Chapter 4

I stayed by Stella's bedside for an entire day and night.

When she woke, she saw me and recoiled into the blankets like a frightened animal, trembling violently.

"Jade… Jade, I'm scared…" she cried heartbrokenly, her eyes hollow and terrifying.

I held her tight, my heart twisting in agony.

The police came to take her statement, confirming my suspicions.

It was Frank.

To pay off his gambling debts, he had actually brought the debt collectors to the school gates and dragged Stella into a van.

If not for a kind passerby who called the police, Stella might not have been alive right now.

"Where is Frank?" I gritted my teeth, asking the police.

"He ran off. We're actively pursuing him," the police sighed. "Ms. Jade, your father owes three million to an underground casino. Those people are desperate. You and your sister should be extra careful recently."

Three million.

I closed my eyes in despair.

Where was I going to get three million?

In the past five years, I had only earned a fixed salary at Ethan's company, most of which went into Frank's bottomless pit of debt.

Ethan, though wealthy, never gave anything for free; he demanded my unconditional obedience and flattery.

Now, he was busy getting engaged to Chloe. How could he care about my survival?

Besides, I no longer wanted to ask him for anything.

I was too tired.

After settling Stella, I walked out of the ward, leaning against the cold hallway wall, and pulled out my phone.

In my contacts, I couldn't find a single person I could borrow money from.

These past few years, confined by Ethan, I had cut off almost all social connections.

Just as I felt I had nowhere left to turn, a news notification popped up.

[New York's Julian family is offering a massive reward for a bride! Rumors say that Julian, the family's young master, suffers from a hidden illness, is crippled, and has a violent temper. Multiple former fiancées have been driven to madness by his torment. The Julian family is now offering an astronomical ten billion in wedding money, seeking a lucky bride whose presence would bring him healing!]

Julian.

A man who held immense power in New York.

I heard he was a madman, a devil. No woman who fell into his hands ever emerged whole.

But that was ten billion.

With that money, I could completely escape Frank, take Stella out of Los Angeles, and start over somewhere no one knew us.

As for whether Julian was crippled or a devil, I didn't care.

I was already in hell; what difference would another hell make?

Without hesitation, I dialed the contact number listed below the news article.

"Hello, my name is Jade. My birth chart indicates…"

The Julian family moved quickly.

Less than two hours later, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up to the hospital entrance.

A middle-aged man in a tuxedo, looking like a butler, approached me, his demeanor respectful yet distant.

"Ms. Jade, you and Mr. Julian are a perfect match. As soon as you sign this prenuptial agreement, the ten billion in wedding money will be immediately transferred to your account. Furthermore, the Julian family will handle all your troubles, including your father's gambling debts and your sister's safety."

He handed me a thick document.

I didn't even look at it, flipping directly to the last page and signing my name.

"Okay, I'll marry him."

A flicker of surprise crossed the butler's eyes; he hadn't expected me to agree so readily.

"Ms. Jade is a decisive woman," the butler said, collecting the agreement. "The Julian family still has affairs to settle in Los Angeles for a few days. In three days, I will send someone to pick you up for New York. During these three days, you may attend to your private matters."

"Ding." My phone chimed with a text message notification.

Ten billion, transferred.

Looking at that long string of zeros, I suddenly felt incredibly ironic.

I had sold myself for five years, gaining nothing but scars.

Now, I sold myself to a crippled madman and instantly owned the world.

I immediately contacted the best security company to provide Stella with twenty-four-hour protection.

Then, I returned to my rental apartment and began to sketch, polish, and set jewelry day and night.

Ethan's engagement rings, I had to finish them before I left.

This was what I owed him; once I paid it back, I could leave cleanly.

After two consecutive sleepless nights, my eyes were bloodshot, and my fingers were covered in cuts from the engraving tools.

Blood seeped into the pink diamond ring setting, but I didn't even flinch, just wiped it away expressionlessly and continued working.

On the evening of the third day, a pair of exquisitely luxurious pink diamond rings were finally completed.

I placed them into a beautiful velvet box.

Then, from the deepest part under my bed, I pulled out a dusty metal box.

Opening it, a black card lay inside.

Five years ago, Ethan had casually tossed it to me when he first took me to his house.

"Take this. It's my black card, unlimited credit. If you're with me, don't embarrass me."

In these five years, I had never once used it.

I placed it with the rings, packed everything up, and dialed Mark, Ethan's assistant.

"Mark, the rings are done. Please come pick them up."

Half an hour later, Mark's car pulled up downstairs.

He looked at my pale, haggard face, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"Ms. Jade, why bother so much?" Mark said, taking the box with a sarcastic tone. "Mr. Ethan's completely focused on Chloe now. Even if you work yourself to death, he won't notice. Take my advice, just humble yourself, admit your mistake. If Mr. Ethan softens, he might even keep you around as a lover."

"You misunderstand," I said, looking at him plainly. "My task is complete once I hand this to you. Also, there's something else in the box. Please make sure to deliver it to Mr. Ethan personally."

Mark scoffed. "Another love token? Jade, Mr. Ethan is tired of your manipulation tactics."

I ignored his mockery and turned to leave.

"Jade!" Mark called out behind me. "Tomorrow night is Mr. Ethan and Ms. Chloe's engagement party. Mr. Ethan said you must attend. He wants you to see him put the ring on Ms. Chloe's finger with your own eyes!"

My steps paused for a moment, and a mocking smile touched my lips.

"Alright," I said without looking back. "I hope they're utterly miserable and their line end."