Chapter 1

"I'm sorry, but we don't hire women over 30 here," the restaurant manager told Liana impatiently as he shooed her away.

As Liana walked away apathetically, she heard the manager murmur softly: " Who would want to patronize my business if I had an ugly old waitress?" Liana frowned slightly. She thought about turning around and telling the manager that she was only 25 years old!

However, she restrained herself when she saw her reflection in the window next to her.

Her face had lost its youth and the glow that once decorated her eyes had long since faded.

An emaciated frame, dry hair, a wrinkled face, and outdated clothes added at least 10 years to her appearance.

She realized that she had become an old woman in recent years...even though she was only 25!

Liana smiled bitterly as the hardships of the past few years flooded her mind. As she dragged her tired body away from the scene, she noticed a car stopping behind her.

The arrival of a Maybach car did not go unnoticed by the restaurant manager.

"President White, welcome," the manager said obsequiously. Liana stopped abruptly in her tracks.

"Edward, can you accompany me to buy clothes after this? Today is the new arrival date for the Chanel counter," Betina said quietly as they got out of the car. Her hands were around Edward's arm, who just looked at her and replied with a simple "okay".

The single syllable froze Liana to the ground! Before she could stop herself, her head turned slowly... and her eyes fell on Edward's beautiful face!

It had to be him... Liana couldn't have predicted that this was how they would meet after their divorce 3 years ago.

She was so down, so out of luck. He was still her controlled self, far above the ranks of the commoners.

Betina next to him was also as elegant and dignified as she was 3 years ago. The two ended up staying together.

So, again, with her out of the picture, was it really a surprise?

"Liana?" Edward said when he saw her. Disbelief was clearly written in her eyes.

Betina's expression changed slightly and she choked: "Oh my God, is it really you, Liana? What happened to you?" Liana snapped out of her daze. She quickly turned her head, muttering: "You've got the wrong person!"Hurriedly, she turned to escape.”

There was no way she could face them both today. No woman would be willing to face her rich ex-husband and her beautiful loving ex-rival in such an abject state. Especially after the two of them were together!

The comparison between winner and loser was all too obvious.

Edward caught up with Liana on the run, shouting: "Liana, stop right there!”

The moment his hand grabbed her arm, she screamed as if she had been poked by pins: "Let me go! I'm not Liana, I really am not!”

She was completely focused on her struggles to get away from Edward and didn't notice that a car was speeding down the road. Finally, she struggled to free herself and ran down the road.

"Liana, be careful! " Edward shouted, but it was already too late. The car hit Liana, and caused her to hit her head and was knocked out instantly.

She descended into a long dream... She dreamed of everything that happened before she turned 19. The memories she thought she had lost came back to her.

She realized that the Liana of the past was no softy; she would not have ended up in such a miserable state. She was once the pride of her family... but now... Reflecting on the adversity she was forced to endure, tears of sadness rolled down her face.

"The patient is still unconscious, but her condition has almost stabilized. She suffered a minor concussion to the head, but a week or two of rest should be enough to get her back on her feet. However, she will need some supplements due to a long period of malnutrition..." Inside the hospital room, the doctor explained Liana's physical condition in detail to Edward.

The statuesque man frowned slightly. How could Liana be suffering from prolonged malnutrition? Edward turned his head to look at Liana, just in time to notice the tears streaming down the aging face of his ex-wife... His eyes trembled slightly as a cocktail of emotions surged in his heart.

Liana, what kind of life have you been living after our divorce? Simultaneously, Betina , who was standing next to Edward, also looked at Liana as she nurtured her own thoughts.

She looked at the woman who had once been with Edward, but was eventually thrown out by her; she was overjoyed. Her heart soared as she witnessed the miserable state Liana had fallen into.

Liana, you lost to me once...you will fare worse now that you are old and ugly. I can barely muster the energy to deal with you. I'm sure you'll wither away like the trash you've become.

After all, even for an idiot, the choice between a beautiful woman and an old beggar would be exceptionally easy. Betina might have reservations against a young and beautiful Liana, but now... These thoughts brightened Betina's mood so much that she was feeling gracious for her former rival.

She nudged Edward and said softly: " Edward, don't worry, I'm sure Liana will be fine. How about we find a private nurse for her, or better yet, leave some money for her. I believe that's what she needs most right now . " Edward looked at his fiancée and nodded slightly. "Edward, it's very late. We still have a family dinner to attend later to discuss our upcoming nuptials. Shouldn't we go?" Betina said, and Edward then realized that such an event was indeed on his itinerary.

Since the divorce, he had not been looking for a new wife, but as the only male heir of the White Family, he had had to marry to ensure that the White name would survive.

Betina was his childhood friend. The entire White Family was in love with her; her good looks and intellect were also definite advantages. Therefore, after Edward's divorce was finalized, the two families tried to bring the two together. Edward was warm to Betina , but he was not in love with her. Then again, there was not a single woman he was in love with.

Even his marriage to Liana was not out of love, for it was an arranged marriage.

To him, as long as his wife was biologically female, he was fine with anyone who filled the position.

His indifference only deepened after his failed marriage to Liana. He shrugged and agreed with indifference when his family brought up the idea of marrying Betina . And tonight was a dinner between the two families to discuss their marriage. In fact, that morning they went out looking for a restaurant to host their wedding reception and buy dresses... Who knew they stumbled upon Liana.

The ex-wife he hadn't met in three years.

Truth be told, Edward once wondered under what circumstances they would meet again, but none of the scenarios in his mind could fit today's bizarre event.

She was the ex-wife of the White family, how could she have fallen into such a deplorable state? He remembers leaving her a considerable amount of alimony after the divorce. The amount should have been more than enough for her to live the rest of her life in luxury, so why did he find her in such a situation? That question had been clogging his mind since he left the hospital.

"Edward, what do you have in mind?"Betina asked curiously, to which Edward replied dryly: "Nothing serious.”

"You're thinking about Liana, aren't you?"Betina sighed: "I couldn't believe it was the same Liana we saw upstairs. Why did she choose to live like this when she has the resources for a better life? Why is she so dense?" Dense... this was exactly how Edward pictured Liana.