When Ariadnie woke up, she found herself in her bedroom. Her whole body was burning up, and a sharp cramp twisted through her lower abdomen.
Just as she tried to sit up, Reagan pushed the door open.
Holding a bowl of soup, Reagan smiled triumphantly. “You splashed a pitcher of water on me, so Rasper punished you by dumping ninety-nine buckets of ice water on you. Girl, you’re really pitiful.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she set the bowl down, her tone dripping with contempt.
“I made this soup just for you. Drink some to nourish yourself. Even if you don’t drink it, that bastard in your stomach still needs it.
“I’ve known all along about everything Rasper has been doing for me. I’ve just been sitting back and watching the show. So? Did his brother sleep with you well?”
She scooped up a spoonful of yam and brought it to Ariadnie’s lips.
“He said you’re wild in bed, willing to do anything, in any position—”
Before she could finish, Ariadnie’s gaze turned cold. She raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face.
Then, without hesitation, she dumped the hot soup all over her. “Bitch! You know I’m allergic to dairy and still did this to disgust me! Are you brain-damaged?”
“I know—you’re about to marry into the Paytons with that bastard. Everyone knows that playboy is a madman.”
Her smile turned sweet and vicious. “Rasper said he wants that kid in your stomach gone. I told him no. I want to watch you and Reid tear each other apart like dogs.”
“Your mom couldn’t beat my mom,” she added. “Your sister couldn’t beat me. And even you—you’re nothing but useless trash.”
Just as Ariadnie lifted her hand, Reagan slapped herself several times, then dropped to her knees, crying pitifully.
“It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have appeared in front of you…”
The next second, Rasper rushed into the room after hearing the commotion.
His face darkened with anger as he helped Ariadnie up. His eyes were sharp as knives. “Ariadnie! Don’t go too far!”
“If you still won’t learn your lesson,” he warned, “you’re staying locked in this room. You’re not allowed out until you apologize!”
Ariadnie didn’t speak. She just stared at Reagan, who was curled up in Rasper’s arms with a faint, satisfied smirk.
As the door locked behind her, her eyes turned empty.
This was the man she had loved for three years. How laughable.
She always thought that when the heartache reached the point of spasms, she would break down crying.
But only now did she understand—when your heart is truly dead, you can’t shed a single tear.
She knew today was the day Rasper planned to humiliate her in front of everyone and the day he meant to confess to Reagan.
The entire villa was empty except for her.
She grabbed an ashtray and smashed the window to pieces. Then she poured strong liquor into every corner of the room, lit a cigarette, and tossed it inside.
By the time she climbed out, flames had started spreading.
Her heart was completely calm.
“Rasper, this is my first gift to you,” she muttered.
Just then, Reid sent a message. [Tonight is our wedding banquet. I’m coming to pick you up.]
Right after that came Rasper’s message.
[Today is your birthday. Reagan has forgiven you. I’ll pick you up tonight.]
Ariadnie let out a cold laugh. Afraid the show won’t run without its main character present?
She wondered what expressions Rasper and Redmond would make once they saw the surprise she prepared for them.
They wouldn’t know she’d already secretly replaced the video in their shared cloud folder.
She blocked all of Rasper’s contact methods, then replied to Reid.
[I’ll be waiting at the hospital with my sister.]
She got up, packed her things, and drove to the hospital.
Just as she arrived and was about to undergo the abortion, the lights flickered. A chilling sense of dread rose inside her.
Her eyelid twitched violently. She took a step toward the operating room, only to be stopped by her sister’s attending physician.
“Ma’am, your sister… Something’s happened!”
Ariadnie rushed to the ward. The doctor said her sister needed to be transferred immediately.
Ignoring the heavy pain in her lower abdomen, she followed her sister into the ambulance.
But halfway there, the entire road ahead was blocked. The ambulance couldn’t pass.
The driver got out to check, then returned. “Ma’am, the people blocking the road said Sir Rasper ordered it closed for some kind of confession ceremony. They won’t let us through…”
Panic clawed at her. A warm liquid suddenly trickled down her thigh, blood dripping onto the floor.
Her face turned ashen, but she didn’t spare a second for herself. She ran to the guards blocking the way.
“I’m Rasper’s girlfriend. Please. Please let us through.”
The guard looked her up and down, scoffing. “You? Sir Rasper’s girlfriend is right inside. Who do you think you are?”
A stabbing pain shot through her abdomen, and she collapsed to her knees with a heavy thud.
“I’m telling the truth… My sister—she’s dying. Please…”
Seeing her like that, the guard grew uneasy and grabbed his walkie-talkie, only to be cursed out on the other end.
“Everyone knows Sir Rasper’s girlfriend is Ma’am Reagan. Get rid of that woman already!”
Dizzy and fading, Ariadnie heard the driver’s panicked shout, “Ma’am! Your sister! S-She doesn’t look good.”
Her entire body turned cold. She crawled desperately to her sister.
“Amina… don’t… don’t leave me…” she sobbed. “It’s all my fault. I was blind. I loved the wrong guy!”
Her vision blurred as fireworks crackled in the distance and voices carried through the night.
“Wow, Sir Rasper is so romantic. He must really love Ma’am Reagan.”
“What about her eldest sister?”
“She has a terrible temper and acts wildly. Who cares if she lives or dies?”
Ariadnie scraped her fingers against the pavement. All hope drained out of her as darkness swallowed her consciousness.
When she woke again, she was in the hospital.
Her phone showed over a hundred missed calls. She shared her location with Reid.
Half an hour later, she stepped outside and saw a black Rolls-Royce pull up.
She got in. Her phone buzzed. It was the lawyer’s message.
[Ma’am, the five buildings have been successfully transferred to your name.]
She looked at Reid beside her, her voice cold.
“The plan can begin.”
