Eleanor Thorne’s husband of three years, Julian, had a rabid admirer. The girl, Scarlett Quinn, was unremarkable in every way, not particularly attractive, but she pulled out all the stops to force Julian into a divorce, committing outrageous acts. She knelt in the pouring rain on the street for three days and nights just for a glimpse of him; she crashed their wedding in a bridal gown, attempting to abduct the groom; she spiked his drink, shedding her clothes and brazenly attempting to force intimacy… Her insanity had rocked all of Sterling City. Many gossips even placed bets on how long it would take Julian to finally be swayed. Yet Eleanor had never truly worried about her. She was beautiful, wealthy, and successful. She and Julian had been childhood sweethearts for over a decade, having navigated the toughest times together. Most importantly, Julian’s own father had succumbed to temptation and had an affair, ultimately driving Julian’s mother to her death. Julian, therefore, utterly despised those who lacked all decency. Until their wedding anniversary. Eleanor went to Julian’s office to surprise him. Instead, she found Scarlett Quinn, utterly naked, inside. Scarlett’s eyes narrowed, as she lay brazenly on the executive chair, her fingers toying with a wet fountain pen. A soft, suggestive moan escaped her lips: “Julian, gently…” Eleanor felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. Just then, Julian’s voice suddenly sounded from behind her. “Eleanor, why aren’t you coming into the office? I just finished a meeting.” Julian walked over and put an arm around her. Catching sight of the scene in his office, his eyes widened, then narrowed, and he roared, “Scarlett Quinn! What are you doing!?” Caught red-handed, Scarlett showed not a shred of shame. Instead, her movements grew even more brazen. The bodyguards, alerted by the commotion, rushed forward, about to burst in. But Julian moved faster, slamming the door shut, cutting off everyone’s view. His gaze swept the room, finally landing on Eleanor. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke, his voice strained and awkward. “Eleanor, could you… could you go in first and help her get dressed? She is a woman, after all. We should consider her reputation…” At his words, Eleanor froze for a second, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. This wasn’t the first time Scarlett had pulled a stunt like this. A year ago, when Julian was on a business trip abroad, Scarlett had secretly sneaked into his hotel room, stripped, and climbed into his bed. Startled awake, Julian hadn’t bothered about her lack of clothes. He’d simply called security and had her thrown into the hallway. That incident had even caused quite a stir online. But somehow, somewhere along the line, his attitude towards Scarlett seemed to have shifted… The click of the door opening snapped Eleanor from her thoughts. Scarlett was now dressed, her eyes blazing with an obsessive adoration as she stared at Julian’s face. “Julian, I love you. That fountain pen was a gift from me. Let it stay by your side every day, in my place…” As her words hung in the air, the earlier image flashed through Eleanor’s mind. A wave of nausea surged in her throat. She clapped a hand over her mouth and rushed into the washroom, emptying her stomach until she felt lightheaded. A few minutes later, Eleanor emerged, her face pale, her steps unsteady. She reached the office door, about to speak. But then she saw a sight that chilled her to the bone— Julian picked up the fountain pen, carefully wrapped it in a handkerchief, and gently placed it into his pocket. Eleanor stood frozen, as if plunged into an icy abyss. She knew better than anyone how much Julian had once detested Scarlett. He wouldn’t just discard the gifts Scarlett painstakingly prepared; he would even toss clothes she had touched into a fire, his face contorted in disgust. Yet now, he kept the pen Scarlett had “used”… Seeing Julian about to turn around, Eleanor didn’t dare to think twice. She instinctively spun around and fled, rushing downstairs to hail a taxi home. Once inside, she went straight to her study, retrieving a divorce agreement from the safe. Her fingertips lightly traced Julian’s signature, and memories from the past resurfaced, one by one. Her father-in-law’s affair had been a massive blow to Julian back then. He couldn’t accept that his father, whom he had idolized since childhood, had secretly kept a mistress, a woman even younger than Julian himself. And he had even allowed her to torment his mother to death. Julian had spent his days holed up at home, drinking heavily, the golden boy utterly ruined, fallen from grace. It was Eleanor who had stayed by his side, steadfastly, pulling him out of the darkness, helping him secure control of Vance Corp. That’s why, when they registered their marriage, he personally drafted this agreement. Should their marriage ever dissolve, all his personal assets and half of Vance Corp.’s shares would be hers. Julian had signed it, then personally handed it to her. “My love, if I ever betray you, then sign this divorce agreement. Don’t give me the chance to hurt you!” He had so vehemently despised his unfaithful father back then, yet in the end, he had trodden that very same path himself. Eleanor had witnessed firsthand how Julian’s beautiful, gentle mother had been tormented by a failed marriage, turning into a hysterical, broken woman. Eleanor refused to allow herself to suffer such a fate. After signing her name, Eleanor picked up her phone, retrieved a contact from her blocked list, and composed a text message. [The shares are yours, but the price is double. I want half a billion dollars.] A voice call came through almost instantly. “Miss Thorne, have you finally come to your senses? I’ll transfer the money in a month. I thought your bond was unbreakable, but it seems it was nothing special after all. Why don’t you divorce him and come to me?” Eleanor ignored his taunts, her voice calm. “You have two weeks. After that, the offer is off the table.” With that, she hung up. Eleanor knew that given Julian’s nature, he would never easily agree to a divorce and let her go. So, she needed someone to rein him in, and his fierce rival, Leo Sterling, was the perfect candidate. Footsteps in the living room pulled her back to the present. “Eleanor, why didn’t you call me when you came home? The front desk said you looked upset when you left. Is something wrong?” Seeing no obvious distress in her expression, Julian visibly relaxed. He presented a gift box to her like a prized treasure. “An anniversary gift. See if you like it?” Eleanor’s expression faltered slightly. Half a month ago, she had been traveling abroad with friends when she saw this bracelet at an auction. But the price had exceeded her budget, so she had reluctantly given up on it. She never imagined Julian would buy it for her… “On our wedding day, I told you I would love and protect you for life. Anything you desire, I will fight with all my might to get for you.” His eyes were earnest, his voice solemn. Yet Eleanor merely curved her lips into a faint, cynical smile. What she truly desired was a loyal partner, and Julian was not that. She raised her hand, offering him the box containing the signed divorce agreement. “I’ve prepared a gift for you too. But you have to wait seven days to open it.” A flicker of confusion crossed Julian’s eyes, but he obediently nodded. “Alright. I’ve booked your favorite restaurant. After dinner, we can go for a stroll.” With that, he gave Eleanor no chance to refuse, pulling her into the car. All the way, he chatted about amusing things, trying to lift her spirits. But Eleanor remained silent. Ten minutes later, Julian’s phone suddenly rang. Seeing “Scarlett Quinn” flash on the screen, Eleanor’s body stiffened imperceptibly. Hadn’t Julian blocked her number ages ago? While she was still bewildered, Julian had already answered the phone, letting out an impatient roar. “Are you ever going to stop!? I told you, stop bothering me! Can’t you understand plain English?” Scarlett’s trembling voice came from the other end. “Julian, someone’s following me. I’m scared. Can you come pick me up…?” Julian paused, but his tone remained cold. “You should call the police. Telling me is useless.” With that, he ruthlessly hung up. The shrill ringing echoed again and again in the silent car. Eleanor finally broke the silence, her voice icy. “I don’t feel like dinner anymore. You should go find Scarlett.” Before she finished, Julian cut her off. “Don’t mind her. With her kind of reputation, who would even bother following her? And even if someone was, it serves her right for being so shameless…” Despite his words, Julian’s tightly furrowed brow and the surging speed of the car betrayed his inner unease. Eleanor was about to warn him that he was speeding. Then, a black sedan suddenly darted out from the left intersection. Her pupils instantly constricted. CRASH! A deafening roar, and the world spun violently. In a daze, Eleanor felt someone pulling her from the wreckage. Julian’s voice was frantic. “Eleanor, how are you feeling? Are you hurt anywhere?” The searing pain in Eleanor’s chest made it almost impossible to breathe. “It… hurts…” Her faint voice was swallowed by the incessant ringing of Julian’s phone. This time, Scarlett’s voice was thick with desperate sobs. “Julian, I’m so scared. Please, please help me.” Before Julian could speak, a few more screams echoed from the other end, then the call disconnected. His face instantly changed. “Eleanor, I’ve checked. You have no external injuries. The ambulance will be here soon. Wait here… I’ll be right back after I deal with this!” With that, he gently laid Eleanor on the roadside and rushed away. The intense pain blurred Eleanor’s consciousness. She couldn’t speak, could only watch helplessly as Julian got into a passing taxi. Then, her vision swam with black spots, and she completely lost consciousness. Eleanor opened her eyes again two days later. The nurse, changing her bandages, stopped her from sitting up. “Don’t move. You have a fractured rib that nearly punctured an organ, which could have caused a major hemorrhage. You need to rest properly in the hospital for a few days.” With that, she called Julian, who was waiting anxiously outside the room. His eyes were bloodshot, his face etched with anguish. “Eleanor, does it hurt? I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault for causing your injuries. You don’t know how worried and scared I was when the doctor said your condition was critical. Thankfully, you’re alright in the end, or I wouldn’t be able to live either…” Eleanor’s voice was hoarse as she interrupted him. “How is Scarlett?” At her question, Julian’s expression stiffened for a second. “She’s fine. The whole ‘being followed’ thing was fake. I was just worried about her, being a young girl. What if something really did happen…? Eleanor, don’t worry, I promise I won’t pay any attention to her ever again!” Eleanor looked at the fresh bite marks on his neck, her heart feeling as if it were being sliced by a thousand phantom blades, each breath carrying a sting. She forced herself to pull her hand away. “I’m tired.” After that day, Julian stayed glued to her side, never leaving. He even avoided sleeping at night, terrified she might accidentally jostle her wound. In just a few days, he had lost a significant amount of weight, looking even more haggard than a patient. Yet, Eleanor felt nothing. One afternoon, she was taking a nap when a shrill shriek suddenly echoed from outside the room. Scarlett Quinn stood in the center of the crowd, a deep gash marring her right wrist, her left hand still tightly clutching a dagger. Her voice was piercing. “Julian Vance, you finally came to see me! For three whole days, no matter if I called or texted, you ignored me! What did I do wrong? Why are you doing this to me?!” Blood slowly pooled at her feet. Julian’s face was ashen. “I’ve made it clear to you, Scarlett. I will never love you. Don’t ever bother me again!” With that, he turned to leave, but Scarlett’s shriek stopped him. “Julian! You can’t leave! Or I’ll die right here!” Before anyone could react, she savagely sliced her wrist several more times. Blood gushed forth, instantly staining half of her body crimson. Julian rushed forward, his face etched with terror, covering her wound with his hands. “Scarlett Quinn! Are you trying to die?!” Scarlett’s entire face was utterly drained of color. But she seemed to feel no pain, her eyes fixed on him in a desperate, unwavering stare. “As long as I can be with you, even throwing my life away is worth it.” Julian looked at her, his expression complex. His voice was strained. “I think you’ve truly gone mad…” Before he finished, he scooped up Scarlett’s limp body and strode quickly towards the operating room. Eleanor watched his receding back in silence. That night, Julian didn’t return. He only arranged for a nurse aide. In the hallway, a nurse whispered to a colleague after completing her rounds. “Did you hear? That crazy girl, the one named Quinn, lost so much blood today. She almost didn’t make it off the operating table. Mr. Vance had to spend a fortune to get blood transferred just to save her!” “Didn’t they say Mr. Vance hated her? Why would he go to such lengths to save her?” “Hate her? If you ask me, it’s all an act for his wife. Who would refuse a woman throwing herself at them?” Eleanor curved her lips in a self-deprecating smile. Yes, who would refuse a woman throwing herself at them? She was the only fool who truly believed Julian wouldn’t be swayed by Scarlett… Thankfully, she had finally seen the light. On the day she was discharged, Eleanor completed her paperwork herself. As she stepped out of the hospital, about to hail a taxi, she saw Julian approaching. “Why didn’t you wait for me? Why did you come out on your own?” As he spoke, he smoothly took off his jacket, intending to drape it over Eleanor’s shoulders, but she sidestepped him. His hands froze mid-air, a flicker of panic in his eyes. “Eleanor, are you mad at me? I’m so sorry. The company has been incredibly busy these past few days, I just couldn’t find the time. But I asked the nurse aide about your condition every day. Please, forgive me, just this once?” By the end, his eyes were visibly red-rimmed, his voice tinged with a tremor. Noticing passersby casting curious glances, Eleanor, not wanting to be an object of public scrutiny, mumbled a vague assent and got into the car first. On the road, Julian kept trying to engage her in conversation. But Eleanor had no desire to play along, so she simply closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. After what felt like an eternity, the car slowly pulled to a stop. She opened her eyes, finding they were outside a restaurant. “Eleanor, we missed our anniversary celebration last time. I’m making it up to you today.” Julian walked around and opened the car door for her. The restaurant had been meticulously decorated, with flowers adorning every visible surface. The central dining table was laden with all of Eleanor’s favorite dishes. They sat opposite each other. Julian, just as he used to, served her food, spooned soup into her bowl, peeled shrimp, and deshelled crab. The atmosphere was so harmonious it was as if no rift had ever existed between them. Until the waiter brought over a cake. Eleanor’s fingers paused. She was about to say something, but Julian stood up, cut a slice, and placed it in front of her. “The other day, you mentioned wanting mango cake. I made this myself. Try it, tell me if it’s good?” Meeting his expectant gaze, she sighed wearily. “Julian, I didn’t say I wanted mango cake. Besides, I’m allergic to mango.” Her words coincided with the special notification tone from Julian’s phone. He picked up his phone. With just one glance, his face changed. “Eleanor, something’s come up at the company. I need to go now. Can you take a taxi home after you finish eating?” Eleanor said nothing, merely nodding silently. Watching him walk out of the restaurant, she stood up and hailed a taxi by the roadside. “Please follow that car ahead.” The car finally stopped outside a tattoo parlor. Eleanor stepped out, and as she reached the second floor, she heard a furious roar. “Why aren’t you staying in the hospital? What are you doing causing trouble here?!” Julian’s face was etched with undisguised fury, but also a worry he couldn’t hide. Yet Scarlett showed no fear. In fact, her lips curved into a smile at his appearance. “It’s my birthday today, so I got myself a present.” With that, she turned her back to him, slowly raising her hands and taking off her top. Revealing a large, fresh tattoo on her back. Perhaps because it was newly done, her skin was still red and weeping slightly. But it was unmistakably Julian’s portrait! Julian raised his hand, lightly tracing the tattoo, his voice hoarse. “I told you, I only love Eleanor in this life. Why must you…?” He clenched the hand hanging by his side, his deep eyes churning with dark, unreadable emotions. Scarlett, naked from the waist up, walked towards him, step by deliberate step. “From the moment you saved me, the meaning of my life has been to love you. I’ve loved you for eight whole years. You’ve consumed my entire existence. If I don’t have you, I’d rather just die!” As her words fell, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. That fleeting kiss seemed like a key, unlocking the shackles deep within Julian’s heart. He could no longer control the surging emotions and clamped a hand on the back of Scarlett’s head, deepening the kiss. Eleanor’s nails dug deep into her palms. Despite being prepared, seeing this scene firsthand felt like a gaping wound tearing through her heart. The pain made her eyes sting with tears. Inside the room, the sounds of their lips meeting grew bolder, unmistakably intimate. Eleanor wiped away her tears, turned, and strode away. Back home, she meticulously packed all the gifts and jewelry Julian had given her over the years and listed them online. Perhaps because the prices were surprisingly low, orders came in quickly. The next morning, Eleanor was still asleep when her bedroom door suddenly swung open. “Eleanor, why did you sell our wedding rings?!” Julian was half-kneeling by the bed, his face etched with panic. “We promised we’d never be apart. Are you angry? What did I do wrong? Tell me, I’ll fix everything, won’t I?” Looking at the distinct bite marks beneath his collar, Eleanor longed to ask him, Don’t you know what you did wrong? But in the end, she asked nothing. She merely uttered a casual lie. “Yesterday, while tidying, I sold some jewelry I didn’t like. The wedding rings must have gotten mixed in by accident.” Despite the glaring flaws in her explanation, Julian believed her. “Eleanor, don’t do something like that again. You don’t know how scared I was. We can never be apart…” Was he only scared because she sold the wedding rings? What would his reaction be if he knew they were already divorced? Eleanor lowered her head, hiding the mockery in her eyes. Perhaps sensing her low spirits, Julian canceled all his work commitments, dedicating himself entirely to staying home with her. He personally cooked for her, made her soups; he sent her a bouquet of fresh flowers every day; he purchased countless pieces of jewelry; he acquired a new lavish estate for her; he even arranged a city-wide fireworks display that captivated everyone… The top trending post every day was titled, “Guess what surprise Mr. Vance prepared for his wife today?” Everyone envied their deep affection. But only Eleanor knew that for everything Julian prepared, Scarlett also received a duplicate. He had, in the end, become the very person he once despised… Late the night before her departure, Eleanor got up for a drink of water and heard Julian on the balcony talking on the phone. “Mr. Vance, Miss Quinn swallowed an entire bottle of pills. She’s extremely agitated and refusing to cooperate with our emergency treatment. Please, try to talk her into it!” Julian irritably pinched the bridge of his nose. “Put her on the phone.” The next instant, a hysterical scream tore from the other end. “Julian Vance! I want you to divorce Eleanor right now, or I swear I won’t accept treatment even if I die!” Her madness and stubbornness could be felt through the phone. But this time, Julian didn’t compromise. His voice was cold. “Scarlett Quinn, I’ve told you, I will not divorce Eleanor. Even if you threaten to die, I won’t give in. That’s my red line.” The last sentence carried an undeniable firmness. A cynical smile touched Eleanor’s lips. He had already slept with Scarlett, yet he was still putting on an act of profound devotion, clinging to this broken marriage. A long silence followed on the other end of the line, then a soft sob. “Then… then will you come see me? Julian, stomach pumps are so awful. I just… I just want to see you…” After a long pause, Julian sighed wearily. “Alright. Be a good girl and wait for me at the hospital.” He hung up the phone, pulled a sticky note from the table, and scribbled a few lines. [Eleanor, urgent company business requires me to travel for two days. Be a good girl and eat your meals. I’ll be back to take you to the beach to clear your head.] Then he grabbed his jacket and strode away without a moment’s hesitation. It wasn't until the door clicked shut that Eleanor emerged from the bedroom and began packing her suitcase. After an unknown period, muffled, suggestive sounds drifted from the media room. She frowned and walked over, pushing open the door. Her body stiffened as she saw what was playing on the large screen— Scarlett, scantily clad, was draped over Julian, her face flushed. “Julian, I miss you so much. Please, take me…” Her hand slowly reached towards him. Julian’s breath hitched, his throat working, his eyes darkening with desire. “You asked for this,” he muttered, “so no matter how intense it gets, you’ll endure it.” The next moment, he reversed their positions, pulling her beneath him. Low, guttural breaths mingled with Scarlett's soft moans. His hands gripped her waist tightly, pressing kisses along her neck… Eleanor’s stomach churned. She could no longer control herself and rushed to the bathroom, emptying her stomach in a fit of revulsion. She spent the night in a numb stupor in the living room. As dawn broke, her phone received a text message. Eleanor saw the half a billion dollars transferred into her account, and the pent-up frustration in her heart immediately dissipated. She called a courier to deliver the signed stock transfer agreement to Leo Sterling’s company. Then, she picked up her suitcase and walked out. But she never expected that as she pushed open the door, she would see a familiar figure. Scarlett Quinn was still wearing her hospital gown, her face ghostly pale, as if she might faint at any second. Recalling the scene in the video, Eleanor felt a wave of disgust. She turned away, her face cold, intending to leave. But Scarlett suddenly reached out and blocked her path. Her voice was hoarse. “Eleanor Thorne, I’m the one who truly loves Julian, so why did he marry you? Even when I swallowed an entire bottle of pills, almost dying, he still wouldn’t agree to divorce you! Why?!” As she spoke, Scarlett’s eyes turned bloodshot, glaring at her with venomous hatred. An inexplicable chill rose in Eleanor’s heart. She was about to say that they were already divorced, but before she could open her mouth, Scarlett clamped a towel over her mouth and nose. As consciousness faded, she heard a cold sneer. “Since he doesn’t want a divorce, then it can only be… widowhood.”
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