The year I finally severed all ties with Ryan Simpson was unforgettable. For his precious Mina, Ryan went as far as to break my leg. While lying in a hospital bed, I made sure every media outlet was paid off to ensure his beloved Mina fell from grace overnight.

Everyone speculated whether Ryan would bring about my complete downfall. Ultimately, he just cast me aside, his eyes cold and indifferent. "You're not even worthy of carrying her shoes, you vile woman. Get out," he said. I left with nothing and didn't look back.

Five years later, I returned, now in control of a billion-dollar fortune. We crossed paths once more at an extravagant gala. Mina splashed red wine all over me. "So, the stray dog that was kicked out thinks she belongs in places like this now?" she sneered.

Smiling, I poured an entire bottle of whiskey over her head and whispered in her ear, "Five years and Ryan still hasn't taught you any better? Let me show you what manners are really about."

Mina's scream shattered the faux harmony of the ballroom. The socialite entourage around her sprang into action like a pack of guard dogs. "Are you insane? Do you even know who she is?" one of them barked.

"You must have a death wish, messing with Mr. Simpson's favorite!" shouted another.

The loudest one pointed her finger menacingly at me, "She's about to marry into the Simpson family. You’re digging your own grave!"

Mina, soaking wet and disheveled, glared at me with venomous eyes. "Amira! Five years ago, I pitied you, which is why Ryan let you walk away!"

"You're nothing more than a cast-off of the Simpson family. How dare you show your face here again!"

Watching her unchanged hostility, I found it rather amusing. Ryan had certainly kept her spoiled, so much so that she forgot how, five years ago, her facade of innocence and grace had collapsed into scandal overnight.

But I've never been one to play the saint. I wasn’t then, and I'm not now.

I calmly set the bottle down, amber liquid still dripping from the neck. "Pity?" I echoed, striding deliberately toward her, each click of my high heels on the polished marble floor counting down her final moments. "Are you talking about the time you knelt before me, begging through tears not to release the photos I had of you, or when you clung to Ryan claiming you were pregnant, only for my DNA test to shatter your claim?"

"Amira! Shut up!" Mina shrieked as if someone had stepped on a cat's tail.

At that moment, a strong hand gripped my wrist, the force nearly crushing my bones. The voice, etched into my very being, silent for five years but haunting my dreams, now spoke softly yet coldly.

"Amira, five years have passed."

Ryan's icy words felt like they came from the depths of hell. "And you still haven't learned your lesson?"

He shielded Mina behind him, just as he always did in my memories. Mina immediately assumed a tearful, vulnerable demeanor, leaning into him. "Ryan, I'm so scared. She came back just to bully me."

Time seemed to overlap with the past. Five years ago, when he broke my leg for this woman, she hid behind him just as helplessly. I looked at Ryan's handsome yet emotionless face and laughed. Twisting my wrist, I scraped my nails sharply across the back of his hand.

As he winced and released his grip, I swung my hand back, delivering a solid slap on Mina's cheek. The sharp sound silenced the entire ballroom.

"Ryan Simpson," I said, meeting his murderous gaze with an ever-brightening smile. "Five years, and your lapdog still hasn't learned her lesson."

"Looks like I didn’t teach her well enough back then."

The room plunged into a tense silence.

All eyes were on us, filled with shock, confusion, and an eager anticipation for drama.

"Who is this woman? Is she out of her mind? She actually slapped Ryan Simpson's girlfriend!"

"Wait, I think I remember. Wasn't there someone named Amira Harrison who was with Ryan about five years ago? She got thrown out later."

"So, it’s her, huh? I heard she did everything she could to curry favor with the Simpson family, quite the operator, and in the end, she got her legs broken and tossed out."

"Look at Ryan's face—he's furious. She's in trouble."

Ryan Simpson was supporting Mina Stewart, whose face now bore the distinct marks of a slap. She cried like a tragic figure from a painting.

"Ryan! Can you believe it? She slapped me right in front of you!"

"You have to stand up for me!"

But Ryan didn’t even glance at her; his dark, unreadable eyes were fixed on me, as though trying to dissect me.

"Amira Harrison, we ended things five years ago."

"I thought you'd have more sense than to show up in front of me again."

He advanced slowly toward me, the intensity of his presence almost smothering.

"I don’t care how you managed to sneak into events like this over the past five years."

"But you dared lay a hand on her, so you'll pay for it."

His eyes turned icy, and his voice was commanding.

"Kneel."

"Apologize to her."

I felt like I'd just heard the most absurd joke.

"Ryan Simpson, have you forgotten? Five years ago, when you broke my leg and I lay in that hospital bed, I didn't kneel before you."

"What makes you think I'd kneel to you now?"

I pointed at Mina Stewart, still sniffling behind him.

"Or do you think this little treasure of yours is worth me kneeling down?"

"You!"

Ryan's expression darkened until it seemed like it might crack with rage.

"Very well."

He laughed out of sheer anger, forcing the words through clenched teeth.

"Looks like you've grown a spine over these five years."

He clapped his hands, and several men in black suits appeared instantly, blocking all my exits.

"Since you're not willing to kneel on your own," he looked down at me as if I were nothing more than an insect, "I'll personally make sure every bone in your body breaks again."

Five years ago, it had been the same. He threatened what mattered most to me, trying to force me to kneel. I chose to keep my dignity, even at the cost of my legs.

Now, watching his arrogant face, thinking he still held all the power, I found it both pathetic and laughable.

"Ryan Simpson, do you really think the world still revolves around you?"

My smile remained, but my gaze grew colder.

"How about we make a bet?"

"Let's see who ends up kneeling to whom today."

Ryan's patience ran thin.

He signaled to his guards.

"Grab her."

Two guards moved towards me, ready to seize my arms.

The crowd around us gasped in suppressed shock, anticipating the grim scene of me being broken and discarded.

Mina Stewart wore a smug, victorious grin.

But just as the guards were about to grab me, there was a sudden commotion at the entrance of the ballroom.

A distinguished middle-aged man, dressed in a bespoke suit and exuding an air of sophistication, entered quickly, surrounded by a circle of top business leaders.

"Jeffrey Moore?"

Someone recognized him as the very host of tonight's event, the chairman of Global Enterprises.

Ryan's eyebrows furrowed; clearly, he hadn’t expected Jeffrey Moore to show up in person.

He signaled his guards to halt and adjusted his suit, preparing to greet Moore.

After all, Global Enterprises was a key partner the Simpsons were keenly pursuing.

But what happened next left everyone utterly stunned.