The Scorned Wife Returns
On Yves Lewis's twenty-fifth birthday, Mia Lee tragically perished in an accident, whereupon I became the Lynn Family's daughter-in-law. After our marriage, my husband and I maintained a respectful and deeply affectionate bond. For him and the Lynn Family, I relinquished all I possessed, believing I would spend my days in tranquil happiness. Yet, in my sixtieth year, my husband unexpectedly proposed interring Mia Lee's ashes in the Lynn Family ancestral grave, thereby supplanting my rightful place.
I was consumed by fury. I wept, I raged, I even cursed, yet my husband remained stubbornly resolute. To extinguish any lingering hope, he confessed he had already drafted a will, stipulating that upon his death, I would leave with nothing but the clothes on my back.
When I discovered my three sons, nay, all our descendants, sided with him, I was consumed by such rage that I vomited blood and died a wretched death before his very eyes. Upon opening my eyes again, I found myself returned to the day the Lynn Family chose its daughter-in-law.
Yves' father stood in the high hall, his expression solemn. "Yves, you are of age; it is time to make your decision. Speak, whom do you choose to be your wife?" Yves' mother smiled affably: "I wager my son will undoubtedly choose Winnie; he's been devoted to her since childhood."
In both appearance and intellect, I far surpassed Mia Lee. All within The Lynn Family knew I was the preordained daughter-in-law. Yet, in this life, Yves Lewis cast a chilling glance my way, his eyes harboring profound aversion and animosity. I understood in an instant: he, too, had been reborn. Since your heart remains captive to Mia Lee, I shall concede her to you.
I stood proactively and declared: "Uncle Lynn, Winnie is acutely aware of her lack of talent and unremarkable appearance, rendering her unworthy of Yves. Therefore, I relinquish my claim."
Yves Lewis was visibly taken aback. A flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes, only to be replaced by his usual icy detachment. He said nothing, turning abruptly to leave the hall. I knew precisely his purpose; at this juncture, Mia Lee was yet unharmed, and all could still be averted.
I remained standing, a rueful smile gracing my lips. The decades of marital devotion in my past life, it seemed, had been nothing more than a cruel illusion.
"Winnie, what was that you said?" Yves' father's voice echoed from above. I lifted my gaze to meet his. This man, who once cherished me as his own daughter, now wore a mask of utter perplexity.
I inhaled deeply, my voice so unnervingly calm it felt alien even to myself: "Uncle Lynn, as Yves' heart is elsewhere, I relinquish my position as the chosen wife." Yves' father and mother exchanged uncertain glances. Given their son's resolute departure, they were at a loss for comforting words.
I silently retreated to my room to pack, preparing for my departure. The following day, my social media feed was inundated with Yves Lewis and Mia Lee's official announcement. In the photographs, Mia Lee nestled in Yves Lewis' arms, her smile as radiant as the early summer sun. Yves Lewis held her waist tightly, his eyes overflowing with tenderness and affection. I swiped the notifications away, my face betraying no emotion.
At noon, a commotion arose downstairs. I stood by the window, watching Yves Lewis intimately take Mia Lee's arm as they swaggered through The Lynn Family gate. Before long, a heated argument erupted from the study. Yves Lewis' voice was sharp: "Dad! I have already said, I choose Mia! Why is Winnie still the Head Designer?"
Yves' father patiently explained: "Yves, Winnie has always been in charge of the jewelry sector. Suddenly changing personnel will impact the company's stock price."
"I don't care!" Yves Lewis interrupted, "I have decided that Mia is to be the daughter-in-law of The Lynn Family. Do you truly prefer to trust an outsider rather than your own son's choice?"
The jewelry business has been Lynn's Group's primary focus in recent years.
In my previous life, through my efforts, Lynn's Group soared to become the leading force in Y city's jewelry industry, securing my position as Head Designer. Yves Lewis was well aware of this.
Minutes later, the housekeeper led me to the study where Yves' father sat behind a large rosewood desk, appearing weary. He gestured for me to sit, his fingers drumming a dull rhythm on the desktop. "Winnie, there is something I must discuss with you."
"Uncle Lynn, there is no need to say more," I interrupted him, my voice so calm it felt foreign even to myself. "I understand."
Yves' father lifted his head, a flicker of surprise giving way to profound remorse.
For years, he held me in high regard, nurturing me as if I were his own daughter. But in the face of the present circumstances, Yves' father is powerless. He is nearing retirement, and someone must inherit the mantle of this family.
Yves' father sighed deeply. "The jewelry business has always been under your purview; a sudden change would be most imprudent. But as you know, Yves' temper is more intractable even than my own."
I nodded, "Uncle Lynn, I understand." Withdrawing a prepared file bag and a jade bracelet from within my robes, I placed them gently upon the table. "Contained within the bag are all current jewelry design materials and handover documents; Yves knows the password."
Yves' father fixed his gaze upon the jade bracelet, his fingers trembling almost imperceptibly. This heirloom, passed down through generations of the Lynn Family, symbolizes the status of the Lynn Family's future daughter-in-law and is said to be of inestimable value. Since the age of eighteen, I have carried it with me, and it has become almost an extension of myself. In my previous life, it remained with me until the very precipice of death.
Gazing upon my placid countenance, Yves' father hesitated, rendered speechless.
I rose and offered him a bow: "Uncle Lynn, I am eternally grateful for your care these past years, Winnie thanks you most sincerely."
The study door was abruptly thrust open, and Yves Lewis entered with hasty strides, Mia Lee close behind. "Dad, is everything settled?" He spared me not a glance, proceeding directly to Yves' father.
Yves' father nodded with resignation, sliding the documents and the Jade Bracelet towards him. "Winnie has already consented to the transfer."
Before Yves Lewis could utter a word, Mia Lee had snatched the Jade Bracelet, her eyes betraying an unconcealable elation and triumph, a spectacle that elicited a slight frown from Yves' father.
"Wait," I interjected, prompting Yves Lewis to frown. "Winnie, surely you don't intend to renege?" I shook my head and withdrew a separate document from the file. "Contained within are the core secrets of the jewelry project, including private agreements with key clients and the special terms afforded to crucial suppliers." Yves Lewis accepted the folder with suspicion, quickly scanning its contents. His brow furrowed with increasing concern. "Improper handling of these details could result in substantial losses for the Lewis Corporation in the future." I stated calmly, "With Mia Lee's capabilities, that shouldn't pose a problem, should it?"
A flicker of something uncharacteristic crossed Mia Lee's face, but it quickly reverted to her confident mien. She offered a brittle laugh, stating, "Your concerns are unfounded; I am well aware of my limitations."
I will press the matter no further. Mia Lee, a mere junior college graduate, possesses no aptitude for design nor commercial enterprise. The jewelry business's prosperity stems solely from my inexhaustible design ingenuity and my meticulous navigation of client and vendor relations. Any less effort would have proved ruinous.
"You are dismissed." Yves Lewis stated icily, "Henceforth, Lynn's Group severs all ties with you."
I began to turn away when Mia Lee's voice rang out, "Stay!" A calculated arrogance laced her tone. I halted, though did not turn back.
"Now that Winnie has been rejected, she can no longer be considered a member of The Lynn Family, correct? According to the rules, she should not remain within The Lynn Family and ought to be leaving with nothing but the clothes on her back. Yves, what is your opinion?"
The air in the study solidified instantly. I turned slowly, my gaze passing over Mia Lee's triumphant face and landing directly on Yves Lewis. "Is this your wish?"
He stood there, his expression shifting incessantly, his eyelashes trembled, his gaze began to wander, ultimately avoiding my gaze. Those few seconds of silence spoke more powerfully than any words.
Yves' father slammed his hand on the table, rising abruptly. "Nonsense! Winnie has been with the Lynn Family for twenty years. Even if she is not a daughter-in-law, she is as good as family!"
"Dad!"" Yves Lewis finally interjected. ""Mia is correct. Now that a decision has been made, we must ensure a complete severance."
I regarded him and offered a sudden smile, the placid nature of which visibly unsettled Yves Lewis. "Uncle Lynn, as this is Yves' decision, I shall respect it." My gaze swept across each individual in the study, finally settling upon Yves Lewis. He averted his eyes almost instinctively, his fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of his sleeve.
"Uncle Lynn, now that matters have reached this juncture, certain accounts must be settled." My voice, though soft, brought an abrupt silence to the study. "I assumed control of the family jewelry business at eighteen, and it has been a full five years since."
Mia Lee scoffed, but Yves Lewis silenced her with a glance.
"In my first year, the jewelry I designed garnered a national award, yielding a turnover of 300 million and a net profit of 40 million. The second year saw an international award, with a turnover of 800 million and a net profit of 120 million. In the third, I spearheaded Lynn Jewelry's entry into the J-H city market..." I recounted each item meticulously, and with every figure I disclosed, Yves' father's expression grew increasingly somber. "In summation, I have generated a net profit exceeding 2 billion for the Lynn Family in these five years."
Yves Lewis bit his lip. Of course, he knew what these numbers signified. In her previous life, it was these very projects that allowed the Lynn Family to ascend to the ranks of Y city's elite.
"The Lynn Family nurtured me for twenty years, and I earned two billion for them." My voice remained even, "This debt, we consider it settled today. The Lynn Family owes me nothing, and I owe them nothing. I am leaving with nothing but the clothes on my back, and from this moment forward, we are forever disentangled."
Mia Lee suddenly sneered: "That sounds virtuous enough, but does one truly leave with nothing but the clothes on one's back in this fashion?" She advanced and roughly tugged at my dress, "This haute couture gown is worth tens of thousands, wouldn't you agree?" She tugged at my cuff, revealing the Patek Philippe. "Your watch costs at least a million," she sneered. Then she pulled the car keys from my bag. "And this limited-edition supercar, over ten million. All of this, is there anything didn't cost the Lynn Family's money?" I endured her prodding and humiliation, my gaze fixed on Yves Lewis. His nails had already dug into his palm, yet he remained silent.
Yves. I asked softly, "Are our years of affection truly worth nothing?" His eyelashes trembled slightly, he opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent. I had believed that, reborn, I had already relinquished all attachment. Unexpectedly, even now, my heart feels as though it has been flayed, the pain near suffocating. I suppressed my emotions and began to unfasten the watch strap, the metal buckle emitting a sharp "click" that echoed harshly in the deathly silent study.
"Winnie!" Yves' father stood abruptly, "You are under no obligation to do this!"
"Uncle Lynn." I interrupted him, continuing to remove the watch, "Rules are, regrettably, rules." Bag, watch, high heels... I removed each item in turn, stacking them neatly on the floor, until at last, I even removed my stockings, standing barefoot on the frigid marble.
Triumphant smugness was etched on Mia Lee's face, while Yves Lewis's complexion had grown pallid. As I began to unbutton my dress, he could no longer bear it and averted his gaze.
"Enough!" Yves' father could no longer contain himself. "Winnie, stop!"
I calmly folded the dress and placed it upon my bag. "Henceforth, I am myself. I am Winnie, no longer the Lynn Family's Child Bride."
Emerging from the Lynn Family's back door clad only in my undergarments, I was met by a throng of reporters who swarmed towards me at first sight.
"Miss Winnie, what does it feel like to be cast out by The Lynn Family?"
"I heard you weren't even permitted to take your undergarments. Is that true?"
The harsh glare of the flashbulbs forced me to squint. "Please, make way." I spoke calmly, though my voice was a hoarse and unfamiliar rasp.
A wave of jeering laughter erupted from the crowd. The lead male reporter even deliberately aimed his camera at my most private areas. His face was familiar; he must have been present at one of Mia Lee's birthday celebrations. Clutching my chest, I hurried through the throng. Someone shoved me violently, and I fell heavily to the ground, my waist striking a sharp rock. Blood flowed freely. I desperately pressed against the wound, but the blood would not cease. I could only endure the excruciating pain, rise, and continue to flee. The reporters pursued me like sharks scenting blood, until I managed to lose them by turning into a secluded alley. As I emerged, a black Rolls-Royce suddenly blocked my path. The window lowered, revealing a handsome face.
"Miss Winnie, I am Yuri Hunter of Hunter's Group," he stated, removing his coat and gently draping it over me. "My grandfather desires an audience with you. Would that be amenable?"
I was stunned. Yuri Hunter, the celebrated young master of the J Circle. The Hunter Family, a truly established and top-tier aristocratic family.
In my previous life, I toiled for a decade merely to forge a tenuous link with this formidable entity. Now, they proactively seek me out? I straightened my posture and nodded solemnly. "It would be my distinct honor."
......
The following day, within the Lynn Family villa, Yves Lewis was staring blankly at his phone screen.
"Trending number one: Winnie, the Lynn Family's child bride, is stripped of her position as daughter-in-law, cast out, and paraded naked through the streets!"
"The world is in decline, utterly disgraceful!"
"It is said that had Young Master Lynn not considered their years of acquaintance, she would have been deprived of even her undergarments!"
"Yesterday, the esteemed Head Designer of Lynn Jewelry; today, less fortunate than a pauper truly wretched!"
"Why is anyone surprised? Such is the fate of dogs kept by the wealthy!"
He clicked on the video instinctively. The sight of the naked, faltering figure sent a tremor through him. As the camera lingered on Winnie's profusely bleeding waist and the aged scar upon her abdomen, his fingers locked in place.
"Yves, what are you looking at?" Mia Lee embraced him from behind. When she saw his phone, she laughed triumphantly. "This is wonderful! It was worth enlisting dozens of media outlets to wait for her. Now, all of Y city knows what Winnie is really like. Surely no one will dare question your choice again."
Yves Lewis managed a smile, but a nameless agitation stirred within him. The image of Winnie's bleeding body replayed in his mind. After a few moments, he abruptly seized Mia Lee's hand and pulled her close. Mistaking his mood, Mia Lee cast a sultry glance his way. "What is it, Yves? You only took me three times last night. Are you already yearning for more?"
Yves Lewis remained silent, his hand gently stroking her slender waist three times in succession. A sudden jolt of realization struck him, and he reopened the video, scrutinizing Winnie's figure. Observing his absorption, Mia Lee, piqued with jealousy, remarked acrimoniously, "Daring to parade naked in public before so many eyes; utterly shameless. It is fortunate she was cast out, lest she further disgrace The Lynn Family's name." Deaf to her words, Yves Lewis, having failed to discover what he sought, abandoned Mia Lee without a word and ascended to the second floor, to Winnie's desolate, vacant bedroom. Having found the storage trunk, I rummaged through the photo album filled with childhood memories of the three of us. Yet, within that thick volume, there was but a single photograph of Winnie. It was taken over a decade ago, by the sea in Y city. In that image, Yves, hand-in-hand with Mia Lee, sat upon the beach, his laughter radiant with joy. Winnie alone stood silently apart, clutching his swimming ring, a humble servant incongruous with the scene. One could clearly see the bandages swathed about her shoulders and waist. Yves Lewis grew rigid, as a torrent of memories surged forth.
That summer, he stole away to the back mountain to play and tumbled down a slope, his abdomen striking a sharp rock. As consciousness ebbed, a girl hoisted him onto her back. The mountain path was treacherous, and the pain in his abdomen unbearable. Instinctively, he bit down hard on her shoulder, drawing blood. Yet, she remained silent, offering instead gentle reassurance: "Fear not, the hospital is near." Upon awakening, it was Mia Lee whose gaze he met. A nurse informed him that his kidney had ruptured against the sharp rock, causing extensive hemorrhaging. A girl, she explained, had desperately brought him to the hospital and, furthermore, had donated a kidney, narrowly averting his demise. This girl, afflicted with a clotting disorder, had nearly perished from blood loss on the operating table.
Yves Lewis, lying in the hospital bed, inquired of Mia Lee whether it was she who had rescued him. Mia Lee, for a fleeting moment, appeared taken aback, yet offered no denial.
Yves Lewis's body became rigid, his breath suspended. At that instant, what remained unclear to him? He had consistently believed Mia Lee to be his savior, hence the peculiar affection he harbored and the profound sorrow he felt upon her demise. Only now did the enormity of his error become apparent.
Yves Lewis, utterly disheartened, let the Photo Album in his hand fall to the floor. He sank to the ground, muttering, "Wrong... all of it, wrong..." He recalled Winnie standing silently in the corner of the photograph, remembered the scars upon her shoulder and abdomen; she, in truth, was the one who had risked everything to save him...
As night descended, The Lynn Family blazed with light. Relatives arrived in droves, their faces plastered with smiles, their tongues dripping with flattery for Mia Lee. Radiant, Mia Lee comported herself as the very mistress of the house, accepting the well wishes of all.
Yves Lewis, holding her hand, bore a smile that seemed faintly strained.
Once all were seated, a single chair remained vacant, Winnie's seat, untouched for years. Mia Lee's eyes fell upon it, and her countenance immediately soured. Releasing Yves Lewis's hand, she swiftly approached the chair, shoving it violently to the floor. Turning to the Elderly Steward, she snapped, "What is the meaning of this? Why is a chair for an outsider placed here on this occasion? Have you become senile?"
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