Chapter 1

Five years ago, at my engagement party, I slapped my fiancé's secretary Samuel so hard I knocked his newly done nose crooked.

To avenge his secretary, my fiancé Raymond personally sent me to prison.

The day I was released happened to coincide with Raymond and Samuel's wedding.

Everyone thought I would seek crazy revenge.

But I didn't make a scene at the wedding like everyone expected.

Instead, I boarded a flight to another city and disappeared without a trace.

Five years later, I returned to the country with my husband Manuel, just in time for my birthday.

Manuel and I had plans to celebrate together.

But when I arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant, I ran into Samuel.

"Well, well? Who do we have here?"

"If it isn't Aurora?"

"Haven't seen you in years, Aurora. How did you end up looking so pathetic? Can't even afford decent clothes?"

Samuel's voice was loud and dripping with sarcasm.

The entire lobby instantly fell silent, with everyone's eyes turning toward us.

I looked down at my clothes.

Though they looked simple and plain, with no designer logos visible, they were all custom-made by Italian craftsmen. Each piece cost at least a hundred thousand dollars.

But I didn't need to explain that to Samuel.

I ignored him and picked up the menu from the table.

My disregard only enraged Samuel further.

He snatched the menu from my hands, raising his voice:

"What, did two years in prison make you deaf? Didn't you hear me talking to you?"

Before he finished speaking, the entire restaurant erupted in whispers.

"Looks normal enough, but who would've thought she's an ex-con."

"Oh my God, how did someone like that get in here?"

Ignoring the murmurs and pointing fingers from surrounding customers, I slowly raised my head and looked at Samuel expressionlessly:

"Excuse me, do I know you?"

Samuel froze, then said angrily:

"Aurora, what's with the act? Do you really think you're still that high-flying CEO from back then?"

"Do you even know where you are? This is And Happy, the most elite, most luxurious restaurant in Massachusetts. A single cup of coffee costs hundreds of dollars."

"Take a good look at yourself. Can you even afford to eat here? Get out! Just get out and stop embarrassing yourself!"

Samuel looked at me with utter contempt and actually kicked the table in front of me.

A loud crash echoed through the space.

The coffee cup shook violently, brown liquid splashing out.

Looking at the brown stains on my white shirt cuff, my expression darkened.

This shirt was a birthday gift from Manuel. Today was the first time I'd worn it.

I looked at Samuel coldly:

"Apologize!"

But Samuel just laughed mockingly:

"You want ME to apologize?!"

"Aurora, you must be dreaming!"

"If anyone should be apologizing, it's you apologizing to me. Being in the same space as a bitch like you is ruining my appetite."

With that, Samuel turned toward the door, his voice shrill:

"Security!"

"Where's security? Where the hell did everyone go? Letting just anyone in! Do you all want to lose your jobs?"

Two security guards approached hesitantly.

Just then, the restaurant manager arrived after hearing the commotion.

Seeing Samuel's angry expression, the manager jogged over quickly.

"What seems to be the problem? Tell me what's wrong and I'll handle it immediately."

Samuel snorted coldly:

"What's going on with you people?"

"Service standards are getting worse and worse. Can't you see there's some poor trash here ruining the atmosphere?"

The manager froze, following Samuel's gaze toward me.

"I'm so sorry, I'll handle this right away."

The manager bowed and scraped before Samuel, his tone full of obvious flattery and fawning.

Then he turned to me with a stern expression:

"Miss, this is a high-end establishment, not a homeless shelter. Please leave immediately."

He made a gesture toward the door.

"Did you hear that?"

Samuel smugly patted my face:

"Poor people should know their place. If you're broke, don't come out here trying to act rich!"

I didn't move. Samuel thought I was scared and became even more arrogant.

He pressed harder:

"I should've made sure you stayed in there a few more years back then, so you wouldn't get out and embarrass yourself like this."

I smiled coldly:

"Samuel, that line should be directed at you."

"Have you been living the good life so long that you've forgotten how you used to crawl through garbage heaps looking for food?"