Chapter 4

Lily's POV

The necklace struck Payton's chest, then fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

Payton looked down at the necklace on the ground, then at the blood seeping from my neck, an extremely complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

He instinctively reached out, wanting to touch my wound. "Lily, you're insane..."

I violently slapped his hand away, my gaze cold as ice. "Payton, take your things and get out of my sight."

I didn't look at him again. I turned and walked into the dim stairwell. Only after closing the door did I slide powerlessly to the floor, covering my neck, letting tears flow.

That necklace wasn't just his proposal token to me. It was the only thing that could give me strength during countless high-altitude descents.

Now, even this last bit of warmth had been personally stripped away by him.

The next day, photos of Sophia wearing that "Heart of the Sun" on the red carpet dominated all entertainment news headlines. The caption read: "Limited edition blue diamond gifted to beauty, Payton heir and Sophia's relationship going strong."

I turned off my phone, forcing myself to focus on the tactical board in front of me. The World Championship was about to begin. I had no time to heal my wounds.

"Miss Lily, your shoulder..." Shay looked at my trembling hand with concern written all over her face.

"Give me a nerve block injection." I instructed the team doctor expressionlessly.

The doctor frowned tightly. "Lily, are you insane? If you get another nerve block with this injury, you might never be able to lift your arm again!"

"It's fine." I raised my head, my eyes resolute. "I must win this competition." If I won, I could completely repay my debt to the Payton family. If I won, I could completely leave Payton.

The moment the nerve block entered the joint cavity, the pain nearly made me bite through my teeth.

The World Championship was held in Switzerland. The snow winds of the Alps were bone-chillingly cold. I stood at the helicopter cabin door, looking down at the continuous snow peaks below, and took a deep breath. I leaped, like a bird, diving into the vast whiteness.

Wind roared in my ears. I endured the severe pain in my shoulder, precisely controlling my posture, completing one high-difficulty maneuver after another. Opening the chute, gliding, precision landing. When both my feet landed steadily on the bullseye, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.

I won. I'd won this gold medal with the highest value, and also completed the task Claire had assigned.

On the day I returned home, the airport was filled with my fans and media. Wearing sunglasses, I struggled to make my way out under security escort.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the crowd. "It's Mr. Payton! Mr. Payton came to pick her up!"

Payton wore a black haute couture suit, holding a large bouquet of bright red roses, striding toward me. Media camera flashes went crazy, trying to capture this touching scene.

Payton walked up to me, handed me the roses, his eyes so tender they seemed to drip water. "Darling, congratulations. I knew you could do it."

He called me "darling." He hadn't used that term in three years.

I didn't take the flowers. I just looked at him coldly. "Mr. Payton, don't put on an act here. I just finished competing. I'm very tired."

The smile on Payton's face froze. He stepped forward, trying to put his arm around my shoulder. "Stop making a scene. So many media are watching. I've already made reservations at a restaurant to celebrate for you."

I dodged his touch, my voice not loud but clear enough for the surrounding media to hear. "Mr. Payton, your fiancée Miss Sophia is still waiting for you. You've given the flowers to the wrong person."

As soon as I said this, the entire venue erupted in shock. Payton's expression instantly darkened. He said angrily, "Lily, do you have to make a scene at a time like this?"

"What did you say?" I laughed coldly. "Payton, you're using the championship I risked my life for to advertise your company, then you turn around and act affectionate toward me. Don't you find that disgusting?"

I didn't acknowledge his ugly expression again. I walked straight through the crowd and got in the car. The moment the car door closed, I saw Payton violently hurl that bouquet of roses to the ground.

When I returned to the apartment, the first thing I did was print out divorce papers. I signed my name on them, then put them in an envelope and mailed them to Payton. I wanted nothing. I only wanted freedom.