Amybeth’s POV
After nearly half a month recovering in the hospital, I was finally well enough to be discharged.
Instead of returning to the villa, I rented a place on my own.
During those two weeks, Bolton never once reached out to me.
Instead, it was Shannon who kept messaging me.
She sent photos of him taking her to watch sunsets, going to the beach, kissing under the Eiffel Tower, and holding hands under the Matterhorn.
While I lay in a hospital bed, they spent those two weeks living their happiest lives.
Every day, right on schedule, Shannon would send me photos of them in bed.
She thought those filthy things would hurt me, that they would break me.
But she was wrong. I’m no longer the woman who clung to loving Bolton.
Very soon, they’ll pay for everything they’ve done!
With practiced ease, I saved every single photo. All of them would become bullets for my revenge.
I thought I would keep living quietly like this until the divorce papers were finalized and I could leave.
But at sunset that day, a group of bodyguards suddenly appeared in front of me.
My phone chimed. It was a message from Bolton.
[Amybeth, you’ve been gone for half a month. Enough with the drama. Come to the Shadowstone Auctions now. I’ve already sent my men to pick you up.]
My brows tightened. Before I could respond, the bodyguards grabbed my arm.
“Ma’am, apologies. We’re just following Sir Bolton’s orders. Please cooperate.”
I struggled, but in the next instant, everything went black.
When I opened my eyes again, I was already inside the auction house.
Shannon sat right in front of me, practically merging with Bolton’s shadow as they leaned close together.
The second she saw me wake, her lips curved into an unreadable smile.
“Amybeth, you’re finally awake. I was worried you’d miss the most important moment.”
I furrowed my brows tightly; my heart suddenly skipped a beat.
The next second, the host slammed the auction gavel.
“Next—our main event! The fragrance formulas of the world-famous perfumer Queen! Ten in total, all top-secret. Starting bid: one million each!”
My breath caught. I snapped my gaze to Shannon.
“You really put my formulas up for auction?!”
Those ten formulas were locked in my fragrance studio at home. Clearly, she’d found them and didn’t hesitate for a second before selling them.
Shannon covered her mouth and laughed.
“Amybeth, what nonsense are you spouting? These are my formulas. After all, I’m Queen.”
My eyes widened in rage.
Beside her, Bolton looked at me with nothing but annoyance.
I didn’t even have time to argue. I raised my paddle, ready to buy my own formulas back.
Every sheet was something I poured my heart and soul into. Even if I can create more and better ones in the future, these are irreplaceable.
“Infinite bidding! Box 888 has chosen infinite bidding!” the host shouted excitedly.
I didn’t have the patience to fight for each formula one by one, so I simply chose infinite bidding for all of them.
Shannon let out a sharp laugh.
“Really, Amybeth, infinite bidding? Do you even have that much money? They’ll need to verify your funds soon. Don’t embarrass the Belangers…” she said meaningfully.
I snorted.
“I have enough money to buy this entire auction house. Unlike someone who calls herself ‘Queen’ but probably can’t even afford one million without someone else footing the bill.”
My sarcasm instantly ignited her fury.
She turned to Bolton, clinging to his sleeve.
“Bolton, I only brought out my formulas so more people could appreciate their beauty. And I wanted all the auction proceeds donated to charity. But if Amybeth interferes… doesn’t that ruin everything?”
She even shook his arm, nudging him.
Bolton’s gaze softened. He nodded at her dotingly.
The next second, an alarm beeped on the verification machine in front of me.
“Ma’am,” an auction staff member said stiffly, “the bank card you presented has been frozen. Do you have another one?”
My stomach dropped.
He actually went this far… for her?!
I quickly pulled out another card. Also frozen. Every card I tried—frozen.
The staff’s expression darkened. Shannon burst into wild laughter behind me.
“Amybeth, what’s wrong? Looks like you really need our help. Hmm… this auction house could use some entertainment. How about this? If you take off one piece of clothing, I’ll give you a million. You should have enough money before you’re fully naked.”
Her voice dripped with mockery.
Beside her, Bolton calmly peeled apples for her, completely unbothered.
My entire body shook with rage. The stares around me were sharp as blades.
The staff noticed Bolton’s silence, and the way they treated me immediately changed.
In an instant, several people surrounded me. Hands grabbed at me from every direction.
“Ma’am, since you chose infinite bidding, you must pay somehow. Why not follow Miss Shannon’s suggestion?”
They yanked, and my coat was ripped away, leaving me in only a strapless dress.
I stared, stunned, struggling with all my strength, but they held me down.
Just when I reached the edge of despair, the door to the VIP box was kicked open.
Masked kidnappers stormed in openly.
The staff scowled until they saw the guns. They immediately dropped to the ground.
Soon, everyone was dragged into the main hall.
Even Bolton, who normally kept himself calm, lost his composure.
The leader—a tall man with his face covered—let out a manic laugh, then spoke coldly.
“I hear tonight is lively, full of wealthy people. So here’s the deal. Each of you will transfer fifty million. Then I’ll randomly pick a few people and strap bombs on them. If you don’t pay, you die. If you do pay… well, pray you’re lucky.”
Chaos broke out as the kidnappers moved quickly.
Bolton clenched his jaw and wanted to fight, but there were too many kidnappers and guns.
In the end, he paid the fifty million.
He also paid Shannon’s.
I was at the back of the line. Just as Shannon let out a breath, thinking she was safe, a kidnapper grabbed her arm.
“Your body’s perfect for carrying a bomb. Stay.”
With one sentence, Shannon went pale. She grabbed Bolton desperately, her eyes pleading.
“Bolton, save me! I’m carrying your baby…”
He frowned hard, about to negotiate when Shannon’s gaze darted to me.
“Bolton! Use Amybeth instead! She’s got a tough life. She won’t die!”
Her face was full of excitement, as if wanting to push me to the kidnappers immediately.
Bolton said calmly, “I’ll pay another fifty million to save her.”
My heart jumped, then died entirely.
Because he wasn’t pointing at me. He was pointing at Shannon.
The kidnapper looked me up and down and grinned wickedly.
“Well, Ma’am, blame your bad luck. Someone else has money to save his wife. If only your husband did too... But hey, strapping a bomb on an eight-month-pregnant woman? I’ve never seen that before!”
His inhuman laughter filled the hall.
My hands and feet were tied, and despair swallowed me whole.
As I passed Bolton, he didn’t look at me once. He just held Shannon tightly.
I let out a cold laugh.
Behind me, his voice sounded.
“Amybeth, wait. I’ll come back for you.”
He didn’t wait for my response. He carried the unharmed Shannon out without looking back.
Even at the end, he still chose her.
My chest tore open in pain, but my face remained blank.
I would never let Shannon take pleasure in my suffering again!
After everyone who paid left the auction house, I was tied alone in a corner, surrounded by explosives.
A few minutes later, an explosion ripped the entire building apart.
Even though I’d tried to get as far from the bombs as possible, the shockwave still blew me off my feet.
My lungs screamed for air. I tried to move, but debris pinned my legs. I couldn’t breathe.
Blood seeped from my body quickly. Just before I lost consciousness, I saw several tall figures striding toward me through the ruins.
“Amybeth! It’s me! I’m here! The revenge plan you wanted has been launched! Hold on!” Gibeon's voice echoed in my ears.
The next second, the world completely fell into darkness.
