The stinking, bloody jaws gaped open in front of my face. I threw my arm up to block, and sharp fangs pierced straight through my forearm.

Between the searing pain and sheer terror, a dull, dragging ache began to spread through my lower abdomen. The IVF had been brutal enough, and my pregnancy symptoms had been especially severe. The doctor had warned that if I didn't take extra care, the baby would most likely not make it.

In just those few moments, I could already feel blood pooling beneath me.

Someone in the crowd got nervous. "Don't kill her. Just throw her out."

Lily let out a cold snort. Immediately, someone rushed to flatter her.

"Lily is the apple of Mr. Balmer's eye! Remember that time someone outbid her for a piece of jewelry at auction? The guy was on his knees apologizing to her the very next day!"

"Even if something does happen, with Mr. Balmer backing you, what's there to worry about?"

The lead guard grabbed me by the arm and started dragging me out, spewing filth the whole way.

"Lily's my cousin, so Rob's practically my cousin-in-law! Trash like you who break up families deserves to be taught a lesson!"

A sharp pain tore through my scalp as Lily grabbed my hair. She studied my face, and something like jealousy flickered in her eyes.

"Even his wife couldn't compete with me. And you think you stand a chance?"

I froze.

"You know he's married?"

Lily sneered.

"That washed-up old hag? Rob got sick of her ages ago! Why do you think he shipped her off abroad?"

Rob had never told her I went abroad for IVF — to give him a child.

Before I could say anything, a cruel smile curled across Lily's face.

"You slut, trying to use a baby to climb up the ranks? Let me tell you something — you don't have what it takes."

She kicked me square in the stomach. The pain doubled me over, and I dropped to my knees.

I could feel the baby's faint life force ebbing away inside me. Panic flooded through me.

"The baby I'm carrying — it really is Rob's! Please, someone take me to the hospital! If I lose this child, he will never forgive any of you!"

At the sight of blood on the ground, the crowd stirred uneasily. The burly guard whipped around and barked at them.

"This is Balmer family business! Anyone who calls the cops answers to me!"

He shoved me face-down onto the ground, forced my head up, and turned to Lily with a fawning grin.

"Go ahead, cuz. Take it all out on her. Just don't wear yourself out."

Lily's palms rained down on my face one after another. My cheeks were numb, swollen beyond recognition.

A glint of satisfaction crossed her eyes. She turned to the onlookers and warned them loudly.

"This is what happens to homewreckers! If I ever catch any of you sniffing around Rob, you'll end up in worse shape than her!"

With that, she gestured to her cousin.

"Strip her. Dump her naked on the street. If she's shameless enough to be a mistress, she doesn't need clothes."

I clutched my collar with what little strength I had left, fighting desperately.

"Let go of me! I am not a mistress!"

As they dragged me toward the gate, I desperately called out a phone number to the crowd.

"Someone — please call this number. Tell them what's happening here. I'll pay a hundred thousand dollars to whoever makes that call."

Someone in the crowd scoffed.

"She's not trying to call for backup, is she?"

The spectators burst out laughing.

"Backup? Who would dare come? In this city, who's bigger than the Balmers?"

Lily dug her nails into my side and twisted.

"Still putting on a show, you tramp? Dressed in rags like that — who could you possibly call?"

I stopped struggling. I looked at the doubtful faces and doubled down.

"Whoever makes that call gets a million dollars."

Before the words even left my mouth, Lily's palm cracked across my face again.

My head went spinning. I spat out a tooth, bloody and broken.

"Still acting! You're not even worth a hundred bucks!"

"Strip her!"

The dark-faced man and his goons leered at me and grabbed at my clothes.

Someone even started livestreaming, announcing to the world that they were about to show everyone what happened to homewreckers.

Just as my clothes were about to be torn off, a Maybach pulled up at the gate.

A cool, aloof voice cut through the chaos, tinged with mild annoyance.

"Didn't I tell you not to make a scene?"

Rob Balmer stood with one hand on the car door, barely even frowning — and yet the whole crowd immediately went silent.

Lily cozied up to him like a little bird, tugging at his sleeve.

"Rob, this woman is absolutely disgusting. She was out here ruining your reputation in front of all these people. I only did it for you!"

Rob's expression softened. He reached out and patted her head indulgently.

"You and your temper. You just know I'll always clean up after you, don't you?"

His indulgent tone hit me like a sledgehammer.

Once upon a time, I was the one known in our circle for being willful and spoiled. Back then, Rob was the one who protected me just like this, covering for me at every turn.

He'd even announced it in front of everyone once, "If anyone gives you trouble, hit them right back. Let's see who dares to lay a hand on you."

Everyone in the city knew — you could cross the iron-fisted Rob Balmer and survive, but cross Sherry Knight and you were finished.

I never thought that the tenderness and doting that once belonged to me alone would now be lavished on another woman so freely.

My heart turned to ash. The last shred of attachment I had for Rob finally died.

Rob glanced at me and frowned slightly.

"This is the crazy woman you were talking about?"

By now, my face was so swollen and beaten that I was barely recognizable, my clothes torn and filthy. He didn't recognize me at all.

Seeing Rob linger on me for an extra second, Lily quickly grabbed his attention back.

"This tramp right here! I was about to livestream it — let everyone see what happens to homewreckers."

Rob looked away indifferently and nodded.

"Let someone else handle it. No need to dirty your hands."

Lily beamed with triumph and clung to him.

"This bitch had some nerve too — she actually claimed to be your wife!"

Rob's whole demeanor went cold.

"Sherry is my wife. Anyone who besmirches her name is asking for it."

Seeing Rob's genuine anger, a flash of resentment twisted across Lily's face. She quickly changed the subject.

"I was just kidding. Come on, let's go home — didn't you say you'd cook for me?"

She shot a look at her goons, who immediately lunged at me again.

I fought with everything I had, my throat raw as I screamed for help.

Rob wrapped his arm around Lily's waist and walked past me without so much as a glance.

I touched my slightly swollen belly and let the tears fall — tears of regret.

'I'm sorry, little one. Your mother chose such a cold, heartless man to be your father. Maybe it's a blessing that you'll never have to come into this world...'

The sound of my skirt tearing ripped through the air — and at that exact moment, a long convoy of cars pulled up at the gate with an imposing flourish.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Who is that? Even more impressive than the Balmer entourage!"

"That Rolls-Royce — that color is the only one in the country! And that license plate — money alone can't buy that!"

Rob stopped in his tracks.

As he watched the person step out of the car, his face changed. He dropped Lily's hand and strode forward.

"Why have you come—"

Slap!

A sharp, clear handprint bloomed across Rob's face. The crowd fell dead silent.