“Can’t you be a little more generous? Stop picking on him all the time.”

In that moment, I could clearly see the look of disdain and irritation in Olivia Brooks’ eyes.

Right then, whatever feelings I still had for her completely died.

Lying on the hospital bed, I let out a long sigh.

Finally, I picked up my phone and made a call.

“Mom, I want to come home.”

By evening, I had completed the discharge paperwork.

I sat in my wheelchair while a strikingly beautiful woman stood behind me, pushing it.

With a lazy smile, she said, “I told you long ago, Olivia Brooks is not worthy of you.

You had a falling-out with your family, stayed away for years, pretended to be some poor country boy just to be with her, and gave everything to help her start that company.

You poured your heart into her, and in the end? You were nothing more than her backup plan.

“She’s ambitious, and she’s not the kind of woman who’d ever settle down. Even if she hadn’t returned to the Brooks family, there’s no guarantee she’d grow old with you.

And Daniel Foster—he’s her first love. They say first loves are the hardest to forget… just like how you feel about Olivia, and how I feel about you…”

I shot her a look and said impatiently, “Sophia Reed, what happened to you? A few years away and you’ve turned into such a chatterbox?

Where’s that aloof ‘ice queen’ image you used to have?”

Sophia’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she threw me a playful wink.

“I only act like this around you. To everyone else, I’m still the untouchable ice queen.

I thought you liked this sweet, delicate act—how’s my impression?”

I nearly got goosebumps. Shaking my head helplessly, I said, “Better drop it. I’m more used to your cold, rebellious self.”

Olivia was beautiful, sure—but she couldn’t hold a candle to Sophia.

Our families had been close for generations, and my parents once wanted us to get engaged. I’d thought I was too young to be tied down by marriage, so I rebelled and left home.

Now, after a phone call with my parents, Sophia had shown up at the hospital right away to help me with the discharge. Facing her again left me feeling complicated.

In terms of looks, personality, and family background, Olivia couldn’t compare to Sophia.

How had I been so blind to fall for Olivia in the first place?

Love really does make people lose their senses.

Sophia drove me back to the apartment complex where Olivia and I lived.

That tiny apartment had held so many beautiful memories for me—

but those were all in the past.

As Sophia packed up my personal belongings, she teased, “For the eldest son of the Carter family to hole up in a little place like this… if anyone found out, their jaw would drop.

If Olivia knew your real identity, what do you think her reaction would be?”

I shook my head with a faint sigh.

Just then, Olivia and Daniel came back.

They reeked of alcohol, arms linked, laughing intimately.

When she saw me, Olivia froze for a second, instinctively letting go of Daniel’s arm.

“Ethan Carter, why are you back? Weren’t you in the hospital?”

Before I could answer, she spotted Sophia packing my things.

The moment she took in Sophia’s stunning beauty, jealousy flickered in her eyes, and her face darkened.

“And who is this woman?”

“Ethan Carter, I’ve told you before—don’t bring strangers into our home. Did my words just go in one ear and out the other?”

I glanced at Daniel Foster and said calmly to Olivia Brooks, “Daniel’s been here plenty of times. He practically treats this place as his own. Funny, I’ve never seen you complain about him.”

Her face tightened with anger and embarrassment. “Daniel is my assistant, not a stranger! Who is this woman? Ethan Carter, if you don’t give me a clear explanation today, I will not let this slide!”

Daniel chimed in, fanning the flames with a mocking tone.

“VP Carter, don’t tell me you’re jealous because Ms. Brooks asked me to pretend to be her fiancé today, so you brought a woman here just to provoke her?

That’s really petty. Ms. Brooks has reunited with her biological family—she’s now the Brooks family heiress, with an impressive background. Her fiancé can’t be this small-minded.”

He then turned to Sophia Reed, his eyes flashing with a mix of lust and mockery.

“How much did Carter pay to bring you here?

I’ve met plenty of women like you—willing to do anything for money.

Be honest, have you slept with him? Did you—”

Before he could finish, Sophia’s foot shot out and landed squarely between his legs.

Daniel clearly hadn’t expected her to strike so decisively, and with no time to defend himself, he crumpled to the floor, clutching himself and groaning in pain, his face drained of color.

The sudden move startled Olivia.

She raised her hand to slap Sophia, but Sophia caught her wrist in a firm grip.

With an icy glare, Sophia said coldly,

“You do something shameful and then dare to blame others. You really have no shame.

Do you think that just because you’re back in the Brooks family you can soar like a phoenix?

Fool. You’ll regret this.”

With that, Sophia flung her wrist away, sending Olivia stumbling back and nearly falling.

Olivia shot Sophia a vicious glare, but whatever harsh words she’d planned died on her lips when faced with Sophia’s cold, commanding presence.

Instead, she turned to me and shouted, “Ethan Carter, are you even a man? Didn’t you see her almost push me over? I’m ordering you to teach her a lesson—”

Before she could finish, I cut her off. “And why exactly do you think you can order me around?”

That only enraged her more. “I’m your fiancée! I’ve just been bullied, and you stand there doing nothing? Ethan Carter, I’ll say this one last time—if you don’t listen to me, I will never forgive you—”

I interrupted again, my voice flat. “Olivia Brooks, your fiancé is Daniel Foster. You announced that yourself, in front of everyone, at the Brooks family’s homecoming reception.

Whether you forgive me or not doesn’t matter anymore.

From now on, I don’t want anything to do with you.

I’ve given too much to this relationship, and I’m exhausted. I’m done.”

Without waiting for her response, I called out to Sophia. She took hold of the luggage and pushed my wheelchair toward the apartment door.

Olivia, flushed with anger and still convinced she was in the right, yelled after me, “Ethan Carter, if you dare walk out that door today, don’t ever think about coming back again!”

“Even if you kneel in front of me and beg in the future, it’ll be useless!”

“I’ll give you one more chance—”

Sophia Reed cut Olivia Brooks off, her voice cold.

“I’ll give you one more chance. If you kneel right now and admit you were wrong, we might let the Brooks family off the hook.

Otherwise, the Brooks family will be dragged down with you—and it could mean total ruin.”

Olivia snapped back angrily, “You’re not afraid you’ll bite your own tongue talking like that? You think you can bring down my family? Are you drunk or just dreaming?”

Sophia gave a cold laugh. “Believe it or not, that’s your choice.

On William Brooks’ 80th birthday, you’ll be marrying Daniel Foster—you announced it yourself. We’ll be there to ‘celebrate.’

And we’ll have a very big surprise for you.”

After we left the apartment, Olivia was so furious she wanted to call the police.

Daniel stopped her, putting on the act of being the voice of reason.

“Let it go, Ms. Brooks. Let’s be the bigger people here.

You just announced at the Brooks family’s homecoming reception that I’m your fiancé, and that we’re getting married on your grandfather’s 80th birthday. The news has already gone viral online. If you call the police now, it could reflect badly on you.”

Olivia nodded, her expression hard. “That bastard Ethan Carter—he’ll regret treating me like this.

I was even considering making him a live-in son-in-law for our family, but clearly he doesn’t have that blessing.

When Grandfather’s birthday comes, if he and that woman dare show their faces, we’ll settle the score then.”

Daniel nodded fiercely, excitement flashing in his eyes. “We’ll make sure they’re humiliated in front of everyone.”

…

Half a month passed in a blink.

On William Brooks’ 80th birthday, the Brooks family estate was buzzing with activity.

Everyone knew William’s health was poor, and doctors had said he might not live past the winter.

That’s why Olivia chose this day for her wedding—to try to lift his spirits and improve his condition.

The proposal was met with full support from the Brooks family.

It was a day of double celebration, with many relatives in attendance, as well as numerous business magnates who had dealings with the Brooks family.

Just as the estate was filled with joy, Sophia and I arrived.

I was still in my wheelchair, and she pushed me to the front gates of the Brooks family estate.

Many people looked at us with curiosity—Sophia’s striking beauty and my presence in a wheelchair made us the center of attention.

Only a handful of the business elites present knew our true identities.

Olivia and Daniel intercepted us, their eyes full of contempt.

Daniel barked, “You actually dared to show up? You’re not welcome here—get lost!”

Olivia spoke with arrogant disdain. “Ethan Carter, I gave you a chance before, but you didn’t appreciate it.

Now, even if you regret it and come begging for forgiveness, it’s too late.

“Today is our family’s happiest occasion. If you and this woman are here to make trouble, I won’t let you off.

Leave now while I’m still being polite—or I’ll have your legs broken and throw you out.”