When I went back to the university to pack up my father’s things, the dean summoned me to a lecture hall. Violet was standing on the stage with a grin on her face.

“Your PhD thesis is the same as Violet’s. Explain yourself.”

Violet immediately spoke first. She said, “Professor Smith guided me through the thesis while he was still alive. Professor Thompson can be my witness.”

I had met Professor Thompson before. His daughter was working at Henry’s law firm.

‘I see,’ I thought.

The dean publicly announced that I had plagiarized Violet’s thesis and expelled me.

All my years of hard work went down the drain.

I did not defend myself because it was not the time for that yet.

It would only hurt more if they fell from a greater height.

Once I returned to the villa, I put the prepared divorce agreement on the table. Henry had just come back. When he saw my luggage bag, he rebuked me, saying, “Luna, can you stop being so childish? I can’t believe you’d actually try to run away from home.”

When he saw that I was still giving him the cold shoulder, he was displeased. “I’m talking to you. Why are you pretending to be mute?”

He scoffed, but when he saw the divorce agreement on the table, he was stunned. “You want a divorce? Just because of that stupid thesis?”

However, I still refused to react, so he decided to soften his tone. “Violet isn’t the same as you are. She has no family supporting her and has to depend on herself. Just let her win this once.”

I just found Henry’s sweet tone disgusting. “You don’t have to say anything. Just sign it.”

Henry just lit the agreement up in flames and threw it at my feet. “My patience has limits. If you just swallow your pride and stop with this, I’ll pretend that nothing happened.”

When I saw Henry’s cold gaze, I remembered that this was how he acted in court too. Regardless of what evidence the opposing lawyer brought out, he would fight until the very last moment.

He had his principles and would never admit defeat.

So, whenever we argued, I was the one who apologized and asked for reconciliation first.

The moment Henry saw that my expression was turning even darker, he said, “I know that you’re in a bad mood because your father passed away. Once I’m done with my tasks on hand, let’s go on a holiday to relax.”

He was giving in at this point, but before I could consider it, I received news that Violet had been elected as an academician.

With my father’s lifelong research results, she became the youngest PhD holder in the National University.

I trembled in rage. I was not going to let my father’s murderer claim credit for his work.

So, I got my father’s drafts and research data, organized them, and posted them online, but in less than ten minutes, someone removed them.

In the next second, someone flung my door open.

Violet stormed over to me and yelled, “Are you trying to kill me by posting those things?!”

I checked the trending tags. It might have just been up for ten minutes, but it still caused irreversible damage to Violet.

“That old man is already dead. Letting me claim credit for the data will allow me to bring out its full value. If he somehow learns about this, he’ll also be able to rest in peace.”

“Do you really think that my father will be happy that his murderer is claiming credit for his work?!” I shot back.

Violet’s eyes went wide with shock before ruthlessness flickered in them. “Yeah. I claimed credit for his work. What of it? As long as Henry still sides with me, you’ll never win.”

She then brought a flame to the papers on the table, and fire instantly spread out.

When I saw my father’s blood, sweat, and tears going up in flames, I tried to use my hands to extinguish the fire. I did not even care about the pain.

However, smoke still filled the room, and I heard Violet’s weakened voice. “I’m sorry, Henry. I couldn’t get Luna to forgive me. Don’t blame her. I was just too selfish.”

Henry rushed over and cradled her burned hands. His heart was full of pity for her.

He ignored my blister-covered hands and snapped at me, “Have you lost your mind, Luna?! I was the one who asked Violet to do it. She’s my savior. Why can’t I thank her by helping her get her PhD?!”

I was shocked and cried out, “What on earth are you saying? My father is the one who saved you!”

Upon hearing my words, Henry was first stunned before he snickered.

“Your father wanted me crippled forever. Violet has already given me the first seven doses. She has always been the one who’s saving me.”

Violet teared up in “sadness.” “Luna, you can choose not to forgive me, but you can’t lie to Henry.”

I glared at her. “Swear it, then. If any of what you said is a lie, you will die.”

The sound of a slap rang out. Then, Henry grabbed my swollen face and said, “Do you really hate the idea of me getting better? You’re just as selfish and snobbish as your father.”

Henry then forced me to slap myself in the face while apologizing to Violet before shoving his phone into my face. “You care about your father’s work, don’t you? I’m going to ruin him right now.”

Henry had gotten someone to falsely claim that my father stole Violet’s research results.

The only way to prove my father’s innocence was already burnt to a crisp.

I stared at the ashes of the papers, and as the embers died, the last remaining bit of love I had for Henry died as well.

Once the video was uploaded, it led to a major commotion in the scientific world.

Many people who looked up to my father started insulting him with the vilest words. Some even gathered together groups of people to throw trash at my father’s grave.

I was so furious that I started crying.

‘I’m sorry, Dad. I’m a bad daughter. I can’t protect anything you value,’ I thought.

Henry had also dragged me to the operating table. I felt him touch my face and say to the doctor, “Transfer the skin here to Violet’s hand.”

“Sir, your wife is allergic to anesthesia.”

“Then, don’t use it. Remember. No matter what, don’t leave behind any scars on Violet’s hand.”

There was no emotion in Henry’s voice.

The pain in my face made me drift in and out of unconsciousness. I could feel someone using a knife to cut my face.

The pain jolted me awake, and I felt as if every part of my face had been cut by a knife.

I heard Henry’s angry voice.

“How is she supposed to show her face now that you’ve ruined it?”

Violet sobbed sadly. “I was just worried that you wouldn’t want me anymore. I was just so jealous of Luna that I went mad. I’m sorry. I’ll cut my face up as an apology to her.”

Henry grabbed her hand with resignation in his eyes. “That’s enough. I’m not blaming you for this. Just don’t do it again.”

I staggered over to the mirror and saw that my originally smooth face was covered in ugly scars.

In my despair, I grabbed a pair of scissors and lunged at Violet, but Henry just frowned and shielded Violet while comforting me. “Violet was just throwing a tantrum. Don’t hold this against her. I’ll get the best doctors to treat you. Put the scissors down.”

The doctors and nurses also stood in front of me and shielded Violet.

Rage burned in my eyes, but I suddenly started laughing like a maniac.

“You’re going to suffer the consequences for your actions, Henry.”

When he saw my crazed state, Henry just looked annoyed. “Stop throwing a tantrum already, Luna.”

He then had the medical officers inject me with a tranquilizer.

As I started falling unconscious, I heard Violet’s smug giggles.

“Violet, even after I made you so ugly, Henry still refuses to blame me. It looks like he loves me. Do you really think that I can’t make the last dose after your father died? Tomorrow, I’m going to ask Henry to divorce you and marry me. We’re going to have a grand wedding. When that day arrives, I’m going to make you watch.”

The next day, Henry threw a party to celebrate his impending recovery.

Violet was surrounded by the people and showered with praise, and she was really smug about it.

“Mr. Franke is so lucky to have someone as talented as you near him. I’m so jealous.”

“That’s right. I think that you’re a much better match for Mr. Franke. Luna Smith is just a freeloader.”

“I heard that she was jealous of Miss Sunder and wanted to destroy her face, but she failed and suffered for that instead.”

Violet giggled smugly.

She had even ordered someone to bring me over.

Once they saw my face, all of them showed their disdain toward me.

Even as I listened to their mocking words, I did not care and just sat down in a corner.

“Bah! The father is a disgrace in the academic world, and the daughter is a piece of trash too. Just having her here ruins the mood.”

“I think we should have her apologize to Miss Sunder and curse at her father for being a piece of trash. That way, we can avenge Miss Sunder.”

The moment the person finished speaking, some people dragged me over to Violet and made me face her.

“Apologize to me on your father’s behalf, and I’ll let bygones be bygones.”

Before I could say anything, a major surge of electricity slammed into my waist.

I threw my head back and screamed in pain.

Violet just leaned down and giggled. “I’ll stop whenever you decide to apologize.”

With a stiff body, I turned to Henry. He was frowning, but he did not step in.

I laughed brokenly. “Dream on. I’ll be dancing over your graves instead.”

Ruthlessness flashed in Violet’s eyes, and she increased the voltage of the taser.

I spasmed so much that I lost control over my bladder.

When she saw this, Violet covered her mouth and mocked me. “Since you’re so sincere about it, I’ll forgive you.”

They roughly tossed me to one side.

Then, I watched coldly as Violet took out the medicine she created and injected it into Henry’s muscles.

Before everyone’s expectant gazes, Henry pressed his hands against the table and stood up slowly.

In an instant, the crowd erupted in cheers.

Henry was so worked up that he teared up and announced that he was going to award Violet with five million dollars.

“Henry, I don’t want any money. I just want a chance to be by your side.”

Henry was so happy that he agreed to it.

Violet then grabbed a signed divorce agreement and threw it at my face. Her eyes shone with provocation. “Are these the consequences you said I was going to suffer? I love them!”

Then, when she turned back to Henry, what she saw made her smile freeze.