Simon Webb had been Caroline Webb's arch-nemesis for three years in her previous life.
He hailed from a prominent family, graduated from Harvard, and took the helm of Webb Enterprises before hitting the big three-oh. Highly efficient and sharp, he quickly amassed a fortune in the billions. His striking good looks turned heads among many socialites, and his tall, imposing frame made him a regular feature in fashion magazines.
Then came the car accident—everything went south, leaving him unable to find a single woman willing to marry him and chase away the bad luck.
Caroline's words were like a grenade in a crowded room.
"I've told you countless times, but your family... It's beyond me. I'm supposed to be your aunt, and yet you treat me like this? You even want to take your uncle's woman?"
The reporters, eyes glinting with anticipation, scribbled furiously. Meanwhile, Caroline kept fanning the flames, hell-bent on dragging Dennis Webb and his family down.
Dennis' mother sensed the situation getting out of hand and positioned herself protectively in front of him, smiling nervously as she said, "Everyone, this is all just a big misunderstanding! Please, hold off on your stories. My son and Caroline will work everything out. It's truly a blessing for our family that someone is willing to stand by Simon even in such difficult times."
Caroline eyed the Webb family, their faces twisted with frustration, and felt a rush of satisfaction. She glanced meaningfully at Dennis and said, "Dennis, there's no need for you to lose your cool."
"After all, once I'm part of the Webb family, we'll have plenty of time together."
You owe me, and I'll make sure to settle the score.
The fact that someone was willing to marry Simon to fend off disaster delighted Deborah Stewart tremendously, and the wedding went ahead without a hitch. It stirred up the business community in England, drawing a crowd of elites, but the groom was conspicuously absent.
Caroline calmly went through all the ceremonies and moved into the Webb family mansion that night.
Simon lay unconscious in the master bedroom, his tall frame cramped on the hospital bed, IV lines connected to his body. His pale skin stretched over well-defined muscles, making it appear as if he was merely asleep, ready to wake up at any moment.
Caroline moved closer, studying him. His features were chiseled and handsome, exuding an air of nobility.
What a waste of such a face; the doctors said he didn't have much time left. But Caroline knew that in a few months, he'd recover as if nothing had happened.
If her past life was any indication, his body would easily last a century.
With this in mind, Caroline crouched by the bed, whispering to Simon, "Mr. Webb, I can't think of a better solution, so I'm borrowing your name for now..."
"I promise not to go against you this time. Just give me a few months to deal with Dennis and Josie, and then we can part ways without jeopardizing your future."
She had witnessed Simon's capabilities before. With such an uncle on the scene, Dennis would be left with nothing, not even an inheritance.
Unfortunately, in her past life, Caroline didn't realize this. Misguided by gratitude, she married him, helped him seize the family assets, and ended up as a pawn in someone else's game.
This time, Caroline aimed to cut off Dennis' path completely!
Lost in thought, the door behind her suddenly swung open!
It was Dennis!
"Caroline, what do you mean by this? You said Simon was done for and that, with the Webb family in chaos, you'd help me seize power, give me whatever I wanted, and now you're marrying that invalid?!"
Dennis stormed over, his chest heaving with anger, "Do you plan to live as a widow all your life? Or are you just waiting for his death to claim the Webb estate? What delusion are you in?!"
A wave of contempt surged through Caroline, but she had to admit she'd been naive in her past life.
Blindly grateful, she had accepted marrying Dennis, becoming a pawn for his ambitions. But now—
Caroline snapped her arm up and slapped him hard, "Don't spout nonsense in front of my husband. I'm your elder now, show some respect."
Dennis was utterly flummoxed; he couldn't fathom how Caroline had changed so drastically.
The old Caroline had been naive and easy to manipulate; a few sweet words had always been enough. But now, she was assertive and unyielding.
Dennis approached her, issuing an ominous warning, "Have you forgotten who saved your life back then? Who your benefactor is? Can you really be so ungrateful?"
Caroline's eyes turned icy, her gaze sending chills down his spine, "Is that so? Then why don't we revisit how you supposedly saved my life?"
Panic surged through Dennis, causing him to backpedal several steps, his body trembling slightly, "Revisit what? You owe me your life, don't pretend otherwise."
How had Caroline become like this? She had been completely taken in by him, thoroughly believing his fabricated story. Had she discovered the truth? No, it couldn't be!
The next moment, he saw Simon, still lying on the bed, move a hand slightly!
Dennis' complexion turned ashen, sweat pouring down his brow, as he desperately replayed their conversation in his mind. If Simon had overheard—
"In any case, your life is mine. Take care of yourself!"
With that, Dennis scrambled out of the master bedroom.
Just as Caroline was about to speak, she felt something slide across her hand. Looking down—
It was Simon's oxygen tube.
Pulled out by Dennis during his frantic escape!
Oh no!
Without the oxygen, Simon's heart rate plummeted rapidly, sending paralyzing fear through Caroline. She frantically pressed the emergency button, urgently calling for help.
Moments later, the master bedroom was brightly lit and filled with people.
A doctor pulled Caroline aside and gave a grim prognosis, "Given his current condition, even if we manage to revive him, the chances of him waking up are quite slim—"
Caroline, her eyes red with worry, clung tightly to the doctor's coat, "Enough with the negativity. Who says he won't wake up? Do your utmost, and I promise he will. I believe in him!"
