Ever since he had laid eyes on her, on that fateful day many years ago, Simon's heart throbbed for only one person, Vana. She was the gem of the family; the apple of their eye. When she turned eighteen, however, her life took an unexpected turn for the worse. Before she knew it, she was being smuggled to a foreign land. After four years of fending for herself, she finally found the chance to return home, only to be exposed to a series of humiliating scandals. Just when everything seemed to be going wrong, Simon reappeared in her life, like a knight in shining armor, to save her from a life of misery.
The scorching sun evaporated the water on the ground. The entire land was like a steamer, burning everyone in sight. People yelled out in pain and frustration as they walked across the pavements.
At the back door of the Hilton Hotel was the famous JS Park in H Country. Their colorful pavilions, their intricate sand plates, and their beautiful carvings imitated the Ancient Greeks. It was one of the most magnificent parks in H Country.
Impatiently, Vana Gu leaned against the water dispenser. As her thought flashed back to what had happened at the banquet, she frowned in annoyance.
"As long as Dad and Mom get better, you can come back, sister. If you feel uncomfortable, I- I can go."
Vana Gu sneered. "Oh? Will you leave the Gu Family? Do you have any other relatives to rely on?"
Emily Gu didn't expect that Vana Gu didn't ask her to stay. It seemed that the woman in front of her had grown out of her gullible phase.
"I don't have any other relatives, but for your sake, I'm willing to leave my hometown and go anywhere, even to the countryside."
Vana Gu was tempted to tear the woman's face apart. Anger began building up in her chest when the pictures of that incident happening at the banquet appeared in her mind.
A dirty old man approaching her, his fingers running down her skin, and his putrid scent invading her nostrils... Just the thought of it made her want to scream.
Vana Gu clenched her fists.
Everything that had happened four years ago was still vivid in her mind. She knew for a fact that all of these had something to do with Emily Gu, but she didn't know how her adopted sister could calculate all of these incidents so perfectly that nothing could be traced back to her. If it wasn't for that kidnap, Vana Gu wouldn't have been thrown abroad. A part of her had doubts, so the moment she returned, Vana Gu quickly confronted Emily Gu about the incident.
"Nice try, Emily. Do you think I will buy it? Tell me, where did you find the man? With so many women around that party, why did he only approach me?"
Vana Gu narrowed her eyes. Astonishment was painted all over Emily Gu's face. If Vana Gu didn't know her any better, she would've thought that Emily had nothing to do with this.
After all, she looked so innocent.
"Sister, how could you say that I was responsible for that? I don't even know where he came from."
"Bullshit." Vana scoffed. "You didn't bring him in then, so you accidentally clicked on the web page when you showed me a picture using your mobile phone. The web page was about sex slaves, and now, you've stirred the matter into saying how I've worked as a sex slave for the last four years. Is that what you want to see, sister? Do you want me to be humiliated so bad that you could take over my place?"
"What are you talking about?"
Vana just couldn't take it anymore. Without another thought, she raised her hand and slapped Emily on the face. The sound echoed across the park.
"Vana!"
someone called. Vana blinked back, staring at Emily's reddening cheek. Emily leaned against the stone pillar, whimpering like a lost puppy.
Billy He got close to the two sisters. He shoved Vana away and held Emily in his arms. "Didn't you know how she knelt outside Uncle's study for a whole day just so that you could return? She even got sick for you! And you slapped her to thank her for it?" His eyes flashed in anger.
Vana laughed at his words, snorting. Did he really know what Emily was capable of?
Emily didn't want her to go back to the Gu Family at all. Instead of drawing her away directly, Emily wanted to act like a damsel in distress who had been hurt by her own sister. This way, everyone would be able to see how 'crazy' Vana had become.
"Turns on Vana's been a sex slave for four years!" "You remember the naked woman in the glass tank right?
The one in Africa. They said that it was Vana!" "The robbers sent the Gu Family photos of their daughter
in rather obscene positions. How despicable!" "It was said that the second daughter was kidnapped by overseas gangsters.
She'd suffered so much, and now she's mentally unstable. It said that one mistake would send her crazy! The poor lady!"
"The Gu Family is ultimately disgraceful! Their daughter is just immoral!"
The shocking scandal broke out. Carl Gu and Cathy Xu were so angry that they had to be sent to the hospital due to their palpitations. Vana wanted to go to the hospital and take care of her parents but Emily stopped her.
She asked Vana 'kindly' to not show up first till they got better.
Vana turned to Billy only for him to condemn her the minute he saw her. His face was filled with disgust and hatred.
"Billy, it's not her fault. In fact, it's mine. I was worried that my parents would be emotional if they see her, so I told her that she shouldn't see them for the time being... I–I promise to let her see them once they get better... I'll even leave my hometown for her! But...she still doesn't want to let it go." Emily lowered her voice to a whisper. Her hands were trembling. Vana sneered. She'd give her the Golden Globes Award for being the best actress, that was for sure.
"Emily, don't say that. You've already done so much for her. If someone deserves to leave this place, it's her."
Vana sneered, finally looking up at him. He was the man who claimed to have known her so well four years ago. Why didn't he believe her now?
Vana clenched her fists as Billy He held Emily steady. The coldness in his eyes was like a prick to her heart.
"Vana, considering the kindness you've shown when you saved me from those kidnappers, I know that what happened to you also has something to do with me. But today you've shown me that you're no longer who you used to be. The Vana I knew wouldn't act like this. In fact, she would've been...she wouldn't be like this! You're not my friend...not anymore. I advise that you don't go home for now."
Without giving her a chance to reply, Billy He left with Emily by his side.
What Vana couldn't understand was how Billy He concluded their friendship for seventeen years for someone who he had only gotten to know for four years! He just told her that she shouldn't come home...
But if she didn't...then where will she go?
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.Â
For two years, Ashton had poured his heart into his marriage, yet Emalee's heart remained cold. Despite his dedication, Emalee presented him with divorce papers. She bluntly stated she could not remain married to a man whose net worth was less than a million dollars. Ashton signed the papers, closing one chapter of his life and stepping into a new beginning. Then, Ashton revealed his secret identities: a music mogul, a medical expert, and a martial arts master—each persona impressive enough to stun the world. As Ashton’s true capabilities came to light, Emalee was overwhelmed with deep regret.
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"