I let out a cold chuckle, which only made him even more furious.

"Saveline, who do you think you are?" David gritted his teeth, his voice dripping with contempt. "Do you really think anyone else in this world would want you? Given your current situation, the moment you step out of my house, you’ll have no choice but to starve!"

"You don’t need to worry about that," I replied indifferently. "Look over the agreement. If there are no issues, sign it. We’ll go to the civil affairs bureau in a month to finalize the divorce."

Compared to David's rage, I remained remarkably calm.

"Saveline, you wouldn’t have secretly latched onto another man, would you? Otherwise, how could you possibly be willing to give up on me, your financial backer..."

"You are indeed a financial backer," I chuckled, "But you're not my financial backer, you’re Lucia’s. All these years, the money I’ve spent came from the roles I worked hard to get. I don’t have the habit of relying on a sponsor."

"You’re still so stubborn," David sneered, his eyes flashing with malice. "Without me, do you really think you'll even get the chance to be an extra?"

"Even if I have to pick up trash, I will never accept your charity," I calmly said.

My unwavering stance made David so furious that his expression twisted in anger. "I’d love to see whether your stubbornness lasts or if my methods will break you first. Let’s see if you can still act this tough when the time comes!"

"Just sign it!" I even uncapped the pen and handed it to him.

David wavered for a moment as he held the divorce agreement, seemingly deep in thought. Then, shaking the document in his hand, he said, "If you want me to sign, fine. But you have to attend the gala with me tonight. Once it’s over, I’ll sign."

After speaking, he pulled an invitation card from the pocket of his suit, my name clearly written on it.

"Alright."

As long as he agreed to the divorce, I was willing to go through fire and water. Let alone attend a mere gala.

"I’ll give you a heads-up. With your current status and reputation, you normally wouldn’t qualify to attend a gala of this level. If the organizers invited you just to boost Lucia’s presence, you might find yourself in an awkward situation. If you apologize to me now, I might reluctantly help you back out of it."

There was a subtle hesitation in his expression, a trace of reluctance that contradicted the arrogance he had when he first walked through the door.

"As long as you sign, I’m definitely going."

"You really don’t know what’s good for you! Don’t expect me to save you when things go south!"

We were locked in a stalemate. After throwing out that harsh remark, he tossed a paper bag at me.

"This is your dress for tonight. No ironing. Just wear it."

I pulled it out and took a look. It was an outdated design from 2015.

It was originally pure white, but now it had turned yellowish. On top of that, it had been carelessly crumpled into a ball, leaving the entire dress wrinkled beyond repair.

It was obvious. David was determined to make Lucia shine like a graceful white swan while using me as the perfect contrast.

Fine. I’d play the clown one last time. If that was the price to leave him, so be it.

It wasn’t until I arrived at the venue that I finally understood. Lucia’s scheme was far more than just making me a laughingstock.

I had underestimated the depth of David’s disdain for me. He was truly willing to go to any lengths for his beloved.

All I had done was call out Lucia for being a mistress, yet to soothe her wounded pride, he had gone as far as inviting major media outlets from abroad to capture my humiliation.

Looking at my wrinkled, yellowed gown, my overly dramatic hairstyle, the dreadful Barbie-pink lipstick and my peeling high heels, I felt the bitterness in my heart.

On both sides of the red carpet, there were not only journalists with their cameras but also a crowd of fans.

The moment they saw me in this ridiculous state, there was a brief moment of stunned silence, followed by a wave of murmurs and exclamations.

hen, people started shouting insults at the top of their lungs.

“Oh wow, isn’t this the woman who dreams of being with David? She really will do anything to get his attention.”

“Exactly! First, she’s trying to act ugly to attract his notice, then she’ll clean up her image. What a scheming woman!”

“What’s the point of cleaning up? She’s not even worthy of touching Lucia’s heels. David isn’t blind. Only an idiot would be interested in an ugly woman like her.”

"Saveline, you’re so shameless! You bully our dear Lucia just because she’s kind. You deserve the worst!"

As they shouted, someone threw a bottle of mineral water straight at me.

I was so shocked that I didn’t even think to dodge.

The half-full bottle hit me square on the forehead.

A burning pain spread across my skin and tears welled up in my eyes, streaming down my face in grievance.

“Ugly woman, get off the red carpet! Look at yourself, do you really think you belong here, among all this glamour?”

“Get lost, clown!”

In front of the crowd, under the glare of hundreds of cameras, I felt utterly helpless. My legs went weak, refusing to move.

Just then, a bodyguard rushed toward me, supporting me as I struggled to take even a single step.

I looked at him gratefully.

"Miss Carter, hurry inside. Mr. Lincoln is waiting for you."

"Hey! Security guy, be careful! This woman is desperate for attention. If you touch her, she might latch onto you! Hahaha!"

Amidst the chaotic insults, the bodyguard pushed me into the venue.

David stared at my disheveled appearance with a cold expression. "What happened to your head?"

"As you can see, I was hit. David, are you satisfied now?" I glared at him angrily.

"Oh no! Saveline, I'm so sorry! I just heard from my assistant about what happened outside. Fans' actions are the idol's responsibility, so I apologize on their behalf!"

If it weren’t for the obvious amusement in her eyes, I might have actually believed her nonsense.

Just like last time, Lucia clung to David's arm like a human accessory, practically pressing herself against him.

In the past, David always prided himself on being an “affair detector”.

But now, it was as if he had gone blind, seeing Lucia as gentle and kind.

I ignored Lucia’s fake sweet words and looked straight at David. “I’ve done what I promised. Can you sign now?”

“Oh! Isn’t this Miss Saveline? I’ve heard so much about you!”

A man holding a wine glass walked over with a smirk.

“I heard that, just like Lucia, you were also a candidate for the lead role in The Legend of Diana. Since that’s the case, why don’t you perform a scene of Diana seducing King Zion? There are plenty of directors at this banquet. Who knows, you might get an opportunity in the future!”

I didn’t even know this man. David had already made it clear, my presence at this banquet was merely to highlight how elegant and pure Lucia was.

This man in front of me was most likely another pawn David had arranged to humiliate me.

“No need. I’m leaving the entertainment industry.” I glanced at him and coldly refused.

“Oh? A little firecracker, huh?” He chuckled mockingly before tilting his chin toward the crowd. “But tell me, can you still keep that fire burning over there?”

I followed the direction of his pointing finger and saw a woman with disheveled hair, dressed in a janitor’s uniform, limping as she wiped the staircase railing on the second floor.

At that moment, I felt like I had completely broken down.

My eyes turned bloodshot as I glared at David and questioned him, “Why did you drag my mother into this?”

“Wow, David, is Saveline always like this? She’s so fierce,” Lucia cooed, clinging to his arm like a spoiled child.

She blinked her big, sparkling eyes and pretended to hide behind David.

David, full of tenderness, pulled her into his arms, gently patting her head in comfort before turning to me with a mocking gaze.

“Aren’t I doing this for your own good? Didn’t you say you wanted to leave me? And you’re so capable that you insist on leaving with nothing. So, out of the kindness of my heart, I found a job opportunity for your mom. Why are you upset? Seven dollars a day isn’t bad, is it?”

Looking at the man before me, whose smile never reached his eyes, I felt an overwhelming sense of fear.

Back when we started our business, we were so frugal that we would stretch every penny. My mom took care of the household and even though we lived modestly outside, he always made sure to leave her enough money for daily expenses.

Back then, he always looked at me with guilt in his eyes and said, “Only by giving Mom more money will she feel that you didn’t suffer by marrying me. Baby, one day, I’ll earn a fortune and give you and Mom a truly good life.”

And now? Just to humiliate me, he paid seven dollars to hire my mom as a janitor.

“What will it take for you to let me go?” My throat was dry, my voice hoarse.

"You've always held a grudge over Lucia taking your role as Diana, haven't you? I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself. Perform an impromptu scene as Diana and I'll let you and your mother go."

"David, acting without props is really too difficult for Saveline," Lucia giggled, her voice sweet yet insidious. "I have a suggestion. Why not let Saveline pick a gentleman from the audience to play King Zion?"

"My Lucia is always so kind," David said indulgently, tapping the tip of Lucia's nose.

I held onto my last shred of dignity, scanning the room for a man willing to act alongside me.

But who here would dare offend David, their powerful benefactor?

One by one, they took discreet steps back, avoiding my gaze.

David's lips curled into a knowing smile, as if savoring my humiliation.

Lucia beamed, her beauty blooming like a flower in full bloom. David’s eyes softened with adoration.

"David, why don’t I play King Zion instead? I’ll help Saveline out."

Without waiting for my response, she cheerfully grabbed a bottle of liquor. "Saveline, let’s act out the famous 'Wine Pool and Meat Forest' scene, shall we?"

I panicked. "David, I can’t drink!"

I was pregnant.

Ever since James offered to take me abroad, I had planned to give birth overseas. As long as David never knew about this child, as long as he stayed out of our life, I could do it alone. I could be both mother and father.

I wanted to keep this child.

"Why are you being so pretentious? It's just a short scene. How much could you possibly drink? If you want to end this farce quickly, stop making a fuss." David remained as arrogant as ever.

Tonight, under the dazzling lights of this grand event, I was nothing but a clown.

I knew I had no way out.

Lucia was playing King Zion. To end this humiliation as soon as possible, I had no choice but to brace myself and approach her.

She pulled me tightly into her embrace. "My beloved consort, come, have a drink with me!"

I knew that if I didn’t drink this wine today, there was no way I’d be allowed to leave.

Clenching my teeth, I took a gulp. The burning sensation made me furrow my brows for a moment.

"Cut! Cut! Cut!" Lucia’s expression darkened.

"Saveline, Diana should be enjoying this moment. How could you frown? Let’s do it again!"

It was a two-ounce glass, filled to the brim. A sly smile flickered in her eyes. "My beauty, come on, enjoy yourself!"

She poured another two ounces of liquor into my mouth.

I was anemic, pregnant and drinking on an empty stomach. It didn’t take long for an allergic reaction to kick in. Large patches of red rashes spread across my body.