Chapter 3

Yolanda said with a smirk, "Nianna, just admit you're jealous. You act like you don't care, but you're dying inside, right?"

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

When the White family was not bankrupt, nobody would've dared talk to me like this.

But now, everything changed.

The White family went bankrupt, and I didn't get the love I was hoping for.

I fought the urge to slap Yolanda and gave her a cold laugh.

I shot back, "What am I jealous of you for? Getting a used-up loser?"

Yolanda sneered, "Still pretending you're not hurt."

I said coldly, "Even if Chase and I get divorced, you'll never be his wife."

Chase would probably choose an arranged marriage to strengthen the Hall family's power.

He was not someone who knew how to love, was he?

He had only loved himself.

Yolanda glared at me, her hand raised, about to slap me across the face.

I stepped back half a pace, and out of nowhere, Yolanda fell to the ground, letting out a shrill scream.

Right then, Chase showed up.

He rushed in to pick Yolanda up and slammed his foot into my knee.

In an instant, my knee felt like it was about to shatter from the impact.

I collapsed to the ground, gritting my teeth against the pain.

Chase snapped, "Apologize to Yolanda!"

He ordered, not even sparing me a glance as I suffered.

After half a year, I felt a fresh wave of humiliation wash over me, worse than anything before.

I bit my lip, looking at Chase, desperate and helpless. I said, "It wasn't me..."

I hadn't even laid a finger on Yolanda. She was blatantly framing me.

Chase cut me off before I could finish.

He said coldly, "I don't care about the truth. Apologize to Yolanda right now."

I saw Yolanda flash me a smug smile.

Why did I let myself be so stupid again?

Why did I think Chase would be fair or just?

I was so heartbroken that I couldn't even stay kneeling.

But I really didn't want to apologize.

I had been proud all my life. Why should I let Chase stomp all over my pride?

Chase asked the bodyguards to grab my shoulders and hold me in place.

He ran his hand through Yolanda's hair, looking at her with soft affection. He said gently, "My baby shouldn't have to suffer.

"Go ahead, let it out."

Yolanda kissed Chase's lips. Then she slapped me hard, the same one I'd dodged earlier, hitting me square in the face.

Yolanda wasn't satisfied. She kept slapping me.

It hurt so much.

I didn't know how long it lasted, but eventually, Yolanda finally wore herself out.

She whined, playfully asking Chase to massage her wrist for her.

My face had gone completely numb, and blood was running down from the corners of my mouth.

Yolanda nestled into Chase's arms, acting all scared.

She asked in a fake, frightened voice, "What if Nianna calls the police on me again?"

Chase pulled Yolanda closer, his arm tight around her shoulders, saying, "She wouldn't dare."

Saying that, he took out a wad of cash and hurled it at me, the bills smacking against my body.

Honestly, I was numb.

The Hall family had power everywhere. All I could do was accept it.

It was fine. I would leave after several days.

I'd be done with Chase for good.

My hands trembled as I picked up the money from the ground, tears blurring my vision.

Suddenly, Chase snatched up a piece of paper and seized my shoulder.

His hold was so strong, I thought my shoulder would shatter.

Chase stared at me, asking each word with chilling precision.

He demanded, "Why are you quitting?

"Didn't you love Adwoner University? Weren't you planning to teach there your whole life?"

He picked up my resignation letter.

Chase and I both graduated from Adwoner University.

Here were our beautiful memories.

I didn't have big dreams, so I just stayed at Adwoner University as a teacher.

When we first got married, Chase would smile and run his fingers through my hair softly.

He'd say, "Every time I pick you up after work, just like when we first started dating."

At that time, I was the center of his world.

I really believed we'd stay happy forever. Guess I was being naive.

Now, everything had fallen apart.

I looked up, locking eyes with Chase, my voice calm and steady.

I said, "I'm so tired. I don't want to do this anymore."

I didn't want to stay at Adwoner University, and as for Chase, I'd never love him again.

Chase snapped, "Tired? Nianna, don't forget what you said."

Chase locked his gaze on me, his grip so tight I thought he might crush my resignation letter.

Yolanda cried out, "Chase, my stomach... It hurts so much."

Suddenly, her expression twisted in pain as she grabbed Chase's sleeve. Her face became very pale.

Chase let out a cold laugh and threw away the torn-up paper.

He said coldly, "Nianna, cut the act. Don't play hard to get.

"If you keep messing with Yolanda, I will make our deal last even longer."

After throwing that warning at me, Chase swept Yolanda into his arms and left without a backward glance.

I hauled myself up from the floor, disheveled and battered.

Walking out of the principal's office, everyone I passed gave me judgmental stares.

I couldn't care less.