In the end, Sharon was still stuck living in that shabby little apartment. To afford a seaside villa like hers, Sharon would need to save for half a lifetime.
As for her, just a few tears, and everything she desired fell neatly into her hands.
The moment Kelly tapped into the trending tag, her phone rang again.
Seeing Carter’s name on the screen, her eyes lit up with delight. How long had it been since he last called her?
She answered at once. “Carter…”
But before she could finish, Carter’s icy voice cut her off.
“Kelly, how dare you lie to me for so long?”
Her breath caught. “Carter, what are you saying? I don’t understand…”
She had deceived Carter so many times that for a split second, she couldn’t even tell which of her lies he had uncovered.
His tone was frigid, heavy with disgust.
“Still pretending? The entire internet is swarming with evidence of your faked illness. Out of respect for our past, and because you once saved Nate, I granted you everything you ever asked for.
“And this is how you repay me? Do you find it amusing, treating me like a fool?”
Carter rarely revealed his emotions. Yet now his voice, tight with suppressed fury, made Kelly’s blood run cold.
Instinctively, she tried to defend herself. “Carter, there must be some misunderstanding. You know Sharon has always resented me, so she must have-”
“Misunderstanding?” His voice sliced through hers, merciless. “Are you saying the video of you feigning unconsciousness, then laughing and chatting with doctors in the emergency room, is fake?”
Kelly froze. “Video? What video?”
–
Suddenly, her mind flicked back to the call she’d received earlier that Sharon had posted some videos about her online. She hadn’t cared in the least.
In fact, she’d been pleased, convinced Sharon had finally lost patience and struck first. That would only make it easier for her to play the victim and reap sympathy.
But she hadn’t realized what exactly had been exposed.
Carter would never believe without proof. He would never rage like this unless the evidence was damning.
Panic tightening her chest, Kelly scrambled to open the trending feed.
Of the top ten searches, six were about her.
She clicked the very first.
The video filled the screen: her being wheeled into the operating room, only to spring upright the moment the doors shut, smug satisfaction written all over her face.
“Sharon, that idiot, still thinks she can compete with me? So what if she has a son with Carter? The moment I fainted, he abandoned his feverish son and rushed me to the hospital.
“Later, when you go out, exaggerate my condition. Tell Carter I can’t withstand any stress or it’ll worsen my illness.
1/2
“Don’t worry. Do this right, and you’ll all be rewarded handsomely.”
The clip cut, only to play the recording of her phone call with the kidnappers.
“When Sharon comes to exchange herself for Theo, kill her on the spot. Then take me as the hostage to bargain won’t dare risk my life. He’ll let you go. Once it’s done, an extra three million will be wired into your account.”
Next came the dashcam footage-her deliberately crashing her car into Sharon’s.
On screen, her face twisted into a vicious smile, red lips curling as she hissed one final line, “Sharon, go to hel
Chapter 820
Kelly’s phone slipped from her trembling hand and crashed to the floor.
Her mind was consumed by a single thought, ‘It’s over. Completely over.
She’d been exposed.
In a panic, she scrambled to pick up her phone.
“Carter, listen to me! I never meant to deceive you. I… I just loved you too much… Please, don’t be angry with me, alright?”
“Loved me too much?” Carter cut her off with a sharp, derisive laugh. “You call destroying my marriage, kidnapping my son, and trying to kill my wife love? If that’s your version of love, Kelly, then it’s nothing short of monstrous.”
“No… no, it’s not like that… Carter, please, just listen-”
But Carter had no patience left.
His voice was flat and merciless.
“Return everything you stole from Sharon. As for the kidnapping and that deliberate car crash, I’ll report both to the police. Whether she chooses to forgive you or not is her decision, not mine.”
“Carter!” Kelly tried desperately to salvage the conversation, but the line went dead. He’d already hung up.
She tried calling back, only to be met with a cold, automated tone: The number you are trying to reach is unavailable.
Anxiety consumed her, clawing at her chest like fire.
Now that Carter knew the truth, he would never protect her again. Those trending scandals-he wouldn’t cover them up this
time.
What should she do? What could she do?
Just then, her phone rang again.
It was Nate.
Her stomach twisted. Was he calling to condemn her too?
After a brief hesitation, she answered.
“Nate…”
On the other end, his voice was filled with shock.
“Kelly, so you’re not sick after all?”
The revelation came so suddenly, she hadn’t even prepared a plausible excuse.
“Nate, I-”
Before she could say more, Nate interrupted, his tone bright with relief.
“Kelly, you don’t have a terminal illness? That’s wonderful!”
Kelly froze. She had braced herself for anger, for blame-yet instead, he sounded overjoyed.
Of course. Someone who truly cared for her wouldn’t be furious to learn she wasn’t dying. They’d be grateful and happy.
1/2
Chapter 820
Nate’s voice softened with guilt.
“Kelly, why didn’t you tell me sooner? I’ve worried about you for so long. But no matter what, as long as you’re well, that’s all that matters. Gimme a moment. I’ll call Carter right away and tell him the good news.”
Panic surged through her.
“Nate, don’t call him. Carter… already knows.”
Nate faltered. “He does? Then… what did he say? Was he surprised?”
Kelly’s voice trembled, thick with sorrow.
“No. He wasn’t surprised. He was angry. He said I deceived him. He wants to take back everything he ever gave me… and even send me to prison.”
Her words barely faded when the doorbell chimed.
“Someone’s at the door,” she told Nate hurriedly. “Talk later.”
Hanging up, she rose to answer it.
Standing outside was Simon, flanked by several men.
He greeted her with a polite smile.
“Miss Walt, I’ve been sent by Mr. Biggs to repossess this villa and your studio.”
Glancing at his watch, Simon added evenly, “I’ll allow you thirty minutes to pack your belongings. After that, the movers will arrive to clear everything out.”
Kelly’s expression stiffened. “But… Carter gave me this villa!”
Simon’s manner remained impeccably respectful.
Chapter 821
“Yes, that’s true,” Simon replied evenly. “But just a while ago, Mr. Biggs instructed me to reclaim this property.”
He paused briefly before adding, “And the studio as well. You have two hours to clear it out. If you can’t manage in time, we’ll empty it for you.”
Kelly’s face contorted with fury.
“The villa and the studio were gifts from Carter! Since when does someone take back what they’ve given? When did he become so petty?”
Simon’s tone remained patient.
“The villa and studio were originally prepared for Sharon. But when you were diagnosed with a terminal illness, Mr. Biggs allowed you to use them first-it seemed harmless at the time. Now that you’re perfectly healthy, naturally, they must be
returned.”
He regarded her with a polite smile. His manner was mild, but the disdain flickering in his eyes was impossible to miss.
“Miss Walt, you know very well-your privileges existed only because of your supposed illness. Without it, do you honestly believe Mr. Biggs would have prioritized your wishes? Are you more important than his wife and son?”
Kelly’s lips trembled. No words came out.
Simon glanced at his watch, then offered a gentle reminder.
“Miss Walt, you have twenty-five minutes left to pack.”
Twenty minutes later, dragging a suitcase behind her, Kelly stepped out of the villa.
Her eyes burned with venom as she fixed them on Simon. Gone was the fragile facade; what remained was a venomous serpent,. stripped of its disguise.
“Simon, I’ll make you all regret this!”
He didn’t so much as flinch. He had heard such threats far too many times.
“Miss Walt, don’t forget the studio. We’ll see you again in two hours.”
Kelly pulled her suitcase away and checked into a hotel.
Meanwhile, online, the scandal raged unchecked. With no one to suppress it, the frenzy only grew.
Several sponsors released public statements announcing the termination of their contracts.
Even the competition she had recently entered expelled her, citing evidence of manipulated livestream data and a string of misconduct.
Her fans, unable to find even a flimsy excuse to defend her, began abandoning her in droves. Within hours, she had lost millions of followers.
Staring at the scathing comments flooding the internet, Kelly’s heart pounded with unease.
But she refused to let despair consume her.
Without Carter, she still had Thomas. He would never abandon her. He had to help her.
Without hesitation, she dialed his number.
“Thomas, what’s going on online? Why does Sharon have so much dirt on me?”
His voice came through languid and careless.
“I don’t know for sure. Might’ve been Julliard who gave it to her.”
“Julliard?” Kelly’s suspicion sharpened. “How could he know so many details? These things, they’re clearly…”
Thomas’s tone was feather-light. “Hm? Clearly what?”
He was the last pillar of support she had left. She didn’t dare provoke him, not now.
Besides, he had no reason to orchestrate this.
Drawing a deep breath, she softened her voice.
“Since she’s holding evidence against me, and you’re always by Sharon’s side, why didn’t you destroy it for me?”
Thomas chuckled, a faint lift in his voice.
“Destroy it? Do you think Sharon is a fool? That she wouldn’t keep backups of something this important?”
The words struck her like a slap. She faltered, speechless.
After a long silence, she managed, “Even if you couldn’t destroy it, you could have at least stopped her from posting it!”
Chapter 822
Thomas’s tone was flat. “This is Amstern City-Carter’s territory. How could I possibly stop Sharon? Besides, what do you expect? That she warns me in advance before posting, so I can prepare?”
Kelly had no retort. The damage was already done; arguing over it now was pointless. Better to focus on what to do next.
She softened her voice.
“Thomas, is there any way out of this mess?”
With his cunning mind, he might still devise something.
Thomas pretended to think for a few seconds before replying.
“Kelly, you were too careless. To be caught with such damning evidence… with proof this solid, overturning it won’t be easy. In fact, it’s nearly impossible.”
Panic finally flickered in her eyes.
“I don’t even know who’s been watching me! Thomas, you’re the cleverest person I know. Please, think of something… anything!”
He sighed.
“It’s not that I won’t help you. But this is Zachemaine, Carter’s domain. Here, I really am powerless. If we were back in Leistre, I could turn black into white with ease. This would be nothing.”
Her heart sank. If even Thomas claimed there was no way, then perhaps… there truly was no way.
This scandal had cost her Carter’s protection entirely. He would never take her back.
It was clear-she couldn’t stay in Zachemaine any longer.
She drew a breath.
“Thomas… maybe I should go back to Leistre with you.”
Though staying by his side was dangerous, his power and influence rivaled even Carter’s. In Leistre, with Thomas’s resources, she could climb to the top again and live in luxury.
He was not her first choice. But second best was better than nothing.
Thomas’s voice suddenly gentled. “Kelly, I’ve told you before. If you’re willing to return, my doors will always be open to you.
But…”
Her heart clenched. “But what?”
“Are you willing?” he asked softly. 1
Her teeth sank into her lip.
Willing? How could she be? She had sacrificed too much to end up like this.
“What choice do I have? I can’t touch Sharon. She’s too well protected, impossible to kidnap. If I don’t leave, then what? Face total ruin forever?”
A low laugh rumbled through the line, dark and coaxing, like a devil whispering temptation.
“Actually… there is one possible way.”
1/2
Her eyes lit up at once, hope blazing. “Thomas, I knew you’d think of something!”
He cut her off smoothly. “But it’s not without cost. Whether you’re willing to take it on… that’s for you to decide.”
Right now, Thomas was her last lifeline.
“Tell me!” she urged desperately.
He spoke with maddening leisure, every word deliberate.
“The key to all this still lies with Carter. As long as he’s willing to help, everything else will fall neatly into place.”
She bit her lip. “But he’s already thrown me out of the villa and reclaimed my studio. I’m practically homeless now.”
Thomas sighed again.
“Kelly, I told you long ago-Carter isn’t worth your devotion. He only loved the version of you that glittered. The moment you fell, he cast you aside without hesitation.”
At those words, a spark of resentment flickered deep in her chest.
Thomas’s voice flowed back into her ear, low and insidious.
“As the saying goes, you can’t clap with one hand alone. Right now, the internet is cursing you as the mistress, the homewrecker, the slut…”
Chapter 823
“Why should you shoulder all the blame while Carter hides comfortably in the shadows?”
Kelly’s grip on the phone tightened.
Thomas was right. The divorce had been Carter’s choice. The villa and the studio had been gifts he offered willingly. If he hadn’t wanted to give them, no one could have forced him. And yet, now every ounce of scorn, every vicious curse, fell squarely on her shoulders.
Thomas’s voice slid back into her ear.
“Kelly, don’t you want to strike back at him before you leave Zachemaine? You’re leaving anyway. What’s left to fear?”
Revenge?
A cold chill coursed through her veins.
Carter had power, influence, and status far beyond her reach. What hope did she have of touching him?
She hesitated, then whispered, “Getting back at Sharon would be easier than going after Carter… Maybe I should take revenge on her instead?”
Thomas chuckled darkly.
“Sharon is heavily guarded. Even I would struggle to get close. Kelly, if you fail, you’ll end up in prison, and I may not be able to pull you out. If Carter decides to prove his loyalty to her by letting you rot, or worse, tormenting you to death inside those walls… then I’d truly be powerless.”
A shiver raked through her. “Then what should I do?”
His voice turned low and insidious.
“Carter and Sharon are your enemies. Even if you leave Zachemaine, why would you let them live happily ever after? After this, Carter will certainly chase her again and push for remarriage. Everything you’ve done so far-all your sacrifices-will have meant nothing. You’ll be regarded as just a stepping stone for their love story. Oh, and another thing…”
2
Thomas seemed to recall something, then added, “The reason Sharon exposed your dirt online was because Carter deliberately smeared me, spreading rumors I was kept by rich women and carrying on an illicit affair with her. Sharon was furious at his slander, so she retaliated… with your scandals.”
Kelly bit down hard on her lip.
Even before this, Carter had been yearning for reconciliation. Now, after such an incident, he would only pursue Sharon more
relentlessly.
Yes. Thomas was right.
Even if she had to leave, she could not let them win.
Her thoughts shifted, sharp and vicious. An idea took root.
“Thomas, give me a little more time. After I settle the score with them, we’ll leave for Leistre together.”
He would take her away whenever she wished. That much she knew. But before leaving, she would see this place drowned in chaos. 1
After hanging up, she dialed Nate.
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.
A dark gleam flickered in Kelly’s eyes. She glanced at the empty bottles scattered around the room, then lifted the wineglass on the table and downed another heavy gulp. Only when her steps grew unsteady did she rise and sway toward the door.
“Why are you staying here of all places-”
Nate’s words faltered the moment the heavy scent of alcohol hit him.
“Kelly… you’ve been drinking?”
Feigning drunkenness, Kelly stumbled forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.
“Carter… Carter, you’re here…”
Startled, Nate instinctively pushed her away.
“Kelly, you’re drunk.”
But the shove sent her sprawling to the floor.
Panicked, he rushed to help her up.
“Kelly! Sorry, I’m so sorry-”
The moment his hands lifted her, her lips pressed suddenly, deliberately, against his.
Her voice came out sultry and desperate. “Carter… let’s do it.”
Chapter 824
Nate hurriedly pushed Kelly away, flustered.
“Kelly, you’re drunk! I’m not Carter. I’m Nate.”
But Kelly clung to him, kissing him wildly.
“Carter, how could you be so heartless? Do you not want me anymore? I didn’t mean it. I just love you too much… Please, don’t ignore me…”
Sweat beaded on Nate’s forehead in his desperation.
“Kelly, I’m really not Carter. Look carefully!”
Yes, he liked Kelly-but some lines could not be crossed. He understood the rule: a friend’s lover is untouchable. 1
Even though Carter had explicitly asked him to look after her, Nate had never once dared step over that boundary. What if, one day, Carter regretted his choices? If that happened, not only would they stop being friends, but Nate would be left utterly disgraced.
His repeated refusals only deepened Kelly’s grief. She slumped to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
He tried comforting her, but no words seemed to reach her.
Watching the woman he loved weep so miserably left Nate wretched inside. At last, he grabbed a bottle of wine from the table.
“Kelly… I can’t do much for you. The least I can do is drink with you.”
He downed bottle after bottle, oblivious to the shadowed glint of malice flickering in Kelly’s eyes.
‘Carter, you’ve shown me no mercy. Don’t blame me for repaying in kind.’
The next morning, Nate stirred awake, rubbing his aching head. A blurred, unfamiliar room came into focus.
Where… was he?
Memory flooded back. Right, he’d been drinking with Kelly. Had he gotten drunk?
He turned… and froze.
Beside him, Kelly lay sleeping.
He had been drunk before, and Kelly had helped him home. But never-never-had they ended up in bed together.
Was it only because she’d been drunk too? Some accident of circumstance?
Clutching at that fragile hope, he slowly lifted the blanket. The sight shattered him.
His body was bare.
Even a fool couldn’t believe nothing had happened.
Panic coursed through him. He wanted to bolt, but before he could move, Kelly stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open. The instant she saw him, she let out a sharp cry.
“Nate! Why are you here? Last night… Carter…?”
1/3
She sat up, the blanket slipping to reveal her equally bare skin. Faint marks traced across her body, damning in their intimacy.
The last shred of hope in Nate’s chest collapsed.
“I… I…” His eyes darted, refusing to meet hers. “I was drunk last night, Kelly. I’m sorry…”
Tears slid down Kelly’s cheeks.
“What am I going to do? If Carter finds out, he’ll never want me again…”
Frustrated, Nate raked a hand through his hair. The words spilled out before he could think.
“If you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, then Carter doesn’t need to know, right?”
Her voice trembled, choked with sobs. “But I’m no longer worthy of him…”
Her tear-brimmed eyes struck him with guilt. His tone softened.
“Then… why don’t you be with me instead? Carter did ask me to take care of you, after all…”
Kelly dabbed at her tears. “But he hates me now. If we’re together, Carter might cut ties with you entirely.”
At that, Nate stiffened, anxiety flashing across his face. “Then… what should we do?”
He had always liked her, but his hesitation came from one reason alone: Carter. Carter had cleaned up his messes time and again. Nate couldn’t risk losing such a powerful backer-not even for Kelly.
Kelly’s long lashes lowered, concealing the calculating gleam that flickered in her eyes
Chapter 825
After knowing Nate for so long, how could Kelly not see through his thoughts?
Her voice softened, coaxing, “Nate, I understand. You don’t want to lose your brotherhood with Carter, and your family still needs the Biggs family’s support. But after what happened with Sharon, Carter is drowning in guilt.
“You’ve been making things difficult for her all this time. Do you really think he won’t hold that against you? If you’re counting on him to back you up, I’m afraid that hope is gone.”
Nate tugged at his hair, recalling the icy tone in Carter’s voice when he had called him yesterday.
“Then… then what should I do?”
Kelly’s gaze sharpened.
“If our child makes Carter believe he’s the father, then one day that child won’t just inherit the Biggs family, he’ll also secure the Biggs Group’s full support for your family.
“You and Carter are sworn brothers. His son would be your son, your son would be his son. Tied by blood and family… what could be better than that?”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Nate’s face. Temptation was the oldest weakness in human nature, and the lure of profit was the most powerful of all.
He faltered. “But… wouldn’t that be unfair to Carter?”
Kelly’s lips curved in scorn. “Nate, Carter already cast brotherhood aside for Sharon. Do you really want to be the one she crushes beneath her heel?”
Nate knew she was right. Carter’s patience with him had already thinned to breaking. Now that Carter realized how wrongly he had treated Sharon, guilt bound him even tighter to her. One whisper from Sharon in his ear, and years of brotherhood could
vanish like smoke.
Resentment coiled in Nate’s chest. ‘If Carter is so eager to betray me for her, why shouldn’t I let him raise my child instead?’ The thought alone sent a twisted thrill through him. 1
He clenched his jaw, made up his mind, and looked at Kelly.
“Kelly, what do you want me to do?”
Her lips curled into a venomous smile.
“Nate, you and Carter are buds. Getting him drunk, slipping him a little something-that shouldn’t be hard. All you need to do is create the opportunity for me to end up in his bed. Then everything falls into place.”
Nate frowned.
“But how can I be sure the child will be his and not mine? What if it’s his? Wouldn’t I have gone through all this for nothing?”
Kelly’s body coiled against him like a serpent. She draped her arms around his neck, her laughter sultry.
“Then we make sure first, don’t we?”
Once, Nate had hesitated because of Carter, guilt gnawing at his conscience. But now, imagining a future where he held the same power and dominance Carter enjoyed-where he no longer bowed to anyone-his blood surged with excitement.
He had always wanted Kelly. Now, with his doubts burned away, he gave in completely.
Soon, the two of them tumbled together, bodies entwined.
1/3
whapter OKO
+ID BONUS
In the haze of passion, Kelly hooked an arm around his neck and whispered, “Nate, my scandals online were exposed by Julliard. He’s been secretly helping Sharon all along. I suspect… he might even have feelings for her.
“But I have a plan. A brilliant one. It’ll not only stop Sharon and Carter from ever reconciling, but also strip her of an ally…”
But Nate, lost in desire, barely heard her.
Last night, he had been drunk and robbed of the memory-of the pleasure. Today, he meant to make up for it.
He crushed his lips to hers. “Baby, we can talk later. Whatever you want, I’ll agree.”
The thought of her plans filled Kelly with glee. To seduce Carter’s sworn brother right under his nose-and make him raise their bastard child as his own-was revenge at its most exquisite.
The sheer audacity of it thrilled her, and with that thought burning in her veins, she matched Nate’s hunger with ruthless abandon. 1
Chapter 826
On Kelly’s side, there was still no response to the damning revelations Sharon had exposed.
Many assumed her silence was a guilty admission.
Yet a handful of die-hard fans refused to give up hope. They clung to the idea that Kelly might have her reasons, or that some dramatic twist would eventually vindicate her.
But the public’s eyes are sharp.
With evidence this ironclad, not even the best PR team could spin it.
After several days of relentless condemnation, Kelly’s refusal to speak only fueled public fury. The anger soon shifted toward
Maestro Warner.
After all, many had only discovered Kelly because of Maestro Warner. To see her fall from grace like this-it was worse than a cheating celebrity scandal. She wasn’t just immoral. She was branded a killer.
The outrage swelled.
“Isn’t Maestro Warner a lifetime achievement award-winning musician? How could he have taken someone like Kelly as his final student?”
“With her character? She’s worthy of being called a musician?”
“Maestro Warner, are you senile? Or does Kelly have something on you?”
“A wise man his entire life, blind in a single moment. Now his reputation is ruined, all because of her.”
“You openly defended a student like this. Don’t you owe the public an explanation?”
“Kelly can’t compare to Sharon in talent. So why did Maestro Warner treat her like she was special?”
“People worshipped him like a saint. But is he really this great and noble? Look at that other student of his, Harry. The man is insufferably petty, yet Maestro Warner called him his proudest student. Any decent teacher would’ve expelled someone like that long ago.”
The mob’s outrage toward Maestro Warner grew fierce.
Not long after, Maestro Warner released a statement, declaring he had severed all ties with Kelly.
But the public wasn’t convinced.
“Oh, so when Kelly was famous, you proudly claimed her as your student. Now that she’s disgraced, you cut her off without hesitation? That’s your idea of being a teacher and role model?”
“If you had stood by her, at least I would’ve respected your loyalty. But now? Your halo is shattered, Maestro Warner.”
No matter what he said, the insults never stopped.
After the scandals with both Harry and Kelly, Maestro Warner’s standing in the music world plummeted. His reputation, once untouchable, crumbled in days.
Wracked with anger and humiliation, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.
The moment Kelly’s scandal broke, Sharon’s phone lit up with a call from Carter.
She didn’t answer.
His apologies and guilt meant nothing to her anymore.
Instead, she returned to her music. She practiced diligently, preparing for her upcoming concert and the international competition beyond it.
A gentle knock came at the practice room door.
ང འ
John stepped inside.
“Sharon, are you busy?”
Setting her violin aside, Sharon replied, “I was just about to take a break. What’s up?”
He hesitated, then said, “There’s something I’ve been debating whether to tell you. But I think it’s better you hear it now, before the Kalen family sets a trap that catches you off guard.”
Her brows lifted slightly. “This has to do with the Kalen family?”
John nodded. “Before your mom passed, she entrusted me with a secret. She told me she held ten percent of the Kalen Group’s original shares.
“In her will, she left that ten percent to you—and you alone. It has nothing to do with your father or your three brothers.”
Sharon froze. She had never once heard about these shares. “When did this happen?”
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Chapter 827
John explained, “The original shares date back to before you were born. When your mom left the Kalen family, that ten percent was placed under a thirty-year seal.
She told me that when she helped your father protect the company back then, she chose to lock those shares away to prevent conflict.
At the end of this year, the restriction will finally lift. At that time, the lawyer will contact you to discuss the transfer of ownership.”
In recent months, John had begun studying business. What once baffled him was now starting to make sense.
Originally, he had planned to wait until Sharon’s concert was over before telling her. But the more he learned, the more convinced he became that she needed to know sooner rather than later.
What if the Kalen father and sons tricked her into signing away her inheritance?
Noticing her silence, he asked, “Sharon, what do you think of all this?”
Sharon didn’t hesitate.
“Since my mother left it for me alone, of course, I have no reason to give it up.”
Relief softened his expression.
“I was worried you might abandon it for the sake of your music.”
Sharon chuckled.
“Do you really think I’m that lofty or that foolish?”
Even with her limited knowledge of business, she understood perfectly well what shares in the Kalen Group meant. And these weren’t just any shares-they were original stock.
She recalled when her father had “consulted” her about giving shares to Victoria. In truth, it had been nothing more than a polite notice.
John nodded.
“In the meantime, you should start familiarizing yourself with business matters. That way, when the Kalen family inevitably sets traps, you won’t walk into them blind.”
Sharon agreed.
“Alright. I’ll buy a few books to start with.”
After chatting a while longer, Sharon prepared to leave.
Just as she stepped out of the studio, two familiar figures appeared-one tall, one small.
“Mom!” Theo called out, racing toward her.
Sharon bent down and caught him in her arms. “Theo, what are you doing here?”
It wasn’t the weekend. He should have been in school.
“I’m going diving in Marcentine with Aunt Victoria next week,” Theo said earnestly. “I might not see you for a while, so I wanted to come before I left.” 2
Sharon froze for a moment.
1
“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Aunt Victoria lately?”
Theo thought about it.
“Sometimes, when Grandpa has free time, he brings me over to stay for a day.”
Beside them, Carter spoke up, “Sharon, I already promised Theo that during his vacation, we’ll take him to see the aurora and go skiing together.”
His dark eyes rested on her, carrying a softness that flickered just beneath the surface.
“As a father, I missed too many moments of his childhood.
“And as a husband, I neglected you even more.
“From now on, I’ll do my best to make it up to both you and Theo-to fulfill my responsibilities as a father, and as your husband.
11
He paused, his gaze steady on her.
“I’ve already transferred your old studio back into your name. And Kelly’s seaside villa-whether you want to live in it or sell it, the choice is yours.
“As for her… I’ve reported her to the police. She’ll go to prison. However you want her dealt with, it will be as you wish.
“Sharon, I’ve wronged you and I’ve hurt you so much. I’m sorry. Can you… forgive me, just once?”
Chapter 828
“No.”
Even with Theo present, Sharon’s answer was curt.
Carter tried to explain.
“Sharon, nothing ever happened between me and Kelly. I never cheated on you, never betrayed you. The only reason I treated her well was because I thought she was terminally ill. For Theo’s sake, can’t you give me just one more chance?”
Sharon studied Carter’s striking, austere features. “Carter, when you abandoned me for Kelly, I forgave you. When you defended her and forced me to apologize, I forgave you. When I was sick with a fever-when I was kidnapped-and you chose to be with her instead, I forgave you.
“Even when you gave our wedding to her, I still forgave you. I gave you so many chances, and you squandered them all.
“No one waits forever. My love for you was drained away, bit by bit, every time you chose Kelly and demanded that I yield. Carter, there is no future for us.”
His fists clenched unconsciously.
“Then what about Theo? If you won’t consider me, won’t you at least think of him?”
Sharon lowered her gaze, looking at her son.
Theo stood quietly at her side-no longer the spoiled, willful child he had once been, but calm, steady, almost like a little adult.
She asked softly, “Theo, do you want Mommy and Daddy to get back together?”
The boy’s thoughts flickered briefly to Xavier and Thomas’s words. He answered earnestly, “Of course I want Mommy and Daddy to remarry. Then I could see you every day again. 1
“But if living with us makes Mommy unhappy… then Mommy shouldn’t be with Daddy.
“Whether you’re together or not, Mommy will always be my mommy, and Daddy will always be my daddy.
“What I want most is for Mommy to be happy-and to live the life she truly wants.”
A sharp ache stung Sharon’s eyes.
Kelly’s presence had shattered her marriage and family, yet she couldn’t deny one thing: it had forced her to escape a suffocating, stagnant life that felt like a grave. And in that turmoil, Theo had grown. He had matured.
She didn’t know whether to call it fortune or misfortune. 1
“Well said, Theo!”
A voice came from the doorway.
Thomas had just returned from lunch.
At the sight of him, Theo’s eyes lit up. “Thomas!” 1
Smiling, Thomas walked over and bent slightly toward Theo.
“Theo, do you have classes this afternoon? If not, I will take you shooting.”
The boy’s face lit up with excitement. “I’m free today!”
The moment Thomas appeared, Carter’s brows knitted into a deep frown. “Why are you still here?”
1/3
Thomas turned his head toward him, lips curving faintly.
“You look surprised to see me. Do you think I shouldn’t be here?”
Carter’s eyes brimmed with contempt as he stared him down. He turned to Sharon.
“Sharon, this man is nothing but a gigolo living off women. You shouldn’t keep someone like him by your side.”
At that, Sharon’s gaze turned frosty.
“Carter, wasn’t the smear campaign against Thomas your doing?”
His reply was cold, clipped. “I don’t have that much time to waste.”
“I’ve already looked into it,” Sharon said evenly. “Every single one of those so-called wealthy women who claimed Thomas deceived them has business ties with the Biggs Group.”
Carter’s frown deepened. “And what exactly does that prove?”
Sharon’s eyes sharpened. “Do you know about the car accident Thomas was in a few days ago?” (1)
