I'm the most notorious woman in New York, and Jace Monroe is the clean-cut heir to a prestigious family. During that kidnapping, he was drugged with a powerful aphrodisiac, but he'd rather die than touch me. That was the first time I truly fell for someone. I thought he was honorable. A man who wouldn't take advantage of a woman in distress. For three years of marriage, he shielded me from explosions and kept me safe. I thought this was love. Then I heard him tell his mother. "I married her to get revenge on you." That kidnapping? His design. The car accident? His arrangement. The rumors that ruined my reputation? Spread by his own hand. The man I gave everything to for three years used me as a pawn to win another woman. After I disappeared, he searched the world for me. He knelt in the rain, begging me to come back. But I was already lying in someone else's arms. I didn't even bother to look at him. Jace Monroe, you're tainted now. I don't want you anymore. Ruby's POV I'm the heir to a New York fortune with the worst reputation, and while my beauty is well-known, so is my heartlessness. I'm the wildest one in our circle, the one who changes boyfriends faster than handbags, the one photographed making out with strangers at nightclubs. I'm arrogant and reckless. And Jace Monroe is New York's most famous heir to the Monroe family. He has an impeccable reputation. In his twenty-five years, he's never had a single scandal, never even set foot in a bar. We were from two completely different worlds with no connection, until that citywide kidnapping case bound us together. In a dark, damp basement, Jace and I were locked in an iron cage. The kidnappers wanted to film our most degrading moment to extort a fortune in ransom and ensure we wouldn't dare pursue them afterward. So I was stripped and tied to a bed, while Jace was forcibly drugged with a powerful aphrodisiac. But even burning with fever, he struggled to resist the desire and said, "I know you're not like the rumors say. You're not that kind of woman. So don't be afraid. As long as you don't agree, I'd rather die than touch you." And he kept his word. When the drug ravaged his body like wildfire, he bit down hard on his own forearm until blood flowed, using pain to gain brief moments of clarity. The kidnappers weren't satisfied. They forced a second dose of the drug down his throat, but he slammed his head against the iron bars, preferring death to making love to me. Watching him bloody and wounded, blood streaming down his face, in that moment, the walls I'd built around my heart completely crumbled. Unable to bear watching him hurt himself anymore, I said with a trembling, choked voice, "Jace, stop fighting it... You'll die like this." "But I promised..." "I'm willing." My tears fell. "If it's you, I'm willing." Finally, with my consent and under the drug's control, he was driven by desire. The moment he entered me, Jace discovered in shock that despite my countless boyfriends, I was still a virgin. For five whole days, we were forced to make love, filmed in countless obscene scenes. Five days later, Jace's assistant arrived with a rescue team and all the kidnappers were captured. And Jace used every means at his disposal to destroy all footage of us. But somehow news leaked that I'd been kidnapped and filmed in pornographic videos, and it quickly spread throughout our social circle. Everyone in the circle said I was completely ruined, after all, I'd been in those kinds of videos. However, Jace publicly declared his love with over ten thousand drones. He presented me with a ten-carat pink diamond ring under fireworks, kneeling on one knee to propose. "Ruby, those five days were both the worst memory of my life and what I'm most grateful for." He looked at me, his eyes full of deep affection and guilt. "I failed to protect you. Marry me. Let me spend my lifetime making it up to you, protecting you. Will you?" After that heart-stopping kidnapping, my heart, hardened like iron walls, had already softened for him. And now, it completely fell. I put on that ring. Our wedding was unprecedentedly grand, and also met with much ridicule. Almost none of his family attended our wedding. Only Jace held my hand, firmly making vows before the priest, as if standing against the whole world. After marriage, Jace treated me very well. I had a sensitive stomach, so he cooked stomach-soothing meals for me. During my period, he personally took care of me. I was ostracized by the elite wives' circle because of my past, so he brought me to the most important occasions again and again, announcing his regard for me to everyone. So I also began to rein in my wild and arrogant nature, working hard to be a good wife. I knew the Monroe family elders strongly opposed my notorious self marrying into their family. So to change the Monroe family's attitude toward me, I started learning flower arrangement, etiquette, all those things I'd once scorned. And Jace always held me gently and said, "Ruby, just be yourself. I didn't marry you to make you change for me. No matter how my family views you, you're the wife I've chosen. As long as I know how wonderful you are, that's enough." Whenever he said this, I felt so moved, felt he was the most unique man I'd ever met. Until that day when my car's brakes failed and I plunged down a hillside. The moment before the explosion, it was Jace who pried open the deformed car door with his bare hands, dragged me out, and used his back to shield me from the blast and flames. The second before losing consciousness, I vowed to spend the rest of my life loving this man who valued me as much as his own life. I finally woke up in the hospital. The first thing I did was ask the nurse, "Where's my husband? Where is he? Is he okay?" "Mr. Monroe has severe burns across his back, but he's not in life-threatening danger. He's in the VIP room next door." Hearing this, my heart leapt with joy, and I stumbled to the room next door. I took a deep breath, about to push the door open, when I heard a sharp female voice suddenly rise from inside. "Jace! Three years! How much longer are you going to keep this up?!" It was the voice of Jace's mother, Catherine, full of anger and a kind of... exhaustion and sarcasm I couldn't understand. My hand froze in midair. "You know perfectly well that Ruby has had countless boyfriends! The whole circle is saying she was filmed in porn by those kidnappers!" "A woman with such a ruined reputation. Everyone wants to stay as far away from her as possible! But you? Not only did you confess your love, you actually married her and brought her to all kinds of elite social events, acting like you're madly in love! Are you trying to kill us with anger?!" "This time, you even risked your own life to protect Ruby!" "You just hate us and want revenge because three years ago we stopped you from marrying that Serena girl, don't you!" What are they talking about... who's Serena? My heart contracted sharply, as if gripped by an invisible hand.
Ruby's POV "Yes." Then Jace's voice rang out, cold as frost. "I am taking revenge." That one sentence was like a sharp knife stabbing straight into my heart. All the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly. My limbs went cold and numb, unable to move. I could only stand there rigidly. "What's wrong with Serena? She's kind and understanding, gentle and considerate. How is she inferior to those women you forced on me? But you looked down on her because her mother was our housekeeper and forcibly drove her away. You even said I could marry anyone among New York's socialites except her." He laughed lowly, the laugh devoid of any warmth. "Fine then. I'll marry the most scandalous one, the one you hate most. I'll use Ruby to slap you in the face. Every time I treat her well, you get angrier. It's quite satisfying to watch." "You're insane!" His mother was so angry she smashed a cup on the spot. "Want me to end this charade?" Jace laughed lightly and cruelly. "Simple. Let Serena marry me. I'll divorce Ruby immediately." Catherine's face turned livid, her tone resolute. "Let me tell you, as long as I'm alive, that bitch Serena will never enter our family! Using Ruby to pressure us won't work!" Outside the door, I couldn't hear anything anymore. A massive ringing drowned out everything. My vision went dark in waves. I leaned against the cold wall, barely managing not to collapse. I slowly backed away, returning silently to my own hospital room, frozen to the bone. After a few seconds, I took out my phone and sent a message to a private investigator. "Help me investigate someone named Serena. Focus on her relationship with Jace Monroe. The more detailed, the better." The private investigator was efficient. In less than two hours, he replied. The first thing he sent was a photo. In the photo, a girl in a simple, clean cotton dress leaned on Jace's shoulder, her smile gentle, her eyes as clear as spring water. This was followed by a paragraph. "Serena, 23 years old. Her mother was a housekeeper for the Monroe family. She grew up with Jace Monroe and they were very close. Three years ago, Jace wanted to marry her but was strongly opposed by the Monroe family and they were forcibly separated. Later her mother was fired by the Monroe family and Serena was forced to leave New York." I see. I suddenly started laughing quietly, the sound echoing in the empty hospital room, more painful than crying. So that mutual rescue during the kidnapping, the affectionate proposal under countless drones, all those tender moments after marriage, and him shielding me from the explosion with his back... it was all an act. How ridiculous. How pathetic. Before today, I was thinking about spending the rest of my life loving this man with everything I had, but from beginning to end, he never loved me. He married me and treated me well for one purpose only. To use me, the most notorious socialite, to humiliate the Monroe family. He just used me as a pawn to take revenge on his family, wanting to force them to compromise with my scandalous reputation so he could achieve his goal of marrying Serena. My heart felt like it was being gripped by an icy hand, twisted and wrung, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe. Forcing back the moisture in my eyes, I picked up my phone again and dialed Catherine's number. "I want to divorce Jace." As soon as the call connected, I got straight to the point, my voice terrifyingly calm. "What did you say? Divorce?" Catherine hadn't expected me to bring up divorce first. Her voice on the other end was furious. "Ruby, are you crazy? With your reputation that the whole circle mocks, hardly anyone would want you even if you were free! And you dare bring up divorce?!" "I will get this divorce." I said, "Mutual consent divorce, or I'll file for divorce. Your choice." "Are you threatening me?" "It's a notification." I sneered. "I assume the Monroe family isn't afraid of going to court with me?" I knew the Monroe family opposed Serena marrying in, and they didn't like me either. They would love nothing more than for Jace and me to divorce. "Fine, divorce! I don't want to see a woman like you contaminating our Monroe family for another day!" Finally, Catherine's voice rang out. "But don't expect to take a penny from the Monroe family! After the divorce, get as far away as possible and never appear in front of Jace again. Stop affecting him!" "Don't worry. I won't take anything from your Monroe family."
Ruby's POV After hanging up, thinking about Catherine's disdain for me, as if I were something filthy, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. No one knew that in the past, I deliberately ruined my own reputation to the point where no one dared marry me, just so my biased father couldn't use me for a marriage alliance, preventing me from ending up depressed and dead like my mother. But even though I'd changed boyfriends one after another, Jace was my first and, so far, my only man. Jace clearly knew that when we had sex during that kidnapping, I was still a virgin. He also knew that the rumors circulating in our circle about me being filmed in porn videos. He was one of the people in those videos too. But in three years, he never once explained it to anyone. I'd never thought much about it before. After all, those weren't exactly glorious matters. It was normal for him to keep quiet about them. Only now do I understand. He didn't explain to others because the more people despised me, the better I served his purpose of provoking his family. I was just a pawn he'd chosen. I took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the tumultuous emotions in my heart, and went straight to check myself out of the hospital and went home. The first thing I did when I got home was throw things away. I took out everything Jace had given me over the years. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, handbags, and so on. I threw away what should be thrown, donated what should be donated. Just like throwing away my three years of foolishness and self-deluded love. Afterward, Catherine sent a butler to deliver the divorce agreement. I looked it over briefly, and after confirming there were no issues, signed without any hesitation. "Miss Ruby, the Monroe family instructed me to tell you to wait a bit longer. Within half a month at most, the divorce certificate will be processed." "Got it." A few days after signing the agreement, Jace came home. The burns on his back hadn't fully healed yet and his movements were somewhat slow, but he still wore a crisp suit, his features handsome. "Why are you sitting here?" he asked, his tone habitually gentle. "The servants said you've barely eaten these past few days." I looked up at him. In the past, every time I saw this face, my heart would race and my face would flush. But now, looking at him again, I only felt strangeness and coldness. Jace didn't seem to notice the change in my gaze. Perhaps he'd never truly cared about what was different about me. He sat down beside me, naturally taking my hand. "Are you in a bad mood because I wasn't here with you?" He spoke in a soft, low voice, still with that gentle demeanor. "Today's your birthday. I had them prepare a banquet at the most luxurious hotel downtown. There's still time. Let me take you to pick out a dress first, okay?" In the past, hearing him remember my birthday and specially prepare a banquet, I would probably be delighted, moved by his thoughtfulness and care. But now, my heart was just a wasteland. But I didn't want any complications with the divorce, so I didn't expose his hypocrisy. "Okay." After getting ready briefly, I left with Jace. He drove me to a high-end dress boutique. As soon as we entered, Jace's phone rang. "You pick first. I'll take this call," he said, walking to the side. I didn't pay attention and went upstairs to choose a dress. I spotted a water-blue gown, simple and elegant, and said to the sales assistant, "This one. Wrap it up for me." "I want this dress." A soft female voice suddenly came from behind me. I turned around and saw the woman speaking. My blood instantly ran cold. Serena. That face leaning on Jace's shoulder in the photo was now standing right in front of me, alive and in person. Her long hair fell loose, her makeup clean and delicate, smiling as she stared at the water-blue dress in my hands. But hadn't she been driven away by the Monroe family? Had Jace brought her back?
Ruby's POV "I'm sorry." Serena had a faint smile on her lips. "Miss, although you saw this dress first, I really like it. Would you let me have it?" Her voice was soft and clean, but her tone carried a sense of entitlement. "No." I handed the dress to the sales assistant. "Ring it up." Serena stepped forward and grabbed my hand. "But I really do love this dress. It suits my temperament better." "What's going on?" Jace had just finished his call and came upstairs. Seeing us facing off, he frowned slightly. Serena turned at the sound, delight climbing into her eyes. "Jace? What are you doing here?" Her gaze flowed between Jace and me. She seemed to suddenly understand. Then she showed me an apologetic expression. "So you're... Mrs. Monroe. I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you. I was presumptuous just now." She lowered her head slightly, her posture extremely humble, like a startled fawn. Jace's gaze fell on the dress in my hand, then looked at Serena's careful, tentative expression. He didn't ask many questions. He simply stepped forward, took the dress from my hand, and held it out to Serena. "Since you like it, take it." My hand suddenly empty, I looked up at him in disbelief. Serena took the dress, showing surprise and unease. "This... isn't this inappropriate? After all, Mrs. Monroe saw it first..." "It's fine. This dress really does suit you better." A gentle smile bloomed on Serena's face. "Then I'll go try it on?" After getting Jace's tacit permission, she hugged the dress and turned toward the fitting room, her steps light. I slowly lowered my hand that had been frozen in midair, clenching it into a fist. My nails dug into my palm, bringing a faint stinging pain, but it couldn't suppress the dull ache of a blade cutting through my heart. Only then did Jace look at me. He was silent for a moment, as if choosing his words. "Her name is Serena. She's my... a friend." "A friend?" I couldn't help the sarcasm. "Would anyone snatch a dress their wife chose first and give it to a so-called friend?" Perhaps because I'd never used such a sarcastic tone with him before, Jace frowned. "It's just a dress. Why make such a fuss? Besides, that color really doesn't suit your style. Pick another one, something that fits you better." I looked at him quietly, a cold laugh forming in my heart. But I said nothing more and turned toward another rack. My fingers skimmed past dress after dress, finally stopping on a wine-red gown. Deep V neckline, open back. It was the style I'd favored most in the past. Bright as fire, bold and eye-catching. For him, I'd put away all the clothes I used to like, learning to be a gentle, virtuous Mrs. Monroe. But now, I didn't need to anymore. I took down the red dress and said flatly to the sales assistant, "This one. Wrap it up." Almost simultaneously, the fitting room curtain was pulled back. Serena walked out wearing that water-blue dress. The dress fit perfectly, making her skin look white as snow, her temperament refined and elegant. She smoothed the hem and looked up at Jace, her eyes seemingly filled with stars. "Jace, does it look good?" Jace's gaze fell on her, his voice tender as water. "Yes, beautiful." His eyes were deep, reflecting Serena's figure, allowing me to clearly capture that trace of affection he'd never shown me. My heart felt like it was being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe. Serena's smile grew even brighter. She walked to Jace's side and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "By the way, I heard tonight is Mrs. Monroe's birthday banquet?" Jace nodded. "Yes." "I happen to be free tonight." Serena looked at me with a gentle, proper smile. "Mrs. Monroe, you don't mind if I come celebrate your birthday too, do you?" Before I could answer, Jace had already responded. "Of course not. Perfect, we'll go together."
Ruby's POV In the banquet hall on the top floor of the Hilton Hotel, lights blazed brilliantly, the décor luxurious. The birthday banquet Jace threw for me invited most of New York's notable figures. The scale was grand, showing his "importance" to me. When I appeared on Jace's arm, the entire room fell silent for a moment. I wore that wine-red deep-V gown, my skin like snow, my lips red as fire. The radiance and boldness I'd deliberately restrained in the past bloomed on me once more in this moment, devastatingly beautiful with an aggressive edge, instantly stealing everyone's breath. "That's Mrs. Monroe? My God, she's even more beautiful than in photos..." "What good is being pretty? She's rotten through and through. She changes men faster than clothes. I heard in that kidnapping three years ago, she was even..." "Keep your voice down! In case it gets back to Jace. Though it is strange. Why would someone as outstanding as him take a liking to a woman with such a terrible reputation..." Those whispered, disdainful comments clearly drilled into my ears. I didn't get angry on the spot, nor did I argue. Because I knew that in the eyes of these self-proclaimed nobles, any defense from me would be pale and powerless, only becoming new fodder for ridicule. But... My gaze still involuntarily turned to the man beside me. Jace was slightly turned, speaking in low tones with a wealthy businessman. His profile was smooth and gentle, as if he'd heard nothing. Of course. He wouldn't explain my innocence. My last sliver of faint hope quietly extinguished. The banquet officially began. Jace held my wrist and walked to the center of the hall. He took a velvet gift box from a server. Opening it revealed a radiant ruby necklace, dazzling under the lights. "Ruby, happy birthday." He said gently, taking out the necklace and personally fastening it around my neck. Gasps and applause rang out below. "Mrs. Monroe, happy birthday." Serena had somehow approached. She still wore that water-blue dress, standing beside my dazzling self like an elegant narcissus. "I came in such a rush, I didn't have time to prepare a proper gift." Serena's gaze was pure. "How about I play a piece for you as my birthday gift? Would that be okay?" Before I could answer, she'd already turned to Jace. "Jace, do you still remember that 'Clair de Lune' we used to play together? Today, let's play it again for Mrs. Monroe as a birthday celebration, okay?" I noticed Jace looking at her, his eyes briefly distant, as if seeing past days through her. He nodded slightly. "Okay." A white grand piano was wheeled to the center of the hall. Jace and Serena sat side by side. The man in his suit, devastatingly handsome; the woman in her blue dress, gentle and lovely. The image was harmoniously painful to watch. A piece by Debussy, "Clair de Lune," their coordination perfect. Even an exchanged glance or subtle pause showed complete synchronicity. When the piece ended, everyone was immersed in the music. After a brief silence, applause erupted, mixed with genuine admiration. "That was incredible! Absolutely perfect!" "Who is that lady? Such refined temperament. Sitting with Jace, they look more like a married couple." "Hey, I think I remember her... Isn't she the one who almost became Jace's fiancée a few years ago?" "Right, right, that's her! I heard they were deeply in love but somehow separated... What a shame." "Looking at it this way, this Miss Serena and Jace really are a matching pair. Much better than that woman who's only pretty but has such a ruined reputation..." The commentary grew louder. Serena and Jace's performance instantly stole all attention. And I, the supposed star of this banquet, had instead become a supporting character. I couldn't listen anymore and quietly turned away. I stayed in the restroom for a full ten minutes. Only after my emotions settled did I finally open the door. However, looking up, I caught sight of Serena standing at the sink, touching up her makeup in the mirror. Hearing the sound, she looked at me through the mirror and slowly curved a flawless smile. I didn't want any interaction with her and walked straight toward the door. "Mrs. Monroe." Serena suddenly called out, her voice still soft but without the gentleness she showed in public, instead full of mockery and triumph. "Wearing the ruby he gave you, listening to our 'Clair de Lune'... Are you enjoying this birthday gift?"
Ruby's POV I finally turned back to meet her gaze. "Whether I'm satisfied doesn't matter." I pulled at the corner of my mouth, no warmth in my eyes. "What matters is, Miss Serena seems quite satisfied with herself tonight." Serena's smile didn't change. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to steal everyone's attention with Jace at your birthday banquet. It's just been so long since we played together, I couldn't help myself for a moment. You don't mind, right?" Watching her disgusting performance, I only found it laughable. Too lazy to waste words on her, I turned to leave. "Wait." Serena suddenly stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. "Don't you want to know... who was behind that kidnapping you experienced three years ago?" I frowned. "What do you mean by that?" Serena shook her head, her eyes full of pity and schadenfreude. "To still not know anything even now. How pitiful." My heart plummeted. Could there be something about that kidnapping three years ago that I didn't know? Serena enjoyed watching my expression change dramatically and smiled triumphantly. "Seeing you still in the dark like this, I might as well tell you the truth." She paused, then spoke clearly and cruelly. "Actually, that kidnapping three years ago, Jace deliberately orchestrated it. Including the leaked news that you were filmed in videos. Jace had people deliberately spread that too, just to make your reputation as bad as possible and make the Monroe family detest you even more." "And that brake failure car accident you had recently? Jace arranged that too. He calculated the timing perfectly, wanting to add fuel to the fire to make the Monroe family lose all patience with you. He wanted to use you to achieve his goal of marrying me." Boom. I was thunderstruck, my entire body's blood instantly freezing, as if even my breath was stolen away. The kidnapping was his design? The car accident was his arrangement? Even those humiliating rumors were deliberately spread by him? How could this be possible? I didn't want to easily believe Serena's words, but recalling what I'd recently heard Jace personally admit about taking revenge... someone like Jace might really be capable of such things. My heart felt like it was being wrung by an icy hand, the pain making my vision go black. I struggled to steady myself, looking up at Serena's face written with triumph. Suddenly, I pulled an extremely cold smile. "Miss Serena so kindly came to tell me all this... is it because even you aren't sure whether Jace's heart still only holds you, like it did three years ago?" The triumph on Serena's face instantly froze, a flash of panic crossing her eyes at being exposed. My beauty was enough to make many men overlook my reputation and become infatuated. Jace and I had lived together for three years, facing my stunningly beautiful face every day, playing the devoted husband in front of me. Acting for so long. Who knew if he might start believing his own performance? "You're talking nonsense!" But Serena didn't want to admit this. Humiliated and angry, she said, "How could Jace possibly fall in love with a woman like you? Everything he did was for me! Today I'll let you see clearly whose heart he holds!" With that, before I could react, Serena suddenly grabbed my hand and with all her strength, swung it toward her own face. Slap! A crisp, loud slap echoed in the quiet restroom. I was completely stunned, never expecting her to pull this move. Almost simultaneously, the triumphant smile on Serena's face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of panic and distress, tears quickly pooling in her eyes. "Serena, you-" Shocked and angry, I immediately tried to pull my hand back. But Serena held my hand tightly, refusing to let go. Her body even staggered backward, as if I'd forcefully shoved her. "Ruby! What are you doing?!"A voice full of fury suddenly exploded at the restroom door. I turned at the sound. Jace strode in and swatted my wrist away with such force that I staggered back several steps, my waist slamming hard against the cold edge of the sink. I frowned, and Jace shielded Serena behind him, reproaching me. "Are you crazy? Why did you hit her?" "Jace, it's not Miss Ruby's fault." Serena's eyes were moist. She tugged at his sleeve, sobbing softly. "I was too rude today, stealing everyone's attention by performing with you at her birthday party. Miss Ruby had every right to be angry and slap me." Hearing this, Jace's eyes turned cold as ice. "Serena performed with me to celebrate your birthday, and you were so displeased you hit her?"
Ruby's POV After Jace finished speaking, he didn't spare me another glance and led Serena out of the restroom by the hand. Watching them leave, I leaned against the sink without offering a single explanation. Because I knew explanations were meaningless. Serena had won. A moment later, I pushed the door open and returned to the banquet hall. Guests were mingling at the party, but Jace and Serena were nowhere to be seen. Some people cast sympathetic, mocking, or curious glances my way. I ignored them all. When the party ended, I didn't call Jace. Instead, I flagged down a taxi outside the hotel and gave the driver the address of the villa. The car merged smoothly into the night, driving onto the bridge spanning the river. Suddenly, blinding headlights shot from behind. A black car, like a beast out of control, suddenly accelerated and slammed hard into the back of the taxi. Bang! After three consecutive impacts, the massive collision force caused the taxi to lose control instantly, crashing through the bridge railing and tumbling into the river. After violent shaking, river water poured in from all directions, instantly flooding my nose and mouth. I couldn't swim. My survival instinct made me struggle desperately, pounding on the car window. But water flooded into my lungs. Eventually, suffocating from lack of oxygen, my consciousness gradually blurred. I don't know how much time passed. The smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils. I struggled to lift my eyelids and found myself lying in a hospital bed. ...I was still alive. This realization left me dazed for a moment. Just then, I heard muffled voices coming from outside the hospital room door. "How's that taxi driver?" It was Jace's voice, very calm. Another male voice answered respectfully, "He's fine, just some scrapes and shock. He's already awake." "Mm. He was innocently implicated. Give him compensation and make sure he keeps his mouth shut." "Understood, Mr. Monroe." The subordinate hesitated and asked, "But this attack on your wife. Was it also to make your parents agree to let you marry Miss Serena?" My heart contracted sharply, my nails digging deep into my palms. Outside the door, Jace's voice was cold and emotionless. "Not this time." "Then what was it?" "Serena has a gentle nature. Even if she's hit, she'll just endure it alone. I promised her I wouldn't let her suffer any grievances. Ruby hit her. She had to pay some price." The other person replied, "I see. Mr. Monroe is truly devoted to Miss Serena." "She's about to wake up. You leave first. Don't let her see you." "Yes." Inside the hospital room, I lay on the bed, my whole body ice cold, as if even my blood had frozen into shards. Because Serena got slapped by me, he had someone run my car off the road into the river? What about that kidnapping? What about those rumors that ruined my reputation? What about that brake failure accident? Did he have people do all those too? Cold spread from the soles of my feet through my limbs, freezing me to the core. Click. The door was gently pushed open. I immediately closed my eyes, slowed my breathing, and pretended to still be unconscious. Footsteps approached and stopped beside the bed. I could feel a gaze fall on my face, scrutinizing. "Ruby?" Jace called tentatively. I showed no reaction. Seeing that I still hadn't woken, he stayed in the room for about twenty minutes before leaving due to a phone call from the company. Only after hearing his footsteps fade at the end of the hallway did I slowly open my eyes. My eyes turned ice cold, as if wrapped in the harshest frost, no trace of warmth remaining. From this drowning, aside from lung infection from the water and some soft tissue contusions, I hadn't suffered more serious injuries. I stayed in the hospital for three days. Jace came every day, bringing my favorite flowers and light porridge, sitting by the bed, gently asking about my condition, thoughtfully tucking in my blanket corners. He even personally came to pick me up when I was discharged. In front of me, he continued playing that devoted husband persona. He also explained that the person who deliberately drove into me had been found and sent to the police. And even though I knew it was all lies, I pretended not to know and played along. I didn't want to tear off the mask before getting the divorce certificate in hand. Fortunately, Catherine was eager to get rid of the stain that was me. She was extremely efficient. A week after my discharge, she had someone deliver the divorce certificate to me. The butler relayed expressionlessly, "Now that the procedures are complete, Miss Ruby is requested not to claim to be the wife of the Monroe heir in front of others in the future." "Go back and tell Catherine," I said coldly, "Marrying into your Monroe family was the stupidest decision of my life. I want nothing to do with the Monroe family even more than she does." After the butler left, I put away the divorce certificate and immediately took out my phone to book a flight out of New York. Just as I finished booking the ticket, Jace suddenly came home. His whole demeanor was sharp. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me out the door. "Come with me!" "Jace, what are you doing! Where are you taking me?" "You'll find out soon enough."
Ruby's POV The car door was yanked open roughly. Jace dragged me out and pulled me into a spacious abandoned warehouse. "I brought her." Jace shoved me forward, his voice cold and hard. "Let her go." The five men inside exchanged glances. They grinned. "Jace Monroe keeps his word indeed." He made a gesture. Immediately two men stepped forward, roughly grabbing my arms from both sides and holding me firmly. At the same time, another man untied Serena's ropes and shoved her hard toward Jace. Jace rushed forward in panic, steadily catching Serena as she fell into his arms. Serena's eyes filled with tears, her whole body trembling. "Jace, I was so scared... I knew you would come..." "It's okay now." Jace held her tightly, gently wiping the tears from her face. "I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you." I was restrained by two men, my arms controlled. I looked at Jace in confusion. "...What is this?" Jace finally turned his gaze to me. His expression was complicated. There was struggle, but ultimately it was covered by cold indifference. He pressed his lips together and said, "They kidnapped Serena. They said they'd trade you for her." "You're trading me for her?" I found it absurd, even my voice trembling. "They don't want money or anything else. They want you." Jace's tone was heavy, with a trace of barely perceptible irritation. "Think about it yourself. Were you too arrogant in the past? Did you offend someone?" Did I offend someone? Yes, I'd been arrogant and wild in the past, offending quite a few people. But these men in front of me. I had no recollection of them. "I don't know them! Jace, I don't know these people!" But Jace no longer looked at me. He just held Serena tighter in his arms. "Let's go." With that, he embraced Serena and turned toward the warehouse exit. "Jace! Jace!" My shouts echoed in the empty warehouse, hoarse with despair, but he didn't turn back. The men sneered. "Stop shouting. Your dear husband has left with his precious one. He won't come back to save you." It seemed Jace had truly heartlessly abandoned me here. I forced myself to calm down. "I'm the heir to the Hayes family. Let me go now and I'll give you whatever money you want. But if you dare harm me, the Hayes family absolutely won't let you go!" Hearing this, the men were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Hayes family heir? You think we don't know that the Hayes family heir is your gentle sister, Aria Hayes. The Hayes family doesn't care about you at all!" "That's right. Without the Monroe family identity, you're nothing, Ruby. In New York, who would stand up for you?" Another tall, thin man came closer, reaching out to touch my face. "This face is really beautiful. Truly New York's number one beauty." "Get away!" I turned my head to avoid him. Fury and humiliation burned my reason. I struggled with all my strength, kicking and hitting with my hands and feet. My resistance enraged these men. "You still dare resist!" Someone slapped me hard across the face. I was knocked to the side, my mouth instantly filled with the taste of iron, my ears ringing. "Hold her down!" Someone shouted. Several hands roughly tore at my clothes. I used the last of my strength to resist, biting down hard on the man trying to hurt me, before being knocked unconscious by someone's slap. I don't know how much time passed. I woke in severe pain. Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw were those five men, all sprawled on the ground groaning. Then I saw a man in a black T-shirt and camouflage pants, smoking while stepping on the bald man's body. I couldn't help sobbing from the pain. Hearing the sound, the man in camouflage pants turned his gaze to me. He curved his lips. "Ruby Hayes, New York's worst reputation, rumored to have had countless men, actually refuses a man's touch? I'm genuinely surprised." My whole body tensed. I asked hoarsely, "Who are you? These men are..." "Who I am doesn't matter. I just happened to be passing by." He seemed to read my thoughts. "These men have nothing to do with me." Then he put out his cigarette, walked over, and crouched down to my level. His fingers lifted my chin. He raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do with them? I can make it happen." I looked straight into his deep, smiling eyes. No guilt there. Just curiosity. "If you really want to help," my voice hoarse but steady, "then take me to the airport. I want to leave New York." The man narrowed his eyes, studying my face for a moment. "Alright."
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