The moment he opened the closet to put it away, he froze.

In the wardrobe hung row after row of solemn black, white, and gray.

The red dress looked so striking, so jarring.

Julian suddenly realized that Flora hadn't worn her favorite color, red, for a long time.

And it seemed this habit had changed because of him.

That familiar, vague restlessness returned, though he couldn't say if it was guilt or something else.

He pressed his lips tight, tossed the dress inside, and turned to leave.

13

The next day, the assistant placed a file folder on Julian’s desk.

He kept his head lowered, not daring to meet Julian’s gaze:

"Mr. Yan, we reported her missing in your name as her family, and the police department informed us that you and Madam have already... dissolved your marriage."

Julian stared for a long time at the dark red cover of the document inside the transparent folder, where the words "Divorce Certificate" were printed in gold foil.

Long after the air had stagnated, he suddenly let out a cold laugh:

"Divorce? Who gave permission?"

The assistant didn't dare to make a sound.

Julian grabbed the folder and opened it.

The divorce certificate was flipped open; it bore a fresh date and a raised seal. It didn't look fake.

He had divorced her, and he hadn't even known about it himself.

He thought back to that day when he had signed the divorce agreement without a second thought; he had been certain she wouldn't dare, but she had dared to do it after all.

Julian’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the certificate, as if he wanted to burn a hole right through it.

He shouldn't have felt anything; he had never loved Flora to begin with.

Yet at this moment, he felt an overwhelming anger—he couldn't tell if it was the fury of being played for a fool, or the helpless rage of a situation already set in stone.

He stood up abruptly, and with a "swish," swept everything off his desk.

Laptop, mug, and files crashed to the floor with a clatter.

Julian sneered:

"How dare she? How could she dare!"

The assistant felt a chill of terror; this was already the second time in recent days that Julian had lost control to this degree of rage.

Mr. Yan had never thrown tantrums like this in the past; he had always been a figure of calm and restraint, both in public and in private.

After venting, Julian finally sat down in defeat, clutching his head.

"Find her. You all get out there and find her for me..."

He dragged out the words, weak and exhausted.

The assistant raised his eyes cautiously, seeing the man who was usually so cold and composed now looking downcast and worn out, his eyes bloodshot and seemingly on the verge of tears.

He couldn't bear to look any longer and retreated with a murmured acknowledgment.

Julian closed his eyes, and his heart began to ache so intensely he could no longer suppress it.

It felt as if the most vital, living piece of his heart had been ripped away, yet no matter what he did, he couldn't reach out and grab it.

On the other side, Flora had arrived in Los Angeles and settled in.

She had come to seek refuge with her best friend, Luna.

The two had been inseparable as children, growing up together in New York until they were fifteen. Later, Luna’s family moved to Los Angeles. Although they saw each other less, they had never lost touch.

At the moment, she was sitting in Luna’s home.

Located on the most expensive piece of land in Los Angeles, the wall-to-wall windows offered a view of the winding river and the dazzling city lights.

Luna downed a glass of ice-cold wine and sighed with relief:

"You should have stayed away from that man ages ago. I told you, a man who is sexually impotent like that has psychological issues—he’s a pervert, okay?"

"You chose to lick the boots of an iceberg instead of picking from the countless hot male models who were falling over themselves for you?"

Flora wiped her eyes with a tissue; they were still red and swollen:

"He’s not impotent; he’s asexual."

"Fine, fine, asexual." Luna waved her hand. "And he can still cheat while being asexual? Truly impressive. I guess he’s only asexual when it comes to you."

"You masochist. What are your plans now?"

Flora fell silent for a moment: "I want revenge."

Luna nearly choked on her wine: "Revenge? Are you serious?"

Flora rolled her eyes at her: "Do you think I spent ten years in the Yan family just eating for free?"

Luna became interested: "Tell me more."

...

"Impressive!" Luna gave a thumbs-up, stunned. "You actually carved off 60% of Julian’s private assets? What will you do if he finds out?"

Flora laughed: "How could he ever have valued me enough to look?"

"Even if he did find out, he wouldn't bother trying to take it back, and he certainly wouldn't believe I had the capability to use that money to do anything to him."

Luna laughed: "Well, make sure you don't let him off the hook. I can’t wait to see the look on his face once he’s defeated by you. It’s bound to be spectacular."

She patted her shoulder: "If you need any help, just say the word."

Flora looked at her with some emotion and nodded.

Just then, the door opened, and a handsome guy walked in, tossing a basketball from his left hand to his right.

He wore baggy shorts and a tank top, his hair still slightly damp with sweat, radiating the youthful scent of hormones—a quintessential younger "bad boy" type.

When he caught Flora’s gaze, he paused.

Flora froze too, frantically signaling Luna with her eyes: I remember your boyfriend doesn't look like that? Did you change him again? Is he even an adult?

Luna was completely confused.

The handsome guy suddenly smiled, strode over to Flora, and pulled her into a hug, catching her completely off guard.

Flora: ?

The boy's body was scorching hot, smelling of a pleasant, soapy scent that seemed to carry the warmth of the sun.

He nuzzled her neck, acting like a spoiled pet: "Sister Flora, you actually came to Los Angeles to see me? I missed you so much!"

Flora blushed deeply: "Is this kid your brother?"

Luna nodded blankly: "Yeah, who else would he be if not my brother?"

Flora felt a jolt in her heart and quickly reined in her wild assumptions.

Speaking of Luna’s brother, Leo, she remembered a little snot-nosed kid who used to trail behind her and Luna, whom she had found incredibly annoying.

She never expected that growing up would change him so much; he had actually grown into such a vibrant young man.

Flora shook her head and sighed—time really flew too fast.

She didn't notice Luna’s eyes darting between the two of them as a cunning, mischievous smile spread across her face.

14

New York, Jiang Family residence.

Arthur Jiang, with a bruised and swollen face, knelt before Julian, crying and begging for mercy:

"Son-in-law, no, no, Mr. Yan, I really don't know where that ungrateful wretch has gone!"

"She hasn't contacted me at all, nor has she come to the Jiang house. I’ve searched all of New York and asked around in the country; there’s really no news of her at all!"

Julian curled his lips coldly.

He raised his foot, and in the next second, his expensive leather shoe stomped down hard on the back of Arthur’s hand, grinding it with force:

"'Ungrateful wretch'—is that a term you can use to address my wife?"

Arthur’s face contorted in extreme pain, but he didn't dare to move.

In the past, this man had never cared about his daughter; he had been free to discipline and berate her as he pleased.

Logically speaking, if a hateful woman disappeared, it should have been exactly what he wanted. Who could have guessed that Julian would suddenly change his tune? He was a complete lunatic!

But Arthur didn't dare speak these thoughts aloud; he could only cry and admit his fault:

"I was wrong, Mr. Yan, I won't do it again. It’s Madam! Madam!"

Julian retracted his foot coldly:

"Since Flora won't come back, I have no reason to show mercy to the Jiang family."

He gestured to his assistant: "Release those unsavory secrets to the public."

Arthur’s face turned deathly pale instantly.

He crawled desperately to Julian’s feet, grabbing his pant leg and sobbing:

"I was wrong! Mr. Yan! I was wrong, please spare me! I will definitely find Madam and bring her back, even if I have to risk this old life of mine, I will bring her back!"

"Mr. Yan, I beg you! Please spare the Jiang family! For Madam’s sake, at least!"

He cried and begged, tears and snot streaming down his face.