Chapter 1
When I was eight months pregnant with my child,I received an alert notification from my husband’s car system saying that his car had exploded.When I rushed to the location to the parking lot,I was shocked to find my husband and my stepsister were having love in the car.
My stepsister,Celine Llewelyn,asked smugly with a flushed face,“James,wouldn’t Adrianne hate us to death if she knew that all ten of her miscarriages were because you gave those embryos to me for experiments?”
My husband,James Goldwyn,just smirked in response.
“She was a mother mouse that bred lab mice.Even if she knew,what could she do?Everything I have belongs to you and our child.When this baby she’s carrying also miscarries,I’ll use her infertility as a reason to throw her out!”
“Only then I can be with you forever,”he continued.
His movements grew faster as he responded.Soon enough,they both reached their climax.
Tears streamed down my face as I watched them.
This marriage had been a lie from the beginning.
Even my unborn children were nothing but guinea pigs.
It seemed that Celine believed she had taken everything from me.What she didn’t know was that my real father had returned just a week earlier.
He was the CEO of a multinational company.
I had made my decision to end this nightmare of a marriage.So,I took out my phone to call my father.
“Dad,you once asked me to come live with you.I agree now.But I have one request.Cancel your partnership with the Goldwyn Group.I want James to lose everything!”
After I ended the call,I booked a flight for one month later.Once the divorce papers were finalized,I could finally leave James.But after I really left,James appeared again before me as he begged to get back together with eyes full of regret.
——
“Miss Abernathy,your resignation papers have been sent to Mr.Goldwyn.Only after he signs them,you can leave the company.”
I just stared at the document in front of me and nodded calmly,responding,“Thank you.”
Meanwhile,the head of HR Department couldn’t help but sigh as he asked,“Miss Abernathy,aren’t you and Mr.Goldwyn married?Why make such a big scene?Should I remind Mr.Goldwyn?After all,he still cares about you.”
I gave a sneer when I heard it.
If someone had told me that before I learned the truth,I would’ve believed it.I always thought James Goldwyn was just not good with words.But his love for me was as strong as mine for him.I truly believed we loved each other deeply.
Even after ten miscarriages because of the so-called genetic problems,I never gave up trying to give him a child.James always looked at me with guilt and pain,blaming himself for everything.I thought he loved me more than his own life.
That was until I caught him with Celine Llewelyn,my stepsister,in the parking lot.
That was when I finally learned the truth.All ten of my children were taken from me by their own father because Celine needed test subjects.
They hadn’t even planned to spare the babythat I had been carrying.Together,they wanted to destroy me and take everything that was mine.
But now that I knew the truth,they were the ones who would lose everything!
With that thought,I took the resignation letter and shook my head at the head of HR.
“No need.James will find out soon.”
Holding both the resignation and divorce papers,I walked into the office.I didn’t knock the door.When I stepped inside,James and Celine were in each other’s arms.The moment I looked up,they just finished kissing.
Celine flashed me a fake smile as she said,“Adrianne,don’t misunderstand.I almost fell just now,but I was lucky that James caught me in time.”
James walked over smoothly and pulled me into his arms,telling me,“Adrianne,I missed you so much.Don’t stay away for so long next time.”
Their pretension worked perfectly.Once Celine said that,she quickly left the office.I couldn’t help but notice how faint her lipstick was.In fact,it was barely visible.Their behavior was so obvious.But it I had just been too blind to see it before.
Before reaching the door,Celine turned back with a mocking smile as she then spoke,“Oh,Adrianne,your baby’s already eight months along.Let me take over the Venus Group project you’re handling.James already agreed.I’ve spent so much time and effort on this too,after all.”
As she spoke,she licked her lips seductively.Immediately,James’body stiffened when he held me.I could feel his lust.They dared to flirt right in front of me!
I couldn’t hold it in anymore,so I quickly pushed James away.His eyes flashed with annoyance,but he then forced a smile.
“Adrianne,Celine has a point.Your body can’t handle stress right now.Besides,Celine is the famous perfumer Queen.As a perfumer yourself,you should know how talented she is.The Venus Group partnered with us because of her.”
“That’s why you need to let Celine take over the project.You’re not that gifted in perfumery anyway.It’s better for you to focus on the baby.”
A flicker of contempt appeared in his eyes.I couldn’t help but scoff in silence.It turned out that Celine dared to pretend to be me when I was the real Queen!
Back then,the Goldwyn Group would’ve gone bankrupt long ago if I hadn’t joined the Goldwyn Group and brought my own perfume formulas.I kept my identity secret because I didn’t want to pressure James.I never thought he’d believe Celine’s lies without question.
Venus Group wanted to work with me,the real Queen,not Celine.If I left,the deal would collapse.Coincidentally,the contract was due in just one month.
So,I gave a cold smile and agreed easily.
“Alright,I’ll let her take over tomorrow.”
James looked thrilled,but he then asked,“Why not today?”
I nodded indifferently.Just then,his phone rang.James frowned,but he then answered it.It was a multimedia message.A photo of Celine in revealing clothes.
He quickly locked the screen,but I had already seen it.Pretending not to notice,I handed him the resignation and divorce papers.
“What’s this?”he asked,reaching for them.
“Just some documents that need your signature,”I said calmly.
His phone rang again.He answered,lowering the volume,but Celine’s flirtatious voice still carried through.
“James,didn’t you see the pictures I sent?I’m waiting at the usual place.If you don’t come soon,someone else might take your spot.”
After hearing that,James moved fast after he heard Celine.He rushed to sign his name without even checking what the papers were.Then,he pushed me away without a second thought.My back hit the sharp edge of the desk.A pain shot through me so suddenly to my head.It caused my vision to be blur because of the pain.Yet,James didn’t even bother to look at me.
He then nervously told me,“Adrianne,the documents are signed.I have things to do.I’m leaving.”
Without further ado,James hurried out.I knew he was going to continue his affair with Celine.A few minutes later,my phone buzzed.It was a message from an unknown number,showing a picture of James lying on top of Celine.
I didn’t react.Instead,I just saved the photo.After that,I made an appointment at the hospital for an termination of pregnancy surgery.
I had conceived this child out of love for James.
But since that love was gone,I couldn’t keep the baby.As I was wheeled into the operating room,tears filled my eyes.Just then,my phone rang again.
“Adrianne,the baby you’re carrying is mine.Please don’t abort our baby!”
My eyes widened in shock.After all,I could not believe what I was hearing.
The person on the other end of the phone was not James.Rather,it was Oscar Melrose.He was my childhood sweetheart.
Before I went to Cambridge University,he left the UK.Hence,we lost contact.
Yet,how could the child in my womb be his?
Chapter 2
Even though it sounded impossible,I stopped the operation.
“Oscar,do you really know what you’re saying?”
My voice felt heavy as I asked him.
My eyes widened in shock.After all,I could not believe what I was hearing.The person on the other end of the phone was not James.Rather,it was Oscar Melrose.
Oscar had been my childhood sweetheart.Before I went to Cambridge University,he left the UK.Hence,we lost contact.
Yet,how could the child in my womb be his?Even though it sounded impossible,I stopped the operation.
“Oscar,do you really know what you’re saying?”
My voice felt heavy as I asked him.
Indeed,I had a small hope in what he just said.This was the only pregnancy I had carried to eight months.If James and the others had not caused my miscarriages,I would not have thought of ending it.But because of everything they did,I had planned to let it go.
If…if the baby was really Oscar’s…
On the other end,Oscar laughed softly.
“Adrianne,have you forgotten I came back eight months ago?You only had James in your heart,so how would you even notice me?”
“But that night,you took my virginity.Your baby is definitely mine.I already did a paternity test.If you want,I can send you the results now.”
The moment I heard his confident voice,it made me breathe out for the first time in a long while.When I finally calmed down,I realized I was crying.
Oscar continued to talk,“Adrianne,what’s on your mind?You know that I hate the idea of my woman having my child with someone else.”
Hearing that,I answered Oscar seriously over the phone,“In a month,I’ll be single.Come get me.I’m going to Spain.But I have one condition.”
“You must work with the Venus Group and launch a strike at the Goldwyn Family.I want the Goldwyn Group wiped out.I want James to be left with nothing.”
There was a short pause from Oscar’s end,but he eventually laughed before agreeing without hesitation.
After we finished planning,I dragged my tired body back to the mansion.Before I entered,I heard Celine’s high,loud groan.Her voice was full of seduction,mixed with James’low groans and echoed through the house.I clenched my teeth and stared at the sight.
The place Celine had mentioned was our home!
The bed they used was my favorite bed.
They were actually making out up there!
Chapter 3
The bedroom floor was covered with torn pieces of the wedding photos of me and James.The proof of our love had now turned into props for their affair.
Finally,Celine,who was still lost in her satisfaction,noticed my presence.
Celine looked straight at my angry face.Instead of being scared,she showed an arrogant smile.After that,she raised her voice even louder as if to challenge me on purpose.My hands curled into tight fists.I wanted to rush in.
But my divorce agreement with James had been submitted to the City Hall.
If things got out of control and he found out what happened,I was afraid I might not be able to leave so easily.Thinking of it,I turned around to go back downstairs to the entrance of the mansion.
Celine’s smug smile still appeared in my mind as I called James.The phone rang three times before he finally picked up.
I asked softly,“James,I’m back.Can you come to the door to meet me?I’m feeling a little down.”
On the other end,I heard him curse under his breath.It was then followed by Celine’s annoyed voice But in the end,he agreed.
“Okay,wait for me.I have something to tell you.”
Soon,James came hurrying down the stairs.It was obvious that he was in a rush.After all,the marks on his neck and chest hadn’t been fully covered.Not to mention,his shirt buttons were half undone.
As soon as he saw me,he said directly,“Celine isn’t feeling well.Also,she needs data for her experiment.I happen to have the same kind of perfumery you use here,so I’ll let her stay in the house for a while.”
My whole body stiffened.
When James came closer,a strong scent of Celine’s perfume hit my nose.It was so strong it almost smelled rotten.
James and Celine had been having affairs right next to me,making me their fool.But now,it became even more crazy.
Celine even wanted to live in my home!
Before I could respond,Celine appeared at the top of the stairs with red marks on her body.She was still flushed,clearly showing what she had just been doing.
She showed a smug smile as she said,“Adrianne,James is so kind to let me stay here for a while.I’ll make sure to repay him well.”
Her voice was soft and seductive when she talked,while her eyes lingering on James with obvious flirtation.I saw James’Adam apple moved hard beside me.
I coldly refused,telling her,“I refuse.My perfumery is not suitable for anyone else.If you need something,you can find another place.”
James’face darkened immediately.
Celine came down two steps,tugging gently at his sleeve.Her face was full of fake sadness.
“James,did I do something wrong?Why is Adrianne treating me like this?Maybe I should just leave.”
After that,she turned to leave.But James grabbed her hand,starring with disappointment.
“Adrianne,when did you become so selfish?Celine only wants to stay for a short while.Why can’t you agree?If you really mind it,then you can move out for now.Your due date is close anyway.I’ll arrange a hospital stay for you.”
His tone sounded calm,but the message was clear.If I refused to let Celine stay,then I should be the one to leave.And if I left,it would be easier for them to harm the baby inside me.
Thinking of this,I forced a smile while my tears started to well up.But I forced them back down.
“Fine,I’ll leave now.”
Without glancing at either of their faces,I turned and went upstairs.The sheets on the bed were a mess,while the smell in the room unbearable.But I ignored it and started packing my things.
That was when I noticed all the gifts James and I had exchanged to celebrate our seven-year wedding anniversary had been torn apart or smashed and thrown onto the floor.My chest tightened painfully.
Even though I already knew James no longer loved me,I had never imagined he would destroy our memories and use them as tools for his pleasure with Celine.
After a while,I quickly held my feelings.
Both Celine and James soon came upstairs to watch me silently as I packed.
Seeing the cold look on my face,Celine couldn’t resist mocking me as she made a remark,“Adrianne,I’m so sorry.My dog did this.I never thought it would.I’m really sorry,Adrianne.Should I beat it to help you vent your anger?”
She pushed all the blame onto her little dog,Bella,like it was nothing.
I didn’t even look at her,choosing to packing my things carefully.
When I was almost done,I suddenly noticed something that the small pearl necklace my father had left me was missing.
Chapter 4
I quickly turned to meet James’gaze.
“Where’s my little pearl necklace?”I asked him.
James frowned and looked at me like I was a spoiled child.
“Adrianne,haven’t you had enough of this?Are you really going to move out?Celine has a hard time to control her strong-willed puppy.Besides,these things aren’t important.Let it go.”
He brushed our memories off as if our relationship meant nothing to him.
I just looked at him as I asked him again,“Where’s my little pearl necklace?”
In response,his frown deepened.Celine,who was standing beside him,answered with a fake concern,“Adrianne,why don’t you check under the bed?Maybe I moved a bit earlier and it fell there.”
When I heard her answer,I glared at her angrily.
Celine had to have done this on purpose.She knew that necklace was the only thing my biological father had left me.
I swept under the bed a few times until I saw the shards of the pearl necklace.
The moment I saw it,I rushed forward and slapped Celine across the face!
“How dare you!How dare you break it!”
Celine hit the floor after I slapped her.She looked at James helplessly,then covered her cheek.I immediately pounced on her,wanting to hit her again.But James grabbed my wrist and said in a low voice,“Enough!”
My husband then spun me away,shoved me a few steps back.I stumbled onto the bed.Meanwhile,he helped Celine up carefully before looked at me with displeasure.
“Adrianne,maybe I was too kind to you before.That kindness made you arrogant and violent.You even hit your own sister!”
Not long after that,James reached over and switched off the light.It made my heart race.
“For the next few days,you will stay in your bedroom and think about what you did.I’ll cut the power,”he said.
I stared at him in shock as I shouted at him,“James!You know I’m claustrophobic!”
Yet,he only gave me a cold look.
“I know.That’s why this will teach you a lesson.When you realize your mistake and apologize to Celine and let her live here,I’ll let you out.”
Without another word,James snatched my phone from my hand,helped Celine steady herself and left the room.Out of his sight,where he couldn’t see,Celine shot me a mocking look and a small smile.
I pushed and pulled at the door,but James’bodyguards slammed it shut.The room went black and silent.I sank to the floor,shaking.My breath came fast and shallow.
“Let me out…I don’t care about you anymore…Help…”
Unfortunately,no one answered my cries.
The last thing I remember before everything went black was tears streaming down my face as I slid to the floor.
Chapter 5
In the pitch-black room,I lost all sense of time.I didn’t know how many days had passed.All I knew was that I kept waking up crying,then fainting again over and over.In fact,I might have fainted ten times in total.
Just when I thought I might die in there,the door creaked open.I instinctively closed my eyes.
“You look awful!James said he’d cut off your electricity,not your water.Why can’t you clean yourself up?Go wash and make yourself presentable before you come out!”a voice shouted in disgust.
The moment I looked up,I could see my mother,Margaret Llewelyn,standing in the doorway.As always,she looked graceful and elegant.But her eyes were filled with disdain.
She would only care whether I’ve exceeded her expectation as a good daughter or not.She had never cared about my claustrophobia.
I stared at her blankly.I knew what would happen if I didn’t obey.If I refused,she’d have people drag me out and force me to do what she said.It wasn’t the first time.
After I washed and changed,my mother gave me a quick judging look.Then,she ordered her bodyguards to carry me to the living room.
The living room was wide and bright,but the first thing I saw made my stomach twist.A dog’s corpse was in the middle of the floor.It was Celine’s dog,Bella.
Next to the body,a maid was kneeling on the ground.I frowned,recognizing her.She had always been kind to me.
My mother glared at the servant as she angrily asked the maid,“Tell me,who ordered you to do this?”
Celine sat beside her,crying pitifully.Manwhile,James held her gently.He was comforting her as if she were the only one who mattered.
The maid’s frightened eyes flicked to me.I saw guilt flash in them.Under my mother’s threatening gaze,she finally pointed a shaking finger my way.
“It was…it was Mrs.Goldwyn who told me to do it.She said the dog broke something important and wanted it dead.Please,don’t blame me…I was just following orders!I didn’t want to kill the dog.”
The maid desperately explained,practically begging James and his bodyguards to forgive her.
Celine let out a loud sob as she talked,“Adrianne,you could have come to me if you were angry!Why did you hurt my dog?”
“I know Bella was wrong,but I already said sorry.If that wasn’t enough,you could’ve punished me instead.Why did you take it out on her?”
After she said that,tears streamed down her cheeks.James’and my mother’s eyes turned cold as they looked at me.After he finished comforting Celine,he turned to me with a hard expression.
“Adrianne,I thought locking you in your room would help you reflect on your behavior.I didn’t expect you to go this far.You even dared to get someone to harm a dog?”
James looked at me with disappointment as if he pitied me before saying,“I’m your husband.I can’t watch you keep making mistakes.Please make up for this.Kneel to Celine’s dog and apologize.”
My mother’s face twisted with disgust.
She told me,“I knew you’d turn out rotten.You’ve always been jealous of Celine.And now you’ve gone after her dog!I agree with James.If we don’t punish you,who knows what you’ll do next?”
Their words hit me like knives.My chest tightened so much that I could barely breathe.
I forced a smile and said,“You’re saying that while I was locked in my room,without my phone,suffering from claustrophobia…but I somehow ordered her to kill Celine’s puppy?”
“I’ll say this once more.I didn’t do it.And I won’t kneel to a dog.It wasn’t the dog’s fault at all.It was someone else’s.James,you can check the CCTV if you don’t believe me.”
I didn’t even look at my mother.I knew that even if she saw the truth,she’d ignore it.My mother would always side with Celine.
I already experienced it first-hand for too many times.And by now,I had stopped expecting hope for her.
Chapter 6
When I finished speaking,I saw a change in James’expression.He frowned slightly,as if assessing the truth of my words.
Seeing that,Celine quickly tugged at his sleeve.
She feigned her sadness,saying,“Well,Adrianne,if you don’t want to kneel,then don’t do it.Bella has been with me for years,but she’s not as important as you,Adrianne.”
“I know I can’t compare to you.If you want to do something to my dog,I can’t stop you.Or if you even want to do it to me,I’m okay with that.It’s all my fault.”
Her words made my mother cry out in pain.“Oh my beloved daughter.”
Then she looked angrily and shouted,“Look at what you’ve done to your sister!You killed her dog.What’s next?Will you hurt her,too?Since James won’t punish you,I’ll do it myself as your mother!”
Her face twisted with rage before me.
“You will kneel today,whether you want to or not!”
James frowned and looked at me as he followed along with my mother by saying,“Since your mother said so,just kneel.It’ll calm her and Celine down.”
I looked at their fake,self-righteous faces and let out a bitter laugh.After that,I turned to leave without a word.
But before I could take another step,Celine stepped in front of me.She reached out to grab my arm,but I instinctively shook her off.
A faint,victorious smile flashed across her lips just before she stumbled backward and fell heavily to the floor.
“Celine!”
James immediately shoved me aside and rushed to her.The force of his push sent me crashing to the ground.If I hadn’t instinctively protected my stomach,things could have ended much worse.
Although I had always known that James only cared about the baby inside me because he needed it for Celine’s experiments,the fear of losing it still made my chest tighten.
Before I could speak,a sharp slap cracked across my face.
Smack!
Warm blood trickled from the corner of my mouth and I felt dizzy.
“You ungrateful daughter!I just told you to stop,but you still dared to attack Celine!If anything happens to her baby,you’ll pay for it!”
My mother looked at me even with more anger.But what she just said made me realize that everyone already knew.Celine was pregnant with James’child.I was the only one left in the dark.I was her real daughter,but my mother still sided with Celine.
In an instant,I felt utterly hopeless.
Meanwhile,James helped Celine to calm down.After that,he walked to me with a cold and empty expression.Without a single glance at my injuries or my swollen belly,he grabbed my arm and yanked me up.
I groaned in pain,but James didn’t care.In the next second,he forced me down to my knees in front of Bella’s lifeless body.Before I could resist,his hand pressed hard on the back of my head.
“James…let me go…”I choked out,my voice shaking.
Yet,James just looked down at me with eyes full of ignorance.Without hesitation,he added more pressure on my head.
Bang!
After that,he slammed my head against the floor.The second blow made me dizzy that I couldn’t help but feel bile rising in my throat several times.
Once James released me,I fell limply to the floor.He then looked at me that looked dishevelled and gagged,ordered his bodyguards.
“I’m taking Celine to the hospital.Keep an eye on her.She will kneel to the dog ninety-nine times,then bury it herself.Don’t let her use any tools.”
Once he said that,James gave me one last cold glance.
“Adrianne,this is a lesson.Don’t make trouble for them.”
Soon enough,James carried Celine out of the house.My mother followed behind,pretending to be heartbroken.
The moment the door closed,I squeezed my eyes shut.Before I could move,the bodyguards forced me down again.
Bang!Bang!Bang!
No one said anything.The sound of my knees hitting the hard floor echoed through the empty mansion.
After the ninety-ninth kneel ended,I collapsed like a lifeless doll.The wound on my head had split open as blood dripped down my face,which made me look scary.
“Ma’am,you still need to dig the hole in the back garden.Please forgive us,”one of the bodyguards said flatly.
Then,they dragged me outside.They forced the shovel from my hands and made me dig with my bare fingers.I clawed at the dirt again and again until my hands were shredded and bleeding.The bones were almost visible beneath my torn skin.
But I managed to use my trembling thumb to dial for help.The moment I whispered my address into the phone,the world went dark.I collapsed to the ground.
Chapter 7
After nearly two weeks of recovery in the hospital,I was finally well enough to leave.I didn’t go back to the mansion.Instead,I rented a small place elsewhere.During that time,James never once contacted me.
On the other hand,Celine messaged me almost every day.
It turned out that James took her watching the sunset,walking on the beach,kissing under the Eiffel Tower,holding hands at the foot of Mount Fuji.During the two weeks I lay in the hospital,they seemed to live in bliss.
In fact,Celine even sent pictures of them in bed together everyday.
At first,the pain was unbearable.But after some time,I grew calm.I saved every single photo carefully.Each one of them was a future weapon for revenge.I thought I could stay this way until the divorce papers arrived and I finally walked away.
However,just as the sun was setting one evening,a group of bodyguards appeared at my door.
Ding dong!
My phone buzzed.It was a message from James.
[Adrianne,you’ve been gone for half a month.That’s enough.Come to Sotheby’s now.I’ve sent someone to get you.]
I frowned in response.When I was about to reply,one of the bodyguards grabbed my arm.
“Madam,please cooperate.We’re just following Mr.Goldwyn’s orders.”
I struggled,but a sharp pain hit the back of my neck.After that,everything went black.When I woke up,I was already in a car on the way to the Sotheby’s.
Celine sat in front of me,leaning close to James.Their figures almost touched each other.When she saw that I was awake,she smiled mysteriously.
“Adrianne,you’re finally up.I was worried you wouldn’t make it to the most important part.”
Somehow,my heart skipped a beat as I couldn’t stop myself from frowning.Before I could respond,the auctioneer’s voice echoed through the hall.
“Next,our highlight item is the secret perfume formulas of the world-renowned perfumer,Queen!Ten in total.All of them are highly confidential secrets.Starting bid is one million dollars each!”
The moment I heard it,I looked at Celine in anger.
“You’re auctioning off my perfume formulas!”
Those ten formulas were mine.In fact,I had kept in my private lab at home.Celine must have found them and auctioned them without hesitation.
Celine covered her mouth and laughed lightly as she responded,“Adrianne,what are you talking about?These are my creations.I’m Queen.”
My eyes widened in anger.James,who stood next to her,gave me a warning look.He was clearly displeased.I didn’t have time to argue with them.Immediately,I raised my board.
Each of those formulas was a labor of love.Even if I could make new and better ones,these would be special for me.
“Bid placed!Number 888 has joined the bidding!”the auctioneer announced excitedly.
I didn’t wait for the rest of the crowd.Immediately,I started bidding for all ten at once.
But before I could go any further,Celine spoke again in a mocking tone,“Adrianne,do you even have that kind of money?Once the auctioneer checks your balance,don’t embarrass the Goldwyn Family.”
I smirked coldly in response,“I have more than enough to buy this whole auction house.Unlike some people who call themselves Queen,I don’t need others to pay for me.Not even a single million.”
My words made her expression darken.She turned to James with a pitiful pout.
“James,I’m only sharing these formulas because I want more people to enjoy the beauty of fragrance.And I plan to donate all the proceeds to charity.If you let her buy them,everything I worked for will be wasted.”
She clung to his arm.James looked down at her tenderly before nodding in agreement.The next second,the verification machine in front of me suddenly started beeping!
The auctioneer stared at me coldly before asking in a rude tone,“Mrs.Goldwyn,the bank card you’ve provided has been blocked.Do you have any other cards?”
Chapter 8
For a moment,I was speechless.James would do thing like this,just to please Celine!
I quickly pulled out another card,then another.But all of them were rejected.
I looked up at the auctioneer’s face that turned more unpleasant,while I could hear Celine’s mocking laughter.
“Adrianne,what’s wrong?It seems you’re having a bit of trouble.I think I can help you.Let’s make it interesting.Take off one piece of your clothing,I’ll give you one million.”
“I’m sure you’ll have enough money before you’re completely naked,”Celine said sarcastically,looking at me.
Beside her,James sat calmly as he cut fruits for her as if none of this concerned him.The only thing I could do was tremble in anger.Meanwhile,the people looked at me like swords piercing me.
The people in the Sotheby’s had noticed something amiss.When they realized that James did nothing at me being harrassed,the onlookers started to change their expressions.Without further ado,a group of people began circling me as they tried to hold me.
“Mrs.Goldwyn,you’re responsible for payment since you raised the board.Why not do as Miss Llewelyn suggested?”
With that,they forcefully ripped off my coat,leaving me only in a strapless dress.
As my eyes grew wider in shock,I struggled desperately,but they held me tightly.
Just when I thought I would suffocate from the shame,the private room door suddenly slammed open.
A group of masked men barged in openly.
The people initially were upset,but the next second,they were terrified by the guns in the masked men’s hands,then they crouched in place.
Those men brought us all toward the hall.Even the calm James finally changed his expression.
The leader was a tall,broad-shouldered man in a black mask.He laughed loudly before he spoke,“Well,isn’t this lively?Plenty of rich people tonight,I see.Good.Here’s the deal.Each of you pays fifty million.”
“I’ll also pick a few lucky guests to wear some of my special accessories.Whoever doesn’t pay…dies.Whoever pays…depends on luck.”
With that,the kidnappers began taking action.
James frowned deeply,wanting to resist.But due to the sheer number of kidnappers and their weapons,he couldn’t find an opportunity.
In the end,he chose to pay 50 million pounds.He also paid 50 million for Celine.
Meanwhile,I was pushed to the end of the line.My heart pounded so fast it hurt.Just as Celine exhaled in relief,thinking she was safe,one of the kidnappers reached out and grabbed her arm.
“I think your figure is perfect for a bomb.Keep her.”
At that,Celine’s face went pale quickly.She immediately clung desperately to James’arm,pleading with her eyes.
“James!James,please,save me!I’m pregnant with your child!”
Her words made James frown slightly.He was about to negotiate with the kidnappers when Celine’s gaze darted toward me.
“James,switch me with Adrianne instead!She’s strong,so she can survive this!”
Celine’s face twisted into feigned desperation as if she wanted to push me before the kidnappers.Meanwhile,James told the kidnapper calmly,“I’ll pay another fifty million to save Adrianne.”
My heart caught in my throat,but I got completely heartbroken.It was because his finger pointed at Celine.After that,the kidnapper looked at me before he showed up a malicious grin.
He then said,“Ma’am,it’s your bad luck.Some husbands can afford to buy their wives’lives.But yours can’t.But honestly,I really want to put the bombs on you.Besides,I’ve never seen an eight-month-pregnant woman explode before.Hahaha!”
His laughter was monstrous as it echoed through the hall.The kidnappers then tied my wrists and ankles tightly.I felt truly hopeless at that moment.
When I looked up,James was walking past as he carried Celine.He didn’t even look at me once.A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
One by one,the hostages who had paid were escorted out.The kidnappers stayed behind to put the explosives on me.Before leaving,James turned briefly and looked back at me.His lips moved soundlessly.
“Wait for me,”he mouthed.
I turned my head away.The moment they strapped the explosives on me,I already knew whose plan this really was.Soon,I would be out…
A few minutes later,a loud voice echoed.The entire Sotheby’s exploded.James,watching from the distance,looked very shocked.
“Adrianne!”
His roar was raw,desperate.But it didn’t reach the building.By that time,I was already gone.The kidnappers had driven me away in their van before the detonation.
When we already left the Sotheby’s,a sleek black Maserati was already parked on a nearby road.Oscar smiled at me as he held a button to counter the explosives.
“Am I late,my lady?”
“You’re right on time.Just like we planned.The Venus project launches today.We cut all ties with the Goldwyn Group.We can continue with our plan.”
Oscar gently nodded.
After that,I smiled coldly as I said,“As for the divorce papers,I’ll have them delivered on the same day.I want them to fall from the highest peak into the deepest abyss!”
Without another word,I slid into the Maserati.As the engine roared to life,a violent explosion tore through the night behind us.
This explosion at the auction venue marks the beginning of the final chapter in my relationship with James.
This time,I will leave completely,and soon,he will receive the"surprise"I have prepared for him!
