"Found it!" a bodyguard shouted, rushing down from the second floor while holding the gold-plated trophy.

Jasper took the trophy and walked away, holding Susan’s hand with satisfaction.

Before leaving, Susan glanced back at Zoe, a victorious smile playing on her lips.

"Zoe, don't be sad." Lucas stepped forward, comforting her gently. "Later on, we’ll build you a villa exactly the same."

"That's right, we’ll buy you new versions of everything that was smashed." Hugo and Jude echoed.

Zoe looked at them and suddenly laughed, a sarcasm in her smile that couldn't be described. "Is it... not tiring to keep up this act?"

The three were stunned. "What?"

Zoe didn't say another word and turned to leave.

Zoe moved into a new villa in the suburbs, staying behind closed doors all day, just waiting for Julian to return to the country.

It wasn't until the eve of her birthday that she finally went out to the city’s most high-end boutique to pick out a gown.

But as soon as she walked in, she saw Susan.

They both had their eyes on the exact same gown.

"I’ll take this one," Zoe said blandly.

The shop assistant recognized Zoe and immediately smiled flatteringly. "Miss Wen, you have such good taste! This gown is a limited edition worldwide; only someone of your status is worthy of it!"

As she spoke, she cast a contemptuous glance at Susan. "As for some people... you'd better look at something else. This kind of haute couture isn't something commoners can wear."

Susan’s eyes turned red, and she immediately pulled out her phone to make a call. "Jasper... come quickly... I’m being bullied..."

Zoe’s heart sank; she realized immediately that things were taking a turn for the worse.

She didn't even have time to change out of the gown; she turned and ran.

But just as she reached the parking lot—

"Bang!"

A sharp pain struck the back of her head. Her vision went black, and she lost consciousness completely.

When her consciousness slowly returned, Zoe found herself suspended on the outer wall of the Wen Group building.

High up on the 69th floor, the cold wind cut through her skin like a knife. She looked down and discovered she was wearing only thin undergarments; her exposed skin was turning blue in the cold wind, and she had almost lost all sensation.

"Awake?"

Jasper’s cold voice came from above.

Zoe struggled to lift her head, meeting those phoenix eyes that had once fascinated her; now, only bone-chilling cold remained.

It was him...

It was he who had stripped her bare and hung her on this skyscraper?!

Zoe’s pupils constricted violently, her heart gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

Before she could even question him, Jasper leaned down, his slender fingers pinching her chin.

"Zoe, don't you like fighting with Susan over things? Then remember today’s lesson well. Next time you try to grab something, weigh whether you can bear the consequences first."

With that, he let go and walked away, not even sparing her a single extra glance.

Footsteps faded into the distance in Zoe’s ears, followed by the faint sound of conversation in the hallway.

"Daring to fight Susan for things, we have to make her suffer a bit." Lucas’s icy voice was tinged with cruelty.

"Should we rescue her in an hour?" Hugo pushed up his glasses, his tone light, as if he were discussing today's weather.

"Better hang her for a day; she won't die anyway." Jude chuckled in agreement. "We might as well use this time to pick out a new gown for Susan."

The three sets of footsteps gradually moved away, leaving Zoe alone suspended 69 floors up.

The biting wind was piercing; Zoe trembled, her lips turning purple from the cold.

She clenched her teeth, but tears streamed down uncontrollably.

Why...

Why did they have to treat her this way?

She had once thought that even if they didn't love her, at least they should have some childhood affection for her.

But now, it seemed, they treated her worse than a stranger.

Early the next morning, commuters passing by stopped and pointed at Zoe hanging in mid-air, whispering among themselves.

"My god! Isn't that the eldest lady of the Wen family?"

"Why is she hanging there? And... dressed like that?"

"Tsk tsk, how shameful..."

Zoe looked down at the crowd, who appeared like ants beneath her feet, wishing she could die of humiliation and just let go of the rope.

Just then, Lucas and the other two finally arrived.

"Zoe! I’m sorry!" Lucas rushed over with a face full of "anxiety." "We just found out you were tied here by Jasper!"

Hugo hurriedly took off his coat and draped it over her trembling shoulders. "Don't be afraid, we’ll take you home."

Jude knelt down and said softly, "I’m sorry. We promise we will never let you be hurt like this again."

Zoe slowly looked up, saw their hypocritical masks, and suddenly laughed.

The smile was heartbreakingly desolate.

"Get lost."

The three were stunned. "Zoe?"

"I said, get lost." Zoe pushed them away and forced herself to stand up. "Isn't all the harm I've suffered caused by you all?!"

The three men’s expressions flickered, but they quickly resumed their gentle look.

"Zoe, you’ve misunderstood. We really didn't know..."

Zoe didn't want to listen any longer and turned to leave.

Chapter 8

On the eve of her birthday, the three of them came knocking again.

"Zoe," Lucas leaned against the doorframe, his gaze burning. "You’ll definitely choose Jasper tomorrow, right?"

Zoe looked at them expressionlessly. "I said I wouldn't choose him."

"Stop being stubborn." Hugo sighed. "If Jasper rejects you, don't worry, there's still us."

"That's right," Jude stepped forward, his voice low. "We love you so much, why must you be obsessed with Jasper? Why can't you turn around and look at us?"

Zoe found it laughable.

Why did they think she would still choose between them?

"Don't worry." She turned around, her eyes as calm as water. "I won't be choosing any of you."

The three looked at each other, clearly not taking her refusal seriously, assuming she was just throwing a tantrum, and soon left.

However, not long after, Jasper arrived too.

"Zoe, I know you will choose me tomorrow." He stood at the door, impeccably dressed in a suit, his eyes cold. "I’ll accept it, but you must promise me you won't hurt Susan again, or else—"

"I won't be choosing you." Zoe interrupted him.

Jasper scoffed. "Do you think I'd believe that?"

He couldn't be bothered to say more and turned to leave.

Zoe closed her eyes in exhaustion, until the ringing of a phone broke the silence.

"Zoe," Mrs. Wen’s voice came through. "We’ve spoken with Julian; he will arrive at the venue on time tomorrow."

She paused, her tone hesitant. "Are you... really sure you want to choose Julian?"

Zoe gripped her phone, her fingertips trembling slightly. "I'm sure!"

On her birthday, the banquet hall was magnificent, with crystal chandeliers reflecting dazzling light.

Zoe entered in a red dress, the hem swaying like flames behind her, stunning everyone.

Lucas and the other two swarmed over immediately.

"Zoe," Lucas’s gaze was burning, his voice low. "You are so beautiful tonight that one can't look away."

"This dress suits you perfectly." Hugo smiled gently.

"Happy birthday, Little Princess." Jude handed over a glass of champagne.

Just as Zoe was about to speak, the venue suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

She turned to look—

Jasper walked in slowly, arm-in-arm with Susan.

And Susan was wearing a red dress exactly the same as hers!

The whole venue erupted in an uproar.

Lucas and the other two turned pale and immediately found an excuse to leave. "Zoe, we have something urgent to attend to; we’ll come find you in a moment."

Zoe stood where she was, her heart sinking heavily.

Jasper walked straight toward her, his voice chillingly cold. "Zoe, either you go change into another gown right now, or—"

His eyes narrowed dangerously, "I’ll rip it off you myself."

Zoe gripped her hem tightly, not moving an inch.

Jasper lost his patience and waved his hand. "Someone, take her to change."

Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and dragged Zoe away by force.

Ten minutes later, Zoe reappeared in the venue, wearing a plain white dress, her face as pale as paper.

The banquet officially began. The emcee smiled and asked, "Miss Wen, who would you like to choose as your fiance today?"

Zoe took a deep breath. "Wait a moment longer."

Lucas frowned. "Zoe, who are you waiting for?"

Just then—

"Bang!"

The doors to the banquet hall were pushed open.

Mr. and Mrs. Wen walked in, and behind them followed a tall, imposing man.

He wore a well-tailored black suit, his features sharp as if carved by a knife, exuding a suffocating, powerful aura.

He was back.

He had finally returned.

Zoe’s eyes turned red instantly, her vision blurring with tears.