Chasing Vengeance, Falling for Her

After five years of being with the love of her life, Briella Jacquin had tasted the pinnacle of pleasure. Sheldon Gifford was passionate about intimacy, so much so that he had an entire villa decorated extravagantly for indulgence.

In the broad daylight, Briella had just stepped off the swaying waterbed when he grabbed her soft waist and pressed her against the door. His warm breath brushed against her skin as his thin lips trailed down the back of her neck, leaving a trail of crimson love bites. Briella's fingers curled slightly against the doorframe, her voice trembling. "No … enough … That's enough."

Sheldon paused for a moment before lightly biting her earlobe, his voice dripping with seduction. "Already giving in, sweetheart? The night is still young."

That simple endearment made Briella's mind go blank, leaving her unable to refuse. The waterbed swayed again, only coming to a halt when the evening light spilled through the window. Sheldon bit down on her collarbone, a satisfied sigh escaping his lips. Briella, utterly exhausted, nestled into his embrace. The sound of his steady heartbeat filled her with overwhelming happiness.

After a while, Sheldon got up to take a shower. He dressed at a leisurely pace, returning to his usual relaxed demeanor. "I have a meeting at the office. Be good and have your dinner. I'll be back tonight to keep you company, alright?"

Briella's voice was hoarse as she murmured, "Alright."

Sheldon had been gone for some time before Briella finally returned to her senses. As she was about to leave bed, her work group chat suddenly became lively. She picked up her phone and opened the hidden chat system. Her screen instantly flooded with comments filled with excitement and admiration. She typed, [What video has you all this excited?]

As a content moderator, she reviewed countless explicit videos daily, clips that most people could only dream of getting their hands on. Whenever a particularly stunning video surfaced, the group would go wild. After sending her a message, she opened the latest video.

The moment she saw it, she froze in place. A woman was arching her back on the screen, her soft gasps carrying an unmistakable allure. Alas, that woman was her. Although their faces weren't visible, the red mole on her lower back was undeniable and she couldn't mistake her own voice. Still, she had never filmed anything like this!

A mix of shock and disbelief surged through her. She immediately contacted the group admin, traced the video's source and added the uploader using a fake account. Pretending to be a guy, she casually asked if there were more videos. The uploader, without hesitation, added her to a private group.

The chat was buzzing with conversation. [Sheldon is something else. If that waterbed weren't custommade, it would've collapsed ages ago.]

[Gotta admit, Briella really deserves her title as Jorbridge's former top socialite. That body, that voice ... damn, I'm tingling all over. When Sheldon gets tired of her, maybe he'll pass her to us?]

[Dream on. Don't forget that Briella was the one who got Sheldon's childhood sweetheart killed. He bought her to get revenge. Once he's done, she's as good as dead.]

[Now that you mention it, it's been five years already. Sheldon must have a whole stash of videos. It's about time to destroy her reputation and push her to the brink of suicide, don't you think?]

They chatted excitedly, oblivious to the new account that had joined the group. Briella's ears were ringing, her mind a blank. The voices in the chat felt distant, yet each sentence cut into her like a blade, forcing her to grasp the cruel truth.

[Sheldon, why so quiet? Still busy? Or have you played with her so long that you actually caught feelings and can't stand us trashtalking her?]

Sheldon finally responded, his tone laced with mockery and disdain. [Feelings? For an enemy? I was thinking. Let's release all the videos on the 7th of next month. I bet her reaction will be priceless.]

The 7th of next month was the date of Briella's award ceremony for her winning art submission. The chat exploded with malicious anticipation. Briella felt like she had been struck by lightning. Her fingers clenched tighter and tighter around her phone, almost crushing it. At that moment, the person who had added her to the group finally remembered her presence. They told her that Sheldon had even juicier gossip and that she should go ask him for it.

Briella snapped back to reality. She replied with trembling hands, [I'm busy today. I'll check it out another time.] As soon as she sent the message, she fled from the group chat and deleted the contact. The temperaturecontrolled mattress beneath her was soft and comforting. Yet, she felt like she had fallen into an icy abyss. Cold seeped through her bones. So, it had all been a lie.

Five years ago, the Jacquins went bankrupt. Briella's parents died and she fell from being a beloved heiress to nothing more than a commodity on an auction block. Inside the iron cage, she was barely clothed. Outside, countless greedy eyes locked onto her, like wolves ready to tear her apart and swallow her whole. That was the darkest moment of her life.

The bidding escalated, one voice topping the next. Briella bit down on her tongue, the taste of blood spreading through her mouth. She closed her eyes in despair, waiting for death to claim her. Then, a clear voice cut through the chaos, "One hundred million. She's mine."

Briella's eyes snapped open. She saw Sheldon standing there, like a god descending from the heavens. For a moment, she thought she was hallucinating in her final moments. After all, she had chased after Sheldon for two years in high school, yet he had never spared her a glance. So why would he be here now? But then, his hand reached through the iron bars. Firm yet gentle, he pried open her tightly clenched jaw, his eyes filled with compassion. "I'm sorry I was late."

Back then, he had just established his company. That hundred million was all of his liquid assets. Yet, without hesitation, he spent every cent to pull Briella out of hell. People mocked him, saying he had lost his mind over a woman. Still, he replied that Briella's father had once been his benefactor. Now that he had made a name for himself, he would never allow his benefactor's daughter to suffer. It all made sense, helping the daughter of the man who had once helped him.

For five whole years, they had been inseparable, the closest of lovers. She loved him with all her heart. She even rejected her grandfather's offer to take her abroad to stay by Sheldon's side. She thought they had long since become soulmates, but in the end, it was just her own delusion.

From the very beginning, Sheldon had never loved her. What Briella saw as salvation was nothing more than a meticulously planned deception. She felt as if her heart had been ripped open, icy winds howling through the cracks. She clutched at her chest, tears streaming down her face until she sobbed herself unconscious. She was woken up by the ringing of her phone. The caller ID read "Grandpa." Suppressing the searing pain in her chest, Briella pressed the answer button.

Her grandfather's voice was as warm and gentle as ever. "Ella, have you prepared your enrollment documents? The dorms aren't great, so I bought you an apartment nearby. The neighbor is the grandson of an old friend of mine. He's a good young man. If you're willing, you can get to know him. I know you don't want to stay abroad permanently, but at least make yourself comfortable while you study."

Every word was filled with love and care. Briella couldn't hold back her tears. She ran to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face and forced her voice to sound normal. "Grandpa, help me apply for permanent residency."

The old man had been trying for years to convince his granddaughter to move overseas, but she always refused. So, when he suddenly heard her say otherwise, he was taken completely by surprise. "Ella, what did you say?! Are you really willing to come live with us? I'll have your uncle buy an even bigger villa right away! When will you come? Is tomorrow's flight too soon? Maybe I should have your uncle pick you up."

Briella felt a bitter taste on her tongue. "No need, Grandpa. I'll come on the seventh of next month by myself."

The old man was so overjoyed that he said "good" several times in a row. Then, as if realizing something, he asked worriedly, "Why the sudden decision? Did someone bully you over there?"

Briella thought about the messages in the group chat and a sharp pain pierced her heart. She could picture Sheldon's expression, that casual mockery and smugness. However, none of that mattered anymore. She had loved fiercely and even if she had misplaced that love, she could afford to lose. She would sort out her feelings and everything that came with them."

Her grandfather was already old. There was no need to add to his worries. Forcing a smile, Briella reassured him, "No, I just miss you all."

The older man, comforted by her words, happily chatted with her for a while longer before finally hanging up. Briella got out of bed, took a shower and sat in the living room, planning her next steps. The video was clearly recorded by a surveillance camera. The top priority now was to find its location. She had to delete the footage to prevent anything unexpected from happening at the awards ceremony. Then, there was what they had mentioned about Sheldon's childhood friend's death.

Briella was leaving, but she would leave with her name clear. She refused to take the blame for something she never did. With that thought, Briella picked up her phone and made a call. She was grateful that when she first learned about the profession of content reviewer, she had decisively taken it up as a side job to save money.

That job gave Briella not only a stable way to earn income from home by drawing but also access to all kinds of people. After the call ended, the door swung open. Sheldon stepped inside, wrapped in the night, his eyes filled with familiar affection. "Checking up on me already? Good thing I made it back in time," he teased.

Briella instinctively tightened her grip on her phone, lowering her gaze to hide the redness in her eyes. She couldn't understand. How could someone be this good at acting? He had faked his love for five whole years. She asked calmly, "Why are you back so early?"

"I missed you." Sheldon walked over and pulled her into his lap. With a gentle tug, the belt of her robe came loose. Briella pressed down on his hand. "We already did it multiple times today."

Sheldon chuckled. "Can't handle it? What should I do then? Every time I see my baby, I just can't control myself. I wish I could spend a lifetime tangled up with you."

A lifetime? What a cruel joke. Briella turned her face away, avoiding his lips as they came closer. "I'm exhausted today. I want to sleep."

Seeing the weariness between her brows, Sheldon didn't push. Briella soon drifted off, but her dreams were filled with memories of their past. The next morning, when she woke up, Sheldon was already gone. By the bedside, he had left a note. Off to make money for my baby. Eat well and wait for me.

In the past, seeing those little notes would make Briella happy for the whole day. Now, they only made her sick. Every word on them felt like a cruel joke, mocking her misery. Briella tore the notes to shreds and threw them in the trash. After a quick breakfast, she began searching the villa for hidden cameras. However, after a whole morning of searching, she found nothing. Briella grew increasingly agitated and made a bold decision.

When Sheldon returned, he saw her taking a painting down from the wall. The backyard was already piled high with things. Their first photo together, the matching couple items they had bought, the collectible ornaments he had gifted her, stuffed animals from every room and the portrait she had breathlessly painted for him during one of their most passionate nights in the studio. Sheldon paused for a moment, surprised. "Baby, what are you doing?"

Briella tossed the painting aside like garbage. "Burning it." If she couldn't find the cameras, she would burn everything to the ground.

Sheldon frowned, clearly confused. "These are our memories. Weren't they your most treasured things?"

Briella didn't answer. Without a word, she lit the pile on fire. The flames devoured the past, the orange glow flickering against her face. A strange feeling rose in Sheldon's heart. Like something was slipping away, burning along with those things. He pulled her into his arms. "If you want to burn them, then burn them. They're just old things. We have plenty of time to make new memories."

There is no future, Sheldon. From the moment you set this trap, we were doomed.

"But I really like that portrait. How about painting another one for me?" His fingers teasingly traced her waist, clearly reminiscing about that night. Briella dodged him. "I won't be painting again until after the 7th of next month."

Sheldon frowned. "Why?"

She stared at the roaring flames, exhaustion seeping into her bones. "I'm tired. I need a break."

Sheldon didn't doubt his girlfriend. "That's fine. The 7th is a big day for you. Get some rest so people don't say the rising star of the art world looks worn out."

Briella let out a soft, unreadable smile. "Will you be there that day?"

Sheldon was silent for a few seconds before smiling. "Of course. How could I miss your most important moment? I've even prepared a big surprise for you."

Her breath caught. Her fingers curled, nails digging into her palms. "Good. I have a gift for you too."

Sheldon chuckled. "I'll be looking forward to it."

I hope you really are. Briella turned and walked back inside. Just then, Sheldon's phone rang. She glanced at the screen out of habit. She could only see Lia's part on the screen. He stepped away to answer, his voice low and intimate. A while later, he came back and kissed Briella's forehead. "Something urgent came up at the company. I have to go. I'll be back later."

Ahead of her, she saw Sheldon walking side by side with another woman. The woman was holding his arm, her head resting on his shoulder, looking petite and dependent. Sheldon was talking to her, his expression gentle and familiar, yet also strange. He seemed to have looked at her that way before, yet it felt different. Perhaps this was the person he truly loved.

Suddenly, Sheldon looked up. Briella hurriedly looked away, but it was too late. Their eyes met and Sheldon instinctively pushed the woman's hand away and strode toward her. Seeing the sign for the immigration office, he frowned slightly. "Briella, what are you doing here? Are you immigrating?"

Briella's heart tightened and she lied, "No, I'm just picking something up for a friend."

Sheldon seemed to relax. The woman followed closely behind. As she got closer, Briella realized the woman's face was almost identical to Sheldon's childhood sweetheart. But his childhood sweetheart had died. Back then, the news had caused quite a stir at their college.

"Briella, what a coincidence! Fancy running into you here. I'm Celia Law." Oh, so this is the "Lia" in Sheldon's contacts. Celia and Briella's were almost similar, but they were worlds apart in his heart. One was his beloved, the other his enemy.

A bitter taste filled Briella's mouth, but her expression remained indifferent as she shook the woman's hand. Celia naturally leaned into Sheldon again. "We were just on our way to an art exhibition. Why don't you come with us, Briella? You could even be our guide."

Briella didn't want to go. Although she had decided to let go of Sheldon, it would take time to erase someone she had loved for so many years from her heart. However, before she could refuse, Celia mouthed something to her. "The video." Briella's body stiffened and she gripped her handbag tightly.

The art gallery was only a twentyminute drive from the immigration office. Briella didn't have a ticket, so Celia went to negotiate with the event organizers. Sheldon quickly explained, "She's the daughter of a business partner. We just happened to run into each other, don't overthink it."

He smelled like Celia's perfume, so strong that there was no way it hadn't lingered on him all night. Briella couldn't be bothered to expose his lie. She responded with a calm "Mm."

Sheldon reached out and ruffled her hair indulgently. "I knew my good girl would be the most understanding."

Not far away, Celia, who had just returned from negotiating, saw this scene. A flicker of something dark flashed in her eyes. She handed Briella the ticket she had just obtained and gave her a long, meaningful look.

Once inside the gallery, Sheldon's phone kept ringing nonstop. He had no choice but to step away to answer. The moment he was gone, Celia dropped the act. "I know what's going on between you and Sheldon. Let me tell you, he was at my place last night to discuss our engagement. We'll be announcing it soon. If you know what's good for you, you'll walk away on your own."

Briella had suspected from the look on Celia's face that Sheldon's relationship with that woman was more than simply casual. Still, she had no idea they were on the verge of marriage. However, it was none of her concern. Ever since overhearing their conversation, she had completely given up on Sheldon. Whatever lies or secrets he had, they no longer surprised her. Briella was only concerned about one thing. "What did you mean by 'the video'?"

Celia laughed mockingly. "Wow, just the word 'video' is enough to make you panic? Sheldon was right, you really are brainless."

Briella immediately realized the truth. "You don't even have a video. You were messing with me." She didn't want to waste another second and turned to leave, but Celia grabbed her wrist. At that exact moment, a cracking noise came from the ceiling."

Briella's vision blurred from the blood dripping into her eyes. The pain was so intense she couldn't even speak. Meanwhile, Celia let out a dramatic cry and collapsed onto the floor, clutching her ankle with tears streaming down her face. "Sheldon, I twisted my ankle. It hurts so bad! Can you take me to the hospital?"

However, Sheldon acted as if he didn't even hear her. Without a second glance in her direction, he scooped Briella into his arms and sprinted out of the gallery. The urgency in his movements made it seem as if she was truly the person he cared about the most.

Through the haze of pain and blood, Briella stared at his face, momentarily dazed. Was he still acting? Or was there the slightest bit of sincerity in his panic? Celia, behind them, screamed in frustration, "Sheldon! I'm your fiancée! Do you still want to work with my dad or not?"

Sheldon didn't even flinch, his steps never slowing. Briella's injuries were severe. By the time her wounds were treated, two hours had passed. The anesthesia hadn't fully worn off and in her groggy state, she overheard Sheldon talking on the phone. "I already told you, I have my own plan. The show isn't over yet, so why are you making a fuss?"

Celia's voice sounded aggrieved. "You carried her out without even looking at me. Sheldon, is this really just about getting revenge on her mom?"

Sheldon sounded irritated. "What else? If I don't keep saving her over and over again, how will she become completely devoted to me? If I don't act the part, how will she be devastated enough to kill herself when the truth comes out? Do you want me to be charged with murder?"

Celia quickly denied it. "No! Sheldon, do you really not like her?"

Sheldon was silent for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice. "Mm. I could never like her."

Briella struggled to open her eyes and saw him standing by the door, hanging up the phone. Through her blurred vision, even his features looked twisted and cruel. How ridiculous. This was just another one of his tricks. Playing with sincerity, playing with human nature.

A ripple spread through Briella's numb heart, drowning out the pain in her body. She didn't know how much time had passed before she fully regained consciousness. The first thing she saw was Sheldon's face, magnified before her. "Baby, you're finally awake! You scared me to death. Thank God you're okay!"

Briella was dazed, almost believing that the phone call had just been part of a dream. Sheldon lowered his head and kissed her cheek, his voice full of remorse. "I'm sorry, it's my fault for not protecting you. It won't happen again."

Still, Briella's heart had turned to ice. Her eyes were empty and she said nothing. "Baby, why aren't you talking? Are you still in pain?" asked Sheldon. That man called the doctor in to check on her again, running around making arrangements for her hospitalization.

He bought her favorite black rice porridge, coaxing her to take a few bites and gently wiping the corners of her mouth. At night, he prepared warm water at just the right temperature and even lowered himself to wash and massage her feet. The other patients in the ward couldn't help but envy her. "If I had a boyfriend like that, I'd wake up laughing from my dreams."

"Right? I'm curious which deity I should pray to for a man like him.

However, Briella's heart remained unmoved. Because she knew that beneath these seemingly meticulous acts of care lurked the poison urging her to die. If she showed even a hint of emotion, it would be an act of selfcruelty.

After three days in the hospital, she returned home, but her mood remained heavy. Sheldon put all his work on hold and stayed by her side at all times. Until his friend called. "Sheldon, how about a race on the mountain road tonight?"

Sheldon looked at Briella, sitting by the window in silence and shook his head. "No, Ella's not in a good mood. I'll stay with her."

His friend howled in disbelief. "Are you serious? Don't tell me you've actually fallen for her?"

Sheldon said nothing and another friend chimed in from the side. "No way, Sheldon wouldn't lose himself in his own act. He hasn't forgotten how Lilia died."

"If you're in a bad mood, the best way to let loose is to hit the road. A few rounds of racing, get that adrenaline pumping and you'll feel better in no time."

Sheldon hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded. He brought Briella along to the mountain road. As night fell, the mountaintop was packed with people. The roar of the engines and the sound of excited screams filled the air.

Sheldon's friends greeted them enthusiastically. "Briella!"

"Sheldon is so hard to invite out. If it weren't for you, he'd probably be glued to home. I've never seen a man this whipped before."

"Exactly. He's so into you that we're all jealous."

Whipped? In love? These people must be living in a dream. Briella didn't respond, but unease crept into her heart. Just then, a race car roared to a stop. The door opened and Celia stepped out. Briella's unease quickly spiked to its peak.

"Briella, what a coincidence! We keep running into each other," Celia said with a sweet smile. Though she was speaking to Briella, her hand naturally reached out to loop around Sheldon's arm. Sheldon's face immediately darkened. He dodged her touch, his gaze turning cold.

Sensing the tension, a few friends quickly pulled Celia aside. "Come on, everyone knows Sheldon is supposed to get engaged to you, but his plan isn't done yet. Why are you messing things up now?"

Celia chuckled. "Who said I'm here to ruin things? I actually have a brilliant idea, one that will make Briella disappear even faster."

Her friend's eyes lit up. "Let's hear it."

Celia lowered her voice, whispering for a good while. Standing a short distance away, Briella couldn't hear what they were saying. A growing unease settled over her and she wanted nothing more than to leave the mountain.

Just then, Sheldon's friends returned, announcing that a rival racing team had challenged them to a race and imploring Sheldon to lead them to victory. Sheldon hesitated. One of his friends leaned in and murmured something to him. His brows furrowed deeply and his gaze lingered on Briella for a long time. Then, he finally gave a low "Mm."

Celia exchanged a satisfied glance with his friends. Then, they pushed Briella into the passenger seat. One of them grinned. "Relax, Briella. Sheldon's racing skills are toptier. Even though this is my car, it won't affect his performance."

Briella knew that racing was one of Sheldon's few passions. On this mountain, he was undefeated. Before she could protest, a racing flag dropped and Sheldon hit the gas, the car rocketing forward like an arrow. Glancing out the window, Briella saw dozens of cars speeding along the track. Sheldon was far ahead, leaving the others in his dust. At this rate, he'd have no problem leading his team to victory.

However, as they approached the final turn, Sheldon suddenly accelerated, the car veering towards the guardrail. Briella's eyes widened in shock, fear gripping every nerve in her body. At the last second, the car scraped against the barrier, sending sparks flying. But they didn't cross the finish line.

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted like a pot of boiling water. Sheldon had lost for the first time ever. Briella was still reeling from the near crash. Sheldon leaned over, gently patting her head. "Sweetheart, are you alright? Sorry, I ... "

Sheldon got cut off as his friends rushed over. Their faces were etched with worry. "Sheldon, you need to see this! Celia, she's in bad shape!"

Each racer had a woman in the passenger seat. Celia had been in another car and it had flipped over at the finish line after failing to brake in time. Celia was trapped beneath the car, her legs a bloody mess, when they pulled her out. She wailed, "Am I going to die? Sheldon, it hurts so much! Please, take me to the hospital!"

Sheldon was about to ask someone else to take her, but then she spoke again. "My dad. He still hasn't signed the contract. Sheldon, are you really going to leave me like this?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Sheldon's face. After a long pause, he finally scooped Celia into his arms and turned to Briella. "I'll take her to the hospital first. You go back with Jesse and the others."

The friend he'd mentioned quickly chimed in, "Don't worry, Sheldon, I'll make sure sisinlaw gets home safe." However, as soon as Sheldon left, they made some excuse about checking out a new race car and vanished. A knot of anxiety tightened in Briella's chest; something felt terribly wrong. She turned to leave, but five men suddenly surrounded her. It was the opposing racing team from earlier.

Their eyes were fixed on her, leering with sleazy grins. "Where do you think you're going, Miss Jacquin? Sheldon already gambled you away to us."

"It's about time we had a taste of the former socialite darling."

"We've got all night; plenty of time to play."

Briella's face turned pale. She stumbled backward in fear, but her retreat only seemed to excite them. They lunged at her, rough hands grabbing and dragging her toward the garage. She struggled desperately, but how could one woman possibly fight off five men? Strong hands pinned her down. The sound of fabric tearing rang in her ears.

"Get off me! Don't touch me! Help! Somebody, help me." The raucous crowd wasn't far off, but such scenes were commonplace and no one paid her any mind. Her dress was ripped to shreds and goosebumps prickled her skin in the night air, only to be replaced by the heat of something far more repulsive pressing against her.

Briella gagged in horror, screaming with all her might. Still, the only response was the men's heavy, excited breathing. Despair swallowed her whole. Just as she was about to give up, the piercing sound of screeching brakes shattered through the chaos like a divine intervention.

The next second, the weight on her body disappeared. The man about to violate her was yanked away by none other than Sheldon. His face was cold as death, his expression as terrifying as a demon's. Without hesitation, he raised his leg and kicked the man square between his legs.

A bloodcurdling scream tore through the night. Seeing the sudden shift, the remaining four men erupted in anger. "Sheldon, you agreed to this bet! What the hell are you doing?"

"Can't handle losing, huh? You son of a bitch, we'll kill you!" They lunged at him all at once. But Sheldon fought back, every punch landing with brutal force.

One against four, yet he tore through them mercilessly. Even after they all lay groaning on the ground, he wasn't done. Grabbing a fire extinguisher from the wall, he looked ready to smash skulls. Briella wanted to stop him, but before she could, her vision went black and she passed out.

When Briella woke up again, she was in the hospital. The room was empty, but there was a loud commotion outside. "Sheldon, what the hell? We agreed to use Briella as the wager. You threw the match on purpose and let her off the hook."

"If she dies, that's just bad luck for her. If she survives, we'll release the footage of her being played with on the seventh. Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Every word cut into Briella like a knife twisting in her heart. No wonder Sheldon had performed so poorly. He had planned this all along. He was so cruel he didn't even care about her life, but why did he always stab her, only to give her a sweet treat right after?

Sheldon didn't respond. He just stared into space with a complicated expression. After a moment of silence, one of his friends hesitated before asking, "Sheldon, don't tell me you've actually fallen for Briella?"

"Don't forget, if it weren't for her, Lilia wouldn't have killed herself. You ... "

Before he could finish, Sheldon snapped. "Shut up! Even if every woman on earth died, I still wouldn't love Briella! Got it? Get out! All of you, get the hell out! If anyone says another word, I swear I'll lose it!"

After driving his friends away, Sheldon stormed outside and bought a bottle of white liquor. The burning alcohol only made his already chaotic thoughts even messier. Images of Briella being pinned down by those men kept flashing in his mind.

Her agonized screams slammed into his chest like a sledgehammer. At that moment, all he wanted was to tear those men to pieces. He had to protect her even if it meant losing his business or going to jail, but that was not how it was supposed to be.

From the very beginning, his goal had been to make Briella suffer, to make her die in agony, to avenge Lilia. After all, Lilia had grown up depending on him. If Briella hadn't publicly pursued him, if she hadn't used her wealthy background to torment Lilia again and again, Lilia wouldn't have died. But ... but what?

Sheldon downed the entire bottle, yet he still couldn't figure out his own feelings. When he returned to the hospital room, Briella was sitting on the bed, staring blankly ahead. She had been like this lately, lifeless, like a wisp of cloud about to drift away. Sheldon's heart trembled. He walked over and pulled her into a hug. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I'm not used to Jesse's car. I didn't expect to lose."

A lie so easily spoken, even more pathetic than his fake affection. Briella was too disgusted to even call him out on it. Sheldon noticed her indifference and spent the next few days trying everything to please her. However, nothing was worse than a dead heart. Briella only grew more numb with each passing day.

With no other choice, Sheldon brought his work home. Ever since the gallery incident, he hadn't gone to the office in a long time. Work had piled up and Sheldon was often still in meetings before bed. The day he finally had to go back to the company, his face was full of guilt. "Baby, I'll be home early. If you miss me, call me, okay?"

Briella glanced at the laptop on the coffee table and asked instead, "Can you leave the laptop? My streaming membership is logged in on it and I want to watch some dramas to pass the time."

Sheldon didn't think much of it and agreed without hesitation. After he left, Briella turned on the laptop. The lock screen password was her birthday. She had once asked him, "You trust me that much? Aren't you afraid I'll sell your trade secrets?"

That man had kissed her with a doting smile. "Even if you sell them, it's fine. You're my most valuable treasure. My phone, my laptop, my safe, everything with a password use your birthday. You can check anything, anytime."

Back then, Briella had trusted him completely. She had never actually checked anything, but now, when she used her birthday to unlock a private folder and failed, she finally realized how foolish she had been. Sheldon didn't love her. He was just confident he had her under his control.

Briella let out a bitter laugh and tried a few other passwords. None of them worked. Then, suddenly, a string of numbers flashed through her mind, something she had once heard Sheldon murmur in his sleep. She typed them in and the folder surprisingly opened. Countless videos appeared before her eyes, each carefully labeled with camera locations and recording times.

Earlier videos clearly showed Briella's face, but the man was never in the frame. Her allure, her surrender, every detail was laid bare. She was beneath him, as debased as the lowest prostitute. It was unimaginable how she could face the world if these videos were ever exposed. With trembling hands, Briella deleted every single video.

The next day, the immigration office informed her that her paperwork was complete. Briella packed her bags with a methodical calm. As the room emptied, her heart hollowed out. The space they had built together, piece by piece, was being destroyed by her own hands.

That evening, a friend called to invite her for dinner, but Briella declined, saying her final goodbyes. Her friend was surprised and asked when she'd be back. After a few seconds of silence, Briella replied with a sense of release, "I won't be coming back."

Just as she finished speaking, Sheldon walked in. "Who won't be coming back?" Briella quickly ended the call, a flicker of tension crossing her face. She didn't want any complications at this point. Sheldon strode over to her, his voice tinged with a panicked urgency. "Sweetheart, what do you mean? I'm right here. What do you mean you're not coming back? We promised to be together forever."

His expression was so sincere that for a moment, Briella almost believed him. She nearly blurted out the question of whether he was, as his friend had suggested, getting too caught up in his own act. But the recent events were still vivid in her mind and any more words would only lead to further humiliation. Briella looked up at him, her gaze steady. "I wasn't talking about me. I was talking about a dog I used to have. It got lost and never came back."

Sheldon smiled. "Your expression made it sound like something serious. If you want, we can get another one."

Briella shook her head. Sheldon was about to say something when he noticed the suitcase in the corner. His smile faltered and a sense of unease crept in. "Sweetheart, why are you packing?"

Briella followed his gaze. "Just some old clothes I don't need anymore. I'm planning to donate them."

Thanks to Sheldon, she had watched him act so much that she could now lie without batting an eye. She had always donated items in the past, so this was perfectly normal.

Still, Sheldon felt something was off. He stared at Briella, trying to read her. That woman shrank back on the bed, changing the subject. "Weren't you supposed to be busy this afternoon? Why are you back?"

Seeing that she seemed normal, Sheldon dismissed his suspicions. He walked over and hugged Briella, looking genuinely apologetic. "I missed you, so I came back to check on you. Sweetheart, the company's been hectic these past few days and I won't be able to stay over. You'll have to sleep alone for a couple of nights. But I'll definitely be at the awards ceremony in two days. I have a big surprise for you, live on national TV!"

The thought of those videos drained the color from Briella's face. Thank goodness she had deleted them, leaving no trace, even in backups or the cloud. Briella slowly unclenched her fists. "Just focus on your work."

Sheldon was pleased with her understanding, but a nagging feeling remained. He kissed Briella's forehead and instinctively reached under her clothes. Briella recoiled, feeling disgusted. "I'm not feeling well. Let's just sleep."

Sheldon didn't return home for the next few days. He said he was busy with work, but Briella saw from Celia's updates that they were inseparable. She ate takeout alone while Sheldon peeled shrimp for her at a fancy restaurant.

She tossed and turned at night while Sheldon watched the stars with Celia on a mountaintop. She replayed the videos sent to the adult chat groups while Sheldon shielded Celia from the paparazzi. She had once had all of this, too. But back then, Sheldon's words were of love, but his eyes never truly saw her. It was so clear now the difference between love and indifference. Briella silently muted Celia, letting her shattered heart die.

Two days later, the weather was bright and sunny. Briella packed up Sheldon's belongings and arranged for sameday delivery. On her way back, she caught the scent of flowers in the breeze. She turned to see the roses in the garden, blooming in their full glory.

Sheldon had planted them for her. Because she had once mentioned liking roses, he had searched for various breeds, sparing no expense. The CEO of a major company often found himself covered in dirt in the flower beds. She felt sorry for his hard work, but he said, "Anything for the one I love. This rose garden is the proof of our love."

The first rose bush still had a wooden plaque he had carved himself. "Sheldon loves Briella, forever and always." Time had passed and the plaque had faded, the words now blurred, like the socalled love built on lies. Briella tore off the plaque and found an electric saw in the tool shed, cutting down all the rose bushes.

Two hours later, the once vibrant backyard was a chaotic mess. Briella called someone to clean up the debris, then dragged her suitcase away without looking back. Before boarding the plane, she opened Sheldon's chat window, pausing for a long moment.

She had so much to say. She wanted to explain Lilia's death, to question his cruelty, to know if there had ever been a shred of love in the past five years. But in the end, she sent a message. [Sheldon, this is the end.]

After the message was sent, she blocked all of Sheldon's contacts and boarded the plane. Goodbye, Sheldon.

The award ceremony venue was bustling with excitement. As soon as Sheldon's car came to a stop, his friends eagerly surrounded him, each more excited than the last.

"You've been spending time with Celia while also rearranging the venue as the organizer. You've gone all out! If people didn't know better, they'd think you were planning a proposal."

"What nonsense! Sheldon is just playing mind games. The more Briella anticipates tonight, the more shocking it'll be when the video is revealed."

"Sheldon, you brought the video, right? When are you releasing it? I can't wait any longer!"

Sheldon reached into the passenger seat and grabbed his laptop. Jesse's eyes lit up. "I'll hook it up to the big screen right now."

Just as he reached out to take it, Sheldon twisted his wrist and casually tossed the laptop back into the car. "Forget it. It's pointless."

Everyone was stunned. "What do you mean? You're not releasing it?"

"Sheldon, what's going on? You've been preparing for this moment for five years! Don't you want to see Briella completely broken and devastated?"

"Have you forgotten how Lilia died?"

At the mention of Lilia, a clear flash of irritation crossed Sheldon's face. To him, Lilia was like the moon in the sky, a precious treasure. She died because of Briella and he was determined to avenge her.

However, Briella, in the video, sometimes moaning softly in his embrace, sometimes whimpering beneath him, radiated an irresistible allure. He didn't want anyone else to see that side of her. Sheldon clicked his tongue in frustration. "It's nothing. I just think there will be a better opportunity in the future."

Jesse frowned. "Sheldon, are you really waiting for a better opportunity?"

"As your friends, be honest with us. Are you ... "

"I'm not!" Sheldon snapped, cutting him off sharply. "Mind your own business. Don't pry where you shouldn't. I have my own plans."

After that, he turned and walked into the venue, carefully inspecting every decoration. The Apple Jack roses on the tables, the transparent glass bricks in the corners, the balloons and ribbons along the aisles. All of them were Briella's favorites. She once said that if they ever had a wedding, these things would be essential. Tonight marked the beginning of her career's rise, so he had them set up in advance. When she arrived, she would definitely be happy.

At the thought of this, a slight smile crept onto Sheldon's lips. He called over a waiter. "Make sure to replace Ella's wine with coconut water later. She's allergic to alcohol."

His friends, who had followed him in, happened to overhear this and exchanged subtle glances. "Sheldon is way too into this. He wasn't even this attentive to Lilia."

"Something feels off. Ever since the gallery incident, Sheldon's favoritism toward Briella has been ... excessive."

Just then, Celia entered the venue. The group's expressions became complicated. They were afraid she'd stir up trouble, yet they also feared she wouldn't. After all, they had just argued with Sheldon over Briella. If Celia caused a scene, Sheldon would surely be furious and they'd get dragged into it. Still, if she stayed quiet, that would be letting Briella off too easily."

Noticing their looks, Celia chuckled. "Relax, I'm here to help Sheldon." They hurriedly asked how. Celia merely gave a mysterious smile and remained silent.

The award ceremony began, but Briella was nowhere to be seen. An unexplainable sense of unease settled over Sheldon. He instinctively reached for his phone to call her. Just then, the host's voice rang out, inviting the representative of the organizing committee onto the stage to give a speech.

Sheldon put his phone away and walked onto the stage, his mind elsewhere as he spoke. His eyes kept darting toward the entrance. A strange feeling crept over him that Briella wasn't going to show up. No, that couldn't be. She had been painting since she was a child, working tirelessly for years to win this gold award. This ceremony was a big deal for her. She would come. She had to.

However, she was nowhere to be seen when the host finally called out her name. Sheldon pulled out his phone again, but before he could do anything, a staff member rushed onto the stage and whispered something to the host. The host's expression shifted slightly before announcing, "Unfortunately, Miss Briella Jacquin won't be able to attend in person, but she has recorded a video for us. Let's take a look."

She's not coming? How is that possible? A video? What video? A flood of questions raced through Sheldon's mind. His head snapped up just as he saw a staff member connecting a laptop to the big screen. In the upperright corner of the laptop, a tiny sticker of a sleeping puppy caught his eye. Briella had put that there. That was his laptop and the video they were about to play was the compilation of intimate moments between him and Briella! Sheldon jumped to his feet, shouting, "Stop!"

Unfortunately, it was too late. The private folder had already been opened and the video began playing on the giant screen.

Sheldon's heart leaped into his throat. At that moment, his only thought was: how would he explain everything to Briella if the videos were leaked?

On the screen, Briella wore a simple linen outfit, her makeup light and understated. Her long, wavy hair was casually pinned up with a paintbrush, exuding an effortless artistic charm. The video was short, only a minute long. It was just an acceptance speech. No drama, no mess. Sheldon finally exhaled, feeling the tension in his chest ease. Then, he overheard his friends whispering nearby.

"Wait … why is Briella's award speech in Gu's private folder?"

"The password is Lilia's birthday, right? What kind of game is he playing?"

"What a letdown. I thought we'd get to see Briella fall apart."

A sudden "buzz" filled his head, like a mountain collapsing in his mind. Sheldon swayed, falling back into his chair. Briella's video was clearly a recent recording. It had replaced the thousands of explicit videos silently stored in his private folder.

Sheldon recalled the day Briella asked to borrow his computer. He hadn't found any evidence of her watching dramas afterward. So, she wasn't watching dramas at all; she was deleting those videos! She had known all along.

No wonder she had been so depressed lately, like a soulless puppet. No wonder she wanted to burn everything in the villa, resisting his touch at every turn. Sheldon grabbed his phone, finally seeing Briella's message. [Sheldon, this is the end.]

Sheldon recognized every word. Yet, together, they made no sense to him. His hands trembled as he hurried to type a response. He wanted to explain. He wanted to plead innocence, but after typing for ages, he only managed to send the most pressing question. [Ella, why didn't you attend the award?]

The message failed to send. The red exclamation mark on the screen burned into his vision. Sheldon's breath caught in his throat. He sat frozen, unable to move. His friends, noticing his strange reaction, leaned in to check his screen. Their voices rose in shock.

"Wait, what does she mean by this? Breaking up?"

"No way! Sheldon, she actually blocked you? Wasn't she head over heels for you?"

"She can't live without you, Sheldon. This is a stunt to get your attention.

Sheldon blinked slowly, his dazed eyes struggling to process their words. He nodded in agreement. "Yes, she loves me. She loves me the most."

So, Briella must be joking. She was just mad, waiting for Sheldon to coax her. She wasn't really breaking up with him. Snapping back to reality, Sheldon abandoned texting and called her instead. The automated voice answered, "The number you dialed is currently on another call. Please try again later." "The number you dialed is out of service." "The user you are trying to reach is busy."

Every message, different yet the same, pointed to one undeniable truth. Briella had blocked his calls, too. Sheldon's hand slowly dropped to his side, a dazed look in his eyes. Five years. They had fought before, but Briella had never blocked him. She once told him, "A fight is just a fight. It doesn't mean I don't love you. If I blocked you, what if something happened to you?"

Didn't she care about him anymore? Sheldon murmured to himself as if his soul had been stripped away. His friends, seeing his distress, rushed to comfort him. "Sheldon, don't overthink it. This is just some childish move."

"Even if she knows about the videos, she doesn't know what they were for. It's not as serious as you think."

Sheldon's eyes flickered with hope. Maybe they were right. Just as he was about to respond, a delivery man called out. "Excuse me, who's Sheldon Gifford? I have a package for you from Miss Briella Jacquin."

His friends exchanged knowing glances, smirking. "See? What did we tell you? She wouldn't actually break up with you."

"One minute she's throwing a tantrum, the next she's sending you stuff. She's probably scared you'll take her words seriously."

Sheldon, reassured by their words, relaxed a little. His tone softened, tinged with amusement and helplessness. "She's such a child, playing these silly … " The words caught in his throat as he opened the package and then, he froze.

Inside the package was a stack of documents and photos of Lilia. The documents revealed that her suicide had nothing to do with Briella.