Perhaps even he hadn’t expected me to do such a thing.

When I slipped and fell, Easton’s expression froze into shock.

“Debbie!”

He couldn’t help but cry out my name.

In the final second before I lost consciousness, I saw all four of them rushing toward me in panic.

When I woke up again, I was already lying in a hospital bed.

Three of them—Connor, Kenji, and Hayden—stood guard at my side. The moment my eyes opened, their faces lit up with relief.

“Debbie!”

Connor reached toward me instinctively.

I flinched away.

His hand froze midair, his eyes clouded with confusion.

“Debbie, what’s wrong? I just wanted to check your injuries.”

As if realizing something, he rushed to explain, “Today... we lost our heads, that’s all.”

Hayden quickly chimed in, “Yes, none of us thought you’d actually let go.”

Kenji offered me a bowl of porridge.

Frowning, I took it, and noticed at once—it had long since gone cold.

Easton was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t need to ask. Of course, he was with Charlie.

Deep, I would have thrown a tantrum over that.

But now, I no longer care.

Lowering my gaze, I quietly drank the cold porridge.

“Debbie, I know you haven’t forgiven us yet,” Connor said anxiously. “Maybe right now you don’t even want to see us—but we’ll apologize.”

Kenji quickly added, “Yes! We’ll find a proper gift as an apology. You should just rest.”

Hayden lingered at my bedside, lips parting as if to say something, but held back.

I only nodded lightly, signaling they could leave.

Connor and Kenji left with smiles of relief.

Hayden called my name softly, but when I didn’t answer, he hesitated, then turned and walked out, glancing back again and again until the door closed.

Minutes later, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Charlie.

I didn’t know when she had added my contact, but from the moment she began sending me photos, I understood: the four of them were already drifting toward her.

In the photos, Connor, Kenji, and Hayden surrounded Charlie. Their expressions were gentle and doting.

Connor offered her a towel with care.

Kenji animatedly told her a story, making her laugh.

Hayden, unable to join in, simply gazed at her with infatuated eyes.

And Easton—he never left her side, guarding her like a knight sworn to his lady.

All of it... all of it had once been mine.

I turned off my phone and began practicing how to get out of bed.

Every throb from my fractured leg reminded me: That life was over.

Those promises to protect me, never let me be hurt—were already broken, and nothing but dust.

Now, Easton and the others wouldn't hesitate to strike against me.

Two more days had passed. Easton never once came to my room.

Slowly, my heart began to calm down.

I booked a ticket to France, five days later, and started reviewing Sinclair Corporation’s overseas projects.

It was then that the four of them suddenly appeared in my hospital room.

I quickly locked my phone, but not before Easton’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the screen.

He frowned. “You haven't even recovered yet, and you’re already planning to run around? Don't you care about your health?”

At once, the other three rushed to defend me.

“Debbie knows her limits,” Connor coaxed. “If she wants to go out, then let her. We’ll take care of her.”

“Exactly,” Kenji nodded, looking at me with the same doting gaze I once knew so well.

Hayden even reached out, trying to take my hand.

They acted as though nothing had ever happened.

For a brief moment, watching their familiar expressions, I almost felt like I had fallen back into the past.

For over ten years, that had been our rhythm: I’d make some unreasonable demand or wild plan, Easton would scold me, the others would side with me, and in the end, Easton would give in, helpless but indulgent.

And I would laugh in triumph.

I once thought those days would last forever.

But then I thought of Charlie.

And the calmness returned to my eyes.

Easton noticed the change. His frown deepened, unease gnawing at him, as though something precious was slipping away.

Instinctively, he reached toward me—and just then his phone rang.

Without needing to ask, I knew it was Charlie.

He froze for just a heartbeat, then left without hesitation.

The other three rushed to cover for him, presenting me with “carefully chosen gifts of apology.”

I said nothing, and simply accepted them with a calm face.

The next day, I signed my own discharge papers.

The Sinclair family’s auction was to be held that evening. As the host, I couldn't run away.

Thankfully, when I had fallen, I’d angled my body well enough to avoid life-threatening injuries.

That night, I dressed to kill—a crimson custom gown that clung to every curve, making me striking and untouchable.

From afar, I saw Easton carefully escorting Charlie toward our seats.

Years ago, I built the Sinclair Auction House with my own hands. Back then, Easton and the others stood firmly by my side. At every auction, they were always there.

Because of that, I had set aside a special private area—our place. Filled with our favorite things, it was where we retreated whenever we needed to breathe.

I knew Easton had changed, but watching him so casually take Charlie into a space that had once belonged only to me—pain still lanced through my chest.

He noticed me stiffening, but showed no sign of caring.

The others gathered around, smiling obsequiously.

“Charlie wanted to take a look. We knew Debbie was the most generous, so we let her sit there.”

Their ingratiating smiles, Hayden’s hand reaching toward me—I subtly avoided him and simply nodded.

I didn’t want the four of them anymore.

Why would I care about that seat?

With that thought, I turned and walked away.

The three of them froze, stunned by my reaction, then exchanged uneasy glances before trailing after me.

The auction began, everything proceeding in perfect order. I secretly nodded in satisfaction.

This would be the last auction I hosted in America, and I wanted it to close with flawless perfection.

But in the very next moment, Charlie’s shrill, excited voice rang out.

From the very first item, she raised her paddle again and again—winning bid after bid.

By the time she had nearly swept through the entire floor, displeasure was written across many guests’ faces.

My heart sank.

Most of the attendees were long-term business partners of the Sinclair family. At our auctions, the competition was meant to be friendly and balanced. Yet today, Charlie was recklessly outbidding everyone, leaving no chance for others.

She wasn’t buying for the collections, she was flaunting herself.

And when she finally noticed no one dared to compete with her anymore, she cast me a smug, provocative glance.

I furrowed my brows tightly. From the next item onward, I raised my paddle as well, clashing with her at every turn.

An artifact worth barely one million skyrocketed to five million, even ten million, under our rivalry.

Through it all, Easton watched her with indulgent affection, occasionally feeding her fruit as if she were some precious treasure.

Charlie was only the daughter of a servant—where would she get the money to bid like this?

The answer was obvious.

My expression hardened. I was about to outbid her, but before I could, the others—Connor, Kenji, and Hayden—caught on to my intention. They hurriedly pressed down my hand, even covering my mouth to stop me from speaking.

And so, Charlie secured the winning bid once more, before smugly curling into Easton’s embrace.

He stroked her hair gently, never sparing me a single glance.

Around us, murmurs spread like wildfire.

“Isn’t Easton supposed to be one of Miss Sinclair’s fiancés? He always treated her so well—why’s he here with another woman? Who is she?”

“Unbelievable! Miss Sinclair can’t even control her own men. Just now, I even saw the other three holding her back—covering her mouth—so she wouldn’t compete with that girl. They looked like they were protecting the mistress, not the fiancée.”

My fists clenched as I tore myself free from their restraint and stormed out.

The three trailed after me in a flurry of apologies, claiming they hadn’t meant it, and said Charlie was pitiful and inexperienced, that they only tried to spare her embarrassment.

But before I reached the exit, Charlie herself blocked my path—smiling sweetly, but with triumph glittering in her eyes.

When she saw the three men behind me, her expression instantly shifted into fragile innocence. My nails dug deeper into my palm.

“Miss Sinclair, I didn’t mean to,” she said meekly. “Easton just told me to bid on the things I liked. I don’t know much, I liked everything, that’s why it turned out this way... But I brought you a gift. Will you forgive me?”

She stepped closer, holding out a necklace.

One glance, and I recognized it. A complimentary gift prepared by the Sinclair family for all our guests tonight.

Though finely crafted, it was unmistakably a free giveaway.

She had just won countless luxury items at the auction, and many exquisite pieces of jewelry were among them. She could have chosen any of those.

But no—Charlie chose a trinket, deliberately meant to insult me.

Realizing her intent, I slapped her hand away without hesitation.

Her eyes instantly filled with tears.

“Debbie!” Easton’s furious roar echoed through the hall.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing? Charlie offered you a gift out of kindness, and this is how you treat her?”

Clutching the necklace, Charlie wept as if her heart were breaking.

“It’s not Miss Sinclair’s fault. I shouldn’t have competed with her earlier. I’ll apologize...”

Then she dropped to her knees before I could react.

“I’ll kowtow to you right now, Miss Sinclair. Just forgive me. Please... don’t punish my mother because of me.”

She slammed her forehead to the ground. Blood immediately streamed down her pale face.

“Charlie!”

Easton rushed to cradle her, his voice trembling with distress. Then he turned to me, his eyes cold and cut like a blade.

“Debbie, clearly the last lesson wasn’t enough. This necklace is Charlie’s heartfelt gift. Whether you want it or not, you will wear it!”

He gestured sharply.

At once, his bodyguards swarmed forward, forcing me to the ground. No matter how I struggled, they clamped the necklace around my throat.

Its sharp edges sliced into my skin, blood running down my neck. Easton didn’t spare me a glance.

“Just now, Charlie kowtowed for you. You’ll repay her tenfold!” His voice was merciless.

Horrified, I stared up at him in disbelief.

“Easton—don't you dare!”

He only sneered. With a flick of his hand, the guards forced me down again.

I thrashed desperately, only to receive a stinging slap across my face. My cheek burned and swelled, my vision swimming, but my glare never faltered.

I wanted to burn him alive with hatred in my eyes.

For a moment, Easton froze. Something flickered in his gaze—pain? Guilt? He reached toward me, as if to take it back.

But then Charlie sobbed softly in his arms, and his eyes turned cold once more.

“Do it.”

The guards pressed me hard against the ground, slamming my forehead down again and again—ten times in total.

By the time they released me, blood streamed down my face, my body too weak to move.

Easton carried Charlie tenderly in his arms, ignoring me as if I were nothing.

Only after they had left did Connor, Kenji, and Hayden rush over.

But I knew the truth.

They had been watching the entire time. Watching as I was humiliated, beaten, and broken.

Connor gently lifted me, eyes full of distress. He reached for my wound, but I jerked away coldly.

“How could Easton treat you like this? He’s gone too far,” he muttered.

Kenji's eyes reddened at the sight of my injuries.

Hayden even tried to scoop me into his arms. “Let us take you to the hospital, please.”

I raised my head, catching the anxiety in their eyes—and the way they kept glancing toward the direction Charlie had left.

In that instant, I understood.

They didn’t truly care about me. They only wanted the excuse to follow her openly.

A bitter laugh slipped from my lips. I shook them off.

Their expression froze, then softened again with the same tender affection as always.

For a moment, I couldn’t tell—did they truly love me, or had it always been a lie?

Clutching my aching body, I walked toward the parking lot without looking back.

Connor frowned, reaching for me.

“Debbie! You’re being too reckless—how can you ignore your own health like this?”

The others tried to speak, but I cut them off, my face expressionless.

“Do whatever you want. My life has nothing to do with you.”

This time, they hadn’t expected me to get mad at them.

They exchanged uneasy glances, then chased after me with apologies.

But I ignored them, got into my car, and drove away.

In the rearview mirror, I clearly saw their silhouettes turning back—heading in the direction Charlie had gone.

Just as I thought. It was her they wanted to see.

I exhaled, extinguishing the last fragile remnants of hope in my heart.

At home, I tended to my wounds alone before collapsing into bed.

That night, I dreamed of the past—Easton and the others, smiling happily.

But just when I thought the dream was sweet—they abandoned me without hesitation, no matter how desperately I called after them.

When I woke up, the searing pain in my chest had dulled.

Recalling everything with them, I realized—I felt nothing anymore.

Maybe... I had finally let go.

On my phone, countless messages from Connor and the others lit the screen. I swiped past without interest.

Charlie had sent photos again—videos, and even recordings.

Easton and the others surrounding her, caring for her, spoiling her.

She thought this would torment me.

But now—I felt nothing at all.

I was just about to block her when—a deafening crash suddenly came from the door.

Easton burst into my room, his eyes bloodshot, with Connor and the other two right behind him. Their faces were grim, but Easton’s was the darkest of all as he grabbed my arm with a violent jerk.

“What are you doing? Let go of me!”

I struggled with all my strength, but they forced me out, dragging me into a waiting car.

Before I knew it, they hauled me onto a helicopter. When we landed and I finally saw where we were—I froze.

We were standing on a platform a thousand meters above the ground. Below us stretched a dizzying abyss.

My legs instantly weakened, trembling uncontrollably. My face was drained of all colors.

They knew. They knew I was terrified of heights—and yet they brought me here.

“You lunatics!” I shouted hoarsely, clinging to what little breath I had left. “What the hell are you trying to do?”

Easton’s eyes were blazing red as he stared me down.

“Where did you take Charlie?!”

His hands shot to my throat, squeezing tight, as though he wanted to snap my neck.

“Yesterday—it was clearly me! Yet you dared to blame her for it?” he snarled.

My pupils shrank, vision darkening as my breath caught in my chest. I gasped desperately, forcing broken words past his grip.

“I... didn't’...”

He inhaled sharply, his gaze like ice.

“I know you like me,” he spat. “But I’ve told you before—I don’t like you. None of us do. Not me, not Connor, not any of them.”

He loosened his grip just enough for me to draw air again.

“If it weren’t for Charlie, we wouldn’t have bothered pretending with you. If you don’t tell us where she is, don’t blame us for what happens next.”

Gasping, I screamed back at him with all the strength I had left.

“I don’t like any of you! I was never going to choose you! What does Charlie’s kidnapping have to do with me? I told you—I didn’t do it!”

His expression darkened instantly. I could see it—his rage, though I couldn’t tell what fueled it more: my rejection, or my denial.

The others exchanged uneasy looks, but then closed in around me.

Connor spoke softly, almost coaxing, “Debbie, I know you’re upset about what happened last night. Just be good. Tell us where Charlie is, and we’ll treat you just like before.”

As he spoke, his hand tugged at the safety harness strapped to me.

My body lurched, swaying over the endless drop below.

A strangled gasp escaped my lips as my body stiffened in terror. My face was pale as death.

For a brief second, I saw something flicker in their eyes—hesitation, pity, maybe even regret. But none of them loosened their grip.

Easton drew in a breath, his voice sharp and merciless.

“Debbie, I’ll count. If you don’t give us an answer by the count of three, we’ll strip you bare. If you still don’t speak by ten—” His eyes narrowed to slits. “We’ll throw you down.”

I froze, staring at him in disbelief.

“You’re insane! I told you, I didn’t do it! If I die, the Sinclair family will never let you go!”

He laughed coldly.

“Even if they try, we are the heirs of the other four great families. Do you really think the Sinclair family can touch us?”

Tears of fury stung my eyes as I glared at them, one by one.

And then his countdown began.

“Ten.”

“I told you—I don’t know!” I screamed, but my cries fell on deaf ears.

“Nine.”

I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood, shaking violently.

“Eight.”

At his signal, Connor caught my wrist. His voice was tender, gentle, but his actions were ruthless.

“Debbie, don’t fight it. Think of this as a lesson.”

In one swift motion, he tugged at my clothes.

I was only wearing a thin nightdress when they dragged me from my room. If they stripped it away—nothing but my undergarments would remain.

“No!” I shrieked, twisting frantically. But my terror of height sapped all my strength.

Against them, I was powerless.

Connor’s hands moved with chilling ease, unfastening buttons one by one, even as he looked at me with feigned affection.

I clutched my chest desperately, screaming until my throat burned.

But Easton’s countdown continued.

Every number. Every snap of fabric undone.

Until the final count fell.

And with merciless indifference, Easton shoved me off the platform.

The abyss swallowed me whole.

The terror was so absolute, so consuming, that I didn’t even have time to scream. My mind went blank—and fainted directly.

...

When I awoke again, before my eyes even opened, I heard Kenji’s voice nearby.

“Connor, you really are cruel. If Hayden and I hadn’t tied a safety line to Debbie’s back… she’d be dead for real.”

Connor chuckled softly.

“She struck first at Charlie. And even if she died, with the four of us together, we could escape responsibility easily enough.”

Kenji sighed. “If she had died then, maybe we’d finally be free. Pretending all these years... I don’t know how much longer I can keep it up.”

“Fortunately, Charlie is unharmed,” Hayden's cultured voice added softly. “Now, I wonder which of us Debbie will choose as her fiancé after this.”

Silence followed.

Only after they left did I open my eyes.

There wasn’t a mark on my body. But my heart was already torn to shreds.

Thank heaven—I was leaving today.

Dragging my exhausted body upright, I left without hesitation.

From a distance, Connor and the others turned, as if sensing something. All they saw was my retreating figure.

“Strange… that looked a lot like Debbie,” Hayden murmured.

Connor sneered.

“Even if she woke up, she’d be bedridden for days. Don’t forget—she’s afraid of heights.”

...

When I returned home, I packed swiftly.

The engagement tokens they had once given me, I tossed carelessly into four boxes for the butler to deliver tomorrow. I no longer cared.

Grabbing my documents, I boarded the plane without looking back.

Easton, Connor, Kenji, Hayden.

From this moment forward, I was done with all of them.

—

The next day, at my birthday banquet, the four of them arrived.

Though clearly reluctant, they had no choice—forced by their families to attend, dressed to perfection.

They stood together, impassive, enduring the envious stares of the crowd.

Minutes stretched into hours, but I never appeared.

Hayden was the first to notice. His brows furrowed as he kept glancing between the entrance and backstage.

“Debbie still isn’t here.”

Easton sneered. “She has clung to us for so many years. Even if she were dead, she’d show up today to choose one of us. The only question is—which one of us will be unlucky?”

The four exchanged loaded looks.

But then, whispers rippled through the hall.

The Sinclair family’s butler stepped forward—holding four boxes.

The moment Easton and the others saw them, an inexplicable dread stirred in their chests.

Tradition dictated that once I chose my fiancé, the other three would have their engagement tokens returned.

They knew this, and they expected it.

But now—there were four boxes.

As the butler approached, their eyes widened in shock!

Expressionless, he announced, “Master Lovato, Young Master Wright, Young Master Ramirez, Young Master Lopez—Miss Debbie has returned all your engagement tokens. Please verify it.”

His words detonated like a bomb.

The hall fell into absolute silence.