Rosalind’s expression had changed then, but she said nothing, enduring until now to set this trap.

From beginning to end, the most jealous person was Rosalind.

"It’s just a wooden cane; it couldn't possibly be that painful. June, stop faking it."

She watched the silhouettes of Xavier supporting Rosalind as they drifted further away, until she finally could no longer hold on and fainted.

When she opened her eyes again, it was two days later. She was still at that stairwell, her body covered in the blood from that day. For two whole days, not a single person had come to check on her.

She even heard from the servants that because Rosalind was in a bad mood, Xavier had taken her out for two days without asking about June once.

On social media, they were fishing by the river together, having barbecues and picnics, and watching the sunset at the mountain peak... but Xavier never let her do these ordinary things.

"You are to be the mistress of the Thorne family; you must cultivate elegant interests. These things are beneath you."

It was all lies...

Tears blurred the dried blood on the floor. She clutched her injured leg and painfully used the wall to stand, coming face-to-face with Rosalind, who had just returned from outside.

Chapter 8

Rosalind was wearing the gown June had custom-ordered for the Thorne matriarch’s birthday banquet. She wore the emerald earrings Xavier had given her and watched as servants carried bags of expensive jewelry into her room.

As if only just noticing June standing by the wall covered in blood, she feigned surprise. "Mistress, why do you smell so sour?"

"Dressing yourself like that... in what capacity do you intend to attend the matriarch’s birthday?"

The answer was self-evident, yet when Rosalind told her personally, June’s fingertips still trembled.

"Mr. Thorne has looked at your face for five years; he’s long since tired of it. You didn't truly believe he ever intended to marry you, did you? It was just for fun."

After their wedding ceremony, the matter of registering their marriage had been delayed again and again. Initially, she was anxious, but Xavier always comforted her: "We are a prestigious family with many rules. This is how generations have lived. Since I married you, I won't fail you. When my mother changes her views and likes you as much as I do, the registration will come naturally."

One year, two years, three years—he used his actions to prove that their love didn't need a certificate.

But in the end, she had given her heart and soul, only for him to say he was "tired." Their sacred vows had vanished into thin air.

Rosalind threw a performance contract in front of her.

"The condition for adding joy to the Thorne family through generations has always been an arranged marriage. To that end, Xavier Thorne hired a group of actors to play his elders and staged a wedding for you. The matriarch you have visited every year was nothing more than an extra he hired for five years."

"What..."

The blade of truth tore through her flesh inch by inch, pouring agonizing salt into her wounds. Her heart felt as if it had been ripped out; she couldn't even shed a tear.

It was all fake... he had used lies to weave a cage for her for five years!

"He lied to me... he lied to me so cruelly..."

"The birthday banquet is about to start. Mr. Thorne will be coming to pick me up soon."

Rosalind smoothed her hair and reached out to yank the necklace from June’s neck.

"No wonder I couldn't find the necklace that fits this gown best; it was with you."

Hidden inside this necklace was a piece of ash from one of Xavier Thorne’s ribs.

"If I ever betray you, let me be shattered just like this rib."

June did not resist. Since everything was a lie, the bone ash was surely a lie as well.

"Tonight, I will surely win the matriarch’s favor, and I will be the only choice for the mistress of the Thorne house."

June returned to her room, endured the pain to stabilize her ankle with wooden blocks, and changed into a servant's uniform.

Sounds of scolding and hitting drifted from Rosalind’s room.

"The blush is wrong!"

"This hairstyle is hideous!"

Every servant in the house was preparing for Rosalind’s appearance at the banquet; it was a chaotic mess.

Taking advantage of the chaos, June swapped Rosalind’s gift with a USB drive she had prepared long ago.

Having done everything, she mingled with the crowd, keeping her head low as she walked toward the door, only for Xavier Thorne’s voice to crash down from above.

"Where are you going?"

June clenched her hands, her heart hanging in mid-air.

How did she run right into Xavier?

If she was discovered now, everything would be ruined. She couldn't panic!

"How is the mistress’s preparation coming along?"

The voice sounded again. Just as she was about to speak, a newly hired girl beside her rushed to answer as if seeking credit: "Who knows what the mistress is fussing about now? She just finished scolding Teacher Vane and has locked herself in her room. She’s throwing a tantrum without even considering what day it is..."

"Get out!"

June took the opportunity to slip away right under the man’s nose along with the scolded girl.

She took one last look at the cage that had trapped her for five years—a place filled with false affection and fake love—and walked toward the door without a trace of lingering regret.

"Xavier Thorne, I never want to see you again in this life."

Chapter 9

The fire in Xavier Thorne’s heart burned even hotter. He irritably loosened his tie and strode toward June’s door, but stopped just short of it, his anger mostly dissipating.

He thought about how he had intentionally ignored her for two days; she must be incredibly jealous after seeing those social media posts.

Then he worried that the swelling on her leg where he hit her hadn't gone down. It wouldn't be pleasing to the eye if such porcelain-white skin was covered in bruises, so he softened his tone.

"June? My mother’s birthday banquet is about to start. Are you ready to leave?"

There was no response from inside. This immediately made him lose face, and his tone turned impatient.

"You were the one who did something wrong first. I only gave you a symbolic punishment. Is there any need to be this stubborn with me until now!"

Still no answer.

Xavier’s patience was exhausted. He let go of the doorknob, deciding not to enter.

He had truly spoiled June Rivers too much, allowing her to be so reckless as to give him the cold shoulder on such an important day.

"There must be a limit to your tantrums. Look at you—do you have even a shred of the dignity expected of the Thorne mistress! I’ll give you ten minutes. If you don't come out, you don't have to attend!"

Though he said ten minutes, he secretly hoped the woman would throw herself into his arms right now and admit her fault.

"Mr. Thorne."

Rosalind’s radiant appearance truly caught Xavier’s eye, but he noticed something unusual at a glance.

"Why are you wearing June’s clothes?"

Faced with the sudden questioning, Rosalind immediately lowered her eyes, looking hesitant. "I... I should probably take them off."

Thinking of June’s temperament, Xavier guessed a few things himself.

"Back then, she liked this designer’s work, and I pulled every string I had just to get the master to spend three months custom-making a dress for her. And look at her—throwing a fit, saying she doesn't want it. Rosalind, since she gave it to you, just wear it. In the future, even if she wants it again, she won't get it even if she begs me."

He intentionally raised his voice, but the deathly silence from the room made him grit his teeth so hard they nearly shattered.

"The mistress... she..."

"Tell me, what has she done now?"

Rosalind observed Xavier’s enraged expression, chewing over her lies word by word.

"I just came back and told the mistress to change and get ready. Not only did she refuse to listen to me, but she also hit me and cursed the matriarch..."

Xavier’s face turned ashen, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"What did she call my mother?"

"Mr. Thorne, it’s all because I haven't taught her well, allowing her to be so foul-mouthed... She called the matriarch a 'dying old hag'..."

"What!"

He never imagined June would be so outrageous!

He could no longer suppress his fury and was about to burst in, but Rosalind immediately grabbed the doorknob.

Deep red marks—traces of the sheep whip—came into view on her hand, looking as if she would break at a touch.

"Today is the matriarch’s birthday; you absolutely must not argue with the mistress for my sake. The guests are arriving soon; we should head to the venue first. I think the mistress needs some time alone to calm down. She will think of the bigger picture and follow us shortly."