Chapter 1

Christopher needed money for his leg surgery. To help him with that, I got a gig as a server onboard a lavish cruise without his knowledge.

After texting him, I turned to see a tall, regal figure on the cruise. It was so familiar that I was dazed for a split second. A trace of doubt crossed my heart, but I soon shook my head and rid myself of that thought.

Christopher had always been wheelchair-bound, and we didn't have money for his treatment. How could he be on this lavish cruise where businessmen and powerful people milled about?

I mocked myself for overthinking things. At the same time, I couldn't help thinking that Christopher probably would've been as handsome as that man if he could stand.

So, my determination to save up and help him treat his legs grew stronger.

Onboard the cruise, the servers all had to wear masks. Aside from the guests, no one would be able to recognize anyone else.

I was busy at work when I suddenly heard a commotion on the deck. A man's somewhat drunken voice rang out, carrying in the wind. "If anyone goes down there to retrieve the item, I'll pay them 20 thousand dollars as a tip."

I gathered from the other servers' whispers that a man's female companion had dropped her bracelet into the ocean. They were offering a grand reward for anyone who could retrieve it.

The ocean's currents were overpowering, and it was like a giant whirlpool that could suck anyone away at a moment's notice. One could lose their life if they weren't careful. I couldn't help swallowing when I saw everyone around me hesitating.

The reward was 20 thousand dollars—it was the exact amount Christopher needed for his surgery. I gnashed my teeth when I thought about his gentle face and jumped into the water without hesitating any longer.

Some people mocked, "Whoa, there really is someone who's willing to give up their life for money."

The icy water invaded my senses and permeated every inch of my body. However, I could only think of one thing—I had to get the money for Christopher's treatment.

It was freezing; my limbs went numb from the water. Fortunately, luck seemed to be on my side. I saw a glimmering bracelet near me.

I swam toward it with all my might. I was starting to lose consciousness, but I didn't loosen my grip on the bracelet. Just as I thought I would die in the water, someone dragged me onto the deck.

My gaze was blurry, but it slowly focused on a familiar yet unfamiliar face. In that instant, my blood froze.

The man's mocking voice rang out. "I've seen plenty of the dirty things people will do for money, but you take the cake. You're even willing to give up your life for it."

The people around him laughed. "Mr. Linden hates materialistic gold diggers like her."

A stack of cash was flung onto my body. The sharp edges of the new notes cut my arm, making blood ooze out.

"I heard you have a girlfriend who isn't interested in money, Mr. Linden. Rumor has it she's willing to work so you don't have to. It's hard to find naive women like her nowadays. Do you love her?" someone asked teasingly.

Christopher snorted scornfully. "Girlfriend? She's nothing of the sort. She's just a peasant from the countryside—it's pretty interesting to see her make a fool of herself."

My breathing hitched, and I turned ashen. The man was Christopher Linden, my boyfriend, who was supposedly wheelchair-bound due to a leg condition. The peasant he talked about was me.

"Her hands are so rough and coarse—you guys wouldn't even be able to imagine it. It baffles me how a young woman can have such rough hands. She disgusts me whenever she touches me. How could she possibly be worthy of me?"