Chapter 1

Chapter 0001

"Miss Miller, I'm afraid you're showing signs of a possible miscarriage. We need to admit you to the hospital right away to try and preserve the pregnancy. Is there a family member you can call to help with the admission process?"

Selina Miller clutched her prenatal report, the doctor's words echoing in her ears.

She had come to the hospital due to unbearable menstrual-like pain, only to discover she was pregnant. What she thought was her period was actually signs of a miscarriage.

She'd been feeling nauseous lately, but since she and her husband David Wilson had been using contraception, and David hadn't been home for over forty days, pregnancy hadn't crossed her mind. She'd assumed it was just an upset stomach.

Taking a deep breath, Selina took out her phone and dialed the familiar number. As usual, there was no answer until it went to voicemail.

Selina stared at her phone screen, the joy of discovering her pregnancy and the anxiety of a potential miscarriage all turning into bitterness.

Nearby, another girl who had just found out she was pregnant was crying tears of joy in her boyfriend's arms.

Suddenly, a trending topic popped up on Selina's phone screen. She clicked on it instinctively.

#The Robinsons, leading family of the Big Four, finally have a lead on their long-lost daughter#

Selina scrolled past the top trending topic. Among the top ten, besides the Robinsons' search for their daughter, three were about David.

#Famous pianist Amanda Lewis rekindles old flame with Horizon Global CEO#

#David Wilson and Amanda Lewis rumored to be tying the knot soon#

#David Wilson and Amanda Lewis caught in a passionate embrace, spending the night together#

Selina felt a lump in her throat. As she was about to lock her screen, a message from her mother-in-law, Jennifer Moore, came through:

[Listen here, Selina. You were never in David's league, and this sham of a marriage should never have happened. Amanda is the one David's meant to be with - his soulmate. If you have any shred of decency left, you'll step aside and stop clinging to a man who doesn't want you.]

Two photos followed. The first was a prenatal checkup form. The second, more devastating image showed David and Amanda with a doctor. David's arm was wrapped protectively around Amanda, his usually stoic face softened by a tender gaze as he looked at her. Amanda, tucked comfortably against his side, had both hands resting gently on her still-flat stomach. Her face glowed with a mixture of shyness and pure joy.

Selina's thumb swiped back and forth between the photos, her vision blurring as tears welled up. With each pass, the images seemed to burn themselves deeper into her mind. Her eyes, rimmed with red, hardened with resolve. Without a word, she stood up, squared her shoulders, and headed for the stairs.

The prenatal form was just released from this hospital's VIP floor, so David and Amanda should still be there.

She never thought the first time she'd use David's black card would be to confront him.

At the entrance of the examination room, David was listening to the doctor's instructions with Amanda. They looked like a perfect couple.

Selina squeezed the report in her bag, took a deep breath, and strode towards David.

Selina's sudden appearance startled everyone present.

Amanda instinctively sensed hostility and buried her head in David's chest.

David felt a moment of panic when he saw Selina, but his face clouded over when he saw her aggressive expression.

He unconsciously shielded Amanda and asked with a frown, "What are you doing here?"

Selina tried to calm her anger, pointed at Amanda, and asked instead of answering, "So, Amanda's pregnant. Is that your handiwork?"

David glanced irritably at the gossiping doctors and nurses nearby, his face darkening further. He said impatiently to Selina, "My business is none of your concern!"

Selina felt heartbroken, her voice uncontrollably tinged with tears: "All those times you made me pop birth control pills, all those times you shut down any talk of having a baby... It wasn't about not wanting kids. You just didn't want them with me, did you?"

She had known this fact for a while, but facing it now, Selina felt like her heart was being torn apart, the pain almost suffocating her.

David, recalling unpleasant memories of being manipulated by Selina, his dark eyes became difficult to read. He spoke coldly, "If that's the story you've cooked up in your head, be my guest. I'm done trying to change your mind."

Selina's eyes filled with tears. Seeing David about to leave with Amanda, she hastily reached out to grab him, but he shook her off disgustedly as soon as she touched his sleeve. Watching them leave without looking back, Selina's tears finally fell.

"Is that Selina? David, should we explain about the baby?" Amanda looked back, seeing Selina standing there crying heartbrokenly. A smile tugged at her lips, but she pretended to be concerned as she asked.

David frowned deeply, his peripheral vision catching Selina. He felt inexplicably annoyed. Rubbing his forehead, he said in a low voice, "There's no need. The fewer people who know about this, the better!"

In their three years of marriage, he'd had some rumors about affairs, but Selina never asked, and he never bothered to explain.

This time, Amanda's reputation was at stake. For her sake, and because he was indeed at fault, he felt obligated to protect Amanda!

A despondent Selina returned to the obstetrics department. David didn't want her to have children, so why would he sign her hospitalization papers? Without a family member's signature, the hospital refused to admit her, only prescribing medication for pregnancy preservation.

"Please let me have this baby, I really love you!"

"You're trying to trap me with a kid? No way! Get rid of it, and I'll pay you."

Near the abortion room, a crowd had gathered to watch a couple arguing bitterly.

The man was burly, with a large gold chain around his neck, looking quite imposing.

The girl had delicate features and a slender figure, outwardly superior to the man, yet she was begging him with no dignity.

"Girls these days, they'd do anything for money!"

"That's how gold diggers climb the social ladder, using children."

...

The girl was eventually dragged into the abortion room, and the spectators dispersed, still gossiping.

Selina stood there in a daze, unconsciously placing her hand over her belly. David probably thought she was trying to trap him too, using the baby to extort money from him. This marriage was never what he wanted anyway.

Three years ago, she had accidentally saved Rachel - David's grandmother. When Rachel learned that Selina was about to be sold by her adoptive father to a 50-year-old widower in a neighboring village, she brought Selina home and even threatened to refuse treatment to force David to marry her. David, raised by Rachel, couldn't refuse and had to marry Selina.

They had originally agreed to keep the marriage secret and divorce once his grandmother's condition stabilized. But on their wedding night, there were drugs in the food, and they ended up in bed together in a haze. David suspected she had colluded with his grandmother and became even colder and more resentful towards her.

Six months ago, Rachel's condition worsened. Knowing that her grandmother's greatest wish was to hold a great-grandchild, and not wanting Rachel to have any regrets, she tried to discuss it with David. But he just mocked her about their wedding night again.

Angered by years of false accusations, she decided to actually drug him. This infuriated David completely. For the next four months, he made love to her every night like a man possessed, only to force her to take contraceptives afterward. After Rachel passed away and the funeral was over, he never came home again. He'd rather let his grandmother die with regrets than let her get pregnant - that's how much he despised her! Now that she was pregnant, would he drag her to get an abortion like that man just now?

Looking at the cold doors of the abortion room, Selina couldn't help but shudder.

The hand protecting her belly gradually clenched into a fist. She bit her lip hard, finally making a tough decision.

[David, let's get a divorce!]

On her way home, after much editing, she finally sent David a message.

Staring at the sent message, Selina got complex emotions.

After all, he was the first man she had truly fallen in love with. But to protect her child, she had no choice but to do this!

She hadn't expected David to reply, but surprisingly, a response came back within a minute.

[Okay]

No questions asked, just a swift and decisive agreement, as if he had been waiting for her to say this all along. The blunt response hit Selina like a punch to the gut. She swallowed hard, fighting back tears as she turned to look out the car window at the passing scenery.

Chapter 0002

Selina returned home and quickly drafted a divorce agreement. With trembling hands, she signed her name on the dotted line and sealed the document in an envelope, placing it on the coffee table in the living room. She knew that if she hesitated even a second longer, she might lose her resolve to leave David. Throughout their marriage, David had always maintained his emotional distance, while Selina had lost her heart completely.

As night fell, Selina packed a few changes of clothes, leaving behind even the jewelry Rachel had given her. She had arrived at the Wilsons' with nothing, and she would leave the same way - taking nothing that wasn't rightfully hers.

Before leaving, Selina took one last tour of the mansion. After the drugging incident, David had fired all the staff, leaving Selina to juggle the roles of housekeeper, cook, cleaner, and gardener. Under Jennifer's critical eye, she had mastered even the most demanding household tasks.

Every corner of the house held memories of her efforts to please David, of countless hours spent cleaning and decorating to his tastes. Now, as she prepared to leave, she felt an unexpected pang of regret. But she knew that no matter how much it hurt, she couldn't hold onto something that wasn't truly hers.

Selina checked into a clean budget hotel, her mind racing with plans for her post-divorce life. But in the dead of night, she was violently awakened and dragged from her bed. Before she could scream, a filthy rag was shoved into her mouth, her eyes were blindfolded, and she was bound and thrown into a vehicle.

Panic and terror gripped her as she struggled against her bonds, her mind frantically searching for a reason behind this attack. Who had she offended? Had she unknowingly flaunted wealth? Her reclusive lifestyle and online work meant she barely knew anyone, let alone made enemies.

Thoughts of her unborn child helped Selina force herself to calm down. After a frantic drive, the car screeched to a halt. Selina was roughly handled into a building that reeked of antiseptic - a hospital. Fresh waves of fear washed over her as she realized the implications, and she began to struggle wildly.

A vicious slap across her face left her seeing stars, her cheek stinging from the impact. A menacing voice growled, "Cooperate if you want to live." Still dazed from the blow, Selina found herself strapped to an operating table.

"Get rid of the child in her belly."

Selina's eyes widened in horror beneath the blindfold, her pupils dilating in shock and disbelief. This wasn't about ransom or revenge - they wanted to abort her baby! Who could be so cruel to an unborn child?

Selina fought like a woman possessed, the ropes cutting into her flesh as she thrashed against her restraints. Blood streamed from her wounds, but she felt nothing except the overwhelming need to protect her child.

A sudden sharp pain in her arm signaled an injection. Selina felt her strength ebbing away, her limbs growing heavy and unresponsive. She wanted to beg, to plead for her child's life, but no sound escaped her lips. It felt like drowning, a suffocating despair engulfing her as she slipped into unconsciousness.

"She's not fully under yet. If she struggles during the procedure, we could lose them both!"

"Mr. Wilson can manage any fallout. If she dies, it's her own worthless life to lose!"

Mr. Wilson? David?!

The image of David's tall, imposing figure, always surrounded by an aura of icy detachment, flashed through Selina's mind. The realization felt like a knife twisting in her heart as she finally succumbed to the darkness.

Time passed in a haze.

"Honey, I think her hand just moved."

"Quick, call the doctor! She's waking up!"

Selina's eyes fluttered open, taking in surroundings that looked more like a luxury suite than a hospital room. Five pairs of eyes stared at her intently, following her every movement as she took in her surroundings.

The memories of her ordeal came flooding back, and Selina instinctively tried to sit up. A well-groomed middle-aged woman rushed to support her.

Before Selina could thank her, a sharp pain in her abdomen sent waves of anxiety coursing through her. "My baby..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

The woman's eyes filled with sympathy. "Sweetheart, you have your whole life ahead of you. There will be other children."

Selina's world shattered. Her baby was gone.

Her fingers trembled as they ghosted over her now-empty womb. Grief and self-loathing overwhelmed her. She had failed to protect her child.

She had asked for a divorce - why couldn't David just let her go? White-hot hatred coursed through her veins as she clutched at the silk bedsheets.

"Sweetheart, I'll make them pay for this," a distinguished-looking middle-aged man said, embracing the woman who had helped supporting Selina. "Right now, you need to focus on getting well."

The woman nodded in agreement, while three strikingly handsome young men looked on with concern.

Selina's confusion was all over her face. "Who are you? Where am I? How did I get here?"

The group exchanged glances before the older man explained everything.

It turned out that Selina was his long-lost daughter. She had been kidnapped as an infant due to a family feud. By the time they discovered her whereabouts, she had vanished without a trace. After years of searching, they had finally found her - but they were too late to prevent her recent ordeal.

As the man finished his story, Selina could see the guilt and hope in their eyes. She didn't know how to respond.

She had always known she was adopted - or rather, that her foster father had originally intended to sell her. When the buyer backed out, he had no choice but to bring her home. Her foster mother had insisted on keeping her, despite her husband's objections.

Over the years, Selina had tried to find her birth parents. Even Rachel had helped in the search when Selina first came to the Wilsons. But with no childhood memories and her bitter foster father refusing to provide any information, the trail had gone cold. Now, it seemed her family had found her instead.

Looking closely, Selina could see the family resemblance in their features.

But Selina's emotions were in turmoil as she had just suffered the devastating loss of her child. She didn't know how to handle this sudden appearance of a long-lost family.

"Sweetheart, it's all my fault for not protecting you. You've suffered so much!" The older woman's eyes glistened with tears. "If you don't want to accept us, we won't force you. We just want a chance to make amends and take care of you."

"Selina, I'll protect you from now on. No one will ever hurt you again," one of the young men declared.

"Selina, what do you like? Whatever it is, I'll get it for you!" another chimed in.

"Selina, take this black card. Don't worry about spending too much!" the third added.

They all eagerly tried to win Selina's favor.

As Selina observed the family - dressed simply but exuding an unmistakable air of wealth and refinement - a sudden realization struck her. "You... you're not the Robinsons, are you?" she asked hesitantly.

The search for the long-lost daughter of the Robinsons, one of the country's top three financial powerhouses, had been all over the news recently. Could it really be them?

Chapter 0003

In the country of Zephyria, the saying went that the Robinsons owned 30% of the nation's wealth, while the Whites and the Adamses together controlled 40%. They were the three major conglomerates that dominated Zephyria's economy.

The Robinsons, as the leading family among these titans, consistently ranked high on global wealth lists, with business interests spanning the globe.

Daniel Robinson, the youngest and most favored son of the Robinson patriarch, had been groomed as the heir apparent. He married Nicole White, the beloved youngest daughter of the White family.

Years ago, a family feud had led to the disappearance of Daniel's daughter, leaving Nicole devastated and on the brink of a breakdown.

Disillusioned, Daniel had renounced his position as heir and left Lumina. He settled in Auroville with Nicole and their five sons, where he built Silverline Industries from scratch. In just two decades, it became one of Zephyria's top six corporations.

The Robinson family kept a low profile. Despite their sons being industry leaders, few knew their true identities:

Thomas, 27, was a Wall Street sensation known for his financial acumen.

Joseph, a business prodigy, had successfully taken multiple companies public.

Ryan, a tech wunderkind, had recently won a major international award and was the youngest dean of the technology department at Zephyria's top university.

Nelson, a brilliant surgeon, had saved the lives of several world leaders and was sought after by countries worldwide.

William, an entertainment triple threat, had become a national idol in less than three years, with fans ranging from 5 to 80 years old.

The public knew the Robinsons primarily for their relentless search for their lost daughter. Even Selina, usually disinterested in gossip, had heard about it, never imagining she could be the one they were looking for.

If not for their timely appearance, she might not have survived.

She had thought David was just cold-natured, never realizing his heart and blood were truly ice. He showed no regard for their three years together, forcing her to have an abortion with complete disregard for her life. How could she have ever fallen for such a cruel man?

David returned to the mansion five days after encountering Selina at the hospital.

Four days earlier, Silverline Industries, a long-time reliable partner, had suddenly created problems with Horizon Global's most crucial project, throwing the company into crisis.

His uncle's family, especially his cousin - Christopher Wilson, seized the opportunity to stir up trouble, attempting to wrest control of the company.

Exhausted from working nonstop, David found himself instinctively returning to Belvedere Heights, a place he hadn't visited in a long time. To his surprise, he was greeted by darkness.

In the past, no matter how late he came home, Selina would always wait for him, eagerly bringing his slippers and asking if he'd eaten. The unlit villa was unusually quiet and bone-chillingly cold.

Realizing Selina hadn't contacted him for five days, which broke her usual pattern, David frowned as he entered the living room. His eyes immediately fell on an envelope on the coffee table.

He opened it casually, only to be confronted with the words "Divorce Agreement" in bold letters. Seeing Selina's signature already in place, his dark eyes narrowed. Did she think she could threaten him with divorce, knowing he had promised his grandmother to take care of her for life?

Already irritated, David felt a surge of anger. He picked up his phone to call Selina, his eyes quickly scanning the agreement.

It stated: "Leave with nothing."

Hadn't she used every trick to marry him for his status and wealth? How could she be willing to leave empty-handed?

The phone rang for a long time. Just as David's patience was wearing thin, Selina finally answered but remained silent.

"It's late, and you're not home. Where are you?" David asked irritably after a moment of silence.

"My business is none of your concern," Selina replied icily, mirroring his earlier coldness at the hospital.

Surprised by the usually docile Selina's continued anger, David rubbed his temples in frustration. "Are you done throwing a tantrum?"

Selina found his response laughable. "Since you're home, I assume you've seen the divorce agreement," she said sarcastically.

"You really want a divorce?" David's movement halted, a flash of anger crossing his eyes. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"My only regret is realizing too late," Selina's voice was devoid of emotion. "And I've changed my mind. For the divorce, I want $100 million."

David scoffed. So she was finally showing her true colors with this outrageous demand.

"You're certainly brave to ask for that much."

Selina stood her ground: "If you don't agree, we'll settle this in court. As for our marital assets, your affair means you should get less. Add in compensation for emotional damage, and it'll be much more than that figure."

"Selina Miller!" David gritted out her full name in warning.

Usually, when he angrily called her by her full name, she would humble herself and try to appease him in various ways.

Just as David expected her to back down as usual, Selina spoke nonchalantly: "You proposed a secret marriage back then. I'm sure you don't want this divorce to become public knowledge now."

After a pause, she continued leisurely: "I hear Horizon Global is in trouble. Christopher is buying up company shares left and right."

David's eyes darkened dangerously when he heard the implication in her words. "Christopher approached you? If you dare sell him those shares..."

"It's just business. The highest bidder wins," Selina cut him off, her tone patronizing. "Christopher offered $500 million. Out of respect for Grandma, I'm giving you the right of first refusal."

"Selina, know your limits," David's voice was tense. "Don't push it."

She was pushing it? Compared to what he had done to her, this was child's play.

"Tomorrow at 10 AM, County Court," Selina let out a cold laugh. "Otherwise, watch me sell those shares to Christopher."

David clenched his jaw, staring at the disconnected call, his gaze icy, wishing he could reach through the phone and tear Selina apart.

The woman who had relied on him for support was now turning the tables, daring to threaten him!

Suddenly, lightning struck, and a storm broke out. The downpour filled the quiet villa with an unprecedented chill, like a massive freezer.

After a sleepless night, David, dressed in a bespoke silver-gray suit and seething with anger, arrived punctually at the County Court entrance. To his surprise, Selina was indeed waiting there.

David glared ominously at Selina, who was surrounded by a group of bodyguards. His face was overshadowed by a menacing darkness, more ominous than the overcast sky.

She wore a long black coat and, despite the heat, was excessively wrapped in a scarf and hat. Her entire body was tightly bundled, yet she looked so frail that a gust of wind that might blow her away.

Against the black attire, her complexion was pale. Her face, no larger than a palm, was so thin her cheeks were sunken, making her eyes appear even larger. However, those eyes were devoid of any emotion, as if she were a cold, mechanical being, emanating an inexplicable chill. She was a far cry from the Selina who used to always greet him with a gentle smile.

David felt a pang in his heart, his intention to confront her suddenly dissipating. His brows furrowed, and his thin lips moved, but before he could utter a word, Selina strode over and handed him two documents.

"The share transfer agreement and divorce agreement. My account number is there. Don't forget the transfer."

She didn't even spare him a glance before turning and walking into the County Court.

David stared at the indifferent Selina, the words urging her to reconsider dying on his lips. He had an unsettling feeling of losing control, and an inexplicable anxiety churned in his chest.

Lowering his gaze to the property division section of the divorce agreement, the long string of numbers suddenly struck him as ironic. From beginning to end, wasn't everything she did just for his money?

Chapter 0004

Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, David called his assistant directly.

"Transfer $200 million to Selina from my personal account!"

He had originally planned to spend his life with her. Now that she was willing to leave his life for $100 million, he had no reason not to agree. The $100 million could be considered repayment for saving his grandmother's life.

As for the shares his grandmother left, he wouldn't take advantage of her. He'd buy them back at double the price Christopher offered.

She wanted the divorce. If she regretted it later, he wouldn't give her any chance to entangle him again!

Leaving the County Court, Selina held her divorce certificate in her hand. As soon as she stepped out, she spotted Amanda, elegantly dressed and wearing a familiar diamond necklace, eagerly watching the exit.

The moment David appeared, Amanda ran to his side like an excited kid, affectionately linking arms with him.

Selina's lips curled in derision. Divorce on one side, marriage on the other - they certainly were in a hurry!

Chin held high, Selina walked past them expressionlessly.

As he watched her walk towards the waiting Lincoln limousine surrounded by bodyguards, David, who thought he'd be happy to finally be rid of Selina, felt his irritation intensify. This irritation reached its peak when he saw a handsome man with golden rimless glasses step out of the limo and open his arms to embrace Selina, and she didn't resist, allowing herself to be escorted into the car.

When had such an intimate man appeared in Selina's life, when she had always revolved around him?

As if sensing David's gaze, the man suddenly looked up, meeting David's eyes with a challenging glance. Noticing the obvious hostility, David sneered back. It was just a woman he didn't want anymore, what was there to be proud of?

But even with the divorce, David still felt cheated. His fingers involuntarily tightened, crumpling the divorce certificate in his palm.

"David, what's wrong?" Amanda tugged at David's arm, her voice syrupy sweet. "Are you listening to me?"

David snapped back to reality, massaging his temples to ease his headache. He had been so focused on Selina that he'd only vaguely heard Amanda mention a fight with her family and wanting to stay at his place for a while.

"Choose whatever you like," David said flatly, pulling his arm away. "If you're not feeling well, don't run around. I'll have someone take you back. Also, the company's busy these days, so I won't be visiting you for a while."

Amanda lowered her gaze to the divorce certificate in David's hand.

He was divorced now. Sooner or later, he would be hers!

Meanwhile, Selina decided to return to the Belvedere Heights villa. She had left without taking anything, which was foolish. The things Rachel had given her - why should she leave them for someone else's benefit?

Learning of Selina's plans, Thomas was concerned and wanted to accompany her, but she politely declined.

She was just going back to deal with some unwanted items, why would she need Thomas to intervene?

After spending these few days together and learning about her brothers' impressive status, Selina naturally knew how valuable Thomas's time was. Him coming to support her was already enough!

At Thomas's insistence, Selina arrived at Belvedere Heights with bodyguards. She asked them to wait outside while she went in to pack.

Upon entering, she found her former mother-in-law, Jennifer, inside.

Seeing Selina, Jennifer, who had been holding back her anger, immediately launched into a tirade.

"Where have you been gallivanting all morning? Lazy good-for-nothing, you can't even do the cleaning properly. Marrying a woman like you, David must have the worst luck in the world!"

In the past, Jennifer often caused trouble when David wasn't home, and Selina had always endured it. Now, she no longer needed to compromise!

Selina sneered, grabbing Jennifer's accusatory finger and twisting it back forcefully.

"Ah!" Jennifer screamed in pain, her face contorted. Furious, she yelled, "Selina, are you asking for death? How dare you lay hands on me? Let go, or I'll end you!"

Without Rachel's protection, Jennifer thought she could punish Selina however she wanted, with no one to stop her.

Selina scoffed. End her? Jennifer would need the ability first. She wasn't the weak, easily bullied Selina of the past anymore.

Selina narrowed her eyes at Jennifer, increasing the pressure. Jennifer's finger was almost bent at a 90-degree angle, the pain making her see stars. Seeing that Selina had no intention of letting go, Jennifer quickly shut up in fear.

Coward! Selina sneered, releasing Jennifer's finger with disgust before turning towards the upstairs bedroom.

Jennifer nursed her nearly broken finger, seething with hatred.

"Amanda just called. David agreed to let her stay here. The master bedroom has the best light, so clean it up for her!" Jennifer called after Selina provocatively. "Amanda's pregnant, she needs the best of everything."

She was certain this would get under Selina's skin. Selina paused, her pale face etched with mockery. Coming back had indeed been the right decision!

Selina packed up everything she had bought and piled all the clothes and jewelry Rachel had given her on the bed. Just as she was about to call the bodyguards to move them, Jennifer burst in.

"You've divorced David and still have the nerve to come back?" Jennifer shoved Selina hard, eyeing the pile of clothes and jewelry. "These belong to the Wilsons. You're not taking a single thing!"

At that moment, Amanda appeared in the doorway, wearing a loose white chiffon dress and flats. One hand rested on her waist, the other on her still-flat belly, adopting a pregnant woman's pose. Her gaze towards Selina was full of challenge and triumph.

Her eyes followed Jennifer's words to the bed, taking in the expensive jewelry, limited-edition luxury bags, shoes, and haute couture dresses. A glimmer of greed flashed in her eyes. Soon, these things, like David, would all be hers!

Selina, long tired of Jennifer's bullying, retorted bluntly, "Get out of my way, you old busybody!"

Jennifer trembled with rage.

Her finger still aching, she didn't dare to get physical.

"Selina, Jennifer is your elder. How can you speak to her like that?" Amanda chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. "You're being far too disrespectful to Jennifer."

Selina gave her a contemptuous glance. "You're just a mistress. What right do you have to lecture me?"

"What?..." Amanda turned pale with anger, looking at Jennifer with feigned hurt. "Jennifer, I just couldn't stand by and watch her disrespect you!"

"You're the shameless homewrecker. If it weren't for you bewitching Rachel, Amanda should have been the one to marry David!" Jennifer defended Amanda, her dislike for Selina growing by the second. "You've been using Rachel to keep me in check for three years. I've been wanting to teach you a lesson for a long time!"

Steeling herself, Jennifer gritted her teeth and approached Selina, raising her hand high, ready to strike Selina's face without mercy.

Chapter 0005

Selina's lips curled into a cold smirk as she deftly sidestepped Jennifer's incoming slap. In one fluid motion, she delivered a swift kick to Jennifer's midsection.

Caught off guard, Jennifer flew backward, landing hard on the floor. She writhed in pain, letting out a series of agonized wails.

"Selina! I can't believe you just attacked Jennifer! I'm calling David right now!" Amanda exclaimed, feigning panic while barely concealing a triumphant smile.

Selina turned her icy gaze towards Amanda, her eyes lingering on Amanda's belly.

A flicker of fear crossed Amanda's face as she instinctively backed away, hands protectively covering her stomach. "What... what are you planning to do?"

Selina's cold laugh sent chills down Amanda's spine as she casually flexed her wrist. "I wonder how well a pregnant woman can take a beating?"

"You wouldn't dare!" Amanda hissed, retreating further in alarm.

"Care to find out?" Selina taunted, advancing menacingly.

In a sudden move, Selina grabbed the diamond necklace around Amanda's neck and yanked it off with brutal force. Amanda cried out in pain, her fingers coming away bloody as she clutched at her neck.

Selina examined the broken necklace with disdain before tossing it unceremoniously into the trash. "You really do have a thing for stealing other people's possessions, don't you?" she sneered.

Amanda bolted from the room, screaming for help as she fled.

"You heartless bitch!" Jennifer lunged at Selina, grabbing her arms. "How could you attack a pregnant woman? Have you no humanity left?"

Selina's face darkened at the hypocrisy. If harming Amanda's unborn child made her inhuman, what did that make David, who had forced her to abort their baby?

"Get off me!" Selina snarled, kicking Jennifer away once more.

Jennifer tumbled across the floor, her face already swelling from the impact. Scrambling to her feet, she frantically dialed David for help.

Selina watched impassively as Jennifer made the call, then turned to the window to signal her bodyguards to come and collect her things.

David arrived quickly, just as Selina's belongings were being moved to the yard.

A terrified Amanda and battered Jennifer huddled behind David, embellishing their tale of Selina's alleged murderous actions.

David fixed Selina with an expressionless stare. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Selina let out a derisive snort, finding the whole situation laughable. In the past, when Jennifer had purposely picked fights and then played the victim, David had never listened to Selina's side of the story. He had always forced her to apologize. Now that she no longer cared, he suddenly wanted to hear her explanation?

With a contemptuous eye roll, Selina ignored him completely.

Her dismissive attitude sent a pang through David's heart. It felt like something was slipping away from him. Almost instinctively, he reached for her wrist, only to have Selina violently shake him off.

The bodyguards surrounding Selina immediately stepped forward, creating a protective barrier between her and David.

"Burn everything except the jewelry," Selina commanded her bodyguards, casting a pointed glance at Amanda. She'd rather see her things go up in flames than have Amanda get her hands on them.

As the fire roared to life and thick smoke billowed upward, Amanda watched in horror as limited edition and haute couture pieces disappeared into the inferno. Her heart ached at the loss, her fists clenching at her sides.

David frowned as he observed Selina. The fierce flames reflected in her eyes, highlighting her resolute expression. A wave of unease washed over him, as powerful as a storm surge. How had Selina, who once revolved her entire world around him, changed so drastically? Was it because of their encounter at the hospital, where he hadn't explained about Amanda's pregnancy, leading Selina to misunderstand?

Sensing his gaze, Selina finally met his eyes. Her face remained impassive as she locked eyes with him, her pale lips curving slightly as she spoke with chilling finality.

"David, this is where our paths diverge. All ties between us are severed. We are nothing to each other from this moment on." With those unequivocal words, Selina turned and left with her bodyguards, never looking back.

As he watched her retreating figure, David felt a tight grip on his heart, a suffocating sensation spreading through his chest.

Unconsciously, he took a step towards Selina's disappearing form, only to be jolted back to reality by a weight on his arm.

"David, it hurts so much," Amanda whimpered, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. She held out her bloodstained palm. "Will you take me to the hospital?"

David hesitated, slowly turning back. His gaze fell on the wound on Amanda's neck, his eyes darkening.

Amanda hurriedly covered the injury, afraid David might notice she had deliberately worsened the scratch left when Selina yanked off the necklace. Feigning magnanimity, she said, "It's my fault. I didn't know the necklace belonged to Selina. She was just trying to reclaim her property. This wound is nothing, really. Some antiseptic and a bandage will do."

"Nonsense! Look at all that blood!" Jennifer interjected, her eyes full of concern. "Selina knew you were pregnant and still attacked you so viciously. She's truly evil!"

Amanda bit her lip, saying nothing. She secretly observed David, noting his furrowed brow and the dark, angry look in his eyes. Inwardly, she rejoiced.

"It's all my fault. She had every right to be angry with me," Amanda said softly, feigning self-reproach. "I just feel terrible that Jennifer got caught in the crossfire..."

Just as she thought David would condemn Selina and comfort her, he simply said in a flat tone, "If you're hurt, we should go to the hospital."

The ride was silent, with David lost in thought, offering no words of comfort. An aura of cold detachment surrounded him. Jennifer, however, grew increasingly agitated.

"We should file a police report for assault. Let's make sure Selina rots in jail!" Jennifer spat venomously.

"Enough!" David suddenly snapped, fixing Jennifer with a cold glare. "I've warned you before about going to the Belvedere Heights villa without permission. Are you deliberately ignoring my instructions?"

If Selina hadn't finally stood up to them, would they have called him complaining and seeking help? And how many times had Jennifer disregarded his warnings and gone to Belvedere Heights to cause trouble in the past?

As for Amanda, with all the properties he owned, why had she specifically chosen Belvedere Heights when she had nowhere else to go after fighting with her family? He might not have called her out on it, but that didn't mean he was oblivious.

"But she attacked us!" Jennifer protested indignantly.

David struggled to contain his anger. "The villa was a pre-marital gift to her from Grandma. You trespassed. Even if she'd had her bodyguards rough you up, it would have been justified self-defense."

Jennifer was dumbstruck, her lips quivering as words failed her.

Amanda lowered her head guiltily, suddenly uneasy. She had the distinct impression that David was indirectly reprimanding her for going to Belvedere Heights.

David's jaw clenched as he fell silent once more. Selina's sudden coldness, her decisive move to divorce him - was it just because she misunderstood Amanda's pregnancy, or was there more to it that he didn't know?

He found it hard to believe that Selina, who once looked at him as if he were her entire world, could become so emotionally detached from him in just a few days. Something didn't add up, and the realization left him deeply unsettled.