Chapter 12
“That woman deserved it!” Mia’s tone suddenly sharpened. “How dare she occupy the position that belonged to my mother? I just slipped some abortion pills into her water before her due date… who knew she’d be so weak that both she and the baby would die?“[]
“And Ariana’s study abroad opportunity was canceled because you reported her for academic dishonesty?“[]
“Just a forged complaint,” Mia said dismissively. “That idiot threw a massive tantrum at home but couldn’t do anything about it. Daddy always takes my side.“[]
Each word felt like a poisoned dagger, dismantling the image of the pure–hearted girl rescuing a bird’s nest that had lived in Dominic’s memory.[]
The manager anxiously whispered: “Mr. Reed, would you like to go in?“]
The room suddenly fell silent, then Mia’s wary voice called out: “Who’s there?“[]
Dominic closed his eyes, then turned and walked away. “Don’t tell her I was here.“[]
In his black Maybach, Dominic chain–smoked one cigarette after another.[]
He replayed Mia’s words in his mind.[]
She considered him a mere “doorman,” only interested in marrying into wealth.[]
She had slipped abortion pills to Ariana’s ten–months–pregnant mother, causing both her and the unborn child to die.[]
She had fabricated academic dishonesty claims against Ariana, causing her to lose her study abroad opportunity.[]
Through the haze of smoke, he recalled Ariana’s eyes, always filled with mockery…
The way she called him an “idiot” while gritting her teeth, her trembling fingers as she bandaged his wounds, the way she slammed the door as she left with a final “Dominic Reed, I don’t want you anymore“…[]
It now became clear that the woman he’d placed on a pedestal was utterly contemptible.
And Ariana, whom he’d repeatedly treated with cold indifference…[]
Was the true victim all along.[]
The cigarette burned down to his fingertips, but he didn’t notice.]]
In the distance, fireworks erupted from the rose garden, forming a brilliant “MIA REEVES” against the night sky.
Yet the man who should have been gazing up at those fireworks was sitting alone in his car, smoking cigarette after cigarette, his heart aching inexplicably.[]
He couldn’t understand how the sweet girl who had once rescued a bird’s nest could become this unrecognizable, calculating creature.[]
BANG:
His fist slammed against the steering wheel.]
He finally understood–the woman he’d loved had always been a mirage.[]
That girl rescuing a bird’s nest had never existed–or rather, that person had never been Mia Reeves.[]
His memory flashed back to that charity gala three years ago.[]
Sunlight, white dress, the girl in the tree…]
WALL
Mia’s words suddenly echoed in his mind with startling clarity]
“It’s like when she used to love wearing white dresses, but I mentioned once that I liked them, and Dad gave me all her white dresses. I wore them around her constep by unid she stopped wearing white altogether
Back then, he had asked the server who that girl was]
The server had only said “Miss Reeves
Later, after returning from handling company projects abroad, he finally had time to seek her out, only to learn that the Reeves family had two daughters–one wild and unbridled, the “vizen” of their social circle who preferred red dresses, and one pure as Jasiniie who loved wearing white
He had automatically assumed “Miss Reeves” meant the younger Miss Reeves()
Chapter 12
But now…]
Dominic’s blood instantly froze in his veins.[]
With trembling hands, he dialed Alexander’s number: “I need you to find the security footage from the charity gala garden three years ago…“]
