Jessica’s husband hired thugs to kidnap her and subjected her to brutal abuse, all because his mistress was assaulted and became pregnant.

When she woke up, her phone was filled with messages about investment failure.

【Your investment process has been terminated because your ID card has been revoked.】

【Please have the heir bring the death certificate, inheritance notarization, and valid ID cards to handle follow-up procedures.】

Jessica thought there must be a system glitch. She called the police station, only to hear the officer say:

“A week ago, Jessica was beaten to death. Her ex-husband, Mr.Mitchell, personally brought her death certificate to cancel her household registration and ID card.”

Jessica was struck dumbfounded. She clutched her phone tightly with all her strength and asked in a trembling voice, her lips quivering, “Where's her body?

If there's no body, how could Sean have a death certificate for her? And why is he her 'ex-husband' now?”

The officer sighed, then added with envy:

“Jessica's body got mutilated by killers. After her death, Mr.Mitchell was devastated by grief. To ease his sorrow, he married a woman who bore resemblance to her.”

“That wedding blew up all over New York! Didn't you see the clips?

Sean totally adored Jessica!”

The phone slipped from her hand and fell onto the hospital bed. A piercing pain welled up in her chest.

Even strangers knew Sean adored Jessica.

But she wasn't dead. why would Sean produce a fake death certificate, cancel her ID, and marry another woman?

Jessica choked back tears, ignored her screaming wounds, ripped off the sheets, and stumbled out of the hospital.

On the mall's billboard, a video was playing: Sean dropping millions on a rare pink diamond for his new darlingat an auction.

Jessica finally saw who he married—Tiffany.

Her mind went blank.

She couldn't remember how she'd made it to the auction.

When her head cleared, she spotted Sean and his buddy waiting in the hallway.

She lunged to confront him, but his buddy said, “Bro Sean, you're so generous! To buy that rare pink diamond for Tiffany, you kept placing winning bids.”

“You've blown nearly a billion on Tiffany these past two weeks!

Stop pretending you don't like her—you're almost spending your entire fortune on her.”

Sean grinned. “If she wants it, I'd pluck stars from the sky for her.”

His buddy scratched his head. “Bro Sean, I'm lost. Wasn't Jessica your true love?

Tiffany's pregnant—just let her have the kid. Why did you go through all the trouble of faking Jessica's death certificate, canceling her ID, and marrying Tiffany?”

Sean leaned against the wall and gave him a calm glance. He had just pulled out a cigarette when he suddenly seemed to remember something. He glanced toward the restroom and chucked the whole pack in the trash.

His smile warmed at Tiffany's name but cooled at Jessica's.

“Two weeks back, Jessica tried to drive Tiffany away. She drugged Tiffany to dump her with hobos.”

"Luckily, I rushed over as soon as I found out about Tiffany's identity. Turns out she's the high-society princess from New York I've been looking for all this time. I promised her when we were kids that I'd never make her cry again."

"I love Jessica, but I can't abandon Tiffany either."

"Tiffany loves me so much she'd rather hide in the shadows as my mistress. I couldn't bear it when she decided to have an abortion just because she's afraid of gossip, hurting herself like that."

"Only if Jessica dies can Tiffany marry me in a legitimate way and give birth to our child."

His brother worried: "Jessica should be waking up soon. You've gone to all this trouble. What if someone finds out?"

Sean chuckled confidently. "Jessica won't find out. I'll tell the doctors to forge the severity of her injuries—bad enough to keep her in the hospital for another year. Once Tiffany delivers our baby, I'll divorce her and reunite with Jessica."

"Keep your crew in check. Make sure none of them wander near Jessica."

Jessica stood far away, listening to everything, and burst into tears.

So this was why the Mitchell Group faced bankruptcy—Sean had spent a billion dollars on Tiffany, while she'd been secretly planning to invest her own funds to save him.

So her suffering had been orchestrated by Sean himself, all to invalidate her Social Security Number and ID card so Tiffany could marry him with a "clean" status.

So half a month ago, Sean had been intimate with Tiffany—the woman who'd been obsessively pursuing him for six months.

Yet she'd never lifted a finger against Tiffany.

And she was the true high-society princess Sean spoke of!

Jessica remembered his vow clearly: "No matter how hard she chases me, I'll never entertain her advances."

"Jessica, you're the only one I'll ever love. If I can't be with you forever, I'll never rest in peace—even in death."

Those earnest words had once moved her to tears. Now they became sharp blades piercing her heart.

Suddenly she recalled their childhood meeting.

When she was six, her father's latest affair drove her mother to madness. As her mother tried to drag her into death, it was Sean from next door who saved her.

Afterward, Sean became the sunshine in her dark world. He'd also promised her that he'd never let her cry again.

At nine, Sean's family suddenly moved away, plunging her life back into darkness.

At nineteen, after clashing with her father and taking her mother's surname, Jessica ran away from home.

Homeless, she encountered Sean being bullied by the Mitchells' illegitimate son.

This time, she became Sean's savior.

She moved Sean with genuine love, so he clung to her constantly.

He folded a thousand wishing charms and origami stars for her. He'd used the money he earned from underground boxing matches to buy her concert tickets. He'd even been dragged three kilometers by the driver who'd insulted her—all just to avenge her...

His love bordered on madness. To be with her, he'd been willing to go against his parents, even risk his life

Even on their wedding day, Sean swore with his life:

"Jessica, we share the same hardships. The thing we hate most in this life is infidelity."

"I swear upon my life: I'll never betray you. I will never let you down. If I ever do… I'll die!"

But now it seems like a joke.

Overwhelmed by grief, Jessica let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down her face.

She stumbled out of the auction, each step an agony.

Memories of the past flashed repeatedly in her mind.

Only when a nurse screamed did she notice the gruesome wounds reopening and bleeding.

But Jessica felt no pain—nothing hurt more than her shattered heart.

Back in her ward, Jessica made a call.

"Who's Tiffany Moore?"

Alexander Campbell, her father's secretary, answered.

"Tiffany Moore?

Jessica, you must mean Tiffany Allen.

Before you ran away, Mr. Moore had Elizabeth Allen's daughter move in to keep you company.

Tiffany Allen wanted to get closer to you, so she took our family name."

So Tiffany Moore was Elizabeth's daughter. She'd changed her family name, secretly had plastic surgery, and brazenly posed as the high-society princess.

"I'll come home on two conditions: First, kick Tiffany out of The Moore family. Second, I want The Moore family and a brand-new identity."

Shortly after hanging up, Jessica received a message from Alexander.

["Jessica, Mr. Mitchell is currently on a business trip abroad. In a week, I'll bring you home."]

Jessica replied: ["Okay."]

It was Sean who broke the vow.

She didn't want him anymore.

Since her ID card had been canceled, she didn't need to prepare the divorce papers anymore.

The nurse redressed Jessica's wounds.

During this, Jessica searched for Sean on her phone, almost like self-harm in a self-tormenting manner.

The internet was flooded with posts about Sean buying luxury goods for Tiffany and attending upper-class social events and business meetings.

Finally, she leaned back against the hospital bed, her eyes vacant as she stared at the ceiling, and said to the nurse: "Don't tell him I went out."

The nurse wanted to speak but didn't dare. If Sean found out it was their negligence that let Jessica run out and worsen her wounds, he wouldn't let them off easily.

After leaving the room, she only dared to call Sean and say that Jessica had woken up.

In just half an hour, Sean, who was dozens of kilometers away, rushed over.

The moment he saw Jessica, the anxiety on Sean's face turned to joy. Sweat still glistened on his forehead from running. His hands trembled as he tried to reach out to her, yet he was afraid of touching her wounds. He asked hoarsely: "Darling, you're awake. Does it still hurt?"

He was so distressed that he wished he could take her pain upon himself.

The love in his eyes couldn't be fake.

Just as others said, Sean loved Jessica desperately.

It also made Jessica recall a year ago, to help Sean become the heir of the Mitchell Group, she became a thorn of the Mitchell bastard, who captured and punished her.

It was Sean who arrived in time, put down his weapon, shielded her under his body, and endured all the torture for her.

But this same devoted man, while Jessica was in a coma, canceled her ID card just to marry another woman legitimately.

His love had long been split in two.

Jessica stared at him quietly, her eyes red-rimmed.

Her throat trembled several times, but the pain kept her from saying a word.

"Darling, don't cry."

Sean panicked, carefully wiping her tears, and said in painful self-blame: "I came too late. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have let you go out alone."

"I'll make those who hurt you pay a hundredfold!"

After saying this, he snapped his fingers with a vicious look.

Soon, Sean's bodyguards brought in several men covered in wounds, barely alive.

They roughly grabbed the men's heads and slammed them hard on the floor.

Instantly, their heads were smashed to a bloody pulp!

The men gasped for mercy: "We were wrong, spare us..."

But Sean wasn't satisfied. His menacing aura was terrifying.

"Take them away and keep beating them. Only stop when my darlinghas recovered!"

The men were dragged away, leaving bloodstains all over the floor.

Sean blocked most of this bloody scene.

But the screams pierced straight into Jessica's ears.

Then, Sean knelt before her and slapped himself hard three times.

The crisp sounds echoed in the room. The force was so strong that his right cheek swelled in moments.

"Darling, I deserve punishment too!"

Jessica suddenly couldn't understand Sean anymore.

Had she not heard it herself, she'd never believe the man who loved her so deeply could betray her.

Those cruel words echoed in her mind, bringing back sharp, stabbing pain.

Her eyes were like a breached dam, flooded with tears.

Sean gently took Jessica's hand, pleading:

"Darling, if you're hurting, hit me."

"I can't bear seeing you cry."

Jessica bit her lip until it bled, struggling to control her turmoil.

She spoke softly: "Just some eye strain."

Sean instantly relaxed, pulling out a rosary to place on Jessica's wrist.

"Darling, I got this at the Cathedral while you were unconscious."

"They said making wishes with three kneels and nine bows really works—turns out it's true."

"Reward me with a kiss?"

He leaned his face toward hers.

Previously, every gift from Sean earned him a kiss.

Now, all Jessica could see were visions of Sean tangled in bed with Tiffany—making her nauseous.

As she scrambled for an excuse, Sean's phone buzzed insistently.

He silenced it immediately.

The buzzing persisted.

Jessica urged: "Check it. It might be something urgent."

Sean opened his messages, his expression shifting.

"Darling, it's an emergency. Wait for me!"

Jessica nodded, and Sean rushed away—faster than he'd arrived.

Somehow, Jessica followed.

She watched him enter another room down the hall.

Just outside, Sean's voice carried clearly:

"Don't worry Tiffany, those wounds are fake."

"After Jessica drugged you and left you with those hobo, your friends had every right to retaliate. Frankly, I should thank them."

"I'd been struggling to find a way for you to keep the baby. Their little stunt gave me the perfect cover."

"But still, those kicks they gave Jessica knocked her out for days. That really annoyed me. They deserve to be punished, so I made them kneel and kowtow a few times."

Jessica felt like falling into an icy abyss All the strength drained from her body, and she stumbled unsteadily. She clung tightly to the wall to keep from collapsing to the floor. Gasping for air, she still couldn't ease the tearing agony in her chest.

Those kicks Sean mentioned? For Jessica, it was torture worse than death.

She'd never forget that night.

Those men dragged her away, covered her head, and fearing obvious wounds, repeatedly beat her thighs and lower back with steel rods.

In the ER, Jessica heard the doctor declare her thigh shattered, abdomen pierced by thin wires, organs ruptured.

Those wounds bled raw!

Had help arrived later, they'd have beaten her to death.

Voices continued in the ward.

Tiffany sniffled, wiping tears. "After you left, everyone bullied me."

"Now even my friends suffer because of me."

"Sean, you liar!"

"If you hadn't discovered who I am, would you never have recognized me? Would you have never risked your life to save me—and even chased me away for Jessica?"

Sean chuckled, pulling her close. "Princess, I was wrong."

Tiffany's tears stopped. "Then punish yourself!"

His gaze burned. "How, Princess?"

She lifted a tear-streaked finger. "lick the tears off my finger."

Sean's voice softened. "Your wish is my command."

Jessica couldn't bear it. She tried to flee.

Twisting around, she saw Sean kneeling, tongue meticulously cleaning tears from Tiffany's fingers—even between them.

When finished, he rose slowly, licking tears off her cheeks.

Soon, their lips met

—lost in passion, kissing fiercely.

Jessica spotted the rosary on Tiffany's wrist—identical to the one Sean just gave her.

Wishes at the Cathedral required sincerity: three kneelings, nine prostrations.

And only one wish per person.

Did Sean get it for her... or for Tiffany?

Watching them entwined, Jessica shattered inside.

A sob caught in her raw throat.

Sean, is this your "only ever loved you"?

Jessica retreated, fearing she'd vomit.

Back in her ward, she sat numb for hours.

Sean returned near midnight.

He tiptoed to her bed, watching her "sleep," throat bobbing. "Sweetheart," he whispered, "you owe me a kiss. I'll collect."

Leaning down, he almost touched her lips—

Jessica turned abruptly, hand covering her face, back to him.

The tears she'd been holding back slid down in an instant, soaking the pillow. Her hidden fist clenched beneath the sheets.

He actually wanted to kiss her with the lips that just touched Tiffany's...

Honestly, disgusting.

A helpless sigh whispered in her ear.

"Darling, I've waited so long for this kiss. Won't you let me quench my thirst even while sleeping?"

Over the next two days, Sean cleared his schedule to stay by Jessica's side.

He had his assistant instruct doctors to falsify a critical diagnosis report, tenderly insisting she remain hospitalized for a year.

He specifically told Jessica:

"Darling, you're unwell. Limit your phone use."

"Tell me what you'd like, I'll bring it to you."

He was certain she didn't like scrolling through news or posts, so she'd never find out the truth—and he didn't take her phone away.

But Jessica already knew everything.

No amount of his affection could move her now.

That night, torrential rain lashed New York as lightning cracked across the sky.

Jessica cowered under the covers, trembling.

Unwanted memories flooded her mind:

Her mother's hysterical screams upon catching her father's affair in another storm; his mistress secretly poisoning her; thugs beating her with steel pipes...

Jessica turned deathly pale, her body ice-cold with anguish.

Sean's heart clenched. He immediately ordered soundproof blankets to seal every window and door crack despite the downpour.

Holding Jessica tightly, he murmured reassurance into her ear again and again:

"Darling, don't be afraid."

"I'm here. No one will hurt you."

Numb to his comfort, Jessica gradually stilled.

Then she froze.

Sean's phone was lit by an ongoing call with Tiffany—an earpiece glowed faintly beneath his collar.

His whispered comforts weren't just for her. They were for Tiffany too.

Jessica stared blankly for a long moment.

Finally, she pushed Sean away with eerie calm and lay back down.

"I'm fine. It's late—you should rest."

He thought she was just worrying about him, so he smiled and said: "Darling, how could I bear to leave? I'll stay here and watch you sleep."

You share your love so easily. Of course you'd stay.

Jessica remained silent.

Sean's call continued all night.

At dawn, Sean had workers install hospital-wide soundproofing and brought a limited-edition Victrola Gramophone to play classical music for Jessica.

The nurse administering IV fluids gushed:

"Mr. Mitchell panicked over last night's thunder! He renovated the whole hospital at daybreak..."

"Mrs. Mitchell, he truly cherishes you."

Jessica smiled bitterly.

"Jessica's my wife. Who else should I cherish?"

Sean grinned while peeling an apple, seeking praise. "Right, darling?"

His laughter pierced Jessica's heart.

She met his eyes, lips tight. "Yes. Sean vowed to love only me forever."

"If he betrays me... he'll die."

She watched for any flicker of guilt.

But unfortunately, she was wrong.

Sean showed none—as if the man entangled with Tiffany wasn't him.

For one searing moment, Jessica nearly demanded: If you love me so deeply... why cheat?

Just because Tiffany pretended to be the high-society princess?

Her lips trembled for ages, but Jessica never asked.

It wasn't necessary anymore.

That man who'd tainted her—even if he'd mistaken her identity—she wouldn't keep him.

A sudden knock echoed at the door, and Tiffany entered with guilt written all over her face.

"Jessica, I'm to blame for not restraining those friends who hurt you.

They've suffered enough. Please tell Sean to release them."

"You lost your ID card, so I arranged a replacement."

Jessica glimpsed that ID card.

Instantly, all color drained from her face.

Turns out they hadn't just secretly issued her death certificate—they'd altered her name too.

Not Jessica, but Doggy Jones.

Doggy... that filthy bitch...

A suffocating rage swelled in her chest, unleashing days of pent-up emotions.

Jessica couldn't hold back a low snarl: "Get out!"

Only then did Sean notice the wrong name on the ID card. His heart lurched as he pulled the distraught Jessica into a tight embrace, soothingly patting her back while twisting to glare at Tiffany. "Who told you to change this name?!"

Tiffany trembled, casting an innocent glance at the license before tearfully defending herself:

"Doggy? That's calling her a dog!

Sean, someone must've messed up accidentally. It's my fault for not checking carefully."

"Jessica, if you're really angry, just hit me."

But Jessica saw triumph flicker beneath Tiffany's fake innocence.

That deliberate slip was a blatant taunt.

Her lips turned bloodless as she tilted her chin up, ready to grant Tiffany's wish.

Just as her palm swung, someone grabbed her wrist—Sean, swaying unsteadily.

The fury on his face now mingled with panic.

This was the first time he'd stopped her for someone else.

"What?

I can't hit her?"

Jessica swallowed tears, scoffing: "Accident or on purpose—you know the truth."

Sean's stomach dropped.

Suppressing his unease, he rushed to explain.

"Sweetheart, this is too dirty for your hands. Let me handle it. I'll make her pay right now!"

He then yanked Tiffany away roughly.

This time, Jessica didn't follow.

But her phone buzzed with a video from Tiffany.

Sean had lied again.

His "punishment" was just a tender murmur: "One shout scares you to cry?

My princess, this is my fault."

Tiffany pouted, petulantly confessing:

"No, I'm wrong. I'm horrible for changing Jessica's name.

If you want to punish me for her, just do it!"

Sean sighed helplessly, pulling Tiffany into his arms and kissing her repeatedly.

"You didn't mean to. Besides, you're my miracle. How could I punish you?

I'm sorry, princess. Punish me instead?"

Tears splattered onto Jessica's phone.

A mis-tap fast-forwarded the footage.

Instantly, Jessica nearly vomited.

Sean was easing her breast tenderness with his mouth before moving lower to pleasure her!

She slammed her phone shut. Indescribable pain seized her chest, crushing her.

Sean, your promises are jokes!

You've humiliated me completely!

Sean returned the next morning, face glowing with post-sex satisfaction while feigning disgust toward Tiffany—a pathetic act.

"Sweetheart, I punished her. She won't target you again."

Jessica stayed silent, sweeping him with an icy stare.

A night of agony had drained away every drop of love she held for him.

Something felt off about Jessica to Sean.

Those eyes looking at him felt utterly alien, showing not a trace of affection for him.

Heart clenched violently.

Panic rising, he'd rather blame it on the name discrepancy on the ID card than entertain darker possibilities.

"Darling, I forgot to update the name."

"I'll have it fixed immediately."

The name?

It meant nothing now.

In three days, she'd cease to be Jessica, let alone Doggy.

After lunch, Tiffany arrived.

Her steps were labored, exposed arms mottled with bruises.

The nurse finishing Jessica's IV gasped, "Mr. Mitchell truly loves you—he even disciplined a woman for your sake."

Tiffany added pointedly, "Sis Jessica, Sean punished me all night because of you."

"I cried for hours, but he wouldn't stop. He nearly broke me."

The nurse left, spreading tales of Sean's devotion.

Jessica ignored her, struggling to rise for the restroom.

Tiffany dropped the act with a sneer.

"What's the act for? Saw the video I sent last night? Or when Sean fucked me so hard two days ago?"

"He hasn't touched you in ages. How can you stay?"

"Leave Sean, and I'll give you half a million."

Jessica remained impassive.

Tiffany bristled. "Jessica, know who I am?"

"I'm New York's high-society princess! You can't win!"

Jessica glanced coldly.

"Changing your surname won't make you real."

Tiffany's eyes widened. "What do you mean?!"

Footsteps echoed outside. Spotting a familiar figure, Tiffany flashed Jessica a grotesque smile and snapped her rosary bracelet.

Red thread severed, beads scattering across the floor.

Jessica slipped, instinctively grabbing at air.

"Jessica!"

Sean's terrified cry rang in her ears.

Yet in her blurring vision, Sean sprinted past—catching Tiffany instead.

Thud—

Jessica hit the ground hard, pain making her black out.

When she woke again, it was midnight.

During Jessica's surgery, Sean had the bodyguard whip him a hundred times.

Afterward, he stayed by her sickbed, face deathly pale.

Seeing her awake, Sean said urgently, "Darling, you're awake. I thought you..."

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have caught Tiffany. I panicked over you and held the wrong person."

His voice shook, red eyes spilling tears.

Before, Jessica would've understood.

Tiffany had done wild things chasing Sean.

She'd hurt Jessica again and again.

Each time, Sean protected her.

He loved her so much.

Now, Jessica felt nothing inside.

She rasped, "I want water."

Sean fetched water, carefully feeding her.

Ignoring the wounds on his back, Jessica said flatly, "I need more rest. Leave now."

Sean froze.

That odd feeling surged again.

Why didn't she ask about his injuries?

Had she... stopped loving him?

Impossible!

Jessica must be upset and didn't notice.

Sean opened his mouth to speak when his assistant rushed over, whispering in his ear.

Sean glanced at Jessica. "Darling, rest well."

Jessica slept half the day.

As she improved, her nurse noticed her coldness toward Sean and blurted, "Ma'am, after your accident, Sean blamed himself terribly."

"During your surgery, he made his bodyguard whip him a hundred times. Didn't even treat the wounds. Stayed by your side till you woke, then raced to investigate what happened."

"Nurse Melissa Nelson claimed you snatched Tiffany's rosary, causing your fall... But Sean fired her instantly and had his guards retaliate."

Jessica asked, "You all think he loves me?"

The nurse nodded.

Sean played the part so well.

If they knew he cheated with Tiffany, would they envy her?

All day, Jessica saw no sign of Sean, just his text:

"Darling, urgent company business. I'll be back late."

But trending topics on her phone exposed his lie:

His Darling Lives Tiffany The Mistress Takes Over

Jessica clicked—Melissa had posted her photo online:

"Jessica isn't dead! Sean's a scumbag letting Tiffany steal her place."

Before she finished reading, the facebook post vanished.

Soon, a clarification trended:

"Jessica did pass away. Sean remains devastated. Yet Ms. Melissa photoshopped her image to slander his wife, crushing him anew. We'll sue her."

Jessica laughed aloud.

At midnight, she jolted awake from a nightmare.

She went to the bathroom to wash her face, only to have a cloth pressed over half her face as she turned around.

Ether soaked into the fabric flooded her nostrils. Before Jessica could struggle, she blacked out.

Much later, she awoke with a groggy, muddled mind.

"Tiffany, you've suffered too much injustice. Jessica caused your fall that nearly ended your pregnancy, and now a nurse falsely accused you."

"I can't bear to lay a hand on Jessica, but that nurse who bullied you must face consequences."

Sean's voice drifted over. Then came the brutal impact of over a dozen iron rods slamming into her body. Unhealed wounds tore open again, revealing bloody exposed bone beneath.

Jessica uncontrollably recalled that night of collapse, trembling violently. Desperate to scream for help, she found her mouth stuffed with cloth.

The blindfold amplified every agony, tormenting her relentlessly.

Faintly, Sean's words from that stormy night echoed in her ears:

—Darling, as long as I'm alive, I won't let you suffer even the slightest harm.

Thud—

Another savage blow shattered those false promises.

Her ears rang, blood streaming down her face.

After an eternity, the torture ceased.

Half-dead, Jessica had the blindfold ripped off.

A basin of scalding hot oil splashed across her face.

"Agh—"

Her scream died in her throat.

Through the haze, she heard Tiffany's triumphant voice:

"Jessica, you still don't realize? Sean canceled your Social Security Number and ID card. He declared you dead across social media. That face of yours is useless now."

"Now I'm Sean's wife!"

"Don't blame me for being cruel. You stole half of Sean's heart and learned my secret. That's why you have to disappear for good."

Tiffany ordered her dragged into a car.

After ninety minutes, the burns to her eyes subsided enough for Jessica to make out blurry shapes.

She was taken to a bustling old estate—someone was hosting a birthday banquet.

Before she could escape, her captors changed into costumes and forced her onto a platform.

They beat and tortured her with various objects.

She curled up, trying to flee, but everyone blocked her path.

A sharp blade pierced her skin, mangling flesh. Burning exorcism scrolls rained down, searing her wounds. Saltwater splashed over her, multiplying the agony...

Jessica wished for death.

Applause erupted below the stage.

Tiffany explained to Emma Mitchell with a smile: "Grandma, that blood-covered, twisted creature is the evil spirit. The exorcists are performing the ritual to cleanse your bad luck! May you live a hundred years!"

Emma patted Tiffany's hand approvingly. "Such a dutiful girl, unlike that Jessica. No skills, no connections—just her presence brings bad luck! Yet she bewitched Sean! He nearly cut ties with us to marry her!"

"Three years married, still no pregnancy. Without you, our Mitchell line would end with Sean!"

Sean protested quietly, "Grandma."

Emma scoffed. "The Mitchell Group nears bankruptcy. Tiffany pledged two billion in investment. What can Jessica do? Squander our wealth? Who knows where she's wasting money now!"

Other Mitchell relatives chimed in:

"Exactly! Tiffany's our savior. Jessica only shamed the Mitchell name."

"Everyone envies Sean for marrying a high-society princess. When Jessica was his wife, I hid in embarrassment!"

"Thank goodness Sean came to his senses and wed Tiffany. If only Jessica's death weren't fake..."

Tiffany smiled radiantly. "Grandma, the performance is over. Let's dine."

Hearing familiar voices, Jessica tried lifting her head—only to be kicked down.

Her bloodshot eyes locked onto Sean leaving. Staggering futility washed over her.

She strained to scream accusations, to expose Tiffany.

But her scalded throat could produce no sound—only searing pain.

Blood mixed with tears on her face.

Sean, you mistook Tiffany for me.

Now you don't recognize me either—watching them torture me!

Sean sensed something and turned.

Those crimson eyes felt hauntingly familiar.

The raw hatred in them unsettled him deeply.

Sean unconsciously spoke up, "Tiffany, the injuries on her..."

Tiffany halted, surprised he'd noticed Jessica. A flicker of unreadable emotion crossed her eyes before she replied, "They're obviously fake."

"Sean, stop staring. Let's go eat—I'm starving. Bet the baby's hungry too."

Sean immediately averted his gaze.

Once the crowd dispersed, the man in costume viciously kicked Jessica.

"What're you gaping at? He's the high-society princess's husband! What kind of trash are you to even look at Mr. Mitchell?"

They roughly dragged Jessica away, dumping her into a shallow mountain pit. Someone stuffed cloth over her mouth and nose.

"Don't haunt us if you die. Blame yourself for provoking New York's princess. Did you really think trash like you could touch her?"

Suffocation triggered Jessica's instinctive struggle.

She'd long lost all strength. Slowly closing her eyes, she awaited death in despair.

Agony tore through her body, yet a liberating smile touched her lips.

Sean, my only regret is ever loving you.

You betrayed me and broke your vows.

May we never meet again—in this life or beyond!

Before darkness fully claimed her, frantic footsteps and shouts pierced the air.

"Ms. Jessica—"

"How dare they harm the mistress! They deserve death!"

"Get her to the hospital now!"