"Just as their feelings were about to blossom, fate dealt them a heavy blow."

Chapter 5

"The year Clara Vance turned seventeen, tragedy struck her family."

Clara Wynter’s voice was as steady as still water, as if she were recounting someone else's life.

"Her mother had an affair with a colleague. When her father caught them in the act, he lost all reason. He beat them both to death before taking his own life."

"Overnight, she went from an ordinary high school girl to the 'daughter of a murderer'."

"All the family savings were paid out to the victims' families. Their house was seized. Relatives avoided her like the plague, passing her around like a burden no one wanted to touch."

"Just as she reached the depths of despair and contemplated following her parents, it was Julian Vance and his mother who took her in."

The comments in the live studio went quiet for a moment before beginning to scroll:

[My god... that’s too tragic.]

[So this is where her life began to fall apart.]

[So Julian's family took her in? Then why did things... later...]

Clara continued: "Aunt Sarah, Julian’s mother, was a woman who was gentle to her very bones. She said: 'Clara, from this day on, this is your home.'"

"When Clara was twenty, Aunt Sarah fell terminally ill."

"On her deathbed, she gripped Julian’s hand and whispered: 'Once I’m gone, Clara will be your only family left. I know you love her. You must treat her well, never lie to her, and above all, never fail her...'"

"Julian knelt by the hospital bed, his eyes red as he swore he would cherish Clara for the rest of his life."

Clara paused slightly here, her gaze sweeping over Julian beside her.

He sat with his head bowed, his hands white-knuckled as they gripped his knees, trembling slightly.

"They became a couple naturally. Julian said they would marry as soon as they graduated. But fate seemed to take a particular pleasure in mocking them."

"He was diagnosed with leukemia. Although it wasn't terminal, the exorbitant cost of treatment became a mountain that threatened to crush them both."

The connection alert rang in the studio once more.

Clara connected the call. A young female voice asked urgently:

"Host, so did Clara really go to the underground pits to save him? How could a young girl even think of using that... method?"

Clara's lips quirked faintly. "Because it was the fastest way to get money."

"To pay for Julian's treatment, Clara quietly applied for withdrawal from school. She worked three jobs a day—serving tables by day and hauling bricks at construction sites by night."

"Julian was heartbroken. He snuck out of the hospital once, held her, and cried, saying he didn't want the treatment anymore."

"He said: 'Clara, let’s just go. Anywhere is fine. I don't want you to be this exhausted for me.'"

"Clara hardened her heart and forced him back to his ward. It was on her way home that day that she met a scout for the underground boxing rings."

"The man said that wealthy people loved watching fragile, beautiful girls fight in the pits. If she was brave enough to fight and take a beating, the payout from a single match could equal three months of work at the restaurant."

"Knowing it was a path to ruin, Clara went anyway."

Clara’s voice dropped lower:

"Her code name was 99821. That was Julian’s birthday—the hope she was willing to protect with every ounce of her strength."

"She signed a life-and-death contract. It tripled her earnings, but it also meant every opponent would be trying to kill her."

"The place was on the third basement level. No windows, stagnant air."

"Countless nights she was beaten bloody in that ring. Several times, she nearly didn't make it off the mat."

"The most severe time, she had three broken ribs, was deafened in her right ear, and vomited blood from internal organ damage. The manager told her to rest for three months, but she was back in the ring in less than one."

"She was terrified that every day she delayed was another day of danger for Julian."

"She lived like this for three whole years."

The studio was so quiet the sound of breathing was audible.

Julian’s shoulders began to shake. He bit his lip so hard he tasted blood.

"The day Julian was discharged, they held each other and wept for a very long time."

"With bloodshot eyes, Julian swore a deadly oath: 'Clara, you gave me my second life. If I ever fail you in the future, may I die a miserable death!'"

"When he said those words, his eyes were so sincere—so sincere that Clara felt every ounce of suffering had been worth it."

Clara let out a soft breath:

"But some oaths are perhaps destined to be broken."

"Three months after Julian left the hospital, a group of men in sharp suits arrived at their door."

"Only then did Clara learn that he was the illegitimate son of the wealthiest man in Silveridge, Marcus Vance."

"Julian told her he hated Marcus, hated him for making his mother's life so miserable. But he also knew that only by returning to the family could he give Clara a better life."

"And so, he took her with him to the Vance estate."

"Labeled as the 'illegitimate son,' Julian was sidelined and mocked at every turn. He was ridiculed at dinner, sabotaged in meetings—even finding a moment of peace became a luxury."

"Clara's heart ached for him. Several times she urged him to leave."

"But Julian’s gaze remained resolute: 'They look down on me, so I will rise above them all. I will give you a good life, and I will get justice for my mother!'"

"From that point on, Julian became a different person. He obsessed over business knowledge and threw himself into the den of vanity. With his extraordinary talent and ruthlessness, he completed a magnificent transformation in just two years."

"The Vances no longer dared to call him 'bastard.' They began to call him 'Master Julian' with respect. Marcus Vance was intent on grooming him as the heir and even arranged a marriage for him with a family of equal status."

"And Clara, ultimately, became the redundant one."

Clara’s voice remained as calm as if she were reporting the weather:

"Everyone whispered behind her back, saying she wasn't good enough for Julian."

"Marcus Vance approached her as well, tossing a check her way: 'If you really care about Julian, leave him. This money is yours.'"

"Clara knew clearly that the gap between her and Julian was widening."

"He was the high-and-mighty heir to a billionaire empire, and she was the daughter of a murderer, carrying a body full of scars and ailments. They were no longer from the same world."

"But Julian wouldn't let her go. He lost his temper in front of everyone, his eyes red as he shouted: 'Clara Vance is my life! Without her, I’d be dead!'"

"'I will marry no one but her! If anyone tries to make her leave again, I’ll jump off this building!'"

"Marcus Vance was unmoved and insisted on sending her away. Julian, right in front of him, picked up a fruit knife and stabbed himself!"

"His face was white with pain, yet he stubbornly repeated: 'In this life, I only want Clara!'"

"Marcus had no choice but to temporarily compromise."

"Julian was in the ICU for two days and nights before he was out of danger. The first thing he did upon waking was gently wipe the tears from her face and say firmly: 'Clara, we will be together forever.'"

"At that moment, Clara felt all the grievances and insecurities were worth it."

"She thought their love could conquer anything, that they really would love each other for a lifetime."

"Until... the appearance of Melody Sterling."

At this point, the connection light flashed urgently again—the same listener from before.

"Host!" the caller’s voice was frantic. "After all they went through, their bond should have been unbreakable. How did this Melody Sterling get between them? What schemes did she use?"

Clara smiled faintly, a trace of mockery in her voice:

"Actually, she didn't need any schemes."

"Because human hearts change on their own, especially in a world of vanity and blinding fame."

Chapter 6

"Melody Sterling was the fiancée Marcus Vance had hand-picked for Julian."

Clara’s voice echoed in the studio, as flat as a news report:

"Born into a family of musicians, educated abroad since childhood, she played the piano and violin, was elegant in speech, and possessed striking beauty."

"Their first formal meeting was at the old Mr. Vance’s birthday banquet."

"She wore a champagne-colored couture gown, her hair swept into a sophisticated bun. She was beautiful and poised, as graceful as a white swan."

"The gaze of every guest was drawn to her—except for Julian's."

"He was focused on peeling a tangerine, handing the sweetest segment to Clara’s mouth."