Chapter 1
In her previous life, Zoey was killed before realizing that she had misidentified the man who saved her life back then. After being reborn, she kicked away the scumbag man and vowed to take back all the honors she once gifted to her enemies. The most important thing, firmly hold onto the scumbag's uncle's disabled thighs. Some people say: That Zoey, has nothing but borrowing Russell's influence. Financial tycoons, medical godfathers, beautiful movie queens, and tech gurus have all come forward: "Sorry, our zoey never rely on men." The whole network is in an uproar! Everyone is guessing what their relationship was. The next day the video came out, a certain disabled guy not only stood up, but also blocked the little petite wife in the corner, "Zoey, you are mine!"
Chapter 1 Can We Be in Love in the Next Life?
"Zoey, enjoy the last few minutes of being able to breathe freely! Soon, your heart will be inside my body!"
Hospital operating room.
Zoey Harmon was completely immobilized on the operating table and couldn't move.
Just after the car accident, she is now in so much pain that she is almost suffocating.
The overhead light cast a shadow on her face as she incredulously looked at her sister dressed in a patient gown.
"Why!"
"Why?" Ariana Harmon reached out and poked her chest, her lips curling into a sinister smile.
“You should blame yourself for today's suffering, why do you always have to be better than me on everything!"
“Did you really think I cared about you?” Ariana scoffed, "If I hadn’t pretended to be kind, would you have handed over your designs, worked as my voice double, or trusted me enough to drink that juice mixed with sedatives before the accident?"
“Do you remember the fire at the bar ten years ago? That was my doing! Those thugs I hired were useless—they couldn’t even finish you off, so I had to step in!"
"Oh, by the way, the rumor about you being involved in abortion was also spread by me. But you should thank me, those eight years you were sent abroad by grandpa, you learned quite a few skills. However, they were all used by me, aren't you particularly unwilling?"
"Don't worry, after you die, I will give you a grand burial, and everyone in the world will know that after you had a car accident, you donated your heart to your beloved sister, allowing me to live on in your place. It's deeply moving!"
Ariana pressed down on Zoey's fractured leg bone, which was bloody and mangled, causing Zoey to feel intense pain and break out in a cold sweat, her face turning pale.
Zoey had endless hatred in her heart.
Eight years, she was exiled abroad for eight years.
Apart from her grandfather, only Ariana showed concern for her.
Updating her on the news back home, even helping her connect with her fiancé, Nelson Maddox and occasionally visiting her in Corbourne.
She believed in herself so much.
Ariana wanted to be a singer, so she did voice dub for her; Ariana wanted to bulid a brand, so she provided her with design drafts...
She thought Ariana was the best person to her in this cold house, apart from her grandfather.
Who could have known it had all been a lie.
The affection she had always longed for, it turned out, was all built upon interests.
"Ah!" The hand on her leg exerted more force, and Zoey screamed in pain.
"Does it hurt? Every day that you steal the limelight from me, I hurt like this! Zoey, don't be afraid, Grandpa has been waiting for you down below, waiting for your heart to be dug out so you can keep him company," Ariana's face was filled with madness.
A gush of salty sweetness surged up, and Zoey’s lips were stained with bright red blood.
"Ariana! You’ll never die peacefully!"
"Anyway, you wouldn't have seen that day." Ariana laughed arrogantly.
The operating room door opened, and Nelson and the medical team walked in.
"Nelson, Nelson, call the police!" Zoey shouted with all her strength, looking at her fiancé.
But unexpectedly, the man just sneered lightly, looking down at Zoey from a high position, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain.
"You stole Ariana's design draft, poisoned her vocal cords, and even messed around with abortion. I wish you were dead."
"You..." Zoey's words were cut off by Nelson, who used a piece of medical gauze to cover her mouth.
"Save your energy, perhaps later you would have seen the scene of your heart being ripped out of your body."
"I didn't originally want to kill you, after all, you helped me steal so many trade secrets. No pain, no gain. But who made you unlucky enough to be involved with Ariana."
“Since you’re about to die, I might as well tell you. I’ve been with Ariana for years. That night in the fire, it wasn’t me who saved you—it was Russell!”
“These past two months, we tried many ways to finish you off, but Russell kept interfering. I don’t know what he saw in you! But tonight, your time’s up. He fell into my trap trying to save you, so he’ll meet the reaper first.”
Zoey's eyes were filled with shock, anger, and then pain, as tears slid down her cheeks.
No wonder. No wonder Nelson looked surprised when she once thanked him for saving her life.
No wonder she heard that Russell Maddox had injured his waist and was sent abroad for treatment overnight after that night.
Has she really loved the wrong person all these years?
It was really ridiculous! It was so sad!
She was so angry, angry at herself for being so blind to entrust her whole life to Nelson, this scumbag.
She hated herself so much for trusting her snake of a sister, and even brought her grandfather down with her .
She hated herself even more for mistaking her savior and involving the innocent Russell.
Unfortunately, everything was too late.
"The surgery began! The donor did not need to be injected with anesthesia!"
The surgeon used a scalpel to cut open the skin on Zoey's chest. She watched as her heart was taken out and placed in a tray, lifeless, like a dead dog.
She became lighter and transparent, floating in mid-air. She watched as her chest was opened, her organs exposed. She saw Nelson's cold and merciless expression, and witnessed the doctor cutting open Ariana's chest, preparing for a heart transplant.
Bang!
The operating room door was forcefully kicked open by someone.
A crowd of people rushed in, led by a man wearing a black overcoat. He stood tall and exuded an air of nobility and arrogance from head to toe.
Seeing Zoey's lifeless and blood-soaked state, his usually calm eyes instantly filled with panic.
Was he too late?
"Zoey..."
Russell's heart ached almost to the point of suffocation, and he stumbled with unsteady steps, his voice trembling, "I'm sorry, I came late."
He slowly took off the string of purple sandalwood beads from his wrist and put it on Zoey's wrist.
He held her icy hand, his eyes filled with lifelessness.
"Russell, you didn't die? You're not in a wheelchair anymore? Your legs have healed?" Nelson swallowed hard.
Zoey was also surprised, when did Russell's leg get better?
She didn't even realize how deeply he had hidden.
Russell suddenly lifted his eyelids, his gaze fixed firmly on Nelson, who was being forced to kneel on the ground by someone. His eyes were filled with terrifying murderous intent, causing Nelson to tremble in fear immediately.
"Russell, spare my life! I beg you, I am your own nephew!"
Russell walked up to him, his eyes filled with a chilling frost, and a cold, pitch-black barrel pressed against his forehead.
"You killed her, so go and accompany her in her burial!"
Zoey floated in the air, unable to watch Russell commit the crime, as it would cost him his life.
She wanted to snatch the gun from the man's hand, but she missed.
The sound of bangs echoed above the operating room.
Everyone involved in the surgery was lying on the ground in disarray.
She witnessed Russell killing everyone with her own eyes, and then brought her body to the seaside, and he sat on the beach for a whole night.
The moment the sun jumped out of the sea level, Russell finally lifted his eyelids and said, "Didn't you say that you haven't seen a sunrise yet, and haven't fallen in love, so you don't want to die? How come you left?"
This sentence is what Zoey said in the fire scene, and he still remembers it now.
Russell choked up and said, "Zoey, I watched the sunrise with you. How about we make a pact to be in love in the next life?"
After saying that, he immediately raised the gun and pressed it against his temple without hesitation.
Zoey was taken aback and then went crazy, lunging forward as if to grab the man's hand, but her hand passed through his arm. "No, please!"
The sound of gunshots was engulfed by the surging tide, and Zoey watched as the man fell on the beach, crying out in anguish.
She covered her face with both hands and broke down completely.
Suddenly, her body was violently torn and twisted by a mysterious force.
"Don't!"
Zoey suddenly opened her eyes wide!
Chapter 2 Rebirth and Revenge Starts
In front of her eyes was a bright dressing table mirror. Zoey looked at herself in the mirror, dressed in professional attire and with her hair tied up, and for a moment, she was stunned.
Looking around, she was in the room of the Harmon family.
The room was very small and had been cluttered with miscellaneous items. It was simply renovated before she came back.
Zoey raised her hand and placed it on her chest, as the sound of her heart beating rapidly echoed.
She didn't die.
Did she actually not die?
"Zoey, have you finished tidying up? We agreed to meet at this time to go to the Candy Shop, don't be late."
Ariana's voice sounded outside the door.
Familiar attire, familiar words.
Candy Shop?
Wasn't that two years ago?
Two years ago, Nelson found her and said that the Harmon family and the Maddox family had an engagement, and he hoped she would become his wife.
She was full of excitement back then, after all, the man in front of her was her lifesaver.
But Nelson had told her he wanted to marry her after achieving success, as he was under pressure at that time , it was mainly from the head of the Maddox family, Russell, and could not offer her the life she deserved. So they had agreed to an engagement.
Nelson hoped that she could help him, and Zoey immediately agreed.
And so, Nelson placed her next to Russell as his chief secretary.
Over the next two years, she had stolen numerous secrets using her skills, ultimately paving the way for Nelson’s rise and Russell’s fall from grace.
Zoey now realizes that Russell did not lack suspicion of her, but rather indulged in her behavior.
As Zoey realized that she had been reborn two years ago, her eyes darkened.
In her past life, she was used by others and did so many foolish things that caused harm to her true lifesaver. Her grandfather died tragically, her heart was dug out, and she even caused Russell to shoot himself.
In this life, she would no longer be used by others!
She wanted the scumbag and the bitch to receive the punishment they deserved!
She had to repay Russell well!
According to the timeline, tomorrow night is the engagement banquet. She had to gather the evidence before that.
"Zoey?" Ariana's voice sounded again from outside the door, and Zoey shivered at the thought of what she had done in her past life.
How long do you think you can pretend for!
Zoey got up and opened the door, only to see Ariana wearing a beautiful knee-length dress, stepping on seven-inch high heels, and with exquisite makeup.
"I felt a bit uncomfortable in my stomach, could you help me go and choose with Nelson?"
"Me?"
Ariana's eyes flickered with a hint of joy, which Zoey noticed.
"Do we need to go to the hospital?" she asked, pretending to be concerned.
"No need, just take a nap."
"Okay then." Ariana nodded, barely able to hide the smile at the corner of her mouth. "So Nelson and I will go, and we'll take pictures for you to choose from later."
"Okay."
As Zoey watched Ariana's departing figure, the smile on her face instantly disappeared.
She closed the door and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching as Ariana got into the black Rolls-Royce.
The car did not drive towards the Candy Shop, but instead headed towards the outskirts in the opposite direction.
Zoey chuckled and turned around to sit in front of the computer desk, opening her laptop. Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
After finishing everything, she changed into sportswear, took out a small object from the suitcase, and left the house.
On the bed of a suburban villa, two figures were entangled in a fierce struggle.
"Nelson, who do you think was better, Zoey or me?"
"Of course it was you, that disgusting bitch, I wouldn't even touch her."
***
The two of them were whispering sweet nothings to each other, and when their emotions became intense, they let out a series of low growls.
Zoey listened outside and almost vomited.
In her past life, she already knew about this villa, but back then Nelson told her that it was used by the company for entertaining guests.
Who would host banquets in the countryside?
Sure enough, she guessed right.
The people inside were still going on, while Zoey securely placed the tiny camera, the size of a soybean, in her hand and quickly left.
In the evening, the family sat around the dining table.
Ariana took out candies and peeled one for each person.
"Zoey, was it delicious?"
Zoey nodded, "It was delicious."
Dahlia Baker glanced at Zoey with disdain and said, "You can't do anything right! Even picking wedding favors, your sister has to do it for you! Look at Ariana, not only is she the top designer at Born Beauty Fashion Company, but she's also a triple threat in the entertainment industry as a film, television, and music star. You're useless! I really don't know why Mr. Maddox chose you as his fiancée."
Dahlia snorted coldly, "What advantages could she have?"
"Zoey was kind and obedient."
"Kind and obedient?" Dahlia laughed as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "Eight years ago, she was only fourteen and already going to bars to smoke and drink, hanging out with delinquents, and getting involved in scandalous affairs and abortions. How much public pressure did the Harmon family face back then? They were completely humiliated! You really have a short memory!"
Matteo snorted, "Zoey said she didn't do it, so she didn't! How can you, as a mother, not trust your own daughter at all!"
The old man seemed really angry, and Dahlia didn't argue anymore. She just glared at Zoey fiercely.
The usually silent Jordan Harmon looked at Zoey and said earnestly, "No matter what you have done in the past, after we get engaged, you must become a good daughter-in-law of the Maddox family. The reputation of the Harmon family cannot be tarnished anymore."
Dahlia couldn't help but retort, "The nature is hard to change, who knows what she has become during these eight years abroad? After getting engaged, you should learn more from Ariana on how to be a qualified socialite."
Ariana defended, "Oh, Mom and Dad, please stop talking. Those are all rumors. I believe Zoey."
Dahlia sneered, "I was just reminding her!"
"Enough!" Matteo slammed his fork down. "The child is getting engaged tomorrow, aren't you done yet? You keep talking and I'm getting tired of it!"
Zoey smiled faintly, "It's okay, mom and dad are right. I’ll learn from my sister.”
Before going to bed, Zoey received a message on her phone.
She glanced and saw a Line message from Nelson.
"Zoey, is your stomach still hurting?"
Zoey rolled her eyes and, thinking about what she had told herself in her past life, forced herself to reply, suppressing the disgust and discomfort in her heart.
It didn't hurt anymore.
That's good, are the candies delicious?
"It was delicious, you and Ariana indeed have good taste."
They're really birds of a feather, deserves each other!
*[I’m glad you liked it. Tomorrow night, you’ll be my fiancée. I’m truly lucky.*]
Oh no, your good fortune has just begun.
Zoey scoffed lightly, "I was lucky too. See you tomorrow night."
After replying, she thought about her past self, who despite having great talent, was easily manipulated by these two individuals.
Just because of excessive trust, it led to blindness in the eyes and ignorance in the heart.
In this lifetime, she would never repeat the same mistakes.
"Ariana, there is a ring exchange ceremony tomorrow. Can you help me bring the ring up when the time comes?" she sent a message to Ariana.
"Okay, no problem," Ariana replied.
The Maddox family, Nelson set aside his phone.
He took a sip of red wine and clicked his tongue, "This fool is completely wrapped around my finger now, she knows nothing about that she'd become my most advantageous pawn soon! Truly foolish to the core!"
The engagement between the Maddox family and the Harmon family was arranged in the early years by Alonso Maddox and Matteo.
Because of the incident at the bar, Zoey's reputation outside was very bad, which also affected the reputation of the Harmon family. The Maddox family never mentioned the engagement again, and the Harmon family was also too embarrassed to bring it up, until Nelson took the initiative to propose to Zoey from the Harmon family.
In order to show his sincerity to Zoey, Nelson invited celebrities from all walks of life in Woodmerrow to the engagement banquet.
At this moment, the banquet hall of River Hotel was filled with big shots.
The men exchanged toasts while women mingled, showing off elegant attire.
Zoey sat in the dressing room, sending messages.
*[Play the video during the ring exchange. Got it?]*
*[No problem, boss! Get ready for the show,*] replied Roland.
Zoey took her phone, her lips curled into a smile, and the show was about to begin!
Chapter 3 Slap the Scum
The sound of knocking on the door was heard, and Ariana pushed the door open.
"Zoey, the engagement banquet has started, it's time for you to go on stage."
Zoey looked at Ariana's swollen lips and understood in her heart.
It was obvious that Ariana and Nelson were secretly involved with each other.
In the past, she’d trusted them and hadn’t thought to question it. But now, every little detail was as clear as day.
She smiled and said, "Okay."
Zoey stood up and Ariana's face changed suddenly, "Zoey, did you change your dress?"
Zoey was dressed in a white lace long dress, with silver flat shoes on her feet. Her dark, slightly curled hair fell to her waist, and her light makeup looked clean and gentle, like a fairy fallen to earth.
“Doesn't it look good?” Zoey asked with a smile.
Ariana tugged at her lips and said, "Good, it looks good. Nelson will definitely be amazed."
Zoey glanced at her clenched palm and realized she was worried that she might seduce Nelson away.
She patted Ariana's shoulder and said in her heart, "Don't worry, I won't compete with you for that scoundrel!"
The banquet hall was bustling with excitement.
A few women gathered together and were discussing.
"I never expected Zoey to have such a bad reputation, and yet she managed to get engaged to Mr. Maddox! Do you think she must have some kind of leverage over him?"
"It's hard to say! Otherwise, how could the Maddox family possibly accept a woman who had had an abortion?"
"Now, the Maddox family only has Russell unmarried. Who among you is interested?"
"Russell's face was simply breathtaking, but he's impotent! Who could bear to live like a widow?!"
If you marry into the Maddox family, you'll become the Mrs.Maddox, as Russell Maddox holds the reins of power in the family.
"I wouldn't, I heard Russell is like an iceberg, I don't want to be frozen to death."
"If Russell had shown interest in me, I would have married him. I could have looked at that face for a lifetime!"
"Look, Russell is here!"
The banquet hall instantly became quiet as Troy Crane pushed Russell, who was sitting in a wheelchair, inside.
Russell wore a high-end dark suit, paired with a white shirt and a vest, exuding innate elegance.
He leisurely rested his hands on the armrests, with a string of rosewood prayer beads wrapped around his wrist. A black thin blanket was draped over his legs, and from the bulge, one could imagine that his legs were probably slender.
Many women sighed in their hearts, this man is noble and elegant, but unfortunately he was disabled.
Many men inwardly mocked, thinking that being decisive and ruthless in the business world did not qualify them as real men if they lacked compassion and had no offspring to inherit their family business.
In the faces of everyone, there was nothing but respect.
Russell raised his hand slightly, and Troy stopped.
Nelson walked briskly towards Russell and said, "Russell, you came back from abroad."
Russell sighed lightly and said, "The Maddox family had good news, so of course I had to hurry back."
A glimmer of brilliance flashed through Nelson's eyes as he sighed in his heart that Russell must have been in great pain, after all, the woman he cared about was going to get engaged to someone else.
He nodded and said, "Thank you, Russell. The ceremony is about to begin, I will go up on stage first."
Nelson turned around and took the stage, and the Maddox family gathered around, young and old.
Marlene Maddox said, "Russell, look at Nelson, he got engaged. When are you planning to go on a blind date?"
Alonso, "Yeah, Mr. Bender's second daughter is nice. Why don't you meet her tomorrow?"
Other relatives also began to continue this topic.
Russell remained indifferent, "Not interested."
One sentence that silenced everyone.
At this moment, the host on the stage began the opening speech for the engagement banquet.
After a brief introduction, he looked towards the side of the stage and said, "Please welcome Ms. Harmon to the stage."
Zoey stepped onto the stage in a dress, her back straight, and every step she took was graceful and elegant.
Nelson couldn't take his eyes off immediately.
The audience below was also attracted, because it was so beautiful.
Ariana saw this scene and bit down on her newly installed porcelain teeth, making a crisp sound.
The host swallowed and said, "Ms. Harmon, the daughter of the Harmon family, truly lives up to her reputation as an elegant and graceful lady. Now, it's time for the exchange of engagement rings. Please welcome Ms. Harmon's sister, the renowned singer and talented designer, Ariana, to present the engagement ring."
Ariana suppressed her anger, smiled at the corners of her mouth, and walked onto the stage with two small red velvet boxes cradled in her palms.
At this moment, the high-tech giant screen behind the stage automatically opened, and one intimate photo after another appeared in the sight of the crowd.
The entire banquet hall erupted in exclamations!
The man and woman in the photo were none other than Nelson and Ariana.
There are travel photos, candlelight dinner photos, birthday photos, and photos from concerts. The poses of the two people are mostly kissing, hugging, and even on the bed. Most of them are taken from a selfie angle, occasionally from the perspective of the audience.
The two of them had natural expressions, looking completely immersed in happiness.
Nelson's face darkened, and he shouted, "Turn it off, now!"
Ariana, on the other hand, was pale-faced, and the velvet small box in her palm fell to the ground with a thud.
She widened her eyes in fear and said, "It's not like that, it's not..."
The staff hurried to close the screen, but the switch malfunctioned.
Suddenly, a video of a man and a woman entangled appeared on the large screen.
A embarrassing sound echoed throughout the entire banquet hall.
Nelson was holding Ariana and moving on top of her.
"Of course it was you, that disgusting bitch, I wouldn't even touch her."
"Nelson, you are about to get engaged to Zoey, will you really not touch her?"
"Of course not, I have never even held her hand. She looks so stiff like a dead body, it annoys me just looking at her! You are much more fresh and tender, I know that for sure!"
"Nelson, then you swore."
"Of course, I swear, you were the only one in my heart."
"Oh Nelson, I loved you so much..."
In the spacious banquet hall, the sound of people's discussions resounded.
"This pure and innocent girl has turned into a pure and seductive woman!"
"Yeah, she may seem innocent and pure on the surface, but behind closed doors, she's quite dissolute!"
"Her fiancée with her younger sister, this was really exciting!"
"So called designer, so much for a pop idol! This time, it seems like they're going down!"
"I even bought VIP tickets for her concert, now I really want to return them!"
"The singing was so beautiful, but the moaning was quite provocative, a bit different, huh?"
***
Jordan in the audience covered his face, feeling utterly embarrassed.
Dahlia rushed onto the stage as if she had gone mad, shouting, "Turn it off! Turn it off quickly!"
Zoey looked devastated and stumbled backwards two steps.
Nelson quickly stepped forward to explain, but Zoey suddenly stood still and forcefully slapped Nelson's face with all her strength, causing the man's face to turn aside.
She trembled all over, her eyes filled with hot tears. "How could you deceive my feelings like this? And with my own sister! Looking at those photos, you have been together for a long time! If you like her, then why did you even get engaged to me?"
Nelson had never been slapped in the face before, but now there were five fingerprints on his fair little face.
He was about to get angry, but then he saw Zoey looking so beautiful even when she was crying. He felt annoyed and regretful, wishing he had known earlier how pretty Zoey was, so he wouldn't have been with Ariana.
Photos can be explained as fake, but videos cannot be denied.
Looking at the surroundings in the footage, this video was shot in the countryside villa. Who would set him up like this?
Was it Zoey?
She knew that place!
It's impossible, Zoey is a fool, how could she possibly have such means?
Without having time to think carefully, he needs to calm Zoey down first.
He wanted to hold her hand and said, "Zoey, listen to me..."
“Don’t bother,” she snapped, slapping his hand away.
Ariana looked panicked and said, "Zoey, the photos and videos were all manipulated! Someone must be plotting against us, trying to sow discord between us! Nelson and I are innocent! I am your sister, you have to believe me!"
Zoey expressed a disappointed expression, "Ariana, yesterday you were saying how envious you were that I found a good man like Nelson. I never expected that you two had already been together behind my back."
Ariana's face was tearful as she sobbed, "I didn't, Zoey, those were all fake!"
Zoey looked at Nelson, with a look of disappointment and heartbreak, "No need to say anything, the engagement is off!"
She ran down the stage and grabbed Matteo's arm, feeling very aggrieved. "Grandfather, I don't want to get engaged to Nelson anymore."
Matteo looked at Alonso, his eyes filled with anger. "Alonso, you really did it this time, you were actually playing both sides and caused harm to another granddaughter of the Harmon family!"
Alonso's chest tightened with anger. "Matteo, this is the Maddox family's fault. I will definitely give you and Zoey an explanation."
Zoey sniffed and blinked her watery eyes, "An explanation?"
Alonso nodded, "Yes, feel free to make any requests, as long as I can fulfill them."
Zoey pursed her lips and said, “Then… why don’t you find me a new fiancé from your family?”
Chapter 4 Give Me Back My Fiancé
Alonso's mouth twitched, "Where do I go find it?"
Zoey's gaze fell on Russell in the wheelchair and she said, "Since there is an engagement, it doesn't say who it has to be with. So, I want Russell!"
Everyone shook their heads and pursed their lips.
Just now Russell said he wasn't interested in women, isn't that asking for trouble!
Moreover, although Russell held a high position and had an exquisite appearance, he was impotent. Marrying him would clearly mean living as a widow!
Is Miss Harmon from the Harmon family out of her mind?
The air seemed as if it had stopped flowing, unusually quiet.
The entire banquet hall could only hear the sound of Russell lightly tapping the armrest of his wheelchair.
Under the crystal chandelier, the man's pupils turned amber, as if they had merged with the snow, clear and beautiful, unlike those of a real person.
Suddenly, his slender fingers paused, and he glanced at Zoey's delicate eyebrows, raising them slightly. His voice was cold and clean, "I agree."
Troy's eyes flickered with surprise for a moment, then quickly disappeared.
The crowd: "..."
Weren't you uninterested just now?
How did this change so quickly?
Zoey's eyes twinkled with a triumphant smile, and she immediately lowered her gaze and pursed her lips, concealing this joy.
Russell stared at her with his dark eyes. After a moment, he spoke gently, "Come here."
Zoey walked up to him, obediently and meekly.
Russell looked at the slender and fair wrist, took off the string of sandalwood beads on his wrist and put it on Zoey's wrist, then held Zoey's hand and led her to his side.
That Buddhist bead was Russell's personal belonging, symbolizing his social status.
He presented the Buddhist beads to Zoey, which meant he acknowledged her.
In the past life, Russell also wore the Buddhist beads on her wrist, except that she was already a lifeless body at that time, unable to feel the warmth of the man on the beads.
Now, she finally felt that every bead was so warm, warming her heart.
The man's palm was warm and solid, giving her a sense of security as he enveloped her small hand completely.
Zoey's heart pounded rapidly, and her face instantly flushed with a tinge of red.
Russell looked at Nelson on the stage with a gloomy expression, his voice cold and icy, "Get your ass over here."
Nelson took a cold breath and walked down the stage to stand in front of Russell.
"Russell, I am sorry."
Then he looked at Zoey and said, "Zoey, don't be mad at me, and don't make fun of Russell."
Zoey firmly said, "I wasn't angry, and I wouldn't joke about Russell."
Russell?
Russell's lips curved into a satisfied smile, but when he looked at Nelson, his voice turned cold and deep, "You should address her as your auntie."
Fiancée turned auntie?
Nelson felt that Zoey was deliberately embarrassing him, and would rather marry someone who was impotent and disabled than forgive him.
He cheated on her, so she made him descend in rank to be her nephew.
All the plans were disrupted, and the current situation, he couldn't salvage it either, so he could only summon courage and call out, "Auntie."
Russell nodded contentedly and squeezed the girl's hand. "Is there anything else you want to say?"
The man's voice was magnetic and gentle, and Zoey felt like her ears were going to get pregnant from how pleasing it was.
How could she be so indifferent in the past life?
Perhaps she had identified her savior and naturally excluded others, or perhaps her heart was focused on another project that had started, and she was contemplating how to steal the secrets.
Because Russell had a hacker who was just as good as her.
Although she won every time, it seemed like the opponents were deliberately letting her win.
Zoey snapped back to reality and nodded at Nelson, saying, "Since things have come to this point, you better treat my sister well. Tonight's engagement banquet will be considered yours and Ariana's engagement banquet. You can exchange engagement rings."
Nelson: "..."
Ariana: "..."
The crowd: The Miss from the Harmon family is so generous!
Zoey lightly scratched the man's palm and whispered, "I'm done."
The itchiness spread from the palm to the tip of the heart, and Russell's Adam's apple rolled along with it.
He looked at Matteo and respectfully said, "Grandfather, Zoey and I have something to discuss."
Matteo snapped out of his shock and said, "Oh sure, go have a good talk."
Alonso chuckled twice and said, "Ah, yes! You can talk all night!"
Zoey had a hard time holding back the urge to laugh as she watched Matteo and Alonso's silly and adorable antics.
Russell said softly, releasing the girl's hand, "Let's go."
"Okay," Zoey pushed the wheelchair towards the entrance of the banquet hall.
She didn't forget to turn around and remind Troy, "Could you please help me get my handbag from the dressing room?"
Troy, "Yes."
As the three figures disappeared from sight, the crowd began to discuss animatedly.
Marlene blinked and asked Alonso, "Has the granddaughter-in-law turned into a daughter-in-law?"
Alonso stroked his white beard, with a smug expression on his face, "Isn't it! Are you thrilled?"
Marlene couldn't stop smiling, "Of course, I have become a grandmother again! However, Nelson and Ariana..."
Alonso waved his hand and said, "Consider them engaged, it's simply embarrassing. Dismiss the guests and return to the old mansion!"
The guests dispersed, but these photos and videos also spread out...
In a black Maybach car.
Russell leaned towards Zoey, who was sitting next to him, and said, "Sit closer."
Zoey approached and sat directly on the man's lap.
Russell raised an eyebrow abruptly, "I asked you to sit closer, not this close."
Zoey wrapped her hands around the man's neck and tilted her head, laughing, "But you didn't make it clear either!"
Russell squinted his eyes, "Did you make the photos and videos?"
Zoey blinked her clear eyes and admitted directly, "Yes. If they dare to do it, I dare to expose it. I'm not a tombstone that needs to have a green light shining on top of my head!"
"Why did you choose me?"
Zoey was very serious, "Because you are good."
"What's good?"
“Everything!”
Russell chuckled lightly and said, "Even disability, huh?"
Zoey remembered her past life, and her soul saw that Russell's leg had healed.
She had never thought about treating Russell's illness, so she had never taken his pulse.
But he hid it so well, sitting in the wheelchair all day, she didn't notice any flaws.
She thought that if Nelson knew she had medical skills, he would definitely make her harm Russell, but she wouldn't do that. Learning medicine is for saving people, not harming them. She has this moral boundary.
She was unsure if Russell had fully recovered at the present moment, so she took the opportunity to hold the man's hand and gently caress his knuckles all the way to his pulse.
Russell's blood circulation was normal, so there should have been no problem with his lower limbs. The reason he didn't reveal his physical recovery must have been due to his own plans.
If he doesn't bring it up, then she'll play along and pretend she doesn't know.
It's just that there were two streams of hot and cold air colliding inside his body, which would cause serious damage to his body if it continued for a long time.
Although in the past life Russell did not lose his life over this, probably after feeling unwell and finding out the cause, now she does not allow anyone or anything to harm Russell.
In this lifetime, she was determined to repay her lifesaver wholeheartedly!
Watching the girl lost in thought, Russell felt that Zoey had some regrets, after all, who would be willing to marry someone with a disability?
The reason why Zoey chose him must be because of impulse and anger, which led her to make irrational decisions.
She regretted it!
Russell pursed his lips and said, "Actually, no one doesn't mind disabilities."
Zoey listened to the man's words, feeling particularly bitter in her heart. Russell must have had a difficult time when he didn't recover, enduring a lot of criticism and mockery.
Zoey's eyes welled up with tears as she leaned against the man's chest, listening to his strong and steady heartbeat. "You are the best, even with your disability, it is the best kind of little disability. Russell, I want to marry you."
Little disability?
Russell couldn't help but laugh.
He lowered his gaze and looked at her innocent face, his fingertips lifting her chin. "It's not too late to regret now."
Zoey looked up at the man and said, "I don't regret it! I will never regret it!"
Russell reached out and tapped the backrest of the driver's seat, "Troy, go to City Hall."
Troy: "..." So soon?
Zoey blinked her eyes and asked, "Are we going to get married and have the certificate stamped?"
Russell nodded faintly, "I can give you one last chance, but if you change your mind..."
Zoey extended her index finger and placed it vertically on the man's thin lips, "Russell, I have no regrets. Before sealing that deal, can I seal one with you?"
Russell raised an eyebrow and asked, "What seal?"
Chapter 5 First Kiss
Zoey looked at the man's sharply defined face, from his eyebrows to his nose bridge, and then to those beautifully curved thin lips, all so perfect.
She lifted her little face and her lips pressed against the man's lips.
Her heart jumped uncontrollably, as if she had lived two lifetimes. This was her first kiss.
She was innocent and quite inexperienced, extending her tiny tongue to lightly brush against the man's thin lips.
The man started to breathe heavily, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. He wanted to reach out and support the back of the girl's head, but he withdrew his hand and let the girl do as she pleased.
Troy, sitting in the driver's seat, glanced at the rearview mirror and was completely shocked by what he saw.
The aloof and abstinent Russell unexpectedly succumbed to the advances of a dominant woman!
He looked very enjoyable!
Just that woman...
Russell's cold gaze met Troy's prying eyes, causing the latter to quickly press the button and raise the partition.
Inside of the car was instantly divided into two enclosed spaces.
Looking at the misty eyes of the girl, Russell wiped away the water stains on her lips with his fingertip and said, "You are quite proactive."
Zoey held onto the man's arm and said, "I only take the initiative with my man, this was my first kiss."
Russell seemed to be greatly pleased by this sentence. Zoey noticed a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Soon, the car stopped at City Hall.
When Zoey pushed Russell in, the staff had already been waiting there.
The two of them took their first photo together in the photo studio.
Zoey looked at the handsome face of the man in the photo, and her mouth couldn't close.
"So happy?"
"That was because I had such a handsome husband."
"Can good looks be enough to make a living?"
At least looking at it, I can enjoy my meal.
Russell: "..."
Because of Russell's connections, even without household registration and other documents, the marriage certificate was still obtained.
Getting on the car, Zoey grinned foolishly at the gold letters on the little red notebook, thinking that it was a dream.
She looked at Russell and said, "Can I bite your hand?"
Russell was taken aback, "What?"
"I want to check if I was dreaming."
Russell chuckled and said, "Why don't you bite yourself instead of biting me?"
Zoey smiled with her eyes curved, "Because I'm afraid of pain!" After saying that, without waiting for the man's consent, she grabbed his hand and lightly bit his index finger.
The wet warmth of her touch deepened the intensity in his eyes. He quickly pulled his hand back and subtly adjusted the blanket over his lap as if hiding something.
"Does it hurt?"
Actually, it didn't hurt much, just like a cat scratching, but Russell was afraid that she would do it again, which made him all hot-blooded.
His voice hoarse, he said, "It hurts, so you weren't dreaming. It's already half past nine, I'll take you back to the Harmon family."
Zoey recalled the abnormalities in his body and needed to find out the cause from his diet and daily routine. She cleared her throat and said, "We got married, so we can live together now."
Russell chuckled at her straightforwardness. “Quite eager, aren’t you?”
“Eagerness makes the meat taste sweeter.”
Russell looked into Zoey's sparkling eyes and said softly, "Tonight, I will take you back to the Harmon family to pack up your belongings. Tomorrow, I will come to pick you up."
"Okay!"
At a quarter past ten, the car stopped at the entrance of the Harmon's villa.
Zoey reluctantly looked at the man and said, "Well, I'm leaving then."
The man made a casual "hmm" sound, but his gaze remained fixed on Zoey.
As Zoey opened the car door, she quickly turned around and planted a kiss on the man's lips. "Goodbye, husband! Remember to call me!"
She jumped off the car, waved her cute hand, and then ran into the villa.
Husband?
Russell lightly brushed his thin lips with his fingertips, and the corners of his lips unconsciously curved upwards. Through the car window, he saw the villa door close before ordering Troy to return to the old mansion.
Troy frowned, "Mr. Russell, do you really believe Ms. Harmon? She is the person Mr. Maddox personally brought back."
Russell's eyes narrowed, "So you think she would have ruined Nelson and Ariana just to put on a show?"
Troy, "Perhaps Ms. Harmon held a grudge out of love."
Russell frowned unhappily and said, "Call her Mrs. Maddox."
Troy, "Yes."
Inside the villa, Zoey had just entered when a teacup came flying towards her face!
She quickly dodged, the teacup brushing against her hair as it flew past, splattering the remaining tea stains onto her white dress.
“Did it hit you?” Matteo rushed over, worried.
Zoey shook her head, "I'm fine, Grandpa, don't worry about me."
"That's good." Matteo looked at Dahlia, who was standing by the coffee table with an angry expression, and shouted, "What are you doing?"
Dahlia's chest heaved violently as she stared, "She destroyed Ariana, she deserves to die!"
Jordan sat on the sofa, smoking silently.
Ariana, on the other hand, was even more heartbroken, covering her face with both hands and crying.
Matteo was about to say something, but Zoey held his arm and asked, "Ariana and my fiancé had an affair, shouldn't it be her who ruined me?"
Dahlia raised her chin and said, "You should have continued with the engagement process, denying those photos and videos! But now, you're just calling off the wedding, and those photos and videos have become real! By doing this, you're ruining Ariana, ruining her career!"
Zoey had become accustomed to her mother's consistent mockery and indifference, and she didn't know why. Since she was little, she had always been the one who was ignored and neglected.
Ariana had beautiful clothes and cute dolls, but she only wore a few of them and could only watch Ariana play with them longingly.
Zoey was very confused. She couldn't understand why she was not favored just because she was born two minutes earlier than Ariana.
She tried her best to please her parents, took care of her younger sister, and studied hard, hoping that her parents would love her a little bit.
Later, she realized that no matter how excellent she was, she would never be seen in her parents' eyes.
Favoritism has no reason.
Clenching her purse, Zoey spoke clearly, “Photos can be fake, but videos can’t. If she lacks self-respect, why should I bear the consequences? Should I just stand by, watching them continue their affair under my nose? You’ve always cared for Ariana—but what about me? Have you ever considered me, even for a second?”
Dahlia chuckled, "It's your own stupidity that you couldn't keep a man, and now you blame Ariana? Go and make a statement right now, saying that those photos and videos are all fake, and that you intentionally did all this because you fell in love with Russell."
Zoey smiled bitterly, what was she really hoping for?
"Are you trying to push me into the eye of the storm?"
Dahlia stared at her, "You were useless, once the hype was over, it was all over. Ariana is different, she is a public figure, she cannot have any blemishes!"
Zoey looked at Jordan and asked, "Dad, did you think the same way too?"
Jordan sighed, "I'm sorry, Zoey."
"What grievance? I see that she was the one behind those photos and videos, she is just jealous of Ariana's talent!" Dahlia huffed.
Zoey smiled and asked Ariana, "Ariana, was I jealous of your talent?"
Ariana looked pitifully at her, biting her lip. "Zoey, my reputation couldn't be ruined."
Zoey chuckled and took out the marriage certificate from her bag, "Russell and I got married. I will move out tomorrow."
Dahlia's eyes widened, Jordan choked on his smoke, and Ariana was so surprised that she forgot to cry.
Matteo swallowed and took the marriage certificate, opening it to look. After a while, he said, "Handsome man and beautiful woman, a perfect match."
Dahlia rushed up to Zoey and said, "Did you get married? Did you negotiate the dowry? How much of the Maddox Group's shares will be allocated to you? How many projects will the Harmon Group receive each year?"
Zoey smiled faintly, "I didn't want a penny."
“What? You truly are a worthless burden!” Dahlia shouted in anger, raising her hand to slap Zoey.
Chapter 6 Honey, I Have No Home Anymore
Zoey grabbed Dahlia's wrist and said coldly, "I will not make any statement, and I will not accept any betrothal gift. You're disappointed in me, and I am equally disappointed in you! I will leave the Harmon family tonight!"
She let go of Dahlia's hand and went straight up the stairs.
Dahlia stumbled as she was pushed away, wanting to go after and ask, but she was pulled back by Matteo.
He sternly said, "Treating your daughter as an object, do you even deserve to be a mother? Don't bother Zoey!"
Dahlia hummed and stomped up the stairs, while Jordan flicked his cigarette butt and followed suit.
Ariana timidly glanced at Matteo and got up to leave.
Coming back from abroad, Zoey didn't bring much with her, and she didn't acquire any new items in the past half month either. Therefore, when she returned, she still had the same silver suitcase as when she left.
The door was unlocked, Ariana walked up to Zoey, and she fiddled with her hands in front of her.
"Zoey, are you really leaving? I truly know I was wrong, can you forgive me?"
Zoey raised an eyebrow, "What do you think?"
"Zoey, let’s not let a man come between us, okay? Aren’t we sisters?”
Sisters?
At first, Ariana treated her badly, often making up stories that Zoey bullied her and even cutting up some toys and clothes, falsely accusing Zoey of doing it.
It can be imagined that Zoey received a beating, while Ariana was hiding and laughing on the side.
Until when did Ariana treat her well?
After starting middle school, Zoey always ranked first, so Ariana would try to please her and ask her for tutoring.
Zoey didn't hold a grudge against Ariana for her past actions, she just saw it as childish pranks.
Unable to find the love of a father and mother, she naturally longed for sisterly love.
Later, their relationship became really good, all the way until she passed away.
Zoey only realized then that Ariana had been kind to her with a purpose.
The so-called “sisterhood” was simply a trade, with Zoey’s talent as the price.
Demons are demons after all, even if they disguise themselves as angels, they still possess a demon's heart.
Zoey gave her a meaningful look and walked towards the door, carrying her suitcase.
Ariana ran over and grabbed her arm, looking pitifully at her. "Zoey, my concert is tomorrow night. If you don't support me, what am I going to do? I'm begging you, please help me one more time, okay?"
Zoey let out a sigh, "Well, I'll help you this time. But from now on, you'll have to walk your own path."
"Thank you, Zoey. Thank you."
Ariana watched as Zoey walked out the door, a sinister and evil smile forming at the corner of her mouth.
She knew that as long as she shed a few tears, this fool would soften.
First time leads to a second. Zoey would be at her beck and call for the rest of her life.
Zoey walked towards the stairs, a smile playing at the corner of her lips.
Ariana, your retribution has just begun!
When Zoey went downstairs, only Matteo was there.
She approached and hugged the old man, "Grandpa, when the time is right, I will take you away from here."
Matteo patted her back and asked, "Are you really willing to marry Russell?"
Zoey let go of him and nodded solemnly, "Grandfather, I am willing to marry Russell, it was not a momentary impulse."
Matteo's eyes turned red. "If this kid bullies you, you tell grandpa, and grandpa will break his legs."
After saying that, he furrowed his brows and said, “Though he can’t walk anyway.”
Zoey burst into laughter, "You wouldn't have seen this situation, he would have been good to me."
Matteo gave Zoey some more instructions before she left the Harmon family.
She told her grandfather that Russell would come to pick her up, but in fact, she didn't contact him. She just wanted to take a walk alone along the street.
Meanwhile, at the Maddox family's old mansion.
Nelson stood in front of the Maddox family.
Alonso hummed, "You really disgraced the Maddox family today!"
Nelson lowered his head and said, "Grandpa, I was wrong. I know I made the Maddox family lose face today, but it's not entirely my fault. If Russell hadn't agreed with Zoey, Zoey would still have chosen me."
After speaking, he stole a glance at Russell.
Russell chuckled softly, “If a cake is revealed to be garbage, only a fool would still want to eat it.”
Russell raised an eyebrow. “People will only say that Nelson was two-timing.”
Livia Rogers was choked and unable to speak. She looked at her own son kneeling on the ground, feeling heartbroken. “Let’s put this behind us—Nelson understands his mistake, just let him get up."
Russell glanced up coolly. “Since he disgraced the family, he’ll be disciplined according to the family rules.”
He looked at the butler and said, "Go to the study and fetch the family rules."
The butler nodded and walked quickly towards the study.
Livia looked anxiously at the two elderly people and said, "Dad, Mom, everything has already passed, so please don't enforce family discipline. Nelson knows he was wrong!"
Alonso was firm in his attitude, "There are laws for the country, and rules for the family. Once the rules are established, they must be followed."
Livia turned pleadingly to Braylen Maddox and Aubrie Bender, the second son and daughter-in-law of the family, but they looked away, pretended not to see.
Soon, the butler came carrying a rectangular box.
Russell said in a low voice, "According to the twenty-one family rules, those who betray and abandon their trust shall be punished with ten strokes; according to the thirty-two rules, those who disgrace the Maddox family shall be punished with twenty rolls. A total of thirty strokes. Felix, begin."
Felix opened the box and took out a black wooden stick, which felt like iron in texture. He held it with both hands, standing behind Nelson.
"Master, I apologize for the offense."
The wooden stick struck Nelson's back hard, and he clenched his teeth but still cried out in pain.
After receiving thirty lashes, Nelson knelt on the ground, trembling all over, with cold sweat on his forehead.
He looked up at Russell, desperation in his eyes. “Uncle, you’ve punished me. Now, can you give me back Zoey?”
The arc of Russell's lips was filled with extreme contempt, and his voice was indifferent and distant. "I said, you should call her Auntie."
He raised his hand slightly, and Troy pushed him towards the door.
Nelson was unwilling to let go of Zoey, who was his proudest pawn. "Russell, Zoey is just mad at me, she doesn't like you at all!"
Troy's footsteps came to a halt as he stood by the side of the wheelchair.
Russell glanced sideways, revealing his sharply defined facial features. His attractive lips curved into a very slight arc as he said, "Zoey and I have already obtained our marriage certificate, so you can give up on any hope you had."
As soon as the words fell, Nelson instantly slumped down in dejection.
How could this happen?
Did his carefully planned scheme just get ruined like that?
Who exactly did it?
Livia held him and cried, but he couldn't hear her. His mind was filled with thoughts of who the mastermind behind the playing of the photos and videos was.
The black Maybach drove on the spacious asphalt road.
The night outside the window and the dim light of the street lamp intertwined, faintly discernible, the man's deep brows and eyes were clearly dim.
Russell habitually searched for the Buddhist beads on his wrist, but they were empty. He remembered that the beads were already worn by Zoey.
Is she asleep now?
Russell took out his phone and saw a Line message on the screen, which had been sent five minutes ago.
"Honey, have you gone to sleep?"
Russell opened the chat, intending to reply, but after a second of thought, he called her instead.
The line was quickly connected, and the clear chirping of cicadas and the sound of cars whizzing by came through.
Russell furrowed his brows and asked, "Where were you?"
Zoey sniffed, "Honey, I don't have a home anymore."