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27.24
Chapter 3
The art gallery was only a twenty–minute drive from the immigration office. Briella didn’t have a ticket, so Celia went to negotiate with the event organizers. Sheldon quickly explained, “She’s the daughter of a business partner. We just happened to run into each other, don’t overthink it.”
He smelled like Celia’s perfume, so strong that there was no way it hadn’t lingered on him all night. Briella couldn’t be bothered to expose his lie. She responded with a calm “Mm.“N
Sheldon reached out and ruffled her hair indulgently. “I knew my good girl would be the most understanding.“N
Not far away, Celia, who had just returned from negotiating, saw this scene. A flicker of something dark flashed in her eyes. She handed Briella the ticket she had just obtained and gave her a long, meaningful look.N
Once inside the gallery, Sheldon’s phone kept ringing non–stop. He had no choice but to step away to answer. The moment he was gone, Celia dropped the act. “I know what’s going on between you and Sheldon. Let me tell you, he was at my place last night to discuss our engagement. We’ll be announcing it soon. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll walk away on your own.“N
Briella had suspected from the look on Celia’s face that Sheldon’s relationship with that woman was more than simply casual. Still, she had no idea they were on the verge of marriage. However, it was none of her concern. Ever since overhearing their conversation, she had completely given up on Sheldon. Whatever lies or secrets he had, they no longer surprised her. Briella was only concerned about one thing. “What did you mean by the video“?“N
Celia laughed mockingly. “Wow, just the word ‘video‘ is enough to make you panic? Sheldon was right, you really are brainless.“N
Briella immediately realized the truth. “You don’t even have a video. You were messing with me.” She didn’t want to waste another second and turned to leave, but Celia grabbed her wrist. At that exact moment, a cracking noise came from the ceiling.“N Briella’s heart sank. Before she could break free, Celia took advantage of the moment and shoved her forward. Right then, a massive chandelier crashed down from the ceiling, striking Briella from the head down to her back. Warm blood gushed out, soaking her shirt. Chunks of plaster rained down and the room erupted into panicked screams. Amidst the chaos, Sheldon came rushing over. He lifted Briella up, his normally sharp and composed face filled with panic and fear. “Baby, are you okay? Does it hurt? Why is there so much blood?”
Briella’s vision blurred from the blood dripping into her eyes. The pain was so intense she couldn’t even speak. Meanwhile, Celia let out a dramatic cry and collapsed onto the floor, clutching her ankle with tears streaming down her face. “Sheldon, I twisted my ankle. It hurts so bad! Can you take me to the hospital?”
However, Sheldon acted as if he didn’t even hear her. Without a second glance in her direction, he scooped Briella into his arms and sprinted out of the gallery. The urgency in his movements made it seem as if she was truly the person he cared about the most.
Through the haze of pain and blood, Briella stared at his face, momentarily dazed. Was he still acting? Or was there the slightest bit of sincerity in his panic? Celia, behind them, screamed in frustration, “Sheldon! I’m your fiancée! Do you still want to work with my dad or
not?”
Sheldon didn’t even flinch, his steps never slowing. Briella’s injuries were severe. By the time her wounds were treated, two hours had passed. The anesthesia hadn’t fully worn off and in her groggy state, she overheard Sheldon talking on the phone. “I already told you, I have my own plan. The show isn’t over yet, so why are you making a fuss?”
Celia’s voice sounded aggrieved. “You carried her out without even looking at me. Sheldon, is this really just about getting revenge on her
mom?”
Sheldon sounded irritated. “What else? If I don’t keep saving her over and over again, how will she become completely devoted to me? If I don’t act the part, how will she be devastated enough to kill herself when the truth comes out? Do you want me to be charged with murder?”
Celia quickly denied it. “No! Sheldon, do you really not like her?”
Sheldon was silent for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice. “Mm. I could never like her.”
Briella struggled to open her eyes and saw him standing by the door, hanging up the phone. Through her blurred vision, even his features looked twisted and cruel. How ridiculous. This was just another one of his tricks. Playing with sincerity, playing with human nature.N
A ripple spread through Briella’s numb heart, drowning out the pain in her body. She didn’t know how much time had passed before she fully regained consciousness. The first thing she saw was Sheldon’s face, magnified before her. “Baby, you’re finally awake! You scared me to death. Thank God you’re okay!“}
Briella was dazed, almost believing that the phone call had just been part of a dream. Sheldon lowered his head and kissed her cheek, his voice full of remorse. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault for not protecting you. It won’t happen again.“}]
Still, Briella’s heart had turned to ice. Her eyes were empty and she said nothing. “Baby, why aren’t you talking? Are you still in pain?” asked Sheldon. That man called the doctor in to check on her again, running around making arrangements for her hospitalization.N
He bought her favorite black rice porridge, coaxing her to take a few bites and gently wiping the corners of her mouth. At night, he prepared warm water at just the right temperature and even lowered himself to wash and massage her feet. The other patients in the ward couldn’t help but envy her. “If I had a boyfriend like that, I’d wake up laughing from my dreams.“>
“Right? I’m curious which deity I should pray to for a man like him.
However, Briella’s heart remained unmoved. Because she knew that beneath these seemingly meticulous acts of care lurked the poison urging her to die. If she showed even a hint of emotion, it would be an act of self–cruelty.
After three days in the hospital, she returned home, but her mood remained heavy. Sheldon put all his work on hold and stayed by her side at all times. Until his friend called. “Sheldon, how about a race on the mountain road tonight?”
Sheldon looked at Briella, sitting by the window in silence and shook his head. “No, Ella’s not in a good mood. I’ll stay with her.”
1/2 38.0
9.08 PM
His friend howled in disbelief. “Are you serious? Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for her?“?
Sheldon said nothing and another friend chimed in from the side. “No way, Sheldon wouldn’t lose himself in his own act. He hasn’t forgotten how Lilia died.”
“If you’re in a bad mood, the best way to let loose is to hit the road. A few rounds of racing, get that adrenaline pumping and you’ll feel better in no time.“%
Sheldon hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded. He brought Briella along to the mountain road. As night fell, the mountaintop was packed with people. The roar of the engines and the sound of excited screams filled the air.
Sheldon’s friends greeted them enthusiastically. “Briella!“%
“Sheldon is so hard to invite out. If it weren’t for you, he’d probably be glued to home. I’ve never seen a man this whipped before.“I
“Exactly. He’s so into you that we’re all jealous.”
Whipped? In love? These people must be living in a dream. Briella didn’t respond, but unease crept into her heart. Just then, a race car roared to a stop. The door opened and Celia stepped out. Briella’s unease quickly spiked to its peak.?
