Chapter 1 The Heartbreaking Video

"I want you so bad. I need you to fuck me hard!"

In the video, the woman, her back to the camera, was ripping off her clothes, her curvy body moving seductively.

Her hand slid up the man's chest, slowly reaching his neck, pulling him closer with force.

The man quickly stripped down, wrapping his bare torso around her waist, their lips crashing together in a heated kiss.

In the dimly lit room, their bodies were pressed tightly together, making love like there was no tomorrow, their moans filling the air!

This was the video Harper Anderson received.

Just a few minutes ago, Harper got this mysterious video. The guy in it? Her fiancé of five years, James Smith. They were supposed to tie the knot next month.

The woman's face was hidden, but the rose tattoo on her waist was hard to miss.

Seeing James with another woman broke Harper's heart.

Her fiancé had cheated on her!

"How could this happen?" Harper's face went pale, unable to process it.

James was the guy who had given her hope and warmth when she was at her lowest.

Years ago, a sudden car accident caused her to miscarry, and the doctor said she'd never have kids again.

James had promised over and over that he'd never leave her, that they'd be happy together even without kids. She had believed him.

Now, she had never felt so angry and disappointed.

At the top of the stairs, a young girl was watching Harper with a smug smile.

"Harper!" Just as Harper stood up, a soft voice called from behind.

Harper turned to see Emily Johnson walking over, arms open for a hug. "Harper, why do you have dark circles under your eyes? Staying up late will age you fast!"

"I'm fine!" Harper said, pulling out a wet wipe to clean her face.

Emily was dressed to the nines in a gold, form-fitting gown, her long hair perfectly styled, makeup on point.

Harper asked, "Why are you all dressed up for work today? Is there an event?"

Emily smiled, "Harper, today is the signing party with the Stellar Group."

Harper was a bit surprised. "Signing party?"

She remembered that three days ago, Matthew Moore, the CEO of Stellar Group, had his secretary send over an intent letter. The signing was today, almost forgotten because of that video.

"I'll go change!" Harper said, brushing past Emily. As she did, she noticed a rose tattoo peeking out from Emily's waist.

The woman in the video with James had the same rose tattoo!

Looking closer, their figures were almost identical!

It couldn't be a mistake; the woman with James had to be Emily!

Harper glared at Emily, whose innocent look only made her angrier.

Suddenly, it hit Harper—this was all part of Emily's plan to replace her.

Harper gritted her teeth. Why did it have to be Emily?

Emily had been personally recruited by James two years ago to be her assistant. They had always been as close as sisters.

She knew Emily was alone in the city and often invited her to dinner, sometimes even to stay over.

She never expected something like this would happen to her!

For a moment, Harper felt the urge to confront James and Emily, to ask why the two people closest to her had betrayed her.

Harper wished the video was AI-generated or that Emily had been forced into James's bed.

"Harper, if you're not feeling well, I can go to the party for you tonight," Emily said with a smile, reaching for Harper's arm again. Harper deftly avoided her.

"No need. I can handle it!" Harper forced a smile, but her hand in her sleeve was clenched into a fist, her nails digging into her flesh.

The physical pain was nothing compared to the heartache.

Confronting them now would only make her more humiliated.

When Harper arrived, the party had just begun.

She wore a black gown, looking elegant and dignified as she entered the venue, not attracting much attention.

Not far away, surrounded by people, was her fiancé, James, in a blue suit, chatting and laughing.

At that moment, Harper didn't approach him but took a glass of wine and sat in an inconspicuous corner.

'Why? James, are you really that needy? Do you want every woman? Maybe I've been too lenient with you. I hate you both!'

The video kept replaying in Harper's mind, making her down several drinks in a row, her vision starting to blur, her consciousness fading.

Feeling hot and uncomfortable, Harper stood up shakily, wanting to go outside for some fresh air.

Outside the hotel was a beach.

Harper took off her high heels, walking barefoot on the soft sand, stumbling. She climbed onto a rock, standing expressionlessly, gazing at the shimmering sea. In her utter despair, a thought crossed her mind, 'Jump!'

Harper took a step forward, the warm summer wind whistling in her ears, waves crashing against the shore, splashing water everywhere. She was captivated by the beautiful scene, closed her eyes, and as a wave hit, she was swept into the sea.

At that moment, she was completely surrounded by water.

The next second, a large hand wrapped around her neck, and she was pulled back by a strong force.

Harper gasped, "Help!"

Her mouth filled with seawater, sobering her up instantly. Her body instinctively tried to push away the person and struggle to stand.

She turned around and met a pair of deep, cold eyes. "Mr. Moore?"

Matthew's face was indifferent, dressed in a white tailored shirt, his chiseled jaw slightly raised. He let go of her, glanced at her calmly, and said, "Ms. Anderson!"

"Mr. Moore, you misunderstood. I wasn't trying to do anything drastic, just getting some fresh air!" After the scare, her mind cleared up significantly. She hurriedly explained, fearing that Matthew might think she had jumped into the sea.

She had interacted with Matthew quite a bit, especially in the past two months as the project progressed. Matthew always attended to listen to the proposals.

She had long heard of this business mogul's style and methods.

"Is that so?" A secretary came over and quickly draped a white bath towel over Matthew.

Matthew handed the towel to Harper, his gaze lingering on her face for a few seconds and said, "I thought you were avoiding me?"

With that, Matthew walked away with his hands in his pockets.

Harper came to her senses as a cold wind blew, making her shiver. She realized she was soaking wet, and it was pitch dark around her, making it impossible to find her glasses. She had no choice but to wrap the towel around herself and walk barefoot back to the hotel.

Not far away, Matthew stopped and watched Harper's departing figure, lost in thought. After so many years, the light in her eyes had dimmed considerably.

"Ms. Anderson!"

Harper, with her head down, didn't notice someone calling her until she reached the steps, where a man stood in front of her.

Harper was startled and looked up to see it was Matthew's secretary.

Harper asked, "Is there something you need?"

At this moment, her dress was soaking wet, clinging tightly to her body. Harper quickly used her hands to cover her private parts, her face flushed, her eyes clear and bright, making her irresistibly attractive.

The secretary handed her a shopping bag.

"What's this?" She asked in surprise, not reaching out to take it.

"Mr. Moore said the project can't have any issues, especially at tonight's event!" The secretary forcibly placed the bag in her hands.

Harper couldn't understand what Matthew wanted from her.

She paused, then her expression changed, and she said coldly, "Please tell Mr. Moore not to worry. I know what's important!"

The secretary nodded, gave a meaningful smile, and turned to leave.

Harper quickly took the clothes and went into the hotel restroom.

She changed into the new clothes, quickly dried her hair, tied it up again, and put on a pair of glasses. Her vision cleared up significantly. She noticed the glasses were identical to the ones she had lost, but she didn't have time to think much about it.

Tonight's party was an important signing ceremony. She couldn't afford any mistakes.

Returning to the party, she saw Emily affectionately holding James's arm, looking deeply into his eyes from time to time.

The next second, Emily looked over, and their eyes met. Harper could clearly see the provocation in Emily's gaze.

Harper's heart ached, but she suppressed it. She took a glass of wine from a passing waiter and walked over with a smile.

"Honey!" Harper naturally took James's arm and spoke with a soft, melodious voice.

Her word clearly surprised those around them.

"And who is this?" Someone asked.

"Harper Anderson. I'm James's fiancée."

Emily quickly stepped aside, showing an awkward smile. "Harper, I thought you had left?"

"Harper!" James looked at Harper, his eyes full of tenderness, and put his arm around her waist.

Harper's heart ached even more. She turned and asked, "I just ran into Mr. Moore and had a chat. What were you talking about?"

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Anderson. So, you're Mr. Smith's fiancée. My apologies!"

The person speaking had a complex look in their eyes and was about to leave when Harper said, "Nice to meet you too!"

She then raised her glass slightly and took a small sip.

James looked at her nervously, his voice full of tenderness. "Harper, your stomach isn't good. Let me drink that for you."

He reached out to take her glass, but she deftly avoided him.

"Mr. Smith is such a good man, so considerate of his fiancée. I can't compare!" The person speaking said meaningfully.

Immediately, James grabbed Harper's glass and drank it all in one go.

Beside him, Emily's eyes showed a hint of displeasure. She deliberately leaned forward, and Harper's hand accidentally touched her, causing her to scream and fall to the ground.

"Harper, it hurts! My foot!"