The next morning.

Hazel slipped into a bright red dress, she asked her friend to deliver before. The kind she hadn't worn in years. Rayan had never liked red. He'd been so controlling that if she didn't wear his preferred colors, he'd refuse to go out with her.

She couldn't believe she'd ever tolerated that.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Hazel saw something unfamiliar--a woman standing tall and elegant, wrapped in bold, blazing color. The fabric hugged her curves, the shade commanded attention. This--this was who she truly was. Daring.

Fierce. A woman unafraid to speak her mind.

She called a taxi and headed to RK Mansion.

This would be the last she would go to RK Mansion one last time--

--to end it all, on her own terms.

****

When the butler opened the door, the silver tray in his hands almost slipped. "Madam? You--"

"Not for much longer," Hazel interrupted calmly and walked past him.

The old man stared at her, stunned. The shy, compliant woman he once knew was gone. In her place stood someone composed, poised, and radiant with quiet confidence.

"Where's Rayan?" she asked softly.

"H-he's having breakfast," he stammered.

Hazel nodded and went upstairs to pack. When she came back down with her suitcase, Rayan was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.

He didn't even look up. "Have you learned your lesson?" His voice was cool, indifferent. "I can forgive your recklessness this time, but don't repeat it. Go make me a cup of coffee. Once you've done that, I'll have your cards unfrozen."

Hazel's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. So this was how little he thought of her. He truly believed she'd come crawling back to please him.

"Mr. Knight," she said evenly, "you've misunderstood. I'm not here to ask for forgiveness. I'm here to collect my things."

That got his attention. He looked up sharply, disbelief flashing across his face. Hazel met his gaze, her expression steady. "By the way, have you signed the papers? If you have, let's go to the civil court and get this over with properly."

For a long moment, the room was silent. Rayan simply stared at her, struggling to comprehend that the woman who once revolved around him was now walking away without hesitation.

When he finally lifted his head again, his expression hardened.

The woman standing before him was not the timid wife he remembered.

Her face was cold, her posture regal. The scarlet dress made her look like a rose in

full bloom--beautiful, proud, and armed with thorns.

Rayan's breath caught. For a fleeting instant, another image flashed in his mind--her.

The resemblance was uncanny.

But no. This wasn't Evelyn. Evelyn had only ever worn white.

He forced himself to regain composure, eyes narrowing dangerously. "Hazel Foster, that's enough nonsense! What makes you think you have the right to demand a divorce?"

Hazel's expression didn't change. "Mr. Knight, I'm not speaking nonsense. Marriage is built on mutual will. Love is a matter of choice. The law grants me the right to file for divorce--I don't need your permission."

Her tone was calm, but each word carried a quiet finality that made his stomach twist.

"And more importantly," she continued, voice steady, almost detached, "I'm tired. I'm tired of pretending to enjoy every restaurant you take me to, knowing they were her favorites, not mine. I'm tired of smiling at every piece of jewelry or dress you buy me, knowing they reflect her taste--not mine."

She drew in a deep breath, pain flickering in her eyes before she steadied herself again.

"But most of all," she said softly, "I'm tired of pretending not to notice how you close your eyes when you touch me--because you're thinking of someone else."

"Shut up!" Rayan roared, his authority flooding the room like a violent wave.

Hazel realized something in that moment--once she'd stopped loving him, she no longer feared him. The strength that had always been buried deep inside her finally surfaced. She looked at him, waiting.

"You think I didn't know?" he hissed, his blue eyes burning with rage and humiliation. "You knew from the start you were a replacement, didn't you? You knew who I loved, and still you married me. You chose to live in her shadow, to play her part--and now you have the nerve to talk about love? About divorce?"

"Yes," Hazel said simply. Then her voice turned cold. "Because I finally realized something--you'll never be worthy of love."

For a second, the air itself seemed to crackle. Hazel saw the red flare in his eyes--feral, violent--but then his fist loosened.

He let out a cold laugh. "You want to leave? Fine. You're not even worth being a replacement anymore."

Hazel's fingers tightened at her side, but she didn't look away. "Good," she said quietly. "Because I'm done being the ghost of your fantasy. Your love, Rayan, is a disease. No sane woman would want it. Except Olivia--she's just as sick as you are."

Rayan froze, fury surging through him like fire. "Shut your mouth! You don't deserve my love!" he shouted, lunging forward.

He grabbed her wrist and threw her down on the sofa. "You think I can't live without you? You really think I'd miss you?"

Hazel didn't flinch. Her eyes were sharp, defiant.

"Perfect," she said icily. "The courthouse is on your route to work. Let's go--it won't take long."

He clenched his jaw, the tension between them so thick it was suffocating.

Neither of them noticed the maid in the corner, watching quietly before slipping away to make a phone call.

After a long silence, Rayan sneered. "You think divorce is that simple? What about assets? Alimony?"

"I don't want anything," Hazel said firmly. "You don't have to worry about how I'll survive."

"You don't want anything?" His voice dripped with contempt. "Hazel Foster, do you even know yourself? You have no talent, no skill. Without me, you're nothing. Do you really think you can survive out there?"

So that's what he truly thought of her.

Hazel smiled faintly--a humorless, tired smile. "Mr. Knight, once we're divorced, we're strangers. My life or death has nothing to do with you. And honestly, I'd rather beg on the streets than live as someone's substitute."

Something flickered in his eyes--anger, maybe disbelief--but it struck right at his pride.

At that moment, the sharp click of heels echoed through the hallway.

Olivia appeared in the doorway, carrying a breakfast tray and wearing that practiced mask of innocence. Her voice was light and pleasant, but her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Rayan, Hazel, what are you two talking about? I hope I'm not interrupting."

Hazel's lips twitched in disdain. "If I said you were, would you leave?"

Olivia froze for a split second. She hadn't expected Hazel to strike back--so bold, so unapologetically sharp.

Putting on her most pitiful expression, Olivia moved closer to Rayan and whispered tearfully, "Rayan, I swear I didn't mean to interrupt. It's just...I've been dreaming about Evelyn lately. She was crying so hard, saying you've stopped loving her. I couldn't sleep, so I came to check on you."

At the mention of Evelyn, Rayan's expression softened involuntarily. "You dreamed about her? What else did she say?"

Olivia bit her lip delicately. "She said you haven't changed--that you still love her.

Maybe...maybe it's just because it was her death anniversary a few days ago. She must really miss us."

Rayan's eyes dimmed. "Of course not. I'd never stop loving her. If you dream of Evelyn again, tell her yourself--I never changed."

Olivia let out a small, fake laugh through her tears. "Rayan, you're such a good man."

Hazel's stomach twisted with disgust as she looked at them. "Cut the act. You two seem to enjoy each other's company plenty. Who knows how many times you've used Evelyn's name as an excuse to sleep together?"

"Hazel!" Rayan's voice boomed like thunder. "Watch your mouth!"

"Fine," she said coldly, glancing at her watch. "Believe whatever you want. Can we finalize the divorce now? I don't have time to waste."

Olivia's smile faltered. If they got divorced, she could finally take Hazel's place--but Rayan still hadn't agreed. Panic flickered in her eyes.

"Rayan," she said softly, slipping into her peacemaker tone, "before she died, my sister's only wish was for you to be happy. Maybe...maybe you should forgive Hazel--for her sake?"

Hazel's temper flared. "Shut up, Olivia. My divorce has nothing to do with the dead. I don't need your pity."

Olivia's eyes glistened. "Rayan, why is she talking to me like that? Did I say something wrong?"

Rayan instinctively pulled her into his arms. "Don't be afraid. She's lost her mind--just ignore her."

That last sentence broke what little restraint Hazel had left.

Sensing victory, Olivia gave a small, smug smile. "Hazel, being like my sister was the best thing that ever happened to you. Otherwise, you'd never have become the lady of this house. You should be grateful."

Hazel let out a cold laugh. "Grateful? Olivia, do you want to take my place that badly? You've been coveting your brother-in-law for years."

"Enough!" Rayan roared, slamming his hand on the table. "You want a divorce so badly? Fine! Take whatever you want!"

Hazel's smile turned calm, almost triumphant. "You should've said that sooner."

Dragging her suitcase behind her, she walked straight out the door.

Rayan stormed after her, fury in his stride, while Olivia hurried to follow, feigning concern.

The Courthouse

Their number was called in the echoing hall of the civil court. Hazel turned to a young couple beside her and smiled politely. "Would you mind keeping an eye on my luggage for a minute? Thank you. I hope you two have a wonderful life together."

Dressed in a striking red dress, she looked so radiant that the clerk at the counter briefly mistook them for a couple coming to get married.

"May I see your IDs, please?" the clerk asked kindly. "We'll process your paperwork right away."

Hazel smiled faintly and handed over a folder--the divorce papers and her once-treasured marriage certificate.

"Thank you for your help."

The clerk blinked, momentarily confused. "You're...filing for divorce?"

"Yes," Hazel replied calmly. "I've already signed."

The clerk reviewed the documents, then looked at Rayan. "Mr. Knight, we just need your signature here."

Rayan's gaze lingered on Hazel's name for a long moment. Finally, he picked up the pen and signed with a firm hand.

"Miss Foster has chosen to leave without any financial claim," the clerk remarked, glancing between them. "Any objections?"

Rayan let out a bitter laugh. "No objections. Playing the saint again, Hazel? Pretending money means nothing--trying to be more like Evelyn? Let me tell you something--you'll never replace her."

Hazel's eyes stayed calm, but her tone turned razor-sharp. "Rayan Knight, wake up. I've repaid your so-called kindness a hundred times over these past three years. Your money means nothing to me--I make my own."

Then she turned to the stunned clerk. "Please finalize the paperwork. I'm in a hurry."

The woman blinked, then quickly stamped and sealed the documents.

When it was done, Hazel accepted the divorce decree with steady hands, her expression unreadable.

"Congratulations," the clerk murmured, handing it over.

Hazel said nothing. She turned and walked toward the exit.

Olivia's eyes gleamed with undisguised joy, but Hazel paused at the door, glancing back just once. A faint, knowing smile curved her lips.

"Don't get too excited, Miss Olivia," she said coldly. "Be careful--joy has a way of turning into sorrow when you least expect it."

Then she walked out of the courthouse, each click of her heels growing softer until it faded into silence.

Outside, she hailed a taxi, placed her suitcase in the trunk, and exhaled deeply.

Three years--finally over.

The woman who had once lived to please Rayan Knight was gone.

In her place stood a new Hazel Foster--one who no longer needed his love, his pity, or his name.

As the taxi drove away, the city stretched before her like a blank canvas waiting to be painted anew.

For the first time in years, Hazel smiled.

It wasn't a smile of love or hope--

It was the smile of freedom.

****

The Studio

Half an hour later, Hazel's taxi stopped in front of a studio--the one owned by her best friend, Elaina Williams.

At that moment, with nowhere else to go, Elaina was the only person Hazel could think of.

Dragging her suitcase, she walked inside.

As soon as she entered, Elaina spotted her. "Oh my God! Hazel!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to hug her tightly. "What a pleasant surprise!"

Hazel returned the embrace, a faint warmth touching her face for the first time that day.

Then Elaina's eyes fell on the suitcase. "Wait--did you run away from home?"

Hazel paused, then said quietly, "No. But I divorced Rayan and moved out of the RK mansion."

Elaina's face froze in shock. "You really got divorced?"

Hazel nodded. "Yes. I'm coming straight from the civil court."

She pulled the divorce certificate from her bag and placed it in Elaina's hands.

"The real deal," Hazel said with a faint smile. "So, Aina, can I stay with you for a few days? Just until I find a new place."

Seeing Elaina still processing the news, Hazel added gently, "If it's inconvenient, I can always check into a hotel."

"No, no, no--it's not inconvenient at all! You're most welcome!" Elaina said, grabbing the suitcase and dragging it inside. "Honestly, darling, I've been wanting to tell you to divorce him for ages. I never understood what you saw in that man! Besides looking decent, he's utterly useless!"

When it came to listing Rayan's flaws, Elaina's mouth turned into a machine gun.

Hazel sighed helplessly. "Aina, it's all in the past. Let's not bring it up again."

Elaina finally hit the brakes. "You're right. Once you've ditched a jerk, you've ditched him. I'll find you someone better!"

Hazel chuckled softly--she didn't even know what to say to that.

As they sat down, Elaina's expression turned more serious. "Hazel, now that you're free, you don't have to revolve around men anymore. How about a comeback? Let's team up again and build something big together."

Hazel raised a brow. "A comeback?"

Elaina sighed. "To be honest, I'm in a bit of a bind. Kathy--my most promising designer--got into serious trouble. If I can't find someone to take over her projects, I'll be sleeping on the streets!"

Hazel froze.

Before meeting Rayan, she had suffered an accident that caused memory loss. Elaina, who was leading a design team at the time, had found her barely conscious and arranged for her to recover while working as a design assistant.

Hazel's natural talent soon shone through--her designs caught attention across the industry. Later, when the company began exploiting its designers, she left and co-founded a studio with Elaina.

When she married Rayan, Hazel had transferred all her shares to Elaina. Over the years, her friend had built that small studio into a thriving business.

So why did Elaina suddenly sound so desperate?

Hazel frowned slightly. "What kind of trouble are we talking about?"

Elaina clenched her jaw. "Kathy offended that witch, Oliver Howard. Now RK Enterprises has blacklisted her--and by extension, me. They've canceled every contract. If I can't pay the penalties, I'm finished. Even selling the company won't cover the tens of millions owed!"

Hazel's eyes narrowed as Elaina continued, seething.

"Oliver's just a spoiled bully! Kathy got the design rights for a project she wanted, so she spread rumors that Kathy slept her way into it. Kathy snapped and slapped her, and of course, Oliver played the victim--crying her way straight to Rayan!"

"What a bitch!" Elaina slammed her fist against the table. "So what if she's got Rayan backing her? Acting like some rich-family designer--green-tea bitch!"

At the mention of Oliver's name, Hazel's pupils sharpened to ice.

Divorcing Rayan didn't mean she had to swallow this humiliation.

The score would be settled.

Everything Oliver had done to her would be repaid in full.

Watching Elaina's angry expression, Hazel gently patted her friend's hand.

"It's fine. Leave it to me. I'll handle it--today."

Elaina blinked. "Huh? Today? Baby, you're serious? You just got divorced--you should rest!"

Hazel smiled faintly. "I've actually designed quite a few new pieces over the years--different styles, all unreleased."

She pulled out her phone and sent several sketches to Elaina. "Take a look. See if any match the theme. If not, I'll conceptualize something new right away."

Elaina's jaw dropped as she scrolled through the sketches.

Even after all these years, Hazel Foster hadn't lost her touch--she had only gotten sharper.

Elaina opened her email and saw a pile of drawings inside. Her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"Holy cow! Darling, you really are a genius!"

She said excitedly, her eyes sparkling intensely. "These designs could compete in a world-class competition! You're still as sharp as ever!"

Hazel smiled faintly. "Glad I could be of help."

Elaina showered her with more flattery, rubbing her hands together excitedly. "I heard that bitch Oliver is entering next week's Jewelry Design Competition. How about we pick one to enter too?"

Hazel nodded without hesitation.

If you're going to humiliate someone, you might as well do it thoroughly...otherwise, how will Oliver ever learn her lesson?

"When you send these sketches over, tell the partners outright that I'm the designer. You can also state on the company website that I've returned to your design studio."

Elaina's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?"

When Hazel left the studio, she had announced her retirement from design. Yet her work still commanded admiration in the jewelry circle to this day. She had thought Hazel's willingness to help was already generous enough...never expecting Hazel would actually be making a comeback!

Elaina blurted out excitedly, "Then...then I'll return all the shares to you--"

"No rush. We have a more pressing matter now."

Hazel pulled her laptop from her bag. "First, do exactly as I say."

Hazel's slender fingers danced swiftly across the keyboard. Opening a web page, she was immediately confronted with a flood of negative news about Kathy.

(Tsk, tsk, all that hype about a 'genius beauty designer'? Turns out she just used her body to climb the ladder.)

(Poor Oliver...earned the final design rights through skill, yet still got beaten up.)

(Ban her already! Boycott her entire Dream High Studio too!)

(Don't even think about it. Dream High was founded by our God 'Ray of Light' herself. Even though she's retired, it's still our cherished memory.)

@Miss Ray of Light -- since she left, Dream High designs have lost their sparkle. Using designers like this now? Utterly rotten!

Hazel's eyes turned cold as she opened a long-dormant messaging app and tapped on a black profile picture.

"Kathy's case -- I want every detail. Once you find it, I'm releasing it online."

The reply came back instantly: "Holy shit! Ray of Light is back from the dead?!"

Hazel didn't waste words. "Hurry up. I need this resolved today."

The response came back: "Got it."

Only then did Hazel log back into her Twitter account and post a message:

Ray of Light: Justice may be delayed, but it never fails to arrive. Also, I'm back.

Within half a minute, Twitter crashed.

Netizens who had been fiercely attacking Kathy's page vanished in unison, swarming to Hazel's account instead.

Holy crap! Ray of Light is alive? Does this mean she's making a comeback?!

No way! The official Ray of Light account confirmed it -- our God is back!!!

From the sound of it, there's more to Kathy and Oliver's situation...I'm choosing to believe my God Ray of Light.

Some of Oliver's fans weren't having it.

"Who the hell is this random chick? Never even heard of her before!"

"She's definitely trying to ride on Oliver's popularity! Maybe that bitch Kathy hired her to whitewash herself!"

But the backlash was swift.

Does our God Ray of Light need to ride anyone's coattails? Get real! She's a legend in jewelry design -- the only one under 25 to win a world-class award!

Your idol's designs are trinkets. God Ray of Light's creations are national treasures -- one's even in the British Museum, okay?

In an instant, online sentiment shifted. Many who had previously attacked Kathy now remained neutral, demanding the project team produce evidence.

*****

At the top floor of the Howard family villa, Oliver watched the trending posts, grinding her teeth in fury.

"Where did this Ray of Light come from? How dare she ruin my plans?!"

She smashed the cup on the table into shards, splattering the maid nearby -- who didn't dare utter a word.

After venting her rage, Oliver finally calmed down and dialed a number.

"Have that project manager post on Twitter too -- claim that Kathy seduced him! Release the photos taken that day!"

But to her surprise, the voice on the other end sounded grim.

"Miss Howard, it's hopeless...someone's already leaked the full video of us taking those photos. Netizens are now accusing the partner of sexual harassment!"

Oliver paled. She reopened Twitter, and sure enough, the trending topic #KathyTwist was plastered across every feed.

All the big names in the jewelry industry were reposting it, and several paparazzi accounts with tens of millions of followers were circulating the video across platforms!

How could this be?

To ruin Kathy's reputation for her ungrateful behavior, she had specifically arranged for that partner to get Kathy drunk at a so-called "drinking party," then attempt to drug her and take suggestive photos as "evidence."

But Kathy had escaped -- and Oliver had ensured all footage was deleted.

So how did it resurface now?

She stared at the screen in utter panic when her phone rang again. It was the same partner who had helped frame Kathy.

"Miss Howard, you have to help me! If this blows up, our company is finished! I risked my neck for you -- out of respect for CEO Knight!"

"If you don't help me, I'll have no choice but to spill everything!"

Oliver's expression darkened further.

*****

The next day.

When Hazel arrived at the studio, her eyes fell on the office where Kathy worked. It was still dark. She wasn't there.

"Is Kathy still hiding at home?" she asked Elaina.

"Cyberbullying is terrifying! When I went to see her, reporters blocked my way. Looks like she won't return to work until this scandal dies down."

"Hazel, she's so talented! To be framed like that by Oliver...it's utterly unfair!"

Elaina, ever the loyal boss, was furious about the situation yet powerless to act. After all, in this city, no one dared to cross Rayan Knight.

"Contact her," Hazel said calmly. "Regarding the plagiarism incident, tell her the studio will handle it thoroughly. She should stay home and wait for updates."

Elaina's eyes flickered with hope. "Hazel, you have a solution?"

"Yes. Leave it to me."

"That's wonderful! Hazel, you're truly my savior!"

Overwhelmed with excitement, Elaina threw her arms around Hazel, almost ready to plant a kiss on her.

"Alright, I need to get back to work. There are still orders to fulfill at the studio, right?"

"Then what do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you! Hazel, I'm your loyal little sidekick -- just give me orders!"

Her best friend clung to her arm, acting all cute and clingy, leaving Hazel both amused and exasperated.

"Alright, alright. Don't be so formal with me. If you hadn't taken me in, I wouldn't have had anywhere to go after my divorce."

Elaina's eyes welled up at Hazel's words, about to launch into another heartfelt speech -- but Hazel gently dismissed her.

"I want cold coffee. Seven parts sugar, with milk."

"No problem! Coming right up!"