I had no desire to call this heartless man “Dad.”My mother was abandoned by him and died of illness, and I spent my childhood in an orphanage.I had never known a father's love, and I didn’t care for it now.But for the sake of my quiet little one, I had to swallow my pride.He was thrilled to have a son appear out of nowhere.Within days, he handed over the reins of the Dale Corporation to me and told me to learn how to run it.I’ve never considered myself particularly smart, but for her, I took on the immense responsibility of this company and forced myself to conquer it.---At a business dinner, I finally met Carter Hall.I had no patience and got straight to the point.All I wanted was for him to let her go.He was an experienced businessman and didn’t show any emotion.But that night, he drank heavily.When I got home, my father tore into me, furious.The Dales and the Halls were equally powerful.Provoking them recklessly wouldn’t do our family any good.His cane
Someone snapped a picture of me, filthy and rummaging through a dumpster for plastic bottles, and posted it online. It quickly went viral, sparking a storm of comments.“The prettiest dumpster diver.”“Hey, quiet little one, the netizens seem to be really interested in you.”I took small bites of a bagel, listening quietly as Marcus Dale read the comments aloud.He pushed his hair back and continued reading from his phone.“Isn’t she Lindsey Thomson, the eldest daughter of the Thomson family?”“I’ve got the photos as evidence—it’s definitely her. She’s the one who obsessed over Carter Hall and even caused his father’s death!”At this, Marcus fell silent. My entire body went rigid, and I almost dropped the bagel. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the enlarged photo on his screen.The woman was smiling brightly, while the man beside her looked indifferent. It was a picture from our wedding day.It had been three years since I last heard that name. The flutter in my heart
Later, things indeed unfolded as he had wished.He poured all his efforts into seizing the Thomson family's assets.He sent my father to prison and subjected me to endless humiliation.Then one day, I found myself cornered in an alley.Terrified, I dialed his number. I screamed for help, only to be met with his cold response:"Lindsey, what game are you playing now? If you want to die, do it far away from me."So, I disappeared from his sight, struggling desperately in the mud and filth, living a life worse than that of a stray dog.I never thought he would come looking for me after all......."Lindsey, what's happened to you?" He seemed startled by my reaction.In a few strides, he embraced me, not caring that I might soil his expensive suit.People heard the commotion and gathered around to watch, some even kindly advising him, "Sir, you'd better stay away from this mute. She's not quite right in the head.""Mute? Not right in the head?" he asked incredulously.“Yes, sh
In the days that followed, the person bringing meals changed to a housekeeper, and Carter stopped appearing altogether.However, Amy Jefferson came to visit.I had seen her a few times before and knew she was the adopted daughter of the Hall family. She was also the true love Carter kept in his heart. Her features were delicate, and her big, watery eyes evoked sympathy in anyone who saw her. She carried herself with the poise of the lady of the house, walking up to me in high heels. Her black dress accentuated her graceful figure."I heard you were wandering outside for three years and became both mute and simple-minded," she said. "Carter hates you so much. Your life won't be easy if you stay here. If you want to leave, I can help you."I looked up, trembling, catching the fleeting mockery in her eyes. Her lips curved into a smile, and her gaze softened gradually.I desperately wanted to leave.Afraid of missing this only lifeline, I eagerly agreed.She made me swap c
Instinctively, I tried to kneel and beg for mercy, but he grabbed me firmly, holding me in place.“Are you really this afraid of me?” Carter’s voice was laced with disbelief. “Lindsey, how did you become so weak?”His words cut deep. “Are you pretending? The pampered daughter of the Thomson family, who can’t bear the slightest discomfort, now enduring the stench of garbage bins and even wetting herself?”“Do you think putting on this pitiful act will make me forgive you?”"My father's death, the ten years Amy and I lost, it's all because of you! How dare you!"His eyes reddened with rage, and his grip tightened, causing me pain.Holding back my tears, I clasped my hands together, silently begging him to let me go.This was something I’d learned while living on the streets.Whenever I was beaten, if I begged like this, they’d lose interest and leave me alone.But I forgot—this was Carter in front of me, the person who hated me most in this world.“What happened to your hand?”
I gasped for air, my mouth hanging open like a fish out of water.Panic welled up inside me, threatening to burst out, and finally, I screamed, “No! Don’t touch me!”Carter was startled by my sudden scream and let go of me.I scrambled back to the corner, clutching my torn clothes and pleading desperately.“Please, I swear I won’t bother Carter anymore. Just let me go…”He slowly advanced toward me, his lips moving as if he were speaking, but I couldn’t hear anything.It felt like I was back in that nightmare.They had crushed my last shred of dignity, bit by bit.I couldn’t go through that again.Summoning the last of my strength, I grabbed a fruit knife from the table and aimed it at my chest.“Lindsey!”I saw the horror in Carter’s eyes, but I just smiled.There was no pain at all.Only a sense of relief I’d never felt before.......Unfortunately, I missed.I didn’t die.When I woke up, I was already in the hospital.A few tall, unfamiliar men stood outside the ro
Carter didn’t retaliate; he just wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.“If you want a divorce, come back with me.”“Even if she doesn’t go back with you, this marriage is ending,” Marcus shot back.Carter ignored Marcus and stared straight at me, waiting for my response.I stepped out from behind Marcus, trying to appear calm.“Alright, I’ll go back with you.”I wanted the divorce. I wanted a clean break from the past.So, I had to compromise, at least for now.Seeing the concern in Marcus’s eyes, I forced a reassuring smile and said, “I’ll call you once this is all over.”My smile must have been too pale because Marcus hesitated.But in the end, he respected my decision.Carter’s hatred for me ran deep.He took me back to that villa, hoping to awaken my guilt and use it to keep me there, to continue his revenge.But he never understood.My fear of that villa stemmed only from respect for the dead and a deep-rooted fear of his love-turned-hatred.The cold shoulde
I followed Carter around, greeting guests and managing the arrangements.The large LED screen displayed a montage of Uncle Hall’s life—his appearance, his achievements, and news reports about him.I stared blankly at the screen, lost in memories.But they weren’t particularly happy ones.My impression of him was vague.In my recollection, he was always a stern, serious man who rarely spoke to me.The only thing he ever gave me was a ruby bracelet when we got engaged.I had heard that the bracelet was reserved for the future daughter-in-law of the Hall family.So later, Carter took it back.Thinking of this made me smile bitterly.The screen suddenly went dark.When it lit up again, the image had changed.It was the video from Amy’s phone.The room erupted in chaos.I stood frozen, unable to react.It felt as if the blood in my veins had turned to ice, and the bottom of my dress felt wet.“What are you looking at? Turn off the power, now!”A jacket was quickly wrapped a
I had no desire to call this heartless man “Dad.”My mother was abandoned by him and died of illness, and I spent my childhood in an orphanage.I had never known a father's love, and I didn’t care for it now.But for the sake of my quiet little one, I had to swallow my pride.He was thrilled to have a son appear out of nowhere.Within days, he handed over the reins of the Dale Corporation to me and told me to learn how to run it.I’ve never considered myself particularly smart, but for her, I took on the immense responsibility of this company and forced myself to conquer it.---At a business dinner, I finally met Carter Hall.I had no patience and got straight to the point.All I wanted was for him to let her go.He was an experienced businessman and didn’t show any emotion.But that night, he drank heavily.When I got home, my father tore into me, furious.The Dales and the Halls were equally powerful.Provoking them recklessly wouldn’t do our family any good.His cane
Of course, this was all Marcus's doing, with a little help from me.I used the shares of Hall Corp that I held to help Marcus bring the company down, just as Carter had taken down the Thomson family years ago.Late at night, when the world was quiet, the powerful Mr. Dale transformed into a completely different person, like a puppy wagging its tail, asking for a reward.I sighed and shook my right hand, showing off the ring.The enormous diamond sparkled brightly under the light.“I'm already yours. What more do you want?”He snuggled up to me, whining, “Honey, I’m starving for you right now.”His soft bangs tickled me, making my whole body itch. I couldn’t help but laugh as I planted a quick kiss on his cheek.That kiss seemed to flip a switch inside him. He grinned mischievously and started gently undoing my clothes.My body tensed up immediately.I had healed a lot under his love and care, but some scars still lingered in my heart, creeping into my life unexpectedly.Marc
At that moment, I could only find it laughable. I took off the ring and tossed it into the trash can.“Sorry, this ten-dollar piece of junk should’ve been thrown away long ago.”I smiled even brighter. “Now, can we go?”Getting the divorce certificate felt like a thousand-pound weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t realize that what I once thought was deep love in my youth had turned into a burden. Misunderstanding after misunderstanding had slowly eroded that love, replacing it with endless torment.Now that I’d let go, I didn’t want to carry the blame for things I hadn’t done anymore. I wanted to explain one last time.Holding the USB drive in my bag, I spoke calmly.“Carter, I had nothing to do with your father’s death. Do you believe me?”He lowered his gaze and remained silent for a long time.I smiled. His silence was already an answer.Without hesitation, I took out the USB drive and placed it in his hand.“If you find out you hated the wrong person and tormented
I followed Carter around, greeting guests and managing the arrangements.The large LED screen displayed a montage of Uncle Hall’s life—his appearance, his achievements, and news reports about him.I stared blankly at the screen, lost in memories.But they weren’t particularly happy ones.My impression of him was vague.In my recollection, he was always a stern, serious man who rarely spoke to me.The only thing he ever gave me was a ruby bracelet when we got engaged.I had heard that the bracelet was reserved for the future daughter-in-law of the Hall family.So later, Carter took it back.Thinking of this made me smile bitterly.The screen suddenly went dark.When it lit up again, the image had changed.It was the video from Amy’s phone.The room erupted in chaos.I stood frozen, unable to react.It felt as if the blood in my veins had turned to ice, and the bottom of my dress felt wet.“What are you looking at? Turn off the power, now!”A jacket was quickly wrapped a
Carter didn’t retaliate; he just wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.“If you want a divorce, come back with me.”“Even if she doesn’t go back with you, this marriage is ending,” Marcus shot back.Carter ignored Marcus and stared straight at me, waiting for my response.I stepped out from behind Marcus, trying to appear calm.“Alright, I’ll go back with you.”I wanted the divorce. I wanted a clean break from the past.So, I had to compromise, at least for now.Seeing the concern in Marcus’s eyes, I forced a reassuring smile and said, “I’ll call you once this is all over.”My smile must have been too pale because Marcus hesitated.But in the end, he respected my decision.Carter’s hatred for me ran deep.He took me back to that villa, hoping to awaken my guilt and use it to keep me there, to continue his revenge.But he never understood.My fear of that villa stemmed only from respect for the dead and a deep-rooted fear of his love-turned-hatred.The cold shoulde
I gasped for air, my mouth hanging open like a fish out of water.Panic welled up inside me, threatening to burst out, and finally, I screamed, “No! Don’t touch me!”Carter was startled by my sudden scream and let go of me.I scrambled back to the corner, clutching my torn clothes and pleading desperately.“Please, I swear I won’t bother Carter anymore. Just let me go…”He slowly advanced toward me, his lips moving as if he were speaking, but I couldn’t hear anything.It felt like I was back in that nightmare.They had crushed my last shred of dignity, bit by bit.I couldn’t go through that again.Summoning the last of my strength, I grabbed a fruit knife from the table and aimed it at my chest.“Lindsey!”I saw the horror in Carter’s eyes, but I just smiled.There was no pain at all.Only a sense of relief I’d never felt before.......Unfortunately, I missed.I didn’t die.When I woke up, I was already in the hospital.A few tall, unfamiliar men stood outside the ro
Instinctively, I tried to kneel and beg for mercy, but he grabbed me firmly, holding me in place.“Are you really this afraid of me?” Carter’s voice was laced with disbelief. “Lindsey, how did you become so weak?”His words cut deep. “Are you pretending? The pampered daughter of the Thomson family, who can’t bear the slightest discomfort, now enduring the stench of garbage bins and even wetting herself?”“Do you think putting on this pitiful act will make me forgive you?”"My father's death, the ten years Amy and I lost, it's all because of you! How dare you!"His eyes reddened with rage, and his grip tightened, causing me pain.Holding back my tears, I clasped my hands together, silently begging him to let me go.This was something I’d learned while living on the streets.Whenever I was beaten, if I begged like this, they’d lose interest and leave me alone.But I forgot—this was Carter in front of me, the person who hated me most in this world.“What happened to your hand?”
In the days that followed, the person bringing meals changed to a housekeeper, and Carter stopped appearing altogether.However, Amy Jefferson came to visit.I had seen her a few times before and knew she was the adopted daughter of the Hall family. She was also the true love Carter kept in his heart. Her features were delicate, and her big, watery eyes evoked sympathy in anyone who saw her. She carried herself with the poise of the lady of the house, walking up to me in high heels. Her black dress accentuated her graceful figure."I heard you were wandering outside for three years and became both mute and simple-minded," she said. "Carter hates you so much. Your life won't be easy if you stay here. If you want to leave, I can help you."I looked up, trembling, catching the fleeting mockery in her eyes. Her lips curved into a smile, and her gaze softened gradually.I desperately wanted to leave.Afraid of missing this only lifeline, I eagerly agreed.She made me swap c
Later, things indeed unfolded as he had wished.He poured all his efforts into seizing the Thomson family's assets.He sent my father to prison and subjected me to endless humiliation.Then one day, I found myself cornered in an alley.Terrified, I dialed his number. I screamed for help, only to be met with his cold response:"Lindsey, what game are you playing now? If you want to die, do it far away from me."So, I disappeared from his sight, struggling desperately in the mud and filth, living a life worse than that of a stray dog.I never thought he would come looking for me after all......."Lindsey, what's happened to you?" He seemed startled by my reaction.In a few strides, he embraced me, not caring that I might soil his expensive suit.People heard the commotion and gathered around to watch, some even kindly advising him, "Sir, you'd better stay away from this mute. She's not quite right in the head.""Mute? Not right in the head?" he asked incredulously.“Yes, sh