"Is there something you need?"

The moment Juno saw Sasha, he let go of Quinn, a barely noticeable hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"This is the annual report for our workshop. It needs to be stamped," Sasha said, pretending to stay calm.

"You came to find me just for this trivial matter?" Juno's expression darkened for some reason as he tossed the report onto the desk.

The referral letter fluttered out, with Sasha's name clearly written on it.

"Do you want to go back to Coldbourne?" Juno's heart sank in a sudden panic.

Even Quinn held her breath.

Years ago, Juno had begged her, tearfully, not to go abroad, but she hadn't shown any sympathy.

However, life overseas wasn't as perfect as she'd imagined. The Ledger Family was schemed against and soon, they went bankrupt.

She was no longer the young lady of the Ledger Family. Instead, she had become the target of dangerous people, forcing her to flee back to the country.

Fortunately, Juno hadn't forgotten about her. He even found a substitute to ease his longing for her.

When Quinn saw how much Sasha resembled her, she couldn't hide her delight.

She not only wanted to marry Juno and live a privileged life again, but also planned to use Sasha as a scapegoat to settle her old scores.

Now that the "scapegoat" wanted to leave, she was more anxious than even Juno.

Quinn smiled, covering her lips and said, "Juno, is it because you've been too kind to her? She must think you're a fool, using the same trick of 'playing hard to get' twice?"

Juno immediately calmed down.

He tore the referral letter into pieces and threw it hard at Sasha's face.

"In Coldbourne, you're just a lowly worker without parents. You finally managed to cling to me and you would be willing to leave? Even acting has its limits. Be careful, or you'll end up with nothing!"

The sharp fragments of paper left marks on Sasha's face. Blood droplets oozed out and seeing the numerous scars on her trembling hands, Juno realized that she had suffered so much in just two days.

Feeling a pang of guilt, he compromised, "Fine, after work on New Year's Eve, wait for me at the factory gate."

Quinn tried to stop him, "Juno..."

""There's no need to say more, I know what I'm doing."

Seeing his determination, Quinn had no choice but to fall silent, showing a gentle smile. "Alright, I'll listen to you."

However, the malicious look in her eyes sent a chill down Sasha’s spine.

Sasha only wanted to return home safely, without getting involved in this rivalry. So, after finishing work on New Year's Eve, she went straight to the dormitory.

Everyone else had gone home for the holidays, leaving the dormitory unusually quiet and empty.

As Sasha was about to go get hot water, she suddenly saw Juno storming in, his face full of anger. "Didn't I tell you to wait for me at the gate?"

"I have something to do."

"What could you possibly have to do? Don’t you want to meet my parents? I’ll take you back to meet them."

Sasha was stunned for a moment. In the past, she had wanted to meet Juno's parents, hoping for their approval and acceptance. After three years, Juno had never agreed.

Now, when she had given up, he was suddenly willing. Unfortunately, it was too late.

Sasha straightforwardly said, "I don't want to meet them anymore."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Juno angrily picked her up and slapped her. "Behave yourself!"

Sasha felt a surge of shame in her heart but couldn’t break free. Fortunately, it was New Year's Eve and there were hardly any people in the factory.

She was shoved into the back seat of Juno’s Mercedes.

Just as she settled in, Quinn’s voice came from the front passenger seat.

"Juno, in the years I’ve been away, no one else has taken this seat, right?"

"Of course not."

Sasha finally understood why Juno never let her sit in the front seat during their drives. He said it might make her carsick, but it was just an excuse. That seat was reserved for Quinn.

The truth hurt, but Sasha didn’t feel as sad as she thought she would.

She couldn’t figure it out. Was Juno crazy? How could he bring both of them home at the same time?

The Marlow Family was hosting a New Year’s Eve party tonight.

Servants were busy decorating the villa with bright and festive ornaments.

In the grand banquet hall, drinks and delicacies were prepared in a buffet style.

So, this was the Marlow Family.

In the past, Juno often boasted about how grand and impressive his family was. However, when Sasha saw it for herself, she realized it was nothing special.

It was far inferior compared to her own family.

Previously, Sasha had considered revealing her own background. If she did, her marriage with Juno would undoubtedly proceed smoothly.

But she felt that earning the acceptance of the Marlow Family through her own efforts would make her worthy of this pure love.

Unfortunately, this relationship was flawed from the very beginning.

Quinn took off her woolen coat, revealing the luxurious gown underneath.

Arm in arm with Juno, who was dressed in a suit, Quinn looked like the perfect match with him.

She cast a mocking glance at Sasha, who was wearing a white work uniform with sleeve covers and tossed a formal evening dress into her arms. "Put this on. In a family of our status, even the servant needs to look presentable."

Sasha froze for a moment before understanding.

"Juno, when you said you were bringing me home, did you mean to make me a servant?"

"What? You’ve been insisting on meeting my parents, but who do you think you are? Do you think you can meet them openly like someone like Quinn, a wealthy heiress? By being a servant here, you’ll get to see them when they arrive. Isn’t that enough for you?"

Sasha couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Was her wish to meet them only meant in the most literal sense?

She couldn’t tell if Juno was pretending not to understand her feelings or if he simply didn’t care.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

Sasha turned to leave, but Juno grabbed her arm.

"Change into it! My patience has its limits. If you keep acting this way, I have plenty of ways to deal with you!"

Sasha stayed silent for a moment. She knew she was far from home, without any support and had no choice but to comply.

After changing into the outfit, she looked at herself in the mirror, holding a tray and couldn’t help but feel a wave of sorrow.

It was her own recklessness that had led her here. She had left behind her loving parents, who had always doted on her, only to trap herself in this humiliating situation.

It was her own doing, after all.

Fortunately, this would all be over soon.

Not far away, a crowd had gathered around Quinn, who was beaming with joy as she showed off a ring on her hand.

"I just casually mentioned 'a diamond lasts forever’ and Juno bought me such a big diamond ring!"

The diamond sparkled brilliantly under the light, piercing Sasha’s heart.

After being with Quinn, Juno had showered her with sweet words and tirelessly held and kissed her every day, yet he had hardly ever given her any gifts.

There was only one time. After she spent two years' worth of savings to buy him a pair of cufflinks, he was moved and gave her a small silver ring in return.

"Gifts aren’t about their value but the thought behind them. Besides, there are too many people around at the factory; there’s no need to wear anything fancy. The thought is what counts," Juno had said at the time.

Sasha had seen countless treasures growing up, but that light, inexpensive silver ring was her favorite gift she had ever received—simply because it was from Juno.

But now, Juno was dotingly telling Quinn, “So what if it’s expensive? Just wear it without worry. I’ll keep you safe. Quinn, you deserve the best!”

Sasha bit her lip, a sharp pain piercing her heart.

Her parents used to say, “Love follows where the money goes,” and she had dismissed it as shallow. Now, she finally understood. Juno thought the same.

He didn’t love her. That’s why he believed she wasn’t worthy of nice things and gave all the best to Quinn.

Sasha didn’t want to watch any longer. She turned to leave, only to see a man holding a glass of wine stumbling toward her.

Even though she had dodged in time, the man seemed to do it on purpose, spilling a full glass of red wine onto her chest.

The fabric of her dress was very thin and when it got wet, it clung to her body, revealing her curves and faintly showing some skin.

Sasha only staggered back a little, not making a big movement, but the hem of the dress she was wearing suddenly split open.

Her white thighs, along with her underwear, were exposed.

Sasha tried to cover herself with her hands, but if she covered her chest, she couldn't cover her lower body, making her extremely embarrassed.

Not far away, the man was exchanging malicious glances with Quinn.

Sasha immediately understood. The dress had been tampered with and the man had colluded with Quinn.

Their plan was clear. They wanted to humiliate her in front of everyone.

“How did you end up like this?”

Seeing the commotion, Juno strode over, quickly taking off his suit jacket without hesitation.

In her helpless panic, Sasha blurted out, “There’s something wrong with the dress and that man…”

However, the chatter of the wealthy ladies behind her cut off Sasha’s words.

“This waitress sure has some nerve. She deliberately made the dress tear to draw attention to herself.”

“Exactly! And she purposely bumped into that man, showing off her figure while pretending to be pitiful. No wonder Mr. Marlow felt sorry for her.”

“Quinn, you’re engaged to Mr. Marlow. Are you just going to let this woman seduce him like that?”

Quinn, feigning grievance but appearing magnanimous, spoke softly, “It’s fine. I saw what happened too, but Juno is my everything. Whoever he chooses to care about or whatever he decides to do, I won’t object.”

Juno felt a buzzing in his head. It turned out that Sasha was shameless. She tried to twist the truth and falsely accuse Quinn.

One used underhanded tricks, while the other was so understanding.

The balance in Juno’s heart completely tipped. He pulled back his jacket and, with his other hand, shoved Sasha forcefully to the ground.

“On a day meant for family celebration, you just have to use such disgraceful tricks to get my attention? Can’t you learn from Quinn?” he scolded harshly, towering over her.

“Forget it. Quinn is a wealthy heiress. Her manners and grace aren’t something an orphan like you, who was raised without proper guidance, could ever match!”

Sasha’s injured palm scraped against the ground, reopening the wounds and sending sharp, searing pain through her hand.

But what hurt her more was her heart.

After three years of companionship, all she earned was such cruel words from Juno.

Even though she had already decided to leave, the pain in her chest was unbearable.

“What’s with that look?”

Seeing her tears welling up, Juno’s tone softened.

“If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t even bother. I only say this because I care about you. Isn’t that enough for you?”

Sasha smiled bitterly. So, was stabbing someone in the heart what he called "caring"?

She would rather not have such care.

She didn't want to show her weakness, but tears still flowed uncontrollably.