Stanley's thin lips curved into a frosty arc. "Wendy, get back here immediately!"

Wendy chuckled. "You expect me to come back just because you said so? We're divorced, Stanley. I'm not going to continue indulging you!"

Stanley clenched his jaw. "I'll give you a chance to rewrite the reason for divorce!"

Wendy's tone grew more playful.

"Did I write anything wrong? Stanley, it's been six months since you woke up, hasn't it? Yet, in these six months, you haven't even held my hand. You were in a coma for three years, and although you're physically healthy now, I have legitimate reasons to believe you've developed functional problems. You're not potent anymore! Better hurry to find an experienced naturopath. As our parting gift, I wish you an early recovery of your manhood!"

Stanley was rendered speechless. The veins on his forehead were visibly twitching.

This woman was out of control.

"Wendy, I'll make you regret this! You'll know what I'm capable of sooner or later!"

"Sorry, but you'll never get the chance!"

"Wendy!"

The call abruptly ended with two cold beeps. He hadn't even had time to explode in anger before hearing the disconnected tone.

'Wendy…!'

-

Wendy had already arrived at her best friend Cecelia Sunder's apartment. After she hung up the phone, Cecelia burst out laughing and gave her a big thumbs-up.

"Wendy, that was amazing! Stanley must be so furious, he's spitting blood right now."

Wendy reflected that she had been too humble in the past, which had allowed him to act superior to her for so long.

'Love yourself first. A woman must always prioritize self-love.'

"Three years ago, when Jessica learned Stanley went into a coma after the car accident, she immediately ran away. Now that he's awake, he's crawling back to her? What a joke! You're better off without a man like that," Cecelia commented.

Wendy unwrapped a candy and popped it into her mouth. The sweetness seemed to mask the bitterness in her heart. "That's how you tell if you're loved or not, Cecelia."

Those who were loved were fearless. Those who weren't lived in constant insecurity.

Cecelia noticed Wendy had already gone through a pile of candies. She pulled Wendy to her feet.

"Wendy, cheer up! When you give up one tree, you'll discover an entire forest waiting for you. Tonight, I'm booking eight male hosts to celebrate you becoming single!"

Wendy covered her forehead and laughed.

Cecelia suddenly snatched Wendy's black-rimmed glasses off her face, tossing them into the trash.

Wendy tried to retrieve them. "My glasses—"

Cecelia stopped her. "Wendy, you've been in academic research for too long, and you've gotten used to wearing these glasses. But you should take a page out of Jessica's book and doll yourself up."

Wendy thought about how her parents had always told her she was an ugly duckling while Jessica was a swan. It wasn't just her parents—Stanley must have thought the same. In his eyes, she was just an ugly duckling too.

Cecelia dragged Wendy to the door. "Come on, we're going shopping! Hair, nails, clothes—everything! I want Stanley and everyone else to see how stunning you can be!"

As they walked out, Cecelia suddenly remembered something. "Oh, Wendy, are you really not taking any money from Stanley after the divorce?"

"I have my own money," Wendy replied.

"Letting Jessica spend Stanley's money instead? Jessica says thank you!" Cecelia teased.

Wendy didn't know what to say to that.

"What about the card Stanley gave you?" Cecelia pressed.

Stanley was always generous and had given Wendy a premium black card. However, she had never used it.

Wendy pulled the black card out of her purse and winked playfully. "Today, I'll splurge—and let Stanley foot the bill."

-

That evening, at 1996 Bar.

1996 Bar was Hovendale's playground for the rich, where young heirs and the city's elites spent extravagantly. The music was never-ending, and the dance floor was wild.

In a luxurious and dimly lit booth, Stanley sat in the center of a leather sofa. Tonight, he had on a black shirt paired with black trousers. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his toned forearms and a steel watch worth millions. His aristocratic, striking features made him the center of attention, drawing glances from countless women in the bar.

Beside him was his close friend, Benny Gondale—the heir of the Gondale family—and several other young elites.

Benny laughed. "Stanley, are you serious? Wendy wants a divorce?"

The others laughed along. "Everyone knows Wendy loves Stanley to the bone. When he was in a coma, she insisted on marrying him. There's no way she'd actually go through with a divorce."

"Let's bet on it. How long do you think Wendy can hold out before begging Stanley to take her back?"

Benny smirked. "I bet she can't even make it through tonight. She's probably already sent Stanley a message."

Stanley's chiseled features remained cold and sharp, his mood clearly sour. He pulled out his phone and opened WhatsApp to check their chat history.

The last message from Wendy was from last night. She had sent a photo of the broth with the caption, [Honey, even though your bone density is back to normal, you should still drink this broth regularly. Don't come home too late!]

As he scrolled up, he saw countless similar messages—all from Wendy. She messaged him every day.

He had never replied. Not once.

Today, the chat was silent.

Stanley felt a vague sense of irritation.

Ding!

A notification popped up.

"See? I told you—Wendy messaged you!" Benny immediately exclaimed.

Ding, ding, ding!

Several more notifications followed in quick succession.

The group burst out laughing. "We knew it—Wendy couldn't hold out! But we didn't expect her to cave so fast."

"Stanley, open them. Let's see how Wendy is begging you to reconcile," Benny urged.

Stanley's sharp eyebrows lifted slightly. Did she really send a message? If she regretted it so quickly, why did she make such a fuss this morning?

He tapped on the notifications, only to freeze.

Benny leaned over and read aloud, "Dear VVIP customer, your card ending in 0975 has been charged 800 dollars at Dazzling Nail Salon."

The group collectively frowned.

Stanley scrolled further.

2,000 dollars at Artistry Hair Salon.

86,000 dollars at Chanel.

240,000 dollars at Louis Vuitton.

There were no messages about reconciliations, only transaction notifications. The group fell silent, feeling like Wendy had slapped them all hard in the face.

Stanley's expression darkened and he slammed his phone onto the table. He didn't care how much money Wendy spent. What bothered him was that she had gone on a shopping spree right after their divorce. This woman was something else!

The once submissive Wendy, who had clung to him for three years, now seemed to have grown fangs.

"Stanley, what's Wendy up to? She's gone to do her nails and hair, and buy clothes. Is she trying to imitate Jessica?" Benny commented.

"Jessica is Hovendale's Red Rose. Wendy's just a country bumpkin. No matter how hard she tries, she'll only be a pale imitation."

"A swan is a swan. An ugly duckling will always be an ugly duckling."

Everyone laughed at Wendy.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the bar. All eyes turned toward the entrance.

Someone gasped, "Look—an angel just walked in!"

Wendy arrived.

After finishing their shopping spree at the mall, Cecelia brought Wendy directly to 1996 Bar. Tonight, she was determined to throw a celebration party for Wendy.

Wendy hadn't expected to run into Stanley and his friends here, but she could hear their mocking remarks.

She recognized Benny and the others in the luxury booth. They were part of Stanley's circle, and Benny was Stanley's close friend. Back when Stanley had a whirlwind romance with Jessica, they were all fans of Jessica, with Benny even regarding her as Stanley's future wife.

Over the past three years, Wendy had never truly integrated into their group. None of them ever accepted her.

The labels they plastered on her were always the same: desperate substitute bride, ugly duckling, country bumpkin, and the like.

When a man didn't love you, his friends wouldn't respect you either.

Cecelia, already fuming, rolled up her sleeves, ready to confront them. "I'm going to tear their mouths apart!"

Wendy quickly held her back. "Cecelia, forget it! We're divorced now—there's no need to stoop to their level."

Seeing Wendy's calm and indifferent demeanor, Cecelia reluctantly held back her temper. Then, as more and more people began to notice Wendy and exclaimed, calling her an angel, Cecelia's mood improved. "Wendy, let's go. Time to party."

Cecelia dragged Wendy to another luxury booth and waved her hand grandly. "Bring all the male hosts from 1996 Bar over here!"

Meanwhile, back at Stanley's booth, Benny and the others continued to mock Wendy. That was when they felt an icy and sharp gaze fall upon them.

Looking up, they saw Stanley lazily lifting his cold gaze to glare at them.

His expression was chilling, displeased, and full of warning. The men stopped laughing, and they immediately shut up, not daring to speak ill of Wendy again.

Benny glanced at Stanley. Although Stanley had never paid much attention to Wendy, she had, after all, cared for him diligently for three years. It seemed Stanley still held some regard for that.

At that moment, the commotion around them grew louder.

"Wow, what a stunning angel!"

'An angel? Where?'

Following the direction of the crowd's gaze, Benny looked ahead and was instantly dumbfounded. "Holy crap, she really is an angel."

The other rich young men were equally astonished, their eyes glued to her. "When did such a stunning angel begin existing in Hovendale? How have we never seen her before?"

Benny nudged Stanley. "Stanley, look! It's an angel."

Stanley, who had no shortage of women around him, wasn't interested. He had seen all kinds of women—slim, curvy, and everything in between. He had no intention of looking, but Wendy's booth happened to be right across from theirs.

When Stanley glanced over, he saw Wendy.

Without her black-framed glasses and her usual dull, conservative attire, she revealed a delicate, fair face, her naturally exquisite bone structure, and ethereal beauty shining through. Her long, glossy black hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders, making her look like a true angel.

Stanley paused, staring at her for two full seconds.

Benny was excited. "Stanley, what do you think of the angel?"

Another rich young man chimed in, "Mr. Hawk probably doesn't think much of her. Mr. Hawk likes delicate beauties like Jessica, not cold, aloof angels."

"But look at her legs! Her legs are just as stunning as Jessica's."

Wendy was wearing a short, Chanel-inspired dress, shedding her usual conservative style and showing her legs for the first time.

Her legs were perfectly proportioned—slender yet shapely. Those were legs that could make any man's imagination run wild.

She looked just as good as Jessica.

Stanley stared at the 'angel' for a moment and couldn't shake the feeling that she looked familiar, as if he'd seen her somewhere before.

Just then, a line of male hosts walked in, all tall and handsome, forming a row in front of Wendy.

Cecelia grinned. "Wendy, make your pick of eight."

Deciding to indulge herself to celebrate her escape from the misery of marriage, Wendy smiled and pointed. "You, you, you... All of you stay."

Benny counted aloud. "One, two, three... Eight! She actually picked eight male hosts at once!"

The other rich young men laughed. "Why waste money? If the angel just asked, we'd serve her for free."

Everyone chuckled.

Ding!

Stanley's phone buzzed again with a notification. Picking it up, he glanced at it to see what Wendy had spent on this time.

[Dear VVIP user, your card ending in 0975 has been charged 500,000 dollars at 1996 Bar for eight male hosts.]

Stanley froze, staring at the words before raising his eyes toward the so-called angel across the room.

If that wasn't Wendy, who else could it be?

Stanley was speechless.

Eight male hosts surrounded Wendy, pouring drinks into her glass. "Let's play a drinking game."

Cecelia clapped happily. "Yes, let's play!"

In the first round, Wendy lost. One of the male hosts handed her a drink. "Please drink some."

Wendy took a sip, but the other male hosts protested. "Why drink his and not ours? We want to serve you too."

Surrounded by all the attention, Wendy found it impossible to keep up, overwhelmed by the 'sweet burden' of their pampering.

Stanley's eyes narrowed, his handsome features tensing into a grim expression. Without a word, he stood up and strode out.

Benny was taken aback. "Stanley? Where are you going?"

Wendy was about to take another drink when a large, strong hand reached over, grabbed her slender wrist, and pulled her up like she was a rag doll. Startled, she looked up to see Stanley's handsome face suddenly looming over her.

She froze for a second, then quickly tried to break free. "Stanley, let go of me!"

His face darkened and he dragged her away without a word.

Cecelia stood up. "Stanley, what are you doing? Let Wendy go!"

Benny and the others were completely stunned. They stared, dumbfounded, as if they had just misheard something.

"Wendy?"

"That angel is Wendy?"

"Is this the same ugly duckling Wendy we know?"

"She's actually stunning!"

As they watched Stanley drag Wendy away, her cold, ethereal beauty still lingering in their vision, Benny muttered, "Damn, Wendy, who no longer chases after Stanley, just turned into a full-blown angel!"

-

Stanley's grip was firm and unrelenting, like an iron shackle. No matter how much Wendy struggled, she couldn't break free.

His strides were long, forcing Wendy to stumble as she tried to keep up. "Stanley, let go of me!"

Finally, Stanley stopped and flung her backward. Wendy's slender frame collided against the cold wall behind her.

Before she could regain her balance, Stanley's tall figure loomed over her, pressing her against the wall.

His eyes burned with fury. "Wendy, do you think I'm dead, playing around like this?"

Wendy furrowed her brows. "What did I do?"

Stanley clenched his jaw. "Who told you to dress like this?"

'What? Like this?' she wondered. "What do you mean, Stanley?!"

Stanley glanced at her ultra-short skirt. "Your thighs are almost exposed. Do you really want people to see your legs like this?"

Wendy's skirt was a bit short, but it was Cecelia's choice.

Cecelia's exact words were, "My dearest Wendy doesn't show her legs, but look at how Jessica flaunts hers. Tonight, let everyone see who has the best legs in Hovendale."

Wendy raised her finely arched eyebrows. "Looks like Mr. Hawk noticed my legs."

Stanley paused.

Wendy leaned back against the wall, appearing languid and graceful. She slowly lifted her right leg, her crystal-high heel brushing against his ankle.

Stanley had on black trousers, showcasing his long, muscular legs, exuding an aura of coldness and restraint.

Wendy's pale foot gently grazed up his ankle, moving provocatively along his calf. It was an act of seduction and defiance.

Stanley shot her a cold glance. "What are you doing?"

Wendy curved her lips into a smile. "Mr. Hawk, which do you prefer? My legs, or Jessica's?"

Stanley stared at her small, delicate face that glowed with celestial radiance, yet she provocatively seduced him with a dazzling smile.

Last night, he had glimpsed the beauty hidden beneath her dark-rimmed glasses, but he hadn't expected her to be this beautiful.

He felt like he had seen this face somewhere before.

Wendy's clear eyes sparkled. "Mr. Hawk, has Jessica ever wrapped her legs around your waist?"

Stanley's breath hitched. His handsome face moved closer to hers, his gaze softening with a tenderness Wendy had never seen before. "Wendy, are you really this shameless? All you think about is men. You even hired eight male hosts to satisfy your needs!"

He didn't answer Wendy's question about Jessica. That was perhaps the best kind of protection a man could offer a woman.

Their love had been so passionate, full of youthful excitement. Jessica's legs had definitely wrapped around his waist, or else why would he still remember her so fondly?

Jessica was lucky to have a man like Stanley so deeply attached to her. He would never describe her as 'shameless.'

Though Wendy wore a smile, her eyes remained clear and distant. "Well, Mr. Hawk, your body isn't up to par and can't satisfy me, so of course I have to go out and find men. Let's get divorced quickly. If the first man doesn't work, the next will be better."

Did she actually say he was inadequate, and the next man would be better?

This woman was truly asking for it.

Stanley reached out, grabbing Wendy's chin. "Are you trying to provoke me? Do you really want to know if I'm up to the task?"

'What?' Wendy froze.

Stanley moved closer to her lips, teasing, but with words that carried no warmth. "Dream on. I won't touch you. The one I love is Jessica."

He loved Jessica.

He didn't even need to say it—Wendy already knew. It stung her heart, the sharp pain spreading through her, though the ache wasn't obvious.

At that moment, a sweet voice rang out. "Stanley."

Wendy looked up—Jessica had arrived.

Jessica, the Red Rose of Hovendale, was a beautiful woman with rosy lips and perfect teeth, her body delicate from years of ballet training.

Stanley immediately released Wendy and walked toward Jessica. He lowered his gaze to meet hers, his eyes filled with a tenderness Wendy had never seen. "You're here."

Jessica nodded, then turned to Wendy. "Who's this?"

Jessica didn't recognize Wendy at first.

However, Wendy would never forget Jessica.

Wendy and Jessica were stepsisters, but from completely different parents. Harry, Wendy's father, wasn't her biological father, but her stepfather.

Many years ago, Wendy had a happy family with her real father, Jerry, and her mother Lilian, who were always respectful toward each other.

Her father loved her dearly, always lifting her high. "Wendy, please be happy always."

Then, one day, her father suddenly passed away. Harry, Jerry's brother, moved in with his daughter Jessica. Wendy's mother became Jessica's mother as well.

Her mother remarried her second uncle. Her mother loved Jessica and stopped loving her.

When Jessica got an A in a test and Wendy got an A+, her mother hit her hand with a ruler. "Can't you give your sister a break? Why must you outdo her?"

When Jessica fell ill and had to undergo chemotherapy, her head had to be shaved. She cried, saying she had become ugly.

In response, Wendy's mother immediately shaved Wendy's head. "You should look the same as your sister so she won't cry."

Every night, her mother, Jessica, and Harry would sleep together, laughing and playing.

Wendy, holding the doll her late father had bought her, would stand outside their door, crying alone. "Mommy, I'm scared…"

Eventually, Jessica called her mother "Mom," which made her mother incredibly happy. But then Jessica said, "A mother can only have one daughter."

One rainy day, Wendy's mother took her to the countryside and left her there.

Wendy chased after the car, crying uncontrollably.

"Mommy, don't leave me! I'll be good, I'll always put my sister before me… Mommy, hold me… I'm scared…!"

Wendy fell heavily into the muddy water while holding her doll, watching helplessly as her mother's car disappeared from view.

Wendy would never forget Jessica.

At that moment, Benny rushed over. "Jessica, this is…your sister, Wendy!"

Jessica was stunned. "You're Wendy?"

Wendy knew that Jessica had always looked down on her.

When they were young, Jessica had always been the one to beat her. As Jessica grew up, she excelled in everything. Later, she even dated Stanley, the heir of the Hawk family. She grew up in a world of admiration and love, full of pride and arrogance.

Benny, once again, was stunned by Wendy's ethereal beauty. He whispered, "I didn't expect Wendy to be this beautiful."

Jessica's memory of their childhood was fuzzy because she had never truly paid attention to her unloved sister. But wasn't her sister the ugly duckling from the countryside?

Jessica approached Wendy, glancing at her, her brow raised in haughty pride. "Wendy, I didn't expect you to start dressing like me."

Wendy remained silent. 'Well, if you say so,' she thought.

Wendy straightened her slender back, smiling but saying nothing. The light from the corridor illuminated her delicate, otherworldly face, making it glow like a precious pearl.

She was no longer the Wendy from before.

Jessica sneered. "Wendy, I heard you're getting a divorce with Stanley. Can't you live without a man? Coming to a bar to hire male hosts to fulfill your desires? If I were you, I'd get a job."

As she spoke, Jessica glanced at Stanley. In a tone that seemed almost benevolent, she added, "Stanley, Wendy took care of you for so long. Even if she was your maid, you should at least find her a job."

Stanley's gaze landed on Wendy's face.

"Jessica, nowadays, you need a degree to get a job. What's Wendy's education?" Benny said.

Jessica seemed to recall something amusing. She lifted her chin and laughed.

"Wendy dropped out of school at 16."