As usual, Leon leaned over and fastened her seat belt. Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, he comforted her softly, "The video incident was an accident. I'll have someone settle it. You're not in a good state today, so I'll send you home to rest first."

Joy pursed her lips slightly, recalling what he had said in the office, and tears uncontrollably poured out of her eyes.

Slightly taken aback, Leon raised his hand to wipe away her tears. Then, he remembered something and opened the car door, saying, "Wait for me for a moment. I need to buy something."

It was only when the car door closed that Joy realized Leon had taken the wrong phone. His phone was placed in the groove beside the door handle. Driven by a strange impulse, Joy picked it up and keyed in Charmaine's birthday.

The phone unlocked successfully and Joy saw Charmaine's name pinned at the top of his WhatsApp.

In their recent chat records, Charmaine had asked him if he could break up with Joy before Charmaine returned.

Leon replied: [She's just a plaything. I've never truly been with her.]

Joy's heart jolted suddenly. Despite the feelings welling up within her, she continued to scroll through the chat.

During the two years Charmaine was abroad, Leon called her every day without fail, always around 8pm. It was also the time he mentioned that he had a board meeting and asked Joy not to disturb him under any circumstances. Besides that, he would transfer money to Charmaine every month, amounting to six figures. He did it decisively and without hesitation.

Charmaine was also great at being coy. From time to time, she sent a few selfies, fishing for compliments. Leon would reply with cute emojis Joy had never seen before and remind Charmaine not to wear too little and to be careful not to catch a cold.

Looking at the chat records, Joy finally realized that she had never known Leon. The gentleness and consideration he showed were just the tip of the iceberg of his passionate love for Charmaine.

When Leon returned to the car, he had a box of morning-after pills in his hand. Leon stroked her head and said in an extremely gentle tone, "Last night was a bit rushed. We didn't think it through. Take this, just in case."

Joy gripped the medicine box with both hands, her lips almost bleeding from biting her own lips. If she had not heard it with her own ears, she would probably still foolishly think that Leon genuinely cared about her. Now, she was completely sober.

After the car stopped in front of the villa, Leon habitually kissed her goodbye, but Joy avoided his kiss and hurriedly unbuckled her seat belt.

Leon's eyes darkened as he forcefully held her in his arms. "Are you still upset about the video?"

Joy was silent.

"I didn't record the video, and the person in charge of the hotel has been fired." Leon lifted her chin. "Joy, I never thought of hurting you and I will never hurt you. Our anniversary is around the corner. I will make it up to you by then."

Compared to the truth, these lies disguised as kindness hurt more.

Joy pushed Leon away and answered, "I'll go home first."

She almost ran into the villa. Unexpectedly, she bumped into her father, Hector Quinn, as soon as she got inside.

Hector seemed gloomy. Before Joy could speak, he raised his hand and slapped her hard. "Joy, I really underestimated you. You can date around, but how could you film such a shameless video? You humiliated me! It’s no wonder those people in your school keep picking on you. It turns out that you're filthy and disgusting!"

After Hector finished scolding, he threw a plane ticket in front of Joy. "I booked a flight for you that will depart in seven days. When the time comes, get as far away as you can and never come back!"

Joy picked up the plane ticket on the ground, her fingers trembling slightly as if it were a verdict stating that she was entirely abandoned by the world. Hector thought she was embarrassing and wanted her to leave. However, it just so happened that she did not want to stay either.

Joy replied calmly, "I will leave. I will obey you and never come back."

Hector paused, thinking he had heard it wrong. He had arranged for Charmaine to study abroad and tried to persuade Joy to go with her, but Joy refused to go. After repeated questioning, he learned that she had a boyfriend and was deeply in love with the guy. He thought Joy would refuse again, but she unexpectedly agreed.

Hector restrained his anger and instructed coldly, "Charmaine will return this weekend. I will hold a welcoming party for her. You should also attend. Since the video is out, it will confirm those rumors if you don't show up."

Joy nodded. "Got it."

...

Joy asked for three days off from school.

She used these three days to pack up all the things Leon had given her, and sold them online at their original prices.

Charmaine returned three days later.

Hector held a welcoming party for her at the largest hotel in Jameson City, inviting all the big shots in the business world, including Leon.

Joy did not expect to meet Leon on such an occasion. When she turned around to leave, Leon grabbed her wrist and dragged her into a corner, no one else around.

Leon pinned her against the wall, his arms pressing on either side of her as his hot breath brushed against her ear. "You didn't go to school these days, didn't reply to my messages, and didn't even prepare anything for our anniversary. Joy, do you know how worried I’ve been about you?"

He stared at her, clearly dissatisfied with her lack of contact.

Joy pursed her lips and gathered her courage to meet Leon's gaze. "It turns out that Mr. Scott was worried about an insignificant sexual partner."

Joy, who was always well-behaved and obedient, suddenly lost her temper, which shocked Leon a little. He suddenly pulled Joy closer, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. "Sexual partner? It only happened once in two years. How can you call this a casual sex relationship?"

Joy had no idea what had come over Leon. He gripped her chin and was about to kiss her.

Just then, a voice rang out beside them. "Leon, you're here. Charmaine was looking for you."

Leon frowned slightly, let go of Joy, and replied, "Got it. I'll be there right away."

Joy pretended to be surprised and asked Leon, "Do you know my sister?"

"They're not just acquaintances. Their relationship is even more exciting than you can imagine. Joy, just wait to be amazed." Leon's friend had a taunting look on his face.

When the two walked away, a trace of mockery flickered in Joy's eyes. These people thought she was still being kept in the dark and wanted to humiliate her today. Little did they know that she had long adjusted her mental state and was ready to cut all ties with Leon.

The dinner party was in full swing when the lights suddenly went out.

A spotlight instantly shone on the stage. Leon, dressed in a crisp suit, appeared in front of everyone with Charmaine, who wore a white gown.

Hector smiled, raised his hand to signal silence, and announced loudly, "We invited everyone here today to first welcome Charmaine, who has returned from studying abroad and, second, to announce some good news. The Quinn family and the Scott family are old friends. Charmaine and Leon were arranged to be wed many years ago. Now that they're in love, the engagement party will be held at the end of the month. Please become witnesses to their happiness then!"​

After Hector finished speaking, Leon's friends looked at Joy at the same time, waiting to see her break down, but Joy just stood quietly in the crowd, her expression calm, as if everything happening on stage had nothing to do with her.

Leon frowned slightly. He had imagined Joy losing control of her emotions when she learned about his relationship with Charmaine, but she was a little too calm right now.

Leon inexplicably felt annoyed. Charmaine keenly sensed that something was off with him and asked quickly, "Leon, what's wrong?"

Leon subtly withdrew his gaze. "Nothing. I was just a little distracted." He knew very well that Joy was deeply in love with him. There was no way Joy was unperturbed; she was just pretending.

...

Joy went to the washroom and washed her face with cold water. Recalling her love for Leon, she felt so stupid.

It was no wonder he had only touched her once in two years. It was not because he cherished her, but because he was unbothered. The first night she had always cherished was only the perfect material for him to ruin her reputation.

As soon as Joy returned to the banquet hall, Hector called her over. "Joy, come and say hello to your brother-in-law."

Joy walked up to Leon and displayed a perfect smile. "Hello, Leon."

Leon's expression froze when he heard her.

Charmaine was unaware of this and answered with a smile, "Joy, I heard that Leon is a board member at your school. What a coincidence. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to ask Leon for help. After all, we're all family."

Joy gritted her teeth and uttered, "I won't cause trouble for Leon." She did not look at Leon's expression, but she could feel his cold gaze. As if wrapped in the cold wind of winter, she trembled all over.

After some small talk, Joy prepared to leave.

Charmaine stepped forward and took her arm, feigning intimacy as she said, "Joy, we haven't seen each other for a long time. I have a lot to say to you." She dragged Joy to the lounge without saying anything.

As soon as the door closed, Charmaine put away her smile and replaced it with an icy expression. "Joy, I heard that you slept with Leon, and the video was spread everywhere. Do you think you can steal his heart using such despicable means? To tell you the truth, he doesn't like you at all. Not only does he dislike you, but he also hates you! I asked him to spread the fact that your mother is a homewrecker. I also instructed him to pursue you. I just wanted to see you fall in love with him, only to be destroyed by him!"

Joy asked, "Why?"

"Why? Of course, it's because you don't know your place. Your mom has been dead for years, yet you’re still trying to hold onto the Quinn family's fortune? Those things are supposed to be mine. What right does a daughter of a homewrecker like you have to enjoy the Quinn family's splendor and wealth?"

Joy could tolerate everything, but she could not stand her mother being insulted. She rushed up to Charmaine, her voice squeezing through her teeth, "My mom isn't a homewrecker. She had no idea you and your mom existed when she married Dad. You drove her to her death!"

Charmaine did not expect Joy to talk back to her and was about to hit her.

Just then, the lounge door was suddenly pushed open.

Charmaine caught Leon's figure out of the corner of her eye. She quickly grabbed the nuts on the table and stuffed them into her mouth. The next second, she collapsed limply and mumbled, "Joy, why did you force me to eat this? I'm allergic to nuts..."

Leon rushed toward Charmaine and pushed Joy away.

Joy staggered backward, and her back hit the coffee table behind her. With a crash, the cups on the coffee table shattered. The glass shards pricked Joy's hands, making them bleed profusely. ​

Leon did not even glance at her. He quickly crouched and held Charmaine in his arms. "Charmaine, are you okay?"

Teary-eyed, Charmaine helplessly grabbed Leon's arm. "I just wanted to catch up with Joy. I don't know how I offended her. She suddenly forced me to eat those snacks... Look at me. Do I have rashes on my body?"

Leon looked down and saw Charmaine's body breaking out in large patches of red rashes at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"What should I do? The party isn't over yet. I can't embarrass you. Makeup... Yes, I need to cover it with makeup!"

Leon clamped Charmaine's wrist. "This is no time to think about these things. Come on, I'll take you to the hospital." Leon picked up Charmaine in his arms and glared at Joy before leaving.

Joy endured the excruciating pain and got up. The blood from her hands kept pouring out, and the hem of her skirt was soaked red in the blink of an eye. However, she did not feel the pain. It was as if all her senses were taken away after falling into an abyss. She asked an attendant to bring the medical kit, and she bandaged the wounds with difficulty. After all the work, Joy was exhausted and was about to leave with heavy steps.

As soon as she entered the corridor, several figures suddenly jumped out and dragged her to the storage room next door without saying anything. Then, a big hand grabbed her chin and forced her to look up. High-concentration chili pepper water was immediately poured into her mouth. Joy widened her eyes in horror. She was allergic like Charmaine, but to peppers. This much pepper water was enough to kill her!

"Ugh... Let me go..." Joy struggled desperately.

However, those people did not give her a chance to resist at all. They poured glass after glass of chili pepper water into her mouth.

She choked until her face turned red. Her body twitched violently and uncontrollably. Her injured hands scratched weakly on the ground, making a heart-wrenching sound.

Seeing her in such a state, those people not only did not stop but also insulted her more harshly.

"Charmaine is the apple of Leon's eyes. How dare you touch her? Don't you know your place?"

"I heard that you were bullied a lot in school. You've probably hooked up with many men. How could someone as proud and arrogant as Leon want a filthy woman like you?"

"Finish the chili pepper water as an apology to Charmaine or you'll suffer!"

Joy's vision became more and more blurred, and her consciousness gradually began to fade.

She used up her last bit of strength and pretty much unconsciously said Leon's name, "Leon..."

As soon as she finished speaking, a mocking laugh rang out overhead.

"Hahaha! You're not counting on Leon to save you, are you?"

"He made us feed you the chili pepper water. You hurt Charmaine. He's hoping you'll die!"

"Come on, let's tear her clothes to shreds, take a photo, and send it to Leon. We’ll help Leon vent his anger!"

The men rushed up and tore Joy's dress to shreds in the blink of an eye. They kept taking photos of the dying and disheveled Joy until she could no longer take it and passed out.