After being wrongly accused of stealing trade secrets and kicked out of the finance world, I hid away and became a teacher in a small town.
Then I saw my ex-husband, Aaron Corbie, again.
He wore a perfectly tailored suit, now a Wall Street powerhouse who could change everything with ease and had a limitless future.
A friend whispered beside me, Becca, Mr. Corbie still has feelings for you! Hes still single all this time!
I smiled, unsure if he still had feelings for me.
Ten years ago, he personally hired thugs to strip me naked, put me in a room with his rival and then called reporters to take photos of me and post them on social media to accuse me of being a corporate spy.
Becca, look! Mr. Corbie!
My friend whispered excitedly, tugging at my sleeve. I lifted my gaze, following her gaze.
Under the spotlight after ten years, he was no longer awkward. His eyes and expression showed calm confidence.
He shone brightly under the lights.
My friend continued chattering in my ear, Mr. Corbie is so young and accomplished and incredibly handsome too.
I heard hes been single since his divorce. He must be waiting for you!
I forced a smile, but didnt say anything. Waiting for me?
He was the one who pushed me into hell with his own hands.
After the meeting, the crowd swarmed toward Aaron. I turned around, trying to slip away quietly among the staff.
Becca Lament.
A voice pierced the noise, freezing me in place. My back stiffened as I slowly turned around.
Aaron pushed through the crowd, walking toward me. Meanwhile, everyone instantly turned to look at me with curiosity and envy.
He stopped in front of me. His gaze lingered for a second on my faded shirt. His deep eyes showed emotions too complicated to read.
In the end, it all boiled down to a simple greeting.
Long time no see, Mr. Corbie.
I lowered my eyes, my voice flat.
His thin lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
A womans voice cut in, Aaron, so you are here.
A girl in a white dress casually hooked her arm through Aarons. She looked at me, surprise and concern etched on her face.
This must be Becca, right?
Aaron often talks about you, saying youre the person he feels most sorry for.
The girl was Claire Jimenez, Aarons current fiance, the daughter of a vice minister.
I watched her arm linked with Aarons, the contrast with his badge stinging my eyes. Aaron didnt pull his arm away, only furrowing his brow slightly.
Dont talk nonsense.
Claire, however, pouted her lips. Her voice was neither loud nor soft, just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear clearly.
Im not talking nonsense. Theres still a photo of Becca in your study.
You said youd never forget her in this lifetime.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Everyone stared at the three of us with suddenly understanding expressions.
Aaron pulled a business card from his suit pocket and handed it to me. Call me if you need anything.
His tone was like an unquestionable command. I stared at the gold-embossed business card, my stomach churning.
Ten years ago, that night, he had used the same cold, cruel tone to order the person on the other end of the phone.
Strip her naked and throw her in a room with Julian.
The reporters will be here in an hour. Make sure they get the best shots.
Overnight, I, as the brilliant financial analyst, became a despised corporate spy. My reputation was destroyed and I was permanently blocklisted from the financial world.
I took the card, my fingernails digging deep grooves into the paper.
Thank you, Mr. Corbie.
I lifted my head, offering him a polite smile.
But I think I wont need to trouble you.
With that, I turned and walked away without pausing.
After that meeting, I returned to my small town and continued working as an English teacher.
I thought life would return to normal. It was a week later when my father suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage at the construction site and was rushed to the hospital.
The doctor handed me the critical condition notice, informing me that the surgery would cost at least three hundred thousand dollars.
I searched through all my bank cards, scraping together what I could, but could only manage less than fifty thousand dollars.
Just when I was desperate and about to sell our old house, an unfamiliar number called.
Hello, is this Becca?
It was Aaron.
My fingers tightened around the phone as my voice turned icy. How did you get my number?
Thats not important right now.
His voice carried through the line with a forceful tone.
I heard about your fathers situation. Ive already contacted the top neurosurgeon in the capital. The helicopter will arrive at your city hospital in two hours.
My mind went blank.
Are you investigating me?
Im just concerned about you.
He paused, his soft voice said again, Becca, dont argue with me. Saving your father first is the priority.
My father was my only weakness. I couldnt refuse.
Two hours later, my father was safely taken away. The hospital director personally invited me to his office and his attitude was respectful.
Ms. Lament, all medical expenses for your father have been prepaid in full by Mr. Corbie. Dont worry, we will use the best resources.
I sat in the empty corridor, feeling suffocated, with nowhere to escape. Aaron used my fathers life to force me back into entanglement with him.
Late at night, another unfamiliar number called me. I swiped to answer. It was Claires voice.
Becca, are you asleep?
I remained silent. Claire chuckled softly. Her tone was laced with smugness and pity.
Aaron has been running around handling your fathers affairs. He even canceled our family dinner.
He says he owes you something and this debt can never be repaid in this lifetime.
Becca, Aaron has done so much for you. You mustnt be ungrateful.
Just let him make amends. Otherwise, he wont be able to get over it and it will affect our relationship.
Just as I was about to hang up, she suddenly added. Oh, Becca, Aaron asked me to tell you that he wants you to stay put at home and wait. Hell handle everything.
Handle what? I asked coldly.
Her cheerful laughter came from the other end of the phone. Of course, its your business.
He said he cant let you carry that stain for the rest of your life.
Hell find a way to restore your reputation.
She emphasized those words with deliberate force, restoring my reputation.
My blood froze instantly. What did Claire mean by restoring my reputation?
He was the sole mastermind behind what happened back then. How did he plan to restore it? By finding someone to take the blame and then expecting me to be grateful to him?
A beep sounded as a multimedia message arrived. It was a photo of Claire and Aaron together.
In the picture, Aaron wore a robe while reviewing documents. Claire embraced him from behind, smiling sweetly at the camera.
The caption was [Aaron says, let bygones be bygones. We must look forward.]
The nausea in my stomach could no longer be contained. I rushed into the bathroom and vomited until I was dizzy.
In ten years, they ruined my life and now they want to buy their own peace of mind by acting like saviors.
Why should I? A week later, my fathers surgery was a complete success. Aaron came to the hospital himself.
He looked thinner, with dark circles under his eyes. He seemed to have worried a lot about my fathers situation.
Carrying a fruit basket, he peeled an apple and casually brought up the past.
Becca, Im sorry for what happened back then.
He handed me the peeled apple, his voice low. I was too young then, blinded by power.
Claires father could give me everything I wanted, so I had no choice.
I looked at him, but didnt take the apple.
No choice?
I realized he simply chose the fastest and cruelest path. And my family was just a stepping stone on that path.
Mr. Corbie, youre too kind.
I forced a stiff smile. Its all in the past.
He looked at me intently, a hint of regret in his eyes. I know you hate me.
Becca, give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?
Just then, the hospital room door swung open. Claire walked in, carrying a bowl of chicken soup, followed by several reporters carrying cameras.
Spotting me, she feigned surprise before breaking into a smile.
Becca, youre here too. I heard Uncle woke up, so I specially made this soup to bring over.
She placed the soup by the bedside, then took my arm and said to the cameras,
Aaron and I have decided to establish a special fund for you, Becca. To help those who, like you, have suffered unjust accusations.
Becca is incredibly generous because she forgave us long ago and even wishes us well!
Flashbulbs went off relentlessly. Claire held me tightly, leaving me unable to move.
My father lay in the hospital bed, watching it all with a blank expression. I couldnt lose my temper, couldnt upset him.
All I could do was watch Claire and Aaron perform their touching drama at my fathers bedside. The next day, news flooded every outlet.
[Tycoon Aaron Proves His Loyalty, Invests Massive Funds to Clear Ex-Wifes Name]
[Ten Years of Waiting: Devoted CEO and Ex-Wife Reconcile.]
In the articles, Aaron was portrayed as a paragon of loyalty and righteousness. And I? I was the woman he had redeemed and magnanimously forgiven.
He used my fathers life as leverage, wielded public opinion as a weapon and nailed me to the victims pedestala pitiful creature needing his mercy and charity.
That evening, I received a call from Aaron. Becca, have you seen the news?
This is just the first step. Ill gradually help you return to the public eye.
My voice firmly said, My reputation doesnt need your restoration.
He fell silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled softly.
Becca, dont be stubborn. Your fathers ongoing rehabilitation treatment will require a large sum of money. Can you afford it with your meager salary?
My heart sank.
Are you threatening me?
His voice softened again and said, Im helping you.
I know you dont like Claire. Ill make sure she appears in front of you less often from now on. Be good, okay?
I hung up the phone, chilled to the bone. With the gentlest tone, Aaron did the cruelest things, keeping me firmly under his control.
Claires provocations shifted from the shadows to the open. She began visiting the hospital frequently, always accompanied by reporters, feigning reconciliation with me.
In front of everyone, she affectionately called me, then casually said, Becca, dont blame Aaronge. He had no choice back then. After all, your fathers position was too crucial.
If anything happened, it would ruin Aarons career.
Back then, my father was the head of archives at a foreign-related unit.
The moment my scandal happened, he was immediately suspended for investigation and reassigned to an idle department. He became gloomy and depressed and his health steadily declined.
I always believed I had merely brought my father down.
But now, listening to Claires words, I knew something.
I stormed into Aarons office, approaching him for the first time.
He seemed taken aback and motioned for his secretary to leave.
Whats wrong, Becca?
Was my fathers transfer back then something you did?
I stared at him intensely and Aarons calm expression faltered.
He avoided my gaze, stood up and poured himself a glass of water.
Youre overthinking it. Uncle was just caught up in the normal fallout.
Is that so? I laughed coldly, slamming a brown envelope onto his desk.
It was an investigation report Id asked an old classmate to retrieve from the archives. Inside was an anonymous accusation letter with the handwriting I knew all too well. It was Aarons.
Aarons expression finally changed. Panic flashed in his eyes before he regained his composure.
Becca, let me explain first.
Explain? I trembled with rage.
Explain how you ruined me and even destroyed my fathers future, all in your pursuit of advancement?
I just…
I screamed hysterically, Aaron, how much more have you been hiding from me?
Looking at my pain, a fleeting hint of pity crossed his eyes.
How stupid of me to still remember the year I was harassed by thugs from a rival company and how he beat them so badly they ended up in the hospital.
He took a step forward, trying to grab my hand. Becca, its not what you think.
I pulled back to avoid his hand. Just then, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and answered immediately, his voice tense. Claire, whats wrong?
Dont cry. Ill be right there!
He hung up the phone, didnt even glance at me, grabbed his coat and rushed out.
Claire has an emergency. Put your matter on hold. Well talk another day.
The door slammed shut. I stood alone downstairs in the empty space, all my strength drained away.
My problems could be put on hold. So all my pain and questioning couldnt compare to a single tear from Claire.
I returned to the hospital in a daze. As soon as I reached the floor with the ward, I saw Aaron by the window at the end of the corridor, talking on the phone with a grave expression.
He appeared to be handling an extremely urgent matter. I ignored him and headed straight for my fathers room. Just as I reached the door, I heard Claires sobs inside.
Uncle, please dont blame Aaron. Its all my fault. I shouldnt have shown that video to Becca. I thought she had already moved on.
What a video! I flung the door open. Claire was sitting by my fathers bedside, crying.
My fathers face was ashen, his chest heaving violently. He pointed at me, unable to say a word.
His phone on the bedside table was lit, playing a video. The background showed a hotel corridor from ten years ago. A young Aaron was coldly giving orders over the phone.
Give her the full dose and make sure she never wakes up.
After hanging up, he turned and pulled Claire into his arms. He kissed her forehead.
Claire, soon I will have everything and then I will marry you.
My father reached out, trembling as he pointed at me. Then his head lolled to the side. He was silent.
The cardiac monitor beside the bed emitted a long beep, then flattened into a straight line.
My mind went blank. Claire stood up, walked to my side and whispered softly in a voice only we could hear, Becca, I told you that Aaron would handle everything.
Now, the only person who knew the truth and would become a stain on his reputation is gone.
Claires smile was both innocent and vicious.
Oh, I forgot to tell you that accusatory letter back then and I had him write it.
Who told you to stand in my way?
I stared at her, then at my fathers cold body on the bed. I lunged forward, grabbing her by the throat.
Im going to kill you!
Aaron arrived just then. He shoved me away violently. I stumbled backward, crashing into the wall and hitting the back of my head until blood trickled down.
He didnt even glance at me, anxiously pulling Claire into his arms. Claire, are you okay?
Claire trembled in his embrace, crying as she pointed at me.
Aaron, I just wanted to explain to Uncle, but Becca rushed in and said she was going to kill me.
Aaron turned to look at me, his gaze icy and piercing. Becca, have you lost your mind?
I looked at him, at Claire in his arms, at my father lying on the hospital bed. His eyes were wide open in death.
I laughed, a laugh that brought tears to my eyes. Yes, I knew I was insane now.
Driven mad, step by step, by them. I wiped the tears from my face.
My phone in my pocket suddenly vibrated. I numbly pulled it out. It was a text message.
It was from Julian, the heir to that European aristocratic conglomerate Id dragged into ruin ten years ago.
[Miss Lament, Ive been searching for you for a decade. I believe we share a common enemy. I have enough evidence to ensure his downfall forever. Do you need my help?]
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