Chapter 1: The Tragic Accident

The early morning sky was shrouded in dark clouds, and the winding mountain road seemed to disappear into the mist.

Thunder rumbled ominously, and rain pounded against the car windows, mirroring the turmoil in Anns heart.

Her vision blurred by the wiper blades, she focused on the red taillights ahead, ignoring the danger as she pressed down on the accelerator.

"Ann, your name... its beautiful, I really like it," a mans voice, slightly accented, crackled through her Bluetooth earpiece.

...

Ann remained silent, her disdain for the greasy, middle-aged man palpable.

If it werent for the business deal with Mr. Shen, she would never entertain such a loathsome character.

She pressed the gas pedal harder, feeling the car surge forward, her small hands gripping the wheel tightly, her veins standing out.

Ann felt an unusual thrill coursing through her, a reckless urge to run out into the rain.

"Ann, why are you pushing yourself so hard? Even if you lose this race, there are still ways to secure the contract you want," the man continued.

Anns eyes narrowed; she didnt want to hear his sleazy thoughts and snapped back, "What did you put in that cigarette you forced me to smoke?"

"You really are adorable. Dont you know theres a magical substance that can make people feel good?"

"You jerk," she spat back.

"Dont be so rude. You know, Mr. Shen really needs this business deal. If you cant win the race, I wont be gentle later."

"To beat me, youll have to kill me," Ann retorted, fueled by anger and adrenaline as she suddenly turned the wheel sharply.

"Bang!" The sound of the two cars colliding echoed through the rain.

"No, no! Are you crazy? If we keep this up, we鈥檒l both die!"

"Arent you looking for excitement? Today, Ill give you enough of it." Her cheeks flushed with exhilaration from the crash.

"Stop! Theres a sharp turn ahead!" the man shouted, his voice now urgent.

Anns ears rang with the noise, drowning out his words.

"Boom!" Another loud crash as she pressed the gas harder, the engine roaring in defiance.

"Dont!"

A desperate shout snapped Ann back to focus. Seeing the crumbling road ahead, she instinctively turned the wheel to the right.

"Bang!" The orange Lamborghini crashed through the guardrail, soaring into the air before plummeting into the valley below.

Silence enveloped her, the heavy raindrops falling on Anns face.

A warmth began to flow from her body, trickling out like a crimson flower blooming in the rain.

The sterile white walls and cold tiles of the hospital room sent chills down her spine.

On the autopsy table, Anns face was sunken, stitched up but still hauntingly disfigured.

A man in an expensive tailored suit leaned against the table, casually lighting a cigarette. The flame flickered, and a wisp of smoke curled into the air.

The smoke enveloped Anns face, and the man鈥檚 deep, cold gaze pierced through the haze. "Dont blame me. Since you refuse to leave him, I cant let him take away the Shen familys fortune."

As the smoke cleared, Ann felt her body relax slightly.

"Are you angry?" The man adjusted his hair, reaching for her cold arm, applying pressure. "If youre angry, get up and hit me. Dont you dislike my smoking? Dont you dislike being here? Ann, Ill let you die here and be buried at sea, never to return home."

"Zichen." A sweet voice called from the door.

Shen Zichens slender fingers relaxed, allowing Anns arm to fall heavily. His expression turned indifferent. "Why are you here?"

Yu Xinrous eyes softened from the initial shock. Her long legs in high heels accentuated her figure.

The floor creaked as she approached Shen Zichen.

"Now that shes gone, dont be angry with her. After all, she and Shen Zijin seemed distant, and it doesnt affect our business. Why bother with her?"

Shen Zichen listened to her words, but his eyes were distant, and he pinched her jaw, "Dont meddle in my affairs. Hows the takeover of Gus company going?"

Yu Xinrous face fell, and she looked at Shen Zichen with tears in her eyes. "Shen Zichen, do you really like her? Dont forget, shes your sister-in-law. Your interest in her is just for the will..."

"Snap!" Shen Zichen slapped her hard, "Stop talking nonsense. What about Gus company?"

"Gus company seems impressive, but in reality... its just an empty shell with no assets."

Yu Xinrou covered her cheek, feeling wronged but still spoke honestly, "And the things you mentioned arent even in Gus vault, not even in Anns home."

Shen Zichens hands clenched tightly as he glanced at the body on the table, his voice icy, "Cant even handle a small matter? Book the fastest flight; we鈥檙e leaving immediately."

Without waiting for a response, he walked out, leaving Yu Xinrou with clenched fists, staring at Ann with tears in her eyes. "Dont think youve won Zichens heart. So what? Now youre just a criminal for drug driving, and no one will sympathize with you. Youll be a ghost in this city, and everyone will look down on you."

As she spoke, she revealed a large diamond ring. "How about being poor? Now everything you had is mine, including the man you long for. This is the ring he proposed to me. Pretty, right?"

A cold wind blew through the room, and Yu Xinrou turned to leave. "You can stay here and rot. I need to take care of Zichen and our child. Goodbye."

As she disappeared, a man in a white robe entered, his deep eyes filled with concern.

He reached out to touch Anns disheveled hair, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "Youve seen the outcome. Dont be so kind-hearted in the future. Good people may not always be rewarded, and you need to see the true face of those you want to help."

In an instant, Anns stitched face fell, and tears began to flow.

The man in the white robe frowned, wiping away her tears. "Dont be sad. In the next life, remember, only you can trust."

His hand tightened around her neck, and he suddenly exerted force. "Its dawn; its time to wake up."