Chapter 3

There were seven hours left before Evelyn’s hotel arrest.

Restlessness gnawed at me. To ensure she wouldn't notice I had returned, I reset everything to its original spot, grabbed my phone, and walked out.

Stepping into the crisp afternoon air, my thoughts were a tangled mess.

What really happened on October 7th?

Was I truly just sleeping in my bedroom the entire time?

Whenever I recalled lying paralyzed in that crushed car, blood pooling in my chest, a cold sweat broke out across my forehead.

In my past life, the ambush hit so fast and hard that my mind completely broke under the weight of the video. I had been defenseless.

This time, I would not allow history to repeat itself.

Lost in thought as I walked down the street, trying to figure out where to unearth concrete evidence, a hand suddenly clamped around my arm.

A sharp, raspy voice broke my concentration.

"Young man... you are wrapped in a suffocating black aura. Death is knocking at your door."

My first instinct was to yank my arm away. I had never believed in cheap street psychics.

Yet after taking two steps forward, I froze.

What could be more absurd than dying and waking up in the past?

Having experienced the impossible, my skepticism was gone.

I turned back to face the elderly woman. "What... what do you see?"

She had silver hair and kind, piercing eyes. She lightly patted my shoulder.

"Are you married, son?"

"Yes," I answered, my heart tightening.

A surge of hope flared in my chest. Did this mean Evelyn was genuinely using some dark trickery against me? Could she have used some kind of drug or sinister technique to manipulate me into filming that video?

Recalling the nightmare of my past life, my knees gave out, and I nearly dropped to the pavement. "Please, help me!"

The old woman swiftly caught my arm, steadying me with an amused smile.

"Calm down, child. It isn't impossible to untangle."

"You and your wife must have a deep connection. Your face shows that your fortune fuels hers."

I froze.

A deep connection?

I had never felt it.

Back in college, Evelyn was an aloof, untouchable queen. Getting her to utter two words to me was a miracle.

I chased her relentlessly for years, enduring her cold indifference.

Then, out of nowhere, she suddenly told me she was willing to give me a chance and date.

I was over the moon. I groveled even harder, eventually putting a ring on her finger.

Over the years, I sacrificed my pride and boundaries to cater to her every whim, doing whatever it took to keep her smiling.

Yet Evelyn was an endless pit of greed. To afford luxury designer bags and diamonds, she didn't hesitate to sell her own body...

A bitter smirk crossed my lips. I mumbled a vague response.

The old woman studied my features carefully before speaking again.

"The bridge of your nose is straight, but the hollow between your eyes runs deep. In physiognomy, that signifies a rocky path in love."

"Your mouth is too soft. You are hesitant, overly merciful when you should be ruthless."

My breath hitched. She was spot on.

In my past life, it was my spineless mercy that allowed Evelyn to tear my life apart!

The old woman offered a faint smile. "A storm of ruin is upon you. If you weather it, the rest of your life will be smooth sailing."

"I feel like I'm walking through a dense fog," I whispered frantically. "Can you give me a hint? What am I missing?"

She gently shook her head.

"This is your battle to fight. No one can fight it for you."

"However... be observant. Be bold. Think back to the tiny details in your daily life you might have overlooked..."

Seeing that her lips were sealed, I bowed respectfully and pulled out a stack of cash from my wallet.

She waved it off, saying our encounter was meant by fate, firmly refusing every single dollar.

Watching her figure disappear down the avenue, my phone chimed in my pocket.

It was a text from the spa receptionist: Mr. Vance, your wife just added an extended four-hour body sculpting treatment.

I typed back a quick “Thank you,” and let out a long breath.

My counterattack was about to begin.