Quinn had just confirmed at the hospital that someone had fraudulently used her identity to book a hymen repair surgery. However, before she could process that shocking discovery, she unexpectedly walked in on her husband, Miles, and a woman named Jade in the middle of an affair. To her further dismay, Miles showed not the slightest hint of panic or embarrassment. Instead, Jade openly mocked Quinn for allegedly undergoing that very surgery. In fact, Miles had already grown disgusted with Quinn due to persistent rumors about her supposedly promiscuous private life. Now that he had seen with his own eyes the surgery form bearing her name at the hospital, his contempt for her deepened even further. He sneered at her, "Quinn, we haven't even divorced yet. How could you have stooped to such despicable thoughts?" Without a word, Quinn slapped him across the face and retorted, "You and Jade are clearly in cahoots—what gives you the right to accuse me? We'll go through the divorce procedures tomorrow!" What no one knew, however, was that Quinn had secretly given birth to a pair of twins during these four years of marriage. Far from being heartbroken, she was actually looking forward to the divorce, eager to leave this place behind and start a brand new life with her two adorable children. After the divorce, Miles happened to spot a miniature version of himself on the street—two little children who looked exactly like him. His emotions instantly spiraled out of control. Later, when he saw Quinn walking toward another man, with the two precious little ones by her side, he burst into tears. Overcome with regret, he humbly knelt down and begged Quinn to turn around and look at him, pleading with the two cute babies not to abandon him. Quinn, however, stared past him with unfocused eyes and said coldly, "Miles, our contract marriage has expired—there will be no renewal."

Chapter 1It was late spring in Fairmont. After days of clear skies, a sudden spring rain began to fall.When Quinn Avery stepped out of the gynecology clinic, she didn't notice the person emerging from the adjacent corridor. She crashed right into him, sending her paperwork fluttering across the floor."I—I'm sorry."She quickly apologized, dropping to a crouch in a panic to gather her scattered documents.An expensive, polished black leather shoe stepped firmly onto her papers. Unable to pull them free, she offered an apologetic smile."Excuse me, could you lift your foot?"The man didn't move. Instead, Quinn felt a somber, piercing gaze bore into the top of her head.Someone picked up a stray sheet and gasped, "Hymen reconstruction?"The mocking, painfully familiar voice made Quinn freeze instantly.It was Jade Winter. What were the odds of running into her at the hospital?And the man wearing those expensive shoes—without a doubt—was her soon-to-be ex-husband, Miles York.Ever since Jade returned from abroad with her child, Miles had demanded to terminate his contract marriage with Quinn three months early.Over the past three months, he had been glued to Jade's side. Quinn had seen them together countless times.By now, she was numb to it.But this was the gynecology department. What were they doing here?She stood up stiffly, watching Jade stroke her lower abdomen while casting a triumphant look in her direction.Quinn's breath hitched. Was it possible... was she pregnant with Miles's child again?Were they having their second baby?The thought pierced Quinn's chest, releasing a suffocating wave of despair.Her own twins had never met their father since the day they were born. She had been forced to hide them away, living a life of secrecy."Quinn, I never expected you'd come to a hospital to consult about something like this," Jade cooed.Jade's makeup was flawless, her features stunningly delicate.Dressed in a cream-colored, v-neck blouse with butterfly sleeves, her luminous skin was radiant. A pair of elegant heels perfectly accentuated her slender, graceful figure.Quinn, having just been caught in the rain, had only managed a haphazard wipe of her hair. Damp strands clung to her scalp, making her look unkempt and messy—the very picture of a chaotic, disorganized woman.Standing next to the exquisite woman before her, the contrast was painfully stark.Miles's jaw tightened into a sharp line. His predatory gaze locked onto the woman in front of him, as if trying to rip her apart with his eyes."Quinn, we aren't even divorced yet, and you're already plotting these filthy tricks. Which man are you planning to use this on?"His buddy's words from the VIP lounge echoed in his mind: 'Quinn has probably been with countless guys before. I really feel bad for you, Mr. York. I can't believe you married such a disgusting woman!'Now, he highly doubted the authenticity of their first night together at the hotel. Had she faked that too?He was the heir to one of Fairmont's most powerful billionaire families, and she was merely the daughter of the York family's former maid.If it hadn't been for that accident four years ago, two people from such vastly different worlds would never have been tied together.Quinn looked at the furious man questioning her, her heart turning icy. She pressed her lips together and said, "I'm not. You... you're misunderstanding."Jade clung to Miles's arm, laughing softly. "Quinn, you really have no self-respect."Passersby stared at the drably dressed woman, eyeing the intimate medical forms in her hands.No matter how you looked at it, the whole scene was utterly absurd.The crowd whispered among themselves, their eyes brimming with contempt and disgust.Quinn paled for a moment. She grabbed her pamphlets and tried to leave, but Miles blocked her path.His voice dropped to a dark, menacing warning. "Quinn, after the divorce, I don't care what you do. But right now, you need to remember your place!"A suffocating wave of despair crashed over Quinn, leaving a heavy lump in her throat that made it hard to breathe.She opened her mouth, but her throat felt completely tight.The desperate urge to explain rolled over her tongue again and again, but ultimately, she swallowed the words back down.Forget it.If she told him someone had stolen her identity to file this and she was merely here to investigate, would he even believe her?No.Any explanation, no matter how truthful, would just look like guilty backpedaling in his eyes.Over the past few years, hadn't she tried enough?Anyway, once the divorce waiting period ended next week, they would finalize the paperwork at the Town Hall and sever all ties.She would just be a stranger to him. He could think whatever he wanted.Jade adopted a gentle, persuasive tone. "Miles, her mother's care facility bills are quite expensive. She's relied on the York family's charity all these years. If she can't scrape together the money for future treatments, she's naturally going to resort to these kinds of methods.""Still, Quinn, I have to give you a piece of advice. A woman needs to respect her own body. You should really learn to value yourself."Quinn's knuckles turned white as she gripped the papers. Anger flared in her chest, and she had to fight the urge to slap the woman across the face.Because the York family had paid her mother's medical bills over the years, she had always kept her head down and swallowed her pride.The doctor recently mentioned her mother was showing signs of improvement and would soon be able to take care of herself.Just endure it a little longer. Once the divorce was finalized, she could take her mother and the children away from Fairmont, far from these agonizing people and situations.Sensing Quinn's vulnerability, Jade's eyes gleamed with hidden triumph and provocation as she offered a delicate smile.Sounding incredibly considerate, she added, "Miles, why don't you pay her a portion of the alimony in advance? That way, Quinn won't have to go out and..." Sell herself.She left the final word unspoken, but everyone present understood the malicious implication perfectly.The crowd's gazes grew even more hostile, and the whispers escalated into outright sneers.The judgmental, disgusted stares pelted Quinn like a barrage of icy arrows, heavy and sharp.Quinn's fingertips trembled with cold. The rage she had kept tightly leashed in her chest finally exploded. She raised her hand and slapped Jade hard across the face."Smack!"The force of the blow knocked Jade's face to the side. "Jade, you're clinging to someone else's husband, and you dare lecture me about self-respect?""If you want to preach, why don't you learn some basic decency first?"At those words, the crowd let out a collective gasp. "Whoa!""So she's the actual homewrecker? Why is she acting like the wife?"The bystanders turned their disdain and mockery toward Jade. "Clinging to someone else's husband, ruining a marriage, and still acting so high and mighty? Gross!""How does she even have the nerve to say such shameless things?""Mistresses these days have zero shame!""What a total bitch!"The crowd gossiped loudly, pointing fingers at Jade and Miles.Jade cupped her burning cheek, her fingers digging into her palms in pure resentment.Her eyes immediately welled up, shimmering with a thin layer of tears as she cast a fragile, pitiful look at the wealthy, handsome man beside her."Miles..."Miles tenderly touched her slightly swollen cheek, his expression turning instantly murderous.He grabbed Quinn's wrist, his voice vibrating with dark fury."Quinn, how dare you? Apologize to Jade!"His grip was bone-crushing, as if he meant to snap her wrist in half if she refused.Quinn winced in pain, struggling to break free. "Let... let me go."But seeing her refuse to apologize, Miles didn't let up. He tightened his hold, nearly crushing her bones.His jaw set into a lethal line, his tone dropping to freezing temperatures. "I won't say it again!"If she didn't apologize, he had plenty of ways to make her regret it.Seeing the pitch-black rage in his eyes, Quinn knew the consequences of defiance would be severe.But she absolutely refused to apologize to Jade Winter."Miles, you're completely blind! Jade insulted me first. Why can't I fight back? She started it!"At her words, Miles's expression darkened further, and his grip tightened menacingly.Quinn's vision blurred, her face pale from the intense pain, but she stubbornly refused to apologize, forcing her tears back down."What's going on here? Why the crowd?""Make way, please. Let's communicate like adults, no need to fight."A doctor's voice echoed from down the hall. Forced to comply, Miles finally released his grip on Quinn.Thrown off balance, Quinn slammed hard into the wall. Her forehead scraped against the surface, immediately welling up with a bright streak of crimson.Miles looked slightly surprised, his footsteps faltering.Beside him, Jade clutched her chest and let out a pained whimper. "Miles... my chest hurts.""Doctor!"Miles swept Jade up into his arms. Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she shot a victorious smile over his shoulder at Quinn.Clutching her bleeding forehead, Quinn watched Miles sprint away. The last lingering shred of hope in her heart turned completely to ice.Even though this was just a contract marriage, no one knew that Quinn had secretly loved him for years.But she was also painfully aware of the massive gap between them, forcing her to bury those feelings deep inside.If it hadn't been for that accident... she and he belonged to completely different worlds and would never have crossed paths.The throb in her forehead and the ache in her wrist were nothing compared to the tearing agony in her chest. Using the wall for support, she pulled herself up.A doctor and nurse rushed over. "Miss, your forehead needs to be disinfected and bandaged.""I'm fine, thank you."She was in a rush to get to the Global Tech Pavilion to work as a translator. She had already accepted an advance deposit last night.If she didn't make it in time, she wouldn't be able to afford the client's losses....Quinn rushed to the tech exhibition center without a second to spare. She hurried into the restroom to fix her hair and makeup, changing into the professional attire arranged by the assistant.She slipped on her glasses. When she stepped out, her entire aura had transformed into that of a sharp, elegant corporate professional—calm, poised, and utterly confident.Facing the foreign delegates, she spoke flawlessly, seamlessly transitioning between English, German, and French without missing a beat.The foreign executives praised her in broken English, and Mr. Landon enthusiastically agreed.She had spent hours pouring over the technical documents, mastering every detail.Her translation was effortless and precise, without a single moment of hesitation.When the exhibition concluded, she happily received a generous bonus from Mr. Landon."My wife is going dress shopping this week for an upcoming international summit. She just arrived in Fairmont and doesn't know anyone here. She'd love to invite you along. Are you free this Friday, Ms. Avery?"Having just received such a massive bonus, Quinn couldn't possibly refuse."Mr. Landon, I have time on Friday."Mr. Landon smiled and nodded. "You are incredibly brilliant and capable, Ms. Avery. A rare talent indeed. If you ever want to come work for my company, the door is always open!"Quinn had declined Mr. Landon's job offers before because her schedule was unpredictable. She had to take care of her mother at the care facility, and...Faced with his renewed invitation, she offered a polite nod and gently declined again. "Mr. Landon, thank you so much for your high regard. If you ever need freelance help in the future, as long as I have the time, I'll absolutely assist you."Mr. Landon didn't push it, though he looked visibly disappointed.Quinn then received a call from her best friend, Yara Chase, saying she was passing by with the kids.Overjoyed, she hurried outside. The moment her daughter Luna saw her, the little girl rushed over on her short legs.Her sweet, sticky voice rang out. "Mommy!"Yara laughed. "Don't blame me for only bringing Luna. Your Caleb acts like such a little grown-up. He knows I can't carry both of them, so he stayed behind and let his sister come."Chapter 2It was late spring in Fairmont. After days of clear skies, a sudden spring rain began to fall.When Quinn Avery stepped out of the gynecology clinic, she didn't notice the person emerging from the adjacent corridor. She crashed right into him, sending her paperwork fluttering across the floor."I—I'm sorry."She quickly apologized, dropping to a crouch in a panic to gather her scattered documents.An expensive, polished black leather shoe stepped firmly onto her papers. Unable to pull them free, she offered an apologetic smile."Excuse me, could you lift your foot?"The man didn't move. Instead, Quinn felt a somber, piercing gaze bore into the top of her head.Someone picked up a stray sheet and gasped, "Hymen reconstruction?"The mocking, painfully familiar voice made Quinn freeze instantly.It was Jade Winter. What were the odds of running into her at the hospital?And the man wearing those expensive shoes—without a doubt—was her soon-to-be ex-husband, Miles York.Ever since Jade returned from abroad with her child, Miles had demanded to terminate his contract marriage with Quinn three months early.Over the past three months, he had been glued to Jade's side. Quinn had seen them together countless times.By now, she was numb to it.But this was the gynecology department. What were they doing here?She stood up stiffly, watching Jade stroke her lower abdomen while casting a triumphant look in her direction.Quinn's breath hitched. Was it possible... was she pregnant with Miles's child again?Were they having their second baby?The thought pierced Quinn's chest, releasing a suffocating wave of despair.Her own twins had never met their father since the day they were born. She had been forced to hide them away, living a life of secrecy."Quinn, I never expected you'd come to a hospital to consult about something like this," Jade cooed.Jade's makeup was flawless, her features stunningly delicate.Dressed in a cream-colored, v-neck blouse with butterfly sleeves, her luminous skin was radiant. A pair of elegant heels perfectly accentuated her slender, graceful figure.Quinn, having just been caught in the rain, had only managed a haphazard wipe of her hair. Damp strands clung to her scalp, making her look unkempt and messy—the very picture of a chaotic, disorganized woman.Standing next to the exquisite woman before her, the contrast was painfully stark.Miles's jaw tightened into a sharp line. His predatory gaze locked onto the woman in front of him, as if trying to rip her apart with his eyes."Quinn, we aren't even divorced yet, and you're already plotting these filthy tricks. Which man are you planning to use this on?"His buddy's words from the VIP lounge echoed in his mind: 'Quinn has probably been with countless guys before. I really feel bad for you, Mr. York. I can't believe you married such a disgusting woman!'Now, he highly doubted the authenticity of their first night together at the hotel. Had she faked that too?He was the heir to one of Fairmont's most powerful billionaire families, and she was merely the daughter of the York family's former maid.If it hadn't been for that accident four years ago, two people from such vastly different worlds would never have been tied together.Quinn looked at the furious man questioning her, her heart turning icy. She pressed her lips together and said, "I'm not. You... you're misunderstanding."Jade clung to Miles's arm, laughing softly. "Quinn, you really have no self-respect."Passersby stared at the drably dressed woman, eyeing the intimate medical forms in her hands.No matter how you looked at it, the whole scene was utterly absurd.The crowd whispered among themselves, their eyes brimming with contempt and disgust.Quinn paled for a moment. She grabbed her pamphlets and tried to leave, but Miles blocked her path.His voice dropped to a dark, menacing warning. "Quinn, after the divorce, I don't care what you do. But right now, you need to remember your place!"A suffocating wave of despair crashed over Quinn, leaving a heavy lump in her throat that made it hard to breathe.She opened her mouth, but her throat felt completely tight.The desperate urge to explain rolled over her tongue again and again, but ultimately, she swallowed the words back down.Forget it.If she told him someone had stolen her identity to file this and she was merely here to investigate, would he even believe her?No.Any explanation, no matter how truthful, would just look like guilty backpedaling in his eyes.Over the past few years, hadn't she tried enough?Anyway, once the divorce waiting period ended next week, they would finalize the paperwork at the Town Hall and sever all ties.She would just be a stranger to him. He could think whatever he wanted.Jade adopted a gentle, persuasive tone. "Miles, her mother's care facility bills are quite expensive. She's relied on the York family's charity all these years. If she can't scrape together the money for future treatments, she's naturally going to resort to these kinds of methods.""Still, Quinn, I have to give you a piece of advice. A woman needs to respect her own body. You should really learn to value yourself."Quinn's knuckles turned white as she gripped the papers. Anger flared in her chest, and she had to fight the urge to slap the woman across the face.Because the York family had paid her mother's medical bills over the years, she had always kept her head down and swallowed her pride.The doctor recently mentioned her mother was showing signs of improvement and would soon be able to take care of herself.Just endure it a little longer. Once the divorce was finalized, she could take her mother and the children away from Fairmont, far from these agonizing people and situations.Sensing Quinn's vulnerability, Jade's eyes gleamed with hidden triumph and provocation as she offered a delicate smile.Sounding incredibly considerate, she added, "Miles, why don't you pay her a portion of the alimony in advance? That way, Quinn won't have to go out and..." Sell herself.She left the final word unspoken, but everyone present understood the malicious implication perfectly.The crowd's gazes grew even more hostile, and the whispers escalated into outright sneers.The judgmental, disgusted stares pelted Quinn like a barrage of icy arrows, heavy and sharp.Quinn's fingertips trembled with cold. The rage she had kept tightly leashed in her chest finally exploded. She raised her hand and slapped Jade hard across the face."Smack!"The force of the blow knocked Jade's face to the side. "Jade, you're clinging to someone else's husband, and you dare lecture me about self-respect?""If you want to preach, why don't you learn some basic decency first?"At those words, the crowd let out a collective gasp. "Whoa!""So she's the actual homewrecker? Why is she acting like the wife?"The bystanders turned their disdain and mockery toward Jade. "Clinging to someone else's husband, ruining a marriage, and still acting so high and mighty? Gross!""How does she even have the nerve to say such shameless things?""Mistresses these days have zero shame!""What a total bitch!"The crowd gossiped loudly, pointing fingers at Jade and Miles.Jade cupped her burning cheek, her fingers digging into her palms in pure resentment.Her eyes immediately welled up, shimmering with a thin layer of tears as she cast a fragile, pitiful look at the wealthy, handsome man beside her."Miles..."Miles tenderly touched her slightly swollen cheek, his expression turning instantly murderous.He grabbed Quinn's wrist, his voice vibrating with dark fury."Quinn, how dare you? Apologize to Jade!"His grip was bone-crushing, as if he meant to snap her wrist in half if she refused.Quinn winced in pain, struggling to break free. "Let... let me go."But seeing her refuse to apologize, Miles didn't let up. He tightened his hold, nearly crushing her bones.His jaw set into a lethal line, his tone dropping to freezing temperatures. "I won't say it again!"If she didn't apologize, he had plenty of ways to make her regret it.Seeing the pitch-black rage in his eyes, Quinn knew the consequences of defiance would be severe.But she absolutely refused to apologize to Jade Winter."Miles, you're completely blind! Jade insulted me first. Why can't I fight back? She started it!"At her words, Miles's expression darkened further, and his grip tightened menacingly.Quinn's vision blurred, her face pale from the intense pain, but she stubbornly refused to apologize, forcing her tears back down."What's going on here? Why the crowd?""Make way, please. Let's communicate like adults, no need to fight."A doctor's voice echoed from down the hall. Forced to comply, Miles finally released his grip on Quinn.Thrown off balance, Quinn slammed hard into the wall. Her forehead scraped against the surface, immediately welling up with a bright streak of crimson.Miles looked slightly surprised, his footsteps faltering.Beside him, Jade clutched her chest and let out a pained whimper. "Miles... my chest hurts.""Doctor!"Miles swept Jade up into his arms. Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she shot a victorious smile over his shoulder at Quinn.Clutching her bleeding forehead, Quinn watched Miles sprint away. The last lingering shred of hope in her heart turned completely to ice.Even though this was just a contract marriage, no one knew that Quinn had secretly loved him for years.But she was also painfully aware of the massive gap between them, forcing her to bury those feelings deep inside.If it hadn't been for that accident... she and he belonged to completely different worlds and would never have crossed paths.The throb in her forehead and the ache in her wrist were nothing compared to the tearing agony in her chest. Using the wall for support, she pulled herself up.A doctor and nurse rushed over. "Miss, your forehead needs to be disinfected and bandaged.""I'm fine, thank you."She was in a rush to get to the Global Tech Pavilion to work as a translator. She had already accepted an advance deposit last night.If she didn't make it in time, she wouldn't be able to afford the client's losses....Quinn rushed to the tech exhibition center without a second to spare. She hurried into the restroom to fix her hair and makeup, changing into the professional attire arranged by the assistant.She slipped on her glasses. When she stepped out, her entire aura had transformed into that of a sharp, elegant corporate professional—calm, poised, and utterly confident.Facing the foreign delegates, she spoke flawlessly, seamlessly transitioning between English, German, and French without missing a beat.The foreign executives praised her in broken English, and Mr. Landon enthusiastically agreed.She had spent hours pouring over the technical documents, mastering every detail.Her translation was effortless and precise, without a single moment of hesitation.When the exhibition concluded, she happily received a generous bonus from Mr. Landon."My wife is going dress shopping this week for an upcoming international summit. She just arrived in Fairmont and doesn't know anyone here. She'd love to invite you along. Are you free this Friday, Ms. Avery?"Having just received such a massive bonus, Quinn couldn't possibly refuse."Mr. Landon, I have time on Friday."Mr. Landon smiled and nodded. "You are incredibly brilliant and capable, Ms. Avery. A rare talent indeed. If you ever want to come work for my company, the door is always open!"Quinn had declined Mr. Landon's job offers before because her schedule was unpredictable. She had to take care of her mother at the care facility, and...Faced with his renewed invitation, she offered a polite nod and gently declined again. "Mr. Landon, thank you so much for your high regard. If you ever need freelance help in the future, as long as I have the time, I'll absolutely assist you."Mr. Landon didn't push it, though he looked visibly disappointed.Quinn then received a call from her best friend, Yara Chase, saying she was passing by with the kids.Overjoyed, she hurried outside. The moment her daughter Luna saw her, the little girl rushed over on her short legs.Her sweet, sticky voice rang out. "Mommy!"Yara laughed. "Don't blame me for only bringing Luna. Your Caleb acts like such a little grown-up. He knows I can't carry both of them, so he stayed behind and let his sister come."Chapter 3It was late spring in Fairmont. After days of clear skies, a sudden spring rain began to fall.When Quinn Avery stepped out of the gynecology clinic, she didn't notice the person emerging from the adjacent corridor. She crashed right into him, sending her paperwork fluttering across the floor."I—I'm sorry."She quickly apologized, dropping to a crouch in a panic to gather her scattered documents.An expensive, polished black leather shoe stepped firmly onto her papers. Unable to pull them free, she offered an apologetic smile."Excuse me, could you lift your foot?"The man didn't move. Instead, Quinn felt a somber, piercing gaze bore into the top of her head.Someone picked up a stray sheet and gasped, "Hymen reconstruction?"The mocking, painfully familiar voice made Quinn freeze instantly.It was Jade Winter. What were the odds of running into her at the hospital?And the man wearing those expensive shoes—without a doubt—was her soon-to-be ex-husband, Miles York.Ever since Jade returned from abroad with her child, Miles had demanded to terminate his contract marriage with Quinn three months early.Over the past three months, he had been glued to Jade's side. Quinn had seen them together countless times.By now, she was numb to it.But this was the gynecology department. What were they doing here?She stood up stiffly, watching Jade stroke her lower abdomen while casting a triumphant look in her direction.Quinn's breath hitched. Was it possible... was she pregnant with Miles's child again?Were they having their second baby?The thought pierced Quinn's chest, releasing a suffocating wave of despair.Her own twins had never met their father since the day they were born. She had been forced to hide them away, living a life of secrecy."Quinn, I never expected you'd come to a hospital to consult about something like this," Jade cooed.Jade's makeup was flawless, her features stunningly delicate.Dressed in a cream-colored, v-neck blouse with butterfly sleeves, her luminous skin was radiant. A pair of elegant heels perfectly accentuated her slender, graceful figure.Quinn, having just been caught in the rain, had only managed a haphazard wipe of her hair. Damp strands clung to her scalp, making her look unkempt and messy—the very picture of a chaotic, disorganized woman.Standing next to the exquisite woman before her, the contrast was painfully stark.Miles's jaw tightened into a sharp line. His predatory gaze locked onto the woman in front of him, as if trying to rip her apart with his eyes."Quinn, we aren't even divorced yet, and you're already plotting these filthy tricks. Which man are you planning to use this on?"His buddy's words from the VIP lounge echoed in his mind: 'Quinn has probably been with countless guys before. I really feel bad for you, Mr. York. I can't believe you married such a disgusting woman!'Now, he highly doubted the authenticity of their first night together at the hotel. Had she faked that too?He was the heir to one of Fairmont's most powerful billionaire families, and she was merely the daughter of the York family's former maid.If it hadn't been for that accident four years ago, two people from such vastly different worlds would never have been tied together.Quinn looked at the furious man questioning her, her heart turning icy. She pressed her lips together and said, "I'm not. You... you're misunderstanding."Jade clung to Miles's arm, laughing softly. "Quinn, you really have no self-respect."Passersby stared at the drably dressed woman, eyeing the intimate medical forms in her hands.No matter how you looked at it, the whole scene was utterly absurd.The crowd whispered among themselves, their eyes brimming with contempt and disgust.Quinn paled for a moment. She grabbed her pamphlets and tried to leave, but Miles blocked her path.His voice dropped to a dark, menacing warning. "Quinn, after the divorce, I don't care what you do. But right now, you need to remember your place!"A suffocating wave of despair crashed over Quinn, leaving a heavy lump in her throat that made it hard to breathe.She opened her mouth, but her throat felt completely tight.The desperate urge to explain rolled over her tongue again and again, but ultimately, she swallowed the words back down.Forget it.If she told him someone had stolen her identity to file this and she was merely here to investigate, would he even believe her?No.Any explanation, no matter how truthful, would just look like guilty backpedaling in his eyes.Over the past few years, hadn't she tried enough?Anyway, once the divorce waiting period ended next week, they would finalize the paperwork at the Town Hall and sever all ties.She would just be a stranger to him. He could think whatever he wanted.Jade adopted a gentle, persuasive tone. "Miles, her mother's care facility bills are quite expensive. She's relied on the York family's charity all these years. If she can't scrape together the money for future treatments, she's naturally going to resort to these kinds of methods.""Still, Quinn, I have to give you a piece of advice. A woman needs to respect her own body. You should really learn to value yourself."Quinn's knuckles turned white as she gripped the papers. Anger flared in her chest, and she had to fight the urge to slap the woman across the face.Because the York family had paid her mother's medical bills over the years, she had always kept her head down and swallowed her pride.The doctor recently mentioned her mother was showing signs of improvement and would soon be able to take care of herself.Just endure it a little longer. Once the divorce was finalized, she could take her mother and the children away from Fairmont, far from these agonizing people and situations.Sensing Quinn's vulnerability, Jade's eyes gleamed with hidden triumph and provocation as she offered a delicate smile.Sounding incredibly considerate, she added, "Miles, why don't you pay her a portion of the alimony in advance? That way, Quinn won't have to go out and..." Sell herself.She left the final word unspoken, but everyone present understood the malicious implication perfectly.The crowd's gazes grew even more hostile, and the whispers escalated into outright sneers.The judgmental, disgusted stares pelted Quinn like a barrage of icy arrows, heavy and sharp.Quinn's fingertips trembled with cold. The rage she had kept tightly leashed in her chest finally exploded. She raised her hand and slapped Jade hard across the face."Smack!"The force of the blow knocked Jade's face to the side. "Jade, you're clinging to someone else's husband, and you dare lecture me about self-respect?""If you want to preach, why don't you learn some basic decency first?"At those words, the crowd let out a collective gasp. "Whoa!""So she's the actual homewrecker? Why is she acting like the wife?"The bystanders turned their disdain and mockery toward Jade. "Clinging to someone else's husband, ruining a marriage, and still acting so high and mighty? Gross!""How does she even have the nerve to say such shameless things?""Mistresses these days have zero shame!""What a total bitch!"The crowd gossiped loudly, pointing fingers at Jade and Miles.Jade cupped her burning cheek, her fingers digging into her palms in pure resentment.Her eyes immediately welled up, shimmering with a thin layer of tears as she cast a fragile, pitiful look at the wealthy, handsome man beside her."Miles..."Miles tenderly touched her slightly swollen cheek, his expression turning instantly murderous.He grabbed Quinn's wrist, his voice vibrating with dark fury."Quinn, how dare you? Apologize to Jade!"His grip was bone-crushing, as if he meant to snap her wrist in half if she refused.Quinn winced in pain, struggling to break free. "Let... let me go."But seeing her refuse to apologize, Miles didn't let up. He tightened his hold, nearly crushing her bones.His jaw set into a lethal line, his tone dropping to freezing temperatures. "I won't say it again!"If she didn't apologize, he had plenty of ways to make her regret it.Seeing the pitch-black rage in his eyes, Quinn knew the consequences of defiance would be severe.But she absolutely refused to apologize to Jade Winter."Miles, you're completely blind! Jade insulted me first. Why can't I fight back? She started it!"At her words, Miles's expression darkened further, and his grip tightened menacingly.Quinn's vision blurred, her face pale from the intense pain, but she stubbornly refused to apologize, forcing her tears back down."What's going on here? Why the crowd?""Make way, please. Let's communicate like adults, no need to fight."A doctor's voice echoed from down the hall. Forced to comply, Miles finally released his grip on Quinn.Thrown off balance, Quinn slammed hard into the wall. Her forehead scraped against the surface, immediately welling up with a bright streak of crimson.Miles looked slightly surprised, his footsteps faltering.Beside him, Jade clutched her chest and let out a pained whimper. "Miles... my chest hurts.""Doctor!"Miles swept Jade up into his arms. Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she shot a victorious smile over his shoulder at Quinn.Clutching her bleeding forehead, Quinn watched Miles sprint away. The last lingering shred of hope in her heart turned completely to ice.Even though this was just a contract marriage, no one knew that Quinn had secretly loved him for years.But she was also painfully aware of the massive gap between them, forcing her to bury those feelings deep inside.If it hadn't been for that accident... she and he belonged to completely different worlds and would never have crossed paths.The throb in her forehead and the ache in her wrist were nothing compared to the tearing agony in her chest. Using the wall for support, she pulled herself up.A doctor and nurse rushed over. "Miss, your forehead needs to be disinfected and bandaged.""I'm fine, thank you."She was in a rush to get to the Global Tech Pavilion to work as a translator. She had already accepted an advance deposit last night.If she didn't make it in time, she wouldn't be able to afford the client's losses....Quinn rushed to the tech exhibition center without a second to spare. She hurried into the restroom to fix her hair and makeup, changing into the professional attire arranged by the assistant.She slipped on her glasses. When she stepped out, her entire aura had transformed into that of a sharp, elegant corporate professional—calm, poised, and utterly confident.Facing the foreign delegates, she spoke flawlessly, seamlessly transitioning between English, German, and French without missing a beat.The foreign executives praised her in broken English, and Mr. Landon enthusiastically agreed.She had spent hours pouring over the technical documents, mastering every detail.Her translation was effortless and precise, without a single moment of hesitation.When the exhibition concluded, she happily received a generous bonus from Mr. Landon."My wife is going dress shopping this week for an upcoming international summit. She just arrived in Fairmont and doesn't know anyone here. She'd love to invite you along. Are you free this Friday, Ms. Avery?"Having just received such a massive bonus, Quinn couldn't possibly refuse."Mr. Landon, I have time on Friday."Mr. Landon smiled and nodded. "You are incredibly brilliant and capable, Ms. Avery. A rare talent indeed. If you ever want to come work for my company, the door is always open!"Quinn had declined Mr. Landon's job offers before because her schedule was unpredictable. She had to take care of her mother at the care facility, and...Faced with his renewed invitation, she offered a polite nod and gently declined again. "Mr. Landon, thank you so much for your high regard. If you ever need freelance help in the future, as long as I have the time, I'll absolutely assist you."Mr. Landon didn't push it, though he looked visibly disappointed.Quinn then received a call from her best friend, Yara Chase, saying she was passing by with the kids.Overjoyed, she hurried outside. The moment her daughter Luna saw her, the little girl rushed over on her short legs.Her sweet, sticky voice rang out. "Mommy!"Yara laughed. "Don't blame me for only bringing Luna. Your Caleb acts like such a little grown-up. He knows I can't carry both of them, so he stayed behind and let his sister come."