14

"It's true that one can't predict fate. I was once the most eye-catching heiress in New York, but later, my family was destroyed, and I fell into a pit, becoming the laughingstock of the world."

She stared into Angie's eyes. "However... the world is ever-changing. Nobody should feel too proud. You never know, some people might also be favored by fate and become the next protagonist."

Angie's heart skipped a beat, and her playful expression vanished. For a moment, she was left speechless, and in the corner of her eye, she saw Cary gazing at Aileen as if he had lost his soul.
Her eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness, and she suddenly clung to Cary as if startled, looking aggrieved.

"I only wanted to care for Aileen. I heard that she didn't go to college and only graduated from high school. I was worried that she might have trouble with job interviews, so I mentioned it. Why is she so angry? Did I say something wrong?"

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, appearing as if she were the one being bullied.

Cary withdrew his gaze and looked down at the woman in his arms, and the desolation in his eyes dissipated slightly. "It's not your fault; it's our Williams family that owes them."

Angie felt even more wronged, her voice sounding nasally as she anxiously said, "Aileen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It's understandable if you hate me; in the past, I didn't treat you well. Please don't involve Cary..."

Angie's portrayal, with teary eyes and a pitiful appearance, made Aileen feel that she was an accomplished actress. She could play the role of a dignified female elite and also act as a fragile young girl. Her appearance of grievance contrasted with the words she spoke, which were cutting to the heart.

Though Aileen was the one being bullied, in Angie's words, she felt as if she were the one in the wrong.

No wonder in her past life, she felt utterly oppressed, escaping every confrontation with Angie and staying indoors all day. She started to believe that she was truly ugly on the inside, causing Cary to dislike her and blame herself for everything that went wrong.

Aileen's gaze regained its calm, and she no longer wanted to play these manipulative games. "Angie, you have already achieved what you wanted. Don't provoke me anymore, or else..."

Her fair hand lifted, revealing a faint pink scar. "I will come to collect all the debts from the past."

A frightened expression flickered in Angie's tearful eyes, and her fingers gripping Cary's arm tightened nervously.

She gritted her teeth and didn't say anything else, but her eyes betrayed deep resentment and fear.

Aileen ignored them and walked away.

At that moment, not far away, stood a man in a black suit holding a bouquet of champagne roses. His face was gloomy, making the brilliant flowers look ominous.

Back home, Aileen felt as if all her strength had been drained, and she collapsed on the couch. Memories from the past resurfaced, both unfamiliar and familiar.

During high school, she had a decent relationship with Angie. Back then, she was naive and willful, and she blindly joined the pursuit of Cary, neglecting her studies.

Angie was the top student in their class, and they became close as they studied together to prepare for exams and assignments.

One year before her family went bankrupt, there was an evening self-study session before a small test. On her way home, Angie was cornered by a group of hooligans, and she sent a distress message to Aileen.

In a rush, Aileen tried to find her, but ironically, that night, Angie managed to escape unscathed, while Aileen was caught and had her right hand's tendons severed, completely destroying her path in piano.

Even now, she vividly remembered her mother's tearful sobs and her father's heartache that night.

Her eyes wandered, and she felt too distant from those emotions to be sad now.

However, she felt a sense of powerlessness. Although she was the one who had been hurt, why did others' lives seem to become more exciting?

In her past life, she had looked up to Angie on the TV, seeing the beautiful and glamorous life she had.

"How was the job interview?"

A deep and thick voice sounded, pulling Aileen out of her thoughts.

When did Geoffrey come back?

She was about to avoid him, but seeing his cold expression and the deep gaze in his blue eyes, she held back.

"I don't plan to go to that company; it belongs to Cary's family."

How long had he been standing there? Had he seen her in that state?

Geoffrey, dressed in all black, looked focused. "If you don't want to go, then don't. No matter what you do, I'll accompany you."

Aileen's fingers trembled, and her heart skipped a beat. He would accompany her no matter what she did?

Remembering his tragic ending in her past life, a pang of sourness surged through her. Unknowingly, she had become accustomed to his presence.

His figure in her vision became blurry, and Aileen hurriedly turned away, saying, "Why are you so good to me? Is it just because I'm the one you married?"

Geoffrey saw everything, and his nasal voice betrayed her current feelings. His cold gaze seemed to dissolve, and he desperately wanted to get closer to the woman on the couch.

He took a step forward, and his broad hand firmly held her shoulder, pressing down with force.


Suddenly losing balance, Aileen was taken aback and, when she came to her senses, found herself sitting on Geoffrey's lap. Their eyes met; tears of unfinished sorrow still lingered in her eyes, while his eyes seemed to be filled with a storm, suppressing something.

"Why, don't you already know?" he asked.

Their bodies pressed against each other, and she felt the warmth radiating from him, mixed with a faint scent of alcohol and fresh vanilla. Aileen's mind went blank.

His wheat-colored face displayed a cold, angular demeanor, and behind the gold-rimmed glasses, his blue eyes furrowed.

Her chest felt inexplicably suffocated. Aileen suddenly wanted to smooth the frown between his eyebrows. Her warm fingertips brushed his face, and he caught that hand.

He pressed her restless hand onto the couch, while his left hand caressed her face and fiercely kissed her. The touch of his lips felt icy cold, causing Aileen's pupils to dilate.

Their hands intertwined on the couch as he couldn't control himself any longer. His left hand lost itself in her hair, deepening the kiss.

Aileen's heart raced, not knowing where to place her other hand.

Surprisingly, she found herself somewhat enjoying this feeling.

"I want you," he gasped between breaths, four words escaping his lips.