To make amends for the regrets of his past life, Bradley doted on Selena relentlessly.
He bought her a pink diamond necklace worth millions of dollars and rented out the entire Disneyland for her birthday to put on a fireworks show.
Everyone said Selena was his most prized treasure.
It turned out that when the usually calm and composed Bradley truly fell in love with someone, he would show off to the whole world like an inexperienced teenager.
I had no time to pay much attention to it.
To pay off my debts, I sold my oil paintings under the pseudonym "X" as an anonymous artist.
Within two days, the gallery manager called to say a wealthy person was interested in my work.
I never expected that person would be Bradley.
When Selena attended an event at Sotheby's auction house, she casually praised my paintings.
Bradley immediately wanted to buy all of my works.
He had severe germaphobia.
In my past life, whenever he saw me covered in paint, he would always wrinkle his nose and keep his distance from me.
I had no choice but to give up painting and never touch a brush again.
Now he just smiled as he watched Selena act on her every whim.
He indulged her as she smeared paint all over his thousand-dollar Armani suit.
Although I desperately needed the money, I still hesitated for a moment before agreeing to the deal.
Soon after, Selena showed off my paintings on Instagram. Fans asked: "Selena, are you the genius anonymous artist known as 'X'?"
Selena replied with a flirtatious wink emoji, not denying it.
The comment section immediately erupted.
Countless fans praised her for being so talented yet so modest.
The topic "Artistic Genius Beauty" trended on Twitter.
A representative from the luxury brand we were negotiating with urgently contacted me:
"Ms. Hunter, your work involves unclear copyright ownership. We must suspend our collaboration."
"If you can't clarify this promptly, you'll need to bear the production costs already incurred, totaling $1.5 million."
I felt like I'd been plunged into an ice bath and hastily explained, "I'm the real 'X'!"
The rep replied helplessly, "Public opinion online has already decided the real 'X' is someone else. We can't afford the legal risks."
I headed to the law firm with my original sketches, ready to sue Selena.
On the way, I was forcibly taken to Hunter Group by several men in black.
Bradley looked at me, a flash of surprise and panic crossing his brow.
"Those paintings are yours?"
I looked at him disappointedly, my voice trembling:
"So now you're planning to silence me forever just to make Selena famous?"
Bradley's resolute expression wavered, then quickly returned to its cold demeanor." Selena has dreamed of becoming an artist since childhood, and as her guardian, I naturally want to support her."
A surge of bitterness welled up in my heart, and I couldn't help but question:
"Do you know that your selfish decision will completely ruin me?"
A million and a half dollars in compensation - besides jumping off a building, I really couldn't think of any other solution.
Bradley impatiently interrupted:
"Olivia, you almost killed Selena. This is what you owe her."
"I promise you, as long as you acknowledge that Selena is 'X' and don't publicly expose her, I can consider holding the wedding as soon as possible."
I flatly refused: "No need."
Bradley's tone turned icy: "Think about your parents."
Fighting back tears, I resignedly signed the non-disclosure agreement.
Seeing my compromise, Bradley softened his tone slightly:
"I'll take care of your family's debt."
I ignored him and mechanically turned to leave.
The sky began to drizzle.
A pink Ferrari sped by, splashing dirty water all over me.
Selena lowered the car window, looking at me provocatively.
"He can find another wife, but he only has one adopted daughter."
"Olivia, do you understand your position now?"
Eager to distance myself, I said coldly:
"I won't marry Bradley. I wish you both happiness." This sentence unknowingly struck a nerve with Selena.
Her expression suddenly twisted, a flash of madness in her eyes.
"Uncle was mine to begin with, who needs your fake, phony charity?"
Selena stomped on the gas pedal, aiming the car straight at me.
"Olivia, go to hell!"
I couldn't dodge in time.
The pink sports car came barreling towards me, hurling me through the air before I crashed heavily onto the ground.
Selena tried to hit me again, but the slick road caused her car to spin out of control, smashing into several parked cars.
Selena's forehead was cut by the shattered windshield, knocking her unconscious.
Bystanders quickly called for an ambulance.
Bradley rushed to the scene, anxiously checking Selena's injuries.
He then turned to look at me lying motionless on the ground, his eyes filled with hatred.
"Olivia, I've been far too lenient with you. That's why you've become so arrogant, constantly provoking Selena."
I tried to speak but could only manage a painful whimper.
Bradley carefully lifted Selena into the ambulance.
I weakly reached out my hand, "Help me..."
Bradley sneered, "You're not even bleeding. Stop acting."
He then ordered the driver to leave.
I watched helplessly as the ambulance drove away.
The physical pain, no matter how intense, couldn't compare to the agony of my crushed spirit.
A kind passerby took me to the hospital.
When told I'd been hit by a car, the nurse was shocked:
"Internal injuries with no visible wounds are the most dangerous! Don't move! I'll get a doctor now!"
My consciousness began to fade.
Suddenly, a large hand gripped my wrist tightly. Bradley commanded:
"You and Selena both have O-negative blood. Go donate blood to her immediately."
Without waiting for my response, he forcibly dragged me towards the blood donation room.
The taut nerves in my heart finally snapped.
I shook my head, tears falling like broken strings of pearls.
"Bradley, I have severe anemia. Please, don't..."
Bradley's footsteps faltered slightly.
He gently caressed my face, his tone unusually tender:
"Darling, bear with it. I promise this is the last time."
"Once you recover, we'll get married and live a good life together."
The doctor gently advised, "Mrs.Hunter only has superficial injuries. She doesn't need a blood transfusion at the moment."
Bradley insisted, "Hurry up! Selena has a weak constitution. It's better to be prepared."
The thick needle pierced my arm.
As the blood flowed out rapidly, my whole body trembled uncontrollably, my face growing increasingly pale.
With a final bout of dizziness, I collapsed on the floor.
The nurse panicked, "Who let a car accident victim donate blood? Quick, save her!"
"Initial diagnosis shows the patient has three fractured ribs, a ruptured spleen, and is in a state of severe blood loss!"
I was lifted onto a stretcher and rushed to the operating room.
Bradley's frantic cries echoed in my ears:
"Didn't she have no external injuries? Why is her condition so serious? Get the city's best surgeons here immediately. We can't let anything happen to her!"
When I opened my eyes again, a nurse stood by my bedside, looking immensely relieved.
"You're finally awake! We were all worried you might not make it."
She brought over a bowl of red date and oatmeal porridge:
"Mr. Hunter ordered this blood-nourishing meal specially. Drink it while it's hot."
I glanced at the array of expensive tonics arranged on my bedside table.
Struggling to sit up, I intended to return them all.
As I passed the neighboring room, I saw Bradley cradling a bowl, tenderly feeding Selena.
The gentle smile on his face didn't escape my notice.
A group of young nurses huddled together, whispering:
"Mr. Hunter really dotes on Miss Selena. Can you believe a billionaire like him personally cooked bone broth for six hours, just so she could have it the moment she woke up?"
My strength suddenly left me, and the tonics I was holding clattered to the floor.
Just then, I received a text from Dad:
[Sweetheart, that deal you closed saved the company. The crisis is over. Get some rest now. Daddy's worried about you.]
My eyes welled up with tears as I leaned against the wall, feeling an immense weight lift from my shoulders.
Trying to recall the so-called "deal," I drew a complete blank.
At the same time, a representative from the luxury brand I had previously worked with sent their regards:
[Mrs. Hunter, the payment has been settled in full. We look forward to potential future collaborations.]
I looked up towards Bradley in the hospital room. My numb heart could no longer stir any ripples, only a sense of relief remained.
Bradley, from this moment on, we're even.
