Beyond His Reach

Yvette Johnson did not learn the truth until her final moments: she had two husbands. One was Jordan Spencer. The other was his twin brother, Xander Spencer. They both loved Jade Harrison, the false heiress. But since they had no choice but to marry Yvette, the real heiress, they made a deal behind her back. They would take turns spending a week with her so neither brother would lose out. Chapter 1 Yvette Johnson never would have learned their secret if she had not fallen down the stairs and lost her baby. As she drifted in and out of consciousness, she overheard a conversation between Jordan, Xander, and Jade. "You two are so good to me. All I had to do was ask, and you made sure Yvette lost her baby. What if she wakes up and finds out she's lost the child she wanted so badly? Won't she be furious?" Jordan Spencer lounged lazily. A mocking glint flashed in his dark eyes. "How could she ever deserve to have our child? We've been secretly giving her birth control for years. Who knew she'd get so lucky…?" "She throws herself at us every time. We only give in once in a while." Xander Spencer looked up. His voice was cold and merciless. "But I've already told the doctor to remove her uterus. She'll never have a chance to get pregnant again." Jade Harrison looked disappointed. "It's just a shame we'll never know whether the baby was Xander's or Jordan's." Yvette finally realized the horrifying truth. For seven whole years, she had been nothing more than a wife shared by two brothers! Nothing could have been more disgusting or infuriating. The shock and rage overwhelmed her. She suffered severe uterine bleeding, and the doctors could not save her. She was pronounced dead. … When Yvette opened her eyes again, she was back on her wedding night with Jordan. She stared at him with a strange look in her eyes. Jordan's dark eyes turned cold. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Yvette thought back to five years before the wedding. After the truth about her and Jade's identities first came out, the marriage arrangement between the Johnson and Spencer families fell to Yvette. She had been switched at birth, and when she returned to the Johnson family, she felt completely out of place, even around her own biological parents. The Johnsons were a wealthy family, and Yvette had grown up in an orphanage. She knew nothing about the rules and etiquette of high society. She made a fool of herself more times than she could count, and many people looked down on her. But Jordan had always been there for her. He had protected her and kept her company. Whenever people mocked her, he would step in front of her and stand up for her. Whenever people made snide remarks about her, he would fire back without hesitation. She was like a fledgling, and the tenderness beneath his cold exterior won her heart. So, when her parents asked which of the Spencer twins she wanted to marry, she chose Jordan without a second thought. She never imagined that Jordan had been putting on an act. Deep down, he had never wanted to marry her. Over the next seven years of their marriage, he and Xander had taken turns spending time with her. Yvette's heart felt like it had been ripped apart. She swallowed her bitterness and shook her head gently. "It's nothing." Jordan placed his hand on her head and calmly said, "Get some rest. I'm going over to Xander's." Yvette's heart sank. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Yvette remembered that the same thing had happened in her previous life. Was the man who had spent her wedding night with her... not even Jordan? She watched Jordan leave and fought back her pain. Then, she quietly followed him. Through a crack in the door, she overheard him talking to Xander. "It's your wedding night, and you still came to switch places with me?" "So what if it's my wedding night? I only love Jade. Besides, your week with Jade is up. It's my turn to be with her today." Xander furrowed his thick brows. "What about your wedding night? Do you expect me to sleep with Yvette in your place?" Jordan motioned for Xander to exchange clothes with him. He looked completely unconcerned. "Her eyesight is already bad, and I put eye drops in her eyes this morning. She can't tell us apart. "What difference does it make whether you sleep with her or I do?" "So, you really thought of everything." Xander took off his clothes and handed them to Jordan. His voice was cold. "First, you caused a car accident that damaged Yvette's eyes. Then, you pretended to care about her and gave her dilating eye drops every day to keep her vision blurry. Otherwise, our arrangement wouldn't have worked so smoothly." "Grandpa's the one who insisted we marry her." Jordan straightened his collar. His tone was full of irritation. "He even warned us that we had to treat her well and were never allowed to divorce her. Otherwise, we wouldn't even have to put ourselves through all this trouble." Yvette's mind went blank. The shock was so overwhelming that her whole body trembled uncontrollably. After she got engaged to Jordan, she had been in a terrible car accident that had nearly blinded her. Jordan had stayed by her side and cared for her every step of the way. He had even claimed to have invested a fortune in developing eye drops to restore her sight, and he personally applied them for her every day. She had been deeply touched by his devotion, and her love for him had only grown stronger. She never imagined that it had all been a scheme! The worst part was that the man who had spent her wedding night with her in her past life had not been Jordan either! Jordan… How could he do that to her? How could he treat her so cruelly? She fled the villa and called Yale Peterson. "Yale, I've made up my mind. I'll go with you to the war zone and spend ten years working for Doctors Without Borders." Yale usually had a carefree, joking tone, but his voice grew serious. "But… Yvette, didn't you say you wanted to spend the rest of your life with Jordan?" Yvette let her tears fall freely. "I don't love him anymore. I'll never love him again." If he did not love her, she would leave. She wanted no part of their twisted love game. Yale sensed that something had happened, but he did not press her for details. "Okay. I'll meet you at Jeverton Airport in fifteen days." Chapter 2 After hanging up, Yvette returned to her bedroom and began sorting through all the gifts from Jordan over the years. There was a clay figurine in her likeness, movie ticket stubs from their dates, postcards from places they had visited together, and her wedding ring engraved with both their names. She threw everything she had once treasured into the trash. As soon as she did, a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. Later, she saw Jordan and Jade locked in a passionate embrace by the study window. She had witnessed the same scene in her past life. Back then, she had even remarked on how close "Xander" and Jade seemed. Now that she knew the truth, she found the whole thing utterly ridiculous. Yet at the same time, it broke her heart. Jade noticed her and gave her a provocative smile. Then, she let out a soft, breathless moan. "Ah… You're being too rough. I can't take it." Jordan gripped her waist. "No. I only got to be with you three times last week. I'm making up for it now." Yvette could not bear to hear another word. She hurried back to her bedroom and pretended to be asleep. When Xander came in and saw her asleep, the crease between his brows eased. He lay down on the other side of the bed. The next day, Yvette took the eye drops to a testing center and paid extra for expedited results. Two hours later, she read the report. The words "Long-term use may cause severe vision damage" stood out on the page. She gave a bitter smile. Over the next two days, Jordan continued to pose as Xander and keep Jade company. Yvette pretended to know nothing about it. She calmly began making arrangements to leave the country. On the afternoon of the second day, she returned to the villa and caught Jade and Jordan kissing in the living room. Jade shot her a subtle, taunting smile. But when she spoke, her expression turned sweet and innocent. "Yvette, Xander is throwing me a birthday party tonight. Will you come too?" Yvette refused outright. "No, thanks." It was her birthday too. Jordan had claimed he needed to travel out of town on business. He had simply left his assistant to pick out a gift for her. Yet he was blatantly posing as Xander and going to great lengths to throw Jade a birthday party. The difference between being loved and being unloved had never been clearer. Jade's eyes immediately filled with tears. She bit her lip and looked at Jordan with a hurt expression. Jordan's brows immediately drew together. "Yvette, Jade spent eighteen years with your parents and took care of them in your place. She invited you sincerely. Why would you turn her down?" A trace of mockery flashed in Yvette's eyes. "It's my birthday too." Jordan paused for a moment, but his expression soon turned cold again. "Didn't Jordan give you an expensive necklace before he left on his business trip? Why are you being so petty? Don't ruin everyone's mood!" Yvette finally gave up on him. She nodded slightly. "Fine. I'll go." … The birthday party took place aboard a luxurious cruise ship. The vessel was already beautiful, but it had been decorated even more lavishly for the occasion. The words "My Love, Jade" were painted across its white hull. Jordan stood beside Jade and greeted the guests. His eyes held a tenderness so deep that anyone could drown in it. When he saw Yvette, he greeted her politely. Yvette lowered her eyes to hide her scorn. Then, she found a quiet corner and stayed there by herself. Everything went smoothly at first. But when Jade took the stage to give her speech, the projector behind her suddenly began playing an intimate video of her. The entire party descended into chaos. "Yvette, I know you hate me, but today is my birthday! Everyone here is my friend! How could you do this to me?" Yvette met Jordan's icy gaze and fought to keep her composure. "It wasn't me. I didn't do it." Jade threw herself into Jordan's arms and burst into tears. "Yvette, I saw you secretly recording that video with my own eyes! I already gave Mom and Dad back to you, and I even gave you the Spencer family marriage arrangement. Why are you still doing this to me? "If you hate me that much, fine! I'll die! Then, you won't have to look at me anymore!" Before Yvette could react, Jade shoved Jordan aside and jumped into the sea. Jordan's expression changed instantly. Without a second thought, he jumped in after her. Chapter 3 Five minutes later, Jordan climbed back aboard with Jade in his arms. Jade lay limp in his arms. Her face was deathly pale. Jordan looked at Yvette with undisguised disgust. "Yvette, what did Jade ever do to you? Why would you go so far just to hurt her?" "I told you I didn't do it! It wasn't me!" She did not even know where the projector was connected. How could she possibly have done something like that? "There are only four of us living in the villa! If you didn't do it, are you saying Jade did it to herself?" Yvette was about to point out that Jade might have staged the whole thing herself, but Jordan cut her off before she could speak. He shot her a cold look, then turned to the bodyguards nearby. "Throw her into the sea! Leave her there until I say otherwise. Nobody is allowed to bring her back aboard before then!" Yvette struggled desperately, but she was no match for the bodyguards. They pinned her to the deck, tied her hands and feet with thick ropes, and threw her overboard. Her body slammed into the deep water. The freezing sea closed over her, and the bitter cold pierced her entire body like steel needles. For a moment, Yvette thought she was going to die. Then, the bodyguards pulled her up just far enough to keep her head and upper body above water, leaving her suspended over the side of the ship. She struggled to lift her head. Jordan was already walking away with Jade in his arms. Despair washed over Yvette. They left her hanging there for three whole days. During those three days, waves splashed over her and left her exposed to the scorching sun. Her skin became painfully dried out, while her lower half remained submerged in the salty seawater until it grew pale and horribly swollen. Her legs were covered in countless wounds from fish bites. The deepest wound was so severe that the bone was almost exposed. The moment they finally lowered her onto the deck, she collapsed and lost consciousness. She did not wake up until a day later. The sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils. Jordan sat by her bedside. When he saw her open her eyes, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Xander did go too far this time. I've already argued with him about it. "But Yvette, how could you do something like that? Do you have any idea what's happening outside? The whole city is talking about Jade, and everyone's laughing at her. "I've already told Xander that you'll apologize to Jade once you're discharged." Yvette watched his lips move. She had thought her heart had gone numb, but a sharp pain tore through her chest. She turned her head away and closed her eyes. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and her voice was barely more than a whisper. "Jordan, what's the point of all this?" When he pretended to be Xander, he hurt her. When he was himself, he still hurt her. What had she ever done to deserve such cruelty from him? Jordan assumed she was reluctant to apologize. His expression darkened, and his voice grew stern. "Yvette, be reasonable. Don't make things difficult for me." Yvette let out a silent laugh and nodded slightly. "Fine. I'll do as you say." Jordan was finally satisfied. He took out the eye drops. "That's my good girl. Come here. I'll put your eye drops in for you." If Yvette had not already discovered the truth, she would have been deeply moved by his apparent concern. Now, she only felt a chill deep in her heart. She glanced at him but said nothing. She let him put the drops in her eyes. After all, she had already replaced the eye drops with a different solution. … After three days in the hospital, Yvette returned to the villa. Jade was in Xander's arms, crying her eyes out. Jordan's face filled with sympathy. He grabbed Yvette and shoved her in front of Jade. "Yvette, remember what we agreed? You're going to apologize to Jade." Yvette fell hard to the floor. The unhealed wounds on her lower legs sent sharp, searing pain through her body. A flash of satisfaction crossed Jade's eyes. She sniffled and sobbed. "My reputation is ruined. What good would an apology do?" Jordan's voice softened involuntarily. The love in his eyes was impossible to hide. "Then, tell me what you want." Xander gave a slight nod. "Jade, what do you want?" A gleam of triumph flashed in Jade's eyes. She pouted and spoke in a sweet, childish voice. "I want Yvette's tiara." The tiara had been Jordan's wedding gift to Yvette. It was an antique that had been passed down through generations of the family. It was priceless, and no amount of money could buy it. A member of the Spencer family staff had once posted a photo of it online, and countless people had expressed their envy. Jade had had her eyes on it for a long time. Without a second thought, Jordan ordered Yvette to hand it over. "Yvette, go get the tiara for Jade." He expected her to refuse. After all, he had personally given her the tiara, and she had always treasured it. He was already thinking of how to persuade her when Yvette spoke softly. "Okay. I'll go get it." Jordan froze. He watched her walk away. She seemed much thinner than before, and for some reason, a strange sense of unease crept into his heart. He told himself he was just imagining things. Chapter 4 The tiara was locked in a safe that could only be opened by scanning Yvette's iris. She took it out and gently ran her fingers over the diamond petals. She stared at the tiara, lost in thought. When Jordan gave her the tiara, she thought she had finally found someone she could spend the rest of her life with. She threw her arms around him and cried tears of joy. If she had not gotten a second chance at life, she would never have seen through his tender facade and discovered the cruelty beneath it. Her heart had long since gone cold. She no longer cared about the tiara. But she would never give it to Jade. Yvette lowered her eyes to hide her thoughts and carried the tiara downstairs. The moment Jade eagerly reached out for it, Yvette raised her hand and slammed it against the floor. The strands of pearls snapped, scattering pearls across the floor, and the crystal petals shattered. Jade froze in shock. Yvette looked at her with a calm, mocking smile. "What makes a thief think she deserves my tiara?" Jordan and Xander's expressions instantly changed. Jade stared at Yvette in disbelief. A moment later, her eyes turned red, and tears filled them. "Yvette, if you didn't want to give me the tiara, you could have just said so. But how could you destroy it? How are you going to face Jordan after this?" Jordan looked at Jade's tearful face. His brows furrowed, and anger filled his eyes. "Yvette, you've gone too far. Family rules state that anyone who damages a family heirloom must receive fifty lashes. With Xander here, how could I just let you off the hook?" Yvette remained calm. "I don't care. Go ahead and whip me." Jordan met her eyes and saw nothing but emptiness in them. A strange sense of irritation suddenly rose inside him. He ordered the bodyguards to carry out the punishment in a cold voice. The whip whistled through the air before it struck her hard. Yvette's body tensed. A cry rose in her throat, but she bit her lip hard and stifled it. Crack! Crack! Crack! The sound of the whip echoed throughout the villa. The beating continued until she had received all fifty lashes. Yvette collapsed to the floor. Lash marks covered her body, and blood from her wounds had almost turned the carpet beneath her completely red. Yet she never cried out or begged for mercy, not even once. Jordan watched as she shook uncontrollably from the pain. The irritation inside him only grew stronger. He carried her back to her room and called their private doctor to treat her wounds. "Yvette, don't resent me for this. I couldn't make an exception for you in front of Xander." Yvette wanted to ask whether he truly had no choice or whether he simply wanted to punish her on Jade's behalf. In the end, she kept the question to herself. None of it mattered any longer. Jordan stayed by her side for the next three days. Then, one morning, he put eye drops in her eyes and told her he had to go to the office. He asked her to go to the hospital for her follow-up appointment without him. Yvette got into the car with the bodyguards. She never expected to be abducted on the way and taken to a private club. Her abductors were three sleazy-looking men. The moment the door closed, the men gave her leering smiles and rushed to tear off her clothes. Yvette was terrified. She struggled with all her might and tried to shove them away. "Stop! What are you doing?" "Let go of me!" The men snickered. "Ms. Johnson, don't worry. We're just putting on an act. We won't actually have sex with you. Just play along so we can get paid and be on our way." "You brought this on yourself. You hurt the woman Mr. Spencer cares about most, then secretly recorded her and leaked the video. You deserve this!" "You love making videos so much. I bet you're just as wild in private. What's wrong with having a little fun with us?" Yvette made a desperate dash for the door, but one of the men grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back. The three of them held her down and tore her clothes to shreds. They forced her into various humiliating poses while snapping photos frantically. Yvette fought back countless times. She kicked, punched, and clawed at the men, but none of it did any good. Three hours later, the humiliating torture finally came to an end. The three men swaggered out of the room. Yvette picked up a piece of cloth from the floor and wrapped it around herself with trembling hands. She could no longer hold back her tears. She broke down and sobbed uncontrollably. Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw the door burst open. Jordan strode into the room and scooped her into his arms. A mocking glint flashed in his eyes, but his voice was gentle. "Yvette, don't worry. I'll get you out of here." Chapter 5 Jordan carried Yvette to the car and helped her inside. He gently kissed the top of her head. His voice was full of concern. "Yvette, Xander was behind this. He was angry because you leaked Jade's intimate video and made her jump into the sea. "I've already confronted him about it. He agreed to let the matter drop and promised he wouldn't bother you again." Yvette was still terrified. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably. When she heard Jordan's words, she seemed to come back to her senses. She stared at him in horror. Jordan felt a strange pang in his chest. "Yvette, I know you've suffered, but Xander didn't have them actually have sex with you. If you keep holding a grudge over this, you're being unreasonable." Yvette's heart had been broken so badly that she felt strangely calm. "Fine. I understand." She would let it go. She could not win against him, so she would leave him. That night, Yvette came down with a high fever. She alternated between feeling freezing cold and burning hot. Sweat soaked her sheets until they were completely drenched. The memory of her ordeal kept haunting her dreams. Every time she fell asleep, she felt as though she were trapped in hell all over again. After another nightmare jolted her awake, she struggled out of bed and struggled out of bed to go downstairs for a glass of water. As she passed the next room, she heard Jordan and Jade talking inside. "Jordan, you treat me really well. You knew how upset I was about the video, so you purposely hired people to take nude photos of Yvette to get revenge for me. "But won't Yvette be heartbroken if she finds out the truth?" "Her feelings have nothing to do with me." Jordan's voice dripped with contempt. "Besides, she brought this on herself. She purposely smashed the tiara and upset you." Yvette's eyes burned with tears. She turned and went back to her room, but tears streaming down her face. She had believed Jordan when he told her in the car that Xander was responsible for the abduction. He had lied to her again. The next day, Jordan offered to take her to an auction. "I had the tiara repaired and gave it to Jade. I'll buy you a few things to make it up to you." Yvette had no desire to go. She no longer wanted Jordan. Why would she want anything from him? But Jordan gave her no chance to refuse. He forced her into the car and took her to the auction. … The auction was held at the most luxurious hotel in Jeverton. The guests were all prominent figures from high society. Jade wore a designer gown, and her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders. She looked especially sweet and lovely. When she saw Yvette, a trace of mockery flashed in her eyes. She quickly hid it and spoke in a sweet voice. "Yvette, if you see something you like later, just let me know. I'll buy it all for you as compensation." Her words immediately caught the attention of those around them. "Jade, what happened to your sister? Why do you need to compensate her?" "Jade is so generous. I wish I had a sister like her." "All of it? Jade, are you trying to make the rest of us jealous?" Jade laughed sweetly. "Yvette is so pitiful. Yesterday, a few men took her to a private club…" She suddenly covered her mouth as if she had just realized her mistake. "Oh no! Did I say something I shouldn't have? Please don't get the wrong idea. I was just talking nonsense." Her attempt to take back her words only fueled everyone's suspicions about what had happened to Yvette. Everyone began to look at Yvette differently. Yvette could not bear to stay another moment. She turned and hurried away. She walked faster and faster until she was almost running. Suddenly, someone grabbed her shoulder and yanked her back. It was Jordan. When he saw how pale and devastated she looked, his heart softened for a moment. But then he remembered how hard Jade had cried, and his brief sympathy vanished. "Yvette, Jade didn't mean to let it slip. Why are you taking it out on her? Have you thought about what everyone will think of Jade if you just walk out?" Yvette was so furious that she laughed, though the pain in her chest was almost unbearable. "What about me? Do I deserve to be stared at like some kind of freak? Do I deserve to have everyone gossip about me?" Jordan had no answer at first. "They don't know the truth, and they haven't even seen the photos. So what if they look at you a little differently? Yvette, can you stop being so petty?" Yvette laughed, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm petty? Jordan, how can you be so cruelly biased?" Jordan's expression turned cold. His handsome face darkened. "If you want to leave, I won't stop you. But you know Xander always gets even. If you make Jade cry, he'll leak your nude photos and make a laughingstock of you. Think carefully before you decide." Yvette met his icy gaze. Tears welled up in her eyes, and humiliation washed over her. In the end, she had no choice but to return to the auction hall. Chapter 6 A little while later, the auction began. But the moment the first item came up, Yvette's vision went black. She nearly fainted. The first lot consisted of nude photos of her! Jordan had clearly told her that the photos had been deleted! He had lied to her again! The crowd broke into whispers. Countless looks of contempt, mockery, and lust fell on Yvette from every direction. "Intimate photos. Bidding starts at one million." The auctioneer had barely finished speaking when someone eagerly raised a bidding paddle. "Two million." "Three million. Intimate photos of Mrs. Spencer? Now, that's something you don't see every day. I'll buy them and hang them above my bed." "Eight million! Nobody else better try to outbid me!" As the price climbed higher and higher, Yvette bit her lip until it bled. She turned to Jordan with pleading eyes. "Jordan, please help me. I'm begging you…" Jordan's eyes were cold. Under the bright lights, his expression looked even more heartless. He pulled Yvette into his arms as if he wanted to comfort her, but his expression gave nothing away. "Yvette, I didn't bring my black card, and I don't have enough cash on me to compete with them. But don't worry. Whoever buys the photos, I'll buy it back for twice the price tomorrow." Yvette's heart sank. Her face turned deathly pale, and she slowly sat up straight. The light in her eyes faded. She gave up. In the end, someone bought her intimate photos for ten million. Jade smirked with satisfaction. As soon as the second item came up for auction, she raised her paddle without a moment's hesitation. "I'll pay whatever it takes!" Gasps of shock filled the hall. A staff member hurried over and respectfully took the black card from Jade. "Thank you, Ms. Harrison. This item is yours." Yvette caught a glimpse of the black card from the corner of her eye. Her heart ached so badly that she let out a bitter laugh. It was Jordan's black card. She had drawn a little red heart on it herself with a red marker. At last, she understood. She never mattered to Jordan at all. He was ruthless, yet he was willing to go to any lengths for the woman he loved. Just to make Jade happy, he had put Yvette's nude photo up for auction without the slightest concern for the ridicule he might face. For the next hour, Jade bid on every item she liked without hesitation. Each time, she declared that she would pay whatever it took. Jordan kept looking at her with open affection. When the auction took a break, Yvette quickly made up an excuse to leave. She had barely reached the hallway when Jade grabbed her and dragged her into a lounge. Jade could barely hide her smug grin. "You poor thing. So what if you smashed the tiara? Jordan gave me his black card just to make me happy. And you? He wouldn't even bother to bid on your nude photos." Yvette ignored her. Her face was blank as she walked around Jade and headed for the door. Suddenly, Jade shoved her hard. Yvette lost her balance and fell to the floor. Jade planted her foot on the back of Yvette's hand and ground her heel into it. She watched Yvette's face twist in pain and spat out a string of vicious curses. "You witch! I've hated you for ages. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been kicked out of the Johnson family, and I wouldn't have lost my engagement to the Spencer family. "Having you thrown into the sea, whipping you, and putting your nude photos up for auction were nothing compared to what I have planned. One day, I'll drive you out of the Spencer family and ruin your life!" Just then, Jordan's footsteps sounded outside the door. Jade's eyes darted around. She grabbed a fruit knife from a nearby table and plunged it into herself. Her piercing scream rang through the hall and alerted everyone nearby. Yvette stared at Jade, who lay in a pool of blood. Jade gave her a cold, sinister smile that sent a chill down Yvette's spine. Jordan rushed in. The moment he saw what had happened, his eyes blazed with fury. His hands trembled as he pulled Jade into his arms. Then, he shot Yvette a murderous glare. "Yvette!" Yvette's voice trembled. "If I told you I didn't do it, would you believe me?" Jordan squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened them again, his expression was still ice-cold. "Yvette, I've protected you again and again, but you're too vindictive. I can't protect you this time. I have to answer to Xander. "You stabbed Jade once, so you'll pay five times over. I'll have the bodyguards stab you five times. Do you have a problem with that?" For a moment, Yvette's heart seemed to stop. Then, the pain hit her as if a truck had run over her and crushed her to pieces. She staggered to her feet and picked up another fruit knife. "There's no need for your bodyguards. I'll do it myself." She gripped the handle with both hands and drove the knife into her belly. Blood bloomed across her clothes. Her beautiful, pale face remained calm. She pulled the knife out and stabbed herself again. Once. Twice. Three times. After the fifth stab, she dropped the knife to the floor and looked Jordan straight in the eye. "Is that enough?" Jordan stared at her blood-soaked body. His heart felt as though vines had wrapped around it and squeezed until he could barely breathe. He had no idea what was wrong with him. Yvette was cruel. She had hurt Jade, the woman he loved most, again and again. Yet when he saw Yvette covered in blood, her face deathly pale, a strange ache stirred in his heart. He turned away, carried Jade toward the ambulance, and ordered, "Take Yvette to the hospital as well." Jade's eyes widened in disbelief when she heard him. Her hatred for Yvette deepened. Yvette never saw it. Her vision began to blur, and her legs grew too weak to support her. The world went black, and she lost consciousness. Chapter 7 Yvette did not know how much time had passed before she finally woke up in the hospital. Two nurses nearby were chatting. "Those two handsome guys in Room 608 are so sweet to Ms. Harrison! She only has a few minor injuries, but they're so worried about her that they even carry her to the bathroom." "Tell me about it. Just now, Ms. Harrison poured herself a glass of water, and those two nearly panicked. They were terrified something might happen to her." "Then, there's poor Ms. Yvette Johnson. It's been a whole day, and not a single person has come to visit her." "Exactly. Some people really do have all the luck, while others have none." Yvette placed a hand over her chest. The heart that had once hurt so badly she could barely breathe felt completely numb. Her love for Jordan finally died. A short while later, Jordan walked into the room. Jordan froze for a moment when he saw Yvette lying quietly in bed. Her face was pale, and she looked utterly still. In his memory, Yvette had always been full of life. Whenever she saw him, her face would light up with a bright smile. She would reach out to him and ask him to hold her. She would even call his name so affectionately. But at some point, the smile had disappeared from her face. Whenever she looked at him, her eyes were so calm that he could no longer find a trace of emotion in them. Had he been too harsh with her lately? But if she had not been so cruel to Jade, why would he have punished her? Jordan pressed his lips together and walked over. He poured her a glass of water. "Jade is seriously injured. Xander and I need to take care of her for the next few days. I've arranged for a caregiver to look after you. She'll be here soon. Just call her if you need anything." Yvette did not take the glass. She glanced at him and nodded slightly. "Okay." For some reason, Jordan turned back just before he left. Yvette had already closed her eyes and fallen asleep. The sunlight fell across her face. She looked even paler than snow, almost like a dewdrop that would vanish in the morning sun. It had to be his imagination. She was right there, alive. How could she simply disappear? Besides, she loved him so much. She would never willingly leave him. Yvette stayed in the hospital for another day. Despite her doctor's advice, she insisted on leaving. As she left, she ran into Jade, who had come to gloat over her misfortune. Yvette discreetly started recording on her phone. "Jade, what are you doing here? Did you come to laugh at me?" Jade looked Yvette up and down with a smug smile. "Of course. I wanted to see just how miserable you've become." "What do you want from me?" "Leave the Spencer family and give me back everything that should have been mine. Otherwise, I'll find a way to destroy you, just like I did before." Yvette stared at her calmly. "So, you never loved Xander or Jordan. You framed me again and again just to force me to leave?" "Of course I love them. I love their money, their status, and everything they can give me. Most importantly, I love how easily I can manipulate them and make them do whatever I want." "I get it. I'll do as you wish. I'll leave the Spencer family and leave Jordan." After that, Yvette turned and walked away. Her steps were slow, but her resolve never wavered. She obtained a copy of the surveillance footage showing Jade stabbing herself, then left a storage device containing the footage and the recording she had just made, along with the test report on the eye drops, in Jordan's study. Next, she took a cab to the airport. On the way, she blocked Jordan and Xander and deleted all their contact information. Later that day, she boarded a flight overseas with Yale. The moment the plane soared into the sky, she pulled out her SIM card and snapped it in half. 'Goodbye, Jordan,' she thought. 'I hope we never cross paths again for the rest of our lives.'