Chapter 1 She Took the Wrong Pills

• Over ten minutes ago, in the garden of a villa, Celia Jeane was stopped by Ruth Jeane, her half-sister. "Celia, I know you still can't get over Sylas, but he has no feelings for you at all. Don't you feel sick watching him act all lovey-dovey with me every day, doing all the things a couple would do? If I were you, I'd stay abroad forever and never come back."
• Looking at Ruth's smug face and two-faced demeanor, Celia felt a strong hatred surging within her. She felt as though she were engulfed in flames of rage.
• Indeed, she could not get over Sylas Hall.
• She and Sylas had grown up together. She loved him to the depths of her soul, and they had vowed to marry no one else but each other.
• But everything changed when Ruth came to the Jeane Family.
• Ruth was the illegitimate daughter her father had outside of the family. Celia was young back then and could not accept her father's infidelity to her mother, especially when she found out that her stepmother was actually her aunt, who had been nice to her. What was even more outrageous was that the two of them had a child not much older than her.
• The thought of these two being together less than a month after her mother's death filled her with revulsion. Their betrayal made her reject them in every possible way, even leading her to do some impulsive things out of spite.
• As time went by, everyone in the Jeane Family grew to dislike her for being difficult. Everyone favored the docile Ruth, including Sylas, who betrayed her and got involved with Ruth.
• Fearing that she might do something extreme to harm Ruth, her father, Zephyr Jeane, sent her to Yonderland and never bothered to check on her again.
• Celia never imagined that on her first day back in the country after two years, she would be faced with such an embarrassing predicament.
• The dignified and graceful guests around her were staring at her, their faces full of mockery as they whispered to one another.
• "How disgusting of her to try to seduce her sister's boyfriend!"
• "She has such a wicked heart at such a young age! She actually wanted to harm her own sister."
• "She looks innocent and harmless, but she turns out to be shameless…"
• All the unpleasant words reached Celia's ears, piercing her heart and causing it to clench and throb.
• She clenched her teeth, about to make a retort. But then, she saw Ruth's expression change all of a sudden. Her previous arrogance was gone, replaced by a look of pity and vulnerability… "Celia, I know you love Sylas, but he loves me, and we're about to get engaged. I hope you can accept us… Aaaah!"
• Ruth suddenly let out a scream before she could finish her sentence. The next moment, she fell into the swimming pool behind her.
• Celia almost reflexively reached out to grab her, but she failed to hold onto the latter. Her hand froze in mid-air.
• Hearing Ruth scream, all the guests turned their gaze toward her. Seeing what was happening, they thought Celia had pushed Ruth into the water.
• Celia was met with a deluge of disdainful stares coming from all directions. Her face turned pale. She wanted to explain the situation, but Ruth's cries for help underwater drowned out her voice.
• Just then, a tall figure dashed through the crowd, swiftly making its way toward her. As he passed by her, he paused for a moment.
• Celia saw that face that she hadn't seen in two years.
• His handsome features exuded a mature charm. Clad in a pristine white suit, he carried himself with a refined demeanor reminiscent of a young gentleman.
• It was Sylas!
• With eyes filled with anger, he raised his hand and slapped her face hard, saying, "Celia, you haven't changed at all. You're still so malicious after two years!"
• Celia staggered back from the slap, losing her balance and falling into the swimming pool.
• Her skin was soaked in the freezing pool water, which sent chills deep into her bones. The burning pain in her cheek was nothing compared to the pain of her heart breaking into countless pieces.
• Like a drowned rat, she stood stiffly in the banquet hall, her exquisite champagne-colored dress soaked through and clinging to her body. Her elaborate updo had come undone, and she looked utterly disheveled. Regaining her composure, she quietly wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye before turning her gaze toward a spot not far from the banquet hall.
• A crowd of guests had gathered there, all looking at Ruth with concern.
• Sylas carefully held her in his arms, treating her as if she were a precious treasure.
• Ruth struggled to speak through a coughing fit after choking on water. She looked at Sylas with a pitiful expression. "Sylas, please don't blame my sister. It was my own carelessness that led me to fall."
• Sylas tenderly kissed her forehead, his expression filled with affection, yet his gaze toward Celia was as cold and piercing as a blade. "You need not defend her. I know full well that you didn't fall by yourself."
• Celia stood there all alone, her heart filled with grief. She smiled bitterly.
• This scenario felt all too familiar. Three years ago, in a similar situation, Sylas had publicly slapped her for Ruth, that b*tch.
• That slap had ended any remaining affection she had had for him. And now, history was repeating itself, thrusting her into the spotlight and subjecting her to ridicule and mockery.
• Tears mixed with drops of water from her hair continued to stream down her face. A surge of hatred flooded into her, awakening the grief long buried in her heart.
• I've truly had enough! Once my mom's death anniversary is over in a few days, I'll go back to Yonderland. Even if I'm alone and helpless in that place, it would still be better than staying here and facing humiliation!
• …
• As Celia left the banquet hall, all eyes remained fixed on Ruth.
• Ruth was the center of attention, whereas she was an insignificant, ugly duckling. No one would notice her presence or absence.
• Outside, the night enveloped everything in darkness. Celia's heart felt heavy, as if weighed down by a large stone. The chilly breeze only added to her feelings of desolation.
• Her nose tingled, and her eyes misted over with tears once more. Yet, she defiantly held her head high, telling herself not to cry. I mustn't cry. It's not worth it.
• As she returned to her hotel, her disheveled appearance drew curious glances from many. She was walking barefoot with her high heels in hand. Her delicate feet were exposed, and she looked despondent.
• As she passed by the front desk, the female receptionist called out to her, sounding concerned. "Miss, are you alright? What happened? Do you need assistance?"
• The slight concern in her voice warmed Celia's heart. She quickly shook her head and casually replied, "I'm fine. I just had a fall."
• "How can you be fine? You're soaked through. Please wait a moment. Let me get you a cup of warm water to warm your body so that you won't catch a cold or something."
• The receptionist quickly fetched a cup of water and offered it to Celia, along with two pills.
• Assuming they were cold remedies, Celia inwardly gave the five-star hotel a thumbs-up for their excellent service. Without much thought, she took the pills and water, swallowing them in one gulp.
• After expressing her gratitude, she retrieved her room key and headed back to her room.
• Shortly after she left, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie approached the front desk. "Millie, has the woman I arranged for arrived?"
• Millie Pearson, the receptionist, nodded respectfully. "Yes, Mr. Zeller, she's arrived. I gave her the medication according to your instructions."
• "Excellent. Our guest tonight is a very important man and has been instructed to be well taken care of by the higher-ups. You all need to be attentive, provide the best service, and make sure our guest is satisfied. Do you understand?"
• "Yes, Mr. Zeller," Millie replied with a respectful nod.