Ethan spent some time with Elena before Sienna pulled him away to mingle with the guests.

The charity auction, accompanied by dinner, was split into two parts. The ‘Celestia's Crown,’ which was meant to be the highlight of the auction, had been scheduled for the first half to accommodate Ethan’s timing.

Elena’s eyes were drawn to the dazzling crown on stage. The so-called ‘Celestia's Crown’ was a queen's crown, adorned with countless diamonds that sparkled like stars. From a distance, it almost seemed to shimmer with the brilliance of the night sky.

This one-of-a-kind treasure had caused a stir the moment it appeared.

Ethan noticed Elena’s gaze fixed on the crown. She had never been interested in such rare treasures. Their house was filled with priceless jewels, but she never even spared them a glance.

When the auction price reached one hundred million, Ethan raised his paddle.

"Two hundred million."

The room was in shock. With a single bid, Ethan secured the crown, and no one dared to compete.

Everyone assumed it was a gift for Sienna and cast envious glances her way.

"When you two get married, wearing the Celestia’s Crown and walking down the aisle together, it’ll be so lovely."

The crowd couldn’t help but admire Sienna’s good fortune. Everyone knew how well Ethan treated her. Their public romance had been the ultimate love story, a reality show that showcased their affectionate moments to the world.

"Ellie, go get it."

Ethan looked at the stunned Elena, and she snapped out of her daze, quickly running to retrieve the two-hundred-million-dollar treasure.

She had grown used to being the one running errands for their relationship. Every time Ethan asked her to fetch a gift for Sienna, he would always get her something as well, never letting her do it for free.

But what about this time?

All eyes were on Ethan and Sienna as Sienna blushed, waiting for Ethan to present the gift to her. She knew that tonight’s headline would be about her—the woman with the two-hundred-million-dollar crown, the most dazzling queen of the night.

Sienna was already planning to have Ethan put the crown on her head himself, building up the drama to the fullest.

Ethan stood up, and Sienna eagerly followed suit, excited for what she thought would be the most spectacular moment of the evening. But everything she had imagined didn’t unfold.

"Sienna, I’ll take Ellie and leave. You two carry on."

Everyone froze, including Elena.

She, too, had thought the ‘Celestia's Crown’ was for Sienna. Her emotions went on a rollercoaster ride, and she quickly hurried to follow Ethan.

Confused, she wondered why he would spend such an extravagant amount if the crown wasn’t meant for Sienna.

"It’s for you."

Elena was stunned, speechless. Then, it hit her—was this the affection she had traded her life for?

Had Ethan finally begun to develop feelings for her?

"Huh?"

"You wanted it, didn’t you? You’ve been eyeing it for quite a while. You never even look at things you don’t like."

Ethan knew Elena so well. Her likes and dislikes were always clear, just like how she didn’t like Sienna and would never pretend otherwise in front of him.

Elena’s heart churned with a storm of emotions. All she had ever wanted was a bit of Ethan’s affection, even if it was just out of pity.

"Ethan, aren’t you worried Sienna will be upset?"

"Nah, she won’t be."

The next day, Elena understood why Ethan was so confident that Sienna wouldn’t be upset.

After they left, Ethan had ordered the delivery of the "Tears of the Immortal Heart," a symbol of lifelong companionship. It was rumored that when a man gives this to a woman, it signifies a lifetime together.

Elena felt as if she had been struck, but soon, she let it go. It had always been like this, hadn’t it?

The most precious things were always reserved for Sienna.

Elena received a call from the hospital, urging her to return quickly for her surgery.

Elena gave up and requested the hospital to keep her condition strictly confidential.

Even if the treatment succeeded, the survival rate would only extend her life by a few years. To her, trading those few years for one month of peace was worth it.

After hanging up the phone, Elena turned to see Ethan approaching from behind. He noticed her anxious expression, and an inexplicable unease stirred in his heart.

“Who were you calling? Why are you so flustered?” he asked.

“Oh, don't worry about it.” Elena hurried to follow him as she saw he was about to leave.

Ever since Ethan was discharged from the hospital, she had been like his shadow, never leaving his side.

“I’m heading back to the family estate. You stay here and wait for me like a good girl,” Ethan said, patting her head.

Elena had always disliked the atmosphere of the Scott Family’s old estate. Back when Ethan wanted to adopt her, the estate’s residents had strongly opposed the decision, leading to a major fallout between them.

In recent years, Elena only visited the Scott Family estate on New Year's Eve, worried they would label her rude if she didn’t. Even though she faced cold shoulders and humiliation, she gritted her teeth and went to pay her respects.

“I want to go with you,” she said firmly.

Her gaze was unwavering. With so little time left, she couldn’t afford to waste it. Every second spent with Ethan mattered.

Ethan was a bit surprised. Normally, the mere mention of visiting the estate would make her retreat instantly. Today, however, she was unusually proactive.

“Not afraid of their words?” he asked.

“Other than your words, I don’t care what anyone else says,” Elena replied, pointing to her ears. “In one ear, out the other.”

Ethan chuckled. He remembered that the estate had recently hired a chef from Elena’s hometown.

If she went, she could enjoy some familiar dishes, so he agreed to take her along.

What Elena didn’t know was that Sienna would also be there.

Today’s meal was meant to discuss Ethan and Sienna’s wedding. After the car accident, Ethan had taken Sienna to register their marriage without informing his family in advance. Now that things had unfolded the way they did, the Scott Family could see how deeply Ethan loved Sienna.

Reluctantly, they agreed to the marriage.

There was one condition though: Sienna had to leave the entertainment industry.

“Sienny, our Scott Family doesn’t like women putting themselves in the spotlight, especially in an industry with such a bad reputation. Leave your career before joining our family—that’s the old man’s stance as well,” said Esther, Ethan’s mother. Her tone was indifferent, neither warm nor cold.

Sienna wasn’t Esther’s ideal choice, but she was leagues better than Elena. Esther was determined to prevent Elena from staying by Ethan’s side and causing more trouble.

“Elena, Ethan is about to get married. You’re already grown up—it’s not appropriate for you to keep living with him. Find some time to move out,” Esther said firmly.

Esther had never liked Elena. She’d dropped countless hints, both subtle and direct, but Elena always pretended not to understand. Now, using Ethan’s impending marriage as an excuse, Esther seized the opportunity to push her out.

Elena couldn’t figure out what she had ever done to deserve this treatment.

“Mom, Ellie can live wherever she wants. She’ll make her own arrangements,” Ethan interjected.

“After you marry Sienny, having such a third wheel around—are you fine with it? Would Sienny be fine with it?” Esther shot back, deliberately dragging Sienna into the conversation.

Sienna knew exactly what Esther wanted her to say. But having just been forced to agree to leave the entertainment industry, she was already feeling resentful.

“Auntie, I’ll listen to Ethan,” Sienna said with a practiced smile. “Besides, Ellie has been with Ethan for so many years. It’s not something she can easily change overnight.”

Esther’s expression darkened further. “It’s all the fault of that worthless mother of hers, bringing such trouble into the world.”

Elena’s body stiffened at the cruel words. Even after dinner, while waiting for Ethan in the courtyard, Esther’s harsh comment echoed in her mind.

Ethan’s marriage was a significant event, and the entire Scott Family was bustling with preparations. Yet Elena felt increasingly lost. She could sense Ethan’s kindness and affection toward her, but why did he still went on in marrying Sienna?

Drawn by curiosity, she moved closer to the family’s meeting hall. From inside, she could hear the tone Esther used with Sienna had completely shifted.

“Sienny, after you leave the industry, your focus should be on supporting your husband and raising children. Being the daughter-in-law of the Scott Family is far more complicated than you might think,” Esther said with an air of authority.

“And as for Elena—you’re too softhearted. Keeping her around will only bring disaster to your marriage with Ethan.”

Elena didn’t wait to hear the rest. She turned and left quietly, her heart sinking. Esther and Sienna shared the same goal: to drive her away. They would stop at nothing to make it happen.

Her mind was a chaotic mess as she wandered aimlessly, eventually reaching the gates of the old estate. She tripped over something she couldn’t see and fell hard onto the ground.

Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision, and through the haze, she saw Sienna standing before her.

“Still playing the pity card? Do you think this will let you stay by Ethan’s side forever? I’ve been meaning to ask—when are you planning to move out?” Sienna’s tone was sharp, her posture exuding the authority of someone who considered herself the rightful partner.

Elena felt suffocated. Sienna stood tall, lecturing her as if she were already Ethan’s legitimate wife. It was just one step away—soon, Sienna would officially claim that title.

Looking down at her scraped palms, Elena let out a faint laugh. “What if the Scott Family found out that on the day of the accident, it was you who tipped off the paparazzi? That you deliberately orchestrated the chaos to stage a car crash, almost costing Ethan his life? Do you think you’d still be able to marry him then?”

Sienna’s face froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered, letting out a chuckle. “You know quite a bit. Unfortunately, it won’t make any difference.”

The blaring sound of a car horn cut through the air.

A car came barreling toward them, out of control. In an instant, Sienna’s expression changed. She shouted, “Ellie, watch out—”

With all her strength, she pushed Elena aside, stepping directly into the car’s path.

Bam!

As Sienna was hit, Elena saw Ethan sprinting toward them, his eyes bloodshot with panic as he yelled for someone to call an ambulance.

He held Sienna tightly in his arms as he carried her away, not sparing Elena even a glance.

Elena’s initial fear and shock gradually gave way to bitter self-mockery. So this was how it was—no matter how much fondness Ethan might have shown her, the most important person in his heart was still Sienna.

The contract had only promised that she could win Ethan’s affection. It had never guaranteed that he wouldn’t marry Sienna.

In the cold, sterile hallway of the hospital, Elena curled up on a bench, waiting outside the room.

Though Sienna had taken a hard fall, the car had braked just in time. She wasn’t seriously injured, only shaken from the experience.

The incident at the gates of the Scott Family estate left the entire family furious.

Esther stormed into the hospital, her anger blazing. Without warning, she slapped Elena hard across the face.

“It’s because she was trying to save you that Sienny ended up in danger! How many lives do you think you have to trade for her peace of mind?”

Elena was stunned by the slap, unable to react. When Esther raised her hand for a second strike, Ethan arrived just in time to stop her.

“Ellie is a victim too! How can you treat a child who’s just been through such a scare like this?” Ethan said firmly.

“Child? Ethan, take a good look. Do you really think she’s the kind of well-behaved child you imagine? What kind of ‘good child’ would harbor such filthy thoughts toward someone twelve years her senior?”

Boom!

Elena’s mind went blank, as if it had exploded. Each word from Esther was like a sharp slap to her face, cutting deeper and deeper.

Ethan drove the dazed Elena home in silence. When they arrived, she remained motionless, lost in her thoughts.

He gently took her hand, startled by how cold her palm felt.

“Ellie, we’re home. Don’t be afraid—I’m here,” he said softly.

Her tears, held back for so long, finally broke free, spilling down her cheeks uncontrollably.

“Ethan, is liking someone really so filthy?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Ethan had once accused her of being filthy too, telling her to leave if she ever had such thoughts again. It was the first time he’d spoken so harshly to her, shattering the confidence she’d always had in her feelings.

It was just an age gap. She had never thought that something as simple and pure as liking someone could be considered so shameful.