As I walked down the staircase with my arm linked through Julian’s, more than half the guests had already left the hall.

The remaining relatives immediately put on flattering smiles the moment they saw him.

But when their eyes landed on me, the contempt was still impossible to hide.

My mother sat at the center of the sofa, a glass of red wine in her hand.

Her gaze lingered on our intertwined hands for a second, her expression unreadable.

I couldn't tell what she was thinking. I only knew that when she spoke, every word was as sharp as ever.

“Since Mr. Cooper has taken a liking to her, this hopeless case is yours now.”

Her gaze shifted to me.

“Suzy Smith, don't go to the Cooper family and embarrass me by using my name.”

Her tone was vicious, filled with unmistakable satisfaction and revenge.

I forced down the waves of pain pulsing through my head.

Then I flashed a carefree grin.

“Don't worry, Ms. Sharp. I'll cling to the Cooper family with everything I've got. I definitely won't be borrowing your influence.

“After all, I'm off to live the life of a rich housewife now.”

My mother's hand trembled slightly around her wineglass.

She turned her face away and coldly spat out two words.

“Get out.”

The moment I turned around, the tumor in my brain seemed to crush every nerve in my body.

A burst of agony washed over me, and darkness nearly swallowed my vision.

The familiar metallic taste surged up my throat again, rushing toward my mouth.

I bit down hard on my back teeth and shifted all my weight onto Julian's arm.

In a trembling voice that only the two of us could hear, I pleaded, “Julian, get me out of here. Now.”

I couldn't collapse here.

I absolutely couldn't let my mother see me like this.

I had to play the role of a greedy, heartless opportunist to the very end and make her give up on me completely.

Julian immediately sensed something was wrong and tightened his grip around my hand.

Then he glanced over his shoulder and said, “We'll be leaving now.”

With one arm around my waist, half supporting and half carrying me, he quickly guided me toward the exit.

The night wind outside the estate was cold, carrying the biting chill of late autumn.

A black Maybach was parked at the bottom of the steps.

Just a few more steps away.

Once I got into the car, I could finally let myself pass out without having to keep pretending.

But at that moment, the sharp sound of hurried high heels came from behind.

At some point, my mother had followed us outside.

“Suzy Smith! You abandoned me for that gambling-addict father of yours, and now you've attached yourself to the Cooper family!

“A selfish, rotten person like you doesn't deserve anyone's sincere love!

“Once you walk out that gate, I won't spare you a second glance even if you die out there someday!”

I stopped in my tracks.

It felt as if a hand had closed around my heart, squeezing so tightly I could barely breathe.

I wanted to turn around and look at her one last time.

Just one last look at the mother I fought so desperately to protect.

But the moment I turned my head, the metallic sweetness rising in my throat could no longer be suppressed.

“Pfft!”

A mouthful of blood burst from my lips.

The overwhelming pain finally stole away my consciousness.

In the final second before my body gave out, the last thing I saw was my mother's face turning deathly pale, and her figure rushing toward me in complete panic.