Chapter 3

I had done Alexander Thorne’s mother a great kindness.

Back then, before Alexander and I were married, his mother felt deeply indebted to me.

So she had Alexander sign an agreement with me.

If Alexander ever wronged me, I could unilaterally divorce him and claim all assets under his name.

Alexander didn’t think I was cheap and unworthy of his money?

Fine, if he wanted to play dirty, then so would I!

Once the agreement automatically took effect, I would still get the money for my mother’s surgery!

A huge weight lifted from my shoulders. The entire next day, I was busy taking care of my mother and daughter.

Alexander hadn’t sent a single message asking how we were.

I saw on Serena’s Ins that Alexander had bought her another luxury car.

He also bought her all the latest designer bags for the season.

Each one was worth over $90,000.

Alexander seemed to be trying to declare war on me this way.

But I just smiled and even liked the post.

That evening, Alexander returned home, his face dark.

“Elara, are you trying to spite me?”

“Serena and I are purely platonic. Your status as Mrs. Thorne won’t be shaken. Why do you always have to go after her and her son?”

He had a four-year-old son, and he still dared to talk about being “platonic.”

I sneered, and we argued for a few more minutes.

“Tomorrow night is Serena’s birthday. You *must* come and apologize to her in person.”

Finally, Alexander left those words and walked away.

To avoid any trouble, the next day, I arrived on time.

The moment I pushed open the villa doors, I was almost blinded by the golden extravagance everywhere.

Serena stood in the center of the crowd, adored like a star, seated on a gleaming golden throne.

A carpet woven from 999 golden roses spread at her feet.

Alexander Thorne’s friends were all lavishing her with compliments. The moment I appeared, the atmosphere instantly froze.

Alexander’s face was cold, and his eyes signaled for me to apologize.

But I didn’t even bother to lift an eyelid, walking straight to a corner seat.

Alexander’s face darkened, and he was about to say something, but Serena spoke first.

“Mr. Thorne, it’s alright. It was just kids playing rough. If Elara doesn’t want to, then don’t force her.”

“Serena, you’re always so understanding.”

Alexander sighed, his voice filled with concern.

Even though I had long been utterly disappointed in him, a wave of icy despair washed over me.

When Alexander was just starting his business, money was tight. I never spent an extra dime.

My clothes were faded from countless washes, and I reheated meals three times over.

But all I got in return was him calling me “obsessed with money.”

The party continued as usual.

When it was time for the birthday tribute video, the lights suddenly dimmed.

Then, the big screen lit up, and the painful moans of a woman filled the air!

The next second, the video of *me* being humiliated was broadcast for everyone to see!

“Holy hell, is that *her*?”

“My god, Thorne is going to be utterly disgraced by her this time!”

My face instantly went white.

Fear surged like a tide, threatening to drown me!

Alexander instinctively stood up, ordering someone to cut the video.

He chided the guests’ whispering, but countless strange looks still fell upon me.

My body trembled. I suddenly realized something and met Serena’s gaze.

Sure enough, I saw a flicker of triumph in her eyes!

It was her!

“Serena!”

Rage flared, and I slapped her hard.

“Ah! Mrs. Thorne, why did you hit me?”

The next second, I was violently shoved, crashing to the ground.

The champagne tower shattered, sending shards of glass cutting into my skin.

Alexander looked at my disheveled state, frowning in disgust.

“Elara, this is *your* own mistake; what does it have to do with Serena!”

“Because of you, I’ve been constantly criticized for years. What more do you want?”

Back then, I was clearly dragged into it because of Alexander.

At that time, he was heartbroken, but now, he was saying it was my own mistake!

My heart felt ripped apart, and tears streamed from my eyes.

“Alexander, how can you blame me? Back then, it was clearly—”

I hadn’t finished speaking when my phone rang frantically.

“Ms. Lin, it’s bad! Your mother’s condition has suddenly worsened rapidly; she needs surgery immediately!”

I froze, my face instantly pale as paper.

How could it happen so fast? The doctor had said there was still time…

Thinking of my mother’s frail body, I ignored my pain and dignity, scrambling to Alexander’s feet.

Crying out, I said,

“Alexander, my mother really is sick, and she needs surgery now!”

“Please, I’m begging you, lend me ninety thousand dollars!”

Alexander Thorne frowned, staring intently at me.

But the next second, a look of disappointment crossed his eyes, and he pushed me away.

“Elara, at a time like this, you’re still lying just for money!”

“You ruined Serena’s birthday party. If you can’t get her forgiveness, I won’t give you a single dime!”

I stared, wide-eyed in disbelief, trying to show Alexander Thorne the call log and my mother’s medical records.

But he turned his head away in disgust.

Finally, resigned, I apologized to Serena.

But she slowly, deliberately, said,

“It’s not that I want to make things difficult for you, but you hit me without any reason. If you want my forgiveness…”

“How about you let me slap you one hundred times?”