Chapter 3

In ten years, I'd lost both my parents.

Every day I did the hardest work, desperately trying to survive at the bottom of society.

I survived on this job's meager wages. Now that was gone too. Where could I possibly go?

Perhaps the pain in my abdomen grew worse. I collapsed on the floor, cold sweat beading on my forehead. I didn't even have the strength to move.

Then the hospital called demanding payment.

"I barely managed to save the last treatment slot for you. Do you still want the targeted therapy or not?"

"I'll hold it for three more days. Pay the balance within three days, or face the consequences!"

My voice was urgent.

"I just got fired. I don't have that much money right now. Can you give me a few more days..."

But they cut me off, voice rising sharply.

"You think the hospital's a charity? If you don't have money, why are you even trying to get treatment?"

I was about to speak when they hung up.

To raise the money in three days, I went to my father's business partner to ask for some dividends.

But his tone was even colder.

"I'll tell you straight up, you won't get a penny of interest back."

"The money your father invested? You won't get that back either!"

I felt chilled to the bone, my voice shaking with urgency.

"That's breach of contract! I'll sue you!"

But the person on the other end wasn't afraid at all. He even laughed smugly.

"Be my guest. Alex is providing us with the best legal team anyway!"

"I heard you're short on cash! Let's drag this out and see who dies first, shall we?"

So Alex didn't just get me fired—he'd already lined up a legal team, waiting for me to walk into the trap.

A metallic taste surged up my throat. The bone-deep pain struck again.

I quickly opened the bottle, poured out a handful of painkillers, and swallowed them dry.

Cold sweat had already soaked through my work uniform.

I slid down against the wall, a bitter smile on my lips.

Why?

Why could he destroy all my hope with just a flick of his finger?

I just wanted to try to survive.

But it wasn't over yet.

Just as I dragged my exhausted body back to my rental room.

A celebrity gossip notification on my phone immediately caught my attention.

[Female Secretary Drugs and Seduces Listed Company CEO!]

The photo showed Rose and Alex entering a hotel together, looking affectionate.

But the angle was hidden, clearly taken secretly.

I scrolled down. The next second, my eyes widened.

My name actually appeared in the news.