The lion lunged with its jaw wide open. Ivory wasn't in time to dodge and was bitten on the shoulder.

Fortunately, the attendants had tranquilizer guns at the ready. They shot the lion a few times before it collapsed with a heavy thud.

Ivory lost too much blood from the attack. Her vision went black, and she passed out.

When she woke up again, she found herself in the hospital. Wilson was by her side, his expression as cold as ever. "You're awake, Ms. Ivory. Do you want some water?"

She bit her lip and looked at him with resentment. Then, she said hoarsely, "You should've protected me."

He lowered his eyes, and his long lashes left shadows beneath his eyes. However, there was no trace of guilt in his gaze. "Sorry, but Ms. Belinda was closer to me at the time."

He was lying!

Ivory could feel her heart bleeding. She'd clearly seen Wilson dart toward Belinda almost instinctively. It wasn't a choice he'd made rationally—it was already part of his nature to protect her.

"This is your second time abandoning me." Ivory shut her eyes, hiding her exhaustion. "Give me your hand."

He held it out obediently. She grabbed it and chomped down hard, venting her anger. She deliberately bit the same spot as before. The wound from the previous time had yet to fully heal, and there she was, making it worse.

Wilson frowned in displeasure but didn't say anything. He was indeed at fault for not protecting his employer.

…

Ivory was discharged from the hospital after spending some time there recuperating. However, as soon as she got home, she saw the lion that had bitten her lounging in her backyard.

"Ivy, Dad said that you have to take good care of the lion since it's a gift from Mr. Fuller," Belinda said softly. "Make sure it doesn't die, or Mr. Fuller will be upset."

Wilson frowned slightly. "Why would Simon Fuller give Ms. Ivory something like this?"

He had no idea Ivory was about to marry Simon. Everyone in Jeriton knew about it, and so would he, if he'd paid the slightest bit of attention.

"Because she's—" Belinda started.

Ivory cut her off. "Because he likes me, of course. What, are you jealous?"

Wilson's frown deepened. He tried to keep his annoyance at bay as he asked, "Have you already forgotten what happened at the bar the other night, Ms. Ivory? Why do you keep playing with fire and getting involved with dangerous people? I may be your steward, but that doesn't mean I'll always show up by your side in time when you're in danger."

His words made Ivory fall into a daze. She was reminded of the first time she'd met him for some reason.

Wilson was a retired member of the special forces. Apparently, he'd left the army after getting injured in battle and had later come to apply for a job as a steward at the Stone family.

Ivory had sat on a wall and swung her legs while saying, "You need to have some skills to be my steward, you know. I don't want someone who's just a pretty face."

She was the true heiress who'd been switched at birth. Before being reunited with the Stones, she'd lived in the mountains. So, she was used to being unrestrained, and she loved climbing everywhere.

Unfortunately, her luck had been down that day. The wall, which had always been strong and sturdy, suddenly collapsed. She'd panicked, and it was too late for her to escape.

She'd shut her eyes, but the pain she'd expected hadn't come. Instead, she'd fallen into a warm embrace. Wilson had caught her steadily and used his arm to block the bricks that had flown her way.

"Ms. Ivory." His face had been devoid of emotion. "You're more of a pretty face than you think."

Wilson had been by Ivory's side from then on. Whenever she was in danger, he would show up in the nick of time and rescue her.

When her car had overturned during a race and she'd been trapped inside from the flames, he'd single-handedly ripped the door off and yanked her out.

When thugs had tried to hit on her, Wilson was the one who'd scared them off with a single look. And when she'd twisted her ankle while climbing a mountain, he'd carried her through the snow and taken her home.

It was almost given that Ivory would fall in love with him. Her adoptive parents had never cared about her, and her birth parents didn't love her. She'd been alone since childhood.

However, once Wilson showed up in her life, it was as if her lonely soul had finally found someone to rely on. She'd thought he would remain by her side until the end of time.

Yet now, he was telling her that he couldn't possibly show up on time to save her each time she was in danger.

Ivory scoffed. She tried to suppress her heartache as she said, "You're right about not being able to show up in time when I'm in danger. But I'm sure you'll do whatever it takes to be by Belinda's side in a perilous situation."

Wilson didn't say anything, but his silence was answer enough.

Suddenly, Ivory found the whole thing ridiculous. In this moment, everything seemed so mocking—her love that had once burned like fire, and the heartbreak and despair she'd tried so hard to keep hidden.

"Get lost!" She shoved Wilson aside and grabbed a pair of pliers. Then, she headed toward the lion. She couldn't let it die, huh?

She tranquilized it, then removed its sharp fangs and snipped its claws. From this day onward, she wouldn't need anyone to protect her. She could do a better job herself!

…

That night, Ivory unwrapped the bandages around her shoulders, wanting to treat her wounds, when Belinda appeared out of nowhere.

"Why are you doing this yourself, Ivy? Let me help you," she said. Then, she scattered chili powder onto the wounds.

The searing spice hit the raw wound, and intense pain coursed through Ivory. Beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead from the sensation.

She kicked the table before her, overturning it. Then, she slapped Belinda hard across the face. "You're asking for it, Belinda!"

She grabbed a whip to give Belinda the lashing of a lifetime. However, she'd just swung the whip when Wilson entered the room.

He instantly yanked Belinda into his arms, taking the lash for her on his arm. The whip was barbed, so his flesh split open the moment it came into contact with his arm.

"What did Ms. Belinda do to deserve such treatment, Ms. Ivory?" He looked at Ivory coldly, his gaze filled with hatred.

Belinda wept in his arms. "I just wanted to help Ivy treat her wound, Will."

"You're too kind, Ms. Belinda," Wilson said. "Some people don't deserve such kindness."

With that, he turned and left with Belinda, keeping his arm wrapped around her shoulders protectively. He didn't even spare Ivory a glance, so he didn't notice the chili powder on her bloody shoulder. The wounds were even starting to fester under the spice's aggravation.

…

The following day, Ivory was invited to attend a jewelry exhibition. She only realized Belinda was also there when she arrived.

"What are you doing here, Ivy? Do you have any money to buy the jewelry here?" Belinda covered her mouth and laughed daintily. "Maybe I should lend you some. Everyone knows you don't have much allowance."

Ivory sneered. "I should be the one saying that to you. Get on your knees and beg me for mercy when you can't foot the bill later. I'll pay it for you."

She turned and walked away without another word.

Belinda found that odd. She picked a few pieces and tried to pay for them, but she discovered that her cards had been frozen.

"Sorry, Linda." Ivory approached her gracefully. "Our darling father has transferred all of the Stone family's assets into my name. Every cent that you spend from now on has to go through me."

She held out her own card and smiled. "I'll take all the pieces from the Starlight series, including the ones she wants. Wrap them up and send them to my home. As for the ones that she liked… throw them down the toilet and flush them away!"

Belinda stomped angrily, but there was nothing she could do.

At that moment, Thomas Fray, the person in charge of the exhibition, appeared. He held a microphone and announced, "Excuse me, everyone. I have an announcement to make! Mr. Quill has purchased all the jewelry on display in this exhibition, no matter the cost!"

The crowd gasped, and the socialites squealed.

"I thought Mr. Quill was single! Why has he bought all this jewelry?"

"Who knows? Maybe he's giving it to the woman who's caught his eye!"

"Who could that be? I'm so jealous of her!"

Amid the discussion, Thomas stopped before Belinda with an entourage. They held trays of exquisite jewelry, including the Starlight series that Ivory had just been about to purchase.

"Ms. Stone, Mr. Quill has gifted all of this to you. Please take a look at them."

Two Ms. Stones stood before Thomas, but it was clear the jewelry was meant for Belinda.

She covered her mouth, looking astonished. "They're for me? But why? I've never even met Mr. Quill. Why would he be so nice to me?"

"You are as graceful as you are intelligent, Ms. Stone. Your reputation has long spread throughout Jeriton," Thomas said sycophantically. "You may have never met Mr. Quill, but perhaps he's been quietly watching you this whole time. It would explain all the gifts."

Belinda blushed, feigning bashfulness. Deep inside, she was smug.

Just then, Thomas turned to Ivory. "Ms. Ivory, Mr. Quill wants to see you upstairs."

In truth, Ivory had known for a long time that the so-called legendary Mr. Quill was Wilson. The stoic heir had an aversion to women, was a retired member of the special forces, shared Wilson's surname, and also liked Belinda… They shared numerous overlapping characteristics, making it difficult to overlook.

Ivory didn't know what Wilson was up to, but she still followed Thomas upstairs. Trusting Wilson wholeheartedly had become second nature to her—she didn't have her guard up at all.

Only after entering the VIP private room upstairs did she realize Wilson was nowhere in sight. Instead, some trained hitmen appeared and tied her to a chair.

One of them retrieved a barbed whip. Ivory paled, instantly knowing what Wilson wanted.

The whip lashed down hard with a crack, making a bloody welt appear on her back. Agonizing pain tore through her, but she burst into laughter. Tears streamed down her face as she laughed.

How pathetic. How utterly pathetic.

Wilson wasn't worthy of her love at all!

Ivory gritted her teeth, refusing to beg for mercy. She endured all hundred lashes without making another sound. In the end, she collapsed to the floor, feeling worn out. Her consciousness turned hazy.

Before passing out, she heard someone laugh and ask Wilson, "Didn't you infiltrate the Stone family to find the girl who saved you in the mountains so you could repay her? How did you end up whipping someone?"

"Belinda Stone, the second daughter of the Stone family, is my savior," Wilson said. "This is the Stone family's eldest daughter. She's obnoxious and out of line—she needs to be knocked some sense into…"

Ivory didn't hear the rest of the conversation. She lost consciousness after losing too much blood.

While unconscious, she dreamed of an old memory. When she'd been in her teens, she'd once saved a heavily injured special forces soldier in the mountains.

He'd worn a special mask. She'd wanted to remove it, but he'd told her his identity was top-secret and that he would have to kill her if she were to see his face. And so, she'd left his mask where it was and had just treated his wounds.

Even until now, she had no idea who that soldier was and what he looked like. But after regaining consciousness, she had her answer. It turned out she'd saved Wilson all those years ago.

Still, there was no meaning in discovering the truth now. Her heart had died after the repeated abandonment and betrayal.

Coincidentally enough, Ivory woke up on the day she was meant to leave for Weston to marry Simon. She was covered in injuries, and she limped as she walked.

She was supposed to be the most beautiful woman in Jeriton, yet she was as pale as a ghost on the day she left to get married. She didn't look pretty at all.

Whatever. Becoming a bride was a happy occasion—she had to play the part right.

Ivory sat before her vanity, carefully fixing her hair and makeup. Then, she got a dagger and slipped it into her sleeve. If Simon dared to do anything to her that night, she would stab him in the heart.

They could just die together, for all she cared. There was nothing in this world that meant anything to her anymore.

After hiding the dagger, Ivory summoned Wilson. She said weakly, "Hold out your hand."

He frowned, seemingly not used to her being so weak. Still, he did as told. She lowered her head and bit his palm hard again. This would be the last time she did this, but it wouldn't be because he'd abandoned her. This time, she was the one leaving him behind.

She couldn't help thinking, "I hope your hand and heart don't hurt too badly when you learn the truth."

After biting Wilson, Ivory smiled and gave him her final command before her departure. "Close your eyes, sit here, and count to ten thousand. You can only leave once you're done."

"Why?" he asked.

"No reason. It's an order," she said. She often gave him these weird commands to test his obedience.

In the past, he'd been repulsed by these nonsensical instructions. However, looking at Ivory's pale face, he felt the slightest hint of guilt. And so, he didn't complain as he shut his eyes and started counting. "One, two, three…"

Ivory went downstairs with a box of things as he counted. It contained items that commemorated their time together. The ticket stubs from the first film they'd watched together, the first photo they'd taken together, and the paper rose Wilson had folded with newspaper…

There wasn't much, really. After all, Wilson didn't like her. The gifts he'd given her could be counted on one hand.

She hung them on the peach blossom tree in the garden. Then, she turned and left.

The pink blossoms on the tree danced with the breeze. Ivory had once fantasized about someone planting her rows and rows of peach blossom trees before marrying her.

Now, she had her rows of trees, but she no longer needed Wilson to marry her. She didn't want him anymore.

Ivory boarded a plane with the lion that she'd defanged and declawed. She didn't look back.

This was farewell, Wilson.