He Left Me in Ruins, I Rose as Queen

Merlin Olson's husband of many years, Dave Carlson, suffers amnesia after a car accident, mistaking his first love for his wife.

Dave forgot that he gained weight to become a 300-pound obese man to save Merlin.

He also forgot to confront Merlin's beastly adoptive father and die together in a fire.

He forgot that after his release from prison, he discovered she was penniless and forced himself to become Mr. Carlson.

Dave allowed his first love into their home, treating Merlin and her son like a monster. She struggles to hold on, hoping for the day he regained his memory.

However, after being raped, she overheared him on the phone with a friend.

"If I had met Merlin first, perhaps Lily Franco would be the one I used as practice for marriage now. But Lily is back; the position of Mrs. Carlson must be hers."

"I should have pretended to be a thug and raped her a little longer; that way, she would have learned her lesson."

Later, Merlin packed her bags and left. She made her son call him uncle and signed the divorce papers without protest.

Daves face grim, abruptly stopped the car, "I don't agree to a divorce."

But it was all too late.

"Grandma, I've agreed to divorce Dave and marry into the Franco Family."

The voice on the other end of the phone rose several octaves.

"Really? You're finally willing to give Luther a new father? But didn't you like that Carlson Family boy the most? How could you bear to part with him this time?"

Silence replaced the answer. The long street in the dead of night was as quiet as a mirror, reflecting Merlin's heart, riddled with wounds.

"Seven days to resolve this relationship, is that enough time?"

How could it not be enough time?

Falling from heaven to abyss only took one phone call.

"Grandma, In a week's time, I will depart with the child and leave Dave permanently. "

After hanging up the phone, Merlin received a call from Dave. Her heart sank suddenly.

"Merlin"

Merlin was momentarily dazed, involuntarily humming in agreement, as if returning to their past sweetness. But his wicked next sentence was, "Come to the hotel and bring your husband a Durex."

Silence followed the call, one second, two seconds, three seconds, until the sound came again, "What, you don't want to?"

"How could I?" Merlin smiled lightly, "After all, we're just friends."

She emphasized the word "friends," and Dave chuckled as if he had truly lost his memory.

"Strawberry flavor, Lily likes it."

Half an hour later, Merlin appeared in the Presidential Suite carrying a heavy red bucket.

Lily opened the door, leaning against it, a suggestive red mark on her neck, bursting into laughter.

"You're so shameless, even bringing Durexs to your cheating husband so quickly." Lily took the small box and arrogantly slapped it across Merlin's face. "Would you gladly kneel and serve me at the foot of the bed?"

"Yes." Even she was starting to believe that Dave wasn't her husband of many years.

Merlin laughed, took a step, raised her hand, swung it around and smashed the red bucket over Lily's head.

"If you're going to sell yourself, prepare your tools. One Durex isn't enough."

"You like taking what I don't want, huh? Then this man is yours, I don't want him."

Lily's scream successfully attracted Dave from inside the room. He had just finished showering and hadn't even had time to tie his bathrobe, rushing around.

He didn't even remember to put on his shoes, but grabbed a coat for Lily.

"Lily, are you alright?"

Lily cried, tears streaming down her face, just shaking her head repeatedly, not speaking. Her eyes were timid and pitiful as she looked at Merlin.

The man picked Lily up, his lips tightly pressed together, his eyes cold. "Ignore her, let's go."

"Let's go?" Merlin's fingers gripping the phone felt cold.

She thought they were a perfect couple, but it turned out she was just an insignificant clown.

Merlin's heart suddenly felt bitter.

Dave suffers amnesia after a car accident, mistaking his first love Lily for his wife.

Dave forgot that he gained weight to become a 300-pound obese man to save Merlin.

He also forgot to confront Merlin's beastly adoptive father and die together in a fire.

He forgot that after his release from prison, he discovered she was penniless and forced himself to become Mr. Carlson.

Dave allowed his first love into their home, treating Merlin and her son like a monster. She struggles to hold on, hoping for the day he regained his memory.

However, she overheared him on the phone with a friend.

"If I had met Merlin first, perhaps Lily Franco would be the one I used as practice for marriage now. But Lily is back; the position of Mrs. Carlson must be hers."

"I should have pretended to be a thug; that way, she would have learned her lesson."

Merlin watched him slam the door on her, and her eyes suddenly welled up. She had no intention of putting up with a man like this anymore.

Turning away, she went downstairs and started the car. Her child was waiting for her at home.

The car slowly started moving.

The cold night wind rushed in through the car window. This was the first time she hadn't disturbed Dave's good time since she learned he was faking amnesia, yet he had someone deliberately rear-end her car.

Does it feel good to bully someone, Merlin? Lily was so scared until she couldn't sleep all night. Are you satisfied now?

He grabbed her by the back of her collar and slammed her against the smoking hood of the car.

Even if you misunderstand me as your husband, you shouldn't have driven Lily to such a desperate situation.

She just returned to the country, all alone and helpless. You're still torturing her like this. Are you trying to kill her?

Human life matters most. How can you be so cruel and shameless?! The hood of the car sizzled against her cheek, but Merlin seemed oblivious to the pain.

Who had been the one being mocked from beginning to end? And who was being intimidated now? Was she just supposed to obediently wait to die, without even the right to fight back?!

At this moment, Merlin finally answered her grandmother's question in her heart.

Because Dave no longer loved her.

He had risked his life to donate bone marrow for her, served time in jail and even gone to sea. Before overhearing the phone call, she foolishly chose to believe him.

She believed he had only lost his memory in a car accident and mistaken Lily for her, which was why his feelingsand his treatment of her and their sonhad changed so drastically.

Merlin never dared to dream that the amnesia was fake, the love was fake and even the marriage was just a tool to use her as a practice subject.

The man who spoke gently even to the waitress, whose manners were ingrained in his bones, actually disguised himself as a thug and raped her to force her to leave.

"Thinking you're my husband..."

That's right. All these years, it was just wishful thinking on her part, just a pathetic joke.

She laughed, but unlike her usual gentle laughter, it revealed a calmer and more clear-headed side.

"Stop pretending to have amnesia, Dave. It's pointless. I'll only ask one question."

"Have you ever, even for a moment, truly liked me?"

Dave showed no embarrassment at being exposed, nor did he try to distance himself from her as before. Instead, he smiled slightly, carefree and unrestrained, indescribably handsome.

In all these years, she had never seen him smile with such youthful energy, while Lily, with just her appearance, effortlessly possessed a tenderness she could never attain in her entire life.

Her eyes instantly reddened and she hastily lowered her head, burying her tears in her clothes.

"Answer me."

She lowered her head, watching the gradually falling rain, stubbornly wanting an answer.

But the only response she received was the cold, icy rain.

Then, Dave actually sent Merlin to prison on charges of instigating murder.

The last time he was in jail, Dave had just finished off Merlin's stepfather, his face covered in soot, yet he shouted with radiant joy.

"There are no more beastly fathers in this world, only me, Merlin, who loves you."

This time, he was dressed in a suit and tie, his stunningly beautiful face hidden in the light, yet he said, "The old you would never have been so unreasonable."

She had been deceived by him for so many years, living as a dependent in his own home, being taken advantage of by Lily and yet he still scolded her for being unreasonable.

She tilted her head slightly, her face damp, indistinguishable between raindrops and tears.

"Dave, I only love you, I'm not stupid."

She was willing to sacrifice for love, but how could Dave be so heartless, not even sparing the child?

"Luther stole Lily's money, sent him to the station too, to sober up."

"Like mother, like child, this isn't his fault."

The expected slander still pierced her heart, causing her entire heart to ache.

"Killing someone is just a matter of a quick death, why feign amnesia and destroy people's hearts? Why drag the child into it?"

"Want fame and fortune? I'll grant your wish. Divorce or leave with nothing? We'll go for it."

With a bang, the iron gate slammed shut, cutting him off from everything.

Luther was only three years old, so well-behaved that the whole neighborhood knew it. Usually, a single glance from his father would terrify him.

No one believed such a sensible child would steal money. Yet, ironically, his most respected and admired father was the first to send him to the police station.

The child, head down, huddled in a corner, crying helplessly. He wore a thin T-shirt bought last year, the ankles too short, like his own shattered self-esteem.

Countless times, Dave was brought home drunk, vomiting uncontrollably into the toilet, recounting the hardships of starting a business.

Merlin felt heartache and guilt, having reduced herself and her child to poverty.

She thought sincerity would be reciprocated, that sharing hardship would lead to shared happiness, but what she received was Lily driving a Rolls-Royce, her entourage of haggard customers mocking her.

Youre talking nonsense. Dave is helping discipline your child, yet instead of being grateful, you speak so rudely. Have you no manners? Youre unbelievably shallow.

No wonder Dave would rather buy me a house and a car than spend a single cent on you. A toad dressed in gold is still a toad.

Her voice was booming, showing no sign of weakness, but Dave carefully covered her eyes.

Be good, don't look, it's bad luck.?

He hadn't mentioned bad luck when he set her up, but now he was disgusted with her? Fine, she and Luther were already desperate.

I can make you even more unlucky.

She spat in Lily's face, then, under Dave's dark expression, recounted her past battles with leukemia and the flu.

Hearing the sharp, explosive sound, a cold smile flashed across her eyes.

"If you really send Luther in, I don't mind fighting you to the death."

Besides Luther, Merlin had nothing left.

She once thought she had everything, only to find it was all a dream. All that talk of unwavering love, of devoted husband and wife, was nothing but an illusion.

Merlin anonymously transferred the betrothal gifts from the Franco Family to the company account.

She paid ten million to have Dave serve time for her, so they would be even. But not long after, Dave personally bailed Merlin out.

He stood straight outside the door, his eyes filled with heartache. He draped his suit jacket, which he had taken off earlier, over her thin frame, held an umbrella for her and even brought her favorite milk tea.

Merlin stared blankly at the straw brought to her lips, pinching her thigh hard. It hurt! It wasn't a dream.

Luther has already been sent to school. Dont worry, hes my son. How could I let him go to jail?

Her body stiffened, but she continued walking forward, focused and single-minded, without looking back. All she could think about were the five daysthe last five days.

Suddenly, Dave hugged her from behind. Merlin, please dont ignore me, okay?

He was very tall; he had to bend slightly to touch her neck with his chin.

If it werent for fulfilling Moms wish, I wouldnt have pretended to have amnesia and let you and Luther suffer.

You know, she only recognizes Lily now. I really couldnt help it. His warm breath enveloped her neck.

Merlin didnt flinch. Her gaze unconsciously drifted elsewhere as she handed him a divorce agreement disguised as a guarantee, demanding he promise he would never lie to her again.

His eyes lit up instantly.

"Let me see what kind of love guarantees my little Merlin wrote." He calls her "Little Merlin" when he's happy and "poisonous woman" when he's not.?

Was that your love, Dave? It was outrageously fake!

Merlin quickly grabbed the "guarantee," deliberately provoking him.

"What, scared now?"

He paused slightly, a strange smile curving his lips as he reached out and hooked her delicate nose.

"You can sell me off." His tone was so doting that her finger froze in mid-air, forgetting what she was doing.

He was a powerful figure in the business world, someone who would rather bleed than cry, yet he set aside his pride to beg herespecially since Daves mother truly suffers from Alzheimers.

The divorce papers were signed and Merlin breathed a sigh of relief, lowering her guard as she took a sip of her milk tea.

Just one sip and she was overcome with sleepiness, falling into a deep sleep.

She woke up to find herself completely naked, sprawled out and bound without any dignity in front of a strange man.

"I'll only let you go this once. Remember the taste of being betrayed by a man." Thinking of that strangely-tasting milk tea, her throat tightened and she couldn't utter a word.

No matter how bitter or difficult things were, Dave hadn't resorted to underhanded tactics against his business rivals, yet he easily cooperated with Lily to drug her.

How cruel! It was truly cruel, Dave!

The man glanced at her indifferently, exuding a frivolous and flirtatious air.

"Go back and tell Lily that I don't want any woman who throws herself at me, including her."

"A princess's illness is called princess syndrome; hers is called a pheasant's emotional instability syndrome."

At that time, Merlin didn't know that this was Isaac Franco, the playboy she was about to marry.

During the eight hours she was imprisoned, Merlin thought Dave would be frantically searching for her all over the world.

Knowing his character, if he knew Lily had used such despicable methods on her, he would be furious and vehemently condemn her shameless tactics.

But after finally getting his phone back, he found no messages from Dave, while Lily was ostentatiously showing off her relationship on her WhatsApp Story.

[Who's so lucky? A simple 'period pain' and my partner's been cooking for me for ages. Oh, it's me!]?

The accompanying picture was of Dave wearing an apron and boiling brown sugar water; his profile, with its defined curves, was still breathtakingly handsome, but Merlin felt her heart skip a beat.

During the eight hours she was unaware of his fate, he was showering another woman with affection. And what about her? What was she?

Dave hated the smell of cooking oil in the kitchen, yet he made an exception for Lily. It turned out he didn't dislike cooking; he just didn't like cooking for Merlin.

She was too foolish to trust him again, which was why they treated her like trash and sent her to her nemesis Isaac's bed.

Late at night, Merlin stood at her doorstep, holding the divorce papers, ready to settle things with Dave personally.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the elevator entrance. Merlin, as if possessed, hid behind the fire escape door.

Dave, Merlin didnt actually believe your nonsense, thinking you were with me just to fulfill some old ladys ridiculous wish, did she? Shes so adorably stupid.

You said youd just teach her a lesson, but how could you be so heartless? You stripped her naked and handed her over to Isaac and even took so many explicit photos. Ughyou men are so annoying.

In that instant, it felt like a truckload of cement had been poured onto her heart, then quickly solidified.

Dave hated the presence of strangers. To accommodate him, Merlin had done everything herself for many years of marriage, never hiring servants.

But now, with five or six servants bustling around the house, he didnt mind.

He reached out and brushed aside Lilys long hair that fell in front of her ear, as if Lily were the one he had spent eleven years with.

She glanced at the 999 diamond rings the maid brought, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes.

"I said, my wedding ring can and should only belong to you."

When she married Dave, one had just been released from prison, the other had just been kicked out of her home.

They were penniless. Merlin wore her simple copper ring with unwavering care, even refusing to take it off while showering.

Later, Dave became successful. She understood his struggles, understood the company's growth phase and considered everyone's feelings except hers.

The wedding ring, still slightly red at her knuckles, suddenly laughed, scrubbed it vigorously with soapy water and the metal ring clattered down the drain.

If giving everything couldn't win her heart, then this marriage was better off without it.

Suddenly, a childish voice reached her ears.

"Mommy, what's this strange, crazy woman at my door? Doesn't she have a home? Why doesn't she come home?" Looking up, Merlin almost choked.

Lily's daughter, dressed in Luther's clothes and carrying Luther's schoolbag, acted as if it were all her right, arrogantly ordering Merlin to leave.

Lily also pinched her nose in disgust, "Joel, see that? A woman should never act like that, looking so worthless. It's disgusting to look at."?

Dave, who came out upon hearing the commotion, remained silent, coldly observing his true mistress being pointed at and called a mistress by the child.

That was the home she had lived in for over ten years.

Wasn't it enough that Lily had stolen her status as the mistress of the house? Now she even wanted to take away Luther's things?

Just because she married Dave, did she have to be bullied and abused every day?

Merlin clenched her fists, thinking that if things escalated to the police station, Luther would also be affected at school, so she endured it.

But then she noticed that the schoolbag had the same class, the same student number and even the same seat number as her son's.

But the name that originally belonged to Luther had been changed to Joel.

Merlin stood there, stunned, as if struck by lightning.

If Lily's daughter had taken Luther's place at school, where had Luther been these past few days?

Merlin's head was buzzing.

She couldn't bear to imagine how this three-year-old child, who always slept close to her mother and had never left home, could be huddled in a corner, struggling to survive, all alone, separated from her parents.

"You mean that little beggar? He was so annoying, always following me around, so I kindly took him to an orphanage." Joel smiled innocently, but Merlin broke out in a cold sweat.

"There's no orphanage in Frostvale City! Where did you take Luther? Tell me!" She shook the little girl's shoulder forcefully, but she flew two meters away like a kite with a broken string, hitting her head on the corner of a table.

"Daddy, did I do something wrong until that Auntie hit me so hard? she asked, Please, Auntie, forgive me"?

Even more suffocating, Lily suddenly knelt down, tears streaming down her face.

Merlin, if you have a problem, come at me! I've tolerated all the beatings and scoldings you've given me before, but the child is innocent. Don't drag the child into this, okay?

Yes, Im shameless. I fell in love with a married manso what? I love Dave so much that I cant pull myself away. I was foolishly infatuated.

Merlin was about to argue when someone brushed past her, their hair and shirt collar swaying.

Merlin, it's just a small matter, is it necessary to make such a big deal out of it? Are you only happy if you drive them to their deaths?

I used to think you were just straightforward and cute, when did you become so vicious?

Dave's gaze was gentle, his eyes filled with nothing but the incessant commotion of Lily and her daughter.

His own son was missing, possibly dying, yet he seemed oblivious, not even bothering to ask.

Merlin felt as if a sharp stone was stuck in her throat.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Even a blind man could see who was forcing whom, yet he could utter such cruel words with his eyes wide open.

Why were Lily and her daughters issues treated as serious, while she and Luther were dismissed even in a life-or-death situation?

Did being unloved mean they didnt even deserve to liveonly to be abandoned and sacrificed?

"You don't want Luther, but I do!" Merlin searched frantically for three days and three nights, finally finding Luther.

His small body was limp, his skin blue from the cold, curled up quietly in the mosquito-infested garbage disposal center, clutching the piggy bank his father had given him.

"Mom, I cracked the computer virus at Dad's company, but I need to pay a fee to fully recover the files."

"Mom, I didn't mean to, can you please beg Dad not to abandon us?"

He was on the verge of death, his thin, cold body unable to withstand the constant rubbing and breathing on to warm him.

Worse still, Luther's severe allergic reaction triggered asthma and he was on the verge of suffocating. Dave, who had brought him specially made, highly effective medicine, refused to see him.

She waited from dusk till dawn, kneeling in the rain all night, holding her ailing child, pleading with him to save Luther.

But all night, Dave was busy comforting the frightened Lily and her daughter to sleep.

He was so anxious that he summoned all the doctors in the city to be on standby, yet he was so stingy that he wouldn't give Merlin a single dose of the medicine.

"He's been stealing since he was little. If we don't teach him a lesson, what will he domurder or arson!"

"He just wanted to help you with his own pocket money. What did he do wrong!"

Merlin raised her voice, her nose stinging, almost crying.

"Why don't you investigate Lily? Instead, you're trying to destroy us, mother and child."

He used to be so considerate. Even a slight frown from her would cause him endless worry; forgetting to say goodnight would keep him tossing and turning all night.

Now, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Luther was delirious with a high fever, yet he narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with scrutiny and suspicion.

Keep making things up, Merlin. Do you know that Lily just had an

Oh, Dave, please stop. That's all I should do.

Interrupted by Lilys sensible manner, the last sentence, just received ten million in investment funds, was forced to be phrased differently.

Lily is a highly educated returnee from overseas. With her in charge of the company, what problems could possibly arise? Besides, if such a major loophole had truly occurred, wouldnt I know?

What if Lily was deceiving her superiors? What if her intention was to steal company secrets for money?

Merlin had investigated; Lilys ex-husband had recently made a name for himself in the computer field, but his progress was limited to core technologies.

If the secrets were truly stolen, everything Dave was so proud of would be gone.

But the words caught in his throat.

The child was in shock and suffocating; he held the life-saving medication in front of her, slowly counting the pills. "This area is your punishment for laying a hand on Lily and hurting her."

"This area is the consequence of your mockery of Joel."

Watching all the life-saving medicine flushed down the toilet, Merlin's eyes widened in fury.

"Even tigers don't eat their cubs! Dave, how could you bear to treat your own son like this?

How could you bear to watch him die? How could you be so heartless?!" Her desperate roar was no match for Lily's rushing figure.

"Dave, my lower body is itchy. The doctor said I should hand-wash my underwear, but these servants' hands are too rough." Her eyes pointedly fixed on Merlin, she sighed softly.

"My sister's hands have been pampered for years, so they're delicate. Unfortunately, in my sister's eyes, I'm just someone unworthy of being presented to the public..."

A pampered, free nanny?

Watching him clutch the last half of the special medicine, she sneered coldly.

"You should know what to do." Merlin slumped to the ground, never having hated anyone so much.

The child's heart-wrenching cries and the child's vomiting of blood were nothing to him; Lily washing her underwear was his top priority.

Did not being loved mean even living became a luxury?

The underwear had a large patch of yellowish, sticky discharge at the crotch, with a single hair still attached.

If Dave had never been serious about her, it would be one thing, but he had once been passionate and devoted; how could he now be even more depraved than others?

She washed it in humiliation, enduring the nausea, painstakingly scraping away the filth with her fingernails, losing even the last shred of dignity, thinking this would buy Luther's life-saving medicine, but he treated Luther's life like a game.

"Kneel down, apologize, repent for what you've done." He glanced at them coldly, then quickly looked away, as if not worth a second longer.

Everyone expected Merlin to throw a tantrum, to become hysterical. But this time, she was quiet, silent and didn't utter a single unnecessary word.

She knelt down, kneeling in repentance. "It was my fault."

"My fault was handing out flyers on the freezing streets, my hands covered in chilblains, just to buy you your favorite birthday cake."

"My fault was risking my life to give birth to Luther just because you said the child was cute."

"My biggest fault was willingly sacrificing for you all these years, never causing you any trouble, thinking you could see all my goodness, only to become the funniest joke in the world!" Her smile remained, but her eyes had long lost their liveliness, filled only with endless hatred.

"Dave, either save Luther, or kill me now, otherwise, I will make you pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold price!!"

On the last day, Luther finally recovered. The ward was piled with small cakes and paper airplanes that Dave had sent, as if in apology.

"That day, thankfully, Mr. Carlson contacted Mr. Vincent, otherwise the child would have been in danger." Merlin's hand trembled as she fed Luther porridge, her head turning away blankly.

"Who did you say?"

The nurse, after taking her temperature.

"Mr. Carlson, the top-ranked of Frostvale City's Ten Outstanding Youths."

Her heart suddenly ached and she instinctively gripped her spoon tightly, only to hear the nurse teasingly say, "You two are truly blessed. You're complete strangers to Mr. Carlson, yet he's so kind as to rescue you simply because you live next door to his beloved wife."

"This kind of fortune is something most people couldn't accumulate in several lifetimes."

"What?" Her breath caught in her throat, her heart nearly stopping.

She ran next door, overwhelmed with bitterness, only to find Dave and Lily, mother and son, enjoying a harmonious family meal of an eighteen-layer cake.

The room was filled with paper airplanes he had folded himself, beautiful and neat, a stark contrast to the ones he made for Luther.

She stood there dumbfounded outside the door, like an alien.

"Mr. Carlson really dotes on his wife. I heard that his wife and child only sneezed and he immediately called in the top asthma doctor overnight, afraid that anything might happen to them."

The nurse said enviously, but Merlin smiled numbly and said through the glass window, "That's nice." Then she turned and left.

Yes, they were the real family; she and Luther were just a tool for practice.

The child was still young and didn't know what a bonus was; he only knew that this little cake was exceptionally exquisite.

"Mommy, did Daddy make up for his loss, so he gave me a little cake as a reward?"?

Merlin couldn't bear to dampen the child's joy, so she forced a smile and asked softly, "Luther, how about we get a different daddy?"

The current Dave was just another person wearing the same skin; he was no longer the one who cherished them so much.

"Was Luther naughty and made Daddy angry? Mommy, Luther was wrong, I will change everything. So, Mommy, please don't divorce Daddy, okay?"

Like Dave, he had long, thick eyelashes that framed his large, watery eyes, making them appear misty and evoking pity.

"Divorce? Who said anything about divorce?"

Dave appeared at the door, keenly catching the key words.

"Aren't you just trying to threaten me by saying these things?"

He reacted extremely strongly, grabbing Merlin's wrist fiercely and glaring at her.

"Don't try to play tricks. We're already married. You're not leaving for the rest of your life."

He slammed the door and left, his expression terrifying.

That night, Luther detected that Dave's company had been hacked by a virus again. This time, Merlin raised her hand to stop Luther from cracking the virus, instead preserving the evidence.

"Dave, if you have even a shred of sense, you should see what Lily has done."

Even the IP address showed it was Lily's computer, but faced with irrefutable evidence, Dave was dismissive.

"A three-year-old can do this? Merlin, you should at least come up with a better excuse." The gaze directed at them was cold and distant, unlike anything he'd ever seen before.

Luther was admitted to a private school through a special admission process; surely he must have some extraordinary talent??

Why would he rather believe Luther's lie about sending Joel to an orphanage than believe her and Luther!

"Fine, Dave, you'll regret this."?

The sharp words stung him and Dave abruptly stood up, pulling Merlin into his arms.

"Why are you always so cold-hearted, always as hard as a rock? Can't you learn to be gentle and kind like Lily?"

And like Lily, feigning affection, treating him like a fool?

If he wanted to coax someone, he should ask Lily, why was he dragging her along?

"Sorry, I can't learn."

She struggled free, cold as an iceberg, just as Lily, returning home, witnessed it.

Lily pouted, tears welling in her eyes.

"I thought my sister was really going to divorce Dave, making me search the whole city for you to reconcile us. I never expected my sister to say one thing and do another, manipulating us like a fool. Are you happy now?"

"Dave, you also think I'm a used woman from a previous marriage, that's why you despise me, right?"

"Then my sister and I should just die, so we won't get in your way!"

She pretended to bang her head against the wall, but her movements were slow and deliberate, perfectly timed before Dave could strike.

The little girl was quick to react, kneeling down and slapping herself.

"Brother, please don't hit me anymore, okay? I'll never dare to steal your father again. You're right, I'm a bastard, an unwanted wild child, I don't deserve to fight you for him."

"Please, please don't sell me to human traffickers again, okay? I'll go to school obediently for you, I'll bring you money obediently."

Dave's anger erupted.

"Merlin, is this the good son you raised?!"?

The greatest sorrow was a broken heart, while the greatest grief was silence.

Perhaps Dave had never changed; he simply stopped pretending.

Merlin stopped explaining, a calm ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.

Want to be obedient? I'll grant your wish.

That night, she obediently packed her bags and left, obediently made her son call him uncle and even obediently signed the divorce papers he handed her.

Im leaving.

She had never spoken to him in such a cold tone. Dave gripped the table so tightly his knuckles turned white from the force.

You always say youre leaving, but Ive never seen you actually leave. Try leaving and see if Dave goes after you or comes looking for me. Lily mocked smugly, while Dave snorted coldly and turned his back on her.

Merlin gave a self-deprecating bitter smile.

She had said she was leaving many times, but this time was different. The Franco Familys car was already waiting at the door.

It was over.

She walked with light steps, like a gust of wind, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

Dave suddenly shifted restlessly in his chair, even forgetting to chew the apple Lily had put in his mouth.

"I haven't even signed it. Who are you trying to scare with an invalid divorce agreement?"?

He tapped his knuckles lightly on the agreement, one tap after another, completely confident and oblivious to the problem with the "guarantee" he had casually signed two days earlier.

Watching Merlin get into the car without looking back, Dave was still inexplicably irritated, throwing his coat angrily onto the sofa.

If you have the guts to leave, then never come back! His voice echoed throughout the building.

Her expression went blank for a second, then she looked up and urged the driver to leave without hesitation.

Mr. Carlson, Miss Olson she really left.

Daves face darkened and he abruptly stopped. Which direction did she go?

South of the city.

That was his nemesis Isaacs territory.

That hypocritical woman, speaking so coldly one minute and then eagerly going to his nemesis to side with him the next.

He glanced at her disdainfully with his narrow eyes, arrogantly saying, Lily just gave Isaac a big gift a few days ago, theres no need for Merlin to embarrass herself again.

Although he didnt know what the gift was, Lily had assured him that Isaac would not cause him any more trouble in the near future.

"If she gets kicked out or harassed, I won't go to save her," he said this, yet paced back and forth in the study, oblivious to the overflowing teacup spilling onto the floor.

That evening, when Dave inquired about Merlin's movements for the sixth time, Lily, as delicate as a willow in the breeze, pushed open the door.

Thinking it was Merlin finally returning to beg him, Dave's lips curled into a smug smile.

"I told you you'd come begging me sooner or later, I was right."

"Luckily, she's with someone as good as me, letting her be. If it were someone else..." Turning around and seeing it was Lily, his face instantly fell.

"Dave... If you're worried about Sister Merlin, go ahead. Anyway, Joel and I just have a bad case of the flu, at most we'll faint, it's nothing serious."?

Usually, Lily feigned magnanimity, making Dave feel incredibly sorry for her, wishing he could stay with her 24/7.

This time, he turned and ran, only realizing his rudeness at the door. He hurriedly waved, signaling her to take care of herself.

The moment he burst out the door, even the wind felt free.

Dave was like a warrior cutting through thorns to rescue a princess trapped in a castle, full of vigor and high spirits. But the next moment, he was stopped in his tracks by a servant's terrified scream.

"Mr. Carlson, something terrible has happened! Miss Franco and her child have both vomited blood and gone into shock. They're dying!"

He froze on the spot, not moving.

"Before Miss Franco fainted, she said that the 50 million investments would be transferred to the company immediately and that you shouldn't worry about her life or death, just go find Miss Olson."

He raised his hand to his temples, the pent-up frustration in his chest turning into a long sigh and he had no choice but to turn away.

But the tension and worry in his eyes were gone. He mechanically repeated the action of covering himself with the blanket all night, looking extremely unwilling yet having no choice but to comply.

The next morning, Dave received news of Isaac's engagement. The bride's face was deliberately blurred, but her figure looked strangely familiar.

Dave didn't pay much attention and quietly slipped out, intending to check if Merlin was dead.

If she were smart enough to reveal her relationship with him, Isaac probably wouldn't make things too difficult.

"Mr. Carlson! Lily planted a virus on the company computer and transferred all our confidential documents and investment funds!"

At the entrance of the manor, Dave stumbled, almost bumping into a life-sized engagement display board.

"How is that possible? She just transferred the investment funds."

In the sunlight, the bride's face was bathed in a golden glow. He didn't care to look, but his heart suddenly skipped a beat, as if something of the most important thing in his life was slowly slipping away.

"The finance department just discovered that the investment funds were transferred anonymously under Miss Merlin's name."

Dave's eyes widened in astonishment.