Chapter 3

The year Adrian was kidnapped, the company was going public and couldn't afford any negative news.

I could only suppress the information.

I spent all my savings to rescue him.

But I didn't expect that under that kind of torture, he'd gone mad.

Physical injuries could heal, but psychological trauma couldn't be cured even with hypnosis.

After Adrian's ninety-ninth suicide attempt failed, River proposed the memory chip to me.

It could forcibly alter that memory segment.

And wouldn't be affected by any emotions or events.

But that painful experience still needed to be healed, so that when the chip failed, Adrian wouldn't continue seeking death.

So I chose to sacrifice myself.

Because I believed love could overcome everything.

But facts proved that Adrian not only found it disgusting-he turned it into a knife to stab me with at any time.

When the video finished, Mira's gaze swept toward me meaningfully.

"I'm showing this video today hoping women will learn from it, understand how to protect themselves and maintain boundaries."

After the ceremony ended, as Mira approached, Adrian frowned.

"Mira, that was too risky."

Mira looked innocent.

"Adrian, I admire Laura's courage, so I wanted to make her an example for the students."

Then she put on a show of concern for me.

"Laura, I worked hard on this video to inspire you, to help you move past what happened and stop dragging people down."

Adrian's eyes filled with affection.

"You're just too kind."

Then he looked at me. "Laura, Mira means well. Be gracious about it."

I looked at him coldly.

"Do you know what impact this video will have on me once it gets out?"

"What impact could it have?"

Adrian suddenly became impatient.

"You can't hide it forever, can you?"

"Besides, Mira said the video was computer-generated and didn't name anyone. Even if people talk, just don't connect yourself to it. Stop making a scene!"

So in his view, this humiliation was self-inflicted.

"Fine."

I didn't continue arguing. Instead, I smiled at Adrian.

"But I hope you won't regret this."

With that, I left under his stunned gaze.

The rumors came faster than I'd imagined.

As if orchestrated, within an afternoon, various versions spread online.

My face was edited into all kinds of obscene videos and turned into memes spread everywhere.

With my identity exposed and the video's deliberately misleading text.

I received endless abuse and humiliation.

"So the boss lady of Stellar Group was ruined years ago, no wonder she hasn't had kids all these years"

"Poor Adrian, so handsome but the honest guy stuck cleaning up the mess"

"She sounded like she was enjoying it, where's the pain"

The group's stock price fluctuated as a result.

The next day, the board of directors suspended my position.

Adrian called me, all business.

"Laura, Stellar Group didn't get where it is today easily. We can't let it be destroyed because of your indiscretions."

He'd completely forgotten this was all Mira's doing.

"Don't worry, as long as you sign, I'll give you the compensation you deserve."

I gripped the phone tightly.

"Your so-called compensation means stepping on my reputation to kick me out, forcing me to sign the divorce papers."

Adrian was silent for a moment.

"Laura, don't blame me."

He didn't deny it.

"Mira is innocent and insecure. If we continue working together, she won't be able to handle it."

"I just want to protect my family."

He still didn't know his so-called family was on a countdown.

Only ten hours until the chip failed.

And at this moment, media outlets exposed photos of Adrian taking Mira to her prenatal checkup.