Chapter 1

The auctioneer's gavel had just fallen when my husband's beloved, Scarlett Hayes, lunged at me, tears streaming down her face.

"Avery! That bracelet can save my dad's life! Our spiritual advisor said it’s the only thing that can protect our family! Please, please just give it to me!"

I yanked my hand away, a cold sneer twisting my lips. "Your dad is seriously ill, and you’re here begging me for an antique I just bought instead of finding a doctor? That’s absurd!"

That very evening, Damien Lockwood burst through the door, his face contorted with rage. "Scarlett’s father died! All because you wouldn't give her that bracelet! That was a human life!"

I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping me. "And how is that my problem? Did I somehow *kill* him?"

For that single sentence, he drugged me. The next thing I knew, I woke up on a remote island in the Pacific.

A global live-stream lit up the screen – Damien Lockwood, CEO of Lockwood Corp., personally confirming: his wife, Avery Lockwood, suffered from severe paranoid delusions and required isolated treatment.

The live chat exploded: "That witch deserves it!" "Crazy people should just die!" The hashtag #MrsLockwoodIsInsane was trending high.

On camera, I was "helplessly" curled up.

Off camera, my finger pressed a hidden signal transmitter.

*Quinn, do it.*

Damien, your business empire is about to crumble!

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