Amybeth’s POV

Shannon immediately blocked my path. She reached out to grab me, and I reflexively shook her hand off.

She smirked in triumph, then deliberately threw herself backward with a heavy thud.

“Shannon!”

Bolton shoved me aside and rushed toward her, carefully helping her up as she cried out in pain.

His push was so forceful that I hit the floor hard.

If I hadn’t curled around my belly on instinct, the consequences would’ve been unimaginable.

I already knew Bolton only saw the child in my belly as Shannon’s experimental subject, but even so, a cold tremor ran through me.

Before I could say anything, my mother suddenly marched forward and slapped me across the face.

The sharp crack echoed. Blood quickly spilled from the corner of my mouth, my vision spinning.

“Bitch!” she shouted. “I just warned you, and you still dared to lay a hand on Shannon! If anything happens to the baby she’s carrying, just you wait!”

Her face twisted into something monstrous.

Only then did her words sink in; everyone already knew Shannon was pregnant with Bolton’s child. Everyone… except me.

I was her biological daughter, yet she chose to stand with Shannon.

At that moment, my heart went cold and hollow.

By then, Bolton had already coaxed Shannon into calming down.

Then he walked over to me, expression blank, ignoring my bleeding mouth and my eight-month rounded belly. Without the slightest hesitation, he yanked me up from the floor.

The pain made me gasp, but he didn’t care.

The next second, he forced me down on my knees right in front of the dead body of that little toy poodle.

Before I could even struggle, he slammed my head down.

“Bolton… let go of me…”

I forced the words out, my throat tight and trembling.

He only gave me a cold glance before pressing down even harder.

With a sickening thud, my forehead smashed against the floor.

The hit made my head spin, nausea rising uncontrollably as I dry-heaved.

When he finally released me, I collapsed onto the floor like a dead fish.

He looked down at me—pathetic, heaving, covered in humiliation—and ordered the bodyguards.

“I’m taking Shannon to the hospital. Keep an eye on this woman. Make her apologize to the puppy ninety-nine times, then make her dig a grave and bury him herself. And remember, she’s not allowed to use any tools.”

He gave me one last calm look.

“Amybeth, you need this lesson. Cooperate with them. Don’t make things harder than they already are.”

Then he carried Shannon out of the villa.

My mother, still fussing over Shannon, followed them without looking back.

I shut my eyes tightly. I hadn’t even managed to get up when the bodyguards grabbed my shoulders and forced me down again.

No one spoke. Only the sound of my knees slamming against the empty villa floor echoed again and again.

By the time warm blood gushed down my face, the ordeal finally ended.

I lay there, my forehead torn open, the wound so shredded it was almost raw meat. Blood streamed down my cheek and dripped onto the floor—grotesque and terrifying.

“Ma’am, you still need to go to the backyard to dig the grave. Please forgive our disrespect.”

They dragged me out to the garden and forced my hands into the dirt, making me dig one handful at a time.

When everything was done, my hands were a bloody mess, bone showing through torn skin.

Shaking violently, I used the only finger I could still move, my thumb, to dial an emergency call.

The moment I finished giving the address, my strength finally gave out.

I collapsed on the ground and lost consciousness.

When I woke up again, I was in the hospital. Bolton was nowhere in sight.

The attending doctor told me that I was lucky—they got me here just in time. The baby was still alive. But I needed at least half a month of hospitalization before I could be discharged.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was an updated video on Shannon’s Instagram.

I didn’t want to look, but my hand slipped and the video opened.

In it, Bolton gently kissed her belly, his eyes full of tenderness.

The caption read: [Baby, with a daddy who loves you this much, you’ll be so happy when you’re born!]

A shock went through me. Even while I was unconscious, bleeding, fighting for my life… Bolton never stayed by my side. This video shattered the very last sliver of hope I had left.

A single tear slid from the corner of my eye. I swore it would be the last tear I ever shed for Bolton!

I picked up my phone and sent Gibeon a message along with the hospital address.

[Gibeon, I can’t wait a month anymore. Just half a month. Come pick me up then.]

A second later, his reply came. [Okay.]

[Also, about Bolton and Shannon causing your multiple miscarriages. We’ve already found evidence. We’re securing everything now. What do you want to do next?]

Seeing his message brought a faint warmth back to my chest. I typed my reply.

[The day you come to pick me up, we’ll execute everything we planned.]

In half a month, I'll be leaving this city forever and end my marriage with Bolton once and for all!

The fire of vengeance burned in my eyes. This time, it would be for me and for the children they stole from me!

Amybeth’s POV

After nearly half a month recovering in the hospital, I was finally well enough to be discharged.

Instead of returning to the villa, I rented a place on my own.

During those two weeks, Bolton never once reached out to me.

Instead, it was Shannon who kept messaging me.

She sent photos of him taking her to watch sunsets, going to the beach, kissing under the Eiffel Tower, and holding hands under the Matterhorn.

While I lay in a hospital bed, they spent those two weeks living their happiest lives.

Every day, right on schedule, Shannon would send me photos of them in bed.

She thought those filthy things would hurt me, that they would break me.

But she was wrong. I’m no longer the woman who clung to loving Bolton.

Very soon, they’ll pay for everything they’ve done!

With practiced ease, I saved every single photo. All of them would become bullets for my revenge.

I thought I would keep living quietly like this until the divorce papers were finalized and I could leave.

But at sunset that day, a group of bodyguards suddenly appeared in front of me.

My phone chimed. It was a message from Bolton.

[Amybeth, you’ve been gone for half a month. Enough with the drama. Come to the Shadowstone Auctions now. I’ve already sent my men to pick you up.]

My brows tightened. Before I could respond, the bodyguards grabbed my arm.

“Ma’am, apologies. We’re just following Sir Bolton’s orders. Please cooperate.”

I struggled, but in the next instant, everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I was already inside the auction house.

Shannon sat right in front of me, practically merging with Bolton’s shadow as they leaned close together.

The second she saw me wake, her lips curved into an unreadable smile.

“Amybeth, you’re finally awake. I was worried you’d miss the most important moment.”

I furrowed my brows tightly; my heart suddenly skipped a beat.

The next second, the host slammed the auction gavel.

“Next—our main event! The fragrance formulas of the world-famous perfumer Queen! Ten in total, all top-secret. Starting bid: one million each!”

My breath caught. I snapped my gaze to Shannon.

“You really put my formulas up for auction?!”

Those ten formulas were locked in my fragrance studio at home. Clearly, she’d found them and didn’t hesitate for a second before selling them.

Shannon covered her mouth and laughed.

“Amybeth, what nonsense are you spouting? These are my formulas. After all, I’m Queen.”

My eyes widened in rage.

Beside her, Bolton looked at me with nothing but annoyance.

I didn’t even have time to argue. I raised my paddle, ready to buy my own formulas back.

Every sheet was something I poured my heart and soul into. Even if I can create more and better ones in the future, these are irreplaceable.

“Infinite bidding! Box 888 has chosen infinite bidding!” the host shouted excitedly.

I didn’t have the patience to fight for each formula one by one, so I simply chose infinite bidding for all of them.

Shannon let out a sharp laugh.

“Really, Amybeth, infinite bidding? Do you even have that much money? They’ll need to verify your funds soon. Don’t embarrass the Belangers…” she said meaningfully.

I snorted.

“I have enough money to buy this entire auction house. Unlike someone who calls herself ‘Queen’ but probably can’t even afford one million without someone else footing the bill.”

My sarcasm instantly ignited her fury.

She turned to Bolton, clinging to his sleeve.

“Bolton, I only brought out my formulas so more people could appreciate their beauty. And I wanted all the auction proceeds donated to charity. But if Amybeth interferes… doesn’t that ruin everything?”

She even shook his arm, nudging him.

Bolton’s gaze softened. He nodded at her dotingly.

The next second, an alarm beeped on the verification machine in front of me.

“Ma’am,” an auction staff member said stiffly, “the bank card you presented has been frozen. Do you have another one?”

My stomach dropped.

He actually went this far… for her?!

I quickly pulled out another card. Also frozen. Every card I tried—frozen.

The staff’s expression darkened. Shannon burst into wild laughter behind me.

“Amybeth, what’s wrong? Looks like you really need our help. Hmm… this auction house could use some entertainment. How about this? If you take off one piece of clothing, I’ll give you a million. You should have enough money before you’re fully naked.”

Her voice dripped with mockery.

Beside her, Bolton calmly peeled apples for her, completely unbothered.

My entire body shook with rage. The stares around me were sharp as blades.

The staff noticed Bolton’s silence, and the way they treated me immediately changed.

In an instant, several people surrounded me. Hands grabbed at me from every direction.

“Ma’am, since you chose infinite bidding, you must pay somehow. Why not follow Miss Shannon’s suggestion?”

They yanked, and my coat was ripped away, leaving me in only a strapless dress.

I stared, stunned, struggling with all my strength, but they held me down.

Just when I reached the edge of despair, the door to the VIP box was kicked open.

Masked kidnappers stormed in openly.

The staff scowled until they saw the guns. They immediately dropped to the ground.

Soon, everyone was dragged into the main hall.

Even Bolton, who normally kept himself calm, lost his composure.

The leader—a tall man with his face covered—let out a manic laugh, then spoke coldly.

“I hear tonight is lively, full of wealthy people. So here’s the deal. Each of you will transfer fifty million. Then I’ll randomly pick a few people and strap bombs on them. If you don’t pay, you die. If you do pay… well, pray you’re lucky.”

Chaos broke out as the kidnappers moved quickly.

Bolton clenched his jaw and wanted to fight, but there were too many kidnappers and guns.

In the end, he paid the fifty million.

He also paid Shannon’s.

I was at the back of the line. Just as Shannon let out a breath, thinking she was safe, a kidnapper grabbed her arm.

“Your body’s perfect for carrying a bomb. Stay.”

With one sentence, Shannon went pale. She grabbed Bolton desperately, her eyes pleading.

“Bolton, save me! I’m carrying your baby…”

He frowned hard, about to negotiate when Shannon’s gaze darted to me.

“Bolton! Use Amybeth instead! She’s got a tough life. She won’t die!”

Her face was full of excitement, as if wanting to push me to the kidnappers immediately.

Bolton said calmly, “I’ll pay another fifty million to save her.”

My heart jumped, then died entirely.

Because he wasn’t pointing at me. He was pointing at Shannon.

The kidnapper looked me up and down and grinned wickedly.

“Well, Ma’am, blame your bad luck. Someone else has money to save his wife. If only your husband did too... But hey, strapping a bomb on an eight-month-pregnant woman? I’ve never seen that before!”

His inhuman laughter filled the hall.

My hands and feet were tied, and despair swallowed me whole.

As I passed Bolton, he didn’t look at me once. He just held Shannon tightly.

I let out a cold laugh.

Behind me, his voice sounded.

“Amybeth, wait. I’ll come back for you.”

He didn’t wait for my response. He carried the unharmed Shannon out without looking back.

Even at the end, he still chose her.

My chest tore open in pain, but my face remained blank.

I would never let Shannon take pleasure in my suffering again!

After everyone who paid left the auction house, I was tied alone in a corner, surrounded by explosives.

A few minutes later, an explosion ripped the entire building apart.

Even though I’d tried to get as far from the bombs as possible, the shockwave still blew me off my feet.

My lungs screamed for air. I tried to move, but debris pinned my legs. I couldn’t breathe.

Blood seeped from my body quickly. Just before I lost consciousness, I saw several tall figures striding toward me through the ruins.

“Amybeth! It’s me! I’m here! The revenge plan you wanted has been launched! Hold on!” Gibeon's voice echoed in my ears.

The next second, the world completely fell into darkness.