Lindsey Johnson asks her fiance's true love, Stephanie Sullivan, to repay her debt. The next day, Jacob Whitaker throws at her a ledger that she had never seen before.

Every single expense from their five-year relationship is recorded inside. From small things like two-dollar ice cream to the expensive items like the luxury bags he gave her. Even the costs of hotel stays and condoms are recorded in the ledger.

"I'll split half the hotel bills with you. After deducting the 100 grand Stephie owes you, you still owe me 2.08 million. You have one month to transfer the month to my account."

Lindsey Johnson had gone to demand repayment from her fiance's true love, Stephanie Sullivan. The next day, Jacob Whitaker threw a ledger at her. It was one that she had never seen before.

Inside, every single expense from their five-year relationship was written down. From two-dollar ice cream to designer handbags he had given her. Even hotel bills and condom purchases were meticulously recorded.

"I'll split the hotel bills with you. After deducting the 100 grand Stephie owes you, you still owe me 2.08 million. You have one month to transfer the money to my account."

Leaning lazily on the couch, Jacob raised his head and gave Lindsey a mocking look. The strange and unfamiliar gaze in his eyes made her tremble.

"What?" he pressed. "Can't you afford to pay it back? Didn't you consider whether Stephie had the money when you forced her to pay up by threatening and humiliating her?"

The private room fell into a terrifying silence, and everyone's eyes were locked on Lindsey.

A moment later, a wave of jeering laughter erupted.

"Jake, Lindsey's broke. Where would she get 2.08 million to repay you?"

"She had no shame and lured you into bed back then. Who is she going to sell herself to this time to pay you back?"

"What's 2.08 million anyway? Lindsey, I'll give you 2.5 million if you serve me well tonight!"

Jacob chuckled lightly and swirled his glass of wine indifferently. "Well, that's none of my business. Lindsey, I'll have to take you to court if you can't pay on time."

As she heard that, the color drained from Lindsey's face instantly. Her heart felt like it had been stabbed by a knife. The pain was so sharp that she nearly doubled over.

It wasn't the first time Jacob found fault with her for the sake of Stephanie, who had just returned from abroad. The first time was because she didn't cook for Stephanie in time, and he punished her by refusing to let her eat for three days.

The second time was because she accidentally broke Stephanie's tablet. Jacob actually fractured her arm for that mistake.

The third time was simply because Stephanie was feeling down. Jacob made Lindsey dress up like a clown and perform a fire-eating act. That nearly cost her life.

At this moment, she merely wanted to reclaim the 100 grand Stephanie begged to borrow in tears back then. However, Jacob dragged her here to be publicly humiliated by a bunch of rich young scions.

Everyone was just waiting to see her fall.

Lindsey thought of her mother, Jenny Cooper, and her expensive medical bills. She forced a smile and looked at the man next to Jacob, Richard Smith. "Will you really give me 2.5 million if I serve you well?"

Richard's interest was piqued instantly. With Jacob's silent approval, he called the waiter and ordered ten bottles of strong liquor. "Lindsey, I'll give you 2.5 million if you can finish these ten bottles today!"

Without hesitation, Lindsey grabbed a bottle and started gulping it down. The high alcohol content felt as if it were burning a hole in her stomach. She couldn't help but furrow her brows at the pain while cold sweat poured down her face.

Countless mocking gazes were fixed upon her, and Jacob's was the coldest of them all. However, Lindsey didn't care. She really needed the money. Desperate, even.

It could be said that her dignity was worth nothing in front of money.

After she had down ten bottles, Lindsey's eyes were terrifyingly bloodshot.

She held out her hand to Richard. "Where's the money?"

But he turned to Jacob and asked, "Jake, should I give it to her or not?"

Jacob raised an eyebrow and said with a faint smile, "Go ahead. It's just pocket change to you, so treat it as charity to a poor beggar."

Richard tossed a bank card at Lindsey's feet. She bent down, picked it up, and rushed to the hospital immediately. Her mother's surgery could finally be done now that she had this money.

But when Lindsey arrived at the hospital to pay the remaining surgical fees, the doctor told her in a regretful tone, "Ms. Johnson, Mr. Whitaker gave strict orders to stop all treatment for your mother. I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do."

Lindsey felt as if her world was collapsing around her. She called Jacob's phone in a panic and begged him to save her mother.

However, a cold laugh came from the other end of the call. "Didn't she just have surgery last week? One less surgery won't kill her, right? Consider it your punishment for making Stephanie sad."

As the call was hung up, Lindsey heard a sharp beep coming from the hospital room. The monitor that once displayed the rising and falling waves of Jenny's vital signs became a flat, lifeless line.

Her phone dropped to the floor with a clatter.

Lindsey's eyes reddened as she lunged toward the bed. She grasped Jenny's hand with trembling fingers, but the ice-cold sensation froze her to the core.

"Mom… Mom!" Her wails of despair pierced through the long and silent night.

Her eyes hollow, Lindsey kneeled at her mother's bedside for a whole day and night. It wasn't until the first ray of morning light shone into the hospital room that she was finally forced to accept the reality of her mother's death.

The doctor handed her a letter with a heavy heart. "Ms. Johnson, this was written by your mother in her final moments. My condolences."

The letter was quite short, but Lindsey couldn't stop her tears from falling. She read, "Lindy, you must run. Your life is just beginning."

Her mother's final gift to her was freedom.

Lindsey had nothing left to lose. After arranging for Jenny's funeral, she called the number of the National Institute of Research without hesitation.

"Dr. Hudson, I've decided. I want to join this research project."

Frank Hudson's voice trembled with excitement over the phone. "Lindy, are you serious? Has your mother's situation been resolved? And that man—"

"My mom has passed away," Lindsey cut him off. "And that man is useless now."

There was a pause on the other end. Then, Frank spoke in a gentle tone, "Lindy, I don't know what happened to you in the past five years, but the most painful moments are often the periods when we have the most growth. Your life is just beginning."

After all, how could the life of a prodigy like Lindsey end up tangled in the mess that was Jacob?

Perhaps, Lindsey did have some affection for Jacob once. He was handsome, treated her well, and willingly spent money on her mother's medical treatment. What reason did she have to be dissatisfied?

However, everything was shattered the day Stephanie returned from abroad. Jacob, who rarely drank alcohol, muttered the truth in a drunken stupor, "Stephie, I missed you so much that it's driving me crazy. If only I hadn't taken you in back then…"

Lindsey picked up the photo he had dropped on the floor.

She was a beautiful young lady and somewhat resembled herself, but Lindsey knew clearly that she was just the disposable stand-in for Stephanie.

Whatever feelings Lindsey had for Jacob were utterly burned to ashes from that moment on. She obediently played the role of a stand-in and endured all the vulgar deeds in bed that Jacob didn't dare to do to Stephanie.

She thought that she would leave him without hesitation once her mother recovered from her illness. But in the end, all she got for enduring was her mother's corpse and Jacob's heartless message.

"Do you know what you've done wrong now?"

Lindsey stared at the message for a long time. Instinctively, she opened Jacob's Facebook post.

It was a photo of the beach, ocean, sunset, and Stephanie's ethereal beauty. Those were all paid for with her mother's life!

Lindsey called a cab and returned to the villa to pack her luggage. As soon as she entered, she saw Jacob sitting on the couch with a dark expression. "Where did you go? Why didn't you reply to my message?"

His tone was cold, heartless, and arrogant.

Lindsey couldn't understand it herself. She couldn't help wondering why she had ever liked him back then.

Seeing that she had no intention of responding to him, Jacob stormed upstairs and grabbed her wrist violently. "Lindsey, you made Stephie so upset. What right do you have to be angry with me?"

Lindsey sucked in a sharp breath from the pain, but she calmly met his furious gaze. "So what? How should I apologize to her this time? Another fire-eating performance? Breaking my other hand? Or down ten more bottles of liquor?"

Jacob was stunned when Lindsey, who was usually meek and timid like a bunny, suddenly revealed her sharp claws. Surprisingly, he calmed down and said, "Come with me to the Whitaker estate. Grandpa wants to meet you."

As if remembering something, he added, "I'll give you 100 grand. You know what to say and what you shouldn't."

Lindsey chuckled.

The Whitaker family was very strict on family values and proper upbringing. When the patriarch of the family, Edison Whitaker, found out that Jacob didn’t regard Stephanie merely as a junior, but had romantic feelings for her, he immediately sent her overseas. Right after that, he arranged countless dates to find a partner for Jacob.

However, Jacob only had eyes for Lindsey, who hid away in a corner. The reason was that she simply resembled Stephanie a lot.

That night, he forced himself on her under the influence of alcohol.

One lacked love, while the other lacked money. Naturally, they ended up developing a mutually beneficial relationship.

The scenery outside the window blurred as the car sped past. They finally pulled up at the front gates of the Whitaker estate.

The moment the car door opened, a petite figure flung herself into Jacob's arms. "Jake, I missed you so much!"

Jacob's cold expression softened instantly. He picked her up in his arms and said in an affectionate tone, "Why aren't you wearing your shoes? What if you catch a cold?"

"It's alright even if I catch a cold. Then, you'll have to stay by my side and take care of me," she said.

They flirted openly like there was no one else around, as if they were a couple in the throes of passion.

The Whitakers' butler, Derek Brown, reminded Jacob gently, "Mr. Jacob, Mr. Whitaker Senior's health hasn't been good lately. Please try to restrain yourself."

After all, Jacob got into an argument with Edison over Stephanie the last time they came to the Whitaker estate. Edison was so angry that his blood pressure spiked, and he was rushed to the hospital that night.

Jacob furrowed his brow and asked irritably, "Why does the old man want to see Lindsey all of a sudden? Did some gossip reach the Whitaker family again?"

At that moment, an authoritative voice came from upstairs. "And what is the gossip that I can't hear about?"

Edison was coming down the stairs, descending steadily with his cane in hand.

Lindsey quickly stepped forward to support him. Aside from Jenny, Edison was the only person who ever truly treated her like family.

Edison gave Lindsey a warm smile. When he turned, he saw Jacob and Stephanie in each other's arms. Fury welled up within him. "What a disgrace to see you two flirting publicly in front of everyone!"

Jacob's expression turned cold as he finally let go of Stephanie's hand. "Why did you call me and Lindsey to come back here?"

Edison snorted and said, "Of course, we have to talk about your marriage with Lindy! You've been together for five years, so it's time to get married. I've made arrangements for you and Lindy to register your marriage and hold the wedding one month from today!"

Stephanie's face turned pale the moment she heard Edison's words.

"I refuse!" Jacob said flatly.

Edison struck him hard on the back with his cane. He was furious beyond belief. "You ungrateful child! You were the one who insisted on being with Lindy back then. You even swore in front of your parents' graves that you'd give her a happy life.

"And now look at you. You've delayed the wedding year after year. It's been five years! How much longer are you going to waste Lindy's time?"

Lindsey lowered her gaze. She suddenly recalled that she and Jacob had shared some good memories too. He was a decisive and ruthless man on the outside, but he had once been thoughtful and considerate for her sake as well.

Back then, just because Lindsey said she was afraid, Jacob spared the life of an enemy who tried to kill him. From that moment on, everyone knew he had a weakness.

Jacob had calmness and composure etched into his bones, but he stayed up all night keeping watch at her bedside on the third night of her persistent fever.

Lindsey had once casually mentioned liking magnolia flowers, and he had rows of magnolia trees planted all around the villa. But later, Stephanie's name was carved onto every single one of those trees.

Just like at this moment…

With just one teary-eyed look from Stephanie, Jacob was willing to go against the entire world for her sake.

"I won't marry Lindsey," he said. "She's not good enough for me."

He then took Stephanie's hand, his eyes seemingly crazed with reckless resolve. "The one I truly love is Stephie. I will marry no one but her. I can agree to pretend that Lindsey is my fiancee in public, but I can't do it if you want me to marry her."

With that, he fell to his knees with a thud.

Stephanie followed suit and kneeled before Edison. Her teary eyes were filled with stubborn determination. "Grandpa, please give us your blessing to be together!"

Edison was so furious that his breathing grew rapid, and his chest heaved violently. "Get out! Go and reflect on yourselves in the family chapel!"

Amid countless shocked stares, Jacob and Stephanie walked into the chapel together, hands tightly clasped.

Lindsey watched the entire scene expressionlessly. She couldn't help but feel how ridiculous this whole situation was.

She took out a wooden box from her bag. Inside the box was a priceless emerald bracelet, a family heirloom of the Whitaker family.

Edison froze for a moment. "Lindy, what are you…"

Lindsey stepped backward and nodded respectfully. "Mr. Whitaker Senior, thank you for taking care of me these past five years. However, I really can't stay by Jacob's side anymore."

Edison tried to persuade her otherwise, but Lindsey didn't hesitate. She placed the bracelet down and left without looking back.

As she passed the chapel, she heard kissing sounds coming from inside. She peeked through a crack in the door and saw Jacob and Stephanie's figures entangled intimately in a passionate kiss.

Lindsey didn't stop in her tracks. She turned around and left the Whitaker estate.

First, she went to a bank and transferred 2.5 million dollars to Jacob's account.

Next, she went to Whitaker Group and resigned from her position as Jacob's secretary. The HR manager was one of Lindsey's few friends. She said sincerely, "Lindy, congratulations on finally getting out of that nightmare."

Similarly, Lindsey felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She owed Jacob nothing anymore.

She returned to the villa that evening. Suddenly, a glass of water flew at her. It shattered at her feet, and the flying glass shards cut into her leg.

Jacob stormed over to Lindsey and grabbed her by the throat. "Lindsey! Grandpa always treated you like his own granddaughter, and this is how you repay him? By pushing him down the stairs?" he demanded.

Lindsey's face turned red from lack of air, the veins in her neck swelling.

She slapped Jacob's hands desperately, trying to survive. "No, I didn't… It wasn't me!"

A pitiful voice drifted down from upstairs. "Ms. Johnson, Mr. Brown already confirmed that it was you who pushed Grandpa down the stairs. Are you still going to lie? Jacob, is this the woman you chose? She can't even admit what she's done. What a coward!"

Jacob pushed Lindsey hard into a corner. She coughed violently. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the smug glint in Stephanie's eyes.

At that moment, her scalp tingled with fear. She didn't need to think twice. Stephanie was the one who pushed Edison down the stairs.

Suddenly, an urgent ringing sound was heard. Derek's voice rang out. "Mr. Jacob, Mr. Whitaker Senior is losing blood quickly, but the supply at the hospital's blood bank is critically low…"

Lindsey couldn't catch whatever he said next, because Stephanie added fuel to the fire. "Jacob, I remember Ms. Johnson has the same blood type as Grandpa, right?"

A bone-chilling fear surged through Lindsey's body, from her head to her toes.

A second later, Jacob forcefully dragged her to the hospital and brought her into the emergency room. "Draw her blood. I don't care if she dies as long as Grandpa survives!"

Lindsey was then bound with thick ropes as the cold needle pierced into her veins. Her eyes filled with despair.

"Jacob, I'm willing to donate my blood to Mr. Whitaker Senior even if you hadn't asked," she said. "But I didn't push him down the stairs! You can't just trample on my dignity like this!"

Jacob sneered. "Still lying? Grandpa treated you so well, and this is how you repay him? You'd better pray that he lives. Otherwise, you'll pay for his death with your blood!"

Anger, grief, humiliation, and despair swirled within her chest. Lindsey could feel her blood draining away, and her body temperature was plummeting. It felt as if she were standing at death's door.

Did her mother also suffer in pain like this when she had no one to turn to for help?

Dazed, Lindsey smiled through her tears. In her half-conscious state, she seemed to hear her mother calling her.

"Mom, are you coming to take me now?" Lindsey thought.