The Hidden Legend

Edward, help me!"

As Edward Channing walked past his sister-in-law Kayla Spencer's room, a delicate voice, tinged with pain, floated out.

"Kayla, is your condition acting up again?"

Edward pushed open the door and entered, finding Kayla lying on the bed in a thin, silk nightgown, her body curled up in a trembling heap.

Seeing this, Edward immediately knew that her old ailment had flared up again. He hurried to the bed, gently lifting the pale, pained woman into a sitting position.

Kayla's eyes, which had been tightly shut, fluttered open. In a weak voice, she murmured, "Edward, help me… It hurts…"

Her delicate face looked utterly pitiful, her large eyes filled with a silent plea as she gazed at Edward.

"Just wait a moment. I've got you," Edward said as he quickly placed his hands on her back.

Since Edward had joined the Spencer family three years ago, he had discovered that Kayla suffered from a strange illness that caused her stomach to ache at intervals. Each time her condition flared up, he would treat her.

As Edward's inner energy flowed into Kayla's body, the pain etched on her expression slowly faded. She opened her eyes, turning to look at Edward.

"Thank you, Edward. I'm better now."

Edward pulled his hands away from her back, smiling. "Glad to hear you're okay. I'll leave now."

Kayla was wearing a thin nightgown, and a large area of her fair skin was exposed. Edward didn't dare stay too long.

"Edward, didn't you say you had a way to completely cure my illness?"

Kayla reached out with her delicate, soft hand and held onto Edward, not letting him leave. Her wide eyes were filled with hope as she looked at him.

Edward wore an expression of helplessness, his mind racing with thoughts.

He also wanted to cure Kayla completely, but the only way to do that was through Celestial Fusion, which was an intimate process, with her. The problem was, he was her brother-in-law.

How could he do something like that with his sister-in-law?

Just then, a cold voice cut through the air.

"What are you two doing?"

Edward turned to see his wife, Winona Spencer, standing at the door with a frosty expression. Winona's skin was as fair as snow, her features delicate, and her curvaceous figure looked even more alluring in her fitted professional suit.

Panicked, Edward quickly pulled his hands back and hurriedly explained, "Honey, let me explain! I was treating Kayla. Her old ailment flared up again."

Kayla's face also showed a look of urgency as she quickly spoke up. "Don't misunderstand, Winona. There's nothing going on between me and Edward. He was just treating me earlier."

Winona was aware of her sister's strange illness and knew Edward could ease her pain, so she didn't doubt their words. Still, she couldn't suppress a cold sniff, her sharp gaze turning to Edward as she said, "Edward, come with me."

With a forced smile, Edward followed Winona out of the room.

She led him to the living room, where a graceful woman waited. It was Winona's secretary, Stephanie York.

"Sign these divorce papers," Winona said as she flopped down onto the sofa, her arms crossed over her chest, lost in thought.

Stephanie tossed the papers into Edward's hands, her eyes gleaming with derision as she sneered at him.

Edward blinked in surprise at the mention of a divorce, his gaze falling to the papers in his hands.

"Honey, I swear, there's nothing between me and Kayla. We're innocent," Edward's voice edged with desperation as he tried to explain to Winona.

He figured Winona must have misunderstood, which was why she was suddenly bringing up divorce.

Stephanie's glare hardened at Edward's words. She pointed a finger at him, fury in her eyes as she spat, "Edward Channing, you really are a piece of work. I never thought a useless man like you would dare touch Ms. Spencer's sister. You're nothing but a beast!"

Edward's face darkened at the insult, his eyes narrowing as he glared back at Stephanie. "Who are you calling a beast? Put your hand down, or I'll break your fingers!"

Edward's words sent a chill down Stephanie's spine. She shivered involuntarily, the fear creeping up her back as she lowered her hand. However, her eyes still remained cold and dismissive.

Winona had been silent until now. She coldly said, "Edward, we're no longer in the same world. Let's just part ways peacefully.

"Don't worry, I won't leave you empty-handed. After you sign, I'll give you ten million dollars as compensation. That should be enough for you to live comfortably in Havaria."

Her cold eyes looked at Edward as if she were discussing something that had nothing to do with her.

Edward froze at her words, then realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

This divorce wasn't about what had happened with Kayla. The divorce papers had been prepared long before that.

A wry smile tugged at the corner of Edward's lips, his self-mockery clear.

He never expected that after marrying into the Spencer family for three years and tirelessly working behind the scenes to help Winona, he would end up this way. Thanks to his efforts, Spencer Group, which Winona managed, had flourished—transforming from a small company on the brink of bankruptcy three years ago into a giant in Havaria's business world.

Seeing that Edward had remained silent, Stephanie assumed it was because he was unhappy with the ten million compensation.

With a mocking tone, she said, "Edward, you shouldn't push your luck. Ms. Spencer has been more than generous in offering you ten million."

Although Stephanie was dressed in a professional suit, her long legs beneath the black pencil skirt wrapped in sheer black stockings were undeniably alluring. However, Edward's gaze toward her was nothing but cold.

"When did my relationship with Winona become your business?" he retorted.

Stephanie's anger flared even more at his words, her voice rising. "Edward, wake up! A useless man like you doesn't deserve to be with Ms. Spencer!"

She sneered. "I'm not afraid to tell you—we're about to secure a ten-billion-dollar contract with Draken Group. Once that happens, Ms. Spencer will become a billionaire CEO in Havaria.

"And you, Edward, will just be a worthless man who only knows how to cook and clean. Being with you will only embarrass Ms. Spencer and slow down her success. Do you get it now?"

Edward laughed coldly before turning his gaze toward Winona.

"Winona, is this what you really think? Do you also believe I'm not good enough for you?"

Winona met his gaze, knowing what she was about to do would be cruel. Back when she had taken over the struggling Spencer Group, it was Edward who had taken care of her every need, allowing her to focus on the company's future.

Leaving Edward now felt unfair to him.

But when she thought of the ten-billion-dollar deal with Draken Group, her eyes hardened with resolve.

The divorce had to happen today. Not even God himself could stop it!

"Yes, that's exactly what I think," she said, her voice firm.

"I'm about to become a billionaire CEO. What I need is a man who can stand by me and face challenges together, not one who can only wash clothes and cook. Do you understand?"

Winona fixed her cold gaze on Edward. Though she knew how much he had sacrificed for her over the past three years, none of that mattered now.

What Winona needed wasn't a husband who played the role of a caretaker—she needed a man who could help her thrive in the business world.

"Edward, I know what you've done for me all these years. Take this ten million dollars as compensation for your efforts."

As Winona spoke, she placed a bank card on the table.

Her words crushed the last shred of hope Edward had for their marriage.

He hadn't imagined that, in her eyes, his three years of dedication had simply been a transaction.

Did she think he was so desperate for a mere ten million dollars?

If he wanted, he could have millions, maybe even billions, just by speaking a few words—his influence alone could summon wealth from the most powerful figures.

Even the ten-billion-dollar contract with Draken Group? That was nothing for him to secure.

The irony was that Winona was divorcing him over this ten-billion-dollar deal.

It was utterly laughable.

Seeing Edward's silence, Winona furrowed her brows. "You think ten million dollars is too little? If you need more, just say so, and I'll see what I can do."

Stephanie sneered from beside her. "Ms. Spencer, you've been far too generous. Giving him ten million dollars is already a lot. If he's not happy, I'll have the legal department handle it—make sure he leaves with nothing."

With a cold, threatening look, Stephanie turned her gaze to Edward.

Edward ignored Stephanie, picking up the pen from the table and preparing to sign.

"Edward, you can't sign it!"

Just then, Kayla rushed forward in a panic, causing Edward to drop the pen. "Winona, you've definitely misunderstood. I swear, there's nothing between me and Edward!"

Kayla thought Winona must have misinterpreted the situation in the room earlier and was divorcing Edward because of it. So, she quickly stepped in to stop the divorce.

Edward sighed. "Kayla, you don't have to say anything. If she wants the divorce, I'll grant her wish."

He reached for the pen again, but Kayla grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

"Edward, this has to be a misunderstanding. I've seen how much you've sacrificed for my sister all these years. There's no way she'd just let you go like this."

Kayla's gaze shifted to Winona. "Winona, don't you realize how much Edward has done for you these past three years? Every day when you came home, he had dinner ready for you. And how many times has he carried you to the hospital in the middle of the night when you were sick and—"

"Enough!!"

Winona's voice was sharp, cutting Kayla off mid-sentence.

"All that doesn't matter now. This divorce has to happen today!"

Kayla's eyes filled with disappointment as she looked at Winona. She couldn't understand how things had gotten to this point.

"Kayla, you don't need to say anything. I've made up my mind," Edward said, offering a brief bit of comfort before signing the divorce papers.

Kayla tried to stop him, but it was already too late.

Once Edward finished signing, Stephanie snatched the papers from him. She checked them over, then gave Winona a quick nod after confirming there weren't any problems.

Winona stood up, picking up the bank card from the table and handing it to Edward. "This ten million dollars is yours. And the house too. If you want to stay, you can."

Smack!

Edward raised his hand and sent the card flying out of Winona's grip. His voice was cold as he spoke. "I don't need your money.

"But you're right about one thing—we're not from the same world. The only difference is, I'm the one you'll never reach, the one you'll always look up to.

"Don't worry. I'll pack my things and leave. I don't need a single thing from you, Winona Spencer."

Winona froze, surprised. She hadn't expected him to be so dignified, to turn down the money with such resolve.

Stephanie walked over, scooping up the card from the corner with a sneer. "Edward, you were lucky that Ms. Spencer even offered you ten million dollars. Since you want to act like a big shot, though, it's not for you anymore."

Edward sneered. "It's just ten million dollars. If I wanted it, I could get that much in a heartbeat."

Stephanie laughed loudly, his eyes full of scorn. "You really think you're that impressive, huh? If you're so good at making money, I'll personally lick your shoes!"

As Stephanie spoke, Edward's phone in his pocket rang loudly.

"You've received a transfer of 10 million dollars."