Chapter 1531 A Flicker of Hope Once Again
Emily was practically glowing with satisfaction, her voice dripping with smugness as she gushed about the Reed family daughter. "You probably don't even deserve to breathe the same air as her, you pathetic thing. She graduated from a top-ranked university and she's coming back to the country soon—completely out of your league. I heard you went to some no-name college? The fact that you've clawed your way this far just shows how shameless you are. God knows how many men you've spread your legs for."
Ann had expected this the moment she realized Emily had followed her. Without a word, she continued limping forward, each step sending sharp pain through her ankle.
Emily's cold laughter echoed behind her as she snapped photos of Ann's retreating figure, immediately uploading them to her group chat with gleeful malice. It read: [Look at this pathetic sight—limping around like some street beggar.]
[I can't believe Ann actually had the nerve to hit him.]
[She really does look like a beggar. Emily, is it true Paul's getting engaged to the Reed daughter? Must be out of respect for Alex, right?]
The Reed family fortune was legendary, and their most accomplished daughter was undeniably exceptional—leagues beyond anything Ann could ever hope to achieve.
Emily's fingers flew across her phone screen. She texted: [Paul's reached that age where marriage is expected, and his family's been pushing for it. With the Reed daughter returning home, it looks like both families have already worked everything out.]
Everyone in the group harbored their own secret fantasies about Paul, but the reality of Alex's connection made it clear why Paul would choose the Reed daughter—it was about maintaining face and family alliances.
Among all the eligible heiresses of her generation, Paul could have married anyone, but he'd chosen the Reeds for strategic reasons.
The group chat fell into an awkward silence punctuated only by obligatory congratulations, no one quite knowing what else to say.
Ann had reached her car, but her swollen ankle made driving impossible.
Settling into the driver's seat, she stared out at the distant lights of the villa, the stark contrast between her world and Paul's hitting her like a physical blow.
No matter how hard she tried to fit into his sphere, this circle valued generational wealth and established power—things that couldn't be earned through individual effort alone. One person's struggle meant nothing against centuries of accumulated influence and connections.
A bitter smile crossed her lips as she remembered the desperate, pleading texts she'd sent him earlier. Her cheeks burned with fresh humiliation.
Fighting through the throbbing pain in her ankle, she managed to start the car, but by the time she'd driven halfway home, her entire body had gone numb from exhaustion and emotional overload.
Pulling over to the roadside, she fumbled for her phone and found herself staring at the single photo of her and Paul together. Her eyes welled up again despite her best efforts.
She was the only one who remembered everything they'd shared—every moment, every touch, every whispered word that had meant the world to her but apparently nothing to him.
What was the point of holding onto any of it?
Her finger hovered over the delete button, but when the confirmation prompt appeared, her hand began to tremble uncontrollably.
This was the only photo she had with Paul, and after tonight, she'd do everything in her power to avoid him. The chasm between their worlds was insurmountable—she'd been foolish to think she could ever bridge it.
If she deleted this photo, she'd have nothing left of him at all.
Ann's finger froze, and ultimately she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she created a private folder and moved the photo there, hiding it away like a shameful secret.
After completing this small act of self-preservation, she tossed her phone aside and slumped back in her seat, staring blankly into the darkness.
But just then, her phone vibrated softly—a faint sound that pierced the dead silence, making her heart involuntarily flicker with hope once again.
For one desperate, pathetic moment, she hoped it might be Paul. The thought made her realize just how far gone she truly was.
But it wasn't him. An unknown number was requesting to add her as a contact. She accepted, and immediately received a message: [You're Ann, right?]
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