Anna lounged languidly on the sofa. She had been busy socializing and drinking during the last few days leading up to the day of the contract signing, and now that it was finally over and done with, exhaustion had finally set in. All she wanted to do was sleep. She let a young man help take off her heels and socks. She didn't move and silently allowed him to give her feet a massage.

Her mind began to wander, and she couldn't help but get more and more confused. Bill had dared her to bet on whether Jackson had feelings for her or not.

He had deliberately ordered eight guys, all young and hot, under her name just because he wanted to see what Jackson's reaction would be.

Although Anna was also curious, she was also rational. "Whether he comes or not, I'm not going to win. I will just hurt myself."

"Why can't you win? If he comes, that only proves that he cares about you. I'm trying to help you, Anna. I bet he will come for sure."

The pop-rock dance music in the private box had been switched to a soft, soothing piano song. The young man was really skilled in doing massage. Some of the tiredness she was feeling eased slightly. Anna buried her face in the soft pillows and closed her eyes. "What a coincidence. I bet the same."

After all, Jackson had paid too much when he married her. It was a critical moment in his work. Someone would definitely have to pay if any unknown variables appeared on her side.

This was also the reason why Sam had urgently called Jackson when he saw her here in Twilight.

Anna faintly heard Bill say something else, but she couldn't open her eyes. The young man's massage skills were really good. He knew just how much strength he should exert to make it comfortable. She relaxed completely, almost falling asleep right there and then.

The door to the private box was suddenly kicked open. Anna woke up in shock at the loud bang it had created. Before she could react, Bill smiled and leaned slightly over her shoulder, teasingly whispered, "Well, well, well. The longer you live, the more incredible things you will get to see. That angry guy is Jackson? As in, Jackson Will, also known as the most gentle and elegant person among the upper-class men?"

Angry?

Anna was a little confused. She turned her head slowly to the opened doorway and at the man standing there. His expression was calm as usual. She couldn't see any sign of anger on his face.

The raging fire in Jackson's heart was extinguished when he saw Anna's sleepy eyes… and the young man giving her a foot massage.

Gary had been standing slightly behind Jackson and had a clear glimpse of the scene inside the room. He stared at the foot bath basin, essential oils, and salt scrub and said, "Sam, I just want to ask… since when did you have a foot massage service in your club?"

This was Twilight, the most expensive club in this city, and they were giving foot massages for entertainment.

Sam touched his nose. "Money is difficult to earn." Doing business was not easy, and the customers demanded too much sometimes.

In such an awkward situation, the foot massage obviously could not go on anymore. The handsome young guy packed up his things and left. Bill was not afraid and did not leave immediately. He leaned again and whispered in Anna's ear, "Five o'clock tomorrow evening. Don't forget."

Anna nodded. "Okay."

Bill got up and left, closing the door after him. Only the two of them remained inside the private box. It was finally quiet.

Jackson lit a cigarette and sat on the sofa opposite her. He lifted his dark eyes, as dark as the abyss, to gaze at her figure. The cigarette in his hand was burning, but it couldn't chase away the hostility and the coldness on his face.

Feeling a little unhappy, Anna buried her face in the pillow again. Maybe he really cared about her. She wanted to try and find out.

She looked up.

"Do you think I'll pay more attention to you if you find an accomplice to trick me? I told you to obey the rules when I promised to marry you. The Will family needs dignity." Jackson said. His face, which was shrouded by the smoke from his cigarette, was indifferent. The boredom in his eyes was obvious.

Bill told Anna that Jackson had been engaged to Gina for four years, and yet there had been no talks about them getting married. And then Jackson married her, which showed that the problem between him and Gina was serious. Bill encouraged her not to give up and to keep on fighting for it.

How ironic that she almost believed him!

Anna drew in a deep breath and said coldly, "Even if my reputation is shattered and I lose my dignity, the first one who will suffer is the Green family. Don't ever mention our marriage again. Bill's hobby is known to all the people in this city. Do you think everyone is like you and would let their wife deal with the aftermath after they were caught cheating?"

With a faint smile, Jackson glanced at her and said, "Anna, it's your scheming that got us into where we are. Your innocent and righteous appearance right now, it's really…."

"Fake?" Anna supplied for him, a sneer on her lips.

Jackson's excellent upbringing was a model in their social circle.

Born from a rich family, he had been strict with himself since childhood and had never caused any trouble to his family. Unlike most young men his age who constantly played the field and changed girlfriends as if they were changing clothes or whose nightly routine included going to nightclubs, Jackson had never participated in these kinds of activities. He was self-disciplined and self-motivated and had only one girlfriend.

He was gentle, elegant, and responsible. Except for his cold personality, he was perfect.

Even if he was angry, he would only say a word of reproof or express his disapproval calmly, but he would never swear or shout.

Such indifference was the most hurtful. Anna felt like she was about to cry but held it in and tried to explain patiently. "I told you that it was a coincidence, I…."

… didn't mean to hurt you.

She pursed her lips tightly and didn't go on. She had already explained herself before, but he did not believe her. She didn't want to waste her time anymore.

She was a good girl from a good family. Her parents had carefully cultivated and educated her. She knew the importance of reputation and would not do anything to ruin hers so easily.

Did she drug him? She would never do that kind of thing to debase herself. It was an insult to her!

After more than half a year of marriage, Anna knew what he thought of her in his mind and had never cared.

But today, for some reason, all her suppressed emotions seemed to want to burst out. She almost couldn't hold them back.

She felt that if she stayed with Jackson any longer, she would rush to him and scratch his face. She picked up her coat and left without wearing her shoes.

When the door opened again, Sam and Gary saw her come out barefoot. It was obvious to the two that the conversation did not end well.

"I'll take you home, Anna." Sam offered, thinking she was pitiful.

She rejected him coldly and called for a driver instead.

The cold wind hit her face when she stepped out of the club. Her feet were warm when she had the foot bath earlier, but now she felt cold. She couldn't help shivering against the chilly air.

Looking at her bare feet, Anna remembered the time she saw Jackson at a banquet. She was so happy she couldn't even control herself.

She had chased his car, hoping he would get to know her and, maybe would… what? Like her?

The high-heeled shoes were uncomfortable. She slipped them off and ran barefoot in the rain as she chased after his car like some crazy woman. She was really stupid.

Anna stared down at her feet. They were delicate and beautiful. She had applied nail polish carefully.

In fact, once was already enough. She shouldn't have allowed the same people to hurt her again and again for the same reasons.

She put on her shoes and wrapped herself in her coat while waiting for the car.

Even if she had wrapped herself carefully, she still had a headache when she got home. The headache was severe and made her so sick to her stomach. She felt weak after throwing up a couple of times. She was feeling unwell and couldn't even stand up.

……

Anna woke up in the hospital the next day. Her throat was swollen and painful, which made breathing difficult.

A woman was sitting on the sofa, wearing jeans, a sweater, and a cap. Although her attire was simple and ordinary, they couldn't hide her beauty. She was worthy of being the national goddess and film queen. She was Gina Bill.

Seeing that Anna was already awake, Gina came over to her bed and asked her thoughtfully, "Do you want to drink some water?"

Anna glanced at her and took the glass she offered before asking faintly, "Why are you here?"

"Your brother called Jackson and said you fainted, but I answered the phone. Oh, and I didn't tell Jackson you were ill. He also didn't know that I had come here. We're rivals in love... Are you angry that I did this?"

"You did the right thing," Anna answered. Even after drinking all the water Gina gave her, and she was still thirsty. "Can you pour me another glass, please?"

"Okay," Gina agreed happily. She poured another water on her and then sat beside her. "Today, I came here to thank you for helping me in the club last time."

Anna stared at her. "Thank me?"

The mistress came to thank the wife.

What a funny joke!

Gina was full of self-confidence, even coming here to show her presence in front of her. If Anna didn't teach her a lesson, her rival would think she was a pushover. "Then how are you going to thank me?"

"I will tell you a secret between Jackson and me."

Anna stared at her exquisite and impeccable face and asked, "Is it something related to the bedroom?"

Gina's eyes narrowed slightly. "You knew about it. That thing wouldn't have happened last Wednesday if you didn't." She smiled meaningfully at Anna.

Anna didn't say anything. Her throat burned, and it was not only because she was sick. She didn't know what to say to Gina. Should she ask her some questions? What should she ask? What posture does my husband like to use when he's in your bed? Do you hug him as I do?

She leaned back against the headboard. Her eyes were hooded as she drank her water slowly.

Gina was watching her reaction closely. Anna didn't know what she was looking for in her expression.

But she was calm. She had always been confident about her appearance. Even if she was pale and sitting on a hospital bed, she didn't feel like she had lost out to Gina.

"Since you already know the first secret, I will tell you another one to make you happy," Gina said suddenly.

Anna glanced at Gina's beautiful face. Her expression was sincere, but Anna did not believe even for a minute that her motives were pure. She sighed and said, "Don't tell me you're going to take care of me here."

Gina's smiling face turned unhappy. "How do you know about everything?"

Anna put the empty glass down. She was smiling, but it did not reach her eyes. "Miss Gina, I know a lot more than you think. For example, whenever Jackson was in my bed every Wednesday night… What were you… busy about?"

Gina's expression changed. The corners of her lips pulled down; her eyes turned cold. However, in the blink of an eye, she smiled again as if nothing had happened. "I really don't want to take care of you here. You don't want to see me because I'm Jackson's beloved. But thanks are still necessary."

Anna frowned. Who cared about her gratitude?

Ignoring Gina, Anna got out of bed and went to the bathroom. When she came out, she found Gina playing with her mobile phone on the sofa.

Wasn't she going to leave?

Cathy Hill, Anna's friend, arrived later carrying breakfast for her. Her eyes widened when she saw Gina on the sofa. She immediately walked over to Anna and asked in a low voice, "What's going on? Why is she here?"

Anna shook her head. Who knew what Gina was trying to do? She didn't want to care about the reasons behind her actions.

She was hungry and hadn't had breakfast yet. She was glad for the food that Cathy had brought for her. Her throat hurt so much that even soup was difficult to swallow.

Anna was about to finish the last of her soup when the door opened again. She looked over and saw a well-dressed Jackson standing in the doorway. She paused slightly.

Maybe it was because he saw her wearing hospital clothes that there was panic in his eyes.

"Jackson, you're here…" Gina called out beside her.

Anna almost spat out the soup in her mouth. Gina's overly-sweet voice disgusted her so much!

"Are you okay, Anna? Be careful." Gina kindly handed a tissue to her and then walked up to Jackson. "Anna looked so pitiful. It hurts to see her that way. Would you mind taking care of her for me? You're helping me return her kindness when she helped me in the club."

Cathy couldn't take the sight before her any longer and was about to stand up, but Anna held her back and motioned her not to be impulsive.

"I'll take you home first," Jackson said.

Gina nodded, then turned back to Anna. "I got to go, Anna," She said and then winked at her as if to say, "Are you happy that I'm letting him take care of you?"

Cathay's temper exploded the minute the door closed behind the two. "I can't believe how vicious that woman is!"

Anna was silent, still feeling lost at the intimate way Gina had called Jackson's name.

Jackson came and went and barely even spared her a glance. It felt like he had inserted a knife straight into her heart.

"He doesn't care about me. You know that." Anna said, bowing her head as she continued to eat her soup.

"But he… he…." Cathy felt sorry for her. "I didn't expect her to be so shrewd!"

"It's a well-known fact that Jackson has given her a lot of resources so she could become the film queen at the age of 28, but it is also a fact that she earned all her achievements through her effort and hard work. She, a merely adopted daughter of the Bill family, could get to her position today because she did not let go of even a single opportunity to climb up. She will not be as innocent in such a cruel cycle as she shows the outside world."

"Then are you just going to let her bully you like this?" Cathy was furious.

Anna smiled. "Do I look like I'm her doormat?"