"Hahaha... Ryan , is this drug really as powerful as you say? Can it make someone lose their mind and be completely at the mercy of others?"

"Of course, Miss Lila , this is the latest stuff I got from overseas through several connections. It's guaranteed to be colorless and odorless, and no one will notice it if mixed into alcohol. Just let Clara take this tonight, and have a man deliver it to her room, and I guarantee she'll be in heaven. She won't remember a thing tomorrow morning!"

Hearing her name mentioned in such a vile way struck Clara like a thunderbolt, her blood seemingly freezing instantly. She instinctively held her breath, as if drawn by an invisible thread, and moved a few steps closer to the half-open door.

Through the crack in the door, she could clearly see the scene inside the private room— Liam was lounging lazily on the velvet sofa in the center, his long legs crossed, his posture relaxed. He was holding a small bottle of clear liquid in his hand , turning it around casually, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were thinking about something, but his eyes were a bottomless pool, revealing no emotion.

"Wow, Ryan , I didn't expect you to have such connections and influence. You did a great job!" Lila, swaying gracefully in her high heels, walked over to Liam and sat down next to him. She snatched the bag from his hand, examined it closely, and wore a mischievous, excited smile on her face.

Clara takes this drug today , my brother can ‘coincidentally’ catch her in bed with him at the hotel tomorrow morning. With solid evidence, the divorce will be inevitable! Then it will be Clara who cheated on my brother , and for the sake of the Bennett family’s reputation, we will definitely get those shares!” Lila ’s voice was full of calculation and smugness.

She paused, as if remembering something, and her tone became indignant: "Honestly, if it weren't for that old bastard Clara 's father forcing my brother to marry Clara with the investment and shares , Vanessa wouldn't have left for abroad heartbroken, and my brother wouldn't have broken up with Vanessa! It's all Clara's and her father's fault!"

As she spoke, Lila turned to look at Liam , who was still leaning back on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers , silent. She frowned, her tone tinged with a hint of probing and dissatisfaction: "Brother, what's wrong? You haven't said much since earlier. You didn't soften your heart at this crucial moment, did you? You didn't... really fall in love with that stupid woman Clara in these past three years, did you? Don't forget, Vanessa is coming back tomorrow!"

"Fall in love?" Liam finally spoke, his voice low and cold, carrying a hint of mockery. He glanced casually at the potion in Lila's hand , as if it were nothing more than an insignificant item, his tone chillingly indifferent. "It's just a tool to help our family return to the top, a fairly handy stepping stone. How could I possibly fall in love with it?"

He flicked his cigarette ash and continued in his usual, weather-speaking tone, "I'm just thinking about what excuse I can use to get her to take this medicine willingly and without any suspicion. After all, she seems to have become a little 'smarter' lately." He spoke the last few words very softly, yet with a cruel, playful edge.

His tone remained nonchalant, yet every word he uttered was like a red-hot blade, relentlessly piercing Clara 's heart, shattering all her love, devotion, and faith of the past three years.

She never imagined that the man who had just been whispering sweet nothings to her in the lounge, making her believe she was deeply loved, could turn around and calmly plot with someone else how to use the most despicable means to get her into someone else's bed, just to seize her family's property and make room for his beloved.

She met Liam on campus. He was a high achiever, and she was a recognized talent. Their grades were always neck and neck, making them the focus of attention throughout the school. In addition, their families had a close working relationship with their respective companies. Gradually, Clara fell hopelessly in love with this dazzling man.

But by then , Liam already had the gentle and lovely Vanessa by his side . She buried this budding love deep in her heart, never revealing it, only silently watching and sincerely wishing them well.

Three years ago, Vanessa suddenly left the country without warning. Shortly afterward, the Foster family faced bankruptcy due to a major investment mistake. They sought help from the then-powerful Bennett family .

Clara 's father had long seen through his daughter's feelings, and his only request was that Liam marry Clara .

She wasn't oblivious to whether this marriage, which began as a transaction, should have started, nor was she unaware of the complexity and restraint in Liam 's eyes when he proposed. It's just that she loved him, loved him too much, loved him to the point of believing that sincerity could move mountains, loved him so much that she couldn't bear to let go, naively believing that three years of tender companionship could melt the ice in his heart.

Besides, in the three years of their marriage, he had been incredibly good to her, attending to every little detail with tenderness and consideration. To outsiders, they were the epitome of a perfect couple. She repeatedly told herself that he loved her, but his personality made him unable to express his passionate feelings.

She thought he had gradually fallen in love with her during the three years they spent together, but only today did this bloody truth completely wake her up—all his kindness and tenderness towards her was only because he needed the Bennett family 's help, and needed her as a "tool" to help his Foster family make a comeback!

Now, the Foster family has not only emerged from its predicament but is even more powerful than before. She, having lost her usefulness, is now ready to be eliminated to make way for his beloved Vanessa . They even intend to exploit her "stain" to seize the Bennett family 's shares!

The clenched hands, gripped so tightly, had nails that dug deep into the soft palms, oozing tiny beads of bright red blood that stood out starkly against the pale skin.

But how could the sharp pain of the nails digging into the palm compare to even a fraction of the feeling in my heart that was being torn apart and crushed?

She didn't want to hear any more. She was afraid that if she listened for even a second longer, she would lose control and rush in, doing something irreversible. Clara forced back the tears that threatened to spill, biting her lower lip hard until a faint metallic taste filled her mouth. She straightened her back, like a defeated soldier unwilling to abandon her last shred of dignity, turned, and staggered into the nearest restroom.

She locked the door, shutting out everything outside. Leaning against the cold door, her body trembled uncontrollably. Finally, the tears she had suppressed for so long burst forth like a flood, blurring her delicate makeup and washing away the last trace of fantasy and longing she had for Liam .

Since he had never loved her, she didn't need to love him anymore.

She cried for an unknown amount of time, until her tears dried up, leaving only an empty numbness. She went to the sink and rinsed her face with cold water over and over, trying to clear her mind. When she looked up, the woman in the mirror had red and swollen eyes and a pale face, but those eyes, which had once been filled with love and starlight, now burned with a flame that was almost apocalyptic and reborn.

Her fingers trembled as she took out her phone, her fingertips unsteady from the cold and heartbreak, yet her movements were unusually resolute. She quickly opened the ticketing app and deftly booked a one-way ticket to a faraway country a week later. There lay the major she had wanted to pursue in university but had given up for Liam , and a completely new life.

Then, she took a deep breath and dialed the number that belonged to Gregory , a number she hadn't contacted in a long time .

From that moment on, she and Liam went their separate ways, each finding their own happiness. No, she only wanted to be happy; as for him… he was no longer a part of her life.

When Clara emerged from the restroom, she had composed herself, at least outwardly. She gave a cold, forced smile to her reflection in the decorative mirror at the end of the hallway, at her own red-rimmed, vulnerable face. It was time to end this absurd charade.

She went back to the bathroom and took out her cosmetics from her purse. With practiced speed and precision, she carefully concealed all traces of crying around her eyes with a slightly thicker foundation, then drew a bolder, more dramatic eyeliner and applied a retro, bright red lipstick. Instantly, the mirror reflected a strikingly beautiful Clara, exuding confidence and charisma. Her overly sharp gaze and intense makeup acted like a sturdy mask, sealing away all her heartbreak and vulnerability, leaving no room for observation.

When she stepped back into the dazzling banquet hall, Liam and Lila were indeed already waiting for her in the center of the hall, seemingly whispering something to each other.

"Honey, where have you been? You haven't been back for so long, and you didn't answer my calls. I was so worried about you!"

The moment Liam saw her, he strode over to her, his tone laced with just the right amount of anxiety and concern. However, when he noticed the heavy makeup on Clara's face, so different from her usual fresh and elegant style, he was momentarily taken aback, a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of surprise crossing his eyes, quickly replaced by worry. He reached out naturally, wanting to take her hand affectionately, just as he had for the past three years, to feel her warmth.

"It's nothing, I just took a while to touch up my makeup, and my phone was on silent so I didn't hear it."

Clara's voice was calm and even, as if she were stating something unrelated to herself. Almost the instant his fingertips touched the skin on the back of her hand, she subtly yet resolutely pulled her hand out of his palm, letting it hang at her side, her fingertips slightly curled.

"Really, you're alright?"

Her hand suddenly felt empty, the lingering delicate touch instantly replaced by the cool air. Liam stared blankly at her empty palm for a moment, a strange feeling rising within her. She had never so clearly resisted his touch before.

"Um."

Clara didn't want to say anything more, not even giving him a second glance, and walked straight past him into the crowd. Her straight back and aloof posture seemed to draw an invisible chasm between them.

Watching Clara's resolute retreating figure, Liam frowned deeply, a strange sense of unease creeping in. Today, Clara, from her makeup to her demeanor, and even her aloof manner, seemed different from the gentle, dependent wife he knew. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it; it was just a vague and irritating intuition.

At that moment, Lila, who could no longer contain herself, held a glass of blood-red wine, a fake smile plastered on her face, and strode up to Clara, blocking her way.

"Happy birthday, sister-in-law! I was wrong to disturb you and my brother earlier. This drink is my way of making amends. Please do me this favor!"

Lila smiled and handed the carefully prepared glass of red wine to Clara, her eyes filled with barely concealed calculation and eager anticipation as she watched Clara's reaction intently, afraid she might refuse.

Gazing at the alluring red liquid shimmering under the light, Clara felt as if an ice pick had pierced her heart, a chill instantly spreading to every limb. She knew this drink was an invitation to hell. She remained silent for a long time, so long that the smile on Lila's face was almost impossible to maintain, and the atmosphere around her seemed to freeze. Finally, she slowly reached out and accepted the heavy glass, laden with malice and betrayal.

She didn't look at Lila, but instead, holding the glass of red wine, she walked back to Liam step by step. She raised her eyes and gazed deeply, almost greedily, at the handsome face she had loved for so many years, trying to find even the slightest hesitation, reluctance, or struggle in his deep eyes.

“Liam,” she called him by his full name for the first time in public, her voice soft but clear, “this drink… do you really want me to drink it?”

Her gaze, like the most precise searchlight, locked onto his eyes, not missing a single subtle change. She was giving him one last chance, and also giving her own dead love a final farewell.

Liam merely frowned slightly, seemingly puzzled by her abrupt question and form of address. He then raised the wine glass he had somehow acquired, his gentle and perfect demeanor returning, and spoke in a relaxed and natural tone:

"Honey, what's wrong with you today? You're acting so strange. Of course we should drink! Today is your special day, happy birthday! I'll drink with you."

As he spoke, he casually downed the champagne in his glass, then looked at her with a smile, waiting for her next move.

Watching him drink his "clean" glass of wine without hesitation, seeing the flawless, almost genuine tenderness in his eyes, Clara's heart ached to the extreme, leaving only a deathly numbness. The last glimmer of hope was completely extinguished.

Slowly, she brought the wine glass, which carried the weight of conspiracy, to her lips. The cool rim of the glass touched her warm lips, carrying a deadly allure. However, just as everyone thought she was about to drink it, the next second...

Her hand suddenly slipped as if all its strength had been released—

"Crack!"

The wine glass was slammed onto the polished marble floor, shattering instantly. The crimson wine splattered like blood, staining her starry blue dress and eliciting gasps from the surrounding guests.

"Oh dear! Sister-in-law, how could you be so careless?!"

Seeing her plan fall apart, Lila's fake smile vanished instantly, replaced by undisguised exasperation and anger, her voice rising several decibels.

Liam didn't speak, but his brows furrowed even more. He glanced at the mess of broken glass on the ground, then immediately stepped forward, took Clara's hand without a word, and carefully checked her fair fingers and wrists for any cuts from the flying glass shards. His tone was reproachful yet concerned: "How could you be so careless? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Seeing the genuine tension he exuded, Clara simply pursed her bright red lips and silently shook her head. If she hadn't overheard those heart-wrenching words in the private room, if she hadn't known what kind of sordid things were in that drink, she would have been completely captivated by this false tenderness, utterly moved.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs." All of this was just another act, a performance born from his superb acting skills. His touch only made her feel nauseous.

After confirming that Clara was not injured, Liam called over the hotel staff who were waiting nearby to quickly clean up the broken pieces and wine stains on the ground.

The banquet continued, the music remained melodious, but the undercurrents grew increasingly turbulent. Lila clearly had no intention of letting Clara off the hook; like a relentless viper, she repeatedly sought opportunities, both overt and covert, to force Clara to eat or drink the packet of "miracle drug." She changed glass after glass of wine, brought out various snacks, trying to find an opening in Clara's defenses.

However, each time, Clara deftly defused the situation in various seemingly unintentional but actually ingenious ways—either by being interrupted by others, by "accidentally" spilling the food, or by using the excuse of talking to an elder she hadn't seen in a long time. Clara always maintained that detached calmness, as if watching a clumsy farce that had nothing to do with her.

Finally, after repeated failures, Lila completely lost her patience, and her anger clouded her judgment. In a relatively crowded corner, while Clara was chatting with an old friend with her back to her, she suddenly became emboldened and forcefully shoved Clara from behind into a long table on the side of the banquet hall, where a row of crystal goblets were stacked into a champagne tower!

"Splash—!!!"

A deafening roar suddenly erupted! The towering champagne tower collapsed with a crash, and dozens, even hundreds, of exquisite stemmed glasses shattered instantly, with glittering shards of glass flying everywhere like exploding ice flowers! Wine, fruit, and desserts were splashed all over the place!

Clara was caught completely off guard. The enormous impact made it impossible for her to maintain her balance. She slipped and fell heavily to the ground amidst the horrified screams of the surrounding crowd. Her elbows and knees inevitably struck the cold, hard ground, which was covered with shards of glass!

"ah--!"

"Oh my god! What's going on?"

"Quick! Go check it out!"

This sudden turn of events plunged the entire banquet hall into chaos and silence. Everyone's attention was drawn to it, including Liam, who had been standing not far away, talking to someone.

When he saw Clara lying among the shards of glass, looking incredibly disheveled and vulnerable, his expression changed drastically. Almost instinctively, he hurriedly pushed through the stunned crowd, rushed forward, bent down, and reached out to help Clara up from the mess and check her injuries.

"Clara!"

"Honey! How are you? Are you alright? How could you be so careless?"

His voice was filled with genuine shock, anger, and urgency, and his hand had already touched Clara's arm.

But just then, Lila's sharp, panicked voice, like a razor-sharp blade, pierced through the chaos and rang in:

"Brother! Something terrible has happened! I just got a call from Vanessa! Vanessa is being bullied and surrounded at the airport. It seems like the situation is very serious. She keeps crying and calling your name..."

"What did you say?!"

Upon hearing the name "Vanessa" and the news of being "bullied," Liam's body stiffened abruptly! His expression froze for a moment, replaced by an unprecedented tension and worry. Almost reflexively, he instantly released his grip on Clara's arm and stood up abruptly!

Without any hesitation, without even a "wait for me to come back" or any arrangements for the situation, Liam seemed to have been pressed the only start button. Without hesitation, he pushed through the crowd and ran like an arrow towards the exit of the banquet hall, disappearing from everyone's sight in an instant.

Clara, who was suddenly released, was trying to stand up with his help, but the sudden loss of support left her completely without support.

"Thump—"

Amidst gasps and gasps of alarm around her, she was thrown back into that cold, damp, and chaotic place, littered with sharp shards of glass, once again, more heavily and thoroughly.

This time, the pain of her body hitting the ground was clearly felt, but even clearer was the sound of her heart being utterly crushed into dust. She lay on the cold ground, listening to the cacophony of sympathy and gossip around her, but felt only utter silence in the world. She slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the last glimmer of light in them had completely vanished, leaving only boundless, cold darkness and resolute despair.