During a thunderstorm, I received a 20-thousand-dollar fine dining delivery order, with an extra 20-dollar tip. While I was feeling pleased with myself, I accidentally overheard laughter from inside the villa.

"She actually believes you're paralyzed from a car accident? And she still delivers takeout every day to support you? She even sold her dead mom's belongings?

"If she knew you're a billionaire heir from the elite circles, playing the 'poor guy' act, she'd probably cry her eyes out."

My boyfriend, James Morrison, swirled his wine glass.

"That cheap woman was born to serve others."

"She's the one to blame. How dare she outshine Sarah in school? This game is a punishment for her."

I stood in the rain, tears streaming down my face.

So, he had been faking his illness for two years. Everything was just a scheme to help his childhood sweetheart, Sarah Garrett, get revenge on me.

His broken legs, deceased parents, and helpless tears were all part of his carefully orchestrated lies.

Finally, I called my father, someone I hadn't contacted in years because of a petty fight.

"Dad, I lost. I agree with the arranged marriage."

***

As soon as I hung up the call with my father, Sarah's voice drifted out from the villa again.

"My dear James spoils and loves me, so he punished that little witch for me. I'm so happy."

Her slender fingers hooked around James's chin. I saw my mother's ring on her ring finger.

James chuckled softly, gently biting her fingertip with his teeth. "You're such a bad girl!"

I saw his legs—the ones that were supposedly paralyzed. Now, they were casually crossed and resting on the coffee table in front of him.

Unlike how they looked in front of me, his legs showed no signs of disability at all at the moment.

The thick white cast on his legs had deceived me for over two years. They looked particularly glaring under the lights.

I carried my delivery bag and knocked on the door. Everyone turned to look at me in unison.

The noisy living room suddenly fell dead silent.

I walked toward James step by step, my soaked shoes leaving clear wet prints on the floor.

James's voice was dry and tight, his eyes darting around in panic.

"What brings you here? I just came to hang out with some classmates today..."

I ignored him, my eyes fixated on the ring on Sarah's finger.

"Give me back the ring."

His smile froze, as if he hadn't expected my attitude to be so cold.

He instinctively wheeled his chair closer to me, trying to soothe me with his usual gentle tone, "Linda, let me explain—"

"Explain what?" I cut him off, my lips curving into a smile uglier than tears.

"Explain how you kindly helped me sell this ring to Ms. Garrett at a high price?

"Or explain how your paralyzed legs happened to work today?"

James's face immediately turned pale. He opened his mouth but said nothing.

The atmosphere grew even more tense, with only Sarah letting out a disdainful snort.

She stood up, swaying gracefully in her high heels as she walked in front of me.

"This ring is a gift from James. You like it now, and you want it?" She deliberately extended her ring-adorned hand to my face.

The words "a gift from James" were emphasized. Her eyes were full of provocation and satisfaction.

James's face changed. "Sarah, stop talking! Linda's..."

"She's what?" Sarah impatiently interrupted him. She continued scanning me with contempt at my soaked, cheap delivery uniform.

"You want it? Fine. For James's sake, I will consider letting you have it back. But not at the original price. I've worn it, and I'm in a good mood, so I'll give you a discounted price—80 thousand dollars. Cash. Bring the money now, and the ring's yours."

80 thousand dollars? After falling out with my father, I had spent everything trying to "treat" James's illness. I'd already mortgaged all of my dead mother's belongings. There was no way I could scrape together even 80 dollars.

I looked at her smug face, then at James. He avoided my gaze, silently allowing Sarah to keep on picking on me.

My heart felt like it was being gripped by an icy hand. The last trace of warm illusions about the past completely crumbled to dust in that moment.

"Fine, I'll buy it." I just wanted to get back my mom's last possession, then never have anything to do with the people in front of me for the rest of my life.

"You'll buy it?" Sarah laughed like she'd heard the biggest joke in the world, dramatically covering her mouth. Then she pointed at the takeout container with premium food worth 20 thousand dollars that I was holding.

"You couldn't earn 80 thousand dollars delivering food for your entire life, could you? Look at what you're holding. This expensive food—have you ever eaten it in your life? Have you even seen it? Do you deserve it?" As she spoke, she suddenly reached out and violently snatched the takeout container from my hands. Before I could react, she slammed it hard onto the ground!

"Bang!" The container crashed against the marble floor with a loud thud. The lid popped open, and the exquisitely plated, expensive premium food instantly spilled out. Salmon tartare, caviar, and prime steak were scattered across the floor.

Sarah looked at the mess on the ground and stepped on an expensive piece of tuna with her high heel, grinding it.

"See that? 20 thousand dollars' worth of food, and I can throw it away whenever I want! But someone with a pathetic life like yours would never dare to be as carefree as me, right?

"You can't make money, you'll never be able to afford this kind of high-class food in your lifetime. You only deserve to smell it. That's the difference between you and me, understand?"

At that moment, everyone burst into harsh laughter and mockery.

"Exactly! How dare a delivery girl compete with Sarah?"

"What a pathetic loser. Born into poverty, but she says she'll pay the 80,000. Actually, that might be possible—she could go to a nursing home and hook up with some old man!"

"True, she's pretty decent looking after all, and she has that innocent look that old men love."

Sarah felt even more pleased listening to everyone's agreement.

She looked down at the ring on her finger, then at my disheveled appearance, showing extreme disgust on her face.

"James used to say your ring was something valuable, but you're dirt poor, so no matter how expensive it is, it's probably just cheap junk, right?

"Only you would treat this thing like treasure." As she spoke, she pinched the ring with her fingers. Then, before anyone—including James—could react, she suddenly yanked open the glass door, swung her arm, and threw the ring outside.

The ring traced an arc through the rainwater. With a splash, it landed precisely in the rushing decorative river beside the villa!

"No!" My eyes filled with rage—that was the last memento my mom had left me!

My body moved faster than my brain. I rushed toward the balcony like a madwoman, ready to climb over the railing and jump into the icy water without hesitation!

"Linda!" A sharp shout rang out, and James suddenly "stood up" from his wheelchair! His movements were so swift, nothing like someone who had been "paralyzed" for two years!

He sprinted over in one swift motion and tightly grabbed my waist from behind, forcefully dragging me away from the railing!

"Let me go! James, let me go!" I struggled desperately, watching in despair as the murky river water swallowed the last glimmer of the ring.

Cold rainwater mixed with burning tears, blurring my vision.

"Calm down! You'd risk your life for a worthless ring?!" James's voice carried a hint of barely detectable panic and fear, but more than that was impatience with my "ingratitude."

Worthless ring?

That was the only thing my mom had left me!

And his beloved Sarah had thrown it away like garbage!

In that moment, all the anger, sadness, and humiliation turned into ice-cold silence.

I stopped struggling and let him hold me, my body stiff as a block of ice.

"Let's break up." My voice was terrifyingly calm.

James's body suddenly stiffened, then he laughed, like he'd heard some kind of joke.

"Linda, stop messing around! I know you're angry about the ring. I'll have Sarah apologize to you! We ..."

"I'm not messing around." I cut him off, prying his fingers off my waist one by one with force.

I turned around and looked straight at his face, which now made me feel sick.

"James, aren't you tired of putting on this act for two years? My mom's ring is gone, and the last bit of affection I had for you is completely gone too. How much longer do you want to keep fooling me?"

His eyes flickered, and that familiar expression of vulnerability and helplessness instantly appeared on his face again.

"Linda, what are you talking about? My leg was really disabled. It's just that after treatment, it's gotten much better... Are you still going to abandon me? So you've always been disgusted by me—always wanted to leave me!"

He started trying to use "paralysis" and "abandonment" to manipulate me and gain sympathy again. Watching his masterful performance, I just felt it was ridiculous.

I didn't explain, and I didn't have the energy to argue anymore. I just silently bent down and picked up the delivery bag from the ground—filthy and completely empty. Without looking at him or the group of people on the balcony who were gloating over my misfortune, I turned around and walked step by step into the pouring rain.

Behind me, I heard Sarah Garrett's sweet, coquettish voice.

"James, now that the truth is out, are you really afraid that crazy woman will be upset?

"Seriously? You're the heir to a fortune, and you actually fell for a delivery girl?"

I didn't hear James's response.

Since we broke up, I didn't need to deliver food anymore either. I called my supervisor to quit. My boss was surprised.

"Linda, what's wrong? You were doing fine—why are you suddenly quitting? Aren't you making money for your boyfriend's medical treatment anymore?"

"He's better." I forced a smile. "Completely recovered."

"Oh my! That's wonderful!" My boss's voice was full of relief. "After surviving a great disaster, good fortune will follow. He'll definitely treat you twice as well from now on! Your suffering has finally paid off!"

I smiled bitterly in silence.

That's right—wasn't it James who introduced me to this job of delivering food under the scorching sun and pouring rain, enduring countless cold stares? He claimed it was to "help me share the burden," but it was really to make me "suffer a bit" and get "revenge" for his Sarah.

Fortunately, it was all over now.

After packing all my belongings, I arrived at the city's most luxurious hotel the next day. I dragged my suitcases, looking completely disheveled as I entered the hotel lobby.

My appearance was completely out of place here, instantly attracting countless strange looks.

"Well, well! Who do we have here? If it isn't our hardworking delivery queen, Linda!" A sharp, nasty voice that was familiar enough to make me sick rang out behind me.

It was Sarah. She and her group of fake friends were here too.

I dragged my things inside without stopping, but Sarah wasn't planning to let me go. She brought her friends over, surrounding me like they were watching a monkey at the zoo.

"How does a delivery girl dare to step through the doors of MGM Grand Hotel? Security! Security! Has your hotel's standards dropped so low now? Any random person can be allowed in? So disgusting!" Sarah dramatically pinched her nose, as if I had some terrible smell on me.

Her friends immediately chimed in.

"Exactly, she's all dirty and grimy. Don't let her stain the carpet!"

"Sarah, did you forget? She's so high and mighty, said she didn't care about being poor or rich! What's this now? Her disabled boyfriend just dumped her, and now she's rushing to a place like this to hook up with rich guys?"

The harsh, mocking laughter echoed through the lobby.

I listened to their twisted accusations, looking at her coldly, gritting my teeth as I spoke.

"Get lost."

"You dare tell me to get lost? Ha!" Sarah's face darkened, and she suddenly reached out, pushing me hard!

Caught off guard, I stumbled backward from her forceful push, crashing into a huge display wine cabinet filled with expensive wines and liquors!

The massive impact made the entire cabinet shake violently!

Crash!

Clang clatter bang!

Dozens of beautifully packaged, expensive vintage wines and top-shelf whiskeys cascaded down like a waterfall, smashing to the ground and shattering instantly!

The huge commotion startled the entire lobby, and everyone stared in shock at the mess.

After a brief silence, the crowd burst into even harsher laughter.

"Haha! Look at that! You're in big trouble now, you broke loser!"

"Quick, count them! See how many bottles this country bumpkin smashed!"

"One bottle of Lafite, two bottles of Romanée-Conti, three bottles of rare Macallan... My god, how much money is this?"

"At least millions, right? Haha, even if you sold her, she couldn't pay it back!"

"Can't pay it back?" Sarah walked forward with a smile. "Simple! Get on your knees and lick the wine off the floor! For every drop you lick, I'll pay for one drop! Can't finish licking? Then keep licking! Lick until we're satisfied! Haha!"

This vicious idea immediately got everyone's approval.

Several of Sarah's lackeys surrounded me with twisted grins, roughly grabbing my arms and forcing me toward the ground mixed with glass shards and expensive liquor!

"On your knees! Lick it up!"

"Or we'll call the cops! You'll rot in jail, you broke b*tch!"

My knees scraped the floor. My arms were pinned. My pride shattered.

Laughter echoed. I felt like dirt. Worse than dirt.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I dug deep, from somewhere buried under all the pain.

Then I raised my head with full strength, and looked them straight in the eyes.

My voice was raw. But every word cut like a blade.

"I'm Linda Watson."

"The only heir to Watson Group."

"Richard Watson is my father."