Chapter 1 You Did It?

The pungent smell of disinfectant filled Lindsey Riley's nostrils. She wanted to open her eyes, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't lift her eyelids.

She attempted to move, but her body felt completely drained of energy; not even a finger would budge. Suddenly, Lindsey heard the soft click of a door unlocking. Someone had entered.

"Jayden, how could this bitch be so tough? I drove at 120 miles per hour and hit her twice, and yet she is still alive!" The speaker's tone was filled with regret.

Lindsey was stunned—she knew that voice all too well. It was Sheila Jennings, her stepsister, the one who had always shown her so much concern.

'So Sheila is the mastermind behind my car accident?' Lindsey found it hard to believe.

"She's not that tough; it's that you're too merciful, babe. If you hit her a few more times, even if Lindsey had nine lives, she'd be dead," came Jayden's voice.

Sheila giggled and leaned into Jayden's embrace. With a soft, coquettish smile, she asked, "Jayden, once we get rid of Lindsey, we can be together openly. I initially thought you couldn't bear to let her go."

"I'm over her. If it weren't for those Luminova shares she holds, I wouldn't have put up with her this long," Jayden said with a look of disgust as he glared at Lindsey on the hospital bed, clearly impatient.

"That skank is completely incomparable to you," he added, slowly caressing Sheila's smooth face, then lifting her chin with a flirtatious smile.

The two exchanged a glance and, right there in the hospital room, began to kiss. Meanwhile, Lindsey, lying on the bed, was absolutely furious.

Jayden Parker was Lindsey's fiancé. They had been engaged for five years and were supposed to marry in just three days, but then came the sudden car accident. Now it seemed that it had all been a plot between Jayden and Sheila.

"Ugh, Jayden, you're getting bolder and bolder. There's another one in the room!" Sheila playfully pushed Jayden, but he pulled her even closer.

"Another one? Babe, you mean Lindsey? Isn't she already dead?" Jayden said.

Sheila froze for a moment before laughing. "You're so mean!"

Jayden laughed too, but his eyes slowly turned to Lindsey, filled with malice and venom. He gradually released Sheila and walked over to Lindsey's bed.

"Babe, do you think Lindsey would wake up in a rage if she knew we were here to pull her oxygen tube out?" he joked.

Sheila glanced around, not wanting to cause more trouble at this point. "Alright, Jayden, just pull the tube out quickly. Let's leave as soon as possible."

"Why are you in such a hurry? No one else is coming here." He looked down at Lindsey, examining her for a long while. "Ugh, how ugly she is!"

Lindsey felt a surge of anger. She had sacrificed half of her face in a fire to save Jayden, and yet he said this about her.

Rage filled her body, and to her surprise, she started to regain some strength. Lindsey suddenly opened her eyes.

Jayden jumped back, startled. He stammered, "Lindsey, you're awake? I... I came with Sheila to see you. Thank goodness you're awake."

Lindsey glared at him silently.

Sheila turned around at the sound, her fingers tightly clutching the edge of her clothes. She couldn't let her plan fail. She wanted both Jayden and Luminova. She walked over and immediately noticed the fury in Lindsey's eyes.

Sheila's expression darkened as she snapped, pulling Jayden's focus back. "Jayden, don't just stand there. She already knows we were planning to kill her. Keeping her alive is like leaving a ticking time bomb."

Jayden, reminded by Sheila, quickly regained his composure. Lindsey's sudden awakening had momentarily frightened him. Jayden laughed at himself, who had acted like a gentleman for so long in front of Lindsey that it had become second nature.

Lindsey summoned all her strength to speak in a hoarse voice. She demanded, "Did you do it? The car accident? Why?"

She suddenly found it laughable that Sheila had never seen her as a sister.

Sheila scoffed, "Of course it was me. As for why, well, it's simple—because I want you dead. Without you, everything in the Riley family will be mine."

There was no trace of shame on her face, only pride. Lindsey shut her eyes for a moment before turning to Jayden. "What about you? Was everything you told me before just a lie?"

"Look at you now. Do you really think you deserve Jayden's love? What man would love an ugly freak like you? Lindsey, don't you have any self-awareness?" Sheila's tone was full of disdain and contempt.

Jayden, holding Sheila, sneered, "I forgot to tell you, the fire that ruined your face was actually a plan that Sheila and I carefully set up. And do you know why your mom's condition was stabled but she still died?"

Lindsey's eyes widened, and her whole body began to tremble. "You did it?"

Sheila scoffed, "Calm down. What are you going to do now that you know? Funny enough, your mom's oxygen tube was pulled out by my mom, and today, I'm going to pull yours out myself."

With that, Sheila gave a firm tug, and the transparent oxygen tube slipped from Lindsey's body, falling limply to the floor. A crushing sense of suffocation hit Lindsey, and the world around her began to fade into darkness.

Chapter 2 A Second Chance

The surroundings were enveloped in darkness. Lindsey felt as though she were trapped in a confined space, unable to breathe.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw a grand crystal chandelier and curtains with a perfect drape.

Lindsey blinked several times to adjust to the bright light. As she looked around, she suddenly found the place familiar. Soon she realized that she was in Splendid Inn, where she and Jayden had sex for the first time.

Lindsey closed her eyes for a moment, trying not to think about Jayden, who betrayed her. She was confused as to why she was here, unsure whether Sheila had shown her mercy or come up with another scheme.

Lindsey swung her legs off the bed to get up but was immediately struck by the sight of bruises on her body. The scene was eerily familiar.

She turned her head and saw her reflection in the mirror—her skin was flawless, her face smooth, with no sign of the horrific burns.

In the mirror, Lindsey's face was fuller, still carrying some youthful softness. She couldn't believe it and touched her face, rushing to the mirror for a closer look.

She wasn't mistaken. Her face was perfect, with no trace of the disfigurement she had suffered.

Lindsey pulled out her phone, opened the calendar, and came to a shocking conclusion—she had returned to the day five years ago. Perhaps it was God's mercy, giving her a second chance.

Lindsey wasn't willing to die at Sheila's hands. Since God had given her this opportunity, she decided to make the most of it and ensure those who had harmed her would face their consequences.

This time, she would reclaim what was hers and live for herself.

However, she felt a bit regretful that she hadn't traveled back to an earlier point in time. Even a day earlier would have been enough, so she wouldn't have had sex with Jayden.

Lindsey stared at the bruise on her chest, feeling disgusted and filthy.

Jayden had handed her a glass of wine, which she had drunk without hesitation because she had thought he was a decent man. She never imagined it would lead to this.

At that moment, Lindsey only hated herself for being so foolish and not seeing Jayden through.

The bathroom door suddenly opened, startling Lindsey. She quickly looked toward the door.

In her previous life, when she had woken up, the room was already empty. She wasn't ready to face Jayden so soon.

Lindsey saw a tall man step out of the steam-filled bathroom. A bathrobe hung loosely on his body, revealing glimpses of his chest muscles. She looked up, noticing his exquisite collarbones. His Adam's apple moved slightly, adding to his alluring and dangerous aura.

She raised her gaze further. When she saw his face, Lindsey froze in shock, as though struck by lightning. Her lips trembled for a long time before she managed to say, "Wh-who are you?"

This man was not Jayden but a stranger. Lindsey felt a wave of disbelief, thinking that she might have been deceived in her past life.

Lindsey was still in shock when the man had already reached the dressing mirror. "You're awake?"

His voice was slightly hoarse, probably from just coming out of the bathroom. It wasn't unpleasant, even somewhat sexy.

Lindsey pressed her lips together, studying him for a while before answering softly, "Yes."

There was a strong sense of distance and wariness in her tone. The man raised an eyebrow at her, noticing that Lindsey was standing there demurely. She didn't look like a troublemaker, which made him feel a bit more satisfied.

"I'm sorry about what happened last night. If you're willing, I can marry you. If not, name your price," he said in a tone that was authoritative, cold, and detached, making Lindsey feel somewhat uncomfortable.

She looked up at him, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "Name my price? What do you think I am? A prostitute?"

The man's lips tightened, but he remained silent. The oppressive aura he exuded made Lindsey shiver involuntarily. His eyes swept over her, clearly assessing her as someone not much different from a prostitute.

Lindsey was angered by his expression. In her previous life, this man had slept with her and then vanished, leaving her deceived by Jayden for years. This time, she was determined to make him pay.

She extended her hand, her eyes full of disdain. "I want 6 million dollars. Do you have that?"

She wanted to teach this man a lesson in humility. Even the top billionaire of Jovencia would likely find it difficult to come up with that amount of money on the spot. Lindsey was confident her demand would stump him.

However, the man just stared at her face, his gaze unwavering. After a moment, he let out a light laugh and succinctly replied, "Fine."

Lindsey froze. She looked at the check handed to her, her doubts surfacing. "This wouldn't be a worthless check, would it?" After all, there were plenty of scammers these days.

"If you choose to marry me, you'll get even more," the man said confidently.

Lindsey glanced at him and pushed the check back toward him. "You do look decent. No need for marriage. How about this? You help me with one thing, and we'll call last night a wash."

The man's gaze lingered on the check before he suddenly chuckled. "Go on."

"I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend," Lindsey said slowly.

In her previous life, Jayden had used what happened last night to deceive her for five years. This time, she was determined to put an end to that lie from the start.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Pretend?"

"Yes. In front of others, we'll be a loving couple. But privately, there's nothing between us," Lindsey explained.

The man glanced at her from head to toe, his gaze meaningful. "Nothing between us?"

Lindsey suddenly realized she wasn't wearing anything to cover her body. She quickly pulled the blanket around herself, giving him an angry and embarrassed look. "You pervert, stop staring at me if you still want your eyes!"

The man scoffed and stood up. "I have no interest in fat."

Lindsey gritted her teeth. She had a slim waist, long legs, and an hourglass figure. She was 5'7" and weighed no more than 110 pounds, yet this man addressed her as fat. She thought he had no taste.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. When it opened, Lindsey saw a young man in a black suit with good-looking features standing straight as an arrow.

The young man glanced briefly at Lindsey in the bedroom. He seemed a bit surprised, but quickly regained his composure and spoke in a businesslike tone. "Mr. Ludwig, the guest is waiting downstairs."

The man nodded, closed the door, and then, in front of Lindsey, removed his bathrobe.

Lindsey was caught off guard, and she quickly went to cover her eyes. But at that moment, she heard his deep voice. "I have to leave now. Someone will bring you clothes later. As for what you said, I'll keep my word, darling."

The way he emphasized "darling" sent a shiver down her spine. Lindsey felt a slight tingling on her face. She let go of her hand and found his mischievous grin mere inches away.

Lindsey glared at him but couldn't help the blush that crept onto her face.

Even at this close range, the man's face was flawless, impeccably handsome. His eyebrows and eyes seemed to have been meticulously crafted, each stroke perfectly done, deep and intimidating.

The man left the room, and Lindsey searched the room for a while but couldn't find anything to wear. Seeing her dress was torn to shreds, she frowned, wondering how this man had such strength.

Chapter 3 A Powerful Ally

Once she had calmed down, Lindsey began to feel the stickiness on her skin. She went to the bathroom to take a shower.

When she stepped out, a strange woman was already standing at the bathroom door, wearing a professional suit and high heels, exuding an air of competence.

When the woman saw her, she smiled politely. "Ms. Riley, these are the clothes and shoes Mr. Ludwig asked me to bring you."

The woman's smile was perfectly executed, as though she had been trained for it. Lindsey paused for a moment, a bit confused by the way the woman addressed her. "You know who I am? And who exactly is Mr. Ludwig?"

The surname Ludwig reminded Lindsey of a big shot in Jovencia.

The woman seemed a bit taken aback by her question but patiently explained, "I'm referring to Mr. Shawn Ludwig, the fourth son of the Ludwig family. Ms. Riley, you are now Mr. Ludwig's girlfriend."

Although Lindsey had prepared herself somewhat, she still found it hard to process when she heard the name Shawn Ludwig.

She couldn't believe that she had just met Shawn Ludwig, the one everyone in Jovencia respected and feared.

Shawn was the late child of Dennis Ludwig. The Ludwig family's influence was vast, with industries spanning across the country, yet the heir was still undecided.

Among the Ludwig family's younger generation, Shawn was known for his ruthlessness. After returning from studying abroad, he swiftly took control of most of the family's assets with an iron hand, rivaling his eldest brother, Samuel, and even surpassing him in some ways.

Lindsey hadn't expected to find such a powerful ally by accident.

"Ms. Riley, I'll be waiting outside. If you need anything, just let me know." The woman handed Lindsey the bag with the clothes and then stepped outside to wait.

After the shock wore off, Lindsey looked at the clothes in her hands. It was a pale yellow gown, a limited edition from a high-end brand, priced at no less than 300 thousand dollars.

The shoes were also from the same brand, the latest collection, and sold out everywhere.

She couldn't help but curl her lips. No wonder the man had agreed so easily to her demand for 6 million dollars. His financial power far exceeded her expectations.

When she left the hotel, the sky outside was overcast, and the air was thick with fog, as though it might rain. Lindsey grabbed her phone tightly and called for a taxi.

Returning to the villa, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotion.

This villa had been left to her by her mother, yet now, she didn't even have the key to get inside. To enter, she would have to wait for someone inside to let her in.

Donna Warren was the new maid who had been hired after Olivia Jennings moved into the villa. Olivia had claimed that the previous maid, Emma Grove, was getting old and wasn't as efficient, so she had fired her and brought Donna in.

In her past life, Lindsey had been rather naive, and since Olivia's malicious nature hadn't been exposed, she hadn't thought anything of the maid change. But now, she sneered inwardly, realizing Olivia was placing her spy in the house.

The doorbell rang for quite a while before Donna finally sluggishly came to open the door. Upon seeing Lindsey, her expression was indifferent. "Ms. Riley, what took you so long?"

Donna's words were laced with a strong sense of disdain and reproach. Lindsey furrowed her brows and shot her a cold look. "You still remember that I'm Ms. Riley, huh?"

With that, Lindsey gave Donna a warning glare and stepped into the house, her high heels clicking on the floor.

Donna froze, intimidated by Lindsey's sudden change in demeanor. She stood there for a while, then reluctantly followed behind. She found it odd that Lindsey seemed a bit different today.

But then, Donna thought to herself that Lindsey was just a lonely girl without a mother and with a father who didn't care for her. She didn't have the right to be arrogant.

Lindsey's father, Anthony Riley, dote on Olivia and her daughter Sheila, and Donna thought that Sheila would most likely inherit the Riley family's wealth. She believed that her priority should be to please Olivia and Sheila.

Before Lindsey even entered the living room, she heard Sheila's voice, which was softened deliberately. "Mr. Riley, Lindsey must have been caught up in something. She certainly didn't mean to stay out all night."

"When she comes back, please don't scold her, alright?" she pleaded.

Upon hearing this, Anthony's anger flared. "Caught up in something? She's just out having fun! Does she even remember she's part of this family?"

Anthony didn't understand why, though both Lindsey and Sheila were his daughters, there was such a stark difference between them. To him, Sheila was obedient and sensible, while Lindsey was nothing but trouble.

Olivia, pretending to be a caring wife, chimed in, "Anthony, don't get angry. It's not good for your health. When Lindsey comes back, I'll talk to her, and we can just move past this."

Lindsey curled her lips. In her past life, she had been completely fooled by Olivia's false kindness. It wasn't until later that she realized Olivia's involvement in her mother's death.

Lindsey steadied her expression and walked into the living room.

"You still remember this home?" Anthony grabbed an ashtray and hurled it at Lindsey's forehead with all his might. Lindsey quickly dodged, narrowly avoiding it.

Anthony glared at her. "What were you doing last night? A young girl staying out all night—what kind of behavior is that?"

His gaze was filled with certainty, as if he was convinced she had done something to disgrace the family. Lindsey wasn't angered, instead, she looked at Sheila sadly.

"Sheila, I've always treated you like my own sister. Why did you set me up like this?" Lindsey asked.

Her words stunned everyone in the living room. Sheila looked as if she had been splashed with hot oil, nearly jumping out of her seat in shock. "Lindsey, what are you talking about?"

Lindsey pretended to wipe away tears. "Wasn't it you who called me last night, saying you were stuck at a bar and needed my help? But when I got there, I only found Jayden, and he forced me to drink."

Lindsey was incredibly beautiful, and with her crying like this, it was impossible not to feel sympathy for her. Anthony's gaze shifted to Sheila. "What's going on?" he asked.

Sheila gritted her teeth in anger, not expecting Lindsey to reveal what she had done.

She quickly tried to defend herself. "Lindsey, Jayden has been interested in you for a long time. His family, the Parker family, is very powerful, so I thought I'd try to match you two up."

"I never expected Jayden to turn out like this..." Sheila lowered her head, putting on a guilt-ridden expression.

Olivia also looked troubled, taking Anthony's hand and advising, "Anthony, Sheila meant well. Since the situation has already happened, perhaps it would be best to let Lindsey and Jayden—"

At that moment, Lindsey cried softly again. "Sheila, you know I have a boyfriend. Are you trying to make me a cheater?"

This statement left everyone in the room stunned again. Sheila's face darkened, clearly convinced that Lindsey was lying. She knew Lindsey didn't have a boyfriend.

"Lindsey, even if you don't want to be with Jayden, you don't need to make up such an absurd excuse." Sheila narrowed her eyes, suddenly noticing the bruise on Lindsey's neck, partially hidden by her collar.

She walked up to Lindsey, roughly pulling at her collar, and gasped, "Oh my god, Lindsey, what happened to you?"

Chapter 4 I'm Not Marrying Him

Lindsey silently adjusted her collar. Before she could say a word, Sheila jumped to her own conclusion. "Lindsey, you two didn't actually—you know, do it, did you?"

Olivia's expression was equally awkward as she looked at Lindsey. "Lindsey, I'm not criticizing you, but don't you think you're a bit promiscuous, especially since you and that man aren't officially a couple yet?"

Anthony remained silent, but the deep disgust in his eyes was unmistakable.

Lindsey sneered inwardly. She found it ridiculous that Olivia, who had been Anthony's mistress for twenty years and shamelessly living in this villa while unmarried, had the gall to call her promiscuous.

At that moment, a visitor arrived at the Riley residence.

Anthony snapped at Lindsey, "Sit down here properly! Always crying and whining—what kind of impression do you want to give others? Do you want them to laugh at us?"

The visitor was Jayden, just as Lindsey had anticipated.

In her previous life, she had become Jayden's fiancée in a daze, not knowing the full truth of the situation. This time, she wasn't going to let herself be manipulated so easily.

Lindsey sat upright on the sofa, her gaze lowered, looking quiet and demure. Jayden immediately noticed her, and a flicker of admiration appeared in his eyes.

"Oh, Jayden, what brings you here?" Anthony greeted him enthusiastically. The Parker family was just as influential as the Riley family, so Anthony treated Jayden with great respect.

Jayden glanced at Lindsey before responding humbly, "Mr. Riley, I'm here to apologize. Last night, I did something terribly wrong to Lindsey. I've been feeling uneasy and hope to earn her forgiveness."

Anthony's mind naturally went to the marks on Lindsey's body. He mulled it over and concluded Sheila might be right—the Parker family was an excellent option for a marriage alliance. Pairing Jayden with Lindsey seemed like a perfect choice.

"There's no need to apologize, Jayden. Spending the night with you is an honor for Lindsey," Anthony said.

Jayden was momentarily confused by Anthony's words because he hadn't spent the night with Lindsey at all.

After Lindsey drank that glass of strong liquor, she vanished. He'd searched the entire hotel but couldn't find her. He assumed she was angry and didn't want to see him, but Anthony's words hinted at something more.

Sheila, oblivious to Jayden's hesitation, chimed in, "Jayden, Lindsey is usually conservative and pure. If she spent the night with you, she must have feelings for you."

Hearing this, Jayden's heart skipped a beat. He'd indeed planned to spend the night with Lindsey, but she had run off at the last minute.

Sensing something was amiss, Jayden kept his thoughts to himself. While he was fond of Lindsey, his primary goal was to obtain her shares in Luminova.

Suppressing his dissatisfaction, Jayden played along with Sheila's narrative. "Mr. Riley, Lindsey and I have been fond of each other for some time. If possible, I'd like to marry her."

His words sounded sincere, and Anthony, unsuspecting, was thrilled to oblige. "Great. If you don't mind, our families will be in-laws—"

Before he could finish, Lindsey's voice cut through the room. "I'm not marrying him."

The room fell silent. Anthony stared at Lindsey in astonishment. The Parker family was wealthy and powerful, more than a match for Lindsey. He couldn't fathom why she would refuse.

Jayden's expression darkened. 'I don't even mind that she slept with someone else; how could she reject me?'

"Lindsey, you should be grateful. You've already spent a night with Jayden; do you think any other man would want you?" Sheila said, trying to reason with her.

"Did I ever say I spent last night with Jayden?" Lindsey raised her head, her cold gaze sweeping over everyone in the room. These people, each with their own schemes, were all hoping to make her life a living hell.

Everyone in the living room was stunned, unable to comprehend what was going on.

Olivia's face turned ashen. She shot Sheila a questioning look, silently asking for an explanation. Sheila shrugged, signaling that she didn't know either.

Jayden's expression darkened further. Lindsey was publicly undermining him. He thought she was ungrateful.

"I have a boyfriend. Jayden, you can drop the idea now," Lindsey said carelessly.

Sheila quickly reacted, pointing at Lindsey and asking, "Then, Lindsey, those marks on your body—are they from—"

Lindsey gave her a sidelong glance and asked nonchalantly, "Are you my maid? Do you have to poke your nose into everything?"

"Lindsey!" Anthony slammed the table and roared, "Watch your tone. How did I end up with a shameless daughter like you?"

"And how did I end up with a foolish father like you?" Lindsey retorted without hesitation.

Olivia stepped in just in time, trying to calm Anthony while mediating the situation. "Lindsey, just calm down, alright? Or your father's high blood pressure might flare up again."

Even though things had escalated to such an awkward point, Jayden was unwilling to give up. "Lindsey, are you sure you won't reconsider me?"

Lindsey rolled her eyes at him and teased, "Jayden, do you realize you're trying to pursue a girl who already has a boyfriend? Or is that your thing?"

Jayden's face darkened, and his hands clenched tightly into fists at his sides.

Seeing the situation slipping out of control, Sheila was unwilling to give up. As long as Lindsey remained in this house, Sheila would always be one step below her.

"Lindsey, if you say you have a boyfriend, you should bring him here to meet us. Let us vet him for you," she said, feigning concern.

Sheila said this because she was convinced Lindsey didn't have a boyfriend. She knew exactly where Lindsey went and who she interacted with daily. There was no way Lindsey was in a relationship.

Sheila suspected Lindsey had been defiled by some random guy and was now fabricating this excuse to cover it up.

Anthony, having calmed down, glared at Lindsey angrily. "What are you standing there for? Go call him over right now."

Lindsey gritted her teeth. She knew Shawn wasn't someone she could summon on a whim, but given the current situation, if Shawn didn't show up today, Sheila would continue to hound her relentlessly.

Seeing Lindsey hesitating, Sheila smirked knowingly. "Lindsey, hurry up and call him. Or is it that your boyfriend doesn't actually exist?"

Lindsey smiled faintly, taking out her phone. "Fine. I'll call him now."

Thankfully, during her time at the hotel, the woman who had delivered the clothes had given her Shawn's business card. To make her act more convincing, Lindsey had saved his number.

As the phone rang and the line buzzed, Sheila sneered, "Lindsey, are you just dialing a random number to fool us?"

Lindsey gave her a nonchalant glance. "Do you think I'm that childish?"

Just as the call was about to disconnect, Shawn finally answered. Lindsey quickly said, "Shawn, my dad wants to meet you. Can you come over for a bit?"

After a moment's thought, Lindsey added, "I think it's time for you to meet your father-in-law."

Chapter 5 Needed To Break Up

At first, Shawn didn't immediately recognize the voice on the other end of the line. But the moment Lindsey mentioned father-in-law, he understood.

He hesitated briefly. "I have a meeting here, so I probably won't be able to make it."

Lindsey felt a twinge of disappointment, though she didn't dwell on it. A figure as influential as Shawn wasn't someone she could summon easily.

Sheila, noticing Lindsey's expression, felt a surge of delight. She sneered, "Lindsey, maybe he just doesn't want to come? Looks like this boyfriend of yours doesn't love you that much, huh?"

Sheila didn't bother keeping her voice down, ensuring that everyone in the living room heard her. Feeling smug, she even rose her voice a little. Shawn, hearing Sheila's sharp voice over the phone, frowned.

After a pause, he said, "I've reserved a private room at Ethereal Haven for tonight. If you don't mind, bring your father along for dinner."

Lindsey was slightly taken aback. She composed herself quickly and relayed Shawn's message to Anthony.

"At least he knows his place. Fine, I'll go see this frivolous little bastard," Anthony huffed, flicking his sleeve angrily as he stormed back to his study. The failed marriage arrangement with the Parker family left him simmering with frustration.

Lindsey's gaze darkened, thinking that Shawn might give the order to destroy the Riley family if he heard how Anthony describe him.

Sheila glanced at Lindsey, then at Jayden, not forgetting to stir the pot. "Jayden, please don't be mad at Lindsey. Maybe she's just been bewitched by some playboy and didn't mean to do anything to betray you."

Lindsey remained silent. Sheila made it sound as if there was something between her and Jayden.

Jayden's expression was grim. "Then I'll be waiting for Lindsey's good news."

As evening approached, Lindsey had hoped to attend the dinner with just Anthony, but Sheila and Olivia insisted on tagging along.

"Mr. Riley, Ethereal Haven is the most luxurious restaurant in all of Jovencia," Sheila said, "I've never had the chance to go before. Why not let me join you this time?"

"Besides, I can help evaluate Lindsey's boyfriend to ensure she isn't blinded by someone with ulterior motives." She batted her eyes and looked pitifully at Anthony.

Olivia chimed in as well. "Anthony, I've practically treated Lindsey like my own daughter all these years. I should also go see her boyfriend. You tend to be too laid-back—what if your judgment is off?"

Over the past two decades, Olivia had thoroughly bewitched Anthony. Hearing her reasoning, he found it perfectly logical.

"Lindsey, is this what twenty years of my parenting have taught you? To be so petty? Olivia has cared for you for so long—she's the most qualified to go," Anthony said to Lindsey.

"Besides, she's practically family now, and you'd better treat her like one," he added.

Lindsey couldn't help but roll her eyes. She hadn't even said anything yet, and now she was being accused of being petty.

However, Lindsey didn't miss the key point in Anthony's words. "Dad, why did you say Olivia is practically family now?" She narrowed her eyes, sensing that something was amiss.

Anthony, who had been so confident moments ago, suddenly became evasive. "That's none of your concern."

Seeing his reaction, Lindsey grew even more suspicious. Her gaze shifted between Anthony and Olivia.

At that moment, Sheila chimed in with an air of arrogance, "Lindsey, it's obvious that Mr. Riley is going to marry my mom.

"The reason he kept it from you was to spare you any unnecessary worry. But who would have thought you'd figure it out so quickly—"

Lindsey's memory clicked into place. In her previous life, Anthony and Olivia had indeed gotten married around this time, supposedly because Olivia was pregnant with a boy. The child, however, didn't survive in the end.

A cold smile appeared on Lindsey's face. She now understood that Olivia was faking a pregnancy. This time, Lindsey wouldn't let the woman who had caused her mother's death marry into the Riley family.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Lindsey said calmly, "Since you all want to go, then let's go together."

She figured Shawn wouldn't mind the additional expense. As for whatever tricks Sheila and Olivia might pull, Lindsey decided to play along for now.

When they arrived at Ethereal Haven, Shawn had yet to show up.

Sheila seized the opportunity to mock her. "Lindsey, your boyfriend seems pretty unreliable. Meeting Mr. Riley is such an important occasion, and yet he's late. You should really have a word with him later."

Lindsey chuckled. "If he truly is late, then yes, I'll have a word with him. But Sheila, don't you think we arrived a bit too early?"

Under Sheila's insistence, they had arrived a full hour before the agreed time.

"I was starting to think you were the one meeting her boyfriend today," Lindsey said, glancing at Sheila.

Sheila's expression stiffened. "I was just worried for you."

The server soon brought over the menu. Lindsey nodded politely. "We're still waiting for someone. We'll order once everyone's here."

Before Lindsey could finish speaking, Sheila snatched the menu. "Lindsey, why wait? Let's order now so that the food will be ready by the time he arrives."

Lindsey frowned, sensing that Sheila was up to something again.

"Leave us for now. We'll call you once we finish ordering," Sheila said to the server.

The server bowed and left.

"Wow, Mom, look! Ethereal Haven really lives up to its reputation as Jovencia's most luxurious restaurant. The price of one dish is worth as much as one of your handbags," Sheila exclaimed to Olivia.

"Every dish looks exquisite. I want to try them all." Suddenly, Sheila looked up with a mischievous grin. "Lindsey, I've gone ahead and ordered everything on the menu. Your boyfriend won't mind, will he?"

Lindsey took the menu and glanced at it. To her surprise, Sheila had indeed ordered all the most expensive dishes.

She forced a smile. "I don't mind, but Sheila, ordering a table full of dishes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars right off the bat—how do you think he'll view our family?"

Anthony's face darkened upon hearing the number. He glared at Sheila and reprimanded her in a low voice, "Sheila, stop messing around."

Sheila, however, remained unfazed. "Mr. Riley, if Lindsey's boyfriend chose to meet us here, it must mean he can afford it.

"And if he gets upset, we'll just say Lindsey ordered the dishes. After all, they're a couple. Lindsey can just act a little coy, and he'll forgive her in no time," she added in a careless tone.

Lindsey sneered inwardly, thinking Sheila was truly a manipulator. She asked, "Sheila, why do you seem so experienced in these matters?"

Sheila froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

Outside the door, Shawn chuckled before stepping in.

The sudden sound drew everyone's attention, and they all turned to look. Sheila, startled, nearly dropped the menu. She tugged at Olivia's sleeve in excitement, visibly shaken by Shawn's striking appearance.

But then, realizing he was Lindsey's boyfriend, Sheila's expression turned sour. She couldn't understand why someone as handsome as Shawn would be interested in Lindsey.

Anthony squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Shawn as if appraising a piece of merchandise.

Upon seeing Shawn's looks, Anthony immediately pegged him as a playboy. Although Shawn was undeniably handsome, his clothes didn't appear to be from any well-known luxury brands. Anthony assumed they were likely counterfeit from some obscure market.

He gave Shawn a long, assessing look and concluded that Jayden was still the better choice.

Shawn walked naturally over to Lindsey, affectionately ruffling her hair. "You all arrived so early?"

Lindsey was surprised by Shawn's convincing performance but remained composed, pulling out a chair for him. The two of them looked just like a couple who loved each other deeply.

"How old are you?" Anthony suddenly asked, his tone serious.

"Twenty-six," Shawn replied.

"What do you do for work?" Anthony pressed on.

Shawn, slightly annoyed, hesitated for a moment before deliberately answering, "I run a small business with some friends."

Anthony frowned. In his view, people who claimed to run a "small business" were usually either struggling or unemployed.

"Do you have a fixed residence?" Anthony asked again.

Shawn thought for a moment before replying, "No." He had too many properties to claim a single one as his primary residence.

After a series of probing questions, Anthony grew increasingly dissatisfied, his expression darkening by the second.

To him, Shawn's qualifications were far inferior to Jayden's. Resolving to intervene, Anthony made up his mind that Lindsey and Shawn needed to break up.

Chapter 6 Settle The Bill

"You don't have money, and you don't have a house. How can you provide Lindsey with a home? Do you expect her to live on the streets with you?" Anthony slammed the table forcefully, causing the cutlery to clatter noisily.

Shawn raised an eyebrow, quickly calculating how best to respond in this situation.

"Mr. Riley, I genuinely care for Lindsey. With my abilities, I can ensure she lives happily," Shawn said, his tone earnest.

Anthony's expression darkened further at what he deemed an overly polished response. To him, Shawn's smooth words screamed incompetence and deceit.

"Nice speech. But only an inexperienced girl like Lindsey will believe it. If you were truly capable, would you still lack even a place to live?" Anthony sneered.

Lindsey suppressed a laugh, finding the misunderstanding amusing. She guessed this might be the first time anyone had spoken to Shawn like this.

Sheila slowly curled her lips into a smug smile and muttered just loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Mom, I don't think Lindsey's boyfriend is up to par."

"He's not capable—nowhere near Jayden's level. If he actually marries Lindsey, he might end up relying on Mr. Riley's support." Her voice wasn't loud, but it was perfectly calibrated to carry through the room.

Olivia cast Sheila a meaningful glance and chimed in, "Don't be silly, Sheila. If Lindsey is with him, she must have her reasons."

"I'm not being silly," Sheila said, sounding indignant. "They haven't even been together that long, and this man already sweet-talked her into bed. Isn't he just trying to make their relationship irreversible?"

"Not to mention he ruined Lindsey's engagement to Jayden. I think he's just using the Riley family as a stepping stone," she continued.

"That's enough! Stop talking nonsense." Olivia shot Sheila a warning glare before quickly turning to Anthony, an apologetic look on her face. "Anthony, it's my fault for not teaching Sheila properly. She's speaking out of turn—"

But Anthony's fury had already reached its boiling point, and Sheila's words had only fueled the fire.

"Sheila's absolutely right! This brat has nothing and still dreams of marrying my daughter. What does he think the Riley family is, a charity for homeless people?" Anthony was one step away from pointing a finger in Shawn's face.

Shawn casually glanced around the room, his presence suddenly radiating an undeniable pressure that made the air feel heavy. His gaze, laced with amusement, lingered on Olivia and Sheila. His voice was cool and cutting. "Mrs. Riley, you really did raise your daughter improperly."

Unable to hold it in any longer, Lindsey burst into laughter.

Olivia bit her lip hard, her face turning pale. Ever since moving into the Riley residence, she had never been humiliated like this.

Sheila's face turned bright red because of humiliation, and she called out to Anthony in a pitiful tone, "Mr. Riley..."

Her tone filled Anthony with sympathy. His gaze toward Shawn grew even colder. "Lindsey, look at the man you're hanging around with. He has no manners whatsoever. No wonder you've become so rude yourself."

"What are you standing there for? Break up with him immediately, then come with me to the Parker residence to apologize to Jayden. If we're lucky, he might forgive you," he barked, reaching out to drag Lindsey out of her seat.

Lindsey recoiled as if shocked by electricity, dodging his grasp. Her anger flared, and with a cold expression, she shot back, "If you like the Parker family so much, why don't you marry into it yourself?"

"Shut up! Do you like to see me angry?" Anthony roared, raising his hand. The sound of the slap cutting through the air was sharp and fast.

Lindsey shut her eyes, bracing for the pain, but it never came. Cautiously, she opened one eye and saw Shawn gripping Anthony's wrist tightly.

The aura around Shawn was sharp and intimidating, like a drawn sword. His voice was icy as he said, "Mr. Riley, a gentleman uses words, not fists."

Anthony glared at Shawn furiously. "I'm disciplining my daughter. Step aside."

Shawn made no move to release his grip.

Though Lindsey had long since understood Anthony's personality, seeing his hand frozen mid-air still stung a little.

She tugged on Shawn's sleeve. "Let's go."

Shawn gazed at her for a moment, his expression softening. "Alright," he said gently.

The two left hand in hand.

Sheila smirked triumphantly. With Lindsey and Shawn gone, she began enjoying the lavish dishes in front of her.

"Mom, try this. It's amazing—melts in your mouth. Expensive things really do live up to their price. And this caviar, it's so fresh," Sheila said between bites.

Olivia nodded approvingly, then turned to console Anthony. "Anthony, don't stay angry. Lindsey is just too young and impulsive.

"Once she calms down, she'll understand you're doing this for her own good. Why don't you sit down and eat something?"

Olivia's skill in persuasion was impressive. Anthony's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Olivia, you're the only one who truly understands me."

"So what?" Sheila muttered under her breath. "People still gossip about my mom, saying she is just your mistress."

Anthony's expression darkened. Olivia quickly turned to scold Sheila.

"Olivia, you don't have to tiptoe around me. Sheila's right. I should marry you. I'll convince my father to approve our marriage," Anthony said, making a solemn promise to Olivia.

The atmosphere between them grew harmonious, and soon the table was cleared of food.

Just as they were gathering their things to leave, a waiter knocked and entered the private room. "Excuse me, could someone come with me to the front desk to settle the bill?"

The group froze. Sheila nearly yelped in surprise. "What do you mean? Didn't Lindsey and her boyfriend pay already?"

The waiter smiled politely. "No, the bill hasn't been settled yet."

Sheila's face turned ashen. She looked helplessly at Olivia, who glanced at Anthony.

Anthony was seething but tried to maintain a facade of composure. "You must have the contact information of the person who reserved this room. He'll take care of the bill."

With that, he attempted to lead Olivia and Sheila out, but the waiter stood firm. "I'm sorry, but we don't allow customers to leave without paying."

Anthony's act began to crack under the pressure. Impatiently, he snapped, "I've already told you, the person who reserved this room will handle it. Why are you pestering us?"

The waiter narrowed his eyes slightly. "I see. So you're planning to dine and dash, is that it?"

"Do we look like freeloaders?" Anthony was livid. "Is this how you treat your customers? Don't you know that customers are always right?"

"How many times do I have to tell you to find the person who booked this room?" he added.

The waiter slammed the bill onto the table, his demeanor turning firm. "Save the excuses. You ordered the food, and you ate it, right? Paying for your consumption is only fair. Are you trying to get away?"

At his words, several burly staff members entered the room, exuding an air of authority.

Sheila shrank toward Olivia in fear. If she'd known it would come to this, she wouldn't have ordered so much food.

Chapter 7 She Isn't Pregnant

Anthony felt a flicker of hesitation. Losing face was a small matter, but getting injured and ending up in the hospital was a different story. It was just a few hundred thousand dollars. Gritting his teeth, he knew he could afford it.

"Did I ever say I wouldn't pay? What's with this attitude? Are you trying to rob me?" Anthony snapped, his neck stiff with indignation.

The waiter's expression softened as he smiled and held out a card reader. "Then please, swipe your card."

*****

Outside, Lindsey walked alongside Shawn, feeling a little embarrassed. "Sorry, my family is just like this. I'm afraid they've made a poor impression."

Shawn pressed his lips together, his gaze fixed on the top of Lindsey's head. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "What I said that day still stands."

"What?" Lindsey looked up in surprise, momentarily confused by his words.

"We can be a real couple." Shawn's tone was steady.

Lindsey's cheeks flushed red. After a brief pause, she shook her head. "You've seen what my dad is like. If he finds out you're Shawn Ludwig, he'll become greedier than a vampire."

"The Riley family would turn into a bottomless pit, and no amount of money could fill it," she continued, unwilling to drag Shawn into her family's mess.

By the time Matt Jordan arrived to pick Shawn up, Lindsey had already left.

"Hey, what's up with you today? Coming to your own restaurant and making a show of sending the waiter to collect payment—what were you thinking?" Matt, Shawn's childhood friend, never held back with his words.

Shawn's expression was calm. "It's nothing. Just teaching a few restless fleas a lesson."

*****

The next day, Lindsey returned to the Riley residence. Before even stepping inside, she could hear the cheerful laughter from within.

"Olivia, my father has finally agreed to let me marry you. You'll be Mrs. Riley from now on. No one will dare talk behind your back anymore, and our baby won't be a illegitimate child," Anthony said jubilantly.

Sheila's face was equally animated. "Mr. Riley, does this mean I can call you Dad now? This is amazing—I finally have a dad."

"When I was in school, everyone called me a fatherless orphan and bullied me in the bathroom corners..." Sheila's voice grew increasingly pitiful, her eyes turning red as if she might cry at any moment.

Lindsey lowered her eyes, changed her shoes, and stepped inside. The moment Anthony saw her, his previously amiable expression turned icy. "Lindsey, how dare you come back?"

"This is my home. Why wouldn't I come back?" Lindsey said, unconcerned of her father's fury.

Their gazes clashed, both filled with cold defiance. Anthony rose from the sofa, stepping in front of Lindsey, and swung his hand to slap her hard. Lindsey turned her head just in time, narrowly avoiding the blow.

Missing his mark only fueled Anthony's rage further. "How dare you dodge?" His voice was incredulous.

Lindsey pursed her lips, lifting her chin stubbornly to meet his gaze. "If you're going to hit me, shouldn't I dodge?"

"You deserve this slap! The so-called boyfriend of yours ordered a table full of dishes and then left without paying, costing me hundreds of thousands of dollars. Can he afford to compensate for that?" Anthony yelled at her.

Lindsey sneered. "If I'm not mistaken, Sheila was the one who ordered the food. Maybe you should figure out who was trying to take advantage and ended up losing out instead."

"Stop arguing!" Anthony's chest heaved with fury, clearly infuriated. Realizing it was pointless to explain, Lindsey turned on her heel and went upstairs without another word.

"Lindsey, have you eaten? Your father's just angry; don't take it to heart." Olivia, holding her belly, followed Lindsey up the stairs.

She reached out to grab Lindsey, but Lindsey abruptly stepped forward, avoiding any contact. Yet, Olivia still fell down the stairs.

In Lindsey's past life, this very incident had ruined her standing in the Riley family. Even her grandfather, who had once cared for her, became indifferent to her after this.

Therefore, Lindsey was prepared this time. She coldly watched Olivia tumble down the stairs without extending a hand to help.

She clearly remembered that in her past life, when she had tried to help Olivia, the gesture had been used against her as evidence that she had pushed Olivia.

When Lindsey saw Olivia covertly pierce a blood bag tied on her leg, she smirked and calmly put her phone away. She had recorded everything.

Anthony's face turned pale with fear as he rushed to Olivia's side. His hands came away sticky with red liquid.

"Olivia, you're bleeding! Are you okay?" he asked anxiously.

Olivia's voice was weak and halting. "My baby... Anthony, please, take me to Harmony Hospital. Find Dr. James."

Anthony nodded frantically. His gaze darted to Lindsey, and he snarled, "You just wait. If anything happens to Olivia or your brother, you'll regret it."

He tried to carry Olivia out, but Lindsey stood firmly in the doorway, her expression resolute.

"Lindsey, what are you doing? Can't you see Olivia's in critical condition? If you delay her treatment, can you bear the consequences?" Anthony glared at her furiously.

Lindsey smiled faintly. "Looking for Dr. James? He was just reported for falsifying medical records and has been dismissed. Ms. Jennings, I'm afraid your performance has reached its end."

Olivia's face turned ghostly pale. Her pregnancy was fake, and the test results had been forged by Dr. James. If she saw another doctor, her lie would be exposed.

Olivia let out a couple of feigned wails before changing her tone. "Anthony, it doesn't hurt as much anymore. Let Sheila take me to the hospital. You stay and comfort Lindsey. She must've been scared out of her wits."

Sheila chimed in, "Yes, Dad. Look at Lindsey; she's spouting nonsense and acting strangely. Maybe she's mentally shaken."

Anthony hesitated. He was worried about Olivia and felt Lindsey could be dealt with later.

"No, I can't leave you. You've lost so much blood. Every moment we delay increases the danger," Anthony said resolutely.

Olivia gritted her teeth, seething at his stubbornness.

"What's going on?" The commotion in the front yard had drawn the attention of Anthony's father, Claude.

Sheila quickly exaggerated the story. "Grandpa, Mom's pregnant, but Lindsey was so careless... We don't know if the poor baby can be saved."

Claude's sharp gaze landed on Olivia, his brows knitting tightly. Then he turned to Lindsey. "What's going on?"

"What else could it be? Lindsey is malicious and deliberately pushed Olivia down the stairs, causing her to miscarry." Anthony glared at Lindsey with fury. "You're more cruel than a wolf."

Lindsey let out a self-mocking laugh, thinking how blind and unfair her father was.

Fixing her eyes on Olivia, Lindsey said coldly and deliberately, "She isn't pregnant. And I didn't push her."