Mr. Linwood quickly sensed the danger—Ethan was becoming completely entangled in Sabrina’s web. Fearing his son would be ruined, he rushed to arrange our marriage.

At the time, I had just completed my PhD and had been offered a coveted position at the National Laboratory. But because of this sudden engagement, I gave it all up.

Over the next thirty years, I devoted myself—mind, body, and soul—to the Linwood family. I poured all my knowledge into the company’s pharmaceutical R&D, personally pushing Linwood Pharmaceuticals from a regional name in Bridgefield into one of the nation’s top three pharmaceutical giants.

And what did I get in return?

Illness from overwork. Betrayal. A fire that consumed me. Death without even a place to be buried.

To Ethan, our marriage was a shackle that tore him away from his precious Sabrina.

But to me—it was a sacrifice. A repayment of the debt I owed to the Linwood family for raising me.

And now, with everything I remember from my previous life, I have made up my mind.

I turned to face Ethan, who still looked at me like I had ruined his world. I walked calmly to the door, opened it, and said evenly:

"Since your heart was never in this, our engagement is void. You're free to go."

Ethan’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if the words had slapped him.

"You schemed for years just to become the young madam of the Linwood family," he accused. "Now that you're finally about to succeed, you're suddenly having a change of heart? Don't act so noble!"

I looked at the suspicion in his eyes and felt a familiar exhaustion wash over me.

In my past life, I had bent over backwards out of gratitude to the Linwood family. I had tolerated Ethan’s disdain, even his cruelty, like a loyal dog begging for scraps of affection.

But under Sabrina’s manipulative whispering, the entire elite circle in Bridgefield saw me as nothing more than an opportunistic orphan—someone who cozied up to the Lin couple in order to climb the social ladder by marrying a second-generation heir.

As long as Ethan’s heart remained with Sabrina, anything I said would sound like a lie.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head. “Say what you want. No matter how lowly you think I am, I always saw you as family. Even if we can’t be husband and wife, I have no desire to become your enemy.”

For a moment, Ethan faltered. His expression softened into something hesitant—something almost innocent. For the first time in years, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the boy who used to call me ‘sister’ and follow me everywhere.

“Fine,” he said slowly. “I’ll trust you… just this once.”

He quickly changed into casual clothes.

With my help, Ethan snuck out through the security net the Linwood family had set up around the estate. He disappeared into the night without a trace.

By the time Mr. Linwood found out, Ethan had already reunited with Sabrina—and the two had posted a video online, kissing in a hotel bed, proudly flaunting their reunion on Instagram Story.

Enraged, Mr. Linwood smashed his phone on the spot and had no choice but to announce the postponement of the wedding.

It wasn’t until the next day, just before noon, that Ethan returned.

He walked hand-in-hand with Sabrina, grinning smugly. His collar was deliberately loose, revealing hickeys all over his neck. The message was clear: the night had been passionate.

“Dad,” Ethan said shamelessly, “Sab and I love each other. The rice is cooked. Who knows—maybe your grandchild is already in her belly. Just give us your blessing!”

They acted like I wasn’t even in the room. Clinging to each other, whispering sweet nothings, flaunting their love like a trophy.

Mr. Linwood’s face was thunderous. “You’re blinded by obsession—throwing yourself into a pit of fire!”

But in the end, he could do nothing. He turned to Sabrina and warned, “Now that you're part of this family, you’d better behave. No more reckless scandals that embarrass us!”

Ethan, taking that as a green light, grinned from ear to ear.

Sabrina, ever bold, cast a sideways glance at me and sneered.

“Since Ethan and I are getting married, there’s no reason for you, an outsider, to stay in the Linwood family anymore.”

Her words caused both Mr. Linwood and Ethan to stiffen. Ethan frowned slightly and tugged her sleeve. “Sabrina, that’s enough.”

“What do you mean, enough?” she said, shaking him off. “Every time I see her face, I remember how she shamelessly tried to steal you away from me. It disgusts me!”

She turned to me with eyes full of scorn, lips curling into a malicious smile.

“Unless, of course, you want to crawl on your knees and bark like a dog—swear loyalty to the Linwood family forever. Maybe then I’ll throw you a bone and let you stay!”

The moment Sabrina’s words fell, I locked eyes with him.

I had given in once before—because I was too afraid to repeat the same mistake.

This time, I wouldn’t back down.

My gaze pierced straight through him, and for a second, he flinched, as if my silence burned more than any insult ever could.

Grinding his teeth, Sabrina forced a sneer.

"What? You think you can glare at me just because Mr. Linwood is here? You’re just an outsider—are you planning to attack his future daughter-in-law in front of him?"

Before I could speak, Mr. Linwood’s cold snort broke through the room.

“Hmph! If you hadn’t opened your mouth, I might’ve mistaken you for the head of this family. You seem awfully comfortable giving orders, Sabrina.”

His sarcasm was sharp, deliberate—and most importantly, on my side.

Sabrina's face twitched. Even with her shamelessness, being publicly rebuked like that stung.

He turned quickly to Ethan and clutched his arm, pouting in feigned innocence.

“Baby, help me out here! Say something for me, won’t you?”

Ethan looked awkward. He hesitated, then finally turned to me.

“Claire, this is your decision now. Either you do what Sab said, or—”

“No need to waste your breath,” I cut him off flatly. “I never intended to stay.”

My words made Mr. Linwood lurch to his feet in alarm.

“What? No. That can’t happen!”

He stepped forward and gripped my shoulders tightly, voice filled with both urgency and disappointment.

“You’re Linwood’s chief pharmaceutical expert! If you leave, what will happen to those unfinished drug projects? They were your life’s work!”

I smiled, gently prying his hands away.

I knew he wasn’t thinking about profits or market impact.

He just didn’t want me to go.

“Sir,” I said softly, “all the research data is already documented. I’ve personally filed everything, and your expert team will be able to complete the rest without any issues.”

I wasn’t angry. On the contrary, I felt lighter than I had in years.

“As long as you appoint professionals and keep people like Sabrina from interfering, Linwood Pharmaceuticals will be fine.”

I turned to leave, but not before offering one last reminder.

“It’s a pity I can’t stay to help any longer. I hope you find the real heir soon.”

My words struck a nerve.

“What do you mean by that?!” Sabrina exploded. “Are you implying Ethan and I aren’t qualified?”

I didn’t even look at him.

Instead, I turned back to Mr. Linwood, offering a slight bow.

“Sir, Claire is officially leaving.”

I took a step toward the door—but Sabrina rushed ahead, blocking my way with outstretched arms.

“Oh no, you don’t!”

“If you want to leave, then leave the way you came in! Everything you’re wearing, every piece of jewelry, even the car you drove here—none of it belongs to you! The Linwood family paid for all of it. How shameless can you be, trying to walk out like a queen?”

His eyes narrowed, full of venom. He was clearly looking for a fight now.

I stared him down, my voice was like ice.

“If you’re so desperate to find fault, try using facts next time.”

I took a step closer and said, calmly but with unmistakable force:

“In just the past two years, I developed three new pharmaceutical patents for Lin’s. Each has generated an average net profit of over 10 billion.”

“Thirty billion. Do you really think these clothes and a car can’t be bought with that?”

Sabrina’s mouth twitched, the color draining from his face.

He had no comeback. Not one.

I didn’t say it to brag—I said it so he’d understand one thing clearly:

I wasn’t being kicked out.

I was walking away—on my terms.

But just as I turned again to leave, Ethan stepped in front of me and bit his lip, his voice suddenly low and bitter.

“Claire... all that effort... was just to repay the Linwood family for raising you?”

"I think Sab is right. Since you're leaving, then leave exactly the way you came."

Ethan lifted his chin, his eyes cold as they bored into mine.

Something inside me cracked.

I had tried so hard to leave with dignity, to walk out with my head held high. But Ethan’s words—so cruel, so deliberate—stripped me of the last bit of strength I had.

“Sab, stop this nonsense!” Mr. Linwood slammed the table, anger rising in his voice.

But I raised my hand gently to stop him.

Then, without a word, I unfastened my watch and began to remove my evening gown, piece by piece.

“Claire, don’t—don’t listen to them!” Mr. Linwood hurried forward to stop me.

I gave him a faint smile. “It’s alright, Sir. I know exactly who should bear the shame here.”

The message was clear: This wasn’t about the Linwood family. It was between me and Sabrina.

Across the room, Sabrina leaned smugly into Ethan, flashing a wicked grin.

“Okay, okay! No need to take your underwear off—just get lost already,” he snorted, waving me off like I was filth. Then he turned to Ethan and kissed him with exaggerated enthusiasm, as if to mark her victory.

Ethan stood there, avoiding my gaze. His shoulders were stiff. His guilt—visible, but too weak to change anything.

I inhaled deeply.

Then, barefoot and draped in nothing but the remnants of my dignity, I walked out of the Linwood family home—the place I once called home for decades.

To my surprise, a crowd had gathered outside.

Dozens of reporters surrounded the entrance. Most were from financial and medical outlets. Some had even interviewed me before.

But today, their eyes were sharp, their voices sharpened into weapons.

“Miss Foster! Is it true the wedding was postponed because the young master of the Linwood Corporation didn’t love you?”

“Claire, how does it feel watching the man you love choose another woman?”

“Were you kicked out? What’s next—working on an assembly line?”

A wave of laughter rippled through the crowd.

I didn’t need to guess who had orchestrated this.

I looked at the microphones pointed at me, then calmly reached for one.

“To everyone here hoping to see me fall—just wait. Time will tell the truth.”

No applause. Only ridicule.

“She’s still acting like someone important!”

“What a joke—without the Linwood family, she’s nothing!”

“She talks like she’s still their chief scientist!”

I ignored them.

Straightening my back, I walked through the chaos with quiet resolve.

They thought I had lost everything.

But they didn’t know—I was the one who had let it all go.

Once I was beyond their line of sight, a sleek, low-profile Rolls-Royce sedan stopped in front of me.

The door opened. A silver-haired man stepped out, dignified and calm.

“Dr. Foster,” he said solemnly, “on behalf of the National Laboratory, we welcome you home.”

I smiled and shook his hand.

Even if I was now barefoot, stripped of everything, those who truly understood my worth never cared about appearances.

“Thank you, Director. I’m ready to dedicate the rest of my life to the lab.”

I stepped into the car without hesitation.