In the first year of their divorce proceedings, Louisa was arrested for soliciting prostitution for the 99th time.

Hadden had just finished surgery and hadn’t even had time to change out of his white coat before rushing to the police station.

Louisa’s neck was covered in red spots of various shapes. Because she was kneeling, her short skirt was slit very high, exposing her lustrous legs.

The man’s pupils darkened slightly. He took off his coat and draped it over Louisa, then grabbed a male model next to him and punched him hard.

“Do you know she has a husband? My wife is very young. She craves novelty, but the only one who can make her happy is me. This punch is a warning. Don’t try anything to seduce my wife again. She’s young, I can forgive her, but I will never let you off the hook. Get out!”

Louisa stood up, stuffed several hundred dollars into the male model’s hand and comforted him, “Don’t listen to him, he’s just trying to scare you. I’ll ask you again next time I go.”

The male model took the money and ran away quickly, but Louisa was pinned to a chair by Hadden. The wound on her abdomen, which hadn’t healed, tore open again, causing her teeth to chatter in pain, yet she still smiled and joked.

“Dr. Cole… Using so much force, anyone who didn’t know better would think you were going to kill someone.”

Hadden didn’t speak, his rough fingers frantically wiping the marks on her neck. Seeing they were lipstick marks, the man’s expression softened slightly. “I told you, no matter what you do, I will forgive you. That’s enough for today, it’s time to go home.”

Hadden was always like this. No matter what she did, he always acted caring, always ready to cover for her.

Just like back then, when he stood by and did nothing for her father, yet afterward he could spout a righteous protest.

Louisa pushed him away. She walked straight in, outstretched her hands and said, “Officer, I’ve solicited prostitutes 99 times! If you don’t arrest me, I’m going to report you!”

The officers on duty exchanged bewildered glances. this was the first time they’d ever seen someone voluntarily want to go to jail.

Suddenly, Hadden’s face hardened and his grip on her wrist tightened. “Louisa, that’s enough.”

But Louisa wouldn’t listen, pressing closer and threatening the officers, “If you don’t arrest me, tomorrow’s headlines won’t be mine, they’ll be yours!”

Seeing this, the officers almost took Louisa into custody. But Hadden summoned his friend, the police chief and used a project worth $1,400 billion dollars to suppress the matter. The officers were all moved by Hadden’s love and felt sorry for him.

“Is Louisa crazy? Back then, she even severed ties with her family to marry Hadden, her father’s close friend. Now that they’re married, why is she constantly demanding a divorce?”

“Who knows? Maybe she doesn’t appreciate what she has. She should be secretly happy to have married such a good man. I don’t know what she’s up to.”

Louisa was pulled... She left, a disheartened smile on her face. Hadden was her father’s close friend, twelve years her senior, a top-tier physician in the country and owned 70% of the shares in hospitals nationwide. It was widely rumored that Hadden, though outwardly aloof, was ruthless at heart.

The first time Louisa met Hadden, she had a major argument with her father over university choices. It was Hadden who persuaded her father and eased the tension between them.

The second time she saw him, Louisa had been kidnapped by her father’s nemesis. It was Hadden who single-handedly rescued her. Therefore, a scar over ten centimeters long remains on her arm. Her eyes were red from crying, but the man forced a smile and comforted her, “It doesn’t hurt, be good, don’t cry.”

The third time, Hadden was drugged by a business partner and she was used as the antidote. They spent a passionate night together. Afterwards, Hadden said he would take responsibility for her.

Hadden didn’t know that she had already secretly fallen for him, so they made their relationship public the next day.

At the time, her father was furious and disapproved. He said, “Louisa, Hadden can be my friend, but he can’t be your husband. He’s too cruel. He loves you now, he’d give you his life, but what if one day he doesn’t love you anymore? You can’t fight him and Dad can’t protect you forever.”

Louisa didn’t understand. she only thought her father cared about their past relationship.

But she was her father’s only daughter and he ultimately compromised. At that moment, he seemed to know her future fate and sighed deeply. “Louisa, you’ll regret this one day.”

Later, her father’s words became a self-fulfilling prophecy. After graduating from university, they got married, but her father unexpectedly received... cancer.

Louisa went to great lengths to obtain a special medicine from Linkon. Hadden claimed that with this medicine, Harvey cancer cells could be completely eradicated and promised to personally perform the surgery to remove the tumor.

However, before the surgery began, the hospital sent in another cancer patient, Janice.

Janice was Hadden’s unrequited love. Because Janice’s family was poor, the Cole Family strongly opposed their relationship, forcing them to separate.

Hadden spoke with righteous indignation. “Louisa, your father is old. He has been charitable all his life. If he could use… this special medicine can save lives. I’m sure Dad would be willing to give it.”

Louisa broke down in tears, questioning him, “This is the medicine I begged for! It’s my father lying in that bed! What right do you have to make decisions for me?!”

Hadden replied, “Because I’m your father’s attending physician and your husband.”

To protect Janice, he even scolded her, “Louisa, don’t be so petty. I’ve seen Dad’s medical report, he can still hold on a little longer. But Janice can’t wait. She’s from a poor family. If she doesn’t receive this medicine, she’ll truly be beyond saving next time.”

In the end, Hadden still used the special medicine on Janice. Although Harvey underwent surgery, the cancer cells spread rapidly due to the lack of the special medicine, leaving him bedridden in the ICU, clinging to life.

Their family was the one who suffered, but everyone praised Hadden’s benevolence and selflessness as a doctor. This was clearly using her public good to satisfy Hadden’s selfish desires. From then on, Louisa wanted a divorce.

In the first month, she spent money and used her connections to hire various elite lawyers to help her with the divorce and Hadden then transferred the Hicks Group... Driven to bankruptcy, she became the object of everyone’s desire.

The following month, Louisa filed a report accusing Hadden of unethical medical practices. However, he was unaffected, while she was criticized by her friends in the industry for being immature.

The third month, without crying or making a scene, Louisa tricked Hadden into signing divorce papers. Just when she thought she had finally succeeded, Hadden brought people to shut down her law firm and personally tore up the fraudulently signed agreement in front of her.

That was the first time Hadden was angry with her and threatened, “Louisa, if you continue to make a scene like this, Dad… I’ll stop his treatment immediately!”

Without Harvey, she was powerless against Hadden and was forced to compromise. But she didn’t want to waste the rest of her life like this, so she went to the club every day to hire male models, waiting for the day Hadden couldn’t take it anymore and would initiate a divorce.

She always made a big fuss, but Hadden always found a way to handle it. Later, whenever she got her hands on the special medicine, Janice’s condition would coincidentally relapse and Hadden would intercept it time and again, depriving Harvey of his chance to live.

Hadden kept saying he loved her... Yet, he stayed by Janice’s side while she was driven to madness and taking medication at home. Louisa repeatedly received hope, only to have it extinguished time and again.

Hadden never mentioned love to Janice, yet every word he uttered was filled with affection. She was tired. This kind of life was truly meaningless.

Just after leaving the police station, Hadden received another call from Janice. She said she was scared and asked Hadden to stay with her. Without waiting for Louisa’s reply, the man turned and left.

Back in college, she was almost sexually assaulted while walking alone at night. it was Hadden who appeared in time to save her. At that time, the man promised that he would never let her walk alone at night again.

How long had it been? The man had already completely forgotten. A sharp, throbbing pain shot through Louisa’s chest. A screeching sound of brakes followed as Louisa was struck and thrown into the air by a car.

The excruciating pain left Louisa’s mind blank. As she landed, she saw Hadden’s car drive past her, heading in the opposite direction…

When Louisa awoke again, she was in the hospital. The man beside her was someone she had seen on the news.

He was a rising star in Stellis’s elite circles, possessing a quarter of the wealth of the Silverhavenian royal family. One bloodline, one noble status. But another identity: an undefeated legend in the legal world.

Philip said apologetically, “Madam, I apologize. I’ve just returned to Valerie and am not very familiar with the roads. I will provide all subsequent compensation according to the highest standards.”

Louisa hesitated for a few seconds, then stared at him and said, “I don’t want compensation. I want you to help me with a divorce case.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “Who is the other party?”

“Hadden, the head of the Cole Family. Mr. Pierce, are you willing to take this case?”

Philip smiled slightly. “I will. I guarantee you’ll win this case.”

A glimmer of hope finally appeared on Louisa’s face as she smiled and asked, “How long will the divorce take?”

Philip’s eyes narrowed slightly, his tone inquisitive. “You seem quite anxious, Miss Hicks. I’ve heard Mr. Cole loves you very much and you even turned against your own father to marry him. But now it seems you two are somewhat different from the rumors.”

Louisa lowered her eyes and smiled self-deprecatingly. The love she once felt was real, but so were the repeated hurts she’d experienced now.

She looked up, a helpless smile tugging at her lips. “People change, don’t they?”

Philip pondered for a few seconds. The Cole Family was one of the most powerful and influential families in Aetherfall. Winning this case would be beneficial to him as well.

“Give me seven days. I will gather all the evidence and help you win this case.”

A smile finally appeared on Louisa’s face as she sincerely thanked him, “Attorney Pierce, thank you.”

The woman’s happy smile brought back a flood of memories for Philip. He had returned to Valerie this time to find his childhood playmate. Louisa’s smile just now bore a striking resemblance to that of his childhood friend. He wondered how that little girl was doing all these years…

Philip had other things to attend to, so he paid Louisa’s medical bills and left, exchanging contact information.

Louisa didn’t stay in the hospital but went to her classmate’s reunion. She had heard that one of them was with the largest pharmaceutical company overseas. Perhaps she could find a way to get her father another dose of the special medicine.

Years had passed and her classmates had all become elites in their respective industries. The boys brought their wives, the girls brought their husbands and even the single ones had hired prostitutes to accompany them.

And Hadden was even invited. Only at this moment did Louisa realize why her classmates, whom she rarely contacted, had invited her. They wanted to use her to get close to Hadden.

Hadden knew this was her classmate’s reunion, yet he still brought Janice. Seeing her arrive, Hadden proactively explained, “Louisa, I heard you were also attending the class reunion, so I came to keep you company. But Janice was a bit emotional tonight and I was worried about her safety home alone. I was also concerned about you, so I had to bring her along. Don’t overthink it.”

Louisa felt a burning pain in her face. He’d brought her right in front of her and he was telling her not to overthink it.

Hadden only cared about Janice, but he couldn’t see that she’d been in a car accident and was even limping.

Oh well, you can’t change someone who doesn’t want to change.

“Whatever.” With that, Louisa continued drinking with the pharmaceutical tycoon.

In a short while, a case of vodka was empty. Louisa felt a burning pain in her stomach and her cough contained traces of blood.

While Janice was offered a drink, Hadden would snatch her glass and drink it for her. “Janice isn’t feeling well, I’ll drink this for her.”

Hadden only remembered that Janice wasn’t feeling well, but he forgot that Louisa was allergic to alcohol.

However, throughout the entire course of the drinks, Hadden’s mind was entirely focused on Janice, never showing her any concern.

Louisa, enduring her stomach pain and itching, forced herself to say, “Guys, we’ve drunk so much already, do you know about my father’s medication?”

The pharmaceutical tycoon chuckled, “Louisa, although we’re old classmates, this kind of special medicine you’re looking for is rare globally. If I manage to get it for you, how will you thank me? How about you come with me and I’ll keep you as my mistress.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room froze. Hadden’s face darkened. He was about to speak when Janice stopped him.

“Hadden, it’s so stuffy in here. It’s a mixed bag of people. I’m afraid to go out alone. Can you take me out for some fresh air? Miss Hicks is usually so assertive. She definitely won’t let herself be taken advantage of. Please.”

Janice gently tugged at the man’s sleeve, pleading.

Hadden gave Louisa a complicated look, but ultimately didn’t speak up for her. He took Janice outside. The classmates present looked at Louisa with some pity.

Louisa smiled weakly. It wasn’t the first time. She was used to it. Their love was like a pile of loose sand, easily scattered by the wind.

Louisa tried her best to maintain a composed demeanor. “Don’t joke like that. I can give you a $73,000 thank-you fee separately.”

Seeing Louisa refuse, the man’s face darkened noticeably and he began to act arrogantly. “Louisa, do you think I need your little bit of money? I’m only willing to help you because I still think highly of a used woman like you. Don’t be so ungrateful! Everyone in the industry knows you rose to power as a mistress. If you hadn’t broken up Hadden and his first love, you wouldn’t be Mrs. Cole."

Louisa’s face turned deathly pale. Back then, they were clearly in love. How did it become her being a mistress?

“You can listen to whatever you want, but you can’t say whatever you want, or I’ll sue you for defamation.”

The pharmaceutical tycoon smiled disdainfully, glancing at Hadden outside the door. “Tsk, you won’t admit it? Then let Mr. Cole verify it.”

Louisa’s eyes were red with grievance, her questioning gaze fixed on Hadden, seemingly waiting for an explanation.

Meanwhile, Janice pitifully tugged at the man’s clothes, whispering, “Hadden, I’m scared. If you admit that Miss Hicks wasn’t a mistress who rose to power, are they trying to smear me with the ‘mistress’ label? If I have to be smeared with that kind of rumor, I’d rather die.”

Hadden’s fists clenched tightly and he didn’t utter a single word for a long time. The pharmaceutical tycoon’s smile widened.

Louisa’s self-esteem was utterly trampled underfoot. She stared at Hadden, enunciating each word clearly, “Hadden, are you even unwilling to acknowledge my identity? To protect her, you expect me to take the blame for everything? Have you forgotten who knelt outside my house for three days and three nights, begging my father for permission to be with me?”

Hadden remained silent amidst Louisa’s breakdown and accusations. The man’s reaction confirmed Louisa’s status as a “mistress.” Louisa’s nails dug into her palms, staining the sofa with blood.

After a long silence, Hadden said in a low voice, “Everyone, I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t stay.”

Before leaving, he looked at Louisa with a complex expression. “Louisa, go home early after the banquet.”

Hadden left, taking Janice with him. He made her a laughingstock throughout the entire event. Even breathing hurt Louisa. She had no home anymore. Hadden had destroyed it all.

After Hadden left, the pharmaceutical tycoon planned to force himself on Louisa, but suddenly received a phone call and was forced to leave.

The class reunion ended badly and Louisa became the laughingstock of the entire capital. An identity even her own husband wouldn’t acknowledge—what else could she be but a mistress?

That night, Louisa didn’t go back to the Cole Family home, but instead returned to the Hicks Family’s old mansion. Because she drank too much, she vomited all night.

In her hazy dreams, she always remembered Hadden staying by her side time and time again when she had an allergic reaction to alcohol. The man had promised that he would never let her suffer.

But the man broke his promise. All the grievances and hardships she had endured in her life were caused by him…

It wasn’t until noon the next day that she groggily got up and found Hadden had already prepared lunch and was waiting for her downstairs.

Louisa’s emotions immediately flared. “Get out! You’re not welcome here, you murderer!”

Hadden seemed completely unconcerned by Louisa’s attitude, gently comforting her, “I know you’re angry that I didn’t help you last night, but I had my own reasons. In that situation last night, if I had helped you, Janice’s status as a mistress would have been confirmed.”

“My relationship with her is completely innocent. I can’t let her suffer this injustice. She’s sick. I can’t let her be cyberbullied. Louisa, she’s sick. Please let her be. Although I left last night, I paid a heavy price to damage that person’s company, forcing him to leave Valerie. That’s a way of avenging you.”

Hadden stepped forward and hugged her, like a loving husband. But Louisa knew it was all a facade.

A slap followed by a treat. She didn’t want this rotten love. Louisa pushed him away forcefully, scoffing, “Let her be? Haven’t I given her enough? I gave her my father’s miracle drug, I gave her my husband and now I’ve even given her home.”

“Since you care about her so much, why won’t you divorce me? Playing the devoted lover while cheating on me, Hadden, you’re as hypocritical as a villain!”

Hadden frowned, wearily saying, “Louisa, be sensible, stop making a scene. I took care of Janice all night last night. I was afraid you’d overthink it, so I came to cook for you as soon as it was light. I’m really tired. Anything you mention besides divorce, I… I can agree to anything as compensation.”

Looking at his hypocritical expression, Louisa deliberately said, “Fine, then make her leave Aetherfall completely and never come back.”

Hadden frowned. “No, her illness isn’t fully cured yet. Leaving Aetherfall is too dangerous.”

Louisa wasn’t surprised and added, “Then you must never see her again.”

Hadden’s brows furrowed even more and he sighed deeply. “Louisa, do you have to make things so difficult for me? You know Janice can’t live without me.”

Louisa scoffed coldly, “Fine, then let Janice stay. I’m leaving.”