Chapter 1

Julian Sterling and Celine Quinn were the model couple of the elite social circle—well-matched, striking in appearance, and deeply devoted to each other.

The only regret was that after three years of marriage, Celine had yet to bear them a child.

While the outside world whispered that Celine was the one to blame, only she knew that Julian suffered from azoospermia.

Just as she reached her wit's end, constantly pressured by Julian’s parents, she unexpectedly received news of her husband’s infidelity.

In the photos she received, Julian was accompanying a woman to the hospital for a prenatal check-up, his gaze fixed on her with boundless tenderness.

Celine stared at the images, her heart unable to find peace for a long time. The woman in the photos was no stranger to her; she was a student whom she and Julian had been sponsoring together.

An act of kindness from the past had, unexpectedly, invited a wolf into their home.

That evening, Julian returned home smelling of alcohol, collapsing onto the sofa. His shirt collar was slightly unbuttoned, revealing hickeys on his neck that were impossible to ignore.

Celine did not rush to confront him. Instead, she asked, "Why did you drink so much?"

Julian replied, "There’s momentous news to celebrate."

Celine fell silent for a moment before pulling out the evidence of his affair and throwing it at him, mocking, "Is it because Sienna is pregnant?"

"So, you know," Julian said, picking up the photos without a shred of guilt for being caught. "As you can see, it’s true."

Hearing him admit it so casually, Celine felt lost. "Why? Don't you suffer from azoospermia?"

"The infertility was a lie. I could never have children with someone I don't love."

Hearing this, Celine recalled everything that had happened since their marriage, a sudden realization striking her like a lightning bolt.

Shortly after they married, Julian had presented her with a medical report claiming he was infertile, using it as an excuse to refuse intimacy.

Celine had never doubted him. Out of consideration for his pride, she had chosen to be understanding while silently shouldering the stigma of infertility alone.

She had endured the cold glares of Julian’s parents and the gossip of outsiders, never realizing that it was all a fabrication.

And the truth at the end of the lies was simply that Julian did not love her.

Unable to accept this, Celine broke down. "How could you lie to me? How could you be with Sienna? She has a boyfriend!"

"That is not for you to worry about. I will handle it," he said, his eyes flashing with intense possessiveness. "I waited three years to see Sienna grow up. I couldn't wait any longer."

Three years? A sharp, needle-like pain pricked Celine's heart.

He had waited for Sienna for three years, so what did that make her own three years?

She remembered when they had first gone to select a student to sponsor. Julian, who was usually so rigorous, had chosen Sienna without even a background check. He must have already been in love with her back then, and now, he had even stooped to being the 'other man.'

After announcing his infidelity, Julian dropped another bombshell.

"Now that you know everything, it works out perfectly. I’m worried about Sienna living alone while pregnant, so I’m moving her into the estate to rest."

"As for you," Julian shifted his tone, glancing at her with cold indifference, "out of respect for our many years of acquaintance, you may continue to be Mrs. Sterling. Do not think of trying to retaliate against anyone. Don’t forget, the power of the Quinn family is not what it used to be."

With those words, he turned and left, cruel and resolute.

Celine stood rooted to the spot for a long time, feeling as though she had been a joke for these past years.

She had met Julian at an elite banquet.

Back then, she was surrounded by scions obsessed with indulgence and debauchery, all behaving recklessly. Only he stood still, unmoved by the outside temptations, radiating a sense of ascetic detachment.

Celine had been instantly drawn to that aura of untouchability, and from then on, her eyes had never wandered to anyone else.

Three years ago, when she heard that the Sterling family company was facing an unprecedented crisis, she had been frantic with worry, unable to sleep or eat for days.

So, when the Sterling family came to propose, she ignored her family’s opposition and pushed forward, marrying Julian.

Their marriage was less of a business alliance and more of a rescue mission.

For three years, the Sterling family had weathered the storm with the Quinn family's help, their commercial map expanding until it far exceeded that of the Quinns.

Yet in the end, it was all just a scheme.

To her, this marriage was a long-premeditated infatuation; to Julian, it was merely marrying a woman he didn't love because he had reached a dead end.

After a long time, Celine wiped away her tears, her eyes reflecting only the clear-headedness that follows total disappointment.

Her parents had passed away, and the Quinn family had lost its influence. Julian was gambling on the fact that she couldn't live without him and wouldn't be willing to give up her position as Mrs. Sterling.

But what he didn't know was that before she married into his family, her parents—fearing future contingencies—had already transferred a massive fortune belonging to her to an account abroad.

Once her residency permit for overseas was approved, she would be able to leave this place forever.

Chapter 2

It would take about a week for the paperwork to be finalized. Celine stepped out of the embassy, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.

In just seven days, she would be able to leave Julian and start over.

Returning to the Sterling Estate, she found Sienna directing the servants on how to redecorate the rooms.

"Take down these curtains; the color is too ominous."

"Move that vase away. What if it falls and hurts my baby?"

The maid hesitated, "But these were all chosen by Madam..."

"Is it Madam who calls the shots in this house, or Julian?" Sienna asked, looking quite disdainful yet triumphant. "As long as I like it, Julian will agree to it."

The maid had no choice but to comply.

At that moment, Sienna caught sight of Celine standing at the entrance and swayed toward her.

Celine looked at Sienna’s slightly protruding belly, her heart gripped by an invisible hand.

"Sister, you're back." Sienna was acting as sweet as ever in front of her.

But Celine was no longer falling for it, watching Sienna’s performance with cold, indifferent eyes.

"I heard that since the wedding, Julian has never touched you. No wonder he was like that with me in bed—turns out he’d been holding it in for too long," Sienna laughed bashfully. "I never imagined Julian, looking so gentle and refined, could be so vigorous. For seven days and seven nights, I was completely worn out..."

Three years of marriage, and Celine had lived like a widow, while her own husband was outside frolicking with another woman.

Celine couldn't take it anymore. She looked at her and said:

"Enough, Sienna. As long as I am still in the Sterling household, you are not Mrs. Sterling. It is not your turn to throw your weight around."

Having said that, she turned and walked upstairs without looking back.

Sienna watched her back, her eyes filled with venom, but in the next second, she regained her smile and brought up a cup of hot tea.

It was the same tea set Celine always used.

"Sister, this is to pay my respects. If you drink this, can we live in harmony from now on?"

Celine didn't know what she was plotting. She had seen too many scenes of people throwing hot water in novels like this and originally didn't want to reach out. Who knew that in the next second, Sienna would pour the tea directly onto her hand.

A searing, agonizing pain struck. Celine looked down to see the skin on her hand rapidly turning charred and black.

It was sulfuric acid!

Celine let out a shriek, and at the same time, Sienna suddenly collapsed to the ground.

Julian, having just arrived home, rushed over upon hearing the noise.

"What is going on?"

"Julian, my stomach hurts so much, I can't get up." Sienna clutched her belly with one hand, sobbing with tear-filled eyes.

Julian rushed forward to scoop her up, completely oblivious to Celine, who was writhing in pain nearby.

"How could you trip so easily?" Julian gently stroked Sienna’s hair, his face displaying a tenderness and anxiety Celine had never seen before.

She had thought Julian was just a cold and distant person after they married; she never expected him to be so alive when he truly loved someone.

"Sister Celine insisted on forcing me to drink this tea," Sienna leaned against his chest, still sobbing softly. "When I refused, she pushed me."