Sabrina replied with a winking emoji, oh she didn’t deny it.

The comment section instantly exploded. Countless fans praised her as a talented and humble artist. The tag “beautiful mystery painter” shot up to the trending searches.

Soon after, the luxury brand I was in talks with for a collaboration contacted me, “Miss Angelica, there’s a copyright dispute regarding your artwork. We must suspend our partnership.”

“If you can’t clarify the situation in time, you’ll be responsible for the production costs we’ve already invested, ten million dollars.”

I felt like I’d fallen into an ice pit. I rushed to explain:

“I’m the real ‘X’!”

The representative sighed with hesitation. “The internet believes ‘X’ is someone else. We can’t risk a legal dispute.”

With my original drafts in hand, I headed to a law firm, determined to sue Sabrina.

But on the way, a group of people forcibly took me to the Langston Corporation headquarters.

When Adrian saw me, a flicker of surprise and panic flashed in his eyes.

“Those paintings are yours?”

I looked at him, my heart sinking, voice trembling, “So what now? To make Sabrina successful, are you planning to silence me?”

His firm expression faltered.

But he quickly returned to his cold demeanor.

“It’s been Sabrina’s dream since she was a child to be a painter. As her uncle, of course I’ll support her.”

A bitter ache rose in my chest. Still, I couldn’t help but ask, “Do you even realize that your selfish decision could completely destroy me?”

Ten million in damages, I had no way out except death.

Adrian impatiently interrupted, “Angelica, you nearly caused Sabrina’s death. This is what you owe her.”

“I’ll make you a deal. As long as you publicly admit that Sabrina is ‘X’ and don’t smear her name, I’ll consider marrying you soon.”

I rejected him outright.

“No need.”

His voice turned sharp, “Think about your parents.”

Swallowing the sting in my eyes, I resigned myself and signed the non-disclosure agreement. Only then did Adrian soften slightly.

“I’ll settle your family’s debts.”

I ignored him and numbly turned to leave.

Rain began to fall from the sky. A pink sports car sped past me. A splash of muddy water drenched me from head to toe. Sabrina lowered the car window, staring at me with mocking eyes.

“A wife can be replaced, but I’ll always be the only adopted daughter.”

“Angelica, do you finally know your place?”

I wanted to sever ties once and for all, so I replied calmly, “I won’t be marrying Adrian. I wish you both happiness.”

Something about that line struck a nerve.

Sabrina’s face twisted with rage.

“Uncle was always mine! Who needs your fake generosity?!”

She slammed the gas pedal, aiming the car straight at me.

“Angelica, go to hell!”

Before I could react, the pink car shot toward me.

My body flew through the air and crashed hard onto the ground.

She tried to hit me again.

But the rain-slicked road caused the car to lose control and spin out, smashing into several parked vehicles.

Broken glass slashed Sabrina’s forehead. She passed out at the wheel.

People gathered around and began calling for an ambulance.

Adrian arrived in a hurry, his face tight with worry as he checked Sabrina’s injuries.

Then he turned to look at me, still lying motionless on the ground, his eyes full of hatred.

“Angelica, I’ve been too lenient with you. That’s why you still don’t know your place and keep upsetting Sabrina.”

I opened my mouth but couldn’t utter a word through the pain.

Adrian gently lifted Sabrina into the ambulance.

I reached out weakly.

“Help… me…”

Adrian sneered, “You’re not even bleeding. Stop pretending.”

Then he ordered the driver to leave.

I watched the ambulance drive away in despair.

No matter how much my body hurt, it couldn’t compare to the stabbing pain in my heart.

A kind passerby took me to the hospital.

When the nurse heard I’d been hit by a car, her face turned pale with shock.

“Patients with internal injuries and no visible trauma are the most dangerous! Don’t move. I’ll call the doctor right away.”

My consciousness began to fade.

Everything blurred.

Suddenly, a large hand grabbed my wrist.

Adrian barked an order.

“You and Sabrina both have rare Rh-negative blood. Go donate to her now.”

Before I could say anything, he dragged me forcefully toward the blood donation room.

The last thread of strength in my heart snapped.

Tears spilled from my eyes like broken pearls as I shook my head helplessly.

“Adrian, I have anemia… Please, don’t…”

He froze for a moment.

Then he gently stroked my face, his voice unexpectedly soft, “Angelica, just hang in there. I promise this will be the last time.”

“Once you’re better, we’ll get married and live a good life together.”

A doctor tried to persuade him tactfully.

“Miss Sabrina only suffered superficial wounds. There’s no immediate need for blood transfusion.”

But Adrian insisted coldly.

“Do it now! Sabrina’s body is fragile, it’s better to be safe.”

A slender needle pierced my arm.

As the blood quickly drained from me, I began to tremble uncontrollably. My face turned ghostly pale.

Everything went dark, I collapsed to the ground.

The nurse let out a panicked cry, “Who brought a car accident patient to donate blood?! Get the resuscitation team!”

“Preliminary diagnosis: three broken ribs, ruptured spleen and severe blood loss.”

They placed me on a stretcher and rushed me to the operating room.

In the blur, I heard Adrian’s frantic voice.

“She didn’t have any visible injuries, how did it get this bad?!”

“Call the best doctors in the city! She can’t die!”

When I opened my eyes again, A nurse stood at my bedside, visibly shaken.

“You’re finally awake! We were so worried you wouldn’t make it.”

She handed me a bowl of red date and goji berry porridge.

“Mr. Adrian specially bought this for you to replenish your blood. Drink it while it’s warm.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw all sorts of expensive supplements piled at the bedside.

I forced myself to sit up and chased after the departing nurse, wanting to return everything.

As I passed the neighboring ward, I saw Adrian spoon-feeding Sabrina.

The gentle smile on his face was crystal clear.

A few young nurses were whispering.

“Mr. Adrian really dotes on Miss Sabrina. The mighty CEO actually spent six hours in the kitchen making bone broth, just so she could drink it as soon as she woke up!”

My strength gave out.

The supplements in my hands scattered loudly across the floor.

Right then, I received a message from my dad.

[Sweetheart, the order you secured saved the company. The crisis is over. Rest well, we’re so proud of you.]

My eyes stung with tears. I slumped to the floor, overwhelmed with relief.

I tried to recall the so-called “order,” but no matter how hard I thought, I couldn’t remember a thing.

Just then, the luxury brand representative I used to work with also sent a message: [Miss Angelica, your payment has been settled. We look forward to working with you again.]

I looked up again at the hospital room where Adrian sat.

My heart, already numb, could no longer stir with emotion. Only quiet acceptance remained.

Adrian, from now on, we owe each other nothing.

It wasn’t until three days later, after being wrapped around Sabrina’s finger that Adrian finally remembered me.

He rushed to my hospital room, only to find an empty bed.

He quickly grabbed a passing nurse and asked, “Where’s the patient from Room 302?”

But the nurse informed him, “Miss Angelica was discharged three days ago.”

Adrian quickly pulled out his phone and sent me a message: [You haven’t recovered yet. How could you be so reckless and check out early?]

But instead of delivering, a large red exclamation mark popped up.

Adrian’s heart skipped a beat. A wave of panic rose in his chest. He immediately ordered his assistant to track me down.

When Sabrina learned that he was going to such lengths to find me, she pouted with dissatisfaction.

“Uncle, so what if she left? The Langston Family can have any socialite they want.”

“Angelica doesn’t know what’s good for her, just replace her as your fiancée.”

Adrian couldn’t explain it either.

Clearly, Sabrina was the one he regarded as unique and irreplaceable.

But the thought of me truly leaving made something catch in his throat.

When his assistant finally told him I was at a bridal boutique trying on wedding dresses, Adrian let out a long breath of relief.

So, I was just throwing a tantrum.

After all, in our past life, I loved him so much, how could I really leave?

I was probably secretly planning the wedding, already having forgiven him and eager to become his bride.

On the eve of the wedding, Adrian hosted a bachelor party with his friends.

After a few rounds of drinks, A drunk friend clapped him on the shoulder and sighed.

“When you ditched Angelica in front of everyone at the engagement party, I thought I had a chance with her.”

Adrian’s face darkened.

The friend, oblivious, kept going, “Angelica was our campus belle, very beautiful and smart. Every guy in school liked her.”

With someone breaking the ice, the others joined in.

“That body of hers… just one look and I’m a goner. Adrian, you’ve got it made.”

“If I had a girlfriend who brought me homemade meals every day, I’d marry her too.”

Adrian remembered the first time we met, at a cocktail party.

I’d set aside my wealthy heiress pride and gone around offering drinks. It was obvious I was desperate for money.

When some creep reached out to grope me, he’d stepped in to help.

After hearing he had a bad stomach, I repaid the favor by delivering meals to the Langston Group every day.

One stormy day, I’d arrived soaking wet, but still clutched the insulated lunch box tightly.

Something in him had shifted.

He’d proposed the marriage himself.

His friends all knew that Adrian only planned to marry me to shield Sabrina from gossip.

Yet that night, he couldn’t sleep at all.

At dawn, Adrian rushed to the hotel where our wedding had taken place in the previous life.

As he approached the bridal suite, a staff member stepped forward and blocked his path.

“Sir, this is the bride’s dressing room. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed.”